Hubba Hubba Hubba

another week

2007-05-10T16:50:20Z

Thursday. had a 3 week slide, things were exceptionally challenging the last few weeks. Finally snapping out of it and things seem to be getting a little mellow.

The saying when it rains it pours always holds true in my life. Now understand most of these issues are self created and no way stand up to 'real major issues' as some people go through but when you're on the receiving end, it always seems like it sucks the worst.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other and not getting hung up in my own head seems to work.

On another note, got a few more photo gigs coming up, a graduation at UC berkeley, a marathon and some corporate party. All pays well and that's cool.

I have been itchin to do a road trip. Looking back, I had a blast down in Redlands shooting that bike race, I'd love to take a few days off and go somewhere....anywhere.

tuesday in april

2007-04-10T16:19:04Z

OK, so things have been more than busy to say the least. since returning from Socal I've been running at 110% day and night. a few down days this week and then off to Sea Otter for some more photo taking.

generating a little buzz with some of the work from redlands and hopefully continue it through the year, perhaps even get paid for some of it. did a corporate job last week which earned me several hundred dollars which was very nice, only if those came around more often.

at work, again looking for another day job since the joy of this one has worn off and quick!

Monday

2007-04-02T21:38:19Z

OK, so it was bound to happen, I am sick of this f*cking job. Man, I am working harder than I have in the last 10 years and getting paid the same as when I was working in High School. this sucks.

Took the job to have the flexibility to do the photography business but seems like every day they are squeezing me harding to do more shit. Almost like they know I'll probably leave soon and they need to get as much outta me as possible.

Well, I'm trying to juggle this job, starting a business and just life in general OK now but I am sorta getting a little fed up.

I have a huge photo gig at a big corporation this week. It'll pay me more in 2 hours then what I'll make in a week and a half here.

How you doin'?

wed

2007-03-21T16:55:41Z

so I'm working but thinking about the trip down to SoCal. Pretty nervous but excited at the same time. Big break, hope everything turns out well. leaving the Bay Area around 10 pm and will sack out in my car when I'm tired, get to the site, sleep for another hour or so and then shoot the race, back to the hotel and sleep.

I love road trips.

Tuesday

2007-03-20T17:42:41Z

Raining like crazy today, got spoiled from the nice weather we were having the last week or so. Supposed to clear by the afternoon and be nice the rest of the week.

Had a good morning and feeling good. just when i thought the photo shoot was dead I got an email this morning saying that they were still interested. Waiting for the phone call and see if we can hammer out a deal.

If we can, I'll leave early (4 am) and drive down to SoCal to cover the race.

Anyone live in the Redlands area? Any info would be handy.

It's Monday

2007-03-19T18:38:00Z

had a pretty good weekend. Lotsa people coming over for a BBQ, the weather was really nice, good times and no monkey business.

Did a ton of garden work on Sunday, relaxed and worked on a few computers for friends.

Been trying to work a deal to cover a huge cycling event in SoCal but it looks like it is falling through. I needed the money and would have loved to go. If I hear nothing by the end of the day I guess it's a dead deal. Perhaps it's better...hell no, I would have loved to go!

here are a few photos from 2 weeks ago. Some of the shots came out OK. http://larryrosa.com/mclanePRO/

At work, it's slow and I can't keep from daydreaming. Anyone care to chat? I have some free time.

38 today

2007-03-16T18:55:19Z

feeling good and having a good day. at work, the place downstairs has music for St. Paddy day and it's blaring through the floor, at least it's good.

Said goodbye to an old friend, he's picking up and moving to Honduras. This guy never seems to be able to stay in one place...he's lived all over and now thinks he will find that pot of gold down in Central America, I wish him the best.

Spoke last night and hopefully said something that someone could use and find hope in.

until next time.

thursday

2007-03-15T18:16:20Z

good day so far. working a deal to cover the Redlands Stage Race. Could be good money and a fantastic opportunity to get some really good photographs not to mention get my name out there.

Need to figure out what to charge them and how to get the time of my day job to do this.

