Il Bruce

L.L. Bean TT

2010-05-24T10:01:00.001-04:00

This is my first internet race report. The last time I did a bike race the internet was in its infancy and we were yet to know what an AOL CD looked like.

The last time I raced was about 1998 or 1999. I was occasionally doing the King’s time trial in Charlestown and did a few Wells Ave. B races. I was 2-2:30 off my best times in the TT (Set in 1986-89) and sitting in at Wells Ave. was about my limit.

I had not done any racing in earnest since 1989 or 1990.

Yesterday I rode the L.L. Bean TT in Freeport ME. Solobreak had suggested that I make this race my return to bike racing. I agreed.

Not being a regular bike racer I have lost my taste for waking in the dark and driving hours for a 6am registration. Not wanting to leave the house at 2:30am Liz and I opted to drive up on Saturday and stay over at the adequate Hampton Inn. The best thing about the hotel is its location. It is about a mile from where registration was and a 5 minute walk to Gritty’s brew pub.

My Saturday pre-race prep consisted of a 3 hour drive, shopping at L.L. Bean, walking the outlets and finally dinner and drinks. I recommend the Vacationland Ale. No bike ride, no course recon just an afternoon on my feet and beer drinking, just like I used to do when I was racing.

I called Solo to give him the weather report, cool and damp, and to get my last minute Nega-Coaching. My pep talk was about what anyone familiar with Nega-Coach would expect.

A wager between Solo and Fearless Leader had been negotiated. Solo had come up with some formula using my time, his time, FL’s time and Chronoman’s time. Being Solo-math no one but Solo knew exactly how it worked but the gist seemed to be that if I did a better than expected ride FL would suffer a humiliating experience and if I did a slower than expected ride Solo would suffer the humiliation. No pressure.

Sunday morning was very foggy and cool. I got drenched riding over to registration for 6am. Being L.L. Bean employees the volunteers were all unfailingly pleasant. The registration was a screwy. I had preregistered and was first in line. I went to the table for licensed riders and once they found my name (listed by start time not a-z by name) I was handed a blank reg. form which I was to take away and fill out. Once filled out I took it over to the woman who had the race numbers. I handed it to her along with my license, which was ignored. She looked through the list and eventually found my number. I don’t know if it got more efficient later.

I went back to the hotel to eat and get dressed. About 7:45 I headed over to the start area to warm up a bit for my 8:20 start. I saw Chronoman riding around but didn’t see the rest of the BOBs until I was at the start. I took off 1 minute after FL and 30 seconds after Solo. Chronoman was a few minutes behind me.

I took off at a less than flat out pace. I was passed by my 30 second man less than 3 minutes in. The course was hillier than I expected. The road surface varied from pretty poor to very good and there were not a lot of long flat stretches. A lot of rolling ups and downs. Nothing very steep though.

My goal for the 30k was an hour. My usual rides are about 27kph, if I push a bit it is about 29-30khp. I used no aero-equipment. I was passed by many, many people. I passed one woman about 20 minutes in.

Good god it was uncomfortable. I just can’t get up any inclines with any speed. I never felt like I was in big trouble. My HR seemed to be 170-175 the whole time and tried to keep the average speed about 32kph. I forgot to start the HRM timer and accidentally reset the computer so I have no evidence.

I really faded about 45-50 minutes in. Thankfully most of the last part was good pavement and pretty flat and I was able to keep up an effort. Not knowing exactly where I was or where the finish was made things a bit tricky. I glanced at the CatEye as I crossed the line and it was 55 minutes and something I can’t remember.

I was gassed.

We didn’t stick around long. I rode around a bit the went to talk to the BOB guys and then went back to the room to get cleaned up.

We saw Fearless Leader’s motorcade on the way home and all were smiling.

Being a bit hungry we stopped in Cambridge at Mary Chung’s for lunch. It was super, the suan la chow show and dun-dun noodles really hit the spot.

No results online do far so I don’t know just how close to the bottom I am but it was a good time. I really enjoyed putting in an effort like that. It should help me with some of the tentativeness I’ve had since getting back to riding more.

Finally, I apologize to all who had to see me in a skinsuit.

Playin' Hooky

2010-03-16T13:20:00.002-04:00

I've had enough of one of these for a while.

I'm going to take off early Thursday and do a couple of hours. Probably the NBW ride for Sunday.

Anybody up for a nice easy ride?

Cranky Bros

2010-03-04T19:01:00.001-05:00

Had a bit of a nasty equipment failure on the trainer tonight. Right pedal axle broke while I was doing a standing bit.

I got an RA number from Crank Bros. They sounded dodgy on the phone as to whether or not they'll warranty them.

2010-03-04T14:19:00.001-05:00

Fat

2010-03-02T09:21:00.002-05:00

I am a pound lighter than what I weighed last May. The scale at work has me at 220 fully clothed. I was 232 in January of 2009. I gained some weight back this winter. I was down to 217 last summer.

I rode with FNF and Les on Sunday and was an anchor to them but I am going a lot better than I was last Feb/March.

I don't feel like I am fighting my bike but the hills still waste me.

No number goals this year just a goal to feel better and better on the bike and match my Charlestown TT time from 10 years ago.

Mosi Tatupu

2010-02-24T11:48:00.002-05:00

Mosi Tatupu dead at 54.

Chrikey, yet Tony Eason lives on.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2010/02/mosi_tatupu_die.html

Oh ferchrissakes

2010-01-06T13:26:00.004-05:00

Specialized and the pussification of "cycling culture"

I was dismayed to see Boom-boom and QS tossed aside for Fingerbang and Vino but hey, I'm a marketing professional. I can see where Specialized sees some merit.

I even like the new steel Langster and Allez but this is just too hipster chic.

PEDALING: NYC - Episode 1 "Pizza Fixation" from Jim Fryer/BrakeThrough Media on Vimeo.

No Idea

2009-11-11T14:26:00.002-05:00

I wore a poppy pin to work today and not one person knew the significance.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Well that blows.

2009-11-09T10:59:00.003-05:00

This early November weather has been great. Saturday was in the 60s and sunny. I was able to get some stuff done around the house and yard in beautiful warm sunshine. Sunday was even better.

The bike club ride was in the Taunton, Sharon, Easton, Mansfield area. The roads were for the most part in great shape, lots on new pavement. The weather was gorgeous and the route was beautiful. It was very rural, a lot of quiet roads and minimal auto interactions and road crossings.

The only eyesore and disturbing thing was the amount of obese men with loud, smelly leaf blowers. There were dozens of them, most wearing Patriots’ gear. They were everywhere. For crying out loud, PICK UP A RAKE. Burn off a few calories.

Most of them were just blowing the leaves into the street. Thanks. Riding through dust, leaves and fumes is a hoot.

The blowers were a bit of a drag but not nearly enough to spoil a great day to be on a bicycle.

So

2009-11-06T15:53:00.003-05:00

We went to England. Saw a Pats game. Drank lots of good beer. Ate some pretty good food and did a lot of walking.

I love England.

Ain't that bad

2009-10-07T10:30:00.002-04:00

Sb noted that I have been a bit morose lately. Sorry about that. Things really are pretty good. Work is work. Nothing terrible but no worse than usual. Having a sick pet is a drag but generally home life is very good. Weight loss is still progressing. I have quite a bit to feel good about.

Not sure why I have been coming off as a grouch. I do struggle with the change of seasons. When the days get shorter I just seem to lose interest in anything other than eating and sleeping. I have been trying to get some exercise in to even me out.

We do have a few things coming up that will be fun. We are going to London in two weeks for the Patriots' game then off to Lancashire and Yorkshire for a few days.

We had a real nice ride a few weeks ago on the Air Line Trail in CT.

Last winter wasn't nearly as bad as some past years. I kept the exercise times up around 2 hours a week and it helped a lot. I hope I can stave off the blues this year too. According to Solo I have not started off well.

We'll see.

Old School Chums

2009-09-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

This is the 1982 Providence Country Day Varsity Cycling Team.

This was my senior year. My second year on the team.

Goal!

2009-09-16T09:19:00.004-04:00

Shortly after Solo chided me for not posting an obituary lately I found out Fred Cusick died yesterday.

Fred was the voice of hockey when I was a kid. Fred and Derek Sanderson are still my favorite Bruins announcers. Even throwing Dave Shea in to the booth with them couldn't screw it up.

Progress

2009-09-02T12:13:00.002-04:00

Summer is functionally over.

I missed my major objective of the summer when I opted to not go to D2R2. It was a tough but good decision. I just do not have the fitness required to enjoy the ride.

I did manage to lose 18 pounds and ride, to date, over three times the miles I did in 2008.

So far I have a bit over 102 hours on the bike and another 30 on the trainer for 2009.

Piddly numbers for bike racers and even keen recreational riders but a world of difference from the inactivity of the last few years.

I'm slow but I'm riding.

See ya on the road.

(photo pinched for The Daily Mail)

Thanks Teddy

2009-08-26T11:57:00.002-04:00

I was not a big Kennedy fan unlike my Grandma Masterson, a lifelong Oklahoma resident, who followed the lives of the Kennedys closely.

As I've gotten older my politics, still fairly leftist, have crept toward the right. I resist calling my self a democrat, I am registered as an independent. I have always had a begrudging respect for Ted Kennedy.

I was saddened when it was announced he was ill and I contacted his office with my support. Within a few days I got an email back thanking me. I am not a constituent.

I think he was a man who did the best he could for his country. That is a pretty good thing.

I Lost a Bike

2009-08-12T09:27:00.003-04:00

My new bike and I together now weigh about (within half a pound) what I weighed in January.

Bike above mostly the same except for Chorus 11sp not SRAM Red.

Help a fella out.

2009-05-17T08:55:00.001-04:00

A friend on mine is looking for a bike for her son. He is suffering from PTSD and his councilor recommended riding as a way to burn off stress and energy.

If you have a better than department store quality 23” , 56-58cm road bike you can loan him let me know.

The bike should be in good shape. I will give it a quick tune up but don’t want to put too much effort into it. Fit is not critical. I will get him as close as practicable.

If it works out his family may get him a new bike or if the loaner is for sale you can negotiate that.

Thanks,

Bruce

Gheyest Psuedo Bike Accessory Evah

2009-05-15T13:17:00.000-04:00

http://outlier.cc/2009/05/tropical_wool_cap.php

100 kilos

2009-05-08T13:48:00.002-04:00

This woman cannot lift me.

