Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Floating - IS Corp Downer Classic

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Sometimes the atheletes just seem to float across the racecourse. 


On a seperate note, Google has become rather atrocious in pushing their own products.  I generally write these with Firefox *cough* at work *cough*, where I do not have control over what browser is installed on the computer.  Google seems to be aggresively not making their Blogger product compatible with Firefox. Each time I navigate Blogger it reminds me to "upgrade to Chrome", it deletes what I have written, goes back  to the previous page instead of "backspace" as you would expect it to work, no longer allows me to highlight text, or select text, doesn't allow me to pick a time of day to publish, and many other slights against the user for not participating in Google's attempt at monopoly. Once upon a time, I used to write these on a very nice Microsoft product, which would automagically post these every day, but Google removed that interface loooong ago. So, if you have any ideas how to drop "el Goog" and blog through a different product, I'm all ears.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Coming Around The Bend - Downer IS Corp Criterium

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Bending, twisting, grinding it out. Criterium racing is quick (ish) and fun to spectate.


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With a careful spot, you can really feel a part of the action.Almost to the point of feeling like you'll be run over.
jon

Saturday, July 14, 2012

IS Corp Downer Classic Criterium - TOAD

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T'was a week of racing. The nice thing about participating one day is that; 1, you get to say you raced, and 2, you don't race that much. I couldn't imagine doing this for seven straight days. It would be absolutely brutal.



jon

Friday, July 13, 2012

Wide Eyed - Schlitz Park Criterium

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jon
As I switched over systems, Olympus to Canon, I had to divest and reinvest in lenses. The decision was to purchase a "normal zoom" (24-70 2.8 MkI for lens fanatics) instead of starting with a telephoto zoom, or a macro. The theory was that I could zoom via crop, and it is true to a limited sense. What it really did influence, was the framing and viewing angles I selected.  Also, 2.8 is a really narrow depth of field, and cranking the ISO is my new best friend.


And now, without comment, more pictures!


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Thursday, July 12, 2012

The S, Schlitz Park Criterium

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It is really fantastic to watch the bikers roll through the downhill S turn. Cutting each corner to create the straightest line possible, while trying to miss all the potholes and sewer grates. The form was quite rhythmic while the speed was exhilarating. Looking at it in the static form relieves the scene of the intensity. This is where I would link to a video, but my computer cannot churn HD, so that will have to wait until the next computer upgrade, tentative plans for Q3 2013

jon

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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Like I said, over and over and over again. Each one of these men climb up the hill


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In retrospect, it is hard not to have "I think I can" stuck in my head as I imagine chugging each and every pedal push.

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Then there were my favorite spectators.  They were kind enough to offer me soda and company. I wasn't inclined to have a drink with them, but boy were they hilarious.


Jon





Tuesday, July 10, 2012

That D**N hill - Shlitz Park Criterium TOAD

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So, the best part of a criterium is that you get to see the same thing over, and over, and over again. In this case it was a hill.  A very steep hill.  I made it up, slowly, about 20-25 times.  What? It's not like I can keep count and get my assed kicked at the same time.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Run For the Money


My coworker wining on the lead "lap". I know it was just a quarter of the total mile before the full lap, but I'm going to count it.  He did end up getting a respectable third.
jon

Friday, July 6, 2012

Flowers in the Yard

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A new bloom!  I sincerely hope I can continue to keep up with my yard.



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However, I have the distinct feeling that the next bloom is going to be weed bloom.

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Some of the flowers were hiding behind giant leaves. But I found them. I find them all....




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And some just pop up nearly at eye level!

jon

Thursday, July 5, 2012

A Second Birthday Party


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I suppose a little fun from now and again is all right.  It was a nice second birthday party for Brooke, the oldest child from the Bailey's of the West.


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Almost too much giggling and fun took place. We darn near had a smile-splosion which could have taken down the whole block. 


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Brooke got to blow out the candle! Wait, you didn't think Brooke was turning two, did you?  Nope, this is just her second birthday party this summer.  How nice of her to allow us to have one in Wisconsin as well as Colorado.


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As usual, Andrew was one of the favorites.  His skills as a jungle gym are rarely in dispute.


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Especially when it came time to play with the cupcakes.



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However, it became apparent that Mr. Montes wanted to vie for the title role of jungle gym.  The girls happily obliged.



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As the sun set, and the cake was devoured we couldn't stop making as big as smiles as possible.  What a fun day for cousins.
jon













Tuesday, July 3, 2012

A Homely Women

Home is where the heart is.


First spotted on one of our river trips, the new graffiti is unsettling in its strangeness.  I know of one other, which I can't climb down to in my work clothes.  I suppose I should be more urgent with my exploration, as the "man" tends to paint over everything and it will be back to the taggers soon enough.
jon