In two weeks time I will be finalizing this semester, or, at least, session A for this semester.  Everything is rather hectic at the moment as my group has, more or less, fallen apart (imho, we never became a fully-organized group from the beginning).  We are, or were, working on a project to create a pizza sales site.  I’ve spent the past few day redeveloping the site to get it up and running.  It was written in Microsoft’s ASP.Net 2.0 and although it’s not the greatest work that I’ve ever done, I am pleased to say that I find it to be a rather well done site, especially considering the time I’ve had to redo it and the fact that it was supposed to be done by 3 people and is, instead, only done by me.

I’m hoping to finalize the development of this web application by the end of the week and will let everybody know of the progress.

A few hours ago I returned from U.S. Nationals in Bend, Oregon. I was the 3rd to start in my category and passed my one, two and three minute man before the half way mark. The course was a 12 km out and back TT that started out as a straight-away at the start that turned into a quick 8-10% climb right out of the gate after 50 to 100 yards (estimate).

After the quick climb at the start of the course it flatted out for a brief sprint followed by a long, slow climb throughout most of the remaining course (until the turn around).

Following is a map of the layout and terrain-change of the TT course: map.

I was supposed to ride the 12k route but instead (like the idiot I am) only rode to the 10k marker and then turned around. Although I can say that the course was poorly marked, I arrived 36 hours later than scheduled because of airline delays and rerouting and, therefore, not having a chance to pre-ride the course, there were cones used for turn-arounds strewn about multiple locations of the course and many of the judges had absolutely no idea what was going on, the only person I can really blame for this incident is myself.

My time per kilometer, according to the head coach of U.S. Para-Cycling, Mr. Craig Griffin, (had I been assigned to the 10k course and not the 12k that I was assigned), would have placed me not only in the top 10 but would have allowed to medal and would have put me in Gold, as well. Sadly, my mistake disqualified me. Meaning, I will not be attending Worlds this year.

They are going to be held in Turin, Italy in mid-October this year. Granted, I’m working on finishing my degree this year (finally, some might say) and because of that would, possibly, have to skip Worlds; however, those are all excuses to make me feel better and give a reason to my failure instead of taking the blame that I am due. My own mis-steps lead to my downfall.