tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3235822968099469072024-03-12T22:17:23.768-07:00Energized and on a BikeRed Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-46851369916800181262014-09-23T23:46:00.000-07:002014-09-23T23:46:38.638-07:00Autumnal EquinoxI love summer and fall, and really hate seeing the daylight hours wane as the longer nights prevail. Because I spend many July evening hours watching the Tour de France, I feel as though I lose out on summer rides. Really, I don't, but my feeling is valid, so I spend August and September playing pretend "catch up." Except for the week I lost because my beloved father in law died, I've managed over 100 mi. per week.<br />
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I'm not racing, so the only goal for which to train is the Foxy's Fall Century on Oct. 18th. That's my birthday ride, where I rid my age + a few extra miles. We shave about 20 flat, boring miles off it, and it's great fun. We're doing it on the tandem this year -- our 2nd year to do so -- because I love being part of a team, and with Chris riding captain means we have a great ride. He's happy to ride with me and loves captaining the tandem. So this event resonates on several levels.<br />
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So summer is done, and I have regrets what long days I could have leveraged, but I believe everything works out as it should. So bring on fall, and shorter days, and pleasepleaseplease rain, and I'll soak it up as I do ever year.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-27804275269244099802014-07-27T00:23:00.002-07:002014-07-27T00:23:50.287-07:00Tour de France ITT & fig preserves wrap upIn case you're interested, this is the recipe on which I based my fig<a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/fig-preserves.html"> preserves.</a> I doubled the recipe in figs, and halved the sugar. Used the ¾ cup of lemon juice, and after removing the figs, cooked what was left until it was halved; added the figs, cooked for a couple minutes, then spooned the figs & liquid into jars. So, half the sugar, double the orange and lemon juice, figs, and cooking the liquid tp about ½ its volume. It may yield a soft set. Do we care? No. The preserves will be totally delicious, I'm sure.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-15803098142504416292014-07-26T23:19:00.001-07:002014-07-26T23:19:22.714-07:00July is a Full MonthFull of processing peaches from our tree, mostly. Our tree, a dwarf Babcock peach, yielded more fruit than we've seen in years. Many peaches were 3" in diameter, most were smaller. We came home after a ride on July 4th and found 2 branches broken from the weight of the peaches. (Oliver ate most of the peaches from the lower branches, and Beau would find one, carry it around, a guard it. Our dogs are quirky.) So we picked those peaches and made jam right away.<br />
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As the month has progressed we were overwhelmed with peaches, tomatoes and figs from friends, and we decided jam wasn't enough. We bought a dehydrator and have dehydrated pounds of peaches, Bing cherries, and grape tomatoes. We've made 3L of peach brandy, which involved toasting the pits, cracking them, toasting the kernels & adding them to the mix.<br />
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Today we made salmon jerky in the dehydrator -- a first. We made fig preserves -- another first. And I found a recipe for tomatoes cooked in tomato juice. I substituted V-8 juice, and followed the recipe. I hope it turns out OK. It's not only a first for us, it's messing with the recipe, which makes me kind of twitchy. Not my M.O.<br />
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Last Friday Colin came home, bearing flowers that his friend Anastasia arranged, and 2 bottles of Marian organic brandy from Fresno. We cut up peaches, roasted the pits, cracked them, then roasted the kernels, and added them to the peach & brandy mix. I double-strained it Tuesday evening; it took much longer than I had thought. And it's so good! It's subtly peachy, with vanilla and toast notes that were quite surprising. I'm not a brandy fan but after tasting this, I may be.<br />
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So adding to our food preservation firsts, besides the salmon jerky, we made fig preserves and tomato...sauce? We'll see what it ends up. As long as we don't get food poisoning it's all good.<br />
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I'm anticipating tomorrow's bike ride and not canning or dehydrating anything. Time to be free!<br />
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And in 6 mos. we'll be celebrating July and its rich harvest.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-4245274234667337472014-05-10T22:35:00.002-07:002014-05-10T22:35:40.406-07:00Loop the Lagoon 10K Tower Challenge.So my last 10K was 4 weeks ago, and flat. Fun, yes, and I was happy with my results.<br />
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I had intentions to run after that but turned all my workout time to ride my bike.<br />
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Today we showed up 90 min. early (when told parking is difficult we believe it). We walked around; it was chilly, clear, windless, sunny and chilly in the shade. I haven't figured out how to get pics from my iPhone to show up here, so I have some learning.<br />
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OTOH, I know links, and here is what my Garmin and Strava revealed relative to today's<a href="http://www.strava.com/activities/139615649/overview"> run.</a><br />
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The official stats are: 1:10:24.; 2nd in my age group; 23rd of 46 women;49th of all runners on the Tower Challenge. Having not trained aside from walking up the hill and riding my bike I'm really proud and happy with my results. Chris was first in his age group. I wonder how we'd do if we actually trained for this...<br />
