New Clothes

Yesterday the doorbell rang. This doesn't happen very often, but I expect traffic is going to pick up. Gisselle was at the door. Natalie had brought clothes for Retta and Cliff. This is really great as I am sure when Suz, Paul and the kids arrive, they will have a ton of clothes for the wash. Natalie asked me for directions to Jaime's house. I couldn't give them. I can get to Jaime's house, but I can't tell you how to get there. No worries, though, as I see from Jaime's blog that Natalie made it to her house. I don't know how Natalie had the time to drive clothes around as she is such a prolific blogger. In other news, I found the first scorpion of the season. I chased him around trying to get his photo for you, but he kept running under things. Eventually I decided it would be better to just get rid of him...

Unexpected Jewels

Maybe this isn't new to anyone else, but...

I was moving things to the storage shed tonight. Of course I was using my handy Petzel headlamp that Suz and Paul gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago. As I was walking back, I saw the most beautiful blue/green, sparkling "lights" all over the ground. The color is spectacular. I moved in closer to the ground for a better look and discovered the diamonds in the rough. I did try to capture the sparkle, but just couldn't do it. Perhaps when Cy and Kimberly are here they will be able to show me how to do it. Anyway, take a look at the creature that has the most beautiful eyes in all the world - at least at night in the glow of an led light.

It's ALIVE!!

Last year, sometime before they left to California, Suzy, Paul, Retta and Cliff planted Cliff's tree. I first attacked the web worms that attacked the tree, picking them off and avoiding any harmful chemicals. Then, during the summer (the long, dry summer), I kept Clifford's tree watered with a trickle from the hose at least every 3 days. The leaves fell off during winter. When things started turning green around here, it seemed like everything, EXCEPT Clifford's tree was alive. The thistle's are almost bushes already! I have checked that tree every day for the past 6 weeks and was starting to think it might not come back. But here it is. The entire tree is about to sprout leaves! Those web worms better watch out!

Shipping

Okay, so I ordered a tripod in December. Like a dumb A, I didn't open it until last week. It was in two parts. I swear I looked (stupidly) at it for at least 30 minutes trying to figure out how to hook the two parts together. Then I realized that it was broken! I should have opened and inspected it when it arrived. Finally, I have been in touch with the manufacturers and was asked to send them a photo. I am sharing it with you...

Cycle Team

This is the Cycle Team unofficial photo. Yes, those are Bicycle Sport Shop Jersey's which they donated to us to wear on the EMS Memorial Bike Ride. They also gave us a couple of water bottles and some spare tubes. From right to left:

Randy Vickery, Aaron Langford, Tree Marsoobian, Susan Erwin, myself and Mark Hawkins. I used my new broken tripod to take the photo (I'll tell/show you later). I had forgotten how to set up the auto shoot and of course didn't know where the owners manual was, but thanks to the internet, it took about 2 minutes to figure out!

What is Indoor Group Cycling?

Most gyms have a group indoor cycling program of some kind. Johnny G is probably the best known of these as he created the “spinning” program. Johnny G’s program is so well known that participants often refer to any and all indoor group cycling classes as “spinning” or “spin.” Other indoor group cycling programs are Precision Cycling, RPM, Schwinn, and Reebok to name a few. So what’s the difference? Not all that much. Most programs purport to mimic outdoor cycling and all tout their program as the best for various reasons.
I started teaching group indoor cycling several years ago. I had taken one class when it was first introduced at my local gym in about 1992 and hated it. The class incorporated weights, resistance bands, and push-ups on the bike – crazy! I vowed I would never take another class. When I started teaching group fitness in 2001, however, my manager convinced me that I should teach group cycle. So against my better wishes and with many pre-conceived notions, I signed up. The instructor training was awesome and changed my mind completely. The whole concept of group indoor cycling had changed by that time and it really did feel like I could bring a little outdoors inside.
With all of that said, instructors vary greatly. When looking for a group indoor cycle class that works for you, you will need to ask yourself why you are going. Do you want to be entertained? Want to be in company during your misery? Want to get stronger? Improve your pedal stroke? Improve your cardiovascular capacity? Be indoors when it is too hot/cold/windy/rainy? Know why you are working out indoors to begin with. Try different classes/instructors until you find a good fit. We always recommend that you try a particular class at least three times before you make up your mind. Maybe that seems like a lot of work, but it is well worth it.
Always bring a towel and water bottle to your class. Proper etiquette includes, wiping the bike down when you are done and raising the handlebars and seats. It also includes NOT carrying on a loud conversation with the person next to you. (I don't usually say anything, because everyone assumes I am mean and tough and when I say something it never comes out right. I have been to lots of classes, though, with sweet little instructors who will not hesitate to tell you that you are being rude). If you must answer your cell phone, take it out of the room. Try not to fart in class. If you have really strong BO when you sweat, take a shower before your class and use deodorant. Your instructor will not likely say anything to you if you violate one of these etiquette guidelines, but your fellow serious participants will have you tarred and feathered! If you have an issue, such as a knee problem and know you will not be able to do some of the drills, let the instructor know so they will understand that you are not ignoring them. If you know that you will have to leave early, also good to let the instructor know so that he/she won’t think you are leaving because you didn’t like the class. Finally, the instructor has the responsibility of bringing a class format that fits all fitness levels, but the bottom line is that it is your ride.

Mutton Races

I worked the Star of Texas Rodeo tonight. It is an easy gig. We park our ambulance and are there solely for the cowboys. The cowboys are tough and mostly tended to by the Justin Healers. Even when a cowboy gets stepped on, thown in the air, bucked off, or run over and is lying on the ground barely moving, we just stand there until and unless we are summoned. We did not get summoned tonight. One of the events is the Mutton Races. Small children don a helmet and protective vest and are put astraddle a sheep. The sheep takes off running and the tyke holds on as long as he or she can. Tonight, a six year-old girl won the event. At the "award ceremony" she was given a beautiful belt buckle. Before she was handed the buckle, she was asked if she would give, first the clown, then someone else, a kiss on the cheek in exchange for the buckle. They have been doing this for years and they even ask the boys, but I think it is time to dump the practice of asking children to give a kiss in exchange for anything. Tonight's young lady said "no" both times. Clearly, she knew that these two people were strangers. I know you are thinking I am radical in this line, but I really believe this is one of those subtle ways children learn NOT to trust their instincts and at the same time learn it's okay to do something not quite appropriate if the bribe is big enough.