More swimming

Yeah, yeah. It seems that the only workouts that I really post about are the swimming ones. I'll give a little blurb about the muddy softball from yesterday after I post today's swim workout.

• 200 SKPS
• 2 x 50 kick hard
• 4 x 100 @ 1:40
• 3 x 100 @ 1:30
• 2 x 100 @ 1:25
• 1 x 100 @ 1:20
• 100 cool down

2000 yards total. I didn't quite make the 2nd on 1:25 and I had aimed for 1:15 for the single, but it was a good workout anyway.

Muddy softball was...muddy softball. You couldn't see second base. A good time was had by all, though my team lost 5-4 (I think). My batting could have improved, but it was probably better than last time, and my fielding was definitely better than last time. A few more games and, well, the season will be over, but maybe next season. It's been a great time, as little as I've played.

Workouts

I finally decided to buckle down and start with workouts again. It seems that a fencing tournament is coming up and I need to be in better shape. In the last couple weeks, I've managed:

• Swimming
• Fencing
• Salsa dancing
• Softball
• Power workout
• Running (trail, road, and speed work)
• Mountain Biking

Not so bad. Just hope I can keep it up.

Fast Food

Driving home last weekend, I needed a quick stop for supper. I chose to drive through a Wendy's. While waiting to pull up to the first window, I looked in my rear view mirror at the SUV behind me. I watched the guy, while pulling up to the speaker, shift the small, white bag he had on his lap to roll down the window, reach into the bag, grab a sandwich and take a bite before placing his order. I watched him struggle to finish another bite as the attendant asked a question the man hadn't anticipated. I watched him grab a quick drink from a not-quite-finished soda as he pulled forward to collect his order.

Were there other people in the car that he was trying to appease by making multiple fast food stops?

Was he stocking up for later so he wouldn't have to make another stop?

Is there a good explanation for this?

What's Wendy's thinking trying to make us think that Vanilla Frosties are a good idea???

Swim Lessons

While I've disappeared from the blogging for a while, I've not been completely idle. I finally managed to get back in the water this week. I got a quick swim while I was in DC for two weeks, but hadn't been in the water since mid-May. There's some sort of "camp" activity going on in the VU SRC, where every child in the Greater Nashville area descends on the SRC to learn to swim. Even with this, I didn't have to share a lane (yea!). My workout was pretty straight forward:

• 200 SKPS


• 500 Swim


• 10 x 50 Swim (2 of each stroke, then finished with kicks)

Turns out to be 1800 yards, which was respectable.

With all the kids running about, the other activities scheduled for the pool at that time were a little more cramped than usual. About halfway through my workout, I was asked to move over a lane to make room for the water polo club. I moved and was appreciating the added wave action as an addition to my workout--more like open water, right? I was fine until I started thinking about the potential of stray water polo balls flying into my lane...and swimming backstroke. Naturally, as I was thinking about this, a ball landed at my hands. I decided to avoid backstroke for the rest of the workout.

Off My Lawn!

I had one of those moments this week where I realized that what I was doing was uncool. It happened in slow motion but I couldn't help myself. A little after midnight, I had settled in for a good night's rest around 11:30 and had dozed off once or twice only to be roused by the sound of an elephant (or a gangly teen) running down my hallway or a different teen (less elephant like) sneaking up on a female teen and making her scream. It's really not pleasant being awakened by the shriek of a bubbly teen girl, especially when you have to be up early.

So, I called the front desk. I was evidently not the only one to have done so. The noise stopped immediately, but as I hung up, I realized that I may be the first person to have been carded and to have called the front desk of a hotel to make the kids go to bed in the same week. And yes, the carding was legit. I wouldn't fess up if it was an "we're supposed to card anyone who looks under fifty" thing.

Feeling unhip.

Recent Wine Reviews

I haven't managed to keep up with my recent wine tastings, so I'm combining a few tasting notes. It's been a mixed bag, but I've mostly forgotten the really bad ones, so the good stuff is below:

2003 Chateau Lagrange, Les Fiefs de Lagrange
Reviewed by Wine Spectator in March '06 (Rated: 88):

Some good berry and chocolate character, with just a
hint of fresh herbs. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a medium finish.
Very good indeed. Second wine of Lagrange. Best after 2007.

I completely agree with the review. I had this at a birthday dinner at Mambu. It was a bottle I had picked up at Grand Cru (can't find the website). I stuck with my usual tuna, but the wine stood out. It's a very smooth and refined wine. It's certainly ready to drink now. I'm working on getting more.

◊ ◊ ◊

Next, while on vacation, I took my hosts my standard table wines (Clos du Bois Cabernet and Montes), and I selected a 2003 Chateau Cruzeau for a first tasting. We had the Montes on the second night with some fantastic ribs--good reviews all around. Before fishing on the last night, I opened the Cruzeau and a 2000 Ormes de Pez. My instructions when I bought the Cruzeau was to open it, let it sit for a few hours, then drink it. I'm pretty sure that heaven is coming in from a evening fishing trip to open bottles of wine. These two wines did not disappoint.

