this expresses my sentiments on cycling and the current tour de france. nothing signifies summer better than the most glorious of races through what can only be described as a vacation of pain. it causes wonderment in most who follow the sport and watch it constantly that athletes are able to accomplish such a race; and therefor it comes as little surprise that shortcuts are taken in order to obtain an advantage over both the race and one's body's limitations. the short of is it cycling is one of the few sports to take doping / performance enhancing / drug use seriously; and it has paid a frightening price of publicity, scorn, and humiliation. hopefully the sport will either be able to clean itself of its history of doping, or adopt a uniform code of prescribed enhancement.

for sports themselves, few things cause us to examine that which we find beautifully athletic and motivating. it is in this frame of mind that sporting agencies allow certain 'oversights' in the supposed enhancement of competition and entertainment ruse. if one takes athletics too seriously then all sorts of sordid complications arise; so i find it best to appreciate those sports you find beautiful and expect that there are always people who take shortcuts; because that is the nature of any situation that combines performance and money.

well - this week is certainly going by quite fast. super busy fun deadlines again at work.

of course i'll have 75-80% of my week in by the end of day today; which bodes well since i'm leaving for vacation tomorrow. ah, vacations - i don't really even recall what they entail or their meaning. i both long for adventure and a break in the rote week to week routine. of course, with all of the unusual rain and 'summer' excitement it has been difficult to establish a consistent routine.

i still have no idea of activities; and since i have never been to the actual northeast coast, i have no expectation of people or events. most assuredly fun will be had though. and hopefully a clam bake.

current happenings

so another fun weekend past.

a good friend left work and the current situation of chaos. management is slowly realizing that overworking an understaffed group on multiple rushed projects is not a wise move. hopefully they can make it through the current rapids and readdress the organizational structure that would allow more efficient project design and control. but that isn't really my place and i still search for an opportunity to utilize my finance skills; which necessitates a pseudo career change.

a great greenbelt hike (and swim) was undertaken on saturday - see the flikr page for impressive sights

the tour had two of its most exciting days yet sunday and yesterday. there's nothing quite like the two leaders attacking mano-y-mano up a hor category mountain.

i work continually and attempt to prepare for this week's vacation. perhaps i'll get a chance; perhaps i'll just end up in new york and be forced to relax.