Just another day in the office

I saw a really cool thing yesterday afternoon.

We had a group of children and their parents, numbering around 40, take a tour of our factory at the end of the day. They are all on a cycling team which runs criterium practices on the road loop here in our business park. As they returned to the front office after touring the factory, Jared Graves happened to be hanging out working on his laptop.

The throng was introduced to Grubby (Yeti's nickname for Jared) and he began fielding questions from adults and children. This is nothing special or unusual (to us). Grubby is here at the factory every few months. He is a friend of ours and has stayed at my house for extended periods of time. He has been on the Yeti Factory Race team for several years and is always a contender for the podium in DH, 4X and Dual Slalom events. In August, he heads off to China to represent Austrailia during the inaugural Olympic BMX race.

Wait.

The Olympics.

Grubby, to us, is just another one of the guys. He rides faster than all of us but we laugh, kid around, talk trash and wrestle with him. We forget that he is one of the elite few who has the opportunity to compete at the highest level. In the eyes of this tour group, Grubby is a demigod.

I stood at the back of the group to listen and watch. When they finished and went on their way, I walked over to Grubby and thanked him for being so friendly and accessible. We talked about how even he forgets what being an Olympian means to so many people.

As I left our office, I was reflecting on how incredible it is to have an Olympian in our midst. And I overheard parents who were still outside our office effusively gushing over what an incredible experience they were just witness to. I was left with the thought that while it was just another day in the office for me, it was a day that may define the athletic aspirations for the children who had a chance to sit and talk with a young man who has Olympic gold within his reach.

Biycle Commuting - Part Four

National Bike to Work Day

Cyclists - 19
Walkers - 4

Two flats today...bit of a bummer but that is the way things go, eh?

Building up a new commuter...a Titanium Arc (just for grins).

An unexpected trip

Perhaps I should preface this story by saying everything for baby and mom-to-be is ok. I don't want you reading this with baited breath wondering what the hell just happened.

We spent the last night in the hospital...a good 12 hours before we finally came home. Hope ended up coming down with the flu/food poisoning/some sort of ugly crap. She couldn't keep any fluids down and we ended up heading off to the hospital some time after midnight last night. They put her on an IV in the ER and then we were moved up to Labor and Delivery some time in the early morning around 3:30. Hope was having something that could have been contractions or could have been her stomach and back muscles saying that they had had enough after so much violent vomiting.

That said, we are finally home, Hope is feeling ok though tired and I am feeling pretty wiped out. The big thing I noticed all night long was that as I sat next to Hope concerned for her, for our unborn baby and scared of having a premature birth, there was a voice of reason in the back of my head. That voice kept telling me that while it was ok to be scared because of the situation, that we still needed to relish every moment. There are people in this world who would give up so much of their lives to be in our shoes, to be pregnant. And I think it was that thought that kept me sane and calm the entire time.

It seems so unfair that there are so many couples, so many people that would make such wonderful parents, folks who would love to have the opportunity to create life (and deserve it), people whose somberness is often unnoticed by the rest of us in the joys of of parenthood. They are happy for those who can but feel such a plethora of emotions for themselves. And then we look around at those who have created too many, those who can't stop, those who don't understand the meaning of birth control.

I can only say my point is that we should never feel sorry for ourselves. Despite what life throws at us, we have so much to be happy for, so much to look forward to, that we should never find ourselves despairing our situation.

Things I love

News such as this make me happy.

I know I'm up way too late. But this just makes me giddy. I'm glad to see Maine is on the right side of the sword when it comes to homosexual rights. Cutting edge? No... but leading edge I can work with.

I told Hope years ago that I refused to marry until my gay friends were afforded the same right by our government. Granted, we all now know who wears the pants in this relationship but I still know that there is no reason they are denied the ultimate expression of their love in front of the families, friends and peers. The right wing party even managed to win an election by getting out the vote based on the pervasive Christian fear of homosexuality. I know, I know. Not ALL Christians...I wasn't talking about YOU.

Well, John Q. Public spoke up in Maine. $821 in contributions? "Yes for Marriage and Equality" is a joke. I can only hope their latent homophobia is dragged out to some far reach in Maine and left to rot in a swamp somewhere. Actually, that's too good a burial. Run it through the Portland sewage treatment plant and send those cleansed waters out to sea. The one thing that irks me is that they found 5,000 signatures to affix to their petition. Then again, that's what? .4% of the overall population? I know, we'll annex Coburn Gore to to Canada and let the Quebecois deal with them!

Let's usher in a new era. Somehow, we are going to fix this country one step at a time. I know we can't bend everyones vantage to our liberal panorama but hopefully we can at least let them see how an open mind will not destroy that which our founding fathers and mothers set forth for us oh so long ago. 

