Friday notes, and one key bit of news
It's Friday, and my summer school classes are at an end. Five weeks off lie ahead.
Something I didn't know: One of Lance Armstrong's most trusted and reliable teammates on the US Postal team, Floyd Landis, is a Mennonite who grew up in a household strict enough to ban TV and short pants. Here's the story. Landis came heartbreakingly close to winning yesterday's stage, and Armstrong did everything he could to make that possible. As always, keep up with the Tour news here. In any event, I am hunting on the Internet for other famous Mennonite athletes. Suggestions are welcome.
In not unrelated news, I have gone out and bought myself a road bike. This one. It will take me a while to get to know how to use it, but given the kind of mileage I am putting on my knees as a distance runner, it's time to do some heavy-duty cross-training.
Some links for today:
Amy came across a disturbing article that raised real questions for her about men, sexuality, and trustworthiness -- her words are challenging me (in a good way) this morning.
Rudy Carrasco has updates on his son Sam; Jen Lemen has organized a Friends for Sam group that everyone can join for free here.
Annie at After Abortion has news of a research project seeking women who have been coerced into abortions -- submissions are apparently still very much welcome. On a similar note, David at Sed Contra takes apart this challenging Barbara Ehrenreich op-ed entitled "Owning up to Abortion."
Christy at Dry Bones Dance spent the past few weeks in the former Yugoslavia; her very readable travel reports are highly recommended.
That's it for today, folks. My girlfriend and I are off to Las Vegas for the weekend; we'll see Elton John in concert and enjoy the desert heat. Family will be providing chinchilla-sitting services.
And the real news is this: my girlfriend (whose anonymity I protect on this blog) isn't really my girlfriend any longer. Wednesday afternoon, I asked her to marry me. She said yes.
No, we aren't getting married in Vegas this weekend! But we are to get married next summer. I am blessed beyond all measure, and very, very happy today.
Congratulations, Hugo. Marriage, done well, is as close to heaven as you can get while still wearing flesh and bones.
Posted by: Will | July 23, 2004 at 09:54 AM
Congrats Hugo! That's fantastic news!
Posted by: Flying Monkey | July 23, 2004 at 10:09 AM
Congratulations! That's wonderful (the marriage thing, of course, although Floyd Landis showing well in the TdF is cool, too)
Posted by: JM | July 23, 2004 at 10:32 AM
Contrats! That's a great bike! Oh, and the impending marriage, too :)
Posted by: DJW | July 23, 2004 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations, Hugo! I'm happy for both of you!
Posted by: Anne | July 23, 2004 at 10:54 AM
Wow Hugo! That's big news! Congratulations and good luck to both of you. She couldn't have said yes to a better guy!
Now if you can find any Mennonite athletes from Cal that would really be something...
Posted by: annika! | July 23, 2004 at 11:00 AM
Congratulations on the betrothal and many happy returns. I am sorry you didn't buy a Cannondale (made in America, great bikes) but, oh well.
Posted by: David Morrison | July 23, 2004 at 11:51 AM
Congrats Hugo and thanks for sharing your news with us. Enjoy your weekend in sin city.
Posted by: Amy | July 23, 2004 at 12:12 PM
Congrats to you! Thanks for the info on Floyd - the Tour de France has been so exciting to watch this year. It's fun to find another fan. Again, blessings to you and your fiancee.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 23, 2004 at 12:37 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: ginger | July 23, 2004 at 12:45 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Xrlq | July 23, 2004 at 02:08 PM
Mazel Tov!
Posted by: Jonathan Dresner | July 23, 2004 at 02:25 PM
Congratulations on your engagement, Hugo (and identity-protected fiancee)! It really seems like weddings are in the air lately, and that's a wonderful thing.
Have fun in Vegas!
Posted by: Lorie | July 23, 2004 at 02:30 PM
Bravo, Hugo! "There is no institution more blessed than a good marriage" (Luther). Congratulations, and Many Blessings on your betrothal.
Posted by: John | July 23, 2004 at 03:01 PM
Congratulations to you both! Have a wonderful weekend and a wonderful life together.
Posted by: susan | July 23, 2004 at 03:40 PM
Floyd is keeping an online journal here. He talks about his parents and 3 sisters in France to watch him. I guess that if there were at home, they'd have to go someplace to watch the TdF because the don't even have a TV in the house. There are a couple of paragraphs in Armstrong's Every Second Counts about Landis and experiences with Lance. Humorous about self discipline and caffeine.
Nice post, nice bike--and oh, congrats on the marriage.
Posted by: Glen | July 23, 2004 at 04:06 PM
Congratulations Hugo, I think that's just swell. Upon your return from Vegas you must give us some of the gushy details of how you popped the question!
Posted by: Kelly | July 23, 2004 at 07:20 PM
Congrats!
Posted by: jenell | July 23, 2004 at 08:22 PM
First, congrats on the marriage to come. Second, great bike. Trek will treat you well, the oclv is a great bike, check out the one I am getting at my site. Landis is a deep man that rides well. He will not be with Lance next year. I love your site and read it often.
Posted by: scott | July 23, 2004 at 11:06 PM
goodness, hugo- congratulations! that is the most wonderful news i have heard all week. i wish you two all the best, and have fun in vegas. oh, and i hope the final wasn't a disappointment. :)
Posted by: elaine | July 24, 2004 at 12:03 AM
Just back in from work (read the news there, too scared to post from their computers).
CONGRATULATIONS.
Posted by: The Angry Clam | July 24, 2004 at 12:30 AM
Congratulations. And I think it's sweet that you protect her identity.
Posted by: Emily | July 24, 2004 at 03:52 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: d-rod | July 24, 2004 at 11:06 AM
congratulations, Hugo.
Posted by: rudy | July 24, 2004 at 12:22 PM
That's great news about your engagement. Congratulations!
Posted by: Lynn Gazis-Sax | July 24, 2004 at 03:23 PM