Based on the saga of last month's debacle, one might believe that I learned my lesson and have begun taking steps to not bite off more than I can chew, but I'm not the sort of person who learns lessons. Burn my hand on the hot stove? Well naturally the only course of action is to touch it again.
The fact of the matter is, so much of my very limited brain power is absorbed with matters concerning work, that nearly all other facets of my existence are sitting around me in unkept, crumbly little piles.

As I told someone recently, it's a wonder that I leave my house most days with my pants on forwards.
And as far as that goes, I did leave my house a few weeks ago without putting my belt on, but luckily I never leave the house without toe straps, so the public was saved yet again from having to stare at my Adonis-like butt crack.
Further more, the entirety of last week, I thought was in fact this week. I went so far as to send my mom's birthday present off on Friday so that it would get to her by Monday, even though I now realize that it didn't need to get there until next Monday.. And I could go on and on. My mind is so twisted up I simply don't know whether I'm coming or going. A final case in point- These staggeringly attractive and painstakingly handcrafted trophies (each with a certificate for a men's or women's short sleeved woolie in the color of the winner's choice on the back) that I made for the ECMC (which just took place in Berlin). Now as you can plainly see, they say CMWC, which if you travel in those circles, you most assuredly know has yet to happen in Tokyo..

Not only do I know this now, but I knew this when I was covered in hot glue, glitter and tiny jingle bells, but for some reason my brain wasn't letting my hands in on the secret. Lucky for me, I'm crafty with a marker and glue sticks, so just before the package went overseas, I was able to make the correction.

So I was very grateful when I got an email from the hotness that is Mahrou with an update from the event letting me know that despite my efforts to put egg all over my face, we all came out smelling like a rose;

"heya S,

Ps, btw: My colleague Dave won the Spanish Messenger Championship. Cool huh? The fastest messenger of Spain works for me."

I also got a shout from Akeem, who was one of masterminds behind the event;

"stevil,

i'll get back to you soon, thanks again for the support!
akeem"

Those Euros are truly lovely individuals, and I'm profoundly appreciative of their friendship and commitment to the cause and if you would like to take a look at more photos of the Euro Championships, all you gotta do is click here.

As long as were on the topic of hijinx beyond the boarders of our own Amerikuh-land, I'll drop an email full of goodness from our neighbor to the North, Kori;

"howdy Stevil and HTABL folks,

thanks for passing that on if you feel so inclined.
kori"

I do feel so inclined, and I should probably go on record to let you all know that I was all state tongue wrestling champion three years in a row, so my appearance at this event might be akin to me shooting fish in a barrel, but then again, I've never competed against a Canadian, so I can't say with certainty that I know what I'd be up against.

It just might be time to dust off the old singlet, and test my proverbial mettle.

Now then- from where I sit, the East Coast may as well be another country in terms of how damn far away it is (I still think America should be split up into quarters) but here is an email from over there that is full of the stuff that causes the chemical reaction that results in smiles;

Hello,

love,
Doodlebug Snarkowitz

I understand one's need for anonymity, and as such, the 'love, Doodlebug Snarkowitz' was my doing.
Secondly, upon further consideration, I have no idea what part of the country this email came from, so just to narrow it down I'll assume that it's from the Eastern seaboard somewhere, probably between Maine, and Florida.

After all, it just makes sense due to the simple fact that East Coasters go bananas for their Death Metal.

When discussing the giant expanses of this land, it stands to reason that I should segue into an email from Ken who currently is on a big old walk about, except that he's on a bicycle;

"Hey Stevil,

Ken"

Interestingly "doing well, or wrecking alot of stuff" succinctly describes not only my entire life, but the whole of my bicycle racing career. Unfortunately for those around me, as well as my own standing, I've done far more of the latter than the former.
Anyway, here is to hoping that Ken and his counterparts continue fighting the good fight, and as my father always told me when I was messengering 'safely staying out of underneath those vehicles'.

As if there were any other way to do so.

It also might be interesting to note that just as I began copying and pasting Ken's email, "Sailin' On" by the Bad Brains came on to serenade me through the process.

I can't think of a better sentiment for Ken and his posse's adventure.

How about this? Here we are at the end of yet another installment, and we've covered Death Metal, the European Messenger Championships, bicycle touring, Canadian wrestling, my own desperate need for a vacation and the resulting expansive strokes of ineptitude... Pretty well rounded if you ask me.

I should also include this email from Loudass that simply states, "Just TRY to hate on this. I dare you!"

I shant try to hate on that, because if histroy has taught us anything, it's that the great kings of Africa really do love their Budwesier.

Finally, Friendly Paul has decided that this coming Saturday might be a good day to have a re-do of the
Joe-Parkin-Wrote-A-Book-About-Nice-Hair-Ride, and this time we're almost guaranteed not to drown in rain, so if that is something that you're feeling up to, you know the drill, though the departure will be a little bit later. Let's shoot for 10:30 this time.

Again, it's not a race, and this time around I don't know if I can pull off a whisky and donut stop so it's all about carrying your own. Also, I have no idea where Joe is, so we might have to celebrate his Joeness on our own.

I would like to note that Mr. Parkin is in the process of writing a follow up book, so we might just want to look at this one as a warm up for the next one, or perhaps a warm down from the last one.

Oh yeah, and a few weeks ago I got an email from somebody thanking me for posting a play list for a CD that The Snob sent me, and I said I'd post another of the one I sent him, but much like everything else, I forgot, so here you go;

Now my mind is clear.

Happy Wednesday everybody. Make sure you've got your pants on, and now get back to doing what you do.