Thursday, July 23, 2009
I endoed today for the first time, and nothing to show for it except a bent front rim. And, I guess, a bruise on the inside of my thigh, but it's not in a place I can really show off. Mid-grade bruises are not really sexy injuries, anyway.
Here is a nice rule of thumb: while biking, do not adjust clothing while braking. Otherwise you may find yourself restricted to bipedal transportation in the middle of Fermilab, and required to guide your mount alongside while you make a return trip guaranteed to seem much longer than the ride out.
Thankfully it was a glorious day at the time, and only one older man was tempted to note the obvious: the bike is a much more efficient machine when you're on top of it. So be good to it, for goodness' sake.
Here is a nice rule of thumb: while biking, do not adjust clothing while braking. Otherwise you may find yourself restricted to bipedal transportation in the middle of Fermilab, and required to guide your mount alongside while you make a return trip guaranteed to seem much longer than the ride out.
Thankfully it was a glorious day at the time, and only one older man was tempted to note the obvious: the bike is a much more efficient machine when you're on top of it. So be good to it, for goodness' sake.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
I've been spending a lot of time on the big chainring lately.
One of the things I'm currently enjoying about biking is the variety of small technical challenges one can assign oneself. During several recent rides, I determined that success would be impossible unless all hills were surmounted on the largest chainring, and that freewheel coasting would need to be eliminated, or curtailed wherever possible.
Some effects of this recent work in the saddle are: weight loss, repeated feelings of exhilaration atop small local hills, crusty salt deposits on face near eyes, one sadly deceased chipmunk*, a sense that I don't know who I am anymore, pleasantly sore muscles, shapelier calves, windblown hair, dehydration, and lots of questions about what I will do with my life.
My bike is black, quiet, light and fast. I have named her Betty. I took off like a rocket past several trail-walkers this morning, attaining a top speed of 26 mph that I'm completely making up. Would I rather have been doing anything else.
*Please, I cried about this stupid, cute little guy, for Christ's sake. It was traumatic.
One of the things I'm currently enjoying about biking is the variety of small technical challenges one can assign oneself. During several recent rides, I determined that success would be impossible unless all hills were surmounted on the largest chainring, and that freewheel coasting would need to be eliminated, or curtailed wherever possible.
Some effects of this recent work in the saddle are: weight loss, repeated feelings of exhilaration atop small local hills, crusty salt deposits on face near eyes, one sadly deceased chipmunk*, a sense that I don't know who I am anymore, pleasantly sore muscles, shapelier calves, windblown hair, dehydration, and lots of questions about what I will do with my life.
My bike is black, quiet, light and fast. I have named her Betty. I took off like a rocket past several trail-walkers this morning, attaining a top speed of 26 mph that I'm completely making up. Would I rather have been doing anything else.
*Please, I cried about this stupid, cute little guy, for Christ's sake. It was traumatic.
Monday, June 15, 2009
I love to write, but never share anything with anyone. I love to think, but have always taken jobs that don't require me to do so.
Here's to changing things.
Here's to changing things.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
2) Dennis Green. You have to love a guy who spends an entire half of football finding a way to lose a game he should have won by 30, then badmouths the opposing team during the postgame press conference before firing his offensive coordinator. Yeah, Dennis, it's your offensive coordinator's fault that your team turned in the worst rushing performance of all time. I think Edgerrin James may have gotten 1 first down in the game. Clearly, the offensive coordinator wasn't drive-blocking effectively enough.
3) Carlos Zambrano. Just a reminder--if at any point while the Cubs are investigating the possibilities of landing Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees say "no deal unless Zambrano is involved," the Cubs should immediately STOP negotiating with the Yankees, and curse that damn Brian Cashman for being so smart. If El Toro gets dealt, I'm boycotting the upcoming season.
3) Carlos Zambrano. Just a reminder--if at any point while the Cubs are investigating the possibilities of landing Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees say "no deal unless Zambrano is involved," the Cubs should immediately STOP negotiating with the Yankees, and curse that damn Brian Cashman for being so smart. If El Toro gets dealt, I'm boycotting the upcoming season.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
As you can see I'm pretty much done with this weblog. I'm testing the waters tonight because I don't want to drink a bunch of vodka and I don't smoke weed, but I really need to blow of some steam after an amazing Bears victory has left me speechless and wired. The team was down 20 at half, 20 with 5 seconds left in the third quarter, 13 with five minutes left in the game, never scored an offensive touchdown, but got bailed out by a defense dominant in the second half. They returned two fumbles for TDs in the last 15 minutes and 3 seconds, ran a punt back 87 yards for a third, and benefited in the endgame from the timely expiration of Neil Rackers' contract with Satan. Here are my Top 5 sports nouns for the moment:
1) Brian Urlacher is awesome. There was a moment when the Monday Night Football cameras were actually trained on the game, rather than on the morons in the booth (I watched the last 3+ quarters on "mute") or the insane Cardinals fans (seriously, some of the crowd shots must have been terrifying in HD; people were apoplectic with glee with spittle flying and flared nostrils and bellowed exhortations and hand gestures of every kind), but this particular shot was a thing of beauty, as it depicted Brian Urlacher approaching the line of scrimmage and basically shooting beams of pure menace right through Matt Leinart's soul (he is also good, by the way, and I hated him all night), and I was frightened for my life more than 1000 miles away and on he third floor of my suburban apartment. Then he made like 6 or 7 ridiculous plays and essentially refused to let the Bears go down in ignominious defeat, and he is a stallion and worthy of the statue whose future erection is now a mere formality outside Soldier Field.
