Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year
I'll be happy to be a designated driver for any of you lunkheads that really need a ride tonight and a typically have a few too many and then teeter-totter and wobble on your bike all the way home.
Social & Business Networking
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Go and have a ball
Here's where you'll be if if you're looking for some fun on JAN 14th. And they sell this thing out at 5000 tickets so don't wait until the last minute the scalpers can be brutal.
Monday, December 29, 2008
5 week report
ROM on the left knee is still not 100%....but improving.
The key through this point in my recovery has been improving my core. Now improving my strength and muscle balance in conjunction with endurance workouts will be my focus moving forward.
Less than 10 weeks until Mason Lake #1.
The key through this point in my recovery has been improving my core. Now improving my strength and muscle balance in conjunction with endurance workouts will be my focus moving forward.
Less than 10 weeks until Mason Lake #1.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
year in review
The three Kiddo's still make the world go around.
Steve Fossett asks himself what that goat is doing in the clouds?
OK so my 2008 predictions didn't exactly pull 100%.
They did in fact rename a school in honor of our soon to be 44th President.
Leogrande did get his fair review and just sentence.
Giants become giant-killers as they squeak by the then undefeated Pats (and in the end Hillary also trumped Romney politically)!
Who's gloating now (XOM - SBUX)?
Tyler's wearing the Stars & Stripes.
PruDog will make a triumphant return chasing pie primes in the NW.
Alaska Airlines has pilots filing for food stamps.
Racing - well watching others race around me - wasn't such a highlight year for me (though the team shined), but there's always next season.
Summit-the Sun Climb for Kids is still postponed, no word on when the attempt will be made - mountain is patient, legs will be there to take it on....someday.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
When $20+B seems cheap...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Snowpocalypse '08
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Return of the PruDog
Rumors floating fast & furious that PruDog & family are making a triumphant return to the Emerald (or Jet) City.
After a brief visit to the City by the Bay - apparently the pies weren't worth their fill, "Not worthy of my husbands time" said Mrs. Prudog, "Icky" said PruPup 1.0, "Too Flaky" sounded PruPuppy 2.0. "Let's go home", indicated a fed up Mr. PruDog,"I'm not subjecting my family to inferior quality when I know their are pies , more pies, and serious pies with our name on them up in the good Ol' Pacific NW."
After a brief visit to the City by the Bay - apparently the pies weren't worth their fill, "Not worthy of my husbands time" said Mrs. Prudog, "Icky" said PruPup 1.0, "Too Flaky" sounded PruPuppy 2.0. "Let's go home", indicated a fed up Mr. PruDog,"I'm not subjecting my family to inferior quality when I know their are pies , more pies, and serious pies with our name on them up in the good Ol' Pacific NW."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Mark your calendars
2009 USA Cycling National Championship Dates & Locations
March 21: USA Cycling BMX National Championships, Desoto, Texas
May 15-17: USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships, Fort Collins, Colorado
June 28 – July 4: USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships, Louisville, Kentucky
July 2-5: USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships, Carson, California
July 4: USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships, Breckenridge, Colorado
July 8-12: USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships, Location TBD
July 10: USA Cycling Tandem Sprint Championships, Trexlertown, Pennsylvania
July 16-19: USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, Granby, Colorado
August 15-16: USA Cycling Elite & Professional Criterium National Championships, Downers Grove, Illinois
August 18-23: USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships, Indianapolis, Indiana
August 29-30: USA Cycling Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships, Greenville, South Carolina
September 30 – Oct. 4: USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Carson, California
December 11-14: USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling 24 Hour Mountain Bike National Championships, Payson, Arizona
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling International Omnium National Championships, Location TBD
March 21: USA Cycling BMX National Championships, Desoto, Texas
May 15-17: USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships, Fort Collins, Colorado
June 28 – July 4: USA Cycling Masters Road National Championships, Louisville, Kentucky
July 2-5: USA Cycling Junior Track National Championships, Carson, California
July 4: USA Cycling Mountain Bike Marathon National Championships, Breckenridge, Colorado
July 8-12: USA Cycling Junior, U23 & Elite Road National Championships, Location TBD
July 10: USA Cycling Tandem Sprint Championships, Trexlertown, Pennsylvania
July 16-19: USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, Granby, Colorado
August 15-16: USA Cycling Elite & Professional Criterium National Championships, Downers Grove, Illinois
August 18-23: USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships, Indianapolis, Indiana
August 29-30: USA Cycling Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships, Greenville, South Carolina
September 30 – Oct. 4: USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships, Carson, California
December 11-14: USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Track National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling 24 Hour Mountain Bike National Championships, Payson, Arizona
Date TBD: USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships, Location TBD
Date TBD: USA Cycling International Omnium National Championships, Location TBD
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
The next family car
Porsche has never had a 4-door beyond the Cayenne SUV. So it'll be interesting to how their new sedan (and various versions - diesel, hybrid, targa, turbo, etc.) compete with the likes of the Mercedes S class, BMW 700 series, or the Maserati Quattroporto.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
ROM
I can now get the left leg to do revolutions of the crank arm on my trainer - finally! Though still stiff & sore, I hope to get back on the trainer regularly to get my strength back up and continue to increase my ROM. Muscle atrophy is ugly!
