I know I’ve been an asshole for not posting something worthy myself lately. I’ve been shortcutting by linking articles I want you all to read. Oh well, it’s all the same I guess, as long as you are doing my reading assignments you will be somewhat prepared. Here’s another one.

Quick post - Yesterday I rode my first century with my buddy Justin for an MS fundraiser. I’m not burnt to a full crisp anywhere outside of where my bike shorts or shirt was covering. Somehow I managed not to be sore, probably used up all the lactic acid in my legs just riding. I’m glad I did it, at least I feel some sort of sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t that it was ever really hard at one point, it’s that you sit on the bike all day and after awhile boredom and just plain being uncomfortable sets in, as you realize that you have 40 more miles to go. Anyway it’s done, over - good. I’d like to link a post by sirbikesalot here because I’m too tired/lazy to post. He makes a lot of good points, about the waning oil supply, alternative transportation, and the attitude it’s going to take if people want to change anything so here it is, give it a read and see how you can apply it to your own life. CLICK FOR LINK

Tonight Justin and me went out a quick little 25 mile bike ride out to blue clay road and beyond. It was a great ride. We left went the sun was just starting to go down and reaped the benefits of not sweating until we turned into raisins. The ride took us out into the less developed outskirts of Wilmington. We rode past pastures full of wilting corn, fields of wild grass and tall “weeds.” The further we went the more the air let go of the city. The exhaust, smell of dryers pumping out moist air from the sides of homes, and the sounds of cars, planes and white noise generated from the city faded away with every pump of my pedals. In front of my wheel was the smells of home, summer grass and a fresh breeze carrying the cooling air from the forest. One road we turned down was full of farms and small homes, most of which has large gardens. This was my type of street. It led us to the county park which has a disc golf course, which I think is absolutely fucking awesome. Anyway it was a good ride, definitely my new favorite route around here. It’s hard to get in long rides when you don’t have much free time, but with this one it’s quick, easy and a very pretty ride. Oh and I can’t leave without saying one of my favorite corn fields out there is slated for “commercial development.” Most of the land out there is, unfortunately. At least they’re planning on putting in bike lanes on the road when they do develop it out. On the other hand, I won’t want to ride it when it’s developed. Hopefully though, I won’t be here to see the change.

Today as I was driving to my friends house to go scouting for some fruits and vegetables to can, I came upon a sign for a future development that I often see while driving of riding my bike on this very road. However, this morning it was different. Instead of advertising apts and condos, it was spraypainted with words that said “save trees” with a very fine illustration of what a tree looks like. There were a few of these around. This “monkeywrenching” by what I presume to be some college kids makes me proud. In fact I’m disappointed I didn’t think of it myself. It looks fantastic too. Every asshole in this town that hates those “hippies on bikes” has to drive by it in their ten ton SUV and see that work of “vandalism.” I say the vandalism is what they’re doing to the ecology around here. It’s absolutely disgusting, and I’m glad some people are finally taking a stand, even if it is at the level of a highschooler. So for whoever did the graffiti, damn fine work, damn fine. Keep up the good work brothers and sisters, there may yet be a few battles to win. On another note someone wrote in complaining of all the bikers using a road around here that is known to be one of the main biking roads because of the openness and sparser traffic. Apparently a man who moved down here was disturbed by all these bikers using this road they’ve been using for a long time and felt compelled to write the editor of the local paper about it. The link is it sirbikesalot.com he explained the whole situation very well, and on his lead I and a few others have written the editor in response to this arsehole.

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That’s why I registered for the MS Bike Tour, and why I’m asking you to support my fundraising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can’t do it without our help. It’s faster and easier than ever to support this cause that’s so important to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

Here’s the deal folks, my friend Justin and me are doing this ride in September. It’s a two day ride, of variable lengths. We chose to do a 100 miles both days. My ass is going to hurt by the end of that second day, so the least you can do is go to the link below and donate. I need to raise at least 200, but 500 is the current goal seeing as how I only have about a month. Hopefully this won’t turn out like the Tour of Hope in which we got rained out and all participants were sent packing.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/goto/seancarr54

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Bike Tour are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org.

Another reason to hate housing tracts. I wrote about this place awhile ago, but the paper just did a story on it. They’re taking our riding road and destroying reason we ride on it. Nothing new, but a reminder of how this place is going in the toilet. They’re taking one of the last nice places to ride and relax and bulldozing it over for over a thousand homes and some commercial businesses. Hey, the economy is growing though!

My friend’s blog…. Please take the time to read it. Normally i’d warn you about too much sarcasm and cynicism, but I think he’s about as honest as it can get without stepping over the bounds of being cynical or pessimistic. These people are really something else. I’m sure it’s this way in a lot of places, but us coming from a nice little section of NY, never had to deal with these things, or people.

