That's right folks, after investing hundreds of dollars and countless hours, this barista has no need for the local coffee store. I sit here sipping an eggnog latte. Or at least that's what I call it. No half-caf, semi-sweet, no-fat, double shot $6.00 cup of coffee that won't be ordered correctly. Steamed Eggnog, a little whip cream and Rostov's Copenhagen blend. If you're in the RVA, this is where you should get your coffee. Tammy, and previously her Dad, have some awesome coffee. If you're ordering off the web to get fresh coffee beans, drive your ass down to the VCU area and visit Tammy. She's great, and the coffee is better.
The other day I mentioned I didn't get any cycling stuff for Christmas. Well, I forgot to mention a great DVD I got; "Breaking Away". Its a great movie and you can get it cheap now, so I did. I can't wait to watch it. (I also got Cannonball and Winning, but these are of even less interest to most).
After a week of semi-working, I went to Philly for the weekend. I'm sure (and I hear) that its a great city, but I go to visit in-laws, which severly limits the goodness. I never really get to see anything I'd like to. Well, I did get to the museum for an art show once. We stay in a working class section of town and it is less than inspiring for me. Best I can say is that it gives me an even better appreciation of where I grew up and the opportunities that have been afforded me. Frankly, I just don't *get* the north.
Every year all I hear about is the Mummer's Parade. We went once. It seems like Mardi Gras to me, but I just can't let loose and be as drunk as you need to be to be a part. It is something to see tho.
Two more days and its all over. The festive part of the year is done. Its a shame, really. For all the stress Christmas can put on you, I like it. I'd like it better if it would stay cold (my sinuses would like this as well), but c'est la vie. I'm the last guy to put my toys away and take down the tree.
And speaking of toys...
Rock Band is great. We've been playing quite a bit, but have yet to start an official game. The kid is doing a good job practicing drums. She's stuck with it, so I think she's having fun with it. Today she told a girl, "Don't tell anyone, but I'm a rock girl". HAHAHAHA. She was at the mall and bought a wallet....with pink skulls and crossbones. 'Cause she's a Rock Girl. Makes me laugh, but I remember at that age sitting in my room singing to my Partridge Family records.
I've had a blast with guitar hero, and mom was enjoying SingStar 80s. It was a Playstation Christmas.
Ok, TV ad getting to me. The Package Shark. This thing looks great! And if you order now....
Tomorrow will be bowling before settling in for some good cheese I got in Philly and some Champagne. Then, staying up all night playing Guitar Hero.
Maybe Richard will ride on Tuesday.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sleep.....I Need Sleep
So, in addition to Christmas Eve excitement, we had a tooth fall out. It was quite the event. Kid has lost all her teeth at school at lunch. She won't pull them so they come out in her sandwich. Her PBJ. Yup, that's how loose they get. I had no idea how loose this one was. So after some hurt and a few tears, it was out. Then, off to bed.
I was annointed Santa and Tooth Fairy. So, we moved all the presents under the tree before bed. We had a present to put in her room, and of course I had to do the tooth swap. I was advised by wifey that I wait until later to make sure she was sleeping good. I went downstairs to watch A Christmas Story.
Around 11, I heard her door open. Panic.....I left a gift in the hallway. Crap. Too late now. So, I wait a few and go upstairs. It was still where I left it, so I hid it. Then I checked and she was in our bed with Mom. So, back downstairs I went.
At 2AM I went back up. She seemed asleep in our bed. I did the tooth swap, but realized I shouldn't do the gift because she might see it when I put her to bed and she knew I was still up..blah blah (I should note she only sort of believes in Santa. Next year gone for sure). Now I climb in bed and realize I need to put the gift in her room prior to sun up. So, I can't sleep and around 3:30 I go put it in. She sits up in bed. But nothing. Whew
BAck up at 8 for Santa. The rest of the day was great. Only downside, no biking gifts, but I really didn't need much. I'll end up worrying about it later.
Ok, I need to rest.
I was annointed Santa and Tooth Fairy. So, we moved all the presents under the tree before bed. We had a present to put in her room, and of course I had to do the tooth swap. I was advised by wifey that I wait until later to make sure she was sleeping good. I went downstairs to watch A Christmas Story.
Around 11, I heard her door open. Panic.....I left a gift in the hallway. Crap. Too late now. So, I wait a few and go upstairs. It was still where I left it, so I hid it. Then I checked and she was in our bed with Mom. So, back downstairs I went.
