Turnip Season

LA Gets It.

2006-05-22T10:53:00.000-05:00

Not in our paper here in KC, but we did have a record number of folks in the Bike Commuter Challenge or what might henceforth, be called, the Car-Free Commuter Challenge.

All Time Faves

2005-12-28T12:41:00.000-06:00

My buddy J. came up with a proposition that I found irresistable and also a good blog post too start a flame war. Here is the proposition."I forgot to mention to you on Sunday that my latest project is torecruit my musically astute friends and ask them to provide me with alist of their top 20 or 25 all-time favorite rock tunes, in approximateorder. I would love to receive your selections, in this

Talk like a Pirate Day

2005-09-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

Out on the Streets

2005-07-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

So I took the dogs for a run around the neighborhood yesterday, after spending about 2 hours reinstalling the OS on this computer. Fortunately, I didn't lose any data this time and I didn't have to rebuild my browser. Anyway, I'm standing at the crosswalk, two dogs tethered to my waist, sunglasses and bandana on my head. Some dork, driving a pickup truck full of lawn mowers, yells "FAGGOT!!"Oooh,

2005-06-28T20:51:00.000-05:00

I awoke from my napto hear the speech and was reminded of this. Maybe, he does believe this malarkey. That might be even more frightening than my cynical response.

2005-06-26T11:14:00.000-05:00

Who are they selling?I was reading the latest issue of Progressive Grocer the other day and saw a full page ad for flavored cigars. Now, I'm as "laissez-faire" as the next guy but who are they marketing these things to? What adult wants to smoke a grape flavored White Owl? I'm not that disingenuous.

2005-05-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

Thought for todayA journey is like marriage.The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.- John Steinbeck

2005-05-21T08:48:00.000-05:00

Tired-Ass BluesI slept in until 6:15 this morning. Compared to the 4:20 AM I've been doing all week, that's luxuriating. Part of it was participating in the Bicycle Commuter Challenge and getting to work at 6:00 AM. What am I? Fucking Crazy? I made a commitment to do it, mainly to myself. As Christy told me awhile back Gandhi said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." As we

2005-05-15T11:47:00.000-05:00

Pissed On and OffI feel like I've lived through Hell this week, although, compared to people I know, it's minor. I mean, last night, we had dinner with a friend who, in the last 3 years, lost his wife (killed in a police chase while riding her bike) and just completed chemotherapy after lung cancer. So, I suppose, my troubles are small but they are mine.I feel as if I've been scapegoated for

2005-04-26T08:16:00.000-05:00

Wonderin'They used to say that $0.05 of every slice of pizza went to the Mafia. Parenthetically, I don't know which "they" to which I am referring. And what would happen when you had a pizza cut into 8 slices rather than 6. Did the Mob get an extra dime? How they keep track? I read this in a book of Urban Legends awhile back. Anyway, I wonder how much of the price of each gallon of gas goes to

2005-03-17T11:08:00.000-06:00

BlarneyI just heard the current occupant of the White House use the words "Courage and Honesty". How can he do that with a straight face? Or does he ever do anything with a straight face?Just wondering.I'm trying to track my reading like David but I'm behind, not in the reading but in the blogging. Will get it back together today.

2005-02-14T15:45:00.000-06:00

Again, I ask you, "Where's the Outrage?"I don't get the NeoCons at all. I've said before, perhaps not here, that I felt as if I had found out the neighbors were practicing infant cannibalism when Bush got elected by a majority of voters this time not simply the majority of the Supreme Court. It seems to me, if Bush is "your Man", than you'll tolerate any incompetence, any drug use in his past,

2005-01-15T15:09:00.000-06:00

From awhile back Emptying the crap vacuum Why is it that I can recite entire Monty Python routines that I've seen maybe twice? Yet I can't manage the Java windowing toolkit. Or the types and keywords. Lyrics to songs I don't even like. But not things I have to do every day. Jerry Seinfeld routines and bits of shows. Movie quotes. We were discussing this phenomenon the other night at

2005-01-09T23:08:00.000-06:00

Here we go. A week into the new year as I listen to the sound of the floor polisher go and go and I am running more. We have had an ice storm which wasn't as bad as they warned us. I did about 12 miles this morning, from Einstein Brothers in Prurient Village to Kellys. I'm trying to run 1500 miles this year, an average of 30 miles aweek and the weather is uncooperative, to the largest extreme.

