Marbles

I snuck out this afternoon for a workout Boulder Colorado style; no, I didn't tuck my iPhone headphones into my plaid button down, untuck from my designer jeans and don some "foot-gloves" for a power walk to the nearest food truck for some jalapeno bites - that would be the IT-Software Engineer workout. Instead I did the Colorado CX workout; cranked the heat up to 92 degrees, pumped my tires up to 60psi and went to Valmont bike park to practice two-wheel drifting in the marbles. At least it's always easy to pick out which part of the workout involved stair intervals.

On my ride to work today, as I endlessly dodged unpredictable and completely oblivious idiots working their way down the path, I realized why I really hate these people. It's because if you don't care how you meander down a public path - a rather busy one in Boulder no less - and can't adhere to the most simple rules like staying right or looking before you suddenly turn left across the path or NOT stand in the middle of the path smoking oxy off a sheet of tin foil... then chances are you just don't understand, or respect, the way that society is supposed to work. Seriously people, just figure it out, and NOTICE that there are other people on the same planet as you. This is my new favorite super-hero... I really can't wait to see who is arch-nemesis will be! Meanwhile the US Pro Cycling Challenge is already an hour old, and somehow Jens Voigt hasn't even been in a breakaway yet.

What Shaped Your Youth?

Join the Brigade.

Friday

I wish that if the guy from down the hall was going to "fake-wash" his hands in the bathroom... that he would at least put in the effort to also "fake-dry" them too. Or just man-up and admit that you didn't wash your hands. Me, my policy is to wash my hands BEFORE I use the bathroom. I mean I know where my junk has been, but I walk around all day shaking other peoples hands or using disgusting door knobs and such; I'd rather make sure I had clean hands before touching ME - that should take care of people wanting to shake my hand. I love my commute to work, dropping off the side of the mountain on a twisty descent in brisk morning air usually means I don't need as much coffee once I get in. But that usually doesn't make me not drink coffee.

Between the commute in and a bunch of Valmont laps at lunchtime, I burned 12.4 Oreos worth of calories. However, since it's Friday, I think I'm going to save those and cash them in on beer instead. Between that and my hour long lunch ride, I earned a bonus 12.4 Oreo cookies for today!

Fall

I'd argue that I hate shortening days and the signs of a departing summertime. About the only thing that eases the pain, ever so slightly, is that the changing seasons will at least bring cyclcocross season. And I'm really, really looking forward to getting my hands on our new weapon this year!! A quick sneak-peak for you!

Hello

I'm just going to pretend like I never left... Here we are in the middle of summer. Summer always reminds me of being a kid, off from school, and nothing to do but get up late, watch a couple cartoons during breakfast and then heading outside to cause all sorts of issues for the rest of the day. Now I come to work and stare at 50 diaganol inches of computer screen and repress my urge to yell at people and point out (with evidence) how schockingly stupid they are. Oh, how times have changed. At least I had a short break recently, which was none too soon, and an AMAZING surprise from the wifey. Out of nowhere, she shocked me with a fully planned trip to St. John, where I believe my soul may actually reside (with or without me). One of the best parts was that I only had two weeks to prepare, and it meant not being tortured for months on end waiting for the departure date! This time we stayed in Chocolate Hole, and the view from our house wasn't quite a spectacular, but I sure wasn't complaining (plus the house had some other benefits over the last one...)!!

The first day there, it was just Jessica and I, which worked out nicely since we took the chance to celebrate our wedding anniversary a day early. After getting settled in, we had an awesome dinner on the beach; literally our view from the table.

The next afternoon Jesse, Kim and her mom were set to arrive, but we had the morning to kill, which of course meant plenty of time to hit the beach first! It was great, and even being the Fourth of July we nearly had it to ourselves.

I had broken down for this trip, and picked up a sweet underwater housing for my NEX and I was anxious to try it out. It was a bit terrifying taking my camera into the water at first, but the housing ended up working flawlessly the entire trip.

Then it was off to town to pick up the crew from the ferry. They were arriving right as the Carnival parade was getting ready to start, and while it would have been a great scene to get off the ferry to, it was also hectic! I was mostly kicking myself for thinking (somehow!) that I wouldn't need my camera! What an idiot! The parade had some wild sights! And the evening was a total blast. The busiest day of the year on St. John, and massively more people than I ever imagined (on the island). Everyone there seemed to be in good spirits with vendors, beyond-packed bars, rum being consumed faster than the bars could pour them, and then awesome fireworks on the beach. After that night it was back to "island time", and after getting up the next morning our little group settled into the usual daily routine; wake up, breakfast, determine a beach for the day, snorkle for hours on end, lunch, snorkle more, go home for dinner, consume rum drinks in our swimming pool. It's a tough place to be. Without a doubt, Salt Pond Bay is still my favorite beach... in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One day we had a great day planned, jumping on a boat to head out of the country for the day. I was super excited, since we were heading to the Baths in Virgin Gorda, one of the most scenic places in the islands.

From there we stopped at a reef to snorkle with an amazing amount of fish. Followed up by a stop on a tiny island for lunch;

And then finally off to the amazing Soggy Dollar for drinks! It's not too often you get to see Jessica double-fisting the rum drinks.

Then... we eventually came home (against all my wishes) and it sucked. Now I've been in a deep dark depression ever since. Work pretty much only exists so I can work on plans for our next trip to the islands. At least, that's what I keep trying to tell myself.

I Need to Post More Often

Another sweet model for the Star Wars cabinet; Seb helped me build the B-Wing Fighter just before we left to spend xmas in Myrtle Beach.

It was colder than "normal" while we were there, but temps in the mid-50s were a good 50 degrees warmer than we were having at home at the time! Still, it was good to get to see the family and stand on the beach for a while. Oh, and eat lots of seafood!

Sebastian had a great time, and is developing quite the personality.

I don't know why it's been so hard to get settled back into "normal" life after the trip, but it's hard getting caught up. I'm sure part of it is dealing with winter, but then also enjoying times like this past week where it's actually been nice out. Somehow the weather (and timing!) worked out well enough that I got out 5 times in the past 7 days.

But cyclocross is over, and it's almost time for cyclocross season to start!! CULTCROSS2013!!

Excitebike

Uh... Fucking awesome.