Today I took the bike out for nice cruise. I left at 7am, rode to my friend Justin’s apt, and off we went. We did about 50 miles total. Only 30 of them were together towards the end we went different routes because I had to ride into work and he was going home. About ten miles from work I got a phone call that they needed me in. Today was supposed to be my day off, and last night they told me I had to come in at noon. I got a phone call at 10. So after riding 50 miles my friend picked me and the bike up on his way to work and I went and worked 7 hours after a 50 miles ride. Nothing like washing dishes after a nice long ride…So, after I got out I was eager to enjoy what was supposed to be my day off. Justin and I drove down to Southport to get some seafood and get out of town for a few hours. It was a nice trip, but I’m extremely tired and feel like shit from riding and working. There was nice sunset photo op on the way back, so I forced Justin to turn around and let me grab it. It turned out alright but would have been much better about 2 minutes before I took it when we initially passed. That’s all I really gotta say. I’m tired and on my day off I’m probably just going to bed early.

I just returned from a few days out at Linville Gorge and Chimney Rock in the mountains of North Carolina. I needed it. I don’t know what it is about Southeast North Carolina, but I just can’t wait to get out of it. I’m really more of a mountain and freshwater guy than flatland and saltwater. Don’t know if that has much to do with it, but I’m sure it plays its part. Anyway I decided to get outta town on a whim the other day. I told my friend I was leaving early in the morning to drive out to the mountains. I had no real plan or even any idea where I wanted to go. So he said he’d come along. I had a party. We drove I-40 west until we saw signs for Linville Gorge where we pulled off and got a hotel room. When the southern lady at the desk saw two guys asking for a single room, she got “suspicious.” The single was just to cut down on the cost even though the room was still 70 bucks. The bed however was the biggest one I’d ever seen and was more than enough to accommodate us and possible a couple of homeless vagrants. After we got the room we drove out to the gorge and started hiking. At first we went to a very tourist filled area and just saw some scenic vistas along with kids trampling the ground in front of us. Soon after I got the photos I wanted from there we drove up to “Table Rock” and started hiking. You drive most of the way up the mountain, but still have a good 30 minute hike straight up after the parking area. That hike was well worth the effort, as the view rivaled some I’d seen in Alaska. The best part was nobody was to be seen. I could have stayed up there and camped out for the night. If I’d been by myself and not already gotten a hotel room I’m sure that’s what I’d have done. The solitude was pretty amazing. There were also little bowls carved out of the rock. Some were filled with water and some were dry. I came to the conclusion that over thousands of years these bowls were carved little by little by the rain they held. I don’t know if I’m right, but I’d like to think I am. After Table Rock, we went back down and to the hotel to change and grab some dinner. The lady at the hotel told us that the Brown Mountain Lights were nearby. I’ve heard about these lights ever since I was a young kid introduced to a haunted North Carolina book. I had to go being so close. So after dinner Justin and I drove out to where you were supposed to be able to see them. Of course, we saw nothing. Disappointed, but not deterred we stayed out there and looked at the stars for close to an hour. It was so dark and clear that I saw more stars than I’d seen in a long long time. It was well worth the effort even if the Brown Mountain Lights didn’t want to put on a show for us. Of course, it could have been that Justin was calling them names like “cowards” and pussies” because they wouldn’t show. I don’t know if going out to see what may or may not be imaginary lights or calling possibly fictitious lights names is worse. After that we went back to the hotel and promptly passed out. Today we woke early and drove down to Chimney Rock. On the way we stopped at a roadside gem mine and bought a bucket of dirt. The bucket unearthed some really cool gems. From there we headed to Chimney Rock where I was forced to face my fear of heights climbing on the side of cliff the entire time. It was beautiful but sometimes annoying because of all the people. Table Rock was by far the highlight of the trip, and had I known about it earlier I would have planned the trip to be a solo camping mission to the top, although the company was nice to have for the ride. Now I’m back in Wilmington, and watching Scott Coady’s films because if I’m helping the guy in October it’d probably be a good idea to see what he’s made already. Tomorrow I might take the kayak out for my first plunge into the water for the year. We’ll see though, I’ve never taken it out, don’t have a rack and don’t have a life preserver. Plus I don’t have health insurance. Safety first.

