unexpected surpises

I'll admit that two day into this, maybe the chicken noodle soup diet maybe wasn't such a good idea.
You see, I decided to be healthy and bought the Campbell's Select harvest label. Nice and healthy, no funky chickens and no MSG.
But it gives me diarrhea. So I'm going withe Campell's chunky (lots of Sodium and MSG, Yum!), which I tolerate.
And I meant to start working bible journal project again. but that's why we confess that was sin "by what we have done and what we have left undone"
I do one other lent practice that I'm thinking about, I'll let you know if I do it.
But back to unexpected surprises. I needed to go into work and make some hours due to power outage (the joys of contracting!). I expected to be a boring 5 hours. It was the opposite of boring. Left me wondering if on of my other projects - a CMMI appraisal - I should rate us at -1. Planning ahead does save you grief.
But I got done what I could and went home. I just going to show my new bike at Comp Edge and REI. the wrenches at both places, plus I went to the post office and the bank.
and Surprise! My errand run turned into a great deal of fun, in between floating down Arrow route at 20mph with very little effort, to getting started on a hill, climbing without wobbling, and finding where that bike path REALLY ended, it was a great hour on the bike. wouldn't have worked out any other way!
So rejoice when life throughs you a little surpise. you never know when bad things become good.

The dream of the chicken soup, or what I'm doing for Lent

So what does Chicken soup, the NewsBoys, and bicycling all relate to preparing from celebrating Christ's resurrection?
I was debating what to do. I really don't like give things up for lent. I sort our previous priest's mantra that lent is about discipline.
I thought about doing a blog post a day, but I've done that (and been there) it's so 2007.
I've been experimenting with lunch choices. I've been bringing in microwave chicken soup. And thought occurred to me to eat Chicken soup every day for lunch.
You're probably rolling and wonder if I'm overdosing on MSG by now. Which is where is the Newsboys and their song "reality" come in.
You see. sometimes it is following that little voice inside your head. So chicken soup it is!
And this posed decisions too, do I eat Campbell's all the time, or do I mix it up with Progresso and healthy Choice? Will I overdose on MSG? Will I grow feathers and a beak?
and bicycling. I also heard a little voice telling me to pick my Roubiax from the shop. So I did.
But I'm going to ride it. yet. Yes, folks I decided that my new Bacchetta arrived at an auspicious, it's going to get all the mileage this next 40 days.
So I started a bit early. On Saturday, I decided I was going to try and ride my age, since my Birthday is on Monday and I have to work.
So I started out early and decided to use the bike path that runs along Cucamonga Creek to get to Baseline. I then did the rail-trail and found several homeless folks had take up residence under the 15 overpass.

From 2-21-2009

I then rode over to the coffee shop and took a break:

From 2-21-2009

I decided to do the short ride, but I was a bit concerned about going up Benson. It turns out , we had a new rider, and we went up San Antonio. it was Him, Tom and Mary Logsdon, and myself. We stopped at park at 20th street and found a yoga class wrapping up:

From 2-21-2009

Tom dispensed some advice:

From 2-21-2009

We made it back to coffee shop without incident. During our "social hour", Steve Albano and Fred Santiago had test ride my new toy:

From 2-21-2009

From 2-21-2009

I then joined Fred and Sylvia and Tom and Mary lou for lunch. I had nice burrito at Tios/ I had to laugh as Sylvia asked me what kind of burrito it was. Probably not the thing to ask some who's used to having two choices in "Mexican" food: Taco Bell and Taco Johns. It was still a Tacorific meal.
I then went to REI and the bank. Which left about 15 miles short. I started out going out the speedway and Fontana, but decided against that. Plus it was getting late in the day and i need to do some stuff.
So I wound about 8 miles short. No problem, there's always Sunday.
On Sunday was a gray day. and I had to a "dab" on the bike path , and couldn't get the thing started. and I dropped my chain going up the hill on Benson. and so on. So I decided that the birthday ride wasn't in the cards and went home. What you want isn't necessarily what God has in mind.
So let's see how the next forty days goes
Here's the full version of the "reality" song. enjoy!

Making adjustments

Well, i got that new bike, and I've actually managed to do some riding with it.
I went over to Palm Springs and did The Team Estrogen ride on Friday. I almost did not do it , as it was raining hard here.
I thought I would have some time to practice my recumbent handling skills, but I did not , I found the group in quick order

From 2-13-2009

we did a tour of the Stars home. It was nice, except for the fact that my seat kept on slipping back , most noticeably crossing palm canyon.
we stopped at one stars house for a picture or two:

From 2-13-2009

From 2-13-2009

made another stop at the art museum:

From 2-13-2009

we did part of the climb to Indian canyon. I manged to fall and was wobbling a lot. we were going to go all the way, but I needed to get back, as I had a hair stylists appointment later that afternoon. I got there just , but no lock for my new bike. I chanced it (it was raining hard at the time)
Then on Saturday, I took another little trip to Van Nuys and did the shop ride for Bent up cycles.

