Packed (not quite)

Thursday evening. The packing has commenced. And to be fair, I'm already bored of doing so. Hence this random post. I have also cruised through pictures of last years Southern expedition and cruised facebook. I have gotten a good start. Basically I pushed a majority of my cycling wear off its respective shelves into an awaiting duffel bag, found PAIRS of socks and what kits I need. All of this has been shoved into my uber sized bag with my cycling shoes. Next up my gizmos and gadjets and whatnots. Oh, and civilian clothing. Got my list(s) together for what needs to be done tomorrow slash picked up from various locations. I'm pretty sure this is the most prepared I've been for anything in my life. Next on the list, cook dinner with any perishable items in my fridge. Not quite sure what this will come out as, I think I'll pull everything out and then piece it into a meal kinda like a puzzle. Then last is to pack what school books I will need while missing 2 weeks of class. Plus tomorrow night, pesto stuffed chicken wrapped in prosciutto. Oh man. Only current problem is I have that rest week 'grease craving' I get sometimes. I will be strong. My own fault for eating my home lunch in the caf while my classmates (and the many fatties, aka extra motivation) chowed down on burgers and poutines. That swag ain't top-sporter. Thats about all I got. Nothing exciting chez Sandy. But I promise to - as usual - document my voyage well with my trusty picture machine. I will be at the shop tomorrow if anyone wishes to hand off any lavish parting gifts.

T minus 2

The departure time approaches. It is now merely a matter of time until I figure out what I have forgotten upon arriving in Seneca. I almost feel like we should get a pool going on what item(s). To help this matter, I have derived an extremely fool proof and accurate method of list making: find random scraps of paper, write whatever has just popped into your head, toss that paper onto the desk. I will let everyone know how this turns out, but I am feeling good vibes from my organizational side. He is usually quite quiet and shy. Apparently my precious reports on packing activity in my vicinity were erroneous. I apologize for any stress this may have caused my readers. To be fair I have as of yet: decided to leave the pile of laundry on my floor as the "clean and possibly packing" pile and burned (almost) 2 CDs. A subcommittee will be formed to investigate any possible contenders from 'The' pile. They are loosely connected to the "internet time wasting" committee who is currently receiving the majority of our funds. Letgo on record that I have also labeled said CDs with magic marker. I am also making an attempt to compile my many rando lists into on piece of paper. Kinda like scrap booking, but hopefully less lame. Spent a decent amount of time this morning drinking coffee, but also managed a nice hour and a half spin on the trainer watching the snow fall. Spent my afternoon in class, pretty far from my favourite activity. But at least I beat the class average on the math test. Let's just say that I more than passed, while a large portion of the class (ok, most of it) will be taking advantage of the "re-test" option coming up. Good thing as I will not be here for said re-test. Tonight on the dinner menu, baked salmon with mixed veggies and lentils. Sounds promising. Plus Iron Chef is on at 9, so my evening is pretty much gone. Looks like packing will indeed be a last minute affair. Aka Thursday night. Well done to me. Tomorrow has lost some of its panache with me having to arrive at school for 12 instead of 2 to write a test that I would otherwise be missing. Probably a good thing. Now, it is time to play in the kitchen.

Hilarious

Final

Final preparations are underway. I realize this goes completely against everything I believe in and stand for... but I have already thought about my packing. This coming from the man who packed from the ground up to live in Belgium for 3 months the morning of his departure. As a general rule, I wake myself up 30 minutes early the morning of any race to quickly through all my garb in a duffel bag. Slight slag here, all my cycling possessions are spread out in two distinctly unorganized locations: Perth & Ottawa. I have no intention of "cruising" through Perth at 6 am on Saturday to pick up some most likely important piece of gear. No reason to start a 1700km road trip with my hommie Geoff on a bad note. Plus, not gonna lie, I'm terribly excited. Even though it did manage to snow last night (I fully hold the prayers of my mother responsible for this, and by association my class attendance as per the written deal yesterday) I find myself in an incredibly good mood. Turned my alarm off for an extra hour of snoozing this morning of the "rest" week. A little stack of pannakoken and a boddem of coffee to start the day. Some internet perusing... general chillaxin... and the commencement of burning some decent tunes for the drive. Not sure how many CDs I'll need for 1700kms, but I intend to be prepared for most any musical whim or need. Not to fear, the ride will still come today. But after class. The only visible downside of my day is the note from UPS requesting a "second delivery attempt" today between the hours of "10:30 & 5:00". Oh ya, let me just clear the next week out of schedule as well. Apparently they also will not bring the parcel to the depot until 3 attempts have been made AND cannot simply leave it on my porch like a normal delivery company as I owe them $10.34 in "Brokerage C.O.D". With I assume means "delivery man needs gas and heroin money". I may just tape $11 and a note explaining "keep the change, wanker" on my door and hope for the best. The lengths I go to to be able to download my SRM data... such a dork.

