Sunday, March 31, 2013

Preparations

I was told, in no uncertain terms, to take the Christmas lights down this weekend.  I don't know if there was an actual threat of castration while I slept, but there might have been, and even if there wasn't, it was that serious.  The ladder came out this afternoon and the lights are down, then.


In other, more light-hearted news, planning for the upcoming fatbike/bikepack/fatpack trip is now underway. In earnest.  The sharpie chalkboard from the John Wayne Trail trip . . .

. . . has been wiped clean.  Let the next adventure be recorded.  Yep, camera bag's mounted, too.



And the massive task that is the sorting of gear is underway.



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12 comments:

  1. Andy D.March 31, 2013 at 9:30 PM

    You are ahead of me in both light removal and fatbikepack planning. Your new managerial status is paying off already.

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  2. mechBgonMarch 31, 2013 at 10:40 PM

    If you need any excuses to pick up a new headlight, the B&M Luxos U has some enticing capabilities, including USB charging of your camera, GPS or whatnot. Also, it shapes the beam on the fly (!), making it wide like a fog light when you're going slow, and reaching farther like a driving light when you're going fast. What will those Germans think of next?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pat SApril 1, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Andy, for my last trip, I didn't start the gear planning early enough and as a result, ended up taking too much stuff. I hope to do better this time.

    Tom, that light looks like the bomb. It's on my wishlist now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. amidnightriderApril 1, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    Some times the most loving thing we can do is the hardest. It was time for the lights to come down.

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  5. Velo CeltApril 2, 2013 at 10:42 AM

    Looking forward to a new trip report. I like your obstacle tally system as well.

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  6. Dave NApril 2, 2013 at 6:29 PM

    I see Ward has been doing some recon of the Q here in the last couple days and it looks pretty sweet

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bowl full of jellyApril 3, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    Twas teh night before Easter, and all through the house
    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mutant poison-drinking heavily-pregnant mouse

    The Christmas lights still hung from the porch in a frown
    Because St. Patrick hadn't taken them down

    His wife prodded Pat from his long winter's nap
    "Take down the damned lights," said she, "and don't give me no crap!"

    Pat sprang from his bed, he'd had such a scare
    But then he grabbed sack, "thank Jesus I'm still there!"

    Away on his fat bike he sprang, still clutching his gristle
    And he shot down those lights, with a dirty old pistol!

    So saints be chubby and plump, right jolly old elfs
    Unhang those lights, or be unhung yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  8. BlitzenApril 4, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    Deck the halls with balls of folly?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pat SApril 4, 2013 at 10:35 PM

    Dashing up the rungs
    On a sunny late March day,
    Relishing the knards
    Nervous all the way,
    Hey!
    Lights hit ground and ting,
    Making spirits bright,
    What joy it is to know that I
    Can sleep at ease tonight. :-)

    Jingle balls, Jingle balls
    Jingle-jing away,
    Oh what fun
    It is to know
    They're still where they belong,
    Yay!

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  10. VixenApril 5, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    But trimming the tree is a tradition!

    Otoh, maybe now an angel will bend near the earth, and, perhaps, allow you to touch her harp of gold.

    Tip: wait until midnight.

    Clear?

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  11. Xmas CarolApril 5, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    I'm all for tradition, but I think too many people celebrate out of order. After removing the tinsel, it's usually best to give attention to the two turtle doves BEFORE placing the partridge in the pear tree.

    Get the drummers drumming before the pipers start piping, and save the lords aleaping for last.

    And, as Burl Ives wisely sang, if you like it you should put a ring, hell, FIVE GOLDEN rings, on it.

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  12. Little Drummer GirlApril 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    I dont know about all that Carol. I just do what they told me and the ox and ass keep time. Pump-rumpa-pum-pum!

    Timing is all. Just cuz "burl ives" is elvish for "blue ivy" doesn't make Mrs. Carter Mr. Claus.

    Ho ho, ho. Happy dozens days of Xmas. Now leave poor Mr. S alone.

    Tis the season to clean the gutters.

    ReplyDelete