The Upcoming

Okay, here goes...

So, I secured a house for my family to rent over Christmas. It is in Sandbridge, VA, which is about 45 minutes from here. I'm pretty excited about this Christmas. My brother and Steve are supposed to come down and my grandma might make the trip. It is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best holidays of the past 5 or 6 years.

Our baby bongo are doing great. My pictures of them made it into the paper and on the websites of a couple local news outlets (be sure to check the slideshow).

A couple of friends that both work with me are tying the knot this weekend. Looks like it should be a good party. We got them a rug... it was on their list. I promise.

Oh yeah, was anyone else yelling at the television last night during the debate? Politicians, in general, piss me off but right-wingers like McCain really get me going. He has to be the creepiest thing in... well... since Cheney.

Beauty, Eh?

Okay, here goes...

Man, this is good shit. I'm not sure who this guy is who posted the video but he does give a good background. He does drop the the f-bomb (and a few other of Carlin's favorites) several times but that's no more offensive than Sean Hannity. And he looks like a mix between Robert Downey, Jr and Hank Azaria, no?

Take a listen...



Oh yeah, by the way... apparently the McCain Campaign is longer granting interviews with Palin to anyone but conservative news outlets like Fox News. I guess Katie Couric brought them to their knees; who'd-a-thunk-it?! And that's what I want from the second most powerful person in the world; someone who must be coddled and kept safe from Katie Couric!?!

Anyway, have a swell day, folks.

Wilderness, Sort Of...

Okay, here goes...

Me and the old lady loaded up the Yaris Saturday with the dog and enough camping gear, fishing gear and food-stuffs to sustain us for a week. She was able to ditch work early and I cut my Habitat day short to get a jump on the drive. We were out by 1pm and at the Walnut Hill Campground, outside Waynesboro, VA by 4:30pm. The tent was pitched, the fire sparked and the whiskey sipped all before the sun dropped below the trees. We were camping.


The soreness of my ground-slept back had crept away as I slipped into the South River for my first day of fly fishing. After hooking a couple baby brookies, one so small I didn't know it was on until it became park of my backcast, I noticed I was tripping over something with every step towards the bank for lunch. Upon further investigation, I realized the felt sole of my Orvis boot had come unglued. Since this was only the third time these boots had seen the river, I was about to come unglued myself.

After lunch, we tracked down a craft fair so Aubry could get her kicks too. It never fails to amaze me what people can come up with and that they believe someone will buy it. Anyway, Ollie was a big hit with the kids. Lots of kisses and hugs then back to the campsite for hobos, fires and lots more whiskey.



The next day I strapped a Band-Aid on both boots, since the other sole was acting like the first, by way of electrical tape. I tried a section of the river I had never fished and came out on top. One nice brookie, two rainbows of similar size and a handful of baby bookies; all on the same flying black ant.


I packed it in at lunch and we started back towards home. On the way, we stopped by the Orvis store in Richmond and they switched out my ailing boots for a fresh pair, no questions asked. Good guys over there at Orvis in Richmond. Good weekend all around.

Disney's New Movie

Okay, here goes...

So, I was thumbing through Sarah Palin interviews on YouTube the other day searching tirelessly for an intelligent, well spoken opinion (I mean who hasn't) when I came across this video of Matt Damon (and some bonus stuff after the interview).



I can agree with this viewpoint. So I thought, how would this movie play out? In response to myself, I came up with this. A trailer for the movie idea by Matt Damon.

New Disney Movie Trailer (Voice-over by that deep voiced movie announcer guy that died recently.)

“All-Star teams from across the country are arriving in Arlington, VA for the Junior League National Hockey Championships.”



“After a week of tough but fair competition the winner is crowned.”



“The team from Wasilla, Alaska is awarded the Championship Cup by the President and Vice-President of the United States.”





“Then tragedy strikes…”



<Panicked newswoman from FoxNews, “While driving back to the Capitol after attending the Jr. League National Hockey Championships, the President and Vice President were involved in a horrific crash. Both are in critical condition”>

“The Country is scrambling, trying to decide who will pick up the flag and lead during this time of great turmoil.”



“Then it becomes clear…”



“The mom of the MVP on the Champion Junior League Hockey team… who served as the Mayor of her town and was recently elected Governor of Alaska. She’s just scrappy, pit-bullish and easy-on-the-eyes enough to take the reins and save our Country.”



