Since the Tour de France is now in full swing and Chris Froome is charging up mountains leaving the peloton in the dust, I've been inspired, as is the case every year, to get on the bike more often. It's really awesome to see the progress of your legs getting stronger each time you go out and ride. After getting absolutely dumped on by the rain yesterday, I lucked out enough today to have good weather (relatively... because honestly, 90 degrees and 1000% humidity is certainly not ideal) to get in a nice long ride. I haven't done a 50 miler in quite some time, and honestly it was a challenge.
I got a cyclocomputer back in the spring, and since that has distance, total mileage, time spent riding, and average speed, I set a goal of 15mph for the ride, which would put me at finishing around 3 hours 15 minutes. As it turns out, I finished the ride with an average speed of 17.8mph, putting me at 2 hours 40 minutes. I'd consider it a successful day! And to think, while that pretty much exhausted my energy supply for the day (my legs are definitely going to feel it tomorrow...) the guys riding in the Tour today rode literally three times as much as I did today. Absolute insanity. And the last 15 miles or so to the finish was all uphill, mostly at a 10% grade (which is a lot) and even as much as a 25% grade (which is total death!).
I'm so glad I'm into cycling. It's good for you, it challenges you, you can ride with a group or ride solo, you can do intervals or sprints, hill repeats, cruises, whatever really suits your fancy. And you can surprise yourself with how far, or how fast, or how long you can go.
Being that I'm moving to Oregon in September, one of the things I look forward to the most is the bike scene out there. With mountains practically within a stone's throw, and a good number of roads designated as "bike greenways" there will be a bunch of opportunities to get out and ride in some truly breathtaking places! I'm going to try to convince my roommate to get into it, but if not, I'm sure there are plenty of groups to hitch along with! What a cool way to not only experience the natural beauty out there, but also to meet a lot of people. I couldn't be more excited!
It's my belief that places are experienced better on two wheels. It's far faster than walking or running, but not so fast as driving in a car, where you might miss things. Normally when I ride on my own I put in my iPod and listen to music the whole time, but today I left the music at home and just let my thoughts run rampant. You can look around, experience the beauty, notice the little things, talk some motivation into your legs and push through the hard stuff. If you haven't been on a bike, maybe it's time to try! And if your bike is still collecting dust in the garage... why not give it a whirl? Like I said -- the world is experienced better in a saddle on two wheels.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Change is Scary, but Good .
Since the time I started blogging over two years ago, I have always attempted to keep myself to a required schedule of writing a post a day (with the exception of a few terms of hiatus). For many people, having such a schedule usually only induces stress and disappointment as they struggle to deal with chaotic schedules both personally and professionally. For the most part, I have found the allotted time slot in which to write a welcome reprieve from the busy days that fill my life. However, over the past month or so, I am beginning to realize that there is just too much going on right now, and I have no doubt that when school starts that will only multiply. While I think that writing everyday is great and has been a real benefit for me, it is quite evident, especially in the past few weeks, that it has become another weight that I can only attempt to balance, and that my blog has been neglected a bit lately.
That being said, I've decided that I'm not going to try to require to post everyday anymore. I initially had expectations of something like a daily insight or something like that, and when I publish them into books I would have that for years to come. But, while not always welcome, change is something that happens whether we want it to or not, inadvertent or desired. And often times, if change is pushing that hard, the best thing to do is relinquish your grasp on the past and simply allow it to run its course. While I am mildly disappointed at giving up on the initial plan, I think that writing when inspiration hits me most will allow each and every one of my posts to be a more of a true gem, rather than a forced insight to the day.
In many ways, not keeping to a schedule often contributes to a forgotten blog. But just because the schedule isn't every day doesn't mean that it can't exist at all. I haven't quite decided what to do just yet. I wonder if maybe a schedule is just silly. But I do like the idea of something on Monday mornings, something to kick off the week for readers on a high note. So that's that for right now.
