The Sears Tower Glass Skydeck

Verizon Sucks. Verizon Sucks. Verizon Sucks.

Until next week when I buy a new iPhone, I'm stuck with Verizon's crappy service and utterly unreliable promises. I'd like to beat bloody every last member of that mob in their TV advertising.

Though I live in a close-in resort area, within sight of one interstate highway and a few miles from another, I have NO cellphone service at la casa Vertical Man. None. Zippo. Not extended service, not roaming, nothing. The situation has persisted for 2 years despite repeated calls (from the equally crappy Comcast house phone) to Verizon on my part and repeated promises to remedy the situation on theirs.

It was highly amusing when I drove 15 miles to town this afternoon and suddenly received a Verizon VM message complaining that I'd been insufficiently attentive to a billing matter and needed to call them back ASAP. They're mad that they're calling and I'm not answering, that they're leaving messages and I'm not responding.

They're threatening to cancel my service. Hmmm. How would I tell the difference?

Apparently I'm the only one seeing the irony here. I'd love to call them back. Hell, I'd love to call ANYONE back. But it's tough to do with no service and a company watching re-runs of 'Green Acres' for tips on planning its network infrastructure.

Maybe I'm weird. You deliver me service, I pay you. You no deliver service, I no pay. And I no answer your pissy calls. Got it, a**holes?

Step Away From the Doughnuts!

Someone in The Great Suburban Outback who seems to research these things just named my county "second fattest in The Outback." I guess that means we've got work to do (though not as much as some other poor schlubs.)

So I'm stepping away from the Krispy Kremes and going for a run. Hey, you're part of the problem or part of the solution.

Addicted To Triathlon

Writing in the Mankato (MN) Free Press, Alex Voigt discusses the recently-completed North Mankato Triathlon, concluding "...triathlons never cease to be fun to compete in, and the personal satisfaction that comes with seeing your name on the results sheet never gets old."

Yep, I get old, the satisfaction never does.

Skullcandy

OK, this is seriously cool. The Skullcandy Custom Cycling jersey. Buy it for someone you love. Better yet, buy it for me.

Money? We Don't Need Your Stinkin' Money!

With the economy suffering you'd think communities would welcome 2,000 well-heeled triathletes who come, stay, eat, recreate and race. In at least one case, you'd be wrong.

A group of Lake Placid, NY business owners have found it necessary to band together to make the local loudmouths understand what Ironman Lake Placid means to the community, beyond the temporary inconvenience of a few race-day road closures.

Let's see: several million dollars in economic benefit versus a few extra minutes getting to some burger joint for the "heart attack special." Good to see the loudmouths have their priorities straight.

RE: Michael Jackson, Stop It Already!

OMG. All the Michael Jackson ass-kissers are out in mega-force. If he's indeed dead as the tabloids seem to think, I'm truly sorry for him and his family. Really. Truly. But spare me the love and adoration. He'd long ago departed from any status deserving either one.

Roll the clock back 30 years and ask who the world will miss more: Farrah or Wacko-Jacko? Farrah, once considered frothy and superficial, went on to live her life with as much courage and grace as Hollywood these days allows.

Wacko-Jacko went...well, off multiple deep ends into the kiddie pools of life. Be sorry he's dead. Grieve what once was and what might have been. Lament a once-great talent sidetracked by weirdness and inexplicable behavior. But don't you DARE make him out to be something in death that he was undeserving of in life.

UPDATE: Jacko's will names entertainer Diana Ross as a successor guardian for the children and their estates if something happens to his mother, Katherine Jackson. I thought he WAS Diana Ross.

Traverse City Triathlon, August 23, 2009

Welcome to the folks at Endurance Evolution, a start-up Michigan-based race management company. Owners Joel Gaff, Jr. and Eric Tingwall describe their organization as...

"...building world-class experiences around scenic, challenging courses and professional customer service. Each of our races is designed on the foundation of our four core service philosophies:

• "Complete race experience: We run a professional event from race registration to the awards ceremony. Stop compromising with half-baked races that cut corners – and quality.

• "Courses meant for racing: Your race shouldn’t require weaving through potholes, fighting traffic or guessing if you just missed a turn. We seek out quality roads and routes that ensure your race is safe, scenic and challenging.

• "Unparalleled customer service: Some race management companies hide under a rock until race day. We want to hear from you. That’s why we promise a fast response to any phone call or email we receive. We’re also dang proud of our refund policy – the best in the business.

• "Service beyond the race: Long before you sign up for the race and well after you’ve crossed the finish line, Endurance Evolution is there to support you. Unique services like our Race Ready spinning videos and race-course training days are a great way to prep for a race."

They're leading off with the Traverse City Triathlon on August 23, 2009, offering both sprint and Olympic distances. I know the Traverse City area well and it looks like an interesting race. Good luck guys! I'm looking forward to seeing your brand promise in action.

Get There Honestly Or Don't Go!

Tri-blogger Bob Mitera left a comment on my post (below) about Sammy "Steroidal" Sosa. In that post, I recounted Tri-Brother's musing about how many age-groupers heading to Kona would test "clean" for performance-enhancing drugs.

Bob's estimate is 30-40% clean. Did you get that? That means 60-70% dirty! I can't say I disagree with his estimate, though I'd like for both of us to be proven wrong someday.

Race Or Die!

