A holiday is a holiday, no matter what time zone

In the Southern Hemisphere, a bit north of Wellington NZ, my sister's family is about to partake in a "feed" that would put the traditional American Thanksgiving to shame. But she claims her husband has lost the translation of the validity of the holiday and just wants to dress up like cowboys and Indians and have a living room war.

Young Griffyn learning to surf, digging deep for his long-lost NorCal roots.


I feel as if brother Jeremy spent the majority of our younger years, with that exact same pose, but he had TWO sisters, not just one...

Gwen, starting out as a little lady...what's with all the pink?! And could my rear even sit in that pool?

Good work Griffyn, way to embrace that second passport. Now USE it!!!

It's a holiday, I might as well post a blog...

Other people raced some cross races. I have quit. Although my final race was atrocious, Larry Longo had this to say: "It's not how you finish Joy, it's whether or not you can race and pull off wearing a white kit, and you DID." Thank you Larry, i feel so much better.

I rode, leisurly, by Christie's house to bid Matt, Christie, and Sarah farewell. They looked pretty stoked about it. Way to keep up the faith guys.
Then i completed my teacherly duties. I went to a convention in Long Beach. With a bunch of teachers. This is what happens at the Hyatt when the keynote speaker rolls the ball out to a gaggle of PE teachers. Classic.

I walked 2 hours on monday, all fast - like my mom - and got blisters. i threw my shoes away. And no, i had no desire to pick up the pace and run.

Quote of the day - while i was in the restaraunt restroom with 3 other teachers from my school.

Me: "This is the first adult convention i have been to." (i was just feeling all mature, like i have finally arrived in my career. They took it differently...)

I also had a run in with my razor and had Nancy call room service for a bandaid.

Today we rode our bikes. Don't be suprised, it happens. I rode my bike yesterday as well, and that is the plan for Friday too. we are not afraid of the clouds...

Tricia and i hit the pavement yesterday on our road bikes, it was her first ride since her crash before Labor Day and she did fantastic!!! we were dodging the clouds and rain storm the whole time. Somehow we managed 2 hours with out a drop, although once i closed the garage, the sky opened a can.

Uncle Greg is starting a tradition:

Coffee, bagels, bikes, and holiday cheer. Not a bad way to send off a ride, and completely rad to have a HUGE and still hot, coffee can awaiting our return.

Thank you Stell Coffee for the Coffee!!

She called me pragmatic

Did you wear your riding kit in therapy?

Yes.

Why.

Because I rode my bike there. What else am I supposed to wear.

Normal clothes.

Why.

Because it’s normal.

That’s why I am going to therapy.

I know a lot of you go to therapy. Its cool. I started riding my bike for therapy, but when that wasn't good enough, i began riding my bike to see a therapist. The only awkward part of the whole thing was walking out of the room with my bike and lights in tow, kitted up, and coming wheel to knee(s) with a couple i know. We don't talk about it when we see each other. And as of yet, i haven't stumbled out blubbering.

The therapist has given me assignments. No joke. I did 2/3 last time. But then she started in with the insults. She said I was way too pragmatic. I had to look it up when i got home, and I couldn't agree more. Except i would remove the "way too" and just leave it as a fact.

a realistic description

a realistic view of the possibilities

aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are

a straightforward practical way of thinking about things or dealing with problems, concerned with results rather than with theories and principles.

Down to earth

Cause and effect

Excellent! And thank you.

It is what it is...

And since Mr. Freeman said that photos are mandatory...here's a few for you:

Five months and counting. Could I be branded for life? Awesome.

Although Willie Stewart and his family just moved to Montana, he and some of the other athletes from Challenged Athletes Foundation stopped by school for a little show and tell.

Sending my girl to the gallows

The Great Shake Out

The end is near. Or so we think. As all civilizations have thought.

Today at 10 am, my work is participating in The Great Southern California Shake Out - an earthquake drill for the record books, so they say. At the precise strike of 10, millions will "Drop, Cover, and Hold on" simulating the inevitable 7.8 earthquake that will last over a minute. The drill will take place from San Diego to Ventura!

