It was a WooHoo sort of day!

Oh before I start... there is NO new bike! I thought it would be an early April Fools joke but no one reads the comments posted so it was a bust. I will have a bike out testing it Tuesday night on the club ride.

The rains ended Saturday afternoon so I got a nice 32 miles in but the rain brought out every bug in Arkansas to the river. I could not ride hard at all becasue the minute you open your mouth you'd get some tastey all natural protein. There were times when I would go through swarms of bugs.

Ok, yes I rode all day (well, after early services) and I ended wth 106 miles at 15.3 average. I felt really good the whole day until the very end and I took a big drink of some left over sports drink that was hot in one of my water bottles and about 15 minutes later my tummy went south. I forgot about hot sports drinks. Ugh!

I ran into Rebecca Irons out early and rode with her a little. Chris was with the team in NW Ark for the race. Fast Girls, Slow Guys did well it sounds like with fast girl Jo doing some smoking in the Ozarks! Way to go Jo baby! Wooooo! Brian was in the big crash but is fine. Bruised up a bit as is Loren (?) Jenny's daughter. Way to rock the race FGSG team!

Oops, got off subject... so I rode with half a dozen different folks today. It was really good to get out and see if the legs could handle the 100. They did great but the tummy incident really ticked me off as I was going to ride 4 more hours to sunset.

My first very brief stop was at the offices of Safe Foods (www.safefoods.net). It's the offices where my coach works. When you go to the website and the different screen change then when you see the smiling guy with the suit that has the title of Legal Guru then that's my coach. Don't let the smile fool you because if you have him for a coach he can "motivate" the snot out of you. Ok, honestly, he is an awesome coach!

My second stop of the day was while I was riding solo early and stopped at the state capitol. I never get close up to the place even though I drive in front of it every morning. I took a close look at the front of the capitol which is really a work of art then I rode over to the side and stopped at an memorial that I really wasn't expecting to have an effect on me but came very close to bringing tears to my eyes. The Little Rock Nine. This is a memorial to the first nine black students that went to Central High in 1957. It was a ... well, there really aren't words to dscribe it. It was a lesson, turning point, blessing, and hell all at the same time. Each of the nine have a plate with a quote. As I read the one from Ernest Green I stopped and looked beyond the trees to see the children's hospital. At that very moment it became very clear why I will ride for those kids. The quote is, "We wanted to widen the options for ourselves and more for our children." I want the kids to have a better shot at hearing technology as a child then I did. I want them to hear and to succeed. Ernest Green, thank you!

Later I caught up with some others and rode out the rest of the day with them until the end when I dropped off after spotting my niece Shannon on her way to a soccer game.

This was a guy out enjoying the river and super spring afternoon. Friends told me that I need to use THIS bike for our ride in June.

All in all it has been a great weekend!

Geo.

It's a Plan "B" day

Ok, it's a Plan "B" day...

After a fitful nights sleep, which I always do if I have an early ride time schduled, I woke at 5:15 and got ready to ride. The deck out the back door was damp but no rain! I ate a quick breakfast and flipped on Weather Channel. Yep, rain is heading this way but maybe we'll get a few minutes of riding in today.

I grab my gear bag and head out into the garage, open the door and here it comes... rain. Big sigh of disappointment then turn around and head back into the house, flip the coffee maker on and stand there and stare at it.

I return to my stack of donor letters and it's a growing stack to say the least. I plan on making an impact for these kids I'll be riding for. If I can help make the life of a hearing impaired kid a little better and help him/her to succeed in life then I'm happy. To change it for many? Well, honestly that would be like winning the lottery, I can't comprehend it! It's too good! But it does happen to people! We all dream!

Ok, true confessions... actually two. First, the story about the new bike was an early April Fool's joke but not many folks read the comments attached to the daily entry's so it was a bust. I really do love that bike and am actually taking it out for a test on Tuesday night for the club ride.

Confession #2: Yes, I'm becoming very nervous about going for 3 weeks without a hearing aid and basically being completely without hearing. It's just outpatient surgery but the ear has to heal. Dr. Dornhoffer, who is a hero to me and many others, said no bike for 1 week but no hearing aid for 3!! No music or laughter is just something that spooks me to no end. Serious, can you imagine not hearing anything? Stop for a moment and list all the things you can hear at this very moment. Now take them ALL away. Nope, you can't even hear the tapping of the keyboard, no music, no family voices, no friends voices not even the lawn mower if you were standing right beside it. Spooky huh? That my friends is EXACTLY why I am riding for these kids!

Plan "B" calls for riding in the beautiful forecasted sunny and 80 degrees tomorrow! I can't wait!

All for the kids!
Geo

Weekend quick hit...

Ok lunch is almost over so I have to write fast! Here are the weekend training plans.
Saturday morning:
6:30 start time from hut at the bottom of the Big Dam Bridge (yes, that's really what it's called)
We'll ride until the start of the diabetes charity ride, Tour de Cure

We'll ride the century at a social pace (about 15mph) due to the long day in the saddle. When we finish we'll stay down on the river and continue riding until every falls over.

