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July 2006 News Archives

July 05     July 06    July 07    July 10     July 11    July 13    July 17     July 18    July 19    July 20     July 21    July 31

What I am listening to as I type this:  Afroman - Let's All Get Drunk
Most Recent DVD Burned: Airheads

July 31, 2006

I'm back ... that was fun.  I'll do it again .... what did I learn?  Pictures will tell the tale, although I'm not putting them up for a few days, I have about 650 of them and that's entirely too much work when you've been gone for awhile.  I need about 2 days of sleep before I'll be normal again.

I was just looking through my pictures to pick 3 or 4 I could pick to sum up the trip ... but I'd have to have a random sample of about 200 in order to summarize the trip ...

For now, you'll have to live with 3 videos I took ... they're kinda dumb but it's all I'm giving you today....

Jeff and Corey playing with sex toys during a safety meeting (aka, beer stop)

Me following JJ into Coralville rather late on Friday night

This was scriped but I have to entertain myself when driving back to Denver ... I love Bloodhound Gang

What I am listening to as I type this:  Toby Keith & Willie Nelson - Beer For My Horses
Most Recent DVD Burned: Bad Boys

July 21, 2006

I have a new batch of Wil$on pictures, and will have SEVERAL more after RAGBRAI ... so let's start putting up New Wil$on Pix again!! WOO HOO!!  Any new stories are more than welcome ...  Today's picture is from Wil$on's 27th birthday less than two weeks ago.

I forgot the LJ story at home, you will get that when I return in 10 days.  Also, I am delaying the announcement of the official new member of "The Top 5" until I get back as well.  A decision has been made, but she deserves her own news day, and I can't give her that today ...

(1) Sleeping Bag
(1) Sleeping Mat
(1) Tent
(1) Pillow
(6) Cases of New Belgium beer
(4) Bandanas
(9) T-Shirts
(5) Pairs of Shorts
(2) Containers of Sun Screen
(2) Spare Inner-Tubes
(2) Water Bottles
(1) CO2 Cartirdge & pump
(1) 56.5cm Specialized Allez Sport
(0) Pairs of boxers (kidding)
(1) Pair tennis shoes (New Balance 807) and normal pedals
(1) Pair of clipless sandals (Shimano) and clipless pedals (SPD)
(1) Blonde Wig
(1) Pair Elvis Sunglasses
(1) Pair Smith VooDoo Deja Blue sunglasses with 3 pairs of lenses
(1) 4.0 MP Olympus Stylus Verve camera with (4) batteries and (2) memory cards
(2) Cell phones - (1) that works but doesn't charge and (1) that doesn't work but takes a charge with (2) total batteries
(1) Helmet
(1) Pair biking gloves
(1) iPod Nano, loaded
(1) Mini maglight
(2) Chapsicks with SPF
(1) Allen Wrench Set
(1) Bike tube repair kit
(1) towel
(2) garbage bags for wet things
(1) Poncho --- SHIT!! FORGOT MY PONCHO!!!
(1) Rain-type coat
(1) Headlamp with (3) extra AAA batteries
(1) Long-sleeved t-shirt

Can you think of anything else I need?  That's what is sitting in or on Laetitia this very second as she waits for the whistle to blow.

The plan is as follows.  Drive to Des Moines this evening, hoping for a 3am arrival at Nic's place.  Tomorrow I will likely sleep most of the day and go practice on my new clipless pedals, then Scandless is picking me up to steal the beer (got to get it cold for when he meets us in Waukee).  My bus arrives in Ankeny any time between 1-3pm, Scandrett will bring me there and I'll leave Laetitia at Nic's place.  I'd love to stop and see Aly if at all possible at this time, but I'm not sure if I can ... this bus pickup is the only thing that I have to be on time for all week.   Wil$on and the rest of Team Blonde and I will make the drive to Sgt. Bluff, which will likely take a long time.  When I get to Sgt. Bluff Saturday night I will meet up with Dad, Brent, and a few others for awhile then hit the sack.  Ride all day Sunday-Saturday with many stops along the way.  In Waukee we lose Mom, Dad, and Brent, but pick up Scandless and Katie.  We will complete the ride in Muscatine on Saturday, and I will take Nic's Caddy back to Des Moines.  From here I will make the decision as to if I should stay in Des Moines and hang out that night, or drive to Omaha and stay the night ... either way, I'm playing that by ear and am making no plans until next Saturday as I don't want to be tied to anything on this trip.  Sunday I make the long trip back to Denver.

