Delirium

Sara and Bev attended the Cirque Du Soleil performance in Birmingham last night. They were awed by it. It turned out to be an excellent birthday present for Sara. It was good to see her smiling so brightly when she was talking about it. Bev was very animated in her descriptions, waving her arms to describe the visual images that accompanied the performers. It was money well spent.

27 day to Safari and 18 days to ATW. Bev wanted a day off from riding. Her back was hurting. I bet it was due to the lower riding position I made for her with the handlebars in the lower traditional position. We plan on doing the group ride tomorrow and she wanted to be ready. I think we will have a great time at both events.

28 days to Safari 19 days to ATW. Bev and I had a great ride this morning. It was a perfect riding morning. No wind to speak of. The temp was just right when we launched. Traffic was ok. We toured down by Cedar Creek and got to see lots of pastureland greening up with lots of Dogwood, Redbud, and flowers. We cruised today averaging 15.4 for 30 miles. That is an improvement of 2 mph over our usual averages. I think we are gaining on where we left off back in the Fall. Those months of Winter inactivity had slowed us down. February especially since we hardly got a chance to ride during that month.

The club folks rode today but I don't know where they went. If they did the 40 to 50 miles they planned on, I bet they rode out to Bull Gap and over through Hollins and Stewartville and on home via Coaling Road. That makes for a nice ride but Bev isn't ready for 40 to 50 miles. Actually she was a little tired since we had been riding every day this week. She had a day off Wednesday since she was working but that should have added up to a good week of riding with some strength benefits.

Mike called this morning. He and Mitzi have been doing some 50+ mile rides. She is having a good bit of discomfort in her seat after about 30 miles. That seems perfectly natural to me. I still have some discomfort from mine. It just takes time to get it desensitized to the pressure. She should be very strong and quite capable on the Safari. If she is doing the speeds Mike suggests, she might ride along with Bev and I so Mike can blast off.

Get people to like you...

30 days to Safari and 21 days to ATW. We got in a great ride this morning. It wasn't a long ride or particularly fast but the day was really special. We left around 8:30 and it was already as warm as it used to be in the middle of the day. The sky was blue with no clouds in sight. Lots of trees and flowers were blooming. It really was a great day to get out on the bicycle and ride. Next week we go to Cheaha for a Alabama Hiking Trail Society conference. There will be guest speakers and exhibits from hikers and outdoor people. It should be a great getaway.

Really Useful Attitudes:

* Warm
* Enthusiastic
* Confident
* Supportive
* Relaxed
* Obliging
* Curious
* Resourceful
* Comfortable
* Helpful
* Engaging
* Laid back
* Patient
* Welcoming
* Cheery
* Interested

Really Useless Attitudes:

* Angry
* Sarcastic
* Impatient
* Bored
* Disrespectful
* Conceited
* Pessimistic
* Anxious
* Rude
* suspicious
* Vengeful
* Afraid
* Self-conscious
* Mocking
* Embarrassed
* Dutiful

HOW TO SYNCHRONIZE

Try to start synchronizing within seconds of making a new acquaintance. Five stages of a successful first encounter...

Use open body language. Uncover your heart by leaving your jacket or coat unbuttoned and facing the other person.

Be first with eye contact. Look the other person straight in the eye.

Beam a smile.

Be the first to identify yourself with a pleasant, “Hi! I’m Nick.”

Lean subtly toward the other person to show your interest and openness, and begin to synchronize.

Pick up on the other person’s feelings and identify with him by synchronizing your movements, breathing patterns and expressions. Use your voice to reflect back the mood conveyed by his voice. Don’t copy him clumsily, but notice his posture, gestures, head and body movements and facial expressions and mirror them.

Particularly important: Mirror his voice tone, volume, speed and pitch.

SECRETS OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Get the other person to start talking openly so you can find out what matters to him and synchronize yourself accordingly.

Begin by asking open questions -- those that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” but encourage the other person to open up and reveal himself.

Key words: Who? When? What? Why? Where? How?

Keep the conversation going by answering a question with another question.

Sensory preferences: If you really want to communicate with other people on their own wavelengths, learn to rapidly figure out their sensory preferences. People view the world in one of three basic ways...

Visuals are motivated primarily by what they see.

Auditories by what they hear.

Kinesthetics by physical sensations.

You can quickly recognize which group people belong to by listening to the vocabulary they use. Examples...

Visuals tend to talk fast, wave their hands, look up with their eyes, dress well and say things like, “I’d like to see proof of that.”

Auditories tend to talk at a medium speed, have melodic and expressive voices, gesture and move their eyes from side to side and will say, “I hear that.”

