The Blog Page

News, commentary and humor about bicycling and other topics of the day

 

Driving instead of cycling

Putting on an event like the Tour de Stooges requires a lot of work. You have to call and e-mail lots of people, and you have to make sure all the bicycle shops have ride brochures so people will know about the ride.

That was my task today. It would have been an OK day for cycling, but instead spent the afternoon delivering brochures. My first stop was Lebanon, Ill., the host town for the Tour de Stooges. After dropping a few brochures at McKendree College and the Lebanon Visitors Center, I had lunch at Dr. Jazz Soda Fountain & Grille, a great stop for lunch and an even better place for an ice cream treat! Yes, I did violate the South Beach Diet today and had a sundae. But I was good the rest of the day, so it shouldn't hurt me too much.

After that, I hopped to Missouri and dropped off brochures at shops in St. Louis, Richmond Heights, Brentwood and Kirkwood. On Friday, I have to go over to The Touring Cyclist's Warehouse Sale, and I'll drive over to St. Charles, Mo., to leave off brochures there.

It does seem like a lot of work, but it has to be done. It's especially important because the other major cycling organization in St. Louis chose to have an event the same day as the Tour de Stooges. Hopefully, the publicity and the past reputation of the ride will prompt cyclists to choose the Tour de Stooges. So far, we have people coming from as far away as Iowa for the ride, so we hope you'll join us too!

Roger 0 comments 10:36 PM

Sunday, March 28, 2004

South Park Diet

In an effort to lose some weight before the start of the cycling season, I decided to give the South Park Diet -- I mean the South Beach Diet -- a try.

While the South Park Diet would be a whole lot more fun, the South Beach Diet isn't too bad. It doesn't go to quite the extreme as the Atkins Diet does, but it does call on you to watch your carbohydrate intake closely. That means no white bread, no potatoes, no beer. It does, however, allow limited intake of whole-grain bread, sweet potatoes and red wine.

When I told Rachel, one of the fine baristas/sellers at the Fairview Heights Borders, that I was doing the South Beach Diet and would not be getting a cinnamon roll with my coffee, she admitted that she thought the Atkins Diet and other other low-carb diets were a bunch of hooey.

" You got to have some carbohydrates," Rachel said.

I agree. I don't totally buy all the tenets of the South Beach Diet, although more so than I did the Atkins Diet. It makes sense to greatly cut back on French fries, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and candy bars. While I agree it's probably a good idea to avoid excessively processed foods, I also believe in Doug Kaufman's philosophy that "you should do all things in moderation, including moderation."

A friend of mine has lost 100 pounds in a year using the Sugar Busters Diet, which is somewhat similar to the South Beach Diet. But he only allowed himself three beers in 2003. That kind of discipline is a bit much, if you ask me.

I haven't weighed myself since I started the diet, although I noticed my clothes are fitting better in the three weeks I started the diet. I have a doctor's appointment this week, so I will know how much I've lost then.

Roger 0 comments 3:13 PM

Wanna Race?

I was minding my own business Saturday afternoon during a slow-paced bicycle ride through Belleville, cruising up South Church Street toward downtown Belleville. Suddenly, a man came up alongside and offered a challenge to me.

"Wanna race?" he asked.

I really didn't want to race because my goal was simple to get some miles in at a slow- to moderate-pace. But the guy didn't take the hint.

"How far are you going?"

I still didn't want to race. Then he made me mad.

"You need to ride off some of that gut," he retorted.

All right, I do need to ride off some of that gut. You can make fun of something stupid I say or write, but the sure-fire way to hack me off is by mentioning my gut or making fun of a personal trait.

He finally took the hint. But the guy, who was riding on the left -- on the wrong side of the road -- pulled out in front of me to make a right turn onto Washington Street. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Unfortunately, the Lance Armstrong wannabe is typical of many bicycle riders I see in Belleville. Many of them are on a bicycle because they lost their driver's licences, otherwise they would be endangering cyclists and other motorists behind the wheel of a truck. They don't follow traffic laws, i.e., they ride on the wrong side of the road, they don't stop at stop signs and they don't signal turns.

Sadly, too many people don't follow the rules of the road. I'm still convinced that's a big reason many motorists hate cyclists so much.

Roger 0 comments 2:47 PM

Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Wide World of Sports

Last night, one of my colleagues at work, Dale, introduced me to the world of pipe smoking competitions. Dale, a big fan of pipe smoking, was looking for pipes on the Internet when he came across a page touting a pipe smoking competition. After further research, he found out that there are international competitions in pipe smoking.

