We’re going to need some traction. This week is going to be crazy–well, the rest of the month is shaping up to be crazy, actually.
Check out Mogwai’s Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. This album is an excellent mix of return to form and pushing the boundaries forward; My favorite standout track is How to Be a Werewolf. Also, the live Special Moves album is like a greatest hits compilation, with feedback.
This weekend I took advantage of a free hour and some sunny weather to address some small problems:
- Took the driver’s door apart to figure out why the scissor mechanism was binding up when I tried to roll the window down. It turns out the circle clip had popped off the bottom of the front window track, which knocked the linkage out of alignment. I popped the clip back on, shot everything with more white lithium grease, and buttoned it back up. Problem solved!
- I pulled the speakers out of the sidewall and installed foam baffles behind them (Thanks, Mr. Scout!) to improve acoustics—HA—and protect the cones and magnets from flying crud and water below.
- Next, I rigged together a temporary battery holder from the collection of bolts, wires, and threaded rod the PO left behind, and added a bungee cord for good measure. I’ve got to look at how they did it from the factory and see if I can come up with a permanent solution.
- I also got underneath and shot the bolts holding the gas tank on with some PB Blaster (this is when having a 4″ lift comes in really handy).
→ This is a syndicated post from my Scout weblog. More info here.
First pass over floor repair
Halfway done with 36 grit.
Before and after
The entire floor done with 36 grit, no edging
Final sanding
Final sanding 2. I couldn't grind the discoloration in the hallway out no matter how hard I tried. The boards are flat, though!
Final sanding 3
I watched a Netflix On Demand movie last night while working called Monsters, and I was blown away. I think that Roger Ebert probably sums it up best in his review; I enjoyed it for many of the same reasons he did. The titular monsters are secondary to the characters, and the entire thing is shot by an actual photographer with an eye for moving images and subtle performances. The director did all the post production in his bedroom, and it’s exactly enough to serve the story without being CGI for CGI’s sake. Go check it out.
I stumbled on this by accident earlier today, and it’s been interesting listening: Eric Avery (of Jane’s Addiction) talks about the reunion and subsequent dissolution of the band last year. I get a personable, honest vibe from Avery, so I’m inclined to believe him: sounds like Perry is still pretty much a dick.
In related news, it was sad to hear about the bassist from Alice In Chains this morning.
I’m sitting at work attempting to concentrate on a relatively interesting project (three pseudo-Lichtenstein illustrations) without feeling huge pangs of loneliness for my two girls. We spent a quiet, peaceful, low-key weekend together doing mundane things like grocery shopping, napping, and errands, but the fact that we were all together was the only thing that mattered to me.
It goes without saying, but there’s noplace else on earth I’d rather be than with my ladies. I think Finn’s finally beginning to understand how much I enjoy hugging her, because instead of wiggling away after five seconds, she’ll wrap her arms around my neck, hold tight, and lay her head on my shoulder quietly while I rock us back and forth, letting time stand still.
This is some awesome reporting, done by someone other than a mainstream reporter: 20 lies (and counting) told by Gov. Walker.
Walker: His bill is about fixing a budget crisis.
The truth: Even Fox News’ Shepherd Smith couldn’t swallow that one, declaring that it’s all about politics and union busting, and “to pretend that this is about a fiscal crisis in the state of Wisconsin is malarkey.”
File this under Right On: House committee passes same-sex marriage bill. Next stop: the full House of Delegates.
