Big Dorky White Guy...

Ride leader needed most likely Jan 8 & 15

2012-01-07T07:35:00.003-07:00

I have quite the full weekend of work activity, including an OS upgrade that starts at 9 PM tonight. So the chances of me making it to the ride Sunday is slim to none.

And NEXT weekend is right out- another system upgrade (the very last!) is scheduled then.

I was just looking at my calendar, and the last time I was there on Sunday was November 20. That's depressing. So anyway, enjoy the beautiful weather, and perhaps on the 22nd I'll be able to make it.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-29T08:45:00.002-07:00

So the January schedule is posted over there on the left. Again 2012 is promising to be a difficult year for me to get to the Sunday rides- currently I have maintenance planned at work for 1/8 and 1/15, and this Sunday the 1st may be difficult to get to if New Years Eve turns into a late night thing. It shouldn't, but on the other hand my wife likes to stay at a party until the last dog is hung.

So here's hoping I make it this Sunday. The weather looks to be fantastic this weekend.

Gonna be a chilly one...

2011-12-03T16:01:00.002-07:00

Just realized I haven't put up a post in over a month. Well, at least I got the schedule posted this week. Back from Nebraska, where Thanksgiving day saw 71 degrees for a high. However, on the way to the airport, we drove through the Big Papio Creek valley where we saw 13 on the car thermometer thingamajig.

Tomorrow looks a little chilly, down to 42 tonight. I should be there for the ride to the Eye Opener (but I am oncall, so there can always be an emergency). Next week on the 11th I won't be able to make it to the ride, but the 18th I should be there.

BTW, click on the Dec. 25th link to get to Department of Defense website in charge of keeping track of Santa's worldwide movements come Christmas.

Last but not the least, here's a strange video for an old Lou Reed song "Perfect Day".

November schedule posted

2011-11-01T20:13:00.002-07:00

New schedule is up. Sorry I missed Sunday with no notice, but our work Intertubes became seriously plugged up. Like someone tried to shove chicken bones and bacon grease down the drain. And I just happened to be on call for the weekend. Joy.

So I had to shut down servers before they took the whole network down on Sunday morning, and wait for the network boys to finish their maintenance. Everything ended up fairy-tale style, they all lived happily ever after, yada yada yada.

I will be there this Sunday, though its looking like a chilly one. But the rest of November you've got to find another leader. I have two weekends of work on the 13th and 20th, and then its off to Nebraska for Thanksgiving (how the hell did it get to be November already?).

Will he or won't he?

2011-10-22T10:30:00.004-07:00

I have the annual Corporate party to attend tonight, so depending on how late that goes will decide if I am showing up Sunday to lead.

Destination is Mimi's Metrocenter, so one of you might want to take a look at Mapquest or the Maricopa County bike route map for a possible route if I end up dancing the night away.

I don't think my Focus will do this...

2011-10-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

Damn!

Mother did it need to be so... high

2011-10-02T12:12:00.003-07:00

Friday night wound up "Why Pink Floyd?" week on Jimmy Fallon, with an outstanding performance of "Mother" by Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam. Enjoy...

So ya, thought ya, might like to, go to the show...

2011-09-28T06:20:00.003-07:00

Last night, Roger Waters and the Foo Fighters appeared on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and performed "In The Flesh" together.

Here it is, at least until Hulu takes it down in a couple weeks.

Random thoughts

2011-09-27T05:57:00.009-07:00

New schedule posted for October, note that the start time has moved to 7:30 AM. Yes, you can get that extra hour of sleep now.

I am hoping to make it on the ride this Sunday. I have a work project to get done, but I think I can do it after the ride.

And, here's a smattering of pictures from last weeks Mickelson Trail Trek. That's a troll that was raising funds to repair the worst trestle just south of Hill City. I'm the one on the right. Just click on each photo to see it full size.

Ride leader needed 9/18

2011-09-11T19:52:00.002-07:00

Gary says he should be able to lead the way to Mel's Diner on 9/18 in my absence. Where will I be you ask? On the annual Mickelson Trail Trek in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Oooooh I cannot wait to get to the cool pines.

I'll be back for the trip to 5 & Diner on 9/25. See ya then, and watch this space for photos from SD.

