DorindaAfterThyrsis

I'd love to hear your Duke thoughts, vordhosbntwin PM me if you get a chance. Quick clarification, though: you were visiting the English program, or the Comp Lit program? (or are they the same? Duke confuses me... )

Congrats all you lucky ducks.

Can I borrow your plan? Pretty please? <--has no plan. Is drifting.

Umm.......what's a "comp/oral", and when do I need to start freaking out about it?

I bike year-round in Toronto, so I'm pretty well-versed in all sorts of the many "joys" of being a commuter cyclist. Most important element for a commuter bike: fenders. They will save your clothes, and your dignity. Many bikes (especially those marketed to commuters) come with these attached, and most hybrid/commuter-type bikes (which is probably what you're looking for) have sturdy metal fenders which attach to the wheel hub. You can also purchase fenders and attach them yourself, as almost every bike will have attachments. Plastic ones will do you fine 99.9% of the time, and don't add as much extra weight, but they're obviously not as durable as aluminum ones. Rear fenders are more important than front, and many cyclists just opt for the rear. A good fender can mean the difference between riding 9 months of the year, or 12. As for more general things, you DO NOT want a mountain bike (unless you actually plan to use it for mountain biking). You're likely looking for what some people call "hybrid" or "touring" bikes. These are (as the name implies) a cross between features of a mountain bike (i.e. slightly thicker tires, with deeper tread; more vertical riding position) and those of a road bike. Within this category, your options will most likely have to do with 1) how many gears you want (how many "speeds", in common parlance), 2) what geometry you're comfortable with, and 3) what accessories you need (basket mount, pannier rack, etc.). I'll leave the accessories up to your own discretion, and address the first two. Gears: general rule of thumb is go for the lowest number of gears that you will need. Extra gears DO NOT equate to a better bike (and if the salesperson tries to tell you otherwise, run screaming from the store because they don't know what they're talking about), extra gears just equal extra unneccessary weight. If the cycling you will be doing is mostly on flat terrain or gently rolling hills, you can likely get away with a fixie or single speed (light, efficient, easier to maintain, etc.). If you'll be encountering a few biggish hills, you'll want to get something that gives you some options for climbing. A good bike store clerk will be able to be more specific with you about this, and if you're interested you can read this article from the always-awesome Sheldon Brown, bike guru. Geometry: this refers to how the shape of the frame affects your riding position. More "aggressive" geometry involves placing the seat higher and further away relative to the handlebars (which achieves a more crouched/horizontal riding position), while more "relaxed" geometry emphasizes comfort and a more vertical riding position. Most hybrid/touring bikes tend towards the relaxed, but you might want to try a road bike frame or two, just to see which you prefer. Road bike frames can easily be converted into great commuter bikes by changing out the components (tires, drive train, etc.) and adding accessories. I, personally, will always choose a road bike over a hybrid, but that's just me. YMMV. Thicker tires will help a little in icky conditions, but they're also a little heavier and a LOT slower than road tires, and if you're biking a lot, you'll be surprised how much you begin to notice every extra ounce and every bit of extra drag/friction. Unless you're going to be riding in mud or on unpaved trails, road tires are probably a better bet. I ride year-round on my road tires, through all kinds of weather, but I know lots of people who change their tires seasonally (as you would with a car). Most important thing: take good care of your bike! Regular maintenance (you can certainly do all but the most obscure of maintenance tasks on your own, with very little difficulty) is essential. Keep your drive train clean, your components lubed, and your tires appropriately inflated, and your bike will be good to you for a very long time. Consider spending a little extra on a quality frame/components (new or used). Bicycles are one of the few remaining areas where you really, honestly do get exactly what you pay for. Other most important thing: buy a good lock. NOT a chain, NOT a combination lock, but a sturdy, as-thick-as-you-can-afford U-lock (kyrptonite is the go-to brand here). This is the one area where it's worth it to take on a little extra weight. Final note: consider buying your bike at your LBS, rather than a big chain. The people will be much more knowledgeable, and helpful, and having a good relationship with your local bike mechanic can be a life-saver if you ever find yourself needing a bike-related favour. Good luck with your purchase. I rode my hybrid for years, and loved it, so much so that I started getting addicted to riding, and got more involved in the athletic aspect of cycling (as opposed to the merely utilitarian). I switched to my first road bike several years ago, and I will never go back. Best investment I've ever made. Sorry for the length. I heart bicycles. Enjoy yours!

