This time of year starts to get stressful. Holidays are coming, Christmas in particular. This year is also a bit unique with the current economic environment weighing on everyone's minds, and in our company we had a significant merger and are in the midst of actions that take place as a result.
I guess we will be able to relax a bit this next week. We have an overnight planned for this weekend with a small group. The ride will be slightly chilly but hopefully no rain. The leaves are most likely past but the ride should be good anyway. I have planned the routes, we are riding to Talihina, Ok, and taking somewhat scenic routes both to and from our destination. After that trip is a short week as its Thanksgiving next week, with Thursday and Friday being holidays.
Interesting hockey game last night as well. We finally won a game, it seems like forever. This past Sunday our game was cancelled due to an ammonia leak at the game, so we missed that one. Last night was a "D" game. We won 6-2, I had a goal, and assist and a roughing penalty. Stupid refs.... One shift I get sticked and poked and hacked and hear the ref telling the guy to keep his stick down. Next shift its start out similiarly, I pick up the puck behind our net, get a two-hander accross my stick, hear the ref admonishing the player and I carry the puck the length fo the rink. I see a weak defenseman in front of me so I skate around then have to cut back to goal, they have another player back who just happens to put his skate out and catch me as I am skating to the front of the net and go flying. Again no call. I'm not upset with the player but the ref for lack of a call. I lost the puck of course and the other team starts breaking out, I catch the puck carrier in the neutral zone (I'm a bit pissed) and he grabs a hold of my stick and glove and hauls me down. I yank my arm out from under him and in frustration punch him. Of course, I am the only player to get a penalty. Four infractions on one shift, 3 by their team, one last one by me, very frustrating. Anyway, we won, but they did score their second goal while I was in the box.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Dog Vs Cat
A little humor for a distraction today. And in honor of our 2 cats
DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat-while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
DOG DIARY
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 PM - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity.
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
They dine lavishly on fresh meat-while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hockey Season
Wow, this season is shaping up to be a bit of a frustrating one. For the past several seasons, the Mens C league has been split into and upper (C1) and lower (C2). We have consistently played in C2 with some success. Well this year, there is one league. Supposedly there was going to continue to be parity as the upper players had either left or whatever, but its sure not shaping up that way.
The last 2 games have turned into blowout losses for us, and both games have turned very ugly late in the game. The previous one was a bit chippy throughout, culminating in a full on body check by their tallest player against one of our smallest players, into the boards with less than 20 seconds in the game. It was a complete and totally blatant hit, which is completely illegal in our league. Of course the referree's don't take any additional action to punish this behavior other than assigning a 2 minute penalty.
Last night was very similiar. We faced the team with 3 of the top 4 leading scorers in the league. And it didnt take long for them to increase their stats with one of them having 4 goals and one assist. While we were down some skilled players I don't believe the overall result would have been any different (a loss). However this game stayed very clean and actually fun (what can you do) until late in the 3rd period. And of course it ended similarly, a body check to one of our players with 15 seconds left, which actually turned into a fight and almost a brawl. While we lost a key player for a game due to the fight, we were lucky in that we didn't lose anyone else as Noyes came off the bench and was pretty much third man it. I don't think I've ever seen him skate that fast!
The last 2 games have turned into blowout losses for us, and both games have turned very ugly late in the game. The previous one was a bit chippy throughout, culminating in a full on body check by their tallest player against one of our smallest players, into the boards with less than 20 seconds in the game. It was a complete and totally blatant hit, which is completely illegal in our league. Of course the referree's don't take any additional action to punish this behavior other than assigning a 2 minute penalty.
Last night was very similiar. We faced the team with 3 of the top 4 leading scorers in the league. And it didnt take long for them to increase their stats with one of them having 4 goals and one assist. While we were down some skilled players I don't believe the overall result would have been any different (a loss). However this game stayed very clean and actually fun (what can you do) until late in the 3rd period. And of course it ended similarly, a body check to one of our players with 15 seconds left, which actually turned into a fight and almost a brawl. While we lost a key player for a game due to the fight, we were lucky in that we didn't lose anyone else as Noyes came off the bench and was pretty much third man it. I don't think I've ever seen him skate that fast!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Saturday Ride
This past Saturday we had a small group of riders go to Hard 8 Barbeque in Stephenville. This was a ride organized by Darlene for her employer's United Way campaign. They did a tremendous job fundraising and we had a great ride. Round trip it was about 280 miles for us.