I weighed in at 222 today in the official weigh in. I was 221 on the same scale yesterday.

Down from a starting weight of 232 in January.

Good Luck Battenkillers

2009-04-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

So Long Big Bird

2009-04-13T18:12:00.004-04:00

I saw Fidrych pitch for Pawtucket during his come back bid about 1982. The Columbus starter was a rehabbing Dave Righetti. It was an electric night and a real pitcher's duel. Bird never made it back to the big leagues but he was the "Bird" of old that night.

Via con Dios, Mark.

G.S. Wheelpeople

2009-04-08T08:44:00.002-04:00

As some of you may know BikeReg had a hardware issue a few weeks ago and requested that recent customers verify their registration to make sure nothing was lost.

I had registered for D2R2 and half jokingly entered my team name as "Hope & Anchor", a side project that never really got started. When the problem hit I guess the team info was lost. Both Veg (also registered as H&A) and I had no team listed the next time I perused the rider list for familiar names.

I check yesterday to see if my friend John had committed yet and saw that next to my name was listed Narragansett Bay Wheelmen. I did not tell them that. I have been in the NBW on and off since 1984 but never raced under their banner (they used to be the parent club of the old RI Velo Club).

At the Jamestown race you will see some folks registered as NBW and at a lot of Randonees and UltraCycling events there are NBW riders (I guess we are a recognized club for these organizations). But that aside, I am curious as to how they knew I am a Wheelpeople and how it showed up on the list.

(The above photo is of two of our long time members Bob and Lee, and newer rider Jan at the rear. Bob, with the red helmet, is a Vietnam vet, retired postal worker, world traveler and all around great guy.)

Banana Jr. 6000

2009-04-02T08:23:00.004-04:00

I have decided I want to get rid of the Sigma BC1200 on my go slightly faster bike. I bought a CatEye Mighty 8 on clearance for my Soma and it seem needlessly complex.

I want settings for two tyre sizes and the basics. No cadence, no ambient temperature, no altitude or angle on incline.

Easy to set up, easy to see and figure out.

Any suggestions?

Anybody still look at this thing?

TIme

2009-03-31T19:11:00.002-04:00

March:
14.3 hours on the bike
4.2 hours on the RevMaster

Well below what Coach Buddy recommended but I still feel pretty good about it.

Coming from the place I was at over the autumn this is pretty good. I have lost 8 pounds since Jan 1. I am starting to feel comfortable on the bike and this week I have been able to get in a ride without my heart rate getting sky high.

Still a long way to go but at leas I'm enjoying riding a bike again.

Hey Bike Racers!

2009-03-19T11:17:00.002-04:00

Come see how the other half lives. Us fredly chubbies who keep all your spiffy sponsors in business ride a bike occasionally too.

THE Narragansett Bay Wheelmen are having their (our) "Spring Opener" ride Sunday from East Providence Cycle. in EP, RI. There will be 4 ride routes, all marked. If the weather is nice there should be a few hundred riders.

It is not my bike shop of choice but the they host the ride in conjunction with their bike show and big Spring sales. They do a lot for the club.

Come check out the biggest bike club in New England and the LAB Northeast Club of the Year.

See info here:

http://www.nbwclub.org/rides/ride-schedule.pdf

-1

2009-03-13T09:24:00.001-04:00

Down a pound this week. I had leveled off at 227 for a few weeks. I have lost 5 pounds since late January.

I struggle with portion control and grazing, my exercise has been consistent but controlling the food is not going too well.

This has been a long road.

Raymond Masterson (November 13, 1929 - March 3, 2009)

2009-03-09T13:30:00.004-04:00

My Uncle Raymond died last week. My Dad told me about it on Saturday. Raymond was 79, two years younger than my Dad. This is the third brother Dad has lost. He has one brother and a sister left.

Raymond had lung cancer and emphysema for years and years. Of all the Okie relatives I was probably closest to Raymond and his family. They lived just up the road from my grandparents and had two kids roughly my age. I was also close to Aunt Phoebe's family but they lived in town so I spent a lot of time at Raymond's.

I was in contact with an old family friend this weekend . She and her husband were very close to my parents until they divorced in 1975. I was surprised to hear that Mrs. T had tried to stay in contact with my Aunt Irene. Mrs. T asked about here and I had to tell her that Irene killed herself a decade ago.

My mother and both her sisters all died within about 2 years of each other. It really is sobering to think about how quickly I am losing family members.

Below is a link to Raymond's obit. Check out the language. Very different tone from what we see in urban East Coast papers.

http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=336938&fh_id=11788&s_id=76CE942925A714D7472831EFE1CC7F72

$15.00

2009-03-05T11:43:00.003-05:00

I got my 15 bucks this week. Thanks Prez! Gonna get me some Starbuys!

http://starbury.com/Starbury-Skurban-Line-Running-Shoe/M/B001JT98XQ.htm

Rock and Roll Stew

2009-02-25T11:13:00.002-05:00

Traffic.

Or perhaps lack thereof. I have been able to cruise into and home from work for the last few months. I really noticed it last week during school vacation week. There were very few cars on the road.

I wonder how much of it is because 10% of my fellow Rhode Islanders are out of work. A friend of mine was let go from a newspaper yesterday after 30 years of service. We have laid off a few people in our FL facility and in Asia. EP is laying off 55 teachers.

Things reportedly are pretty bad.

Despite the empty roads I see plenty of full parking lots at the shops. Rt 6, Seekonk’s retail miracle mile, is jammed. I went by the Warwick Mall last week at 3:30 on a Thursday and the parking lot was packed.

Is retail really in that bad shape? Have you been cutting back? We are not big spenders, except on cat toys lately, but we are still dining out a lot buying new bikes and computers as needed. We also pay cash for just about everything. I wonder how much of this mess is panic. People are desperate for credit. I hear as soon as the banks start lending we will start to see a turnaround. Wasn’t this what did us in?

Corporations wanted to see growth, a Starbucks on every corner. Well we’re still buying coffee. Maybe the model of exponential growth is broken. Keeping stockholders happy at the expense of good sense seems to have screwed us.

Honestly though, I’m not missing the traffic on I 95.

Where are all the bike riders?

2009-02-11T15:14:00.003-05:00

I took the afternoon off and went for a ride. 60F, no wind, roads only a little messy and I did not see one other bike.

Seriously, WTF.

Can Your Pussy Do the Dog?

2009-02-05T12:08:00.002-05:00

RIP Lux.

I am not a big Cramps fan but I respect what they did and how they did it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfvCDyVlVIw

Reach

2009-01-26T10:37:00.003-05:00

I had a pretty nice ride Friday afternoon. It was quite warm and the roads were a bit wet but not bad at all. I like the new bike quite a bit.

I think I may have made a mistake going with at 110 stem. Generally I like a 120 with a 58cm top tube. I thought I'd go a bit shorter in concession to my age, girth and cranky lower back. Not so good. The problem was my hands. I felt like too much weight was on my palms when on the tops and that my hands wanted to slide off the front of the hoods when I stretched out. I lowered the stem about 0.5cm when I got home and have yet to try it again.

I realize some people have to sit more upright for certain reasons but I an growing more convinced that many of the people I see with very high, short stems are just giving in to their first instinct that they don't want to be bent over. Being bent over is much more comfortable on a road bike. Less weight in the hands and rear.

When I was selling bikes I would encourage new bike owners to try the set up as is (stem a bit higher than I would like, but no crazy extenders or 6cm stems. See if it is comfortable before you screw up the handling and position of your "racing" bike. It was a losing battle, like trying to get middle aged women not to push their helmets back off their foreheads.

Anyway, now I have the bards about 2" lower than the saddle for belly clearance. I may pick up another stem to experiment with.

More Stedman's Pix

2009-01-18T07:15:00.001-05:00

New Wheels

2009-01-18T06:55:00.011-05:00

We went down to Wakefield yesterday to pick up my new Soma Smootie ES at Stedman's bike shop. I ordered the frame & fork the day after Christmas and had most of the parts from my Surly transplanted onto the new bike.

Before going to the shop we stopped to see Mr. Stedman. He is in his eighties and living in an assisted living facility in Wakefield. He can be a cranky old fella at times but he has a heart of gold. Everett is the epitome of an old swamp Yankee.

When we got there he was doing the accounts for the bike shop. He rarely gets to the shop, especially in this cold weather, but still does all the accounting on his kitchen table.

You bike racers out there may recognize Everett as the long time sponsor and benefactor of the W.E. Stedman Grand Prix cyclocross race as well as the Swamp Yankee Road Club (Cox Communication team).

Everett's family has sold bikes at their store since the 1920s when along with gasoline, ice cream, hardware and tobacco they sold Schwinns. The shop went all bikes during the bike boom of the early 1970s when the last gas pumps were knocked over by a drunk driver. The building was built in the late 1800s as a hotel and still has a ballroom with the Masonic symbols painted on the ceiling on the top floor. I worked at Stedman's from 1985 until 1989.

I am convinced it is the best bike shop around. Prices are great, service exceptional. It is now just a bike shop, it is a cornerstone of downtown Wakefield. Locals come in to gossip and drink coffee. Bike racers come in for parts and service. Parents still buy their kids bikes there. Regulars stop by almost daily just to talk. Two of the three full time staff have been there since I left in 1989. Compare that to the turnover at your local shop. The third, a retired Navy Chief, has been there over a decade. It is the shop Maynard Hershon should have written about.

Want a new Tarmac? Go to Stedman's. Need a new planet gear for your 1953 Sturmey Archer three speed hub? Go to Stedman's.

I pray that when Mr. Stedman passes on the shop stays. If you love bikes. I mean really love bikes, and know what Viscount, Simplex and Valentino mean you owe yourself a visit to Stedman's

Jim Ed Rice

2009-01-12T19:32:00.001-05:00

It's about time.

Congrats big Jim.

Putting on the foil?

2009-01-07T16:04:00.004-05:00

That's for pussies. Ruutu gets two games for biting!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AqRWAqHJInmb4dKB9GZZj7Z7vLYF?slug=ys-suspension010709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Old time hockey! Just like Mike Tyson.

NHL Winter Classic

2008-12-31T09:49:00.002-05:00

I never played hockey, I can't stand up on ice skates. I do enjoy the game though. Now that the Bruins are playing so well, I've even started watching them again. (The last few years were just too frustrating).

