As the Godfather of Kross here in NY state. I was amazed to see over 100 riders sunday at the season opener. Years ago when I tired of driving to NE for Kross Istarted holding races. 10-12 people would show up. My first frame I built was for Kross. Maybe the only the Kross bike out there at the time. We used to wonder if people would race in crummy weather. Then it started to grow. I still credt Kross with getting me off the plateau in cycling and raising my game.

They should have had two starts. But, They do the best they can. So 100+ riders slammed into the first chicanes and barriers. Dead stop. Wait.Wait. Wait. Go,rub wheels,hit legs and try to progress forward. There's Ernie. Thats a good thing. Man is he fit. ZOOM up the road he goes. I bring him back in the technical. Back and forth we go. He gets away I have a bad lap. Then the diesel turns on. Getting more and more dialed. Passing people,outside and inside. Run ups were good. Not quite confident enough to bunny hop them yet. They had a whoop section of bark chips. I hit hard in the big plate and cleared the first three,wheelie over the fourth and was on the gas through the next chicane. Really had that section dialed.I roll in for 9th in the masters. That will improve as the season goes. We had a perfect for fall day. Not a Kross day by any means. But the sunshine was a treat. We've had a run of great weather. Not sure how the other Krossers from the Kingdom faired. Mike K was 18th in Open men. Bike problems.

Looking forward to more.

We hit the Ale House downtown for pizza crab cakes and beers. Yes food. I love food and good beer. Smutty Nose Pumpkin Ale will not be a favorite. But you don't know unless you try.

Now how come Ithaca everything is open Sundays and Bobber went all over the crippled cities and barely could get a bite to eat?

Word from the man. Brew at the Zoo was OK.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Our local Kross has started. The cool part is more people are getting on Kross bikes, forsaking the "I'll do it on my mountain bike." We have three "New Bike Mikes" now.There's nothing like sliding skinny tires in drop bars to sharpen your handling skills. After a tuesday practice in fine Belgian conditions,we've had a string of perfect weather. Odd less showed up for the fine weather than the bad weather. No matter Kross rules. Our series opener is this weekend and I'm stoked for it.
Other news Venus, Bobber and I headed to Vermont to ride the Kingdom Trails. It was a recon mission for a later trip. Bobber found a great deal on lodging. We drove up Friday. Stopped at a Thai place outside of Rutland. Yummy. Now this little burg rolls up at dusk. We had to go to the gas staion to buy a six pack just to get a beer. Nothing open.
Saturday we awoke to a hard rain and knew the trails would be closed. We checked in and were told if the sidewalk dries off,you'll be able to ride. So we did some site seeing. Came back and the trails were open. Let me tell you these trails rocked. They were as good as Fairhill or Shindagin. Great flow. I ran a 34/18 on the Carver and made every climb. Tough on a couple,but do able. I'd brought a 20 just in case. Bobber rocked every hill too. Venus was on her game and was whooping at the way. Old Webbs was probably the favorite. That trail would be a killer loop to work out on. Saturday night we hit Trout River brewery for pizza and beers. Excellent. Saw people from the trails and sort of had a big party there. Then we came back and Bobber taught us Texas holdem. Fun times.
Sunday was bright and clear. We hit the trails early after getting a new seat for me. Mine broke late in the ride. The shop was open at 9am. Sweet. We rode till tired. Hit the motel showered and we on our way home. Stopping at Long Trail Brewery for lunch. Another Score. We'll be back to ride the rest this summer.
Kross practice tonight can the eldest horsemen card a win tonight?
Stay tuned. Enjoy life. OGQ