Ok, Plan "B" -- There is a 70% chance of rain tomorrow (Saturday).
Move long rides to Sunday, start around 10:30 (after early service), ride until the sun goes does around 7:30.

Goal: Must have 100 miles in at least one day this weekend.

Oh goodness! What have I done?!!!

I bought this jewel and she's fast and I'm in soooo much trouble! My wife is out of town on business and I haven't mentioned it to her yet. I was supposed to buy a new lawn mower but I bought a bike instead. Oh friends... someone let me stash this Specialized beauty in your garage until I figure out what to do!

The rain cometh!

There are rivers of yellow flowing down the roads! The rain finally came and started washing the pollen off of everything. It's been a mess! Everyone has yellow cars.

Since we are having rain I took it as a cue to work some more on the donor letters. It's actually fun to do but really time consuming so I get up a lot earlier so I can work on them before the sun raises and then I can spend after work on the bike and with family. I don't see how these men and women that train for the Ironman races do it. I have one bud that gets up at 4am to swim.

Everything is really come together for a great ride event. I got an email from Unitron, the maker of my hearing aid, and they will be a part of the event and gave me news that made me jump and yell! Serious! They made a donation. It's a major one! More details later... yep, it's like getting that little bit of frosting off the spoon and wondering how great the dessert will be when it's all finished! To Sue, Brian and all the wonderful staff at Unitron, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have changed so many lives with your products. I still remember the day I stepped out of my car that afternoon I got my Unitron and I heard the dry leaves rolling across the parking lot.... magic doesn't even capture it! Hearing things I've not heard since I was a kid. It was a then and there moment that you just never forget! Thank you!

Audiology Online has also jumped on with a great donation and a story that will be worth gold! Paul and Joanne are the best in helping me tell the story in hopes that folks want let a hearing impairment stop them from what they love to do.

Tomorrow will find me back out on the bike and training on the hills. This is one of the little hills out the back side of my neighborhood. It's a nice hill that makes me think of new words as I climb it. I took this photo about midway down. What you can't see is that after what looks like the bottom of the hill, well, it goes on and on and on. It's great for training and car are used to seeing cyclist back there some they're good. I've only had one crazy car in all the years I've been training on this.

I saw the forecast for Saturday and we are supposed to ride in the morning, then ride to the Diabetes ride called Tour de Cure and ride their century then ride more after the ride. On the saddle for at least 8 hours Saturday is the plan. Keep your fingers crossed the weather plays fair! I'll go nuts if I have to cancel a whole training day.

I have this weekend and next then I have my canal plasity (sp?) and have to stay off the bike for a week and no hearing aid allowed for up to 3. Man, it's going to be an expereince when I enter 3 weeks of no sound. In all honesty, I think it will make me a better man. It will make me understand what a deaf person goes through. It will make me train that much harder to ride that much better for the kids.

Remember... it's ALL for the kids!

Geo.

Saturday ride

What a day I tell ya'll! It was great right from the start. Beautiful morning with spring time temps and light wind. I was just about to head out and Emand Terri got up so I stuck around to greet the morning with them. I rolled out about 8:30 and headed down North Hills to the river. I was feeling great this morning! Full of energy and had a big smile on my face ... well til the bugs started hitting my teeth! HA!

When I got down the the river I remembered that last week I noticed the new baseball stadium had it's gates open for the workers to come and go. I decided I would take and get in and sure enough the gates were open and I rode my bike right through the gates and into the stadium. What a beautiful place! I can't wait to go to a game there!

Just after I left the baseball stadium I rode right by the Hilton and there were two tour buses there. I had forgotten that Evanescence (sp?) is in town town. Actually they are back "Home" tonight. They are from Little Rock! The buses were all roped off and it was funny because one of the buses also had a black hummer sitting in the roped off section as well. I suspected that the leader singer Amy Lee went home to crash. Alltel Arena is non stop shows and concerts this spring. The Who was heere a couple of nights ago and I heard it was great. Rod Stewart is coming, Evanescence is tonight. Cirque is coming in late May. There are several others I'm sure.

While I was riding by the Hilton another rider rode up beside me and lo and behold it was Rick Beall! He is one of the guys that got me back on the bike several years ago. We had a great ride and rode together until we got to the boat ramp and dropped off for the Trek bikes demo days. They were really ready and would be there until 4 so I left and got more miles in. I came back a while later and spoke with the demo guy and got to take a sick Trek Pilot 5.0 out for a while! I'm in love! The bike I have is actually too big but I've been happy with it for over 3 year now. Well, I finally rode one that was my size for the first time and it was candy! It was smooth, quick to change to giddy up, just pure love! If I can get a good trade in I might do it. Richard, the owner of the bike shop, found out today that his shop sold me the bike and said he was sorry several times. I told him it was cool and that I have been happy with it for 3 years now. I really am. Yep, that's the Pilot over in the photo. He also suggested an different Specialized so I'll probably go at least look. Maybe since I have them as a sponsor then I can get are really go deal. If anyone wants a bike, go see Robb or Richard at Arkasnas Bike and Fitness and tell them I sent you!

