Labor Day

Which is not today. The labor that pays alludes me today but hopefully tomorrow will be different. I wrenched my back (feeling a lot better) and re-tenderized my knee on a job site last week and that, with the extreme lack of funds, will keep me from Treadfest. My bestest favorite venue. No room on the CC for preregistration and no cash. If I had a camera I would go to take pictures. No Wednesday Night race tonight either as it stands now. Besides, my heart isn't into it.

But Misao and I had a nice ride on Sunday and enjoyed the holiday with a movie. "Julie and Julia" will get many a nomination. Then I busted out the gas grill. Misao always protests the use of the gas grill. I don't know why. we had a roast and some frozen steaks and pork we grilled up, among other things.

"Do you want to grill the meat (a bacon cut from an oriental market) you have in the refrigerator too?" I asked.

"No!" she said.

But that is what she always says. Then when i fire up the grill she starts bringing anything and everything out to grill, including zucchini and the fore mentioned meat. Pushes in and starts moving my well planned arrangement around to fit in all her stuff. Then she walks away leaving me to sort everything out. To restore order and reason to the world of grilled meats.

People say daughters are a joy. I imagine they would do much the same thing only it would make one very happy rather than...

rather than....

Leaving one to marvel at the capacity for opposites to attract. It would be nice to find out.

Still haven't called a dentist. The tooth hurts less than before with the chunk busted off.

Last night at the monthly meeting they decided to hold the awards for the Wednesday Night Races next week. Yes, tonight is the final Wednesday Night Race and next week at 7:00, after the Hank Aaron Trail Open House they will meet at Benno's Bar and Grill for the awards. Afterwards Fat Tire Beer is having a promotional event. I doubt they produce an NA version and I am not sure who Benno is. I'm not sure of a lot of things. I'm just guessing and hoping. My family says I'm crazy and angrily demand I never ask them again.

All that free publicity I give people. Can I still call myself a capitalist?

I posted this on the wrong blog and the d*** Vista wouldn't let me copy clip over so I had to retype the whole thing and set up the links again.

Tuesday's Main Event

Before I write about the 'Wheel and Sprocket' sponsored ride this last Tuesday I feel compelled to comment on a very important issue. I feel I've disappointed myself and others as well.

I did not know that was a veggie burger. By the time I was aware of the fact I had already added the condiments and, the food being free, I felt it best not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Yes, free food and the opportunity to demo some Bikes, mountain and others, sponsored by 'Wheel and Sprocket.' Hoyt Park was ideal for its access to trails as well as the parkway for those looking to test out some bicycles and appreciate the company of good people. They plan to do it again at least once next year.

After looping the trail all too familiar to me I test rode the Trek 69er. So named for having a 26" wheel on the rear and a 29" wheel on the front. I found it counter intuitive that I continually felt the tendency that my tail was going to fly in the air sending me over the handle bars. They don't make the model any more.

Then a full 29er, the 'FELT nine.' Nice smooth ride that makes you feel big on the trail. Both test rides reminded me what a tank my 28+lb Trek 6700 is. The seven or so pound difference from my bike was very noticeable and I realized I need to get new front derailleurs. So nice when it just shifts smoothly without any finessing.

So did I enjoy myself? I can't enjoy much of anything any more. But more work today. Working with others is much more fulfilling, stimulating and just plain motivational than trying to work alone at home. Though I'm busy my projects at home are progressing more quickly.

Maybe I'll have a decent camera soon and provide some nice pictures. WORS is winding down its season. Certainly planning to make Treadfest and the Wigwam MTB Challenge.

Strongest Man

Another trail work day yesterday. Cool and dreary. Sunshine would have been nice but the rain has made the yard lush and green and will help bring the farmers crops to harvest. We have peppers and plenty of peaches beginning to ripen though the peaches look a bit small this year. The rhubarb is well established and has plenty of room to spread. The tomato, hanging upside down from a bucket, came crashing down earlier this summer and suffered a setback but will still produce. Haven't been able to find that garden fabric in the stores.

So shall I, the great lifter of fallen trees, declare myself strongest man on the trail work crew. I shall. Again someone has to promote me, that kind handsome all around good guy that carries heavy loads (and good looking). The Oak Hill Trails will all be open by the end of the year.

I had some you/tube to post but had problems with Vista and copy clip. A real pick me up unlike those confusing pick me ups found on that other blog. Pick me ups that require interpretation, translation or true stretches of the imagination to understand.

No Ramble today. I didn't ride either though the day was very beautiful. Hopefully will have more work this week and fine weather Tuesday for that 'Wheel and Sprocket' ride at Hoyt Park. I promised my friend overseas a snail mail but still waiting for something to write about. So many ways to share these days.

Devices

I got the all-in-one device working. I wont mention what the problem was. Going through old photos wondering how I could ever have been so thin. It makes me not want to eat.

I found an old photo of TunTun and tried the scanner. He never liked being kept on a chain.

To Race or not To Race?

