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Pan Ohio ’10~~~Day 2

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Toph

Way up there...

Wooster To Westerville ~~ 100.50 Miles

The day started early, as they always do. It is the middle of Summer and yet you still wake up before the sun rises to do another ride. So you quickly go through your routine.

First order is to get up. This is normally the hardest thing to do. Next order of business is to get your bearings. Find suitcase, get stuff for bathroom, hurry out.

Put contacts in, brush teeth, go back to room.

Start to get dressed. Apply Butt Butter, liberally. Put on sunblock, (wait, the sun isn’t even up yet!) Finish getting dressed.

Pack your bags. Do you have everything for the bike? Phone, wallet, camera, ginseng? Did you get everything in the bags? Toiletries, clothes, shoes…

Only twenty minutes have passed and you are out the door of the dorm room and carring bags down the steps as your bike shoes click on the tile. Be careful not to slip. You throw your bags in the luggage pickup pile and you are off to the music room to pick up your bike. From there, breakfast and then before you know it, you are headed downhill out of Wooster.

This is done in less than an hour. You do not want to miss the cool air of the early morning. Especially if you are going to be climbing for the next 40 miles. And climb we did. You started out with the great downhill, but were soon faced with major hill climbing out of Wooster. I knew it was coming too. I just did the route the night before!!!

Needless to say, I was soon dropped from the team as the guys went up hill much better and faster than I can or do. It just goes to show you. No matter how many people you have on your team or how many riding buddies you have, it is still an individual sport. You and you alone have to get up that hill. Nobody is going to offer you a tow rope or a motor or a car or a push or anything else. It is just you, the hill and your bike. So you put your head down, get into a very easy gear and start to work your way uphill. I try not to work my legs too much. I also try not to start breathing heavy, although there are time you just can not help it. To do either means you are blowing your legs and/or endurance. You only have so much of each. It is like playing a video game and as you go up hill, your health meter keeps going down. Except in this game, there isn’t any cheats to get you more health. I know, big bummer.

But travel on and bike on and so on. We passed through some of the big boomers (I am referring to hills) when we get a little rest with a bike path. The one that also shares the road with the Amish buggies. Now, I have nothing against that particular lifestyle. I am sure there are merits to that and every way of life. What I do have issue with is the horses. Last year, during this part of the ride, it was a torrential downpour and the horse poop was spraying everywhere.

This year, it was perfect weather and the horse poop was still spraying everywhere. If you were sweating, it was sticking! I could have really done without that nice little coating to my legs and bike. But as with any ride, one must become acclimated to your surroundings and deal with those situations.

The bike paths did enable me to regroup with the rest of the team. It wasn’t very long before we found ourselves in the heart of the hill section and as we made the left turn that took us to the champion of the hills and that was County Road 6. Again, I was quickly dropped from the pack as I began the eye-popping ascent up the .6 miles of 9% grade of a wall of a road. As I was meandering up that little bump, I kept hearing gun shots in the woods that surrounded the hill. I was thinking to myself, because there was no way I was going to be able to talk at this moment, that it would be my luck to make it to the top of the mountain only to be shot. So, I began saying to myself, “Just Shoot me now so I don’t have to finish this blasted hill!”

I didn’t get shot. And as I think back on that, it is a good thing because I believe I am allergic to getting shot. But I did make it up the hill with my eyes and lungs intact. Legs were a little wobbly, but I soldiered on to face the next 16 miles of rolling hills until the lunch stop.

Ken, the ham.

Slug Bug Blue !!

I was able to rejoin the team and after lunch we took off to finish the last 60 miles of the days ride. We cruised along trails and mainly flat road through Mt. Vernon. It was here that the rest of the ride was changed for ever. And probably every ride I will ever do in the future. And it was my fault.

As we were riding through the town of Mt. Vernon And as we were coming to a stop light, I spied a blue VW Beetle. You all know the game of slug bug. So I rolled up to Ken and smacked him on the shoulder while announcing, “Slug Bug Blue!” I began laughing and riding off before Ken could say anything. Needless to say, at this point, it was game on and for the rest of the ride, I hoped that I saw the beetle first, if not, well, let’s just say I was working on my sprinting skills. I never was able to out sprint Ken, though, and I always seemed to be on the receiving end of a arm slug bug punch. I have to admit, it was a lot of fun. Also, what a crazy spin you put on the game when you are traveling 16 MPH on a bike, trying to arm punch another rider. Just another way to make the miles go by.

