Just a few lines tonight. I've been busy this evening prepping for tomorrow's visit from the carpet/vinyl installer. (I'm wondering what will go wrong.) The kitchen and the basement floors are basically clear. My pals Bill and Pete came over and helped with the big stuff.
Hard to believe that we need rain. My yard is gradually turning brown.
Enjoyed the Twitter comments about sharing the chocolate Butterfinger ice cream at Whitey's. In the truck. I'm guessing that the truck in that memory is the red and gray one with the jump seat. I loved that truck. But it had a gas appetite that was legendary. It had two tanks, and I'd use both for those client trips over to Des Moines and back. I elected to sell it when the fights among the crew over seating became too much to take.
With tomorrow being September, I'm guessing that a few baseball players are hoping that the Dog Days of Summer will be gone. Players (and teams) get into slumps, and those hot August nights (and days if you're a Cub), often get the blame. Heck, a slump can come along any time. And usually stays longer than necessary to make the point that you have lost contact.
So I'm headed to bed and catching up on that sleep lost to The Winniferous and the road.
Hey, 3! Be a star!
BCOT
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday II
So I thought that I would add some text here after several days of pics (or less!).
I'm looking to a little return to normalcy this evening as I get the chance to sleep in my own bed after two days on the road and two additional days Winniferous duty. Not that any of the days were less than satisfying. To the contrary. The trip North was a very enjoyable visit with 1, 1.1, and 1.01. As the pics attest, 1.01 is a beautiful child. And a good baby. It's fun to see her grow.
I changed the title picture here just for the sake of change. No mountains or biking photos for a while. (I opted for a bit of tradition as opposed to giving in to my baser instincts. Plus, I'm neither a Bud man, nor a Chevy guy.)
The book on CD that I listened to on my weekend journey was a bust. I normally go for the spy/murder/conspiracy junk/easy-read books. This one was too much on the junk side. It was one of those deals where the author had an idea and plenty of moving parts for the first half of the book, but then couldn't keep the threads going, and finally just gave up and compressed the ending with a series of convenient ironies in the last couple of chapters. (And his right-wing ideology was way too over the top. Even for me.) Whatever.
The Lowe's flooring department supposedly set me up before I left town on Friday for basement carpet and kitchen vinyl installation this week. I found it curious that their system is a pay-first program upon confirming the order. (They out-source the installation and you then schedule that work after you have fully paid Lowe's...who pays the contractor...after he's done the job!) This in contrast to, say, the car repair shop where you pay upon completion.
I said supposedly because I just got a call from Lowe's saying that, "Oops, that carpet that we had you pay for in advance is out of stock and we don't have enough for your job. Sorry." I basically told the guy that I needed time to cool off and that he should call me tomorrow. What a crock.
Not that a lot of the peanut gallery may care, but the European peloton is traversing Spain over the next three weeks as the final Grand Tour for the year is held there. The star-power in the pack is always a little light by the time this one rolls around, although most of the high-ranking Spaniards will definitely show up. I don't follow this race that closely. But 4 and I are talking about a trip to Northern Spain next year, and the Pyrenee's will be part of that trek. So I need to decide which of the Tour peaks will be my target.
More later.
BCOT
I'm looking to a little return to normalcy this evening as I get the chance to sleep in my own bed after two days on the road and two additional days Winniferous duty. Not that any of the days were less than satisfying. To the contrary. The trip North was a very enjoyable visit with 1, 1.1, and 1.01. As the pics attest, 1.01 is a beautiful child. And a good baby. It's fun to see her grow.
The book on CD that I listened to on my weekend journey was a bust. I normally go for the spy/murder/conspiracy junk/easy-read books. This one was too much on the junk side. It was one of those deals where the author had an idea and plenty of moving parts for the first half of the book, but then couldn't keep the threads going, and finally just gave up and compressed the ending with a series of convenient ironies in the last couple of chapters. (And his right-wing ideology was way too over the top. Even for me.) Whatever.
The Lowe's flooring department supposedly set me up before I left town on Friday for basement carpet and kitchen vinyl installation this week. I found it curious that their system is a pay-first program upon confirming the order. (They out-source the installation and you then schedule that work after you have fully paid Lowe's...who pays the contractor...after he's done the job!) This in contrast to, say, the car repair shop where you pay upon completion.
I said supposedly because I just got a call from Lowe's saying that, "Oops, that carpet that we had you pay for in advance is out of stock and we don't have enough for your job. Sorry." I basically told the guy that I needed time to cool off and that he should call me tomorrow. What a crock.
Not that a lot of the peanut gallery may care, but the European peloton is traversing Spain over the next three weeks as the final Grand Tour for the year is held there. The star-power in the pack is always a little light by the time this one rolls around, although most of the high-ranking Spaniards will definitely show up. I don't follow this race that closely. But 4 and I are talking about a trip to Northern Spain next year, and the Pyrenee's will be part of that trek. So I need to decide which of the Tour peaks will be my target.
More later.
BCOT
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday
We just had the best weather day here in months. No humidity. Warm, but not hot. Sunny. Little wind. Pretty suite.
For the record, RevKev, I did go to the site that you referenced in yesterday's Comments. I suppose that there is a point to be made by going bag-less. But to me, it's a big "So what?" It will be a boring book.
This is my last night alone in my own digs for a while. I have The Winniferous tomorrow night, and then it's a couple of nights in Woodbury visiting 1.01, followed by Sunday night back home with The W. (2 is off to Oklahoma for a long weekend and SRH and I have the pleasure of splitting W's company through Monday afternoon.)
What is it with shoe manufacturers lacing new shoes with the laces coming over the top of the lacing holes? Is it for fashion? It certainly doesn't serve function.
I'm guessing that we all have missed an appointment or two in the past by over-sleeping. The alarm didn't go off. I slept through the alarm. (Whatever. I missed at least three semesters of classes at ND without the benefit of an over-sleeping excuse.) How 'bout highly-ranked pro golfer Jim Furyk being disqualified from this week's tournament for being late for his Wednesday morning Pro-Am tee time because his phone powered-down over night, and the alarm didn't ring?
The PGA has very strict rules about making tee times, and if you miss even the Pro-Am, you're DQ'd for the tournament. No excuses. That'll cost Furyk a bunch of money. Several hundred thousand if he hit the ball well. Life's a beach.
Before Googling it, try to name a few members of the USA basketball squad for the FIBA World Basketball tournament? Where is it being held? When? And they say the the WNBA can't draw!
Hope everyone has a good Thursday.
BCOT
For the record, RevKev, I did go to the site that you referenced in yesterday's Comments. I suppose that there is a point to be made by going bag-less. But to me, it's a big "So what?" It will be a boring book.
