Why yes kitty, it is cold out. Little Pest is huddled by the heat vent this morning because the bottom has finally fallen out. Our 'summer in November' is over. It's been in the 70s the past 4 days, and today it's about 25 degrees. I knew it was too good to last, but I enjoyed it while it did.

It's been a while since I've done a Retro CD of the Day. So here you go, The Pixies Bossanova. 1990 was a good year, and also when I graduated high school. Wow, that was a long time ago!

I knew this day would come when the coolest gadget I ever owned would become passe'.

Move over Blackberry Curve, the Storm is rolling in to town. The marketing is clearly effective because today I realized I can not live without the functionality of the new Blackberry.... must have new Blackberry.

Son of a bitch! Will you look at what I just did! I just was getting back from a nice lunch with Kate's mom and came in to the parking spot a little hot and tagged the wall. Dammit, those new eye glasses aren't doing much for my depth perception.

Today it was real nice out. I mean 72 in the middle of November, I'll take it. I also took advantage of the day and did my first 4 hour ride in a loooong time.

While I was out there on that lonely road....I started with the group ride, but took off on my own because who needs to ride that hard in Nov?!... back to my point, while I was out there I realized I am out of shape. (As much as round is a shape, it is not a good shape for bike racing.) So I'm out of shape, my back was huting, my arms were hurting, I knew I wouldn't be out there if it was 40 degrees out today, and was happy to ride alone so I didn't have to ride hard with all the youngin's. It was then that I realized the only thing that keeps me from calling myself a fattie masters is denial.

I don't know how you can screw up tomoato soup, but this stuff is gross. It tastes like feet. Now what am I going to have for lunch?

Last night we went out to Jose Muldooon's to celebrate a friend's liberation from working for the 'man'.

Jane showed off her artist skills by diagraming the origin of 'apple bottom jeans'.

Completed art work with muffin top, tramp stamp, and 'boots with the fur'.

Last night we had Thanksgiving a little early at the SRM house. Stephanie's mom and dad drove out from Kentucky and cooked us up a fantastic meal. A fine time was had by all.

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are
Now what?

There was more cross in Boulder on Sunday. Big crowds came out to watch, it was a lot of fun.

Because I stayed up in Boulder to watch the races, I got to hang out with the Farkingtons and young Sam. Here I am explaining the finer points of television news watching and why CNN is so much better than Fox News for his election coverage.

Beth, as usual multitasking at the cross race.

We got together for our first team ride getting ready for next year.

Before the ride started, Jenna and Carol thought it'd be funny to leave finger prints on Beth's stainless steel fridge.... she was not amused, seriously folks, don't leave prints on the fridge.

On the '09 team we'll have Beth back, Carol, Jenna, Maegan, and me. Not pictured are SyRae and Lisa. SyRae was busy sleeping.

And Lisa was busy kicking ass in the cross race. Way to go Lisa! It's hard to believe she had a baby 7 months ago.

At the cross race, I was suprised to find out that I am wearing all the latest baby fashions. Lucy by the way is getting real cute, and real solid. That little girl is a tank.

I thought I would beat the crowds by voting early. No such luck, but I still rocked the vote. Have you?

GO-BAMA!
I went to go see Michelle Obama speak tonight in the Springs.
Don't forget to vote - Vote early!

What's the worst thing you can think of to tip over in the fridge and leak all over?

I'll give you a hint. The answer is maple syrup.

I had a special treat this weekend. SyRae came down to play a hockey game on Saturday and spent the night so we got to go for a nice ride today.
Early on in the ride, SyRae shows her hockey fitness with dropping me on every climb. Good news is SyRae is real fit from playing hockey. Bad news is hockey games don't last more than 90 minutes.

So SyRae was getting a bit tired by the end of our ride and had to stop at the top of one of the hills for some refreshments of pink lemonade and pop corn. At only $0.25 each, it was a bargain!

We had a nice time riding, and see, Colorado Springs is pretty.

After our ride today, C-Ray and I sent bargain shopping at the Mtn Chalet. We looked at shoes and hats. I found some Chacos for $50 and C-Ray found these sweet shoes.

C-Ray looked great in the bee hat too.

Today was Veloswap and our annual day to dress with half VC kit and half street clothes and pass out tiny samples of dried corn.

