Function Over Form...

Hello, friends!

As I'm typing this, it is about 27 degrees here in Columbia. Yesterday the high was 33. Today we had some flurries in the area. Tomorrow isn't supposed to be much warmer. The weather forecasters say that the cold snap will last at least until next week. After that, who knows.

My post here isn't to complain about the weather. I know that it's much worse in parts further north of CoMO; there's already been snow where my in-laws live. Weather happens and complaining about it doesn't actually do me a ton of good. If anything, it just makes things a little bit colder. No, friends, today I'm going to post about fashion... or rather, my lack thereof.

There are many things that I do well. I am good at trivia and Tecmo Superbowl. I can strategize and throw a baseball. I can play a few instruments and have been known to cook a decent meal or two. However, it appears as though I am unable to dress myself in a way that brings honor to my family. =0).

I've always said that my problem isn't that I don't know what looks good. I know how to clean up, put on a tie, and look nice for a wedding. My problem is that I have no idea what looks bad. There have been a number of times where I've gotten dressed for the day, only to have one family member or another (nowadays that task falls to Megan) start laughing and asking if I was, "really going to wear that."

What does my lack of fashion sense have to do with biking? Well, I think the root of the problem is that oftentimes, I choose function over form. Let's take today for example. Today, when I left for campus, it was 19 degrees outside. When I got dressed this morning, my thoughts weren't, "gee, I hope everything looks good and I don't look odd." My number one thought was, "Let's make sure I don't lose any body parts due to frostbite today."

Leggings + Long socks = making my pants look 2 sizes tighter than they really are? Check.

Jacket + Sweater = doing my best "Hans and Franz" impression? Check.

Balaclava on my head so you can only see my eyes and I look like I'm going to rob a liquor store? Check.

You probably get the idea.

Friends, if you see me biking around the city these next few months, looking like a thrift store closet threw up on me, or see me on the golf course wearing loud (but I promise, comfortable) clothing, don't laugh. Don't stare and point. Don't call my mother and tell her she did a terrible job of raising me (because she's the best!). No, friends. Just assume that there's some method to my madness and that looking good just missed the cut. =0).

Stats:
Miles biked: 8 ($.42)
Meters: 11 hours on campus ($11) + 2 hours downtown ($1.20)

Total: $12.62
Grand Total: $644.71
In the Positive: $41.70

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Fishing...

Hello, friends!

Apparently, my 101st post on this blog was my last blog where we finally made our way into the positive. That's kind of a fun number, isn't it? If I raise $600 every 100 posts then I really ought to be posting more often, yeah? Anyway, back to business.

I've taken up a new hobby... fishing. =0).

For our anniversary, Megan bought me a fishing pole, which is pretty much the greatest thing ever. There are a number of small lakes in Columbia that are stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation and random and secret times. Seeing as how I have an addictive personality, I've taken to going as fishing as much as humanly possible. I've even looked up sites on how the moon can affect when is the best time to fish.

There are so many great things to love about fishing. First there's the joy of catching fish (more on that later). There's also the peacefulness that comes from being out on the lake with nothing but your pole, some lures, and hope that the fish are biting. I've taken to listening to audiobooks while fishing, which means I'm also learning while I'm fishing. It's a two-fer!

Really, there are only 2 things wrong with my new hobby. The first is that I haven't yet figured out how to bike with my pole and gear and such to where I want to fish (That's why this post is on this blog and not my other one). I'm not a huge fan of driving such short distances (it's about a half mile from my house to the closest lake) but the other option is crashing my bike and breaking my fishing pole, so I guess I'll go with the lesser or two evils.

Here's the other problem. Apparently, I'm REALLY BAD at fishing. I can't seem to catch anything of significance! The past 3 or 4 times that I've been fishing, I've literally SEEN the fish nibble at my lure then swim away. It was windy so I couldn't tell for sure but I'm pretty sure I heard some of the fish laughing at me.

Of course, the fish that I HAVE caught haven't been much either. Below are 3 photos of fish. Guess which two I caught and which one Megan and I ended up eating because the guy who caught it didn't want it. I'll give you a hint, I didn't catch the big one. =0).

So, my friends, there you have it. I have a new hobby. I'm trying to figure out how to reconcile it with fishing. I'm also trying to figure out how to not be terrible at it.