Now the Northridge earthquake lasted 11 seconds at 6.7 on the Richter scale in 1994. It was quite devastating. Imagine a 7.8....

i always hope that i will be teaching on the field when the Big One comes. there is nothing to duck under or hide from, but with our luck, the fault will open right beneath us and swallow us up.

When i lived in the mountains i couldn't get renters insurance and one of the 5 reasons was that the Yucaipa Ridge Fault ran through my back yard, and is part of the San Andreas Fault system. Awesome.

Anyways...

Just me and my girl

I am taking a pinata to the party. i wish i could keep her longer.

This is why deer die

New Bike

$$$$$$$

HELICOPTER RIDE

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

WEARING YOUR WIFES SHORTS, INSIDE OUT...

PRICELESS

This Photo essay isn't nearly as cool as it was in my mind

Last Sunday I raced in Big Bear at the last Cal State of the season. thank goodness. With temps ranging from 35-50 degrees, i couldn't get back to the car fast enough. That effort, however, put me on the same podium block as usual, 3rd. If i hadn't yard-saled it in the last mile, oh who am i kidding! i still would have been third. Just a little bit closer! i haven't been that cold in months, my body was shaking and my teeth were chattering for three hours!!

With such an event over, the only thing left to do is recover from a long and almost exhausting season.

I kept myself off the bike for 6 days, an ALL TIME RECORD...

Saturday morning, i spun over to the coffee shop (please note the 32 minutes...a bit different than the usual 3+ hours...i had to force myself into the driveway)
to meet up with these work gals and Robert, for Carrie's birthday...(i don't stick out at all...)




Friday found me a bit agro, so i laced up the sneaks and went for a 45 minute trail run. The last time i ran was in.....December. It made my skin itch all over (what's up with that!!!) and i scratched my belly so bad it looks like a Liger got me. Buy me new shoes. My thigh kept bugging me when i was running. And my hip and my knee. Maybe its because they all look like this. Thanks to the non-profit yardsale on the rockiest switchy in the woods last week. Good work...
Back to Saturday. Christie and I went for coffee...my third of the day...
And a Pedicure...
I was even able to go play games with other friends and end up at Thai food with even another group of friends!!

Sunday, i fought the urge to race Cross, and simply watched others race cross. I haven't been that tired in a long time. it's a lot of work to cheer for everyone, and when you lack the adreneline surge, you end up a little flat.


Now, i am at work. About to actually work. This is a new Sunday tradition. I am not sure how i feel about it, but so far i have blogged, checked blogs, made my elbow bleed and drank an entire cup of coffee. It is almost 5pm...time to go home.

I almost turned around...

I am in the midst of creating a photo essay of what one does when they are told to stay off the bike for two weeks due to the conclusion of a season. In the mean time, i went for a bike ride.

Not my usual 3-5 hour Saturday ride, it lasted 45 minutes. MTB on the road, which will be discussed in a later post. But one thing stood out that i just had to yack about.

I was heading home, down Fern, to the spot i fell off my road bike - not to be confused with crashing, (only Matt and Shelli know where that is...) when i saw three road cyclists convened on the side of the road. i always slow when i see this, because in rare occasions i can actually lend a hand.

There was one girl in the mix and she was getting CHEWED OUT by one of the guys. She looked like she was going to cry, I was close enough to see her lip quivering. He was yammering about pedal now, pedal then, hold that line...whatev. It was very apparent that she was not a seasoned cyclist, and i just felt so bad. As i slowly rode by i said "just ride your bike girl" and gave the guy one of my nasty looks (8th grade PE is thinks this is my every day face) and hoped my message would stick.

Who knows if it will. But i wanted to go back and ride with the guys and send out attack after attack and make them suffer. BE NICE!!!! If you want your lady friends to support your habit, at least show them a fun time on the bike. If you want them to join you again, BE NICE!!!!

Anti-Cross no more

I talk a lot of smack. About a lot of different things. One of my favorite smack talk subjects is Cyclocross. I have to take back. All of it.

Last Sunday i decided to roll sorority style with the girls to Costa Mesa for a cross race. Sarah, Christie, Carolyn, Vanessa, Heidi, Tonya, Lisa....you get the picture. It was a who's-who of local racing and riding. Of course some boys were there too, like Steve and Matt and the BVB boys. I am quite a social creature, so i jumped at the option of a short race with lots of talking.

