McCain & Palin

This is pretty damn good.

McCain & Palin – “Everywhere like such as…The Iraq…Maps”

So we all heard that McCain spit that gum ball out of his mouth to announce Sarah Palin as his running mate.  Talk about gimmicks.  This was clearly done to try and steal the disgruntled Hillary fans (Jeannie??).

Man, if somehow George McCain (intentional) is elected, God forbid anything happen to the geezer.  If he kicks the bucket we are going to have a Polar Bear-hating former beauty queen Vice President.  Hopefully, she doesn’t speak like another former beauty queen.

“Some people in our nation don’t have maps… the Iraq everywhere like such as…”

I have watched this video close to 500 times.  It is quite possibly the funniest thing ever.

The best quote I’ve seen so far on McCain and Palin:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin rocketed on to the national political stage today after John McCain tapped her to run as his running mate against Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

From the Wall Street Journal – Washington Wire.  Tap it, John!

G_ _!

Nothing slips by me, Phil.

Rear Ended – UPDATE

Since my last post on Vis accident, we have learned that the insurance company has “totaled” Vi’s Prius.

This SUCKS.  Why?  Because her car had a HOV/Carpool Sticker that allowed us to drive in the HOV/Carpool lanes with only one person in the car.  DMV is no longer issuing these stickers and I have heard the stickers are for specific vehicles so we won’t be able to get new stickers for a new Prius (if in fact we get one).  I have not yet confirmed this with my super legal research skills. 

My usual weekly routine is to drive out to Culver City at least twice a week in rush hour traffic and I also frequently have to be in court in Orange County and El Cajon (San Diego) so the stickers are VERY handy and save me tons of time.

But the upside is she’s going to get a new car with no miles on it.  Our 2005 Priushad over 91,000 miles on it.

I guess another upside is that without the carpool sticker, I’ll have more time to listen to Howard Stern.

I AM A MOTHER F’ING DEMOCRAT

Since two of us have been reprimanded for sharing

our political views on the team’s “official” email list, I have been relegated to spreading the word here as this blog has nothing to do with LARD and I can pimp whatever the hell I want (For instance, I can whore myself out and tell you that my firm is now helping those that have fallen behind on their mortgages – www.HelpWithYourMortgage.com) Hah!

Now, back to my political rant.  Here are some of my random thoughts (well, maybe not so random):

Do you want 4 more years of the last 8?

The greatest Freudian slip last night was when Democratic VP Candidate Joe Biden accidentally called McCain “George”.

How many more wars will Maverick McCain get us into if he was elected now that we know we really don’t need a valid reason to rain bombs on some one else’s land?

McCain thinks the economy is “fundamentally sound”. Is it? Have you looked at the plunging home values? He doesn’t care. Hell, he doesn’t even know how many houses he owns.

McCain is NOT in favor of equal pay for women.  WTF?

Can’t wait to see how many Asians (or other minorities) are part of his cabinet if he is elected.  Can you say – homogeneous?

I remember how devastated I was when “W” somehow won a second term.  I cried (but, I cried watching the Karate Kid too). I don’t know what’s going to happen if McCain wins. Maybe I’ll move up to Vancouver, British Columbia, take a year off, train and try to make the FCRCC team. Hey, that’s not so bad!

Jeannie had a great suggestion to register in another state where your vote would count more since most of us in California are Democrats.  My brother did this the last election.  Since he was going to LSU for his PhD work, he re-registered himself in Louisiana – a traditionally red state.  Good stuff.

I’ll be glued to the TV tonight watching Barack accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

I want to hear what you have to say.

REAL Poll – 2008 LARD Banquet Date

Per Phil, I’ve created this poll to help LARD Brass determine the ideal date for our 2008 banquet.

Please vote only once.

Thanks.

Survey Test Run – I NEED Your Help

OK, I’m trying to figure out how to do surveys so we can deliver the upcoming LARD Survey in an efficient and simple manner.

I’ve created a practice LARD Survey.   Please take some time and go through it – there are only a few questions.  I need as many people to respond as possible so I can see how the data is reported on the back end.

I’ve set the survey as anonymous so technically you shouldn’t be able to see anyone else’s answers.  Please let me know if you can view other people’s responses.

