Keep it short

I'm not much for end of year recaps so I'll only dwell on the main points. Ma's alertness dwindled further leading to her placement in her current unit of assisted living. Wu died on June 22nd and her bowl still sits in her spot. I know she's probably not coming home but if she does we'll be all set. I had an argument with E's mother and I've only seen Ella a couple of times the last 11 months. I miss her. But, I'll always have my pictures of her and I and the memories.

Good things happened too. Although Bolstad is now in Iraq, joining the military has given him a feeling of brotherhood and importance. We had another baby (Daniel) in the family and hopefully I'll see him soon. I did some races and met some really great people...too many to name without forgetting someone. This is too long already so I'll stop.

Have a safe and happy New Years and don't drink and drive. The rest of your life you'll never forget those lights coming on behind you.

Sometimes you have a clue

Mrs and I occasionally reflect on our mother's crappier dishes. My mother's meat loaf comes to mind and Mrs believes her mother's liver was quite distasteful. Come to think of it...my mother's liver was pretty bad too.

Unless you ride a bike in rush hour traffic you don't have a clue about what goes on out there. It ain't epic because it has rained or there's frozen ruts. It's not once a week with your team/club/elite team. It's day-in-day-out with drivers of all walks of life who don't give a shit about you. Somebody said assume they don't see you and could care less about you. Those are the rules I commute under.

Smithers quit. Good for him. I will miss the times he got everyone all riled up and got like 50 comments. He's got 2 kids which is much more important than any blogging.

Now I'm watching the Redskins and rooting like hell for them. Please, please, please drive a stake through the heart of the Vikings.

You wouldn't understand

I'm watching the Bengals play the Dolphins just to see the sun out somewhere on this planet.

Lazy lazy

Cold Sprints last night was pretty cool. Got to see some people I don't see that often. I didn't stay long...too crowded, too loud and there's always that booze factor. Your counselor at treatment will tell you to stay away from gatherings where drinking is the main event. Back in the day I'd already have had two coffee/whiskey's by 9 am on a Saturday. I don't miss that.

From now on when I'm at an event with you I'm going to drop you like a lead balloon as soon as any female walks by. It won't even matter if I know her. What are you guys like 16?

Mrs said she wanted to sleep till 6this morning because the grind of 4:30 am just wears on you. Mission accomplished. We slept till 7:30.

Peace out. Keep your distance. Stay in the shadows. I'm on the warpath.

This goes for Bike Throw too

Dual citizenship

In addition to racing with Cat 6 I will also be racing with this team. Was it Churchill who said "A man whose wife checks up on him every 15 minutes has no swagger"? Boy, your 15 minutes is almost up.

Aw, isn't that special

So, for once in your life you're home spending quality time with the kids which means driving them to the mall while I'm here busting my ass on Swagger Friday. Tree City USA application is now in Day 2 and should be done by noon. It requires the mayor's signature which according to my City Hall sources will happen later today when the mayor brings some Girl Scout troop to City Hall for a tour. Wow, what fun. If the mayor wouldn't be appearing at City Hall I'd need to pick up Yam at the liquor store for a home invasion at the mayor's domicile. Sorry Yam, Marie Kreutz was doomed when Bourne got in that car with her and you were enlisted when you accepted that job.

Reports of the cookie tray's death have been greatly exaggerated

I re-entered the fray at the City and much to my delight the cookie tray has made it through the holidays in fine order. I have the Tree City USA application to complete so I guess I'll be in the office. But, we'll always have the cookie tray.

He's just hard to work with

A minute 47 seconds you'll never get back but then again a Vikings game wastes 3 hours of your time. Who's Jon Stewart? Is he on Meet The Press?

The center of the universe

Live blogging from Linden Hills where $7.25 will buy you a quart of milk at the co-op. Still drinking in Rosenberg's knowledge and contemplating some type of pastry at Dunn Brothers. You still haven't given up the goods on your Christmas presents. Well, gotta go some old guy is giving me the evil eye because I'm sure he wants to use the computer to check his e-mail.

