7/29    The inmates are threatening to take over the asylum in the GOP
        (story about birther controversy)
        http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25444.html
        \_ cool!

7/29  note: stay away from lamb in the future. It feels like I'm farting blood.
      \_ And for this you squished my post?
        \_ just list what restaurant you bought the lamb dish at and what lamb
           dish it was.

7/29    I have a 70's road bike I ride to work.  A few months back I replaced
        the rear wheel and tire, then I put a set of old 70's rear baskets
        on it.  The baskets are great in general, with them I don't have to
        wear a backpack and I can carry a lot more.  However, they are heavy.
        Since I put them on 2 months ago I've had 3 flat tires in back,
        compared to 1 in the year previous.  I think the extra weight is wearing
        out the tire faster and causing more flats.  Do I need a tougher
        tire or something?  What can I do?
        \_ For commuting, extra weight shouldn't be a big deal, so use heavy
           tires.  I've been very happy with Specialized Armadillo tires, but
           I'm not sure if they make really thin road bike styles.  Mine is
           700C size.
        \_ Extra weight will cause more flat tires, not because it wears
           them out faster, but because there's more force on the tire when
           you run over glass and thorns.  (That's also why bikes get more
           flat tires on the rear than on the front).  For commuting with
           weight, you probably want to get a fatter tire designed for
           commuting.  If your wheels are 700c, look for a 700x32 or 700x35
           or even 29" slick tire, depending on what will fit in your frame.
           My favorite is the Schwalbe Big Apple 28x2.0", but there are a
           lot of decent commuter tires.
           If you have 27" wheels, as a lot of bikes did in the 70s, your
           selection will be a lot more limited, but you can probably still
           find something better than what you have. -tom
           \_ I have 27" wheels.  I think I have a little more clearance for
              wider tires, but not a huge amount.  Are you saying I could put
              wider tires on the same wheel I have now?
              My local bike shop also has 27" Aramdillos for $45.
              \_ Yes, you can put wider tires on your existing rim, if they'll
                 fit in your frame.  The Armadillos seem pretty good; get the
                 widest size available (if there's a choice)
                 Also, make sure you have enough air in the tire; if your
                 tire is too low, your rim will bottom when you hit potholes,
                 giving you pinch flats.  -tom
                 \_ Hmm.  Googling around I haven't found any 27" tires
                    wider than the 1 1/4" tires I'm currently sporting.
                    \_ Like I said, the selection of 27" tires is pretty
                       limited; these days rims are pretty much not made
                       in that size.  -tom

7/28    Cougars are swapping advice on dating young men:
        http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/national-single-cougars-convention-firstever-features-miss-cougar-america-contest-august-28-2009-in-palo-alto-ca-107209.php
        \_ Why didn't they have "cougars" when I was 21?
           \_ there have been cougars since the dawn of mankind, which is
              1970. Dustin Hoffman and Mrs. Robinson. Your problem was that
              the cougars talked to each other, and they agreed that you
              were not something they wanted.