A NEW LIFE

WOW, IT'S BEEN A MONTH

     It has been a while since I posted again. Just haven't felt like writing anything.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS

     Until I am supposed to ride in the RTC VIVA BIKE VEGAS 103 mile ride. I rode 55 miles yesterday to see how I was feeling. I haven't had a long ride in about a month so I was very unsure of my fitness. I have worked out 3-4 times a week during this time but not for an extended period of time. After the ride yesterday I feel as though I will be okay for all but about 5 miles of the 103 mile ride. That 5 miles would be the climb in Red Rock Canyon. Mile 4-5 is affectionately known as "The Wall". it is very tough but after that it is overall down hill for about 35-40 miles and by then I will be 70+ miles into the ride. The ride is flat for the first 8-9 miles and then a steady climb for about 20 miles. It is going to be fun. It will hopefully be my first successful attempt at a century.  I was well on my way to being in shape for this ride until I moved and then started working 2 jobs over the last month. I am going to ride 4- times this week and next with a long run on Monday of hopefully 65-70 miles to finish getting ready. The nice thing is that it is finally starting to cool off so I won't have the 100+ degree heat beating me up on the ride. I am planning on starting somewhere near the back of the pack and gradually moving up until we are thru the hills and then cruise as much as possible for the downhill sections. I am not aiming to be a speed demon, just finish. I figure that it will take 7-8 hours, hopefully closer to 7 hours, to finish the ride.

JOBS

     Due to the fact that the local newspaper laid off 6 full time photographers I have been able to pick up work as a freelancer. If the work continues at the pace that it has been for the last month It will be great. I have been getting 4-6 days a week shooting. It is not great money but it is $120 a day to shoot 1-2 assignments.
     In addition to this I started a job as a cashier on graveyard for a local convenience store company. Definitely not a rent job but it is a steady income that I can use to pay the rent and utilities.
    Between the two jobs I should be comfortable financially. I have to put in some long days with limited sleep but at least I can pay the bills and maybe save a little money for the next time I am out of work. Maybe even enough to be able to move when my lease on the apartment is up in about a year.