Just Keep Swimming……….

Well a couple of weeks ago Merritt got the chance to swim in her first swim meet and I went with her. We had to travel 2 hours in a bus, leaving at 5:30 in the morning to arrive at a big dome filled with 2 large pools, loud music, and a strong chlorine smell!!! I learned quickly (no shocker) that I was overdressed. I did not heed the warnings that my feet would get wet...and my clothes..etc etc. So after about 6 hours the bottom of my black polyester (that fabric really held on to that water) jumpsuit was soaked about halfway up my calves. But enough about me I am just trying to fill some space.

So back to the swim meet. I have never seen Merritt swim and she blew me away with her great form and speed. (and I can totally brag because this is a family blog) She didn't get disqualified in any of her events...which is fairly common...especially for a first timer.
She was confident and rocked it out!! Her coach asked me if she was clumsy on land because lots of great swimmers apparently trip and fall down a lot!! Plus her coach said Merritt was a great swimmer.

So Merritt and I were both out of our comfort zones as I was hanging with a bunch of adults I didn't know who wore tevas and t-shirts...I know the horror...and Merritt walked right up to her starting block and just kept swimming and swimming.

So the moral of this (not my best) post is sometimes a lot of good can come from trying new things. But I still will not be wearing any water friendly shoes to the next meet.  Just maybe shorter pants!

Thoughts from a daily bike-commuter in Portland

I’m excited to share some of the knowledge gained from cycling to my job in Portland daily for the past 2 years. This practice has changed my life and my outlook. Before I figured out how to make bike-commuting work I had a long drive with annoying traffic and difficult/expensive parking. Although my commute is now slightly longer, I look forward to parking my car, getting on my bike and riding through neighborhoods, over bridges into one of America’s most beautifully idiosyncratic cities.

If I sound as though I’m approaching this topic with an evangelical zeal, it is because this is something I believe in. Just about anyone can bike, and the more one can address their transportation (not just recreation) needs with a bicycle instead of a car the better. I have lived for extended periods in the world’s #1 and #2 bicycling capitals, Amsterdam and Copenhagen – and there is something so ridiculously sensible about this. What follows is taken primarily from my experiences over the last two years biking in PDX.

Look closely, you can see the bikey arrow-thing here.

Follow the bikey arrow-thing!

Several neighborhood roads in Portland are set-apart for cycling, designated by these cool symbols (this is Portland, I once saw a dude with the symbol tattooed on his calf). Cars tend to avoid these streets because of all the bikers, but they don’t have terribly many stop-signs so you can make a fairly decent pace. I once ran into a 20-30 person cycling troop where everyone was riding weird custom bikes (some extra tall, some low-riders, some hacked-together from other weird machines) following a leader who was blasting grooving 80’s music from a custom sound system he was pulling in a trailer behind his bike.

Jackpot: Donuts on the bridge

There are a couple of places in PDX where people will occasionally set-up coffee and donuts for cyclists on some of the bridges in the mornings.

Steel Bridge = Always Awesome

The bike/pedestrian path along the steel bridge is only about 10’ above the water. It’s down well below all of the cars and trams that cross the bridge, offering a peaceful and gorgeous view of the river, the cityfront, and the bridge itself. Oh and hey, you, there, you two who are walking together side-by-side taking-up the entire path, care to move over for me so I don’t have to ask you or ring my bell? Single file on the bridge people. Single file.

New Club

Bike commuters tend have an interesting bond. We share this thing that we do individually but have common experiences with. In Portland we’re growing daily but in the rest of the US, it’s a bit slower. We don’t discriminate – if you can’t handle a two-wheeled bike, get a 3-wheeler.

Soaked

Some people (including climatologists) think Portland gets lots of rain.  I recently upgraded my rain jacket but it is honestly not as bad as people say. I bike daily and I still don’t own a pair of rain pants. Although I probably should – might cut down on the chafing a bit.