2004-12-05T10:49:00.000-06:00

When Life comes to a Standstill To light a fuse We could use A hand full of wheel And a day off And a bruised road - Jeff Tweedy I love my job but I was looking forward to getting away for the holiday and seeing my family but Laurie got sick. Now, I've got a day off. I slept late but I'd rather be running or riding my bike. Working until late and taking an hour or so to wind down doesn't lend

2004-12-01T10:31:00.000-06:00

Another Thought Looking at my email, it struck me how many of them are not specifically for me. It often has less that catch my interest than the newspaper, which seems to take more time sorting out than actually reading.

2004-11-11T11:37:00.000-06:00

A Few Brewskis and I become Bobby Darin We had our taste fair for the Holidays at the store last night, followed by a few drinks across the street, not at the store like last year. Anyway, it went really well until someone submitted my name to sing "Mack the Knife" at the Karaoke. Don't think it'll replace "Stand By Your Man" in my repertoire. Laurie sent me this which captures my feelings

2004-11-03T22:13:00.000-06:00

Wake Up and Smell the Constitution Burning I feel like I've been kicked, hard. I honestly don't remember feeling this bad after the attacks of 9/11; this feels worse. It's as though this country doesn't make sense to me anymore, like it's not the place where I was raised to believe I lived. I don't see Bush moving to the center, if anything, he'll go farther to the right. I just can't believe

2004-09-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Best Campaign Sticker Yet Here

2004-09-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

In Which I am mistaken for a Third World Denizen So today I went to Costco to shop for household items. On the list was: Cheese Fruit Cereal Kleenex Bread Pita Chips I decided to take my Specialized Hardrock with the basket and netting. It was a beautiful morning and I rode through Hyde Park, enjoying it so much I almost went past Costco. I had everything carefully loaded into the basket. Flat

2004-09-26T22:29:00.000-05:00

A Perfect Moment Today we went to the sale at Bikes and Trikes for Tykes. I was looking for a serviceable touring bike frame that I could build up for a travel bike and eventually install S and S Couplings™. What I found was a wonderful Panasonic Touring Deluxe, perfectly fitted to me, with nice Araya rims, a lugged steel frame, Shimano 600 components, cantilever brakes and even a rack. It did

2004-09-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

A Bold New Day Having found these in the Rivendell Reader, I went to their website and became intrigued by their philosophy. It takes me back to the old days of running before there was so much stuff between me and the road. I just fly down the road now. The insoles, of course, are crap. You don't get good insoles in a $200 running shoe, let alone one that costs 1/3 of that. What really amazes

2004-09-16T16:05:00.000-05:00

Best Cartoon Ever

2004-09-09T09:31:00.000-05:00

Mocha likes Cicadas Walking the dogs this morning, I heard a semi-familiar buzz from the sidewalk below me. Mocha, the one-time foundling dog, came running, pulling Laurie behind her. She leaped onto the struggling cicada, lying on its back, devouring it. She found another later, eating it with a relish previous reserved for scraps of steak or chicken thrown from the table.

2004-09-06T09:38:00.000-05:00

Why does the phrase "Crazier than a Shithouse Rat" come to mind whenever I hear or see Zell Miller? And where do they get the name "Zell"?

2004-09-04T19:39:00.000-05:00

What Everyone Needs This. I got these in the mail today after ordering them like, a month ago. Because of the delay, the artist (not The Artist)sent me 15 of them, more than I possibly could ever use. So I shared them with people at work.

2004-09-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

Today at the Dog Park Listened to DemocracyNow on the drive over to Penn Valley. I got to hear the title cut from the new Steve Earle album (I still call them albums, whatever media they're on). Rockin' song. Also got to hear the speech from the Bush twins. Gawd almighty!!! It sounds like something one of the girls on the old Bob Hope specials. They were laughing at the jokes, giggling, to

2004-08-31T16:46:00.000-05:00

From one bicyclist to another. Bikes Against Bush Where are the police arresting the real criminals?

