Busy day here. Domestic chores. Bike. Volunteering at the Kid's Tri in Bettendorf this evening.
I'll check back in later.
BCOT
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Friday
No blog today.
Talked to 4. She's done with school. And very anxious to meet up with her sisters.
2 and 4 are in the middle of wedding weekends with friends.
And 1 is trying to finalize her head count. Life is good.
Be careful out there.
Talked to 4. She's done with school. And very anxious to meet up with her sisters.
2 and 4 are in the middle of wedding weekends with friends.
And 1 is trying to finalize her head count. Life is good.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thursday
2 got off to Norman this AM. No problems.
I really like the alarm feature of my cell phone. On the rare occasion like this morning when I need an alarm, it's just easier to put it in the phone than to work my bed-side clock/radio.
Clemens couldn't record a strikeout last night in a shutout loss to the Orioles. Is he done? Glavin got #297 and Maddux #340 yesterday. How good are they?
Good luck to 4 as she wraps up her stay in Seville. Toughen up that internal constitution, Girl, to handle that trip to Paris!
I'm leaving a little early today to do another 20 miler. Coming home from a ride at 5:30 is a lot better than heading out at 4:45. People are just a little nuttier, and less patient, trying to get to their destination before 5PM.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
I really like the alarm feature of my cell phone. On the rare occasion like this morning when I need an alarm, it's just easier to put it in the phone than to work my bed-side clock/radio.
Clemens couldn't record a strikeout last night in a shutout loss to the Orioles. Is he done? Glavin got #297 and Maddux #340 yesterday. How good are they?
Good luck to 4 as she wraps up her stay in Seville. Toughen up that internal constitution, Girl, to handle that trip to Paris!
I'm leaving a little early today to do another 20 miler. Coming home from a ride at 5:30 is a lot better than heading out at 4:45. People are just a little nuttier, and less patient, trying to get to their destination before 5PM.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wednesday
Lunch with 3 today at Kelly's on 53rd Street. Their lunch platter of chicken strips feed two.
Good-bye din-din tonight for 2 at Granite City. She has a six bells flight tomorrow AM to Oklahoma for a weekend wedding of a college friend. And then she's off to Paris on Sunday. I'm her cab driver tomorrow at 0430.
Some rain here this afternoon to break the heat. Sounds like they could use the precipitation in Tahoe.
Discovery announced their TdF team today. A couple of surprises as two veterans were left off the squad in lieu of a couple of younger riders. Given the turmoil in the professional peloton right now, the sheen is off the prize.
Craig Wilson's lament today was the disinterest that he has for waiting in line. For anything. The subject was prompted by stories of people camping out at Best Buy or Radio Shack to buy the new iPhone. If my Google search function for 4000 Days was operational, I bet we could find previous comments from this author about my own disdain for lines. Everybody is stealing my material.
USA Today has been running stories all week about families taking care of aging parents and the issues that thusly develop. And the decisions that have to be made. Been there. Done that. No worries here. My pal Bill has a Power of Attorney to run me over with a truck.
There was a very odd, and sad, story in the local paper today about a veteran teacher at a local high school who caught the gambling bug. Somehow the school got tipped off and she was dismissed. Turns out she had dipped into a small extra curricular activities account which she controlled to the tune of $1500+ over a period of years. Most of the embezzlement came in the form of withdrawals from an ATM on the local riverboat.
Here's another example of how greedy the credit card companies are by their own fine print. I made an error in my on-line banking procedure and a scheduled payment was not made to Chase in early May. Ring up the $29 late fee, plus interest on my next statement. (I think that I paid the overdue balance even before I got that next statement.) I paid the additional amount to cover the whole "new" balance as soon as I got that next statement rather than wait until the statement due date in early June.
I received my newest Chase statement this week, and even though the prior balance was paid in full by the early June due date, actually, by May 20th or so, they dinged me for another $5.13 of interest. I intuited that they were charging through the date of that second payment, because they always offset payments against the newest purchases, so that they can continue to charge interest on the "overdue" balance. But I wanted to have the calculation explained, so I called.
Naturally, you have to do the automated decision-tree procedure before you can get to a live body. My "live body" had no clue, saying at one point that once you had a late payment, they charged interest on even purchases for the next two months. I said, "Fine. Cancel my card." She said, "Let me get you a supervisor."
The supervisor tried to be nice, and to educate me, but I put her on the defensive by describing what the service rep had said. So we agreed that she would credit the additional interest on the latest statement and I would keep the card.
Make payments on time or you will be paying interest forever. Not to mention those credit score things. Throw away all those credit card applications that keep coming in the mail.
Gotta go.
Be careful out there.
Good-bye din-din tonight for 2 at Granite City. She has a six bells flight tomorrow AM to Oklahoma for a weekend wedding of a college friend. And then she's off to Paris on Sunday. I'm her cab driver tomorrow at 0430.
Some rain here this afternoon to break the heat. Sounds like they could use the precipitation in Tahoe.
Discovery announced their TdF team today. A couple of surprises as two veterans were left off the squad in lieu of a couple of younger riders. Given the turmoil in the professional peloton right now, the sheen is off the prize.
Craig Wilson's lament today was the disinterest that he has for waiting in line. For anything. The subject was prompted by stories of people camping out at Best Buy or Radio Shack to buy the new iPhone. If my Google search function for 4000 Days was operational, I bet we could find previous comments from this author about my own disdain for lines. Everybody is stealing my material.
USA Today has been running stories all week about families taking care of aging parents and the issues that thusly develop. And the decisions that have to be made. Been there. Done that. No worries here. My pal Bill has a Power of Attorney to run me over with a truck.
There was a very odd, and sad, story in the local paper today about a veteran teacher at a local high school who caught the gambling bug. Somehow the school got tipped off and she was dismissed. Turns out she had dipped into a small extra curricular activities account which she controlled to the tune of $1500+ over a period of years. Most of the embezzlement came in the form of withdrawals from an ATM on the local riverboat.
Here's another example of how greedy the credit card companies are by their own fine print. I made an error in my on-line banking procedure and a scheduled payment was not made to Chase in early May. Ring up the $29 late fee, plus interest on my next statement. (I think that I paid the overdue balance even before I got that next statement.) I paid the additional amount to cover the whole "new" balance as soon as I got that next statement rather than wait until the statement due date in early June.
I received my newest Chase statement this week, and even though the prior balance was paid in full by the early June due date, actually, by May 20th or so, they dinged me for another $5.13 of interest. I intuited that they were charging through the date of that second payment, because they always offset payments against the newest purchases, so that they can continue to charge interest on the "overdue" balance. But I wanted to have the calculation explained, so I called.
Naturally, you have to do the automated decision-tree procedure before you can get to a live body. My "live body" had no clue, saying at one point that once you had a late payment, they charged interest on even purchases for the next two months. I said, "Fine. Cancel my card." She said, "Let me get you a supervisor."
The supervisor tried to be nice, and to educate me, but I put her on the defensive by describing what the service rep had said. So we agreed that she would credit the additional interest on the latest statement and I would keep the card.
Make payments on time or you will be paying interest forever. Not to mention those credit score things. Throw away all those credit card applications that keep coming in the mail.
Gotta go.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday
Another hot one here. I need to get out and do a 20 miler.
4 had another enjoyable entry. In the Air Force, when I was coming to the end of my tour in Korea, I literally counted hours in the last week until my departure flight. I sense that 4 has that same anxious feeling to move on to more interesting and appealing stuff.
I got the phone bill for my cell today, which has the charges for 3 and 4 as well. My costs, including a few calls to Spain, were within $10 of normal. The fee on 3 and 4 was actually less than normal since 4's phone is on a counter at Mom's. 3's on my nickel for another month and then she gets the privilege of supporting a phone provider of her choice (or her company's choice).
Uncle Phil says that all the fires in the news are on the South side of Lake Tahoe. Nothing close to his place at this time. But it is very dry out there. It's always a danger.
On Two Wheels, the bike shop on Kimberly Road just West of the office where I bought my first couple of bikes many years ago, has converted to The Trek Bike Shop. I knew that they were doing a remodel, and somebody at the Criterium last month said that they were changing to a Trek store. But I didn't realize that they were essentially becoming exclusively a Trek dealer. Walking in, you get the feel of a Nike store. Lots of open space. Nice stuff. On the expensive side of things. Very little clutter. Hardly any non-Trek merchandise. Modern marketing.
The owner of that shop was a compatriot of Greg Lemond's on the U.S. National team 25 years ago. The same guy is the racer highlighted in my Criterium Financial marketing materials. That picture was taken a couple of years ago in the same Criterium that I now sponsor. It's a small world.
The Taurus is experiencing another new driver this week. With 3's car parked in Minnesota, she's "renting" the T for a few days. It's a handy extra car to have around for in-town transportation. (I wanted to give my pal Pete the needle last weekend when I counted five cars at his house, but at least he had four drivers. I've got three cars myself. So the math silenced my comments before they were made.)
Stay cool. Enjoy the evening.
