It's been a whole year since I began this blog experiment, sharing my stories and my journeys with you, my loyal readers. there have been many ups and downs and I thank everyone who has been along with me for the ride. Just as the Doctor has his companions, so does the Captain. Everyone of you who has shared in my life's journey has a special place in my mind, if not my heart. With that being said, I feel the time has come to end, at least for now, my excursion into the world of blogging. You'll still be able to get sporadic insights into whats happening with me on my Facebook page. With that out of the way, I invite you to join me one last time for a peek as to what happened in the latest chapter in the saga of my life:

ARRRRRRRR!!!

     That's right! Another voyage on the South Fork with the Bold Venture! Two hearty crew mates and I took to the waters for another amazing journey on the thunderous white water! It had rained quite a bit the night before and the river level was the highest I have personally experienced in the last two seasons. The picture above was taken at Hospital Bar, where I normally get soaked quite a bit, but this time everyone was DRENCHED! We all went underwater for a glorious brief moment before popping back up into the open air. Overall it was an incredibly smooth run through The Gorge.  

     I finally officially hit the 35,000 mile mark on my Novara Randonee! Just shy of eight years together, and we're both still going. The time and the miles just seem to flyby. Something I've learned during all those miles is that hills, like challenges in life, just make you stronger as long as you persevere. Keep going, even if only slowly and a little at a time, and eventually you'll get to the summit and reach that place that once seemed impossible. Here's to the next 35,000 miles!

     Now that you know this is the final blog post you may say to yourself, 'But Captain! What about that amazing year long selfie a week photo project that you have so selflessly being pouring your heart and soul into?' It's a valid question and I say to you: FEAR NOT! I indeed have a plan! In addition to posting this week's selfie I will continue to post them on my Facebook page! I know how grateful everyone is for my continued sacrifice in pursuit of the arts. You can thank me later. This selfie was taken during that most bodacious and excellent rafting trip previously mentioned. I was feeling super stoked!

Selfie #17

     Just like all good things, all mediocre things too must come to an end. The thing is though, you never know what the future holds in store or when I may suddenly change my mind. But for now, my tenacious, beloved readers,

     Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a week filled with adventure! It all began Thursday when two of my friends and I set out to ride the infamous local trail known as the MET. All went well until one of my companions got a flat in his rear tire. After patching it up we all headed over to the El Dorado Trail. After some shenanigans the same friend who had the flat crashed, causing his front wheel to taco. Somehow we managed to get it straight enough to resume riding. We continued on to the fabled, and well hidden, Troll Tunnel. Then it was back up and over the MET. We ended the day with a couple runs through Sloppy Jalopy, the puddle of ill repute next to Rasmussen Lake. It was along this ride that I took this week's selfie, which I will now share because I know how much everyone loves my selfie project!

Selfie #16

     Friday was the start of a three day staycation revolving around the various manifestations of that body of water that has come to be a focal point in my life, The American River. Day one of the staycation I ran a half marathon around Lake Natoma with one of my friends who I had ridden with the day before. Saturday I ran 5K in the morning and then had yet another epic rafting trip on the South Fork with some friends who I don't get to see nearly enough. We hit all the big rapids just right for maximum soakage! That night I had to go break a twenty to be able to pay the parking fee at the trail head for a run I was doing the next morning. I knew Circle K wouldn't just give me change so I decided to buy a scratcher. Guess what? I won $9!  

    Sunday I headed to the confluence of the north and middle forks to do a 10K trail run sponsored by REI. The route was an out and back that followed The Middle Fork American. My run buddy and I finished in just under an hour. The fun didn't stop after the run though! I went to see Insurgent with another one of my best friends. If you are a fan of the book, definitely see it! I finished up four days of awesome adventures with a short mountain bike ride. 

My run number for the 10K, double deuce!

     All of these adventures, everyone, reminds me to constantly look for the positive, the good things in life, to say to myself, "it's okay to set aside the negative, the challenges, for a little while, and actually enjoy yourself". After all, if you don't have some fun every once in awhile, what's the point of anything? And to enjoy the great things with the company of great friends, well, that's the BEST thing...

     Until next time my dear readers, remember to get out there and

     After about a three month hiatus I got back out on the South Fork Saturday. It was the first run of spring for me and the second trip of the year. I went with a couple guys I know, it was their first time going, and they paddled like seasoned pros! The commercial rafters were out so we had some company but the waterways were by no means crowded yet. The day was incredible and we hit every rapid just right. As always Hospital Bar was a blast, as you can see in the photo below.

