Yes, it still is the Christmas Season. It is the quite reflective time of the season that should be most enjoyed. The wise men are due to arrive in a week and some Orthodox calenders are not celebrating the day until January 7th. Yet that radio station that seemed so intent on being the first to play Christmas music, even on Halloween, had none after the 25th. Some stations are actually continuing their Christmas music.
It used to be one was proud of the severity of the Winters one's community endured. Yet the local talk radio people just whine about all the severe weather. Then they complain about the chik-a-fication of our country. Just a bunch of pansies.... except for 'that woman' they have on now in the mornings. But now the snow is nearly gone with temps near 60 the other day and an inch of rain.
We went to an indoor work day for the local WORBA Chapter. Bring your own meat for the grill they said. Or as my wife called it "An eating meeting." Brought some Omaha Steak gourmet franks my brother sent us for Christmas. The host ordered three units of the product shown above. I recently saw a TV show on ION TV about gadgets, where they highlighted the 'rear view bicycle helmet.' Couldn't find much about it on the Internet. Just coming to market in the United Kingdom.
My weight is up five pounds but still under the 260lb mark. Time to get back to the serious training. When I slack a bit it doesn't take long to become apparent of the precarious condition of my health. Have to be more serious on my supplements. And no I didn't get a trainer for Christmas and wasn't really expecting one considering. Maybe a New Years Day sale.
Your family giving you something that reflects your interest, goals and ideals? Hmmm..... A real Magic 8 Ball moment. But that isn't what Christmas is all about. I hope everyone has a great end to their year and reflects on the season well to prepare for the next.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
"The Weather Outside is Frightful
But the fire is so delightful."
My wife thought this would make a cute picture. Sorry for the quality. Yes it is snowing again and it doesn't look like it will stop til Christmas morn. An improvement over the sub-zero temps of the last few days. Where are we supposed to put all that snow anyway? We have two alley houses in our alley and if this keeps up we will have no place to put the snow. If it were not for the neighbors with snow blowers we would hardly be able to get the car out.
My wife is encouraging me to get back to the gym, but walking and riding there are hardly attractive alternatives with this continuous snow. My weight hasn't gone up, but the eggnog, cookies and treats have started filling the last few days. Two Christmas gatherings tomorrow. I have to start working out hard soon. Get back into the groove. If I meet my training goals and drop significant weight I will try sport class next year. Or is that category 2 now. Lots of changes next season.
Here is a picture from Christmas past. The tree is in the opposite corner this year. Tun-Tun has put some weight on, his coat has become very soft and attractive but it has been more difficult for him to breath. I carry him from floor to floor when he wants. If both my wife and I are in the house he doesn't tolerate us not being all together. Whining or barking til we are all on the same floor at least.
UPGRADE
Yes, the truck, cargo van, has seen its last. Deemed no longer worth repairing. My parents gave us another van as long as we donated the last one to charity. My wife was overwhelmed. Less than 100,000 miles! And a tad luxurious. I hope they did their Christmas gift shopping before they gave us the van.
We were talking about Christmas gifting yesterday. It is falling from favor these days. I believe one of the reasons is everyone buys what they want for themselves. The Internet, TV shopping channels and time to spend at the malls and people buy, buy, buy. What is the use of giving something if someone already has everything they need... Materialist culture is like going to a birthday party where everyone gives gifts to everyone else except the one celebrating their birthday.
Merry Christmas, and yes.....
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
My wife thought this would make a cute picture. Sorry for the quality. Yes it is snowing again and it doesn't look like it will stop til Christmas morn. An improvement over the sub-zero temps of the last few days. Where are we supposed to put all that snow anyway? We have two alley houses in our alley and if this keeps up we will have no place to put the snow. If it were not for the neighbors with snow blowers we would hardly be able to get the car out.My wife is encouraging me to get back to the gym, but walking and riding there are hardly attractive alternatives with this continuous snow. My weight hasn't gone up, but the eggnog, cookies and treats have started filling the last few days. Two Christmas gatherings tomorrow. I have to start working out hard soon. Get back into the groove. If I meet my training goals and drop significant weight I will try sport class next year. Or is that category 2 now. Lots of changes next season.
Here is a picture from Christmas past. The tree is in the opposite corner this year. Tun-Tun has put some weight on, his coat has become very soft and attractive but it has been more difficult for him to breath. I carry him from floor to floor when he wants. If both my wife and I are in the house he doesn't tolerate us not being all together. Whining or barking til we are all on the same floor at least.UPGRADE
Yes, the truck, cargo van, has seen its last. Deemed no longer worth repairing. My parents gave us another van as long as we donated the last one to charity. My wife was overwhelmed. Less than 100,000 miles! And a tad luxurious. I hope they did their Christmas gift shopping before they gave us the van.
