Over the past decade, our government has engaged in a series of actions that have resulted in the devaluation of the US Dollar. From
artificially low interest rates to printing up “free money” and distributing it as “stimulus checks”, our dollar has become more and more worthless on the global market. Just like its dim-witted citizenry, this country spends more money than it makes. What makes the government different than its citizens is that the government doesn’t go bankrupt — the money just becomes increasingly useless.

As a result of this, the prices of imported goods (oil, anybody?) have skyrocketed, and our country is quietly being bought out by the Europeans.

That case of Bud Light, which is produced by now European-owned Anheuser-Busch, was direct support for the collapse of the dollar and those who are profiting off of it. Cashing that check devalued the dollar, and the devaluation of the dollar is partially responsible for the sale of AB to InBev. Regardless of which came first, the downward spiral we are traveling upon will be difficult to derail unless we make changes now.

My first change? I’m done buying foreign-owned beer that tries to pass off as “Great American Beer” for my cheap beer selection.

Let’s take a look at the currently popular beer purchases:

• Anheuser-Busch products? Nope, soon-to-be owned by InBev, a bunch of Europeans.
• How about that nice Pete Coors guy and his Coors Light? Oops, Molson owns them up in Canada. Tap the Rockies (and give the profits to Canadians) indeed.
• Well, there’s always that dreaded Miller filthwater, right? Wrong. Owned by SABMiller, which stands for South African Breweries – Miller.

That covers about 90% of what you’ll find on the shelves. Now this is where things get really sad: The largest American-owned beer company is now Pabst. What Pabst doesn’t want you to know is that they don’t even brew beer (and clearly don’t know how) – that’s done by our foreign foes in MillerCoors.

So what American actually brews the damn stuff in America? The Boston Beer Company (Sam Adams).

This means that the next time I’m asked to buy some light beer for a party, here are my choices:

1. Sam Adams Light - At 124 calories, hardly a light beer,
   but I do like it.
2. Yuengling - Great stuff, but I’ve never seen it in California.
3. Iron City Brewing - I.C. Light is probably the closest thing to a “Great American Light” beer you’ll find. Unfortunately, it’s brewed in Pittsburgh, and those of you who know me know that I won’t touch it. My devotion to the Cleveland Browns is above even beer
4. Shiner (Spoetzel Brewery) - I absolutely love this stuff, and will drink it on my upcoming trip to Austin, but I’ve never seen a Shiner Light out here. Shiner Bock will do for now.

At this point, I give up. It’s even worse when I realize that I’d like cans so that I can bring them to the beach. Perhaps it is time I stop buying a “Great American” light beer, and move on to the other delicious brews we have and make my friends deal with it.

The time is ripe for an American to step it up, make the next popular light beer, and distribute/market it like mad. While you’re at it, get the NASCAR crowd up in arms. Pabst could step up to the table, but they need to start brewing their own beer again before I jump onto that bandwagon. Until then, I’m drinking Shiner and Fat Tire.

And as a footnote, how did Friday’s party go? Well, during a wild drinking game, my friend accidentally swallowed a quarter, and couldn’t get it back up. What’s really miserable is that by the time he ‘passes’ it, it will probably be worth about half as much.

I’ve recently received a good number of concerned messages after Dr. Martin’s death, since I’ve been swimming and surfing a lot lately. While I appreciate your concern, I am here to publicly state that I am not going to stop swimming or surfing due to fear of sharks.

I understand the risks I take every time I don a black wetsuit and get into the ocean. The natural marine life, whilst normally shark-free, is part of the fun, adrenaline-pumping process of becoming one with mother nature and her brutal, often unforgiving power.

Let’s be clear about it - When you enter the ocean, you become part of the food chain. And for the first time in your city-dwelling life, you are no longer on top of that chain.

And for that very reason, I don’t think it’s necessary that we hunt the shark that killed Dr. Martin. It was hungry and mistook him for a seal. Deal with it - sharks own the ocean, not us.

If I am killed by a shark while in the ocean, just know that I died while doing something I loved, I was happy as hell, and that I knew the risks that accompanied this endeavor. I will exercise all caution, and leave the water when I feel unsafe (surfers often get a sixth sense when the water feels eerily “sharky”).

If you don’t like it, go ride a bicycle.
See you in the water!

In the process, my ID and the $23 wrapped around it must have slipped out, because it was gone after that. I realized this later, and had to get to the airport early to board the flight and get searched.

So guess what I got in the mail today:

A letter from C. REEVE (let’s call him ‘Christopher’, for the obvious reasons) of Bridges Fairway in Houston:

FOUND THIS DL. ON THE STREETS OF AUSTIN, 4-13-08

with my ID enclosed. How amazing is that?! ‘Christopher’, you’re my new hero! As much as I love this part of California, Texas is the only place where I see such friendly people. Awesome!

So it’s time for a new poll. How do I re-pay Christopher?

Your comments are appreciated and welcome!

THANKS CHRISTOPHER!

(PS - It’s been far too long for me. We gotta file this one under HUMILIATIONS. Coming soon - my technological review of the tracker app, along with a write-up on the cycling culture I witnessed)

• Ashley
• Uncle Anthony
• Rowler
• Jordan
• Geri
• Aunt Maddie
• Gramma
• Marilyn G.
• Joe P.
• Mom
• Brian
• Brother Nick
• Aunt Patty
• Big Mike Roberto
• Kathy G.
• Ddoson
• John Z.
• Lon
• KiRBY!
• Allison and Polly
• Jamie (donated after the race - you can do this too!)

THANKS!

I made it in at 2PM on the nose after traveling through tons of farm country, the Austin outskirts, and then into downtown and through UT.

Results from the hunt? Success! The lion has caught the gazelle and will be eating good tonight!

The hunt is ON.

So I cacooned up in the sleeping bag and didn’t wake up until the last minute. I’m a bit behind the early birds!

Now I’m at a rest stop, I took the challenge route but took a wrong turn and ended up with the slackers. Probably for the better!

So now its time to catch up and cookem out there. I really wish I didn’t forget my headphones in Austin. I’d love to have them around my neck.

Biofreeze rules!

The ride ended up great, after lunch I tore it up on the third quarter, but really struggled the next 15 miles.

My bike says I averaged 15mph and it took 6.5 hours.

I didn’t mention this, but we faced 10-15 mph winds nearly the entire time. This was nothing new for me, but it really wore on us as the day went on.

I did a lot of riding with Eric G, and then Platt and Dylan. Good times, we did a lot of drafting off each other.

Time for a beer and the best night of sleep under a tent ever! I feel like jello.

See you in Austin!

I’m ahead of most of my friends, so I’m waiting around to eat with them.

So far all is good, my main ride partner has been Kristen, James’ girlfriend.

Just before lunch we hit some hills, nothing tough, but I realized how much I like climbing. I was pasing everyone in high gear.

The beginning of the ride was a bit frustrating for the faster guys, which doesn’t include me really. It takes until the first breakpoint to separate the chumps from the champs and to scatter everyone. In the meantime, you got these cyclists who are completely passive aggressive and get mad at people who hang on the left, and rightly so sometimes. But shut up with the abide comments!

The GPS is tracking but I’m low on battery and when I lose intenet access in the middle of nowhere, things shut down.

Ok everyone is here, see ya!

In all seriousness, we’re stocked and ready to go, and James’ bike is phenomenal! See ya early in the morning!