Happy Halloween!!!

Hello, friends! 

Today, depending on who you ask, is either Halloween, All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Day, Reformation Day, or Thursday.  Either way, it's raining and Megan and I have a bunch of stuff we want to give away to kids.  =0). 

I was thinking about it today and I realized that I have a kind of up and down history with Halloween.  From what I can tell, we used to be all about it but then the family kind of waned from it.  But then we got back into it.  And then we weren't.  And here we are.  Here's a brief history:

0-4: As far as I know, there are no photos of me being dressed up in funny costumes as a baby so I am going to assume that isn't the case. 

5-8: I believe this was the time in elementary school when we had the Halloween parade.  All the grades would walk around the playground while their parents took photos.  I don't remember what I was for most of the years but it must not have been very memorable.  Well, that's not true.  One time I think I was a clown (this was pre-my discovery that they are evil) and one year I think I wrapped myself in bandages and called myself "injured."  Good times. 

9-11: For a few years our church did a "Harvest Night," which apparently is pretty popular around these parts in Columbia.  I've always been torn about these.  I think they are actually great opportunities to keep kids safe and also outreach to the local community.  On the other hand, it also has the potential to be an insular kind of thing.  Either way, I think we did those until for a while, which was fine. 

12-13: This would be the years where I was too cool to dress up but still wanted candy.  It was a rough time.  My friends and I still hit the streets but now that I think about it, we weren't much more than a street gang.  Our favorite spots were the ones where folk just left the bowls outside and said "take one."  Guess who usually took more than one.  =0). 

After that, I'm not sure that I did anything for Halloween more than 3 or 4 times in the last 15 years or so.  Maybe I did, maybe I didn't.  Either way, it stopped being a big deal for me.  I'm not opposed to it or anything.  I just don't like spending money on costumes I suppose. 

But, of course, don't let me rain on your parade!  Enjoy dressing up!  Have fun eating boatloads of candy and getting spooked at haunted houses.  As for me, I'll just be biking in the fall weather, happy that it isn't too hot and waiting for the snow to fall. 

Stats:
Distance: 6.5 miles ($.51)
Meters: 2 hours downtown ($1.20) + 10 hours on campus ($10)

Total: $11.71
Grand Total: $401.43
Left to Save: $181.60

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Winter Clothes...

Hello, friends! 

Today the high in Columbia was supposed to be 47 degrees.  I am going to assume that we got there but I can tell you that it certainly didn't feel like it from my vantage point.  Biking in such cold weather is no fun at all.  It could be that I've become a bit of a wimp.  It could be that since I've lost some weight I no longer have any fat to keep me warm.  Either way, what I do know is that for the past few days, I have been rocking my winter gear while biking. 

I actually have three levels of winter clothes.  Right now we are in Level 1 of winter clothes, which is pretty much my medium jacket, my light gloves, and my earmuffs.  Level 2 will add the scarf, the winter coat and the balaclava.  Level 3 is when things get really fun.  That's when we throw in the long underwear and possibly wearing the sweatpants over the regular pants.  It's been a while since we've gotten to Level 3 but I'm already rockin' Level 1 here in October so come January, things may be a little different. 

Here's what I've learned is the hardest thing about biking in the cold.  It's not actually wearing all the extra clothing.  It's not the wind chill or your hands getting a little numb.  It's not even the prospect of rain, snow, or ice being on your path, although that is pretty dangerous.  No, friends, the hardest thing about biking in the cold is that my glasses get fogged up.  =0). 

When I'm in Level 2 or Level 3 of winter clothes, I'm wearing a scarf that covers my neck and face or a balaclava that does the same.  Sometimes I'll even wear both.  When this happens, breathing becomes a little hazardous.  When I breathe through my nose, the hot breath hits the face covering and shoots back up to my glasses where they fog.  It happens less so when I'm breathing through my mouth but then you have the hazard of your face freezing because the balaclava or scarf get wet with breath then frozen by the outside.  Thankfully, I've never crashed because of my glasses being fogged (although I've crashed for lots of other reasons).  Let's hope that this streak continues. 