We were talking about Christmas gifting yesterday. It is falling from favor these days. I believe one of the reasons is everyone buys what they want for themselves. The Internet, TV shopping channels and time to spend at the malls and people buy, buy, buy. What is the use of giving something if someone already has everything they need... Materialist culture is like going to a birthday party where everyone gives gifts to everyone else except the one celebrating their birthday.
Merry Christmas, and yes.....
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Friday, December 19, 2008
"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the one's I used to know....."
At least 12 inches and still falling. Tun-Tun couldn't navigate and came back in until I could get some shoveling done. We've had a lot of snow early these past few years but it often melts before Christmas. I think we're safe this year.
I found this interesting video on you/tube (has five segments). I often wondered why more blacks haven't been racing, at least the mountain bikes. There's a guy who races WEMS and then there is a guy in our local club that... well, I just haven't seen him out there. Drove me to look up Major Taylor (banned from Racing in the United States) and the Iron Riders.
Despite being sick we got our Christmas cards out in timely fashion. The tree is up and trimmed. Tun-Tun enjoys sleeping under it. He really loves the forest and he can smell the tacky pine cones that were glued to the artificial tree. Maybe I'll get some lights up outside. We have to get a package out today, or maybe tomorrow if we can't get the van dug out. One of the lowest stress season's in awhile. No fancy gifts this year, mostly edibles, making shopping much easier.
But Christmas tasks aren't what I was doing while I was seriously ill a few weeks ago. I was taking care of our van and rushing to get some work done on our house before the snow and cold hit. How did I do it. I had exactly what I was going to do planned out for a couple months. Just getting the resources together. So I was on auto pilot putting some permanent and temporary supports in until we can afford to get a contractor to make the repairs. They'll hold indefinitely. Still have several small projects around the house to do myself. Still coughing up a bit from my lungs.
I started a myspace account in case old friends may be searching for me. I use there blog feature to write about movies. No good movies out there right now. Maybe we'll see "Valkyrie".... but not on Christmas. I play some free poker there, but not much; no time. I found this new church on myspace too.
And what about Alois? At this exponential rate he'll be posting multiple times a day in a few weeks.
Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!
At least 12 inches and still falling. Tun-Tun couldn't navigate and came back in until I could get some shoveling done. We've had a lot of snow early these past few years but it often melts before Christmas. I think we're safe this year.I found this interesting video on you/tube (has five segments). I often wondered why more blacks haven't been racing, at least the mountain bikes. There's a guy who races WEMS and then there is a guy in our local club that... well, I just haven't seen him out there. Drove me to look up Major Taylor (banned from Racing in the United States) and the Iron Riders.
Despite being sick we got our Christmas cards out in timely fashion. The tree is up and trimmed. Tun-Tun enjoys sleeping under it. He really loves the forest and he can smell the tacky pine cones that were glued to the artificial tree. Maybe I'll get some lights up outside. We have to get a package out today, or maybe tomorrow if we can't get the van dug out. One of the lowest stress season's in awhile. No fancy gifts this year, mostly edibles, making shopping much easier.
But Christmas tasks aren't what I was doing while I was seriously ill a few weeks ago. I was taking care of our van and rushing to get some work done on our house before the snow and cold hit. How did I do it. I had exactly what I was going to do planned out for a couple months. Just getting the resources together. So I was on auto pilot putting some permanent and temporary supports in until we can afford to get a contractor to make the repairs. They'll hold indefinitely. Still have several small projects around the house to do myself. Still coughing up a bit from my lungs.
I started a myspace account in case old friends may be searching for me. I use there blog feature to write about movies. No good movies out there right now. Maybe we'll see "Valkyrie".... but not on Christmas. I play some free poker there, but not much; no time. I found this new church on myspace too.
And what about Alois? At this exponential rate he'll be posting multiple times a day in a few weeks.