With a triathlon setting, the novel "No Finish Line" by Jeff Donahue is billed as "...a novel of intense competition, intrigue and the extreme endurance of the human body."

"Soon after arriving on the island for (a) mysterious race, (the) competitors learn that when they drop out of the race they will be shot and killed, all for the entertainment of an elite group of spectators. (They) must find a way to stay alive until federal agents are able to find the island and end the race without a finish line."

Sounds like a good pool-side read! I'll let you know.

Triathlete Matt Miller's Return

Great story from the Philadelphia Enquirer about triathlete Matt Miller's recovery from a horrific training accident:

"The 20-year-old from St. Davids, training for a triathlon, had broken every bone in his face and suffered brain injury on Nov. 2, when he lost control of his bike and smashed, face-first, into a car going 40 miles an hour."

Miller's recovery is not nearly complete, but he's back to racing with some new perspectives on life:

"Before the accident, he told (300 students at a school in Virginia), "I pretty much thought that I was invincible and unstoppable."

"He urged the students to wear a helmet, which had saved his life, and to take care of their bodies. His conditioning had speeded his recovery.

He emphasized the strength he drew from those around him:

"Honesty, hard work, going out of your way for others, doing the right thing at the right time, these are what will build strong relationships with others. And these relationships will not only bring you happiness every single day, but they will help save your life when you need them the most. It is not possible to exaggerate the importance of family and friends."

"He encouraged the students to create a vision for their lives and work tirelessly toward it.

"We cannot decide what happens to us, but we can decide what happens in us," he said. "How we take the raw stuff of life and make it a thing of beauty. That is the test of living."

Well-said.

Jason Inman: Triathlete & Entrepreneur

From the Charleston Daily Mail, here's a story on triathlete Jason Inman's launch of Titan Wear. Besides swimming, biking and running (which he says there's not much time for at the moment), he's also learned to sew. That's what I call multi-sport multi-tasking!

Crank e-Gels. Use 'em Or Lose.

I don't do a lot of product reviews, but I'm a huge fan of Crank e-Gels and so, for them, I'm making an exception. They're calorie-intense, they taste good (unlike all their Karo Syrup-like wretched competitors) and they've got a good electrolyte load to keep you Vertical on a hot, difficult day.

Believe me, I know. Besides, who wants to eat something pronounced 'Goo?'

And no, I'm not paid for my endorsements. I pay the same prices you do. More's the pity.

'Madam, Your Shorts Appear to Be Frothy'

From Runner's World: I've done a few (well, more than a few) silly things before and during a triathlon, but never this! And I do my own laundry so there'd be nobody to blame but moi.

Aflac Iron Girl Atlanta Triathlon To Premiere on NBC

(NOTE: I'm passing this information along because (a) I love seeing the sport of triathlon make the national TV scene, (b) I love Iron Girls (having 4 Tri-Daughters myself) and, (c) as a brand-builder, I love the Aflac duck. So do us Tri-fans a favor: tune in and pump those ratings!)

June 9, 2009 (Tampa, Fla.) – Today, Iron Girl, the premiere all-women’s event-based brand, announces that the third annual Aflac Iron Girl Atlanta Triathlon will be televised nationally on NBCSports. The broadcast will air on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET. The telecast will showcase a highly competitive professional field as well as a diverse group of athletes varying in age and fitness level.

“The partnership with NBC will highlight tremendous athleticism alongside stories of incredible personal achievement,” said Jeff Charney, Aflac senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Viewers will be inspired by these amazing women and will find their own motivation to live healthier lives.”

The broadcast will be shot on location on June 28, 2009, 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Ga., at Lake Lanier Islands Resort, situated on the shores of Lake Sidney Lanier. Featuring a 1/3-mile swim, 18-mile bike and 3-mile run, the sold-out event will take more than 1,200 women into pristine Lake Sidney Lanier, transitioning them on to a scenic, yet challenging bike course of rolling hills through Buford County. The run will lead athletes along the natural beauty of Lake Lanier Islands Resort, one of Georgia’s most visited resort destinations.

“The team at NBC is excited to televise the Aflac Iron Girl Atlanta Triathlon and is happy to continue growing its relationship with World Triathlon Corporation and Ironman Productions,” said Jon Miller, NBC Sports’ executive vice president. “We are pleased to add this exciting event to our telecasts that also include the Emmy-award winning Ford Ironman World Championship and the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3.”

Viewers will watch stories of athletes who have overcome adversity, as well as gain inspiration from women who have adopted healthy, active lifestyles, served in the military, survived debilitating conditions and more. In addition, the following world-renowned professional athletes will be vying for the first place title:

• Michellie Jones: An Olympic silver medalist, Jones has mastered a variety of distances. Boasting top Ironman and 70.3 finishes, she placed second in her debut at the Ford Ironman World Championship in 2005 and returned the following year to win the title. In 2007, Jones won the title at the inaugural Iron Girl Atlanta Triathlon.
• Kate Major: Major’s talent at both the Ironman and 70.3 disciplines, coupled with her natural athletic ability, make her a formidable opponent. With multiple Ironman and 70.3 titles, and three Ironman World Championship podium finishes on her race resume, Major is often deemed part of “triathlon’s next generation.”
• Samantha McGlone: The 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 titleholder, McGlone has earned multiple Ironman 70.3 victories, as well as a second place finish at the world’s most challenging endurance event, the Ford Ironman World Championship.
• Mirinda Carfrae: Carfrae is a multiple Ironman 70.3 champion, as well as the winner of the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3. In 2008, Carfrae won the inaugural Aflac Iron Girl Las Vegas Triathlon.

