I Like Headbands

Alright, hear me out. Ventilation on the top, warmth on the sides, sweatband in the front, yeah that's right I said sweatband...headbands rock.

I took some serious flack from multiple individuals the other day for the above attire. I was heading out for a night run, about 7:15 PM, and threw on my usual attire of bright colors and a proper head ventilation piece. I did not realize that the night-run-fashion-police were sitting on the couch. After a short debate, I proclaimed myself victorious in the argument, and preceded to go for my run.

My run was enjoyable; if there would have been people on the trail they would have seen me, my head was not cold...but not hot, and the sweat was absorbed into my Hind headband without complaint. I like headbands.

It's Hard To Count Sheep On A Crappy Mattress

When Katie and I moved here 2 years or so ago we were not exactly swimming in money, so we decided to save some pennies anywhere we could. One area that we saved some Benji's on was a mattress. Rather than investing in a cheap mattress, we searched the land of Craigslist and uncovered a weed-smoke ridden beat-to-poo-mattress-like-object to rest on at night from the wonderful Nederland. What a great idea...

Fast forwarding to present day, we are still not swimming in money, not even wading, and still sleeping on the beat-to-poo-mattress-like-object. I have been wearing the pants when it comes to the mattress relationship decisions, and I have not wanted to invest in a mattress simply because of the cost of moving it when we leave the great republic of Boulder...until now.

Call me old, I would call you older, but my back is craving a better nights sleep. It has not gotten to the point of the infomercial where people toss and turn and knock over lamps and such, I can always sleep if I am tired, it's just not comfortable. Our limp-depressed-Nederland born-rag disguised as a mattress has got to go. Out with the old in with the new. As for how I am going to pay for it...noooooooo idea.

Move Over Matha Stewart...

All 4 people that read my blog know I like to cook. Sometimes my creations are good, sometime my creations are bad, and sometimes I just make a cheesecake and draw a bike on it with pureed strawberry's...it's just what I do.

The creation above was the outcome of a feud between wanting to go for a bike ride and wanting to bake a cheesecake. "You ever get the urge to make a cheesecake?" I asked my roommate. "Ummm, no...no I don't...but it doesn't surprise me that you do." After surveying a few others, it seems that indeed most people don't get the sudden urge to make a cheesecake...weird.

Nevertheless, armed with 24oz of cream cheese, organic cinnamon sugar cookie sticks, eggs, sugar, strawberry's, and a dump truck load of butter...it happened! If anyone is interested in the recipe you can link to it off of the following:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Strawberry-Cheesecake/Detail.aspx

$125 Profit

So I stumbled across this promotion the other day and wanted to share it with everyone. When you open a Chase checking account for the first time and set up a direct deposit/complete 3 debit card transactions per month, they will put $125 into your free checking account. You do have to keep the account open for 6 months, start with a minimum balance of $100, and set up a direct deposit; but if you are OK with those stipulations and having $100 tied up for 6 months...pure profit! I plan on bucking their intent and closing my checking account promptly after 6 months.

Vermont Bike Tour: Real Men Don't Cash In Their Dividends

It has been quite some time since Katie and I have taken a true, dedicated vacation. Sure we do the weekend thing, or the 4 day thing, or the cross country thing, but it has been almost 2 years since we have set aside a large block of time to strictly vacay. With a cushion of paid time off built up and Westminster established and running...I think it is time.

What is on the agenda? Tentatively a 2ish week trip to travel cross country to Vermont, and do a bike tour on and around the Lake Champlain Bikeways. I can't wait! Our itinerary is still in it's infancy, but we are thinking several days in the Burlington are, a few pedal strokes out to Stowe, and everywhere in between or none of the above if it rains.

As for the gear, real men don't cash in their dividends (I want a T-shirt that says that), they blow them on cool gear. Say...a Surly Big Dummy frame for said vacation! On the drawing board right now is Katie riding the Novara Buzz towing Tada in a trailer with minimal gear, and me hauling the majority of the load on the anticipated Big Dummy. Yep, that's right, Tada will be en' tow for the adventure, sucking down Zuke's and chowing on a Kong, you know she will love it!

Ahhhhhhhhhh, so Boulder...

There's A New Brewery In Town

So Katie and I checked out the new brewery in town last night, Asher Brewing Co, which is a hop skip and a jump away from our house! Literally a mile away, Asher, an all organic brew company opened a couple of weeks ago.

