Gurski shared this with me..
Maybe made the entire weekend.
total bawler:
have a great weekend.
respect
m
Friday, March 29, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
My Hubris
Dear Reader,
My new class is a management class. The class is very good. I enjoy the professor. I enjoy the work and the materials. There are a lot of managers in the class, and it adds to a lot of good discussions. One of these discussions revolved around candidates coming in for an interview. This one woman, a manager with some experience made a comment that kids now come in not dressed appropriately, not shaving or having long hair or not presenting themselves as "business like". She continued to say that those candidates don't even have a chance. This pissed me off.
I am not naive. I started my career in a very conservative industry, and I know I have heard comments like this before. Does how someone dresses make them the best candidate? Regardless-I know it's happened. It still pissed me off.
Each of the exams have a individual component, and a group component Now each group has the ability to fire someone from their group if they aren't preparing or aren't pulling their weight. This same woman, who I am sure is a solid manager and a good human, proceeds to beat her chest and tell her group they better make sure they come prepared or she'll fire them. Of course she says it loud enough so my group 3 rows and probably so entire class can hear her. I commented to my friend, "if she was in my group, I'd fire her tonight.., way to build a team."
I'll admit it, the combination of these statements, pissed me off. She reminded me of some of the bully managers I have had before. It's just not how I choose to lead. I was kinda fired up.
First exam went well for me. Very well. The professor asked everyone who got 100% on the exam to raise their hands. I and four of my classmates raised our hands. Then I did it. I looked over at the woman, noticing that she didn't have a 100% . I made eye contact and I, I'm not proud of this, but I gave her the Lance Armstrong look back.
Tonight, we had another exam. I prepared the same, and I felt very comfortable with the material. It was a bit harder. There were at least 3 questions, that I really wasn't really sure of the answer. It was freakin' Karma. School has never been about proving a point for me. It's never been about grades, or being competitive with my classmates. For me this was a second chance, this was a chance to do my best, focus on school work something I never did as a college kid. To do something, I have never been good at before. It wasn't my opinions on management, or trying to best a classmate. My hubris, had made me a douche, and now on this test, I was going to pay the piper. Karma had made me her bitch.
I re-read the questions that were a struggle for me. I thought through them, I made my best answers based on the material and my command of it. I'm back in school on my terms and it's not about being right or wrong, or proving someone else's approach wrong. It's about doing my best and learning as much as I can. I promised myself to keep my ego in check, and leave it at that... I hoped for the best.
Thankfully at the end of class, the professor asked everyone who got a 100% to raise their hand. The professor commented, "five of you aced it, nice job." I looked at my grade, and I raised my hand. I never took my eyes off the black board in front of me, but I did smile.
thanks for reading
respect
vanderbacon
My new class is a management class. The class is very good. I enjoy the professor. I enjoy the work and the materials. There are a lot of managers in the class, and it adds to a lot of good discussions. One of these discussions revolved around candidates coming in for an interview. This one woman, a manager with some experience made a comment that kids now come in not dressed appropriately, not shaving or having long hair or not presenting themselves as "business like". She continued to say that those candidates don't even have a chance. This pissed me off.
I am not naive. I started my career in a very conservative industry, and I know I have heard comments like this before. Does how someone dresses make them the best candidate? Regardless-I know it's happened. It still pissed me off.
Each of the exams have a individual component, and a group component Now each group has the ability to fire someone from their group if they aren't preparing or aren't pulling their weight. This same woman, who I am sure is a solid manager and a good human, proceeds to beat her chest and tell her group they better make sure they come prepared or she'll fire them. Of course she says it loud enough so my group 3 rows and probably so entire class can hear her. I commented to my friend, "if she was in my group, I'd fire her tonight.., way to build a team."
I'll admit it, the combination of these statements, pissed me off. She reminded me of some of the bully managers I have had before. It's just not how I choose to lead. I was kinda fired up.
