at this moment.

• Making good money as an artist
• Interpol, Antics, the special edition, specifically
• Confusion about what I want, where I’m going,
• my friends and family that really listen and ask before I tell.
• my nighttime dreams: great ones….I won Nationals as a darkhorse the night before last
• red wine and black coffee, as per usual
• the belief that I will win something soon
• being alone
• with prosciutto
• and/or oats
• and my cannondale six13
• people that correct me when I’m wrong
• and people that don’t let me quietly exit
• My house
• risen grød

• thinking about my trip to Missoula next week.

  thinking about my trip to Missoula next week.

spain 030,
originally uploaded by becky_broeder.

(I know this guy that uses the word “Bub” a lot. It always makes me laugh cuz it’s the most aggressive term of endearment.)

Are you hungry for knowledge? Do you eat it up like I did this buffet in Mallorca? HERE’S A LIST OF THE AMAZING THINGS I LEARNED JUST TODAY:

1. I was in Arizona Cyclist yesterday (thanks guys, thanks Sabino Cycles, thanks Cannondale, and thanks Shawn for all pitching in and solving a problem I had)….anyway, it was getting close to class time. I met Chris Carmicheal’s brother, a world renowned AIDS doctor. We got to talking and he has lost 800 patients in his relatively short time here in Tucson. I missed the first half hour of class. Had a feeling I wouldn’t find conversation like this in Space Planning. Learned many things in that whole two hours or so. Primarily that this doc is badass.

2. 47% of Americans are not bothered by hearing the F-Bomb. F@#$ THAT.

3. Genetic Engineers have made Americans a “healthy bacon” for consumption. Yes, they have cloned and altered pigs to have Omega-3 fatty acids for those that are not into fish. WHAT!?

4. I can put out 899 watts in my first real sprint in about 18 months.

5. The entire Earth became 10 degrees colder in the days following 9/11. Even though planes are notoriously cold and freeze your ankles off, they still heat up our planet considerably.

6. More people died in the Civil War than in WW1, WW2, The American Revolution, and Vietnam combined. I might have to look that one up. Our current ‘war’ might balance the scale.

7. The word ’sabotage’ came from French workers throwing their Sabots (French for Wooden Clogs) into the machinery of factories. Ah, Oui, Those French Saboteurs are always Sabatouraging things like calling Freedom Fries ‘French Fries’ and Fried Texas Toast ‘French Toast’. Listen all y’all it’s a FREEDOMTAGE!

8. I painted a living room wall metallic gold (not mine). Didn’t know that you could. Didn’t know that you would. And didn’t know how goddamn tough it is to do it without brushstrokes.

9. You can not design a pond into a kitchen. I did. One can not. No waterparks in kitchens, even if there is no budget.

10. I can sort of sprint. Don’t think so? I’ll prove it.

Alright, Bub, that’s all you need to know. Now get lost.
BB

Having projects due on Tuesday, I’m drawing all weekend but I did allow myself one fun thing: The Colossal Cave Road Race.  So far, with Arizona Racing, I’m three for three in the last two years: I’ve managed to miss the prerace instructions and the National Anthem (and the actual start, once) at every Arizona race I’ve done.  I don’t know what I do, but I wasn’t worried today because the race had to go by my car.  Figured I’d get it together in time.  (more…)

Congratulations go to Brad Huff and the TIAA-Cref guys, winning Stage One at the Tour of Normandy. Right on! You guys rock.

I left the house today for a recovery ride and my bike was so annoyingly troubled, that I turned around and went to AZ Cyclist. That is a profound move for me as I always look at situations like this and say, ‘aw. Later’. I rolled my Cannondale in and it was greeted with open arms, like it always is. Jeff and Tim are beyond generous and nice to me. I simply said, “Guys, I’ve got problems”. They told me to lie on the couch. I sat down and I hear Jeff saying, “God, Becky, @#%! Get in here!.$^%#…%#(&!..”. Here’s a list (more…)

originally uploaded by becky_broeder.

Dear Becky,

I have been cycle racing for a couple of years and am trying to do all I can to get faster. Do you have any suggestions for my getting better, faster results?
Thanks!
Eager

Dear Eager,
Straight from the mouth of Montana Official and Coach, Don Russell, I received this breaking news tip. “Make sure your number can be read if you want to be in the results. Additionally, poorly placed numbers significantly slow down results and cause everyone to sit around and wonder why the results aren’t complete and I can’t get my prize and go home. Take a look at the attached number placements and you’ll see why.” (See photos below). Who knew? I would’ve thought the UCI method of pinning numbers on pockets sufficient, but under blurring camera conditions, clearly pinning your number next to your belly is what is optimal. (more…)

snowride,
originally uploaded by becky_broeder.

A photo from my ride this afternoon. I had rain and hail fall on my head, and saw snow. It was great but I think I frost bit my ass. No kidding. I was excited to dirty up my new rain cape from last April. Tucson has made me dumber, I think. I’m amazed at what I get excited about these days.

BB

Here’s the deal: I don’t race the Shootout. I never have and I probably never will. I hate the Shootout. If you see me near the front, I’m working on my positioning skills. I think that is all the Shootout is really good for. That, and getting me out of bed early on Saturday mornings to do the work I really need to do. Oh, and visiting with people I haven’t seen in a while.
That said, please don’t yell at me (more…)

This entry brought to you by the coughing, aching, sniffling, sneezing, stuffy head, so you can sleep medicine: Guiness. I’m having one for breakfast even though I don’t have an ounce of Irish in me ( Well, not really… on the Guiness, not the Irish bit).