Trail Dog for President in 2012

No chance in hell! After watching the presidents speech last night though, there are a few things I'd like to address. WARNING: If you are easliy offended, stop reading NOW. If you choose to read on, and I do happen to offend you, GET OVER IT.

First off, let's get something straight, I am NOT a democrat. I am also NOT a republican. By birth, I am an American (a Scandinavian-American if you want to be politically correct - see how stupid that sounds Reverends Jackson and Sharpton). I am also by belief, a christian.

Why do we not only have to introduce the President twice before he speaks (because I'm pretty sure everyone knows who he is), but we also have to clap for 20 minutes at each introduction. Maybe it's to weed out the sleepy watching at home. Or more likely to lull us to sleep so we don't quite get everything that's said.

I seriously wanted to listen to Mr. Obama's speech. Let's face it, our president is a phenomenal speaker. You know, another great speaker was Adolf Hitler. My point is a good speaker doesn't always make the best leader. I heard that I won't have my taxes raised because I make less the $250,000 per year. If I did make that much money, I guess I wouldn't care if my taxes were raised. I also heard that I'm probably going to get a tax credit that will show up on my pay check on April 1st (isn't that April fools day? - ironic isn't it). Now the President didn't say how much that was, but I've heard $13.00 per pay period. Whooooooopppppppeeeeeeee! When gas goes back up, I can maybe put some in my tank.

I also heard that a bunch more jobs are going to be created in schools, and road construction, and the health care industry. What about the guy, like my grandfather, that made brass plumbing fixtures for years in a factory? How is this helping all of the manufacturing jobs that have been eliminated in just the last six months? Didn't win me over with this one. (For clarification, I am not in a manufacturing position, but alot of "average" americans are - so I thought along their lines).

President Obama said "I get it". I beg to differ. He's going to institute some plan to help "responsible" home owners make their house payments by refinancing at some special rate. So the guy who just turned 50 and lost his job in a factory is going to refinance his home for another 30 years and maybe have it payed off before he dies? Yeah right. Guess what? I'm one of those people that lives in house that they can afford. I didn't extend myself beyond my means. I work hard and pay my bills. I don't need government help, I just want to keep my job. Hmmmm, that's a novel idea.

At this point I became disillusioned, and became distracted. Distracted by Nancy Pilosi. The fuzzy green dress she was wearing made her look like the Grinch. I also believe she either had hemroids and couldn't sit for more than 2 minutes at a time, or she has a spring surgically implanted in her ass, cuz she was up and down more times than a freight elevator on delivery day. And fast. Man she was just jumping up faster than a thin sh*t through a tall swede (sorry Swedish-American).

Joe Biden has nice teeth. Bad hair, but nice teeth. (see I'm not all negative).

Obama said he wanted to "reach across the aisle" and be bi-partisan. Last night was a vulgar display of partisanship. I thought I was watching a stand up routine for a minute with all the hooting and hollaring that was going on when B-Rock said that we "inherited this budget". Now the republicans were at fault too. I noticed a real lack of respect from them sometime by not clapping. Or maybe they just wanted to go home and go to bed and not go through another 20 minute fanfare. Honestly, the only reaching across the aisle I expect to see is if B-Rock tries to give McCain a titty twister. You've got to give the people of Minnesota some credit by voting in an independant to a major office. Now, I don't know if Jesse "The Body" was a great Governor, but I at least give Minnesotans a nod for having the balls to try him out.

Now I'm equal opportunity, so I will rip on the "republican response" to the speech as well. First off I think the other parties reponse to a presidents speech is dumb. Your guy isn't in office so we'll give you a chance to shoot your opponents down anyway. Bobby Jindal. Wow. Is this the new look of the republicans for 2012? I'll tell you. listening to him made me feel like I was at story time at the library. I thought he was going to take of his dress shoes and coat, put on some deck shoes and a cardigan, and start singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood". Boy if this is how he acted in Slumdog Millionaire I don't think I want to see it. What's that? That wasn't him in Slumdog Millionaire? My bad, sorry Bobby.

I am the Trail Dog and I approve this message.

2009 Tour of California Parade of Idiots

Check out this you tube vid of the morons trying to "run with the big dogs" during this years Tour of California. I heard about this on the radio and had to check it out for myself. The last guy isn't real clear on the vid, but it's some dude dressed like a bumble bee, carrying a pitch fork looking thing. The ends of the pitch fork are actually syringes, so I think the nimble d$ck is actually trying to make a statement against doping in cycling. The best part is about it is Lance gives him an elbow shot and knocks him down right into a snow bank. Priceless!

