Da Gazelle

Austin kicks it in to pass one last runner before finishing his first cross country meet of the season! He finished the 5K at 21:59, a few seconds slower than last year, but it was 15 degrees warmer this season. Tough course as there are 2 significant climbs that are no fun in the heat. There is one period in September where he races 5 times in a 12 day stretch. Somewhere along the line he hopes to pass his personal best of last year which was right around 20:30. We will keep you posted....

D.N.C.

Well, Denver will be in the worldwide spotlight as the Democratic National Convention comes to town. Working in law enforcement, it is a big deal. Our agency alone is loaning out 135 officers who will be assigned to the Pepsi Center working 12 hrs shifts through Thursday night. Personally, it is sad that we are spending $90 million dollars (40 mill to host it and 50 million dollar grant for security) for what amounts to a stuff-coat party. Maybe it is just me, but doesn't cancer research, to name just one, need a few more pennies for research? And yes, I would say the same about the R.N.C. that starts in Minneapolis after the D.N.C. closes its doors.

Regardless, Denver is hopping, including Rocky Mtn Metro Airport where I cycled out to see Cam, who turned 20 years old yesterday, working an 18 hour shift. As the photos verify, he does actually work. Teri drove out a bit later to get a glimpse.

A Gulfstream III dropping a load of passengers. Cam said it was some Senator's staff, but he could not recall who.

Cam marshalling up the plane.

Ted Turner is in town....

Cam exiting the tug as the reposition the jet out of the way for the week.

A couple of Blackhawks will be stationed at our nearby airport and will be circling the Denver metro area looking for aircraft that should NOT be airborne. Airspace for about a 10 mile radius will be very restricted with orders to "escort" those who violate from now until Thursday night.

We are praying for an uneventful week!

Personal Record....

Amidst the Olympics and all the heart-warming stories, I thought I would share one of my own achievements. I am now ONE POUND away from my all time weight record, as in body mass, not weight lifting. I think that qualifies me for a silver medal!

I weighed 221 lbs. in late 2003 when I began my marathon training and got down to 195 lbs by race day Valentines 2004. Actually, I got deathly ill with an untreated sinus infection so was down to 184 at my Dr.s visit in April. So, what began the demise? I think it was depression--the onset when I was told at the marathon that at my weight I qualified for the "Clydesdale" division, the highest category, in terms of race day weight. Well, why didn't they just put me in the "Runners Who Create Their Own Pot Holes" category. Instead of gel snacks, protein bars and shoe laces in my race day goodie bag, perhaps some inner thigh lubricant and my own personal CPR guide would have sufficed. Being called a Clydesdale has made it so tough to watch Super Bowls and all of those Budweiser commercials. Perhaps I just need to trade our lab mix in for a Dalmatian and I will be all set.

So, moving forward. Is there such thing as reverse-Bulimia or contra-Anorexia. You know--you look in the mirror and you are convinced you are NOT overweight. Instead of heading to the toilet to hurl, you head to the fridge to fry you up a burrito. I mean there is a diagnosis for everything else in this world, so I have to be on to something here.

What is the true gauge? Go try a BMI (body mass index) calculator like this one and see what your results are. Once again, I earn the Silver medal as I am in the Overweight category. A couple more bowls of ice cream and the Gold is mine as I would be Obese. At 6ft 2", my high normal weight should be around 195 lbs. Forget that. Holy cow (no pun intended), what would I weigh if I didn't work out?

So, the creative side of my brain has a solution. Using the same BMI calculator and plugging in 220 lbs, to be 'normal weight', I need to be 6ft 7" tall. I now have a goal to add 5 vertical inches by December 31st.

Off to Google to find me a plan....

Retirement looming...

With all of my recent weather related posts, I am starting to think retirement must be looming. After all, isn't The Weather Channel ones favorite channel when you are relegated to the Lazy Boy and the remote control?

What a past 24hrs...we have gone from the projected "3rd driest year" in Denver's weather history to "above annual rainfall" pace....soooo weird.....

Friday starts the deluge of moisture.....

Pretty much 60 straight hours...

Liquid gold...

A revived back yard....humm, is it time to call the Realtor??

Sunday noon, off on my bike ride.. return to normalcy....boats abound in Standley Lake

General aviation returns to the skies.....

Cam on 'break' from his refueler job at the airport as his dad has delivered his mail via the bike...

Yes, the 'white tops' in the foreground appeared over the weekend--SNOW at about 11,000 ft.---Fall is in the air!

Extremes....

Well, as we have clearly posted this year, extreme moves in the weather have been the calling for 2008. While the previous post was "Hot Dog", today has gone to the other end of the pendulum. We set a 128 year old record for the "coldest high temperature on this date" hitting only 60 degrees, and that was at 3am. The rest of the day it just kept getting colder. Teri's car at 1pm recorded the temp at 49 degrees---yes, on August 15th! RAIN, sweet rain, all day long, probably nearing an inch in the gauge. Weekend pretty much calls for the same, SO looking forward to a cycle ride under these conditions!

All else is quiet and well...looking forward to my 4 day weekend...and my favorite football game tomorrow nite--Donkeys vs. Da Boys!

Hot Dog

After 12 years, the lab hound mix has finally figured out the cooling system....cool wood floors on her belly and her head right above the floor vent--her new favorite spot for Summer time relaxation. She can also lifeguard the backyard at the same time checking through the patio door for birds and squirrels whom she has unsuccessfully tried to capture.

Sorry, slow newsday....

47 days!

....since the skies last parted over Arvada, CO!

I arrived home amidst darkening clouds and rising humidity and decided to taunt the heavens by leaving open my truck windows-- it paid dividends!

Gutter gusher!

Street bath....

.75 of an inch in 45 minutes--perfect downpour!

Stuff...

• The record breaking "consecutive days above 90" ends today! It was trounced with 23 consecutive days versus the prior of 18 days, eclipsing a record set over 100 years ago. Unfortunately, moisture, or lack of, is still on pace for the driest year ever. June 20th, yes 6 weeks ago, was the last measurable rainfall we had in our subdivision.
• Austin treated himself to his own 17th birthday gift by buying a new (to him) I-phone. Now that my friends is some slick technology. I mentioned 17 was a 'meaningless' birthday year but Austin indicated he is now able to see Rated R movies. So, Cameron, as a big brother example, wants to take him to see a Rated R movie (things parents don't want to hear).
  
• We had lunch with Cameron and his girlfriend yesterday. They (things parents don't want to hear) moved in together along with two of Cameron's high school friends. The foursome are renting a home in Broomfield and have signed a one year lease. Crystal ball is forecasting some interesting stories. Next Monday all four sets of parents are invited for a BBQ--pretty much "Meet the Fockers II"..
  
• Been a couple months since Teri and I enjoyed coffee at Five Bucks, so we hung out about an hour and chatted about our lovely marriage-- conversation went about 59 minutes too long--just kidding. We actually discussed our two kids and our involvement in their future, needed the coffee to keep us awake.
  
• I accomplished a 1st on my bike today--after 2,500 miles of traversing the last few years, I was curious as to whether I could hit 40 mph on what is essentially is a mountain bike. Evidence of one of two things: 1) I have a degree from Pan American or 2) faith in God. I lived to type about it. Also evidence that 215 lbs. pointed downhill does create some energy.
  
• As you can see by the photos, our Fall Ebay inventory yearns for cooler weather. We are well supplied as we have continued shopping all Summer for our most profitable items.

• Off to enjoy the gorgeous weather, current noon time temperature for our Texas friends: 74!
  

A Weekend Laugh....

As one who loves pranks, this meets my highest of standards...enjoy.....