Stats:
Distance: 4.5 miles ($.38)
Meters: 5 hours on campus ($5) + 2.5 hours downtown ($1.5)

Total: $6.88
Grand Total: $389.72
Left to Save: $193.31 (hooray!!!)

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Ok, We're Back!!!

Hello, friends! 

It's been over a month since Sulu was hijacked and so far there has been no sign of him.  I'm still holding out hope that he'll be recovered at some point but it is time to move on. 

There was a serious question from me as to whether or not how I should continue with this blog.  The purpose of the blog was to justify the purchase of Sulu by documenting all the miles I bike and hours I spend not doing meters.  With Sulu gone, does that mean I should stop blogging since I'm not saving any money by using Sulu?  If I use another bike, does it mean that my efforts do not count toward the original purpose of the blog? 

As I thought and prayed about it more, I decided that really, this blog was about more than just one bike.  It was about me attempting to adopt a healthier and more efficient lifestyle.  Biking has been such a blessing to me, not only in terms of money saved but also in making me think more intentionally about my health and my time. 

So, I have decided to keep going.  Thanks to a generous gift from someone who knew about my bike being stolen, I was able to get most of the costs of getting my old bike repaired covered.  I've also spent some time on campus and downtown in the past week or so to recoup pretty much all of the sunk costs. 

Of course, there are lessons to be learned from all this.  Locking up my bike, especially when it is out in the open, is a high priority.  (Duh).  But I think the big takeaway for me is what is happening moving forward from here. 

Here's the new goal: +$600 so I can buy a new bike.  I'm going to stick with the bike I have until I can save up enough to buy a new bike.  We'll see how this goes.  =0). 

Stats:
Bike repair: $79.60
Gift: $65
Distances: 9 miles ($.75)
Meters: 4 hours downtown ($4.80) + 10 hours on campus ($10)

Total: $.95
Grand Total: $382.84
Left to Save: $200.19

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Closing Time?

Hello, friends! 

Friends, I have some really bad news... sometime between 2-6pm on Wednesday, Sulu was stolen... I don't know where he is but I really want him back.  Here's what happened:

Our story actually starts on Tuesday.  The plan was for me hang out with a student @ 5, go to dinner with some other students @ 6, and then have another meeting with students @ 7.  It was going to be a tight fit but I was going to make it! 

Well, maybe not.  =0).  My 5pm was a 30 second ride from my house so I biked there with the intention of biking downtown to my 6 then back up home for my 7.  The thing was that I was meeting with a female student and my rule is that if I am meeting with a female student, we are either meeting in a public space or all the doors in the room are open.  I thought her roommate was going to be there but it turned out that she wasn't.  It was 95 degrees outside so instead of overworking her air conditioning, we decided to walk back to my place. 

After that, time just got in the way.  I wanted to leave right away so I left Sulu on the front porch and didn't lock it so I could just rock and roll.  My 5pm ran a little long and my 6pm actually got canceled but I had to pick up a student for the 7pm, which means that Sulu was left on the porch for a few hours.  Thankfully, no one took him during that time.  Unfortunately, it also means that I completely forgot that he was on the porch and not in the garage like normal. 

What we know is that Megan and I both saw Sulu @ 11am when we left the house.  What is unclear is if we was still there when we returned.  I think he was but I can't say for sure.  What I can say for sure is that at 5:45 I left for Wednesday Night Large Group.  I realized I forgot something at home so I returned @ 5:48.  When I rolled back up to the house, I saw my bike lock on the ground alongside my helmet.  Sulu was nowhere to be found. 

I have filed the police report and am hopeful that he will be returned.  But until then, I am not sure what is going to happen with me riding to campus and what is going to happen to this blog. 