Hope everyone is having a great holiday season!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
ブログ
皆さん、寒いですね～。もう雪がよく降ること、降ること...まだ12月なのにね。
家の外のクリスマスライトをつけそびれてしまいました。ご近所さん方も同じ感じみたいで、家の周りはとってーも暗いです。
さて、このブログ、うちの人が始めたのですが、名前は「犬の生活」なんだけど、あまり犬の事は書ていないし、どちらかっていうと、うちの人の趣味のサイクリングの事ばっかりだし、最近アロイさん（うちの人のドイツにいるお友達）も何回か記事を書いてくれているのだけど、ドイツ語で全然わかんないし何だかゴチャゴチャしたブログだから、私も日本語で、もっとかき乱しちゃおう....と企んでいるのでえす。
しかし、日本の方々のブログを見ていると、写真はきれいだし、書き方も自然で、ましてお料理なん本当に美味しそうですよね。で、皆さん訪問者が多ければ多いほど喜んでいらっしゃるみたいで、すごいな～と、いつも感心しています。
私は...と言うと、シャイな性格なので、このブログの右の方に、どの国から何人の人が訪問しているかというのがあるのですが、日本から7人というのを見ただけで、「えーっどーしよう」とどこかに隠れてまいたい気になるのです。
ただ、私のお友達のＭｒｓ Ｌさんが、たまに見てると言うので、たまには記事を載せようと思っていす。このクリスマスにうちの人にデジタルカメラをプレゼントしようと思うので、もう少ししたら写真もアップできるかな。
ＰＣもたどたどしく、また、日本語もなんか怪しくなってきたし、文才もないけど、どうかお許しを～。
家の外のクリスマスライトをつけそびれてしまいました。ご近所さん方も同じ感じみたいで、家の周りはとってーも暗いです。
さて、このブログ、うちの人が始めたのですが、名前は「犬の生活」なんだけど、あまり犬の事は書ていないし、どちらかっていうと、うちの人の趣味のサイクリングの事ばっかりだし、最近アロイさん（うちの人のドイツにいるお友達）も何回か記事を書いてくれているのだけど、ドイツ語で全然わかんないし何だかゴチャゴチャしたブログだから、私も日本語で、もっとかき乱しちゃおう....と企んでいるのでえす。
しかし、日本の方々のブログを見ていると、写真はきれいだし、書き方も自然で、ましてお料理なん本当に美味しそうですよね。で、皆さん訪問者が多ければ多いほど喜んでいらっしゃるみたいで、すごいな～と、いつも感心しています。
私は...と言うと、シャイな性格なので、このブログの右の方に、どの国から何人の人が訪問しているかというのがあるのですが、日本から7人というのを見ただけで、「えーっどーしよう」とどこかに隠れてまいたい気になるのです。
ただ、私のお友達のＭｒｓ Ｌさんが、たまに見てると言うので、たまには記事を載せようと思っていす。このクリスマスにうちの人にデジタルカメラをプレゼントしようと思うので、もう少ししたら写真もアップできるかな。
ＰＣもたどたどしく、また、日本語もなんか怪しくなってきたし、文才もないけど、どうかお許しを～。
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Rezept: Cappuccino Sahne Schnitten
Zutaten (für 15 Stücke):
5 Eier (Größe M)
130g Zucker
2 Päckchen Vanillezucker
50g Mehl
50g Speisestärke
1 Messerspitze Backpulver
200g Nuss-Nougat
3 gestrichene Esslöffel lösliches Espresso-Pulver
1kg Schlagsahne
5 Päckchen Sahnefestiger
ca. 2 Teelöffel Kakao
Backpapier
Zuerst die Eier trennen.
Das Eiweiß steif schlagen, dabei 75g Zucker und 1 Päckchen Vanillezucker einrieseln lassen.
Das Eigelb einzeln unterrühren.
Mehl, Stärke und Backpulver mischen und auf die Zucker-Ei-Masse sieben.
Vorsichtig unterheben.
Eine Fettpfanne (ca. 38cm x 32cm) mit Backpapier auslegen.
Die Biskuitmasse hineingeben und glatt streichen.
Das Biskuit im vorgeheizten Backofen (Elektro-Herd: 200 Grad Celsius / Umluft: 175 Grad Celsius) ca. 12 Minuten backen.
Biskuit aus dem Ofen nehmen, und auf ein mit 2 Esslöffeln Zucker bestreutes Geschirrtuch stürzen. Das Backpapier vorsichtig abziehen.
Den Boden auskühlen lassen und einmal quer durchschneiden.
Eine Biskuitplatte auf ein rechteckiges Tablett mit hohem Rand legen und mit einer mehrfach gefalteten Schiene aus Alufolie (ca. 8 cm hoch) umschließen.
Den Nougat im warmen Wasserbad (max. 50 Grad Celsius) schmelzen.
Dieses gleichmäßig auf dem Biskuit verstreichen und fest werden lassen.
Den Espresso in 700g kalter Schlagsahne unter Rühren auflösen.
