Sunday

 I went to the service on Friday night and that went well, pain not too bad, forgot my glasses so I sat near the front to see the screen, and had a good old hangout and schmooze session afterwards. 

On Saturday I actually woke up at 7, didn't get going until about 8:30 or 9:00 though. I rode out to the light rail station and the cold wasn't too bad at all. I had to wait 23 (I think) minutes for a train, took said train to downtown Campbell, then rode on Campbell blvd. to where it changes to Prospect and to the place. 

The service was still going on (it was just before 11) and Iris from my own temple (where she's one of the office staff) greeted me and showed me where we were in the siddur. "I'm gonna stick by you," I said, and sat next to her, only to find she's in a position only somewhat less important than that of the rabbis, and led a lot of singing and prayers. It turns out Beth David is her home temple. 

Afterward the lunch was all kinds of foods, most of which I should not eat but did. And talking and hanging out. One lady is in the class with me but I didn't see any other classmates. 

I rode home the way I'd come, and that's a fair old ride along Prospect / Campbell ave. It's a "stroad" along much of it and thus not very safe to ride on. 

I rode the train as far as Diridon and went over to the bike shop and test-rode the Brompton A-line bike. It felt a bit twitchy but then my main bike is pretty much the very opposite of a Brompton. I had to leave my ID and debit card with them and wear a helmet they provided, but I rode a few circuits around the large parking lot behind the bike shop and experimented with shifting gears which is very smooth. So I have some food for thought. 

First off I'd want to order fenders ("mudguards"), the bag mounting block that goes on the front, the rack, and I'd need a softer seat. I'd also want to put some better tires on than the stupid slick "Kojak" tires the thing comes with. All in all it would come to $1500 minimum. 

Alternatively, I could put the set of Mr. Tuffys for 20" wheels I already have in the 20" "Mobic" bike I have, that already has fenders, is light as a feather and should be easy to take onto the bus, and while it won't fold as small as a Brompton, will probably still fit into the trunk of a cab OK.  And it's all paid for; I even have a new seat ready to put on it.

I got back here and basically went to bed to listen to more of The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich, fell asleep, woke up again and listened to another chapter, fell asleep again, and on top of that went to bed pretty early, midnight maybe. 

I slept until 11 or so, and I think the rest is good for my back. Now, while I'm still starting my day with a Tylenol 500, it's not an urgent need and I don't need to lie down for half an hour for it to kick in.