sitting
being still
silent
quieting the mind
controlling the breaths
tuning out the static
tuning into yourself

I’m not always successful
but when I am
it makes
a world
of difference.

Rustypants’ Christmas Mix 

“What’s included in this deluxe package?” you may be asking yourself. Let me tell you, we’ve chosen only the finest Christmas tunes ever created!

01. Silent Night / Holy Night Jam – Joe Satriani
02. O Tannenbaum – Vince Guaraldi
03. Oh Holy Night – Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
04. Jingle Bells – Brian Setzer Orchestra
05. Away In A Manger – Sufjan Stevens
06. 12 Days of Christmas – Relient K
07. Little Drummer Boy – Jars of Clay
08. Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto – Snoop Dogg
09. Angels We Have Heard on High – Duvall (Smoking Popes)
10. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
11. Little Drummer Boy / Silent Night – Jimi Hendrix
12. Christmas Time is Here – Sarah McLachlan & Diana Krall
13. Oh Come All Ye Faithful – Twisted Sister
14. Santa Claus is Coming To Town – Bruce Springsteen
15. White Christmas – Jimmy Smith
16. Christmas in Hollis – Run-DMC

How much would you pay for such a wonderful and eclectic mix of holiday music? $10? $20?? $50???

For a limited time, you can have these 16 tracks for only $0.00!! Simply follow the link, download the file, unzip the tunes, and rock out!

And please, consider this my gift to you. It’s all you’re gonna get. But it’s from the bottom of my heart, promise!

The two biggest things about Dropbox (for me):

1. Installing that tiny piece of software on multiple computers means when you upload a file to Dropbox on ONE computer, it automatically syncs to ALL your computers. I don’t even create files on my harddrive anymore, I just create them directly in Dropbox and there they are. I’ve stopped using a flash drive – I no longer need it. Any computer you can connect to on the Internet, you can access your Dropbox files.

2. Shared folders. A.MA.ZING. My co-teacher and I share a folder. When she creates something and puts it in the shared folder, it syncs to both of our computers (and any computer we have Dropbox installed on). My friend wants to see some of the work I’ve done on this or that project – no prob: I set up a shared folder and put the files in. He or she can look at them, edit them, save them, and it syncs back to my machine. Another friend wants a copy of Snoop Dogg’s “Santa Claus Is Going Straight to the Ghetto” song? Sure thing. Let me create a shared folder for you… The potential to collaborate is second only to using Google Docs (and that’s a different type of collaboration tool altogether).

If you’re not using Dropbox yet, you should be. http://db.tt/iwJ5rr5

The stats:
2011 Bianchi Camaleonte Uno
Topeak Super Tourist rack
Deuter Rack Pack Uni Panniers
Planet Bike Hardcore Fenders
Kryptonite NY 1210 Chain & Evolution 4 lock
Superflash blinky
OptiCube headlight

I got great deals on all of these items from my local bike shop (Truly Spokin’) or Amazon. As always, the guys at my LBS have been fantastic, making suggestions, adjustments, and helping me solve a number of smallish issues.

It’s been more money than I had intended on spending, but even just riding the bike 3 days a week to work will pay off the bike in a year. Using it 5 days a week for work and for all local driving (errands, shopping, etc.) will save even more.

Future additions:
- Replacing the stock tires with a pair of Continental Gatorskin Tires
- Replacing the stock saddle with something a bit more comfortable
- Putting a bike computer on her

She’s a LOT of fun to ride – a very different ride than my 2004 Klein Aura V, but they were made for very different purposes! Looking forward to what this next year of cycling brings!

The answer?

Mark, at Truly Spokin’, told me that this would be an excellent bike for what I was looking to do. This is the 2011 Bianchi Camaleonte Uno, a hybrid bike (“hybrid” meaning sporty, but also practical – road bike & commuter bike in one). I tested his faith back in July 2011 by asking if I could test ride this bike for 3 days, and with only raised eyebrows and a curious look, he said, “Sure. Come get it Friday, bring it back to me Monday.” It was a great 3-day test ride! Rainy, windy, sunny, warm, calm – the whole shebang. I took that thing out and rode it all over and in all weather conditions because I wanted to make sure.