Actually just writing this has exhausted me and that's it for now as I must go to bed, but at least it did the trick and if anybody even checks this anymore maybe there will be more to follow.
1) Brian Urlacher is awesome. There was a moment when the Monday Night Football cameras were actually trained on the game, rather than on the morons in the booth (I watched the last 3+ quarters on "mute") or the insane Cardinals fans (seriously, some of the crowd shots must have been terrifying in HD; people were apoplectic with glee with spittle flying and flared nostrils and bellowed exhortations and hand gestures of every kind), but this particular shot was a thing of beauty, as it depicted Brian Urlacher approaching the line of scrimmage and basically shooting beams of pure menace right through Matt Leinart's soul (he is also good, by the way, and I hated him all night), and I was frightened for my life more than 1000 miles away and on he third floor of my suburban apartment. Then he made like 6 or 7 ridiculous plays and essentially refused to let the Bears go down in ignominious defeat, and he is a stallion and worthy of the statue whose future erection is now a mere formality outside Soldier Field.
Actually just writing this has exhausted me and that's it for now as I must go to bed, but at least it did the trick and if anybody even checks this anymore maybe there will be more to follow.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Scored some free bleacher tickets to last night’s Cubs game, and here is what I saw:
The new bleachers are fine. From the outside, it’s hard to miss the new, cantilevered concourse running along the perimeter, but this has a classy look that’s well-integrated with the overall Wrigley feel. On the inside, the extra capacity is scarcely noticeable; the park does not feel overcrowded or claustrophobic. The bleacher concourse also provides better access to the seats themselves, as more entryways now provide easy back-and-forth for dogs, beers and the like. They’ve additionally put a Hebrew National stand on the concourse, affording outstanding hotdog access in thirty seconds or less. This ranks with the Internet, alternative fuels research, and the increased popularity of Rachel McAdams as great ideas of recent times. Please note however that the park was probably 2/3 full on this chilly night—despite the attendance game’s claim to the contrary—and your mileage may vary during games played in desirable weather. Caveat Hotdog-eater.
It’s kinda hard to tell how good a pitcher is going when you are 400 feet away. By all written accounts, Sean Marshall was dominant for the Cubs last night, and we were aware even from our windy vantage that he didn’t allow a hit into the fifth, wasn’t walking that many guys, and was striking out quite a few. But it never felt like he was dominating—in fact, I was having trouble getting any kind of feel for the game at all. Being at the park is fun, and again, the night was cold, so much of my energy was focused on staying warm, but games in person tend to be more of a social outing, rather than an intense examination of the Cubs team. Which is what watching games on TV usually is, for me. Probably this means I should get to Wrigley more often, although I probably won’t.
Matt Murton is great. He looks like an emaciated 16-year old, works the strike zone like a pawnshop broker inspecting grandma’s diamond ring that you’re selling for drug money, and was responsible for every Cub run last night, in one form or another. My little cousin is reportedly in love with him. But I saw him first.
The Cubs successfully executed a squeeze play last night. I view the squeeze as kind of a slap in the face to other teams, a way of flamboyantly showing off technical and tactical superiority while at the same time, hopefully, scoring a run. Suffice to say, it’s been quite some time since I can remember the Cubs pulling one off. “Tell me who is to be squeezed, master, AND HE SHALL BE SQUOZEN!”
Ronny Cedeno is officially swinging at the first pitch a mite too often for my tastes. He does not deserve to bat 2nd in the order.
$5 pitchers of beer are nice. Can’t say where I got them, only that it’s one of Cubs bench coach Dick Pole’s usual haunts. I like beer.
The new bleachers are fine. From the outside, it’s hard to miss the new, cantilevered concourse running along the perimeter, but this has a classy look that’s well-integrated with the overall Wrigley feel. On the inside, the extra capacity is scarcely noticeable; the park does not feel overcrowded or claustrophobic. The bleacher concourse also provides better access to the seats themselves, as more entryways now provide easy back-and-forth for dogs, beers and the like. They’ve additionally put a Hebrew National stand on the concourse, affording outstanding hotdog access in thirty seconds or less. This ranks with the Internet, alternative fuels research, and the increased popularity of Rachel McAdams as great ideas of recent times. Please note however that the park was probably 2/3 full on this chilly night—despite the attendance game’s claim to the contrary—and your mileage may vary during games played in desirable weather. Caveat Hotdog-eater.