At first I thought the annual NHL Winter Classic outdoor was dumb and gimmicky but I have grown fond of the idea. I am really looking forward to tomorrow's game at Wrigley.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/winterclassic/2009

Sloth, gluttony and drunkenness

2008-12-29T11:12:00.002-05:00

That about sums it up. Since getting an infection this summer I have been virtually completely inactive. I was well on my way to sloth before I got sick but since then I have been inert.

Nega-Coach has coaxed me into doing a very hilly, tough ride in August. He’s even outlined a basic plan for getting ready. I am, for the first time, intimidated by my bike. I have never approached cycling with any sort of plan or goal. I would ride when I wanted to and if I felt good I’d ride a bit more or harder. The problem lately though is I never feel like riding.

I have gotten so heavy that I just feel awful on a bike.

I ordered a new frame Friday and will be selling my Pista and probably my Surly frameset to make room and defray cost. While the bike is not solely for the August endeavour it has been spec’ed with the ride in mind. I hope the outlay of cash as well as having the goal out in the open will prod me into action. I am really afraid of failure.

Wish me luck and go for a ride with me.

Stay (I Missed You)

2008-12-24T08:38:00.001-05:00

Evidently Armstrong has knocked up Lisa Loeb.

Sazerac

2008-12-16T20:59:00.001-05:00

Really nice whiskey.

http://www.sazerac.com/aWhiskey.aspx

Over thinking the shoe throwing

2008-12-15T14:10:00.001-05:00

So a crazy reporter with a weak sense for self-preservation threw his shoes at President Bush. Funny Youtube video, many of us who are none to fond or our POTUS are having a good laugh.

A lot of people only see the humour of an absurd occurrence. I think it is horrifying that the guy could get the second shoe Prezward before the Secret Service muckled him.

What if the hurler had decided to use a pistol or IED rather than a shoe to make his point? Do you think Obama would be able to pull out of Iraq if the sitting POTUS was assassinated there?

The first ever il Bruce race report!

2008-12-15T10:45:00.003-05:00

photo pinched from Solobreak

I did not race, nor shall I ever race again, at the Ice Weasel Cometh race Saturday. I was in attendance to support the Nega-Coach MSPCA initiative. It turns out that as Pucci says, bike racers are cheap pricks. There were few takers for the bargain Nega-Coaching offer. Their loss.

I had a great time at the race. There were fewer entitled racer types than I have seen lately. Maybe it was the end of season party nature of the race that kept the mood so enjoyable. It was a party with a bike race rather than a bike race with a party. Make sense?

It turns out that the course was at Doc Raymond’s house. I did not know the good doctor but he tended to my mother in law’s medical care for many years as well as that of my wife. Mom in law, who as you may know, is a cyclist and cyclocross fan, was tickled pink to have a race in her neighborhood. She and number two Dad enjoyed themselves as well.

The course made imaginative use of the limited area. Quite impressive. It took me a few laps of watching before I got a grasp of what was going on. Course designers have a gift I don’t have to see possibilities in terrain. I read a bit of criticism of courses but never any from people who have had to figure out where to put the tape.

I turned out to be a cold but gorgeous winter afternoon. It was warm enough to have a few beers without getting chilled. (A tot or two of Wild Turkey helped).

I have no idea what transpired on the course. I yelled at the few people I knew racing, primarily Solobreak and the wonderful Giulia. The rest of the time was spent visiting with old friends and making a couple new friends. No better way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The après cross was fun too. Liz met us over at her parent’s house for dinner and tales from our celebrity guest. It was easily one of the most enjoyable afternoons of the season. Thanks to IBC, the Raymond family, SB and all the bike geeks for a good time.

Dougie Says:

2008-12-10T09:22:00.004-05:00

Not all Ice Weasels are weasels.

One of the last cyclocross races of the season, The Ice Weasel Cometh, is this Saturday, December 13th in Wrentham. The race is just past the Wrentham outlets heading toward Wrentham Center right on Rt 1A.
www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7360

I looks like there will be a pretty good turnout despite many New England riders heading to Kansas City for the National Championships. The highlight of the day is sure to be the NegaCoach fundraiser for the MSPCA Angell animal hospital. Read about it here:
http://solobreak.blogspot.com/

For a $40.00 donation to you get 40 days of tough love (without the love) coaching and assorted goodies from NegaCoach Dave

http://davefoley.com/bikeracing/negacoach/index.html

BBC

2008-12-05T12:14:00.000-05:00

So how about it?

Solo wants me to be the Phantom Gourmet of gin mills...

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

2008-11-11T09:47:00.003-05:00

Oh Jeeze. If this is a prank or plant...

2008-11-04T13:08:00.001-05:00

teh mutha shoudl hang.

November 4

E. Providence poll closed after powder found
12:56 PM Tue, Nov 04, 2008 Permalink
EAST PROVIDENCE -- A polling place in East Providence has been closed after a suspicious white powder was found.

Maryann Callahan, canvassing authority administrator, said the Grove Avenue Elementary School was closed after a poll worker found a white powder on the floor, touched it and developed a rash around 11:30 a.m.

The worker was taken to a hospital.

Nine poll workers have quarantined.

Some 307 people had voted before the substance was discovered.
Callahan says they hope to reopen the voting site. Hazardous materials teams and decontamination teams are now on the scene.
-- With reports from projo.com staff writers Kate Bramson and Maria

London Shame

2008-10-20T16:16:00.001-04:00

Today is the first day back at Deathnic Inc after a week off.

We spent most of last week in NY. We went to Niagara Falls and hung out at a great bar in T-burg. Visited with family. Very nice.

We came home Thursday to find the builders still effing about with our deck and porch. It’s taken them 2 full days to install a sliding door and it’s still not framed up.

We escaped the mess Sunday and went to the Canton Cup cyclocross race. Kinda disappointing. There were no spectators to speak of and the elite fields were very small. The highlight of the day was hanging with NegaCoach after the race. We had a nice dinner and a few beers.

I think I had 5 pints of Fuller’s London Pride and I as am hung over as I’ve been in a long time. No headache but still groggy and blah, I’m glad I had a designated driver. We had a nice time. Nega is fun guy to bench race and share some social lubricant with.

It's Time to...

2008-09-04T10:25:00.000-04:00

I don’t mind change in most cases. Time marches on. What does bother me is manufactured image change. “New Look Packaging!” touted along with “Same Quality Product”.

New England grocery store chain Stop and Shop has ditched its iconic traffic light logo for a stylized fruit bowl. I guess sister company Giant has also adopted the logo.

I’m sure it will save on advertising and store brand labeling costs but Stop & Shop like Dunkin Donuts is a New England original and its iconography is a big part of local culture.

On the Cape and need chips? The stores are ubiquitous in New England most bigger towns will have an S&S. Market saturation is pretty good. There are the same old players, Shaw’s/Star Market and the emerging Hannaford’s and Big Y. I just don’t see the reasoning behind such a drastic change to a local icon.

Tip of the Iceberg?

2008-08-14T14:51:00.001-04:00

So it seems that the Chinese Olympic team is messing with the ages of their female gymnasts. A reverse Danny Almonte situation.

Bring the cynic I am, I was expecting a raft of sketchy behaviour from the host nation. Their win at all costs coming out party just seemed to offer so much temptation to cheat. I was pleasantly surprised that there have been no signs of doped Chinese swimmers, cyclists, or anybody else. I thought hoped that they were just taking advantage of enthusiasm and superb athletes. Nothing fishy like the mountain bikers who still wear underpants under their skin suits.

Then along comes He Kexin who may be as much as three years too young to compete. A Chinese government website noted last year that she was 13. The site has been removed. Now her official birth date is January 1, 1992. Olympic rules state that a female gymnast must be 16 during the Olympic year. Not too fishy.

The Mask

2008-08-06T09:38:00.001-04:00

So, let’s get this straight, the USOC gives athletes masks to protect against the poor air quality in Beijing then is embarrassed when they wear them?

The athletes apologized on their own without coercion (sure they did) for any embarrassment caused to the host nation.

Embarrassment? Just wait until the security forces start cracking skulls.

See below:

Cyclists apologize over mask row
By Agence France Presse
Posted Aug. 6, 2008

Four American cyclists who wore filter masks because of pollution concerns when arriving in Beijing apologized Wednesday to Olympic organizers, U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive Jim Scherr said.

Mike Friedman, Bobby Lea, Sarah Hammer and Jennie Reed were among about 200 athletes from an American delegation of 596 who were issued masks by their national governing bodies to combat pollution in Beijing.

"They've now seen how their actions have been perceived," Scherr said. "They were very eager to take the right action, which was to apologize to their hosts."
U.S. Olympic officials released the statement from the foursome, who said the masks were not intended as anything but a precautionary measure.

"We offer our sincere apologies to BOCOG, the city of Beijing, and the people of China if our actions were in any way offensive. That was not our intent," the message read. "The wearing of protective masks upon our arrival into Beijing was strictly a precautionary measure we as athletes chose to take, and was in no way meant to serve as an environmental or political statement.

"We deeply regret the nature of our choices. Our decision was not intended to insult BOCOG or countless others who have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to improve the air quality in Beijing. We look forward to putting this incident behind us while we prepare for our competition next week."

U.S. officials said they would not prevent athletes from using masks to combat pollution, whether in sports events or not, if they felt it was needed because of air quality conditions.
Advertisement

"They have the right to wear masks if they feel it's in their best interest to do so," Scherr said. "Hopefully they won't have to use them and the air quality will be good."

The perception that Beijing's pollution, which prompted a shutdown of factories and reduction in auto travel during the Olympics, was so harmful that Olympians needed masks on arrival was seen as a slap in the face to organizers.

"You never want to go to somebody else's place and cause any embarrassment and in this case some of them did," said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth, who said the cyclists apologized without prompting from U.S. Olympic officials.

"We're not chastising anybody. They came forward of their own volition."
U.S. cyclists wore the masks in the airport before even being exposed to the Beijing air over concerns that extra exposure to pollution might affect their breathing and therefore diminish their results in Olympic cycling events.

"It probably wasn't the most opportune time for these athletes to wear these masks," Scherr said. "They were overly cautious. Those athletes have written an apology to BOCOG."
Scherr noted that fractions of seconds can decide the fate of the competitors involved and that each was simply looking for every possible edge by wearing the masks as a precaution.

