Pretending to Wrench

I "wrenched" the family bikes today. Nothing big. I fixed flats, cleaned chains, lubed stuff. My son thought it was cool. I'm not the best when it comes to "fixing" stuff. I also took a short spin on my hybrid. My four year old was on the back so I didn't even leave the neighborhood. She had a blast anyway. As for me, it felt really good just to be moving and it didn't bother my leg in the least.
_______________________

I heard my son sneak out of his room this morning. Noises in the kitchen had me suspecting that he was fixing his own breakfast cereal. It wasn't long before he came into the bedroom with a tray full of food and a big smile on his face. He had decided to make my wife and me breakfast in bed. What did he bring us? Two bowls of Rice Krispies, two slices of apple pie, and two ice cold bottles of beer.

BEER?

Yes, beer.

I don't think I have ever had beer for breakfast.

He was so proud of himself. I'm not sure but I suspect the breakfast was his way of saying, "Thanks" for taking him and his sisters to a minor league baseball game the night before.

BTW - I ate everything but I put the beer back in the fridge.

The big news of the day is that I get to visit an orthopedic surgeon next week. Who said summer isn't fun?
_______________________

I was watching triathlon and swimming videos on YouTube last night. I'd like to turn myself into that kind of athlete. (Actually, the uninjured kind of athlete would suit me just fine too...)
_______________________

This is an opportunity. Yes it is. It's not the opportunity I asked for but it is the opportunity I have been given.Now, how do I make the most of it?
_______________________

My growing birthday wish list:
- new bike
- pool membership
- health club membership
- new bike helmet
- SISU coffee mug

I'm selfish. I know. Very materialistic. I just like getting stuff.
______________________

I just finished reading American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. Very disturbing. I know it's a social commentary on the materialism of the 1980's. I get that. It was a horribly violent, bloody, and sadistic read. I cannot recommend this book with confidence that you won't think I'm a sicko for suggesting that you read it...so don't.

I wonder what I'm going to make for dinner. I could grill some steaks...
_________________

Anybody want to donate to the "GET TODD A BIKE FOR HIS BIRTHDAY" fund?

Anyone?

Hello?

(confidence is low.)
--------------

Just so you know, writing about qualitative research is not a fun way to spend a beautiful Saturday morning in July.

--------------

Should I try to paint the bathroom today? Once I start I can't stop until I'm done. I'm either all in or all out.

__________________

Wouldn't be more interesting to read about running, biking or swimming? I think so too. It would be interesting to write about that stuff too.

---------------

I had the opportunity to go to my brother-in-law's bachelor party/golf outing today. I begged off because (exact words here), "I have to be a dad." What do you think? Do I get "points" for that?

I need a goal. I need motivation. I need something to shoot for. I need a mountain to climb. I need a reason to sweat and strain and breathe and gasp and hunger and thirst. I cannot imagine giving up competing against myself. I cannot imagine quitting my endeavors to become more than I am today. I cannot comprehend abandoning my quest to find my limits. I need a goal.

So. You know what this means, right. The death of a dream? A dream deferred? Whatever you call it, it adds up to one thing: no Chicago Marathon for me.

Trying bikes

I looked at some bikes today. I tested the Giant OCR2 and OCR3 as well as the Specialized Sequoia. I kinda liked the Specialized a little bit better. It's hard to tell though with the limited time I spent on the bikes. In the next day or two I'm going to test the Trek 1000. The Trek gets fantastic reviews all over the internet so I'm hoping that I like that one the best. Then it's the waiting game. Both for the bone scan results and for the birthday fairy to show up (if she does at all).

I wanna know now.

So, baseball season is over. In the end the boys improved from the beginning until the end. The season was summed up by the infectious grin of an 8 year old playing third base today who happened to stab a line drive out of mid air. It was a great play. It was an OK season. Even though I said I wouldn't, I'm gonna coach again next year. How could I not?
_________________

Waiting...waiting...waiting....

My bone scan is scheduled for Tuesday. I hope I have the results by Friday. I hope.

In the meantime, I have asked for a new bike for my birthday. I doubt I'll get one. Even low-end road bikes run about $700, or so, and I don't think we have that in the birthday budget this year.

Dang it.