I have been away for a week. I returned yesterday. This morning I began going through 8 pages of emails and looked up the Surly blog to see what's what. I read John's last post, twice in fact, but I still am not sure what he said. I can't tell if that's due to the vacation or what. Everything feels different. I also reread the last post I wrote before leaving. "Me too, but it isn't in my job and/or cops on its ear"? I wrote that, seriously? And misspelled Whose? For the luvva Pete, I really did need a holiday. The cracks were beginning to give. During my time away many miles were traversed roughshod with friends and compatriots met along the way, etc. But those tales are not to be shared, for they are too personal and esoteric to be useful or harmless. What I can tell you is that we were baggers, and the bagger life can be pretty sweet. I am not a professional or even natural bagger, so for me now that lonely freedom is slipping back to shadow and once again I must do what I must do, though that feels good too. The important thing is that I can once again put together coherent sentences. More on that as events warrant. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. -----

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Dummy Stock

18" Big Dummy framesets are going into stock at our distributor as I write this. More 18" framesets, 22" framesets, and 16" framesets will arrive next week. 20" and more 22" framesets will arrive near the end of August/beginning of September. They cost more now. $1050 is retail. Life is hard. It still costs less than a Hummer or a Prius. They'll go pretty fast. Again, life is hard. We're doing all we can. You're doing a great job today. Everyone around you agrees that you are the hardest working s.o.b. in the place. So, nice work. -Skip -----

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News That Matters!

All right, now that we got that stuffy Bloggins guy outta here we're gonna do things a little different, give yinz some newz you can uze. Maybe they think they're the ones having fun off riding their bikes, dodging farm equipment and eating blowtorch-roasted pig chops. But, NO! The real action is going down at Surly HQ. Read on, you rascally minions: The spreadsheet artist formerly known as Hairy Jim brought donuts today -- good donuts, too. They were from The Baker's Wife and when donuts are that good one is compelled to use the more formal spelling of 'doughnuts', as a sign of respect. Without Swervy and the PiePlow around we actually got to enjoy a couple, make that several, a piece. Hell, I don't even like donuts, err ... DOUGHnuts, and I ate three. Alix the Great smelled them from her Olympian heights and descended the Ivory Tower to filch one. Yep, they were that tasty. Next time make them all chocolate-iced, Jim. Staff fashion consultant and authority on all things pop-culture, Emily, joined us in the rowdy den of dank we call the Surly Cave. She moved in last Friday and so far has made a very pleasant addition to the collective Surly orifice, despite her efforts to spearhead the "Keep Donuts Out of the Office" campaign. Good luck, Emily. In fact, you might want to password protect your computer while you're away from your desk. (Especially after recently revealing to the blogosphere a certain unnamed author's most assuredly platonic penchant for Angela Lansbury.) The Supreme Crack Snacker, Snackey P, made a rare appearance in the above mentioned Cave, considering his normal telecommute takes place from the Steak and Ale all-day happy hour. Look out, Big Tuna, you got some ultimate nacho sauce on your collar. Brother David's hair continues to grow and he continues to sear the mutton of our brains with tales of packrafts and Pugs traversing Alaska. You did watch the video, didn't you? Scroll down. Click. Do it. Sov had to duck out early saying he caught some mystery bug from the littl'un. He claimed it wasn't the infamous bottle flu, but we all know the only mystery is attempting to recall how many of which kinds of beverage were indeed consumed last night. Way to take the high road by blaming it on the kid. Brauer called today and he says, "Hi!" We're all extremely excited to learn he's landed a new job teaching bike safety through derby skills to youngsters in the Mpls public school system. Or was it the parochial school system? Who cares? Learn 'em right, Brauer Power! I wasn't gonna say anything, but your boss also called. He's a little concerned that you've been working too hard lately. He was gonna wait to tell you this, but it's such good news, why wait any longer? You get tomorrow off! Go ride your bike. Visit Snackey at happy hour. Ride around and get all giddy. Go on! You deserve it! Now get outta here. -----

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Eric Parsons and Dylan Kentch just returned from an epic (Epic) Pugsley/packraft trip from Hope to Kenai via the Alaskan coast. Check out Eric's account of the adventure. Here's a little video, too... Untitled from Eric Parsons on Vimeo. -----

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Epilogue from the Hendrix's Trike story of last week comes to us from a man with two first names, Sean Ralph, who's email says he is a Controller. Me too, but it isn't in my job and/or cops on its ear. Remind me again: who's watching the detectives? Oh yeah, the detectives. Wait... Also note that several memebers of the elite Surly Super Robot Fighting Ninjas Hi-YAH! Team will be absent from the office this week, including yours truly. If you write in or call, it may take us a little longer to respond than usual. We need a vacation from you sometimes. -----

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