Kinesthetics tend to speak very slowly and with great detail, look down as they speak, wear textured clothing, and talk about how they feel.

Detecting sensory preferences requires you to pay close attention to others, which in itself makes you a more people-oriented, likeable person. And when you learn how to synchronize with people using the vocabulary they feel comfortable with, your ability to develop rapport with almost anyone will grow.

How to Start a Conversation & Make Friends

1. Introduce yourself to others.
2. Be the first to say hello.
3. Take risks. Don't anticipate rejection.
4. Display your sense of humor.
5. Be receptive to new ideas.
6. Ask a person's name if you have forgotten it.
7. Show curiosity and interest in others.
8. Tell others about the important events in your life.
9. Tell others about yourself and what you enjoy doing.
10. Make an extra effort to remember people's names.
11. Show others you are a good listener by paraphrasing their comments.
12. Communicate with enthusiasm and interest.
13. Go out of your way to meet new people.
14. Accept a person's right to be an individual.
15. Let the natural you come out when talking to others.
16. Be able to tell others what you do in a few short sentences.
17. Reintroduce yourself to someone who has forgotten your name.
18. Tell others something interesting or challenging about what you do.
19. Be aware of open and closed body language.
20. Use eye contact and smiling as your first contact with people.
21. Greet people you see regularly.
22. Seek common interests, goals, and experiences in those you meet.
23. Make an effort to help people if you can.
24. Let others play the expert.
25. Be open to answering ritual questions.
26. Get enthusiastic about other people's interests.
27. Balance talking and listening in a conversation.
28. Be able to speak about a variety of topics and subjects.
29. Keep abreast of current events and the issues that affect our lives.
30. Be open to other people's opinions and feelings.
31. Express your feelings, opinions, and emotions to others.
32. Use "I" when revealing your feelings concerning a personal topic.
33. Don't use the word "you" when you mean "I."
34. Show others that you are enjoying the conversation with them.
35. Invite people to join you for dinner, social events, or other activities.
36. Keep in touch with friends and acquaintances.
37. Ask other people for their opinions.
38. Look for the positive in those you meet.
39. Start and end conversation with a person's name and a handshake.
40. Take time to be cordial with your neighbors and coworkers.
41. Let others know that you want to get to know them better.
42. Ask others about things they have told you in previous conversations.
43. Listen carefully for free information.
44. Be tolerant of other people's beliefs if they differ from yours.
45. Change the topic of conversation when it has run its course.
46. Always search for the other person's "hot button."
47. Compliment others about what they are wearing, doing, or saying.
48. Encourage others to talk with you by sending out receptive signals.
49. Make an effort to see and talk to people you enjoy being with.
50. When you tell a story, present the main point first, and then add the supporting details based on the other person's interest in the topic.

Good days for riding...

31 days to Safari and 22 days to ATW. I think we can make some progress in our fitness over the next month before the Safari. The forecast is for 70 and 80 degree days which should allow us to get up and get going at 8am and allow at least 2 hrs of riding daily. My sore knee is a small problem but I haven't taken any Ibuprofen yet. The 3 days of the Tandem weekend should be put to good use for some longer rides. I have some things to fix on the tandem. The handlebars need to be put back and wrapped. I also need to wipe the whole thing down with some cleaner to remove the oil and grime.

Since we are picnicking with David tomorrow, I will need to get the handlebars redone tonight. I wouldn't mind getting the new tires on either but that might prove a little difficult in the time I have and also, if I flat a tube I'll have no spare. Maybe it will fix the problem for Bev's hands but I doubt it. It sounds like more of the usual problem of getting used to staying down on the bars for long periods of time. Just something to get used to.

I really haven't been thinking about giving things like the Tandem a name but I think now we will call it Dory. If I can find a decal I'll probably put it on the down tubes. At some point maybe we can build a custom bike with blue, yellow, and black and keep the name. It just seems funny to me.

Cold camping weekend...

Bev and I took the RV up to Cheaha State Park for the weekend. We planned on getting in some serious hiking but the weather took a turn for the colder. All weekend it stayed in the 40's or below with a brisk northerly wind. We had to do our walking in spells with breaks at the RV to get warm again. Both mornings we had to stay inside till 10ish before it was warm enough to venture out.

33 days to Safari. Once we got back to town, we took the tandem out on a Sunday afternoon ride. It was a little chilly here but not enough to stop riding. We met the ladies from the bike club on the way. No guys in sight. Today is another evening club ride but here I am at work. Just a few more weeks of training before we go down to Live Oak for some good rides and good food.