USB port, huh?

I'm meeting Chef Andrew for coffee at CRC so I'll be incommunicado for a couple of hours but I'm dying to know if you got any cool bike stuff or jammies for Christmas. I gave Mrs an I-pod shuffle and I'll need tech support to download the songs. Later.

Better than Ralphie's b b gun

Thanks Melissa you old scallywag.

Could go fight soccer moms for discount Christmas cards

Mrs has been dropped off for work and Snowy and I are foraging the fridge for eats. Last day off for this run. May ride bike to CRC later. May lay around on the couch all day too. I'll keep you posted.

Shitloads Better Than The Queen's You Tube

Merry Christmas

I especially remember a Christmas almost 15 years ago when my father-in-law drove from Chicago to pick us up and take us back to Chicago for Christmas. Actually, I drove back to Chicago in his vehicle and then back to Minneapolis the day after Christmas. James Bielski was the glue of his family. He arranged all the family get-togethers and loved to come to Minneapolis. He died on February 1, 1995 from cancer and that Christmas was his last in reasonably good health with his family. He loved to argue baseball and I miss him the most at Christmas. Merry Christmas to my family, co-workers, cyclist buddies and to JB who taught me the importance of family.

Bear down Chicago Bears

The beer's just not going to taste as good in Packerland this Christmas. I know...at least the Packers are going to make the playoffs. But, the Bears beat 'em twice and that's about all we can salvage out of a pretty forgettable season.

Restaurant Scouting For Snakecrotch

No grandma, I broke up with that girl 2 years ago.

Hey, what do ya think of that side-by-side stuff? I didn't even try to do it. It just came out that way.

What's up today? Ride to CRC to see if Hurl's around and then poke my head in the door at the Dunn Brothers on Washington Ave to see if the Loon State crew has arrived.

Then it's home for football. Most of the games stink but I'll watch some of them anyways. Have you gone over the river and through O'hare to grandmother's house? Are you freezing your ass off in those fancy school clothes you're wearing? I feel for ya but I can't touch ya. Mrs and I are basically hunkered down which is awfully nice. What's nicer is that I can blog just about anything and Rosenberg will be the only person to comment. Have fun with your families and deflect the questions from family members about stupid shit that puts you on the spot.

Love from Minneapolis as I try to figure out how to download songs into Mrs new i-pod.

Friday photos

Bowling Day

Ma was quite alert last night which was awesome. The activities staff made her a crown for her birthday. Mrs bought Ma a new outfit which Ma enjoyed receiving. Nobody loves you like your mother.

Switching gears quickly to my holiday work schedule shows that I won't be seen at work until next Thursday the 27th. Mrs and I plan a huge holiday of lying around, eating and watching movies.

The yearly gathering of the Public Works Department starts at noon today at Lariat Lanes On Penn in Richfield. The boys will then make their way to Bennigan's in Bloomington for some type of poetry reading and cookie exchange. I'll make sure they all get home. I'll try to shoot some kind of video and I'll even throw in some kind of dizzying camera work just like Hollywood does.

Happy Birthday Ma

Ma turns 84 today. My grandma had a baby every Christmas for three years. If I learned one thing from Ma, it's that people like to be remembered. So, when you get an e-mail from me during the work day...a little part of Ma's legacy will live on forever. All hail Ma...the cornerstone of my family.

For Hanna...who knows the value of proper nutrition

Santa's beard was real

Keep it together

Links are being rebuilt in a special City of Richfield interrogation room so chill out, have a sandwich and a creme soda and everything will be ok.

Got that, Cupcake Rosenberg?

It's ok, it's family. They were probably waving a pork chop at him.

Oh, I like your hair

0530 and Mrs is doing something with that hair. It only takes a minute or two for me to hit the ground runnin' in the morning and Little Missy is used to the energy level. I can tease her into a good mood when she's crabby but she's not crabby too often.

