Wanna screw?

The private deck has been a thorn in my side for a long time. It's always been on the list of things to get done, but everyone knows how that goes...
So, when my dad came out to visit this week, we worked together and got it done.  The underside was still in good shape so luckily that didn't need to be done. Also, the back sealed in porch was built on part of the deck so we would have to patch the new deck into parts of the old.

The work went pretty fast when my dad and I weren't "discussing" how to do it right.
Jared even worked both full days as the nail puller and did a great job stacking lumber by the road.

And, the dogs even stepped in for little inspections once it started to become safe for them to walk on it.

It will still need the railing pressure washed and painted and the decking will have to be sealed. But, all in all, it went together pretty well. It was kinda fun to have it mostly done and just run the drills with dad and get it all screwed:-)  It will look great with some plants and furniture.
And, like all hard working days, there must be a reward at the end right?

My view...

     When I ride, this is the view I have.  This view has provided me the mental clarity to deal with many things.  This is one of the reasons for which I have always come back to biking as a form of constructive exercise.  There is something about it which sets my mind at ease and lets me focus on the road ahead.  

     If everyone had one of these views, whatever it may be, the world would be a much calmer and quieter place.  So...enjoy the pic of my view today.  I hope you can find the view that you need to sort out the things in life that are holding you back so you can go forward with a big giant smile!

    

What? Me busy?! A life?!!

     Yes, it's true!  I work, I ride, I run, I work, I work, I parent; I am constantly on the go anymore.  With this in mind, it was great to have a break from the madness the last two evenings.  My life or lack there of, depending on who is reading, comes with a price.  The price is that you never get to associate with many friends and speak to others as if you are a normal human so your ability to communicate goes somewhat downhill:-)
     So, when the offer to go out the last couple of days became available, I took it!  Friday:  Dinner and drinks, and then a late movie!  Saturday:  Movie on the cheap and dinner.  Hell, Friday I even managed to stay out until the vampires were running the streets.  They are a strange crew, let me tell you.  I didn't even arrive home until 3 hours before my normal up time (OK, maybe not. Insomnia is my latest incarnation).  Yesterday was a little different as it was just a matinee and dinner was at a friends so at least I didn't risk a bite.
     All this fun has me thinking that I have a normal life.  What's next?  I sit here at the computer in the wee hours of the morning contemplating my next life altering experience.  Maybe today I'll run before I ride.  Maybe I'll call a friend and go flying for the first time in months.  Maybe I'll take the dog to the dog park and watch the drool happen.  Or, maybe I'll take a chance at something new.  Maybe I'll register for the fourth of July midnight run I did a few years ago.  Whatever is decided, I at least know that I can still make and keep friends that somehow think I am still sane.  And, that my life is hard and fun and filled with whatever you can behold; in other words...normal:-)   

Something orange!

     Yesterday was a busy day!  One of the best things about the day was finally getting around to potting two trees (a Calamondin Orange and a Persian Lime) and repotting another orange that had a rough winter.  There is something just pleasing about planting things and having them grow that seems to stimulate me somehow.  I know it sounds corny, but eating out of ones own garden is really rewarding!
     I had picked up four nice bags of soil from The Home Depot that were on special and brought them home.  I didn't realize this, but I only needed one as the roots of the plants were fairly significant. The older tree will have to be repotted again in the near future.  I don't know what I was thinking as I had the pot already and should have just planted it in the right pot to begin with, but such is life:-)

      One thing is for sure...the Calamondin tree looks exquisite!  It is in full bloom and I am hoping I can get some fruit from it this year.  The other two will need some time and I will have to look out this winter for all of them as frost is evil!

     Perhaps the most intriguing part of the process was moving the large pot and having a bright orange corn snake pop out from underneath it.  I think I accidentally hurt it moving the pot as it was a little aggressive.  They aren't usually like that.  I did manage to transport him with my arm, as he was biting my fingers, to the small rose bush for a photo op:-)

Back in the Saddle...

      For almost a week, riding my bike has been put on the back burner.  The weather was the main culprit and getting out for a quick run between showers was easier than having to get rained on on the bike.   The other reason is that it was my weekend for my son to stay over and I even managed to swipe him from his mom for the holiday.   We still managed to keep very busy exercising and he is starting to like running...OK...not really, but he does it even if it is just to please his dad:-) 
     Anyway, when the time came today to jump on the bike, I jumped!  I raced home from work, changed, aired up the tires, mounted the camera, and off I went.  Nothing was stopping me.  It's amazing how work on the bike feels so good.  I was grinning most of the way despite the strong head winds on the way out.  I managed a quick 20 miles and jumped into the shorts and ran 3.  Not bad for a start of the week.  OK...not the start, but for me?...I'll say yes!  Then, it was gangbusters to clean and rush down to the school. 
     My son had lost his ID card and can't get on the bus anymore without it.  So I picked him up and headed home.  Now to get into planting the trees into the pots with the new soil:-)

Alien!!!

     Up at 2 and nothing to do? Write about something scary! Yesterday, while the rain was whipping, I decided to pull out an old favorite.  Alien.  With the upcoming movie Prometheus about to take to the theater, what better way to get a quick brush up on the fun, than to show my son what a very good, scary movie is like. I pulled it out and decided my son was ready to watch it.  I did forewarn him, but he’s 10 so nothing scares him.  After the first ten minutes, I remembered why I loved the movie so much.  Scott is amazing at capturing the quiet and translating it to film.  The suspense just kind of sneaks up out of nowhere and bites you where you least expect it.  The way in which the creature is presented fully grown is amazing and iconic.  I think the creature, in total, is on the screen for a whole five minutes?  But, you’re scared for most of the movie?  This says a lot!!!

       Even my young son loved it.  I don’t think he liked jumping every time the cat jumped on someone, but it was funny to watch.  I can’t wait to see Prometheus just to see if Scott can pull off the same type of movie quality that he is known for.  I’m kind of tired of the lack of quality in not only sci-fi movies, but horror movies alike.  And, being a fan of both, I have been waiting eagerly for this picture to be made.  In fact, now that my son is a fully fledged fan and was actually able to sleep with no problems, bring it on!  OK…maybe after a screening session ;-)   And, just in case you won't be able to get over the scary alien picture, look at this one to relieve any fear then close my page...

This just in…

     The zombie apocalypse has begun.  Lock your doors and bar your windows!  Make sure your son is where you left him and not running loose.   There will be safety nets outside most major cities to quell the uprising of dead and take back what the dead have taken from us.  Barricades will be monitored with the most up to date monitoring systems and manned with personnel around the clock so you and your loved ones will be safe.  Oh, and please, please stay away from Vegas!!
    

      It's really too bad the victim wasn't Chuck Norris or none of this would have happened!  Anyway...just making light of an otherwise tragic situation.  Damn, I hate zombies!!!