That is the question. Have been getting some more work and haven't been able to ride much. With my health being off those few weeks earlier I don't feel confident to compete in a 30 mile race, only to be lapped by the elites three times. The prospects for the Reforestation Ramble are slim. Can't really afford the registration or gas either, though we have friends who would put us up Sunday night (we have to work Saturdays).

I doubt I will make the Wednesday night race either. I contemplated going to the velodrome in Kenosha this evening for their final event of the season, but it started raining and Misao had the car. Sorry Master man, but thanks for the blanket invitation anyway. Trail work Saturday, but I'm unclear about that. ... I'm unclear about a lot of things. But certainly setting my sites on Tuesday for the 'Wheel and Sprocket' sponsored Odd Tuesday Ride.

But we do have money to pay Best Buy, the God of consumption, a small tribute even after we finish paying for the TV. They offered 18 months free financing on purchases over $499. Our computer was so old and slow, and there are a lot of things I want to do, that we thought it best to upgrade. We didn't get a camera with that but we did get the latest and greatest in anti-virus stuff. It was taking multiple tries to enter my e-mail and five minutes for the inbox to open. ... ... But then the same thing happened with the new computer,... until I changed the password. ... Whatever that suggests. So when getting back from moving like an inchworm through attics of buildings with low sloped roofs filled with blown in insulation digging for cable etc. etc. etc. I've been changing all my passwords. I didn't know I had so many different sign ins on so many different sites. There may be some I have long forgotten about.

I could scan photos to post now but the all-in-one is having trouble connecting to the computer. Looks like no work tomorrow so I'll have time to get everything running and work on the yard and garden which are coming along nicely. I have some shady areas that need some flowers if anyone has any suggestions. Still possible to race Wednesday night. ... And the elites could only lap me twice at the Reforestation Ramble since they only race 50 miles.

To Race or not To Race?

Eventful

Eventful is one of those sites that send you e-mails about what's going on in your community. You can put in demands for your favorite performers to come to your city. I actually like getting their e-mails. I never knew so much was happening in Milwaukee entertainment wise, though I delete them after a quick look. But nothing eventful is happening for me this weekend as far as I know. I wish there were. I did promise a guy at church a punch in the face (he knows why) but if he keeps his mouth shut, or not, that is unlikely.

I went to the gym today and nothing eventful happened there. I did have a piece of one of my teeth fall off when I was brushing last night. Some might call that eventful. Just more money we don't have as I see it. It had been hurting for at least six months but was hoping to get all Misao's dental work done before I went to the dentist again. I don't consider a visit to the dentist eventful either.

My God! Do I sound like Andy Rooney?

But something eventful is happening with the Odd Tuesday Novice Rides held by Metro Mountain Bikers. Those are Tuesdays of odd sequence from the start of each month, the 1st, 3rd and the occasional 5th, and not Tuesdays falling on odd days of the month.

Yes, September 1st, the first Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm 'Wheel and Sprocket' is sponsoring the ride and food and beverages will be provided. They will also have some bikes for you all to demo on the Hoyt Trail. Some 29er's and others. They, the Wheel and Sprocket' people, were at the last ride and the last club meeting. Each time I neglected to point out that one of the regular Tuesday riders this summer has had only bad things to say about their repair department. The individual in question didn't say anything himself either, being at the last ride.

My friend is actually a cousin of the guy who runs Wheel and Sprocket. I usually see him at the gym but he wasn't there today, which made it even more uneventful than it usually is.

Here I Am

These last few weeks I've put most of my extra energy into the yard or house and on the computer when the energy wasn't there. Still feeling a bit sick and easily tired. Only a few rides that have left me exhausted and some trips to the gym. Today I took my bike to the gym and benched 255lbs which surprised me, since I haven't focused much on the strength training. Everyone backed out on going to the Fair Saturday so I didn't see Don going for the State record books. Did some trail work that morning on Oak Hill 2. The powers to be seemed happy with the progress made.

I decided to clear as much of the stone out of the garden plot as possible. Sifting all the soil a good eight inches down I ended up with four of these buckets full of stone. A bit of fresh soil and some other good things and I hope we can get a lot of spinach, lettuce and radishes before the growing year ends. Saw a fabric on TV that works like a green house. Will cover the plot, thinking I need a 10'x10' sheet, and see how long I can keep things growing. it will keep the plot warm and the rabbits out.

In our second garage I have piles of things for future use. Everything will find a purpose. Here is the stone I've taken out of the garden over the years. A handful or two each time I futzed in the garden. I should have cleaned all the stone out long ago but the garden was producing plenty. Just these last two years it has been dead.

My friend dropped off a lot of lilies, all different colors, and other flowers for the yard Saturday. Putting a plan together in my head as to where it will all go, along with other promised vegetation. Will do much of the work tomorrow. The yard and garden are developing and looking pretty good. Yes though I have been down and having some physical problems I also found determination and conviction and I need it. This old house is loaded with projects most necessary.

That's what you find in life sometimes. Hope and fear, anticipation and dread, hurt and joy all at the same time. Those are things touching on the very essence of what life is all about and require our attentions. When you work through them only good things can result.

I guarantee it.

I have to start riding everyday for substantial distances from now If I want to make the Reforestation Ramble. It is still a marathon format.