That was a decent weekend;  A little entertainment with a little exercise mixed in.  Friday, not that remarkably, I met up with the boys down at the Brooksider.  I hung out there for a while, then the Martins joined us for a nice dinner across the street at Carmen’s.  It was solid as always.  I broadened my menu horizons a bit and had the calamari linguine, which was very good.  If I WAS going to complain, I’d note that the calamari was just a bit overcooked, right at the edge of rubbery.  But it was so tasty I won’t even mention it.

Saturday I laid low all day.  Donette got up early and joined her training partners for a run down on the Plaza, then we had lunch at the Blue Moose.  After an immensely delicious turkey panini, we did a bit of shopping.  I got my first official pair of real running shoes, just in case I ever run.  The odds are slim, but should it happen I will be prepared.  We lounged around the rest of the afternoon, and then at the unholy hour of 8:00 headed downtown for a fund raiser one of her friends was hosting.  Geez, who starts a party at 8:00?  Somebody far younger than us, I will guarantee you that.  It was a good time, despite keeping me up well past my bedtime.  And a comedian who used far too much foul language.  And music that was entirely too loud.  Crazy kids, I swear.

Sunday I got up early and headed out to Longview to join Munkirs for the Summer Breeze bike ride.  (Listed on my fancy new Garmin interface over on the right, which I am rather happy with.)  I’ll go on record as saying this is my least favorite ride of the season.  I think they should mix in one more rest stop, and the route is far too hilly.  I heard numerous riders curse their advertised description of “gently rolling hills.”  Munkirs commented that the local Chamber of Commerce must have coined that phrase.  The majority of the route is just plain hilly, and there is nothing gentle about many of them.  This was also the ride Munkirs and I failed miserably on two years ago, suffering the additional indignity of getting whipped by Martin.  (It’s worth noting, however, that Martin effectively hung up his bike after that ride, never to attempt a ride over 15 miles again.)  As for this year’s ride, it went comparatively well.  Despite a constant, and sometimes heavy, rain we finished the 73 mile route with no real issues.  Riding in the rain sounds like it might be refreshing;  Not so much.  Kind of a soggy mess actually.  I declare us officially prepared for the MS-150 now!  (Famous last words.)