I have done a lot of stuff lately, just havent had time to blog about it.
I had an amazing time over the weekend at the Hideout Block Party, an event that seems to get better year by year. The lineup was as diverse as you can get and that made for a great crowd as well. Neko Case live under the stars was an unforgettable experience. Summer is not over, the forecast looks great for the next week or so with my bday coming up on Sunday. There is a Fall Fling series of bike races over the next two weekends, but I rode my bike 3-4 times since the beginning of the month, so I guess I am out.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Forte.
I've been blogging politics lately but who didnt talk about it over the last two weeks? The conventions were timed perfectly before the start of the NFL season. The wait is now over and the Bears' season started last night. And what a night it was! Forte rules!!!!!!! I dont mean the Performance brand of bike parts , but the rookie RB Matt Forte. All eyes were on Orton, and not much was expected from new running backs, other than maybe higher average as compared to Benson's -2.4 yds gained average.
I cant say he's Adrian Peterson (of the Vikings), but it sure is good news that the Bears might have a RB who can make a few decent plays from time to time. That's all we need, a QB who doesnt throw stupid interceptions and doesnt fumble the ball, RBs that make plays on 3rd down, and defense that does its thing- the way they do how they do.
In unrelated news, Britney's back!!! I dont know if that's good o' bad but it made the newswire.
I cant say he's Adrian Peterson (of the Vikings), but it sure is good news that the Bears might have a RB who can make a few decent plays from time to time. That's all we need, a QB who doesnt throw stupid interceptions and doesnt fumble the ball, RBs that make plays on 3rd down, and defense that does its thing- the way they do how they do.
In unrelated news, Britney's back!!! I dont know if that's good o' bad but it made the newswire.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Traitor Joe
I think that Dick C. should take Joe L. hunting to thank him for a job well done last night at the RNC.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Swiftboat that!!!!!!!
"Hey what's up dude?, haven't talked to you in a while whatcha up to?"
"I am watching the convention, Obama is supposed to speak in an hour."
"Come on, it's all the same BS, politicians doing their thing, promises blah blah they just wanna get elected and then it's all the same. Let's watch the game!"
This is a conversation I had with my buddy, myself being the one watching the convention.
I am neither young and naive to be starstruck by Barack Obama or old and cynical to be indifferent to the upcoming election. I, and noone else in their right frame of mind can afford not paying attention. What has happened to this country in the last 8 years is scary, on all fronts and time is running out if we want to preserve what is left of the great dream and source of hope that my family saw in America when we moved here in 1994. We had a choice to move to any other European country after my native Bosnia-Herzegovina was englufed in a horrible war. Instead, we came to the USA. The Star Spangled Banner that I used to see being raised a lot in the Olympics and the flag that Rocky wrapped himself in when he beat the crap out of Drago - was now my flag. Not to get into the last 14 years of my life here, but I have become a citizen of this country not just for the fact that I carry a US Passport, but that I care about the direction this country is going in and the well being of its citizens.
After last night's speech at the DNC, I am excited about a possibilty that this nation has produced a leader who can revive the dream and hope I want my kids to have living in this country. It has nothing to do with Obama's race that made last night's speech historical, it was its content. He said everything that I wanted to hear, from the social issues I am passionate about and the foreign policy strategy that has caused so much travesty in the last 8 years.
Throw all the media hype and great oratory skills away, this man is for real (just like the first time I saw him speaking at the Daley Plaza at an anti war rally during my college days when the rest of the Dems were scared to stand up) and millions of American people see that. If it took 8 years of misery to bring this about, I would say that it was almost worthed - but I know better.
Swiftboat that Karl Rove!!!!!!!!
"I am watching the convention, Obama is supposed to speak in an hour."
"Come on, it's all the same BS, politicians doing their thing, promises blah blah they just wanna get elected and then it's all the same. Let's watch the game!"
This is a conversation I had with my buddy, myself being the one watching the convention.
I am neither young and naive to be starstruck by Barack Obama or old and cynical to be indifferent to the upcoming election. I, and noone else in their right frame of mind can afford not paying attention. What has happened to this country in the last 8 years is scary, on all fronts and time is running out if we want to preserve what is left of the great dream and source of hope that my family saw in America when we moved here in 1994. We had a choice to move to any other European country after my native Bosnia-Herzegovina was englufed in a horrible war. Instead, we came to the USA. The Star Spangled Banner that I used to see being raised a lot in the Olympics and the flag that Rocky wrapped himself in when he beat the crap out of Drago - was now my flag. Not to get into the last 14 years of my life here, but I have become a citizen of this country not just for the fact that I carry a US Passport, but that I care about the direction this country is going in and the well being of its citizens.