First exam went well for me. Very well. The professor asked everyone who got 100% on the exam to raise their hands. I and four of my classmates raised our hands. Then I did it. I looked over at the woman, noticing that she didn't have a 100% . I made eye contact and I, I'm not proud of this, but I gave her the Lance Armstrong look back.
Tonight, we had another exam. I prepared the same, and I felt very comfortable with the material. It was a bit harder. There were at least 3 questions, that I really wasn't really sure of the answer. It was freakin' Karma. School has never been about proving a point for me. It's never been about grades, or being competitive with my classmates. For me this was a second chance, this was a chance to do my best, focus on school work something I never did as a college kid. To do something, I have never been good at before. It wasn't my opinions on management, or trying to best a classmate. My hubris, had made me a douche, and now on this test, I was going to pay the piper. Karma had made me her bitch.
I re-read the questions that were a struggle for me. I thought through them, I made my best answers based on the material and my command of it. I'm back in school on my terms and it's not about being right or wrong, or proving someone else's approach wrong. It's about doing my best and learning as much as I can. I promised myself to keep my ego in check, and leave it at that... I hoped for the best.
Thankfully at the end of class, the professor asked everyone who got a 100% to raise their hand. The professor commented, "five of you aced it, nice job." I looked at my grade, and I raised my hand. I never took my eyes off the black board in front of me, but I did smile.
thanks for reading
respect
vanderbacon
Sunday, March 24, 2013
6 hours of Rosaryville
This has been a tough winter. While in years past it may have been colder, or more snowy, this year has seemed to be extended, particularly gray, and windy. Mentally brutal. The last couple of years the Mid Atlantic has been blessed with mild weather, and a pretty quick warm up in the spring. We paid the piper this year.
Three weeks ago, I decided I needed a carrot. I don't like to usually race in March, but it was miserable outside, and frankly after my lowest volume of riding in 8 years in February (yes, I have that tracked), I needed a goal to keep me honest.
Buddy the Leg Breaker and I signed up for the 6 hours of Rosaryville as a masters team. The race sold out right after we registered. In at the line.
Friday night our friend Travis sent us this text: "Give 'em Hell tomorrow boys!" To which Buddy responded, "it's March, I don't have too much hell to give, but I'll give 'em heck!" I agreed, "yeah, my hell is not great, but I might manage Heck:" Travis sent back, "your two's heck, is going to be hell for someone else."
So we showed up, pitted with My C3:Twenty 20 Cycling Company teammates Jen and Melissa, as well as Eric and Mayhew from JBV coaching. We had great group of folks to compound with.
Here's how the race went:
I get a good start, 1 dude goes up the trail, but sit in a nice group with Mayhew, and skinny kid doing a trio. I'm riding a bit over my fitness head, but we have a gap and a good group. I finish the first lap 3rd overall. I'm stoked. Buddy goes out throws down a killer lap himself. In typical Fatmarc and Buddy the legbreaker style, we may have started a little fast. We both have some cramping, and put up solid second laps, and in the final round I manage my lap, by staying focused on turning 5 minute miles. It works and Buddy heads out with the same strategy. While we have lead most of the day, 3 teams have been nipping at our heals the entire race. During Buddy's last lap Haymarket's Scott passed Buddy and takes the lead. Buddy notices the number, and stays cool like fonzie.
As Buddy and Scott come out of the woods together. Buddy is stalking. Buddy throws down one last attack with 300 meters to the line. Buddy the leg breaker on his original Canadian Spot Brand Single Speed slips by, and wins the day for us by just 7 seconds. Buddy the Leg Breaker Indeed !
 |
| First time for me walking away from an EX2 event with the #1 Pint Glass. Finally my collection is complete. (Have 2,3,5) |
No BS here, neither Buddy nor I expected this. On the way down we were pretty clear the objectives were to get some good hard riding in, it's freaking march. We were going to be pretty pleased making the top 10 of 21 teams. It was good day in March for sure.
 |
| Jen and Melissa top Step! |
 |
| Eric and Mayhew know the podium rules! |
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
Sunday, March 17, 2013
And I ran...
