The mission is complete

So when I first brought home a very beat up and somewhat rusty beach cruiser frame almost two years ago I set some goals for myself. The first being that I actually build it and finish it, not let it get so far then get lost in the fray and I end up passing it off to someone else. Second, it had to be rideable, something I wouldn't mind hopping on and going for a short ride, had to be comfortable and easy to use. Third, once that was taken care of I needed to find a way to enter it into a show or a parade to let others see the work I put in on it. Well, after some ups and downs, and officially completing the work twice (painting experiment that forced a total re-do), I had checked off numbers one and two from the list. All that remained was number three, and I finally got to cross it off tonight. I took it downtown to a small block party, lots of classic cars, a few motorcycles, and locked to a streetlamp, was "Manana". Last event they had they had a few bikes out in attendance, this time around I was the only pedal powered machine. I got a few looks and smiles, and a bike cop told me he liked the look of it. I rode it around the area a few times before the event started, and shortly before I left, felt good to be on a bike again since the doctor cleared my ankle for more activity.

Maybe my next goal should be to get it into one of the local parades. Hmmmmmm.

In da ghetto

I recently had the opportunity to pick up a few extra hours at work doing some transportation (van driving) for 2 hours a few days out of the week. This driving takes me through some of the toughest neighborhoods of the city, but it does provide some entertainment. Take for instance the other day when I saw a dog running out of an alleyway. I had a hunch he would probably dart across the street in front of me, so I had begun to slow down. Sure enough, he runs out without even glancing in my direction, and then I noticed something: he had a chicken in his mouth. Seems like chickens and dogs tend to roam free on that street, and one dog decided he needed some food to go. Unfortunately for the dog something startled him, and he dropped the chicken and ran down the street. The chicken was still alive, and proceeded to take off in the opposite direction of the dog. Just another day in the city.

Answered prayers

I have heard time and again that one of the best things you can do if you pray is to keep a journal of your prayers. I don't do this, but recently I remembered back to just about a month ago when I started praying and believing for Wendy to get a teaching contract for this school year, and she ended up getting the job. I thought back then to a time of around 5 years ago (give or take) when I told God that I was through finding a girl to date. I felt that if God wanted to bring someone along, He was going to have to drop them right in my path because I kinda gave up hope (really shy, felt I didn't have much to offer, fear of rejection, etc). Seems like shortly after, while not really actively seeking out anyone, Wendy quietly came along into my life. These are just two prayers that I can remember right now, I think and wonder what prayers will be answered in the future? Can't wait to find out.

Wii-HA!

I would like to take a moment to say big thanks goes out to "Peaches". She let me and Wendy have her Nintendo Wii has an early wedding present, totally awesome of her. That can now only mean two things. First off, I think me and Wendy now have a reason to get a bigger TV. Second, I want to buy a new game or two, lol.

I am still itching to go out on a bike ride, bad! I took some pictures of my beach cruiser tonight to post on bikeforums.net, and I swear the bike was speaking to me. It was telling me "come on, lets go!!!". *sigh* I have about two more weeks to go wearing this brace on my ankle, and a follow up doctor appointment near the end of the month, pray for good news there.

Save the date!

Its official. The wedding will happen on March 28th, 2009. Start time will be 1:30pm, and will be held at our church with a reception to follow at a local hall. Has Wendy and I start to look ahead we realize that planning is both simple and complex all at the same time. My parents are going to book the hall this week or next, that is easy enough. The hard part is what kind of decorations, what do you want on the tables, who to cater the food, how many chairs to set out, etc. Within every thing I think will be easy to do, all the details come out to bite me.

