Irony...

With its faltering economy, the U.S. is no longer the land of opportunity it once was for Mexican immigrants. ~ Bruce Finley

Well, that is one campaign promise the leadership of the last 8 years seems to have kept.

~stubert.

44...

This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. ~ Barack Obama

It goes without saying that today, I am one happy camper. But now the real work begins. We have taken the first step of what will be a long journey. It feels good to be on our way.

Americans stood up yesterday and spoke -- rather loudly in fact. They said "no more" to the politics of fear and hate. A wonderful sentiment that I hope carries on to future elections.

There is still a lot to do and this type of change tends to happen in spurts. I am proud to have been a part of history last night. And proud to have Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

Let this inspire others to greatness, encourage all of us to be everything we can be, and mark the moment when we can get back on track and foster compassion for our planet and all its inhabitants.

~stubert.

Numero Uno...

Day one at the Basin with Pete.

I hunger. ~ Sinistar

Day one on the slopes with good company... Pete and I jammed up to the Basin for some first-chair turns and well, it is early season but it was SO good to get back on the sticks. Mine are in desperate need of a tune as the conditions were firm and thin but that beats the conditions in a cube somewhere.

My index toe on my left foot has been giving me fits since the marathon and it didn't really disappoint today. It felt better as the day progressed and we only skied for about an hour and a half as there was work to be done but it was an hour and a half well-spent.

On a completely different note, the election is a mere 6 days away and I am nervous, excited, hopeful, gassy, thrilled, twitchy, scared, happy and gassy. As you can tell, my emotions on this one are running the gamut. It has been a really, really long time since I have been honestly inspired by a candidate but Barack Obama has crossed that threshold for me. The right-wing has tried to make "hope" and "liberal" naughty words but you know what... it is time to take those back. I have voted and am queuing up to help in other ways over the course of the next 6 days to get this man elected and get down-ticket, progressive candidates elected, and turn a page in the history of this country. Even if I am simply delivering coffee to those standing in line on election day, I will be there and will be a part of history. What are you doing?

~stubert.

Barack, Pete and Stu...

Pete and I met in Denver for the Obama rally and got a great shot of the three of us....

(Click photo for larger version.)

Well... and about 100,000 of our closest friends.

~stubert.

The polls are open...

I swear it's Springfield's only choice... throw up your hands and raise your voice! ~ Lyle Lanley

Colorado polls opened today and Rach and I hightailed it to our local votin' spot to cast our (super long) ballots. There were about a 342 Judges that needed to be selected along with 481 ballot initiatives. Whew. I think I went through 4 pens just coloring in all those damned boxes.

So now it is time for you, faithful reader, to do your part. Go vote, help get your neighbors and friends out to vote and let's get Obama a new house.

~stubert.

T-Minus 4 days...

Tick, tick, tick. ~ Mark McKinney

The Denver Marathon is this Sunday (October 19) and I am finalizing my preparations. Today I did a "Practice Run" as Advanced Marathoning calls it... 7 miles with 5 at pace on part of the course (City Park). Well, in typical Stu fashion I did the 5 at my Las Vegas pace (actually faster). I guess I am getting pretty fired up. I didn't feel great for the first 2-3 miles but then really established a rhythm and laid down several 7:30s in a row. Again, not blazing by any stretch of the imagination but pretty good for a Stu.

So three days of "training" to go then we see what I am made of in a practice-run capacity. I am targeting 3:45 or so and would be really happy with a 3:40-3:50 finish. We'll see how things go.

Tonight is the last Presidential debate and I encourage everyone to watch. Early voting starts Monday for Coloradoans so go do that too.

More to come...

~stubert.

Nader just called...

Both parties have gone crazy. Vote for Nader. ~ Ralph Nader Robocall

I do like his position on linking himself to "crazy". At least he's honest. And honesty is always the best policy... unless you are caught drinking from the milk carton. Then I say - deny, deny, deny.

~stubert.

[PS]: If any of you faithful readers actually DO vote for Nader. I'll personally come over and give you such a beating...

Fast is not my middle name...

The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do. ~ Walter Bagehot

Two good training runs this week. One missed day (thought I had it off on the ole schedule). Feeling generally okay. Not super but not too bad.

On Tuesday, I did some LT training down in Boulder and quickly discovered how hard a 3:30 marathon is going to be. I am just not that fast yet. Getting there for sure, but I was totally maxed out for 4 out of 8 miles and whew... Rolling sub 8s all day is going to be a challenge. I am pretty sure I am up to it but need to put in some focused training to get my leg speed up and get to the point where I can spin those splits over and over. It was warm as well, which never helps me. I did take a dip in the creek after the run, which was nice. Motionbased stats.

Yesterday, I went out for a slow 10-mile trail run. Really the goal was to keep my heartrate down and for the most part, I succeeded. I had to walk the steepest section in the Park but still managed about 9 miles in just over an hour and a half. I felt okay for most of the run. My legs seemed to burn a bit more quickly than I had hoped but that's how it goes sometimes. It was a beautiful day up in the high country and nice to just get out for awhile. I am definitely noticing that I am able to maintain higher speeds with less effort so I suppose that means I am doing something right. Whee! Here are the stats for any nerds out there.

Also, did I mention that I saw a bobcat on the way home from Ward the other day? Pretty cool. Only the second one I have seen up here. Well, it was closer to Ward but there you go.

Today I'm hoping to cajole Pete into coming out for a slow 5-miler and then to talk my sweet Rach into going to see a movie. Then we'll rush home before all the Labor Day Weekend drunkards get out on the roads. To quote the Beastie Boys, "If you're drivin' don't drink, and if you're drinkin' don't drive." Pretty simple, really.

And on one final, political note... Palin quite possibly may be the worst VP pick in history. From the environment, to energy policy, to science... she has it all wrong and zero experience and an ongoing abuse of power/ethics investigation to boot. I am baffled by this selection. We'll see what happens but I don't really see how this helps McCain at all. Fine by me. Here's a great analysis of her credentials if you are interested.

~stubert.

I own one house...

...and didn't need to get my people to check to confirm that.

~stubert.