Dear Reader,
Velo Amis, the kind folks that bring you the Granogue Races, put on an 11k/5k trail run at Lums Pond State Park in Bear Delaware last weekend. The run was a benefit for the Newark High School Field Hockey Team.
After my duties were completed I made the decision to run the 5kish race. Perhaps not my best thinking. I am not much of a runner. So much the Wiser told me based on my running form, to never give up cycling. Deal. It was a small field, and I really had fun.
So the gun goes off and a high school cross country runner takes off like a bat out of hell. He was gone. I figured he had it in the bag and was gone. We had nice little second group going with Jeffy, Benny the Jewlar, Kita, Felix and I. I wasn't warmed up, and I'm not a runner, so I started doing what I do, which is talk. Thankfully, everyone slowed down so as to banter with me.
About 1.5 miles in I started to loosen up and I moved to the front of the group to set pace. Benny had been doing a great job of this previously. After a few minutes, Benny pulled up to wait for his nephew, and Jeff and I found ourselves clear of the group.
So here I am running on fireroad, in 3rd place of a run, well over my head. I am breathing really heavy, Jeff is not breathing hard. We hit the last mile which was all singletrack. I like running single track. Although my splits tell me otherwise, I feel like this was fastest section of the race, and as we twist through the woods, I notice we are closing in on the leader, two more corners and we make contact with him.
this is bad, because I am hanging on for dear life, and if I have to sprint, I may never walk again.
I promptly almost trip on my shoe lace as it has come untied. I stop, and tie it quickly (super pro move right). Jeff and the cross country kid get 20 feet on me... As we come to the clearing and the finish line is in sight, I hear Jeffy say to the cross country kid, "you led all this way, you should probably should finish this off." And with that the cross country kid picked up his pace and ran for the win. Jeffy looked back over his shoulder at me, and held up for me catch up and we ran in together. Jeffy still not breathing heavy, me sounding like I was having a cardiac arrest.
As it turns out the cross country kid was a Chopko. I used to run around with his uncles a bit in my younger years. I felt really old, but it made the result even cooler...
Please allow me to digress. With no doubt Jeffy was the strongest of us in the race. Further, when we caught the leader, he could have attacked. He could have in my estimation easy won. But he didn't. He was cool, and the kid who worked so hard got his victory. I'm proud to be friends with the Jeffy. Total Class act, and in my opinion a true champion. A true Champion, even if the kid is a bit of a dirty hippy.
so it was clearly, a very good day...
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
Velo Amis, the kind folks that bring you the Granogue Races, put on an 11k/5k trail run at Lums Pond State Park in Bear Delaware last weekend. The run was a benefit for the Newark High School Field Hockey Team.
 |
| Benny and I both had on holiday appropriate green. |
So the gun goes off and a high school cross country runner takes off like a bat out of hell. He was gone. I figured he had it in the bag and was gone. We had nice little second group going with Jeffy, Benny the Jewlar, Kita, Felix and I. I wasn't warmed up, and I'm not a runner, so I started doing what I do, which is talk. Thankfully, everyone slowed down so as to banter with me.
About 1.5 miles in I started to loosen up and I moved to the front of the group to set pace. Benny had been doing a great job of this previously. After a few minutes, Benny pulled up to wait for his nephew, and Jeff and I found ourselves clear of the group.
So here I am running on fireroad, in 3rd place of a run, well over my head. I am breathing really heavy, Jeff is not breathing hard. We hit the last mile which was all singletrack. I like running single track. Although my splits tell me otherwise, I feel like this was fastest section of the race, and as we twist through the woods, I notice we are closing in on the leader, two more corners and we make contact with him.
this is bad, because I am hanging on for dear life, and if I have to sprint, I may never walk again.
I promptly almost trip on my shoe lace as it has come untied. I stop, and tie it quickly (super pro move right). Jeff and the cross country kid get 20 feet on me... As we come to the clearing and the finish line is in sight, I hear Jeffy say to the cross country kid, "you led all this way, you should probably should finish this off." And with that the cross country kid picked up his pace and ran for the win. Jeffy looked back over his shoulder at me, and held up for me catch up and we ran in together. Jeffy still not breathing heavy, me sounding like I was having a cardiac arrest.