Canyon running (sort of)

I have been limping around the last week with a brace on my left ankle. Pulled a tendon slightly away from the bone, it will heal up just fine, but I am limited to what I can do. Walking a long distance gets tedious, and I can't hop on either of my bikes. I needed to get out this evening, and that meant only one form of transportation will do: "Gixie", my Sentra. Granted it is a 5 speed so working the clutch after a while is a pain in the butt with the brace, but it beats sitting at home. I hopped on the interstate and headed East. I kept going, past the last turn off that would keep me in town. I reached a small mountain pass, this is what I was truly after. It reminds me of a good ride at the amusement park, long enough to be enjoyable, but it seems like it is over far too soon. After taking some of the turns about 10mph over the recommended speed I found myself on the other side of it, and pulled into the little town just 10 miles from it. After a 44oz drink from the local Chevron (which feel out of my cup holder and onto the floor in about 5 minutes, grrr), I was back on the interstate back home. Has I approached the pass again for the second and final time I noticed a car that was catching up behind me. I stayed on the right, he moved over to the left, and the first bend was coming up. Its a very long bend that makes about a 90 degree change in direction, and slopes uphill. Has the other car got closer I made it my goal to see if I could out pace them and come out on the other side of the mountain first. The guy got closer, I dropped to 4th, and the bend started. I was doing about 70mph when I first reached it, and being egged on by the fact his front bumper was dead even with my back bumper, I dropped the pedal to the floor. I held it like that for what felt like an eternity, and I looked in my rear view mirror and realized he was still in my blind spot, he too had decided to speed up. It became a case of who would lift first and accept defeat. I decided I already had my fun for that turn, and backed out of it and hit 5th just before it straightened out, and he quickly flew by me like I was standing still, it was a 4th gen mustang, bright red. Seeing him go by, and realizing there was still more turns to have fun on, I dropped back to 4th to catch up, and then the two of us proceeded to follow each other around the twists and turns. Almost out of instinct I was watching the back end of his car, seeing where on the road he was lining up, and looking for brake lights signaling a sharper turn was just up ahead for me. All too soon the ride was over, the path straightened out and returned to a flat stretch of lonely road. Made me wish we had more roads like that nearby.

The complete story

All righty. After being asked several times for the whole story about my engagement I have decided to write about the whole experience here. The evening started off around 4:30pm. I showed up to Wendy's place with a basket of goodies. Wendy was expecting to go out somewhere, which might have seemed confusing since I told her to dress casually. I told her that we would be staying in for the meal, I had brought along everything we needed for an indoor picnic to stay out of the heat. After setting out a table cloth, setting up the plates, and even spreading a few fake bugs around I served our meal for the evening: PB & J sandwiches, frog eye salad, and cream soda. What I should mention that was a little funny was that she was dressed in a black shirt and black shorts, almost like she knew she was on her way to doom, lol. Looking back at that she had a good laugh when she realized that starting off the evening in all black was kinda funny given the fact that I asked her to marry me. After the picnic we took off around town with my camera, I had given her a list of 10 things she needed to photograph, along with some basic rules to make it more interesting. She made quick creative work of the photos, and after stopping off at her place to ditch the black shirt for something more colorful and heat friendly, we went down to the park by the river. We walked and talked for a bit, going down one direction until I felt it was time to turn around. Coming back up to a spot we passed I kinda stopped us there because I knew it would be the spot I wanted to ask. I started to tell her that I didn't make her a card (something we try to do for each other on special occasions), but that I did get her a gift (her ring). Before I could give her the gift I told her I needed to tell her a few things. First off, I told her that after the last 4 years together I was seriously convinced that she was the only one for me. I then told her, for the very first time, that I loved her. She started to cry and hugged me. Before either one of us got too emotional I told her that I had a very important question I needed to ask her, I quickly pulled the ring out of my pocket and got down on one knee and asked if she would marry me. She said yes, and made me the happiest I have ever been in my life. Seriously, my cheeks hurt that night from how much I was smiling.

Biggest question I ever asked, best answer I ever got.

Today marked 4 years that me and my girlfriend Wendy have been together in our relationship. Well, tonight as me and her were walking down by the river I told her that I really believe she is the only one for me, and I love her. I pulled a ring out of my pocket, got down on one knee, and asked her if she would marry me. She started to cry and told me yes. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce to you my fiancee, Wendy.