I have three more weeks of school and then I'm free for 10 weeks of summer vacation. This weekend has been a preview for what I hope summer holds in store.

I felt very tired yesterday, but I'm not sure why. I didn't get much done around the house other than a little weeding, shopping at the nursery, and setting up part of a drip irrigation system in the back yard.

I ate dinner early and found myself falling asleep watching TV. So, I went to bed at 8:00 and was soon sound asleep. I didn't wake up for a solid eight and a half hours. By the time I woke up just before 5am, I was refreshed and re-energized. I got up and immediately started cleaning house. I vacuumed, dusted, steam moped the wood floors, cleaned the counters, stove, cupboard faces, and emptied the dishwasher. Then I vacuumed and dusted on the second floor and folded a load of laundry. By that time it was 8:30. I put on a bright red T-shirt and went for a twelve mile ride on my bike. I'm glad I went early. Things were quiet around Greenlake and on the Burke Gilman trail during most of the ride. But, by the time I had wound my way through the University district past Calvary Cemetery, and headed back toward home on Ravenna Blvd I reach Greenlake again and the place was a mad house. It's really frustrating when pedestrians are sauntering along in the bike lane chatting, paying no attention to cyclists. Normally it doesn't bother me, but toward the end of my ride it was so busy I found it nearly impossible to pass without riding on the grass. I think I'll be avoiding Greenlake on Sunday mornings from now on.

Once I was home I showered and dressed for more shopping. I went to the grocery store and to The Home Depot to pick up a few more small pieces for my irrigation system. Soon I had finished setting up the majority of the soaker hoses and was testing out the system and my new timer. My faucet leaks so I can't leave the valve open 24/7 - but I'll see if I can fix that another time. For now all the new plants are lying next to a soaker hose and things work fine.

Once I finished with the irrigation, I tore out old plants in three large pots on my deck. I re-filled one of them with red geraniums, and two others with golden Monterrey cypress surrounded by deep purple petunias. Then I refreshed the hanging baskets on the front porch with creeping lavender petunias (I like petunias! Can you tell?). That was followed by washing my truck, pulling more weeds, cleaning the table on the deck and finally pulling the garbage and yard waste out to the curb. Whew! What I lacked in energy and productivity yesterday I sure made up for today. I rewarded myself with 30 minutes lying the sun. Tonight I BBQ some chicken. My second BBQ dinner of the season.

The sunny warm weather we've had over the last two weeks has got me primed and ready for summer vacation. I have many plans for projects around the house and yard - not to mention regular sessions on my bike.

What a strange life I lead?

My class just finished two performances of "Vacation on Mars" our annual musical, which this year focused on a family that goes on vacation through the solar system and runs into trouble. All went well for the two performances. About 150 people attended the two performances. I kept things simple and the kids did a good job. The tunes were catchy. In fact, it's hard to get the bloody melodies out of my brain!

The strange part was my discovery that one of my girls is a total stage DIVA! Generally, I don't say disparaging things about 2nd graders, but this student is definitely on her way to bitchy divahood and she made my blood boil a couple time. It was kind of scary. I had to yank her chain in private on more than one occasion.

Next up: looks like I have a new tenant for my old house. It's a young couple from San Francisco who have lived in Seattle for just 10 months. They are looking to start a family, but aren't ready to buy. He is a relatively new dentist; she works for Nordstrom. The strange part: Why is it I can't sell my home, yet while forced to keep it and try to rent during a tough rental market (tough for owners) I have no trouble finding tenants on my own and I've managed to avoid the costs of using a leasing agency. Other homes in the old neighborhood are still trying to find tenants! I haven't even paid for advertising! Word of mouth has been adequate. The ease with which this has happend has been very unexpected. A positive note: I negotiated better terms and a small increase in the monthly rent for this new tenant. That's good for me.

It was somewhat strange taking these new tenants through the application process too. I've never been privy to so much private information from folks I don't know. I checked on his employment, their credit scores, criminal convictions (they have none) and contacted their current landlord. I almost feel like a real grown up - or is it I feel like a powerful slum lord! 

