bikeworks is the shit

so, last night was another episode of bicycle mechanics at n. portland bikeworks during the 'women's and trans bike nite'. here is a list of the latest bicycle updates:

1. a) i used a chain breaker to remove my chain for cleaning.
1. b) using de-greaser i rubbed off a bunch of the grim and rust of my chain with wire brushes.
1. c) i successfully replaced the pin on my chain, thus reattaching it.
2. i also took the wire brush to my cogs to get rid of the rust there as well.
3. i replaced my derailer (yikes!) one of the pulleys on the previous one was missing a bunch of teeth and it was also crappy and partially plastic. my new one is the same brand, but it's all shiny and metal. and used! hooray for cheap used parts.
4. i replaced my rear gear cable that was all gross and fraying.
5. i also learned how to adjust my limit screws, and now i can go into all the gears that i couldn't before!

that's all!

i can't believe how much work needs to be done to my bicycle. it's funny how much gets neglected when you have no idea what type of work your vehicle needs. i rode it for 2 years without doing any maintenance, and now i sure am understanding what the implications of that are! so much to replace and buff up. i am learning so much though, which is really great. plus, being in a shop full of rad ladies cranking away the nite feels really good. the energy at n. portland bikeworks is exquisite.

NON-BIKE RELATED NEWS:

1. i am planning a massive free fun 4-day event from may 31st to june 3rd. it is going to be amazing, and all of you should mark that date on your calendar so you can come and visit. i am going to be living in my yurt, and everyone can stay on the floor in the greatest cuddle puddle of all time.

the event is titled, "the first quarterly moon castle ballyhoo (a modern day hullabaloo)" and here is a sprinkling of some of the fun activities:

*wacky haircuts/head shaving
*blindfolded face painting
*sidewalk chalk and genitalia pretzels
*daily theme parades
*conquering local mountains
*bike in movies

just this tuesday i met with 'dead letter b' at a cool warehouse space (called the watershed) where he said he would host the party for saturday night! there will be bicycle fun all day and loads of debauchery all night. i'm building up energy slowly. i have breakfast dates with loads of people who know how to run events this week, and i think people's excitement will only help fuel the ballyhoo fire. we will create a community building monster!

2. i started binding books again at the iprc. so far i've build a neat sketchbook with envelopes built in for taking all my lists and mini-drawings with me. the iprc (independent publishing resource center) seems to have an endless supply of resources for me as a creative being. it has opened up so many doors since i've been here. i would never have printed w/ gocco, made a zine, read zines, met funny geeks, bound books and journals, or stayed up too late without the iprc.

3. i'm no longer sick!

4. i went out to dessert with will last night at the pied cow and it was absolutely delightful. i had a slice of marionberry pie and a honey lavender milk steamer. i was in heaven throughout the entirety of the visit. warm milk drinks, funky interior design, and low lighting get me every time.

5. i filed my tax return online...i think. all that mumbo gumbo is too much for my brain right now. right now i have "8453-OL form by oct. 15" scrawled on my arm right now. it's apparently a form i need to fill out? what? where do i get it? if i don't fill it out i guess they deny me access to online filing next year. at this point i could care less. sometime i will get 47 dollars in the mail. or so they say...

that's all. i am tired. i am going to sleep like a little baby tonight. then meet with revphil and talk 'business' tomorrow at the good ol' cup and saucer (amazing portland breakfast place). world famous veggie scramble here i come.

yum.