Time does a lot of things to different objects. Wort slowly ferments over time and becomes beer. We as humans become older yet wiser. Trees grow into massive spectacular objects. Time also takes its toll on automobiles. It has to the “Beige Bandit”. This past year was rough for her and I knew I was going to need a new car sooner or later. That day came yesterday. Sunday was my

last full day driving around in the vehicle I’ve been rolling around in now for 5 years. I purchased a 2004 Mazda 3i. I really wanted another Honda but there was nothing available in the price range I was in. I found this one at Morries Hyundai and I knew the moment I sat down in it I was going to buy this car. 48,000 miles, not a scratch on her. The interior and exterior would make you think it was a brand spanking new car. So as I turn over a new leaf I’d like to reflect on some of the memories I had in the old car. Some of you may remember these times we’ve had.
There was the epic road trip I took with my pops out to Ridgeway Colorado for some mountain biking. Two guys, two bikes, a shit ton of luggage. We barely made it over those mountain passes. Pedal to the metal not even hitting 40mph going up. Then coming down, the clutch went out. We had to keep stopping to pump the pedal. Turns out she needed new master and slave cylinders. It was worth it. We got to ride one of the most famous mountain bike trails around. SLICKROCK!!!!
There was that one of many drunken nights down at the U with the Peej. We just had to make a pit stop in one of the Hall’s for some shenanigans and bush jummping. We got back to the lot I parked you in and thought I’d lost you. Stolen? Towed? You were towed. I preceded to call the towing company and chew them out still half drunk about how they towed you before 2am. It really was about 1:50am and my car was already gone. But the next day, $250 some odd dollars I was back in the drivers seat.
There was that week preceding one of many trips up to Duluth. You kept stalling at stop signs and lights. I thought nothing of it and drove up to Duluth. Once I hit Duluth, you stalled 5 times before I hit my destination. Then when when we wanna go home you won’t start at all. After a tow, a day of work missed, and $150 for some coil-over part, you were back at it.
There was the one weekend out to Stout. Coming home, driving fast as hell on a Sunday morning because I had to work. We were all very hungover, underage, and a shit load of booze in the back seat. A Wisc. state trooper flips on his cherries. Comes right up behind me and pulls over the guy in front of me(we were going the same speed). OOFTA, that was a close one.
A couple summers ago you decided you didn’t want you’re muffler anymore. OK, so I tore it off. Piece by piece it fell of more and more. You were quite loud. I always joked how I got my noise maker for free. It became a new “tone” this year, and finally I started to grow tired of that muffler.
All those short 5min. trips I needed to take here or there. Only that when it was hot outside you wouldn’t start up right away after that. After switching out some things here and there, you still did it. I gave up, and planned my days from there on out not to drive short distances.
All of those biking trips we’ve had. I was amazed at you’re ability to hold so much bike gear. Especially for the 24 Hours of Afton. You were packed full each year. Yet got me to and from the hill every time. Lebanon, Theo, Murphy, Buck, Afton, Red Wing, Winona, Duluth, and many others. You were my shop away from home for bike repairs.
The crooked “I’d rather be Homebrewing sticker” on the back bumper. Why don’t I just ask to get pulled over.
Driving fast on freeways around corners has been risky this past year. No shocks or struts to absorb all those potholes. It was like driving a wicked shimmy sometimes.
Ahhh, the oil leakS. So many to pick from. It got to the point where you were burning through 4 quarts of oil in just 1,000 miles. After it was determined it wasn’t the valve cover gasket or the oil pan gasket I knew you needed to be replaced. I feared you’re head gasket was starting to crap out on ya.
All of this only because of the fact my old car, the “White Rabbit” was stolen right out of my driveway and totaled.
So little Beige Bandit I bid you adieu. I’m gonna miss you. We had some good times in together. I laughed, cried, yelled, and everything else with ya. I hope whoever ends up buying you gets a few more miles before you officially retire. Like Paul Simon sings in the song I’m listening to right now “Still crazy after all these years.” Ciao

Matt and I have officially begun the process to hopefully get Umphrey’s McGee to play at Spring Jam 2008. Its all talk at this point, but we’d like to make it happen if possible. Check it out Facebook Umphrey’s Group and Myspace Umphrey’s Group . These are just groups to get the word out. Join up. Matt is still going to the U and we’re throwing around the idea of getting a hold of the powers that be to make this a reality. Like I said, its just talk and we are in NO WAY affiliated with the Band or the organization that makes Spring Jam happen, but we want it to happen. So join up!!! If you have any information that would be helpful in our quest please let us know. Like I was saying in my previous post, this band kicks ass. A good definition of “Jam Band” in my book. These guys play 10-15 minute versions of their songs. Mixing in all sorts of solo’s by eat member, doing things on guitars you wouldn’t believe. I’ve heard some people call them the next “Phish”, but I disagree. They are in a totally new and unique element. Spread the word.
What a horrible week of weather we’ve had. So far I’ve had 4 days worth of riding ruined. Only two of those days did I manage to get on the trainer. Sunday night I did my first intense interval session. It felt good. I was tired, and the legs were sore the next day. A good feeling believe it or not. Just over a month now until Erik’s Spring Cup. The anticipation is growing, and I can’t wait to plow through that course. I’m hoping to get outside this weekend. At this point, I don’t care if its cold outside, as long as there is no precipitation I’m game. I gotta get out and ride. The trainer is like a hamster in a hamster wheel. Anything more then and hour and a half is agonizing. Speaking of bicycles. I should have the Allez equipped with the Campagnolo Centaur group I’ve been wanting in the next month or so. My taxes are in the mail. I actually get money back this year. Suck it Uncle Sam.
Those of you who know me know I love CHEESE, and grilled cheese sandwiches. My quest for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich continues. Holly, Brie, and I met up for drinks at Lyle’s last Saturday to discuss bikes over a beers and some grub. The current leader for best grilled cheese is/was Sully’s in NE. To my knowledge they have since closed and its a whole new ball game. Lyle’s grilled cheese was as I said on Saturday “adequate” but not great. The Pumpernickel Rye was good, but they just used cheap slices of kraft cheese. 1 outta 2 pieces of the puzzle in place there. Now all they have to do is get at least two kinds of cheese on the sandwich, and it must be freshly sliced cheese. So its still Sully’s at this point. Anyone have any suggestions as to where I should try next?
Ever since I got back from SRAM last December, my infatuation with suspension keeps growing. I love working on the stuff. A local wrench opened his own suspension/brake center just down the street from my place. Shockspital His name is Brian Rose, and he knows his shit about suspension and hydraulic brake products. He started the suspension center and Quality Bicycle Products, and has now branched out on his own. I am hoping to visit sometime soon and maybe get a tour. I too someday would like to spend my working hours working on these products. Time will tell.
In closing I would like to say R.I.P. to the late great Herb Carneal. Twins radio broadcaster for 45 years, and will be missed. I would also like to pay tribute to the late Judy Trapp, mother of my childhood best friend Bobby. She passed away this past weekend, and the funeral was today. Sadly, I was not able to attend. I wish Bobby and his family the best from here on out.

