Weather intermission

We had a winter intermission day today! Beautiful clear skies and the temperature was a balmy 62 degrees! Even right now at 8:30 it's 59 but as it cools tonight it goes back to it's regularly scheduled winter. Bummer!

I talked Terri into picking me up at the office a few minutes early so I could ride the hood. Had a great ride and pushed as hard as I could. Serious. I kept telling myself that Coach as already gave me the warning that this weekend is a recovery for some serious riding next weekend and I could only ride for 3 hours. He said to resist the urge to ride more. Next weekend is a 5 and a 6 hour ride. Yo baby the training is kickin' in now. While I was out I moto'd a car. It was awesome because I was going uphill as hard as I could. The guy in the car was waving me to keep up. I did for a little bit but geesh louise I was pushing a sick 20mph. I dropped off and cut off through the neighborhood on quiter streets since it was getting to dark to play outside much more and I knew Terri would be on the front porch yelling my name across the valley to come in for dinner.

I got a package delivered to the front door! I ordered some FRS (www.frs.com) drink and the website allowed you to pick from an assortment of stuff for shipping cost only! I got the orange antitoxin energy drink mix. The bottle is huge and I should get about 10 water bottles of drink out of this! I mixed up one and Sean and I tested it. I just had enough to see what it would taste like. Sean actually drank all of his. College kid's gonna be up all night! I plan to try it out this weekend on my ride. The idea is to actually eat while riding too. I read this from several different long distance riders. They would sit and spin on the bike and eat a meal so their stomach would be accustomed to the eating/riding gig.

Thought you might like this photo. It's Em right after I came in from riding. I was about to hug her but she got arm-pitted instead. I know, what a mean thing to do.

Later friends!

The beauty of Arkansas Children's Hospital

Last Friday we had snow and this is a collection of photos by Kelley Cooper of Arkansas Children's Hospital that shows the beauty of our facility. Enjoy!

This is one of the gardens that you see while you wait in our General Pediatric Center

This is the creek that continues outside the lobby. The creek really runs through the lobby. It flows down to a very peaceful reflecting pool. That's the Arkansas State Capitol on the horizon.

Much like many of our patients. They fight the toughest battles and thrive!

Blue skies and snow

The theme of our hospital is all natural so there is plenty of room for little feathered friends out in the gardens.

*******

But the photo below sums it all up!

This my friends, is what Arkansas Children's Hospital is all about!

I hope you have enjoyed a quick peek at "my office"

Tagged ...

I got tagged from Chris Lewthwaite (Australia) .

6 weird things huh?

1) I have the Archies "Sugar Sugar" on my IPOD (comes on right after Wolfmother)
2) I rarely have my shoes on when I'm at my desk working here at the hospital
3) I rode my bike around the borders of the state of Arkansas (1150 miles)
4) I hate spooky movies
5) I love to go out before an event an "text message" the roads for riders or marathon runners
6) I have a BAD habit of thinking I have to have an Almond Roca latte every morning at the office.

Sunday

Geese enjoying the Sunday afternoon sunshine along the river ride.

Another nice day! Got up and had an easy start, woke the girls and headed to church. We have a running bet with another church that every year on super bowl day we can pack the pantry more than they can and we won! It's a massive amount of canned foods that goes to the homeless shelters. It's gets more competitive every year!

Got to spend the afternoon riding and saw several buds and rode with a few. I got 8 hours of training in this weekend. Coach ought to be happy about that. I got to talk to Yale and Wayne for a few moments. Spotted a Carve Elite riders out for some training. Hooted when one of The Ride team riders came screaming down the hill I was climbing. I saw a guy I would have swore was Brice Jones. Is the Jelly Belly rider in town this weekend? Doubt it but man it looked like him. The afternoon ride was great! Very light winds and sunshine! Hope we have that next weekend!

Ok Super Bowl game... rain makes it a fun game! Hang on to your luggage man! HA!!! I just knew Princes dancers were going to fall and it was going to be the thing everyone was going to talk about but Chicago running that first play was a riot! Speaking of riot, there are some funny ads! I love the Bud spot where they stop and pick up the hitch hiker guy with the ax. And did you notice how many talking animals were in spots? Fun year for commercials!

Saturday Evening Post

SPRING IS COMING!!

Note to Terri: You know I would have picked it for you but it was on federal property. It's the thought that counts... right? Ok, I'll go pick it tomorrow! Love you!

The friends that made a huge difference today!

Chris, Christopher and Rebecca... THANK YOU MY FRIENDS!

You have no idea what you did for me today!

Saturday evening post ( I know, that sounds like a painting)

What an absolute awesome day! From the beginning is was setting up to be a grand one and it has been! I've gotten all my errands done including the haircut (Note to Jim: Yep, Sport Clips is a great place... use 'em all the time! Get the MVP someday and you'll think you died and went to heaven when they get finished!). Right next door to Sport Clips is Blue Coast Burrito. Fish Tacos for lunch without Emmy telling me how gross they are. Then got stuff done around the house and remembered to record the X-Terra Games! Went out in the garage to sweep up and kept thinking it's really nice out here, think I'll go for a ride. Fast forward to 5:30 this afternoon and I'm finally getting off from my ride. It was sort of one of those "Awww mom do I have to?" sort of endings. I felt alive today!

Started about 1:30 and the temp at the bank was 52 degrees. Fine afternoon I tell ya! Out riding along and not many bikes but lots of runners getting their training in for the marathon next month. I get close to the dog park and three juvenile hoodlums ride by yelling my name. I turn around and close the gap. It is Chris, Christopher and Rebecca! Rumor was that Jenn (Chris' wife) was holding down the couch. Bless her heart! I sneak up behind and ride along without a word just to see how long it would take. Sort of sealth riding! Rebecca looks back and starts laughing then the others. We had a great ride. Ya got to watch those girl riders they are FULL of it! Rebecca was pulling into the wind and doing a great job then drops back. Says something about not riding in three weeks, blah blah blah. So we take a short break under the bridge by the riverboat then head back. Rebecca out front pulling , then Christopher, then Rebecca again, then Rebecca drops off and she and Christopher ride together a little ways back. I got into some zone and locked my eyes on the back of Chris' wheel and went with it. Now Chris is one of our elite screaming fast young 'uns! This was giving me the mental push I've been needing since the first of the year. Chris points to turn so we'll be climbing Ft Roots. Just as we start to climb, from out of nowhere and I guess back from the dead comes a flying Rebecca! "I knew it, I knew you were going to pull something!" She laughed and started climbing like "Well, Lah-dee-dah!" Chris stood on the pedals and I did as well. Then something happened that hadn't happen before. I started climbing with Rebecca! WooHoo!! Right foot left foot right foot left foot faster. At one time I saw 13! I was getting a charge like no other. She was still ahead of me and she stayed ahead the whole way but I kept up with the "doo-doo headed mountian goat". The nickname is out of love. I told her thanks once we made it to the top and I meant it.