The goal of a pipe smoking competition is to keep your pipe buring the longest. In international competitions, the contestants are given a pipe, a wooden tamper and 3 grams of tobacco. Once the tobacco is lit, the contestants must keep the tobacco burning without relighting it. The world's record is 3 hours, 18 minutes and 15 seconds. To read more about this event, visit the Comite International des Pipe Clubs.

Let's make it clear that I do not in any way endorse this event. I merely offer this for your amusement. Cycling and pipe smoking do not mix.

But cycling and doughnuts ... well, that's another story!

Roger 0 comments 10:47 PM

Sunday, March 21, 2004

March Madness!

The good news about this year's NCAA Touranment is that the Fighting Illini made the Sweet Sixteen. They looked pretty convincing in their first two tournament games, and I think they will give Duke a heck of a game. Even if the Illini don't win reach the Final Four this year, they are a young team and likely be a threat to make it next year.

The bad news is that my NCAA pool took a major hit. OK, I'm in first place in our 17-entry pool after the first two rounds, but that won't last. I made the mistake of picking Kentucky to win the title. I was in good shape after the first few games Sunday afternoon, but UAB's stunning upset all but knocks me out of the pool, unless there are some more stunning upsets next weekend.

If that wasn't bad enough, Kentucky's loss also means Ashley Judd won't be visiting St. Louis next weekend. Darn the luck!

Roger 0 comments 10:34 PM

Saturday, March 20, 2004

Take it from Polyp Man: Get tested

Polyp Man to the rescue!

Polyp Man provided a lot of laughs Thursday night on the Belleville News-Democrat copy desk. He will always be more than a pain in the rear to us! Of course, we wondered what his chances are with the ladies!

Below is the story from Jayne Matthews, who has a really knack of getting to the bottom of things, so to speak.

---

Kathy Tedrick of Troy talked to Al “Polyp Man” Adomite at
Every Bloomin’ Thing in Troy.
(Photo by Steve Nagy/Belleville News-Democrat)

By Jayne Matthews
jmatthews@bnd.com
—
He looks like a big red Hershey’s kiss. His act is comical.

But his message is dead serious.

Polyp Man, the mascot of National Colorectal Cancer Month, wants everybody over 50 to be tested for polyps in the colon and rectum.

“You probably should get the screening when you’re 45, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer,” Polyp Man said during a recent romp through a Troy Chamber of Commerce party.

Colorectal cancer develops from polyps, small growths that can be detected and removed before they become cancerous. When detected early, colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 90 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

The society’s national message this month is “Get the test. Get the polyp. Get the cure.”

Different cancer society volunteers in the metro-east — sometimes women — don the Polyp Man costume each year during March.

“I’ve had more success with young high school students. People have levels of embarrassment they’re willing to go to,” said Marilyn McCall, spokesman for the society’s metro-east office in Maryville.

But Polyp Man wasn’t shy about discussing colorectal cancer at the chamber party, which was held at Joan Spencer’s Every Bloomin’ Thing flower and gift shop.

That’s because his alter ego is Al Adomite of Troy, former executive director of the metro-east branch of the cancer society.

It was Adomite’s second appearance as Polyp Man.

“I was Polyp Man at my church last night,” he said.

He passed out pamphlets and urged guests to undergo colonoscopies, examinations of the colon and rectum with a tiny camera probe.

Polyp Man’s unwieldy body caused some mayhem in the florist’s back room, which is lined with shelves of flower vases, novelty items and other supplies.

“There’s nothing worse than a clumsy polyp,” store employee Cindy White said.

Polyp Man also began to embellish his accomplishments, especially when a guest mentioned “Today” show host Katie Curic’s televised colonoscopy.

“It was a great time being with Katie on TV,” he said. “Me and Katie’s colon. I love it!”

Sometimes Polyp Man found himself preaching to the choir.

Kathy Tedrick of Troy has had a colonoscopy and so have three of her four siblings.

Tedrick is a missionary for early detection because a paternal uncle died of colon cancer and her father’s colon cancer was caught in its “very early stage,” she said. He took the test because his friends had been doing it.

A colonoscopy costs about $1,400, according to the cancer society.

Linda Manley’s husband, Randy Manley, and her father underwent colonoscopies the afternoon of the chamber party.

“My stubborn husband finally did it after me nagging him,” said Manley, vice president of the Troy chamber.

Manley had good reason to nag: Her husband’s father is undergoing treatment for colon cancer.

The testimonies for early detection and questions about colorectal cancer made Polyp Man turn a little self-important.

“They love me! They love me!” he said.

Roger 0 comments 8:55 PM

Good grief, it's been a long time since I've posted!

I've been a bit busy this past week, so I haven't had time to post anything on the blog page. And frankly, my life has been a little boring, and I don't think everyone needs to know the boring aspects of my life!