The Minneapolis cycling community welcomed Debra back to the ranks of the commuters this morning. Well, I welcomed her back.

What's a real coffee shop you ask? The world renowned Cars-r-coffins coffee bar comes to mind and One on One too. The Hiawatha Cyclery Saturday Morning Ride stops at the finer establishments. No chains please. Lantern, I can see why you guys need a direct route back to the Greenway. I think the term geographically challenged hits the nail on the head. You know...the Minneapolis side of the Stone Arch Bridge.

For the man on your list

Here ya go, buttercup

Group photo ala Earl Heimes of the Stone Arch crew. Borrowed from Mr Cullen.

I rode with the Loon State guys, Big Dave, Kruse, Crosby and the Osmond family. It was fun and resembled exercise and Cullen made us pose for a group photo just like Ma used to do. I hit the railroad tracks in Hopkins the wrong way and hit my knee pretty hard but I'll live. Oh, Red Lantern had his crabby pants on. I don't want to forget about that. I had fun and I'll go again and make them stop at a real coffee shop.

So, I put my e-mail up and nobody uses that. You don't want me to have your e-mail address or cell phone number. Get over yourself. You need to leave cutie little comments cuz you're so goshdarn (better Cullen) clever.

Carla wants more than one post up on the main page. Blah, blah, blah. Keep it real Carla and keep those two knuckleheads in line.

Links will come back when I'm not so lazy.

8 shopping days till Christmas

Not really

Mlle Vous Ange

No profanity. Too many You tubes. Your nun profile picture is tasteless. Too much of this, too little of that. Y'all want too much from me.

Good luck

Hey Prescott, Wisconsin...I'm not sure if Sexworld has a private entrance. I'll call Hard Core Rosenberg and find out. And Prescott...after Sexworld stop at One On One for coffee and some Swobo stuff.

For Tuffy

Yeah I'm old because I remember baseball before every player was a musclebound idjit and the starting pitcher was pulled when the pitch count got to a hundred. I remember Mickey Lolich who regularly pitched 300 innings in a season and won 3 games in the 1968 World Series. When Lolich retired he opened a donut shop. I'd wait in line for Mick's autograph.

Listen Up Lodi, Wisconsin,...It's Swagger Friday

Rob from the Good-Ol'-Blues-Brothers-Boys-Hiawatha-Cyclery-Ride took this picture of me as he was walking his children home from school.

It's 6 or 8 degrees so what do you wear to ride a bike? The answer is everything but I limited it to a couple pairs of wool socks, Answer winter bike shoes, windbloc briefs (ww's or wienie warmers to y'all), Smartwool bottoms, long sleeve polyester shirt, Castelli full zip standard Ward Cleaver issue sweater and Foxwear jacket. Top the whole mess off with a cheapo baklava and a not so cheap but well worth it Swobo winter hat. Throw on you helmet, tuck the 9 mil gangsta style into your pants and you're off to the races.

I highly recommend investigating Lou at Foxwear for winter jackets. They wear like iron and for 80 bucks they're a steal. Tell him you know Ray from Minneapolis and he'll require payment with a cashier's check.


Peace out, stay warm, to heck with the team. Is that better Mr Cullen?

Speedfix Out To Win Over Hearts And Minds

My Hero

That Jeffro guy is my newest hero because at the end of every comment he leaves on any blog it says, "Ditch the word verification". I ditched it like 3 months ago and haven't seen the spammers come back. The new spam filter at work blocks all the Megadik e-mails. Damn IT Department!!I miss all those e-mails from people concerned about my pecker.

Is Jeffro really that guy's name cuz that's a cooler than fuck name.

Take the 23 to the 5...

Mrs and I took the train to the Mall of America last night and on the way back some 15 year olds (I think) were discussing their transit options. It reminded me of living in Chicago as a kid and using mass transit to get places. I hope to retire in Chicago and meet my nephew downtown for lunch and stick him with the check.

