Well Christmas for some odd reason, just never really works out in my house. This year it ended with my mother's mother being taken out on a gurney. Now my Grandma had had a stroke earlier this year and about two weeks ago was in the Hospital with balance issues, after 3 days our wonderful HMO system said she was "well" and shipped her home....in the past two weeks we have had here spending the night twice because she has fallen twice. When I saw her this past Thursday she didn't really look that good, and because she lives on her own and all of us are on hectic schedules, we are thinking that a short stay in a convlaence home might be a good thing. She'll have the support structure she needs, they can actually find out what's wrong and how to fix it, and the nursing staff there is better equipped to help her 24/7 than a 4ft.nothing VNA who comes in for 3 hours a day. Anyway as my Grandma was getting ready for Christmas dinner she had fallen at home, my aunt tried to help her up and grandma fell right back down on top of her. My mom drove over to help the two of them and that put me into hurry up offense to try to clean the cluttered bathroom. Well mom came in with my aunt and Grandma in tow. Grandma nearly took a header on the stairs and then when she came in she "got ill" Mom was immediately on the phone with G-ma's doc and the attending at St. Mary's..Granny was going to the ER but we were hoping she'd be able to make it through dinner. My grandfather came over with his new golden retriever puppy, as part of our heartwarming crazy surprise gift sort of thing....We were taking care of a puppy telling my younger siblings that it was for Pepere..ditto with Pepere...When he came in and saw my Mom cradling ours he was like...oh no...I can't do this....I can't keep a dog.....after about five minutes of looking in to his pup's sad eyes he melted and left dinner with the furry little quadruped. Christmas dinner was eventful. First I spilled ham juice all over my mother's chair as I tried to serve meat...thankfully mom was not in it at the time...otherwise I would not be alive at this moment...Grandma started to fall over during dinner, a quick call to her doc and the hospital, and her deteriorating balance forced us to call for an Ambulance. the younger kids left the table, as EMS came in and got granny to the hospital...my mom and aunt followed as Dad tried to keep the atmosphere light after all this went on...but sadly it is a bit of a mood killer. I took care of putting most of the leftovers away and ran the supper dishes through the dishwasher, then went to collapse I crashed in my room until desert...crashed on the couch and missed my Grandfather and GrandAunt leaving... the after effect of my little brother pounding on my door at 6 am wanting to open presents..the events of dinner and the fact that I get very little sleep anyway...all those mocha lattes and espresso shots finally taking their toll...I woke up at 5am today and kept hitting snooze to the point I was late for work..all in all its been a crappy 24 hours, but the big thing is yes Grandma is doing ok and this time around she will be getting the care she needs. Today I have to purge the trans fats and Stef Karas will be happy to oblige...I might run tonight before masters but we'll see other wise it will be weights and the pool. So yes I think my sister's suggestion of celebrating 3 Kings' day..Epiphany for all those Church going types...sounds like it might be a good idea..afterall bad shit hasn't happended to us then.
The Smote Scrooge
R.D.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Alright yes, that day we/I have been dreading is finally upon us. The day when all the shopping, racking up debt, getting ready to choke slam the person in line in front of you/the guy who cut you off for a parking slot/ the clerk/bank teller who declined your credit card....etc, and stress has finally paid off for a day of peace and goodwill (hopefully). So to all of you out there who celebrate Christmas: Merry Christmas and may it be a most blessed affair (despite the fact that we celebrate at this time of year due to Roman Politics rather than historical accuracy.) To all those who celebrate Festivus which was yesterday...Happy festivus. To all Muslim readers....I hope the Hajj and day of Sacrifice were spiritually fulfilling and will help bring humanity closer to God.
To all my Jewish Readers I know Hanukkah ended 2 weeks ago but I hope your eight nights were ...well crazy! to the Wiccans/indegionous religions Hope the Solstace kicked ass!And to anyone who doesn't celebrate anything this time of year Hope you enjoy the day off and have enough booze for new Years!
