divineguitar

hitting relax mode in full swing for the next few weeks till I figure out what gets shipped to Italy. The company gave me a big amount for relocation, although I only have a few pairs of pants and shirts, some books and a laptop I bring back from Iraq.  The ‘critical path’ of getting to Italy is now the Visa…once I get that, I’ll live out of a hotel for a few weeks until an apartment comes, then maybe a couch and bed, and depending on the lay of the land, a car or motorcycle.

this past weekend my brother in law and my friend ashley rode a 70 mile bike ride from cedar part to lampasas.  about mile 40 i was ready to give up, there weren’t any ‘sag wagons’ anywhere to pick me up, i was in the middle of nowhere, so the course of action was to keep truckin.  the hills were brutal, after a 20 minute break at mile 40 and a cold rag to the head, being 50 percent done, it was time to just lean on the rest.  meanwhile shannon and ashley are way ahead most of the race.  i think i could have gone a lot longer, but i was glad it was over, and i felt pretty brutal afterwards.

sunday brought a small family celebration for my nephew kyle’s birthday and a welcome home, with some of the best bbq in the business.  i’ve never tasted bbq as good as the family makes, probably b/c of the tlc given to a smaller hunk of meat and not having to cater to a mass.  driving in austin with a big van you are subject a lot of peculiar looks based on where you park.  nothing like parking a big van at a government building, the cops look at you funny, as if the bomb is in the back, it doesn’t help that at first glance i look mean.

the week in shiner brings some rains and high humidity, perfect fun for a convertible and back roads, burger bbq’s and paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.  tomorrow i also take my 5th drug test in 3 years, you could say i’m very clean.  only tour de france cyclist winners can have designer drugs that can beat the tests i suppose.

the weekend is special as two close friends are baptizing their children, and i’ll be lucky to experience.  all in all, enjoying time with my mom and great nephew at the moment, good soul repair material.