I test rode 4 other bikes as well (among them, Giant & Torker) but none of them quite had the ride that the Bianchi did.

(“Camaleonte” is Italian for Chameleon. I admit to having more than just a passing love of the chameleon on the top tube. It makes the bike just a little bit more fun, a bit more out there.)

After paying a little bit here, a little bit there, since July for the bike, I was finally able to pick up this sweet thing on 11/11/11. Obviously, I’m quite excited about giving her a run on the commute this coming week!

Things I like about the bike:

• It’s slick looking. Sexy. Sleek. Truth is, though, most of Bianchi’s bikes are slick.
• It rides well. It’s not like the Klein, but it’s not meant to be! It’s got more weight to it and the steering is stiffer (a plus).
• It’s got a shorter top tube. It’s going to take some getting used to, but it’s not as much of a stretch from the seat to the handlebars. It’s more of an upright position than I’m familiar with on my previous bikes.
• The flat handlebars. I like ‘em. The shifters & the brakes are easy to access and quick to respond. I’ve been riding on dropbars for the past year, so my arms are a bit stiff from the different position, but it’ll be a good change.
• An adjustable stem. The handlebar stem is adjustable so that it can drop or rise a pretty significant amount. I’m going to play with this a bit, but it was definitely a selling point!
• 32mm tires. I started off with 25′s, then went to 28′s on the Klein. These fatter tires make a big difference when it comes to dealing with carpal tunnel in the wrists.
• Mini-V brakes. When I hit the brakes, this bike stops, even when it’s wet. I’m impressed.
• Racks & Fenders! It can handle a rack on the rear & front, plus there’s plenty of space for fenders for the wet Pensacola commuting days. I’m having a rack installed this week – I’m getting too old to carry a backpack full of books, a laptop, and all the other stuff I need to teach!
• Good handling in various conditions. With the Klein, I’m afraid to do some things (riding in the rain, banking turns hard, going over particularly rough patches / railroad tracks, etc. at higher speeds) but with the Bianchi, I’m a lot more confident of  its ability to handle these conditions.
• It’s just a fun ride. Seriously.

Will I eventually go car-free? I dunno. I’ve been working towards a reduced-car existence for the past year (and with over 2600 miles on the Klein since November 2010, I’d say I’ve gotten a decent start). This bike will help me increase my bike commuter miles, and reduce my carbon footprint, not to mention continue a healthier lifestyle and influence others in myriad ways. I’m excited!

Ask me questions, or stay tuned for more on this bike!

We’re already planning for 2012 – watch out!

It’s been raining the last 4 days off and on. I’ve been doing a test ride of a 2011 Bianchi Camaleonte Uno this weekend and wanted to get it out as much as possible. This morning, sitting dejectedly in the living room watching the continuing rain, I thought, “I can’t go out on the bike and ride! It’s raining! I’ll get wet! The bike’ll get wet! I’ll look silly! Dang!”

At some point, I started thinking, “Hey, dumbass! When you were a kid, did the rain stop you from wanting to go outside & play? What’s wrong with you? Are you gonna melt? Is the bike gonna break? Don’t you remember the fun of riding your bike through the biggest puddles? Good lord, what’s happened to you?!?”

That was about as much fun as I’ve had riding a bike in a long, long time.

I’m reminded that there’s nothing wrong with childlike thinking.
There’s nothing wrong with getting wet.
There’s nothing wrong with getting dirty.
There’s nothing wrong with doing things with abandon.
I don’t need to worry about what others think.
I don’t have to color inside the lines.

This may seem like a stretch for a guy who already pushes the envelope as much as possible, but even I get into a rut. An hour out on the bike in the rain, careening through puddles, feeling the water against my face, not worrying about my clothes, the bike, my hair, what others might be thinking… that was a refreshing reminder.

I got Google+ magic / Come feel my flow
I invite you to da party / Make you my Google+ ho
I get you in my circle / you feelin’ Google+ crunk
I bombard you wid my links / den you be readin’ my junk
All yo pics I be lookin’ / On your life will I spy
(I’ll only show you my good ones / so you think I be fly)
My problems be yo’ probs / My downer words and my woes
But I be king of da world wid my Google+ hoes
I got dat Google+ magic / Do you want an invite?
Just respond to these lyrics / You can rock it tonight!

