Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Grass is Greener on Our Side of the Fence
Labels:
house
I thought I posted about this last week - it's the most exciting news we've had all summer! We have grass!
As I mentioned previously, we hired landscapers to do the last stage of the back yard: leveling, putting in topsoil and installing sod. They did that on on July 10 and did a great job. We've been watering religiously and staying off the grass to let the roots get established. Another week and we should be able to enjoy it.
The girls have been very patient. They've been able to lie on the grass a little. Soon they'll be able to play on it all they want.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Favorite Charlotte Quotations
As I've mentioned before Charlotte took her time deciding to talk but now that she has she has a lot to say. I thought I'd report some of her/our favorite utterances.
Charlotte is quite the homebody. If we're gone from the house for very long, she'll start saying "I want to go home," eventually with "Now!" appended. Once we're on the way home and we tell her so, she'll say "It's taking a long time".
Sometimes we can't understand her and she gets very frustrated. When she says she wants to go to the playground, it sounds to both Carol and me like she's saying "ping pong." We don't get a very positive response when we try to confirm, "you want to play ping pong?"
Tonight when I got home from work Carol was busy making dinner and Charlotte was trying to tell Carol something about her doll. I asked Charlotte if she could tell me about her doll. She sort of scowled at me, wagged her finger and said quite clearly, "I'm not talking to you Daddy, I'm talking to Mommy." Alright then.
Unrelated to Charlotte's speech but fun nonetheless: tonight Carol had a preschool meeting so I did the bedtime ritual for both girls (usually Carol and I trade off girls each night). After their bath they were eating bananas and a danceable Macy Gray song came on and both girls started moving to it. I started dancing for them, and soon we had a conga line going around the kitchen island with them following me. I'd wiggle my butt or do funny dancing walks and they would imitate me and giggle hysterically. We had to play the song twice we were having so much fun. That's the kind of moment I try to burn into my memory.
Charlotte is quite the homebody. If we're gone from the house for very long, she'll start saying "I want to go home," eventually with "Now!" appended. Once we're on the way home and we tell her so, she'll say "It's taking a long time".
Sometimes we can't understand her and she gets very frustrated. When she says she wants to go to the playground, it sounds to both Carol and me like she's saying "ping pong." We don't get a very positive response when we try to confirm, "you want to play ping pong?"
Tonight when I got home from work Carol was busy making dinner and Charlotte was trying to tell Carol something about her doll. I asked Charlotte if she could tell me about her doll. She sort of scowled at me, wagged her finger and said quite clearly, "I'm not talking to you Daddy, I'm talking to Mommy." Alright then.
Unrelated to Charlotte's speech but fun nonetheless: tonight Carol had a preschool meeting so I did the bedtime ritual for both girls (usually Carol and I trade off girls each night). After their bath they were eating bananas and a danceable Macy Gray song came on and both girls started moving to it. I started dancing for them, and soon we had a conga line going around the kitchen island with them following me. I'd wiggle my butt or do funny dancing walks and they would imitate me and giggle hysterically. We had to play the song twice we were having so much fun. That's the kind of moment I try to burn into my memory.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
STP: Seattle to Portland 2008
Yesterday was STP 2008. This was my fourth year in a row completing the 200-mile ride in one day with friends from the Eastgate Cycling Club.
I didn't bring a camera this year, so there are no photos.
We have been under 10 hours riding time the last two years for an average speed over 20mph, but we have tended to take long breaks and had an elapsed time last year of almost 14 hours. This year I suggested a goal of 12 hours elapsed time; then the rest of the gang upped the ante and decide to aim for 11 hours.
We left Seattle at about 5:40 AM with 10 riders. We didn't start at the official start. It's too chaotic and all of us live toward Portland from the start. Three of us started from our homes in Seattle proper and the rest met on Mercer Island and started from there. We met about 5 miles into the official route (which is 8 miles from my house, so I'd get an extra 3 miles for the day).
We skipped the first rest stop at the 24 miles point and steamed onward. Our first stop was at the second official food stop in Spanaway at 53 miles. We set ourselves a limit of 10 minutes, and I think we were back on the road in 15. We got a little race going with our neighboring Lakemont club on Highway 507 between Spanaway and Roy, but we finally got that sorted out.
