Not that this should come as a surprise to anyone but I think it's pretty awesome that Slipstream will be racing in my personal favorite of the Grand Tours.
And since the same folks also bring you Milan-San Remo and Tirreno-Adriatico. There should be lots of opportunity for Phil LIggett to talk about the guys in Argyle on World Cycling DVDs next year.
And just in case you hadn't seen it, ESPN had a pretty good feature on the boys as well
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
maybe the library is the way to go
December was a good month for getting some reading done. January has been so far but somehow I don't think it will continue
Books finished/read in December:
Discipline - Paco Ahlgren
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
I am Legend - Richard Matheson
Siddhartha - Herman Hesse
Books Read in January:
The Man in the High Castle - Phillip K. Dick (from 4 Novels from the 1960s)
Books Currently Reading:
Tour de Life - Saul Raisin w/ Dave Shields
Fugitives and Refugees - Chuck Pahlaniuk
Essays - George Orwell
Books on Deck:
Phillip K. Dick - the Rest of 4 Novels of the 1960s
Rant - Chuck Pahlaniuk
High Fidelity - Nick Horby
Other Items Read/Reading:
Rouleur Issue Seven (Subscription was one of my fav xmas gifts)
Believer Issue 50 (just got my last issue in the mail-no good)
Books finished/read in December:
Discipline - Paco Ahlgren
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
I am Legend - Richard Matheson
Siddhartha - Herman Hesse
Books Read in January:
The Man in the High Castle - Phillip K. Dick (from 4 Novels from the 1960s)
Books Currently Reading:
Tour de Life - Saul Raisin w/ Dave Shields
Fugitives and Refugees - Chuck Pahlaniuk
Essays - George Orwell
Books on Deck:
Phillip K. Dick - the Rest of 4 Novels of the 1960s
Rant - Chuck Pahlaniuk
High Fidelity - Nick Horby
Other Items Read/Reading:
Rouleur Issue Seven (Subscription was one of my fav xmas gifts)
Believer Issue 50 (just got my last issue in the mail-no good)
Friday, January 11, 2008
New Year's resolutions and such
well I am a little late with this but thought I would finally get around to looking ahead to the coming year and my goals for it.
Biking - I initially wanted to increase my yearly miles to 2000, but with all that I will have going on this year with full time school and my little internship/volunteer opp that I am involved in I think I will need to work to achieve my total from '07. So my goal this year is 1500 miles.
School - I am now enrolled in the UofM and hope t be admitted to Carlson for Fall semester to pursue my marketing degree. This will be a huge focus in the next couple of months as I acclimate to a new school and submit my application to transfer into the school that has been my focus for the past 2 years. It should be fairly intense as I am planning on going to summer school the next two years for practically non-stop school so that I can graduate by the end of '09
Nature Valley Grand Prix - The volunteer opp I mentioned above is helping with the marketing of the NVGP, so I hope to be successful and not make a fool of myself. Nothing is set in stone but I believe I know what I will be doing and it should be pretty fun and exciting so more to come.
Beyond those 3 things I just want to make sure I save some time to be with my family and hopefully travel a little (cross my fingers, I am hoping to be in DC for my birthday and the CSC invitational).
Biking - I initially wanted to increase my yearly miles to 2000, but with all that I will have going on this year with full time school and my little internship/volunteer opp that I am involved in I think I will need to work to achieve my total from '07. So my goal this year is 1500 miles.
School - I am now enrolled in the UofM and hope t be admitted to Carlson for Fall semester to pursue my marketing degree. This will be a huge focus in the next couple of months as I acclimate to a new school and submit my application to transfer into the school that has been my focus for the past 2 years. It should be fairly intense as I am planning on going to summer school the next two years for practically non-stop school so that I can graduate by the end of '09
Nature Valley Grand Prix - The volunteer opp I mentioned above is helping with the marketing of the NVGP, so I hope to be successful and not make a fool of myself. Nothing is set in stone but I believe I know what I will be doing and it should be pretty fun and exciting so more to come.
