giving in to temptation

I had to go to Alberston's and get some soda. while there, I bought some malted milk eggs! oh well.
I'm still Mr Bawer's book. as usual, it's very thought provoking. I was wondering how he was going to handle Islamic extremism after reading his book on Christian "fundamentalist's", but so far so good..
No Java ME class. I think it;s dead.
Have not heard from the Pasadena PD. I do not e-mail class and let them know about whet to do for next week.

writers block setting in

Well, for once. I don't have anything to write about!
Actually, I lied. I went to to library and checked out two books:While Europe Slept by Bruce Bawer, which is about the European reaction to Islamic fundamentalism, and Lorna Doone. Mind blowing combo, I'm sure. I wound with Lorna Doone, because I was much on a 100 calorie pack of LD cookies, and happened upon a the wikipedia entry, so I had to check out the book to see if I like it.
work was actually quiet today.

100 calorie packs

I've been bring 100 calorie pack to work to help me lose wight, Seems to do the trick, but here lately, I've been visiting ye olde vending machine. Need to work on that.
We had our Java class tonight. Did more of a lab session than anything. The only problems is that we leave after the library staff. Normally the door self locks, but today it didn't, so we had to call the police to make it was secure.

On becoming an episcoplian...

Well, I'm actually starting confirmation classes. we had this afternoon, Very good, and it reminded me why I made the decision in the first place. If course this did put a dent in the bike riding. I started out going to Baldy Village the hard way. I made to the tunnels before I decided I wasn't going to have time. This may have been a good thing, as it was very windy.
One of the things I found interesting was the class was held at Panera Bread. Panera started as Saint Louis Bread. As a Former resident of the Gateway city, i liked that little co-incidence. Will I go back? never say never.....
I finally e-mailed out my examples for the Java Class, yes I know, I'm a bad teacher. And I didn't get a chance to talk to the folks at the Pasadena library to see what happened. I also meant to set up another Linux Chix meeting, but that did not get done.

Climbs, the invisble man, and the wind

Toady was the second edition of "the Grind' ride. The only problems was that the leader for the long ride did not show. Or maybe he wore his invisibility suit and rode his invisible bike. Most of the those folk were fine going solo, so I bid them adieu ,and led my charges out on the short ride. Everyone had a good time, except for the guy how decided to make a short cut. I wound doing some doubling back to look for him. After the ride, I decided to ride up to the Lytle Creek firing Range. The only problem was that I hit some ferocious headwind when I got to the 15 Freeway. I decided to press on. I made to the Valero at the 15 and summit, where I took my tights. I rode up into the canyon, with no let up in the wind, except for a brief section past the ranger station where the canyon makes an s -bend. I finally decided to turn around at the Fire station, about 5 miles and 1000 feet shy of my goal. I think I had enough intensity battling the wind. Going down was equally as intense, as I was going over 50mph at times. Stopped by Henry's and got my usual Fair Trade coffee, and got a new Michelin tire from REI, which was made in Thailand (well, better than China, i think. They were a democracy until a few months ago.)

Hanging out with the Chix

Today, work ,was for once, boring, yeah!
I drive into today so I didn't get a ride in, Darn! although traffic was light enough that I could have.
This evening I had wonderful dinner with the Ladies from Linux Chix LA in Pasadena. I got there and thought for a while That I would be the only one. we all had a a good time.
I'm supposed to lead the ride tomorrow, but I may a solo rider. It's the Solvang century. In a way I'm glad I'm not doing Solvang. There are way too many "racers" to make it enjoyable, and I would have missed out on a great evening. Yeah!

Can yo buy anything not made in China?

I admit, I tend to be pretty liberal on somethings. I just bought a new helmet tonight, The Pads on my old one were falling apart after six months. The new one looks more heavy duty. The new one is a Giro Monza (From China) and the old is a Limar 907(Italy). I've had Limars in the past, and they've had decent pads. This one had the type of pads you would normally find in a department store helmets. I guess they figured it was a place where you could cut costs and remain competitive.
As Far as outsourcing, I'm of a mixed opinion, Long term, i Think it will even out. It;s just I would like to buy good that were produced by a democratic society, and sometime i wonder if we're relying too much on China (Thinking about Lenin's remarks that the capitalist would sell him the rope that he would hang them with). Not to mention that we seem to leaving the folks with no professional skills behind. And I know I could have bought a Rudy Project or a LAS, but money is tight , and I had my dividend coupon from REI.
Anyways, enough of My soapbox

The boy who cried wolf and public transport

Work is getting to be too much, Everyone insists in giving their work the highest priority, and the throws a hissy fit when the get stuck in the queue. Well, I can work so fast, and I 'm even slower without backup and when the workload is doubled.
Missed the 6:00 train again grr. we had the usual cast of characters, included the lady who talks aloud to herself. and my seatmate asked aloud if she was crazy. Maybe I should I quit and become Ms MetroLink Manners

Can I go home now

Today was an extremely crazy day at work. I think I did two day's work in 9 hours.
Need to e-mail some files to the Java people, but I don't feel like unpacking my laptop. I did my usual climbing route this morning and found out i was a 1/2MPH faster! Going up Mt Baldy did pay off!, well, at least for Today

No Class for you!