Don’t ride angry

Despite the blissed-out state I enter while riding, some of my cohorts experience a dark and bitter two-wheeled road rage. Not sure what the takeaway is here, but it seems sad to get all mad – I mean, hey, you’re riding a bike man!

~Sniff~

Riding in the winter, it’s cold. Remember to bring a tissue. Blowing your nose helps you breath easy as you speed along. The hard part? Gloves. You need to keep your hands warm when riding – but it is literally impossible to reach into a pocket to grab a tissue while wearing gloves. So you need to learn to stop, remove glove, fish tissue out of pocket, blow nose, put used tissue in other pocket, return glove to hand. Or, if you’re nutty like me, you do this process while riding.

So, that pretty-much covers it. Or does it? Because I’m sure you have nothing better to do, I wanted to add a few tips that will help the world evolve toward a green-energy powered utopian biketopolis.

For Automobile Drivers:

As American cities begin to add bike lanes, we’re in a transitional stage where cars and cyclists are new to dealing with and using them. A few essential things to keep in mind are:

1)   Don’t ever honk at a cyclist. Car horns have a volume loud enough to alert other motorists inside their cars. For cyclists, it’s an ear-splitting cannon of aural violence. I’ve seen cyclists fall-off their bikes because of a honk.

2)   Look for bike lanes and treat them like a separate road that you can’t travel on.  Drivers who drive in the bike lanes have a special place in hell dedicated just for them.

3)   Any time you ever take a right turn, look behind your car to your right and make sure a cyclist isn’t riding behind you. This is the most-common accident cyclists encounter. Three weeks ago I saw a cyclist who was hit by a driver making a right-hand turn. We go at different speeds than you and we have the right of way.

4)   I’m sorry. Be patient. Some of my cohorts are young and stupid and don’t know or understand the rules when it comes to biking with cars. In Portland, an alarming number don’t even wear helmets, which is grossly irresponsible. Cyclists don’t always follow the same rules that cars follow and I appreciate your tolerance as we figure out how to educate both motorists and cyclists so we can better coexist.

For Bikers:

1)   Be Seen! At some point somewhere you may have been told to ride your bike as far-to-the-right as possible. This is outdated and dangerous. If there is no bike-lane present, ride down the middle of the car-lane that makes the most sense for where you are going. Wear something other-than black. Despite the fact that you don’t have a motor, you are a vehicle and will be treated like one if you act like one. This brings me to my next point.

2)   Act like a car. Come to a complete stop at stop signs and stoplights. Make certain you have white lights on the front of your bike and a blinking red light on the back. Use your hands to signal left or right turns.

3)   Beware of the “right hook.” Always operate under the assumption that cars are mindless 2,000 lb killing machines (something my Dad liked to remind me of when I was learning how to drive) and they’re not capable of processing the idea that a cyclist could be riding behind them as they look to make a right-hand turn. You do have the right of way, but “I had the right-of-way” isn’t what you want on your tombstone.

4)   Get regular maintenance. Not very sexy, but terribly important. Any machine that gets regular use will need to be maintained. Think of your bike as a vehicle and not a one-time purchase. Nobody in their right mind would go for an extended period of time without checking their oil, brakes or tire pressure. Bikes have similar parts that wear-down and need to be adjusted and replaced.

Top Ten Things Learned on our Trip to San Diego

By: McKenna and Daniel Magalogo

10) Recycling. In California they recycle. I mean really recycle. Everywhere we went, the Zoo, SeaWorld walking around the Marina there were always two cans to throw away trash. Even in our hotel room we had two separate trash cans.

9) How expensive everything can be. Our joke was, "It's like we are living in an airport." Fancy Hotel equals expensive everything.  An omelet at the hotel restaurant was $16.50 and my favorite was purchasing a small fun size bag of chips for $3.99. The cheapest place to buy soda was in the gift shop. Who knew? We did find a vending machine on the other side of the Marina (none were found in the hotel) and they charged $2.75 for a soda. True story.

