http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/8312074.stm

This is why I don't generally agree with 'activism'. They listen to rhetoric and propaganda without fully understanding fully the implications. These people are demanding that something they don't condone be shut down, yet they aren't providing anything by which to make up for the power generation capabilities lost. "'This station is going to be open for the next 30 years under current plans, but science says we have to start decommissioning power stations as soon as possible.'" Science says? Really?

Yes, I agree that coal power sucks. Yes, I'm fully aware of the fact that humankind is affecting the climate and we need to do something radical. But until we have the infrastructure in place to make up for the power that would be lost by decommissioning these plants, we have to make do with what we have.

Here's a radical thought: instead of trying to destroy power plants or things you don't agree with, why don't you get people to try and reduce the amount of energy they consume? Instead of spending the time, money, resources, and energy in an attempt to "upset the establishment," use those things to try and do something constructive.

This plea falls on deaf ears I'm afraid; however, this fact alone won't stop me from doing all that I can.

While I don't think I ever heard the Bamboo Music/Bamboo Houses EP at any point growing up, my parents definitely did listen to things like YMO, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Japan quite a bit. Other commonly heard bands/artists were things like the Cure, Thomas Dolby, the Clash, the Specials, the English Beat, and many other things like that. Did I mention that my mom played keyboard in a new wave band? 'Cause she did.

Today marks the eighth day of my foray into veganism. It's going well so far, partly due to the fact that I know a couple of girls who can bake tasty vegan treats, and partly because I work across the street from Essene, a natural/organic/hippie/super expensive grocery store that has a good selection of food that meets my dietary needs. I suppose the reasons for me doing this are have a steadier diet so I don't get sick while racing and to lose the last couple of pounds to drop below 200. There's also the whole moral/environmental schpiel, but those are secondary perks. Let's see how long this lasts, I'm pretty serious about keeping it up.

Well, I'm going to go for a long mountain bike ride. After breakfast. Smoothie!

I feel like someone has his boot pressed firmly against my chest. At some point yesterday morning, my ribcage became really sore, so much so that it actually became painful to breathe. This happened once before in high school - apparently, I had some kind of inflammation in the tendons of my ribs due to a viral infection or something. Since it was viral, the doctors at the hospital couldn't give me antibiotics, so they told me to go home and take some ibuprofen. It feels better than it did yesterday and I can breathe a little easier, but it still sucks. At least I slept until 1:00. I love having days off where I can sleep for twelve hours.

I probably shouldn't mention this, but I've never actually listened to the Downward Spiral in its entirety. I usually started at March of the Pigs because that song is awesome. I'm a bad, bad man.

Last night, some fuckwad stole one of the roof rack trays from my car. It was locked, too, so I've no idea how they got it off. Fuck this city. At least they got the tray that was a little wonky. I hope that the thief uses it and his bike falls off, only to be smashed by a semi or go flying off a bridge or something righteous like that.

In other news, to increase my real estate holdings on the internet, I've created a new blog. This one is dedicated solely to bike racing. Danville tomorrow! Get stoked!

Yesterday, I managed to get up early enough to drive out to Blue Marsh Lake with my friend John and a couple of guys from the Guys team. There's a 30-mile loop with some pretty good XC riding. Nothing terribly technical, but there's a couple of good climbs in there. I still suck at climbing, but nevertheless managed to complete the course in 2:45, which is a hell of an improvement over the 5+ hour time from last year. Granted, I was riding a single speed that time around, but I've still improved greatly. I still had some energy left, and I know that if I absolutely had to, I could have gone out for a second 22-mile loop, especially if I restrained myself a little more. This bodes well for the Stupid 50 in three weeks, especially if I can drop a couple of pounds by then.

I just have to remember to bring sunscreen.

Iron Hill next weekend! I wish I had someone to sucker into being my race support and handing me bottles after every lap. I've still got time to coax someone into doing that...

Iron Hill is the next race in my itinerary, then Danville, then the Stoopid 50 at State College on the 14th of June. Ouch. That means I've got about a month to prepare for that. Luckily, I've been managing to wake up early and actually get riding/gym...ming in before work, training with HEED and other supplements, and I've been stricter with regards to my diet. If I can do the 50, I'll be stoked. That doesn't mean I'll do the longer courses at Michaux this year, but I know I'll do better in the sport races. I really hope to do well when the collegiate MTB season rolls around.

I know Bryan's going to hate me if I manage to get the 50 under my belt - I'll be completely useless and destroyed the day after.

Muddy. Fun. I know it looks like I'm about to cry or something, but I was actually having a blast. So seldom do I actually get to ride in such sloppy conditions. The 50 degree weather wasn't even that bad after the first five minutes of riding.

French Creek was postponed until August. I was actually looking forward to another muddy race, but given that I need the cash, working instead of racing was probably better.

I bought some HEED, Hammer Gels, and hemp protein powder. I've been waking up earlier, working out more, and feeling better about riding. I'm serious about this racing thing.

Michaux sometimes feels like less of a mountain bike race than a total beatdown. Somehow though, it's still a freaking blast.



Yes, I did bring my computer camping.



At times, I feel like I would be happier just riding my bike instead of having a social life. Bikes are awesome.

