Diversification nation.


I’m waking up thinking about this particular set of words today because for years I told myself I needed to do something besides ride bikes.

I knew that eventually over development of a certain part of my body and a complete neglect of all the other parts would eventually bite me in the ass.

So I tried running, and yoga, and pilates, and though hate is a strong word, I really wasn’t into any of them. Skateboarding certainly has offered me some differentiation in physical engagement, but truth be told, I will never see hanging out in a parking lot drinking coffee as much of a work out.

I worked with a fellow who was a master trainer of a practice called Z Health which I absolutely loved, but couldn’t afford regular session with him any longer.

Recently upon my wife’s suggestion (I can almost sense that you can almost sense where this is headed), I signed up for Barre method classes. Unsure what it was, I’d only heard from a friend who was a yoga teacher that they are super hard. After my first class, I back her up on that statement.

If you think you can stomach it, here’s this;

Ohmmygod, I’m such a douche.

The long and the short of it is barre classes focus on an hour of small and rapid isometric movements, helping to strengthen core and primary muscle groups. At least I think that’s the long and the short of it anyway.

At this stage, I can at least say with some degree of authority that the classes hurt, I’m the only dude in any of them, and apparently the 200 pound sweaty caveman in the corner, at least in my classmates’ minds, is a wholly suitable replacement for the old adage, ‘turd in a punchbowl‘.

If by chance you potentially feel like you could use a change in your existence which includes feeling nearly as socially awkward, and ultimately, physically sore as possible, investigate signing up for a series of classes.

You have nothing to lose but your dignity.

Moving on from that, to other stuff, more often than not, the very foundation of this site has been one of cycling (natch), and loud, guitar driven music (also natch) because they are two of my favorite things. Obviously, with today’s introduction as a departure, we’ll maintain that momentum with the discussion of a musician friend of mine named Will Johnson;

Not only is he a friend, but he’s my beloved cousin to boot.

Well, currently he’s neck deep in one of his famed living room tours, and as such, I was able to catch him on his recent San Francisco date.

I realize I might be biased, but he just gets better and better each time I see him.

Secondly, while it might seem strange to encroach on someone’s home to watch music, I’ve found it to be a very warm and inviting experience. As a matter of fact, it was at the conclusion of this show where I began speaking with a woman named Rachel. We dove headlong into a discussion regarding the politics of a broken heart, family dynamics, attempts at being a good and honest human being, and by the time we parted ways were locked in a long, and loving embrace. I’ve been to a lot of shows, and had a lot of conversations with strangers at them, but this was a first. So to Rachel, wherever you are, thank you for the chat. I think I needed it more than I can say.

As of today, he has nine dates ahead of him before he concludes this leg, and continues on with John Moreland;

Mar 28th- Eugene, OR.
Mar 29th- Portland, OR.
Mar 30th- Portland, OR.

March 31st- Seattle, WA.
April 1st- Boise, ID.
April 2nd- Cheyenne, WY.

April 3rd- Ft. Collins, CO.
April 4th- Denver, CO.
April 5th Albuquerque, NM.

I didn’t think I could love another one of his records more than 2012’s ‘Scorpion’, until last year when he released ‘Swan City Vampires’, but his newest effort ‘Hatteras Night, A Good Luck Charm’ is just hauntingly beautiful, (with the track ‘Every Single Day Of Late’ being a personal standout), and might knock the aforementioned off the top block;

If you get a wild hair and are looking for something to do on one of those nights, an addition to your record collection, or both, I stand by these suggestions.

Oh, and I guess while we’re discussing the artist currently known as Will, I’ll include a little follow up to this post where I offered up the original drawings I did for the ‘Swan City Vampires’ album for auction;

Well, I’ll be damned if we didn’t sell them both for a pretty damned fine chunk of change, the entirety of which was donated equally between the ACLU, and Planned Parenthood in the name of Mike Pence.

As an added bonus, before sending them each to the highest respective bidders, I first shipped them to Will in Austin for him to sign.

So to the two individuals who threw down the change, thank you for your support, and I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of the news addition to your collections.

Lastly, and in conclusion, I shared computer time with my bookkeeper all day yesterday, so between a ridiculous workout, and number crunching, I had kinda punch out today’s post in the margins.