This is looking to be one of the coolest trips ever so far, can't wait to get on the road.  I assure you, the pictures will be plentiful and I will do my best to ensure that it's one of the best batches of pictures fleetmack.com has ever seen ... it'll rank right up there with Kinetics 2003 and the Wetterhorn Peak & Long's Peak climbs.

I hope you have a lovely second half of July, I'll catch ya in August.  I likely won't be online at all during this time, so please don't flood my inbox too badly.  Oh, and by the way, I lied ... in case I die before I get back, I feel it's important for you to know that Alessandra Ambrosio is in the top 5, we'll give a tribue to her beauty sometime in August.

What I am listening to as I type this:  System of a Down - Sad Statue
Most Recent DVD Burned: Air America

July 20, 2006

My head peeled last night, first time that's ever happened.  That is the coolest thing ever ... you produce some really thick pieces of skin when you peel your head.   I wanted to add syrup to them and eat the chunks like waffles.  Well, I hate syrup so I couldn't do that, but I really wanted to.

The official LJ story was written late last night, I will post it tomorrow if I remember to bring it in to work.

Last night was quite productive ... I fixed my gear shifter that seems to go on the fritz every two or three months.  I changed my oil.  I got a couple loads of laundry done.  I got my car aligned and new tires put on, so Laetitia is ready to journey back to Iowa tomorrow after work.

Tonight I need to pack up everything, go buy some sandal biking shoes and another pair of biking shorts, clean my car on the inside, load up the Nano with a bunch of tunes, and make some new MP3 cd's for the trip (Namely with the new S.O.A.D. albums and American V).   I'm taking my medicine and stopped with the painkillers this morning, but the throat still feels like shit.  I'm convinced I'll be fine come Sunday, giddy up!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the finalists for "The Top 5".  A winner has been selected, and will be announced tomorrow to join Laetitia, Krista, Brooke, and Jessica in this very exclusive club of the 5 most gorgeous women on Earth (who aren't named "Library Jennifer").

Famke Janssen

Alessandra Ambrosio

Eva Mendes

What I am listening to as I type this:  The Cars(?) - Take On Me (not sure who sings it)
Most Recent DVD Burned: Chicken Run

July 19, 2006

If I still did the MP3 of the day, it'd be dedicated to our Commander in Chief today.   It would be Chimaira's Power Trip.  I knew he was going to do this, just knew it.  One of the issues I believe we need to explore more than anything, and of course, he uses his first veto in over 5 years against.  Maybe we should spend the money to go to Mars.  Fucking moron.

I'm sick.  I didn't go to work this morning but am here now.  I got a ton of antibiotics, and the doctor even prescribed me Vicodin -- for my throat, that's how bad it is.  As he said, "It looks like a massive fireball" ... only with puss and such.  It's nasty.  So this very minute I have 2 Vicodin and 4 ibuprofin in me, and I can function.  I've been up since 3:00 as I couldn't sleep.   Luckily this happened right before RAGBRAI :-/

I have lots to do at work, and lots to do outside of work before I can get out of this state for 10 days, so let me work on that right quick, I'll holler atcha tomorrow, when I will again show up to work stoned on Vicodin.

OOO!! Wait, if anyone has advice for (clipless) sandals vs. shoes for my new clipless pedals on my bike, let me know.  I haven't bought any yet but am leaning towards the sandals ... bad idea, good idea?  Hmmm ....

What I am listening to as I type this:  The Pointer Sisters - I'm So Excited
Most Recent DVD Burned: Demolition Man

July 18, 2006

This is the second time I've heard this song in the same day, once on this new radio station I'm listening to (as I'm boycotting KBPI) and the other was on XM on my way home.   I doubt I've ever heard this song twice in the same month, let alone 24 hour interval.

I'm very busy right now, and am getting sick.  Great timing on getting sick, right?  Karma, karma.

What I am listening to as I type this:  Prodigy - Firestarter
Most Recent DVD Burned: Seven (not sure why, I hate that movie)

July 17, 2006

I'm drinking a Diet Pepsi right now.  I have no water bottle at work today and this has been sitting on my desk since last week as it came in some box lunch I got at work.  I don't drink pop, and I completely remember why.  This shit is garbage.   It tastes like I'm drinking syrup that is working hard at destroying my teeth and making my stomach all bubbly.  Pop is the devil, I will not be finishing this garbage excuse for a beverage.

I may be repeating myself here, but let me quickly tell you the truthful reason I don't drink pop.  As many of you know, I have a lifelong obsession with a girl I nicknamed "Library Jennifer" .... ah hell .... I'm just going to write this as a story and post it on the stories page ... look for it later this week if I find time.

