Another Nice Space Picture

This time much the same view, just on the other side of the planet.  Instead of the eastern seaboard of the U.S., here it's Japan.  (permalink to NASA's APOD site)

Remember when things like space stations were the stuff of sci-fi?

ps: Busy week.  Meetings.  Taxes.  Going to leave this pretty picture on top for a few days.  Will be back with more two-wheeled adventures and bone crunches ASAP, which may take a bit.

As if on cue for my week of meetings.

This popped up over at PhD Comics (permalink).  Exactly describes my next week:

No bucks, no Buck Rogers.  The things we do to make it all happen.

Monster from the Id

I've been making references lately to the "monster from the id" in the old sci-fi movie Forbidden Planet.  For those who need a refresher, here's a key clip from the movie:

Monster from the Id Attacks!

My only question is, will Walter Pidgeon awake in time?

On a tangentially related note, here's an interesting documentary about the movie.  Two parts, totaling about a half-hour.  It's worth the view.

A Car from Back in the Day

Back in the day, when BMW's really were The Ultimate Driving Machine, there was this little fun screamer called the 2002.  Over at Hooniverse, they have a test drive video of a recently restored '74 model.  Truly a thing of beauty.  Go see it here.

Unfortunately the "skinny tin box" has gone the way of the bare-bones Jeep.  Looks like Mustangs are filling the gap these days.

Gravel Grinder Lore

Digging around on the web for the last couple of weeks has yielded all kinds of advice:

• http://www.bikeradar.com/us/road/gear/article/get-started-with-gravel-grinding-44386/
• http://gunnarbikes.com/site/lifestyles/on-the-gravel/
• http://www.gravelcyclist.com
• http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/biking/gravel-grinder-absolutely-bike/
• http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/174720-buyer’s-guide-gravel-and-adventure-bikes-plus-16-best
• http://salsacycles.com/culture/five_tips_for_the_first_time_gravel_grinder
• http://www.active.com/cycling/articles/gravel-grinder-racing-what-you-need-to-get-started
• http://www.gravelcyclist.com/2-bicycle-setup/
• https://gearjunkie.com/endurance-gravel-bike-race
• http://blog.performancebike.com/2015/09/22/top-tips-for-riding-gravel/
• http://reviews.mtbr.com/how-to-gravel-grinding-taming-the-road-less-paved
• http://blog.rei.com/cycle/beaten-path-try-gravel-grinding/

With so much free advice that's maybe even worth what you paid for it out there on the net, I'll add some things I either tried or learned from last weekend.

• Go paleo/low carb well in advance (say, months) of the ride.  That way you don't have to eat during the event, and you'll avoid the dreaded "gut rot."  Here's a motivational book that'll tell you everything you need to know: Eat Bacon, Don't Jog.  Of course, effortlessly losing 20 lbs doesn't hurt any either.
• A little bit of non-carb electrolyte powder or squirt-tube concentrate helps the water absorb better.  It's light to carry, and you can pick up water along the way – usually.
• When it comes to gear, go with proven stuff you know.  Even if it is a little worn, so long as it's still serviceable it's better to go with familiar gear.
• When it comes to gear, when in doubt, go with the heavier duty option.  Skip the flyweight CX competition tubes for heavy butyl with kevlar tire liners, that sort of thing.  You're out there in the elements, not zipping around a short closed course.

There.  Notes to self before the next grinder complete.

Serious Pirate Radio

This isn't about "playing good music when you can't get an FCC license."  Rather, this is "passing the news when people are trying to kill you."  Raspberry Pi-powered transmitters broadcast Syrian radio, over at the BBC.

Don't try this at home kids.

That's right, don't try painting a tunnel on the side of the house and driving your car through.  No really, I don't need the repair bills right now.

Yes, it's been bouncing around on the net for a couple of months, with various degrees of veracity claimed here and there.  Doesn't matter, it's still a funny scenario.  Hat tip to The Well-Informed Son for pointing it out.  Pictures above are from this link.