I’m back in Wilmington finally. My excitement to be back couldn’t even be described. Of course I’m kidding. Being back is really kind of just blah. I’m trying to harbor no ill will towards this place this time around. It’s been pretty easy just letting stuff that would normally piss me off slide by. On the other hand there’s just nothing here that captures my interest. Today I went mountain biking with my friend. There’s nothing to look at but sand and pine trees. It’s all flat, and quite frankly just boring. I guess that’s the best way to describe being back, boring. I’m trying to plan things to take up my time, kayak trips, bike riding, selling photos…etc. Back home or in Alaska I could walk to the river or hike up the hill/mountain down the road. Down here there doesn’t seem to be anything I want to do besides leave. 3 or 4 hours west gets you into some nice country where the foothills start, but from there eastward it’s pretty flat. I’ve been to some other areas around the coast and never had any problems with them. North Carolina really is a great place, but Wilmington and the surrounding area just doesn’t have the spirit and comfortable vibe the rest of the state does. Maybe I’m biased after three years of suffering from constant bombardment by rich, dumb blondes, huge SUV’s with only one occupant, and the widespread deforestation that gives way to the housing developments named “Silent Oaks” or ” Pinegrove Forest.” I think Alaska helped me deal with that stuff though. Before I’d just get fed up and not want to have anything to do with it. At least now I’m able to shake it off and try to be proactive about it. The Environmental film fest is slowly taking form, and I’m working on what to do to get the Waste Management people to pick up recyclables in our apt. complex. We’ll see how it all goes, one step at a time. This place does suck though. Give me some grizzly bears, moose and a heaping mountain range. Aight brah, I gotta go kick it at the beach…surfs up!

Today we went into Denali National Park. Instead of doing the usual tourist trap stuff we decided to rent bikes and go straight for it. I noticed afterward that the buses that take you deep into the park to see the wildlife were full of old, southern fat people. I don’t know how to explain this phenomenon, but it was perplexing nonetheless. Jeremy and I rented the bikes for 40 bucks for the whole day. I figured it would be an easy ride though the mountains and we’d see a ton of wildlife. Well, it turned out that for 20 miles from the start of the only road goes uphill. Literally, the whole way was uphill. Needless to say we walked a good portion of the Tour De Denali. We didn’t see any animals on our bike ride either except some really fat rabbits. When we got back to the main lodge there was a mother moose walking through the brush with her two kids. All of the fat, southerners I referenced couldn’t contain themselves and had to rush over towards the moose at the dismay of the lodge staff who specifically advised them not to. Apparently, a moose, possibly that very one has been charging campers. It’s kind of funny. Well anyway like I said the ride was completely uphill. So, the ride back was alot more fun than the ride in. Downhill the whole way. So I took my $3000 video camera and grabbed it in one hand and held on to my handle bar with the other. Was this a smart decision? No, probably not, but it was pretty fun and the footage is pretty sweet. The fact that I sang stupid songs in an Irish accent the majority of the way down hill probably had something to do with it. Tomorrow we head for Fairbanks. Although I love the hostel and all the people, especially Steve the pirate, it will be good to see some civilization. We’ve basically been keeping the bar acrossed the street in business and hanging out in the hostel common room chatting with all the fellow travelers for almost every country and state you could think of. It’s been a really good experience so far. Although, Jeremy complains because he says my farts are rancid. I really can’t argue with him.

Well I’m finally back home. Graduation is over and I left north carolina to come back to rural new york for just over a week. Then I’m off to Alaska for two weeks with one of my friends. I’m filming the whole trip. Hopefully I’ll have time to edit a bit and throw some clips up on youtube.com for you all to see. If not I’ll at least upload my photos when I can find a wifi signal. It sure is nice to be home and hear nothing but the peepers at night and the occasional train, rather than the drunk 19 year old downstairs in the parking lot. I’ve been taking a ton of photos since I’ve been home. I figure as long as I have the digital camera I might as well, so I’ve been snapping way more than I should. That’s what is great about digital though, if you don’t want it you just erase it. Problem solved. I’ve got quite a few things planned during my time home. I want to get out to Allegany state park and do some hiking and mountain biking, along with photography out there. This whole area is so beautiful with the trees and hills and river. It’s really a photographers dream, and I appreciate it a whole bunch more now that I’ve living in Wilmington, NC, home of the SUV and self righteous Christian. I’m also planning on spending alot of time with my dog, because well he’s my dog. I saved his butt from the pound a few years ago and we’ve been like “peas and carrots” ever since. I wish I had something interesting to tell you guys, but really I’m just planning my trip to Alaska, visiting with family and trying to soak up as much time outdoors as possible. However, I did put a new saddle on my mountain bike. None of that expensive crap either, I took it off my old “eco terra huffy” and slapped it on my trek. Nothing against Bontrager, but that huffy seat is super comfortable compared with the one that came on the bike. Oh well, I’m heading out now, gotta get up early and buy a new prosumer camcorder, final cut pro and a sleeping bag for the trip to Alaska. have a good night, and godbless!

