I hope everyone had a great holiday yesterday - mine was filled with the three F's .... Family, football and food. Actually, FOOD should be in all caps because I believe there was enough to feed a small army by the time the 4 cooks in our kitchen were finished.
Before I go into all of that, I'd like to thank my "anonymous guest blogger" (AGB for those like me who have an affinity for acronyms) for stepping in last week - it's never a comfy thing to give someone full on access to anything that is yours, but AGB did me proud.
So, I spent the last week or so in sunny florida - unfortunately, it was not planned and was not for pleasure. My beloved grandaddy, John Fowler, passed away on Sunday after a long bout with a lung disease. He and I were very close so it has been a tough week for me. I don't say this for sympathy, I only say this because he was one of the most important people in my life so his passing has deeply affected me.
A silver lining this week is that my family took the opportunity to gather, reconnect and celebrate the one common link between us - my grandfather. I met cousins that I had never seen, finally got to know an Aunt that I only knew in name and had the chance to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with some of my favorite family members (oh, come on, everyone has 'favorites' when it comes to family ... its not just me !). We reminisced about funny memories like the time grandaddy put a horse in the back of his car (there was alcohol involved), and how he showed us the Chicken Dance during a party for my graduation (again, there was alcohol involved). His favorite drink was Tequila, so we had a shot in his honor and laughed at my Aunt flapping around like a bird because it burned on the way down. The weather was picture perfect and we even managed a spirited game of backyard football before we lost daylight. I'm sure my grandaddy was laughing at the spectacle we made.
I've had a lot of distraction this week with family coming and going and being in a different environment all week, but I'm home now and will have some time to reflect on everything that has transpired since I left on a last minute flight to Florida last Thursday.
Sorry for the somber post, but it would have been disingenuous for me to try to be witty and light. Enjoy the weekend and, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, take the time to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you - not just during the holidays, but every day. You never know when they'll be gone and you don't want to live with regrets for what you should've said.
Some sage advice from my grandaddy : you only get one go'round, so you might as well make it good.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Guest Blogger Gotz Nuthin'
Plain Jane was called out of town and bestowed upon me full access to her blog as a "guest blogger." Alas, nothing seems witty enough or even mildly entertaining to the usual TGIF. So, failing a blank page, I am filling this TGIF page (and my guest blog responsibilties) with a classic cartoon from Dilbert.
This cartoon should not reflect in any way on Wendy's feeling about work, her work responsiblities, or desire to cook smelly food (popcorn) in the office microwave. This cartoon may reflect guest bloggers' feelings about the above.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Time flies .... whether you're having fun or not !
Good lord - Thanksgiving is next week. I was on the phone with a client in the UK who mentioned "our" upcoming holiday and when I looked at the calendar I wondered where the time went ? As a side note, it was an epiphany when I realized (about the age of 12 or so) that other countries didn't celebrate Thanksgiving. Don't laugh, you know you had those kinds of realizations, too.
As to where the time went - its seems like just the other day we were contesting the sprint at Greenbelt and today I saw snowflakes in the air. Seriously, there were snowflakes falling in downtown Baltimore. My Sunday ride in Howard County was so windy and cold we shortened it to 45 miles instead of 55. Thank goodness I had company - if not for the 4 brave souls who showed up to ride, I might not have made it with just my ipod. Chicken has a couple fun photos from the ride - we're smiling but dont let that fool you.
Other random events: I was driving home on Friday night from work in the dark ... cruising down 895 around 7pm (yes, just leaving work on a friday at 7pm - and that's early compared to recent days!) ... and I realized - I have no headlights. Both lowbeam headlights didnt work. Thank goodness the highway was well-lit, but as I was switching from lowbeams to parking lights to highbeams etc - just trying to figure out if I had any lights - I'm sure the people around me thought I was either drunk or stupid. Either way, they did tend to stay away from me - maybe this is a good strategy ?
After a spin session at CycleLife on Saturday, I went in search of someone to replace the lights. I know what you're thinking ... PlainJane, you raced cars. You can fix a silly headlight. Yeah, I thought that too, but no, that wasn't going to happen. Have you ever tried to replace a headlight in a BMW ? Darn German engineering makes it downright impossible. Anyway, no repair shop in DC would have anything to do with it. So I drove home before dark and kind of appreciated the excuse to stay home.
![]()
no, this isn't actually my car. It's way too clean
To make a long story short, I finally wound up at the BMW dealer in Towson. They're great, I just wished I didnt need to go there for lightbulbs ! Turns out there was a recall on some small part on my car so I got to cruise around in a new 5-series X-drive for a day. Almost made me want to get a new car ... almost. Anyway, $120 later, I now have headlights.
