MI bound

After much debate, we are heading out to Michigan for a quick weekend. I am currently bidding on some UM-MSU tix on Ebay (wish me luck, I did not want to go broke to see the game). The fare was really cheap last minute, so it was tough to pass up. I can not wait!!

Jams

I had mentioned before that I had somewhat of a Fred Flintstone birthday present for Mike. I have to say the CDs were excellent, and if you are seeking some new jams, here are a few suggestions.
Keane Under the Iron Sea
The Fray How to Save a Life
Morcheeba Big Calm
Snow Patrol Eyes Open
The Morcheba album is old, but it is quite addictive. The Keane album is by far the one that gets stuck in my mind. You should not put on an ipod or similar device and sing along to Keane in public. In the car or at home is just fine.

Intermediate

I am going to take another guitar class with Mike this fall. I was reluctant since it was coined intermediate, and I feel like more of a seasoned beginner. My last teacher was great, but she is only teaching beginner this year. It is hard to tell if I will be appropriate in the class or not. I like class 'cause it forces me to practice so I do not look like a fool. I hope I will not be in over my head. Now I have to get my nails ready to go. I know everyone gives me crap about not playing for them, but I am not confident in performing. I just wanted to learn how to play. We have been looking up easy tabs, and I can play stuff like "Please do not go" by the Violent Femmes and "Fake Plastic Trees" by Radiohead. The bonus is that I can sing in the same whiny voice of either of those singers :) We have to keep up on one of our non-physical past times.

We also have been playing tennis in the last 2 months. Mike decided he wanted to play a social sport again. We played his parents, and they kicked our butts. His mom plays 3-4 days a week and is a barracuda on the court. Mike's parents left town on a trip for 3 weeks, and in that time we had our raquets restrung. We also had a lot more practice serving, playing net, and perfecting groundstrokes. We need a rematch before they get back into shape. I am getting back to the point I was at about 6 years ago when I took a beginner lesson in Ann Arbor. Anyone for tennis? I think doubles are better since it is less wear and tear on the shaky knees.

The Simpsons - Dr Zaius

Jazz hands anyone?

pflaugghh!

Mike and I did a 10 Mile trail run (race) in the Mohonk Preserve this AM. I have not been running more than about 3-5 miles at a time, so it was going to be a challenge. It was called the Pfalz Point Trail Challenge. We go up to the Mohonk area a couple of times of year to mountain bike, and it is amazing. It is in the 'Gunks which is also a great area to rock climb. Anywhoooo, the trail racers were quite a hardcore bunch as runners can be. Mike was a good sport and ran slow with me. We were wondering if there would be a Clydesdale division, because we outweighed our fields by 30-40 pounds easily. There were some scary anorexic and manorexics there. I wonder what the course profile was, because I swear we climbed for 7 miles and ran downhill or flat for maybe 3. There was also some tricky single track, and I did not want to repeat my Bear Mountain spazz knee dislocation, so I took those really slow. I usually wipe out at some point on trail runs, but I stayed upright. There were also some really steep climbs. Anyways, I was happy I was not last and survived.

http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/index.php?pfalzpoint

Deforestation

Yesterday I was stopped by construction on a highway nearby. I looked ahead and saw a big tree falling to the ground. It has become a familiar sight around here this year. We have had 4 major storms that brought a significant amount of trees down since January (including a tornado!). There is a trail we like to ride on, and they cut a whole section of trees down for road construction. In the other direction on the same trail is where the tornado blew through. The college where we like to run and bike nearby keeps cutting down more and more of the forested land on their campus. A big reason the county is so pretty is the trees! Our neighborhood is older with big trees and a ravine. The asthetic out here seems to be pave over your lawn and cut down at least 3-5 trees when you move in. The house next door cut down at least 8 trees. If you do not like trees, why move here? I guess I am a tree hugger.

Kool aid

Oh yeah!!

Breakin' the Law

I attended my first traffic court today in WP. I have not had a traffic ticket in 10 years, and I got nabbed turning right by a camping cop. There was a sign that said no right turns before 8:30 AM, and I did not see it. I suspect they pull a ton of people over there to make money. That annoyed me since I was not doing anything unsafe, and why would I do an illegal turn knowingly in front of a cop! So I decided to take it to court. Dadada, dadadada da da, dadada "typewriter noises"

The people in line were sharing their sob stories. I found out the most tickets in the county are written in White Plains. I learned about the other areas to avoid and other reasons people are getting tickets (which could happen to all of us since they are so nit picky). That line was very educational for me, and will be for all of my local friends. At any rate, they reduced my fine and waived the points. I could have fought it further, but I needed to get back to work, so I am happy with the outcome.

