Sunday Sermon

Lately, I've been pretty lazy about the Sunday Sermon. The webcomic has reshaped this blog by its presence; I'm reluctant to put up new posts when they will cover up a great comic. I'm also reluctant to offer up the usual dose of cracked philosophy that was a staple of the Sunday Sermon - the blog is becoming more and more about the world of HSBP, and less about the world of Linus and his friends in college.

Those two worlds have shared this blog since early 2004, but I think it is time for the Black Vatican to move out on its own. The division is not clear, even to me; I am the Black Pope, but not all the time... Flynn and I have discussed Black Vatican having its own page since the first comics were created, and in the near future that will become a reality. The semester is winding down, and since Flynn is not taking any classes this summer, we'll have time to get the comic moved over to its own page very soon. There will be links-a-plenty so you can go from here to there and back with just a click, but the two worlds will become divided. This blog will go back to covering the life of Linus, so the Black Vatican can go on and conquer the world!

That said, let's address a few other things...

- The Black Vatican Theme Song Contest is winding down. Flynn and I have a few favorites so far, but it is not too late for you to get your entry (or another entry) in to us. Click here to enter, or just to review the entries so far. The deadline is Thursday at 5:00pm, Black Vatican time. We will name a winner on Friday!

- It's been ten days since a WOB post, and I know you are dying to hear more about the papal stealth cycle. (Feel free to skip down to the next point if you are not the slightest bit interested in my bike lust.)

I bought a rack trunk for it yesterday...



Much smoother than the bungee web thingy, don't you think? It gives 588 cubic inches of cargo space (big enough for lunch and handball clothes, provided I leave my shoes in my locker) and snaps off to become a shoulder bag. I'll be getting matching side panniers made for it this week...

While I was at the bike shop yesterday, I also found what might be the WOB's replacement...


Gary Fisher Triton

I have a hard time believing that radially spoked wheels like those can sustain my great sinful bulk, but the owner of the shop assures me that they are rated to handle me. The one I saw was a 2006 model, so it has been dropped to $750 - about a 25% reduction. Even with this reduction it is way out of my price range, but a boy can dream, right? I'm going to go ride it today, just to torment myself.

It can be fitted with rack, panniers and fenders to make it commuter friendly, but it has a single-speed drive train. It is geared to be swift on the flats and make climbing an out-of-the-saddle, sprinting sort of affair. Single-speed bikes are usually fitness oriented, and to that end this one is offered in freewheel or fixed gear configuration. Fixed gear means that you must be pedaling at all times when in motion - no coasting at all. That is a sure-fire method for getting in shape rapidly, but it is also brutal on the rider... I think I will ride the WOB for this season, and then see how much I weigh and how many miles I plan to log, before looking for a new bike for next year. By then the Triton will have even more new goodies on it...

- One final note; Finals are upon us, so be kind to your fellows. Care for one another, feed one another, love one another (if you have time and appropriate barrier methods) and most of all, give each other room and time to study!

Go in Peace.