You Interpret......

So as usual, I sat down to watch the evening news. The evening news is pretty predictable as I am able to retrieve most of my current news before it hits the airwaves. This is in part is with thanks to the Internet. Although, there are times that the evening news is able to capture my eye with personal stories from around the world.

This evening, CBS aired a special on what the Obama presidency is about to inherit. This piece went into discussion about the terror in Afghanistan. In particular, the piece portrayed the extremist youth of this region of the middle east. I was quite shocked by what I saw next. On this day, Veteran's Day, the evening news showed real life footage of a young Islamic Extremist blowing up an American Humvee as it traveled through a rural tribal region of Afghanistan. I found this footage to be one of the most vivid and graphic displays that I have seen on public broadcasting.

My mind is still attempting to comprehend whether this should have been aired on the evening news. Reporters are always quick to discuss these events but rarely do we see the actual footage of an ambush on American troops. The memories of Uday and Qusay Hussein's deaths comes back to my mind after watching this. Do you remember when the broadcasting companies and newspapers all over the world showed the images of the two sons dead bodies?

Part of me thinks that we should never hide from reality. Another part of me ponders about whether we should view the dead (or the acts of causing death) on public broadcasting. My conclusion is not balanced. So I have attached the news piece for your viewing if you wish to see what exactly I was talking about. I do wish to make a warning about this footage as it is real and shows the act of taking another person's life. This warning was not given by the broadcast. Unfortunately I cannot edit the advertisement at the beginning of this video.


Remember those who have lost their lives.

I have recently became a Spike Jonze fan.....

So I have been watching a few Spike Jonze films lately. I am sucked into the strange humor that his characters are able to portray. The films have this odd ball eclectic sense to them. Check out this short film by Spike Jonze:

Save Tin Pan Alley!!

New York City should not raze it's cultural history for more condo high rises. Tin Pan Alley was songwriting capital of the world for many years.

W28th between Broadway and 6th should be a national landmark. It's importance to our culture is extremely significant. Icons such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Fats Waller, Scott Joplin, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan & The Band as well as Ragtime artists gave their heart and soul for us within these walls from the 1880s to the 1960s.
According to the New York Post "The buildings, at 47, 49, 51, 53 and 55 West 28th Street, are being sold as a group for - hold on to your hat in these cacophonous economic times - a mere $44 million."

Visit www.hdc.org and sign the petition to help save this historical musical treasure.

This Never Gets Old....

This vocal track never gets old. A buddy of mine shared this with me. So I'm going to share it with you. Careful, it may get stuck in your head.

A Poem I Wrote in 2005

So I was digging in some old papers of mine and found a poem that I wrote before departing on my hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

The Shelter

"A day has come when to seek shelter. A shelter of where to escape. Not a shelter of wood or stone. Not a shelter of roofs nor walls. It is a shelter of assurance, reflection and peace. The man must remove himself from all society and become who he really is. In the woods is my shelter. In the woods I am free. In those woods which I have walked a day, I feel the presence of God. Yet in the woods I am aware of the darkness. To whom I write this is but myself. To whom I write this is for those who seek something different. So I am taking my day to be away from the scoffers. This day I am honored to be the guest of myself."

-James C. Deane IV
February 12, 2005

Awesome Weekend!!

This has been an awesome weekend. Sometimes in life, you just need stand back and appreciate what you have and realize that it can be taken from you without notice. On Saturday morning, some friends and I loaded up the bikes and headed North to Fort Yargo State Park to do some mountain biking. This ride was meant to be a benefit for a fellow biker, Scott Hodge. As posted in a previous entry, Scott Hodge got injured pretty bad in a recent motorcycle crash. The local mountain biking community got together and held a benefit ride to help Hodge out with his medical bills (no insurance). It was a beautiful day for the ride. The leaves are changing and the temperatures are getting cooler. This was the first time I have got to ride at Fort Yargo. The trails are awesome for a single speed. It was also amazing to see all the people that turned out for the ride. I left yesterday evening inspired by all the people in the local biking community. I was even more inspired by Hodge's attitude. This guy was in a brace and walking with a cane but he was all smiles. He has the attitude that nothing is going to keep him down.

