Here in Houston we are knee deep in relentlessly hot weather. Even after nearly 20 years here, it is still disconcerting to walk out of the back door at 0700A in the morning, smack into a sauna-like 80F with 85% relative humidity. Today's weather forecast looks pretty ominous, but we're almost used to it: "Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 109. South wind between 5 and 15 mph."
So what do runners do in weather like this? Go for a run, of course. Which is what Kathleen and I did last night, doing 4 X 800 meter 'Yasso' repeats, with an easy 400 meter in between, at Reagan High School in the Heights, with a few Houston Strider club mates. Complete with 1 mile warm up (hah!) and 1 mile 'cool down' (as if). I was pretty inconsistent, completing the 800's in 3:42, 3:35, 3:32 and 3:22, respectively. Of course seasoned runners know about Bart Yasso's theory that if you can do 10 X 800 meters (each) in 3 minutes and 30 seconds on the trot, with 400 meter recovery intervals, then you should be able to run a 3hr 30 minute marathon. Or if you can do 10 Yasso 800's in 4 minutes each, a 4 hr marathon would be a reasonable target time. And so on. Of course you would have to do the appropriate marathon buildup with long runs, relatively high weekly mileage, etc.
For the time being, running marathons is just a fading memory for me. We're all about the 5K right now and my next goal is to go sub 21 minutes. It likely won't happen until the Fall, when cooler air makes it down here from Canada. Right now that seems so far in the future I don't even want to think about it. For the longer term, thinking about a sub-20 minute 5K is probably quixotic, in fact I think it definitely is. Like winning the lottery, nice to think about fleetingly but then you remember that you still have to pick up after the dogs.
PS: All went well with the dermatologist. No big lectures or anything, just a reminder to use some sunscreen on the very top of the old noggin, which is nowadays more like scorched earth than lush meadow.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A date with the dermatologist
Do you know that feeling of worrying about how often you've flossed your teeth lately, when you're about to have some dental work done? Or trying to remember exactly what kind of prescription & otc medications you've been ingesting over the last few weeks or so, when completing those pesky questionnaires when you're seeing a new doctor. Do they really need to know ALL the operations you've ever had? Don't they realize that some of us have been around for more than half a century, we've had some work done, people.
Tomorrow I'm seeing a dermatologist, first time in years. I'm not worrying about what she will find. Like any 57-yr old, there's a couple of spots here and there on the face that she may want to scrutinize, but nothing too serious I don't think.
What I'm apprehensive about is the overall impression, shall we say. Sorry doc but I'm (t-a-n-n-e-d). Can you use the 't' word in a dermatologist's office? It's not that my face resembles a leather handbag - I think you have to live in Florida or Arizona to reach that 'pinnacle' of tan-dom. Mine is just your common, garden variety tan. All natural, mind you. You'd have to pay me a lot of money to get me into any kind of artificial tanning contraption. Nonetheless, I am bracing myself for at best a lecture, at worst some disapproving looks, a bit of head-shaking and some stern reminders about the dangers of skin cancer.
What can I say, I spend a lot of time outdoors. It's hot around here, I take my shirt off, I am a runner... I go to the beach, I work out - outside... We've got a pool in the complex. Any other good excuses? My other doc told me to get some sun for Vitamin D? I'm allergic to suntan lotion? My hat is too big/small. I'm a sun lover? I'm an idiot.
And on to running news:
Last Saturday's Run Wild 5K was a little disappointing. I ran a worse time - 22:21 - than the previous week (which was a much tougher course). Didn't get close to placing in my age group. And worst of all, I was passed by dozens of runners over the last mile or so. Not a good feeling. Definitely ran out of gas over the last mile, probably due to the heat - it was oppressively hot & humid. So I'll chalk this one up to experience and move on. At least it was fun to see a few other Striders there and to renew my acquaintance with Roger, whom I ran with in Galloway days, almost 10 years ago. Kathleen did much better than she expected to, which was great - if she'd been 100% healthy she would definitely have placed in her AG. We're both looking forward to the next race which is the Lunar Rendezvous at the Johnson Space Center on July 19.
Tomorrow I'm seeing a dermatologist, first time in years. I'm not worrying about what she will find. Like any 57-yr old, there's a couple of spots here and there on the face that she may want to scrutinize, but nothing too serious I don't think.
