Who Wants To Be A Papillionaire?

I've wanted this bike for years, which was weird because I had not ridden a bike since I was a kid (at least 15 years) and never used gears. Knowing nothing about bikes, I originally bought the 57cm 3-speed model which ended up being a bit too big, so I exchanged it for the 52cm version. Top marks for Papillionaire's customer service, they were very obliging and were patient with my newbie questions, even giving me a short lesson in dismounting.

              

I've been riding it around my neighbourhood bike path early in the morning on the weekend, increasing the distance each time and now I have a few route variations.

The bike is pretty much fully pimped out now, the LED bullet headlight is pretty weak so I might buy an additional front light and I'll buy a proper saddlebag if I do bigger trips. The bottle-cage is a Velo-Orange Moderniste MK2, the pump velcro-tied to the rear rack is a Topeak Roadmorph G, the lock around seat-post is by Abus and the tool bag, saddle and grips are Papillionaire branded and made by Gyes. 

Since owning this bike I've read up a bunch on bicycles and if my interest in cycling continues I'd be interested in having a used 7 to 10-speed mixte built up with Albastache bars and inverse brake levers. We'll see. 

Watching: Parks and Recreation Season 7
Reading: Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller
Playing: Hitman Absolution and Max Payne 3

Photos from Europe

Phew! Having spent October to early January storyboarding (14hrs/7days) I decided to take bit of a break from drawing. This "free time" has given me the opportunity to finally finish editing the photos from my April/May 2013 trip to Europe. I collected 50 "highlights" in this Flickr album.

One new thing I learned while over in Europe was how NOT to take panoramas. A few were salvaged and an alternative method has been devised, but has yet to be tested.


I also got to take some long exposure shots at night. I'm not actually a fan of how water looks in long exposures, but I think this one turned out okay. This was taken while drunk, sitting cross-legged on the promenade, with the camera propped up on a backpack.

Another important lesson learned was to lean a little less on colour curves in editing. This shot of Berne was probably the last heavy handed edit (although I now overuse contrast). Colour correction in general is so dependant on monitor calibration, so I figure a lighter hand will avoid unwanted drastic over/undersaturation. 

Finally, when travelling alone the photos that your friends/family will care most about (photos of YOU) will be dependant on the photography skills of strangers. I recall this shot being taken by a little old italian lady.
 
Watching: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Blake Edwards, To Catch a Thief and Marnie by Alfred Hitchcock
Reading: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach, Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan, Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss
Listening to: Black Prairie - A Tear in the Eye is a Wound in the Heart, Chuck Prophet - Night Surfer, Ryan Adams - Self Titled, Tweedy - Sukierae, First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar, Kacy & Klayton -  The Day Is Past & Gone, Ryan Boldt - Broadside Ballads, Wilco - Alpha Foxtrot Alpha
Playing: Mass Effect 1 & 2

Paris 2013