Boneshakerbike

Author: Bill

  • Uncle Bill Visits

    Uncle Bill Visits

    I got up this morning at 6 to get ready to meet Uncle Bill and Aunt Cheryl. We had the complimentary continential breakfast. It was a good thing I ate like a pig because I ran them all over town before finally having a nice little dinner at the Book Trader. Before we left though we sat dow and I showed them my alaska pictures. I ran them all through the neiborhoods and Yale University. We rode the Trolley and then drove up the East Rock. We called mom from the top. I had to do a simulation shift at 3 so I had to drop them off and head to work at 1:30. I think we all had a great time. Last night I reported:

    Uncle Bill and Aunt Cheryl came into town around 7:30. It was sure nice seeing them. It has been almost 20 years. They are as I remember. They had just come from the cape and Martha’s Vineyard. We went out to Dakota Steak House for dinner. There we found what Uncle Bill was craving. Chopped Steak. I had the same and it was pretty good. Afterward we went down to the beach and listened to the waves come crashing in. The breeze was very cool and refreshing. I bid ado to them until tomorrow morning when I will meet up at 7 and take them on a tour of New Haven and where I live. They should be taking off around noon, when I will go to work. The only bad part is going to work and getting off at 8:30. Saturday is a hiking trip so this should be very interesting and fun.

    This afternoon I reported:

    Uncle Bill just called me from Rhode Island. They should be arriving here around 7:30. I better get cleaning up my place. They probably not visit here since they are staying at a motel. I offered for them to stay here. But anyway I plan to do dinner with them tonight and maybe breakfast and something before they take off.

    Yesterday morning I reported:

    Uncle Bill called me last night and said that they were in Nantuckit and will be visiting me on Thursday night instead. They cant stay vaery long but I will at least try to talk them into dinner and breakfast with a quick tour of Yale.

    Yesterday I reported

    Last night I received a phone call. It was my uncle Bill from Billings Montana. He asked me if I had talked to my grandmother recently. Of cource I had not so he told me that they were comming by for a visit. I kind of laughed and said where, I am in Connecticut. He told me that they were in Maine. So today, wednesday, he will be comming into New Have around 6pm. Wow, I have not expected this and I am kindof excited.

  • Hiking This Weekend

    Hiking This Weekend

    Saturday is the designated day for our hike. Monica, Kostia, Lilia, Marcy, and I will go to the highest peak in CT. lol, peak! The forecast is with 84.

  • Tyler Hamilton

    Tyler Hamilton

    What were you doing today in years past?

    I am so proud of Tyler who hails from MA. Here is the full story from OLN:

    ”Today has made up for everything,“ said Tyler Hamilton about his victory in the 16th stage. ”To win a stage of the Tour de France is beyond my wildest dreams. Under the circumstances I’ve done a respectable Tour. After today, I can forget about the regret.“ Yes, Hamilton is about as humble as an athlete can be.

    Doing anything with a fractured collarbone can be a painful experience. Sleeping on his back instead of his side is something Tyler listed as one of the more frustrating elements of an injury he sustained in a crash at the end of the first stage. ”I’m getting a bit sick of it.“ The fracture is a nuisance for him but it has hardly hindered his performance.

