hips don't lie

I have liked Shakira for more than 10 years now. I remember hearing Estoy Aqui in Colombia back in 1995. She was only 19 then, but she had already been discovered by Gloria Estevan's husband. Years later, Laundry Service, and now Oral Fixation 2. Gotta Say, it's a very good set of tunes. Dave Z had it right. I wonder if he could sing the tune to Floyd like she does.

Well, cross is happening and well, I don't do X. What a wimp. Several reasons why. I don't like climbing, not much of a runner, and don't like running with a bike. Big bummer because I probably would like X's intensity, and I feel a little left out. But, the girlfriend is giving it a go this year.

She is out doing 3 minute nipple exercises: lift the knee to the nipple then softly let the leg return to the ground. Looks funny - about as funny as my dancing to "Hips don't Lie". You should hear me sing...yes, and somtimes in Spanish...not too pretty. Plus, I can't carry a tune.

JK Rowling

Marscat is writing lots of pages so she can publish something that makes us some money so we can move out of our place that our friends call a dump. I'd like a novel or something along the lines of JK Rowlings, but Marscat doesn't write that type of stuff. She is actually hiding her writing from me, since I like the Harry Potter, Dan Brown type of fast moving superficial books. I don't do poetry or short stories, and Marscat says it's because I don't understand it. That is partially true, and partially because I don't take the time to appreciate it. Anyway, we have learned that I am not a good editor, and it's really too much pressure for me. If I say I like a certain part of what I've read, Marscat ask why? Then I have to explain myself, like in an English class. I never did like that part of English.

So today in the SF Chronicle is a nice little article about a guy travelling to Scotland. I read it and realized, he's gone to that places we were just visiting. Then I think, Marscat could have written a more interesting and far funnier travel log. Darn...

But, something will be coming soon, even if I have to self-publish it myself. I fantasize about a small book party for Marscat's stories or sending the stories off to Nora Ephron and other "women oriented" type of places. Maybe Oprah. Marscat is a darn good writer, and it's not just that I want to move out of our dumpy little place. But, that would be a nice little thing itself.

Americans only need to apply...

Finally, the Professional men have enough talent to have a National championship field full of Americans only. I think this is a good thing. But, 13 riders from the same team? Maybe, there should be field limits, like at Worlds? And what about this "EPO - NO" that partially sponsors the TIAA-CREF team? Marketing could have at least come up with a better name.

Pro Men's road race start list:
Rahsaan Bahati (Team TIAA-CREF)
Blake Caldwell (Team TIAA-CREF)
Steven Cozza (Team TIAA-CREF)
Mike Creed (Team TIAA-CREF)
Will Frischkorn (Team TIAA-CREF)
Lucas Euser (Team TIAA-CREF)
Mike Friedman (Team TIAA-CREF)
Chad Hartley (Team TIAA-CREF)
Brad Huff (Team TIAA-CREF)
Craig Lewis (Team TIAA-CREF)
Ian Macgregor (Team TIAA-CREF)
Danny Pate (Team TIAA-CREF)
Bryan Smith (Team TIAA-CREF)
Troy Wells (Team TIAA-CREF)
Peter Stetina (Team TIAA-CREF)

Maine Coon antics

Could these be some reasons why Olaf didn't want a Maine Coon? Daisy really needs to know.


Crazy Daisy making holes in the wall


Daisy's song to a bird

harmony in distant memories

Aunt Margaret from a wee poem
Recent memories fade quickly but the songs from years ago are easily remembered

Kazakh redemption

OK, maybe there is no redemption for a lot of the pro cycling peloton, but just in case anyone is watching and caring, here are some predictions for the shin dig in Spain.

Astana will be the team to beat. I look for a good, no make that a great, showing by Vinokourov and Kashechkin and maybe a sprint stage win by Bazayev.

G.C.
Vino
Kashechkin
Danielson
Sastre
Valverde
Danilo DiLuca ????
Zubeldia
Menchov
Horner
Jufre

And hopefully, some stage wins by Zabel and Fast Freddie

snakes on a plane

Here's a name for a sports movie: "Who put the !@#$%*# drugs in my #@$&^! urine". Starring: Marion Jones, Justin Gaitlin, Tim Montgomery, Ben Johnson, Floyd Landis, Tyler Hamilton, Oscar Camenzind, David Millar, etc... Guest appearances: tbd.

Harris Tweed, rain, and communal sleeping

This third time to Scotland has been fun and much different than the other visits. We have taken a 7 day tour to the the island of Skye(home of Talisker whisky) and the outer Hebrides Islands of Harris, home of Harris tweed, and to Lewis. Lewis is north of Harris by one strip of land.

The trip was intended for young (18-35) independent travelers. Compared to my 94 year old step-mother, we consider ourselves young. The group was failry young as most people were in their 20s to early 30s. We spotted an older guy and felt very pealsed. Turns out he is one year yonger than I am. We stayed in youth hostels. My first time and was decidely against them prior to the trip. I survivbed them, but it is not my most favorite thing. Still, I am glad to have had the opportunity to try them.

On the 10th, we tuned in to the BBC international news to discover that travel has been raised to a red alert. We are not looking forward to the long trip home with noo books or reading matertial. But, better a safe trip home, than not getting back to the kitties.
Ippoc and Marscat



a fairy glen



standing stones at Callanish on Lewis



Blackhouses



Aunt Margaret in Velo Bella attire



Harris' moonscape



a hairy coo