Number Four

Soon we'll be taking a trip to Kenting for my fourth Half-Ironman triathlon.  Normally, I'd provide information about how you could follow along with my progress in the race online, but as far as I can tell, that is not available in this event.  If, for some reason, you discover that it is available and you want to follow along, my bib number will be 391.  The race website is http://www.ironmantaiwan.com/.

Wish me luck!

GJS

Winter Reading List

I want to read this new book by Edmund Morris, but can I? There are two aspects to this question - first, do I have time? Secondly, I haven't yet read the two books that precede it in the trilogy. (Both of them are on my shelf waiting to be read.) What to do?

7 months

See his teeth?

We're celebrating his birthday by taking him to get some shots.  :-(  They're for his own good, though.

GJS

The heavy burden of parenthood

One recent evening the family went to a one-year old's birthday party and we came home well after the boys's bedtime.  I had Lance in the back carrier, sleeping peacefully, and John fell asleep on the subway ride home.  I decided the easiest way to get him home was to carry him.  Here you go - action shot!

I explained to Barb that even though they probably weighed 60 lbs together, that was peanuts compared to the average load of any combat soldier, so it was an easy day!

GJS

Rusty

When's the last time you drove a car?  For those of you in the U.S., I would wager it has been less than 24 hours since you were last behind the wheel, a couple days at the most.  Well, for me it's been over a year, about 14 months or so (mid-August 2009).  We don't have a car in Taiwan.  This is really the first time in my life (since I was old enough to drive) that I have not had access to a car.  For the most part, it is fine - I don't miss filling a car with gas, feeling like I should wash the dirt off of a car, being stuck in traffic, etc.  But there are certain liberating aspects of having a car - for instance, you can just jump in and head out to wherever, no waiting for the subway or a bus.  But then you have to find a place to park when you get there!

The streak will soon be broken, though, so I wanted to note it here.  We're renting a minivan to get to my triathlon next week.  I guess I should look at this as a preview of what life will be like whenever we get back to the U.S. - driving a minivan, that is. (Barb is an advocate, so we can haul our boys around easier.  I can't get past the symbolism of driving a minivan - it's like the "sweatpants" of vehicles..."I've given up.")  I suppose it will be for the best, especially since I will still have my "lieutenant-mobile" to drive when not hauling the troops.  I keep telling Barb that is is time to upgrade the "lieutenant-mobile" to something more "grade-appropriate," oh, I don't know, something like this.  I just need you all to help me pay for it.  Please send donations promptly.  :-)

GJS

Anybody home?

Probably wondering what happened out here - why no posts? Just busy with school and all. The little fella is coming up on 7 months very quick. I will try to get a photo of him and his 2 (!) new teeth up here soon.

GJS