After puttering around WLF yesterday, doing even more small harvesting and cleanup, I drove up to Sandy Springs to hang out with my drinking pals. I know why these guys choose to drink at Hob Nob, and while I too am a fan of the bartender, she leaves at 5pm so it doesn’t feel as if we are getting the most bang for our buck. Oh well. Traffic was partially ghastly for my return ITP, but I managed to fend off being hangry by buying some nuts at Target and snacking on those while stuck in traffic.
It’s Indoor Friday! I’ve done my best to prepare the ITP Estate and WLF for the weekend of rain predicted. I will use the predicted weather to stay at home, indoors, all day while attempting to catch up on some of the cleaning, organizing, decluttering chores that have been ignored of late. Hell, I may even put the road bike onto the trainer, admitting to myself that there will be little outdoor riding this winter unless I tote the bike with me to Florida when I head down again sometime this month.
Instead of a walk outside tomorrow morning Betsy said she needs to go to IKEA, an idea which makes her shudder, so I have volunteered to be her support group. I like IKEA. I like the things sold at IKEA. I like the people, let’s be honest, women, who shop at IKEA. (the downside of the clientele is that like other Meccas for sightseeing, such as Crate & Barrel, they are mostly unavailable or uninterested) And besides, I need a new doormat and IKEA sells the type I like at a reasonable price.
If you are not hiking the Grand Canyon this weekend, what’s on your agenda? I kid! I kid! 😀
Wordle: four, my starter was LEAST
Connections: perfect, Purple > Blue > Green > Yellow
November Summary: a whole lot of travel, meat, and laziness/injury
11/01 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/02 – ?, V, walking ????
11/03 – ?, M, nothing ????
11/04 – ?, M, hiking ????
11/05 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/06 – ?, V, yard work ????
11/07 – X, V, walking ????
11/08 – ?, M, walking, yard work ????
11/09 – ?, M, nothing ????????
11/10 – ?, M, nothing ????
11/11 – ?, M, nothing ????
11/12 – ?, M, walking ????
11/13 – ?, M, nothing ????
11/14 – X, M, nothing ???? ????
11/15 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/16 – ?, V, walking ????
11/17 – ?, M, nothing ????
11/18 – ?, V, walking ????
11/19 – ?, M, walking ????
11/20 – ?, V, yard work ????
11/21 – X, V, nothing ????????
11/22 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/23 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/24 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/25 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/26 – ?, V, nothing ????
11/27 – ?, M, nothing ????????
11/28 – X, V, yard work ????
11/29 – ?, V, yard work ????
11/30 – ?, V, yard work ????
[insert constant grumble about WordPress mangling Apple emoji here]
Wordle in 3, Connections completed.
An uneventful trip home. While not a perfect trip, still a lot was accomplished, so worthwhile. Now to do the expense report! (I hate paperwork).
And speaking of paperwork, being chief judge for the next 2 days in the rain should be big fun, huh? Sadly, pre-reg numbers in the UCI categories are lacking, but the locals should still turn out. I also hope I have a dry place to work.
Debbie is off to Aiken to return Chicken Little and ride the opening hunt with a group over there. they will be wet as well. Too bad.
The last time I was at IKEA, I thought it needed a good cleaning. I hope your experience is better.
-FP
that sounds like no fun in the rain Steve.
EuroTrip 2024 Money Making Update: As of December 1, I have earned 25% of the cost of the trip, minus travel and extra spending.
Good to hear!! Hate to have to scramble for a new roommate.
Oh I will be there! Having only earned 25% in five months I may not reach my goal of $3500 but whatever I earn until then is welcome.
Wordle in 6. Almost didn’t pull it off. Too many options with the letters I had correct. 2 mistakes in Connections. Blue, purple, yellow, green.
Going to be a wet week-end no matter what you are doing. I am headed down to Pine Mountain tomorrow to set up our GUTS races for Sunday. Need to drop the dogs off at Pet Resort first. Working today. Otherwise not much news.
Glad to hear David made it out of the ditch. And a treat to experience it with snow.
He sent me photos, since I’m not on the Facebooks or anything, and it looked lovely. I missed the fact that one photo showed snow on the ground.
I’m with Betsy, I can never get out of IKEA fast enough.
What an epic day yesterday! I accomplished a 12 mile hike in the Grand Canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. A recurring theme in my life is getting in under the wire, and yesterday was no exception. The upper end of the trail is closed as of today for a few months of maintenance, which I can attest is very much needed.
