I am so sorry, and quite embarrassed. I was on Doostang this morning replying to a email message, then someone else added me as a contact. I unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you are clicked a button by accident. A few bad thoughts shot through my head, but what was the use, the harm was done. That button crawled through my gmail address book and sent out unintentional solicitations to I believe two thirds of my contacts, so if you got one I sincerely apologize.

However, it seems like an overwhelming number of you did accept the invitation. I meant to get this out earlier but I needed to grab lunch with Fred, Christine and Scott. So that being said, I’m sorry, but do use the invite. Doostang’s like a snob version of Linked In. Both of which I’m rarely on.

-Wallace

PS. My inbox is still filling up. This is rather hilarious.

What a weekend. Not only did I manage to unknowingly kill myself, but I met Crystal’s father for the first time. I’m usually not the nervous type but with all things going wrong this past weekend I couldn’t help but think, “What am I in store for now?” I’m glad to report, not only am I still alive(I not only survived pancreatitis, but Crystal’s father as well! kidding about the latter.), He is actually a very interesting guy and pretty cool I might add. We not only toured the entire San Jose Grand Prix grounds, something that I’ve never bothered to do in the past, but we actually sat through and entire Champ Car race.

Having paddock access was fun, we got an up close look at each team and learned a little about these Champ Cars. Did you know at full speed these cars produce so much down force that they are able to actually drive upside down and out handle a Ferrari? Not only this but at the same speed it creates such a suction that it will actually lift manhole covers from the street, therefore the covers are welded shut prior to each race. It was cute watching Crystal’s father teaching miscellaneous facts about automobile racing in general; everything from Champ Car to Nascar. I’m sure they also had fun teasing me with such delicious smelling hot dogs, a cheesesteak that reminded me of Pat’s (Yes, they’re better then Gino’s), and the gargantuan cups of beer floating around the event.

A few of you asked how I’m doing with my newly discovered diet. To be quite honest, I am having some trouble with it but the adjustment has been much easier then I thought. Especially when I think in, “That will kill you,” terms. I’m not allowed any alcohol, fatty foods, caffeine and I need to keep my protein and fat intake low. That being said I am not allowed meat; it’s been 4 days already and I believe this is something of a miracle. I used to crave meat, I needed it with every meal. I’m surprised at how easy the step away has been, although I’ve been instructed to carefully reintroduce it to my diet at a later date as shedding it is easy, but consuming it again I might have issues with. My pancreas feels a whole lot better, and after nearly killing myself Thursday night I have a new leash on life. That being said; if any of you ever has some crazy suggestions for me now is the time to pitch them to me again. I am considering everything, even becoming a vegetarian (yes, fat chance), or cutting my meat intake to a few times a week instead of every meal. You’d think I’d lose energy, but my energy level is right around the same. The only thing I am shedding is weight and maybe some muscle mass.

Those of you who want to know what I’m eating, well I’ll tell you my dinner tonight. I’ve become a patron of Trader Joe’s; 1 strawberry non-fat yogurt, 1 box of pre-cut mango’s, and 2 cups of lite popcorn. It’s not glamorous at all, but if I want to survive till my next steak at Ruth’s Chris this is what it’s going to take. I’ve also become a fan of Quaker Oats Rice Crisps, you know the puff rice discs that most men won’t be caught dead eating.

In light of all things, I hope I am healthy enough by this Sunday to ride the Tour de Peninsula with the rest of you guys. Speaking of which, Jaime linked me to this guy’s blog. His grandfather was battling liver cancer at the beginning of his blog, and he decides to participate in LAF’s century ride, it’s a diary of his training for ‘100′ along the way his grandfather loses his battle to cancer. I believe most of us have a similar story to share, anyways it reminds me of why I love to ride and why I love that Garmin 305. Check out his blog here.

-Wallace

All these years I thought alcohol only damaged brain cells and one’s liver. This week I’ve discovered that alcohol also effects a little known gland known as the pancreas. Yes guys and gals, I have been diagnosed with pancreatitis, my pancreas is sick. My pancreas finally decided that enough is enough and ballooned up like a blowfish to tell me to quit my dietary habits.

So just what is pancreatitis? How does one subject one’s self to this condition? How do you cure it and most importantly how does it feel? To answer these in the most effective manner, it helps to understand what function your pancreas is responsible for. Your pancreas is a gland that is part of both your exocrine and endocrine systems, it produces several important hormones including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. It aids in the digestion of fatty foods and protein. Yeah? So what? Well, high levels of alcohol over a long span of time will cause it to malfunction and when it malfunctions it swells up just like any other part of your body and this is a fun sensation. I’ve never been stabbed but it literally feels like walking around with a stab wound if not a gun shot. My breaths are short and my entire left torso is sore. I don’t wish to move much and for the longest time I thought I had some crazy tumor growing inside of me, which prompted me to move my ass to the hospital. To treat it, one needs to allow it to rest; so how does one do this?