The End


Would you pay to see this movie? Me either.

Inspired by Matt Damon. Written by Wyn Hall.

Oh, and Mr. Damon, if you decided to use this script for the trailer, please let me know so I can tell my Mom I made it.

Boo hoo, woo hoo!

Okay, here goes,

Well, bad news. The Dawgs managed to hold true to tradition and royally fuck up at least one game per season. These next two weeks will be drapped in black and full of tears. Only "Gandalf Falls" will be played.

On a brighter note, I have been kicking my own ass, and have lost 9 pounds in a week. My ultimate goal is to lose 30 in 8 weeks.

Laying on His What-cha-ma-call-it!

Okay, here goes...

Georgia continues to roll. Hopefully the snowball will get bigger and carry us through January. Big test this weekend. Richt and the boys have called for a blackout.

One important face, or voice, won't be there though. Larry Munson put rumors aside and retired today. So many fans will take off their headphones and listen to the TV commentator for the first time in their lives Saturday night. Here's the best tribute I could find.



We'll miss you Larry.

Hockey!

Okay, here goes...

That's right folks... hockey season is right around the corner. Now, just as with most sports, I don't really care too much about pro hockey. But minor league hockey gets my blood flowing. The only thing that could make it better would be if our local minor league teams (all of them) didn't suck.

On the bright side, the Scope Arena did land a kickass new scoreboard.

Yeah...

Okay, here goes...

Not much to say. Working. Trying not to spend money. Just moved a bunch of money (relative) around at the advice of my financial planner. Responsibility. Had to look up the spelling on that one.

Still learning sign language.

Being at work blows.

Okay, here goes...

After Sarah Palin's speech last night at the Repugnican National Convention (which was apparently written by Bush's speech writer before she was even chosen), I wanted to respond. However, as is often the case, I found someone who was better able to put it all into words. So, below is a letter from Sam Graham-Felsen, Obama's Campaign Manager. I took out the references to donating to Obama's campaign because, although I am an Obama supporter and I plan to vote for him, I don't want to pressure or even ask someone else to support him.

But before we get to the letter, here's a fun game I just finished playing. CNN.com has a slideshow of photos from the RNC up on their website (the link below). The name of the game is 'Find the Minority'; sort of a political Where's Waldo. Just try to find the black guy or the Asian woman amongst the rich, white people. Maybe their not all rich and white, and I'm sure the minorities that are scattered throughout the crowd are all rich too (why else would they vote Repugnican), but they are holding up signs reading "Prosperity". Which in and of itself ought to tell you what is important to that portion of the populace.

Anyway, here's the link. And be sure not to miss the picture of Palin giving the ole Nazi hi-five towards the end and the close up of one of the few black guys there, just for proof one was there.

Now back to the letter-

Message from David Plouffe: 'What you just saw'
By Sam Graham-Felsen - Sep 4th, 2008 at 2:33 am EDT

Dear Friend --

I wasn't planning on sending you something tonight. But if you saw what I saw from the Republican convention, you know that it demands a response.

I saw John McCain's attack squad of negative, cynical politicians. They lied about Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and they attacked you for being a part of this campaign.

But worst of all -- and this deserves to be noted -- they insulted the very idea that ordinary people have a role to play in our political process.

You know that despite what John McCain and his attack squad say, everyday people have the power to build something extraordinary when we come together. Will you make a donation right now to remind them?

Both Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin specifically mocked Barack's experience as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago more than two decades ago, where he worked with people who had lost jobs and been left behind when the local steel plants closed.

Let's clarify something for them right now.

Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies.

And it's no surprise that, after eight years of George Bush, millions of people have found that by coming together in their local communities they can change the course of history. That promise is what our campaign has been about from the beginning.

Throughout our history, ordinary people have made good on America's promise by organizing for change from the bottom up. Community organizing is the foundation of the civil rights movement, the women's suffrage movement, labor rights, and the 40-hour workweek. And it's happening today in church basements and community centers and living rooms across America.

Meanwhile, we still haven't gotten a single idea during the entire Republican convention about the economy and how to lift a middle class so harmed by the Bush-McCain policies.

