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.