Friday, May 25, 2007

funny... yet kidna true...

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I think you should read this

Great story from the Alaskan ultra-biker. Doesn't really have anything to do with cycling, but it's still a good read.

Monday, May 21, 2007

fortran sucks balls

there, I said it. What?

So funny!



The article is funny in itself, but the last sentence is stupdendous

Monday, May 14, 2007

I almost die again

Kristen convinced me to skip out of work early and meet her at Barton Springs. I'm glad I did. Austin in May is beautiful weather. I left work at ~3:30 once I realized that both Doug and Dan were out of town until friday.

Since my car is broken, I rode Gertie downtown and across the Congress bridge. I hopped on Barton Springs Road and headed toward Zilker. I was pretty proud of myself, doing ~27 mph on flat ground, almost keeping up with traffic. After passing Lamar, I hopped into the bike lane that goes towards Zilker. I drove down restaurant row, and had almost made it to zilker when I almost became a victim of the Right Hook


Luckily, I was able to slam on my brakes in time, yelling "WATCH OUT!!" I don't think she heard me, but I think I startled some college kids waiting out in front of a sno-cone stand. After recovering from the terror that is a fish-tail, I followed her into the parking lot and waited behind her car until she got out. I don't think it dawned on her until a couple of seconds, and then she realized I was the guy on the bike that was riding in the bike lane. At that point the conversation went something like this....

me (suprisingly calmly): You nearly killed me.
Girl Driving Car: Oh my god. I didn't see you
me: I know it's easy to do, but you've got to pay attention.
GDC: I usually pay close attention to bikers! (I think tears started welling up
me: Please be more careful next time.

All in all, it was a pretty anti-climactic confrontation. I can sympathise. Drivers aren't used to looking out for two-wheeled vehicles. I didn't want to chew her out for something she obviously didn't do on purpose, but I did want to let her know just how easy it is to let you mind wander and end up killing someone. Hopefully I didn't shake her up too much, but hopefully she'll be a little more wary in the future.

I guess it was a good wake-up call for me too... I'm always pretty vigilant out there. I assume cars can't see me, and so far, that's worked out pretty well for me. I guess riding in traffic requires a bit more vigilance. Even in a bike lane.

Still, biking is one of the safest sports/modes-of-transportation out there.

One statistic that jumps to my mind is this: For every 1 year your life is shortened through an accident, you gain 17 years on your life due the exercise improving your fitness level.

If you're a cyclist take this survey!

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Debate between Sam Harris and Reza Aslan

Now for something thought provoking...

Friday, May 04, 2007

Paris is goin' to the Big House!

Beautiful. There is justice in this world.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Woo!!!

It's over!!!

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Katelyn sucks

Hmph.

I have to admit, it was a pretty good prank. Dammit, I wish I weren't so gullible.

Glamour shots

I've been meaning to put these pictures of Gertie up for a while, but I just never got a round tuit.




Tuesday, May 01, 2007

I'm back!!!

I'm finally done with my second year project!! The culmination of 1.5+ years of research, the second year project involves a public talk and a closed door session. The public talk is supposed to explain what the hell you've been doing for the past two years, hopefully showing some meaningful results. The closed door session is hell. Your committee keeps asking you questions until you have to say "I don't know."

My mother came down from Dallas to hear my talk, and I managed to stumble through it alright. All in all, I don't feel like I should have passed, but my committee passed me. Apparently, no one feels like they should have passed, so I guess I'm about average.

So anyway, I kept my playoff beard for my defense. Thanks to those of you who voted. Just so you know, here's approximately what I looked like.



As soon as I got home, I immediately shaved it. Now I look 12 years old. Mike D didn't even recognize me when he walked in the door.



Anyway, domino people and Caroline and company came over and we played guitar hero and dominoes until the wee hours of the morning. At least that's what people tell me. I remember most of the night, but things get real fuzzy after Mike D handed me the first of what was apparently many double shots of tequila. Needless to say, I don't remember how I got to bed that night.

Saturday was uneventful. Unfortunately, the tequila also erased my memory of my plan to steal Caroline's ticket to go see Marci's football game on saturday evening. Oops. Instead, I stayed home and re-lubed Bruno's chain, as it was kinda rusty.

Sunday, I was looking forward to for a long time. Jarrett picked me and Bruno up around 4:00ish, and we headed out to pay Emma Long a visit. (We went mountain biking, for all you people who don't live in Austin). Emma Long was where I f-ed up my knee the last time I was there, so this was my first real time back in the saddle since my accident. I was a little nervous, but all in all, it was good fun. I got lost for a little bit, but I eventually found my way. No crashes.

It's nice to rejoin the land of the living.