Well that was it!
Happy Holidays!
R.D.
To all my Jewish Readers I know Hanukkah ended 2 weeks ago but I hope your eight nights were ...well crazy! to the Wiccans/indegionous religions Hope the Solstace kicked ass!And to anyone who doesn't celebrate anything this time of year Hope you enjoy the day off and have enough booze for new Years!
Well that was it!
Happy Holidays!
R.D.
50 mile ride....and the Drunken Runner?
Well this weekend was a long one. As I sit at my terminal I am recovering from playing cabbie until 1am. I will start it all with my ride at Waramaug on Saturday.
Sat: Drove out to the Lake with my road bike en tow. It was a balmy 35 degrees, the wind was blowing,the cold was radiating off the snow, as as I pulled out for my first of 6 loops flurries began to fill the air. now the sheltered parts of the lake were enjoyable, houses and trees blocked the wind and the cold, traffic was non existent, the roads were a little wet and salty....man that sounds dirty.... and the use of those wonderful $5.99 foot warmer packers were an investment well spent. Despite the fact I had nice warm tootsies, the fact that a nice snow/ice/rain squall decided to hang over the lake for a good 15 to 20 min. made the roads a little greasy at around the fourth loop., I gutted out two more to get an even 3 hours in the saddle. Average speed was about 16 mph..not bad for risking life and limb ridin' in a winter wonderland. After that it was the mad dash to the grocery store for the X-mas run and weekly staples, as well as my last two gifts.
Sunday: A day of sin and debauchery....Kyrie Eleison......
Ok the Greek for "Lord Have Mercy" was definately in store as the CT Rat Pack descended upon the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, The day began for me as most Sundays do hitting the snooze button and running late for morning mass. After mass and a quick Dunkin Donuts run it was off to Angry to pick up the motley crew. A quick lunch stop and we were off to the Casino along the rain /melted snow slickened highways of CT...I was jeered for my "grandmaesque- cautious driving style." And this is while they were sober. We arrived at the Casino and immediately made our way to the craps table. Well at first my luck was running sour....within 20 min. I had changed all $50 I had brought with me into chips. Then the luck changed.....Adam(aka Ron Paul for Pres.) got the dice after I crapped out, he brought us back, then after a couple of crappy ..no pun intended... rollers got the dice it was the old man's turn. Now this old guy showed up quietly took the dice and just a hit the zone...and took us along for the ride...seriously you know its good when after 6 rolls they bump the buy in up. Needless to say this guy brought me back from the brink of elimination. Then it was up to Greg and Nashville to keep the Karma train rolling..and roll it did...when we finally cashed out we had all doubled our money. it was then off to the bar to get the already tipsy runner completely smashed. Adam and Nashville decided to go Long Island Iced Tea for Long Island Iced Tea for 3 rounds...and I the designated driver was busted at every opportunity by the waitress...who I think was flirting with me but....I don't know. Anyway it was at this point that someone suggested that we [support the arts] * the brackets indicate words and phrases that have been changed to protect myself from embarrassment.* The others nodded in agreement and who am I to argue with the guys who are giving me gas money. After the bar it was off to find Nashville's lucky slot machine....sadly Angry and I were not so lucky on the slots as Adam who won $80 in one shot....I lost $20 of my hard fought earnings. Nashville and I hit the craps table one more time I broke even winning back the $20 I'd tossed down...Nashville pocketed $45...Adam and Angry standing behind us saying f this s lets go to [the art gallery] the entire time. Well needless to say we went to the [art gallery] and it was a scene of debauchery most...well debauched nature......I was heckled the entire drive to Hartford as I avoided downed trees and slowed for rain slicked curves.....drunken voices in the back chimed " Don't brake on the high way, we'll all die if you brake on the highway." " did you know 95% of all fatal accidents occur in rainstorms and usually kill the sober person in the car." " Do you know the penalty for driving without a renewed registration sticker is 10 years in federal butt rape prison...." , etc..... Well after more drinks and debauchery it was time to get everyone home, after a quick burger/gas/pee run I got Adam home followed by Angry who was vowing to run today....we'll see if he does he was pretty messed up..you know it's bad when you drunk dial your boy scouts, then hauled Nashville back to his parent's place, before heading home knowing that tonight when I step into church my ass will probalby fall down some sinkhole to Hell....because after Last night I'm pretty sure that's where I heading....may god have mercy on my soul as I attempt to purify it with an insane 8 miler tonight, or tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn. We'll see how that plays out. i wil edit this post later to include pictures or the ride...not the debauchery...I'd like to keep my site rated PG-13
The sinful Swimmer
R.D.