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Later, after a hot shower, we went to a friend/client's home to celebrate the Fiesta of Santa Monica. I hung onto one of the Filipino guest's coat tails to find out what the food was. I followed her instructions to try everything and only one dish was not wonderful. Desserts were instance. And they featured a roast pig. A priest conducted a service and included candles, a crucifix, and a blessing of the house. It was baffling (we aren't familiar with Filipino Catholic customs), humbling (no communion for this sinner), and very interesting. We were humbled to be in the minority and pleased to build relationships today.<br />
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Final stats 2nd in my age group 23rd of 46 women; 49th if 84 overall. Very pleased with my results.<br />
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FYI I run with the 55-59 age group. <br />
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Color me happyRed Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-85224281380206327182014-05-09T23:42:00.001-07:002014-05-09T23:42:25.533-07:00May UpdateSo I rode every day in April but for the 30th -- I went to Sacramento for the California Association of Realtors spring business meetings, and on that day, Legislative Day. We meet in the morning and usually the Governor comes to speak to us -- Governor Schwarzeneggar usually did a recorded speech; Atty General Brown spoke in person, and as Governor, he's spoken in person twice.<br />
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Then we transition into National Bike Month, and I think I've repped well. I celebrated Bike to Work Day yesterday by riding to the Property Management Committee meeting (good info; total snore as to how it was presented), then to the office for some maintenance, and then the scenic route home. I planned my ride to leverage the wind, and according to Strava, it worked. In spite of my lights and backpack. I do enjoy defying the odds. Full disclosure: I love defying odds whenever I can.<br />
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Tomorrow we're running the Loop the Lagoon 10K Tower Challenge. We've walked it, we've run it, but not with the Lagoon loop. I haven't run in 4 weeks, since the Run for Good that I ran with my injured bestie. 2nd in my age group, yay! And yikes! I haven't run since April 12th.<br />
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And since I've been so bike-centric and nearly overwhelmed with buyers and sellers, and I love it, my runs have fallen by the wayside in favor of my bike. I suspect that will show up tomorrow.<br />
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I'm happy to start...and we'll see about finishing.<br />
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<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-1677317128510606202014-04-21T23:29:00.001-07:002014-04-21T23:29:10.217-07:0030 Days of BikingSo for the 3rd year I've taken on the 30 Days of Biking Challenge. Some days are fantastic rides, both solo and with friends, with some decent mileage and great fun. A few days are riding around the block, park, and/or neighborhood, in whatever clothes I have on, and no helmet. As I've probably said before, this month gets my bike off the hanger and onto the street. Not every ride has to be epic or feature a Strava score. Sometimes it's about smiles per mile.<br />
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This month I've also included some running...I haven't figured out how to run + ride on the same day -- too busy with real estate. I ran a 10K on 4/12, one of my slowest, with a long-time bestie who no longer lives on the Left Coast. We caught up on that run, and since neither of us had run that distance in some time we were both grateful that we helped each other finish. I was 2nd in my age group, a pleasant surprise. And when people asked what I did over the weekend, I shared that. I'm proud of that effort. And happy for the opportunity to connect and finish with my friend.<br />
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So Chris & I signed up for the Loop the Lagoon run, which I have led twice on bicycle (better than a moto escort) but never run. We signed up for the tower challenge 10K. Sometimes I feel as though we're the old people deluding themselves into thinking we're contenders. On the other hand, if we don't continue challenging ourselves, how will we grow?<br />
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And tomorrow I'll get up and do what needs to be done, esp. if I can ride my bike.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-39082840657419592062014-02-25T23:44:00.001-08:002014-02-25T23:44:48.296-08:00Happening NowIf anyone sees my mojo, please send it back. I need it.<br />
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Had a so-so weekend relative to real estate (buyers cancelled at the last minute), and a great bike weekend, and an even better family Saturday.<br />
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However, Monday's run and tonight's trainer session (Sufferfest: Hell Hath No Fury) I struggled to get my rhythm. I'm used to the first mile running/first 5 mi. riding to being challenging, but not both one day after the next.<br />
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Now that I reflect on those performances and my mindset, I see that I'm in a wee rut. After a year of not training but performing that makes sense -- I adapted to the "smiles per mile" attitude and it was great. I loved the fresh perspective, the people with whom I rode, the fun I had. And now that I'm trying to ramp up training to race again, I find much resistance and am not happy about that.<br />
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I have some work to do. I'd predict a long tempo ride but rain is moving in. I wonder if the right play list will keep me on the trainer Saturday morning for more than 65 min.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-7225735565120755072014-01-31T22:41:00.001-08:002014-01-31T22:41:52.278-08:00California, Arizona, New Mexico, and other states, are in severe drought conditions.<br />
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I do no awfulize things, it tends to end up too dramatic and not factual.<br />
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Yet our situation is worth awfulizing. We have some dire consequences ahead. We can pretend that ain't so, or we can embrace our water shortage, and build conservation onto that.<br />