Birthday is tomorrow. Last year this time I was a bit crazy the day before and ended up getting a little insane.

Speaking tonight at a big meeting with should go well, I hope.

another fine day

2007-03-14T18:36:24Z

things are going well today....the train was a little delayed but got to work fairly ontime.

getting ready to celebrate another birthday. another year gone by....I think this year will be a better one than the last few.

gotta post some new photos.

how's everyone doing?

back online

2007-03-13T18:54:01Z

well, i took a few months off and now I'm back working and back online. Hope all is well with all the people that I've talked to the last few years via live journal.

a little update....still in the webdevelopement/design field, doing a lot of photography, still riding and feeling good.

OK now

2006-10-12T21:53:06Z

Haven't been here in ages. Been crazy as hell the last month or so. In and out of being grounded. Oh well, that's life.

I did end up getting laid off. There are about 10 of us going out.

Today was an OK day, got a little irritable and crazy around lunch.

I ended up calling someone that I had emailed and corresponded with for a long time but never spoke to.

It saved me.

Thanks for talking to me and I hope things go easier with you.

You are a very kind person.

Monday

2006-08-28T20:05:01Z

first day back at work feels good to be out of bed and not so damn sick. The weekend was OK, relaxed a lot, went through my computer and tried to organize the gazillion photos that I have taken over the last few years. There must be about 3 or 4 hundred thousand! I have 2 hardrives of 300+ Gigs almost filled with photos.

got a few more of my buddy toby. I like this little guy.

budhooker @ 2006-08-25T11:34:00

2006-08-25T18:34:55Z

OK, so I have returned.

Things have been a wee bit crazy the last few weeks but I have landed and back on track moving forward.

No need to go into gory details of the drama that had unfolded but for those in the know or who have been there themselves, I am back.

Learned some hard painful lessions but in the end it was something that needed to be done. I have learned a lot.

A new pal has joined me. photos are below.

Only have one more session to finish the back work, it's been about 10 hours so far a little longer than I thought.

I get my PINK slip on Sept 25 and then will have 4 more weeks of work and then the 8 year run at my place of employment will come to an end. what to do what to do.

until later,

adios'

My new pal Toby

First bath

BACK from NY

2006-08-02T17:18:29Z

Well, I surived.

It was HOT. It was humid.

I had a good time. Although, I know I'll NEVER live in NY ever again, that I am a West Coast person.

I pace, the mind set of the NY area is not for me. The food is great and I sure ate my fair share of just about everything. Lobster, crabs, pasta, pizza, Nathan's, Carvel, bagels, assorted salads, BBQ, heros, more pizza, baked ziti, chicken parm, black n white cookies, garlic knots, lox, bagels and then some more stuff that I just can't remember.

Spent 4 days in Maryland. It was even more humid down there but spent most of the time in the pool and on a boat.

Back at work trying to keep myself busy.

Another Wednesday

2006-07-12T18:48:59Z

Up at 4:30 am, watching the Tour, yeah, I'm a bike geek. I'm really excited for tomorrow's stage. starts at 3:30 am. jeez, but it'll be worth it!

Work totally sucks but the end is near. Looks like we'll get our notifications at the end of August. Then they'll give us a few weeks to let it sink in and then throw us to the curb.

Fuck 'em.

I'm almost glad, I need a change and look forward to doing something different. Anyone reading this a teacher? if so, let me know what you think. I want to keep all my options open.

Time for lunch.

more racing

2006-06-30T18:12:30Z

FAST FAST and MORE FAST.

Starting early in the morning with the Cat 4's there was
blazing speed and intensity that continuously rachetted up as the day wound forward. With each passing race the field grew larger with each rider being more and more determined to win. Burlingame was a typical criterium. Its seven tenths of a mile loop was the course for the multiple categories of races lasting forty minutes and one sixty minute race of Pro level Men. The loop was composed of three sharp 90 degree turns, one left 90 and a wider sprawling turn the opens up to the straight sprint finish. Like most criteriums the Burlingame race required superior handling skills as well as endurance. Each sharp turn itself presented a decent challenge (at speed), now throw in between 70-100 other hungry competitors and you've got yourself in the middle of a organized melee.

