The ‘Free” Thinker and Why So Serious?

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There are times when Brevity and Levity collide. I'll take a snicker over a sneer any day.

I like the night…listening to the haunting winds of singer David Gray’s voice crawling out of the speakers on my desk. I think Tom Snyder’s Late, Late Show, which ran from 1995-1999, with Tom as the host (hand picked by David Letterman), was one of the most relaxed and conversational talk shows on TV and of course it came on …late.  Ironically it’s 8:58 am on a Thursday, November12th, 2009. Morning. I get my TV news with Robin Meade on CNN’s Morning Express…because it’s conversational and quick and  as non-bias as I can handle…unlike most 24-hour ‘News’ (such a loose term) networks nowadays. I like people to talk to me …not at me. Big difference, give me the story not your political, religious and editorial comment wrapped up as a “Breaking News” Story. And by the way “Breaking News” has lost its punch as a ‘grabber’ when it comes to news…most ‘breaking news’ has already broke and is now just “tired ‘ole re-hashed news”.

That’s why I like ‘Morning Express’…quick, punchy and to the point with a smile…I like my news with a smile. Call me Crazy but there is something so comforting, real and genuine when even the weather guy can actually have an opinion about a story that was just read. “ Yeah Robin…a hurricane’s close to Newport, Virginia …by the way…Mike Tyson throwing a punch at the paparazzi is about as odd as David Letterman hanging out with interns! C’mon what’s so strange about that? Why’s that news?”  both chuckle and the weather guy continues with the more serious issue of Mother Nature. My point here is that it’s just like any conversation we might have around the dinner table…light, fun and obvious. I find that shows and people that take them too serious…are seriously missing the point on our fine little planet.

People understand when a story is serious. Death…some crazy guy shooting innocent young soldier recruits at Fort Hood. That’s very serious…about as serious as it gets. But having worked in the TV industry. I never had a problem with covering death. What I had a problem with was peoples voyeuristic fascination with how ‘loved ones’ feel now that their child is gone. Well how the heck do you think they feel?  Happy? Joyous? They just lost someone they loved and cared about. I can’t count the times while I was a camera man at the NBC affiliate in Memphis that I had to sit in the living room of a mother whose child had been killed in a drug related or gang shooting, with my reporter asking…”how do you feel?”  A lot of these mothers… young, uneducated and poor…not knowing better…actually allowing us into their homes! I felt like a vacuum cleaner salesman trying to pitch my overpriced, water-based, machine to someone I knew couldn’t afford it. A little dirty. But Producers, Bosses and eager reporters looking to move up…well they’re thinking and they thought …this is “Great TV!”  Hmmm…People do watch Jerry Springer? Is he still on? Not judging here…it is what it is. Doesn’t mean I have to be a part of it.   So when it comes to serious news…I say report it…and take it for what it is …usually just crazy people doing anti-social things. Why do these people get so much press? Do “normal” people feel more ‘normal’ when they constantly talk about ‘nut jobs?’   Sadly I think we know the answer don’t we…sickly and sadistically … ‘yes’.

I’m reminded on a daily basis how people confuse conversation with confrontation, whether on the national stage or around the office water cooler. We all value opinions, especially our own. But, not allowing that opinion to be up for a little light office investigation is a little pompous and ‘Serious’…don’t you think? Because thinking…freethinking …involves entertaining ideas other than your own and a little conversation.
We all want to be King…but being too serious might just lead to a kingdom of ‘one.’ And that’s no fun!

 1.    Comment by Sarah on November 12, 2009, 4:30 pm
You rock Dave. LOVE your insight!

Crazy & the Cow Jumping over the Moon.

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The Truth is Out There. Crazy Cows & What's Really Real.

Not much shocks me anymore…thanks to the internet and just getting older. Television pitchman extraordinaire, Billy Mays, is still voluminously selling stuff on TV. He’s Dead. Michael Jackson? His movie just coming out on Wednesday will probably be # 1 at the box office this weekend…Michael is ‘moonwalking’ somewhere other than this earth…That high pitched ‘he, he he…” is not a red breasted sap sucker…but Michael’s little last laugh as he heads to that Neverland  Ranch in bizarro world   And Elvis he’s like air …according to a lot of people he’s still alive and everywhere. People still believe there are aliens from other planets circling the 3rd rock from the sun…I work with some of those foiled-hat Believers. Einstein said  “ a question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or the others crazy?” And some people think, a true strategy in business and life…it’s sometimes to your advantage to let people think you’re crazy. Singer, Seal said it best “ you’re never gonna survive unless…you get a little crazy…” So why then as a big-ole society do we place such an emphasis on being ‘normal’? The whole idea of life is crazy. We get in a motorized vehicle and get it up to speeds that have the potential to do a lot of harm to our frail human bodies …we pay more than 3 bucks for coffee…we think a good time is going to a local carnival and getting in a giant piece of metal with loose bolts and rusty chains and gett’in spun around for 300 seconds…’wheeeee!’…did I mention the carni running the thing?  Lighting something on fire and breathing it to our lungs seems okay to people. I could go on. But I think you get the point. Just open the Guinness World Book of Records…”Crazizzle!”…as the cool kids say.

