Manzy Panzy

Tonight I went to get my haircut at a real salon for the first time in well, I don't remember when the last time was that I paid for a haircut. I don't know if that is sad or not. Anyways, not only did I go to a real salon, I went to an Aveda salon. I was told Aveda is nice. When I got there I was served a cup of hot tea and there was actually a good selection of recent magazine in the waiting area.

After I was seated, my stylist Gina gave me a nice scalp massage before we moved to the shampoo bed. Thats right, not a shampoo chair, but a shampoo bed. I guess the bed is fancier than the chair. I don't know if the bed gets your hair cleaner than the chair, I don't really care, it felt nice and made me feel all posh and shit.

On to the hair cut! Yeah, I really don't think I had that much hair to cut, so I knew I could forget about getting it styled. The main purpose of this trip was to eliminate the mushroom shape that was taking over my head. My stylist Gina did tell me I have a healthy scalp, so I have that going for me. After about a half hour of trimming, clipping, blending and texturing Gina spun me around and showed me my new look. All I can say is "Damn, Fryn Porky is Hot!"

Some of you readers may be fortunate to see the new, highly fashionable, and GQ Fryn Porky live and in person. All you less fortunate readers will have to wait for pictures to see Fryn's new do. Rest assured, "it's Hot". At least that is what my stylist Gina said, and I don't care if it is her job to tell all her clients that. Did I mention I have a Stylist?


Now playing: George Clinton - The Flag Was Still There
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Men are not to cry, so how am I to stop it...

On New Years Day, two armed men entered a Robinsdale, MN residence looking to rob the home. There was a struggle, a gun shot and a life was taken, all because of a senseless act of violence. In the end, a friend of mine was shot trying to defend his wife, his friends and his home from the intruders.

This tragedy has greatly touched a lot of people. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone whose lives have been touched by Jamis Marks. Jamis was a great person and I will always remember him and the good times we had together.

The title of this post is from a Blues Traveler song, "The Mountain Wins Aging" . This was the first song Jamis and I heard as we drove home from Bozeman MT. at the end of a snowboarding trip during our time together at college. At the time the song seemed so fitting, now this line seems even more appropriate than ever.

To all of Jamis' family and friends, Peace be with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

When I woke up around 6 am yesterday and looked out the window I was happy to see a fresh layer of now on the cars in the streets. The temperatures were hovering around 32 and qurarter sized flakes were still falling. Normally I do not wake up so early on a Saturday, but Frank and I planned on doing an early morning ski so I could have the rest of the day to get all of my last minute Christmas shopping done.

We headed north to Elm Creek to see how the trails were. Elm Creek is one of the premiere xc skiing facilities in the state. When we hit the trails we noticed we beat the groomer out so we had to ski through the newly fallen snow. It was so much fun to ski through the freshly decorated trees with the snow draped on the branches.

Frank making sure I didn't fall down on the uphill

Now playing: Johnny Cash - The Long Black Veil
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I love beans, how bout you?

Especially refried beans in a BBQ chicken burrito. I especially like the beans and BBQ chicken burrito when they are hot and waiting for me after a cold ride home from work. Yeah, that's how lucky I am.

Update...
Riding my bike had been getting really old the past week. It seemed like a chore to get on the bike every morning in the frigged weather. To prevent any cycling burnout I have been trying to ski twice a week and I really look forward to my time out in the snow. Last Wednesday I learned the "V1" and "V2" pole technique. It took me awhile to learn the V1 but once I got a hang of it, I noticed a lot of improvement in my rhythm. I like this skiing thing.

Luckily the weather is getting a little warmer and I had nice ride in and back today. Can't wait to ski on wed.

Oh, one final happening I have to mention. Zacca had a Holiday party last weekend which K-rocker and I dressed up for. Katie is sporting a nice metallic gold turtle neck (notice the shoulder pads) accompanied by some authentic leather pants. I am rocking a plaid red and black blazer on top of a great white turtle neck, worn with some fabulous quarter roy slacks and original checked Doc Martins. Thanks for all the food, beer, and laughs.


Now playing: Morphine - Good
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Winter Wonderland

Last night marked the first real snow fall this winter. While I was inside working the snow outside was falling. Little by little, inch by inch the snow came down. At the end of the work day there was nearly 4 inches of snow on the ground. So at 5pm when the work was over, D-train, Tyler D, Fast Frankie and I mounted our trusty steel steads and headed out to face the snowy roads, congested streets, and try to ride our bikes 15 miles through the new winter worry land.

