Nasty on Nasty

Ms. Jolie packed a 1-2 punch this week with snow and ice. I was lucky enough to have the use of Erica's car yesterday as her offices were shut down. It's all downhill to my office so the lack of clean streets wasn't much of a problem. But it was back to the bike this morning. There really isn't a bike rack to speak of and I'd rather not keep it outside as the gears tend to freeze up pretty easily... so I park it in my office, by my desk. This has to absolutely piss the maintenance folks off to no end. Each morning, I get a freshly mopped floor to park my melting bike on. I feel bad enough that I've begun to put forests of napkins under the tires and main gear in an attempt to keep the ponds that form at bay.

As for the ride... it's not so bad. A little more taxing on the brain as you're constantly looking at that road, but the bike has as much of a desire to stay upright as you. And whereas I like to keep my weight towards the back of the bike in dry, tricky conditions, it helps me to put my weight in the front of the bike on the snow. It enables the bike to plow through the ruts from car tires and plows. So there's some advice from your old friend, Tyler. Or I could just get a car like everyone else and I wouldn't have to worry about it. But I've been told that I have to wait until after the wedding. I wonder how long it would take to get to Cinci. Hmm... I could do a Columbus to Cincinnati triathalon. Bike 70, run 25 and swim the rest of the way down the Little Miami River.

But back to the matter at hand... after this month, I wonder how much of a punch winter has left.

The Dreadmill

"Dreadmill" is a term often used by runners to cleverly describe how they feel about the mechanical running machines known as treadmills. That couldn't be further from the truth in this instance, but first, let me explain my experience... 

It was three years ago when Erica and I got memberships to the downtown YWCA specifically for the use of their treadmills. It sucked... or maybe the problem was that I sucked. It was a terrible experience and I whole-heartedly agreed with the "dreadmill" stigma. I would struggle to make it three miles while Erica breezed through her workout. I soon gave up on the incessantly looping belt and found that the hours spent in the cold were easier than the time spent on said "dreadmill".

But this winter finds me keeping up on my miles. I was running last year but had taken the entire month of December off... and then I only ran three days a week until February. So running five days a week along with riding my bike to work has allowed me to take in the entire breadth of winter. They describe winter as an old man. I disagree. Winter is Angelina Jolie in Wanted... cold, merciless and very capable of killing you... but beautiful, nonetheless. On top of it all, Erica doesn't like to be cold, so it was with open arms that we agreed to "hold onto" my parent's treadmill for an undetermined amount of time. Many thanks to them as my five miles this morning were done in a t-shirt. And the relocation went well. Nary a muscle was pulled in the entire process. So there it sits in the basement... a perfect fit.

Schooled... Again

Last night, the CSCA put on a little design shindig once again... the first for 2009. Presenting, was Mr. Armin Vit. I've talked about this before... ehh, way back in March, but people like this amaze and humble me all at the same time. I know their objective is to enlighten, but it's inevitable that I walk out of there wishing I was paving roads or something... not taking anything away from someone that can pave a road, but I'm just saying that being physically tired at the end of the day feels like the best route for me after one of these lectures. But he really said some pretty amazing things and I was glad to have attended. He reminded me of a younger, more Mexican and energetic Tony Spaeth.

The event moved from CCAD to Knowlton Hall on OSU's campus. It houses the architecture students and maybe some designers... not sure. It was a great space. Reminded me of the Wolfson Center, which is part of the DAAP building on UC's campus. We took freshman classes there and the four or five flights we climbed stole any appreciation I had for its sterile aesthetic. I can't think of that place without breathing heavy.

And the night ended with a long walk home in the cold. The wind was fairly stiff, but I kept warm. I'm sure it's worse in other parts of the world. But I got punk'd by the weatherman when I woke up this morning. I saw the -10º and it scared me back to bed. In hindsight, I should've laced up the Supernova's and hit the streets. It wasn't that bad. And just to note: kudos to the pilot of that U.S. Airways flight for giving the passengers a chance to get out. Unreal story, unreal ending.

“W” is for Winter...

or "West"... or "Wrong Way"... or "Watch Out!"... or "Whistle While You Work". I could do this forever.

I couldn't help but notice the projected highs for the rest of this week. They're low. This could really test the mettle of my “who needs a car?” experiment. To be honest, I'm already in the market for an auto. I knew the day would come... just not so soon. Zipcar's departure from the Columbus area has helped with the decision. Now, if I want wheels, I have to rent them for a whole day. So I'll be buying.

This was the approach to my office building (on the right) as I walked to work this morning. The slushy snow would've made the bike ride a wet one.

Grandpa

My grandpa passed away on December 1st, 2007. Shortly thereafter, at the viewing, there was a photo album offering those in attendance a quick look at his life. My Uncle Tom and his wife, Beth, had put it together and used this photo on the last page. I finally got a scan of it over the holidays and am in the process of doing my best to touch it up a bit. I think it's a great shot all-around. I never really did hear who took it, or where and when it was taken.

There were those that knew him better than I, but this photo says a lot about what I did know.

Pigs

Last night, the Buckeyes played one hell of a football game down in Tempe, AZ... only to come up short because of some Texan with a strong arm and iconic name.

There's no way you can take anything from that game other than the fact that they played their asses off. Good for them. But leave it to the sports media outlets around the country to put their "spin" on a great game. They remind me of the Grandview cops that I see several times a day... always with the sirens blazing atop their cars writing up another ticket (that's what the photo is... the blue and red of the cop car on the left). Grown men - for the most part - that make a living taking the easy way out.

The cop sits in a driveway at the end of a 25 mph stretch that is nearly impossible to go 25 on... if only because of gravity. They make $500 a day just sitting there, easy. Writers that typically pull college duty write about guys that aren't even the best at what they do. That's the NFL... or the NBA... or MLB, etc, etc. Easy pickins for anyone looking to dish out some criticism. I think the best defensive player in college football should get to line up across from the writer of his choice in a one-on-one tackling drill each year. Now that's the kind of easy pickins I could get into.

As for the Grandview gang, I wish I had a dime for every Stop sign or red light I've seen this group roll through. "Do as I say, not as I do."

Ch, Ch, Changes

Hard to believe it's already 2009. Oh, but what a time we had saying goodbye to '08. Christmas was good. I was leery of all the travel taking a toll on our nerves and patience, but we passed with flying colors. Christmas Eve was spent in Cincinnati, Christmas Day in Piqua and then back to Cincinnati on the 28th for an engagement party and three florist appointments on the 30th... only to scoot up 71 for a short pit stop in Columbus before we made our way to Wheeling.

And had I remembered to put the keys in the glovebox of my unlocked Intrepid, it would've been a fairly mistake-free week, but leave it to me to screw up the works. But we had a great time in WV ushering lil' Gordy into married life. The weather was nice and cool, but the lack of snow on their one and only slope was a bit disappointing... as if there would've been time for it.

So now we're back in Columbus. We spent much of the weekend catching up on sleep and hating our expanded waistlines. A couple of long runs, and we'll be back in business. Time to take down the decorations and wonder what 2009 will bring. I've got some resolutions of my own and I plan on keeping them.