The sound of clicking freewheels and the shock absorbing clanks of
carbon fiber hauling over brick and paved bumps in the road mixed with the grunts of effort and shouts of commentary from within the peloton hinted at the fact that while this is a competition, the peloton works as a fluid group. And when the group is not cohesive, the results are catastrophic. As was seen here at Burlingame and which is present in most criteriums, one unexpected move or err in handling yields crashes. Some were slight, minor mishaps. Others were destructive season ending entanglements involving five or more racers.

Rides

2006-06-30T18:01:24Z

So, here is a write up for the ride I did on Wednesday.

For cyclists, hikers and outdoors people alike, Diablo represents 3849 feet of climbing, through sometimes desert-like conditions, past low growing desert vegetation and red clay type soils. Diablo challenges even the strongest cyclists to nearly 15 miles of climbing, with the last 1000 feet of road guaranteeing an out-of-the-saddle effort. The road to the top lays rings around the mountain and switches back and forth maddenly to ramp up the 3849 feet to the summit. Looking back over where you've been you see miles of twisty vining road far down below and trailing off, for seems an infinite distance. Each wrap around Diablo gives you a new viewpoint for which to scope the vast valleys surrounding the mountain. Your reward for having suffered enough to climb all 46,188 inches of Diablo is a view that is said to encompass 60% of California. However, your final reward is to then turn around and rocket down all 3849 white-knuckling feet at speeds only limited by your ability to stay on the road.

spinning out of Morgan Territory past the last rolling foothills
you realize that it is this untapped and unruffled beauty that makes
Morgan such a hidden gem. And what better way to observe that natural phenomenon then on a bike

Friday - Holiday Weekend

2006-06-30T16:37:21Z

So...my buddy from NY is in town. Took him riding on Wednesday. He held up pretty good. We did about 80 miles, 7000 feet of climbing in under 7 hours. It was HOT. I think most of the day is was mid 90s.

Getting ready to ride tomorrow up to Mt. Hamilton. Another 20 mile climb, 4000+ feet of climbing, 321 switchbacks.

then, it's easy time for the next few days.

Finished stage II of the tattoo. Came out very well. I'll take some photos over the weekend.

How you doin?

Thursday

2006-06-22T15:21:58Z

Down the home stretch. Short day today. Getting mentally ready for the weekend. LOTS of cycling coming up in the next 8 days.

Saturday is the road race. I am pretty amped to do this.

2 Loops

Should be painful. Starting out at the Coast climbing Stage Rd

Then into the hills, up and up and up, finally reaching the 2 mile climb before decending and doing it all again.

Downhill SPEED!

The weather says HEAVY fog on the coast which means it could be wet and cold. I guess a nice break from the 100+ temps we're having now.

Well, time for some coffee and head up to watch some USA soccer!

WED NES DAY

2006-06-21T20:39:56Z

Having a good day. Woke up well, ate breakfast, felt rested, put the bike on the car and was ready to start the day. 2 young boys were biking by my house, we said hello and the older brother asked me "Hey mister, can you help my brother, he crashed and is hurt"

Of course. Anything for a fellow cyclist no matter how young or old. I would have helped even if they were on foot....

The younger brother turned around to look at his brother and hit a car tearing off his pinky nail on his hand. The kid must have been about 7.
He was in agonizing pain. I know that pain, I have done that before. Fuck that hurts.

cleaned him up, gave him some pep talk and got him back on the bike like a trooper being sent back into battle.

Made me feel good. I was thinking I'm in the wrong line of work. I enjoy being helpful and useful but not in the IT sense of it.

Any teachers out there? Is it a worthwhile profession? I know the pay sucks but I'd be willing to bite the bullet.

I wouldn't mind working with special education but don't know if I could swallow the lack of coin coming in while i was in school.

what to do what to do.

Only another 5 hours to kill at this place.