What I'm apprehensive about is the overall impression, shall we say. Sorry doc but I'm (t-a-n-n-e-d). Can you use the 't' word in a dermatologist's office? It's not that my face resembles a leather handbag - I think you have to live in Florida or Arizona to reach that 'pinnacle' of tan-dom. Mine is just your common, garden variety tan. All natural, mind you. You'd have to pay me a lot of money to get me into any kind of artificial tanning contraption. Nonetheless, I am bracing myself for at best a lecture, at worst some disapproving looks, a bit of head-shaking and some stern reminders about the dangers of skin cancer.
What can I say, I spend a lot of time outdoors. It's hot around here, I take my shirt off, I am a runner... I go to the beach, I work out - outside... We've got a pool in the complex. Any other good excuses? My other doc told me to get some sun for Vitamin D? I'm allergic to suntan lotion? My hat is too big/small. I'm a sun lover? I'm an idiot.
And on to running news:
Last Saturday's Run Wild 5K was a little disappointing. I ran a worse time - 22:21 - than the previous week (which was a much tougher course). Didn't get close to placing in my age group. And worst of all, I was passed by dozens of runners over the last mile or so. Not a good feeling. Definitely ran out of gas over the last mile, probably due to the heat - it was oppressively hot & humid. So I'll chalk this one up to experience and move on. At least it was fun to see a few other Striders there and to renew my acquaintance with Roger, whom I ran with in Galloway days, almost 10 years ago. Kathleen did much better than she expected to, which was great - if she'd been 100% healthy she would definitely have placed in her AG. We're both looking forward to the next race which is the Lunar Rendezvous at the Johnson Space Center on July 19.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A very slow bloomer
Very slow indeed - but still improving! I won my age group - 50 to 59 - in a 5K for the first time last Saturday. My time was just barely under 22 minutes. Admittedly, the competition wasn't fierce, as this (The Tortoise and the Hair) was a new run and all the fast guys were either cross town running in Deer Park or in Colorado because of the heat. Yes it was hot. Starting a race in Houston at 8:30am is never a good idea, especially not in late June during a heatwave of epic proportions. So it was probably close to 85F by the time we all sprinted out from underneath the Wortham Center, racing up the bridge over Interstate 45, along Memorial Drive.
Which brings me to a pet peeve. What is it with bridges, overpasses and viaducts in 5K races? I am baffled as to why local 5K races (such as the Astros 'Race for the Pennant' 5K and now this one) opt to make their course more difficult (slower) than it could otherwise be. What is the benefit to the race? So that runners can complain about how tough it was? Surely not. Trust me people, if anybody really wants to run hills in Houston's summer heat, he or she will find them - without your help. So quit including inclines of any kind in your 5K course. Runners do not sign up for 5K's to get a hill workout. They do that in the days and weeks before the race. Many people run a 5K just for the heck of it (because they can), but most 'real' runners are out to compete with others in their age group or to improve on their personal best time. So give them the fastest (i.e. flattest) course possible with the least number of turns, and they'll be back.
Other Striders there on the day did very well too: Ryan Dimarco won the entire thing - first place overall! John Dimarco snagged 2nd in his age group as did Azita Dimarco. What a family. Unfortunately Kathleen couldn't make it due to some IT band issue: too bad because she might have won her age group too!
Which brings me to a pet peeve. What is it with bridges, overpasses and viaducts in 5K races? I am baffled as to why local 5K races (such as the Astros 'Race for the Pennant' 5K and now this one) opt to make their course more difficult (slower) than it could otherwise be. What is the benefit to the race? So that runners can complain about how tough it was? Surely not. Trust me people, if anybody really wants to run hills in Houston's summer heat, he or she will find them - without your help. So quit including inclines of any kind in your 5K course. Runners do not sign up for 5K's to get a hill workout. They do that in the days and weeks before the race. Many people run a 5K just for the heck of it (because they can), but most 'real' runners are out to compete with others in their age group or to improve on their personal best time. So give them the fastest (i.e. flattest) course possible with the least number of turns, and they'll be back.