At 2AM I went back up. She seemed asleep in our bed. I did the tooth swap, but realized I shouldn't do the gift because she might see it when I put her to bed and she knew I was still up..blah blah (I should note she only sort of believes in Santa. Next year gone for sure). Now I climb in bed and realize I need to put the gift in her room prior to sun up. So, I can't sleep and around 3:30 I go put it in. She sits up in bed. But nothing. Whew
BAck up at 8 for Santa. The rest of the day was great. Only downside, no biking gifts, but I really didn't need much. I'll end up worrying about it later.
Ok, I need to rest.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Some Quick Universal Truths
1 - Bombay Saphire is best for martinis. If you think a martini is made with Vodka, click away now.
2 - The best shaker is the classic bullet. Stainless, hard and able to crack ice in a single bound. Be not afraid to shake as hard as humanly possible.
3 - You must use vermouth, otherwise you're drinking Gin on the rocks.
4 - Two olives are good, three rock. It is preferrable to use large, stuffed ones. Stuffed with most anything.
Carry on.
2 - The best shaker is the classic bullet. Stainless, hard and able to crack ice in a single bound. Be not afraid to shake as hard as humanly possible.
3 - You must use vermouth, otherwise you're drinking Gin on the rocks.
4 - Two olives are good, three rock. It is preferrable to use large, stuffed ones. Stuffed with most anything.
Carry on.
Twas the Night Before.....the night before
So, it seems Lightscribe might not be the most robust technology. It is great tho. I ended up buying another burner, that I've yet to install. Bought it locally so I could swap it locally in the short term should anything happen. Since I threw away my packaging, I can't return the new one. I still want to play with it a little more before I pull it out. I just so want it to be some driver issue, but I really think the deck isn't recognizing the lightscribe info on the media.
I'm teleslacking tomorrow. I do need to get some work done, but its easy for me to work from home, especially on a holiday week when there won't be so many folks around anyway. I can send out some emails I need to knock out. I just need to find something for the kid to do. Maybe I can bus in a friend.
Now, the ride report. I said that Thursday I did the muscle building bike routine, and sure enough on Saturday my thighs still hurt. It was looking like a spin day. Yet another chilly morning. I wasn't as cold this week, partially due to my new shoe covers I'm sure. I was a tad late getting there, which I hate. I'm, uh, slow getting ready to ride. I carry all my tools, a stand, pump, etc, everything. I really like taking my time getting ready, but it isn't always possible. Oh well, my neurosis can live to rear its head another day.
As soon as I got on the bike I could tell my legs hurt. Thankfully, spinning out of the parking lot warmed them up some and it was ok. It seems like its hard to ride fast in the cold anyway. Can't half breathe, snot running, etc. Its worth it tho. So we chugged on up to Ashland (after telling some guy that we'd never keep up with him) and had a nice ride. While a part of me misses humping the whole trip, its nice to do a regular pace. And, as I discovered on the ride back, my regular pace was about all I had. I decided to try and sprint some on the flat road and Richard took off with me. We were even the whole way and then my legs had just had it. That was all she wrote. Man, that sucked, I hate when I can't pass Richard. I think we're darn close in ability, which makes it fun.
A quick aside...I was in the back of the pack at the beginning of the ride. It is somewhat humerous to watch Richard and Diane as their styles are completely different. Diane rides in more of what I guess is a triathalon style. (I guess because A: I wouldn't really know, and B: the other Tri-Girls ride the same way). Basically they seem to get up into the big chainring, lean over onto that couch they call handlebars, and just push in a pretty even stroke and cadence. In contrast Richard stays in the middle chainring and spins like no tomorrow. Me? I'm not there yet. I spent last year spinning like Richard. Previously I hadn't had the fitness to do this. So, I worked on it and was pleased. Now I feel like I need more strength, so I'd like to push a bigger gear. We'll see.
So, we finished and were hanging in the parking lot talking. At some point Richard turns to me and says, "hey, I'm going to do a time trial up Wintergreen mountain. Wanna go?" My first response was pretty typical for me, "that's a pretty big hill, Richard". Then I said sure. What the heck has gotten in to me? First I say I'm going to do a century, now climb a mountain? Soon I'm going to have to alter my page like all my friends with the events I'm going to do. Meh. Natural progression I guess.
So Richard, when is that Blue Ridge Parkway ride?
I'm teleslacking tomorrow. I do need to get some work done, but its easy for me to work from home, especially on a holiday week when there won't be so many folks around anyway. I can send out some emails I need to knock out. I just need to find something for the kid to do. Maybe I can bus in a friend.
