An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.

An interesting day. First, I discovered a polygon error on the Luxembourg Government cartographic site — a pretty big error in a country so small. The extra virtual real estate could be lucrative. Good place to put a bank, internet casino, or some other tax shelter.

Then I went to the Mariners game vs. the Red Sox. Pedro Martinez pitched a good eight innings. We got shut out 0-2. Had a chance once with Edgar but he was tagged out at the plate. Still, it's always good to go to a game.

Still tripping on my map problem. Best I can tell there is an error in the way different data sets join together along border areas — specifically how EU boundary data merges with individual country survey data. The error makes it look like Luxembourg could have 61 communes instead of the present 60. This could have political implications for how the parliament of deputies is set up. Just something to geek out about, I guess.

Nothing but trouble out there. What could be so important at 2am that people need to scream and yell like buffoons? In other news, I have re-evaluated my training schedule. There is a race down in Walla Walla on the 27th. I have a new bike and some rest from my last session. I should be entitled to some progress, given my last few races have been nightmares.

Just back from my evening run — clear sky, full moon. It's like Seattle belongs just to me when it's like that outside. On the Westin front, I felt safe at work today given the hotel was surrounded by no less than 200 police officers for a visiting dignitary. They kept out of the way, kind of like they do at really fancy art museums. There was a brief standoff between the Falun Gong group and the ever-popular anarchists across the street, but the two groups couldn't mix very well and things cooled down fast.

Just back from a good road ride on the new bike — first time I was able to take it out. On the hills I noticed the biggest difference: I was able to just blow up them. Also found a geocache right on the Montlake Cut behind the UW climbing wall after decoding coordinates from a date carved into a library keystone. The date: 8/1910. Plugged it in, went straight to it.

The Supreme Court decided that marijuana has no medical benefits and remains a Class I Scheduled Drug. That really sucks for people. I have just given $25 to NORML. I have done my own studies on marijuana usage and have found: lower blood pressure and pulse, helps my ulcer, good for muscle relaxation after long workouts. Disadvantages: munchies, some sleeping irregularities, and anxiety — but that's just because it's illegal.

Today was wet, wet, and let me say it again — wet. Plus it was my birthday too. Now that I am 31, I should just shut up and deal with it. First I went to Enumclaw to visit my grandmother and father — hadn't seen them for awhile, all appears well. After that, I took my father on a geocache hunt nearby. I left a hat from the USS Essex LHD 2 and took a Brokedown Palace CD. Drove home through rain so heavy I couldn't see 20 feet in front of me, with the occasional 70mph hydroplane. Once home I figured the theme of the day was water, and went up to the pool.

Found a geocache at Seward Park on the shores of Lake Washington. The last time I was here was during the Seattle Marathon. This time I could take a leisurely stroll. Found the cache under bark from a fallen tree — the only fallen tree in the area, close to the poison oak. Took a $10 Canadian note and left a pen from the Quinalt Beach Resort & Casino. Stopped at Tower Records on the way home and bought an Iron Maiden best-of CD.

At last — a perfect Seattle day. Warm and sunny. Started with some tennis (hadn't played for years, backhand still works, serves were weak). Then my buddy Matt and I went looking for a harder geocache in Issaquah. We hiked up Squak Mountain from 450 to 1,600 feet. Found the cache on a pile of 70-year-old sawdust from an old tie mill — a genuinely historic find. On the way down we took a wrong turn and got completely lost in a new high-priced suburb. Dehydrated, confused, wandering for what seemed like forever until we finally found the car. Matt's and my shared assessment: suburban sprawl is bewildering. But it was a nice day, and that made everything ok.

Another nice day — used it to find 5 geocaches on what I am calling the Eastside Round-up: Follow the Red Brick Road, Flying, Plateau View, Beaver Lake, and Emily's Cloobie Cache. Hadn't been out to this part of Washington before. Going to sleep early so I can get some swim time in before the big race on the 3rd at Lake Sammamish.

A full week. Everything from my birthday to my grandmother's passing. Kind of a circle of life theme. My grandmother passed on Memorial Day — born July 28th, 1914, the same day World War One started. So all of America is memorializing on a day that will always be hers for me. She will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.

On a more positive note: training well for my race this Sunday at Lake Sammamish. Yesterday I swam, then rode the bike course and checked the water. The swim is warm and calm. The bike has one good hill halfway through, but it's all downhill from there on a closed course. The run goes through some of the better parts of the lake. Today I slept 16 hours, cleaned my house, rode 20 miles indoors, did transition practice, and ran 5 miles. I feel ready. Just need to stay focused.