This is my last night alone in my own digs for a while. I have The Winniferous tomorrow night, and then it's a couple of nights in Woodbury visiting 1.01, followed by Sunday night back home with The W. (2 is off to Oklahoma for a long weekend and SRH and I have the pleasure of splitting W's company through Monday afternoon.)
What is it with shoe manufacturers lacing new shoes with the laces coming over the top of the lacing holes? Is it for fashion? It certainly doesn't serve function.
I'm guessing that we all have missed an appointment or two in the past by over-sleeping. The alarm didn't go off. I slept through the alarm. (Whatever. I missed at least three semesters of classes at ND without the benefit of an over-sleeping excuse.) How 'bout highly-ranked pro golfer Jim Furyk being disqualified from this week's tournament for being late for his Wednesday morning Pro-Am tee time because his phone powered-down over night, and the alarm didn't ring?
The PGA has very strict rules about making tee times, and if you miss even the Pro-Am, you're DQ'd for the tournament. No excuses. That'll cost Furyk a bunch of money. Several hundred thousand if he hit the ball well. Life's a beach.
Before Googling it, try to name a few members of the USA basketball squad for the FIBA World Basketball tournament? Where is it being held? When? And they say the the WNBA can't draw!
Hope everyone has a good Thursday.
BCOT
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday
My new phone is a big improvement, I think. No butt calls made to date. That I know about.
My pal Pete and I did the early ride today. My new flashing tail-light made it's first appearance on the road. Funny, the extra weight of the light didn't even hold my speed down. Beautiful sunrise. The reverse red-rubber-ball effect of those Summer sunsets.
I spent a lot of time on the ride this morning trying to decide if the tail-light was an element of insurance or simply a safety device. Then, I got to wondering about the practical differences between insurance and safety devices, and the comparative examples of each. (Yes, it was a pretty boring ride!)
So we have the typical insurance policies: Life on a person; Property on goods and facilities; Errors and Omissions for professional folks; Health, Disability and the like for injuries and sickness; Umbrella policies for catch-all purposes. For the most part, these are contracts with an insurance company that agrees to pay money for an eventuality if you pay a periodic premium. And the insurance companies have actuaries who come up with probabilities that set premiums so that the insurer will make a profit when all is said and done (on a long term basis).
Safety measures are usually physical devices or procedures that are fabricated or followed to prevent injury or misfortune. Safety belts. Surge protectors. Steel-toed boots. Pre-flight check-lists. Hand rails. Auto-shut-down. Tape back-ups. The list is almost endless. (Those instructions on the back of the weed-kill label are there for a reason.)
But as I was not-so-powering up the Wells Ferry hill this morning, I was thinking about things that I do that I consider insurance steps that are a little outside the standard definitions of insurance and/or safety. Such as:
1. Putting the extra set of keys in another carry-on bag on an auto trip.
2. Putting my phone in a plastic baggie when out on a bike ride.
3. Carrying two extra tubes in my bike bag rather than one.
4. Packing my camera battery charger for a weekend trip after charging the batteries the night before.
5. Packing the mini digi when taking the primary digi for the same trip.
6. Do jumper cables in the trunk count? Naah.
7. Watering outdoor plants when rain is needed and is in the forecast.
8. Buying an extra can of whatever when I can't remember how much of it is in the closet.
9. Carrying a bungee cord in Margret.
10. Including at least 3 gray t-shirts, two wine openers and two bars of soap in my carry-on.
Actually, after spending some time here, I realize that you could use this list as a spring-board to other meaningless lists like; Strange Things I do, How to Get Under Another's Skin, or Nobody Knows This S**t.
More later.
BCOT
My pal Pete and I did the early ride today. My new flashing tail-light made it's first appearance on the road. Funny, the extra weight of the light didn't even hold my speed down. Beautiful sunrise. The reverse red-rubber-ball effect of those Summer sunsets.
I spent a lot of time on the ride this morning trying to decide if the tail-light was an element of insurance or simply a safety device. Then, I got to wondering about the practical differences between insurance and safety devices, and the comparative examples of each. (Yes, it was a pretty boring ride!)
So we have the typical insurance policies: Life on a person; Property on goods and facilities; Errors and Omissions for professional folks; Health, Disability and the like for injuries and sickness; Umbrella policies for catch-all purposes. For the most part, these are contracts with an insurance company that agrees to pay money for an eventuality if you pay a periodic premium. And the insurance companies have actuaries who come up with probabilities that set premiums so that the insurer will make a profit when all is said and done (on a long term basis).
Safety measures are usually physical devices or procedures that are fabricated or followed to prevent injury or misfortune. Safety belts. Surge protectors. Steel-toed boots. Pre-flight check-lists. Hand rails. Auto-shut-down. Tape back-ups. The list is almost endless. (Those instructions on the back of the weed-kill label are there for a reason.)
But as I was not-so-powering up the Wells Ferry hill this morning, I was thinking about things that I do that I consider insurance steps that are a little outside the standard definitions of insurance and/or safety. Such as:
1. Putting the extra set of keys in another carry-on bag on an auto trip.
2. Putting my phone in a plastic baggie when out on a bike ride.
3. Carrying two extra tubes in my bike bag rather than one.
4. Packing my camera battery charger for a weekend trip after charging the batteries the night before.
5. Packing the mini digi when taking the primary digi for the same trip.
6. Do jumper cables in the trunk count? Naah.
7. Watering outdoor plants when rain is needed and is in the forecast.
8. Buying an extra can of whatever when I can't remember how much of it is in the closet.
9. Carrying a bungee cord in Margret.
10. Including at least 3 gray t-shirts, two wine openers and two bars of soap in my carry-on.
Actually, after spending some time here, I realize that you could use this list as a spring-board to other meaningless lists like; Strange Things I do, How to Get Under Another's Skin, or Nobody Knows This S**t.
More later.
BCOT
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday
Short entry tonight. I had The Winniferous for the evening and I was a bit distracted from getting on the computer. The W was a needy girl. But she's (almost) always welcome on Maplecrest Road.
From the Twitter feeds today, the fam had a rough Monday. Look at it this way; there's only one Monday per week. And this one's done! How's that for The Glad Game?
The new phone is in hand. Droid 2 by Motorola through a Verizon service agreement. The concepts seem to be similar, but it will take a while for me to get used to it.
And I also added the battery-powered tail light to my bike. First try-out is in the AM.
More tomorrow.
BCOT
From the Twitter feeds today, the fam had a rough Monday. Look at it this way; there's only one Monday per week. And this one's done! How's that for The Glad Game?
