365 Day Photo Challenge 134/365 “Todays Ride”

16 Saturday May 2015

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Today was a good day.  I got most everything done that I wanted to do today.  I got up and ate breakfast, changed clothes and hopped on my bicycle.  When I returned home I had a bite to eat and started getting things ready for tomorrow trip to Mt. Cheaha.

My bike ride today consisted of a leisurely ride through town.  I followed my weekend route in which I normally get around 23 miles.  The route I take has a lot of hills but not any steep grades.  I took a few new roads just to see some new sites and it increased my mileage a bit. My total mileage for the day was 25.8 and my average speed was 12.1 mph.  Like I said, I took my time and didn’t get in a big hurry.

There are several things that kind of bug me while I’m riding through my fair city but the one thing that really pisses me off is the amount of trash that is on the roads.  I bet I counted four trash bags while on my route today.  I think it’s really uncalled for when people throw out their trash from their cars instead of waiting until they get home and throw it out in a trash can. Doesn’t make sense.  The other thing that gets on my nerves is the amount of dogs that are not on a leash or in a fenced in yard.  Our city has a leash law which requires all dogs to either be on a leash or in a fence if outside.  The little ankle biters don’t really bother me that much, it’s the big labs and german shepherds that make me nervous.  I’ve been given permission by the city to use Mace when I feel threatened.  The thing about using mace it that it could get in my eyes if the wind is blowing the wrong direction.

Photo is of the Pier in Chicago

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 133/365 “Happy Weekend Everyone!!”

15 Friday May 2015

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I was just notified moments ago that I was nominated for the WordPress Family Award by Deborah Crocker  http://www.talkingtomyweightlosscounselor.wordpress  I am beyond speechless.  Thanks again for the nomination Deborah.

Tomorrows plan is to get up and take a ride on the bicycle, put a battery on charge, empty all the nonessential crap out of the back of my truck and load items needed for the bicycle event on Sunday.  I might even try to do some much needed yard work if I can squeeze it in.

My wife and I had a discussion the other day in which I felt a little put out.  I volunteer for several organizations and if I’ll let them they’ll work me every weekend.  I volunteer for several Amateur Radio organizations, Boy Scouts of America and a couple of local churches. I would like to think that I would be remembered as someone who volunteered his time and like to help out in the community.  But, according to my wife I’m looking for things to do other than spending time at home.  Really??  I’m not really sure I convinced her otherwise. My volunteer work with the scouts has slowed down somewhat being that I’m no longer scoutmaster but I have taken on other responsibilities on a higher level in the district which does require me to attend several meetings a month but it’s nothing like every Monday night and camping trips every month.  I guess that’s part of being married.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 132/365 “Continuation”

14 Thursday May 2015

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http://www.wired.com/2015/05/ranked-bike-friendly-states-us/2015_BFS_Overall

Another story about just how the states ranked in bike friendliness.  Again saying that Alabama is dead last while Washington is ranked number one.  In my community it isn’t that bad I guess.  It’s true that I have to deal with a few nuts on the road but overall it’s not as bad as I’ve heard other people.

If you have a minute read the article.  It’s got some useful information as to how they determined the rankings.  I just wished my state would do some of the things that other states are doing to promote cycling.

This coming Sunday, there will be a cycling event at Mt. Cheaha called the Cheaha Challenge.  It’s several bike rides rolled into one with the longest about 150 miles.  I think the shortest is about 25 miles on the Chief LaDiga bike trail.  The last I heard there’s going to be over 1000 cyclists on the road.  You know there’s going to be some pissed off people trying to get through on their Sunday drives.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 131/365 “Cycling Awareness”

13 Wednesday May 2015

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Cycling on the roadways has become such a huge debate around here.  Tempers are easily raised when the subject comes up.  In fact, Alabama is ranked #50 as the worst bike friendly state in America.  I have gotten into several online debates within the last few days and some of these people are just hard headed as they can be.

I’ve known since I’ve started riding that the general public does not like to share the roads with us cyclists.  I’ve been honked at, yelled at, given the bird and nearly ran off the road.  The main argument that I’m hearing is that the cyclist do not belong on the road when in fact Alabama state law states that cyclists have the same rights as motorists while on the road way.  Go to the gym, ride on the sidewalks and use the bike lanes is just some of the other arguments that I’ve been given.

