Castle Shima

Patrick: Sally, you deserve better. You deserve Mr. Fantastic...
Sally: I dont want Mr. Fantastic! I want you!
Patrick: I was talking about me...!
-- from the third season finale of Coupling

Tower View
We Are Just Dust In The Wind
I had gone downstate to ride in a 50 mile event that was supposed to be over gently rolling hills near the coast. 50 miles shouldnt be so bad since I've done that before without a problem.

My mistake.

As the pelaton (pack of riders) started thru the first 10 miles, the headwind began driving thru everyone. Even the professional riders that were performing the century (riding 100 miles) were beginning to suffer from the wind.

Then the gentle rolling hills became an extremely large one as the hills rolled together... All into the headwind. As the wind got stronger, sand and dirt from the road kicked up, blowing into the riders' faces.

By the first break area at the 12 mile mark, the pelaton had broken up into groups; the professionals that were strong enough to get thru the hills and wind, and then there was the rest of us. Those other seventy riders that were suffering just from the ride itself.

By the 25 mile mark, the wind blew thru us and splintered the pack into small groups of 2 or 3. As riders came in, the expression of relief would overcome them.

Then there were us fools that continued on...

By the 31 mile mark, the wind was constant, blowing more sand and dirt into the riders. After that it got worse.

On the way to the 43 mile rest stop, the road took us thru a neighborhood that was under construction... uphill... both ways... directly into the wind.

Dirt flew across our faces almost to the point where we couldnt see. Breathing became difficult, especially as we watched the century riders flew by. Even they were struggling against the wind and sand.

By the 47 mile mark, my body began cramping. My quads began pulsing, rebelling against my commands. The legs refused to pedal any more, screaming "Screw You! We're Tired!"

Internal conflict tore through me as the support van rode by, asking if I needed a ride back to the starting point. Valour got the best of me as I succumbed to the pain and opted for the ride of shame.

And what did I get out of this experience? A slight wind and sand burned face, arms, and legs, severe leg cramps, and a sore back.

I cant wait to do this again. Heh... Time for more weight training and potassium.
**********

Model Behaviour

You are Yoanna. You have a beautiful face, and the
camera loves you! You can't dance very well,
but you have that natural presence that makes
you an absolute standout. Your destined to be a
model whether you win this cheap competition or
not.


Which America's Next Top Model Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I didnt realize I had it in me. Ew.

But I did find the quiz at iPalimpsest. Its a pretty good blog from two lesbian librarians, Kate and Jenny, that got married recently.
**********

Out In The Yard
Speaking of blogs, Ric finally got his up and running. He has posted his speech from Ben's funeral.
**********

NBA Player dodges oncoming fan during game. Audience participation! Yah!
**********

Its Clean-Out-Your-Fridge Week! And Lord knows that my fridge needs to be cleaned out. Badly.
**********

Dungeons & Dragons 2 slated for production. Gary Gygax must be cringing.
**********

Background Noise
The news is on... Discussion about the increased combat in Iraq.

Let me get this straight. The US is trying to leave the country as peaceful as possible, but now this new group is wanting a fight with troops in order to get the US to leave.

What is wrong with this picture?

Sounds like someone wants to be the next dictator.

Stay safe, troops. Shoot first, ask questions later.

***************************************
* Days go by
* And still I think of you
* Days when I couldnt live
* My life without you
***************************************