Been slacking… Been busy… Been worn out…<br/><br/>A couple weeks ago I finally rode all the way to <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Vernon” target=”_blank”>Mount Vernon</a> and back. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do, but the timing never seemed right. It’s only a 40-miler so nothing too special, but it’s still a noteworthy destination. I don’t think I’ll ever do it again as the trail at and past Alexandria is horrendous; narrow, full of turns, full of people, damp (in woods). I also had my first real road crash… Fumbled putting away my bottle, ran out of real state, and threw myself on top of a wooden guardrail. I’m quite lucky I only had some rash on one arm and a leg. The bike fared well; scraped my shifter hoods and tore up my bar tape, which needed replacing anyway. The thought of [potential] massive splinters as I slid across the top of this guardrail? Ungh. Glad that didn’t happen.<br/><br/>I then ran a race, detailed below.<br/><br/>And then I went to NC to visit the family. I spent half the week with my parents at their new place at <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Beach,_North_Carolina” target=”_blank”>Holden Beach</a>, and then the other half with my sister and her kidlets in Wilmington. Overall, a good trip. I worked half days, which was nice (I was easily able to work ~6 hours a day as it’s too damned hot down there to want to do anything between 10-4, and I hope to continue to do that a few times a year. Did some fishing, some crabbing, some beaching, some biking, some running, and some eating… Good escape from the usual day-to-day.<br/><br/>Since returning home, I’ve spent about an hour at my house. Immediately upon arriving, I had to head into DC to do some work, then I attended a swim meet on Monday night and did a night ride with a new bike light I bought until 1am. Tuesday night I had dinner with the family in Fairfax (they’re all up for business trips), and installed/played some <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarCraft_II:_Wings_of_Liberty” target=”_blank”>Starcraft II</a>. Wednesday night I biked, biked to the pool, swam, biked to the track, ran a mile race (5:55 with 90% effort), and biked home. Today I’m headed to the Nats game in the middle of the day with work, and then remaining in DC to do some work. Tomorrow night, I bottle wine in Alexandria. Saturday I’m going on my first group ride in Reston. Sunday? I might take off; I’m out of underwear and that’s the first chance I see me getting any laundry done <img src=”http://www.iammike.org/cutenews/data/emoticons/tongue.gif”/> I could use a break…<br/><br/>August is looking pretty free so far, which will be nice after a silly July. September gets back to the crazy with three trips: Tahoe for Labor Day, Outer Banks the following weekend, and a trip to NC for birthdays and to see my grandma toward the end.<br/><br/>Oh… So my Netflix is no longer posting to my Facebook account. I’ve messed with it to no avail. I’ve recently watched the following:<br/><ul><li><a href=”http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/” target=”_blank”>Inception</a>. Saw this as a preview. Really liked it, but there were some plot bits that kept me from giving it 5/5. Still, best movie of the year IMO and one you should definitely see in a theater.<br/></li><li><a href=”http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/” target=”_blank”>Precious</a>. Was good, but not nearly as good as I was expecting from all the hype. I can’t recommend seeing it, but I also can’t recommend not seeing it.</li><li><a href=”http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1037705/” target=”_blank”>The Book of Eli</a>. I don’t think the critics cared for this much, but I really enjoyed it. A nice bit of action, and a very nice bit of “think deeper.” If you’re an idiot, this movie might not work for you. The VERY ending (like last two minutes) was kinda lame and cliche, but I’m not going to let that spoil the whole movie.<br/></li></ul>