Fish writes in and shares his two cents regarding a recent heptapod.org feature. He remarked that the gas prices should've been represented with liters rather than gallons. My response was that Americans aren't that familiar with liters beyond soda, not pop, and the point is underscored by presenting the outrageous price-per-gallon to show that things aren't entirely bad in the Republic of the United States of America. Fish also has to say:

Gas is also rationed in the UK. I had a little book of gas coupons and I couldn’t buy gas if I didn’t have them—on base as well as off base. I never drove that much so I never ran out. Tobacco and alcohol (not beer) was also rationed, but I always gave those away because I never used them.

I lost the keys to my apartment. This ring also has the key to my bike's u-lock. I swear the keys were upstairs in the alcove the other night! After futzing around for twenty minutes, half that time was spent relieving my bowels, I touched my breast pocket and found the keys were there. Fun part was riding through some light rain.

How the fuck did I forget that I already picked up the keys and put them in that pocket for safe keeping next to my mp3 player? Speaking of my handy and humble gadget I've deleted both Leviathan albums because that kind of music angries up the blood and can lead to poor choices.

Got on the road around 5:50 a.m. MDT which is quite late but I still made it to work by 6:21 a.m. MDT, had the bike locked up and was dressed and refreshed by 6:27 a.m. leaving me to while away the remainder of six a.m. listening to Django Reinhardt's Djangology on the front lawn.

Work was work. At lunch I rode across the street to Target to pick up some chips and soda for tomorrow's snack day at the office. My podcasts entertained me since I was bookless because my jeans took up the greater part of my meager personal hydration system. Also the company fired two people neither of whom were me. Sigh. Shit sucks.

Commuting home at the intersection at Hancock and Platte my fucking bike chain broke. On the bright side I had stuff to listen to and the walk did me some good. When I drive to work I tend to ignore the rest of the world because I'm concentrating on not hitting anyone else and I'm in my little speedy bubble. Riding to work has me more aware of my surroundings, I will stop and look at stuff that catches my fancy before pedalling off but most of the focus is on my cadence, gearing and the road traffic and conditions. Walking home was a delight. I stopped in a park to untangle the broke chain, made the acquaintance of two crazy cats prancing around on a porch and getting a better look at people's yards which are full of flowers.

Finally got home with hands black from chain grease around five p.m. MDT and spent the next fifteen minutes alternating between Simple Green and regular soap to clean my hands. Later I drove to Criterium, got my chain replaced because the original chain was already through half its life and it wasn't really right for my gearset. To make up for this egregious situation causing me to actually drive my car I will be cycling to work next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Sometime after the 20th of June I'm going to get myself a seatpost rack for my bike since the GT Avalanche 2.0 frame doesn't like traditional pannier racks and probably pick up a chain tool so I don't get stuck walking home once again.

One thing about cycling to work is the fact that I always feel like I have less time to myself at home.

Need to keep in mind that actually being outdoors does help my mood. The exertion of cycling also contributes good things to my mental well-being. Have I mentioned that I had to cinch my belt up a notch today? I think I'm losing weight and my eating habits really aren't worth mentioning in polite company.

I have no idea what I'm going to do this weekend but I reckon it won't involve driving my car.