That was a kickarse weekend.  Thursday night I drove down to the Bonanza Inn B&B to meet up with Wendl and the C-Town boys.  Chilled by the fire Thursday night, Friday we went 4-wheeling all day ... had an interesting time when our Jeep broke down, but we were able to get very lucky with the situation and rig up a quick fix.  Friday night we went fishing, caught a bunch of trout.  Headed back to the B&B, grilled up some eats, chilled by the fire, had a few shastas, and called it a night.  Saturday morning we did the whole breakfast thing, then we helped Dave for awhile in the building of his new additions he's putting in behind the place, should be really cool when it's done.  Got back to Denver around 2pm on Saturday.

Hart & Boka arrived around 6pm on Saturday night.  We chilled at the apartment for awhile, then went down to the Tavern where we met up with Sully, Stibal, and a bunch of other ISU guys ... closed the bar down.  Yesterday we dicked around all morning and went to CB & Potts for lunch ... ended up staying there for about 8 hours playing foosball and Silver Strike, then went to Bob's to order pizza and watch Anchorman.   I think the guys are going cliff-diving today in the mountains somewhere, I'm working.  Going to the Grizz tonight and those guys are going to the CSNY show at Red Rocks on Tuesday.

I leave for RAGBRAI on Friday after work, I'm in great shape for it.  I'm hoping to ride my bike to work on both Wednesday and Thursday this week to get some final prep miles in.  That should put me around 400 miles of training, not too bad.  I was at New Belgium last week, they are sort of co-sponsoring us in a way, they gave me 5 cases of beer (Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle, 1554) and a case of 22oz Fat Tire ... along with a few 6ers for my own fridge :)  I may have to swing up there later this week to pick up some t-shirts and such, we'll see.

Laetitia is back and in full effect, she looks awesome.  The guys at Hond-Automotive did a spectacular job, so my hats go off to them.  I ended up +$800 on the deal between opting for a cash-out and finding my own tech, and for cashing out & not taking 4 days of car rental.  It all went to my Discover Card; it basically paid off my expenses I had when I ran over that tire last month, and paid off about 1/3 of my bike as well.  That being said, I'd like to offer an open invitation for any and all insured drivers to rear-end me at any time with 2 provisions involved:
A) Please do not hit me to the point where the damage will total my car out (according to Safeco (the insurance company of the guy who hit me a few weeks ago) my car is totaled at $4000)
B) Please do not injure anyone, including yourself.

Laetitia really steps it up when gas prices are running expensive (she's currently getting 33mpg).  Over my analysis of over 150K miles I've tracked the last 7 years in my excel spreadsheet, the two best gas stations for gas mileage for my car have proven to be Sinclair in Golden, and the Diamond Shamrock on 72nd and Sheridan in Westminster/Arvada.  The new best gas station in the greater Denver metro area for Laetitia is the Shell station at 92nd and Wads in Westminster.  I've never gotten under 27mpg (regardless of my driving conditions) when filling at that station.  The worst is still every Amoco/BP gas station, those are awful averaging at a horrendous 24mpg.

Yes, I'm a dork.  Have a great week.

What I am listening to as I type this:  Smash Mouth - Heave-Ho
Most Recent DVD Burned: Seven (not sure why, I hate that movie)

July 13, 2006

0-3 today.  Translation:  I've turned on KBPI 3 times and each time Disturbed was playing.  I'm officially boycotting and never listening to that damn station again.

WAY too busy for this today, maybe tomorrow.... we'll see.

What I am listening to as I type this:  Smash Mouth - Heave-Ho
Most Recent DVD Burned: Seven (not sure why, I hate that movie)

, 2006

It's over ... the World Cup is over.  I thought I'd be thrilled but they don't stop fucking talking about it!! Do I need to inform every and all news station that it's SOCCER!! It's gay and I'm sick of hearing about it, and here I am worsening the problem by talking about it more ... humph.

In other news, a Republican actually did something cool for once.  Gov. Bill Owens passed House Bills 1017 and 1023 ... I really didn't see that coming.  Nice work, bud.

In similar yet unrelated news, the devil (Karl Rove) has announced that President Bush will likely decimate any and all good current Republican thoughts in my head (created by Owens' bill passing) by likely using his first ever veto to smash out the Senate and House approved (well, the Senate hasn't yet approved it, but they will) measure to expand federal funding for stem-cell research (something I am an enormous supporter of).  I again think G.W. is putting his personal beliefs over doing the right thing.  I guess "we" voted for someone's beliefs for what is best for our country, but in my honest opinion, I think his religious beliefs play a large part in his choice.  Apparently he didn't get the memo regarding separation of church & state.