September schedule posted

2011-08-30T05:42:00.004-07:00

We're still starting at 6:30, but summer is almost over thankfully, and in October we change back to 7:30.

See you all on Sunday...

The future is now...

2011-08-15T05:41:00.004-07:00

Dennis brought by his new Nissan Leaf to breakfast Sunday morning, and offered up rides to us sweaty cyclists. Interesting how Nissan made the electric powerplant look like a regular gasoline engine.

The other surprise of the day was Rogerio and Jen joining us for the first time in quite awhile, putting some miles in before the annual ABC Grand Canyon trip next weekend.

This just in...

2011-08-04T05:54:00.003-07:00

It's been brought to my attention that the famous ride of Paul Revere back in 1775 truly was intended to warn the British by ringing those bells that they weren't going to take away our guns. Apparently all those history books and teachers have been wrong for quite some time.

I am truly sorry for misleading any readers of this blog.

Leader needed this Sunday 7/31

2011-07-28T06:11:00.003-07:00

I won't be able to make it this Sunday, so I think Gary is planning on being there. I've asked him to take you all up the Dreamy Draw twice.

Saw this one on the Intertubes this morning. It gave me a chuckle...

July Schedule posted

2011-06-27T06:07:00.002-07:00

Five Sundays in July, plus the holiday ride on the 4th. I think I might be able to make it most Sundays this month, as far as I know at this time. Yesterday's adventures in high-availability testing went relatively well, but was a very long day.

Oh, and a note to Mike and Sylvia- find us a breakfast place like this:

I don't do politics here...

2011-06-03T19:28:00.003-07:00

But can we all agree that this is like one of the Top Ten dumbest celebutards in America today?

They're nuts down in Chile, I guess...

2011-05-30T05:07:00.001-07:00

Just watch- hat tip to Deb.

Free at last...

2011-05-24T05:59:00.002-07:00

The high-availability project at work that has consumed just about every Sunday this year has finally been completed (more or less). We do have some more Sunday tests scheduled this summer, but it looks like I might actually start making it to the Sunday rides for the next couple weeks.

Don't forget the Memorial Day ride on Monday as well.

Finally, here's a little Jackie Chan trick riding (hat tip to Gary)...

Honey Badger don't care...

2011-04-28T22:18:00.002-07:00

This is the latest thing on the Intertubes. It's definitely not safe for work. A couple of the seven words you can't use on television are used. But it's certified 120% funny. Double your money back if not delighted...

May schedule posted

2011-04-27T05:51:00.003-07:00

Destinations for May are posted over there on the left. And the way it looks at this point, I may not be able ride until the end of May on Memorial weekend.

The last time I joined you guys for breakfast I believe it was February.

Retirement can't come too soon...

New link for Maricopa county bike map

2011-04-02T10:47:00.003-07:00

A woman at work just bought a new Trek hybrid bike, so I gave her the link to the Maricopa county bike map.

Well, that's when I discovered my link was dead. MAG moved it on me.

I spend an hour hunting around the MAG website to find the damned thing again. So the link to the left actually works again. I've noticed that according to Sitemeter, people searching for that map are the largest segment of users hitting this site.

Remember, I won't be joining you tomorrow (April 3). Nor the rest of the month. And I know that May 1 is out as well. I do know that I will be able to make it on Mothers Day, as that's a day no maintenance is planned.

Lots of news for April

2011-03-29T23:14:00.002-07:00

First thing, remember that the start time switches to summer hours this weekend- the ride leaves promptly at 6:30 AM now. Say goodbye to that extra hour of sleep!

Secondly, I am doubtful that I can make ANY Sunday this month. Work projects on April 3 and 10, company picnic on the 17th (my car is registered for the employee car show), and I'll be in Omaha visiting family on the 24th.

You guys may want to hold an election, or have some sort of arm-wrestling tournament to decide if you want to take up a regular Pacer 3 leader who shows up more often than me. It really really sucks to not be able to get there, but we've got an aggressive schedule of maintenance and disaster recovery testing this spring.

I'll leave you with this video, courtesy of Gary. "La cumbia de la Bicicleta". Enjoy.