• Pip Taylor: With a swimming background, Taylor has earned top placements at well-known events such as the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon, Eagleman Ironman 70.3 and the Aflac Iron Girl Las Vegas Triathlon.

The broadcast will also feature participants racing in support of pediatric cancer research, the Aflac Iron Girl National Event Series charitable cause for 2009. Participants are raising funds to be donated to the Aflac Cancer Center, located in Atlanta, Ga.

“Iron Girl is an example of ordinary women accomplishing extraordinary things through events,” said Judy Molnar, the vice president of Iron Girl. “Our athletes include not only those whose livelihood depends on performance, but also those women who may be your mom, neighbor or sister. Their passion and dedication exemplifies the mission of Iron Girl.”

About Iron Girl

Iron Girl’s mission is to empower women toward a healthy lifestyle. Started in 2004 with two 10K/5K events, Iron Girl has grown to 10 events nationwide, consisting of run/walk, duathlon and triathlon events. To date, Iron Girl has celebrated finishers ranging in age from 5 to 81 and in fitness level from beginner to professional. In its inaugural year, 1,000 women became Iron Girl finishers. In 2008, more than 16,000 women crossed an Iron Girl finish line. The average age of an Iron Girl athlete is 35. The brand is supported by title sponsor, Aflac, and partners including SAM Moving and Storage, Luna Bar, Polar Heart Rate Monitor, Aqua Sphere, Specialized Designed for Women Bicycles, K-Swiss, Nightmare Graphics, TriClique Jewelry, mypypeline.com, Flex-Power, Shotz Energy, Pure Sport and Salada Tea. By logging on to IronGirl.com, athletes can enjoy an interactive Web site filled with training tips, guest columnists and nutrition information. IronGirlShop.com is an online resource that offers fitness, nutrition and lifestyle products that support participants beyond the finish line. The Iron Girl brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include USA Today, The New York Times, Runner's World, Family Circle, Ok! Magazine, Women's Health, Fitness andSelf.

About Aflac

For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. As the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan, Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. In 2009, Aflac was recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the third consecutive year and was also named by the Reputation Institute as the Most Reputable Company in the Global Insurance Industry for the second consecutive year. In 2009 Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the eleventh consecutive year. Fortune magazine also ranked Aflac No. 1 on its global list of the Most Admired Companies in the Life and Health Insurance category. Aflac appears on Hispanic Enterprisemagazine's list of the 50 Best Companies for Supplier Diversity and on Black Enterprise magazine's list of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity. Aflac was also named by Forbes magazine as America's Best-Managed Company in the Insurance category. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

Quack!

I'm AA, Fly Me!

OK, I'm becoming a regular on American Airlines' ORD to DFW route (for me, "regular" means every other week or so.) So far, EVERY flight has (a) departed on time, (b) arrived early and (c) at the CORRECT DESTINATION!

Yikes. I better see if Hell has frozen over. Of course, now that I've said that I'm thrice-jinxed and, next time, should count on being (a) late departing, (b) late arriving and (c) diverted to some one-horse s**t-hole like BugTussle, Arkansas or Omaha or something.

At least if it's Omaha, I know a great little wine bar...

You're Old News, Sammy

So the NY Times outed Sammy Sosa as one of the players testing positive for steroids back in 2003. Worst-kept secret in baseball. OF COURSE he was juiced! One look at his pineapple-shaped, acne-scarred face would've told you that.

Worse yet, his new-found power at the plate just masked his increasingly erratic outfield play. Even today, I doubt he knows the meaning of "hit the cut-off man..." Still, Cubs fans adored Sammy and many are still defending him this morning on talk radio. Losers.

Don't you wonder why the story broke in a New York newspaper, not in the Chicago Tribune? Oh wait. The Trib and the Cubs share a dwarfish owner. Silly question.

Tri-Brother wonders how many triathlon age-groupers heading to Kona would pass a drug test. It's a good question, these days.

So, a house in Texas and one in The Great Suburban Outback. I'm starting to like the "train year-round" possibilities. I just need to buy a second tri-bike cuz I'm not trusting the one I have to the airlines' baggage handlers. I don't even trust 'em with my running shoes.

With a warm-weather training location, I may look at IM-AZ. Tri-Daughter #4 could cheer me on.

High-school senior denied his diploma for blowing a kiss to his mother. Geez, I thought the principal in MY school was an a**hole.

So Letterman regrets saying certain things about the Palin daughters. Letterman? Is he still around? I thought he was dead or something.

Taking Flight...Wine, That Is!

I Love Watching Reality Sink In!

The progression of a typical Chicago Cubs season:

• April: "We're a great team!"
• May: "We're a good team!"
• June: "We're a good team not playing up to our potential!"
• July: "We're a good team playing badly!"
• August: "We stink!"
• September: "Wait 'til next year!"

2009's right on track.

If It's Thursday, It Must Be Texas!

La Misha Bistro, McKinney, TX. Worth the trip.

Yes, It Is Thursday and It Is Texas

McKinney, TX. Anybody know a good tri club around here? I saw a Lifetime Fitness, of which I'll soon be a member.

My DW Drums

Another drum pic just because it's my blog and I felt like it. As I've said before, if you're a drummer playing any other drums besides DW, you're just making noise.

