Shoe Quiz

The other day I found myself daydreaming about shoes. Not just any shoes, mostly shoes from my high school days. I remember I had some crazy weird RED adidas that I had no idea how to match up with any of my clothes, but yet I wore them anyway. Remember Reebok Pumps? Hightops? 3/4 tops? What about those little friendship pin thingies...yeah - I had none to put on my shoes.

To help bring you along in my daydreaming, I've created this simple little shoe quiz. Check out the pics below and then enter the brands into the form after the pictures. See how well you know your shoes.

Shoe #1


Shoe #2


Shoe #3


Shoe #4


Shoe #5


Shoe #6


Shoe #7


Shoe #8


Shoe #9


Shoe #10

Too Little Too Late?

I figured that I better get to work on preperations for the BCR Smackdown, so I finally sat on the bike last night and rode for 30 minutes. Top Gear on mute listening to an iPod really helps the time fly by.
For the BCR Smackdown, I realize that I'm going to need all the help I can get, as Wiken is quite the beast on the bike. He's got some strong legs and lungs and can keep pushing for the entire race. While I tend to fizzle and don't seem to have much endurance (or crash right after the start).
So my focus for this late training session will be on endurance and focus. Trying to maintain a good pace for the entire race distance.

On a good note, my weight is down by about 7lbs from this same time last year:

One more thing that I think can help me score points against Wiken will be the technical courses. I seem to have an advantage on him there.

We'll see!

You can help local homeless youth

Myself and a small team at work are working towards helping out a local shop in town that gives back to the community in a great way and we need your help.

Are you planning on a bike upgrade this year?
Are you looking to get rid of that old bike in your garage?
Don’t sell them or throw them away!


Full Cycle is a bike shop in Minneapolis that helps homeless youth by giving them free bikes to fix up and ride. Full Cycle also sells quality used bikes and provides expert bike servicing to fund programs that help homeless youth.

We met the team at Full Cycle last week and were very impressed with their program and their desire to help homeless youth. Not only do they provide bikes for them, but they offer internships at the shop to learn how to wrench on the bikes, how a business works and show them what helping others is like. It's really a great program and the staff there are a real dedicated bunch.

We need your help. Please consider donating old bikes/parts so that Full Cycle can implement your parts into their program and you can help save a youth. Full Cycle is also on the verge of opening a section of their floor to used bike sales to help fund their endeavor. If you feel like donating cash in addition or instead of, I can get details on that for you.

Get in touch with me if you think you have something that could make a difference in a homeless child's life.

Thank you.

MINI Meet 09 Registration is open

Registration for Mini Meet East meets West 2009 is now open! The event will be in Winona, Minnesota starting the evening of June 29, and going through July 2, 2009. Go to:
http://www.minimeet09.org/ click the registration button, and follow the instructions from there.
Registration is being done on-line and you can pay on-line by credit card through PayPal (you do not have to join PayPal to do this) or you can pay by check through the mail if you are not comfortable with on-line payments. When you have filled out the registration form click on the PayPal symbol for credit card payment or on the mailbox symbol for payment by check. Either way, you will get a confirmation email listing your choices. If you choose to pay by check, payment details will come with your confirmation email.

We're planning a great event with a lot to do this year. Here are the plans:
Monday, June 29th is check-in starting at 1:00 PM at the Riverport Hotel. Mini vendors will be present all during the car show. That evening there will be a welcome reception in the hotel's ballroom. A great chance to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.
Tuesday, June 30th is the car show at St. Mary's University followed by the panoramic photo. Tuesday evening we'll be celebrating the Mini's 50th Birthday at the bandshell in the park in Winona with a live band, cake and soft drinks.
Wednesday, July 1 is Autocross and Funkhana day at Southeast Tech University. They have a great track for the Autocross and drivers should have a ball. With time constraints, we need to limit spaces in the Autocoss to 150 so be sure to sign up early. Since spaces are limited in the Autocross, we are making that event a la carte for meet registrants. The wacky hijinks of the Funkhana will be held nearby and should provide a great time for all. In between the two venues, there will be vendors setting up shop along with several planned tech sessions. Wednesday evening will be "Cruise Night" at the local drive-in.
The Rally will be held on Thursday, July 2, and with all the scenic river bluffs throughout the area, it will prove to be an unforgettable drive in the countryside on some great "Mini" roads. Thursday evening is the awards banquet featuring some great food, fascinating speakers and door prizes.
We're looking forward to a great time and hope all of you can come to the meet in Winona, Mini-sota!

For those of you interested in checking this out, but maybe not participating as much, we are in need of volunteers. Consider helping us out for this. Check out the dates and let me know.