Best bike video in a while

With the large amount of video out there, it is actually surprising when I watch one all the way through. This one is pretty cool and reminded me of the days I actually "attempted" some of this stuff, but alas now all I can think about when I see them is how much it would hurt to learn all of that stuff. Also, it is one of the best songs put to a trials video as well, not all adrenaline and noise...


Danny Mac April 2009 from Gergic on Vimeo.

Plans are still to post some pictures of Guatemala, but it looks like it will be after Traci gets back on Thursday.

Another Month Hiatus...

It seems like I have a hard time finding free moments to put together a blog entry, so I have resorted to jotting down a few sentences while cramming my face in the 20 minutes I have to eat lunch today. This past month has been extremely busy with the most exciting thing being my 9 day trek to visit Traci in Antigua, Guatemala! The highlights were trips to a coffee plantation, Lago Atitlan, volcan Pacaya, and of course Tikal. Hopefully I will post some photos before next month!

On the homefront, classes are in full-steam ahead mode as we look to finish labs and coursework in a little over a month from now, so there's no rest for the weary instructors. There is a lot of grading to finish, and a variety of exams to administer. To top it all off, the bike shop is calling with the annual backlog of repairs...

"What do you mean it will take 2&1/2 weeks to get to my repair!" is the common response. Sometimes you just want to say "Hey buddy, you and everybody else dusted off your bike the past weekend when it was 60 and sunny. Think ahead and bring it in in Feruary so it ready to go, and it will only take a day!" Fun times ahead!

Traci's Valentine

It's been a while...

It's been quite some time since I have posted anything, and I really dislike seeing the "one month ago" on Traci's, and Chris & Lorena's blogs. It's been a busy break and semester as I picked up several extra labs. Time is precious and I am trying to prepare for my trip to Guatemala which is only two weeks away already. I am immunized and just have to pack! The weather this winter has been good for the ice fishing, but I haven't had much opportunity to get out. However, the same weather is horrible for bike riding, and the indoor training sucks. I seem to have little motivation for riding inside this year, but the rec center on campus has been keeping my in shape with running and lifting. Hopefully I am a little more prepared for climbing in the spring!

Finals Week!!!

It is here, the time of year that is both stressful and exciting. Finals week of the fall semester is upon us, and I am looking forward to the end (but it's Monday). The only things left to complete is the final lecture in an hour, and then two exams, the regular lecture exam on Wednesday, and the comprehensive final on Friday. And then the copious amounts of grading that needs to be completed almost immediately. It should be a week of little sleep and lots of partying when done. Next week is looking good already with a pizza party for the CSIE group on Monday and Traci comes back on Thursday!!

I got to go to my first Redwings game on Thursday as my buddy Brian O. had extra tickets from his mom. First row next to the glass right beside the penalty box. Apparently being a law firm for the big three automakers is still pretty lucrative! I will post some picks when I get them from Jacob. I left my camera in my office, but that shouldn't surprise anyone I guess.

Busy Holiday Week

I've been pretty busy last week, but I've been eating a lot of food to keep my energy levels up. The week before Thanksgiving, Wei came over for some home-made cheesecake and to help make some pierogies. Traci gave me a set of pasta rollers for my Kitchen-Aid mixer and the pierogies "from scratch" were pretty good, but I'll have to make some more to perfect the recipe. They definitely were not as good as the cheesecake, but here was dinner...





This weekend was the big Thanksgiving dinner for 40 people at the community center in Navarre, a big steak dinner from Dad on Friday, and then a second Thanksgiving dinner with good friends who live in Ann Arbor. Thanks to all my friends and family for the motivation to get back on the bike once the semester cools off here in a couple of days.

It's that time of year.

The weather is starting to turn ugly, as it's been cold and grey for the past week. I don't think its made t to the forties this week, and several overnight lows have been down close to 20 degrees F. In preparation for the winter, the "Beard that made Marty do evil things" has made an early return. For those of you that have not been able to see the progression, as I usually come home for Christmas with a full beard, here's a timeline...

Day 5


Day 10


Day 15


Day 20


Three weeks to a pretty full beard isn't too shabby. Now, only three more weeks until end of the busiest semester I've had in a long time. Then it's time to bring on the ice! It's almost time to get the ice-fishing gear ready.