The Never-Ending Home Improvement

My living room viewed from a 2nd floor landing. Last weekend, I painted that yellow thingie under the mirror. That's Miles Davis glaring out from behind the lamp, and one of my favorite nudes down and to the left, waiting for some empty wall space to open up.

Iris, My Gal

I loathe bric-a-brac but I love Irises. You figure it out.

Oh yeah, that's Tri-Daughter #4 in the background. She hates those photos. But I like 'em and it's my house.

Purple Sunsets In the GSO

Purple really was the color of last night's sunset, though once again I feel compelled to defend my crappy photography. My wretchedly crappy Verizon/LG cellphone cam can speak for itself.

Wait 'til I get an iPhone and decent service. As it is, I have to drive 10 miles to upload photos or make a call. That's SO Green Acres.

By the way, if that Verizon mob showed up at my door right now, I'd merrily beat bloody every last one of 'em.

See You In Phoenix, January, 2010

Phoenix...January... Tri-Daughter #4...sounds great! I think I'll sign up for the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Arizona 1/2 marathon. All part of my journey to (a) kick things up a notch, and (b) get the Ironman monkey off my back in 2011.

I wussed out on IMWI back in 2006 and don't plan on doing that again. Plus, 2011 puts me in a whole new age group, a cohort I refer to as "The Mean Old Codger Farts."

Hey, I think I'll have a new race jersey made up with that as a logo.

Well Why Not?

A Michigan cab franc. Maybe I'll have another.

Late For Lunch, Early For Dinner

Afternoon in the Great Suburban Outback.

Become An Ironman For A Great Cause

CAF to Auction Coveted Slot to Ford Ironman® World Championship at A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope in New York City on June 10, 2009; Proxy Bids Accepted Until June 9.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) will auction a prized slot to the Ford Ironman World Championship, organized and conducted by the World Triathlon Corporation, at a gala dinner in New York City on June 10. The winning bidder (or his/her designee) may compete in either 2009 or 2010. Proceeds from the auction will help fund specialized equipment, training and coaching for physically challenged athletes so they can participate in the sports that many able-bodied individuals take for granted.

Interested parties can bid on the coveted slot in one of two ways: In person, by buying a ticket for A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope (tickets are $500; discounts available for NY-area triathlon club members; go to www.heroesheartandhope.com to learn more) or by downloading and completing a proxy bid form at www.challengedathletes.org and faxing it to 858.866.0958. Proxy bid forms will be accepted through Noon (PST) on Tuesday, June 9. The minimum opening bid for proxy bidders is $20,000 and during the live auction, bids will be made in increments of $1,000 until the bidder's maximum bid is reached. The winning bidder must have completed an Ironman 70.3 or other long distance triathlon by Oct. 1 prior to the Hawaii race date and is required to submit a completed athlete waiver to Ironman. For a complete list of auction rules, go to: www.challengedathletes.org.

“As we prepare for our third annual event, we recognize the importance of the event sponsors like Ironman,” said Virginia Tinley, CAF’s Executive Director. “The Ironman slot has always been a significant and extremely popular item in the live auction, and has raised many thousands of dollars to support the important mission of the Challenged Athletes Foundation.”


Held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, A Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope will feature challenged athlete “stars,” celebrities, and notable New Yorkers. Funds raised at the event will help challenged athletes overcome the economic roadblocks to participation in sports and live life to the fullest. This year’s gala will honor Mark Holowesko, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Holowesko Partners Ltd. for his leadership, contributions and athletic success.

About Challenged Athletes Foundation

Since 1994, the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) has raised more than $21 million and satisfied more than 4,000 funding requests from challenged athletes around the world via its Access for Athletes program. CAF provide funding directly to physically challenged individuals for the acquisition of adaptive sports equipment like sports wheelchairs, mono-skis, tandem bicycles, handcycles and sports prosthetics. Additionally CAF provides funds to entry- and elite-level athletes for training and competition expenses. Through its other programs – Catch a Rising Star (mentoring and introduction to sports), Operation Rebound (for U.S. military personnel and first responders injured while serving) and Reach High (community outreach), the organization reaches an additional 65,000 individuals per year. In 2009, CAF distributed more than $1.36 million in funding to 765 individuals in 49 U.S. states and 25 countries. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About Ironman

World Triathlon Corporation, owners and organizers of Ironman, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance and quality products. With the addition of the Ironman 70.3 Series, Ironman now has more than 42 qualifying events worldwide. Supported by partners that include Ford Motor Company, Dell, Timex and Gatorade, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception nearly 30 years ago and is regarded as the world’s most challenging endurance event. Millions may remember moments in Ironman history such as Julie Moss’ crawl to the finish line in 1982, which was showcased on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Each year, more than 80,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and the Ironman World Championship 70.3 held every November in Clearwater, FL. The Ironman brand has been featured in a range of media outlets to include NBC, CNN Headline News, The Wall Street Journal, People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and USA Today.

Green-Mart vs. Wal-Day. Or Something.

Rock band Green Day releases a new record. Wal-Mart insists on having an edited, 'clean' version to sell in its stores. Green Day to Wal-Mart: "Go jump!" Wal-Mart to Green Day: "Pound sand!"

