hanging on

I'm sad that the Tour de France comes to an end today. It's the only time all year that I watch TV regularly, and it's a bit addicting. I also love Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen and Bobke, and I'll miss spending time with them each day.

Can't wait to watch the sprinters on the Champs Elysee!

TDF Time Trial

I must be looking for diversion from writing, but I broke down and am watching the TDF Time Trial. So exciting! So many guys could kick some butt today. Contador is by far the favorite, but "fire in the belly" can carry Andy a long way! Lance, anyone? Levi?

Saturday

Listening to Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 4--The North Carolina Symphony in which my daughter is playing, and Yevgeny Sudbin is on the piano. Amazing music. How can anybody move their fingers like that?
Love it. Great writing music, when it doesn't distract me with its beauty!

fun news about Chasing AllieCat

I found out yesterday that Chasing AllieCat is being considered as a Junior Library Guild selection for 2011. Since it hasn't been chosen yet, I'd better make the most of the publicity possibility while it's still in the running!

And it's available for preorder on Barnes and Noble and amazon.com now:http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=chasing+alliecat

Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie is so wise and funny. War Dances cracks me up with sadness. Does that make sense?
"I think Viagra was invented so that extramarital assholes could have extra years to be assholes."
How sad is that? And perhaps true?

Holy Head-Butt!

Trying hard for "prolificity" writing this summer. However, had to watch the end of today's TDF stage.

Holy head butt!
Renshaw headbutted Dean near the finish to give Cavendish a straight shot to win, which he did! Cavendish is so fast, he doesn't need his team mate playing a Robbie McEwen at the finish line to get a stage win.

I've resurrected an old poster of Petacchi for my fridge. He's amazing and I'm glad he's in the green sprinter's jersey, even though I'm still secretly or not so secretly, rooting for Thor Hushovd! But I also really like Tyler Farrar.
Sprints this year are anything but boring!
And we know, what we'll remember from the Ides of July sprint is Renshaw's head butt!

Now, back to work!

Happy Bastille Day! ...and unrelated, my new bumper sticker:

Best recommendation for Chasing AllieCat

My daughter summarized Chasing AllieCat this way:

"kinda Judy Blume meets Steig Larsson. Three kids are montain biking when they find a comatose man in the woods - all hell breaks out. Technically a young adult book but a great read for anyone." Couldn't be a more awesome recommendation. Thanks, Nik!!!

CHASING ALLIECAT!!!

Chasing AllieCat is available for preorder on Barnes and Noble online!!! Here is the cover! I am sooooo excited!
http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=chasing+alliecat

My favorite Tour de France ad!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzPq0hDdDhs&NR=1

Quotes from the TDF

Still love that Phil Liggett called Contador and Armstrong the Siamese twins of the Tour.

And Tyler Farrar said, "To be honest, it wasn't the funnest day on the bike for me."

Phil said: "It's not so far [stage 4]; only 95 miles."

21st century

Whoa. I feel like I just joined the 21st century. Only ten years late. I got my intenet fixed at home--and so far, it's pretty fast!--and I took the leap and got DishNet, primarily and almost entirely to watch the entire Tour de France this year. However, I've already enjoyed a few other TV programs. It's been so long that I've been without, that I forgot how much fun it is and nice to be "connected."

And the Tour, the Tour! oh, I'm so addicted.