7and8

You know that sound at Wimbledon? That tennis ball sound...*pop*, *pop*. Well it seems tennis balls make that sound not only when struck by rackets but also the human head. 8 found this out the hard way. See I push him on the swing and play fetch with the big dog at the same time. Both need the attention and exercise. It usually goes something like this; push, push, throw, push,push throw. So I start to get bored this afternoon and try to throw the ball over 8's head and between the swing chains. It went something like this; push, throw, push, *pop*. It took him awhile to realize that something had happened. See, he has a head cold right now and had some children's Tylenol on board and I throw the ball as hard as I can to maximize the dog's effort. So this:push, throw, push, *pop* turned into this: push, throw, push, *pop*.....(a look around) crescendo of crying aaaahahAhAHARGH!

...This time it was creepy scary, "Norman, are you in the kitchen?" scary.
I ride at 5:30a to stay away from traffic, therefore, I don't see a lot of people unless they are exercising too. I was riding on Saturday morning and as I approached the last hill on my ride I saw a teenage boy sitting on a rock at the top of the hill. As I topped the big hill here on Winter St. he remained completely still. He wasn't even blinking, eyes at a normal stare as if contemplating what a kidney tasted like. He sat with his arms at his sides and his hands resting on his knees. Usually if you see someone out at this area there is at least a acknowledgement, but this kid just sat there. I was praying that he wouldn't snap before I was able to start my descent. Luckily he stayed in his trance. I've never been so un-nerved by something so still.

I was riding down Washington St. this morning. This are a little more hectic as they continue construction. This was the thickest traffic I've ridden in to date. I make this move to go around a parked car, I know the moving cars have plenty of room but very shortly afterward I hear this sound that takes my brain a while to decode. It turned out to be a police horn/siren, bikes are supposed to pull over too. This SOB scared be so bad I ran my bike half up on the curb and couldn't put my foot down squarely to steady myself. It must have been quite the site to see me hopping along the curb half dragging and half riding my bike with my other leg in the air. I'm sure someone enjoyed it, I certainly didn't. Maybe I'll pick a different road on which to ride.

Here is the cover of Gene Krantz's book. If you don't know of him, he is the guy that Ed Harris played in Apollo 13. He was a key player in bringing Jim Lovell, John Swigert and Fred Haise home. 

On Sunday we went on a tour of Boston with the wifes parents. After the tour we walked past a resturante and Gene Krantz, former flight director for NASA was sitting there. I gave him a thumbs up and the biggest grin I've had in years. He allowed me to impose on his dinner time (he didn't have his food yet) and signed this for me. I still get some tingles knowing that I touched history.  

Yesterday was cool. As I was riding I saw a family of wild turkeys and a deer crossed the road just ahead of me. I also got wacked between the eyes by a some sort of hard-shell bug, not cool, but funny.

Rides are getting easier and faster so I should probably up the milage. I've taken 10 min off of my maiden voyage. The biggest boost came from getting my seat height right. In case you were wondering, set your seat height from the center of the crank to your inseam x .887.

6 years ago Pam and I bought hybrid (cross between road and mountian) bikes. I haven't riden mine a lot but it hasn't been totaly neglected. I've been working out for about a month again since the move disrupted EVERYTHING. So early Saturday morning I was wondering why I was sooo awake and started wondering if I could make it around the block. You kind of got to see our neighbor hood to know why I had to wonder about it. There are hills, skinny roads, wild turkeys, etc. to contend with. This aint no super developed subdivision we moved into it's pretty rural.
I decided I was tired of listening to me and (as Nike would say) was going to just do it, and take the cell if I needed to be rescued. A mile and a half later I was amazed I had made it to the end of our street! I knew I could do this now. As I came around the final bend to home I did a gut ckeck and decided to go around the block again.

I am so STOKED! I really couldn't believe how good this felt. My ass in the breeze, under my own power, birds chirping, wind rushing through my..uh ears (I had a helmet on so hair wasn't an option). Quite exilerating.
Day 1 7 miles in 40min
Day 2 7 miles in 34min New shorts. Yea, you know what I'm talking about; I got bicycle shorts and a moisture magnet compression T, I look like a freaking superhero in all of this black spandex. Well, right now that superhero is the plump Mr. Incredible, but I'm hoping to change that.

I took this picture before the fireworks started. I didn't notice the flag in the bottom left corner until just now. Great 4th of July postcard eh? 

How cool is this?

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

It reminds me of the McD's register, this tech is coming to you.... Do you want fries with that?
I have office pranks in mind already.

My office is complete with file drawer, 'Dogs play poker...Oh yea, and an original Embury. 

I went on a DUCK boat tour of Boston, including the Charles river.
Whouldn't you know it we went under the Henry Whatshisnuts Longfellow
bridge. I didn't see anything dangling.

Aparently the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere originally started:
Listen my children, don't fidget or futz
Paul Revere, now famos, used to be ol' Whatshisnuts

This may seem obvious, but it was appropriately satisfying to listen to Pink Floyd's 'Run like hell' from 'The Wall' while working out. If you match your foot falls with the beat when you are on an elliptical with resistance set on 4 you'll achieve a quadricep-screaming 2.8 mph.

mph is the sound you make when working out hard.

I guess Liam got bored with us last week and wanted to try something new. This may sound like braging, but consider it more of a bost... He potty trained himself.
Now, let's get graphic:
Pee, not an accident. New spiderman underwear sealed the deal and he even came home from the neighbor's house to go potty. He didn't get the idea of poopin' on the first day, but he had it down on the third (biblical eh?)
I'm so happy, proud and contrary to what this blog says, I'm speech less.

I'm going to go cry.

We read on the internet (so it must have been true) that there was a parade downtown yesterday. There was no parade, what a kick in the pants. The adults were just bumbed. The kids are looking for revenge!
Beware Hollistonnetnews.com, there are two children scorn by a memory of a 4th of July parade that never was. You will rue the day!