Stats:
Distance: 10.5 miles ($.61)
Meters: 11 hours on campus ($11) + 3 hours downtown ($1.80)

Total: $13.41
Grand Total: $632.09
In the Positive: $29.08

Happy Biking!

SUCCESS!!!

Hello, friends!

WE DID IT!!!

After 3+ years of riding, blogging, and commuting back and forth between home and campus, we have finally crossed the threshold and are now in the positive!

I can't tell you how happy I am right now. Actually, right now there are a lot of emotions happening.

- Happiness: It's always nice to accomplish a goal and I'm glad I stuck with it.
- Relief: There were times when I wasn't sure that this was actually going to happen, especially after Sulu got stolen a while back. I'm glad I stuck with it.
- Sadness: Speaking of Sulu, I miss that bike. It was my fault that he got stolen but that doesn't make it hurt any less. We should have celebrated this moment together.
- Frustration: Looking back, I know I could have done it faster. There were days when I could have riden more or gotten to campus earlier. The competitor in me says that it could have been done better.
- Determination: The frustration, of course, leads to determination. I'm not getting a new bike until I've biked enough to offset the costs. I'm thinking about $600 or so should do the trick.

So, my friends, it's time for a new adventure. I hope that you join me on this one as we race our way to a new bike? Who thinks I can get it done before 2017? =0).

Stats:
Miles biked: 15 ($.88)
Meters: 20 hours on campus ($20) + 5 hours downtown ($3)

Total: $23.88
Grand Total: $618.68
Left to Save for Sulu: 0000000000000000000.0000000000000000000000 =0).

In the positive: $15.67

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Plusses and Minuses...

Hello, friends!

Remember a few weeks ago when I said that I was going to be posting and peddling more once I get back from Cambodia? Yeah, guess what didn't happen. =0).

In some ways, that was probably to be expected. With all the new roles and such that I have now, time is of the essence and blogging unfortunately, has taken a back seat to other things that feel more pertinent at the moment. Still, as I look back on the past 2 months, I can't help but notice that having some old rhythms in place, like blogging regularly, would have been helpful. Blogging every day might be a bit out of reason but I think weekly should be able to do it.

The past 2 months of biking can be summed up by the words "plusses and minuses." On the one hand, I did a LOT of biking. As soon as I got back from Cambodia, there were a LOT of things that needed to be done on campus, which meant a lot of miles being saved and a lot of meters that did not get used because I wasn't driving. On its own, I'd say it was probably one of my most productive 2 months from a penny peddling standpoint in a long time.

On the other hand, one thing I've noticed is that the gains are small but the losses are huge. I can pick up a few dollars each day but if I blow a tire (like I did in August) the losses can set me back considerably. Alas, that is the life of a biker. We are so close to our goal of breaking even that I can almost taste it! We'll just have to keep at it and hope that the minuses don't slow me down too much.

Stats:
Miles biked: 100 (roughly) ($5.94)
Meters : 90 hours on campus ($90) + 12 hours downtown ($7.20)
Repairs: -$48.10

Total: $55.04
Grand Total: $594.8
Left to Save: $8.21

Friends! We are SOOOOOOOOOO close! This is definitely something we can get done by the end of the month! Unless I buy that bike rack for the car... =0).

Happy biking!

~Adam

Happy Anniversary!

Hello, friends! 

Apparently I only update this blog monthly.  That's a serious problem.  I promise when I get back from Cambodia I'll be biking more and posting more.  We are so close to our goal!  =0).

On a completely unrelated note, today is my parent's anniversary!  I was a bit premature and wished them a happy anniversary yesterday but I am assured that today is the actual day.  Hooray! 

Tuesday night Megan and I went on a date and while we were at one of the restaurant/bars we saw and old married couple sitting at the table behind us.  Seriously, they were way cute.  The man had a sweet handlebar mustache and the woman kept taking pictures of him like she'd just discovered that function on her iPhone. 

Mama and Papa Leong haven't quite been married that long (that couple looked like they were in their 70's) but 34 years is still a pretty long time!  During that time they've had 4 kids, had 2 more marry into the family, picked up one wonderful granddaughter, and "adopted" dozens of others into the family.  Sometimes it is a little odd hearing everyone call Mama "Mom" when I go back to California, but hey, when you have that kind of impact on so many people, it is bound to happen, yeah? 

