Last night’s ride was interesting to say the least. A few miles north of Brookhaven the skies opened wide and drenched me like I’ve not been drenched in some time. I rode and rode, stopping under cover once only to make sure that the electronics in my seatpack were okay and to remove the sunglasses which did more harm than good as they collected water drops. I felt like a member of the Gruesome family as the rain would stop, but I’d eventually ride toward the beginning of another downpour. To add insult to the matter I checked the weather radar right before I left the office and saw nothing on it. Dangen!
They Sure Don’t Make Them Like The Used To
Last week I bought some new Pearl Izumi bike shorts. I made sure to check the size of the shorts that I am currently wearing so that I could get the same size (Medium if you believe it. Hey. they’re bike shorts so they’re supposed to be a bit tight.)
This morning I went to get the pair of shorts that I wore yesterday, but to my dismay they had not dried completely hanging in the bathroom overnight (and although I know that I’m going to be soaked with sweat by ride’s end I don’t like starting out with damp clothes). So, I decided to take my new shorts out on their maiden voyage. Somehow 2010 “Medium” is a bit slimmer than circa-2006 “Medium” because it was rather a monumental feat of defeating the Laws of Physics in order to shove my fat torso into these shorts.
At least I won’t have to do it again tonight. No, tonight I’ll be racing home (in the Jackmobile) so that I can pack up the car and seek out a laundromat that is open late. I’m committed each day/evening through Sunday so I won’t have time to do laundry before then, therefore tonight is the night. Wish me luck…
I’ll Never Understand
There are actually many things I’ll never understand. Lately the thing that has puzzled me is why certain songs pop into my head. Lately, for no apparent reasons, I’ve been constantly (internally) singing both The Outlaws’ “Green Grass And High Tides” as well as Better Than Ezra’s “Teenager”. No. Idea. Why.
ITP Flickr Pic
Yeah, another shot from last weekend.
This one is different…. it was taken using my iPhone.
RealiTV Update: Hell’s Kitchen – Get It Over Already; MasterChef – FAIL
Last night I joined ITP-Reader Betsy (and Reese of course) for a night of Gordon Ramsay viewing. As we noshed on good cheese and grapes (and drank fermented grapes) we groaned as Hell’s Kitchen whittled itself down to the Final Two (SPOILER: Jay and Holly). Thankfully this season (and perhaps the series) will be over next week.
Unfortunately the same can’t be said for American Idol : Cooking Master Chef/. This show is a fucking trainwreck, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s actually worse than American Idol because apparently contestants can beg their way onto the next round, even if the dish they’ve whipped up doesn’t warrant it. Ugh. I’ll give Master Chef one more viewing before giving up on it for good.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – displeased with my lack of weight loss, and I know that it’s my own damn fault
Current Music – silence at the moment
Website Of The Day – I can’t believe that I’ve never linked to The Fat Cyclist before. The Fat Cyclist is a blog started by a guy who was trying to humiliate himself in order to lose weight — until last year when his wife passed away from cancer. Now, “Fatty” still blogs about his cycling, but also is on a campaign to fight the disease which took away his life
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my bike
Exercise (b)Log – cycling, 17 miles
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check, especially after putting on my new bike shorts
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0 miles, Wheel Mileage – 17 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 4 (4)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 3
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 1
August Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month (I did it once, I can do it again!)
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 200 miles
– Get the Sharpened Stone, LLC moving further
– Complete at least one iPhone application (seriously, this needs to happen)
– Completely plan out my August/September Colorado trip
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Remember, MARTA is still a good option when the weather isn’t cooperating. I’m sure riders have dealt with worse than a damp cyclist… much worse.
Were you a thinner you in 2006? Lycra does tend to stretch over time.
-FP
It rained barely for just a couple minutes up here in Marietta yesterday. Crazy summer time showers. I need to go ride, but just haven’t felt like it in this heat. Sharon came over to have Allan try to figure out her multiple flat tire issue – looks like the rim strip had shifted, so the spoke holes were barely rubbing on the tube, which is why it took a few miles in between flats for it to happen, over & over. Or so Allan thinks.
BTW – I think the shot for my poison ivy has helped, I might have to do that again next time. I wish there would never be a next time, but I know better, poison ivy loves me.
And – 2 big trees are gone, there should be some cement guys prepping the area today……. we may have a foundation poured by this weekend.
I’m not saying that getting rained upon is the worse that’s ever happened, even to me, it just made for a less-than-enjoyable ride last night.
It was dry (hot and humid) when I left the office. It was about five or so miles into the ride when the skies opened. By the time I was near a MARTA station it was way too late.
I was thinner in 2006. In fact, my current weight is the highest it’s been since I was really fat (245 pounds) and started losing weight in 1994. I think I was in the 190s in the mid-2000s.
Barb, what’s the rush with the garage project? Why not drag it out for a few years like I would? 🙂
I give up on trying to figure out what size I am…somewhere between a 2-6 and xs – med. I picked up some el cheapo tshirts and tanks at Old Navy this weekend, the xs shirts are great, the tanks cut off the blood supply to my arms, the med shirt I bought a Target I can’t get over my boobs.
Doesn’t cycle stuff come in both American and European cuts? Maybe the new ones are the later?
As I left the house this morning work had begun on my new supply line. Once that is finished then I have to deal with the City of Atlanta to adjust my water bill. Once I pay this off, I’ll have them come back and replace all the inside stuff and the water heater. Steve, you guys installed tankless right? What do you think?
Anyone a lawn mower expert? I tried to ‘fix’ mine and I think I’ve made it worse…I’m not surprised by this.
I’ve seen (and accidentally bought) cycling jerseys which were “European cut”, thought I’ve not seen the same in shorts. My problem is probably related to my weight gain stretching the lycra.
What did you “fix” with your lawnmower and what are its current symptoms. I’m far from a mechanic, but this might be useful for the rest of the ITP readers.
Dangen! I forgot to mention in today’s blog that I caved an purchased the Dick Lane Velodrome deal yesterday.
Jerry and I both picked up the deal as well. Now we just have to find the time, probably wait to see what the fall schedule looks like.
The mower…the belt that runs the ‘self-propelled’ part of the mower broke. I managed to get the blade off and replace the belt. Now the mower runs rough (like the blade is unbalanced) and it makes a screeching noise. I’ve got some ideas to try when I get a chance.
Martha – you are way better than me – I’d take it to a lawn mower repair shop. Get it ia tune up while you are at it.
But -the screeching noise has something to do with the belt – I do know that much…..
I don’t plan to go ride there until at least October — life is way too busy until then.
Martha- sounds like the belt is too tight and making the bearing strain. See if you can loosen it a bit. As for the tankless HWH, it’s a bit pricey, but over a period of years it would surely pay for itself. The only problem was a brief learning curve… you have to keep the demand high (don’t back off the water pressure after you start getting hot water, or else the hot water heater might think you’re finished).
okay, cool, I’ll give that a try.
I need to get the yard mowed soon or I’ll lose Nibbles.
Speaking of losing an animal…that silly cat Bode has been prancing around the house like he didn’t spend a week in the nasty crawl space. I don’t know what he ate while down there…but it was foul!