Defended but Defenseless…

How long did it take me to get my PhD? Although to some of you reading this (especially Sean) it may seem like an eternity; however, it has only been four years, which is admirable in grad student terms. I am relieved to have everything behind me and thankful to my friends and family for their support. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with mononucleosis the day before my defense. The doctor had the great idea of shooting me up with prednisone to help me make it through the day. There is nothing like the feeling of passing out in a public presentation because of all the synthetic adrenaline running through your body. In hindsight though, now that the shot is wearing off, I am happy I listened to him. The aches, pains, and fatigue have returned leaving me helpless on the couch. So, my big plans of mountain biking and swimming in the waterfalls I’ve missed the past few years, are no longer. But, I figure after my weight loss extravaganza and steroid shots I should be in good shape this fall for the end of the cycling season. At least USCF doesn't test us girls for doping, so maybe I can end on a good note. If you are in the area feel free to drop in. You know where I’ll be.

Love in the Air

This weekend we were invited to share Susan and Greg’s special day at Pretty Place, NC. As you can see from below, the view was amazing. We had a great time at the wedding and afterward went to Hooker Falls and swam in the waterfalls. What a perfect day!

Susan and Greg's Wedding

Susan and Greg's Wedding

We went north this past weekend to visit family and attend our niece’s high school graduation. We had a relatively uneventful trip, with one exception. Sean decided to take the scenic route and hop off the interstate for a section of our trip. Being concerned with sleepy towns, traffic lights, and old people driving Cutlass Supremes, I was not enthusiastic about the idea, but conceded. After a quick trip to the 1950s Dairy Queen, where every table had a foil ashtray and the customers were using them, we (or I should say Sean) was pulled over by the local police. Sean requested (in an assertive tone) I not say a word. Being the good, well-behaved wife that I am, I didn’t. I think in 2 minutes, or less the officer returned with a ticket and drove off. We were both in shock! And I didn’t say a word, for a few hours, although Sean said my face said it all. Needless to say, we did not visit Pineville on our return trip and stuck to the interstates where other people were driving just as fast and reckless as Sean and he would not be noticed

We had a great time visiting family and attending graduation. We sat in the yard enjoying the thick, green grass without any red ants (my mortal enemy number 1), completed my birthday month with the infamous strawberry cake, visited with my brother and sister-in-law, who are now expecting (YEAH!), and saw my best friends, (Raeanne) from home, new foal. Enjoy the pictures!

Indiana Pictures

Indiana

Atlanta Heat and Smok’in Race Weekend

We traveled to Atlanta this weekend for the Sandy Springs races. Saturday I was the official feed zone coordinator. This job is not an easy one! Between avoiding newbie’s who throw the water bottles at the cyclist, the hot sun, and red ant attacks, the job is a stressful one, to say the least. After doing some research about the road course, I opted not to race, so I slept in and saved my legs for Sunday. Sean and Rodney raced the Pro 1, 2, riding a delightful 80 miles at 2:30 in 90 degree weather. My job consisted of a total of 30 seconds in a 3 ½ hour time frame, but the guys were happy to have cold water. Sean finished a strong 6^th although was in a bad place at the finish when both legs came out of the clips and the lock down started, a sign of pain to come later in the evening. I made it out in good shape with a nice summer tan (trying to work off the cycling tan-a sign I'm a strong cyclist, which I don't want to give people that imprecision) and only a few red ant bites.

Sunday morning came earlier than we thought. We woke to the smell of homemade biscuits and bacon that my Aunt and Uncle prepared for breakfast. I will admit I was not particularly stoked to race. If I had not prepaid I may have headed back to Clemson. And as I walked outside to leave, the thick smoke from the forest fires confirmed those thoughts. I thought to myself, “How could I possible race in a chimney?” I bucked up and tried to get myself ready for the 40 minutes of hell I was getting ready to endure. When I got to the course and got my number I realized they had reversed the course. This isn’t good, I thought to myself. I called Sean and got the confirmation, “Oh, that’s not good for you.” The race had around 15 girls and was run extremely well. The girls who run the Algabra Women’s Cat 4 series are always friendly and run a great series. I rode the first part of the race smart, at least I thought. There was a fast downhill and a long uphill that turned into the wind. I focused on being the first on the downhill and into the tight turn, but ended up pulling entirely too much on the uphill. Note, photo above. Thanks to True Speed Photo for great pictures! I got spit out the back with 4 laps to go and according the results got 12^th. We feel pretty confident I got more like 9^th, but at that point it didn’t really matter. I won a prime of bars, which I figure comes out to me paying approximately $2 a lap to race. So in hindsight, due to my lack of legs, fatigue, pulling to much, and inability to breathe quality oxygen, I just didn’t have it. Luckily, Sean finished a strong 8^th in the Pro 1, 2 race and won some money for us. At least he paid for the gas and I have some food to eat for the week. We head to Indiana this week for a short trip and the bikes will be staying at home for some much needed R & R. Oh, did I mention Sunday was our 6 year anniversary? And we were at a bike race... And I am writing this on Memorial Day because I have to work and Clemson doesn't consider it a holiday. How Unamerican!!!!!!

I didn't show up for class...

This may not seem to be a big deal to most of you, however, when you are the professor and you don’t show up for the first day of class, its really tacky! It really was a calendar mix up! I feel my life has slowly gone down the shitter now. Sean eats all my cookies, cake, and moldy cheese, I throw hissy fits over the smallest things, I forget to show up to class, and I can barely remember how to shift my bike. I think I am going to give it all up and become a Professional Aquaglider. I know my lackey will be down with it!