Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Otis the terrible


He beat all odds. Getting hit by a car as a puppy, Otis was hobbled from the get go. Abused and neglected by his first owner he also came with a bad attitude. His favorite pasttime was escaping the confines of the backyard. But, his legacy will most likely be getting maced (and ultimately getting me arrested for the offense action on his part) by the mailman who had been his sworn enemy for life. He had destoryed many doorknobs trying to get at the speedy blue messenger. Deep down, I really would have liked to see that death match. Otis died Monday night. It is hard to let a pet go. We are animal lovers in our family, and we think of our pets as family members. But, Otis had lost all functions that made him who he was. He could barely put five steps together without falling down, he wasn't sure where the bathroom was and it was more than likely the case that mentally he wasn't all together.

What do we really know about our animals. We know they are beautiful, we love them and that love is mutual. In the end, I guess its the memories that we have to hang on to.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

How do you value a friendship?

Is it how much time you spend around someone, the common bond between you or is it the ability to reflect on your relationship with that person? I don't know. I guess every situation is different. What I know is I will miss my friend Al. Al passed away after a long battle with cancer. He always had a quick one-liner for me, and a good word of advice. We had not spent that much time together, but I had alot of admiration for him. Our trip to the northern reaches of our country and beyond will not soon leave me. I caught the flu at the Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota. As I coughed continuosly, fom the backseat, Al championed the 14 hour drive back to STL with only the guidance of his son Brian. I never saw Al as cancer ate away at him. I have a hard time imagining that he was ever weak. But, if he is gone now then the fight had come and gone. Al was and is a great influence on how to live life, a great friend, a fellow passionate cyclist, a leader to his family, and a loving father and husband. How do I know all of this? He quite plainly made me aware of these things without even having to explain it.

I will miss my friend.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Loop De Loop


Just under way, and already my eyes are bleeding.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Good Golly


With a bit of luck things could have turned around for me today. hummm. Well I had a good start, covered well in the first half and then the mistakes that have plagued me lately began to reappear. I drifted a little too far back in the 150 man field, and got caught swapping and fighting for wheels. Its an evil game when you get to that spot where guys are making moves to get into 75th position. But, worse than that is the morons crashin' corners to move up 5 spots because they can't on the straights. That always causes trouble, and wouldn't you know 'Lucky' (thats me) got caught up behind a pile up 3 riders deep and sidewalk to sidewalk. My initial reaction to sprint up around on the sidewalk was curtailed by the spectators lining the streets. After trying to chase for three laps I again had to give up the ghost. Maybe tomorrow?

oh boy

There was no humor coming from my mouth today. Yesturdays tumble made my muscles shrink during the night at the rate of a sprinting snail. I wasnt to last too long, but I started with a good attitude anyway. Oh boy, I should have just gone fishing today because I had nothing in the tank today. My legs were flat as a pancake, and my lungs werent helping.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

If it weren't for bad luck........

......I wouldn't have any luck at all this weekend. I went into this weekends Gateway Cup in St. Louis, MO with high hopes of riding well. But, I was also realistic. I was definately in the hurt box friday night, but I was clearly content to suffer through it. However, a certain rider decided I wasn't to finish intact. After taking a left hand turn in the finishing straight I t-boned the ass end of this village idiots rear wheel. I wasn't too inconvenienced except for the three guys laying on my ankle. My bike, on the other hand didnt fair so well. I snapped my fork blades so bad a case of JB Weld and a roll a Duct tape couldn't fix it.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Hope

I have been trying to get in touch with some friends on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi all week. Today I finally got a call from my friend Ken Fulton. I stayed with the Fulton family for a couple fo weeks in January. It would be hard to explain the hospitality that this family has for visitors. What a great bunch of people.

They have been displaced from there home and animals in Gulfport, MS. They have gotten word that their property has sustained some damage, but nothing that can not be rebuilt. What used to stand south of them towards the coast is another situation. The entire gulf coast is gone as I am sure most have seen. What do these people do. It will be a substantial amount of time before their economy is restored. Many, most of the businesses they frequent have been reduced to rubble. It is obvious that their moral has been shattered by news media.

The question so many people ask when removed from a situation like this ask is, "what could I do." People need immediate help which means basic necessities like, water, food, clothing and shelter. I hope that I can take some time off and head down to help my friends with these needs.
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