The build-up proper started today. I picked up the frame along with a few extra bits and bobs from Cycle Analyst, and set immediately to work. I'm just going to cover the highlights:

• Cleaned off the frame again
• Touched up some paint scrapes that happened at one of the shops (dammit).
• Applied frame-saver. Managed to get overspray on the forks (idiot).
• Installed the bottom bracket. This was a pretty delicate operation, since the threads are so tight and Joe from Veccho's got me scared I'd cross-thread it. And I did, three times, but only finger-tight. I finally figured out to look at the left side of the BB while I screwed in the right. That way, I could keep the assembly aligned perfectly. I ended up installing and uninstalling a few times because I'm a dufus and would forget something (like greasing the left-side threads) or would obsess that I didn't put the BB in the correct orientation.
• Installed my oh-so-trick Thomson seatpost. It slides right in for a while, then gets tougher and tougher to insert. Methinks Joe didn't go deep enough with his reaming/cleaning. However, it goes in far enough.
• Installed the cranks. Again, a learning process. I figured splines would make it dirt simple. Wrong. You have to get the splines oriented just so, and for me they seemed to get disoriented much more easily. But after a few missteps the cranks were on.
• Attempted to put on the front derailleur. Doh! A missing part: the "bushing" or spacer that goes between the fixing screw and the derailleur braze-on. Therefore, the bolt can't be snugged enough to hold. Quick trips to two shops leaves me empty-handed. I ordered the part at the second.
• Installed the rear derailleur. No problems here, although the set-screw that holds its angle was kind of frozen. Fixed that with pliers and some teflon lube.
• Installed the dropout adjusters. Got them both in, then realized I'd forgotten the springs. Oh well, it's good screwdriver (and cursing) practice.
• Installed stem. Yes, I can handle this. Watch me go! Wheee, I'm a bike mechanic!
• Re-installed brakes that came with the frame. Another no-brainer. I have a feeling I'm going to want to replace these with some D-As as soon as my wallet recovers from all this cheap bike-building. These grey-anodized horrors are just not going with the whole scheme, and I'm sure it will slow me down (in a bad way, not a good way like brakes are supposed to, oh whatever...).
• Installed handlebars. I'm ready to wrench for the pros now.
• Installed brake levers. Oh, wait, I'm not ready to wrench for the pros now. I have to hold my mouth just right to keep the covers peeled back enough and not drop the hex wrench that I've carefully wedged into place on the other side of the lever. I try this for a long time, then realize that I can remove the clips that hold the levers on, put those on the bar, then put the lever onto the clip easily. OK, maybe I am ready to wrench for Lance.
• Installed wheels. Given the number of flats I've experienced, I'm a certified expert at this. Actually, though, getting the rear in was a little tough - the rear-end is pretty tight and with a fully inflated tire, I have to coax the axle past the dropout ends very agressively (coax -- agressively?). Anyway, once the rear is on, I can use the groovy cool dropout adjusters to fix the wheel alignment. So retro.

Now I can stand back and see my handiwork. Hey, it almost looks like a real bike! Maybe tomorrow I'll put on the brake cables.