Well, I was supposed to teach the Java class tonight at the library in Pasadena. The only issue that the city of Pasadena had taken over the meeting room as election Headquarters! Which meant we only did an hour, and that was just as well, as I had a busy day at work.
I did watch the "tomb of Jesus" last night. Some good point, but to me, a lot of it was making the facts fit the theory.
No bicycling today. Figured I did enough yesterday.

Am I insane or what

Since Bernie had adivised me that the 200k Had some 21% grades. I decided that I need to do some climbing. so after church and the weekly checkup with Family, I did Glendora Mountain and Glendora Ridge road to Baldy Village and back down, Like Brandy, it 's gorgeous here. I didn't have to take as many "panting" breaks (well maybe on Glendora Ridge) I surprised myself, as I able to do a lot of it without my granny gear The only Downside was coming home, I wound on street that was being repaved - The City Of Upland(24th Street) had removed all the pavement - so I had to to do an impromptu cycle cross session.
Miles 51.6 - Elevation gain 4800 feet average speed if you have to ask, you don't want to know.
The photos- The snow covered peak in the first three Lookout Mountain (6812 feet). Then there is is obligatory photo of the Cow Canyon saddle sign (when I started in Glendora I was at 812). Next is a photo looking down on the Vally of the East fork of the San Gabriel, and last is ridge in the Cucamonga Wilderness.

climb, climb, climb

i did the club ride , plus a little extra today. This is our first time with a set route on Saturday, and we had a good turn out (about 25 rides for a club of 80). Most of the fast riders went a little farther, before they started the ascent, but I had a couple of folks with and we took to the direct route up Mt Baldy Road. The two folks with me kept on turning around on the steep sections. It's supposed to be a ride that should have a map with and a I wasn't leading today, it did feel not to be that last person up this section. I go to the turnout for Shinn (the first red mark) and stopped and took off my tights. The other riders came by and I told them where to turn. I rode up to the tunnels, although I probably should had kept on going to Baldy village. I descended, did some climbing, and stopped by the Coffee Shop to socialize. I rode by the bank so I could cash my Birthday checks.
Total for the 51.85 miles with 2900 feet of climbing.
Felt good to not to have another monster day of work.

__________________

That Does it

I caught the 7:20 PM train again tonight. I knew I should have driven in! And I didn't get a ride in this AM due last night. The good new two days without work! and I drive in on Monday. The rest of the next week may be bad with the Railroad track work.
I moved my Hotel to the Motel 6 for the 300K - so no wi fi- no blog.
The other Item is that my boss switched my Friday off. I told him that I need the March one, but (as usual) forgot - I don't think there's anything malicious - he's absent minded professor type. Now, I have to decided if I want to Drive to Morro Bay on Friday night. We're going to try and hash it out on Friday

somedays I should stay in bed...

Things went well until stepped of the train in El Monte, There was broken stop light and the driver of the Shuttle bus made an obscene gesture at a police officer. it was supposed to be a busy day at work, but wound doing the professional web surfing until 5, when the usual crisis erupted. And Gmail wasn't available for half the day.
Then coming home, more traffic. The City of El Monte still hadn't fixed the signal. Instead of catching the 6:00 train as usual, or even the 6:20, we wound up on the 7:20. But a bunch of us stood around and talked for an hour. There was supposed to be some from Team Estrogen at the club meeting tonight, but I was sure she is she made there. I was there for about 20, minutes, then came.
And I found a boo-boo with my checking account, and it's not in my favor. So the coming might be a little fun(i need to stop dipping into my savings), but Faith will find a way. And I didn't complain at all! Go purple bracelet!

Babies and judges

I hadn't laked about Megan for while. The story i'm hearing that the seizure was messed up and it now has to go before a Missouri Supreme Court judge,. Sounds like it's going to be a drawn out affair,
I decided not to go to the J2ME class, which was a good thing since I got an e-mail stating it had been canceled.
I wound up on the 6:20 train, so I didn't get to hear all of Dr Sanders lecture, Darn! he was talking about the "Jesus' Bones" when I got there.
Biking: Its sound like some folks from the club are crazy enough to want to tackle the 508 . Glad I'm not the only Psycho cycler around

