What's in a title?

I don't have a title for this, just some assorted, semi-coherent thoughts and observations.

We had an ice storm over the past couple of days that crippled Central TX. Not a true ice storm by northern standards but enough ice to make people freak out and drive more stupid than normal and run into as many different items as possible in one instance. I saw more people mashing on brakes and locking up their wheels when sliding across ice than I care to remember. It's actually quite comical, in a weird sort of way, to see the look on people's faces when they are sliding out of control and can't figure out why their cars are not acting as expected, yet they are stomping on the brakes to stop. I'm thankful that I did not have that experience; I'd rather be a spectator than a participant in this one.

I am starting a new work out next week and I am pretty excited about it. I will be focusing more on strength specific training and building cardio endurance through this path along with 3x/week of low impact, high intensity cardio work as I begin to enhance the base building that I have been doing for the upcoming season. I really want to have a strong year this year and build on the successful season that I am coming off of. I had 1 1st and 2 2nd's this year along with several top 10 finishes in bigger races. Add that to the fact that I beat the 'hairy man' (it's a long story) and I had the best year that I have ever had! Here's to a great '06 season!

This weekend the wife and I are going to Houston for my work Christmas party. I am really looking forward to the time without the children! I just finished ordering a fruit and cheese basket and a bottle of wine to be delivered to the room and waiting for us when we check in. I hope this has the desired effect! I tried to get a Jacuzzi suite but they don't have any at the Hilton downtown, so we'll have to make due without. Oh, well!

As I'm sitting here listening to The Cure, it reminds me of times I spent in Virginia Beach back in the day. Good Times! Many stories to tell that I may put down at a later date. If the mood strikes me...

I'm flaming out, so I'll cut this off. I'm out!

Damn it's cold

As a point of reference, I am in Austin, TX, so consider that everything is relative. Knowing that, Damn It's Cold! We had an arctic front blow through and it's 31 degrees outside. I know. It's -7 in Denver but that's Denver. It's supposed to be cold there. It's not supposed to be cold here. Three days ago I was running around in shorts and a t-shirt. Now I'm wearing a turtleneck and a sweater over it.

Oh well!

I sat for an hour in spin class today trying to decide what the background was of the other participants in the class. The woman in front of me was a triathlete. I decided this because she still has tanlines from swimming. There are a couple of spring-fed outdoor pools here that you can swim in year round. That would explain the remaining lines. There was a blind woman in the front row to the right of me. I didn't know that she was blind until the end when we were stretching and the instructor helped her navigate around the bike. The guy in the front right is there every class; I can't figure out what he does. The couple that is usually to my left took the day off. There was a new "old" guy in the back and another guy that I had not seen before who was there for the whole class but did his own thing throughout. Can't figure him out either. (As you can see, I'm not too good at this. My mind wanders and I try not to stare at those around me, making it more difficult.) The woman to the left of the triathlete is a regular. She looks like a mom who comes during lunch while someone is watching her kids. Maybe they're in the center downstairs.

Anyway, there weren't too many people in class today, so it was a short list. I think that the weather kept most people away.

Next week I am going to start to work with a trainer and begin preparations for the upcoming season. I need to work on developing some more strength to generate the Power & Speed necessary to build on last year. Here's to a good season!

Stay warm, everyone!

Tuesday's Rant

I have had a few thoughts running through my head today and thought that I would put them on "paper" for your review...

Why do we stare at collisions then get mad at the traffic jams that result from everyone staring at the wreck?
Who decided that the small, stiff saddles on bicycles were made more comfortable by putting little gel pads in them? Three plus hours in the saddle and nothing is comfortable.
New Order is, quite possibly, the greatest band ever.
Since when did "Merry Christmas" become offensive. I'm more offended by people succumbing to political correctness and saying "Happy Holidays" than I am by recognizing the season as it is and should remain.
I'm glad I live in Austin, where I can wear shorts 11 1/2 months a year.
I've had the same job for almost 3 years and am still not bored. That must be a good thing as it's the first time that I recall that happening.
I have a great job!
I don't like ATM's. My card was eaten by one this morning for no apparent reason.
As cheesy as this sounds, I love my wife!
Did I mention my wife is hot?
I'm ready for triathlon season to start. I'm not in shape for it yet but I'm still ready for it to start.
I like pickles. And popcorn. And beer.
And beer.
And beer.
The keyboard on my blackberry doesn't work and it's driving me nuts.
My fantasy football team sucks!
If my wife wins our fantasy league, I'll never hear the end of it!
What's the deal with... nevermind, I lost that thought.
I had a great workout today. Hope tomorrow's goes just as well.

That's my rant. For what it's worth...

Another weekend over...

I'm actually glad it's Monday. Monday's are insanely busy, juggling work, workout, boys to therapy, home to cook dinner, etc. But, strangely enough, I look forward the normalcy that is the insanity of it.

The weekend was good. Had a great time with the wife @ Wideawake, until she fell and hit her head and knees walking back to the car at the end of the night. Her knee is still swollen from that one, and she was mostly sober to boot. (I know, if I hadn't tripped her she wouldn't have fallen.) The Longhorns are in the Rose Bowl, which has most of Austin going nuts over how to get to Pasadena and get tickets to the game. My buddy Geoff has been planning this trip since he went to the Rose Bowl last year. I'm not making the journey with him but I'm sure that he'll drop whatever dime is necessary to get tickets and get there. My nephew Matt will be his partner in crime that weekend. I'd rather stay home with the kids and hang. That's sounds old but, as they say, if the shoe fits. I can't sit through an entire football game without losing interest, at least temporarily, anyway. When I go to games, I find myself watching the clock and hoping that it keeps running so that the game will end. My ADD brain can't concentrate on one object for that long a period.

Hiro went to his 2nd birthday party this year @ Pump It Up and had a blast. He loves anything that involves jumping and really seems to enjoy being around his peers. This is a huge step for him, and he makes more friends every day. I'm very proud of him. Ryan and I were buddies while mom took H to the party. He was very cute, dancing to his videos most of the evening. At some point, the mischevious Ryan got into my key drawer and managed to hide my wedding ring and college ring somewhere in the house. Still tearing it apart to find them. Oddly enough, Miyo had a prophetic moment Sunday morning when she reminded me that Ryan has started taking things out of my drawer and to be careful with my rings. I obviously didn't listen closely enough. You're right again, love!

Hope everyone has a great day and a great week! That's my goal.
Late.