Instead of getting all worked up & upset about a verdict in a case which you only know about due to 24/7 continuous coverage from biased media outlets, why don’t you sponsor a child via www.worldvision.org or give to www.amnesty.org to help others. Or choose from hundreds of other excellent organizations that help provide shelter, relief, counseling, etc.

It’s SO much more rewarding (& helpful) than just pissing, moaning, then moving on to the next big manufactured story you’re supposed to get upset about.

Now, in another venue I was just asked, “Good links, but why poo poo on everyone for being upset?”

And my response is this:

Because most of us get worked up over things we have no control over, things we’ve been told to get worked up over, but we ignore people & situations that we CAN help. We get more upset about this than the fact that there are thousands of other children/people in need that we are able to do something about. Why? It’s easier, less messy, and more convenient. We take 10 seconds, think up / spew out some righteous anger on Facebook or Twitter, then we go find out what’s for dinner.

I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t get upset about this, but my goodness! Comments from folks who wish she were dead, hope she gets killed, would like to kill her, can’t wait ’til she “gets hers” – let’s do something positive in response to this perceived injustice, not just rant and rave, then wait to see what the next thing is we’re to get upset about.

where did the year go?

one highlight: teaching Steinbeck’s The Red Pony and riding my “pony” through class, yee-hawing at the top of my lungs each period. thoroughly embarrassed the crap out of my students. it was good.

if i’ve not said it recently: i love teaching. i love teaching English. i love teaching high school English.

Darryl -

Long story to a short question:
I bought a great road bike (2004 Klein Aura V) back in November with several intentions, the main one being commuting the 7.5 miles from home to the high school I teach at here in Pensacola.

After 6 weeks of commuting (and loving it) I come to find out that I’m being targeted by a local gang that several students in my school belong to. A teacher at the school next to mine was severely beaten, bike destroyed, money, laptop, etc. stolen 2 years ago and left for dead in this neighborhood during his morning commute.

The problem: to go around this neighborhood makes it a 14 mile ride (one way) and takes me through an even worse neighborhood to the south. To the north is I-10. This neighborhood is bottlenecked through this gang’s territory and there’s no way around it.

I’ve searched high and low for sites with info on how to physically protect yourself while riding, but have found little to nothing on the situation I’m facing.

My wife, the school-based gang expert, the school-based sheriff’s deputies, and my vice-principal are all telling me not to ride to work. The teacher who was beaten two years ago says he’ll never ride to work again through that neighborhood. The guys at my local bike shop say a) carry a gun (no thanks) b) carry a knife (again, no) c) get pepper spray d) ride really fast and stop for nothing. (I should mention that being a high school teacher, it’s illegal for me to have a gun, knife, or pepper spray on my person on school property).

Dude – is there a solution to this problem that doesn’t involve not riding the bike to work?

Seriously, this has been breaking my heart.

Scott

i’m 42 now, 90lbs lighter, in a lot better shape than i’ve been in many years, and… i’m kinda scared.

i bought The Bike (2004 Klein Aura V) back in November ’10 with the intention of commuting to work, saving money, helping the environment, and continuing my journey to better health. when the commuting didn’t work out because of gang-related issues (another time / another post), i committed to using the bike as much as i could for errands, pleasure, short trips and riding to Pensacola Beach.

Pensacola Beach is less than 10 miles from my house as the crow flies. it’s a gorgeous drive getting there,  and without a doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

the problem? to get to the beach, you’ve gotta cross the Pensacola Bay Bridge, a narrow, 3 mile long bridge that crosses the Pensacola Bay, is subject to some strong crosswinds, and can be a little scary to drive over depending on the volume of traffic.

i spent months looking longingly at that bridge from the seat of my bike. i’d make it to the bridge, then turn towards town and ride around there. i made all sorts of excuses as to why i was scared to cross it on the bike. i mean, seriously! look at how people drive across that thing! and what about garbage in the road? if there’s lots of trash, i’m stuck! and crosswinds? c’mon! my lack of balance due to hearing impairment is legendary! one burst of wind from the bay and i’m either pushed into traffic or i’m over the side and in the drink. let’s not even talk about the fact that i can’t wear my hearing aids when i ride, so can’t monitor traffic well! all i needed to do was keep telling myself these things and i’d be sure to not risk anything by crossing that death trap.

