A Shock to the System

Last night I did my first group ride. It hurt. I know I am not in great shape right now, but the ride was more difficult than I imagined it would be. Before the ride started I had pretty much decided to duck out early and take my own, easy way home. So I did not technically get dropped, but there is no doubt I would have been dropped had I stayed.

Still, it is fun to learn where you are at and have some goals. Now I get to work at finishing one of them darn College Green rides again. There is no substitute for consistent riding, and there also needs to be some consistent, fast riding, too. I had been neglecting that last part.

Oh, and I finally received my new lenses for my sunglasses. They make the world pretty and bright and I don't have to squint. Plus, there is no tape in the way.

One Week Anniversary

Robin and I have now been married for one week. And I can say that I still love the married life. It is easy to say that when most of that time was comprised of partying, relaxing, and not working. But still, I'm looking forward to hundreds and hundreds of other weeks both similar and different.

On Pi Day of 2009 Robin and I said "I do." It was a fantastic day, and we feel really lucky that so many interesting people played a part in it.

My best man Tom came in from LA.

International violin phenom Johan Jonsson played during our ceremony.

The Tortolita Gutpluckers (including father of the bride on tub base) provided the live music once the party really got going .

National Geographic photographer Dave Edwards decided that our union was worthy enough of his camera. And if that wasn't enough, he also gave us a print of his photo that made the "100 Best Pictures of National Geographic" list. Simply amazing.

When it was all said and done, Robin and I ducked away to Hacienda del Sol for some relaxation. We had a beautiful room, enjoyed some desert walks and hot tub soaks, and spent our last night sipping an extremely fancy port (thanks Vic!) on our private patio while we watched the sun set near the Catalina Mountains.

The only down side of the trip was not having sun glasses (mine are getting a new prescription put in). But Robin and I fashioned these lovely temporary sun blockers out of my regular glasses and some spare lenses from her sunglasses:

Not the most stylish things, but they got the job done and were fairly comfortable.

Now we are back in Iowa City and enjoying the early spring weather.

husband

-noun

1: a male partner in marriage
2 British: Manager, Steward
3: a frugal manager

from m-w.com

Well I don't meet any of those yet, but I did just replace a broken belt on our dryer. And now I'm drinking a beer, so at least I meet American TV's definition of a husband. And in 5 days I'll meet the first definition.