A moderate earthquake near West Salem, IL, woke us up this morning at 4:30 CST. We might’ve slept through it had it not been for some glasses rattling and a delayed recognition of what we were experiencing. We live on the 3rd floor of a 7 story brick and steel building in downtown, St. Louis, about 127 miles away from the epicenter, and felt the vibration once we were awake. Charlotte remained asleep.

For validation, the Internet had instant response from friends via twitter and the USGS was quickly updated.

An hour later, we’re still awake, but since everything is fine, I think I’ll crawl back into bed.

What this doesn’t show is the humidity we currently also have, which contributes to keeping me from going outside, let alone riding the bike. We rode briefly on Sunday morning, but I didn’t feel good about it afterwards. I’ll have to visit the fitness room instead this week.

Someday I’d like to live somewhere I can comfortably ride year-round, but in the meantime, I can be found inside, with the AC cranked.

We’re still looking at plenty of boxes to unpack and much stuff to sort and put away, but we were happy to sleep here for the first time Friday night. As for continuing to be in a multi-unit building (180ish in Ely I think), it’s generally much quieter than our past apartment at Terrace Lofts, so we had to run a fan for some white noise. I think we still woke several times as the AC kicked on since it’s a different sound. I’m so far pleased with the soundproofing, as neighbors provided no distraction last night, though the lobby offered a few audible creaks and conversations.

We’re going to have to clean our floors again. I already went through with the janitor’s mop, pushing dirt and dust off the floor, but I think we’ll have to do it again with a wetter mop to really pick up the tiny debris left from deliveries and moving. My socks still darken from these wooden floors. I’ll have to get the Roomba in here soon so it can make it’s daily rounds.

We’re currently mooching weak and inconsistent wireless Internet until the Telco and COVAD complete the circuitry for moving our Speakeasy DSL over, but I hope that comes quickly.

We’ve got our couch set up against the wall by the giant windows, which has my new favorite lounging place, but I’ve got to stand up to watch the people on the street. Street noise is also noticeably quieter, which is nice, though if someone’s decided they want to make noise outside, they’re typically heard. So it goes living on the trendy street.

Our next steps include finishing assembly of our bedroom furniture so we have places to put clothes and sleeping bodies; obtaining blinds for the Washington Avenue facing windows; organizing the remaining 12 kitchen boxes into fewer kitchen cabinets; wiring the TV for audio and video games, with cable/satellite to be decided soon; and again giving everything a cleaning once it’s where it’s supposed to be.

With so much to do, I don’t expect unpacking and re-settling to be a fast process.

The most recognizable team in international cycling is the first to sign on for the inaugural Tour of Missouri.

The Discovery Channel cycling team, for which Lance Armstrong rode to seven consecutive victories in the Tour de France, will participate in the race, which begins Sept. 11 in Kansas City and ends Sept. 16 in St. Louis.

Full Article

This race starts shortly after our 2007 two-day MS-150 ride, so I’ll enjoy some spectating while they speed through the state over the next week; I’m already curious to hear where the specific course route will go, but at least I know I’ll be able to cheer from the finish line in St. Louis.

Tour of Missouri

A few months ago Drawn highlighted Ali Spagnolas’ free painting project, and I followed up with a request for “St. Louis City”, suggesting something a little more vague than “dog” or “bunny”.

My request now completed, she’s going to send it, and I will promptly donate so she can continue her project. Fun stuff.

I’ll share some pictures soon; we hope to take a bunch of shots before and after painting while the place is empty, and get a few later in the year after we fill it with some new furniture. Once we get move in our couch, get some stools and chairs, and stock the fridge, we’ll have a gathering, so look for that hopefully soon.

The rec room (hooray for the pool table I don’t have to buy), fitness room (to work off winter fat when not on the bike), and roof deck (excellent city views and some grills for…) all look great, and the basement is ginormous - every unit gets an already built storage locker, and while they don’t have the underground parking lines painted yet, it doesn’t look like it’ll involve dangerous navigation.

Of interesting note: English Living and the London Tea Room are anticipating a June 1 opening, a week before we close, and probably 3 before we move in (we’re trying to arrange painting prior to). We checked out their space and they’ve made quick progress. Nothing is currently committed to the east half of the retail space, but I’m excited that we’ll see the west retail space open and active prior to moving in.