As it turns out the cross country kid was a Chopko. I used to run around with his uncles a bit in my younger years. I felt really old, but it made the result even cooler...
Please allow me to digress. With no doubt Jeffy was the strongest of us in the race. Further, when we caught the leader, he could have attacked. He could have in my estimation easy won. But he didn't. He was cool, and the kid who worked so hard got his victory. I'm proud to be friends with the Jeffy. Total Class act, and in my opinion a true champion. A true Champion, even if the kid is a bit of a dirty hippy.
so it was clearly, a very good day...
 |
| We had a nice little ride Sunday... |
respect
fatmarc
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Freewill and Determinism
Dear Reader,
With the Papal succession getting so much attention, Diane has been having a number of religious/philosophical discussions with her friend at work. Her friend is a devote catholic and grew up in Costa Rica. One day Diane asked, "Do you believe in Freewill?" Her friend responded that yes she believed that God gives everyone the ability to make choices, but that he is all knowing and knows the end result, all possible results as it's all part of God's plan. Diane commented that God's Plan felt more like Determinism that all of our actions, and choices are ours, but since God knows the outcome, he knows our choices to God it's already determined. Her friend agreed that this was logical . And that was pretty much the end of their Freewill and Determination discussion.
A few hours a crew of young bankers walked past Diane and her friend's work space. There was one of the young men who has a tremendously bad haircut. Diane described it as a multicolored mullet, with a rat tail extension and the sides looked like someone had attacked him with the clippers. Not a smooth clean cut. As the group walked past Diane and her peer, the phone rang. Diane picked it up, it was her friend. Her friend said, "that haircut was in no way, no how a part of God's Plan."
they both laughed boisterously.
At long last, I finally got my mtb back and up and running. I've gotten out on it a few hours. As desired it feels exactly like my now departed EMD. It's a little lighter, although that could just be mental, and of course looking down and seeing a white top tube versus a black one is a little weird, but something I'm sure I'll get used to pretty quickly. Here are a couple of shots:
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
With the Papal succession getting so much attention, Diane has been having a number of religious/philosophical discussions with her friend at work. Her friend is a devote catholic and grew up in Costa Rica. One day Diane asked, "Do you believe in Freewill?" Her friend responded that yes she believed that God gives everyone the ability to make choices, but that he is all knowing and knows the end result, all possible results as it's all part of God's plan. Diane commented that God's Plan felt more like Determinism that all of our actions, and choices are ours, but since God knows the outcome, he knows our choices to God it's already determined. Her friend agreed that this was logical . And that was pretty much the end of their Freewill and Determination discussion.
A few hours a crew of young bankers walked past Diane and her friend's work space. There was one of the young men who has a tremendously bad haircut. Diane described it as a multicolored mullet, with a rat tail extension and the sides looked like someone had attacked him with the clippers. Not a smooth clean cut. As the group walked past Diane and her peer, the phone rang. Diane picked it up, it was her friend. Her friend said, "that haircut was in no way, no how a part of God's Plan."
they both laughed boisterously.
At long last, I finally got my mtb back and up and running. I've gotten out on it a few hours. As desired it feels exactly like my now departed EMD. It's a little lighter, although that could just be mental, and of course looking down and seeing a white top tube versus a black one is a little weird, but something I'm sure I'll get used to pretty quickly. Here are a couple of shots:
 |
| Team Sticker were my own addition. |
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Fenders on my bike
Dear Readers,
On Monday, I was having a tough time walking after the beatings thrown down on me over the weekend. I figured I was due a rest day.
So I put fenders on my hipster bike.
On Monday, I was having a tough time walking after the beatings thrown down on me over the weekend. I figured I was due a rest day.
So I put fenders on my hipster bike.
I think they came out pretty rad. I used my new hipster bike to ride to the packie and get some refreshing recovery drinks.
