I'm off to Palm Springs for a long weekend... do some maintenance for the Dad and stepmom #2
It should an interesting weekend, spending some time with Dad and step-mom, an Ex (who lives in Palm Springs has a birthday) My Mom ((she was mom since I was 6 years old)) (step-mom #1) died nine years ago this weekend, and some party-time in boystown, Also a visit with my brother and his lover.
Cant fit a ride in, but I'm starting to miss the bike, (help! I think it is starting to become a way of life)
Got to finish my donation letters this weekend as well and get those out, I'm hoping to raise 5,000.oo this year -
Well I think thats it, hope to take some good pictures - talk to you all soon
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
I had a dream
I have dreams all the time actually, Cowboy is always ready to hear what my dream are about because they are interesting. (IMHO)
Last night’s dream was about me playing in an orchestra, I played the violin. I wasn’t first chair, nor even second chair though I can play quite well. (even in real life)
You see, in my dream, I didn’t play up to my full potential because I had a physical disability that prevented me from playing more than 1 hour a day without tremendous pain. So I only played mediocre.
But in my dream, someone accused me of paying the music wrong, so I pointed out (to them) that the first chair, had changed my music and that I had played it exactly like I was instructed. After the drama had died down, I decided that I was going to bring in my good violin and play for them to the best of my ability
So the next day I brought in my Stradivarius, and I played for them, and they wept, for my playing was that good.
End of dream
This morning’s mediation was about, “that if we are focused on what we might win rather than winning” we never can win. ((or something like that))
And it made me think - how many times, do we give up because we can’t win – how many times do we not try because we think we can’t be the best?
Is not the goal to enjoy the moment? To enjoy the striving? The challenge? And how can we ever get better or be the best unless we strive against the best?
Last night’s dream was about me playing in an orchestra, I played the violin. I wasn’t first chair, nor even second chair though I can play quite well. (even in real life)
You see, in my dream, I didn’t play up to my full potential because I had a physical disability that prevented me from playing more than 1 hour a day without tremendous pain. So I only played mediocre.
But in my dream, someone accused me of paying the music wrong, so I pointed out (to them) that the first chair, had changed my music and that I had played it exactly like I was instructed. After the drama had died down, I decided that I was going to bring in my good violin and play for them to the best of my ability
So the next day I brought in my Stradivarius, and I played for them, and they wept, for my playing was that good.
End of dream
This morning’s mediation was about, “that if we are focused on what we might win rather than winning” we never can win. ((or something like that))
And it made me think - how many times, do we give up because we can’t win – how many times do we not try because we think we can’t be the best?
Is not the goal to enjoy the moment? To enjoy the striving? The challenge? And how can we ever get better or be the best unless we strive against the best?
oops, iI've been tagged
Al at Blue Alto has tagged me for the "Four Things meme". I said he was a bastard for tagging me, but actually I feel honored.
Four Jobs I Have Had In My Life
* Maintenance Man at a Spanish Radio station owned by a English woman
* Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Training Instructor - US ARMY
* Owner of Two Bookstores and a Cafe ((which I bought from an English woman- I worked there 18 Years before I bought it))
* Bookkeeper - Sign Company
Four Movies I Would Watch / Have Watched Over And Over
* The Broken Hearts Club ((I like Dean Cain- Timothy Olyphant))
* The Wonder World of Oz ((Flying Monkeys turn me on))
* The Devil and Miss Jones ((1941))
* Being There ((Peter Sellers character's statements are mis-interpreted as allegorical statements of deep wisdom and knowledge regarding business matters and the current state of politics in America. Its so stupid I love it.))
