In regards to this depicted dame, Nathan writes;

"Polish girls must be tough cookies. First a one-armed table tennis player and now a woman wanting to be a pro cyclist after having her foot ripped off."

This bit taken from Cycling News (the article in it's entirety is buried in there, somewhere) is pretty much the meat of the story;

"Triathlete Anna Harkowska of Poland wants to become a professional cyclist, which in itself is nothing unusual. But the 29-year-old had a terrible accident eight years ago, which makes her eligible for the Paralympics. But Harkowska dreams of doing both, the Paralympics and the Olympic Games in 2012.

She became a regular in hospitals and to date had eight operations. Harkowska's ankle is made of carbon and her cnemis of titanium, but that doesn't prevent her from pushing 300 watts. Oliver Elsenbach of komsport even thinks he can get her to 380 watts with specific training."

It's stories like that, that makes saying "I can't do it" just a little bit more savory.

Now, from the studio of our buddy, Captain Zoltron;

"Please note: this poster has not been condoned by Creed™, Walt Disney™, National Pork Producers Council™, Paris™ or God™6 color screenprint, measures 22"x 29", $40, edition of 40, signed and numbered."

You know what to do.

While farming the crops of the visually and mentally stimulating, I'll throw up a new email from Slappy;

"HolllR Yo, 18 hrs of fruita.. Pretty hard for me to not avoid ze bummer life, given that i have a broke leg, and i managed to ride around all weekend, for the first time in a month, hot dog that felt niiice.

Pain. peas slppy"

Now you know.

Would you like to dip your toes in the art pool again very briefly?
I would, but then again, I'm sensitive.

First up, we have this shindig down in Pasadena (which sits at the base of the San Gabriel mountain range, dont you know? -Surprisingly incredible mountain bike riding there.) Anyhoo, this is a one night engagement with one of my very most favorite painters, Michael Hussar;

The above painting is one by Michael called 'Gummer' and was one that finally made me wrap my mind around the fact that I really didn't know as much about the craft of painting as I thought I did.

Another individual who has unwittingly knocked me down the ladder of artistic self confidence is James Jean. This isn't to say that I am unable to look to either of these fellas for unflinching inspiration on the regular, because I most certainly can and do.

Like with any mode, or medium, I think it's healthy to have a carrot or two to chase, as long as you understand that you are not them, therefore there should be no pressure to perform as such.
And with that I confidently exhale, knowing my struggle to maintain the upper echelon of mediocrity is well intact.

Lastly, this list cannot be considered complete without the inclusion of his weirdness, Mr. Al Columbia;

"Why all the mumbo jumbo about art?" you might be asking yourself. Well, the truth is that I'm high on paint fumes.
I've recently returned to the studio after a fairly extensive break, and I feel at one with the brush again, which is saying something, considering the state of my 'studio';

I cant so much as sneeze without bumping my head on at least fifteen different bikes.
Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but some day when I grow up, I would relish in an actual, honest-to-God studio. Until that time comes however, I will most likely continue to be in a place where confusing a pallet knife with a tri-allen is as common place an occurrence as Loudass buying rounds.

Since we're on the topic of folks with an artistic bent, let's jump into an email from Sucka Pants

"Hey Stevil,

A little gem for HTATBL, I think. . . So we are getting around town on some old bikes we found at a local flea market. One of the tires was busted, so one of the crew fixed it with a round solid piece of rubber, stapled together and drywall-screwed to the rim. You can see it in the photo. I thought you might find this bit of ingenuity amusing."

MacGyver ain't got nothin' on them.

In closing, how about an email from Karl Rover concerning an incident in the place where they not only take cyclocross seriously, but apparently driving while on copious amounts of snozberries as well;

"Hey Stevil,

I came across this article while browsing the local Boulder paper, and thought you may enjoy it. Kind of makes you miss the homeland, huh?"

It absolutely does, and being the nostalgic individual that I am, the article also made me remember fondly of the time when I was picked up by the Boulder P.D. for being rather asleep in front of the Daily Camera building.
At least I mostly remember it.

Hey ho, that's it from this front.
Happy Friday, everybody. As I've said many times before, we all have, for the most part, arrived at the point of the week when we are fully allowed to turn the knob to 11 and then break it off.

What are you waiting for?