Rainy Sunday

That's more like a Seattle forecast... Four days of showers broken by rain on Tuesday. Is there really much of a difference? Either way I wouldn't be planning a picnic.

Now that we have Clyde and knowing that he needs to be walked no matter what the weather, I bought me a new pair of waterproof boots and some lightweight breathable. The boots I bought were the Keen Targhee Mid II's. ...In walnut... They are nice and light and have a big toe box which gives my smaller toes plenty of room.

This morning I got up and had the perfect opportunity to give them a test. I decided to take the dog for a walk down the Burke-Gilman trail from Kenmore to Wayne Golf Course in the rain. A 5 mile round trip. Funny as it sounds, but I really enjoy being out in the rain... ...as long as I am properly outfitted. I have won Carrie over to this thinking now as she will happily sit in our exposed seats a Qwest field, rain, sleet, and snow. Clyde and I set a brisk pace* and hit every puddle on the way. It rained the whole time. Typically after a walk like that, my feet are the wettest part. Not so today. I purposely wore cotton socks and except for the high ankles (above the boot) they were dry. Bitchin! No blisters either. Double-Bitchin! My legs and chest were a different story but it was more from sweat than anything else. I had the front vents of my Gore Tex jacket open and that let in a bit of water.

We got back in time for me to shower and have lunch before the Hawks game. The real beauty of my plan was that Clyde was zonked for much of the football game and slept through most all of it. Even my yelling.... He doesn't do much more than lift his head and look at me, often not even that.

What a fun game to watch. Sure the offense wasn't great, but who cares when the D is knocking the other 49ers senseless. Rocky Bernard knocked Alex Smith out with a crushing sack in their first possession, and the 49ers O didn't have a drive longer than 6 yards until there was 6 minutes left in the half. To end the half the 49ers actually moved the ball 47 yards which prompted them to attempt an onside kick to start the second half.

They were successful! Was the momentum finally going their way? Didn't have to wait long to find out, Dilfer (ex-hawk), promptly threw a pick on the firs play from scrimmage that the Hawks promptly punched in for a TD.

The game was over right then. It was fun to watch, I found myself wanting the O to get off the field so I could see more D.

My favorite parts of the game.... Peterson (ex 49er) pointing at his name after his sacks, Rocky Bernard crushing (literally) Alex Smith and doing the 'sugar bear'. The best was Trufant intercepting two passes intended for Darrell Jackson (ex hawk).

I have also decided that if I buy a jersey this season it will be a #99. the reasons are three-fold.

1. I like Rocky and his dance, the previously mentioned 'sugar bear'
2. He is a defensive player and you get less grief in the stands for wearing those jerseys.
3. He is a 308lb fella, only three inches taller than me. If I put on a Hasselbeck, I look like a fat QB, if I wear his, I look like a skinny DT.

notes-
* Clyde still pulls like a sled dog, always wanting a higher pace. He would do the same if Alan Webb was running him.

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Mike's Delight

I'm in! Just scored some tickets to Van Halen's upcoming show in Seattle and I am stoked! My desire to see Van Halen live with David Lee Roth is able to legally drink and almost old enough to get procure a rental car.



Now I just have to figure out what I am going to wear...

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Viva My Bed

Hey Everybody!

Looks like Mike has to get in the saddle and start blogging again... (How many times have you heard that from me?)

We'll it has been quite a busy couple of weeks 'round here. Carrie's company closed it's door's, dad has been down and out for a bit now with a bum back, my brother got married, and I spent a few days in Las Vegas. I'm not sure why I am telling y'all this, I believe just about everyone that reads my blog was around (Sara...)

Today it is good news all around. Carrie started her new job last Friday, dad is better, but has a ways to go, my brother's fiance said yes, and I came home from Vegas with my shirt.

The wedding was a good time.



It was an outdoor wedding on a beautiful 80 degree day. It was a bit long to stand in one place in a black monkey suit but we survived. Nobody passed out.... The reception was under cover, thank God, and the beer was cold. By the end of the evening, I was ready for a little air guitar. I started, wondered what the hell was I doing, but decided to push through and finish the thing. I had enough Mannys in me that I wasn't embaressed at all.

By the way, in the above picture, can you tell which ones are my cousins, and who is my sister? Hint, my cousins don't look irritated with me.... LOL!

Vagas was a bit of a breather for me. I was flown down there by my company for a users group meeting for a bit of software that we use. I was in seminars from 8am to 4pm. Didn't do any gambling. I really isn't my cup of tea. I did come back $0.05 up because someone didn't cash out their video poker at the bar. I just printed out the ticket and put it up on the wall at work. It would have been funny to cash the thing. I partook in my first ever Vegas buffet. It was the World buffet at the Rio, and it was surprisingly good. I ate a ton but still didn't touch half of what they offered. They had basically everything. Pretty funny to watch people hoard the crab legs. I was behind some lady stacking her plate high with pourpose. I started laughing at how mu she loaded on there. She was probably from Kansas where they are a little hard to come by.

I was a bit dissapointed at the casino we stayed at, the Rio. The room was nice, really big and with a great view from the 22nd floor. No, I was dissapointed because my told me that the Keno women wore just two stamps and a cork. (his words, not mine). The ticket agents at the airport were wearing less than the Keno ladies. Booo! Oh, that and from 3 to 9:30pm there were Chippendale dancers wandering around in front of the elevator I had to catch to my room. Bow tie, tight pants, and shaved. Meh. A couple of hurricanes and I would have taken my shirt off and let them know what a real man looks like!

It was sure nice to get home Saturday and sleep in my own bed after 4 days of sin city. It would have been more fun if Carrie was there with me.

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