FYI – the real survey will likely be in the LARD Only Section and will be only accessible if you are a current member and have the password.

Your comments and input would be greatly appreciated.

Muchas gracias.

(Asian Red Neck at a fancy dinner party)

OC1 Camp in Oahu, Hawaii

I picked this email up from the yahoo outrigger list.  I have a cousin in Hawaii that will likely be able to hook up some very inexpensive lodging.  Please let me know if you are interested.  I’m interested, but want to see a bit more info first.

Jeannie, can you get some more info from Ryan? 

Winter OC Camp in Hawaii

Posted by: “pogueryan” ryan@poguesports.com pogueryan

Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:04 am (PDT)

Are you looking to get away from the winter and train somewhere warm
and with top paddlers? Learn to surf and play in warm blue water? OC
Camps are now available with flexible start dates to suite your
needs.

Pogue Sports is partnering with manufactures and team riders in Hawaii
to run week long paddle and training camps in beautiful Kailua Beach,
Oahu.

We have canoes provided by Hawaiian manufacturers and builders.

Programs and head coaching to be provided by canoe designer and coach
John Puakea.

Team Riders and Coaching facility provided by Kamanu Composites.

Camp programs are divided into an Intermediate, Advanced, Surfing,
and with demand a V1 / V6 and steering clinics.

These camps rotate weekly with a maximum of 24 people per camp.
Each program is divided in two groups of 12 and you paddle and train
in both 6 man and small boats.

All paddlers will receive video review and the tools needed to read
water, train smarter and paddle faster.

The first program will be starting Jan 12 2008 and the cost is only
$500. (lower exchange rates for US customers)

Our website and registration will be online very soon. For more
information please email me directly. Camps can be customized for any
group from any location. If you request a special language, we can
make that happen!

info@occamps.ca

www.occamps.ca

Groups rates apply, groups of 10 receive one free membership and all
members receive a free high performance paddling shirt.

See you in Hawaii
Ryan Pogue
ryan@poguesports.com

Using Your Legs and Hips

Check this video out – it’s a video of an oc1 paddler from Tahiti at the 2008 World Sprints (video is courtesy of outriggercanoe.blogspot.com).

This guy won the 19 and under age group.  The amazing thing is the slow motion break down – you can see his leg/hip action.  Notice the connection – his blade is planted, and he moves the boat to the blade.  That is one MEATY stroke.

If you have questions about his bottom arm -  we can have that discussion in person.

As usual, I will encourage all of you to get out on an OC1 and feel the connection.

Weekend Roundup

The weekend started off on a bad note with Vi getting into a medium impact rear-ender Friday morning.  I thought Saturday, the day after her accident, would be bad for her in terms of pain.  However, we were lucky enough to see one of our doctor friends (Dr. Gary Lai – good guy and Dodger fan) and Vi took some meds Friday night.  Saturday was very tolerable for her.

As for Saturday, it was return of LARD Land Training.  Since Mike from HPC was writing his dissertation, I took it upon myself to provide the workout.  I brought back an old HPC/LARD favorite and added an exercise.  The result?  During the workout, I was asking myself, “Why the hell do I do this to myself?” (a question I also ask myself as tattoo needles are stuck into me).  Luckily, the endorphins kicked in and everything was good a few minutes after the workout – until the afternoon.

(Photo courtesy of: M. Chin)

Saturday was LARD (and PINK) video session day.  Thanks to Mike B. for following us around on his boat.  Thanks to Phil for the video footage.  M.Chin got on the chase boat and took some nice still photos.  Props to Otto for running PINK’s practice.

The highlight of Saturday’s on water session was taking off for our 2nd lap at 10:30 am (we only have the boats until 11).  We did our usual 5 minute warm up around the bend at the yacht club, then ran a continuous set to the second bridge near marine stadium.  We pulled into Mother’s Beach at 10:55 am.  2.6 miles (according to google maps) in 25 minutes – with rest and switching sides.  Not bad.  Frankly, I was very impressed.  They managed to did this despite my figure-8 steering skills.  I know if we set out to do it faster, we could have but the pace was fairly aggressive nonetheless.

