tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21844289769517550872024-03-05T23:32:12.392-06:00- Snak Shak -Peeling back a corner of the universe to glimpse the utter chaos that lies behind.Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.comBlogger796125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-68841776037253564842012-11-18T11:33:00.001-06:002012-11-18T11:33:32.845-06:00Creation Stories
After a long hiatus on this blog, I am back.
It's been a heck of a year - aging parent's on both sides of the family, moves to accommodate said aging parents, funerals, and trying to settle into a new, stable orbit free of the gravitational pull of my Corporate overlords, etc., etc. It's unclear whether or not equilibrium has been established, but the wobbles seem to be slowing.
Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-36632881188754919902012-08-07T19:43:00.001-05:002012-08-07T19:48:33.151-05:00The Secret to Doing Favors and Moving On
This Always Makes Me NervousOriginally uploaded by Snak Shak
Last week my neighbor-through-the-alley mentioned that she wanted to get her grandson a 20-inch bike to ride around when he came to visit her. She didn't want to spend a lot, but she was willing to spend something. She asked me for some ideas on where to look.
After a short Craig's List search and one phone call, I had lined up a Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-64935058519960136102012-06-26T20:08:00.001-05:002012-06-26T20:10:38.030-05:00Rolling Again
Troll FenceOriginally uploaded by Snak Shak
True to my word, I am back on the bike, giving riding in circles the old college-try.
Today took me to St. Paul, that fair sister city where the down town is quaint and everyone is home reading the Pioneer Press by 8:00pm. In spite of what anyone may say about St. Paul, I really like that town. They have excellent coffee coolers, don't knock down Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-28685340163255668652012-06-24T20:07:00.003-05:002012-06-24T20:07:55.996-05:00Brompton Responds
I got a very polite "thanks but no thanks" from Brompton re: my open letter concerning the attire expected at Brompton races.
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your feedback. The 'English Attire' at our races is a bit of a tradition now and overall very popular. While we do not encourage people to dress up in fancy dress (that is their choice I assure you), we like the idea of everybody racing in a Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-81619675450434624812012-06-06T22:04:00.001-05:002012-06-06T22:04:17.010-05:00Get Together: June 14 at Sea SaltBikes, Blogs and Beer Still LifeOriginally uploaded by Snak ShakThe bike bloggers of MPLS will be gathering at Sea Salt on Thursday, June 14 around about happy hour to share stories, get reacquainted and talk about those that don't show up.If you blog for BikeMN, MPLS Bike Alliance, Cycle TC or some other fringe independent blog (like me at the moment) you are warmly invited to join us. Just lookSnak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-74584140707051819042012-06-06T21:15:00.000-05:002012-06-06T21:21:49.392-05:00An Open Letter to Brompton
Dear Brompton -
Your bikes are engineering genius! I love them. They work so well for commuters and regular people who want to ride a bike but don't have room to store a bike.
Why, why, why do you encourage "English attire" in your Brompton championship events? Wouldn't it make more sense to have people show up in their every-day clothes and race it out? Honestly, the whole Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-79073593197727466862012-06-06T18:07:00.002-05:002012-06-06T20:03:29.543-05:00Landmarks
I am back from yet another trip to the Ancestral Homeland to conduct some business on behalf of my Mom with carpet purveyors, handymen, attorneys and other such advisors and craftsmen. That all went well enough but I am glad to be home again.
I now have the drive to (and from) the Ancestral Homeland down to a science. I know exactly how long it will take, where to stop for the best coffee, Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-36583865677001315092012-05-25T19:57:00.001-05:002012-05-25T19:57:43.341-05:00Current Events
Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and as we turn the corner from Spring into summer, I am turning a corner of sorts as well.
After leaving the working world on July 1, 2011 for destinations unknown, I have new business cards on order as I write this...
I am happy to report that I am now "the sales guy" at Bike Fixtation right here in Minnenoplace. It's seemingly the perfect gig. It's the Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-19674032342216197762012-05-14T16:39:00.004-05:002012-05-14T16:39:57.056-05:00Project Homeless Connect 2012
I spent the better part of the day today outside the convention center, helping to repair bikes for homeless people. Project Homeless Connect aggregates medical and social service providers a few times per year to make it easier for people needing these services to get them.
A significant number of homeless and transitional people rely on bicycles for transportation, and they often ride Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-66181979498483048902012-05-04T22:43:00.001-05:002012-05-04T22:46:39.776-05:00Farewell, Advocacy
After lots of effort, considerable thought and reflection, admittedly some frustration, and futther deliberation, I am throwing in the towel on bike advocacy. At least in any kind of leadership capacity - I might still get in on a protest ride or badger some store for better parking, but otherwise I am hanging it up.
Calling it quits.
Cashing it in.
I've been actively engaged in a number of Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-27706868551419113422012-04-27T22:54:00.002-05:002012-04-27T22:54:20.120-05:00God Will Hand Us the Sword of Justice
This is one of the best movies about nothing in particular that I have ever seen.
The Parking Lot Movie is a documentary about a bunch of guys who work at the Corner Parking Lot (aka "The CPL") in Charlottesville, VA. Like all parking lot attendants, these guys are over-educated, thoughtful, insightful and misunderstood. The movie documents their struggles and torments against boredom, Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-49990278452961254532012-04-26T19:36:00.001-05:002012-04-26T19:36:26.369-05:00It Might Be Time
It might be time to get another Beers for Bloggers together, what with Spring in the air and the trails clogged with pale-legged people.
I propose a get-together next week - perhaps Thursday, May 3 after work - at Sea Salt. This might the 5th time or so that we've done this, I guess, and it's always a good time so hopefully a few people can make it. Some usually get food, others just stay for Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-11343125970153159152012-04-26T19:04:00.000-05:002012-04-26T19:04:38.767-05:00Why HAM?