Dieting

I was e-mailing Bernie about the 300K route in Cayucos today. He complimented me on how I've lost . I told I'd lost 5 pounds. and it's been a struggle. Maybe I need to pay less attention to the scale....
I was going to ride this morning, but it started to rain when I walked out the door. Darn!
I'm still debating what to do tomorrow night. I'm leaning toward going to hear Dr. Sanders, as I'm begging to think that J2ME is a bit over my head right now.
You've may noticed more posts from Moi here. I'm trying to do a post a day thourgh lent. I've made it a week :)

back to the routine

I lead (taught) the Java Group in Pasadena. I think they're finally getting objects. Yea!. we didn't go as long as planned , because several people went to the Richard Stallman lecture at USC instead.
I could a lengthly Windows vs Linux blog, but it is 9:30.
Wednesday night I have to decide what to do again God vs Java.
Speaking of God, You've probably heard the "Jesus' bones" report on the news. I'd like to get more info , but right now it sounds like a rush to judgment in order to cash in on the "da Vinici code" craze. After all , there was only guy named Jesus, right? St, Marks is having James Sanders speak on Wednesday, which is why
I'm considering skipping the J2ME class. Granted, I'd rather hear a new testatment scholars opinion, but beggars can't be choosers

Huel Howser made me do it!

In case you don't know, Huell Howser is a Television producer for KCET in Los Angeles. He usually Does Travelogues on Various touristy type thing In California. He did on the Carrizo Plain National Monument. , so I went by, It was nice. In case you don't know what it is here are some Links
BLM
Wikipedia
Sierra Club
Nature Conservancy
I went to the visitor's center, and did the Soda Lake Boardwalk, I then drove the San Andreas Fault and the oil town of Mc Kittrick and Taft. Yes, Huell has been there too, But I didn't stop and take a photo. I then drove over the Grapevine.
So in a Day , I went from the beach, to the desert, to the mountains, and back home

Yet another brevet

Well , I've got Brevet #2 in the books.
I need to find a new job so I can move up here! It's too pretty.
Started early at 6:30 - Spoke a little bit with Bernie Barge from the 508. He lives up here. We pedaled in to San Luis Obipso. I remember that one section of road was imprinted with "built by the W.PA. - 1938, Unfortunately I missed taking a picture.
I also missed the First control. On brevets, you are given a Card, which have to have stamped at all controls to get official credit. It was at a coffee shop
We rode out of SLO and went back to Morro Bay. On the way there, I thought I saw my first California Poppy, more on this later. We then got back on Highway 1 - which is actually a freeway. It wasn't as bad as it sounds. We got off Highway 1 to go through Cayucos. Saw more of the Flowers.
California Smallest Town - Harmony, Population 18. Noticed that the Episcopalians pick up trash in Harmony. We had to climb a hill in Cambria, and I stopped in San Simeon and had an Odawalla Bar.
We then pedaled through San Simeon and past the Hearst mansion. I wasn'tsure about riding on PCH. The Coverage on Versus when the Tour of California did stage here was "Cyclists - Don't do this road! The Crazy Drivers will run you over!" Shame on you Phil, Paul, and Bob! Nice shoulder until we got to the climb to The Ragged Point inn, and even then, the Drivers were courteous.
I had a turkey Sandwich at the Ragged point(pic below). I think I got penalized for eating healthy. Most People were having Burgers and Fries. It took me forty minutes, it should have taken me twenty. Most controls are at restaurant or stores (the first was at a coffee shop) and I usually like to patronize them to show my appreciation for putting with us Psycho cyclists. I made it back through Cambira and Harmony and Arrived at Cayucos at 4. Lots better than 6:30. Socialized with the gentleman running the control and some other riders. Talked about the flowers- they though they weren't Poppies - Darn! Had dinner at Taco bell- should have gone back to the Maya.
I'm still debating what to do tomorrow. I'm probably going back via the Carizzo Plain. Still considering dropping in on Church up here. I know it's no big deal, but is Lent. let you know in tomorrow's post....
Photos!:

BirthDay Blog

Yes, it's my birthday. I started out today with a Trim by my stylist, Albert. I checked the Internet and found that FedEx was going to attempt to deliver some Hammer Gel today. I waited and waited, and finally gave up.
I had lunch at Todai in Arcadia, it's a Japanesse buffet - but they have a variety of stuff, I carbo loaded on Sushi, and had some Kimchee and Sashmi(Raw fish - Sushi translates as "with rice") I then drove up to Cayucos. I thought about pulling off in Solvang and watching the TOC, but I wanted to make sure I knew where I was going tomorrow morning. It's real pretty up here.
I Forgot to bring some tights, but I found some at Rite Aid(hey, they sponsor a cycling team) for $5.99. Was going to eat a Mexican restaurant, but it was crowded, so I wound up The place next door to the motel. It looked like a dive, but it turned out pretty good(Maya's in Morro Bay), it was also Mexican - I had the Grande Burrito. Retired to the room to watch the boob tube until nighty-night.