Honestly, I'm not sure what bothers me more.  On the one hand, I am pissed because someone stole my bike.  Every time this happens (I've had 3 bikes stolen now, one twice), it sucks.  On the other hand, I am pissed at myself for not locking up Sulu.  It would have been so simple but I just blew it.  The blame is on me as much as it is on the jerk who took him. 

One last piece that really bothers me is that I really wanted to finish this blog.  This blog has been so much fun to write and it's been really motivating too.  I hope and pray that the bike is recovered. 

Anyway, happy biking!  Here's hoping you hear from me (and Sulu) again...

~Adam

The Great Read Begins Again...

Hello, friends! 

Ever since I joined InterVarsity, I've adjusted my calendar so that for me, the new year actually starts on July 1 instead of January 1 to match the InterVarsity fiscal calendar.  I know, it's odd of me, but that's how things go.

Because of this every July I set my goals for the year.  I talk about what I want to see happen on campus and things like that.  One section of my goals is for personal goals, which usually have to do with physical, relational, and mental health.  (One of my favorites from a few years ago was when my goal was to "get a girlfriend.").  One goal that I've had for the past few years has been to read 30 books, as a way for me to keep myself motivated to read.  A few years ago I hit that goal but last year I fell WAY short.  Right now, it's already 2 months into the year and I've only read 2 books.  Things are not starting well. 

As I was thinking back on why I reached the goal the time that I did and I didn't the time that I didn't was that last year I wasn't actually keeping track of my books read (I lost count a few times) and I wasn't actually recalling what I was reading.  The year that I totally nailed it was when I blogged (or rather, Facebook posted) about my books.  It led to some interesting conversations and motivated me to read more. 

So, in an attempt to get back on the horse, I've decided to start blogging about my books again.  With any luck, this will lead to more reading.  At worse, you'll still get to see my biking stats at the end.  =0). 

Why this blog and not my other one?  Well, honestly, there are two major reasons.  One is because of space.  So much happens on the other blog that trying to fit some book reviews in there would only make things more crowded.  Especially with the new school year and new roles and such, it made more sense to move the reading here. 

Added to that, I think I like the idea of pairing physical health with mental (or academic) health.  I bike not just because it is more efficient or good for the environment but also because it is good for me.  It burns calories and improves my stamina.  Biking also lets me focus on other areas of my triathlon training when I go to the gym.  Reading is one of those things that keeps me sane.  I read how-to books, biographies, fiction, non-fiction, etc., and all of it stimulates my brain and offers a chance to relax a little. 

So, while this blog is still about my pursuit of miles and meter money, occasionally you'll see a blurb or two about something that I've read.  Don't be alarmed, you're still at the right blog.  =0). 

Stats:
Distance: 8.98 miles ($.87)
Meters: 4 hours on campus ($4) + 4 hours downtown ($2.40)

Total: $7.27
Grand Total: $381.89
Left to Save: $201.14

I'll see you next time! 

~Adam

A New Way Home...

Hello, friends! 

I have a funny story to tell you, and by funny I mean "shake your head" funny and not "laugh out loud" funny. 

We're in the middle of New Student Outreach right now, which means long days and even longer nights.  Today I was on campus until about 9:30, which meant biking home in the dark.  (It also meant lots of hours saving money on meters, but that's for a little later). 

The route that I take home is pretty much the same route every time.  I bike up Hitt Street, turn right on University, make a left on college, then a right on Walnut, cut through Stephens College (thanks, ladies!) make a right on Widsor, a left on Ripley, a right on Hinkson, a left on William, a right on Amelia, a left on Mount Vernon, and BAM!  I'm home.  (In case that wasn't confusing enough, here's the map). 

Overall, it's a bunch of side streets and a pretty safe ride.  The one stretch that is the most dangerous is going north on College avenue.  It's a pretty busy street with lots of cars traveling at pretty decent speeds.  Bikers, and some pedestrians have gotten hit along that road for as long as I can remember. 