The rest of the ride went by without much incidence (besides the ongoing game of Slug Bug) and we made it to Otterbein intact and upright. Then things got a little iffy. Something had gone wrong ot the college and we soon found out that we did not have rooms for the night. After much consternation, rooms were provided for us and the other 60 or so riders that were room less. We found ourselves in a old dorm that had no air conditioning and found the rooms to be around 90 degrees. Worse yet, there wasn’t any breeze. Go figure, a biker complaining about the wind.

My Hero!

As mentioned in previous posts, Gregg, my hero, made a fundraising pitch to not only average 100 miles a day during the ride, but to also run 4 miles a day. This day was no exception. As you can see here on the left is Gregg fulfilling his promise. What a stud.

After a very unremarkable dinner and some time at the local pup for beer, we retired to our hot and stuffy rooms to sweat it out for the night, because the next day would dawn early, again.

But that is again another post!

Posted in Life | 2 Comments

Whew!

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Toph

Okay, that is over. Two days, two doubles.

Believe it or not, the body feels okay for the moment. And the doubles went well. I didn’t burn anything and everything turned out all right. So now, back to the Pan Ohio Tale. More coming soon, I promise!

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Doubles!

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Toph

I have back to back doubles today and tomorrow. You know, that cooking, chef stuff that is my job. So that may put the Pan Ohio Tale on hold for a day or two.

Just because I know how anxious you guys get! I’ll try to get some of the story done, we will see. Consider this my payback for having last week off to do the ride.

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Pan Ohio ’10~~~Day One

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Toph

Cleveland To Wooster ~~ 100.40 miles

The knock was light, but still resounding. Jeff had knocked promptly at 5:30 am. It was time to get up. It was time to get the show on the road. I have found it much easier to get out of bed on the first day of the ride as compared to say, the last day. You are fresh. You are excited. You are ready to go. So after gathering our bags and linens, we gathered outside the dorms to get breakfast and get ready to depart for the first day. Gregg, Jeff and I had shared a suite at Case Western, so we were already together. Ken and Chuck were joining us this morning as they live in Cleveland. Don was not to join us until Saturday morning. That meant that the 6-Pack was an unofficial 5-Pack.

Jeff and I enjoyed our pancakes for breakfast while we waited for the Cleveland gang to show up. I looked at Jeff and remarked to him, “Well, Dude, how does it feel to know that this is the best that you are going to feel for at least the next four days?”

I got the normal Jeff response and that was not much. No matter, the guy that we were seated with snorted. I thought that was something!

Ken and Chuck showed up with a lot of time to spare and all of the riders gathered, including the 6-Pack, for a group send off. There were media vans all around. There were hundreds of riders around, all wearing the Pan Ohio yellow riding jersey. There was music blaring, speeches being made and rider instructions blasting from speakers and bull horns. It was a cacophony of noise and activity.

But the ride finally started. Thank goodness for that. I was ready to burst!

As we got started and turned out of the school stadium, I heard a man who was drinking coffee on his front porch yell out as I went by.

“Where are you all going?”

“Cincinnati.” I replied.

“Cincinnati!!!!” the man exclaimed. I know that it doesn’t come across well here so let me translate that last comment for the man.

“Are you @#$@#$% kidding me? You all are going to ride your bikes clear to Cincinnati??? You all are NUTS!!” That was the inflection in his voice. Made me laugh. I was kind of thinking the same thing. We are going to ride our bikes from Cleveland to Cincinnati? Yep, that is exactly what we were going to do.

The ride got on the way and the team quickly broke up. Almost everyone was ahead of me. A theme that would play out over the entire ride. But on this morning, Ken was with me. We rode through Cleveland at a leisurely pace and went through the metro parks with out seeing anyone from our team. We did get a little sidetracked and ended up riding up a little mountain in the middle of Cleveland. I know, mountain in the middle of Cleveland. But it was true. We took a wrong turn and ended up climbing out of the Metro Parks where we were not supposed to. We went up a hill that had three switchbacks. In other words, a big freaking hill. Switchbacks are used when the road becomes too steep for anything to safely navigate the climb or descent. What a way to start.

We caught up with the guys buy the lunch stop some 40 miles into the ride. It was a beautiful day. No wind. No humidity. Just perfect riding conditions.

Scottie!