I was going to take a picture of the weather forecast for Carlisle, PA, the town near which Michaux State Forest is located. I'll sum it up though by saying that there's a very good chance that the race will be rained on. Not rained out, just rained on. I'll be camping in the foul weather as well. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to a wet, sloppy weekend of rocky, muddy brutality.

I really think that a good number of mountain bikers are closet S&M freaks. Just sayin'.

I think I'm ready for Michaux. More prepared than I was last year anyway. I'm debating ditching the hydration pack and just going for water bottles, but that might end up being a bad idea if it's super hot out (what month is it again?). I should at least order a new reservoir for my smaller pack. I'm not in it to win it just yet, but I want to finish in a better time. I just have to register.

Oh, and I'm really good at putting things off, let me tell you. Tonight might be a late night. In any case, today is going to be a long day.

I have a test in twenty minutes. I'm still in bed, and I haven't eaten breakfast. This semester sucks my ass. Personal human relations are another thing that's getting me down lately, but I won't delve into that because I don't want to name names. Suffice it to say that I've become a shoulder to cry on for more than one person, when I haven't one myself.

Racing Sunday went okay. The course was super fast and fun, and the weather was perfect. I didn't finish well (38/43), nor did I expect to so early in the season. I'm still working on getting my riding legs back, and this was a much shorter and faster course than what I'm used to riding. Michaux is in less than two weeks, and I'm really looking forward to that.

I'm down ten pounds since I've started going to the gym on a regular basis. It's not as though I was hideously obese, or even fat for that matter. I just had a couple of pounds to lose. At this rate though, I'll be down to 200 flat in no time. At least two people have independently of one another said at that point, I'll be "svelte". I'm looking forward to that.

I'm ready for this semester to be done with. I'm ready to move on, away from CCP, towards my future. But more than anything, I just want to get to summer. Bike race season!

I'm following through on my ambitious plan to race the hell out of myself this summer. I've registered for the 15 mile race at Fair Hill this weekend, and I'll be there. I've been doing a lot of strength training, but not as much cardio, so I'm not really prepared for the 22.5 mile race. Two weeks from Sunday is Michaux, and that's always a good time. I feel better prepared for that this time around. As long as I keep up on the gym and continue to lose weight, I think I'll be doing pretty well by the time the season is in full swing.

Here's to a summer of biking. And nothing else.

For whatever reason, I'm feeling extremely jittery and pensive this morning. My leg is jumping up and down, thumping on the floor. I can't really stop it. My heart rate feels pretty normal though, so that's good. I had a cup of coffee this morning, which isn't out of the ordinary, but I think the caffeine is having more of an effect on me right now.

In any case, I really want to ride a downhill bike right now. I don't even have one. I need to go go go go go! Hopefully, this surge of energy will stay with me today so when I get to the gym, I'll be ready to kick some ass.

I should get some food. Maybe that'll help. I am feeling hungry after all.

I'm also feeling kind of stoked on life right now. Just a little.

After buying and completing a new bike for racing, I've actually taken the time to sit down and figure out my schedule for racing this summer. I've been working out at the gym pretty regularly lately, and now I'll be getting some more miles in for skills and cardio. After looking at the schedule and given the fact that I'll be working five days a week, I think it's safe to say that I'm going to have a busy summer.

Sunday, April 19th - Mid Atlantic Super Series (MASS) Race - Fair Hill, MD
Sunday, May 3rd - Michaux Endurance Series (MES) Race - Michaux Maximus
Saturday, May 9th - MASS Race - French Creek State Park, PA
Sunday, May 31st - MASS Race - Iron Hill, DE
Sunday, June 7th - MASS Race - Tour De Tykes, Danville, PA
Sunday, June 14th - MASS Race - State College, PA (Marathon! 50 miler)
Sunday, June 21st - MASS Race - Neshaminy, PA
Sunday, June 28th - MASS Festival Weekend - Marysville, PA
Sunday, July 5th - MASS Race - Long Pine Classic - Michaux State Forest, PA
Sunday, July 12th - MASS Race - Fair Hill, MD
Sunday, July 19th - MES Race - Curse of Dark Hollow
Saturday, September 5th/Sunday, September 6th - MASS Race - Seven Springs, PA (24 hr race!)
Sunday, September 13th - MES Race - Terror of Teaberry

Let's see how many of these I make it to. Then, by the time it's all said and done, I will hopefully have transferred successfully to either Drexel or Penn, and I can race downhill!

I want to do this. Downhill racing, not necessarily the jackassery at the end. I really think I have it in me, and I need to do something more exciting with my life right now. I can't lose sight of this goal - I need to follow through on it.

I know that I can do anything I set my mind to. After I truly realize this, there's no stopping me.

Oh, right.

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Sometimes, I look at the signature in my emails. And then sometimes, I look at it and realize that I made a blog however long ago. I'm bad at keeping up with it.

My apartment smells a little like a diner in the morning right now. My roommate's cousin and his friend are over, and they're cooking some sort of breakfast food. It actually doesn't smell all that appetizing, but I am feeling hungry. I think I'll just get donuts and coffee. No bagels though, I chipped a tooth on Monday while eating a bagel. Worst day ever man.

Moving on is the best thing for me to do right now, but that doesn't make it any easier. I just have to start by going to work and pushing forward. Listening to angry music while working out at the gym seems to work well too.