Thursday, July 25, 2013

Life Aspirations


This simple cell phone image represents the beginning of a new life aspiration. Uwe the bicycle racer as most have known me is no more. The aspiration of being a scholar of ancient oriental philosophy has been put on indefinite hold. Even longer in the past are my attempts as a sports car racer and Buddhist Monk. And finally, my present involvement as an amateur boxer will never be more than an athletic hobby.

My new aspiration is as an actor. The above photo was the first shared as a headshot to a Chicago based casting company, Atmosphere Casting. The plan was to land the role as a driver for the film “Jupiter Ascending”, instead it landed me the job of stand-in. It is not my first exposure to acting. Long ago I was part of four different Operas at the Chicago Lyric Opera and several years ago I was a key actor in a commercial for SAP where I played the part of an elite cyclist. There were other small roles such as in a music video and in an independent short film.

But none-the-less, the aspiration of being an actual actor is a real challenge for me. I could easily give in to psychological comfort and continue on the path to being a scholar and hide myself away behind a mountain of books in a tiny office at some university. But instead I’ve chosen to confront my personal introverted and passive aggressive self, to broaden my character, to challenge myself, to embrace the change that occurs all around me and in me everyday, to make imagination become reality.


Sunday, July 14, 2013

Apoptygma Berzerk

Apoptygma Berzerk is a Norwegian/Danish musical group. Stephan Groth and Jon Erik Martinsen formed the band in 1989. They have achieved success with a brand of synthpop and ballads backed with electronic rhythms, commonly known within the scene and referring to themselves as "futurepop" or “electro-rock”. The name "Apoptygma Berzerk" either has a secret meaning or does not mean anything. The name is reminiscent of the word apophthegm, which means a statement that speaks one's mind - which would make the title mean a berserk manifesto. 1984 IS NOW! (Double click on videos for full screen.)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Get A Grip Cycles

On the road Get A Grip Cycles bike service and race support.

Monday, July 8, 2013

2014 Porsche 911 GT3

The purest and most viscerally engaging Porsche; the 2014 911 GT3. Base price: $131,350, vehicle layout: Rear-engine, Rear wheel drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe, engine: 3.8L/475-hp/325-lb-ft DOHC 24-valve F-6, transmission: 7-speed twin-clutch auto, curb weight: 3200 lbs, wheelbase: 96.7 in, length x width x height: 178.9 x 72.9 x 50.0 inches, 0-60 mph: 3.2 seconds, EPA city/hwy: 18/26 mpg, on sale (in the U.S.): Fall 2013. (Double click on videos for full screen.)

Friday, July 5, 2013

Boxer Highlight: Mads Larsen

As an aspiring amateur boxer who also happens to fight out of the unconventional southpaw stance I wish to pay tribute here to a fellow southpaw boxer, Mads Larsen. Mads Larsen from Denmark, known as “Golden Boy”, was the European, IBO and WBF world super middleweight Champion and once held a 51-2 record with 38 wins by KO.
Though age and multiple injuries have all but retired Mads, his past achievements are still remembered here by me. His tattoo circled around his neck/upper chest reads: “Better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not”. The first video also pays tribute to recently passed (6-19-2013) American actor James Gandolfini. James is most known for his role in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano. (Double click on videos for full screen.)

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Who am I? Why am I? What am I? Where am I?

I'm a spiritual being having a life experience as a human on earth. You are what you know and not what you believe, nothing yet everything, always changing yet never ending. Gnostic Joachim.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

History Snapshot

The inaugural year for Team Get A Grip Cycles at the 2007 Winfield Twilight Criterium. (Top Left) Bryan Merrill, Angelo DiGiovine, Jonathan Tenney, Lee Heaton, Uwe Krueger, Seth Meyer, Eric Wiecek. (Bottom Left) Steven Vandeven, Jonathan ‘Chip’ Gray. (Not Shown) James Holton and Michael Possley.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Clan of Xymox - Imagination and Evelyn

The band, Clan of Xymox, also known as simply Xymox, formed in the Netherlands in 1981. Early pioneers of the dark and moody electronic music known as darkwave, their 1980's releases included synthpop and electronic dance music. Here are two tracks off their 1989 album, Twist of Shadows. (Double click on videos for full screen.)