    ”I’m feeling stronger now and I can pull on the bars a bit more than I could in the first week,“ said the 32-year-old from Marblehead. Hamilton became the sixth American to win a stage of the Tour de France. He follows the lead set by Greg Lemond, Davis Phinney, Jeff Pierce, Andy Hampsten and his former colleague from the early years of his career the US Postal Service team, Lance Armstrong. The day featured six categorized climbs. Once the main mountains were finished, eighty kilometers remained. The climbs were cruel. Steep, shrouded in mist and packed with Basque spectators which are ever-present in this part of the world, the Col de Soudet, Cote de Larrau and Col Baraguy may not be as famous as other summits, but they had the potential to alter the overall standings. It would, however, take a strong man with a bold focus to attempt to stay free of a pack of favorites who were back on the bike after a day of rest. Tyler’s no-fuss approach is more akin to the 1996 Tour champion who now directs Team CSC, Bjarne Riis, than it is to the hype which surrounds his friend who wears the yellow jersey. How are you feeling? It was a typical last-minute question before he mounted his bike in Pau. With a shrug of the shoulders and in the dry, emotion-free tone with which he responds to most questions he gave a simply response. ”We’ll see in a few hours. In Bayonne his impressive resume — which includes a win in the oldest of all one-day Classics, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, which he won at the end of April and the Tour of Romandie that he dominated the very next week — acquired another entry. A stage win in the Tour is, indeed, more than respectable. But the success didn’t change his demeanor at the post-stage press conference. That might have something to do with the fact that he’d been on the attack from the 55km mark of the 197.5km stage. He chased down every escapee, passed them all and by the top of the brutal Bagarguy he was on his own at the front of the stage. It was certainly the stuff which wins fans. But Tyler won’t change. ”I don’t think I’m a hero,“ he told Gerard Holtz, from France Television who insisted that the victory today helped etch his name into cycling folklore. ”I’m just doing my job. I continued doing this race because I believed I can help the team. The team has given me a lot of opportunities and I and I thought that if I could put the pain behind me, then I could continue. I did the same in the Tour of Italy last year. Riding with broken bones is part of what Tyler is famous for. His second overall in the 2002 Giro d’Italia was done with a broken shoulder. It is indeed inspirational. It was a ride that prompted Armstrong to offer Hamilton a hug moments after the rider in the yellow jersey crossed the line almost two minutes behind the champion of the day. ”I could see that Lance was genuinely happy for me. And that’s nice. A lot of my success today is because of what I’ve learnt from riding with Lance.“ Tyler has everything required to win the Tour. A talent on the climbs and in the time trials. He is committed and focused. The one thing which he now needs to replicate from the Armstrong mould is the ability to avoid accidents (or, at least, serious injury) in the same miraculous style. If he could do that, it’s likely that Tyler would not only forget about the regret of what could have been possible. He might win more than a stage of this race.

  • Marcy News

    Marcy News

    I just got back from Snowflake Pet Center, and they removed the stitches with no problem. I had waited way over 10 days and was worried that i had waited to long. Marcy had a tumor removed while I was away to Alaska. The tumor wasn’t found to be bad and was just fatty tissue. The speed at which it was growing concerned the doctor who suggested that it be removed.

  • Monadnock Mountain Hike

    Monadnock Mountain Hike

    Just returned from an awesome hike at Monadnock Mountain, New Hampshire. Big thanks to Monica for the company!

    It was a stellar climb—1.5 hours packed with beautiful vistas. The summit was buzzing with people, some glued to their phones, others joking about finding a McDonald’s. We savored pistachios and fig bars before taking a different route down.

    The hike was short but sweet. We wrapped it up with delicious burgers at Lillies on the Pond, though our full bellies made us miss a few turns on the way back. It was a blast, and I’m eager for the next hiking adventure, maybe even this weekend.

  • Lance is Scaring Me

    Tonight after a very busy day I finally sat down to todays desert. The Tour de France. Jan Ulrich beat Lance by over a minute. Lance says that he dehydrated and the heat got him. I know all to well about that. From experience of mine he will not recover as well as Ulrich and maybe the tour will be lost. I cant think of life with out my hero in yellow. What shall I do. I know; go out tommorrow and ride my ass off.

  • Big Day

    Well I hope everyone had a great day. I started running again and did a killer road bike ride after work. Between work, exercise, and the Tour; I didnt get much else done. Marcy gets her stiches out tommorrow. This weekend I plan to go on a bike ride with the club and also go hiking with my friend Monica. Well for me it is off to bed as tommorrow is jam packed.

