Posted by barb on Jun 12, 2005 in
Biking,
Pictures I made my first ride with the Potomac Pedalers this morning. It was a ride along the Fairfax County’s paved path along Ox Road (aka 123) from the Fairview Elementary School to the Lorton Valley shopping center.
Here we all are at the shopping center:
A few thoughts on this ride and riding in groups:
- I found it fun riding with the group because it felt safer — cars seemed to respect us as a group more than they do in ones or twos.
- It was a bit nerve-wracking riding with a group, though, because I was constantly worrying about watching the signals from the rider in front of me, wondering if I’m close enough/too close to the bike in front of me, wondering if the bike behind me is close enough/too close, worrying that I’m slowing people down.
- This ride was supposed to be 13 miles (at least that’s what the schedule said), and a “D” level ride, which should keep a pace of no more than 12 mph on flat terrain. However, it ended up being 15 miles and the pace was more like 13-15 mph. I was fine on the way out, but it was generally downhill. However, on the way back, I just couldn’t keep the pace up, so I grabbed Andrew and we had the “sweeper” go on without us.
- After Andrew and I broke off at our own pace, we were able to stop, go a bit slower for a while, and catch our breath. In fact, we stayed about the same distance behind the group once I caught my breath. We were also able to enjoy our surroundings a bit more — I even spotted a deer off the trail that we likely wouldn’t have seen if we had been busy worrying about the other riders.
Overall I’m not sure how I felt about the ride. I did enjoy being part of a group; however, I was very frustrated that I couldn’t keep up the pace on the second leg of the ride. However, when I found out that “D” rides were supposed to be kept at a bit slower pace, I’m more upset at the leader. I realize that the other riders had no trouble, but if the ride is advertised as a “D”, I expect a “D”. We’re thinking about another ride in two weeks, but, frankly, I’m just not sure…
Tags: bike, suckitude
Posted by barb on Jun 10, 2005 in
Random Thoughts 
I’m back from the AAS meeting and my mini-vacation in Minnesota, and I’m hoping to start updating my blog over the weekend. Though, I’m going to be up in Baltimore all day tomorrow helping out with Big Explosions and Strong Gravity, a Girl Scout activity day where we’re going to teach 80+ Girl Scouts about spectra, elements, supernovae, and black holes. It should be a lot of fun.
Oh, and that picture is me with my poster at the AAS meeting.
Tags: grad life, trip report, work
Posted by barb on Jun 4, 2005 in
Books I’ve made it a tradition to make Bookcrossing releases of either sci fi or science books at the AAS meetings. The targeted audience has really paid off for me, with several books journaled from each meeting that I’ve attended. This June meeting in Minneapolis is no exception. I made two releases, and both of them were journaled! Check out their journies on the following pages:
Posted by barb on Jun 4, 2005 in
Movies 3.5/5 stars
Fun, fluffy romantic comedy starring the very cute Wil Smith. Not much else to say.
[IMDB link to Hitch]
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on Jun 3, 2005 in
Random Thoughts At Broadway Pizza, from a 3-4 year old girl:
I can’t get the boogers out of my nose. Here, you try.
Tags: overheard
Posted by barb on Jun 2, 2005 in
Books,
Travels And she had a great time browsing the shelves.
We bought a lot of books, but the pile that Felicia and I bought will be shipped later, when a could other books arrive. So much for instant gratification.
Tags: build-a-bear, trip report
Posted by barb on Jun 2, 2005 in
Random Thoughts I’m not sure where the dream started out — it felt like a high school assembly, and my best friend from high school, Heather, was there with me. However, later in the dream I was on an aircraft carrier with a very scary sea rocking the ship a lot.
Anyway, we were in the assembly room, waiting for the speaker, and someone handed out sheets of paper with suggested questions. The speaker came out and it was President Bush. After talking for a while (about what I have no clue), he took questions. There weren’t many people in the room, and no one was asking questions, so W walked around and badgered people for questions. He ended up back with me and Heather, and kept looking between us, asking what we wanted to ask. Finally, I read one of the questions from the paper: “What are you doing to ensure that US jobs stay in the US?”
His response was something along the lines of: “There’s not really anything I can do about that, but we are going to be bringing in a lot of jobs by building a large oil pipeline.”
I didn’t catch the “oil pipeline” part of it, so I just nodded and then asked Heather what he had said. When I found that out, I wanted to shout something back at him, but he had left the room by then. I spend much of the rest of the dream formulating what I would have said, if I could have. It was something like: “What exactly does raping the environment to ensure that your Republican cronies can drive their monstous Hummers have to do with bringing jobs to your citizens who need it most?” Though I never got the chance….I think I saw W again in the dream, but didn’t get the opportunity to say my “clever” response. (Thank goodness, since I would have looked like a total idiot…)
Tags: dreams
Posted by barb on Jun 1, 2005 in
Movies 4/5 stars
I love the books, and was really looking forward to the movie. Naturally, the movie has watered down a couple of the stories, but that has to happen, since there’s only so much that can be fit into two hours. What really struck me, though, was how sad the movie was. I started crying in the first 5 minutes, and didn’t stop until it was over. I thought maybe I was being a big baby, but Sweetie, who was sitting next to me, was crying through much of it, too. I didn’t remember the books being quite that sad. Overall it was quite good, though be prepared with a few Kleenex.
[IMDB link to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants]
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on Jun 1, 2005 in
Random Thoughts In the AAS Exhibit Hall:
We’re astronomers, we don’t need big, powerful flashlights.
Tags: overheard