Reborn...a little....

Sorry about that last post. Sometimes things just build up and its that one thing that makes you snap and look at things all the wrong way. I got a nice email from a friend I haven't seen in forever. It was relaxing. Its true...mostly all that stuff I was complaining about in that last post really shouldn't get to me. I have to live my life to the fullest and not care about the 'little' things that suck. I just have to be the fun, spontaneous person that I usually am. That's all.

I just got back from an MTB with the Super Strong Freshman Steve. I feel awesome. We were riding really strong...even though I know he could have just taken off and left me in his dust. But in a way I feel like I could have taken him on. I felt strong and good on the Fuel (even though I want and need a new MTB, which will be a Salsa Moto Rapido). I've been going to the gym alot and getting toner and fitter so thats helping a bit. I just feel a little better. This winter will be a lot of training, but the correct training. I WILL come back stronger next year. I will be going to Mizzou this weekend for the collegiate races. I'm only doing B's but if everything does go right I may go up to A's for the Purdue weekend 2 weeks later.

And if anything I get to destroy a wall in our house tonight. So if I have any anger left in me I can take it out by putting many holes in the wall....

Life.....

So tonight was fun until a point...and you probably don't want to read the rest of this.

I've been tipsy or drunk for the past 4 nights in a row. I think its starting to get to me. Tonight started great and then hit rock bottom. I don't think people really like me. They just act and say they see me as a friend even though they don't want to be my friend. I know I'm an ass. I don't know why I am. I just am. I won't believe any of the comments I get....if any. Who really reads this blog anyways. You probably shouldn't anyways. Don't waste your time.

Mostly my life is going nowhere right now. I don't bike anymore...I want to bike more though. I just wish people would understand that I'm having a bad year and don't want to be on the bike. I don't have a job that has to do anything with my major. I don't have money to do anything. I drink alot. I sleep until 2 in the afternoon. No one really seems to want to be my friend. I suck at meeting new people. I don't have a girlfriend (by the way I fucking hate it when people call me gay...I FUCKING HATE IT...even as a joke). I'm not secure with myself. I say the wrong things.

I don't know what I want. Aaron and I had a conversation just last night about relationships...Minch understands too. I have a lot of passion to give...but I don't have anyone to give it to. I can't even find anyone. That's all I want right now. I so badly want to find a girlfriend. I've put it in posts before, but I want someone now. It's different than the last posts. I would like to get on my bike right now, but I hate it when people call me weak since I haven't been on a bike for awhile...yeah, sorry I've had such a bad year that I don't want to be on my bike right now. I just want to take the rest of the year off, but I feel like I need to race and shit like that just to fit in. I finally had fun on the bike today. I went on a ride with Minch. It wasn't training or anything like that. It was just a fun ride, that's all.

I don't want people to ask me about modeling anymore. Sorry I ever brought it up. I don't want to have a huge ego. I hate myself anyways....but I guess thats what keeps me going somehow....having a big ego. I've tried to tone it down, but I guess people still see me ass an ass.

Sorry if I've put my finger in your ear. Sorry if I've said something rude to you. Sorry if I've offended you. Sorry if I've said the wrong thing. Sorry if I've thought too highly of myself. I'm trying to change my attitude. Maybe I should just stay away for awhile (probably would make you all happy). Thank god school is starting....it'll be easy then. And I'll have two jobs and want to do well with my grades.

I've meant everything I've said in this post. You think I "love" myself. Well....guess what....I don't.

Ciao

HEY EVERYBODY...Come see how good I look....

Well today was the day of the photo shoot. My mom came down yesterday and we went shopping for some new clothes and such. We got all of my clothes ready last night (ironed them, sorted them out, etc.). I had over 30 shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 6 different sunglasses, 2 hats, 2 belts, 3 belt buckles, and 6 pairs of shoes. WOW.