Grownups

I think it may be about time that I will become a grownup. One the kiddos I see told me recently that he did not have to listen to me since I was not a grownup. At any rate, Mike and I have to make some life decisions in the next few months. I wish I had some really strong opinions about where we end up. We have our wish list of areas, including just staying right here. I can work anywhere as well. I guess we have to decide if we are going to be career driven or fulfill our souls. I am always in favor of slacking off as much as possible! There is always something that you give up and something gained no matter where you go. So we will let you know when we have some idea where we will end up!

Breakneck Ridge

We hiked Breakneck ridge today with Keren, her new husband Josh, and her sister Lonnie. We manage to do this hike every year, and it is always fun with great views. You have to scramble up rocks to make it to the top, so that is always fun. Here are some pics. The ridge rises steeply over the Hudson River, north of the Bear Mountain bridge. The big mountain across the river has some great hiking, but it has been closed down due to unexploded ordinances from West Point.

The Original 1969 Sesame Street version of Mah-Nah-Mah-Nah

I am sure that nobody forgot the words to this one.

Getting the Fun over with

I think that Mike and I are getting bored of our usual sports. Whenever we go running, biking, or swimming, we have discussions about distance, time, place, and when. If we put something off until later, it is hard to maintain motivation. Then one of us usually says, "Let's get the fun over with". This may be why we have taken up tennis this summer.

Tonight, we went running at the Rockefeller Preserve which is my favorite place to run, walk, and nordic ski. It is a fantastic park with about 25 miles of preserved carriage roads that meander through farms and meadows, climbs up and down wooded hills, and circles lakes (filled with turtles, muskrats, and ducks). We once saw a coyote there! I do not like running, but I run much longer when I am there. We usually get a little lost since the official trails cross with farm trails, but then we get to see more. There are pigs who are penned on the side of a rocky hill there, and that was suprising to see. I have never seen pigs that were not next to a building before in the middle of a farm. We also run up this hill with rock lined walls, and it looked like Ireland. When we got to the top, we were treated to a view of the Hudson and the Palisades. What a treat. It is really beautiful here in the Hudson Valley.
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkId=60

Over-rated

I finally get to see my Spartan football games since we ordered the season pass. It is pretty cool. They do not usually show my games out here. I have the tendency to root for big 10 teams in heated national games. I really do not like Notre Dame. That is the time when you hear me enthusiastically cheering for Michigan. Anyways, congrats to the UM fans out there. Your team proved ND is truly over-rated as usual.

Ringer

Local Pool-Club Record-Holder Upset To Hear Michael Phelps Just Joined
September 14, 2006 | Onion Sports


ANN ARBOR, MI—Ann Arbor Pool Club member Edwin Peters, 32, a club record-holder in the 200-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley, and the 200-meter butterfly, was disappointed to learn yesterday that Olympic champion Michael Phelps just joined the swimming club. "I understand records are made to be broken, but come on," said Peters, who is well aware that Phelps owns world records in the events previously mentioned. "I think this is going to make for a pretty lopsided club championship." Phelps was unavailable for comment, but many have said that his competitive nature will not allow him to take it easy on Peters or any other member of the Ann Arbor Pool Club.


More From the Sports Wire

ROCK LOBSTER

One of my favs from the 80s.

Colbert Analyzes Wikipedia

Here's the word.

Freakonomics

I finally got around to reading Freakonomics, and I am really enjoying it. Here is their current blog.
http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/

enjoy!

Family Guy FCC song

This is classic. I can not help it, I enjoy low brow humor.

Family Guy: Stewie and Rupert in Hawaii

On another note.....

