Training Days

I'm trying to get ready for the 24 Hour Race. Yesterday I put in six hours and today I did seven hours of riding the trails at Riverside State Park. I really don't have a lot to say except it's great to be able to enjoy the outdoors for so long. The Scott Genius has been great. I flow through the single track much better than I did on the 29er. I will probably need a new seat bag soon. When I bottom out the rear shock the rear tire rubs against the bag. It doesn't happen very often but it's irritating when it does. I don't think this old bag is going to survive many more of those.

Today I tried out some new shoes. The new cleats fit in the pedals a little tighter than my old shoes and I should have adjusted the pedals accordingly. Instead I waited until I almost came to a stop in a bunch of big rocks and couldn't pull my foot out of the pedal to catch myself. So over I went. Lesson learned.

 Obligatory bike photo.

 I'm not sure how this happened. The chain ring resides on the other side of my foot. 

But doing the impossible has always been my thing.

To soothe the wounds.

Death - A Taxable Event

It's "Tax Day" and Cathy McMorris Rodgers graced me with a "Tax Day" email. How fortunate I am to be one of the chosen. The email didn't have anything to say about Affordable Care Act horror stories but that's not what she and the Republican-led House were working on anyway. 

This time it was...(dramatic music)...Death Tax!

What our congresswoman doesn't mention is that the estate tax increase wouldn't apply to over 99% of Americans. Also, it can't become law unless Congress passes legislation to make it so. Regardless, referring to it as a Death Tax and saying it could be increased from 40% to 60% is just the right thing to reinforce the confirmation bias of those who think they're being taxed to death.

Later in the day, Cathy McMorris Rodgers posted this enigmatic message on her Facebook page.

I don't know what abuse at the IRS she's referring to. And she certainly doesn't mention anything specific. So I checked out the legislative activities of the House and saw they had a busy day passing bills concerning the IRS.

But there's one that stands out. It's HR 1105 - The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015. The House voted to enact this legislation today--Tax Day--and Cathy McMorris Rodgers voted for it. If it becomes law it will only apply to about 5,500 of the richest families in the country.

Well, what should we expect. Cathy McMorris Rodgers always looks out for her constituents, whether they live in her district or not.

The Death Tax is killing the richest Americans!

Chillin'

Saw this guy at Riverfront Park.

Phoenix Visit

Work took me to Phoenix Sunday through Tuesday. I was surprised to see that downtown Phoenix is practically a ghost town during non-business hours. I thought it was quiet and abandoned because of Easter but the few people working said Sundays are always like this. I took the train in from the airport. A bargain at $2.00 for a one way fare.

The return trip on Tuesday afternoon was way more crowded. Standing room only. That's a good thing because people are using the public transit. But there was a building fire right next to the tracks at one point. So we got off at one station and caught a bus to get around the fire to a couple stations down the line and back on the train.

And that's when it happened.

A young lady offered me her seat.

It's official. I look old.

I saw lots of people on bikes but never on one of these.

 I thought you measured the base of the tower.

I thought you measured the top of the building.

That's okay. I think we can make this work.

 I was attracted by the colors.

Got the shot!

 Jellyfish-like sculpture on the ASU campus.

 Building art done right.

Do they ever clean their sidewalks here?

Downtown Spokane

 Life on the street.

Angry pig shirt.

 A photo opportunity awaits.

 Chillin'.

 Sidewalk chalk artfest.

 Nap time on the street.

Stations of the Cross.