So this morning I woke up at 6am to get me and all my stuff ready. We left and got to the photo shoot spot at around 7:50am or so. My photographer's name was Jeff and my make-up/hair stylist's name was Anja. They were both really cool. They were kinda hippie-ish. They were awesome. So after getting all my clothes together they only put me in 4 different outfits. But they were good choices. I got my make-up on, my hair did (3 different styles), and got ready to look pretty. All I can say is modeling is FUN! I would just be standing around and Jeff would love the pose I was doing. I must be a natural. lol. The other girl that was there modeling never modeled before just like me and honestly thought that I've done this already. Nope...I just love the camera. Jeff really did a great job with the shooting. I really liked my pictures. Some of them really don't look like me, but I still really liked them...alot. I'll be getting a CD with all the pictures and the proofs in 2 weeks. Until then you'll have to just wait to see the pictures. I hope this modeling thing goes somewhere.

Ciao

La mia forcella....

So I finally have pics of my f$#@ed up fork. If I only had some elmer's glue and duct tape I could put it back together....


Both arms snapped right off.....


I think the right arm was fautly and then the left couldn't support the weight anymore....


That is some thin carbon....

I am a lot better now, but the fitness and the legs are just not there anymore. It'll be a tough winter for training....

Ciao

I want these Mutha-f*$#ing snakes off this mutha f*$#ing plane....

OK so I haven't posted anything in a super long time. So here it goes...I'll try to remember everything I've done the best I can.

First of all, I have my photo shoot on Sunday morning. I can't wait for that. It should be fun. My niece got chosen to go to LA to model and have over 400 businesses from all over the world look for the top models. Who knows my niece might get to model in Milan. Lucky....but thats what I hope can happen with me. I just have to do my best. I love getting pictures taken so it should (and will) go well. I'll be going to the mall on Saturday to find a couple more clothes. I mean come on this could be me:


OK well maybe I can do something like this....

Ok so other than that I have been trying to work alot to make some of that cash out there. I've been working at SAFEwalk alot. I've been promoted to a dispatcher. 50 cent raise right there so that'll help. And we may actually get a raise at the beginning of Sept. I really hope that goes through. I also got another job working at the Physics library. Freshie Steve works there and says its pretty easy and it seems its going to be easy too. I'll probably be putting in 12-15 hrs a week at the physics library. So hopefully if you put these two jobs together and a couple gigs from modeling hopefully and make sure to save...I should be able to make some good money this semester. Lately I've been handing out bus passes to UW employees. Such a mind-numbing job. But its money.

I've been going to the gym a lot lately and cycling again to get a nice bod for the modeling and to get ready for the Collegiate MTB season coming up soon. I don't know how I'll do seeing that my legs have been feeling like crap for mostly all of time. We'll just have to see.

So this year I want to be busy. Very busy, which means very productive for me. So here's a list of what I will be up to this semester at least:

Working at SAFEwalk
Working at the Physics Library
Modeling
13 Credits of Schooling (13 pretty east credits though)
Training (SERF and cycling)
The Collegiate MTB Season
Hopefully be Prez or VP of the UW Cycling Team

I think it'll keep me pretty busy. I want to do other things too. Get into more activities.

Oh and last night I went up to Wis Dells with Geo to visit his brother and his brother's girlfriend. And well...to see a bikini contest. WOW those girls were HOTT! 3 out of the 10 were not so hott. The other 7 had amazing bodies and were very very HOTT. I didn't quite enjoy the results though. Two of the girls were not hott and they got 2nd and 3rd. Rachel - Geo's brother's girlfriend was not in the top 5 even though she honestly should have been. But just seeing all those girls in their bikinis....WOW. I need a girl like that.

Well, tomorrow is another day. I will be helping with cleaning our house, cycling meeting, SERF, fixing my commuter, washing everything I have for the photo shoot, and completing other random acts. My mom comes on Saturday and we will be doing a little bit of shopping for the shoot, some grocery shopping, and relaxing.

Well until then...
Ciao

I'm still alive....

