The Water Cooler, Scuttlebutt, Chit Chat Thread
12-03-18, 11:18 AM
#3528
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I had the opportunity to have dinner with Phil and Paul after one of the Tour of California races. They were a fantastic team. When doing commentary, they see what we see on a TV in real time with no additional help. Paul's ability to relate to racing, the terrain and landmarks in real time took years of experience. He and his talent and experience will be missed. RIP.
12-03-18, 11:39 AM
#3529
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Got the final okay from the cardiologist after my last stress test and EKG. He feels confident now that the issue (Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome resulting in episodes of supraventricular tachycardia...I think I got that right) has been resolved. My wife was adamant about me not riding until he said so, even though he said after the ablation in October I was free and clear to do whatever and he wasn't worried about strenuous exercise.
But anyway, other than 3 short rides to go get my car, I haven't ridden since the last week of August. And I really don't want to that much. Once I broke the "habit", I filled my time with a lot of other things I haven't focused as much on, notably my job.
I still want to race, but I need to jump on the bike and actually get back into the groove of training, and the first step is the hardest I guess. Just not that anxious to do so, especially with rainy or cold weather seemingly every day.
Maybe I'll just hop on zwift and do one of their training plans and some "races" for a few weeks to get things going, especially since my CTL is about 5 and my ftp is probably a solid 100 watts lower than it was a few months ago. Could be a good little structural/motivational boost.
But anyway, other than 3 short rides to go get my car, I haven't ridden since the last week of August. And I really don't want to that much. Once I broke the "habit", I filled my time with a lot of other things I haven't focused as much on, notably my job.
I still want to race, but I need to jump on the bike and actually get back into the groove of training, and the first step is the hardest I guess. Just not that anxious to do so, especially with rainy or cold weather seemingly every day.
Maybe I'll just hop on zwift and do one of their training plans and some "races" for a few weeks to get things going, especially since my CTL is about 5 and my ftp is probably a solid 100 watts lower than it was a few months ago. Could be a good little structural/motivational boost.
For me, a couple of good rides with friends and teammates would get me back into the groove. The trainer would squash my motivation even further.
12-04-18, 05:22 PM
#3530
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My kid got cut from the JV soccer team. He's an excellent defender (in my totally unbiased opinion) but his skills don't really shine during tryouts and he got cut. I was frustrated and said something like "Well, I hope they get a hundred goals scored on them this season!" He said "I don't. It's still my school!" And at that moment I was really embarrassed for my own reaction and really proud for his. I still have a lot to learn I guess.
12-04-18, 06:39 PM
#3531
out walking the earth
My kid got cut from the JV soccer team. He's an excellent defender (in my totally unbiased opinion) but his skills don't really shine during tryouts and he got cut. I was frustrated and said something like "Well, I hope they get a hundred goals scored on them this season!" He said "I don't. It's still my school!" And at that moment I was really embarrassed for my own reaction and really proud for his. I still have a lot to learn I guess.
Good for him. Indeed that's the stuff to be proud of.
It's interesting. Now that my son is getting to the age where getting cut from something (like a job) is really meaningful the stuff I fretted about when he was younger seems so insignificant. I remember how tragic it seemed when he didn't make all state choir that year he had a bad audition. Soon if he gets cuts from something it means he won't be able to pay rent.
12-05-18, 08:57 AM
#3532
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I'm going to have to book a flight on American this year. I really don't like American, but I am so close to a free flight, that it really makes sense to get the miles needed and then cash them in. It will probably be my trip to Vegas in February.
In other news, just when I reach elite status at Marriott, they go and get hacked and give up all of my personal data. Yay! Fortunately, I don't think they have my passport, since I've only stayed with them domestically.
In other news, just when I reach elite status at Marriott, they go and get hacked and give up all of my personal data. Yay! Fortunately, I don't think they have my passport, since I've only stayed with them domestically.
12-07-18, 03:06 PM
#3533
Killing Rabbits
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Sweet - they finally approved full funding for our indoor Velodrome / fitness centre. Looks awesome.
https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_pla...enderings.aspx
https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_pla...enderings.aspx
12-14-18, 01:05 PM
#3536
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Last day this year at my company. Only 3 days next year here (two I'll be on-site with a customer) and then I'm done. On the 7th I start at my new company.
Very much looking forward to some vacation time at home with the family, and then hopefully my new company will be a good move for me. It's a promotion and a raise, so that's a good start I guess, hopefully I enjoy it.
Very much looking forward to some vacation time at home with the family, and then hopefully my new company will be a good move for me. It's a promotion and a raise, so that's a good start I guess, hopefully I enjoy it.
12-14-18, 07:36 PM
#3538
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Last day this year at my company. Only 3 days next year here (two I'll be on-site with a customer) and then I'm done. On the 7th I start at my new company.
Very much looking forward to some vacation time at home with the family, and then hopefully my new company will be a good move for me. It's a promotion and a raise, so that's a good start I guess, hopefully I enjoy it.
Very much looking forward to some vacation time at home with the family, and then hopefully my new company will be a good move for me. It's a promotion and a raise, so that's a good start I guess, hopefully I enjoy it.
