Verbal Vomit

Laminar Flow

2006-12-27T02:33:00.000-07:00

The suspense builds. I'm in Seattle, Washington on a trip with my sister. I've been tense about this moment for weeks. What is going to happen? Will I fail or succeed? ... I passed! I passed my circuits class!

Leave it to Colorado School of Mines to leave me celebrating a D.

At any rate, life is in constant flux, and I like it. I get to fly planes, hang out with high schoolers (cooler than you are thinking), play the procrastination game with classes, live with cool guys in a cool town, mountain bike/bmx at will, and have an all around peachy life.

Earlier this past semester I hit a local low. I fully realized how badly I do not wish to be an engineer for a living. Attending engineering school with the goal of not being an engineer isn't awesome. My quarter-life-crisis left me thinking about what to do. What have I always dreamed of?

"Turn right, dodge those clouds!" belches Dan, my flight instructor. I'm 2,000 feet above the ground flying a plane. The radio begins squaking, "Weather is quickly diminishing, visual flight rules are NOT reccommended." I'm supposed to be learning emergency procedures, lesson 9 of my private pilot training. Instead, we're avoiding various walls and spots of clouds and snow. After aborting and heading home, the air changed to a full blown cloud minutes behind us. We come in, and I get to land in a stiff crosswind, using a "slip" to land the plane straight down the runway, while negating the crosswind factor. This is living.

My dream has always been to be a pilot. It is the only thing I've wanted to do my entire life. So I'm doing it.

Eventually I will earn: private, instrument, multi-engine, complex, single engine commercial, multi engine commercial, flight instructor, and instrument flight instructor.

I do not want to be an airline pilot. I have a hugely increasing interest in bush piloting. Bush piloting in terms of being a relief/missions pilot somewhere people need help more than I do. Africa is riddled by AIDS, poverty, war. South America has some of the same holes in it's boat. People are the only thing I don't tired of, so maybe I could love flying to love people.

Life

2006-09-06T00:27:00.000-06:00

The Cobra is up and running! I did a fair amount of driving today, and no problems whatsoever! I warned everyone religiously to beware the side pipes, for they burn badly. Well, waddya know, someone got it. Me. Calf: Big Burn.

The car gets quite a bit of attention. A little girl started jumping and screaming when she saw me coming, and her mum followed with two thumbs up. A kid jumped off his bike and played dead in the middle of the road, wanting a ride.

It's a wierd letdown of a high, getting the car running. Driving the car is great. However, it's a wierd realization that I spent hundreds, hundreds of hours building an object that fits is a 6X12 box.

College:

Summer is a time to get refreshed. It's a time to roll my "school ball" to the top of the hill so I can roll back down. My school ball got really heavy. It didn't make it up the hill.

I'm also having severe doubts about being an engineer. Fact: I could be an amazing engineer. Fact: Engineering is not my dream.

What's been my dream my entire life? Flying. I'm gonna check out Rocky Mountain College's Aviation program that comes with it's very own Liberal Arts degree.

Fact is, I have no clue what I really want to do for a living. I am happier than ever with life, but I'm freaking over the "life details."

I'm seeing that to be happy and awesome I do not have to:

risk my life witnessing to tribes in South America
be the best mountain biker this side of Saudi Arabia
be a missionary
be a preacher
be absolutely everyone's friend
keep absolutely everyone happy
care about things not worth caring
be a stunt pilot
be an adrenaline junkie
break my collar bone a second time
do the world's sickest whip of all time on a motorcycle
land an esteemed, high paying job.

I want to enjoy life now, not attack it. Life isn't earning a PhD, making money, or nabbing the hottest lady in the bar. People drive their way through life, thinking that success and power is their dream. Pull back the throttle and love something.

I remember being a kid, loving with everything. My dog, legos, blowing stuff up, birthdays, the time of day school got out, my bike. Remember how that felt? Wasn't it awesome, that huge chestfull of excitement? If you could fall in love with Life like a little kid with his dog...forever, wouldn't you want to?

I look at my Mom. She gets waken up sometimes at 4:30 by her own excitement to go garden. She gets tens of phone calls from friends saying "hi" every day. She smiles for no good reason. I joke that if she got thrown in jail, she would wake up early to polish her fake plant before she started singing to her cell mates. She definitely loves life.

There's another thing she's crazy about: God. She depends on God as if her life depends on it. She is ecstatic for God, and has been since she was 16. How many things can you be rediculously excited about for almost 40 years? She definitely loves God.

I see that my Mom loves life. She loves God. And I am now seeing that there is a connection. And I'm learning through trial and error that it is The connection.

Cobra Dos

2006-08-12T03:05:00.000-06:00

Top: Here's the engine all ready to go, black to match the engine compartment

Bottom: Here's all the aluminum I built last summer, with polished stainless button head screws. Brakes are in!

Cobra

2006-08-12T02:24:00.000-06:00

I've been asked to post some info on the cobra!

-347 stroker
-forged crank, forged h-beam rods, forged pistons
-engine was originally built to drag race on nitrous, but owner was scared before nitrous
-Comp cams valvetrain with "streetable but lopey" cam grind
-Ported aluminum trick flow heads
-Edelbrock aluminum intake (victor jr?)
-Race Demon carb (something like 575 cfm, with choke)
-MSD 6AL igniton unit with rev limit, MSD coil and new plug wires
-Ford C4 automatic transmission with high stall converter
-NOS Top shot nitrous system 75-150hp (going in after engine has 600 miles)
-Ford 9" rearend with new Detroit Locker differential
-Mustang II suspension setup
-4 wheel disc brakes
-Adjustable rear trailing arms (set ride height)
-Brand new paint with 2006 Audi "brilliant red", white stripes
-American Racing Torq Thrust II rims, 17x8, front and rear
-Goodyear Eagle F1 supercar tires, 245/45ZR17 (tires that come on Ford GT, Corvette Z06)
-Autometer Phantom guages, red bulbs
-Fenderwells, footboxes, firewall are all custom aluminum powdercoated black
-Ceramic coated exhaust
-Moto-Lita wood steering wheel
-Custom black leather interior going in soon
-Custom wiring. Every connection is crimped, soldered, and heat shrinked
-Headlights and fans are run off of dual relays.

The car's about three weeks from completion, and will have the interior done when the weather turns cold. New this past weekend: it runs, has brakes, and steers! The engine will have "Cobra" style valve covers and air cleaner powdercoated red to match the car.

All that is man

2006-07-19T00:37:00.000-06:00

Exciting moment!

As you probably don't know, the Cobra is three to four weeks from roaring. This in itself is good. Here's where it gets very good. I just ordered (consider it my "good job" present to myself) a Nitrous Oxide system for the car. This will offer an adjustable power gain of 75 to 150 horsepower.

Most street cars weigh in around 3,400 pounds. The Cobra weighs in at 2,300 pounds.

The engine in its current trim makes about 350 horsepower. + Nitrous = 500 horsepower.

A brand new, sporty, Mustang GT makes 300 horsepower at the engine (power is lost getting it to the wheels through friction. Those cobra numbers are at the wheels.

A new Mustang GT should push itself through 1/4 of a mile in around 14 seconds. A new Dodge Viper will do that in 12.2 seconds

The cobra might do it in 11-12 seconds.

Whoa!

2006-07-05T23:58:00.000-06:00

I might be in Indonesia next week!

I've been invited to be an intern for World Vision (Christian NPO serving third world countries, mainly kids), helping with their Tsunami effort! Four to Six weeks!

Bandeh Aceh, here I come!

up n' out

2006-05-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

I was racing motocross sunday in sterling when I woke up in the middle of the track. "whaa?" I thought. Ears ringing, everything black, not able to breathe.... I think I crashed.

EMT- how you doing?
Me- uhhhhhgh.
EMT- you alright?
Me- uuugh. Shoulder.
EMT- Collar bone.

At any rate, I snapped my collar bone in two spots, with an inch section in the middle standing vertically. That landed me in surgery, and I've got sweet plate holding my shoulder together.

-Positive points to the weekend:
-The motorcycle is okay
-When I fainted in the "EMT cart," I kicked the EMT in the junk.
-Morphine makes anything possible
-The service in a hospital is great. Want a cup of ice at 3:00 in the morning? No problem.
-I met a life goal: Break a bone before 21 years old
-Percoset
-Greg bought me everlasting gobstoppers
-The titanium plate keeps everything together initially, so I can do most anything I want... just limited by pain
-Impressing all the hot nurses with my sweet x-rays and bowstaff skills

Anyways, all in all, it wasn't terrible. I've made it 20 years without spending a night in a hospital bed, so I guess it was time. I've been telling Greg and Hunter that "I expect one of to get jacked up this summer racing." All the while knowing full well that it would not be me.

Check it out

-ready to race

Change?

2006-05-07T23:10:00.000-06:00

I'm touring the Architecture department at CU Boulder tuesday! Schweet!

Where?

2006-05-07T02:14:00.000-06:00

Where'd my passion go?

If you knew me my senior year of high school, you know who I'm talking about. I stole a girl's backpack and returned it full of flowers. I didn't want to date her, it seemed like it would make her day. I drove my car 160 to feel the road hurling at me, as if to duplicate the feeling of life. Mr. Olson yelled at me daily because I was so empassioned, i couldn't stop talking for 50 minutes. I decided I wanted to play baseball for the first time in HS. I decided I wanted to start as well. I made up my mind, took batting practice at 6:00 a.m. every morning and became the lead off batter for the team, as well as the only senior to make all-conference. I slept about five hours a night in order to do more fun projects. I was in such a stupor, I couldn't drive without dozing within a half hour. Confidence was oozing out my ears. Life was a chance to love something, and a bad day was only a building block.

Here I sit lately, enjoying life. Nothing more. I cling to the fact that I'm a Young Life leader and going to a reputable college, siliently pleading for someone to say "that's good, Lance." I do not wake up thinking how to make someone's day, I'm looking for excuses to enjoy mine.

Experiencing that burning, white hot desire for life is something amazing. I've distinctly seen two people, absolutely, completely, insanely in love with life. My Mom and Me. I've also seen, first-hand, what causes this. I, as my Mom has always been, was insanely in love with Jesus. He was real, and just kinda chilled with me through the day.

I just now put this together. There's a simple difference, for me, between just completing the day... and waking up at 7 o'clock with a flaming want for life. Read on.

They say you can't explain being in love. You just "know it." I've experienced it. I was in love with Jesus. This is not singing church hymns in the right octave. It's not putting extra effort into tying your tie on Sunday. It's not praying before every meal. It is not something you give 10% of your paycheck to. It just happens, and you wake up completely swept away, along for the ride.

I started racing motocross recently. I like the danger, the adrenaline, the mystery. Hurling yourself off a 100 foot jump at 50 miles per hour is something everyone should experience. And you can. Everything, for that couple seconds just... makes sense. I call it a "terrifying peace." Now. Imagine that feeling day-in, day-out. Morning and night, everything just... makes sense.

I've been making a living being nice, passing classes, and having occaisonal bouts of spunkiness. I'm taking back my life, and it will be free from the addiction of uncertainty, the addiction of procrastination, the addiction of mediocreness.

The thought of who I had become, and the fact that I'm taking it back wells up in me like Thanksgiving dinner. It's so good I'm gonna burst. I know Who has the key to happiness, and i'm taking it back, damnit.

tItLE

2006-04-25T14:48:00.000-06:00

The excitement is building again. Summer. I'm gonna try to subsidize my summer by finishing building the cobra and selling it. Racing on the weekends and building a car. Sounds shallow...but good. I'm a bit bummed with myself lately because I feel like I've been giving half effort to most everything in my life, especially Young Life and school. Young Life is one of the most important things I've ever been a part of, and school is, well, important. Definitely get back to working hard on...working hard.

The next month and a half should be sweet:
Dirtbike in Moab
Minnesota--My sister's graduating med school-the whole fam will be there
Young Life camp
Race 4X at Natrop
Start working on cobra again
I'll be 20? ah!
Motocross

Looking forward to the summer to take a good look at my Faith, dig in the Word, and improve. I've been just simmering lately, no bueno. I do a lot of fun stuff, but at the end of the day, it's not racing, or buying new shoes, or wearing my hat backwards that makes life awesome.

Live your love

2006-04-04T23:16:00.000-06:00

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive. What the world needs is people who have come alive."
-someone

rough

2006-03-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning, thinking about some of my problems.

I have a hard time finding the time to go play as much as I'd like.... because I go to, perhaps, the best college in the state.

For Young Life on monday nights, I get stressed out because, well, I have too many kids to pick up for club.

I've got amazing people in my life, but find I can't spend a whole ton of time with them. Perhaps because of going to that school, and having too many Young Life kids to hang out with (not that they aren't people).

I had a big decision to make, one that most don't have to make. This summer, do I race downhill mountain biking, or do I race motocross on a motorcycle.

Yesterday I was wanting to study Physics for a test Thursday. Some YL kids wanted to hang out. As much as I dread doing this, I skipped physics for four hours. We went dirt jumping.

2006-03-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

Summer Plans:

-Be dangerous
-Finish the Cobra

spring break

2006-03-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

_MG_9099
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Life

2006-02-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

Rant time:

Why does life have to be so hard? I'm not talking about my life, it's too plush as it is. But my Young Life kids. No, not my YL kids, just Kids. They've got it freakin' hard. It's like life takes a big dump on them.

I see my kids getting kicked out by their parents because of an argument. Kids addicted to drugs because it's their only source of happiness, kids addicted to alcohol because it makes them cool. I see kids at the smokers' pit sitting, back to the fence, head down, talking to no one... with hundreds of kids around. Some leaders interviewed a group of kids lately, and asked about the most popular new drug. The answer was Cocaine.

Jr. High students also said: Cocaine.

Driving home tonight I had the radio on. KBPI had a song on about banging some girl. Next. KALC had a song about smoking weed. Next. The next station was all about sex. Off.

Don't blame kids for their problems. They don't know any better. Morals are a product of what we've been taught and believe. Never been taught? Where are the morals gonna come from? And people generally lack that intrinsic quality to intuitively rise out of the pit, shining in all the dark.

Kids these days are under so much influence, I don't see how they don't all implode. The bullshit that they see in life is unbelievable. People seek happiness, and living from addiction to addiction takes life's wheel and pulls a u-turn

I'll go ahead and be vulnerable. It breaks my heart to see these kids digging their own holes, not knowing where they're going, being steered by some invisible force. I just pray that maybe they'll see a difference in Brandon, Emily, Shaun, Jason, Janelle, Paul, Kristin, Me. That they'll see something in us they want so bad, that they want in on the secret.

So here's a big upturned middle finger to you, satan. YL's pitching. Here comes a curveball. Hope you strike out.

!!

2006-02-22T23:09:00.000-07:00

I get to race motocross this weekend. Hunter asked me if I'd like to race his brother's dirtbike this Sunday at the track in Erie. Oh yeah, I'm in.

I bought a used Santa Cruz V-10 downhill bike. I'm stickin' around Golden this summer and racing to my heart's content. I'll probably end up working on the Cobra this summer to finish it, and hopefully selling it before the loan is due in July.

Wheatridge Cyclery offered me a job out of the blue. It'd pay next to nothing, but it'd be fun with a cool crowd this summer.

I got a B on my Phys II test #2.

Downhill racing will be my best opporitunity yet to break a bone. I mean , come on, my deadline is 1 year, 2 months.

Young Life's going great. Kids are coming (but we'd love more), we're starting a new style of club, my team rocks the socks off anyone, and it's fun.

