Busy weekend. Out to Homer Glen on Friday night, hung out with the families, then Saturday morning left Lucy with the grandparents-in-law and Rafi and Ella and did the Hell Run with Sania, Gabe and Tracy. A little different since it took place at a equine race track. But lots of mud pits, or giant mud puddles to do cannonballs into. Gabe and Sania were smart enough to get a couple disposable waterproof cameras to use, although we lost one and the pictures from the other one didn't turn out that well. But first time running in who knows how long. Ends up biking didn't prepare myself for any sort of non biking physical activity. Ended up being sore for 3 days. That full body, post first ultimate tourney, soreness. Where it's sore when you're breathing. Then after that, went to McDonald's for lunch and met up with the kids and grandparents, enjoying the Playland. Then had to clean up for rehearsal, then dinner at Wishbone. Then home. Then out to breakfast and playground before nap and heading out for the wedding and some practice time for Lucy to walk down the aisle as a flower girl. Bribed with fruit treats at the end of the aisle, and all that practice worked. No crying when she did walk it with Ella. Then watching the kids play during the ceremony, then photos, then reception. A very late night for Lucy, not in bed until 10:30pm. Monday stayed in since Lucy was running a fever, and ended up staying home with her yesterday since she still had a fever, and we can't send her to school with a fever. But she's better today and back at school. Rode the Sprint in today, since I don't have fenders yet for the Pacer. Just ordered though. Slower going, but much more relaxing.

I really need to get foursquare Storytlr integration working again. Hard to figure out what I've been doing since my last update. Got more goodies for my Surly Pacer. Put the Brooks leather handlebar tape on Friday night. Tried out the Berthoud Stainless Steel fenders, but I think I should get the bike shop to install those. Still trying to figure out how to do a quick release on the Carradice Barley. Got a nice leather shoulder strap to somewhat match the bag. Better than a black nylon one. Really really want to get out on a long ride with it soon, hopefully before the North Shore Century in a couple weeks. Would be a smart move I think. Green City Market on Saturday before hitting up the Lakeview East Festival of the Arts with their awesome park on Broadway right around Roscoe. They had a bunch of sod covered berms, as well as a couple sandboxes, which Lucy got to play in. Tracy worked at COEP Saturday night, so Lucy and I hit up some more playgrounds after her nap, and ran into Nathan Pavlik with his wife and kid at one. Small world. More playgrounds on Sunday, but since Tracy worked from home, went to the Nettlehorst playground through the Arts Festival again on the way to Frog N Snail for dinner. Finally got some shaving gel, as I was going on 2+ days past my shaving schedule. I actually saw a gray whisker growing. I'm an old man.

So Apple announced the iPhone 5 yesterday, at It's almost here (September 12, 2012) Apple Event. As usual, I did a pseudo live blog for myself. I think I'm resigned to the fact that I'm on the off year upgrade schedule, as I checked and Tracy and I aren't eligible for upgrade pricing until May, and our contract actually runs until October. But more and more I'm thinking we should switch to Verizon. Getting tired of not being able to use things because AT&T won't let us. For example, I'm still waiting on Hot Spot Tethering to my iPad with LTE. Would be much more useful if it could. Would be looking forward to FaceTimeing over cellular with iOS 6 in a week, but that's not going to happen without switching data plans. Also tired of not actually having data service with my iPhone 4S at various times in downtown Chicago. So maybe in a year we'll be switching providers. Or, maybe, in a year, there'll be a better/simpler data provider for mobile devices. Sure would be nice. Anyway, things I like about the iPhone 5? LTE, 802.11n 5GHz. Yeah, that's about it. Panorama and Share Photo Streams I get with iOS 6 next week. New iPod Touches look cool. Not sure what for, since I have an iPhone, but still cool. I do like how Apple had the website up and running with info after the event, not like Amazon's kindle event last week, where after the event I kept seeing old Kindle's and Fire's. Disappointed they didn't name it the new iPhone.

