Thursday top and bottom five

As tradition dictates, I'm going to start this Thursday's post with the usual missive: It's Thursday, and I'm tired. As much as I enjoyed attending last night's event with John Ashcroft, I think it took about 10 years off of my life. These ole' legs are used to sitting on a saddle, not standing in a hot auditorium without moving for hours on end.

I'm also percolating a post about my new part-time gig at Blue Sky Bikes, but for the time being, suffice it to know that today I had a 9 a.m. meeting, went in to work at 10 a.m., stayed until 4:30, then went to Blue Sky until 7, then went back to the Saratogian to finish up for the week, staying until 8:30. I was pretty much useless by the time I pedaled by bike on home. And I got a late start today!

Before I get to this week's lists, I thought everyone should know that on Wednesday afternoon, I ducked out of work for a mid-day ride. Near the top of Braim Road, one of my main routes out of town, I got my second flat in two days. I was prepared for it this time, after the previous day's experience. But I ruined my CO2 cartridge, emptying the brass canister of its precious gas. And then I was in practically the same boat as on Tuesday. I stuck out my thumb at the first truck I saw, and fortunately for me, the kind driver stopped and asked what was wrong. I told him, he told me to throw my bike in the back and get in. I gratefully did. After offering to take me anywhere, he gave me a lift to Travis's house (about three miles away), where I borrowed Trav's pump and went back out for my ride. I would have been screwed -- for the second day in a row -- had it not been for the kindness of that stranger. I didn't get his name, but I thank you.

Anyway, I don't mean to moan and groan, but I'm really looking forward to going to sleep. Here here the week's highlights:

Tops from the week:
1)

This is what Becky and I made for dinner tonight. Yes, it was as good as it looks.
2) The limitless kindness of co-workers and strangers.
3) The John Ashcroft lecture.
4) 18th Place at Johnny Cake Lane #2. Not that I'm keeping score, but that's almost a 30-place improvement in one week.
5) I can smell spring on the air. It's nearly here. (Even though it might snow tonight.)

Bottoms from the week:
1) Five inches of snow last Firday? More on the way tonight! Come on!
2) John Ashcroft. It might have been a great event, but I will never understand his neoconservatism.
3) Two flats, two days, two rides nearly ruined.
4) The price of gas, and the amount my car uses. Good grief.
5) Never ending chores: laundry, dishes.