Turkey Day '07

The turkey is nearly done and I have poured myself a pint.

Is it Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout? No.

Is it Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale? Nope.

Is it Flying Fish Grand Cru Winter Reserve? Uh-uh.

It is 2007 Lawnmower Beer Champion Victory Whirlwind Witbier.

Why should I go with such a warm weather brew on a day traditionally spent shivering under wet grey skies, trying to warm myself up after some hilariously muddy 5K run or 12-mile MTB ride?

Because it's 72 fucking degrees outside, and I just finished cutting my lawn!!!

I love climate change; even if it does mean I won't enjoy my "winter" beers until June-uary.

Riding With Sharks

Riding a bike in The Pines is not much different from swimming in the ocean … The indigents can [and often] do act like dim-witted predators.

After all they’re about the same size. The trucks, I mean.

The common sense rules of swimming in the post-JAWS ocean are as follows. Where applicable replace “sharks” with “big-ass trucks” and “water” with “road.” Other than that, I ‘m sure you can find you own parallels.

1. Always swim in a group. Sharks most often attack lone individuals

2. Don't wander too far from shore. Doing so isolates you and places you away from assistance.

3. Avoid the water at night, dawn, or dusk. Many sharks are most active at these times and are better able to find you than you are to see them.

4. Don't enter the water if bleeding. Sharks can smell and taste blood, and trace it back to its source.

5. Don't wear shiny jewelry. The reflected light looks like shining fish scales.

6. Don't go into waters containing sewage. Sewage attracts bait fishes, which in turn attract sharks. [substitute "sewage" for "roadkill"]

7. Avoid waters being fished and those with lots of bait fishes. Diving seabirds are good indicators of such activities

8. Don't enter the water if sharks are present. Leave immediately if sharks are seen

9. Avoid an uneven tan and brightly colored clothing. I always keep a pair of Chucks and a Raiders baseball hat in my CamelPack. Should I blow out and need to hang at a local tav; I'm covered.

10. Don't splash a lot. Erratic movements can attract sharks. [i.e., dont' be too swishy.]

11. Use care near sandbars or steep drop-offs. These are favorite hangouts for sharks. [They like bombing hills as much as we do.]

12. Don't relax just because porpoises are nearby. Sightings of porpoises do not indicate the absence of sharks. Both often eat the same foods. [porpoise = chick truck driver]

13. Don't try to touch a shark if you see one! Never, ever say “Here kitty, kitty.” [Do not try to race an F-150. You will lose, every time]

14. If attacked by a shark, the general rule is "Do whatever it takes to get away!" Some people have successfully chosen to be aggressive, others passive. Some yelled underwater, others blew bubbles. I personally would go down fighting. [Take the first right - even if you dont know where it goes - then come back to your street. If there's another vehicle between you and 'the Predator' you're even better off.]

All-Saints Day

To all the women I've known and especially those I've loved. You are all Saints. Without you, I wouldnt be where I am today. [Change one thing, and you change everything.]

I thank you all and pray for you always.

God bless you.

Randz.

A Ghost Story

When I lived in Voorhees I used to run a nice 4-mile out and back along Laurel Oak Road through woods and meadows. It didn't look like it does now ... Over the years the woods became a the Jefferson Hospital Buildings and the Skate Zone, the meadows became parking lots, and the path became a sidewalk.

One spring evening, I made the turnaround at the stoplight in front of the Water Company (which once was just a 4-way stop, but now had two left-turn only lanes - with arrows) and head back towards LoneStar, OliveGarden, etc. I was surprised to hear feet shuffling up behind me. Surprised because I hadn't see anyone else running at the light and I had moved quite a way back before I heard them. I turned around to see a guy in his fifties, I guess, also out for a spring run, but dressed in summer gear (singlet and old-school short shorts).

I was on the barely year old sidewalk, but he was running in the street. "Hey! You may want to use the sidewalk. I don't think it's a good idea to be in out in the road."

"What sidewalk???"

"Over here. It's new."

At this point we were just coming around a bend. I could see headlights approaching in the dusk. As they turned toward my guest, the driver leaned on the horn.

When I turned to say "Told ya!" ... There was no one there.



A couple of days later, I called the Voorhees and Gibbsboro Police departments. Many years ago a jogger HAD been struck and killed right where I was.

Right about where the Phantoms practice!!!

Numb3rs

Compared to last year, my weight is the same but my blood pressure is up slightly, from 117/78 to 120/90.

Oh well.

I guess I took more time off than I should have to help D'Wife train for the MS150.