George:
I chatted with Marie last week but as I read and watch what is happening in New York, I realize that you have needs too. It is all too easy for me to sit here 3,000 miles away shaking my head in disbelief following the Knicks. The details of the trial, Marbury's free pass out of Phoenix, the startling result of Isaiah's new contract. You however have lived through each agonizing year, through every detail. Allot of that pain is back there in repressed memory eating away at your very positive sporting nature. Don't expect James Dolan to pony up for any therapy sessions, its all on you my friend.
The energy it must take for you, to just open the paper every morning. George, people around the country can't conceive that in New York no one can ignore the Knicks, or stop being a fan. Just like when the Mets, Jets & Giants stunk up professional sports, each fan must accept the guilt and take responsibility. We both know you have no choice in the matter.
I confess that I have written dozens of comments & posts on how Mitch Kupczyk, Kobe Bryant or Jerry Buss complicate my life as a fan. If I add up all of my sports frustration: The Lakers; Having NO Professional Football here; Being forced to say 'The Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim' instead of, The Angles; Even from Beckham blowing out his Knee for England during an international friendly at Wembly, so Galaxy would have no playoff chance...... All of it, is just a walk in the park. My heart goes out to you. Compared to your sports reality, I'm out on a Steve Perillo, Hawaiian Holiday Cruise.
Oh, I guess you have some snow for the Parade tomorrow, Enjoy.
John
Got Bicycle ? I bet you do, somewhere.
We rode Black Star Canyon here in Orange County CA Sunday. Its one part of the Santa Ana Mountains that did not burn last month. Just a few miles away from the evil Riverside Freeway but the view & feeling at the top, are worlds apart.
Cycling is at a peak of popularity in the US. Lance Armstrong certainly educated & inspired people to get involved. Mountain Biking just keeps building on it's base set down in the '70s by Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher & Tom Ritchey.
Fitness trainers recommend finding an activity that you enjoy doing. Riding a bike is a low impact aerobic workout that builds leg & upper body strength and its FUN. Cycling puts you in our natural environment where humans belong and of course, you never forget how to do it. Its an inclusive sport with as many variations as there are people to think them up. Competitive racing is brutal in every class and age group. We may all fantasize qualifying for a National Championship but like other sports, a tiny percentage rise to the top. Don't let that fool you, because bike riding is also more laid back than ever on the Trails, Mountains, Back Roads, in Empty Lots, Fund raisers, Touring.... everywhere.
If you want to start riding, find a friend or a group locally, do some reading to get a feel for the gear and what interests you. You probably have a bike in the garage already that with a tune up, will be fine to start on. I rode a $100 Huffy (36 lbs, w/ a kickstand) to the top of the San Juan Trail in 1999. This raised eyebrows but no one broke out laughing at the top of the 3,500 ' climb. Go out and get your feet wet. Depending on your physical condition you may want to have a stress test. Build a fitness base gradually, it will pay off later when you avoid some injuries related to a more macho approach. Pick up a training guide learn some technical work outs and how your body processes oxygen H2O and nutrients. Come up with a strategy that works for you with realistic goals, then make adjustments. A healthier lifestyle is likely to develop right along with all of this.
Don't be intimidated by the elitist equipment quagmire. Visit some local bike shops (LBS) when they are less crowded. There are no dumb questions, but ask the intelligent ones too. Most creidable LBS people are there because they love doing it (not for the big bucks). When you feel comfortable somewhere, that's a good thing. Shops usually have weekly rides to check out.
Before you know it you will be riding like you are 12 again.
On an adventure of your own making.
Cycling is at a peak of popularity in the US. Lance Armstrong certainly educated & inspired people to get involved. Mountain Biking just keeps building on it's base set down in the '70s by Joe Breeze, Gary Fisher & Tom Ritchey.
Fitness trainers recommend finding an activity that you enjoy doing. Riding a bike is a low impact aerobic workout that builds leg & upper body strength and its FUN. Cycling puts you in our natural environment where humans belong and of course, you never forget how to do it. Its an inclusive sport with as many variations as there are people to think them up. Competitive racing is brutal in every class and age group. We may all fantasize qualifying for a National Championship but like other sports, a tiny percentage rise to the top. Don't let that fool you, because bike riding is also more laid back than ever on the Trails, Mountains, Back Roads, in Empty Lots, Fund raisers, Touring.... everywhere.
