Riding Memories...

I learned to ride a bike when I was twelve, maybe thirteen. Before that I used to stand on one pedal and push myself around as if riding a skateboard.

One day I just started riding, maybe the ability was there all along and fear of falling was holding me back. Once in full throttle, the ten speed, the twelve speed, and the three sprocket bikes with umpteen speeds came my way.

There was a time period, years really, where I used my trusty Trek to commute to work. From Whittier to a little past downtown Los Angeles; some twenty miles one way!

One day, coming back from work I had a tail wind and a slight downhill on one of the routes I would take back to my home. As I cranked the high gears, a sports car came up next to me. The open top made it easy for the driver to tell me: You know you’re doing 55mph! I immediately, yet in a controlled manner, slowed down to a manageable speed. The ride was fast and fun but I suppose it could have turned into a disaster.

Next, really scary moments while riding!

Sometimes you must go at it alone!

I read an interesting blog post the other day. It dealt with the issue of having support for your endeavors and what to do when you realize that your social circle is the enemy. A wise man of old said it well: " Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household."

In order to find out if this is the situation for you as an individual, others must know what you're trying to achieve. That's when the support or negativity will come out. That's when you and you alone will have to make a big decision.

Will you follow or will you lead, even if it's just yourself.

Read the article here: How to Escape the Toxic Friends Holding You Back

Sugar is sugar or maybe not...

Apparently High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is OK in moderation. So is Nicotine in moderation. How about Cocaine in moderation? Arsenic anyone? A bit extreme yes, but so are the commercials trying to pass off junk food as good for us.

Depending on who you ask and what size you're getting, a can of soda can contain from 9 to 12 teaspoons of sugar. Is that moderate?

Keeping your business

Today is the busiest day for restaurants across the US. The long lines, packed to the hilt reception areas don't help all the confusion. We decided to avoid the whole affair and order out. In this the busiest day of the year, even that does not work. I went to the restaurant to pick up my food, 'curb side', and promptly was greeted by one of the restaurant staff with my food. Or so I thought. I paid for the food and went on my merry way.

Back home I announced that my hunting and gathering had been successful and everyone could now enjoy a nice cooked meal. Only problem was that my food was not in the bag and one other item had been changed from the menu at the restaurant's discretion. Similar item, just not the one ordered.

I was mildly upset for not having checked the bag when I got there but we called the restaurant and they realized their mistake as well. The management offered to give me discount once I got back to pick up the missing item. I went back and was greeted by the manager, who was trying to keep things in order, the restaurant was even more packed than when I was there some minutes ago. I proceeded to merrily get my missing item and was then informed that not only was I getting a discount but the whole bill was being voided.

So I got a free lunch minus the gas and time. I say it was a pretty good deal. No one was nasty or belligerent, especially me, and so I'll be able to go back to the restaurant without feeling embarrassed. They have my business.

The manager handled the situation quite well under all the pressure and craziness that such days as today elicit.

Spring beauty

While doing some grilling in my backyard I took some photos from our
garden. This flower was just there calling for attention. Hope you see
what I did.

A week worth of training

This week marks the first of a few coming weeks where I'll be putting some extra time training at the gym or on the road. With trails lke these is hard not to go outside and enjoy some fresh air.

It's also a break from all the weightlifting during some days of the week and primarily from all the sitting at work. I'm thinking of ways to stand up more while working. I'm thinking of buying a drawing table so I can do my mind maps while on my feet. Cutting some time off from the eight hours or so I spend sitting.

I did some pole/hiking today and it was great!

Tea to the rescue..

"Make tea, not war". The benefits of tea are many, this particular brew is soothing and sleep inducing. Sweet Lily White.