Friday, December 23, 2011

BSNYC Friday Fun Quiz and Holiday Recess Announcement Spectacular!



Oh, hi there, I didn't hear you come in. Do you like my slippers? How about my sweater with snowflakes on it? Did you notice when you pulled into my driveway that I dressed my Jeep Cherokee like a reindeer? It probably fooled you for a moment, but that's just how we get into the holiday spirit here in West Stereotype, CT. Please, ladle yourself out some egg nog, have a seat on the shabby chic sofa, and watch "Christmas Vacation" with us for the 17th time. We're happy to have you. Oh, the ham will be ready in 20 minutes. Doesn't it smell delicious?

(Shit, that's a bad motherfucking ham!)

In any case, now that you're comfortable, I should probably mention that it's officially Wildcat Rock Machine Holiday Recess Time. This means that, as of the freaky grilled cheese girl at the end of this post*, I'll be gone until Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012, at which point I will resume regular updates.

And while we're all gathered by the fire in my expansive Tudor style home, I'd like to tell you the story of my Bose:

In yesterday's post, I mentioned the above bicycle, laden as it is like Scattante Claus's sleigh. As a bike blogger, I know that any time I include a picture of a bicycle belonging to me--from the humblest Scattante to the loftiest neon green tiger skin-faired recumbent--it will receive some sort of criticism. I don't mind this at all, and in fact I enjoy it, since nit-picking is what this blog, cycling, and indeed the entire Internet is all about. I even make something of a game of of it, and try to guess which attribute will garner the most scorn. Will it be the headset spacers? The hue of the bar tape? The choice of derailleur or lack thereof? The live chicken I "portage" on the top tube at all times?

In this particular case though I was surprised that the object of derision was not a part of the bicycle at all, but was in fact the Bose box I was "portaging:"

From what I gathered from the comments, the common view of Bose is that they sell overpriced stereo equipment with poor sound quality to douchebags who don't know any better. My first instinct was to feel ashamed, and to explain away the box by claiming that it didn't house a Bose iPod thingy but that I was actually using it to protect my top tube chicken from the elements. But then I decided to own up to it, and to tell the heartwarming and sleep-inducing story behind it. Here goes:

Once upon a time, two people loved each other very much--so much that they decided to get married. However, they didn't want to have a douchey wedding with keynote speakers and lectures about cup recycling, even though one of them was an inveterate douchebag with a crappy bike blog. Instead, they decided to have a small party for their friends and family. (Well, the douchebag didn't have any friends, but he did have people who couldn't help being related to him.) So that's what they did.

Naturally, they wanted to have music at the party to fill the awkward silences, but the DJ from "Zoolander" wasn't available. So instead they decided to "curate" the music themselves and spend the savings on booze, and one of them (the one who is usually smarter, and who does not have a bike blog) had a cunning plan: to buy an iPod dock thingy, use it once for the party, and then take advantage of the store's liberal return policy by bringing it back for a full refund.

Well, after the party one day became two, and two became four, and four became 30, and before they knew it the window had closed, and even if it hadn't there was no way they'd ever find the receipt, and thus they became permanent owners of a Bose iPod thingy.

For years, the Bose was a symbol of lazy consumerism, and it languished in exactly the sort of storage unit that drives people like the TED minimalist guy crazy. (Now that I think about it, I should probably empty the storage unit and sell it to the TED minimalist guy, since it's even smaller than his apartment and he'd probably be willing to pay at least a few hundred grand to live in it.) But then the people and their 17 children were going away for the holidays, and they realized they might want to have music in the place where they'll be, and so the douchebag went to the storage unit and tied the Bose to his Scattante, and soon the family will bask in love and warmth and togetherness and holiday cheer and then they'll switch on the Bose and listen to this:



It makes me misty-eyed just thinking about it.

While I'm tapping a sentimental vein, I should also convey my sincere gratitude to everybody who reads this blog, takes the time to comment on it, or for that matter even takes two seconds to glance at it in order to remind themselves that they hate me. I'd also like to thank the proprietors of the "sponsored linkways" on this site, and to shamelessly point out that if you're looking for a last-minute holiday gift you should look no further than the right side of your screen. (Unless you're planning to buy someone a waffle iron. I don't think any of them sell waffle irons.)