A few days until my races this weekend. Feeling pretty good. Hopefully I'll do OK.

--------------------------

I wrote this for a friends cycling blog

1/06: PUNISHMENT AWAITS
Every so often I have the opportunity to share the joy of cycling on the West Coast with my friends that live far far away.

I had such a joyous occasion last year. My good pal Dan arrived with bike in tow and for a week I proceeded to show the splendors of Northern California.

We have kept in touch always planning the 'Next Big Trip"

Since Dan had the good fortune of whetting his pallet with the pavement that rolled through the hills, to the coast and around the Bay, this year when I was notified that another journey to the West was planned I knew that I had to 'out do' myself this time.

This virgin cycling out west was coddled and looked after on the long climbs. Allowed to 'sit in' & 'suck wheels' on the flats ensuring that these hours on the bike would be memorable.

Jump forward a year.

With several months of smack talk from my East Coast I knew that I had to plan several rides that would send him back to the flat lands of Long Island whimpering, begging to ride on the Long Beach Board walk. Some place that had zero elevation and that he could feel better about himself zipping by the seniors in there 3 wheel cycles treks.

Being fair, I have to complete a brutal road race on Saturday. With several thousand feet of climbing and all but NONE flat sections. Ending on a steep 2 mile climb.

After I suffer through this I am up at 5 am the next day where I am entered in 2 blistering fast criteriums, the first starting at 7 am and then the next at 9:30.

We are setting up a teammate for the win and this is a big race for the team.

So, when my Nassau County buddy arrives I would have had my lower half shredded and worked over.

Monday being a day of rest, Tuesday is going to be a respectable ride to loosen the legs.

Wednesday will be the day where I finally bring the man of elevation of zero to dizzying heights of over 4 thousand feet of climbing.

From the 3,849 foot summit - you can see from Marin to Modesto - a large part of Northern California from atop the summit

HIT ME! - DIABLO

Descending on the back side of the mountain we will head out into the remote hills of Morgan Territory. The 14.5 mile Morgan Territory Road, one of the most beautiful roads in the San Francisco East Bay. Here we will need to ascend the thousand foot climb and then be on the South East side of the mountain we had summit earlier in the day.

Morgan Territory

Sandstone hills within the park's 4,147 acres are adorned in spring with more than 90 species of wildflowers, including the Diablo sunflower (Helianthella castanea), which grows only in the foothills of Mount Diablo. Deer, coyote and even the elusive mountain lion may be seen here, and a variety of raptors frequently soar overhead.

Circumventing the mountain, we'll arrive back at the starting point. With good intention I fully expect our New Yorker to dribble out of his mouth "NO MAS"

Thursday, I will allow for some rest and easy spinning and on Friday might have him climb Mt. Hamilton with me where the home of Lick Observatory is. Mt Hamilton is approx. 4,209 ft. A link for the readers to fully enjoy what is in store for our friend. http://www.chainreaction.com/mthamilton.htm

Summit of Mt. Hamilton

At 4200ft+, it is the tallest peak in the Bay Area, eclipsing Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais and Loma Prieta. And, at 18 miles, it's also the longest (although the climb is punctuated by two descents of approximately a mile each).

Mt. Hamilton

On Saturday, if he brings his MTB pedals I'll take him on a local MTB ride through lake chabot.

We'll play it by ear from there.....

Either he'll become a chiseled, hardened cyclist or a pile of limp wet noodles begging for the Cedar Creek bike trail.

---------------------------------

More info on the rides

Remote and lonely is often the description associated with Morgan Territory.

According to Native American folklore, at the dawn of time, Tuyshtak (today's Mount Diablo) was the sacred birthplace of the world.

READ MORE

Morgan Territory Road
The 14.5 mile Morgan Territory Road, one of the most beautiful roads in the San Francisco East Bay, stretches from Manning Road north of Livermore to Marsh Creek Road east of Clayton, at times a single lane wide—for ten miles there is no center line—and without a single intersecting through road. It began as a muddy wagon track linking ranches in the Black Hills and east of Mount Diablo. The northern slope of the road largely follows Marsh Creek. The northern part of the road was officially accepted by Contra Costa County in 1886 and designated “Morgan Road” in 1892.