I believe we are all like snowflakes…a lot alike…but look closer and we do have differences. All the different people think they’re different …but they just end up being a group…of different people and the people trying to be ‘normal’…just do strange things behind closed doors! Kidding…but no matter. The difference is …is that the difference…? I don’t know. I tend to think that if we were all alike what a boring place this would be. Tell me really…how can two educated, trained professionals overshoot their destination by 150 miles and the only excuse is that they were on their laptops?  Pilots not piloting.  The internet is addictive and distracting! I was told in stories as a kid that a cow jumped over the moon…I’m a kid! I had no reason to believe that it wasn’t true. The moon is made of cheese. Once again, no reason to not believe. How does a light work? Who cares…it just does. A fork running away with a spoon.  Utinensils need love too I guess… and what about the spork? Lonely little spork! I do know that I have to go to work…that is real and tangible and I need the money to buy my $3-dollar cup of coffee…so I can pay my cable bill and have my internet to get distracted from my reality by other peoples reality on a virtual landscape. So do and can Cows jump over the moon why not? If somebody wouldn’t have told me otherwise I might still believe it. And then who knows…I would have raised a whole herd of Space Cows with Cattle Drives to celestial destinations unknown. Giddy up!

1.    Comment by Kari on November 2, 2009, 11:51 am
I like this one, Dave. We are all snowflakes: a lot alike, but entirely different. Beautiful image.
 

Ride The Rockies: Make that “Rode the Rockies!” 24th RTR over in Glenwood Springs.

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‘It was a cold and rainy night in a town built for speed…slipping and sliding wasn’t just a verb…it was an adjective…describing the games people play in the town of the Rich and out-of-touch…’  Aspen Colorado was alive with the dead-pan banter of those wanting and those pretending to have it. High rollers never flaunt,   unless they’re toying with their prey…and tonight it was a venerable Toys-R-Us.’

Okay, since this is my last blog …I thought I would let you know that I’ve always wanted to be a cheap, Dime Book Detective writer…but with cheesy opening lines like that one…I probably need to go to a technical school and get a trade. At least that’s what my father always told me. He meant well, he was a 30-year career Marine. So eye-to-eye wasn’t a vision that we shared. Back to back was more like it. Good guy…he just saw a rock a lot of times where I saw a rose. It happens.

People crossing the Denver Post’s Ride the Rockies finish line today saw a Rose where there was a Thorn. That thorn being a host of  mental walls that told them they could never ride 80 miles in a day …let alone 380 in less than a week in Colorado! Crossing that line today for some of the RTR riders was probably the hardest thing they have ever done in their lives. Here are two of my favorite quotes on Achievement one by a basketball coach and another by an actor and American Icon. John Wooden said “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”  And Will Rogers said “ Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

The point is …life is about living and action. We can all say we want to achieve something…but if all you do is talk, you’re just that annoying person in the office or  in the family that people have learned to tune out because your words have no weight. I have found that it is easier to ‘do’…than make excuses ‘not to do.’ Do you get me?

If you want inspiration you only need go as far as watching an 83 year-old lady riding her bike across Colorado. Need more? How ‘bout a paraplegic using his hands and back and Cranking his way, just inches off the highway, across mountain passes and smiling the whole way? Need more?  How bout just the ‘average Joe’ trying to make a change in his life and commits to a 380 mile race 6 months ago and actually follows through? What will that do for his Psyche in all other aspects of his life? Family? Job? He might be a better person and realize he’s more than just the guy in Cubicle ‘3’.

It was inspiring, funny, heartfelt and just good to be across that finish line today and to turn and just watch people smiling and crying and laughing and hugging. The week-long event of riding and camaraderie and vacations and meeting new people is over. And what’s left are the memories and of course the aches and pains and let’s not forget the ‘tooshie’ issues. That tends to stick with people days after the ride is over. Let’s just call that the RTR ‘afterglow!’  Okay that’s my mooshie and reflective take on what I saw this week. Now here’s the “straight dope!”