If you want to start riding, find a friend or a group locally, do some reading to get a feel for the gear and what interests you. You probably have a bike in the garage already that with a tune up, will be fine to start on. I rode a $100 Huffy (36 lbs, w/ a kickstand) to the top of the San Juan Trail in 1999. This raised eyebrows but no one broke out laughing at the top of the 3,500 ' climb. Go out and get your feet wet. Depending on your physical condition you may want to have a stress test. Build a fitness base gradually, it will pay off later when you avoid some injuries related to a more macho approach. Pick up a training guide learn some technical work outs and how your body processes oxygen H2O and nutrients. Come up with a strategy that works for you with realistic goals, then make adjustments. A healthier lifestyle is likely to develop right along with all of this.
Don't be intimidated by the elitist equipment quagmire. Visit some local bike shops (LBS) when they are less crowded. There are no dumb questions, but ask the intelligent ones too. Most creidable LBS people are there because they love doing it (not for the big bucks). When you feel comfortable somewhere, that's a good thing. Shops usually have weekly rides to check out.
Before you know it you will be riding like you are 12 again.
On an adventure of your own making.
Riding After the So Cal Fire Storm
Sunday we rode the Santiago Truck Trail, a week after the Fire Storm. We've seen some fire damage in the Santa Ana Mountains over the years. Nothing compares to this. The good news is that, because there is little development from east of Santiago Canyon Road all the way to Riverside County, relatively few people were in danger here. These fires are natural events. Some are set but the 70 mph desert winds plus dry vegetation will eventually burn naturally, it cannot be stopped during those conditions. For the areas where development is allowed in the canyons, results have been devastating. There are no easy answers for high population areas but to be sure, without the fire crews, many more people would be homeless or worse. Their knowledge, skills and dedication keep us safe in the worst conditions.
In Orange County we are fortunate to have the Cleveland National Forest and other areas set aside as wild. They buffer us from the dangers of our arid environment. When I moved here from the northeast it took me years to get comfortable with the sparse plant life. Eventually one comes to appreciate every small Live Oak, sage and cactus, as survivors. Now lots of it is gone and damage from erosion will change the landscape even more. New growth will start the process of natural repair. That's the amazing part, a pretty good reason for getting up off the couch to go have a look in the spring.
Sports like hunting, cross country skiing, birding, hiking and mountain biking have their challenges. They put us outdoors in ways that humans have been for the longest part of our time here on earth. Look at Ansel Adams work, read John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Frost. The stimulation you feel should be the beginning of something. Experiencing nature first hand is what those people were all about. Don't let some newscaster try to scare the heck out of you repeating the same clips of fire and destruction in our world. Find the accessible areas near you, walk through them, immerse yourself in them. Sports are balance, cunning, reliance, movement, endurance, and more. These things are standard equipment for human beings, they deserve way more than a test drive around the block now and then.
In Orange County we are fortunate to have the Cleveland National Forest and other areas set aside as wild. They buffer us from the dangers of our arid environment. When I moved here from the northeast it took me years to get comfortable with the sparse plant life. Eventually one comes to appreciate every small Live Oak, sage and cactus, as survivors. Now lots of it is gone and damage from erosion will change the landscape even more. New growth will start the process of natural repair. That's the amazing part, a pretty good reason for getting up off the couch to go have a look in the spring.
Sports like hunting, cross country skiing, birding, hiking and mountain biking have their challenges. They put us outdoors in ways that humans have been for the longest part of our time here on earth. Look at Ansel Adams work, read John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Frost. The stimulation you feel should be the beginning of something. Experiencing nature first hand is what those people were all about. Don't let some newscaster try to scare the heck out of you repeating the same clips of fire and destruction in our world. Find the accessible areas near you, walk through them, immerse yourself in them. Sports are balance, cunning, reliance, movement, endurance, and more. These things are standard equipment for human beings, they deserve way more than a test drive around the block now and then.
