Since my college days ended many years ago (I've long lost my schooling in German & Spanish), I've yearned to learn a new language.
Blabber, Mumbling, and Whining spoken by my 3 kiddo's tops the list languages I've yet to master.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Glenwood RR
Rumor has it that PruDog has taken the reigns as RD for the '10 Glenwood RR (CR?).
Not confirmed are that portions of the course be off-road or will contain cobbles (a la Ronde Ohop). Word is that a properly baked pie will get you a reduced entry.
Not confirmed are that portions of the course be off-road or will contain cobbles (a la Ronde Ohop). Word is that a properly baked pie will get you a reduced entry.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
KSM histeria
Just as terrorism has given 9/11 a bad name; now with the upcoming trial of one of the chief architects of that fateful day, KSM is having a severe financial negative on otherwise unrelated entities.
The band, guitar maker, designer, school, airport, electronics manufacturer, & engineering firm are all suffering and need your support.
Don't let the terrorists bring Porsche and the rest of these good folks down.
The band, guitar maker, designer, school, airport, electronics manufacturer, & engineering firm are all suffering and need your support.
Don't let the terrorists bring Porsche and the rest of these good folks down.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Retirement
I just rebalanced my large-cap top-heavy 401k to further diversify my portfolio which hopefully spreads my risk (and perhaps rewards) amongst several sectors.The trouble with 401K's (verses a traditional defined benefit plan) is that it empowers individual investors who have little time, training, or in depth knowledge in making sound and/or strategic financial decisions.
So take away or reduce the old pensions of days gone by and give me the power to lose my $$ in funds that don't perform as advertised; that does not make me comfortable at all.
Of course the way our profession is going, by the time I want to retire - the FAA's Age 65 rule will be replaced by a new "fly-'till-you-die" rule.
Where's my mattress?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Muddy fun
On the mountain bike for the first time in awhile actually off-road, though not really near any mountain or even in sight of a mountain. Not sure if it was the new tires, or air pressure (35psi), or the perfect conditions, or my bike handling skills (or lack thereof) - but I only fell once (and even that was fun).
Lots of trees, who lost slippery leaves & exposed their roots, and the perfect combination of twisties with puddles & mud. Had no clue which end was where, but found my way back to the car before a search party was formed. Maybe next time I'll take a map.
It's also comforting to know that the folks who manage this area have a plan.
Lots of trees, who lost slippery leaves & exposed their roots, and the perfect combination of twisties with puddles & mud. Had no clue which end was where, but found my way back to the car before a search party was formed. Maybe next time I'll take a map.
It's also comforting to know that the folks who manage this area have a plan.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit...
As I am used to seeing a full windsock at airports for anything greater than 15mph, I posted this question to the WA DOT:
I was just wondering what triggers the severe wind message that warns drivers about conditions on the Tacoma Narrows Bridges? And what level of wind defines severe? Is it a different warning if it's only a steady wind verses one that includes gusts? Is it an automatic sensor or subjective observation? Is the warning aimed particularly toward truckers & other tall vehicles or everyone? It seems to me that I see the warning frequently enough when the wind isn't strong enough to warrant a severe warning, and I wonder if drivers then get too complacent about them.
WA DOT responded:
We currently have cameras that look at both Tacoma Narrows bridges. These are monitored at our Traffic Management Center (TMC). At both ends of the older bridge there is a wind sock. When the wind sock is straight out the wind is about 35 to 40 mph. When the operator at the TMC notices the wind socks are straight out they turn on the high wind warning signs. We turn on the signs to warn drivers with unsecured loads,trucks traveling empty, or pulling manufactured homes to take precautions. Our directions to our TMC operators is when in doubt turn the warning signs on.
So it would seem as if their windsock fully inflates at 35-40 mph they must be of a larger size and/or of heavier weight material; though they look very much the same to me.
They also have an anemometer on the top of one of the bridge towers, but that wind could read very differently than the deck below. They are looking at installing another somewhere near the deck level.
My suggestion would be to then have a couple of signs before the last exit at either end of the bridge displaying the actual wind speed so a particular vehicle operator knew exactly what they were dealing with rather than a subjective observation (or non-observation as the case may be).
I was just wondering what triggers the severe wind message that warns drivers about conditions on the Tacoma Narrows Bridges? And what level of wind defines severe? Is it a different warning if it's only a steady wind verses one that includes gusts? Is it an automatic sensor or subjective observation? Is the warning aimed particularly toward truckers & other tall vehicles or everyone? It seems to me that I see the warning frequently enough when the wind isn't strong enough to warrant a severe warning, and I wonder if drivers then get too complacent about them.