Gas is now 3 dollars and then some. I say good. Nothing hits home like a swift kick in the pocketbook for us Americans. I would say that cutting down on your driving should be motivated by things like the environment and all around fitness. Don’t tell Suzy Q soccer mom driving her brand new Suburban though. If gas prices going through the roof is what it takes to get people talking about other forms of transportation than I’m all for it. I’m in the process of buying a touring bike as we speak. Something that will get me around town and that will be it’s only purpose. I’m looking at buying something older, steel frame(aluminum is for pussies), 21 gears all that jazz, but definitely something that is meant for transportation. I’ve got my road bike and mountain bike, and I’d like to keep them as they are. Back to my point though. It just strikes me funny that the only good way to get our attention is to hit us where we are always focused, on the money. Don’t get me wrong, we need money to get by in the society we live in, but I think lately people have become so focused on material possessions and having more than the person in the house next to him that they’ve lost the focus of what life is really about. It’s not about earning over 100K a year and having a nice car. Let’s face it, we’re all going to be dead one day and then those things will be meaningless. People need to focus on what really matters, friends, family, keeping the earth healthy for future generations and teaching the right values to those people. Hopefully, and there’s a lot of hope in that, we will start focusing more on the things that matter, instead of the materialistic rat race that is inevitably going to be the doom of the human race(not the earth though). The more and more I ride, the more I think bikes are a great way to do that. Hell, they may even save the world. ….oh ya, GO SABRES!!!!!

This is a post I thought my friend should write. It was his idea but I encouraged him because he’s a much better and wittier writer than myself. Anyway I recently got him into biking and he’s been riding as much as he can instead of driving. Believe it or not he only spends about 20 bucks on gas a week now. Anyway here’s the post and I’ll provide the link to his blog because he often has witty posts that some of you more cynical people will enjoy. ———————–

Boycott Gas, Save the World! (yea right)

I saw on CNN today that there’s some massive chain e-mail going around suggesting that everyone boycott gasoline on a certain day (I think it’s May 15 – but that’s not important). Unfortunately, I did not receive such a message myself, probably because I had to block the newsletters the American Family Association was sending me a while back due to my inbox being assaulted like bombs over Baghdad with their anti-homosexual/anti-abortion/good-golly-I-just-love-Jesus-and-my-brand-new-SUV chain mail. I’ve a feeling folks like them were at the root of this stupidity (for a definition of “folks like them,” look up Dr. James Dobson/other Christian® literature/supporters of Geroge W. Bush/people who are onto the liberals’ conspiracy commonly known as “global warming”).

Whew – that was a mouthful. I think I should consult my local union about how to get welfare/WIC since I feel like I have carpal tunnel syndrome … or at least the mere whiff of it.

Let’s talk about the positives of this whole notion. Ready? I’m going to list them here:

1). Their intentions are good.

Thankfully, the good folks at blogger.com have supplied me with ample bandwidth to accommodate such a long list of good things about this idea. Seriously, though – how is not buying gasoline on one day going to do a damn thing – especially since the majority of the participants in this scheme will just top off their tanks the day before? So the gas companies will lose out on a day’s profits – somewhere around a couple billion dollars. Is that going to put a dent in an industry that will make about that much more the day before? I know I got a free calculator from that Land Rover dealer the other day – where did I put it … I’m going to get to the bottom of this.

Here’s the thing – and why the drive for such a gesture comes from a beautiful place filled with butterflies and lambs – we just arrested six would-be militants in New Jersey who are suspected of plotting to shoot up a military base. Plus, in some little shit hole Muslim country, video was released of a children’s program where a Mickey Mouse-wannabe told its toddler-comprised audience to kill Jews in the name of (one of) their Gods. There was even a four-or-so-year-old singing along and reiterating his aspiring message. We definitely need to cut WAY back on our dependence of oil – especially that which comes from these countries!

Are the orchestrators of this oil-boycott mission seeing this? I don’t think so. They’re just pissed at the thought of gas jumping to over four-dollars a gallon – that’s the “evil” they’re trying to prevent. Could you imagine what it would be like to drive one of those new GMC Diplodocuses with two 30-gallon gas tanks and actually have to pay four dollars a gallon? That’s an expensive way for real estate agents to get to work or doctors’ wives to take their children to tennis practice at the entrance of their gated communities – but they’d pay it anyway since you just can’t put a price on safety. There are all kinds of unsafe drivers out there, like hybrid owners, pedestrians and even bicyclists. The potential for danger on the road is almost unspeakable … it’s best to equip our loved ones with wheeled-bulldozers. Besides that, Benjamin Franklin said it’s our American right to boast all the money we make.

Once again, I’m off on a tangent. Here’s my point.

If you want to make a dent in the outrageous profits companies like Exxon-Mobile, Texaco, and Shell are making, you have to actually stop using their product. Don’t just stop buying it. Utilize public transportation, walk, carpool, or even – God forbid – ride a bike to work. Today I witnessed the culmination of why we Americans have got ourselves addicted to oil like David Hasselhoff is to alcohol, the exact reason why we prefer to either imagine global warming doesn’t exist or blame it on China. Two women outside my work (on Wrightsville Beach, of course) were chatting on the sidewalk in front of some metered parking spaces and when they got done, each turned and got into their own eight-cylindered SUVs. They had no passengers.

