Wings & Prayers

While the species of these little masked and crested birds below is unknown to me the cedar waxwing (Thanks Steve!) I do know that they’ve been hanging around the house these last few days and enjoying the little black berry-type fruit that the large tree (species also unknown) in the front yard is currently bearing. …

Church On The Way

Got a load on my mind so I’m not feeling very blogversant today. Instead I’ll just leave you with this photo: Just a church front Shadow and I have had occasion to pas when our walks take us all the way over to Hoover. Larger version of the photo is here.

And I Almost Forgot

With all my harumphing below about the bike tour’s shortcomings, I forgot to make mention that at this morning’s weigh-in I’ve registered another three pound drop, bringing me to 232 (just two pounds from my first-stage goal; 3.5 months ahead of shedule) and a total of 28 pounds lost in 10 weeks.

Not My Favorite Bike Tour Ever

Having rolled in every one of the L.A. Bike Tours since they began back in 1995, I have firsthand knowledge of some being better organized than others. Today’s stands as one of the worst. Certainly its popularity is not helping. I’d bet there were at least 18,000 cyclists our there with me in the dawn’s …

First For Everything

As elaborated in the previous post this’ll be my 13th consecutive month of March involved with the L.A. Marathon either on foot (1994), on wheels (1995-2005), or both (2003 and 2005). Yet in all those years — especially the ones that I’ve only biked — I’ve always driven myself to the start vicinity, dealt with …

I’m Not The Marathon’s Bitch (At Least Not This Year)

(Flagrantly cross-posted from Blogging.la) A couple hours ago I was standing in the L.A. Convention Center’s west hall amidst the hustle and bustle of the Quality of Life Expo. I’d just picked up my bib for Sunday’s Acura L.A. Bike Tour and I was wandering the exhibitors area stuffing whatever freebies there were — nuts, …