As I was biking up the street tonight, thinking thoughts and such, I heard the unmistakable sound of something falling out of my bag.  I had my gym bag strapped to the back of my bike and I must have left it a little bit open because something definitely hit the street. 

Friends, it was decision time.  What do I do?  I sounded like plastic so it was probably one of two things.  Either it was my almost empty shampoo bottle, in which case I could leave it without a second thought, save for a guilty conscience for littering, or it was my pair of swim goggles, which cost me $15 and would require another trip to the store to buy a new pair.  I couldn't risk losing the goggles so I had to pull over and run back to pick up what I dropped.

It was the shampoo bottle...

Slightly relieved that the goggles weren't broken and slightly miffed that I had to stop for a bottle of shampoo, I hopped back on Sulu and rode the rest of the way.  There, my wonderful wife had just arrived home and was unloading the car. 

Funny thing... she was on college the same time I was, so she saw me pull over and run back for my lost shampoo bottle.  Needless to say, she was less that pleased. 

As my way of showing my love for her and taking her concern into consideration, I will be taking a different, safer but longer, route back home after the sun goes down.  I haven't figured out what that route is yet but I suppose it makes sense.  Sulu getting crushed by a car seems like the sort of thing that would make this blog a little bit useless.  =0). 

Stats:
Distance: 10.8 miles ($1.00)
Meters: 12 hours on campus ($12) + 2 hours downtown ($1.20)

Total: $14.20
Grand Total: $374.62
Left to Save: $208.41

Happy Biking! 

~Adam

Time to Think...

Hello, friends! 

It's been a relatively light few days from a biking standpoint but that won't get me down.  We still logged a few miles and saved some cash by parking on campus.  You know how much I love saving money.  =0). 

As I was riding to campus the other day I had an interesting thought about how much I think while I'm riding.  It takes between 7-10 minutes for me to ride from my place to campus, depending on traffic but it is a solid time for thinking.  When I am driving my car, the radio is on and I'm either listening to music or sports talk radio.  Sometimes Meg is in the car with me and I'm talking to her.  Other times the only thing I can think about is whether or not I think I'm going to find parking. 

But it's not like that when I ride.  I take the same path to campus so I don't have to think about the route.  I know there will be parking because there's always parking.  If I'm biking it usually means that I'm not running late so there's a laid back atmosphere to things as well.  I don't play any music or anything while I ride (although I could via my phone if I wanted).  Pretty much, it's just me alone with my thoughts. 

Of course, that leads to the question that I'm sure is on your mind.  What do I think about when I'm biking?  The honest answer is that I think about everything and nothing at the same time.  I think about the future and what's going to happen a few years from now if we stay in Columbia.  I think about the past and wonder if I handled situations correctly.  I have conversations with myself about one thing or another.  I cook up plans for my next date night with Meg or a new idea for New Student Outreach.  Sometimes I see a bird and think about how great it is to be a Cardinals fan.  Really, it's a hodgepodge of goodness.

There is one disadvantage to thinking while biking.  It is that I can't write down any ideas that I have.  I don't have the balance to bike with fewer than 2 hands unless I have to do a turn signal, so I certainly can't write down an idea or use a voice recorder.  When I'm driving I at least have the ability to record my thoughts and listen to them later.  While I'm biking, I just have to hope that I remember.  Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.  (Let's be honest, I usually don't).

So there's that.  15-20 minutes a day with a man alone with his thoughts, sometimes just thinking about thinking.  It's not much, but it's something.  Maybe my next great idea will come from a bike ride one of these days. 

Stats:
Places: Pretty much just campus (exciting, I know...)
Distance: 6.2 miles ($.57)
Meters: 8 hours on campus ($8)

Total: $8.57
Grand Total: $360.42
Left to Save: $222.61

Happy Biking!

~Adam