2004-08-30T09:25:00.000-05:00

Been a Long Time, Lonely, Lonely, Lonely Time Haven't updated for over a month now. What have I done? Rode my bicycle in Wisconsin Started working in a new position at the LNFG Bought stuff at Ikea in Chicago in a five hour shopping expedition, brought it home and assembled it. Sat in on the interviews for our new STL Run some Still angry at the Republicans. Not doing enough to

2004-07-12T13:52:00.000-05:00

Yet another disaster Last night at my post at the LNFG, we lost power for the second time in 3 weeks. Last time, it was due to an incompetent truck driver. Last night it was due to KCPL shutting off the power due to a swollen transformer or bulging transformer, so they closed off the power. I felt a collective "Oooooh, FUCK!!!" hit the store as the power blinked. "Not again." We hurried people

2004-07-07T13:11:00.000-05:00

Doing What Must Be Done I received an email from the local chair of the Kerry (now Kerry-Edwards) campaign, asking for volunteers to work a phone bank last night. So I went. Let me say this; I don't like phone solicitors and I don't like being one. But with what's at stake (our country), I do what must be done.

2004-07-05T13:56:00.000-05:00

What were they? We rode down to Kaw Point on the 4th to see where the Lewis and Clark expedition were camped 200 years ago. The US Flag at that time had 15 stars, which leads me to wonder: What were the 14th and 15th states admitted to the Union?

2004-07-02T00:23:00.000-05:00

More Dirty Tricks As E.C. once said, " I used to get disgusted but now I try to be amused."

2004-06-28T14:20:00.000-05:00

Burning Question Okay, I've made my preference in this election known and I even have a Kerry wallpaper with JFK and John Lennon on my desktop but I have to ask this. Who is the guy in the background?

2004-06-21T11:37:00.000-05:00

Worst Personal Ad? Subject: Looking for a female racing partner Hi, I am a male that just started running in March. I am currently training for 5K's and 10K's. I am looking for a female running partner to do the races with. I am not looking for a date just someone closer to my speed at this time. Besides all of my friends are female and I tend to get along better with women no offense guys.

2004-06-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

It's the first day of Summer and Ronald Reagan is still dead God only knows how long it has been since I last blogged. Father forgive me for I have sinned. It has been 8 days since my last blog. Anyway, what's on my plate? 1. Yellow Wristbands Everyone who knows someone who has suffered and/or died from cancer should get and wear one of these. I bought a package of ten and gave them to 8

2004-06-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

Well, this is it. The 12 year old boy that went down and bought McGovern buttons is now 44 years old and appalled by the current failure in our leadership. I am going to the John Kerry rally tomorrow. I will do everything I can to get rid of that man.

2004-05-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

Stuff I've Found Anyway, I was wearing this Aerosmith shirt today at work. I'm not much of an Aerosmith fan, not a fan at all. I do remember waking up each morning in the fall of 1973 hearing "Dream On" on the radio long before they hit big. So having to explain a couple times that I'm not an Aerosmith fan; I merely found the shirt on a dog walk and found it suitable for wearing under my whites

2004-05-11T11:19:00.000-05:00

Fraternity Pranks? Referring to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners as "fraternity pranks" or "frat hazing" is totally beside the point. First of all, "frat hazing" has been banned almost everywhere and should be punished where it occurs. Secondly, none of the Iraqis were, to my knowledge, trying to join the U.S. Military. "You say that I am ignoring the time-honored traditions of the

2004-05-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

The, ummm, rest of the story So, I was going to tell the story of how we came to have a third dog, Mocha. In the fall of 2000, I had resolved to quit my job, with nothing in line. I was simply worn out, grinding my teeth, hating my life. On the Saturday morning before Labor Day, I went for a run with my dogs. I started thinking about the people that had left my (then) employer, by the company

2004-05-10T09:46:00.000-05:00

My Answer In Billy Graham's column this morning, a reader asks, Do you think it's possible that Jesus has already returned to earth and is living in secret somewhere? A friend of mine thinks this is likely, although I don't know what evidence he has. -- S.R. No, I'm sorry I think your friend has confused Jesus with Elvis.