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I throw down my glove...whos is up for the challenge? How will you positively impact our water woes?<br />
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xoxoxoxo,<br />
DeborahRed Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-78232885398674839072014-01-15T23:17:00.000-08:002014-01-15T23:17:23.939-08:00Life and DeathThis week featured 2 funerals, neither of which were expected.<br />
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The first, on Monday, was for a 40-ish man whom I didn't know well, with whom I interacted 8 yrs. ago, and whom I liked. He took his own life, in his house, with his wife and 2 teen daughters present. Mutual friends knew he was emotionally stressed, but no one knew to what degree. I attended the service on Monday afternoon and tried to process how one could be so low, with so many friends and avenues of assistance available to him, and still chose to take his own life.<br />
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Initially I went into judgement: He had help available, he didn't ask for help, how selfish of him.<br />
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During the memorial I re-examined my previous thoughts. I realized that his pain was beyond my comprehension. I had no idea what was going on in his life, and thus, I had no "right" to judge. I feel pain for his family; to his teenage daughters who lost their dad when they need him most, for his wife, who doesn't deserve to to be left with the mess, and now must figure out how to grieve and go on. What he did was so wrong, and yet some good will come of this. I don't see it, but I believe it.<br />
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The day that young man took his life, my friend died in her sleep. Which is the more cruel: Dying by one's own hand, or dying randomly.<br />
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Marge was petite in stature, and mighty in how she lead people. She was a mover and a shaker. Her daughters and husband can attest to that.<br />
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She died in her sleep from currently unknown reasons; her family, friends, clients are all reeling. Back in Decenber, when I had my last crown replaced, we scheduled lunch for today. We couldn't coordinate our schedules before then. We went to lunch at least 3 times a year; average.<br />
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That today was our scheduled lunch date and we were there to celebrate her life was a blow. I'm still trying to process her passing. Many are left with questions to which we have no answers.<br />
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And we wait...and mourn...Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-28764728751589026692013-11-27T21:41:00.000-08:002013-11-27T21:41:31.940-08:00ThanksgivingToday we committed with both money and mind to a new adventure. Next May we will be flying to Rome, taking a train to Valle, and riding 8 days. An Italian bike tour! I've wanted to ride my bike in Europe since I bought my first 10-speed orange K-Mart special for $99 in 1972. That bike gave me freedom I had forgotten; as a young adult in the world it was my transportation and transformation and translation as I commuted from home to high school, one town to another, state to state, road to road, new digs to home.<br />
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Fast-forward to 2005, when I was challenged to help train a friend to ride further on a bike than I had ever imagined. I plunged into that challenge like I plunged into the Colorado River in Sweetwater in May -- never gave it a second thought and figured I'd know what to do once I got there. My friend achieved her goal and helped me achieve a goal I didn't even know I wanted -- finishing a century. And then dozens more, just because I could. I owe her a debt of gratitude. Via my bike and my friend I've made many more solid friends, seen more than I thought my eyes could see, and grown more than I had thought possible. Thanks, Kameo! (And others; you know who you are.)<br />
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And from there Chris got into cycling, first on a tandem, then on a road bike, and then we started racing, holy cow how much adrenaline can we stand coursing through our bodies! A tandem time trial is off the charts! Good thing I mastered Lamaze breathing; it comes in handy when you're screaming downwind, downhill at 50+ mph. That first place podium is so worth it! (Said with tongue firmly planted in cheek; it paid $20 and a t-shirt; whoop-dee-doo.)<br />
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Kameo continued racing seriously; Chris and I started touring on the tandem. San Francisco to Santa Barbara (epic!), Austin, TX, to Shiner, TX; Shiner to Victoria, TX; Victoria to Cuero.<br />
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After a couple years off due to our career obligations (for which we both signed on voluntarily) we're going to do this <a href="https://debster822.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1&action=edit&message=1">Apennines to Adriatic</a> in 2014. I still can't believe it's going to happen -- and I'm over the moon that we're going to do it, with a couple with whom we've forged a sold bond over the last few years. I can hardly wait!Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-23626421472579429902013-11-16T22:16:00.000-08:002013-11-16T22:16:08.369-08:00Fifty Years LaterI distinctly remember the Catholic School kids in their plaid uniforms heading east as I walked walked home from Florence L. Walther Elementary School on an Indian-summer warm November afternoon. I scuffed through the fallen dry leaves every chance I got; especially by the cemetery on Ridgeway St., to avert my attention away from the graves. That's when the first uniform shouted to me that President Kennedy was dead. I called her a liar; my mostly-Catholic background wondered if there was any credence to her assertion. As several more parochial school kids told me the same thing I began to panic. I remember running from Bobby Goldstrom's house on Ridgeway to my house on Buttonwood; I was freaked out by what I heard and wanted to talk to my mom.<br />
