The Thomas Millar Blog

Daymaker

2011-02-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Receiving this today from someone I taught in Chile made my whole day. In response to my response to one of her letters, she wrote:

Yesterday before I ever wrote to you or had the idea of writing to you I went into the bathroom and showered and while I was showering I said a prayer to know what to do with what was happening (since in the shower I'm not disturbed). Once I was done my sister Fernanda, out of the nowhere, said "Why don't you write to Tom," and violá! You answered my prayers. :)

Under pressure

2011-01-06T10:51:00.002-07:00

So if you aren't totally sick of how many posts about bikes I make, then something is wrong with you, or, you're just as crazy about bikes as I am. But now for something completely different.

This Saturday!

2011-01-05T17:37:00.002-07:00

First time up Emigration

2011-01-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

When I left home the thermometer read 24 degrees Fahrenheit. I was anxious to try out all of my new winter additions acquired during this Christmas season. It wasn't that cold. I knew my winter-blocking technology was working.

The ride up was nice. Turned up Sunnyside around 2000 E and rode at a constant pace (12-14 mph) all the way to the Pinecrest turnoff. Then about 8-10 mph up the steeper part of the climb. My goal was to summit before my computer read 1:00:00, and lucky for me, I stopped right when it clocked over, so I had to take a picture.

I enjoyed the view from the top, about 1,300 feet above the entrance to the canyon, and 6,300 feet above sea level. A fun and gradual climb. Here are some pictures from the way up and from the summit.

These first two pictures are a little blurry because I took them with one hand, on my phone, while climbing the hardest part of the route at 8 mph.

I was happy and giddy when I got to the top, but I didn't bring anything else to layer for the ride down, which was my downfall. Working to climb while it's cold out is fine because your body is the engine, so it's warms you as you ride. Now, on the way down, it's a different story. There is little to no physical exertion and the wind is coming at you 20 mph more than when you were on your way up.

Now, when I headed down, the temperature had dropped to 19 degrees, which, with a 25 mph headwind creates a nice -18 degree windchill. Yum!! Needless to say, My fingertips were a tad cold.

It took me one hour to get up there, and almost exactly a half hour to get home. 1:31:08 and 22.5 miles. Cool! What a fun ride! Who wants to come when Jessica and I do it again on Wednesday?

A new job

2010-12-23T22:20:00.002-07:00

It's official. I passed my drug screen and my ten year background check, and I am pleased to announce that I am now Salt Lake City's Bicycle Network Sign Coordinator. What does one do as a BNSC (a new acronym I invented not five seconds ago)?

In short, it is figuring out where bicycle network signs in Salt Lake City should go, similar to the attached / below photo.

Here's the job description:

BICYCLE NETWORK SIGN COORDINATOR

Salt Lake City Transportation Division - Bicycle/Pedestrian Program

Salt Lake City has an extensive bicycle network comprising 168 lane miles of on-road bicycle facilities and nearly 25 miles of separated paths. In Summer 2011, Salt Lake City will embark on a project to sign these routes with bicycle way finding signs, as are used throughout Europe as well as in some other locations in the United States. The signs will identify key destinations, and assist people traveling by bicycle in finding bicycle-friendly routes.

The Bicycle Network Sign Coordinator will work with the City's Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator to develop the specific text, size, and placement of these signs, and assist in coordinating with the City Streets Division on the implementation of this project. The sign plan will be developed in the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) using ArcMap software. The Bicycle Network Sign Coordinator will also be responsible for field-checking bicycling conditions existing on the streets and possibly identifying specific locations (exact post or placement of new post) for each sign.

This internship would provide excellent experience for someone in an urban planning, geography, or environmental studies program. Those with a career interest or background in other disciplines are welcome to apply. In the end, you will have coordinated the development of this on-the-ground project -- a specific accomplishment to list on your resume.

Qualifications

Excellent computer skills including email, Internet, word processing (MS Word) and spreadsheet (MS Excel) on Windows-platform computer. Experience with GIS software is not required, but is preferred. If not already experienced with GIS software, it will be needed to have the ability to learn new computer software quickly.

Strong sense of geography and map reading ability.

Writing skills, including spelling and grammar.

Attention to detail, including sign text details.

Graphic design sensibility appropriate to simple, clear, directional road signs.

Experience in bicycling on Salt Lake City streets; willingness to ride a bicycle in city traffic.