Between Rainier and Tenino the course follows a bike path for about 14 miles. In this section I unintentionally got ahead of the group, but hooked up with Ernie, a member who wasn't riding the club group. We in turn hooked up with an anonymous rider from the Habitat for Humanity group. Ernie and the other guy were big and strong and I felt like the weakling of the bunch. Ernie and Mr. Habitat was doing long pulls at 24-25mph, but when I came to the front into a moderate headwind I could barely hold 22, and not for very long. I should have been eating but I knew there was a food stop coming up at Tenino so I didn't. I had forgotten how low that section is. But I survived.
In Tenino at mile 86 I hooked back up with the group and we stayed pretty much together into the halfway point at Centralia. I had ridden 103 miles in 4:51, breaking the record for the fastest century I have ever done. I stuffed down a peanut butter sandwich, a bunch of fruit, a bunch of fluid and we were on our way again. I think we were there about 20 minutes.
I was still feeling pretty good. I had some moments when my legs felt tired, but then before I knew it I'd be pulling strongly. The second biggest hill of the course, at Napavine at 110 miles, felt pretty easy.
At the Winlock mini-stop (an "unofficial" stop presented by local community organizations to to raise money) I held with tradition and ate a hot dog (well, half) and downed a Pepsi. I also soaked my head in the cold water faucet. Temps were getting up there - they would reach 93 by afternoon.
From there it was a mad dash to the Lexington Park food stop at mile 144. We again tried to get in and out quickly. I think we may have been there 15 minutes.
Like the Napavine hill, the Lewis and Clark bridge from Washington into Oregon over the Columbia River didn't feel as difficult as it has in the past. Our group had it's only flat tire of the day a couple of miles before the bridge and I took the opportunity to eat and drink.
The next section is the least favorite of a few of us: from the bridge at mile 150 to the last food stop at mile 174. It's boring highway that follows the Columbia River but with no view, and it has some rollers that start to get painful with 160 miles in your legs. Our fastest five guys rode off into the distance. Four of us switched into survival mode and made a nice little constant-rotation paceline and kept up 21-22mph. When I suggested that we stop at an upcoming convenience store even though it was only 5 miles to the food stop, I found unanimous agreement. It was getting really hot and we were starting to hurt.
At the convenience store I drank an entire liter of Coke and ate a bunch of cashews. I didn't intend to drink the whole thing and was amazed that I did. I also filled a water bottle with ice and Coke and it was heaven on the road. And while were there we collected Brian who had been riding just behind us.
Then we powered on to the last stop. The fast five had already left. We took a brief break and then managed to get back on our bikes for the final push.
At about mile 190 I was mentally done. Toward the end I always start staring at my odometer and it seems to take forever. It's kind of strange, because my body, while tired, still feels fine. No cramps or serious pain or breathing problems, etc. Just mental fatigue.
But before you know it we're doing the last little steep 1-block climb entering Portland proper, the crossing the river and then we're in the cheering gauntlet at the finish. We came in at just about exactly 5:00pm. I did 207 miles in 9:59 for an average riding speed of 20.7mph and elasped time of 11:15 from our meeting place. Very satisfying.
I felt fine coming across the line, but after a few minutes lying on the grass I felt horrible. No specific symptom, just fairly serious overall discomfort. It was probably a touch of heatstroke, although, my pulse was 65 and strong. I didn't even feel good enough to get in some fluids, which is probably what I needed most. But I sat on a bench for 5 minutes and then laid down for 5 more and started to feel better. Carol was there and we finally got up and headed to our hotel across the street. As soon as I walked into the air conditioned lobby I felt much better.
We usually have a group dinner but this year people kind of scattered to the winds. Carol and I went and chilled (literally) for a while and then had our traditional post-ride meal at Red Robin. That Royal burger, with bacon and a fried egg on it, really hit the spot, along with the big chocolate milkshake. Then it was back to the room for a Law & Order marathon until I passed out around 10:00.