We took doughnuts to the high school for YL this morning. 7:00 sucked, but the sunrise didn't, and meeting new kids was sweet.

This is all exciting news/history, you'll have to talk to me about the better-est-est news. It's sweet.

L

2006-02-18T01:35:00.000-07:00

left/right

2006-02-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Alright, so an element to life is pursuing happiness, right?

Most every book I've read in the past year has been about pursuing your "big dream." I've also extracted that one finds fulfillment and happiness in pursuing their life's "big dream." However, many people lose sight of their big dream and settle for letting life settle over them.

Here's where my personal debate kicks in. Is my big dream to be an engineer? Sometimes I feel it would be a neato job, but perhaps not fulfillng. Or maybe it still is my big dream, the Mines stress is just tampering with my thoughts.

I was also all gung ho about finding an internship this summer. But, umm, no. I've worked full time every summer since sixth grade, and was half time in fifth grade. I want to get my field session done, and take my wicked cool Young Life kids to camp, and BMX/Mountain Bike race my brains out. If I get the cobra done, I could live off its proceeds and enjoy my summer. Having an internship is like a gateway into the adult working world. I just wanna be a kid for one more summer.

Oh yeah, and I found a Santa Cruz V10 downhill bike for sale for an amazing price... mmmm.... downhill racing....mmmm....

Time to get ready for my tests tonight.

Out/

2006-01-06T02:40:00.000-07:00

Million dollar idea.

Whisker Stopper. Topical product stops hair follacles from growing hair on face for a year or so. No shave no more.

Titles are hard.

2006-01-06T02:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's time for all of you to come back to Golden. Seriously, if you don't soon, I might go crazy for lack of people. Yep, so come on back. Soon. Yep.

This semester... ride my big wheel down Ford st/Washington St/ lookout mountain road, take care of physics II, get rid of the crap in life, win nationals BMX in feb, spend more time with my Young Life kids, spend more time with God, get outside more, work hard on the cobra, make more friends, scare myself, break a bone if neccessary, eat at Midevil Times, do things that people think are dumb, roadtrip to Moab, learn to shut up when I'm speaking cocky babble, go to sleep before the time that I'm typing this, do more Meaningful things, do fewer meaningless things, do the dishes more, add one idea a week to my "Million Dollar Ideas" envelope, improve.

Come back please!
Lance

magnificent month

2005-12-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

The excitement is building in me. I'm leaving Holyoke for Golden on Monday. I've built a desk, built a disc braked big wheel, written a resume, cleaned our shed, and cruised facebook for too long. I've hung out with the family, and hung out some more. Golden soon.

Dad and I went to look at the Cobra yesterday. They put the first coat of primer on yesterday. That's great, but the car's three months late so far. Cobrapainter Steve kept putting out excuses why it's taking so long and Dad called him on it. Some firm words were had. It's kind of fun to see dad get fired up once in a blue moon. Anyways, the car'll be here in two weeks (make that a month) and it'll be go-time!

BMX races are the 7-8. This is exciting, as I live to race. Anyone want to come watch? Team SPUD will be in full attire.

New Year's Resolution? Become a harder worker.

OOh, and if you want some excellent political food for thought, read this blog...

redstateranger.blogspot.com

L

Early riser.

2005-12-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

Yahoo for Christmas. Garrett and Tara fly in Tuesday, then they, Sarah and I are gonna head home. My mom's so excited I think she'll probably burst.

So the thought of having a month off is kind of scary, so I came up with a list of projects and things to do this break (and need to get done) and it's got 13 big things. Busy=good. Not busy=Lance in crappy mood.

The big ones: Send resumes to car companies, put disk brake on big wheel, build my killer desk, get as much done as possible on cobra.

Oh, and I've decided this: I need more adventure/danger. I want to be the guy that up and blows the pants off people. Instead I 'm getting my kicks by doing well on a test. Mines is stealing my soul. Most of the time the most exciting part of my day is going mountain biking. That's fun, but life should be an adventure, not waiting for an adventure.

Next, I'm close to positive that I'll be an entrepreneur and do my own thing some day. I don't think I'll be content being an employee, limited by the rate at which I can earn a promotion. Thought: I'd like to buy a crap house, quit school for a year, remodel house as full time job, sell, make some money, go back to school. If one was to play the cards right, they could make a good profit and learn a bunch.

Or I could build choppers and sell them. A guy from Holyoke I know can make 5k a bike... and he builds pretty stale bikes. I've got ideas, oh I've got ideas.

I'm a restless person, and Mines had pacified me for a while, but I'm restless. I don't want to quit, but want to pull some more adventure out of my existence.

Luke broke his neck a while back and died... Well, they brought him back, but he was done for a while. I'm in a way jeallous, to have something like that give me a new outlook. If I were going to die in two years, what would I do? And how would I make a difference?

I still need to break a bone.

Restless in Golden.

657

2005-12-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

I'm done! the physics final resulted in an A, then I went mountain biking!

I went for a shuttle run down Chimney Gulch with Brandon. Then Luke, Greg, Chris and I shuttled White Ranch this afternoon. The wind was howling and cold. I found myself going off a big roller in the trail, not thinking about the wind(and the fact that is was a cross wind). Barreling down the fire road at about 20-30 mph I found my bike over a boulder garden, heading towards the trees on the side of the trail, and being pushed out from under me. Probably the most scary moment on a bike I've ever had, enough to make me wonder if I'd ever walk again. Anyways, I landed on my front wheel, rolled a nose wheelie for a while, and kept going. I had to stop and catch my breath, stop shaking, and stop my elvis-legs.

Just enough to shock the Mines out of my system.

Liveitup.

about to burst.

2005-12-13T00:15:00.000-07:00

10 hours until I'm done for a month. A li'l worried about the test, as I'm shooting pretty high. Anyways, going MTBing with the downhill racers right after. I think I'm more excited than I've ever been to rip it up after the test.

Young Life was amazing tonight. It was in a barn. With some horses in stalls. The competition tonight was three teams doing gift wrapping. However, they had to gift wrap a live duck.

Lance

Life.

2005-12-05T00:51:00.000-07:00

It was another one of those weekends. One of those weekends that makes Monday a bummer. Ford and I hit up A-Basin Saturday morning for a nice morning of powder. We ended up leaving around 12 once everything one skied down, at which time I snuck in a run down loveland pass. A solo run down the pass in thigh deep powder is something everyone should do before they get old.

Today involved a lot of Young Lifeisness. Brandon and I met up to go to Flatirons Church, where his dad's the preacher. Good Stuff. After that we met Emily at Chili's for a leader meeting to talk about what's in store. The three of us are going to be Splitting A-west from the RV club into it's own club in February. Which means we're gonna have to go hog wild meeting kids. Anyways, after lunch it was off to the Leprino ranch where we had the Christmas party. All the families that fundraise, donors, and leaders were there. So basically, like 60 happy people. I like happy people. Anyways, It was great to get together, talk about our experiences, and get some encouragement to really kick it in gear. The families were so appreciative, it's awesome to hear that every while. At any rate, YL's the most terrifying, awesome, fun thing I've done. It's big. Real Big.

I'm really enjoying school this year. I've got great friends, both at and not at Mines, I'm tackling some study habits, feeling more in my groove, and finding myself. I'm learning that seeing who you want to be doesn't change a thing. It's putting myself in situations that scare me that shape me. And the difference between this year and last year is that I'm now scaring myself.

The cold weather's cramping my style. Riding my bike is one of my favorite things on this earth. And it's really not warm. Snowbiking season may have to begin.

Are turkeys just large, ugly chickens?

2005-11-28T23:40:00.000-07:00

I've hatched a plot to neglect myself of much sleep tuesday through sunday, thereby enabling me to sleep through the entire day of monday. Yes, I hate mondays. The situation is that I seem to have so much fun on weekends that monday is an intense letdown. I'm cynical and grumpy. Whyfor? I dunno, wish I could sleep.

Thanksgiving was good, I united with my fellow countrymen/women and family by eating some turkey. Preferably the dark meat. Went to Iowa to celebrate my thanks with Mom's side of the family. The cool part is that she has 7 siblings, all of which were there... Along with their kids, and those kids' kids. All told, it was so big that they had to rent out the community building to hold all 50ish of us. And we ate turkey.

So it seems that all of my cousins are gettin' hitched. Which is wierd... cause they're not much older than me. Here's my perception of a common central Iowan mentality.

Men:

Ranch/Farm + get hitched... live out your days in central Iowa as an Iowan.

Women:
Get hitched... live out your days in central Iowa as an Iowan.

Which strikes me as wierd. I don't think I'd be content with life if I got married, had kids, and just kept a steady job. Maybe I'm just one of those young whippersnappers that'll be beaten down by the Man... eventually being cynical about life and having a mediocre job to bring home the dough... but I sure hope not.

It'd bum me out to live life not for some adventure, but just to live it because there's no other real alternative... and to work an average job... because there's no better alternative...

Talked to my hookup at Ford last night... he's working in ford's more "top secret" stuff.... which means I'll have to go through the normal internship process. So, here's my christmas project.

Send resumes (for summer internship) to:

Petty Enterprises
Saleen
Roush Racing
Lotus Europe
Ford

2)Pray that they like my resume

3)Call and inform them how awesome I am.

Other goals:

Get my pilot's license. I'm looking into selling 1/3 to 1/2 of my liver to accomplish this.
Get the Cobra done+drive around on a nice summer evening; pretty girl optional/preferable.
Sell Cobra so I can afford pilot's license.

Called Cobra Painter Steve today, which left me in a sorry mood. They've had it for 4 months and still won't have it done by Christmas... which means I have 29 idle days with no cobra to finish. If Cobra Painter Steve only knew that Christmas is my only major time to work on the cobra, and that I'm sitting on a loan waiting to sell this thing... He'd be sorry, oh he'd be sorry.

Christmas! School's burning me out, and Calc II is whooping my butt. Alas, in two weeks it will all be over. The Young Life Leaders Christmas party is this sunday, and from what I hear it's more fun than beating a drum with a stick.

The weather's getting cold, and taking away one of my favorite things to do, ride bikes. Anyone interested in Epics II credit? Well here's the deal:

Build a large wire frame around a bike. Cover that frame with Saran wrap (it's lightweight). Install propane heater into Saran wrap bubble. Bubble thereby protects cyclist from the Colorado elements. Take Bubble Bike trail riding and dirt jumping and bask in the joy of being an innovator.

Lance ADD Atkins

--

2005-11-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

ihavecompletelylostmycellphoneiambmxracingtomorrowiamextremelyexcitedandiwentwiththeguystothearenacrossracestonighthopefullyifindmycellphone

myavalanchebrokedownandgregandireplacedthealternatorinthelowe'sparkinglotin25minutes

alternatorsarenotcheapandiamexcitedtoraceandireallydonotwanttobuyanewcellphone

itisreallyannoyingtonotbeabletogetorsendcalls

ithinkilostitputtinginthealternator

ilikeracingalotandididmylaundrytoday

iamgoingtosleepsoicanracewell

goodnightall

Lance

full

2005-11-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

IMG_7566
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

First, I'm pumped, I pulled out a 97.5% on last night's Physics test, rock on!

I'm realizing how full life can be. Between YL and all of life's other going's on's, I keep busy enough. Last year I felt like I lived from stimulus to stimulus, without ever enjoying much any of it. Doing something of substance this year is definitely the way to go. OOh, and I've been essentially single for ~two years now! No complaints about that. Even Ariel posting flattering flyers of me about campus failed to work.

After taking my YL buddies to camp, it's cool to see how amazing camp is. Talking with one of my guys, he has gone from "agnostic" to "I want in on this sweet God thing."

!

Which brings me to another point. People are so much cooler and rewarding than stuff. In other words, my goal has been to blow the automotive industry wide open... But I'd rather work with people than designing a car. Maybe both?

And my Avalanche broke down tonight. In Arvada. On Wadsworth. Davy came to the rescue and pulled me into the Lowe's parking lot. Chris and I'll tow it home tomorrow. The battery wasn't charging, so it's either an alternator, battery (it has been on its last leg), or something between. But I do get to fix something... schweet.

Next thought, Life's uber cool now, but how much "collegeness" am I getting? I can't say my Mines experience is any amazing life changing event, it feels like I go to class and fill my life with things not related to mines. Like I live in Golden and take classes up on the hill. No complaints, but I'd love to know how the average mostly-outgoing guy at other schools feels about his college experience.

ecnal

Lance Atkins-Copyright 1986

2005-11-14T01:54:00.000-07:00

1) Young Life camp is one of the coolest things ever to be experienced. Especially when you're behind the scenes... seeing and doing the Big strategy. Like... f-ing cool.

2) I BMX race this weekend, one can hardly fathom how excited I am. It keeps me awake at night.

3) YOU are required to post good ideas for a Christmas road trip that I can take. The winner will recieve the joy of knowing that they had a hand in creating the trip's itinerary. And a fortune cookie.

I'm Lance.

LLP

2005-11-11T02:23:00.000-07:00

Whoo diggity dog. Life's been quite cool these days. Young Life gets better and better, I don't mind my classes, and I'm actually working towards life. I wrote out "Lance's Life Plan" in Calc+Physics yesterday... some of its content (not all):

Get in with Ford this summer
Pass Mines stuff
Get Pilot's License
Intern with Yeti Cycles next summerish time
Win all my BMX races in this winter series
Do an X-up winning one of those races
Finish Cobra
Tell Someone how cool they are
Enjoy Life
Break Arm/Bone (preferably arm)
Go Big

Comment and add to my Life Plan...

It's funny how you enjoy your life when you're happy to be alive. -RK

L-

42

2005-11-03T20:46:00.000-07:00

IMG_7922
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Ah, what a great week.

No tests!
I went caving with Mic and three YL leaders. There's a fault crack cave a few miles up 6th.
Got my butt stuck in the "Devil's Pinch" in the cave for an hour
Hung out over coffee with Christina
Took some of my YL guys to the BMX track
Threw a YL Halloween Party
Shaved the top of my head and dressed up like an old guy with a walker
Rocked the 40 year old bald look around campus tuesday
Shaved my head all bald
Played dodgeball with a bunch of HSers
Hung out with last year's roomies at Hops... and Perkins
Lost my cell phone/found it a day later
Gave away pizza at A-west
A-west football game/breakfest with leaders
Chilled with leaders at Old Chicago
Watched a totally normal toilet flood our bathroom. Twice.
Toured Littleton with Matt.
Haunted House with Arvada YL team/ Saw II
Studied at Barnes with DC
Realized that Snowboard Season IS Here!
Almost broke Hunter's nose by ramming a door into him.

Woohoo Life!

My Grammar Stinks.

2005-10-25T00:31:00.000-06:00

Ever get that feeling like you want to take over the world, but don't really have anyone to share it with, and can hardly even convey how exciting life is at the moment?

-L

Top of the World

2005-10-23T23:42:00.000-06:00

topofworld
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Young Life is unexplainably cool... It's so exciting I don't feel like using the big words I'd have to come up with to spit it out. Some of the coolest kids are ones who I'd have never talked to in high school. The stoners, the wierd kids, them. They're so full of personality once you let them in. Derby, Jeff, and I hit up the bmx track today. They've stuck to me like glue. It's like they're begging me to let them into my life. Cool, Cool.

