Who Needs Shoes...

when you're on vacation?  (Well, evidently we do - I alone brought nine pair, am expecting a tenth in the mail (new running shoes), and the ladyfriend brought eight.  Stick with me, and you, too, will develop a thing for shoes.)

The theme of this post is lobster!  Lobster, lobster, lobster.  For the first time in the eight or so years that we've been coming here, we're here for the local lobster season.

That's six lobsters I'm holding!

So far we've had boiled lobster, lobster rolls, and lobster chowder.

I made a ton of stock for the chowder and reduced some down even more to use later in our stay for a lobster pasta.  Lobster season ends tomorrow.  We'll probably pick up a few more for good measure.

Neglect as a Gardening Method

It is the method I most often employ, but look...

...roses on steroids!  No deadheading, no cutting back, no fertilizer, just letting them do their thing.

Run with Bauhaus

Surprisingly great running song.

Deep Thoughts...or Not

Bumble the Abominable Snowman

In conjunction with the upcoming Walk-It Day co-sponsored by The Running Room and Weight Watchers, the ladyfriend and I were asked to talk to the local newspaper about the role walking has played in our collective weight loss.  I was a little hesitant because, well, I didn't really use walking.  I just walk.   Plus, there's the whole thing about losing weight that I discussed in an earlier post.

Anyway, here's the article.  I couldn't help but notice a few comma splices as well as other editing issues, but hey, I wasn't asked to grade it.  I thought we'd said some more interesting things but maybe not.  It really just makes me think of the song "Put One Foot in Front of the Other" from the claymation classic Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Shoe Shopping as a Collaborative Venture

The thing that happens with me is that, when it comes to equipment, I like to buy the right thing because I hate to throw things away or upgrade needlessly (one reason why I'm experiencing an anti-Apple moment despite the fact that I'm a Mac user - the planned obsolescence is head-spinning; anyway, I digress), and yes, I enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a well-made purchase.

This all started when I almost bought a pair of new cycling shoes just because they were inexpensive, but once I started asking (myself and the salesperson) questions about them, thinking about the brand (unknown "house" brand), and what-not, I knew that I had to be a little more discerning.  Unlike other shoes (for which I have an endless and insatiable appetite), I like to have one cycling shoe that satisfies on multiple levels: performance, reputation, and eye appeal.  With that in mind, I introduce a new contender:

Bontrager RL Mountain WSD Shoe

The one thing about this shoe is that is pretty much screams "CYCLING SHOE!," which may or may not be desirable.   Perhaps their biggest fault is that they'll probably give me that roadie (road cyclist) walk: that slightly mincing, uneven gait that come with traditional cycling shoes.  Do I care?  Should I care?

Shoe of the Week: Bike Better

I'm currently in "Sporty Spice" mode,  having just run a 1/2 marathon (North Face Endurance series trail races) with my father this weekend (ouch, my quads!), the Bolder Boulder 10K last weekend (talk about high), and getting my father's road bike hand-me-down.  So, I'm thinking about a new pair of cycling shoes.  Believe it or not, the ones I own are really ugly and I'm kind of over them.  I've been wearing the ladyfriend's cast-offs (do you sense a theme here - I'm hand-me-down-receptive!), but I almost bought a new pair this weekend, which just made me need to see what my options are.  Here are two contenders:

Keen Arroyo Pedal

Specialized Women's Tahoe Shoe

Opinions?  Suggestions?  In the meantime, I'll keep exploring my options.