Thank you, my fellow Mainers, for helping lead the way in these uncertain times. Thank you for proving that a rural state can still be open minded. Thank you for making me smile and laugh so late at night. Thank you for doing the right thing. Thank you.

Next on the agenda... getting rid of Maine's "boiled lobster" license plate!

Music

I sit here tonight, quite happy with myself. A while ago, I purchased several AirPorts on Craig's List and set up our house to stream music wirelessly to a stereo in the man cave, the living room and the garage. It also means that I can play music at night while I sleep and not bother Hope (she doesn't like having speakers playing music in our bedroom).

Music has always played such an important role in my life. Playing and listening, it has been a part of everything I have done, it is as if I have a soundtrack playing along every step I take. I am old enough to remember mix tapes and was lucky enough to find one in the back of our Land Rover on a jaunt last weekend (thanks Fibby!).

While I have been resting here listening to some of my favorite songs, I have also been reminiscing silently about some of my favorite concerts. Dylan at UVM (actually, Jewel stole the show). Neil Young. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Pepsi Center in Denver (Hope stood in line with me waiting to get tickets...she was here visiting oh so many years ago). Tom Petty at Red Rocks. Tristan Prettyman at the Fox Theater. Hell's Belles at the Fox (or out in Salt Lake City). Telluride Blue Grass Festival. The Wallflowers at UVM. Ray Lamontagne in Denver with my parents. Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Middlebury. Dispatch here in Denver. Ben Harper at Red Rocks. Bare Naked Ladies at the Pepsi Center. Pearl Jam at the Pepsi Center. Anything where Chris Farrell performed (though my favorite was probably at Alden Camps). The Folk Festival in Lyons. Steve Earl at Boulder Theater. Richard Thompson at the Boulder Theater. Kan'nal at the Fox.

And I am sure I'm missing a few in the list. I've been lucky, some of the shows I have recordings of. Some pure memories. My favorite? John Denver at the Augusta Civic Center. Why? A couple of reasons. It is the first concert I ever attended...Mom took me. And somewhere in that crowd, Hope was listening to the very same show. Before I ever knew who she was....

My soundtrack for tonight:

Sorry I Am	Ani DiFranco
Blackbird	Evan Rachel Wood
Daughters	John Mayer
Untouchable Face	Ani DiFranco
Arms Of A Woman	Amos Lee
Make You Feel My Love	Bob Dylan
School Night	Ani DiFranco
Pink Moon	Nick Drake
La Mer	Kevin Kline
Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World	Melvin Amina
Dear Prudence	Across The Universe Cast
Hallelujah	Leonard Cohen
The Story	Brandi Carlile
Fixing Her Hair	Ani DiFranco
Blackbird	Sarah McLachlan
Painters	Jewel
Romeo And Juliet	Dire Straits
The Only Living Boy In New York	Simon & Garfunkel
American Skin (Live)	Bruce Springsteen
Turpentine	Brandi Carlile
Love Love Love	Tristan Prettyman
Youngstown (Live)	Bruce Springsteen
Trying To Get To Heaven	Bob Dylan
Thumbing My Way	Pearl Jam
Til The Sun Turns Black	Ray Lamontagne
Streets of Philadelphia	Bruce Springsteen
Man of the Hour	Pearl Jam
Arms Of A Woman	Amos Lee
Time Has Told Me	Nick Drake
Always Feel This Way	Ray Lamontagne
Born In The U.S.A. (Live)	Bruce Springsteen
What Can I Say	Brandi Carlile
One	U2
32 Flavors	Ani DiFranco
Can I Stay	Ray Lamontagne
Love Sick	Bob Dylan
Boom Like That	Mark Knopfler
Mansion On The Hill (Live)	Bruce Springsteen
Standing In The Doorway	Bob Dylan
Barfly	Ray Lamontagne
La Vie En Rose	Madeleine Peyroux
La Vie En Rose	Louis Armstrong
If I Should Fall Behind (Live)	Bruce Springsteen
Gone Away From Me	Ray Lamontagne

One-Revolution

We all face challenges on a daily basis. I think of some of the small mountains I have had to surpass, that Hope has climbed, that my friends have passed over. Some things we focus on, some we feel are incredibly challenging. Some we never get past.

I received a package from an industry friend today filled with little goodies. A JetBoil, a nifty Sigg mug, a new belt from Mountain Khakis, some camping utensils and three rubber bracelets (One Life style) from One-Revolution. Of course, I looked at the JetBoil first, toys are always fun. I opened up the mug and realized it is a vacuum mug and will keep drinks hot for 6 hours. Then I put on the belt and played with the new fork, spoon and spatula. Last, I looked up One-Revolution.

