Yes, tomorrow is Easter but that's not the opening day I am speaking of. The Brewers had their home opener at Miller Park on Good Friday. And it is always nice to beat Chicago. I tried to spend more time outdoors and less on the computer yesterday and went for a ride after 3:00. Yard/garden work and riding will be the priority these next few weeks. It is still too cold to open up the house and start on repairs.
Opening day also means more broken glass in the streets, namely beer bottles.
Today I saw a large group of riders of all ages at the Hoyt Park trails. They came by car, several, and were loading up their bicycles. Though the trail is not much more than two miles it is a nice ride for a family to share. Unfortunately the majority of the trail has been closed for most of the year as they are doing flood control work. Actually... the whole back end of the trail is cleared and graded.
I went around to the back of the retention ponds and found some informal trails on the county grounds. Trails I had heard of and seen pictures of on the blogs of others but have never actual rode until today. It took me a while to find my way out.
I'm determined to push this last month before the season starts and to get under 250lbs. And then there is always race prep. I should order some sport drink and energy bars for the season. I found an interesting article on the night before race classic; pasta.
Happy Easter!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tun-Tun?
Phillip wird zwar sofort erkennen, dass dies nicht sein Tun-Tun ist, aber mich hat dieser fremde Hund sofort an Tun-Tun erinnert ...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Holy Week
Yes, the United States still is a Judeo-Christian nation contrary to rumors otherwise.
It is Spring and it is sunny. Still a bit cold but things are coming alive. It is also Holy Week with its corresponding remembrances and celebrations.
We went to a funeral this morning. A very good man, always friendly and concerned. Most all the neighborhood was there. At least those who have been here for some time. He died on Palm Sunday. It is not easy to be a good person and they are honored too rarely in our popular culture.
I have to get out riding everyday to some extent. No time to take it easy now. I upgraded my USA Cycling license to category 2 (MTB) and registered for Sport Class on WORS. The nearby WEMS races are early in the season. I am hoping to get to at least one of our State trails on a regular basis, even if I can't make it to the race there. If anyone is free weekdays and wants to share the gas cost let me know.
Working into the new schedule. And trying to get Misao out for some tennis. Almost got her to ride Sunday but it was still a bit cold for her.
It is Spring and it is sunny. Still a bit cold but things are coming alive. It is also Holy Week with its corresponding remembrances and celebrations.
We went to a funeral this morning. A very good man, always friendly and concerned. Most all the neighborhood was there. At least those who have been here for some time. He died on Palm Sunday. It is not easy to be a good person and they are honored too rarely in our popular culture.
I have to get out riding everyday to some extent. No time to take it easy now. I upgraded my USA Cycling license to category 2 (MTB) and registered for Sport Class on WORS. The nearby WEMS races are early in the season. I am hoping to get to at least one of our State trails on a regular basis, even if I can't make it to the race there. If anyone is free weekdays and wants to share the gas cost let me know.
Working into the new schedule. And trying to get Misao out for some tennis. Almost got her to ride Sunday but it was still a bit cold for her.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Scoop
Yes, we are quickly approaching the end of International Pooper Scooper Week. But we just use plastic bags. Where would we be if the grocers went back to just paper? Well we'd be stuck with spending our money on plastic bags. What waste.
In the past I have made schedules to organize my time. The problem is I can start a project on the house, or helping some one I know, keeping to the task until it is finished, rendering the schedule completely useless. But I opened the old Excel and made another today. I'm sure this time will be different because I shaded the cells with pretty colors. It is important now since I have to focus on production rather than trying to hire myself out as an independent contractor, as far as my professional pursuits in Architecture go. I'm not sure how the British can pronounce schedule the way they do. I've tried and there is just something unnatural about it.
I gave myself an hour for lunch and dog. A quick prep and eat and then run the dog through some drills for 15 minutes or so or until she loses interest. You can't push a dog when they lose interest or get confused. Just have to come back to it the next day.
I was always a person to keep the dogs outside but my wife is very different. She brings them in and babies them. She always made sure Tun-Tun was kept warm after he grew old. I have a plan for remodeling the garage and putting in a kennel. But it sure feels safer with a dog sleeping in the house. Ship-po is starting to eat without being coaxed. We take her for walks nearly every day, sometimes twice. Ship-po is more Misao's dog than mine, but she knows who the boss is.
Went to the doctor to check out a few things. Had to take the bus home since my wife always hogs the car. Did you know they don't give out transfers anymore in Chicago? He recommended that the best thing for back pain is to strengthen the core. He prefers yoga. Still have a bad spot in my back after that smack down at Crystal Ridge last year. The Doc suspects it is muscular rather than with the back itself.
