Friday Brain Dump

I really really am having a hard time concentrating at work these days. So much random things on my mind.  Like for instance:

• The shape of our country  Woah there… this could be a hot button topic.  Actually, I am not talking about the current state of politics at all.  I am actually thinking about the shape of our states.  The ACTUAL SHAPE.  A few weeks ago NASA released what I consider to be a beautiful image. The folks at the Woods Hole Research Center, and others, used satellite imaging and ground surveys to create a map of forest biodensity (The National Biomass and Carbon Dataset).  What I think is the most amazing is that they broke up the map into 66 distinct ecoregions.  These ecoregions are generally created using natural features (mountains, rivers, etc.) as boundaries.  The shapes are so much more organic than the shapes of our current states.  Imagine if the country had been populated and broken up in a different way, and each of these ecoregions became a state.  It would totally change our country, politics, regional economies, population centers… everything!  It has consumed a lot of my mental space thinking of this.
• #fridaycoffeeclub  I almost went today, but then woke up at 730 and realized that not only did I super-snooze my alarm, but my only bike right now is my fixed-gear beater that has 2 flats and a rusty chain.  The LHT is at BicycleSpace right now getting some love.  I’ll pick it up tonight.
• Glen Echo 106K Populaire  I’m really nervous about this ride because not only is it the first DC Randonneurs ride that I am going to try, but also the course has more elevation gain than I am used to.  I want to “do good” on this ride, plus a few other weekend training rides so that I have confidence to start (and finish) the March 17th 200K dubbed the “Wilderness Campaign”.
• Photography.  I want to maybe take a class or two this year to get some skills and learn how to use my camera better.  But I am also looking for a new one.  Shopping for something you care about (camera, new bike, ???) can really suck you in and become an obsession.  I have it narrowed down to 3 options.  I may impulse shop tonight so I can have it for tomorrows ride.
• Job Things are good, things are bad.  When you work as a consultant, you don’t always get to pick the type of work you have.  I’ve just found out that I am going to be spending a lot of time in the next few months helping build a highway.  Boo.  Some potential good news may come from that, but I will wait and see before I say anything.  At the same time, I was able to meet and talk with a major developer in Tysons Corner yesterday.  I really dislike Tysons, it is a super auto-centric place with absolutely zero charm or character.  But after listening to this person, and seeing plans, I realize that people are trying to do the right thing in making it a walkable/livable space.  Of course, there are many different players, and all have different visions.  But I do think that things will get better (over the next 10-15 years anyways).
• But do I always want to do this?  Thats another one that keeps popping up in my head.  Parts of me are pulling me towards learning how to become a: farmer, brewer, or bicycle frame builder.  I think the concept of crafting something with care and passion is exciting.  Certainly I can do all of those things at home, but then they are hobbies, which take up already precious free time.  Why not do what you are passionate about for a living (this is not a pity story, I am often passionate about what I currently do).
• 2012 Goals!  I succeeded in meeting 2 goals last week.  Joining a gym (and the unstated goal of using it) and eating no cookies until Jan 25th.  Why was that a goal?  No specific reason, I like cookies, they are bad for me… so it was a willpower challenge.  Next up is vegetarian for 2 months.  I am amending this one for 2 reasons, a) I am trying to get myself to start a higher protein/lower carb diet compared to how I eat now, and b) it will be easier to succeed on that diet by allowing a limited (3-4 meals per week) amount of meat.  Also, the gym is hard when you actually try (compared to my old routine of 2-3 easier weight machines followed by 45 min on a stationary bike)  My muscles are sore!

So, there you go.

Coffeeneuring Ride No. 4 – Ebenezers Coffeehouse

A Ride recap for the 2011 Coffeeneuring 7 Challenge

Where: Ebenezers Coffeehouse, 201 F Street NE

When: October 16, 2011

Why: Coffee

Drinks: Espresso, medium

Eats: None

Distance: 2.73 miles

The Story:  With three weekends left in the Coffeeneuring Challenge and only 3 shops down, I knew that I would need to sneak in one opportunity this past weekend to have a chance of getting in a full 7 stops.  On saturday I rode in the Sea Gull Century, then on sunday morning Kate and I rode through Princess Anne - but the coffeeshop we had planned to visit was closed…

After maxing and relaxing on the Eastern Shore we headed back to Real World DC to do some grocery shopping, laundry and other life-job types of things to get ready for the week.

I decided that in the fading moments of daylight that I would head down to Ebenezers Coffeehouse a few blocks away to grab some espresso and at least complete one more challenge stop for the month.  Since it was such a short ride there I paired it with a quick trip to a local monument for my MonumentalDC series to get the necessary mileage.  I might actually be a little off on the mileage since I had to use my iphone GPS (which loves to cut corners off of streets) since I lost my cyclo-computer somewhere on the shore that morning. 

