God's Gentle Flower - my poem for Tita

A poem I wrote in memory of Tita who passed away on July 2, 2018.

You sprung up a gentle flower

In a land now far away

Sun and wind and rain would fall

As you grew day by day

You weathered storms and troubled times

Afflictions may have harmed you

But by God’s grace and fervent prayers

Brought this gentle flower through

You brought joy to those around you

Your family that was your garden

We were part of that family

You treated us as your children

You touched the young, you touched the old

With tender hands so caring

We remember how you spent your time

With anxious heart so loving

Parents trusted you with their kids

Who came each day so willing

Lola in her old age

Called out for you so trusting

But in time this tender flower

Could not keep her radiance

Crippling illness did you suffer

You prayed to God in silence

Little comfort we could only bring

As this tender flower withered

Prayers to God and Mother Mary

Angels we hope delivered

Tita you are now at rest

But we will always remember

How you cared for us

How you thought of us

In Heaven may you rest

Your final garden

God’s gentle flower

The Housing Boom and Bust

Here is another take on the problem with the housing market from Thomas Sowell, a noted economist. There are a lot of parties involved with the problem but he places the blame mainly on congress, Barney Franks in particular. Watch the video.

The Irony of Social Media

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there see the irony of this whole concept of social media. So it supposedly allows you to "socialize" with friends, family, distant relatives, classmates, ex-[girl|boy]friends, people who you hardly remember, and some who you wish you had never met. Do you really want them to know what you're up to, or do you really care what they are up to? With all this capability available at your fingertips and just a mouse click away, don't you find yourself socializing more with your computer than with real people? I just wonder.

My 2010 Death Ride Experience

I first heard about the Death Ride a couple years ago from some fellow cyclists who said that it was something to experience. After last weekend, riding 129 miles and descending 15,000 ft. (yeah I climbed it too), I must say that they were right. It really was an experience, nothing like any other ride I've been on.

I drove to Markleeville on a Wednesday to get a campsite and get acclimated to the high altitude. I set up camp at Turtle Rock park which was also the starting point for the ride. There were already several riders camped out, one guy was Benny who drove all the way from Seattle along with some of his friends from the bay area. One lady drove with her son and granddaughter from Idaho. On Thursday, I went on a ride with a couple guys from Berkeley. One of them, David, had done it twice before. We rode up Kingsbury grade to the top and back, about 57 mi. and 3000' climbing. I was feeling the effects of the altitude, then it got pretty hot on the way back. Even though I got pretty tired, I think doing this ride helped get me ready for Saturday.

Friday was rest day (went fishing but no bites). By this time, the campground was pretty full and the parking lot up the hill was full of people who parked their cars with some who pitched tents and others who just slept in their vehicles. I saw a Siclista friend, Jerry, registering. There were several booths set up and a band was playing. I got my bike and gear ready for the next day and went to bed early. At around 1 am, some dog started barking and kept me up. I never was able to go back to sleep.

I got up at around 3 am Saturday and decided to get started. I planned to leave a little before sunrise but decided to get going since I was up anyway, was on the road around 4 am. I had arm warmers and a windbreaker, but it wasn't enough to keep me warm. It was about 50º and I was shaking from the cold going through Markleeville but I warmed up shortly after beginning the 10 mile climb up Monitor pass. Despite the cold, it was really neat to see all the stars out in the dark night. I briefly chatted with a guy who came all the way from near Toronto. Saw several riders were ahead of me as I watched their red tail lights slowly move up the mountain. Halfway up the climb, it started getting light enough to see the road and the scenery. The landscape changed from pine trees to short brush and wild flowers. The top of Monitor was a sight to see, it was a wide open plateau and you could see the peaks of other snow capped mountains all around. First pass sticker.

The descent down Monitor was really pretty too. Not too many switchbacks so I was able to keep up my speed. Halfway down, I saw people coming back up already. The sun was up but it was windy and cold, especially at the bottom. I just stopped long enough to use the facilities and fill my bottles. I saw Tina from FFBC at the rest stop, she had been training for her first Death Ride as well. Second pass sticker. Climbing back up Monitor was another 10 mi. and I was able to appreciate the view much better going up. Halfway up the climb, there was rather unique water stop. Wasn't really a stop because you kept riding. These boys would get your bottle, sprint ahead of you and fill it up then hand it back to you several yards away. Going down the other side of Monitor was interesting, it was mostly dark on the first climb so I got to see what I missed earlier.

