2008 Trek and Gary Fisher Bikes

Both Trek and Gary Fisher have updated their websites with their 2008 model bikes. I still have not purchased a bike yet, but I am leaning towards the Trek 4300 mountain bike. It is one level higher than their entry level mountain bikes. If I am going to make a significant purchase, I try to time the purchase, taking into account my other expenses, bills, etc.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 8/12/2007

I completed 3 cardio sessions, 3 weightlifting sessions, and mowed the lawn one day. I missed working out my back muscles last week.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 8/5/2007

I completed 3 weightlifing sessions and 3 cardio sessions. I also spent 2 separate days applying asphalt sealer to my driveway in the hot, humid weather. On Monday, I applied the first coat, it rained almost every day afterwards, so I was not happy, but the sealer did not appear to wash away. On Saturday, I applied a second coat, and it looks like no rain until Thursday. I had to rush to Home Depot to get one more 5 gallon bucket of sealer at the last minute. I used an electric drill with a paint mixer attachment to stir the sealer. This bucket of sealer seemed to be thicker than all of the other buckets. I am not sure if they put the wrong grade sealer in the bucket or not. When the last bucket of sealer dried on my driveway, it did not blend in at all with the rest of the driveway. Oh well, there is nothing I can do about it now.

Time to Seal My Driveway

Every summer I complete one of my favorite annual activities, applying driveway sealer to my asphalt driveway. I took off yesterday to apply the first coat. I plan on putting a second coat this weekend. It is a messy job, usually hot and humid, but the driveway looks great when it is all done. My biggest complaint is the sealer never lasts more than one year, even if you buy the buckets that say 5 year guarantee. It is an annual ritual, one of the responsibilities of being a homeowner.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 7/29/2007

I completed only 2 weightlifting sessions and 4 cardio sessions. I made a one day business trip to Central Pennsylvania to meet my company's Vice President, so I missed one weightlifting session. I mowed the lawn this past Saturday, and the weather was so hot and humid. I should have started mowing in the morning versus after lunch.

8/7/87

If you are a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, you know the significance of the date 8/7/87. Twenty years ago today, Sidney Crosby was born. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has a nice article about the franchise player and outstanding young man. Happy Birthday to Sidney Crosby!

One Flush, Two Flush, Wait, No Flush

Yesterday, I had to drive on the PA Turnpike for a business trip, and I stopped at the newly remodeled Oakmont Service Plaza at Milepost 49.3 Eastbound. The Plaza was nicely done. Spacious inside and the parking lot was repaved/realigned so 18 wheelers could not park next to passenger vehicles. The most noticable change was the Waterless No-Flush Urinals in the Men's Room. The company that makes these urinals has a page on their website explaining how they work. Do they work? Yes they do, and odors are actually blocked so the bathroom does not smell.

Some of the Service Plazas have an infrared sensor to automatically flush when you are done. Others still have the standard manual flush handle. On my way back home I stopped at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza at Milepost 202.5 Westbound. My sense of smell is the best of my 5 senses, and I could immediately pick up the urine odor as I walked in the Men's Room. I finished my business as fast as I could because the stench was very unpleasant.

If you prefer clean bathrooms, you should avoid the Sideling Hill Service Plaza at Milepost 172.3. This Service Plaza is accessible by both eastbound and westbound traffic, meaning more people traffic. During peak 3 day holiday weekends, this Plaza can get very busy with travelers from both the east and west. The Ladies restrooms become extremely busy and a long line usually forms.

So, if you are traveling east on the PA Turnpike, stop at the Oakmont Service Plaza and check out the Waterless No-Flush Urinals.