After just over an hour and a half of pedaling, slipping, sliding, and sweating I finally made it to my block. Three houses away from the front gate, my bike slipped out from the white ground beneath one more time. After catching my balance I decided I had enough of the balancing act and decided to walk my bike the last 100ft. Normally I can ride home from work in under an hour, but on a night like this that was far from the case, Tuesday's ride took roughly 90 minuets to cover 15 miles and seemed to be 3 times as hard.

This morning also marked a first for me, the first time I cross country skied on my own skis. This year I decided I wanted to take the time to learn a sport, skate skiing. After a talking to some of the local ski experts at work I made the leap and threw down the money for a new ski get up. My 6 week commuting streak was broken this morning when Frank and I drove the work to get in an early morning ski before work.

Wow, what a work out. A lot of people told my skate skiing was just like ice skating. If those people are good at skate skiing, they cant be very good ice skaters, because the two are far from similar. I spend about over an hour in the park working on the techniques Frank showed me. I had a great time out in the fresh snow, the air was cold and crisp, the sun was breaking through the clouds and there was no traffic in sight. It was like I had the whole trail to myself.

By the time I finished my second lap around the lake, I think my form improved a little . That is not saying much considering I was just walking in the snow with my skis attached to my feet when I started. Regardless of how I looked, how much improved and how much more I have to learn I had a great time. Props to frank for taking the time to enlighten me on the basics of skate skiing. I hope there are many more lessons to come.

Once I am more comfortable skiing and less worried about falling, I will take the camera with and get some pics for ya'll to enjoy.



Now playing: The Rolling Stones - Under My Thumb
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Giving Thanks

Thanks for caring about me enough to read my blog
Thanks for being such a great family
Thanks for being honest
Thanks for being a true friend
Thanks for being my girl friend, I love you
Thanks for all the memories
Thanks for all the laughs
Thanks for the long rides
Thanks for rockin out with me
Thanks for the cold beer
Thanks for the extra large cinnamon roll and cream cheese, bacon and green onion omlet
Thanks for being honest


I know this is a bit late, but I am thankful for a lot of things this year and want you all to know how much you have blessed my life. Now go on and take some time to think about what you are thankful for and tell the ones you love.

Now playing: Rancid - Get Out Of My Way
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Thats all folks

This past weekend marked the official end of the racing season. I decided not to race the past two weekends and instead chose to commute more and go out and do some more casual mountain bike rides with my friends. In the past 4 weeks I have commuted 600 miles and rode 3 out four weekends on the dirt. It has been awesome and a nice relaxing end to a long season.

For those keeping track this year was my first year I really put an effort into racing. I started my season in April at the Sea Otter classic, entering my first Expert mountain bike and finishing 18 out of 24 in my age class. Coming home from the weekend on the west coast I decided to enter my first road race finishing 9 out of 43 in the cat 5's. I improved at my second and last road race finishing 4th in the 5's. Road racing was fun but I still have a lot to learn and look forward to a few more races next year.

Erik's Spring Cup in May was the start of the local mountain bike races and I finished a respectable 12th out of 43. I entered one more MNSCS race in Rochester and stayed consistent with my results posting 11 place out of 24 riders in the expert class.

My next race, the lumberjack 100, was the longest mountain bike race I had done to date, I finished the 100 mile race in just under 10 hours. From the lumberjack I continued to logging some longer races including my first 12 hour solo race. I was fortunate to win the single speed class for the second year in a row at Ore to Shore, a 48 mile race in Mi. I participated in the Dakota 50 for the 3rd year in a row and fell short again of wining the "big mug". At the 50 my luck had officially ran out and I took a big spill during my last mountain bike race of the year at the Chequamegon 40, but still managed a respectable time.

After Chequamegon, I took a much needed break in LV and CA mixing some work with some pleasure, then came back to MN to finish up my racing season with 2 cross races. It has been almost 8 months this week from the Sea Otter classic and 13 or so total races. I learned a lot about racing this season, I entered more races than I ever have in any past season, and in my opinion accomplished some pretty great things. So, with all that said, I think I owe it to myself to skip out on the last races of the year and enjoy some good ol mountain biking with some friends.

So from here on out it, is cold weather commuting until next spring and next season.
Enjoy the winter everyone.


Now playing: Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A
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