Be careful out there.
4 had another enjoyable entry. In the Air Force, when I was coming to the end of my tour in Korea, I literally counted hours in the last week until my departure flight. I sense that 4 has that same anxious feeling to move on to more interesting and appealing stuff.
I got the phone bill for my cell today, which has the charges for 3 and 4 as well. My costs, including a few calls to Spain, were within $10 of normal. The fee on 3 and 4 was actually less than normal since 4's phone is on a counter at Mom's. 3's on my nickel for another month and then she gets the privilege of supporting a phone provider of her choice (or her company's choice).
Uncle Phil says that all the fires in the news are on the South side of Lake Tahoe. Nothing close to his place at this time. But it is very dry out there. It's always a danger.
On Two Wheels, the bike shop on Kimberly Road just West of the office where I bought my first couple of bikes many years ago, has converted to The Trek Bike Shop. I knew that they were doing a remodel, and somebody at the Criterium last month said that they were changing to a Trek store. But I didn't realize that they were essentially becoming exclusively a Trek dealer. Walking in, you get the feel of a Nike store. Lots of open space. Nice stuff. On the expensive side of things. Very little clutter. Hardly any non-Trek merchandise. Modern marketing.
The owner of that shop was a compatriot of Greg Lemond's on the U.S. National team 25 years ago. The same guy is the racer highlighted in my Criterium Financial marketing materials. That picture was taken a couple of years ago in the same Criterium that I now sponsor. It's a small world.
The Taurus is experiencing another new driver this week. With 3's car parked in Minnesota, she's "renting" the T for a few days. It's a handy extra car to have around for in-town transportation. (I wanted to give my pal Pete the needle last weekend when I counted five cars at his house, but at least he had four drivers. I've got three cars myself. So the math silenced my comments before they were made.)
Stay cool. Enjoy the evening.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday
4 gets the award for Most Newsy comment on the blog.
Knowing absolutely nothing about those in play, I had told my pal Roy that my money was on the woman candidate once the finalists were announced.
1A sent me an article last week from a fitness mag about some specialty travel outfits that led tours of the Tour de France for average riders. I've looked previously at those deals, and they tend to be very expensive. My preference is to go on a combination riding/wining trip in Northern Italy, checking out the Dolomites and Tuscany. 2 and I have talked about such a trip. A small group could make it fun. But a bigger organized tour group would be too much for me to handle, I think. We'll see. I need to save my shekels.
The Indy cars had a so-so day in Newton. Open-wheeled cars on that configuration of a track makes for an iffy proposition. I think they had trouble finding room to pass, with a majority of the cars crashing. By the end of the race, only 10 cars were still running. (Part of the problem may have been the tire composition and wing set-ups mandated by the IRL mucky-mucks.) The paper also said that the parking process for the fans was not so good. Still, for the first time for a big race, in Newton, Iowa!, it had to be considered an overall success. They'll run a better operation next time.
The backyard neighbor of my next door neighbor put in a wooden privacy fence last month, and it's already showing signs of disrepair. Bowing out in spots. Loose boards. My next door neighbor and I were chatting last night, and he said that the guy hired it done, but used the guy who had the cheapest bid. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
Anthony Edwards' backseat character (Goose) in Top Gun, cautioned pilot Tom Cruise (Maverick) as he started an unusual move in one of their simulated air-combat missions, to remember that the manufacturer of their high-tech fighter plane was the low-bidder.
If government bureaucrats and politicians always want the cheapest price, why aren't they all driving Yugo's?
4's comment was much better than anything I can do today. So I'm off to take a spin in Margret.
Be careful out there.
Knowing absolutely nothing about those in play, I had told my pal Roy that my money was on the woman candidate once the finalists were announced.
1A sent me an article last week from a fitness mag about some specialty travel outfits that led tours of the Tour de France for average riders. I've looked previously at those deals, and they tend to be very expensive. My preference is to go on a combination riding/wining trip in Northern Italy, checking out the Dolomites and Tuscany. 2 and I have talked about such a trip. A small group could make it fun. But a bigger organized tour group would be too much for me to handle, I think. We'll see. I need to save my shekels.
The Indy cars had a so-so day in Newton. Open-wheeled cars on that configuration of a track makes for an iffy proposition. I think they had trouble finding room to pass, with a majority of the cars crashing. By the end of the race, only 10 cars were still running. (Part of the problem may have been the tire composition and wing set-ups mandated by the IRL mucky-mucks.) The paper also said that the parking process for the fans was not so good. Still, for the first time for a big race, in Newton, Iowa!, it had to be considered an overall success. They'll run a better operation next time.
The backyard neighbor of my next door neighbor put in a wooden privacy fence last month, and it's already showing signs of disrepair. Bowing out in spots. Loose boards. My next door neighbor and I were chatting last night, and he said that the guy hired it done, but used the guy who had the cheapest bid. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.
Anthony Edwards' backseat character (Goose) in Top Gun, cautioned pilot Tom Cruise (Maverick) as he started an unusual move in one of their simulated air-combat missions, to remember that the manufacturer of their high-tech fighter plane was the low-bidder.
If government bureaucrats and politicians always want the cheapest price, why aren't they all driving Yugo's?
4's comment was much better than anything I can do today. So I'm off to take a spin in Margret.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Sunday
Midday Sunday. Got the DeWitt ride in this AM. My pal Pete brought along a couple more guys so there were four of us. I was by far the slowest. But it was a very good ride. Little wind. Not too hot. Good company.
Domestic chores this afternoon. Maybe the park bench job.
The 24 and the 48 both failed pre-race inspection Friday for the California road race. They had tweaked the front wheel-wells in a manner that NASCAR didn't like. Both cars were later modified to comply, but they have to start from the rear of the field. A top-ten finish from there would be a good result. It ain't cheat'n if you don't get caught.
I think this is Aunt Martha's birthday and anniversary week. So Happy Days to her!
A distant cousin (who obviously has too much time on her hands) called Uncle Phil last week with the news that she had found Margret's (not misspelled...just code-speak) name on The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, a website sponsored by the state, I think, that catalogs payments due to un-located persons. Why she might have been punching in Margret's name is a mystery. As are the refunds shown on the site. I have a task ahead to file the claims. Retired folks just don't have enough to do.
4 encountered an airport delay yesterday for her weekend visit to Barcelona, and the trip was scrubbed. She has certainly run into some travel issues this Summer.
My substitute Russian cleaning lady called and is back on schedule for this week. Life is good.
One of the guys who joined us for the ride this morning had a bike with a "custom" frame that was made specifically for him. The bike company is in Waterford, Wisconsin, a town just southwest of Milwaukee. He said that it took them two hours to measure him for the bike. Apparently, he had been having some shoulder problems, and the measuring process determined that the length of his arms required an adjustment to how high the handlebars/headset should be set on the front fork. Interesting. Even good bike shops don't always get the "fit" right for riders.
In another example of a small world, Waterford is the location where I bought Margret.
The business of "fitting" an athlete to his/her equipment applies to virtually all sports. "The shoes" is a big one, regardless of the sport. (If you have bad shoes, poor results and injury usually follow.) Bats and gloves in baseball. Clubs in golf. (I was amazed at the difference properly sized clubs made in my golf game.) Ski's. The list goes on.
Oregon State needs one more win to be champs at the CWS. I was glad to see North Carolina go to the black (or navy?) shirts yesterday with just hi-lites of "Carolina blue". I don't mind "Carolina blue" on their basketball uniforms, but it looks like the stuff of a softball beer league on a baseball uniform.
The cashier policy at the new Hy Vee is to "card" anyone who buys alcohol. You are required to show your ID so the cashier can input your birth month into the computer. I think that it's a great idea. It takes the element of choice/judgement out of the equation for the kids running the registers.
Relatedly, I don't even try to cash a check or make a deposit at our local Wells Fargo locations with out handing over my debit card and driver's license. It's not exactly their procedures, but the nitwits behind the glass can't remember my face or name from one day to the next. Every time they call me "Paul", it reinforces my opinion that they have no clue who I am.
Enough already. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Domestic chores this afternoon. Maybe the park bench job.
The 24 and the 48 both failed pre-race inspection Friday for the California road race. They had tweaked the front wheel-wells in a manner that NASCAR didn't like. Both cars were later modified to comply, but they have to start from the rear of the field. A top-ten finish from there would be a good result. It ain't cheat'n if you don't get caught.
I think this is Aunt Martha's birthday and anniversary week. So Happy Days to her!
A distant cousin (who obviously has too much time on her hands) called Uncle Phil last week with the news that she had found Margret's (not misspelled...just code-speak) name on The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, a website sponsored by the state, I think, that catalogs payments due to un-located persons. Why she might have been punching in Margret's name is a mystery. As are the refunds shown on the site. I have a task ahead to file the claims. Retired folks just don't have enough to do.
4 encountered an airport delay yesterday for her weekend visit to Barcelona, and the trip was scrubbed. She has certainly run into some travel issues this Summer.