Ok so quickly here is what I've done, gotten, been up to:

1) I'm back on the bike
2) I bought a Nintendo DS
3) I got some new clothes
4) I can't wait for my photo shoot
5) Mark got me addicted to Guitar Hero
6) I started going to the gym again (forming some abs actually)
7) I've been sleeping alot
8) I've been working a crapload (the next 4 weeks I'll be putting in 107 hrs)
9) I enjoy life

A little better....

My leg doesn't hurt as much anymore and the road rash on the chin is healing nicely. I have a replacement Reynolds fork for the Frugeri for now. I'll be installing it tomorrow...and then possibly going on the first ride after the crash to check out the leg. I think I'll do the last week of Superweek if the leg does feel good and heals correctly. The rest of the year will probably just be training for Collegiate MTB Nats. This year has not been going the way I was hoping it was going to be.


After my leg operation....The doctor said it should heal just fine...

It occured to me I could have died when the whole accident happened. I wasn't wearing a helmet...I kissed the asphalt at around 20-22mph...I've already had a stroke so another head injury would not have been good...I could have been hit by a car passing me. Nothing bad happened. Someone up there must really like me. But its hard, I've had so many close calls in my life...Sometimes it seems like one of those times should have done me in. I know most of you probably don't want to hear that, but its true. I'm just really good at hurting myself severely and then recovering with nothing wrong. What can I say...

Today I cleaned my room finally. 4 hours and some moving around of furniture and its done. I'm actually pretty happy with it. Finally nice and clean. I just can't wait until all the construction in the house is done. It'll definitely be nice. I DO honestly feel spoiled in this house and I really don't deserve it.

I got an email from Kat today. She was the one in Italy I could tell almost anything...the female Minch if you will. I miss her alot. It took her awhile to email me back. She was very sorry about that. I was disappointed that I never got a call from her when she got back to the states. Now she's in NY...very far away from me. I do miss her. I don't think I could be mad at her. I'll try and give her a call later on this week.

I'll be going up to Point tomorrow to see Boner, Will and Minch and to explode a shitload of fireworks. Minch and I made a 425 count sparkler bomb. It'll be insane if it goes off like its suppose to. Then on Monday it sounds like we'll be going on a trip to Great America. That should be fun...I think it says something about not going on roller coasters if you've had a stroke...hmmm. Oh well. I'm not going to have that stop me.

Two more months of summer left. So much to still do. I need to get motivated. I want my crush to come back from Germany. I want a girlfriend. We'll see what happens....

Ciao

I could use a rub down....

So I didn't feel like doing the MTB race today so I didn't. Instead I got out of bed around 10am, watched the tour, and then went on a bike ride. I felt really good on the 3 hr ride. I went to Beilleville and then went up Observatory Hill in preparation for Superweek.

I got back home and did a little sunbathing. I actually fell asleep outside in the sun for 2 hrs...yet didn't burn...hmm.

Then I was going to meet Geo, Ash and Amelia at Rhythm and Booms. So I got on the Frugeri and decided to TT it to the Park. I'm doing really really well. And then BAM!!! I go over my handlebars and scrape my chin and hands. And my thigh is in intense pain. I look back at my bike....and...well...my fork is not connected to the bike anymore. Yes, my fork broke in two. Umm...I've never crashed my baby, or never had anything crazy happen to it. So the fork must have had a problem. I was able to walk to the fireworks in pain.

Now I sit here in pain still. I either severely sprained a muscle or cracked a bone slightly. We'll see what it is. I may not be doing Superweek. I'll put pics up of the fork later on.

Ciao

Oooo...Piece of Candy....

Ok so this has been a pretty good week....

First of all on Tuesday I had my interview at the Rock Agency and well, they want to sign me. I guess I have a good body and good bone structure for fashion and runway work....which was what I was going for. The interview went very well and I could see almost right away that she liked me. The only thing they want me to do is to grow out my hair for a month or two. In August I will be getting professional pictures taken for my "business card". That'll cost $500. But hey, I'll be making $95-$130 at gigs. So that should be fun. But yeah...I'm a male model now! Ego grows a little more....

