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