Zen and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance

More often than not, Mike gets on my case when I ask him for help...you know, in that way. The kind of way where I smile, bat my eyes and maybe even whine. just a little bit. As if to say...I'm a girl...I can't do it...be my big strong man and do it for me...followed by the irresistible pouting that made him fall in love with me (which, for the record, doesn't work anymore--so much for having him fooled).

When reality is...I can do it, but I'm just too lazy. and exhausted. and sometimes even way too hormonal for my own sanity, which as you can imagine, is always super fun.

So when my brand spankin' new bike computer arrived in the mail on Friday, knowing my keen ability to break any techie-type object with just a mere mortal glance, the irresistible pouting ensued.

As did the overly stern "do it yourself" attitude from my husband.

I tried waiting it out.

No luck.

I turned up the charm.

And it turned me invisible.

I even tried bribery.

Apparently I was offering up the wrong exchange. (duh Barb, think more in horny teenage boy mindset next time!)

I was left with no other choice than to get down and dirty...and figure it out myself. Hmph!

Now normally, this would involve me spreading everything out on the floor, screaming every expletive in the book, getting half way through it and being so freakin' frustrated that I'd need at least a 45 minute break involving a beer while trying to convince Mike to finish the job for me. Oh come on...you know how annoying it is to be looking at really bad drawings paired with 4 pt font and directions every language you can imagine from Japanese to Dutch to Swahili all crammed onto a frail piece of paper the size of a postcard.

But to my surprise (and Mike's I'm sure), there was no mid-project frustration beer for me this time. Although there were a few grunts of ARGHness...along with a few expletives.

And in the end, I overcame the bike computer. Dare I say I outsmarted it?

Because this chick...she prevailed.

Oh yes.........she did.

I have once again proved, that I am purveyor of all things awesome. And that I should never underestimate the power of...well...me! I mean...if I can put together my bike computer and have it function properly...then my Half Ironman should pretty much run itself...right?!?!

I finally found my bicycle zen, if you will. And it was fabulous.

Mike was so proud (read as: he was excited that I actually did it by myself and he got to relax for once), he even snapped photos to commemorate the occasion.


Now that's one fine lookin' set o' wheels...