The new phone is in hand. Droid 2 by Motorola through a Verizon service agreement. The concepts seem to be similar, but it will take a while for me to get used to it.
And I also added the battery-powered tail light to my bike. First try-out is in the AM.
More tomorrow.
BCOT
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday
Busy weekend for the LtPC. I mad three trips to Muskie in the space of 24 hours, sandwiching a pathetic round of golf around cocktails with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. The good part was that my pal Ron was my driver for two of the trips (and the Saturday evening gig was over by 8PM).
My pal Pete and I did another 50 mile route to breakfast in DeWitt this morning. A good ride, but the fog and humidity made it a Top Ten for dampness. The 50 mile distance is more the result of repair work on our regular roads rather than a commitment to get to the half-century mark in mileage. Little wind which was great. Not bad traffic.
(I had Pete swap out his bike seat for the one I bought in Lake Tahoe last month. His saddle had been one of those hard-as-rock skinny things that is supposed to attest to a rider's embracing of the peloton. Yeah. Right.)
It looks like my kitchen vinyl and basement carpet will be installed this week. My RCL will be in shock when she comes for her visit next time. I hope.
It looks like there will be some Winniferous sitting this coming weekend. 2's headed to Oklahoma. I may be skipping out to the TC, so SRH may get the honors for most of the time. Lucky her.
I managed to avoid all of the Fah-v-ra hype tonight. NBC shamelessly promoted the pre-season game during the golf yesterday and today. Like he was going to do other than a cameo for a meaningless game. What a croc.
My internal calendar has the feel that this coming weekend should be the Labor Day holiday weekend.
3 reports via Twitter that she's back in Beantown after a weekend with friends in DC. Hope she finds time to add to her blog later this week.
I'll add more here in the AM.
BCOT
My pal Pete and I did another 50 mile route to breakfast in DeWitt this morning. A good ride, but the fog and humidity made it a Top Ten for dampness. The 50 mile distance is more the result of repair work on our regular roads rather than a commitment to get to the half-century mark in mileage. Little wind which was great. Not bad traffic.
(I had Pete swap out his bike seat for the one I bought in Lake Tahoe last month. His saddle had been one of those hard-as-rock skinny things that is supposed to attest to a rider's embracing of the peloton. Yeah. Right.)
It looks like my kitchen vinyl and basement carpet will be installed this week. My RCL will be in shock when she comes for her visit next time. I hope.
It looks like there will be some Winniferous sitting this coming weekend. 2's headed to Oklahoma. I may be skipping out to the TC, so SRH may get the honors for most of the time. Lucky her.
I managed to avoid all of the Fah-v-ra hype tonight. NBC shamelessly promoted the pre-season game during the golf yesterday and today. Like he was going to do other than a cameo for a meaningless game. What a croc.
My internal calendar has the feel that this coming weekend should be the Labor Day holiday weekend.
3 reports via Twitter that she's back in Beantown after a weekend with friends in DC. Hope she finds time to add to her blog later this week.
I'll add more here in the AM.
BCOT
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday
Well, today definitely is Friday. And I'm glad of it.
I may go down to Muskie for cocktails, but I have to pick up the Buick for the trip. I had taken it in for routine maintenance earlier in the week, and it just hasn't been convenient to retreive it before now. Maybe staying over night at my pal Roy's as we have a tentative tee time for tomorrow morning. All bets are off if the rain comes in as forecasted.
My next retail purchase will be a pulsating/blinking tail light for my bike. Leaving at 0550 is now a bit iffy. @bcbison has lights both front and back (one that I gave him!) and the shrinking daylight demands better biker-visibility for those headed to work early (and who are running late!). In another couple of weeks or so, the before-work rides will be history. Maybe spin class?
Miss USA 2010. In costume. Why shouldn't she be on the blog?
Oh. She had her say on the GZM. Didn't get cleared by the WH in advance. Who will be "explaining" what she really meant? Then again, she's probably been excommunicated for the bikini shots (or whatever they do short of decapitation for such offenses).
4's comment on yesterday's entry about the AP is interesting. I think that before the age of on-line news, the AP (and network TV for that matter) were considered un-biased reporters of events. I began joking in the early '90's that I had become a USA Today reader because their "McPaper" approach kept the editorials on the Opinion Page, in contrast to the local rag and the Des Moines Register. (Funny now how USA Today has dropped any semblance of effort to portray anything but contempt for non-progressive thought.)
In the Information Age, these old-line, mass-distributors have had their veils of bias pulled back, but for the most part, they have hunkered down with a self-confidence that their left-leaning perspectives are what's best for the public. Of course, the print business is all but dead, and the major TV networks keep spliting a smaller piece of the media pie. But they still matter (I think). Maybe they should just issue a disclaimer at the bottom of the page or screen. Whatever. I can't recall the last time I watched a network news show.
Wow. That got a little off track. Sorry. I think Katie Couric is just peachy great! Brain Williams is a hunk! And that ABC person can turn a word! (Balanced reporting here!)
Off for the evening.
BCOT
I may go down to Muskie for cocktails, but I have to pick up the Buick for the trip. I had taken it in for routine maintenance earlier in the week, and it just hasn't been convenient to retreive it before now. Maybe staying over night at my pal Roy's as we have a tentative tee time for tomorrow morning. All bets are off if the rain comes in as forecasted.
My next retail purchase will be a pulsating/blinking tail light for my bike. Leaving at 0550 is now a bit iffy. @bcbison has lights both front and back (one that I gave him!) and the shrinking daylight demands better biker-visibility for those headed to work early (and who are running late!). In another couple of weeks or so, the before-work rides will be history. Maybe spin class?
Oh. She had her say on the GZM. Didn't get cleared by the WH in advance. Who will be "explaining" what she really meant? Then again, she's probably been excommunicated for the bikini shots (or whatever they do short of decapitation for such offenses).
4's comment on yesterday's entry about the AP is interesting. I think that before the age of on-line news, the AP (and network TV for that matter) were considered un-biased reporters of events. I began joking in the early '90's that I had become a USA Today reader because their "McPaper" approach kept the editorials on the Opinion Page, in contrast to the local rag and the Des Moines Register. (Funny now how USA Today has dropped any semblance of effort to portray anything but contempt for non-progressive thought.)
In the Information Age, these old-line, mass-distributors have had their veils of bias pulled back, but for the most part, they have hunkered down with a self-confidence that their left-leaning perspectives are what's best for the public. Of course, the print business is all but dead, and the major TV networks keep spliting a smaller piece of the media pie. But they still matter (I think). Maybe they should just issue a disclaimer at the bottom of the page or screen. Whatever. I can't recall the last time I watched a network news show.
