More Skating

We skated again today.   The ice was not so perfect.  Some melting had occurred and as

a result the ice was not as smooth and had lots of strange bubbles.  Various theories

about the bubbles were discussed.  

The weather was perfect--warm and windless.

We did several sprints across the lake--about one half mile.  Pat won some times,

and other times Al took the win (although I think Pat let him win).

I was last every time.  Now my legs are sore. Elena didn't compete.  

Skating at Warner Lake

Yes, the ice was perfect!  Clear and smooth.  You could look down at the bottom

of the lake near the edges.  On the west side the ice was a little thin and it creaked!

We don't really have a plan if someone goes through the ice.  Well, Pat chopped

a hole in the ice and it was nearly 4 inches thick so I guess we were sort of safe.

We get to do this about once or twice each year.

Skating at Warner Lake

Skating

Pat, Al, Elena and I have moved on to ice skating.  The word is that Warner

Lake is ready.  We will see who falls through the ice.  Don't tell the DNR.

They don't need to know.  It's always fun to do things that are illegal

or prohibited or against the advice of the experts.  As for mt. biking, I'm

sticking to the illegal trails to maintain my Outlaw image.  Think Marlon

Brando in the Wild Ones.

Plum Creek Trashed

That's right the Plum Creek has been trashed again.  This is about the 5th time the workers

have plowed over the trail with their bulldozer or now with a huge grader.  The latest

damage is on the east side of the trail where the grader has basically destroyed the trail

for about 40 feet.  You have to dismount and go through the weeds.  Also, a while ago

they plowed out a section on the west side, which is still kind of ridable.  Obviously

the workers at the compost site don't know or don't care about the trail.  I understand

that the area is basically a composting site and dump area, and that mt. biking is

not respected.  Speaking of lack of respect the geese have left their droppings all

over the paved river path.  Of course, we can expect the geese to shit on the trails,

but I had hoped for better treatment from the humans.

Warm Feet

I rode today even though it was cold and windy.  Usually I get cold feet, but today I had fairly

warm feet.  The recipe was as follows.  You being with special "stormsocks," 

thermal socks designed for skiing.  Next, you put on Lake winter boots.  Place chemical handwamers on the front of the boots and cover with the flap.  Finally cover

with old Atomic cross country ski booties with a fuzzy lining.  If it is really

cold, add another bootie. Ride On!  (Indoor trainers are for wimps and sissies.)

Talahi

I rode on the trail in Talahi today, and I was happy to see that somebody has

worked on the trail.  I counted four different cuttings including the log

on the ground that required a dismount and the big tree blocking one of the

descents.  Cutting and removing that tree looked like a big job.  Anyway,

thanks to whoever did it:  Matt?  Ben?  K and K?  Unknown?

Yes, I did vote today.   Thanks for asking, but I did not vote for

the Socialist Worker candidate. I went for the other

socialist candidate, you know, the Arab terrorist.   

The Election

Three members of my Sunday Discussion Group predict Obama will win.  I am voting

for Obama, but I am not so sure he will win.  If the election is close, the Republicans will

sue, ask for recounts, challenge the voting process, and engage in various tactics to swing the election in their favor as they did in Florida.  And I don't trust the voting process in the

first place.  In my idealistic youth I voted for the Socialist Worker candidate, and my vote was

not counted!  No votes for that candidate!  Yes, I am a Socialist, and not embarrassed

to admit it.  We Socialists believe that the government should provide benefits to the

people like health care, education, clean water, bridges, and roads.  To do this, the

government has to tax, and the tax should be fair, that is, the rich pay more than the

poor.  But the government should stay out of our private lives.  I'm a Libertarian

when it comes to my private life. The government should

not interfere with my reproductive choices, my marriage choices, my sex life, my drug use, my religion, and my opinions   Stay out of my bathroom, bedroom, and study.  Leave me alone

already!  It's ironic that George W. Bush is a socialist, at least when it comes to Big Business. Why?  Well, look at the prescription drug program or medicare.  The big drug companies and insurance certainly benefit.  Who is making money on the wars he started?Consider the fact that he is more or less nationalizing the banks.  It's capitalism for the rich when they are making money, and socialism when they lose money.  Get it?  Win, win for Big Business!  On the other hand, he wants a nanny state when it comes to sex and drugs.

There are some contradictions here, as Marx would say.

Party!

Before I get to the party, I should mention that I did the Melrose Quarry

Trail yesterday and it was pretty good--only one tree down, which I fixed

so it can be bunny hopped. The party for Harry and Kris was great! Let's

see who was there?  K and K, the double K, Ben and family, Josh, Darren

or is it Darrin?, Mike and Angela, Eric and friend.  I think I may have

missed somebody.  Harry made spicy chicken legs.  Lots of wine.   Art

talk with Eric.  Kris (the mathematics professor and former wall street

analyst) explained the financial meltdown.  The bankers

were greedy kids with no adult supervision, and it's going to take

years for the markets to recover.  The best explanation I've

heard yet!  Guess I'm not going to buy that house in Aspen

after all.