So hard to know for whom to root. An over-hyped trio of under-talented wankers, stuffed with illusions that they've something interesting to say? Or a bunch of backwoods Arkansas hillbillies protesting (wrongly) that they're some sort of bulwark against cultural decay?

Are you KIDDING me?

I sentence Green Day to 24 consecutive hours of Sesame Street re-runs for remedial A-B-C, 1-2-3 instruction. And I sentence Wal-Mart to 24 consecutive hours of touring vacant, silent factories. If they really want to protect the culture, maybe some on-shoring of jobs would be a better way to go.

Lunch at....

...Chicago's Mercat a la planxa, in the Blackstone Hotel which is, itself, interesting enough to warrant a city weekend. Excellent tapas-style Catalanian food. Free wi-fi and probably the best espresso I've ever had. Worth the trip.

Camden the Poison Ivy Dog

Grrr. The season's first poison ivy blisters have raised their ugly head, confined to one forearm so far. I'm blaming Camden the Wonder Dog.

A neighbor, familiar with my struggles to turn CtWD into a running partner, lent me a so-called pinch collar. I tried it out this morning and it worked like a charm, much to Tri-Daughter #3's consternation! Instantly he became a well-behaved dog, though it'll take me a few weeks to get my running stride back now that I'm no longer being yanked hither and yon from one putrid pile of 'yech!' to another.

I've always been a believer in the "a little pain goes a long way..." school of dog training.

I had to plant my foot in his ass yesterday to get him off the porch and chasing squirrels away from the bird feeders. He turned and looked at me with a "Hey! What'dja do THAT for, anyway?" look, sauntered across the yard and hocked up something disgusting. Probably that area rug I've been missing.

Funny how...

Funny how music playing in a cafe fits a rainy day mood.

Allergy Season

OK, what's going on here? Typically, by now I'm in an antihistamine-induced fog, nearly bankrupt after refilling a prescription for kinder/gentler meds, or suffering full-blown sneezin', drippin', 'I wanna pluck my itchin' eyes right outta my head' allergy attacks.

This season? None of the above.

Am I sufficiently aged to have outgrown seasonal allergies? Nah. I only outgrow the good stuff, like a full head of hair.

Is this spring somehow different from the past 30? No, it's worse. Janeane Garofalo is back on the national scene, albeit still acting the utter fool.

A positive side-effect of a warmer planet despite all The Goracle's gloom and doom? Can't be, otherwise congressional Democrats would be taking credit for it. And trying to tax it.

Or am I just too darn ornery? That's most likely.

Tag! You're It! My Favorite Songs...

An Essential Vertical Man repost: nancytoby tagged me to list my favorite songs, but I should provide a bit of background before I do. I grew up in a very musical household; both of my parents had advanced degrees in music. My father taught and made violins, conducted an orchestra and wrote music. My mother, though an elementary school teacher, also taught piano and organ.

Thus I grew up in a household where music was not simply aural wallpaper, but something that was taken seriously, listened to, discussed and revered. When music was playing you were supposed to keep quiet, pay attention and have an opinion.

All of this is by way of saying that this 'tag' is darn difficult for me. My musical tastes are expansive, eclectic and ever-changing (sometimes to my family's chagrin.) Today's list is different from yesterday's, and tomorrow's will be different still. But, here goes:

• 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' by the Rolling Stones (from 'Sticky Fingers') From a time when the world's best rhythm section drove the world's best band.
• 'Into the Mystic' by Van Morrison. (from 'Moondance.') Hard to choose just one from Van the Man.
• 'The 4 Last Songs' of Richard Strauss (with Lucia Popp, soprano) Tender, wistful, elegiac end-of-life reflections.
• 'Blue In Green' by Miles Davis (from 'Kind Of Blue.') An extraordinary band and the greatest jazz album ever.
• 'Heroes' by David Bowie. Exploring that point in everybody's life when dreams wash up on the shores of reality.
• 'Tell Her This' by Del Amitre An overlooked and underrated Scottish band; a song that brings tears to my eyes.
• Mahalia Jackson's stunning medley of 'Summertime' (From Porgy & Bess) and 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.' My all-time favorite voice.
• 'Rock and Roll' by the Velvet Underground. "...saved by rock and roll..."
• 'Working On a Building' by the Cowboy Junkies (from 'The Trinity Session.') Spare, evocative insights from a band as adept at channeling Lou Reed as they are Patsy Cline.
• 'I Will Follow' by U2. Early U2, when they were lacerating, visceral and a band with something to say.
• Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 A Major. Precise, emotional, propulsive.
• K.D. Lang's gorgeous version of Leonard Cohen's 'Bird On A Wire.' (from 'Hymns of the 49th Parallel.') An aching lament.
• 'Inner City Blues' by Marvin Gaye. Haunting and broken. Goosebump time.

I'll spare you longer expositions on why these made the list, though it suffices to say they're there for uniquely personal reasons, not because they might be included in some critic's "Top 100 songs of the Century." Each touches me in important ways, sparks powerful emotions or gives me new perspectives. 'nuff said.

How Mentally Tough Are You?

Find out by taking this short quiz from Competitive Advantage; Sports Psychology Services and Resources: (note: answer True or False to each...)

1) I frequently worry about mistakes.

2) I get really down on myself during performance when I mess up.

3) It's easy for me to let go of my mistakes.

4) If I start out badly, it's hard for me to turn my performance around.

5) I get distracted by what the coach thinks whenever I screw up.

