I am excited to have met my personal milestone to start teaching English by the end of August. I have been thinking of this side project for months and have gotten it off the ground by just doing it. Many thanks to all the folks who have looked at me with big, enthusiastic eyes and said, "Do it!" or "You MUST do it!" I have a TEFL certificate that I can finally reuse. I have taught Russians, Somalis, Ethiopians, Spanish-speakers, and now Italians.

It's a really good feeling to know that today I have done something useful for my community, society, and for myself.

Finland's smokers enjoy an abundance of over-turned, flower-pot ash trays at restaurants and bars. What a cheap and nice-looking alternative to seeing butts about. From the sounds of it, there is a growing trend to have more non-smoking options, such as smoke-free apartment buildings.

The air quality in Finland is really high. It's nice to be able to enjoy it.

The morning sun was hot for San Francisco. My legs felt refreshed and ready for climbing. In the past, I would have avoided unnecessary hills, and today I greeted them with, "Yes!, let's get some exercise!"

It's been a while since I've been on my bike and I temporarily forgot where I was. Such is typical of my brain sometimes. I quickly re-oriented myself and started to sprint up one of San Francisco's hills.

I pealed off clothing at various points along the ride. The weather was that surprising. As we rode through Golden Gate Park, I felt like I was running in a crouched position. I reached a maximum speed of 31.2 MPH. What a rush! The air was moist and fresh. What a treat to inhale! Blades of baby grass might just as well have taken root in my nostrils.

As I "ran" in my saddle, the pressure on my sit bones and soft tissue diminished. I might have just discovered a new technique for riding long distances. If I periodically "run" in my saddle, I will not have to get out of my seat to relieve pressure, as I float only 1 - 2 cm above the seat.

The alarm pierced my sleep after having finally entered deep into sleeplandia. Rather than pushing snooze, I incoherently shut it off. So, reset alarm, get 5 more minutes of sleep. I was awake at 04:45 and worried that I had an early morning meeting that a bicycle ride to and from the ocean might disrupt. Rather than crawling out of bed to check my work calendar to put my mind at rest, I rolled over. During this time and the piercing sound, I dreamt up an intricate scheme that most certainly included rain. Rain cancels rides.

Arun and I were somehow in a type of village where the houses and plots were a maze only clear to the locals. There was definite rain and we took refuge in someone's village home. They served us berry soup and stew. Forget the fact that I gave up red meat, I ate it anyway. The berry was succulent and deep blue, with many slightly hairy seed bulges. It was the shape of a cone coming out of it's greenery. It's flavor was as overflowing as only rain can provide.

The mind has amazing powers to try and talk you out of something. The second time the alarm sounded, I woke up realizing that I committed to this ride with Arun. This morning's sun was so warm and high at 07:00.

The AT&T network is horse shit, so I left for Verizon. When my Droid Incredible ships soon, I will have a phone that I can actually use for phone calls too.

It's Absolutely Tedious and Tiring to wait endlessly for enough signal at my kitchen table.