Maybe target first of year for return to training outside.
Maybe target first of year for return to training outside.
SeaTac Survey
The other day I had a phone call asking about my commute frequency and high occupancy options to SEATAC Airport.
I think the guy thought I was fooling with him when I answered "500 or so" to his question as to "in the last year how many flights have you flown out of the airport?" I then explained that I work there, and the rest of my answers might be a little skewed as well.
So if the basic premise of this survey is to see how to improve the number of folks taking alternative transportation rather than otherwise clogging the highways with single occupancy vehicles and overloading the parking capabilities - then I think they have a long way to go.
While chatting with him on his survey questions I checked the trip planner for Sound Transit and find that from Gig Harbor it takes 3 connections and 2 hours 18 minutes (fare = $2.50) or 4 connections and another 16 minutes (fare = $1.50); and that doesn't include the time to get to and the waiting period at the park & ride lot.
In comparison I can drive myself in less than 45 minutes, on my own schedule, with direct costs* (fuel & tolls) of about $7 (with gas at $2/gallon).
I told him that recently I had taken the opportunity to commute to work by bike. Door-to-door in less than 2 hours with a direct cost* of 1 Clif Bar. That if the planners that be are considering all transportation options then they should not only increase their energy & spending on making access easier for cyclists to the airport (and elsewhere), but also provide secure parking (like Amsterdam below), and facilities for cleaning oneself up when we get there.
* direct costs do not reflect other tangibles such as car insurance, maintenence, replacement items due to normal wear & tear; which can add a significant expense (more so with the car than the bike - though brake pads, tires, tubes, lubes, chains, and periodic replacement of clothing and other items do add up when putting additonal commute miles on the bike as well).
I doubt I'll live to see anything like this in the States, but we could learn a lot from our neighbors across the pond.
I think the guy thought I was fooling with him when I answered "500 or so" to his question as to "in the last year how many flights have you flown out of the airport?" I then explained that I work there, and the rest of my answers might be a little skewed as well.
So if the basic premise of this survey is to see how to improve the number of folks taking alternative transportation rather than otherwise clogging the highways with single occupancy vehicles and overloading the parking capabilities - then I think they have a long way to go.
While chatting with him on his survey questions I checked the trip planner for Sound Transit and find that from Gig Harbor it takes 3 connections and 2 hours 18 minutes (fare = $2.50) or 4 connections and another 16 minutes (fare = $1.50); and that doesn't include the time to get to and the waiting period at the park & ride lot.
In comparison I can drive myself in less than 45 minutes, on my own schedule, with direct costs* (fuel & tolls) of about $7 (with gas at $2/gallon).
I told him that recently I had taken the opportunity to commute to work by bike. Door-to-door in less than 2 hours with a direct cost* of 1 Clif Bar. That if the planners that be are considering all transportation options then they should not only increase their energy & spending on making access easier for cyclists to the airport (and elsewhere), but also provide secure parking (like Amsterdam below), and facilities for cleaning oneself up when we get there.
* direct costs do not reflect other tangibles such as car insurance, maintenence, replacement items due to normal wear & tear; which can add a significant expense (more so with the car than the bike - though brake pads, tires, tubes, lubes, chains, and periodic replacement of clothing and other items do add up when putting additonal commute miles on the bike as well).