After realignment the southern section was accepted by the County as a public highway in 1895. A short southern section in Alameda County was designated “Beck Road” in 1907 for John Beck, a nearby landowner and for some years the through road south was Finley Road. The southern section rises from the 600’ contour to 2,063’ at the summit. A quarter mile section with a 14% grade is known as “the Levy” for early landowner Samuel Levy, who owned the adjoining property. A “summer road” until 1937 the southern road section was graveled from Manning to the Levy; locals called it the “Black Hills Road.” The northern section from the last creek bridge north was graveled in the 1930s. The road was paved in the 1950s. Bowerman (1944) shows the road as the “Livermore Road” according to historian Annie Homan.

how easy it is

2006-06-20T20:55:39Z

How easy it is for this so call employment to suck the life out of me.

Woke up chipper and soon, as the hours dripped by my mood soured quicker than a carton of milk in the hot june sun.

ok nuff with the overly descriptive prose.

been looking for a new job. don't think I'll wait until I get my walking papers.

Have a meeting to go to in about 15 min. another hour of my life I'll never get back.

I am really happy for a friend who was accepted to a school out here and will be bringing herself and her bike out. Smart move, you won't regret it. well, maybe you will but you can't blame me.

Looking forward to those 2 days of racing this weekend.

ok, time to enter into the torture room.

A Monday

2006-06-19T21:49:49Z

So I dropped the folks off at the airport this morning. A good trip I must say, one of the better. I guess in both of our old ages we've mellowed a bit. Not one, I MEAN NOT ONE fight or dispute. Once it came close but for the most part it was a mellow trip.

I kept them very busy and maybe I had them at the point of worn out and they had no energy to get under my skin or perhaps I was in the mood to see them. It's been quite awhile since I have seen them and it was fun.

I took them to the track and had them watch me race. I wish I could have done better. I totally sucked and of course my folks were just happy to see there little boy having fun.

Still having fun only goes so far. I ride my ass off and still haven't gotten over the hump but I guess for now, having fun will have to suffice.

another dragger here at work. most likely I'll head to the gym in a bit.

Thursday - It's my Friday

2006-06-15T15:39:01Z

I have family coming into town from NY today. I am taking tomorrow off. Looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Yeah right.

Going to race the track on Sunday. Looking forward to finally doing something at the track. Been feeling pretty good on the bike.

Minor earthquake this morning, didn't feel it. Oh well.

Wondering when my pink slip is going to come. Should I start cleaning out my cube?

Next weekend is 2 days of racing. Saturday is a killer road race on Sunday a criterium.

Sat. profile Spectacular 28-mile loop through coastal dunes and redwood groves consisting of Stage Rd., Hwy 84 and Pescadero Rd. 1500' of climbing per lap including the epic Haskin's Hill grade. Start with promenade from the High School to Pescadero town center. Then, wind up for the first sprint prime before the first climb on Stage Rd. Use caution on the steep and twisty descents.

and on Sunday a fast, technical course: three tight 90's, one left 90, and one wild sweeper leading into the finish straight. Excellent pavement and smooth brick.

check out the course
http://www.burlingamecriterium.com/images/BurlingameVideo.mov

wish me luck!

MONDAY

2006-06-12T20:19:16Z

decent weekend. shitty day at the races. Pink slips are being handed out at work....just waiting for mine. corportate fuckers...

FRIDAY

2006-06-09T20:01:28Z

The end of the week is a beautiful thing. The grind has come to an end or at least there is a 2 day respite until the Monday morning comes around and we do it all over again.

There are dark clouds on the horizon here and the word around the cooler is that in a few months (end of summer) that our heads will be on the chopping block.

Fine with me. I have had all I could take. Time to do something else.

Being that I haven't lost that little bit of weight, underware model is still on hold.

Is anyone that reads this a teacher? I have thought about that.