School's do-able, but not the most exciting thing I've encountered in 19 years. I try to keep myself sane hanging with friends and riding bikes (and soon boarding). Riding bikes it's like there is no troubles, just me on top of the world.

in r+tv

2005-10-04T00:42:00.000-06:00

1) Young Life- I've beat this to death, but it's cool. I get to hang out with and love a bunch of kids for no good reason. Tell em' about God and have a butt-ton of fun doing it.

2) MTB Racing. I've been racing with the cycling team, and this is cool as well. Where else can you have an entire weekend of fun for only $10... and race? Good release for me from Mines as well as my super-competetiveness. Dare I say beat people?

3) School. Positive attitude may equal positive results. Realized this summer that if I'm not gonna enjoy Mines and try to get something out of it, I should quit and do something worth the money.

4) What do you wholly enjoy in life? Take it and run with it.

YL

2005-09-27T00:20:00.000-06:00

Young Life =

11 kids in my vehicle

100 kids in a basement

1 Ton of Fun

I derive my sense of self worth from Physics Tests.

2005-09-22T23:48:00.000-06:00

Ever have one of those weeks that's just awesome?

It's all but a done deal... I've sold my Mustang to Luke! Sad to see a car that I put so much work into go, but good to get it sold.

I called on the Cobra today and it's coming along well at the paint shop, sweet!

My physics test went much better than any test I've taken in the last year!

And, on a less shallow note, Young Life rocks! My first club was Monday, and it was NUTS. Probably 70 HS kids showed up! Club was first, we're basically easing into the idea of kids "learning about God then making our own logical decisions about the Guy." After club all the kids go hang out at Starbucks on Kipling and Simms for a while. THEN, after that, all the leaders hang out at Old Chicago. It was so cool that I've been excited all week. Aside from club, we go hang out with the kids at school, take em to lunch, go to their games. I'm gonna try and start up a weekly dirt jumping group at the BMX track and take some kids... How cool is this Deal? There were so many kids; Goths, Athletes, Kids with mohawks, punk-rockers. We even had a kid with a physical disability that cusses a lot. Now this is cool.

And Garrett and Tara are coming this weekend. Garrett was looking at coming up for a reunion, but decided not to because of the hurricane. Well, turns out they're being displaced by the hurricane (Houston), so they're driving up anyways. Score!

And I'm racing Downhill at U of NM next weekend. I may break my arm yet.

Aside from that, life is full of more exciting prospects.

Heck Yes,
Lance

Identify.

2005-09-07T22:54:00.000-06:00

College is unique in that it forces you to look at yourself. Check yourself out. High School seemed be the last clinging of happy-go-lucky innocence. High School gives you, more or less, an identity. Just go with it, don't worry about it. Play your part for 7 1/2 hours of class and maybe a sports practice. Then you're free to let down the curtains for the next 16 hours. College starts with a clean slate and a new frontier. Now you're at ground zero, and whatever part you choose, you have to live it around the clock.

It's interesting to see how people handle their college part. Some may play it their whole lives. Some turn to drinking to keep things rolling. Eventually that rock rolls off the cliff. Some hole up and study. The fun guy surrounds himself with tons of friends, never really knowing any of them.

If anyone tells me that college is 100% peachy, I think they're lying, and they certainly aren't at CSM. The challenge isn't only classes, but themselves. The transition from the High School Facaad to the College humbleness seems to hit most. Everyone, no matter how strong, cool, or talented, seems to run from something. So many guys put up the tough guy image for fear of being found weak. It's like smashing all your matchbox cars with a hammer. It's pretty sweet to squish those 97 cent cars and feel tough, but at the end of the day, not having any matchbox cars sucks. True strength comes from facing the fear of being found weak.

College is all about finding real friends. Everyone has their "buddies" that they tell stories with and compete with. But how cool is it to actually talk, no ego involved, about life, your dreams, and what you enjoy... with someone.

It's easy to run life on theories in college. No parents thoughtfully guiding, no neighbors looking out for you. Nobody you knew before is around, and you can do whatever you want.

High School seems to put kids on a conveyor belt baseline. College is the time that people either rise or fall. Suddenly, you don't have a whole community of people watching, prodding, and telling you what's best. Some complete college and go for their goals, some quit or squeam through.

While I like all my classes (no joke!), and enjoy hanging out with friends, I'm most excited about having to stand up and look life in the eye.

At Young Life tonight one of the staff members said that of a survey of 95 year olds, one of the most common regrets was not taking enough risks.

I'm stopping doubting myself and quitting staying comfortable. Young Life will push me farther than I imagine, and I'm pumped.

I went dirt jumping the other day. I decided to take on the biggest jump at the track because it was too big. The best mountain biker I know reportedly had trouble clearing it, and I knew it would probably hurt. I told Ryan we weren't leaving until I crashed or cleared the jump. 4 near crashes later and one big crash later, I was bleeding... and smiling. And that was a lot more fun than cruising by the jump.

Note to self:

Take previous paragraph and replace the word "Jump" with most anything. Preferably something scary, hard, and big. Apply this rule to all of life.

The End.

Break

2005-09-02T23:09:00.000-06:00

So I signed up to mountain bike race with the cycling team next weekend. I'm racing cross country and downhill.

In looking at the race flyer, I found something to make me smile. It reads:

"Downhill: A full throttle ride the whole way down! Plenty of excitement including 6ft drops, trees, rocks and even a road crossing."

Do something every day that Scares you.

Epitaph

2005-08-25T00:21:00.000-06:00

I'm going to retire the Blog. I may post random inspirations from time to time, but I'm tired of reciting my day. I get this redundant feeling when I tell people what I've been doing... because I already e-told them. Added to that, I want to invest my time into things more worth while than blogging, such as people.

In light of this, I did go to the first Young Life meeting today. I was the only one not from CCU. Anyways, I'm scared to death, and I'm super pumped to share one huge secret with a bunch of kids. It'll be a big challenge. The perfect combo.

Over and Out/
Lance

2005-08-23T01:03:00.000-06:00

So I went to the White Stripes concert with Sarah at Red Rocks tonight. It was, well, um... AMAZING! Hands down the best concert I've ever been to. And to think there's only two of them. Jack Johnson's gonna have a tough act to follow Wednesday.

Hiked Long's peak with Davy and fam Monday morning. 14 hours on the mountain and 5,000 feet vertical. It was enjoyable, but I think I'm done with 14'ers for this year, but next year's fair game.

We had a BBQ and water balooned freshmen lately also. Good fun. My first class is Beginning Basketball. I really hope they try to teach us how to dribble, I'd love that.

It's going to be a great year.

Sleep is in high demand/
Lance

I fell on my bum tonight.

2005-08-20T02:16:00.000-06:00

Golden's cool, My house is cool, and Mic (the newest housemate addition) is super cool too. Excited.

I decided to take the plunge and be a mentor for Young Life this year. The email's sent and all. I've been a little bit leary this summer, mostly because of being nervous. I've come to the conclusion that whatever makes me scared (In a non-death sort of way), I should probably do. This is my first challenge. Consult your fears, ya know. And I'm tired of living life for myself, that's a great way to become an unhappy individual. The whole thing of going to camp with my kids this summer should be interesting because I'm looking at having an internship in Michigan, but everything works out when God takes care of it. And I'll meet tons of super cool people (most of who should be fun, outgoing people).

Next, I refuse to suck at school because I accept sucking. Rather than wasting money and shooting for a good enough GPA, just try, Lance. If I can't handle the measly responsibility, how can I expect to achieve my goals in life? I won't ever be content with life if I just get recruited and work that ho-hum job for ever. I'd love to start a business, build cars, work with people, and be that guy that likes walking in the door to work every day, and loves coming home to the family even more.

Life's a journey/
Lance

Do You love "The Price is Right" show? I do.

2005-08-17T23:33:00.000-06:00

Finally I'm out of Holyoke as of tomorrow morning! I've spent the week procrastinating on packing, hanging out with my parents and sister, and whatnot. Anyways, Golden's gonna be fun, I can't wait to vacate semi-stifling Holyoke.

I'm excited about this year for a ton of reasons. And I'm feeling good 'bout life. And I declare "The Year of The Roadtrip." And hey, I go to two concerts in the next week, I won't complain. AND the iPod Mini contest is now closed due to an overwhelming, multi-national flood of applicants.

AND, see all you Mines-ites tomorrow afternoon.

Rock On,
Rock On.

Idea #244...

2005-08-15T14:26:00.000-06:00

...that is going to make Lance rich:

Horse Poop Chute. Many mountain trails are littered with little organic presents from our fine equestrian friends. The Horse Poop Chute would sling the horse poop approximately three feet off of mountain trails in order to get it out of the way of hikers and mountain bikers. The Horse Poop Chute would also work with nature to naturally fertilize the flora and fauna about the trail. It would also keep the horse from fertilizing my mountain bike tires.

Idea #245

Design and Patent Dog Safety Seat. Dog would be able to ride safely in a car and escape major trauma in the event of a car accident. Dog would also be restrained from spontaneously jumping out window. Sell patented idea to PETA.

(c) August Fifteenth, Year Twothousand-Five

yessss

2005-08-09T00:12:00.000-06:00

The last week has been awesome. Kelvin and I set out on a road trip one week ago Sunday. We drove the day away, arriving in Grand Forks, ND in time to eat and sleep. Monday was our scheduled tour of the aviation department at the University of North Dakota. The aviation tour was like more like living out a Star Wars Dream than learning how to fly. They had 80 planes for training only. They had 20+ simulators, one of which was a brand new 3 million dollar simulator of a Canadair regional airline jet. The school offers commericial aviation degrees, flight traffic control, airplane mechanics, aviation management... you name it. Their flight traffic control program is good enough that they have a contract with Norway to train all of their flight traffic controllers. They've even beat out the AFA in flight competitions 13 of the last 20 years. Anyways, there's my non biased UND plug, whatever it's worth

We crossed the continental divide in ND as well. It was about 1,500 feet. Not as grand as one would imagine the continental divide.

After prodding around Grand Forks for two days, we were westward for Fallon, Montana. Eight hours in the cockpit landed at Kelvin's grandparents' house on "The flat." His Grandpa was a farmer for quite some time, but now runs a farm feed business and sells herbal supplements (Juice Plus). Grandpa and Grandma, Irv and Marlee, were ecstatic to have us there. Kelvin's brother Taylor and cousin Kasey have been there almost all summer. We did a lot for four-wheeling, dirt biking, cow searching, exploring, and drinking coffee. Irv and Marlee have a huge wrap around deck on the house. I'm gonna own a deck like that some day. Irv also owns Fallon's "old church," and was wanting to roof it. So, the three of us spent Thursday plus Friday morning putting tin on the roof. It was a fun job, but boy was it hot. One sweet tan I tell you. I got to wear a rock climbing harness type gizmo and scamper about on the roof. The harness was tied to the ground on the opposite side, keeping me from falling off the 45 degree roof.

Sunday saw us going to church, and spending the afternoon with Kelvin's cousins. We went golfing, then dirt biking. Jesse has the same motorcycle I used to, which gave me that "dangit" feeling. Anyways, he let me climb some freaky-steep hills with it. There's nothing like fear fed adreneline pumping.

We left at 6:30 this morning and got back at 5:00. Just enough time for Kelvin to get ready for his first day of football camp. Boy am I thankful I don't have to go through two-a-days ever again.

I'm going mountain biking tomorrow. For a long time. Before I leave, I'm going to pick out paint for the Cobra at the body shop. Should be fun. It feels great to be done with the summer's hard work and be able to play for a while before school starts up.

iPlaya

2005-07-31T02:11:00.000-06:00

Cobra=Ready for paint!

After two all nighters and a ton of hours, the car is ready for paint on Monday. The primary thing I needed to get done was the aluminum construction. I built a firewall, foot boxes, transmission tunnel, and inner fenders out of aluminum. Lemme say it took literally four times longer than I thought it would. Anyways, it looks good and is done. That's all I care. Other than that, the car's completely disassembled, and I ground/rewelded some crappy welds. I also had to make new motor mounts. Previously, the old ones sat crooked. One was also higher than the other. So, I made new ones! They're like a six sided pyramid... Kinda. Anyways, I was really hoping that I had positioned them correctly, since I didn't have anything reliable to use for measurement points. I put the engine in tonight and they were 100% dead on. Yeah, I'm good.

I'm leaving at 7 in the morning for North Dakota! Kelvin and I are gonna have an awesome time for the next week. I was wondering how his girlfriend was going to allow him to hang out with me for an entire week. Well... turns out he just dumped her. Anyways, I think he's excited to be able to do things now (not being controlled), and... we're gonna have fun! After checking out an aviaton school for him in ND, we're off to Montana to chill with his grandparents for a couple days. I love their place. There is absolutely nothing to do but ride four-wheelers and drink coffee. It sounds boring, but somehow it's the coolest place. Serene, I tell you. And I think I just repeated about what I said in my last blog. Eh.

I almost cracked up today when my mom's friend Vicki began advising me to start "inventory dating." She thinks I should date 3+ girls at a time (not as girlfriends, she reinforced). She told me, no joke, "If girls realize you're a player, they'll decide they can't control you and will just have fun." Since when is a "player" a good thing? Ha, is there more than 3 girls at Mines?

So, enacting this new advice I have recieved: Rule change. The contest (mentioned in a previous entry) for the magic girl with the Mini iPod (women owning BLUE Mini iPod are automatic winners. Other mini iPod owners must apply for contest) will now entertain THREE grand prize winners.

South Rockin On Dakota/
Lance

stuff it.

2005-07-28T00:04:00.000-06:00

My Life is terrible.

I've been working on one of the coolest cars I've gotten to touch, and I, Lance Atkins, own it. I have to do all this detailed work and make it look cool. Gosh, I hate it.

I go to one of the best schools there is for engineering. I can't stand the thought of being there.

My plans got changed now too. I'm going on a week long road trip with Kelvin to North Dakota and Montana. Kelvin's gonna be a senior and is checking out an aviation school in ND. Then we're gonna go to Montana and hang out with his grandparents for a couple days. I hung out there last summer for about four days (I delivered a wheat head to Kelvin's great-uncle... and didn't come back for a while). It is an awesome place. He has the coolest grandparents ever, and it's in some of the prettiest country I've seen. It'll be awesome to hang with Kelvin since I haven't really been able to for the pasts 1 1/2 years. He's dating the girl I used to... so she won't really allow any "hanging out." Kelvin's one of the coolest guys I know. This will be an awful road trip.

Then, after that debacle, I'm going mountain biking for an entire stinking week. Davy is now going too. We're gonna explore the state, and wherever it looks fun to ride a bike. We might hit up a "Yeti Tribe Gathering" too. Just us and the outdoors, yeah. Davy is another one of those coolest guys I know. The thought of being forced to go on this trip makes me want to barf.

If I survive mountain biking, I then have to move back to Golden. I'm living with Shane, Bud, Davy, and a new addition, Mick. I think we're going to have the coolest house in the county. And we have a big wooden deck... and I'm stealing a big, sweet grill from home. We will grill on the deck and feel supreme. Mom just taught me that cherry pies are the easiest things in the world to make. I'll have to throw some cherry pie parties as well. Well isn't that a pile of crap.

After moving to Golden, I have to face the grim reality of living in Golden. It's an entire 20 minutes from downtown Denver AND Boulder. The mountains are my back yard. Ski resorts are close and it has a small town feel. People are chill and I can mountain bike as much as I want to. Woody's has $5 pizza nights and we have nice mild winters. Wretched town of mine.