1st Annual Trail Dog Finnish Face Warmer Contest

I think we need to have a little fun here. I know that some of us grow beards for hunting season or hockey season or snowmobile season or just for winter in general. Well this year, based on the fact that for almost 2 months I couldn't stand long enough without crutches to even think about shaving, I decided to grow me a beard ( to the shegrin of my wife).

I know that the Big Cat had a little bit of growth going from seeing his youtube video (so that means you're in this contest brother). I'm sure maybe some others out there have some growth too.

So from now until March 2nd, we'll have open entry to see who had the best growth. This will be equal opportunity, so ladies, if you didn't have time to get you lip waxed last week, we'll accept that too.

Send your pictures to me at craigm.seider@gmail.com I'll post the pics on the blog after the 2nd, and I'll open a poll for voting. All emailed pictures will become my property, and trust me, when this is all over, I will be deleting them from my system (cuz honestly, I don't want to look at you any more than you do).

Winner gets exclusive bragging rights for the next year! That's one hell of a prize!

Die with your boots on,

Craigers

Wigwam MTB Challenge Re-Visited

Saw these videos on youtube of the WORS Wigwam MTB Challenge that I did back in October. Now, I am not in any of these videos, but it gives you a pretty good idea of what I've been doing with my free time for the last 9 months. I am still a beginner, so my time doesn't get logged any where but in my head. My next class jump would move me to Men's Citizen Clydesdale 34 and under. Had I raced in that class in October I would've come in 4th. Anyway, enjoy these vids.

Kippis,

Craigers

Physical Therapy Day 1

So I had my first Physical Therapy (we'll call it PT from here on out) session last for the surgically repaired ankle fracture (we'll call that the pain in my arse, even though it really is a pain in my ankle). The big tough Trail Dog was reduced to a more of a Treadmill Puppy.

I was so proud that I was walking not only without crutches, but I was walking without my cane as well. Nothing but a lace up ankle brace for support. Bring it on!

My range of motion sucks! My therapist said "I'm going to push on your foot, don't let me move it." Yeah right. I've got damn near zero strength in my ankle, and I can't stand on that foot without hanging on to anything for more than a few seconds. The swelling in my calf, ankle and foot is still way too much.

I guess it's a good thing I went PT (after all the complaining I did about having to go).

My biggest question was am I going to be good to go by May when all the rides and races start up again? Her reply was "We'll know for sure by April. It's going to be up to you to push yourself to get back to normal." Now, my therapist seems like a very pleasant young lady, however, I have no intentions of seeing her in April. I need positive re-enforcement so all you readers send me some good vibrations.

Kippis,

Craigers

New Month = News & Changes

Hard to imagine an entire month of 2009 has come and gone, but with a new month, comes news, weather, and sports.

First off, the topic that has dominated my life for the past two months (which all of you are probably sick to death of hearing about), my ankle. Saw the doc again today. I've graduated from the giant ankle to knee boot with the 6" Gene Simmons platform heel, to a lace up ankle brace. Imagine, if you will, walking with this monstrous "thing" on your foot for two weeks. This boot rivals the Pimp of the Year platforms from "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka". If they were only hollow in the heel, I could have kept my goldfish in them. Now think about this. You get used to walking while having to step like your going up a stair. Then, all of a sudden, the extra height is gone. I damn near fell on my face just due to that fact alone! And now I still have to go to physical therapy. Oh well, at least I'm progressing and not regressing. We'll see what he has to say in another month.

I've decided to make a little change to the right hand column of the blog. Rather than list a pick for an album and a book to read for the month, I've decided to list a music and book pick in the first post of the month. I figured not only could I then get into a little more depth as to why I've chosen what I did, I also might spark some conversation (good, bad , or indifferent) into my choices. So let's get to it.

February 2009 Book of the Month

" Ghost Trails" - by Jill Homer

Wow. I guess I never knew there were folks out there that are this hardcore into biking. This book is a great chronology of Jill's journey through the 2008 Iditarod Invitational Race. She delves into some of her life that led her to the point and time of the race, which helps to explain a little bit why she did what she did. I don't want to ruin any of this one for you, but felt for a "first time" author (at least as far as a book goes) it's a pretty good read. The 2009 Iditarod Invitational starts on March 1st. You can check up on all racers during the race via the website, http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

February 2009 Trail Tunes

"Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors" - Various Artists

Released in 2000 as a tribute album to the doors, all the tunes are great. It features some great timeless artists like Aerosmith, Bo Diddley, and John Lee Hooker, as well as some artists of the era like Smashmouth, Creed, and Days of the New. This one is in the "frequently played" category on my MP3.

Another new area of the blog is links to the products that I use, including Gary Fisher, Shimano, and Lizard Skins to name a few.

I hope this finds everyone healthy and happy. Spring is just around the corner.

Kippis,

Craigers