Finished up my class last week. It was my hardest class yet, and I really enjoyed it. Required more focus and energy than anything I have had so far. I was stoked with how it made me think. It did gobble up time. Way more than any class I have taken so far. One more year. One more year to go...
Tuesday, Diane and both had packed schedules. We charged out of the house, with Diane reminding me of my dentist appointment at noon. I had an 11:15 meeting that should have been short. It wasn't. I charged out of the meeting and out the building with 5 minutes to make it to the Dentist. I squealed into the parking lot, and ran in the door. I looked at my phone (12:01). I apologized to the receptionist for being late. She looked up at me and asked my name. "Vanderbacon, Fatmarc Vanderbacon." I said. She looked at her monitor and said, Mr. Vanderbacon, you're not late, you're a week early!" Awesome.
Back to the office...
Bi-product of burning it at both ends...
Anyway, hope to get back on the bike tonight....
thanks for reading.
respect
vanderbacon.
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Angry Man's Ride
Dear Reader,
We all know the ride. The one where you show up to the parking lot and look around. You know that not everyone here will be returning with the group. We all know the guy. You know the guy, the guy who shows up for this ride, and doesn't give a shit about you, or your program, or what races you are doing this year.. All he wants to do is to drop you. That's his goal. Now maybe he's a racer and very accomplished, or maybe he's the guy who races the ride every week so when he drops you, you knows he's winning the races. The quintessential angry man's ride.
I admit, there's a need for the Angry Man's ride. For close to 20 years I have been showing up and trying to claw my way through the ranks of the various tough guy rides in our area. I'll admit, I have gotten stronger clawing my way through these ranks. And every so often, I can even find myself in lead group of one of these rides. Those days are few and far between, and certainly not last weekend.
I'll also admit that I think the angry man rides are fucking stupid. If these are your friends, and you like to ride bikes with your friends- why would you attack when they have a mechanical? Yeah, I watched this happen last weekend. While these rides aren't races, why ride it like it is? If you want to race, pay your $30 and pin on the number. I'll admit, the only time I really enjoy these rides is when I use it like a two dollar whore, and get the work I want and bail out, or frankly refuse to take a pull while stronger riders sit in waiting for the hills. You just have to know what you are getting yourself into...
Win the ride. Be the first back to the parking lot. Make the front group. Be the man.
Sometimes I avoid these rides because they become dangerous as people blow through stop signs to stay with the group, or maybe gain an advantage.
I usually come home pissed off as a bunch of good guys, and sane people do stupid stuff, all to win the ride.
I personally find it frustrating when the strongest guys are sitting in the back waiting for the hills to attack you, and you know give you the Lance Armstrong look back. When if everyone worked then the entire ride would be faster, and even harder. There's really a mob mentality to the angry man ride.
Every town has an angry man's ride, everyone has it's own cast, it's own characters. Not saying I love these rides, but I do recognize why they happen, and that frankly there's probably a need. I'm also sure I'll be doing a few more this year...
I always wonder what it says about your place in the community when and if and folks stop for you on the angry man ride. I have usually prided myself in being a shepherd in these cases, helping folks get back to the group. I'll also admit I was so in over my head last week, that when a number of us let the folks at the front knew that one of their regulars had a mechanical early in the ride and they stood and attacked, well I bit my lip and thought to myself, "I guess they're leaving him for dead."
I'll also admit, I have my short list of folks that have jammed me so badly over the years, that I wouldn't offer them my tube, a tool, a hand, a wheel, or a phone. Live by the sword, die by the sword motherfucker. Yeah, I'm not bitter.
On the other hand, I'm sure I've pissed off more than a few with my smack talk on these rides. As my friend said last weekend, "it was good to have some color on this ride." which I think was a compliment. That said with about 10 miles to go, and just about catching the lead group (they missed a light), I cramped up as badly as I ever had on any ride, much less an angry man's ride. A little frustrating, as the toughest sections where behind us at this point.
"Vanderbacon is off, Fuck that rat bastard loud mouth, leave him for dead." I can imagine someone saying for sure.
