Michael Jackson's death is effecting me more than I would've anticipated

While driving from southern Utah yesterday to the OC disorder, I heard on the radio that the man of the moon walk and man in the mirror, one glove wearing but multiple surgeries having legend--Michael Jackson--passed away. As Johnny G said, sucks for Farrah Fawcett to have passed on the same day. She was totally eclipsed by Miss Nasty's brother. That's a big deal--she was an ANGEL after all!

Anyway, I'll admit--I felt some emotions when I heard that announcement somewhere in the Mojave Desert. Sheesh, I still remember how excited my sister and I were when we got the Thriller album. I think we had to do some gnarly chores to earn that one. I don't really remember. Lucky for us we had a dad that liked that kind of stuff too. Oh that Thriller album! You remember, with that huge tiger on the back--COME ON (as woody would say). That was f-word sweet. And I DO mean album! Not CD. That's the era we're talking here.

Well, lucky for me, Nevada and California radio was there to help me process my grief. I think I heard Billy Jean about 3 times, some Beat it--no ABC, that would've been sweet. I'm sure they hit up the early days but I was probably out of range at that point.

So yeah, I did a little more grief processing with Johnny G this morning as he read it in the paper, as he commented "I feel like I need to go on TV and cry about this." If you know Johnny G: scientist, sick runner, and hilarious-in-deadpan-nonemotional way...you know that's some funny shit. But really--those stars of the 80s are when a lot of people my age were actually starstruck. Its when we bought ALBUMS and made mixes and had posters in our rooms. I still get a little swoon-y when I hear Take on Me and think about my A-ha poster.

Aside from that unfortunate event, my trip to the OC disorder went smoothly. I did have some heart palpitations on the toll road coming into the OC--but I made sure I was flush with quarters. I rolled in to casa Johnny G at about 10 pm. Johnny G poured hisself a Manhattan--which drink he and Mrs. Johnny G plan to consume every night in honor of Manhattan Beach Grand Prix (a crit I'm doing here on Sunday). If I end up getting some good luck out of this--he will be forced to repeat this performance before every important race! Now that wouldn't be a big deal before a race like America's Dairyland (you drink milk) or Cascade (you just drink a lot of water). I guess I'd be a little concerend about what he'd do before Gateway. Its a good think I'm not doing Tour de WHITE ROCK in a few weeks.

Over Manhattans, I got to do a little catching up with Mr and Mrs Johnny G. It is always f-word awesome to see these kids. They have been tearing up some 5 Ks and are relatively injury free.

This morning after Johnny G and I had our Michael Jackson grief therapy counseling session, I had another therapy session on their back patio while the house was getting cleaned. I read for a few hours and drank a pot of coffee. After I felt ok with everything, I got on my bike and had an AWESOME ride in the OC--as mapped out by Johnny G. My legs don't feel fantastic but my mind feels pretty dern good. I think I'm pretty mentally rejuved after the 2 week off period (which ended with High Uintas last week).

Part of the ride was a little stroll down memory lane as I had to ride part of the road nationals course from last year which was my first date with DFT team director MH. We've (me and DFT p/b Treads) been together ever since in what I consider a very stable and fulfilling relationship. Fun times! And talking about DFT, there will be THREE of us ready to tear it up at Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Teammate Lins now RESIDES in California del sud (I believe) and teammate Gwen is going to sneak away from Disneyland (I don't know details--I just know that I'm rescuing her from said haven of Americana on Sunday morning) to come and race. The hubs is flying in tonight, and ERIN will be joining us too! S'looking to be a fantastico weekend--with good peeps, good eats, good drinks and awesome RACING! I anticipate some laughing might be on the menu in addition to some good material for future blog posts. So make sure to check back--and of course- thanks for reading!