  • Not So Fast

    Not So Fast

    Well, yesterday was a good one and today was not. I planned a bike ride with the bike club but that was canceled due to rain. I went to ride myself in the rain but fell asleep. when I awoke the skies were dark and the forcast was for severe weather. I bagged the ride and proceeded to bum out. I did not get my books or other plans done either. All i did do was watch the tour. Well, screw it…time for bed. Will try tommorrow I guess.

  • Getting Caught Up

    I have finally started to unpack from my trip and get caught up. I have a huge financial mess to catch up with as well.

    I just go back from Trader Joes to get smoothie supplies. Just made a diffrent one using banana, peaches, and pinapple. Yummy!

    Finishing up watching tonights Tour de France.

    Earlier this evening I did some clothes. The laundry mat dryer went haywire and burned all my clothes. The very few that survived smell like fire.

    Tommorrow I head out to do a ride with the Yankee Peddlers Bike club. This will be the second time and I might join the club.

    Last Sunday they dropped me hard. I rode around 75 miles last weekend and am just now starting to feel better. Got to get into shape.

    This weekend I hope to hike and bike. I am kind of excited to get out and be in the outdoors with some friends. Take care all and enjoy the Summer.

  • More Fireworks Pictures

    I have just posted some new fireworks pictures on my digital photography site. I was trying to get to bed early and had a good start. My friend never called me to go out so I drifted off to sleep after the Tour of France. Suddenly I was awoken by loud bangs. This was the result.

  • Should I Apply For New Job?

    I am struggling with this one. I really do want to live in Alaska to try it out. I figure that I should work the lower 48 until my debts are payed first, butt…. I have found a potential job and have until midnight on Wednesday to make up my mind. Any comments would be appreciated. The job positing is here

  • PERSPECTIVE

    Julie sent me an email and it went something like this:

    A professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full? They agreed that it was.

    So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

    The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous – – yes.

    The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

    “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – – your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions – – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.”

    “The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else – – the small stuff.”

    “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. Play another 18. There will always be time for me to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.”

    “Take care of the golf balls first – – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers!!

  • Arrived in Alaska

    Moose4:35 AM 6/29/2003: Just got off the plane in Anchorage. Julie was wating and it was so nice to see her. I am glad that our friendship is still as strong as ever. We seem to really connect in a certain way and it is really fun being around someone who “gets” you. The flight here was grewsome. Two movies and two meals on one flight. I dont think I ever sat that long before. I dozed off a couple of times but I would wake up to see if I could see the mountains yet. As we approached Anchorage I couldnt resest and I whipped out my camera for a few shots. Absolutely awesome. I think I will consider living here.

  • Alaska Here I Come

    Julie in Alaska

    Saturday June 28th, 2003: I did absolutly nothing yestaerday, now I must cram geeting ready into this morning. Wouldnt you know it the best sunrise this summer is out my window this morning. i would love to go down to the beach to take some pictures. This morning I must do laundry, take Marcy to Snow Flake Kennel, pack, and get my ass to the airport. So I bid you all a farewell untill I get to a internet terminal somewhere between here and there.

    Friday June 27th, 2003: I have the day off so I have been laying around chillin. It is about time to get up and get the show on the road. Tomorrow is the big day and the trip begins. I plan to keep this story active or maybe even use the forum like pablo did. I may just do the later.

    Click for Glennallen, Alaska ForecastThursday 26 June 2003: Well here it is two days to go before I take off. Julie called today and I think we are all set. I have a feeling this will be great. We plan to take a charter to an old mine and visit Valdez. I have taken tomorrow off so that I can pack and get ready. Tonight I plan to just relax.

    Tomorrow morning I plan to attack the road with a very aggressive bike ride. Ok, I just watched cycling on OLN and I am really itching to ride.

    Sunday 22 June 2003 : I just got off the line with my friend julie. We ordered my tickets today. I leave in two weeks. I am very excited and will keep this story active as I prepair and experience my first ever REAL vacation.