It's safe to say now that I think the most valuable gift will be the bracelets. I don't see myself wearing them. But they have allowed Chris Waddell to, once again, raise my awareness. He went to school at Middlebury College a full 10 years before me. I knew of him while I was at Midd and his name has appeared in the years following graduation but I never really paid too much attention.

This is a guy who has overcome incredible adversity to remain at the top of his game in ski racing. C'mon, this guy captained the Middlebury ski team, a Division 1 team, during his senior year. As a paraplegic!

I am generally not overly awed by athletes. They do what they do and it can be incredible but not something that I would consider worthy of worship. What Chris has done is well beyond standard athletic prowess. He and a fellow named Eric Weihenmayer are worthy of that awe.

My 2 cents for the day? Wow.

Bicycle Commuting - Part Three

It was nice to get the engine running this morning. I'm starting to get a little routine in the morning, allowing me to get out of the house in about 20 minutes. That includes time for a shower before I leave (shower before I get on the bike?). It's the only way for me to wake up...riding on the road half asleep is not exactly conducive to survival.

This morning, I saw:
5 bikers
8 walkers
1 oblivious driver who panicked and hit the brakes when he saw me

This is the third and final day that I can ride my bike to work. Yesterday, I elected not to ride since it was the second day in a row I would be reffing at night. Which worked out well, seeing how I missed my alarm that morning. Tomorrow, I have an early morning dentist appointment down in Denver.

OK, I gotta go fix my hair....

Bicycle Commuting - Part Two

Day Two of riding to work.

I saw:

6 Cyclists
5 Walkers
1 Lawn mower rider (though I don't think this person was actually commuting)
1 Leashed dog who still tried to chase me

I spent the morning ride dealing with a headwind significant enough that I had to pedal down the descents just to maintain my momentum. More energy than I cared to expend on an empty stomach. I better go find some food....

Combining for memories

Brandon and I spent some time catching up on the phone tonight. Combining our conversation, this comic and a dinner of cheese brats done on the grill, I sat for a moment reverently cherishing a lost memory.

We travel back to a time when worries for food, mortgage, wife, child, dog or work were naught. It was one of the first times I had been left home in Mercer to my own devices. Of course, Brandon was always caught up in those devices.

We purchased two juicy steaks, made some rice and spent some time cooking the beef to perfection. Soy sauce, pepper and garlic combined to make the perfect minute marinade. That may have been the first time we realized that we were somewhat self sufficient and could cook food that was palatable (no more Mister P's). That summer eve's dinner is exactly what memories are made of.

And now, every time I open my grill, I chase the memory of that first meal. Good friends, good food and the lack of worries or concerns. The way any meal should be served.

Bicycle Commuting

Part of the plan this summer is to commute to work by bike more frequently. This morning was the first opportunity to do so. Hope is now officially out of school though she is probably going to spend most of her day there. Thus, she can cart around the small horse we own. Granted, she is swinging Gibson by the office while she does a few things and then pick him up later on in the day.

An early morning ride can be such a surreal experience. I woke up this morning to low 50 degree weather. It is an easy 8.5 mile ride to work, not too much energy expended, not too much to think about and I can maintain a certain dreamlike state while sitting and simply turning my feet over. Just keep the bike straight, turn the tunes on low and glide my way to work. I have some alone time, no NPR squawking at me, no ton and a half vehicle to guide, no gasoline burned.

Sadly, in the 34 minutes, I didn't see any other cyclists. I saw 3 walkers, 2 folks sitting at the bus stop and 1 jogger. I thought that with gasoline hitting $4 a gallon, I'd see more folks riding to work. I thought that would be the trigger but maybe it's $5 a gallon.

XKCD Redux

I hate to post nearly twice in a row about this comic strip but here I am.

Check this one out.

Now, while my good humor can elicit a smile while reading this, I find the actual message far more poignant when I think about friends and family who are native. And I think of the conversations...arguments, really...that I have had with others about the concept of one national language.

My thoughts turn to the things we, as Americans, forget. The lessons which I thought we as a nation had learned (or should have learned) long ago continue to haunt us. Immigration. Nationalism. Wrongful internment. Gay rights. Civil rights (and yes, they are two separate and equally important things...MLK would shake his head at the lack of progress in 2008). Gender equality. Education. Fiscal responsibility. Environmentalism. Health care. Justice. Separation of church and state. My, how this list goes on.

These are battles our parents have fought but it is time for us to take over the reins and ensure that our nation continues to learn and grow in the right direction. My friends, when will WE stand up and make a difference?

I remembered that today is a special day!!!