The four of us rode back to Cook's Landing where they were parked but not before we spotted a group of riders screaming around the corner by the golf course. There are very few bright orange helmets in town and Yale owns one of those but the guy riding wasn't Yale. Whaaa???!!! That IS Yale!! OMG!!! A skinny Yale. This guy is about to have one of the most awesome seasons of cycling he's ever had. He has turned into one mean lean riding machine! Man, I'm proud of that guy! What dedication! What inspiration!

We turned around and continued back to Cook's. I bidded them farewell and then returned to riding my hours. I roded around Burns Park a couple of times and one more Ft Roots then the air began to cool so I called it a day. The bank tells me 44 now. Yep, the air cooled alright!

Ya know somedays you just sit back at the end of the day and smile... really big!

Saturday morning post

Beautiful clear blue skies! The kind that make to greet the day with a big ole smile. Warm coffee with lots of vinilla creamer, fireplace going, Sadie laying on my feet keeping them warm, new book, yep, a great Saturday morning!

Terri and I had dinner at Saddle Creek last night. We've really grown to love that place. Service is always great and the food is the same. We hit up Pier One afterwards then Barnes and Noble. I bought a new book last night called Ride the Blue Moth by Bill Hancock. It's a journey across the US on his bicycle after the death of his son. The trip takes him right through Arkansas. I've read a bi-zillion books but the first chapter of this was one of the hardest chapters I've ever read. Bill Hancock is the coordinator of the NCAA Final Four/March Madness. He talks about what all is involved in his job down to being sure there is a storeroom with carpet big enough for the cheerleaders to warmup. His son was on the plane that crashed in CO with the OK basketball team aboard. Trust me guys, if you read this book, read the first chapter in a room without any distractions... you will cry. If you have a child, you will cry more! Ok, maybe not sob but you'll get all teary eyed and if you don't then you need to have your heart checked. This will only last one chapter then chapter 2 will get you into the bike ride part.

It's a crisp 19 degrees outside but weather guy is saying 42 for the high about 3pm this afternoon so I'm outta here to knock out the chores then get a ride in! Oh funny story right quick. One of the blogs I enjoy reading is a guy in MN and he was talking about running last week and the temp was something like 5 degrees and he list all the clothes he had on and it sounds alot like the little kid in The Christmas Story. 2 caps, something like 5 tops layers, 3 bottom layers, 2 sets of gloves. That my friends is a dedicated runner!

Not bad... not bad at all...

This Afternoon...Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 80s. Mostly south winds near 10 mph.

Tonight...Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Lows in the lower 70s. Mainly south winds 5 to 10 mph...Becoming variable. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Saturday...Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. Highs near 80. Winds becoming north near 10 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Saturday Night...Becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Lows near 70. Winds becoming northeast near 15 mph and gusty. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers. Becoming windy. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds near 20 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.


Ok, it's not for here but I was trying to cheer myself up... (it's the Key West forecast)

Friday morning snow

Across the valley

My ski slope

Thursday and the big (cough) snow storm

We did get a little snow but Terri and I had zero problems getting to work. All the schools were closed yet the roads for the most part were completely clear. Sort of felt sorry for the kids because it was a snow days minus the snow.

They closed the fitness center today but it wasbecause they use it for a rest area for personnel who stay at the hospital working straight through the inclement weather. My VP stopped by my office about 3:30 and said for me to get out and go home. WooHoo, sort of like Christmas!

I'm doing a lot of work on the River 2 River ride stuff tonight so this is a short one...

Geo out...
Fade to black......

Yep, it's snowing...

Snow started about an hour north of here about midafternoon and caused chaos. Sent some folks fleeding toward home when the first flurry started in Little Rock. It didn't really start here until right about 6:30 or so. The ground is sort of white but the roads are clear. I moved our car up the hill in front of Ron and Cheryl's house. It's a "winter weather" tradition.

I spent lunch on the spin bike and felt strong today.

Icon for today

Here's the stinking icon for this afternoon, tonight AND tomorrow.

Just a good week

Just a good week so far! I crank it out in spin class today and even felt the love enough to stay after class and tighen the resistance up really tight and envision Valley View climbs. That hill comes to me in my dreams. I will continue working that hill over and over and over.

Sorry, was day dreaming... spin class was sold out today and then several turned away. It was a great thing to see so many wanting to spin. I hope the crazy continues. Melissa is an awesome instructor and we have a deal that once I start sweating I take my hearing aid off so I don't sweat fry another one and she gives hand signals. Works out great and besides the music is so loud I can still hear the bass beat without the aid.

Winter mix is in the forcast for tomorrow night but should be gone by Friday! Nice weekend ahead. Cold but nice.

My bud Vince sent me an email and said he was riding across the state in less than 20 hours as a celebration and an awareness ride for diabetes. He has the disease but let me tell you, it doesn't slow him down. Feb 10th, I'm going to ride a little of the route in central Ark with Vince. Go Vince Go! Allez!!!!!

Geo out...
Fade to black...

Fr-Fr-Fr-Freezing cold

Sunday:
Got up, went to church, rushed home so I could eat a small bite then spend the afternoon on the bike getting my required hours in. Flipped on the Weather Channel to be sure all was clear this time (Thanks for the plan JBar... check weather then dress...who woulda thought?). Temp was 33 with 22 degree wind chill and 18 mph wind gust. Hmmmm. Common sense says stay in but when you spent the day before wishing you were on the bike, common sense goes out the door.

I got out to Burn's Park and John pulled in just a few moments later. Both of us had the same reaction... BRRR! I rode to the bridge and no bikes around. There was a group heading out on a 51 mile ride and I was hoping to at least see them.