After last night's speech at the DNC, I am excited about a possibilty that this nation has produced a leader who can revive the dream and hope I want my kids to have living in this country. It has nothing to do with Obama's race that made last night's speech historical, it was its content. He said everything that I wanted to hear, from the social issues I am passionate about and the foreign policy strategy that has caused so much travesty in the last 8 years.
Throw all the media hype and great oratory skills away, this man is for real (just like the first time I saw him speaking at the Daley Plaza at an anti war rally during my college days when the rest of the Dems were scared to stand up) and millions of American people see that. If it took 8 years of misery to bring this about, I would say that it was almost worthed - but I know better.
Swiftboat that Karl Rove!!!!!!!!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
TOOBRRRR
A lesson I simply fail to learn.
Staying in the back is not a good position in a race when you do not have fitness to match any accelerations needed to bridge and jump across bad wheels. Truth be told, I was second to last Cat 5 racer to get his bib number/chip so had to squeeze myself in at the back as the directions were being read (well I gotta have an excuse, the list is getting shorter and I was left to blaming quality of air in Oak Brook)...but still. I lasted 3 laps out of 6 with the pack and when that moment of weakness came, there was noone behind me (by that point the other dozen or so riders who started got dropped). The guy in front of me started jerking his bike around as we rode up the incline and coming down on the descent, when the gap was forming, I seriously thought he was gonna pass out and crash. I was too afraid to jump around him with open traffic in the other lane. I also made some bad nutritional choices - just too many energy food flavors (berry pomegranate vitamin drink on the drive up, odwalla bar, mocha clifshot, lemon lime gatorade in a race bottle) in a stomach that was cramping up and I almost puked. I am still washing away the taste in my mouth as I am writing this, yuck.
The gap was there and that was that. Due to a short course, many overlapping fields and registration problems (chips and all) that delayed and shortened the race, I was asked to hang it up by the official on the motorbike. The pack was no more than 50 m ahead of me but at that point I was gonna take myself out.
I clocked the max speed of 57.4 km/hr (35 something mph), on the 31st St. straightaway, in an attempt to move up a few positions. With that wind, I wanna see what the final sprints looked like for the higher categories.
And so the season pretty much ended. I have undeperformed but at least I raced enough to identify my mistakes and realize that I need to find and follow a training program and learn more about my body and its limits. I am not a high school athlete stressing over his results and performances, but with all the monies going into this I might as well go the extra mile. My HRM is still in the box never been used, so this winter it's time to get hooked up. I plan to learn how to fix/maintain bikes over the winter so I can be self sufficient for repairs and adjustments. Other than than, it's almost fall time, I have 5 days off in a row this week so I think I am going to get out of town and hit the beach to show off my tan lines.
Oh, judging by the Beckham's football kick and that horrible rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" during the closing ceremony, the English better start working on those opening ceremonies right now, because that just sucked.
Staying in the back is not a good position in a race when you do not have fitness to match any accelerations needed to bridge and jump across bad wheels. Truth be told, I was second to last Cat 5 racer to get his bib number/chip so had to squeeze myself in at the back as the directions were being read (well I gotta have an excuse, the list is getting shorter and I was left to blaming quality of air in Oak Brook)...but still. I lasted 3 laps out of 6 with the pack and when that moment of weakness came, there was noone behind me (by that point the other dozen or so riders who started got dropped). The guy in front of me started jerking his bike around as we rode up the incline and coming down on the descent, when the gap was forming, I seriously thought he was gonna pass out and crash. I was too afraid to jump around him with open traffic in the other lane. I also made some bad nutritional choices - just too many energy food flavors (berry pomegranate vitamin drink on the drive up, odwalla bar, mocha clifshot, lemon lime gatorade in a race bottle) in a stomach that was cramping up and I almost puked. I am still washing away the taste in my mouth as I am writing this, yuck.
The gap was there and that was that. Due to a short course, many overlapping fields and registration problems (chips and all) that delayed and shortened the race, I was asked to hang it up by the official on the motorbike. The pack was no more than 50 m ahead of me but at that point I was gonna take myself out.
I clocked the max speed of 57.4 km/hr (35 something mph), on the 31st St. straightaway, in an attempt to move up a few positions. With that wind, I wanna see what the final sprints looked like for the higher categories.
And so the season pretty much ended. I have undeperformed but at least I raced enough to identify my mistakes and realize that I need to find and follow a training program and learn more about my body and its limits. I am not a high school athlete stressing over his results and performances, but with all the monies going into this I might as well go the extra mile. My HRM is still in the box never been used, so this winter it's time to get hooked up. I plan to learn how to fix/maintain bikes over the winter so I can be self sufficient for repairs and adjustments. Other than than, it's almost fall time, I have 5 days off in a row this week so I think I am going to get out of town and hit the beach to show off my tan lines.
Oh, judging by the Beckham's football kick and that horrible rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" during the closing ceremony, the English better start working on those opening ceremonies right now, because that just sucked.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Tickets for cyclists.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-bike-laws-crackdown-webaug22,0,3716423.story
Hey!