9/11/06

Here is a link to a podcast from the local NPR station I listen to when I am driving around all day. Rev. Forbes is a leader of the church we go to at Christmas and Easter in the city, and his insight is always impressive. The church he leads does a lot of service to the community surrounding it (Harlem), and he is very active in eliminating poverty. He speaks in the first segment.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/episodes/2006/09/11

Today was a beautiful and clear day, just like it was 5 years ago. We were able to see the twin towers of light tonight at our house, even though we live about 25 miles north.

bikin' nyc babeeee

Mike and I survived the century ride today. That is a feat, because some of the roads can be dicey. We always do this ride on our mountain bikes due to poor road conditions and frequent stopping. In fact, my hands probably hurt the most from braking. The funny thing is that we keep up or pass road bikes on this tour, which is totally opposite of what should happen. Whenever we ride our mountain bikes after using our road bikes for awhile, I always think I have a flat at first. I then realize that the mountain bike is just pretty damn heavy!

Usually we get to ride right down 5th ave with no traffic, but they changed the route this year. The beginning sucked 'cause it was a mob scene in Mahattan with traffic and slooowww riders. It took us 1 hour and 45 minutes to do the first 15 miles!! We could not have safely been able to ride faster than that. Ouch. We did get to enjoy the Brooklyn Bridge since we were going so slow. The rest of the ride was a blast. We rode along NY harbor by the Verranzono bridge to Coney Island. We got a Nathan's hotdog (which made Mike very, very happy!) and I have to say it was the best hot dog I have ever had (this coming from a person who never eats them!!). Every neighborhood had different people. From Hasidic people to Carribean, everyone was represented. The ride takes you through areas you would never see otherwise, and they are little gems. It was more like mountain biking today. We carried our bikes to bridge tops all over, and enjoyed the city from nearly every angle.

Of course, the New Yorkers allow me to be very vocal out there, since none of them mince words. Here are the best quotes of the day.

"If you keep honkin and swearin', I'm gonna send even mowr bikes across"--ride volunteer to people sitting in traffic while the police allowed riders off the Brooklyn Bridge.

"I think dat's good for your health"-- woman crossing street with thick NY accent.

"Stop g#$%damnit"--Ride volunteer who was trying to stop traffic in a busy intersection and some guy ignored him.

Despite their harsh words in public, I still love New Yorkers and the city. The city is going strong!

Bikin' NYC Style

I just finished my first week back to work. The biggest challenge this time of year is creating a schedule that I can live with for the entire school year (without going crazy or driving up and down Westchester county 5 times a day). I am often torn. I am a softie, and all these assertive NY mothers know it. I kept a bunch of kids last year that were out of the way 'cause I really liked the kids and families. I guess I will do extra driving to deal with nice people, and that makes your job more enjoyable. Oh well. I work in a few school districts, and often there are not many kids to see. I am lucky 'cause the teachers have been really cool about being flexible and realizing that I do not want to travel to their school 3x a day to see 3 kids! I have not always been so lucky with teachers. So far, it looks good. I am getting better at saying no to things, even though it still makes me feel guilty (no body even gives me a guilt trip!).

Mike and I are doing the NYC century tommorrow. It is a really great ride and a great way to see the city. There is a 5 borough ride in the spring, but it has 40,000 people. My friends that have done it said it is so crowded that there are accidents and you can barely ride. They do not close the roads for the NYC century, but you start early and there is no traffic. No body in NY area gets going before noon. I go to Whole foods at 8:30 or 9 on a Saturday, and I get the place to myself. Otherwise it becomes too much of a zoo. White plains is a madhouse after noon. Anyways (I am on a tangent.), you get to ride right down 5th Ave, over the Brooklyn Bridge, to Coney Island, through some rough neighborhoods in Queens and the Bronx, etc. I saw some areas I would not have seen otherwise. It will also be fun since we have not been riding much this season.

The New Dance Show

Here is some old school TV DEETROIT STYLE!! Enjoy Be sure to stick around for the advertisement from one of the show's fine sponsors.

Back to reality

We are back from the cape, and work is now looming ahead. The house we rented in Provincetown was really great. That was a bonus since the weather was iffy for a couple of days. Fortunately we did not have a washout any of the days, just grey days with evening or late PM rain. We just hung out on the beach, read books, ate and drank, and biked all over the place. Mike is flying a kite in the remnants of Ernesto. The grocery store kite and heavy winds lead to poor control! Next is the surf guard station at Race Point. The surf guards lead to the formation of the Coast guard. They used to launch open boats into heavy sea to rescue people from the frequent ship wrecks off the end of the cape. The last pics are the Nauset light and the house we rented. That's about it!