Leader needed rest of March

2011-03-17T05:57:00.002-07:00

Sunday the 20th I've got to work (yet again), and then on the 27th I'll be in Florence doing the MS ride. So somebody needs to take a look at a map and figure out a route both days.

Remember these are the last two weeks of late 7:30 starts. Come April 3rd, the start time moves up to 6:30.

See you the 3rd, I hope...

Ride leader needed 2/27

2011-02-24T16:48:00.003-07:00

If it's Sunday, I must be working. Yet again.

It might be a moot point, as the weather forecast shows rain- or at least some of the forecasts do. In any case, I won't be there this Sunday.

Nor will I be there March 6. Work again. Joy.

"I, for one, welcome our new computer overlords"

2011-02-20T17:16:00.003-07:00

Yes, Watson emerged victorious this week. So remember to consider IBM for all your supercomputing needs.

Sorry I missed this mornings ride, but the weather radar didn't look too promising, as you all found out on the way back from First Watch. I've had a cold all week, so riding in the rain was not something I wanted to take a chance on.

See you next week hopefully...

The Smartest Computer Ever

2011-02-13T09:48:00.002-07:00

Phone the neighbors, wake the kids! Four years of research at IBM culminates with Watson (an IBM Power 7 system) taking on two "Jeopordy!" champions Ken Jennings and Brad Ritter for the ultimate game show challenge.

The fun starts tomorrow (February 14) and continues through Wednesday.

Last week, Nova presented an hour-long background piece on how this all got started in the IBM labs, and how they got the "Jeopordy!" producers to go along.

Myself, having a couple of Power 7 systems here at work running IBM i/OS, am rooting for Watson...

This Sunday 2/13

2011-02-10T05:58:00.003-07:00

Yet again, I have a work thing this Sunday. So y'all have to find a leader to get you to the IHOP in Tempe this week.

And as long as you're here, take a look over to the left at the "Bike MS" link and give it a click. I'd appreciate any donations to the cause.

And starting today, I will match dollar-for-dollar ALL contributions made in the next week, up to $150.

Thanks a bunch, see you on Feb. 20th.

This Sunday 1/30

2011-01-25T19:22:00.002-07:00

Just want to let you all know that our destination this Sunday (Aunt Chilada's at The Point) is opening early for us, but not THAT early. We are to arrive after 9:00 AM.

So expect a longer ride, perhaps 18-20 miles, on our way there.

I'll leave you with this movie trailer I saw today on the YouTubes. Enjoy.

Ride leader needed 1/16

2011-01-12T06:11:00.002-07:00

Yet again another work thing this Sunday, probably all damn day. Joy. So, I can't lead the way to Mel's Diner.

One thing I want to remind you, is that Sunday is also the P.F.Chang's Rock 'n Roll Marathon, so care will have to be taken in choosing a route that avoids that mess.

I should be back on the 23rd.

Ride leader needed 12/5

2010-12-01T14:42:00.002-07:00

You guessed it, another working Sunday, so I will not be available to lead.

Click on the restaurant link over there on the left, and it will have a map of the area you'll be going. I'd suggest riding up the Dreamy Draw, but I can almost hear your groans from here.

There's a good chance I'll miss Sunday the 12th as well. Same reason. Watch this space, I'll let you know.

Leader needed Sunday 11/20

2010-11-20T16:25:00.003-07:00

Another project that will have me at work on a Sunday. Joy. So you're on your own tomorrow, that is if you ride at all.

Also, destination will NOT be Aunt Chilada's, as the threat of rain will produce fewer potential riders. Since they would be opening early for us, they were hesitant to do that tomorrow.

Instead, the destination is Wildflower Bread Company, 4920 E. Indian School Rd. Aunt Chilada's will be rescheduled for January.

I should be able to make the holiday ride, for those of you staying in town. Those of you travelling, enjoy your TSA grope.

The Internal Revenue Service called me yesterday...

2010-11-03T08:18:00.003-07:00

and left a phone message to call them back. Joy. Doesn't exactly make for a restful night of sleep.

However, I just called them, and it is (yet again) another case of mistaken identity. There is a deadbeat in Fountain Hills with my name that owes Bank of America a boatload of money, and periodically I get calls from them and collections agents looking for him. Now he has the IRS hunting him down.