On Wednesday Geo and I took a drive over to Ann Arbor to see some of my villa peoples. It was an awesome time. It was so good to see them again. We stayed there until Friday morning. We saw the campus, saw town, and drank a lot of Sangria. We got into a border fight with some guy named Patrick and Beard Man (he was a dumbass and couldn't hold his alcohol). Their only comeback was about cheese. It was really stupid, but I was getting severely annoyed. Patrick later on apologized to me, but I still thought he was an idiot. Met one of Karen's friends...Jaime...he was really cool and laid back. It was definitely nice meeting him. So hopefully all of them come to Wisconsin at the end of July/beginning of August. If not we'll definitely see them again because Geo and I will be staying at Karen's house again for the Michigan/Wisconsin Football game in Sept.


The whole gang at Silvio's Pizzeria...

We got back last night at 9pm...we left Ann Arbor at 11am (our time). That was a fucking long drive. We got a late start because our car's battery decided to die and we had to jump it with Karen's car. I hate Illinois traffic, construction and tolls. On the way back home Geo and I bought about $300 worth of fireworks. We didn't actually pay that much...it was buy 1 get 2 free. Dangerous, exploding projectiles will be happening soon...probably out in Lake Mills at Ashley's house. That'll be a fun time. Mark you should be here so we can shoot fireworks at you. Geez...


Before we found out the Car decided it didn't want to go anywhere...


Trying to Bump Start the Mazda...

Last night was interesting and fun. Ash, Geo, Gehling, and I went to the terrace to drink. We each had a pitcher of beer. I just started drinking it right out of the pitcher. Then when it was time to go we chugged the last 1/4 of the pitcher. Wow that got me drunk...but we went to the bars after that. We went to the Nitty and each had a Long Island Ice Tea. Then it was off to Hawks for some more drinks. I know I had 2 more capt. and cokes (which by the way were very strong). Geo and Ash had a crapload to drink also...we were all just tanked. We spent the night at Ash's place and this morning we woke up to watch the Prologue of the Tour de France. That race is going to suck this year cuz of all of this doping scandal. I was going for Ullrich...but never mind....go Big George!

Today we are just relaxing and watching the World Cup. Later on we'll be going to Rhythm and Booms for the Midwest's largest fireworks display. And Minch is coming down to hang out with us too! Tomorrow morning its off to Eau Claire for WORS #5. I really need to start biking more. I don't even know how many Superweek races I'm doing anymore. We'll see....

Ciao

Summer cleaning and modeling....

Woke up today and found out that we need to clear everything out of our living room by tomorrow. A little later we need to clear everything out of the fun room because they will be totally redone w/ new insulation and walls like the living room. After that we'll be eating out for a while as our kitchen is getting a makeover also. So today I finally started cleaning my room a litte...which I should have done a long time ago. Craziness....sometimes I feel spoiled in this house and that I don't deserve it.

Well, I have my interview for the Rock Agency in an hour. I've done all I can do to look as good as I can. I've always been good with interviews so that part will be easy. I just need to be what they're looking for. I hope I don't have too much competition either. I want this bad. Lets see how it goes. Wish me luck....

Ciao

Some pics from the Metro Challenge....

Chasing down Geo and Gehling cuz I had a horrible start


Hauling ass thru the single track


This singletrack was easy


Drilling it up the climb


Heading down the Switchbacks

Pasta Carbonara....

I really miss Italy. I need to start making some Italian dishes. First on the list Pasta Carbonara. Its actually pretty easy...all you need:

For the Sauce:
6 egg yolks
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
Heavy Cream
Bacon

Then you just need some fettuccini pasta. Cook the noodles like usual.

Mix the 6 egg yolks together with the parmesan cheese and 2 cups of heavy cream. Cook the bacon in a pan until crispy. Turn the heat off and add the mixture to the bacon (if you leave the heat on it will curdle the eggs, we don't want that). The heat from the pan and bacon will heat the sauce. After the creamy sauce has thickened, turn the heat on very low and add the cooked pasta to the sauce and heat. Finish the top off with chopped chives and enjoy.