Now, the ride report. I said that Thursday I did the muscle building bike routine, and sure enough on Saturday my thighs still hurt. It was looking like a spin day. Yet another chilly morning. I wasn't as cold this week, partially due to my new shoe covers I'm sure. I was a tad late getting there, which I hate. I'm, uh, slow getting ready to ride. I carry all my tools, a stand, pump, etc, everything. I really like taking my time getting ready, but it isn't always possible. Oh well, my neurosis can live to rear its head another day.
As soon as I got on the bike I could tell my legs hurt. Thankfully, spinning out of the parking lot warmed them up some and it was ok. It seems like its hard to ride fast in the cold anyway. Can't half breathe, snot running, etc. Its worth it tho. So we chugged on up to Ashland (after telling some guy that we'd never keep up with him) and had a nice ride. While a part of me misses humping the whole trip, its nice to do a regular pace. And, as I discovered on the ride back, my regular pace was about all I had. I decided to try and sprint some on the flat road and Richard took off with me. We were even the whole way and then my legs had just had it. That was all she wrote. Man, that sucked, I hate when I can't pass Richard. I think we're darn close in ability, which makes it fun.
A quick aside...I was in the back of the pack at the beginning of the ride. It is somewhat humerous to watch Richard and Diane as their styles are completely different. Diane rides in more of what I guess is a triathalon style. (I guess because A: I wouldn't really know, and B: the other Tri-Girls ride the same way). Basically they seem to get up into the big chainring, lean over onto that couch they call handlebars, and just push in a pretty even stroke and cadence. In contrast Richard stays in the middle chainring and spins like no tomorrow. Me? I'm not there yet. I spent last year spinning like Richard. Previously I hadn't had the fitness to do this. So, I worked on it and was pleased. Now I feel like I need more strength, so I'd like to push a bigger gear. We'll see.
So, we finished and were hanging in the parking lot talking. At some point Richard turns to me and says, "hey, I'm going to do a time trial up Wintergreen mountain. Wanna go?" My first response was pretty typical for me, "that's a pretty big hill, Richard". Then I said sure. What the heck has gotten in to me? First I say I'm going to do a century, now climb a mountain? Soon I'm going to have to alter my page like all my friends with the events I'm going to do. Meh. Natural progression I guess.
So Richard, when is that Blue Ridge Parkway ride?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Some Relief
Well, better mood today. Yesterday was awful. I do it to myself, what can I say? Twisted Sister helped, but nothing could make up for the Medussa touch I was sporting yesterday.
I ended up hopping on the trainer last evening and doing the muscle workout. Yeow. I can't do the whole thing, much less the whole thing at a cadence that matters. Still, its bound to help. I need to build my legs up so I can muscle up the tough hills. I ride a double, and even with compact crank arms I have a tough time up really steep hills. So, I need muscle to be able to spin. I now need to do the spinning DVD. I guess eventually I'll get a recovery DVD and that should be good.
Anyway, I pushed as hard as I could, and felt it. This was followed by yet more packing and finally a little PC time. PCs are such a pain. I'm not sure what I did, but now I can't seem to burn Lightscribe labels.
( I have just turned on the "Like, Oh My God" Its the 80s box set. This should be good for a laugh. Man, I'm Hungry Like the Wolf now)
I don't know what I did to the PC, but I stayed up until 2 messing with it. I could have stayed up all night. I have a hard time making myself go to bed when I'm doing stuff like that. Thankfully, I'm not too tired today. Pretty dead here anyway. I'll have to go to bed on time tonight since I'm riding tomorrow.
Ok, feeling guilty. I need to go do something legit.
I ended up hopping on the trainer last evening and doing the muscle workout. Yeow. I can't do the whole thing, much less the whole thing at a cadence that matters. Still, its bound to help. I need to build my legs up so I can muscle up the tough hills. I ride a double, and even with compact crank arms I have a tough time up really steep hills. So, I need muscle to be able to spin. I now need to do the spinning DVD. I guess eventually I'll get a recovery DVD and that should be good.
Anyway, I pushed as hard as I could, and felt it. This was followed by yet more packing and finally a little PC time. PCs are such a pain. I'm not sure what I did, but now I can't seem to burn Lightscribe labels.
( I have just turned on the "Like, Oh My God" Its the 80s box set. This should be good for a laugh. Man, I'm Hungry Like the Wolf now)
I don't know what I did to the PC, but I stayed up until 2 messing with it. I could have stayed up all night. I have a hard time making myself go to bed when I'm doing stuff like that. Thankfully, I'm not too tired today. Pretty dead here anyway. I'll have to go to bed on time tonight since I'm riding tomorrow.
