Blogging about blogging

Blogging is like having your diary on the web for everyone to see. Lord knows why anyone would want to do that but it seems that many people do, present company included. For me at least, I either write exactly what I want to write about or I take time off and figure out how to rephrase and paraphrase what I am thinking. Anyone who has spent any time with me knows that I would much rather say what I am thinking or not say anything at all.

So.....

It is almost 1:30 AM on Tuesday. My brother and his wife just had a daughter and used my late mother's first name as the child's middle name. That was pretty cool. I hear my dad shed a tear or two at the news. If I cried over such things, I might have as well. Mom would have liked that. I frequently reflect on Ma Thomas and her quirky ways. She was born prematurely and was sickly as child and into adulthood so at various times during her life a great deal of her knowledge about the world came from reading and watching television. She always had an opinion about something based on the information she gathered from whatever source. I learned from her to try to make the best judgments and decisions based on the information you have. Sometimes, I take that a little too far but it has served me well. She was an artist, a Girl Scout troop leader and regional director (I love Girl Scout cookies), a social worker in the school system, and then a teacher.

She was funny. One funny story about her involves me when I was baby. The story goes like this:
She takes me in for one of the standard baby check-ups. The doctor remarks probably just off hand that my skin is a little dry. To my understanding, she did not challenge the doctor but she did note it. From then on, she made sure to keep me moisturized from head to toe. When time came for the next doctor's visit she took special care to moisturize me. When the doctor went to pick me up I almost slipped out of the doctor's hands because mom had covered me in Vaseline.

Eccentricity runs in the family.

I want to like independent films, but....

Goodness, I want to be the person that is all about the independent film and if I had the money I would go to Sundance or Cannes, but I am not. I just checked out this highly acclaimed movie called "9 Songs". Ebert & Roeper gave it '2 thumbs up' and the New York Times called it 'one of the best movies of the year'. Maybe if I liked the bands that make up the soundtrack I would like it more. That said, it was better than watching 'Romance' or 'Anatomy of Hell' by Catharine Breillat. Maybe if I spoke French, I would get it or maybe if I had more angst (oh woe to my middle class, at least socially, upbringing). For the record, I would not give up my upbringing to understand independent films. That is just stupid. There is a reason why privilege is envied.

These are by far not the only films I did not get. Not to dwell on the negative, the films I did like were 'The Dildo Diaries' a documentary about the Texas Legislature and the state sodomy laws. Check it out. It has a provocative name but is really cool. For those who know me, I am going to buy it so feel free to borrow it. Molly Ivins has some wonderful statements in this movie.

Rest in Peace, Molly Ivins (1944-2007).
In Loving Memory of Molly Ivins
Molly Ivins Tribute

Mom meet Molly. Molly meet Mom.

Another film I liked was 'Short Bus' although 'Dildo Diaries' is still my favorite. 'Passion and power : the technology of orgasm' is another good one. It covers the same topics as 'Dildo Diaries'.

Based on this post, unless it involves sex toy legislation or drag queens I guess I should stick with superhero movies. I will watch almost any superhero movie, even if I know it is bad. Case in point, I watched the first 'Hulk' with Eric Bana, 'The Phantom' numerous times, and even 'The Shadow' with Alec Baldwin. Unlike the independent films, take my word for it and do not watch the films I just mentioned.

Speaking of restaurants (Shout out to Jamie and Liz!). Go to the Chop House on Main Street for your birthday. Have the crab and lobster cakes or splurge and have the Kobe steak. The life of cattle chosen to be Kobe steak is short but sweet. Think sake, hammocks, and massages. Then they kill you.

Two posts within 24 hours a new record.

Bacon, Bacon, Bacon

A little under 18 hours until I ride 39 miles on my sweet new bike.

This morning I 'ran' 1.5 miles before work. Running in the morning is great, it sets up your day and you feel energized. The downside is that you feel like you really accomplished something so why go to work. Basically, I peaked too early and knew that the day would not get any better.

Fortunately for me the day did get better or at least did not get worse. I had some good conversations, completed some quality reviews, and I attended an ACLU board meeting. I even had bacon and eggs (yes eggs) on my breakfast bagel. Go bacon!

Yesterday, I forwent a bacon tasting so that I could workout. I know at this point you are saying how can I claim to love bacon and yet give up a golden opportunity. As I write, I sigh as I think about the divine qualities of bacon, particularly slab bacon.

NOTE: The following should be sung to the tune of O'Tannenbaum.

Oh bacon bacon
Oh bacon bacon
How delicious is your flavor.

I already paid to workout and the bacon tasting was $25. I can buy a lot of bacon for $25, even gourmet bacon.

My first Giant

Well, Friday I bought my first real road bike. It has a triple crankset, Shimano 105 components, and Look KeO clipless pedals. Wow, the difference between this bike and my Trek 7.2FX is amazing. This bike is light as a feather and just by changing bikes I increased my average cruising speed by about 1.5 mph. Friday I rode about 6 miles just to get a feel for the bike with the new shoes. Saturday, I rode about 13 miles. I rode on a pretty straight stretch that had inclines and declines and even riding back into a pretty strong headwind I average about 14.7 mph. Sunday, I did a 25-mile charity ride for the local ecology center. It was great. I averaged 14.4 mph. Just for reference, in early May, I averaged around 15 mph on my Trek 7.2FX and that was a duathlon relay so I was going all out. We came in second out of five teams, so I was pretty happy with that effort. Hell, I still am and probably will be for a very long time.

In two weeks, I am going to do a 30 mile ride. I think I am in love. Cycling gives me the same feeling I used to get when I was a sprinter in high school. Pretty much it is just me and the clock. It may sound strange but it reminds me of meditation. Another great part of cycling is that when I am riding I calm my thoughts and I think of my mother and that makes me very happy. I remember her cheering for me from the stands when I ran track or when I "played" baseball which consisted of me standing out in right field hitting dandelions with my baseball glove. I know that when I do my duathlon in September mom will be cheering me on from the 'stands'.