The 17th

Yes, already 17 days gone in 2011. The twelve days of Christmas have long passed and the Christmas decorations are well down. We took them down on Elvis' birthday. No disrespect to the King intended.

Is it unusual that it is only after the days begin to grow longer that we feel the heavy burden of Winter? The coldest days are now coming. But even in the deepest, darkest, most frigid of Winters there is hope. That shining city on the hill. The path to the fulfillment of one's deepest desire stretched out before you. The hope of all men within ones very grasp.

Yes, ...

Rays is open.

The latest monthly meeting of the Metro Mountain Bikers (most probably soon to be part of IMBA) was held at Ray's. Because of their late opening a season pass is a mere $200. Open until May1st. Otherwise it is $19 for a day pass. $12 on BMX night, Sundays. And the BMX'ers are not where MTB'ers would enjoy riding. Bike rentals are $10 for the day or bring your own. Two levels of riding pleasure, the pump track still to be completed.

For those coming from out of town there is a Comfort Suites at the nearest expressway exit. A couple restaurants there and more including fast food two mile east on your way to Rays. At those food stops you turn north for a couple more miles and you've found your Winter Mountain Bike Haven.

What struck me about Ray's was all the seating. Lots of picnic tables. People ordered out pizza and others brought there own drinks. Some sofas and a TV showing mountain bike films over a fake fireplace. They have vending machines also.

Looking at my exercise log and then my scale, I found no surprises. I have done little yet this year and it shows. That will soon change. But a great start for the blog. Me providing that insightful insightliness only I can provide, lightening the hearts of my readers with my rapier wit, and promoting the work and welfare of others seeking and never receiving any reward or similar consideration in kind.

But feel free to buy my book. Also available for Kindle.

Frohes Neues Jahr 2011!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all. Here is an Alterra cow bell. A free gift from their Coffee Bean Classic this summer that I neglected to mention until now. Obviously a great noise maker for a night such as tonight,... but what does it say about what they think of their team members?

It seems my political/human rights blog, under a different profile, has a bit of a following. Not having posted for over a month 38 visitors hit that blog in short order after a recent post. Only 2 new visitors among them.

Yesterday we still had snow covering the ground. This morning everything was green. Yes, a few days of warm temperatures may be considered an ideal time to ride. For me it was an ideal time to work on the back wall of my home and get it covered back up before the cold comes back tonight. Still work to be done as soon as I finish this post. But why do we need warm weather in Winter to ride when Ray's is open?

I have not been to the gym much either. Gained three or four pounds since Christmas. Turning me from the toned fit individual described as someone who wears his weight well, into a jelly belly.

I'll be writing and carrying with me my drafting tools, as we work tonight, to usher in the new year, setting the tone. And I'll start the New Year with a ride tomorrow, no matter the weather.

Happy New Year! Go Badgers! Go Packers!

Weihnachtabend

Die fremde Stadt durchschritt ich sorgenvoll,
Der Kinder denkend, die ich ließ zu Haus.
Weihnachten war's; durch alle Gassen scholl
Der Kinderjubel und des Markts Gebraus.

Und wie der Menschenstrom mich fortgespült,
Drang mir ein heiser Stimmlein in das Ohr:
"Kauft, lieber Herr!" Ein magres Händchen hielt
Feilbietend mir ein ärmlich Spielzeug vor.

Ich schrak empor, und beim Laternenschein
Sah ich ein bleiches Kinderangesicht;
Wes Alters und Geschlechts es mochte sein,
Erkannt ich im Vorübertreiben nicht.

Nur von dem Treppenstein, darauf es saß,
Noch immer hört ich, mühsam, wie es schien:
"Kauft, lieber Herr!" den Ruf ohn Unterlass;
Doch hat wohl keiner ihm Gehör verliehn.

Und ich? - War's Ungeschick, war es die Scham,
Am Weg zu handeln mit dem Bettelkind?
Eh meine Hand zu meiner Börse kam,
Verscholl das Stimmlein hinter mir im Wind.

