Happy Halloween

Halloween Party In Suburbia

My Trees Will Have To Spend One More Winter On The Farm

Went out to Bachman's big nursery in Farmington to pick out trees for next Spring's boulevard planting. Thousands of trees to choose from which makes the job of selecting much easier. We picked out 190 trees which will cost us $20,000. Because of the volume we buy, the same tree that sells for $250 retail only cost us $100. Oh, in case you were wondering, it's better to pick trees out when there's no leaves on them. Leaves hide bad branching. Fall color not so important. You can't be overly concerned with the 10 days that the leaves have their Fall color.

I better stop procrastinating and get my bikes ready for winter. Black Crosscheck need to have the cross tires, chain tensioner and back wheel squared away. 1 x 1 needs to have the gearing lightened up a bit from the 46 x 17 it has on it now and get the knobbies Mrs bought me for my birthday on.

Pretty set on clothes for winter. Could use some new wool socks. Have enough winter hats to outfit about 10 people. I still need to get a decent pair of booties cause that hour I'm out in the morning can produce some pretty cold feet.

Down to 209 pounds on my mid-week weigh-in yesterday. I started at 216 which was a week after I changed eating plans. I should've weighed myself after Wisconsin when I set the donut record for a 7 day period.

Excuse Me. Is That Shag?

On the way to work I had to slow up for a guy who crossed in front of me riding with a roll of carpet over his shoulder. Yeah, I know. You've seen people moving couches and all kinds of shit on their bikes. It's just not the kind of thing you regularly see at 6 o'clock in the morning.

Picked out our costumes at Theatrical Costume Company last night. We've got a party Saturday night out in suburbia. I'll be keeping mine through Halloween so I can pass out candy and make a few neighborhood stops in it. This one will lower my neighbors opinion of me even further.

Mrs and I almost got hit on the Dragger Sunday after we left the Powderhorn cross racing. Two idjits chasing each other blew the light at 38th and Bloomington just as we were turning on to Bloomington. They were going like 50 mph at the time. I think they would've been picking up the pieces for a couple of blocks. I don't imagine the Dragger would've sustained any measurable damage. Glad they didn't hit us. Mrs was making ribs for dinner.

"I Wish I Was Home Watching NASCAR"

Watch It Kids, I Wouldn't Get Too Close To Her When She's Eating

Family Spectator Section At Powderhorn Park

Homie And Powderhorn Cross Racing

"I'm getting too old for this shit". "I'm getting too old for this shit". "I'm getting too old for this shit".

I don't know, this dress really made this guy's ass look big.
That's a nicer suit than the one I got married in.
Orange is a tough hair color to pull off. This guy did a good job.

Happy Birthday To Sissy, My Horse's Ass Sister-In-Law - lr

I Got Permission From Ma To Attend Homey Fall Fest

Pretty big bikey weekend. Meeting Snakebite at Brits tonight for a $4 coke at the bar as my brother would say. He's coming in for Homey. Hiawatha Cyclery ride in the am before the festivities swing into full gear. Cross racing at Powderhorn Park on Sunday. That should be fun as the kids from the Hub have guaranteed a muddy area to be provided by the boys from the Minneapolis Fire Department. That could be a good day to take the Dragger over the course. I see you wincing, girl.

WTF! No Valet Service!

Took this one while killing time at the parking ramp waiting for Mrs to change clothes for the ride home last night. I met her at some bar (Shout - Block E) for a friend's birthday party. Little Miss took the train and I stopped at home for doggy detail and to change into a suitable party outfit. Finding something that I could still ride the bike in was a little difficult.

Anyway, we split from the party about 7. Miss took the train to Riverside and I walked/rode along side of her to the hospital. We stopped at Hard Times so she could get coffee. I waited outside. Gave some guy a couple of bucks. He looked like he needed it and he was giving me that puppy dog shit. After he got the money he pulled this spiral? notebook out that had all kinds of stuff written in it and a shitload of pictures and diagrams. Very interesting shit. That's why I live in the city.

People asked why we were leaving the party so soon. I said we get up awfully early. What I didn't tell them was it's hard for an alcoholic to be around booze sometimes. Last night was one of those times. One or two drinks? I admire you. I want a 6 month bender where she puts push pins on a map of the US following the credit card receipts.

It's All So Confusing

If not blogging is cooler than blogging and lime green is the new pink then what's this say?

Some days you've got it and some days you don't. Today was one of those days I felt like I could've ridden forever. Got to work feeling fresh and wishing I could've stayed out playing. Damn jobs! Some days I'm just wishing I could get here and be done with it.