Die Sahne steif schlagen, dabei Sahnefestiger und 3 Esslöffel Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Die Espresso-Sahne auf die Nougatschicht verstreichen, und den zweiten Biskuitboden darauf legen. 150g Sahne steif schlagen, dabei den übrigen Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Auf den Biskuit streichen. Den Kuchen 2 bis 3 Stunden kalt stellen.
Zuletzt den Kuchen dick mit Kakao-Pulver bestäuben.
Fertig (nach ca. 1 Stunde ohne Wartezeit)!
5 Eier (Größe M)
130g Zucker
2 Päckchen Vanillezucker
50g Mehl
50g Speisestärke
1 Messerspitze Backpulver
200g Nuss-Nougat
3 gestrichene Esslöffel lösliches Espresso-Pulver
1kg Schlagsahne
5 Päckchen Sahnefestiger
ca. 2 Teelöffel Kakao
Backpapier
Zuerst die Eier trennen.
Das Eiweiß steif schlagen, dabei 75g Zucker und 1 Päckchen Vanillezucker einrieseln lassen.
Das Eigelb einzeln unterrühren.
Mehl, Stärke und Backpulver mischen und auf die Zucker-Ei-Masse sieben.
Vorsichtig unterheben.
Eine Fettpfanne (ca. 38cm x 32cm) mit Backpapier auslegen.
Die Biskuitmasse hineingeben und glatt streichen.
Das Biskuit im vorgeheizten Backofen (Elektro-Herd: 200 Grad Celsius / Umluft: 175 Grad Celsius) ca. 12 Minuten backen.
Biskuit aus dem Ofen nehmen, und auf ein mit 2 Esslöffeln Zucker bestreutes Geschirrtuch stürzen. Das Backpapier vorsichtig abziehen.
Den Boden auskühlen lassen und einmal quer durchschneiden.
Eine Biskuitplatte auf ein rechteckiges Tablett mit hohem Rand legen und mit einer mehrfach gefalteten Schiene aus Alufolie (ca. 8 cm hoch) umschließen.
Den Nougat im warmen Wasserbad (max. 50 Grad Celsius) schmelzen.
Dieses gleichmäßig auf dem Biskuit verstreichen und fest werden lassen.
Den Espresso in 700g kalter Schlagsahne unter Rühren auflösen.
Die Sahne steif schlagen, dabei Sahnefestiger und 3 Esslöffel Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Die Espresso-Sahne auf die Nougatschicht verstreichen, und den zweiten Biskuitboden darauf legen. 150g Sahne steif schlagen, dabei den übrigen Zucker einrieseln lassen.
Auf den Biskuit streichen. Den Kuchen 2 bis 3 Stunden kalt stellen.
Zuletzt den Kuchen dick mit Kakao-Pulver bestäuben.
Fertig (nach ca. 1 Stunde ohne Wartezeit)!
Guten Appetit!
Correction
Actually the supplemental insurance covers all your riding or sporting activities whether an organized event or your personal excursion. You get a discount for having a USA Cycling license, and also have coverage for accidents at or going to and from a USA Cycling event. Something I will be getting for next season.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year.
Yes, Thanksgiving is over and we can finally enjoy listening to Christmas music. And Alois has posted. He had two posts up on the front page at the same time. Now I have to get my wife to post more in Japanese. Over 500 hits in the last six months.
It has been awhile since I posted but I have been sick (paralleling Rush Limbaugh's illness). Felt something coming on well before Thanksgiving but it didn't hit till after. Maybe it was sitting out in the cold when we got a flat in the middle of the night and the spare tire release mechanism was frozen in rust. We had to wait for a tow and then it took me a good part of the next day to get the spare out. And then the radiator started spewing fluid, and then the alternator went out. (I had to walk to the repair shop over a mile deathly ill to pick up the car but the part they put in was defective and I had to walk back home [uphill both ways]) Then I got two new tires and realized I should have gotten four, but after stopping the car from going into a complete spin I straightened it out before we drifted clean off the road (I94). And then the furnace broke down on one of the coldest nights of the year. Things just can't get any....
I'll get back to you on that.
Or maybe it was the haircut that made me catch this awful sickness. I could blame my wife, but it was my own decision. The problem with going for that barbarian warrior look is the very real possibility of being mistaken for a hippie. And with the Winter weight gain almost guaranteed I wasn't expecting to look too ripped. The main reason though being a job interview. With the major Architectural firms all laying people off I put in several applications for some seasonal sales work. Got one interview and no job offer. We went to my barber, but being opening day they were all out hunting. It was closed.
