Been a While

Well, it's been a while since I've made a post. It has been, in part, because my laptop was stolen when someone broke into our house. But now I've got a new computer and no excuse not to do some daily writing.

Since I last wrote a post I've visited my old stomping grounds in Oregon, started teaching a new course (BI 203: Botany, Ecology and Evolution) and Brandy's mom passed away. I think these are the big events, particularly the last one, which has been a hard blow to our happy little home. Losing a loved one is hard. More and more I realize that my happiness is linked to the happiness and well-being of those I love. Seeing someone you love in pain is not easy.

On a brighter note, I bicycled home with my friend James today. I'm pretty proud of this. It was only 15 miles or so, but knowing I can get to/from work without a car makes me feel pretty good. Of course, 15 miles is nothing for James. His commute is about 35 miles ONE WAY. Talk about hardcore. We were joking on our ride today that he really puts his money where his mouth is. When he tells his students they could save the planet by biking to work, he stands behind it. Me, I just like not commuting by car, and if I can get some exercise in the meantime, I'm even happier.

I also found the ride to be a lot more pleasant than I had expected. Much of the ride was on the Green River Bike trail, which as the name implies, goes right along the river. It's a paved bike trail for much of the way and actually goes all the way up to the Duwamish. It doesn't connect with the Duwamish Bike trail, but to seems like it should.

James navigated us through Renton and then up to Seward Park Blvd, which was practically home for me. I left him at Othello and headed home for beer, grilled chicken and ice cream. He had another hour left ahead of him.