    Departing Flight Information – Saturday, June 28, 2003 American Airlines Flight 2861 2h 37m, 955 mi Windsor Locks, CT (BDL) Departs: 3:13 PM To St Louis, MO (STL) Arrives: 4:50 PM Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD80 (Jet) Economy/Coach Flight 1968 6h 41m, 2930 mi St Louis, MO (STL) Departs: 6:40 PM To Anchorage, AK (ANC) Arrives: 10:21 PM Aircraft Boeing 757 (Jet) Economy/Coach Returning Flight Information – Saturday, July 5, 2003 (Arrives Sunday, July 6) American Airlines Flight 1389 6h 1m, 2930 mi Anchorage, AK (ANC) Departs: 11:59 PM To St Louis, MO (STL) Arrives: 9:00 AM Aircraft Boeing 757 (Jet) Economy/Coach Flight 2864 2h 36m, 955 mi St Louis, MO (STL) Departs: 10:33 AM To Windsor Locks, CT (BDL) Arrives: 2:09 PM Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD80 (Jet) Economy/Coach

  • Who Hit Me???

    Mom and DadMom writes:[blockquote]Got up this fine Thurs. and did my daily chores and was sitting and had just decided to get dressed when it felt like someone slugged me in the right eye. So I went to the bathroom didn't notice anything so got dressed. While combing my hair I noticed my right eye looked bloodshot until I looked closer and noticed it just looked bloody. so went in showed dad and we rushed to the eye doctors. After 2 hours I found out what happen was a blood vessel had broke in my eye. It looked worst than it felt and no damage was done to the transplant and after a while it would go away. But it would look worst before it got better and some disconfort also. Well I always do have the strangest things happening to me all the time!!! So chalk up another one for me.!![/blockquote]

  • When Life isnt as Important as Getting There

    May 27, 2003 Dave Zabriskie of the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team

  • Glennallen Alaska

    Click for Glennallen, Alaska ForecastI ordered my tickets Last Weekend. I leave next weekend. Yesterday I bought clothes and some stuff for the trip. I am very excited and will keep this story active as I prepair and experience my first ever REAL vacation. Marcy will undergo an operation while she is at the kennel. She is getting a rapidly evolving lump removed. When i get back it will be around a thousand dollars to pick her up. Ouch. Mom is going to call everyday to check up on her. The place she is staying is on my links page.
    Departing Flight Information : Saturday, June 28, 2003 Flight 2861 2h 37m, 955 mi Windsor Locks, CT (BDL) Departs: 3:13 PM To St Louis, MO (STL) Arrives: 4:50 PM Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD80 (Jet) Economy/Coach Flight 1968 6h 41m, 2930 mi St Louis, MO (STL) Departs: 6:40 PM To Anchorage, AK (ANC) Arrives: 10:21 PM Aircraft Boeing 757 (Jet) Economy/Coach Returning Flight Information: Saturday, July 5, 2003 (Arrives Sunday, July 6) Flight 1389 6h 1m, 2930 mi Anchorage, AK (ANC) Departs: 11:59 PM To St Louis, MO (STL) Arrives: 9:00 AM Aircraft Boeing 757 (Jet) Economy/Coach Flight 2864 2h 36m, 955 mi St Louis, MO (STL) Departs: 10:33 AM To Windsor Locks, CT (BDL) Arrives: 2:09 PM Aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD80 (Jet) Economy/Coach

  • Bike, Camera, New Pics

    Good morning. Today was hazy because of last nights rain so instead of road biking I went to Maltby Lakes with my mountain bike and also my camera. I took some shots although not great ones. Had a pretty good mountain bike ride too. Awesome beauty. I took on shot specially fo my friends at work, Kostia, Sean, Parish, and Tom. I am also testing out a new theme for the photo section. Let me know what you think.