And to top it all off, I have friends. I mean, who are these people? Who do they think they are? And who gives them free lease to be MY friend? Sheesh.

Go break your leg/
Lance

Soda Pop named in young man's death

2005-07-25T23:37:00.000-06:00

Greg gave me a call last week, and in the process of talking, He said that He, Luke, Mark, Hunter, John, and Dean were going to the motocross races at Thunder Valley (5 min from Golden on C-470). I was planning to be responsible and work on the cobra, but motocross races are just too cool to pass up. Ricky Charmicheal, Chad Reed, Kevin Whindam... all the best riders in the world were there. Greg and I carpooled up Friday afternoon and spent the night hanging out at his new apartment. We spent the whole weekend at the track. I generally don't like watching sports, I'd rather just do something active. However, the motocross races were awesome. Being the nerd I am I spent the most time studying riders' technique. I was in line to get a Chad Reed autograph for Tait Haidle, but Chad had to leave the autograph session about 5 minutes before I was up. Sunday was a hot one. Greg, John and I ended up waiting in line 1 1/2 hours for a drink, and we were desperate when we got there. We all ordered two 32 oz. pops (it's half the price of water) and a bottle of water. I'm just here to say that never, ever, should you drink 1/2 gallon of soda pop to save your life. That evening both John and I were doubled over in stomach pain. Flu +1. And I can't say I've had the desire for a pop since.

I was hoping to visit more awesome G-town friends, but it turns out the term "raceday" means "all day." It was good to hang out with the guys again. The thing I like most about them is that they all have a stout personality. Sometimes that is less cool than other times, but it sure beats a dry personality.

Greg and I didn't get back home until 5:00 monday morning (with a nap half way home). That landed me in bed until 10:00, and got me to the cobra after lunch.

In the process of rebuilding the cobra, I keep running into little adventures. I've been working on building all the aluminum goodies, and it's going well. However, I figured out friday that the engine is mounted crooked, front to back. So I fix that, then I figure out that one motor mount sits 1/4 inch higher. Thus, when I level the engine with the car, the exhaust sits about 1/2 an inch to the left. Not cool when you're trying to build a show car. At least they are fun challenges. Worked on it until 11:30ish, then came home and ate some cherry pie.

I was looking into studying abroad this morning. It looks cool. It makes me nervous just thinking about doing it, which means I should do it. How awesome would it be to spend a semester + in a foreign country, learning a culture, seeing the world, and getting college credit while doing it? It looks good on a resumeblahblahblah, you'll become a well rounded personblahblahblah. It would just be a cool experience.

We got 1 3/4 inches of rain in just an hour this evening, with some sweet hail mixed in. Our intersection was filled water and filled with kids playing in the water. I was kind of jeallous that they were having all the fun, so after the hail did it's thing, I took the bike out to ride through some puddles. I hit up the county road until I found that it was covered in over three feet of water. It was deeper than my wheels. Deep water kinda fascinates me, but I wasn't too fascinated to see what submerging my new bike in water would do, so I puddled my way home.

so I was like, "whatever."/
Lance

Applicants please call (970)-595-0.....

2005-07-22T00:24:00.000-06:00

Why do people so often assume defeat? "I can't do it." "I stink at that." Well, you will suck at something if you never try it. Yep, and the only way to unsuck yourself is to try it. Can you eat a whole gallon of ice cream? Don't know till you try. "Won't work." If it won't work, by george, go down trying.

-This year shall rock. However, I'm gonna miss pumpkins exploding, bikes dropping, axe bombs, spending 30 minutes tearing up phone books to terrorize some terrorizers (they know who they are), patching butt sized holes in the wall, water wars at 3:00, using the shower as a bike washing station. Ryan won't be claiming he'll kill us all because his door got shaving creamed. Greg's fish won't be dying daily.-

What are you scared of? Now go do it!

Headlines

2005-07-20T23:21:00.000-06:00

It was 107 degrees at 5:30. I'm putting in a complaint to God.

Working on Cobra. Duh. I'm excited. Duh.

Evan H. bought a new Apple Powerbook. 15" for those interested.

Holyoke is making me crazy.

I got a free doubleshot of espresso at the coffee shop this marnin. Zing.

Is happiness addictive? What do you think?

I've been home alone for 3 days. Party. But they'll be back in 15 minutes.

I'm going on a 2 week MTB adventure. Starting Aug 2.

My new sleeping bag packs to the size of a package of bagels. Well, big-ish bagels.

Still looking for the *Magic Girl* with the blue mini iPod. Contestants that buy blue mini iPod after hearing about this contest are not elligible for prize. Original blue mini iPod purchase reciept showing date of purchase must be presented on our first date. Offer available to women only.

!Lance!
™

weekend

2005-07-18T23:40:00.000-06:00

Pedal. Pedal. Turn. Rock. Pedal. Jump. Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Burn. Breathe. Sweat. Coast. Wind. Sun. Pedal. Hop. Skid. Dirt. Pedal. Rattlesnake. PedalPedalPedal. Pedal. Hurt. Trees. Sun. Pedal. Rain. Pedal. Rain. Smile.

Smile

"Single Mines Male Desperately Seeking Girlfriend with iPod Mini"

2005-07-18T22:14:00.000-06:00

I opened internet explorer to find on MSN.com the headline "What does your date’s iPod reveal?" I've got an iPod mini. What can my iPod reveal about my inner workings, my traits, and my mysteriousness? Finally, all my questions will be answered! it says:

"How about the mini? “People who buy the tiny ones value sleekness and efficiency,” says Marc Charles, an artist in Richmond, Va. “They choose wisely—in their gear and their music. Don’t date this person if you’re fond of clutter or have a bigger-is-better mentality.""

So, all you interested ladies, watch out: I own an IPOD MINI. If your iPod Mini is blue like mine, we are certainly a match made in heaven. And oh yeah... if you're a girl and do not own an iPod mini, I'm not interested. If you own a stardard iPod, an iPod Photo, or an iPod Shuffle, don't even look at me.

It's the iPod mini that defines me.

"Title"

2005-07-15T01:46:00.000-06:00

So Today. I worked on the Cobra. All afternoon

Mitchell showed up around 7 and said "Dude, you're coming with me to watch Batman Begins." Then I talked him into riding bikes down there. It doesn't open until tomorrow at the theatre, but Bobthemanager gave us two the hookup. So, we watched a super sweet movie, super loud, on, literally, the best sound system in this 1/4 of the state.

After the movie we cruised on the bikes for a while until I looked at the stoplight. "Mitch, I'm gonna ride a wheelie up interocean from the stoplight to Kellogg street."

I'm excited about this, so I am going to gloat. I made it the 6 city blocks up interocean to Kellogg, and another block and a half before I lost it. 7 1/2 blocks! That's 3 times my old record. I've been working on wheelies for about 7 years. So that's officially one block per year. Not the most efficient. Anyways, felt good. Oh yeah, I rode a wheelie in 4 1/4 rotations non-stop the other night. I'm having fun.

After that we went and rode the bikes down the airport runway. We were rebels without a cause I tell ya. The runway's relatively new. Holyoke's claim to fame is that our runway is now big enough to land a learjet on. Anyways, the thing's like a mile long, and smooth. It was almost as peaceful as Baja on the Sea of Cortez... but, nope, not nearly as awesome. I felt like I fulfilled a high school requirement. Make trip down the runway because you aren't supposed to.

After that we rode to the pond. Then Mitch got a flat tire. Then we walked back.

Lance

up with people

2005-07-13T22:53:00.000-06:00

This Is my 100th post!

Worked on the Cobra all day. One of mom's students, Juan, was my assistant for quite a few hours. Pepito, his cousin soon joined. Juan turned 9 monday, and was as full of as many questions as I was when I was 9. I taught him about cars, he bent some aluminum for me, and asked a ton of questions. Remember being a kid when everything was magical? Legos were magical. Taking apart a ballpoint pen was magical. Riding a bike to the C-mart to buy candy was magical. Especially when mom told me not to leave the neighborhood.

Went for another urban bike ride tonight. Ended up talking to Ricardo Baker and Casey Coyne. Ricardo was a freshman in football when I was a senior. Always really liked him... except when he sat in a bus seat with me through the night because nobody would let him sit with them. He's got a tough home, but he seemed to be doing good. Casey's kinda a crazy old guy now, always asks me about my car. He proudly proclaimed "I've lost 30 pounds now. I'm tired of being fat, so we're out a walkin'". After that I talked to Kevin Haidle. I spotted him crossing the highway on his golf cart after league. He's Cool. Yep.

Then I stopped in at the Daryl and Candie Haidle's. We hung out as always and they got me thinking. How many times in life can you do anything you want? I could quit school and be a surfer. I could drive to Canada for fun. And not tell anyone. I could run with the bulls in pamplona. Besides now, how many times will I be 100% footloose and fancy free? I don't have a job to get fired from. I don't have a house to take care of. I don't have a wife and kids to provide for. I don't have any bills to pay except a cell phone bill. That's kinda cool! I need to do something with that.

As a little kid, your parents direct you and tell you what to do. When you are married, you have a family to provide for. Heck, I don't even have a girlfriend to call to tell her where I'm going.

Really, nobody that matters is breathing down my neck. I could quit college and become a pilot. A bush pilot. A dangerous, swooping, Alaskan bush pilot. My parents might question my decision, but they'd survive. I could ride my bike from California to Maine, and nobody that matters would tell me I shouldn't. As well, I have the most able body I'll ever have. No, I'm not gonna quit school, but the thought of not having any "requirements" is pretty sweet.

Being married someday will be awesome... but for now, this is pretty dang cool.

All's Fair...

2005-07-13T01:16:00.000-06:00

Last night I decided to pretend that I felt well. As it turns out, the suspension on my MTB is plush enough that riding my bike was easier than walking. I putzed around town messing around and riding wheelies. I got cheered at four times, which helped my sickly attitude. Anyways, something must have worked. I felt much better this morning.

Went to work this afternoon and I was greeted by beloved Mike. Mike has finally gotten my goat. Yep, he's been a consistent jerk to me for the past four years. He makes at least 4 comments a day, usually exclaiming that I'm stupid, incapable, a little punk, or useless. The problem is that I've never been anything but nice. In fact, I'm probably the nicest one to him out there, asking him how his weekends were, etc. Yet, he continues to assert that I'm the worthless little boss's kid. He treats me worse than anyone else. Yeah, four years ago I didn't know much, but not anymore. I have mechanical abilities above his, I work harder than he does, and I'm as strong as he is. Yeah, I'm as capable as he is. And still he bitches about me behind my back and to my face. I realize that I can never (nor should try to) prove myself to a fool, but I'm 99.7% of the way to socking him in the face. And feeling good about it.

Aside from miserablemike, the day was good. I rode my bike to work, posted some new pictures on flickr, slept in, took some tylenol, did some photography, put the transmission pan back on dad's motor home, Mitchell and Evan both dropped in, Rode my bike some more, taught Mitchell the technique of a wheelie, ate spaghetti, and had a relaxed summer day.

So, I'm done working in order to get the cobra done. Things at the shop are pretty dead, so I, more or less, am not needed. So, I'm gonna move the cobra out to the business and treat it as a regular 7-5:30 job. It will just not pay anything. If it's at work I'll be better at keeping myself accountable in order to get it done by the end of the month.

Peacei'mouttahere/
Lance

Timmmmber!

2005-07-11T20:37:00.000-06:00

Went to the doctor today. I've had a steady stomach ache since July 3, and wanted to figure out what the heck is wrong with me. About all he did for me was tell me that if it gets worse, it's my appendix, if it gets better, it is a virus. If it isn't better by wednesday I'm gonna go back and tell him to do something to figure out what it is, I'm tired of being out of commission. If it's my appendix I want to get it out asap so I can get on with life. Going crazy!

I drove to the new Sterling Home Depot yesterday. Bought some lumber to make a swing chair for mom and a desk for myself. It's a new store... and it's the coolest place ever. I was like a kid in a candy store. Oh Home Depot, you rock.

Sweet/
Lance

Realize

2005-07-09T23:29:00.000-06:00

IMG_8032
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Lance's Realization of the Day:

I love people, I love working with people, and I'm good working with people. I like cars, I love people. I've been driven to break into the automotive industry. However, I now say that should be second chair to working with people. I know I was antisocial and dull this school year, but that's really not me. To copy Davy's words, "I am cool."

Lance's second realization of the day:

Lance Likes to use colons (:).

I posted photos! Click the bird and check em out Dudes and/or Dudettes! This one is a closeup I got the other morning. It's a robin, and it really is alive! How did I get that close to a live bird? Aren't you curious.

I still want to break my arm too. I had a good opportunity the other day at Winter Park on a wooden stunt, but I didn't pounce on the opportunity. Sorry Guys/Guyettes.

Go break a leg!
Lance

2005-07-06T21:45:00.000-06:00

First, I updated my "Thefacebook" account. Only 6 months late! And I even had a poke waiting for me! Schweet! Anyways, after realizing I'm the only loser without a picture, I updated. If you don't know what "Thefacebook" is, well, thenyou'realoser.

Funniest moment of today:

Today Micheal (an employee) had just left work with the loader to pull a farmer's disc (tillage equipment) out of a field (two of it's four wheels broke off... really). He calls about 4 minutes later. He is talking to Mike in the break room and here's what I hear:

"Hey Micheal."

"You broke down?"

"The steering wheel fell off?"

We all hit the floor laughing. It really did just fall off.

Lance

RU4ME

2005-07-05T22:05:00.000-06:00

I can't really think of anything I'd like to write about tonight. Life's great, work's busy, and I'm riding my bike 1/2 an hour before work to work tomorrow. I'm quitting work august first to go somewhere and do something fun/illogical. I might swing through Iowa to visit my super fun family, then to oregon/washington to check it out and mountain bike. Or something like that. My biggest goal is to do it by the seat of my pants.

Everyone watch the Tour de France!

Yeehaw for being young!

Lance

On the Move

2005-07-01T23:36:00.000-06:00

This week, Paula, the neighbor was moving to Spearfish SD. She was incapable of moving by herself, so she enlisted my family's help. The plan was for her to load our enclosed trailer and my dad would pull it to the black hills with his motor home. So, we realize yesterday that the trailer was too much for the motor home. So... I grab the 1 ton Dodge, and follow them! Paula managed to pack (completely full, mind you) an 18 foot enclosed trailer, a Ford Escort, A Jeep Cherokee, and the back half of a 26' motorhome. Holy crap. And she's in an apartment about 800 square feet! Anyways, it was an incredibly interesting trip. Way too much to type. If you'd like to hear about it... It involved fighting, crying, a prostitute, a flat tire, a recovering drug addict, a big steak, $500 left in a rest stop bathroom, an exercise bike on top of an escort, and a cell phone earpiece. Seriously: not joking. Call me!

Just got back from South Dakota. Leaving for mountains in morning. Matt and I are going mountain biking. Yahoo for wild weeks!

Briefly yours/
Lance

Do I have to have titles?

2005-06-28T21:02:00.000-06:00

So here's a synopsis of the past several days. Davy read that I was going to be in Denver Saturday, picking up the bike. He's in the market for a bike, so he wanted to come to the bike shop with me. I said "Hey, we should meet for brunch at Perkins!" I called Matt, and he too joined.

Evan from HS had called and invited me to an overnight lake adventure with a bunch of guys. Davy and Matt decided to come. Davy couldn't come because he's going on a way too cool trip to Idaho in a week or so. I sped back to Holyoke Saturday afternoon to make it to the lake by 7. It stormed horribly (in other words: it was cool) for about two hours, then cleared off. Matt arrived Sunday morning (he worked saturday).

