Day: March 26, 2024

Jinjer’s “Teacher, Teacher!” has me diving back into my school years and has been like ripping off a bandaid to reveal a still-festering rage. Those days, clouded by offers of “he will never be able to read, so let’s just put him in a special class” and dismissals like “he will never conform and behave in class,” didn’t just challenge me—they ignited an autistic rage of defiance within. It was a brutal awakening, a realization that sometimes the very structures claiming to support us are the ones we need to tear down.

The song I’m talking about, Teacher, Teacher!, isn’t just music; it’s a primal scream. Tatiana Shmailyuk’s (@tati_booyakah) unbridled ferocity and raw honesty cut through the pretense, giving voice to a rage many of us have felt but could never articulate. The notion that the music industry and societal norms have never truly embraced anger until this moment feels vindicated here.

Some lines, especially “Don’t let their school make a fool of you, Because the teachers may be fools too,” seethes with a dark reminder: question everything, especially when it’s fed to you by those in power. “When their prejudice let us down, We stand firmly on our ground,” becomes a mantra for those of us forged in the fire of their disdain, a declaration of our unyielding resolve to remain unbroken and defiantly different.

That moment the song reflects, “I took a look around, there was no sanctuary,” hits like a gut punch. It’s a bleak acknowledgment that the places meant to shelter and nurture us can sometimes be the loneliest and most hostile. Yet, it’s within these realizations we find our true strength and voice.

This isn’t merely a track; it’s an anthem of the marginalized, a battle cry for anyone ever shoved into the shadows by the very systems supposed to protect them. It’s a shout into the void for everyone told they’re too much, too difficult, or simply too different. This song, with its guttural screams and relentless rhythms, serves as a beacon for our anger, our challenges, and our relentless questioning of the norm.

So, here’s to Tati, for fueling my rage, to recharge and let it out, to heal sometimes, for reminding me that to question, to challenge, and to firmly plant my feet is not just my right but my duty. It’s a call to arms, a summoning of “Bill’s Ghosts.”

I went to take a photo of a scene during a recent ride and discovered that my camera was not working. I carry a small pocket camera that takes great photos. I also have a DSLR, but it is so big I never take it anywhere. So now I need a new camera. I have found one, and it is $700. I am ready to pull the trigger. Then I pause… why do I want to take photos so badly… and most importantly, why do I have to have a quality camera?

I am backing out of the purchase, at least for now. I think I will go on a journey to see why I have let cameras dominate my life. They cost money, and dealing with the results is VERY time-consuming. In one ride, I can take 300 photos, and then it takes me 4 hours to sort them and find the ones I like. Then I like to process them and share them in blogs and online. I waste so much time on something that is not my job. It makes me no money. Why do I do it? Do I use it to hide from other things? Is it an expensive distraction? Am I hiding behind a lens?

So I am thinking about not taking another photo for one year. This way, my photography fast will uncover my true desires and passions. I will understand more why I do it as I withdraw from it. If in a year I still want to do it and can rationalize why, I will pick it up again. This will either make or break my blogging. I mean, I am not a good writer, so I don’t know if I can pull off blogging without visual aid. But then again, this blog’s purpose is therapeutic for me, like this one, helping me to try and understand my passions.

It is early, and already the sun is hitting upon me so hard I think that it is summer. I decided to take off my coat and all winter-specific gear to stay cool during the next 3 minutes. My first set of intervals was up the US West Trail, and they went quite well. The usual uncomfortable suffer feelings followed by a little rest to dream of a world where that was the last time I would feel that way. Then, without hesitation, I would do another, much to the total opposition from my body and mind. I hate the uncomfortable feeling of going anaerobic.

As I approached the end of my ride, I crested Jumbo Saddle. My grin was as wide as the horizon. I just had to suffer through the hard times to enjoy this moment.

There are times I really don’t want to do something, like go see a friend’s show. I mean, I am not into Brazilian dance, right? But after going, I found another appreciation for other ways of doing things. Later, as I drove back home, I had a grin as large as the setting sun on the horizon.

This weekend, I missed a big race I was looking forward to, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Just have to get through these hard times and look forward to next year.

Good luck to Jill Homer in the White Mountain 100 snow bike race. Here is the beta. I am planning on some sporadic spot watching parties during the next 20 hours. Goooo Jill. Here is the beta.
means Jill is biking …o/o

Beat is going to compete on foot, so his icon is a little runner.

And, if her pace slows to a speed not conducive to bike riding the icon changes to a little bike-pushing aol figure.

• Jill’s tracking page is located at this link
• Beat’s page is at this link
• Race updates and information will be posted here

My friends Warren & Christal Smith of Chiropractic Plus in Butte have set us up with lodging for my 24 Solo World Championship debut in Canmore, Alberta Canada. I am grateful for this kind of help and consider them a part of my team.

Chiropractic Plus, located in Butte, MT, is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of their patients. This is a husband and wife team that moved to Butte in 2000 from Seattle and we all know why. It is the outdoor and family oriented life that I find very inviting every time I go over there from Missoula.  Oh yea, I have been there a lot lately, visiting Pipestone to MTB.

