I didn't start it....

That was Josh. But I thought it might be a cool idea for people to post pictures of their bench or work area (or desk, if you must have a real job) and comment on their own use of flair.

1. Poster of Einstein on a bike: Hey, if it's good enough for Albert....



2. Poster of Peter Van Petegem: One of the most gnarled, grizzly bike racers I've ever seen, not counting Steve Tilford. Perennial tan courtesy countless hours spent training on the bike in all types of weather, I'm sure. A real Baddass (that's one word). Now that he's retired, I'll bet his perma- tan lives on. Skin cancer is too intimidated to grow on him. I also like the tag line from Lazer above him: "Use Your Head".. Like he ever needed to.



3. Centerfold from Pegoretti catalog: I can't get the idea of owning one of these pieces of art at some point in my life out of my head. It would have to be custom, with me travelling to Italy and living there until it was finished. Perhaps assisting with the build. I would want the frame custom to my specs, but the finish to be a surprise. I don't even know if that could be done, but that's my idea of a "dream" bike, so whatever. The one in the picture is "Love #3"... because you supposedly have 3 great loves in a lifetime. There is also a goofy poem written in Italian and translated in English about bikes and freedom.



4. Framed CABDA wheelbuilding certificate: Yeah, I mostly put this up to tick Matt off. He occasionally teases me about the methods I use to build wheels, and the fact that I went to school for it. "CABDA style" is when you lace one side and then the other. At least it is around our shop. The frame is to make it look more official, but as an unforeseen consequence, lots of people have asked me how I've been supporting cycling since 1948. I tell them "yeah, I'm sixty". They usually don't ask me anything else.



5. Atomic Clock: Okay, it's not flair, but a guys' gotta know when to go home! Also, I forget to eat (or try to eat) lunch if I don't keep looking at the clock occasionally.



6. Picture of some Phonak racer throwing his bike at the line: Against an old guy on a city bike. Hilarious! I think it was in a Craft ad somewhere.



7. Photo of LA and Floyd on Brasstown Bald: I was there with Dru and took this picture myself. Floyd is leading here, but a few seconds later, LA demoralized him with a surge on the last kick upward. I have never ridden Brasstown Bald, and after standing on that mountain all day, don't care if I ever do. I could barely walk up the damn thing.



8. Bicycle License Plate: That's my name. Don't wear it out.



9. Fortune cookie Fortunes: We get Chinese food almost every Saturday from the place across the street. Nearly all of the fortunes suck unless you add "in bed" to the end of them, but I've saved two. One says "Be broke or wealthy, but never accept mediocity" Obviously, they don't spell check these things, but the sentiment is incredibly powerful. Take it as you will. The other says "You will always have good luck in your personal affairs" A pretty bold statement, coming out of a cookie.



10. Sticker of T-Mobile rider: Not sure who it is, just thought it looked cool. Why is this a sticker, though?



11. Evolution of a cyclist bumper sticker: My friend Nick sent me this, he lives in Portland (OR) now. I don't like stickers on my car, but above my workbench is fine. Go figure. I want to come out with one that says "Start seeing Cyclists" like the motorcycle people have. I might put that on on my car.



12. Picture of guy in tent with bike while girlfriend sleeps outside on ground: Katie actually gave me this one, so I guess it's okay to have it displayed. She would probably try to do the same thing to me, so if I ever go camping with her, I'm bringing two tents. Posted long before this image made its' ten million rounds on the internet, so I'm leaving it up 'til it comes back in favor.



13. "Cluelessness" inspirational picture: My mom gave me this as a present, and I think I mentioned it in a previous post. Lots of questions fly around the bike shop, and most of them have no direction. What a waste of time. I'm not sure if looking at this sign everyday is helping me deal with that, or fueling the fire.

Well, as you can see, I didn't even make it to the minimum fifteen pieces of flair. I guess I'm fired. Unless you count me flipping you the bird as flair. Wait, that's still not enough.