Wow. That got a little off track. Sorry. I think Katie Couric is just peachy great! Brain Williams is a hunk! And that ABC person can turn a word! (Balanced reporting here!)
Off for the evening.
BCOT
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday
This feels like Friday.
The flat tire on my bike last night just a few minutes into my ride was a bummer. Rather than fix it on the road, I elected the "Call a Friend" option and dropped the whole bike at the shop for two tire replacements and a chain adjustment. The flatted tire was worn down to the carcass and it was the same tire that I had repaired a couple of weeks ago. Too many miles.
It looks like the Feds have decided to take Roger Clemens to the woodshed. Note that the charges are not the act of taking PED's, but rather for him standing up before Congress and lying through his teeth about it. The legislators have no problem lying themselves to the American public, about anything, but they get pretty agitated if they think that someone would stoop so low as to come into their House and lie to one of their own show-and-tell panels. Not that I have much symapthy for Clemens.
AP has put out the word to their writers that they can't use the term "Ground Zero Mosque". If this story isn't the most over-rated event since Geraldo's live excavation of Al Capone's vault, I don't know what is less news-worthy. I'm pretty sure that they have strip clubs in the area. Where's the outrage and controversy on such base and purient use of the hallowed ground? Whatever. Although it is fun to watch the White House gratuitously jump in and just flail away in the midst of the mud-slinging.
3 gets another recognition here for fighting the good fight in New York City. Her job hunts continues. The market is not the best out there for junior analysts, but she keeps getting call backs, and one of them will workout in the near future. Hang in there, Kiddo!
There's also been a couple of additions to 3 & 4's blog. Writing is therapeutic for most of us in the fam. Props to 3 for those efforts as well.
I'm off to mow the yard. And pick up the bike so that I'll be able to ride in the AM with @bcbison. Maybe finish that bottle of Tuscan red from last night. I mean, why wouldn't I?
BCOT
The flat tire on my bike last night just a few minutes into my ride was a bummer. Rather than fix it on the road, I elected the "Call a Friend" option and dropped the whole bike at the shop for two tire replacements and a chain adjustment. The flatted tire was worn down to the carcass and it was the same tire that I had repaired a couple of weeks ago. Too many miles.
It looks like the Feds have decided to take Roger Clemens to the woodshed. Note that the charges are not the act of taking PED's, but rather for him standing up before Congress and lying through his teeth about it. The legislators have no problem lying themselves to the American public, about anything, but they get pretty agitated if they think that someone would stoop so low as to come into their House and lie to one of their own show-and-tell panels. Not that I have much symapthy for Clemens.
AP has put out the word to their writers that they can't use the term "Ground Zero Mosque". If this story isn't the most over-rated event since Geraldo's live excavation of Al Capone's vault, I don't know what is less news-worthy. I'm pretty sure that they have strip clubs in the area. Where's the outrage and controversy on such base and purient use of the hallowed ground? Whatever. Although it is fun to watch the White House gratuitously jump in and just flail away in the midst of the mud-slinging.
There's also been a couple of additions to 3 & 4's blog. Writing is therapeutic for most of us in the fam. Props to 3 for those efforts as well.
I'm off to mow the yard. And pick up the bike so that I'll be able to ride in the AM with @bcbison. Maybe finish that bottle of Tuscan red from last night. I mean, why wouldn't I?
BCOT
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday
I'm thinking that the mosque should be moved to the South lawn of the White House. I mean, why wouldn't you?
The Iowa State Fair is open in Des Moines this week. I'm sure that that matters to some folks.
The Perfect Neighbor's garden has started to produce. I've been getting tomatoes and sweet peppers on a regular basis. Lots better results than when I was trying to grow my own.
Brett Favre is back in Minnesota. I've got to admit, I am really bored with the story. When this stuff happens, sports talk radio and TV sports news can't get off the topic. Every station. Every show. With baseball the only major sport in season, these ancillary stories get more airtime simply because there's not that much else to talk about. The PGA penalty story had no legs. People are tired of Lebrain-dead James. I guess the NFL is the most popular sport when these pre-season soap-opera threads can dominate the news.
A sign of the economic times? Biaggi's ran a $10 pasta entree special last night and the place was packed. I ended up there at the last minute on an invitation from a friend/client who was rained-out of an evening's hike in the park. And I couldn't figure out why the parking lot was full on a Tuesday night...and then standing-room-only in the bar area. Then again, when Roy and I had been there for lunch a week or so ago, I had commented that the dining room was not that busy. Hmmm.
The Taurus is back in action. I had it through the repair shop on Monday for routine maintenance and a "Check Engine" light. I'm always a little nervous about taking that car to the shop because you could leave it there for a week or two to fix everything. And then the car's value would not likely increase as a result of said repairs. But these guys were good about it, fixing only the critical items and not trying to over-sell the other stuff. $155 included patching nail holes in two tires. I felt good enough about the car's future to put in a full tank of gas on the way home.
Looks like the sun will be out this afternoon. And not too hot. Maybe a bike ride after work. Or a little earlier.
BCOT
The Perfect Neighbor's garden has started to produce. I've been getting tomatoes and sweet peppers on a regular basis. Lots better results than when I was trying to grow my own.
Brett Favre is back in Minnesota. I've got to admit, I am really bored with the story. When this stuff happens, sports talk radio and TV sports news can't get off the topic. Every station. Every show. With baseball the only major sport in season, these ancillary stories get more airtime simply because there's not that much else to talk about. The PGA penalty story had no legs. People are tired of Lebrain-dead James. I guess the NFL is the most popular sport when these pre-season soap-opera threads can dominate the news.
A sign of the economic times? Biaggi's ran a $10 pasta entree special last night and the place was packed. I ended up there at the last minute on an invitation from a friend/client who was rained-out of an evening's hike in the park. And I couldn't figure out why the parking lot was full on a Tuesday night...and then standing-room-only in the bar area. Then again, when Roy and I had been there for lunch a week or so ago, I had commented that the dining room was not that busy. Hmmm.
The Taurus is back in action. I had it through the repair shop on Monday for routine maintenance and a "Check Engine" light. I'm always a little nervous about taking that car to the shop because you could leave it there for a week or two to fix everything. And then the car's value would not likely increase as a result of said repairs. But these guys were good about it, fixing only the critical items and not trying to over-sell the other stuff. $155 included patching nail holes in two tires. I felt good enough about the car's future to put in a full tank of gas on the way home.
Looks like the sun will be out this afternoon. And not too hot. Maybe a bike ride after work. Or a little earlier.