There is a theory out there that global warming might end up being a good thing, that if we keep on throwing CO2 into the atmosphere with our cars and increasing the temperature of our planet, the rate of evaporation will increase (which it does when it’s hot outside). This will lead to more cloud cover (since we all know clouds are collections of evaporated moisture) which will lead to greater reflection of the sun’s ray, ultimately lowering the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere. While I personally believe that this increased cloud cover will do little more than trap all those lovely little greenhouse gases (known as primary pollutants) and actually lead to further warming of our climate, I am aware of, acknowledge and respect this other theory. Problem is, women such as the two I saw climb into those mobile mountains today don’t even know it exists. They – and so many more like them – are so preoccupied with keeping up with Dr. Jones that they’ve become blind to what’s going on around them. Consequently, we are all at immediate risk because of our unwavering ties to militant Middle Eastern countries which promote terrorism. Worse yet, our children’s children are at risk due to the adverse effects this selfishness is having on our planet.

If you really want to lower the price of gas, do something to reduce the demand for it. It’s a basic fact in economics that even this English major knows: as demand for a product increases, price (and profit) will do the same. Reduce that demand and watch the prices go down. But until we quit bitching about it in the lobby areas of out PTA meetings on Tuesday nights and actually cut back on how much we use the shit – you know, really do something about it – it’s just going to keep going up and up. Ladies and Gentlemen, ride a fucking bicycle!

In the spirit of cycling I’d just like to add a few phrases I heard the other day in favor of cycling that I got a kick out of.

1) Own the road.
2) Fight terrorism, ride a bike.
3 The roads of today are the bike paths of tomorrow.
4)Dirt…it’s not just for paving anymore
5) One day cyclists will rule what’s left of the world.
6) No oil…no problem.

Hey hey hey. Today in Review. Well I woke up and worked out. Drove the 3 miles to the gym to workout. I’m changin’ that all pretty soon. I’m going to start a section in “rants” to document all the miles I ride on my bike instead of drive. This won’t include recreation riding. Anyway being bored I wanted to get outta town and into the wilderness. So I picked a spot on the map called “green swamp.” I had no idea what it was like or if it was some big housing development(which wouldn’t surprise me). It’s about an hour away, actually probably more like 45 minutes. When I got out there to 211 south, it was nothing but long leaf pines and a couple random farms. Apparently, the road was part of the N.C. scenic byway, explaining why I didn’t encounter any housing developments. I was really just driving to get away from the hustle and bustle of Wilmington. I drove past this pace on the road that looked like a dirt turn around. When I pulled in to investigate I learned that it was part of the Nature Conservancy’s land. Apparently, they bought it from some paper company. Most of the land I saw was owned by International Paper, which my dad sells because he is a paper salesman. Anyway almost the whole road was own by them which explained the lack of development, but also the lack of large trees. So with no plans and a camera I hopped out leaving my keys in my car because I’m a trusting guy who doesn’t think anyone’s in the market for a beat up old ‘87 4runner. Camera in hand I began walking. There was a clearly marked trail, but it looked as if no one had tramped on in it a while. Not only that the trail head sign explaining the significance of the land was beat in and trashed. Probably by some drunken, jacked up Ford truck driving, God fearing republican teenager with not enough to occupy his tiny brain. Anyway as I kept walking I began to notice something I hadn’t seen in awhile. What I noticed was that I didn’t notice anything. It was all forest. No sounds from the highway, just the wind blowing through the long leaf pines and an occasional lizard scampering off the trail. I must have stopped a few times to do a 360, taking in all the solitude the forest has to give. It was an alien feeling being all alone in the forest. I imaged I had stepped back in time, 200 year before anyone “settled” this country. In reality though, I had stepped back in time. Today, it’s all about progress and having a nice car, parked outside your house in the development called something like “willow woods.” A lot of people think development is a good thing. What happens when there is nothing left to develop though? When the land is so overrun by people and strip malls that there is nothing left except animals in zoos, hell even trees, because there won’t be that many left. Anyway, it just got me thinking about my own footprint in this whole world. A year ago I would have loved living in a huge log cabin with a nice truck and all the furnishings a beautiful house would have. This last year has changed me a lot however. Mostly because of seeing the development in this area and trips like today. I see what has happened to the land, and what it used to be like. A lot of people living in cities don’t get to see the destruction and therefore don’t understand what’s so bad about it. That’s made me realize that I don’t need a huge house with all the amenities. Instead I want to live off the grid. Shit in the woods(so to speak). Have a large garden with all the vegetables I could want to can and make the most out of my time here. People are selfish. Don’t get me wrong I’d love to live in a huge house and have tons of nice stuff. But for what? There’s no good reason to have that stuff other than to show off. I could give two shits if someone thinks my house is nice. What does it all matter in the end anyway. Were just shitting where we eat. But I think it’s inevitable the way were going. Everyone is worried about how much their next paycheck is instead of what they’re doing to mother earth. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mean to sound like too much of a hippie(in fact I hate those middle class, pot smokin’ wannabees), but with people in Africa starving, and getting mutilated while 16 year old girls worry that their BMW isn’t expensive enough just makes me sick. Yes, as Americans we do have a right to show off our wealth and buy what we want because we’ve “earned” it. However, at the same time with that wealth and freedom comes the responsibility make sure the earth and the inhabitants aren’t completely fucking themselves in the ass(sorry for the language- I’m a few Coors originals into the night). Anyway, America- Stop being dicks to the Earth. Please. We all play our part, remember that.