Knowledge of destinations in Salt Lake City is preferred.

Pleasant and confident office manner.

Well if that's not me, then I don't know what is. So I was officially given the job today and I begin on January 12th. I'd appreciate feedback and suggestions about what our city needs in order to have a successful bicycle network. Feel free to comment or to email me or even talk to me in person.

I am so happy. And did I mention it counts as a 4 credit class too for this semester? Wooooo!

Here are some more pictures from other cities around the nation and in the international sphere too:

Ciclismo

2010-12-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

So, I always have great stories that pop into my mind that I'm going to write in my journal about biking or about the day, especially while I am riding my bike. I can't rightly stop on the side of the road and whip out my pen and pad and write all these ideas down. I think I am going to post most of that crap about bikes and revelations about life here. I wrote nearly every day in my journal while on my mission, and since I've been back, I have not written a single day! Maybe this blog will give me some incentive to write a bike more, and maybe I can even transpose what I write here to my journal. So, look out for a lot of blabber about bicycles in the future.

I will leave you with this...

I got famous at 6:25.

Spring 2011 Schedule

2010-11-11T12:15:00.001-07:00

Well I'm back

2010-11-11T11:15:00.002-07:00

I don't know if anyone reads this. I'm sure I am the only frequenter. I am back from Chile after 2 years and six weeks, and I have to say that life is much better. I like being abnormal, I like that my interests are much different, and I love that I still love cycling. I suppose this will be a place to right down funny thing that happen, fun videos, bicycle trip accounts, and other things. I hope everyone is doing well.

Yesterday, on my ride home from Salt Lake City, I enjoyed mooing at cows, meowing at cats, clicking and neighing at the horses. Only one cow looked up. I guess I wasn't too convincing. The only good thing about the Legacy Parkway Trail is that you can moo, mewo, click and neigh and no one is around to hear you or make fun.

Leaving

2008-09-12T10:43:00.003-06:00

Why is it that in the month after I go to the MTC, Against Me!, Mountain Goats, Yelle, Dr. Dog, Fleet Foxes, Lagwagon have shows in Salt Lake City?

...and the Deron Williams Gold Medal party at Harry O's. Oh man!! That one is on the 20th. I can go after all, phew. I'll be content with just that one.

Two weeks to go

2008-09-10T22:49:00.001-06:00

I hope missionary work doesn't turn out to be this hard...

Vina Del Mar

2008-08-24T18:30:00.006-06:00

I stumbled upon these pictures of the city where at least my mission home will be.

Hopefully I'll have time to enjoy it and/or take pictures of my own.

New Favorite Favorite Favorite Video

2008-08-17T13:35:00.000-06:00

Hitchhiker's Guide to Ogden Canyon

2008-08-03T14:53:00.002-06:00

I did a ride yesterday from Kaysville up to Pineview Resevoir and Huntsville. Pretty fun, fairly hilly, and a bit of wind near some of the canyons. However, it was on the way home that got a tad hairy. Flat tire right at the top of Odgen Canyon, close to the turnoff to head to Eden and Liberty.

I waited about five minutes with my thumb out, and got a ride with an excavation guy who rode mountain bikes near there every weekend. He dropped me off at the nearest gas station and, not knowing I had a patch kit in my pack, I filled my tire temporarily in order to get to Bingham's. It being 9 o'clock at this point, the shop wasn't open for another hour or so. So! I patched my tube, walked a few blocks, bummed money off two other bums and filled my tire.

Proceeding to the Ogden train station, I boarded the train and shortly thereafter was cited for not having my transit pass on my person. Got off the train in Clearfield and rode the rest of the way home.

Those 55 miles only took my 6 hours! Hooray!

Sparton

2008-07-13T00:31:00.003-06:00

Apparently, Chile boasts a custom track frame company, Sparton. Maybe that will be the drain of my $100US emergency fund and most likely quite a bit more. Only 200,000 Chilean pesos!

Dear Elder Millar

2008-07-10T23:33:00.005-06:00

60.2

2008-06-24T13:24:00.003-06:00

Finally posting the ride from Saturday. My longest yet and I am a little proud about it!

From south Kaysville up north and west to Antelope Island, the 60.2 mile loop took 3:24'20. Fixed gear, no brakes, no glasses, no jersey, boy scout shorts, and one drink of water. Hooray for bicycles!!