I got a Demo bike from Steve M. Hooked it up! the second time i had ever SEEN a barrier, let alone go over one, was on lap one. No face plants! but i did decide that if there was an option between RUNNING or RIDING...i will ride till the death!!!!!

Hookin it up Coach Gareth style! i told him last year that WHEN i did a cross or road race, i would wear his kit, since he pretty much saved my life. Too bad i didn't do either or those kinds of events, until last sunday.

I also need to give a halla' out to HABERVISION who have HOOKED ME UP!!! Big time this year with racing glasses all the way to fashion ones!! They are the official eyewear for USA cycling you know...

Enough of this madness. OFf to the last XC race on sunday, and perhaps a cross race in the future...

PS Paige is going to Graduate...

And, she says "don't eat the donut unless you want to be a fatty-fat-fat."

Um, i don't. i guess High School worked for YOU!

The Validity of a Pro/Con List

I found this template on the NET in regards to lining out a PRO/CON list. This one is pretty fool proof. But one it is all lined out, whose standing over me forcing me to accept the totals and be on my way?

How many times (if ever), have you made a list? When its done, do you look at it with some sort of epiphany? Probably not. The whole reason you make the list in the first place is because you want to buck the system, go against your intuition. You think that lining out stupid reasons to do something will convince you that the other option sucks.

Example. I want to eat a donut. But i should eat oat bran cereal. You may put on your Pro Donut list that it has pretty colors. This in fact is not a pro. it is stupid fact.

I need to be told which things actually will count on my pro/con list. If i have my mind already set to do one thing, i will add a bunch of mundane things, subconsciously mind you, to the pro list to make it outweigh the cons. Like if it is a jelly donut it has "fruit." it may smell nice, it may be free in the teacher work room. Done, pro list longer, although pointless.

now i have to wonder when in fact is a pro/con list useable?
What bike to buy perhaps.
Where to go to dinner? that depends on whose buying.
what pair of plaid short to wear to work? no, just make sure not to wear a tie-dye shirt.
to race a bike on a specific day or not. legit.
to race a certain bike on a certain day where nothing will really be affected one way or the other, no sleep will be lost, nobody will cry. Perfect.

But i am in a complete deadlock. this system sucks.

When in doubt, post about someone else

"Well dear friends-this is FINALLY the email that says 'We did it'!!!

Carrie and I walked ourselves into Canada yesterday, September 21st at 11:45 am. It was bittersweet and incredibly surreal to have an end to such a grand adventure. My parents and our dear friend Pete met us on the trail, a few miles before the very end and walked the last few moments of the trail with us.

146 days after leaving the Mexican border we are stronger, leaner and hopefully wiser. It was a summer that we will never forget.Thank you to each and every one of you for following along and being our cheerleaders. We would never have made it without all the support, phone calls, emails, care packages and family/friend stops along the way. We don't really have a clue what's next but hopefully that comes together in the next few weeks. We'll keep you posted. You should know that we'll probably be laying around for at least the next few days."

Derailed...

6 weeks of Clean Eating nutrition due to the TWO brownies (with chocolate chips) that i just consumed. When i got the "all staff" email that they were in the office i should have known. I convinced myself that there may be something important in my box (there of course was NOT) so to make it look like i wasnt wasting time and just walking around campus, i ate the brownies. I am so upset.

In other news:

Yup, $100. i haven't spent it yet, but i have a few ideas on how to waste it pretty quickly.

• Sunday was the Cal State Championships (a very odd name for an event if you ask me). At this race, it is usually all the same local chicks that show up at Rim Nordics or Fontana races. Nothing too resemblant of the cyclists that this vast state actually holds.

• But, yesterday, we had a few wild cards. Now i am not sure if there is any rule that you actually have to LIVE in California or even be an American citizen to do this race, but if there is, i will be the champion. Although i got worked. Maybe we should show a current electrical bill or something? wait, no. because i don't have one of those either. but you see what i am saying here...could i go to Kansas and race in their state Championship? Not that i would win, but i don't know any MTB racer chicks from Kansas, so i could have a shot.

