Long time ago

My grandma doesnt send me much mail. When I found this 29 year old newspaper clipping in the mail, I was a little more than surprised. Sometimes its really important to just take a step back and really evaluate where you are, where you've been, and where you are going. I encourage all the people I love to do this. Just stop, breathe, and know that everything is going to be ok.

Then go ride your bike and feel better. Three interviews tomorrow. Say a prayer for me. I finally got a more clear head today after some anxious frustration was relieved a bit. ABW, you are in my prayers.

Wick, make things right.
Tyler, make things right. Life is too short.

Kate

Its been a while since I have posted a pic of a beautiful girl. I like Maverick's motto: Everything in Moderation--Even Moderation. Kate Beckinsale garners my vote as the world's most beautiful celebrity. She is simply stunning. I was fortunate enough to have Esquire Magazine email (for some reason) and remind me that they offer wonderful articles about beautiful women.

I am currently sitting in my Management in Technology talking about the relatively slow innovation in the bicycle industry. We are actually studying the shimano history and how compared to other industries, the bike industry is historically snail paced. I brought up the fact that the UCI limits frame design and that general idea hampers further innovation. The derailluer needs to go away. But I still think riding (all types) is a beautiful struggle.

Our Shimao discussion moved onto the Swiss watch industry. Also interesting. Disruptive technology is shaping your life via market mindset shifts. Pay attention and you'll be at the forefront of these shifts. It'll be interesting to see how the financial markets will adjust to the turmoil they are currently experiencing and how innovation will replace age old ideologies.

Kate Beckinsale. Wow.

First

I am pretty sure I am the first to publish a pic like this. Wireless

A random Prague vacation pic to appeal to your eyes

Yesterday my ego suffered a pretty hard blow. I had two interviews were my lack of banking experience was attacked. Honestly, it was insane. Both of the groups of interviewers sat there looking at my resume and didnt ask me a single question about my past experiences. I guess they all understand everything an aircraft commander does and is responsible for. Perhaps it was just that my resume was so perfectly written that they had no questions.

Long story short, both were banking interviews and classmates who have had experience in the field did better. Thats a good thing for my friends trying to get into the crazy banking scene. What bothers me is that I honestly havent failed at many things in my life. You want to succeed in everything you do.

So I am trying to take away the positives as I write this. First, I think God was taking care of me and making a decision for me. 100 hour work weeks dont mesh well with riding your bike. So I might have a little more time to ride if I take ANY other job. Second, failing toughens you up. And you can respond a couple different ways. I think everyone takes their licks differently. I went home and tried to think about something else for a while. Then I counted my blessings and worked on some more cover letters.

I have one more banking interview tomorrow and want to do better. I would love to have the bargaining chip of actually having an internship in my pocket when interviewing with other companies. Say a prayer and I'll keep you posted on this entire ordeal (who ever still reads my blog).

I do have two consulting interviews next week. I have to keep practicing cases in order to prepare for those interviews. Some people already have 50 cases complete. I am probably at 20 or so. But one thing is certain, I am faster than all of them on a bike.

Lastly, I was delightfully surprised to see that i am still the 3rd ranked cat 3 crit rider in the country. Wins at Reston and VA State championships coupled with the 6th at reston (give me a break, I crashed) must have been low enough point totals to keep me up in rankings. Then I crushed some kid climbing last week. He told me that he'd never seen a big guy climb like that. That ego stroking didnt hurt my feelings. Even small Ws are good!

Pumped

Won this $1500 software from adobe in sept and was finally able to
trade it in for a mac version. Any one out there use creative suite?

Holla

Those who know me well will understand this picture.

Excess!

I have been experiencing slash witnessing various amounts of excess lately. This is the most recent example. I'm sure the discussion went something like this:

Shop employee one: "What should we do with this guy's old $600 square taper carbon fiber crank now that he's upgraded to campy 11?"
Shop employee two: "You could prob sell it on ebay for $200 bucks"
SE1: "Naw, we really need something to remind people to not steal the keys to our bathroom"
SE2: "You are exactly right, we should use a perfectly good $200 (ebay used value) crank to help people remember to not steal our bathrooms keys."
SE1: Most people use a stick or long piece of PVC pipe, but this makes more sense for us seeing as how we dont sell a bike that costs less than $6k"

Or something like that. I marveled at the 10 Lightweight wheelsets attached to various look, time, and pinarello frames. They did have a couple madones and a moots to their lessor man credit. The guy looked at me like I had 7 heads when I asked him a question about my Intense 5.5 (not a cheap bike in the mtn bike world).




And these are michelin Pro Race 3s. It was all I could do to not buy the lime green tires below. I know for sure I'd be the only guy to have them. But this snobby bike shop wanted $65 plus tax and the shop next to my house is only asking $45/tire. Not exactly a training tire, I passed. They also had a couple Chris King Bottom Brackets. I will definately be upgrading on all my bikes when their respective BBs are spent.


On the job front, I am 50% for my resume drops so far. I have 4 interviews this month and dont expect much from any of them. I met with a friend Don Faul at Facebook today. His story is pretty funny. I was in Hippster's wedding as a swordsman and so was Don. Granted, there were like 10 dudes, but Don actually has a pic on his facebook account where everyone is tagged except for me because he couldnt remember my name. We never had much interaction, but I feel fortunate to have re-met him.

Don is a director at Facebook and really tackling some tough problems, leading men and women. I am excited about possibilities at Facebook.

Beyond FB, I have interviews at RBC, Citi, and UBS. I doubt I am on any closed lists, but am most excited about the tech space anyway. Please keep me in your prayers in finding a job.

I mostly need to prepare and not stress too much.

And I promise to not take such long breaks between bloggings.

On the hunt

Met with a 101 f18 guy who worked at google and now works with
YouTube. Finally feel like I am gaining some traction in the tech
space. Pray the economy gets better so google will open up and hire
some people.

I still feel like there are a ton of opportunities.

Wick

Get rich or die tryin

Silicon valley tour

On a drive through silicon valley, we drove through eBay. Nice.

Solano ave bling

Mike, take note, a little sparkle goes a long way!

Weird

Yep, this is an ad where a woman is supermanning her pastor husband up
into the air. This is one eat to get people to join your
congregation. Berkeley is a flippin' weird place.

Cold dirt ride

Today was pretty awesome in that I slept in, watched some football,
took a nap, then went for a dirt ride with wick nasty. Sis, I love
the Christmas gift you got me. The shorts and gloves are both a very
nice addition to my dirt wardrobe. Fox and troy lee everyone!

It was cold, but we climbed for 35 mind before riding some ridgeline
and then a serious descent. I always forget how much I love riding
dirt until I get back on the knobbies. Love it.

15 days to prep for onterviews. I need a summer internship. Planning
on just riding my bike and studying for case interviews.

And mom and I are running a serious sidi sale on eBay. Anyone need a
pair at a firesale price?

Wick again

Bug wick nasty wanted these girls to know who was bossnon our 4 hour
ride around the east bay. He got em! He also took a rash of ribbing
from me because his bottom bracket sounds like a Honda 250 moto. He
bought a new one at wrenchscience.com based here in Berkeley.

I am applying to 19 internships this week. Wow. Worst case scenario,
I get interviews at 0 or 19 of them. Say a prayer for me.

Whhhaaaat!

For those that know big wick nasty, we found his holy Grail. I am
pretty sure this was meant to be.