Thanks

A little bit of thanks-some specific, some general...

A big thank you goes out to Steve Tam...I needed new STI shifters for the CX bike after my 13 year old Shimano 600 front took a dive. In exchange for some design work, my bike was saved from low-end bits by your sweet Dura Ace STI's. Shimano is the only way for me and I totally dig doing you a design solid for gear!

Now for a general thanks to Craigslist. I was tripping on how much I have bought and sold on CL--what an incredibly useful site. I know Andrew and I are battling it out on there daily it seems to see who can find the best deal on whatever, but damn, how nice is it to be able to offload your old stuff, or pick up something you need.

CL has helped me land a 4 year long job at a company I wish I still worked for (if only you were closer)...I've sold tons of bikes and bike parts, digital cameras, lawn-mowers, baby beds and more.

Just yesterday, I purchased a sweet leather couch in excellent condition to replace my former couch that went with my ex-wife. I love the fact that all of this can go on, kinda a "stuff" recycling. I am a firm believer in why buy new when you can recycle something that is perfectly good.

Anyway, that's my cheesy CL thanks and my heartfelt friend thanks.

LIttle Things

Lately I have been kinda bugging out on how the smallest of things can sweep me sad, smiling, memorable-nostalgia. Most all of it stems from my failed marriage and the fragments that are left behind. BUt all of it leaves me with such a mixed bag of emotions, I had to write about for no other reason than to hold onto them a little longer-something I (me) can go back to down the road and re-reflect on...

What kinds of things? Let's see...

The other day I turned on the wall furnace and was swept back to the first cold days in this house. I am a total novice when it comes to common sense, she led me (many, many , many times) through the proper steps to safelty re-light the damn thing. At the time (and even now), I find my self thinking back to when that went down...

Cleaning the damn bathroom of all places! Something about the smell of the shower cleaner transported me to how it used to smell when we'd be cleaning. Again, I just never could do the bathroom just right, so her territory was marked by various cleaning agents' smells. Now there I was spraying it on and about to cry. Damn...

Music is so obvious, it's almost not worth mentioning. I have a new appreciation/love for Dire Straits, Ben Harper and Jack Johnson. So many days spent listening or hearing these and so many others. Dire Straits seemed to always be on at our first apartment on Franklin-I worked down the street and would walk in to hear Mark Knopfler...Ben Harper was pulling into the driveway last summer and listening to him live, then attending his concert. We were so far apart at the time, but I was on the salvation tip (way too late) and the passion which Ben infused into his songs still sticks with me to this day...

There's the stuff I will never see or do again, things like fly into Grand Rapids airport in the winter. I remember that place so vividly, always grey, super cold, yet totally welcoming. I really love Cari's family, they're great people and I will truly miss their company during the holidays. The wandering around in comfortable clothes, hanging out in the kitchen at Bumpa Bills or in the front room at Grandpa Roughley's. The grey-ness, the flat-ness of MIchigan were easy to target as bad, but in all actuality, I am really gonna miss the place and the drives, the winter, the beautiful green summer...

I'm sure that this is far from over-it never will be. I was part of something that failed, something I personally never wanted to happen, yet something I also allowed to happen through my own (many) mistakes. I can't totally grasp that concept-failure at something I wanted. But I guess I didn't want it bad enough to really make it work. Or something like that. Until I die, I'll be forever reminded of what we had, what I hoped we'd have and shaken to a memory by the littlest of things...a rain shower, camping equipment, questions, goals, mountains...life.

What has come out of all of this is a return to a life I knew before. Me-solo. I have a wonderful son whom I would give my life, my world for....and for that I am happy to return to "Start" again...I have regrets. I've made many mistakes. I'm far from perfect. I have a lot to learn. But I wouldn't trade my life,both its mistakes and successes for anything.

SS and Blue Angels

Saturday was cool and crisp outside---also incredibly windy--perfect chance to hit Annadel and do a little SS'ing. Picked up Dave Pruitt (who hadn't been there in 10 years) and we headed over. Incredible ride. Met up with a SSWC helper named Chris and the three of us put in about 20 miles of prime singletrack adventure.

Felt totally woozy on descent down Lawndale, guess my bowl of oatmeal wasn't enough. Gourmet Taco Shop in Sonoma cured that.

Sunday was a long day in SF with Jake and my parents. Weird getting back on the ferry boat after a year away. For someplace that I spent almost every day for 4 years, I was a bit nostalgic. Another perfect day in SF, totally clear, warm and fun. Dragged my mom through Embarcadero and Old Levi's area in attempt to see skyscrapers. Made it to Pier 39 to have an over-priced lunch at a restaurant overlooking bay and then off to see seals (Jake was completely enamored with them). Blue Angels took second place to seals and hunt for a restroom Jake would actually use. We luckily made it on boat (last people on) and headed back to Napa-Dude.

It's nice to actually spend time with my mom and dad, and always a pleasure (one I long for more and more) to be with my son.

Pics to Flickr sooner or later (most were shot by Jake)...

I repeat

People are funny.

It's pretty amazing to see reality re-written so that you are not included, a part of or even there.

Funny.


I mean petty.

BMX and Cross

This weekend was a big time affair-Jake had his BMX party with his buds on Sunday and I raced my first  cross race in like 7 years (second ever) on Saturday.

Good times were had by all!

Cross is wicked rough for me. Sunday morning found my legs and butt feeling like toast. Funny how adding a little running to your bike ride can hurt so much. I accomplished my goal of finishing and not in last place...

Sunday was the big day-Jake's B-Day at the BMX track. 

He was totally stoked to get going on it. Called me on Saturday to say he wanted to do a big ride on Sunday! 

It was incredibly cool to see him and his buds have such an incredible time at the track. No major accidents, some surprising air was caught by some and everyone had a great time. 

His mom pulled the whole affair together and it was flawless. His biggest smile came when they handed him a trophy for the event. He didn't stop talking about it all night long, and it sits next to him in bed as I type...

I love my boy!

Tons of pics on Flickr...