Scottie’s Stop

We often have to remind ourselves that we were not riding just for us. Occasionally, it is pointed out for us. On rare occasions, we are smacked upside of the head with that reminder.

We pulled into a rest stop after lunch. I reminded the guys that this was the true birth of the 6-pack because this is was the stop that we started forming a riding group the year before. It was the point where we all had, for the most part, had already met each other and the team was coming together.

That is when Scottie interrupted our little party. Scottie was sponsoring the rest stop. She was doing that because she was a cancer survivor and she wanted to give back to the ride. She approached us and asked us to sign the banner for her, which of course we did. She was a little spark plug of a lady. Her bejeweled hat and scarf hiding the obvious marks of cancer treatment. After we had signed the banner, I asked her to take a picture with us. You see the results of that!

She told us that things were looking good for her. We all hugged and kissed her. This is why we are riding! Just another reminder! And what a great story. Scottie’s outlook is very good. We were all happy to hear that!

Wooster And Beyond…

Before the ride this year, Gregg made the campaign promise of riding on average, 100 miles a day and then running at least 4 miles a day. Did I mention that Gregg is a 65 year old animal? I thought I had. Well, it was figured that since we are all a team, we all would ride with Gregg in his pursuit of his goal. Of course this changed by the mile. I thought, “Yes. I will ride the 100 miles a day.”, followed less than a mile later by, “Ain’t no way I am going to do that!”

Well, we all decided that we would give it a try. So after we reached the official destination of Wooster (78 miles), we set off on our pursuit of 100 miles.

Needless to say, we were not very organized at this point and set out on the next days route. Mistake on my part because this was the hilly part of the route. So we did hills for the next 22 miles. I don’t like hills. I am not built for them. Girthiness is not good going uphill. Downhill is great, but you have to get to the top of the hill first. So to say that it wore me out a bit is an understatement.

But we made it. The group waited for me a few times and that was greatly appreciated. We also had a few starts and stops, ending in the group breaking up for the last few miles. Ken and I did some laps in a parking lot in order to get in our miles.

Crazy Bikers!

It's a strike!

So what so you do after a day of riding and going up some big-assed hills?

Well, you go bowling, of course!

And that is just what Ken and I did after a very long day of riding. The College Of Wooster had bowling allys and I talked Ken into rolling a few frames. We sucked to say the least, but what a great way to finish the day.

One day in, 100 miles done, another day to come…

The next day would begin as the last one did…with Jeff waking me way too early! But again, that is another post.

Posted in Biking, Cancer Battle, POHR | 2 Comments

Pan Ohio 10′~~~ Prelude

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Toph

Word of the day…

Prelude

An introductory performance, event, or action preceding a more important one; a preliminary or preface.

In this case, it is more than one event or action that leads up to the 2010 Pan Ohio Hope Ride. It was training. It was fundraising. It was logistics. It was mental, physical and just damn draining. So when the actual time came to ride the ride, it was more of a relief than a challenge.

Now we all know that isn’t really true, but by the time the ride arrived, it was more like icing on the cake. The reward for the things that you went through over the last year. Not that everything in the last year was bad, but it was time to ride and that is all it was. Time to go. But I get ahead of myself.

In the last year since Pan Ohio ’09, my life has taken a dramatic turn. I have suffered setbacks, but I had one goal all year. And that was the Pan Ohio ’10. So to tell this tale correctly, I must go back to the end of Pan Ohio ’09. (I will now refer to the Pan Ohio as POHR)

You see, The now infamous 6-pack was born during the ride that was POHR ’09. And what started has just a group of guys with a common interest and experience, grew into a true bond and friendship. Through the course of the year, we shared highs, lows and general companionship with each other and we truly formed what I call a team. All for the common good and that common good wasn’t the POHR, it was each other and what was happening in each of our lives. In short and simple terms, we were and are friends.

So let’s re-meet the team:

Gregg “Hero” Gerber. Gregg is a cancer survivor with an attitude. The 65 year old promised to average 100 miles a day during the POHR while also running at least 4 miles a day. His single minded approach to the ride left more than one person awe inspired. Gregg was on more than an adventure, he was on a mission.

Jeff “Speed” Alexander. Jeff is my brother from different parents. He is my riding companion from the beginning and my BFF.

Chuck “Rocket Man” Feld. Chuck bought a new bike this year in order to “propel” himself forward even faster than he did before. He is a spark plug and just keeps going!

