Love in the Time of Cholera

broderic on November 10, 2007

Lance Mannion, my favorite blog writer, writes of missed opportunity at the bookstore. Loved the tale. Once again, he shows how compelling a writer he is always provocative and provoking of thinking from his readers.

I spend lots of my time in bookstores. Friday and Saturday nights or Sunday days perhaps just hoping for some kind of missed opportunity as well. Very little is left to chance and as it so happens it’s happened very little to me.

Except today, I was in the BN burning off a coupon for 60% off an item (Ken Burn’s Jazz for only $72!). I pay for my purchase. The girl ringing me up says as she hands me the bag, “You know you’re handsome.”

Uhh, thanks?!?.

And I walk away.

It brings me back to Lance Mannion’s post. Missed opportunity?

Maybe. I haven’t flirted with a girl in a long time. Was this even flirting? Did she say it as a statement of fact? Or was this something else? I am probably flattering myself, but I don’t ever remember a girl tell me something like that. Just one of those things I guess.

On the road: 500 miles

broderic on August 1, 2007

With the passing of July, I have succeeded at my goal for the month and even surpassed it. From 450 to 500 miles. That’s more than I did last year.

What goal should I set for August? I am going on vacation for a week so I will lose at least 3 days or about 40 miles. Still, I think 150 miles wouldn’t be bad for the month of August. Currently, I am sitting at 530 miles. So I need to get to 680 by the end of the month. Perhaps a few metrics centuries would help?

Celebrate Barbara Stanwyck’s Centenary

broderic on July 15, 2007

Tomorrow would’ve been Barbara Stanwyck’s 100th birthday. TCM is celebrating it by showing a whole day of her movies. I implore you, if you have the time catch a few of these. If you don’t, get your Tivo started. I certainly am.

Just check out the films, you’ll find something you like:

6:00 AM Night Nurse (1931)
A nurse discovers that the children she’s caring for are murder targets. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Clark Gable. Dir: William A. Wellman. BW-72 mins, TV-G
7:15 AM Lost Lady, A (1934)
A bitter woman who thinks she’ll never love again marries, only to fall for a brash young man. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Frank Morgan, Ricardo Cortez. Dir: Alfred E. Green, Phil Rosen. BW-61 mins, TV-G
8:30 AM Ladies They Talk About (1933)
A lady bank robber becomes the cell block boss after she’s sent to prison. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Lyle Talbot, Preston Foster. Dir: Howard Bretherton, William Keighley. BW-69 mins, TV-G
9:45 AM Breakfast For Two (1937)
A Texas heiress competes with a gold digger for the love of a playboy. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Herbert Marshall, Glenda Farrell. Dir: Alfred Santell. BW-68 mins, TV-G
11:00 AM Meet John Doe (1941)
A reporter’s fraudulent story turns a tramp into a national hero and makes him a pawn of big business. Cast: Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold. Dir: Frank Capra. BW-122 mins, TV-G, CC, DVS
1:15 PM Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
A homemaking specialist who can’t boil water is forced to provide a family holiday for a war hero. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet. Dir: Peter Godfrey. BW-102 mins, TV-G, CC
3:15 PM Two Mrs. Carrolls, The (1947)
A woman slowly discovers that her artist husband is a deranged killer. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Barbara Stanwyck, Alexis Smith. Dir: Peter Godfrey. BW-94 mins, TV-G, CC
5:00 PM Jeopardy (1953)
A woman desperately seeks help to prevent her trapped husband from drowning. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan, Ralph Meeker. Dir: John Sturges. BW-69 mins, TV-G, CC
6:15 PM These Wilder Years (1956)
A wealthy businessman sets out to find his long-lost illegitimate son. Cast: James Cagney, Barbara Stanwyck, Walter Pidgeon. Dir: Roy Rowland. BW-91 mins, TV-PG, CC
8:00 PM Baby Face (1933)
A beautiful schemer sleeps her way to the top of a banking empire. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent, John Wayne. Dir: Alfred E. Green. BW-76 mins, TV-PG, CC
9:30 PM Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire (1991)
Barbara Stanwyck’s multi-faceted career reveals uncanny reflections of her off-screen life. Cast: Sally Field, Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper. Dir: Richard Schickel. C-46 mins, TV-G
10:30 PM Annie Oakley (1935)
The famed female sharpshooter learns that you can’t get a man with a gun when she falls for a rival marksman. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Preston Foster, Melvyn Douglas. Dir: George Stevens. BW-90 mins, TV-G, CC
12:15 AM Clash By Night (1952)
An embittered woman seeks escape in marriage, only to fall for her husband’s best friend. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Ryan, Marilyn Monroe. Dir: Fritz Lang. BW-105 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS
2:15 AM Executive Suite (1954)
When a business magnate dies, his board of directors fights over who should run the company. Cast: William Holden, June Allyson, Barbara Stanwyck. Dir: Robert Wise. BW-105 mins, TV-PG, CC, DVS
4:15 AM Sorry, Wrong Number (1948)
A neurotic invalid accidentally overhears a phone conversation plotting her own murder. Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Wendell Corey. Dir: Anatole Litvak. BW-89 mins, TV-PG, CC

