My Team, Your Team

This is a game developed by my brother that we have played for about a year. We even have rules for it and an association. Its like picking teams for dodge ball, but you also get a chance to pick members for your friends teams. Here's how it works:

Let's say you and a friend were a party and you spot this:

You would say "My team." That would be a positive point for you. Let's say a few minutes later you spot this:

You would say "Your Team." That would probably be a negative point for your friend.

Get the general idea?

Okay, here's another addition to it. You don't have to be around the person you are competing with. If you can manage to get a picture on your camera phone, it can be sent and you can be given credit for "my team." This is actually where the challenge comes in.

So here's my story:

Picture this...Newark airport getting ready to board my connecting flight to Indianapolis. In front of me is a girl that I had called "my team" on. I thought I would take a picture and send to my brother for the points. So I turned the flash off and took the picture. As soon as I pushed the button I realized my camera was not on silent and made the very distinct sound that a camera phone does. She immediately turned around and I immediately brought the phone to me ear and started talking like I had a call. The picture was ruined because it was nothing but a blur. She then picked up her bags and moved behind us. SNAGGED!

Well me and my friends all had seats scattered throughout the plane. I told Bill that maybe the gods were looking over me and I would be seated next to a hot chick during the flight. The gods were not looking over me. On one side was a 90 year old Indian women who smelled bad and on the other side was a 400 lb dude who smelled like sweat and smoke. When the flight was ready to take off I noticed Bill had three seats to himself, so I moved. I told him that the gods were obviously teaching me a lesson for taking a picture of that girls butt. I continued to say that I know she knew that I took the picture because of the way she turned around as soon as the camera clicked. The entire time I was saying this, his eyes got big and he pointed to the seat directly in front of me...It was her. SNAGGED AGAIN!

I know what some of you might be thinking and yes its true:
All men are pigs...deal with it.

If anyone is interested in the complete listing of rules for "My team, Your team" please email me. My brother has electronic copies available.

Had a good time in at the Fire Department Instructor Conference (FDIC). Too busy to take pictures (most of the stuff was lectures). Glad to be back and I am finally ready to ride again.

Off to Indy!

I will be leaving for Indy to go to the FDIC in a couple of hours. The FDIC is the countries (maybe the worlds) largest fire department conference held every year. There will be a lot of cool FD stuff there to see, but more importantly are the class and lectures available. Since being assigned at the training center, I have greatly expanded myself as a firefighter. This is part of that expansion. Seeing and learning how others do things, makes you better fit to do and to lead. I should have a good time. I have tried to convince my wife that this is job related, but she knows it is a week of hanging out with friends, talking about stuff we enjoy doing and drinking...a lot. But then again if you take the drinking out, that is what I do everyday when I go to work.

When I return I will get a good nights sleep and wake up in time for the Conquer the Canal TT. Then I will head to Langley the next day for two races (maybe). Here's my problem. I have not been on the bike since the last weekend of racing I did (Smackdown, Dismal Dash). The cycling gods have not been kind to me. I trained hard in January, got sick in February and never really recovered. I have been fighting a cough for 2 weeks (maybe longer). Last night was the first night I was able to sleep in my own bed and not worry about waking Jenni up with constant coughing. I had decided to hang the bikes up and take it easy until I recover. I feel recovered, but I won't be bringing my stuff with me to Indy. So this weekend of racing will be just the restart of my training. We'll see how it goes.

On the upside, school is nearly over for the semester (yes I am attempting to finish my 12 year long BS degree in exercise science). That will free up my Mondays and Wednesdays. Actually, Jenni will change her work schedule to work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She works at Gold's Gym in the playroom and takes the kids with her. That means there is no one at home when I get home on those days. It makes it real easy to get on the bike. So Tuesday night training races and I'm thinking Thursday night team rides (what do you think team, maybe motor pacing)?

I'll try and take and post pictures from Indy...especially if we go to a strip club. I mean its work related, Jenni, we wouldn't go to a strip club.

For Rent

Jenni and I went to Chrysler Hall last night to see Rent. It was good, very hot inside which made it a little uncomfortable, but we had a good time. It was nice to be out just the two of us for a change.

Some other stuff that has been going on: Got a sick tree removed from my back yard and clean up another one. We now have a whole lot more sunshine in the yard. We still have good shaded areas but the added sunshine will probably mean more grass cutting.

Played some GH3 with Madelyn. Its not easy trying to play Aerosmith on the Guitar Hero while Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid is rocking out whammy style on the guitar next to you.

Also I am still sick. Went to the doctors today for this cough that I have had for over 2 weeks. Got some meds and should be feeling a lot better soon. I am leaving for Indy for the FDIC (fire department international conference) on Tuesday and return Friday. It looks like I will have a weekend filled with racing on my return and hopefully be able to get back in the training mode after that. As long as my health is back...I am over being sick this winter.

VBW Website

I have updated my team's website with race results and team line up. Check it out.
www.vbwheelmen.blogspot.com

VBW Smackdown Pictures are finally up

Leah Nisbet was out at the VBW Smackdown taking pictures. She arrived near the end of the Cat 4 race and stayed through the Cat 1/2/3 race. So most of these pictures are from the Cat 3 and the Cat 1/2/3. I have posted them on my .mac account. Please feel free to visit and have a look. If you were in either one of these races there is bound to be a lot of pictures of you. There is a total of 572. Thanks Leah...very nice pictures.

Trail running, Beer, Friends and GH3

As regular readers know most of the Virginia Beach Wheelmen joined some Tripower guys and gals as well as some All About Bikes racers at Velocity during this winter. It was 20 weeks of pain, endurance, power and speed. It was very good training, but the thing that was built up more than our muscles was our friendships. So now that it is over, a few of us got together at Kevin's house on Monday.

Kevin Horvath, Mike McMahon and I went for a run to start of the night. Mike Hosang rode through the same trails. Kevin took off strong, but I was able to stay with him and help push the pace. It was supposed to be an easy run...that didn't happen.

After the run Brenna arrived as did Jon Nisbet (who brought Guitar Hero). My wife and kids came with me and I think they all made new friends with Sally and Judy. Jon's wife Leah also came along.

The talk focused around racing, illnesses and cross racing. But then we plugged in Guitar Hero. This was our goal of the night.



But this more what it looked like.
It was a good time. Thanks Kevin for having us over. Thanks to everyone who joined us this year at Velocity. I know I plan on doing it again next year. I'm thinking not on a Monday though. We'll try for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Everyone is welcome to join us.

I think its time to train again

In February I got the flu and that really put a hamper on my training. Then the fire recruits all started and I have been putting in long hours at work...exhausting long hours. So my bike riding has really suffered. Last week was the busiest week at work so far. My team then promoted the Smackdown race in Suffolk, I raced twice that day then did the Dismal Dash the following day. Monday morning I woke up with this stomach virus that seems to be going around. I went into work for a couple of hours but then came home. At 10:20am I decided to take a nap. The phone rang and woke me up at 5:00pm. I guess it was sleep much needed.

Well the stomach thing turned into a head cold and now it has moved to my chest. But the good thing is that I can train with a cold. Today I went out to the county on my TT bike. I realized after the Dismal Dash that I need to get on it a little more. I felt pretty good but my snot production was in excess of my snot removal.

Here's a picture taken by Tim Shockley at the Dismal Dash. I think I definitely look more aero on this bike than I did when all I did was put aero bars on my road bike. I borrowed a helmet from someone, but I think I will buy one before the next time trial. My motivation to train hard is higher right now than it has been. I think the thought of nice weather ahead and good racing this season is what's doing it.