"It wasn't in the best judgment at the time," he said. "We believe, hopefully, this will be the last incident of this kind."
Steve Roush, the U.S. Olympic chief of sport performance, met with the cyclists regarding their using the respiratory masks, which have an air filter within them. Any U.S. governing body seeking masks were provided with them.

"It's not a very fancy device," Ueberroth said.
Roush also said air quality has improved every day in Beijing so far.

"The trend is the direction we wanted to see it go," he said. "Clearly it's a direction BOCOG and the IOC wanted to see."

Done

2008-07-30T09:11:00.001-04:00

Done.

I’m done. I have lost all interest in riding my bike. I have only been managing 3 rides a week, all short, all slow. I have not felt good on the bike all year.

I look at the bike with dread and guilt.

Teddy Toe Clips, a long time mentor and role model has even suggested that I forget about it for a while. No sense in pushing the issue. Wait it out until the itch returns.

I’m not sure it will. I find myself getting more and more aggravated with traffic, crappy roads, idiot driver and mostly my inability to feel right on the bike.

I have been leaving a bike in the dining room so it will be easy to get out the door but is had been sitting there for over a week unridden. I put in the basement last night so I wouldn’t have to look at it.

It’s like a friend passing away and not caring.

This is as bad as I’ve felt in years.

The other end

2008-07-08T08:59:00.003-04:00

Like SB I get a little annoyed about amateur athletes bitching about hardship. Especially those who are Masters or lifetime sub elite athletes. It’s a hobby guys. If it’s too dear quit or cut some corners on equipment. Take the money saved and put it in your kid’s college fund.

There has been little hullabaloo in Rhody about our newest Olympian. Elizabeth Beisel from North Kingstown has made the Olympic swimming team at 15 years old. That’s right, she is 37% as old as Dara Torres.

The local news is full of the 14-year-old LaSalle girl golfer Juliet Vongphoumy who won the boy’s championship (from the ladies’ tees) this year. As of yesterday she was tied for 91st 14 stokes off the pace after the first round of the RI Amateur. She is playing from the men’s tees this tournament.

Both girls are superb at their sport. But which is a bigger achievement. Making an Olympic team or being 9 over par on a local RI course? I wonder which young woman will have greater long term success in sport and in life?

Swimming will have to give way at some point to age and lack of high quality of competition. A young golfer, if good enough, can continue as a pro for ages or be fried by 20 like Michelle Wei or Ty Tryon.

Where is Conrad LeBas? What happened to John DiPippo? Why do so many fantastic junior cyclists disappear once they hit seniors? Is it better to be a Type A , driven, middle-aged weekend warrior or a washed up junior phenom? What are we trying to get out of sport? Who is driving the junior and what is haunting the Master?

Enjoy it. It you are not going to make a living out of it remember where you stand and what you hope to get out of sport.

The Great Belgian Lager

2008-06-12T08:43:00.002-04:00

I can hear the rednecks howl.

"InBev steps up its courting of Budweiser maker
David Gow in Brussels
guardian.co.uk,
Thursday June 12 2008
Article history

Budweiser bottle
Inbev, the Belgian brewer, today saw its shares leap more than 4% after last night tabling an unsolicited $46.3bn (£23.76bn) bid for US rival Anheuser-Busch. If successful, the bid move would create the world's biggest beer-maker, with brands ranging from Stella Artois and Becks to Budweiser.

The Belgian group, which is offering $65 a share, is under pressure to sweeten its all-cash proposal closer to $70 but stepped up its courting of the maker of Budweiser by stressing its admiration for the Anheuser board and offering to take a "number of directors" on to the board of the new group. Anheuser shares rose 7% late on Wednesday.
Carlos Britos, Inbev chief executive, said in a video statement that there was a "strong business rationale" behind the offer and is due to step up his wooing in a conference call with investors later today.

Inbev, whose stable of brands includes Stella Artois, Becks and Bass, claims its offer represents a 35% premium on Anheuser's average share price before speculation of its approach surfaced. It says it is seeking a "friendly combination".
Britos has requested a meeting with his opposite number at Anheuser, August Busch, but has so far received no response. The US group did not reject the offer out of hand but said it would study it carefully. Inbev executives discussed its potential offer with Busch in Tampa on June 2 but made no formal proposal.

Britos has promised to make St Louis, Missouri - Anheuser's home town - the headquarters of the new group's North American operations and the global home of Budweiser. InBev says the new group would have combined sales of $36.4bn and pre-tax earnings of $10.7bn.
The bid is now the focus of warring websites, with InBev creating a new site http://www.globalbeerleader.com/ and opponents of the offer creating a rival site http://www.savebudweiser.com/ which has already received almost 32,000 of signatures from those determined that an American icon such as Budweiser should not fall into foreign hands. The site highlights the US company's charitable donations, its environmental awareness and says it is a "huge supporter of our military and their families both here and abroad".

"Let's band together as one voice and try to save more than just our beer," it says. "We don't want another American icon turned over to a foreign company; we want the motto to remain ... The Great American Lager."
About this articleClose

This article was first published on guardian.co.uk on Thursday June 12 2008. It was last updated at 12:20 on June 12 2008."

Irena Sendler

2008-05-13T13:33:00.001-04:00

We are losing heros in a hurry.

Lifted from "The Telegraph"

Social worker who saved 2,500 Jewish children in Warsaw and was tortured by the Gestapo.
Irena Sendler: We are not heroes. I continue to have qualms of conscience that I did so little
Irena Sendler, who died yesterday aged 98, is credited with having saved the lives of some 2,500 Jewish children in the Warsaw ghetto during the Second World War.
By 1942 the Germans had herded some 500,000 Polish Jews into the ghetto – an area of about one square kilometre – to await transportation to the extermination camps. Starvation and disease, especially typhoid, were endemic.

Irena Sendler was a Polish Roman Catholic social worker in the city who already had links with Zegota, the code name for the Council for Aid to Jews, and in December 1942 Zegota put her in charge of its children's department.

Wearing nurses' uniforms, she and a colleague, Irena Schultz, were sent into the ghetto with food, clothes and medicine, including a vaccine against typhoid. It soon became clear, however, that the ultimate destination of many of the Jews was to be the Treblinka death camp, and Zegota decided to try to save as many children as possible.

Using the codename "Jolanta", and wearing a Star of David armband to identify herself with the Jewish population, Irena Sendler became part of this escape network. One baby was spirited away in a mechanic's toolbox.

Some children were transported in coffins, suitcases and sacks; others escaped through the sewer system beneath the city. An ambulance driver who smuggled infants beneath the stretchers in the back of his van kept his dog beside him in the front seat, having trained the animal to bark to mask any cries from his hidden passengers.

In later life Irena Sendler recalled the heartbreak of Jewish mothers having to part from their children: "We witnessed terrible scenes. Father agreed, but mother didn't. We sometimes had to leave those unfortunate families without taking their children from them. I'd go back there the next day and often found that everyone had been taken to the Umschlagsplatz railway siding for transport to the death camps."

The children who were taken by Irena Sendler were given new identities and placed with convents, sympathetic families, orphanages and hospitals. Those who were old enough to talk were taught Christian prayers and how to make the sign of the Cross, so that their Jewish heritage would not be suspected.

Like the more celebrated Oskar Schindler, Irena Sendler kept a list of the names of all the children she saved, in the hope that she could one day reunite them with their families.
On the night of October 20 1943 Irena Sendler's house was raided by the Gestapo, and her immediate thought was to get rid of the list: "I wanted to throw it out of the window but couldn't, the whole house was surrounded by Germans. So I threw it to my colleague and went to open the door.

"There were 11 soldiers. In two hours they almost tore the whole house apart. The roll of names was saved due to the great courage and intelligence of my colleague, who hid it in her underwear."

The Nazis took Irena Sendler to the Pawiak prison, where she was tortured; although her legs and feet were broken, and her body left permanently scarred, she refused to betray her network of helpers or the children whom she had saved. Finally, she was sentenced to death.
She escaped thanks to Zegota, one of whose members bribed a guard to set her free. She immediately returned to her work using a new identity. Having retrieved her list of names, she buried it in a jar beneath an apple tree in a friend's garden.
In the end it provided a record of some 2,500 names, and after the war she attempted to keep her promise to reunite the children with their families. Most of the parents, however, had been gassed at Treblinka.

Irena Sendler was born Irena Krzyzanowska in Warsaw on February 15 1910 into a Polish Roman Catholic family. Her father was a physician who ran a hospital at the suburb of Otwock, and a number of his patients were impoverished Jews.
Although he died of typhus in 1917, his example was of profound importance to Irena, who later said: "I was taught that if you see a person drowning, you must jump into the water to save them, whether you can swim or not."

After the war Irena Sendler continued in her profession as a social worker and also became a director of vocational schools. In 1965 she became one of the first Righteous Gentiles to be honoured by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem. At that time Poland's Communist leaders would not allow her to travel to Israel, and she was unable to collect the award until 1983.

In 2003 she was awarded Poland's highest honour, the Order of the White Eagle; and last year she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, eventually won by Al Gore.
A play about her wartime experiences, called Life in a Jar, was written in 2000 by a group of American schoolgirls. It was performed on more than 200 occasions in the United States, Poland and Canada.

She was also the subject of a biography by Anna Mieszkowska, Mother of the Children of the Holocaust: The Story of Irena Sendler. Last year it was reported that Irena Sendler's exploits in Warsaw were to be the subject of a film, with Angelina Jolie in the starring role.
In her latter years Irena Sendler was cared for in a Warsaw nursing home by Elzbieta Ficowska, who – in July 1942, at six months old – had been smuggled out of the ghetto by Irena in a carpenter's workbox.

In 2005 Irena Sendler reflected: "We who were rescuing children are not some kind of heroes. That term irritates me greatly. The opposite is true – I continue to have qualms of conscience that I did so little. I could have done more. This regret will follow me to my death."
Irena Sendler's first husband was Mieczyslaw Sendler. The marriage was dissolved, and she later married Stefan Zgrzembski, with whom she had two sons and a daughter. One of the boys died in infancy, and her second son in 1999. Her daughter survives her.
Story from Telegraph News:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1950450/Irena-Sendler.html

J.D. Drew is a.....

2008-04-30T13:01:00.002-04:00

a.) pussy
b.) big pussy
c.) fucking pussy

So long, Tina

2008-04-23T16:24:00.002-04:00

So, I saw over at Sports by Brooks that Tina Cervasio "left" NESN after her contract expired (wasn't renewed?). I hadn't noticed she was gone.