As a parting gift pending my return in 2012, I'm also pleased to present you with a quiz. As always, study the item, think, and click on your answer. If you're right then holy crap wow!!!, and if you're wrong you'll see hilarity Italian style.

Thank you very much for reading, ride safe, and have a great holiday. See you on January 3rd, 2012, which is going to be the greatest year in the entire history of humankind.


--Wildcat Rock Machine







(Now that's personality.)

1) The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award has gone to:







2) At Christmastime, triathletes hang compression socks instead of stockings.







(Graham Hill summarizes his TEDTalk by masturbating an imaginary phallus.)

3) According to the "Life Edited" philosophy, which of the following is a good way to simplify your life?






(Decorative rope makes a great compression sock stuffer.)

4) How much for this piece of rope, which is "for decorative use only?"

--$9




5) A bike just like this one was used in the 1998 Tour de France:






6) This holiday season, the discerning cyclist will outfit him- or herself with a:







7) This embrocation has "mystique" because:




***Special Holiday-Themed Bonus Giveaway Without Even Having To Answer A Question!***

(My present to you.)

...aaand:


PS:

*(Happy Holidays from Freaky Grilled Cheese Girl!)

168 comments:

theEel said...

weewd!

wishiwasmerckx said...

First?

theEel said...

also weed

wishiwasmerckx said...

Third?

wishiwasmerckx said...

F-u, eel...

OBA said...

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese!

RB1 said...

Channel 11, baby ! Happy Holidays !

Anonymous said...

TOOTOOOTOOTOOOPy TEEEEEEEEEEENidays

Anonymous said...

Top ten?

hey nonny mouse

pebes said...

ten

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Napalm Death, there's an extended dub remix of You Suffer that goes on for almost six whole seconds.....it's almost prog.

hey nonny mouse

Anonymous said...

ZOOOOOOTZ CAR CLUBZ 11Z

Matt said...

Crap, missed top ten due to reading entry. May console myself by going out for grilled cheese.

patents_as_weapons said...

That cheese girl is freaky, but so are the disembodied hands!

Those idiots at qrub have more money than sense. If they'd only settled with me everything would be fine. What's cheaper, paying me protecting you from harsh patent infringement penalties or the litigation and penalties costs?

I mean, it would be terrible if something bad happened to their business because they did not license my ideas. The courts back me up on this 100%.

Isn't 'A-meh-rica great?

leroy said...

Nothing says Happy Holidays quite like a bonus siezure.

A fab Festivus to all!

Nogocyclist said...

Another blog vacation.
OK, who is going to take the first pull so we can have another podium at the page change?

WCRM, things really deteriorate around here when you are gone.

Anonymous said...

Read you next year!

2012 is when I finally get my sht together. Woot! I can't wait.

pebes said...

i don't often pay attention to the advertisers-but i just took a look since wildcat holiday machine mentioned them. i was totally lured by the chick in the see-through shirt to click on the link- there is not a single sexy lady anywhere near that website. balls.

CommieCanuck said...

Grilled cheese girl killed 12 people in Wyoming over 6 years. She did unspeakable things to their bodies with aerosol Cheeze Whiz. The FBI thinks she's moved to Philadelphia to blend in with the local cheese steak culture, hiding in plain sight.

CHES WHIZ

wishiwasmerckx said...

Thanks to all for a great year spent on this site "foffing off" at the office during the workday.

I wish you all the happiest of Christmases, Hanukkahs, Kwanzaas, Festivuses and whatever other culturally significant festivity marks the turning of the calendar in your belief system (such as Lobsterfest at your local Red Lobster).

Lastly, I leave you with a little holiday cheer from Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok5rOO2v2dU

ONE LESS MERCIER (IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR) said...

Unexpected load!

CommieCanuck said...

i was totally lured by the chick in the see-through shirt to click on the link- there is not a single sexy lady anywhere near that website. balls.

Oh, burn! Same thing happened to these guys.