Moving in a slightly different direction, I've begun to write a lot of snail mail. Some people respond and some people don't, but regardless it's fun to send stuff out. It's even more fun to get return letters in the mail from friends. I'd like to extend the invitation to all the readers out there of sending mail back and forth. A few weeks ago I got a letter from Angie from "the best part of my day" and it was one of the best things I could have received. It really picked me up that day and honestly carried me through the whole week! I also am planning to set up a sort of quarterly newsletter that just sort of contains things about my life to keep my friends in the loop. It's not something they need to respond to, but it at least keeps people in the loop, even if they don't respond. Maybe it will be a good replacement for my lack of a Facebook. Probably more fun too, because you can keep it tucked away somewhere. Who knows. Something I want to try at least. If you're interested, feel free to shoot me an email at asmallpieceofgodsplan(at)gmail.com
And finally, I'm opening the floor to guest-posters! Admittedly I don't have a ton of followers so it's not like you're going to get huge amounts of publicity, but if you have something you'd like to talk about, a topic you'd like commented on round-table fashion, or just ramblings you'd like to be shared, hit me up. Even if you just want to shoot the shit for a while through email. Hope you all have a wonderful end to the week.
That being said, I've decided that I'm not going to try to require to post everyday anymore. I initially had expectations of something like a daily insight or something like that, and when I publish them into books I would have that for years to come. But, while not always welcome, change is something that happens whether we want it to or not, inadvertent or desired. And often times, if change is pushing that hard, the best thing to do is relinquish your grasp on the past and simply allow it to run its course. While I am mildly disappointed at giving up on the initial plan, I think that writing when inspiration hits me most will allow each and every one of my posts to be a more of a true gem, rather than a forced insight to the day.
In many ways, not keeping to a schedule often contributes to a forgotten blog. But just because the schedule isn't every day doesn't mean that it can't exist at all. I haven't quite decided what to do just yet. I wonder if maybe a schedule is just silly. But I do like the idea of something on Monday mornings, something to kick off the week for readers on a high note. So that's that for right now.
Moving in a slightly different direction, I've begun to write a lot of snail mail. Some people respond and some people don't, but regardless it's fun to send stuff out. It's even more fun to get return letters in the mail from friends. I'd like to extend the invitation to all the readers out there of sending mail back and forth. A few weeks ago I got a letter from Angie from "the best part of my day" and it was one of the best things I could have received. It really picked me up that day and honestly carried me through the whole week! I also am planning to set up a sort of quarterly newsletter that just sort of contains things about my life to keep my friends in the loop. It's not something they need to respond to, but it at least keeps people in the loop, even if they don't respond. Maybe it will be a good replacement for my lack of a Facebook. Probably more fun too, because you can keep it tucked away somewhere. Who knows. Something I want to try at least. If you're interested, feel free to shoot me an email at asmallpieceofgodsplan(at)gmail.com
And finally, I'm opening the floor to guest-posters! Admittedly I don't have a ton of followers so it's not like you're going to get huge amounts of publicity, but if you have something you'd like to talk about, a topic you'd like commented on round-table fashion, or just ramblings you'd like to be shared, hit me up. Even if you just want to shoot the shit for a while through email. Hope you all have a wonderful end to the week.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Shooting Stars .
Until a few nights ago, I had never seen a shooting star. At least not that I remember... I do occasionally hear about some astrological anomaly and try to get in on the action of seeing it, but there's always clouds or something that screws it up. I am pretty sure I've seen Jupiter or Venus before with the naked eye though (I know those two are wildly different...).
However, I finally saw a shooting star. Two, to be exact. It's quite possible that I saw them before and never knew what they were. Because after all, they sort of seem to fall instead of "shoot" across the sky. But for that short blip where purple fire seems to shoot across the sky, that is when the magic happens. Real magic. The sort of stuff that will always sort of blow your mind, will always take you by surprise, and will always put a smile on your face.
I might never see another shooting star in my life. But in that moment, it was perfect. It made a perfect night out looking up at the sky even more perfect. The clouds parted, the stars began to shine, and I walked back to my car with sand between my toes. Now that is what summer is all about.
However, I finally saw a shooting star. Two, to be exact. It's quite possible that I saw them before and never knew what they were. Because after all, they sort of seem to fall instead of "shoot" across the sky. But for that short blip where purple fire seems to shoot across the sky, that is when the magic happens. Real magic. The sort of stuff that will always sort of blow your mind, will always take you by surprise, and will always put a smile on your face.
