I use it to test out modifications to my real blog.
If you think you reached this blog in error, and were actually looking for the diary of a cancer patient, please visit my blog Living with MCL
Jan 272012
May 152011
Teddy Roosevelt said,
Every man of power, by the very fact of that power, is capable of doing damage to his neighbors; but we cannot afford to discourage the development of such men merely because it is possible they may use their power for wrong ends…..
Perhaps the greatest harm done by vast wealth, is the harm that we of moderate means do ourselves when we let the vices of envy and hatred enter deep into our own hearts.
Just something to think about during these tumultuous times!
Mar 042009
It was the first race of the season at Eldorado park on Tuesday, and despite only being back on the bike for about a month (after being off for a month), I actually thought I could still revert to my old form from last year.
Ohhhh! Had I only known what I was in for, I might never have participated.
It was here on the first lap [that's me in the very middle at the back] when I realized I was in trouble.
We had just finished the neutral lap, and the speed started picking up. I managed to stay with the pack for about a lap and a half (2.5 miles), but 30 mph for any length of time was just too fast for me. (Normally that wouldn’t have been a problem, but being 
the first race of the season, there weren’t the usual number of racers, and I couldn’t seem to find any protection from the strong head wind, on the back stretch, in the group.)
I did make an attempt to latch on to the “big guns” (that’s me, back left), but that was really fruitless. I later learned there were a number of olympic hopefuls racing that night, so I wasn’t too upset, as those guys race at another level.
I eventually got in with my group again, and managed to stay with them another lap, but it just wasn’t my day. So I headed home dejected, hoping for better days in the future.
test blockquote
Feb 082009
After glancing at the weather forecast, before going to bed last night, there was no rain in the forecast, so I thought I would be able to go for a bike ride this morning, but that was not to be.
When I awoke this AM, the roads were surprising wet, and when I checked the weather forecast there was a 38% chance of rain by 8 AM and a 50% chance of rain by 9 AM. There goes the bike ride, so I decided I wouldn’t ride, and went and made myself a leisurely breakfast, and started getting prepared to go to the gym.
But what was really surprising is when I checked the weather forecast, a half hour later, there forecast had changed completely to partly cloudy, and no significant chance of rain until 1 AM tomorrow morning.
Jeez! Now I can understand the forecast changing from day to day, but from hour to hour, and by that much!
But you know what, the forecast was right the first time. It rained about the time I got to the gym. Unbelievable!
Feb 022009
It seems I’ve forgotten to post, at least somewhat daily, what has been going on as of late. So here goes a little something, at least for today.
Not much is going on. I did manage to finally get out on the road this past weekend, riding 30 miles on Friday, and another 50 on Saturday, but I didn’t want to over do it, so I took Sunday off, and ran 4 miles on the treadmill instead.
My hand, while the cuts are healing, is still swollen, and it doesn’t seem to be improving, at least not so much as I can see. It’s not overly uncomfortable, but it is a hindrance to my bike riding. Plus I can’t stop picking at all the dead skin as the hands heals.
In the mean time, I will be back out on the bike this Wednesday, hoping to see improvement some time soon.
Jan 212009
Here I sit at home another day, unable to go for a bike ride, and my hand showing little if any improvement.
This is very frustrating! Now I am really starting to doubt my decision to have this operation.
Well tomorrow I get the stitches out, and I’ll see what the doctor has to say. In the mean time, I guess I’ll just sit here and mope! 
Jan 082009
It really felt good to get a full 8 hours of sleep last night. I can’t remember the last time that happened. I only woke up twice during the night for the call of nature, and my cough didn’t bother me at all. [Although it seems to have reemerged this morning.]
So despite the fact I am still a little concerned about my operation today, I am feeling a lot better than I have for the last couple of days.
My biggest concern right now is the fact I can’t have anything to eat or drink, until after the operation, and I’m already getting hungry.
Jan 042009
And I didn’t go for a bike ride.
I’m not sure why I didn’t go for a bike ride, except that I was expecting it to be much like the first 3 days of the year, and I just didn’t want to deal with another dreary day on the road.
Instead I swam a 1000 yards and ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill at the gym.
Not only was I mistaken about the weather, but now I’m having trouble staying awake long enough to watch the football games on TV, and I think I’m getting sick again as well.
Don’t swim a 1000 yards, when you haven’t been in the pool for about a month. Over doing anything most likely causes more harm than good.
Jan 042009
Just before Christmas, a couple of us old riding buddies got together for dinner.
I’d forgotten I had this picture of that evening, but as I was reviewing some old emails I came across it, and decided to post it.
Outside of the usual Garry, Jim and myself, are two old timers who haven’t been on the bike in a while, Nelson and Greg. They’re the two on the far left. Plus there’s Mike in the middle, between Jim and me, who is the boy friend of Naomi, who used to ride with us, so we let him in.
Oh, and if anyone’s interested, Garry (far right) is the oldest, I’m (left of Garry) the second oldest and Greg is the youngest.
BTW, you can click on the picture for a bigger view.
Dec 302008
I even got to ride my bike, on the road, for the first time in a week, yesterday and then again today.
I’m just hoping the forecast for the next 10 days holds true, although right now I’d be happy if it lasts for the next 3 days.
Lows of 35°F in the morning are just not acceptable anytime in Southern California, even if it is winter.
Dec 132008
Not sure how Alpha Inventions works, but at first glance it appears interesting.
The developer of Alpha Inventions explains it, but it’s a little over my head. Hopefully someone smarter than me can explain how it works, and if I have to do anything to be a part of it.