Okfest II

October 15, 2012

Have you been to an Oktoberfest celebration recently?  Well if not you would probably have a good time there.  Here are some of the fun times that were being had last night at the German American Society hall.

Before I was able to make it to this heavenish event, I first rode through the recently re-moisturized mud slide.

I was tempted to ask a bartender for a German Mudslide at the hall, but I opted for a Warsteiner Oktoberfest and a Spaten Dunkel.  Very goot!

The festivities continue today, so you may want to hustle on down.  They've added a nice beer tent area out back.  Although the crowd was substantial there is enough capacity at this venue that it never felt overcrowded.  Of course there is also this cool looking event at Aksarben Village.  Artsarben.  Music, food, art, beer, and great weather.  Nice combo.

I am now resting up from all the excitement and getting ready for the upcoming Corporate Cup run.  Although most people are going to run for a whopping 10 kilos (of the meter variety), whereas I have opted for the 2 mile run/walk.  Yep.  Nothin' to strenuous for this moderately active man.  I've gotta mow the lawn today, anyway.  Don't wanna overdo it!

Hope your weekend is as festive as ya wanna be!

Thanks for the help!

September 20, 2011

Warning: this post is a bit on the messy side.

I occasionally lapse into a kind of lethargic guilt-funk, brought on, more often than not, by heavy drinking and the embarrassing release of some kind of bodily fluid. Well, I'm starting to feel better now, and I think I'll be back to normal after I get this out of my system (again). I feel a need to purge myself of these feelings, much like I purged my stomach of three liters of German beer after my somewhat embarrassing adventure out into our local Oktoberfestivities.

I was so excited about Oktoberfest and Friday that I left work, grabbed a sandwich and headed to the local German American Society.

I bumped into some people I knew, consumed a delicious Warsteiner dunkel, and kind of wandered about. As a progressed into a Spaten Oktoberfest, some friends and family arrived, ready to get festive.

By the time I had finished another Oktoberfest I was feeling pretty good....until I went outdoors and tried interacting with the outside world. Waves of nausea alternated and coincided with waves of jack-assery as I floundered about like a penguin at a sand volleyball game. I apparently tackled a sign and tore my pants (I bet a good pair of lederhosen would've held up!), lost my glasses twice and splashed (i.e., vomited), mostly outside my buddy Rich's truck. Here I am feeling nauseous and resting on a dumpster.

On Monday I managed to forget to zip up the Old Bastard's fanny pack and my wallet was once again (I lost it once a few months ago as described here) disgorged unceremoniously from OB's backside. I got the wallet back a couple hours later when a kind man with a youthful moustache arrived at my house. He refused a reward, although if you change your mind, stop on by again and I will make you a peanut butter and tomato sandwich, mmmmm! Thanks again man.

Some people seek out risks. Others avoid them. Today, I was reminded that risk is sometimes not a choice. This situation is demonstrated by most Jackie Chan movies, where Jackie is going about his regular life until he suddenly has to fight and/or flee large gangs of heavily armed villains. Spoiler alert- this video is 13 minutes long...

Today risk found me in the form of an ugly, double-headed monster known as severe flatulence coupled with diarrhea, or flaturrhea. I am not sure what brought this on, but I wonder if it might've been the large amounts of Kentucky Wonder Beans from the garden I've been consuming steadily for the past few days.

Well, the week's admittedly been off to a bumpy start, but I've got some clean pants and a few pairs of wheels, and lots of help from the rest of humanity. See you on the road, or maybe by the dumpster...

Poet's Perch

September 8, 2011

I noticed this vehicle quite ably fighting the rush hour traffic this eve.

This was one tractor with some low-end torque! It zipped along with the flow of traffic on a 40-mph thoroughfare.

This sexy tractor more heads than a Corvette, plus it'll plant your corn, if you don't keep an eye on it.

As I described in a recent entry, I recently happened upon an independent-thinking, hip urban youth ready to kick it for a bit at this location, which I shall henceforth think of as "Poet's Perch."

As you undoubtedly have discerned, Poet's Perch would make an ideal elevated stage for some type of recital or concert. It might also serve as a comfortable deck-like structure from which to gaze in elevated spirits upon one's surroundings. This carefree youth has sparked my imagination as to the possible artistry that may occur in this neglected environment. This underpass/multi-use trail was transformed in my mind into Omaha's version of the subway, where Shakespeare was enacted to generously tipping travelers and musicians of all genres tootled and strummed singingly. A crossroads between the motored and human-powered vehicles, the pastoral shade and the bustling traffic above. And indeed as I left the perch I was still able to discern the tracks of the earlier percher upon this poetic pedestal.

Our paths had crossed, albeit on different days.

Incidentally, this perch was reminiscent of the lovely elevated stage present at the local German-American Society, which will be hosting it's annual Oktoberfest this September 16 and 17. Good beer, meaty food, music and dancing, so slap on some lederhosen and feathered alpine cap for some autumnal gaiety.

Just as my thoughts began to return to the more complicated stresses of daily life, this sunshiny bicyclist

Notice trail of sunshine he leaves behind him!

called out to me happily, "Steve!"

This dapper Willy Wonka of happy bicyclist-motorist diplomacy bears a striking resemblance to this scruffier man-

His suncycle also sports a comfortable cup-holder and bright bell, as shown here.

Quite a contrast from the dark, brooding, dirty Old Bastard and his goblin-like jockey. I seem to elicit scowls and scorn, even occasional egg-tossing, with my taciturn visage and intentional lack of interest in motorists.

I have recently noticed that there are several intriguing rides coming up which I would like to attend, check these out-

Setting the Pace Bike Education and Ride Event this Saturday at Walnut Creek Recreational Area (9:00 a.m.) drops some knowledge about cycles for the disabled and raises some funds.

Discover Omaha Bike Tour - Historic Parks and Boulevards Sunday September 25 (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.) at Stinson Park (Aksarben Village)

In addition I will plan on attending the ever-popular Beer and Bagel Run on November 6. Yes, I am once again in training for cycling's elder bully of a brother - running. To that end, I have occasionally been donning my Neonderthal hooves and gallumphing about, primarily to the grocery store for beer and spaghetti sauce. Although I don't think I've quite gotten my land legs, I intend to put in a feeble effort and enjoy some tasty beverages (after the shaking and nausea subsides) to temporarily numb the pain.

So get in touch with your inner poet after inflicting some pain and/or soreness on your protesting limbs.  The bard doth require it!