It looks like I will have a clear 1,000+ hits on my site over the last year when June 11th comes around. That is when I added a counter. With all the useful information and insight encompassing the vast diversity of life's interests, not to mention human drama and an unmatched wit, I'm surprised I don't have thousands upon thousands reading.
Obviously....
My readers don't like sharing.
In the past I have made schedules to organize my time. The problem is I can start a project on the house, or helping some one I know, keeping to the task until it is finished, rendering the schedule completely useless. But I opened the old Excel and made another today. I'm sure this time will be different because I shaded the cells with pretty colors. It is important now since I have to focus on production rather than trying to hire myself out as an independent contractor, as far as my professional pursuits in Architecture go. I'm not sure how the British can pronounce schedule the way they do. I've tried and there is just something unnatural about it.
I gave myself an hour for lunch and dog. A quick prep and eat and then run the dog through some drills for 15 minutes or so or until she loses interest. You can't push a dog when they lose interest or get confused. Just have to come back to it the next day.
I was always a person to keep the dogs outside but my wife is very different. She brings them in and babies them. She always made sure Tun-Tun was kept warm after he grew old. I have a plan for remodeling the garage and putting in a kennel. But it sure feels safer with a dog sleeping in the house. Ship-po is starting to eat without being coaxed. We take her for walks nearly every day, sometimes twice. Ship-po is more Misao's dog than mine, but she knows who the boss is.Went to the doctor to check out a few things. Had to take the bus home since my wife always hogs the car. Did you know they don't give out transfers anymore in Chicago? He recommended that the best thing for back pain is to strengthen the core. He prefers yoga. Still have a bad spot in my back after that smack down at Crystal Ridge last year. The Doc suspects it is muscular rather than with the back itself.
It looks like I will have a clear 1,000+ hits on my site over the last year when June 11th comes around. That is when I added a counter. With all the useful information and insight encompassing the vast diversity of life's interests, not to mention human drama and an unmatched wit, I'm surprised I don't have thousands upon thousands reading.
Obviously....
My readers don't like sharing.
Monday, March 30, 2009
So You Say You Want a Revolution
Well you know.... We all want to change the world.
Yes the local radio talk shows are talking about people stocking up on not only ammunition, but food and water as well. Ammunition being both expensive and scarce these days. Even powder and brass are not easy to come by; so the re-loaders claim. I'm glad I saved all my 8mm brass.
I'm planning to attend one of those 'Tea Parties' that are being planned for April 15th. Many fear this new regime and what it means for this nations future. The national 'Tea Party' organizing site has been attacked by the liberals and is unavailable, at least right now.
On the positive side I have made vast headway towards my goal to be the richest man in the world, considering Buffet has lost some $30 billion over the last couple years. It brings me one step closer to my ultimate goal 'TO RULE THE WORLD!'
And what's this? A make shift mace? A bazaar hammer throw training device? It might work for that. It's for strengthening the hands and shoulders. A handle from an old broken snow shovel with a whole drilled through it, a length of rope and a weight. You extend your arms straight out grasping the handle and roll the weight up and then down, up and then down, up and then down. And then you roll it up and then down.
We had Sunday service in a State Park, Lapham Peak, this weekend. During the service, as the minister was speaking, a cross country skier walked into the building we had reserved. He walked right down the aisle right up to our minister went off to the auxiliary space to look at our buffet and came back doing the same. He then sat down in back and put on his ski shoes making as much noise as possible.
It reminds me of the Levi/Trow WEMS race last year when the lady wouldn't initially register me. She walked away from the table when I came in and, despite another lady telling her several times I was there to register as I stood in front of the registration table, just ignored me. When two others came in to register she got up went to the table and asked them if they were registering. I asserted myself in front of them and she paused a moment before deciding she better let me register. Even then she hadn't given me my series packet. I had registered online for the series. Someone gave it to me at the third race I attended.
Yeah. No more mister nice guy. Just don't feel like letting people get away with crap any more since Tun-Tun died. Life is too short.
I'll try for a couple of the nearby WEMS races this year. You would think an organization dependent so heavily on the use of public lands would be much more serious about peoples rights. The worst I ever got from WORS was being shadowed on a few races. A responsible action, outside of just ignoring busy bodies and gossips making things up. Of course that's the private sector. Just goes to show you the dangers of big government and its worshipers.
I could be wrong about WORS. That skinny clearly faster guy hanging behind me and not passing for the longest time even with my promptings in two races may just have liked the view.
Yes the local radio talk shows are talking about people stocking up on not only ammunition, but food and water as well. Ammunition being both expensive and scarce these days. Even powder and brass are not easy to come by; so the re-loaders claim. I'm glad I saved all my 8mm brass.
I'm planning to attend one of those 'Tea Parties' that are being planned for April 15th. Many fear this new regime and what it means for this nations future. The national 'Tea Party' organizing site has been attacked by the liberals and is unavailable, at least right now.