I have to say, one of the most endearing, but also tragic, aspects of these boards is the way every member here is infinitely capable of supporting and encouraging others, but can't seem to extend the same kindness to themselves. (See posts above for excellent examples of this ) Perhaps that's why I feel like I fit in so well here. Hooray for the generous and self-doubting, for we shall inherit the earth!

I sincerely hope that nothing I've contributed to this thread has read like a "petty insult" or a "dick move". I promise it wasn't intended as such.

I'm using the time to become a better bike mechanic: the task-oriented work keeps me focused on little/manageable things, and the bike grease on my fingers keeps me away from delicate pieces of technology (and thus this forum and my inbox).

Quoted for emphasis (and because I've reached my "+1" quota for the day )

Is my Donne the same Donne you're reading? And I think you should take a look at "Astrophil and Stella 1" for a nice, compact summation of Sidney's literary theory. Hell, you don't have to read beyond line 1 to get a sense of how willingly (and gleefully!) he toys with and subverts the categories of "truth" and "art". (This has nothing to do with theory, btw. This is pure, unadulterated close reading, which you say is your bag.) Sidney is way more fun than your prof is letting him be, traditionalist or not. (and of course, I mean no offense by any of this. Opposing readings make the academic world go round. )

I think you'd find that Sir Philip Sidney, to name just one Renaissance dude (and he was a Renaissance dude if ever there was one, good ol' Phil), would take a fair bit of umbrage with your claims. The "Defense of Posey" (for my money, still one of the best bits of literary criticism ever written) practically screams the opposite of what you're claiming, which seems to me a pretty reductive reading of an incredibly complex/diverse period of literary production.

I've taken apart, cleaned every component, and rebuilt my bike more times in the last two weeks than in the entire time I've been cycling. It's getting insane..... However, being covered in dirt and bike grease does prevent me from refreshing my e-mail and the results survey quite as often, since I don't want to damage my computer......but even that resolve is beginning to wear down as the silent days crawl on...

Sad how we all know/have memorized the area codes of various schools. I don't even know my brother's area code.

Too bad! Dublin is an awesome city, especially for lit nerds

I think at this point I've heard a rumour about almost every single team and Rick Nash. Most laughable one I've heard from my neck of the woods: Schneider plus Kesler and/or Raymond plus picks. HA! Nash has been languishing in Columbus for an eternity. He's a HUGE cap hit for not a huge amount of upside (he's got some offensive numbers, but not $7 million's worth), and is pretty untested in a real hockey market, with real linemates, or in a deep playoff run. He's been good but not great internationally......I don't get what all the hype is about. *shrug* I think it's just because things have been essentially otherwise SILENT leading up to the deadline. No one really seems to be making any big moves.

My phone just rang. Blocked number. I suffered a mild heart attack. I answered. It was my bank telling me to pay my damn credit card bill. True Story.

Marginal enemies, but I can at least respect a Wings fan (who are having an even-more-than-usually phenomenal season. Someone really needs to catch them from winning the West, 'cause with their home record there is no chance anyone beats them if they get the top-seed). Boston? Not so much.

This. One million times, this.

I think I shall console myself by remembering that, as a diehard and incredibly obnoxious Canucks fan, my chances of surviving more than a few weeks in the vicinity of Boston is essentially negligible. Beer+me+rival hockey fans=bar fights. Which I always lose. I don't think Stevie G would look too kindly on me showing up to his seminars with black eyes. Relatedly, this is one of the factors which is causing me great distress in deciding between Duke and Chicago. I think Chicago might be a better fit for me, but I don't know if I can co-habitate with Blackhawks fans....

I know....I was trying to be wry and glib and funny, but due to my current state of Emotional Basketcase, it didn't quite translate.....I may or may not be comedically illiterate.

I don't even know what those things are.....that's how not-getting-into-Harvard I am. Farts.

This made me laugh. ...and then cry a little.

Could you rephrase that post? I'm afraid I didn't quite understand, owing to the fact that I'm illiterate.

Good ol' Stevie. He and I are tight, dontcha know. We often get together for evenings of beer and intense theoretical discussion. He just hasn't called me yet 'cause he doesn't want it to look like he's playing favourites.....which he would be. I'm totes his favourite. *convincing nod*

123 not it!