My substitute Russian cleaning lady called and is back on schedule for this week. Life is good.
One of the guys who joined us for the ride this morning had a bike with a "custom" frame that was made specifically for him. The bike company is in Waterford, Wisconsin, a town just southwest of Milwaukee. He said that it took them two hours to measure him for the bike. Apparently, he had been having some shoulder problems, and the measuring process determined that the length of his arms required an adjustment to how high the handlebars/headset should be set on the front fork. Interesting. Even good bike shops don't always get the "fit" right for riders.
In another example of a small world, Waterford is the location where I bought Margret.
The business of "fitting" an athlete to his/her equipment applies to virtually all sports. "The shoes" is a big one, regardless of the sport. (If you have bad shoes, poor results and injury usually follow.) Bats and gloves in baseball. Clubs in golf. (I was amazed at the difference properly sized clubs made in my golf game.) Ski's. The list goes on.
Oregon State needs one more win to be champs at the CWS. I was glad to see North Carolina go to the black (or navy?) shirts yesterday with just hi-lites of "Carolina blue". I don't mind "Carolina blue" on their basketball uniforms, but it looks like the stuff of a softball beer league on a baseball uniform.
The cashier policy at the new Hy Vee is to "card" anyone who buys alcohol. You are required to show your ID so the cashier can input your birth month into the computer. I think that it's a great idea. It takes the element of choice/judgement out of the equation for the kids running the registers.
Relatedly, I don't even try to cash a check or make a deposit at our local Wells Fargo locations with out handing over my debit card and driver's license. It's not exactly their procedures, but the nitwits behind the glass can't remember my face or name from one day to the next. Every time they call me "Paul", it reinforces my opinion that they have no clue who I am.
Enough already. Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Friday
Hello Summer!
Lots of stories in the papers this week about the Summer Solstice, including midnight baseball in Alaska. These are wonderful days with all the daylight. Now it's the slow march to the shorter days.
Hope the get-together in Minnesota goes well. Drive safe.
The Indy cars are over in Newton, Iowa for the first major race at the new track this weekend. The track is a 3/4 mile oval with a road-course also cut into the venue. The Indy cars will run the oval. Danica Patrick and all the names of the recent Indy 500 are there for the event. This is open-wheel racing compared to the stock cars of NASCAR. (The track is not too far away from the I-80 motel that we would stay at when we made the trips to Adventureland.) The owners dream for a major NASCAR race, but they'll be lucky to get the Busch cars for a weekend.
I see where Tim Floyd has offered a basketball scholarship to USC to an Illinois kid who just got done with 8th grade. I guess this is the second year that he has made such an offer. I always liked Floyd, but this sounds fishy at best.
We had a tree service come in and do some thinning out of damaged trees on the West side of our office park. The combination of age, disease, and storms had brought on the need. The owner of the business said that they had stopped providing service on the Illinois side for fear of bringing the ash bore into Iowa. That's an insect that has been destroying ash trees in states East of here. And will likely be in Iowa in a year or so. Mom has three ash trees in her back yard. The cynic in me puts the over/under on her getting the ash bores at four years.
A couple of yahoos on ESPN radio, Mike & Mike In The Morning, had the one Mike payoff his NCAA basketball bet to the other Mike yesterday by milking a cow on the show. You can imagine the hype and the double entendres for the event. From a dairyman's perspective, my reaction is, "So what?" Just another example of why sports talk radio guys are only a centimeter or so above slugs in the genus system. (The fact that one of the Mike's is an ND grad gets them no points. He probably took the same Underwater Basket Weaving classes that they serve up for the student/athletes in IC).
Genus was not misspelled above. Actually, in the sentence as presented, it could be genus or genius, and the gist would be the same. Think about it.
Speaking of sports, it appears the a D-1 baseball player can change schools and not have to sit out a year for the transfer. There was a least one player in this year's College World Series who was there last year on a different team. I know that they have issues with the modest number of scholarships that each school can have (11.5, I think), but unlimited transfers is a bit risky. Where the NCAA is involved, rules do not have to make sense.
Off for the evening. Maybe a little ride and then some Tuscan red.
Be careful out there.
Lots of stories in the papers this week about the Summer Solstice, including midnight baseball in Alaska. These are wonderful days with all the daylight. Now it's the slow march to the shorter days.
Hope the get-together in Minnesota goes well. Drive safe.
The Indy cars are over in Newton, Iowa for the first major race at the new track this weekend. The track is a 3/4 mile oval with a road-course also cut into the venue. The Indy cars will run the oval. Danica Patrick and all the names of the recent Indy 500 are there for the event. This is open-wheel racing compared to the stock cars of NASCAR. (The track is not too far away from the I-80 motel that we would stay at when we made the trips to Adventureland.) The owners dream for a major NASCAR race, but they'll be lucky to get the Busch cars for a weekend.
I see where Tim Floyd has offered a basketball scholarship to USC to an Illinois kid who just got done with 8th grade. I guess this is the second year that he has made such an offer. I always liked Floyd, but this sounds fishy at best.
We had a tree service come in and do some thinning out of damaged trees on the West side of our office park. The combination of age, disease, and storms had brought on the need. The owner of the business said that they had stopped providing service on the Illinois side for fear of bringing the ash bore into Iowa. That's an insect that has been destroying ash trees in states East of here. And will likely be in Iowa in a year or so. Mom has three ash trees in her back yard. The cynic in me puts the over/under on her getting the ash bores at four years.
A couple of yahoos on ESPN radio, Mike & Mike In The Morning, had the one Mike payoff his NCAA basketball bet to the other Mike yesterday by milking a cow on the show. You can imagine the hype and the double entendres for the event. From a dairyman's perspective, my reaction is, "So what?" Just another example of why sports talk radio guys are only a centimeter or so above slugs in the genus system. (The fact that one of the Mike's is an ND grad gets them no points. He probably took the same Underwater Basket Weaving classes that they serve up for the student/athletes in IC).
Genus was not misspelled above. Actually, in the sentence as presented, it could be genus or genius, and the gist would be the same. Think about it.
Speaking of sports, it appears the a D-1 baseball player can change schools and not have to sit out a year for the transfer. There was a least one player in this year's College World Series who was there last year on a different team. I know that they have issues with the modest number of scholarships that each school can have (11.5, I think), but unlimited transfers is a bit risky. Where the NCAA is involved, rules do not have to make sense.
Off for the evening. Maybe a little ride and then some Tuscan red.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Thursday
Thanks to 1. Always nice to be recognized.
My ride last night was a good one of 21+. Did twice around DCC. The one distraction was that they were putting in a couple of new streets in a new extension of the Stoney Creek housing development off of Forest Grove Road. And the concrete trucks were out in full force. My buddy with the paving company said that they did over 80 truckloads yesterday afternoon.
To an extent, the sprawl of the housing in northeast Bettendorf affects us bikers similarly as it does the wild life. The once lightly-travelled county roads are now as busy as arterial streets in town. You can no longer head out at 5:00 PM and expect an open road.
My American cleaning girl did a so-so job. She was far-less particular than my regular Russian gal, and not as good as the substitute Russian. She vacuumed and dusted, but I know that she spent less than three hours at what I told her was a four hour job. But she had only nominal instructions (from me), and the end result was ok. It just didn't exceed expectations.
We talked to 4 today here at the office. She happened to call at a time when 3 was also here. I share everyone's joy in reading her blog. She's looking forward to Barcelona. But she's really looking forward to seeing her sisters next week.
Clemons couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Colorado today. They'll need to score 7-8 runs a game for him to have a winning record.
All for today. I need to get a card for 4 to the USPS before the last pick-up. Her next letter from me will be delivered by 2!
Be careful out there.
My ride last night was a good one of 21+. Did twice around DCC. The one distraction was that they were putting in a couple of new streets in a new extension of the Stoney Creek housing development off of Forest Grove Road. And the concrete trucks were out in full force. My buddy with the paving company said that they did over 80 truckloads yesterday afternoon.
To an extent, the sprawl of the housing in northeast Bettendorf affects us bikers similarly as it does the wild life. The once lightly-travelled county roads are now as busy as arterial streets in town. You can no longer head out at 5:00 PM and expect an open road.
My American cleaning girl did a so-so job. She was far-less particular than my regular Russian gal, and not as good as the substitute Russian. She vacuumed and dusted, but I know that she spent less than three hours at what I told her was a four hour job. But she had only nominal instructions (from me), and the end result was ok. It just didn't exceed expectations.
We talked to 4 today here at the office. She happened to call at a time when 3 was also here. I share everyone's joy in reading her blog. She's looking forward to Barcelona. But she's really looking forward to seeing her sisters next week.
Clemons couldn't get out of the fifth inning in Colorado today. They'll need to score 7-8 runs a game for him to have a winning record.
All for today. I need to get a card for 4 to the USPS before the last pick-up. Her next letter from me will be delivered by 2!
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tuesday
Just two thoughts for the day. But both could become Seinfeld episodes.
