This is where I have been hiding

To my surprise, school will not be as demanding as I presumed. Don't get me wrong, it will be a straight kick to the giblets (thanks for the verbiage Luke) however, I don't have to be in class nearly as much as I thought. I will probably still be on campus, but at least I can leave the "lair of learning" and go to the library or something. Labs begin next week, so I believe things will hit the fan.

Things are different in STL. I figured I had a pretty good idea of what people would be like around here; I guess not everyone wears lycra and puts more miles on their bike than their car a year. Let me tell you a little story. Classes were cancelled today due to a power outage...wait a second. My rein at MU was the better part of 5 years, and I can't remember one time a power outage, snow and ice storm, hurricane, or any other natural/unnatural disaster happened. Point being, when you wake up at 5am, and drive 20 minutes to learn something you have invested a bunch of money into (well, borrowed a bunch of money to invest into), you feel a bit cheated. I tucked my tail and traveled back home. After a bit of shopping (I had to pick up some pencils and what not) I came home to a very depressed puppy. We haven't gotten Parker out as much as we normally do so he has been a bit of a crab-ass. The problem is, none of the parks around here have a leash-free zone. Ok, no problem, surly there is a dog park near by. Oh yeah, there are several...all of which cost at a minimum of 50 bucks because we aren't residents of the particular sector of town (residents are required to pay 20-30 bucks). Now, I understand that someone has to take care of the grounds, mow, repair fence, ect; but seriously, Columbia has a great dog park, and it is totally free. Well, there is one completely free, non-discriminatory (towards residence) dog park closer than Columbia (not by much), in Wentzville. Parker looked so upset, we rocked it down 70 to get his play on. We were alone when we arrived, and it looked like it was going to be a long soccer match between he and I. Over the course of the next hour, a few more dogs showed up. Two hours in, there was an army of dogs out there. The problem: the owners. Sure, there were some nice people, and I am sure that most of them meant well. There was one woman who just couldn't seem to keep her opinions to herself. To me, opinions are something I keep to myself, until someone asks for it (or, if I feel so compelled to give it, which is a rare case). This woman commented on the dogs she thought were ugly, stupid, breeds with bad breath and so on all the while her beautiful Redbone Coonhound (he really was a pretty dog) played by himself and the other dogs. Don't get me wrong, the dogs are supposed to play together, but I typically enjoy playing with the other dogs, and my dog while he is playing with other dogs. Another woman was fresh off the shacker list. Enough said. Most everyone else was kind, and easy to get along with. Sorry for the rant, I just don't understand the way some people think.

K and I rolled around the airport earlier this week. It was good to get out with her. She really enjoyed the ride too. We saw several F-15's I think (I am no fighter jet-buff, but I think that is the name). Riding comes in waves. Next week, I will begin riding to class hopefully. I need to finish my track wheels so I can roll on the SC to class...painful.

Back to School

I began my journey at Logan yesterday: it will not be one without familiar faces however, as my home-town buddy Cam and friend from MU Carrie have found their way to this epic adventure. Holly crap though, the room we were in yesterday was freezing...now I know how my wife feels every day of the week. I will have an arsenal of long-sleeved accessories to complete my remainding of the summer wardrobe.

My body is still recouping a bit from Gateway, but I think things are on the up. I have not attempted to ride to school this week, but I believe I will begin that next. Hopefully, I don't have to lug 80 #'s worth of books to Chesterfield everyday...we shall see.

I received a refreshing phone call from Thomas last evening; I had already locked myself in the office to begin reading the plethora of material Logan has to offer. I think yesterday I realized we were not in Columbia any longer, as I am usually surrounded by several people that I have been in school with for the past several years. This was a sad awakening, however, I am sure this time next year things will feel comfortable. We met way too many good people in Columbia...maybe the two cities will grow so much in the next year or so that STL and Columbia will be considered the same: we will have a light rail system that could have my bike and I on the eastern fronts of a Big Tree in about a half hour.

Not much else going on. Parker loves his yard, and the kitty enjoys life just a touch more when he is outside. Look back for some weekend bicycling adventures, as every ride is an exploration!

Quick apalogy

sorry if your bowser brings this entry up as crappy as mine does.

Guess who's back?

So, it has been a carbon half-life since I have posted to this ignorant html puzzle, but here it goes:

Since I have last tuned you in, I have moved, became a plumber (yes, I have a workers crack, but you can only find it on my wife ;), an electrician, a carpenter, erected a fence, cleared under-brush, taken a tree down, organized, arranged--and rearranged the house, and driven back and fourth to Columbia enough to make my head spin in circles. During this crazy time, I even managed to portray a bike racer of some form.

Dating back, I missed Tour of KC, because that was the big move weekend. I attended Downers and was unable to race the Pro-Am because I was a bone-head and didn't register...not to self, bike racing must be gaining popularity, or all the Cat 3's in the country have began doping, so now the 1-2 field is flooded. I did race in the 2's event, and had a good ride; alas, the story for this race is similar to last. Good rides do not always elect good results. The elite guys raced well, and Chad earned a spot on the podium (5th) among some of the fastest finishers in the country. Another weekend off between Downers and Gateway sent me to the river for the first time in almost 6 years. Definitely a good break. Gateway was fast and difficult as usual. We had a strong presence, rode well, but unfortunately we didn't come up with the stuff this year. Cagel was resting in 3rd after the new Washington Ave event, and 4th after the Giro. Jensen broke off early, and after several tireless efforts by the team, it was too late. Chad ended up 4th or 5th overall I believe.

Going into detail about the last month would require me to write something equivalent in length to the Encyclopedia Britannica (remember hearing about those as a kid?) so I will spare your eyes and just post some pics. I do want to give several thanks to nearly everyone K and I know for helping us with everything from moving, to providing host housing, to assisting with odd jobs around the new home. Rather than providing a lengthy list, I will just thank you again, as you all well know who you are. We are quite fortunate to have such a great support circle.

I wish I had taken some more before-during-after photos of this process, but here is what I have...in not particular order or fashion.


This is Chad on the podium at Nationals. Congrats Chad

Brad Huff is the first cyclist to ever win an Elite Crit Championship, immediately followed by a Professional Crit Championship. Way to go Chuck!

Yard before

More Before

After

And after that

I have a soccer hooligan living in my back yard...for those of you who don't know, soccer is Parker's favorite sport. He actually has the ball in his mouth.

This is the best I have ever looked at U-city...wait, that is because this was taken only seconds after we began the race.

I look fast with little white-light lines coming off my body.

I will make a valiant attempt to update this more regularly. However, I do begin school on Thursday, which will give me much to speak of, but little time to speak it. I hope this made my 7 or so readers happy.