It was a quick and eye candy-licious day from Aspen down to the Springs! The weather was amazing and the trail? That is something I plan to ride on a lot more this summer, so nice. I had a little stop in Carbondale for coffee.  And really before I knew it…I was in Glenwood Springs. Very Quick and Downhill finish to the 24th RTR.
 
Time Check: left at 8:33 in at 10:24. 40 miles. I think.
 
So many interesting stories and people. Not a lot of talk of religion or politics. Just riding.  Quick Facts about this years RTR:

1.     Biked to Six Colorado towns, over 3 passes, the highest being 12095 ft.

2.      At least one rider from every state was in the RTR. Riders from 8 countries also enjoying the Ride.

3.      Did not rain on the Ride itself. Although there was smattering of Snow on Independence pass yesterday.

4.     80-plus volunteers.

5.     State Troopers were awesome and great Harleys! (why are their Harley’s so quiet?  Sneaky Troopers? Or that’s how they come out of the factory?)

6.      I’m addicted ….to smoothies!

7.     I think this is right? Over half the refuge created by the riders is being recycled.

8.     Told by a lot of veterans that this was the most picturesque RTR so far. Black Canyon was Fly! (I think that means stunning!)

9.     People seem to be curious about this: We stayed at middle schools and High Schools in each town and all the people we so nice to open up their facilities for the riders…who did spend a little money in each town. Win win!

10.  A lot of people from Grand Junction were in the RTR. Saw faces didn’t know names. But I’m sure I’ve seen them at Wal-Mart!

11.  Not all people stayed at the Schools. Some stayed in B&B’s and hotels and with friends.

12.  I tented it. Which was great way to go. Lets just say if I had an option of a B& B…C’Mon!

13.  I still have a ‘Crush’ on Colorado.

14.  Yes, I would do it again.

15. Youngest rider?  7 year-old kid on the back of a tandem with his dad. I think I have a picture of him on the blog.

16. Best Memory? Lady putting herself on sprinklers going off in Salida trying to save the tents from getting wet! So Funny.

17. Best Line: “I have a whole new appreciation for riders” & “ sometimes you just have to thrash yourself…that’s why I do it.”

18.  Interesting Rider: The guy who wore the same clothes for the entire 6 days and slept with only a trash bag for a cover in the Gyms.  I know!

19. Biggest Surprise: None really …but watching some of these people …my faith is renewed in the spirit and drive of individuals.

20.  Worst and Best innovations: Spandex is amazing in it’s ability to control: Velcro is amazing in it’s ability to rip your expensive spandex! I am boycotting Velcro!

21. Biggest surprise #2: That my butt is not sore? Once again. I know!

22.  Take that! moments: Me riding my Univega Bike passing all these micro fiber graphite space age technology bikers. Who paid more for their bikes than I have ever paid for a car!  You might say I’m jealous…no …just envious! Ha ha!

23. I was kind of sad it was over today. Just say’in.

24. The staff was informative and so helpful. Kudos to the Denver Post for  a Great Event. Chandler Smith is one “sick” Dude!  Thanks Chandler!

25. I will never get used to cold showers. And I worked in Alaska!
 
Okay here are the Pictures from today:
 
1.     Jim Harris got big hugs form his daughters Sara & Mimi while wife Gigi watched. The Wells Fargo Banker lost 30 pounds in preparation for the ride says his health was the ‘wake-up call’ and maybe just these two little cuties, his daughters, were motivation.

2.     Cameron Law of Grand Junction and his 18 year-old son, Eric, rode together this year. Cameron is an amazing musician and pretty good rider.

3.     Penny Polowchena of Glenwood Springs  says she has a whole new appreciation for biking and the strength of bikers. An IT professional at Valley View Hospital tackled her first ride by not riding. Something she might change if she does the ride again. She was greeted with flowers and the “stud woman” sign by her co-workers! She said this biking thing was a “big learning curve”.

4.     Didn’t get this ‘Big guy’s’ name with the shark hat holding up his bike. But he was so excited to finish…he lifted his bike over his head and the water bottle was pouring some Gatorade on his face. Everybody was cheering.

