New level soon to be introduced!

As I'm only 3 miles away from the infamous Gator Point, I will be introducing the next milestone for 275. I thought it was best to stick with the intermediate "goals", to make the achievements less daunting.

Thus upon reaching Gator, the next level is Zoey. She's a 10 year old Golden Retriever and she lives with her owners at Ashgrove Farm, in Huddersfield, England. Zoey lost her mum, Tara a few months ago. Zoey, not known to bark as Tara was the family "barking spokesperson", is a very happy dog. Her puppy picture will grace the "Current Mileage" level, but I will introduce her via photos, as I reach her level.

Need new motivation levels.

Almost near the infamous Gator Point. I am starting to get desperate for new "movitational" levels. I'm planning to create them from mileage marker 275 through 475, as the 500 level is Flamingo Point. Any ideas?

I picked up the two CDs mentioned in yesterday's entry. They are both good and recommended!

New tunes a coming!

Two new CDs are being released today that I plan to pick up at the Best Buy tonight. The first is Toni Braxton's Libra. The second is Sheryl Crow's Wildflower.

I have previewed both already. Toni was on NPR, while I heard Sheryl's on World Cafe, via NPR. Really great stuff and I recommend listening to them!

More progress....

Slowly working my way to that coveted Gator point. The UF Gators easily made it past the Kentucky Wildcats, but the second half.. That left something to be desired.

My Redskins had a bye week and face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. That's it for now!

Onto the Gator dude

Probably what will be the toughest level to achieve, I'm embarking on the last 25 miles to reach Gator Point.

And then that t-shirt is MINE! :)

Only 2 miles to go and FL trek newsletter

Until the baby manatee level (or 225) miles are reached. And at that point, I've only 25 miles until I can claim that coveted Florida Trek t-shirt.

Since 500 miles is the next big level, I'm deciding to create 25 mile increment milestones once again. Feel free to comment an idea or two I can use.

I've contributed to the FL Trek Ramble, September edition and my wonderful blog is mentioned. It can be found here, and select September 2005. My article is on page 4. Enjoy!

Ah, the pain!

Went for a bike ride (to the Harn Museum) and then for a walk. Oh the pain in the legs. But I did add five miles to my FL trek mile collection. Single digits to the baby manatee goal!

Go Gators! Beat the Vols!

UF Gators football team has their first test tonight against the Tennessee Volunteers. We'll see how they fare. Kick off is 8PM.

Only 13 "miles" to go to reach the final interim before the true Gator point. Go me! Be sure to check out Bogie's blog. He's a cute pup that needed his own space, as it's all about him. Hopefully his mom will update on a regular basis. I'll have to show her some tips.

Panther Cub reached!

Another milestone reached! Panther cub level at 200 "miles". Way cool! Only 50 more to get the coveted Florida Trek t-shirt.

Wild weekend, but now Wednesday

Can't believe it's Wednesday! I was "good" walking all for except Monday. As it was a holiday in the US, I took one from walking too. Amazing only 15 miles until Panther cub level is reached. Sometime this week, if not, this weekend for sure.

Baby panda level - Reached Friday!

I reached the baby panda level on Friday. I took off from work to have a nice long weekend. Now onto the Florida panther cub level. Only 21 miles to reach 200!

Hurricane Katrina - how I'm helping

Due to Hurricane Katrina, I thought I'd share the three organizations I've donated in order to help the folks impacted by the hurricane. They are Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Corps, and ASPCA. These are the ones I chose however there's lots of great organizations who are going to lend support to the folks. I hope I can do more to help, but this is a start.

If you can, please give what you can. Keep these people in your prayers as their situation isn't going to be resolved over night.

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.