Some quick notes and comments

I've been meaning to write some longer entries on these topics.  When I'm out and about during my day I think about blogging certain events.  I even come up with a theme and opening sentence.  The problem is it stops there.  I don't know how to finish out the paragraph, and then usually get busy/forget by the time I get home at night.  I'm going to at least try to provide some bullet points to recent events.

• I had the weirdest dream last night.  Well, one of them, anyway.   Wife and I were at a fertility clinic waiting for something, and I started talking with one of the women in the waiting room.  She had three kids, but was now single and wanted one more child.  I came up with the seemingly brilliant idea of a swap -- my sperm for her to get pregnant, in exchange for her eggs to implant in Wife.

• Speaking of children, Wife was in NYC the other weekend.  The oldest daughter of one of her girlfriends from high school was having her bat mitzvah.  It was a huge, over-the-top affair the size (and budget) of a wedding anywhere else in the country, but what amazed (and scared) me was that her oldest daughter is now 12, while Wife and I are still dicking around (if you'll pardon the pun) trying to figure out how and if we can have children.

• A very generous friend/client recently (I'll call her M) bought an entire table at a black tie benefit and invited mom and I, so I got to put on a tux, shine my shoes, and impersonate a human being for an evening (sorry, no art work survived the great shreading event that immediately followed).  Dinner was unexceptional, but the company more than made up for the food.  The couple sitting next to me were also avid bicyclists, and had recently returned from a bicycling tour of New Zealand.  Talk about fun!  Having luxury hotel reservations each night at a different place, a chase van that follows with all your luggage and a technician to repair flats or other mechanical issues, they provide a picnic lunch each day, maps, etc.  All you do is ride through gorgeous exotic scenery.  Very torturous, huh?  There was also a silent auction, and M bid on (and won) a weekend stay plus dinner at an historic downtown hotel, which she gave to mom.  M also bid on (and won) a case of wine from the Sonoma Tourism Board, which she gave to me.  This was completely unexpected, and surprised the hell out of me.  I was very greatful, so now I have a case of mixed wine coming in the mail.  Unfortunately I didn't get to pick which ones I want, but the package was valued at $750, so I'm guessing it won't suck too badly.  I'll let you know what I get.  Might have to look into finally buying a mini-wine fridge.

• I've put several hundred miles on the bicycle already this year, and had to get the chain replaced.  The bike now shifts a lot smoother and faster, but it's still a heavy hunk of aluminum and I'm lusting after something lighter with better components.  Don't have the money right now, and with Lemond Bicycles now going out of business, one of the last suppliers of steel frames is gone.  I test rode a 2006 or 2007 Sarthe and it was a pretty nice bike for the money.