Power Outage and Team Time Trial Weekend

The weekend started out at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday with a terrific lighning and thunderstorm. Unfortunately it knocked out our power. Just our half of the block, not the neighbors across the street or at the end of the block, they were enjoying their lights, A/C, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, radios, t.v.'s, garage door openers, outdoor fountains and computers all weekend long. We were sweating, and spending time outside because, really, on a clear day, without electricity, what does the indoors have to offer?

Number of times I flipped on a light switch when I knew darn well the power wasn't working: 2
Number of times I tried to turn on my computer when I knew darn well the power wasn't working: 1
Number of times I flipped OFF a light switch in a room when I left, when I knew darn well the power wasn't working: 1

I was glad that I had one clean/dry cycling outfit to wear to my race on Sunday. The only thing that wasn't clean was my team socks. At least I didn't have to resort to wearing a dirty jersey or wet shorts to my race.

The team time trial was fun. The weather was in the 70's, a bit windy, but pretty nice. Brook, Manda and Sara were my awesome teammates, who waited up for me just long enough when my chain fell off in the first 1/4 of the race, for me to catch back up and hang off the back for a few rounds. Our practice days paid off when we completed our turn arounds with smooth precision, nobody crashed and everyone worked together like a well-oiled bike chain.

Race number two is officially under my belt. I'll post pictures when they become available.



Tonight the power came back on after a day and a half. Amazing how dependent on electricity we've become.

I was surprised that what I missed the most was my computer!

But I did get some reading and quality napping time in.

Tonight I'm going to sleep well with the chiller buzzing away in the background. zzzzzzz

Michael and I are both okay. Neither of us was on that bridge at all the day it collapsed. He was at the Twins game when it happened, and I was on a bike ride, albeit one where I witnessed a crash of my teammates. I haven't been downtown, even though it's only a couple miles up the road from my house. I don't want to be a gawker getting in the way of people who are trying to do their jobs. Plus I figure I'll have plenty of time to see the wreckage since I'm sure it will be awhile before they remove all that debris.

It's one of those worst fear sort of things, which is I think why it's getting so much attention. Everyone can imagine themselves in that situation and try to think of how they would feel, what they would do. It makes you think twice whenever you drive over a bridge, too.

The north side of the city and the University is going to have it pretty hard until they get it rebuilt. I hear the side roads are pretty congested.

No more riding North on River Parkway for awhile. Michael and I just came through there on a ride on Monday.

It's easy to get engrossed in the coverage, so I'm trying to stay away from too much overload of news.

Tonight I went to a Femi Kuti/Wailers concert at the zoo. It was a good remedy to restore my positive mojo after all this crap of the last 24 hours. While I was there I saw a shooting star, and the moon was beautiful and huge on the horizon on the drive home.

I was never exceptionally good at science, but I sure love to read about it now. I'm especially intrigued by the overlap of science and metaphysics. I recommend the book The Field by Lynn McTaggert if you want a scientific look at the zero point field, or the idea that everything in existence is connected. This book shows that there is actual scientific proof that we can create our own reality.

Today's the new moon. Here's a Reiki Meditation if you're so inclined.

And here's even more moony goodness. Happy New Moon!

Weekend Away
Michael and I had planned for some time, a trip to southwestern wisconsin for a get-together with the people from his rep group. The destination was a farm near Viroqua

Having never been to southwestern Wi, I was excited for the road trip, but expecting it to look pretty much like the rest of the state.

How wrong I was! This is the driftless area, where the glaciers didn't smooth everything out. The hills are bluffs and the valleys are really valleys.

The farm was like something out of my imagination, only probably better. It had a winding dirt driveway, perfect view of a limestone bluff on the next property, and best of all, a spring-fed pond, perfect for swimming AND fishing.

The people were incredibly friendly and generous, the food was organic and gourmet. The fireflies and the stars were out, as well as the turkey vultures, wild turkeys and whiporwills.

I went on two bikes rides that just about kicked my butt due to the climbing and saw the most beautiful pastoral countryside imaginable.

I don't remember the last time I felt so refreshed from a vacation. Heaven on earth.

My First Bike Race

I did it!

I rode the Black Dog Time Trial tonight. I rode as hard as I could for seven miles and felt like I was going to throw up from about mile 3 on, but I did not hurl. I rode to my limit, with heart rate between 180 and 190 for about 22 minutes (not sure of my official time yet) and now I know that I can push myself a lot harder for a lot longer than I thought possible.

I pushed waaay beyond the comfort zone, and went harder than I ever have at any physical activity. It helped knowing that I would be done after 7 miles :)

Bike goals achieved so far this year:
commute to work (2x so far)
2nd metric century
first bike race

This is fun! I'm so happy I have the ability to do stuff like this.

Food Musings

I'm reading Harvest for Hope right now. It's an excellent book about where our food comes from (the subtitle is A Guide to Mindful Eating.) I checked it out from my local library, along with another book called The Real Food Revival.

I've made a decision to eat as organically as possible. I'm making an effort to stop spending my money on needless crap and start buying better food.

Some of my favorite tasty items:

• Brown Cow Yogurt (cream top)
  

• Endangered Species Chocolate (I like the blueberry dark choc.)
• Ginger Spread (thanks to Priscilla, who brought me a jar of this one day at work. I haven't stopped buying it ever since. I love it on a peanut butter sandwich or to add a bit of sweetness to my oatmeal, or just on toast...)
• Reed's Ginger Juice Brew is another favorite ginger item, but I have only been able to find it once, in a co-op in Grand Forks MN. I like it because it is not carbonated.
  
• Thunder Cookies (you can only get these if you happen to find yourself in or around Duluth. They're made at the Positively Third St. Bakery and can be found in local co-ops, but nowhere in Mpls. that I know of.)
  
• Organic Mangoes (I know, most fruit is better organic, but truly, once you have an organic mango you'll never go back)
• Birchwood Granola (they sell it by the bag at the restaurant)