Spring Rain

I love the rainy season. It might be because we really haven't had a rainy season for quite some time. The last few days have been dark, dreary and drizzly. I love it. Despite of the weather, Oli and I went out for a hike. I put him in a baby backpack and off we went. We have trails minutes from our house so that's where we went. I took the dog and she was the happiest I have ever seen her. As soon as I let her off the leash, she took off up the trail and turned around. Her face was priceless. I have a picture but forgot the camera. I'll post it tomorrow.

The trail was absolutely beautiful. The greens were very green, the stream was flowing and the air smelled so fresh. That is why I love the rain. It cleans everything. It smelled just like a brand new world.

Normally I wouldn't go for a hike. I ride bicycles. Angie had to work late and I needed some outdoor activity and I was being a single dad for the evening. That's why I chose a hike. I have to tell you, it was so nice to see that trail from a different perspective. I even found a loop that I would have never seen if I was on a bike. The scenery was amazing.

The lesson for today - slow down and look around you sometime. You will notice things you have never seen before.

Fat Tire Festival

The cross country race I signed up for was delayed one day due to rain. It's good because our basement flooded and created all sorts of havoc. We spent the entire day Saturday cleaning up, mopping up and vacuuming up water. We took out all of the carpet so things would dry more quickly. I think our flooding was caused by a faulty sump pump. Such is life.

The race ended up on Sunday. 10 miles, 1 1/2 loops around M-hill. Lots of climbing and techie single track. I didn't place very well but I wasn't really there to race. I was there to pay money, ride my bike and enjoy the day. I did each one of those things. I did push myself on the climbs and my quads are feeling it today. I love it! My quads haven't hurt this bad for a while.

Not much else is happening.

New Position

Well, I just accepted a new position here at NAU. I was the Creative Director at Aurora Creative which is the in-house agency for NAU. I am now going to be the Application Developer in the Information Technology department. Basically I will be in charge of all things Website related. I'm pretty excited about it. It's a good move for me professionally as I will be able to learn some new skills, get access to things I didn't have and I will get paid a little bit more. I will have to move offices but it will only be about 15 feet. The IT department is moving down close to where I am at so I will have to haul my things 1 office space difference. That's nice.

It's rainy and foggy today. It's kind of a bad start to the Fat Tire Festival. Hopefully things will get better.

Argh!

I'm back and in action. Things are moving so quickly now days. Oliver is getting teeth. He's a cranky little dude. Bike season is in full swing. The dirt jump park is to be completed by this weekend. The Fat Tire Festival is this weekend and we have tons of family coming out. I will partake in at least one ride though. Things are busy.

I went and rode the skyline trails last night behind our house. I was a little unsure of my mt bike handling skills but I still rode hard for about an hour. I was impressed with my fitness as I have been off the bike for a while due to traveling. The Dawg (mt bike) needs a little love though. Shifting was a little off and my headset needs some work. The handlebars turned a little sticky. I guess I'm going to need to get some grease and lube it up a bit.

No pictures today...

Craziness.

Well I've been a bit absent. Things have been crazy busy around here. I had a funeral I went to Wednesday. We left Tuesday and returned Wednesday night. Then I am going to Las Vegas for 4 nights for a Microsoft Sharepoint conference. Work has kept me plenty busy trying to catch up and get things finished before I jet set out of here. I finally have things at work wrapped up so now I need to run to the bank and pack. Then get a mother's day card for my wife and maybe a gift and then...

Wow, I like doing things and going places. When I feel like I am never home and don't have time to accomplish things that I want to accomplish, it makes me grumpy. I'm starting to get that way. I'm living off other people's schedule, not my own.

I'll try and post some pictures and things while I'm there.

I'd like to bike too while I'm there but the way it sounds, riding on the strip is horrendous and getting anywhere else to ride is about a 15 mile cab ride. Including getting to a shop where I could rent a bike. I'll see though. I might be able to figure something out.