Overall, my first impression was so-so. First off, the place is SUPER small. About a dozen people were in the brewery and there was not enough space for Katie and I, thus we bought a growler of their amber for the road. What turned me off was the assumed partial owner serving me my beer...growler. Not mean, but not friendly. No emotion, no character, not too nice...what's the deal? You are a new business, and you are a brewery, rope in some customer.

I do not want to put the foot down on Asher after one visit, but all I have to say is shape up or ship out, Twisted Pine here I come.

Boulder Trends

As I peruse the square miles of Boulder each day I notice certain things that are or are becoming uniquely trendy. The following is a list of what I see to be consuming trends in Boulder, amongst other places.

Trend #1: Mini Coopers and Toyota Prius'

What ever happened to American muscle and full size trucks? Post "Austin Powers" and the "Italian Job" tiny unpractical car syndrome began running rampant. I am thinking about putting British flag mirrors on my Subi just to spite the trend...

Trend #2: Vintage Bikes and Narrow Handlebars
The picture here says everything. If your two wheeled machine is equipped with handlebars that have been modified with a hacksaw, you better be weaving in and out of traffic and avoiding any type of bike path or shoulder. Additionally, vintage bikes rode like poo 30 years ago...and coincidentally they still ride like poo...despite chopping down your handlebars and powder coating the frame.



Trend #3: Shopping at Whole Foods

Let's face it, none of us can afford it. Quite frankly, I don't know if it is better or worse that your avocado is grown organically in Longmont.


Trend #4: Re-usable Shopping Bags


This is a pretty cool trend, a trend I hope becomes more mainstream, it just makes sense, eh? You know what is not cool about this trend? 9 out of 10 re-usable shopping bags are a weaker than Steve Urkel, and end up getting thrown away after the handles bust under the load of a jar of Justin's Nut Butter.


Trend #5: Medical Marijuana
Wow what a surprise, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Colorado all have medi-marijuana laws in place. Is there a direct correlation between vintage bikes, weed, and location?

Simple and Sweet New Year's Resolution

I have a couple of New Year's resolutions this year, one of which is supported by Dragonfly Boy (pictured above.) I challenge you to take on number 1 and 2 as well.

1. Not to use a single plastic non-reusable bag.
2. Not to get a coffee unless I have a reusable mug along. No mug=no coffee. No throw away cups in 2010.
3. Set up a direct deposit into my house fund and truly direct money to a savings account...which I will proceed to blow on a down payment for a house :)
4. Take some type of bicycle adventure that is several days long. Big Dummy please!
5. Remember to date things 2010 by mid June...always tricky.
   

I Came To Denver...My Luggage Went To Los Angeles

Dramatic Female Representation of What I looked Like at DIA

Well I made it back to Denver last night, safe and sound after 3 more delays. My luggage on the other hand, well, the Southwest luggage representative assured me that it arrived safely in Los Angeles...


Overall, this round of flying, both to and from the east coast, proved to be a nightmare. In the span of 4 flights (one layover each direction), I had a total of 7 different delays, 2 gate changes, and lost luggage. Really?

Upon arriving at DIA last night I was super stoked to be on my home turf, I could not wait to see Katie and Tads. I did the usual, touch down and immediately pull out my phone to text Katie and tell her I landed (like she really cares that I am sitting in the middle of the runway with guys with orange vests and lights, and will only have to text her again in 10 minutes to tell her I am off the plane...followed by a call to tell her I am ready to be picked up. But we all do it....)

As I waited at the turnstile for my luggage this time something was different. The cardboard box that was haphazardly taped together containing all of my Christmas gifts did not tumble off the mini conveyor belt, hmmmmm. I walked into the land of positive vibes, aka the Southwest luggage office, and inquired about my bag. You could have cut the tension with a knife in this cube, people were pissed. Me, not so much, I did not really care that my bags went to LA, I just wanted some dinner. All of the other folks that were on my original flight from Manchester were also in the office, emotions flying, it was great. The guy asked me to describe my luggage so he could have it delivered, to which I replied it is "a white cardboard box with my name written on it..."

Wanted: Surly Big Dummy

Wicked eh? Imagine cruising around on the BCP, catching snapshots of the flatirons and perusing the farmers market for tasty treats. Thirsty? No need to buy a drink, you remembered to store a suitcase of PBR in the back. Need company? No worries, it's not a tandem but your girl or your dog can sit on the back.

I am quickly and surely becoming a bigger and bigger fan of Surly bikes. With a Karate Monkey and a Cross Check already in my arsenal, a Big Dummy just makes sense. Surely a niche ride, but oh so cool, and that REI dividend is released in March...

The real question is military green or black?