What I wouldn't give

A long ride on my bike in the sun, along a river and I start dreaming....

así, esto es para mi Querida:

"Everyone sees the long day through
Now what would I do without the nights and the phone
And the chance just to talk to you
Oh, what would I do now
Hey, just to talk to you, a thousand miles away, hey hey
What I wouldn't give for only one night, a little relief in sight....

When the sun sinks low all around
That's when I know I, I need you now
Yes you're what I miss, every little kiss..."

Come ride with me.

(and thanks Bruce Hornsby for "Every Little Kiss")

I must be a Mayan

I've been feeling sorry for myself--sorry that winter has lasted into April here in Seattle...but more sure than ever that when I'm in the sun, my world changes for the better...

Two weeks ago I 'took myself' to Talladega to see a NASCAR race (no, Mrs. Schmidt doesn't do NASCAR), and I had a blast...Sweet Home Alabama....and 75 degrees/blue skies! And if you were wondering if NASCAR fans (those in the South) are a bunch of redneck hillbilly drunks, forget it: I was there--never saw a fracas, mostly met southern hospitality---NASCAR fans are far more civilized than soccer, hockey, college football...pro football fans; well, that's my experience. Go Carl Edwards! And now a week or so later, that area where the race was was hit by horrible tornadoes: I am blessed to have enjoyed the best of the south and to have avoided the worst of nature....

Last week I planned to go to San Diego to bodyboard (some folks refer to it as boogie boarding, but I prefer the more 'authentic' description) but foggy mornings and cold water led me to change my mind: so I went to Palm Springs and the Ace Hotel. And if you've never been to one of the Ace's properties, go!.. they have properties in Portland, Seattle, NYC and Palm Springs. They are a true reinvention of the hospitality industry, and are the brainchild of Alex Calderwood, a guy who started barber shops in Seattle, called Rudy's (no relation). The Ace in Palm Springs attracts 'Hollywood types'--code for creative people/fun people. I met an assistant director and a couple of costume buyers from Vancouver, Canada, and it's only coincidental that they were all very attractive and bright ladies. Each seemed to exude a 'work hard and play hard' attitude with real integrity that was so refreshing. And did I mention the sun: 85 degrees and blue skies, and misters! Love those misters. Freaky looking pool attendants who brought drinks efficiently, and who looked like they were members of Pearl Jam.

This past weekend in Seattle was mostly sun on Saturday and all sun on Sunday...and I did over 100 miles of cycling--Saturday with my club, Eastgate, and then on Sunday with my buddy, Chris, who is training for a big ride next weekend in California.

I must be a Mayan; I love the sun, it changes me--it makes me feel optimistic, energized...and if reinvention is my goal, it's going to have some kind of sunshine as part of it....

And now that the sun is out, come ride with me!

Ed Ames - My Cup Runneth Over

Happy Valentines Day

To all the women I have loved...especially to the ones I love now, my Karen and my daughter, Kate--"my cup runneth over with love".

Ed Ames, who used to play an Indian on TV, to Fess Parker's Daniel Boone, sings this song wonderfully, eternally....and I'm a sucker for it; whenever I hear it, I feel blessed to have loved, to love...an emotion that has probably caused more wars, created more music and heartache than any other emotion. It has tested my soul...but if I was left with only one feeling in my life, it would be love. So, to the ones I've loved (and many of you didn't love me back, that's OK) and to the ones I love now, Happy Valentines Day! I love you.

Just own the night...

Maybe no better place to see reinvention taking place than at the Grammy Awards. I'm not a big awards show fan--everyone says that, but we watch, right?!--but the Grammys are cool, keen, groovy and fun...how many times have you seen the 'new' Madonna?...

"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, wanting to start again,

...do you know that there's still a chance for you, because there's a spark in you, you just gotta' ignite the light, and let it shine, just own the night...."

These young, new kids are terrific...weird yes!...and as much as I think "I could do that", no, I wouldn't; they are indeed special, talented: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga...

I can't wait to see them reinvent because they will. Reinventing takes talent. And these kids can teach us.

"....come on let your colors burst....come on show us what you're worth... make them go AH--AH--AH, as you shoot across the sky, sky, sky....you're gonna' leave them going AH-AH-AH".

Katy: you did.

so, own the night....and then come ride with me.

Friday Night Lights Forever....

Texas Forever

If you are a DirecTV subscriber, and you have been watching "Friday Night Lights", the last episode was tonite. If not, you will see the last series on NBC in a few weeks. I don't want to give anything away to those who didn't see tonite's episode--but I would encourage you to see it!

I watched it tonite, like I do every Wednesday night.

Tonite I cried...and I smelled the wet grass I used to play on on Friday nights when I played high school football 30 years ago. I was pretty good, good enough to make honorable mention in my league when I played on the offensive line at La Habra High school in La Habra, California. We didn't have a Coach Taylor but we had some guys who actually played D1 football, and we played aginst some future major league players like Gary Carter (New York Mets catcher) and Steve DeBerg (Kansas City Chiefs QB). I actually played against Steven Seagal of Buena Park High School, but he didn't know any kung fu then...

It's funny what you remember...and now when I have time and resources available to travel and climb mountains all over the world, I find it odd that I appreciate home, my kids, my local life more--maybe it's only me...but I think that is 'my' truth of Friday Night Lights: that finding meaning is not far away if you appreciate what you have, and who you played with/or lived the tough times with. I've heard it said, "wherever you go, there you are." Or, you carry what's inside you everwhere.

That doesn't preclude reinventing, it's just being what you would have been...

Yes, "Texas forever".

Come ride with me.