So today (Sunday), the wife and I started the morning with a nice brunch at some friend's house and then left for a short drive over to Sprewell Bluff State Park. I can't mention enough about how beautiful the leaves are this time of year. I must say that autumn is my favorite season. Sprewell Bluff is a pretty cool park. There is a few miles of trails that wind up and down and all around the ridges that follow the Flint River. I didn't realize there was actually mountains in middle Georgia. The Flint River was really pretty too. It was a great feeling to be in the middle of nowhere and listen to the sounds of nature. Lately, I haven't had the opportunity to spend much time with my wife due to her school and all the riding I have been doing. So it was really nice to escape from our busy lives and cherish our time together. I am really thankful to have a wife as wonderful as she is. So this weekend has certainly been awesome!!

Barack Hussein Obama Is the 44th President of the United States of America!!

I'm a Georgia Voter and Proud of Who I Voted For!!

So today was a monumental day of my life. I have placed a lot of time and effort into campaigning for Senator Barack Obama. It was by far my pleasure to voice my support for him as well as US Senator Candidate Jim Martin (D) and my US Representative Jim Marshall (D).

The past eight years of my life, I have learned a lot about myself and the country I live in. Our country has experienced a lot. Our nation was attacked on domestic grounds, we have been involved in two wars, faced economic struggle and have realized the impact we are placing on our environment. This election is greatly important to me because I personally am tired from the previous eight years. It is time for a new face in office. I am very proud to have voted for Senator Barack Obama.

Please Get Out and Vote....Vote For Change!!

I love this car commercial...Its so 80's

I'm Really Pumped for The Election....

Its winding down. Just a few days left. I have put my heart into this campaign. It means so much to me to for Senator Obama to be elected as the President of the United States. The question is not about is he a "terrorist" or a "muslim." The questions we need to ask ourselves is who can do the most for our country? Sen. Obama has proven his passion for the common people. He has shown his voting record. He has shown his diplomatic strength. He has shown us his plan. Sen. Obama's tax plan is for the majority of America. 95% of Americans will benefit more from Sen. Obama's tax plan than from John McCain's. I don't want to bash Sen. McCain anymore. He has done many great things in our countries past. But our country needs some fresh air. If you are concerned about the issues, research the truths. Don't just listen to TV ads or radio talk shows. Our country is hurting. We need to make a change from the administration of the previous eight years. We need change we can believe in.

If you didn't get to see Sen. Obama's plan for the nation last night, check it out.

35 Degrees in Georgia!?! And I'm Riding The Bike To Work!?!

I'm bundled up and heading out for a 12 mile ride to work. I'm going to do a little exploring at the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds on the way there. I plan on giving myself about an hour and 15 minutes. I may even stop for some coffee. This is going to be a cold ride. I'm not used to 35 degree weather in Georgia.

Go Phillies!!

This song is out of Rocky. There is no better reference to Philadelphia than from Rocky. This performance I found by no way lives up to the ass kicking potential that Rocky has but its still funny as hell.

Watch the entire video. There is more to it then the old commercial.

My Children (The Bikes)

So the wife and I were discussing if we should do a Christmas card this year. She said we should do one with the cat in it. I said thats fine as long as the bikes are in it as well. I said, "They are like children to me." She laughed, and I said "We have several adopted children from Taiwan."

Rode the Bike to Work Today....

So I overcame the obstacles of getting out of bed and hopping on the bike to commute to work. The temps were great in the high 40's on the morning commute and in the 50's for the evening commute. The ride was great. I rode 11.5 each way for a total of 23 miles round trip. I enjoyed the ride so much that I think I will do it again this week.

Found a picture of me on the podium....

Here's a picture I found on the Linder family's blog. This was from the Georgia Single Speed Championship race. I place 3rd in the 20-34 men's time trial event. This was a great event. Full of Single Speed mountain bikes from all over the Southeast. Notice my fabricated cutoff redneck jersey? My typical jersey was nasty and I took an old button down plaid shirt and cut the sleeves off.

I haven't really gone to church much since Christina and I moved to Macon, GA two and half years ago. It just seems we can't find a church here that is matches our beliefs. Also, I have been pretty tied up with mountain bike racing season and other various bike events lately. Hopefully we'll continue our search again soon. Maybe we'll find a church that matches our beliefs (community, love and respect for each other). So for this Sunday morning, I went out for a quick ride and I am now sitting back enjoying a cup of joe and some bluegrass gospel music. The album is called Gloryland. I got it a few years ago from my mother-in-law. I listen to it almost every Sunday. Its just old school mountain gospel. It reminds me a lot of those Sunday trips to church with my grandparents when I was a little kid. Those memories were great.

Sunday Morning MTB Rides....

Got up at the butt crack of dawn this morning and went for a mountain bike ride at the Macon Pig Trails. Its a great feeling riding early during the fall. The temps were cool and a lot of dew on the ground. The feel of the morning dew splashing against your face will wake you up pretty quick. I love it. So I only did a 7 mile lap but it was a nice way to start my morning.

