Ahhhhhh.....

I have picked up and fixed my bike. I cannot tell you the relief that comes with this moment. I was nervous all day yesterday, and I had assumed that it was homesickness. I have already discussed this matter with my mother who believes this to be true. I do wish I was in Colorado skiing, but I realized that the source of my feelings was mostly the anticipation of getting back on the bike.

I can't thank Javier and Luis enough for letting me store my bike in their garage. Without them I have no idea what I would have done. After sitting for two months, the bike started up with almost no hesitation. I was able to fix the headlights for the ride home. I figured that my previous headlight-less midnight ride in Madrid was enough for one lifetime. The fans are both working again, and I know we are all happy to have them back. Thanks to my inability to test the bike from afar I now have a comprehensive cooling / lighting spares package.

Off to bed now, I will hopefully post pictures of all of this, including my exhaust change, tomorrow.

About To Pick Up My Bike

I am about to pick up my bike. I bet the headlights and fans fixed themselves, or not. Hopefully I will be able to fix the headlights, and fans along with putting the original exhaust back on the bike. As much as I love telling the stories that my loud exhaust generates, I'd rather have a little less attention. As soon as everything is working, it's straight for Africa.

Snare Drum

I have arrived safely in Spain. My flights were uneventful and short thanks to a strong tailwind. I am excited to be back. Though I never doubted my return, it is a relief nonetheless. I collect my bike tomorrow, and hopefully by Thursday morning I will have fixed my headlights and fans. As soon as I have a complete machine I am aiming for Morocco.

As to the title of this post, I would like to offer an opinion on street musicians. I enjoy street music. If you like the music enough, pay for it. With one exception. In order to earn their keep I believe that street musicians must create the "majority" of the music being heard. I'm necessarily looking for original work, I just don't see the brilliance in a guy playing a snare drum in accompaniment with a recorded 12-piece band.

Test

Test

Phew

Applications in the mail. Walking onto the plane. Three new pairs of underwear. Sweet.

Last Meal

Thanksgiving was wonderful, and now I don't need to eat for a month. I am attaching yet another picture of a "regional" meal (cheese curds-I love Wisconsin). Tomorrow afternoon I leave for Madrid. Can't wait! Back on the bike! phew.

Word Play

Tonight I heard an architect use the phrase "asymtotic to impossible." I think he meant "tough."

Skiing

Portfolio at the printer, and I'm going skiing!

Dangerous Art

While putting the final touches on my portfolio at just before 2am I heard 5 to 7 gunshots..

No, thoise can't be gunshots, oh, wait they were gunshots, here come the cops.

Hmm. This is all starting to sink in on the walk home... The NRA is right. If I had had a fully automatic assault rifle I could have returned fire and saved the cops a bunch of trouble right then. Anyway, back to walking home. It's 2:15 am, do you know where your friend Matt is?

Working

In Aspen now. Still working on applications to grad school. Ready to get back on the bike. Look out North Africa! After I say that I realize that I should probably say: Look out Matt!