It was just last summer I was cussing out Warren and he zipped past me during the 8 Hours of Labor making me look like a beginner. I hold grudges and want a rematch but first I will be staying in a comfy place and enjoying my once in a lifetime trip up north.

Warren, next 8 Hours of Labor

Greetings from Missoula, Montana! The sun’s up and shining bright, but don’t let it fool you – it’s still nippy out here. March is doing its usual dance, teasing us with light but holding back on the warmth. Had a bit of an adventure last night checking out the local trail scene. Decided to give Treasure Ride a go, only to discover it’s more of an ice rink than a trail right now. Clearly, the trails aren’t quite spring-ready.

But, not all was lost! I found solace in the new trail up South Sentinel – that one’s good to go. It intersects the fire road and, let me tell you, it was a treat. Managed to get in 6 laps before the sun dipped, basking in what felt like a preview of spring, soaking up those warmer temps.

The descent, however, was a whole other story. The temperature drop turned my ride back into a chilly endeavor – Brrrr, indeed! Here’s to the sunny but deceptive days of early spring in Montana.

The peloton has the big hitters this week and today the two finishers came across the line in a dead tie. It looks like I will be crowning two champions today. The race started last Tuesday when I placed my annual bicycle parts order. I placed them all at the same time to see who was the fastest. The line up included the usuals. Jensons USA , Performance Bike , Price Point , and some dude in CA (eBay).

Today around 3 the two leaders finished and it was just to hard to tell when one hit my stairs first. So this years unofficial winner is Price Point and Jenson USA. I was quite suprised to see ol Jensons USA keep with the all time leader Price Point. Here are the final results:

1. Price Point (5 days, 5 hours)
2. Jenson USA (finished with leader)
3. Performance Bike (still to finish, probably 9 days, or so)
4. Dude in CA (DNF, lost on course)… dude ripped me off.

The recovery of last weekend’s climb up Lolo Peak is complete, and now I am preparing for my road cycling months here in Montana. April and May, I usually hit the road to get into shape and to get into a better shape. Being poor, all I could get to prepare my road bike was two cheap tires, and with those, I will overhaul my bike tomorrow. This means getting the mountain bike somewhat going so I can ride to work on something that is not tricked out with clip-less pedals and a greasy big chain ring. If you are a commuter who likes to keep their pant legs clean, you know what I mean.

This Friday I will complete my days off from training by going on a run, and this weekend I am planning a 50-mile bike loop or mountain pass ride somewhere. I am thinking Lolo Pass since it is close, and I have never explored beyond the pass itself. The weather is turning spring again, but the rains are supposed to keep the spring feelings at bay. Let us hope April will be better.

Last night was FFOL, and it was just mom and I. Kathi came in a little later with some digital photo questions that I must research a little further today for her. In addition, my aunt Paula needs a map to Iowa for her swaray. Therefore, I better run to work and get busy there. Cheers to the adventurous today; May they find the week adventurous.

The content reflects a deep passion for cycling, endurance challenges, and the spirit of adventure. It’s inspiring to see individuals push their limits and embark on such extraordinary journeys. The dedication and determination of the participants shine through in these engaging narratives.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, these links will provide you with a wealth of information about challenging biking routes, personal achievements, and the incredible spirit behind these adventures.

Citations:
[1] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/2013-rmvq
[2] https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28947-Activities-c61-t214-Montana.html
[3] https://www.komoot.com/guide/44269/road-cycling-routes-in-montana
[4] https://williammartin.com/mountain-biking/the-rmvq/
[5] https://www.ridethehiawatha.com/the-trail

Alright, strap yourselves in, fellow Stratford folks, because things are about as cheery as a raindrop on a picnic blanket here at Sikorsky. That Comanche helicopter program bit the dust faster than a free pretzel at the company picnic, and guess who’s left holding the empty mustard packet? Yep, us.

A cool hundred engineers got the pink slip on Thursday, leaving them wondering if their next project will be building sandcastles with their severance pay. Word on the street is, more cuts are on the way, like a rogue squirrel stashing acorns in your car. Apparently, there’s more people wandering the halls than pigeons at the park, and their only current project is contemplating the existential dread of unemployment.

The presidential helicopter contract, our potential knight in shining armor, got delayed longer than a teenager’s curfew. Talk about throwing a monkey wrench into the plan! Now, everyone’s pointing fingers faster than you can say “political football.” Some folks are blaming the White House for playing election games, while others are muttering about the Navy taking a leisurely cruise on the decision-making boat.

Meanwhile, our local heroes in Congress are promising to fight for us like Rocky Balboa in a helicopter hangar. They’re vowing to overturn the Comanche cancellation, secure new contracts, and basically put everyone back to work faster than you can say “Sikorsky strong!” Here’s hoping they have more luck than a lottery ticket with one number off.

So, yeah, things are a little tense here in Stratford. But hey, at least the Oronoque Shopping Plaza is still open, right? Maybe we can all go there and commiserate over bargain-bin sunglasses and questionable discount hot dogs. Just remember, even when the Comanche goes bust, the Sikorsky spirit never truly lands. We’ll weather this storm, one slightly-burnt hot dog at a time.