It might be time to unlist my phone number I guess...

So ya, thought ya, might like to..... go to the show

2010-10-31T14:31:00.003-07:00

Sitting here at gate E8 at Lambert Field St. Louis, waiting to get on Southwest's Screaming Baby Express non-stop back to Phoenix after the Roger Waters performance of "The Wall" here this weekend.

Just posted the November ride schedule over there on the left. Looks like a new destination for the first weekend.

Just uploaded my pictures from the weekend, and a couple of shots from the show didn't come out too bad. Click on each photo to view full-size.

Anyway, see you this Sunday I hope.

Might not make it this Sunday...

2010-10-01T05:51:00.002-07:00

I've got a work thing Saturday night that if it possibly goes longer than I expect, I will be in no shape to lead the group this Sunday to the Deer Valley Airport.

Hopefully I can make it.

Maybe I'll show up riding one of these- the flamethrower might come in handy...

October schedule posted

2010-09-27T06:06:00.002-07:00

Note that the start time changes this week to winter hours, starting at 7:30 AM for the next six months.

Winter hours. HA! If only. I am so done with this heat crap. And what's it going to be today? 106?

Well, this made me feel a little bit better this morning. After all, what's better than a drug-induced post-dentist stupor? How about TWO post-dentist reactions?

Greetings from South Dakota

2010-09-18T14:47:00.004-07:00

This morning it was 36 degrees and misting when we left Custer for the ride to Rochford. That would be about 70 degrees cooler than Phoenix was today.

The fire pit (and the coffee, and the cookies and brownies) were a welcome relief when we got to Mystic.

And of course, the Crazy Horse memorial. Click on each picture to see a full-size version.

See ya all next Sunday...

Need a leader Sept. 19

2010-09-12T21:23:00.002-07:00

My annual trip to South Dakota for the 13th annual Mickson Trail Trek is this coming weekend, so you are leaderless for this coming Sunday the 19th.

There's not a lot of choices for getting to the IHOP on Baseline, usually I pick 24th St. So somebody needs to look at a bike route map and plan out a route.

I'll try to post some pictures from the road, as long as the hotel still has wireless access.

Weird stuff going on in the Midwest

2010-08-27T05:43:00.003-07:00

I'm going to have to ask my nephew Chris in Iowa just what the hell is going on...

Smells like Rockin' Robin

2010-08-14T12:39:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow it's Mimi's Metrocenter, and the weather looks fine for the morning.

I have nothing else to add on this miserably hot summer afternoon, so I'll leave you with one of the most bizarre mash-ups I've ever seen.

The Jackson 5 and Nirvana? Oh my...

Cue the black helicopters...

2010-08-10T11:12:00.003-07:00

So now I read that by bicycling to work almost daily, I am an unwitting dupe in the international conspiracy to rein in all of America under the auspices of the United Nations.

Wow.

Justice in Brooklyn

2010-08-07T09:27:00.006-07:00

Tomorrow it's Wildflower Bread Company at 4290 E. Indian School. Hopefully it won't be raining like this morning (missed another Moon Valley ride).

If you have 10 minutes, check out this post from someone in NYC with a tale to tell about a stolen bicycle, but with a happy ending. See you tomorrow...

The Monsoon finally arrives...

2010-07-31T13:25:00.003-07:00

Got up this morning to go ride with Moon Valley, and at 4:30 the rain was coming down steady.

Obviously, bed suck took hold at that point.

Provided the weatherman cooperates, we're going to a new place (new to me anyway). If you want to get an idea where it's at, click the link: The Good Egg, 6149 N. Scottsdale Rd.

Close call compilation

2010-07-26T05:47:00.002-07:00

Will be posting the August schedule as soon as I get it, but in the meantime enjoy this Intertube video...

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

The Flintstones were right...

2010-07-17T12:16:00.003-07:00

The Wöhr Automatik Parksysteme

2010-07-13T19:00:00.003-07:00

A parking garage in Budapest, using the Wöhr Multiparker 730 system. Jeez, parking must be scarce and expensive there to install something like this.

Need a leader this Sunday...

2010-07-07T14:35:00.002-07:00

Looks like I have to be to work this Sunday (July 11) at 7 AM, so I won't be able to make it for the ride to NY Bagels & Bialys.