Other Striders there on the day did very well too: Ryan Dimarco won the entire thing - first place overall! John Dimarco snagged 2nd in his age group as did Azita Dimarco. What a family. Unfortunately Kathleen couldn't make it due to some IT band issue: too bad because she might have won her age group too!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Going to the dentist
I spent almost two hours in the dentist’s chair yesterday morning. I did not start to feel even semi-ok until
Is it any wonder that people have a phobia about going to the dentist? I guess some people just don’t go, maybe I should give that a try. Alas my teeth and the rest of my body do not seem to be on good terms. I’ve had way too many root canals, definitely more than is healthy for any individual. My dental x-rays are scary, it looks the Mississippi Delta in there with all the little canals spreading out beneath practically every second tooth. And one more imminent.
On to more pleasant news. I am down 3.3 lbs this week. Some of it no doubt water weight as I have been sweating it out the last couple of days with the Striders, with first a hill workout Tuesday night and then yesterday running about 5 miles on the infamous (up and down like crazy!) Ho Chi Minh trails at Memorial Park here in
I am waiting for my long-lost abs to make an appearance, I know they are lurking there at around 150 lbs... Last seen in public when I was (briefly) running track in high school in 1970, they are understandably a bit shy to see the light of day.
I purchased an Accu-Measure body fat caliper the other day. Tried it out a couple of times today and my body fat percentage appears to be about 22%. Looks like there is quite a bit of room for improvement!
Monday, June 15, 2009
A trip to the country
Kathleen and I took a short road trip into Central Texas last weekend, to Lockhart, an interesting small country town between Luling and San Marcos, south of Austin. Lockhart is known as the barbecue capital of Texas - it has four barbecue markets at least two of which, Kreuz' Market and Smitty's, are known far and wide amongst Texas barbecue afficionados. While in Lockhart, I certainly did not go around advertising the fact that I'm vegan. For all I know, vegans may not actually be allowed into Caldwell County... Vegan restaurants? You've got to be kidding. The only vegan restaurant in Lockhart last weekend was in our hotel room at the Best Western.
On Friday night, we strolled around Lockhart's famous city square, took a few photographs of the well-known Caldwell County Courthouse, and stumbled upon a local County Fair or carnival, just like you'd see in the movies.
The Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, TX
Another view of the Courthouse
And a final one. The people lining up in the right foreground, was our 'clue' that there was something else going on in town. We eventually boarded a schoolbus at this spot, which took us to the County Fair at the Lockhart Municipal Park.
There are several interesting buildings in the historical area around Lockhart town square.
Other than the rides, a county fair is all about the food... Hot wings and sausage on a stick. Hmmm...
Candy apples, sno-cones, cotton candy - what more could you want.
If you have any small change left after all that food, you can lose it on the midway.
Wager a small fortune on the 'real' pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...
Only to win collectors' items like these super-realistic Bengal Tigers...
If you're a kid, you don't care that the boat doesn't float or can't steer. This is as much fun as a kid can have, especially with his grandparents looking on.
Kathleen and I almost got onto the merry-go-round ourselves, it looked like such a blast.
But first we had to go and get some corn dogs, french fries and onion rings. Just kidding.
The next morning (Saturday 13 June) we raced the Lockhart Kiwanis 5K, which was held at the Lockhart Junior High School a few miles out of town. Kathleen did very well, with both a PR and second place in her age group. My race was ok, but a finish time of over 22 minutes was well off my personal best time. Also, in a race with 10-year age groups, a 57-year old is at a distinct disadvantage in the 50-59 year old age group. Race directors really should get with the program and offer prizes & awards in 5-year increments, right up to 75+. Look around you at your next 5K race - there's a lot of gray out there.
The first dog to finish, and his owner.
Kathleen chatting to a Colorado Springs runner who went to school in the area, at (then) Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
The two of us after the race, after some fruit and cookies.
Kathleen accepting her age group trophy - a cowbell - from a race official.
Later that morning we returned to the Lockhart city square for the annual Chisholm Trail Parade. We were baffled at the inclusion of some of the 'floats' such as this cool pick-up truck.
There were many, many traditional floats like this one, complete with constantly waving princesses, and a chicken in the barn.
Yes a chicken. The young women's dresses were as colorful as the backdrops
Pretty much all the floats were colorful but this HEB one outdid them all.
