Merry Christmas to all and to all....

I just wanted to take a quick minute to wish everyone a blessed Christmas. Looking forward to spending my first Christmas with my daughter (when I'm not layed up). Next week I'll do a 2009 year in review, and look forward to 2010. Season's beatings to all and lay off the cookies you lard ass, oh no ... that's me, never mind.

Ho Ho Ho,

Craiger Claus

Spoke too Soon

Well, I jinxed myself. Got 3 inches of snow yesterday, and now we're under a Winter Storm Warning from noon today until 6 P.M. TOMORROW! I've heard everything from 8-14 inches when it's all done. Hung Gary up on his perch upside down like a sleeping bat. I guess he deserves a rest. I think devised a way to still be able to run a couple times a week. In the back of my office building is a warehouse for lumber and other building materials. With the economy the way it is, it's pretty much empty. With a little imagination, it kind of looks like an indoor track...sort of. Good enough to at least help me keep my wind up over the winter. I'm already falling into a deep depression with no regular riding. Hey at least I haven't broken anything yet this winter. Yesterday was the 1 year aniversary of my ankle break, so I reflected on how bad last Christmas and winter SUCKED! I pray that this year will be better.

Kippis,

Craigers

It's beginning to look alot like.......Autumn?

Still pretty damn nice weather here in Wisconsin (especially seeing it's December). I never thought I'd still be riding this deep into the season, but I got out this morning for a quick jaunt. 33 degrees and no snow on the ground at 4:00 on a December morning is nothing to complain about. Clear skies and early morning hours have really made for some beautiful "Moon Sets". I can only equate it to an autumnal "harvest moon", but as the moon is goin down rather than coming up, very cool. Things look to change in the near future though, and we'll probably have snow soon (which is ok too, don't get me wrong). Thanks to the mild weather, however, I've been able to add almost 200 extra miles to my 2009 goal. Pretty soon I'll be banished to the indoor stationary and strength training until the snow melts to a reasonable depth.

I've decided to attempt the "Kettleman" Duathlon next September, so training should begin like now. Seriously, I think I've found a good 60 training course to prepare for a duathlon, so we'll see how it goes. Starting to plan for next years rides so if anyone has some good ones that they wouldn't mind me tagging along on let me know.

It's also time to get your "shag" on. With the onset of December, the 2nd annual "Finnish Face Warmer Contest" will begin. Start growing your wooly jaw and we'll look for pictures around the end of March or so. I'm waiting to be de-throned as the current "King of Beards" (and clearly to be brought back down to earth and have my head deflated).

Let's take care of some business:

December Reading:
"Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
I'm not sure how to explain this one. It centers around the bombing of Dreseden in WWII, but also jumps back and forth between beings from another planet and bouncing around through time. I know, kind of strange, but surprisingly easy to follow, and rather humorous as well. I actually am looking forward to reading more by Vonnegut.

December Listening:
"Sing-Along Songs for the Damned & Delirious" by Diablo Swing Orchestra


"A Tap Dancer's Dilemma"

Kippis,

Craigers

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your time with friends and family. I'm thankful this year for my beautiful wife and daughter, for great friends to ride with, for being able to walk again, and for being healthy enough to ride and run.

For all of our friends not in the U.S. have a happy Thursday (hehehehe).

Kippis,

Craigers

Happy November!

Hi everyone and Happy November. October came and went way too fast as usual. With all the usual autumn festivities, hayrides, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, and the coup de gras - trick or treating, taking center stage. Not alot occurred in my cycling or fitness world last month, and if it did, I blogged about it. Now I'm just trying to squeeze in as many mile as possible before the snow flies, and to brace for my sudden switch to my "winter training", which will consist of indoor stationary bike, free weights, and the occasional run (weather permitting).

As the weather gets colder, time becomes more well spent with some good reading. My list keeps growing daily, but here's one for you to add to your list.

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" - by Oscar Wilde. A rather good read once you get used to some of the olde english. A tale of a young man cursed by a portrait of himself. As he commits wrong doing, eventually to the point of murder, his sins show up as old age on the portrait, not on him, eventually pushing him to the breaking point. As I read the book, I was reminded of the evil the at everyone has the potential for inside of them if it goes unchecked. As I thought of that, I was reminded of a song and figured I'd add that to the soundtrack of my life for his month.

"The Evil that Men Do" - by Iron Maiden. Off of the 1988 "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son", this is arguably my favorite Maiden album, and equally as arguable, my favorite Maiden song.



I'll leave you with lyrics from "Only the Good Die Young" (also from the same Maiden album), which are also rather fitting for this theme.

"Measure your coffin, does it measure up to your lust........so until the next time have a good sin".

Craigers