Coveting

I am saving for a new mountain bike. I am still riding Ol' Blue. He has performed admirably, but is getting tired. At this point the amount of money it would take to get him in top shape again would be more than he is worth. So, I just keep riding him and hoping he doesn't brake and leave me ten miles from the truck. I find it helpful to save if I do some wishful shopping while waiting. My current number one pick is:

I am still a ways away from having the money for it so my pick may change as I do more research and test ride bikes. What I really want is a bike that is not made..........yet. You can be sure that as soon as I plunk down the money for a bike the bike I really want will go into mass production.

The bike I really want would have 650b tires (27.5") instead of 26" or 29", and would have a 2x10 drive train. With ten gears in the back you can get almost the same gear ratio as a 3x9, and I never use the small ring anyway. That is OK though. I will just be excited when I ride my bike and it doesn't sound like the frame is cracking every time I pedal, stand up, or hit a bump.

Service

I enjoy giving service. I especially enjoy it when I am doing it for a truly good cause. Say doing something for one of my close friends, someone else I like, or especially when it is something really needed by someone that truly cannot do for themselves. Like little old ladies, kids, or someone who has tried and just needs a little help. I have found that I also like things that benefit the community as a whole. Sometimes that can be helping a small group to make the community better, or maybe something that could truly be of use to everyone like libraries. I have decided that I am sick and tired of contrived service. By that I mean people that are to lazy to do things they are entirely capable of handling themselves. It seems there is always someone with their hand out asking for resources that could go to the needy if they would just get off their lazy butts. I won't mention any names because some of you know some of them. I've decided to look for ways to be of service that make me feel good about being able to help, and avoiding those opportunities that just leave me pissed off and complaining. I think I am done now. Has anyone seen my soapbox?

"The Guy"

You know who he is. We've all had to deal with him (sometimes him is a her). We are never sure how we ended up with him. We just did, and now we can't get rid of him. He weaves himself into our network of friends. No matter where we go, there he is. Usually showing up when least expected, and nobody knows who invited him. You know, The Guy. In my past experience dealing with people there is always one in every group. He monopolizes the conversation, exaggerates, is a know it all, won't pay his own way, is intolerant of other viewpoints, has BO, is horribly needy, and is usually a bad tipper. I said "there is always one in every group". I don't have a The Guy in my group. I've searched, but no sign of The Guy. When a group of us spent six hours in a truck going to J-Tree........nothing but fun. Even the two guys I met for the first time the morning we left were cool. No conflicts that I was aware of. I've met most of my friends through other friends. Every time I meet someone new I think "Ah, he's probably The Guy". He never is. Here's the problem. Since no one else is the guy it only stands to reason...........I must be The Guy.

Ten Mile Shape

I like to try to stay in at least 10 mile shape. Meaning that I like to be able to run at least 10 miles on any given day. I feel like if I can run that far anytime that if I get invited to do something even though I may not be in the best shape of the group, I won't be in the worst either. I generally keep that kind of fitness up with just my regular routine with two exceptions. December and Summer. In December we are just so busy at work that I have to choose sleep or a run. Normally I would pick the run, but around Christmas I am just to beat. I have no will power. By the end of the Christmas rush this year I was still in 10 mile shape even though I only got to run five times the whole month. The other challenging time is summer. I try to get my runs in, but it is hot here. I try scheduling them later in the day after it has cooled off a little, but something always seems to get in the way. Usually it's the couch. I was talking to someone the other day about doing a Grand Canyon trip and he said that I could leave him out if he didn't have time to get in shape first. So here is your warning (all of you). We (me and probably other people you know too) have big plans for the future, and we want you to come along. Start working today to find your own Ten Mile Shape.

Guilt

The other day I was filling my chalk bags (yes I have two, one for my outside harness, and one for my gym harness, I found one of the chalk bags at a climbing are and no one claimed it) when I started thinking. I spend more on chalk in a year than some people can afford on ........... say .............shoes. I think it may have something to do with watching The Blind Side. I'm not a big movie buff. In fact a movie has to be very good for me to like it. I really am not a big ball sport movie fan, but I thought that The Blind Side was well done. It made a big kid with one pair of shorts and two t-shirts who had to scrounge left over popcorn from a volleyball game for dinner seem like a real person. Then last week we went to a graduation party where I saw a dog that is not being fed. She is really skinny and sad looking. I called Animal Control and am going to give them the opportunity to fix the situation. I keep calling them daily to make sure they do something. When I climbed with Kent a few weeks ago he told me about a couple of ideas he has for ways to help people who are truly in need. I have been coming up with my own idea. I think it will be something like the BB&S 5K, but on a more consistent basis. Stay tuned for more information. As for the dog. If something isn't done soon I am going to go take her, bring her home, and fatten her up a little.