Kross openedThursday. I went up to flag the course only to find the ground windswept and burned of any mositure. No wonder Henk struggles with that place. So no flags. We used land marks and did a half hour race. Two fo the four horsemen appeared and new interloper. Thes three quickly separated themselves form the pack and attacked each other till the end.
Then we did a 50 yard off camber short track event,followed by another in the opposite direction. Some found the limits of traction. All agreed it was good practice. With my leg I needed to do some hill drills. As I was doing them a few others joined in. All it has done is RAIN now, so tuesdays course should be better.
Saturday found us heading to Shindagin for what well be the final ride there before hunting season. We rode new trails. I'd switched to a 34X18 and it was perfect. I could still climb yet wasn't spun out to often. We made it out of the woods just before the big storm broke. Perfect.
Saturday night it rained like the Ark was coming thunder and lightning. At 4 am one lightning strike was like a bomb going off here. My clock radio came on,weird, and the answering machine changed dates and time. Nothing else. Poltergeist?
Today we decided to chance the road and the rain. We won, windy but a nice two hour plus ride.
Sorry no pics. Maybe at Kross on tuesday.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Here we were all set to hit the Ale House for a birthday party. Jake hit the Molson at the Mardi Gras party and was well lubed. We both got beads, but thats another story.So I rolled the Miata into the CLOSED Ale House to find the crew. I'd called and got a message. It should say "Tim is a dick and dosen't care about his business". So we went to Uno's.( Chains are always open and Bingo loves chains) We did get outside seating. Our young waiter wasn't quite sure how to handle the tie dyed group of us. Especially when I asked him " If he had any weed man?" I know Fatmarc thinks hippies smell. But we didn't stink up the joint.

The music was Dark side of the moon. How appropriate. So we drank and ate and heckled one another. Venus made my favorite cake. Which I shared with our neighbors,who were enjoying our party. I got some great gifts. Wool is always good with Kross on the way.

Picked up some fine Belgian beers.

Frank in Utah is cancer free. Always good to hear.

It was back to the mines today. But you have to work to play.

Great weather all weekend. Blue sky baby,nothing better. Love what you have.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Thanks to all for great birthday. It started with a great homemade breakfast. I love breakfast.

A bright sunny day. Sun is good,very good. A light lunch. Then a road ride and a cross workout.

The leg is still being grumpy on the dismounts and remounts,but the technique is there.

A fine dinner at Moxie. I had Ahi tuna, I asked for mine swimming. I love raw tuna.

A Hoegarden, a Chimay and few Ommegangs were enjoyed. No dessert. Amazing.

Now Venus rolled a winner and got me the pink dopers suck socks. These will compiment the pink kit and clash with the Ommegang kit. Thanks honey.

Now onward. Enjoy life and ride your bike. OGQ

I turn 51 tomorrow. If i wake up I'll have beaten the curse for another year. That's six bonus years. I plan on many more. The reminders are all around. Two former students were in motor vehicle accidents recently. So young and so badly hurt. They're both strong willed kids and will bounce back fast. They have goals and dreams. I wish them all the best.

So back to the title. With all the Ale House birthdays. We thought it would be fun to have "Camp" shirts. Tie dye was decided upon. Tish and I picked up kits. It's way different now than when I was a kid. So I prepped everything and ordered the pizza. Other foods were in enroute.

To start the night off rightwe had a lime TILT. Now you may have seen these in the beer cooler at the mini mart. There is also SPARKS and Sparks plus. Basically it's malt liquor with taurine, caffeine,ginseng etc, and some sort of flavoring. 8% alcohol. Trailer park mimosas!!!

Fueled by caffeiene and booze. We somewhat carefully made our designs. The directions had some very cool patterns that any Dead Head would have been proud of. Then they had to soak for twenty minutes. Kind of like not swimming after eating. They were removed and the dye was applied. It then had to sit for 24 hours,be rinsed and washed. I'm afraid they'll come out looking like the kindergarten made them. But there's fun in that too. So we'll all debut them this saturday night. I do like the pic of the wine glass with Ommegang in it.. Nothing like a latex glove for beer drinking. Tish and Mills win the Photo op award for this night.

Kross looms and I practice. I'm even playing tennis trying to get the leg to work. So for a guy who couldn't walk eight months ago. I'm doing pretty good. Like I said Kross is about suffering.

Enjoy life. OGQ

I know I need to post more about the trip and haven't been updating with any regularity.

But as all posts it's a swirling dervish of info for you.

So now Kross has krept into my brain. I did my first Kross workout last saturday. I have a long ways to go with the running part. The leg hurts after about five steps. Technique is good. But the leg lags a bit. Like a slow firing cylinder.

Kross practice starts in September. Will the Four Horsemen dominate like last year?