The first. Circadian rhythms. USA Today had an article in the Life section today about this topic. There was a symposium in New York last week, attended by "several hundred" researchers to discuss, "Clocks and Rhythms." Checkout Wikipedia. The body clock. Sun light. Temperature. How about gravity? Barometric pressure. Proximity to a final exam. Nearness of a wedding date.
Jerry and the gang could go on for hours.
The second. Surviving the day. I wasn't going to put this on the blog, but it is just too relevant to ignore. Mother Duck and 10-12 hatchlings. Waddling along the outside tables this AM at the Duck Creek SB's. Mother Duck electing to cross the four lanes of Middle Road. At 7:30. Almost making it. Girl on the phone. Late for work. Didn't even slow down. Five small survivors. Wandering the parking lot at the Holiday Inn.
Stupid me for not acting on my instinct to get out there and stop traffic.
On the other hand. Look on the roads and streets everyday. The only difference here is that we were eye witnesses. I wonder at what point in the development of the automobile that roadkill became a new form of unnatural selection?
We do need to live each day. And it helps to be a little lucky. So those of you who are reading this, regardless of what you might think, you have been a little lucky today.
I'm off to rinse Margret off. She's had a day of exercise.
Be careful out there.
The first. Circadian rhythms. USA Today had an article in the Life section today about this topic. There was a symposium in New York last week, attended by "several hundred" researchers to discuss, "Clocks and Rhythms." Checkout Wikipedia. The body clock. Sun light. Temperature. How about gravity? Barometric pressure. Proximity to a final exam. Nearness of a wedding date.
Jerry and the gang could go on for hours.
The second. Surviving the day. I wasn't going to put this on the blog, but it is just too relevant to ignore. Mother Duck and 10-12 hatchlings. Waddling along the outside tables this AM at the Duck Creek SB's. Mother Duck electing to cross the four lanes of Middle Road. At 7:30. Almost making it. Girl on the phone. Late for work. Didn't even slow down. Five small survivors. Wandering the parking lot at the Holiday Inn.
Stupid me for not acting on my instinct to get out there and stop traffic.
On the other hand. Look on the roads and streets everyday. The only difference here is that we were eye witnesses. I wonder at what point in the development of the automobile that roadkill became a new form of unnatural selection?
We do need to live each day. And it helps to be a little lucky. So those of you who are reading this, regardless of what you might think, you have been a little lucky today.
I'm off to rinse Margret off. She's had a day of exercise.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Monday
Another Monday in Ordinary Time.
FFF was good last night. Brats (with sauerkraut), turkey brats, salad and mixed fresh fruit. And a little Whitey's strawberry ice cream for dessert. Wine and a date for a Cub's game were my gifts. Both were good choices.
It was really good to talk to all the girls on Father's Day. They all live such busy lives. Taking the time to check in with Dear Old Dad is meaningful to me.
The big news in the fam is that 3 is now going to be joining 2 and 4 for the two weeks of European travel in advance of 1's wedding week. 3's a bit at loose ends as she awaits starting her Chicago job next month. This trip will pretty well round-out the last days of her pre-Real World life. I just hope that the three of them can survive two weeks of travel together without pushing one another into a moat at one of the castles that they might visit.
The College World Series is in full swing in Omaha. Seems like the same protagonists are there again this year. My fav Erin Andrews is doing color from the dugouts and the grand stands. She perfectly fits the sideline reporter niche on ESPN, but I bet she's too perky to get a promotion to a studio position. They need to be male or relatively dull females for those jobs.
My old (now deceased) friend Wally and I talked several times about getting out to Omaha for a couple of days for the CWS, but we never got it done. You need to be a fan of one of the teams playing, or a die-hard baseball fan to make that trip. But I will do it one of these years.
My SB's author-friend Tim is the Race Director for a kid's triathlon that they are having in Middle Park in Bettendorf on the 30th of this month. I volunteered last year (as did 4), and I have elevated status this year to supervisor of the parking lot/transition area. There was a bigger-than-expected turn-out last year, and with some additional publicity, I anticipate an even larger field on the 30th. I'm looking for a few more volunteers to herd the cats.
Is there anything so stupid as the NCAA enforcing a "no blog" rule during these baseball games? Oops. I forgot. We are talking about the NCAA. They invented stupid rules.
The scoring at the US Open Golf Tournament last weekend was so difficult that most of the players finished double digits over par. If you had to play that course everyday, you wouldn't have a problem with golf addiction. A good golfer at your local country club wouldn't break 100 at Oakmont.
I do find it interesting that the Pennsylvania Turnpike literally goes right through the course. Having made the drive between Dover, Delaware and the Midwest several times via that road, I know now that I can say that I have been at Oakmont. I just didn't know it at the time. And I wasn't there very long.
I'm off for a quiet evening. Maybe taking Margret to the DQ.
Be careful out there.
FFF was good last night. Brats (with sauerkraut), turkey brats, salad and mixed fresh fruit. And a little Whitey's strawberry ice cream for dessert. Wine and a date for a Cub's game were my gifts. Both were good choices.
It was really good to talk to all the girls on Father's Day. They all live such busy lives. Taking the time to check in with Dear Old Dad is meaningful to me.
The big news in the fam is that 3 is now going to be joining 2 and 4 for the two weeks of European travel in advance of 1's wedding week. 3's a bit at loose ends as she awaits starting her Chicago job next month. This trip will pretty well round-out the last days of her pre-Real World life. I just hope that the three of them can survive two weeks of travel together without pushing one another into a moat at one of the castles that they might visit.
The College World Series is in full swing in Omaha. Seems like the same protagonists are there again this year. My fav Erin Andrews is doing color from the dugouts and the grand stands. She perfectly fits the sideline reporter niche on ESPN, but I bet she's too perky to get a promotion to a studio position. They need to be male or relatively dull females for those jobs.
My old (now deceased) friend Wally and I talked several times about getting out to Omaha for a couple of days for the CWS, but we never got it done. You need to be a fan of one of the teams playing, or a die-hard baseball fan to make that trip. But I will do it one of these years.
My SB's author-friend Tim is the Race Director for a kid's triathlon that they are having in Middle Park in Bettendorf on the 30th of this month. I volunteered last year (as did 4), and I have elevated status this year to supervisor of the parking lot/transition area. There was a bigger-than-expected turn-out last year, and with some additional publicity, I anticipate an even larger field on the 30th. I'm looking for a few more volunteers to herd the cats.
Is there anything so stupid as the NCAA enforcing a "no blog" rule during these baseball games? Oops. I forgot. We are talking about the NCAA. They invented stupid rules.
The scoring at the US Open Golf Tournament last weekend was so difficult that most of the players finished double digits over par. If you had to play that course everyday, you wouldn't have a problem with golf addiction. A good golfer at your local country club wouldn't break 100 at Oakmont.
I do find it interesting that the Pennsylvania Turnpike literally goes right through the course. Having made the drive between Dover, Delaware and the Midwest several times via that road, I know now that I can say that I have been at Oakmont. I just didn't know it at the time. And I wasn't there very long.
I'm off for a quiet evening. Maybe taking Margret to the DQ.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Sunday
Just a quick report today.
The DeWitt ride with Pete this AM was tough. Glad he was there to pull me in. It was close to 90 by the time we got back. With a little head wind.
News from LV and AM. Congrats to niece/cousin Sue W. for completing Grandmother's Marathon yesterday. LV hit 108 yesterday. Hope the A/C is working. And it looks like John will not be able to make the wedding.
I don't think that I mentioned that Basso got a two year suspension this week for his doping problems. With credit to time already served, he'll be able to race in 2009. His defense was a Clintonesque, "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale." The commissars didn't buy it. Given his flat-out lying to everybody and the climate today, he may not find a place on a top-line team. He gets what he deserves.
FFF with 2 and 3 this evening.
Stay cool.
Be careful out there.
The DeWitt ride with Pete this AM was tough. Glad he was there to pull me in. It was close to 90 by the time we got back. With a little head wind.
News from LV and AM. Congrats to niece/cousin Sue W. for completing Grandmother's Marathon yesterday. LV hit 108 yesterday. Hope the A/C is working. And it looks like John will not be able to make the wedding.
I don't think that I mentioned that Basso got a two year suspension this week for his doping problems. With credit to time already served, he'll be able to race in 2009. His defense was a Clintonesque, "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale." The commissars didn't buy it. Given his flat-out lying to everybody and the climate today, he may not find a place on a top-line team. He gets what he deserves.
FFF with 2 and 3 this evening.
Stay cool.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Saturday
Another hot one here.
My pal Pete and I went out to Davenport's West Lake this AM to watch the triathlon. Lots of spectators. 600 yards in the water. 15 miles on the bike. Three mile run. Rather than a mass entry into the lake, they started individually at three second intervals. It took almost an hour to get all the competitors into the event. My new employee Jessica was doing the race. We saw her in the transition area between the swim and bike elements.
