Fauquier Trails' Great Pumpkin Ride

Jania and I participated in this fantastic 115 km fall event held by the Fauquier Trails Coalition, the Great Pumpkin Ride. Overall, I'd say we had a great time. The weather reached the 70's. Jania's legs didn't cramp up. We were fed every type of pumpkinized food and drink possible. And best of all, we finished. Move over metric centuries! We're ready for the real ones (as long as they're over generally flat terrain)! Photos.

Shenandoah Valley Heritage Ride

Ahh, the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley. They can be strenuous at times, but rewarding nonetheless. June 3rd was a perfect day in the valley for cycling, and we were joined by a couple hundred other enthusiasts. The participants fell into two categories: those who wholly supported the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley and those who were looking for a good springtime Virginia endurance ride. Admittedly, I didn't even know of the BGCNSV existed until we signed up for it. I'm glad we participated! The event was very well-organized, with rest stops stocked full of refreshments and policemen and volunteers patrolling the 70-mile loop to help with flats or injuries. It's only their 5th year holding the Shenandoah Valley Heritage Ride, but I'm already looking forward to the next one. Photos...

 

Ai Se Eu Te Pego

Our recent trip to Playa del Carmen went as planned: debauchery, tomfoolery, a crazy good time. This is the second detsination wedding I've attended in as many years, and I'm lovin' em! I partied with some old friends and met some new (international) ones. Jania and I did not return without an abundance of pictures. I'm talking a whole sloppy mess of digital memories that we had to sort through. I complied a video preview slideshow montage of some of the best. And however crude the video may be, I believe it wholly captures the essence of our trip and it really gives those who weren't there a pretty good idea of what they missed!

Shreddin' da Gnar at Coon Goon

This past weekend almost felt like a social experiment. The ingredients: friends, acquaintances, strangers, immeasurable amounts of alcohol, and junk food. The setting: a charming lake cabin surrounded by snow. The result: equal parts epic and legendary. The strangers became acquaintances. Acquaintances became friends. Friends became balls-out butt-buddies. Sneaky (and not-so-sneaky) ninjas picked locks using plastic forks. A drunk girl was stacked on a coffee table that was stacked on a passed-out drunk dude. Naked ninja rolls and baseballs slides were performed in the snow.

A cave of wonders (the wonders being two nipples and chest hair). Christmas ornament earrings for men. Tattoos. Creeps. Pickles. 'Qream with a Q with Q.' Solo Cup Shoes. Blue Moon Boots. Tickle wars. Chicken nugget meatball pizzas. Dat shit cray.

This all happened because four lovely girls decided to be born around the same time. Cheers and happy birthday to Sooryun, Soojin, Val, and Tara. What a splendid way to jumpstart 2012.

Washington Wizards: A Season Of Futility In The Nose-Bleeds May Actually Cause A Bleeding Nose

When the NBA announced that it would in fact hold a shortened schedule, my brother and I decided to become first-year Wizards season ticket holders. Since I've never had season tickets, it was quite exciting. It's been a roller coaster, to say the least; a roller coaster that only goes down, goes really slow, and feels frustratingly discombobulated. The Wizards got their first win against the Raptors, and that felt good.

Note that the pictures below are taken from Section 413, Row B, so I'm quite a ways away from the action. That said, I experimented with my Minolta 100-300mm Zoom xi (f/5.6 max aperature at 300mm) and the Minolta beercan 70-210mm f/4.

2011: Year in Review

2011 is over, and the most fitting way to pay homage to such a year is through imagery. Dewey Beach, Vegas, NYC, Chicago, Bermuda, Harrisonburg, DC--all fun times and lasting memories. Enjoy.

I've also posted some favorites from 2010 here for your viewing pleasure.

Welcoming 2012 In Atlantic City

Gamble. Eat. Gamble. Sleep (at 5am). Rinse and repeat. Sprinkle some shopping, drinking, and partying and that pretty much sums up our NYE weekend in AC. We stayed at Wyndham Skyline Towers for 3 nights, and pinballed between Trump Plaza, Borgata, Caesars, etc. We spent the last moments of 2011 at the Chelsea, where we witnessed the early stages of a riot, several scrappy catfights, and plenty of inappropriately-dressed partiers. I happened to get out of 2011 a winner on the craps table, but I hastily gave it all back (plus some) on January 1, 2012. That being said, 2012 can only get better!