I doubt I'll live to see anything like this in the States, but we could learn a lot from our neighbors across the pond.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Odds
Any takers? Mostly a host of EU carriers but United (at 25/1) and Jet Blue (at 33/1) make them the next US carriers on the brink.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Cold Weather protection
Anybody have a recommendation for best cream/lotion/oil for cold and/or wet conditions that we face when racing/training here in the Pacific NW (or Canadian SW?)?
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Press release by Tom Green
New Press release from Alaska Airlines Seattle, WA
Cash-strapped Alaska Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier. Alaska Airlines has promised never to raise its fees for not printing a boarding pass. The fees, the latest introduced by Alaska Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday.
According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays. "Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," Alaska Airlines president Bill Ayer said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."
Ayer said that non-passengers of Alaska Airlines should expect to pay a small fee when making Greyhound bus reservations, choosing to drive to their final destination, or simply being a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number. Ayer went on to note that some additional charges would also apply, including a $15 fee for every piece of luggage customers have inside their bedroom closet, and a one-time payment of $40 for any American whose name is Greg, except for any Greg whose last name is Saretsky.
"We are confident that these new measures will not discourage customers from flying with Alaska Airlines," vice president Richard Cranium said. "However, we'd like to remind our customers that there is a 'discouraged-from-flying-with-Alaska-Airlines' charge if they do in fact choose not to fly with us."
Alaska Airlines, which posted a $1.45 trillion loss in the third quarter of 2008 alone (after special write-offs and expenses), claimed that the new fees—including the Taking A Shower Fee, the Knowing What An Airplane Looks Like Fee, and the Drinking Coffee From A Cup Fee—will help the company rebound. According to internal projections, the airline will recoup $500 million in the next three months alone, with nearly 80 percent of that revenue coming from citizens asleep at home."
Watching television last night cost me $250," said Ballard resident Michael Peterson, one of many citizens now forced to pay high airline costs for folding their laundry and going to the proctologist. "It's ridiculous, but what can you do? I guess that's just the price of not flying these days."
"Alaska Airlines charged me for cleaning out my attic," said 74 year-old Samantha Pratt, a Sitka resident who has not left the state since 2005. "Sure, I didn't have to wait in any long lines, or go through invasive security searches, and I got to clean out my attic, which is something I've been wanting to do for weeks, but come on now."
In response to Alaska's move, other airlines have begun offering more competitive rates. United this week unveiled a new $99 "spend the weekend quietly reading indoors" offer, while Southwest is introducing a $125 round-trip fare for those walking to their corner store for some groceries. Despite reduced offers such as these, many remain concerned over the new fees.
Some have even expressed doubt about whether they'll be able to afford to see family members they currently live with during Christmas. "It's just not worth it anymore," said Caroline Huza, an Anchorage native and mother of two. "Plus, every time I stay at home, I always get trapped next to some kid who won't stop crying."
Cash-strapped Alaska Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier. Alaska Airlines has promised never to raise its fees for not printing a boarding pass. The fees, the latest introduced by Alaska Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday.
According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays. "Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," Alaska Airlines president Bill Ayer said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."
Ayer said that non-passengers of Alaska Airlines should expect to pay a small fee when making Greyhound bus reservations, choosing to drive to their final destination, or simply being a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number. Ayer went on to note that some additional charges would also apply, including a $15 fee for every piece of luggage customers have inside their bedroom closet, and a one-time payment of $40 for any American whose name is Greg, except for any Greg whose last name is Saretsky.
"We are confident that these new measures will not discourage customers from flying with Alaska Airlines," vice president Richard Cranium said. "However, we'd like to remind our customers that there is a 'discouraged-from-flying-with-Alaska-Airlines' charge if they do in fact choose not to fly with us."
Alaska Airlines, which posted a $1.45 trillion loss in the third quarter of 2008 alone (after special write-offs and expenses), claimed that the new fees—including the Taking A Shower Fee, the Knowing What An Airplane Looks Like Fee, and the Drinking Coffee From A Cup Fee—will help the company rebound. According to internal projections, the airline will recoup $500 million in the next three months alone, with nearly 80 percent of that revenue coming from citizens asleep at home."
Watching television last night cost me $250," said Ballard resident Michael Peterson, one of many citizens now forced to pay high airline costs for folding their laundry and going to the proctologist. "It's ridiculous, but what can you do? I guess that's just the price of not flying these days."