6) I bounce back quickly from setbacks, bad breaks and mistakes.

7) I do my best when there's more pressure on me.

8) I get too nervous to really perform to my potential.

9) I do better in practice than I do when it really counts the most.

10) I tend to get easily psyched out or intimidated.

11) I can keep myself calm and composed under pressure.

12) I don't want the ball/dread competing at "crunch time." (big game/race).

13) The coach's yelling knocks me off my game.

14) I tend to get easily distracted.

15) Certain opponents can get into my head and throw me off my game.

16) Lousy playing conditions (weather, field conditions, temperature, etc.) negatively affect me.

17) I have no trouble focusing on what's important and blocking everything else out.

18) I think too much about what could go wrong right before and during performance, (the "what if's").

19) One or two failures do not shake my confidence.

20) I tend to compare myself too much with teammates and opponents.

21) I'd rather compete against a better opponent and lose than go up against a weaker opponent and win.

22) I am a confident and self-assured athlete.

23) I tend to be too negative.

24) I have trouble dealing with negative self-talk (thoughts).

25) I get more motivated after failures and setbacks.

26) It's easy for me to consistently train at a high level of intensity.

27) I think about how today's practice will help me get to my goals.

28) I find myself just going through the motions a lot in practice.

29) I have clear goals that are important for me to achieve.

30) I am a highly motivated athlete.

Now go to their web site and check your answers in the evaluation section. I'm not telling you my score, but I've got work to do. Onward and upward...

"Are These Three Words Ruining Your Life?"

I typically don't reproduce wholesale other people's articles and blog posts. But I'm making an exception with this great post by Jonathan Mead from ZenHabits;

Are These Three Words Ruining Your Life?
Article by Zen Habits contributor Jonathan Mead; follow him on twitter.

Have you ever been annoyed by a successful person, because you thought you were more intelligent than them? Maybe it was a boss. Maybe it was a political figure or a leader.

It’s especially maddening when this person is creating rules that dictate your life. I can definitely relate. I’ve had my share of bosses that I thought were less than brilliant.

So what is it that makes them successful? That’s what I’ve always wondered and what has always bugged me. I mean, shouldn’t intelligence be a prerequisite to leadership? The answer… not really.

It turns out the biggest reason people are successful is: consistent action, not intelligence.

Then the question is, are these three words ruining your life…?

The unmagical words

Those words are: I don’t know.

It’s not drive, it’s not motivation, it’s not lack of passion that keeps people from doing what they want. It’s not knowing where to start, or how to get from A to B. That’s the single biggest reason people don’t take action to make their dreams a reality.

So how can we overcome this? How can we stop letting obscurity keep us from becoming successful? The answer is pretty simple: You have to develop the ability to stop caring about not knowing. (I’ve written about this before, where I call it “putting yourself on auto-response.”)

You have to cultivate the habit of doing before knowing. This seems like a daunting thing to do, but it’s really actually a very easy habit to create. And there are a multitude of possibilities that exist right now that you can practice it.

Easiest thing in the world

For example, how many time does your spouse or partner ask you “What do you want to have for dinner?” and you respond, “I don’t know.” (This happens to me all the time, and it’s maddening.) Next time, instead of using those three dirty words, just ask yourself, “What’s something I’d like to have for dinner?” and then respond.

Now do this when someone asks where you’d like to hang out, or what you’d like to spend the evening doing. Instead of re-actively saying “I don’t know,” take the time to come up with a response. Even if you’re not 100% completely stoked about the idea, just come up with something you’d be satisfied with doing. Anything other than I don’t know is an improvement.

Next, try asking yourself “How could I best use my time, right now?” or “What is the highest leverage use of my time, right now?” Take a minute to brainstorm and mentally prioritize. If you’re having trouble coming up with an answer, just pick whatever you think would be the most productive use of your time. Remember, anything is better than the three words we shall not speak of.

Just imagine all of the possibilities for you to practice actively making decisions based on your desires, rather than re-actively defaulting to unconsciousness. There are so many little ways you can practice this skill. I think you’ll be surprised at how often you’re able to rehearse it.

The difference between living and existing

Okay, so you’ve mastered it with the little stuff. Now it’s time to use it on the things that really matter. Stuff like your passions and career.

If you’re not doing something you love or at least like for a living, you’re selling yourself short. And I bet the reason why you’re not pursuing something better is because you don’t know what you’d rather do. Instead of allowing that not knowing to dwell in your psychic space, cast it out. Don’t tolerate it anymore. If you don’t know what you’re passionate about, move from not knowing to seeking a path that will allow you to explore what you might love to do. This might mean reading a book on different career pursuits. It might mean googling your hobbies for possible career intersections. Whatever it is, practice that until you move into a state of knowing.

The reason I’m so passionate about this is because I’ve seen so many lives unfulfilled because of not knowing. It saddens me to think that such a simple phrase can have such a devastating impact.

I urge you to practice moving in the direction of knowing, when you feel stuck in a state of indecision. All it takes is one little shift.

It could mean the difference between making a dying and making a living.

Glass-Floored Skydeck

This extension to the Sears Tower skydeck is pretty cool.

But, no, I'm not stepping out there. I'll wave to ya...from the ground. And I'm never calling it "Willis Tower" no matter what the sign says.

(Photo: Courtesy Sears Tower via ChicagoTribune.com)

More History Is Needed, Alas.

