Trained up at the indoor velodrome (ADT Event Center) in LA today. It was a sweet noontime session, and there was like nobody up there - had the track almost to myself. 3 minute efforts were the order of the day, and they went pretty well. Nothing stellar, but good solid efforts. I've got a power meter on my back wheel that measures my power output (wattage) - it's very Star Trekky. Computer display on my handlebars. Anyway, it helps to keep the efforts consistent. Too bad, though - when I'm going for 3 minutes, I can only power like 7.8 sixty watt light bulbs. And they're not the compact fluourescent kind. Need to get that up to 8.

Riding the boards

Christmas dinner, SoCal style

Psycho, anyone?

my biscuits are burning!

so i was cruising down the main street here in ob, just starting to throw out some candy canes to my adoring fans. first stop at bravo's mexican cantina. barstool seating inside facing the outside - large open windows. a nice dude and his chick are stoked to see the elf scootering on christmas day, no less. so i stop and throw a candy cane in their direction. it tragically misses. i lob a second one over my head and it ricochets off the wall. so no good. by now, the pair are still joyful, but moreso amused by my lack of hand-eye coordination. ok, 3rd times a charm, and i'm going to land this one right in their hands. i rocket a candy cane straight at them, but i failed to take into account the bottles of salsa on the window sill.

it was quite tragic.

i actually shattered 2 bottles of salsa and sent the contents spewing everywhere.

luckily, the pair were still laughing. i was too, but i quickly said, "uhh, merry christmas?" and took off at top scooter speed.

sweet.

candy cane, anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/?v=m60H6RjcfkA
http://www.youtube.com/?v=VUhDQkLpJv4

save the vids - they're sweet.

Merry Christmas, sucka!

It's scooter-ific!

The Elf prepares to ride one last time...

the chronicles of narnia - excellent film.

even better video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=zLElfJ9YCh0

 

mr. pibb + red vines = crazy delicious

An elf's day is done.

Elves love Christmas trees!

Welcome to my toy shop! Slow down!

Quick! Code 3!

I think I see a fire!

end of the work day story:

 

random dude:  hey, wow, you look really great!

me:  thank you!

rd:  i guess it must have been a really good weekend?

me:  oh, yeah, i had a nice weekend.

rd:  you know, i've got a friend and he wears the cheesehead thing around all the time!

me:  oh!  really?

rd:  yeah, so how did the packers do?

me:  hmmm, i don't know...

rd:  you know, green bay!

me:  yeah, i don't really follow that stuff.

rd:  wait.  why else would you be dressed up like that?

me:  TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS JOY!!!

rd:  uhhhhhhhhh...  huh.  [stumbles off bemused]

 

classic.

 

and then as i was crossing the street i almost made a fedex driver run into a light pole.  awesome.

today was dress-up day at work.  roles were assigned, and the masses were alerted.  yours truly was the only one hardqore enough to actually do it.  mama elf hooked me up like flying gumdrops.  sweeter than maple syrup!

 

and you can just tell who's on the naughty list and who's on the nice list by the way they respond to you:

 

1)  naughty list

they just try to ignore you.  no smile, no eye contact, no nuthin.  bah humbug to the extreme.  they wouldn't take a candy cane if their life depended on it.

 

2)  nice list

genuinely happy to see you, even after the first time!  they wanted candy canes, but were a little hesitant when i offered maple syrup for their coffee...

 

i was totally ready to spread christmas cheer at the division staff meeting, but then it was cancelled at the last minute.  coincidence?  i think not...

Buddy's team.

Buddy at work!