It could be Worse

Would you rather the New England Patriots beat the team of legend Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl, topping off an undefeated season? Yeah, they might have won. ... Maybe. It would be like handing all of football history away. Hopefully we will have a chance to beat the Patriots in the regular season next year.
After two weeks of neither riding or strength training in December I have no more pain in my shoulder. It used to keep me up at night after lifting hard. I can't even remember how long it had been hurting. The doctor said my body had been suffering with the sleep apnea for a really long time and it would take a long time for it to recover. Quickly went back up to 245 on the bench since I started lifting regular again. Wasn't expecting that either (and no shoulder pain). Do I go for triple plates?

Never use pain relievers for joint pain. It just makes you stress the joint too much creating more damage. You know when you tell the doctor "It hurts when I do this." and he says, "Then don't do that."

Now they have chainless bike racing.

Anniversary

19 years.
Got Misao "The Host" DVD. Just the best monster movie ever made! You have to watch it in the original Korean with subtitles. A lot of background music and such is lost in the dub over.
Had it waiting for her under the sheets when we went to bed. Knew what it was before she opened it. She laughed, laughed again. Again and laughed some more.
She said, "You're funny."
Got my brother the same thing. His birthday is today too. (it was on sale)

Weight is on the way down again. I should reward myself and make another batch of rice pudding. Pushing the strength training. More muscle not only burns more carbs just existing, pumping up the muscles ups the burn rate even for hours after you're done. Mixing up the aerobics with different machines. Wanted to ride today but we went out for brunch and then watched "The Host." Planned to see "I am Legend" but the time conflicted with an unbelievable Packer's game. That was a great anniversary gift (and will boost our sales).

A race I found in the news bar, if you didn't notice, and added to my list of 'Racing for Real Men' (and women). Also the featured video on the side bar. How can anyone not want to do a race described as "Yummy."

It's Raining Again?

So much rain in January! But the warm temps sure make riding more convenient despite the rain. Another Metro Mountain Bikers meeting tonight at Benno's. With my vast readership I really have to find a way to cash in on my endorsements. No, I don't drink. I go there for the meetings. It's amazing the things people will say about you, almost all false, when they think you're not going to hear about it.

Good to be back at the gym. Working into strength training more. Also hitting the elliptical machine and trying to focus on stretching. The great debate is whether I spend money on a trainer. You would think months of dropping hints would have paid off on Christmas but .... Actually, we keep our tree up through the twelves days of Christmas. It is the time when you can appreciate the spirit of Christmas after all the commercialism is over.

2008

Here's a nice project for the New Year. The rims need to be straightened and some cleaning and lubing. How about some nice streamers for the handle bars, a good old headlight and a pair of baskets? My wife says we should go to the grocery store with our bicycles. I guess the ice cream would be OK in the Winter until we got home but what happens in the Summer? At least three miles to the nearest grocer.
Resolutions for the New Year? Not big into resolutions. The gym gets packed this time of year with people intent on getting in my way. Their numbers will continuously fade until March when only the real athletes will remain.
Heard Donald Trump on CNBC lat night. He said 'revenge is a good thing.' One new determination for me may be; no more Mr. Nice Guy.

More Snow?

My wife thought these mysterious snow shapes man-made. I assured her they were natural. She also dreamed Tom Cruise and I were making a movie together and that I was famous.
(Tom... call me.)

I got Misao some Godiva Chocolates and an exercise DVD for Christmas. That's what she asked for. Denise Austin. She really enjoys it. It was a basic fitness DVD and she had more advanced workouts to buy. If people paid me for all the endorsements I give I'd be rich.

Three days straight at the gym. Can't believe all the weight I gained. It perplexes me. Forgot to make the rice pudding for Christmas with all the cookies and candies around. Maybe I'll get to that tonight. Starts with cooking 3/4 cup rice in a quart of half and half. (recipe in comments)

'Juno' was a good movie. Over $200 in entertainment gift cards for Christmas. I wanted to see 'I am Legend' but thought my wife would like 'Juno' better. I asked her if she liked the movie and she said "Yes." I'm trying to figure out what that exactly means.

Alois promises to post in 2008. He's still looking for inspiration. (He's not an imaginary friend. Really really he's not.)

Merry Christmas

Bahhhh Humbug!

No outdoor Christmas lights this year. Too much snow in the way and we need the dollars saved in electricity. No nice picture with this post either. Not that I'm not in the Christmas spirit. It's the hap-hap-happiest time of the year. I just like the title.

Yesterday was all Christmas Cards and shipping gifts. Finished up today and spent some time writing on a couple of pieces for my other blogs. Well over fifty cards total. More shopping tonight. Did you ever notice how quickly one tires during Christmas shopping? Must be the air quality.

Have to get myself motivated to create a winter training program. Felt good to pump some iron on Monday, first time in over a month, and the snow shoveling makes up for missing the gym. I hope. Making sure I drink enough water, its necessity not always apparent in the winter months. Really have to find a way to get riding again, but don't want to expose my bike to the salt. Don't have money for a trainer. Guess I'll have to write to Santa Clause.
Another card.... Bahhhh humbug!

and Merry Christmas!