Head on out to Maumelle to ride something a little different. The problem with riding in the cold temps and having to wear a real winter cap is that it's so thick that everytime I turn my head my hearing aid would shut off. Total silence. I messed with this a couple of times and was getting really ticked. Maumelle Blvd is not the place for a quite ride. As I'm fixing it yet again, the group coming flying by. Looks like about 8 to 10 of them. Said howdy as they went by and then got some crazed novel idea of jumping behind them and going. Looking down to see 24mph into the wind. I stay for a few minutes and hearing aid shuts off again. I'm on the back of this train with cars flying up behind us before switching lanes. I pull out into the neighborhood and circle back to the river.

I had a great ride all afternoon and got some hills in including a couple of repeats of Ft Roots and even a couple of Valley View, a short but steep hill.

All in all it was a great day to be out on the bike!


Geo out...
Fade to black...

Will Saturday EVER have Plan "A" work?

Ok, I knew they said rain so I got up early (6am). Looked out on the deck, it's dry! Yesss! I eat, shower, head back in the kitchen for cup 'o Joe #2. Hmmm wonder what the air fels like. Open the back door and step out on the deck. WHAAAA????? I feel the sprinkles. Flip on Weather Channel to see the pink (ice/rain) band coming across central Ark. Ice? It's 40 degrees! Heavy sigh... another Saturday of Plan "B".

Plan "B"
Call airport ask for the jet to be ready in a few. Text message a few cycling friends I figured would be up and acting all depressed and tell them to meet me at Central Flying Service and we're heading down to south FL for an afternoon of riding in the 75 degree, sunny weather. A dinner of seafood while watching the sun sink in the sea... you know the picture.

11:oo am -- great flight from Arkansas. Weather here is AWESOME! Matthew came with us this time and is all mad 'cause we didn't have time to go to Hooters. I suspect he'll take out his anger by pushing us to average 30mph. No big deal really, we can hang with him on that.


ahhh yes... in a perfect life! HA!

Geo out...

fade to black.....

01.26.07

Beautiful day with blue skies! I need to be out on the bike really bad. The workweek is winding down and everyone is leaving or thinking about it.

Here’s the plans for the weekend…
Friday:
Stop by bike shop and drop off jerseys.
On The Border for dinner in a bit and more home stuff shopping with Terri.

Saturday:
Starbucks! (Rolling Stones “Start me up” playing in the background!)
Morning ride due to the 60% chance of rain they are saying we’ll get between 10am and 3pm. I need to push about 3-4 hours in the saddle.
Work in the attic and finishing the flooring project then the usual Saturday chore list.
Dinner at parents house in Benton

Sunday:
Church
Eat
Ride
Eat at Kyle and Judy’s
Chill
Sleep

Back on track

Today has been a great day! I got rough sketches for the new jersey and they are awesome, awesome, and more awesome! Serious. I'll release the drawing soon. Sorry. My VP even thought it was great.

I got to get out right at sunset and ride tonight. I headed over to the sports complex to ride laps. I enjoy it over there because it's a huge parking lot that's lit up and empty. I rode for an hour and had an average speed of 16.3. I was happy. The start of the ride was cold. When I got out of the car it wasn't bad but once I started the wind in my face was chilly. Of course after a few laps, I was warm.

There are some woods on one side of the parking lot and baseball fields on the other. While I was riding tonight I noticed some movement at the other end of the lot and a guy stepped out of the woods and was walking. Not a big deal really since several folks seem to like that lot to walk on but coming out of the woods?! He stopped where the sidewalk comes to the parking lot and drops and does push ups. After I fly by he gets up and walks more. Just gave me the spooks. He disappeared over the hill and I didn't see him anymore. Just hit me as a little unsual.

I got excited a few minutes ago because I took the trash to the curb. You know what that means! The weekend is closer! HA!

Geo out...

At the end of the day

At the end of the day

(Photo by Kelley Cooper -- Arkansas Children's Hospital)

It's the end of the day yet I sit and wonder about it all. I train. I think about trianing. I read about training. When I'm down I read what the guys training for Ironman are going through. Some have been injured and some are just getting back on the wagon after a recoup through the holidays. Everyone seems to be after the same thing. A strive to be better. Although I'm not trying by any means to be Ironman, their thinking is on the money. An injury or set back can flip the world.

Today it seemed as if my world were slowly flipping and pardon the expression but it sucked! I got the call from the doc and the surgery date is April 12th. I would need to be in intense training mode the month of April for the River 2 River ride set for May 24th. After I hung up I leaned back in my chair and ran my hands through my hair giving it the just woke up look. Then I stood to look out the office window and collect my thoughts. Man, my ride is disappearing before my very eyes. I have folks already to jump on this thing in all sorts of ways. There is a killer jersey (with no date on it thank goodness!) in the works. There are a couple of outside interest seeking the ride out. There are a couple of major companies ready to buy in as well as furnish some amazing technology. I'm so disappointed and bummed.

Ok, whining over. Sorry but I had to write it and get it out of my system. So what are we gonna do about it? Reschedule! The ride WILL take place just a little later. I've thought about this over and over today. I'm off the bike for 1 week. Ok, big deal, just act like it's a recovery week. In fact, make it a recovery week after April 12th. I'll go out and literally beat the snot out of myself the weekend before the surgery. I know March 31st is a century (100 mile) ride called Tour de Cure here in Little Rock so I'll get that done! Then I'll have another weekend after that so I'll get a ton more riding in. That will be April 7 & 8. Easter is on the 8th so it will be a sunset ride. Surgery on Thursday April 12th. I'm thinking out loud here... because after surgery it will be 2 weeks of total silence. I guess I could call this "Silence of the Limbs" HA!

What's going on on Thurday, June 28th? It starts the 4th of July weekend which is that following Wednesday. There enough time in there that the crazys should have to go to work on that Friday so I'm thinking if anyone is going to take off extra fdays or the 4th they'll do it that week rather than my ride week. Terri has a summer convention at the Holiday Inn in Ft Smith the week before so she might not be to thrilled to go back again so soon. July 7th we are heading for the beach. Y'all see where this is going??? I'm feeling MUCH better already!

Kids, I think I'm gonna go for it! Stay tuned for more!

01.21.07

Finally the rain stopped during the night and that gave it enough time to dry the roads pretty well. I got out and rode 42 miles this afternoon and averaged 15.3. I climbed some hills and the roads were damp in places so I wasn't taking any chances coming down.

I spotted the Fast Girls Slow Guys out for their afternoon of hammering. Racing season is just around the corner and they will be one of the strongest clubs around. I can't wait to see them cut it loose this spring.