Read about the Santa Ana Mountains:
Vogel and Kuechlin; Mountain Biking Orange County, http://www.mountainbikebill.com/black_star_silverado_loop.htm
Summit Everest.... sure were do I pay ?
Reinhold Messner wrote, in his book, The Big Walls:
" The Big Walls are the royal discipline in mountaineering terms. They embody all of the things that make climbing what it is... size, scale, difficulty, exposure, remoteness and the reduction of equipment to a minimum."
Centuries before and certainly after Hillary & Norgay broke through on Everest in 1953, climbers countered risk with knowledge, intelligence and foresight. The logistics, route planning, supply, climbing ahead of each camp to set ropes and acclimatize. All of this was done with some or without any help. Each climber literally dedicated their lives to it. Mountain Climbing may have been the first Extreme Sport and it is no less than that today. Every day of the year people are out there, climbing with skills and talent that few can conceive. They practice their sport in silence and desolation on the edge, often times only perfection means survival. Technical prowess is one part of it but respect and leadership foster the ability to make objective, unpopular, life saving decisions.
The south face of Dhaulagiri, east face of Monte Rosa, the Dolomites, Eiger, Denali, Matterhorn and hundreds of others you have never heard of, meet Messners criteria. None of them will ever act as the set of a reality TV show.
Before, during and after the Himalayan climbing season we always read articles chronicling" The Ultimate Mt. Everest climbing triumph". There is a long list of first ascents by every size, shape and persuasion of climber. I absolutely cannot take anything away from any of those people and their achievements. What we need to understand is that climbing Mt. Everest is a free for all today. Base camp has all the amenities of home and more than resembles a season long frat party. Tour companies practically guarantee semi celebrities the summit for the right price ( $100k +/- ). The ladders are in position, the ropes are set in advance, oxygen bottles are warehoused at high camps. Sherpa's do more of the work than ever, including carrying some clients part way on their backs. The 15 people that died there in 1996 and many others since, suffered from lack of discipline, ignorance and bad judgment. Many just had no business being there. The publicity and popularity surrounding this Everest phenomenon doesn't show Chomolungma... Sagarmatha much respect. Neither does the estimated 10 tons of garbage strewn along the South Col.
Sometimes it takes everything you have just to put up a field goal, so lots of teams never go to the Super Bowl. But anyone that pays a scalper a hundred grand to get there, better stay off the field if they don't want to get crushed.
Read about Climbing:
Dick Best; The 7 Summits, John Krakauer; Eiger Dreams,
Anatoli Boukreev; The Climb, David Breashears; High Exposure
" The Big Walls are the royal discipline in mountaineering terms. They embody all of the things that make climbing what it is... size, scale, difficulty, exposure, remoteness and the reduction of equipment to a minimum."
Centuries before and certainly after Hillary & Norgay broke through on Everest in 1953, climbers countered risk with knowledge, intelligence and foresight. The logistics, route planning, supply, climbing ahead of each camp to set ropes and acclimatize. All of this was done with some or without any help. Each climber literally dedicated their lives to it. Mountain Climbing may have been the first Extreme Sport and it is no less than that today. Every day of the year people are out there, climbing with skills and talent that few can conceive. They practice their sport in silence and desolation on the edge, often times only perfection means survival. Technical prowess is one part of it but respect and leadership foster the ability to make objective, unpopular, life saving decisions.
The south face of Dhaulagiri, east face of Monte Rosa, the Dolomites, Eiger, Denali, Matterhorn and hundreds of others you have never heard of, meet Messners criteria. None of them will ever act as the set of a reality TV show.
