Human Achievement Hour

Going outside to light the grill. Had supper an hour ago. I'm just celebrating the human achievement of Match Light charcoal.

Out & Back

Didn't feel the love for today's market or today's bike ride.

Marketwise, I made two trades, both short, for a breakeven result, then watched the choppy melt up.

Afterwards, I hopped on the bike and headed north out of town on a rural county road. I had planned to ride to the river, then loop back, but I wasn't in the mood. So, I rode to a small berg and then turned around.

Just kind of a blah day in general.


Temp: 56

Distance: 8.82 miles
Time: 0:38:59
Avg. Speed: 13.6
Max. Speed: 26.8
Min. Elevation: 758 ft.
Max. Elevation: 823 ft.
Ascent: 148 ft.
Descent: 148 ft.
Calories Burned: 415

The Colors of Spring

Crocus

Crocus II

Emily, age 4

Flowers, grass & sun by Kate, age 7

The Daily Trading Coach

Amazon has shipped my copy of Dr. Steenbarger's latest book, The Daily Trading Coach. It should arrive next Tuesday and I'll try to write a review as soon as I finish it, probably next weekend.

Hip Hop Violin by Paul Dateh & inka one

H/T: Hawaii Trader

Another 10 Miler

Another beautiful spring day and another 10 mile ride around the lake. Passed three other cyclists going the opposite direction, a sure sign outdoor life is beginning to stir in these parts.

The elevation profile below is the mirror image of yesterday's. I tackled the east shore hills first and instead of sitting in the saddle and cranking away, I stood on the pedals and attacked.

Attacking the hills felt good, but I was mostly spent by the five-mile mark. After a burst of downhill speed between miles 7 and 8, where I hit a top speed just over 31 MPH, the body kicked into "just get home" mode, with which I happily complied.

The last hill about a mile from home reminded me it is past time for a bicycle tuneup as several missed shifts left me struggling to maintain speed up a very mild grade. At least I didn't fall over or get passed by someone out for a walk, but spinning fast in granny gear burns up energy I'd rather not waste.

Temps are expected to hit 61 on Monday and 68 on Tuesday, then low 50s the rest of the week, so I'll have good riding weather for a while. Unfortunately, it now hurts to sit, so not sure I'll get back on the bike for a day or so. Might be a good time to go for a run/walk anyway since I'm participating in the Indy Mini-Marathon in 47 days.

Finally, I'm working on a ride schedule for the summer. My goal is to do a major 30, 60 or 100-mile ride at least once a month through September or October. I'll post the full schedule when it is complete, but my first 30-miler is in May and my first 100-miler is in September.


Temp: 58

Distance: 10.49 miles
Time: 0:46:04
Avg. Speed: 13.6
Max. Speed: 31.2
Min. Elevation: 725 ft.
Max. Elevation: 807 ft.
Ascent: 171 ft.
Descent: 164 ft.
Calories Burned: 531

Spring Hath Sprung

You know it is spring in my town when the boat launch is full of trucks and trailers, and crews have begun installing piers and boat lifts. It has been a long winter and I am ready for warmer temps and the hustle and bustle of summer in a resort town.

Although with the economy flat on its back, it'll be interesting to see what impact it has on summer traffic. Word on the street is that the local summer camp program has contingency plans in place for regular enrollment or a 20 percent drop in enrollment.

No one knows for sure what to expect, so they are planning accordingly.

Another sign of spring today was my first bike ride of the year. Nothing exciting to write about, just a brisk 10-mile ride around the lake.

A little chilly still, and the roads were sandy and/or wet in places, but otherwise a nice ride. Even saw a couple guys teeing off at the local Pete Dye designed golf course.

Here are the stats and elevation profile for today's ride:

Temp: 43

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 0:45:48
Avg. Speed: 13.3
Max. Speed: 25.1
Min. Elevation: 725 ft.
Max. Elevation: 807 ft.
Ascent: 171 ft.
Descent: 164 ft.
Calories Burned: 520

Charting the Nasdaq 100

Lots of people seem almost giddy over the potential for a rally that might last more than a couple days, but truth be told, I see nothing but overhead resistance.

Today, the Naz 100 came within five points of the MA 20 before reversing, once in the morning and once in the final few minutes of trading. Also note RSI(2), which is nearing overbought.

The market needs to retrace part of Tuesday's rally, or it needs to churn sideways for a day or two to burn off the overbought condition. Then, maybe it can attack the multiple lines of resistance.

Thought of the Day

by Robert Heinlein:

Throughout history, poverty is the normal condition of man. Advances which permit this norm to be exceeded — here and there, now and then — are the work of an extremely small minority, frequently despised, often condemned, and almost always opposed by all right-thinking people. Whenever this tiny minority is kept from creating, or (as sometimes happens) is driven out of a society, the people then slip back into abject poverty.

This is known as “bad luck.”

H/T: Instapundit

Def Leppard, Cheap Trick & Poison

Are going on tour together this year to 40 cities across the country. I'll be trying to get my hands on tickets for their Noblesville, Ind., concert. Wish me luck. You can find their schedule here.






H/T: Adam

Harsh But True

"I don't mean to be sarcastic, but there just isn't anyone left to kill."

So said Detroit mayoral candidate Stanley Christmas regarding the Motor City's homicide rate, which dropped 14 percent last year. Detroit is losing 1,000 people per month as residents flee the city.