HerdingChaos

I have been traveling for work lately. I thought I would kick off my Picture of the Week category with one of the pictures I took while recently in London.

Here is a picture from the top of the London Eye:

I was showing Andrew the Astronomy Picture of the Day today. The picture is of the crab nebula. I was explaining to him that the nebula was formed when a star exploded. This lead to quite a few questions about stars and astronomy type things in general. Eventually we made our way around to talking about our sun.

Andrew: "Is our sun going to explode?"

Me: "Yes, but probably not for something like 10 billion years. Do you understand how big a billion is?"

… long discussion about grains of sand in the sandbox etc…

Andrew: "Wow! That is a long time. Dad, this is sad to say but you are old. Mom is old too, but not as old as you. But I am not that old. So it’s sad to say, but people die when they get really old. And you and mom will be dead before our sun explodes."

Me: "Yes, yes we will."

And for the record, I am only 3 months older than my wife  

I made it home from work in time for dinner. Loren was eating some finger food in the high chair. Andrew and Tracy were munching on some corn on the cob. Becky and I were eating some Frito Pie with Wolf brand HOT chili.

I felt a large burp coming. Trying to set a proper example for the table I just opened up and let ‘er rip. The burp was a masterpiece. Andrew and Tracy started laughing right away. Becky looked impressed but kept quiet. Then it happened: Loren started laughing. I mean really laughing. Not the half scream half large breath that most babies use to express joy. This was a full on guffaw. Of course Loren’s laugh at my burp was too much for Becky and she started to laugh as well. That burp was 4 for 4. It’s always fun to cause a "baby’s first"

Tony and I always ask Tracy about her "My Little Pony" toy. Tony started it and I seem to do it also. Every time I see her with it I ask her, "Is that my little pony?" She then insists that it is not mine and is in fact her little pony. I have been doing this for a couple of months now.

Today when I asked Tracy "Is that my little pony?" she said, "This is just a toy." And the conversation ended. Then Andrew tried to mimic me and told Tracy, "That is my little pony." Tracy then said, "It’s mine and it is just a pony."

This should probably be an update to this entry, but I am too lazy.

I went 20.06 miles in 83 min for an average of 14.5mph.

Couple of notes for myself when I decide to once again wait 5 months between rides:

• The water bottles in the pantry hide behind the Pringles you have been eating when they go unused this long.
• If your bike has been sitting this long you need to lube the chain before riding 20 miles or you end up turning up the iPod so you don’t hear the chain’s death rattle.
• Remember to check the tightness of the straps on the shoes after you have been out for a while. Your left foot will thank you once you get home.
• The heart monitor watch is under the huge pile of crap on your desk in the office. And yes, the battery is dead.
• When waiting 5 months between circuits on your "regular" route there is a chance that someone built a house in that place that just used to be a field. Don’t let that confuse you.
• The instructions for the bike computer are in the top drawer of your desk. Yes you are getting old and you will forget how to operate it in just 5 short months.
• 3.66 miles. That is how long it will take you before you stand on your pedals because your ass is already sore.

I think I might start a photo of the week on the blog also to ensure that I do some photography.

Al pointed out that I should spend time with Tracy before it is too late.  For the record I had just finished tucking her into bed before I made that entry and followed it up with the ride. He still has a good point. I need to spend all the time with the kids that I can before I am uncool.

I got home from work today at around 7:30pm. After giving me a hug and a kiss Tracy told me: "You know what daddy? I wish daddies didn’t have to work."

Me too.

I have not updated to blog in forever. I have not seen my kids as much as I want to. I have not had too many chances to do any photography. I have not been on my bike since… uhm. wow! I just looked in my log and I have not been on my bike since 4/26. wow.

This stops tonight. Tonight I ride.