Wishing Inspiration Would Rub Off On Me...

My friend Bee broke her ankle about 9 weeks ago.  Last week she arrived at the weekly Emigration Canyon ride on an old mountain bike with flat pedals wearing an ankle boot.  She managed 12 miles of the usual 24.  The trooper she is she turned up again on her mountain bike last night and managed to do 19 of the 24 miles.  She’s such an inspiration! 

Photo: My Friend Bee and her husband Peter.

It was funny because not more than 4 weeks prior I went with her to the opera and she was going around on crutches.  At that time she was telling me how much she was missing going on the Emigration Canyon rides and was really hoping the doctor would release her for bike riding soon.  The real funny part is that as we were all cycling over to the canyon as a group, she was telling all of us how it was easier to cycle than it was to walk.  I had to laugh and I could help but think – “Now THAT’s a hard core bicyclist!”   You GO GIRL!

 I wish I could have some of that “You GO GIRL” from Bee would rub off on me.  I’m fine with the evening bike riding and a little running here & there.  But the early mornings, I can’t seem to get up and motivated at all.  It especially seems true of Monday mornings.  I only barely am managing to get to work on time on Monday’s. 

 It’s strange because last year I was getting up early 5 days a week.  Last year if I wasn’t doing the early Monday, Wednesday, or Friday wake up ride of 11 miles; you would find me running 3 to 4.5 miles at a local park.  This year, I’m not managing Mondays at all.  Running in the early mornings of Tuesday & Thursday’s is a FORGET-A-BOUD-IT!  Wednesday is a drag myself to the Early Morning Wake Up bike ride and Thursday’s I figure I’m riding that night so why run in the morning.  Fridays now I am signed up for Jump Board Pilates classes so I NEED to go.  I’m putting good money out for these classes so I force myself to get up and get going.

""Psychedelically Cranked"; Poured Watercolor on Paper by me that is in the Gallery Roll"

 I always considered myself an early morning and late night person.  Mid afternoon is always my low period of the whole day but lately it seems like early mornings have been becoming not so good.  Maybe I just need a break or something?  So Saturday morning, I’m planning on sleeping in.  Though, I don’t think that will be a problem because the night before I have an art show (I’ve got three pieces in the SLC Gallery Roll- Click here for more info.) and then I’m supposed to meet up with the “girls” afterwards for drinks.

Electronics & A Phoenix Vacation...

My alarm clock did not go off this morning as it should have; either that or I REALLY slept through it. So I missed my early morning run this morning which is probably a good thing since I’m still a little saddle sore from my Tuesday night Emigration Canyon ride.

My other electronic device that I’ve been having problems with is my phone. It’s been sometimes freezing up when I try to text. Could I have worn out the numbers on the phone? The phone is three years old and I’m overdue for getting a new one but I kind of like not being on a contract. Oh, there are my commitment issues coming up! Oh no! My other concern is that I may get hooked on a new fangled type of phone and end up paying more than what I should have. Though, I will admit that I would like to get one where I could check my email. (Other wise I just mainly have access to internet at the office during weekdays.) But I’ll probably give in and get a new phone the next time I’m at the Mall. (The last time was 4 months ago… The big shopper that I am!)

But on the good side, my NOOK has been working wonderfully!  I have now read 6 books on it and have downloaded another 35 on to it.  I will admit that it has been rather addicting.  I find quite often I will turn it on in any of my spare moments and be reading right along.  It was wonderful to have it on my recent short vacation, and I had no problems taking it through the airport security.

This last week I splurged and went on a short vacation to Phoenix. Yep! Phoenix during August--- a REAL HOT spot! Not the most ideal for a vacation.  But I met my friend Sal down there. He was attending a Plastic Models Convention. It was fun. We caught a couple of Diamondback games and just kind of hung out. I tell you I thought that cyclists were geeks but these people that do smaller scale models~ WOW! They are TOTAL geeks! Here are a few pictures from my Phoenix trip.

( A little siteseeing in downtown Phoenix-- notice no one else is out in the heat!)

(We- Myself & Sal, took a morning tour of Chase Field.   NOTE: Usually that roof is closed during games and it's air conditioned during the game. Below, I'm in the Dug Out!)

( Other Photos from the Tour of Chase Field- The front case where trophies are & yes, a tire in the wall- So those players can take out their frustration with their bat!)

(Above: For $3900 You TOO can watch the game from inside this pool!  Below: After the game on Friday night, there were fire works!  It only took 4 minutes to open the roof.)

(Above: Sal looking over some model tanks that are entered into a contest. Below: Some of the models that were also entered into the contest.)