965 Miles

 Cycling, Golf, Life  1 Response »
Jun 302008
 

I ws going for a 1000 miles this month, but after yesterday’s PV ride, which in my opinion is the toughest club ride (60 miles and 3000 feet of climbing), I decided 965 miles (about 1550 km) was plenty.

If you haven’t guessed by now that I was talking about how many miles I’ve ridden my bike this month, then you obviously have never read my blog before, since that subject typically makes up the greatest proportion of my posts.

So today is a day of rest, but rather than just sit around the house doing absolutely nothing, which is never a good thing, I’m heading out to hit some golf balls at the range.

I might even play a round if I’m feeling up to it. I haven’t done that in a long time, and I’ll ride of course.

 Posted by at 7:55 am

The cure for the common hangover

 Cycling, Food & Wine, General Health  2 Responses »
Jun 282008
 

There’s nothing like a high intensity workout (for me it’s a bike ride) to get that horrible feeling out of your body [and mind], after drinking a little too much wine, at a friends house, the night before.

[I really need to do more of that, as having dinner and wine with friends is a great cure all to help you forget all the issues confronting you on a daily basis.  I just have to do a better job of controlling how much I drink.]

Anywaze, I didn’t get a very good nights sleep, and I certainly wasn’t in any mood to go riding this morning. Heck, I didn’t even want to get out of bed, it felt so good just lying there, but I knew I just had to, or I would feel a lot worse later in the day.

So reluctantly I got myself out of bed, and went down stairs to have my tea and hopefully some breakfast.  Of course that was a lot easier said than done, as I plopped myself down in front of the TV (I didn’t even bother turning it on), with my cup of tea close by.

It felt so good, as I watched the clock tick by.  If I didn’t get up out of that recliner soon, I might never get up, I thought to myself.

Again reluctantly, I got myself out of the chair, made myself a half an egg sandwich (at this point I was starting to run late), hurriedly finished the sandwich and my tea, and managed to get out of the house with just enough time to catch the group, provided I took a few shortcuts.

Almost immediately after getting on the bike, I felt better. My only thought at that point was catching the group, which I did without much trouble.  I even got ahead of them (remember, I had to take a couple of shortcuts), and had to slow down and wait for them to catch me.

And then, as we started the hammer zone portion of the ride, whatever lingering after affects remained of my hangover, totally disappeared, and I’m feeling so much better now.

 Posted by at 12:05 pm

Compassionate Conservatism

 Health Care, Off Topic  No Responses »
Jun 272008
 

Does it really mean what it sounds like, or is it just a euphemism for “it’s all about me, and to hell with everyone else?”

Today, the senate failed to muster enough votes to overturn a planned 10.6% reduction in medicare reimbursements to healthcare providers, forcing doctors to accept even fewer medicare patients, and ultimately leaving many sick and elderly without access to healthcare.

Of the 48 republicans in the senate, only 7 voted with the democrats in favor of the bill.  John McCain didn’t bother voting.  I’m sure he was more concerned for the welfare of the people of Iraq, and the war, than the poor, sick and elderly citizens of America.

The bill was opposed by many senate Republicans, and President Bush, because it

would partially offset the cost of the bill by cutting some bonus payments to private Medicare Advantage plans

In other words it would cut subsidies to the health insurance industry.

And as if that wasn’t enough, President Bush is proposing even greater cuts than last year, in the growth of Medicare and Medicaid, in his new budget plan.

Thank you President Bush, for not compromising on your principles, by considering raising taxes, or ending the war in Iraq, which would save far more than your proposed budget cuts. Balance the budget on the backs of the poor, the sick and the elderly.  After all, they’re not productive segments of society.  They’re only a drain.

Besides why should you care? You and you’re family are healthy [and wealthy], and should you get sick, you’re guaranteed access to the best medical care available, for the rest of your life, all at taxpayer expense.

