So there's apparently a new blog game of tagging people. So I got tagged by my good friend Beth which means that I must post 5 random things about myself that people probably don't know and then tag 5 more people.

1. When I was in kindergarten, at the end of the year, all the kids got awards. You know, best speller, best attendance, cleanest desk, ect. My award was for being the shortest. That really hurt my feelings and is the only thing I remember about kindergarten.

2. The lump you can see on my forehead I got in first grade when I crashed in to a swing while chasing a boy around the playground.

3. I rushed sororities the first few weeks of college as a freshman at the University of Florida. That didn't last long. I graduated from UNH and on the cycling team instead.

4. I played the drums all through junior high and high school. When I was a senior in high school, I sold my drum set and bought my first bike.

5. I hate going bare footed because I really hate it when my feet are dirty. If I've worn sandals all day, I need to wash my feet before I can either put shoes and socks on or get in to bed.

So now I will tag
Lisa: my sister

Chris: my brother-in-law and father of the two cutest kids in the world

Kate: my former travel buddy and fellow racer

Sarah: bike racer and someone who makes me laugh every time I see her

Brad: bike racer extraordinaire

My last night in Ashland, and even though my birthday is 10 days away, I got to open my presents.

Thanks for the new Red Sox hat and Green Monsta T-shirt. Go Sox.

Then we made cookies.

The girls intently watch the cookies as they bake.

And then Jordi turned in to a cookie monster.

And Caroline in to a cookie ghost.

The park next to my sister Lisa's house is like a Christmas wonderland. Seriously, they are in to Christmas around here.


We took a trolley ride through the festival of lights in the park and even though there is no snow, it still gets you in the Christmas mood.

We went to ballet class where Lisa demonstrates the proper application of Aqua-net hairspray to really make the ballet hair stay in place.

After ballet there was cake and candy at Emily Ford's birthday party. Notice the sugar coma look that the kids get.

Later the next day, the two were at it again eating a giant donut at Starbucks.

Just a quick update from my trip to Kentucky.

Kentucky Football.

Tailgating.
Moonshine.
Eating.
Cornhole.

Getting the camera man's attention.

Jumbotron.
Napping. The end of day 1.

Thanksgiving with the Tarkington's where the biggest decision is what kind of pie to have.

One thing for sure the cinnamon rolls were delicious although smushed by Beth's big water bottle.

Before dinner Beth and Sarah try to figure out the stereo Hi-Fi. This circa 1974 Hi-Fi looks remarkably similar to the one in my mom's house... that she still uses too.

Ultimately we decided on the 1980's classic Pointer Sisters. All I have to say about this choice is "I'm so excitied"

"...and I just can't hide it"
Thanks Beth and Jon, I had a great time. You can see in this picture Beth's eyes are bugging out because she is full of turkey and pie.

75 degrees on Monday, today it's 25 degrees and I've finally been forced to turn on the heat. Budha is now very happy for this and designated her new napping spot next to the heat vent.

Started with the group ride yesterday. The group was really small, I have no idea where everyone was. It was 65 degrees and sunny, there wasn't even a Broncos game yesterday. Fortunately, Ryan showed up with his extra chamois cream conveniently sticking out of his saddle bag in case as you are riding by him you are having a chamois emergency.

I left the group after a while, so most of the day it was me, myself, and JT. And yes, that is me riding on a gravel road, voluntarily.

Of course, riding on the dirt is easy when there's motivation, like coffee and a pastry at the end of the bike path in Monument.

All that coffee makes you have to go pee, so I stopped at a porto on the side of the road and this is what I found in there. A pair of rubber gloves, and a stack of women's magazines, like Glamour, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping. I'm not sure what those construction workers do in this porto, but I did not go in to find out.

An update from the last few days... seems like I've gone out every night this past week, which I basically have.

iPhone: I want that.
p.s. I hate going to Il Vicinos because you reek of food afterwards, which is only marginally better than reeking of smoke after going out. Either way you need to take off all your clothes and leave them outside so you don't stink up the house too.

Thursday night sushi and the Office with Stephanie. If she was a boy, I think this would have been a pretty good date, she even paid which as a bonus.

Tip of the week: Don't pick your nose while waiting at the drive thru bank teller. You never know who's going to pull up next to you. "Hi Kate"

And the weekly dinner crew at Old C's with a special guest appearance by Missy the Missile.

I just figured out what all the kids are listening to.



I'm on it.

I went through various pockets and drawers today to do a throrough chapstick inventory and this is what I came up with. So if I have so many chapsticks stashed all over the house and in the pockets of my coats, why is it that I can never find it in the pocket of the coat I'm wearing?

So I was at the auto parts store on Saturday, because, you know, it's the best place in town to pick up guys. Like this guy working on his muscle car.

No wait, false alarm, it's just Brad.

Went to Daniel's the other night.

There was a lot of food, a lot of friends, and, of course, a lot of booze.

There was even some manerexia as Mike vowed to "get rid of" those extra calories he ate from Steph's cookies so he can keep his svelte climber's physique.

Sorry I haven't blogged much this week, but I've been busy. Here's some of the things I've done this week but not blogged about:

1. Enjoyed the 70 degree days nearly every day this week.
2. Set a new fast time up the Incline this year.
3. Rode my bike in shorts and short sleeves.
4. Lifted some weights.
5. Lost enough weight to fit in to jeans I haven't fit in to in over a year.
6. Shopped for houses.
7. Stayed organized with my weekly task list.
8. Got my hair cut by The Rick.

the end

Please help this plant. I've tried less light, more light, less water, more water and I'm still killing it. Help this plant survive.

Another night, another party. Wow, this is the most I've gone out in one weekend since camp. Tonight was the Colorado Velodrome Association year end awards and banquet.

Tonight also came with prizes. Not only did I win the Rider of the Year points series for the women, but also won for the master's women too (I knew being old would come in handy). I got a few shekles to boot for all the effort.

Kate won a well deserved Best Improved Rider. Good job Kate.

Later in the evening, business for the CVA was conducted. We were electing new board members for the CVA when I heard from the crowd "I nominate Renee Eastman", followed soon by someone else saying "I second the nomination" and presto, I am now on the board of the CVA. Looks like a new member of the board will be voting for 40 lap points races for the women every night of racing in 2008.

Later, Karl celebrates his win as male Rider of the Year and last call triple fisted. Way to go Karl.

Went to Lisa and Derek's wedding yesterday. It was great.

The VC women's team poses for a picture and are nearly unrecognizable because we are all so well groomed for the big day.
Outside we had to fix a envelope malfunction for SyRae. SyRae was having a rough day with a serious case of the drops. Luckily, the phone she asked me to hold for her was not the one she had dropped in the toilet.

SyRae and I sat with Jane and the other Dirt Girls and the JR engineering girls. We were the past and present teammate table.

But as you can see the teammate table did not have great viewing for the festivities.

We did, however, try to sneak a little taste of the cake early.