5.     And of course this is me! Completing my Goals today! My First RTR! So cool!

6.     A picture of bikers on the Path down to Glenwood Springs. So Nice!

Well I’ve rambled enough all week and it’s time to say goodbye. My advice to you and what I got out of the RTR is this. Life has to be a constant challenge. You have to get out of your routine in order stimulate and create for your body and mind. What does that mean? We get stale in our day to day lives. And in order to grow we need to bring new experiences to the table. If you’re doing the same thing with the same people everyday. Going to bed at the same time and eating at the same restaurant. You’re scope of thinking becomes narrow and growth becomes secondary to routine. Man is this heavy or what.?  The bottom line Whether it’s riding across the state on a bike or coaching a little league team or volunteering somewhere. Even when you don’t think you have time. You will be amazed at what you get by giving. This is coming from me!  I’m glad I did it. I enjoyed it and I recommend it for anybody and everybody. I am so fortunate.

Need to thank some people! Stay with me!

First… Nancy Lofholm of the Denver Post. She was a friend first before I even knew what she did for a living. I just knew she had a good sense of humor and is a snappy dresser…oh… and she’s faster than her boyfriend Paul on the bike…that’s pretty cool.  Nancy was the one who told me about the RTR and got me motivated to do it. So Thank You! Others…want to thank The Bike Shop and Ashley Jordan! Kept me looking good and feeling Good throughout the Ride. Ashley’s a funny guy! Also thanks to Chris Brown of Brown’s Cycles. A Big, huge 7-11 Slurpee Hug and thanks to Charlie Nardi, my partner and friend …of Allgood & Nardi in the Mornings on ‘The Vault 92.3′ and Robert and Libby on the The Moose 100.7 for having me on.

Also kudos to Karla and Dylan at KJCT News 8 for allowing me to SKYPE my way across Colorado and learn new things! And finally a big Thanks to The Daily Sentinel and Duffy Hayes and all the people I haven’t met at the paper for allowing me to post my thoughts and pictures in my first ever Blog! I had a great time. One more…I do have to truly thank my good friend and boss at the MBC Grand Radio Stations, Robert St. John …Thanks for taking a chance on me 2 years ago out of rehab…I am truly grateful…  So …Thanks Man. So there! If I missed somebody, You know Im thankful!  And to all of you who checked in? Thank YOU so much! I looked forward to talking to you everyday. It was a lot of fun…Let’s do it again some time.

Challenge yourself…juggle chainsaws!

1.    Comment by Lori on June 19, 2009, 9:32 pm
Molto bene, Davide! Mi piace. Mille grazie!

The first day of the RTR! How much farther to Hotchkiss?

(Bikers heading out of Glenwood Springs to Hotchkiss on the first day of the RTR.)

(1984 Olympic cyclist Nelson Vails and Me and Bird Legs of Thunder! Comparing cycling thighs.)
 

(Arlin Beaudrou (the Hammer!) and JD Gallager (JD) -- the "Weight Weenies")

So, 80 miles ago I told you I would probably be blogging standing up…scratch that. I’m sitting down… on a pillow in the library of  Hotchkiss Middle School on one of those little chairs that adults look so silly sitting in…yes, I’m looking silly and I can’t sit still because my hammies (hamstrings) are talking to me. Oh …Do you really have to ask why the pillow?

I do have my phone plugged in and the WiFi is flowing like old television signals used to… until last Friday. The beauty of the first day being over is … one, that all these riders have tackled their first 80 miles of 380. Second is the familiarity of the routine … get in, check in, set up the tent (unless you’re in Sherpa Land , they set it up for you … I know! High class camping!) And a shower… in the locker room or they have a shower truck…the back of this big rig is just shower stalls. They say it’s really cool and the water stays really hot! Very important after a long day dealing with finicky mother nature in Colorado. I chose to shower in the locker room (the line was shorter)…it was what it was…lots of sweaty tired men reliving their ‘glory days’ in the old gym locker room… It was a funny sight.

Just an FYI…We’re staying in schools in each town we land in and the people are nice. And it’s so cool to ride on some of these off-the-beaten path roads and pathways of Colorado… people in their yards waving, kids with lemonade stands … one lady was yelling, “You’re awesome!” And yes the town of  Hotchkiss stayed open for the RTR riders on a Sunday! Very nice.

All the towns of the RTR get a $5,000 grant for a non-profit of their choice. Although I think the host cities just loving being a part of the ride and seeing all the riders. It is funny to walk through the hallways and see people just lying all on the floor...  all bonked out from the ride. Some people sleep in the schools and others like me are ‘tenting’ it.

The morning kicked off at about 8, although a lot of riders are out of the chute early! Don’t ask me. Some just like to get a jump on things. I really think some people get into waking up early habits that they can’t break! (My step-dad for one.) I actually looked at my watch and I started out at 7:47 a.m. Don’t ask me why I remember that. Just a cool number 747…okay, maybe not.