Ken “Soap-On-A-Rope” Hess. Ken is the one who everyone wants to be like. The consummate rider and companion. He can ride with the best and hang with everyone. He keeps everyone from killing each other as well.

Don “I can do it” Klienhenz. Don is the newest member of the group and was facing his first POHR. A daunting fact in itself. Don is the one member of the team that I train the most with.

And then there is me as well. Chris “Legs” Meadows. I got the well deserved “Legs” moniker during TOSRV this year. I will for ever be known as legs. It could, and should, be a lot worse.

Party at the Cleveland Hope House

So we all know the lead up to this year’s event. We had the fundraisers. We had the group rides. We had the constant communication. And for the most part, it was fun. The work was hard, frustrating and at times, making me wanting to rip something or somebody wide open. But it is all worth it.

So, after a year, we all approach POHR with a new attitude. We know what to expect, now. We have trained and remember the roads and the pains that can be caused by that. But we also remember the experience and hope that we can match it this year. We hope to capture the magic that was POHR ’09 and make new memories.

And so we gathered in Cleveland on Wednesday, as the prelude to POHR ’10. And no matter how many of these events that I attend, they always tear me up. When folks get up and start speaking passionately about the fight against cancer and the examples of hope, I go to jelly. I get mushy and teary eyed and remember the pain that I have gone through and only wish that I could be as eloquent as the speakers of that night. If I could, knowing my passion, I could beat this disease. I know I could. But, alas, I am not that eloquent. I speak in monosyllables and grunts. For big words, I use gestures. And for the really “Rally The Troops” moment or Knute Rockne’s “Win One For Ronald Reagan” speeches, I am not your man. But I love a good speech and there were quite a few on this night.

So with this fire in the belly, I was ready to ride. We went back to the dorms and set about getting ready to depart Cleveland the next morning. The alarm would go off early in the form of Jeff knocking on my door, singling the time to get up and get on with it.

But that is the next chapter…

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See If You Can Spot Me!

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Toph

This is a video released by the Pan Ohio group. It is of a group of cyclist coming into a rest stop in Loveland, which is just outside of Cincinnati, Sunday afternoon.

And guess what? I am one of the riders!!!!

Think you can see me roll through?

Posted in Biking, Cancer Battle | 3 Comments

I’m Back!

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Toph

I have survived another Pan Ohio ride and completed 360 miles over 4 days.

Whew.

Just like last year, the ride was awe inspiring and a great adventure. The 6-pack did a great job and we are all still talking to one another.

Look for the write-ups to begin later this week as I need time to de-compress the adventure and begin writing about it. I can only hope my word give it justice.

So the big question is what does Toph do next? I do have some goals. I am going to participate in a 5k run in October, which I already mentioned. I also have about 700 more mile to get on the bike before the end of the season to reach my goal of 2000 miles in the year. That being said, I may take today off.

I know, slacker….

But stay tuned for the adventure that was the Pan Ohio and see what else I can come up with.

Posted in Biking, Cancer Battle, Life | Leave a comment

McGee’s Story~~~ Bethany’s Version

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Toph

By:Bethany

So you probably have read my dad’s version of McGee’s Crossing. I, though have a completely different version.

So once upon a time……

There was a man named Bill McGee, short for William. He decided he wanted to be the successful and famous one, out of his other 2 brothers. So he decided to be successful you can not fall in love. He also decided you can not waste time in anyway. So that meant he did not have time to be courteous or amicable to anyone. What was famous and successful? Bill decided that to be successful and famous he had to have things named after him, go down into history, become rich, and then be able to brag over his other 2 brothers.

Being successful and famous lead to another problem for Bill. His problem was, how can he become successful and famous. So he thought and thought. Well he could become a cloth maker, since he was taught how to make it as a young lad. “Nah, cloth is boring,” Bill said. So he thought and thought some more. Then an idea came, he could go on The Oregon Trail and become rich by selling water to other famished travelers. “Nah, traveling The Oregon Trail is work,” said Bill. So Bill thought and thought some more (his brain was starting to hurt by now). He thought for 3 days straight. Then he had another idea. He thought, “Well maybe I can become successful and famous if I am not near this shore and living with my parents.”

Bill decided he would first need a wagon. So he went into his mother’s kitchen and asked if they had a spare wagon. She then went into asking him all these questions and after finding out he wanted to leave home, he got a stern lecture. So he decided he should ask his father instead.

So he asked his father and he said, “There is one in the back but it needs some repair.”