From what I'm hearing a number of people have bought bikes to join the armada. They will either learn to love or hate Kross. There seems to be no middle ground. Kross is not for the weak of mind.

It teaches you to suffer like no other discipline of cycling. Survive and become a better cyclist.

Thrive on Belgian days. Eat the weak.

I went to the Brewery Ommegang yesterday to check out the lay of the land for the Kross race there. Will have to ride there to really get the lay of the land.

Also they will be sponsoroing the Dave Panella race this year. Very sweet.

I got an advance tasting of the new brew. Ommegedon. Very tasty. The brewer said give it six months of aging and it will be even better. Like I can wait.

Now the young Jedi made a photo album on Shutterfly and presented it to Yoda aka Tom(my MC partner) Even with the force he didn't see it coming. After reading it. He said "That's a book filled with memories, you'll enjoy it foe a long time. " I said " You didn't take any pictures". He tapped his head. I said " Me too, but they mat fade. This book is for you." His mouth fell open.

Catching the master off guard is rare. He didn't know what to say other than thank you. That wa enough.

I've dreamed of a trip like that for years. It happened. Now a reality.

The next epic dream. Get fit enough to repeat as Kross Champion at States for a three peat.

Best get that leg moving.

Busted out the pinstriping brushes and did the helmet. Now how about that hot rod inspired Adirondak chair?

Write it down. Make your dreams real.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Short version of the trip and a few pics.

The trip started two days before the 35th anniversary of my Dad's death.

Ironic, that I'd be starting a journey my Dad nvere would have taken with me.

So here's the highlights. No order of significance.

I got to spend two weeks with my hero. How may people can say that?

The Dragon's Tail is everything they say it is. 318 Turns in 11 miles. Total Focus.

The Wheels through Time Museum is too. Dale fired up some old scoot for a few burnouts.

The roads and scenery of Maggie Valley were amazing. Sensory overload.

All our hosts were amazing. None turned out to be serial killers. Sorry Mom. Well maybe Tim. See photo at the post office. Just kidding.

The Beer Sellar in Nashville is a beer lovers paradise. Friendly too.

The Parthenon replica took longer to construct than the original. How does that work with modern machines?

Hit a number of microbreweries.

Ate way too much the first week. All they eat in the south was MEAT,potatoes and grits. Vegetables and fruit were nonexistent.

We had an epic ride in the rain through the Smoky mountains.

America needs fewer cars and trucks. Way fewer.

All the locals I chatted up were friendly. Except two.

The line of the trip was the On the Go 20 something clerk. "If you could go out to eat tonight. Where would you go?" Her reply " I'm poor. I don't get to go out to eat." Well judging by her size she must have been stealing alot from here employer. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks Tom. A trip of a lifetime.

So this is kind of a three part update.

We've been eating and drinking with great regularity. Dawn shows us in one pic. "How big it really was." Oh maybe she meant the bottle on display. Actually it was about a frog. Or was that Prince Charming?

The sign shows how clever some kids can be in the dark of night.

Now for the trip. The V-Strom is packed and ready to ride. Following the Star Wars theme that makes me a Strom Trooper. I get two week of riding with the Jedi master Tom. Who like Yoda in stature needs his KISS army boots to touch the ground on his bike. We won't be swapping rides as he'd never touch on the Strom. My long legs barely make it with the seat chamois.

Tom will come packed like Walmart and Home Depot. I'll be a dirtbag. I've been paring the load. Have some "throwaway ou fits". Scored some poly pro shirts and underwear. Easy care.

Going to try the smartwool under the armor. God knows a T'shirt or two will be purchased may be a hat.

I wonder if Nashville has a good Salvation Army? Could probably score some sweet cowboy shirts there.

This trip will take us to Maggie Valley NC. Where we'll be going to the Wheels Through Time museum. A number of day trips. Then head to Deals gap to ride the Dragons Tail, 11 miles 317 turns. Then off to Nashville just because, (and meeting fellow netizens) From there we head to Evansville IN. To meet a fellow netizen/bike racer/chef. More Food!!!From there we're headed to Columbus OH. From there we're not sure of the ride home. We may even stop at my sisters.

This trip will be something I never could have done with my Dad. Since he was convinced I'd grow up to be a Hell's Angel. But I'll be stopping at his grave tomorrow, to bid my respects.