I was pretty stoked to have local strong man Mike K sit up and make sure I made it back into town, even after I told him that I was fine, just cramping... Mike is a class act and perhaps it made my day, that he did sit up for me in those last 10 miles... I owe you a beer Mike. See there is some love on the weekend Angry ride.
Maybe my issue is that I do value good training partners, I do value community, and at the core of the Angry Man Ride, isn't about community, it's about how many people can you drop.
So I'll wrap up this meandering blog post, not really condemning, or celebrating the local angry man's ride. Just recognizing some thoughts that ran through my oxygen debted brain on last weekend's angry man ride.
I'll be back out in a couple of weeks for sure. For the record, I think I got 7th on the ride last weekend.
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
We all know the ride. The one where you show up to the parking lot and look around. You know that not everyone here will be returning with the group. We all know the guy. You know the guy, the guy who shows up for this ride, and doesn't give a shit about you, or your program, or what races you are doing this year.. All he wants to do is to drop you. That's his goal. Now maybe he's a racer and very accomplished, or maybe he's the guy who races the ride every week so when he drops you, you knows he's winning the races. The quintessential angry man's ride.
I admit, there's a need for the Angry Man's ride. For close to 20 years I have been showing up and trying to claw my way through the ranks of the various tough guy rides in our area. I'll admit, I have gotten stronger clawing my way through these ranks. And every so often, I can even find myself in lead group of one of these rides. Those days are few and far between, and certainly not last weekend.
I'll also admit that I think the angry man rides are fucking stupid. If these are your friends, and you like to ride bikes with your friends- why would you attack when they have a mechanical? Yeah, I watched this happen last weekend. While these rides aren't races, why ride it like it is? If you want to race, pay your $30 and pin on the number. I'll admit, the only time I really enjoy these rides is when I use it like a two dollar whore, and get the work I want and bail out, or frankly refuse to take a pull while stronger riders sit in waiting for the hills. You just have to know what you are getting yourself into...
Win the ride. Be the first back to the parking lot. Make the front group. Be the man.
Sometimes I avoid these rides because they become dangerous as people blow through stop signs to stay with the group, or maybe gain an advantage.
I usually come home pissed off as a bunch of good guys, and sane people do stupid stuff, all to win the ride.
I personally find it frustrating when the strongest guys are sitting in the back waiting for the hills to attack you, and you know give you the Lance Armstrong look back. When if everyone worked then the entire ride would be faster, and even harder. There's really a mob mentality to the angry man ride.
Every town has an angry man's ride, everyone has it's own cast, it's own characters. Not saying I love these rides, but I do recognize why they happen, and that frankly there's probably a need. I'm also sure I'll be doing a few more this year...
I always wonder what it says about your place in the community when and if and folks stop for you on the angry man ride. I have usually prided myself in being a shepherd in these cases, helping folks get back to the group. I'll also admit I was so in over my head last week, that when a number of us let the folks at the front knew that one of their regulars had a mechanical early in the ride and they stood and attacked, well I bit my lip and thought to myself, "I guess they're leaving him for dead."
I'll also admit, I have my short list of folks that have jammed me so badly over the years, that I wouldn't offer them my tube, a tool, a hand, a wheel, or a phone. Live by the sword, die by the sword motherfucker. Yeah, I'm not bitter.
On the other hand, I'm sure I've pissed off more than a few with my smack talk on these rides. As my friend said last weekend, "it was good to have some color on this ride." which I think was a compliment. That said with about 10 miles to go, and just about catching the lead group (they missed a light), I cramped up as badly as I ever had on any ride, much less an angry man's ride. A little frustrating, as the toughest sections where behind us at this point.
"Vanderbacon is off, Fuck that rat bastard loud mouth, leave him for dead." I can imagine someone saying for sure.
I was pretty stoked to have local strong man Mike K sit up and make sure I made it back into town, even after I told him that I was fine, just cramping... Mike is a class act and perhaps it made my day, that he did sit up for me in those last 10 miles... I owe you a beer Mike. See there is some love on the weekend Angry ride.