Buy-cycle said...

Top 20? Mark Cavendish won the BBC sports personality of the year last night. I particularly liked the part of his speech where he thanked Peta's little bump. But what about the other two? They need some recognition too.

Anonymous said...

Hey, that bread is 2% not delicious. Ew.

Happy Holidays!

John G said...

I can't believe I've found someone online who's just as jaded and bitter as I am. Thanks for everything. Have a good year.

CommieCanuck said...

Lastly, I leave you with a little holiday cheer from Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey.

This is proof of the Asian philosophy of Ying and Yang and the philosophical balance of nature. That video is on the opposite end of the teeter-totter of Leanardo Da Vinci and Monica Belluci.

Anonymous said...

Snob,
Thanks for the work you put into this blog. Gives me something to laugh and think about, if even for just a few minutes each day!! Read you in the new year.

Terre Haute Karl said...

You bought the Bose with the intent of returning it but "waited too long"/"lost the receipt"??? Come on WRM, if you are going to own up to something, just own up to it; don't make up some lame story.

MERY XMAS
HANU KKAH
FEST IVUS
NEWY EAR!

D0000000D said...

THat's a hell of a grill on the freeky grilled cheeze girl.

Zoots.

Muddy feets said...

Cyclocross is about to be on live.
Forget your normal holiday goofing of on Friday and watch it.

grog said...

thanks for the seizure!
happy holiday

FUNK WIZZ
RIDE NICE

Anonymous said...

Nobody's stating the obvious about the expensive handmade rope.

Back before the 1920's, handmade rope was usually made with hemp. Most of that hemp was of the variety commonly used for other purposes.

If this rope was made exactly like it would have been made during the pre WWI days, there would probably be people lining up around the block to buy it every time a delivery truck pulled up to the store.

Mcfly said...

That's one Bad Motherfucking Grilled Cheeze Zandwich!!!!!!!!

Nebraska bike commuter (non-DWI edition) said...

Awesome bonus, though not quite as awesome as the spectacular bonus we got at work.

Still, every little thing that makes our season happier is much appreciated, so thanks for the blinky lights.

Benny Kanya. said...

COCK MEAT
Sandwich.

Blog Drafter said...

WTF? 2011 is almost over? Shit. Panties!

Nebraska bike commuter (non-DWI edition) said...

If that rope is truly hand twisted, that price isn't out of line, a bargain even. If it was twisted on hand operated antique or antique-style rope twisting machinery, not so much.

lazybones said...

Catch you next year. And yes, i bought myself a messenger bag for christmas, and i am in NO way a messenger.

Hophead said...

Thanks for writing, Snob.

Happy holidays to all ya'll.

Marcel Da Chump said...

Trek Christmas, bah! Humbug!

Best Holiday wishes to all.

Anonymous said...

Snob,

Never apologize for anything, not bose, not bike, not cheesy girl.

rural 14 said...

ant 2nd!

Paul Bowen said...

Thanks for a year of great laughs RTMS and thanks also to everyone who makes the comments so much fun. (Easy gag there if anyone wants to be unseasonally beastly!)

Have a tremendous Winterval, see you next year.

Anonymous said...

Festivus airing of grievances, feats of strength, 2-ci, tofurkey, sparkling cider, apple confluti the whole trip! Yes, blue skies and sunshine. Happy Festivus (the only Holiday that matters because it knows that it is a joke !)
Peace! Jake the snake from across the lake. Out.

Santa said...

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Let me remind you that I HATE YOU!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Anonymous said...

That Yule log video is causing me to have an erection.

Esteemed Commenter DaddoOne said...

What the fuck!!!!???

I sat there for two minutes waiting for the trek to actually MOVE.

Nope.

Mele Kalikimaka!!

Satan Claws said...

I didn't do so good on the quiz this time around but I really enjoyed the Napalm Death clip!

4fuxake said...

Thanks Snobby (and the rest of you knuckleheads) for all of the yuks - really helped me get through an otherwise dismal '11...

Seizure next year!

Jasper said...