Honestly, she annoyed the feck out of me.

The new head is some Kathryn Tappen clone named Heidi Watney.
http://blog.masslive.com/redsoxmonster/2008/04/will_this_woman_take_red_sox_n.html

Baseball doesn't need sideline reporters, it doesn't need in game interviews with annoyed managers. Just show us the game. Let Remy and Orsillo do their jods without jammering sports bims.

It's a Girl!

2008-03-25T09:54:00.002-04:00

If your kid does sports it’s never too early to talk to them about the danger of drugs and “supplements”.

Tammy Thomas was an Olympic cyclist who was banned for life for steroid use. Then she got caught in the same Balco deal that is looming over Barry Bonds. Thomas is the first one of the Balco athletes to go to trial. (Started yesterday).

See story here:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_8689541

A photo of Thomas while she was competing:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/322518981_04c0c0494e.jpg

A photo taken last week at pre-trial hearings:
http://whatithink.bostonbiker.org/files/2008/03/tammy-thomas-2007.jpg

Yes, it really is the same woman. It remains to be seen what long term effects the drugs will have on her. Another cyclist busted for steroid use (long before anybody ever heard of EPO) Cindy Olavarri has had long term joint issues and a permanent voice change.

Unintentional cheating is also in the news. Hammer Nutrition (Available at Whole Foods!) is being sued by a number of elite athletes that were contracted to use their products. It seems that some products were contaminated with a banned anabolic steroid.

Read story here:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=features/2008/neben_court_case08

Keep an eye on what your kids are doing as well as what you put in your own body to get you through a tough club ride.

RIP Sheldon

2008-02-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

Long time subscribers to the NBW list know that I periodically misuse it to muse on the passing of cultural icons. Fred Rogers, Syd Barrett and Johnny Cash come to mind. These essays are usually tinged with the regret of not having met great people or not letting them know in some way that they have contributed in someway to the quality of my life.

When I read of the passing of some of the people I looked up to, and as I get further into middle age the list grows quickly, I often feel an odd loss. It is a selfish feeling. A feeling that I will never get the chance to ask them a question to share a minute or two of time and space. It may be an odd feeling but how great would it have been to ask Jim Henson which was his favorite Muppet? I feel genuine loss when the world loses a person I admire and realize that their contributions to our lives are over.

I do not wish to rub shoulders with celebrities or particularly care who the new “It Girl” is but I would have loved to thank Mr. Rogers for his part in making my dark childhood a bit brighter. Does that explain it?

I wrote this for the NBW list:

As I noted yesterday Sheldon Brown has died. I won’t get into detail as to who Sheldon is and what he did. If you are not familiar with him visit http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ and have a browse. I feel a big loss at losing Sheldon. He was a larger than life icon among bike mechanics and bike geeks. While not a media phenomenon Sheldon was world-renowned. He is spoken of with reference by bike geeks near and far. He had a well-considered opinion on all things cycling. We was a singer, dancer, photographer, teacher and student of many subjects. Unlike the other icons I’ve mentioned I have had the pleasure of meeting Sheldon. I’m sure I made no real impression on him but he was neat to be around.

I first met him when he interviewed me for a job at Harris six or so years ago. He was much more cordial than I had been told to expect. Maybe my resume did enough to assure him that I was a bike guy not just a guy looking for a job. I was not offered the job. The Harris family and Sheldon were concerned that I lived too far from the shop. Or so they said. It was a polite let down.

I next met Sheldon at the Larz Anderson Bike Show. Before the show like-minded retro grouches rode our bikes into Boston for coffee and then did some urban off roading back to the park for the antique bike show. Sheldon was surprisingly strong on the bike.

The last time I saw Sheldon was at a retro-grouch ride I hosted a few years ago. Sheldon and about a dozen other steel frame and wool jersey fans collected in Bristol for a modified NBW Barrington Ride. The as yet undiagnosed MS that would effect the last years of his life slowed Sheldon down that day and he couldn’t keep up. Ted Shwartz offered to stay with him and shepherd him back to the start. After the ride we all had lunch at Aidan’s. Sheldon tucked into his steak and beer with gusto all the while entertaining questions from his enthralled (star struck maybe) dining companions.

Reading some of the eulogies rolling in for Sheldon, many by people who never had the pleasure of interacting with him, made realize that I had my chance with Sheldon. I could have thanked him for all his help. I didn’t, I blew it. I figured there is always time. It’s not like he’s all that famous. He’s accessible, not like a real famous person I’ll never get the chance to meet. Now he’s dead. His children have lost their father and Harriett has lost her soul mate and bike nerds are left to read his wisdom on glowing screens.

Special people surround us all. They don’t need to be entertainment, or internet celebrities to be stars. Enjoy their company. Don’t be shy. Thank them for making your life better, more fun, or interesting.

Go with G*d Sheldon.

Il Bruce

Raoul Wallenberg

2008-01-17T12:43:00.000-05:00

From the Montreal Gazette Online 1/17/2008

Remembering Raoul Wallenberg
Irwin Cotler, Montreal Gazette

Today, Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Day, is an important moment of remembrance and reminder. It marks the 63rd anniversary of the Jan. 17, 1945 disappearance of Raoul Wallenberg, the lost hero of humanity, whom the United Nations characterized as "the greatest humanitarian of the 20th century."

Wallenberg, a Swedish non-Jew who saved thousands of Jews in the Holocaust, is the embodiment of the Talmudic and Quranic idiom that whoever saves a single life, it is as if they have saved an entire universe.
The lost hero of the Holocaust confronted the Nazi killing machine and showed not only that one person can make a difference, but that one person can resist, that one person can confront, that one person can indeed prevail over radical evil.

Raoul Wallenberg's incredible heroism included the granting of the Shutzpasses - the diplomatic passes which provided protective immunity to their recipients and, in fact, influenced other governments - the Swiss, the Portuguese, the Spanish, and the Vatican legations - to follow his example. As a result of this singular provision of diplomatic immunity, thousands were saved by this route alone.

Wallenberg led the establishment of protective havens - the international ghetto as it came to be called - 32 safe houses protected by neutral legations.
Once again, he inspired other legations to follow his example, and with this initiative alone saved some 32,000 people.

Wallenberg's organization of hospitals, soup kitchens, child-care centres - the staples of international humanitarian assistance - provided women, children, the sick, the elderly - the most vulnerable of victims - with a semblance of human dignity in the face of the worst of all horrors and evil.

He rescued thousands from deportation and death in October 1944 alone when the Arrow Cross - the Nazi puppet government in Hungary - unleashed a wave of murderous deportations and atrocities. At the railway stations, Wallenberg provided, once again, the protective Shutzpasses to remove Jews about to be deported to a certain death.

In November 1944, as thousands of Jews, mainly women and children, were sent on a 200-kilometre death march, Raoul Wallenberg followed, distributing food, medical supplies and improvised certificates. To the Jews, Wallenberg was the guardian angel. For Adolph Eichmann, the bureaucratic desk murderer responsible for the Final Solution of Hungarian Jewry, Wallenberg was the Judenhund Wallenberg: Wallenberg the Jewish dog.

Wallenberg's last rescue was perhaps the most memorable. As the Nazis were advancing on Budapest, threatening to blow up the Budapest ghetto and liquidate the remnants of Hungarian Jews - some 70,000 in the Budapest ghetto alone - Wallenberg put the Nazi generals on notice, including Nazi General Schmidhuber - that they would be brought to justice, if not executed, for their war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The result was that the Nazi generals desisted from their assault, and 70,000 more Jews were saved, rescued by the incredible courage of one person who was prepared to confront evil and resist.

Canada established Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Day for Canadians to learn about, reflect upon, and be inspired by the incredible heroism this great humanitarian who, in his singular protection of civilians in armed conflict, signified the best of international humanitarian law; who, in his singular organization of humanitarian relief, exemplified the best of humanitarian intervention; who, in his warning to Nazi generals that they would be held accountable for their crimes, foreshadowed the Nuremberg principles; who, in saving 100,000 Jews, personified the Talmudic idiom that if a person saves a single life it is as if he or she has saved an entire universe; and who, in having the courage to care and the commitment to act, showed that one person can confront radical evil, prevail, and transform history.

Today, Raoul Wallenberg deserves to be remembered not only for his heroism, but as a reminder and inspiration for action - that each one of us has an indispensable role to play in the struggle for betterment of the human condition; human rights begins with each of us - in our homes, in our schools, in our workplace, in our human relations, in our daily capacity for acts of care and compassion on behalf of some victim of discrimination or disadvantage somewhere.

The great medieval sage, the Rambam teaches us that the world can be seen as balanced between half-good and half-evil. Therefore, one good deed by any one of us can tilt the balance in favour of the good, having a transformative impact on the universe as a whole - that would be living the Raoul Wallenberg legacy.

Irwin Cotler is the member of Parliament for Mount Royal and official opposition critic for Human Rights. He helped established Canada's Raoul Wallenberg Commemorative Day.

The Vanishing Turk

2007-12-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

Where is Murat?

Here he is:
www.bisikletcimurat.blogspot.com

I see he went with the yellow uni. Good call.

O Dinis

2007-12-18T08:47:00.000-05:00

Last night Liz took me out for my birthday. We went to O Dinis. We are there every week and have been regulars for years. It is a neighborhood Portuguese restaurant. Very homey and they take good care of us.

On Monday nights after 8 they have a buffet for about $15.00 (including wine). At 9 they close the doors and the music starts. In all our visits to the place this was our first Monday buffet. The owner Dinis Paiva http://cdbaby.com/cd/dinispaiva is a renowned fado singer and all his cronies show up and play.

Dinis and his daughter Natalia were thrilled to see us show up after many, many invitations. It is open to the public but most weeks the crowd is made up of “regulars”.

Last night there was a party of eight celebrating a birthday. Not sure where they were from but they were Hispanic not Portuguese. They brought their guitars and two of the fellows opened the show in Spanish. Wonderful.

After half a dozen songs the regulars started. A professor from Brown sat in for the first time on guitar and picked right up. Two different guests sang with the trio of guitarists. One was great and sang a couple of fado songs and the other did a fair job of some Christmas carols.

Around 10:45 Dinis held court. He is a bit of a local celebrity and a natural showman. His banter was all in Portuguese so I have no idea what he said but evidently he’s pretty funny too. He does have a fantastic voice.

We had to leave early, and after a glass too many of brandy, but had a great time.

