Rick’s Rants and Raves

We had a bunch of people over to our house to “celebrate” Independence Day. I’ve put celebrate in quotes, because we didn’t talk a lot about independence, or take part in any particularly patriotic activities. But we gathered, and had fun. I think we held a nice party, and here’s why:

• No alcohol was required to get things moving. I’m certainly not a teetotaler, but its good to see people having fun without the social lubricant known as beer.
• The party was winding down about the time we expected, but didn’t feel rushed. Folks showed up anywhere from 12PM to 3PM, and left when they felt like it. We figured people would hang out much of the afternoon, and it was around 6:30PM when everyone had left.
• Everyone brought great food to share. I sometimes worry about a “bring something to share” sort of potluck. I worry that everyone will bring a bag of chips. When we do large family gatherings (e.g. Thanksgiving) we assign dishes to families, so that we know whats coming and what we need to provide. For this party, I just had to let it go, and it turned out beautifully. From roasted potatoes to taco dip to home baked apple pie, deviled eggs, and brownies–the only chips were the ones we provided.
• It rained most of the time, but, thanks to a portable awning showing up unexpectedly, a large contingent of folks hung out outside. So despite my fears that our “4th of July Picnic” had been rained out, it worked out perfectly.
• There were a fair number of people who didn’t know each other, but they all did a great job of introducing themselves and having fun with their new acquaintances.
• Anne pulled out Apples to Apples which about 15 adults and kids have fun with for nearly two hours. That game is great because of a) the short learning curve, and b) the ease of adding/removing/substituting new players. I was afraid out new coffee table would be broken by enthusiastic players…
• There was time enough for me to learn more about people who were just acquaintances before the party. One couple, both psychologists, probably learned a great deal more about me than I did about them. The both had a very friendly way of asking very polite questions that just seemed to get me to rattle on for minutes at a time.
• The last sign of a good party: trampled grass in the back yard. After the rain let up, a bunch of kids (some of us a bit bigger than others) played kick ball and ball tag. The grass is still matted down, and its wonderful.

Here are some random thoughts from our annual pilgrimage to the Chautauqua Institution.

• Bicycle topic 1 this week: Emily and Anne had brand new bikes, with aluminum frames, soft seats, and 7 gears. Emily’s is a full adult sized 26″ bike. Oh. My. Garsh.
• Bicycle topic 2 this week: Emily’s bike was “borrowed” for about 20 hours until I found it behind a denominational house. The “borrower” hadn’t even bothered to take off the pink plastic hearts from her spokes. We spent most of our waking hours glancing at every bike that went by to see if it was Emily’s.  I found this habit difficult to break even three days after I found it. We started locking Anne’s and Emily’s bikes afterwards. I also noticed that, other than at “club”, 30-50% of all bikes at Chautauqua are locked.
• Bicycle topic 3: the house bikes look decent, but aren’t that great to ride. While climbing what has become known as “Bennett’s Bloody Bend” (the hill above the sailing center) a gear slipped while I had all my weight on my right foot. I lost my balance and rolled right over the bike, hitting the pavement with my right shoulder and elbow, most knuckles, and right knee. The damage was minor–the pavement was easily repaired. I’ll probably have a scar on a knuckle and knee. And the rear rim of the bike is bent.
• Sailboat lessons are well worth the $60 (a $10 increase from last year) as long as you get a cute, young, friendly instructor. Oh, and as long you can go with someone you love. We had a great time, and did well enough that the instructor let us do almost all the sailing. Our only regret: we didn’t take the camera.
• Drama and disappointment on day one of club does not indicate a bad week ahead.
• Clouds and nastiness 5 miles from Lake Erie does not mean clouds and nastiness on the beach. (Oh, and be sure of the directions to Presque Isle before you leave Chautauqua).
• It seems the Chautauqua Institution is cutting back on bike patrol. Several of us commented on it. There was a report of an attack (or was it an attempted attack?) on a student at a practice room one evening. And then there was the bike incident! And I distinctly saw some kids in Group 2 flash a gang sign–Erie Crips if I’m not mistaken. What has Chautauqua come to?
• Theo introduced me to Hed PE (NSFW) on Friday. Take 2 pounds Limp Bizkit, add 2 cups Korn, salt with plenty of profanity, then grind together with Rage Against the Machine. That is Hed PE. I love it. (sorry, Mom)
• We got to see Switchfoot, where Emily officially fell in love with her first lead singer. And I took the best picture of the week.
• Next year may be the first time we let the kids have their own rooms, especially if Emily invites a friend to go with her (which right now seems like a good idea).
• Next year will be Nathan’s first to go kayaking and sailing at club.

While in Kentucky for a business trip, I noticed an interesting disconnect in the fines levied for certain offenses:

• The maximum fine for providing (or attempting to provide) alcohol to a minor: $250. In Ohio, you could get jail time. In Kentucky? Bah. Give up some profits from your still, and “don’t let us catch you doing that again!”
• The maximum fine for littering: $500. For real? Yup–signs all along the freeways.

It is twice as bad to throw a cigarette out your window as it is to contribute to the delinquency of a minor.  Evidently Kentucky is more concerned with keeping their countryside beautiful than protecting their youth.

Um, erm, I mean “Pumping Iron at the Best West”

The “Exercise Facility” at the Best Western where I’m staying consists of a) a exercise bike, b) a treadmill, c) a stairmaster(R), and d) a nautilus all-in-one-piece-of-scheize.  I wasn’t really surprised, but I ws a bit jealous to learn from a co-worker that a neighboring hotel has free-weights.

So I walk in to do a little mid-week exercising while traveling. I hop on the bike to warm up. But the control board doesn’t work. No RPMs, no time elapsed, no MPH, nothing. And the right pedal has a really disconcerting thunk on the down stroke. Fine, I say, I’ll switch to the treadmill. As soon as I turn it on, the “lubricate belt soon” light comes on. It has a slightly annoying squeal as I get up to jogging speed, but, hey, I’m only on it for a few minutes, so I can put up with it. Unfortunately, the treadmill can’t handle my ironman 6mph for more than 2 minutes and spontaneously shuts off. Unceremoniously.  Without. Warning. Fine, I’ll try the stairmaster. I’ve never used a stairmaster, despite the fad from the 80’s. I give it a valiant try, and started breathing hard enough to consider myself warmed-up.

On to the natuilus. Had it been in my home, and had I paid less than $300 for it used, I would have been reasonabley pleased with it. Actually, it would have been fine had there a) not been bent pieces making leg exercises dangerous, and b) not been a wall right next to the floor level pulley, making 1/3 of the movements exercises in wallpaper removal.

Ah well. Beggars can’t be choosers. My work schedule didn’t allow for me to go a local gym for a full workout. Instead, I got 45 minutes of pecs, lats, and biceps. Oh, and I got a few squats in next to the wall.

The oddest moment was when a dude (with a bushy Texas style mustache) wearing street clothes comes in from the pool area (right across the hall), inspects the bike, hops on for 15 seconds, then leaves with a “Have fun” comment. Um, yeah. Will do. Thanks.

Ah the joys of traveling. I can’t wait to be home. Only to leave again. At least my next trip will be with my wife and kids.