White Christmas in Western Washington?!

We're enjoying the pretty snow from inside the house, but it's not so fun when we need to get out and drive in it. I've shoveled more snow off this driveway than any other snow I've shoveled before. And I don't really have a proper snow shovel - since we only get snow like this every ten or so years - so, it probably seems like more of a chore.

We are trying to stay close to home, in case we need to head for the hospital. Little lady dady baby has not yet decided to grace us with her presence, but we're looking forward to her "fashionably late" arrival.

Christmas in Kenmore

It's been a busy week. Wednesday was Kari's birthday, then of course Thursday was Thanksgiving. But (and I think Kari agrees) the most important recent event was hunting for and decorating the Christmas tree.

Kari found her favorite tree at St Nicks Tree Farm in Monroe.

We got the tree in the house and tried to keep it far enough from the window to avoid a Griswold moment.

Next, we add lights...

... and then even more festive decorations.

While Kari was decorating inside, I put lights on the outside.

Our first fireplace. We get to hang four stockings this year: Dad, Mom, Baby, and Doggy Dady.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Happy Thanksgiving from the parents-to-be

--
Bryan

Last post from my blackberry pearl

Last post from my blackberry pearl, originally uploaded by bcdady.

My next post will be from my new iPhone

Going diving at Lana'i

Going diving at Lana'i, originally uploaded by bcdady.

T-Mobile

Deception Pass

Deception Pass, originally uploaded by bcdady.

About to bike over Deception Pass

Bike MS

Bike MS, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Its a beautiful day for a bike ride around the north puget sound today.

Lake Washington half loop

Lake Washington half loop, originally uploaded by bcdady.

I started out to ride around Lake Washington today, but I've got an important dinner appointment, so I'm taking the shortcut across Mercer Island. It's a more beautiful summer day today than we saw in late August.

That's the Bellevue skyline above the trees and across part of Lake Wasington.

WaMu Skyline

WaMu Skyline, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Prominent features of the downtown Seattle skyline: the Washington Mutual Tower on the left and the new WaMu Center on the right.

Taken from the 5th floor of the West Edge garage looking south.

The next ride: 2008 bike MS

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). That's why I registered for the Group Health bike MS Ride, and why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.

The Group Health Bike MS Ride, is a two-day journey through Skagit, Whatcom and Island Counties.
Follow this link to watch some crazy bananas get down for Bike MS!



Click on the links below to visit my personal page to make a donation or join me on the Ride!

Click here to visit my personal page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/bryandady

Click here to view my team's page:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/WASBikeEvents?team_id=95711&pg=team&fr_id=7600&s_tafId=93865

More than 2,000 riders will cruise along scenic figure-eight courses ranging from 50 to 175 miles. Six full meals, generous amenities, stunning landscapes, stocked rest stops at multiple sites, and spirited festivities that include music and a beer garden are all included.

Montlake Drawbridge

Montlake Drawbridge, originally uploaded by bcdady.

We rode around Lake Washington today. As we were coming back into Montlake, the bridge was opening.
--
Bryan

85 miles

85 miles, originally uploaded by bcdady.

And still smiling
--
Bryan

First stop at Carnation Farm

First stop at Carnation Farm, originally uploaded by bcdady.

--
Bryan

Loaded up for Flying Wheels

Loaded up for Flying Wheels, originally uploaded by bcdady.

We hope to make it 100 miles today.
--
Bryan

Training ride through Leschi

Training ride through Leschi, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Rick and are riding to Seward Park today. We just stopped at Triumph Multisport for wet/cold weather cycling gear. Shouldn't need this stuff in June.
--
Bryan

It's hot in Houston

It's hot in Houston, originally uploaded by bcdady.

My view of Houston from the skybridge between the Hilton of the Americas and the convention center.
--
Bryan

Blue Like Jazz

I just finished reading Blue Like Jazz by David Miller and I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated it.
One of my favorite parts came toward the end when he starts explaining his own epiphany about what it means to love other people.

The sentiment was simple: Love your neighbor as yourself.


And I thought about that for a second and wondered why God would put that phrase so strongly in my mind... He was saying I would never talk to my neighbor the way I talked to myself, and that somehow I had come to believe it was wrong to kick other people around but it was okay to do it to myself. It was as if God had put me in a plane and flown me over myself so I would see how I was connected, all the neighborhoods that were falling apart because I would not le myself receive love from myself, from others, or from God. And I wouldn't receive love because it felt wrong. It didn't feel humble, and I knew I was supposed to be humble. But that was all crap, and it didn't make any sense. If it is wrong for me to receive love, then it is also wrong for me to give it because by giving it I am causing somebody else to receive it, which I had presupposed was the wrong thing to do. So I stopped. And I mean that. I stopped hating myself. It no longer felt right. It wasn't manly or healthy, and I cut it out. That was about a year ago, and since then I have been relatively happy. I am not kidding. I don't sit around and talk bad about myself anymore.

...

And so I have come to understand that strength, inner strength, comes from receiving love as much as it comes from giving it. I think apart from the idea that I am a sinner and God forgives me, this is the greatest less I have ever learned. When you get it, it changes you. My friend Julie from Seattle told me that the main prayer she prays for her husband is that he will be able to receive love. And this is the prayer I pray for all my friends because it is the key to happiness. God's love will never change us if we don't accept it.

April snow in Seattle

April snow in Seattle, originally uploaded by bcdady.

I was supposed to ride up to Camp Casey, Whidbey Island on my motorcycle last weekend. So much snow was falling that I couldn't keep my helmet screen clear. Fortunately I was meeting my friend Dan at his apartment and he had a car there. I parked my bike, next to his under a car port and we drove to Camp Casey.
This weekend the weather is back up to the 60s.
--
Bryan

Blossoms in the Quad

Blossoms in the Quad, originally uploaded by bcdady.

The trees are starting to bloom on the UW campus.

Cycling season kick-off

P1020278.JPG, originally uploaded by bcdady.

On Saturday, I met with a large group of cyclists at Gas Works park for the first weekend of Cascade Training Series rides. I am beginning training for the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride in July.

I intended to catch a bus to Gas Works, but that didn't work out so I rode my bike about ten miles to the park, and then rode with the group to Seward Park and back (about 25 miles), so I logged about 35+ miles by the time I got back to Gas Works.

That's the most mileage I've put in on this bike (I just got it used in the fall), and I felt much better than I expected after ride. I had some time to kill before Kari came to pick me at the park after the ride, so I took some photos around Gas Works. Check out my flickr gallery to see the rest.

IAH train

IAH train, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Now I'm in Houston on the way back to Seattle. This mornings drive from Tallahassee to Jacksonville included monsoons that also delayed the plane from here to JAX, so I'm not getting home when planned, but I am half way there. Dad, allie and Cyndi were rerouted through Chicago, and I'm not sure about Chris yet.
--
Bryan

Cobalt off I-10

Cobalt off I-10, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Red convertible rental at a rest stop between Jacksonville and Tallahassee
--
Bryan

Hangin with the ladies at Belltown Pizza

Hangin with the ladies at Belltown Pizza, originally uploaded by bcdady.

Kari and Mackenzie

Randy Pausch reprising his inspirational "Last Lecture"

Everyone should watch this inspiring lecture from Carnegie-Melon professor Randy Pausch, who has terminal cancer.

This reprised lecture was delivered on Oprah, but there is a full length version as well.

Good Morning from Kauai

Good Morning from Kauai, originally uploaded by bcdady.

image/jpeg
--
Bryan