Grey hair means more than stress

So we made it back from De Moines unscathed, but it was a close call (some of you will get more of the juicy details than others). I didn’t really know what to expect from the trip. G had told me all the stories of how much fun the relays were….when they were in college. We all know how those experiences turn out. Once you get there you realize the reason it was so fun back then is because you were in a totally different time in your life. Rarely does the experience carry across many years of “adulthood” let alone to a stranger brought in for the first time. Needless to say I was anxious to see how this was all going to play out.

Turns out Drake Relays are very similar to the Minster Oktoberfest (the small town in Ohio where I’m from). For those of you who don’t know what this is you’ll get the jest of it by the end of this post. We got into town around 7:00 pm. G’s friends couldn’t wait for us any longer so they told us to meet them at the bar. We got there and it was a super tiny bar with a tent put up over the parking lot in the back. Under the tent were a bunch of alumni that were getting wasted and catching up with people that they hadn’t seen in a few years, or in some cases since they graduated. So Drake is even smaller than I thought because it seemed like everyone knew everybody. After spending hours here we moved on to another bar we stayed till last call. Afterwards we went and got late night pizza, then headed home. Oh by the way did I mention that there was a track meet going on a block away the entire time? It was really like no one even knew. People, well drunks I guess, love excuses to drink beer.

The whole time we were out I was thinking the music was too loud (which in hindsight it really was, everyone was complaining about it), it was past my bed time, and there was no way I was going to be able to do this again tomorrow. Basically I was feeling like a crotchety old man. The weather was terrible, cold and rainy so I think that added to it. So on Sunday after brunch with friends and a tour of the campus in the rain we decided to bag the trip and head home. Something about a warm house, movies and our own bed sounded better than a repeat of Friday night. Overall the trip was good. I got to see where G became a doctor, hang at some of her old watering holes, and visit with friends. If the weather would have been better I’m sure it would have been a much better time. Overall glad we went though. Know I’m off to Freewheel

Today I Become One of You

So for the past few years I've been reading the stories of my friends, and newly found "virtual" friends, through their blogs. I've finally ponied up and joined in the culture. Needless to say this first post will go without readers. Hopefully though people will start to look in and catch up on what going on in my life. That is if I keep the motivation to update this thing.

I decided yesterday that next week is the week that I start commuting to work via the velo. I was driving home yesterday on a packed 94, looking up at the pedestrian overpasses, windows down enjoying the sunshine thinking "Why in the hell am I sitting here inhaling fumes when I could be out getting miles in?" So next week is the week. Why not today you ask? Well I have to leave work early to go to Des Moines for the weekend. In order to get home in time to get my swim workout in and hit the road so we can make it there for dinner, I need the speed my legs don't have.

This week Des Moine, Drake University specifically, is host to the Drake Relays and G's class reunion. It should be a good time despite the weather forecasts (cold and rainy). I need to get in a run on Saturday, we'll see if that happens or not. Sunday we head back to the cities. I have to sit at the Cat6 table during the Freewheel bike expo this weekend where we'll push the team, have some goodies for sale and enjoy the talk of bikers Bob Roll and Gary Fisher. As long as Bob isn't on his trainer naked like he was for his commercials during last years tour coverage it should be a good time, as long as the rain is done by then.