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The TV was on and Walter Cronkite was talking; my mom was in the kitchen crying and I knew it was the worst: JFK was dead.<br />
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I recall watching the ensuing ceremonies with a grief I haven't words for -- I was very sad, cried when John-John saluted his father's flag-covered coffin -- yet I couldn't relate. I hadn't experienced a loss close to me.<br />
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I recall chanting in the schoolyard, waiting to be let inside, with at least a dozen classmates, "We want Kennedy! We want Kennedy!" with our fists pounding on the the concrete window frame. I was a Kindergartner, mostly a year behind my classmates because NJ law decided that if you were born after Octboer 1st, you had to wait a year to enter school. I was ready in 1959. I resented having to wait, Most of my neighborhood friends started without me, and that's not set well with me.<br />
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Meanwhile, we have so many JFK 50 Yr. Anni. shows airing. They can do only so much with the facts. And perhaps to engage and exploit the +50 crowd, those of us who know where we were when we heard the news.<br />
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Questions? Email me. I'll get right back to you.<br />
<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-29525338722074542772013-11-03T21:04:00.001-08:002013-11-03T21:19:39.287-08:00The End of an EraIn the late 80's and early '90's we raised fancy rats. They're smart, clean, extremely human-oriented, entertaining. Unfortunately most are born with a virus that infects/affects their lungs, and they die at a young age -- 2-3 yrs. We have many tiny graves in Lompoc due to our rats dying before their time.<br />
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My sister got a couple chinchillas -- Bud and Vern -- and declared that they lived 15-20 yrs. in captivity. Sadly, the Great Dane she fostered had a killer gene, and killed one chn, injured the other to its demise, and attacked several dogs, killing at least one.<br />
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We found a breeder in Morro Bay and agreed to buy an wk old baby. When we arrived we saw that her breeding pairs had cool names, like George and Gracie, Fred and Wilma, Barney and Bettty, George and Jane, etc. George and Gracie gave birth to twins, a rarity in the chinchilla world, and since they're social animals, we bought both babies. I named on Tika (Tee-ka), and Meave named the other Pooh-Bear.<br />
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And so the chinchillas thrived, we played with them, delighted in how they dust and carom around a room, and generally enjoyed them for many, many years. We took them to the Montessori School, among other places, for show & tell. They were great reps for their breed.<br />
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In 2009, July, I think, I was gearing up to attend the Putah Creek Smack Down, the local time trial practice. I walked past the cage and noticed a chin laying on her side -- something they do when they're overheated. I knew right away that she was gone. So instead of that TT practice, we buried a beloved pet, and made her a headstone.<br />
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I noticed earlier this year that the surviving chin, whom we dubbed Tika-Pooh (because they looked identical but their personalities were so different; yet the remaining chin took on the strong personality). was sleeping more and eating less. They were born in 1994 so I thought as she was so long-lived I'd indulge her. I fed her extra raisins and apple and fresh peas, and less timothy hay.<br />
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FAIL. I should have continued her regular diet. Her molars didn't have enough coarse food to grind them down, and they overgrew enough to make her eyes weep.<br />
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But after a visit with the vet on 10/21 (yeah, I wanted to spend my birthday focusing on my pet)), we thought all was well. He gave us suggestions for her diet, and we stocked up.<br />
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So when I saw our little furry love-muffin on Halloween morning, laying on her side, I knew. I picked her up. She was still warm and rigor hadn't set in. I immediately regretted hitting the snooze button, then stopped. So I cried, a lot, put her in a lunch bag, and buried her as the sun came up, weeping uncontrollably because I get so attached to animals, and she was so quirky and fun and we had a bond with her that outlasts many marriages (also sad).<br />
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Today we talked to my MIL, who is in the hospital, freshly out of ICU, and spunky. When I told her about Tika-Pooh's passing I got weepy. I hope to get past that soon. OTOH, she was with us over 19 years, and there's no way to minimize that.<br />
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The animals we include in our lives teach us so many things, give us so much joy, are often key in our sanity. Losing one is really hard. Having support, people who get it, make the loss easier.<br />
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<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-82849851399297233002013-10-01T22:49:00.001-07:002013-10-01T22:49:49.575-07:00So I siubmitted to the annual mammogram a couple weeks ago. Evidently that squishogram wasn't enough as they want me to come back for another one. I scheduled it but don't really understand why, unless this is the new health care provider trying to prove to the old health care provider that newer is better.<br />
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I'm peeved that the people who can provide me with answers want this new picture. I'll give them the new view but resentfully, as no one has fully explained why I need to be inconvenienced again.<br />
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Color me annoyed and inquisitive . And I'll be asking lots of questions.\<br />