12-19-18, 11:01 PM
#3541
Cat 2
12-20-18, 04:41 PM
#3542
out walking the earth
Big changes afoot. I'm blue star free. I don't spend enough time here to justify it.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
12-21-18, 12:04 AM
#3543
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Big changes afoot. I'm blue star free. I don't spend enough time here to justify it.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
12-21-18, 07:49 AM
#3544
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John, I have a sort of mechanic-related question for you. I know SnapOn tools are not cheap. If you were not about to retire, which would you rather? Getting a SnapOn screwdriver you'd lost two months back returned to you, or not having your boss hassle you about having left said screwdriver in a customer's engine?
I got my oil changed at one of those quicky places and the guy said, "do you want me to put this screwdriver back in the engine" (it was actually over by the air filter which is a pain in the ass to get in and out).
I was like, "what the..."
He said, "we found this screwdriver, and it's not one of ours"
I responded, "I don't own any SnapOn tools" and he said, "well, you do now."
I could take it back to the shop where I had the work done a couple months back (some sensor changes - and the air filter replaced after he told me that someone, likely the quicky oil folks, had crushed the last one when putting it back in after checking it), but I don't know who did the work, so I'd have to take it up front rather than just giving it to the guy who did the work. I don't know if it's worth the hassle on my part and then the boss would have to look up who did the work and give it to them (and might give them some crap too). It's not like I want to complain as it didn't affect the car, but if it's valuable, I don't want to keep something that isn't mine.
I got my oil changed at one of those quicky places and the guy said, "do you want me to put this screwdriver back in the engine" (it was actually over by the air filter which is a pain in the ass to get in and out).
I was like, "what the..."
He said, "we found this screwdriver, and it's not one of ours"
I responded, "I don't own any SnapOn tools" and he said, "well, you do now."
I could take it back to the shop where I had the work done a couple months back (some sensor changes - and the air filter replaced after he told me that someone, likely the quicky oil folks, had crushed the last one when putting it back in after checking it), but I don't know who did the work, so I'd have to take it up front rather than just giving it to the guy who did the work. I don't know if it's worth the hassle on my part and then the boss would have to look up who did the work and give it to them (and might give them some crap too). It's not like I want to complain as it didn't affect the car, but if it's valuable, I don't want to keep something that isn't mine.
12-21-18, 08:16 AM
#3545
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I'd prefer getting the tool returned, the boss can only give so much crap. This sort of thing happens a lot, I have several tools that I found, even out on the street.
I left a $60 flex socket in a car and the customer returned it and I gave him a discount on some labor as a "thank you".
I found a Streamlight flashlight in a car (I think they are over $150) and there was a phone number etched into it, so I called the guy. He was happy to hear I found his light but he never came by to pick it up.
I left a $60 flex socket in a car and the customer returned it and I gave him a discount on some labor as a "thank you".
I found a Streamlight flashlight in a car (I think they are over $150) and there was a phone number etched into it, so I called the guy. He was happy to hear I found his light but he never came by to pick it up.
12-21-18, 11:04 AM
#3546
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Long ago I took my truck in because it was running rough and the shop found nothing wrong with it. Driving home I was thinking, man this is running even worse, and when I got home I popped the hood and found the shop's compression gauge still screwed into one of the spark plug holes.
12-21-18, 11:05 AM
#3547
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Big changes afoot. I'm blue star free. I don't spend enough time here to justify it.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
My son also came out as gay this week. I couldn't be prouder of him stepping so fully into the world. He's got a post graduate job lined up as a junior in his career of choice, and things are just flowing from his hard work. It's a wonderful thing to watch unfold.
12-21-18, 01:04 PM
#3548
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Long ago I took my truck in because it was running rough and the shop found nothing wrong with it. Driving home I was thinking, man this is running even worse, and when I got home I popped the hood and found the shop's compression gauge still screwed into one of the spark plug holes.
Every time I get my cars inspected, I have to use a breaker bar on the lug nuts the next time I rotate them because they never use anti seize and they over torque them so badly that my impact wrench can't even get them. They also consistently forget to replace the crush washer when I let them change the oil sometimes.
12-23-18, 01:22 PM
#3549
Cat 2
Took the drive down to Oregon yesterday and spent some time with my grandparents. My grandfather has been ill for most of my life and its finally coming to a head. He is in hospice at a retirement home and it's a situation I feel totally uncomfortable in. I just don't know the right thing to say or do and the whole vibe of these places gets me messed up.
I thought I was more or less comfortable with the idea of death, but this whole thing has me more and more scared of aging. Old people and mental loss of function is awful.
I thought I was more or less comfortable with the idea of death, but this whole thing has me more and more scared of aging. Old people and mental loss of function is awful.
12-23-18, 07:29 PM
#3550
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Took the drive down to Oregon yesterday and spent some time with my grandparents. My grandfather has been ill for most of my life and its finally coming to a head. He is in hospice at a retirement home and it's a situation I feel totally uncomfortable in. I just don't know the right thing to say or do and the whole vibe of these places gets me messed up.
I thought I was more or less comfortable with the idea of death, but this whole thing has me more and more scared of aging. Old people and mental loss of function is awful.
I thought I was more or less comfortable with the idea of death, but this whole thing has me more and more scared of aging. Old people and mental loss of function is awful.
Your post sounds like your grandfather might not know who you are?