Do Not Use: Circuit Symbols

From xkcd of course:

Permalink to #2818

Just the most doggy days of the dog days.  I'm going back to reading.  Will be around.

Hoo Boy

And away we go!

First Cool Front of Fall?

Or perhaps more of the first "doesn't quite melt the balls off a brass monkey" days of late summer.  The storms moved through very early this morning, clearing out by daylight, and I must say, 92F is vastly preferable to 98F.  

I noticed that some of my old biking (and crashing) grounds up near Bude MS dropped into the mid-60's as well.  Unfortunately those temperatures didn't quite make it this far southeast, but still 73F is much better than a low of 79F.  Whatever it is, I'll take it.

Out On the Town

Just a copperhead, out cruising Avenue D in the heart of downtown last Wednesday evening:

County Animal Control had things.. well, under control, and mr-no-legs is off to the snakey farm for a lifetime of free chow and donating venom for making antivenom.  (Why do the medical people have to call it 'antivenin'?  It clutters up the language.  Oh wait, it's from French.  No wonder.  Anyway, in 1981 the WHO (organization, not band) decreed that 'antivenom' is the preferred term for the English-speakers.  Works for me.)

But Is It Worth It?

People sometimes ask me about my new bike, mostly commenting on how good it looks, sometimes asking how much it cost.  That last one all too often comes off feeling about like this old Belushi skit, to which my stock response is "more than my F-150."  Unless of course if I'm talking with another biker who's genuinely shopping around, in which case it's an entirely different discussion.  Anyway, back to the main point: What does the extra cash really buy you, and where is the point of diminishing returns?

Well, here we go.  A knowledgable guy compares his $13,000 custom hardtail with a $400 Walmart bike.  The bottom line is that he's got some constructive, encouraging things to say to the person who just wants to ride a little before going all-in.

So is it worth it, to me personally?  I'm crashing less and my back problems have cleared up for much less than the medical expenses would've likely cost me, so even apart from all the extra riding joy, just on the cash cost, yes, 100% yes.

The Stuff Webb Finds

I have no idea, and evidently neither does the universe:

Discussion at space dot com.