The dust up

Lance Leipheimer won the TofC today. Yeah (note deadpan sarcasm). I like Levi, I really do. But Discovery (nee US Postal) have been about the worst thing to happen to stage racing in my opinion. Their formula is soooooo simple: 1) take the lead and then grind everyone into oblivion, 2) team leader must be strong time trialist so lead can be padded against the clock, 3) if someone on another team can give you a run for your money in either the tt or climbing specialties, offer them a contract so you can control their talent. Simple and absolutely boring. Armstrong's first 2 victories were great displays of power and tactics, but the fun factor went seriously downhill from there. The last couple were just straight up snooze-a-thons. Pros don't go for it anymore. They have become risk averse. Except for Vinokourov, that guy is just nuts. Pick the spot that would be the absolute worst place to attack, and that guy is gonna give it a go. He is a breath of fresh air in what is becoming a stolid little sport.

It has been a few days since I posted, so I have to bring you up to speed on a few things. I created a bit of a tempest in a tea pot with my postings on the city council and the recycling affair. You can read some of their comments. Suffice it to say that I was very prompt in communicating with them. Notably, Mr. Purdue realized that he and I had a misunderstanding, but to completely clear the air I would like to say that I am very pleased with the receptiveness to recycling that most of the city council expressed. I am pleased to say that several council members have stated that Lenoir will have recycling in one form or another in the next fiscal year. So come July 1st, things should be up and running.

With that being said, I want to delve a little deeper into the world of local politics. I would like to present the council members with a few questions and would like to present their answers in an unedited form here. Too often we get just snippets of what they state, and given the reaction that my own writing provoked, I think that our city council members are passionate about our city's future and need a forum to express that in. I would like to call on anyone who reads this to email questions they would like to see answers to from our city council. I am especially interested in their vision of Lenoir's future. I expressed to Mr. Purdue that part of my intention with this 'blog is to promote people taking an interest in our local political scene, so please let me know what you would like to ask the city council!



Owen has finally cut the tooth he has been working on for a month. It is a sharp little thing with a buddy coming in right beside it. He's been pretty good about it, but by the end of the day he's pretty grumpy. He fusses with his toys like they just won't play right. We took him swimming at the aquatic center this afternoon and he wasn't exactly thrilled. There was a lot of crying when we first got in the pool. He didn't cry the whole time, but he never really settled into an "ooooooh, this is fun" kinda mood. It was a bummer to see him unhappy, but a small part of me was secretly pleased since it's going to be hard for him to be a triathlete if he doesn't like swimming! I know, I know, pools can be fun and he's a little kid and all that, yada yada yada. If he doesn't like swimming though, he will have come by it honestly 'cause I can't stand it, never have. Golden asked me if I was afraid of water and I told her no, I just don't like it.



Here's to the start of a three day work week! Enjoy!