Part three is the Willie Nelson song. I had a friend Chris in college that sang in bars. He was good As the night wore on and the bar became drunker/rowdier he'd sing On the Road again. But with his lyrics.

On the road again,

just can't wait to shoot my load again,

down her throat again,

like a band of gypsies we go up the Hershey highway.

It was funny to watch the crowd going. "Did he just say that?"

Then Chris would wind it all up with a sing along of American Pie.

The sad part of the story is Chris killed himself over a his girlfriend at the age of 24. Put the hose on the exhaust of the car ran it in the window. Case of beer on the seat. Good night.

What a waste of talent and a future. I'm not judging him. I just don't understand getting to that point. So to avoid ending on a low note to the beginning of a new journey for me.

I'll be thinking about he and Dad when I get on the road again. How things could have been.

It's a big ol' dirty world get out and play in it.

Ride safe, Enjoy life, pet your dog, say hello to strangers, eat new foods, remind someone why they are your friend, Watch the sunset,

Marvel at the world we live in.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Now Laurie (in pink) is a perceptive reader. She pointed out that more went on than I wrote about. True. But what happens in Vegas,stays in Vegas.

Today we headed to Shindagin for some tasty single track. Bob took day off for it. A nice cool morning found us on pristine singletrack. We poached the on trail since it was mid week. Tire tracks told us others had been there too. Right or wrong we did it. The Chair trail was blast my skills are still a bit tenative. But I did most of the logs. Not the ramps. Our return ride had us descending on "Jerrys" trail. we tried this in the fall and it was bushwhacking and mayhem. Now it's a whooped out technical ride. FUN.

Apres ride, I made fresh cinammon rolls with frosting. BOOM food coma for me. But yummy.

I leave on my motorcycle trip in one week. That will be a blast. Loaded up the bike and did a test run with the gear and baggage. It's a go.

Thats a little update for all. Summer is going great. Trust yours is too. OGQ

Satuday dawned bight and clear. Heading into a perfect day. We tried the Floral Ave Diner for breakfast. Breakfast can be hard ro screw up,but I do love an omelette,homefries and toast.

They're first mistake was serving people who came in after us. Then we waited and waited.

The waitress was pleasant and attentive with the weak coffee. Breakfast came orders slighty mixed up,easily remedied. Not bad. But we won't be headed back soon. Other favorites do a better job for less.

So Bobber and I headed to Pa on the bikes. We met at Spikes Bar.(No cold ones this early) Rolled down Rt 7 on new pavement with a tailwind. The good karma is building. Then in Great Bend Bob shows me a way around Rt 11. I hate Rt11. More good Karma. We get to 848. Time for me to climb and Bob headeds home. I'm right on schedule. Climbed well and made it to camp right on time. Grab a shower and off to the NNS party. Lots of food, drink and men. Some this is the only time we see each other. Lots of laughs. No,No no more beer thanks. Nibble on some snacks mingle. Lots of feedback on the ink. It is a conversation starter. Oh and so was the scar. "Did you have your hip replaced" Almost as good as a dog. To really understand this party you have to go it. FUN.

4:30 it breaks up. The Debutante Ball is at 5. Silverscreen Edition. Me I just wear shorts. This is when drag is funny. Some of these guys are hilarious. Now these guys put on the booze. Pineapple martinis,jello shots and Yuengling on tap. Snacks. The party continues. Me I stick to beer. So I can take pics here. I think this is the party of the summer. Again FUN!.

It's tight you have to "run the gauntlet" to get a beer. Shoulder to shoulder everywhere. FUN!

Details are left out to protect the innocent. FUN! In all today made up for frustrating week.

Life is good.

Rode hills today with the RUUD Mikes. We beat up on each other. FUN.

The foodie in me continues tonight with grilled tuna,tapenade and a salad. Not to menton wine.

Oh the title just ties in the pics.

Allan from Brockport if you remember this leave a comment with your email to me. Thanks.

More good news on the cancer front. All are doing well.

Enjoy life. OGQ

So it's summer vacation. I usually use the first week to catch up on stuff I brush aside during the last week of work. That turned into the usual Bingo frustration. I had to return some "assisted living items" except no one knew where to take them. Then finding the building was a chore.