Bill asked if could have it and his father agreed. He repaired the wagon and it was now ready to load.

Now Bill needed some food to take. So everyday he took a very small amount of these various items; tobacco, corn meal, bacon, sugar, dried fruit, flour, salt, baking soda, tea, rice, and beans. After finally having enough to last him for a long time. He then went to pack the rest of needed items. So he put in the wagon 2 pairs of clothes, 3 pairs of boots, washboard and tub, thin mattress, blanket, feather pillow, the Bible, ink, paper, tools, and finally some water. The final thing he needed was two oxen to pull the wagon. After some time he found these and was ready to go.

So he said good bye to his family (with his mother still lecturing him). He traveled for days and months. He finally passed a little creek. So he stopped and filled his water jug.

He thought to himself, “This would be a great place to cross, due to it’s shallowness.” So Bill did. He then found himself in a very poor village. The village people then swarmed around his wagon. The were all shouting for his food in his wagon. Bill felt a little guilty for not giving them any, but he did not have time to be courteous.

So he thought and said to the starving people, “I will only let you have my food if you give me something else in return.”

The village all made a small circle and whispered among themselves.

One of the older men said to Bill, “We will name that shallow creek that is a little north of here after you. In return for one of your oxen and most of your food.”

Bill then thought about this offer and said, “Okay.”

The old man then asked his name and Bill said, “William McGee.”

The man then replied, “That creek will now be named, McGee Crossroads.” Bill then gave them one oxen and most of his food and left back for home. He decided that he was successful enough and could now be nice and get married (on the plus side his brothers never had anything named after them).

Posted in Beth, nonsense | 3 Comments

He Said Good-bye, Now I say Hello

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Toph

By: Bethany

If you can recall our Internet can be a little iffy sometimes. So this morning our Internet was basically down. Now my wonderful father wanted to say goodbye before leaving for Cleveland but that just can not happen when you have no Internet. So in place of him I, Bethany, am here to say it for him, goodbye. I am planning on writing a few posts in the time he is gone, if inspiration strikes me. Now some of you may be thinking, “Why is he in Cleveland?”

He is in Cleveland for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. This ride is for Hope Lodges located in Cleveland and Cincinnati and the American Cancer Society. The ride takes place across Ohio, from Cleveland to Cincinnati over 4 days. The ride start tomorrow and ends Sunday. So today he left on a bus today to stay in Cleveland and starts the ride early the next morning with the 6-pack.

Toph saying good-bye with his newly recieved 2010 Pan Ohio Jersey.

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The Real Story Of McGee~~~Toph’s Version

Posted on July 27, 2010 by Toph

Jenny McGee sighed.

She didn’t get it. Why didn’t he understand? The “he” she was thinking of was no other than Andrew Jones. She was so in love with him, but she couldn’t get him to move! Literally. They were supposed to get married. It didn’t happen though. Andrew’s father had forbade it. He had said some things that had made Jenny blush.

Like that there was no way in hell his son was going to marry that Irish…, well you can fill in the blanks. She really loved Andrew, but he was so stubborn, just like his father.

Maybe she would get him to reason soon.

After the winter had passed, Jenny finally had gotten to Andrew. He had married her even if when his father said no. She reckoned that it was because he had said no, that had made Andrew finally marry her. He also would make the trip inland from the shore of Carolina. The rumors had said that there would be war soon. The king was bearing down on the Royal Colony Of North Carolina. Jenny didn’t care much for that. She just knew that Andrew and some of his family was going to move inland. She already had family in Orange County. Her Uncle John lived there, but he had just passed a year or so before. She was hoping to be able to settle on a small part of the family land.

Andrew wasn’t the brightest, be she loved him. She hoped he would be able to pick up farming. Fishing didn’t work out so well with him. Neither did shrimping. He didn’t seem to have much going for him. His daddy wasn’t happy either, but that did not make Jenny look any better for it. As far as he was concerned, Jenny was guilty by association. Jenny hoped to prove him wrong.

They set out that spring. She hated leaving Onslow county, but they had to get away from the coast and from Mr. Jones. She hoped Andrew would not be so stubbron once they got on the way. They were traveling with 3 other families. All either Jones or McGee’s in their own right. Such was the way in those times. Everyone knew each other or were related. And the threat of war with England and the King was growing more real every month. Time to go.