My only real post-ride physical problem was sore feet. I think my cycling shoes are about worn out. But I always have foot cramps after really long rides. While watching TV, though, I drank two liters of electrolyte drink plus more plain water. I think that did me a world of good. My feet stopped cramping and I slept well and didn't wake up thirsty in the night. And this morning I felt quite good. I remember last year I felt uncomfortable in the car on the 3-hour drive back to Seattle, but today I felt pretty much normal. The foot pain was all gone by midday and this evening I can't even tell I did STP yesterday. Oh, except for the saddle sores. I've give those a break from bike commuting and take the bus to work for the next few days.
At about mile 155 or so I was talking to a fellow rider and he commented that I looked relaxed. It made me realize that I was much more relaxed this year. I remember the first time I did this ride I was tense the entire ride wondering if I could keep up. But now I know I can keep up, and I know how to manage my energy intake and output for 200 miles. That was a nice development.
Next up: RAMROD in three weeks. Only 154 miles, but 10,000 feet of climbing.
I didn't bring a camera this year, so there are no photos.
We have been under 10 hours riding time the last two years for an average speed over 20mph, but we have tended to take long breaks and had an elapsed time last year of almost 14 hours. This year I suggested a goal of 12 hours elapsed time; then the rest of the gang upped the ante and decide to aim for 11 hours.
We left Seattle at about 5:40 AM with 10 riders. We didn't start at the official start. It's too chaotic and all of us live toward Portland from the start. Three of us started from our homes in Seattle proper and the rest met on Mercer Island and started from there. We met about 5 miles into the official route (which is 8 miles from my house, so I'd get an extra 3 miles for the day).
We skipped the first rest stop at the 24 miles point and steamed onward. Our first stop was at the second official food stop in Spanaway at 53 miles. We set ourselves a limit of 10 minutes, and I think we were back on the road in 15. We got a little race going with our neighboring Lakemont club on Highway 507 between Spanaway and Roy, but we finally got that sorted out.
Between Rainier and Tenino the course follows a bike path for about 14 miles. In this section I unintentionally got ahead of the group, but hooked up with Ernie, a member who wasn't riding the club group. We in turn hooked up with an anonymous rider from the Habitat for Humanity group. Ernie and the other guy were big and strong and I felt like the weakling of the bunch. Ernie and Mr. Habitat was doing long pulls at 24-25mph, but when I came to the front into a moderate headwind I could barely hold 22, and not for very long. I should have been eating but I knew there was a food stop coming up at Tenino so I didn't. I had forgotten how low that section is. But I survived.
In Tenino at mile 86 I hooked back up with the group and we stayed pretty much together into the halfway point at Centralia. I had ridden 103 miles in 4:51, breaking the record for the fastest century I have ever done. I stuffed down a peanut butter sandwich, a bunch of fruit, a bunch of fluid and we were on our way again. I think we were there about 20 minutes.
I was still feeling pretty good. I had some moments when my legs felt tired, but then before I knew it I'd be pulling strongly. The second biggest hill of the course, at Napavine at 110 miles, felt pretty easy.
At the Winlock mini-stop (an "unofficial" stop presented by local community organizations to to raise money) I held with tradition and ate a hot dog (well, half) and downed a Pepsi. I also soaked my head in the cold water faucet. Temps were getting up there - they would reach 93 by afternoon.
From there it was a mad dash to the Lexington Park food stop at mile 144. We again tried to get in and out quickly. I think we may have been there 15 minutes.
Like the Napavine hill, the Lewis and Clark bridge from Washington into Oregon over the Columbia River didn't feel as difficult as it has in the past. Our group had it's only flat tire of the day a couple of miles before the bridge and I took the opportunity to eat and drink.
The next section is the least favorite of a few of us: from the bridge at mile 150 to the last food stop at mile 174. It's boring highway that follows the Columbia River but with no view, and it has some rollers that start to get painful with 160 miles in your legs. Our fastest five guys rode off into the distance. Four of us switched into survival mode and made a nice little constant-rotation paceline and kept up 21-22mph. When I suggested that we stop at an upcoming convenience store even though it was only 5 miles to the food stop, I found unanimous agreement. It was getting really hot and we were starting to hurt.