Things should get interesting at the Belleville News-Democrat in the next few weeks. Both our publisher and editor are leaving at the end of the month. We already have a new publisher, a hometown product who is liked in local and Knight Ridder circles. However, we don't have a new editor in place. There is some speculation the new editor could come from outside, which might be a good idea because we need a few more fresh ideas to shake some things up here. We have a good paper, but it could be better if we could plan a little bit more so we can have compelling presentations every day.

I should have gotten out on the bike a bit more, but lots of goofy things got in the way.

St. Patrick's Day went well. Even though I don't have a bit of Irish blood in me, I figure I can celebrate anyway because I'm Catholic! I went to an Irish pub in downtown Belleville, Castletown Geoghegan, and heard a local Irish band, Father Stone. One of my good friends, Wayne Schell of Jerseyville, played guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin during the course of the evening. Wayne's quite good. He doesn't have a classic singing voice, but it's a voice that fits in well with the style of music he performs.

I hope I get more of a chance to get on my bike next week and spend less time behind a computer.

Roger 0 comments 12:02 AM

Monday, March 08, 2004

New cycling column

The League of Illinois Bicyclists, in conjunction with the Illinois Press Association, has launched a monthly newspaper column promoting the joys and benefits of bicycling. LIB member Dean Schott of Glenview, Ill., whose journalism career spans 20 years, including time with the Chicago Sun-Times and The Associated Press, will write the initial monthly columns. Schott, 58, is an active cyclist who has enjoyed riding on the road and trails in the United States and around the world.

"The LIB wants to excite readers about the joy, safety, practicality and health benefits of regular bicycling for all ages," said Ed Barsotti, LIB's executive director. "Bicycling has so much potential. It's a fun activity by yourself, with family and with friends. It's a safe and cheap transportation alternative for commuting, running errands and taking a vacation. It's a great way to exercise, lose weight, improve conditioning and build stamina. And it's a special way to enjoy the outdoors and observe nature up close."

From what I've seen of the columns so far, they're geared toward people who are getting started in cycling. And I appreciate that one of the recent columns made mention of the Tour de Stooges! To see the columns, check out LIB's Media page.

Roger 0 comments 1:25 PM

The Bizarre World of Joel Veitch

Mainstream America is being introduced to the unique vision of Joel Veitch with a couple of new commercials for Quizno's Subs. My friend and co-worker Emily introduced me to Veitch's Viking Kitties and their rendition of Led Zeppelin's "The Immigrant Song" a year or two ago. You can't find it on the Rather Good site any more, but you can find it here. Veitch's latest animation, "Hoorah for the Sumo Florist," isn't meant for the kids, and the Sumo Florist has a strange resemblance to a more mature Jamie Lee Curtis. Other favorites include "Mark Llama, Gerbil Farmer" and the punk kittens. Joel Veitch lives in a sick world, but it's one worth visiting!

Roger 0 comments 12:45 PM

'Citizen Kane'

Just got through watching one of the great movies of all time, "Citizen Kane." It had been a couple of years since I watched it, even though I have the tape of it put out by Turner Classic Movies a few years back. The acting, screen play and groundbreaking film techniques are astounding, and the fact that it's about a newspaper publisher makes it all the more interesting for me.

The Turner package also includes a documentary about the film, and it was amazing to find out that before making "Citizen Kane," Dorothy Comingore -- who played "singer" Susan Alexander -- had a role in a Three Stooges film. They didn't say which one, so I had to look it up in "The Complete Three Stooges." Sure enough, she appeared in the 1939 film "Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise." She wasn't credited, but the book says she was then known as Linda Winters. She played the role of April. It turns out three other actors who appeared in Stooge films also appeared in "Citizen Kane."

I guess that goes to show that Dorothy Comingore had a eye for film classics! Nyuk! Nyuk! Nyuk!

Roger 0 comments 1:28 AM

Sunday, March 07, 2004

I see it's been a little while since I posted on the Blog Page!

Got out for a very brief bicycle ride today. It was warm enough, but man was it windy out there, and I even stayed in town. The Weather Channel says the gusts were up to 39 mph, and I believe it. Maybe tomorrow, the wind will die down and I can get some good miles in during my afternoon off. I'm usually off on Wednesdays and Sundays, the Wednesdays primarily so I can ride with the Belleville Area Bicycling and Eating Society during the cycling season.

Speaking of the BABES, i just updated the group's Web site. In addition to the Wednesday Evening Rides, we're going to have several other rides this season. It's good to see the group regain a lot of its energy, and we drew several new faces to the group's winter Meet 'N' Eats. If you live in the St. Louis area, we hope you can join us for some of rides this season.

