I always miss the best stuff

On top of missing out on a fixer-upper cross bike, I also missed bidding on this by 3 hrs. It went for $52. Coupled with a carbon fork from BikeNashbar, I would have had a cyclocross frame and fork for under $200. Also, Jon found a great deal on Bonktown. Top of the line Time shoes with carbon soles and bells and whistles for $120. My CAT shoes are ok; light, stiff, but just not comfortable on top. There is just a shitty piece of fake leather between the straps and my foot... lame!

I also need some advice. I saw a friend today (a girl) who I kinda knew from classes the past 2-3 years and I barely recognized her because she lost a considerable amount of weight. She looked really good (not that she didn't before) and I said hi like a normal human being. The question is, do you say something about the obvious change in appearance? I was tempted to say "Hey, OMG look at you, you look great! How was your summer?" Instead, it came out awkwardly and went something like "Hey, wow, how are you, almost didn't recognize you..." I was afraid if I said you look great or mentioned about the weight loss, it would have implicated that I felt she was "big" before?

Do you also tell someone there's something in their teeth.... or does it depend the person?

Hello Again...

Wow. Well. For the past two-ish weeks it has been nothing but Band Camp (lame) for me. Apparently, I have been so focused on multitasking (ie. Marching, Breathing, and Playing Music) that I have completely forgot to blog. AND>>>>> I havn't said anything about cycling in months.

* side note: I'm deleting my twitter. What a disasterous waste of time. No one wants to know what I'm doing 24/7 anyways. (That's what AIM away messages are for)

BICYCLING.... READY>>>>> GO!

1. I missed out on buying a $35 fixer-upper Cyclocross bike. It was an old steel frame "cross" type frame a lady was selling from her driveway. It was blue and just my size. Due to my hesitation and need for approval from Jon, I missed buying it by 2 hrs. sigh.

2. The good news about the last post is that I saved $35 which may be going toward a MTN bike. Yes, I said that correctly. I got a semi- offer for a Gary Fisher 29'er fully built used for a GREAT price. So great, I may pay more just to seal the deal. I would need a test ride tho.... Fingers are crossed at the moment.

3. The single speed is complete! Woot! Rode it to classes today! I was kind of calming just riding to campus this morning, not worrying about traffic, or parking, or getting a parking ticket. All I'm paranoid now about is it being stolen... or having a wheel stolen. Bitches better not steal my cool blue Pokemon cards from the wheels either!

One slight design flaw with the S.S. Blue Pearl though.... the gearing ratio is horrifically wrong for the hills to and from my house to campus. I think I have it in a 54/16 right now. Need to jump down to a 30ish something in the front and tighten my chain. (It will work for now).

4. Well, over the summer, I lost no weight. I didn't get in 100miles/week. I only went 3-4 days on long (1.5hr+ rides). And I didn't weight lift before my internship hrs at Mechanicsburg. I did manage to work, work, work, go on a long expensive vacation, see a Red Sox Game, and survive my 21st birthday. Overall, fun activities for the summer was a success.... Bicycling.... epic fail.

This became evident when I went out with Chop, Mike, and Jon the other day. I could barely keep up and it was suppose to be a recovery ride for them. Long story short (and please excuse the colorful language).... I'm fucked.

5. Let's lay out some goals for the upcoming week. I'm going to try to do this weekly and see how it goes.

For the Week: at LEAST 65 miles (hoping for 80+) /// Make it to both of the scheduled SU cycling training races

For the Month of September: LOSE WEIGHT! (at least 5-7 lbs) I'm hoovering around 200-205 now, I would like to be consistently around 190. /// Start a work out regiment 2-3 times a week for now, then up to 4-5 days a week in the winter.


For the Year: Work Hard all Fall and Winter. Get good miles in before it gets cold. In the winter, train on the trainer, run, lift, and get more involved in MTN biking. Then when Spring hits, start Collegiate as a Cat. D (Cat. 5) and try to place top 10, or even top 5 in a race other than a crit. (ps. I hate crits, love circuts, hate crits). I don't want to be peer pressured into jumping into Cat. C too early. 2-3 top 10 finishes in Cat. D will be my goal! woot!