Sat: Drove out to the Lake with my road bike en tow. It was a balmy 35 degrees, the wind was blowing,the cold was radiating off the snow, as as I pulled out for my first of 6 loops flurries began to fill the air. now the sheltered parts of the lake were enjoyable, houses and trees blocked the wind and the cold, traffic was non existent, the roads were a little wet and salty....man that sounds dirty.... and the use of those wonderful $5.99 foot warmer packers were an investment well spent. Despite the fact I had nice warm tootsies, the fact that a nice snow/ice/rain squall decided to hang over the lake for a good 15 to 20 min. made the roads a little greasy at around the fourth loop., I gutted out two more to get an even 3 hours in the saddle. Average speed was about 16 mph..not bad for risking life and limb ridin' in a winter wonderland. After that it was the mad dash to the grocery store for the X-mas run and weekly staples, as well as my last two gifts.
Sunday: A day of sin and debauchery....Kyrie Eleison......
Ok the Greek for "Lord Have Mercy" was definately in store as the CT Rat Pack descended upon the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, The day began for me as most Sundays do hitting the snooze button and running late for morning mass. After mass and a quick Dunkin Donuts run it was off to Angry to pick up the motley crew. A quick lunch stop and we were off to the Casino along the rain /melted snow slickened highways of CT...I was jeered for my "grandmaesque- cautious driving style." And this is while they were sober. We arrived at the Casino and immediately made our way to the craps table. Well at first my luck was running sour....within 20 min. I had changed all $50 I had brought with me into chips. Then the luck changed.....Adam(aka Ron Paul for Pres.) got the dice after I crapped out, he brought us back, then after a couple of crappy ..no pun intended... rollers got the dice it was the old man's turn. Now this old guy showed up quietly took the dice and just a hit the zone...and took us along for the ride...seriously you know its good when after 6 rolls they bump the buy in up. Needless to say this guy brought me back from the brink of elimination. Then it was up to Greg and Nashville to keep the Karma train rolling..and roll it did...when we finally cashed out we had all doubled our money. it was then off to the bar to get the already tipsy runner completely smashed. Adam and Nashville decided to go Long Island Iced Tea for Long Island Iced Tea for 3 rounds...and I the designated driver was busted at every opportunity by the waitress...who I think was flirting with me but....I don't know. Anyway it was at this point that someone suggested that we [support the arts] * the brackets indicate words and phrases that have been changed to protect myself from embarrassment.* The others nodded in agreement and who am I to argue with the guys who are giving me gas money. After the bar it was off to find Nashville's lucky slot machine....sadly Angry and I were not so lucky on the slots as Adam who won $80 in one shot....I lost $20 of my hard fought earnings. Nashville and I hit the craps table one more time I broke even winning back the $20 I'd tossed down...Nashville pocketed $45...Adam and Angry standing behind us saying f this s lets go to [the art gallery] the entire time. Well needless to say we went to the [art gallery] and it was a scene of debauchery most...well debauched nature......I was heckled the entire drive to Hartford as I avoided downed trees and slowed for rain slicked curves.....drunken voices in the back chimed " Don't brake on the high way, we'll all die if you brake on the highway." " did you know 95% of all fatal accidents occur in rainstorms and usually kill the sober person in the car." " Do you know the penalty for driving without a renewed registration sticker is 10 years in federal butt rape prison...." , etc..... Well after more drinks and debauchery it was time to get everyone home, after a quick burger/gas/pee run I got Adam home followed by Angry who was vowing to run today....we'll see if he does he was pretty messed up..you know it's bad when you drunk dial your boy scouts, then hauled Nashville back to his parent's place, before heading home knowing that tonight when I step into church my ass will probalby fall down some sinkhole to Hell....because after Last night I'm pretty sure that's where I heading....may god have mercy on my soul as I attempt to purify it with an insane 8 miler tonight, or tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn. We'll see how that plays out. i wil edit this post later to include pictures or the ride...not the debauchery...I'd like to keep my site rated PG-13