We tubed a lot, did some kneeboarding, and got really sunburned. Matt decided to hang out sunday night/monday, so that was awesome. I gave him a tour of the business, we went and shot guns, and just hung out. Talked about life and whatnot. This concludes the most dry, abrupt section of any blog entry. Ever.

Random Philosophy of the Day:

I'm learning that it's really freeing to not really care what people think. I hope people think of me of a respectful, fun person, but if they don't, I'm still me... and I'm still alive. I catch a lot of crap from Mike at work. It used to bug me, but the more I think about it, I think he's just jeallous. He's had some family issues, and is quite unhappy. I've noticed a trend: unhappy people like to bring happy people down to their level. Why? I don't know one bit.

Anyways, If a girl doesn't like me because I've got a gap in my teeth, or because I don't wear american eagle, that's okay. You're probably not my type. If someone despises me because I have a nice car, that's okay. If you don't like something I do, it's okay. Either we're friends and can work with it, or we'll go our seperate ways. I do think about what my family/friends see in me, but I like to think that doesn't motivate my actions. If you think I'm a cocky jerk because I did the burnout contest and like cars, that's okay. You probably don't really know me. If you do know me and don't like me, well, I guess I don't fit the mold.

If you like me, tell me. If you don't, tell me!

"it's better to be hated for who you are than be liked for who you're not"

Which brings me to my next thought. Dating. Here's my thoughts:

It seems like so many couples try to change their semi-significant other. Often the guy wants the girl to be like a guy. The girl wants the guy to be like a girl. Girls are Girls! Guys are Guys! Girls often like shopping, making t-shirts, and doing each other's hair. Guys often like cars, being competitive, playing football, and jumping off stuff. We're all different! Girls paint their toe nails, guys don't. Guys ignite their farts, girls don't. God designed us to be different! I think women were designed to be adored by men. I think men were designed to win the bride. I think that's the cool part of dating. It's a cool challenge.

Anyways, if that sounded sexist, sorry, I don't mean it.

On that note, I'm gonna go practice more wheelies.

Out/
Lance Atkins

schwoom

2005-06-23T22:33:00.000-06:00

Life's a' good!

Work was cool today. I'm reassembling the front hub on the tractor that I took apart last week. The customers called, wanting it at the end of the day. So, I was busting butt, and I thought I was going to get it done. However, one of the new mechanics was helping me try to get it done, and he ruined a seal. Ah! We didn't have a new oil seal in stock, so they sent Micheal to Yuma to pick one up. Anyways, I should have it finished by noon tomorrow. It's cool to be doing work that is actually needed for a customer, rather than doing something to just keep me busy.

Listening to the country radio today, I picked up two quotations I thought were good:

"Nobody ever died from a broken heart."
"It's better to be hated for who you are than liked for who you're not."

I'm heading to Denver Saturday on a mission. I've been thinking about it for over 8 months, and I'm buying a new mountain bike. I figure that I've earned the money and I've been riding my Schwinn for 5 years. I've outgrown the bike in size and talent. I'm fast enough that I have to slow down in order to not harm my bike (sorry if it sounds like I'm on an ego trip). Added to that, I looove being outdoors. It's a healthy hobby, and it gives me something to look forward to in between life. Ooh, and I'll have a loaner/campus cruiser bike. Maybe I can use it to convert some non-mtbers!

And I'd still love to break my arm.

Oh yeah, I love life too. Again.

Lance!

2005-06-21T00:38:00.000-06:00

Work was fun today. I got to pull the front planetary hub off a newish tractor and fix it! Which is basically the sort of stuff the real mechanics do. Score! I think Gordon realized that working with Mike might make me crazy, so I've been a solo operation for a while now. Super Score.

After that I worked on my corn planter, which is going to take fer-ever. The day seemed like it was about 3 hours long. Triple Score.

I crashed on the floor for about 2 hours after supper, then went to the cobra. I was greeted on the way out by Mitchell. He was bringing my Dad's engine stand back. There was a huge storm coming, so we ran my car to the business to hide it. After we got there, we stood and watched the awesome storm for about 20 minutes. We'd "ooh," and "ahh" over the lightning bolts. Even though I've learned in Earth (class at Mines) exactly what lightning bolts are and how they occur, they're still magnificent enough to make me, along with most everyone go "ooh, ahh." It was definitely the coolest storm this year to date.

Then it started hailing, and we sped home.

After the action was over, Dad came out and announced proudly that we got one inch of rain. That was in less than an hour. And, uh, Check, that'll make tomorrow the most humid day ever.

♣

2005-06-19T14:23:00.000-06:00

wahoo for Father's Day!

So Dandelion Daze, the local car show/celebrate Holyoke thing went on this weekend. I decided to try the burnout contest, as you may have gathered by the past entry. I enjoyed it. It was good, clean, legal fun, too.

However, the interesting part is that I was a seeming instant hero to any child 3' tall or less. After the contest, I probably had 10 kids surrounding me. Some were exclaiming how cool the burnout was, some were too shy to talk, they just looked with big smiles. Now, as fun as it was to be in this situation, I couldn't help but realize how closely kids watch. I probably could have told them all to do hand stands, and they would have. I could have also sworn up and down. They would have copied that. I picked some fragments of rubber and packed it into a ball as a souvenier, Trey Haidle saw me and promptly repeated.

I think the best way to promote God to others is to just live. My mom got a call from a friend lately. Broken, she said, "Bev, I want what you have. I want your joy, your peace." Mom wasn't pushing a bible in her face, nor evangalizing every minute.

Going to church is important to keep one's faith reinforced. But it's life where it really matters, and where the needy notice.

People don't care what you say. They see what you do.

Burnout Contest

2005-06-18T22:57:00.000-06:00

Burnout Contest
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

I won.

=)

The all inclusive blog of today.

2005-06-18T10:49:00.000-06:00

My Sis called this morning. She's going to be in Denver in august, and found out that there's a White Stripes concert at Red Rocks august 21. Rock on! Also, I'm seeing Jack Johnson at Red Rocks august 24. Whoa, Rock on!

So... Sorry Holyoke people, but I really miss the college people. I'm excited to be staying up till the wee hours of the night hanging out, I'm excited to see everyone, to be around the activity, to live with the cool guys I'm living with, to meet new people, and to see all the scared freshmen on campus.

I guess this summer's all about hard work. 13+ hour days can do that. I'm doing my best to play hard, but I don't know if I'm capturing the spirit of summer. The most I sit down is for lunch time. I'd love to lay in a hammock for the afternoon and read something. At any rate, it's still fun. And I plan to hit up the mountains a couple times more, because I miss being outside on a trail.

So, I heard a good, credible story from Haxtun. Julia Anderson and Brandon Biesmier were getting married, and Julia's mom wanted to throw her a shower before the wedding. So, she sent out invites to the church ladies that there was going to be a shower at the church, directly after church service. The shower goes on, and Julia peeks in the first present, blushes, then puts it away. The next present comes, and she blushes again, then whispers to her mom.

As it turns out, her mom was throwing a "pantry party" for Julia with all the ladies at the church. However, she goofed on the invite and left the "r" out of pantry.

Ooh, and there is a Garrett Atkins that plays for the Colorado Rockies. My brother is also Garrett Atkins!

At any rate:
It's time to do something/

Lance

Divisible by four.

2005-06-17T00:22:00.000-06:00

I'm 19. I just realized that my life is probably one-fourth to one-fifth over. Ah!

I gotta get busy.

And enjoy it.

More.

2005-06-15T18:25:00.000-06:00

Sensing that my life had been a bit too mundane the three prior hours, I decided to drive fast this evening. Twice the highway speed limit. I didn't want to do it so much because I can, but because I shouldn't. It's good to be onery every while to make sure you're still alive.

Otherwise, I found a car painter! He should be getting the car the end of July. The car won't be done and sold by the time the loan is due... so refinance? Blech, money stinks.

I'm realizing that I can't keep up my schedule up for too long. I end up working at least 13 hours a day between work and the car. I then get under 6 hours of sleep. This works for about 3 days, then I crash. The only problem is that I have to work full time, and still I have to get this car done in 1.5 months. Suggestions?

Work yesterday was interesting. Mike and I have been fixing the Shelbourne wheat heads around there lately. Anyways, a customer was wanting to watch us work on the head in order to learn the ins-and-outs of it. Mike, for some reason, doesn't want the customer watching (the customer is actually a really cool guy). The day before he said to me that the customer should "go f himself." Well the customer gets there, and Mike's being a total jerk. He's unkind to the customer, cussing, and beating parts excessively hard while swearing. Mike can be a jerk to me all he wants because I could care less, and it doesn't effect the business too much. However, don't be unkind to the customers, Mike. They are who feed you. Gordon (our boss, more or less), comes over to help with installing a part. Mike essentially throws a temper tantrum, and Gordon takes him up front to the office and lets him have a BIG piece of his mind. Mike is nice the rest of the day.

If none of this blog makes sense, I'm tired.

!Lance!

vroom.

2005-06-12T21:13:00.000-06:00

The rainy day started early: I was going drag racing. It's been a year since last, and it's always a blast. Dad brought the motor home as a spectator, and I took the mustang as the racecar. I was racing "street," I've raced high school in the past. Anyways, there were 4 drivers in my class, and my hands started to shake. I'm not the best driver, nor is my car the most consistent.

Now the racing I did today is bracket racing. It doesn't matter how fast your car is, it's how close you can guess the time of which it will run. However, if you run faster than your guess (or dial in time), you "break out" and lose. My dial in time was 15.14 seconds today. If I ran a 15.13, I would have broken out and lost.

First race. I'm up against a 69 mustang mach 1. It's beautiful, super loud, and he keeps revving his motor. This guy's good, I thought. The lights went and 96 miles per hour later, I won!

Next race, it's a beat up old primer-gray plymouth satellite. He red lights (leaves the start line prematurely), but I did too. However, my time was closer to my dial in, so I win.

I've made it to the final round. I meet back up with the mach 1. This time he revs his motor quite a bit more. The lights drop, my car launches well, and we're off. I was about 6 car lengths ahead of him (they stagger the start lights so that you should technically be equal at the finish line). Since I was so far ahead, I didn't want to break out, so I let off the gas. I get my time slip and I ran a 15.16 second quarter mile. Nearly perfect, but I almost broke out (my dial in was still 15.14).

At any rate, I got the win (read: beginner's luck), and they were out of trophies. But since they are out of trophies, they're gonna be cool and put my name in it... I just have to get it later.

Moral of the story? I dunno.

After that I got home and ran to the Haidle's for a while. I didn't know if they were having youth group, so I went to check. The answer was no, but I was forced to eat supper with them and hang out for a while. We talked about life over a couple cups of coffee, once again.

And now here we are! I got thinking, I sure had a slump of happy. Last summer I was about to burst I was so excited about everything I could possibly think of. This school year I was a mediocre-average-get a 2.6 gpa-sit in your room kinda guy. First, I attribute some of this to me being slightly insecure and staying where things are comfy. Second, I now realize how one's environment can suck the life out of a person. As Davy, Shane, and I left for Moab after finals, ol' happy was back! And it's still back! Ain't nobody gonna steal my happy again. Nobody, Nohow.

The end.

Now's the time where I go work on the cobra till midnight because I like the work... and I have to. I'm meeting Hunter tomorrow to get some aluminum. I'm going to rip out a ton of fiberglass structures and make them out of aluminum. I have the chance to build something amazing, and I won't stop till it is. And pardon my french, but this car will be simply badass.

G'nytee/
Lance SpendsWayTooMuchTimeWithCars Atkins

Car Diem

2005-06-11T22:22:00.000-06:00

Today was day of the car. The cobra is stripped of everything but its wheels now. I'm also drag racing the mustang tomorrow, so I removed the back seat and speaker boxes (less weight=a tidbit faster).

aside from that:

I love life!

Lance

Yep.

2005-06-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

So to continue my continuous rut, I'll talk about work. It was an entertaining day, seeing as how I was able to work on 4 different pieces of equipment. The highlight of the day was installing two "rollers" onto a Shelbourne wheat head. Yeah, installing them was alright, but here's why I liked it... These rollers go one on each side of a 32 foot metal "hood." Anyways, the little plastic rollers sit on a metal track, and roll back and fourth as the hood is retracted. I installed the roller on one side, then went to the other side. That roller had slipped off the track. So, I got that roller on, but the other side slipped off.

Now, Mike, who I work with, was a real grouch this morning. He comes up to me and proclaims, grumpily, "It won't work... It won't work, YOU ain't gonna get it."

"Watch ME, Mike."

Boo Yah, I got it installed correctly within 10 minutes. And oh was glory mine.

I finished getting the cabin of the cobra cleaned up tonight. It looks new as can be (but it is stripped to a bare shell). I'm gonna run out to work at about 8 to get a cherry picker in order to remove the engine.

I decided I don't have enough time with the cobra to spare the entire weekend racing mountain bike and car. So, MTB racing got nixed. But the drag strip Sunday. Another boo yah.

It rained like crazy tonight. I mean crazy. Some of the hardest rain I've ever witnissed in my 1.916 decades on earth. The streets were entirely filled with two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. I'd like to say I love rain.

<-- Lance's Nerd Outbreak Paragraph of the Day (NO-PD)

Have an exceptional weekend/
Lance

2005-06-09T00:11:00.000-06:00

My parental units came home today. Mom and Dad have been gone for a couple weeks, off to Texas. Dad has a '76 motor home that's been giving him fits for the past ten years. The guys at work put together a pool, betting on where he'd break down. I could see the look in his eye before he left. "I'll show you guys." I get the look too. Anyways, parents rolled into town around 5, Dad waving a red flag (he couldn't find a checkered flag) and honking his horn. He also had a grin that said "yeah, that's right." Since he never broke down in 3,000 miles, he gets the pool (it's around 60 bucks).

So I've done my best to dislike the motor home. It's tight, hot, and cumbersome. I've always preferred setting up a tent and lying on the sand. It feels like more of an adventure. Then today I realized that Dad's motor home is his adventure. It's just air conditioned. Is it going to break down?, searching for the perfect camp site, and the ability to see America... whoa, Adventure!

Ooh, and I completely gutted the cobra. There's no goin' back.

I need to do something crazy this weekend.

Lance

Tuesday

2005-06-07T00:52:00.000-06:00

Hola blog visitor,

Life's a been great lately. First, I really do enjoy work. Second, The Cobra keeps me busy every other non-work waking moment. Holyoke's pretty chill, and the people I try to associate with are cool. I've been home alone for the past 2 weeks. Mom and Dad should return from Texas tomorrow.

So my gripe of the day is this: the people I work with. I truly do like everyone at work, but so few of them care about the business. Work is just a paycheck. It seems like a lot of the employees don't put out much effort to customers, or into their work. Employees are what sell the business, so wouldn't it be wise to put your best foot forward? Why is everyone content with just getting by?

Worked on the cobra tonight. I started completely tearing it apart. It turns out that the wiring in the car is horrendous. So Horrendous that I think I'm going to pull the motor and gut the wiring. And... rewire. It should be a challenge.

This weekend holds promise. Saturday there's a mountain bike race in Winter Park. It's six miles of continuous uphill. Sunday there's drag racing in Julesburg. I'd love to do the MTB race, mostly because I'm nervous to lose, bonk, and look dumb. And drag racing (on a track, mind you) is a rush.

