Erich Zechar @Erich@a2mi.social

For learning how to fix your own bike, Ann Arbor's own co-op, Common Cycle, is a fantastic resource. Open Sundays 11-3 at 416 W Huron.

Spent the morning volunteering as a mechanic for the first time.

Observations: if you get there at 11 it's pretty quiet. After 12:30 and you might have to wait.

Cool group of people there!

"During crises... being a problem solver is the best thing you can be. When we are electing government officials, it is not stupid to ask yourself, 'If a plague broke out, do I think this person could navigate the country through those times, on a spiritual level, but also on a pragmatic one? Would they be able to calmly solve one problem, then another one, and then the next one? Or would bodies just pile up in the streets?"

I'm revisiting Jennifer Wright's prescient 2017(!) book "Get Well Soon: History's Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them"

It's full of insight into how leaders throughout history have handled or mishandled plagues.

She deftly shows throughout the book how Donald Trump would inevitably fuck up a plague response.

I highly recommend it.

anyway here's an amazing ASL rendition of Guns and Ships

https://youtu.be/5Z7S1euoGoQ

I was talking with a co-worker about Covid today. She is Canadian and mentioned Canada had less than 300 new cases yesterday. For the country.

She talked a bit about the measures they have taken up and the response, and it was pretty impressive/depressing.

I really think Trump could have done something great if he had shown leadership. All the mask haters and COVID deniers would fall in line. Imagine if he had used this moment to unite the country.

Was supposed to do a small family gathering July 4th thing tomorrow.

People kept getting added on to the guest list and now it's supposed to be 90 and sunny, which means folks will be hanging out indoors, and knowing my family no masks.

So I bailed. Oh well.

Mayor Bashaert making it to the top of r/Cringe for an offhand racist joke she made during council meeting is not a good look.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cringe/comments/hbz2du/mayor_of_ypsilanti_michigan_beth_bashert_makes/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Was talking with some other parents about local elections. Most didn't know what ward we are in (2!)

In order to know what ward you're in, you have to be registered to vote and then check your registration.

or, as a birdsite user mentioned, you can refer to this unlabeled low res map the city provides.

Why not a simple address lookup website? Go to the site, enter your home address, and it gives you your ward. Bonus if it tells you the next election and candidates running.

I resisted buying* the new Sleater-Kinney album for a long time, but dammit if it isn't fantastic. As usual, they capture the energy of this moment perfectly, striking a balance between dread and righteous anger. The songs are often poppier than their usual, but somehow it works, and still feels like S-K.

highly recommend giving it a couple listens.

* because Janet Weiss, an amazing drummer and the heart of the band, quit over this record.

One of the many things I enjoyed about Norway was finding these thin, chewy, heart-patterned waffles. Oddly, they seemed to be served only in non-touristy spots, like a country farm or hiking chalet.

I've looked for a waffle maker but the good ones I've found are all euro-specific, on Norwegian websites with no US shipping.

Guess I'll have to make a return trip someday.

OH at the playground:

"you know what this online learning stuff means right?"

no, what?

"no more snowdays man"

ohh nooooooo!

When my son isn't getting his way, he has taken to saying "waah!" in a whiney voice, which is kinda funny.

My daughter has decided to join in:

"Dad, can I watch some TV?"

No, you've had enough screen time today.

"Complain!"

Mastoparents - does anyone need/want a blue Racecar toddler bed?

Went on a nature walk and found (or more properly was found by) a large number of Ticks!

Heading down to Downtown Home and Garden, wonder if they'll have anything.

If not, it will be a nice bike ride anyway!

From my conversations with preservationists and repairpeople (thanks @murphmonkey and @Cornellbox ) it looks like modern windows (anything made after 1960!) are not worth repairing. The wood used is new growth and does not have the rot resistant properties of older wood windows.

Which means I need some recommendations on window replacement!

Our house has wood-framed windows which are about 30 years old. Unfortunately the bottom part of the frame on 3 of them is rotten and we need to replace them.

Any suggestions? It's only rotten on the stationary portions of our horizontally-sliding windows. I'd rather replace just the rotten portion than the whole window but not sure this is possible.

I'm sure a large window company would only want to bid on replacing all our windows.

blue angels

#fridaycheckin

I took the day off, and bundled up the kids to get outside.

it was a good day.

Heading out land fishin', wish us luck!

Here's that color on a bike

https://www.flickr.com/photos/missionbicycle/6775720668