The sinful Swimmer
R.D.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The endorphins will bring me out of it: or 5000 + yards
When I got home from work today I was drained, emotionally, mentally and physically. I came in not speaking more than yes, no, IDK, and some sort of Neanderthal grunt. I went napped, got up for practice still felt like crap, but decided to man up and swim off the catered lunch we had at work today....thank you boss lady :) Anyway went to practice and point blankly stated I didn't care if I talked to another homo sapien from now until the world came back to its post holiday senses ( Dec. 26...everyone is way too hung over from egg nog, beer, punch, uncle tim's mystery beverage...) Karas gave this grumpy amphibian the workout 5200 yards of bliss.
Warm up
500 swim
500 pull
500 kick
Easy enough took off so pre holiday rage
200 drill
focused on some technique started to calm down
3x100 on 1:25 build
didn't shatter any records but got it done.
Main set The pyramid
100 free easy on 1:30
200 free build to strong on 2:50
300 free build to fast on 4:15
400 Free build to max on 5:30
300 Free Easy on 4:30
200 Free Build to hard on 2:45
100 Free max effort on 1:25
I got the set done and let my mind wonder. What was really stressing me out? Should I give up this sport and focus on more important things? Doubts, fears, and what I was going to do about them. I have decided on one thing I am going to write a lists of doubts and tuck it into my back pocket as I do my Ironman I have decided as soon as I cross the finish line I'm tearing that paper into smitherines and tossing it into the nearest tiki torch.
any way the next sets
4x100 pull on 1:25
3x150 on 2:15
2x200 on 2:45
150 cool down.
I got it done and felt pretty good after the fact. I have come to the conclusion that if I don't top 50 the swim somebody's on some serious roids, either that or the kiwis are bred for this.
I have decided that I'm going to invest in an old colonial/New England cliche to use for the finish of my large tier races a vintage DON'T TREAD ON ME flag. Seriously Macca has his Aussie flag, Faris Al Sutan has whatever part of Germany he's from flag, the Basque riders in le tour have their flag, so I will Have Don't tread on me, a piece of New England nastoliga plus the attitude of an Ironman. Like I said early I apologize for being out of it in my last couple of posts the holidays just always seem to get me down. Well anyway those are my ramblings tomorrow I have a brick/Christmas shopping to get done. Leave some love or hate or psychatric advice.
Ye Rebel Triathlete
R.D.
Warm up
500 swim
500 pull
500 kick
Easy enough took off so pre holiday rage
200 drill
focused on some technique started to calm down
3x100 on 1:25 build
didn't shatter any records but got it done.
Main set The pyramid
100 free easy on 1:30
200 free build to strong on 2:50
300 free build to fast on 4:15
400 Free build to max on 5:30
300 Free Easy on 4:30
200 Free Build to hard on 2:45
100 Free max effort on 1:25
I got the set done and let my mind wonder. What was really stressing me out? Should I give up this sport and focus on more important things? Doubts, fears, and what I was going to do about them. I have decided on one thing I am going to write a lists of doubts and tuck it into my back pocket as I do my Ironman I have decided as soon as I cross the finish line I'm tearing that paper into smitherines and tossing it into the nearest tiki torch.
any way the next sets
4x100 pull on 1:25
3x150 on 2:15
2x200 on 2:45
150 cool down.