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Really, I just want to ride my bike. That will make everything OK. It always have and it always will. I can do anything as long as can ride my bike.<br />
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To be continued...Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-13956471757069022232013-09-23T23:04:00.001-07:002013-09-23T23:04:09.766-07:00My Twitter feed was on fire tonight about Cher's new tour (yay!) while I was trying to learn something about my new MacBook Air. Lesson learned: Choose learning over pop culture. Darn. But still, I need to learn this new machine, despite my experience with my iPad2, my iPhone5, Droid and numerous Windows-based devices.<br />
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I have no issue with Windows -- I've managed to figure out enough about the newest iterations to hang in and function -- yet my frustration is that only 2 of my3 toys sync. I hate that I have to manually upload new info onto my Acer --- my favorite laptop. So far. Yet it's manually-intensive as far as updates go, and really, I don't have the time.<br />
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So...after asking my on-line friends for their take, and spending nearly an hour with my favorite computer nerd, I realized that moving to MBA was a natural, especially since my formerly Mac-shy MLS websites were now Mac-friendly.<br />
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I researched the hell out of it. I talked to people who didn't even know what an app is. <br />
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So 4 days ago I committed so a 13" MacBook Air, and despite initial fears, I'm getting there...to owning this.<br />
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Here I go, plunging into a very seductive and reasoned and different OS. Wheeee!<br />
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<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-54914386113146901382013-08-27T22:40:00.001-07:002013-08-27T22:40:05.836-07:00Volunteering, and Seeing the ResultsBack in the spring, when I was still with Coldwell Banker, they finally invited us to work on a Habitat for Humanity build in Fairfield. Since I joined CB in '06 I worked tirelessly to raise funds for H4H. There were builds in Sacramento and other counties to which I was invited, but I prefer to put my energy in my backyard, in a city/county in which I work. Finally, Fairfield was chosen for 2 builds.<br />
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I showed up on work day with 3 fellow CB agents. We were offered electrical, exterior painting, and post-hole digging. I chose the latter -- I'm the stronger of the 4 of us women who volunteered, and I don't mind physical labor. Also, I dislike electrical, have painted enough, and have experience digging post holes.<br />
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There are experienced contractors who are also volunteers who provide teaching/guidance on whatever level is needed. The recipients of the homes have to put in a minimum of 500 hrs. of sweat equity, and Jean (a Gallagher descendant; I believe we have a relative or two in common), checked us in, made sure we had hard hats and gloves, and distributed lunch at the appropriate time. Her unwavering dedication and loyalty is inspiring.<br />
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I ended up digging 3 post holes, mixing concrete for them, and planting the posts that day. Legs were fine, upper body hurt the following couple of days.<br />
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A couple months later I read that the houses were vandalized by thieves stealing copper. So wrong!<br />
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Saturday, Aug.24, I attended the dedication of the houses to their recipients. I was the only former CB agent there -- none of my colleagues attended, and I know they received the invitation. When I signed in it was as the NSCAR President, to match the name tag I wore.<br />
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It was a big deal. Our local state senator was present, as was our local state house assemblymember. I'd just seen them recently, so I didn't take up much of their time. Local officials were present as well, and there was a fair amount of speechmaking.<br />
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Finally we got to the part where the homeowners spoke -- and that was amazing. Hearing their stories, their history, their gratitude -- humbling and inspiring.<br />
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I'm grateful to have seen the results, to hug the new homeowners, and to have given my time and talent to help the hardworking, deserving women their homes.<br />
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By far, this is the best part of my real estate career.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-88815473348152932852013-05-26T22:00:00.001-07:002013-05-26T22:00:10.062-07:00Shoot Me Now! Chris signed up for 2 triathlons, as he's been looking for a new challenge for a while. I run and bike with him, but haven't been swimming since '05 or so. My colorist advised against it, and I agreed with her.<br />
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Yesterday Chris rode his TT bike 15 miles, ran 3, swam 1/2 mi. with some time between the workouts. I rode a casual ride with a girlfriend who's doing a Ride Around the Rockies kind of ride next month. She doesn't ride much, or fast, but she's good for long tours, and I was happy to pace her on what is for her a distance ride (35.2 mi.). It was fun; we saw turkeys, pheasant, deer, and many other cyclists. We chatted and overall enjoyed the ride.<br />
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Chris mentioned as we drove to SF to have dinner with my best friend from 5th grade that he wanted to swim and ride today. I don't know what inspired me to say that I'd do it with him -- maybe just wanting to support him in his new venture? Once the words were spoken I knew that I was committed.<br />
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So this morning I got up to let out the dogs/make the coffee&espresso/feed the dogs. I really didn't want to do all that at the butt-crack of dawn so after the dogs were fed I got horizontal on the couch. As usual, once I'm awake, I'm up, so I did the coffee thing; Chris made oatmeal. We packed our bags and headed to Gold's.<br />