There is a major triathlon in Des Moines tomorrow with like a million dollar purse. Hy Vee is the sponsor. A story in the paper this morning talked about the Tendall girl from the Century Heights neighborhood who was a gymnast/diver at PV. She is nationally competitive as a pro triathlete.
Another friend of mine (my age or so) who was in the golf event this week is a runner who recently did a 50K run! I mean, fitness is great. But isn't there a limit?
No big plans for today. A little ride at some point. Still in recovery from golf.
We talked to 4 yesterday afternoon. She wasn't in bad spirits and was looking forward to her weekend. Still a little sore from the purse incident.
Pete and I are doing DeWitt in the morning. They are doing some much-needed repair work to the Duck Creek bike path in central Davenport. Widening and re-surfacing, I think. Parts of it between Duck Creek Park and Eastern Avenue have been very rough for several years. That's the part that gets flooded whenever there's a lot of rain.
In a shockingly good development, my back yard neighbor had the dead and dying trees cut down yesterday! There's still some clean-up for them to do, but at least I don't have to worry about trees falling on my house in the next storm.
I paid $2.79 for gas today.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Be careful out there.
My pal Pete and I went out to Davenport's West Lake this AM to watch the triathlon. Lots of spectators. 600 yards in the water. 15 miles on the bike. Three mile run. Rather than a mass entry into the lake, they started individually at three second intervals. It took almost an hour to get all the competitors into the event. My new employee Jessica was doing the race. We saw her in the transition area between the swim and bike elements.
There is a major triathlon in Des Moines tomorrow with like a million dollar purse. Hy Vee is the sponsor. A story in the paper this morning talked about the Tendall girl from the Century Heights neighborhood who was a gymnast/diver at PV. She is nationally competitive as a pro triathlete.
Another friend of mine (my age or so) who was in the golf event this week is a runner who recently did a 50K run! I mean, fitness is great. But isn't there a limit?
No big plans for today. A little ride at some point. Still in recovery from golf.
We talked to 4 yesterday afternoon. She wasn't in bad spirits and was looking forward to her weekend. Still a little sore from the purse incident.
Pete and I are doing DeWitt in the morning. They are doing some much-needed repair work to the Duck Creek bike path in central Davenport. Widening and re-surfacing, I think. Parts of it between Duck Creek Park and Eastern Avenue have been very rough for several years. That's the part that gets flooded whenever there's a lot of rain.
In a shockingly good development, my back yard neighbor had the dead and dying trees cut down yesterday! There's still some clean-up for them to do, but at least I don't have to worry about trees falling on my house in the next storm.
I paid $2.79 for gas today.
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Be careful out there.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Friday
Back at work after the better part of three days on the golf course. Roy and I didn't totally embarrass ourselves, but we had a few holes that were real stinkers. In the end, it was a good time and I hope I can do it with him again next year.
Hot here. 97 yesterday. They say it will be in the 90's for the next few days.
Five weeks to 1's Big Day.
My substitute Russian cleaning lady has taken a vacation, so I have a substitute-substitute coming in on Monday. I'm going American.
Fridays at the office in the Summer tend to be pretty low-key. My goal today is to get through the stuff I have ignored over the last three days, and have a clear slate for next week.
I'll try to add more later.
Be careful out there.
Hot here. 97 yesterday. They say it will be in the 90's for the next few days.
Five weeks to 1's Big Day.
My substitute Russian cleaning lady has taken a vacation, so I have a substitute-substitute coming in on Monday. I'm going American.
Fridays at the office in the Summer tend to be pretty low-key. My goal today is to get through the stuff I have ignored over the last three days, and have a clear slate for next week.
I'll try to add more later.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Thursday
Roy and I had a so-so day on the course. He played real well on the first nine, and we both played poorly on the third nine. I shouldn't play more than 15 holes a day. Two more nines today.
But a good time regardless of the golf.
I worry about 4. She had an incident last night the details of which she can relate to us when she gets back to a computer. She's ok, but a little unsettled. Another of Life's lessons. Those endorphins have her going through one of those down cycles.
Hang in there, Kiddo. We all have your six. (That's guy talk for being your wingman...:)
Junior did go the Hendrick. It should be interesting.
This will be a full day for me today. Awards dinner this evening after golf. I won't be getting any prizes.
Be careful out there.
But a good time regardless of the golf.
I worry about 4. She had an incident last night the details of which she can relate to us when she gets back to a computer. She's ok, but a little unsettled. Another of Life's lessons. Those endorphins have her going through one of those down cycles.
Hang in there, Kiddo. We all have your six. (That's guy talk for being your wingman...:)
Junior did go the Hendrick. It should be interesting.
This will be a full day for me today. Awards dinner this evening after golf. I won't be getting any prizes.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tuesday
Today was the "practice round" for our golf outing. Roy and I played 15 holes before he had to leave for a meeting. Which was fine since I had already played more than my back preferred. I need to score a lot better tomorrow to avoid embarrassment.
Another enjoyable entry from 4.
The news on the wires from the Left Turning Nation is that Junior will announce tomorrow that he will be joining Hendrick Motor Sports next year. Which is huge news, and a bit of a surprise. It will put him on the same team as Jeff Gordon who is the one other driver whom Junior's rabid fans love to hate. In some respects, it's like the Yankees or the Lakers. The rich get richer. And Jimmy Johnson, last year's champ, is also on the team. But the Lakers and the Yankees have shown that having the most talent doesn't guarantee a championship.
I ended up on the deck at Gov's last night with some friends. One of those perfect evenings for the deck. Little wind. Warm but not hot. No precipitation. Good fellowship.
Margret is showing some age. Her right front tire is worn down to the steel belts on the outside of the tire. This uneven wear is the result of an out-of-balance wheel. I had to get the wheel worked on shortly after I bought the car when loose lug-nuts had bored the holes too big. The stud holes were welded and then fitted, but I could tell that the tire was wearing irregularly.
I'm going to look at replacing all the rims with original equipment (which is slightly less-flashy than the chrome wheels now on the car). It will be a little more expensive, but the current wheels and tires are actually bigger than what should be on the car, and I have a tire-rub on the right front when I turn hard to the left because of lack of wheel-well clearance.
A collector/classic car is a little like boats, airplanes and/or horses: it's usually financially best if you have a friend as the owner.
Lots of stories out there on the passport application processing problems. Who's to blame? Individuals for waiting too long to apply? Or the government for not staffing properly? A little of both is my guess. The Feds are now saying that they will refund fees paid to "expedite" an application. Then again, how much safer are we to have passport ID's rather than birth certificates for passage through our Canadian and Mexican borders? Does anyone seriously believe that a committed terrorist is going to be stopped by the lack of a passport? Preparers of fake documents are probably having a great year.
The lead story in USA Today today was Alzheimer's in "younger" adults. Roy and I think we could both be test cases.
So I'm off to rest and prepare for the big tournament. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Another enjoyable entry from 4.
The news on the wires from the Left Turning Nation is that Junior will announce tomorrow that he will be joining Hendrick Motor Sports next year. Which is huge news, and a bit of a surprise. It will put him on the same team as Jeff Gordon who is the one other driver whom Junior's rabid fans love to hate. In some respects, it's like the Yankees or the Lakers. The rich get richer. And Jimmy Johnson, last year's champ, is also on the team. But the Lakers and the Yankees have shown that having the most talent doesn't guarantee a championship.
I ended up on the deck at Gov's last night with some friends. One of those perfect evenings for the deck. Little wind. Warm but not hot. No precipitation. Good fellowship.
Margret is showing some age. Her right front tire is worn down to the steel belts on the outside of the tire. This uneven wear is the result of an out-of-balance wheel. I had to get the wheel worked on shortly after I bought the car when loose lug-nuts had bored the holes too big. The stud holes were welded and then fitted, but I could tell that the tire was wearing irregularly.
I'm going to look at replacing all the rims with original equipment (which is slightly less-flashy than the chrome wheels now on the car). It will be a little more expensive, but the current wheels and tires are actually bigger than what should be on the car, and I have a tire-rub on the right front when I turn hard to the left because of lack of wheel-well clearance.
A collector/classic car is a little like boats, airplanes and/or horses: it's usually financially best if you have a friend as the owner.
Lots of stories out there on the passport application processing problems. Who's to blame? Individuals for waiting too long to apply? Or the government for not staffing properly? A little of both is my guess. The Feds are now saying that they will refund fees paid to "expedite" an application. Then again, how much safer are we to have passport ID's rather than birth certificates for passage through our Canadian and Mexican borders? Does anyone seriously believe that a committed terrorist is going to be stopped by the lack of a passport? Preparers of fake documents are probably having a great year.
The lead story in USA Today today was Alzheimer's in "younger" adults. Roy and I think we could both be test cases.
So I'm off to rest and prepare for the big tournament. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Monday PM
Just a few lines before heading out for the evening.
I'm still adjusting to the organization of the new Hy Vee grocery store. I'm pretty sure that they have patterned their location of products the same way in all their new stores, but I am slow on the uptake. The learning experience has taken me past lots of products that I'm not sure that I knew existed. The old store is down, and my guess is that the new parking lot will be done by mid-July.