I got it done and felt pretty good after the fact. I have come to the conclusion that if I don't top 50 the swim somebody's on some serious roids, either that or the kiwis are bred for this.
I have decided that I'm going to invest in an old colonial/New England cliche to use for the finish of my large tier races a vintage DON'T TREAD ON ME flag. Seriously Macca has his Aussie flag, Faris Al Sutan has whatever part of Germany he's from flag, the Basque riders in le tour have their flag, so I will Have Don't tread on me, a piece of New England nastoliga plus the attitude of an Ironman. Like I said early I apologize for being out of it in my last couple of posts the holidays just always seem to get me down. Well anyway those are my ramblings tomorrow I have a brick/Christmas shopping to get done. Leave some love or hate or psychatric advice.
Ye Rebel Triathlete
R.D.
4 Days until X-Mas.....the animal instinct kicks in.
That's right there are only 4 days left until my (least) favorite day of the year. Seriously I approach Christmas like most people approach Tax Day, with loathing , cyncism, fear, anger, ..man this sounds like a speech from Yoda....frustration of what to get people...frustration that people want to get me stuff.... I told my parents to get me a kingsford charchol briquette and come up with some story like I took a shot at Santa's reindeer or something and spend what they would spend on me on my siblings..figure I'm 22 and working so anything I want I buy , the rest are either in grade school, high school or living the life of a broke college student...i was immediately hit with We'd never traumatize you like that...and I'm like but I'm requesting it...hell it'd give everyone a laugh... then get do you really think that little of yourself.....now I don't think I'm god's gift to humanity, but I don't feel I'm utter crap either, I just don't like bothering people and having them spend their hard earned cash I'm something I'm too lazy to pick up myself. ..but that like too many things is a rant for another day.
No today is the day animal instinct kicks in I have decided wisely to avoid anything that can be concidered a place of commerce on this the last payday before Christmas. Tonight this cynical Catholic Boy will not be among the throngs clammoring for the last vistages of consumeristic crap. Instead I will take out my cynicism in the pool and weight room. I will avoid the herd that are merely cogs and pawns of the captialist machine. I will avoid becoming a statistic, granted I do have to pick up a gift card an a couple of coffee mugs......d'oh.
Well like I said some quality time at the Y is in order tonight, an ride and run at Waramaug are on tap for tomorrow, then a nice pre church morning run on Sunday and a trip to the Casino, hopefully, I have to holla at Angry, ron for prez., and Nashville, to make final arrangements.
Sorry for all the Holiday Rants, but the blog is cheaper than therapy, and a lot less embarassing than Happy Hour, so for putting up with my stress relief, I heartily thank you.
The testy Teller
R.D.
No today is the day animal instinct kicks in I have decided wisely to avoid anything that can be concidered a place of commerce on this the last payday before Christmas. Tonight this cynical Catholic Boy will not be among the throngs clammoring for the last vistages of consumeristic crap. Instead I will take out my cynicism in the pool and weight room. I will avoid the herd that are merely cogs and pawns of the captialist machine. I will avoid becoming a statistic, granted I do have to pick up a gift card an a couple of coffee mugs......d'oh.
Well like I said some quality time at the Y is in order tonight, an ride and run at Waramaug are on tap for tomorrow, then a nice pre church morning run on Sunday and a trip to the Casino, hopefully, I have to holla at Angry, ron for prez., and Nashville, to make final arrangements.
Sorry for all the Holiday Rants, but the blog is cheaper than therapy, and a lot less embarassing than Happy Hour, so for putting up with my stress relief, I heartily thank you.
The testy Teller
R.D.