The morning was beautiful out of Glenwood and the ride and paved path we were on…pretty nice! The mountain views headed to Redstone and on McClure pass — dare I say the overused word, amazing? I dare! Just so hard to describe … get in your car and just check out the view … just watch out for the  bikers! The group of riders around me were all “ooohhing” and “awhhhinng.”

They have these great aid stations about every 15 miles or so! Food, port-a-potties (honey buckets?) and it’s a great time to just people watch and chat with cycling peeps… (I like saying the word “peeps”… reminds me of sugary marshmallow goodness!) I’m a little loopy … it’s just after 8 pm and I’m all hopped up on smoothies and bananas with extra protein powder for my ‘bird legs’ “Caw caw!”

Sitting here on my computer in this elementary School library ...I can't sit still...the lady next is the Sports Anchor for a big Denver Station...looks funny sitting on the little teenie chair...she keeps looking over at me because I’m so fidgety...I can’t sit still. My hammies  and back are talking to me. So sorry for my fidgety-ness. So I did talk to a lot of people and several of the riders have never done an 80 mile ride. What an initiation. But we have to do it again tomorrow on our way to Gunnison. So those ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from earlier might just turn into ‘Oh My’ and ‘Say What’?!  Today was fun day, tomorrow is reality day. Fidgety Day!

Overheard on the Ride: ”

You’re almost there…the Big lie!” and (this I heard a lot!) “My butt hurts.” And on the last 5 or 6 miles we passed a wagon set up for ‘barrel wine tastin’ and we crossed a wooded covered bridge with a wood floor…those are ideas that look good on paper…but don’t translate too well. The RTR by the way? The best organized event I have ever been a part of . Just sayin’.

Okay, had a little fun with those peeps, and here are the pics.

Met Nelson Vails. He was a silver medalist in biking in the 1984 Olympics. He has quads as big as my waist! So I saw him at dinner at the Hotel Colorado and told him I had to see his  quads … he thought I was crazy. So today I see him at one of those aid stations in bike gear. I realize he has quads and I have pipe cleaners. So I had to get a comparison picture… I look like I’m standing on a chicken. He still thinks I’m crazy. Both he and his wife are very involved with the RTR and both very nice. He took a picture with me! Crazy White Guy! High Five! Alright!

The next pic is of two guys who call themselves ‘Weight Weenies” — I’ll explain. I met these guys while waiting for a shuttle at the furniture place in Glenwood Springs (where we had to park our cars). They were talking about the tires on a bike… the weight, pressure, density, tread wear, pressure in space … how they could be used as a Hula Hoop … (made that one up) but you get the idea. Gear heads. So I met them at an aid station today and I had to give them a hard time. They were both so funny … friends and co-workers for years … both men did a stint in the Air Force and both are computer nerds who live in Colorado Springs. Armin Beaudrou … whose nickname is ‘The Hammer” and JD Gallager whose nickname is ‘JD.’ Don’t ask me, but that is funny. Anyway … they both just have infectious laughs and this is a big part of their bonding and getting together. Not unlike a lot of the riders who plan their vacations just for the RTR. Oh and that term Weight Weenies? Refers to knowing all the weight on the bike…the lighter the better. Although JD said, “If you’re  on a super light bike and still aren’t getting it done? It ain’t the bike.”

( Steve Stevenson and Nancy Lofholm at the Hotel Colorado )

Also met a guy named Steve Stevenson who has a unique bike history museum in Colorado … in  his house! Next question? No he’s not married … anymore. But very interesting and fun guy and gives tours by appointment. But he is quite the history buff. He’s giving one of  the biking lectures on the  RTR. Nuggets like … The bicycle was patented in 1866 and went into mass production in the USA in 1868. And did you know Mr. Stevenson tells me…that cyclists were responsible for ‘The Good Roads Movement’ from 1880 to 1903! Go talk about that tomorrow! And somebody told me that there is a guy who rides his ‘unicycle’ — yes I just typed unicycle — from Aspen up Independence Pass and back a couple of times a week. If that’s true …I bet his quads are bigger than mine too! But, can he juggle while doing it? How bout that?

Okay … My body needs rest and I had better listen. Tomorrow is Hotchkiss to Gunnison. Another 80 miler! They say the ride is amazing! There’s that word again…but it is Colorado. So, amazing it is!  Have a great night and I will check in with you as soon as I land in Gunnison. Of course I will  shower first and regroup … but I will check in!


Joanne from Florida and Dave.