Zim - was that blogworthy ?
As to where the time went - its seems like just the other day we were contesting the sprint at Greenbelt and today I saw snowflakes in the air. Seriously, there were snowflakes falling in downtown Baltimore. My Sunday ride in Howard County was so windy and cold we shortened it to 45 miles instead of 55. Thank goodness I had company - if not for the 4 brave souls who showed up to ride, I might not have made it with just my ipod. Chicken has a couple fun photos from the ride - we're smiling but dont let that fool you.
Other random events: I was driving home on Friday night from work in the dark ... cruising down 895 around 7pm (yes, just leaving work on a friday at 7pm - and that's early compared to recent days!) ... and I realized - I have no headlights. Both lowbeam headlights didnt work. Thank goodness the highway was well-lit, but as I was switching from lowbeams to parking lights to highbeams etc - just trying to figure out if I had any lights - I'm sure the people around me thought I was either drunk or stupid. Either way, they did tend to stay away from me - maybe this is a good strategy ?
After a spin session at CycleLife on Saturday, I went in search of someone to replace the lights. I know what you're thinking ... PlainJane, you raced cars. You can fix a silly headlight. Yeah, I thought that too, but no, that wasn't going to happen. Have you ever tried to replace a headlight in a BMW ? Darn German engineering makes it downright impossible. Anyway, no repair shop in DC would have anything to do with it. So I drove home before dark and kind of appreciated the excuse to stay home.
To make a long story short, I finally wound up at the BMW dealer in Towson. They're great, I just wished I didnt need to go there for lightbulbs ! Turns out there was a recall on some small part on my car so I got to cruise around in a new 5-series X-drive for a day. Almost made me want to get a new car ... almost. Anyway, $120 later, I now have headlights.
Zim - was that blogworthy ?
Friday, November 14, 2008
TGIF- 11/14/08
The great thing about Friday is that we're happy whether it's a dreary, rainy day (like today) or it's a perfect sunshine-y day. I have heard the term "working for the weekend" for years and I believe I now know the exact meaning. Knowing you made it to Friday in one piece makes the day go by just a little quicker.
Last night was the Grand Opening pah-tay for CycleLife. You can read the press release here. It was definitely well worth the wait - the shop looks phenomenal and both the owners and employees are super excited to get rolling (pun intended). Of course, the ladies of CycleLife were there to represent for our title sponsor. A few quick words from Mike and Rui (partners in the venture)along with corporate partner ING Direct and Mayor Fenty set the evening off right as we mingled with cyclists, industry reps, employees and local big-wigs. Everyone was so excited about the CycleLife concept and business model ... almost like the upcoming administration change in Washington, the level of optimism and excitement was palpable..jpg)
I can't wait to see the pics that were taken of our squad, in particular and the gathering, in general. Suffice it to say, CycleLife knows how to throw a party - I mean that to include both the company AND our race team !
On another note, I've decided these long hours at work have officially gotten to me. in a good way, though, because I find myself laughing at random stuff. Kinda like the silly-drunk laugh but without the subsequent hangover. My recent amusement has come from bumperstickers. As a rule, I dislike bumperstickers because it forces me to know more about the driver than I care to, or they tend to be crude/in your face statements.
But with my newfound easily amused-gene, I saw two yesterday that made me laugh outloud so I thought I'd share. (please excuse the crude language on the one and the political statement on the other. no matter where you stand on either item, these are still funny!!)
As E.E. Cummings once said, "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter"
Happy Friday.
Last night was the Grand Opening pah-tay for CycleLife. You can read the press release here. It was definitely well worth the wait - the shop looks phenomenal and both the owners and employees are super excited to get rolling (pun intended). Of course, the ladies of CycleLife were there to represent for our title sponsor. A few quick words from Mike and Rui (partners in the venture)along with corporate partner ING Direct and Mayor Fenty set the evening off right as we mingled with cyclists, industry reps, employees and local big-wigs. Everyone was so excited about the CycleLife concept and business model ... almost like the upcoming administration change in Washington, the level of optimism and excitement was palpable.
.jpg)
I can't wait to see the pics that were taken of our squad, in particular and the gathering, in general. Suffice it to say, CycleLife knows how to throw a party - I mean that to include both the company AND our race team !
On another note, I've decided these long hours at work have officially gotten to me. in a good way, though, because I find myself laughing at random stuff. Kinda like the silly-drunk laugh but without the subsequent hangover. My recent amusement has come from bumperstickers. As a rule, I dislike bumperstickers because it forces me to know more about the driver than I care to, or they tend to be crude/in your face statements.
But with my newfound easily amused-gene, I saw two yesterday that made me laugh outloud so I thought I'd share. (please excuse the crude language on the one and the political statement on the other. no matter where you stand on either item, these are still funny!!)