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I haven't been in Gold's pool, just the Jacuzzi, and without my glasses had to squint to read the protocol signs. I have a pair of Speedo goggles that I don't remember buying but have never been used; I put them on, showered, got in the pool and pushed off.<br />
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The years of practice came back in the first half-lap: how to swim, the hand entry, the head-tilt, the kick, the breathing-timing, all of it -- including the boredom, the sense of sensory deprivation, the memory of same-old, same-old. I stopped a few times due to breathing issues but cranked out 300 meters until my brain called boredom.<br />
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I sat in the Jacuzzi for maybe 3 minutes, watching Chris swim away, when I realized I could help him improve his stroke. Doh! I swam and taught swimming & water safety instruction for nearly 30 years. He used to splash around in pools. Maybe he'd listen<br />
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And he did. And I finished off enough laps to make 500-ish meters (I lost count once I got back into the lap pool). He completed 1/2 mile. I was happy to have overcome my Gremlin that didn't want me to enjoy swimming.<br />
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After about 45 min. of driving home, eating, gathering equipment and changing clothes we headed out on the tandem. We had some rollers and a category 4 hill to climb -- all very familiar -- and a NNW wind to buck. Often I found myself privately kvetching about the conditions, the gear, when to stand -- my body and mind didn't want to be part of a team, and yet if we weren't on the tandem, I know I would have bailed. And then I was on board and it was great.<br />
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So I'm pretty fatugued yet pretty stoked about new challenges. I may or may not do a tri, and ultimately I will remain curious about my abilities and stay open to new challenges. That mindset got me this far, and I trust that it will open new pathways in the future.<br />
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Be open -- be curious. Because you never know what might be in your future.<br />
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<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-24419306817800759002013-05-09T22:39:00.001-07:002013-05-09T22:39:15.278-07:00A Little Bit of OverwhelmLast week, from May 1 through May 5, I spent in meetings or walking to meetings in Sacramento, as part of the California Association of REALTORS (R) midyear meeting. We celebrated Legislative Day on the 1st, with 40 members of our Association attending, and 2800 REALTORS(s) attending overall. The energy was amazing! Alex Creel hammered home what we needed to address with our elected officials, and how we should address those issues. Governor Jerry Brown addressed us live ( Arnold always video'ed it in; boo!) for the 3rd time (once as state AG; twice as Governor), and although he didn't share anything new, he did share what he accomplished since he was elected. The results aren't pretty but they are what the electorate wanted.<br />
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We walked to the Capitol for a huge group picture, went back to the Convention Center for our Region luncheon, then went back to the Capital to meet with our Assemblypersons and Senator. The 1st Assemblyperson was definitely warm to us, and the meeting was quite fruitful. The second assemblyperson has always, until May 1st, sent a staffer or even stood us up. I give her 2 thumbs down. That's just poor form.<br />
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Our state senator has met with us on many occasions; this time she sent a staffer who indicated that she backed our causes. That's fine with me.<br />
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This politicking is disconcerting; I'm in my 2nd year fully involved, following my instincts, and not sure where I'm positioned. I know where I stand with my local association, the state association...after that, what's next?Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-28419316240280709832013-03-06T22:50:00.001-08:002013-03-06T22:50:56.898-08:00A Little Catching Up is DueIn November, on a rainy Friday, I held my Installation as Northern Solano County Association of REALTORS (R) President. Colin and Meave and Chris were there; I was so proud that my kids made the effort to attend. Evidently this is as big a deal to them as to me.<br />
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Chris and Meave's birthdays were the day before Thanksgiving, and we celebrated low-key, and busted it out on T-day at Colin's place. So many of his high school friends and their S.O.'s, and cats and dogs and new friends, and great food, stimulating conversation, etc. etc. -- what a fun day that was! I applaud Colin and his roomies for being flexible enough to share their space with others who need it.<br />
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And there's more to come...when I make time to update and post pics. My bad for being involved in my business & my Presidency & other "stuff." Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day, even when it blows -- you're still alive, and there's always tomorrow.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-65703355784343630432012-11-12T22:42:00.001-08:002012-11-12T22:42:57.879-08:00Installation LoomsAll I've done has lead to this moment, this accolade. In 4 days I'll accept the gavel and become the 55th president of the Northern Solano County Association of REALTORS(R) President. It all seems surreal, like an out-of-body experience, yet I have to own it every step of the way.<br />
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It's been a 7 yr. journey. I remember when I accepted the invitation to run for Director, I told a friend that one day I'd be president. I feel both ready and underprepared at the same time. Yet I know what I do will be my best; intelligence guided by experience. <br />