On the positive side I have made vast headway towards my goal to be the richest man in the world, considering Buffet has lost some $30 billion over the last couple years. It brings me one step closer to my ultimate goal 'TO RULE THE WORLD!'
And what's this? A make shift mace? A bazaar hammer throw training device? It might work for that. It's for strengthening the hands and shoulders. A handle from an old broken snow shovel with a whole drilled through it, a length of rope and a weight. You extend your arms straight out grasping the handle and roll the weight up and then down, up and then down, up and then down. And then you roll it up and then down.We had Sunday service in a State Park, Lapham Peak, this weekend. During the service, as the minister was speaking, a cross country skier walked into the building we had reserved. He walked right down the aisle right up to our minister went off to the auxiliary space to look at our buffet and came back doing the same. He then sat down in back and put on his ski shoes making as much noise as possible.
It reminds me of the Levi/Trow WEMS race last year when the lady wouldn't initially register me. She walked away from the table when I came in and, despite another lady telling her several times I was there to register as I stood in front of the registration table, just ignored me. When two others came in to register she got up went to the table and asked them if they were registering. I asserted myself in front of them and she paused a moment before deciding she better let me register. Even then she hadn't given me my series packet. I had registered online for the series. Someone gave it to me at the third race I attended.
Yeah. No more mister nice guy. Just don't feel like letting people get away with crap any more since Tun-Tun died. Life is too short.
I'll try for a couple of the nearby WEMS races this year. You would think an organization dependent so heavily on the use of public lands would be much more serious about peoples rights. The worst I ever got from WORS was being shadowed on a few races. A responsible action, outside of just ignoring busy bodies and gossips making things up. Of course that's the private sector. Just goes to show you the dangers of big government and its worshipers.
I could be wrong about WORS. That skinny clearly faster guy hanging behind me and not passing for the longest time even with my promptings in two races may just have liked the view.
Friday, March 27, 2009
22 Years
It's been 22 years since I first met my wife in New York and we went out to KFC for dinner. We were matched by reverend Moon. We're looking forward to KFC tonight. Haven't gotten Misao out riding together yet this year. Hopefully we will get out to play some tennis too. We used to have a few games a year when we had time. Though I am focused on MTB racing, and don't have the resources or time for Adventure racing, sports like tennis and basketball are good training for adventure racing. They strengthen and condition most notably the ankles for trekking across tough terrain.
North Dakota is flooding but this is a picture of our Lake Michigan. The water can't get into the ground and snow 
keeps the water from dissipating across the vast plain. And spring is just beginning. More snow for us over the next week. The wet heavy kind. I enjoy deep snow, long winters and even extreme cold. But once the snow is gone I want it to stay gone. I don't want it to come back. It's good to get some yard work in and should spend some time everyday training Ship-po. She looks so sad if we don't keep her occupied.
The cold takes its toll when I ride. I improvise on winter bike wear and find what I have insufficient for my rides. Usually over ten miles. I was going to put up three or four posts yesterday on my several blogs but only got up two. In 'Monk' fashion I will put up ten posts here this month. A new high.
I reorganized the "racing for Real Men" according to the poll results. I didn't limit it to a top ten. Big bike sales coming up in April, including Emery's.
North Dakota is flooding but this is a picture of our Lake Michigan. The water can't get into the ground and snow 
keeps the water from dissipating across the vast plain. And spring is just beginning. More snow for us over the next week. The wet heavy kind. I enjoy deep snow, long winters and even extreme cold. But once the snow is gone I want it to stay gone. I don't want it to come back. It's good to get some yard work in and should spend some time everyday training Ship-po. She looks so sad if we don't keep her occupied.The cold takes its toll when I ride. I improvise on winter bike wear and find what I have insufficient for my rides. Usually over ten miles. I was going to put up three or four posts yesterday on my several blogs but only got up two. In 'Monk' fashion I will put up ten posts here this month. A new high.
I reorganized the "racing for Real Men" according to the poll results. I didn't limit it to a top ten. Big bike sales coming up in April, including Emery's.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Two Weeks
Some how Misao felt it necessary to remind me that it was two weeks ago today that Tun-Tun died. We have to coax Ship-po to eat and I feel I'm forgetting something when I go up stairs. We take Ship-po out for a walk every day and Misao buys her little toys. One day I was walking Tun-Tun and he tripped, collapsing on the path. I shook his leash and he looked around sheepishly and embarrassed. I sat down on the path and we both looked around for awhile. He got up some moments later and we finished our rounds. He was very happy.
Here is the Menominee River near Hoyt park during the February Thaw. If you haven't heard, most of the MTB trail here will be closed until possibly November. They are doing the flood control work. I believe they are putting in a line to take flood waters to the holding area they dug out where the county used to have garden plots for the public.
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