The Sopranos finale was the topic of discussion on the morning news shows. Never have watched it. So I took a pass on the finale. Interesting that a cable show can now draw so much attention from mainstream TV watchers. Then again, Sportscenter is a cable show too. Although ESPN is included on most basic cable services while HBO is on a premium package.
On our first TV on the farm ( black and white, of course), we got reception for KTVO Channel 3 Ottumwa/Kirksville, which I think was a CBS affiliate, and WHO Channel 13 Des Moines which was an NBC station. After that, we occasionally, but not often, picked up WOI in Ames which was an ABC station. There was an antenna on the East side of the house that extended a few feet above the roof peak that had an electric control on the top of the TV that you played with to adjust for the signals.
(I still use the old technology "rabbitt ears" in my current house to pick up the local stations since I refuse to pay the additional fee to include those stations on my dish contract. Originally, the local stations were not offered through the dish in this area. When the technology became available a few years ago to offer those channels to dish customers, I elected to forego the convenience. So now to get network TV, I need to switch wires on the back of the set. And even then, the ABC channel is a bit sketchy.)
In a full turn to another direction, in baseball, "rabbitt ears" is what we labeled an opposing player who acknowledged some razzing from our bench. It was usually a pitcher, and once he started listening to us, we piled it on. I doubt if our antics lead to many Irish victories, but we had a good time. (In today's age with things like ESPNU coverage of college games, we couldn't get away with that kind of conduct.)
Lots of comments about 1's picture in the paper yesterday. Even from her PV varsity basketball coach whom I ran into at the store last night.
4 and I have exchanged a few text messages from Espana. It works. I haven't got the bill yet.
The professional peloton is in east-to-southeast France this week for the Dauphine-Libere race which is one of the last warm-ups for le Tour. Discovery has an "A" team there so I would expect them to do well. Levi could win. But there are a lot of other strong riders using this event as a measure of their form in anticipation of the bigger race next month. I think Dauphine-Libere is the newspaper in that area that sponsors the race. Per Wikipedia, Grenoble is the capital of this area known as le Dauphine, a title likely derived from a ruling family in the Middle Ages that used a dolphin in it's coat of arms.
There has to be a crossword clue in that mix of sport, geography and history.
I'm off to hit some range balls to get ready for the golf event this week with my pal Roy. Two range sessions is plenty of practice, right?
Great to read 4's journal. She has a gift.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
I'm still adjusting to the organization of the new Hy Vee grocery store. I'm pretty sure that they have patterned their location of products the same way in all their new stores, but I am slow on the uptake. The learning experience has taken me past lots of products that I'm not sure that I knew existed. The old store is down, and my guess is that the new parking lot will be done by mid-July.
The Sopranos finale was the topic of discussion on the morning news shows. Never have watched it. So I took a pass on the finale. Interesting that a cable show can now draw so much attention from mainstream TV watchers. Then again, Sportscenter is a cable show too. Although ESPN is included on most basic cable services while HBO is on a premium package.
On our first TV on the farm ( black and white, of course), we got reception for KTVO Channel 3 Ottumwa/Kirksville, which I think was a CBS affiliate, and WHO Channel 13 Des Moines which was an NBC station. After that, we occasionally, but not often, picked up WOI in Ames which was an ABC station. There was an antenna on the East side of the house that extended a few feet above the roof peak that had an electric control on the top of the TV that you played with to adjust for the signals.
(I still use the old technology "rabbitt ears" in my current house to pick up the local stations since I refuse to pay the additional fee to include those stations on my dish contract. Originally, the local stations were not offered through the dish in this area. When the technology became available a few years ago to offer those channels to dish customers, I elected to forego the convenience. So now to get network TV, I need to switch wires on the back of the set. And even then, the ABC channel is a bit sketchy.)
In a full turn to another direction, in baseball, "rabbitt ears" is what we labeled an opposing player who acknowledged some razzing from our bench. It was usually a pitcher, and once he started listening to us, we piled it on. I doubt if our antics lead to many Irish victories, but we had a good time. (In today's age with things like ESPNU coverage of college games, we couldn't get away with that kind of conduct.)
Lots of comments about 1's picture in the paper yesterday. Even from her PV varsity basketball coach whom I ran into at the store last night.
4 and I have exchanged a few text messages from Espana. It works. I haven't got the bill yet.
The professional peloton is in east-to-southeast France this week for the Dauphine-Libere race which is one of the last warm-ups for le Tour. Discovery has an "A" team there so I would expect them to do well. Levi could win. But there are a lot of other strong riders using this event as a measure of their form in anticipation of the bigger race next month. I think Dauphine-Libere is the newspaper in that area that sponsors the race. Per Wikipedia, Grenoble is the capital of this area known as le Dauphine, a title likely derived from a ruling family in the Middle Ages that used a dolphin in it's coat of arms.
There has to be a crossword clue in that mix of sport, geography and history.
I'm off to hit some range balls to get ready for the golf event this week with my pal Roy. Two range sessions is plenty of practice, right?
Great to read 4's journal. She has a gift.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Monday AM
Back at work. Good weekend. Busy week ahead.
The ride on Saturday went pretty much as scheduled. I left my place around 6:20AM and arrived 84 miles later in Galena around 2:00PM. I stopped a total of five times for meals and snacks. The weather was near perfect with sunshine and a helpful, small southwesterly breeze. The full ride on Saturday to Dubuque is right at 110 miles, but my abbreviated route is a good day for me. My backside was looking for the barn after the 60 mile mark. That Sunday return trip has little appeal.
2 met me at the appointed tavern right on time. I was sipping an adult beverage on my couch by 4:30.
It's a ride of around 1500-1600 cyclists, most of whom pass me on the road.
Sunday was a bit of a recovery day, although I did get my yard done and went to the driving range to hit some balls in anticipation of three days of golf later this week with my pal Roy.
1's engagement picture/announcement was in the paper on Sunday. Look'n good!
Sounds like 4 has been doing some travelling and stuff in Espana. She advised me today that my 6/1/07 letter was finally received.
More later.
Be careful out there.
The ride on Saturday went pretty much as scheduled. I left my place around 6:20AM and arrived 84 miles later in Galena around 2:00PM. I stopped a total of five times for meals and snacks. The weather was near perfect with sunshine and a helpful, small southwesterly breeze. The full ride on Saturday to Dubuque is right at 110 miles, but my abbreviated route is a good day for me. My backside was looking for the barn after the 60 mile mark. That Sunday return trip has little appeal.
2 met me at the appointed tavern right on time. I was sipping an adult beverage on my couch by 4:30.
It's a ride of around 1500-1600 cyclists, most of whom pass me on the road.
Sunday was a bit of a recovery day, although I did get my yard done and went to the driving range to hit some balls in anticipation of three days of golf later this week with my pal Roy.
1's engagement picture/announcement was in the paper on Sunday. Look'n good!
Sounds like 4 has been doing some travelling and stuff in Espana. She advised me today that my 6/1/07 letter was finally received.
More later.
Be careful out there.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Friday
Beautiful day here today. Storms last night took out the dish for a while. All my digitals clocks had to be set a couple of times.
The Tour of the Mississippi River Valley (TOMROV) is this weekend. The schedule is to ride from Bettendorf to Dubuque on Saturday (about 110 miles), and then back via a slightly different route on Sunday (about 95 miles). I'll be riding to Galena tomorrow and having 2 pick me up for the ride back home. I've figured out that I don't need the dorm room mattress, or the Sunday ride to make it a successful trip.
1 is down to six weeks. I think that this is her last day of school for the year.
3 is back in C-town.
I may not make an entry tomorrow. If we get back in good time, maybe. Otherwise, I'll file a report Sunday.
Have a great weekend.
Be careful out there.
The Tour of the Mississippi River Valley (TOMROV) is this weekend. The schedule is to ride from Bettendorf to Dubuque on Saturday (about 110 miles), and then back via a slightly different route on Sunday (about 95 miles). I'll be riding to Galena tomorrow and having 2 pick me up for the ride back home. I've figured out that I don't need the dorm room mattress, or the Sunday ride to make it a successful trip.
1 is down to six weeks. I think that this is her last day of school for the year.
3 is back in C-town.
I may not make an entry tomorrow. If we get back in good time, maybe. Otherwise, I'll file a report Sunday.
Have a great weekend.
Be careful out there.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Thursday
More literary theft. The QC Times ran a big article today, with a picture, about a territorial red-winged blackbird.
Nice entry by 4 today. She subsequently talked to Mom about the bull fight, and said that she wouldn't be going back to another one anytime soon.
My pal Bill heads up to northern Ontario, Canada early tomorrow to spend a week fishing with five long-time friends at a remote lake. I'd be bored silly by day two.
My tux for 7/20 is on order.
Just not all that motivated today. I'll try to add more early tomorrow.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Nice entry by 4 today. She subsequently talked to Mom about the bull fight, and said that she wouldn't be going back to another one anytime soon.