Ok, feeling guilty. I need to go do something legit.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Santa is an Anagram for Satan
This isn't the best time for me to be posting, yet here I am!
Damn season. Why is it many of us end up feeling worthless? Too busy? Why can some ignore this and move on and enjoy? For whatever reason this year feels worse.
Parties, parties, shopping, shopping, shopping, work, errands, trees, decorations, decorations for the tree, decorations for the house, cards, writing the cards, mailing the cards, mailing the presents, debt, debt, debt, disappointment and the long cold winter.
Time to up the prozac.
Truely it isn't that bad, but I just feel so terminally behind. Maybe I just need me time, which is really quite selfish since I get it. Maybe I just need my Saturday bike ride. I don't know. Wish I did.
The thing that cheers me up, however, is the following. Gives me a smile every time.
Damn season. Why is it many of us end up feeling worthless? Too busy? Why can some ignore this and move on and enjoy? For whatever reason this year feels worse.
Parties, parties, shopping, shopping, shopping, work, errands, trees, decorations, decorations for the tree, decorations for the house, cards, writing the cards, mailing the cards, mailing the presents, debt, debt, debt, disappointment and the long cold winter.
Time to up the prozac.
Truely it isn't that bad, but I just feel so terminally behind. Maybe I just need me time, which is really quite selfish since I get it. Maybe I just need my Saturday bike ride. I don't know. Wish I did.
The thing that cheers me up, however, is the following. Gives me a smile every time.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Cold!
So yes, Diane, Richard and I were joined by Trigirl 40 this cold morning for our Saturday ride (where I immediatly announced the obvious, IT COLD). I had on 2 pair of socks, toe covers, tights, undershirt, jersey, coat, glove liners, gloves, balaclava and sunglasses. I was still not warm.
We didn't ride real long. I haven't bothered to look at the stats, can't amount to much. Worst part is the large amount of snot involved. I'm not sure about all my double layering. My toes stayed warmer longer, but, when i got home they were at that "needles" point, you know, when they feel like someone sticking needles in your toes because they aren't numb enough for you to feel nothing. Fingers didn't get that bad. Of course, my new booties showed up in the mail today. Maybe next week.
The afternoon was spent doing laundry, putting the candles in the windows and putting lights in the tree. Yup, had the tree for a week and its still not decorated. There is just never enough time.
I snoozed after that. My head has been killing me. I hope its the front moving through so it will go away in a day or so.
Tonight brought Alvin and the Chipmonks. Wow, not so good. The kids like it, so that's good. I just thought it was pretty bad. But, there was some light...to bad it was at the beginning of the movie.
That's right. The trailers. We were there early because I didn't know if it would be crowded, so we saw every stupid ad. But, we saw the trailer for Speed Racer! I am SOOOOO excited for this. Next May. It looks great! Very stylized. It should rock. There is rumor that the next Fast and Furious will be out next summer as well. That would be awesome!
We didn't ride real long. I haven't bothered to look at the stats, can't amount to much. Worst part is the large amount of snot involved. I'm not sure about all my double layering. My toes stayed warmer longer, but, when i got home they were at that "needles" point, you know, when they feel like someone sticking needles in your toes because they aren't numb enough for you to feel nothing. Fingers didn't get that bad. Of course, my new booties showed up in the mail today. Maybe next week.
The afternoon was spent doing laundry, putting the candles in the windows and putting lights in the tree. Yup, had the tree for a week and its still not decorated. There is just never enough time.
I snoozed after that. My head has been killing me. I hope its the front moving through so it will go away in a day or so.
Tonight brought Alvin and the Chipmonks. Wow, not so good. The kids like it, so that's good. I just thought it was pretty bad. But, there was some light...to bad it was at the beginning of the movie.
That's right. The trailers. We were there early because I didn't know if it would be crowded, so we saw every stupid ad. But, we saw the trailer for Speed Racer! I am SOOOOO excited for this. Next May. It looks great! Very stylized. It should rock. There is rumor that the next Fast and Furious will be out next summer as well. That would be awesome!
Friday, December 14, 2007
>SIGH<
I'm floored. Can't write about it, but I'm floored. Those that know, know. I just can't believe it. I just needed to say it outloud.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Ebay
Ebay is one of the most fabulous inventions ever. I love it. Great for the collector, bargain hunter, and attic cleaner outer.
Until your done.
After doing some record lifts at the gym tonight, I spent the last 4 hours emailing, boxing, printing, weighing and taping. And I still have more to do.