From 2-14-2009

From 2-14-2009

From 2-14-2009

we then went to balboa park and did a loop at a pace that gave my plenty of time to practice my slow speed handling skills.
I then did some practicing in the industrial lot around Van Nuys airport. They had several WWII planes paint for various air forces. I think they were all American planes at one time

From 2-14-2009

From 2-14-2009

and being in the San Fernando valley, I went by a movie studio. This is where "my Name is Earl" is filmed:

From 2-14-2009

And since I was supposed to be the lector this Sunday, and had this to read, I decided to ride my Bacchetta there. I was a bit afraid, as I would have to do some climbing to get there. I chopped it up and aside from a chain problem and a dropped tube clip, I came through ok. I realized that had lost my debit card, or else I would have done a longer ride, but I wanted to get that straightened out.
That Conclude my journeys for this week. I was going to Garth Brooks "Freinds in low places" for the music, but decided that Dino and Frank were much palm springs and pseudo Italian ("Bacchetta" translates as Baton)
until next week,
Jana

A beatiful day?

That song sounds familiar but the artist doesn't, at least if you don't listen to Contemporary Christian (it's Sanctus Real
Saturday was a icky day weather wise, but the morning looked promising. So It took off to head for the club ride. talked to Ray and Barbara VanderNat on the way there. But I was the only person who thought it was a beautiful day. one other person showed up to ride, but he wanted to do shinn road. So we went out ways. I went up to the closed section of highland, and then up Campus in Upland. I thought that I had been on baseline in Claremont, so I did that.
Then I went out to Van Nuys. At least I'll call it bike, but the UCI and may disagree:

From 2-8-2009

And that's why I picked that song - Familiar , but different, yes?
And it's going to take me some time to adapt - It is very different to ride. Since it was spitting rain all day, I did parking lot loops. Did get 8 miles.
And sometimes the dream does not die , but changes shape. I was working on my bible journal software, but I may be joining a team working on exercise software. On of my other hobbies is old autos, and the History behind them. I',m sure you're aware of the fact that Ransom Olds got forced out of Oldsmobile and wound with REO. But you not be aware that a similar fate befell Henry Ford.
Henry started out with the the Henry Ford company, after Henry got the boot , they decided to name their cars after the founder of Detroit: Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac.
So, sometime dreams change shape in unexpected ways (the key is listening to see which way to go)
FHS,
Jana

True

You're wondering what a historical sign for Hershey,PA, a buinch of bike pictures, and a song by Spandau Ballet have in common
Ah, therein lies the tale
You may have the Hershey Company announced plans to close the Scharffen Berger plant.
and some of you are saying ewww - she likes regular hershey's - she must shop at like wal-mart (I'm in a 80's mind)
And yes I do like Hersheys - even more so since I used to live in Hershey, Pa (yes, I've ridden my bike past that sign many a time.
I jokingly suggested to some one on facebook that need to feed the orphans in Pennsylvania, and it's Largely true - Mr Hershey died without any heirs, and left his share of the Hershey company (about 77%) to a school he founded, and his estate still control a lot of life in the town, not to mention that their headquarters just so happens to be his house.
And it's true, as it says at the school, that Milton Hershey lived the American Dream.
What they don't tell you is that he failed. and failed spectacularly. and failed a lot. His first several attempts in candy biz flopped.
So he stayed "true". And sometime we must endeavor to remain true.
I wanted to ride the rail trail. But "they" were predicting Santa Ana winds, and I had encountered them yesterday. So I almost went west. but I went east to see how far I could get before I got "blown away".
And I made it to the end. and came back. and since I eventually want to get back in the Brevet game - i did a little extra and found a neat bike path
So, find who you are. and know what is true.
Jana

I'm so much cooler on line....

I'll admit I like "hillbilly" music, nd one of my Favorites is Brad Paisley's online video
and maybe I am cooler online. who knows? It was just fun to sit around the coffee shop and chat on a rainy Friday night or after a ride on Saturday, or chatting after mass on Sunday. Some ways better than being online
Not much different bicycle wise, but I'm trying to a blog post a week for 2009 and thought this would make at least a thought -provoking topic.
So turn off the 'puter and get to your first life....

Life is the art of comprimise......