Thanks for everything, especially today the awesome cricket picture. Are you sure Rivendell don't sell lugged waffle irons? And where were the death penguins? Did I miss them? Do I get a bonus point for guessing that the 'fin' picture comes from La Bete Humaine?

Buffalo Bill said...

Well that was a good year. Thanks Mr. Rock Machine!

YearEndProphecy said...

WildCatRockManmachine,

Thanks for the lunchtime times.

Next year,
or Ima fucken kill you.

Anonymous said...

Loud noises!

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Thank You Snob for the wonderful bike blog that you work on for 10 minutes a day. And most importantly for showing us how hilarious a transition area can be.

See you all next year.

crosspalms said...

I'll be here as soon as I get the other damn shoe on. Thanks, WCRM, and the rest of you, too, for all the fun this year. Enjoy the holiday, ride safe, eat festive!

Anonymous said...

Bro the seizure has a flat back tire. Hope he isn't riding that anywhere.

bikesgonewild said...

...i'd comment on how much i enjoy the bike snob nyc site & all the attendant daily comments, & i would wish everyone here a great holiday & a wonderful new year but i just can't find the strength to tear myself away from that fascinating 'beautiful wood burning fireplace yule log' video...

...but rest assured, as a tribute to you all, whilst bsnyc/rtms/wcrm is away & the comments continue to build to new record setting heights, i will watch this vid every time i see a fresh posted comment...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for one more year of laughs. C ya in 2012.

Friendo said...

I'm with Anon @2:36
ALHSSB (All you haters suck Snob's balls)

Anonymous said...

As soon as i read "freaky grilled cheese girl at the end of this post", i got excited and scrolled right to the end. Freaky yes, but not what i expected.
Thanks for a fun bloggy thing.
Happy Merry

Anonymous said...

I have one of the Bose ipod things that I actually bought with the intent of keeping,,now i'm feeling a bit ashamed about it. Maybe I can edit it.

Nebraska bike commuter (non-DWI edition) said...

Listening to Bill Frisell's "History, Mystery" on Spotify while watching the Yule Log video.

Nice...

alex said...

happy holidays! (no way i'm saying Merry Christmas to a douchebag who writes a bike blog and is also Jewish)

where i live, i'd be hesitant to carry anything inside a BOSE box, lest i be mugged by someone who thinks it contains an expensive device with subdued sound quality.

Anonymous said...

Get back on your Lexapro, asshole.

Charlie Didrickson said...

98% delicious

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Wildcat, Just download the yule log video to your i-whatever and you and your 17 kids can enjoy the festive sounds of a crackling fire on your crappy bose. Almost as good as home.

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

And then a little later after the 17 log-sawers are busy dreaming of sugar plums you can hit replay. 20 minutes of romantic ambient background noise. Nice!

mikeweb said...

WCRM, thanks for another year of laughs and thought provokery.

Everyone have a happy and safe holidaze. Keep the round rubber thingies down and the epic cockpits up.

Luke Wilson said...

Merry Christmas or Lobstermas, and happy New Year bikesnob

bikesgonewild said...

...watched that 'yule log' video all the way through 12 times in a row now...nice & soothing, dontcha think ???...

...devils & death, spirits consumed in the fiery depths of hell.........

...hey, hey...happy holidays...

The Rules said...

a christmas gift for you, a pdf downloadable goodie: http://bikerules.tumblr.com/

Brick"McFly"Tamlin said...

I LOVE LAMP. I LOVE SMACK. I LOVE HOOKERS. (Yes, I am just naming stuff in the room). Many thanks for the many entertainingment, I just discovered you via bicycling mag a year a ago and now I spend nasty days scowering the archives.

podium said...

those logs are in the way of a nice gas fire

Anonymous said...

How much for the girl in the One Fixed Gear link or does she cum free with the shirt.

Anonymous said...

Happy holiday panties!

glad im not merckx cuz now hes an old fat guy said...

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

wishiwasmerckx said...

Last!

Anonymous said...

Panties!

Anonymous said...

I clicked on all the ads! I mean linkways!
I did it just to make money for Snob! Not 'cuz I'm gonna buy a shirt that's already worn out! BTW that girl has nice hooters! But the look on her face is like someon'e givin' 'er a wedgie! Panties!