BCOT
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday II
More later.
BCOT...still
Monday
Ron and I then did a round of golf in the afternoon. I lost three bucks with a game that should have been banned from the course. But it was a beautiful afternoon and the beer cart girl kept a close eye on us. There's a tournament at the club in Muskie on Saturday so I need to make a little effort to clean up my short game. Or not.
How 'bout that ruling in the PGA event yesterday? I'm a big believer in the Rules of Golf, but that was one where it was almost a trick question. They can cite their pre-tournament local rules sheet as much as they want, but if they were playing that close of attention to things, the rules official in the Johnson group could just as easily given a "heads up" to the caddie about the lie being in a hazard when it wasn't so apparent to anyone else. It's a good thing that he didn't make his par putt on the hole or they would have literally taken the championship away from him. On a technicality.
And 2 may be interested in this final pic of the weekend. The Winniferous was definitely off her routine. But we got along fine. She is a workout queen. We did morning and evening walks. Rain, heat and all. I'll try to add more here later. Have a great week.
BCOT
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday
Doing the couch thing with The Winniferous. The temp on the guage on the front of my house says 88. I mowed the yard earlier and it was miserable with the humidity. The new A/C makes the couch a good option until the walk with W this evening.
I'm making a formal plea to the fam to check purses, bags or baggage pockets for any stray electronic cords that may have been stowed by error at Tahoe. I'm missing a couple of cables with USB connections at one end and special fittings at the other end that are camera-related. I usually kept both in the side-pocket of my laptop case, but have not been able to locate either since getting back from vacation.
The virus on my desktop was not easy to clear, but our IT provider was able to do so with remote access. The virus appeared as I was reading a news story at one of my regular Internet news sites, and I got a pop-up warning that my computer was infected and that I needed to run a virus protection program. The obvious give-away was that the recommended program was not the one already installed on our system. The worm gave out lots of official-looking Microsoft and Outlook warnings. Really a trap for the naive who want to respond "yes" to the query, "Do you want to isolate this threat?" It's a dangerous place out there.
http://www.augustana.edu/x1092.xml This link is to a blog written by one of the Augustana basketball players over the last several days to report on the team's current trip to The Peoples Republic of China. My pal Pete's Number Three son is with the team. He's a deep reserve, but they took the full squad. He called Pete on Thursday while Pete was on the road, and Pete said it sounded like he was just down the block. Technology is amazing.
The Winniferous and I have been watching the PGA tournament being held this weekend at a course in Wisconsin called Whistling Straits along the shores of Lake Michigan. Here are a couple of pics to give you an idea of the outrageousness of the course. They call it a "links" course with reference to Scottish and Irish courses after which it was patterned. Very few trees. Hundreds (literally, hundreds) of bunkers. Coarse grasses off the fairways. Water hazards on many holes (not including Lake Michigan!). Casual golfers like LtPC shouldn't even consider teeing it up there. Even from the ladies tees.
Green fees for 18 holes at this course: $340. Plus caddie fee of $60. And caddie gratuity of $35 (minimum). Souvenir golf shirt (without 30% discount) $85. Bottom line: bring the card without a credit limit.
Some Chinese guy I've never heard of just shot a course-record 64. 8 better than a guy named Tiger. 9 ahead of Phil for the day.
Congrats to 1 and 1.1 on their long runs today. 1 and 2 are now headed to Target Field for an evening with the Twinkies.
For me and The W, it will be an evening walk, and more of the couch life. Not all that bad.
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere. Boston fo' sure. Tuscan red.
BCOT
I'm making a formal plea to the fam to check purses, bags or baggage pockets for any stray electronic cords that may have been stowed by error at Tahoe. I'm missing a couple of cables with USB connections at one end and special fittings at the other end that are camera-related. I usually kept both in the side-pocket of my laptop case, but have not been able to locate either since getting back from vacation.
The virus on my desktop was not easy to clear, but our IT provider was able to do so with remote access. The virus appeared as I was reading a news story at one of my regular Internet news sites, and I got a pop-up warning that my computer was infected and that I needed to run a virus protection program. The obvious give-away was that the recommended program was not the one already installed on our system. The worm gave out lots of official-looking Microsoft and Outlook warnings. Really a trap for the naive who want to respond "yes" to the query, "Do you want to isolate this threat?" It's a dangerous place out there.
http://www.augustana.edu/x1092.xml This link is to a blog written by one of the Augustana basketball players over the last several days to report on the team's current trip to The Peoples Republic of China. My pal Pete's Number Three son is with the team. He's a deep reserve, but they took the full squad. He called Pete on Thursday while Pete was on the road, and Pete said it sounded like he was just down the block. Technology is amazing.
Green fees for 18 holes at this course: $340. Plus caddie fee of $60. And caddie gratuity of $35 (minimum). Souvenir golf shirt (without 30% discount) $85. Bottom line: bring the card without a credit limit.
Some Chinese guy I've never heard of just shot a course-record 64. 8 better than a guy named Tiger. 9 ahead of Phil for the day.
Congrats to 1 and 1.1 on their long runs today. 1 and 2 are now headed to Target Field for an evening with the Twinkies.
For me and The W, it will be an evening walk, and more of the couch life. Not all that bad.
It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere. Boston fo' sure. Tuscan red.
BCOT
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Thursday
My pal Pete and I went out for the early ride today and the humidity had to be nearly 100%. Departure time is now 0600 rather than 0530 because of the shortening day. Traffic is a little more dense. And the corn has given one stretch of road an almost-tunnel feel as you look left or right, and all you see is corn rows.
The furnace A/C installation went according to plan. The HVAC techs knew what they were doing, and made very little mess. The A/C unit seems to be able to handle the heat without over-working itself. Life is good. I hope the furnace works as well come December.
Next up is the re-carpeting of the basement and a new piece of vinyl for the kitchen. Home ownership means something always needs fixed/up-graded/replaced. I'm glad I have a small house.
Fun in Muskie last night. 2's high school classmate who is the chef there does a nice job. And the bar keeper has brought in some wine of my liking. Good people in the membership. The math works.
As I noted on Twitter, I received a 30% Off Everything from Kohl's this time, so I'll be loading up on end-of-season golf shirts. I'm minorly embarassed that, 1) I have a retail store's credit card in my wallet, and 2) that my shopping protocol has been reduced (no pun intended) to a requirement of not paying sticker price for a golf shirt. Then again, I only shop about twice a year. And pretty much only at Kohl's. Does that make me an old f**t or what?