but then the jr. higher in me has been calling. and The Bike? oh, man. i honestly had no idea how awesome riding a bike could be until i bought a Klein. such a sweet ride! i had to suck it up, get past the fears and excuses, and just ride the damn bridge!

i enlisted my friend Chris Baskind to ride with me, soothe my fears, steel my resolve, and not let me back out.

and 14 miles after leaving home, we arrived on Pensacola Beach in one piece. and it. was. awesome.

that old bridge doesn’t scare me any more. i’ve ridden across it 3 more times since my first ride a couple weeks ago. i took my Flip UltraHD video camera with me and shot the crossing, sped it up some, added some smooth background music, and put it up:

as i’ve become more confident with riding and with my ability to monitor what’s going on around me while riding, i’m branching out more and feeling good about using the bike for more than just getting healthier.

i’m NOT, however, riding like a jr. higher. pretty sure i’d be dead by now if i were!

A mental health day would be nice, but the weekend is quickly arriving.

Where I’d rather be:

Predicting a long ride (or two) this weekend. Certainly helps to clear the head.

Thought to myself, “Hah! If *I* wrote that book it’d be two chapters long:

CHAPTER ONE: Why We Get Fat

“We get fat because WE EAT TOO MUCH AND DON’T MOVE AROUND ENOUGH!!!”

CHAPTER TWO: What To Do About It

“Try to QUIT EATING SO DAMN MUCH AND GET OFF YOUR FAT ASS!!!”

This might be why my writing attempts have fizzled in the past.

Lise and I went for our first taste last night – here’s our review!

End of the Line Cafe Visit from scott rust on Vimeo.

Our first visit to the End of the Line Cafe, a 100% Vegan restaurant in Pensacola, FL.

Beach Daydreams, my man? from scott rust on Vimeo.

“So, what do you DO out there while you sit on Pensacola Beach?” they ask me.

“Daydream, usually,” is my reply.

“Daydream about WHAT?”

Here’s the answer.

Every year, I produce a new picture in an attempt at heading off the question.

This year’s entry:

Several students still had to ask. *sigh*

The comments I receive from students & staff are frequently funny or incredulous. The best exchange so far was both.

Student: “You mean you rode that bike into school?”
Me: “Yeah.”
Student: “Wait. You rode that thru Wedgewood [poor neighborhood near PFHS]??”
Me: “Well, yeah.”
Student: [after looking me up & down] “And you didn’t get JUMPED?”

*we all had a good laugh at this point*

Me: “Would you have been the one doing the jumping?”
Student: “Naw, I don’t do that no more.”

that, my friends, is a 2004 Klein Aura V road bike. she’s taking the place of that clunky old mongoose mountain bike i’ve been riding the last several years. she comes courtesy of chris baskind, a car-free, cycling-enthusiast, cool dude here in Pensacola who maintains www.ecominima.com. i had been looking at bikes, chris mentioned on Twitter that he was selling his Klein, we talked, he made me an offer i couldn’t pass up, and i’m now rockin’ the road on this sweet thang.

and let me just say this: i figured that a high-end road bike would ride nicer than a $150 wal-mart bike, but holy crap! i had no idea it would make this much of a difference!! i have had so much difficulty reining myself in sometimes while out riding – it’s so much more fun, comfortable, smooth, exhilarating… i could go riding on and on!

i’ve been cycling to and from work (7.5 miles each way) several times a week for the past few weeks and am LOVING it! i’m committing to commuting by bike at least 3 days a week (the other two days i cannot due to other obligations).

more on the rationale and motivation soon.

i look at myself in the mirror some days and say, “Whoa! WTF!?”

in 2006, after avoiding the scale for years, a routine doctor’s appt forced me to get weighed at check-in. when it hit 320lbs, i was floored. i made some surface changes over the next year and lost 30lbs by 2007. then stopped.

the past 18 months have brought many changes in lifestyle and attitude. i’m still getting used to some of the results.

all changes were made gradually and with much research and testing.

what did i do?