The Cruzeau has very bipolar reviews online--the most varied response I've seen. My wine guys all seem to like it and I was quite impressed. It started out much smoother than the Ormes, but ended up without the oomph. I went back and bought all that Grand Cru had left (unfortunately, they had only three).

The 2000 Ormes was definitely an Ormes de Pez. This is still one of my favorite chateaus of all time. I found a couple wine reviews (below) and I'm a little baffled by the "shoe polish" reference, but I was really happy to have a chance to have this. I've now had the 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2004. I have a couple bottles of the 1999 that I'm eager to have at some point. The thing that I like most about all Ormes I've had is the nose. There's something very distinct that really strikes me every time I drink this wine. Maybe it's the shoe polish, but I don't think so.

By Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines, Apr 03 Rated: 87--Cru Grand Bourgeois. Cast in the tighter, firmer, more austere style that is the norm for the wines of St. Estephe, this bottling is among the least approachable of the wines tasted and is a touch light on the fruity extract shown by its more highly-ranked neighbors. Still a very solid effort, it requires a good deal of patience, but it is likely to remain more stiff than succulent despite long-term cellaring.

By Stephen Tanzer Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, May/Jun 03 Rated: 88Deep red-ruby. Medicinal black cherry, shoe polish and mint on the nose. Fairly intense but cool flavors of cassis, mint and shoe polish are supported by a firm spine. Finishes with broad, dusty tannins. Showing well today. Very St. Estephe.

◊ ◊ ◊

1975 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon

I managed to taste a wine older than me. This was one of my goals for the next few years. A fellow wine geek had bought a case of the stuff in the early '80s. He gave away the last bottle in '85, but came across a bottle recently and decided it was time to have it opened. I was very much in the right place at the right time. The wine was very dark and earthy. The mouth-feel was like velvet. The finish was beautiful. Amazing.

◊ ◊ ◊

Finally, my birthday buddy and I (from above) went to Tayst to celebrate the successful defense of his proposal. We had the chef's-choice meal, which changes based on the available ingredients. This week's treat involved fresh salmon. First course was salmon tartare, beet and radish Napoleon, and apricot preserves, served with a French white (I didn't catch a name on any of the wines with the meal and I hesitate to guess from the wine list). Second course was a pumpernickel escolar, served with a French rose. Main course was a salmon fillet with risotto-stuffed morels, served with a Spanish red (I think it was a Tempranillo). Finally, the desert...a flour-less chocolate torte with a chocolate mousse topping, served with stout beer(!) and a creme brulee served with a Sauternes. Overall, a delicious inner. Additionally, the staff was amazing. One of the co-owners came out--almost chasing us as we walked out the door--thanking us for coming in and wishing us a good evening. A very good evening, it was.

Redundancy

From a listing for a wine dinner:
"Young rack of veal"

Lock 4

Jeremy and I went to Lock 4 mountain bike park today. We rode for about an hour and I think we covered a good chunk of the South side of the park, but came nowhere near hitting all the trails. There's an off road triathlon at the park in July that I am considering. Some of the trails were a bit muddy, but I think that's expected with the rain/storms we got yesterday. For the most part, the it was appropriate for me technically (not like Wapahani in B-ton!) and I had a good time. As I got more tired, I lost a little confidence and was ready to call it, but I'll going back soon, I think.

Afterwards, because of the mud, the bikes and our legs were nicely coated, so we found a car wash and pressure washed the mud off the bikes. Legs had to wait for a shower.

It was great to get out on the bike. I borrowed a bike last week in Florida and remembered how much fun it was. It was doubly nice to have a bike that fit today. I think I made it without major falls or bruises. I think Jeremy came out unharmed, too.

So, yea!! Mountain biking.

How to Eat an Elephant...

During a motivational discussion of how I was going to manage to get through all the stuff that I needed to do around finals time, it was suggested that I view it like eating an elephant--one bite a time and before you know, it your plate is clear. This is a nice idea, but it got me thinking about the elephant that I was preparing to devour:

1. As you're looking at the elephant on your plate, it's sometimes difficult to start eating because you know that it'll be a long process and once you start, there's really no turning back.
2. Shouldn't I share the elephant with the other villagers? They need to
   eat too.
3. Then again, there could be an excess of elephants and all the villagers are
   busy with their own elephants.
4. I asked for a baby elephant, thanks.
5. Elephant veal?? Eww.
6. Do elephants come with barbecue sauce?

Having devoured my elephant, I can say that while it was a challenge, it was quite tasty and I'll be having several more in the next few years.

