Glad for a 3 day weekend! It's been raining a lot lately, so I haven't biked since last weekend. But I am definitely getting some biking in this weekend!

New job is going fine -- just getting my sea legs at the new place. I think I will like it!


Hung out with H this week to have Caipirinhas! We were supposed to bike, but alas, rain. So, we made the best of it ;)

Also had dinner with some friends in the neighborhood last night -- fun dinner, and one of them is about the only developer I know that would understand why I found this article on "Objectivist C" funny!


The same thing that makes me like my arts and crafts house is also what makes me like 'cottage gardens' -- with the flower bunched up and spilling out. I have friends where everything is all cut and proper, but I like my jungle outside!

Poppies (single orange bloom to the far left), Mexican Evening Primrose (pink), Coreopsis (yellow), and some remaining rose blooms --



Although I did not get down to Brazil as part of my last job, I'm still doing my Pimsleur Portuguese audio lessons in the car! You know, the product is pretty good -- without any practice with a real live person, I think I have come a long way with the language!

The Brazilian version of the language speaks to me in the way that French does. English and Spanish are both very utilitarian and do not speak to me...

Gosh, the pronouns give me trouble sometimes! The same pronoun is spelled completely differently sometimes!

I figure I might schedule a vacation to there later this year!

Nice weekend...Yesterday, rode 48 miles with P -- dayummm, that was a hard ride for me -- I have been recovering ever since!

I totally bonked and could only muster about 15 mph...I think I didn't eat properly before or during the ride, and also I'm still healing from the fall a couple weeks ago. But, wow...I did not expect to be so tired from that ride!

Although I was tired, I went to the Lebanese Food Festival with J. I ate a lot and it was nice to keep up the tradition of going every couple years...

Today, Maymont with K. Took a few pics there...






The Grotto --


And the Japanese Gardens --

Now that Hugenot Bridge is being torn down in favor of a modern bridge, it got me to thinking that I hope we can save some of our other older bridges -- like this railroad bridge next to the Powhite Parkway. (The other bridge I have in mind is the Mayo....)


I used Instagram on the pic -- I think this has a bit of 'postcard' look to it...



A couple of trains rolled over while I was there --





I guess it is 'too expensive' to build bridges like this anymore...or maybe our modern aesthetic doesn't really allow for these. I'm okay with modern looking bridges, as long as we can preserve some of the older ones too!





Pictures from Pumphouse Park --

I had signed up to ride the 100 mile Cap2Cap yesterday...but considering that I am still black and blue and sore from last week's accident (and considering that it's only been a week since the concussion), I decided to downgrade to the 50. I will probably do a 100 miler later in the year, maybe the Heart of Va ride.

I am pleased with the 17.1 mph average for the 50 miles -- I was struggling, partly because I'm still out of shape, and partly because I am healing. This is the friend I rode with.

I was freezing at the start of the race, and was totally overdressed by the end (2 layers and long gloves...)


Cue sheet --



I've been off a few days, but they have not been as relaxing as I had hoped. It wasn't enough time to schedule a vacation. And I couldn't think of any spots within driving distance that I wanted to visit. And because of the bruising, I couldn't walk for very long. So, I sorta just hung out in the house and around town. Here are some pics from having lunch and walking along the river --







A friend and I saw the Avengers movie the other night at Cinebistro. It was my first time at Cinebistro -- very nice seats and nice to eat and drink while watching the movie!

THe friend bought me a cupcake at Pearl's -- it has mascarpone and I think she said Gorgonzola in the icing. And that's a piece of basil at the top. It was surprisingly good - the strawberry glaze sweetened everything up.


Fountain over at Stony Point --

In celebration of the last day at my current gig, I decided to have a 'Friday' eye candy post. Although I liked my team a lot, the current gig just wasn't a good match for me -- was causing me stress that I just don't want in my life now.

I'm a 'rip the band-aid off' sorta guy -- if it's not working out, I say move on quickly and don't let the wound get infected. So, I'm heading off to a new gig soon!

Bike Crash

We did a 62 mile ride on Saturday. Sadly, about 41 miles into the ride, someone's pit bull rushed us! It all happened very suddenly, with no time to react. The guy behind me fishtailed, but controlled the bike. I was not so lucky!

I actually ended up with a concussion and no memory of the ride from 2 miles before to about 3 miles after the crash -- the only memory I have of the crash is this image of a dog galloping towards me from the left.

It was a bad fall -- I was 'knocked the fuck out' for about 5 minutes. When I came to, I remember not being able to stand -- and the guys I was biking with confirmed that.

The helmet did its job. It cracked on impact, which I think they are supposed to do to absorb impact. I have this bruise on my butt that is SO BAD -- angry blue turning to angry red right now. I also have an assortment of other aches and pains.

After the crash, I got back on the bike and rode the last 20 miles -- which may not have been my wisest move. But I did go to the hospital that night to get a CT scan to make sure there no brain bleeding.

Knock wood, but I think I'm okay. Just healing.


Friends brought me pasta to eat. This was much appreciated since I really didn't feel like cooking! I've been eating on it since! And it's been nice that friends and family are calling and stopping by to check on me.


This picture from the ride looked better in my mind than it actually does in the pic. Those are water lilies, but it just looks swampy!