quote of the day – “I can’t support bike lanes. Roads are built for buses, cars, and
trucks. My heart bleeds when someone gets killed, but it’s their own
fault at the end of the day.”
-Rob FordToronto City Councillor
FOOL!!!!!!!

Man oh man, I’d give anything to feel that good right now. This whole week I’ve been sick. Its been this nagging head cold that keeps playing games with me. On and off, back and forth. Last night I thought I was over it and treated myself to a glass of rum, a beer, and even rolled up a heater. Bad idea I guess, because I’ve had a terrible headache all day. I left work early tonight because I could not function anymore. Lets hope it doesn’t screw over my busy weekend ahead. On my next post, I will have let you people know what I decided with that “very big decision” I have to make in the next few days. Lets just say, its a biggie. Anyhoo, in relation to my recent thoughts on the subject, religion and faith has been something on my mind a lot lately. I was raised a Catholic and still remain that. However I hardly follow anything it stands for, but I hope to change that over time. I respect anyone who has faith in whatever religion, but I have to stop at Scientology. This has got to be the dumbest smart idea anyone has ever come up with. Only smart because so many people follow it. Has anyone ever read up on this religion. Its a joke. I mean, there are so many different faith’s in the world that all have legitimate backgrounds, but not this one. Its ludacris. I can’t follow a religion that was founded by some guy back in the 50’s. Tone scale(characterization of human mood and behavior)? The ARC triangle(three components that make up “successful livingness”)? The god Xenu? Come on. Garbage. Take some time one day and read up on it. It will be a good laugh. I hear comedian and local minnesooootan Al Franken is running for Senate in 2008. Good to hear. Only in Minnesota. So far I like his style. 1. He’s a comedian so you know he’s going to be open minded. 2. He’s not afraid to criticize himself, and 3. “Gosh darnit, people like him”. Should be and interesting voting year in 2008. I think the fact that I have started working out again on a regular basis, might be the root of my state of being sick. It throws your body for a loop when you start up on that stuff after a long break. Lets hope it doesn’t last too long. We brewed up a Scotch Ale last weekend, and plan on brewing a German Alt this weekend. The “brewery” is in full swing at the house. Not too long from now we’ll be doing All Grain brewing. Speaking of beer, check out a fellow co-worker of mine who started a podcast about beer beer talk Its not a bad deal so far. Its in its early stages, but check it out. Not bad. With that I’m off to make some tea, a grilled cheese sandwich, and hopefully getting rid of this cold. Word.

weekly quote – “reject the government’s cruel and cynical interpretation.” Al Franken

Those of you who do not know this man, its a picture of Sheldon Brown holding a wheel of the coveted “POWer wheels” lacing technique. I put it up 1, because I LOVE this picture, but also because I finally laced, tensioned, and trued my very first wheel without assistance a little over a week ago. It really is sad it took me this long but here we are. Soon I will have a duplicate of this picture only of me in it. His site is pretty fucking cool too. If you are a bike guru like myself check it out sheldon brown So I recently read about a First Lt. in the Army that is refusing to go to Iraq. Correct me if I’m wrong, but shouldn’t you know when you sign up for the Army, Navy, etc. you just might end up going into real battle? At least, thats what I heard. His court-martial started today and now this schmuck might end up in jail for 4 years. Now I don’t know if he joined the Army before the war began, but had he joined after it began I have no sympathy for him. He claims “my participation would make me party to war crimes”. I’m sorry buddy, but you signed an oath, and I believe you should follow through with that. This cold spell has put a damper on my skiing. I don’t mind cold weather, that is when I can just walk around and hang out, but skiing in weather like this is not my first choice. Hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be back out on the trail. I’ve been on a BIG Beatles kick lately. I finally borrowed all of my mom’s albums the other day to burn them all. I say its about time. I grew up listening to 4 things. Classical music, James Taylor, Paul Simon, and The Beatles. My mom is a Beatles NUT. I wish I had gotten into them earlier in my lifetime. Better late then never eh? And with I think I’ll leave you with that.

weekly quote – “
Blackbird fly, Blackbird fly. Into the light of the dark black night” -The Beatles