It’s kinda hard to tell how good a pitcher is going when you are 400 feet away. By all written accounts, Sean Marshall was dominant for the Cubs last night, and we were aware even from our windy vantage that he didn’t allow a hit into the fifth, wasn’t walking that many guys, and was striking out quite a few. But it never felt like he was dominating—in fact, I was having trouble getting any kind of feel for the game at all. Being at the park is fun, and again, the night was cold, so much of my energy was focused on staying warm, but games in person tend to be more of a social outing, rather than an intense examination of the Cubs team. Which is what watching games on TV usually is, for me. Probably this means I should get to Wrigley more often, although I probably won’t.
Matt Murton is great. He looks like an emaciated 16-year old, works the strike zone like a pawnshop broker inspecting grandma’s diamond ring that you’re selling for drug money, and was responsible for every Cub run last night, in one form or another. My little cousin is reportedly in love with him. But I saw him first.
The Cubs successfully executed a squeeze play last night. I view the squeeze as kind of a slap in the face to other teams, a way of flamboyantly showing off technical and tactical superiority while at the same time, hopefully, scoring a run. Suffice to say, it’s been quite some time since I can remember the Cubs pulling one off. “Tell me who is to be squeezed, master, AND HE SHALL BE SQUOZEN!”
Ronny Cedeno is officially swinging at the first pitch a mite too often for my tastes. He does not deserve to bat 2nd in the order.
$5 pitchers of beer are nice. Can’t say where I got them, only that it’s one of Cubs bench coach Dick Pole’s usual haunts. I like beer.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Touche, Bill. But time has nothing to do with my blog profligracy lately...it's all about motivation, baby. And lately I'd rather say nothing than struggle to say something stupid. Having said that...
A. Four Jobs I’ve Had:
1. Daycare assistant
2. Line cook
3. Inside Salesman
4. Facilities Summer Hire, Motorola
B. Four Movies I’ll Watch Over and Over:
1. Anchorman
2. Tron
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. Swingers
C. Four Places I Call(ed) Home:
1. Lombard, IL
2. Bloomington, IN (4 different residences!)
3. Naperville, IL
4. I've actually only lived 3 places. Perhaps Glen Ellyn, IL counts, too, since I spent an inordinate amount of time at my then-girlfriend's house there while we were dating.
While I'm on the subject, I have to say that one of the unexpected benefits of being married is how quaint and cute terms like "girlfriend" seem once you've moved past them. When I hear people talk about their boyfriend/girlfriends now, I feel bemused in a way that stops just short of being condescending. No offense to anyone, but marriage is a big deal, and I am proud that I've taken the plunge. And I'm enjoying it. And no, my wife never reads this. Which means I'm p****-whipped.
D. Four TV Shows I Love:
1. Good Eats with Alton Brown
2. Dog Whisperer (Nat'l Geographic Channel, check it out the guy has the Jedi mind shit)
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
4. Scrubs
E. Four Places I’ve Been on Vacation:
1. London, England (South Kensington area)
2. Italy
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. San Francisco, CA
F. Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1. sportsguy.net
2. Google
3. soccernet.com
4. thehardballtimes.com
G. My Four Favorite Foods:
1. Aurelio's pizza
2. grilled pork tenderloin (uh, my secret recipe)
3. Yoplait Strawberry Custard-Style yogurt
4. chili
H. Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. London, England
2. Berlin, Germany (only if I'd be staying through the World Cup)
3. Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
4. (tie) San Francisco, CA (visiting Pete), Daytona Beach, FL (visiting Bill)
A. Four Jobs I’ve Had:
1. Daycare assistant
2. Line cook
3. Inside Salesman
4. Facilities Summer Hire, Motorola
B. Four Movies I’ll Watch Over and Over:
1. Anchorman
2. Tron
3. The Empire Strikes Back
4. Swingers
C. Four Places I Call(ed) Home:
1. Lombard, IL
2. Bloomington, IN (4 different residences!)
3. Naperville, IL
4. I've actually only lived 3 places. Perhaps Glen Ellyn, IL counts, too, since I spent an inordinate amount of time at my then-girlfriend's house there while we were dating.
While I'm on the subject, I have to say that one of the unexpected benefits of being married is how quaint and cute terms like "girlfriend" seem once you've moved past them. When I hear people talk about their boyfriend/girlfriends now, I feel bemused in a way that stops just short of being condescending. No offense to anyone, but marriage is a big deal, and I am proud that I've taken the plunge. And I'm enjoying it. And no, my wife never reads this. Which means I'm p****-whipped.
D. Four TV Shows I Love:
1. Good Eats with Alton Brown
2. Dog Whisperer (Nat'l Geographic Channel, check it out the guy has the Jedi mind shit)
3. Curb Your Enthusiasm
4. Scrubs
E. Four Places I’ve Been on Vacation:
1. London, England (South Kensington area)
2. Italy
3. Jacksonville, FL
4. San Francisco, CA
F. Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1. sportsguy.net
2. Google
3. soccernet.com
4. thehardballtimes.com
G. My Four Favorite Foods:
1. Aurelio's pizza
2. grilled pork tenderloin (uh, my secret recipe)
3. Yoplait Strawberry Custard-Style yogurt
4. chili
H. Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now:
1. London, England
2. Berlin, Germany (only if I'd be staying through the World Cup)
3. Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
4. (tie) San Francisco, CA (visiting Pete), Daytona Beach, FL (visiting Bill)
