Thursday, May 31, 2007
Countdown to vacation time.
T-minus 28 days till vacation time. I am heading to mountains. Not the Busch beer commercial mountains, but close enough. C&S have a nice (REALLY REALLY NICE) cabin in north Georgia and I am already making a list of necessary items. Bikes, check, casual clothes (anything without the company logo on it), check, coolers, check, order of steaks from Allen Brothers set for delivery, check, beer, check, leave the work at home mentality, CHECK! 9 days of relaxing, tubing, biking, eating, and enjoying good company!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Dopes on doping...
This post is refering to the current rush of professional cyclist who are racing once again, but this time the finish line they are sprinting to is the one at the podium in front of the press where they fall on the sword and confess to all their sins of EPO, cortizone, amphetimines, and whatever else they were handed or bought in the 1990's. Let me throw in the fact that I am a firm believer in he who is without sin cast the first stone, but I am also a believer in disappointment and Catholic guilt.
Bjarne Riis is the latest one (as of today) who has stepped up and said he was riding the EPO train when he won the 1996 Tour and broke Indurains streak of 5 tour wins in a row. Part of me says thank you for owning up and spilling your guts because maybe in the long run this cleansing of you soul and airing of you dirty laundry will lead to a cleaner peleton and fairer racing in the future. The other part of me thinks I would believe you more if you would have stood up in front of the press today, with that carboard box that contains your yellow jersey in your hands and said "This is not rightfully mine, I dont know who it really belongs to, but it is not ME." That could have been the whole press conference and at that point I would forgive and move on. But to blame it on the prevailing environment at the time is not acceptable. Now when I look at the Lance Armstong streak, I will think what if Indurain had not lost to Riis and he had won 6 in a row? But I can also say, What if the innocents (and there are some innocents out there) that did not race last year or will not race this year due to false Puerto accusations, were able to ride and change the face of the peleton, who would win?
Unfortunately after watching the proceedings of the last two weeks I can also ask, what about the people who are falsely accused in a system that claims a 100% win rate on appeals, and a lab that claims 300% higher testosterone findings? Something is fishy and stinky and rotten with this whole system. Cycling must have teams that are free of even the appearance of improprieties AND a drug enforcement system that is living up to the same standards and rules. Some may say this is a rose colored outlook on a sport that is ultimately there just to entertain us and maybe get us to spend a little more money on phones, water, or whatever the shill companies are spending money to push on us.
In the end I wish those who cheat (on either side of the system) could feel just a small percentage of the true dissapointment I have in the system and the current state of bicycle racing it has brought us to. Will that affect the miles I ride each week and the enjoyment I get from a town line sprint? No, but I will always be left with that little hole inside that is called What If? What if everyone rode straight and decided the race based one who worked the hardest and had the greatest talent.
Bjarne Riis is the latest one (as of today) who has stepped up and said he was riding the EPO train when he won the 1996 Tour and broke Indurains streak of 5 tour wins in a row. Part of me says thank you for owning up and spilling your guts because maybe in the long run this cleansing of you soul and airing of you dirty laundry will lead to a cleaner peleton and fairer racing in the future. The other part of me thinks I would believe you more if you would have stood up in front of the press today, with that carboard box that contains your yellow jersey in your hands and said "This is not rightfully mine, I dont know who it really belongs to, but it is not ME." That could have been the whole press conference and at that point I would forgive and move on. But to blame it on the prevailing environment at the time is not acceptable. Now when I look at the Lance Armstong streak, I will think what if Indurain had not lost to Riis and he had won 6 in a row? But I can also say, What if the innocents (and there are some innocents out there) that did not race last year or will not race this year due to false Puerto accusations, were able to ride and change the face of the peleton, who would win?
Unfortunately after watching the proceedings of the last two weeks I can also ask, what about the people who are falsely accused in a system that claims a 100% win rate on appeals, and a lab that claims 300% higher testosterone findings? Something is fishy and stinky and rotten with this whole system. Cycling must have teams that are free of even the appearance of improprieties AND a drug enforcement system that is living up to the same standards and rules. Some may say this is a rose colored outlook on a sport that is ultimately there just to entertain us and maybe get us to spend a little more money on phones, water, or whatever the shill companies are spending money to push on us.