Good night.
Until your done.
After doing some record lifts at the gym tonight, I spent the last 4 hours emailing, boxing, printing, weighing and taping. And I still have more to do.
Good night.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Tricks of the Trade
Had an experience tonight that made me think a little. I'm not always the best at putting together names and faces. Given that my name is Kermit, folks tend to remember the name. I'm also not real quick on my feet when it comes to recovering in public. I witnessed an awesome thing tonight that is so simple....of course I'll never apply it, but...
I grew up in the RVA. I left for about 7 years for school and partying, but I came back. When I went to work, it was for growing company. That's when it began. I was always running into people who I knew from high school.
When I started doing wedding photography, it only got worse. Now, I'm not one to go to HS reunions. There are plenty of people I'm curious about, but you never know if they're going to be there or not. And lets face it, sometimes the past is best left there. All too often it just doesn't live up to your memory.
(Wow, that sounds horrible. I don't mean it that way at all. Its just that the girl you had the crush on never ends up like you think she should have. People are always wanting to be your friend who didn't give you the time back in the day. Its hard to separate that from the folks you genuinly wonder about....especially when they may not give a rats ass about you).
Ok so back to what I learned. Tonight I ran into a guy I worked with in HS. We were friends, but you know, not buds. Probably partied some. I ran into him once in Charlotte while I was in school. How odd was that. After that time he achieved some fame, so naturally I remember him. Well, tonight he walked up and said hey, introduced his kid, etc. Very nice. So here's the trick. As we were talking, he's putting my name/email in his PDA. And here's what he said; "Kermit, how do you spell your last name?" How simple is that! There's no way he'd have remembered it anyway.
Not sure why I'm fascinated by this, but I am. Such a simple thing, and it doesn't come off as fake. This is a talent I do not have. Like, at my wife's company Christmas party, she's talking to this guy who says "I bet Kermit doesn't remember me!". Crap, what do you do then? Fact was I did recognize him, but couldn't come up with his name. Guess it wouldn't have worked to ask him to spell it, huh.
Ride. Saturday. Be there or be.....busy doing something important.
My tattoosake, Einsturzende Neubauten is playing in the backgound and is calling me.
I grew up in the RVA. I left for about 7 years for school and partying, but I came back. When I went to work, it was for growing company. That's when it began. I was always running into people who I knew from high school.
When I started doing wedding photography, it only got worse. Now, I'm not one to go to HS reunions. There are plenty of people I'm curious about, but you never know if they're going to be there or not. And lets face it, sometimes the past is best left there. All too often it just doesn't live up to your memory.
(Wow, that sounds horrible. I don't mean it that way at all. Its just that the girl you had the crush on never ends up like you think she should have. People are always wanting to be your friend who didn't give you the time back in the day. Its hard to separate that from the folks you genuinly wonder about....especially when they may not give a rats ass about you).
Ok so back to what I learned. Tonight I ran into a guy I worked with in HS. We were friends, but you know, not buds. Probably partied some. I ran into him once in Charlotte while I was in school. How odd was that. After that time he achieved some fame, so naturally I remember him. Well, tonight he walked up and said hey, introduced his kid, etc. Very nice. So here's the trick. As we were talking, he's putting my name/email in his PDA. And here's what he said; "Kermit, how do you spell your last name?" How simple is that! There's no way he'd have remembered it anyway.
Not sure why I'm fascinated by this, but I am. Such a simple thing, and it doesn't come off as fake. This is a talent I do not have. Like, at my wife's company Christmas party, she's talking to this guy who says "I bet Kermit doesn't remember me!". Crap, what do you do then? Fact was I did recognize him, but couldn't come up with his name. Guess it wouldn't have worked to ask him to spell it, huh.
Ride. Saturday. Be there or be.....busy doing something important.
My tattoosake, Einsturzende Neubauten is playing in the backgound and is calling me.
Busy Weekend
For my kid, anyway. I guess me as well.
Friday night my kid went to a sleepover. This was her first. She's had kids stay at our house, and most have gone ok, but she was scared to go somewhere else. Not sure what happened. And, they even had a dog! My kid is scared of dogs! When I asked where the dog slept, she said "anywhere. It was a nice dog". Ok then, where did my girl go?