It’s 3am. I worked with all the illegal Mexicans tonight after getting to work a half hour late. I was taking a mid day nap after a good morning of mountain biking and my “alarm didn’t go off.” I’m sure it did and I probably just turned it off in my half sleep. Anyway I got home at 10:30 and went for a run. So I’m actually wide awake because of that. Probably not a good thing though because at 9am I’m going back out with my buddy to ride the trails at blue clay road. I love my trek, but when I read about people riding 29′ers and having all the pimped out components I kinda get jealous. Although I’m a stubborn bastard and will ride my bike until it falls apart or I bend the frame. I’m also becoming half way proficient at fixing my own bike. I still don’t know what everything is called, but as long as it doesn’t need to be replaced I’ve been able to manage to repair it to a ridable condition. I’m just going to have to get used to riding over roots that jam the seat into my ass. It’s all good though, cycling a lot is good for the body and soul. There’s too many lard asses driving their 8 cylinder SUV’s around here. Explain to me why you need a ford “mastadon” in a beach town. If you work on a farm or in the country where a truck is necessary I can understand, but driving a huge SUV from your gated community to the closest Harris Teeter is not a good reason. Oh well, some people will never change. Being self minded is what put humans past the neanderthals. Well that and Jesus. When will all the stupidity end? Ok, two more things and then I’m crashing. First, college students should not be allowed to own pets, especially dogs or cats. Second, Coors original is ten times better than Coors light which is the shittiest beer ever made. I hear Coors original puts hair on your chest too. BTW, Chuck Norris is advertising his Total Gym on tv right now.

Well today was a very productive day. I woke up went to the gym and worked out. Then had my last class of my undergraduate career, in which we were given cookies that our teacher baked(nice gesture I thought). Not that you know this but I just had to take a minute to catch a big ol’ wolf spider that was crawling on my bedroom floor. I then tore its legs off and squished it!(actually I’m just kidding, I caught it in a cup and let it outside like I do with all the spiders I catch in here, even the huge brown recluse that was hiding out in my shoe the other day). After that I went to register for the CRAGBRAT mountain bike race around our campus. When I got to the desk to give them my registration form(along with the 10 bucks) they said it was canceled. Apparently mountain biking is so popular that I was only the second person to put in a registration form. Disappointed, but not yet given up hope I drove down to Blue Clay rd where the mountain bike park is. Had a hell of a good time beating myself up on the trails and jumps there. I plan on taking my buddy down there this Saturday as a replacement to the CRAGBRAT race, he’s never been there and I’m sure it’s going to be a fun time watching him fall over on his bike like I did the first time. I’ll try to take photos this Saturday, but I don’t dare take my D-50 out there because of the nature of the riding. I came home after than and showered only to have my buddy call me and ask if I wanted to go riding on the trails at school I obliged and we went down there for a bit but I gotta be honest after riding at Blue Clay, the school’s trails just get old and boring. Nothing but flat sand with a few jumps here and there. However, the most important thing I did today was email about 10 environmental film festivals for research to help me get started with the one I’m hoping to get going in this town. One lady emailed me back and asked me to call her this week offering all the info I need. She’s the festival coordinator for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival. It’s all looking good so far, but its definitely too early to tell. That’s all from here. This here is white lion, steppin’ back now, leaving the airwaves for the rest of ya(CB talk lol). Ciao.

Man, sometimes this guy is just right on. Here’s the link to his post. www.sirbikesalot.com

With the coming closure of my undergradute education I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s coming afterward and what I’ve accomplished so far. As to what I’ve accomplished so far, its been your normal accolades of honor roll, deans list, eagle scout, crap like that. It doesn’t mean a whole hell of a lot because that’s all it is is an accolade. I’ve got some unknown times ahead of
me. Almost a little more than a year off until hopefully grad school which I have yet to apply to. I’ll have to find some work within that year and I’m hoping I can somehow start making a larger impact on the environmental front. I know film is a great way to do that. The problem with film, is finding people who aren’t too egotistical and self-minded. That’s somewhat hard from what I’ve seen so far. Within this next year I’m hoping to meet like minded people who can help start realizing those ideas. On the personal front I’ve also got a few things lined up. I was at the grocery store today and I realized the impact I was having. First I was driving to a store I could easily ride to in 10 minutes or so. Second I was getting all plastic bags to which I’ve amassed in a giant pile in the closet, even though they never get reused. So today I’ve compiled a list of thing I can do and will try to do from here on out to lower my environmental impact and raise awareness at the same time, locally of course. As always you can play along if you are feeling lonely.