Side note: (I swear this is the end of today's rant). Please leave some cool tunage suggestions in the comments section. I will provide some "mad super fly stupid dumbass props" for any good suggestions. Side wager, name the movie that that quote came from...

Weather?

I am quite certain I have used this title in a previous title, but nonetheless. Saturday we get wupped with 30 odd cm of the fluffy white stuff. Today, Monday, I get out of class at noon to find sunshine a 5 degree temperatures here in February. What gives? Not that I'm complaining. I obviously rushed home and was on the road for a solid 4 glorious hours by the time the sun was down. One of those days you live for on the bike. No battery left in the iPod but time flew by. Sun in my face, low winds, some fresh fruit to munch on and quiet/dry roads. And its only February. Did I mention my legs felt great? Made for a solid day, and its still not done. Got up feeling pretty solid (other than having to attend an 8am class instead of lounging around) with the knowledge that I was spending my last week in the great white north for nearly a month. Got a haircut, and groceries on my break between classes, and got let out of drafting an hour early. The ride: 4 hours on the fixie (though on second thought the roads were fully dry and clean enough for the Stevens) through the hills with 2 extra repeats on the killer 20%+ gradients of the Westport berg. Got home literally at the end of the day as the sun set behind me. Some very peaceful moments until I hit that last few kms of "heavier" traffic coming into town. Nice hot shower, some stretching as my tea cools. A quick blog entry and then time for dinner. Some spicy thai chicken, with fresh broccoli and mashed chick peas. Not to mention a glance at the weather for tomorrow revealed an expected high of 11 degrees. I nearly cried. Though, apparently the gods wish of me to attend class tomorrow so have now changed it to a high of 4 and most likely some rain. Though let it be said, if I wake up tomorrow to sunshine and 11 I will have to be dragged to class. No offense to shop class, but 11 degree days in Canada in February are not to be taken lightly nor wasted. I understand some of you may disagree with my logic (mainly those with jobs that do not allow them to take advantage of said weather, and those with names that start with "m" and end with "om"... I'm not naming anyone specific.) but I'm sticking to my guns in this case. Y'all better hope for rain. Actually maybe snow might be a safer bet. For all those unable to enjoy this time of year, "do not hate thine player. hate thee the folies of the game." (Quote to either the bard or Snoop. I get them confused sometimes.)

La biciclette nearly prepped for SC. Mildly sponsor friendly,
shiny white. Just waiting on the new chain rings.... details, a venir.

Blah

Weekend has been a write off so far. Friday was a work day. Three hours of shop, drive home in the blizzard and then 5 hours of reno work with Kiwi. Needless to say I was a little tired. A pre-birthday dinner with the folks (as I will be down south for my real one this year) and then a decently early bedtime. Woke up Saturday with the cause of my off weekend. Felt kinda like the flu, but with more emphasis on wanting to throw up. Not sure what brought it on, but left work early and pretty much slept for 24 hours. Woke up Sunday feeling slightly tired still, but basically normal. I have even elected to take today off the bike (this is a planned rest week) to make sure whatever was in my system is completely gone. Less than a week till departure. No way I want to be sick down south. Basically resting today, drinking plenty and worked on prepping my bike. Pictures to follow on that front. Swap gearing, new bar tape, pop on the Regal saddle, adjust the cables, new chain, cover the logos... still waiting on my new chain rings. Things appear to be coming together. Thats about it for me. We'll try for a couple of longer days in the saddle the next few days followed by some nice short spins before leaving.

Winter storm warning?

What gives? January really has been quite nice for cyclists here in Ottawa. I've pretty much been getting 1-3 rides a week outside all month, minimal snow, and overall good times. Now, I get to class yesterday (after a solid couple hours on the turbo trainer - term from Maggie interview. I like) just in time for a solid debate on whether anyone will be attending in the apparent snow storm. 20cm or something. Needless to say, it is not doing anything yet as of 7am. But I can only assume that mother nature is waiting to play a cruel joke on me and start snowing real heavy just before I get in my car for the drive. I would advise you all to therefor do any driving before about noon when I'll be heading home. Hopefully a sweet weekend. My boy Geoff is making his return to Ottawa in preparation for our departure (next Saturday!). He claims he's here to see his girlfriend, but I have no doubt this is simply an excuse to see me earlier. Sandy withdrawal is common. It is the main reason why I must return to work at the Cyclery ever Saturday. Why else would they pay some as generally useless as me? On a side note, after watching Across the World, my head is now a constant source of Beatles music. For example, all I can think of at the moment is... "hold my hand and I'll miss you, tomorrow I'll kiss you..." This could be somewhat dangerous going into shop class. More reports on whether I sever any digits or limbs to come. Internet can be spotty at home and the hospital. Cheers to non-life threatening injuries!