It snowed overnight yesterday, so I had a nice little 1/4 mile trek from my hotel room to the start of the Bright Angel Trail. Thanks to my ADHD, that was a double trek because I had left my big bottle of Powerade in the car so it could chill overnight, and then it didn’t make it into my backpack. I’m glad I went back for it, I needed it.
Because of the snow the top end of the trail was somewhat icy, and I of course did not have crampons or hiking poles. It wasn’t much of an issue going down. I started hiking in the dark, and so hardly anyone had been on the trail yet.
I have a long-standing propensity to bite off more than I can chew, especially for hikes such as this. My original plan was to be conservative and hike 6 miles in the canyon, and and then do more of the rim trail in the afternoon. I briefly crossed paths with Bridgette from Louisiana, who had her eye on making it all the way to the river and back (15.6 miles). As I was making good time, and at that point was in the part of the canyon where the trail is relatively flat, after initially declining her invitation I thought about and said yes. We walked along for a few minutes, then she wanted to take a break. Along the she said “We don’t have to be tethered to each other”, meaning she didn’t want to slow me down, even though her pace was great. I said “I have nowhere else to be.” She then wanted to take the break on her own, to “go collect her self.” I thought for a second and said “I’m going to keep going.” I’m glad I did, because 50 feet further down the trail I encountered a huge buck. I went on my merry way past Havisu Gardens and went roughly a mile or so beyond it. There’s an 3,000 foot elevation drop over the first 6 miles. From mile 6 to mile 7.8, it drops another 1,000 feet. I was walking along and turned the corner and saw said 1,000 foot drop, or at least a good part of it, which is comprised of some extensive switchbacks that another hiker said are called the corkscrew. I said “Oh hell no” given that I was just starting to feel some fatigue. It would have been a treat to make it to the river, but I am very much satisfied with my hike. I am also EXTREMELY glad that I didn’t push on. I was making surprisingly good time coming back uphill until the next to last mile, which was all mud, and the final mile, which was all ice. And not the ice I had walked in the morning, but ice that had been tromped on to a high level of slickness. I was going about 30 minute miles coming back, and that turned in to about 1 mile/hour for the last two miles. I hit the rim at 3:40. The sun sets at 5:15, so if I had gone to the river I would have had to do those last two miles in the dark. It wasn’t a big deal hiking that trail in the dark in the morning, but it would have been absolutely treacherous in the evening. I did see Bridgette for a second on the way back. She seemed disappointed that I was giving up. I showed her a picture of the switchbacks and wished her well.
I have a 5 hour drive ahead of me to get to Tucson for the work event that thankfully brought me out this way. I’ll probably stop in Phoenix for lunch, to break up the drive a bit. There’s a couple hours of event stuff tonight, the main activities run all day tomorrow. I am a sponsor of the Microsoft Excel Collegiate Championship, and I’m hoping to connect with some professors that will make use of or spread the word about my training materials for college students.
Sunday morning I’ll be communing with cacti at Saguaro National Park before I drive back up to Phoenix to get on a plane back home.
The Grand Canyon has a $35 entrance fee these days, which a kind park ranger waived for me enough though I didn’t have any documentation on me to prove my veteran status. She said “if you can get your state to put the word veteran on your license next time we can give you a free annual pass.” Well lo and behold, I never knew that I could get a free veteran’s driver’s license. My license expires next year anyway, so this is timely, and will help me get a 10% discount at Lowe’s and Home Depot, and other discounts as well.
Wordle in 3 today starting with TRAIL, only one mistake on Connections.
I think I’ve said before here that I waited 31 years for yesterday’s hike. I got a small taste of the Grand Canyon in 1992 when visiting one of my best friends from high school in Tucson. We made a day trip to the canyon, which meant there was only time to hike a mile or so of Bright Angel Trail, but it was a life-changing experience for me, and I’ve always wanted to come back. At that time I was dating the woman who became my wife. Hiking the Grand Canyon has never been her kind of trip, and so the years went rolling by. There’s some massive symbolism to me for having hikes the Grand Canyon bookend my marriage.
I forgot to mention that one of the activities my hike on my hike was snagging two pre-sale tickets for a night with William H. Macy talking about Fargo, which includes a screening of the movie. This is at The Eastern in April. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 today if anyone wants to hit the general sale. Fargo is one of my favorite movies ever, and I am very much looking forward to this experience.
The zigzag nature of the trail down the side of the side of the canyon kept me within cell phone range for much of my hike, but I definitely did hike beyond the coverage area.
will there be chairs at this event? 😉
I’ve never been to the Eastern, but I would think its a standing room only place for concerts.