Ended up somewhere, and the hair stylist kept asking; "Are you sure you want to cut off all this nice hair?" (not really)
Needless to say it has been a long while since I've made it to the gym or done any riding. Walks and shoveling snow (like shoveling water) has been my only exercise. But my illness kept away the traditional after Thanksgiving jump in my weight. Not to mention my wife giving away the entire double batch of rice pudding I had made for Thanksgiving at my brother's house.
And being sick I missed 'Emery's' after Thanksgiving Day sale. When I got their e-mail I called and asked how much the CycleOps Fluid 2 was going for. They had it $24 under any price I had seen previously on the Internet.
Cyclocross has seemingly come to an end. Whether Madison, New England or Europe it has an almost fanatic following. If only I could afford a Cyclocross setup. Or even an appropriate road bike for racing. I'll be lucky if I can get a trainer for the Winter months. Will try to shift more of my racing to Saturdays and the local road races may be an alternative. Why? Being USA Cycling events, as are WORS events (and Cyclocross), they are covered by the supplemental insurance (actually they have three different companies offering policies) that USA Cycling membership provides. WEMS events are not USA Cycling events, though I may make a couple local WEMS races, I don't think I'll being driving far to race challenging courses I am unfamiliar with. I'm quite sure I'll make at least seven WORS races though.
I missed the monthly MTB club meeting last night. Road conditions were too dangerous. Still no pictures... Sorry. Maybe I'll get a camera for Christmas.
Yes, Thanksgiving is over and we can finally enjoy listening to Christmas music. And Alois has posted. He had two posts up on the front page at the same time. Now I have to get my wife to post more in Japanese. Over 500 hits in the last six months.
It has been awhile since I posted but I have been sick (paralleling Rush Limbaugh's illness). Felt something coming on well before Thanksgiving but it didn't hit till after. Maybe it was sitting out in the cold when we got a flat in the middle of the night and the spare tire release mechanism was frozen in rust. We had to wait for a tow and then it took me a good part of the next day to get the spare out. And then the radiator started spewing fluid, and then the alternator went out. (I had to walk to the repair shop over a mile deathly ill to pick up the car but the part they put in was defective and I had to walk back home [uphill both ways]) Then I got two new tires and realized I should have gotten four, but after stopping the car from going into a complete spin I straightened it out before we drifted clean off the road (I94). And then the furnace broke down on one of the coldest nights of the year. Things just can't get any....
I'll get back to you on that.
Or maybe it was the haircut that made me catch this awful sickness. I could blame my wife, but it was my own decision. The problem with going for that barbarian warrior look is the very real possibility of being mistaken for a hippie. And with the Winter weight gain almost guaranteed I wasn't expecting to look too ripped. The main reason though being a job interview. With the major Architectural firms all laying people off I put in several applications for some seasonal sales work. Got one interview and no job offer. We went to my barber, but being opening day they were all out hunting. It was closed.
Ended up somewhere, and the hair stylist kept asking; "Are you sure you want to cut off all this nice hair?" (not really)
Needless to say it has been a long while since I've made it to the gym or done any riding. Walks and shoveling snow (like shoveling water) has been my only exercise. But my illness kept away the traditional after Thanksgiving jump in my weight. Not to mention my wife giving away the entire double batch of rice pudding I had made for Thanksgiving at my brother's house.
And being sick I missed 'Emery's' after Thanksgiving Day sale. When I got their e-mail I called and asked how much the CycleOps Fluid 2 was going for. They had it $24 under any price I had seen previously on the Internet.
Cyclocross has seemingly come to an end. Whether Madison, New England or Europe it has an almost fanatic following. If only I could afford a Cyclocross setup. Or even an appropriate road bike for racing. I'll be lucky if I can get a trainer for the Winter months. Will try to shift more of my racing to Saturdays and the local road races may be an alternative. Why? Being USA Cycling events, as are WORS events (and Cyclocross), they are covered by the supplemental insurance (actually they have three different companies offering policies) that USA Cycling membership provides. WEMS events are not USA Cycling events, though I may make a couple local WEMS races, I don't think I'll being driving far to race challenging courses I am unfamiliar with. I'm quite sure I'll make at least seven WORS races though.
I missed the monthly MTB club meeting last night. Road conditions were too dangerous. Still no pictures... Sorry. Maybe I'll get a camera for Christmas.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Der Winter zieht ins Land ...
Die Blätter unseres Apfelbaumes sind schon alle abgefallen, nur noch einige Äpfel hängen standhaft am Baum. Der erste Schnee ist schon gefallen, aber auch bald wieder verschwunden.
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