Attention Commuter Bikers: I have joined your ranks!

Yesterday, my man and I dropped some cash we don't actually have on a bike that I felt I needed. Or at least I think I need it if I am going to keep losing weight.

This morning before he jaunted off to work, I told him, "If I die, just know I really love you!" I'm sure he thought I was being overly dramatic. I wasn't. The likelihood of my dying in a bicycle accident became substantial when I purchased the bike yesterday and today, increased exponentially as I actually pedaled said bike on the street.

By the mercy of the Almighty, I made it to UW Bothell without a head injury or losing any of my favorite pearly whites. In fact, I actually became quite cheerful after my lower half went numb, some 1/3 of the way into the ride. I was surprised to find very few bikers on the trail after UW Seattle. But I guess it was too late in the day for morning commuters and too early and/or grey for the recreational bikers.

There were just a few people strolling, walking a dog, or jogging on the trail. If they appeared to be over 50, I generally said a cheery, "Good Morning!", which would usually result in a hearty smile and a similar greeting. I don't know why I chose the 50+ age group, but instinctively I felt they would be the most appreciative and responsive group. And so they were! I can't wait until I'm retired and I can walk on trails and smile and enjoy life and be nice to people.

The views were spectacular. Lake Washington was just to the right of the trail for much of the way. Being so close to the waterfront, the trail winds through some pretty ritzy neighborhoods. I saw ALOT of Porches, BMWs, Audis, and Mercedes. This hit home something Peter was telling me the other day about Germany being only 2nd to China in exports, monetarily that is. Go German cars! ... maybe someday we'll be together?

Well I'm home now and my buns are sore... but not as sore as I expected for one so flabby and out-of-shape as myself. I made the 17 mile ride in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Not warp speed, surely, but not the slowest either. I imagine I'll get somewhat faster from doing it four days a week. Yikes.

I'd like to propose a toast: To a thinner and healthier me! Cheers!

Kernel Panic

According to Wikipedia, "kernel panic is an action taken by an operating system upon detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover". This Unix-specific-phenomenon is analogous to Microsoft's "Blue Screen of Death".

Having just recently experienced a kernel panic, I can tell you, it is not at all the same experience as a windows blue screen. In both cases there is a sadness and a strong sense of loss. But the "Blue Screen of Death" is like having ocean waves tear a beloved child from your arms. There is definitely something cruel lurking beneath the surface of that deep blue. While a Unix kernel panic is certainly funereal, it manages to maintain a classical respect for the death at hand. There are words spoken on behalf on the life, however short it may have been, to help us, the living, move forward. Where Unix places a succinct yet meaningful headstone, Windows leaves an unmarked grave.

Right now I'm pushing forward slowly from my first kernel panic. Ironically, The Killers, are helping. Wish me luck!