My pal Bill heads up to northern Ontario, Canada early tomorrow to spend a week fishing with five long-time friends at a remote lake. I'd be bored silly by day two.
My tux for 7/20 is on order.
Just not all that motivated today. I'll try to add more early tomorrow.
Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Wednesday
I think our family may be partially responsible for the growth in SB's stock.
3 and I did tenderloins ar The 11th Street Precinct in the Village today. We had tentatively planned to do brats at Golick's, but it started to rain right at noon, so we went to Plan B. It was a good Plan B.
Craig Wilson was lamenting that "old" feeling in his column today about the bright-eyed summer interns at the paper. It was another case of idea theft.
I was lucky last night on my ride. I compounded my test of good fortune by not only riding at the busiest of times, but I also elected to spend a couple of miles on the busiest road. On at least one occasion on Middle Road, while trying to ride the white line at the edge of the road, I slipped off the road and onto the gravelled shoulder, with a car speeding past on my left, just inches away. When I immediately guided back to the pavement, the lay of the land was smooth. If there had been a ridge, I could have gone down, and there might have been a bad result.
2 and I are headed to Men's Warehouse after work to get me fitted for my tux for the 7/20 event. The last time I was in a tux, I was a groom.
I see where JR and crew are sampling life in Italia. The Discovery support staff had equally fine things to say about Italian transportation systems a couple of weeks ago when they had to shuttle to the mainland after the first three stages of the Giro on Sardinia.
Hope everyone has a good evening.
Be careful out there.
3 and I did tenderloins ar The 11th Street Precinct in the Village today. We had tentatively planned to do brats at Golick's, but it started to rain right at noon, so we went to Plan B. It was a good Plan B.
Craig Wilson was lamenting that "old" feeling in his column today about the bright-eyed summer interns at the paper. It was another case of idea theft.
I was lucky last night on my ride. I compounded my test of good fortune by not only riding at the busiest of times, but I also elected to spend a couple of miles on the busiest road. On at least one occasion on Middle Road, while trying to ride the white line at the edge of the road, I slipped off the road and onto the gravelled shoulder, with a car speeding past on my left, just inches away. When I immediately guided back to the pavement, the lay of the land was smooth. If there had been a ridge, I could have gone down, and there might have been a bad result.
2 and I are headed to Men's Warehouse after work to get me fitted for my tux for the 7/20 event. The last time I was in a tux, I was a groom.
I see where JR and crew are sampling life in Italia. The Discovery support staff had equally fine things to say about Italian transportation systems a couple of weeks ago when they had to shuttle to the mainland after the first three stages of the Giro on Sardinia.
Hope everyone has a good evening.
Be careful out there.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Tuesday
One of the big stories in the sports pages these days is Billy Donovan's flip-flop on leaving the two-time defending NCAA bball champion Florida for the bigger NBA money in Orlando. The original move to the Magic was announced with considerable fanfare late last week, but by the weekend, he was already having second thoughts. The last couple of days have been spent by the various parties in efforts to save whatever face might be savable, and to make sure that Donovan is certain that he wants to go back to Florida.
This is another very public example of the essence of being human. In spite of all the fame and fortune that had accrued to Donovan in his career, which has been nothing short of a rocket ship to the top, his heart betrayed him when his mind had rationalized that yet another move up the food-chain was the natural order. As his new reality began to set in, it occurred to him that what he would be walking away from was more important than the money and professional progression offered by the NBA.
There are the personalities in the sports media who will portray this episode as a shadow on Donovan's otherwise lustrous resume. He'll be ridiculed by the writers on the NBA beat as a "college" coach, as though a college coach is something less of a man than the guys running the pro teams. After all, the NBA is where the best ball is played, by the best players. And you don't have to jump through the silly hoops (no pun intended) of recruiting or getting players to class.
Personally, I'm glad he's staying in the college game. I have no problem with the flip flop. He's not the first groom (or bride, or coach) to get to the altar and see that a mistake is being made. Can you say Dana Altman? The Magic 's owners will be honked-off for being jilted, but they'll have a Plan B. How many college coaches have made it big in the NBA anyway? And Florida will have a long-term winner who will keep the blue-chippers coming to Gainsville.
My neighbor lady, who is a bit of a yard/garden OC (obsessive/compulsive), recently asked me to let her have my clippings from my yard the next time I cut my grass. She uses grass for mulch in her garden, and their mower's catcher had broken so they weren't able to produce their own mulch. Now, I only catch my grass when it gets out of control, which it hasn't been due to less rainfall. But, trying to be the good neighbor, I caught my grass each of the last two times that I mowed, producing a couple of large yard-waste bags each time.
And now the punch line to this hum-drum story. Last night, the husband stops me as I'm leaving on an errand to let me know that he had returned the now empty bags, and that he had an implement that you could put on the back of the mower to precluded the need to catch the grass! When I told him that I was only catching the grass to help out his wife, he just chuckled and went back to work in his garden. I'm not making this up.
Had a nice chat with 4 today. She says that she will be adding to her blog soon. She sounded good.
I'm off to the bike. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
This is another very public example of the essence of being human. In spite of all the fame and fortune that had accrued to Donovan in his career, which has been nothing short of a rocket ship to the top, his heart betrayed him when his mind had rationalized that yet another move up the food-chain was the natural order. As his new reality began to set in, it occurred to him that what he would be walking away from was more important than the money and professional progression offered by the NBA.
There are the personalities in the sports media who will portray this episode as a shadow on Donovan's otherwise lustrous resume. He'll be ridiculed by the writers on the NBA beat as a "college" coach, as though a college coach is something less of a man than the guys running the pro teams. After all, the NBA is where the best ball is played, by the best players. And you don't have to jump through the silly hoops (no pun intended) of recruiting or getting players to class.
Personally, I'm glad he's staying in the college game. I have no problem with the flip flop. He's not the first groom (or bride, or coach) to get to the altar and see that a mistake is being made. Can you say Dana Altman? The Magic 's owners will be honked-off for being jilted, but they'll have a Plan B. How many college coaches have made it big in the NBA anyway? And Florida will have a long-term winner who will keep the blue-chippers coming to Gainsville.
My neighbor lady, who is a bit of a yard/garden OC (obsessive/compulsive), recently asked me to let her have my clippings from my yard the next time I cut my grass. She uses grass for mulch in her garden, and their mower's catcher had broken so they weren't able to produce their own mulch. Now, I only catch my grass when it gets out of control, which it hasn't been due to less rainfall. But, trying to be the good neighbor, I caught my grass each of the last two times that I mowed, producing a couple of large yard-waste bags each time.
And now the punch line to this hum-drum story. Last night, the husband stops me as I'm leaving on an errand to let me know that he had returned the now empty bags, and that he had an implement that you could put on the back of the mower to precluded the need to catch the grass! When I told him that I was only catching the grass to help out his wife, he just chuckled and went back to work in his garden. I'm not making this up.
Had a nice chat with 4 today. She says that she will be adding to her blog soon. She sounded good.
I'm off to the bike. Have a great evening.
Be careful out there.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Monday
Hard to believe that it has been a full week since the QC Criterium. We have the race volunteers' party tonight at a pub over in Rock Island.
I was surprised to learn that the Hawkeyes had been in the top 25 nationally in basketball attendance until last year when they dropped to 29th. My guess is that if they win with the new guy, they will get back up there. People don't have a lot else to do in Iowa in the Winter.
I got hooked on the movie "Accepted" last night when I was cruising through the movie channels on my dish. That's the story about a kid whose applications get turned down by all of the colleges to which he applies. So he and a couple of his friends invent a school, set up a website, and end up with a student body. The protagonist was previously on the TV show "Ed". Mindless humor.
All for today. I need to get out of here.
Be careful out there.
I was surprised to learn that the Hawkeyes had been in the top 25 nationally in basketball attendance until last year when they dropped to 29th. My guess is that if they win with the new guy, they will get back up there. People don't have a lot else to do in Iowa in the Winter.
I got hooked on the movie "Accepted" last night when I was cruising through the movie channels on my dish. That's the story about a kid whose applications get turned down by all of the colleges to which he applies. So he and a couple of his friends invent a school, set up a website, and end up with a student body. The protagonist was previously on the TV show "Ed". Mindless humor.
All for today. I need to get out of here.
Be careful out there.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Sunday
Just a few lines today.
I did get up to De Witt this AM. I was a little later out of the blocks than I had planned. But a 6:15 departure worked ok. 47+. Breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe. Several other riders were out on the road as well. Lots of red-winged blackbirds, but none in attack-mode. (I did have one dive-bomb me yesterday, just like my friend from last year.) One unruly dog.
The variety of road-kill along my route today was impressive. The wet weather brings out the snakes, toads and the like which have no chance with a 2000 pound vehicle pounding along at 50+ MPH. Add in your normal assortment of raccoons, skunks, birds and squirrels and you have quite the menu. Could this be American Midwest sushi? On a bike, you get a real close-up view of a lot of anatomy. That you would rather not see.