Beyond those 3 things I just want to make sure I save some time to be with my family and hopefully travel a little (cross my fingers, I am hoping to be in DC for my birthday and the CSC invitational).
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Top Tunes 2007
Well it is about that time when everyone starts to reflect on the past year. And so it is here at Buried Pleasure that I am giving you my picks of the top albums and songs of 2007.
Top Albums
Burial – Untrue
Just when you thought his first album was a fluke Burial drops a sophomore release that blows the first away. Not necessarily built for the dance floor, but amazing.
Radiohead – In Rainbows
It's strange to hear of their return to form since I loved Hail to the Thief, but yet another amazing album from a band that can do no wrong.
J Tillman – Cancer & Delirium
Heartbreaking and beautiful, this album is hard to find but well worth the effort
Arbouretum – Rites of Uncovering
Not as hard to find as J Tillman, but fairly overlooked and a real hidden nugget of gold. It just transports you to another place. Amazing
Okkervil River – Stage Names
Though not as strong as Black Sheep Boy, it is another strong outing that showcases the talent of Will Scheff
Apparat – Walls
Incredible electronic release that reminds me of so many people at the same time-most of them from the "traditional" music world-yet is completely it's own sound.
White Stripes - Icky Thump
An awesome return to form for the White Stripes. Apparently all Jack White needed was some space from this format to reinvigorate himself.
Great Northern - Trading Twilight for Daylight
There is a part of me that feels like I should have something against this album because it is so slick and polished sounding, but it blows me away every time so I just don't care.
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
Daft Punk live with the concert experience of the last 2 years. 'nuff said.
Feist - The Reminder
Yes, you may be sick of 1234 from all the commercials but this entire album is full of great songwriting and performances.
Top Songs
Radiohead – Reckoner
From the first moment, I was hooked. This has become one of my favorite Radiohead tracks of all time
Burial – Archangel
alienating, heartbreaking, and captivating. takes the sound he hinted at in Unite from the Box of Dub compilation to another level altogether
J Tillman - When I Light Your Darkened Door
I could say the same about this as with Archangel. Feels like the other side of the same coin. This is desert island music to me.
Arbouretum - Pale Rider Blues
Post-apocalyptic folk/blues. This song grabs me and transports me somewhere else until it's done
Great Northern – Home
slick production that works for one of my favorite songs of the year, that I returned to again and again
Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
I Know, I know, but it is a good song that sticks in your head and won't get out
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I Came to Hear the Music
The first song from this prolific songwriter that grabbed me and just wouldn't let go.
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
I may not buy into all the hype surrounding this album, though it is growing on me with each listen, but this song deserves all the praise it can get.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Little Monsters
From an album that just missed my top picks. This song takes the Air production and adds something to it to make it her own. Not as catchy as The Operation, but this will keep popping up on mixes I make for a long time to come
Dizzee Rascal - Sirens
Easily the top pick from the criminally overlooked third release from this MC. Great production, Great spittin' and an awesome video to boot.
Top Albums
Burial – Untrue
Just when you thought his first album was a fluke Burial drops a sophomore release that blows the first away. Not necessarily built for the dance floor, but amazing.
Radiohead – In Rainbows
It's strange to hear of their return to form since I loved Hail to the Thief, but yet another amazing album from a band that can do no wrong.
J Tillman – Cancer & Delirium
Heartbreaking and beautiful, this album is hard to find but well worth the effort
Arbouretum – Rites of Uncovering
Not as hard to find as J Tillman, but fairly overlooked and a real hidden nugget of gold. It just transports you to another place. Amazing
Okkervil River – Stage Names
Though not as strong as Black Sheep Boy, it is another strong outing that showcases the talent of Will Scheff
Apparat – Walls
Incredible electronic release that reminds me of so many people at the same time-most of them from the "traditional" music world-yet is completely it's own sound.
White Stripes - Icky Thump
An awesome return to form for the White Stripes. Apparently all Jack White needed was some space from this format to reinvigorate himself.
Great Northern - Trading Twilight for Daylight
There is a part of me that feels like I should have something against this album because it is so slick and polished sounding, but it blows me away every time so I just don't care.