Other Stuff

Mexican Evening Primrose from the yard --


Sky pic when I was out for a walk the other night --


Listening to the new Scissor Sisters romp --

The roses have been blooming --





Over the years, all the rhododendrons which were here when I moved in plus any of the replacements I planted all died. Except for this one here, that has gotten larger and larger.





I went for a walk in the park the other night. This Mulberry was loaded, so I ate some. Friends seemed surprised when I told them later, asking 'are you still alive?' as if I would have eaten some killer berry.









Bellevue Arch --



I was hanging out waiting for someone the other day at PF Changs --

In honor of my Brazilian (project management) heritage, I am making Caipirinhas today. And I am a bit tipsy.

They are quite delicious -- like an alcoholic lime-aid, lol!

It's made of Cachaça liquor, raw sugar, lime slices, and cracked ice.

I probably used too many lime slices in this one --

Hung out with friends at the local GLBT Happy Hour tonight. Then, Deege and I had dinner.



Dividing wall in the parking deck --

Life goes on....nothing spectacular going on...spending time with friends, handling stuff...

Just gave my notice at the current gig -- WAS.NOT.A.GOOD.MATCH! OMG! Looking forward to the new gig. This is something that had to happen -- I was considering taking some more time off...I made an agreement with myself a long time ago, that I would not put up with unpleasant work for very long. Luckily this time, I found a new gig before I took time off.


I don't take care of my roses very well anymore. I mean, who has time? Between biking, work, social life...but the roses still reward me :)


Biking at the park last night...


Using an old soap dispenser as a vase -

We headed over to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden today.

Inside the Children's Treehouse --







They had some activities going on -- eye candy standing next to a bike :) --





I saw something like this in the Phoenix Botanical Garden a few years back. It's not my favorite looking thing, but is interesting to go inside --



And, of course, some flower pics --

Biked over to the Pumphouse to take some pics today --

Sadly, we only did a 35 mile ride Sunday, when our goal was 50...the Century in May is going to be very, very long....I'm a bit worried...

This may be turning into a photoblog :)

I usually wear a hat when I'm cleaning...don't know why -- it's just something I do...


J over one night to tell me about his recent trip to China --


One of the things I like about my house is the light that comes in sometimes -- I noticed the 'glow' in the foyer tonight --


I'm bad at drawing, but I enjoying playing with the 'Paper' app on the iPad --

Today was a nice day. I had a dentist appointment this morning, then a different appointment at a restaurant at Noon. So, I decided to just take the day off. After my appointments, I took a nice nap, then got a bike ride in.


I'm having trouble getting the seat adjusted for those dratted new cleats...it's a hate-hate relationship with the cleats right now. I'm sure I'll get used to them like everyone else, but I kinda hate them right now, lol!

When I'm on night rides, I always worry that the battery will die on my light, so I tend to have multiple lights. I have a bigger light on the handlebar, an additional smaller one on the handlebar, 2 lights blinking in back, and now this helmet light --



Palm trees at the restaurant today -- I figure I can pretend I'm on vacation if I take pics of Palms against a blue sky --



When I was cutting the grass the other day, I just tilted the phone up and took a couple of pics. The house is not this yellow -- it's just the Instagram filter --





A friend recently visited China, and this was the souvenir that he brought back. I like this nice set of chopsticks. And the box feels very substantial!



Flowers from the yard -- The first is a rose (roses are not doing well this year, since I have not cared for them at all), and then a native (to VA) azalea. It has a flowering fragrance.




The poppies have started blooming --

Had dinner with my family at my sister's house today. Am completely stuffed, but found room for the last Peeps of the season!


Great nephews --

Bryan Park

Walked around this morning while car's oil was being changed.


Woodpecker --












All the young pines were covered in webs!

Moon

After a friend an I went to dinner and drinks last night, I noticed how beautiful the moon was...

Cleats, new shoes, new pedals

The big news is that when I broke one of the pedals on the road bike, I decided to switch to 'clipless', as they are called.

First, cleats attach to the the shoes. Then, the cleats lock down onto the pedals. So, your foot is locked onto the bike pedal, meaning you get lift as well as pushing on the pedals.

I didn't believe the hype about the 'greater efficiency' of the 'clipless'. But really, I have to admit I was wrong. The cleats ARE much easier -- that extra boost you get on the uplift really helps. The ride today was much easier.

It does change things a bit. You have to learn how to quickly un-clip. The guy at the bike store told me to kick my heels out to unclip. That works on the right foot. But on the left, I can't seem to twist my leg that much -- maybe it's the plate, screws and pins in the ankle (courtesy of the unfortunate incident from several years ago).

Or maybe the cleat just needs some adjusting. Not sure. In any event, I kick IN on the left to unclip.

Pic of the old cages --


New pedals. These are called "light action Speedplay pedals" --


Shoes and pedals. The shoes have the cleats attached to the sole --

Pics from Yard

Spirea --

I like this rendition of the song...although let's be truthful -- voices on Glee are very, very processed. But I like the rhythm of this song, and 2 cute guys singing it --


I broke one of the cages on my pedals on the ride tonight. I sort of liked being the 'old fashioned' guy who used cages. But now, I have to decide whether to trade up to the special shoes and the pedals that the shoes clip into...


Spring pics. Dogwood out back --


Still playing Draw Something with K. She got it easily. I posted this on Facebook, and it seemed hard -- only one person guessed KFC...P wanted to know why I made the chicken a quadruped. Everybody's a critic :/