Hanging it up

2008-06-11T14:18:00.007-06:00

As Logan Clifford so greatly expressed last night, there are several types of people who ride bikes. They include wide varieties of commuters, road racers and trainers, "young guns", fixed gear grown-ups with graphic design jobs, those who have to, and so on. Now, though I whole-heartedly agree with the iffy-ness of some riders, but I really do believe that more people are out on bikes of all kinds because it's fun, it's cheap, it's quiet, and it's very empowering. Now, this may sound like just another bike blog or a cycling-related post (which it is), but I hope to express that I love seeing three and four times more people on their bikes now than I did a year ago. I hope the trend is not. I hope it stays. I really do.

I found this comic from Jim Borgman on UrbanVelo.org and I thought I'd share.

One Theory on Why Nishiki Went Out of Business

2008-05-26T12:05:00.005-06:00

I just couldn't pass up passing this along. The following is a post by Jeff at Urban Velo.

Perhaps magazine ads like the one pictured to the left were in part responsible for the Japanese bike brand’s untimely demise…

Alleycat and Film Festival

2008-05-24T19:53:00.002-06:00

These are a bit late, but included below are photos from the Alley Kitten alleycat and the 5th Annual Bicycle Film Festival at the Depot that followed. Enjoy!

P.S. Davey won this alleycat, too, which puts him 2-0 for the "season". Congrats.

Frenzy!

2008-05-21T00:46:00.003-06:00

A blog frenzy in the last 24 hours, I swear! Phew! Oh well. If only someone read this regularly, then they could be as bored as I am!!!

On this day (21 May) in history...

Happy Birthday, Notorious B.I.G. This is just how I always remember him. And Mr. Combs. And Mase. Ahhh, Mase.

Happy Independence Day, Montenegro! You're home to the Casino Royale (at least in the film)!

Happy Birthday, Al Franken! Rush Limbaugh and Bill O. still don't like you. Tough luck.

Happy Anniversary, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. I'm sorry the wedding gift is 63 years late.

Does anyone wish to see this continue as a regular thing, or should I mix it up everyday? I mean, look at this last week's posts: photography, bicycles, little bicycles, history lessons! Next week could hold untold amounts of surprise. Such as real, embedded photographs (one of these days I'll have the patience), movie trivia, and celebrity gossip news. The latter, of course, will be included. I mean, do you know me at all?

Cynicism aside, I'm going to bed. Good night!

Electronical

2008-05-20T21:12:00.002-06:00

I have had very little to do for the last 36 hours, so most of my time has either been spent playing soccer, relaxing with Elizabeth, or riding Gwenevire (pictures later). But I did come across this trailer for the new Odyssey BMX Co.'s film Electronical. So, here's the film. To those more informed than me, I know the film was released months ago, but being away from the BMX scene for two years doesn't yield me much up-to-the-minute action. So! Enjoy the soundtrack and amazing cinematography of the trailer!

ODYSSEY Electronical HD trailer from BMX Avenue on Vimeo.

I'm running late!!

2008-05-20T11:50:00.003-06:00

This video's awesomeness is only amplified by the dubbing. Wouldn't a Jackie Chan-themed race be fun though? Enjoy:

"Why don't you use your brakes?"
"Hey, I am using 'dem."

classic.

Photography

2008-05-19T15:53:00.003-06:00

I got a roll from my Canon TX back last week, and thought I'd share it here as well as on flickr.com. If you'd like to check it out, the link is here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/longskull/

Thanks for everything! I hope you enjoy them.

Short blog

2008-05-14T16:33:00.003-06:00

Being without a personal computer, and relying completely on the library's 60 minute time limit, most of the blogs from here on out will be shorter than most. Hopefully I can being to use my Mother's computer again for photo and video embedding and other fancy things like that.

So, as a recap of the weeks since my previous post, I finished school, made some money, rode the new train, and began my mission papers!!

Hopefully they'll be done soon and I'll be abroad within a matter of months, so check back often and look for a post entitled something like "Mission Call" or "Dublin Ireland!" (Hopefully.) As for now, I'm off to stuff entry bags for the Salt Lake Century taking place this Saturday.

Have a good day and thank you for reading.

P.S. The fact that Elizabeth is riding her bike more often now makes me very happen. Just an FYI.

a year.