La Prov locals should check the place out.

O Dinis
579 Warren Ave
East Providence, RI 02914
(401) 438-3769

Big River Management Area

2007-11-21T10:11:00.000-05:00

People that know il Bruce in the real world know that I am not much of a cyclist any longer but while organizing my once yearly mountain bike ride I was informed that my trail of choice was unavailable.

The Big River area is state designated open space. A water shed area it was taken by eminent domain to be made into a reservoir. RI being RI it ran into political trouble and now contains a soon to be redundant Amgen plant and golf course because both these endeavours use little water and are ecologically friendly.

Evidently now that all of the residential tenants have moved out they closed all the entrances to try to stop illegal dumping. They are also keeping out mountain bikers, hikers and hunters. I contacted RI DEM and they responded that nobody had told them it was chained off and that the RI Sate Water Board managed the and to contact them. I did. Although the responded to my email within a couple of hours nobody was sure what the deal is.

They hope to have an answer for me Friday.

It would be a shame to lose a great area like Big River. I know the NEMBA cult has done a lot to keep the place tidy (cleaning up after hunters it seems).

Lowell stays with Red Sox

2007-11-19T15:25:00.000-05:00

Thank God.

The hell with sabermetrics and all that.

He's a good player. Plays the way New Englanders like to see their players play.

Now ditch the Clark Gable 'stach.

iWay

2007-11-05T17:59:00.000-05:00

What a colossal fuck up.

They have completely fucked the I95 south exit. No fucking room. Every time ther is amerge they drop a lane. Typical RIDOT and their pointy headed low rent engineers.

Mom?

2007-11-01T12:26:00.000-04:00

But she doesn't look like his mother.

A garden gnome yes, but not his mom.

KCCX

2007-10-15T14:18:00.000-04:00

The KC crew seems to have a good handle on the cross natz this year.

They managed to have their website up month, not days, before the event. There is event merchandise available. There is a clear and easy way to sign up to volunteer.

They hired "King Dickie" Fries as announcer though... Curious.

www.kccrossnationals.com

http://www.velonews.com/race/cyc/articles/13521.0.html

Alumni Ride Piccie

2007-10-01T18:03:00.001-04:00

I Bike

2007-10-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

You bike.

He/she/it bikes.

Bike is not a verb.

That is all.

Rhody Ride

2007-10-01T10:37:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I traveled down to Kingston for a URI Cycling Team reunion ride.

When I was at URI the only year we had a racing team was 1987. It was anchored by Jim Peters (NBX), Fred Croy and multiple Masters national champion Mike Hutchinson. Jeff “Potsie” Potter Jimmy Aldrich, Eric Bowker (Catamount) and I rounded out the roster. We had some success thanks to the talent of Jim, Mike and Fred and we had a lot of fun thanks to all. The team rumbled on for a few more years after us but died out about 1992. There were a couple of false starts since then and nothing has taken hold on campus.

Eight riders showed up for the ride Saturday. Most still ride regularly and three are still racing. I was amazed at the turnout. The campus paper even showed up to take a few pictures and ask a few questions.

I faded about an hour into the ride and Dr. Matt and I headed back to campus and met up with the rest at Fred’s house later in the afternoon. It was quite a nice day of catching up with old friends.

Hands off my toaster

2007-09-27T12:13:00.000-04:00

Hadda wasted youth try to break into my car last night.

About 3:30 I heard something in my driveway. I looked out the window to see a white do rag bobbing up and down.

My Azorean homie was trying to get the my car door open. I yelled out the window. No response.

I went down stairs as Mrs. M called 911 and went into the back yard. Manny (his real name) just kept banging on the door of the car. He stayed three until the police came and grabbed him.

Manny was looking for a girl named Ariel who, I guess, he thought was in my car.

I am a technology moran.

2007-09-24T08:51:00.001-04:00

The internet police here a Deathnic have cracked down again and taken away our ability to stream audio and video. Don't care about the video but I can't stand my office being so quiet. I sit in the center of the building. No windows, and a lot of electrical interference. Over the air radio is useless.

I brought in a couple fairly good radios a Grundig 300 mini radio and a Realistic DX-390 both were unable to receive anything but the local frequency abusers. Undeterred I decided that I'd try satellite radio and iPod to keep the music and news flowing.

Friday afternoon I went to Circuit City to pick up a Sirius radio, Nano and a dock that worked with both. Circuit City was staffed by idiots and didn't have the receiver and had no idea what the iPods cost. I went down the road to Best Buy and picked up everything I wanted (at the same price CC offered after mail-in rebates).

Once home I decided to play with the iPod first. No go. Our G5 cannot handle the awesome technology of the base model new Nano. Tonight I will be buying a new operating system for Mrs. M. I'm a bit pissed that the 'puter will not handle the latest iTunes and iPod.

The radio works great in the office though. I had a few signal losses but found a better place for the antenna and am having fun with the radio.

The Big E

2007-09-21T09:37:00.000-04:00

Me and Mrs. M are off to the Eastern States Exposition Saturday.

Not sure why I want to go. Might be fun. Last time I went Otter Creek was set up in the VT building. I enjoyed that.

http://www.thebige.com/

Okie Pics

2007-09-18T20:37:00.001-04:00

Oklahoma is OK

2007-09-18T13:59:00.000-04:00

We had a great time on Oklahoma.

Dad picked us up at the airport in Tulsa and had a whole greeting committee with him. Friends of his from their neighborhood in Florida came out to OK for his birthday party. The snowbirds weren’t in FL yet so Jan and Joe motored down from London, Ontario and Bev cam in from Peoria. Quite a minivan full.

From the airport we went to Okmulgee to see the Creek Tribal House. Dad dropped us off and went to the Creek government center to register his car but his insurance info wasn’t up to date. He eventually got it sorted out and picked us back up after lunch. It was then back to the government center so Dad and I could get new tribal ID cards. Very need. The new ones are photo ID.

We went to Bristow, Dad’s hometown, for a tour and a vanilla malted. Out of town we followed a good bit of old US Rt. 66 to Sapulpa.

Dad showed us thing and told stories that were new to my stepmother and me. Having an audience brought out a lot of information.

The party on Saturday was a bit of a family reunion. Some of the Bruce family, who my cousin met by chance on a Mexican cruise, came in from Arkansas. Most of my first cousins were there. All of my father’s surviving siblings were there. Dad was thrilled. He says he’s embarrassed by the attention but he still loved seeing so much of the family together.

It was pretty emotional for me. My cousin remodeled the family homestead and did a great job. Not too Okie tacky. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever make it out to OK ever again. I spent a couple of weeks at my grandparents’ every summer as a kid but have only been back twice in the last 21 years.

The food was fantastic. I ate things I haven’t had in 20 or more years. Gramma’s strawberry pie, chicken and noodles, fried okra…

Mrs. M even had a good time. My family loved her and she adapted well to the clan. She even enjoyed going to my cousin’s peewee football game. She’s even amenable to going out again for a longer stay.

Heading West

2007-09-13T10:40:00.000-04:00

The missus and me are taking off for Oklahoma tomorrow.

My dad turned 80 yesterday and the party is Saturday in Bristow, OK, his hometown.
http://www.visitbristowok.com/

My cousin Donny just remodeled his house, once my grandparent’s house, and the party is a both a housewarming and birthday party.

I haven’t been out of the northeast in over 2 years and haven’t been to Oklahoma for about 10 years. When I was a kid we’d spend at least two weeks every summer at my grandparent’s farm. It wasn’t much of a farm. My grandfather was retired and they only had a few dozen head of cattle at any time but is sure was country. The house was actually about 15 miles from Bristow but that was the nearest town of any size. The only shopping you did was on Saturday when everybody “went to town” to shop, gossip, shoot pool and drink beer. (We’d sneak Grandpa over to the pool hall praying the Grandma didn’t find us.)

Bristow, like many western small towns, has been killed by Wal-Mart. That and cable television. It is almost a suburban town now or at least it was last time I was there. I am interested to see what it’s like now.

We will be staying with the mayor of Kellyville Saturday night. Kellyville is a town of about 1000 people, very poor, very rural. The mayor is my cousin Randy, Donny’s oldest brother.

I haven’t seen some of my cousins since 1986. I went out to visit before taking off to England to study. I was 21, skinny (bike racer skinny), with a Flock of Seagulls blond ‘do. My cousins for the most part had all had kids, divorces, addictions, heartbreaks and lives. I was a punk college kid but still accepted like I was when we were kids. The cousin from back east. They always took an interest in me and made me welcome. Despite growing up in New England and going to prep school and college (a different world from my family’s) I always felt at home in Oklahoma.

Randy visited my dad in Massachusetts last year and we had he and his wife over for a cookout. It was an interesting group, me & Mrs. M., my dad and stepmother, my Lancashire born and raised in laws, my best mate Gary and his wife and Randy and his wife Gleneva (her twin sister is Geneva). What a great night we had. I am really looking forward to seeing the family and introducing Mrs. M.

To look at us (me) you wouldn’t guess it but we are Muscogee. No really. I have a tribal roll number, am eligible for tribal health care, elections, housing assistance, welfare the whole lot. My grandmother was 50% Muscogee (Creek) and went to Indian school as a girl.

My first cousins and I are the last generation of our family to qualify for full tribal benefits. Most of my cousins live in or have lived in tribe subsidized housing and go to the Indian clinic for medical services. I never really identified as a Muscogee it was not a part of growing up in Rhode Island but being an Indian, even a “white Indian” is a real part of most my family members lives. My dad wants Mrs. M to see what it’s about so we are going here Friday afternoon: http://www.fivetribes.org/

It should be an interesting trip.

1/4 Mile Match Sprint

2007-09-09T11:49:00.001-04:00

So, I flipped onto ESPN2 this morning just in time to see local guido and drag racer Bob Tasker da terd stage with the eighth placed driver Marty Nothstein. Yep, THAT Marty Nothstein.

Tasca is second in the NHRA T/A Funnycar standing and Marty is eighth. Who knew?

Touchy Phreds

2007-09-07T09:25:00.000-04:00

OK. I am a bad guy for commenting, after yet another serious crash on a club ride, that some of us could use to work on NOT FALLING OFF.

Why do these middle aged phreds think they are good riders just because they can occasionally get through a 30 mile ride without ending up under a pickup.

I see all these people, death grip on the bars, elbows locked, wobbling down the road and veering into traffic. When I say something I am accused of slandering people. I am accused of not knowing what I am talking about. These people have been riding less than 5 years!