Just as I was leaving Brandon pulled up and was about to get a few miles in. Was good to see him.

The LR Marathon runners were all out in force doing their long runs today. There is a visually impaired runner that runs with a guide. It is the most awesome and inspriational thing to watch. This afternoon I came up behind them and recongized the bright orange vest. I slowed and watched. That is complete faith in someone to be able to run blind. They were moving at a good runners pace too. I really hope he is going to run the marathon in March.

Ok, got some news. I'm going to have some outpatient surgery on my hearing aid ear in a couple of weeks. No big deal, takes doc about an hour. I have some rare deal where my ear canal is trying to grow closed. Weird huh? He is just going to go in and cut the tissue out then put in a skin graft. Said no bike for a week. I can live with that but then no hearing aid for at least 2 weeks. I can't live with that! I will be in total silence for at least 2 weeks. My boss said I can work from home if I want too but I'll probably go to the office once doc releases me to. Hoping for a Wed or Thurs surgery then I can be back on Monday. My team is good to me so they'll take the calls and I'll do everything by email which is almost what I do now anyway. The good part is that once I put my hearing aid back in everything will be booming loud after no sound.

Another milk and bread scare?!

Ok, so this is the icon for the weekend for us. Well ain't that just dandy?! I think we saw the sun for a few moments yesterday and maybe well see it again before the weekend. As long as it's not wet out then I'll go get my miles in. Coach has me down for 3 hours this weekend. I'll be a bit crisp and fresh outside but I can handle that. Everything they predict this sort of weather everyone goes and gets milk and bread like we'll be shut in for a week.

I'm eating lunch in the office and blogging because today is a busy day otherwise. Still working on cutting back on certain foods. Those girls that I live with have a thing about sugar. No not kissing sugar but cookie sugar. I know I know... just don't eat it. Well, that's easier said than done. I keep looking at those brownies or cookies telling them that I'm bigger, badder and better than them. They just look up with their little chocolate chip eyes and draw me in.

I didn't realize that daylight savings started it's new schedule this year! Yep, March 11th rather than April 1st. Certainly will help me with my afterwork riding schedule! I love daylight savings!

Well back to work... Geo out...

But I was riding...

Just keep reading and you'll understand why this photo of Wye Mountian is here. By the way, it's just a few more weeks and the mountain will look like this once again!

I know I said I would write some more but I was riding on the new rig!

There are 8 programs and 16 settings. I rode the 20 minute program which is one of the first listed. It is flat then an incline. On the screen it looks big but not really. I kept getting the "down" arrow telling me to slow down! Oh my gosh! I love this bike! No one ever tells me to slow down! I never did slow down.

I finished that 20 minute program and was feeling like I was just warming up so I clicked through a few other programs and found a 30 minute course that kicks in on a climb real quick and the climb is real. For those in the central Ark area... it was Wye Mountain real. Yeah baby, I was having to stand and push hard to get that pedal to go around. Shirt was soaked and Sadie was giving me that dog is smarter than owner look while laying on the floor watching me. I didn't think the last 8 minutes of the course would ever run out and the thing was telling me to keep the target speed at 10mph?!!! Man, Patrick can't even ride up Wye at 10 mph and that guy is a nuts-o on the bike. So who is Reebok telling me to climb at 10? I kept getting the up arrow now and I finally told myself, "Ok Geo, take it to the top and if you pass out trying at least you are at home and it would only be about 30 minutes before wife came to the back and found your dead body in the floor (one foot still strapped to the bike of course!)". So I pushed and pushed and pushed and made it. Ok it was a private "Rocky" moment... it's sort of like that dance like nobody's watching moment. A few gulps of water and some stretching then I walked through the house. Terri was in the den and just looked at me like "boy, oh no you don't!" Like I was going to drip on the kitchen floor or something. Ok funny story time: When I was on the climb and stood up I didn't realize that the ceiling fan would cut my head off. Y'all know the rest of the story.... HA!!!

Just a quick hit

Just a real quick it this morning. I worked ALL weekend on reports so when I got finished I didn't even want to look at the computer.

Here's the weather update for you readers outside the central Arkansas area. Yes, it is STILL raining! Last I heard it was something like 5 and a half inches had fallen. Streets are flooded here and there. The river is way up but still within in banks. The Saline River in Benton where my parents live is a different story but they are in no danger at all. High upon a hill and a mile away from the river. If they ever are in danger from the river, the Ark would be looking pretty good!

We did get our new "house" bike. It's really nice! I laughed and laughed when I saw one of the features! It has controls on top of the handlebars and the display becomes games! Yes, you can play video games and spin at the same time. Emmy boyfriend loves that feature. I spun and watched Terminal (Tom Hanks) Saturday night. I think I'm really going to like this!

Back to work... I'll write more tonight.

Weather... what weather?

Wow! I flipped on the tube this morning to see Fresno at 21 degrees? Oh no! I flip over to the Weather Channel and they are all over this wicked weather weekend. Denver, oh those poor guys. What is this something like their 4th or 5th weekend for winter storms? Just glad Tyler has graduated and moved back to Ark. I think he misses the snow though.

Terri and I went to Cracker Barrel to have dinner tonight. I felt like an old folk but Terri had the stomach bug and wanted something a little easier. I had breakfast and coffee. We then went over to Office Depot and looked at router stuff so we could figure out how to make our laptop wireless in the house. The set up looks simple. AT&T has called us half a dozen times offering deals if we'll drop Comcast Cable for our internet and use them. We were wondering if the same set up basically goes for DSL as it does for cable on wireless set up. I didn't want to buy the cable set up if we are thinking of changing if they weren't compatable.

After that Terri said we should go over to look at upright stationary bikes! Yea-izzzz!!!! The darling wants to start riding again! We checked out a few and will probably go back tomorrow to get on. The Reebok RT 300 is looking good. It has the features for training indoors and get this, has a quirky little game feature so you can play video games on the screen. The graphics looks like 1980 Space invader graphics. We laughed. There are 16 different programmed levels. This is sort of like Chrsitmas Eve! We both like to look and on "big" purchases (purchases over 100 bucks) we look then leave. That way, tomorrow if we are still feeling strong about it then we'll go buy it. I put a note out on my club email that I was selling my Cycle-Ops Mag trainer. I like it but just never used it that much since I could ride outside or ride in the fitness center.