Before, during and after the Himalayan climbing season we always read articles chronicling" The Ultimate Mt. Everest climbing triumph". There is a long list of first ascents by every size, shape and persuasion of climber. I absolutely cannot take anything away from any of those people and their achievements. What we need to understand is that climbing Mt. Everest is a free for all today. Base camp has all the amenities of home and more than resembles a season long frat party. Tour companies practically guarantee semi celebrities the summit for the right price ( $100k +/- ). The ladders are in position, the ropes are set in advance, oxygen bottles are warehoused at high camps. Sherpa's do more of the work than ever, including carrying some clients part way on their backs. The 15 people that died there in 1996 and many others since, suffered from lack of discipline, ignorance and bad judgment. Many just had no business being there. The publicity and popularity surrounding this Everest phenomenon doesn't show Chomolungma... Sagarmatha much respect. Neither does the estimated 10 tons of garbage strewn along the South Col.
Sometimes it takes everything you have just to put up a field goal, so lots of teams never go to the Super Bowl. But anyone that pays a scalper a hundred grand to get there, better stay off the field if they don't want to get crushed.
Read about Climbing:
Dick Best; The 7 Summits, John Krakauer; Eiger Dreams,
Anatoli Boukreev; The Climb, David Breashears; High Exposure
Health Headlines made to.... Shock
Health Headlines are presented as gospel, often leaving people scared and confused. "Toughs' University Study finds that: Worry is Contagious, pass it on." How can the results of a 300 page 20 year scientific study be condensed into two sentences followed by: "News at 11" ? This post may help ease your sense of alarm, when you hear that next Health Sound Bite.
Individual scientific findings are a means to an end.
Science is based on conflict. Theories and conclusions shot down by conflicting results, claims & counter claims. It is contentious and has been very personal for hundreds of years. Hooke hated Newton who retaliated in the Royal Society... Pope Urban VII put away Galileo... Don't even mention Darwin. There is a long arduous path from publishing study results to surviving peer review and all kinds of other criticism. The work isn't even accepted until some brave soul proves it by solving a real problem. The Cholera of 1854 is a good example (ref 1).
100 years of deaths had been accepted as Divine intervention. Microbiology and Social Statistics were in early use associated with whatever theories had been published. Dr John Snow recorded data from death certificates and neighborhood mortality. He then used a microscope, to observe a suspect bug in pump water. He combined Statistics with Microbiology to prove that a contaminated cesspool next to the Broad street water pump (Soho) spawned the deadly outbreak (ref 2). Life in London and World health were improved because science works. Its the gap between Studies and their successful application that sends most of the Sexy Headlines to the discount rack.
Last week's Outrageous Headline : "Death Risk Lower for Overweight People" (ref 3, 3.1)(Read special disclaimer below) Katherine Flegal of the CDC spent the week giving interviews related to her study results, that being overweight did not raise your risk of cardiovascular death.
1st: They live as long because Hospitals Fix most heart patients before they die. It will cost your HMO $200,000 and its no walk in the park for you.
2nd: This same study, reports increased deaths from Kidney disease & Diabetes for the same group of people. You only get that part if you read past the dangerously misleading opening. Forget Headline Health and manipulated statistics. Let the Scientists argue with each other about new findings, its in their nature and its, their job. I'm not so sure how long Ms Flegal will keep hers.
I intended to write about some sports diet information. Calories, BMI, etc but the Perfect Storm of Headlines doesn't come along every day, I couldn't help myself. Why complicate Health with statistics and bore all of you anyway ? (that is to say, all 3 of you). Good Health is more about doing the things that we already know are right. There are more ways than ever, to eat well and stay fit. But we still rationalize that Hi Fat, High Sugar and All Meat diets are only dangerous for, 'those other people'. Look in the mirror Tex, now is the time to change your habits, because Tomorrow Never Comes (ref 4).
Follow the dictates of the Real Health Authority (Mom):
"Don't eat that junk, you'll spoil your dinner"
"Go outside to get some exercise"
"Eat your vegetables"
Do what your mother did for you when you were in 6th grade; Throw yourself outside locking the door behind you, so you have to go ride bikes with your friends.
Special Disclaimer:
a) I absolutely do not make this stuff up !
b) Technically speaking, everyone on the planet has the exact same risk of death. Only the departure date is in question.