Off to lunch now... today is the first day of my last year.... it's a bit depressing.

You Do WHAT???

I've been thinking about career choices lately. PSP, D.E.A., Probation, Local Police, ?

I think of these options as I'm wandering aimlessly around Hershey Park like a soulless zombie.

I was also thinking. If someone told me that for the next 30ish years I would be working at Hershey Park as a Security Guard for the rest of my life... I would seriously consider riding the Super Duper Looper without the restraints. No, I'll go with the Great Bear... it's a little classier.

Anyways....... to my point. There are a LOT of things to do out there, and I have thought of a few jobs that would be amazing to have. Jobs that would make your classmates shit bricks at the 20th HS reunion when you tell them. Here we go....

Elephant Trainer

Professional Surfer

Beer Taster

Airplane Test Pilot

Skydive Instructor

National Geographic Wildlife Photographer

Ice Cream Flavor Inventor

Skyscraper Window Washer

Symphony Director

Skateboard Graphic Design Artist

Alaskan Fishing Guide

Blood Diamond Runner

Paid Civil War Historian/Researcher/Re-enactor

Coyote Ugly Bartender

Rock Band Groupie

Image Consultant to TV Personalities

Playboy Photographer ;)

Shrimp Boat Captain

Sneaker Designer

Hippopotamus Feeder at the Zoo

Antique Painting Restorer

anyone else have any?

Personally, I think it would be insanely cool to be a National Geographic Photographer or a Graphic Design Artist for Bikes or Clothes. Maybe I'll move to Puerto Rico and own a tobacco plantation or go to the Himalayas and be a Mountain Goat Hunting Guide...

I almost pissed my pants

Celebrety Deaths....

Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Mays!

I'm officially calling this crazy bitch is next... don't know why it hasn't been sooner.

Don't judge me, when you google image search "Amy Whinehouse" you will be thinking the SAME thing.... ha ha

MST3K

Back from vacation. lame.

Since I have decided to be an insomniac tonight, I noticed on woot! that they were having a special Mystery Science Theater 3000 DVD special. I got it. Yes, it's $50 but I am getting 12.... yes 12 (hopefully) very funny DVD's. (So it turns out to be a little over $4/DVD with shipping)

I don't think many people know but I love Mystery Science Theater movies. I used to watch an episode EVERY Sunday morning before church for a long time. Some times I enjoy a bad movie, but with those guys doing commentary on the already bad movie.... it becomes epic!

If you're ever interested (anyone who reads this) in coming over and having a beer and watching an episode... just let me know! Laughs are better with a group.

Vacation (sneek-peek)

Vacation this week.....

From Here ----->

To Here ------>
After I get home and unpacked and re-oriented with the real world..... my pictures will be posted! woot.

King's Of Spain

Found this on the 3T website. It's a pretty sweet picture of 4 Spanish riders leading the peleton in the Olympic road race this past year. Valverde, Contador, Sastre, and Sanchez (I believe).

I decided to crop and adjust it to make an AWESOME desktop background. I'm proud. Thought I would share.

Sell Your Sunglasses On E-Bay....

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/big-idea/01/shading-earth

Does anyone see anything wrong or odd with this idea???

I love National Geographic and most of their stories and articles and pictures are legit, but this seems a little ridiculous. Good idea in theory, but it seems like something a high school pot head would think of while getting stoned with his/her eco-friendly buddies.

livin' the dream

This is why it will still be a dream of mine to go to see a Premier League match in England....

Let me explain. This is a video of Liverpool taunting Chelsea. I don't think anyone likes Chelsea unless you are actually a fan. I am just impressed by the number of taunts that every team has for every other team, and creativity placed into these chants. I am a fan of Manchester United. I think it is so funny when they cheer on players... they basically take an old, bad song and add creative words. It's just amazing. I think I like "That Boy Ronaldo" the best.....

Mind Games...

In the Winter, I day dream about hitting the hot asphalt, unzipping my jersey and flying up a climb. I like slowing down a bit to look down and see sweat bead up on my(smooth, tan) legs. Makes me feel like I'm.... fast. Then I look 1' up to my computer and see I'm going 18 mph on a flat "sprinting" road. Then I whip up a gear and throw out some power and start the process all over again. Pouring cold water down over your helmet on a hot long ride... amazing.

