Pick #213

Maná - "Rayando el sol"

Global Warming's Inconsistent Skeptics

So, I remember last winter when the anti-global-warming crowd was lauding the record cold as evidence against global warming. They obviously pretended they didn't know the difference between climate and weather.

However, with this really hot summer that just passed, I didn't notice anyone in that camp declaring that global warming is out of control because of the high temperatures. Way to be internally inconsistent.

Tri the Rez 2010 Recap

Whoa was there a lot to do last week! I had some help from a few special volunteers all week and assistance from many enthusiastic souls on Friday and Saturday. Without them, the event couldn't have happened.

I ran into a couple snags, but nothing major. For one thing, not everything to stuff in the packets came in until Thursday! I got to packet pickup a little later than planned (partly due to there not being any gas in the rental truck and partly due to snoozing for 10 minutes because I stayed up until about 3:30am on Thursday night). At packet pickup, I realized that my list of participants was organized by wave and not alphabetized by last name!!! Luckily I was able to revise and print a new copy at the Rez. Also, I had to call FSU Parking Services because they didn't show up...they lost my request. Another bummer was that I ran out of food at post-race. I didn't have a post-race coordinator this year like I did last year so maybe that's why I didn't get the right quantities of everything. However, I did get Red Elephant Pizza and people who got to eat it loved it. I tried unsuccessfully for a long time to find an announcer and a driver for the sag wagon. Luckily I found people before Saturday.

Everything with course marking and setup went well. I think we had plenty of port-a-potties and parking (although I need to ask around to see). Lots of people picked up their packets on Friday, thus making Saturday morning much easier. Kathy McDaris was there at packet pickup in the morning making everything run smoothly. She is such a great help. I got to watch a little of the race, but wasn't there for the swim start. The race started one minute late, but I guess I can live with that.

Last year's winner defended his title and a member of the FSU tri club got 2nd overall! I saw a lot of returning faces and many first timers. Everyone seems to have had a great time. I hope that they will all come back next year. This year's race saw 247 registrants and 214 finishers...almost double last year's numbers. I hope we can expand a little more next year.

Pick #212

The Devil Makes Three - "Old Number Seven" from their self-titled release

Capital City Runners

Capital City Runners is open (grand opening on Oct. 30th)! I went in yesterday and got a new pair of shoes (Saucony Kinvara) and a Timex Ironman watch with a 50 lap memory. I took them both for a run tonight and ran super consistent. I ran a 4 mile out-&-back course in 27:50...13:55 on the way out and 13:55 on the way back! I know I should have broken the shoes in before running but couldn't help myself.

There are some cool, larger-than-life Reebok-branded posters of both Nate Brannen and Kevin Sullivan. They've got a neat setup with a treadmill where they videotape you running to determine if the shoe fits well or not. I've always wondered what it looks like behind me when I'm running and now I got to see!

I would recommend that you go in and check them out. It might be a little more impressive inside if you wait for their grand opening...but don't wait too long because everything's 10% off until October 31st.

Pick #211

Sleeping Spiders - "Low Voltage Lightning" from Rock and Roll Master Plan

Seabreacher X

Check this out: a boat shaped like a dolphin/shark...it does crazy things.

Visit the Seabreacher X's website for a few more details.

Street Racing

I was on my bike ride home tonight when I passed some people outside. One guy was by his car and asked if I wanted to race. I asked "in your car?" and he said that he had a bike. So Ernest and I raced. And I won. He had a mountain bike. Then his friends D and AJ raced and I won them all. I had a slight advantage with a track stand start but they had the advantage with lower gears on the uphill. I think they weren't very good at shifting.

It was so much fun. Left me with a smile on my face for the rest of the night.

Pick #210

This Old Machine - "What I Done" from Ready, Set, Stop.

Side Effects of Cold Weather

As the temperature has dropped and I've opened my windows, I've noticed a few fun things. The viscosity of liquids like dish & laundry detergent, body wash, and shampoo has increased. Also, I had to re-zero my bathroom scale because the spring had shrunk. Of course, the air pressure in my bike tires (which were around 100psi to start with) dropped. What other fun things will I notice next?

Cancer Free Tree

Read a story about this painting and how it can help raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Pick #209

Lucky 7 - California Girl

Funny New Stand Up Economist Video

better than some of the older ones you may have seen: