Mr. Fatty F. McFatpants

This will be the self-effacing contribution of the day, I suppose. Additionally, this is my first ever "Blog" contribution, so go easy on the rookie.

Check out the fine specimen commandeering his "Big Red Specialized Machine":



Frankly, I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this picture. Actually I'm laughing as I type, so there goes that bit of indecision. For those who don't know, this was a picture from the 2007 LOTOJA bike race (www.lotojaclassic.com). A two-hundred-and-six mile journey of rolling hills, lengthy climbs, spirit-weakening headwinds, and immense... pain. It literally took every ounce of will - and the thought of eating an entire box of Little Debbie Snack Cakes after the race - to finish last year. Johnny was nice enough to send this image to me last week as a "motivational" tool for the 2008 LOTOJA bike race.

Johnny is a kindred spirit in many ways, but specifically because he's fallen woefully out of shape in the past (2005?) and nevertheless saddled-up and rode. I admire that. Also, Johnny thought it necessary to get in the best shape of his life last year and completely embarrass us all, especially on hill climbs. I'm convinced that he was using an electric motor on his bike last year because it seemed so easy. In fact, since he's moved out of his house I've rummaged through his garage no less than three times to find this contraption, to no avail. I WILL FIND IT JOHNNY! AHHHH!

Anyway, I finished LOTOJA last year at 185lbs, which is entirely too much weight to carry around on my 5' 1" frame. This year, I hope to compete at between 150 lbs. - 155 lbs., and I'm hovering between 158 -162 currently. I'll post an "after" picture soon.

- Patrick

And then there were three...

As many of you know Patrick and I now house three dogs instead of two. We have welcomed our new buddy Corbu into the Hobbs Arms until Johnny and Amanda complete construction on their new home. We asked him if he wanted to convey any messages back to his family and this is what he said...

The dogs find great restitute, as do we, in our walks along the Bonnelville Shoreline Trail. This is one of the best ways to unwind at the end of the day or better yet, start your morning. During the summer I visit these trails with the dogs at least 3 times per week. You will notice that none of the photos capture our little friend Corbu because I can't move the camera fast enough to catch him.

June 7th, 2008

For the past two weeks Patrick and I have been making an effort to eat super healthy. I started looking for great recipes and found this website:http://www.welikeitraw.com/rawfood/

I found a delicous recipe for a breakfast or anytime healthy shake. Here is how it goes:

bunch of Cilantro

1/2 cucumber

3 wedges pink grapefruit

1/2 bag pineagpple or fresh

cinnamon

vanilla extract to taste

Try it! You'll love the energy boost!