I can't wait to make that. I think everyone at MGM will enjoy the meal. You should try cooking it too.

I don't really have much else to say...other than I can't wait until my interview at The Rock Agency tomorrow. Also tomorrow Dallas and I are planning on a 4 hour ride. Should be a good day tomorrow.

Ciao

6 Hours of MTB'ing is....well...a lot of MTB'ing....

Right now I'm watching the Sunday Night Sex Show with Sue Johanson. She rules....if you want to learn more about her and the show go to:

www.talksexwithsue.com

She told me to tell you to visit the site.

I think I'm going to start up with the blogging thing again...especially because I like the new look of my new template...

OK so yesterday I woke up and thought....SHIT, I have to ride my mountain bike for 6 straight hours today. The race was over at Crystal Ridge in Franklin, WI. The course was pretty easy...and I really liked it. But....6 hours on a mountain bike does hurt. I did pretty well. I placed 6th out of 25 in the field. I did 9 laps totalling 56 miles in 5hrs 43min. Geo got 11th with 8 laps (his brake stopped working for a little bit and then he got a pinch flat). Gehling got 24th...he flatted twice. He was only able to go 5 laps. The course was very turny and there were 2 major climbs and 2 minor ones. The best part was the 3 switchbacks at the end of the lap. So Fast! My legs felt great the hole time, but I didn't want to go to hard seeing that it was my first endurance MTB race. I was happy with my placing. And I didn't have any mechanicals, which was great and surprising. I ate right and fueled up at the right times. Oatmeal cream pies are the best fuel for an endurance race...no doubt. 310 calories per pie...I recommend it. Good race overall...and I think my legs are back...sort of. I definitely overtrained in Italy, which really sucks, but how could you not? I'll get better...superweek will really help.


Geo and I after our 6 hrs of being on a mountain bike...

This Tuesday I have a Maxtest. I hope to hit at least 445 watts and I better. Then in August I have another research study. That one will really see where I am at the end of the season.

Also on Tuesday I have my interview for the Rock Agency. God I hope I get signed. It would be pretty cool to be a model. I enjoy jobs where you really don't have to do much...seeing that I'm pretty lazy actually. So I have everything planned for what I'm going to wear. If I do get signed I'll have a fricken huge ego, but oh well.

Today I went over to the Holy Hill area to watch Ashley ride Cash the Horse. It was interesting and Cash seemed to be a nice and friendly horse. Seemed nice, calm and listened better than a lot of the other horses.


Me and Cash...

Well, on Wednesday Geo and I drive over to Ann Arbor to see some of the Villa peoples. I can't wait to see them. Its been too long. It'll definitely be a good time.

Ciao

What has been on my mind?....

That is a question that I have been wondering for a while.

Well, to start off I got back from Italy on May 10th and I missed it right away. I hate the US. I hate the US lifestyle, the food, and motorists. They're fricken morons and retarded. Don't get me wrong, I missed all of my friends and family, but there's now just something missing and thats Italy. I feel like I belong there and I want to belong there.

When I got back to Madison on May 18th, my body decided to breakdown and have me go through hell. I got some stomach flu thingy. The first night I puked 6 times and had horrible shits. It lasted for 7-8 days. I could barely eat, and I lost 10 pounds in 3 days....thats always nice. I had to take more time off the bike for that....I didn't ride my bike for 5 weeks and that was killer. Lost some fitness. But since that point in time I've been feeling alright....except for the legs.

I only work at SAFEwalk this summer and I barely have any money. I'm doing another research study on the bike, with shocking and stuff, so theres a little bit more income. This Tuesday I actually have an interview at a modeling agency. Hopefully they like my looks and sign me. I think that would be a cool job. I'm also a lazy person and hate working, so the less work for money the better. If that doesn't go through I may get a job at Capital Foods cuz I really need some more money. We'll see what I do. If anything I stop eating and doing fun things. Great....

