I doubt we see the end of the road
I don't know at what point you all made your choices in life, but think of how difficult it is to know at the time you are making the choice, what you want. When I chose my course in my life, I didn't imagine that what I really wanted was to be a writer with a porn star for a girlfriend. Where was my guidance counselor on that one!

From what the media tells us, (and we know THEY are always right) this war is not going as easily as anticipated. Anyone expecting this action to be guilt free and honorable should pull their head out of the candy coated SUV that haul around their 2.3 kids and see the world we live in for what it is, a downward spiral. Some people claim that we may have underestimated the power of the of our opponent. Others thought we would have taken Bagdhad by now. I'm not a General, nor a President but does this analysis change the fact that we are engaged in an act of barbarism that most nations with far less power than ourselves are able to avoid? Slow or fast, war an evil that no matter WHAT the reason, every member of a nation, hell of the world, has to live with the consequences. The people in power have decided to send this nation down that road, but are trying to cover the horror of this action with patriotic rhetoric and talk of democracy. They use the word "freedom" as if it was a commodity (like oil) to be traded and bought. People of America are being tricked into thinking that we were forced into this. One thing my parents taught me was that you always have a choice to resist, if you are strong enough, the urge to fight. But democracy is the voice of the majority, (no matter what our last election said) and I feel a majority of our population cares more about what they are paying for gas than what is right or wrong. Hell, we make a big show of "boycotting the French" when in reality, we should be boycotting oil. TV tells us that buying drugs supports terrorism. If that connection can be made, how can you NOT make the connection to oil. But that is too hard to admit for most in this country. If you are born in the US, even if you protest the war, you are guilty in the eyes of the world of being an American. Some people are ashamed, others flaunt it, but the fact remains, we all have a hand in what is going on over there.

I read in a media discussion group I frequent that "allegedly" some media consulting firms are advising TV and radio stations to avoid news about "anti-war protests" because it will decrease ratings whereas patriotic analysis and detached, nintendo-style action will keep your station afloat through these tough economic times. Forget the issue of "fair" journalism for a moment (it doesn't exist anyway) and consider what this says about our society. Our citizenry (at least the ones that watch TV, and let's admit it, that's almost everyone) don't want to be reminded of the turmoil in this country, but would rather see turmoil in another country. We have an image that we cling to that says, we are coming together, when that will never happen. We are too diverse, priveledged and free to ever come together... and I think we should be proud of that. Thank you for that US Constitution. Like it or not, that is who we are, war protestors, flag burners... hipocrits. Because, like I said, we are all guilty of something in this life.

I like tasty burgers... I avoid meat whenever possible.

I drive my SUV 100's of miles to just to mountain bike... I ride my bike to work.

I work in the TV industry... I think this country is way too dependent on TV.

I am 20 lbs overwieght... I think we eat too much.

I think the myth American farmer is outdated... I live in an agricultural area.

We can't be innocent. None of us are innocent.

Maybe we wouldn't have to worry about saving the planet so much if we just stopped having kids.

Take that Spring Out O Shapeness
When I speak about being in shape, it's a relative term. My body was apparently created with beer in mind, (Fat Tire Ale to be more specific), but I was able to get my ass through the first off road ride of the year without stopping for oxygen, muscle relief or red blood cell boosting. Granted my time was slower than normal (partially due to some treacherous mud at the top of the descent which made my tires look about 3" wider) but considering it's not even April I feel like my semi-regular jogging regimen has paid off. This ride was small in terms of what I'll be doing in a few weeks when I'm going to try the "Barking Spider" (a race near Boise) with some friends, but we're not exactly racing for first place. I'm guessing we will race at the "sport" level, but I'd probably be happy with just chilling in the beginner race, we'll see.

The other good thing about today's ride was that it was done after a surprisingly good bender last night. Press Box (sports bar) dinner, Fat Tire and performing artists were once again the culprit. It was supposed to be just my roomate Jeff and I watching basketball, drinking some beers and eating food that "tears you up", but that changed about halfway through pitcher two when we mutually decided that 5 weeks away from the local adult performing arts center was long enough. Poison, my performer of choice was unfortunately still on the DL rehabbing a pulled rib muscle (come on Poison, let's get back into game shape for my birthday in two weeks) but she gave us a smile at the door and of course, like most people, pointed out Jeff's dangling gorilla earring.

My plan was to have one more pint of Fat Tire and switch to water since I knew I wanted to ride the next day. So much for that idea, I'm sure I drank at least another three pints at Hot Rocks. Now, I haven't had, what I call, a HANGOVER, since Russia, but the next morning I had a mild hangovers, or what I call a "Hangover Experience". A Hangover Experience is basically like waking up next to some girl who you wished would have left before you got up. She good enough and all that, but you know she's going to ruin your morning. And since I still wanted to ride, having another drink was out of the question. So my solution to these episodes is to get up as early as I can, (in this case 730am), watching MST3K and drinking giant Packer cup after giant Packer cup of water until your body says to the beer, "Yes Fat Tire, I had a great time too, but I need to get going here. Don't worry, I'll call you soon."

After recounting stories like this in my life, it's hard to believe I'm almost 27. But for all you 27-year olds who are happy with the "kid on the way", the mortgage and "planning for the future", I ask you, how often are you hauling your ass up a 2 mile incline and doing something you really enjoy that has no responsibility attached to it other than your own happiness and goals? It's not just mountain biking, it's my kid, mortgage and future right here and right now.