At the convenience store I drank an entire liter of Coke and ate a bunch of cashews. I didn't intend to drink the whole thing and was amazed that I did. I also filled a water bottle with ice and Coke and it was heaven on the road. And while were there we collected Brian who had been riding just behind us.
Then we powered on to the last stop. The fast five had already left. We took a brief break and then managed to get back on our bikes for the final push.
At about mile 190 I was mentally done. Toward the end I always start staring at my odometer and it seems to take forever. It's kind of strange, because my body, while tired, still feels fine. No cramps or serious pain or breathing problems, etc. Just mental fatigue.
But before you know it we're doing the last little steep 1-block climb entering Portland proper, the crossing the river and then we're in the cheering gauntlet at the finish. We came in at just about exactly 5:00pm. I did 207 miles in 9:59 for an average riding speed of 20.7mph and elasped time of 11:15 from our meeting place. Very satisfying.
I felt fine coming across the line, but after a few minutes lying on the grass I felt horrible. No specific symptom, just fairly serious overall discomfort. It was probably a touch of heatstroke, although, my pulse was 65 and strong. I didn't even feel good enough to get in some fluids, which is probably what I needed most. But I sat on a bench for 5 minutes and then laid down for 5 more and started to feel better. Carol was there and we finally got up and headed to our hotel across the street. As soon as I walked into the air conditioned lobby I felt much better.
We usually have a group dinner but this year people kind of scattered to the winds. Carol and I went and chilled (literally) for a while and then had our traditional post-ride meal at Red Robin. That Royal burger, with bacon and a fried egg on it, really hit the spot, along with the big chocolate milkshake. Then it was back to the room for a Law & Order marathon until I passed out around 10:00.
My only real post-ride physical problem was sore feet. I think my cycling shoes are about worn out. But I always have foot cramps after really long rides. While watching TV, though, I drank two liters of electrolyte drink plus more plain water. I think that did me a world of good. My feet stopped cramping and I slept well and didn't wake up thirsty in the night. And this morning I felt quite good. I remember last year I felt uncomfortable in the car on the 3-hour drive back to Seattle, but today I felt pretty much normal. The foot pain was all gone by midday and this evening I can't even tell I did STP yesterday. Oh, except for the saddle sores. I've give those a break from bike commuting and take the bus to work for the next few days.
At about mile 155 or so I was talking to a fellow rider and he commented that I looked relaxed. It made me realize that I was much more relaxed this year. I remember the first time I did this ride I was tense the entire ride wondering if I could keep up. But now I know I can keep up, and I know how to manage my energy intake and output for 200 miles. That was a nice development.
Next up: RAMROD in three weeks. Only 154 miles, but 10,000 feet of climbing.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Eastgate Cycling Club
Back in October I wrote about a gift we gave to Scott "Scottie" Sensenbrenner, the leader of the club I ride with on Saturdays. I mentioned that although Scottie has been leading this informal group for 20 years the group had never chosen a name or been able to decide on team jerseys.
Scottie took the bull by the horns this Spring and picked a name and came up with a jersey and shorts design. The Eastgate Cycling Club sprang into existence! About 32 people ordered clothing out of the 65 or so who are on the club mailing list.
It's great to be able to identify club members while out on the road. Although I got used to identifying individuals by their regular clothing - now I have to actually remember faces or bikes (I'm horrible at recognizing people).
Someday we'll have a club web site, too. Then we'll really be official.
Looks like we have a pretty good (and fast!) contingent for Seattle-to-Portland on July 12. I'm going to be hanging on for dear life for 200 miles.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Seeing Myself in My Kids
Labels:
family
I was a bit of a hellion when I was a boy. When my mother sees Audrey displaying hyperactive traits, she jokes that I got what I deserved. But seriously, one of the fascinating parts of parenting is seeing parts of yourself in your children.
I have always had a weird habit: I like to interleave textiles between my fingers. Usually it's a blanket when I'm lying in bed or on the sofa. I'll do it compulsively and often subconsciously. It can be annoying to a companion, because I have to keep finding new cool sections of the blanket. When you have the right blanket and you interleave it between your fingers, you get a minute or so of a pleasant cool sensation.
