The Late Edition

I meant to publish yesterday on my usual Sunday schedule, but then again, not really. It has been a busy, useless weekend.

In the last two months I have come to define my happiness by how much progress I make on my personal projects at any given time. Quite simply, if I am not programming, writing, hiking, or biking, I feel terribly useless. I attempted change over this long holiday weekend by getting out with friends all weekend, and sure enough I sit here Monday night feeling a little deflated.

Because of all this yucky indecision, I am taking a Reboot Weekend sometime in June. I hope to sort out exactly what I am trying to accomplish among my increasing number of projects and sort out what is best to finishing pursuing. I need better focus.

B3 out.

Blood, Sweat, and More Sweat

So it is 90 degrees today. And sunny. Hot, unrelenting sunshine everywhere. All weekend.

I have almost nothing to report this week, nothing worthwhile to say. I did do something rather cool today, though, a 21 mile bike ride from my apartment to the Wabash Cannonball Trail North Fork. My eventual goal with this route is pretty simple: bike to Oak Openings. This trip will become my bread-and-butter this summer. A 30+ mile bike ride that breaks at Mallard Lake in the heart of Oak Openings. Along the way I will pass through downtown Perrysburg, Side Cut Metropark, Fallen Timbers Mall, the community of Monclova, and eventually Oak Openings itself.

I did not quite make it to Oak Openings today, however, as I still need to work up to the correct pacing for the trip. But once I do, I have to wonder - who's in for this ride with me? Anyone?

B3 out.

Summer Of Biking 2012

Because my bike is back from Cycle Werks for a tune-up two weeks early, and because the weather will be fantastic this weekend, this Saturday will be the official kickoff to my Summer of Biking 2012.

Growing on last year's 600 miles of biking, I will be spending summer 2012 charting new routes while warming up on old favorites. I am gunning for a cool 1000 miles this summer, roughly an average of 40 miles per week over a 25 week biking season.

So where will I be riding this Saturday to kick off the season? Something close to Perrysburg, a ride out in the country, a trip down the Wabash to Oak Openings, or perhaps my personal favorite, the Towpath to Grand Rapids?

I will find out this Saturday at 8:00am.

B3 out.

The Trews Two

The past Friday I saw The Trews for my second time this year. Their first show at Frankie's Inner City in downtown Toledo this past January was solid, short, and sweet. The show I saw Friday night was an excellent followup: bigger, louder, better. I (finally) got to hear "Paranoid Freak" live, which is an incredibly awesome tune live. "Poor Ol' Broken Hearted Me" and "Hold Me In Your Arms" were other stand-outs and crowd favorites. I would absolutely see The Trews again. And again. And again. And...

Saturday was quick and quiet: while my ears recovered from their nonstop ringing, I spent the day writing, gaming, and of course, visiting my parents. I did not make as much progress on my latest projects as I wanted to, but that is what Sunday is usually for. Lo and behold, I have spent today playing catch up before a very strenuous week begins.

Monday begins a two-week crunch period for a big project at work. This project may even bleed into after hours, but I really cannot complain: this is my project, after all, and I enjoy working on it. Also happening Monday: the start of an eight-week weight loss challenge at work, which means I will be on a very calorie restricted diet, but more so, will be exercising heavily daily. An announcement to my friends: if you want to get dinner, I need at least a day or two's notice so I can plan appropriately. I'm in this to win.

B3 out.

This Perfect Day

How about a recap for once?

Last weekend could not have been any less productive for me. Between a lack of direction, care, or motivation, I did next to nothing. I was able to get back on track with all my projects this week - both professional and personal - so I was able to start this weekend off on the right foot.

Friday was a very comforting day at work. Overall the day went quickly. Friday night was a blast, pure and simple. I started playing Batman: Arkham City (a recent $15 purchase on Steam) after work. The game is a blast so far, easily as good as the already-excellent Arkham Asylum. Around 7 I made my way over to Levis Commons to catch up on my reading of Catching Fire. 8:00pm saw a graduation dinner for a friend, which was absolutely delicious. I have only had Nagoya's hibachi once before (and it made my physically sick), but this dinner was through-and-through amazing. Starting with sushi helped, of course. Post-dinner drinks capped unexpectedly-long night off beautifully.

My sister (and her boyfriend) visited Saturday. As a family, we went to the Toledo Amtrak terminal to spend National Train Day with a bevy (wink, wink) of festivities. Train museums, train tours, food, model trains, and live music made up most of the activities. I was extremely impressed by the train tours. Turns out traveling by train is rather plush. I might have to give it a shot some day. We spent the rest of the day in downtown Toledo, taking in a very delicious lunch/dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse. 15 Layer Lasagna? Yes, please.

And then there is today. Today is nearly perfect. An early start, sunny skies, near-70-degrees. What more could I ask for? I suppose a walk through Oak Openings, plenty of writing, and a relaxing week ahead. This is the best way to start my week.

B3 out.