1) Use paper bags, or cloth bags that I can reuse at the store.
2) Ride my bike, ride my bike, ride my bike.
3) Try to start a local environmental film fest.
4) Recycle all my diet mtn dew cans of course.
5) Use those goofy looking long lasting fluorescent light bulbs
6) Turn off the power on things when you aren’t using them.
7) Flush less often(already do, roommates aren’t too kind about it)
8) Hang my clothes to dry.
9) Buy organic or locally grown at the Co-op.
10) Plant a fucking tree. Lord knows this town needs them.

Well that’s it. Shouldn’t be so bad. Hell maybe I’ll even move into a yurt and start smoking my own homegrown pot. Even if I don’t end up finding like minded film makers or starting a film fest, I’ll at least be in reasonably good shape from all that bike riding.

Well, my mother went to a medium today. She’s been to a few in the past, as have I. They’ve all been very accurate and helpful. So with the advent of graduation, I asked her to her ask about what’s coming up as far as my living situation, school(grad), and career. You know what the answer was? “Tell him to follow his heart.” Apparently that’s what the spirits had for me. I bet they’re all up there laughing their asses off because that’s the most generic, self explanatory answer I’ve ever gotten. It’s gotta be a joke. Seriously, it’s almost as redundant as, “tell him to eat.” Yah, no shit follow my heart. Actually, I was planning on going against it, applying to business school and push papers the rest of my life. Good thing the spirits intervened and saved me from that horrible choice. Anyway, not a whole lot to report from Wilmington, more trees cut down, more water polluted from breaking sewer lines, and I think there’s some secret agenda to get everyone driving a land rover in this town. On the brighter side, I’m DPing my class music video tomorrow and Sunday. So that ought to be a fun learning experience. Though there’s not that much to mess with since we only have one HMI light and are shooting outside. A nice weekend of two 12 hour days, gotta love it, or at least get used to it, because that’s what i have to look forward to for the rest of my life lol. Aaaaannnnd, I’m buying a new laptop and digital camera within the next week or two. That way I can film my whole Alaska trip and edit into a nice 30min travelogue. Gotta go.

P.S. - If you have a bike, ride it.

Chalk one up for the bad guys. Idiots… Here’s the article about River Road.

Well in other news, I got my friend to buy a mountain bike yesterday. My first convert I suppose. We went out to the trails on the UNCW campus and made are rounds like two little old ladies on bikes. That sand is super hard to ride in. I’ve got to admit, riding on flat sand just doesn’t do it for me, although it is nice to have someone else to ride with now. Also, it’s quite sad to see the amount of development on campus. I had no idea how much there actually is. Many of the trails are dead ending at new dorms or take you right to someones backyard. Oh well, progress! I’ve also just finished a book called Mad Bear. You should check it out if you are at all into Native American studies and/or spirituality stuff. It’s a good book, and pretty funny at times. BTW, today is my birthday, the big 22! Alright, off to work now.

For awhile now I’ve been trying to put my finger on why I don’t like Wilmington like the other 100,000 that live here do. Searching for an answer to that question for the last three years, has taken a considerable about of time. Most people that have just moved here or even ones that have been here awhile really enjoy this growing city. It has the beach(dude), plenty of places to eat, a decent nightlife although moderate at best. Most college kids LOVE this town more than the new Mercedes they got for their birthday. But I’ve just never been able to quite settle in. On longer breaks I’ve found myself doing road trips to the mountains, or at least the Piedmont region. Anything to get out of the coastal plain of North Carolina. Over the last few weeks with graduation right on my doorstep I’ve been forced to deal with the reason I’ve never been able to quite call this place home or feel a connection with the people. I’m a simple small town kid, who left my home to go somewhere of opportunity. In that time, I’ve also been forced to deal with the issues of this town. It’s riddled with housing developments and overcrowded roads. Mostly because of poor planning and zoning. I don’t think they expected the town to grow like it did, and by the time they realized it would, it was too late to fix some of the existing problems like sewer, traffic and the high rate of morons that move into town. Most friends and acquaintances I know from here, live in or grew up in housing developments. I, for one, despise them vehemently. They’re like a cancerous growth sprawling across the land. I’ll say this though, the people I know from those environments, are far more concerned with material possession and self satisfaction by way of alcohol or drugs. I don’t want that to be a blanket statement, I’m just giving my experience. What they also lack is an appreciation for the land, a connection to the natural and normal side of life. I love the Allegheny mountains because that’s my home, but for these kids their home is whatever development they live in at the time, whether it be “Longleaf Acres, or Willow Woods” they’ve never been connected to the land, and instead use it only for material gain. The life they know is of expensive houses(though they all look the same), expensive cars and wearing the newest clothes. Shit, I’ve worn the same pair of shorts of the last 3 months. But I’m getting off track. The people in this area, don’t seem to have any appreciation for the land they live on. Instead, it’s all a matter of what development they live in and what car they drive. Back home, I can walk from the hillsides behind my friends houses to miles away without ever encountering more than the occasional squirrel or 15 year old on an ATV off in the distance. I doubt if any of the Land Rover driving, cubicle working, business majors would ever even dare to walk the longleaf pine forests(what’s left of them) around here for fear of coming across a black racer, if they even know what that is. I guess what I’m trying to say here isn’t so much a slam on Wilmington. It’s a great little city, with a ton of opportunity and history. That is if you like that sort of thing. I for one would be content living in some marginal log cabin far from everyone. Maybe a lake or a river nearby(for washing of course) and a horse to get to town and back. In my three years in Wilmington, I’ve learn a lot. I’ve learned that I’ll never like flat land, ever. That the most beautiful place I’ve seen is the hilltops of the Allegheny mountains. That there’s no good substitute for Keystone light 30 packs. That cycling 30 miles on flat land and 30 miles in the hills is a world of difference. Also, that economic development is not always a good thing. If I ever see the Alleghenies get pillaged and divided up into so many parcels it looks like a bad jig saw puzzle, I’ll probably head for the hills and start taking care of business the old fashioned way. Most importantly, I’ve learned where home is, and although I may not always live there, it’ll always be a place where I’m willing to go back to restore my soul, and gain some perspective on this crazy little adventure we call life. Oh, and that the Buffalo Bills are the best sports team ever! SUPERBOWL BABY!!

