So it's been a tough past couple of weeks. We lost a great member to our family, Leslie's grandpa "Duke". Hands down, one of the greatest people I will ever know has passed onto a new journey. From Duke I learned many things. I always thought I was one to live outside of the box and seek out new things. It wasn't till I met Duke and his life long companion Sherly I seen a real example of this hands on. Together they traveled all over the globe seeing all those things most of us only read about. I only knew Duke for 10 years and every time I saw him I was impressed with his stories and freaking amazing photographs. He could capture images in his lens that were down right awe inspiring! He treated everybody with respect and equality. He helped to shape the lives of young people his whole life and at the age of 83 never stopped giving. I strive to be a little more like him every day. I loved that man and I will miss him forever.

This last weekend I raced in Santa Barbara as I mentioned in my last post. Well plain and simple, I got my ass handed to me!!!! It was warm outside and I was feeling pretty good. I had a good first two laps and then WHACK!!! Like flipping a light switch, I had no power at all. I was cramping and turning square strokes at the cranks. I finished 9th out of 12. Yup, that bad. So what! I was there to have a great time and that I did. The descents were supper bumpy and the dirt stuck to my sunscreen like a coat of spray paint. As usual the Fly hung on every corner. I leaned it and it stuck. I just had zero power to make it climb. I know all the mistakes I made so it was a learning experience indeed. Hopefully soon I will stop learning and start performing. In due time I guess.

After the race Leslie and I had to make a mandatory stop. I did the unthinkable. Now that I think about it, only a few of you have ever known me to the very thing I did! I pounded not one but TWO IN-N-OUT cheeseburgers and a order of fries!!!!!! I even washed it down with a strawberry shake!!!! I was so freaking hungry I completed the task in less than 10 min's.

We also made an additional living space in our house in preparation to the home coming of our new pup. Stanly the Manly. He will go by Stanly and he will be the king of the neighborhood. We are going to pick him up on Sunday after we get off work and I can't freaking wait!!! I had to make sure his training cage was comfy and had plenty of room. I know he won't escape, it took me like an hour to find my way out of here.