Stats: 46 miles

Average speed: 16.2

Did not count miles on the Pilot demo.

Year to date miles: 868.10

Thursday night

Great training ride tonight. Everyone was in the zone and playing hard. When I got to where I normally park my car it was close to 6 already so I expected to see them coming through within seconds but no club. I rode toward the starting point and I could see them up on the hill in the parking lot about to start. They would be coming my way so i started down the route. Just as I got to Ft Roots they fast guys caught me. I rode the rest of the ride in the mid group.

Awesome aftenoon and evening to be out. We had to stay away from Alltel since The Who was in town.

I'm ready for the weekend!
Geo.

It's PHONAK!

Kelly (Phonak), Patti (Driector of ACH Audiology/Speech), Me, Nanette (UAMS), and Mary Martha (ACH -- my Audiolgist guru)

Wow! What an awesome day yesterday was! I had so much to get done but somehow it all feel in place.

I met with Phonak rep Kelly in our Audiology Center here at the hospital and we discussed all sorts of things to do during the ride in June. Kelly wired me for FM and it was mind blowing to say the least! Kids these days have such an advantage when it comes to hearing impairments. Kelly had me put on this necklace and then she had a control that looked like a remote. She was able to pick up my hearing aid signal (that was mind blowing enough!) and then she started talking and I sat there with my mouth opened in awe! Serious! Everyone in the room was laughing. Hear speech was actually IN my hearing aid. Then she got up and walked down the hall a long ways and I could here every word she said and very loud. What this was, was the FM device that they now use in the school system to help kids with hearing problems. There were all sorts of ways to configure the system. I could even answer the cell phone by a touch of the button and not even pulling the cell phone out and the voice was inside my hearing aid. Thanks PHONAK!

I met up with the club and we rode out to Ft Roots for climbing and socializing. After we all flew down the hill we rode the road a little bit then turned around to head back to Burn’s Park. I was riding along with David M and his son Blake (up and coming bike star!). We rode up Ft Roots again instead of chasing the crew to Burn’s. On the way up it was great to listen to David coaching his son. David has been around the cycling world for a long time and is know as a strong rider. He is also married to Lori who works here at the hospital as a Telecommunications Director. While going up the hill the second time Blake told me this was his first time to climb Ft Roots. Wha?!! The kid is a turning into a strong riding machine! I think his is 13. I remember last year when he came out with us and he did great then for a young rider but now he is really zoning in on his skills. When you hear the name Blake Mc talked about on the Jr circuit, you remember where you heard it first!

The rest of the ride was good and I met up with the guys over in Burn’s for the tail end of the ride and social jabbering in the parking lot afterwards.

All in all it was just a great day!
Geo.

Presenting the new jersey!!!!

I hope you all can see this! It's the most awesome jersey I've ever laid my eyes on! Jon has really gone over the top on this one! I hope you can click on it and see the big version. This is the jersey we are getting for the River 2 River ride in June!


Have you ever had those days where you look up and several days have gone by and you didn't even realize it? From last Thursday until this afternoon have been sort of a zip-zap-zoom. I worked through the day Thursday with really no sleep.

Friday -- Terri and I went to Roma for dinner. Oh man, I could live in that place!

Saturday -- stuff around the house then a nice 69.7 mile ride at 15.7 mph average. Then we grilled for dinner! Yummmmm!

Sunday -- Church, down to Benton to visit Dad, back to Sherwood, worked on donor letters for the ride in June, had friends over.

Monday -- Work, spent all afternoon doing pre-surgery for my ear surgery in April. 4 hours of docs and waiting. Gee whiz! Got home, rode 29 miles and was very surprised to see a 17.1 average especially since I rode the hill in the backside of Burn's Park. Saw my first snake of the season. It had just been hit by a car and was still moving a little.

Ok, Dad news... first of all, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the kind notes, emails and phone calls. Dad has been moved to a "skilled nursing" area. I thought the name was funny. Aren't all nurses skilled? Anyway, he has a huge room and the unit is set up so that he learns daily living skills again. The whole illness was centered around diabetes. He is doing things that he hasn't been able to do in 3 years! He has workouts a couple times a day. When we saw him yesterday he looked like a different man all together! He even spent the night solo in his room. I think his life is going to be better and this whole thing was a wake up call for him. His mental alertness was so much better too!

Well y'all take care!
Geo

Not goin' down til the sun comes up!

"Not goin' down til the sun comes up" is a song by Garth Brooks but it was my dad's anthem last night. Yep, I spent the night at the hospital with my daddy. I think he slept for maybe 2 hours all night. I slept for a couple of 10 minute sessions and here I am shoveling down my yogurt and working through the day like no one's business. Lunch as usual. Ok, that's a lie... I am working but like a propped up zombie jacked up on a veni (the jumbo cup) from Java City. My boss asked me how many I would have today and I predicted 3. Ya do what ya gotta do!

Spending the night in a hospital with my dad was actually good for me. I think I now know why my sister Sherry actually enjoys some of her insomniac nights. The world is very quite and still. I sat in a chair beside the window of his 5th floor window and watched trucks going down I-30. I began to get the silly's about 4:30 and tried to guess what was in the trucks. I had convinced myself that one of them was full of those Tickle Me Elmo toys that dance. But I also had deep thoughts. Thoughts about all of my family. Where we've been. Where we're going.

