Somewhere in Middle America

Friday, October 24

30

Well, it's right at 30 weeks until I'm 30. So, a goal. Lose 30 lbs.

It's been raining here all week. All freakin' week. Not all day, but it's basically gloomy and whatnot.

My flight is this afternoon to Louisville. Of course I'm excited about that.

I had my annual review the other day. It went well. Spent more time talking about what the future might hold for me after a few more years in this position. I sort of got here in a hurry, so doing this for a while doesn't really bother me.

The economy is tanking, but I managed a slight raise, so I'm keeping up with inflation and the higher cost of our healthcare plan.

No updates on house projects. Travel last weekend and this made for a rather unproductive week. I cut a few pieces of trim, but they still need to be painted. At least I cut them correctly.

Tuesday, October 21

A lovely day for a bike ride

Minneapolis was perfect. I am about 99% sure that it'll be the next (and likely last) stop on the places-to-live tour. Maybe in 2-3 years we can make the move up there. I loved every minute of it.

And there's even an Ikea there! Next to the Mall of America! So that's officially the closest Ikea. Who knew. I didn't take the wagon, though, so I wasn't able to load up on furniture/whatnot.

Went for a bike ride on Sunday afternoon. My buddy, Vishnu, who lives near Lake Harriet guided me around the lakes and then to downtown. On bikes. No really big hills, which was nice.

I didn't wear a helmet, either. That's right. Here's my whole thing about that. I didn't wear it because the drivers there expect there to be bicyclists out and about. They don't here. Or pretty much anywhere else I've been. But you're saying that I wear a seatbelt when I drive. It's the same thing -- with the car, it's not me I'm worried about. It's the other guy slamming into me.

I think if I were riding around with Asim, I'd wear a helmet, though. Because I want him to wear one when he's young and then decide for himself.

Anyway, I love that we biked everywhere. I loved that there are trails around the lake, and that the pedestrian trail is seperate from the bike trail. I love that there are shops all over the place. I love that everywhere I looked, a bike was there. I loved how easy it was to go anywhere on a bike. I loved how I could just go downtown and be there in a few minutes. Love it, love it, love it.

What I've read (most recent on top)

  • Boomsday by Christopher Buckley
  • Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
  • Blindness by Jose Saramago
  • Blackwater by Jeremy Scahill
  • The Nasty Bits by Anthony Bourdain
  • Friday Night Lights by HG Bissinger

Who is this?

It's me, Rehan. Male. 29. Brown, overweight. Mechanical Engineering degree. Pittsburgh sports fan. Married to Maria, father of Asim. Project manager for an engineering consulting firm. Finally to the point where I really enjoy my job. Regular bike rider.

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