Terri just ran over to the store to get groceries before the big rain comes. It had rained before she left. Guess what, it's starting to rain now. I hope it's not raining much when she comes out of the store.

Looking forward to the weekend... aren't you!

Oh gee....

Of gee, let me see.... A snapshot of the last 24 hours...
Something happened to the dryer and rolled the smoke and now it smells like a burnt out house.
Terri has some stomach bug.
I didn't go to the gym or ride today.
I ate fried foods.
My VP wants a report reformatted... ugh, it's actually about 50 reports.
It's about to rain heavy for the net 2 possible 3 days.

Ok, enough whinning. Now the good stuff...
I read where several girls in our club are getting serious about a race in March.
Tomorrow is Friday.
I fixed the dryer.
I have a trainer for my bike so I can ride this weekend in the house. I know, I'm not a bike trainer fan.
I filled 4 positions today which makes for an easier Friday.

Little milestones

There are little milestones that happen to everyone through out there day/week/ year/life and as comical as this sounds, every Tuesday night is a small milestone. It's trash night. I know, that's goofy but when I take the trash to the curb on Tuesday night that means that the week is half over almost. Actually is just a way to make it seem like the weekend will be here faster.

I had another milestone tonight. I got home, suited up and drove right down the road to the Kevin McReynolds Sports Complex and rode laps around the parking lot. I kept thinking I would do this so I wouldn't have to sit on the trainer. It was awesome! There were a few folks finishing up there walking when I got there and I could watch several sports going on. I could see the Sylvan Hills Bear soccer team practicing, as well as Bear baseball (guys) was wrapping up. The nice part was that the kids all had their cars still on the school lot so there were no cars coming or going! I rode the lot a few laps to warm up and look for broken glass and lucky there was only one place and it wasn't in my way. My own private training course. I got it going on and look down to see and nice 20 mph (Geo's thought, "Go on big boy, you're going to suck air in just a moment!"). Around a couple of laps and feeling really good. There is a little incline so it gave me a chance to climb, sort of. After several more laps I took it all the way up to big ring and big gear. Going down the incline was super fast, banking the curve was a "woowoo" moment then up on the pedals and sprinted to the end, bank and do it again. Where was this coming from? Lap after lap. Everytime I rode under a certain light I would look to check my speed. Never under 17!!! I can taste that coppery taste that happens when you are working out hard in the cold air. A sip of water settles that and Rainforest (techno mix) by Moby comes on. Oh man, that's a tune to crunch it to. I push as hard as I can up the incline. I want to sit before I get to the top but tell myself that I'd only be cheating myself. I was true to myself and kept it going.
A couple more laps slowing down to cool down. I stop at the car and see my breath in the cool night air. I see the stars and a jet cruising through the heavens. I lean up against the car and sigh thinking to myself, "Yep Geo, now you're training!"

Train time: 56 minutes
Average speed: 16.7

Be right back...

I know, I know.... I haven't posted anything in a couple of days. Been busy. I'll post after my ride tonight...

This is gonna be some trippin'

Well, Coach sent me my River 2 River training schedule today. Oh ho ho!!!

I looked at first week (this week), piece of cake baby... 3 hours in the saddle.

Feb has a couple of Saturdays with 6 hours in the saddle.... yeah, that's doable.

March has an 8, 9 and 10-er. Yes, those are riding HOURS.

April, I'm outta breath just looking at it.
4/16 -- 10 hour ride
4/23 -- 11 hour ride
4/30 -- 12 hour ride

Oh and did I mention there are some weekday rides too? There are. So I guess I might ought to download those songs that would take up a whole album side... what do you mean, what's an album? Oh go ask your grandparents kid!

Here's the deal, and I'm not making it up, I'm looking forward to it. I need to keep the pace at 15 mph for hours and hours on end. I can do that. The hard part is not to let myself jump in with the big dawgs and try and ride fast and tire out. There are some days I'll get to go out and hammer (Well, hammer as much as I can! HA!) and there are some days I get to go out and climb.

Big news, I got to go down a belt notch today! I'm not sure how but I did. I sort of ate a some snack foods but not my fall 2006 amounts after we got in last night.

I worked on my donation letter that I'll be sending out and sent a draft over to the girl in Foundation who handles my ride and to the girl in PR who handles getting the stories out to news folks. Both sent a email reply back and both said they cried. YES! If I pull on heartstrings and I pulled hard this time then I hope I'll get more donations. My goal is $10,000 for the hospital.

I was a rainy then very foggy day here so I got my rear over to the fitness center and did a 30 minute solo spin (easy) then a real spin with the 12:30 lunch spin crowd. Buckets of sweat! Oh, that reminds me, those nasty clothes are still in the bag... guess I better run!

Take care and thanks for reading!

2007 -- day 2

Back to work it was today and it was still for the most part quite. Had a person that I recruited that called early this morning before anyone got to their offices and left a message with her new boss that "something came up" and she wouldn't be in. She was due to start this morning. It chaps my hide when applicants do that. Oh well, we'll have someone in place over in that clinic in a couple of weeks and this person will probably be even better!

I worked out at home tonight for about an hour. It felt good. I used the weights and the tension bands. I really like those because you can lay in the floor watching tv and work out. Sad huh? Well, I was really working out to the point of shaking like a leaf.

The real plan was to take the bike down the street to a huge parking lot and ride laps but when I got home I started looking for the reflective riding vest I wore when I would commute by bike to the office. I have one of those big clear plastic buckets out in the garage that I keep touring bike stuff in. Nope, not in there. So there is another big bucket with other bike stuff in it so I start going through it. Hummm, memory lane here we come! I found numbers from all my event rides, goodie bags that I'd just thrown in there, a great first aid packet I had put together, and ah ha... the vest! "Honey, dinners ready." Thought to myself, "Ok, eat and get out there and ride." I go back to the bedroom after eating and lo and behold look at the pile of stuff I've got all over the bedroom. Ok, so I'll be stuck home tonight cleaning the mess up.

On the bright side of it, it did give me a chance sort of scope out what goods I had and what I needed to get all geared up for the coming year. I found a sheet of reflective stickers that were the same color as my helmet so I cut them in strips and put them all over it for early morning and night riding. It was funny because I wanted to see if it reflected all sides and I was standing in the bathroom with a flash light moving it around to see how much reflect I would see. Sadie (our dog) just sort of stood there looking like, "Dad, why are you playing with a flash light in the bathroom?"