Freedom!!!!!!!
That's right one of the three major factors of stress in my life College Exams are over. For the next month I am free of professors, lectures, homework assignments, papers, tests. quizzes and driving the half hour to New Britain. As I write this I am suffering the after effects of 3 glasses of Merlot so my mood is a little giddy I will probably have no recaletion of this post and a hang over tomorrow. I've had my pissed off stress had me down kind of post earlier. I went home had a good meal found out my little sis got a standing ovation because the jazz band/ band kick serious ass. Got pissed off at the computer Czar because I had to miss it...but it's all good. Sadly right now I think the booze/antioxodants are talking for me. I'll have a better post when I'm cognisant of my actions and am sober enough to operate a vehicle.
The tippsy triathlete
R.D.
The tippsy triathlete
R.D.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
I think I need to lock myself away......
I'm one of those people that either gets too close and too personally involved..or avoids people like the plauge. It just seems like I take everything way too personally. Also my major problem...especially with women is I come on too strong. Sometimes I wish I were gay because I can communicate better with men than I can with the opposite sex. Another fact is I take other people's issues upon myself. I let their problems wreck my day. Seriously I'm one step away from becoming a hermit...complete with cave, shaggy hair, and beard. I wonder if I'm bipolar. Because lately I go from being happy to depressed to eh in a matter of minutes..then again those drug company commercials make anyone seem crazy... example...."do you have trouble concentrating especially when the professor is extremely boring and the subject makes a root canal seem painless? Then you have HAADD Hyper Adult Attention Defcit Disorder and the only cure is this little green pill!" I think for me the best advice I can give myself is this:
ROB YOU MORON YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO DATE OR GET MARRIED OR HAVE KIDS. YOU ARE MEANT TO DIE ALONE ON A BEACH PREFERABLY WITH AN IM FINISHER MEDAL ON YOUR NECK, A BOTTLE OF CAPTAIN MORGAN AT YOUR SIDE AN A LARGE CHECK CLENCHED IN YOUR COLD DEAD HANDS AND A SMILE ACCROSS YOUR FACE BECAUSE UNLIKE EVERYONE ELSE THERE WAS NO ONE TO SPEND YOUR LARGE CHECK! Sorry for the caps I had to hit that one home to myself. The problem is I have no problems being alone its when I get into the company of people I have issues...I think I discovered the solution...I need to isolate my self from people. I need to become that guy who doesn't look up form his computer monitor or say shit if I have a mouthful of it. Maybe then most of my issues will go away...I don't know...don't take this post seriously I'm just overly stressed from a lot of shit on my plate..and a final coming up in about an hour. The fact that I get way to personal..in fact this post is way too personal....I just need to learn to HTFU and not let anything bother me....I just have to learn to lock what bothers me away.
ROB YOU MORON YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO DATE OR GET MARRIED OR HAVE KIDS. YOU ARE MEANT TO DIE ALONE ON A BEACH PREFERABLY WITH AN IM FINISHER MEDAL ON YOUR NECK, A BOTTLE OF CAPTAIN MORGAN AT YOUR SIDE AN A LARGE CHECK CLENCHED IN YOUR COLD DEAD HANDS AND A SMILE ACCROSS YOUR FACE BECAUSE UNLIKE EVERYONE ELSE THERE WAS NO ONE TO SPEND YOUR LARGE CHECK! Sorry for the caps I had to hit that one home to myself. The problem is I have no problems being alone its when I get into the company of people I have issues...I think I discovered the solution...I need to isolate my self from people. I need to become that guy who doesn't look up form his computer monitor or say shit if I have a mouthful of it. Maybe then most of my issues will go away...I don't know...don't take this post seriously I'm just overly stressed from a lot of shit on my plate..and a final coming up in about an hour. The fact that I get way to personal..in fact this post is way too personal....I just need to learn to HTFU and not let anything bother me....I just have to learn to lock what bothers me away.
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