At one time when I did doze off I woke 8 minutes later to find my dad standing beside his bed without his walker. I had thought that he would be sleeping all night since he was up the night before and didn't sleep during the day. My first thought was the siblings are gonna kill me if he falls. I kept my eye on him the rest of the night. Just as he would go to sleep the nurse would come in to check vitals. At 5:30 he started shaking violently and I was just about to hit the door for the nurse station but he was yelling about being so cold. He was dreaming. When he realized this and was awake his face looked like a scared child. In all honesty, he was looking into the face of his scared child. I sat in the chair that I had now pulled up to against the bedside and put my hand on his shoulder to let him know I was there and he returned to sleeping. I sat in the early morning darkness wondering just how many nights he had done the same for me when I was a child.

Like ah hot pink storm!

It happened tonight! The "family" was all back together and what a fun time it was! The 6pm start time at Cook's and as I rolled into the parking lot I'm greeted long before I ever roll to a stop. Sort of like the beginning of the tv show "Cheers". It's just a warm fuzzy feeling when you have a bike group like the one I ride with. Ok, it was warm fuzzy until after a couple miles then it was "eat my shorts!". The kids are soooo fast this year. I remember when I first started riding with them and we rode along about 18mph. I think the 18mph was within the first couple of pedal strokes tonight. But it was all good! No wrecks, no pukes... just a good time had by all.

When we started it was like a rolling dust storm heading across the desert! Folks could see it long before it hit and when it hit, you knew it. There was a running club that had just finished as we started and they all sort of stood there with their mouths open in awe. Or maybe they were gasping for air. Then there were families walking along that stopped just to watch us roll by. Several smiled and waved. I always wished we had water bottles to toss over to kids. Hey, they don't know we don't ride "that ride over in France".

Spotted several Carve out training and one of the Competitive Cyclist guys rode with us tonight.

Yale took a bunch of photos so as soon as he post them I'll beg to snag a few and post here so you can see just how big the ride was.

Later y'all!

Oh yeah baby!!!

Emotional roller coaster the past few days.

Sunday my Dad was admitted to the hospital. I spoke with one sister and she said he was ok and I should come tomorrow. Later another sister called (there are 4 of them) and said you should go on down and see him, "it's bad". I drop what I'm doing and rush down the interstate. Yes, Dad looked trouble and they had him drugged up. I stayed until about 9:30 and drove back home. Went to work until 11 and heading back down there. He was a lot better. He had been passing out for a couple of days and was really weak. The jury is still out right now.

While I sat in the room with my parents it made me realize how lucky I was at my age to still have both parents. My mom asked if I would give Dad a shave and it was instantly an retro moment of standing on the closed toilet watching my daddy shave and wanting to do it so bad! He always gave me shaving cream to play with. Now here I am shaving my dad while he lays in a hospital bed. We both get tickled. I tried to put shaving cream between his lip and nose and I think half of it went up his nose. I took forever for me to get the shaving done. Sort of like tying a tie on a little boy. It's all done opposite from what you're used to. It was a good moment. A moment that reminds me of my upbringing.

I just now got a call from yet another sister and said she dad was doing much better. They are still looking at other stuff just to be sure but hopefully he will go home in a couple days.

My niece from was there with funny stories about her twins. I have to share this one. She was telling me that she could hear the little boy crying and went to check on him and the little girl (they're twins) was right in his face and had been licking his head and his hair was coated in spit! Another time the little girl was screaming and she ran in there to find the little boy with a fist full of her hair pulling and he was laughing. I'll get to see them in May when I go up for the Joe Martin Stage races. Can't wait!

Ok, yes it's daylight savings and oh yes... I'm excited!!! I rode for a while last night after i got back from the hospital. I had to do something after sitting for so long.

Tonight is the return of the Fast Girls Slow Guys Tuesday/Thursday night rides. I suspect there will be 50 or more folks out there. It will be a good time had by all. I'll take my spot close to the back while the racers will rip the assfault (he he he) off the road! Last night during my ride I saw a gathering of Carve all stopped and chatting. I bet they were talking race strategy for when the racing season starts. They will have a new force to recon with when Fast Girls Slow Guys start in. The season is sort of like a blockbuster movie you've been waiting for. The critics are gonna love it!

Well lunch is over and got to get back after it.

Oh, by the way, guess who I get to meet with next week... yes it's about the ride in June... Yes it's a major company... yes, they are coming here!!! PHONAK!!!!!! Rumor has it they also want to try some new technology while I'm training and riding.

Welcome spring!

It's here and I'm so happy! I woke this morning to see sunshine and blue skies after a rainy evening last night. The streets were already drying and the temp was comfortable. It was setting up to be an epic day! I had a light breakfast of just a couple of cinna-sticks and a cup of coffee and then was in the planning mode. I knew I was going to ride a lot today and wanted to get it started.

