If you haven't figured out yet that two of my passions are cycling and music, then you're a little slow.  This weekend was one of those times where I got to do both - but I was on the other side.  I didn't get to belt out a tune nor did I ride.  I watched.  Both of those things. 

I've been part of a committee of 6 who have been meeting since March to plan a conference that took place this past Friday and Sat.  My main pre-conference job was to find the band for both days - right up my alley.  We eventually settled on a group from Indy and after this weekend, we're buds.  Marc, Lorin, Cory and Bryan - you guys totally rock and I so enjoyed being your roadie/gopher.  The best part was that I was one of the cool people who carried a special radio except it would have been better  if I had one of those teeny microphones attached to my sleeve like the secret service.  So I got to hang with them, talk music lingo, fetch beverages, scooby snacks, and I even had to go on a search of the dark scary corners of the building for a rug to put under the drum kit.  Who else could have found a rug that looked like a pinata exploded?   Both days I was their biggest (and loudest) fan.  Shocking I know.   My only beef is when they weren't playing it was hard to keep up with them.  So next year I propose we purchase home incarceration ankle bracelets that deliver a shock when they wanted to leave the auditorium between sets.  My committee members heard me say this on the radio a lot:  "Anyone seen the band????"   

I think from Friday through Sat. night I got about 4 hours of sleep (do all musicians stay up half the night and eat horrifying foods and drinks????) but Sunday was still coming and that meant USGP.  And I told WebGirl and WebGuy I was going to cheer them on as well as others.  WebGirl informed me her race was early (8:45) and the pros were later in the afternoon.  Here's my take on that.  I see the articles and pictures of the pros in magazines but I don't know the pros and I don't see them out training and exchange howdys with them while I'm out riding my bike.  So I want to see and support those I know, and who also give so much to the sport of cycling.  And I decided if I hadn't fallen asleep standing up by noon, I would stick around and see the pros.  So when my alarm went off this morning, it was painful.  Where's the coffee?? But I was going.....to watch.  It was way fun and I'm so glad I went.  I saw lots of people I know - some who raced, some who watched and some who volunteered.  What a great event for our community and for cycling in general.     And the weather was beautimus.   

So as I sit here with dark circles under my eyes due to lack of sleep, there's no doubt it was a great weekend.  Meeting people.  Seeing people.  Helping people.  Cheering for people.  Laughing with people.  Screaming for people.  All doing the things that are my favorite things to do.  I'd rather have dark circles under my eyes with great stories to tell, than be well-rested with nothing to say at work tomorrow when someone asks, "How was your weekend?"  Now it's off to bed.  That 6am spin class comes early!