Those that know me and those of you that have been reading this long enough know I absolutely adore food, in fact I adore it more then alcohol. Ironically I need to give both of those items up for the next 3-4 days at the very minimum. Because your pancreas aids in digesting fatty foods, and protein my diet is extremely limited and I am barred from any form of alcohol. This is painful. Haw’s BBQ, with his special kal-bee, then the San Jose Grand Prix with beer and fatty foods flowing out of every crevice. I am forced to make some life decisions and in the interest of a longer sustaining lifespan and the opportunity to fully enjoy these vices at a later date I am fasting and only taking in non-alcoholic liquids. I hope to shun this by next week sometime, just in time so I am able to ride in the Tour de Peninsula.

On a separate note, Frank and I did go to the SJGP Friday afternoon and met up with Anjelah Johnson. If you haven’t seen her Vietnamese nail salon act, click on the above picture. Absolutely hilarious, she’s also a lot of fun in person. Greets her fans and put up with our antics. I can’t toast you off this post, but I can promise you I’ll be changing my diet and drinking habits. It will be a sobering weekend. Oh…I can’t have caffine either. *sigh*

-Wallace

A quick synopsis of my weekend.

Friday: I find out Sunny and Lauren separated; I picked up Sunny from his new apartment in Campbell and we meet everyone else at Larry’s “Ass-Grabbin’-Finger-Lickin’-Dirty-Southern-Farewell” Party at Fahrenheit Ultra Bar and Lounge in Downtown San Jose. What place is pompous enough to label itself an ‘Ultra Bar and Lounge’ in the middle of Downtown San Jose is beyond me, especially with the herds of water hippo grazing the bar area this night. Maybe Ultra-unattractive? Anyways…Larry’s finally leaving to NOLA to pursue his M.D. at Toulane (About time you slacker). It was good seeing many old faces again; Larry’s friends Will, Thomas, Brian & Shawna, as well as meeting finally meeting Amy’s and Sai’s boyfriends. No doubt the highlight of the night was catching up with Rich, Jonathan, Sunny, and of course Crystal and Olivia. It was 3am before we were stumbling around La Vics and praising their orange god…uh…I mean sauce.

Saturday: I woke up and rushed out of bed at 8am to catch Dawn & Dave, along with their friend’s Chris, Nico and his girlfriend/wife of whom I’ve forgotten at Sequoia High School in Redwood City to ride this year’s Tour de Peninsula course. We didn’t go the full 33 miles due to time constraints but headed back after we reached Sawyer Camp for a breezy 25 miles. I must admit functioning on 4 hours of sleep is not practical, I nearly got t-boned. After I returned home I had the pleasure to accompany the girls to Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale. They bought shoes, I cleaned out Metropark’s inventory of Trexi’s then visited Barry who was spinning at Puma. We ended up having dinner at By-th-Bucket in Santa Clara then retiring for the night.

Sunday: This is usually the recovery day, the day I plan on doing nothing. This Sunday was kind of an oxymoron of Sundays. We were actually busy, but with a whole bunch of nothing. The first errand was to return items that Crystal bought; so we returned to Nordstrom’s, Victoria’s Secret, and Gap Body. Apparently Yih caught me somewhere between HWY880 and Valley Fair’s parking structure; his message was less then stellar. It went something like this, “You’re an ***hole! I was waving at you, orange m*****f*****!” Wow…my apologies for minding my own business =/ (Hah…kidding Yih). Then we went shopping for groceries. I made pasta, and Crystal made delicious sugar cupcakes decorated with a sugar meringue frosting, sliced marshmallows, and multi-colored sprinkles. I just ate one, it made my tummy smile.

So to sum things up: Congrats Larry, do us proud at Toulane. We’ll visit during Mardi Gras, or if Rich has his way NOLA Jazz Festival. Congrats to Barry on his new job and sharp wit(HAHHA!!! “What Lies Beneath“), and Sunny in search of greener grass over the hill. Oh yeah…Cupcakes! I hope yours was just as enjoyable. Looking forward to Haw’s Pool Party next Saturday, and I believe the San Jose Grand Prix on Sunday.

-Wallace

With so many PHP P2P networking models/sites out there today you would think someone has created an algorithm that would allow one user to log into many of the more popular sites through one main site. Much like what Trillian, Meebo, and DeadAIM has done for the instant messenger community. Most of you know I succumbed to Myspace through your countless banter, efforts, and persuasion. The first P2P network I’ve been was Friendster about 5 or 6 years ago, followed by Google’s Orkut, Linked In, Doostang, and many others that I’ve forgotten about.

