Super Rookie’s World

I ventured down to Madison for the 2nd Annual Planet Bike Cup cyclocross event. This year the race was bigger than ever with its recent inclusion into the USGP series. This meant that the biggest names in the nation and some of the best racers from across the world were going to be within 5 hours drive. I couldn’t miss this opportunity!

Here is a picture that I found on the internet:

It was taken on the run-up from the day one race. While I finished in the middle of the pack on both days in the Category 2/3 race I felt like I had a good showing considering lack of racing since the 24 Hours of Afton. In fact, I was fairly happy with my performance and the overall racing experience in Madison. The crowds were of good size and the only issues with the entire event were fixed the following day (pulling of lapped riders in the Cat 4 beginners race).

I would highly recommend the event to anyone.

Thanks to my teammates and friends for making the weekend extremely enjoyable.

(I like this photo as I am the only one on the “right” side of their bike and 47 Dean is prominently displayed on my pale Hayes skin)
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The myTouch is working great.

I picked up the Google phone on Wednesday night.

I will let you know how it goes.

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Sarah and I checked out Brasa as a delayed birthday dinner. It was fantastic.

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I was honored to win the “Jackass of the Year” award at the annual Minnesota Thunder Supporters Banquet. I was very stoked to win, but I must admit that it comes natural for me to be a jackass. Ha. It should be known that it is fairly simple to bring friends to games and have them enjoy the friendly confines of Blaine, Minnesota. In fact, all I do is repeat what everyone else says, but a little bit louder.

Wow, that award looks amazing. How about an up close photo courtesy of insideminnesotasoccer?

Yes, that is a bobble head jackass trophy.

Even better?

The award was somehow sponsored by the legendary Cajun Creole Hot Nuts which is featured prominently on the new homemade Hot Nuts flag that my brother sewed together after he and I secured some extra labels and bags from the Creole company. Yes, this is not a store bought Hot Nuts flag, it is all homemade.

Six years ago today Sarah and I went out for her 21st birthday.

This is significant because it is also our sixth year of being together. I am just as impressed as the next person that she has decided to stick with me for so long! I am sure most of my readers have reserved a fair amount of sympathy for her because of this. I must admit, that the six years have been a real blast and I couldn’t be happier to be her husband.

Happy Birthday Sarah!

For those keeping count at home we have had a pretty impressive resume over the past six years:

• College degrees.
• Chicago for a year.
• Graduate degrees completed this Spring.
• Well on our way to fulfilling our career goals.
• Married for a little over a year.
• Two cats.
• 9 bikes between us (5mine-4sarah)
• Cozy one-bedroom apartment in St. Anthony Park.

I couldn’t be happier.

My phone has died.

After two and a half years of utilizing a Treo 700p from Verizon the unit has fizzled.

If you are trying to reach me I highly recommend going with email at hayes.tim@gmail.com

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sarah and I hope to have new phones on Wednesday evening.

I can’t wait for Saturday night.

While I would love for Marquez to beat Mayweather, I believe it would be huge for the sport if Mayweather takes the win and matches up against Manny Pacquiao we could see a tremendous fight that hasn’t been seen for some time. So, come on “Money” Mayweather.

Run your mouth and take home the win.

I am on my third week as a student teacher. It has been going fairly well, but as you can imagine it has been awfully busy. So, I think you should take the time to look at these pictures and reflect on its awesomeness:

This is the normal type of parking job we see at the State Fair every year. Very tactful.

That is a very impressive ant on my mom’s amazing hand-hooked rug that won a blue ribbon at the State Fair!

Amazing. I know. Take that Kim and Judy. My mom is better than you and your crappy rugs.

Once again we became Fine Art Detectives! That is pretty amazing, I know. Here is last years amazing picture:

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We went to Ren Fest.

I only managed to take two photos from the Renaissance Festival (Ren Fest is the code word for the hip kids). Here is the first picture. I was very surprised to see the HUP United cyclocross team selling their wares at the big party, but then again, the place was completely mind blowing!

I found this mug inside the DeNeen Pottery shop. Turns out it was handmade just a few blocks down the street from me. I bet (dis) goes in and steals all the Unicorn medallions.

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A few years back Grumpy’s/LGR bought some team chairs. They only cost a few dollars and now they make amazing time wasters at Thunder tailgates with my friends. Check out the beer holder!

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Finally, a couple of friends of ours just bought their first house. How exciting is that? Here is a picture of the proud home owners at their new house. Pretty awesome. What’s cooler? They promote the Red Barn CX race. Easily the second best race on the MCF Cross Calendar.

Sarah has her GRE exam tomorrow.

We will be sending the scores to schools in the following cities:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Chicago, Illinois
• College Park, Maryland
• Durham, North Carolina
• Evanston, Illinois
• Gainesville, Florida
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania x2
• Seattle, Washington
• Syracuse, New York

I am impressed with the amount of studying Sarah has put in and the organization of the application process. In fact, all of the applications are due by early January and if all goes well, with a bit of luck, we will know where we will be living by next April. How exciting is that? I am pretty stoked, but crossing my fingers as so many variables are out of our control.

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I am taking a big exam of my own on Saturday. It is the state licensure exam for my teaching license. I have been doing some studying for it, but nothing like my wife. Perhaps this will come back to bite me, but I feel prepared for the most part.

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I am going to buy a Ford. Afterall, I own 50 shares of the stock. Now, what dealership deserves my business?

It was an easy choice.

I have finally recovered from the 24 Hours of Afton.

How was I able to pull this off?

Going to the State Fair AND the Renaissance Festival and eating a crap load of food. The State Fair is a well known commodity in this household. This is because we live only three blocks from the west entrance to the faigrounds and many dollars have been made working at various food booths, such as, The Italian Junction, Tejas Express and 1919 Root Beer. While the Fair is home to deep-fried food on a stick it is also home to various Blue Ribbon competitions, and I would like for you all to know that my mom won a blue ribbon this year! Yep, she won for a hand-hooked rug that she worked so hard on over this past year. I hope to have some pictures up sometime soon.

The State Fair has always been on the top of the “to-do” list in our family, but I am proud to announce a new festival has taken the top spot on our list of awesomeness! Sure, it has been around for 30+ years and we are just now arriving to the party, but the Renaissance Festival is amazing. Why? Because people dress up and carry around swords, battle axes and all other types of leather goods. It is like walking into the Dungeons and Dragons Clubhouse and not getting awkward glances from the weird girl in the leather choker because you are wearing a pair of Pumas.

Naturally, we are not cool enough to have discovered this place on our own. In fact, we were practically dragged there by our friends Ginelle and Garrett, of whom I have mercilessly made fun of for their past employment at the Ren Fest(what the cool kids call it). They had the last laugh as Sarah and I were in complete awe of the incredible creativity of the infrastructure, food and craftgoods. Sure, make fun of me all you want, but you might want to watch out as I might have purchased one of the following: a) Battle Axe, b) sorcerer’s spell, or c) +250 leadership points.

So, now, just one week after the most grueling sporting event I have ever competed in and I have maintained my weight and have just started to dial in the cyclocross bike for my favorite season of them all! The “new” bike is a remodeled Masi CXR with a brand-new all carbon fork and new lightweight brakes. The whole rig weighs in at less than 18.5lbs (including pedals)!