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My agenda and program are done. The tickets feature me on my TT bike, where I look quite fast. I think I'm the first serious cyclist to become President. Thus my theme, Cycles of Success. If it wasn't for real estate I'd not have rediscovered my love of riding; if not for my bike, I'd not be HTFU enough to be in real estate.<br />
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If the agenda and detailed script are acceptable, then I have 3 days to tweak my speech.<br />
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The irony is, that after 11 mos. of ad libbing while following the agenda, I harbor insecurities regarding my time at the microphone. That's never been an issue for me -- from the beginning of my Jazzercise career, I embraced the microphone. Yet I harbor trepidation, as though I'm not up to the task.<br />
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I have 4 days to figure it out. Place your bets, peeps, and tune in. I might just surprise you.<br />
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That is all.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-74102844720215434422012-11-05T22:14:00.002-08:002013-03-06T22:42:51.170-08:00New AccomplishmentsSaturday was a busy day -- our dear friend Lynnette was getting married, and our Fuji Oval race team was having the annual party. We were diligent in ensuring we could attend both, as both events were important to us.<br />
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Lynette was a beautiful bride, Rick was a stylish groom, and the ceremony was sweet and moving. We were honored to witness it. In fact, we were reminded of when we exchanged vows, way back in August '81. That we're still holding those promises true knocks my socks off. I love my man, and I know he loves me. We keep our vows alive, and expand on them. We're a blessed couple, and we give thanks daily.<br />
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Then we moved to the race team party. Mary cooked and defied her injury to make multiple dishes over a period of days, and pretend it was no big deal. It was a big deal! We all brought side dishes to complement the pulled pork and Italian sausage. I'm sure I'm not the only one who gained weight at that party.<br />
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We didn't get recognition as a tandem team, which made me mad. We're the only tandem team and we scored big-time at Rio Vista (as in the only tandem team and we hauled ass anyway), and Chris wrangled the bike and me and we still scored. That, and we manage to exceed expectations on every ride. So I was miffed that we weren't given our props.<br />
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OTOH, I won the Most Enthusiastic Member award -- and rightly so. Last year I cobbled together a TTT at the last minute, and we scored! And it was fun, despite the frustration of finding a 3rd team member. It was a collaborative exercise, and a great effort, and I'm pleased to have been a part of it.<br />
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This year I cheer-leaded our team, repped at the Putah Creek Smack Down (and scored some PBs as well), and had fewer raced than I'd intended. Nonetheless, I tirelessly cheerlead our team, acknowledge results, invite teammates to try new things -- I'm not always successful, but I give it a go. One for all and all for one -- and help the team every chance you get.<br />
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That's why I won that award, and why Saturday was so fun for me. A team got me here, and I'm on the team to get the next person to their PB.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-21066011911643772752012-10-22T23:20:00.001-07:002012-11-06T19:25:32.955-08:00Sunday, October 21, 2012, was my 58th birthday. What does one who behaves as though she's half that age do?<br />
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She rides her age, on the tandem with her BFF/hubby, with a retired professional cyclist. The Fuji Team Pro fit him just right. We have not ridden the tandem since August, as my memory serves.<br />
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Bombing down Steiger Hill Rd. I knew Chris would be balls-out, and I started the Lamaze breathing early. Good idea; bombing down Cardiac and setting a new Strava score required me just tucking in and breathing. Holy crap, I had serious fear! I kept squeezing imaginary brakes, Lamaze breathing, reminding myself that we've done this multiple times and it's been all good.<br />
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We rode 128 to Winters and shared a sandwich and a cup of really good soup. The sun played hide-and-seek, and wouldn't just shine. So soup helped to warm me up. Stokers should be warm.<br />
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We had 18 miles to get my age, so off we went along Putah Creek Rd., my usual TT route. Fun on the tandem + friend, and on we went, with a final result of 64.3 miles, beer at home, and off went our friend. We'd planned dinner around his presence, so when he bailed, we reconnoitered, and went to the Buck Horn for dinner. We ate ourselves almost stupid and came home with leftovers.<br />
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Bottom line: Birthday ride-your-age-in-miles:http://app.strava.com/rides/25728331<br />
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Bone miles: Done<br />
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Recovery meal: Consumed.<br />
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It was a great day! Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-28052164034612861472012-09-12T23:38:00.003-07:002012-09-12T23:38:48.642-07:00PCSDI had some issues with that carbon clincher wheel so I road it Mercks-style. 27:13, a new Merckx PR.<br />
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Really, I wanted to bail: nothing on the TT bike was working out, and I could have so easily stayed home...and I'm so glad I didn't. I needed to figure out how to make this happen. And I needed the way to make this work for me and my buyers.<br />
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Done. Very happy.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-80721013992668360742012-09-02T21:42:00.001-07:002012-09-02T21:42:28.347-07:00Winters RR and Vacaville GP<br />