Four Places I Have Lived
* Santa Clara, CA
* Rheinbollen, Germany
* San Francisco, CA
* Forestville - on the Russian River, CA
Four TV Shows That I Watch
* Boston Legal
* The Biggest Loser
* Men in Trees (sometimes its like Porn)
* Eli Stone
Four Places I Have Visited
* Vancouver, Canada
* Paris, France
* Portland, OR
* Hawaii
Four People Who Email Me Regularly
* Dr Dick of Ask Dr Dick
* Robin (another Lifecycle Trainer)
* Tony
* Raul
Four Favorite Foods
* Mushrooms
* Pizza
* Macaroni & Cheese
* Fuji Apples
Four Places I Would Like To Be Right Now
* A warm beach with a drink in my hand
* San Diego
* Vancouver, Canada
* Ft Lauderdale (never been)
Four Things I Am Looking Forward To This Year
* ALC-Lifecycle 7 - Another 545 miles on the bike
* Another painting in the Golden Boy Series finished, and maybe showing them
* Brothers Sisters & Spouses at Sea Ranch For my Birthday
* Birth of Grand Niece or Nephew
Four Jobs I Have Had In My Life
* Maintenance Man at a Spanish Radio station owned by a English woman
* Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Training Instructor - US ARMY
* Owner of Two Bookstores and a Cafe ((which I bought from an English woman- I worked there 18 Years before I bought it))
* Bookkeeper - Sign Company
Four Movies I Would Watch / Have Watched Over And Over
* The Broken Hearts Club ((I like Dean Cain- Timothy Olyphant))
* The Wonder World of Oz ((Flying Monkeys turn me on))
* The Devil and Miss Jones ((1941))
* Being There ((Peter Sellers character's statements are mis-interpreted as allegorical statements of deep wisdom and knowledge regarding business matters and the current state of politics in America. Its so stupid I love it.))
Four Places I Have Lived
* Santa Clara, CA
* Rheinbollen, Germany
* San Francisco, CA
* Forestville - on the Russian River, CA
Four TV Shows That I Watch
* Boston Legal
* The Biggest Loser
* Men in Trees (sometimes its like Porn)
* Eli Stone
Four Places I Have Visited
* Vancouver, Canada
* Paris, France
* Portland, OR
* Hawaii
Four People Who Email Me Regularly
* Dr Dick of Ask Dr Dick
* Robin (another Lifecycle Trainer)
* Tony
* Raul
Four Favorite Foods
* Mushrooms
* Pizza
* Macaroni & Cheese
* Fuji Apples
Four Places I Would Like To Be Right Now
* A warm beach with a drink in my hand
* San Diego
* Vancouver, Canada
* Ft Lauderdale (never been)
Four Things I Am Looking Forward To This Year
* ALC-Lifecycle 7 - Another 545 miles on the bike
* Another painting in the Golden Boy Series finished, and maybe showing them
* Brothers Sisters & Spouses at Sea Ranch For my Birthday
* Birth of Grand Niece or Nephew
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Yeah, I know long time - no post
I’ve been busy – no, every thing is just fine.
March 15th, I went on another training ride, lots of hills, not big ones, just little rollers, the kind I like. They are just short enough, that you can say to yourself;
“If I push myself I can make it up without slowing down”
And then you roll down the other side and see another short one, so you say to yourself;
“Well if I get up enough speed going down, I can coast up most of the way”
So you end up giving yourself a nice workout, but you don’t notice it until you get home and you are all worn out.
Large Hills, you tend to say, “Well I just have to get to the top”
So that was a nice ride, lots of fun. Last week’s ride was a San Francisco Ride, We start out at the Sports Basement at the Presidio, and ride out around the Nicasio reservoir and back again, that was 68 miles, nice ride, and I could tell that the Stairmaster is helping out on those hills. Though it was nice, I didn’t take many pictures. Sometimes, even though I’m enjoying the scenery, and I might say to myself, that this would be a great pic, I just don’t want to stop and get the camera out.
Last Thursday, March 20th, Cowboy and I celebrated six years together. It has been an amazing, fulfilling relationship. He is unselfish, supportive, accepting and encourages me to do what is best for me.
Pictures from March 15th
March 15th, I went on another training ride, lots of hills, not big ones, just little rollers, the kind I like. They are just short enough, that you can say to yourself;
“If I push myself I can make it up without slowing down”
And then you roll down the other side and see another short one, so you say to yourself;
“Well if I get up enough speed going down, I can coast up most of the way”
So you end up giving yourself a nice workout, but you don’t notice it until you get home and you are all worn out.
