Back Again

Been busy with STARS hockey. Team is inconsistent as we BEAT the DEAD WINGS one night and then lose to Nashville the next. Been to the theater and saw "Seasons Greetings" at theater 2 and "Beautiful Star - An Appalachian Nativity" and "This Wonderful Life" at the Water Tower. The first was about a dysfunctional family at Christmas time (aren't all families) and This Wonderful Life was a one man show doing It's a Wonderful Life. All parts and telling the story. Better than I thought it would be. The Beautiful Star.... was the story of the Birth of Christ as told in an Appalachian Church with "picking and grinnin" music - Very interesting and entertaining but could have offended some.
Also attached with this one is some picts from Big Bend (finally). These wild "Pigs" roamed around the cabins where we were staying.
I'm going to have to have Kimmy show me how to add picts and explanation under them instead of how this is working. but at least I have pictues!!!!!! in my blog

Thanksgiving in Richardson

Well is sounds like everyone had a great time in GA and TN but guess what happened in Richardson. I met the AC/food provider at the door on Tuesday, happy to see him for food and petting, but guess what - he scooped my up and threw (placed gently) me in the Miata for a ride. Now I thought I was going to Cathy and Jerry's as in the past but NO it was the Vets. I went from 2100 sq ft to a pen (I use that term loosely) of approx 5ft x 3ft x 4ft with 3 levels. Top level was fish to attack, and I'm happy it was not the sunny side as I don't like sun. I usually don't hiss but I did this time to express my displeasure of my confinement and the sticky "rope" around my neck. The next 7 days was spent attacking fish, playing with other cats (when the let me or the others out) and sleeping. I heard the Ac/food provider today and was happy to see him but did not act too happy. I thought I would go right home but guess what the vet had not seen me. So prodding, shots, temperature taken YUCK, cold stethoscope (yes even thru the fur), light in the eyes, probe in the ear, mouth pried open to check teeth, weight (10.5 lbs) and even a blood draw for blood chemistry. Finally done, I was placed in a box and it smelled like GA forest and the AC provider paid the bill - free cats are really expensive. I then was carried to the car and someone had put pornography on the back window. (see pictures). Really happy to be home but the AC provider had lots of stuff to carry in so I took over the computer. Maybe next year I can come to and play with the rooster.

DB

Big Bend

It's been a few days since the last post and pictures. The reason I left for Big Bend Nat. Park on Friday and returned late Tuesday. Have been recovering from the 2 hikes (14mi on one) with elevation changes of 2000-2500 feet at altitudes of 7000 feet. Air is thinner up there as well as the legs are weaker. Bicycling and hiking use different muscles. Then 2 days rafting the Rio Grande and that country is desolate to say the least. The canyon let in no (or very little) sun during the day and it was chilly. Camped on the river one night and put on everything I took along to stay warm. The had to come back to work. Off to the Stars games and symphony this Thur, Fri and Sat. I'll get some pictures on the blog later when I figure out how

New Pictures

It has been a while since there have been pictures on the blog. I do not like white refrigerators and it took a couple of years to make this one presentable. Do not wear a watch in the kitchen as it will no longer work after it is magnetized!!!

Here are some pictures of my bed warmer as it is now getting into the 40's here in Big R

I had a box on the bed behind me with the bicycle stuff in it when I was treaurer. The DB has decided the bos was too tall to sleep in so she modified the box. She has done this slowly and makes a mess on the floor. This was a box filled with letter size paper at one time. She has had fun tearing up the box - does not eat but just drops on the floor or inside the box th make a nice soft "nest"

Next step is to find out how to put text next to the pictures but I'm sure y'all can figure it out