Day-by-day, I’m ever-more convinced that our news is edited either by ADD-addled twenty-somethings who barely remember last night, or middle-agers like me who ought to know better but don’t. How else does one explain the breathless “OMG! What CAN we do...?” coverage of the Somali pirates?

My philosophy in most of life - but especially as I read the news - is “...either DO something or shut up and stop whining!” Yet today, headlines are still rife with news of Somali pirates doing more of whatever the hell it is pirates do...mostly acting like small men compensating for their penis envy with large guns.

This, of course, leads me to conclude that nobody took my sincere, heart-felt advice a few days ago. With fading hope that it’ll do any good, I’m offering yet another short history lesson harkening back to the dark, early days of WW II.

To a time when keeping Britain’s population and the war effort adequately supplied meant ships crossing the Atlantic from west to east, lots of ships, ships full of flour and butter, tanks and ammunition. And the Germans kept sinking those ships (see a parallel yet?)

So one day someone in the War Office had the bright idea (hey, it happens...) that forming the merchant vessels into a CONVOY and heading them across the north Atlantic in GROUPS would make said ships easier to protect (how about now?)

And so it was that destroyers and submarines and some long-ranging PBY patrol planes were assigned to PROTECT the CONVOYS from marauding U-boats. (now?) It wasn’t perfect; some shipping still went up (down?) in flames, but sufficient material made it to the Southampton docks that defeat was averted.

But today we hear “Oh, the Gulf of Aden is TOOOOOO Big! And the pirates are TOOOOO fast! We can’t be everywhere!” Bigger than the north Atlantic? Faster than silent, unseen U-boats? Ummm, no.

You don’t HAVE to be EVERYWHERE, dumbasses. You just have to be WHERE THE SHIPS ARE! So, form 30 or 40 merchant vessels into a CONVOY, assign a destroyer or two to ride shotgun and start puncturing some pirates. Hell, a few special forces badasses in a Boston Whaler are probably sufficient.

If you’re too stupid to do that, do me a favor and stop complaining about losing a few. Consider piracy a cost of doing business.

(And you also LOSE points, all of you history class-sleepers, if YOU thought the term CONVOY originated with Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed as a way to foil Smokey.)

Go Blackhawks!

Dinner with Tri-Daughters in the Great Suburban Outback tonight. Off to Dallas in the AM for a long weekend of fun in the sun and consulting presentations. Light blogging. No "mouse hockey" but I will be paying attention to the Blackhawks' quest to vanquish the psychotic Mike Keenan and the Calgary Flame-Outs.

Also checking out the triathlon training and racing scene in that "Great" state of Tayx-uss.

Go HAWKS!!!

Speedy Gonzalez Played Hockey

Who knew? Watching the Blackhawks' hockey game last night when I noticed Kitty playing her own game in the dining room, a game of "mouse hockey." Gross. The "puck" made a flying exit into the bushes.

The Thinker Among Us

Those of you who know me at all know that I'm a cosmology and astrophysics geek/junkie. I don't come close to understanding the deeper implications of relativity or the math behind string theory but I love what I CAN appreciate of the universe's mysterious beauty.

So I was in Seattle a few years ago, giving a talk at some corporate meetings. While having breakfast in the hotel, I looked over and there was physicist Stephen Hawking at the next table. I wouldn't have given a flying fig about an A-list celebrity sitting close by, but there's something special about looking over and seeing one of the world's foremost thinkers and scientists, perhaps an heir to Sir Isaac Newton's mantle of The Greatest Ever.

News reports today say that Hawking is in a hospital, gravely ill. My prayers are with him.

Question of the day: more time or more money?

Quote of the day: "You don't have to live your life the way other people expect you to."

So Long Twitter! Nice Knowing You!

OK, well, the TwitterSphere is agog with rumors that Her Royal Oprahness (HRO) will, tomorrow, announce her very own Tweety presence, complete with hints for personal growthfulness and the inside track to membership in the Cult Of 'O.'

Gross.

A terminally annoying, messianic twit, HRO has single-handedly promoted more kooks and weirdos than P.T. Barnum, The Gong Show and MSNBC's Keith Olberman combined. It's bad enough that she's on TV and in magazines. Hell, she probably has her own web site and everything. Can't she leave well enough alone?

I'll bet Twitter's leaders regret delaying their IPO. The end of their civilization is in sight now that HRO's gotten involved. The only trend she can spot is one that's SO last year.

Today's "Remove That Stick From Your A** Award" Goes To...

...this Missouri prosecutor. Hey, I hate the Blues as much as the next Chicago fan but, c'mon, not even the DUMBEST Blues fan (and there's tons of competition for THAT award) deserves legal hassles over some obscure election fraud law. In fact, s/he should be twice lauded - once for voting, and again for knowing how to write.

God I hate lawyers. Especially those paid by "the State" with nothing better to do than dream up inventive ways of prosecuting backwoods hillbillies.

Coming Home

This is the now-remodeled Great Suburban Outback restaurant made famous by numerous Life Is A Tri posts a few years ago. The place where everybody knew my name. The little trattoria with the awesome chicken vesuvio.

The wine list is improved (30 or so well-chosen selections by the glass) but the decor is a little, um, sleek for my tastes. Though I will say last night's tomato & mozzarella salad may have been the best ever. Tri-Daughter #4 agrees.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!