Large Hills, you tend to say, “Well I just have to get to the top”
So that was a nice ride, lots of fun. Last week’s ride was a San Francisco Ride, We start out at the Sports Basement at the Presidio, and ride out around the Nicasio reservoir and back again, that was 68 miles, nice ride, and I could tell that the Stairmaster is helping out on those hills. Though it was nice, I didn’t take many pictures. Sometimes, even though I’m enjoying the scenery, and I might say to myself, that this would be a great pic, I just don’t want to stop and get the camera out.
Last Thursday, March 20th, Cowboy and I celebrated six years together. It has been an amazing, fulfilling relationship. He is unselfish, supportive, accepting and encourages me to do what is best for me.
Pictures from March 15th
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Circle of Happiness
No matter how much I might bitch (about getting up so early, when she gets her internal clock confused), something that delights me everyday is the joy that my little dog displays when she is fed her breakfast in the morning...
After I let her out to do her business in the morning, she barks at the door to be let in. But she is not allowed to bark, so I say "Toshi" then she stops barking, but she then starts mumbling, and making little moaning noises, like she is bitching me out.
Once she is through the door she runs as fast as her little legs let her. almost like flying. along the way she has to stop and chase her tail (well she would chase her tail if she could see it), she goes in a little circle and continues on her run to her dog bowl.
There she sits down, because I always make her sit, but she is so excited that she scoots closer and closer to the bowl. trying to get as close to it as she can before I call her name in warning "Tosh"
After her breakfast (and dinner too) she walks back into the kitchen in the hope that I dropped some of her dog food.
Once she has inspected the kitchen she runs to me on the couch, so that she may sit on my lap while I start my morning mediation.
That always starts my day off right.
Anyhow, here's what is being said about happiness over at the blog, Kicking Tina
After I let her out to do her business in the morning, she barks at the door to be let in. But she is not allowed to bark, so I say "Toshi" then she stops barking, but she then starts mumbling, and making little moaning noises, like she is bitching me out.
Once she is through the door she runs as fast as her little legs let her. almost like flying. along the way she has to stop and chase her tail (well she would chase her tail if she could see it), she goes in a little circle and continues on her run to her dog bowl.
There she sits down, because I always make her sit, but she is so excited that she scoots closer and closer to the bowl. trying to get as close to it as she can before I call her name in warning "Tosh"
After her breakfast (and dinner too) she walks back into the kitchen in the hope that I dropped some of her dog food.
Once she has inspected the kitchen she runs to me on the couch, so that she may sit on my lap while I start my morning mediation.
That always starts my day off right.
Anyhow, here's what is being said about happiness over at the blog, Kicking Tina
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
a bit of silly
I have a pug, her name is Toshi
She has many alias's; Princess Pugly, D.O.G., L.D (little dog), rat dog, pastrami head.
She has many alias's; Princess Pugly, D.O.G., L.D (little dog), rat dog, pastrami head.
2nd Sonoma County Ride
Last Weekends ride was awesome, it was only 41 miles, but lots of hills, I still hate them, don’t like them, but I’m getting better and faster.
I was the third one back in, back a complete hour faster than Cowboy thought I’d be, so that was nice.
I didn’t take many pictures this time, just three of us in the parking lot, so I won’t bore you with those.
I did ride behind this guy, well I will just say he was an inspiration to keep up with, and I am talking scenery here.
It sure took my mind off the hills.
He was riding with a slower group, so after lunch, I left him behind. Or I should say he stayed behind with them.
There was a number of times where members of our group, went off, taking a wrong turn, so a couple of times you have to chase them down and yell for them to stop and come back.
That made the ride more exciting, that was it, another training ride under my belt.
I was the third one back in, back a complete hour faster than Cowboy thought I’d be, so that was nice.
I didn’t take many pictures this time, just three of us in the parking lot, so I won’t bore you with those.
I did ride behind this guy, well I will just say he was an inspiration to keep up with, and I am talking scenery here.
It sure took my mind off the hills.