Olle Nilsson said...

Snob, thanks for reminding me exactly how much I hate you on such a consistent basis. It's the most awesome 2 seconds of my day. I anxiously look forward to more of the same in 2012.

Dooth said...

crackling yule log
chestnuts roasting on open...WAIT!
I'm hearing Johnny.

Anonymous said...

4 offroad stages voter.

"Actual wheel diameter 26.5 inch (67.32 cm)"

26.5 = 67.32

thank lob.

Poppa Wheelie said...

Happy Holidays Brick Tamlin, oh, and you too Mr Rock Machine.
Much more of the same for
2'12.

Anonymous Coward said...

Ride safe into the new year, and burn those Yul Brynner Logs. Thanks for all the laughs all.

Poppa Wheelie said...

Lazer light, Kit Kats, Liz Hatch, Skittles.

Poppa Wheelie said...

.....on Wednesdays would be very good too.

Marko Pantiesini said...

The 1998 7/11 Tour Team DID NOT use XCE Suntour Accushift 4050 due to cheapishness and crappy performance. They went with SRAM TwistShift Technology which was all prototype stuff and thus all their results are null and voided.

Anonymous said...

Hey Rules at 6:39 - what is rule #79 - wear your panties over your bibs?
(Did you catch that - I said panties?)

Anonymous said...

time cut? what time cut I thought this was a rest day...

mr.pissta -wishing all lots of tailwinds and few flats in the coming year...

Anonymous said...

http://www.onionsportsnetwork.com/articles/lance-armstrong-i-never-failed-one-of-those-shitty,20612/

Dacmo said...

'twas the day before Christmas

and all through the blog

not a creature was stirring

not even the Snob

capella161 said...

Just discovered that I have the main ingredient required to make foraged artis anal cock tails: mason jars. And now for a trip to Whole Paycheque for the rest of the ingredients...
http://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/photos/5-foraged-cocktail-recipes/fennel-infused-watermelon-cooler

PAUL said...

Mr. Snob, sir, have you checked out Katie Baker's ranking of the couples in the NY Times Wedding Section?

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7317826/month-new-york-times-wedding-section

The link is from Grantland, and she ranks the announcements by month. I think you have a winner!!!!

screaming skull said...

I'm hoping for a new bike for Christmas!

Chuck Berry said...

run run Rudolph

Santa has to make it to town

Santa, make him hurry

tell him he can take the freeway down

leroy said...

For

leroy said...

All the

leroy said...

Cheese!

(100 Podium)

Ride chee-zee.

the Ramones said...

Merry Christmas,

I don't want to fight.

Blog Drafter said...

It's officially Xmas, have fun! Merry Lob to you.

skink said...

On the first day of Xmas
my true love gave to me...

an hour and a half of, ahem,...

bikesgonewild said...

...skink...was that hour & a half of 'ahem' martha stewart approved ???...

skink said...

brother bgw,
it's way out of Martha's jurisdiction. Unless she's REALLY freaky-deaky.

CHEERS ALL!

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

COOL BURN

Nogocyclist said...

Anyone got any matches.

The Yule Log on my TV when out.

Jefe said...

I got a stopwatch.

Yule Log Bar Too High said...

So I had the yule log going on the laptop in the background while I'm watching TV and every time I look over the damn Google ad has popped up in the bottom.
Does that ruin the yule log for the rest of you too?
I've never had to do so much upkeep on a virtual fireplace before. It really just ruins my desktop cheer in the most unpleasant way.

The holidays are difficult in these modern times.

wishiwasmerckx said...

These awkward days between Christmas and New Years are known as the "taint of the calendar."

Brythe said...

there is no other day
let's try it another way
you'll lose your mind today
three days from now seeeee
See Emily play

leroy said...

If your yule log has gone out, it may be time to call in the dogs and piss on the fire.

My dog, however, doesn't come when called. He says to text him.

bikesgonewild said...

...i left a 'yule log' of epic proportion on christmas morning...

Nogocyclist said...