Something new in my CBC

 Diagnosis, My MCL  No Responses »
Jun 252008
 

Just received the results from my latest blood work today, and while all my counts were stable, i.e. lymphocytes at 100 thou/cumm, hemoglobin 12 g/dl, and platelets 207 thou/mcl, at the bottom of the report was

1% metamyelocytes

Now while most of the information I have been able to glean off the internet, as to the significance of the metamyelocytes, doesn’t appear worrisome, and one test does not a trend make, I never like to see new things on the report.

Fortunately I was able to quickly contact someone who is very knowledgeable in this area, and she indicated the increase in metamyelocytes could have resulted from the relatively intense bike ride I did this morning, as stress can cause a “spilling over” of myelocytes into the blood. Couple this with my MCL, which can also cause an increase in metamyelocytes, I’m hit with a double whammy!

Oh well, such is life, living with MCL. I just hope she’s correct.

One thing for sure, the next time I have my blood checked (in one month) it won’t be after I’ve done a hard bike ride.

 Posted by at 1:50 pm

There’s just no pleasing me

 Vacations  3 Responses »
Jun 222008
 

I don’t know what it is. I can find fault in almost anything. Even staying at a 5 star resort [FOR FREE] doesn’t cut it.

As some of you already know, especially if you’ve read my previous post, Edie and I decided to celebrate my 60th birthday, by staying at the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point this weekend.

While the hotel grounds were spectacular, the room extremely comfortable (I slept till 7 AM both mornings), dinner at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding, service throughout the hotel was equally outstanding, and the masssages were to die for, was it all worth the price?

Well, for the most part it was, but I did have some issues.

If I had to pay the full room rate ($565 for the cheapest rate + tax), the answer would be a definite no, but since the room was free (I used my Starwood rewards points), I have to give it a qualified yes.

Qualified, because the view from the room was less than desired (see my previous post), and everything just seemed way over priced.  It’s just so hard to justify spending $4 for a simple cup of coffee, $14 for a margarita (at least they used Cuervo Gold), and $30 per night to park the car.  Oh yeah, and a glass of club soda at Stonehill Tavern cost $5, refills not included.

And why when you’re paying $565 per night for a room, does the hotel feel it is necessary to charge you an additional $12.99 per night to access the internet?  Why don’t they just include it in the cost of the hotel room, like most of the less expensive hotels, i.e. Holiday Inn, Best Western etc?

Plus, when you’re spending as much as you are for a room, in a setting as spectacular as this one, why in the world would you want to bring your kids along?  Maybe it’s because I don’t have kids, but I just don’t get it. Bringing your kids to such an environment seems inconsistent with my perception of a 5 star resort.

All in all, I enjoyed the two days, but I wouldn’t go back.  One of the great thing about living in Southern California, is we don’t have to travel very far to get to a great tourist destination.  We’re already here, and there are lots of other choices.

 Posted by at 4:02 pm

Were I paying $600

 Restaurant Reviews, Vacations  2 Responses »
Jun 212008
 

per night, for the room we’re staying in this weekend at the St Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point, to celebrate my 60th birthday, I would be a little pissed.  The view of the of the adjacent cafe, partially block by a big palm tree just doesn’t cut it.

But since the room is free (I used my Starwood Rewards points), I really can’t complain a whole lot.

Other than that, and the fact there is no in room coffee maker, and the scale doesn’t work (which may actually be a good thing), the hotel easily meets my expectations.  The hotel grounds and view of the ocean are truly beautiful, the service has been outstanding, and the rooms are very comfortable.  I actually slept till almost 7 AM this morning, which is virtually unheard of.

Oh and dinner last night at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding as well.  It was a little expensive, but with a $115 bottle of wine, and $10 for two small glasses of club soda, what do you expect.  And besides, it’s my birthday.

So now we’re off to be pampered at the Spa Gaucin.  Edie is getting a facial, and I’m getting a massage.  I’m really looking forward to that.

 Posted by at 8:49 am
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