JOHN'S SCHOOL SITE
  • Home
    • Compositing At Henderrson
    • Teacher Resources
    • My Teaching History
    • Design/Build History >
      • Gallery of Homes
  • Phone Portfolio
  • BIG PICTURE LEARNING - 11
    • Advisory Activities
    • Learning Plan
    • Exhibition
    • LTI
    • Projects
    • Rotation Classes
    • COMPETENCIES
  • Advisory
  • My Classes
    • Yearbook R2P1
    • Makerspace-Bench/Storage
    • Photoshop/Photography
    • Psychology of Money
    • Auto Maintenance
    • Photoshop Magic
    • Argue to Win
    • Mastering Chess
    • T Shirt Making
    • How to Build A House
    • Hamlet meets NIKE
    • Mobile Photo
    • Animating After Effects
    • 3D Modeling//Printing
    • Yearbook 18 >
      • Media Description
    • Newspaper 17-2
    • Graphics 17-2
    • Architecture 17-2
    • Core 17
    • Video Production 17
    • Former Classes >
      • CCFE aka Decisions >
        • Current Assignments-CCFE - Decisions
        • Portfolio Page
        • Interview Process
        • Personal Data Sheet Example
        • Assignments for CCFE Decisions
        • Resume
        • Letter of Application
        • Digital Portrait
      • Website Construction
  • Interests
    • I-Phone Photo Page
    • Samsung 5s
    • Remodel-Details
    • Travel
    • Old Shoes
  • Blog
  • Teaching not like Construction
  • Meyers Briggs-Big Pic
  • Puzzle
  • Media Resource Ideas
  • Sketchup ideas
  • Famous Photographer
  • Graphic Design Resources
  • Journalism Idea Generator
  • POW Toon Page
  • Henderson Free Press
  • Project Presentation
  • Photography 17 Backup
  • Ph-Blend Mode
  • My Story
  • Addition
  • Home
    • Compositing At Henderrson
    • Teacher Resources
    • My Teaching History
    • Design/Build History >
      • Gallery of Homes
  • Phone Portfolio
  • BIG PICTURE LEARNING - 11
    • Advisory Activities
    • Learning Plan
    • Exhibition
    • LTI
    • Projects
    • Rotation Classes
    • COMPETENCIES
  • Advisory
  • My Classes
    • Yearbook R2P1
    • Makerspace-Bench/Storage
    • Photoshop/Photography
    • Psychology of Money
    • Auto Maintenance
    • Photoshop Magic
    • Argue to Win
    • Mastering Chess
    • T Shirt Making
    • How to Build A House
    • Hamlet meets NIKE
    • Mobile Photo
    • Animating After Effects
    • 3D Modeling//Printing
    • Yearbook 18 >
      • Media Description
    • Newspaper 17-2
    • Graphics 17-2
    • Architecture 17-2
    • Core 17
    • Video Production 17
    • Former Classes >
      • CCFE aka Decisions >
        • Current Assignments-CCFE - Decisions
        • Portfolio Page
        • Interview Process
        • Personal Data Sheet Example
        • Assignments for CCFE Decisions
        • Resume
        • Letter of Application
        • Digital Portrait
      • Website Construction
  • Interests
    • I-Phone Photo Page
    • Samsung 5s
    • Remodel-Details
    • Travel
    • Old Shoes
  • Blog
  • Teaching not like Construction
  • Meyers Briggs-Big Pic
  • Puzzle
  • Media Resource Ideas
  • Sketchup ideas
  • Famous Photographer
  • Graphic Design Resources
  • Journalism Idea Generator
  • POW Toon Page
  • Henderson Free Press
  • Project Presentation
  • Photography 17 Backup
  • Ph-Blend Mode
  • My Story
  • Addition
JOHN'S SCHOOL SITE

Old School Acquisition

10/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
I have been using Craigslist to sell a mountain bike purchased from my brother. So far, buyers have not ventured across the Sound to inspect this pristine marvel of Univega engineering. While giving it a tune, my machinist son suggested that I look for a frame that fit me (the Univega is way too small) and maybe we could swap parts. So I began searching for a Specialized Hardrock.

The classic, old school hardrock, built around the turn of the century appeals to me. If I were directing a movie set on a college campus, my protagonist would ride that bike. If I were within six miles of school I would pedal it to class each day (weather permitting, of course).  So, in checking the ads, one popped up in Gig Harbor described "in very good condition" so I bit.

Having a busy schedule I didn’t  see the bike until dusk. And it wasn't in Gig Harbor, but about 15 miles away. Navigating by phone I found myself driving down a desolate road -- few houses, no pavement, and few utility improvements. The driveway with the black mailbox was finally located. The only light originated from Christmas lights illuminating an out building. The house – a darkened trailer – had a sinister flavor. After a brief knock a cheery elf of a man came to the door. He was falling over himself with excitement about the bicycle. We drug it into the drive; I took a few pedals. It was exactly what I wanted: old and abused, kind of crusty and very comfortable. I paid full price which wasn’t much.  I wanted to get my newly adopted friend free of this seedy environment but I did not have a car that could haul the new purchase.

I mentioned I had a cousin, Robert, in the area who might be able to get the bike that night. The seller agreed and I took him to get pizza. Turns out he is a coder. We had a fascinating conversation about his work. He was developing a program to read rss feeds to count how many people die each day in the world. I asked him why and all he could think was…."nobody has ever done that. I want to be the first."

I found my cousin who followed me to the dark path and the bike. The stranger pushed it out of the dusky trailer and we loaded it. Robert judged the area as being sketchy and thought the seller would probably sell it four times if he had the chance, so it was probably good that we had it in our posession.

I won’t go over the defects that came to light the next day, or the uneasiness of my wife in knowing I had ventured off the grid. Suffice to say I felt like Robert and I were 17 again on a crazy youthful adventure.... and I found it satisfying, enervating and totally wonderful.  Love my new friend whom I will get to know much more intimately as it goes though a substantial rebuild process.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    John Alfred Riebli
    Born in 1943 in Tacoma.
    Grew up in South Kitsap.
    Currently living in Allyn.

    Categories

    All

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2018
    June 2018
    February 2018
    August 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.