Only in DC

So I'm drinking some Guinness with a friend at the Old Brogue when CNN starts showing coverage of Greenspan's testimony to Congress. I laugh, shake my head, and comment on the irony of the same Congressmen who just a few years ago were singing this man's praises and only too happy to hang on his every word, now pillorying him. As I do, the guy at the next table says, "Tell me about it. I work at the Fed and was on the Hill today. Talk about hypocrites."

Sadly, he was already putting his coat on and getting ready to leave with his two kids. I would have loved to have heard his take on the credit crunch.

Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge

While visiting Nathan and Kiera, we took a trip out to Natural Bridge. I've lived in Virginia my entire life, including a lengthy stint in southwest Virginia, so it's a crime that it took me this long to take the short detour off I-81 to see it. I was (am) truly in awe. Pictures can not do it justice.

Kai Hansard and the House on Main Street

Carol and I finally met my best friend Nathan's 10-week old baby, Kai! It's cliche to talk about your friends' babies as "the most beautiful and well-behaved baby I've ever seen". In this case, it's true. No, really! Who couldn't adore those chipmunk cheeks!

As always, we had a wonderful time visiting Nathan and Kiera in beautiful Buchanan, Virginia. Since Carol is a light sleeper under the best of circumstances, we decided to stay in a Bed & Breakfast this time. Fortunately, a new one had recently opened. Nate and Kiera hadn't stayed there but they had been to the restaurant and love the very friendly owners, so they suggested we try it.

It was a fantastic suggestion! The room was beautiful, the meals (dinner and breakfast) excellent, and the owners were every bit as friendly as Nate and Kiera said.

If you are looking to visit southwest Virginia (anywhere between Lexington and Blacksburg), we highly recommend The House on Main Street.

100 Kilometers From Reston To Purcellville And Back

I finished the Reston Metric Century yesterday. I had been training solely on the W&OD trail itself which, with a few exceptions, is relatively flat. The actual course, though, went mostly along roads parallel to the trail. Those roads were not so flat! One hill in particular, on Woodburn Road just west of Leesburg, was a quarter mile at a 10% grade. I realize that for a pro cyclist, that's just getting started. For me, it was 3 or 4 minutes of torture.

Below is a map of the course that someone posted to Map My Ride. On the way out the course goes along the W&D trail from Herndon to Ashburn. It then turns north in Ashburn to Rt 15 in Leesburg. And then southwest from Leesburg before turning back north and hitting the rest stop in Hamilton — the "W" on the map. (The rest stop had yummy Gatorade snowcones!)

Leaving the rest stop, it heads west on a loop out to Purcellville and back. It then goes east on an access road next to Rt 7, drops south on Paeonian Springs, and then picks the trail back up in Leesburg. The relatively straight line from Leesburg to Reston is the W&OD trail which we took the whole way back.

If you click the "View Full Screen" button and from there select "Show Elevation" you can see the hill I was talking about around mile 22 (kilometer 36.5). If you want a good work out, I recommend trying it! ;-)

Reston Metric Century

I've been training all summer for the Reston Metric Century bike ride in three weeks. I've meaning to post something about it but keep forgetting to. I picked up a new Surly Long Haul Trucker a few months ago and absolutely love it. And I'm even mostly used to my clipless pedals (despite one minor knee scrape and a corresponding blow to my pride today).

I did 50 miles today without any trouble. Next Sunday I'm going for 55 miles. Then I'll scale down for the next couple of weeks in prep for the 65 mile ride on August 24th. Wish me luck!

Morocco downloads

I can't believe the response Morocco is getting. Although after three weeks it has now slipped out of the top 25, it is still currently ranked #36 for the free games and it has an average review rating of 4.3 out of 5. I posted to my Bayou Games site my estimates for the number of downloads, along with information about the next update.

Now available from iTunes!

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can download Morocco here.

Morocco

Sadly, not another vacation post. (Although I'd love to go!) Instead, it's the name I've given to the port of my Othello game to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Othello is a trademark of Mattel in the US and of Anjar in the rest of the world, so I couldn't use it. And my favorite alternative, Iago, has been taken by several other Othello programs. Wanting something slightly original, I went with a name reminiscent of the North African Moors on whom Othello was supposedly based.

You can find more info on my Bayou Games website.

And if you have an iPod or iPod Touch, look for it on iTunes and the iPhone App Store when it opens on July 11th. It's being distributed for free so give it a try and let me know what you think.

A place for his stuff...

Wherever you are, George, I hope there's a place for all your stuff.

Edit: Changed the headline. What seemed like a funny George Carlin quote after a couple of beers and an hour of reminiscing and watching his skits on YouTube and iTunes, seemed less funny as an obscure reference while sober... Although, as George might say, WTFCCSMF&T.