We went out to dinner at our close by fave, Patina Grill. Turns out I went to highschool with the owner. Been going there for years and never realized it. Such a small town, the RVA. Anyway the food was great as always. I started with a standard martini, and I gotta say, it kind of hit me. I can usually drink quite a bit, I'm not small and my tolerance is usually good. I have to say I kind of felt it. I had a fantastic Salmon meal. My wife, as usual, wanted dessert. I can't have dessert, so I went for an after-dinner coffee drink. Plenty of booze. I had to ask the wife to drive home. I got home and went to bed...at about 8:00. Honestly this doesn't happen to me. I have no idea what was going on. So strange.
Saturday AM brought the bicycle ride with Diane and Richard. I bundled up and went forth amid great protest from my body. I use to ride in the woods in the winter, but somehow this is different. We couldn't decide how far to go, so we picked a point to make a decision and headed out.
The beginning of the ride was a little tough. I suck in the morning, but I've gotten use to it. Frankly the cold only makes it worse. Takes awhile to get warmed up and moving. The begining of the ride wasn't great, but wasn't bad either. The second half seemed a bit better. I haven't looked at the stats to see if we were moving any better on the return portion. The three of us seem to ride pretty equally. Everyone has off days and on days, but for the most part I don't think anyone really holds anyone else up. Of course I'll never forget Diane and her brother in law dropping me like there was no tomorrow on the metric we did, so...
The rest of Saturday was cleaning up and a few errands, which are tough this time of year. My kid was at several more functions on Saturday. Sunday AM brought me trying to get a gingerbread house completed prior to yet another even for my daughter. Then, while she was gone, we raked leaves...possibly my least favorite task in the world. Thankfully, we don't have a ton of leaves. We got finished and I headed out on the motorcycle for a quick ride. I actually rode our bike route as it entails some nice, low traffic roads. I feel pretty confident on the motorcycle, but fact is I'm really new to it. I'm still kind of uncomfortable on the highway. My bike is pretty light, and tooling along at 75 with no fairing or windshield just feels loosy goosy.
Then was time to get the Christmas tree. All our cats haven't been around one. The two kittens did their inspection and did some playing, but seem to get over it pretty quickly. Until you put water in the base and they want to drink that. We'll see. Probably leave up undecorated for a few days to be sure its safe.
Had to pick up for the maids today, and then order a few Christmas gifts. And now I'm here, blowing off a meeting.
W00t!
Friday night my kid went to a sleepover. This was her first. She's had kids stay at our house, and most have gone ok, but she was scared to go somewhere else. Not sure what happened. And, they even had a dog! My kid is scared of dogs! When I asked where the dog slept, she said "anywhere. It was a nice dog". Ok then, where did my girl go?
We went out to dinner at our close by fave, Patina Grill. Turns out I went to highschool with the owner. Been going there for years and never realized it. Such a small town, the RVA. Anyway the food was great as always. I started with a standard martini, and I gotta say, it kind of hit me. I can usually drink quite a bit, I'm not small and my tolerance is usually good. I have to say I kind of felt it. I had a fantastic Salmon meal. My wife, as usual, wanted dessert. I can't have dessert, so I went for an after-dinner coffee drink. Plenty of booze. I had to ask the wife to drive home. I got home and went to bed...at about 8:00. Honestly this doesn't happen to me. I have no idea what was going on. So strange.
Saturday AM brought the bicycle ride with Diane and Richard. I bundled up and went forth amid great protest from my body. I use to ride in the woods in the winter, but somehow this is different. We couldn't decide how far to go, so we picked a point to make a decision and headed out.
The beginning of the ride was a little tough. I suck in the morning, but I've gotten use to it. Frankly the cold only makes it worse. Takes awhile to get warmed up and moving. The begining of the ride wasn't great, but wasn't bad either. The second half seemed a bit better. I haven't looked at the stats to see if we were moving any better on the return portion. The three of us seem to ride pretty equally. Everyone has off days and on days, but for the most part I don't think anyone really holds anyone else up. Of course I'll never forget Diane and her brother in law dropping me like there was no tomorrow on the metric we did, so...
The rest of Saturday was cleaning up and a few errands, which are tough this time of year. My kid was at several more functions on Saturday. Sunday AM brought me trying to get a gingerbread house completed prior to yet another even for my daughter. Then, while she was gone, we raked leaves...possibly my least favorite task in the world. Thankfully, we don't have a ton of leaves. We got finished and I headed out on the motorcycle for a quick ride. I actually rode our bike route as it entails some nice, low traffic roads. I feel pretty confident on the motorcycle, but fact is I'm really new to it. I'm still kind of uncomfortable on the highway. My bike is pretty light, and tooling along at 75 with no fairing or windshield just feels loosy goosy.