Here's a link to a Google Map of the restaurant area (on the west side of Scottsdale Rd, just south of Shea and north of Gold Dust), so if you feel like trying to lead the group (or just don't want to end up lost), print yourself a copy and bring it with you Sunday.

See you on the 18th.

July schedule posted...

2010-07-01T14:57:00.002-07:00

Over there on the left is the schedule for July. It's Randy's on the Fourth of July, be sure to bring cash as they don't do credit cards. Also, check your tires BEFORE Sunday morning, as there were a number of goathead-flattened tires on Saturday and Sunday rides last week.

See ya Sunday!

Cycling in China

2010-06-28T06:02:00.004-07:00

Hat tip to Gary for this one...

Fun with charts and graphs

2010-06-17T05:40:00.003-07:00

Report from the front

2010-06-05T13:59:00.002-07:00

Drunken Styles sent me a note to check this out on youtube- his friend Manny was filming during last Friday's Critical Mass event in Hollywood, and it looks like some of the Hollywood police got a little out of control.

He says it's a blistering 82 in L.A., and asked how hot it was here (bastid!). He said to tell everyone he said hi...

Buy a lottery ticket, pal...

2010-05-31T17:45:00.001-07:00

If more businesses operated like Goldman Sachs...

2010-05-05T06:03:00.001-07:00

A short film from Boeing

2010-04-26T20:07:00.002-07:00

May schedule posted over there on the left. I should be there this Sunday, the ASR upgrade went perfectly (although the week of oncall nearly killed me from lack of sleep).

Here's a nice little time-lapse video of how Boeing makes those flying-death-tubes they sell to Southwest Airlines that we all love clambering into in order to fly about these United States...

Hello I must be going...

2010-04-21T18:42:00.002-07:00

Be aware that I can't lead the ride this Sunday the 25th, I have a work thing (upgrading our JDA E3 Automated Store Replenishment software, if you must know).

And I believe that Gary's busy with the student cyclists, going to the Great Bike Chase downtown.

So, y'all have to figure it out yourselves. Or perhaps do the Ride For The Children event that starts at Horizon High School at 56th St. and Greenway.

Or hell, just sleep in...

Back to the salt mine

2010-04-19T06:01:00.007-07:00

Vacation officially ends today, it's time to get back to work after a week off sunning in Cabo. Spent yesterday afternoon at Scottsdale Airport taking a look at the Collings Foundation B17G and B24J up close.

The pilot of the B24 had a family emergency, so it didn't leave the ramp. But the B17 took off about 5:40 PM for a joy ride around the valley.

Today they both head off to Deer Valley airport, so if head on over and take a look. A thirty minute ride will cost you about $400 I believe.

Click on each picture to view full-size...

Destinations posted for April

2010-04-06T20:27:00.002-07:00

I won't be leading this Sunday to The Good Egg, as I'll be somewhere in the Pacific Ocean on the Carnival Elation, probably poolside, enjoying many drinks with little umbrellas in them. And any time anyone says that four-letter word "work", I'll be ordering up another.

Here's a great example of why professional sports players shouldn't go into broadcasting...

Stand By Me

2010-04-02T13:49:00.002-07:00

It's almost Easter, the best chocolate holiday there is, in my humble opinion. If you've wandered into this corner of the Intertubes to find out where we're going this Sunday, well you're going to be disappointed. I've heard nothing.

If we don't have a destination, I'll find some kind of route to wander around town, and find somewhere that might take at least our group. Might be an "Every Group For Themselves" kind of deal.

For your entertainment, I've rounded up some Muppets to entertain you. Enjoy...

I See The Rain Again...

2010-02-28T17:11:00.002-07:00

Mr. Blue Sky took Sunday off again, that's two weeks in a row I've slept in. Perhaps next week it'll be nice. Don't have the destinations yet, but they'll be posted when I get them. I can tell you I will gone at least twice in March... the 14th (work, production systems get i5/OS V6R1) and the 28th (MS Roundup Ride, Florence).