Well I see at least one is reading the blog. Nothing new here except the Neurologist found what is left of a brain and pronounced me as well as could be expected for a XX yr old. Not the oldest but the 3rd oldest. No everything is OK. These neurologist vists started about June 05 when I saw wavy lines in my eye? This looked like the heat waves off a hot highway and occurred in about 1/8 of my vision (did not tell the MD which eye(s)because I did not check.) If you divide the eyes in 1/8ths then top 1/8 was OK and the next 2/8 were wavy and the rest of the vision was OK. This was not good as I was trying to fill prescriptions at the hospital so I visited the ER and the symptoms stopped before seeing the MD. However CT, MRI etc later the neurologist had me on Plavix to prevent more. On this visit I complained (imagine that) the medication and why I was on it and he stated no news is good news and keep on taking it as long as no side effects. So I keep taking it to prevent recurrent symptoms and maybe worse. I also bought the dentist a new car as I needed a crown.

Been riding the bicycle and have not fallen off as some thought. 50-60 mi on Sat usually and 30-35 mi on Sunday and maybe if I can get off my butt some shorter rides during the week if time permits. As some know hockey season has started and this week is WE Hockey, TH theater, FR symphony and SA is theater again. Did see Doubt, A Parable at the Water Tower last TH. Brother Cassian (Chip) might relate to this as it is set in a Catholic school and all the "opinions etc" that just might go on. The Playbill states "Shanley, out playwright, has famously joked that he only wrote half a play, the second act is the conversation on the ride home." Very true!!

Still working as usual. The DB is around here somewhere asleep as usual. It is very funny as when I come home in the afternoon (as in SA or SU) she is not at the door to meet me as usual at 6pm. I have to look her up and find here still asleep somewhere in the house. Coming home early does not warrant a visit as it is not feeding time. Just like a cat

Whew a long post - Guess I'll have to post shorter stuff more often - my fingers are tired
Fantom

Sunday 9/28

Bike club had a ride and party today at White Rock Lake. The "party" consists of a bike ride (30mi or so) and a no-drop ride of 15mi or so. That includes all the riders except the "racer' types. The racer types did get in some speed trials on the way around the lake as they are like horses heading to the barn. The ride leader holds back and brings the last one in. Then it is food time (why ride if you can't eat) and door prizes consisting of bike related objects (you expected something else). We get together 3 times a year like this. This allows all the riders from the various rides held around the city to get together as a group. With Dallas being so big (Big D) some riders only see each other 3 times a year. I try and get to the various rides if I can. Some are too fast for me!!!!
Just another boring week in Dallas work, work, work and a visit to the Cardiologist Fri and he pronounced me well enough not to come back until next year. He took pity on me and did not do a stress test (He said to wait until next year). He is a bicyclist so we talked more bicycling as he examined me. I do have a heart - some would not expect that however!! Look for the brain at the neurologist this Fri.

Oh yes, the last of the fruit cake was eaten this week and the "juice" left in the bottom of the pan was the best!!!!!

Taking out a loan for Nov visit for the fudge and more cake.

I was doing this post about 5pm on Sunday and DB was hanging around meowing, meowing and more meowing (get the picture). Normally I pick her up and she sits with me at the computer, this one of the few times I can hold and pet her, but she is sleeping with me now as the weather is colder, but not too close. I've mentioned before she does not like "hot". I looked at the time and she was looking for her afternoon snack. She is used to the "snack" as this is the time I get home to feed her in the pm. Boy is she spoiled - but that is why you have pets. Off to feed the DB.

Monday - Forgot to add to Sunday

Forgot to mention that I went to the dentist on Wednesday and need a crown. YEAH. I asked him if he needed a new car or was going on vacation. This is the DDS I sailed with for several years and came in 7th in the nationals in the M20 fleet. On my first visit he saw me in the chair and said "Whooo this is going to be fun!!!" I needed a filling and he snuck the injection in to numb the jaw. I waited until he was finished and said "By the way Joe I'm allergic to epinephrine." (Epinephrine is used with the lidocaine to constrict the vessels and keep the lidocaine in the area longer) There was silence from behind the chair and a soft walking to the chart and a very soft look through the chart. Joe then said "It does not say that in here." No I said "You thought it would be fun so let the fun begin!!!!". Also visited the dermatologist and he removed a couple of barnacles from the trunk area. Back to work today at SenioRxMed a Walgreens Company (commercial time)

Sunday - Sundaaaaay Sundaaaaayyyyyy

As they say at the Monster Truck Races. Sunddaaaayyy.