WA DOT responded:
We currently have cameras that look at both Tacoma Narrows bridges. These are monitored at our Traffic Management Center (TMC). At both ends of the older bridge there is a wind sock. When the wind sock is straight out the wind is about 35 to 40 mph. When the operator at the TMC notices the wind socks are straight out they turn on the high wind warning signs. We turn on the signs to warn drivers with unsecured loads,trucks traveling empty, or pulling manufactured homes to take precautions. Our directions to our TMC operators is when in doubt turn the warning signs on.
So it would seem as if their windsock fully inflates at 35-40 mph they must be of a larger size and/or of heavier weight material; though they look very much the same to me.
They also have an anemometer on the top of one of the bridge towers, but that wind could read very differently than the deck below. They are looking at installing another somewhere near the deck level.
My suggestion would be to then have a couple of signs before the last exit at either end of the bridge displaying the actual wind speed so a particular vehicle operator knew exactly what they were dealing with rather than a subjective observation (or non-observation as the case may be).
Friday, November 6, 2009
Drug testing revisited
With the admission earlier the week of a top local WA racer of doping (or masking the fact that he doped) at track Nationals is one reason that I made the request last year to have the WSBA fund a grant for testing at the State RR we hosted this lastseason (or any of the WA State Championship events). Not that I knew of any specific athlete(s), but I have my suspicions' (though I admit Kenny wasn't one of them, which makes this all the more important).
Now if you believe this is isolated to just one athlete in a moment of weakness, then we don't need drug testing here in the NW. But I would think that this should be revisited by the WSBA Board.
To my friends, clients, competitors and USA Cycling officials,
My name is Kenny Williams and I've been racing my bike for 20 years. In June 2009 I broke and had surgery on my left collarbone. In my haste to return to the top of my game I purchased DHEA at the local Drug Store, without consulting anyone. 6 weeks later at Masters Track Nationals in Colorado Springs I was tested positive for this illegal drug. I do not deny the results of the test.
I am ashamed that I’ve done something that hurts the sport of cycling and the community of people who have become the most important part of my life. I’m facing the very real possibility that I can try for the rest of my life to regain the confidence of the cycling community and my friends, but this cloud will be with me for the rest of my life. I am not asking for forgiveness, because I am admitting to my mistake and own all the horrible feelings that come with my bad decision. I am hoping for compassion and understanding. Compassion that I never intended to hurt anyone and understanding that if I could have one re-do in my life that this would be it. As I have done throughout my whole athletic life I will fight to re-gain my reputation as a fair man, tough competitor and drug-free cyclist. You can trust me when I say that I will never take a short-cut like this ever again.
Bike racing is one of the most important things in my life, second to my wife, whom I owe the biggest apology to for being so irresponsible. I am sorry Annette. I also feel horrible about the results I took away from the other athletes that I raced against. I am very sorry to have disappointed all of them. To my sponsors and my clients, I am sorry. To all in the cycling community and my friends, I am sorry.
Sincerely, Kenny Williams
Tuesday, November 3
Now if you believe this is isolated to just one athlete in a moment of weakness, then we don't need drug testing here in the NW. But I would think that this should be revisited by the WSBA Board.
To my friends, clients, competitors and USA Cycling officials,
My name is Kenny Williams and I've been racing my bike for 20 years. In June 2009 I broke and had surgery on my left collarbone. In my haste to return to the top of my game I purchased DHEA at the local Drug Store, without consulting anyone. 6 weeks later at Masters Track Nationals in Colorado Springs I was tested positive for this illegal drug. I do not deny the results of the test.
I am ashamed that I’ve done something that hurts the sport of cycling and the community of people who have become the most important part of my life. I’m facing the very real possibility that I can try for the rest of my life to regain the confidence of the cycling community and my friends, but this cloud will be with me for the rest of my life. I am not asking for forgiveness, because I am admitting to my mistake and own all the horrible feelings that come with my bad decision. I am hoping for compassion and understanding. Compassion that I never intended to hurt anyone and understanding that if I could have one re-do in my life that this would be it. As I have done throughout my whole athletic life I will fight to re-gain my reputation as a fair man, tough competitor and drug-free cyclist. You can trust me when I say that I will never take a short-cut like this ever again.
Bike racing is one of the most important things in my life, second to my wife, whom I owe the biggest apology to for being so irresponsible. I am sorry Annette. I also feel horrible about the results I took away from the other athletes that I raced against. I am very sorry to have disappointed all of them. To my sponsors and my clients, I am sorry. To all in the cycling community and my friends, I am sorry.
Sincerely, Kenny Williams
Tuesday, November 3
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