Loaded up and headed to the river. The plan was to ride laps around the river as well as some side trips. I pulled into the parking lot and Fonda, Mitch and another guy had just come in from a ride out to Scott (farmland). We spoke for a little bit and they headed home while I started getting my stuff ready to ride. Then the big "Ot-o"!! Ok they must have slid under the seat... nope. Big sigh... no shoes! I always check before leaving the house but somehow missed putting my shoes back in the bag after my last ride. Back to the house, got shoes, back to the river... 40 minutes blown.

Finally got going and it's getting foggier and foggier. It's getting cooler too. The more I rode toward the dam the darker and colder it was getting. Everyone coming my way had jackets and tights on. I have on shorts and a short sleeve jersey. No way, I turn around and start riding back toward the car and will ride toward Scott (farmlands). I ride to England! It's one the the best rides! Very light breeze if any. No traffic for most of the ride. The fields are being turned for planting and several have dark green grass growing. Not sure if it's a cover crop or for hay. It's really a mental lift to see the field all green. I ride back to the parking lot and still feel good so I ride around the river trail. Lots of bikes out and everyone seems to be smiling and happy winter is over!

I met up with Paul Creel over at Cook's. For those of you who pray, please pray for Paul's dad. He's been in the hospital for a month and has heart problems. Paul was finally getting to get out and ride a bit today and was waiting on some friends to show up. I pedaled on but after stopping and talking to my body got out of sync. I wasn't tired until then. I guess when I stopped I must have cooled down. I was still moving at 17 but I was feeling the love now. Bummer. I rode back to the car and called it for the day.

I was surprised to see my readings: 78.1 miles with a 16.6 average. Not bad at all for my first good long ride of the spring!

Since tomorrow is the beginning of daylight savings (excuse me a moment I must do a little jig!) and it's basically Christmas to me, I'll ride a recovery ride tomorrow of about 30-40 miles then maybe start riding home from the hospital. There are lots of options!

I started putting the donor letters together last night after Terri and I got back from eating out. I have 500 return envelopes. I have no telling how many companies with owner names in the cities along the route. I will hit them first since we'll be riding right through their towns. there are several cities that I can't go after such as Russellville, Conway, Clarksville since they already have ACH Circle of Friends chapters there rasing money for the hospital. The rest is fair game!

I sent a letter to FRS yesterday and got a response back from a staff member and the letter was heading over to sponsorship dept! I'm hoping since the ride is extreme distance they will jump on board! And yes I used their products today. Between that and the weather, I think that's why it was an epic riding day!

Enjoy the weekend!
Geo.

I'm now an FRS snob!

Ok, I admit, I'm an FRS products snob and for a good reason... they are awesome products! I ordered the chews and tried one this morning before leaving the house for work. I could tell all morning long that something was different. It's not like coffee/sugar rush. It's just a feeling like you had the best nights sleep you've ever had and your mentally very alert. I was plowing through my work and it was all just flowing.

More later...

Don't let the sun go down on me...

It was one of those afternoons where the weather was perfect and the riding was good! I rode from the hospital and Terri picked me up around 6:30 after her meeting. It was a get afternoon of riding. I felt strong.

I spotted Carve out for there team training. Spotted a few Compeitive Cyclist team guys out. Season is about to begin!!! Woo Hoooo!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting but it's been very busy!!

We had about a thousand kids running in the Little Rockers Marathon! Lots of fun and the hospital is a major sponsor. We chalked up the streets all around the hospital with messages to the kid runners.

In a few minutes I'll head out from the office on my bike and ride until the sun goes down. Should get close to 30-35 miles in.Coach Rogers has really turned up the heat on my riding. Long saddle time.

Daylight savings starts next week so I'll be able to train a LOT after work and outside now! I LOVE daylight savings!.

Chris Irons, on of the River 2 River riders raced his bike on Saturday and threw down a sick 1/2 marathon on Sunday. Crazy man! All the Fast Girls Slow Guy runners did awesome! Congrats freinds!! WooHoooo!

The jersey is going into the coloring stages so we'll see a color version of the front before long! Yes!!Thanks for reading!Geo.

Little Rock Marathon

Here's a few shots of the marathon today.... more and write up tomorrow...

Anybody here?

I just think these signs on my ride are a hoot!

Afternoon on the Arkansas River

Spring is almost here!

A week from tomorrow is daylight savings time!

No one on the river trail this afternoon.

I spent the early morning reading a new book I bought. Yep, another bike touring journal. Miles From Nowhere by Barbara Savage. She and her husband ride around the world. So far they have started in CA, up to Canada, across the US, down to FL fly to Spain... Reading 2 ride journals back to back plus reading journals at www.crazyguyonabike.com has really got me into the touring mood!

The weather outside was cold and windy but otherwise a beautiful sun kissed day. I worked around the house until about 4 then headed out for a ride. 45 minutes later I'm finishing up. I was one of 3 bikes this afternoon. I should have guessed that when there are no runners or bikes on the river then something is going on. I suspect most of the runners are chowing down and resting for the big marathon tomorrow. http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/

Friday afternoon quickie...

