I saw Alfred E. Newman at the Midway

Alfred E. Newman. The back wall of the Midway has a picture of Alfred E. Newman. There must be easily 250 to 300 pictures of celebrities, Arnold Swarzenegger, Elvis, John Wayne, Daryl Sittler, Mel Brooks, Jane Manfield, Paul Newman, Burt Reynolds, Clint, the Rat Pack and Alfred E. Newman.
The Midway is by default a retro diner that was last renovated when the Captain Kangaroo went off the air. Located on a street that once was a going concern,in Barrie, Canada, the Midway serves in my opinion the absolute best breakfast. There are several to choose from, but guys, the one you want is the "Lumberjack". The service is attendative and prompt. Coffee is re-filled quickly and before you know you need more. There are many regulars. The Owner accepts cash only. Parking is limited. The Midway's loyal following is so true blue, that there are Seniors who are no longer able to drive, will take the Barrie taxi at heir own expense to break themselves loose of their retirment homes just for a good ole meal, a cup of joe and some down to earth conversation. As I was gulping down my lumberjack breakfast i studied the 5 X 7 print of Alfred and recalled my elementary days whereby i would race down to the local variety store for the next month's edition of "Mad" magazine. The first Mad Magazine i ever bought did a satirical version of Clockwork Orange a Stanley Kubrick movie that just had made it to the theatres. Yesterday, I saw Alfred E. Newman.

Rammstein in Toronto May 8th 2011

Well worth the wait. Rammstein, Toronto is your new North American home. As Lemmy of Motorhead has often said, "Toronto, you have been the best audience and we thank you!". Rammstein fired out almost all the tracks from their latest cd "Lifad". The Toronto Fire Department must have been crappin their pants. [lol]. Sitting at the far end of the ACC in the first row of the upper level we could feel the heat from each thrust of fire. For Ramstein fans who stayed away, you will be terribly sorry you missed this one. Come back soon to Toronto.

The Swim

In High School and still til this day, if i go to a football game, i go early to watch the punters & QB's in warm up. To me the perfect spiral is like poetry. I'm just amazed how effortless professional QB's can arch the ball with perfect touch and it slips through the air into the receivers hands. Or a punter warming up with very little effort can soar the ball with an amazing spiral and send it 50 yards. Proudly, being a former QB ; i'm quite proud I have nice spiral. Doesn't it matter ? Not really.
Swimming is the same. Ever watch the gift of someone who glides through the water making almost no splash, no waves but is moving incredibly fast, it's beautiful. Even more artful, is with two front crawl strokes they have covered a distance of 5 meters to your 2 meters. I'm sure many of us Triatletes with non swimming backgrounds wonder if it will ever be possible to swim like a Phelps or a Torpedo. I have done a ocean full of reading on swimming, and one common element is this art takes time to develop sometimes four or five years. Its discipline, it's hardwork, and it's mostly working on technique. Last year I swam with the Barrie Masters and I put my heart and soul into practice. I was told by many that my swimming had improved dramatically, but I was disappointed in not loping off more time from my 100m pace. This year swimming without the Masters but four times a week, i am starting to see results. People you have no idea how happy this makes me. I'll be honest i'm not a fast swimmer, but my improvement is quite satisfying.

Butt Cream (the inside story)

A touchy subject, but in the end, not using butt cream, can be a pain in the ass.
It begins with, "i'm going to really pursue cycling as a sport". Followed by the novice question "should i be purchasing proper bike shorts?". To a rookie mistake i made, wearing by boxers underneath my bike shorts. Thought i was going to say, "overtop,..didn't ya?". Nope never tried this method. I'm sure someone, somewhere, for some reason has.
Think of chafing as 3/4 HP belt sander being applied agressively against sensitive skin, then burning like a teapot set on high. Ooo.oouch! Just has to happen once and i'm fairly certain, you won't say, "jeez, i can't wait for this to happen again". My recommendation is any bike ride over two hours apply butt cream. Let's say you were doing the "Race Across America aka RAAM", and you sitting fourth row back in the pre-race meeting and it is question time. Don't ask, you need about 36 containers of butt cream.
Secondly, if you in a room full of men, let's say inside a tent at T1 during Ironman, and you have dried off from the 4k swim, don't moan or smile like a raving imbecile with your eyes rolling back into your head while applying butt cream. Or,.. do if you need more personal space.
Lastly, if you are a support crew member for a RAAM racer (RAAM just saw the pun) make sure it clearly states in your job description, in no circusmstances will you ever, have to retrieve, locate, apply, purchase, sponge, clean up, taste, or put the lid back on, butt cream.
Now, get out there and race.

RAAM

My good friend Mark Herbst is challenging the "wack"* endurance competition, the Race Across America. At 55 years young, an extrodinary athlete. Swimmer, runner, x-country skiier and his most potent skill, cycling. To look at Mark you would peg him for mid-forties no much more, so when one learns he remembers Elvis Presley birth, the invention of B&W television, and the first telephone, and his first convertible the Model-T, most if not all all aghast. I was introduced to Mark via his son Eric also an incredible triathlete who literally taught me how to swim (correctly) 6 years ago. A few months back Mark, approached me and asked if I would join Paul Millar (the other half of this crazy expedition) and him to be one his road crew. Truly honoured, I arranged time off, made sure I had the love of my life's blessing and i said yes.
Last weekend we were to do a 24 hour dry run. 700 km non-stop RAAM simulation with caravan but unfortunately to some unexpected crap weather, it was cancelled. Sorry if i offended anyone with crap, but it was downright shitty. Last week, Mark called, we got together for Second Cup coffee as we normally do, and he had another favour. Although they had been successful and acquiring a massage therapist, the "bike mechanic" had backed out. Would I also take on this challenge ? If you can wait 15 minutes for your tire to be changed, sure. Jumping ahead, i'm "plan B" for bike mechanic. Stay tuned, m

ore to come. Please visit, www.raceacrossamerica.org and FB

Untitled by ijamie63 at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by ijamie63 at Garmin Connect - Details

28 Days til Rammstein

excited? a little (as he types in lower case). Rammstein is coming to Toronto, Canada. my son Charlie and i have our seats and are prepped. seatbelts are on. brushing up on my germany. oh ya, i don't speak german. should be a memorable show. Rammstein.