I also find it hilarious how demographics play into these peer-to-peer networks; for example Myspace is HUGE on the west coast, but as soon as you cross the Mississippi everyone is on Facebook. There are also industry specific P2P networks, and networks that focus on hobbies, trade, interests, and in the case of Sunny’s new venture - failed relationships. So this being said, I realize the difficulty of the task on hand, but if you consider yourself a web 2.0er I believe you also see the need for such a product. I know Trillian has simplified my life, instead of 5 IM clients (AIM, Yahoo, Microsoft, ICB, Gtalk), I have 2 - Trillian and Gtalk (because I’m too cheap at the moment to upgrade to Trillian Pro).

I’m able to keep in touch with anyone regardless what IM client they are on. In the case of P2P networks it’s annoying to keep up with each of them. I haven’t logged into my dog’s (yes, did you click the link?) Friendster account in years, it’s amazing I still know the login. If I don’t use it I forget it, if there was a manager for every popular site it would be much easier to keep up with everyone and everything. That being said I’m only on Myspace these days, people remind me I have Linked In and Doostang from time to time, but for the most part they lie dormant somewhere in the back of my mind. Usually behind what I want for dinner.

So…anyone know of such a program? There’s none to my knowledge. Maybe I’ll bother Zoli to gauge the task at hand. This is a far step into the unknown for fortune cookie authors.

-Wallace

What a crazy week thus far, I know I’ve certainly have done my part in bitching to some of you already, but I’m just not ready to give it up. I found myself here sitting and thinking about all my past priorities, things that inspired and motivated me. Remember Rich’s “Captain of Industry,” comment? Or those of you who wanted to grow up and be A) Rich, B) Famous, C) Powerful? Society has a mean method of silently imposing what is normal in our minds. Now that most of us have grown up a bit our priorities have changed, I know mine has drastically changed within the last two years or so. From a hobby standpoint I moved away from automobile modifications, home improvement, and pointless traveling to road cycling, backpacking/outdoor activities, and traveling for a purpose. A more self conscious and health motivated move, but a different priority all together.

I ran into Jaime(You guys remember him? The absolutely ill seal grey A4 and founder of Europrojektz?), the other day in front of Starbucks and we’ve literally have not seen each other in maybe 3 years. It seems like road cycling is the thing at the moment, he’s been doing it for the past 2 years, and myself for the past year. It’s funny as our interests and priorities have changed drastically yet somewhat along the same pattern. More focused on health, fulfillment, balance, career, financial goals, and clearly planning out the next decade instead of living like we were going to die tomorrow. We’ve both matured quite a bit, and maybe even grown a white hair here and there but I can imagine our priorities changing again within the next decade.

In advertising we learned that we, as humans, change interests, goals and perceptions at certain age ranges. This is useful within advertising and marketing so we are able to filter out and target our focus group. Who to market to, how and when. However applying this to reality makes some sense as well. I’m 25, my father had me when he was 28. Would I be mentally ready to have a family at 28? Call me immature, for that is what I am, but as excited as I am about the future, it frightens me at the same time. From an entrepreneurial guy’s perspective; juggling one or multiple businesses, relationships, shopping for an engagement ring, keeping the one special person in your life content, playing mediator between your personal life and the rest of the world, house chores, children, dogs, friends, obligations, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. When will I see a boring family sedan as the preferred method of transportation? When will I part with my dreams of sailing during summers? When will I exchange my afternoon happy hours for cheers at the youth soccer game? Where will I find myself subconsciously window shopping for that perfect diamond in a platinum setting? Are you ready for it? Am I?

Now for the fun part; Cyclist Rant #2

Before you start; if you are an avid cyclist and are easily offended I suggest you stop right here, if you’re skin’s thicker then an elephant’s kneecap then go ahead and read on. I know some awesome cyclists and have met some very interesting people in the sport but as with anything there is a population of the sport who have, well to put it bluntly, problems.

I have never been involved in such a sport where it seems like they are ready to split, crack, and fall apart at any given time. I whine and complain, probably more then my share, but these guys took the torch from me by miles. I’ve seen it all in the few short month’s I’ve been active on the cycling forums. Guys ripping on each other online due to whatever inferiority complex they might have, “If it’s not a Colnago, it’s not a bike,” and similar phrases are not uncommon. Also relationship issues, family issues, drug dependency(you’d think the sport is dirty enough), emotional instability, performance fixations, crashing their bike and not being able to afford a replacement, health issues and that’s just the beginning. You name it and someone’s going through it. If there was ever a group of kettle calling the pot, this is it. Yet…I love it. Crazy, isn’t it?