Maybe my issue is that I do value good training partners, I do value community, and at the core of the Angry Man Ride, isn't about community, it's about how many people can you drop.
So I'll wrap up this meandering blog post, not really condemning, or celebrating the local angry man's ride. Just recognizing some thoughts that ran through my oxygen debted brain on last weekend's angry man ride.
I'll be back out in a couple of weeks for sure. For the record, I think I got 7th on the ride last weekend.
thanks for reading.
respect
fatmarc
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
If Godzilla Shook Hands
Dear Reader,
So about six weeks ago or so, I started trying to ride a bike again with some frequency and consistency. While mentally the weather was beating me down, my pants were fitting much tighter than normal and if I knew didn’t do something I’d be in the Clydesdales class in no time. So I started the search for my legs on the roads, and trails of our town. That very first week, my very first mtb ride outside was through Rittenhouse park with Shane and Jeffy.
Not the most thought out plan ever. I was well in over my head. It wasn’t too long before I was over my bars too. That very first week, I hurt my hand, and frankly, it’s been a nagging injury since. Pretty much every time I’ve been on the bike, I get a shoot pain through it.
Last week was the first time since Shane and Jeffy launched me over my bars, that I could remember riding and not having my hand hurt. I was pretty stoked. Fast Forward to Saturday afternoon: we were in the bike shop seeing some friends and talking some smack. A dude that I used to ride with a bunch, but hadn’t seen for a while came in and shook my hand. Only, it wasn’t really like shaking hands with a man, but with godzilla. I get the firm hand shake thing, but this dude crushed my hand.
After the initially shake, I could feel him squeezing tighter and tighter. It took everything I had in my small suitcase of courage to not just rip my hand back. Hell, we might as well just have had an arm wrestling match. I swear I heard my hand crack… it really, really hurt. Instantly, my hand was back to day one where you know Jeffy and Shane threw me over my handlebars. So needless to say, I’m stoked that I’m having a tough time hanging on to my bars again, and well you know typing, or doing anything with my hand. Guys, it’s 2013, I respect the firm handshake, but can we put an end into the “let’s see how hard we can squeeze “ shake? Either that or lets just decide to punch each other or wrestle when we great each other. "great to see you again! insert single leg takedown"
.
After the initially shake, I could feel him squeezing tighter and tighter. It took everything I had in my small suitcase of courage to not just rip my hand back. Hell, we might as well just have had an arm wrestling match. I swear I heard my hand crack… it really, really hurt. Instantly, my hand was back to day one where you know Jeffy and Shane threw me over my handlebars. So needless to say, I’m stoked that I’m having a tough time hanging on to my bars again, and well you know typing, or doing anything with my hand. Guys, it’s 2013, I respect the firm handshake, but can we put an end into the “let’s see how hard we can squeeze “ shake? Either that or lets just decide to punch each other or wrestle when we great each other. "great to see you again! insert single leg takedown"
.
I had my final last night. It went pretty well I think. This was the hardest class I have taken thus far in grad school. It pushed me out of my wheelhouse a bit, and I kinda dug it. The final was tricky, and really hard. I'm hoping for a good grade, but I also feel good just getting through that thing... 3 hours... I am offically, assuming that I didn't totally blow the test, half way through school. One more year... One more year....
thanks for reading.
respect
Vanderbacon
Sunday, March 3, 2013
A little Banff Inspiration and the Peoples Angry Man's Ride
Dear Reader,
Friday night, Diane and I had the chance to go to the Banff Film Festival at Emaculata College. We have gone for the past few years, and frankly each year has been excellent. For me I guess the best thing is kinda what Dave, the owner of PRG and the sponsor of the event said, "I still remember my first Banff festival 17 years ago. It just inspired me so much that the next day I wanted to drive my car south for a few hours, and go climb my ass off the next day..."
I have to admit that while I'm not a rock climber, or into kayaking or a skiing, or a guy trying to drive a snowmobile to Moscow, watching these films impacts me the same way. I am a cyclist, it's my craft. It's what I love to do. It's one of those things that is a part of who I am. And this weekend, I was especially inspired.