8) You can spend Christmas without snow.  We went swimming on Christmas Day and went to SeaWorld and the Zoo. We couldn't believe how packed those places were on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. We also loved how at the Shamu Christmas Celebration they sang actual Christmas Hymns during their show.

7) Chartered planes are better for travel. Bigger leg room, private security, complete with our own personal waiting area with couches and a big screen tv. For our first family flight together we think the kids were pretty spoiled :)

6) Plumerias, my favorite flower are free for the taking. Also you CAN sweet talk your way into the locked portion of the marina and then onto a boat. :)

5) Cheerleaders make the best babysitters. They fell in love with Elise and Carter. Playing games with them, braiding Elise's hair and my favorite was when a cheerleader asked Carter for a crayon while coloring, his response. "I'm not a sharing kind of guy."

4) At the Zoo on a guided bus tour we met a 4 day old Giraffe. Found out that its mother was pregnant for 15 months and that she gave birth standing up. Her baby was born equivalent to the size of a high school basketball player. Wow!

3) A Madagascar Live performance can make a child's day magical. We will never forget their faces during the performance, AMAZING!

2) Can't go wrong with field seats at the Poinsettia Bowl Game. Everything was so close it made the atmosphere so much more fun. The halftime fireworks show wasn't half bad either. Elise made it on the Jumbotron and you can almost say that you saw us on ESPN (You might have to squint).

1) The ride home with the head coach, families and players at midnight is much more fun when you win than when you lose. Way to go Aggies!

"Nothing's Gonna Change My World..."

Well the assorted things we have recently learned might.

By: Kent & Marilyn Granat

a – We learned that the New York Times can not only be informative (‘all the news that’s fit to print’), but very shrewd  Recently, in the Sunday Times Magazine, there was a full page add for a ‘special holiday digital subscription’ to the Times that read, “What If You Could Give a Gift That Made Someone Smarter?  Chicer?  Happier? (And you didn’t have to wrap or mail it?).  Now the key word to the ad, that sets it apart, is the word ‘chicer’.  Since a huge majority of people would not know what the word means, it would often lead one to look up the word, and at the same time, subtly communicate that Times readers are obviously ‘smarter,’ and, thus clearly ‘happier’.  The definition of ‘Chicer’ is the icing on the cake.  It means stylish, sophisticated, elegant, fashionable, the most chic. 

b – We learned the six volume Dictionary of American Regional English is getting updated, and there are indeed some uncommon regional words.  For example:  a) usually when people each bring a dish to share it is called a potluck dinner; except in Indiana it is called a ‘pitch-in’, and in northern Illinois it is called a ‘scramble’;  b) children play hopscotch in most places, except in Manhattan it is called ‘potsy’, and in Chicago it is called ‘sky blue’;  and,  c)  in southeast Wisconsin, a drinking fountain is called a ‘bubbler’.

c – We learned, this year, a handful of elite universities (e.g. University of Chicago, Brandeis, etc.), have continued their quirky and unorthodox freshmen college entrance essay questions:  Examples:  1) tell us your favorite joke and try to explain the joke without ruining it;  2) what does Play-Doh have to do with Plato;  3)  write an essay somehow inspired by super-huge (industrial-sized) mustard;  4  if you were reduced to living on a flat plane, what would be your greatest problems?  Opportunities?

d – We learned there are clearly great differences in girls and boys, being evident at a young age.  Boston (grandson, age 4), when asked by Skipper (Kent) what was the best thing about the soccer game that day, answered, without hesitation, “we won”.  On that same day, Skipper asked Tate (granddaughter, age 7), the same soccer question.  And, with an ever so slight pause she answered, “the other team had pink uniforms.”

e – With Tate on a roll, we learned that kids can often be way more amusing than adults.  Recently Lauren told Tate she was smart while working on her homework.  Tate responded:  “And?”  Lauren: “nice?”  Tate: “And?”  Lauren: ‘cute?:”  Unsure of what Tate wanted to hear, Lauren asked, “what do you want me to say?”  Tate:  “mom, I am really funny.”