Here is an article from yesterday's Tribune. As much as I sympathize with the lack of respect we as cyclists get on the roads, especially when training, I do feel that it is getting kinda congested on the city streets. I drove to Wicker Park last weekend on a friday night and the number of irresponsible cyclists (and those walking their bikes as if though they were fashion accesssories) is disturbing. No helmets, no lights....no brakes in some cases, wearing dark clothes, weaving through traffic......come on. Lakeview/Lincoln Park area is no different, other than they are riding mountain bikes shirtless wearing Cubs hats. More effort needs to go into education of urban cyclists/commuters on proper behaviour in traffic and raise awarness of dangers of urban cycling. It is admirable that more people are getting out and riding but WE SHARE THE ROAD, and there are rules to follow.
I stop at red lights, I try to be a safe defensive cyclist if not for anything but for my own good.
As much as it would suck to get pulled over, I think some people will not get a clue until they have to pay up. Better than losing a life or carrying a burden of taking a life because of someone's lack of good judgement.
Hey!
Here is an article from yesterday's Tribune. As much as I sympathize with the lack of respect we as cyclists get on the roads, especially when training, I do feel that it is getting kinda congested on the city streets. I drove to Wicker Park last weekend on a friday night and the number of irresponsible cyclists (and those walking their bikes as if though they were fashion accesssories) is disturbing. No helmets, no lights....no brakes in some cases, wearing dark clothes, weaving through traffic......come on. Lakeview/Lincoln Park area is no different, other than they are riding mountain bikes shirtless wearing Cubs hats. More effort needs to go into education of urban cyclists/commuters on proper behaviour in traffic and raise awarness of dangers of urban cycling. It is admirable that more people are getting out and riding but WE SHARE THE ROAD, and there are rules to follow.
I stop at red lights, I try to be a safe defensive cyclist if not for anything but for my own good.
As much as it would suck to get pulled over, I think some people will not get a clue until they have to pay up. Better than losing a life or carrying a burden of taking a life because of someone's lack of good judgement.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Not so lucky this time.
It was gonna happen anytime now for sure. Woke up late Saturday morning and skipped the race in Grayslake, enjoyed a nice breakfast at The Grind, and then dressed up for a late morning ride on the lakefront path. By 11 am it was already busy and I rode slowly to avoid any trouble. Just before the Navy Pier on the banked section of the path, I was passing people up above the southbound lane when some kid made a sudden U-turn into me and after a little balancing act I ended up falling over. Scraped my elbow and thigh, but nothing too major. The lifeguard gave me some alcohol pads and gauze and I administered first aid to myself, reminiscing with her about my 3 summers as a Chicago Park District guard. The good old times!
I raced on Sunday in Glencoe, chip timing and all. Thirty plus lined up. Nice course with two narrow turns (#2 and final turn), basically 90 degree on small side streets. You hade to make the turn precisely or you're on the grass. Very first lap, turn #2, guys in front of me go into the turn too fast/wide one hitting the curb and falling on the grass, the other braking in panic and falling over sideways-right in front of me.
I unclipped, stuck my foot out and came to a stop. The speed was low and I kept it up, but had no way to go around as the field sped away. Now, the rule says if you get stuck behind a crash, you chase. So I chased, not succesfully though. This was not what I needed considering all my crappy performances but that's life. I came close to bridging up on the 3rd lap, but at that point I was getting gassed and settled into my own pace riding to finish. Anyway, I finished the race, getting lapped after 26-27 mins of riding solo. They gave me 26th place finish. It sucks but it's all part of the experience.
My evening went much better as I watched Jeepers Creepers (I and II) on Ch.50, had some delicious lentil soup my friend made, and saw Meat Puppets play at the West Fest. Serenity Now!
I raced on Sunday in Glencoe, chip timing and all. Thirty plus lined up. Nice course with two narrow turns (#2 and final turn), basically 90 degree on small side streets. You hade to make the turn precisely or you're on the grass. Very first lap, turn #2, guys in front of me go into the turn too fast/wide one hitting the curb and falling on the grass, the other braking in panic and falling over sideways-right in front of me.
I unclipped, stuck my foot out and came to a stop. The speed was low and I kept it up, but had no way to go around as the field sped away. Now, the rule says if you get stuck behind a crash, you chase. So I chased, not succesfully though. This was not what I needed considering all my crappy performances but that's life. I came close to bridging up on the 3rd lap, but at that point I was getting gassed and settled into my own pace riding to finish. Anyway, I finished the race, getting lapped after 26-27 mins of riding solo. They gave me 26th place finish. It sucks but it's all part of the experience.
My evening went much better as I watched Jeepers Creepers (I and II) on Ch.50, had some delicious lentil soup my friend made, and saw Meat Puppets play at the West Fest. Serenity Now!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)