"Alaska Airlines charged me for cleaning out my attic," said 74 year-old Samantha Pratt, a Sitka resident who has not left the state since 2005. "Sure, I didn't have to wait in any long lines, or go through invasive security searches, and I got to clean out my attic, which is something I've been wanting to do for weeks, but come on now."
In response to Alaska's move, other airlines have begun offering more competitive rates. United this week unveiled a new $99 "spend the weekend quietly reading indoors" offer, while Southwest is introducing a $125 round-trip fare for those walking to their corner store for some groceries. Despite reduced offers such as these, many remain concerned over the new fees.
Some have even expressed doubt about whether they'll be able to afford to see family members they currently live with during Christmas. "It's just not worth it anymore," said Caroline Huza, an Anchorage native and mother of two. "Plus, every time I stay at home, I always get trapped next to some kid who won't stop crying."
Childish
Yesterday I posted a comment on a web board that was insensitive in regards to one of my coworkers, that affected not only him but his daughter-in-law and Son (who are also co-workers, though in a different city). It was inappropriate to do so, and although I still have strong feelings about the matter, I should have handled it in a more professional manner - and for any hurt feelings I apologize.
The old adage of engaging the brain before putting your mouth in motion (or in this case before hitting the send button) is still in effect.
The old adage of engaging the brain before putting your mouth in motion (or in this case before hitting the send button) is still in effect.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Resume normal speed
Saw the doc about my knee, which is still quite sore & stiff, and he indicated that it is progressing just fine and to resume normal activity as the knee will allow. He said that a 4-6 week process back to full strength is normal, with the lower end of the scale for the young and quick recovery types and the upper end set for those of my generation.
He showed me pix taken during the surgery which show a good ACL and no wear on the bone structure for the knee; which I find very encouraging.
I subsequently then tried to get on my trainer in the garage for an easy spin and couldn't even get one revolution due to my limited ROM. I suppose I could due a lot of 1-legged drills with my right leg but then I'd be challenged by muscle imbalance. So I'll stick to focusing on doing my core exercises and getting in the pool to get some light resistance workouts in.
15 weeks until Mason Lake!
He showed me pix taken during the surgery which show a good ACL and no wear on the bone structure for the knee; which I find very encouraging.
I subsequently then tried to get on my trainer in the garage for an easy spin and couldn't even get one revolution due to my limited ROM. I suppose I could due a lot of 1-legged drills with my right leg but then I'd be challenged by muscle imbalance. So I'll stick to focusing on doing my core exercises and getting in the pool to get some light resistance workouts in.
15 weeks until Mason Lake!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Surfer Dude
My wife was down in Cabo on layover a few years ago (2004?) and was invited by one of our surfer-dude pilots (who lives down there) to come over to his house after dinner (along with a few of the other pilots on layover there) to get together and enjoy a few drinks. Well being that she'd already had a long day and it was getting on in the evening, she just wanted to go to her room & unwind so she politely declined - something she would not normally do.Normally she is the party!
Well surfer-dude pilot had indicated that his surfing buds Pablo, Duke & Lance were all coming over after getting cleaned up after surfing all day and it was going to be a good time - still she declined.
She learns later the next day (from the other pilots who did go), that the Lance in the surfing buds comment was the Lance of bicycling fame. She had heard Lance mentioned, but not in any context, and certainly didn't connect it would be that LANCE!
Turns out LANCE was down surfing with some of pilot surfer-dudes close friends who were responsible for instructing Lance on the finer points of surfing on recommendation by his then girlfriend (fiancee?) and now surfer-girl herself Sheryl Crow.
Now if Sheryl had been there my wife wouldn't missed the opportunity to visit with her, no matter how tired; but she still regrets missing the opportunity to meet and chat with Lance, especially out of his element - something she knows I would've hung to every word - DOH!
So it's not very surprising that as part of Astana's team training camp in the Canary Island's that they've include surfing as a part of the program.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
At least he didn't blame it on the ink!
If when subjected to a doping allegation and suspension from the team - immediately adopt the Landis and/or Hamilton denial defense. I think that simple act might have this guy racing the next 2 years.Also don't have your picture taken with vials labeled EPO, or make 274 calls to an admitted doper, and know that your "puffer"and "inhaler" are the same thing; and never, never ever, trust your soigneur!
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