Enough complaining, I just needed to vent a bit.  Laetitia is still getting body work done after she took it from behind (aka, got rear-ended), so I commuted to work via the Specialized Allez Sport again today.  Last night I finally put my lock and new bag on it, this thing is turning out to be quite the bike.  I lost one of my water bottles on the way home last night, not sure how that happened.  Either way, I'm hoping to get Laetitia back tonight.

Tonight is the pancake breakfast.  Tomorrow is the staff retreat, so there will be no update most likely.  Thursday I have a webcast meeting with Sungard in the morning, so look for your next update to be Thursday afternoon or Friday morning ... oh - and someone have a burrito for me tomorrow since I can't.

What I am listening to as I type this:  Chicago - Look Away
Most Recent DVD Burned: Seven (not sure why, I hate that movie)

July 10, 2006

I realized I never told you what an idiot I am.  Last Thursday I drove to work with intentions of riding my bike home from work.  I placed my bike on top of my car, but forgot to put the front tire in my car, and I ended up running it over.  After 2 days at the bike shop, they were able to fix me up for $28, so I was pleased, but I haven't ridden my bike in 10 days.  Needless to say, I will be riding hardcore this week.  Laetitia goes to the shop today to get fixed.  I opted to get a cash-out instead of a rental car, and I'll just ride my bike to and from work until I get her back.   I figure this'll save gas $$ and I get a pretty penny for not getting a rental car for 4 days.

I realized, however, that my snowboard is in extreme danger.  Every mode of transportation I have, other than my boards, have suffered a major setback in the last 12 months.  Laetitia getting in an accident, riding over my bicycle, shattering my ankle ... I'd better keep those boards out of harm's way.  Hopefully Tim is taking good care of my old board, haven't seen him in awhile.

My weekend was pretty good.  After running a few errands on Friday, I went out for a couple beers with the crew at BW3's, then went home and to bed by 10ish.  Saturday I woke up around 3:00a.m. and went with Jacob to climb Huron Peak.  We successfully summitted our third 14er of the summer while climbing in dense fog and rain.  Trip report and pictures are up.  By the way, I realize a lot of you wonder why I put such trivial details in my trip report, such as directions, total time, 4wd and road conditions, etc.  This is for the simple fact that I cross-post my trip reports in several online 14er forums which try to inform people who regularly climb what to expect.   They need to know what to bring, what conditions are present, how to get there, and what kind of car was needed.  All of these things vary from year to year even if done on the same date, so being thorough is absolutely necessary.  That's just an FYI.

After the hike Saturday, I tried (unsuccessfully) to sleep for a few hours, then went to BW3's solo-style to have a few beers, then called it an early night.  Sunday I got up bright and early and hammered out my list of "things to do" ... destroyed it.   Got a surprise text last night about a next-to-free meal at The Melting Pot with a friend and her co-workers.  Kickass place, never been there -- but the meal was very similar to the one Juan and I made for Jess and Coco for V-Day 2005.  So I did that, then went to see the new Superman movie.  The new Superman movie is fucking gay.  I will say that the guy who plays Superman did a good job, as did Kevin Spacey -- and I thought both were bad casting choices before seeing the movie.  They proved me wrong.   The plot was just ridiculous, they focused too much on special effects and didn't address the hardcore descrepencies in the story line.  I was impressed with myself for noticing Cyclops was in the movie ... that guy is close to being typecast as the boyfriend of the love interest of our hero ... but he's gotten to make out with Famke, so I think he's a very cool guy.

I've got a busy week at work.  Tomorrow night is the pancake breakfast (Anchorman slang for "wing night" at BW3's, "we do it every month" (er, week)).  Other than that, no plans this week.  Going to shoot guns and ride 4-wheelers with the Wendl clan down in Bonanza this weekend again.  Hart, Boka, Sully, and maybe Wil$on are coming on Saturday for a 3-4 day stint, they're in town for the CSNY concert ... I'm not attending but will surely be hanging with them a ton.

12 days until RAGBRAI ...

What I am listening to as I type this:  Metallica - For Whom the Bell Tolls
Most Recent DVD Burned: Shawn of the Dead

July 7, 2006

Before.  Bzzzzz bzzzzzz bzzzzz go the clippers.  I felt like the guy on The Wall last night as I kept going to a shorter and shorter attachment.  After.