I needed some dry bags for the MC trip. So I head over to the camp store. Who knew they'd be closed on Monday. Oh well. Lots of little aggravations spoiled day one.

The weekend brought my first long ride in awhile. I was going to ride to Danby via a new route.

Not real confident in the legs lately. But I felt good and averaged 18.1 mph with all the hills.

Rode by my favorite church,they didn't disappoint. I don't even have to use www.churchsigngenerator.com to get these signs.

NNS party and the Debutante Ball tomorrow. I doubt I can post pics of these parties. But I'll have fun.

Cancer updates. All my friends receiving treatments are doing well. Tom is ready for the trip. Carl awaits more food, Bob awaits a full head of hair and FDP goes fishing and ...........!

Enjoy life. OGQ

Lots of time to think here at work. So it's a non-cycling/eating post.
But a friends email really hit home as did a Steve Earle song. His email told me his 21 year nephew was killed in the war. So in a way now I know someone killed in the war. I'm saddened by his loss and his frustration over the war and GW.(Check his blog Lonestarbear). Many parallels to my life here. That will come later in the post.
As he pointed out. It would have been his nephews first Fathers Day,he has a one year old son.
So here's a baby and young mother that will grow up missing many milestones in life. Sure, she may remarry someday. His stepfather maybe everything to him(which would be great) But the memories are there and his Dad is gone. All for what?
Now how does Steve Earle fit in? Here's the song line.
Half a million men fly across the water.
One in ten ain't ever never coming back again.
Fifty thousand sons that never could be fathers.
Don't you ever wonder ? What could have been?
Sure hits the nail on the head. And "W" hates Steve. It's almost like the whole John Lennon thing with the government. Steve is on the hit list because he sings songs that make people think about the war and he's outspoken against it. Yeah, lets fear the rocker. He's the real root of all evil in the world.
I found my father dead at age 15. Sure he was the prototypical 50's Dad. Provide shelter and food for the family. Not a big emotional attachment. He was always at work. Anything we did together was his likes and interests. He didn't like anything I did. He really hated motorcylcles and was convinced I'd grow up to be a Hell's Angel instead of a pro golfer. But the point here is he was my Dad. He did the best he could,there was no manual on how to be a good Dad.
Now I accepted the fact he was dead,pretty fast. But was was hardest is knowing the things we'd never share that most father/sons go through. Mom remarried twice and I accepted these new men as my Dad. Hell they didn't marry me. I was just part of the package. I always introduced both of them as my Dad. They were proud of that. I never went through the "You're not my Dad" anger some people do. Because they had become that. Thanks to both of you. I've buried three fathers. Lucky for me. I have the best Mom in the world. Nope sorry,she is.
But I do enjoy seeing my friends do things with their Dad's and know that they really enjoy their Dad.
So I'll do my ride down to Pa. Clean up Dad's grave and reflect for awhile. Chuckle that he's probably pissed off I came on the chopper and not in a car. But that was Dad.
I know he's seen me grow up. As will my friend's nephew will be with him in spirit. Someday things will happen to that kid and he won't have a clue why. But something inside of him will know it was a message from Dad. Saying "Way to go kid, you make me proud." Maybe he'll look at the ground or maybe he'll look to the sky. But I'll bet he'll smile and it will make his day.
So take a moment today and thank your parents or whoever matters in your life and say, Thanks for being you.
Enjoy life. OGQ

Saturday was a private Dirt Farm party. Now they had a raffle and three lucky winners got to have them play at their house. Jeff said," You and your friends should come to the party." Ok by me. It was great. The host had it catered and as the Coneheads say, There was mass quanities of food and beer. There was pulled chicken,brisket,spiedes, all kinds of baked beans and salads, and a killer dessert table.

There were horseshoes, horseballs, and the twenty somethings were doing beer pong. A very friendly crowd.

The band rocked three sets. Playing from 5 till 11. The party was still going strong when we left

Oddly with over 100 people I only knew other "Dirt farmers". I did meet the host and give him a bottle of Duvel.

Riding for the weekend was CVSP. Bobber, Venus and I rode all the trails. I helped them with skills. Venus is getting the hang of the bigger logs and Bobber is improving rapidly.