Pirates greeted us at the rest stop before climbing Ebbetts Pass. This was a tougher climb – steep, narrow and windy for another 10 mi. By this time, I got some Semper Fi's and Ooo-rah's for the Marine jersey I was wearing. I chatted with Lance, a retired Master Sergeant, for a bit. More trees and creeks on this climb, steep cliffs too. 3rd pass sticker at the top. The descent was only 5 mi. but steep. I knew I would be climbing back up it. 4th pass sticker at the bottom. Cytomax has been working pretty well, legs felt good, but my feet were getting sore. I took my shoes off and iced them down. Kept my bottles full and snacked a bit before the 5 mi. climb back. It was starting to get warm by now, about noon before going back down Ebbetts. Had to go much slower down this mountain with all the switchbacks and narrow road. Lots of riders still climbing too.

Lunch stop at the bottom of Ebbets, had a turkey wrap and other goodies. Riding back towards Markleeville, I noticed my right cleat was loose. Wind picked up too, mostly got a tailwind back to town. I stopped at Turtle Rock to unload my windbreaker and fix my cleat. Also took the chance to wash my head down and soak my feet for a bit. It was around 2 pm and getting warmer by this time, filled my bottle with ice before the ride up Carson Pass.

I passed up the rest stop at Woodfords and started the climb up Carson Pass. Had to watch out for cars now. They closed Monitor and Ebbetts to traffic but not Hwy 88. This was the toughest climb for me so far. Though not as steep as the previous passes, this was 17 mi. long, temperature in the mid 80s, and a headwind that seemed to mock you as you trudged along. The rest stop at Picketts junction provided little relief. They were out of Cytomax, the water was warm, and they had no more ice for my sore feet. Legs still felt good and was confident about making it to the top. A couple miles of flat road was a welcome site before the last grade up to the top. For about the last 5 miles, you could see the long line of riders climbing up the road and a really beautiful view to the left. Looks like there was a crash just before the summit, saw a bike with the front wheel all bent. I later heard that the rider fell and broke his leg, hope he recovers. Several riders had stopped to rest and some were walking up by now, but I felt I had some left and started getting off the saddle more. I just wanted to get to the top and get my 5th sticker.

Ice cream at the top of Carson Pass, but the water was even warmer now. Took my time to rest my sore feet and a few snacks before the final descent. Going down Carson was a blast, topped off at about 49 mph. I was passing everyone up except for a tandem that flew by me. I tried to draft behind them but missed the chance. I felt really good the last few miles and cranked it up that last hill into Turtle Rock. It was about 6:30 pm, I thought I would be finished earlier but I made it, 5 passes.

This was a really awesome experience. So many riders from different places, riders of different levels, young, old. I saw a young boy of about 14, a couple recumbent riders, about 3 tandems, 2 elliptigos. There were over 3000 riders, people camped out on Hwy 89 and the neighboring campsites for this ride. I can truly say that I would like to do this again. Too bad I didn't have a camera, next time I'll bring one.

Thanks to all the people who gave me tips on training, where to camp, what to do on the ride, and all who gave me support and encouragement.

How Our Economy Collapsed

The Warning is a PBS Frontline documentary that describes what happened to the derivatives market and how it led to the collapse of our economy. Brooksley Born, then head of the CFTC, tried to warn Congress about the potential failure of this market and the effect it could have on our economy. Unfortunately, Greenspan, several bankers, and Congress shut her down.

Good read - The New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

This book does a great job of describing the cause behind personal problems - the ego. It describes how your ego can take over your true self and deny yourself that state of happiness or awareness. Throughout the book, he gives examples and quotes from Jesus Christ, the Buddha, and other spiritual influences and gives clear, simple meanings of their teachings. He introduces the concept of the "pain body", how it feeds off of negative energy (anger, depression, envy) and how it works with the ego to keep yourself in that painful state.

This book is more spiritual and philosophical rather than religious or psychological. I have read a few books on psychology, but this book does not try to diagnose human problems in scientific terms, rather it exposes the root cause of our problems in the ego and how we can become aware, conscious, or enlightened.

I recommend this book to anyone.

Words Women Use (and Men Should Heed)

(I heard this on the radio and thought it might be helpful to Neanderthals like me. I keep a printout in my wallet for quick reference.)

FINE — This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right. Just smile, shut up, and walk away.

FIVE MINUTES — If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

NOTHING — This is the calm before the storm. This means "something," and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with 'Nothing' usually end in "Fine."

GO AHEAD (with raised eyebrows) — This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it man.

GO AHEAD (normal eyebrows) — This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don't care." You will get a "Raised Eyebrow Go Ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by "Nothing" and "Fine" and she will talk to you in about "Five Minutes" when she cools off.

LOUD SIGH — This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing."

THAT'S OKAY — This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

THANKS A LOT! — This is a sarcastic remark. A woman will say "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. You have offended her in some callous way and will soon hear a "Loud Sigh." Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh," as she will only tell you "Nothing."