I might never see another shooting star in my life. But in that moment, it was perfect. It made a perfect night out looking up at the sky even more perfect. The clouds parted, the stars began to shine, and I walked back to my car with sand between my toes. Now that is what summer is all about.
Going Out on a Limb .
It is not an easy thing to decipher the messages that life sends you. Sometimes there are too many coincidences in too many places at too many specific times that puts you in a certain situation where there is an opportunity you can't refuse (how's that for a mouthful...). It is in these times that we ask ourselves whether we should seize said opportunity, or pass it up. I'm a big fan of the phrase "Carpe Diem". For those of you who don't speak Latin (I belong to that group) or who have not seen Dead Poet's Society (great film, if you're looking for some entertainment), it means "seize the day."
Seize the day. Here's my definition: Take that which has been put forth before you today, and run with it. Proceed cautiously at first, but should you choose to pursue, pursue with vigor and ferocity. Be ripe with anticipation and excitement, and revel in the challenges that come your way as a result.
Sometimes this requires going out on a limb a little bit. It requires reaching a little bit further than that which is within your comfort zone. And in those moments, all one can do is take a deep breath, and leap. In that instant, time stops still and all you have is you, and your decision to stick to your guns for that moment.
Sometimes you crash and burn. But sometimes, just sometimes, you watch your dreams unfold in front of you.
Seize the day. Here's my definition: Take that which has been put forth before you today, and run with it. Proceed cautiously at first, but should you choose to pursue, pursue with vigor and ferocity. Be ripe with anticipation and excitement, and revel in the challenges that come your way as a result.
Sometimes this requires going out on a limb a little bit. It requires reaching a little bit further than that which is within your comfort zone. And in those moments, all one can do is take a deep breath, and leap. In that instant, time stops still and all you have is you, and your decision to stick to your guns for that moment.
Sometimes you crash and burn. But sometimes, just sometimes, you watch your dreams unfold in front of you.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
A Financial Burden .
A headline in the local paper caught my eye today, and upon reading the article it talked about how many retirees are now in higher debt than they have ever been in in their life. The reason? Lavish spending? No job to support a normal lifestyle anymore? No. None of those things that might make sense -- rather, they are indebted because of the help necessary to provide their kids with money to pay off debt accumulated from a college education.
People often worry that when they grow old that they might be a burden on their kids -- whether financial, or health and general care; but I can't imagine ever being afraid of debt that serious happening that late in life. I imagine it feels an awful lot like a hole that you simply cannot dig yourself out of -- unless you die.
When I was applying to schools, four or five years ago, there wasn't a second thought in my head of how much debt I would be in, or how I would pay for things. I knew that I would get what scholarships I could, and honor the deal that my parents have always had for the kids; being that they would cover tuition if I covered everything else (that means room and board, gas, car expenses, personal desires, textbooks etc.). I still take out a Federal loan every semester, just to help with those general living expenses. But certainly I am at a supreme advantage over those who have had no financial help from their parents throughout their college years.
Nowadays, perhaps the mindset needs to change. Perhaps employers need to consider the possibility of hiring people that do not have a college degree, which might very well be because they simply couldn't afford the education. Gone are the days when employers would hire college grads and then foot the bill for graduate schooling. But how can it possibly change? A bachelor's degree doesn't mean anything anymore. It is like a rite of passage, an expected achieved just like a high school degree used to be. At first glance that sounds like a good thing -- but upon further inspection one might come to the conclusion that this means that more people are being forced into going to graduate study, something they might very well not be able to afford by any stretch of the imagination, just to get hired at a base level job! This means the base pay, base benefits, all while trying to balance the recently raised level of interest on college loans.
The article mentions that when the decision of whether or not to go to college comes, rarely does one think about how much they're really borrowing and what their monthly payment will be come graduation. Nor do they think about the type of salary they need to make in order to foot those monthly payments all the time. A lot of us depend on the idea that our parents will be able to bail us out if we need it, provide refuge if we can't pay the rent, and offer a free place to eat if we can't pay for groceries. I hate the idea of being that much of a burden to my parents, but is it necessary at this point?
