It's official. The governor announced it yesterday, with the help of Fast Freddy Rodriguez, of all people. I'm not sure why he was there, as I don't think any Pro Tour teams will participate. I guess he's a high profile American racer. Or something.
I'm going to be following this as much as I can. I think I'll skip the early days, but I'll probably go stake out some spots in the Ozarks during the "climbing" stages or maybe I'll head down south when they hit the Branson area. And, you can bet I'll be at the finish line on the last day here in St. Louis.
Now I just need to figure out a way to work for this thing. So here you go:
Sponsors, organizers, local bike shops and anyone who is planning on having a group of people doing something on each stage: I work from home. I love cycling. I'll work hard. I'll do what you want. Please? I just need an excuse to follow the race from start to finish and if I have to drive a van and hand out key chains, I'll do it. If you want to organize a "Ride the Tour" event, I'll drive the SAG wagon. Whatever you want. Seriously. Call me.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Monday, October 16, 2006
Flower Girl
Gert made her major-label debut as a flower girl this weekend at my niece’s wedding. Though Gert never wiped the goofy smile off her face, she hit the ball out of the park. Her only disappointment? She said she missed some flower dropping parts as she walked down the aisle. She tried to hit them on the way back, but alas it was not to be.
She partied on into the night and had a fantastic time dancing, eating chocolate and drinking Shirley Temples. Sadly she ended up whacked out on cherries and Sprite. By ten she was telling everyone she loved them and by 10:15 she had gotten into a fight with a flower girl at the wedding reception next door. Though the police weren't called, it was decided she would be better served if she went home and went to bed. Which she did. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
My point? She's cute. You can't deny.
I was going to link up a Joe Henry song called “Flower Girl”, for obvious reasons. However, I realized that someone would eventually actually listen to the song and wonder what a song about a depressed miner had to do with Gert.
She partied on into the night and had a fantastic time dancing, eating chocolate and drinking Shirley Temples. Sadly she ended up whacked out on cherries and Sprite. By ten she was telling everyone she loved them and by 10:15 she had gotten into a fight with a flower girl at the wedding reception next door. Though the police weren't called, it was decided she would be better served if she went home and went to bed. Which she did. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.
My point? She's cute. You can't deny.
I was going to link up a Joe Henry song called “Flower Girl”, for obvious reasons. However, I realized that someone would eventually actually listen to the song and wonder what a song about a depressed miner had to do with Gert.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Lance Armstrong's Revenge
This is offensive. Insanely offensive. But when I watched it on TV on Sunday I nearly wet myself laughing (which is usually the case with Robot Chicken, but this was especially funny).
If you're at the office, you may not want to watch because your boss will make you sit in the corner for the rest of the day to think about what you've done. If your kids are around, they'll want to watch because it's animated. But don't let them unless you want to explain a few things . . .
That being said, get out the depends.
If you're at the office, you may not want to watch because your boss will make you sit in the corner for the rest of the day to think about what you've done. If your kids are around, they'll want to watch because it's animated. But don't let them unless you want to explain a few things . . .
That being said, get out the depends.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Update!
I know I said I wouldn’t talk about cycling anymore, but this is important. Matilda came home excited. Bouncing even.
“Dad! I have superlicious news!”
No, I don’t know what superlicious means. However, I assumed it was good because when a pre-teen is happy about anything and not glaring at you like she’s about to eat your internal organs with the next hormonal surge, then it’s a good thing.
“You’re going to be really excited,” she chirped as she sat down next to me, practically on the laptop on which I was typing.
“What is it,” I asked. Sure, it was three words, but oh did they open the flood gates.
“Well,” she said, “todaywasthedaywefoundoutaboutthefrenchclubmeetingsandiwanttosigh
upforitbecauseireallylikefrenchandbecauseemilygracieandhannahareallthinkngabout
joingingpluswhenitookcomparativeculturesireallylikedthefrenchpartalotbetterthangerman
orspanishandwegotthesignupsheetstodaydidimentionthatitsontuesdaysbutnotonthesametuesd
aysasmyotherafterschoolmeetinganywayigotthesignupsheettodayandguesswhattheyneed
volunteersforsomeofthemeetingsandyoullbereallyhappywhenyouhearwhattheyaregoingtod
inaprilguesscomeonguessokayilltellyouthetourdefranceyoutotallyhavetodoit!”
“Well,” I said, “that sounds amazing! I only wish I understood what you said. Could you maybe slow it down and tell me again?”
“Sure,” she said, taking a really deep breath, “todaywasthedaywefoundoutaboutthefrenchclubmeetingsandiwanttosignupforit
becauseireallylikefrenchandbecauseemilygracieandhannahareallthinkngaboutjoingingplus
whenitookcomparativeculturesireallylikedthefrenchpartalotbetterthangermanorspanishand
wegotthesignupsheetstodaydidimentionthatitsontuesdaysbutnotonthesametuesdaysasmyother
afterschoolmeeting anywayigotthesignupsheettodayandguesswhattheyneedvolunteersfor
someofthemeetingsandyoullbereallyhappywhenyouhearwhattheyaregoingtodoinaprilguess
comeonguessokayilltellyouthetourdefranceyoutotallyhavetodoit!”
