Back at Greenbriar West elementary school, my classmates and I learned a song in music class about the metric system. The song taught me that the then-federally-mandated speed limit of 55 miles per hour was equal to 88 kilometers per hour.

As it turns out, this 5/8 ratio is both portable and quite accurate. And were it not for my usual morning run, I would leave it at that.

The running path around my neighborhood measures between .77 and .78 miles. Thus, my usual four laps makes for 3.1 miles, or about 5 km.

3.1? Why, that's almost π. So 1 km is roughly π/5 miles. How useful is that? It means that a circle with a diameter of 1 mile has a circumference of slightly over 5 km, for one.

But there are plenty of well-measured 5 km routes, you say. How about this, instead?

You need to measure a distance on a curved path depicted on a map. You prefer to use kilometers, but the map is scaled in miles. Find a coin (or better yet, a washer) with a diameter close to the scale distance of one mile. Gently roll it along the curved path and count the number of revolutions. Multiply by five to get kilometers.

Louis was a talented artist who loved to draw sea monsters and dragons, play board games, ride roller coasters and wield a sword, among other things, friends say.

Grow up, or go the way of the dodo. Your call.

"...Republicans shouldn't fall into the trap of pinning their hopes on a "star." If they can build an intelligent agenda that meets the needs of a rapidly changing world, they will bounce back. If not, they risk even further irrelevance."

I'm a spectator, just like you. That's right. I don't even come close.
So why don't we both just enjoy it?

Hope springs eternal.

What I know: at least 26 years ago, AFN-Japan (known then as the Far East Network) used it in 15 to 20 second spots detailing "Space A" information for various destinations (CONUS, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Marcus Island, Philippines, among others).

I quite often see it used in sports.



Anyone?

Date:	2009-04-10 20:42
Subject:	You remember V.I.N.CENT, don't you?
Security:	Public
Mood:	irritated

"A pint can not hold a quart, Mr. Pizer. If it holds the pint it's doing the best it can."

If you just can't get enough of my last weekend, there's even more photos, courtesy of Robert from Houston, TX.

Texas Adventure Ride - Junction, Texas. April 2-5, 2009

The Dakar and I also show up on Lone Star BMW Triumph's Photo Album!

What was that?
 

Sorry, I'm having trouble hearing you over the awesomeness of last weekend.
(Photo courtesy Robert S.)

 
The really interesting stuff is to the right of frame, as demonstrated by fellow rider Robert S.
Still, both the ride and the food were outstanding.

You're going on a three-day adventure on a dual-sport motorcycle in less than 48 hours. However, the mounting structure for one of the motorcycle's side cases needs to be repaired. ( Read more... )

coming down on the roof above me, it sounded like one serious beating.

garage door-way

In my neighborhood, a short walk away from my place, this older-generation Ford Expedition burned up while parked in its owner's driveway, around 11:00 wednesday night. Nobody was hurt, thankfully.

After weeks of hesitation and indecision, I finally got myself a proper GPS (DeLorme Earthmate PN-20). This is important, trust me. Also, craigslist rules.

This is so brilliant.

I have a new-found respect for electric motors.


Respect the torque.

I am seriously considering this, to include finding the themed vehicle- motorcycle, off-roader, or beater car - and driving it all the way across the southwest for the event (perhaps with the intent of not taking it back home!)

Stoddard Valley OHV Area

David had an orange 20" model in the store, but I decided I'd be better off with the 24" (in blue).