It just goes to show that if you deciding on colleges, pick carefully. Pay careful attention to price, and overall cost, not just tuition. Do some math, do some financial calculation. Nowadays, going to a good school doesn't guarantee a good paying job. Keep in mind how important things like grades, extra experience and unique connections makes. The best of all of those things will keep you a step ahead of the competition.
Is college a worthwhile expense? I still think so. And I hope that come graduation in two years, I'll have a place to live and a comfortable salary at a place where I enjoy my job and the work that I'm doing. There may not be any guarantees, but out of all the jobs out there, there's got to be one for little old me to survive on.
People often worry that when they grow old that they might be a burden on their kids -- whether financial, or health and general care; but I can't imagine ever being afraid of debt that serious happening that late in life. I imagine it feels an awful lot like a hole that you simply cannot dig yourself out of -- unless you die.
When I was applying to schools, four or five years ago, there wasn't a second thought in my head of how much debt I would be in, or how I would pay for things. I knew that I would get what scholarships I could, and honor the deal that my parents have always had for the kids; being that they would cover tuition if I covered everything else (that means room and board, gas, car expenses, personal desires, textbooks etc.). I still take out a Federal loan every semester, just to help with those general living expenses. But certainly I am at a supreme advantage over those who have had no financial help from their parents throughout their college years.
Nowadays, perhaps the mindset needs to change. Perhaps employers need to consider the possibility of hiring people that do not have a college degree, which might very well be because they simply couldn't afford the education. Gone are the days when employers would hire college grads and then foot the bill for graduate schooling. But how can it possibly change? A bachelor's degree doesn't mean anything anymore. It is like a rite of passage, an expected achieved just like a high school degree used to be. At first glance that sounds like a good thing -- but upon further inspection one might come to the conclusion that this means that more people are being forced into going to graduate study, something they might very well not be able to afford by any stretch of the imagination, just to get hired at a base level job! This means the base pay, base benefits, all while trying to balance the recently raised level of interest on college loans.
The article mentions that when the decision of whether or not to go to college comes, rarely does one think about how much they're really borrowing and what their monthly payment will be come graduation. Nor do they think about the type of salary they need to make in order to foot those monthly payments all the time. A lot of us depend on the idea that our parents will be able to bail us out if we need it, provide refuge if we can't pay the rent, and offer a free place to eat if we can't pay for groceries. I hate the idea of being that much of a burden to my parents, but is it necessary at this point?
It just goes to show that if you deciding on colleges, pick carefully. Pay careful attention to price, and overall cost, not just tuition. Do some math, do some financial calculation. Nowadays, going to a good school doesn't guarantee a good paying job. Keep in mind how important things like grades, extra experience and unique connections makes. The best of all of those things will keep you a step ahead of the competition.
Is college a worthwhile expense? I still think so. And I hope that come graduation in two years, I'll have a place to live and a comfortable salary at a place where I enjoy my job and the work that I'm doing. There may not be any guarantees, but out of all the jobs out there, there's got to be one for little old me to survive on.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Parachute .
In my sophomore year at Clemson I dated a girl who at one point made me a list of her ten favorite songs at my request. I later covered and recorded them all for her, putting them together on a CD and mailing her the CD for Christmas, even though we had stopped dating by that point. One of the artists on that list was Parachute, and I can't remember exactly which song it was but I remember thinking that it was a good one.
Weeks ago, as I was putting together the dance floor at work, I had the XM radio playing and a song was playing, so I wrote down a few pieces of the lyrics as a note in my phone. I just got around to looking them up today, and I now remember why it touched me so much that I had to write them down.
The song is called "Kiss Me Slowly" by Parachute.
One particular piece that I like especially is this set of lines:
Don't run away...
And it's hard to love again,
When the only way it's been,
When the only love you knew,
Just walked away...
If it's something that you want,
Darling you don't have to run,
You don't have to go...