At the risk of riling Solobuddy, what ever happend to the the good old days when people would pay attetion to their riding not just dump money on it?

Effin A. As a kid I'd ride with Ted (smart like tractor) Lewendowski, Mike Rounds, Dave Kellogg, Ted Furtado, Doug Poole, Dixon Wilde, on a Sunday and I'd pay attention to what they told me. Now when you tell a person that you are passing you are "showing them up" on their Personal Journey.

I'm gonna put the bike away for a while and go play with my guns.

PawSox Win!

2007-08-31T09:23:00.000-04:00

Went to the Pawtucket Red Sox game last night with the splinter sect bike club. We had a lot of fun. What an entertainment bargain. $10.00 reserved seats. Pints of Smiddick's $5.50. $2.75 for a huge order of fries.

Wednesday night we went to Uncle Joe's Open Wheel Wednesday at Seekonk Speedway. Another cheap night out (for me & the missus). Comped tix and buffet.

We even had a couple of predominant NE cyclobloggers, who prefer to remain anonymous, in attendance.

After a slow summer we seem to be cramming all our outings into the last few weeks of the season.

Almost time for Hockey Night.

Cross Post

2007-08-27T11:03:00.000-04:00

This is a pic of my mother in law standing next to Trebon's bike.

I wanted her to ask him if she could take it for a test ride.

Wierd Stuff Happening ar Reed's House

2007-08-17T12:45:00.000-04:00

From the BloJo:

Bird deaths in Barrington draw a $1,000 reward
BARRINGTON -- Defenders of Animals today said it would pay $1,000 to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the bizarre deaths of at least 15 birds at a birdhouse on Humphreys Road.

Some type of spray adhesive was apparently used in the case, said Dennis Tabella, the organization's director. "After traces of residue were found around the birdhouse, there is no doubt that this was a deliberate and sick act by an individual (or individuals) that need to be identified," he said.

The remains of the birds were discovered Aug. 4 on the ground near the large cedar birdhouse, which can hold eight nests and resembles a UFO with spikes.

Owner Reed Caster said the clear substance, which never seems to dry, was apparently sprayed up into the roof of the birdhouse. It continues to coat the inside of the roof and the foliage beneath it. He said he hopes the Department of Environmental Management, which is investigating the case, can identify the substance.

"Apparently something was sprayed and some wings stuck together," said Tabella. "I know there are sprays to glue things down at photo and copying places, but this sounds like something really strange."

"It's terrific someone would put up a reward. That's great," Caster said. "It was such a stupid act."
-- Journal staff writer C. Eugene Emery Jr.

Murat has Yahoo Envy

2007-08-10T08:16:00.000-04:00

The twirling Turk has organized a Yahoo Group for skinny bike racer types. It's a method of getting word out quickly re: racing issues and hub of info for New England cyclists.

Join before he cries;
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Packfodder/

Mapei Returns to Racing

2007-08-06T11:23:00.000-04:00

How Dr. Squinzi is spending his advertising Euros.

Nextel Cup driver, hot head Robby Gordon, rotates a number of sponsors. This week it was Mapei's turn to be on th ehood. Robby got a lot of press this weekend. Not much of it good.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=251260

In the News!

2007-08-03T10:26:00.000-04:00

R.I. exec guilty of sabotage
01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, August 2, 2007

By Bob Van VorisBloomberg News

An executive of Cranston-based chemical company Technic Inc. pleaded guilty yesterday to sabotaging a test of a formula developed by competitor Rohm & Haas Co. for electroplating Intel Corp. microchips.

Robert Schetty III, vice president in charge of developing and marketing electroplating products for Technic, pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip, N.Y., to destroying a Rohm & Haas solution called ST380 that was being tested for Intel.

“This is a very, very stupid caper in his life and he’s doing his best to put it behind him,” Ron Russo, Schetty’s lawyer, said in an interview.

Schetty faces as much as 10 years in prison, three years probation and a $250,000 fine, prosecutors said. He agreed to pay $15,536 restitution to Rohm & Haas.

Schetty worked in Plainview, N.Y., for the Advanced Technology Division of closely held Technic, prosecutors said in a court document filed under seal July 17 and released yesterday. He schemed to ruin the tests because he feared Rohm & Haas would take Technic’s Intel account, according to the documents.

Bob Sheeran, a Technic spokesman, didn’t return a call seeking comment.

Electroplating is an industrial process that uses an electrical current to coat microchips with a thin layer of metal.

From 2002 to 2005, Technic sold a lead-free electroplating solution to Amkor Technology Inc., an Intel subcontractor, prosecutors said. About 2004, Philadelphia-based Rohm & Haas, a special-materials maker and the world’s biggest producer of acrylic-paint ingredients, developed ST380, a lead-free electroplating solution the company claimed was superior to Technic’s product, prosecutors said.

In September 2004, Schetty learned that Amkor would be testing the Rohm & Haas product at Amkor’s plant in the Philippines, prosecutors said. Schetty, along with unnamed Technic and Amkor employees in that country, sabotaged the test by secretly adding hydrogen peroxide and another chemical to the ST380 that was being tested, prosecutors said.

Amkor chief financial officer Ken Joyce declined to comment on the case.

Schetty and the unnamed Technic employee, called “Jane Doe” in the criminal-charging document, exchanged e-mails to coordinate the scheme, prosecutors said.

“Thank you, you are doing exactly as a good salesperson should do to save this account,” prosecutors claim Schetty told Jane Doe in a Sept. 17, 2004, e-mail. “We have no choice but to make sure the ST380 evaluation fails.”

Open Wheel Wednesday

2007-07-30T14:54:00.000-04:00

Any of you boys in? Solo? Willi?

My Uncle is the title sponsor for this and we're getting a couple of tix.

Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday Rescheduled For August 29
Todd Baptista

Seekonk Speedway assistant manager David Alburn announced today that the 1/3-mile Bay State oval’s Open Wheel Wednesday program which fell victim to rain on July 18, has been rescheduled in its entirety for Wednesday evening, August 29, at 7 PM.

“We’ve heard from people from all over the Northeast, fans and competitors alike, in the week since the event was rained out,” Alburn explains. “The overwhelming consensus was that they wanted the show to go on exactly the way it had been planned on a future Wednesday night.” After meeting with officials from the True Value Modified Racing Series, Northeastern Midget Association, and Pro Four Modified Series, a deal was finalized late Wednesday.

The fastest and fiercest competitors in northeastern Modified racing circles are expected to converge upon the Route 6 facility for the third annual Open Wheel Wednesday program, featuring the Viveiros Insurance-sponsored 100 green flag lap Modified Madness event, an open competition race paying $10,000 to the winner. Last July, forty-two competitors from nine states attempted to qualify for the 26-car race, which carries a purse in excess of $31,000.

Among the drivers who have pre-registered for this year’s Modified Madness show are former NASCAR weekly series national champion Ted Christopher, veteran front-runner Jerry Marquis, third generation ace Bobby Santos III, Mike Stefanik, Matt Hirschman, Tommy Cravenho, Vinnie Annarummo, and Dick Houlihan. Others who have pre-registered include Eric Beers, Richard Savary, former Seekonk winners Louie Mechalides and Andy Seuss, Chris and Carl Pasteryak, Jimmy Kuhn, Jr., and defending race winner Kirk Alexander of West Swanzey, NH. Qualifying heats and a B-main will set the lineup for the 100 lap affair.

The Northeastern Midget Association and Pro Four Modified Racing Series will also compete in qualifying heats and 25-lap features. The pit area will open at 1 PM on race day with Modified inspections beginning at 1:30 and practice for all divisions running from 2 to 6 PM. Qualifying begins at 7 PM. Grandstand admission is $18 for adults, $5 for juniors ages 13 through 15, and free for children 12 and under. Pit admission is $30. The speedway campgrounds will be open for overnight campers beginning on Tuesday evening, August 28. For more information, contact the speedway office at (508)-336-9959 or visit online at www.seekonkspeedway.com.

Dr. Franke

2007-07-30T14:40:00.000-04:00

So is this dude straight up or a nutter yodeling in the dark?

Fromt teh Daily Herald in Oz:

LEADING German expert in the fight against doping yesterday claimed to have evidence indicating that Tour de France winner Alberto Contador had used drugs.

Twenty-four hours after the Spaniard donned the winner's yellow jersey on the Champs Elysees, expert Werner Franke described the 24-year-old's victory as "the greatest swindle in sporting history".

Franke bases his claim on documents he says are in his possession from the Spanish police's Operation Puerto inquiry into Eufemiano Fuentes, the doctor said to have masterminded doping programs for athletes.

"The name of this Mr Contador appears on several occasions on the court and police documents," Franke told German television station ZDF.

"All of this has been simply concealed and hidden under the carpet whilst the name Contador was erased from the list of supicious riders."

Franke claims to have a detailed list of banned products used by Contador, which appear in sworn statements following the raid on Fuentes' medical practice.

"He took insulin, HMG-Lepori, a hormone to stimulate the secretion of testosterone and also a product for asthma called TGN - in brief I have before my eyes a protocol for doping," he told ZDF.
"All of this has been covered up, at least in Spain."
Contador, who inherited the lead in the Tour de France last week after Michael Rasmussen's expulsion in a row over missed random drug tests, denied he'd had any links with Fuentes' drugs program.

Speaking after Saturday's penultimate time-trial in Angouleme about why his name had been linked to Fuentes he said: "I was in the wrong team at the wrong time and somehow my name got among the documents, but the UCI corrected the mistake and now I've got no link to Puerto."

Among the cyclists associated with Fuentes was Jan Ullrich, the former Tour de France winner.
Meanwhile, disgraced rider Alexander Vinokourov has been sacked by his Astana team following his positive test for blood doping on the Tour de France, the team announced yesterday.
"Astana Cycling Team received confirmation that Alexander Vinokourov's B sample was 'non negative'," the Swiss team said.

"Consequently, the Kazakh rider has been sacked by Astana cycling team with immediate effect."

Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping following his victory in a time trial in Albi on July 21.
He left the race last Tuesday and as a result of the positive test, the Astana team were invited by Tour organisers Amaury Sport Organisation to pull out.
Vinokourov, winner of last year's Tour of Spain, denies doping. If found guilty he faces a two-year ban and according to the International Cycling Union's anti-doping charter will have to pay a fine equal to a year's salary.