He was riding with a slower group, so after lunch, I left him behind. Or I should say he stayed behind with them.
There was a number of times where members of our group, went off, taking a wrong turn, so a couple of times you have to chase them down and yell for them to stop and come back.
That made the ride more exciting, that was it, another training ride under my belt.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
a glorious day
Of contrasting moods and changes which in the end, resulted in a most glorious day.
First the dog, that little alarm clock of ours, went off early, so I opened one eye and pointed to her bed, snapped my fingers and said “get back in bed, you have forty five minutes until it is time to get up”, so she went back to bed.
Later when she got me up, it wasn’t until I was already out of bed that I noticed it was only fifteen minutes later. So I laughed and said, “Okay, you little pest, you owe me one. But I’m coming back to bed after I feed you”
So downstairs to feed her, and she does this little dance, which just makes me laugh every time I see it.
After her breakfast, its back to bed for me, and I get to sleep late. Yes, it’s a ride day, but it is a Sonoma County ride, and the start is just a few minutes from here. So, no rush, no one-hour drive to the city.
Later, I roll out of bed, and I go and sit at the computer, I play SimCity for a little while and then Cowboy says, “Shouldn’t you be on your way?”
“Oh Shit” I say, I still have to decide what to wear, quick throw something on, hmm, do I ride the mountain bike or the road bike, “Its not a long ride? Yet I never ridden these roads, or ridden with this group” so I wonder, what I should ride, “ah hell I’ll ride the road bike” I say to myself”
So I throw in some clothes, and ride like hell to the meet spot. I’m on time and the ride leader is all flustered because she lost her keys to her truck. She finds her keys in a bit. We do the stretches, the safety speech and then we ride out.
We ride back the way I came, and I say to another rider, “there is my house”, we then ride through beautiful Spring Lake, up this little hill, down that hill, around the curved paths the follow the outline of the lake, nodding and saying hi to all the walkers and strollers as we ride by, “Look someone is getting married “ Tuxes and brides maid dresses, and look there is the bride.
Then we are on the other side of the lake, and out on the road, we ride through Oakmont, much nice than I thought, and I think I could live here.
We then ride out on Highway 12 for a bit turn, right and head up a hill ((I LOVE hills, yeah right)), but I realize that I can be the first to the top, I have never been the first one to the top before, so I go for it, I almost die, but I made it I was the first one to the top YEA! I do a little dance, I am so glad I clipped out first.
I take some pictures of the group, while I’m waiting for them to catch up. Then its down through the woods to grandmother’s house we go.
More beauty that is nature and not a wolf in sight.
I stop and take more pictures; ah it’s a lovely day.
We then ride down a road to get to Glen Ellen, and then we ride over this other small hill, a country road, over hill and dale, it is an easy ride at this point, only needing to stay alert for potholes and flying bugs. I’m glad I wear a Buff, because I hear in the background someone gagging and making retching sounds. I turn around, she’s okay, she just swallowed a bug, now everyone wants one, and no one is making any jokes about me being a bandit.
Soon we are in town and it is time for lunch. My friend Virgil of Team Bear has shown up to watch our bikes and refill our water bottles, what a thoughtful guy, what a joy it is to have some you know watching your bike while you are ordering food.
Soon, lunch is over and it is time to get back on the road, Virgil has long gone, back to his birthday celebrations at the Russian River, yes he came during his weekend away to start a roadie revolution roadies connecting with riders during the training season.
It just takes one person to change the world.
Back on the road, we ride against the wind now, and we laugh because we realize why it was so easy before. But it is all good, for we are in training, the sun is shining, and to tell you the truth usually on rides, the wind is somehow against you both ways.
We ride slower now and yet there are moments when we ride faster, I am pleased with the strength in my legs the stair-master though I curse it, is helping me with my cycling.
I stop and take photos and let the others catch up I ride with them a bit and then I sprint to the front of the pack.
I slow down again and then sprint again, Finally we arrive back where we started and the day’s ride is done. A short bike ride home and I’m there, no one-hour drive back from the city, no wishing, “well as long as I’m here” I should go somewhere. I’m back at home with Cowboy, and I tell him what a great day I had.