• Top Block: Adventure racer chick who has done La Ruta (5th overall) - Angela Parra Sierra, from the Country of COLUMBIA

"Angela Parra Sierra of Bogota, Colombia has committed to the California Multisport finals taking place September 28 in the local hills of San Luis Obispo. She is podium finisher of La Ruta de los Conquistadors, and one of the most talented expedition female athletes of south America...and that says a lot. They are tough as nails down there." Excellent!

• Second Block: Xterra racer from one of the Scottland - Lesley Paterson, she went running post XC.

"Lesley was a professional triathlete who competed for Great Britain and Scotland in many world championships. Having trained her body for 6 hours a day, she has become best friends with pain,hard work, and commitment." I'm just saying...

• These chicks started FASTER than any cal state i have raced. I wasn't sure who they were and if it was logical idea to stick on their wheels. well, it probably wasn't. But i did for around 15 miles where i got attacked repeatedly. I have never been attacked this much in an XC race and had to play the cat and mouse game. But eventually, the descents would take their toll and the high efforts would take even a greater toll on my body, and i would settle, way....back....into third. I even started getting leg cramps. that is sooooo 2006!! what's the deal!

These girls were a ton of fun! We had a long chat post awards and it seems like one, if not both, will be around this area for even more racing!!

What I am Missing Out On...

My Southern Hemisphere Family is reporting cold rains, winter sniffles and pulled backs. Those things i don't miss, but, i do miss getting to play with these little monsters!!! I wish FedEx would transport little people!!

Griffyn, my 3 year old nephew has more hair than me!!! They are not going to cut it until he is 5!!!

Gwen is completely my sisters daughter!!

Julene with the offspring. I want Griffyn's socks!!

They seem to be getting along. Now....
I think he is looking for Aunty Joy-Joy...

Well thank you for asking!!

Recently i have been asked how i came out so good, so "wholesome" to be exact.

Here is your answer.
That's right. I went to home school. Brenda, my mom, was also my first teacher. I went to traditional school in 5th grade, but before then i spent three years doing the following:
(This is Mom with Mary Whipple - that's right, mom kicks it with Olympian Gold Medalists!)

• Planting gardens (one year 30 tomato plants, 18 hills of zucchini)


• baking bread from scratch


• Raising kittens and puppies


• Cleaning


• Making dinner


• Building forts


• Building play houses


• Working in the yard


• Not watching TV


• Not playing video games


• Helping out on a fellow homeschoolers ranch


• Hiking through the woods


• And doing an occasional math worksheet
• Riding my bike to the community swimming pool

Now, most of you probably almost deleted me from your blogroll. These facts do not make me weird, at all. Promise.

I just wanted you to know that not everyone who goes to homeschool turns out odd. My brother and sister both went, and from what i know they seem pretty normal. We are all quite socially adempt too (i have almost 300 friends on Facebook...its way better than myspace...).

So, give a homeschooler a chance!

Sundays Just Don't Seem To Be Our Day...

That's a Goat Head Thorn.

Joey: "Dude, i have like a hundred thorns in my front tire. Sweet!"

Joy: "um, so do i"

Matt: yelling back at us, "do one of you have a flat?"

Joy/Joey: "yes, we both do"

As we had a pit contest to see who would fix it first, Matt's back tire went flat. Since i finished first...I soon realized my front was flat as well. When i went up to Joey's bike, i saw his front was flat too. Then it was all quiet and what not, and we could hear the air coming out of Matt's front tire too.

6 flats total. No tubeless. 3 tubes.

As we were walking our bikes up a really rude asphalt climb, i asked Matt how his day was. He said "way better than last weekend." Yes, this is true. Every ride will be better than last weekend!

A lot has happened since we last talked...

Jamie Black-Listed me. Even after I bought him a burrito.

Joey Crashed.

and Matt wrote all about it.

I did however get myself a new bike for my birthday. Well tra-la-la. Don't hate because I am queen of Matchy-matchy.

PROOF

Finishing last is lonely.
The climb was not lonely, but the clouds were very threatening!
The air was pretty thin up there.
That's why the book is called "Under the Banner of Heaven" this place was beautiful!