A good week for riding...

42 days to Safari. This has been a very good riding week. Bev and I have ridden most every day except Wednesday and I got in a very nice ride of 30 miles with Richmond and Paul. Today's ride went up to Sycamore. Sara and Melissa were going to do a 50 mile loop. Denis, Josh, Jake and Eric went off on about a 30 miler. When we left from the bike shop they were far ahead. It didn't take long to reel them in. Sara got close on the uphill into Sycamore. I saw her coming so I dropped the hammer and left her behind. My legs are getting some strength back. Not quite up to last summer, but getting there.

We are also counting down to the AHTC at Cheaha. That should be fun too. Then there is the Alabama Tandem Weekend. That might be a chance to meet some people to do some tandem rides with. Since we have no folks up here who ride and no one we think might ever get involved, we would be lucky to find some folks who might meet us for rides.

I can really feel the heavy weight of the old tandem lately. I am thinking about how light a new Trek 2000 or a Cannondale would be. When Bev has lost down to her target weight the only way to make further gain will be with a better bike. It might be nice to have STI shifting and good brakes.

Spring has sprung...

44 days till Safari. Today was a beautiful spring day. Bev and I rode 27 miles. I rode 27 yesterday with Paul and 23 with Bev the day before. I may be needing a break from it soon but we have to make up for lost time since February was so cold. It is nice to get out riding without all the cold weather gear. Paul says he will join us tomorrow morning. He had to miss this morning's ride. I think we will ride every day over the next week or so. I am tired tonight but I can already sense the gain in strength. Bev is happy because she can get a little more food on those days. I think she understands completely why I seem "obsessive" about riding.

Sara is having her friends over for supper with Grammy tonight. This is a good chance for her to meet Trent. Sara is worried about Jennifer. It will all be ok. Everything usually works out ok.

I have a little cough left over from the throat thing but it may be due to pollens than the former illness.

Daylight savings time is coming Sunday. I don't know if it will mean enough time in the afternoon to get in that evening ride up to Sycamore or not.

45 days to Safari. I finally got to ride today. I went 27 miles with Richmond and Paul. I was still a bit tired from the severe infection but I managed it. Now I am at work and a little tired. Tomorrow morning Bev and I will ride a loop down toward Fayetteville. I think it is supposed to be even warmed than today. It looks like good riding every day thru Monday! That's a change. A very welcome change.

I heard from Mike today. He and Mitzi are getting in some significant miles. They should be ready for the Safari. He mentioned Howard in his email and how he missed him. We will have to raise a toast to him. He was an inspiration.

I had some quality time with my baby girl today. She sat and lay her head on my shoulder while we talked about her Grandpa Pat and other family stuff. It sure is nice to have her back. I missed my little girl. Mike mentioned how things get better as time goes by, mostly. Who knows, he might be right

Being sick is awful...

47 days to Safari. I really hate being sick. I think this is the worst I've been sick in many years. I think the worst of it is the loss of rest. I am very tired from fighting it. Tonight I read that the Safari is sold out. The six day part is sold out! That means lots more folks than in the previous 2 years.

I walked over to the spinning class. Bev, Johnny, and Kathy were there. Little Tim paid for his suspension fork. I heard that Melissa, Sara and Sarah rode 50 miles this past weekend. They are really getting to it. I am impressed.

Arnold called tonight. I think he is interested in the daytime job here at Coosa. We talked about what the job would be for a few minutes. He mentioned that he would loathe to leave my Sara behind to deal with the floater pharmacists and the mess they would bring. He is anything if not loyal.

Riding under the weather...

48 days to Safari. Bev and I did a 23 mile ride yesterday despite it being windy. I have been suffering from a severe cold but was glad to get out and do some riding. It was unfortunate to have been working Wednesday which was by far the best day for a long ride of the entire week. We have much riding to do before the Safari. We are both a bit out of shape for it. There has been no good ongoing chances to build up endurance. Today it is in the 20's and it isn't expected to warm very much with a cool breeze. We will have to see if it is worth dressing up warmly and riding.

Big changes at Coosa...

50 days till Safari. I worked 2 days this week for Wal-Mart. I was juiced again. After some really tiring days I went to Homewood and found a pharmacy that hadn't been updated. Messy. We didn't have enough folks to get the work done. The second day would have been better but we had tornadoes coming through so everyone got their rx filled that morning when it was just me and Jennifer.

Back at Coosa, Mr. Woosley announced he is leaving, Shirley and Lorraine are retiring and Shelly has gone to part time. I don't know what it will all mean but it no doubt means a lot more work for the rest of us.