It is my belief that cyclists and motorists should learn to work together and share the roads. It’s a two way street guys.  I’ve seen cyclist ride two and three deep and refusing to allow cars to pass.  I’ve seen cyclist bust through red lights and stop signs when they are supposed to stop.  I can see why some motorists treat us the way they do.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 130/365 “YLDP”

12 Tuesday May 2015

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My girls were selected tp participate in this program at the beginning of the year.  It’s actually part of the Boy Scouts of America.  We had to fill out a Boy Scout youth application for them to join the crew.  Tonight was their graduation for this year.  Being that they were both Juniors they were not qualified for any of the scholarships or other awards but let me tell you that there were some serious money given away tonight.  Monetary scholarships starting at $250 all the way to $5000 and Tuition scholarships starting at $2500 to full tuition plus $1500 extra.  Over $500,000 was given away tonight to well deserved seniors.  I seriously hope one or even both my girls can get one of these scholarships next year.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 129/365 “To Reblog or Not to Reblog”

11 Monday May 2015

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I spent the better part of an hour tonight going through the blogs that I follow.  Over three times longer than normal because someone decided to reblog everything that showed up on their news feed.  Needless to say that person has one less follower tonight.  Rant over.

I’m working on a  little surprise that should be ready in a couple of weeks.  It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do but a little apprehensive about doing it.  I think in the long run it will help me more than you.  Everyone will have to just wait and see.

365 Day Photo Challenge 128/365 “Happy Mothers Day”

10 Sunday May 2015

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Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there.  I hope your day was filled with love and joy.  I also hope you were able to spend time with your family.  I was able to spend time with my mom today for a few hours.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 127/365 “Failed Attempt; Well Sort of”

09 Saturday May 2015

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I took my twin daughters to a band banquet tonight. The event was held at the McWane Center in downtown Birmingham.  It seems that they have a banquet hall that was affordable for the students.  The girls thought is was unnecessary for us to attend being that they only recognize the seniors but they did need transportation to and from the event.  What a perfect time for me to get some good shots of downtown Birmingham at night.

My first stop after dropping the girls off was the Alabama Theater.  That place was packed.  It looked like by the amount of little girls entering the theater in TuTu’s that there was a dance recital going on.  To many people going in and out of the place to get a good HDR image plus there not a parking space in site.

The next stop was the new Railroad Park.  Same thing.  No parking and they had some event going on there as well.  Too much traffic to have to deal with. The next stop was across town to a Methodist church that everyone seems to like to take pictures of.  A wedding was about to take place and the bride and groom was having their picture taken out front.  Strike three.

Near Railroad Park is a set of tunnels that someone had put lights in that change color.  It’s a popular place for photographers to take pictures.  I was bound and determined to take some shots there no matter what it took.  I got there and I found a parking place.  My thought was to get in a position to get the tunnel in frame as well as getting a trail of brake lights going into the tunnel.   I got out of the truck, with camera in one hand and the tripod in the other I started for the tunnel.  I got to a position to where I thought I could get some decent shots when my phone goes off.  It’s one of my daughters.  They’re standing outside waiting on me to come and pick them up.  Needless to say that I didn’t get a shot off tonight. The good news is that I was able to spend time with my daughters even if it was just for a few minutes.

I was able to get my bike to the shop.  I inspected it before loading it up on the bike rack and noticed that one of the spokes was loose.  I don’t own the tools to tighten the spokes nor did I have the time to try and true the wheel myself so I took it to the shop.  I’ll pick it up on Monday.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 126/365 “Bent Rim Made for an Interesting Ride Home”

08 Friday May 2015

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I’ve been riding for three years, two years on what I would call a decent bike, not a Wally World bike but a bike that cost close to $2000 brand new.  I take care of this bike and have regular service done do it.  In fact, I just got it out of the shop about two weeks ago.  I’m on my way home after riding about ten miles I started hearing a rubbing sound coming from where I thought my front tire.  I stopped and adjusted the front brake and thought I had fixed it.  Not only did I not fix the problem, the rubbing got worse the closer I got toward home.  Once I made it home I had determined that my rear tire was way out of round.  So much so that while spinning the tire it would be stopped by the break pads shortly after spinning the tire.

As I stated earlier, I’ve been riding for about three years and I’ve never had this happen to me before.  I’ve been searching for the causes but all I’ve been able to find so far is how to fix it.  It must be a common occurrence because there’s sure a lot of videos on how to true the wheel. Being that I don’t have any of the tools nor the time needed to learn to true the wheel a trip to the shop will be in order for tomorrow.

“Life Goes On!”

365 Day Photo Challenge 125/365 “Art Show”

07 Thursday May 2015

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I’m excited to announce that I’ve been invited to attend a “members only” art show. Only people that have been invited can show up and sell their art work.  I’ve heard about this group for many years but never thought anything about it until I posted this picture of 192 out of Dollywood, Pigeon Forge.  This is a single image that I ran through Photomatirx to convert into an HDR image. I know it’s a little harsh for some but I like it as well as one of the members of the art show.  He said that this as well as some other of my HDR images would sell at the art show.  I’m a little excited about it and said that I would think about it.  I’ve never sold any of my work before other than doing a few weddings and photo shoots but I think that’s a little different.  The art show is open to the public and is not until next month so I’ve got some time to get some of my images printed off.  The guy that invited me said that he would help me with the pricing and displaying of my images for sell.  Maybe something will come of this.  Who knows??

“Life Goes On!!”