Finally, I'm being considered for another business trip. It hasn't been finalized yet, but it looks very likely I will be going to Columbia University Teacher College for a week long seminar on writing instruction during early August. Last summer, I was lucky enough to go on a four day cruise that taught me to give instruction on chess in the classroom. It strikes me as strange that during a time when teachers are being layed off, I'm probably going on a business trip to NYC. The trip is being paid for out of funds from this year's budget, and they are special funds which the district cannot touch. Obviously, the trip funding isn't enough to save anyone's job, but the complications of a government budgeting are so arcane and complex, it's amazing anyone ever gets paid.

I'm excited about the prospect of going because many consider the Teacher College to be the premiere US institution for the preparation of teachers. It's a great privledge, and I'm amazed more teachers didn't ask to be considered. Currently, three spots are availalbe for the trip - and only three of us applied for consideration.

Life is interesting.

I bought a new bike yesterday. It's an eZee Sprint 1000 (see pic below). It's designed as a commuter bike with a tough frame, thick punture resistent tires, front fork shock absorbers as well as one below the saddle and a seven gear internal hub derailour. It came with fenders, front and rear lights, a rack, chain guard, a simple computer and - yes, it is an electric assist bike. No, it isn't like a moped. Legally, it's considered a bike. But, on board is a lithium ion battery and a front hub electric motor.

Commonly, these bikes (manufactured in China) are sold throughout Europe. The battery is there to help get you up moderate hills. You still have to pump, just not as hard. I intend to transition at least part of my work commute into a bicycle commute during the fall. For now, I'm going to ride my bike on weekends and during summer to get used to riding in a busy city, and get in better shape.

Being a middle aged man, carrying 25 pound more than I should, I got this bike to help me make the transition to a healthier life. Make no mistake - these electric bikes will not take you to your destination without plenty of peddling. You just don't have to peddle as hard, and on the flats there's no need to use the battery assist at all.

Yesterday and today I took the bike out to get a better idea how my commute will be during the next school year. Believe me, it won't be easy. It's 6.1 miles each way if I follow the safest bike route without adding too much distance. Most of my route is in bike lanes, on trails, or through both parks and residential streets. I'm doing my best to stay off heavy commercial avenues.

The big issue is Seattle hills. I live at an elevation of just over 280 feet. My commute route requires that I drop down to nearly sea level, then rise again to about 350 feet. I want to arrive at work without appearing as a sweaty pig.

I know myself well enough to acknowledge that if the commute is too hard on me, I simply won't follow through with it on a regular basis. Therefore, I bought a bike that will help me out on the steepest climbs.

Capitol Hill, where I work, isn't the highest hill in Seattle, but approaching it from the north end and rising to nearly the peak in just 1.5 miles is a major hurdle. I've done it twice now, and on the eZee Sprint it's doable. I arrive huffing and puffing, and I definitely break a sweat - but I'm not exhausted.

There is more than one benefit to commuting by bike. Of course, it's healthier, but it also decreases my carbon footprint. I drive a hybrid car, and now I will also ride a hybrid bike. The model I bought has received excellent reviews and the company has been around for years, though they are new to the American market. Currently, the bikes are only sold in Seattle and New York, or on the Internet.

So there you have it. It's something new and I'm happy about it. If you feel like teasing me and calling me "lazy" (as some already have) go ahead. Let's see you try my commute on a regular bike! Most people wouldn't even consider it. Sure if you are young or already in good shape, you would do better than I - but I'm neither of those, so this is the route I've chosen to take and I think it's a good choice.

Since when do American's care what Miss America thinks about social issues?

When did the rantings of a loser hypocrite start to matter to the gay community?

Since when did christian American's adopt a nude model and runner up beauty queen with fake boobs as their spokesperson for morality?

Since when did any of this matter?????

We can build the case for gay marriage without worrying about a vapid loser beauty queen. SHE LOST! Stop paying attention to her. No one will remember her next year if we stop talking about her.


Since when does what she "thinks" matter?