Still here

Haven't posted in a while. Still looking to trade up. It's an awesome pocket knife, but I'll tell you what, if the pocketknife isn't your thing, what about a Nikon F100? One of the early "prosumer" cameras, it was the kind of camera a pro might carry as a backup. Make me an offer...

Well this is depressing

I haven't posted in a while because I've had zero interest. No hits, nada. What do I have to do to get a celebrity retweet? Major media blitz... That's what I need. Anyone know someone who knows someone? Kevin Bacon, Ashton Kutcher? Anyone?

Still here....

Still here, waiting for an offer. Doesn't have to be much. What'll you give me for my pocket knife?

Here's why I need a scooter

This is the current version of the bike I ride to work.  Mine is called an Electrec, but they are now called Rayos.  Its basically the same bike, just a different name.  It is a pretty nice bike.  Well made, steel frame, full suspension.  The tires are a little fat for a road bike, and the derailleur (a Shimano Altus) is at the low end in terms of price an quality, but all in all, it was a good deal.  I paid about $1100 for it (on sale) which seems like a lot until you realize that similar mountain bikes cost that much and more without the motor and battery pack.

Here's the problem.  The battery pack uses two 12 volt motorcycle batteries for (I think) about 1400 amp/hours at 24 volts.  They are lead-acid gel cells and they weigh about 25 pounds all together.  I looked into a custom LiFePO battery, but it was cost prohibitive, plus they have a nasty habit of bursting into flame if they get bumped or otherwise mistreated.  I don't want a fireball between my legs.  I don't want a fireball anywhere near me, but between my legs would be the worst.  The gel cells are safer, but much heavier.  They also (like all batteries) wear out.  I'm on the second set in my battery pack now, and they are starting to complain about dragging my tuchis to work, even when its only 7 miles.  Thats with me pedalling.  If I just sat there, they wouldn't make it 3 miles.  A new pair of batteries will set me back about $150 with shipping.  I'd rather not.

I'm including another picture of the pocket knife just as a reminder.  What am I offered for my favorite knife?  A waffle iron?  A bottle of scotch?  A set of socket wrenches?  A one hour massage?  Make me an offer.  I can't guarantee I'll accept (although beggars can't be choosers...) but I'll hear you out.

Mobile blogging

Cool. Now I have an app that lets me post from my iPod touch. Now I can post from anywhere I can hit an open network. No offers yet though.

Nothing yet.

Well, its been a day.  I have about 27 hits on the blog.  No offers.  I'll throw a couple of tweets a day too (as I find time).  Maybe I can get someone famous to retweet.  Nathan Fillion caused Arcimoto.com's servers to melt down once when he mentioned he liked their product in a tweet.  Maybe I can ask him to do that for me (not the server melting part, just the bazillion hits part).  SOMEbody has to have something to trade for this cool and well loved pocketknife.

I need a scooter.

Here's the thing. My wife and I have one car. We made the choice to save on insurance, gas, carbon emissions etc. I got a bike to go to work on. Its an electric mountain bike - Its really cool, but it has a few problems. First, its really freakin' heavy. If the battery is dead, I can pedal it home anyway, but it kills me to do. Next, I live in Southern California. It gets really hot in the summer, and cycling 7+ miles in 120 degree (not kidding) heat sucks. It can also get to be below freezing in the mornings when I cycle to work in the winter. I have to change out of sweaty cycling clothes into work clothes (I'm a Nurse Practitioner), which means I also have to carry those work clothes to work with me. I know, I know. Its better for me, its better for the environment, suck it up.

I'm tired. I'm turning 43 in December, and I don't want to suck it up anymore (at least on this thing).

I want a little 50cc motor scooter. I figure its a good compromise. They get like 100mpg, and are almost as easy to park as a bike, but I won't have to change out of sweaty clothes. I can use it for short hops to the market that I use the car for now, so I might actually burn less gas. The only problem is, the ones I'm looking at - maybe a Yamaha C3 or a Honda Ruckus all cost about $3000 after all the needed fees, and safety gear, and probably a safety course as well. I don't have it, and won't for some time.

What to do?

Then I remembered that guy who started with a red paperclip and kept trading up until he had a house. You can read his blog here. If he can do it, so can I!

So here it is:
I am offering an Opinel No. 8 pocketknife for trade. It is at least 20 years old, one of the original beechwood handled models, with a carbon (not stainless!) steel blade, and is literally sharp enough to shave with. The blade locks open by twisting the metal ring at the hinge point, and sometimes you have to tap the butt of the knife on a hard surface to open the blade. This is called the "savoyard knack" and its that way on purpose - the blade is a little stiff, so it will not open in your pocket. I love this knife. It has been my primary pocketknife for 20 years. It has peeled oranges and apples for my lunch, and cut an unfortunately-cooked steak more than once. It needs a little more care than modern pocketknives - it will rust if left wet, and the wood handle will swell, making it harder to open. A touch of a steel now and then will refresh the edge and a little steel wool will take care of most minor discolorations on the blade. A drop of oil now and then would not be bad either. Check out the pictures.  Make me an offer.  Whadya got?  Email to keithneedsascooter at gmail dot com