Well did a ride to Mountain Creek Lake (see previous comment for the location) and back to Big D and the riders said they did not have enough mileage so we rode to White Rock Lake (ask previous commenter for location) and then back to the start (50mi round trip and no accidents YEAH always best). Today did approx 30mi with the Sunday Roll group. Here is the website if interested - might even see some pictures of me. http://greaterdallasbicyclists.com

Menopause the Musical was very funny and if you can see it do. Was offered seats nearer the stage (wondered why) and I had one of the "ladies" sit in my lap and sing to me. I got paid union wage $0.00 for my performance. Took old songs and changed the lyrics to fit hot flashes, and other things that happen to "ladies" as they age gracefully??? The audience consisted of all women except the 4 men (but who is counting) in the audience of about 300.

The Who's Tommy is in the bottom 2 of my theater experiences. One I guess is I don't like loud music (which I knew was coming as it was a "Rock Opera"???) as one could not really understand the shouted lyrics. The stage was really neat as was the staging of the production.

Stars start the preseason this Tuesday (away game) with home games on Thursday and Saturday. GO STARS!!!!

It is getting chilly (winter down here) 60's in the am and beginning to get out the first layer of blankets for the bed, wearing arm warmers for the rides, leg warmers later and then on to winter clothes. (have ridden in 26 degree weather here). We do not tell the ride leader we are cold as he finds all the hills he can and then we complain (add other word here) about being tired and too hot - We are never satisfied.

Well it's a week later and we survived IKE. Rain and wind but no outages of electricity etc. Of course it messed up Sat riding but Sunday was nice as all the rain washed the dirt right out of the sky and off the streets into the sewers.

Been seeing movies lately Bangkok Dangerous, Righteous Kill, Death Race, The House Bunny, Traitor, Burn After Reading, The Dark Knight, and Tropic Thunder. That should bring y'all up to date on the movies. No Academy Awards here however. To balance out this junk, I've been to the symphony to see Wayne Brady and The Beach Boys. Better entertainment than the movies except maybe "The House Bunny" . Off to see "Menopause - The Musical" on Wednesday and "The Who's Tommy" on Thursday. Went to Theater 3 and saw Defiance on Sunday evening. A play about Marines and the interactions between a black officer, his commanding officer and the chaplin. Not a play that left you with a feel good mood but had some funny parts.

In the midst of all this I'll be seeing the DDS, a follow up with a dermatologist and a neurologist - no problems just followup. Have to keep up with Carmel and the MD's - It's tuff getting OLD.

I might have mentioned some of this before but my memory medication wears off in the evening.

Aren't I cute

This is where I was the other night when I had to humor the AC/Food provider. I was watching from my perch and protecting the house from unwanted small creatures that crawl and fly when I noticed a small movement downstairs. I had to investigate but it was nothing. While I was downstairs I saw a red light moving across the floor. Funny it would disappear when I jumped on it and it was just air. It moved really fast up and down the stairs with me right behind it. I can really move and float down the stairs with fur flying. The AC provider just thought he was playing with me. He got tired before I did and I was ready for more but his finger got tired pressing on the button. I can hardly wait for the next time. That red light can really give me exercise. I need this energy for my middle of the night escapades. At least I don't have to exercise is all this TX heat. I'm a house kitty!!!

It's cooling off in Big R

Two different rides this Sat. and Sun. Different groups and different scenery. Won't give you the details because I don't think anyone would know where Mt Creek Lake is. Attended the DSO and heard the Beach Boys on Friday. Had the symphony and audience dancing in the aisles. Work Work Work again and dull life here in big R. The DB is somewhere in the house waiting for me to get off the computer and come feed her again.