Boss gone for the next 8 working days. He's going to Hawaii for his son's wedding and not looking forward to the long flight. He'll be the guy on the beach with long underwear on under his swimsuit.

Mrs says I need some new bird flipping photos for my collection. I'll have to work on that. Homie Fall Fest on Saturday should provide an opportunity for some.

Do you ride with a song playing in your head? Some of my favorites include:

Tuff Enuff - Fabulous Thunderbirds
Can't You Hear Me Knocking - Rolling Stones
Sledgehammer - Peter Gabriel
Steam - Peter Gabriel
Three Strange Days - School of Fish
Cat Scratch Fever - Ted Nugent
I'm Working On It - Chris Rea
Closer - Nine Inch Nails

Oh yeah - before I forget - thanks Josh - nice to have brakes again on black Crosscheck.

He's Down To A Ton

I wrote some drivel about how I'd lost 4 pounds since my first weigh-in and how I stopped at Freewheel to get brakes and a new chain but none of it posted. Hmm. The recover post dealy didn't work either.

This wasn't earth shattering stuff.

High points included:

Back wheel, chain tensioner and back wheel on black Crosscheck are shot.

Weight loss can be attributed to weighing in first time with messenger bag over my shoulder and not eating items co-workers don't want from their lunches.

Not seeing many other commuters any more.

That's about it except that boss will be gone for ten days. Yahoo!!

It's Only Tuesday?? WTF!!

Boom Island Cross Racing

Steven from Cat 6 shown in own of my better action shots.

Flame Burger sporting a lovely undergarment.

The kids have their own style when it comes to clearing the obstacle.


So, you like track racing better than cross?

A Little Windy My Ass!!

I'm really tired of the fucking wind. It's not fun out there unless the shit's at your back. Nice if you don't want to ride west or north. Just talked to a prominent Cat 6er who's going out for a ride. You'll see. Better just get those rollers out early.

Doing a quick laundry changeover on the way to Ma's. Drop off clothes at work and pick up filthy stuff soaked in cologne to cover over the stench. C'mon, I'm not the only man/woman who uses cologne/perfume in lieu of a shower. Haven't seen Ma for a while. She'll be happy to see me even though she'll spend most of the time I'm there bellyaching about the staff.

Snow spent like 4 hours at the groomer and is like a new dog. Velvet soft and no matted hair. I bet she can't wait to roll in some dog shit or a dead squirrel.

Since my lawn is looking like Wrigley Field I'll be able to watch some cross races at Boom Island tomorrow. It's also my anniversary tomorrow. Fuck Hallmark, no cards. I'm taking her for something to eat and a bike ride. Yeah, he's a real romantic bastard.

Oh, The Boys Are So Cute

Now that blogger is cooperating I can post a picture of my nephews. Paul the birthday boy on the right and Brian on the left. Carol W will be so proud of me.

Happy Birthday Boy

Happy birthday wishes go out to my nephew Paul who is 28 years old today. I remember when they brought you home cause I was living there at the time. You were really quiet and a subject of some curiosity for the cat. They kicked me out shortly after you moved in which was cool being that I was no joy to live with at the time or now for that matter. So have a great day. I hope you didn't spoil it by going to work. I'm on a diet or I'd celebrate with the usual Twinkie Ding Dong medley.

I wore my winter bike shoes and three layers this morning. It was 26 or 28 degrees when we left for work at 6. That wind is a mf if you're heading into it. I found that out yesterday afternoon on the way home. It's not that 26 is such a big deal. It's that it was 80 on Saturday.

My man Bolstad (Army boy) called yesterday from his home base in Georgia. He left like a 5 minute voicemail and then while I was halfway through his voicemail he called my work phone. The big news was that while at the pistol range he got hit with a shot that ricocheted and hit him in the arm. He's ok and still going to work. I had a hard time time talking since I was laughing my ass off. He said only this kind of thing happens to him. True.

Anniversary Sunday. 26 years. I think we'll celebrate by going to Boom Island to watch cross racing. Who's racing? Timmy? Skibby? Morgan? Steven? Sick Boy? Should be fun.

Are You Uncomfortable Taking A Picture Of Another Man's Ass

I made a new pair of capri pants for riding last night and pressed them into action first thing this morning. Yep, that's a big hole. No, it wasn't cold. No, it's not sexy you smart asses. Yes, all of the boys at work want a pair for duck hunting.

Rainy and windy morning wasn't much fun to head north to the hospital. You would agree wouldn't you, Madame. Aah, but heading south was a horse of a different color as mother would say. These first cooler mornings are kind of a shock to the system. Seems like it was really humid just the other day. It'll be warm again. Just not the next couple of days.