As for my legs...they have been feeling like complete shit for the past two months. Racing hasn't been going the way I was hoping it would and I haven't really been training. When your legs feel so shitty, you kinda lose any motivation to keep riding. But finally just the other day I went for a ride with Dallas and I finally felt decent on a bike. The 65 mile ride opened up my legs for some reason. The ride even today felt great and I felt like I had power again. Thank god its starting to feel good now...Superweek is in 2 weeks and I want to go for the overall (at least a top 10 if I could). We'll see....

And things have been on my mind definitely as many of you probably have noticed and have asked about it. Yes, I haven't been myself lately...or at least I can tell. I was an asshole last night and drank myself silly. I was stupid and should never have done that. I embarrassed myself and probably was kinda mean to others. More than I usually would. Not quite me. I've been wearing a mask and I don't like it. But I hate talking about it all. I really don't even know what's on my mind. I don't know how to put it into words. Its all scrambled in my head. And I can't seem to unscramble it. I've never been one to really tell what I'm feeling either. Its hard though when you don't even know what to say, or even how to start.

I don't smile as much as I use to, I don't laugh as much, I stare off into space, I don't have motivation for anything, and I just can't think right. I don't know why. This summer has been fun, but again something is missing and I really don't know what I want. Sometimes I feel lonely...actually I've been feeling very lonely. Is it time to finally find a significant other? I don't know. Just someon new to hang out with? I don't know. I've seen a lot of couples out there in Madison and sometimes it makes me a little depressed. Yet, at times I'm happy being single, but I think thats starting to wear away. I would enjoy a cuddle from time to time, a kiss that actually means something, a loving hug. Do I need a woman? I don't know. There's a couple girls on my mind....but: One is taken, one is in Germany, and one I barely know. Those are the only two usually on my mind. But is there someone else out there for me. Thats always the question. And as many of you know...I'm picky. I need a certain someone. Hopefully I find it. I don't quite want to be lonely anymore.

On a brighter note, I have a 6 hour mountain bike race in Franklin, WI tomorrow. First endurance mtb race I've done. We'll have to see how the legs hold and the bike. All I really have to do is beat Geo and Gehling...thats my goal.

Well I better get to bed seeing that I race in 11 hours. We leave at 10am. Lets do this. Ciao....

Long time, no see.....

I think I'm going to try and update this thing in a couple days when I'm finally motivated. Until then....just keep waiting. Don't worry, it'll come. ciao

Winding down....

So I really can't believe that I only have 4 more days of school and then finals week. I'm totally done on Apr 26th. 11 days! Damn. Italy has been so much fun and I really don't want to leave. Even the past week has been a blast with people. Some of them I'm still annoyed with.

Two nights ago I met Kat's mom. She's just like Kat. I really liked her a lot. She took us out for drinks and then to dinner and paid for all of it. I actually felt awkward not paying for my part and having someone that doesn't even know me pay the whole bill. But she was a very nice woman. And she's an author...she's written many a books and scripts for movies. Craziness and cool.

Last night 10 of us drank up on the terrace (mostly just the roof of our villa). It was sweet. Between Dan and I we had 3.5 liters of wine and 250ml of grappa to go around. We didn't drink all of it....but we did most of it. But we had the music blasting and jokes flying and overall it was just an awesome time. I've really been hanging out with the people I didn't hang out with all semester and its kinda nice.

So my training has gotten a little bit more hardcore. 106km yesterday...yes I know thats still not a lot, but I'm working on time and base miles still and thats being in the mountains too. I go a lot harder now though. Yesterday started out crappy...my legs didn't even want to turn the pedals. The first climb was horrible, but then I was on top of my game and the next 2 climbs I blasted up. Feeling amazing. I just needed that first climb to get the crap out of my legs, thats all. Seeing that I really only have one more week to train here I better make it the best. I've improved a crapload since I've been here. By the time I leave I'll have 4000+km in my legs...some good base miles. And I've been become more of a climber, even at my weight and I'm a fat ass. But that will all transfer to the flats of Wisconsin. I'm definitely moving up to a Cat 2 this year. I hope my team helps me out with that.