The trip took months. Traveling by wagon was faster than it used to be, but not by much. They had to reast the mules every day and Anrew soon grew impatient. Why was this taking so long? What was he going to do when he got there? To say that Jenny’s and Andrew’s relationship became strained during the trip was an understatement.

It wasn’t just them though. All of the couples were on terse terms. That happens when you do not ask for directions!

After months of travel and a few turnarounds, the wagon train came upon the Haw River. It wasn’t named that yet, but it was the same body of water just the same. The men of the couple wanted to cross right away.

“No,” cried Jenny! “We will all drown, it runs to deep here!”

“Nonsense woman” replied Andrew and all of the other males of the party were soon grunting their agreement.

Let’s cross here!” the men said.

Jenny was tired of it all. The time it took Andrew to finally marry her. The stubbornness of the men. The fact that they had roamed the state of North Carolina, without a map, for months when it should have only been weeks. The fact that Andrew was just like his dad…

“Fine! Go ahead and cross. Show us the way, oh, great man and husband of mine!”

Andrew looked very smug as he stepped into the soon to be named Haw River. He looked surprised when the water soon was up to his knees. He was for damned sure in a panic when he was up to his neck and was swiftly carried off in the current to his death. The same could be said for the rest of the men in the small, relocating party.

But the ladies. They knew better. They were saddened by the fate of their men. But they also turned the wagons west for just a few miles. They then ran into an old woman, sitting on her porch, rocking, pipe in her mouth.

“How do we get across the river?” Jenny asked.

“Just a few yards down and its shallow. Who are you and why you asking?” muttered the old woman.

Jenny related her tale of what the little caravan had experienced and all the old women could mutter was “HAW”

“Same thing happened to my dumbass man when we came here! What is your name?”

“Jenny McGee.” She proudly announced!

“Well this here crossing well from now on be named McGee”s Crossing. I wish you the best!”

And Jenny crossed over and never looked back.

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Just Showing Off

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Toph

Here is the lineup for this year’s 6-pack team for the Pan Ohio Hope Ride. I think this photo was found in the post office with the rest of the most wanted.

Anyway, from left to right: Jeff, Gregg, Ken, Toph (yours truly), Chuck and Don.

The photo was taken during this year’s Cooking For A Cure.

What a motley crew indeed! None the less, we are ready for the four day adventure that begins on Thursday.

Posted in C.F.A.C., Cancer Battle | Leave a comment

Just Who Is McGee?

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Toph

Take a look at Kev’s response to my quip on names that you see on the highway as you are traveling along. Read it HERE

I still maintain that it was a river that I was traveling over when I made this observation. But that really doesn’t matter. What the game is now, is to come up with what really happened at McGee’s Crossing. Post your thoughts below. I will post my answer later.

Have fun with more interactive Toph!

Posted in history, nonsense | 3 Comments

Deep Breath

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Toph

Let’s take a look at the last few weeks for me. Because, after all, it is all about me.

Let’s start with a fundraiser for close to 150 people and volunteers that went off with out much problem. Check!

A outdoor wedding for about 80 people that also involved a big tent and had to deal with 90 + degrees in temperature. Check!

Training for a 350 mile bike ride while doing the above. Check!

Running the day to day business and life! Check!

Wow. That has been some ride and for once, I am not talking about the bike!

I am proud and humbled all at once and can only thank the support of family, friends and staff for being able to accomplish all of this. Now to make them proud by being able to finish the big rid this week. All I can say is that I will try my best. I am a little nervous. I never take any ride for granted. To many other factor may become involved so, again, I will try my best and hope that Sue Ann and I are up to the challenge.

But today, I was whooped. I took the day off. My mind was willing to go on a ride or other endeavors, but all I could manage was some nap time in a chair and read some of my book. And play with Doroth’i’. I mean she would not be denied, after all. I think she knows that I am about to leave on my new adventure and she wants some “me” time. I don’t blame her for that.

So, thath is where I am tonight. Again, it is about me!

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Big Wedding

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Toph

It is time I go and do the chef stuff again today. Tonight is a outdoor wedding for over 80 people.

Big tent, lots of food. Music, fun, and sun.

What? Sun? That is right, bad luck for the wedding as they are calling for 96 degrees today. Yikes. I sure hope they do not have to wear tuxes! Let’s just hope there are no pop up thunderstorms! The joys of an outdoor wedding.

Don’t worry, I am cooking inside today in my normal 90 degree kitchen!