Also, if you’re in LA you should check out the Academy’s display of her posters and lobby cards just because you can.

On the Road. It’s a fast day!

broderic on June 15, 2007

I was blazing today. Average of 15.2 mph. And it felt like it.

I know that there were some times when I was cruising above 20 mph on the flats.

I like the cool weather. It made me spin like crazy. I usually go for the warmer weather, but today was fun. I had on my arm warmers and toe covers to keep me somewhat warm. It was great.

I’ve already equal the number of times I’ve ridden last June. Also, my mileage from then to now is more. Perhaps I may reach my goal this year.

Class

broderic on June 8, 2007

President Clinton at Harvard. That man’s the bomb.

We were a richer country with him in charge.

On the road. Again

broderic on June 7, 2007

Back in the saddle after an unfortunate 3 week hiatus.

I road the old standby once around the block. It felt good, but awkward. My riding form has regressed, and I was peddling squares all ride. It was even more pronounced than earlier this year. My mind was used to riding a certain way, but the body wasn’t co-operating.

I had company along the way, too, for a bit. He complimented me on my bike. I kind of brushed him off which makes me feel bad. I would like to have a riding partner, but someone closer to my abilities. He said he rides with some others a couple of times a week. That’s more than I have done. Luckily, he was at the end of his ride because we parted company early in mine.

After the ride, I checked my cycling computer. I was amazed at what the readout was: 12.95 miles in 45 minutes! I don’t believe it. I think the battery is dying or it needs to be recalibrated. Those numbers are above my usual and it didn’t feel it.

I need to ride more this month.

On the road

broderic on April 25, 2007

It’s getting to be nice outside. It’s time to ride my bike.

I’ve gone out the past 4 days!

The first day was just trying to get to know the feeling again. I rode about 5 1/2 miles, and it was pure hell. It didn’t help that I did it after a nap which probably sapped my energy. First day out always seem to suck.

The next few were better. Today though, I found out how out of shape I am. I have no power in my legs. I tried to sprint a few times, but couldn’t keep it up for more than a few seconds. And the hills or the small bumps in the road, it makes me thankful of that granny gear.

I’m gonna have to tune my bike soon though. It’s been a while since I have given it the care it deserves.

“Vote Quimby!”

broderic on January 12, 2006

Vote for my friend, Wyman’s, version of the Silent Hill movie poster. I got several emails from him today bugging me about it, so vote.

Bike Rides.

broderic on October 29, 2005

I think next year I want to ride a century. 100 mile on a bike. I have to start training this winter. Plus I have to pick the rides I want to do before making it to the big one. Any suggestions?