In the end I wish those who cheat (on either side of the system) could feel just a small percentage of the true dissapointment I have in the system and the current state of bicycle racing it has brought us to. Will that affect the miles I ride each week and the enjoyment I get from a town line sprint? No, but I will always be left with that little hole inside that is called What If? What if everyone rode straight and decided the race based one who worked the hardest and had the greatest talent.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Funny phrases
I have been absolutly enthralled with the Floyd Landis hearing these last 7-8 days. I think USADA is about to get their head handed to them. Both sides have made errors from the start, but the truth in the science and numbers cannot be ignored. My favorite exchange is today when a USADA lawyer was cross examining a Landis scientist who was very sure of himself and his numbers and the lawyer made the mistake of asking him about a number being 6% off what it should be when the limit in the SOP was supposed to be 1%. The lawyer asked isnt 6% close to 1% and the scientist told him "No it is 600% away from 1%." This mentality by USADA and LNDD that little differences are "close to" the numbers they are supposed to be that and it is right because I say it is right will be the downfall of this case for USADA. Close doesnt count when you are analyzing and crunching the numbers. Small differences turn into large differences when you multiply or compound them.
________________
I have been hearing the phrase "carbon footprint" a lot lately in reference to the impact you have on the planet you live on. I think that is a funny phrase for something so serious. I think someone needs to set up a website where you can enter the details of your lifestyle and you will get a visual interpretation of your carbon footprint compared to other people and other organizations. Of course if you dont get your numbers right you will find yourself in an arbitration hearing discussing 6% with a smart scientist.
________________
I have been hearing the phrase "carbon footprint" a lot lately in reference to the impact you have on the planet you live on. I think that is a funny phrase for something so serious. I think someone needs to set up a website where you can enter the details of your lifestyle and you will get a visual interpretation of your carbon footprint compared to other people and other organizations. Of course if you dont get your numbers right you will find yourself in an arbitration hearing discussing 6% with a smart scientist.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Funny numbers
Read the post below first then come back to this.
1.3 BILLION cows on the Earth right now. Each one producing 1/2 pounds of Methane each day. Methane make p 13% of the greenhouse gases that supposedly cause the Earth to warm up. Methane stays in the atmosphere for 10 years, AND it 20 times the amount of heat that an equal amount of carbon dioxide. THOSE are some scary numbers. Also remember that methane is like crack to Love Bugs, so if we get ride of it we will take a step to reducing Love Bugs. I ate a nice Cajun Burger for lunch today, it is my little step to reducing the number of methane producing animals on this earth. Join me wont you please?
1.3 BILLION cows on the Earth right now. Each one producing 1/2 pounds of Methane each day. Methane make p 13% of the greenhouse gases that supposedly cause the Earth to warm up. Methane stays in the atmosphere for 10 years, AND it 20 times the amount of heat that an equal amount of carbon dioxide. THOSE are some scary numbers. Also remember that methane is like crack to Love Bugs, so if we get ride of it we will take a step to reducing Love Bugs. I ate a nice Cajun Burger for lunch today, it is my little step to reducing the number of methane producing animals on this earth. Join me wont you please?
People in houses shouldnt throw stones.
A couple things urked me this last week. I was reading an article in Car and Driver where the editor was making a list of the reasons why CAFE (big government) increasing the fuel mileage requirements for car makers from a 27.5 average to 35 or above is not a good idea. The main focus of the ideas is that if you raise the MPG on vehicles it makes driving them cheaper (if gas prices remain at the same level) and that encourages people to drive more. It is pretty simple sound logic. If you want to encourage people to drive less or use public transport you sure dont make driving cheaper, you make it more expensive. So to truly change peoples driving habits you have to change the cost structure of transportation to make the cleaner alternatives more attractive. But the one number that stuck to me in his whole article was that transportation only accounts for 18% of the evil greenhouse gases that Al Gore and his pals would have us worrying about. Would anyone care to guess what accounts for 38% of our greenhouse gas emmisions? One hint, it isnt cows, but they do account for a small percentage. Nope it is electricity. 38% coming from Electricity. What kills me is that you will see the Al Gores and Michael Moores and a lot of other people going after the automobile industry when in reality the bigger savings could come from going after the consumer of electricity. Of course, when you point your finger at the consumer of electricity you will be pointing your finger at all of your voting constituency, so you might make them mad and the might not vote for you when you hit them over the head with the truth. So instead we will go after big business whose total votes dont account for as many as all of the electricity users. Anyhow, I wont deny the need to be friendly to our environment, but lets go after the target that will give us the biggest payoff first. So here is an cut and paste of some easy ideas on how to cut your electricity usage (PS any time someone mentions the word total electic car remember that electricity isnt free and you have to plug in somewhere).
PS. It is ride your bike to work week. That doesnt take gas or electricity and you just might enjoy it, give it a try.
_____________________________________________
slate green challenge
The Body ElectricBright ideas for trimming CO2 emissions.