Sunday was shaping up to be a work around the house day, but it turned out to be a spend a bunch of time at the building supply store and a little bit of time working around the house day instead. Well, at least we got lots of supplies to keep us busy for a while.... not like that's ever been a problem!
Sunday was shaping up to be a work around the house day, but it turned out to be a spend a bunch of time at the building supply store and a little bit of time working around the house day instead. Well, at least we got lots of supplies to keep us busy for a while.... not like that's ever been a problem!
Friday, November 07, 2008
Shout Out
Wanted to give a shout out to our good friends Bert and Peggy Williams who are giving up their weekend to volunteer to help make the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. This of course, is a very large and successful fundraiser to help find a cure for Breast Cancer. Here is a link to his blog where he is posting pictures and updates of their weekend. I think the pic of the pink tents is very cool!
Vacation Day
Today I burned a vacation day. I have several left before the end of the year and its a use it or lose it proposition. So since I knew the weather would be awesome I decided to go for a ride. The temperature was supposedly 37 in Mckinney when I left but dressed appropraitely and was comfortable the entire day.
My route was 340 miles, I wanted to check out a couple of areas I've been researching, namely Winnsboro, TX, as they have an Autumn Trails festival to celebrate the fall color. There's not a tremendous amount of fall color in Texas so I didn't know what to expect. I decided to ride FM 852 from Winnsboro to Gilmer as I had read a couple of ride reports that said it was a very good East Texas ride.
The one frustration with the Autumn Trails festival that I experienced, is that its not well documented on the web and the trails were not laid out for general access. Since I had a relatively long day I stuck to my plan and did not stop in town to seek out the trails, although I did pass one marker to a road that did catch my eye.
FM 852 was a pleasant ride, I guess I was expecting a bit more, but in all it was good. The color unfortunatley is quite lacking in Texas this fall as we are in a bit of a drought. We have not had any significant rain in weeks, and even back home, in the land of fall color, we need wet weather in late summer and early fall to generate the vibrant colors. So I saw a lot of brown, mixed in with some yellows, some gold and a bit of red.
The squirrels to day must have had a deathwish however. I saw several crossing the road, however there was one unfortunate squirrel soul who attempted to navigate 4 lanes. He would have made it, however as squirrels do, he stopped midway, ran a couple of circles like he was doing some taunt or ritual dance, then proceeded to try to run between the wheels of an oncoming Camaro. Even though the wheels missed him it was a violent downdraft that he could not escape.
The rest of the ride was somewhat uneventful, but very pleasant. I stopped in the Paris HD dealership. I have been at or by several times but this is the first time I stopped in when they were open, it is a surprisingly large dealership and they had some very nice bikes in the shop.
The return from Paris was intended to be a bit of a pre-ride for our Nov 22 trip home. There are three points of interest on the way home I wanted to check out. The first is Bug Tussle, TX. I found it, and the former what I think may have been the post office, unfortunatley someone has stolen the sign, so that was quite a letdown.
Point 2 was the bridge over the Red River on Hwy 78. This was not intended to be a point of interest, merely a means to the next point but this turned into a true bonus. The next part of the ride was a bit boring, read, straight, flat road... then onto a county road that needed a bit of maintenance, then onto the crown jewel of the trip, Carpenter's Bluff Bridge.
I took a couple of shots and am anxious to get the group there for hopefully some shots crossing the bridge.
My route was 340 miles, I wanted to check out a couple of areas I've been researching, namely Winnsboro, TX, as they have an Autumn Trails festival to celebrate the fall color. There's not a tremendous amount of fall color in Texas so I didn't know what to expect. I decided to ride FM 852 from Winnsboro to Gilmer as I had read a couple of ride reports that said it was a very good East Texas ride.
The one frustration with the Autumn Trails festival that I experienced, is that its not well documented on the web and the trails were not laid out for general access. Since I had a relatively long day I stuck to my plan and did not stop in town to seek out the trails, although I did pass one marker to a road that did catch my eye.
FM 852 was a pleasant ride, I guess I was expecting a bit more, but in all it was good. The color unfortunatley is quite lacking in Texas this fall as we are in a bit of a drought. We have not had any significant rain in weeks, and even back home, in the land of fall color, we need wet weather in late summer and early fall to generate the vibrant colors. So I saw a lot of brown, mixed in with some yellows, some gold and a bit of red.
