I have DSL again!!!!! Now I can actually *be present* on Tribe ....

Life is good ...

(this was *last* year, found it on a floppy).
--- --- ---
I thought it would be the last decent day before the cold set in, last day I could still ride in shorts and shirt, and I was almost right. Next day held, but then the north wind rose and the thermometer plunged. I’m glad I made the most of it. Got in a nice ride down the Lakefront, did my first real trail riding, worked as a course marshal at a race, and went skinny dipping: all in one day!

Rode the Lakefront bike path south. What a headwind. Still made good time, while shaking up a few tourists with the unexpected 'on your left' as they strolled. Meet up with Anthony – theologian no less, and a cyclist from the UK who had posted for a riding partner on Craig's. Fairly new to Chicago, he wanted to get in a little trail riding down in Palos (Forest Preserve). First time serious trail riding for me. Had to get some basics down, like figuring out what gears I'd need for the climbs (hint: not the big ring! I'm a roadie at heart, and *can* climb most Midwestern hills in the big ring). It was cool, and I didn’t biff, but there was one steep downhill with a couple of large gullies leading into loose dirt / stones / gravel where I walked it through that section. Gravel (and wet leaves) being things I've learned to respect, the hard way, the tuition being bad gashes and blood.

By late afternoon arrived back at Lincoln Park, the 'Pumpkins in the Park 5k' race location, checked in at the volunteer booth, and picked up my absolutely awesome giant furry bright orange pumpkin hat, my flags, and an also so awesome Dri-fit top, and then checked around for friends and running buddies. Went to my station, a park road crossing: as it was a road, there were two of Chicago’s finest there as well. Priorities? They had a radio sitting on the hood of the squad (which they were sitting on) tuned to the Notre Dame game, the senior guy on the detail taking periodic pulls after each play on a stogie. The race? Runners dressing up in all manner of wacky costumes (some you, dear reader, can imagine, some you can't) and try to race in them, with often-humorous results. Parents, kids, teens, old folks. Not a competitive crowd: but there were the truely dedicated at the front proving they could run sub-5 minute miles.

Post-race, after I had consumed enough free volunteer beer and other delights, I started home on the Lakefront path. It was now dark. As I rode, I got the idea in my head 'skinny dipping, it may not be this warm again’ - It might not be this warm - It might not be this warm ... <G>

Thinking (again) about how it might be the last warmish night of the year, checked out the beach at Montrose, behind the dunes and trees. Maybe, but rode out on the breakwater, found there were guys fishing for salmon. Went up north of the dog beach. There was a group of people working out and running sprints in the sand. OK, rode south to check out the rocks east of the golf course. Spent time reading the water in the full moonlight, barefoot, to see where I’d be able to get in, and perhaps more importantly, get out, with the waves and moss-covered rocks. Made sure there were no Coho-catchers (humpies to you west coasters) hoofing about the harbor entrance. Shucked off the rest of my clothes and slipped into the surprisingly frigid water (a bit cold for a swim actually), but savoring the feel of water all over me the way water was meant to be enjoyed. Hauled myself out and propped my head up on a rock for some nude moonbathing (with the skyline to the south!) until the cooling air could no longer be ignored.

Memories to hold until next summer.

Work. Even though I've started and was on-site for two days last week, it still hasn't sunk in that I *am* working and actually will be able to have fun doing some really good work for a client *and* will also soon have enough money to live on, and even pay back those who have helped keep the wolves (landlord, electric co., etc.) at bay, when I could hear them at the front door.

It's the right time to thank each of you for all the thoughts, prayers (however you go about doing the invocation thing), even the quick word here that was so precious when I felt like things were about to go under. You needn't have even done anything overt. Just being in that moment, for that moment, counts big.

Peace, hugs, laughter. May they spread freely among y'all.

Experienced some the widest mood swings in my life Friday.

I was on the way downtown on the Red Line (subway) when a guy keeled over between the Lake and Washington stops in the middle of rush hour. With several people got him on the floor of the car, contacted the motorman who held the train in the station waiting for EMS. Short story is three others in the car knew CPR as well as me, but the guy didn't make it (still feel tears as I write).

You're on autopilot during, then there's the really big adrenaline high, then you crash, then the grief sets in. Not that we weren't told that in training, but when it's happening to yourself and it's real ...

Down ...

Tough day, then I got a call about 3PM about starting an IT contract next Thursday, at a decent rate, even

> ... Up

More grief, like, the guy died right in front of me afer having had my own hands on him trying to help

... down

Talked with a bunch of friends. Really helps that I have people I can call.

... better

Called one of best buds who's in SF. He had had a serious downhill bike crash, which I already both knew about, and had seen the pic of the remains
of his helmet. He found out, post CAT scan yesterday, that he had suffered an non-dislocated neck fracture. At one pregnant point in the conversation, it hit both of us that if it weren't for the helmet, we wouldn't be talking. I love Jared, I'd miss him.

... joy

... kind a oscillating up and down now, but the yo- yo's losign energy <G>

Bill

I was listening to Dick Buckley today (12 to 3 on 'BEZ Sundays) thinking about what a treasure this guy is. Well into his 80's, and narcoleptic I'm given to understand, Dick plays, like he says when he opens his show, "jazz records from 12 to 3".

Not just any jazz records. Jazz records from the 20's, the 30's, the 40's, the 50's, mostly. He was covering Dizzy today. The guy has impecable taste and a fantastic feeling for sequencing the rare originals, outtakes, and 'B' sides he pulls from his own collection. Not only that, he's been on this earth long enough to have blown with a lot of these people at the old-time Chicago venues. Dick doesn't just talk about the records: he talks about the people from the heart. He knows who was where, and in which group when. He talks about the lives of the musicians, no cover-up, who was, as he puts it, "fighting the battle of the bottle". He mixes in anecdotal banter from various live and studio sessions over the years.

Priceless. Sadly, I know he won't be with us much longer.

Sailing:

Went sailing this evening with someone I'd hooked up with on CL to help him sail his 27. It's been a while, but as soon as we cleared Montrose Harbor he gave me the helm. Had it for two hours <G>. I'd almost forgotten how much fun Lake Michigan is!

P. J. Harvey going through my head all day:

"Lick my legs and I'm on fire
lick my legs ..."

From Four Track Tapes, BTW. Gotta look up the lyrics.

Sriracha sauce on my peanut butter sandwich. Yum. Use real PB, not that syntho Skippy stuff.

Rode down to Grant Park on the lakefront path to meet some friends for movie night. It started to rain. Somebody flew by. I decided to see if I could trail the boy and stay on his tail. I did. 24-26 MPH, in the rain, for several miles, totally focused. Ask Lance, ask my quads.

Grant Park: get this - free valet bike parking!!!

Later, I rode back, briskly, was totally dripping wet when I got home. Simple pleasures, part one: being able to peel as soon as I hit the back porch. Simple pleasures, part two: the cold water faucet in the shower.