Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

I finally got to some long-put-off reorganization of my home office. Part of my procrastination was related to the task of relocating my monitor. I have a very shallow desk, and for that reason the monitor is mounted on the wall with a nice aluminum VESA mount. If you need to mount a flat-panel on a wall (or other), I highly recommend the Sanus VM-1. I have two; the second is used to affix the TV to the staircase.

Lesser Tools (and Pista)

At any rate, my previous installation had left the screws affixing it to the wall in less-than-adequate condition. The top bolt was nearly stripped, probably because I’d used a cheap allen key with a lot of slop. Secondly, it was really stuck in there. I tried a half-dozen different allen keys, screwdrivers, pliers, and even tried prying the head of the screw off with a hammer & screwdriver. That only succeeded in damaging the mount. I then tried filing down the edge of the bolt head to put a socket on it. Failed.

The Magic Tool

A desperate rummage through my toolbox yielded a vintage wrench that I’d found on the street a few years ago. It was small, curved, and according to a stamp on the handle: patented. What the hell, I thought and gave it a shot. The first attempt failed, but then I realized that the wrench was not only adjustable, but had a pivot as well. If I flipped the wrench around, then the tourque of pulling the wrench around (or the bolt resisting said torque) would tighten the wrench’s grip on the screw head. Aha!

After a few turns, I had succeeded in getting the rotten bolt out of the wall, and salvaged the mount base. Success!

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

Just in case there was any question, my devotion to bacon is utter and complete. Bacon is a delicious, finicky but patient mistress, and she likes dressing up with everything.

Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin with Rosemary

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

Tina at Mile 62

Went on a longer ride with my riding buddy Tina. We set out to do 125 miles, and succeeded. Much better than last time. :)

Location and a Hot Tub

Caught a photo of my favorite piece of Marin real estate too. Not sure how they crammed the hot tub in there, but I’ll bet it results in only good times.

Cute

Distance: 125.1 mi (201.3 km)
Time on bike: 8:33:10
Total time: 9:34

Woot!

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

Yum.

The Absinthe Sazerac

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

Logitech PS3 Keyboard

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in January 2007.

Courtesy of The EZ, a bottle of Balie Nicol Jarvie. Thanks Ezra!

Bailie Nicol Jarvie

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in December 2006.

Films about a fascist Britain are nothing new. However, where V for Vendetta was a bludgeon, Children of Men is a scalpel. It is an extremely violent film, the acts coming with neither warning nor celebration; a bleak comment on race relations, globalization, media, surveillance and xenophobia. In contrast with the film’s gray palette, every scene is saturated with detail: photographs, signs, advertisements, sideband messages reminiscent of the Bolex Brothers’ Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb or Graeme Base’s earlier children’s books. Like the latter, filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón makes clear his contempt for the current war in Iraq, the hypocrisy of western drug policy and immigration law. Children of Men is not only the best film made in 2006, it is probably the best near future science fiction film made in the past 30 years.

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in December 2006.

Marshall Wall

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in December 2006.

Just finished my first century of the year. Rode up to the Marshall Wall and back. Handy measurement: The top of  the Wall is exactly halfway. Need to practice though, this 8 hours and change thing has to stop.

Distance: 103.9 mi (167.21 km)
Time on bike: 7:55
Total time: 8:35

Originally posted to ydnar.vox.com in December 2006.

Waiting Riders