I actually have less hair than that right now ... I went one more attachment, bad idea.  Forgot to take a picture last night so I just took that one now.  Yeah I know I'm going bald, I've known it for upwards of 2 years now, and I care about as much as I care about the soccer game tonight.  Anyways, I'm trying to decide if I should Bic it or let it grow back, I'm open for suggestions.

If anyone can tell me what is causing this, I'll give you $5.  But don't count on that, I still haven't given Luke his gold buillon cubes for sending me the link of Jeremy Shockey prematurely celebrating at Qwest Field last year.

Huron Peak shall be climbed tomorrow ... you can be jealous all you want, but the fact will still stand that I'll be at an elevation of 14,003 feet around 9a.m. tomorrow and you will not be.  It shall not be the most exciting climb in the world, but it'll put me at 3 14ers on the season so far.  Others this year I will be doing that are set in stone:

Tabegauche & Shavano (1 day, 2 14ers)
Mt. of the Holy Cross
Kit Carson or Crestone Peak (over Labor Day)

...then I have to pick one more this year to meet my goal.   August will likely be a busy month, with climbing taking place each weekend.

Have a good one.

What I am listening to as I type this:  Opie & Anthony
Most Recent DVD Burned: Shawn of the Dead

July 6, 2006

**New June & July Colorado Pictures are up

**Hiking pictures can all (still) be found here

Weekend plans:  Climb another 14er ... ride bike a lot.  RAGBRAI is creepin' on a come up, and Lance Armstrong is now riding it.  Weird.

I'll leave you today with the lyrics of one of the new Stone Sour songs, because as usual, their new music is just insanely kickass.  This is a song he (rumor has it) wrote for his wife, Through Glass:

I'm looking at you through the glass
Don't know how much time has passed
Oh God it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like I'm
sitting all alone inside your head

How do you feel, that is the question
But I forget, you don't expect an easy answer
When something like a soul becomes initialized
And folded up like paper dolls and little notes
You can't expect to bitter folks
And while you're outside looking in
Describing what you see
Remember what you're staring at is me

'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass
Don't know how much time has passed
All I know is that it feels like forever
When no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

How much is real, so much to question
An Epidemic of the mannequins
Contaminating everything
When thought came from the heart
It never did right from the start
Just listen to the noises
No more sad voices
Before you tell yourself
It's just a different scene
Remembering is just different from what you've seen

I'm looking at you through the glass
Don't know how much time has passed
And all I know is that it feels like forever
When no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

And it's the stars
The stars that shine for you
And it's the stars
The stars that lie to you

I'm looking at you through the glass
Don't know how much time has passed
Oh God it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass
Don't know how much time has passed
All I know is that it feels like forever
But no one ever tells you that forever
Feels like home, sitting all alone inside your head

What I am listening to as I type this:  Ron & Fez
Most Recent DVD Burned: Shawn of the Dead

July 5, 2006

Spectacular 4th of July weekend ... that was majorly kickass.  After our company picnic on Friday, I picked up Aaron from the Airport and we headed downtown for a short while, home by 11:00 or so as we had to get up early on Saturday.  Saturday morning we got up, packed, got Jacob and Miriah, met up with Ryan, Derek, and KayDee and drove to Buena Vista, where we rafted Brown's Canyon.  (Pictures from Ryan's camera are up, but mine aren't up yet) ... had a good time ....

After rafting, we packed up shop and drove about 2 hours to Gunnison, where we checked in at the Quality Inn for the night.  We had dinner and a few Buds at Mario's Pizza, went to the hotel, and crashed.  VERY early on Sunday morning we checked out and drove 2 more hours to the Matterhorn Creek Trailhead where we proceeded to climb Wetterhorn Peak.  Pictures and trip report are posted.  Best climb I've been on since Long's -- possibly better than Long's.

After the hike, we made the long (6 hour) drive back to Denver, relaxed for a bit, then went out to eat and for drinks until midnight or so.  Monday we woke up and had lunch at La Boheme, chilled on the 16th St. mall for awhile ... headed over to Sport's Column and Giggling Grizzly, came back home to change, then went back down to the same two bars for the rest of the night.  Yesterday we were pretty exhausted so we just rested until it was time to bring Aaron to the airport.  After that I chilled out for a few hours, then went and met Rikelle and Ian (and about 200 of Ian's family!) at the park ... drank 2 or 3 beers (illegally) and played some volleyball ... then came the rain, and holy shit did it ever come!  I helped those guys clean up shop, then went to meet Andy and Bob at BW2's for a short while ... watched fireworks from the porch of BW2's, went home, and now here I sit on burrito day.

Picture of the day is my favorite one from the hike ... yup yup.  Holy shit am I exhaused from this insane weekend.

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