But, in the Summer, I day dream about winter. I don't like the cold, but I fantisize about mountain biking (with my NON-exsistant mtn bike) around the dense woods, kicking up dirt and snow and listening to my gears menace in the silence of the dead woods. Even getting my favorite "cold" outfit on (UnderArmor, T-Shirt, PSU hoodie, and BDU Army Jacket, and Turtle Fur hat) and going out for a tramp through the woods. I hate the cold and freezing wind but even the TNR's were fun in almost arctic weather.

It's a vicious mind game that never stops. Believe me though when I say I'll take all the Summer mother nature decides to give us. Especially while I'm on the beautiful farm roads and mountain climbs around Ship this Fall.

+++

I applied to the PSP. I now realize that this is the only option I am considering at the moment. I think I have dropped the Grad School idea, DON'T want to be a corrections officer, Parole/Probation officer doesn't really strike my fancy, Local Police is ok, FBI/DEA requires experience.... I need to broaden my horizons. Maybe I'll stick to GIS and stay another year to get a minor. It would keep me in Ship and out of the "real world" at least.

+++

Ok, late night prediction. Mark this date. I, Cody Wertz, officially believe Alberto Contador is going to win the TDF. Lance... I believe he's going to 1-up you in the Alps. Anyone else think different? The way Lance and Contador swallowed up Cadel the other day (along with Cadel's weaker team) makes me feel as if he's not even in the running. Maybe Wiggins or Andy Schleck will just dominate and go up 4-5 mins.... yea.... probably not. Hell, maybe Cavendish will use his powerful legs and go through the mountain instead of over it.

goodnight

Favorite Cavendish Videos...

Ok... Embedded video isn't working for this either.... ps. Damn you Velonews for not allowing the public to download and save your photos!

Mark Cavendish TDF Stage 10 Post Interview

Can anyone say "awkward" / Cavendish

http://www.livestrong.com/lance-armstrong/video/cavgeorge-avi/40ba57d1-9445-4acd-aa75-325e8226f02f/

(SORRY, Embeded Video Not Working) /// So to be completely honest, this video is about pretty much nothing. A very interesting combo of riders and Lance seems to be on crack. I saw awkward because I love how you can tell Mark Cavendish is so uncomfortable. He's sandwiched in between two famous cyclists who have put in 8+ TDF's and he's being bombarded by Lance with obnoxious questions. I can't help but laugh. I also like how Mark is pretty much the fastest man on 2 wheels and he is still humble enough to brush it off.

Ok, why do I like this man.... I'm not a bandwagon person who only picks the best person while they're up and who drops them when the chips are down.

1. He's young (I'm young), 2. He's funny (I like someone who's not too serious or cocky :-- ) 3. He seems like a genuine person 4. He never forgets his team who propels him to victory. 5. Here's the kicker though, he is humble and confident at the right times.

Tell HIM your problems....

When I say HIM, I am referring to Dawson McAllister who airs one 99.3 Kiss fm Sunday and Monday nights. I used to listen all the time when I worked 3rd shift at Hershey and it kept me very much amused early Monday mornings. Let me share my thoughts on this enlightening program.

So troubled teens call in from all over the nation to seek advice on intense topics such as sex, drugs, underage dating, pregnancy, alcohol abuse, abuse, etc.. to a man who ISN'T a licensed counselor or "professional".

Now, I wonder how many troubled teens there are in Los Angeles and Detroit let alone the WHOLE COUNTRY! I feel that with so many people calling it that the people designated to "weed through" calls are only looking for callers that have lives that are so fucked up, that listeners are feel obligated to listen to their insanely ludicrous stories. This my friends, is sad.

Next, these people call in looking for advice when in the back of their mind, THEY ALREADY KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER! they are just looking for someone to draw it out of them (and in this case, it's on a nationally broadcasted radio program)

For instance, an girl called in tonight that has an alcoholic and abusive boyfriend and doesn't know what to do. She loves him but he beats her and she keeps on providing him with alcohol. She is an enabler. When you call this show, you have to know in your mind "he's going to tell me to break up with this bastard" which is the sensible thing to do, but you keep punching the numbers on your cell phone anyways. It's ridiculous.