It's now clear that John McCain's campaign has decided that desperate lies and personal attacks -- on Barack Obama and on you -- are the only way they can earn a third term for the Bush policies that McCain has supported more than 90 percent of the time.

But you can send a crystal clear message.

Enough is enough. Make your voice heard loud and clear by making a donation right now:

Thank you for joining more than 2 million ordinary Americans who refuse to be silenced.

David

David Plouffe
Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Me and Obama

Okay, here goes...

Me and Obama. We're like this, you know?

I, like many of you tuned in to watch history last night. From the "Obama Bio" to his final "God bless the United States of America" millions were rapt.

Personally I was glad to see and hear a few things in particular. First, I was happy that he told middle America what he had planned. What the specifics of his plan for this country involves. He addressed many of the fears that most fence-sitters seem to be worried about. He met these accusations head on and that shows to me that is how he will meet the challenges that befall a President.

Secondly, I was elated that he didn't beat Dr. King to a pulp. In fact, I think he was the only person yesterday, myself included, to not mention Dr. King. If he had, it would have appeared forced and unreal.

But what did sound real, and made me happier than anything, was the genuine passion that could be heard in his voice as he spoke. From time to time, he did sound like Dr. King, but he never sounded fake and he never sounded like he was reading from a teleprompter.

Finally, and more selfishly, I would like to point out that he too chose the same lines from Dr. King's 1963 speech that I chose to highlight yesterday. Perhaps he is trying to appeal to my demographic; middle-class, white America. Sure he is. Every candidate that has ever tossed their hat into the political ring has tried to appeal to white, middle America. But I think the point he was trying to drive home was about coming together, all races and creeds (like peas and carrots), and moving forward. "...inextricably bound... We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."

Beautiful, sweet beautiful history.

"The American Promise" - Obama's Complete Acceptance Speech - DNC 2008

45 Years Later

Okay, here goes...

How many of you out there have waited 45 years for anything? Odds are less than half of you. I haven't. My odometer will roll over 31 in late November. And I don't really even have a firm grasp on more than maybe 18 of those years. So to say that someone has waited 45 years for something is foreign to me. But the fact that I have those 18 remember-able years as a basis I can realize the weight of those 45 years. Does that make sense?

Anyway, why am I going on about waiting 45 years? Well, there are a lot of people that have waited 45 years for tonight. And when I say 45 years, I really mean a lifetime. Many have died, some of old age or illness, and many of painful, horrific deaths at the hands of those who hated them for no other reason than they were told they were supposed to. But here we are today, on the cusp of history. Something will happen tonight that will be a first. Many thousands, millions of us will stare agape in the soft blue light of our televisions and witness something so positive, so life (and death) affirming that has not been witnessed perhaps since the moon landing.

So, what happened 45 years ago?



Today marks the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Those inspirational words have resonated throughout the conscious of America since 1963. And tonight, Barack Obama will be the first black American to accept the nomination of Candidate for President of a major party.

And as King said, "1963 is not an end, but a beginning." I think that is a fitting quote for 2008 as well.

As a white man, I cannot fully appreciate what these 45 years, these lifetimes, have truly meant. But as Dr. King said, "For many of our white brothers, as evidence by them being present here today, have come to realize their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."

As black Americans said yesterday (taken from CNN.com):

"I was overcome by joy," said Henry March, a civil rights attorney. "This is one of most significant events in American history."

"I think about all the suffering, all the pain all the hurt of so many people," said Rep. John Lewis. "What you see happening here tonight (8/27) is the down payment of the fulfillment of dream of Martin Luther King," he said. "Just a few short years ago in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, many people of color could not even register to vote and now, these people are voting for an African-American."

"I wanted to be on the floor, not only as a Democrat, as an American, but clearly as an African-American. When I was a little girl, I never thought I'd see this day. I never thought I'd see a viable female candidate, viable minority candidate get this far," CNN contributor and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile said.

"It was an amazing moment -- not for African-Americans -- for Americans," CNN contributor Roland Martin said.

I encourage anyone who reads this to make sure to watch Obama's speech tonight, it shouldn't be hard to find; just turn on the TV.

Suggestion Box

Okay, here goes...

(warning... I drop the f-bomb and another 4-letter word today. Sorry Mom.)

I thought it might be fun to periodically dedicate a day to air my complaints about the world at large.