Very very colorful
To the point of making the Caldwell County Courthouse look drab...
There were at least two Men on this float. No wonder the Republicans are in a quandary nowadays.
I always marvel at the guts it takes to appear in public in an outfit like this. Barbecue-loving Shriners.
A parade is not a parade without a clown. This was a parade.
Yet another float with a waving princess, first runner-up & second runner-up.
Making their way past the Caldwell County Courthouse.
This little group in the tuxedos and long dresses were hot. Temperature hot. It was well into the upper 80's by the time they floated around.
I have no idea what or whom this vehicle represented.
Although the driver did look like a sharecropper of some kind
With a goofy hat and a friendly smile
I think this float had something to do with shoes. Nice car!
And then, incongruously bringing up the rear, a parade of Corvettes, including this official Indy Pace Car.
Followed by several other 'Vettes, with one owner impatiently revving the powerful engine.
No blog entry about Lockhart is complete without at least one barbecue photograph. These two Smitty's employees retrieve smoked ribs, brisket and sausage from the smokers in the background and then chop them up into smaller pieces. Smitty's offers 'lean' cuts of barbecue, but judging by these guys' overalls, most of what they sell is definitely not lean.
On Friday night, we strolled around Lockhart's famous city square, took a few photographs of the well-known Caldwell County Courthouse, and stumbled upon a local County Fair or carnival, just like you'd see in the movies.
The Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, TX
Another view of the Courthouse
And a final one. The people lining up in the right foreground, was our 'clue' that there was something else going on in town. We eventually boarded a schoolbus at this spot, which took us to the County Fair at the Lockhart Municipal Park.
There are several interesting buildings in the historical area around Lockhart town square.
Other than the rides, a county fair is all about the food... Hot wings and sausage on a stick. Hmmm...
Candy apples, sno-cones, cotton candy - what more could you want.
If you have any small change left after all that food, you can lose it on the midway.
Wager a small fortune on the 'real' pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...
Only to win collectors' items like these super-realistic Bengal Tigers...
If you're a kid, you don't care that the boat doesn't float or can't steer. This is as much fun as a kid can have, especially with his grandparents looking on.
Kathleen and I almost got onto the merry-go-round ourselves, it looked like such a blast.
But first we had to go and get some corn dogs, french fries and onion rings. Just kidding.
The next morning (Saturday 13 June) we raced the Lockhart Kiwanis 5K, which was held at the Lockhart Junior High School a few miles out of town. Kathleen did very well, with both a PR and second place in her age group. My race was ok, but a finish time of over 22 minutes was well off my personal best time. Also, in a race with 10-year age groups, a 57-year old is at a distinct disadvantage in the 50-59 year old age group. Race directors really should get with the program and offer prizes & awards in 5-year increments, right up to 75+. Look around you at your next 5K race - there's a lot of gray out there.
The first dog to finish, and his owner.
Kathleen chatting to a Colorado Springs runner who went to school in the area, at (then) Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos.
The two of us after the race, after some fruit and cookies.
Kathleen accepting her age group trophy - a cowbell - from a race official.
Later that morning we returned to the Lockhart city square for the annual Chisholm Trail Parade. We were baffled at the inclusion of some of the 'floats' such as this cool pick-up truck.
There were many, many traditional floats like this one, complete with constantly waving princesses, and a chicken in the barn.
Yes a chicken. The young women's dresses were as colorful as the backdrops
Pretty much all the floats were colorful but this HEB one outdid them all.
Very very colorful
To the point of making the Caldwell County Courthouse look drab...
There were at least two Men on this float. No wonder the Republicans are in a quandary nowadays.
I always marvel at the guts it takes to appear in public in an outfit like this. Barbecue-loving Shriners.
A parade is not a parade without a clown. This was a parade.
Yet another float with a waving princess, first runner-up & second runner-up.
Making their way past the Caldwell County Courthouse.
This little group in the tuxedos and long dresses were hot. Temperature hot. It was well into the upper 80's by the time they floated around.
I have no idea what or whom this vehicle represented.
Although the driver did look like a sharecropper of some kind
With a goofy hat and a friendly smile
I think this float had something to do with shoes. Nice car!
And then, incongruously bringing up the rear, a parade of Corvettes, including this official Indy Pace Car.