An Oklahoma girl called in one night telling the world that she was pregnant and her drug addict boyfriend (the father) said he loved her and wanted to take care of the baby, but needed to visit family in Mexico before the baby was due. He hadn't been seen or heard from in 3 months and the girl was scared something happened to her baby's daddy. ARE YOU JOKING ME. I'm not even a fake professional therapist counselor like Dawson and I could tell that crackpot of a girl that the baby daddy flew the coop! His ass found out he was a father and didn't want to pay child support on a fixed drug dealer income and headed back to Mexico! She needed to call and have someone else tell her that.

This was my favorite tonight...

Caller: Yea Dawson, I'm like real scared

Dawson: What about?

Caller: My girlfriend is pregnant

Dawson: And why are you scared (name)?

Caller: "Cuz my grandma's gonna kick me out the house and her pop's gonna kill her or it"

Dawson: How old are you (name)?

Caller: I'm 18 and she's 15

Dawson: oh boy....

(MY RESPONSE if I were in Dawson's chair)

Cody: Boy you are fucked. 1. congratulations for just telling me and the country that you committed statutory rape. 2. Dumbass, your gf's father isn't going to kill anyone or he's going to be sitting in jail next to you while they take the mug shots for your Megans List profile.

I just want to hear Dawson say "Yea, stay with your mother who drinks and beats you and your boyfriend who deals Meth and wants to have unprotected sex, it's cool, everything will work out"

My point out of all this... it is a GREAT idea for teens to communicate their problems with other people who are willing to listen and work with them. JUST DON'T do it on NATIONAL RADIO SHOWS to a guy WHO ISN'T A LICENSED COUNSELOR when you already clearly know what he's GOING TO SAY.

That is all... goodnight.

Just rubbish...

Not exactly the right word, but the phrase popped into my mind instantly when I thought about this month.

So, Project Upgrade was a success! A big thanks to Dr. Goates and his "Goat Cave" of bikes, bike parts, and bike tools. Bike specific tools... note to self, need to invest soon. (Pictures will appear soon).

Why not a complete success you ask? The old Front Derailleur wasn't exactly the man for the job, so it looks like I'm off to get a new one somewhere. It's the cheapest part, therefore I'm not too upset.

Back to my foul mood. It seemed like a great idea when I planned it all out last month. Work MWF 9-5, and T-R-Sun. 5:30-10:30. Then I would have off from Friday 5pm to Sunday 5:30pm. Well..... It is turning out to be a disaster:

*My lovely girlfriend works mornings and has off Mondays (and weekends). I work all Monday, and she has to be in at 7am Tuesday.

*There is a big SMVC/YBR/SHIP challenge this month, but it is all on Thursday nights... I work at 5:30.

*I liked riding the Ironmasters TT series that Mark Lasser and YBR host, but they are on Thursday or Tuesday nights.

*There is the annual TNR (Tuesday Night Race) that Dr. Goates has instrumented and is usually a lot of fun....... again..... Tuesday nights is no good.

On TOP of all this, I missed online Reg. for the Mt. Nebo Road Race by a day or two and there isn't anything else good for weeks. I could go out to the Tour de Toona, but that is over my Birthday weekend. UGHHHHHHHHHHH just rubbish.

I might join the HBC next monday for their Hershey Ride... woot! riding with people again.

I've ridden so much alone this summer I should be a TT MASTER! ha ha... in a sad way.

TdF Stage1 TT

Ok, here it goes....

1. Congrats Fabian Cancellara... a little predictable though, especially after the win at TdCali. I'm guessing it was the Gold Pedals.

2. Lance... Great Job, can't wait till the mountains. I think him and KlOden going to lead Alberto or Levi to victory up the climbs. Maybe.....

3. 4 of the Top 10 fastest times today were by Team Astana riders. Their Team TT (TTT) is going to be INSANELY FAST!

4. Lance's bike.... reminded me of the Bat Mobile for some reason, that mate black! I liked.

5. Alberto, Awesome custom Spanish kit - Awesome custom bike paint job - Awesome Time... liked it all.

6. Saw David Zabriskie warming up with a Captain America mask on and has Captain America's shield painted on his rear wheel.... I like the spirit. I guess I'm just jealous. If I were that good, I would probably do something that crazy as well.