Jumping right in, my first rant is on Democrats. Now, let's take a step back first, just like any good Democrat. While I consider myself an Independent, I have never voted on the Republican side of the ballot; even when a Republican was running unopposed. My opinions on the big issues like abortion, foreign policy, insurance, taxes, etc. typically fall towards the left (some further than others). However, I see it as short-sighted and narrow-minded to align one's self with only one political party.

However, I do respect the Republican party, if for nothing else, for its ability to come together. You never see the Republican party bickering amongst themselves. Maybe this is because they all think alike? I doubt it. Perhaps it's all those secret fraternities and clubs that we hear about from scandal to scandal. Or are they are all so narrow and set in their beliefs that they all just fall in line? Maybe. But I think it is because they recognize the fact that they all have to come together to defeat a common enemy; just like the military. Maybe that is why Republicans are always the first ones to shout 'War!' It has to be tied in there somehow.

Then on the other side of the aisle, you have Democrats who are too busy pouting and sniffling saying that since Hillary wasn't picked as the Presidential Candidate they aren't sure whether they'll vote for Obama. Are you kidding me!?



"A protest vote."

Are you fucking kidding me!?!?! Let's us break down Ms. Ruccia's arguement, shall we? She has been a life-time Democrat. I'm with her so far. Not my approach, but I can sympothize. She believed the Party would "promote and protect" her issues. As a feminist, I will assume that women's rights and equality are high on her list of issues she wants promoted and protected. Now, I'm no woman, but I think the Democratic Party has and will continue to have, even with that damn Obama guy, a better record on promoting and protecting women's rights.

Let's continue. "Sexism against Hillary Clinton..." You mean like the racism against Obama? This is politics. If you don't have tough enough skin to put up with all the 'isms' (sexism, racism, age-ism, class-ism, etc.) stay off the stump. And she's mad the "Party didn't stand up to stop it". I believe the most influential and strongest person in the world should be able to stand alone and not have their hand held by anyone else, let alone their Party. Perhaps this is what she means by "promote and protect"?

She feels, "dooped" by the Party. I feel dooped by the fact that the roads in my local interstate are falling apart, the education system throughout the country is well below par and the War in Iraq are all bankrupt thanks to the billion-dollar Republican War-time tax breaks.

It is tough for her to say whether she would have stayed with the Party had Obama picked Hillary for VP. Bullshit. First, these two candidates are Alpha's. Hillary would not have been able to function in a Beta capacity. Secondly, Ms. Ruccia, and her cohorts, wouldn't seething if Hillary had to ride shotgun to Obama.

Now, getting the Clintons out of there. Of course the Party wanted to distance itself from the Clintons. If there is one person that Republicans can use as a lightning rod to brew up bad blood, it is Bill Clinton. While I love the guy, he shouldn't be roaming the halls of the White House anymore. He is a disctaction and should only rear his head to say, "I like Obama" (or whoever is running on the Democratic ticket) and then disappear until the next time he's needed.

Finally, she and apparently everyone else at her "Fair Politics" club are worried about Obama's experience. What sort of experience did Bush have when he took office? What sort of experience did George Washington have when he took office? In my opinion, the only person that is experienced enough to handle a presidency is someone running for re-election. Maybe a Vice-President, but only if they have had a lot of hands-on time. No one is prepared for the Office of the President of the United States of America.

Getting back on track...

Don't get me started on those wacko Independents who think a vote for Nadar or some other Third Party loser is taking a stand against a tyrannical 2-party system. If the last few elections have proved anything it's that a non-Democratic Party vote is a vote for Republican. That and money, privilege and influence can buy anything; including the best seat in the Oval Office.

Okay, I could Ramble on till the troops come home but I'll end that tirade there. I think that went well. Hopefully I'll do better with this little feature than I have with other promised additions. If anyone reads this, keep me on task. Yell at me if I haven't produced an new rants.

I Got A Feelin', I Feelin' I Can't Hide

Okay, here goes...

Man, I am in a good mood today and let me tell you why. First off, I had a good day yesterday. And we all know that if you have a good day today, the chances of tomorrow being good are that much more improved. Aubry and I took in a Tides, AAA baseball, game last night with a coworker and her fiance. We didn't even have to pay to get in since our friends had scored some free tickets. And even though the team usually stinks, they won last night! Aubry's favorite player even hit a homerun. Thanks Tike Redman! Check out the super-in-depth story here! Well, we all had a drunken good time.