Not sure why both LaRussa and Baker got suspensions for the dust-up in Cincy the other night. It looked to me like it was all the Reds' doings. In the old days, if the Cards' Bob Gibson was on the hill, the next guy up for Cincy would've been looking for a flak jacket.
Business dinner tonight at Biaggi's.
Look for The Winniferous here tomorrow!
BCOT
The furnace A/C installation went according to plan. The HVAC techs knew what they were doing, and made very little mess. The A/C unit seems to be able to handle the heat without over-working itself. Life is good. I hope the furnace works as well come December.
Next up is the re-carpeting of the basement and a new piece of vinyl for the kitchen. Home ownership means something always needs fixed/up-graded/replaced. I'm glad I have a small house.
Fun in Muskie last night. 2's high school classmate who is the chef there does a nice job. And the bar keeper has brought in some wine of my liking. Good people in the membership. The math works.
As I noted on Twitter, I received a 30% Off Everything from Kohl's this time, so I'll be loading up on end-of-season golf shirts. I'm minorly embarassed that, 1) I have a retail store's credit card in my wallet, and 2) that my shopping protocol has been reduced (no pun intended) to a requirement of not paying sticker price for a golf shirt. Then again, I only shop about twice a year. And pretty much only at Kohl's. Does that make me an old f**t or what?
Not sure why both LaRussa and Baker got suspensions for the dust-up in Cincy the other night. It looked to me like it was all the Reds' doings. In the old days, if the Cards' Bob Gibson was on the hill, the next guy up for Cincy would've been looking for a flak jacket.
Business dinner tonight at Biaggi's.
Look for The Winniferous here tomorrow!
BCOT
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday
Just a couple of paragraphs over the lunch hour for today. I'm headed to Muskie after work and will not be back on-line this evening.
Still steamy here for another couple of days. The forecast does show considerably lower temperatures for the Weekend With The Winniferous. Welcome news fo' sure.
Not necessarily a function of the current heat wave, but I am having my furnace and A/C systems replaced at my homestead today. The soon-to-be-discarded stuff has to be original equipment (which is 1971). Maybe not, but it is old and not very effective. Anyway, for the new units, there's a Federal energy credit through the end of 2010, and the local utility company has a rebate as well. We all know where all that funding comes from, so thank you, fellow taxpayers, for partially funding my upgrade. You are True Americans!
The NSSP has got to go! At least three butt calls yesterday, each in the two minute range. My pal Bill is looking at new providers as we speak. In addition to the problems with the phone itself, the US Cellular nationwide coverage is a bit spotty when they use other carrier's towers/equipment as well. The digital roaming function makes the transfer of my office email to my cell phone clumsy, at best, and sometimes not funtional at all. It's time for a change.
Wow! This is awful! Hilton Coliseim in Ames this morning. The basketball floor under water. The rain in Central Iowa has been a continuing story all week. I know that they have had issues around the arena in the past, but this sure is the real deal. The flood plain around Hilton must be a little less than the 100 year variety? Maybe a report from the locally residing cousins?
.
Still steamy here for another couple of days. The forecast does show considerably lower temperatures for the Weekend With The Winniferous. Welcome news fo' sure.
Not necessarily a function of the current heat wave, but I am having my furnace and A/C systems replaced at my homestead today. The soon-to-be-discarded stuff has to be original equipment (which is 1971). Maybe not, but it is old and not very effective. Anyway, for the new units, there's a Federal energy credit through the end of 2010, and the local utility company has a rebate as well. We all know where all that funding comes from, so thank you, fellow taxpayers, for partially funding my upgrade. You are True Americans!
The NSSP has got to go! At least three butt calls yesterday, each in the two minute range. My pal Bill is looking at new providers as we speak. In addition to the problems with the phone itself, the US Cellular nationwide coverage is a bit spotty when they use other carrier's towers/equipment as well. The digital roaming function makes the transfer of my office email to my cell phone clumsy, at best, and sometimes not funtional at all. It's time for a change.
Wow! This is awful! Hilton Coliseim in Ames this morning. The basketball floor under water. The rain in Central Iowa has been a continuing story all week. I know that they have had issues around the arena in the past, but this sure is the real deal. The flood plain around Hilton must be a little less than the 100 year variety? Maybe a report from the locally residing cousins?.
Speaking of state universities in the state, Iowa has reached over and hired 2's boss at the Figge Museum for their own. This move is also directly related to flooding. When Iowa City got inundated two years ago, the University's Art Museum collection ended up with longterm (but temporary) housing at the Figge in Davenport. That relationship between the university and the Figge obviously led to a familiarity that was key when the directorship position became open.http://figgeart.org/Figge-Art-Museum-(1)/August-2010/Executive-Director.aspx
So all for now. Have a great day.
BCOT
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday
Another day in the sauna...Last week's edition of Sports Illustrated had a good article about my buddy, Stan the Man Musial. It's worth the read if you have the time. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1172566/index.htm As you may recall, Stan was my first interview here on 4000 Days when I ran into him in the elevator at our hotel during our FFF last Summer in StL.
I forgot to mention that my Saturday trip back to the QCA on I-80 included a motorcycle count in the hundreds of hogs and the like headed West to Sturgis. When we did those family vacations in the '80's and '90's (KC, Rapid City, Adventureland, etc.) at this time of year, the Sturgis migration was always on the road at the same time. And there's always fatalities on the way to, while there, or on the way home. They don't call 'em "donorcycles" for nothin'.
Headed out for a ride in the sunshine. Suck it up, Buttercup!
BCOT
Monday, August 09, 2010
Monday
Back in the office for a "regular" week for a change. Although my "regular" week does end with a Weekend With the Winniferous. That could be a sitcom in the making.
One of the discussion points of my broker-dealer meeting in KC was the impact of the various marketing efforts a selling agent might employ in the pursuit of new business. Two of the session-speakers brought in for their motivational pitches both spoke about the importance of one-on-one techniques rather than traditional cold-calling, dinner-seminars, and direct mailings. The one guy described the equivalent of a war-plan as the protocol to go after a specific prospect. Interesting.
Ironically, the hosting company welcomed the brokers with gift packs that included a book (authored by one of the speakers), an engraved Parker ballpoint pen, and a plastic paper weight with an embedded commemerative coin. Not exactly New Age marketing chotsky's.
Life on the Interstate included a stop at the Adventureland exit for gas and a soda. That truckstop is a case-study on what not to do with egress traffic flow. A wimpy driver could spend the afternoon waiting for a break in the action to re-enter the pattern. I'm thinking that a lot of the major fueling Interstate exits have similar problems. I suspect that sales people who spend a lot of time on the road have the system figured out. For the rest of us, it's a challenge just getting out of the parking lot.
