Getting ready for international travel...

We're heading back to Midland, TX this afternoon to begin our trip back to Idaho tomorrow. You know what they say about Texas...

We'll have some commentary about our little vacation as well as what we've been up to the last few weeks when we get back.

Sleep.Eat.Write.Eat.Write.Eat.Write....Repeat

That the routine of the last week and will be until Monday, my deadline. I'm not concerned, it's just a matter of getting it done. I have TONS of backlog I've been wanting to write on here that will just have to wait until that thesis is in my professor's hands.... Monday afternoon.

In the meantime, have a good weekend. If you're in a place that's sunny and warm, ride some trails for me.

Winter? Going once...going twice...

Ok, time to knock on some wood to keep from jinxing everyone. It's actually looking like it's going to be a great weekend here. Highs in the high 60's and possibly into the 70's on Sunday. The timing couldn't be worse considering how much work I have to do before the 21st. I hope I can get out for a little pedaling time and enjoy it while it's here.

The thesis defense is scheduled. May 7th, 10AM. I'm oddly not concerned about it. However, I just wish this writing thing was out of the way already.

I am gainfully employed for the Summer and probably Fall to continue the positive cashflow while Lorena's finishing up. I think that's the part I'm looking forward to the most at the moment. Not having this research thing lingering in the background. Getting my master's degree has been great, for sure. I'm ready to be done. Kind of like when I got my bachelor's all those years ago.

Looks like my program's finished running. Time to get some more data to analyze.

Some little tidbits

First of all, yesterday was Lorena's 29th birthday! She's almost as old as me... To celebrate, we decided to try out the new Thai restaurant in downtown Moscow. We'd heard/read good things about it, but it was super-busy and so we had a little wait. No big deal, right? Well, their wait staff was totally slammed and it took 10 minutes or so before our waiter even came around after we were seated. Then, because the restaurant was so busy, they ran out of glass water glasses and had to resort to styrofoam cups. I think our food took a little over a half hour to get to us but was pretty good. Unfortunately, I don't think it was quite good enough to spend an hour and a half at dinner. There are a couple of other restaurants around where you an easily spend over an hour. However, their atmospheres are much more relaxed and inviting and so you don't feel like you're there that long. Also, they pay a lot closer attention to customers. The Thai restaurant was too brightly lit and was really loud. It just made you tense and really aware of the time. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since the restaurant is new and very popular at the moment. It was also a Saturday night. However, the Moscow restaurant is owned by people who have had a Thai restaurant in Pullman for a long time. I would think they'd know how to run a restaurant by now. Perhaps we'll go back once more on a less busy night and it will be much better.

On a lighter note...(no pun intended)... If you're looking for a good band to relax to, I recommend the band Westbound Train. Check 'em out.

And finally, I came across this blog via the Urban Velo site. This guy has a good idea. It's unfortunate that he's had so much trouble with law enforcement in certain locales because they are ignorant of the state laws or just don't give a damn about cyclists. The guy's had some success getting citations issued to reckless drivers and appears to have developed a good relationship with the police in other towns to help promote cyclists' safety. Definitely worth reading.

Bike Safer

Time to go grab some coffee. I don't know how I managed to write all of this before my first cup.

One of those firsts of Spring...

Today was a nice, sunny, 53 degree day on the Palouse. It was definitely feeling like Spring and there were tons of people out taking advantage of it. I had to pick up some road tires from our friend Ted, so I hooked up the BOB trailer and headed over to pick them up. On the way back, I had one of those little moments that every cyclist encounters at some point in the year. That is, riding through a gnat cloud.

While pretty normal for Summer, especially in areas with cattle, those little buggers are impossible to see. They let you know they're there pretty quickly though, often leading to fits of spitting as you try to get rid of that mouthful of them you just inhaled while trying to hang in the group. I think the funniest part is when you hear them bounce off of your helmet. It's hard to believe that something that small can make so much noise.

It's supposed to try to snow a little here over the weekend. I hope it's Winter's last gasp... and I know I'm not the only one.

For those of you still biding your time on the frozen tundra, here's something that might make the off-season a little shorter.