Life in Hospital Bar

     

     This most recent trip through The Gorge brings us to the latest installment of THE SELFIE PROJECT. What better way to express the wonders of nature and the intensity of raging whitewater than to show everyone a close-up of my face? 

Selfie #15

     Switching gears, I've been getting into a show I know most of you are probably familiar with: Entourage. I am halfway through the third season now and still have lots to watch. I'm trying not to watch it all too quickly since I am really enjoying the series and want to savor it. When I first began watching it though I realized something. It was within the first few episodes. You know those quizzes that ask you things to determine which character you would be on a show? Well, if there were one for Entourage I am fairly certain I would be Johnny Drama. For those who know me well you'll see the similarities.

Yup. That's me.

     That's it for this week. I've been busy thinking of ways to keep up my momentum in the debt quest. Thanks everyone for dropping by for a quickie! Until next time here's a little something I've been telling myself a lot lately:

     The saga of my truck continues! After getting another new motor installed, under warranty and at no charge, I picked up the pick up. I brought it back a few days later for a check up, and guess what? The shop informed me the new motor, with only about 100 miles on it, is already leaking! There will be some follow up visits to see exactly WTF is going on. As much as I like my Ford it’s embarrassing to have it live up to the ‘Fixed Or Repaired Daily’ reputation that Chevy owners bestow upon the moniker of their arch-nemesis.

     At least with my bicycles, if something needs to be replaced or fixed, things are relatively inexpensive. For instance, I recently had to replace the rear gear cluster and chain on my mountain bike. Both components, which are half the drive train, cost me about $50. I also need to get new pedals soon for the same bike. I am going to get pretty decent ones, and they will cost about $60. That’s a total of $110. Compare that to the $5500 it cost for a new motor (half the drive train) in my truck. That means to fix my mountain bike cost me only 2% of what I spent on a motor. And my bicycle can take me places my truck can’t!  Which leads to my next topic: a recent foray on the El Dorado Trail. While I have eschewed almost all plans for overnight trips in my quest to drop the one ring of debt into the fires of Mount Doom I am still making sure to occasionally take day long trips to nearby locales. And after spending money to keep my mountain bike in good shape I am making damn sure to put it to use. A friend and I started at the Missouri Flat Road trail head in Placerville and rode the 25.2 miles to the Folsom terminus. Along the way we saw many wildflowers, turkeys, and even a couple of deer. The trail itself was in better shape than the previous time I rode it. I'm looking forward to doing it again.

     ...Which segues into everyone's favorite part of my blog...SELFIE OF THE WEEK!!! This one is goofy, irreverent, and shows me really not caring how damn stupid I can look. It was taken on the aforementioned ride along the EDT. Enjoy it for what it is, a piece of function-less art that really serves no purpose, or some such thing that sounds like I know what I am talking about.

Selfie #14

     The highlight of my week though has to be getting to touch base with The Commander who, as you may recall, has recently took on the de facto role of sponsor in my pseudo twelve step debt recovery. It's amazing to have the support and encouragement I need to be successful in my journey to becoming debt free. She never hesitates to give me the hard truths, which is one of many reasons why she is my best friend. It would be a much more difficult undertaking without her. Thank you for all that you do Commander!

It's funny because it's true

     Until next time my dear readers, I hope everyone of you is able to figure out all the problems in your life so the only thing you will ever have to ask yourself is

     Last week I was having a conversation with a friend of mine named Joey. A little background: Joey is a guy who is filled with an energy seldom matched by others. He is genuinely excited about life and has insights that others may espouse but don’t really practice. Well, ladies and gentlemen, Joey is a true believer who practices what he preaches, which I believe is why he has attained what he has. He lives life on his own terms, not caring if others approve or about living up to someone else's imagined standards. In short: he's happy. We don’t always see eye to eye, but I still consider him a friend and as such I listen to what he says. Back to the conversation. The gist of it was that you shouldn't count on anyone but yourself. That really got me thinking. There have been times in the not too distant past when I have canceled plans and let others down. But what about me?  I have been letting myself down for years by backsliding and going further and further into debt instead of digging myself out. Ultimately all this thinking was what led me to the decision to get back on track and pay off my debt. This realization is long overdue and I sense if I don't take definitive action now and do what I feel is right the opportunity may not come again.