By Meaghan O'Neill and treehugger.comUpdated Monday, May 14, 2007, at 12:05 PM ET
The electricity we generate is responsible for 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, making it the largest single source overall. As demand for electricity has risen, so have greenhouse-gas emissions, increasing by 25 percent over the last two decades, according to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. That's because most of our electrical-power supply comes from burning fossil fuels—natural gas, oil, and, especially, coal, a huge CO2 culprit.
Coal is abundant and relatively inexpensive, so it's likely to remain a prime source for electricity for decades to come. And with operation costs on the rise, power companies aren't likely to invest voluntarily in technologies to reduce emissions. There are low-carbon options: Renewable power sources such as biomass, wind, and solar currently account for just 0.6 percent of electricity production. Hydroelectric power, however, provides 7 percent of our electricity, and nuclear power nearly 20 percent. These sources have other drawbacks, but throw off little or no CO2.
If your electricity comes from a dirtier source (you can find out here), then the energy used in your household may amount to more than twice the greenhouse-gas emissions of an average car. Which leaves trimming CO2 pounds from electricity partially up to you. Distressingly, 40 percent of all household electricity used to power electronics is consumed while they are turned off. Below are tips for cutting back on your electricity use. We promise you won't have to live in the dark, and, conveniently, you should save on your electric bill as well:
• If every American household replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL, we'd prevent 800,000 cars' worth of greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Replace your halogen bulbs, too. They can get as hot as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you could cook an egg on one. CFLs will save you money, as well as CO2 pounds.
• Cable and video-game boxes, DVD players, and other electronics can use as much energy in standby mode as a 75-watt light bulb that's left on. If a device offers an "off" option for standby lights, use it. Otherwise, try plugging electronics into a power strip, which you can turn off when they're not in use.
• How many times have you left your cell-phone charger plugged in, even when your phone is not? Wall chargers for things like iPods and cameras suck energy out of the socket, even when not attached to their mates. With the national average at five chargers per person, unplugging adds up.
• Rechargeable battery docks for gadgets like drills and handheld vacuum cleaners can draw from the socket five to 20 times more energy than is stored in the battery. Unplug them once tools are juiced.
• When replacing an appliance, look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label, which indicates higher efficiency than what's legally required.
• If your refrigerator is near a stove, dishwasher, or heating vent, move it to a cooler spot. Vacuum the coils every few months to eliminate dirt buildup and check to make sure the door gaskets don't have air leaks. Set the temperature between 35 degrees and 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge and at zero for the freezer.
• If you use window air-conditioning units, buy the proper size for the room you plan to use it in. (Here's how.)
• If you have central air conditioning, be sure to clean the evaporator and condenser coils, as well as the airflow components. When clogged, they reduce efficiency. Check the refrigerant level, too. (Here's how.) You can also use a programmable thermostat to help regulate temperature.
• Ceiling fans circulate air both to cool spaces and to keep them warm. Since they don't change the temperature, they should be turned off when you leave a room.
PS. It is ride your bike to work week. That doesnt take gas or electricity and you just might enjoy it, give it a try.
_____________________________________________
slate green challenge
The Body ElectricBright ideas for trimming CO2 emissions.
By Meaghan O'Neill and treehugger.comUpdated Monday, May 14, 2007, at 12:05 PM ET
The electricity we generate is responsible for 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, making it the largest single source overall. As demand for electricity has risen, so have greenhouse-gas emissions, increasing by 25 percent over the last two decades, according to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. That's because most of our electrical-power supply comes from burning fossil fuels—natural gas, oil, and, especially, coal, a huge CO2 culprit.
Coal is abundant and relatively inexpensive, so it's likely to remain a prime source for electricity for decades to come. And with operation costs on the rise, power companies aren't likely to invest voluntarily in technologies to reduce emissions. There are low-carbon options: Renewable power sources such as biomass, wind, and solar currently account for just 0.6 percent of electricity production. Hydroelectric power, however, provides 7 percent of our electricity, and nuclear power nearly 20 percent. These sources have other drawbacks, but throw off little or no CO2.
If your electricity comes from a dirtier source (you can find out here), then the energy used in your household may amount to more than twice the greenhouse-gas emissions of an average car. Which leaves trimming CO2 pounds from electricity partially up to you. Distressingly, 40 percent of all household electricity used to power electronics is consumed while they are turned off. Below are tips for cutting back on your electricity use. We promise you won't have to live in the dark, and, conveniently, you should save on your electric bill as well:
• If every American household replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL, we'd prevent 800,000 cars' worth of greenhouse-gas emissions.