Lovin' Some Bela Fleck.......

Its a beautiful Fall Saturday here in Macon, Ga and I am loving it. I have been riding the bike(s) all day long and decided to take a quick brake for some food and music. For the past 30 minutes, I have been listening to Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. I haven't listened to these guys in years. As I always say, if you haven't heard em' check em' out.

Update on Scott Hodge....

I made a blog post recently about Scott Hodge who was hurt pretty bad in a motorcycle wreck last week. Blessings be, he is doing much better. This guy has been a lamp post for the cycling community and we all appreciate everything he has done for us in the past. I have listed a few links below about this guy.


If you would like to donate, you are welcome to do so through paypal:




Hodge has also been featured this week on Dirt Rag Magazine's website:











You can also track the status of Scott Hodge's health on his own blog:
http://velomech.livejournal.com/

Another reminder of the mountain bike festival coming up:

Be There May 2nd 2009

Flavor of the Week

Abita's Purple Haze is our flavor of the week. Purple Haze is a crisp, American style wheat beer with raspberry puree added after filtration. Therefore, you may see raspberry pulp in the beer. The raspberries provide the lager with a subtle purple coloration and haze, a fruity aroma, and a tartly sweet taste. Its good if your wanting something a little fruitier. Its well recommended and can be found pretty much anywhere.

Talked to a buddy of mine...

So a friend of mine gave me a call and advised me to check out a band called "King Khan and the Shrines." I was pretty amazed with what I heard. If you haven't heard them, check out their video below.


Also, click on the picture below to visit their MySpace page.

I'm on a bluegrass kick today.....

The Avett Brothers - Die, Die, Die


I like these guys. They have a more modern and progressive sound than most bluegrass bands.

One of my favorite endorsements yet, Ralph Stanley for Obama....

Picked these guys up today....

One of the guys at the local bike shop in town had a set of Jandd Large Mountain Panniers for sale. He only wanted like $50 for the pair. They are barely even used. I put them on my commuter bike (which I am going to use for some light touring) and off I went to the grocery store. I was able to put four paper grocery bags worth of food in these panniers and still have a little room left over. The best part is that they are expandable if you need more volume. I am very happy with this purchase.

The wife has been cooking for me.....

Life has been great lately. My wife and I have been together for a little over three years. For the past three years, I have always been the one to do all the cooking. Lately, I have been catered to by my lovely wife. I must say, her cooking has been awesome. When I got home from work this evening, she had dinner on the table ready to eat. Now thats the life. Its always nice to come home to dinner after a long day at work. She fixed a dish called "Rustic Stuffed Potatoes." I wish I had my camera to take a picture. It looks almost as good as it tastes.

So here is the recipe for the dish she made:

"Rustic Stuffed Potatoes"
4 medium red potatoes (about 6 ounces each)
1/2 cup of "spicy" bbq sauce
2 to 3 teaspoons cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Light amount of olive oil to coat the pan
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

Pierce the potatoes in several places with a fork. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, or until tender when pierced to the center with a fork, turning once.
Meanwhile, in a small measuring cup or bowl, stir together the bbq sauce, vinegar and cayenne.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the skillet from the heat and lightly coat the skillet with olive oil. Cook the chicken for 2 minutes, or until no longer pink on the outside, stirring constantly. Increase the heat to high. Add the bbq sauce mixture; cook for 1 1/2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the chicken is no longer pink in the center, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Cut the potatoes in half; fluff with a fork. Place 2 potato halves on each plate. Lightly butter each half of the potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Spoon the chicken mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle with the green onions.

This stuff is great. Each serving has about 275 calories. Try it and you will be impressed.

Great Music to Relax To....

The Budos Band - Origin of Man

Halloween is approaching....

With Halloween approaching, the streets of downtown Macon, GA get invaded with dancing zombies.

Speaking of out west...

So my last post I expressed interest in going to Portland. One place that I have been to thats out west is Jackson Hole in Wyoming. That place is amazing. The town of Jackson has an awesome mellow vibe where cowboys and hippies come together for some Snake River brew. The wife and I took our honeymoon to Jackson Hole and miss it everyday!

Portland, Oregon seems to be a cool place....

I would love to visit Portland one day. No one ever talks bad about Portland. I have even met a guy who was homeless and on the streets in Portland and he said the city was great. Maybe I'll head out west one day and check out Portland.