More later.
BCOT
One of the discussion points of my broker-dealer meeting in KC was the impact of the various marketing efforts a selling agent might employ in the pursuit of new business. Two of the session-speakers brought in for their motivational pitches both spoke about the importance of one-on-one techniques rather than traditional cold-calling, dinner-seminars, and direct mailings. The one guy described the equivalent of a war-plan as the protocol to go after a specific prospect. Interesting.
Ironically, the hosting company welcomed the brokers with gift packs that included a book (authored by one of the speakers), an engraved Parker ballpoint pen, and a plastic paper weight with an embedded commemerative coin. Not exactly New Age marketing chotsky's.
Life on the Interstate included a stop at the Adventureland exit for gas and a soda. That truckstop is a case-study on what not to do with egress traffic flow. A wimpy driver could spend the afternoon waiting for a break in the action to re-enter the pattern. I'm thinking that a lot of the major fueling Interstate exits have similar problems. I suspect that sales people who spend a lot of time on the road have the system figured out. For the rest of us, it's a challenge just getting out of the parking lot.
More later.
BCOT
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Sunday
Wow! A little bit of an unplanned hiatus for the LtPC. Sorry about that. Just didn't have the right situation in KC. And last night was a cooling down period. I'll be a regular here this week.
The heat is on in the Midwest. Actually, today wasn't that bad here. The rain that caught me on my ride kept the sun behind the clouds until early afternoon, so it wasn't until 1500 or so before things began to heat up. Tomorrow will be a sauna.
I'm thinking that the big water-cooler joke tomorrow will be that Tiger needs a new bimbo. The clean life isn't doing anything for him.
Top Ten list from the KC trip:
1. Country Club Plaza remains on my Top Ten list of fun places to visit.
2. The Kansas City Star is a worthless newspaper.
3. The Overland Park Convention Center/Sheraton Hotel is/are legit players.
4. The traffic lights in KC are l--o--n--g!!
5. The Southern by-pass around DM saves about 20 minutes on the KC trip.
6. US Cellular digital roaming in the KC area doesn't cut it.
7. My Not-So-Smart phone has regressed to it's former worthlessness.
8. The KC Chiefs dominate the sports news. And they haven't won in years.
9. The size of Sprint's corporate campus suggests there's money in phones.
10. The Kansas track just got a second Sprint Cup race for 2011. Uh, see 9.
I promise to add more here in the AM. Have a great week.
BCOT
9.
The heat is on in the Midwest. Actually, today wasn't that bad here. The rain that caught me on my ride kept the sun behind the clouds until early afternoon, so it wasn't until 1500 or so before things began to heat up. Tomorrow will be a sauna.
I'm thinking that the big water-cooler joke tomorrow will be that Tiger needs a new bimbo. The clean life isn't doing anything for him.
Top Ten list from the KC trip:
1. Country Club Plaza remains on my Top Ten list of fun places to visit.
2. The Kansas City Star is a worthless newspaper.
3. The Overland Park Convention Center/Sheraton Hotel is/are legit players.
4. The traffic lights in KC are l--o--n--g!!
5. The Southern by-pass around DM saves about 20 minutes on the KC trip.
6. US Cellular digital roaming in the KC area doesn't cut it.
7. My Not-So-Smart phone has regressed to it's former worthlessness.
8. The KC Chiefs dominate the sports news. And they haven't won in years.
9. The size of Sprint's corporate campus suggests there's money in phones.
10. The Kansas track just got a second Sprint Cup race for 2011. Uh, see 9.
I promise to add more here in the AM. Have a great week.
BCOT
9.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Thursday
Sorry for the silence on line. I'm In KC for another day. Just haven't had the opportunity to spend time here. Maybe tomorrow.
BCOT
BCOT
Monday, August 02, 2010
Monday
Welcome to the Midwest's version of Hot August Nights. They're saying the heat index tomorrow will go over 105. Dog Days indeed.
I mentioned last week that I would do a top ten list of key turns in my road through life and I've kept that thought in the back of my mind. These each require a little explanation, but here goes:
Top Ten Unexpected Turns (Not necessarily in order of importance):
1. Tearing the ACL in my left knee. April 1989. This event indirectly led to all my biking adventures over the last 20+ years. One of the first therapies in the rehab was a stationary bike.
2. Statistics class in my first semester of the Iowa MBA. January 1975. The unexpected bonus for a class I dreaded was SRH sat in the front row, the obvious star of the class. I was at the back of the room doing a crossword.
3. Running into my pal Bill at a Davenport retail shop in the Fall of 1984. I had been operating on my own for almost two years and was having serious second thoughts. Bill came aboard and it's now 25 years and counting. Partner. Friend. Blood-brother.
4. Then business acquaintance Nonnie sponsoring me into Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, maybe 1988 or so. That action led to a gradual friendship with Roy, who has become a loyal friend and a major benefactor in the growth of our business.
5. Doing some routine (and very formal) business things with my pal Pete for the first time in the 1981-82 range. The relationship evolved over time to Best Friends, Blood-brothers and constant companionship. And it was through Pete, that I met Jake (in Des Moines at the time), who introduced me to Wally. Wally was not only my first really big client, but also a friend and traveling companion. Who introduced me to Lake Tahoe in the mid-80's.
6. Signing up for Air Force ROTC at ND in the Fall of 1967. I don't recall the specifics of my rationale, although with Viet Nam in full swing, I figured that I needed to protect myself from the draft. Whatever. That choice led to some scolarship money, which led to active duty, which led to the GI Bill, the MBA, the CPA, the Master's in Tax. AA &Co in C-town. Lots of connectivity on this one. No long-term thoughts about such September of 1967.
7. Sitting next to the pension guy that first day at AA & Co, September 1976. Everybody in the Tax Group had a sub-specialty, and the newbies basically got assigned to an experienced guy to do leg-work. I did the grunt research for my first couple of years, my trainer left, and I became the pension guy. When I came back to Iowa, I used that experience and expertise as the selling point to launch my own firm as a pension consultant.
8. Buying the house to enable me to personally attend to Mother. Fall 2000. Totally off the wall, but something that seemed to be the right thing to do. It was less-stressful than trying to oversee the care facility. Anyway, those few months changed me. Thereafter, life slowed down. Choices became easier. My outlook became generally more positive. Still is. Mother's last gift to me.
9. Being turned down as a photo/journalist/writer from a couple ads in The Des Moines Register in the Fall of 1974. The LeMars daily was one. A couple of others. I thought that I wanted to be a writer. Of course, I had no writing in my ND and USAF-dominated resume. But those rejections led to Iowa City for the Spring semester MBA program in 1975. And the statistics class noted in Point 2 above.
