Project 357 - Day 23

Just two words ... "Oh yeah!"  Be sure to support your local Girl Scouting organization!

Project 357 - Day 22

Spokey ... the gaggle of bikes at Poco and Mom's Restaurant after 45 miles of hills.

Project 357 - Day 21

The only way to play xBox - 52" of fun with surround sound ... then comes the annoying sound "turn that down" from you know who!

Project 357 - Day 20

Evil Basket Cat ... trust me she's evil!

Project 357 - Day 19


Up close and personal ... that's precision and a good operator!

Project 357 - Day 18


BAD KITTY!

Project 357 - Day 17


My work life all in one picture!  LOL

Project 357 - Day 15 & 16


Enjoying the snow capped mountains in Southern Arizona near Nogales.  This happens about twice a year is it's really nice to see.

What is it?  You tell me!

Project 357 - Day 14


This should be on EVERY job site!  Yeah, there was "some" blue sky today, but mostly clouds and rain.  All my sites got well over 3/4" and a couple over 1-1/2".  Tough having a job in Arizona that relys on the rain!

Project 357 - Day 13


Yummy!  Green butterscotch cookies a baking tonight!  Left over mixing ingredients from the Christmas baking, so I thru this together.  19 minutes until paradise in the mouth!

Project 357 - Day 12


Busy day out doing the post rain event inspections at the sites that we are contracted to manage.  It rains 1/2" or more at the site we need to perform a stormwater inspection within 24 hours following the event.  The forecast is for more heavy rains the rest of the week, so I guess I may be going back out again!  It's a job and I get paid to do it!

Project 357 - Day 11


Yeah, they're mine!  So what?!  YOU wanta' make something of it?!  They are my collection of keepsakes from my wife given over 19 years of marriage.  (Didn't get out of the house today, so had to figure out what to shot.)

Project 357 - Day 10


The saying "Red sky at night, sailor's delight", doesn't hold true for the on coming storm systems we are expected to get hit with this week.  Big rains are coming for Arizona.

Project 357 - Day 8 & 9


Day 8 - Crossfit workout was 1970's theme, so we spent some time shoping the thrift stores looking for 70's clothing.  Obviously I did not work out (my training for the weekend was cycling heavy and wanted to keep from doing any additional!), so I played head photographer and cheerleader.  We found a 70's dance jump suit for Tricia and my outfit.  Everyone did the work out and we enjoyed a party afterwords.  Great fun.

Day 9 - Dinner out at Maynards where I bought a bottle of wine for Tricia.  Headed back to the car she noticed the sign on the sidewalk ... well that's were I left her!  As far as I know she's sitting on the proper side of that sign enjoying the rest of that bottle!

Project 357 - Day 7


Every Friday, I have "date night" with my better half and we always end up downtown on 4th Avenue at B-Line enjoying a lazy dinner.  One of the different and unique bike rakes found along this avenue in Tucson.

Project 357 - Day 4, 5 & 6


Somedays are spent just like everybody else in urban areas, fighting the daily traffic trying to get the J-O-B done.  I now track my time for costing towards projects and it is amazing how much time is spent looking out the windshield of my vehicle.

My mortal enemy!  Constantly fighting my eating wants (notice they are not "needs")!  I will win this fight, it's just a silly machine.  I can always take the batteries out too!  LOL

Command central for a home office / consulting gig!  Yes, I need that many computers!  Just deal with it!

Project 357 - Day 3

Jack, a.k.a. "Fat Cat" has decided in recent days that he wants to be "High Altitude Cat".  Leaving the cabinet door open was my mistake.  He reluctantly came out with a minor protesting growl.  I just hope he doesn't figure out how to open the door himself.  FYI - he's staked out the top of the refrigerator as his own sniper location, thus affording him a birds eye view of the adventures of his buddy Chester.

First Goals and Training

First goal … Holualoa Tucson Triathlon … March 21st, 2010.

Got the confirmation for my entry into my very first triathlon this week! I am both excited and a little concerned with my ability to complete the swim without stopping at the side of the pool. It’s a Sprint distance triathlon with distances of 825 yard swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 3 mile run. My main objective is to simply be able to swim then entire 825 yards without stopping. I’ve talked until I’m blue in the face with other swimmers and triathletes I know. All have said don’t sweat it, it’s easy! Okay I guess I have to their word for it!

I’ve got my initial training schedule set with the emphasis on swimming 3-4 times a week. With 10 weeks remaining, I think I may have gotten in over my head? As someone who pesters me on a weekly basis is famous for saying, “We shall see” (add Latin accent).

This past week I got 2 swims in during my “lunch” breaks lasting about 30 minutes with one getting me a 100 yard run without stopping. Need to relax and concentrate on my form and technique.

Obviously the bike is not any concern and the run should be pretty easy going with a slow jog. I can always walk it! LOL.

Project 365 or Project 357

Someone I know is doing this too and it's inspired me to follow along.  It's amazingly simply; take one photo everyday for a year.  Sounds easy!  Well we shall see, eh?  Since I am getting a late start (8 days or so) I'm on Project 357.  I just might have to take the obvious photo sometime along the way to mark the project.

Not sure how often I will post, but will try to get regular updates so things don't get out of hand.  Now for my first couple of picture.  The obvious selection is related to my weekend habits of cycling.  I regularly get together with a group of friends for a "breakfast" ride.  The route is selected by the route leader with a stop along the way for a qualified breakfast stop.  The qualifications are simple for the breakfast stop.  It must be a local shop (not a chain) and what you would normally consider a "greasy spoon" establishment.  There is not any room for the high society, pinky finger extended, cafe' stops for this group.  If the average breakfast plate costs more than $6 then it definitely does not qualify for the group's "high standards".

The rides are highly enjoyable and entertaining, with riders of all abilities along for the fun.  Distances range from an easy 20 to the more challenging 65 milers.  But you can always count on a stop for "refueling" past the halfway point and the route after breakfast is always the easiest part of the morning.  Some weekends the ride leaders schedule 2 rides, one on Saturday and again on Sunday.  That was the case this weekend.  So here are my first two photographs of my Project 357.


Saturday morning's group was pretty big



Headed back to the start after JB's breakfast