31 July 2007
I adopted some sky today and I think you should too. Check it out here.
flickr
27 July 2007
When it's raining outside Kashi and I take to the house and chase.
25 July 2007
I think I'm going to sign up for the tour next year. That way when everyone gets kicked out for doping, I'll claim the Yellow Jersey and ride into Paris with my head held high. Way to go Chicken.
According to the sign, I'm pretty fast. I did have to slow down to take the photo, so I was probably going a bit faster just before I got the shot. Plus I didn't want to spook that guy in front of me when I passed him.
22 July 2007
So I've been thinking about a fun project to do with Blogs, Flickr and Salt Lake City.. check it out here and feel free to participate.I've been a bit "less than productive" lately with the blog and a few design projects that I need to work on at home, but I don't mind too much. I've also been a bit "less than productive" on the bike the past three-four weeks. Shan and I have been through a few issues lately that have taken a toll on us both and throw our game plan for a giant loop. I've debated on posting about the subject for some time now, but I feel it necessary to express a few things.
We've been dealing with the infertility issue for about two years now. (That means: we've been trying for two years) We've known about the situation for much longer but figured it probably wont be as bad as the Dr. says. Unfortunately it was and is. We've been pretty maxed out, mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. We decided in June, that after our last cycle we would take some time away from what has been consuming our relationship for the past two years. So we did. A few weeks into the brake we found out that we were expecting. WOW! I couldn't believe it. We were on cloud 9 and hoping for the best. About 8 weeks into the process we lost the baby.
The good side of this is that we've come a long way from where we were and the future continues to look bright. But it's been tough. I realize there are numerous others out there that have invested years more than we have and thousands of dollars more than we have, and I'm amazed at their perseverance. There are numerous others that have it a lot worse than we do and I'm amazed at their strength. Thankfully we have had many of them helping us through this process. But nothing could have prepared me or Shan for the actual event of loss. It's been a very tough few weeks and I'm not the type to express myself emotionally. I'm finding out that I'm the type that just cuts things out or off. I stop doing the things I love and I don't really care as much any more. I'm learning to deal with this and find ways to help.
I'm getting back on the re-design schedule and making things work. I spent the entire day Sat. working in the yard and that was great! I took the bike out on the Kaysville/Layton shoreline trail that evening and felt wonderful. I'm back to my sleeping routine, walking with Kashi in the morning and riding to work. .... What does all this mean? I'm not sure but I think writing about it is one of the ways I can cope. I've always held thing in. I rairly express my feelings and that's just how I am. For me the way back to the way it should be is to continue supporting Shan and supporting myself by doing the things that make me happy in life. And I'm back on track.
My heart goes out to anyone who has dealt with this situation before. And I'm finding out there are a lot of you who have. Sometimes there's no explanation for the events in life but what we learn from these events usually have a greater value.
I've learned a lot and am still learning. I'm excited to continue forward and now feel that I'm better prepared for the future.
FIVE, TWENTY, AND FOUR-THOUSAND
16 July 2007
Despite my weak efforts the past few weeks to ride my bike I felt pretty good on Saturday. I guess you could say I was well rested. That's pretty much my story. I love to ride and I also love to rest. Maybe I'm just really lazy and I don't want to admit to it, so I keep myself really busy with various projects, bike rides, and other activities. Regardless, it was great (as always) to be on the bike and racing.I've always enjoyed the Snowbird race... It was one of the first venues I ever raced when I started out years and years ago and I fell in love with it from the beginning. It's a short lap that goes straight up and straight down. Four miles, 8oo' of delicious climbing per lap with some super sweet super fast "Tokyo Drift" style DH.
In the end Alex took us to town once more with Thomas and Bart close behind. I was able to hold off BZ for fourth place but it wasn't easy. I think he had some dust in his eyes after chasing me down of the line.
Shout out goes to Tolbert, for laying it down in the ss class for the second week in a row. Lets see him take it for #3 in Jackson.. and then maybe he'll update the blog.
I don't think I'll be headed to Jackson for the next race this weekend, but maybe I'll try my luck in PC for the 50. Or I could just watch.
12 July 2007
I had a dream last night that I was involved in a race. It was some sort of triathlon that involved running, cycling and a water event. In that order. I don't remember much about the run or the cycling portion, but I do know that I did really well. As I entered the water portion of the event, I realized I was a bit unprepared. Everyone had kayaks and we were to paddle down river to the finish-line, but all I had was an old black tube.It seemed as though the race officials started us down the river individually, and I was near the back. Mostly what I remember about the dream was this... I was laying on my stomach in the tube paddling with my hands while using my feet to kick and act like a rudder. I seem to be able to use the faster parts of the river to my advantage and with the use of my arms and legs, I was passing everyone. I blew across the finish-line in first place and the announcers were a bit surprised. There were a few local favorites that they predicted would win and then I came ripping down the river in my old black tube. I even made a point to talk a little smack to the second place finisher. "I blew you away on that stretch" he agreed and was a bit shocked.
