2 Trains and EPO

My ride in this morning was stopped twice by trains. I wonder if it was one train twice or two separate trains? Nothing wakes you up in the morning like the blast of a mile long fright train directly across your path with no way around. Needless to say, I was late. Though, in my attempt to be more positive, I did appreciate the fact that the second train kept moving, as opposed to the first which was stopped on the track blocking all traffic. It wouldn't be quite as frustrating if it didn't happen all the time. Of course for you car types, the worst is when the train stops 50 yards from a crossing, but the crossing gates go down and stay down, despite the train having no desire to move (tip: cut your car off when your waiting for a train, it save gas, and if your from here you know they are NEVER short waits).



In cycling related news today (I care, you may not) in the Giro del Trentino, the top 3 riders at the finish today had all, in the last few years, received 2 year bans for blood doping, aka cheating. How can you take that seriously?

Doper, doper, doper. Wait, Basso (doper #3) said he only "intended to dope" and hadn't done so yet. Way to take the moral high ground.

2 Jargaritas and a broken tandem

Last night was the first Burrito ride of the year. Tandem bike, beer, 2 jargaritas, nachos (not burritos) and bluegrass. Ahhh, spring in the South. However, when the night ended and it was time to ride, it quickly became a hike home. Old tandem + tons of power between the Missuz and I = Broken chain. So a 5 minute bike ride became a 30 minute walk. You cant win 'em all, sometimes its Mexican and Bluegrass and sometimes its walking a 40 pound bike home. Also, I was happily intoxicated on the sounds of banjos (and tequila) and I really enjoy walking in that state. I'd love to tell you about the walk but it's really hard to smell the roses when your lugging a broken 6 foot long bike around.

In other news...

ELEPHANTS!

Its nice having a nice zoo close and even nicer when you get to go on a Friday. She's there and I'm stuck here in my climate controlled cube, crap (awesome alliteration).

Attack of the Spring

Last week was why I live in the Southeast. It may have been April but it was 90 degrees and sunny all week. LOVE IT.

The best part is that the Dogwoods are blooming and they are all over the neighborhood. The flowering Dogwood is my favorite plant/tree. Probably because A) It means its spring; B)Its the state flower of Virginia aka Home (and a bunch of other states but whatever); C) We used to have one in our yard at my house, Home again and D) Its a good looking tree-plant, no? We also had blooming Azaleas and Bradford Pears, but all of this led to the arch-nemesis of sinuses everywhere.

BICYCLES!!!! wait, no...

POLLEN!!!

Not normal, oh my allergies are acting up pollen, nope. Its like biblical plague pollen. Most people have snow, we have a dusting of pollen. You could see your footprints on the sidewalk, the percentage of yellow cars shot up 2 jillion percent, and I was wondering if something was going to start growing in my lungs after my bike commute home from work. I could taste it, and it is not good my friends. Fortunately after a t-storm it is almost gone now, or at least at manageable levels. So now all were left with is temps in the mid-70s, sunshine, and waning allergens. Things could be worse...

Sleepy Cat

More lunch shinanigans

Wandering around during lunch, aka:sanity time, I have found my new lunch spot. Sunshine, pine needles, quiet, sunshine... Its a great break from the cold, dark recesses of cubicle life. And since Spring has sprung here, its in the 80's, it makes a great place to take a nap at lunch.

It also makes is a nice place to read a serial novel from the 30's. Doc Savage : The Midas Man. Whoever wrote those books would be really dissapointed with the way life turned out. No flying cars, no mind reading machines, one day.... The books came from my grandfathers collection, and at 120 pages of easy reading where the good guy always wins, its a nice way to pass time.

Now its time to enjoy 85 degrees and big margaritas.