Leroy, if you are talking about my Yule logs going out, it is the yule logs on my TV that went out.

As for my actual Yule Logs, the types that are actually made from trees, I use the ashes from them to make my artisan lye soap.

It is very easy to make. You take all the wood ashes from your fire. Soak them in water for a few days. Strain this water of the remaining ash and boil it down to bring it up to a good boil and reduce it tell it is slightly thick. To this add some rendered pig fat and combine them together. This makes a soap that will make your skin softer than any commercial product you can buy. If you want it grittier for cleaning your hands, don't remove the strained ash and add a little sand to the soap as it hardens.

This is a much better use for your burned out Yule Logs than letting your dog put the smoldering logs out....

But, when I think about it, charcoal and dog urine are useful if you need to make some black powder for your muzzle loader........

Ruby Claire said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
blah said...

Yul "the Log" Brynner was a fine actor.

Anonymous said...

back at work- the man can suck it.

Blasph said...

A laugh. My kingdom for a laugh.

LUNCH SUX NOW said...

What the fuck am I supposed to do at work now when I need a break from all the damn idiocy?

If I don't get a vacation my favorite Blog shouldn't either.

I hate working in a bike shop.

FUCK THIS SHIT.

Trax said...

Humor withdrawals are setting and I'm hurting real bad.

Mustang Sally said...

o.k! I got the hint. I'm riding.

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! said...

Yes it is over.

Anonymous said...

Dude your blog is crazy annoying

Jesus Chicotte said...

Thinking cyclists' blog.

Thoughts are cloying to some;

if they can't hang, yo!

word to the mother!

Otto Gere said...

Freezing cold rain today. We all know about riding in the rain, the cool cruel rain...

"love! Reign o'er me!"

Sigmar Grise said...

you wondered
what the toy dog pondered
riding in the basket
of his owner's bike
as she pedaled swiftly
smiling in cycling joy

Anonymous said...

last laugh o' the year?
pers-sv8my-2772020564@craigslist.org

Hungry said...

Ham and chesse, please.

Hollow Lunch. said...

Lost I be without snarkcasmz.

End this week already!!!!!!!!!!!

Seething said...

Damn, I'm a Snob junkie.

un chat gris said...

I read a C.Hitchens quote. From memory, I can only paraphrase it: if you take the risk of thinking for yourself, beauty, truth and wisdom will come your way.
CYCLING IS RISKY. THUS, WE THINK FOR OURSELVES.

crosspalms said...

Hey, a headline in the arts section of today's NY Times:

A Brooklyn Girl Who’s Just Not Frilly

Welcome to the big time, Frilly!

ken e. said...

got nothing here but seasonal best wishes for all y'all!

"this is not orson welles!"

Orson Weiies said...

wine time

cheers

magento experts said...

Well, nice creation I have seen here.

Eddie Grant said...

cycling Electric avenue

Micro said...

I just read in an NYC newspaper that Steve Jobs' last words were: "oh wow, oh wow, oh wow".

Macro said...

oh oh oh oh o ho ho hoh oh ooo
Job this
Jobs that
JobsyJobsyJobsy

Ipod this Ipad that.

No sharp corners.

Pppfffffttttttttt

Tranny said...

Nars farg rassen!

JB said...

I think snobbly [sic] is coming back today. I can't really tell because he didn't leave the usual illustrated calendar.

Quilled and Lugged said...

If you all need some entertainment til WCRM comes back into focus, how about submitting some captions for the current New Yorker competition?

http://contest.newyorker.com/CaptionContest.aspx?affiliate=ny-caption

Sepeda Fixie said...

one hundred and forty second! (I think)

Puh--leeeeeeezee said...

Like the New Yorker needs any help.
PPppffffffttttttt.

Anonymous said...

I have a Bose sounddock & no apologies, I love it. I received it as a gift. However to be honest I probably would not have purchased it for myself. A little pricey.

Crosspalms--that's awesome!

Happy New Year to all of you. Big kisses & much love!

streepo said...

Jessica Ennis is hot!

bikesgonewild said...

...agreed...HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!...

...may you all have great opportunities to ride safe, sound & in beautiful environments in the new year...