• started biking (up to 20 miles a day)
• made dietary & eating habit changes
• started cross-training & aerobic exercise
• started lifting weights
• started running
• switched to  minimalist running (Vibram Five Fingers)
• added Chi Running
• started yoga
• became a vegetarian
• started commuting to work via bicycle
• promised NOT to become religious about most of the above

i’m down to 230lbs now and continue to feel better than i’ve ever felt. i continue to look for ways to eat, live, and think healthier.

fad diets don’t work, friends. we’ve got to get off our fat asses, get active, really assess the decisions we make about our eating, and make some gradual lifestyle adjustments! it’s not an easy task, but for many of us, it’s a necessary one!

commit to making one change today!

and make contact with me for some encouragement.

Birthday? Flip! 2-Second-Burst Edition from scott rust on Vimeo.

A birthday. A Flip. A day off.

The wife. The car. The drive.

An experiment. An omnivore. An herbivore.

A battle. The result? An outrage!

Posted via email from rustypants’s posterous

This was shot out at Gulf Islands National Seashore / Ft. Pickens, FL on 10/9/10 using a Flip UltraHD camera. The music is something I frequently use while doing yoga – every time I use it, I feel relaxed and transported to the beach. To view in HD / full screen, click on the link to youtube.

So stop. Breathe. Relax. Focus.

having owned the KSO‘s and the Classics, and having nothing but wonderful and incredible things to say about them, it’s with no small disappointment that i tell you: i’m not impressed.

i wanted to love them. seriously. when i started running in my KSO’s back in 2009, i thought Vibram could do no wrong. i was floored at the minimalist nature of them and the other models of Five Fingers. i’ve been nothing but a cheerleader and salesman for much of what Vibram has put out, and have not worn regular shoes but once in the past year – Five Fingers all the way! running, work, walking, working out – it’s all good.

but the Bikila? i was concerned even as i tried them on, walked around Sunset Shoes (Destin, FL), and ran up the block in them before purchasing them. they were tight. constricting. the soles were thick. there was a lot more padding / fabric overall.

but i bought them thinking, “oh, you just need to wear them around a bit, run in them a while, get used to them! quit being a baby!” and having the owner of the shoe store tell me how the Bikila are “the next big thing, quickly outselling all other Five Finger shoes, blah blah blah” helped move me to purchase them, too.

a week into it, involving wearing them two full days, plus running in them five nights (2-3 miles a night), i’m just not completely satisfied.

observations:

• these suckers are more narrow than the KSO’s and a bit shorter, too. i sized up from the KSO (size 43) when i bought the Bikila (size 44), but they’re still pretty tight all around. very constricting.
• the “plates” on the bottom are thicker than i was expecting, and as a result, there’s much less natural feel to wearing them and they’re less flexible. the KSO’s have a more natural flow to them and are significantly more flexible.
• those “plates” also give more support, and it’s not what i was looking for with regards to running.
• there’s a significant increase in the amount of padding / fabric at the heel and side of the Bikila, giving it a more shoe-like feel.
• i don’t feel nearly as “in touch” with the road in the Bikila given the factors above, and it’s a noticeable difference.

now, the Bikila are NOT uncomfortable to run in. i’m ok with them and their performance, but it feels like a move in the opposite direction of minimalist footwear (or how about: a step backward). i’m certainly no expert, and my running is kept to several miles a night at best – for others, these things might be the cat’s pajamas. for me? i’ll continue to wear them and hope my opinion changes, but i wish i had bought another pair of KSO’s to replace my green pair that got a hole in them during the Urban Adventure Race last month.

if things change, i’ll let you know. for now: KSO’s are still my favorite minimalist running shoe.

Sept 10, 2010 update: after almost a month with the Bikilas, having logged 50+ running miles in them, plus several more days of wearing them all day, my initial review stands. they’re not uncomfortable, but they’re not what i expected and they’re just too much shoe.

December 10, 2010 update: still running occasionally in the Bikilas and wear them to work frequently, but assessment stays the same: for running, KSO’s rock. Bikilas pander to those folks who want their VFF’s to be more shoe-like (including bells & whistles).