As E.E. Cummings once said, "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter"
Happy Friday.
Friday, November 7, 2008
TGIF 11/7/08
Ha - I bet you didnt think I'd do TWO posts in one week ! During the off season, no less. But, here I am, blogging on a Friday night. I lead a very exciting life, can't you tell ?
Random stuff: the weather today was super-awesome-cool. I took a much-needed and much-deserved extended lunch and ran a good 5miles or so in the city. It was probably one of the last "shorts and short sleeves" outdoor events of the year. Everyone and their brother had the same idea. It was funny watching people as I ran by - some were in shorts and t-shirts, some were in layers and some were bundled up like it was February. Hey, whatever works. I was just happy to get some sunshine since the last few days have been so dreary. I'm definitely one of those people that suffer from lack of sunshine and warm weather.
A couple years ago when I did the Bermuda Grand Prix, a few locals found out I was a CPA ... much to my surprise, job offers started coming in immediately. Usually some time in December or January, I start to think that maybe I should have considered those offers a little more !
Okay - now that the election is over and I was soooo good in not using this blog as a platform for politics (I'm positive that it took years off my life to refrain from posting my opinions), I have earned the right to say - Go Obama ! The amount of hope that I've seen and felt as a result of his election has been good for the soul - I dont think he's "the" solution and I am not so naive to think that things will change quickly, but I do think he offers something we haven't had in a long time: Hope.
I read an article in WSJ the other day that said all of a sudden, it was "cool to be American" again. The world believes that we are finally living up to our hype, that anyone can be anything in America. Even if all of this turns out to be talk, the goodwill that has come of this can not be ignored - for the first time in a long time, the WORLD feels hope over something that WE did. Very cool, indeed.
I'll hop off the soapbox for now ... and thanks for listening. Not looking for a political debate anymore (have had plenty of those with friends/ family/ acquaintances in the recent months), I just hope that despite the difference of opinion that we may have, we can still believe in hope for a better tomorrow. Isn't that a nice way to begin the weekend ??
Enjoy the weather - see you out there.
Random stuff: the weather today was super-awesome-cool. I took a much-needed and much-deserved extended lunch and ran a good 5miles or so in the city. It was probably one of the last "shorts and short sleeves" outdoor events of the year. Everyone and their brother had the same idea. It was funny watching people as I ran by - some were in shorts and t-shirts, some were in layers and some were bundled up like it was February. Hey, whatever works. I was just happy to get some sunshine since the last few days have been so dreary. I'm definitely one of those people that suffer from lack of sunshine and warm weather.
A couple years ago when I did the Bermuda Grand Prix, a few locals found out I was a CPA ... much to my surprise, job offers started coming in immediately. Usually some time in December or January, I start to think that maybe I should have considered those offers a little more !
Okay - now that the election is over and I was soooo good in not using this blog as a platform for politics (I'm positive that it took years off my life to refrain from posting my opinions), I have earned the right to say - Go Obama ! The amount of hope that I've seen and felt as a result of his election has been good for the soul - I dont think he's "the" solution and I am not so naive to think that things will change quickly, but I do think he offers something we haven't had in a long time: Hope.
I read an article in WSJ the other day that said all of a sudden, it was "cool to be American" again. The world believes that we are finally living up to our hype, that anyone can be anything in America. Even if all of this turns out to be talk, the goodwill that has come of this can not be ignored - for the first time in a long time, the WORLD feels hope over something that WE did. Very cool, indeed.
I'll hop off the soapbox for now ... and thanks for listening. Not looking for a political debate anymore (have had plenty of those with friends/ family/ acquaintances in the recent months), I just hope that despite the difference of opinion that we may have, we can still believe in hope for a better tomorrow. Isn't that a nice way to begin the weekend ??
Enjoy the weather - see you out there.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Go vote - Then read this !
If you haven't voted yet, stop reading right now. Seriously. It'll be here when you get back. Step away from the mouse and take your coffee with you, just GO VOTE. The last few years of apathy or ignorance (either way)have taken this country down a bad road ... If you don't vote your conscience today, you have officially given up your right to bitch, whine, complain or lament what happens over the next four years. This is YOUR country ... for crying out loud, have a little pride and VOTE.
After a quick spin on the rollers this morning, I waited in line for about 45mins to vote before work and lamented that I didn't think to bring caffeine. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, despite the wait, but there was a general feeling that something big is going to happen, whatever the outcome. History is already made and will continue to be made whether we elect an african-american president, a female vp or the oldest man ever elected to the first term. This is our opportunity to right the ship, to get back on track, to regain our footing - whatever cliche you want to use. All that really matters today is that YOU - yes, you - go vote.
