Monthly Archives: September 2007

The End of the Bicycle Story

Posted on September 9, 2007 | 4 comments

So I got my new bicycle! I got the Cypruss DX from Giant (2007 model) it’s got 24-speeds (about a dozen more than I need) and is silver and gray-ish (I think they call it silver/silver); it’s the one I mentioned the other day. I think these are the 2007 Cypress DX specs. I rode it around a few times yesterday and had him make adjustments a few times. Now I’m off to Hines Drive park to take it for a ride…

2007-09-09 14-58-10.Img 6498.CropNow is a great time to get a bike, all the 2008 models are coming out and every thing is on sale. Differences are generally pretty minimal, the 2008 of my bike had disc brakes (way cool) but took away the adjustment of the front shocks and raised the price $70 (from $370 in 2007 to $440 in 2008). My bike dropped another $45 since last week (and it was marked down then) bringing it to $295!!! And that includes free adjustments, inspections, flat repair and 10% for the next three years (this was at D & D Bicycles and fitness, 4 stores in the Detroit MI area).

I really like it so far. I’m off to the park right now to ride it a bit more. The shocks on the front of the bike and in the seat really make the bumps a lot more enjoyable. Continue reading →

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Posted in activities + sports

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Mom’s Birthday Photos

Posted on September 7, 2007 | 5 comments

Momporch60ThSo I got some of the photos from Mom’s Surprise party up. This first one is from in front of the house, my cousin and uncle decorated it during the night. The rest of the photos are from the party.

I posted about 18 and hope some of the others with cameras will send me some. I you missed the post, the surprise party was yesterday.

These are really old school photos of my grandparents kids, my mom is in the lower-right.

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Posted in friends + family, holidays + events

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Mom’s Surprise 60th Birthday Party

Posted on September 6, 2007 | 2 comments

So today my Mom turned sixty today. She thought I was taking her our to dinner tonight but when we got to the restaurant she was surprised that I had about thirty people there! I couldn’t mention it before today, because I don’t know if she reads my blog at all, I know she knows it exists so I didn’t want to take the chance. I made a lot of phone calls, my aunt called a bunch and my cousin took care of the cake so it was all pretty easy to set up.

The people who were got there first put up all the balloons I had dropped off and put some streamers around the outside railing. We had the timing down perfectly, I think just about everyone was already there when we got there. And they were all waiting outside in front so she saw them as we pulled up. It took her a minute to process all the people that were there…

We had lots of family and friends show up. Some drove a ways to get here so that’s always nice. Lots of cards with gift cards and lottery tickets. She’ll get to do some shopping this weekend. A few showed up later and a few had to leave early and it was a great time. She really had a perfect day and she just called me up again a few minutes ago to say that and to thank me again.

My Mom is awesome, she did a pretty great job bringing me up mostly on her own. She had a lot of help from her parents the first six years and baby-sitting help from the other relatives but most of the rest of the time it was her and she did a great job making everything work out. Continue reading →

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Posted in friends + family, holidays + events

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New iPods!!!!

Posted on September 6, 2007 | Leave a comment

So Apple redid the iPod line-up yesterday:

  • iPod touch – Basically an iPhone without the phone. It’s got the WiFi browser and you’ll now be able to buy directly from the iTunes store from the phone.
  • iPod Nano – Totally new shape to accommodate a new larger screen so you can watch movies and video! Available in 4 or 8 GB sizes.
  • Classic iPod – The same but up to 160 GB of music a video (also in 80 GB).
  • iPhone – Price dropped $200 and only the 8 GB model is available now. And you can buy ringtones and songs via WiFi. I’d expect at 16 GB model soon…

    You can use the WiFi free at Starbucks, but I’m not sure if that’s for surfing or just buying music. You can also see a “now Playing” list at Starbucks and easily purchase any of the last ten songs. If it’d update my podcasts via WiFi or if the had a 160 GB iTouch I’d really be tempted…

    Please note – Some of the features and items aren’t ready yet, but I think all are supposed to be by the end of the month.

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    More winners!

    Posted on September 4, 2007 | 1 comment

    So I mentioned the other day that as an assignment I made the students in the Tech Leadership class I taught write a grant (submitting was optional) and three students won. I just found out there was a fourth winner!!!! That’s brings the class total up to about $5,300. I think only seven applied so that’s awesome (at most eight applied since that’s all the students who had ja required job in education).

    I’m so geeked!!!

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    Posted in general

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    Giant Cypress DX Men’s Bicycle

    Posted on September 3, 2007 | 5 comments

    Cypress Dx SilverSo I’m eyeing the 2007 Cypress DX made by Giant. Anyone have any info on this bike and why I should (or should not) get it? It’s a decent price since the new models are out and I like it but I thought I’d check on some feedback from those of you out there. The new prices are higher (disc breaks) but took some features (adjustable suspension) away.

    They color’s a neutral grey/silver so it shouldn’t bother me when I scratch it. I guess the one I had was a 19 inch frame, I’d have to check the receipt, I put a deposit for next week. But I’m still looking… I like the Front suspension and seatpost suspension, nice on the bumps, configurable too. If I want my old seat back that should work with it too, the handlebars are configurable too, up/down and back/forth. I think it has the light weight 6061 ALUXX (aluminum) alloy comfort frame.

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    Posted in general

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    Creative Advertisments

    Posted on September 3, 2007 | 2 comments
    Creativeadvertisements01I thought this was a cool ad, the hand straps on the bus make it look like you’re wearing a watch!

    There are more where I got this one at Creative Advertisements Around the World. I really like the last one with the headlights! And the Duracell one…

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    Free Magazines

    Posted on September 2, 2007 | 1 comment

    So someone mentioned AdPerk as a way to get free magazines. As of today the only have Dwell and Popular Science. I sat down and watched a few videos (10-15 minutes?) while eating breakfast and earned a free subscription to Popular Science. If they had a little more selection of videos it’d be more interesting. They did make me answer a very easy CAPTCHA at the end of each one (no swirly colors, just tilted letters). It was really easy and painless and it worked on my Apple Macintosh with Safari (you can’t always count on that).

    The downside is the magazines they have (and plan to offer) aren’t particularly expensive or anything. I’m not interested in Dwell so I have no reason to go back to their site anytime soon. I don’t think I can earn and save points for the future or at least I could watch for now…

    I have a few suggestions for them: Continue reading →

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