Dady, read me a story

2007-07-26T17:37:00.002-04:00

This one's for Willi.

Forget the little weirdo and his purple crayon and those annoying ducklings. Really, who says goodnight to everything in the room? Freak.

Mike and May Anne. That's a good read.

Cat Hearding

2007-07-25T14:10:00.000-04:00

I just can't leave well enough alone. I got tired of trying to keep the short leash on the la Prov Blvd. ride and quit going, opting instead for the NBW SoCo Tuesday Night Ride. It is usually a smallish group but still gets ragged.

I wanted a nice even ride so I offered to set the pace all night last night. 1.75 hours just rolling along. No attacks or spastic riding allowed. JT and I were in the small rings all night the rest were in the big meat all night.

It turned out very well. I had to no no wrangling. All behaved and had a good time. I just don't know how you can spend a couple of hours in the big ring never going more than 18mph...

No Free Lunch

2007-07-12T09:11:00.000-04:00

A handwritten sign appeared on the bulletin board here at Deathnic this morning. This sign announces that at 12:15 the company will provide lunch for all employees.

We used to get fed on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. We also used to get bonuses and raises...

Why lunch now? Speculation is rampant. Is it good news? Is it bad news? Is it just lunch?

Exciting.

Let's make the water turn black

2007-07-11T12:24:00.000-04:00

So, I haven’t slept too well lately and this usually leads to very strange and vivid dreams. Yesterday I awoke mid-dream, just before coming to the dream featured a cirque du soleil style performance set to Frank Zappa’s “Let’s Make the Water Turn Black”. For over 50 hours now that song has been playing in my head. All during last night’s ride gems like, “Ronnie saves his numies on a window in his room, (A marvel to be seen: dysentery green)” were buzzing around in there.

For those who are curious, here are the rest of the lyrics:

"Now believe me when I tell you that my song is really true
I want everyone to listen and believe
It's about some little people from a long time ago
And all the things the neighbors didn't know
Early in the morning
Daddy Dinky went to work
Selling lamps & chairs to San Ber'dino squares
And I still remember Mama with her apron & her pad
Feeding all the boys at Ed's Cafe!

Whizzing & pasting & pooting through the day
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
And all the while on a shelf in the shed:
KENNY'S LITTLE CREATURES ON DISPLAY!

Ronnie saves his numies on a window in his room
(A marvel to be seen: dysentery green)
While Kenny & his buddies had a game out in the back:
LET'S MAKE THE WATER TURN BLACK

We see them after school in a world of their own
To some it might seem creepy what they do...)
The neighbors on the right sat & watched them every night
(I bet you'd do the same if they was you)

Whizzing & pasting & pooting through the day
(Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!)
And all the while on a shelf in the shed:
KENNY'S LITTLE CREATURES ON DISPLAY!

Ronnie's in the Army now & Kenny's taking pills
Oh! How they yearn to see a bomber burn!
Color flashing, thunder crashing, dynamite machine!
(Wait till the fire turns green...wait till the fire turns green)
WAIT TILL THE FIRE TURNS GREEN"

I need a nap.

While Kenny & his buddies had a game out in the back:LET'S MAKE THE WATER TURN BLACK

Seekonk Speedway

2007-07-09T13:41:00.000-04:00

The missus and me made a trip down Rt. 6 to see the races Saturday night.

Mrs. B had resisted going to the ‘konk. She thought it would be cheesy and grubby. It was and she loved it.

The crowd was as entertaining as the racing. Quite a show.

Mrs. B even found herself enjoying the races and picking favorites to cheer for.

http://www.seekonkspeedway.com/raceresults/results.php

Next time maybe we can get some skinny bike racers to come along.

Vacation TIme

2007-06-29T12:17:00.000-04:00

Well I'm off for vacation.

I was going to stick it out here at Deathnic until 1pm but it seems that the building is filling up with nitric acid fumes (again). So I'm off.

Mrs. B and I will be going to Prtland, ME Tues-Fri. Send ideas for amusements.

il B

2007-06-28T14:37:00.000-04:00

Sox & NASCAR

From projo.com

BOSTON (AP) — Carl Edwards has got a new paint job for his No. 99 car at this weekend’s NASCAR race in New Hampshire.
Edwards will be driving a baseball-themed car in honor of his visit to New England. The Ford will sport several Boston Red Sox team logos and red stitches like a baseball.
The promotion is the first for Roush Fenway Racing since the owners of the Red Sox invested in NASCAR.
The car was on dispaly at Fenway Park on Thursday morning.
“It’s our intention to be the Northeast’s NASCAR team,” owner Jack Roush said. “There’s some pressure to perform in front of the home crowd. Everybody will be at their very best.”

2007-06-25T20:59:00.001-04:00

Old stuff for the old guy.

Before you cranky bastards give me hell, I know my blogger skills are teh suxxors.

Piccies below:

2007-06-25T20:49:00.001-04:00

2007-06-25T20:44:00.001-04:00

Hey Foley, look familiar?

2007-06-25T16:34:00.000-04:00

Rhode Island beauties.

2007-06-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

Weekend Update

On Saturday I hung around with some folks even nerdier than wheelspeople. Radio Hams!

The local radio club set up at Hunt's Mills in EP for field day. All geeked up to cq as many other radio nerdz as were to be had. http://www.w1aq.com/home

Nice folks but not too impressed with an SWL.

I rode the Surly over to their encampment while they were setting up Saturday morning. I was surprised to see how automated Hams had become. A lot of computer tuners and a signal finder dealie that kept casting out cqs to a minimum. I was pleased to see so many folks still interested in cw or Morse code operation. As a kid I could never get the hang of it, so couldn’t pass my radio license test.

Saturday afternoon I caught up with AVH my best friend from prepdom. Still digesting the experience.

My wrist hurt from actually doing physical work on Saturday so I didn’t ride Sunday. I cannot hold onto the bars without significant pain.

Sunday was the Cox race. Nice afternoon out. Saw Hutch, an old URI mate, and Willi as well as Jimmy.

2007-06-24T06:18:00.000-04:00

Prov World Cup on Ice.

Francine called it right.

From cyclingnews.com:

"We have a great venue, political support, solid staff, and fantastic sponsors in place," said Richard Fries, marketing and communications director. "What we truly need, however, is time to create an event that provides a solid return on the investment being made by our sponsors. We’re not just planning a wedding; we’re planning a marriage between our organization and a Fortune 500 sponsor. We expect to build a lasting, world-class event in Providence with plans of hosting the World Championships at Roger Williams Park."

2007-06-22T11:16:00.000-04:00

Nostalgia.

OK Foley, you asked for it.

I graduated from high school 25 years ago this month. I was always thankful that my mother sent me to prep school. I was a bully magnet in public schools and the torture abated a good bit once I went to private school.

Something my classmate, a golf prodigy, said to me once has stayed with me. He noted that he and I were the school’s token Portagies. He was there because he could play golf, I was there because I was the neighborhood kid with a highest entrance exam score. Not the prototypical New England prep school boys.

I was never a good fit at school but it allowed me a lot more freedom, and safety than the urban/suburban East Providence school system.

Last month my phone rang and a heavily Middle Eastern accented voice asked for me. I almost hung up, expecting it to be another outsourced worker offering large savings on my mortgage. But I waited. “This is Mohammed,” he said.

“Mohammed F____i?” I asked.

“Yes”.

Wow. Mo was an exchange student my senior year. A Muslim from Tunisia he was placed with a prominent Jewish family from the school. They did a great job and were very supportive but it was not the easiest year.

Mo is a physician now and was in the US for a conference. While here he went by the school to look up old friends. I was the first he found.

He also found Maj. Preston and Fredo. Two Sunday nights ago the Major called. HE is retiring form the military and moving back to Rhode Island. A week or so later Fredo emailed. Mo had started the ball of nostalgia rolling. We were all misfits that managed to flourish in the strict prep school environment. We were not the cool kids, or jocks but were good students allowed to, for the most part, get along fairly happily.

Fredo was my best friend for years. The closest thing to a brother I’ve ever had. I missed Fredo and his family very much. Time got in the way and we lost touch years ago. Fredo has a second wife and a new baby now. I am meeting up with him for the first time in over 10 years on Saturday. I am nervous. What if we just don’t like each other any more?

Bike content, Fredo and I were on the school’s cycling team together. It was a prep school where the whole bike thing started. It was old school. Wool jerseys. Double pacelines. Getting yelled at for screwing up. I loved it. I loved working hard. I loved racing as team, (it was scored like cross country or collegiate racing). I loved being better than awful at a sport. Something new for me.

My experience on the cycling team is what I cherish most form my high school experience. It gave me something I still have. A place.

I credit cycling and the people I have met riding for saving my life on a number of occasions. That is not hyperbole. My bike has saved me from myself for 25 years.

The bike team disappeared in the 90s but driven by this recent pang of nostalgia I have agreed to organize a bike ride for my reunion / homecoming day. The school has hunted down 40 alumna/e that were members of the bike team and there is interest among the new athletics regime for a recreational cycling program. I hope it happens.

See ya on the road,

Il B

2007-02-07T14:33:00.000-05:00

Spats

The Mitrelis family has resurrected the Spats brand and opened a new restaurant with the old name.

Where Paragon now stands on Thayer St. once was the home of Spats (and Jake’s coffee shop). The Mitrelises own Paragon and Andrea’s (once the Hungry Sheik) as well as a good slab of Thayer St. I think that the defunct Oliver’s on Brook St. is also a family holding. The new Spats is on Angell St. where Sura used to be, if you are a real RI old timer like il Bruce, where Le Papillion was in the 1980s.

The old Spat’s had two sides. An entrance on Thayer St. opened to an art deco themed bar and dining room whilst the Angell St. door lead to a dark, well worn, barroom. The menu was the same on both sides but the clientele was a bit more working class on the “bar side”, my preferred side.

The best seats in the house were between the two sides. The connecting room held a couple cozy if banged-up tables. Underage drinkers could often be found holed up in there.

The new incarnation is a bit of both sides. There is no real art deco flair but it was cozy and small. The room was darkish with a nice bar. There is none of the threadbare charm (read grimy) of the old place but it is no dishonor to the hallowed Spats

The food was OK, not spectacular but better than what I’ve come to expect from the neighborhood. It will be interesting to see what the crowds are like on a Thursday or Friday night during the spring semester. The small crowd last night was less than collegiate.