Week in review

Not anything too new in Big R. Worked all week (4 days that is). Saw Wayne Brady at the DSO on Friday but before then got new lenses for my glasses. Rode 55 mi on Sat, 30 on Sun and 49 today (Labor Day). Watched 2 movies at the theater, Death Race and Traitor. Death Race was predictable and watchable and Traitor was much better than the Dallas reviewers led me to believe. Neither Academy Award winners but a way to get out of the sun for a few hours. I see that I will have to turn off the computer when I'm not watching the DB.

Dust Bunny here with a story

The AC/Food provider left the computer on and I thought I would relate a story. Most of you don't know but I love pens/pencils and chase them around the house when I find them. A couple of pencils were left where I could find them and I hid one under my food paper (I keep a paper on the floor so the floor does not get "dirty"). When the paper was changed, it was "discovered" and put up where I could no longer get to it. One of the pencils was on the table in the kitchen. A brief description, as I've seen pictures, would remind you of Doug's desk in the Carmel house. I was trying to get the pencil for the chase when the owner of the pencil came downstairs for some M&M's (snack time at 9pm) and discovered me on the table with the pencil in my mouth. So I lost that one also. I'm always on the lookout for new toys to chase and hide. The world is a toy just waiting to be enjoyed!!!!! I'll relate a duck story later - hopefully with pictures.
DB

This Week if interested

Picked up the bike on Thursday and too it to the ride on Saturday. The ride was to be 70+ miles and when I say the riders and knew I would be riding by myself if I went, I left and did a much shorter distance by myself. Most of the abnormal riders (I normally ride with) were doing the Hotter N Hell in Wichita Falls (10,000 riders). On Sunday I was about 10 mi from the start going up a big hill and shifted to the smallest "chain ring" (one in the front) and the shifter would not then downshift so I rode with 9 gears the rest of the ride - this is much better than 3 and I could at least keep up with the pack as I could spin my legs off and maintain 17mph. Back to the store and they showed me a trick so it would not do that again. I need a new shifter button (not the right term) "naturally for them" as this one is wearing out. Now I don't know why as the bike is just 12 years old and has 60,000 miles on it, well maybe 50,000 but who is counting?

Worked an extra shift on Friday at SeniorMed as they were short a RPh and I have a real good schedule and don't want to mess it up.

Theater time again at Theater 2 and saw "Big Bang". Here is the write up from the Theater 2

"It costs a lot of money to produce a musical on the history of the planet from the Big Bang to the 21st Century! Two ambitious young composers take over a wealthy doctor's New York apartment to give the ultimate audition. Accompanied only by piano, the pair play all of history's icons from Adam and Eve to The Brady Bunch, totally amazing their potential investors."

The potential investors are the audience. 2 performers and 1 piano player. They used parts from the set to "make" the costumes, e.g curtains, table cloths, umbrellas etc. I would see it again but not as many times as "I Love You, Your Perfect, Now change".

Back to work tomorrow just like about everyone else except "Carmel"

Since the last post it has cooled off to 70's in the am and middle 90's in the afternoon. Yesterday on our ride we all thought about putting on leg and arm warmers as it was 73 at the start of the ride. 53 miles later we were happy we left off the warmers. Broke my rear shifter on the ride about 10 mi into the ride and had to ride the last 40+ miles with only 3 gears (the crank has 3 "chain rings"). This is not the way to ride esp after getting used to 27 gears. Took the bike in to get fixed - one shop said 11 days (8/27/08) NO WAY and the other will fix it by this Thursday (we'll see). This am got out the "old" bike, vintage late 70's and is like a boat anchor in weight. Now this bike has 10 speeds. 30mi later I'm still alive and my legs feel like I've ridden 125 mi in the last 2 days (I know I'm a wimp but you get used to the gears). Friday is was double header time at the movies - "Mirrors" and "Tropic Thunder" - horror?? and comedy?? both lacking and will not be on the Academy Award List. Attended a Roughrider (minor league baseball) game last night. Not really interested in the game but 2 biking budettes and a budette friend of one went with me. So the scenery was not that bad. Roughriders won 3-2, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, jalapenos, and the Bud made the evening worth while. Also cloudy and 80 at the stadium made for a comfortable night.
DB is here on the floor on her back napping - what else is new. Will wake her up and give her a brushing to try and keep some of the gray fur from being deposited throughout the house (At least I try).
I know this is not as interesting as Carmel in MI, MI pictures of the kids and laying boxes, and Larry the deer in TN and big wheels - But I'm trying