Followed by several other 'Vettes, with one owner impatiently revving the powerful engine.
No blog entry about Lockhart is complete without at least one barbecue photograph. These two Smitty's employees retrieve smoked ribs, brisket and sausage from the smokers in the background and then chop them up into smaller pieces. Smitty's offers 'lean' cuts of barbecue, but judging by these guys' overalls, most of what they sell is definitely not lean.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Photographs from Memorial Day weekend in Florida
No I haven't dropped off the face of the earth - just suddenly got very busy at work - and running more at night, with the Striders. Hence less time to update the blog. Before it becomes history, I have quite a few photographs from Kathleen and my recent (Memorial Day weekend) trip to Anna Maria Island, on Florida's beautiful west coast.
We flew on Southwest to Tampa, picked up a rental car (A Corvette - I kid you not) and hit IH 75 towards Bradenton Beach. For once I would not have minded driving a little further. Had it not been for that annoying GPS voice - "... half a mile ahead, keep to the left and then take a right." Huh?
The Corvette is part of Hertz' 'Fun Collection'. They got that right. We spent as much time in our room as in the car... Sporting a six-speed paddle shift transmission, the ZHZ makes the most of the dual mode exhaust delivering 436 horsepower. Even a half-assed car enthusiast will get a kick out of firing up that baby (it is keyless) just to hear the throaty growl of its 6.2L v8, complete with performance exhaust. Its impressive features are wrapped inside a uniquely packaged Corvette that features Hertz’s iconic yellow and black, colors that have a storied past in sports car history.
No I did not get a ticket but could have, and for once would not have minded. Adjust the lumbar support in the low-slung leather seats, select 'Sport Mode', brace yourself and press down on the accelerator... Better hang on to the steering wheel or you might end up inside of a La Madeleine Restaurant, as a Hertz client did a while ago, in Dallas. Be sure to sign up for the optional insurance. It was a total blast!
The Corvette in which we tooled around Bradenton Beach, FL
Another angle on the Hertz Corvette ZHZ
As for Anna Maria Island, it was just as advertised: 'old-time' Florida, with friendly people, a slow pace, quiet and peaceful with beautiful, family-friendly beaches. Sort of the anti-Miami: none of the glitz, no highrise condos, high-dollar hotels or ripoff prices. Not too many vegan restaurants (how about none...) but I made do perfectly fine with the local eateries including a couple of Italian places, one of which -Da Giorgio - was excellent. We also tried Bones Restaurant (a curious mix of barbecue, Caribbean Island cuisine and some Indian vegetarian dishes) and a Cuban-Mexican joint in Bradenton. All good and reasonably priced.
Other than cruising around in the 'Vette, we spent most of our time on the beach. And what a beach! Fine, clean white sand, nice cool water with pretty decent-sized waves, and all the space in the world to explore for shells, run, fish, sail, surf, ride the waves, play or relax. We even signed up for a local 5K on Saturday morning - Sammy's Run, and it turned out to be one of the best organized 5K's we've ever run. The runners were faster than we had anticipated: we both came in 5th in our age groups. Awards were given 6 deep so we were in luck: hardware 2 weeks in a row!
Part of our 'efficiency' room at Tortuga Inn, on Bradenton Beach. We really liked staying there and we're already planning a return trip. Maybe even a family reunion.
The efficiency apartment had a full kitchen with fridge, stove with gas burners, microwave - the works. We didn't cook a lot (other than my breakfast oats, some toast etc.) but next time we will be sure to plan on it.
Anna Maria Island has several restaurants which sell excellent locally made ice cream. Kathleen is quite the ice cream connoisseur...
Famous St. Armand's Circle between Longboat Key and Sarasota.
The recession has not had much of an impact on the shoppers at St. Armand's. They were out in force. And the restaurants were crowded - especially Columbia, a large Cuban restaurant.
A yacht basin just off Sarasota Bay
This luxury catamaran - 'Africat' - no doubt has a South Africa connection
A restaurant alongside the yacht basin
A pocket park on Sarasota Bay
Kathleen at the Sarasota waterfront
And yours truly
Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island
Late afternoon on the beach
Definitely family-friendly
The dachshunds spotted something interesting in the surf
A colorful beach bungalow
We watched these guys fish for hours and they did eventually catch a few fish.