10. Figuring out that "blogging" was something that I could do, and would allow me to stay in close contact with the girls, while at the same time feeding the writer's gene noted in the preceeding point. November 2005. 4000 Days in one of the more important parts of my life these days. It challenges the mind. Provides a touchstone for the fam. Gives me the bully pulpit to trash the politicians, sports writers and other assorted tools in our society. Pretty rewarding on a daily basis.
So there you have it. Choices that have changed my life.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week.
BCOT
I mentioned last week that I would do a top ten list of key turns in my road through life and I've kept that thought in the back of my mind. These each require a little explanation, but here goes:
Top Ten Unexpected Turns (Not necessarily in order of importance):
1. Tearing the ACL in my left knee. April 1989. This event indirectly led to all my biking adventures over the last 20+ years. One of the first therapies in the rehab was a stationary bike.
2. Statistics class in my first semester of the Iowa MBA. January 1975. The unexpected bonus for a class I dreaded was SRH sat in the front row, the obvious star of the class. I was at the back of the room doing a crossword.
3. Running into my pal Bill at a Davenport retail shop in the Fall of 1984. I had been operating on my own for almost two years and was having serious second thoughts. Bill came aboard and it's now 25 years and counting. Partner. Friend. Blood-brother.
4. Then business acquaintance Nonnie sponsoring me into Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, maybe 1988 or so. That action led to a gradual friendship with Roy, who has become a loyal friend and a major benefactor in the growth of our business.
5. Doing some routine (and very formal) business things with my pal Pete for the first time in the 1981-82 range. The relationship evolved over time to Best Friends, Blood-brothers and constant companionship. And it was through Pete, that I met Jake (in Des Moines at the time), who introduced me to Wally. Wally was not only my first really big client, but also a friend and traveling companion. Who introduced me to Lake Tahoe in the mid-80's.
6. Signing up for Air Force ROTC at ND in the Fall of 1967. I don't recall the specifics of my rationale, although with Viet Nam in full swing, I figured that I needed to protect myself from the draft. Whatever. That choice led to some scolarship money, which led to active duty, which led to the GI Bill, the MBA, the CPA, the Master's in Tax. AA &Co in C-town. Lots of connectivity on this one. No long-term thoughts about such September of 1967.
7. Sitting next to the pension guy that first day at AA & Co, September 1976. Everybody in the Tax Group had a sub-specialty, and the newbies basically got assigned to an experienced guy to do leg-work. I did the grunt research for my first couple of years, my trainer left, and I became the pension guy. When I came back to Iowa, I used that experience and expertise as the selling point to launch my own firm as a pension consultant.
8. Buying the house to enable me to personally attend to Mother. Fall 2000. Totally off the wall, but something that seemed to be the right thing to do. It was less-stressful than trying to oversee the care facility. Anyway, those few months changed me. Thereafter, life slowed down. Choices became easier. My outlook became generally more positive. Still is. Mother's last gift to me.
9. Being turned down as a photo/journalist/writer from a couple ads in The Des Moines Register in the Fall of 1974. The LeMars daily was one. A couple of others. I thought that I wanted to be a writer. Of course, I had no writing in my ND and USAF-dominated resume. But those rejections led to Iowa City for the Spring semester MBA program in 1975. And the statistics class noted in Point 2 above.
10. Figuring out that "blogging" was something that I could do, and would allow me to stay in close contact with the girls, while at the same time feeding the writer's gene noted in the preceeding point. November 2005. 4000 Days in one of the more important parts of my life these days. It challenges the mind. Provides a touchstone for the fam. Gives me the bully pulpit to trash the politicians, sports writers and other assorted tools in our society. Pretty rewarding on a daily basis.
So there you have it. Choices that have changed my life.
Thanks for reading. Have a great week.
BCOT
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Sunday
Coming to you from the couch at SB's. Looks and feels like it might be an August-hot day in the QCA. I mean, it is August now. And it will be hot. Ergo.
The golf trip yesterday went pretyy-well-much as advetised. I met the group at the Tipton exit on I-80 (hey to Herky!), and worked the NYT Saturday puzzle in a Suburban backseat for the next 90 minutes (in between sports talk). The course was okay, but not great. Which captures the description of my game as well. My two-man team lost by one hole, thanks in part to my three-putt from 25 feet below the hole on 17. Ugh! I got back home by 7 or so and crashed early. The back survived. A decent day, but a long way to go to play golf with strangers at a so-so course. I can do that lots of places locally.
My pal Ron was through here earlier with tales from RAGBRAI. Good stories, but he and his sisters did a predominately G-rated ride, which translates to a lot of cycling, pies and other assorted culinary delights. I was always a little more associated with the Bloody Mary crowd. My bike made it up all of the hills except one on the last day that required an extra gear or two.
They sold out the Iowa Speedway in Newton for last night's Nationwide race won by Sprint Cap regular Kyle Busch. (How many private jets were used to transport the 6-8 Cup drivers back East to race ion today's event in Pocono?) That's good for that track, especially given the reduced attendance at most NASCAR venues this year. They're not ready for a Cup race, but I bet that there'll be talk of a second Nationwide date on that AAA-equivalent circuit.
More here later. I think I'll head over to Gold's and do the 10AM spin class.
BCOT
The golf trip yesterday went pretyy-well-much as advetised. I met the group at the Tipton exit on I-80 (hey to Herky!), and worked the NYT Saturday puzzle in a Suburban backseat for the next 90 minutes (in between sports talk). The course was okay, but not great. Which captures the description of my game as well. My two-man team lost by one hole, thanks in part to my three-putt from 25 feet below the hole on 17. Ugh! I got back home by 7 or so and crashed early. The back survived. A decent day, but a long way to go to play golf with strangers at a so-so course. I can do that lots of places locally.
My pal Ron was through here earlier with tales from RAGBRAI. Good stories, but he and his sisters did a predominately G-rated ride, which translates to a lot of cycling, pies and other assorted culinary delights. I was always a little more associated with the Bloody Mary crowd. My bike made it up all of the hills except one on the last day that required an extra gear or two.
They sold out the Iowa Speedway in Newton for last night's Nationwide race won by Sprint Cap regular Kyle Busch. (How many private jets were used to transport the 6-8 Cup drivers back East to race ion today's event in Pocono?) That's good for that track, especially given the reduced attendance at most NASCAR venues this year. They're not ready for a Cup race, but I bet that there'll be talk of a second Nationwide date on that AAA-equivalent circuit.
More here later. I think I'll head over to Gold's and do the 10AM spin class.
BCOT
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