Deep Doo-Doo

What a 4 day weekend. Let me get on with the important stuff.

Adventure Racing Notes: My buddy Aaron and I hooked up with some SCARABs from L.A. to ride the San Juan trail, a pleasant surprise was to see Berniece Pierson there who originally gave me my first A.R. orientation not so long ago. For those that don't know STT is world class single track, and somewhat dangerous. Well anyways, the ride went well on the way up to Cocktail Rock and then up to Blue Jay. The way back down was hell. Aaron and I, and another a novice rider were trailing the group and pretty much got lost. We had to wait up for the novice guy (who really shouldn't have been at STT to begin with) . This was after we helped to fix a flat from another in the group, so instead of staying up with the faster riders, we were trailing and pretty much got left behind. Another note is that the damn downhill shuttle monkeys told us to take a wrong trail. Anyways we ended up on the Chiquita trail which was the wrong way, but we were hoping that it would lead us somewhere. The weather deteriorated and it started to rain. What should have been a dry 3 hour jaunt ended up being six hours and a bit of frustation set in with Aaron and I. He kept crashing because the novice kept stopping for every rock and technical part and Aaron was riding behind him. I was frustrated because he kept questioning everything. Make a long story short, we found Ortega Hwy from a peak and decended towards it. A couple of stream crossings and a lot of hike-a-bike in un-rideable sections through a valley and we're back on Ortega. The amazing part is how far we were from the beginning of the ride. about 6 miles back on pavement and we were back at the parking lot. I honestly thought Search and Rescue was going to be needed to find us, but Aaron and I held fast and stuck with our game plan. Stay on the Trail and Find the nearest road. Lessons to be learned is this: 1). Stay with your group 2). bring a damn trail map 3). Know who you're riding with. We were all in some serious sh!t and made some dumb-ass mistakes. We honestly think that if it weren't for Aaron and I, I think the novice rider would be dead or missing. Anyways, my meter read 18 miles from beyond cocktail rock so my guess is that we covered about 30 extremely hard miles. I never cramped up despite the rough conditions, so I'd have to say my conditioning is very good.

Arcade notes: Finally made arrangements to get a tech here on Wednesday to finish up some loose end projects that I don't have the aptitude or patience to fix. I think I've sold the Hook pin and the Maximum Force gun game, to make room for the LOTR pin I want, not cheap, but I think I have the right approach in trying to attain one of these (sell what I have to raise cash and make space ;) Hopefully on Wednesday, the deal to sell hook and max force will be finalized.

Family notes: Thanksgiving was at our house, a bit stressful being hosts, my wife pretty much spazzed out, but it's a woman thing I guess when it comes to housecleaning and appearances. My nephews enjoyed the game room, but they didn't stay in there too long, I guess they just don't understand pinballs and classic arcade games like I do.

Am Tired

What a busy weekend, all I can say is having a busy lifestyle is tough:

Family notes:

Took the family to Thomas the Tank Engine day on Sunday where Kaleo was just in awe the whole time. I think he dug it. He'll probably not remember it in a few years, but what will probably rub off on him is that his parents love him and will do anything (well almost...) to make him happy. http://www.lousarcade.com/kaleo/kaleo86 Anyways, potty training is tough, but he got through a whole day without an "accident" at school.

Training notes:
Got a good solo 10 miler in on Saturday. When I got back down to 4 corners at Whiting, I was listening to these dudes gawk about how tough the climbs were and they didn't even do the extra loops. I had to laugh, and told them to get a grip, that it wasn't *that* tough. I guess I now know why they call it Whiney ranch. Harry is so stoked on MTB'n that he went and spent some cash on some Fox riding shorts and Jersey. We'll all three be going out on MTB's tomorrow, looking forward to it.

Arcade notes:
Well I got my last pinball, for now anyways. Bram Stoker's Dracula is in the house! http://www.lousarcade.com/bsd3 I had to complete a complicated three way trade for this, but I got it worked out and did the deal. I'm surprised I pulled this off, but I am in a bit of the dog-house for taking so much time. Pinball rows are complete. Now to get the gameroom decorated.

Am Stoked!

Training Notes:
Ran 7 mile loop at whiting tonight. Ignacio and I hauled ass. Last week was such a beeyatch and I was sore for 4 days, over did it after a 3 week viral layoff. Harry and Saul followed on the bikes and I think I've got Harry hooked on Mountain biking. Big grin on his face when we were through. I was worried as we left them behind and never saw them again, turns out they got to 4 corners and turned around while we did the whole loop. I had a nasty attack "lactose intolerance" and made like bear and sheeyat in the woods. you gotta do what you gotta do. A hand full of leaves makes good TP. nuff said.

am feeling vely vely gooood light now and I'm amped for the 2005 racing season, too bad there aren't too many local adv races in Nov Dec. I may do a 10k trail run or something to keep me motivated.

Is it Procrastination, Hard to get going, or am I just plain too busy and distracted

Arcade Notes:
Been working at cleaning the garage gameroom for about 4 years now. I'm more determined than ever to get this "dream arcade" going now that all but 3 machines are running. Add to the fact that I've cleared enough space to work and move, there's no excuses not to finish it by the end of 2004. Demolition man is a pretty fast pinball, glad to have it in the family. By the way this is not my garage, but it is my game: http://lousarcade.com/demo2.jpg

Adventure Racing Notes:
Rode about 7 miles on Sunday at Santiago Truck trail, it's been tough getting back from the 3 week old cold, but I think I've finally licked it and the cough is mostly gone. I'm going to run 7 miles at whiting tomorrow with Ignacio, while Harry and Saul bike it. On another note, I was able to attach my additional kayak saddles to my racks and built a rack for the rack while I'm not using it... Now just to get the additional kayak!!

My first blog, but I'm having issues posting with netscape.....