We've heard this often enough, but sometimes I don't we think of the real world applications.
as you may I've been thinking about getting a recumbent bicycle. I was going to get a Bachhetta Strada(the red one). But then I got informed that my attorney wanted to keep my Specialized Roubaix in an un-repaired state until we get the case finally resolved. And since I had sold my Mountain bike, I'm left with a $450 Specialized Sirrus i bought in 2002. OK, but $450 doesn't bike a lot of bicycle when you're used to a $2000 one.
And I thought about how I wanted to used to recumbent to initially replace the Sirrus, and the fact that most of riding is urban, and those pedals on the Strada got higher and higher...
So , I wound up putting a deposit on Bacchetta Giro 20(the Green one, only mine will be red). The pedals are lot lower, which it should be easier to learn, plus I can get it sooner.
Speaking of bikes and comprise. I didn't ride my bike to church today. You see, I was scheduled to be the Lector today. A Lector reads a section of the Bible (the Lession), in my case, it was the call of Samuel, But I forgot about until Saturday afternoon, and hard a party Saturday night,plus we had new priest for the first time this Sunday. So I wanted to make sure I didn't flub up , which I mainly succeeded.
And even how we at St Mark's got Kieth is another comprise which makes me proud to be a part of the Anglican Tradition. You wondered why I have picture of Elizabeth I leading off. Anglicanism largely came to preset shape as result of Elizabeth efforts to compromise differing beliefs in her Kingdom - read here
So what does that have to do with a new preacher? Traditionally there have two methods. The congregation interview folks and pick ones.
But you're saying aren't Anglicans believers in Apostolic Succession? and doesn't that mean that the Bishop chooses our priest? Yes we do,and yes, Bishop Bruno did.
and here's where the comprise comes in: Keith is not a Rector or a Vicar, but a Priest-in-charge of the Parish. after a year, if we like him and he likes us, He will be installed as the Rector of Saint Marks.
So who says Comprise is bad?
FHS
Jana

The other Cucamonga

cucamonga canyon road

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

Since I'm not supposed to ride I did a walk. I know, you're say another boring set of photos from the rail trail
Only I decided to hike into Cucamonga canyon

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

It starts out ok:
It's very steep for the fist half mile. Then you come to a gate

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

It gets more steeper and turns to dirt. Then you start to descend
Eventually you get to Cucamonga creek, so totally not LA:

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

Then I came back up and home:(
but still had great views:

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

From 1-11-2009

So in some ways not riding is better I don't I could have done this on a bike.
And I was only 6 miles from home

The not quite so perfect pushup

From 1-10-2009

From 1-10-2009

From 1-10-2009

From 1-10-2009

From 1-10-2009

Ok I'll admit it. Like most cyclists, I need some upper body strength. And Having a connection to the Navy Seals, I was taken by $19.00 price i saw on the prefect pushup at walmart.
Does it make doing pushup easier? Well.., actually, it makes it harder. But I'm still trying to add some variety to my workouts, so i'm still trying at adapt to.
But it did get me thinking about perfection, and how we seem to strive it for, but in the end always fall short. and if we do actually achieve it, maybe you better have some seals guarding your back for the folks who like stick knives in it. Maybe we're better off realizing that we are made imperfect beings and live in a imperfect world (and I though this would make an excellent topic - HA!)
Speaking of imperfections, let me tell you about my walk today.
I started with a fail safe - foolproof plan. I would walk up to baseline, and capture the peloton blazing up the hill by Alta Loma High,and win the club photo contest. Well, I made it up to Baseline. and waited,m and waited. It turns that the Santa Ana winds were on full force.
So they were late. And it turns out, the sun was in the wrong spot (see what I get for not being a sun worshiper?) it wa either that or take photos of everyone's back or move across Baseline. In the end, I did manage to get a good one of Jack and Carolyn Pichardo.
And even Senora Santa Ana is herself imperfect. You see, it's not really Saint's Ann's wind, but the breath of El Daiblo(Santana) Or least I like to think that the original Spanish Settler had in mind when the coined the term. I always like the quote by Raymond Chandler "hose hot dry winds that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen." Not quite the version that's portrayed in the Randy Newman video(although I had to turn my A/c on after need the heater Tuesday Night)
and Speaking of Philip Marlowe er. Raymond Chandler. I decided to swing by the library at Victoria Gardens and pick up some of his and Vincent Bugloisi's works. I've been reading too much of Morely Swingle (maybe one day, I'll get my Cape Giradreau work published , too).
Until next, may have the grace to accept this broken world and the broken folks around you.
FHS
Jana
Ps.
Thought I would close with some video of the Santa Anas in action:

From 1-10-2009