-Posted by Kelly

We got checked in, were changed, and ready to start. The longer distance riders (51.5 and 95 mile routes) were able to start at 7.45am, then the 25 mile route riders were starting around 8.30am. It looked like there were probably a total of around 200 riders or so. The three of us positioned ourselves together near the start and rode off together with the pack when the siren went off. We stayed together at a pace near 15-16 mph, and it felt cool early in the morning. The route started off on some more travelled roads at the beginning, but then changed to even more rural areas (we were already in the country) with less traffic, which was a bit safer. The roads were older and a bit rough (no new asphalt here), but rideable, although there were plenty of hills both up and down, which mostly seemed up. Erik and Brent got ahead of me on a downslope (I ride with a heavier bike), but they were waiting at the first rest stop. I told them they could just go ahead and not to wait for me. Erik stayed with Brent and I for awhile, then Brent told him he had better increase his pace if he was going to complete the 95 miles he was considering, while Brent and I were only doing 51.5. He rode ahead and Brent stayed with me for a bit chatting before he increased his pace some. No big deal to me, and I expected it. I actually enjoy riding alone at my own pace, and was only disappointed I hadn't brought along my iPod nano like some of the other riders (although it was instructed not to bring mp3 devices) for the empty, rural roads. I stopped at one of the other rest stops to fill my water bottles with water and gatorade, then pedaled onto the end. There were a couple of long stretches next to fields which had no shading from the hot sun beating down, and I thought I might pass out, but I rode on. The last 10 miles or so were the worst because I felt like I might 'bonk' and keel over into a ditch. The hills seemed steeper and more up than down, and it was probably around 90 degrees by this time. Ugh. To make things worse a fucking bee landed on my middle finger and stung me. Bastard. Fortunately, I was able to pinch the stinger out quickly and it didn't get too infected. I sucked down some water, had a swig of gatorade, and pumped my legs to the finish. I was beat, but was impressed with my overall finish time of 3.5 hours. Not too bad for someone with a 'bionic' ankle recently recovered. I met up with Brent and we loaded our bikes onto the rack on the car, then had some of the pasta provided by the organizers. We sat with Erik, his wife and child, and some other riders and chatted with them before dashing off. We did get a late check out of the hotel, so we were able to go back and shower and change into clean clothes so we wouldn't stink the whole ride back. I got home right around 3pm where Kelly's cooking party was still going on.

It wasn't a large group, and they were about 2/3's into the cooking. I made a brief appearance to say hi and fill my bottle with water, then got on the computer for a bit before flopping into the recliner in the living room to relax. Everyone left by 6pm, and most of the kitchen had been cleaned up. Kelly did sweep and vacuum the kitchen before we sat down to rest and watch Tivo programs. She was tired from cooking, but also from going to play poker at Jason and Ellen's the previous night. It was a small game, but she was out second right after Pete. She did get to watch a bit of the hockey game because Jason and Ellen have the Mobile NBC affiliate with their cable provider in Gulfport. Between watching I did grill some potatoes and burgers for dinner. I wanted to get this done so I wouldn't miss as much hockey on Monday night.

Game 4 was again in Ottawa, and both teams came out strong. Giguerre was making some awesome saves for Anaheim, but Ottawa found the net at the end of the first period with 0.3 seconds left. It went back and forth in the second with Anaheim tying it up after Ottawa was up 2-0. In the third both goaltenders made some more amazing saves, but Anaheim made a nice end to end play and caught the Ottawa defense on their heels and ended up winning 3-2. They now have a 3-1 series lead, which will go back for game 5 in Anaheim tonight. My hope is that Ottawa will steal this one in Anaheim and force game 6 Saturday back in Ottawa. Of course it would be great if they did win the next two and tie up the series at 3-3, forcing a game 7 next Monday because that would be more hockey for us to watch, but they have a big hole to dig out of.

Yesterday we woke up a little before 8am and got dressed then headed to the surgery center in Gulfport (same place I had my ankle surgery in January). It was Kelly's turn this time. We were to be there at 9.30am, although of course the doctor was busy and we ended up waiting a few hours. We played cards (rummy) and Kelly turned her large point deficit from last time into a significant hole for me to get out of the next time we play. I was doing pretty well at the beginning, but then dropped a couple of major point losses to her which boosted her past me. She first had just the IV, then later they added some anesthesia that made her sleepy, so I read for awhile. Around 1pm they came and wheeled her into the surgery room and told me it would be about an hour, so I went to the credit union then grabbed a panini sandwich and coffee at Nezaty's. I got back and read for a few hours more while waiting for her to come out of recovery. She was still groggy and I sat with her while she slept some and drank water and apple juice while waiting for her blood pressure to go down so she could be discharged. We finally ended up leaving around 5.30pm. We dropped her prescription off at the pharmacy then got her a smoothie (late liquid lunch) and I got coffee at Barnes and Noble, then we picked up her pain medication and antibiotic as well as a blood pressure monitor, then headed home. We had to change her 'gauze mustache' because it had become quite soaked with the drainage (no photos because Kelly didn't want any taken), then she lay down in the recliner for the evening. She slept off and on, and did eat some casserole, but mainly just lay there. I watched some of the 'Moog' movie and was on the computer, then went to sleep on the couch while Kelly slept on the chair. Today I'm sitting here at the house with her being nurse. Later this morning I'm going to make a quiche with her direction. She did watch the movie 'Hustle and Flow' while I wrote this, but is now sleeping. I had better go check on her and start the quiche soon.

Oh, I haven't mentioned music much lately, but we did recently purchase the new Elliott Smith, Bill Callahan (formerly Smog), !!!, and Lichens (which is today's music track). I'll probably do quick reviews of those for next time and mention some other new music we've picked up lately like the new Stars of the Lid, xbxrx, Air, Big Business, and LCD Soundsystem. Other releases we're anticipating soon are the new Beastie Boys (all instrumental), new White Stripes, and remastered 'Daydream Nation' by Sonic Youth (whom we're going to get to see play that album in it's entirety next month at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. Yay.).