But mostly they were just casting and reeling in.
These two girls had other fish to fry
So much sand and shells, so little time...
Oh well let's go for a walk
I think I see something...
The sunsets at Anna Maria Island are almost all gorgeous, we were just not around for them, most of the time.
Plenty of action offshore
And closer in. The beach lends itself pretty well to running, especially when the tide is low. Further east on the island there is a 'jogging' trail as well.
Kathleen getting some competition in the shell-collecting game, from a young visitor
Can a kid have more fun than a day on the beach? I doubt it.
Even grown-ups smile spontaneously in a place like this
Thanks to John King for the head's up about Anna Maria Island!
We flew on Southwest to Tampa, picked up a rental car (A Corvette - I kid you not) and hit IH 75 towards Bradenton Beach. For once I would not have minded driving a little further. Had it not been for that annoying GPS voice - "... half a mile ahead, keep to the left and then take a right." Huh?
The Corvette is part of Hertz' 'Fun Collection'. They got that right. We spent as much time in our room as in the car... Sporting a six-speed paddle shift transmission, the ZHZ makes the most of the dual mode exhaust delivering 436 horsepower. Even a half-assed car enthusiast will get a kick out of firing up that baby (it is keyless) just to hear the throaty growl of its 6.2L v8, complete with performance exhaust. Its impressive features are wrapped inside a uniquely packaged Corvette that features Hertz’s iconic yellow and black, colors that have a storied past in sports car history.
No I did not get a ticket but could have, and for once would not have minded. Adjust the lumbar support in the low-slung leather seats, select 'Sport Mode', brace yourself and press down on the accelerator... Better hang on to the steering wheel or you might end up inside of a La Madeleine Restaurant, as a Hertz client did a while ago, in Dallas. Be sure to sign up for the optional insurance. It was a total blast!
The Corvette in which we tooled around Bradenton Beach, FLAnother angle on the Hertz Corvette ZHZAs for Anna Maria Island, it was just as advertised: 'old-time' Florida, with friendly people, a slow pace, quiet and peaceful with beautiful, family-friendly beaches. Sort of the anti-Miami: none of the glitz, no highrise condos, high-dollar hotels or ripoff prices. Not too many vegan restaurants (how about none...) but I made do perfectly fine with the local eateries including a couple of Italian places, one of which -Da Giorgio - was excellent. We also tried Bones Restaurant (a curious mix of barbecue, Caribbean Island cuisine and some Indian vegetarian dishes) and a Cuban-Mexican joint in Bradenton. All good and reasonably priced.
Other than cruising around in the 'Vette, we spent most of our time on the beach. And what a beach! Fine, clean white sand, nice cool water with pretty decent-sized waves, and all the space in the world to explore for shells, run, fish, sail, surf, ride the waves, play or relax. We even signed up for a local 5K on Saturday morning - Sammy's Run, and it turned out to be one of the best organized 5K's we've ever run. The runners were faster than we had anticipated: we both came in 5th in our age groups. Awards were given 6 deep so we were in luck: hardware 2 weeks in a row!
Part of our 'efficiency' room at Tortuga Inn, on Bradenton Beach. We really liked staying there and we're already planning a return trip. Maybe even a family reunion.
The efficiency apartment had a full kitchen with fridge, stove with gas burners, microwave - the works. We didn't cook a lot (other than my breakfast oats, some toast etc.) but next time we will be sure to plan on it.
Anna Maria Island has several restaurants which sell excellent locally made ice cream. Kathleen is quite the ice cream connoisseur...
Famous St. Armand's Circle between Longboat Key and Sarasota.
The recession has not had much of an impact on the shoppers at St. Armand's. They were out in force. And the restaurants were crowded - especially Columbia, a large Cuban restaurant.
A yacht basin just off Sarasota Bay
This luxury catamaran - 'Africat' - no doubt has a South Africa connection
A restaurant alongside the yacht basin
A pocket park on Sarasota Bay
Kathleen at the Sarasota waterfront
And yours truly
Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island
Late afternoon on the beach
Definitely family-friendly
The dachshunds spotted something interesting in the surf
A colorful beach bungalow
We watched these guys fish for hours and they did eventually catch a few fish.
