Competition

I've gone on the record stating that I am not competitive. I enjoy competing to the extent that it allows me to gauge my abilities against others, but generally winning and losing are about the same to me. I assume that I will give my best, in the moment, and my best will not always measure up, but that does not make me a loser.

So, that being said, I'm officially registered for the Capital City Strong Man competition on June 12. I think I'll finish somewhere around 2nd to last (compared to last year's results). My goal is to perform sufficiently to be measured in each event: flip the 600 pound tire once, carry the two 175 pound milk cans a couple of feet, press at least 165, move the 550 pound sled a foot and pick up one Atlas stone.

What's that? Why am I doing this? Well, let me tell you. Last year my wife decided to run the Crazy Legs and she invited every one to run with her. A lot did, but the real news is she's still running. Since the Crazy legs she's done two 1/2 marathons, will soon be doing the Syttende Mei (sic), and in October the Chicago Marathon. She's entered these events and she's learned and met people and now she's a Runner.

I did the Moonshine because I consider myself a Motorcyclist. I went, I learned and met people, rode 962 miles in 3 days and I am a Motorcyclist.

I've always wanted to be a strong man. I remember when I was 4 or 5 trying to lift my dad and just being amazed at how heavy he was and how strong he was (Shout out to my dad - he may be a bit heavier now, but still strong. Very strong). So I'm entered in this event and I hope to learn and meet people.

And maybe in a year or so become a Strong Man.

Well, really...(from a reply sent to my friend Jim)

"You're an atheist?". Yes, I am one atheist. Yes, I am an a-theist.

Therein lies the problem with categorizing atheists as a group...people don't identify themselves as members of groups based on what they don't believe in (tea partiers excepted, perhaps). It would be kind of like calling christians "a-moslems", when most christians identify themselves based on what they do believe in, i.e. catholocism (WTF!!), rather than what they don't.

Unless one believes in a god or god-like deity, one meets the definition of atheist. Buddhists are a-theists, but whether they're atheists is a big, stinking, worthless debate (you don't believe in a god, you're an atheist, I don't give a shit how damn spiritual you are, IMO). But "atheist" has become a meaningless label, especially to atheists. It's come to imply secularist, science-ist, devil worshiper (double WTF!!) and other things when all it means is "there ain't no god(s)". Frankly I don't want to be a member of a group defined by what it's members don't believe in, unless it has something to do with really, really hating the Chicago Bears. But even that would be based on a common belief, "the Bears still suck", as opposed to a common disbelief (a-belief?).

Goddamn. That's a pretty fucking good milkshake.

If you find yourself somewhere in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Indiana. Look for this place. Vince Vega would have approved because it was good AND $2.01 less than $5.00.

I had to stop and get a pic of the "Welcome to Farmer City" sign for two reasons - I love the thought of living in a town called Farmer City, and because when I was living in Bloomington I always listened to a radio station called "The Whip" which broadcasts from Farmer City. You can check it out and stream it from here: http://www.wwhp.com/ It is the best broadcast radio station ever.

Took a trip last weekend. Edgerton, Wi. to Bloomington, Il. Then on to Casey for the Moonshine Run. Casey, Il to Carmel, In (stopped in at the Slippery Noodle with an old friend for good food and great blues). Indy back to Edgerton. 962 miles round trip.