So we've been busy - wedding busy.

The kind of busy that once things get moving, it's a steaming freight train that doesn't stop or even start to slow down until Uncle Carl is shot-gunning beers (which he smuggled in himself) and doing keg stands at the reception.  Then it's just an awkward family moment/liver failure and then downhill from there.

Take the following for example: Jeff & Shauna's wedding was a little more than a week ago.  Here's some of the best moments from the photo booth.  An awesome night.  Go freaking nuts.

End of week ramblings 5/8/09

So it's been just me and the kid for the past two weeks.  I think we've faired quite well since Ang has been gone.

You'd think being away from your Mom for the first time ever, and for two weeks no less, you have a mess on your hands.  But with the help of Nana & Papa, AmBam & Yessie, and Rock Band, time has flown by.  Needless to say I'm beyond excited to see the old lady - just starving for some conversation outside of "Who's your favorite Jonas Brother?"  And my answer is Lenny, the bastard Jonas son.  He's the one with the real voice while the others have those made-for-Diznee Channel faces, and Lenny's not a fan of skinny jeans.

On to the review!  We tried on the suits/tuxes for Jeff's wedding yesterday.  I opted for the powder blue with ruffles.

However, after trying on, it was pointed out to me that the blue clashes with my severe lack of skin tone.  So I went with the tan suit and pink tie, a close 2nd choice.  Looks good though, and we get to wear flip flops - badass.

For those fans of nice weather, next week is going to be incredible here in the NoCo - just in time for Bike To Work Week.  The City of Fort Collins even installed five new huge bike racks around downtown - a welcomed new addition:

Every time I'm down there, those things are full too.  Probably helps they're in front if the Trailhead and The Rio too.  Give em a try, it's a hell of a lot easier than trying to find a place to park, that's fer damn sure!  

Seems like the time is definitely right to pull the Sanchez out and take the whip to work in the mornings.  And if you do ride to work, don't stop to take that interview cause you'll look like a douche after and wish you hadn't...

That's it from this side.  Have a weekend of it all and Congrats Jeff & Shauna!  -H

Back On Topic

I know it been a while, so how bout something MTB related?

Ah, refreshing.  Now if the kiddo could ride some downhill...  She probably can, and kick my @$$ while she's at it.  All new & up-to-date EOWR coming Friday!!  Great weather till then, so get yourself some.

End of week ramblings 5/1/09

So it's been a while and a lot has happened.  Ang is in India so I'm playing "Single Father," Michael Keaton took the nicer sounding title...

Jeff & Shauna's wedding is now just a week away...

And New York Times acclaimed artist, Swobo Minister of Mis-Information, and official Mayor of Drunkingham Stevil Kinevil is having another showing of his bits & pieces at OneOnOne in MPLS this weekend...

So there's a ton of great stuff happening all at the same time.  It can become a bit overwhelming at times that you may take some things for granted.  What it's like to kick back and enjoy a movie with your kid - riding your bike to the beer store for a six pack - calling your long distance friends & loved ones just to check in (istead of drunk dialing).  You start to get all caught up in the hustle of life, then something happens to set you straight, and usually it's a shake up of the worst kind.  

I'll close with this:

If at any point this week, you wondered if sh!t could get any worse - just know that it can.  So get out there this weekend knowing that you can get completely truck nuts crazy, and head back in to the trenches Monday and start looking forward to the weekend ahead once again.  Cause it's always gonna be there, even after you're gone.  Go on out and get your share.

It's the weekend - Kick back & relax.  RIP RB, -H

Goodbye King

The world lost an incredible guy today.

I feel truly lucky to have know Rich Bircumshaw as a coworker and friend.  I'm still pretty speechless at the whole thing, so I've decided to "retweet" my buddy Corbu Stathes' post from today.  Rich, Corbu and the other guys in the Clear Channel Sports Grotto were a pretty tight knit group, so it's a bit hard to see the leader, The King if you will, leave us.  Here's Corbu's post, and check out his blog HERE.

"I've never had a friend die before. 

I've had relatives pass away as well as people I knew in passing or was close to at one time, but never someone whom I had just seen two weeks ago. 