WTF?

The Lutefisk Diaries

I provided security for the MCF President at the 16th episode of the Bike Throw podcast. Rosenberg was on my security detail and was at Starbucks arguing with some guy about something. Pack your bags for Dead Moines boy...

Bike Throw podcast was mostly MCF (Minnesota Cycling Federation) blah blah blah chip timing I need the results immediately kind of shit so I took a short nap during the show. If you're ever near Nakatomi Plaza (Butler Square) make sure you get one of the frosted scones from the coffee cabaret. Very f-ing good.

From a commuting standpoint the pull down Portland from downtown was a real CS for some reason. Back tire might need air.

Kruse, I was home but I didn't know how to send back: "Fuck off, we're in our jammies watching a movie".

Have a great day. Fuck the team.

Why, just this morning...

My boss: Ray, you've gotta be a team player.

Me: Fuck the team.

Not much

Ride in was great. Balmy temperature and no wind.

Rosenberg is a made guy. Nobody whacks him without my permission.

I love to occasionally argue politics with my co-worker, Duane. Those conservatives are so sure they're right.

Skibby, please inform whoever that I'm not interested in becoming the infield security guy at the track. I know I was ineffective as the track whip but kicking the U kiddie's hipster friends out of the infield isn't my idea of an enjoyable Thursday evening.

Bourne Ultimatum comes out on dvd today. I want the 3 movie set and a sick day to watch them.

Snowy's dog walker got Snowy some winter booties. Snowy doesn't like them. She's funny when she clip clops in them. Yes, it's the small things.

Look out down below!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been reading about a load of cross country skiing lately. Even Hollywood and Kristy for God's sakes. North Loop, South Loop, I'll lend Swanson the four dollars and I hope everyone buys their skis from Doom at Revolution Cycle and Ski in Saint Cloud.

Mrs and I have cross country skiis and the boots although Snowy chewed out the insole out of one of my boots when she was a precocious young lady. We used to ski quite a bit and even took the skiis with on our February trip to Wisconsin before we stopped our February trip to Wisconsin. But then it stopped snowing in the midwest and Kevin from Freewheel sold me that Trek 7500 which started the whole bike geek thing for me.

I started riding in the winter because there was no snow. Now there's snow but I don't want to ski because the skiing seems so much like exercise and I despise exercise with a passion. I really hope you guys enjoy the skiing but I'll stick to biking because I fall down less. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get the four bucks to Swanson.

On the run

Mrs has the best smile and it never looks fake.

Mrs and I were out the door and at Uptown Diner by 7:30. I had a hamburger and she had the eggs Benedict.

Ketchup, catsup, whazz-up just for Lil Timmy who has some kind of ketchup phobia which we would pick at like a MF if he worked at the City.

Stopped at Ma's place where Ma was still alternately napping and eating breakfast. She didn't have much energy today. She's still happy to see us.

Land's End and grocery store rounded out the morning. I even bought one of Mrs Christmas presents.

For Skibby

I'm back from the bike ride with the HC gang and as Skibby well knows I'm tired and need a nap. I'm hoping that I can be competitive in the 75 + group at Black Dog next summer.

Mrs and I chatted for over an hour with my brother from Kansas City. He says the park y'all will be racing at for Cx Nationals is a beautiful park and very hilly. More importantly, we talked about the old days when Ma wrote everybody letters and how we wished we would have saved some of those.

It's old movies, layin' around, college basketball and eating at our house today. Speaking of basketball, the Timberwolves are 2 and 15. Wow, I guess I need to look at the standings more often.

I hope that's good enough Skib cuz I'm so worn out I can barely keep my eyes open.

Raising Arizona - Diaper Robbery

Our little boy is all groweds-up

My thoughts on the interview. I think it would have been even better if he had eaten shit out in the snow. I just love what he's done with the apartment and I had 3 angry soccer moms honk the horn at me just yesterday but that might have been because I was riding down the middle of the street. Lord Snakecrotch putting South Dakota biking on the map!

