Little panda dude!

That's the best I can come up with. You'll have to agree with me that he's precious. I'm referring the panda at the National Zoo. Check him out here. As of today, he's 6.2 pounds. Notice his little paws!

And also America's Grand Slam, the toughest tournament in tennis started its second day. Be sure to see the US Open's site.

To be thankful for..

I am so very glad that New Orleans didn't get the direct hit from Hurricane Katrina. It was very upsetting to hear last night what could have been. Utter and sheer devastation. From Phantom of the Opera states it perfectly "a disaster beyond your wildest imagination."

And, my beloved Washington Redskinsdefeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 Friday night. I was shocked and thrilled!

Please pray for the folks who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"Singin' in the rain?" or so it seemed!

Don't know if we're getting the some of what Hurricane Katrina is dishing out, but I did get soaked on my walk! I try and make the best of it as wet will dry, eventually.

I'm a big Washington Redskins fan and they're playing tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I don't like their chances as the Steelers are 2-0 in preseason while the 'Skins are 0-2. I hope they prove me wrong though I doubt it.

The US Openstarts Monday, thought qualifying began this past Tuesday. A fortnight of fun! Our on-line tennis site, On The Line is having a Grand Slam contest. Keep tabs on how the contestants do!

On the right track.. or would that be "trek"?

I guess I would have to say I am on the right "track". I've achieved 6 of my self-imposed 9 levels. Slow and steady is going well. Sticking to it is my key. Wished I could motivate myself even more. However, the only one that can do that is me.

Lu level - Reached!!!

Between yesterday and today, gave me enough miles to reach Lucifer the Hippo level! I had to escape the "sauna" of my apartment's airconditioning. The poor unit was working over time to no avail. Something had to be up with either the freon or filter (or perhaps another issue). I hope it's cleared up today.

Now onto the next level Baby Panda!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mei Sheng!

Any one who knows me well is aware, along with the manatee, I have a soft spot for pandas. They are just fabulous creatures. Mei Sheng, a panda at theSan Diego Zoo turned two today! His older sister, who's now back in China, Hua Mei had twins earlier this year. Here's a slide show of his birthday.

Mei Sheng has a baby brother and also at the National Zooin Washington DC, they've also had a panda birth and he's 6 weeks old!

About me, I'm still plugging away at the walking. Five more miles to crack the 150 mileage mark and then 105 to reach the Gator point. Don't know if others can see my progress, but it's very obvious to me. Realistically, that's all that matters. I'm keeping me motivated, not anyone else. Keep checking back!

Biking and today!

No, I haven't biked yet. Finished the book Lance Armstrong's War. Very good biography and well written. I have now started Lance's mom, Linda Armstrong's book No Mountain High Enough. It's a bit shorter than the first book and is an autobiography.

I biked to the Harn Museum to hear a curator talk about the new Toulouse-Lautrec: Artist of Montmartre exhibit. Awesome stuff and I know I'll spend some more time and detail here. After the talk, it started to rain! Had to wait it out before the ride home. I did get a bit wet.

Today, was the normal walk. I have been listening to Rick Steve's travel shows on my Zen Micro. It's one of the best investments I've purchased in a long time.

Saturday - on the trek!

Made some slow but good progress towards the Lu level! I'm doing some simple things which are adding to the mileage. Routine stuff, like walking to the trash compactor instead of driving, walk to the store and the like.

I made a huge dent in the book I'm currently Lance Armstrong's War.It's a biography but I'm getting a bias thrown at me as I read it. I know bits and pieces of Lance but this book may not be viewing him in a 'true' light. It's very good though.

More on: "For Commissioner Donovan, lunch was a blast"

More on the lunch 'bombing'
saga. Not a good perception and this is front page news!

Ripkin (aka "Fat Girl") level reached!

Though it was only one mile to reach Ripkin level, I came back early from a workshop this morning and had about 45 minutes available for walking today. Thus I took advantage of this extra time. Ripkin has been reached and now is the Lucifer the Hippo. Lu is at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.

He's getting up in age but a really cool fella. Not sure why I picked some rather large animals (as I'm hoping to slowly shed pounds), but many are a mix of animals I like. Then again the top level of the Florida Trek (2000 miles)is the lovely veggie-eating manatee.

Manatees are fabulous creatures. I'm a member of Save the Manatee Club and have been since 1993 (I think?). They are not the most beautiful animals, but are slow moving, precious, and lovable animals. Enjoy!

"Bombing" Bologna sandwiches (or was it PB&J?)

Yesterday morning we had received word not to head to two particular buildings in a downtown location, as one of the main streets were barracaded. One of the two buildings also had been emptied. I had found out later there was a 'suspicious' package found. The said item had been located in a commission meeting and the commission chambers were evacuated. However, departments on the 3rd floor of the same building hadn't been told to leave, though some peered outside and decided to get out themselves. Some were too busy and worked through the whole ordeal. Some of the groups on the 3rd floor include Personnel and Purchasing, among others.

The "suspicious" package was someone's lunch in a bag. I had initially heard it was a bologna sandwich however, other reports claim a PB&J (peanut butter and jelly) and an apple. The package was detonated and someone was unable to enjoy their healthy food.

More on the story

End of an era - Jennings tribute

By now you'll have heard that long time ABC News anchorman, Peter Jennings has died of lung cancer at age 67. Growing up, along with Dan Rather and Ted Koppel, Peter Jennings completed the trifecta of major network's news anchors. I don't believe we'll see the likes of Peter Jennings again. May he rest in peace.

Still slow and steady towards the next level! Six miles to go.

A pint of Gainesville's finest!

No, it's not what you think it is. After a 21-year lapse and due to words that poked and prodded, I allowed a pint of my finest A positive stuff to be taken. Seems like of late I'm a sucker for good causes, so I donated blood to LifeSouth. Well, it was for Alachua County employees so I thought it was in my best interest to give. And it has been 21 years as well.

I did the walk prior to the donation and I'm doing okay.

Let the good times roll!

Don't know why I'm entitling this blog as such. Hot and sticky today in Gainesville. The daily walk on lunch. One good thing I like about doing this on lunch is "walking" to do errands. Today it was dropping off the GRU electric bill. Silly me went the wrong way but did eventually find.

Slow and steady!

Beginning month #2!

I can't believe it's two months since the FL trek began. As of today, I'm sitting at 104 miles. I think the intermediate levels I've created have helped, as shooting for a 250 mile goal (Gator point) first would have been a bit overwhelming.

The progression is slow but who knows where I might be able to end up. The top level is the Manatee and this is after 2000 miles. We'll see...