     Not only have I been able to maintain my focus, I leveled up! That’s right, I am now level 4! For those of you who haven’t been following along since the onset of my quest, every time I pay off $1000 in credit card debt I gain a level. The quest will be over and the beast will be slain once I reach level 16. I acknowledge I still have a way to go but I am a quarter of the way there! Now is when I must be stronger than ever. I cannot let my leveling up give me the illusion that I am ‘almost there’. There really is no ‘almost there’. I either am or I’m not. So until that final day when the debt monster is slain I shall keep on.

     This week's selfie is actually a somewhat serious one. I feel I have captured the essence of how I've felt this past week. Uncertain, frustrated, and continually contemplating.

Selfie #13

     Until next time constant readers be true to yourself, do what's best for you and remember

      Spring has sprung and I’ve been reflecting a lot the last few days on my current path, what led me to where I am, and where I am going. I have come to some realizations about why some things have gone the way they have, reasons whose origins I now believe lay within the recesses of my psyche. And the more I ponder my current state the more it occurs to me that the shadow of debt that has loomed over me for far too long is the cause of many of my woes, and of my own doing. Last year I had an inkling of a plan to deal with my debt servitude and I started out good. Unfortunately, not all that long ago, I started to slip. Or more accurately as my great friend the commander pointed out, I fell off the fucking cliff.  I began planning trips I really shouldn’t take just yet, and buying gear I couldn’t really afford to take the aforementioned excursions.  Some things happened this last week that really woke me up. I have now canceled all the trips for the present time until I get everything under control. I’ve accepted the fact I have a spending problem that has led me to accumulate the debt I have. I honestly feel like I’ve entered a pseudo twelve step program with the Commander as my sponsor. I still plan on having day to day adventures and taking rafting trips throughout the upcoming season, but I will also be scrutinizing just about every cent I spend. I have to finally accept financial responsibility to get out of the hole I have dug myself down into, even if it means doing some things I’d rather not… A spring cleaning of my conscious,  finding extra ways to earn money, Stay tuned for progress reports to see what happens next!

     One thing that happened last year that dealt me a devastating below was replacing the motor in my truck. A motor that now has to be replaced again after only 5,000 miles! Turns out the new one had a bad head gasket. And the manufacturer is trying to screw me a bit on the warranty. I may have to pay $300 out of pocket which, as you may imagine, is not helping me. I’ll hopefully have the truck back this week with a motor that will last longer than six months.

     This weeks Soul sucking selfie is courtesy of the loaner car the shop gave me while they work on my truck. It’s a Kia Soul. A small car with a huge glove box. Seriously, it’s so big it has a shelf in it! One friend suggested it’s built that way so you can put your balls in there while you are driving around.

Selfie #12

Until next time my radical readers when life throws those hard truths in your face keep your head up and remember to

     This month marked one year since I quit my infamous gig at the pizza parlor. I’ve got to say my life has improved quite a bit. I’m putting far less miles on my vehicle, I’m less stressed out, happier, and for the first time in at least a decade, I actually got money back on my taxes. I can’t believe how much my life has improved. That job caused me so much misery and grief, but can I really blame it for all my problems? No. You see, I was the one that chose to stay there. I could have left anytime I wanted but I didn’t. Much like an abused spouse who chooses to stay despite all evidence that they should leave. Reflecting back on all those years I realize that the only person responsible for me and my happiness  is, well, me. That applies to everyone. Don't like your job or your current situation? Are you unhappy? Then stop making excuses, stop blaming other people for your situation. YOU are the only one that can make the changes in your life that will give you the happiness you claim you want so badly. I'm not saying it will be easy, and it may take a lot of time, but the sooner you start the sooner you will get there.

     After a scant 235 miles I had to retire my Hoka Cliftons. I really liked these shoes. However, because of the way I run, I wore them out a bit quickly. I've switched back to Brooks, a brand I've had really good luck with. I went with the Adrenaline. I've only ran 5K in them thus far, but I'm liking them. Which leads me to... THIS WEEK'S SELFIE!!! I took this one just to show everyone what I can do to a pair of running shoes. Which you'll probably also want to get a pair of to run away after you see the latest installment of photos dedicated to my narcissism.

  

     Just a heads up, my next blog may be a day or two late because of how hectic life is getting for me. So, until next time, remember