well, i helped out at the alleycat on friday, and saturday was an early morning football match followed by nerdery and a graduation/housewarming/birthday party, but far and above this past weekend was defined by the actual, final end of the blakeley manor – all culminated in arick and janie’s wedding.

everyone did a phenomenal job coming together to clean up the blakeley, decorate the yard, and in general pull off a basically flawless wedding ceremony. sk even took the #1 mommy wagon out to the car wash and detailed the interior – i’m not certain i even remember the last time it was that clean. maybe back in ‘02? we had plenty of time to get everything set up with only a few minor tweaks to the original plan, but nothing was particularly rushed or panic-inducing.

fortunately it didn’t rain, but unfortunately it was approximately eleven thousand degrees for the men in tuxedos. janie looked radiant in both her western and chinese dresses. the reception had free-flowing wine and beer (plus ice-cold water), piles of dim sum, and we had a grand time with both the trumpet quartet and jazz quintet that arick secured for providing music.

miss c was on hand as a bigshot wedding photographer, but i managed to grab two snapshots of my own that i think sum up for me how i will always remember the gouwerok-chans:

janie, being a little bossy but still precious:

arick, standing in the blakeley kitchen and vaguely confused:

afterwards, a little sunburnt and basically exhausted, we locked up the blakeley for one of the last times, though i still have to do some more cleaning tonight and tomorrow. c and i went to go take a nap in the shade somewhere, but ended up hiking all around the north side of discovery park. perhaps a little ridiculous given how tired we were, but it was actually quite pleasant. in the end we did manage to find both a nice secluded beach and a big patch of shady grass for napping. once this leg heals up i’m definitely going to return by bike and explore further.

i did get some riding in though – friday was the race and a trip to northgate (16.4 miles) and saturday i went all the way out to monkey’s (21.6 miles). i’m not exactly in the top tier of the competition, but i’m doing better than some apparently.

weekly total: 38 miles
cumulative total: 233.3 miles

man riding has been fantastic again after being unable to for a few weeks. i pulled a full 20.3 miles yesterday going to golden gardens, and another 7 today just commuting to work and the blakeley for the wedding rehearsal.

ironically i did run into one of my doctors at the thaiger room, but she did not seem too angry at me for being out riding my bike.

weekly total: 48.6 miles
cumulative total: 195.3 miles

well, that was an interesting and perhaps inauspicious way to start the second half of 2006. not the least of which is that it was only when i woke up this morning that i realized it was still wednesday, not thursday.

that sad fact is brightened by the fact that i get some free dinner and firefly watching with maggie after work today. i am also excited for the prospect of a golden gardens bonfire yet later tonight, even if it will likely be full of hippies and their ilk celebrating the solstice. their patchouli oil and drum circles won’t be able to keep me from delicious s’mores goodness.

my knee is looking tons better as well, and somewhat against doctor’s orders i’ve started riding the police bike again. 12.5 miles on both legs yesterday! it was amazing how weak my left leg is but true to the cliche it was just like riding a bike and i was making good time up hills and trackstanding at intersections. add to that the 4.5 miles from sunday and my normal commute on monday. this week is already looking tons better. i am going to be keeping my cycling to a minimum, i’m still not quite ready to be in full swing with point83 or the fixie as of quite yet that will wait until it’s completely scarred over.

weekly total: 21.3 miles
cumulative total: 168 miles