The espresso and the beautiful sky were a nice way to end the weekend and ease back into the real world.  This week has been a bear and it shows no sign of letting up just yet!  I’m getting worried about completing the challenge given my schedule ahead – but if not, c’est la vie!  There will always be more challenges ahead.

Sunday Evening Coffee

Coffeeneuring Ride No. 3 – Chinatown Coffee Co.

A Ride recap for the 2011 Coffeeneuring 7 Challenge

Where: Chinatown Coffee Co., 475 H Street NW

When: October 8, 2011

Why: For coffee and a bite to eat

Drinks: Coffee, black, small

Eats: Sesame bagel, not-toasted, cream cheese

Distance: 3.75 miles

The Story: We didn’t make it to an entirely new place this past weekend, but I am glad we made it for coffeeneuring at all!  The Chinatown Coffee Co. is a place that Kate has been before, and was recommended by our good friend and former roommate in Boston who frequented the shop during his time in DC.  The shop was sparsely decorated, which is fine by me, had lots of cute toddlers (fun to watch), and played a great mix of music at an entirely appropriate volume (not overwhelmingly loud, not so quiet you have to stop conversation to hear your favorite tune).

You can tell they take great pride in their coffee, even my regular no-frills drip coffee was tasty and satisfying.  My bagel with cream cheese on the other hand was a total bummer.  No option for toasting makes for an unhappy John.  The granola/yogurt mix had some rocking granola, but the yogurt was vanilla (not plain) and a bit overly sweet.   It was a nice quick trip, as we had to make it back home to shower and get ready for a Baltimore wedding.  To make it even more urgent, I needed to learn how to tie a bow-tie… not an easy task!  It came out well in the end, I got some compliments, so I may be a bow-tie convert. 

With 3 weekends left and 4 shops to go sounds like it should be a breeze – but we’ll be away all this coming weekend at the Seagull Century (and as I read the rules, a stop for coffee while riding in this event would not be allowed).  So that means 4 days for 4 trips – bad weather, the potential for visitors, etc, etc may all impact the ability to finish successfully.  I might even have to resort to a Starbucks or Dunkins run on sunday night this weekend to get a qualifying event.

Coffeeneuring Ride No. 3 - Chinatown Coffee Co.

Coffeeneuring Ride No. 2 – Azi’s Cafe

A Ride recap for the 2011 Coffeeneuring 7 Challenge

Where: Azi’s Cafe, 1336 9th Street NW

When: October 2, 2011

Why: For coffee, and also grocery shopping

Drinks: Coffee, black, small

Eats: Sesame bagel, toasted, cream cheese

Distance: 6.9 miles

The Story:  There is one thing you should know about my selection of future coffee shops – Kate and I like to try new places.  Now, that’s not to say that we don’t have favorite local businesses (Argonaut, Taylor Gourmet, etc), but life is boring if you stick with one place and don’t explore!

One of my resolutions for 2009 was to try 1 new restaurant, bar and shop with Kate each month.  I tracked them on a google map to see where we had been.  The rules were simple, avoid chain restaurants, we had to go together, neither could have been there before, purchases not necessary, but encouraged.  I still track every new spot we visit together for the first time, almost 3 years later.

So, after a bit of yelping, Kate decided that Azi’s Cafe in Shaw would be our coffee/breakfast destination on Sunday morning.  We could add it to our list, and it offered a great spot to sit, chat, and figure out what we want to make for dinner.  Azi’s, which according to my research opened in the spring of 2005 is a nice local Shaw business – and one we were happy to support.

The coffee was very tasty, breakfast not too bad either.  I wish we had ordered food that was a little more exciting, but an afternoon of baking was ahead, and I knew there would be many treats.

Afterwards we headed over to the Whole Foods to pick up supplies, where some friendly cyclists appreciated Kate’s knit U-lock sleeve, and inquired about what types of tours we do (or haven’t don’t YET). 

A great morning/afternoon together, in our new city (when will it feel like it’s not new to us? I guess 2.5 years), a new spot for our map, and ride No. 2 for the Coffeeneuring Challenge!

Azi's Cafe, Challenge Ride No. 2

Memorials in Washington DC

One of the cool things about living in Washington, D.C. is that there are so many historic monuments or commemorative installments. Everyone knows the big ones, Washington, Lincoln, FDR, Vietnam, etc. – but the National Capital Planning Commission just launched an interactive map with details about all of the memorials in the District – even the rediculously small ones (you havent visited the “Victims of Communism Memorial?).

Since I want to get to know DC better, I am going to plan on visiting every one of these memorials.  I’ll keep portajohn updated on the progress, and fill in some fun details as I explore.

UPDATE:  Track my visits to the monuments and memorials HERE.