2004-05-06T08:26:00.000-05:00

Almost a month It's been almost a month since I last blogged. Good Gosh. I'm Lazy. Anyway, from a story by Kelly Sue about her dog, I'm remembering how I came to have Mocha, my golden mix. It's a long story which I shall tell tonight. We had dinner with my brother last night. He's in town working on a project with Jack Henry. We picked him up there and as almost all my family adventures

2004-04-06T12:28:00.000-05:00

More email, more rebuttals Don't know who did the research, but this is interesting. It would be more interesting if it were true. Shortly after reading the following e-mail content, I happened to look at the label of a jar of Heinz sandwich slice pickles. Yep...."Made in Mexico" Check some of your Heinz products. "Sen. John Kerry keeps talking about U.S. corporations leaving this country

2004-04-05T23:56:00.000-05:00

So there you go.

2004-03-30T12:43:00.000-06:00

What's really important. This was in Kelly Sue's blog. Now I will admit to thinking about this sort of thing as much as the next guy but really. To invest money in it, and to spend this much time and effort on it. What I really like is all the bonuses Bonus #1: Body Art and Stenciling Kit ($9.95 value) Bonus #2: Creative Ways to Color Your Curlies ($9.95 value) Bonus #3: Style Guide for Guys (

2004-03-26T06:36:00.000-06:00

Hmmm This was forwarded to me by my father, who I'm sure sent it to everyone on his list or at least a good number of them. AND....now a word of caution because I'm not positive these numbers are precise - but if I read it correctly, there were 39 combat related killings in Iraq during the month of January.... in the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's one

2004-03-24T09:32:00.000-06:00

More Well Reasoned and Insightful Anyway, I'm feeling better today but keep thinking of this, a metaphor for my recent career efforts. So it goes. Anyway, I spent a good deal of yesterday digging horse manure and managing to receiving a call from New York Life. My driving around time was spent listening to "Reefer Madness" which I found very interesting and worthwhile. The story of Reuben

2004-03-23T10:33:00.000-06:00

Anger Management What would it take to set you over the edge? How does one deal with the feelings of worthlessness?

2004-03-19T09:17:00.000-06:00

From my desk calendar. A handful of shortsighted people have always existed. But overall, their day is over because the public's attitude toward war and violence has become much healthier than at any time in history. -- HH the Dalai Lama

2004-03-16T13:45:00.000-06:00

Scorpio Style: don't ever tell scorpios they've had enough, forthey'll smirk at you and quietly butintentionaly keep tipping till they're hogwhipering drunk, out of 100-proof spite.Scorpios like to drink, and screw you if youhave a problem with that. most of them see thesauce as something to savour in itself, and notas a personality-altering tool -- though ifdepressed, self-loathingScorpios seek

2004-03-10T09:57:00.000-06:00

Cooking and Resolutions Not that I have many options at this point. but I'm thinking if I stay with my present job at the company whose name I had best not speak, out of discretion. In the next couple of years, I would like to move to Colorado but do so at a rate of pay that would enable Laurie to retire, or at least for me to be the primary wage earner. Anyway, current company is growing but

2004-03-04T21:54:00.000-06:00

Gee it's good to be back home again Just drove across Kansas in a rainstorm. I really feel alive in Colorado, or at least the mountains.

2004-02-25T10:37:00.000-06:00

Later that Day Well, it's come to this again. I'm not blogging often enough and when I do, it's about not blogging often enough. So, what's happening? I really hate that question because I don't know. I don't have an answer for anything anymore. I feel totally inarticulate. My brain is empty. I need some new stimulation, something new to do. I'm frustrated at my career's state, or lack

2004-02-05T20:47:00.000-06:00

I have been away over the last couple weeks. Not in interest of completing this: create your own visited states map but just to get away and kick back for awhile with my wife and our in-laws.