The Carver rocked as always. This bike is magic. Buy one.

Fathers day we road into Pa. This is hill intervals for me. The SS uses different muscles so the legs took a bit to get firing.

Zoo report. A couple dead snakes,Venus didn't kill them. They'd already met their demise. The cool thing was the Baltimore Oriole chasing the crow. That little orange fighter was having nothing of that. Very cool.

Last night was the dinner group. Yes, Carl in Fla. More food. We started with sliced tomatoes drillzed in olive oil with avocado slices, fresco queso and cilantro. Followed by two types of tapenade. The real suprise ws the bacon wrapped apricots stuffed with Havarti and almonds.

The main course was duck breast and hoysin polenta. Wine pairing included petit shiraz and one Zinfindal. Turns out the 04 Shiraz was "ripe,lush, refined and had a big nose". My fav.

Chuckles tonight in the form of Singer. It's like being in bad movie. The strong men go off the front. I don't quite have the legs to follow yet this year. So it's roll around in the field driving the train with Henk and one or two others. While the rest claw and scrap to hang on. Or say " I have a team mate up the road" which translates into they're not or incapapable of working. tis is a training race. Nothing more. Oh well. I'll get a good workout.

It's almost time to set the alarm for September.

Don't tick off your kitty. You never know.

Enjoy life. OGQ

Hush now, don't you believe it. go back to bed and dry your eyes.

So I made my retrun to the road race scene. The cycling community is so cool everywhere. Lots of "Hey,I amazed to see you riding etc.". Thanks. So we're miffed I was only doing the 26 and not the 50 miler. Baby steps.

We had a controlled start. The Cookies boys asked me to help them against the RUUD team,since I was the only Ommegangsta there. I told them not to worry. Their best were i the 50 miler and these guys can't race cohesively. After the neutral roll out. Mark attacked. No one went. Not my job. Then WHOOSH off went the tandem. Good for Mark. One of me many of them. You chase. I figured we'd reel them in at the bas of the climb. It happened. Six got away we chased. Why is this old guy driving the train? Are you guys here for recipes? And so it went to finish. The tandem would swoop past on the decsent(not always) then on the flats they'd light it up for a bit and all would tuck in behind it. Never,Never once did the RUUD team show it's face on he front. It was CNYC and myself if it wasn't the tandem.

It came down to a sprint on the uphill finish. Sprinting isn't my game. The year I turned Cat 3 I could big ring this hill. Not today. 4th in the 50+, not bad.

Then a picnic at Venus'. Good food,good times. Then it was off to Cliff's for another dinner.

Grilled sausages with fennel and onions. Thehighlight was the Brooklyn #1 beer he got. Very tasty followed by a Ommegang Rare Vos. A great weeekend.

Graham fest follow up. The paper said 27 thousand people came. you wouldn't have known it.

The paper also said the local businesses noted no increased sales. Where did they all eat and sleep? Weird,very weird.

Stuck a Frazz in just for fun. Enjoy life,OGQ

So they're here. In spite of the last two weeks much ballyhooed event. The Grahamfest.(Billy Grahams son was having a revival at BU) It doesn't seem to have drawn the numbers they expected. They had the overhead road signs up with where to go etc. Extra police for traffic control. We headed to the Parkway for an Ale House night. No problemo.

Now for Gay Pride. They're having a bash downtown and have extended open arms to all. The "Grahamers" responded with the "We hate the sin,but love the sinner" schtick. The paper tried to stir it all up. We'll see.

Back to the Ale House. Good beer. Depsite Bob's mentoring I repeated some over the beers on the round the world tour card. Good beer deserves a repeat.

Then happy group hit McGirks for a rousing Dirt Farm night. These guys had a field day with the Grahamfest. Even changing up the words to "Up against the Walk Redneck Mother".

It was old home night there. I knew lots of people. Had a great time.

Tomorrow I debut the new road kit in my first roadrace. More importantly Venus is having a picnic. Which, Thank you Carl, means more food.

Speaking of food. It's off to the Pig for breakfast.

The car is a 1953 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Deluxe Hardtop Edition. The Dirt Farm sings about these bad boys. Bobber always takes great pics,But the planets were askew last night sooo.