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Saturday, 8/25, was the Winters Road Race, a fun event on roads I ride all the time. Chris & I reluctantly attended the Earthquake festival the night before, and I was skeptical as to the town's clean up crew.<br />
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When we showed up on Saturday morning the streets were spotless. You'd never know that crowds had blocked the streets just 12 hrs. before. Props to Winters for making that happen -- that's huge!<br />
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The Juniors started in front of us, and my teammate Kathy and I went to the front, right behind them. The rest of the group thought they were leading but they came up behind us giving us the edge.<br />
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We had a neutral lead-out for about 1/2 mile and then we were set loose. Those Juniors, fueled by testosterone, went off fast. The women all lined up behind me (I was feeling strong and didn't mind leading) and I pulled for 7+ mi. before Kathy came up, apologizing, tried to split the group on the rollers.Nothing doing -- we all stuck together.<br />
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We hit Cantelow and the group was all together. I faded towards the back with a couple women behind me; Kathy was up front. As we were descending/ascending an off-camber part of the road a moto ref neutralized us. A sketchy, maybe new rider jerked left, leaned into Kathy who leaned back. The rider let up, then took out 2 girls to her right, and Kathy and another girl to the left. I didn't see her but saw the carnage & heard the squeal of brakes; I stopped, laid down the Diva off the road, and after the huge P/1/2 group passed, ran to aid Kathy. She was hurt and required some sensitive hands-on help. The SAG driver gathered her bottles, I helped her get out of her shoes as her back was hurt, into the truck, and off she went.<br />
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I had an easy 2 mi. ride to the neutral feed zone, where I pulled out of the race -- my group was >30 min. ahead of me, so what was the point? I felt as though my job was done. Chris & I handed bottles to other teammates, then we drove home.<br />
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That night we had dinner with our CAT3 teammie...the Vacaville GP was combining 3/4 women, and a CAT4 'mate was already signed up. Kameo threw down the gauntlet so I showed up...a very technical race I've marshaled for several years but have always feared riding, With no expectations and a wee bit of a hangover I showed up and rode my guts out, ignoring the scary turns and just racing. Eventually I was dropped by the main field and picked up 7 women, and we alternated who rode with whom. I had many opportunities to play with cornering, hill climbing, etc., and had a blast -- esp. picking off women half my age on the hill -- I'd tell them "Once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed" but they weren't getting it. One day they will.<br />
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So this group I worked with/dropped/worked with, we were lapped at the bell lap. I pulled out but Leon said if I wasn't pulled by an official I could still race. So my last lap was a time trial -- I passed my group of 5 and a lady said "Good for you" as I passed her on the hill. She and another racer passed me on the downhill, and on the straightaway I found some sprint in my legs and beat the pair of them for a top 20 finish.<br />
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And the Friday before we closed an escrow. Sweet! Win win win!<br />
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<br />Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-24447528936872811062012-08-29T22:56:00.000-07:002012-08-29T22:56:50.587-07:00Searching for the No Limits MindsetI've been a bad blogger. <br />
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Many days the thought "update blog now" in a Siri voice went through my brain.<br />
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I ignored it.<br />
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My new postition and duties as President-elect of my local Assoc. of REALTORs (R) sometimes sucks the life out of me, as well as my training and riding<br />
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For instance, 8/15 was the local time trial practice extended 40 km ride. I was in Chicago; I ran 4-ish miles along the lakefront, which was amazing, took a pic, ran back to the hotel. Later, stuck in an airport, I saw the reminder about the race and silently chafed.<br />
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Showed up tonight; reinforced the common knowledge that I'm old and slow.<br />
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My signature race on Sunday will be painful and perhaps without payoff. I'm trying to remain positive. From now until I cross the finish line, it's all a mind game.Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-323582296809946907.post-30660064049064833932012-08-28T22:58:00.002-07:002012-08-28T22:58:43.678-07:00OverdueOh, I'm so far behind!<br />
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I feel bad about it. On a weekly basis, I beat myself up.<br />
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Then I remind myself that this isn't that kind of blog.<br />
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It's for sharing major life-changing events, and hoping to inspire y'all to new successes.<br />
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Fail. Fail. Fail.<br />
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So much learning in the fail. I see that I should make "update blog" a weekly or more frequent reminder.<br />
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We have a long weekend ahead. I don't have a full showing schedule. I'll catch up on my rides and take-aways then. <br />
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I predict an unprecedented weekend. Red Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823925553206169944noreply@blogger.com0