Happy Friday

Spencer ran this about a year ago so let's give him a little credit. Mrs and I slept till a wonderful 5:30 this morning so I drove her again. There are no greasy spoons in this town any more and the Wienery doesn't open till Pat's good-n-ready. I need to get some bike stuff done today but it's cool...I'll wear a black arm band to honor your day at work. You can comment today because I'm too lazy to block you. Now where the fck is that 42t chain ring.

Not a jacker in sight

I think this guy probably just wanted to plow his own driveway.

Sometimes The Clothes Do Not Make The Man

Mrs has pretty much told the guy from the Star Tribune that we are not available for interviewing and I think he gets the picture. His angle on the article was all wrong anyway. The ride in the dark and escort service is the story...not me sitting at my GD desk.

Skibby is now the MCF President and has contacted me about a henchman position. I accepted and have picked Cleary, Snider and Mr Warmth (Larry from the Bicycle Chain) as my team.

I've ridden in the snow for 7 commutes this week and still can't believe I fell 3 times at Northfield on some wet f-ing grass.

I really like the way Jim and Stacey occasionally just throw their blogs in the river and start over with a new concept.

Howdy to Big Momma who sneaks in occasionally

I dropped Mrs off with the car and then dumped the car off in the garage and Crosschecked to work. We don't let our loved ones take public transportation in the dark, do we bubbeleh? Ride in wasn't too bad. Sidestreets were kinda mushy and not packed down enough. Main drags are good but there's so much anger out there. GD bicycles, get off the street or I'll shove my breast cancer magnet up your ass.

Hey, let's go commentless for a week or two. Why? Because I can.

I saw a Mini Cooper with the front end ripped off yesterday and thought immediately of you, Lynne.

Mrs, please come up with your Christmas list soon.

Barry White -Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe

How was your commute?

It took me about an extra 10 minutes than normal and I shot a short video and petted some dog at the grocery store. I talked to Homme when I got home. He was inching along on 94.

The Balaclava Of Baklava

A great achievement

This is the trophy given to the person in the office who takes the most time off for the month. November has 30 days. I attended work 12 times. Winner!! You guys work your ass off. This world needs you. I bet my nephew Paul is really proud of me right now.

Lack of interest

When I rolled into the garage this afternoon I had ridden my bikes a total of 7251 miles including races. I rode 10,000 miles by the end of November in '06. At the end, it wasn't fun. It was an obligation but I'm glad I did it. Not disappointed at this year's total. No reason to be.

Oh I Know Debbie

Mrs dug her 200 pound Diamondback Something Or Other out of the corner of the basement and I put some air in the tires and some olive oil on the chain. This is her studded tire bike and she hates to ride it. Nobody likes to ride their studdeds. It's called security.

Mrs seems to have somehow hooked us up with some guy from some rag who wants to do a story on us because we commute in the winter. He stopped her on the street and before she could tell him to get lost, he explained his plight. He wants to ride with us I think. If I don't like the line of questioning I'll just derby him into a parked car.

Round 2

I think Dan Akroyd called this look 'inter-city funk' in the movie The Couch Trip.

My timetable was a bit off. We didn't stay till midnight last night. We left at 10:30 and now we're back in the friendly confines at 6 am. That's cool. We'll be outta here by noon and I'll be napping in my chair by 2 pm. The Jets-Dolphins game should induce sleep.

A legally parked car

Here's the skinny. We ain't leavin' until say midnight, midnight-thirty and after a short disco nap we'll probably be returning by 7 or 8 tomorrow morning to replow the whole town again. Plow twice and the boys don't break as much equipment is the line of thinking. I drove here cuz from experience I can tell you that snowstorm riding is sorta tough. You even break a sweat. I didn't want to arrive dripping wet so I kissed my sweetie and put myself in harms way. I am a fossil fuel burning piece of shit. I'll make up for it by burning some plastic in the parking lot.