Greetings from Raleigh, NC

I am in Raleigh,NC working on a technical manual. It's surprising that my boss even let me take a leave of absence considering how things are going back home, what with people leaving left and right. Today is my 3rd day and I'm starting to get used to the area and work climate somewhat. My 1st day was a bit of culture shock at the massive IBM building at RTP, where a lot of research and development happens. As my dad says, I'm in tall cotton and yes, it is overwhelming.
At lunch on the 1st day, I found myself sitting at a table with 3 men, one from Russia, the other from Australia, and the other from South Africa! We had BBQ from Danny's, pretty decent.
I am also seemingly surrounded by British accents and may be talking in one soon out of osmosis!

Speaking of overwhelming, the task at hand of writing 3 chapters in a 5 chapter book dealing with Features on Demand, a licensing key that offers system upgrades versus having to buy an extra piece of hardware. And I have to learn how to use Adobe Framemaker in the process. My coworker Michael has done 2 of these before so at least he has some experience that I can call upon.
This is all new to me and will be an experience in time management also since I'm so used to a structured environment.

I have been able two find a few bike trails so far so that has been good. Sleeping and eating well. Missing Renee and the girls. Can't wait to see them soon.

Allatoona Creek trail run race report

First year doing the Allatoona Creek race. Missed it last year because I had a duathlon on the same day. This course is sneakily difficult with the most challenging being the Mason's Bridge section. On a bike, it's easier and more fun because you can roll through all the dips but running through those is really tough. There aren't very many climbs and no big hills but that course is a grinder. There was a torrential rainfall a few days before the race so the first 3 miles was a mud run through open cross-country. I really liked this part though felt I got off to a slow start. Pacing is so difficult because I don't know how much energy I need to spare. Feet were wet out of the gate but it was no big deal. There's a twisted part of me that prefers adverse conditions. Went in to the singletrack section at Rusty Bucket and shuffled through twisty sections, not very fast through there. In fact, I felt leaden the entire race. I had ran the da...

The milk of human kindness isn't spoiled

Something wonderful is happening. I am being serious. For the past year or so I've been developing this sense of love and compassion for humanity. That sounds like a really broad, general statement but it's true. I'm becoming more perceptive of others and more forgiving. I believe we're all doing the best with the hand we're given. I use these words because I don't know how else to describe this very subtle feeling. It's a swelling in the heart and a sense of well-being and contentment. Some days it borders on joy. Sure, I still get irritated with nuisances like drivers when they tailgate me or cut me off in traffic but overall, I am developing something here. Maybe my soul is expanding. I'm beginning to feel as though I'm finally a part of the human race. In the past, I've felt so aloof and misanthropic so this is strange for me. I can't exactly pinpoint when it began. I wonder if it's just part of the maturation process but I hope...

Thoughts on Blanket's Crash

Past few times out on the bike my front wheel has washed out. The trail has been powdery/loose in both cases but I blame mostly my riding technique. It seems that instead of leaning, which one should do at high speed, I'm trying to turn the handlebars too much. It's discouraging because I feel my technique has advanced considerably over the past two years. I know experience is a great teacher but I can't help but feel like I'm regressing some here. Bad habits are hard to break. Common biking wisdom suggests that we crash on trails most familiar to us, perhaps because we are so casual and too loose. This one particular section I wiped out a few weeks ago on but it was more of a harmless 10-foot butt-slide that only ripped my shorts. Now I'm forced to convalesce and heal my wounds. My body probably needs a break anyway. Already looking forward to the next ride. I want the chance to ride the section smooth and fast with confidence. Until next time -J VMT crash

Mountain Bikes, Bass Guitar, and other stuff I like

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