The best blankets for this purpose have a high cotton content because it seems to feel cooler on the skin than other fabrics. My grandmother had a green blanket that was perfect (and besides, it had that "grandma's house" smell). My parents also had a white blanket with blue flowers that worked great. At some point I came into possession of that white blanket and I had it until a few years ago when it finally became so threadbare and torn I had to throw it away.
Audrey has exactly the same habit. She started it very young with the terry cloth tail of "Vegas", her lovey/transitional object that she's gone to sleep with almost every night since she was about three months old. But she also does it with blankets.
She also likes a cool pillow (that's probably pretty common). If she's having trouble getting to sleep sometimes I sit with her to calm her down. We'll get to where I think she's asleep, but then she'll bolt up, grab her pillow and turn it over before flopping back down. She wants the cool side. A few times lately, as a treat, Carol and I have put Vegas in the freezer an hour before bed time. When we hand the cooled Vegas to Audrey in bed she beams at us with joy.
Charlotte also inherited a little of my restlessness. When she gets in bed, she has to flop around from position to position for at least a half an hour or so. She just can't find a position to her liking. I often do the same thing when trying to get to sleep. Although I have it down to a routine these days: position #1 is spooning with Carol (but I overheat in about two minutes); position #2 is rolled over on my other side; and position #3 is on my stomach with a pillow lengthwise under half my body from shoulder to hip. That usually does it for me. Hopefully, Charlotte will figure out her own routine soon enough.
I have always had a weird habit: I like to interleave textiles between my fingers. Usually it's a blanket when I'm lying in bed or on the sofa. I'll do it compulsively and often subconsciously. It can be annoying to a companion, because I have to keep finding new cool sections of the blanket. When you have the right blanket and you interleave it between your fingers, you get a minute or so of a pleasant cool sensation.
The best blankets for this purpose have a high cotton content because it seems to feel cooler on the skin than other fabrics. My grandmother had a green blanket that was perfect (and besides, it had that "grandma's house" smell). My parents also had a white blanket with blue flowers that worked great. At some point I came into possession of that white blanket and I had it until a few years ago when it finally became so threadbare and torn I had to throw it away.
Audrey has exactly the same habit. She started it very young with the terry cloth tail of "Vegas", her lovey/transitional object that she's gone to sleep with almost every night since she was about three months old. But she also does it with blankets.
She also likes a cool pillow (that's probably pretty common). If she's having trouble getting to sleep sometimes I sit with her to calm her down. We'll get to where I think she's asleep, but then she'll bolt up, grab her pillow and turn it over before flopping back down. She wants the cool side. A few times lately, as a treat, Carol and I have put Vegas in the freezer an hour before bed time. When we hand the cooled Vegas to Audrey in bed she beams at us with joy.
Charlotte also inherited a little of my restlessness. When she gets in bed, she has to flop around from position to position for at least a half an hour or so. She just can't find a position to her liking. I often do the same thing when trying to get to sleep. Although I have it down to a routine these days: position #1 is spooning with Carol (but I overheat in about two minutes); position #2 is rolled over on my other side; and position #3 is on my stomach with a pillow lengthwise under half my body from shoulder to hip. That usually does it for me. Hopefully, Charlotte will figure out her own routine soon enough.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sprinkler Fun
Until about two weeks ago, temperatures in Seattle have been below normal for all of 2008. Being a native I don't really notice or care but the immigrants have been whining and whining.
Regardless, summer arrived with a bang last week. Saturday it was in the high 80's and Sunday in the 90's. This week it's cooler than that but still very pleasant summer weather.
Sunday we dealt with the heat by sticking close to home and letting the kids spend a lot of time in the kiddie pool. We had to put it on the front yard since the back yard is all dirt right now (until July 9th when we get instant grass!). The street in front of our house can get a little busy, but on video it sounds like surf!
This evening it was too late to put out the pool but the girls needed to cool off. So we put the sprinkler out and they had a great time.
I figured out why the swing set video I posted last week is so crappy. I just switched from Google Video to YouTube and the YouTube default is to format video for "mobile". Selecting a better output format makes all the difference. Enjoy.
If you don't see an embedded player above, click here to see the movie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)