Okay, enough with my public service message. Now that you've voted, we can discuss other, less important but sometimes more entertaining subjects.
The ladies of CycleLife (sans Sara and Mel) took off this weekend to Raw Talent Ranch - most of our racing community has been there but for those who haven't, it's a fabulous spot in W Va owned by D20 stalwart, Jay Moglia. Awesome destination for training, escaping the rat-race or just taking a weekend away to hang out. The roads were just as good as I remembered and the fall foliage was out in force. Jay and Audrey took great care of us, leaving some goodies for our arrival, coming over to hold a bonfire one night and treating us to some live entertainment while we were there.
Michelle's Bday was Friday, so we celebrated with a gorilla and a bank robber: an odd pairing, but it seems to work for them.
Jason's bday was Saturday so we celebrated with a bonfire
and s'mores-
afterward, we rolled around on the floor for good measure.
As Paul observed: the ultimate bike-geek gathering. Thank you for understanding.
The area around the Barn is so serene - I took a long walk on Saturday evening, just enjoying the views and the silence of nature. It was breathtaking, absolutely what the doctor ordered given the hectic few weeks I've been having. Its funny - after a weekend of resetting your mind and spirit, coming back to the political rhetoric is comical. Politics are so out of touch with what's important, especially in the last minute election frenzy.
Many of you know this past year or so has been a tough one for me for various reasons. This weekend at RTR reminded me of the more important lessons I've learned in the recent past:
* Enjoy the good things in life for what they are
* When you ask someone how they are, actually listen to the answer
* Take the time to get to know people - whether they become friends or more, or you never see them again, it's a gift you've been given
* Tell your friends and loved ones how much you appreciate them on a regular basis
* Turn off the ipod or the tv - enjoy silence sometimes to let your mind go where it wants to.
* The past is gone and the future is yet to come - live in the "now" and enjoy it !
Yes, I'm aware that I'm feeling a bit profound right now. Humor me.
Thanks to the boys and girls that made this past weekend's trip an adventure - a good time was had by all, some new friends were made and some mountains were conquered... what more could we ask for ?
After a quick spin on the rollers this morning, I waited in line for about 45mins to vote before work and lamented that I didn't think to bring caffeine. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, despite the wait, but there was a general feeling that something big is going to happen, whatever the outcome. History is already made and will continue to be made whether we elect an african-american president, a female vp or the oldest man ever elected to the first term. This is our opportunity to right the ship, to get back on track, to regain our footing - whatever cliche you want to use. All that really matters today is that YOU - yes, you - go vote.
Okay, enough with my public service message. Now that you've voted, we can discuss other, less important but sometimes more entertaining subjects.
The ladies of CycleLife (sans Sara and Mel) took off this weekend to Raw Talent Ranch - most of our racing community has been there but for those who haven't, it's a fabulous spot in W Va owned by D20 stalwart, Jay Moglia. Awesome destination for training, escaping the rat-race or just taking a weekend away to hang out. The roads were just as good as I remembered and the fall foliage was out in force. Jay and Audrey took great care of us, leaving some goodies for our arrival, coming over to hold a bonfire one night and treating us to some live entertainment while we were there.
Michelle's Bday was Friday, so we celebrated with a gorilla and a bank robber: an odd pairing, but it seems to work for them.
Jason's bday was Saturday so we celebrated with a bonfire
and s'mores-
afterward, we rolled around on the floor for good measure.
As Paul observed: the ultimate bike-geek gathering. Thank you for understanding.
The area around the Barn is so serene - I took a long walk on Saturday evening, just enjoying the views and the silence of nature. It was breathtaking, absolutely what the doctor ordered given the hectic few weeks I've been having. Its funny - after a weekend of resetting your mind and spirit, coming back to the political rhetoric is comical. Politics are so out of touch with what's important, especially in the last minute election frenzy.
Many of you know this past year or so has been a tough one for me for various reasons. This weekend at RTR reminded me of the more important lessons I've learned in the recent past:
* Enjoy the good things in life for what they are
* When you ask someone how they are, actually listen to the answer
* Take the time to get to know people - whether they become friends or more, or you never see them again, it's a gift you've been given
* Tell your friends and loved ones how much you appreciate them on a regular basis
* Turn off the ipod or the tv - enjoy silence sometimes to let your mind go where it wants to.
* The past is gone and the future is yet to come - live in the "now" and enjoy it !
Yes, I'm aware that I'm feeling a bit profound right now. Humor me.
Thanks to the boys and girls that made this past weekend's trip an adventure - a good time was had by all, some new friends were made and some mountains were conquered... what more could we ask for ?
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