Cohen Tribute – Sisters of Mercy

Angels Without Recourse

I’ll never forget last week’s somber Wednesday.  An overcast city wept an afternoon rain out of course with the sunny spring week.

No one deserved the event the day before, no one expected it, and  no one could find a rational explanation.

A dark twist of fate that challenged common faith.  A merciless chain reaction at a gas station cut short a promising young life.

Her friend and several others struggled to help but the inferno pushed them away.  Were it not for the off duty firefighter others would have died in selfless attempts of rescue.

I don’t know if their hearts will ever heal.  I can’t imagine any words that could bring them comfort.

All I can do is construct a living vow to find those angels some recourse.

The last ten days have been an exercise in recognizing and celebrating the selfless.  From a compassionate utilities clerk  to the valorous sandbaggers in the Dakota flood.  Your actions bring us a sense of justice in this harsh and unforgiving time.

Broken Trail

A westward view of the brand new segment of the Midland Trail.

It’s an epitome of regional routes.  Smooth streets interrupted by aged and abandoned tarmac.  Like some asphalt volcano blew up years ago and they just left the flow wherever it froze.

I supposed they left this undone for service vehicles still working along the creek below the overpass.

Beckers Lane

I’ve spent the last ten months and hundreds of miles getting in shape to skate the two and half mile stretch from my house to Beckers Lane.

Two and a half miles of slippery gravel, gatorback cracks, and breakneck hills.

Two and a half miles of  construction obstructions, traffic jams, and random surprises.

Two and half miles and I’m not burnin’ gas to get to Beckers Lane.

Memories of Marvelous Toys

DeVotchKa – How It Ends

Bearings and Bolts

I’ve been testing a new treatment for the 20 bearings that drive my skates.  It’s wax based so it takes a lot of miles to break in but the bearings will be water, dirt, and grease proof  for quite some time.

The roads have been shaking my axle bolts loose so I tried some of that liquid thread locker.  It turned out to be too high strength (like glue) and I almost ruined my left frame.  So now I’m snugging up the bolts every couple miles or so until they break in.