Shiny Things

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO640
“Making Shiny” Cedar Park, 2021

Today we did a bunch of clean-up at our house, including selling some items on Facebook Marketplace, mowing the yard, gardening on the deck, and gathering things for a Goodwill drop-off. We also tried out a new ultrasonic cleaner for Mariko’s jewelry. I threw in my high school class ring, and it came out nice and shiny! Also, my glasses were super-clean. It was a big gross to see how much gunk came out from that. I clean the lenses every couple of days but I guess the hinges and other parts of the glasses were filled with dirt. Yuck!

In the afternoon I spent a little time working on my bicycle restoration project. It’s a lot of fun! I took some steel wool to the seat post and it cleaned up nicely. I also worked a bit on one of the wheels, and cleaned a few other parts. I’m going to need some proper polishing compound for the other metal parts, and I am looking forward to seeing them shine. 😀

Eating Out Again

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1000
“Cold Ones” Marble Falls, 2021

Today Mariko and I visited a brewhouse for lunch, and then joined some friends for a sunset dinner in the Texas Hill Country. This was my first time eating out since March of last year, and it was a little weird at first, but I got used to it quickly. The cold beer helped! 😊🍻

Honestly, seeing friends again was like no time has passed. I guess that’s a good thing, but maybe not? I don’t know, but I do know that I enjoy eating and drinking out.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/4, 1/220 sec, ISO320
“Sunset” Fredericksburg, 2021

I hope you had a good day! またね~

Quick Trip to IKEA

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.2, 1/125 sec, ISO320
“Goodbye” Round Rock, 2021

Mariko and I went to IKEA at lunch today to pick up a kitchen cabinet and it was the least-crowded I’ve ever seen it (due to the pandemic). We’re both vaccinated, so we feel safer going out to do “normal” things. Of course, we continue to practice social distancing and wear masks because COVID-19 is still a threat, and many people have not received their vaccine yet, and even though we have been vaccinated, it’s still possible to get/spread COVID-19.

It sure was nice to get out for a bit, though!

Bicycle Project

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO320
“Peugeot Bicycle” Cedar Park, 2021

I brought my old Peugeot bicycle back to Texas from their home in California. This bike, which was actually my mom’s, is I believe a mid-70sPeugeot AO 8 model, and is the one I rode from San Francisco to Torrance way back in 1982. I joined a YMCA trip with a couple of my friends, and we had a blast! Definitely some good times. 😁

Photo info: Canon MG2200 series, 0mm, f/0, 1/inf sec, ISO0
“1982 Cyclists” Torrance, 1982

The bicycle has been hanging in my parents’ garage pretty much since the mid-80s and it needs a lot of love to get it back to the condition I’d like to see it in, but I have time and am in no rush to finish the restoration project. I just want to take my time and enjoy it.

To get it back into riding condition will be fairly easy: replace tires/tubes/rim tape, brake and shifting cables, and brake pads. To make it look nice will take a bit more effort, with the removal of rust and corrosion requiring a lot of elbow grease. I’ll also re-tape the handlebars and perhaps buy a new seat. A new chain would probably be a good idea too!

Unfortunately, the classic Peugeot decals are flaking off and I don’t know if there are any replacements for them. I also will need to touch up some nicks in the paint (gotta find some purple metallic nail polish), but it will be fun to work on little by little!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/3.6, 1/160 sec, ISO320
“Peugeot Bicycle” Cedar Park, 2021
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO400
“Peugeot Bicycle” Cedar Park, 2021