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!
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