Two really cool notes

I got two really cool notes today.

The first was from Candace, my super cool lab mate.

Dear Starla, 


I feel really good whenever I go home late from lab, and I get to ride my bike home.  Occasionally I see stars, and rabbits (brown ones). 


Candace

I love this note because Candace recently started riding a bike here in San Diego and she shared her appreciation for the fun stuff you can see when you pay attention.

The second note was from my lab mate Jon Smieja who recently edited some stuff on a paper I've been working on. 

Starla-
As usual, all comments and edits should be straightforward and can be taken or ignored at your discretion.


Good paper.  Despite my strongest efforts...I think I learned some stuff.
                       -Smieja

This note really cracked me up, because Jon usually gets pretty bored reading/thinking about my research.

SNOWY PEAKS?!?

That's right - there was snow in San Diego County over the weekend.  If you look through the bike into the background of the photo you will see some snowy mountains off in the distance.  The picture doesn't really do them justice because my bike really steals the show. 

Right after I put my camera away two white tailed kited were doing some aerial (mating?) dancing.  The two kites would hover for a moment, then fly together, latch talons, spiral downward and separate before colliding into the chaparral. It was incredible!  I had only seen this on television, never in real life until now. 

Beautiful and sad...

This morning I almost ran over this little guy on my bike.  Upon de-saddling I realized he was dead.  I moved him off the bike lane and admired his vibrant colors.  I think this is the same hummingbird I've seen on my ride up to school for at least a month.  I found him in front of the tree where he often perches and sings his squeaky song. 

Anna's hummingbird.

No bike ride yesterday...

but there was a radiograph of peeper's head.

HEADWINDS!

No joke, there were gusts of wind that nearly blew me off the bike.  The weather report called for 30-40 mile an hour gusts and I believe it!  Unfortunately for me, the wind was blowing north to south and of course I was riding south to north.  Even though it was a battle getting there,   my ride into school today was a thrilling adventure.  

My new ride!

I love, love love riding my new bike!  I am also completely a fan of the Diva saddle by Selle Italia.

Today's sightings

Some things I want to see while I'm commuting to work:  birds of prey, furry bunnies, other nice looking bikes, a friendly smile, etc...
Some things I absolutely NEVER ever want to see again include: broken glass in the bike way, human poo, and a bum holding a 24 oz Busch Light having a morning puke on the side of the bike path.