La Vie Velominatus is set to become the subject of intense scholarly analysis next week, as Frank Strack will receive an honorary PhV from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario (chapeau to @ten B for the PhV). It’s been a heady week for the cycling types around these parts; Strack will close out festivities that included the Bike Snob and Mario Cipollini. Too fat and slow to overlap with and give Super Mario the reach around, Strack will settle for regaling an audience on the Rules, Lexicon, and the finer details of la Vie Velominatus as the second speaker in the McMaster Rolling Seminar: La Vie Vélo.
On Thursday, October 4, he will sit down with Herr Professor Doktor Steampunk for a conversational interview in front of an enthralled public audience in the lofty and musty confines of McMaster University’s University Club (bow ties & elbow patches are a part of the dress code and polysyllabic pedantry is the language of choice””word is Strack will be sporting an orange ascot). This is a big moment for the Velominati community; as you all know, recognition from within the ivory tower (in all its cloistered wisdom) is the quintessential symbol of success in some cultures. Of course, now that the Velominati are under the intellectual microscope, they will be scrutinized, deconstructed, and proven to be nothing more than some post-modern, fictitious expression of postcolonial angst that doesn’t really exist. Tant pis.
In addition, Strack will also spend an evening at Café Domestique to imbibe fine beers and share his wisdom with the locals in what should be a rip-roaring good time. Come one; come all. This is, in effect, an intellectual Cogal of the mind. Sort of. Not really. But it should be great.
The details:
Seminar Session (open to the public)
When: Thursday, October 4 @ 2:30pm
Where: University Club’s West Room, McMaster University
Soirée @ Café Domestique (Millers Lane, Dundas)
When: Thursday, October 4 @ 8pm
Both events are free and open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend. The series is sponsored by the Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award. Further inquiries can be sent to egan(at)mcmaster(dot)ca.
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View Comments
@Nate
Thanks, mate. I thought a simulcast would have been great, but didn't provide enough notice. Later in the series. It still boggles the mind, though, that this is "work."
Holy fuck! Nice going, love recognition from the Ivory Tower!
I've refused to wear a bow tie, though I like the idea (no long thing floppin' around), until I finish my Ph.D. Got it in my sights now, though I'll always consider elbow patches lame. I can't wear dress jackets anyway, anything more than one layer makes me very hot except in the coldest conditions and I need to get fired up and argue on a regular basis and all that constriction just makes it hard. Have you ever tried punching someone across a lectern in a sport coat? Not easy.
This sounds awesome! Good luck, Le Professeur!
@Frank isn't clear that you should be wearing the Sacred Garmets at this event?
Well done Steampunk! Should be a great evening and I am pleased to see true cycling represented in a public forum!
doh *garments
@Ron
A good jacket should fit like good V-kit. Just different.
As for the bow tie...
This is the kind of stupendously wonderful shit the right individual can pull off with imagination, taste, and tenure. I suspect it will be performance art of the highest order. Wish I could attend, look forward to the Youtube broadcast.
@PeakInTwoYears
Sadly, I have only one of these three. Fortunately, it ensures job security...
Would it be faux pas upon Frank's introduction, to start ringing a cowbell?
What is going on? There must be a wicked time velospace flux. First @Buck posts a wicked cogal at West Point and now Herr Perfessor Steampunk is hosting the man behind the curtain in the hallowed halls of Canadian acadamia?
First I can't believe he got this by the seminar committee, second I worry that after, they are going to revoke his tenure because what they expect the rules to be and what the Rules are NOT is going to be shocking!
I would love to be there (and take @Roger up on the offer of a ride) but duty and a real fear of getting sucked into the rabbit hole of Franks world are keeping me from this great event....
@roger
Roger, I am dying to ride out with you but too short of notice as I am working both Thursday and Friday and the trip from my place is just under eight hours. Have a blast or me!