I'll be able to finally test my strength on the 25th. I have a race over by Perugia. 89.9km mediofondo. 14km of climbing with the hardest climb coming in after 65km of racing. 7km long climb with an ave grad of 4.5% and a max of 9%. I don't see that being very hard. And I know I have over 100km of endurance so lets do this. I know I can break at least the top 50 now. And then I'll even do better at my next race on May 1st. My mom will be watching me, so I better do well.


Its nothing like a Wisconsin race....

Damn, I honestly shake when I think of going home. No more real Italian food, no more gelato, no more 11km climbs, no more 22% gradients, no more MTbike, no more me being in control on the road. Thats the thing I'm going to miss most of all I think. Having the road be for cyclists and for motorists. Motorists here respect cyclists. And I rule the road. I just can't ride in Madison like I can here. And its always lovely passing real pros on the road (yesterday I passed 2 discovery riders and a milram rider). I'll definitely have to come back here some day real soon.

Time to go and get some finaly projects done. I'm almost done with them anyways and they're all due on Wed. And I need to go on another ride, maybe around 4 hrs or so...we'll see.

Ciao ragazzi

Le Cinque terre...

One of the many views on todays journey

First off I would like to apologize for not updating my blog for the longest time...school is starting to get a little busy. So Cinque Terre time:

So today was a day trip with the class to Cinque Terre. Five cities on the west coast of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea. You can hike to each of the 5 towns. A total of 12km. Let's just say it was gorgeous. It made me want to get into hiking and live in Italy. The trail started at 5m above sea level, the highest point was 220m and it finished at 8m. There was 465m of climbing and 457m of descending. It was amazing all day with the sun out and it got up to around 68 degrees.

Walking next to the Mediterranean was amazing. I never thought I would ever do anything like that. I definitely took a crapload of pictures. If you ever come to Italy I recommend going to Cinque Terre and hiking the whole 12km. I didn't put on any suntan lotion as usual and got a nice sunburn on the right side of my neck which just looks hott.


Look Geo...pretty purple flowers

So we did the first leg of 4 with a group of about 10 or so. It took about 1.5 hrs and some people were complaining which was somewhat annoying at times. But it was definitely fun for me. We found a nice place to have lunch. The girls found a nice nature spot to go to the bathroom, two of them stepped in human shit and then smelled up the lunch table. Mmmmm delicious and nutritious. We got to the next city and rested for about 40 minutes or so on the rocks by the beach. We were going to go swimming because this was the city with the best beach! Ummm....no? Kinda sketchy, we'll stay away. I was getting antsy to continue on the hike so I wanted to get going.


Just beautiful!!!

All the girls didn't want to take the next leg of the trail so they decided to take the train to the next city and then walk the last two legs. LAME!!! They thought it wasn't going to be as good as the first leg and they didn't think there was time to do the 2nd leg and then the next 2 after that...well, they were wrong. My friend Dan and I decided to blaze through the 2nd leg. The tourist information said this leg would take about 1hr45min. It took us 48min! Oh yeah we rule...and that was with stops for some good pics.


My good friend Dan and I (look I finally got a haircut!!!)

We caught up with a couple other girls in the next town and they decided to join us for the last two sections. But first bathroom break. We found a nice cafe called CAFE MATTEO (yes I did get a pic of that with me in it, but it won't load so just check my facebook if you can...or I'll show it to you when I get home) and used the bathroom and got something to drink. One problem with the toliet. It was made into the ground. It was not a raised toliet. It was as high as the ground was. Good thing I didn't have to take a shit....but Dan did. I don't know how he did it...but he did his business.

Andiamo...The next section was not nearly as hard or strenuous as the first two. Not as much climbing. We got to the next town and there were some jagged rocks...so we decided to sit there for a while...about 45min-1hr. It was very relaxing. Sarah got in a nap, I took some pics, watched the girls from across the way strip down to their bikinis. We talked and got some sun...mostly on my right side. Time to go (and those girls thought we wouldn't have enough time?).