Now, I can somewhat understand this, as before when I ran it was to clear my mind. I was focused and could only hear my ipod, feel the thumps between my Nikes and the asphalt, and my only worries were uneven pavement and neighborhood dogs. Cycling is similar, although I am much more social on a bicycle. I am able to cycle with groups if I choose to do so, or go out and pound a workout. I’m less worried about issues on the bicycle, but it’s my time away from reality. You know, most of you guys experience the same feeling while reading Maxim on the porcelain head, and don’t you girls think I forgot about you, I’m going to assume it’s like getting your highlighted…when they leave you alone with your tinfoil wrapped hair. It must be similar to that.

-Wallace

A few days ago Crystal approached me with the idea of a 12 mile loop. “The trail takes you to a waterfall,” she said. This sounded familiar, and after a few questions later I realized it was the Berry Creek Falls Trail that we passed on during our Skyline-to-the-Sea outing last year. That being said I’m anxious to go back, however no one was too sure that Crystal would hold up, to test that out we decided to go to Castle Rock state park and do a quick 2 mile loop, she lasted just fine, however did pick up a few unsolicited bug bites. 8 or 9, during the last count.

The original idea was to picnic on the meadow right before the summit, however this year’s lack of rain and scorching hot sun turned the green meadow into a yellow patch ripe for rupture. We got back in the car and drove into Villa Montalvo, despite the ‘no picnic’ sign at the front gate we sat down on the main lawn and proceeded to stuff ourselves. The rest of the weekend consisted of a lot of nothing, pretty awesome I think, good food, and lounging at the pool. A lazy weekend indeed.

However lazy, I’m happy to see the bunch of you that came out on Friday evening; those at Sino, those at Village Cafe, and those who ended up at Blowfish. Just what I needed to top off the week.

a $22,000 parlee build.

Tour de France is on and naturally I get questions about it all the time, for the record I’m not a huge and was never a huge TdF fan. In fact I still don’t follow the sport that Lance Armstrong made popular in America, however this is not what this rant is about. This morning Jonathan sends me a link to a USA-Today article, “High End Pedals to the Metal,” within this article a radiologist from San Antonio orders a $22,000 Parlee build from KGS Bicycles. Although I have to admit the bike is rather well thought out and can easily jump another $10,000 in ridiculous parts, and I have nothing against Parlee, AX Lightless, Stronglight or any of the high end bicycle components but who really needs a $22,000 bicycle? Well…If you can out cycle Lance, then you can ride and spend whatever you want, but if you can’t do back to back centuries on tour then why does anyone need a custom fitted, custom built, outrageously priced bicycle?

In my opinion, unless you’re a circus sideshow performer or am a TdF competitor you do not need a custom built bicycle. It’s always fun for friends and I on our off the rack Specialized, Giants, Orbeas, Treks, and Scotts sandbag those decked out with top of the line Assos gear and high dollar race ready bikes such as Cervelo, Calfee, Seven, and I’ve even seen a BMC or two out there. Jaime had a point, a bike’s a bike, it’s what you do on it that counts. Although I do not whole heartily agree with the statement, I get the point.

Just you wait, this is only the first installment of my cycling rants. I have many more.

-Wallace

if this isn’t blogworthy, i don’t know what is.

guess who i ran into, and had the same idea. just a little tanner from africa

-Wallace

Last week sucked. It was like a vacation but not. I didn’t really set foot into my office, yet worked on and off. I wouldn’t even call it work, I replied to emails more then anything. Lame. So as you can imagine I was happy when the weekend rolled around. Obligations went out the window and I believe we attempted to have some fun.

I went home on Saturday and finished up my fixed gear, new bull horns installed I took it for a test ride and was in the mood to take pictures. Doing a trackstand while your camera is on a timer is not the easiest thing to do, next purchase is definitely a wireless remote. We also went to my company’s bbq at Great America, I can’t even recall the last time I was here. To make a long story short, we missed the bbq by half an hour, spent twenty something on two hot dogs and waited in line for a few rides. I actually made curry for dinner this night then we were off to Sia’s place in Palo Alto. Shebani organized a game of Pictionary, I have to say the giant post-it’s made the night. I was glad to see Stefano, Janel, Rob, Sam, Sunny, Lauren, and of course Sia and Shebani. Definitely a lot more fun then I expected.

Sunday came along and I’m not sure how, but we’ve become pro’s at elapsing time; I believe we got lunch, rode bikes for a bit, did a bit of work, sprawled around for a bit, ate dinner watched a movie and next thing you know the weekend was over. Crazy how fast time flies. Well it’s Monday and it’s time to work. Have a good week!

-Wallace

I normally would say I’ve known Yvonne since, however that is not true in this case. Yvonne has known me my entire life, she’s seen me in my mother’s womb and from age 0 till now. In fact, her entire family has. It’s always good to see them, and especially heart-warming seeing her father sing their first song and gleefully give her away to their new job and residence in Zurich, Switzerland.

Congrats to the both of you. We had a fabulous time.

-Wallace