In the meantime, enjoy an weather-appropriate pop song from the summer of love, that was reportedly one of Jimi Hendrix's favorites.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-14T19:53:00.002-07:00

I present the YouTube Cover Video from Hell volume 1. I give you.... Florence Henderson. The Muppets. And The Turtles "So Happy Together".

Don't say I didn't warn you.

New February schedule posted...

2010-02-02T18:45:00.002-07:00

over there on the left, the usual place. And while you're looking over there, go ahead and click on the BikeMS link and make a donation. I'm sure you'd pay to see me haul my lard butt around Southern Arizona for 150 miles.

Ride leader needed

2010-01-12T22:44:00.002-07:00

I won't be available to lead this Sunday (Jan. 17), as I'll be in South Dakota. Boy, what a crappy travel agent I have.

So, fight it out amongst yourselves, and see you on the 24th.

These five-day work weeks suck...

2010-01-07T18:25:00.002-07:00

Isn't it time for another holiday? I think so. No wonder there's a lot of suicides in January. Up to your hoo-ha in snow, freezing cold, and then those three-day weekends you just got used to at the end of December stop coming around. Not to mention the Visa bill shows up detailing the holiday excesses.

Here's a video from two goofballs from Minnesota, calling themselves Minnesotans for Global Warming. Enjoy (hat tip to Nyle)

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T14:07:00.003-07:00

Hope you're all enjoying National Hangover Day. No, I have no idea where we're going Sunday, I will post the destination if and when I get it.

See ya Sunday...

This Sunday 12/6

2009-12-02T11:21:00.002-07:00

Looks like I have to bail on you guys yet again. The third major downtime scheduled for our network core upgrade starts at 9 AM Sunday, and guess who has to be at work to help? Yep, that would be me.

So I cannot lead the ride to The Good Egg on Sunday. Sorry about the short notice, I thought someone else would be able to do this one, but there are some network interfaces that need to be reconfigured it seems. Oh well, see you all next Sunday I hope...

More stuff from the Intertubes

2009-11-25T19:24:00.005-07:00

From Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, it's Fallon as Neil Young, singing the theme song to Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It's teh funny.

Thanksgiving Day Ride

2009-11-25T05:58:00.002-07:00

So for as long as I can remember, we've been going to the Village Inn in Scottsdale on Indian School every Thanksgiving morning. Not any more, it's gone.

Tomorrow it's Scramble at 7th St. and Mountain View. Have a look at the menu, and perhaps it will be warm enough to eat outside? I'd love to rub that in when I phone my family in the frozen northland when I get home...

Ooops, forgot to mention I will not be able to lead the ride this Sunday (11/29). I hate missing a new place (Luci's), but there is a wedding Saturday night, and I forecast a 100% chance of hangover Sunday morning.

The Fun Theory

2009-11-19T05:39:00.002-07:00

Getting the people of Stockholm to walk the stairs rather than riding the escalator (hat tip to Gary). See ya Sunday.

You got to shake it baby, you got to shake it baby, you got to shake it....

2009-11-09T20:47:00.002-07:00

This song has been going through my mind and my iPod ever since the Steely Dan show down at the Dodge Theatre two weeks ago.

I may or may not be leading the ride this Sunday to US Egg on Greenway, as there is a party in Buckeye Saturday night that might render seeing sunrise Sunday an impossibility. See ya if I see ya.

And remember, babylon sisters shake it...

Need a leader this Sunday...

2009-10-26T16:33:00.002-07:00

We've got a big core network change going on at work that I THOUGHT was going to be Sunday Nov. 8. It's now been pushed up to this Sunday, Nov. 1 at 9 AM.

That means I cannot lead the ride this weekend to wherever it is we're going. I promise to get the schedule posted as soon as I get it.

See you on the 8th...

It's all about performance

2009-10-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hat tip to Gary...

Sign of the times...

2009-10-14T21:22:00.003-07:00

Ride leader needed Sunday

2009-10-08T09:50:00.002-07:00

Another Sunday project at work will prevent me from riding this Sunday, so someone else is going to need to step up to lead. Destination is New York Bagels 'n Bialys, at 10320 N. Scottsdale Rd. (basically Gold Dust and Scottsdale Rd).

See you next Sunday for First Watch downtown.

Reminder, it's 7:30 AM now...