2008-05-05T15:26:00.003-06:00

it's been almost a year since my last post and a lot has changed. i'm thinking of keeping this up as much as i can before i leave on my mission in a few months, and maybe periodically while abroad as well. if no one reads this, then it's just a place to write things down, lest i forget. secondly, if people do read it, but don't leave comments, then i hope it somehow helps them, or keeps them from boredom, or teaches them something about me or about life. lastly, if people do comment and take something from it, then i'll consider it a bi-partisan success!!! i sure hope for the latter.

so. since spring/summer of 2007 i have:

1. become committed and extremely vested in a relationship with a wonderful woman.
2. made a lot of mistakes, some of which still need working out.
3. started school at the university of utah.
4. completely two semesters, and so far 50 credits, at the university of utah.
5. visited california four times.
6. been to a funeral.
7. listened to a lot more music and bought a new turntable.
8. ridden my bike 5000+ miles.
9. become heavily involved in the salt lake city bicycle scene.
10. joined and participated on bicycle advisory, transportation, and community service boards and organizations.
11. lived without a phone for a month or so.
12. lived without a car for 9 months.
13. grown a lot.
14. lived alone.
15. made wonderful friends with tremendous amounts or humor and wit.
16. hopefully helped at least one person with one thing.
17. attended a student ward.
18. become a bicycle messenger (and subsequently put on standby)
19. had 3 jobs: albertsons grocery, salt city couriers, jason's deli.
20. seen my sister graduate from BYU in nursing and international development.

it has been a very productive year and one that i will mark as my most successful, fun, interesting, difficult, learned years. i hope this next year brings many more opportunities to help people and become more involved in my community, as well as more chances to write frequently here and elsewhere.

thank you.

www.saltcycle.com
www.ubike.org
www.slcbikecollective.com
www.superradcliff.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/longskull

-Tom

Like A Mechanical Hound

2007-06-14T03:20:00.000-06:00

The following is an email I sent just three minutes ago to the group I am running the Wasatch Back Relay with next week, on June 22 and 23:

I know, I know. You probably thought that this was an urgent, rushed email started at 2:59 in the morning, informing all of you of some blood-borne illness I contracted in the night, rendering me unable to run my legs for Wasatch Back. 'Tis not true!! I am in perfect working order, only here to tell you of my adventures this morning. The night ended with Jean Valjean dying in the arms of his daughter, Cosette, and I thought to myself that this night couldn't possibly continue to get any better.
Upon returning home around 11:45, I slipped into bed with my computer to check forums and blog postings from the day that I had been absent for, (including Katie C's most recent post, which admittedly, made me cry) and soon told myself that I had to sleep. 1:15 rolled around and I just couldn't bring myself to end the night. So I arose. I knew that what followed had to be done. I slipped on my Avias, turned the iPod on shuffle, and just started running. And running. And running.
As many of you know, I live in a (very) suburban town about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City, called Kaysville. This fact comes in hand in a minute. With bicycle lamp in hand, I just ran, following a 7+ mile course I had set out for a run earlier but didn't take (the run I had taken earlier was 5.6 and was completed only 12 hours prior, in the blazing sun). I counted thirteen cars in all during the 7.4 mile run, three of which were marked Davis County Sherrif, and nine parked. So you know that Kaysville is quite the party.
The streets were empty, and I had the city to myself. Just me, The Beatles, and Mates of State. As I reached the high school, just 1.3 miles from my house, the clock on the marquee read 2:21. I had nine minutes to run that last one-and-a-bit back home. I knew I could do it. My head felt so heavy and the music seemed only to push me harder as I sprinted down a road bordering the nearby experimental agricultural farm. I did it. I rushed through the door, hoping not to wake my family, but still speedily trying to find a clock. 2:29. I had done it.
55 minutes. 7.4 miles. I did it.

Now, some statistics for you:

A 7.4 mile run in 55 minutes translates to 8.072 miles per hour avg and an average mile time of 7:25.946.

I truly cannot wait until next week. I cannot. We must all run on Wednesday once everyone is in town and somewhat settled. A big thank you to everyone who has included me and pushed me to do what I never thought possible. Thank you.

-Thomas Millar

Top Ten Reasons to Put Romney in the White House

2007-05-04T10:03:00.001-06:00

I don't care that all of my post are stolen. Be quiet, and no one will know.

