n_maher

Sending a hug your way @skullguise.

Ribs, pulled pork, and sausage also on the menu.

Having friends over tomorrow, needed dessert.

It's a 1030 Plus, so not exactly vintage. It's actually hugely helpful to have both a gravel and road computer. And the Garmin radar system is actually really cool. I'll probably add a second taillight to the mix for the pure road bike.

In the sprit of getting dirty I decided to list the Tarmac for sale and jump on this deal: It's a 2022 Cervelo Aspero 5 and the top of the line model at that. MSRP $10,500, I paid about 40c on the $ for it and the owner admitted that he bought it and essentially never rode it - condition backs that up. It also came with a like new Garmin head unit and tail light/radar setup which is pretty sweet. When I recently learned that they completed a ~9mi section of rail trail that can become ~50% of my morning commute I decided it was time to dive into the deep end. The color is something like "purple sunset" (cheers to you, Dusty) and is straight up wild. We'll see how the new modified commute goes tomorrow.

I mean seriously, what else could go wrong? Also, it's strawberry season so shortcake is on the menu for dessert.

Happy Birthday!

Proper cooking this time, fried chicken breasts to make sandwiches for dinner.

Technically baking but I'm too lazy to go find that thread. Toasted coconut chocolate chip scones.

Happy Birthday!

Change of Command is this week, which means I get my 4th boss in three years (FML) so I decided I'd fabricobble the command gift. The outgoing skipper is a Navy diver who has a penchant for clapping to build morale. So I decided that I needed to work all that into the gift. So the rough motif is a replica Navy diving bell mounted to a plaque with our command logo and major project logos engraved into brass coins. but the kicker is that the helmet sits on an LED base that lights up and yes, can be controlled by a Clapper.

Do pizza ovens count?

Happy Birthday, Brent! I entered a whisky lottery for you this week. Oh wait, that was for me. My bad.

Happy belated! I hope it was good.

Infecting the next generation. Andrew's new ride is a leftover Specialized Fuse Sport. Specialized stopped making the bike in 2022 but had made so many that dealers still had them and they were blowing them out. Original MSRP $2400, paid $999. Bought one for Lily two years ago for $1600 and thought that was a screaming deal. Can't wait to get him out on the trails if it would ever stop raining around here.

Last step in fondant potatoes is to put them in the oven, so currently baking these.

now lunch.

Banana bread for the birthday boy - somehow Andrew is 14.

Say what? I have to admit, I thought they were talking about the glasses on the table.

Happy Birthday, Chris!

All this deferred resignation stuff has meant the departure of a few key staff members, one in particular I've worked with for nearly 15 years and deserved something more than an Irish goodbye. So I made him a little something for his retirement yesterday. That's the blank walnut, engraved/machined with the cnc machine. Finish applied, awaiting infill bits. Finished project. The middle bit is an original survey boundary marker for the island that I rescued from a demo project. It's likely way more than 100 years old. I thought he deserved to take a little piece of the place with him even if it's a little tarnished and scarred. I prefer things that way actually, probably because I resemble the description.

Have not had much time to consume TV lately but family vacation finally offered a chance to check out: Thoroughly enjoyed this, looking forward to Season 2 this fall even if a very different story arc is proposed.

Apologies for the lateness - a very happy birthday to you, Shelly!

Late condolences, Steve. Can’t really even imagine. I’m so very glad that you were able to speak with her and were able to get some closure.

Wrapped up vacation in FLAlalala. Travel back tomorrow, weather permitting (we’re already getting warnings) and hopeful that kids won’t go too mental about departing 85 and sunny for 50 and rainy.