Love the Life you Live, Live the Life you Love

Well, I named my bike. Now I just have to wait until it gets here. Is it completely absurd I feel like I'm cheating on Doc Jones? I can't throw him away...I just can't. Chris and I are building a new bike together from some of his parts and naming it Junior Jones, in loving memory. Anyway, this new bike is completely worthy of taking the Doc's place...it's ridiculous how nice of a bike it is. I'm completely smitten once again. And how cute is the name Mister Mac? Mister Mac Mac Mac all dressed in black black black... or Mac Attack ...Mac the Tarmac Hit the road Mac! I have something about giving my bikes surnames...so I have to continue with that. Doctor Jones...Mister Mac... I like the nicknames that come along with it. I can just say, "the Mister and I are going out for a spin." just like I used to say, "Bonding with the Doctor." It adds mystery. I can't WAIT to welcome Mister Mac to his new home!

It's official!!! I ordered and put a down payment on my brand new 2011 carbon fiber Tarmac Comp - there are only 25 56cm bikes available in the country...and I got one!!! I'm stoked out of my mind. Problem is I have to wait until FRIDAY to get it...So I get Chris back and a new bike all in the same day. Friday will be a good day. Tonight Al and I walked around for almost 4 hours - okay well we talked for 2 hours in Mixx then we walked for two. Sometimes all you need is frozen yogurt, a summer night, and your very best friend by your side. love love love, me

So it's only about $500 more than I wanted to spend...but oh my. This bike is a dream to ride...I rode it up a hill and it practically pedaled for me. So I think if I do nothing but work the month of August, live off Ramen noodles, and not spend a penny on anything other than bike funds...I may be able to pull this one off. It would be worth it.

So turns out Dr. Jones is totaled - awesome. Except not so much. There's something about your first racing bike that makes you really attached to it..Jones wasn't just a bike, he was my partner in crime and part of the family. Everyone knows him! That's why I decided I'm keeping the frame as a momento even after I get my new bike. So now comes the hard part: what piece of aluminum and carbon fiber is going to fill the bike treads of the Doctor? It's going to have to be a pretty SWEET bike to fill his shoes - he was one hell of a machine that carried me thousands of miles. So far I'm looking at: Cervelo - which would be ridiculous! Specialized - match Chris? Trek - like lance Felt - my first racing company... will always have a special place in my heart I'm hoping maybe I can work enough the next month to afford a $2,000 bike...upgrade a little. Maybe I can beg for money and weedle my way in with the bike shop to mooch off all the discounts I can. Maybe I can...

Sometimes I regret going to school so far away...not often, and not for long periods of time. But sometimes. I miss home a lot right now. It completely sucks not being able to go home. I looked up plane tickets today, $240 each way...how ridiculous. All my friends are starting to go home for the rest of the summer and I don't get to. Chris is coming back for a few days but then he's leaving again, so that whole lonely feeling sets in. I love the city and I love my apartment, but I'm just sad. Sometimes you just need to be in your old bed, in your own house, with your family. It just sucks I only get to see mine 3 times a year, if that. The next time I'll be home is Thanksgiving..then after that at Christmas I go straight to Florida and back again. So I get to be home in STL for 2 weeks in 2010 - literally. I went home for a week in the spring and a week in the fall. Kind of wishing I would have thought this one through fully before shipping up and moving to Boston. Of c...

"I am an outdoors type of person." Really means: I train in any type of weather. If it's raining, snowing, 90 degrees w/100 percent humidity, or winds gusting at 30 mph. I don't want to hear any complaints because I will still train in it and you're just a big wuss for complaining about it. "I enjoy riding my bike." Really means: with or w/o aero bars, alone or in a peleton, I don't care. If you can't do a spur of the moment 30 miler then you're not my type. I will let you draft, but if you can't hang and I drop you - I will see you later. I am a capable mechanic, but don't expect me to change your flats or tune your bike. You need to learn that on your own. "I enjoy jogging." Really means: Let's run hills until we puke. I have just as many shoes as you only mine are better because they are functional and all look the same. "I enjoy dining out." Really means: I enjoy eating out, in or anywhere else I can fin...

Though the end of the war is in sight...the Germans are holding strong. No reinforcements have been spotted in the past 24 hours however stragglers are apparent. They are tough, but weakening every moment. Another 3 bases were destroyed today. Start pouring the champagne boys, we're headed home.