I think my entries are getting repetitive. Work, Cobra....

mEh/
Lance

tada!

2005-06-04T12:40:00.000-06:00

Long time no post!

Last week I got a call from my sister. "Lance!! plane tickets are super cheap to Minnesota right now (where she lives.)" So, last Saturday I flew out until Wednesday to hang with Sarah. We went to a pro soccer game, watched a bunch of movies, went to a sculpture garden in the Twin Cities, checked out Red Wing MN (where they make the killer boots), hung out with many of her friends, and other stuff I can't think of now. I had an awesome time, and the weather was beautiful!

I arrived back in Denver at 7:00 a.m. (yeah, a.m.). I drove (and dosed) my way back to Golden to go mountain biking. Well, at 8 a.m. in the morning when I had already been up for 5 hours, I wasn't really up to that. So, I parked the car at the hardware store and slept for something like 3 hours. I then went to Barnes and Noble and Subway. I got around to mountain biking about 1. My ride took me up Dakota Ridge and back on Red Rocks Trail. I was suprised how I am in such good shape. I rode the last 3/4 of the trail non-stop... I usually have to stop about 4 times. My guess is that it was the fact that Greg and I rode our bikes around Golden more than we studied.

Anyways, after riding I looked up Christina and had coffee with her. After that I travelled to Littleton to hang out with Matt for the remainder of the evening. It was so super awesome to see both of them. I miss college. I miss college people.

I made it back to Holyoke at 3:00 Thurs the morning, and hobbled into work at 7:00 a.m. To my suprise, I was fairly energetic once I woke up.

Friday involved 9 hours of work, and 6 hours of cleaning the shed and working on the cobra. I don't know what got into me with the cleaning. I put together a work bench, swept, organized car parts, threw out trash, and arranged all the big stuff. I hung up some 60's mustang hubcaps I found at the junkyard (all four, sweet!), and hung a 40's chevy pickup hood emblem. I then ordered some needed cobra parts, then slept.

Today I grilled 8 hamburgers, and ate 4 of them. And now we're caught up to the present.

Mitchell and I are gonna hit up Cabela's and Perkins in Sydney, NE tonight. I'd invite others, but it's our tradition kinda thing that we do when we want out of Holyoke.

Mom's birthday is the 16th, and Father's Day the 19th. I'm planning to build mom a swing. You know, the type that two can sit in and romantically swing away. I think she'd like it, since my dog ate the cushions on the last one she bought. I can't decide whether to weld it or make it out of wood (maybe both). Home Depot sells a super awesome one that gave me some good ideas. And it's gonna be Red.

Dad's gonna get a super awesome set of Snap-On drill bits. I seem to have lost/broken half of his old ones. And I'd like to polish up one of the pistons out of his old pulling tractor (he had hinted at it before). The piston is about the size of a folger's coffee can. (a pulling tractor is basically a souped up tractor made to... pull. It pulls a sled that gets progressively harder to pull as competitors try to pull the sled an entire 300'. This is a leftover piston from dad's pulling tractor in the 70's. It made about 1,000 horsepower. Yeah, Cool.)

I'm tired of declaring that I'm going to change something. "I'm going to study harder next year." It's like the fat lady buying skinny clothes expecting to fit in them soon. Just shut up and do it, Lance.

So my grammar is failing me. Working with farmers and the like is the main culprit, I think. Imagine a bunch of hicks. Now imagine a hick's grammar. It's rubbing off. You may hear me say something to the tune of: "Them wheels ain't on right," or " He ain't gonna say nuthin'." Beware the grammar. Beware the grammar.

/Lance

_-=-_

2005-05-30T10:56:00.000-06:00

So here's an idea. I stick with mines and get my mechanical engineering undergrad. Then (as I just found out I could), I get my master's at CSU in "Motorsport Engineering." Score!

Oh yeah, and I'm still in Rochester, MN!

Lance

How about?

2005-05-27T00:38:00.000-06:00

Hung out at Mitchell's place tonight. First, we pulled a 38 Ford pickup out of his shed that's been sitting there for 40, count em' 40 years. We worked on it and gawked at it for a while... definitely cool. He's wanting to get it running this summer, I think I may have inspired him a bit. None of the metal is rusted either, Amazing. I talked to his parents then we hung out outside at their metal fire place thing. We talked about life, dating, girls, what we want to do, who we wanna be, evolution, and the big bang theory. Mitchell and I are nerds, so we also talked about tectonic plates, clouds, eukaryotes, and lightning too. In all, had a good time. It was fun to just talk.

I've mostly been hanging around adults lately. I was thinking, how many adults do you know that truly want to talk to you? How many ask you more than the simple things like "how's school," "enjoying summer?," and so on. How many ask you what you dream of, who you like, where you want to go in life. Just my random thought of the day. I can't think of many. It's like there's an age barrier or something...

Another oddball thought, what if tumbleweeds didn't burn? What would we do with them? The plains would be uninhabitable! It'd be like the second plague!

pooped out/
lance

2005-05-25T22:57:00.000-06:00

I picked up the fifth and final grain auger today. 1,200 miles later, i'm done! I kept assembling the drill, and that's about it. Worked on the cobra's suspension tonight... I need to order a few parts.

My road trip today was very eventful. To start things off, I took a different route, in which I got somewhat lost and it took about an hour more than it should have. At Beaver Valley Supply (where the auger was), there was a kid working. I'm 95% sure he was gay (not being sarcastic...), and very femenine. He kept looking at me and smiling...

Anyways, after leaving there, I drove until Wray where I walked in to eat at "Bob's Pizza Plus." There was a lot of culture in there, let me tell you. There was about two tables full of old people. There was also a very portly lady sitting in the corner talking as loud as could be. Suddenly she exclaims, "Gosh, my stomach hurts!" She then walks briskly to the bathroom... which shares a wall with the one my back is to. She appears to work there and was just eating at the time. After she comes back out, a young guy comes and talks to her. I think he was working in the kitchen. Anyways, he starts talking about, "If I only had a real light sabre...," and "If I was on the set of the Star Wars movie..." and going on about Star Wars. Another guy walks in to hang out with these two, and has the look straight from the Blues Brothers, sunglasses and all. They talk a while when Sick Lady says:

"Did you make that pizza?" (I'm 1/2 done with mine)
Guy: "Yeah"
"Where's your hair net!?"

After that a cute old lady that was sitting at the table of old people starts cleaning tables. She has a hunched back and isn't even 5 feet tall. She walks up to me and bluntly states: "I've got a llama, you know." Wow, this is out of the blue! She goes on to tell me all about the llama, and how they're the "most unsociable creatures you'll a ever run into." It turns out that you can feed them from your hand, but they won't ever let you pet them. After about 15 minutes, I've learned much about llamas. She turns to leave, then pulls a u-turn and says, "I caught a baby rabbit in the llama's pen a couple'a days ago." I just smiled and asked about it. Turns out that she overheated the milk she was going to give it in the microwave, and melted the bottle. She needed a new bottle. She really wanted someone to talk to, it was fun.

Sick Lady then says "I gotta go outside... I think I'm gonna leave, I need fresh air."

I proceed to pay, and walk briskly out of Bob's Pizza Plus. When I thought it couldn't get any better, there was Old Mrs. Llama. She was standing by her small pickup, staring at the tree thicket. It was hilarious, with her arched back and huddled look, to be staring straight into trees. I hopped in the pickup and returned without another hassle.

I'm going to Minnesota! My sister called to inform me that plane tickets are rediculously cheap right now to Minneapolis. So, I'll be gone Saturday evening until Wednseday Morning. At any rate, Sarah should come up with something crazy and fun to do while I'm there, and it should be a blast.

I'm missing the school atmosphere lately. I miss chillin' in the cafeteria until they kicked us out. I miss hanging out on the catwalk. I almost... almost miss having some stress to deal with. It's really quiet here! Ah! It sounds like Brittany is rounding up a posse of people go to Sterling Friday to a movie. And I think Kelvin's gonna go. Awesome!

bedtime/
lance

daY.

2005-05-25T00:21:00.000-06:00

Work was good today. I ran into some lightning today whilst working outside on the forklift. It was less than a mile away and... loud. It rained like crazy for a while. I drove to Atwood for another (the fourth) auger this morning. Gordon's got me putting together a 40' Wheat drill, which I was about to ask if I could put together. I was hoping do to some set-up work, yessss!

I got the Cobra roaring again too. It was cool, because it kept backfiring out the carb. It was doing that because the engine was full of gas from my attempting to start it the last 3 days. I took off the air cleaner to see the cool flames. It belched about two feet of flame! And was definitely the coolest moment of my hour.

Evan came over and hung out for a while. We took the Cobra out in between the rain showers too. We talked about him going to CU Boulder next year, and all the dumb stuff we've done. The dumbest, I think, was lighting fire crackers last summer at about 4:00 in the morning. We had one angry neighborhood resident and a cop. Both circling the house. We got away unscathed and here we are. I'd like to think that our incredibly stealthy ninjaness left them clueless as to who was doing it.

I don't really have much inspiration right now, so y'all will have to settle for petty happenings.

Lance

Pistons

2005-05-23T23:44:00.000-06:00

The Blog got a facelift. The old scheme was like a dungeon. I've never been fond of dungeons.

Ah, the Cobra. I spent 3 hours working tonight to trace down the ignition problem. It won't trigger a spark. I figured out through logistics that the new parts I installed work, but apparently the magnetic trigger on the distributor is not cooperating (sorry for the lingo). At any rate, I love it! Hunter is getting me some sheet aluminum at cost because he used to work at a welding shop. I'm gonna do some aluminum work in the grille, as well as the trunk. It'll be purdy.

I really need to start working die hard on this car or else it won't get done. Then my loan won't get paid. Then my credit will be trashed. Then I won't be able to buy a house because of the terrible credit. Then my future family will be homeless. My kids will grow up in a cardboard box and never go to college. I will fail at life and be loser. Gosh, how much worse could it get?

I like how my knees always hurt after working on a car. Leaning over the fender tends to push on the knees and hyperextend my legs.

randomly yours/
lance

2005-05-23T20:03:00.000-06:00

I left with the pickup today to pick up another grain auger in Atwood, Kansas. All was going well, then weather reports started playing on the radio. Severe hail and wind in Atwood, St. Francis, Bird City, Laird, NW Kansas, Dundee County, and Wray. There was a tornado close to Wray.

So I called Dad,

"Dad, the weather's nasty practically along my entire route. The radio says baseball sized hail in some spots. I also have a 17 foot tall lightning rod (the grain auger) that I'm towing."

"Oh boy"

"It kind of sounds fun Dad, I'd like to make a run for it."

"Watch out for Tornadoes"

"Yep!"

It was pedal to the metal and logic to the wind. At one point I saw the biggest lightning flash I have literally ever seen... straight out my windshield. There was tons of lightning within a mile or less. It was fun and scary.

Cool, my first spring storm.

Weekend? Where?

2005-05-22T23:49:00.000-06:00

Saturday started early, as Greg and I carpooled to Ft. Collins (to fix a paintabll gun) and then to Elizabeth (south of Denver). Luke's birthday was this week, and he invited a decent sized clan to come eat some burgers and go paint balling. So, we paintballed all afternoon, watched kicking and screaming at the theatre, ate at the Village Inn, and tore up Parker Rd. Greg and I ended up staying the night and got home about 4:00 today.

Last night I started to lose my voice, although I have barely a sore throat and feel great. I can hardly talk, but do end up squaking like a mid-pubescent boy.

I got home later than planned this afternoon, and did miss Holyoke's graduation, do'h! So, I ran off to some parties in the car. Evan is going to CU Boulder next year, and is super pumped. I think he's as ready to leave Holyoke as I was. Steven, on the other hand, seemed reluctant. "Does it feel good, Steven?" "I don't know." At any rate, it was a bit akward trying to speak over all the commotion when I was talking like a baritone mouse the whole time. Most every conversation started:

"Hey Lance"
"Hi (insert name), how are you?"
"I'm good, gosh Lance... are you sick?"
"...--->"

I ended up driving by Daryl and Candie Haidle's house, and Daryl was out on the front lawn w/ his kids. I stopped and ended up hanging out for...6 hours. Daryl and I spent some hours helping the 3 boys build ramps for their bikes. They went from a 2" wedge, to a 9" wedge. Kade was on a big wheel, that kid's crazy. Tait went inside... so I gave in to the urge and hopped on his bike. I haven't had that much fun catching 9 inches of air in a decade. After that, Tait, Trey, and I had a light saber war (In honor of the final piece of the Star Wars Six-ology). They seemed to always cut my legs off. After the battle royale, I had coffee w/ the adults. Oh yeah... they're awesomely cool. We talked about life, traded childhood stories, talked about how kids are so much their parents, and whatever.

The Haidles and I think alike in that if a kid breaks a bone, it's a good thing. Yeah, they got hurt, but it's experience, and they for sure had fun doing it. I see so many kids at Mines that have little experience outside of textbooks and good grades. Is that practical knowledge, and does that build a fun person? I spent more hours on a bike, building legos, burning bugs, and shooting guns than I care to think. I've got the scars to accompany the stories, and I'd say I'm better for it. Go break a bone, why don't you? In fact, I'd like to break a bone within the next few years. I hear breaking bones sucks. However, Living crazy in order to break a bone is fun.

I love the Haidles. Daryl does crazy stuff like I do. They've been married for 13 years, and are so, so, so in love. Their four kids are awesome, and they take absolute joy in watching their kids play. Daryl helped the boys build the biggest jump they had ever taken on their bikes tonight. Candie watched and complimented how cool it was. They aren't happy because they bought a new car. They are happy with each other. I'd like that some day.

Lately I've been thinking about who I want to be. I don't mean what job I have or how many square feet my house will have. I want to have as much fun as possible without getting arrested, nor retardedly endangering other people.

Yeah, My car really does go 160. I have raced people. I spent more time playing with legos than any little kid ever should. I like going fast enough on a bicycle to scare me. I'd love to break a bone. I like sprinting as fast as I can because it feels like I'm accomplishing something. I hate jogging because I can't go as fast as sprinting would be. I build things because they're dumb, useless, and utterly fun. I love to weld. I like talking to people. If you interest me, I'm inquisitive. I don't like talking meaningless BS, but I'm way too good at it.

I announced to my parents in 7th grade that I was going to BMX race, mostly because nobody I knew did. I won 8 BMX races in a row, and Loved it. I'm competitive, yet a gracious loser. But I will do my best to win without being a jerk. I hate it when a person's ego is bigger than their feelings. I will be sober until 21, and I am saving myself for my wife. I don't really care what you do as long as you don't shove it in my face. If I've made up my mind, I am stubborn as a goat. I enjoy working on my car much more than I do driving it. If I can't visualize or see a concept, I don't understand it.

I don't want to be civil, I want to have some Zest. I won 4th at a state bridge building contest with a design that I thought looked sound. I skipped way too many classes to mountain bike, snowboard, or drive to the bike shop. I think I could be an awesome salesman. I loved debating with my HS English teacher. My goal my entire Senior year was to, just once, stump that very teacher.