We have dinner and then...
well,
it was a great end of the day…
First the dog, that little alarm clock of ours, went off early, so I opened one eye and pointed to her bed, snapped my fingers and said “get back in bed, you have forty five minutes until it is time to get up”, so she went back to bed.
Later when she got me up, it wasn’t until I was already out of bed that I noticed it was only fifteen minutes later. So I laughed and said, “Okay, you little pest, you owe me one. But I’m coming back to bed after I feed you”
So downstairs to feed her, and she does this little dance, which just makes me laugh every time I see it.
After her breakfast, its back to bed for me, and I get to sleep late. Yes, it’s a ride day, but it is a Sonoma County ride, and the start is just a few minutes from here. So, no rush, no one-hour drive to the city.
Later, I roll out of bed, and I go and sit at the computer, I play SimCity for a little while and then Cowboy says, “Shouldn’t you be on your way?”
“Oh Shit” I say, I still have to decide what to wear, quick throw something on, hmm, do I ride the mountain bike or the road bike, “Its not a long ride? Yet I never ridden these roads, or ridden with this group” so I wonder, what I should ride, “ah hell I’ll ride the road bike” I say to myself”
So I throw in some clothes, and ride like hell to the meet spot. I’m on time and the ride leader is all flustered because she lost her keys to her truck. She finds her keys in a bit. We do the stretches, the safety speech and then we ride out.
We ride back the way I came, and I say to another rider, “there is my house”, we then ride through beautiful Spring Lake, up this little hill, down that hill, around the curved paths the follow the outline of the lake, nodding and saying hi to all the walkers and strollers as we ride by, “Look someone is getting married “ Tuxes and brides maid dresses, and look there is the bride.
Then we are on the other side of the lake, and out on the road, we ride through Oakmont, much nice than I thought, and I think I could live here.
We then ride out on Highway 12 for a bit turn, right and head up a hill ((I LOVE hills, yeah right)), but I realize that I can be the first to the top, I have never been the first one to the top before, so I go for it, I almost die, but I made it I was the first one to the top YEA! I do a little dance, I am so glad I clipped out first.
I take some pictures of the group, while I’m waiting for them to catch up. Then its down through the woods to grandmother’s house we go.
More beauty that is nature and not a wolf in sight.
I stop and take more pictures; ah it’s a lovely day.
We then ride down a road to get to Glen Ellen, and then we ride over this other small hill, a country road, over hill and dale, it is an easy ride at this point, only needing to stay alert for potholes and flying bugs. I’m glad I wear a Buff, because I hear in the background someone gagging and making retching sounds. I turn around, she’s okay, she just swallowed a bug, now everyone wants one, and no one is making any jokes about me being a bandit.
Soon we are in town and it is time for lunch. My friend Virgil of Team Bear has shown up to watch our bikes and refill our water bottles, what a thoughtful guy, what a joy it is to have some you know watching your bike while you are ordering food.
Soon, lunch is over and it is time to get back on the road, Virgil has long gone, back to his birthday celebrations at the Russian River, yes he came during his weekend away to start a roadie revolution roadies connecting with riders during the training season.
It just takes one person to change the world.
Back on the road, we ride against the wind now, and we laugh because we realize why it was so easy before. But it is all good, for we are in training, the sun is shining, and to tell you the truth usually on rides, the wind is somehow against you both ways.
We ride slower now and yet there are moments when we ride faster, I am pleased with the strength in my legs the stair-master though I curse it, is helping me with my cycling.
I stop and take photos and let the others catch up I ride with them a bit and then I sprint to the front of the pack.
I slow down again and then sprint again, Finally we arrive back where we started and the day’s ride is done. A short bike ride home and I’m there, no one-hour drive back from the city, no wishing, “well as long as I’m here” I should go somewhere. I’m back at home with Cowboy, and I tell him what a great day I had.
We have dinner and then...
well,
it was a great end of the day…
Saturday, March 1, 2008
hmm
I just discovered that you don't have to peel M&M's ... You just put them in your mouth and they melt!
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