Pass the Kool Aid

Resistance is futile, Josh Ritter is amazing. I resisted him for years- when everyone was hyping Animal Years as one of the greates albums ever, I was unimpressed. When The Historical Conquests on Josh Ritter showed up on everyones best album of the year lists, I couldn't figure out why. But over the last few months, songs have been popping up in my playlists... It started with Lawrence, Ks, then Harrisburg, then Me & Jiggs, the Girl in the War, and now I'm just pretty much hooked.

He played at the Great American Music Hall last night. It's really hard to compare shows. The Rock and Roll orgy put on by the Truckers and The Hold Steady was something I'll never forget, Pela at Bottom of the Hill blew me away, as did Lucero, and the first time I saw The National. But last night, in it's own way, was as good as any of those shows. I really feel priveledged to have seen it. The arrangement of Girl in The War was something I was actually moved by, something that's hard to do.

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Tonight we go to my favorite midwest city to make fun of. Lot's of airport BS and snow. But I'll be with E, and it will make her happy, and we'll get to see Jason Isbell.


I believe I've found my cycling team. More to come.


The Belgian classics start this weekend Het Whatever tomorrow and KBK on Sunday. Should be awesome

Another Tour Come and Gone

Levi wins another. No doubt it was a very enjoyable race, I hope it continues to grow into an early season classic. For years I've tried to like Levi, I really want to. He's a local guy, by all accounts really nice, but... Something about him is just kind of annoying. No doubt he did what it took to win, but to hold up three fingers after the TT as if victory was assured... weak. If he didn't have the strongest team in the race, Nibali's break doesn't get contained and Levi doesn't win. Yeah, yeah; if this happened, blah blah blah. Next week the Classics start, the next couple months are just going to be fun to watch.

Race clinic yesterday went well. I need to chose a team, I have a couple of choices now. I'm thinking of doing a tactics based one on March 8. We'll see, I need to get my fitness up a bit, at least my endurance.

How is it that this story was picked up all over the globe, and no one thought a picture was a good idea? Brazil is just awesome.

So tell me, is this a gun control problem, or a parenting problem?
Who could have ever predicted that giving a shotgun to a kid would turn out bad?

Prawo Jazdy

Is one dangerous dude.

Friday

Big Time Trial in the Tour of California today.
My heart is going with Dave Z, but my head says Levi.
What a great race it has been to watch.

I'm going to a skills clinic on Sunday. I don't really know what to expect but I'm sure I'll learn a lot. Who knows? Maybe I'll find a team...

The new Jason Isbell album kicks much ass. I'll be catching him here and here.
Great review of the album here.

In other news.

This bike is a pipe bomb

Abstinence isn't realistic? The hell you say?

Geek alert. Maybe some hack can turn it into a really bad movie.

Krugman hit another Home Run.

Cycling Poetry

That's what Stage 3 was. The Cervelo team played it to perfection. Granted they were helped by Columbia's mistake, but I'll say that only changed the distance that Thor won by. That lead out was amazing. Cervelo has put together a very competitive team and so far this season their tactics have been outstanding. After three days slogging through rain and wind and mud, it's nice to get the reward of a well earned victory.

Well Done

Tour of Cali

Saturday was great. Standing in the cold rain and wind, waiting for a glimpse of cyclings finest is probably not for everyone. But I loved it. The womens race was great, and the mens race was epic.

The new camera clearly needs some getting used to, but it's waterproof, so I was at least able to use it. I spent all the time lugging my big camera around and I never even took it out of the bag.

Big time fun!


The Early Break



The Podium


Your Winner, Emilia Fahlin Basking in the Glory



The Day's Hero


The chasers



Damn Right That's Thor!

It's Friday

Go Wild