Well guess what it is Friday again and no work. To reinforce how weird it is here in TX I rode last weekend in the >100 weather. I think 12-13 days straight days of >100 and it has now cooled off with only 95 weather. Will ride 100mi + again this weekend in the cooler weather. There are some weirder people here as they are planning a ride from Austin to Dallas in October (I'm not one of them) over 2 days staying at the Hilton in Waco overnight Sat. Now for the weird one writing. Attended "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to The Forum" last night, don't think I've seen it before and was really funny, and then saw the movie "Hell Ride" this am. The movie is rated "F" by the Dallas Morning News and it was. Normally I like this genre of movie. After watching these movies I do not have to slow down on the highway and look at the gore and wreckage in an accident - just drive on by. Now if I was the first on the scene I would stop and offer aid (before any reader gets other ideas) but when the cops, ambulance etc are there keep on driving!!!.
As for the DB she is asleep somewhere in the AC but I did get about a pound of fur off her last couple of days. This is a weekly occurrence. She likes the comb and brush (for a while) and then likes to play and bite the comb/brush and the fun begins.

Not much going on down here. Working and riding my bike. Saw "House" last night. Both the "House" and "Garden" can stand on their own but interesting seeing both. One now can understand why you did not see more of the actors/actresses in one or the other. Bigger parts in one or the other. Tied up some loose ends, but you would not have had to have them tied up. Much more French in the house that garden as all spoke French except the husband, which made for some interesting scenes. Both plays very funny. Next Thursday I see "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" at the Water Tower Theater. Off today (Friday) and will ride this weekend. Temp will only be 103 this weekend.

Last night went to see a play called "Garden" in a downstairs theater called Theater 2. The play "House" was playing in the upstairs theater called Theater 3. The plays written by Sir Alan Ayckbourn the English playwright. What made the plays interesting was that both had the same people (artists and characters) and the actors/actresses were running up and down stairs as their parts required. Curtain call was one at a time as they ran from theater to theater. See "House" next Thursday. Funny comedy and I wish Br Cassian (Dee) would have been there as they was a French lady that spoke only French (funny how that works) throughout the play with very little translation other that body gestures/language.

I don't know if I told y'all that I saw a play "I Love You, Your Perfect, Now change" earlier this year 4 times and now have a total of "lost count" but over 15 and it plays in the Theater 2 space (50-100 seats) and guess what it is coming back again in 2009.

Thought I would post a couple of new pictures of me. Aren't I cute. Your have to get past me if you want upstairs. That paperwork is really tiring and I needed a nap and just did not have enough energy to turn over.

DB

Well I woke up refreshed from the Saturday ride. No riding on Sunday as I went to Van TX and helped a friend get ready for a garage sale this weekend. Did ride on Monday (99 temp) after work about 20 miles. Nice tune up ride. The silly cat and I went to her retreat on Sunday also. This retreat takes care of her when I leave for a couple of days for whatever reason. The retreat is approx 3 acres with ducks, rabbits, and birds in the yard and she watches from the windows. They also have 2 parrot type birds that fascinate her.

