New faces

I went for another ride with the bike club on Sunday. A great bunch, and at all ends of the scale. There were a few riders there that were twice my age, and had ridden over 6000Km this year. And to top it off, they were about to go to Europe for a bike tour. I want to be in that kind of shape at that age. Hell, I want to be in that kind of shape now.

The ride was 100Km. Good group, well matched. There was a stiff breeze, but we rode in a tight pack, so we moved along very well. Over the ride I had time to chat with a few folks. One guy that told me about his long distance rides, like the Paris-Brest-Paris. 1200Km, in 90 continuous, non-stop hours. A big event that has been going since 1891. He said the worst part, was after riding through all that history, you only see about 1/4 of it, because it is either dark, or you are fighting to stay "dirty side down."

Another rider told me about his bike. It's price tag had the same number of digits as my truck. He was ashamed however, that it hadn't seen the light of day too much this year, about 600Km. I know the feeling. Reminds me of quad I know...

But the one that stuck in my head was the guy who said mid-conversation, that he really had to remember to drink water. Staying hydrated is a big part of the game, but for him, it was a bigger challenge. He told me, he had had a stroke when he was 39. For the most part he has recovered, but he has lost the ability to feel when he is thirsty. While there are many things that bring on a stroke, his doctors made it clear to him that work-related stress played a very big part in this one. Hmmmm I think there is a message in that.

The trick now, is to take the hint.

An offering

So, it's time to do something for a good cause. A far cry from my normal self-centered self.

The annual Terry Fox Marathon is coming to town in September. No, I'm not taking up jogging. I can't see why I would do that abuse to my body. I would much rather ride my bike 100km, than jog a mile. So instead, in an effort to raise money for the Cancer Society, I have offered my hair to be shaved off. The deal is that all my co-workers must first raise $1000, and if they do, the top of my head becomes a que ball. The beard is off limits. I know what my chin looks like, it can stay covered.

The funny thing is, that my hair has never been the topic of so much conversation. After the official announcement was made, one co-worker came up to me with a smile on her face and said "I'm going door to door if I have to". Oh my. I guess people are used to me being so shaggy, that they are caught off guard that I'd shave my head. It's for a good cause.

So show me the money, and I'll show you the top of my head.

Kindergarten was a good start, but

Most people are familiar with the book "All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum. For the most part the book has some valid points, however there are a few "university" level ideas that I think should be added to the book:

1. I am not the only one with a sibling who is a leach on those around them. Maybe in some cases the word leach is strong, but that's how I feel in my situation, so there. And even if the sibling is a big pain in the backside, they are still family, so some effort should be made. Don't think I've seen the light on this, I'm still going to bitch about my sister, I've just seen that others can put up a brave face, I should try too.
2. I know fuck all about raising kids. I have no idea what it means to be a parent. I have a dog that can push me over the edge, imagine what a child could do? However, have no fear, because, if I have a child, and he/she is having a tantrum and yelling and screaming, there will be a table full of child-less know-it-alls ready to offer plenty of advice on what I should do. I'm Sorry guys, that was rude.
3. One can use a quantity of malted-hop beverage as a trade commodity in a formal document. I've always heard of people using a sixer of pill to get things done, but never using old vitamin P in a contract. How Canadian.