Then was time to get the Christmas tree. All our cats haven't been around one. The two kittens did their inspection and did some playing, but seem to get over it pretty quickly. Until you put water in the base and they want to drink that. We'll see. Probably leave up undecorated for a few days to be sure its safe.
Had to pick up for the maids today, and then order a few Christmas gifts. And now I'm here, blowing off a meeting.
W00t!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Please Explain
Really, I'm totally for being healthy. Really. I do my best. What I don't understand is why a good dose of gental fiber makes a woman so happy. Everytime I see a commercial for fiber, by the end of the 30 seconds, the woman seems soooo happy. Is fiber better than chocolate? Wine?
Really, I'm all for a great poop, but ...
Really, I'm all for a great poop, but ...
Thursday, December 6, 2007
I Mean to, Honest!
I have been meaning to blog all week. I've also been meaning to exercise. I've been staying up every night futzing with the computer. That's the way it always is, isn't it? New toy demands attention.
I've been loading software and messing around. I've fixed a few issues, cleaned up some stuff, etc etc. Still got a ways to go. Of course, this is the fun part. Only a handful more apps to load, place is mostly cleaned up.
Well, I am going out with Diane and Richard Saturday (and whom ever else shows up, I suppose). I'll also be at Performance after work looking for gloves that fit. Its supposed to warm up some, but I'm not sure I'm counting on that. With any luck I might get in a little time on the motorcycle Sunday in between all the plans and Christmas decorating.
Which reminds me, I need to do some clicking and shipping tonight or tomorrow. Am I the only one who ends up buying stuff for themselves while shopping? Maybe I should buy some carbon wheels while I'm at Performance?
So anyways, Cap to Cap it is. That will be a century for me next year. It'll take a bit of training. Last years metric had me pretty done. I'll have to make myself do some quality trainer time this winter and then figure out a schedule of increasing distance to make sure I can manage. I mean, I'm pretty sure I can do it, but it would nice to not be on the course when they sweep it. I suppose if I do some 40s, 60s, 80s etc, I should be able to hang with my biking buds. It would be great if I managed to drop some weight along the way. Less to tote up the hills.
I've been loading software and messing around. I've fixed a few issues, cleaned up some stuff, etc etc. Still got a ways to go. Of course, this is the fun part. Only a handful more apps to load, place is mostly cleaned up.
Well, I am going out with Diane and Richard Saturday (and whom ever else shows up, I suppose). I'll also be at Performance after work looking for gloves that fit. Its supposed to warm up some, but I'm not sure I'm counting on that. With any luck I might get in a little time on the motorcycle Sunday in between all the plans and Christmas decorating.
Which reminds me, I need to do some clicking and shipping tonight or tomorrow. Am I the only one who ends up buying stuff for themselves while shopping? Maybe I should buy some carbon wheels while I'm at Performance?
So anyways, Cap to Cap it is. That will be a century for me next year. It'll take a bit of training. Last years metric had me pretty done. I'll have to make myself do some quality trainer time this winter and then figure out a schedule of increasing distance to make sure I can manage. I mean, I'm pretty sure I can do it, but it would nice to not be on the course when they sweep it. I suppose if I do some 40s, 60s, 80s etc, I should be able to hang with my biking buds. It would be great if I managed to drop some weight along the way. Less to tote up the hills.
Monday, December 3, 2007
On being a Wuss
Went for a ride with Richard on Saturday. Honestly it was my first cold road ride. I use to mountain bike in the cold, but you just aren't moving so fast AND you're generating heat. Its a bit warmer. I even went mountian biking in the snow and ice. Ok, that was just plain dumb.
(Note to self - this Microsoft keyboard doesn't have good key click. Will it break in? Hard to type fast).
So, we hit the road. No idea what the temp was, high 40s maybe? Low 50s? All I know is it was pretty chilly. And, there was this head wind. So, that means the windchill was at least -60 for sure. I have warm socks and some toe covers, but my toes were still really cold. My gloves were too tight, so I need new ones. Rest of me wasn't too bad. Could probably use a little more warmth, but it was ok. A balaclava would have kept my neck a little warmer. I pulled for the begining of the ride. I think I was going a whopping 14 mph. ugh. Thighs hurt. Not sure why.
Richard took over around halfway or so and that was nice. Whew. Drafting FTW!! The ride back wasn't as bad, but weren't breaking any speed records. Still, it was nice to get out on the road again.
Oh, and I hate my pedals again.
I'm on the new 'puter now. Most things are working ok. I had been getting a couple of errors on boot, but that seems to have worked itself out. I'm pretty big on letting things fix themselves. I finally ran my monitor probe tonight and it looks soooooooooooo much better. I'll run through the calibration again, just to be sure, then move on to the printer. Maybe I'll finally be able to get prints that match what I see on the screen.