Take care y'all!

A new year out on the farmland!

Happy New Year everyone!! I've got a feeling 2007 is going to be an awesome year! I know a lot of guys who are training for huge events and it's cool to watch them as they train and get to Ironman status. I know Comm is back in full swing Ironman training for the AZ Ironman in March (I think). My riding bud, Chris Ironman (no, that's not his real last name but it's really close!) is doing the 1/2 Ironman in Aug as well as my partner in crime for the River 2 River endurane ride in May. Wes is linked up to all sorts of satellites over in GA push towards the ING Ironman series.

As for myself, yes, I'm in training for the big River 2 River ride. I'm excited as in giddy right now. I thought about this ride a lot. I have spent a lot of time plotting and planning. I have a PR department that is behind me. The Foundaton Dept is on board. I have 2 great trainers. I have close friends that are close enough to push me to do better and raise an eyebrow when I don't. I have great riders all around me that inspire me in every aspect of riding.

I just came in from my first real training ride for the event. I ventured out to the farmlands for the first time since before the Hotter 'n Hell training ride. Since it is farmland and you never know if the roads are going to be good or bad I rode on out to England to check the roads. No fresh gravel on any but there were a couple of places where the road had been flooded and one section was still flooded in one lane. Nothing worse than getting way into a training ride to find a bad road! The plan was to take a lot of photos too.

I suited up for cold and wind and headed out. The road was smooth and the wind was light. I was feeling good. It stayed that way for about... uh... 2 miles then the swamplands that were breaking the wind ended and it was nothin' but field and then the smooth road changed to that rough chip and seal country road stuff. But I had a goal and I was going to meet that goal head on. And head on it was. 20 miles of headwind. I knew it was there and I knew I could beat it. There were times I was looking at 14mph into the wind but that was ok. The goal was to average 15 for the ride. That is what the endurance ride will be ... an average of 15mph. More on that another time. I wanted to stop for photos but told myself to do the whole ride and pick out the places I wanted photos of and shoot them on the way back home from the car. The ride was for training... remember?!

I really was enjoying the ride. It was so quite out there and it was pretty much just me and the farmers. I love the farmlands and the people who work it. I remember when I rode around the state there were lonely days out on the farmlands and it was the farmers that seemed to make things ok. What did they do? Well, nothing much but give a little wave. That's what they were doing today. Each would give a little wave. Remember when people used to do that? Give a little wave to each other?

I made it to Scott and as strange as it sounds, it felt good to have my old friend Mr. Shoulder Tension back with me. I know that I have been riding a good distance or riding hard when I have shoulder tension. I sat on the steps of the Agri Museum and chomped a clif bar. It was so good! Then it was time to head back. All the way to Scott I thought about how much fun it will be when I ride back because it will be nothing but tailwind. Guess what? The wind shifted! I still had a lot of awesome tailwind but towards the end I got a couple of evil blast of crosswinds. You know those kind that make you ride slanted? HA!

I finished up the ride and felt great. I was a little winded but felt on top of the world! I punched the computer for my numbers and yes!!! 46.3 miles and my average was 15.4. Now I was happy as a loon!

I walked into the house to the aroma of New Year's cooking! I got cleaned up and then dug in! Terri tried some new stuff from her Paula Dean cook book. That is one of Terri favorite cooks on the Food Network. I admit she is funny with her Savanah drawl. The meal was perfect and kept it pretty much in check. I could have eaten everything!

The rest of the afternoon was spent putting up the rest of the Christmas stuff. Sort of looks naked around the house now.

Tommorrow is back to work and for Em and all the others it's back to school. I like short weeks!! I'm already looking at Saturday's 60 degree and sunny forecast and thinking, "Where do I ride this weekend?" I'm thinking another farm ride like maybe England and to the east or maybe Maumelle to Conway. I don't know, I'll just let the adventure unfold!

2007 ... here we come!

End of the year thoughts and ponders

I woke this morning to a steady rain, a cup of coffee, and a stack of new magazines. There are 2 types of perfect Saturday mornings. The type I have today which makes me relax and enjoy the moment and the kind we usually have in late April and May. With fresh dark green leaves and temps just warm enough to head out and enjoy a day on the bike or play in the yard. We'll get to #2 soon enough.

One of the gifts I gave Terri was to have interior designer Terry Williams over to the house. Yes, this is the same Terry as in Terry and Janice that we went to their house for a Christmas party. Now watch close because there is Terri with an "i" which is my Terri and there is Terry with a "y" which is designer Terry....so keep up here. HA! I gave Terri a gift certificate where Terry will come over and do the consult and work with some of the stuff we have and then we'll work a plan for the rest of the house. We walked around Home Depot last night (yes, that's what old folks do on Friday night dates after eating out! HA!) and ooh and ahh at stuff. I think this is going to be a lot of fun watching the house transform into what we dream it would be someday. We are still trying to get over Terry's house. It was sensory overload! Stay tuned for more of those stories.

So the year end ponders and thoughts...
It has been a good year. We are all healthy, work is good and finances in good shape. I have a lot to be thankful for, I really do. I figured I would just put my year in stuff into a best and worst catagory and make it simple.

Best of the year:
Ok maybe it's not that simple... These are not in any type order.
1) Tyler graduating college, moving back to Ark and landing a great job.
2) Neices having healthy babies
3) Terri and I celebrating 25 years of marriage
4) Riding around 4,000 miles on my bicycle. I stopped logging in August at 3600.
5) Riding "epic" rides such as
a) HH100 (Record temps in TX)
b) Tour de Rock (CARTI's ride)
c) MS75 (Yes, it's really MS150 but I just rode one day)
d) POP ride (Cheers to my bud Yale for sitting on the side of the road with me when I could go no more)
6) Em turned 16 and we don't have to drive her everywhere.
7) Our neighborhood from down the street buying the property next door and blocking the 17 garden home development! Thanks Frank!

Worst of the year:
1) The war (depressing isn't it?!) and my friends that are over there.
2) Blowing a tire on a corner and crashing but finishing the ride.
3) Watching Yale get sick on that same ride... but hey, he was a finisher that day under the worse conditions.
4) Missing the turn on HH100 and riding the 65 mile route. This may go under best and worst. HA!
5) Keith getting sick after HH100. That was spooky!
6) Matthews wreck. Now that gave me a tummy ache. But Hooter Morton is back and better than ever.
7) Not spending a week on the beach.