While she was tying up loose ends with the disaster that are my finances, JMak and I attacked a storage space in which the last bit of raw fabric from which the Swobo goods was made, is stored;

I have some plans for some of it… Actually, that’s not true. I have some plans for all of it, but specifically I think it would be possible that I can make a limited run of men’s and women’s woolies, ala the old and adored Swobo TRAD jersey;


As you can imagine, wrangling production of something like this will take a little bit of time. Especially because it’s me who’s doing it.

Luckily JMak is a real crackerjack when it comes to the intricacies of soft good production, so hopefully, and fingers crossed, in time I’ll become a genuine clothing company.

Moving on from just stickers with bad words on them?

That right there is some real live diversification.

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13 Responses to “Diversification nation.”

  1. Mike March 27, 2017 at 7:46 am #

    I would love another pair of Jmak shorts

  2. Blake March 27, 2017 at 7:47 am #

    Is the most recent version of Swobo dead? I couldn’t find any info anywhere. But then again, I am probably googling the wrong thing.

    • Stevil March 27, 2017 at 8:07 am #

      Super dead. When 49% of SCB got bought by the billion dollar multinational, they killed it. It’ll probably come back someday as an e-bike company.

  3. hellbelly March 27, 2017 at 9:12 am #

    I hope your new exercise efforts end up giving you what you are looking for. I’ve never cared for organized group work outs nor gyms. I have done many different programs to avoid becoming a complete schwettefatfuk and keep my type one diabetes in line. Over the years, doing my work outs alone were the most effective, efficient and enjoyable way for me . Each week I will commute to work 1-3 times (brief 5-6 miles), ride off road 2-4 times, do a core work out 1-3 times a week 10-15 minutes (random exercises using my own body weight and assorted yoga stretches) and 1-2 times per week a mixed terrain run with a set of intervals thrown in for a total run time of 35-40 mins and 3 miles +/-. The balance shifts between these week to week. I don’t count skateboarding really which I do just for fun with my boys and thank you again for re-igniting that for me. I have to say the biggest results seem to come from the core exercises and the running. I’ve maintained a long love/hate relationship with running. It is always uncomfortable for the first 10-15 minutes, but with something decent to listen to and playing around as I go it’s less awful. It and the core exercises are the most portable.

  4. Case March 27, 2017 at 9:40 am #

    Thumb holes?

    • Stevil March 27, 2017 at 9:53 am #

      Probably not. I’ve never been sure what those are for anyway.

      • Keith March 27, 2017 at 10:45 am #

        Middle finger holes?

      • PinFish March 28, 2017 at 1:51 pm #

        Mostly for putting your thumbs through, I reckon.
        As a secondary benefit (if you consider that first thing to be a primary benefit), I suppose this could also stop the sleeves from riding up, thus avoiding that annoying chilly bit between your gloves and your sleeves. Of course, you would need to wear gloves to realise this benefit.
        Might also help you to avoid the bummer life, but that’s debatable. Especially if you start to wash your hands with your thumblies through the holes – that’s a right bummer.

  5. Smithhammer March 27, 2017 at 3:50 pm #

    Still wearing two early 90’s Swobo jerseys, and they’re still goin’ strong….

  6. Nate March 29, 2017 at 9:30 am #

    Hi Stevil. Long-time lurker. 1) I have a lengthy history and working knowledge of the strength and conditioning nonsense, which I would be happy to provide you with free-of-charge. 2) I received a few shirts from Swobo last week (as well as a complimentary AHTBM coozie). Is the Colorado situation all done? I’m still after a Folsom frame. 3) I may check out Will in Portland this week. Thanks for the info.

    • Stevil March 29, 2017 at 9:55 am #

      Thanks much. I think I’m on a good track, but am always happy to have more info. As far as Swobolorado goes, I think there’s still clearance stuff. Not sure how one might go about tracking one of those frames down. Somebody somewhere has got to know.

    • PinFish March 30, 2017 at 5:25 pm #

      Swobo’s website is still offering Folsom framesets, and at a handsome discount, unless I’m missing something?
      I was lucky enough to get an accomplice not so long ago, and it’s heaps of fun. I can see it serving many purposes over the coming years; ss crosser; tourer; polo bike (eventually, it’s too pretty just now).
      When I say ‘lucky’ to get one, what I really mean is that after fantasising for ages about owning one, I ordered it drunk one night when I wasn’t so concerned that my wife would be really angry I’d bought another bike…. Hm. Such a shame that Swobo’s been squished by corporate giants.
      Loving your work though Stevil. All the best with expanding into being a clothing company. And bags – don’t forget the bags.