I enjoy self-deprecating humor, but I'm not very good at it.

The more I thought about A.G. Holder's comments (see last night's post) the angrier I got. So this afternoon I sent messages to my two Senators and the White House about it. I've never done anything like that before and I'm interested to see if I get any response.

Tiger Woods returns to the PGA schedule next week. He's been out 265 days and has a new baby since then. I'm interested to see if he still dominates the game.
And the Phoenix Suns are back. OK, their first two games since firing Terry Porter were against the L.A. Clippers, which is a little like playing The Sun City Slammers, but the Suns scored 282 points in those two games. I hope they can salvage the season in the last 40 games.

I did a run & ride this afternoon, back-to-back. Triathlon distances, but certainly not race speeds. I've lost too much conditioning for that.
Years ago I read an article in which the author said that runners should embrace the restrictions of winter workouts. He posited that nature tells almost all living organisms that they need some time off from the routine of activity. Bears hibernate and runners should too - or at least cut WAY back on their exercise. This natural cycle allows the body and the mind to recover and be prepared, even eager for spring.
I've felt that rhythm. I have to force myself to do very modest exercise during the winter, even the Phoenix winter. But the longer days and warmer temps of the last week or so have me eager to get back into serious workouts. I decided after reading that article to feel no guilt about reduced physical activity during winter's short days, and I think it pays off come mid-February. Of course in places like Michigan that's more like mid-April or May.

GOOD NEWS: I think I have a buyer for the motorcycle. I listed it on Craig's List a few weeks ago and he contacted me through that ad. He wanted to make four payments but I had other interested parties and so suggested he contact me when he had all the money. If I still had the bike we'd deal.
Long story short, Monday I'll ride the bike to Scottsdale where he'll give me cash. I'm taking $700 less than my original asking price but I was going to come down $500 when I re-listed it next week anyway, so I'm OK with that.
My only concern is that this guy has expressed no interest in seeing the bike. Not even pictures. So I'm going into this with due caution. I'll take my little brown pen that shows if a bill is counterfit, accept only cash, and sign over the title only when payment is assured. The worst that happens is I ride it back home.
Pam pointed out that I'll need a new profile pic for my Facebook account. Hmmm, what shall I use?

I am very, very sad for some long-time friends going through a most difficult time. I can't imagine the complexities of their struggle or how they get through a day like today. Prayers for them, all of them.

If I was a militant Black - an Al Sharpton or similar - I'd be nervous about the future. America just elected an African-American President after a campaign remarkably free of significant racial overtones. We have Blacks at all levels of govt. (including some who are decidedly grumpy) and in business, entertainment and sports. It will get harder and harder to make the case that Blacks are, as a race, systematically disenfranchised and persecuted.
Don't misunderstand - I think that is a VERY good thing. As I've said before, while I disagree with the Obama's policies on several key topics I'm pleased that our nation has progressed to the point where we elected a Black President. Discrimination, either de jur or de facto, is a bad thing and the progress we've made since the 60's is very good in every way.
But besides this progress against discrimination our nation is also at a key demographic crossroads. Some experts think we've already reached that point, but all agree that by 2015 Hispanics will outnumber Blacks in America and become the largest minority.
Perception lags behind reality, so it will take additional time for that shift to become part of the American self-image. Also, Hispanics are a much more diverse ethnic group, many coming recently from several different nations, whereas the vast majority of Blacks have been in the U.S. for generations and feel more affinity for one another.
But sooner or later Hispanics will displace Blacks, not just statistically but in their impact as an ethnic group in America. That shift will take a whole lot of punch out of the militant Black's voice. Hispanics will see Blacks as part of the establishment, possessing rights and privileges denied to them. And by virtue of sheer numbers Hispanics will make more noise and demand more attention.
This bodes ill for career antagonists, those whose claim to fame is militant rhetoric and posturing.
I wonder if they see the handwriting on the wall, if they know their days in the spotlight are numbered.