But if only for a time

Had a great Tennis hitting workout with my son. He's 13 and full of promise as an up and coming junior. When we step on the court and let those balls fly time stands still for me at least. For him its a chance for him to show his father how improved his game has gotten. But deep inside my well of gladness is my only desire to capture every look, every step, that wily glance and that whimsical smile from the side of his face after hitting a winner off of dad. If I could freeze time and just hold him like that forever I could die a happy and rich man. But if only for a time. Every minute that we're together is not a minute wasted because he is the reason my heart beats. Treasure your sons and daughters with all your strength. 

 

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."

 

And he said: Your children are not your children.

 

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

 

They come through you but not from you,And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

 

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

 

For they have their own thoughts.

 

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

 

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

 

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

 

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

 

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

 

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

 

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.        

 

-- Kahlil Gibran

Memories from the Tour of Hope: Mentioned In Operation Gadget blog Oct 2005

Tour of Hope Riders Reaching Out to Each Other

 

I got an email from Cecil Ledesma yesterday that said: I just stumbled upon your blog and like you am registered to ride on October 9th in DC. I am a huge supporter of Lance and the LiveStrong program. There aren't enough yellow t-shirts I can wear in a week. I plan on riding the Tour of Hope by myself although it sure would be nice to hook up with a fellow rider on that day. I've never done this before but am so committed to riding in honor of the many names I have in my pocket that have lost the fight to Cancer. I liked your site a lot. Keep that going and I'll chat with you soon.

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This iPhone App Could Save Your Life

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, not typically known for its high-tech innovations, has nevertheless launched a brilliant iPhone app that could help save lives.

 

In the words of the fire department's Vimeo page, "The new app empowers everyday citizens to provide life-saving assistance to victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest." If you know CPR (and live in the region served by the app), you can sign up to be notified if someone in the area is having a cardiac emergency. When you arrive on the scene, the app will even direct you to the location of the nearest public access defibrillator. It's something like having an EMT dispatcher in your pocket at all times. And in situations where one of these good citizens is blocks or miles closer than the nearest professional, it could mean the difference between life and death.

 

O'Reilly Radar was one of the first to report on the app, and in speaking with San Ramon's fire chief, heard some eye-opening stats:

 

"Nation-wide, we have over 300,000 people dying from cardiac arrest every year," said Richard Price, fire chief at SRVPD. "This app will help put rescuers where they are and get automatic electronic defibrillators off the wall."

 

Currently, Price says that there's less than an 8% chance of survival if someone goes into cardiac arrest on the street. "With a cardiac arrest, you only get about 10 minutes to help," he said. "On average, it takes 7 minutes for first responders from a 911 call to arrive. The reason many people are dying is because of that difference."

The software company WorkDay has donated time to develop this app, and reportedly will be porting it to Android and BlackBerry.

 

Which Side of Your Face Is Better Looking?

Do you prefer your left side and wish your right side looked the same? Presto!

Used to be, all you needed to test your own hotness was a mirror and a quick squeeze of the hiney. Then science (and a lot of creative interpretation) went and got involved and now the only thing anyone cares about is a symmetrical mug. Perfectly spaced eyes? Babe. Equally proportioned nostrils? Sexxxx-y.

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The next 5 days in Paradise

AUSTIN, TX

Current Weather Conditions Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

Sunny

35°F

Sunny

as of 7:58 AM

Wind Speed: 5 mph

Relative Humidity: 81%

Barometer: 30.22 in

Feels Like: 33.0°F

% Chance of T-Storms: 0%

Wed 26

Plenty of sunshine

H 59°

L 35°

Plenty of sunshine

Thu 27

A full day of sunshine

H 64°

L 37°

A full day of sunshine

Fri 28

Delightful with sunshine

H 69°

L 45°

Delightful with sunshine

Sat 29

Rather cloudy

H 65°

L 51°

Rather cloudy

Sun 30

Partly sunny

H 71°

L 50°

Partly sunny

 

A post I wrote 3 years ago: Caring For Our Planet Means Caring For Ourselves Too

I started this blog as a result of many long bike rides. Cycling is such an integral part of my life and I simply could not imagine a life without riding. Cycling just puts me in a world of peace and solitude. I guess you have to be there to know what I'm talking about. Yesterday I came across a very disturbing and sad report about obesity in our country and how inactive most of us are.

Adult obesity rates rose in 31 states last year, according to the fourth annual F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2007 report from the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). Twenty-two states experienced an increase for the second year in a row; no states decreased. A new public opinion survey featured in the report finds 85 percent of Americans believe that obesity is an epidemic.

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My Secret Wish For America

As a result of half a century of planning, Copenhagen has achieved a fabulous cycling goal - during the morning rush hour more bikes and mopeds pound the inner city streets than personal cars and buses. Just a bit more than a third of inhabitants get to work by bike every day - the other two thirds take public transport or a personal car. But the news gets even better - Copenhagen's municipal government is increasing spending to improve bike lanes and paths and the bike travel experience.

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Another Austin business now using @Square to accept credit/debit cards

Gabsbags (http://www.gabsbags.net/) is a one person, woman-owned business based in Austin, TX. Gabrielle is the founder and chief inspiration officer who makes every one of her bags, purses, iPad cases and more by hand. I introduced her to Square and it wasn't long before phrases like "game changer" and "that's so cool that I can accept credit card payments on my phone" started to bubble up. Gabsbags will soon be taking Square to the trade events and flea markets lined up for 2011. "I can focus on producing quality handcrafted bags and not have to worry too much about how people can buy from me. Accepting credit cards changes everything especially for a small business".

Square is a revolutionary service that enables anyone to accept credit cards anywhere. Square offers an easy to use, free credit card reader that plugs into a phone or iPad. It's simple to sign up. There is no extra equipment, complicated contracts, monthly fees or merchant account required. If you're in Austin and interested in Square I can get you started. 

Pastedgraphic-1








Another week in Paradise. My friends in the Northeast you can look away now.

AUSTIN, TX


Current Weather Conditions Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Cloudy

41°F

Cloudy

as of 6:05 AM

Wind Speed: 3 mph

Relative Humidity: 62%

Barometer: 30.07 in

Feels Like: 41.0°F

% Chance of T-Storms: 2%

Mon 24

Some clouds, then sunshine

H 56°

L 35°

Some clouds, then sunshine

Tue 25

Partly sunny and breezy

H 57°

L 32°

Partly sunny and breezy

Wed 26

Plenty of sunshine

H 62°

L 33°

Plenty of sunshine

Thu 27

Sunshine

H 59°

L 39°

Sunshine

Fri 28

Sun and some clouds

H 68°

L 41°

Sun and some clouds

 

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