• Replace your halogen bulbs, too. They can get as hot as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you could cook an egg on one. CFLs will save you money, as well as CO2 pounds.
• Cable and video-game boxes, DVD players, and other electronics can use as much energy in standby mode as a 75-watt light bulb that's left on. If a device offers an "off" option for standby lights, use it. Otherwise, try plugging electronics into a power strip, which you can turn off when they're not in use.
• How many times have you left your cell-phone charger plugged in, even when your phone is not? Wall chargers for things like iPods and cameras suck energy out of the socket, even when not attached to their mates. With the national average at five chargers per person, unplugging adds up.
• Rechargeable battery docks for gadgets like drills and handheld vacuum cleaners can draw from the socket five to 20 times more energy than is stored in the battery. Unplug them once tools are juiced.
• When replacing an appliance, look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label, which indicates higher efficiency than what's legally required.
• If your refrigerator is near a stove, dishwasher, or heating vent, move it to a cooler spot. Vacuum the coils every few months to eliminate dirt buildup and check to make sure the door gaskets don't have air leaks. Set the temperature between 35 degrees and 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge and at zero for the freezer.
• If you use window air-conditioning units, buy the proper size for the room you plan to use it in. (Here's how.)
• If you have central air conditioning, be sure to clean the evaporator and condenser coils, as well as the airflow components. When clogged, they reduce efficiency. Check the refrigerant level, too. (Here's how.) You can also use a programmable thermostat to help regulate temperature.
• Ceiling fans circulate air both to cool spaces and to keep them warm. Since they don't change the temperature, they should be turned off when you leave a room.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Somethings the English are good at beside Grilling.
Bangers and Mash!!!!
Or Sausage and mash potatoes. Of course most Englishman will tell you if they come out looking like this, an English cook didnt make them. They are not into presentation or fru fru garnishing. Gimme Bangers, gimme mash, gimme a pint.
Triumph Motorcycles!!!!
They are not the fastest, they dont have the plastic swoopy bodywork, but they are COOOOL. If you dont think so you are WRONG! By the way if you go to the web and type in Triumph.com expecting to get a motorcyle makers website you will be suprised. I wont ruin it for you, but most people looking for motorcycles will appreciate what they see at Triumph.com. If you are looking for the bike they are at Triumph.co.uk
Mini Coopers!
Granted it took ze Germans and BMW to make them right and bring them back to life, but it was a British idea AND a British company to start. They must have had a few good pints when they came up with this idea.
Triumph motorcycles!
Whats a little wining between friends....
These are a few of the dead soldiers from last weekends festivities. I am glad we had some good wine to make up for the miserable BBQing that accompanied it. Do not let an Englishman near your grill unless you just like bland food. Salt and pepper push the culinary limits, so be fore warned. My favorite wine was the Gladiator Pinot Noir. Very tasty. I will have to replenish that hole in the fridge now.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Eat like a dinosaur....
This ones got the right ides. This is actually the May picture from the Chris King calender and that is one of his hubs in the middle of the taco. I would still eat the taco, it is looking mighty tasty right now. I am in a good Mexican Food drought lately. I used to have access to a couple good places at my old residence, but when you move to a retirement town, they are not hip and heavy on good Mexican. If you want good buffet (if there is good buffet) you will find it here, but good Mexican not so much.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Downhill week....
Mom called yesterday and told me that Rudy the standard poodle (who is 13 years old) had a seizure of some type last night. They woke up when he was shaking by the foot of the bed. They laid him down on his bed and calmed him down after a bit. They ran him to the vet first thing in the morning and they ran tests and bloodwork and basically came back and said nothing shows up, but keep an eye on him and here is the name of a veteranary neurologist if you are interested, but he is a 13 year old dog and he is getting old. Mom said he is up and around and eating a lot today, but he is a little gimpy on one leg that he might have hit when he went down during the seizure.
Maybe we can blame it on the full moon. There have been a lot of weird things going on lately. I burned the chicken on the grill this weekend which I never do, the weird lady moved out from the apartment which isnt bad but it involves weirdness, the power has been going out all over town with great frequency, and a lot of other little things. I am tempted to go to bed, sleep off the rest of the week and start all over again next week hopefully weird free....
Maybe we can blame it on the full moon. There have been a lot of weird things going on lately. I burned the chicken on the grill this weekend which I never do, the weird lady moved out from the apartment which isnt bad but it involves weirdness, the power has been going out all over town with great frequency, and a lot of other little things. I am tempted to go to bed, sleep off the rest of the week and start all over again next week hopefully weird free....
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