Loretta Lynn & Jack White - Portland Oregon

Statements from Former Gen. Colin Powel......

Obama "is a Christian," Powell said. "He has always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, 'What if he is?' Is there something wrong with being Muslim in this country? The answer is no. That is not America." He added: "I am troubled that within the (Republican) Party we have these kinds of expressions" suggesting that Obama is a Muslim, and that if he is, he likely associates with terrorists.

Reflecting on my youth

So the wife and I were sitting at home tonight after dinner watching the meaningless tube. We hardly watch TV anymore. Occasionally we watch the news or a sitcom. We were talking about shows we used to watch and both agreed we loved to watch "Captain Planet" when we were kids. Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch the first episode of "Captain Planet." So I thought I would share it with everyone:

Episode 1, Part 1


Episode 1, Part 2


Episode 1, Part 3

Commuting By Bike

So I have commuted to work by bike a couple of times. Its not the easiest route to get to my work. Its not too far either. My commute on the bike only consists of about 18 miles round trip but the roads I take aren't very bike friendly. For that matter, no road in Georgia seems to be very bike friendly. The biggest battle I really have is not the route. Its actually gathering myself together to actually take the time to do the bike commute. You see, a bike commute is more than just riding to work. There is a lot more mental preparedness that you have to take. Getting up earlier and actually committing yourself to riding to work is harder than you might think. Well, I actually came across an article on the "Commute By Bike" website that gave some insight into making your commute easier. Check it out and maybe you too will overcome any mental obstacles of commuting to work by bike.

Here is an old picture of me returning home from a commute during a tornado watch. The sirens had actually gone off during my ride home. The wife took the picture to show how crazy I was. :)

On The Way To Work.....

So I started my day off with some tunes from John Coltrane. Coltrane had a short career but most definitely an amazing one. Coltrane has played with the greatest jazz musicians such as Dizzie Gilespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Red Garland. So today I listened to a little NPR and felt the need for some jazz. So my commute to work consisted of listening to John Coltrane's "A Love Supreme."

Dauset Was Great

This past Saturday, a group of us headed to Dauset Trails in Jackson, GA for a send off party for a friend heading to Iraq. It was some good times with good folks and good beer.

Bad Brains - I Against I

Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Blank Generation

Obama Bike

This bike is being auctioned off for the Barack Obama Victory Fund. Check it out on Ebay

Protect Your Junk!!

This stuff is too funny!! I am quite curious about switching to this chamois cream. For those of you who aren't into cycling, its cream that keeps you from getting some nasty bumps on your ass.

Returning the Shout Out

For the past year, I have been reading a blog posted by a guy from DC. Its full of a lot of cool random stuff that just pertains to living each day and being happy with what you got. Thats what I try to do with my life as well. This guy from DC shoots a lot of pictures around the metro DC area of cyclists. It brings insight into life by detailing how simple things can be. Most of the people he takes pictures of are smiling. A lot of these folks are enjoying simple transportation year round. So if you enjoy stuff like this, check out http://www.gwadzilla.blogspot.com

This is Great!!

Check out No Brakes in ATL

If your into any bike that only has one speed, check out the guys at No Brakes in ATL. The cater to the fixed gear/single speed minded folks. Its a great shop ran by great guys. They also host/sponsor many of the alleycat races in Atlanta. http://www.nobrakesatl.com

Lance in Street Clothes

Only the Best!

Speaking off BBQ in the previous post, Fresh Air BBQ in Jackson and Macon, Georgia is the best. Click on the picture to visit their website.

Can't Wait to See It

The weekend was filled with bikes, beer and BBQ. I didn't have anytime to go see W. yet.

Save Arrowhead Trails

I posted a flyer for the Middle Georgia Mountain Bike Festival which is being held at Dauset Nature Trails in Jackson, GA. The festival is a fundraiser to rebuild Arrowhead Mountain Bike Trails. The morning of Mother's Day, we lost our best trail in Middle Georgia to a tornado. This trail was used for many events and fun rides. If you are interested in donating to the rebuild, you can visit OMBA's Website.

A little glimpse of what we had before the tornado:

Flavor of the Week

This week's beer is dedicated to Sam Adams Oktoberfest. There are many great Oktoberfest beers out there right now. Sam Adams has always produced a great beer that is easy to find at your local grocer's beer aisle.

I'm honestly not the best person to explain the detailed flavors of a beer. I know what I like and what I don't. My main point in the flavor of the week is to recommend a beer. If you can still find the Oktoberfest brew, pick up a six pack and enjoy.