7. A big BOOOOOOOOOOO goes out to Velonews.com. You can't copy, paste, or save any pictures anymore! BOOOOOOOOO HISSSSSSSSSSSSS

8. Tomorrow... I'll be up at 8:30 am watching for Cavendish. 4th from last today... that means he's saving energy for tomorrow's sprint! woot.

TdF

............ coming............ soon .............................. :)

"The Look"

"The Look" from the 2001 Tour De France. Every time I watch it, my mouth closes and I shake my head in disbelief. What an amazing athlete. That is a steep, long climb at the end of a long day, and he just pwns it. (yes, I threw in a WOW-ism). That cadence also amazes me... if I did that, my heart would explode.

Project Upgrade... the final parts

Black will look sleek and sexy with the black/silver/carbon crankset...

I opted for the Sram PG-1070 11-26
I was all set to get a Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 chain, but this was a much better deal...
Sram PC-1070

Maybe this would have looked better? nah... wouldn't match the classy black rear derailleur!
(I joke, but I actually REALLY REALLLY want this snazzy chain for the blue single speed bike... just a bit out of my price range right now)

Freakout...... possibly quite soon

Mr. Jackson has died. I understand that he was an American icon and music "legend" and I like his older music. Thriller, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror... all good tunes.

Where am I going with this, you ask? That freak of nature died just today and on the way home, on Pop & Hip Hop radio stations, there were 2 Michael Jackson songs already broadcasting; completely out of sync with the other songs... like a Yankee's cap at Fenway Park (if you will).

For the next week, If I hear a Michael Jackson song on the radio every 5-10 minutes, it's going to thoroughly piss me the hell off. If you thought Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino was grouchy, wait until you say the name "Jackson" around me. Freakout imminent.

Ok, new topic. A (seemingly normal)teenage girl walking past me on a bridge today and became fluttered and asked me if "this was a bridge?" We were 25' in the air on a covered bridge over a street... I was contemplating a cruel joke to embarrass her with but decided to save the moment and keep it all to myself. I smiled and said "Yes, ma'am" and strolled away.

Boston, Fenway, and More...

I'll give a run down of the amazing journey in the pictures.... enjoy :::(>>>

This is how I felt driving the whole way down... lots of traffic, NYC and NJ jackass drivers

Those were all from the campground at Harold Parker State Forest. It was pleasant, but didn't go as well as planned. Got there late, couldn't get a fire to save our lives, and bugs bit my ass while I was setting up the tent. The lake was really nice though and it didn't rain. Our morning walk was my favorite. Bio-Nerd Brielle was thrilled to see big green frogs (not pictured).

(She hates this picture but I love it... on the dock in Boston)



Spent Saturday afternoon wandering around Boston. We took the subway in and out of the city (thank you park ranger Matt who gave us this GREAT idea) Quincy Market, The Freedom Trail, Old Churches, The State House, The Park with Baby Ducks, and a fun Street Show. It was fun.... I did see a pair of Red Red Sox Sox (ha ha) that I wanted to get for bike riding, but I opted out.

Finally... FENWAY!

The game was GREAT! Beckett pitched a shut out, Big Papi hit one off the Green Monster, Ellsbury had a wild catch at the track, and Brielle didn't complain once the we sat and watched the WHOLE GAME. Plus... the seats were definitely worth the price!

One the way home. I decided to name the GPS "Gladice". She was a life saver and we couldn't have survived without her. She did lead us to a non-existent McDonalds in a shady part of Boston late at night. That bitch.

Project Upgrade.. It Has Commenced!

The most expensive part(s) of the upgrade is out of the way:

Old: Shimano Sora with up shifting on the hoods

NEW: SRAM Rival Doubletap

Old: Truvativ ISOflow Triple Crankset 175mm (heavy flexible junk really....)
NEW: FSA K-Force Compact Crankset 175mm (50/34) w/ Mega Exo BB

Still need:

Cassette (anticipating Sram 11-26)

Chain (who knows... something strong)

Rear Derailleur (Sram Rival)

Right now I have a Sora Front Derailleur being used on a triple, but supposedly it works with double cranksets.... but if it doesn't, I'll look for a 105 derailleur or something cheap.