Sorry for that brief insight into cycling's little talked-of panorama.
Looks like 4 was not able to find a computer over the weekend.
Ellen Goodman's column today was about the environmental benefits of gardening and raising your own food. It's worth the read. Very tongue in cheek. One comment, actually a quote from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, about the energy costs to transport an item of fresh fruit from California to Philadelphia, and the resultant need of the consumer to spend an hour on the treadmill in Maryland was especially good.
Speaking of environmental protections, how much good does it do to recycle the sleeves on your SB's coffee? There's a local SB's competitor who is giving customers a free cup after 10 usages (I think) of the same sleeve. I think they've been reading my former GF Sheryl's global warming blog.
Actually, if we wanted to get Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer involved in the discussion, we could debate the relative environmental impact of the use of a sleeve versus the use of a double-cup. Add a sleeve to a double-cup and we're talking serious stuff.
Another of life's challenges has occurred to me with the change of my Russian cleaning ladies. The new gal is not quite as good at keeping my stuff in the right places, that is, the places where I keep my stuff and expect to find it. Not a lot of exceptions, but each time she comes, there are always a couple of items slightly askew.
I'm off to my domestic duties.
Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
I did get up to De Witt this AM. I was a little later out of the blocks than I had planned. But a 6:15 departure worked ok. 47+. Breakfast at the Sunrise Cafe. Several other riders were out on the road as well. Lots of red-winged blackbirds, but none in attack-mode. (I did have one dive-bomb me yesterday, just like my friend from last year.) One unruly dog.
The variety of road-kill along my route today was impressive. The wet weather brings out the snakes, toads and the like which have no chance with a 2000 pound vehicle pounding along at 50+ MPH. Add in your normal assortment of raccoons, skunks, birds and squirrels and you have quite the menu. Could this be American Midwest sushi? On a bike, you get a real close-up view of a lot of anatomy. That you would rather not see.
Sorry for that brief insight into cycling's little talked-of panorama.
Looks like 4 was not able to find a computer over the weekend.
Ellen Goodman's column today was about the environmental benefits of gardening and raising your own food. It's worth the read. Very tongue in cheek. One comment, actually a quote from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, about the energy costs to transport an item of fresh fruit from California to Philadelphia, and the resultant need of the consumer to spend an hour on the treadmill in Maryland was especially good.
Speaking of environmental protections, how much good does it do to recycle the sleeves on your SB's coffee? There's a local SB's competitor who is giving customers a free cup after 10 usages (I think) of the same sleeve. I think they've been reading my former GF Sheryl's global warming blog.
Actually, if we wanted to get Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer involved in the discussion, we could debate the relative environmental impact of the use of a sleeve versus the use of a double-cup. Add a sleeve to a double-cup and we're talking serious stuff.
Another of life's challenges has occurred to me with the change of my Russian cleaning ladies. The new gal is not quite as good at keeping my stuff in the right places, that is, the places where I keep my stuff and expect to find it. Not a lot of exceptions, but each time she comes, there are always a couple of items slightly askew.
I'm off to my domestic duties.
Have a great day.
Be careful out there.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Saturday
I stopped in to check mail this evening. It rained hard here early this AM, but it's been pretty nice the rest of the day. I got in a +31 mile ride which went well except for the last couple of miles when I was dead into the wind. I may try breakfast in DeWitt tomorrow to test my mileage.
Enjoyed the comment from 1's betrothed. I'm thinking about a numeric designation for him. Maybe 1A.
An after-thought to the whole A-Rod incident occurred to me when I read that the victim third baseman was playing in his first or second major league game. A-Rod could have been pulling a stunt on a rookie that a veteran would never have fallen for. The Yankee manager, Joe Torre, came out yesterday and said that it was not a good play. Probably to send the message to the other Yankee players that A-Rod wasn't representing the organization in that action.
My SB's friend who wrote the book had a book-signing event at Border's today for a couple of hours. I had started my ride and was on Forest Grove when I remembered, so I did a turn-around and made a brief appearance at the store. I had never met the ultimate fighter who was the subject of the book, and I was surprised at how small he was physically. Not 5'10" and not 170. I think that some saying about dynamite in small packages may apply.
And my mailbox yielded Spanish fruit today. A card from 4 with a very nice greeting. Snail mail crossing the pond seems to work. For those interested, her address is:
K_____ H_____
Summer Language and Culture
CIEE Study Center in Seville
Calle Muniz y Pabon, 9
41004 - Sevilla, SPAIN
The "n" in Muniz and the "o" in Pabon each have a little half-caret over them.
She was on the Rock of Gibralter today. I'll be anxious to hear her tale.
The Giro in Italy wraps up tomorrow. An Italian is winning. One of Discovery's rent-a-stud's from the last couple of years, Paolo Savoldelli, who is with a different team this year, won today's individual time trial. Good for him. He rode well for Discovery for those two years, including an overall win in the Giro. I liked his style. Still do.
A free lance writer gal in Bettendorf does a human interest column each week in the Bettendorf News, and I think that she's taking my material. She had a something-less-than-original piece last week about getting solicitations from AARP for membership as she is approaching the age. And her husband is already a member. But she isn't quite that old. Actually, I didn't read the whole thing, so I may have missed her point. Like pooh-poohing that 10% discount at Motel 6. A few weeks ago she had a column on birds' nests around their house and yard. Like 4000 Days didn't devote numerous entries to my 'fraidy-cat robin hatchling last year.
The sincerest form of flattery.
Speaking of flattery, for those Iowa State fans in the crowd, their mascot Cy has won a competition on the SPiN ON SPORTS page of CBS Sportsline as the Most Dominant College Mascot On Earth. Check it out at: cbs.sportsline.com
All for today. Hope everyone has a fine Sunday.
Be careful out there.
Enjoyed the comment from 1's betrothed. I'm thinking about a numeric designation for him. Maybe 1A.
An after-thought to the whole A-Rod incident occurred to me when I read that the victim third baseman was playing in his first or second major league game. A-Rod could have been pulling a stunt on a rookie that a veteran would never have fallen for. The Yankee manager, Joe Torre, came out yesterday and said that it was not a good play. Probably to send the message to the other Yankee players that A-Rod wasn't representing the organization in that action.
My SB's friend who wrote the book had a book-signing event at Border's today for a couple of hours. I had started my ride and was on Forest Grove when I remembered, so I did a turn-around and made a brief appearance at the store. I had never met the ultimate fighter who was the subject of the book, and I was surprised at how small he was physically. Not 5'10" and not 170. I think that some saying about dynamite in small packages may apply.
And my mailbox yielded Spanish fruit today. A card from 4 with a very nice greeting. Snail mail crossing the pond seems to work. For those interested, her address is:
K_____ H_____
Summer Language and Culture
CIEE Study Center in Seville
Calle Muniz y Pabon, 9
41004 - Sevilla, SPAIN
The "n" in Muniz and the "o" in Pabon each have a little half-caret over them.
She was on the Rock of Gibralter today. I'll be anxious to hear her tale.
The Giro in Italy wraps up tomorrow. An Italian is winning. One of Discovery's rent-a-stud's from the last couple of years, Paolo Savoldelli, who is with a different team this year, won today's individual time trial. Good for him. He rode well for Discovery for those two years, including an overall win in the Giro. I liked his style. Still do.
A free lance writer gal in Bettendorf does a human interest column each week in the Bettendorf News, and I think that she's taking my material. She had a something-less-than-original piece last week about getting solicitations from AARP for membership as she is approaching the age. And her husband is already a member. But she isn't quite that old. Actually, I didn't read the whole thing, so I may have missed her point. Like pooh-poohing that 10% discount at Motel 6. A few weeks ago she had a column on birds' nests around their house and yard. Like 4000 Days didn't devote numerous entries to my 'fraidy-cat robin hatchling last year.
The sincerest form of flattery.
Speaking of flattery, for those Iowa State fans in the crowd, their mascot Cy has won a competition on the SPiN ON SPORTS page of CBS Sportsline as the Most Dominant College Mascot On Earth. Check it out at: cbs.sportsline.com
All for today. Hope everyone has a fine Sunday.
Be careful out there.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Friday
Weather here today. Tornado's touched down in Muscatine. A little excitement.
No big plans for the weekend. I'll be putting some miles on the bike.
For those interested in a few pics from the bike races last weekend, click on the View Photos button in the QC Criterium box on the home page of www.CriteriumFinancial.com
I have a tomato-eating rabbit in my yard.
Seven weeks from tonight is 1's big day.
Off for the evening. Have a good one.
Be careful out there.
No big plans for the weekend. I'll be putting some miles on the bike.
For those interested in a few pics from the bike races last weekend, click on the View Photos button in the QC Criterium box on the home page of www.CriteriumFinancial.com
I have a tomato-eating rabbit in my yard.
Seven weeks from tonight is 1's big day.
Off for the evening. Have a good one.
Be careful out there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
