Summertime Blues

Summer started this week. Boredom may set in quicker that ever. Evan slept until 12:30 pm Friday. I came home from work for lunch and he was still in bed. Tory is making a few bucks around here mowing some nearby lawns. The cash quickly burns a hole in his pocket as he runs to Guitar Center to buy something for his guitar. Samantha is off with a friend for the weekend at Lake LBJ. There will be about 30 girls out there, 25 high schoolers.

Need to get rid of van asap. BTW I was hit again recently, this time in the van. I was turning onto our home street when someone decided to pass me the left and hit the front of the van as I turned. I stopped at the curb, and the other car stopped too, but when I got out it drove away. I called the police, filed a report and insurance claim, and was paid by insurance, plus they let me keep the car. The van is almost unroad- worthy. Looking at buying another van probably. Boring.

Tory's hockey season ends

Last night was the end of Tory's hockey season. In a double elimination season finale tourney, his team lost the first game 6-5 with the other team scoring final goal inside of 2 minutes left in the game. They then won next game 5-3 in an elimination match, and then lost last night 4-3 in overtime to be eliminated. In the game they won, Tory took a hard slap shot off an ankle that sent him to the bench and out of the game - it was late with less than 2 minutes left, and the game was still in doubt, the shot was from the opponent's best player, so Tory took one for the team.

He was on a pretty good team, with mostly unselfish players that worked Tory into the game equally as possible. I'd like to see him play with most of them again. He had a goal and 3 assists in regular season play, pretty good for playing almost entirely on defense.

Just off the lift at Taos

BigFoot sighted in Taos

Tory and Samantha on the slopes of Taos, March 2005


Trying to get some pictures posted of ski trip. Not yet familiar with the process. This is one of the few fairly decent shots we have.

BikeTown Austin begins

Not only was I introduced to my new Townie 7 last
Friday afternoon (April 29 2005), but also came in
contact for the first time with the Bike Culture. It
might even be termed a religion. The believers were
there in black riding short pants and yellow and blue
jerseys, riding gloves, shoes, and other regalia. I am
not poking fun, but rather just observing, like a
visitor attending church for the first time. Everyone
was friendly, encouraging, and enthusiastic - the very
attributes you want in your apostles.

My trainer patiently helped me fit my helmet properly
as I clumsily fumbled with straps and clips, and went
over the rules of the road. He gave me realistic
advice on top of what is expected of bicyclists on the
street. I thank him for his help. To be honest, I
haven't worn a helmet much. I rode everywhere as a
teen and while attending college without it. But I
will abide by BikeTown's wishes and wear it
religiously.

It was unusually hot, and I felt sorry for the band
(Texas Swing Demons!?) playing outside City Hall
Friday. They baked as well as cooked. The politicians
worked Lance Armstrong in to just about every other
paragraph of their speeches.

Sean thinks the bike, the Townie 7, is a nice bike and
probably a great ride, just too ugly for her tastes. I
disagree. The color is actually a bit better than
expected from Internet pictures, a darker grey. And it
is a nice comfy ride. I will have to learn to like
fenders. Tires would need to be changed for trails I
think as the tread appears mostly for street use.