Today is the birthday of a wonderful and dearly loved friend. Our friendship dates back to high school when we met in the trumpet section of band class. That was, wow, 17 years ago at Waterville Senior High. Funny how those days were so simple. We could spend hours sitting on top of my old truck, staring at the clouds. She was there the first time I had a silly, goofy little grin after my first date with my wife to be. I'd love to say she followed me to Middlebury but we all know she belonged at Midd far more than did I. Upon graduation, she was here in Colorado for several years, joining me on such late night excursions as a Rover trip into the snowy mountains to huddle in sleeping bags and watch the Leonids. She has since moved to San Fran where she introduced me to Gockey and then Boston where she has earned her Master's Degree.

The point is, she has been around to support me during all the momentous points of my life. She has been a sounding board for ideas, a critic and helper of the songs I have written, a crutch for when I've needed support, a Reverend for a wedding and a close friend of Hope for years.

I owe a great deal my friend and my little sister. Today I owe her a big hug for her 30th birthday. Sadly, I am too far away so this will have to do.

Happy Birthday, Reverend Phoebe!

I miss Calvin and Hobbes

I know it's been gone from our papers for a long time but I still hold Calvin and Hobbes near and dear to my heart. I think I got the Boston Globe for four years while at Middlebury just to be able to see Calvin and Hobbes (ok...that is a little over simplistic, it actually had something to do with wanting to know what was going on outside the realm of our little Vermont college).

I have been searching for a new coming strip that would tease my mind and leave me wanting more. I'm always open to suggestions. Get Fuzzy has been good to me. Doonesbury can be funny and relevant but you always have to follow that strip. But I have lately been awash in a sea of unfunny drawings. Until now.

Check this one out. Anthony pointed my browser to it and I was amused enough to scroll through the archive. And I continued to chuckle with each passing strip.

Give 'er, eh?

Speaking of smart

Can anyone explain this to me?

I was driving home last night and was passed by a guy on a great little sport bike (moto, not bicycle). It looked like he was having fun and was dressed in full black leathers and a very nice pair of Sidi moto boots.

And no helmet.

Why would you go to the expense of having all the protective clothing, boots and glasses and not wear a helmet? What would possess someone to decide to protect the skin, the feet and eyes but not the skull?

And while I am on the subject...why is it federally mandated that I wear a seat belt while I am driving but I could drive a motorcycle down the road without a helmet? It really should be one way or the other and I am of the belief that the federal government shouldn't be able to tell me to wear a seat belt if I don't want to.

It would be a great...natural selection at it's finest, right?

If that's the case, Molly and I would probably be the first to go after our performance on Sunday. She went in to the doc yesterday for antibiotics since her forearm was infected by the cat bite.

Yup, we're stoopid.

We are college edumacated

This reminds me of a story from oh so long ago. About a friend who spent the night before we drove back to Middlebury at the end of a brake. She managed to somehow sit on her thumb. Now, while you may not be chuckling right now, it WAS REALLY FUNNY at the time. We are college edumacated (or getting so, at the time). Just how do you manage to sit on your thumb?

So, Molly and I decided it would be good to reintroduce Gibson and her cat, Peter. They have met once before. This winter, during the Super Bowl, we thought it would be a good idea to introduce the two. It didn't go well. Peter, never having met any other animal before, ran about the apartment, quite literally bouncing off the walls trying to escape the monstrosity that had presented itself so rudely. He didn't de-puff for several days.

So, of course it was a good idea to try again! Peter was in the backyard of Molly's new house. Mind you, Peter has never really been allowed to roam in the out of doors before. I brought Gibson in on his leash so I could "control" him. Peter puffed immediately. Gibson was very excited at the prospect of a new playmate. Both parents were speaking encouraging words to their respective progeny. Then Peter bolted, Gibson began straining at his leash enough so that I was forced to get him on the ground and literally lay on top of him.

Then Peter paused and all hell broke loose. Gibson let up for a moment and I thought he was going to relax a little. Nope, it was a spectacular ruse. He took off immediately, pulling his ROPE leash through my hands. I held on until there was no rope left. Yup. Massive rope burns on my ring finger. Molly grabbed Peter and was quickly bitten by the frightened kitty. Four deep puncture wounds. They ran about the yard with Peter bouncing off the fence walls. Peter eventually turned and batted Gibson and kept the big dog at bay. Gibson was shocked and we quickly shut down play time.

Gibson was returned to the back of the Rover and a puffy cat slowly settled down in the backyard to lick his bleeding paws (from the wooden fence). And we, with our college edumacation, started to clean our wounds.

Are we stoopid? Yup. Will we try it again? Likely? Why? Because we are stoopid.

She makes me so proud

She has a great deal of responsibility at her school, more than I want to go into right now. She is in the process of completing a Master's program. She finds time to talk to and take care of our friends. She puts up with and takes care of me and Gibson. She found time to train for the Boulder Bolder. She completed said race, the largest 10k in the US in 2 hours flat. She carries our child every day.

She makes me so proud!