State of affairs?

Call me naive - but what is it about people today that popularity of services like these (Ashley Madison, Discreet Adventures, Affairs 4 U, Taken & Looking, etc) even exist let alone seem to be flourishing?

I am one for what goes on behind closed doors between consenting adults is fine by me, and should be nobodies beeswax. As cheating has been going on ever since Eve (or Adam for that matter) had competition. I was under the impression that affairs kinda just occurred by happenstance - not by design. You know the flirt by the water cooler, or business trip away from home, or with your basic White House intern and a tryst happened that may or may not then develop into an elicit longer lasting relationship. Kinda exciting, very hypocritical, and then the awkward what now??

Now you can just plunk down your credit card get a password and browse for your affair-mate online. No work or emotions - all the "fun" and mystery peeled away with just a click of the mouse.

I guess you gotta like the entrepreneurial spirit that somebody has taken advantage of the demand - I think they used to call these folks pimps?

I blame it on our soap opera society that takes no responsibility for their deceitful actions; probably the same kind of self-righteous folks who passed Prop 8 in CA. All these morally weak men & women should be so lucky as to end up being made a mockery of on the Jerry Springer show - some public shame and ridicule (let alone a cat fight or 2) would do them a world of good.

Obama factor

OK so whatever's going on - I like the trend.

The very first words from the last 3 people to put my life at risk while out riding my bike (2 diving into parking spots, and 1 trying to door me) offered up immediate apologies instead of stupid excuses (the standard being - "Oh, I didn't see you").

All 3 folks were of the fairer sex; though in the past these were equal opportunity excuse givers too.

And while it doesn't justify their bad driving behavior it does allow me to offer up a chance to calmly discuss and educate them so hopefully their children (all 3 ladies had kids) will be extra vigilant for drivers like just like them. And I anticipate that these ladies behavior may change for the better as well.

Truth-O-Meter

"I want you to hold our government accountable. I want you to hold me accountable" - Barack Obama.

The St. Petersburg Times (FL) has their Obameter up and running to check how our new President is keeping up on all his unprecedented number of campaign promises. At least in the first couple of days he's off to a good start.

It never rains in CA...

and it didn't pour either.

A mostly cloudy morning in Ontario, CA with only a brief shower, but with temps in the low 60's I rode through it, with only a fleeting thought of turning back to the hotel to get my rain gear on. I'm glad I didn't as the rest of the day was very nice indeed.

I did lube up with Elite Ozone Energy Oil as a precaution for any wet mess that may occur, and it did a nice job warming up the legs and shedding the road spray.

Pre-ride I discovered that I had run out of chamois cream so I stopped off at Coates Cyclery and bought a small tub of AsMaster. I've never heard off their product before but(t) with a name like that how could I resist. Seem to work well for my initial 3+ hour test ride.

So I'm glad the forecasters were off on their predictions of rain all day - though I'm sure I'll meet up with it another day (like perhaps next Monday in SFO).

Metabolism up

Rode to work in the fog this morning and had no idea how chilly it really was. Only had on a long sleeve undershirt and my Gore rain jacket plus tights and booties. When I passed a bank thermometer showing 33F - geez I've been chillier with temps 20 degrees higher and working harder to try and stay warm.

And no I'm not sporting any more layers of fat since my surgery & the holidays. So long road to passable fitness is back in full swing. May not be race ready by Mason Lake #1, but we'll see.

Oh goodie - rain tomorrow in Ontario for my long ride.

Lame pilot joke

What is the flight call sign for the outgoing president for his final trip home (to Crawford)?

Air Force None!

Good riddance tour

Great ride out in the San Fran area today - headed out to the coast by Half Moon Bay and up over the Santa Cruz Mtns. Was out for about 3 hours on yet another spectacular day (albeit quite windy off the water) - motivated by the fact that this is the last full day GWB can do any more damage to our great country.

Ran into a group of riders from Rapha who are on day 2 of riding the ToC route, they dropped me on the climb south of Pacifica up to Devil's Slide.

BTW - I managed to practice what I preached earlier - stuffing my jersey pockets (several times) full of discarded material by the side of the road, which I emptied at the next available dumpster or trash can - the world (or at least a portion of the Santa Cruz Mtns) is a slightly cleaner and healthier place.