If you have a moment this was probably my favorite film of the weekend: (8 minutes)
here's the trailer for the festival:
There was another rad film about Bill Cooper and these British Climbing kids.
So needless to say, I was totally stoked to ride this weekend. While the conditions were tough, colder and windier than predicted, and I'm pretty much over winter at this point- the conditions kind motivated me even more to ride hard this weekend and to push myself.
I had a ton of fun, and while now exhausted and ready to jump back into my studying for tomorrow's Final Exsm(IT 608). I do it with a smile on my face, and sore tired legs.
I probably should also add that I might have or might not have yelled at a bunch of riders on the peoples ride today, when after a small group of us pulled into the headwind, a couple of gentlemen who never stuck their noses in the wind, started to attack in the tailwind. Perhaps I called someone a "motherfcker" and something to the lines of "if you're gonna attack the guys that drug your asses through the headwind now, I'm gonna.. I'm gonna.." I might have said "punch you in the dick..."
But I was pretty tired after you know after pulling into the headwind for 10 miles. What I forgot was that peoples is an angry man's ride, and all that goes with that. I apologize if my anger and or language caught anyone of guard. I was really hungry, and after two weeks of the same thing happening, I must be the dumbest person racing the Peoples ride. I hope my language didn't offend anyone. Besides, I'll be back for some more of that People Plaza love next week!
At the end of the day, after a beer and some food, it all seems pretty silly. It was really a good ride, and I'm pleased with the work I could do, and got in. It was an inspired weekend for me.
thanks for reading.
best to you,
faticus
fatmarc
vanderbacon
that rat bastard vettori
Friday night, Diane and I had the chance to go to the Banff Film Festival at Emaculata College. We have gone for the past few years, and frankly each year has been excellent. For me I guess the best thing is kinda what Dave, the owner of PRG and the sponsor of the event said, "I still remember my first Banff festival 17 years ago. It just inspired me so much that the next day I wanted to drive my car south for a few hours, and go climb my ass off the next day..."
I have to admit that while I'm not a rock climber, or into kayaking or a skiing, or a guy trying to drive a snowmobile to Moscow, watching these films impacts me the same way. I am a cyclist, it's my craft. It's what I love to do. It's one of those things that is a part of who I am. And this weekend, I was especially inspired.
If you have a moment this was probably my favorite film of the weekend: (8 minutes)
here's the trailer for the festival:
There was another rad film about Bill Cooper and these British Climbing kids.
So needless to say, I was totally stoked to ride this weekend. While the conditions were tough, colder and windier than predicted, and I'm pretty much over winter at this point- the conditions kind motivated me even more to ride hard this weekend and to push myself.
I had a ton of fun, and while now exhausted and ready to jump back into my studying for tomorrow's Final Exsm(IT 608). I do it with a smile on my face, and sore tired legs.
I probably should also add that I might have or might not have yelled at a bunch of riders on the peoples ride today, when after a small group of us pulled into the headwind, a couple of gentlemen who never stuck their noses in the wind, started to attack in the tailwind. Perhaps I called someone a "motherfcker" and something to the lines of "if you're gonna attack the guys that drug your asses through the headwind now, I'm gonna.. I'm gonna.." I might have said "punch you in the dick..."
But I was pretty tired after you know after pulling into the headwind for 10 miles. What I forgot was that peoples is an angry man's ride, and all that goes with that. I apologize if my anger and or language caught anyone of guard. I was really hungry, and after two weeks of the same thing happening, I must be the dumbest person racing the Peoples ride. I hope my language didn't offend anyone. Besides, I'll be back for some more of that People Plaza love next week!
At the end of the day, after a beer and some food, it all seems pretty silly. It was really a good ride, and I'm pleased with the work I could do, and got in. It was an inspired weekend for me.
thanks for reading.
best to you,
faticus
fatmarc
vanderbacon
that rat bastard vettori
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