Day: November 8, 2023

Last Wednesday we were able to get out again for a night adventure. The problem this time was that the season has dramatically changed. The week before we were just looking for places that were not muddy. But this week that decision was not available, it was winter. It was totally and definitely winter. With four to six inches of snow on the ground we had to head up in the Hyalite to see what it was like. The fat bikes taken off the rack and prepped quickly and just threw in the element. Yeah it was a major transition period like learning where to put your balance and how to turn in the snow. To walking through deep stuff.

Yeah there’s pros and cons of winter. But really the pros are hard to describe. Because when you just have a good experience it is just a good experience and its hard to pick out all the little things that make up that good experience. But cons are easier to come up with because really you always know what’s wrong with things. Like it was too cold. Which is not the case this time. But I’m just saying. So now let’s just say the pros of this new season is that holy hell it was so much fun. And the cons, well, it was dark? I don’t know. I really can’t think of one right now.

Today, Mother Nature threw a wintry surprise our way – snow, and plenty of it! ❄️ But that’s just the beginning of the story. As if on cue, the wind decided to join the party and blew away the freshly fallen snow, leaving the trails in pristine condition.

Now, you might be thinking, “Great, perfect conditions for a ride!” Well, here’s the twist – it wasn’t just cold; it was bone-chilling, teeth-chattering cold. The kind of cold that makes your breath turn into frosty clouds. And the relentless blowing wind? It didn’t let up.

Yet, in true mountain biking spirit, I embarked on my usual 25-mile commute, affectionately known as ‘The Urban Legend.’ As I pedaled through the frigid air, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of adventure, a touch of madness, and a whole lot of determination.

The ride took on an almost eerie quality as I ventured through what I fondly call “spookywoods.” The trees stood tall, their branches covered in a delicate dusting of snow, casting long shadows in the fading light.

Then, as the day turned into night, I knew it was time to head back home. After all, there’s Missoula waiting for me tomorrow. Despite the cold and the snow, I relished the ride, knowing that I was squeezing in some quality time on the trails.

As I reflect on today’s winter wonderland adventure, I can’t help but wonder what tomorrow has in store. Will it bring more surprises, more challenges, and more opportunities to explore the rugged beauty of Montana? One thing’s for sure – the thrill of mountain biking and the mysteries of nature will always keep us coming back for more.

I am lucky to have a friend like Paul and in many ways he is more of a brother to me than anything else. I met Paul Bardis on a mountain bike ride in Plattsburgh New York. I was riding with my girlfriends counselor who invited him to come along as well. We started doing all kinds of mountain bike adventures and eventually lead to Adirondack High Peak bagging .

When Paul left to come to Montana for school he gave me his car and it is with that car that I started to travel around New England becoming a mountain bike racer.

When he came back we enjoyed Montreal , New York City , and Burlington adventures as well as hiking in Vermont .

Now that I am out here in Montana he visits with his family once a year and it is a time I enjoy the most.

I’m back online after my trip to the laundromat for the usual Monday laundry. While one load was in, I headed downtown to visit Taco DeSoul. Let me tell you, real food tastes incredible when you haven’t had any for a couple of days. As I was leaving, a homeless person approached me and asked for money. I replied, ‘I saved up for a week just to come and eat here.’ ‘I’ll be here with you begging soon enough,’ they said. If I do manage to land a job before I blow away into the wind, I’ll make sure to order an extra taco and share some food with those in need on my way out. It’s a reminder to be grateful for even a single meal in a day

I was just online for a little while before I called VW of America. I was hoping for a job offer, but unfortunately, I didn’t receive one. However, I did get a couple of leads for roofing and office maintenance jobs. Still, with wages at 7 and 8 dollars an hour, I’m faced with the difficult decision of giving up the car. This is a challenging situation. It reminds me of a blog post from back when I first got the car:

SATURDAY, JULY 07, 2001 My car broke down again yesterday, and this time, it was the transmission that gave out. I’m in the process of trying to secure a loan for a new car. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Volkswagen Beetle. Today, I’ll be heading to VW of Fairfield to explore the possibility of purchasing a new car. Stay tuned!

Good morning from the Liquid Planet. I believe today’s blog should start with a nice picture to kick off the week. I woke up this morning, ventured into town for breakfast, answered emails, sent out resumes, and worked on my blog. The weather is pleasant, but my mood seems to oscillate between a sense of uncertainty and acceptance. I can’t wait to have a job; this situation is driving me crazy.

I once read, and I can’t recall who said it, but it goes, ‘To thine own self be true.’ Today, I’m reflecting on my current needs and what it takes to live without a job. What are those needs? Will they be met? How am I feeling, and what steps can I take to address those emotions? What are my feelings trying to tell me about my path and where I need to go?

I’m following my instincts, not the expectations of others. Sometimes, the demands of others can cloud and confuse our instincts. I think I’ve been doing that all summer, and my grandmother can vouch for it. By doing this, I believe I’m staying true to others only because I’m committed to staying true to myself. You can deceive others, but never – never deceive yourself.

Well, my site got hacked last night, and to be honest, I’m questioning the future of my cool website. I’m faced with a decision – whether to switch to a different code base or stick with this old format. Right now, I’m going in to check if my databases are still intact and, if they are, to salvage some content.

For the time being, I’ll have to rely on this blogger platform, which I’ve used for a longer time than ever before. But it makes me wonder if using database and PHP code-based sites is a bad idea. Take this blogger, for example; it creates a permanent page that lives on the server. The only way to destroy this one is to gain access to my server and delete the files, which is nearly impossible.