Another Driver

Andrew got his driver's license today. Yikes!

Workout Change

I have been so tired after running recently that I haven't been doing my other exercises. So today I started with Ab Ripper X, then did my Tae Kwon Do patterns, then went for a run. That wasn't so bad.

Tired, But No Nap

So tired. Yesterday's run was a long one and I was tired from the start, and exhausted the entire evening. Today was rainy and it would have been a great day for a nap. But our executives were the only ones doing that.

Back To Work

Back to work after a 5 day weekend. 'Nuff said.

Last Day Off

Good last day off before going back to work tomorrow.  Saw the in-laws off, shuttled the kids from place to place, started and completed an overdue college financial form, changed the oil in the car, took a short nep (YES!), went to Tae Kwon Do, etc., etc.  Need to retire soon so I can have Philip to swimming by 7:15 tomorrow.

Everything But A Comfy Chair

We're back home with more furniture than I know what to do with. No comfortable sofa or easy chair, though.

A Long Hot Road

Went for a long run (long for me) in the 90 degree heat, took a wrong turn, and had to walk the rest of the way home, when I took another wrong turn. I learned that a "lane" might still be a dead end.

Pig Roast

Went to a going away party for my in-laws, who are relocating. Had roast pig for the first time...yummy!

Cleanup

Spent a lot of the day cleaning, but didn't seem to get much done. I did enlist the kids in weeding in front of the house, though.

Time Off

Today was my last day of work this week before 2 mandatory days off. Unfortunately, those 2 days of work aren't gonna go away.

Do You Support Universal Health Care

Question for people who don't support universal health care: What's your plan if you lose your job?

Or do you only oppose it because someone with an accent might get it?

Mandatory 2 Days Off

Good thing I'm only working 3 days this week before my mandatory 2 days off. It's mandated by my company because those of us who are left are so motivated and working so efficiently that we have extra time that we spend sitting on our thumbs so naturally we need to have 2 unpaid days off.

Aging, But Not Gracefully

Same schedule as yesterday but got home at 5 since Philip swam the last event of the day.  Then, instead of a nap, I went on a run, which exhausted me.  Now, after a shower, I'm in bed icing my knee and later I'll ice my hip.  Nothing like aging gracefully...

Exhausted

Up at 5:45 am. At swim meet by 7:15 am. Arrived home at 4 pm. Thought a nice slow walk might be good, but a nap turned out to be better.

Swim Meet

The work week is done. I'm behinder than I've ever been. And I'm off to a swim meet for the next few days. I'll have to get up earlier than I do for work!

Tired, So Tired

I need to sleep through the night. It's just like having an infant in the house, except it's harder to get back to sleep.

A Task That Should Be Easy

Today I successfully completed a difficult task that should be easy. That's right, I'm talking about changing a watch band. I have my trusty Casio W-71, that does everything I need a watch to do. The band finally failed today. So it was off to Wal-Mart, with Andrew driving, to get either a replacement watch or replacement band. Got the replacement band, brought it home, and remembered why I prefer to get a new watch. Those bands are tough to get off! But I got it changed. Next couple of days will determine if the band is leaching enough plasticizer to irritate my skin.

It's always something...

Sleepless in Pittsburgh

I've had trouble sleeping the past few nights.  I am reading Hyperion, by Dan Simmons, and was having trouble sleeping when I was reading his newest book, The Terror.  I wonder if that's what's keeping me awake?

Sick

Home sick today.  Ugh!

Offense vs Defense

I'm really happy that Rinaldo Nocentini is wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.  He got the Jersey because of his aggressive riding.  And aggressive riding is exactly what the favorites are not doing.  All the riding in the pelaton is about being defensive.

I hope that Nocentini or some other risk taker wins this year's tour while the Astana prima donnas play their games.

Terrible Tour de France Coverage on Versus

I am greatly bothered by the evening coverage of the Tour de France with Bob Roll and Chris Hummer on Versus. It's terrible! I got up early today to watch the live coverage with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin and it was much better. Highly recommended!

Watching The Tour de France

What a great Tour de France this year! Two breakaways have succeeded thus far, with the winners not being amongst the media darlings Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and Team Astana.

Congratulations to today's stage winner Brice Feillu and GC leader Rinaldo Nocentini. Bring it!

The High Cost of Living Simply

Got a new REI catalog yesterday. I am increasingly amazed by how expensive it is to engage in activites (backpacking, camping, hiking, etc.) characterized as living the simple life.

Could it possibly be that living simply is something different entirely?

Trek Bike vs Trek Bag

I like my year 2000 model Trek 7000 mountain bike. One of the best hardtails Trek ever made. Their seatpost bags are junk, though. Simultaneous complete failure of both straps. I don't need to waste my limited riding time repairing my bag!

It's Great to Have a Good Run

...to provide some meaning after another unsatisfying day at work.

No to Armstrong, but...

I'm not the biggest fan of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France comeback, but you've got to hand it to him - he really used his experience to take advantage of the opportunity to move up in the general classification in a crosswind in today's Stage 3 through the Camargue. Exciting stuff.

Wanna Head For The Hills

Out of the mountains and back to hot humid Pittsburgh. Gonna have to do something about that...

Wildlife Condo Construction

Spent July 4 building a wildlife shelter (i.e. a glorified brush pile) in the woods of Western Maryland.

Bad Start to Holiday Weekend

Our holiday weekend was going great until my brother-in-law was taken to the hospital after blacking out after fainting or having a seizure.

Pink Hair

Philip's in the process of getting his hair dyed pink. It turned out to be more complicated than normal and they had to bleach it first because it was just a little too dark for the light pink to show up. Fortunately, his hair is only 1/4" long.

Second Viewing

Second funeral home viewing and second parastas in 2 days.

And Blogger is good - I noticed as I was publishing that a florist ad appeared in the sidebar.