New Toy #2

After the Triangle Triathlon, I really wanted a road bike. While I love my sport hybrid, it is just not the bike you want to use for racing. So, last weekend, I got a new bike.

We went to several stores and I rode several bikes. This one, however, just felt right. This bike literally makes me smile when I ride it. Well, you can't just buy a bike nowadays. With a road bike, you need bike shoes to clip into the clipless pedals. You need cages to hold your water bottles and a computer to monitor how fast you are riding. There is also the necessary biking wardrobe - gel bike shorts to make the seat more comfortable and bike jerseys that are tight at the bottom to keep from causing wind drag. It cost a pretty penny, but I think it will be so worth it.

This weekend is the hard part. I will be practicing the clipless pedals for the first time outside of a trainer (a device that keeps you steady an upright). I am afraid that I will fall over. Most people do forget that their feet are attached to the bicycle for their first ride. I know I will get used to it and it will become second nature. Then, I can do what I really want to do - ride my beautiful new bike for miles and miles.

Big Fat Check

We finally got our taxes done on Sunday. There is nothing like procrastination!! I wish we hadn't waited until almost the last minute. The man owes us money. Yes, we will be getting big fat checks from Federal and State. I can't wait to to get our money back. Now, we just need to decide how to spend it...

Dow closes below 9000

I just saw the headline that the Dow closed lower than 9000 today. I have not checked my portfolio in long time, and now I am too scared to look. When and where will the slide end?

I received an interesting e-mail a few minutes ago from a local shop. The shop has to pay a $10,000 business loan, but lacks the money due to poor sales recently. They are asking their patrons to donate $50 per person to keep the store afloat. Wow, I wonder how many local businesses will be taken down in the current economic climate?

NCAA Pressure

I succumbed to peer pressure and said goodbye to $5.00 to take part in our office NCAA Bracket challenge. I have no clue which teams are doing well this year. For whatever reason, I have never really gotten into basketball. I love hockey (as you know) and football. I could watch those sports all day long. But when it comes to basketball, I'm lost. It is a fast paced game with lots of action. The score can change within seconds, yet the sport just does not capture my interest. Maybe it is not challenging enough. If they put the players on ice...now that could make things interesting.

Anyway, I picked most teams based on their numerical standing in the bracket. The only time I really went off of that idea was when I picked Georgia to win its first two games. I have to choose my Alma Mater after all!! I did, however, pick them to lose to Duke. For the overall winner, I chose UNC. It seemed like a safe enough bet, and it made the guy who started the pool happy.

Stay tuned - I will let you know how I do after the tourney gets under way this week.

Fraud finds us

Darn if I don't get a phone call this morning from our credit card company asking about suspicious charges. Three strange charges posted last night from a L4Hinc.com. I knew they were not mine, but Bill thought they could have been business related. I decided to check out the website to see what the company did. Well, it is adult websites. The company Bill purchased from was LADD.com. So, I had to call the credit card company back and confirm that the charges were fraudulent.

Our account was shut off immediately. I asked when I could expect my new credit cards with new account numbers, and was told 7-10 business days. That long at Christmas time!! I told the rep that would not work. Luckily, she was able to expedite the claim and I will get the cards on Monday. Of course, I have to be home to sign for the package between 8 am and noon. I will be using the 4 hours of comp time my boss just gave me so I can sit at home and wait for the cards. I guess I should not complain - I could be with out Visa for 10 days!!