Work has been semi busy with lots of different help as we "lost" 5 technicians to the local police last Tuesday. Not much being said about the charges but I'm sure drugs are involved and futures and licenses are on the line.

Now for the new toy. It talks to you in the car and tells you where to go!!! I like setting a destination and then going a different way and making her say "recalculating" and then continue on my way. Now you all can guess in is a Garmin GPS which is just a toy because if I do not know my way around Dallas after 33 years (yes it is has been than long) or by using a map I should not be driving. Funny thing tho is that if you watch the screen it does not show the traffic in front of you - just the road - so one might run into the back of the person in front of you.

The AC/Food supplier is here on the floor with a cool IV of Normal Saline running into his veins. He turned on the computer and that was about all he could do. In his feeble breath he mentioned that the temperature was 96 at 2pm and he just finished a 65mi bike ride and fell back asleep. When he wakes up (if he does) I'll make him post something else
DB

Just a quick note while the computer is on. The AC,Food supplier bought a new toy over the weekend. I worry about him. His last toy was in 1975 and it was the Miata. This toy talks to him. Whoops he's back. Maybe he'll tell you about his new toy

No pictures this week and probably not many in the future (do not want to show up the Carmel blogger). Rode about 40 mi on Saturday and 30 today. Just around the city with approximately 35 riders. It was 102 yesterday and has been over 95 for the last 11 days (I think that is what the weather man said) At least my brain does not freeze as in other parts of the country. Fried brains taste wonderful but dehydration is fun as you can sit on the side of the road and wait for someone to come get you in an AC car. Off to "work" in the morning and waiting for the STARS schedule to be posted this Thursday.

That silly cat used her password and created that last post. I think I will have to turn off the computer when I'm gone. But the weekend of the 4th we rode 64 miles on Friday, 30+ on Saturday and approx 40 on sunday. I have taken the last 3 days off to recover. It is in the 95+ during the rides and lots of H2O is consumed. Working only 38 hrs per week now, 30 and SenioRxMed and 8 at the VA having taken Fridays off again. Am looking to start taking Wednesdays off again and just work for SenioRxMed. Hopefully I and the Dust Bunny can at least post as much as the Carmel bunch and I know a lot more that the Indianapolis bunch.

The GDB had a party we call the Summer Bash and I was chosen to judge the desserts. Here are the 3 judges and chocolate won. We had ridden 30 miles so dessert was in order

Well - take a look at the image below and make a comparasin. This is from a lecture the AC provider attended this weekend and from a lecture on Schizophrenia an artist by the name of Wain (he thinks) painted a cat as his disease became more advanced. I think you might see some of me in these pictures as the AC/Food Provider gets on my nerves.

Well it has been CE for the last 3 days on one more to go on MO am. Received 11 hrs today after starting at 6:30am this morning. STARS on FR night and the DSO on SA. The DSO played the soundtrack to the Wizard of Oz under showing of the movie on a screen above the DSO. The sound was there by no music on the screen as the music was being performed by the DSO. Kinda neat. No bike riding this week as the CE to keep licenses is really needed to keep the $$ coming in. The DSO did the "Fantom of the Opera" silent version of about 1930's and played the orchestration of the piano music while showing the film. This was better than the Wiz of Oz.

Well guess what I'm back. Having a sprinkler system put in this week. Tired of the hoses and sprinkler moving on a daily basis. Spending some of the $ I've worked? so hard? for.
This SS is really paying the bills.

Saw a great play last night at the DTC. "The Blonde, The Brunette and the Vengeful Readhead". Kinda sad and funny at the same time.

Weather report was 31 here on Monday and 92 yesterday (any in the DFW area those were the temps - Richardson was not quite that bad).

Am going to the last Tornado (hockey) game tonight (regualr season) and the playoffs start soon but am not to optimistic as they had a losing season and ar in 4th place.

Not I know most won't believe this but wil try to post more frequently.

He left the computer on and I thought y'all might like a new picture - Guess who just woke up??

DB