As if I needed more reasons not to run...

Today, while on my way to crushing my PR on the Incline, I had myself a little crash. I'm pretty sure this was my worst crash of the year. Yes, worse than the one where I took myself out (along with 20 of my best friends) in that crit in Tulsa. I guess I got a little amped up when I saw I could go under 58 min round trip and came in a little hot in to the last switchback. The good news is I still beat my PR by over 2 min. So 58:12 round trip and even took a full minute off my best time on the way up (32:47).

Now if you'll excuse me, does any one have a gin and tonic? I've got to go peel my shorts off my ass and do some scrubbing in the shower.

So the water heater imploded yesterday and left the basement flooded and me without a hot shower.

The plumber came today, and it's a good thing I rent instead of own because it looks like we're getting a new hot water heater.

I am going to assume that Herman the plumber is from the Independent Party.

Well hello winter. Nice to see you again, now go away!

Sarah Palin was in Colorado Springs yesterday.


Uhm, hey Sarah. Micheal Jackson called, he'd like his red leather jacket back. (Sarah says "Beat It")

Jack o' laterns

Morning entertainment.

Palin as President. Click here. (move your mouse around and click on stuff, it's real funny)

Best REM Song Ever, Vote Now!!!


It's the End of the World and We know it.



Superman?


Please do not forget, Man on the Moon.

When it all comes down to it... Man on the Moon gets my vote. (although, I am totally Superman)

This is how I entertain myself every afternoon between 3:30 and 4:00 pm. The sun comes through the window and hits my watch just right and I have an instant cat fun as they try to chase the light all over the wall.

p.s. Do you ever feel like... oh you know the rest.

40 degrees and pissing rain. Good day for a hike with Swill and Seamus.

They're gone, but I missed it. I was hoping to blog random people trying them on as they walked by. Oh well, next time.

So no one took the boots last night, so I've upped the ante and put a sign on the boots. In the great boot experiment, we'll see how long it takes for someone to take them.

Hey, buddy! Your boots are still at my house. I will move them closer to the curb to see if anyone picks them up!

Went over to the Compton's to watch some F1. Katie's getting ready for her first trip to Europe this week to tackle some of the World Cups.

Katie should do great, she's looking real fit and lean. However, if she happens to falter, I think it's all my fault. I'm the one who brought the M&Ms.

p.s. If you show up to the Compton's unannounced just bring ice cream sandwiches or something with dark chocolate and there will be no problems.

Some people will do anything to get their mugs on my blog.

Obama Runs Constructive Criticism Ad Against McCain

The mud slinging has really started now.

Today I did what I like to term the Colorado Springs triathlon.

I started in the morning with a run up the Incline (by the way, only 10 sec off my PR. I think I left a lung and my left hamstring somewhere on the top half.)

Then it was a little bike ride. I chose to ride south on the bike path which has it own added elements of danger and challenge. It's great speed work because you have to ride fast enough not to get mugged by the homeless or meth adicts between Bijou and South Nevada.

The third stage is, of course, beer and the Broncos. I mean how else would you finish a triathlon?

Things I did today:
- vacuumed
- dusted
- mopped
- laundry
- cleaned the bathroom
- did the dishes
- cleaned the cat box
- rode my bike for more than 2 hours (in a row!)
- washed my bike
- grocery
- washed the car
- groomed the cats (hair and nails)
- called old friends and family members

Things I will do tomorrow:
- Less

As I was watching the debates the other night, I thought it looked all too familiar. Then I remembered...

Every time she opened her mouth I wanted to reach for something sharp and jam it in my ear. All she speaks is nonsensical gobbledygook. Did she even try to answer the questions or just spout off memorized talking points and wink at the camera?

So, as you know, I was in beautiful Beaver Creek over the weekend. The leaves were at peak and it was also time for some peak training.

Beth is busy getting herself back in to peak form as she in on the Vistion Quest for 2009.

To get everyone inspired for our training montage (pictures only, sorry no video), here is something to truly inspire you (because our weekend was pretty much like this.)


Rocky Iv - Eye Of the Tiger - Funny home videos are a click away

sprint intervals
uphill chariot intervals with Sammy


Which way should we run next?


coffee break
more running, downhill this time!

The end!