I’m on my way to New Orleans this morning … Wait, that’s an Allman Brothers tune that’s stuck in my head.
Actually, I’m headed to Santa Maria and Vandenberg, AFB for a day and a half of meetings. I’m looking forward to this trip because I love the climate in this part of California. Maybe I can get some good photos to share.
It’s been raining for three days … and I love it.
I had a pretty good week of work. Our team did a Habitat for Humanity project on Tuesday up near Evergreen. Then we had an all day session to discuss our larger areas of influence. I was a little disappointed in the results of this session, but the dialogue was good. I also had an excellent session with my mentor later in the week. Something good just might come from this.
I’m traveling the next two weeks to close out August. Then I’ll probably stay home until we go to Kansas on September 25th.
My new bike is being put together at the shop. Hopefully I’ll get it next week. I’m looking forward to riding some high mileage. I’m going to need a name for the new machine. Probably need to take a look at it and ride it a bit to understand its character before naming.
On Tuesday past, me, Tami, Becca, and Boomer went to Pagosa Springs for a mid-week vacation. Our hosts we Greg and Chris George, up from Dallas.
Two old friends, together again.
We had a picnic in a park (eating has always been a big deal for us.)
We manage to play a round of golf.
This was Boomer’s first round too. Here I am giving him a lesson.
Greg and I played guitars together.
The Blues Brothers of Slidell, Louisiana.
Lughnasadh, (August 1st) refers to Lugh, the Irish sun god, is the celebration marking the union of the Sun and the Land . Old Lugh (the sun) has not yet waned, but he is entering his Golden age; he loses some of his strength, and thus the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer. The sun is at its hottest; early in the day, but quickly fading. The farmers are planning for the future and cutting their first blades of wheat and harvesting sweet corn. The symbols of Lugh are grains and fruits.
We’ll be celebrating this evening with a vegetarian faux -Chicken and Leek Pie for Brittany and Danielle, and steak and chicken kabobs for Manda, Becca, Howie and Andrew.
I went to the Philadelphia area this week. I like traveling to Philly. My extracurricular excursion this time was a run up to Princeton and a walk about the university campus. I love the library.
Tami is in Minneapolis this weekend. Boomer and I did the grocery shopping this morning, and we’ve spent most of the rest of the day indoors. It’s been over 100 for three or four consecutive days. Yuck.
There are two boxing matches on tonight that I’m going to watch. None of the combatants are particularly appealing, but there is some potential for serious violence. The bouts are on HBO and Showtime.
I did two new bike rides this weekend.
On Saturday, I rode from home to Parker and back.40 miles.I was surprised that once I got to Parker Road on the 470 bike path that I didn’t have to ride on the streets. Parker has a great bike path system and according to the maps, you can ride all directions for a pretty significant distance.
Today, Sunday, I rode up a portion of Deer Creek Canyon. It was 6.2 miles up, over 1000 feet of elevation gain, and some pretty steep stuff. It took me 40 minutes. Then the ride back. It was exhilerating. I hit a top speed of 43 mph, and it only took me 14 minutes to get back down. That was serious fun.
The new bike plan is coming together. I should be set by 8/13. Trust me, it’s turning out just fine.
I wonder how Tim and his fellas are doing at the Dork Olympics … and if everyone is injury free.
So the long weekend was great.
Visiting with Dad and Susan was great, as usual. We had a little diner party with all the kids on Friday evening. Greg came over too. On Saturday we all climbed into the basement and watched a movie called Honeydripper. In general I wouldn’t recommend the film, save for the final 90 seconds. If you’re ever in need of a reminder of how it feels to absolutely love the moment you are in, with utter joy and abandon, watch these 90 seconds - it’ll make you feel good. Later that evening, Trohe, Rick, Tanner and Macy joined us for a fine dinner. Dad and Suze made their way back to Missouri early Sunday morning.
Sunday was spent trying to stay cool. It’s been hot around here lately.
Later in the day, we met Tim and Jeanne for dinner at Cafe Terracotta in downtown Littleton. As usual - great food, and even better company. It’s fun to try these new hole-in-the-wall and not the run of the mill type places.
I extended the weekend one day by taking Monday off. I had a nice 25 mile bike ride on the pig and spent the rest of the day just relaxing.
I’m taking the rest of the week off, and Monday too. I’m feeling a little run down - more mentally than physically.
My dad and Susan arrive for a quick visit tomorrow, and they’ll head out again on Sunday.
The 100 pushup challenge is going well. Tami and I are both on plan here in week 2.
No news on the bicycle front. I’m still riding the pig while a solution to Mo’s problem iron’s itself out. Speaking of bicycles, is anyone else following the Tour de France? I love it.
Danielle is making an exciting career change. She seems really happy about this move and I wish her all the success possible. You can read all about it here.
See her entries from Monday, “It’s Happening,” and Tuesday, “It’s Real.”
Can you do it?
I’ve found my next physical challenge.
I stumbled onto this site at hundredpushups.com where they lay out a training plan to get you trained over a 6-week period to do 100 pushups without stopping
I’ve talked Tami and Amanda into doing it with me. We started last night with the initial test, and will begin the program with week 1, day 1 tonight.
Anyone else care to join in on the fun?