Am I a real bike rider now? I did a short run up Sheridan road on Saturday afternoon. I think that might make me a roadie. Or wannabe roadie. Oh well. I'm slightly older schooled, no lycra, instead wool, no clipless, instead cages, a bigger Carradice saddlebag. Only 27 miles or so, just a 2 hour scouting trip during Lucy's nap, to find out how to get to Dawes Park for the North Shore Century on Sunday with Russell and crew. Excited. Doing at least 50 miles, plus the 7 or so to get there each way. Hoping it turns out well and I find myself in Wisconsin at some point. Would make me happy. Bought a real helmet on Sunday out at REI. And gloves. Forgot about water bottles, so ordered those online today. Yeah, going a little overboard with everything, but seriously, at least 2 hour bike rides on the weekends are in store for me at least from here on out. Went to Roti for dinner after a playground visit after REI. Sunday morning went to 2 Sparrows finally with my parents. Good, but Lucy didn't stay seated for the meal, so couldn't really eat. I thought the pop tarts and donuts and cinnamon rolls were good. Too much food though. Saturday went to Green City Market as usual and that afternoon went to Chipotle Cultivate festival, where we had too spicy food. Ended up at Adobo Grill for dinner. Really looking forward to the open road this weekend.

I guess I am a real biker. Err, cyclist. Whatever. Busy long weekend. Went to Chula Vista in the Wisconsin Dells with my parents on Wednesday night-Friday morning. They wanted to bring Lucy to the indoor water park, and she had a blast. So thanks to the parents. Drive up was uneventful. Surprised at how I only had an Edge signal well into Wisconsin. That made things interesting when I rely on it for navigation. But was able to get there eventually. I did manage to update my iPhone 4S to iOS 6 that day, and had no problems with the Maps app. Waterpark was fun, if a little cold. Lucy could only really go for about an hour or so before her lips started turning blue. Probably shouldn't have put her on one of the bigger water slides on the big adult playground part, but she loved the toddler pool and slide. Also spent a lot of time in the lazy river part too, since that had the warmest water. She actually had a nap time on Thursday, and then went for more waterpark time, then some arcade action (my mom had a voucher for free tokens). Then my parents were nicer and took care of Lucy while Tracy and I had a nice dinner at Kaminski Bros. Chop House, which was really good, with ginormous portions. And even nicer, they took Lucy home with them Friday after lunch at Buffalo Phil's Pizza & Grill, which served food via trains. Friday night Tracy and I barely made it home in time to make it to reservations at Maude's Liquor Bar. Tracy really like the cassoulet there. Saturday went to IHOP for breakfast, then I got a Yakima Boa bike rack system for the Xtracycle and went to The Pony Shop to pick up Russell's bike and truck it down to Wicker Park. That was fun, and awesome. And another great use of the Xtracycle. Carbo loaded with food from Pasta Palazzo. Sunday did 62 miles of the North Shore Century with Russell, Bjorn, Hales, and Chuck. First group ride, and tons of fun. Felt great up until I had to do the 8 mile ride home from Evanston. Picked up a little snack from White Castle on the way home. Then met up with the guys for dinner at Lillie Q's, before finishing up the football game at Bjorn, Carlo, Akira and other's place where Russell was staying. Good times. Pretty tired still though. Happy with my bike, and the recovery ride down the Lake Front Path this morning. Except that it was cold out.

Quads have felt sore all week. Didn't really start going slower on the bike until Wednesday heading home. Or maybe it was Thursday morning heading in. Got a couple more pieces for my biking gear/apparel/stuff. I think the only thing I have left is maybe some commuting shorts/pants. And maybe some knee warmers. I'm beginning to realize the benefits of knickers though. But not sure if I can go ahead and make the leap and buy some, instead of just rolling up my pant legs. We'll see. I'm already a convert to chamois and bibs and jerseys, especially jersey pockets. Those are amazing. I did get my Revolights this week, although I have yet to put them on. Maybe this weekend. Also have to put the fenders on. Don't think I can put kick stand on it, but I'll have to try it out to see. Started watching Fringe. Not really all that excited about the new fall TV season. Kind of tired of broadcast/serial shows. Much easier to just plow through seasons on Netflix or purchased seasons from iTunes.