Ding! Fries are done.

I made a connection this morning that I must say, I'm embarrassed to have missed for so long. Once upon a youth, I was a trumpet player and Jack Sheldon was an big inspiration. He had a breezy, airy tone not unlike my own. It's not a tone for classical music, I would be reminded frequently, but I loved the notes that horn sang. He was Vince w/ brass. The album on the left was one of the first records I purchased w/ my own grass cutting money. On my way into work this morning, A Sheldon tune came on. Dont' you love that? Now this was odd? It had a vocaltrack. A vocal? None of the Jack Sheldon I ever purchased had vocal tracks. And I swore it was the same vocalist from "I am a bill/Conjunction Junction". What the F....? I couldn't get to a computer fast enough. Shock! It's all Jack all the time playing and singing! The Wikipedia page was even more amazing. Merv Griffins side kick, acting credits all over the place, playing cuts on Foreign Affairs. How'd I miss THAT ferchrissake. Sooo many connections. I can't wait to see the documentary. Which remindns me...no wonder I was such a fan of Pops (if you jump anywhere from this post, jump there) ....

Hey Mister Mayor....You Suck!

The Hln8r had a chance run-in with our sterling mayor yesterday. Now I understand he was a respected and accomplished congessman, but as a mayor, he's setting a pretty low bar to trip over. What he was doing up at our rinkely-dinkely Safeway is somethin' I'm still itchin' to know, but after un-wisely trying to make cutesy talk w/ our 2.5 yr old daughter (aka feisty-pants), the Hln8r looked him in the eye and said "This city needs a LOT of help", then continued into the Safeway. She apparently caught him a bit off guard, as the poor Quixote was left standing beside his limo shouting campaign slogan after her. Oh Fortuna, to have been a witness to such bliss! I'm getting all tingley again. I hearts the Hln8r!

happyhappyjoyjoy

Mmmmm...Junk Miles.

When I was growing up, asking for a snack provoked an almost autonomic response from my parents. The phrase "have an apple" was so commonplace it was uttered as often as "clean your room". In a household of five kids, that's basically saying it every other breath. My idea of a snack was a Dolly Madison Zinger...so completely superior to a Twinkie as to make the comparison laughably absurd. I digress. I haven't done many junk miles these past 6 years. This past fall, I don't think I did a single one. Others may call by comparison the type of riding I do "junk" but they sure don't feel that way to me.
Over the past 5 months, I was either on the cross bike...hurtful...or staring at a powertap display...hurtful AND demoralizing. Whenever I looked at my training plan after a hard block, never did I see those sweet words "go do some junk miles". It was always some oh-so practical recovery ride. It was always "have and apple". So these past few weeks, I've been getting fat on nothing but a steady diet of junk miles and while it may not do the body much good, it sure is Zinger for the soul.

Cool Hand Luke

I give you Chesley Sullenberger.

Why Cross Rulz #52 Mariachi!...Race Report #12

The Peak Season Series feels like the Surf-City of old. It can't help it. It shares some of the same DNA. Although I felt like calling it a season, I couldn't help dragging myself out to the course of courses, the Watsonville County Fairgrounds. I love this course. But as with any love affair, there's bound to be lows, and this low was to put me about 6 feet under. I'd love to blame the course, the weather, the stars. As usual I can only blame myself. If there's one lesson I'll take home from racing SS this season, it's 'trust your instincts'. Instead, I listened to my bloated ego, stuffed on a HUGE gear I had used on flatter, much drier (e.g faster) courses and proceeded to die a thousands deaths as I flogged thebike through glue-grass. I should send AJM a thank you card for lapping me and mercifully severing my proverbial head a lap early and end my suffering. I was crapping after only 20 minutes in. The only thing that kept me going was the Madster slapping me high fives each remaining lap, joyously oblivious to my suffering and nieve in the futility of my effort. Damn that hurt.


photo nabbed from photoblake

I Heart Darwin

I give you the long crowing rooster. Who knew?

Back at it...kinda. Race Report 11.

Well, I couldn't sit around any longer. I'd been unable to ride for two weeks. I just wanted to show up and Give 'er. So I did. I was actually able to lead the charge for about 20 minutes. Then I was able to sit on for another 20 minutes. Then I just watched everyone ride away for the last 20. Still, I wasn't too bummed. I had the Madster w/me. She's a great cheering section and the free baked goods made it worth her while. Thanks to Better Crocker for those cup cakes! I really enjoyed racing the SS this year. I still like geared bikes, but I'll definately split it up again next year.