Daft Punk - Alive 2007
Daft Punk live with the concert experience of the last 2 years. 'nuff said.
Feist - The Reminder
Yes, you may be sick of 1234 from all the commercials but this entire album is full of great songwriting and performances.
Top Songs
Radiohead – Reckoner
From the first moment, I was hooked. This has become one of my favorite Radiohead tracks of all time
Burial – Archangel
alienating, heartbreaking, and captivating. takes the sound he hinted at in Unite from the Box of Dub compilation to another level altogether
J Tillman - When I Light Your Darkened Door
I could say the same about this as with Archangel. Feels like the other side of the same coin. This is desert island music to me.
Arbouretum - Pale Rider Blues
Post-apocalyptic folk/blues. This song grabs me and transports me somewhere else until it's done
Great Northern – Home
slick production that works for one of my favorite songs of the year, that I returned to again and again
Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
I Know, I know, but it is a good song that sticks in your head and won't get out
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - I Came to Hear the Music
The first song from this prolific songwriter that grabbed me and just wouldn't let go.
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
I may not buy into all the hype surrounding this album, though it is growing on me with each listen, but this song deserves all the praise it can get.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Little Monsters
From an album that just missed my top picks. This song takes the Air production and adds something to it to make it her own. Not as catchy as The Operation, but this will keep popping up on mixes I make for a long time to come
Dizzee Rascal - Sirens
Easily the top pick from the criminally overlooked third release from this MC. Great production, Great spittin' and an awesome video to boot.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man
You know with all the "news" on doping this year and the reactions to it as the road season is in recess, it's got me thinking.
Now correct me if I'm wrong but, the UCI and related groups (or the idiots who run cycling) want to stop doping. Also anyone who they catch, they hope will turn in anyone who was helping them or any other riders who are doping.
Now here is what I don't understand.
When you are caught and/or admit to doping you are banned from riding for anywhere from 1-2 years and banned from ProTour teams for an additional 2 years (not that the ProTour means much anymore). This is completely fair in my mind, however any rider who has been banned, except David Millar, seems to be finding it next to impossible to find a decent team to ride for, in fear of that team not being invited to the big races. Even riders not implicated in doping but talking to a doctor implicated in doping (ie Diluca) are caught up in this.
So my question for the idiots is this.
How does this encourage any riders to come clean and admit what they know? If you would be taking the chance that no top tier team would ever sign you again because they might not be invited to the classics and grand tours, I sure wouldn't admit to anything.
Another thing, maybe the UCI should just post all the documents they've received regarding Operation Puerto on the web. Let the general public decide if Valverde or anybody else is guilty. OR better yet let the general public do the research. People love that kind of stuff. Unless you are worried that some riders may be implicated in the documents that you haven't been hounding like you have Valverde.
Just a thought.
Now correct me if I'm wrong but, the UCI and related groups (or the idiots who run cycling) want to stop doping. Also anyone who they catch, they hope will turn in anyone who was helping them or any other riders who are doping.
Now here is what I don't understand.
When you are caught and/or admit to doping you are banned from riding for anywhere from 1-2 years and banned from ProTour teams for an additional 2 years (not that the ProTour means much anymore). This is completely fair in my mind, however any rider who has been banned, except David Millar, seems to be finding it next to impossible to find a decent team to ride for, in fear of that team not being invited to the big races. Even riders not implicated in doping but talking to a doctor implicated in doping (ie Diluca) are caught up in this.
So my question for the idiots is this.
How does this encourage any riders to come clean and admit what they know? If you would be taking the chance that no top tier team would ever sign you again because they might not be invited to the classics and grand tours, I sure wouldn't admit to anything.
Another thing, maybe the UCI should just post all the documents they've received regarding Operation Puerto on the web. Let the general public decide if Valverde or anybody else is guilty. OR better yet let the general public do the research. People love that kind of stuff. Unless you are worried that some riders may be implicated in the documents that you haven't been hounding like you have Valverde.
Just a thought.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