My Dad's motorhome will burn out, my brother had the loudest car in Haxtun, and I had the fastest car in the HS parking lot. Neither of them have a big ego. I don't like telling everyone about my car. I realize that girls really don't give a rip about how flashy a car is. I don't make playlists for my iPod because it takes too much time. I lose weight when my parents leave me home alone for a week because cooking isn't as exciting as what I could be doing. I have zero study habits because high school was not hard in Holyoke. Mines is hard. I love that I make independent judgement calls on what I should do, not what my parents would think. As a little kid, my brother and sister claimed I had ADD, and I wore out a pair of shoes every three months. Sunny days are the best thing ever. I take pride in being truthful and earnest. Being called a Liar really ruffles my feathers. I am amazed how much happier I am now that I am not in my dorm. I hope to find a friend at Mines that loves mountain biking, loves building stuff, and would absolutely love to break their arm. Girl or guy, it's cool when someone isn't afraid to get some dirt under their nails. I broke up with a girl because I Was her happiness. She was my unhappiness. I think I learned more in one relationship than some do in a life time. She was absolutely gorgeous. And it took me 10 months to realize that looks mean absolutely nothing.

It pisses me off when people gripe about others because they're different than the one griping. However, I'm a peace maker. I'm working on being assertive, yet am good at just "putting up with it." I want someday to bescribed as having a "quiet confidence." I want to be very much like both my Dad and Mom. I don't like getting enough sleep. I have no clue if I'm an introvert or an extrovert. I'm happiest outdoors, and happier to share it with a friend. I hate having a schedule. I spent way too long trying to Only be a nice, kind guy. I'm not good at managing my money. I'm shy. I like to talk to the kid that nobody else talks to, because he probably actually cares about what I say and ask. I admire my Dad, he earns so much earnest respect by saying nothing, only living.

Me:

Lance

I can't really think of original titles these days.

2005-05-20T00:11:00.000-06:00

To sum up today... Showed up to work at 7:00, drove to Atwood, Kansas to pick up a grain auger. It's 80 feet long, and taller than a semi. Thus, I thought I was going to die when it almost caught power lines. Got back at 2:30, and helped the mechanics with odd jobs and sweeped.

Came home, my car parts are in! The ignition system for the cobra (the old one kicked the bucket) came in today! So, I worked on it for a couple hours tonight. It's good to get under the hood of a car again, I enjoy it so. Brenden from HS stopped by, and I took him for a ride. The cobra was good enough to put a smile on his face. We ended up looking at his race car for a good while (as well as his sister's... cool!), then coming home, I worked on the cobra some more, and that's about it for the day.

So this is a message to Brittany. For those of you that don't know, she works where I do. She also sneaks around and throws crap at everyone. Rags, parts, whatever. My ultimatium is this: Stop, or you'll regret it. Yes, oh yes, you will regret it. I'd let everyone else in on the plan... but that would most definitely ruin it.

This Saturday I'm going to Elizabeth (Colorado) for Luke's B-day party. Apparently it's a paint ball bash. I'm going to have to revive my ultra-stealth-ninja-sneaky skills. Oh yes, my crack shot-rambo-green baret-stud skills will come in handy. I've got skills! I'm pretty good with a bowstaff. I hope there is good cake at the party.

I wish I had something inspirational to say today, but I do not. Boy, summer is making me Blog a lot.

I drove to Sinclair at 11:30 tonight. I got sherbert ice cream (or is it sorbet, or is there both?). It, as well, rocked my socks.

good night/
lance

is, Life as it

2005-05-18T00:31:00.000-06:00

IMG_7888
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

So today was my first day of work, all in all it went well. The most eventful part of the day went as follows:

I spend 3/4 of the morning putting a rock shaft (~300 lb ugly thing) on a chisel (farm tilling machine). I get it all mounted, and it fits. I then realize that the wheels that are supposed to mount to the rock shaft don't fit. It's the wrong rock shaft. After scolding the parts guys and taking it off... well, the day continued.

In all, work's fun, and the people are too. I never know what's going to happen in a day! I picked up a golf cart, messed with a rock shaft, drove to fleming, and moved equipment about the lot. I'm trying to organize the equipment so the business looks half presentable. The person that arranged the equipment last time must have had a stroke, cause they sure didn't do a good job. After work I fell asleep on the floor for two hours. Big mistake. It's midnight thirty and I'm wired.

I've been stressed out a bit today over the loan for the cobra. 2:00 tomorrow is D-day (debt-day), and I'll officially owe someone money for the first time in my life. As long as I get the car done and sold by October 1 I'll be good. And I'll have triumphed the money gremlins. Ooh, and I get to make the car 80-100 horsepower faster here soon. Oh-arr-argh!

I ate chinese food with Mom tonight. It rocked my socks.

I miss mountains/
lance

*

2005-05-16T23:59:00.000-06:00

Today was the last day of freedom before work. In 7 hours, I start work. Starting at 7 in the morning is kind of a bummer, but I can handle it. I like work though. My new bed time is 12:00. Last summer I was a sleep rebel, which turned me into a terrible employee moping around all day. Today I drove the Cobra for a bit, messed around on my bike for several hours, talked to numerous Holyokeites, and drank too much pop. Mitchell got a new Sable, so we cruised around for a while and just chilled. Good stuff. I miss the mountains. I miss the college scene. I'm excited for the first thunderstorms, however.

to bed, go I must/
lance

2005-05-16T02:29:00.000-06:00

I'm back again.

Good news! I got a good, solid B in economics.

Also, I'm 9th in the state for BMX points! I've only raced one weekend! Check me out, yo!

I just read my entire Blog archive. It's fun, like a time capsule.

la resistawnce!
lance

Home again

2005-05-15T23:54:00.000-06:00

First of all, let me say that I love Moab. Yes, I truly do love it. Davy, Shane, and I took off for Moab, Utah Wednesday night. Shane and I went mountain biking Thursday while Davy worked on his McNerd paper in downtown Moab all day (gasp!). Friday found Davy and I mountain biking Amasa Back trail. At the end of the trail was an ~1000 foot cliff with the most amazing view. It was so awesome I screamed. Everyone should climb something so big that at the top it scares them. We also saw base jumpers hucking themselves off a 500 foot cliff. One of them almost died, literally. We also went to Arches national park and checked out the "delicate arch," definite proof that America can be awesome. Anyways, it was a great time, and an awesome way to kick off the summer.

I had planned a lake party for Saturday/Sunday. It was to involve high school friends as well as college friends. Well, the weather report said it was supposed to be a high of 62, and a low of 34. Thus, I decided to postpone the lake party. However, Saturday and Sunday were absolutely, absolutely beautiful. Darn you weather dudes!

Anyways, since the lake party was off, I stuck around Golden Saturday and went Mt. Biking. Let me say also that I love mountain biking. We rode the awesome mustang trail and then took another that descened nearly all the way to Golden. Downhill=Bliss. The weather was gorgeous and it was fun to bike with Davy again, since his bike got stolen around Christmas time. It's was way cool to bike with someone who loves the outdoors as much or more than me.

I got home Sat. night and ended up driving to Wray with Mitchell and Nicole. The purpose of the trip was to get ice cream. I ended up getting a sandwich, burrito, and ice cream cookie. I think I ingested a couple day's worth of calories in about 10 miles.

Sunday (which happened to be today just 10 minutes ago), I slept in. I worked on my "stunt riding" (wheelies and such nonsense on the mt. bike) for a couple hours. I drove the Cobra for a while until the cop followed me. The cop then later drove through my alleyway very slowly. I was driving well! I swear.

Tonight I got invited to go to my old high school youth group. It was sweet hanging out with the old group for 5 hours. We had the coolest group last year, everyone was totally open and honest. We had water baloon fights and drank gallons of coffee. Let me say, also, that the Haidles (the leaders) are the coolest married couple ever.

Which brings me to my dilemna. Kelvin (he was at the youth group). Here's a short synopsis of the issue:

I dated a girl for about a year in high school. This individual was very dependent, and very unhappy. After about a year I had had enough, and realized what she did not: If a person isn't happy on their own, adding someone to their life won't make them any happier. In a sense, I was her "happiness crutch." I just propped her up to keep her from crashing. She was always good to me, but had no peace about anything. I realized that I couldn't do anything more, and got out. Approximately a month after, she picked up my friend: Kelvin. Before I could say anything it was too late. She is the type that demanded to see me at least 6 times a week. And that is not a joke. So, I can't hang out with Kelvin, nor impart my learnings about dating to him. That was a year ago. He broke things off a couple months ago, but has since gotten back with her.

Dilemna #1:
Now, I want my friend back. He's awesome. However, trying to hang out with him would create lots of trouble for him. She would not be happy, let me tell you. He's also one of the kindest people I've ever met, so he'd be in an akward position.

Dilemna #2:
Do I try to tell him what I learned from dating her? I got burnt, and burnt hard. I vowed then to date only fun, independent, non-dependent girls who smile. I suspect he is in the process of being burnt also. However, when I was dating her, if someone would have told me what they thought about the relationship, I wouldn't have listened. Do I be assertive and tell him what I think, or is this the type of thing a guy has to learn on his own? I don't want him to end up like me having the happiest five months of his life Just because he broke up with a girl.

Debate aside, coming back to Holyoke feels wierd. I'm in a sort of culture shock. It's so... "slow." Imagine a farming town where nothing much happens but kids leaving after they graduate. If you don't invent your own fun, there is nothing fun.
My goal is to not stagnate this summer, and keep busy. I love my parents to death, but home is so plush. I don't even have to walk to the cafeteria for food now, it just appears on the table. My laundry disappears, and my parents would sell half of their liver for me. It feels so dependent. I like independent!

I also just found out that Justin's dad has cancer (Justin is a good buddy from HS). He lost his mom to cancer when he was about 5. Keep them in your prayers. Seriously, why does luck suck?

lance

adios

2005-05-11T11:17:00.000-06:00

IMG_4972
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

School is out! Finals were done yesterday, and I'll be mountain biking in Moab tomorrow!

Can't wait to leave this room.

Peacei'mouttahere/
lance

Would you wear a wooden pirate leg?

2005-05-10T02:57:00.000-06:00

Locker
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Photo: The first picture off of my camera that I kept! I've got some 2,800 photos now.

School is good, seeing as how I'll be done with finals in about 6 hours. Life's about to get hectically fun with Moab and the Lake. Cobra in between. Work at some point. Fun at all times.

Went for a ride for about 2 hours with the suite mates. Bike rides are good. It usually consists of Greg and I trying to jump something bigger than each other, and someone eventually getting a flat tire. The friendly competition is fun. Bikes do it for me. Bad day? Go for a ride, and all seems better and put into perspective. When I'm elected US President everyone is going to be required to ride a bike 2 days a week.

Ah, back on track... As I rode past Woody's, I saw Bud's bug. How could I forget the last night of Woody's? Thus, I stopped in to find about half the clan. Matt and Shad showed up a while later. Eric was cracking clever jokes left and right... he musta' been hopped up on caffiene.

It's 3 am!
Lance

summerdreams

2005-05-09T09:23:00.000-06:00

IMG_5898
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Chemistry? 4 hours and I'm in trouble. Worried? Nah, summer is too close to worry.

Summer, I love it. It's the time when I can beat to my own drum. I can do most anything I want, most any time I want. I expect to take at leat one, maybe two 1000 mile plus road trips. I have a cobra to fix up. I want to mountain bike the weekends away. I want to race my car at the dragstrip. I want to wash the week away at the lake. I need this summer.

Work will be a blast this summer. There's going to be a total of 5 kids working there, approximately my age or younger. That's almost as many kids as employees. I also get to be, more or less, 3/4 of a mechanic. It'll be fun working on combines and tractors, as well as moving equipment on the lot and doing various welding projects. I'm also trading Hunter two car mufflers for his TIG welder. If that doesn't ring a bell, TIG welding is a way cool, yet way hard way of welding. It requires being very anal about the weld, as well as keeping everything super clean.

I think I have suppressed how happy I am about moving out of my room. The first indication of this, I realized, is when I started packing my stuff up a week ago. Since when do I do anything early? I do enjoy the hanging with the guys, but it's time.

So, the Luke/Bailey relationship seems to be in turmoil. Luke's my suitemate, Bailey is his girlfriend. I bought the cobra from Bailey's dad. Yesterday my parents stopped by Bailey's dad's place to look at a tractor he wants to trade (into my dad's business) for a new one. In the process of talking, her dad blatantly said that "We think Lance should be dating Bailey, Not Luke." Whoa, back up the train. Where did I come into this? And where did Luke get taken out? All I did was buy a car from them. I've probably spent less than an hour on the phone with him, and seen him in person for 20 minutes! Before that, I didn't know him. Luke's my friend! This makes a way wierd situation, in which I don't want to be involved. At All.

So Davy posted about how Mines isn't the place for him, and he's leaving here to pursue his dreams at another, more adequate place. Rock on dude, Rock On. At any rate, this makes me feel spontaneous, like leaving Mines. Then I catch myself, "This is where you belong." I truly believe that Mines is where I need to be. I've decided that I'm here for cars. I want to break into the automotive industry and light a fire. I want do design cars, as well as engineer them. It's also looking like the possibilty of an internship at Ford is going to happen next summer. Why do I want to design cars? I enjoy them. I enjoy working on them. They're stylish. They're powerful. Yet, they are practical. In addition to that, I think the automotive industry is on the verge of something big. All the big companies have been coming out with interesting, exciting concept cars, as well as producing real ones. The industry is dumping a huge effort into alternative fuel cars, which is going to be ginormous. I don't want to work for Ford, and just work for Ford. I'm going to reinvent the spark plug.

Photo: This is Davy standing on the igneous rock in Baja at the ocean. He wears sandals. I like Baja. He does too.

I bent the rear wheel on my mountain bike. It's not terminal, but it is bent. Send memorial donations to Lance Atkins, Holyoke, CO.

In Davy-esque words:

Summerdreams/
Lance

fuzz

2005-05-08T03:00:00.000-06:00

fuzz
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Davy, here's my photoshop tennis submission.

I'm going to bed.
Lance

Final stretch

2005-05-07T18:31:00.000-06:00

Yahoo for finals!

I got calc done with earlier today, it went well. My afternoon was spent learning economics, as I have a test at 7. I only need a 50ish to keep my B, so I'm sure I can get er' done. In a couple hours finals will be half done, and I'll be half relieved.

At any rate, good luck with finals all, and if anyone wants to be at the lake Saturday/Sunday (14,15th), please let me know.

warm weather rocks/
lance

;

2005-05-05T13:27:00.000-06:00

School's winding down, good or bad? I won't miss classes and tests for three months, but what's life going to be like this summer? I've enjoyed life at college so much. Holyoke tends to be fairly stagnant. It's really going to be an adjustment going from constant activity and noise to a serene...boring(?) setting. Anyways, I've got a full time 7-5 o'clock job, as well as the cobra. The cobra is going to be huge... probably a 200+ hour project. On top of that I'd love to go to the lake, mountain biking, and on a road trip or two. School, summer? I'm happy either way.

Last night I declared as an all nighter. I haven't stayed up all night at school once yet, so terrible. I drew Hunter and Greg into my plans, and the pact was formed. It seems like we did so little to fill the night, yet we filled it. The group+Christina hung out in the room until almost 3. College is all about that, just hanging and talking with friends. We then went to Wal-Mart. I needed some rubbermaid containers to pack all my junk in, I also picked up a seedless watermelon. After that we had coffee and the "tremendous twelve" breakfast at perkins. All the time we were so groggy it was like we were drunk. We left Perkins sometime after 5. We then cruised around Golden until the sunrise.