The Mediterranean on a gorgeous day...the view on the jagged rocks.

The last part of the trail was "Lover's Lane" (Via dell'amore). It was paved and was the easiest part of the trail. It was a nice last relaxing section though. But the legs felt good. I really want to start hiking more.

Overall, I think this was my favorite day trip out of all of them. No tours, no lectures, and no planned itinerary (other than when were leaving). I enjoy strenuous activities and the beautiful view was the icing on the cake.

Ok so as for riding my new bike....I HAVEN'T YET!!!! I'm dying to get it out there and try it. All I've done is ridden it to the shop and back. But what I have felt from it is intense speed and responsiveness. It honestly rides like a dream and is just gorgeous. I can't stop thinking about it. And this bike is staying clean. Thats why I haven't gone out the past few days...because its been crappy outside. But tomorrow I take it out. 70 and sunny :) But first I'm renting a moped with a couple friends and we're speeding over to Fiesole and Carmignano, or really wherever we want. I'll get back at around 2-2:30pm and get on that bike for about 4 hrs....thank you Day Light Savings (and Spring)!

But I'll have to get on the ball here. I have a crapload to do seeing that its the end of the program. Only two more weeks of class and then finals week. :( I have a 10 page myth paper due on the 19th, a travel journal due the 19th, an oral presentation on the 19th, an Italian composition about my childhood due the 13th. I get a take home final for Dante due the 24th, 2 performances for commedia dell'arte on the 18th and 20th, an Italian final on the 24th and a myth final on the 26th. I also have a race on the 25th. And as of right now I have to catch up on some myth reading. Sweet jesus. But hey when thats all done...my mom comes and I get to show her around for 2 weeks. And then I'll be home everyone, I can't wait to see all of you again...even though I'll be crying cuz I had to leave Italy :'(

This weekend I'll finish atleast 3/4 of my myth paper and hopefully my italian composition. I'll probably sit in Ari's Diner (an american diner with delicious food) with Kat and work on our papers. During this time I'm still going to get on my bike and get stronger for when I get home. Sounds like Baumann's training has been paying off...hopefully I'm able to stay up with him. lol. I better start working a little harder.

Ah and I registered for next semesters classes...I'm taking Nutri Sci 320 (an online class), Bact 303, Stats 371, Italian 102, and biking 295. Yes I am taking biking, I'm doing it with Geo, we are going to be the assholes who tear everyones legs off. Should be fun. I have only one class Mon, Wed, and Fri at 11:00am. And on Tues and Thurs I'm done at noon. Pretty nice if you ask me. I'll be able to go biking alot and get some hours in at the trek shop...and not feel too tired after a night at SAFEwalk.

Well, its time to get some reading done...I'll try and keep the updates coming. The next one will probably be on the new bike first ride...not gonna lie. Ciao ragazzi

Bici Nuova!!!!

That is all.... :) :) :)

God damn!!!!!

Wow...I was just looking at some cycling races tonight and I found out something awesome. Since I've been here I've been riding alot. Well, two of the routes I've been taking and most recently been doing alot were part of the 2005 Giro d'Italia. Part of stage 7...I've gone up (both sides actually) the San Baronto climb and I've done the whole Stage 8 ITT course from Lamporecchio-Firenze, up and over Pinone. I may not be as fast as the P-R-Os (at least yet), but I keep getting faster and faster every time I go out. I don't even tire as easily as I once did.


So here's the map of stage 7...


Yeah, that 10% part isn't too bad...theres actually three different climbs up to San Baronto and I've done all of them...this one is definitely the hardest out of the 3.


Elevation map...its the second to last climb...


I ride this route (or atleast part of it) almost every single day!!!


The side they did is definitely easier then going up the other side...

I need to update this thing...

So I'll do it this weekend I promise...Ciao ragazzi

Here's a pic for your entertainment:



Aren't I creepy....