This Stuff Tastes Like Ass

Mongo has had a revelation. After a weekend of psychedelics, sweating, 80's music, and wishing I was hittin' it with this Linda when I was actually stuck with this Linda, Mongo decided to change his ways in dramatic style.

I sabotaged my own Hammerfest aspirations for the entire season by not showing up for this past Monday's ride...On purpose!

Why, you might ask, would I do something this stupid? I have to thank a conversation I had a week or two ago with one of the owners of this place.

I was talking about points and standings and this and that, and when I was done he basically said ...why? In that one word he reminded me that even though I'm a solid rider, I'll never be as good as I want to be, for many different reasons, so instead of chasing my tail, why not just go out and have fun. It took a few days... and a few rounds with Alice and some Peyote, but the message finally sunk in.

Though I'll continue to be competitive with myself based on performance expectations, I will now look at the Hammerfest as an opportunity to have some fun...Except, of course, when it involves my blood-feud with this guy.

A senseless crime at The Dougy Center

Over the weekend, I was stunned to learn that someone evidently had set fire to the main building at The Dougy Center, a Portland nonprofit founded in 1982 with a one-of-a-kind mission to provide support to grieving children and their families.

You can read details of the "suspicious fire" here: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/fire_damages_dougy_center.html. And you can read about The Dougy Center here: http://www.dougy.org/

Some of you may know that I serve on the agency's board of directors. Last Thursday, just three days before the fire, the board met to review the agency's finances and adopt a budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

While the economy has taken a huge bite out of virtually every nonprofit's investment income and, on top of that, caused a dip in individual and corporate donations, we were pleased to learn we were ending this fiscal year in good shape -- a tribute to how well the agency is run.

Just last month, Lori and I and friends attended The Dougy Center's annual fundraising dinner and auction -- the single most important event of the year, given that the agency does not receive federal, state or local government funding.

Now, with the main building needing extensive repairs or replacement, the center is asking those who can to help out with a donation. On behalf of the 300 families a year who are served by Dougy'speer support programs, I ask you, friends, to consider helping out. You can mail a check to:

The Dougy Center
PO Box 86852
Portland, OR 97286

Thanks.

Photo by Kimberly Wilson, The Oregonian

Tagalong Ding Dong Cupcakes

Tons of leftover cupcakes from the shower this past Saturday (un-iced and with a tub of icing nearby). A bunch of women hanging out in the kitchen. We came up with a new cupcake that is to die for. We call it the Tagalong Ding Dong. Lots of moaning and eye-rolling as we polished off these beauties.

1) a devil's food cupcake

2) spread a layer of creamy peanut butter on top

3) top that with a dollop of Betty Crocker Whipped Fluffy White icing