Just a quick one... it's been busy this week and looking forward to weekend.

Check this out!!! Fox 16 is going to show the finish line of the Little Rock Marathon live!
Here's your link!
http://www.fox16.com/content/marathon/default.aspx

Looks like about 1,000 kids will be running in the little rockers marathon. I'll be riding my bike as the lead out complete with ACH gear on and bunny ears! They are supposed to chase a rabbit! What can I say, I do just about anything for ACH! HA!

Also heard something like 9,000 runners for the marathon! WOO HOOO!!! We'll be putting up signs Saturday night for the runners and chalking the road by the hospital on Sunday midmorning.

Lots and lots of excitement here in central Arkansas this weekend!

Wednesday

I know, boring title. We had a Code Green (Outside of hospital disaster) drill today at the hospital is it was for a bomb that went off in a town about 45 minutes south of here. By the end of the drill it had 13,000 victims. Spooky stuff. Being in HR I didn't have a role but we had some lively discussion at lunch. They have to do these fake press releases as well so one said the situation was under control. I would bet stacks of 100 dollar bills that the staff would be under control and doing what they are trained to do but outside the hosital would not be under control.

I ordered some new FRS stuff a few moments ago. I got the chews! Hey if the chews work anything like the drink, I'll be a customer of theirs for life. Since I have the orange drink I thought I'd try the Lemon-Lime chews.

Tomorrow starts the beginning of the hospital itness challenge. I have the least amount on my team (25) but they are 25 coworkers that I know will do some sort of excercise 3x a week for the next 90 days. Last year I tried to get a lot of folks on my team then after they signed up, got their t-shirt and did the first all hosital walk then they didn't do nothing else. So I had this huge drop out rate and lost. This year my team won't win but I wan't have a drop rate either! there is one nurse that has 214 people on her team and that's awesome! I told me team we were in it for the fun!

The late edition

WooHoo... It was a rocket boy ride home. A little longer than I expected but still a lot of fun. I left the office at 5:15 and rolled in at 6:28. I didn't realize it was that much longer. I even rode about 200 yards on a really busy road but (Thank you Lord) there were on about 5 cars that passed and all were nice. No horn honking and this 200 yards is all up hill. there are a couple of parking lots so I'm able to pull over and let folks by. I had my reflective road worker vest over my backpack and had my rear flasher light blinking so I was visible. This will certainly be a training habit. Next Sunday when the time changes it will be so much better.

Ok, I admit, I'm an FRS snob now. I LOVE this stuff! I drank it about 30 minutes before riding and I was pushing 18 solo into the wind and wasn't tired. How sick is that?!

Life is good!

Tuesday 02.27.07

Ahhh, some folks talk about the beach being paradise but we’ve got it here in Little Rock! Another beautiful spring day!

The bike in down in the employee kitchen and I’m riding the baby home! I’m almost giddy with excitement! I'm planning to ride over to the capitol then down the river trail, over the BDB and back through a couple of neighborhoods into Sherwood.

Sorry for the short entry but lunch is about over. Check back later tonight for the ride home edition.

While munching on lunch...

It's a beautiful day here in Arkansas and as I sit at my desk munching on my lunch you can tell that spring is here. Folks are out, the air is cool but it doesn't matter because the sun is shining. Ah, just makes you glad to be alive!

I kept meaning to talk about an observation I made the other day. We, Mrs. Geo and I, had to make a stop at Kroger on the way home the other day. She asked me to just pull to the curb so she could dash in and pick up some stuff to grill out. As I was sitting there watching all the people coming in and out, I got bored and played a man game. Guys, you know the one… would I go out with that lady, would I marry that lady, and sorry honey but you are not for me. Did you know every woman that walked out of the store was in the “sorry, you are not for me” category. Then out came Mrs. Geo… oh my gosh, she’s a keeper! Serious! The way she walked, what she had on, carrying fresh meat in a plastic bag… man, she was.. gee, no words could describe it. Serious! I’m always reminded over and over why she was the one for me!

Yesterday was one of those perfect days! I went to church, went to my parents and had momma’s cooking and even got home in time for a good 3 hour ride! I rode later than usual for a Sunday afternoon and saw a lot of folks I’ve never seen before. Also saw a bi-zillion families on the BDB enjoying the afternoon. As I was coming back over the BDB I noticed a large group of folks had completely blocked the bridge and then I saw a bike laying down. Oh man, first thought was that a bike and a person had collided. There was a lady sitting down leaned against the rails and I made my way through the crowd and asked if everyone was ok? I know, dumb question. I thought if it was a biker, I meant know them. I didn’t but a man asked if I had some sugar. Seems she was a diabetic. She got a couple of espresso gels. Oh yeah, I bet she was rocking about 30 minutes later. She seemed to be ok and I headed on with my ride. The whole ride was solo but that was good since it was for training. I didn’t need to draft. I needed to have the wind try and push me back (headwind) and that it did. Then it times it pushed me forward (tailwind) to the point of wanting to yell out, “I’m rocket boy! Weeeee!” HA! Some days are just like that.