View Larger Map

Saturday afternoon, the soreness started setting in from the Land Training.  By Sunday morning, I was Grade-A sore.  Luckily all I had to do Sunday was plop my ass in an OC1 and paddle.  I paddled Mike B.’s new Champion OC1 protoype.  Gary paddled my V1x and we met up with Olaf on his Kaku and briefly with Will on Lokahi’s OC1.  The Champion OC1 needs some work (but is a good first attempt for Champion).  Mainly, the boat has a right-side bias in the neutral position which leads to a very tippy and unbalanced ride – especially when the water is not flat.  The ama also plows (Mike is working on a remake of the ama).  I managed to get out to the outer breaker with only one huli.  Too bad I can’t say I was riding some great wave and huli’ed.  I was just sitting there, paddling along, and lost it.  It was a great workout as I paddled at 90% the whole way so i could keep up with the faster OC1s.  It was nice to get back on my V1x later in the day.  Man, I love that boat.

While I was on my open ocean adventure, some brave LARD members braved the optional Land Training workout.  Props to you all.  Thanks to Leon for running it in my absence.

This past weekend, we had quite a few new paddlers – 2 full boats of paddlers both days.  It’s always great to see new faces and to be able to introduce our sport to new people.  To all our new paddlers – keep up the good work!

All and all, a great weekend.  I hope you had a great weekend of paddling and training too!

Hopefully, I’ll be able to walk better tomorrow… 

Rear ended

Vi was rear ended this morning on her way to work.

On my way to the scene. I call mother fucking State Farm. There a response? “Get a police report and call back.”. YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME – a police report takes 2 weeks. We’ll just hang out on the side of the freeway for 2 weeks since the car is inoperable. Luckily, my super lawyer skills kicked in!

Vi’s neck is pretty stiff – going to have a visit with a doctor today.

For those of you that are concerned, the LARD license plate frame was not damaged.

Midas’ Breeder

Many of you know my two dogs – Achilles (we call him Keyees) and Midas.  Midas is the big loving dumb one with the floppy ears and Achilles is the thinner former show dog.  We got Midas from a breeder in Nevada – her name is Barbara Hoke.  I’ve only met her once but she is a nice lady with a warm heart.

Vi and I just heard from Achilles’ breeder that Barbara suffered a recent tragedy.  Barbara’s house burned down and she lost everything.  I’m not sure if any Boston Terriers were lost.

I believe the Red Cross, her friends and family are assisting her in her time of need.

If you want to help out, let me know and I will put you in touch with the appropriate people.

Life is precious.

I hope to see you all this weekend.

ERG Testing, Land Training & Video Analysis

3 announcements:

1.  Land Training – Starting this weekend, I’ll run land training on Saturdays at 8:00 am.  This will continue through the TI tournament.  We’ll discuss adding the 2nd day officially in a few weeks.  If you’d like, you can informally gather for land training on Sundays – perhaps someone can step up and run these workouts.

2.  ERG Testing will be conducted at Mother’s Beach on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend (8/30/2008 ) from 7am to 12pm.  Show up and we’ll test you.  No need for evites or reservations.  Land Training will be moved to the next day (Sunday) on this weekend only.  There will also be a make up test the following Sunday (9/7/2008 ) at Mother’s Beach from 7am to 12pm.   There will be no OC2 testing this time around.

3.  Video Analysis – this Saturday 9:00 am.  Be there.  Don’t wuss out.

All THREE of these events are open to ALL LARD members regardless of fitness level or paddling ability.  The more, the merrier!

The motley crew we brought to SF/TI last year.  Good times!

Tagging at a Local Crawfish Joint

I left our mark at a new local crawfish joint in the SGV.

LARD Land Training Is Back

OK, LARD Land Training is back due to your overwhelming response (and to spite the one person that said not to continue ).

More sweet pain!  Yippee!

I need to know your preference – Saturday or Sunday, or both.   If it’s both, I’m going to need someone to step up and run the workouts in my absence (i.e. while I’m paddling oc1).  Or we can do one day for sure, and we can occasionally add the second weekend day.

We’ll step it up as we get closer to our final race of the season.

Your input is humbly requested.  I’ll announce when this weekend’s land training will take place.

***If the poll box is not displayed below, please comment to this post.  Thanks!***