2009-10-01T09:23:00.003-07:00

Start time for the Sunday rides is now 7:30 AM, now that fall is finally here. Since Aunt Chilada's is so close to the park, and does not open until 9, we'll go on some sort of extended loop this Sunday. If you have a route suggestion, send me an email.

See ya Sunday...

Mickelson Trail Trek - Part three

2009-09-22T18:54:00.002-07:00

Here's a couple pics from Sunday. My niece slid out coming around a sharp corner at the Kirk trailhead outside of Lead, that's her shin bleeding there.

On the way home, after going thru the Eisenhower tunnel, it started snowing pretty good all the way down thru Vail, and at times the slush was starting to pile up maybe an inch thick... glad I bought new tires before the trip.

Back to work tomorrow, see you on Sunday for the ride up to Deer Valley, which will be the very LAST 6:30 AM start for the year. See you there...

Mickelson Trail Trek - Part two

2009-09-19T20:46:00.002-07:00

Here's some more pics from Saturday... there was a lot of cows on the trail today, some of the farmers in the area must have been watching the Husker game I guess.

Mooooooove over!

Mickelson Trail Trek - Part one

2009-09-19T20:38:00.003-07:00

Hey folks, I'm sitting in the hotel room Saturday night, putting up some pics from the weekend so far. The group is Greg from Sioux Falls, my brother Ed and his daughter Megan, and Grant from Winona MN. The weather has been fantastic, the gin is cold and tasty. Hope you all have a good ride Sunday, mine looks to be fantastic riding up to Dumont and coasting down to Deadwood.

Truth In Advertising

2009-09-11T06:00:00.003-07:00

September schedule posted

2009-09-01T13:53:00.003-07:00

Look to the left and you'll see the September schedule. Things to remember:

There is a holiday ride as usual on Labor Day.

September is the last month of 6:30 AM starts. In October we revert to winter hours, starting at 7:30 AM.

I will be on my annual ride in South Dakota on Sept. 20, so someone else will need to lead that day.

See you Sunday...

Missing Bike

2009-08-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

I want to meet the kid who put these posters up...

Midnight and the kitties are sleeping...

2009-08-19T05:56:00.003-07:00

The Michigan Humane Society has come up with an interesting advertising campaign to deal with the exploding cat population in their animal shelters. Check out their Certified Pre-Owned Cats program.

My question is: Do they give you a loaner when you have to take your cat into the shop for service?

I loves the YouTube

2009-08-08T08:01:00.002-07:00

So on YouTube, there's a series of classic rock videos (you know, like MTV used to play?) with new lyrics to... oh hell, just watch this one.

Substitute leader needed Sunday 6/21

2009-06-17T13:55:00.005-07:00

I won't be available to ride this Sunday 6/21, as I am forecasting an 90% chance of moderate-to-severe hangover. The ride is to Paradise Bakery in Scottsdale. Here's a link to a map of where you're going- have fun and I'll see you again on the 28th!

I loves the lolcats...

2009-06-14T16:53:00.001-07:00

Bonus ride this Friday - May 22

2009-05-20T16:00:00.002-07:00

I'm working 2nd shift on Friday, so I have a rare weekday morning free. A few of us are meeting at Granada at 6:30 AM, so if you are also free of encumberances, come join us. We'll be stopping somewhere for a nosh, probably somewhere we don't usually go to on Sundays.

See you there if you can make it...

Cat yodeling

2009-05-18T19:41:00.002-07:00

Yes, you heard me. Now and forever...

Memorial Day already???

2009-05-14T05:53:00.002-07:00

Note that I've added the Memorial Day ride to the schedule on the left. See you Sunday...

I'm back....

2009-04-30T16:48:00.001-07:00

Just posted the May ride schedule. Believe it or not, I should be leading this Sunday! I am oncall, and I do have to work Sunday, but not until the afternoon.

See ya bright and early...

MS Roundup Ride - More Pics

2009-04-10T09:00:00.002-07:00

Here's some more pictures from the ride two weeks ago, just in case the family back home dials up the internets at Mom's house this weekend. Click on each photo to see full-size.

Still planning on the Sunday ride, remember it's 6:30 AM now, summer hours. See you there...

