A Funny Thing Happened...

A funny thing happened today on our way to Multnomah Falls, not funny Ha Ha, but funny kind of weird. Anyone who rides out the Old Scenic Highway expects to have a mostly solitaire ride mixed in with a few Freds (club riders who don't realize they have no business on a race quality bike while wearing a Livestrong kit) and a couple cars every so often. On a glorious weekend such as this one, one would expect to have a moderate increase in cyclist and a little more than moderate increase in automobile traffic. Typically the imagery would be something along the lines as I have pictured bellow.

(Random person on a bike on the Scenic Highway)

Today, however, my riding companions and I were shocked to find ourselves in the middle of a Cat 1/2 friendly ride. It looked something more along like this...

(Cherry Pie Cat-3 Field, photo from Pat Malach of Oregon Cycling Action)

To say the least it was quite out of the ordinary to run into a couple dozen of the top riders from the Portland metro (including at least one local pro) having a friendly duke out on the highway. While we mixed in for a little while, we were more or less chauffeured to the back of the group and given the impression that we should stay more or less on the back where we wouldn't get in the way. While this may seem a bit strong, it is actually common procedure for visitors of a group ride to hang on the back out of the way. Either way we were thankful for the free draft, high speeds, and quick arrival to our destination. I must say it's refreshing to see how smoothly the top riders move in a tight group in comparison to the clown like carnage inducing hell that is cat-4 racing.

After a brief snack and arm stretch, we turned our bikes back towards Portland and began the slog back up to the top of Crown Point. Again to our pleasant surprise, we found ourselves feasting on another strange sight. A large caravan of Volkswagen Camper Vans and Buses along with some beautiful classics and some stranger less common vehicles. I think I counted around 20 VWs all worth taking a long glance at. Very Cool.

(Not from the group, but representative of what we saw)

Last but not least, I have had another job interview with similar results to the first one, no job offer. This one was with what I would consider to be my largest competitor in my current position.


While there was no job offer at the end of the interview, I was received very positively and I found out a couple weeks later, that shortly after my interview the position was put on hold due to "Business Needs." Typically when a job is put on hold due to business needs at large companies in the middle of interviews, it means there is a temporary hiring freeze. I have emailed with the job recruiter and she has indicated that she will be in touch with me once the freeze has been lifted so I am keeping a positive attitude on the mater and hoping for the best. So hopefully in the near future things will become Jobtastic!

It's Glorious!

3 days in Tucson and I am thinking of moving back, not seriously, but it has been glorious. But, not everything is glorious, traffic is terrible here.

THANKS TO JOEL FOR THE CRAPPY PHOTO!

So far 3 days of riding in the sun with a little over 200 miles, 240 miles left to turn.

ROAD TRIP!

It's hard to believe, but it has been almost two years since the last time Ky, Kona, and I went for what I would qualify as a road trip. Growing up in the middle seat of a minivan with a Dog, 3 siblings, 2 parents, and way more luggage than room taught me two things. 1. How to cram more crap in a small space than a clepto at a flea market. 2. How to deal with endless hours of boredom in Central California and Southern Arizona. After nearly a two year break, it's time to load up the SUV and head to the Southwest for some much needed sun and fun. The 23 hr, 1400 mile drive, will melt away in no time as it gets warmer and drier.


While the 10 day forecast is not perfect, even with a 30% chance of rain on our first full day down there, the average temp is going to be 15-20 degrees warmer with a lot fewer clouds.

For our drive down, Ky is ecstatic that we will be returning to Pea Soup Andersons, a truckstop/motel on the side of the road somewhere an hour South of Sacramento (for the last 86 years and counting). If you think I am being facetious about Ky looking forward to this, check out the photo from 2 years ago (sorry about the quality, camera phone).


Yep, a novelty head cut-out photo featuring the two "Mascots" of Split Pea Andersons; Pea-Wee and Hap-Pea. Kind of the Odd Couple of split pea soup. Since I was snapping the photo, I am not filling in the role of Hap-Pea in the photo.

Once in Tucson, Joel and Drew will be joining me for a daily bike ride and whatever shenanigans we can find.

We may visit a National Park, an underground cave system, head South of the border to Nogales Mexico, and if everyone behaves the world famous (I'm serious about world famous) Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. If there is time, we may even eat at the same Mexican restaurant (Mi Nidito) that President Clinton gorged himself at on a visit to The Old Pueblo. It's rumored that the tab was well over $100 ($8 for a burrito) for his meal alone, what is unclear, is who picked it up?

Ironically, in the 20ish years I lived in Tucson, I have only done one of those things on that list, I'll leave you to speculate as to what it is that I have done. At the end of each day we should be treated to a fabulous poolside sunset, even if we don't go in the pool.


Hasta La Vista, Baby!

A Tradition!

Almost...For over a year now my Portland adaptive family of Drew, Joel, Matt, and I have been playing board games about once a month to make up for the fact that we no longer go "out drinking" anymore. The tradition actually started up as a monthly dinner club sans games but with a focus on rich foods and drinks, our waists and significant others deemed it unhealthy so we scaled back on the foods and added games. However, over time, the meals became more elaborate with each host trying to out do the previous host (without acknowledging it). Eventually game night became derailed once Drew offered up a surf and turf featuring lobster and fillet Mignon (just kidding, it was a rib eye).



Okay I am lying again, there was no surf & turf and it may not have even been Drew, but there was definitely an arms race of culinary superiority. I don't know who won, but our waist lines certainly suffered.

However, there is a happy ending, game night is back. This week we have included significant others as well as Dar, Kim, and Gregor, unfortunately Joel will not be available. Eight will be our largest game night yet, we look to play a game like Cranium or Trivial Pursuit.

Since Drew is hosting, he dealt out the assignments for the accouterments of the meal, I was told to bring a desert. So I present to you the last photo of a shot of espresso on this Blog (I promise) with the real desert strawberry shortcake.


However, since this was just a trial of the shortcake I baked, the strawberries and whip cream are missing. But don't you worry, they'll be there tomorrow.

Now that I have told you how great game night is, it is by the way, would you like to join us? We are now accepting applications for substitute players and cooks. Oh, and if you are good in the kitchen there is a point bonus on the application.

Smack Down!

There isn't anything I could say that Mr. Olbermann didn't (that would be worth saying).

Well Said!