I didn’t seem to learn anything from my poor performances on the bike recently so I decided to mow the lawn tonight. I hadn’t mowed it since the day before my parents flew in from Ohio (about a month ago) becuase I had been way to sick. Amy’s Dad, Hugh, helped out big time on last Tuesday by mowing it for me but the grass was so long that he had to raise the wheels as high as they could go. So even though it had just been mowed about 6 days ago, it badly needed it again.

I started a little after 5 pm and ended around 9. And now I’m seriously paying for it. My throat has completely seized up preventing me from talking much and I few absolutely miserable. Such a dumb ass I am. I better get feeling better quick though becuase I can’t take any more time off without taking a leave of absence without pay. Even if they didn’t fire me, I couldn’t because all of my savings went into the house. I’ve started saving again but have less than $1,300. So the heat is definitely on.

Despite still having a persistent cough (especially at night) I thought I felt good enough to get back on the bike. I think I was wrong. I did about 15 miles yesterday which took over an hour and couldn’t even make it 10 today. I have absolutely no strength and every breath feels like it was obtained through just one nostil and processed but 1/8th of a lung.

I realize I was sick and all but for almost four weeks? Come on. My only hope is that my lungs are still recovering and that it will take me a while to come around.

If you’ve been wondering why I haven’t been posting much or returning your e-mails promptly, it’s not because I don’t like you but because I have been incredibly busy. The past 30 days were probably the busiest in my life with a new job change (9 interviews, 3 offers and one acceptance), a new home, the complete overhaul of my bike. I just now took a breath.

Now, a word about the new digs. No, the place is not near as nice as the homes of my siblings but I also don’t make anywhere near as much as they do (please refrain from the education lecture e-mails, thanks) and this will do as a starter. In fact, the only way we could afford this was because it’s in Fall City, WA which is about 20 minutes east of Seattle in the Cascade foothills.

(click for a larger image)

I may have an extra 15 minutes added to my commute but the riding out here is awesome. The are many miles of flat road since it’s in the valley and if I want hills, I can climb up to the Sammamish Plateau or Snoqualmie Ridge. It’s very quiet (not a single fast food or grocery store within 10 minutes) and the traffic is non-existent.

Here are some pics (click on a thumbnail for a much larger image):