At any rate, it's now Thursday night. No more classes! Just got back from Davy's and watching Orange County. I also just got my big camping knife confiscated by an RA. Eh, I'll get it back in a week or so.

out/
lance

Expaaansive

2005-04-30T02:22:00.000-06:00

Yeah for Friday! Anyways, this weekend's been long awaited... like all week. It's nice to have the last round of tests out of the way, and be able to just concentrate on finals. I spent the night hanging out with Davy, Russel, Matt, Ryan, Rachel and Dan. Some of us went first to the hypnotist, then played an intense game of Monopoly. Lastly, Matt joined us after work to go see Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The guys that have read the book didn't seem too enthralled about it. However, I have not read the book, and really did like the book from an entertainment aspect. It's a super intriguing, sarcastic story line.

So it seems like my suite is surrounded in dating turmoil. It's as if there's a new fight with someone and their girlfriend all the time! What's the deal? It's as if dating someone is about winning, beating the other person. Nope. It's about respecting and caring. Also, if a couple fights often, what's the point? At some point the relationship stops progressing and goes back downhill. At this point wouldn't one realize that they aren't meant to be together until happily ever after? Lastly, what provokes people to hang on to an obviously ragged, bad relationship when they realize things aren't going anywhere? Perhaps I'm different, but I'd have to say being single is enjoyable..? Dating's cool, but single is as well! Maybe I have a skewed view, but it seems also like dating is such a struggle to maintain friends. Dating these days tends to be so exclusive that friends get shoved off the road. Why can't dating be seeing each other twice a week, and still having friends? I'm sorry, but friends are forever... girlfriends are not! Additionally, it seems like I hear so many people that judge every book by its cover. "She's hot," "I want her," and so on. Yes, attraction I think is an important part of dating. However, if that's the sole, driving reason, your ship is going to sink fast. What about liking someone because they're confident, fun, intriguing, and have just a plain ol' awesome smile? That's a lot easier to live with than a "hottie" in my book. Anyways, there... an approximate summation of my dating philosophy.

So I got a call tonight. It was Terry Leprino, the director of the Denver region of Young Life. It turns out I'm being recruited, cool! She wants to have coffee some time this coming week to talk about me being a leader next year, which is cooler than cool! I guess I had a referral from Vicki Petersen, a good friend in Denver. Anyways, I'm super excited to see what happens with it!

Tomorrow involves my birthday sleep-in, looking at another prospective house, and we'll go from there. I still fully plan (after finals) to go to the Shins concert, Moab, and the lake. Sorry Mitchell, I'm gonna have to say that Moab takes precedence over a 14'er next week. However, we should do it after the snowmelt clears and are feeling crazy some weekend!

I'm excited for summer. I'm starting to get that feeling again. I want to do every crazy thing I can think of and sleep no more than 4 hours at a time! Sleeping habits need to be adjusted for finals week, however. It's going to be wierd this summer having so little activity going on. At Mines there's always something to distract me.

Update: Diesel. Diesel is my snail that lives in Greg's fish tank. He used to have flames and a mowhawk (he really did!), but they fell off. Since Diesel came into our lives, no fish have died. Yeah, that sounds normal, but you don't know our tank. Greg lost count of how many fish have kicked the bucket, but it stopped somewhere around 27. Twenty Seven! Sad fish make dead fish. Happy fish make healty fish. What's my Conclusion? Diesel has really upped the tank morale.

Hit the Hay, I Must/
Lance

IMG_7286

2005-04-29T01:46:00.000-06:00

IMG_7286
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Yo yo yo!

So, Calc test tonight. I crammed all day today, and it really wasn't going too well. Then about 7:00, it all clicked! So, I think the test went alright-well. I'll see how I did next week, hopefully well!

Yesterday I was going crazy so I went and wandered about Golden for an hour or so with the camera. Took some mediocre pictures and had a great time.

Look like life's gonna get a bit busy. I have a few measly finals next saturday through tuesday. After that I think I'm going to a Shins concert Tuesday night. Wednesday-Friday I plan to be in Moab. Saturday-Sunday should be at the lake. Yeah! Work on Monday, do'h!

That's about all I've got/
lance

zoom

2005-04-28T00:02:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my blog!

Life's been busy lately. Calc test tomorrow as well as Econ Homework due. I thought I did well on my earth test, however, I did terrible! What gives? Anyways, it's behind me. In studying earth, I neglected calc until today. Bad idea. Spending 3 hours at Barnes and Noble tonight doing calculus homework (and doodling cars) was good. It's 12, I'll probably spend a couple hours more on Calc before hitting the sack. It might be good to pass Calc I this time around.

So, I ran into a tree last Monday. Yep. I was playing ultimate frisbee and... um, ran into a tree with my leg. I planted my shin right in front of the tree while running... then proceeded to run through the tree. Anyways, I was doing alright until today. My knee hurts! Anyways I'll give it another week to see where it is. If I go to the doctor they'll probably flip and put me through an MRI or something.

School's winding up. Cool! I can't believe we only have 6 days left. At any rate, it's hitting the fan. I can't say that that's stressful, but it will keep me busy. It's kind of a bummer that we have to spend our last days of our school year holed up and studying. I'm excited to finish the year stronger than it has been going.

So, I decided that I think I'm going to Moab next Wednesday. I'll try to get back Friday, and try to head out saturday for a lake party (that weekend anyone). It's time to be random and run off of non-logic again!

If you're at breakfast at 7:30, see you there/
lance

Busy

2005-04-26T15:14:00.000-06:00

IMG_7210
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

First Thing: I procrastinate. I now have an earth test tonight and calc test thursday. Busy! Doing my best to numb myself and just study. The fact that I feel little to no stress for these tests doesn't help my situation.

Ooh, there's also the prospect of a lake party at McConauhay after finals are out... any takers?

Holy macaroni, we only have 7 days of classes left. Is that good or bad?

haveagoodday/
lance

Windy Hair

2005-04-24T18:45:00.000-06:00

Hi,

I really have nothing to say other than I just got back from taking the Cobra for a cruise. It gets a lot of attention, everyone wants a ride, and everyone likes to ask about it and look at it. Yeah, that's cool, but I like driving it. Dad and I go out sometimes and I drive. That's fun. However, it's incredible to go out by myself in the beast and just drive. Cold or Warm, just drive. The wind blows through my hair, the heat at my feet from the engine, the tick in the steering wheel flickering with the speed of the car. The car has tons of power, but that's not the fun part. I love the wind in my hair.

/\/\/\/

2005-04-24T01:40:00.000-06:00

IMG_5011
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Hidey Ho!

So, I drove home to Holyoke this weekend... shamefully two weeks in a row. Anyways, I needed to come get some paperwork done on the Cobra in order to give it to Bailey (the ex-owner's daughter) on Monday. Holyoke's good, but I don't feel I should be spending any more time here than needed, seeing how I'm going to be here all summer. Tomorrow's ultimate goal is to wake up at a decent hour, put in three or four hours of studying (Mines really is making me dull), and return to G-town.

Note: I was thinking of putting together a camping trip this coming weekend (April 30-May 1)... maybe to White Ranch. Anyone and everyone interested? Lemme know! Oh Shane... when is the photo safari?

I'm excited about life right now, yet burnt out. This last push for finals is going to be a...push. I'm pumped about summer though. The lake, mountain biking, sun, and building a cobra are nearing their time. It's becoming ever so much harder to sit in class while the birds are out chirping. I may not find time or money to mountain bike the whole 600 mile Colorado Trail this summer, but I definitely want to put in at least a week or two of it. Two weeks by myself, while maybe a bit boring, would be an experience. It'd be good to see what I'm made of. I sit in class dreaming of being outside in the sun, so why not go whole hog? Also, my way cool Bro and I are talking about making a trek to Moab as well. Moab! I love Moab!

So, I may appear to have turned into a worm, never leaving my suite. I haven't seen many of you outside the suite. Yes, true. While I have a hard time liking being in my living quarters, I've feel that's where I can do some good right now. I, as I've realized, may not affect an instant, outward change in people, but I may make an inkling's bit of difference in someone's life. I realized I can't force my faith and morals on someone, but I can show it. I've had my slumps, but Im'a trying. It may be cocky, but I feel that more good can be done by my staying in my suite than abandoning it.

Since the 80's, cars have begun to have a main computers running all the engine systems in the car. These engine systems are great at maintaining the engine, as well as adjusting to changing conditions. However,when a sensor fails or the engine starts running dangerously poor, the computer puts the car in "safe mode." The car runs, but not too well. It has less power, and isn't as effective as it used to be. A car does this to keep from being damaged. Living where I'm living has made it feel like I'm running poorly... with a faulty sensor. Going into "Safe Mode" this year has been the biggest struggle.

Whoo, that's a lot of thought!

Oh... The Photo: Sunday Sunrise, White Ranch, Mountain Bike, Camera, Snow, My foot.

Tuneup!
Lance

.

2005-04-19T00:22:00.000-06:00

IMG_72371
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Howdy Folks!

First is the photo. This is the Cobra I picked up Saturday. It is entirely too fast, loud, and flashy. I love it. It wasn't running well Saturday, but after some spark plugs and spark plug wires, it was running like a champ. Dad and I tore up Holyoke for an hour or so before it broke down about a mile out of town. After hitching a ride back into town and towing it home, it was back under the hood. Turns out the ignition coil (just a big capacitor... it makes the spark for the spark plugs) took a dump. Problems to solve! I love it,truly! Anyways, the car looks good in the pictures, but up close it's pretty rough. I plan to drive it about two weeks this summer then entirely gut it. It's also going to get a paint job. At the moment I'm set on Ferrari red with pearl white racing stripes. Hopefully I'll be able to get it done this summer and still have time to talk to people. I can't wait to tear into it!

Life minus the Cobra is also going well. School's winding up, I'm excited about summer, I'm gonna be 19 one of these days, I decided not to hate Mines for what it is, and so-on. I do not have any motivation schoolwise, but that hasn't changed. It seems not many others do also. No tests until next week! I think I'm gonna BMX race this weekend as well.

babel/
lance

Diesel

2005-04-15T19:46:00.000-06:00

Diesel
Originally uploaded by photoLance.

Ah, I savor Fridays. It's been a good week, and I had to tests as well. Chemistry went really well and Econ... well, it went.

First, I wish to address the picture. This is Diesel. He's my snail. I added some performance modifications to him, as you can see. He also has (not in this photo) rubber spikes down his back now. It makes him appear to have a mowhawk. We're going on five days now. He's definitely the baddest snail on the block.

Last night Greg was having a bad night. I ran off to King Soopers and bought a bunch of food to throw him a party. We had root beer floats, gummy rattle snakes, gummy cola bottles, brite crawlers, and sour skittles. I put it all in front of Greg and ordered, "eat." It got a smile out of him, so mission accomplished. We had the floats, then we accompanied the candy with a playing of "Saving Private Ryan."

Tomorrow is the Big Day. I'm going to buy and pick up the Cobra! I didn't ever expect the day to come, and I'm pumped! I'm going to meet Dad in Denver (with a trailer), and we're gonna pull that beast home! Pictures to come. It will be great to spend the weekend at home with mom's good cooking as well!

I went with Shane to talk to our prospective future landlord. He's a really cool guy, and the house we're looking at is amazing! There's six of us, and it'll be one huge party living with everyone. Sweet!

That's about all I feel to say at the moment.

aloha,
lance

Life.

2005-04-11T23:34:00.000-06:00

Today was good. I slept in and went to PA, only to find we didn't have class and I got extra credit for showing up! We went to the bike shop and found some ape hanger bars for the disc brake big wheel. After Chem I went with my sister to Pei Wei and to Borders to study Chem. It makes sense when I read! We then went to some friends' house to hang out, then to the friends' parents' house. Now I'm back at the suite. Sarah (sister) flies out tomorrow.

I've decided that I've really sucked this year. This year has not sucked... I have. I'm not beating up my self-esteem, just being honest. I came into this year with the honest goal of being a good example and making a positive effect on my roomates. It feels like they've beat me to a pulp, and they don't show any outwardly changes still. If I have made a difference in their lives, it sure doesn't show... at least to me. I feel I've been reduced to mustering all I can to just be "a nice guy" to them. How does being kind and quietly patient with them show them God's love, or my love to boot? I don't want to be just "nice," but so much more. The most prominent subjects tossed around my suite are hot girls, dirt bikes, and cars. I enjoy working on cars, and like conversing with girls (they don't have guy sized egos), but beyond that, I don't care. How do I interject anything positive into this? I'm so beat up from all this worthless crap that I really want to do nothing besides crawl in a hole and avoid everything. I don't want to bail on my suite-mates, because some of them are so lost. But at what point do I totally give up on them for my mental health? They're taking me down with them. It's like I'm in a hole right now, and the rope's there to crawl out of the hole, but I just keep digging with my shovel... deeper and deeper. I don't right now feel like doing anything but avoiding people altogether. Maybe digging my hole is helping someone get out of their hole, and maybe not. But it feels like my hole's getting deeper ten times faster than they are climbing out. Nobody seems to want to listen, nor do they understand. I don't feel like telling everyone I know because it feels like I'm griping. A month is an eternity away. An eternity. I'm kind of hating Mines at the moment, and not for its academics. Once again, I want to crawl in a hole. However, I will give myself the summer to cool off before making any rash decisions. Also, I'm hoping, praying that the living with the five guys next year works out. I need to be with a bunch of positive, active people next year. The prospect of living with five fun, logical people is refreshing.

It's been such a struggle to see my biggest goal for this year show no progress. On top of that, I don't feel I've made any progress myself this year. It's as if I just went through nine rounds of boxing, getting the snot beat out of myself. However, I have not gotten one blow in on the opponent. He's as fresh as ever. It feels right now, in part, like my freshman year of high school. I didn't have much confidence, and I didn't really do much. I just sat back, planning to take action at a later date. My senior year was spent, for the most part, celebrating. I said hi to most everyone in the hall, had confidence, had fun, was involved, had hobbies, had excitement, had a zest for life, had goals. I want that back. This summer at home will be good for me to regather my wits. I can have a project, the Cobra (If Hunter doesn't buy it out from under me like he's trying to do).

I'm not going to apologize for being such a dud this year, but I am going to ask you to tell me when I'm stumbling from now on. Comments appreciated.

lance

Verbal Vomit

Laminar Flow

Life

Cobra Dos

Cobra

All that is man

Whoa!

up n' out

Change?

Where?

tItLE

rough

spring break

Life

!!

left/right

Titles are hard.

magnificent month

Early riser.

657

about to burst.

Life.

Are turkeys just large, ugly chickens?

--

full

Lance Atkins-Copyright 1986

LLP

42

My Grammar Stinks.

Top of the World

in r+tv

YL

I derive my sense of self worth from Physics Tests.

Identify.

Break

Epitaph

I fell on my bum tonight.

Do You love "The Price is Right" show? I do.

Idea #244...

yessss

iPlaya

stuff it.

Soda Pop named in young man's death

Applicants please call (970)-595-0.....

Headlines

weekend

"Single Mines Male Desperately Seeking Girlfriend with iPod Mini"

"Title"

up with people

All's Fair...

Timmmmber!

Realize

RU4ME

On the Move

Do I have to have titles?

schwoom

♣

Burnout Contest

The all inclusive blog of today.

Divisible by four.

vroom.

Car Diem

Yep.

Tuesday

tada!

_-=-_

How about?

daY.

Pistons

Weekend? Where?

I can't really think of original titles these days.

is, Life as it

*

((:0$!..>~`©†œ@@to

Home again

adios

Would you wear a wooden pirate leg?

summerdreams

fuzz

Final stretch