Tish said there had to be a picture of me. Isn't that a great t-shirt design? Take it as you will.

Enjoy life. OGQ

That's it. I'm rocking the pink. The rest of the kit arrived and it debuted on the streets of Bingo.


A nice ride into Pa. A little rain. Even climbed Church road. Just for giggles. The church bell was the siren song to climb this 17% grade.The power of pink!


Dopers Suck.com has pink socks. Maybe I'll get a pair.


Friday was First Friday and the start of Gay Pride in Bingo. A ton of people oit and about. We hit a few galleries. Who knew someone would paint oils fo slabs of meat in a meat locker?


Then we headed to the see Dirt Farm on the deck. They were just starting the second set and crowd was drunk and fired up. The did a singalong with Cover of the Rolling Stone. Pretty funny. They rocked some new surf music and medley of all their songs too.


There was a drunk who seemed spastic or epileptic. He would spin and twirl,then stop and give a weather report. Never hit anyone in his dervish. Now and then he would chug a beer. I, the fly paper for the freaks, managed to avoid him. ODD.


Tish was showing us the night sky and pointing out Venus. Well, Frank heard Penis and said where? He was happy.


Breakfast was the favorite. Stuffed french toast to fuel the proposed championship road course.


33 miles 2378 ft of climbing. Lots of false flats. This on will piss off many. Now the nice part is right at the base of the wall is a turquoise trailer. Considering Dirt Farm sings about them it hits close to home.


Movie review. Half Nelson. Not bad,kind of quirky worth a watch. It's a about a teacher who's a doper teaching in the inner city.Later in the week I'll catch.


Down in the Valley with Edward Norton. Hope it's on par with American History X and 25th hour.



Cliff flying his freak flag proud.


Gonna see my smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone,gonna buy five copies for my mother. OGQ

Friday night looked to be Dirt Farm on the deck at the Pit Box. Rain threatened,but I broke out the fixed and rode over. As usual the deck crowd was well into being hammered by 5:30. So the guy looking at me over the rail must have seen 2 or 3 of me. " HEEEEY you rode your bike here". Yes, "Come on up!" In a bit I have friends coming. "Are they riding bikes too? "No. The magnet for the weird was on in full force. Only one problem. Dirt Farm wasn't playing. OOPs next week. So adults made decisions and we hit Caseys for some food and libations. This truck was parked there and I take shit for how the Jetta looks. HA!

After Caseys we decided to go see the Badweather Blues band at McGirks. I run into a former student in the parking lot. He says "Come on I'll buy you a beer". Twist my arm. Turns out he's waiting to the Twins. More former students. So we get a table and the these two woman come in all smiles and waving at our table.

I figure the guys know them. NOPE. The one in orange is a big flirt. The one that looks like a drag queen is a bit. Then their friend. Tinkerbelle shows up. Now I know the magnet is cranked and running at max. Tinkerbelle is dressed all in pink. Pink phone,umbrella,the whole kit. This woman is scary skinny and scary tanned. Not sure if it was sprayed or baked on.

So the boys are good natured and have some fun. But Scary Spice was looking for more.(She didn't want her pic taken) Jesse asked her if she had any tan lines? She begins to flash us and her friend stops her. Gross, we're laughing like mad and the one girl,gets mad. Don't be judging her. HUH? You come over to our table and sit in strangers laps......... We decided it was time to leave. Escaped from that bad movie unharmed.

Enjoy life OGQ

This sculpture is in front of the Childrens home. They actually utilized the tree that was being cut down and had the chainsaw sculptor create this. It was pretty cool seeing it take shape. Then they moved it to it's new location. Look no food.

On to the holiday weekend.

May is filled with birthdays. Henk, Mike. Cliff,Frank,Jack, Dick and Bob. So the Dinner Club hit to he Ale house for Cliff and Franks birthdays. Tim the owner was working. Now Tim and work don't get along. So our salvation came in the form of Donna the super waitress. As usual. Pizza and beer were had by all. Loose cannon Pale Ale was the evenings winner. More stories of food on the way. Thats it lately. Oh another bitrhday party,OK.

Cliff taking care of the econmics for us.

OGQ