Otherwise, I'm still tackling the mess that surrounds me down here in the man room.
Got back to the gym tonight and insanity set in. Lets just crank the resistance up on the X trainer. Woo hoo. You know its too high when you simply can't push the pedals down without almost jumping. But I managed, if at a slower pace.
Did free weights instead of the machines. Tomorrow should be interesting. Someone was using my usual weight, so I figured I should move up anyway. Yeah.......
Seriously, I usually go for reps as I'm more concerned about the exercise than the strength, but I know I need more strength. I think this winter will be an exercise in going up in weight. Now, do keep in mind that I only have a little idea of what I'm doing and I only use dumbells (insert obligitory joke here). I don't know enough about what I'm doing with a bar and I work out alone, so it just seems better this way. We'll see. I really want to increase my leg strength so I can climb better on the bike.
And, in the spirit of goals, my little one this year is to do a century. And do it in a reasonable amount of time. Naturally I'm not sure what that amount of time is which gives me a great out. I just want to keep a good pace for it. Hopefully I can figure out what that should be in early spring.
And to answer the question, the tattoos are fine. They are still shiny, so its a bit tough to tell if they need touching up. Well, the Gabba Gabba Hey one doesn't, I'm sure. The EN man may. I've never closely looked at anyone elses tribal style tat, so I don't know how even any of them look. I think its too soon to tell. I can say that it flaked more than my others, but that makes sense. I've moved on to my 2nd container of Eucerin (1 per year, more or less). I'll keep it up until they aren't shiny and raised. Hope all the Tri-Girls tats are healing equally well.
Werd.
(Note to self - this Microsoft keyboard doesn't have good key click. Will it break in? Hard to type fast).
So, we hit the road. No idea what the temp was, high 40s maybe? Low 50s? All I know is it was pretty chilly. And, there was this head wind. So, that means the windchill was at least -60 for sure. I have warm socks and some toe covers, but my toes were still really cold. My gloves were too tight, so I need new ones. Rest of me wasn't too bad. Could probably use a little more warmth, but it was ok. A balaclava would have kept my neck a little warmer. I pulled for the begining of the ride. I think I was going a whopping 14 mph. ugh. Thighs hurt. Not sure why.
Richard took over around halfway or so and that was nice. Whew. Drafting FTW!! The ride back wasn't as bad, but weren't breaking any speed records. Still, it was nice to get out on the road again.
Oh, and I hate my pedals again.
I'm on the new 'puter now. Most things are working ok. I had been getting a couple of errors on boot, but that seems to have worked itself out. I'm pretty big on letting things fix themselves. I finally ran my monitor probe tonight and it looks soooooooooooo much better. I'll run through the calibration again, just to be sure, then move on to the printer. Maybe I'll finally be able to get prints that match what I see on the screen.
Otherwise, I'm still tackling the mess that surrounds me down here in the man room.
Got back to the gym tonight and insanity set in. Lets just crank the resistance up on the X trainer. Woo hoo. You know its too high when you simply can't push the pedals down without almost jumping. But I managed, if at a slower pace.
Did free weights instead of the machines. Tomorrow should be interesting. Someone was using my usual weight, so I figured I should move up anyway. Yeah.......
Seriously, I usually go for reps as I'm more concerned about the exercise than the strength, but I know I need more strength. I think this winter will be an exercise in going up in weight. Now, do keep in mind that I only have a little idea of what I'm doing and I only use dumbells (insert obligitory joke here). I don't know enough about what I'm doing with a bar and I work out alone, so it just seems better this way. We'll see. I really want to increase my leg strength so I can climb better on the bike.
And, in the spirit of goals, my little one this year is to do a century. And do it in a reasonable amount of time. Naturally I'm not sure what that amount of time is which gives me a great out. I just want to keep a good pace for it. Hopefully I can figure out what that should be in early spring.
And to answer the question, the tattoos are fine. They are still shiny, so its a bit tough to tell if they need touching up. Well, the Gabba Gabba Hey one doesn't, I'm sure. The EN man may. I've never closely looked at anyone elses tribal style tat, so I don't know how even any of them look. I think its too soon to tell. I can say that it flaked more than my others, but that makes sense. I've moved on to my 2nd container of Eucerin (1 per year, more or less). I'll keep it up until they aren't shiny and raised. Hope all the Tri-Girls tats are healing equally well.
Werd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)