Proud to be a Cubs fan

After giving up 12 runs with two outs in Colorado and losing 17-2, I am proud to be a loyal Cubs fan. I can take a good swift drubbing, but in a year like this...?

I swear, if they take the Ivy off the wall for advertisements, I am walking.

New Gadget

If you haven't noticed, I added a "Followers" gadget. Feel free to jump in there if you read my blog from time to time. It will make me feel like I'm not the only one to read my own postings. Thanks!

Finishing a book

I finished reading a book today. It is the latest book in a collection of books by R.A. Salvatore. The book is titled The Ghost King. I am always glad and excited to finish a book, because it means that I get to start a new story. But, I always have a bit of a melancholy feeling as well. I have spent hours over many weeks reading about and living the lives of the characters. I have rooted for them, worried about them, and even felt my heart rate increasing in the rising action moments. So, when I finish a book, I really do feel as though I have become a part of the characters or maybe more so, they have become a part of me. I hope that I am not the only one who feels this way, but even if I am the only one, it is time to move on and meet some new characters.

Melting

It is hard to stay motivated to do much of anything in this heat and humidity. I will try to get on the ball with some new "thoughts" soon. Be sure to check out my companion blog "The Cycling Librarian" and follow my mishaps and successes as a new school librarian.

Bathroom Done!!

In conclusion to my earlier posting "Wallpaper," the bathroom is finally finished. Besides the removal of wallpaper, a few trips to the hardware store and removing and rehanging shelves and towel racks, I was able to escape most of the work of this project. My wife did all the sanding, prep, painting, clean-up, etc. To dismiss any thoughts that I was just laying around on the couch watching the Tour de France or baseball...I wasn't...except, maybe, a couple times. I was working on other projects. But, I have to say, my wife did a terrific job with the new color choices and paint job. Even my daughter, who insisted on a pink bathroom, has admitted to liking the new look. We are all glad that it is finally over.

The Today Show: what did I just spill in my lap?

I got home from a workout this morning and the television just happened to be on NBC. The Today Show was the broadcast. It took me back to my college days when morning free time was abundant and the Today Show would be on from time to time. I remember it being a somewhat entertaining show that gave some news and relatively relevant informative segments.

Well, in the last 17 years of work, I haven't missed anything in regards to the Today Show. In fact, the programming has taken a sad nose dive in quality and it should be sent to the refuse pile. Actually, the refuse pile might be an honorable dismiss of the show; it needs a new, lower pile for it to retire. David Sarnoff should return and give them a good Sarnoff beating.

Today's news stories (this is supposed to be the serious part of the show) included a story about the release of pelicans on the Florida coast and a shark that is following seals near some beach in California. This was the serious stuff. Then their segments included the pressing news of Sarah Palin's daughter's announcement that she was getting back with her boyfriend and father of her baby. They might actually get married. This story required an interview with the editor of some important magazine that deals in celebrity/political news. And, the Palin's did not know of this announcement until the release of the article in the very important magazine. I'm glad I did not miss this story. Then the elite Today Show, with Matt Lauer as the captain of the ship of fools, thought it to be of most important entertainment to introduce us to a 31 year of single man whose mother is trying to get him "hitched." I noticed that this young man's mother was not wearing a wedding ring, I suggest maybe he get hitched to her. He has spent 31 years riding on her coat tails, he might as well add some responsibility his smug smile. My favorite story was the finance segment where they took a question from a viewer who is loaded with credit card debt, has two children and two incomes but can't catch up. The financial geniuses suggested getting the card interest rates lowered and stop using the cards. What insightful advice! I'm sure that couple hasn't thought of that. Then the experts looked in the camera and gave "sympathetic" smiles like they understand the situation.

This show made me throw up or spill my coffee in my lap; I wasn't sure what that hot feeling was because I was trying to wipe the glaze from my eyes and the stupidity from my brain. I hope that people don't actually watch this show and that the advertisers who support the show eventually figure out that they are sponsoring garbage.

Now that I have lowered my blog to the lowest denominator with my "Supposedly Interesting Thoughts" on this topic; perhaps I should dump it as well.

Rock Island Trail

Took a few hours today to visit the Rock Island Trail this morning. I can't believe it is mid-July and I haven't been out to run or ride. While that is disappointing, I still had a great ride today. I hitched up my daughter's trailer and she eagerly hopped in the trailer. We did a three hour round trip from the Alta trail head to Princeville. Kaleigh chatted it up to Dunlap then suddenly got quiet. I looked back and she was sound asleep. She slept the entire 30 minutes it took to get to Princeville. It was a BNSF train that jolted her out of her sleep. She was so excited to see the train because we had ridden a train to and from Colorado, but that morning in her tumbling class, they marched around pretending to be a train.

Then we stopped for a break so she could stretch her legs and we both enjoyed peaches, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. We also took a short walk to inspect the white butterflies fluttering about. The regular flies got the better of us and we loaded up and headed back. It was a great day with great weather but even better company. We will be back soon.

Update September 16, 2024:

Kaleigh is now a senior in high school.  I am full of joy that I have these memories of bike riding with her in the trailer.  We visited the Rock Island Trail many times together and as a family over the years.  The trail is an asset to our region with the miles of well-maintained old railroad bed trail.  Peaches, carrots and cherry tomatoes, are a nice snack from a dad who these days would probably bring chips, cookies, and Gatorade.  Ha!