I'm excited....... very very very excited! Also, Mtn biked ~30miles with Big E today, it was great! I'm afraid this upgrade is going to drain the bike parts budget, but a 29'er mtn bike is DEFINITELY on my mind. A "build it myself" project.

Something's Not Right, I Just Can't Pinpoint the Problem

I'm no Physio-Chemical Engineer, but I would venture to say that your wheel is pretty much... well.... let's just say: fail. Full story here at Velonews.com

So Alejandro Valverde may be on a 2 year worldwide ban from cycling for alleged blood doping, while Tom Boonen tested positive for Cocaine for a second time and is still (as of now) allowed to ride in the TDF if invited. Crazy-ness. Check out http://www.velonews.com/ if you havn't lately, lots of happenings.

(Ps. What the hell? How can he pull off a cycling jersey with jeans in public and still manage to look "cool"? If I did that... I would have to drop out of school due to humiliation! *fists raised and shaking* Damn You Tom Boonen!)

PSP

NO, not Playstation Portable. YES, investigating today into my possible, hopeful, career. Scary to think that I should be taking this very seriously very soon. God Help Me...
~
Pulled directly from the PSP web cite w/ CW commentary:

Cadet Selection Procedures (aka, all the requirements you have to pass BEFORE you even have a chance of failing out of the State Police Academy)

Application – In order to successfully apply, applicants must meet the Eligibility Requirements. On-Line Application and may be filed anytime throughout the calendar year.

Qualifying Examination(s) – Examination notices will be forwarded to all eligible applicants advising them of the date, time, and location. Additional information may be found at Test Announcements.

Eligibility List (one of the worst parts....) – Upon completion of the qualifying examination process, including the application of veterans’ preference points, the eligibility list will be established, with notification to all applicants as to their ranking on the list. The Department will periodically invite a select number of applicants for further processing based upon the needs during the life of the eligibility list.

Physical Readiness Processing – Applicants invited to participate in further processing will receive an invitation from the Pennsylvania State Police which assigns a date, time, and location for this processing. The invitation will be a part of a processing packet which the applicant must complete in its entirety within the prescribed timeframe.

This one day of processing includes: submission of the completed processing packet, completion of various forms/documents, a urinalysis drug screening test, completion of the Polygraph Screening Booklet, and the Physical Readiness Tests.

Test
Applicant Standards
Graduation Standards

300-Meter Run
67 Seconds
56 Seconds

Sit-Ups
30 (1 Minute) (joke)
37 (1 Minute)

Push-Ups
13 (no time limit) (joke)
30 Repetitions (no time limit)

Vertical Jump
14 Inches, 3 Attempts
18 Inches

1.5-Mile Run
16 Minutes and 54 Seconds (joke)
14 Minutes and 5 Seconds

Polygraph Examination – The Polygraph Screening Booklets of those applicants who successfully complete all parts of the Physical Readiness Processing will be provided to the Polygraph Examiners of the Pennsylvania State Police, who will contact applicants directly to schedule the actual test.

Background Investigation – Applicants determined by the Polygraph Review Committee to proceed through processing will have a thorough, comprehensive background investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police. The background investigative report will address each area of an applicant’s life, specifically addressing, but not limited to, the following areas: personal background, family, education, military, employment, character references, personal associates, legal/criminal/traffic history/behavior, credit, and residency.

Medical/Psychological Processing – Applicants ruled eligible by the Background Investigation Screening Panel will be invited to the Medical/Psychological Processing. Accompanied by the letter of invitation will be a processing packet that includes instructions for completing and/or providing various medical documentation at the applicant’s expense. The State Police Medical Officer reviews the medical documentation provided by the applicant’s chosen physicians and uses it to conduct a cursory medical evaluation.

Appointment (aka... finally, the interview) – Applicants successful through the Cadet Selection Procedures will be eligible for appointment, in eligibility list and rank order, to the next available Cadet class. Appointment letters are generated at least three weeks in advance of the class commencement date.

how true. how sad and true (...up to 2:24)

Watch Honest Graduation Song on CollegeHumor