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Ahhh…Summer

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Toph

Take a real good look at the cat in this picture. Lazing on a sunny afternoon. He is a cat after all. Legs all over the place, looking very comfy!

Now look at the picture on the right. She is a teenager after all. Lazing on a sunny afternoon. Legs all over the place, looking very comfy!

Ahh, the joys of the summer and having them off.

All in favour of shortening summer break raise your hand!

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So What’s Next?

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Toph

Now that all of the dust has settled from this years’ Cooking For A Cure, one must wonder what other adventures Toph has in mind.

To start with, I have an outdoor wedding this weekend. No silly, not mine. I am cooking for the event. We have another tent coming in to the MoHO and now I am earning my living. 150 lovely folks will be coming and the ceremony will be held in a tent on the parking area of the restaurant. It is really a very cool place for a wedding.

Of course there is the upcoming Pan Ohio Hope ride. You know, the one that take good old girthy Toph from Cleveland to Cincinnati over 4 days and 330++ miles. Yea, that one.

And then, I must get serious about running. What’s that you say? Running? Well at least that is new. I have promised one of the 6-pack riders that I will run a 5k race that is for prostate cancer awareness. Yep, Toph steps from the frying pan right into the flames! So look for some write-ups on that.

I have also been recieving emails on me getting back to more seminary stories. What is it with you people? The seminary wasn’t that exciting! But never say that Toph doesn’t take care of his peeps. So look for that in the near future.

Oh, and the fact that I have like a million diner parties in August, well that is enough to keep me hopping for awhile!

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2010 Cooking For A Cure Wrap-up

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Toph

All the work, all of the sweat, all of the worry, all accumulated with a 4 hour event that went off without any major hitches. And I am grateful for that.

The weather, although very hot and humid, did not open up with tumultuous downpours of rain and lightning. The setup was first rate. The help was tremendous and the participating restaurants were fantastic. I have to say, that despite my best efforts to screw things up, the night was successful.

We raised almost $4000 in the fight against cancer and had a good time doing so. It was a very long week leading up to the event and I have to say that I was totally drained on Sunday (hence, no post). Now the only thing left is the Pan Ohio ride itself. No worries there…right? It is only 340 miles or so across the state of Ohio. No biggie!

Some highlights of the C.F.A.C. :

Mindi Drayer, weekend news anchor for WCMH NBC 4 was on hand to help us out by raising bail money after she was put under “Tent” arrest. She also helped Emcee the event. She did an awesome job and truly seemed to enjoy helping us out. She was able to raise almost $400 in bail money. She was also a very neat person who took pains to get to know us and what we were all about. She is a very sincere person. Who knows, we may try to talk her into joining us on the bike and joining the 6-pack team!

Speaking of the 6-pack, the entire team was present for the festivities. A true showing for comradeship and solidarity in the cause. It also show how much of a friendship we have formed over the last year. To think that we did not know each other last year at this time and now we are joined in the fight against cancer is an amazing thought. At least to me. The best part of it though is the fact that we all get along really well together. We all enjoy each other’s personalities and companionship. That sure makes the stress of these events easier to deal with and also all of the miles of road go by so much quicker. I am a better person because I know these folks and their families.

The volunteers for the event were awesome as well. Everyone worked without complaint and from what I have heard, all had a good time as well. My co-chair for the event, Kim Weaver, deserves honors for her effort. She worked tiressly for the cause and was there to keep me on track. Thanks KIM!!!

My family was right there with me through the entire process and had to endure the worst of me when I got snappy or stressed out. But showing their love and support helped me get through the tough times.

And the guest were fantastic as well. I heard some great stories of inspiration. We were also greatly appreciated for our efforts. That helps as it keeps me not only grounded, but give me strength to continue the battle.

My hero, Judy Y. was there at the event. She is doing so well and looking great. She also got to meet the 6-pack. That was an emotional time. We were reminded of why we ride. It is for people like Judy. And now Judy can put faces with the names as we tell her of the adventures of the 6-pack.

So in summery, another successful fight in the battle that is cancer. I am very happy and proud of all involved and hope that next year will be even better!

Just an F.Y.I. If your were unable to attend the event, but still want to donate to the cause, just follow the Pan Ohio/6-pack link on the right of this page. Just because this year’s event has passed, that does not mean that the quest for donations has ended. THANKS!

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Don’t Give In!