But mostly they were just casting and reeling in.
These two girls had other fish to fry
So much sand and shells, so little time...
Oh well let's go for a walk
I think I see something...
The sunsets at Anna Maria Island are almost all gorgeous, we were just not around for them, most of the time.
Plenty of action offshore
And closer in. The beach lends itself pretty well to running, especially when the tide is low. Further east on the island there is a 'jogging' trail as well.
Kathleen getting some competition in the shell-collecting game, from a young visitor
Can a kid have more fun than a day on the beach? I doubt it.
Even grown-ups smile spontaneously in a place like this
Thanks to John King for the head's up about Anna Maria Island!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Best baseball in town
Best baseball in Houston? At Reckling Park, where Rice, Kansas State, Xavier and Sam Houston State University are hard at it in a regional NCAA tournament. The Astros? Who wants to shell out good money to see a totally mediocre team play (and mostly lose), not to mention being fleeced by the outrageous concession prices.
Anyway Kathleen, Lyndon and I took in the action last night, when Rice came through on the winning side against a scrappy Sam Houston State team. Subsequently, Rice lost to Kansas City tonight, and Sam Houston was eliminated with a loss to Xavier. This means that Rice will play an elimination game against Xavier tomorrow (Sunday). If they prevail, they will have to beat Kansas State twice to come out on top. It will be a struggle for Rice to make it through to the super regional in Baton Rouge, but they've come through the losers bracket before.
Here are some pics from the game, starting with a pitching sequence 'starring' winning pitcher Mike Ojala. Ojala, who is pitching with a torn ulnar ligament, pitched a pretty steady 7 innings and was well supported by the Rice bullpen, which has been shaky lately.
Nicely balanced prior to the delivery.
Rearing back with meaning
Just about to let the ball go
On its way...
Starting the follow-through
Finishing it up
Well, almost
And here is the ball almost in the catcher's mitt
Yes there was an opposing pitcher as well; Sam Houston's Sean Weatherford. He was tagged with an "L".
Rice's living legend of a coach, Wayne Graham, comes out for a quick chat. He didn't have much to say, just checking on the well-being of the pitcher.
Following on a very close play at home, when a Rice player was called safe, Sam Houston's coach Mark Johnson had a few choice comments for the umpire.
Predictably, he lost the argument
Amongst the spectators was Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak
Rice's Chad Mozingo looking at a called strike
Reckling Park was looking particularly good yesterday afternoon
One more shot of Reckling, a little bit later
With the Nikon D-300 Picture Control set to 'Vivid' with 3+ saturation, Reckling looks rather funky
Anyway Kathleen, Lyndon and I took in the action last night, when Rice came through on the winning side against a scrappy Sam Houston State team. Subsequently, Rice lost to Kansas City tonight, and Sam Houston was eliminated with a loss to Xavier. This means that Rice will play an elimination game against Xavier tomorrow (Sunday). If they prevail, they will have to beat Kansas State twice to come out on top. It will be a struggle for Rice to make it through to the super regional in Baton Rouge, but they've come through the losers bracket before.
Here are some pics from the game, starting with a pitching sequence 'starring' winning pitcher Mike Ojala. Ojala, who is pitching with a torn ulnar ligament, pitched a pretty steady 7 innings and was well supported by the Rice bullpen, which has been shaky lately.
Nicely balanced prior to the delivery.
Rearing back with meaning
Just about to let the ball go
On its way...
Starting the follow-through
Finishing it up
Well, almost
And here is the ball almost in the catcher's mitt
Yes there was an opposing pitcher as well; Sam Houston's Sean Weatherford. He was tagged with an "L".
Rice's living legend of a coach, Wayne Graham, comes out for a quick chat. He didn't have much to say, just checking on the well-being of the pitcher.
Following on a very close play at home, when a Rice player was called safe, Sam Houston's coach Mark Johnson had a few choice comments for the umpire.
Predictably, he lost the argument
Amongst the spectators was Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak
Rice's Chad Mozingo looking at a called strike
Reckling Park was looking particularly good yesterday afternoon
One more shot of Reckling, a little bit later
With the Nikon D-300 Picture Control set to 'Vivid' with 3+ saturation, Reckling looks rather funky
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)