LIFE LISTS
Years ago I had a life list. It was a short list of life goals; things I wanted to do, places I wanted to go. That basic thing. That piece of paper is long gone.
Some of the goals still remain, some of those goals have been attained, but most of the remaining goals are not likely to occur until the kids go to college, unless of course the kids come along.

People toss out advice all the time. Advice is normally ignored as soon as it hits the air. Most people can not take their own advice. We all know what is best for us, yet seldom are we able to take our lives in that direction.

With that said I recall life before Dean was born. There were in face 24 hours in the day.
That time was squandered. It has been clear to me for some time that there is a correlation between ACHIEVEMENT AND SACRIFICE. Sacrifice has never been one of my stronger traits. I always go back for that second piece of cake.

TIME TRAVEL!

well okay it is not time travel, but it does feel like a different time
and some time can be lost trying to match your Pac Man high score that you achieved on that quarter gobbling machine in the pizza parlor back in the 80's.

(I was more a Missle Command or Defender type myself, but the video game addiction was strong enough that I would play the games that were not my favorite, just because I needed to fulfill my "fix.")

okay

trip out on this

SNOWFLAKE

this is a very appropriate link for the day

(BTW-the colored text in the BLOGS, those are links to other pages)

METRO BLOG MAP

if you have some time
this is a DC Metro Map
and for each stop there are lists of various BLOGGERS who live in that area
it is just interesting to see what people BLOG on about

DEAN and DAYCARE
this am was different than the last four
sure it started out with the basic stuff
Dean with his fire (pacifier) and blanket waking up slow
and me with my coffee waking up slow
we went through the usual routine of deciding on gear for the day
[need i tell you that kids dress much cooler than adults]
with the morning's slush and snow he was able to sport his red rubber boots
ah, the power
he was seeking out each puddle as we walked towards Rosemount Daycare center
we arrived, no tears
we went in the classroom, no tears
I went to take of his jacket, hesitation, and then just a complaint that he wanted to wear his backpack
he was assured that he would get to wear his backpack
Dean said, "Dean's going to ARTCLASS! Daddy, go to work!" and then before I could respond his hand waved and he said, "Bye, daddy."
without arguement I pulled him close, game him a hug and a kiss and went out the door
seems that he likes the new school situation!

This is neither cycling related nor is it Dean related.....
but it is funny just the same
this guy has a bunch of opinions on some serious none issues
the only issues here are the fact that this cat has some serious issues

check it out
and get a laugh

Enraged Baboon Headquarters

oh
and he is a pretty good writter

SNOWSHOE Article 2001

Take a look and see the coverage we got from SPOKES Magazine
this is the Reader's Digest version
It is a fun article, but some of the facts and quotes are a little loose
Oh well

and here is a number of reports from SNOWSHOE 2002, including my synopsis as posted on the City Bikes Team Site

DEAN and DAYCARE

dean has been use to a routine of spending his days with Mayra
a friendly latina woman who we share as a nanny with a family in Adams Morgan
she has been plagued with a variety of illnesses over the past two years
as it turns out she had to get some tumors removed
thus causing us to find a substitue child care situation in her absence
the beautiful old stucko building just blocks from our house is a daycare center called Rosemount
we were lucky enough to get placement for two weeks
the transition has been hard for him

Dean and I slept late this am
Almost till 8am
Which was good, as I did not go to bed until after midnight
And when I tried to go to bed I found that my spot had been occupied by Dean and the dogs (85 pound Roscoe and 60 pound Brutus)
As Dean has been having unconsoleable bad dreams I thought it best for him to be close by mommy
(apparently fears of school and being left their alone)
The couch would suit me fine
It is not the first time I have slept on the couch
And clearly not the last

When he got up he was in a mixture of moods
He did not want to change his clothes
At times changing him is like bathing a cat
He scrambled away at each opportunity, but not in a fun "chase me daddy" sort of way
Guess the comfort of the PJs was better than the symbolic transition of day clothes and heading off to school
But I managed
Had to do it in stages
He seemed to know he was going to school and did not seem to mind
Things he said gave me the notion that he was more prepared
He wanted to bring his blanket and fire (pacifier)
That was not an option, blanket stays at home and the pacifier is supposed to be for sleeping
Even upstairs he said he wanted to bring his backpack as if in anticipation of heading off to school
I gave him his garbage truck to take to school (daycare) and planned on adding a few more toys to the pack before we left
He was in a good mood
He wanted to go
We suited him up for the cold weather
And headed out the door
I put him on my shoulders and handed him a half peeled banana
We marched towards Rosemount
He thought we were going hiking, I know this because he kept saying..."we are going hiking."
We took the route through the tree tunnel, he told me that he did not have keys as we passed a door locked with a padlock
And then as we exited the tree tunnel and stepped on the sidewalk he said, "we are not going hiking."
Our trip through the woods of Rock Creek only scratched the perimeter
He was right
We were headed to Rosemount to take him to school
He was fine
Said he did not want to go to art class, but without panic or tears
But we marched furhter
He did not cry till we hit the steps
I lowered him to a doorway level and we walked in
He was in tears, face all red, and head tilted back
That is the routine each day as we enter Rosemount
Everyone greeted him by name, the woman at the front desk and even the janitor
We entered the classroom and he clung to me like a little Koala Bear
I could almost not pry him free
With some force I had him off me and was taking off his backpack so I could take off his jacket
He fought me to a certain extent, but swapped hands with the banana to accommodate me at the same time
Once the jacket was off the backpack went back on
He was only crying slightly
The one word zombies each approached one by one to inspect the blonde boy with the teary eyes
Since he was not crying significantly I made my stay brief
I gave him kisses and hugs hopeing that they would stick with him for the duration of the day
Then left out the door
He was not crying
Today, day three at day care was a better day for Dean

I have been handling drop off and Lisa has been handling pick up
Apparently pickup is even more traumatic, as he is one of the last children to be picked up

RACING AND EXCUSES

this is a great article
Well worth the read

http://www.dirtragmag.com/articles/article.php?ID=366&category=features

You may laugh out loud
And you may even picture me through part of it
Or you may picture yourself

Dirt Rag
The only cycling magazine I have ever subscribed to!
It may not make me leaner, it may not make me a faster climber, but it keeps me entertained!