Some pictures.....

Which of these (if any) do you like the best?

http://picasaweb.google.ca/shutterpriorityphoto/SamplePhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCLnq56PVusnM7gE#

Auntie Linda turns 70

I am sorry I forgot to mention that any input which you may have, should be sent to Janine through her email: janine.carrington@gmail.com
Cheers

Auntie Linda turns 70

As many of you may or may not know, Auntie Linda turns 70 on September 23rd. Janine would like to put together a comic book depticting her life, and as such would welcome any anecdotes that any of you may wish to contribute. This should be fun, so we look forwrd to receiving your input, the sooner the better. I have used this medium to reach you as she does not yet access DNN. Thanks

DNN Sports:Move to Chelsea ruled out for Saratoga Striker

Age restrictions and Homework have nixed a possible move to the Premiere league for the the Saratoga Striker Gabrielle DuChaussee. Parents, though not completely ruling out a future with the high profile squad, have made it clear that this year they will not send the 11 year old abroad to play with Chelsea or any of the world class soccer teams interested. Instead they appear to wish to explore other career options for the child before deciding on anything final.
This has come as a great disappointment to many who are witnesses to the young lady's skill on the pitch. Examples such as her remarkable performance in the recent grueling 4 game May Day tournament. The youngster was a key element of the team's offensive arsenal, spending the maximum amount of time on the pitch and setting up the score for a 1-1 tie. "And if you would like to add it to the story, she scored in Saturday's game too" the girl's mom adds in the casual manner of those accustomed to high performance.

Gabby's blend of intelligence, power and co-operativeness on the field has led scouts from around the world to seek contact with the DuChausesees . However, to the shock of many, it seems that parents are quite uninterested in signing any contracts, especially ones coming from overseas. Numerous email offers of millions of pounds and dollars have been sent to the DuChaussee inbox from the UK, the middle east and even as far away as Nigeria. Many, however, suspect that the parents simply delete these messages without even reading them.

Instead they have chosen to focus on a strict and some would say cruel educational regime. Unabashedly they admit to sending the young girl to school for more than 5 hours a day 5 days a week. Her mother who has made public the knowledge of having read hundreds and some say thousands of books in her lifetime apparently has the same aspirations for her daughter.

As for her soccer education? “I don't think she's ever even heard of Julius James!” one fan laments.

Despite pressure from soccer afficionados around the world the parents remain firm. “Eleven years old is simply too young for a full time soccer career” they stubbornly insist. This attitude has led to ridicule by some who point out the fact that if she was living in Honduras or the Philippines she might already be a senior management.

Unfortunately for footballers around the world, international law forbids the signing of any player under the age of 18 without a parent or guardian's consent which means that the world of soccer will have to wait for the professional debut of the Saratoga Striker. For how long? No one but Gabby and her parents can know for sure. The only thing that soccer fans and supporters of the young prodigy can do is appeal to her parents through well wishes, birthday cards, money and wait.

5 Boro Bike Tour

The 5 Boro Bike tour was held on May 3rd of this year. It was 42 miles of New York City sights and sounds. I have done this tour before about 15 years ago so I was a little intimidated by the distance and the anticipated crowd of 30,000 New Yorkers on their home turf. Would I have to stop from exhaustion somewhere on the BQE? Would I be punted off the course somewhere in Harlem by an angry Brooklynite? Would I fall off the bike and be pushed to the curb and be run over repeatedly by callous residents of the Big Apple? It felt good to look at Jen, Gerry and Uncle Gaston for familiarity and comfort.

The day started at 5am when we woke up and dragged ourselves out of bed. The day was overcast as we headed for Staten Island where we would take the ferry to the starting line. On our way, it started to rain ever so slightly but we were not worried - we were bicycle warriors!! The tour started and wound its way through Manhattan. As we progressed, so did the rain. It fell steadily for the entirety of the tour and with every drop, it seemed like our will to live was being washed away. We stopped at the rest stops and ate bananas and crackers. For some reason, those bananas tasted so good!! By the end of the tour, we were all soaked to our socks. Our bicycle warrior status had been replaced by hunger, fatigue and misery. Disoriented, we wandered to a gas station close to where we parked. We were greeeted by a homeless man who extolled the virtues of gas station nachos. We took his advice and enjoyed processed chilli product and a reasonable cheese facsimilie that seemed to retain heat contrary to the laws of thermodynamics. They were really good!!
The bottom line? I had a great time and I am looking forward to the tour next year and every year thereafter....rain or shine!!!