The squirrels to day must have had a deathwish however. I saw several crossing the road, however there was one unfortunate squirrel soul who attempted to navigate 4 lanes. He would have made it, however as squirrels do, he stopped midway, ran a couple of circles like he was doing some taunt or ritual dance, then proceeded to try to run between the wheels of an oncoming Camaro. Even though the wheels missed him it was a violent downdraft that he could not escape.
The rest of the ride was somewhat uneventful, but very pleasant. I stopped in the Paris HD dealership. I have been at or by several times but this is the first time I stopped in when they were open, it is a surprisingly large dealership and they had some very nice bikes in the shop.
The return from Paris was intended to be a bit of a pre-ride for our Nov 22 trip home. There are three points of interest on the way home I wanted to check out. The first is Bug Tussle, TX. I found it, and the former what I think may have been the post office, unfortunatley someone has stolen the sign, so that was quite a letdown.
Point 2 was the bridge over the Red River on Hwy 78. This was not intended to be a point of interest, merely a means to the next point but this turned into a true bonus. The next part of the ride was a bit boring, read, straight, flat road... then onto a county road that needed a bit of maintenance, then onto the crown jewel of the trip, Carpenter's Bluff Bridge.
I took a couple of shots and am anxious to get the group there for hopefully some shots crossing the bridge.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Teddy Bear Ride
The Teddy Bear Ride was Sunday and once again very successful. We had a lot of Eagles in attendance and you couldn't ask for better weather. One of the cool things about rides like this is the variety of bikes that partipate. And of course how some of the riders manage to strap on their teddy bears or toys!
Don't look so tough to me....
Apehangers?
Assorted Gas Tanks
They're not all cruisers and tourers.
Anyone hazard as guess as to what make of bike this is?
What its all about!
Don't look so tough to me....
Apehangers?
Assorted Gas Tanks
They're not all cruisers and tourers.
Anyone hazard as guess as to what make of bike this is?
What its all about!
Short visit home.
Not really but I watched a movie Saturday night that took be back home for a couple of hours... I watched the Trailer Park Boys. Not that the movie is particularly reminiscent of my home life, in fact not at all, but the fact that the movie, which is based on a popular TV show is filmed in Nova Scotia and the actors are based there, with the right accents and colloquialisms, well it took me home for a bit. Also some of the scenes were recognizable, particularly the parking meter scene on Portland Street in downtown Dartmouth, with the ferry crossing the harbor in the background. Also the scene on Argyle Street in Halifax.
Speaking of home, Dad's been having some procedures done that will take him out of commission for a bit. First his cataract surgery, which he had one eye done last week and was quite successful. But next is his ankle surgery which he is a bit more apprehensive about. He's not a young man anymore and I think that may have been part of what was troubling him, but all the tests indicate that he is quite healthy and will have no problem with the surgery so I think he's feeling a lot better about it. This Wednesday Nov 5. Good luck Dad, you'll be walking around the golf course next summer!
Also my sister Michelle just had a cornea transplant on Friday. As these things go, she had very short notice (Thursday) and from what I understand all went very well. Not sure of the full impact to her sight but she's had fairly significant issues with her eyes for years so hopefully this will end most if not all of that.
Speaking of home, Dad's been having some procedures done that will take him out of commission for a bit. First his cataract surgery, which he had one eye done last week and was quite successful. But next is his ankle surgery which he is a bit more apprehensive about. He's not a young man anymore and I think that may have been part of what was troubling him, but all the tests indicate that he is quite healthy and will have no problem with the surgery so I think he's feeling a lot better about it. This Wednesday Nov 5. Good luck Dad, you'll be walking around the golf course next summer!
Also my sister Michelle just had a cornea transplant on Friday. As these things go, she had very short notice (Thursday) and from what I understand all went very well. Not sure of the full impact to her sight but she's had fairly significant issues with her eyes for years so hopefully this will end most if not all of that.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
I'll Be Back.....
Another "holiday" is behind us. Halloween fell on a Friday and we had a lot of fun this year. We decorated probably more than we ever have and probably scared more little kids than we ever did. And I thought I had a good year last year!
The boys had a lot of fun and the little party they had went well.
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