After the race I found myself inside some sort of sports complex watching a swim meet. I was accompanied by Dwight, from the Office. He was a giant man... I'm not sure why he was there, but we were hanging out. After the swim meet I was walking down the hall to exit the building, but I wasn't actually walking. I was jumping off the walls, doing flips and ninja kicks. It was fantastic. During my extreme gymnastic walking experience, I remember feeling really good. I had just won a race, I could jump like a ninja and had some crazy skills, and I could do all this because I had really good fitness.
I'm not sure what to think of this dream because I've been felling a bit low lately. It's been a week since my last bike ride, I feel tired and lazy and I'm lacking some motivation right now. I can't decide if I'm going to race at Snowbird on Sat. or not. I do enjoy the course, Snowbird is a great place to spend the day, and I'd like to see how my fitness is, but I'm just not motivated right now.
I think my dream was a call to action. There are lots of thing I really enjoy in life and being fit and knowing I'm fit is defiantly on the top of my life long to-do list. I'm going to slip out today and put some time in on the bike to see how I feel. I don't care if it's hot or the air quality is poor... I need to make a comparison and see if I can live up to my dream. If not, I've got a lot of work to do.
11 July 2007
I've got a lot on my mind concerning a few current events, but I'll save that for a later post. For now, enjoy this fantastic classic.
08 July 2007
I've got some reading to catch up on. The June issue of STEP "the new taste of type" is full of some really, really good content concerning typography and design. The first selection of reading comes from an interview of Erik Spiekermann. He mentions this: “A graphic designer has to be modest. It is not about him or her, but about solving a problem for a client. If it doesn't work, it isn't good design. We are measured by the result of our work, not by our good intentions. Insufficient budgets, bad clients, tight deadlines are inevitable facts, never excuses for bad work”.
That strikes home with me and probably numerous others that I have worked with over the years. Getting hung up on deadlines or client communication can be extremely frustrating, but that's what comes with the job. I'm the one in charge of my destany and creating solutions is what I'm hired to do. He goes on to state that “Ninety percent of the job is solving the problem, only ten percent about asthetics”. He's quick to point out, however, that “the ten percent can often make the difference between a good solution and a great solution.”
The other mags are from a subscription that I got for my sister as a gift. Then she up and went to China, again, to decorate some ritzy five star hotel... so I'm going to use them for a bit while she's gone. Thanks
As for bike racing this weekend... I pretty much slept in.
Decided that I didn't want to race at 1:30 in the afternoon in Logan. So Shan and I spent the day hanging out ath the movies and then to an afternoon neighborhood party.
Hey! Shan updated the blog. DV national race report.
02 July 2007
It's early monday morning and I'm finding a bit of time (while I eat breakfast) to write up a little post. The weekend was busy from start to finish but very enjoyable. Shan and I decided to have a little BBQ in the back yard on Friday night. We got a call from the other Kevin and Shannon and they decided to come up as well.I mentioned to Shan earlier in the week that maybe we should grill some burgers on friday night. Shan asked if I'd prefer pasta instead, which is typically what I'd eat the night before a race. I decided that we'd have burgers instead because on a few occasions I'v attended a BBQ the night before an event, and the next day I felt really good. Why not give it another try.
Sat. morning rolled around and I tired another alternate in my typical eating regimen. Typically I'll eat up a big wheat waffle and some eggs but not this time. I changed it up for some cereal. My love for cereal (just about any kind) extends as far back as I can remember. At times in my life that's pretty much all I would eat. And now I sometimes find myself wishing that life was more simple and that cereal was the only choice. But for the most part I'm glad it's not.
So the race went well. I'm not sure if it was from the burger, the cereal, my lack of training or a combination, but things felt pretty good and I was able to hold on for a solid 4th place finish. The 1track at Solitude was fantastic and despite a crash and a few "I'm an idiot and took that corner too wide" moves, I felt like a road a pretty clean race.
Now it's the week of the 4th and I'm so excited. The 4th is one of my all time favorite holidays. It's like the National day of No work, great early morning bike rides, summer time BBQ's, swimming and fire works. (I'm not really that into fire works but it's still fun to lay on the grass in the park, eat candy and enjoy the good times with a few friends and family members.
If anyone is interested, I think I'm going to ride to Francis peak, early wed. morning. If you're looking for a nice two hour climb with 5,000 vertical, then this is one for you. Give me a shout if you're interested.