This one comes from my dear friend, Seth Hill of New York City by way of Provo, San Diego, and Peru. I know, quite the amalgum, eh? Hmm, here you go:

TOP TEN REASON TO PUT ROMNEY IN THE WHITE HOUSE

10) The National Cathedral could be renamed the National Tabernacle
9) NASA could commission a satellite to 'Hie to Kolob'
8) The Secret Service could be renamed the Sacred Service
7) All official government prayers could include the phrase 'that we all can get home safely'
6) Napoleon Dynamite could get someone other than Pedro elected
5) The President could not only explain things in Layman's terms, but also Lemuel's terms
4) The President could issue pardons in exchange for 100% home teaching
3) Not only could he pronounce 'Nuclear' but also 'Mahonri Moriancumer'.
2) At his inauguration he would swear on the Bible 'as far as it is translated correctly'
1) Finally a first family large enough to fill up the White House

oh wow.

2007-03-20T08:40:00.000-06:00

i know, i know. two posts within fifteen minutes of each other. it is quite a feat, and should be remembered as such. well, drafting is boring, and they don't give us computers for nothing, right? so. here you go. i felt like getting the word on flickr (mine in particular) out into the blogosphere. so. here you go everyone. enjoy the pictures and if you have a flickr account, add me as a friend! i would love to see your photos as well.

ira glass comes to the small screen

2007-03-20T08:19:00.000-06:00

hello everyone!

umm, not much of a post but...i would still like to ask anyone out there in the blogosphere if they have Tivo or anyway to record this, to let me know. please, oh please!

let me know if you have anything. adios y gracias!

top 10 albums - part 1

2007-03-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

ok! blog time.
top 10 albums to be exact.

i won't say "of all time" because i haven't listened to every album from the 14th century, nor do i claim to know of every band to ever release an album.

so! here it goes (in no particular order, of course):

The Shins - Oh, Inverted World (2001)
This album was my first introduction to The Shins and is simply a well written, amazingly produced album that shows what The Shins are truly made of and, by the way, was their first major label debut. Oh, Inverted World brought the band wide, critical acclaim and two of its track were selected for the film Garden State.
Selected Tracks: Know Your Onion, New Slang, The Past and Pending

Broken Social Scene - Self-Titled (2005)
Every song on BSS's most recent release is fantastic, combining the basic guitar/bass/drums ensemble with a barage of horns sections, acoustics, keys, and of course, at least an onslaught of four guitar(ist)s feeding off each other to make this album that much better, song after song. Broken Social Scene showcases the musical talents of a Miss Leslie Feist, and Emily Haines of fellow Canadian group, Metric.
Selected Tracks: 7/4 (Shoreline), Major Label Debut, Swimmers

The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)
Much more than just the infamous album artwork. This compilation of all of the musical stylings and genres The Beatles utilized in their seven year tenure. With changes in vocals between all four members of the band in at least one of the 17 tracks that make up Abbey Road, this release
spotlights each of the members' abilities and styles. And still ranking in the Top 100 Best-Selling Albums as of today, this timeless classic will continue to influence many more generations than it already has.
Selected Tracks: Something, Here Comes The Sun, Golden Slumbers

The Postal Service - Give Up (2003)
An amazing album, which was the segway into my discovery of contemporary indie music. Members Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and James Tamborello (Dntel, James Figurine) created this record from different ends of the west coast. With James recording loops and fills in Los Angeles, and then sending them to Ben to record vocals and fine tune the melodies in Seattle, the two agreed on the name The Postal Service as was their means of musical communication. This album blends familiar DCFC melodies with a techno-ish mix of sounds and keys, Give Up is the quinessential indie/pop/experimental album.
Selected Tracks: Such Great Heights, We Will Become Silhouettes, Brand New Colony

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning (2005)
Bright Eyes, the brainchild of Connor Oberst, is a folk ensemble based out of Omaha, Nebraska. Writing such intimate, yet haunting songs, Oberst pairs with folk legend Emmylou Harris on four of the tracks of I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, and pairs his country rock influences with the wonderful harmonies of Harris, to create articulate, witty, yet ultra-personal ballads that allow the listener to venture inside his troubled mind, and experience what he has, but through a beautiful, well-executed album that sucks us in and won't let go, even until the end as Road of Joy indicates that Oberst may have his head screwed on right after all.
Selected Tracks: Lua, First Day of My Life, Road To Joy

Part 2 coming tomorrow.....or sometime in the near, near future.