A reader or two have picked up on some recent references to HAM radio and asked about that, so here's a bit of explanation on how I came to get a license...
I have always been a huge weather nerd; I love thunderstorms, secretly want my own weather station and have wanted to be a "trained spotter" for awhile now.
Last summer, figuring I had the time, I looked into spotter training. I was Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-48527616117368651792012-04-19T19:01:00.000-05:002012-04-19T19:01:54.490-05:00Finding the GrooveI was down at my Mother's the first part of this week, working on financial matters following the passing of my Father in early April. With death certificates in hand, we set off to pay visits to the investment manager, the bank, the tax guy and a good portion of the World Wide Web (that wondrous array of "tubes" that we can all thank Al Gore for) in order to exercise fiduciary responsibility andSnak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-72783687973642053022012-04-10T22:31:00.000-05:002012-04-10T22:31:33.600-05:00Back in the GameWe returned this afternoon from my Father's funeral. Suffice it to say that he was one hell of a guy and will be missed by many, many people. Rest assured that the world is a better place because he was here. We, the family, owe a debt of gratitude to the staff of Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and Horizon Hospice, as well as countless friends of my parents and their advisors.
I thought I wasSnak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-39743605409058297862012-04-03T22:06:00.001-05:002012-04-03T22:54:48.059-05:00On HoldI have been absent from this blog too much, lately, and I think I need to fess up and just put a hold on things for the time being.
My family is needing my immediate attention and that is getting the Lion's Share of my energy these days, diverting my energy, focus and sarcasm from all those those things I've known before.
Rather than hash together some half-assed content and update the blog Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-61428603545138700982012-03-16T16:50:00.001-05:002012-03-16T16:50:11.451-05:00An Early Ride on Sakatah Singing HillsROW Marker on Sakatah TrailOriginally uploaded by Snak ShakI took advantage of the freakishly warm weather to ride the Sakatah "Singing Hills" State Trail today. This was my second time on the Sakatah - the first time I started in Mankato and made it to Waterville. This time I started in Faribault and made it to Waterville. So, I guess I've ridden the whole trail in kind of a limp fashion.The Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-40130515654802332302012-03-09T16:09:00.001-06:002012-03-09T16:11:28.502-06:00Traffic Calming for Southern ConnectorA bike infrastructure project that I am interested in is moving forward, it seems. The Southern Connector would provide a bike route on 17th Ave. from Minnehaha Parkway all the way to north of the Midtown Greenway. Eventually, this route would also tie in to the planned Intercity Bike Route as well, but that project is a ways down the road at this point.
I have posted several times about the Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-10357237950656480612012-03-08T22:15:00.001-06:002012-03-08T22:15:47.360-06:00Sabo Bridge Cable VibrationA friend sent me a link to a short video of suspension cables on the Sabo bridge vibrating rather dramatically prior to the cable/bracket failure. I don't know the person who shot the photo, but I know the bridge and can vouch for the location. Interesting...
Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-41354928724607600252012-03-07T21:08:00.001-06:002012-03-07T21:08:48.768-06:00Turning the PageBasket 'O CatOriginally uploaded by Snak ShakWell, it's been quite a journey lately.It seems that almost all of my attention for the past six weeks or has been devoted to preparing for my parent's move to an assisted living facility located in the heart of The Ancestral Homeland. If you have been through relocating parents, this is all old news; if you have not gone through this yet, a mere Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-26177684899513149772012-02-20T17:24:00.000-06:002012-02-20T17:24:55.086-06:00More Bad Luck With BridgesI must say, Minneapolis has bad luck with bridges.
This morning I arose to reports that the Sabo Bridge was closed to traffic due to a cable problem, and in fact the Light Rail and Hiawatha Ave. (which the Sabo bridge goes over) were also closed to traffic.
I have been fighting a bad cold, but I shrugged off the blankets and went up there this morning to see what was to be seen and shoot a few Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-28677911220479145162012-02-13T13:00:00.001-06:002012-02-13T13:00:00.864-06:00Welcome MN Bike Trail NavigatorI got an email recently from a person that has started yet another bike blog. This one is called MN Bike Trail Navigator. The tag-line kind of says it all - "a resource for exploring Minnesota's scenic bike trails". Recent posts include a report on trailhead upgrades at Lebanon Hills and an update on the Mississippi River Regional Trail in Dakota County. The site also offers lots of links toSnak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-67857500405108382912012-02-12T19:00:00.001-06:002012-02-12T19:00:03.717-06:00Intercity Bike TrailHey - we have a new project to get active about. The Intercity Bike Trail is currently in the planning phases. From a recent MPLS Park and Rec notice:
Three Rivers Park District, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the cities of Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Richfield, and other project partners are working together to finalize a master plan for the Intercity Regional Trail. When completedSnak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-45350721856772302942012-02-12T17:51:00.002-06:002012-02-12T18:14:50.764-06:00Pardon the Silence
At the Fort
Originally uploaded by Snak ShakA lot of things are kind of hold at the moment due to some family commitments that have now been complicated with some medical issues. I've been traveling quite a bit more than usual, and that leaves little time to do things worthy of posting (and little energy to post when I do manage to actually do something).
That said, I've got a few posts I'll Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2184428976951755087.post-32740878269990118592012-02-01T16:11:00.000-06:002012-02-01T16:11:14.611-06:00New GigI started a new gig this morning. Volunteering at a local food shelf somewhere in the 612. Because of client confidentiality, I am a little restricted in what I can say, and I can't take any pictures, so I am borrowing the photo for this post.Although this was only my first day, it was a positive experience. I started out organizing and re-stocking the provisions, facing the shelves like a Snak Shakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04096046603568003654noreply@blogger.com1