A friend, Daniel Nemetchek, landed a fifth place finish in the first stage of the Monumental Memorial race in Beatrice Nebraska on Saturday May 27th. Way to go Daniel! It must have been quite the finish with the winner taking it by 1 second, and then 12 riders crossing in the next second.

This photo is from the second stage and the good looking guy in the red shorts is Daniel, so un-officially, this would look like a fourth place in the second stage.

No wonder nobody can keep up with him when we ride at Maah Daah Hey.

NebraskaCyclingNews - News

It made me laugh, which was good. But, I often wonder who spends there time creating this kind of stuff?

from just stumbling along

The Birthday Boy

Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

Well hardly a boy but a fine young man that we’re very proud of. While 21 is not quite the landmark birthday it once was, it still means something special to us “older” types.

For Scott, it was a typical work day, up early and out of the house by about 6:30am to head off to work. He did manage to get home at a more reasonable time so we could head out to the lake for the May long weekend. We had an enjoyable discussion on the way down to join Dez and Eric who went out Thursday evening. After a great steak dinner we finally got around to opening presents. Somehow I think I was almost more interested in getting to this part than Scott was! This must be a sign of maturity that I just haven’t reached yet, delaying the receiving of your presents.

Happy 21st Birthday Scott!

Today was my first experience with cycling to work and it went very well.

Last night it took a little planning to get the required gear, including the laptop, into a backpack and to decide what kind of clothes can be rolled up and still look OK at the office. The good thing was I didn’t forget anything and I think I looked presentable.

The ride was about 20 minutes and there were no major problems. I’m used to riding in the traffic so that wasn’t an issue, but it was a little heavier than usual at rush hour. One slowdown was getting behind a slower biker and being trapped between the curb lane traffic and the guy ahead. As traffic pulled away from a light I was able to slip into the lane and get around the guy and back up to speed.

Here at IBM there is a bike cage compound under a surveillance camera and people lock the bike inside the cage so I hope it will still be there when I head out for home tonight. There is a small change and shower room on the 3rd floor and I had it to myself. If there were more the two guys at the same time, it would be very close quarters. The ride end-to-end took longer that the car, probably close to 1 hour home to desk by the time I locked up the bike, showered and changed etc.

So all in all it’s been a good experience and I think I’ll make it a regular option for traveling into the office. I hope it doesn’t rain on the way home, it’s looking a little dark out there right now and the forecast is 60% for showers.

Snake #2
Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo.

This was actually from last weekend when we went to Narcisse, Manitoba which is world famous breeding ground for red-sided garter snakes. I’d known about this attraction for some time but we’d never gone until this spring. One of the four dens was very active and it was quite interesting to photograph the snakes and I was amazed by the numbers of snakes in the ajacent fields. I think we’ll go back this fall for the return migration.

This is my second time attending the Maximum Impact simulcast at our church’s conference
facility here in Winnipeg. We’re on the afternoon break and the speakers so far have been just excellent. There certainly has been some solid practical information and great insight into
various aspects of being a leader. Just one of the many points from John Maxwell that really hits home is that you must lead yourself exceptionally well. I need to lead myself with integrity and possess excellent self-management if I expect to impact others. Who would follow someone who obviously can’t or won’t manage themselves? My actions must be in line with my intentions and my intentions must be focused on helping others. I think it’s called being congruent.

The financial talk by Dave Ramsey was very insightful. He asserts that we all know what to do when it comes to sound financial practices, it’s our behavior that’s the issue. We frequently don’t behave in a way that aligns with our knowledge. There’s that congruence thing again! He had five simple steps and you know them already.

1. Live on less than you make
2. Get out of debt.
3. Get on a budget.
4. Save some money
5. Give / Tithe – we’re designed to do it.

See, you knew all that didn’t you? It’s just our behavior that we need to get in line.