2004-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

7 Minutes I'm going to write this by midnight and then go to bed. Anyway, I set out to learn to be a web developer a few years back, wanting to be in on the cool stuff. I know some rudimentary html but I can't figure out how to get the fucking comments to work on this thing. Other people get this stuff and can do it. Why can't I? What can I learn tomorrow? A little bit and the next day? A

2004-01-14T13:07:00.000-06:00

On Religion I'm an atheist, not an agnostic. I prefer certainty.

2004-01-14T12:48:00.000-06:00

Oh my God, they killed..... I have started out to update this thing a couple days ago and the system crashed. So here I am, trying once again. Last week, we lost Kenny. Not that we really lost him, for he was already a lost cause. He was fighting with everyone at every turn. One day, he came with a hammer-and-sickle t-shirt (lots of hyphenation there) and said, "Hey, look!! Do you agree?" "

2003-12-30T11:12:00.000-06:00

We shouldn't be doing this The other day at work, I ran into our specialty team leader in front of my seafood case. His name is Jeremy and he always calls me "Jefe' (pronounced "hay-fay") and I called him "Ron Jeremy." He says, " I hear he's got a show now on the WB." Eric, my ATL says, "Really." Me: "Well nobody's watching the WB." Jeremy: I think he plays a judge. Jim (front end TL): A

2003-12-26T08:49:00.000-06:00

Friday Five 1. What was your biggest accomplishment this year? Survival. 2. What was your biggest disappointment? Repeatedly getting turned down for better jobs. 3. What do you hope the new year brings? Peace, a new president, a better career for me. 4. Will you be making any New Year's resolutions? If yes, what will they be? Run 2000 miles, learn more geek stuff, make more money, play

2003-12-25T11:28:00.000-06:00

Well, Merry Christmas A career in retail, not exactly the stuff of Rimbaud or even Blue Oyster Cult (who pioneered the use of umlauts by Rock bands) I always find myself taking stock this time of year and once again, I find myself falling short of my hopes and dreams. Even my most meager of aspirations has not been met. (Thanks W) Seriously, I often feel as though I am missing something that

2003-12-22T19:18:00.000-06:00

My Life Obsession I remain frustrated. I mean, I love my job and the company for which I work but I make around half of what I used to make, maybe 60% but nonetheless. I've tried to avail myself of opportunity to advance but have been rebuffed each time for a legitimate reason. I don't really resent the people that get the job but I am beginning to feel like its going to be my lot in life to

2003-12-19T08:29:00.000-06:00

Friday Five 1. List your five favorite beverages. Boulevard Pale Ale Virgil's Root Beer Spring Water Odwalla Green Stuff (I don't recall the Name) Superfood Orange Juice with Soda Water 2. List your five favorite websites. Slashdot Lockergnome Google News Paul's Page Amazon 3. List your five favorite snack foods. Kettle Chips Snickerdoodles Bananas Tortilla Chips Mike and Ikes 4. List your

2003-12-17T20:39:00.000-06:00

Things I don't get. Part 1 Brand loyalty - I get buying the same thing all the time because you like it or it meets your needs. I mean, years ago, a friend told me about Scott tissue in the bathroom because it lasts a long time before you have to change the roll. And I've converted Laurie to it. Fortunately, Costco sells it in like, 30 roll packages, so I can buy about 3 times a year. I don't

2003-12-17T20:19:00.000-06:00

Okay, I'll see if I can get this Squawkbox thing working tomorrow Father, it's been a week (9 days) since my last blog entry. I've had impure thoughts but not enough energy to get them going. I've worked early mornings 5 days in a row, 7 out of the last 8. No wonder I'm so f#cking tired. Chester is recovering nicely. My Prozac (or rather its generic equivalent) has finally arrived. I've

2003-12-08T21:48:00.000-06:00

See if it's working Now Like more Americans than actually voted for Bush, I use Prozac (or rather its generic equivalent). Due to the fact that I can't get an appointment with my doctor until January and I am running out. I've got an order in but they can't confirm it with my doctor. Things could get interesting.