There are dozens of other hi/low moments but these seem to stand out the most.

The new year holds a lot of promise and excitment!
Yes, we will go to the beach in a condo for a week this year. Yes, the kids will all tag along with boyfriends and girlfriends in tow (Geo rolling his eyes).

I will be riding the River 2 River endurance ride in May

I will lose 13 more lbs by Jan 29th

I will go and be involved in church more.

Yes, I will get my office organized better.

No, the bicycle will not play a major role in my life after May 24th. Oh, I'll still be out there every chance I get but I won't get bummed out if I can't make a certain ride. But I'll train like a crazy man until May 24th (yes, Terri is behind me on this).

Yes, I will rip out those bushes in front of the house and make new plantings.

Yes, I will get the backyard back in shape. It used to be really nice but I just got by the past 3 summers. I miss "playing in the yard".

No, I won't complain as much this year. Doesn't really serve a purpose anyway. Bad vibes.

To all of you that read this mess... have a happy, safe and fun New Year!

Working on the BIG ride!

As of this afternoon

It is 147 days,

7 hours, 26 minutes and 30 seconds

until Thursday, May 24, 2007

at 5:00:00 AM (UTC time)

River 2 River ride for

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Current time is
2006-12-27 21:33:30 UTC

The day after

It's the day after Christmas. Ok, it was a strange (and stressful) Christmas that I would prefer not to repeat. There were some great moments but there were a few moments that sent me into "quite mode". But it will work itself out, always does.

Ok for the funner side of the holiday! Christmas eve was spent doing yard work for the afternoon. Not really anything else going on other than staring at the TV and I've done that enough already this year. Beside, TV + sofa = food and weight gain. At least for me it does.
I came in and got cleaned up and tinkered around a bit. There was a massive amount of food spread out. There is now a semi-massive amount of food in our fridge that no one will eat. Tomorrow is trash day so maybe it will all fall out into the trash can. HA!

Christmas morning was nice. Weather was rain and just warm enough to keep it from snow. We exchanged gifts and headed south to see my family. We got there and there was more "other" family than my own. Mom and Dad have an open door policy when it comes to celebrations so there are always extra's. And you want to hear something that's always be freaky to me? No matter who shows up, my mom always has a gift for them under the tree and I never see her put them there. Serious. So here's this guest family visiting and they are all adults. There are 4 of them. 3 guys and a girl. There were gifts for all. No, not cans of peanuts but stuff like mock turtle necks and stuff like that?!!! I swear she's really Mrs. Claus.

I did get to spend a few moments with Dad talking Christmas and we had some laughs. He was telling me one time about when my little sis and I were little that we both got bikes and he snuck them all the way to my grandmothers in AL (6 hours away). Put the things together in AL, took the things apart for the trip home, put the things together again once we got back to AR. Yep, I think he is "Dad of the Year" too. We laughed about the time we all went (Mom, Dad, 4 sisters and me) to AL and we ALLLL got a stomach flu. It was not the least bit funny then but it was a hoot yesterday.

Today on the way to work there were no cars! Some of the parking lots were empty! It's been a very quite day here in the office. So quite and so caught up that I'm blogging.

I did head over to the fitness center for lunch and then ate a sandwich at my desk. Just a hand full of folks over there today but I suspect next week it will be a mad house! The first of the year always brings the "good intentions" members back. Actually it's nice to have some different folks around and the noise level goes back up. Not sure what the mental attachment is to noise and working out but the louder the better!

I have begun really looking at my 2007 goals and one of my best friends sent me an email for a pact that we had to cut our finger and sign in blood (and lots of sweat). I was honored that he sent the pact to me. I'm not sure if he wants any of it public so I'll not release name, rank and serial number on him. But you know who you are and you a great friend to me man!

One of the other goals I have is to be a part of Men's Fraternity ( http://www.mensfraternity.com/ ). We will be doing this on Wednesday nights at our church. I've not been to church on Wednesday night in at least a year, maybe more.

Take care and more later...

Christmas Eve

Got up and went to early service and Em and Sean went with me. Terri's folks are in town and wanted to go to late service but I was assigned prayer so I had to go on. Our church is sort of funny sometimes about Christmas which it seems are church of Christs are sort of like that. Like someone said, "Y'all haven't quite figured it out yet have ya?" Usually we have Christmas songs but this morning we had a different song leader and he was about as gung ho about Christmas as the grinch. Not a signle Christmas song. Greg did a great job with his preaching. Upbeat and Christmasy.

After church Em and I stopped by Sonic for breakfast junk food! I even drank a regular coke. Oh man, the burn was good! HA!

The afternoon was spent raking leaves in the back yard. Honesty, I have the biggest pile of leaves in the front that I've ever seen. I dumped them off the retaining wall. I'm telling ya, it's huge! I'll post a photo later since it's already too dark to shoot. The back yard looks pretty dandy if I say so myself. There wasn't anything going on this afternoon so I just wanted to stay busy and it would keep me from being sofa spud! When I walked in after cleaning the yard the inlaws were here and cooking away. I know I won't have any trouble not over eating because I spotted chicken and dressing (no thanks!) and sweet taters (yuck).

Tyler should be getting here about 6 so we'll eat and exchange gifts with Terri's family. The crowd usually dies out by about 9 or so. I have everything wrapped so command center is set for pre-dawn action!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dog gone wild!

Yes, my dog ate packet of expresso Hammer gel! She was running around like a crazy hyena!! The packet of laying on the bed with my riding stuff while I was doing chores because I was going to ride after I got finished. I kept noticing that Sadie would run to the front of the house where I was then run back. Then run to the front and run back. Repeat that sentence over and over. I kept thinking she was trying to tell me something. Maybe she was trying to tell on herself. Anyway I walked to the back of the house and the was some paper in the floor and my first thought was, "Oh great, she got into the bathroom trash again." I just sort of sighed and reached down to pick up the paper and tried to figure out what it was then I realized it and looked over on the bed to see my Hammer Gel gone and it was 4x caffine expresso! I finished my work as fast as I could, put Sadie out and busted out the door. I have no idea how much running she did in the backyard but I wasn't going to be there when the fuse got to the end and she shoots up into the sky like Willie and roadrunner cartoons. Acme rocket was the picture I had in mind!