MS Roundup Ride - Florence

2009-03-31T20:16:00.005-07:00

I managed to do the century on Saturday in 8 hours flat. I know I spent at least an hour and a half at all the rest stops, so I was pretty pleased. There was some tailwind sometimes, but mostly it was finding people to join in on a couple pacelines moving 19-21 mph. A lot of fun. Sunday I hung in for the 50 mile ride, but boy is my butt complaining about it still.

Here's some pics from the weekend. Click on each image to see it full-size. Note to Jim, Fed-Ex had a team here, why weren't you???

I won't be at Granada again this Sunday. Another work project, adding some 574F 1.5GB auxilliary-write cache cards to our disk arrays. Again, means nothing to anyone but Pat and Chris. Geeks....

The only Sunday in April I can show up is on Easter (4/12). The two Sundays after that we'll be cruising the Mexican Riviera. I will have destinations posted as soon as they come in.

teh funnie

2009-03-06T05:54:00.004-07:00

So this is your official notice that I will not be leading the ride to First Watch this Sunday- this is upgrade weekend for the three main production iSeries systems. Wish me luck.

I'll leave you with a segment from Wednesdays "The Daily Show"...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

If only Citibank had gone with this business model

2009-02-26T18:16:00.001-07:00

New destination

2009-02-23T06:17:00.002-07:00

Next Sunday, March 1, Josephine has found a new place to try. Hob Nob's Coffee House at 149 W. McDowell. Here's what she had to say...

"I went by there today. I think the reasonably priced menu is great for us - waffles, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, bagels with peanut butter or lox, quiche. Outside seating available too."

Other destinations for March will follow later in week.

Not sure if I'll be able to show up for this one though, I have system upgrades going on at work, and it's possible I'll have to pull an all-nighter Saturday night. If I show up Sunday morning, I'll be loopy on too much coffee, that's for sure...

Did You Know?

2009-02-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

First Watch - Downtown

2009-02-01T14:25:00.005-07:00

Finally the First Watch at 1st and Washington has resumed their Sunday hours, after being closed Sundays for what, almost two years during light rail construction? I think that's what it's been.

Here's some pics. First up is Dennis and Tony looking at the camera. Then there's Gary unlocking our bikes after stuffing ourselves, and lastly that's the new guy Anson, with Dennis again on the right.

...we always lose to Sweden in hockey and Eurovision...

2009-01-13T20:49:00.001-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Helsinki Complaints Choir.

Finally a new post...

2009-01-04T14:40:00.005-07:00

If anyone showed up this morning for the ride, color me surprised. I looked outside about 4 AM, saw it was raining, and shut off my alarm clock so I could sleep in.

Sorry about the lack of posts, been busy as of late, what with Christmas and New Years, and winding up things at my old job. Yes, I resigned my old position, and will be starting a new job tomorrow.

If you have my old work email address, lose it. Also, many of you have my cell phone number for emergency purposes on Sunday rides. Lose that too, that phone belonged to the old company. Come next Sunday, I'll let you know my new cell number (one of the perks of the Information Technology business is that the job provides you a cell phone so they can track your ass down 24/7. The twenty-first-century version of indentured servitude).

Here's a few pics from working the bike security detail at the Fiesta Bowl parade yesterday. That's Richard Moeur in the yellow vest, our fearless leader. And Gary and Rogerio enjoying the sunny Arizona day. Rounding them out are photos of the OSU and UT marching bands, and the Budweiser Beer wagon.

Seasons Greetings, everyone!

2008-12-22T17:27:00.001-07:00

Dec 7 - Mimi's Metrocenter

2008-12-13T10:31:00.002-07:00

Looks like tomorrow there's a big winter storm set to decend on the Valley. Hopefully the rain will wait until after morning, but chances are we'll get to sleep in.

Here's a pic from last Sunday from in front of Mimi's.

I'll leave you with the funniest thing from TV this past week- a special appearance of Darryl Hall and John Oates on The Daily Show.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Hall & Oates Pay Tribute to Alan Colmes

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

Stack The Memory - Sniper Twins

2008-12-05T21:21:00.002-07:00

Yeah, this is exactly what my work day is like...

Hat tip to Dean for the link.

Roomba Cat

2008-11-21T05:59:00.004-07:00