definition:Buzzardo

Dear dedicated viewers viewer:

1 week after experiencing the movie “Food Inc.”, I have eaten my first meal out at a rather common and decidedly tasty restaurant Olive Garden. I decided that I would get a healthy meal [ok, i was ravenously hungry] by ordering the soup, salad, and breadsticks combo. I joked at the end of the meal that I had won some unsanctioned and un-entered contest by having the least expensive meal on the ticket. And to myself, I said: “High five, Buzzardo. you win”.

This morning [though not at work, i swear!], I visited the Olive Garden website to see just how well I ate last night. A recap of my dining: 3 breadsticks, 2 plates of salad with light dressing, and 2 bowls of my favorite soup Zuppa Toscana. I mean, it sounds delicious and not-so-bad-for-me right? Yeah, so I had 2 whole bowls of yummy sausage and potatoes with greens and Olive Garden magic, but I am still well within my gauge for healthy eats right? I could have done much worse by eating some other entree, thereby clogging my body with gunk that I’ll have to burn off on the bike trainer today, right?

Wrong.

The tally at the end of ONE MEAL was as follows:
Calories: 1490
Fat: 66g
Saturated: 13g
Sodium: 7310mg
Carbs: 119g
Fiber: 13g

Now, for some perspective. Based on my level of activity, general fitness, and other mystical factors, my dinner intake versus what my daily intake should be is below, courtesy of FitDay:

Obviously, I need to revise my dining practices. 3.5 times my daily allowance for sodium in one meal?! To the right of this post, you will find a new page entitled “Gristle”, which I will work to detail my dining-out adventures.

Stay Tuned!

…is when you leave your website alone long enough to forget to pay for the domain. And the hosting. I panicked when opening my homepage and did not see my beautiful nose-picking, sunglass-wearing self; rather a cute character [godaddy] saying my domain was up for purchase!

Thankfully, all seems to be back to normal. I think exercise is supposed tuh reverse ah-trow-fee, rahght?

I am quietly sitting at my desk, searching in the darkness for the reason why I dedicate much of my life to realizing other people’s dreams, goals, and ambitions. It seems odd to me that I must satisfy someone else’s desires in order to facilitate my own.

I can’t form intellegent enough thoughts to describe what I want to tell you.

I want to live EVERY DAY.
I have the right to live EVERY DAY.
I will live EVERY DAY.

Maybe I can facilitate my dreams by facilitating my dreams.

And live EVERY DAY

Location: Winsted, CT, Winsted woods behind Gilbert school
Length: 4 mile loop, 2 laps approximately 2 miles
Terrain: rocky, rooty, loose, and 97 degrees at 95% relative humidity
Time: 14 minutes
Impressions: I was definitely kicking its ass. I refused to drop lower than third gear in the middle ring, and was absolutely attacking the ride. It must have known, because it relieved my rear tire of all of its pressure halfway into the ride. I was on pace to finish one lap in a half an hour. Went to procure new tubes, and was disappointed that I was sold tubes that were undersized, and that I was pressured into purchasing something I didn’t really want. I will be returning them once I find the right size.

And, in my bike shop, there will be the right damn size. PERIOD.

Location: Litchfield, CT, White memorial conservatory
Length: about 6 miles, at the ice-cream laden girlfriend pace
Terrain: rolling, groomed and awesome [definitely Kelly approved]
Time: approximately 1 hour 20 minutes
Impressions: Fun place to ride. Pugsley and I were accompanying Alicia and her yet-to-be-named mountain bike on what should have been her introductory mountain biking experience. Bugs were incredible; they followed in my draft to ensure a landing place. Several times I had to sprint away in a full tuck to break the swarm. Alicia had lots of fun, except when the ice-cream was trying to explosively evacuate her system. Nonetheless, we will be returning.

Location: Winsted, CT, Winsted woods behind Gilbert school
Length: 4 mile loop, 2 laps
Terrain: rocky, rooty, loose, and WET
Time: 1 hr 08 minutes
Impressions: 2 day rest period was amazing. I will definitely be resting before the Fat Tire race. Felt strong and was able to recover quickly from climbs. This was undoubtedly aided by the prunes and 1/2 PB&J sandwich I ate before the ride. Said nomming also provided for some minor cramps which were later relieved, much to the chagrin of the Subaru.

Location: Anthony’s restaurant, Torrington CT
Length: 45 feet from the car
Terrain: Carpet and bare wood decking
Time: 2 hr 08 minutes
Impressions: Good wine. Oil for bread dipping was phenominal, as was the escarole and sausage appetizer. Stuffed salmon did not dissapoint. Our hosts were a riot act when provoked by the owner and his wife. Too much wine and too little water to ride.

There is always tomorrow.

Location: Winsted, CT, Winsted woods behind Gilbert school
Length: 4 mile loop, 2 laps
Terrain: rocky, rooty, loose, and WET
Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
Impressions: FELT LIKE ASS. Kids training for next year’s football season provided some motivation. 2nd lap proved difficult for tire placement and keeping traction. Able to attack last hill 2nd lap, ninja squirrel leading the way. Mechanical issue gave much-needed rest midway through lap 1.
Next steps: Bring hair dryer, portable generator, and terry towels.

Location: Winsted, CT, Winsted woods behind Gilbert school
Length: 4 mile loop
Terrain: rocky, rooty, and loose
Time: 35 minutes
Impressions: Much faster recovery after 3 rides. Focused on tire placement and looking ahead.
Next steps: 2 laps, resting allowed. Apply power conserving and tire placement techniques.

Skunks smell. When a skunk sprays outside an open bedroom window, it stinks. When this happens every night, it reeks. I want to sleep. Game on, critter.