Looks to be a good week ahead and I have my fingers crossed that I’ll ride the bike home from the hospital tomorrow. Mrs. Geo has a reception after hours so I can either bum a ride or I can bring my bike to work and ride it home. It would be my first ride home since the BDB opened. I’ll only have a short section of road (Camp Robinson) where there will be traffic and traffic there will be! But from here I can ride all the way to the BDB and then some on the NLR side before I ever have to get on the road. My thinking is that by the time I get on the busy roads it will be about 5:30 or a tad later and most will have already gone through. Weather is light breeze, sunny and lower 60’s. Does that not sound like the perfect commute home weather?!

Later on Saturday

Well the storm came and tore up the littel town of Dumas. Sad, that little town is a stopping point whenever we go to Terri's folks in Navarre, Florida. Our little Subway and Mickey D's is gone that we would stop at. The errie thing about the big storms in Arkansas is that they always seem to hit just around March 1st.

I worked around the house and then climbed up on the horse and spun for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Had a nice average and felt strong through the whole ride. I had the tv going on Rugby which is a wicked sport! Man, I loved it! Then I rod while the Tour of California was on. That was a great race! I'm not going to spoil it since some guys read this blog and record all the races to watch later.

Several of the club are headed to Mt Magazine for training tomorrow. There is also a Carve ride right by Mom and dad's house. I hope to spot them when we go down for lunch tomorrow. My schedule calls for a 6 hour ride today and 3 tomorrow but I flipped it and rode 2 today and will ride hopefully 4 tomorrow. I've not seen my parents in a few weeks so that is taking priority tomorrow. With daylight savings coming in 2 weeks, I'll be riding home from the office some days. It's nice now with the new bridge because I can ride the LR side, come over the bridge and then cut throught he back of the neighborhood. I do have to get on Camp Robinson for a stretch but hope that most of the rush hour traffic would already have gone through.

Remember that FRS stuff I was going to try? Oh man, that's the best stuff I've ever used! It's a great steady energy source unlike coffee/sugar buzz. I think that's why my last 3 rides have been strong. Like today, I felt great the whole time on the spin and everytime I looked at my speed it seemed to be 17.2. Heart rate was good too. I'm considering asking them for a sponsorship for the June ride. Even in-kind sponsorship would be great.

Geo out!

Stormy Saturday

I woke extra early (5:30am) in hopes I could ride before the forecasted rain and storms got here. The deck was already wet but it wasn't raining at the moment. I noticed my neighbor's motion lights were on on her deck and I stood watching for a moment just to be sure as she is a retiree who lives alone. I spotted 3 HUGE raccoons coming off the top of her house and down the trellis on to her deck. These must be the same guys that Saydee goes nuts over when we let her out sometimes at night.

The plan has me scheduled for 6 hours on the bike today but not going to happened with the storms. I actually considered going down to the river and riding easy flat miles as long as the rain wasn't hard but (Flash and BOOM)... ok maybe not. The strange thing is that it's 9:45 now and that was about 8 and it hasn't flashed or boomed since. Got a downpour for 5 minutes. It is a dark day out there though.

I painted a couple more of the cabinet doors and have my fingers crossed that they dry today!

More later...

Mardi Gras - Fat Tuesday

It's Mardi Gras day! Fat Tuesday! The kids were having a ACH Mardi Gras parade today and even threw beads at us! What a hoot! I'm proud of how the staff get together to make hospital stays as fun as they can be.

Even though I'm not Catholic, one of my coworkers that used to work across the hall from me taught me a lot about lent. I think it's a good think to give up something for 40 days. So until Easter I vow to give up something that will be very hard. My coworker said that it is to be a personal thing and not something you broadcast.

I took yesterday off the bike as a recovery day from Sunday's ride. My quads were shot after that ride.

I got home from the hospital and jumped on the bike for a fast and hard ride through the neighborhood. Coach told me to work on speed and less hills but I have nothing but hills around here and I wanted to get some time in before the sun went down. I pushed as hard as I could and got home to find an average of 18.2mph!! WooHoo!

Great ride today! Warm temps and longer daylight! Yep, it's all good!

Note to my Aussie friends...

Rodney, Chris, all of you readers from Aussie land. I got a hold of Tim Tams! Oh yeah baby... those are gooood! So cool that you can suck coffee through a cookie! Give me some more ideas of stuff to go get at the Aussie store! They have a bunch of candy and foods.

G'day!
Geo.

Almost a week since? Had no idea!

It's been almost a week since I blogged? Guess I was busier than I thought... or lazy. Let me see, Terri went to Dallas (or some city around there) and she's back. Em went to TN and she's on I-40 between Memphis and home. I started a major project in the kitchen and took a break from it today. The sun came back out and the temps today were nice. Winter might be leaving soon as the temps are on the up and up all week. Saw where we might see 75 degrees by next weekend!

The tour of California has started and I'm sort of bummed I didn't get to go out for some of it.

Tyler came over and hung out Friday night. Granddog Zero came over too. Funny little dog! Tyler bought a house around the Park Hill area! Nice little place for a first house! He closes in 2 weeks. Yep, he and Shalyn are still friends but no wedding at least not anytime soon.