That changed last night when Rich Bircumshaw passed away after suffering a stroke in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

The death of "the King" as he was known around the radio stations he worked for, was sudden, unexpected and knocked me off of my feet. 

Rich, who absolutely hated being called Rick and was often, was one of the greatest guys I have ever met. Sure, he could be a real S.O.B. if he was pissed off at you, but if he cared about you at all, then he cared about you forever. 

He had a fuse that could be lit by a passing breeze and a wit that was even quicker. Anybody who has met Rich, heard him on the radio, or attended a function hosted by him has smiled at least once because of something he said.

Whether it was hearing that Cecil Sapp was "a grown man, dog" as he scored a touchdown or he deemed someone "worth the climb", Rich always had a way with words that could leave you shaking your head while your lips creased into a grin. His voice was truly unique in its sound and the message it delivered.

Because of his work as the News Director at Clear Channel Northern Colorado and as the Voice of the CSU Rams, Rich was known and revered all over Ft. Collins, Greeley, and all points in between. He related to the big-timers just the same as the common man or woman, giving them respect if they deserved it and letting them know if they didn't. 

For me, he was a mentor and an advocate. 
He was a part of many memorable and funny lunches.
He was a part of many lunches that were nothing but blowing off steam.
He was a bevy of quotes.
He was a belly of laughs.
He was a true friend if you were lucky enough to call him that. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Rich got up to Heaven and Peter read off the list of people as they walked in.
"Okay, next let's go to Rick Bircumshaw."
"Uh, it's Rich, Saint Pete."
"Oh, you're right, Rich."

Rich, you were awesome, man. You will always be missed and loved. 

The world is worse off without you."

End of week ramblings 4/17/09

Quickie EOWR this week, a big weekend ahead - but more on that later.  Let's get right at it.

All the headlines these days revolve around pirates and the sh!tty economy.  Luckily there's a gal like Susan Boyle sent to shock and awe all of us.

If you're not one of the 20 million people who have seen this video, click HERE.  Will someone please give this lady a truckfull of cash?

While on the subject of music, one of the best bands in 20 years has released a new song.

I saw these guys in Denver a couple years ago, and it was mindblowing.  And the only time I've ever gotten fired up and headed into the pit at a show.  Andrew and the boys have been hard at work in the studio and have a new song available for free download from their site.  Get it HERE, then rock your face off.

The trifecta of bachelor parties is set to kick off tomorrow night in Denver.  I'm betting it will only start off something like this:

And end up looking something like this:

Since we're all getting married this summer, and we're all standing up for each other - Dook, Hefe, and myself have chosen to join forces and get it knocked out all at once.  Probably a bit easier on the liver that way too.  

I'm off to close out the week before we put a huge dent in it tomorrow night.  Just gotta remember a change of pants and bail money.

Have a fall down weekend!  -H

End of week ramblings 4/10/09

Happy eggs, pastel colors, jelly beans, Jesus and rabbits weekend.

I understand the meaning of Easter - what I don't get is the relation to eggs and rabbits.  I'm sure there's a meaning, but to me, it's just another creepy dude at the mall in a costume making small kids cry.  And that sh!t is cheap, awesome entertainment.

Moving along, the days are longer and getting warmer, and I've gotten lazier and fatter.  Moving really takes it out of you.  I've not been on a bike in over a week and I can feel it in my lazy aches and pains.  My favorite position looks something like this:

Minus the shoes with buckles - anyone who knows me knows I rock the velcro shoes.  El Jefe mentioned starting up a post-workday Wednesday night ride - that sounds like a damn good idea.  

The official kickoff to velo-season kicks off tomorrow night in Denver:

It's the first year for AC in Denver and is shaping up to be quite a shindig.  Here's what it looked like in Minneapolis last weekend for AC3 in the Twin Cities

Party kicks off at 8p, for info & directions go HERE and then go there.  PBR, bikes, and cupcakes - can't go wrong.

So if you're off this weekend forgetting what you gave up for Lent, eating fish on Friday, or nibbling on Cadbury eggs, don't forget to send out invites for Easter dinner

It's the weekend - I'm drinkin' if you're buyin'.  -H