Incoherent ramblings of a sane mind: A Week

Where did it go? I can't find it anywhere. Summer seems to be gone, poof, vanished in mid-air. Seems like we went from 98 degrees to 65 overnight. So I did all I could to squeeze what I could into a week. Here is a snapshot of a week in my life.

So off we go to Greenville, SC. Debbie and I met in Cambridge Ohio for the rest of the 8 or so hour trip (9-10 hours total from home). A quick stop in Virginia and then to Joe and Falicia's house. The weather was great, seemed like the perfect day to head out to the Zoo. Jamie was thrilled, I guess he must really love the zoo!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my! They weren't that frightening although the three on the Bear kind of were! The kids were in hyper mode and kind of ran through the zoo. Debbie and I were taking pictures holding them up a bit!

When we came to our relatives we thought it would be nice to give them a snack. They made quick work of that bananna I must say. Playing keep away one of them was able to tear 1/2 off and enjoy.

The Zoo kind of started the theme for the week, hot, on your feet alot, lots of walking! Even the animals were panting. After the Zoo we cooled off at the park. Jamie was really having fun now!

So the next day it was off to the Time Trial! Autograph hunting was curtailed because I forgot to take stuff with me so I only got Levi Leipheimers (not bad to get that though, right?!) but lot's of pictures. Who would have guessed when I got my photo with the two Trek-Livestrong U-23 boys I'd be standing with the two new National Champions!

Levi warming up, man it just wasn't to be for him this weekend.

Taylor Phinney capped off a tremendous year, his last year in the U-23 ranks, with a National Championships in the time trial, beating Levi Leipheimer by .1 seconds! What a fantastic finish! As he warmed up he went into a spin up - you would have thought a jet engine was taking off somewhere! What a talent.

He didn't have to worry about the broom wagon but there it was, looming, leering, ready to pick up any cyclists that couldn't match the pace. Oh yea, that's where I would be spending most of my time!

After the TT we stopped over at Jamie's house to meet Hunter, his new blood hound tracking dog. What a beautiful dog -- and remember Jamie already has two German Shepards! I also got to see his guns and learn more about what he does. It was very fun, I'm terrified and enthralled with guns at the same time but Jamie makes it seem safe and fun.

Then downtown to pick up our packets, walk a bit, and have dinner. Along the way we looked for the mice that are scattered on Main Street -- and look who we found! Not only a mouse but Riley and Logan!

Riley is adorable and quite photogenic. That is if you can get her to stay still long enough to snap the picture!

Now it's Joe and my turn! As part of the Stars and Stripes Challenge we got to ride the same route as the pro's -- just to give us an idea of how much better they are! This was a cancer fundraiser like Pelotonia so we rode in our team kit -- Go Chorman's Floor Covering! While I always ride for Dad this ride was for also and mainly for Rona.

For the first lap up Paris Mountain it seemed so cruel, no warm up (7 miles!) and up we go. Joe was strong and once I got boxed in I couldn't catch up to him. I'd get him pretty good on the 2nd time up though! The early part of the climb was quite crowded, look how quickly it thinned out. And by the way -- Joe is STRONG on short steep climbs -- watch out!

For the 2nd lap Joe took us on a scenic detour to avoid some of the traffic now that it was getting later in the morning. Of course we still did a climb up Paris Mountain!

We got around the course in several different areas. We watched one lap from Paris Mountain. Ben King has just attacked his breakaway group. The Peloton here would pick up the pace further up the mountain and the race would only finish with 25 riders, indicative of how fast they can really go! To give you an idea, we climbed in about 20 minutes, they did about 8.

So can you believe it!? Another U-23 becomes National Champion, this time in the road race. Ben King survives a day long breakaway, going alone for the lat 40 km, to hold off all of the elite pros. What a day, what an incredible weekend.

So after 10 hours of driving it was back to Columbus and FRENZY time. We had about 25,000 students, 2 stages, 5 bands and about 80 vendors. We changed the layout a bit this year and it seemed to work well. Everyone semed to have a good time, the weather was fantastic, the vendors said they want to come back. Other than 11 hours on my feet you can't beat a day like that!

All kinds of cool stuff can be found at the Frenzy. Here Statue Man strikes a Heisman pose with some vendors!

So what is the perfect tonic for being on your feet too long? Going to the Farm Science Review and spend 5 more hours on your feet! Wow -- I've never seen so many tractors, farm implements, corn seed in my life. But I did get my picture taken not only with Charlie CFL but a very cool llama! And no they don't spit -- I think those are camels!

Note the very cool I am (not) Ted King t-shirt I have on! Got it in Greenville right after I met Ted King, got a photo and autograph!

See! He is adorable! He finished in the final group. He even had a crash towards the end. Fun writer to follow as well.

The first (well my first!) NHL game! An exhibition against the Capitals. All went well, will take a bit to get used to the difference between College and Pro, the University and the Blue Jackets. A 6-2 loss for the Jackets but as they say, it's an exhibition game!

Then back to NWA for a concert. Somebody Montana, Lil Big Town and Sugarland. I got to meet NHL star Rick Nash as we arranged a picture with him and Sugarland star Jennifer Nettles. He was adorable, she was as nice as could be.

I'm not a big country music fan but Sugarland did have a nice set. They were a little too "twangy" for me but she does have a wonderful voice. In at 7:00 am out a little after midnight.

Meetings on campus started at 8:30 am. Had 5 meetings before I got downtown at about 1:30.

At NWA we had the 2nd Blue Jacket Game of the week, an exhibition against the Penguins (eat your heart out Tiffany!). Alas another loss for the Jackets.

Then Saturday was an OSU Football Game vs Eastern Michigan. It wasn't much of a game. I only went in for a few hours, to check out Drake dogs and what was happening at the Drake, another of the facilities we manage on campus.