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Toph

I must be having a mid-life crisis. I keep hearing these voice. No, not those voices, but new voices. They say things like, “Buy me!” or “Do this before it is too late!”

I have heard these voices before. They are from the stupid me. Stupid me has got me in trouble in the past. That is why I recognize the tone pf the voice. Like, “Go ahead, do more Jager shots, they are okay!” That was stupid. “Go ahead, drive after consuming all of those Jager shots.” Again, stupid me speaking. “She’ll appreciate you for telling her she has a fat butt!” Again, stupid me scores.

But right now, the stupid voice is very insistent.

I have been hearing, “Dude, you would look really good in that sporty Jeep.”

Shut up, stupid.

“Wouldn’t you rather have a nice big motorcycle? Just think what and where you could go on that thing!”

Stupid, shut up.

“Why did you wait so long? You can still get some tattoos. It’s never too late for that!”

No way stupid, shut up already!

“A twelve pack of Krispy Kremes….yum…”

Hmmnnn, stupid may be on to something there…..NO…NO, stupid me, go away!

I just can’t explain why stupid me is so vocal at the moment and I really do not like any of stupid me’s suggestions. It has to be the male version of mid-life. It is all I can attribute it to. Do you think there are pills for stupid or should I just drink even more beer?

See how tricky stupid can be!

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Working Part Time

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Toph

Good tune!

Just like I have been doing, working part time, all the time!

Just wish I could call in sick when I get drunk…enjoy!

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Getting Close!

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Toph

Well, it is about all over but the shouting. I reached this point last year as well. You put it together, with a lot of help, and then you just have to sit back and wait to see what the turn out will be.

I think this is going to be the tough part. It was last year as well. And now you also have the folks who are trying to help you. Bless them very much. It is just that I have no idea what to tell them.

The most often asked question is, ” What do you need me to do?”

“Sell tickets!” is my most often reply, but it seems that is not what folks want to hear.

So I shrug my shoulders and say, “I’m good!” Which is true. There is nothing to be done but wait for the always present gremlins that will poke their ugly heads up at the most inopportune time, as they always do.

But it will be what it is. I have to come to grips with that and do what I do best, manage. Okay, I didn’y say I was the best at managing, just what I do best is manage.

Lot’s of room for interpretation, eh!

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R.I.P. George Steinbrenner

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Toph

No, I didn’t like him. I did respect him. Actually, to say that I didn’t like him is unfair. After all, I didn’t even know him and nor did he know me. We didn’t run in the same circles, he and I. I guess I didn’t like what he stood for.

And that was New York Yankee baseball. When they won, he was insufferable. When they lost, he was an incurable whiner. He bought his World Series victories. At least, to a bitter Indians fan, such as myself, that is how it seemed. I could not stand his public meltdowns nor is pouty ways. I did, at times, find them to be very amusing. He and Billy Martin together were great entertainment for me!

But I did respect him. Every winner deserves his due and no one can say that George Steinbrenner was anything but a winner. His New York teams proves that. If he did not win, he went out and got what he needed to win. For that, he had my admiration, begrudging as it may have been.

There are many sport’s team owners who could learn a thing or two from George. Cleveland, do you hear me ?

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Ohio Backyard

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Toph

Yes, it has been hot. Yes, it has been very muggy. Yes, we get some very violent thunder storms, but just look at the flowers that can be grown!

And by the way, I am not complaining about the weather one bit!!!! I love this time of year. I love the heat and the stuff that goes on outside in the summer. The wife on the other hand, not so much. As much as I love this time of year, she loathes it. She is in love with the winter, which I loath.

Opposites do indeed attract.

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More Music

Posted on July 10, 2010 by Toph

Because it has been a few weeks…

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Crazy Time

Posted on July 9, 2010 by Toph

I am not freaking out…yet. Close, but not yet.

We are a week from the second annual Cooking For A Cure. This last week has been what we expected. Lose some, gain some. Same as last year. You just do not know what is going to happen in this game. The big difference this year is the fact that I am ready for that. So when the denials come and the folks who promised stuff and yet do not come through, well, I know that is part of the game.

I am still getting very antsy. I can not help it. It is like a body blow with every set back. It is a constant worry about ticket sales. It is a like having your microwave on high, all of the time, and the “BEEP BEEP” just isn’t close. You really want that frozen burrito to be done, but you look at the timer and you are just not even close.

So if I do not have a stroke this week, I will keep plodding on and hope for the best.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKET YET?

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