I feel like...

1. Racing my bike at 9,000-11,000 ft isn't that bad. Until you try to walk up three flights of strairs to the condo.


2. Warming up for a race wearing base layer, jersey, vest, arm-warmers, and a zip up pink sweat shirt is over-kill. If i had been in the IE.
   
3. 80 with a chance of a snow storm is just your average day in Southern Utah.


4. 4 girls, 4 bikes, 4 loads of junk can in fact fit in my car


5. 9 people in one condo makes a pretty cheap "vacation": $44 each for three nights
   
6. 9 people in one condo makes for no hot water.
   

WEEKEND HIGHS and LOWS

• UP wearing arm warmers - i can't remember the last time i was cold


• UP watching Matt, Maureen and Joey race Super D. (although Shelli and Jason and i sat on a cold picnic table for 45 minutes staring at the mountain side waiting for the "show"). Too bad Jamie wasn't there (down..)


• UP working my mad Tuesday-night skills on the 28 minute road and dirt climb. At 13% with Krista and Amanda.


• DOWN coming across Chloe Forsman, U23 National Champion , who had gotten caught in a rut and had a nasty crash. She is super cool, and super fast. I stopped and got her bike off the trail and went into first-aid mode to asses the situation. She had a NASTY gash under her right knee and would end up getting 25 stitches!! I stayed with her for probably 20 minutes or so. I tied one of her super-fancy Luna arm warmers around her knee, put her chain back on as we started to walk/ride down the trail in search of help. A fisherman was walking up the trail calling for us, since Maureen had given him the heads up. I hope Chloe is ok!


• UP/DOWN from then on, i was in ride, not race mode. I stopped and talked to a guy suffering severely from the altitude, you know, the talk it out. I talked to another pro female who was "done" and had a flat and in no way wanted to fix it, just wanted OUT. i stopped to talk to the water station people to tell them what i had found on my reconnaissance mission. I was completely last, but i had an awesome ride, on fantastic trails in beautiful weather. That's all i need.


• Things I Tried to Give away: 1 ) Pink polka-dot PJ tank. I tried to get Chloe to let me wrap it around her knee. i was wearing it because i was FREEZING and had no base layer! 2 ) My tube 3 ) my arm warmers 4) my bike - a guy had a bad mechanical and said he was SO tired of walking out. We were about 1.5 miles from the finish, but he wouldn't take mine. hmph.
  

AWKWARD!

I was cooked by the time i got out. I had missed my feeds and had no food on me. it was cold and extremely windy. i re-layered and went into the lodge where they were having awards. Larry Longo caught my eye and what ensued was the WORST, but the BEST 20 minutes of my year.

I became the PODIUM GIRL. Picture this. Helmet head. Check. Sweaty. Check. All chamied-out with layers and miss-matched sweatshirt. Check. I had leg warmers on, so they were battling with my shorts for territory, creating that "lump" that encircles even the sveltest of thighs. It was horrible. and i was in front of everyone.

It gets worse. I a giving awards to RACE WINNERS for pro men and women. OLYMPIANS!!! National champions, World-cup podium finishers. I was flabbergasted. Women i race against, or at least line up behind. There was paparazzi, cheering, and yelling. And each athlete was headed straight for me.

I didn't know if i should smile, look them in the eye, give them some coy word of congratulations. I began to sweat. It was horrible.

My defining moment came when it was time for the men's top 5 for the race. They all wear hats and sunglasses and about 5 feet out from me, began to bend their heads ever so slightly, assume i would smoothly lasso them as they slowed only slightly on their way to the blocks.

I got caught up on Ross Schnell. Now some people know i have an "affinity" towards him, and they were laughing in the crowd. I think i turned beet red as he approached, i fumbled, and caught the bill of his hat. Which then caught his hand, and we were momentarily intertwined. I stuttered, and all he said to me was "ROOKIE MOVE." i will remember it forever.

I also got to put a medal around over-all series winner and Canadian Olympian Geoff Kabush. I saw him race the Redlands Classic one year. I cheered very loudly during the crit. He wears fancy skinsuits, that look real nice.