Stolen from www.sirbikesalot.com here’s his post. Amen.

Here’s another must read about the weakening of the endagered species act

…unrelated photo from shooting my senior seminar documentary today. I just think I look damn sexy that’s all.

Global warming? Is it real? Or as Sean Hannity, a true patriot, says, is it just a leftist, tree hugger conspiracy? What if he’s right? what if it is all a bunch of bullshit. I for one say cutting back on nasty gases is a good thing, and so does anyone who’s ever lived with me, just ask my roommates. I say, “fuck it dude.”(The Big Lebowski). What’s so bad about industry and factories having to cut back their emissions? Is it the fact that they wont’ be able to be as efficient or recoup the costs? I doubt it. I’m glad there are still factories left to be able to tell about cutting emissions back. I don’t understand how some people have no problem with factories getting outsourced to some country where labor and environmental laws are so slack that a cheap product can be made, and sold even cheaper in America. I for one would love to buy stuff made in the U.S.A. But I’m getting off track. A few things about global warming. One, what is so bad about cutting back the output of gas? Breathing cleaner air? Man I sure don’t want to try that. Secondly, concern over global warming leads to concern about other things like deforestation, recycling, cycling, urbanization, endangered species, and habitat loss. Third, its simple really. This doesn’t just apply for global warming. With an ever increasing population and the need for resources, and a higher output of waste. The math just doesn’t look good. You put more gas into the atmosphere and cut more trees down, its just going to lead to one thing. But even as pessimistic as that sounds, I’m not worried. And here’s why. Mother Earth has been around for billions of years, and will continue to be around for billions more. We might not be here, along with a slew of other animals and plants. But Earth is always evolving and changing. Maybe this global warming is Earth’s way of saying, “get the hell out.” I wonder if the dinosaurs ever thought, ” eehh we don’t need to worry about no stupid piece of flying rock.”

I know this is a bit off topic again but here it goes. I was talking to my buddy Jessi AKA Bitch Kittie, at BitchKittie.com yesterday. We got talking about cycling and that I was bored because it was spring break and wanted to go on a nice long ride(50miles) but I didn’t have a water bottle. It’s a legitimate excuse because I sweat like a pig even if it’s mildly warm in a room and I’m sitting down drinking and ice cold beverage. I bet I sweat more than anyone you’ve ever met. Even If I did a twenty miler I’d probably cramp up, fall off my bike and get struck down by a speeding car(they don’t care much for bikers in this town). Anyway, she came up with a plan to have everyone she knows in the cycling blogosphere send me a water bottle(here’s the post link) and that way I can’t complain(in light of someone taking this too serious, remember, this is supposed be fun/stupid). Guess I’ll just have to drink more pepsi before my ride, that should help. lol. I’ll probably get way more than any one person should ever have. If I get enough(more than one) I might just have to do a little charity donation or something with it. Bitch Kittie and I are working on it-We’ll see. It’ll be fun to see if I get any at all, but the point is that from now on I have to post the photos of the bottles I receive. I’ll most likely make a page out of it and put it in the “Rants” section in the sidebar so not to take up all the posting room. I actually gave out my address online too. I hope that doesn’t attract any creeps, although if we get into hand to hand combat I’m sure my 6′ 225lb frame(oh ya, you bet I lift weights) would be able to handle any creepy guys trying to peek in the windows and what not. Plus I have lots of guns and knives, lots.

Linkage: a good post on sirbikes…