I got to ride with the club today! The riding was good! I saw and spoke to a lot of guys I haven't caught up with in a while.What's in store for this week? Like I said, warmer temps and longer daylight. We do have a storm day about mid week I think with winds of 20-35 mph. Afterwards I think that's when life as we know and love it returns. I'm turning off my hospital card privilege at Java City so the sole purpose of getting out of the latte habit. I love the stuff but added up my habit and the calories attached. Thanks but that will help the tummy to go away faster! By the way, the jersey I had on was a small today. No kidding. I very relaxed fit small.

Funny article in the paper today. The LR Marathon is coming in a few weeks and the hospital is a major sponsor of the Little Rockers. It's where the kids run 25 miles over the course of months and then run their last mile at the marathon on a different course. It's huge! I mean a bi-zillion kids. Anyway they asked me last year if I'd ride in front of the runners and I did and it was fun and those kids can run a lot faster than I had given them credit for! So I'm reading the article and it says that I'm going to be riding as the lead out for the kids. Cool. then it says and he will be wearing a bunny suit?!!!?? WHA???!!!!!! A bunny suit? Buh ha ha ha ha!!! Oh, this is going to be a hoot! I'll do it since it's for the hospital and for fun but how did I ever agree to a bunny suit? Excuse me, I probably need to turn up my hearing aid! HA!Y'all have a great day!

Spoke-un

The ride yesterday took me to a hood I've not riden through in a long time. Big houses, tennis courts, swiming pools and water falls. Also a few speed bumps. Nothing like zooming down through a hood feeling the love and hitting a speed bump and snapping a couple of spokes and knocking the wheel untrue. Got the wheel over to the bike shop right after work. I love those guys! Asked me if I wanted to wait for the repair but it was also closing time so I didn't want to be one of "those" customers. Everyone wants to go home at closing time! It'll be ready by the time I get off work tomorrow.

Sean had riden his bike over to the house the other night and broke the chain as he was leaving. I fixe that for him after dinner and luckily it's raining tonight so he'll put it in the back of his SUV and take it home. Told him to test it out after the rains near his house to make sure I got it linked back tight.

Love is in the air... ya got your "other" a Valentine yet. Man, you better turn this thin off and head for Hallmark!

Way to go Vince!

Vince Cucco made it across the state on his bike Saturday. Here's the link to the story and video.
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=41446
Way to go Vince!!

On the latter or on my butt

I have spent ALL day in our kitchen painting. I've either been on the latter on on my butt sitting on the floor. I have to say though it's really looking dandy! Terri is looking for new art, bar stools and different chairs for the kitchen eating area. The cabinets are really going to look cool! They'll have some sort of crackled look. The whole thing is supposed to have some "Tuscan cafe" feel to it.

I missed getting to ride a little bit with Vince today as he came through. I thought about him all day. He started at 3am this morning in Fort Smith and was riding across the state today. Close to the same route I'm doing in June.

I got a very nice surprise email today! Yale had collected money for the River 2 River ride! Has a stack of loot to donate. It was one of those times when you just sit and stare at the screen to be sure you really read what you think you read. The kindness of my friends has always overwhelms me. Thank you Yale!

I got another surprise email. I had a cousin from when I was little that I really enjoyed when we got to get together. As we grew up I have lost touch with many of my extended family. So I asked my mom where she thought Rick was. She gave me a good idea but he wasn't in that town anymore. Then I got wind of another place he might be and sure enough I got a reply! He and his wife of 30 years were about to leave on a cruise for their anniversary. He caught me up of others in the family. Rick, if you're reading this, I wish you and Gloria many more years of happiness!

Razorbacks (baseball) lost to Troy today. Bummer! Hawgs are #5. Now Hawg baseball is something I keep up with. Now when baseball games start you know spring is getting a little closer!

Tyler is at the ADDY awards tonight getting his first for a video he did! It's a swanky event where all the ad agency's mix, and cause drama. I'm so proud of him getting this top award after graduating with his degree just barely a year ago!

Tomorrow will be a ride afternoon! Yeah-izzzz!!! HA

On top of the world!

I'm on top of the world! I met with the PR group at the hospital and they are excited and full of ideas for the River 2 River ride. The room was crowded around the big conference table and everyone was in the mood. The ride is going to be so awesome and as we get more stuff wrapped up I'll tell you the details. One of the really really cool things is that it will be live streaming video. You'll be able to watch it as it happens! Technology is so awesome! There will also be a lot to do with hearing impaired children and I'll be including them as much as I can!

Coach has me on the recovery this weekend. A 3 hour ride is it. Next weekend it doubles. The training is really about to up the bar.

I'm having the time of my life these days!!

Geo out....

Midweek celebrations!

It's lunchtime at midweek! You know how I know it's exactly midweek? Because the test sirens blast every Wednesday at noon which signals we are officially on the downside of the week barreling towards the weekend!

Great day so far! Had my yearly eval and scored my highest in the 12 years I've been here! What's even better is that it was actually due in Nov 2006 so there is back pay all the way back to Nov 1st!!! WooHooo!!

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......