Doch als ich endlich war mit mir allein,
Erfasste mich die Angst im Herzen so,
Als säß mein eigen Kind auf jenem Stein
Und schrie nach Brot, indessen ich entfloh.

Theodor Storm (1817-1888)

Merry Christmas

Peace on Earth Goodwill Towards Men. Hope every one's Christmas is wonderful.

Called my brother and his family with holiday greetings tonight as tomorrow they travel. More calls to make on Christmas. Now we are watching "It's a Wonderful Life." Then I have to make my rice pudding before going to sleep. We have a perfect location for a nativity display but not in our budget.

Had my cpap machine pressure raised finally and it looks like I'll be sleeping deeply. Unable to stir when Santa comes a calling. Something I should have had done a year ago. Maybe one of the reasons I was feeling off this last mountain bike season.

The snowman has changed his headgear. A bit sensitive about his height. Guarding the last of the gifts to go out. His job will be done when we leave for a Christmas party we've been invited to tomorrow. Looking forward to any Christmas tidings Alois may want to share.

Not sure where all the gifts came from. They just showed up over the course of the week as if by magic. We're waiting til morning to open them, ...except for the one's Misao opened already. She couldn't wait.

And what did I get for Misao? Was it something she'll never expect that caught my eye thinking she'll love it? Or a new purse she was asking for and then said, "no," she didn't want one? Or that new remote she said she wanted that would be used mostly by me?

We saw a commercial for "The Biggest Loser" and Misao wondered "How do they get like that?" I said; "Do you want me to show you?" Cookies, cakes, ice cream, and other sweets and snacks to fatten us up for the long Winter fill the house.

The gym is calling.

Merry Christmas!

Brrrrrrrrr!

Oh'by gosh by golly, baby it's cold outside and for those dreaming of a white Christmas I say let it snow let it snow and snow as a front is coming in this evening. At this time when a weary world rejoices the only thing missing is a Lady Ga Ga Christmas album. And speaking of entertainment my book is now only $2.99 for Kindle users. More exciting than a ride on a one horse open sleigh.

The computer is back but acting strangely. That, getting the tree up and decorated, a string of day jobs, and for the last several days getting out the gifts and Christmas cards have just given me a breather today. The snowman, sporting a cap from his favorite arms dealer, sat guard until we could get all the gifts shipped out. I started putting up some outdoor lights tonight.

Asked by the electricians I help out once in a while, if I preferred digging trenches or working in attics, rolling around in loose fiberglass insulation, I was told they had a trench for me to dig in an attic.... So what was the point of the question?

And some people say I don't want to work... though we have two small businesses to boot.

Then... a few mishaps, including that computer crash, sucked up all the money I made almost to the dollar. If you look in a dictionary of phrases you'll find my picture next to 'can't win for losing.'

Haven't been to the gym much. I got out for my first Winter ride this afternoon running some errands. Though Winter is not really for two more days. The Post Office, with four priority mail packages, and some other tasks for over ten miles and nearly two hours of riding. The streets are still good to ride but... more snow is coming. My new beanie kept me toasty warm.

Ray's is still not open. At least according to their website. I missed the monthly MTB club meeting so am not sure what the latest on the opening is. There is a rumor as to why they switched their meetings to Monday, but fortunately I don't listen to rumors.


After the holidays I hope to spend many hours at the gym every week, if not every day I can get there. Catch up with some reading, do some writing and get my renovation and new home designs worked out and down on paper. My computer is just too old for my CAD program to work with sufficient speed to keep me from frustration. I like producing hand drawings. I was looking over my old sketch books. I'm truly out of practice.


Christmas is filling the air but losing weight is still on my mind. I was thinking of a liquid diet. Chocolate milk, orange juice, egg nog, maybe some Gatorade, and plenty of water along with a slew of assorted desserts and I should be dropping weight like crazy.

We were watching a Scandinavian cooking show. They were in a little town known to be Santa's hometown. The traditional dessert for Christmas there being rice pudding. Rice simply cooked in milk (I bet whole milk) and when spooned out, topped with sugar, cinnamon, and a clump of butter.

Merry Christmas!

CRASH!

We have been without the Internet for over a week. The computer crashed.