Blog Drafter said...

I believe that this would be the place to mention that on my ride today I say a fancy recumbent with a ZIP 808 on the rear! This being the holidays and all I repressed all snarky thoughts and didn't mutter the word "douche" but, damn, an 808 on a recumbent???

(It was a beautiful ride.)

Nebraska bike commuter (non DWI edition) said...

Everyone ride safe and strong in the new year. (insert Deity of choice here) bless us, every one!

Nebraska bike commuter (non DWI edition) said...

BTW, my take on electronics for listening to music;

It's all BS. As a semiprofessional musician and music devotee since before memory, I used to be snobby about stereo equipment until I grew up and realized that no matter how good it is, it can never replicate the experience of "being there", and marketing hype that promises such is full of it. All I want is a system that reproduces enough detail that I can hear a performance and not just notes and that avoids the most annoying digital artifacts. (not all digital artifacts, just the annoying ones, like phase shifting) This can be accomplished by pretty much any piece of consumer gear above the cheapest of mp3 players.

Bose is pricier than I'd shell out, but it certainly meets my listening criteria. I refuse to get caught up in "Hi-Fi culture" just as I refuse to get caught up in "bike culture". If you want to have the latest and greatest stereo gear and can get it without impoverishing youself or family, that fine. If you can afford a Madone for a commuter bike, that's fine too. If you think that either one will make your listening and riding experiences better in proportion to the price you payed...


...suckaaaah!

brodog said...

The year of the Dragon is upon us.

The world can't end in the year of the Dragon.

Clyde said Chandler is "distinguishing himself".

A blowout Knick win.

Hully said...

Let us cycle safely and with dignity

in 2012.

McIntosh Lover said...

Nebraska bike commuter

Who wants the latest and greatest equipment?

I am still happy with my Stereo powered by 6L6's.

Tired of Pulling said...

So the question is who is going to win the very first comment page podium in 2012?

I have no idea, but for anyone wanting to get the jump on the competition, there is a page change podium from back in 1999 (or is it Y2K.)

First Podium of the New Year!

Nogocyclist said...

Happy New Year everyone.

Obligatory PSA #1. Don't ride your bike tonight if you had too much to drink...

christian louboutin sneaker said...

Very good post, I like it, christian louboutin Will continue to focus on it.

our loved ones said...

Happy New Year!

leroy said...

2012 Podium!!!

Oh yeah! Whoo-hoo!

Hmmmm. Where is everyone?

Wait a minute, did I miss Dick Clark?

Oh well, happy new year anyway!

ce said...

Time to do some catch up blog reading. Been away recently, like so many others at this time. Travelling abroad to pay respects to Great Leader.

Nogocyclist said...

One more day!

Only 159 comments. So where has everyone snuck off to while WCRM has been off somewhere riding his bikes?

crosspalms said...

160th! Cold and windy in Chicago today, but took the tree down anyway and we're resigned to picking needles out of everything for the next few weeks. Started the year by finding a home for a feral cat we'd been hosting in our basement. He's a friendly guy with an unfortunate ankle-biting habit, but he also would jump up on my panniers when I came home at night, so I think he has a good future with his new owner.

sheik said...

damn it! i've been watching that fire video for 19 minutes and nothing is happening, did i miss something?

Chachish said...

Good karma page.

huggies

bikesgonewild said...

...sheik...19 minutes ???...that's it ???...

...i've intently watched that 'yule log fire' video at least 40 times a day since bsnyc/rtms/wcrm went on hiatus & i'm tellin' ya, there's plenty a' hidden stuff in there...

...there's that whole 'message from the demons in hades' thing goin' on, then there's the upcoming plots for all the 'beavis & butthead' videos for next season & due to my due diligence, i know who wins next summers tout de france'...

...even leroy's dog doesn't know that one...

Quilled and lugged and pissed said...

@ Puh--leeeeeeezee said...

Like the New Yorker needs any help.
PPppffffffttttttt.

But now the man himself pops it up on the new post, everyone wants to play. I see how it is

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Fixie Bikes said...

I love that E-Yule log is a thing now.

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