Then I woke up this morning in a grand mood. I always seem to be in a better mood and frame of mind when I wake up next to Aubry. And on top of that, the weather has been awesome over the past few days and it is only looking better for the next 5-days. Take a look!

AccuWeather.com: 5-Day Forecast5

Friday, Aug 22
High: 82 °F RealFeel®: 83 °F
Sunshine and patchy clouds

Friday Night, Aug 22
Low: 69 °F RealFeel®: 68 °F

Saturday, Aug 23
High: 80 °F RealFeel®: 85 °F
Mostly sunny

Saturday Night, Aug 23
Low: 71 °F RealFeel®: 72 °F

Sunday, Aug 24
High: 83 °F RealFeel®: 93 °F
Partly sunny

Sunday Night, Aug 24
Low: 72 °F RealFeel®: 76 °F

Monday, Aug 25
High: 87 °F RealFeel®: 91 °F
Periods of clouds and sun

Monday Night, Aug 25
Low: 72 °F RealFeel®: 76 °F

Tuesday, Aug 26
High: 82 °F RealFeel®: 88 °F
Clouds and sunshine with a shower possible

Tuesday Night, Aug 26
Low: 72 °F RealFeel®: 76 °F
Plenty of clouds with thunderstorms


Man, that's tasty! So, here I am, chomping at the bit for the weekend to start.

Mileage

Okay, here goes...

Well, my nifty new computer for my bike seems to have shit the bed. Hopefully I just need to reset it and all will start working again. I estimate that I've put in about 30 miles so far this month. Not a huge amount, but I don't really ride except to commute. And that is only around 5 miles round trip.

Anyway, that's it.

Ugh

Okay, here goes...

I'm sitting here with a pounding headache. Ugh. I can soldier on with just about any ailment, I have dealth with a fair amount of physical pain in my day but there is something about a headache that just sits me on my arse.

Here's a quick update on things that are happening soon:


My parents are coming up on Thursday for visit. (Note: not my real parents)










I'm getting cable today. I'll probably be staring numbly at the TV a lot for awhile. Not something I'm proud of, just a reality.










I'm getting back into trying to do some writing. I have a few stories that I add to whenever the mood strikes me.








I should open my first batch of homebrew in about a week. I bottled it yesterday.







That's it... I need to lay down.

It's Lonely

Okay, here goes...

I really don't want this to turn into a College Football blog, or even a Georgia Bulldog blog, but I did want to pass this along. You see, that's my alma mater with the #1 next to it. Do you know how long it has been since those two things were published next to one another? Try 1980. But as any good Bulldog fan will tell you, they'll just screw it up anyway.

Oh, and just in case you're curious... here's the countdown to kickoff.

Catch Up

Okay, here goes...

When I last left you, it was the eve of my return to the world of SCUBA. Well, I went to the course and in actuality, I probably didn't need to go. We breezed over the high points of dive tables and then hit the pool. Although it had been 2 years since my last dive, I shot through the skills in about 20 minutes and just like that, SCUBA had its claws into me again. I don't regret taking the course though. I would rather relearn all of those things in the pool at the dive shop than bobbing around in 6-foot swells, choking on boat exhaust.

The down-side is that I'm now spending every spare moment searching through online $CUBA stores for a dive computer and gauges and drooling over dive videos on YouTube. My friend and dive-buddy Brandon are trying to plan a trip for sometime in the next few months but can't seem to nail down a date. Man, I can't wait.

Moving on... my girlfriend's little sister flew into town the other night and we've been having fun entertaining her. She's 15 and is so happy to not be spending her days babysitting like she normally does. Aubry had to work Sunday, because her coworkers are selfish and wouldn't cover for her despite the fact that she had just covered for one of them less than a month ago. So, I took little-sis out kayaking. We had a good time.



Then last night we took in a Tides, minor league baseball ,game. I'm not sure her sister enjoyed it as much as we did, but I think she was entertained. We didn't have great seats so we moved to get a little closer to the action and have more room. It wasn't 10 minutes later that a ball landed within 5-feet of Aubry's little sister. Unfortunately, she froze and the guy behind us nabbed it. I even called it before the game that she was going to catch a ball since she never goes to games and we go all the time. Oh well, maybe next time.