“Wait,” I said, “Huh?”
“Dad, I totally paused that time! Fine. Today was the day we found out about the French club meetings and I want to sign up for it because I really like French and because Emily, Gracie and Hannah are all thinking about joining, plus when I took Comparative Cultures, I really liked the French part a lot better than German or Spanish and we got the sign up sheets today did I mention that it’s on Tuesdays. But not on the same Tuesdays as my other rafter school meeting. Anyway, I got the sign up sheet today and, guess what? They need volunteers for some of the meetings and you’ll be really happy when you hear what they are going to do in April! Guess! Come on guess! Okay, I’ll tell you. The Tour de France! You totally have to do it!”
“I’ll be happy to do it,” I said. “I think it would be fun to talk about it, how the language has actually become a significant part of the sport and how French culture is intertwined with the race. Luckily I’ve done a bunch of reading on the race and its history, so it should be a breeze. Plus I can even bring some DVDs and other stuff.”
“Cool, I’ll go get the form!” When she came back, I signed it and it went into her backpack. Before she went to go watch TV she looked back over her shoulder at me.
“Oh,” she said matter of fatly, “please don’t embarrass me.”
I’m not sure if it was a request or not. But I’m going to assume it was a challenge. I’m preparing my speech about how a man with one ball won the race seven times in a row, which is better than any two-balled racer ever!
“Dad! I have superlicious news!”
No, I don’t know what superlicious means. However, I assumed it was good because when a pre-teen is happy about anything and not glaring at you like she’s about to eat your internal organs with the next hormonal surge, then it’s a good thing.
“You’re going to be really excited,” she chirped as she sat down next to me, practically on the laptop on which I was typing.
“What is it,” I asked. Sure, it was three words, but oh did they open the flood gates.
“Well,” she said, “todaywasthedaywefoundoutaboutthefrenchclubmeetingsandiwanttosigh
upforitbecauseireallylikefrenchandbecauseemilygracieandhannahareallthinkngabout
joingingpluswhenitookcomparativeculturesireallylikedthefrenchpartalotbetterthangerman
orspanishandwegotthesignupsheetstodaydidimentionthatitsontuesdaysbutnotonthesametuesd
aysasmyotherafterschoolmeetinganywayigotthesignupsheettodayandguesswhattheyneed
volunteersforsomeofthemeetingsandyoullbereallyhappywhenyouhearwhattheyaregoingtod
inaprilguesscomeonguessokayilltellyouthetourdefranceyoutotallyhavetodoit!”
“Well,” I said, “that sounds amazing! I only wish I understood what you said. Could you maybe slow it down and tell me again?”
“Sure,” she said, taking a really deep breath, “todaywasthedaywefoundoutaboutthefrenchclubmeetingsandiwanttosignupforit
becauseireallylikefrenchandbecauseemilygracieandhannahareallthinkngaboutjoingingplus
whenitookcomparativeculturesireallylikedthefrenchpartalotbetterthangermanorspanishand
wegotthesignupsheetstodaydidimentionthatitsontuesdaysbutnotonthesametuesdaysasmyother
afterschoolmeeting anywayigotthesignupsheettodayandguesswhattheyneedvolunteersfor
someofthemeetingsandyoullbereallyhappywhenyouhearwhattheyaregoingtodoinaprilguess
comeonguessokayilltellyouthetourdefranceyoutotallyhavetodoit!”
“Wait,” I said, “Huh?”
“Dad, I totally paused that time! Fine. Today was the day we found out about the French club meetings and I want to sign up for it because I really like French and because Emily, Gracie and Hannah are all thinking about joining, plus when I took Comparative Cultures, I really liked the French part a lot better than German or Spanish and we got the sign up sheets today did I mention that it’s on Tuesdays. But not on the same Tuesdays as my other rafter school meeting. Anyway, I got the sign up sheet today and, guess what? They need volunteers for some of the meetings and you’ll be really happy when you hear what they are going to do in April! Guess! Come on guess! Okay, I’ll tell you. The Tour de France! You totally have to do it!”
“I’ll be happy to do it,” I said. “I think it would be fun to talk about it, how the language has actually become a significant part of the sport and how French culture is intertwined with the race. Luckily I’ve done a bunch of reading on the race and its history, so it should be a breeze. Plus I can even bring some DVDs and other stuff.”
“Cool, I’ll go get the form!” When she came back, I signed it and it went into her backpack. Before she went to go watch TV she looked back over her shoulder at me.
“Oh,” she said matter of fatly, “please don’t embarrass me.”
I’m not sure if it was a request or not. But I’m going to assume it was a challenge. I’m preparing my speech about how a man with one ball won the race seven times in a row, which is better than any two-balled racer ever!
He’s Got Bigger Balls than Armstrong (Or At Least One)
Today I’m going to make two brief cycling points and then I’ll leave you alone about cycling for a bit. If you’re only interested in the cute Gert story, skip to point two.
