apple juice

Further solidifying my place as one of the stranger people at my place of employment… I rolled up to work today on my mountain bike. I was the only person in the building of about 300 employees that rode to work today. The trip from my garage to work took 14 minutes. This is quite amazing because it takes me 10 minutes door to door to drive there in my car.

And the car, why was I not driving it to work today? Well, I dropped off my car yesterday at Park Place VW for it’s routine 20,000 mile service. There was no estimate of time needed to complete the car, but I assumed (you should never assume) that it would be done by the end of the day, or at least I could call in the mid-afternoon and find out the status.

Well, long story short, I didn’t hear from them and couldn’t get ahold of the service person I spoke with. Got a ride home last night from a friend, and I biked to work this morning.

I biked to work on principle basically, as another co-worker put it, so I could tell the dealership, “I had to ride my bike to work today!”. On the other hand, I enjoyed riding my bike in. I just need to give my self ten more minutes for a slightly more leisurely ride, and remember to pack a lunch and I’ll be ready to go. Anyone want to take me to lunch today?

A couple weeks ago I had a lunchtime conversation with another co-worker about riding my bike around when I was studying abroad in Sweden. In the town where I lived, Lulea, you could ride your bike everywhere. It was almost as if the town was designed for it. Not only that, but the population there is on the same order as Rochester (~70,000 vs. ~90,000) We wondered about the lack of bike trails, and general friendliness towards bikers in this country. We solved nothing and simply shook our fists at the Rochester Urban Planner, (if there is one… if not they should hire me as a consultant… I’m a master at SimCity).

It’s happened to me, and I’ve heard stories from friends and family about getting honked at, swerved at, cursed at and generally harrassed while riding their bikes around towns. Why do people have to be like that? I don’t understand. I know that around Minneapolis they have bike lanes on many of the streets, but as my brother says, you’re risking death anytime you venture into one.

So I biked to work today… will I tomorrow? Sure I’d like to, but if I have my car back, I won’t guarantee it. The weather is getting cold!

While I usually feel comfortable sharing personal details on my site, (bowel movements, flatulence) I tend to shy away from posting details about my family and friends around me….

However…

The news is up over on John’s site, and I just wanted to say congratulations, and best wishes to my big little brother and his new fiance!

We have been all wondering when it may happen, and John, you’ve snookered all of us! Congratulations!

I’m very proud, and happy to say, I just found out my friend Doug Swanson won the
Chequamegon Fat Tire 40!

Going into the Firetower Climb, the hardest climb on the course with ten miles to go, Swanson led by over five minutes, but he had no idea he was that far ahead. ìI didnít let up because I didnít know where I was,î he said. ìIíd look back on the straights, and I couldnít see anyone.î

Doug set a course record, besting the previous record by over 3 minutes, and beating the nearest competitor by over 7 minutes.

Not only did he win the Fat Tire 40, but he also won the Cable Criterium as well!

Congratulations Doug!

Ah… It’s good to be a Rochester-ite these days. I’ve just received some wonderful, wonderful news.

Chipotle is coming to town.

My dining prayers have been answered.

Unsubstantiated (co-worker’s husband talks to a man on the bus who keeps up on this sort of stuff) reports indicate that in the new strip by Target, Chipotle will be moving in.

I will work to verify this info, updates coming…

My family likes to dance around all silly like.

Add some polka, and we really get crazy!

My little bro works at a girls camp in the summer. (rough life, eh?) They usually have the latest and greatest in water and boat toys for the girls every summer.

It turns out… the Tube of Death was a little too wild for them

It’s the fourth of july and I just shot my greatest round ever. 46 and 49 = 95 at Northern Hills here in Rochester.

That was about the best way I could spend my 4th seeing as my Lady is at work tonight 🙁

Not only did I shoot my best round ever… It was Free! I called to see if they were even open, and the guy said, “I’ll be gone by the time you get here, so just play as long as you like.”

I played through the first nine in 1h20m, and decided I might as well try and finish it off. In ever increasing darkness, I par’ed the last hole and I was happy 🙂

2h30m to play the entire 18, which is pretty dang quick if you ask me… and it was free. It was good to be in America today…