In theory I will be making my first visit to The Eastern tomorrow night.
There are chairs for some events, and I purchased two seats. There is a bunch of standing room as well.
Funny, this was a conversation we had while drinking last night. I accidentally called him “William H Gacy”. LOL
I can respect the movie Fargo, having seen it, but that goddamn wood chipper scene will mean I skip this event, any future airing of the movie, and probably the entire run of the TV series even though I know there is only a tangential connection.
The wood chipper scene is definitely a mess in more ways than one. 😉 I’ve always liked William H. *M*acy, I can’t say I’m a fan of any Gacy’s. 😉
there are no wood chippers in the TV series – but they are dark. Each season is a stand alone story. I LOVE them.
I’m still immersed in Suits but when I finish catching up on Fargo is my next order of business.
what a great adventure yesterday!!!
that’s really interesting about the Veterans getting a free pass.
And – getting in free!
I would have bought the yearly pass – since you plan to go to Saguaro too.
And then – you’d have it & you might make plans to go to another National Park int he next year.
I’ll pay whatever the fee is at Saguaro, and then get a free pass at with my newly minted veteran’s driver’s license at Cade’s Cove when I go back next August to do a century ride on one of the car-free days.
Not surprising given your stance on Buc-ee’s. 😉
Guilty as charged! 🙂
Why do you think the women at IKEA are attractive? (especially vs other stores?)
I personally think its full of families – and way too many children.
And – don’t most of them, have tattoos?
I do not enjoy shopping there – so we only go when there is something that can’t be bought elsewhere.
But -the 1 time I had the Swedish Meatballs – that was tasty.
There is something about a woman who is shopping for either wedding gifts or first time housing furniture. Perhaps it’s because they are normally in their twenties? And yes, these days they all have tattoos, and because I’m getting close to knocking on sixty also means that they are faaaaaar too young for me.
I love IKEA because it gets me thinking differently. I think because I have been a failure at pairing up I have always fantasized about running away and starting all over.
all I can say is – you are weird on this IKEA women thing, that is something I would have never thought of. But – I already know you are weird, so it is not a surprise.
And – I guess I only see the huge families with children getting in my way when I go there.
Where’s the LOVE button on this platform? 😉
Well this is frustrating. I am looking at an exterior door handle/lockset which I have saved, but inconveniently didn’t put the keys to the lock with it. I cannot locate the keys for it either (and it should come as no surprise that I have an ordered box of keys in my house, in which they are not).
Via John / HamWithCam, yesterday I heard of the untimely death of one of old photography friends, as well as the imminent closure of Iron Shield brewing in Lawrenceville which was opened by another of our old photography friends.
I saw that Iron Shield was closing – that’s too bad. A lot of Breweries are giving up.
My meal plan today is Anna’s Grand Canyon Cafe in Williams, then lunch at the Mel’s Diner in Phoenix that was the inspiration for the diner on Alice. I never really go into that show but I do like quirky local restaurants and this fits the bill. Dinner tonight will probably be catered rubber chicken. I have a line on the best restaurant in Tucson if I leave hungry.
Mel’s Diner in Phoenix – that sounds entertaining. If its good, let me know, maybe I’ll get my sister to take me next time I visit.
As for Tucson, we stayed overnight near the University – we searched around for restaurants, but nothing stuck out as some place we needed to go. FireTruck Brewery was ok – not very fire stationy like we had hoped – jsut in a strip mall.
Waiting for my check at Mel’s. It’s a quintessential American diner. I would become a regular if I lived in Phoenix. Check it out next time, Barb!
I FUCKING HATE healthcare. Now, I’m being told by the website that I qualify for Medicare and can’t select a new health plan? FOR FUCK’S SAKE, JUST LET ME PAY FOR IT AND MOVE ON!!!!
On the phone with a very helpful employee. Fingers crossed this all works…
And I can pick a plan.
All plans will cost me more than my annual income… The second cheapest plan, from Kaiser Permanente, will cost me $780/month in premiums. The cheapest plan is from some entity called “Oscar” and I’m not about to pick an insurer who I’ve never heard of previously.
‘MERICA!
I might try to become employed next year solely for health insurance.
‘MERICA!
yep – healthcare is why many people can’t retire early – they can afford to live, just can’t afford to get sick.
Healthcare in America is an embarrassment. Elder care is even worse.
