3rd ++ Bike Life

Living on the Westside (of LA) has a huge benefit to me and Mike. BIKING IS EVERYWHERE.

Southern California just happens to have the most competitive and best cycling racing resources in the nation. Most likely due to our endless perfect weather. Here on the westside we have the benefit of being able to ride along the beach uninterrupted and car free, so needless to say but I will say anyway, Mike and I ride all the time.

I've become more aggressive about my training. I hope to not only improve as a rider, but to also compete in the 2010 racing season as a Cat 4 racer. It's taken quite a bit of effort: getting up at 5:30am, sleeping early (it's harder than you think!), riding roughly 20 miles everyday (with some days off) and watching what I eat*

* I eat closely to the Paleo diet. Lots of natural foods with as little processing as possible. Lots of proteins and lots of vegetables. Avoid dairy and starches. Don't worry, I get carbs from vegetables. When I have a good long ride, I allow myself to enjoy some bread.

I've signed up for the velo club, La Grange. I am very excited to join their team and come close to keeling over during their group rides. Mike signed me up for their last team race of the season- Piuma. It is an 8 mile climb with 2250 of elevation gain. OUCH! We'll see how I do.

Mike's a cat 4 racer with a stringent routine. It worked, so now he's too fast to bring me along on his training rides. We ride together when he's recovering (aka forced to go slow). During these rides, he leads me out and lets me practice sprints and makes me chase him on attacks. It's another form of torture, but I enjoy the results. My sprints started at a humorous 20mph but are now improving to 27mph. We'll see how much I improve over time.

Tomorrow, I will be working while thousands from the southland go ride with Lance Armstrong. I will be jealous. But then, so will Lance because he will miss out on my new triangle skills (*see post on production)

2nd -- A move to the beach

I've moved from the busy hills of Hollywood to Venice, CA and I can't complain.

I've got the Pacific Ocean as a neighbor and we're on very good terms.

The weirdos that reside here manage to make me feel more normal.

First off -- my return to production

You know that feeling of coming home and plopping onto the couch to watch tv after a long day? That was what it felt like to jump back into commercial/music video production. So far so good, LA is picking up from a long and difficult slump and I'm enjoying every moment.

In the few weeks I've spent laughing and hustling at work, I've collected a few moments that I will probably never forget. So meaningful to me that I'll tell you twice, unknowingly. (I do that a lot)

1. Under only the 100+ degree heat of the sun, I manage to get lost in a Cadillac graveyard just outside Devils Punchbowl in the desert. I managed to follow the giant ants to their anthill that happened to be right next to my car. The size of the ant hill was near the size of my tire!

2. SNL alum, Jim Breuer, sang a bar of Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight" in my presence with accompanied double fist pumps. Highlight of the night, really! (note: he's extremely cool. i wish he came to my bbqs)

3. I learned how to play the triangle in a "cool Latin way" from DMB's Carter Beauford. (the happiest nicest man alive!) And offered my services if ever they needed another triangle player.

I can only hope that it keeps on going!

I'm baaaaaack

with lots to talk about. Join me with your slippers.