I stopped by the bike shop to load up with more and ran into Jbar. We yakked a minute and he was out the door and so was I. Fully loaded with new packets of gel. I headed on down to the river and rode the north side, over and the LR side some, River mountain road and Ft Roots. It was really quite out. Also when I parked the bank said it was 61. Not so back afterall. But as I sat there putting gear on I was noticing that it sure was a cold 61. I added more clothes. It was a cool ride and then as always once I got to the LR side and was riding in the shadow of the hills it was cold. I think there may have been 5 groups of folks on the bridge. The wind and the cool air may be slowing the crowd.

As I came home I drove up North Hills and s-t-o-p!!! Traffic was backed up big time. Folks blocking 2 intersections in a row. The guy in front of me saw a lady about to pull out in the insetion and block us for yet another light and he actually pulled out partly to block her from blocking us. She laid on her horn and he turned around and did the same back. I thought it was going to get ugly! The car next to me was college looking kids and they were laughing and laughing. I started laughing as well.

We finally go through the light and a car cut off the man in front of me. I could see him "gesturing" and what does she do? Stops real fast and that really fired him up! But she gets what she deserves because when she did that another lady flew by and cut her off in front of her. Then the light changes to red and stopped us all. I just knew someone was going to lay on the horn again or worse... get out. The light must have been just what was needed because from then on they all drove merry!

There is a island where all the boats hang out on Sunday afternoons in the summer. If you look close you can see an American flag. And yes, those are sea gulls on the island.

This is as you start to drop down River Mountain Road. Just to the right of the fence is an interstate.

This is how far down they dug to make River Mtn road. Cool looking isn't it?

LR skyline from Ft Roots.

Big concert tonight... let the holiday begin!!!

Terri and I will be meeting my friend Gary and his date for the night at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. What a great way to kick off the holiday! Today is last day of work, the weather is clearing up and an awesome concert tonight! I saw the show last year and I was sick as a dog and still thought it was great.

I've been reading a lot of training blogs lately and it seems most are coming back to life. The off season sort of slows everyone down a bit and I've read both sides of the training fence. Some say winter is the time to kick it in and really work hard and others say to turn it down a couple of notches. I think many will begin to start thinking of the coming year while we are off for holiday. I know I'm going to. I plan to look at my training schedule, get my mind going that direction, pass on those stupid fried and sweet crap. Man, I hate that stuff! Last night my daughter and I was nagging at each other a bit and she had bought her boyfriend a pizza (we weren't nagging about that) and I walked into the kitchen grabbed a piece and ate it. I had no reason at all to do that. Dumb thing... just dumb. Tonight won't be hard because I will be at the concert and away from food.

I've gotten several emails about "what are you doing over the holiday? Where are you riding?" Well, I'm still in the, "I'm not sure" cycle. Here's the plan I think I have tomorrow.
1) Up and to Starbucks early for latte and cinnamon chip scone
2) Wrap all the crap I've bought
3) Bike ride
4) Party over at T&J's house

I also got "tagged" but this one is different. The funny thing was that I had just read a blog and the blogger was doing this very thing.

Here's the tag:
Find a book closest to you
Name the author and book
turn to page 123
Tell everyone what the first 3 sentences say.

It would have been some Human Resources manual but I just cleaned off my desk earlier.
Title: Heft on Wheels
Author: Mike Magnuson

At 6:00 a.m., September 15, an hour before dawn and the start of the 2002 Bridge to Bridge Incredible Cycling Challenge. I do know something. I know that rain is falling on my head.

Funny isn't it that it would be something about bridge to bridge and I'm training for river to river... Life has a funny way of putting things infront of you huh?!

Take care!

Y'all won't believe this!

We had a lunch today and look what I was presented with...

It was a vote in deal. I was really speechless! REALLY!!!! Makes ya just wanna eat a bunch of cookies don't it! HA!

Serious, this was a huge honor for me and just what I needed as the true training for my May ride kicks in after the holidays.

System shock and shake

It was "let's see how you're doing" day at the fitness center. The trainer I use at the fitness center for core training wanted to do an eval as well as change up the routine. My arms are still shaking. I have only had to do gym time 2-3 days a week plus riding a couple but now it seems to be bumping up. I'll be in the gym 5 days a week and on the bike 2 as well as throwing in the spin classes here and there. I remember as I trained for my last big ride it turned into a 7 day a week program and I really enjoyed it and it just became a part of my life. I suspect I will start riding my bike to work again as the mornings get a little lighter, which they will start to do on December 22! I know that's a stretch but I hate the short days and add a cloudy short day and it's even worse.

Anyway, today was all upper body drills. By the end I didn't know if I could live through it. My arms were shaking like crazy. Was told to give it two weeks and that what we did today was "system shock". Oh it was shock alright. It was really funny though because when I went to the locker room I was so glad I was the only one in there because if anyone would have seen me reaching into my locker for my shirt they would have been concerned. I could barely lift my arm. I'm really looking forward to getting back in the shape I should be in and maybe...just maybe... I can ride with the big dawgs once again!

Take care!

Pushing away the plate

It's not often that I push away a plate of Corky's BBQ but I did just that tonight. Terri was in Hot Springs with her mom shopping so Em picked me up after work and we stopped by Corky's for dinner. I had the sandwich and fries and could only eat half. Em was eating and said, "Dad, I can't eat anymore." It was a touchdown moment because right at that moment I realized I was full. I know I know... you don't leave Corky's on your plate but I was full too.

Work was good today. Stayed busy and even though one of my vendors stopped by with a huge 3 stacked box of candies and cookies, I passed and didn't eat the stuff. Boy, you could tell it was Christmas time in my office. My VP's office is 2 doors down from mine and she cranked up the tunes on her computer this morning and I could hear several folks down there laughing and talking.

I would have been down there too but was finishing up a report for one of the directors I recruit for. She asked for a "spy" report. Those are reports where we go out on the web and watch discussion boards, blogs or anything else that might give us an inside track. It's really called competetive intel. I enjoy doing them because I get to jump all over the web.

I suspect the week will grow quiter and quiter. I have big hopes that the rain will come and go by Friday morning so I can be outside. We'll be at Trans- Sib concert on Thursday night and then to a friend's house for a party on Friday night and then family from Saturday to Monday. Busy busy!

Wanna watch something wild (bicycle...guys...I'm talking bicycle here! Gee!)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=558456953

Take care!