References:
ref 1: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/EPI/snow/snowbook.html
ref 2: http://www.comfsm.fm/socscie/histchol.htm
ref 3: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20071106/death-risk-lower-overweight-people
ref 3.1: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/298/17/2028
ref 4: Marie Matta; verbally, moderate tone of voice
- Who Toughs' it out at Tufts ?
http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=121
Individual scientific findings are a means to an end.
Science is based on conflict. Theories and conclusions shot down by conflicting results, claims & counter claims. It is contentious and has been very personal for hundreds of years. Hooke hated Newton who retaliated in the Royal Society... Pope Urban VII put away Galileo... Don't even mention Darwin. There is a long arduous path from publishing study results to surviving peer review and all kinds of other criticism. The work isn't even accepted until some brave soul proves it by solving a real problem. The Cholera of 1854 is a good example (ref 1).
100 years of deaths had been accepted as Divine intervention. Microbiology and Social Statistics were in early use associated with whatever theories had been published. Dr John Snow recorded data from death certificates and neighborhood mortality. He then used a microscope, to observe a suspect bug in pump water. He combined Statistics with Microbiology to prove that a contaminated cesspool next to the Broad street water pump (Soho) spawned the deadly outbreak (ref 2). Life in London and World health were improved because science works. Its the gap between Studies and their successful application that sends most of the Sexy Headlines to the discount rack.
Last week's Outrageous Headline : "Death Risk Lower for Overweight People" (ref 3, 3.1)(Read special disclaimer below) Katherine Flegal of the CDC spent the week giving interviews related to her study results, that being overweight did not raise your risk of cardiovascular death.
1st: They live as long because Hospitals Fix most heart patients before they die. It will cost your HMO $200,000 and its no walk in the park for you.
2nd: This same study, reports increased deaths from Kidney disease & Diabetes for the same group of people. You only get that part if you read past the dangerously misleading opening. Forget Headline Health and manipulated statistics. Let the Scientists argue with each other about new findings, its in their nature and its, their job. I'm not so sure how long Ms Flegal will keep hers.
I intended to write about some sports diet information. Calories, BMI, etc but the Perfect Storm of Headlines doesn't come along every day, I couldn't help myself. Why complicate Health with statistics and bore all of you anyway ? (that is to say, all 3 of you). Good Health is more about doing the things that we already know are right. There are more ways than ever, to eat well and stay fit. But we still rationalize that Hi Fat, High Sugar and All Meat diets are only dangerous for, 'those other people'. Look in the mirror Tex, now is the time to change your habits, because Tomorrow Never Comes (ref 4).
Follow the dictates of the Real Health Authority (Mom):
"Don't eat that junk, you'll spoil your dinner"
"Go outside to get some exercise"
"Eat your vegetables"
Do what your mother did for you when you were in 6th grade; Throw yourself outside locking the door behind you, so you have to go ride bikes with your friends.
Special Disclaimer:
a) I absolutely do not make this stuff up !
b) Technically speaking, everyone on the planet has the exact same risk of death. Only the departure date is in question.
References:
ref 1: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/EPI/snow/snowbook.html
ref 2: http://www.comfsm.fm/socscie/histchol.htm
ref 3: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20071106/death-risk-lower-overweight-people
ref 3.1: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/298/17/2028
ref 4: Marie Matta; verbally, moderate tone of voice
- Who Toughs' it out at Tufts ?
http://admissions.tufts.edu/?pid=121
Why am I Here ?
I live in one of the most heavily populated areas of the US. The Los Angeles Basin is held up as a poster child for Inconvenient Truths. The truth is that on any given day there are few places on earth with more people recreating outside, experiencing our natural world. We moved here for different reasons but the ease of accessing nature brings a smile to my face over and over.
Mountain Biking paradise is where you find it. I find it between the Cleveland National Forest and the Pacific Ocean. From sea level at Laguna Beach to 5,687 ft in the Santa Ana Mountains. To say that it is my comfort zone would be completely wrong. There is just a little comfort in this sport.
I love Main Stream Sports but gravitate towards the Tributaries, taking a wider view, accepting athletes that don't even get paid. Sports are Inclusive, more about doing than just watching.
If I can improve on my writing and get the word out here, that will be OK.
Right now the Bikes are in the garage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