Love inspires so many songs. Think about how many beautiful words have been written about relationships, heartbreaks, losing someone who means a lot to you in your life. I don't think Dashboard Confessional would even exist without that, or Taylor Swift or countless others. But it's good to get it out. Music is therapy. Music saves lives. And sometimes that's the only medium that we can get our emotions out, in hopes that we will feel better afterwards. I like how much people really put into their music; how they pour out their heart and soul, and you can just hear that in the music.
I mean, that's usually how I write when I write songs too. I don't know if it comes off that way, but I know the meanings behind stuff; sometimes it's direct and other times it beats around the bush a bit. Whatever happens though, it's stuff I'm proud of. I'd love to cover this song sometime, it's a fun one to sing. Enjoy the tune!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Slipping Through the Cracks .
I have let a lot of things fall by the wayside lately; among them, blogging. It feels like I have been so busy, and I don't know how you people do it! Life, I mean. I used to love summer and all it had to offer; the promise of fun times, the wonder of endless possibilities; it carried a sort of luminescence like that of a planet that was just in the right place at the right time that you might be able to see it with the naked eye among the stars. And yet I have letters I need to respond to and write, blogs to catch up on, a closet to clean out, a workout routine to keep up with, a few more songs to learn for for the band, and a second job to keep up with too. Too much on my plate? Maybe. It's starting to wear me out. Somehow, it almost seems like the school year was less busy than my summer! Not sure how that is even possible!
I recently told a close friend to not be afraid to take a break once in awhile. And I mean, I'm pretty sure I've been following my own advice, as I watch my fair share of Netflix shows and whatever else. It almost seems, though, like that sort of thing is such a waste of my time. TV shows, movies, Playstation and the like. What a waste. I enjoy them -- and yet feel so unproductive watching that stuff. Often I'll end up trying to multi-task. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's just so hard to come home from work and dive right into more things that I feel that I need to it. It's like I need a break.
However, I did tell myself, that perhaps once I finish out The Office (I'm towards the end of Season 8 I think) that I'll use the time I spent doing that so often watching YouTube videos about Revit, and trying to at least start learning that. I've pretty much spent no time updating my architecture blog, nor reading ArchDaily emails (literally have 43 unopened emails with about 20 or so projects each that I've been meaning to look at). I've had four tabs open on my browser of jobs I've been wanting to send material to for a few weeks now. And professional social media? Forget it; who has time for it!?
That damn sand in the hourglass just keeps slipping away. Although now it feels like it's slipping right out of the hourglass itself and through the cracks. For those of you who consider yourselves masters of time management (honestly, do those people even really exist of are they just a mythical rarity like a unicorn?) I am extremely jealous. While I do think I've exceeded even my own expectations of time management, sometimes it's not in the cards and I end up blowing the day.
And on that note, I'm watching The Office, showering, and going to bed. Exhausted again.
I recently told a close friend to not be afraid to take a break once in awhile. And I mean, I'm pretty sure I've been following my own advice, as I watch my fair share of Netflix shows and whatever else. It almost seems, though, like that sort of thing is such a waste of my time. TV shows, movies, Playstation and the like. What a waste. I enjoy them -- and yet feel so unproductive watching that stuff. Often I'll end up trying to multi-task. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It's just so hard to come home from work and dive right into more things that I feel that I need to it. It's like I need a break.
However, I did tell myself, that perhaps once I finish out The Office (I'm towards the end of Season 8 I think) that I'll use the time I spent doing that so often watching YouTube videos about Revit, and trying to at least start learning that. I've pretty much spent no time updating my architecture blog, nor reading ArchDaily emails (literally have 43 unopened emails with about 20 or so projects each that I've been meaning to look at). I've had four tabs open on my browser of jobs I've been wanting to send material to for a few weeks now. And professional social media? Forget it; who has time for it!?
That damn sand in the hourglass just keeps slipping away. Although now it feels like it's slipping right out of the hourglass itself and through the cracks. For those of you who consider yourselves masters of time management (honestly, do those people even really exist of are they just a mythical rarity like a unicorn?) I am extremely jealous. While I do think I've exceeded even my own expectations of time management, sometimes it's not in the cards and I end up blowing the day.
And on that note, I'm watching The Office, showering, and going to bed. Exhausted again.
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