"The More You Know..."

Fun things I have seen or learned recently.

While in Arizona for Thanksgiving I discovered what really happened to Michael Scott after he left Scranton, PA and Dunder Mifflin. He is managing a Chili's in Mesa. Way to go Michael.

This cold winter has also reminded me of my great joy in winter attire. I have been able to share that love with Bailey. I do know that I definitely prefer being cold to being hot. It's much easier to get warm then it is to get cold. So bring it on Utah Winter.

I also recently came across a reserved parking place for "Pie Hole". I find this informative and questioning all at the same time. How can one's "pie hole" need a parking space. I will leave you to ponder and discuss. Also there was only one spot and yet it is numbered 1. Thought provoking (and weird) right?!

Finally I understand the joy that can come from finishing your holiday shopping before December even begins. I was able to enjoy Thanksgiving and am already thoroughly enjoying December much more than in past years. Also, if you start shopping early I think this allows you to put more thought into gifts. So Merry Christmas and get your shopping and shipping done as soon as you can so you too can enjoy the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Only In Idaho

You know you are in a small town when someone says “oh that’s clear across town” when referring to something that is only 15 minutes away.  Nearly everything in town is within 10 or 15 minutes away in Idaho Falls. 

Recently my company just had a grand opening of the newly built branch in Pocatello.   We had a great turnout,   the corporate executives from Salt Lake said that it was the biggest turnout for a grand opening they have had for any of their 76 branches.  They cooked over 900 hamburgers.  The joke was if you say free food in a small town like Pocatello everyone comes out of the wood work to check things out and get a free meal.

The other big buzz at the grand opening was the news that Carl’s Junior would soon be built next to us.  So much excitement for a fast food chain, which I shouldn’t mock because I remember when we got our first Café Rio in Idaho Falls and how pumped everyone was.  Not to mention The Panda Express and ultimately Chick Filet.  We’ve come a long way with our fast food options in the last 8 years.  I think since we have such freakishly long winter’s people figure least they have places to go eat out.  It’s too bad that no one has thought about building a giant indoor water park or recreation center that would allow family fun all year round.  

Speaking of work, I travel to Pocatello and Logan Utah.  During these drives I pass through several small towns and I sometimes come across the most random things.  For example, the other day I was on my trip to Logan and passed through the small town of Preston Idaho (You know Preston as being the small town where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed).  I was at a stop light when right in front of me in broad daylight a horse crosses the street at the cross walk.  Nobody seemed surprised by this, it’s probably just a typical day in their town, but too me I found myself laughing and busting out my iphone to take a picture. 

On another trip I stopped for gas and was surprised because I had to park in the rear of the gas station so I could enter the convenient store.  I felt all eyes on me as I entered the building.  There must have been 15-20 men inside visiting and having hot chocolate or coffee together.  I jokingly said to one of them, “wow I barely found parking to get in here”, to which the man replied “well our regular coffee shop just went out of business and this is the next closest thing that we have in town.”  I doubt a Starbucks is in the near future, but it was interesting to see these “townies” keeping their morning tradition alive.  

Another random moment occurred when I was on my way home from Pocatello to Idaho Falls.  I was sitting at a stop light when I saw and antique looking truck.  It had an odd shape to it and after looking at it I was not sure but it seemed as if its bed had been converted into some type of make shift sauna.?  Again only in Idaho I guess can these things appear normal.

Last, after talking with Ramona about these weird sightings she told me that she too had seen something unusual.  The other day she was stopped at a stop sign waiting for a young kid on a bike to cross, which he did, slowly, and without pedaling.  It’s seemed really odd to not pedal, and as she passed him (and he had still not pedaled) she noticed the small engine rigged to the back of his bike.  Have we come so far that kids cannot even pedal power their own bikes?