This's Tri-Daughter #4's boyfriend pitching for the Burlington Bees in a game this afternoon against the Kane County Cougars. He pitched well, leaving the game ahead 1-0 but with two runners on base. The reliever promptly walked the bases loaded and gave up a grand slam.

Oh well. That's baseball.

Break Pal - Fitness At Your Desk

OK, all you desk-bound triathletes, this is a pretty cool idea. It won't replace a steady zone 2 run or a weekend brick, but you're doing those anyway, right?

Maybe there's a version for those of us trapped on a plane for hours at a time. Every little bit helps, I always say.

I Tweet, You Tweet...

You follow Lance Armstrong's Tweets, right? Here's 48 more to add to your list...

My crappy photography skills make it difficult to tell, but AWAAAAAAY across the valley, at the end of a long, hilly driveway, sit three derelict VW Micro-buses. Now I know where all the hippies migrated as Haight-Ashbury turned yuppie.

What I'd Do About The Somali Pirates

So the Somali thug/pirates bagged another one, an American ship this time.

I dunno what's wrong with the world's navies. "Oh, the ocean's TOOOOO big! And the pirates are TOOOOO swift! We can't be EVERYWHERE!" Time to change tactics, dumbasses. Learning some history wouldn't hurt either.

In WW II, the Germans disguised "raiders" as peaceful cargo ships, flying the flags of neutral and allied nations. In reality these heavily armed warships roamed the world's oceans, preying at will on Allied shipping.

I'd follow the German model, were I in charge. I'd take 3 or 4 unassuming, otherwise unoccupied freighters, station on each 100 heavily-armed Special Forces bad-asses, and send 'em off to the east African shipping lanes. Somali thug/pirates, foolishly sensing easy prey and another big ransom, would be instantly liquefied. Blown to doll rags. Aired out, as it were.

Beyond the benefit of converting several dozen thug/pirates to squid food, there's the sense of caution such tactics would instill in all future terrorists. Spotting a ship, they'd be hard-pressed to tell whether the crew is a bunch of unarmed patsies or instant death.

That's how I'd handle it, were I in charge. I have no idea what the p*****s running this world will do.

I Envy San Diego Triathletes

Dunno what it says about the economy, but every flight this past weekend was COMPLETELY full, as were airport departure lounges, shuttles, hotels and restaurants. Someone's going somewhere and they're all on my flights, dammit.

Maybe, like me, the winter-weary fled the Great Suburban Outback's April flurries in favor of San Diego's beaches and sunshine. Can't blame 'em.

Question of the day: do you know what you want?

What's So Restful About Vacation?

In San Diego for a weekend of celebrating Mom's 80th birthday. Tri-Brother wants to "...do 2 hours on the bike trainer, go for a run and THEN a swim in the bay." Holy crap. I need a beer.

Today's 'Think Twice' Award!

Goes to this guy. He proposes, she says 'yes' and he drops the ring off the Brooklyn Bridge.

The ring was recovered, a little bent, diamonds intact.

Today's 'Just Shut Up' Award!

Isn't this the pot calling the kettle, well, crazy?

Or, as we used to say on the playground "Nyah, Nyah! Takes one to know one!"

My One & Only Vice...That I'll Admit

Question of the day: what's your first thought upon awakening? Mine is COFFEE! I NEED COFFEE!

Back To Spain...For An Hour

Waiting! Waiting!

Watch Ironman 70.3 World Championship on NBC

Triathletes and their fans take note: the 2008 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, which took place this last November, will air on NBC on Sunday, April 12, 2009, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. EST. Visit the YouTube site for footage of the 2008 event.



In other Ironman news, the lottery winners for the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship will be announced in the coming weeks. Hopefully your number comes up...in a good way.

I'm Sub-Optimal.

Researchers discover that everyone has an optimal running pace. There's my problem: I'm sub-optimal. Knew it all along.

Just Another Blog Post About Wall Street...

...subtitled "Charles Darwin was a cold-hearted bastard."

Quite a sight, all those BSDs on Wall Street, twisting in the wind. A few years ago they were Captains Of The Universe, rich beyond Gatsbyian imagination, remaking the world's economy in their own cold-hearted image.

Buying companies, leveraging them up, abrogating contracts with pensioners and suppliers alike, gleefully reducing head-counts, extracting every last farthing of value...survival of the fittest, it was called. Natural selection. Economic Darwinism.

Greed was good. It was all good and, naturally, what was good for Wall Street was good for America. No matter the interim pain, so the story went, we were sure to be better off for their efforts.

But here's what the BSDs forgot about natural selection and survival of the fittest: as natural processes, they can cut BOTH ways - FOR you sometimes, AGAINST you others. The dinosaurs may have been king of the hill, but when the comet hit they were just more piles of stinking carrion, a little larger than the rest but every bit as putrid.

Nope, BSDs aren't liking natural selection much at all - now that it's THEM being culled from the herd. Even worse is having to watch their favorite (if least understood) analogy come back to bite their OWN ass. That sucks, but it's the price you pay when you use concepts you don't understand to describe processes you hope NOBODY ELSE understands.

Now I'm told that all the neo-populist rage is starting to...(Dare I say it?) ...hurt their feelings! OMG! Apparently we're kicking 'em when they're down. Makes 'em feel misunderstood and undervalued. Unloved, even.

The poor, poor dears. How stressful their lives must be. Maybe they can chill out with a good book tonight. I know one or two on which they could use a refresher course.