I think these past 2 years of my own marriage have helped me appreciate the marriage that Mama and Papa have been able to maintain for so long.  Marriage is great but don't let anyone tell you that it isn't hard work.  I've seen them fight but I've also seen them reconcile.  I was there when things were tense.  Now I get to see them dating again.  There were times when money was tight and decisions had to be made.  They always chose us, the kids, over their own comforts and now that they don't have as many expenses with all of us out of the house, they still continue to model generosity and hospitality.  They follow Jesus and remind me that with Jesus is a great place to start your marriage. 

So, here's to you, Mama and Papa.  34 more years of marriage and impact sounds pretty sweet, doesn't it?  =0).

Stats:
Distance: 20 miles ($1.35)
Meters: 20 hours on campus ($20) + 10 hours downtown ($12)

Total: $33.35
Grand Total: $539.76
Left to Save: $63.25

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Meter Madness!

Hello, friends! 

Yesterday I got hosed.  No excuses, just my own mistake.  Here's what went down. 

I was running a ton of errands around town getting ready for Megan's parents to come and visit.  One of the places I needed to hit was the grocery store.  The other was the copy and print place. 

The plan made perfect sense in my mind.  I had a lunch meeting with a student out by the grocery store so I would stop there, pick up the groceries, get the copies done, and make my way to the my other meeting with a student on campus.  Of course, things didn't quite go as planned.  Lunch took a little bit longer than anticipated and grocery shopping took longer than anticipated such that I didn't have time to make the copies before my meeting on campus. 

So we get to the copy place and I realize 2 things: 1) I don't know if there are any coins in the car and 2) I'm pretty sure I bought milk.  The conclusion was simple.  I needed to make copies REALLY quickly. 

Friends, I was quick, like 7 minutes quick.  But, I wasn't quick enough apparently.  When I got out of the copy place, there was a little yellow envelope waiting for me.  Parking tickets are the WORST! 

What's the moral of the story?  I suppose it could be that I should always keep some coins in my pocket.  Maybe the lesson is that I need to always shop for groceries last.  Perhaps the great piece of wisdom I have gleaned is that no matter what, always take the time to look for coins. 

No, I think the moral of this story is simple.  Biking is way better, all the time.  =0). 

Stats:
Distance: 8 miles ($.57)
Meters: 4 hours downtown ($2.40) + 12 hours on campus ($12.00)
Ticket: -$10

Total: $4.97
Grand Total: $506.41
Left to Save: $96.60

Happy Biking!

~Adam

Consistency...

Hello, friends!

Today, May 14, 2014, I did something that I had not done in quite a long time... I wore gloves on my ride to campus. The temperature when I left was 49 degrees and there was enough of a wind to make it feel much cooler than that. For reasons unbeknownst to me, the weather has decided that being in the 80's was no fun anymore and that it was time to start acting like autumn again.

Here's the thing. I don't even mind the cold. I prefer the cold to the wet, especially when it comes to biking. In fact, biking in the low 50's or high 40's can be downright pleasant since I don't have to worry about being all sweaty and nasty when I arrive at my destination  A slight breeze can be a great thing too, when it's going in the right direction.

What I can't handle is the inconsistency. For one, my head doesn't agree with it. All the changes in barometric pressure mess with my head and I am not a fan of the migraines I get. I also don't like stepping outside then having to go back inside because I am not wearing warm enough clothing.  I suppose those are the joys of living in Missouri. They say that if you don't like the weather here you can wait 10 minutes because it will change. I'm sure that other states have the same saying but it sure does seem true here.

Anyway, so long as it stays dry (at least on days when I am biking) I will do my best to make sure that I keep complaining to a minimum. I'm sure in just a few weeks I will be posting again about how hot it is and how I sure wouldn't mind some cooler weather. =0).

Stats:
Distance: 10 miles ($.71)
Meters: 9.5 hours on campus ($9.50) + 3 hours downtown ($1.80)

Total: 12.01
Grand Total: $501.44
Left to Save: $101.57

Happy biking!

~Adam