my 30s: a look back

I turn 40 today. Frankly, it’s not a birthday that’s weighing on me like my 30th did – it’s just another day to me, this time around.

But a lot has happened to me over the past decade, and since I’m feeling a bit put out by other things in life right now, I figured it would be worth a trip back through time to see where I’ve been and what I’ve done, just as a reminder.

  • Settled into DC (2003)
  • Settled into Georgetown U. (2003)
  • Helped two presidential campaigns (2003-04)
  • Run for political office – and won (2004)
  • Traveled to England and Wales (2005)
  • Traveled to Austria and Germany with my mom (2007)
  • Rode up Mount Shasta (2008)
  • Ski trips to Colorado (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
  • Cut off my long hair (2008)
  • Traveled to France (2008)
  • Rode from Boston to Windsor for a beer (2009)
  • Testified in front of City Council (2009, 2011)
  • Traveled to Iceland (2011)
  • Chaired my favorite bike club, Potomac Pedalers (2011)
  • Traveled to Louisiana (2012)
  • Groomsman in two weddings (2005, 2013)
  • Many concerts: Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Thomas Dolby, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Brian Wilson, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Paul Simon (solo), Pink Martini, The Beach Boys, Retro Stefson, Erin McKeown, Nellie McKay, Sloan, The Pipettes, Polyphonic Spree, Elvis Costello, and many, many more
  • Seeing awesome plays written by my friend, Michael
  • Excellent beers, including the rebirth of brewing in DC
  • Birthdays, holidays, picnics, and other random occasions hanging out with friends

So a lot of things – a lot of great things – have happened over the past decade. Yes, there have been setbacks and sadness, but the good has outweighed the bad, all in all.

16 May, 2013 – 16:10 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, music, politics, random, travel, utah, washington, dc | Tagged | Comments (3)

foiled and frustrated

A quick update from Utah: Firstly, this trip has been the pits. Lots of arguments with my mom, a lot of bruised egos. Yes, there have been positive moments, but for the remainder of the trip I’m biting my tongue so I don’t fan the flames that ignite when we argue. Our personalities are similar, …

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6 May, 2013 – 17:32 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, utah | Tagged | Comments (3)

these wheels keep spinning around…

Life seems to be on fast-forward since returning from Utah, so here’s some catch-up on bike-related things. I’ve been riding a lot in preparation for some big summer rides, and it’s been quite enjoyable. I didn’t ride much in March, thanks to the Utah trip taking up the lion’s share of the month. Not counting …

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26 April, 2013 – 16:48 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, outdoors | Comments (0)

peace, love & understanding

I really couldn’t think of words to say how I felt about the terrible event in Boston yesterday. It was numbing. It made me angry. That any person or people would have such disregard for humanity, for joy, for happiness – it’s simply impossible to comprehend. Whatever message was trying to be sent, it was …

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16 April, 2013 – 15:49 | By randomduck | Posted in insecurity, music, random | Tagged | Comments (0)

building it back up

All of the time in Utah set back my cycling training heading into the summer – a.k.a. “big ride” season. I had planned on two weeks off, but not three, so the rust is evident when I ride. Yes, my recent rides have shown decent performance, with strong climbing. But things feel a bit off, …

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9 April, 2013 – 23:21 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling | Comments (1)

recovery

I’ve been back from Utah for a little over a week, and I still feel like I’m recovering from the weight of it all. Life is full of challenges. Some of them are planned, others not so much. When the two sides collide, it takes a lot of energy to keep up, stay sane, and …

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8 April, 2013 – 22:49 | By randomduck | Posted in random | Comments (1)

cycling update: february wrap-up

Two months down in 2013, and 803 miles under the bicycle wheels. Typically, but March 1st, I only have 400 to 500 miles, so this year is starting out quite strong. Last weekend, I rode the earliest century I’ve ever done, from Georgetown to Sugarloaf Mountain and back. I rode with a group of local …

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1 March, 2013 – 13:50 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, outdoors | Comments (0)

frying the day

Yup, it’s Friday. I’m thankful for that, because this work week has been dreadful. All I can say is that I’m glad my new headphones (some extremely brightly colored Urban Beats that I bought last week at TJ Maxx) have excellent sound isolation, because the din of my office has been loud, negative in tone, …

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22 February, 2013 – 16:28 | By randomduck | Posted in random | Comments (0)

moving right along

A few random musings – not necessarily something like sprite’s “Three Beautiful Things,” but simply a few random bits of reflection. -=-=-=-=-=- En route to my “Coffee” control in the 2013 Errandonnée, I had a less-than-excellent interaction with another motorist. He had been boxed out of his lane on Massachusetts Avenue NW, impeded by a …

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21 February, 2013 – 22:38 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, random | Comments (1)

the errandonnee: wrapping it all up

Today is the last day to log miles and trips for the 2013 Errandonnée – eek! Given I still had a few controls to make, I had to find a way to multitask. Fortunately, I found the perfect solution: do a lunch run to Whole Foods, book in hand, and pick up some post-work provisions …

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20 February, 2013 – 13:58 | By randomduck | Posted in cycling, random, washington, dc | Tagged | Comments (1)