SCUBA Returns

Okay, here goes...

One of the benefits of growing older is having more experiences to draw from. And as a person trained in the area of science I routinely look for pattern, repetition and habit. Over the past 5 or so years, I've noticed that I do not take full advantage of a situation where I may find myself. Let's take a look at the data shall we?

I lived for about three and one half years in Vermont. And while there I did take full advantage of the winter season (since that's my favorite). During the summers I did do a fair amount of hiking and kayaking but there was an area of summer where I neglected. Fly fishing.

Let's fast forward a few years to South Carolina. Now I know what you're saying. What the fuck is there to do in South Carolina? And to be honest, I completely agree. I did some hiking year round and played golf whenever the opportunity arose but I didn't really get around to fly fishing until the last few months there. And even then I didn't truly take full advantage.

Between Vermont and South Carolina, there was probably more fly fishing withing an hour's drive than I will ever see again. And now here I am in coastal Virginia within a 5 minute's drive of the ocean, at least 2 hours away from anything close to a trout stream and a severe jonesing to wet a line in a stream. Damn it!

This is only one example of how I have pissed away some good opportunities in my life. None of which have really been life changing or something I will go to my (cremated) grave wishing I could go back and change. But they are enough to make me say, "Damn it!" twice in a blog.

So, as they say the first step is to acknowledge the problem. Well, that happened a few weeks ago and I took my first step the other day. You see, within an hour's boat ride of where I live there are dozens of sunken boat wrecks; mostly from WWI and WWII.

While in South Carolina, my pal Brandon convinced me it would be a good idea to enroll in a SCUBA class. That was one of the best things I have ever done. I only have a dozen dives under my weight belt but I love it. There is something about the weightlessness, exploring a place that such a small portion of the world's population has ever seen and of course getting to collect all the cool gear that just gets me all excited.

All of this to say I signed up for a SCUBA refresher course the other day. A Rusty Diver course as they call it. That's what I plan on doing this evening. Getting reacquainted with my old friend SCUBA. Hopefully I'll be wasting all my money swimming around in the Atlantic this summer.

At The Helm

Okay, here goes...

Let's get a bit more serious, shall we?

While most of us were drinking beer and eating grilled foods under the guise of celebrating our country's birthday, Senator Jesse Helms was drawing his last breaths. And I can't say I'm all that broken-up about it. Helm's was one of the last bigots to walk the halls of Washington; at least one of the last men to do so openly.

This past week I've been reading and hearing many of my fellow Americans go on and on about how great Jesse Helms was. Well, have you seen this re-election campaign TV ad? Take a look at this video he put out and tell me what you think.

Luckily, someone in the media has a descent pair of cajones. Once again, Roland S. Martin has hit the nail on the head with his article on Sen. Helms. If you're ever in need of a good, honest political commentary, you cannot go wrong with Martin. He seems to always say what I, and I'm sure a lot of Americans, are thinking. Be sure to read Martin's article, and any others that he writes. Good stuff.

Logging Miles

Okay, here goes...

So, I arrived home after work the other day to find a box full of bicycle accessories on my frotn porch. I decided that if I'm going to be spending more time on my bike I should get some goodies for the little guy. I tore into the box like an 8 year old on Christmas morning. Inside I fould all sorts of shiny, new toys.

After unwrapping my new bike tool I set about clamping and zip-tying all of my new stuff to my bike. And when I was done, I was ready to take on the world. I set out on a trip around the block to test my handiwork.

The sunlight glisened off my new detachable, LCD headlight and shimmered across the reflectors of my 3-setting taillight. But the most beautiful thing was my new wireless computer. I started out a 10mph pace to see if it would work. Then pumped it up to 20 and everything flowed together like a moutain stream. The world slowed and kids on the sidewalk stopped and stared in awe.

So I've learned that my trip to work is a little more than I thought. It is a 5.2 mile roundtrip. I also figured out that I average about 14mph on my trip to work. Now I don't know where this falls on the competancy meter but I feel pretty good about it.

I waited until Tuesday to start my odometer reading since it was the 1st and I want to see how many miles I can fit into a month. However, I didn't ride today because of the smoke from the wildfires in North Carolina was blowing in and I forsee this being a problem throughout the summer. I did miss my morning bike ride though.