Roger 0 comments 4:10 PM

Tuesday, March 02, 2004

Let's hear it for the Belleville Superfriends!

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a cartoon series called "Superfriends" featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and a bevy of other comic superheroes. They are the inspiration for a group of regulars who appear regularly at downtown Belleville bars. Here's the roster of the Belleville Superfriends:

Brother George: Brother George is the most famous of the Belleville Superfriends, having been immortalized in a T-shirt designed by Beatnik's. He once was a columnist for the satirical newspaper The News Rocket, but his run-ins with bar owners and the law led to the end of his column. But you still can get the shirt featuring this Belleville legend.

Margeruite: Also known as the Good Girl of Karaoke, she is well-known for her interpretation of Patsy Cline's "Crazy" and nearly as well-known for her ability to mooch beer. It's bad enough she drinks Bud Light, but she makes it even worse by putting ice in it. Despite that, she is the kindest and gentlest of the Belleville Superfriends.

Al: Al can be seen at downtown bars cleaning up the tables -- and drinking the remnants of the beverages left on the table and the bar. Al is always willing to engage in conversation, and no one is a stranger to this Superfriend. After he's through making his point in a mumbling, incoherent manner, he often says, "That's all I have to say." That, of course, begs the question of what the heck he said in the first place!

The BB Gun Killer: OK, he's not really a killer, but this Superfriend's claim to fame is getting into a fight outside a downtown bar and firing at someone with a BB gun. The guy's more than willing to share unsolicited advice to strangers, and his gaze makes you wonder what's going on in that active mind. Sometime, the excitement is too much for him to bear, so he falls asleep at the bar.

The Superfriends indeed help make downtown Belleville what it is today!

Roger 0 comments 2:28 PM

Monday, March 01, 2004

"The Passion of the Christ"

It took me a few days, but I finally made it to see "The Passion of the Christ" yesterday afternoon with my mom, my sister Karen and my niece Lauren. My mom hadn't been to a movie theater for 30 years because she didn't like some of the trends of language, sex and violence in the movies, so my sister and I thought it ironic that she decided to see a R-rated movie.

And believe me, the movie deserved its R rating. It is bloody. It is violent. And it is a good -- but not great -- piece of filmmaking.

For those of you who are used to seeing the sanitized images of the passion of Jesus Christ presented in centuries of religious art or in previous films, it will be a shock. It is not a pretty picture, but then again, scourging and crucifixion are not pretty. While it can be debated whether Mel Gibson went over the top with the violence in this film, my bet is that is closer to the truth than the images we are used to seeing.

As most critics have pointed out, the technical aspects of the film are well-done. The images throughout the film make an impact. Intersperced among the brutal scourging and crucifixion scenes are flashbacks to the words and teachings of Christ. Those were the scenes that had the most impact on me. Jesus delivered a truly radical message, and it was a threat to the powers that be. And it still is a threat to the powers that be today.

I did not get an anti-Semetic message from this film, although I do understand the concerns of the Jewish community that the film will fuel anti-Semetic behavior. But the Romans aren't exactly portrayed in a flattering light. As a lifelong Catholic, I believe that Christ died for everyone's sins, and I thought that the film did a good job of spreading the blame around.

But the film still suffers from a lack of balance. While the suffering servant is a critical part of Christ's redemption of mankind, the Resurrection completes the redemption. Very precious little time was spent on the Resurrection, and that where I think Gibson fell short in his presentation of the passion of Christ.

If I were a movie critic, I would give "The Passion of the Christ" three out of four stars. It does pack a powerful emotional punch. My mom, like many others who have seen the film, thought the scourging went on way too long. But I think Gibson prolonged the agony of the film to give people an ideal of the physical and mental agony that Christ endured in his final hours. How historically accurate the portrayal was never will be truly known, but the impact is profound. But the film remains flawed because it did not present the full picture of Christ's redemption.

I'm still not sure whether I would recommend parents taking their children to the film. My niece, who will turn 12 later this week, handled it well, but she is more mature than most 12-year-olds.

The film had an impact on my mom, but it's likely it will be another 30 years before she sees another film at a movie theater. That would make her 101 years old.

Happy Casimir Pulaski Day

My niece, like most schoolchildren in Illinois, was off Monday because of Casimir Pulaski Day. For those of you who don't know who Casimir Pulaski is, he was a Polish military figure who played a role in the Revolutionary War and died while fighting for the American troops. So why do we celebrate it in Illinois? Well, it has something to do with the fact the Chicago area has the highest number of people of Polish ancestry of any city outside Warsaw.

Roger 0 comments 7:13 PM