1. Today Floyd Landis, the embattled winner of the 2006 Tour de France, has posted a PowerPoint presentation and other documentation of his defense against allegations, and a positive anti-doping test, that he cheated on the miraculous Stage 17 where he defied all conventional wisdom and smeared the field. Floyd has always maintained his innocence, albeit sometimes not very convincingly, and has come back out swinging.
More importantly, Landis has published the full documentation of his positive test, both A and B samples, from the French Lab. Raw data for wonks, geeks and fetishists to pore over and help publicize their findings.
This all leads up to Landis’ public hearing with the USADA that will likely occur early next year. Landis has taken the option to make this hearing open and public. It is important to note that thus far only one athlete accused of doping has ever used this open, public hearing option. That athlete is Floyd Landis.
Does this say to me that Floyd Landis is innocent? I cannot say. I do not know. I’m not well-versed in statistics, chemistry, biology or physiology, so I can’t comment much on the published material. What’s more much of it is in French. Unless it’s in Fry form, my French needs work.
However, for me, this does give me a measure of the man’s character. To represent himself to the world, provide the raw data on the accusations against him, allow the public (and the media) to interpret this material for themselves and open a debate on his guilt or innocence that is based fully on facts tells me that Landis is a man who will put his cards on the table.
Look, Floyd did an amazing thing on the bike in this year’s Tour, that’s without a doubt. Did he do it under his own power? I don’t know. But he’s going into this battle showing off a heck of a lot of character and honesty. That takes a lot of guts. He has chosen not to hide and wait, maintaining his innocence through press releases and moronic website postings (ahem Mr. Hamilton).
Is it a ploy? Could be. However, I’m willing to give Floyd my ear because, as some people might say, his mom seems to have raised a good boy.
2. Gert has frequently asked of we can hook her bike up to my trainer in the winter. It seems as though her little legs get antsy and need the workout. Plus, you know, she is training. Until recently, the answer was always no. Her bike’s just too small and doesn’t fit in the trainer. However, Carlton Reid at Bike Biz points us to a new product that will chase Gert’s winter blahs away. Perhaps I’ll get her a Spinnervals disc and train her to be a sprinter.
1. Today Floyd Landis, the embattled winner of the 2006 Tour de France, has posted a PowerPoint presentation and other documentation of his defense against allegations, and a positive anti-doping test, that he cheated on the miraculous Stage 17 where he defied all conventional wisdom and smeared the field. Floyd has always maintained his innocence, albeit sometimes not very convincingly, and has come back out swinging.
More importantly, Landis has published the full documentation of his positive test, both A and B samples, from the French Lab. Raw data for wonks, geeks and fetishists to pore over and help publicize their findings.
This all leads up to Landis’ public hearing with the USADA that will likely occur early next year. Landis has taken the option to make this hearing open and public. It is important to note that thus far only one athlete accused of doping has ever used this open, public hearing option. That athlete is Floyd Landis.
Does this say to me that Floyd Landis is innocent? I cannot say. I do not know. I’m not well-versed in statistics, chemistry, biology or physiology, so I can’t comment much on the published material. What’s more much of it is in French. Unless it’s in Fry form, my French needs work.
However, for me, this does give me a measure of the man’s character. To represent himself to the world, provide the raw data on the accusations against him, allow the public (and the media) to interpret this material for themselves and open a debate on his guilt or innocence that is based fully on facts tells me that Landis is a man who will put his cards on the table.
Look, Floyd did an amazing thing on the bike in this year’s Tour, that’s without a doubt. Did he do it under his own power? I don’t know. But he’s going into this battle showing off a heck of a lot of character and honesty. That takes a lot of guts. He has chosen not to hide and wait, maintaining his innocence through press releases and moronic website postings (ahem Mr. Hamilton).
Is it a ploy? Could be. However, I’m willing to give Floyd my ear because, as some people might say, his mom seems to have raised a good boy.
2. Gert has frequently asked of we can hook her bike up to my trainer in the winter. It seems as though her little legs get antsy and need the workout. Plus, you know, she is training. Until recently, the answer was always no. Her bike’s just too small and doesn’t fit in the trainer. However, Carlton Reid at Bike Biz points us to a new product that will chase Gert’s winter blahs away. Perhaps I’ll get her a Spinnervals disc and train her to be a sprinter.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Actual Morning Conversation
Me: Gert, go brush your teeth.
Gert: But I already pulled up my pants!
Me: Um. If you need to have your pants down while you brush your teeth I think you might be doing it wrong.
Gert: But I already pulled up my pants!
Me: Um. If you need to have your pants down while you brush your teeth I think you might be doing it wrong.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Family Portraits
Sure I have stories to tell about MP3 players, Santa Claus and really awesome cold weather gear for cycling. But I'm busy. So I'll do this.
A few photos.
Finnegan as Harpo Marx.
Gertrude works it rock star style. (This was my fault. She had chosen an outfit that was too skimpy for a chilly day, so we had to find a new outfit. When Daddy dresses you then you look bad ass.)
Thank you and here's my address.
A few photos.
Finnegan as Harpo Marx.
Gertrude works it rock star style. (This was my fault. She had chosen an outfit that was too skimpy for a chilly day, so we had to find a new outfit. When Daddy dresses you then you look bad ass.)
Thank you and here's my address.
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