It's Contagious

Sent to me today:

From glumbert.com (yet another video server), http://www.glumbert.com/media/laugh

Starts slow, ends slow, the middle is classic. You have permission and recommendation to stop watching when the music starts.

Enjoy!

My Tarot Card

Webhamstress had a survey posted on Free Cletus designed to find your tarot card. I was completely creeped out when I did this because it came up with the same card that I deemed "mine" in the short, dark period of Jr. High. Cue creepy music...

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Step away from the laptop

It's 1:30 am. I need to go to sleep, but I was catching up on some reading, winding down from the day (yes, all, I did finish my math assignment) and stumbled upon this and I thought, "UNpossible".

Then, I found myself following directions and walking 6 steps away from my computer and when I looked back, I thought, "woooah, poahsssible". Weird.

Then I decided to get some sleep.

Well, blog about it first, then sleep.

g'night.

P.S. Having already talked about the daily life of an octopus this week, I thought I might share that there's definitely an elephant post to come, and I think someone mentioned llamas, but I haven't figured out the relevance yet.

Stop and smell...or listen...

...but it has to do with the Metro, so be careful which you choose.

A social experiment with the disappointing, but expected, outcome.
Watch the videos.

Vanderbilt's Dean Richard Memorial Open

Jeremy and I fenced in Vanderbilt's Dean Richard Memorial Open tournament this weekend. He won, but had to go through me first (the first time we've faced each other in a tournament in years). Yes, the Nation vs. Nation joke was pulled out again. It was a nice tournament and has been growing for the last several years. I hope that they'll start springing for grounded strips and directors soon. It could turn into a really nice tournament with those added touches (no pun intended).

Who wants a new pet??

I do! I do! It seems like the octopus could be the new cat. Play, play, play...now leave me alone. Okay, I saw the headline, "Learning octopus can open bottles, squirt keeper. Next up: Finding Sarah Codder" on Fark today. The comments linked to this video (clickie if no luck with the built-in):

Octopuses have an amazing ability to squeeze through tiny crevices, cracks and holes. My fall BIOS independent studies student, Raymond Deckel is investigating just how small a hole Octopus macropus can fit through as well as how long it takes them to squeeze through different sizes of holes. CAABS intern Rowena Day, NSF-REU intern Jared Kibele as well as teaching assistant Abel Valdivia help wrangle the 232 g octopus, Ray times it’s escape through a 1 inch hole while I shot video clips for later analysis. Location: Whalebone Bay, St. George’s, Bermuda. Dr. James B. Wood - BIOS The Cephalopod Page

Trogdor vs. Baby Monster

I got to see, hold, and cuddle with Baby Monster this weekend. He's perfect and quite handsome (except, perhaps, when he's purging after his meal--an impressive sight). I think he's not quite up for slaying dragons, though.

Prêt? Flesche.

My fencing coach didn't mince words tonight. After my warm-up bout, he said, "Your flesche is terrible." For the next 45 minutes, I did nothing but flesche. Flesche to the right, to the left, hearing, "keep your hand up" and "don't stand up before you go". My legs are toast, my shoulder is toast, my brain is fried. I suppose the good news is that I managed to get in a few coach-approved flesches during my closing bout. I am definitely going to feel the workout for a few days.

Finding Directions

While reading on the infoweb sometime last week, I came across a thread about Google Maps. I was completely entertained that someone had found driving directions from Chicago, IL to London, England. Please note the method of crossing the pond.

/Everyone begs for Sarah's classes to become unbearable again so she will stop posting crap like this...

Swimming in Soup

Tonight's swim was one of those where I was sure they replaced the water in the pool with Jell-O or some sort of thickened broth. The latter is probably a more accurate description because on top of the water being a touch too warm, I felt like I had a sack of potatoes tied to my toes. The good news is that I completed 2000 yards. The bad news is that I planned 3000. The good news is that the yards I put in were strength/sprint yards. I'm going to hurt later.

• 200 SKPS
• 4 x 4 x 25 (Each set different stroke)
• 200 kick (butterfly)
• 5 x 100 IM
• 100 Cool Down

So, yeah, that adds up to 2000.

Makin' (tiny) Waves

Swam tonight. I wanted so very much to swim forever, but had to settle for a nice long workout (for me) and accept the fact that I'm not quite able to swim forever, mostly due to time constraints.

• 200 SKPS
• 3 x 500
• Hypoxic 5
• Every other 100 concentrate on stroke
• Swim
• Down the ladder from 400
• 400-Concentrate on turns (no breathing off the wall)
• 300-Butterfly on the 1st 25 of each 100
• 200-IM
• 100-Cool down, last 25 underwater dolphin kick on my back (you know, for fun)

If I count correctly, it adds to 2800 yards. Sigh. Now I'm hungry.