Just finished watching a live stream of Raphael (our Fed President) and Chairman Powell, who is in town to speak at GT. They were speaking about FOMC meetings and the chairman said “bad decisions are made when everyone agrees.” It’s great (to me) to hear those sorts of words from someone in that position. Also, the chairman is a road cyclist! And a Dead Head. (we knew that going in and his water bottle on stage had a dead head sticker on it!)
well isn’t that interesting
Gonna be a good day, Wordle in 2 starting with REACT. Wild ass guess was successful. Perfect connections 🙂
David your adventure sounds amazing! Glad it all worked out. I would love to go to Mel’s diner, I watched Alice as a kid. Not very many people know where “Kiss my grits!” came from.
I am really struggling with motivation to exercise right now, last night was the first time I left the house all week and it took all I had to get out the door. Not sure what I need to do but I have to change something to get my groove back. Although rain all weekend won’t help much.
Have a great weekend all!
I’m with you Bob. I’ve been allowing my nagging pains to reduce my exercise, and that needs to stop.
It truly was amazing, Bob. Definitely one of my best days ever.
I’ve stopped off in Williams. Cute little Route 66 town. I had a phenomenal drive here. Much of it was dusted with snow but the road was perfectly clear. The scenery was drop-dead gorgeous.
Wordle is 3 – not as lucky as Bob – but I’ll take 3.
purple – yellow – green – blue today. PERFECT
its always funny how we see these combos differently.
What stick out 1st.
BOTH of you need to get on your trainers and get your sweat on! I will be doing that a little later this evening myself.
Just got Debbie on the road after checking all her trailer tires. She’s returning Chicken Little and taking Sonny as well, as her hunt horse.
Or just hike 12 miles instead. 😉
I’d rather hike 12 miles than ride the trainer for 30 minutes.
I need to get back to spin class, but the times at the Y are never convenient. I need to start looking at driving further to one of the other Ys
Neither current state of my feet nor today’s weather will permit a hike of any length today.
riding the trainer – I just can’t convince myself to do it.
I with I could.
I have a ginormous screen on which I can watch something that entertains me while I ride the trainer. Since I am not going out today I will probably go down and start watching “The Amazing Race” while I pedal.
We just started season 35. I can’t seem to find season 34 anywhere, which is annoying because I’d like to watch it.
iTunes.
I just watched the first episode of season 35.
I can’t get iTunes on the TV. Maybe I’ll look on Apple+.
Ah, I’m so embedded in the Apple World I forget these things.
I’m sure Paramount+ has it – for a price of course. I kind of want to go back & watch the beginning seasons again – see how it changed
It hasn’t changed anywhere as drastically as Survivor though.
Oh, I will check Paramount, thanks!
Recently (during the pandemic) re-watched the entire 33 seasons. It hasn’t changed TOO much, but the early seasons are hilarious with all the mistakes they made, that everyone knows to avoid now. It’s worth re-watching.
Barb, not even on an e-bike? 😉
I’m with Barb, I would rather hike 12 miles in the snow than ride the trainer.
You kids! 12 miles in the snow isn’t an option!
I know it really is hard sometimes to motivate onto the trainer. Back when I was racing, we had regular get togethers to ride on our trainers and woe be unto you if you missed one!
And nice on the deuce, Bob.
Or you could do nothing and get fat like I did. It’s much easier! 🙂
Busy day at work today! About to slow down soon when my boss leaves in about an hour. We have no kid and no plans this weekend. I have to do some cleaning right after work today or I will never be able to relax, there’s a layer of dust EVERYWHERE.
I reached 666 days on Duolingo and it’s extra funny because the streak notification has flames on it:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fyfe/53368009362/in/dateposted-public/
HAH!
That’s pretty funny!
Oh, that reminds me that I have not done my Duolingo yet today.
Thought about you yesterday Jenka when I drove by the Carter Center and I saw all of the news trucks there for Miss Rosalynn.
Right? I’m not sure why those news trucks were still there two days after the event. Were they just parked there?!
Yep. There were trucks and canopies, but I didn’t see any people.
well – why go to Plains when it was a private ceremony – they could just report whatever happened from here. Those reporters have to be outside a building somewhere – it seems to be a rule.
Oh, there were a ton of people at the Carter Center on Tuesday because there was an ancillary event as part of the funeral on Emory campus. But then the people went away and left the trucks sitting there for two days.
666 with Duolingo – wow!
I’m cleaning (sort of) stuff up at my house, since we have overnight house guests for this party tomorrow night. Allan will do a much better job behind me.
Gauntlet has been thrown down, I just finished sixty minutes on the trainer.
Weighing myself will return in January, though I am unsure if I want to report how heavy I’ve gotten to the public.
Look at you go!
Just took a little nudging. 😉