Who turned on the heat in Austin these days? We’ve already gone past the 100 degree mark, and we’re barely into the first week of June. I know that there is much debate about global climate change, but in my limited experience on the planet, I would say that something is awry.
This episode of the Ruminations deals with heat, and plenty of it.
1. The US Grand Prix has a new home in Austin, and now it has a tentative date on the F1 calendar – June 17, 2012. June in Austin can be pretty hot (see above), but it should be business as usual for the teams. They go to plenty of hot climates already – Bahrain and Abu Dhabi being two examples.
Historically, the US and Canadian events have been a week apart for some degree of travel convenience for the teams. Many years ago, they were in September and October. That sounds like a great time frame for a race in Austin, though it might be a little tenuous weather-wise in Montreal.
The FIA has a lot of scheduling issues to contend with as far as the US GP is concerned. Perhaps one of the biggest scheduling concerns is not the heat but, yes, you guessed it, the University of Texas.
There are days when you really have to wonder about what government, in any shape or form, truly accomplishes anymore. Today - the last day of the 82nd Texas legislative session, otherwise known as Sine Die – is one of those days.
As it stands, legislators in Texas will be called back for a special session because they have yet to finalize a budget. They have come to a standstill regarding the $27 billion budget deficit. Of course, they all knew what the economic situation was like long before they arrived in Austin for this session. But after their obligatory 140 days of work (every 2 years), they still have no solutions.
I you had a bill or piece of legislation that died in committee, or was left pending ... guess what? You get to wait 590 days or so ... before you get to start the process all over again. More money, more time, and less accomplished – again. And more often than not, it has absolutely nothing to do with what is right for the constituents.
Republicans and Tea Partiers nationwide proclaim the need for “less government”. Republicans have a majority in the Texas House and Senate. My question is, can anything less be accomplished by government than already occurs? Were the founding fathers aiming for representation by population? Or representation by campaign contribution?
But wait – there were some things accomplished this session. It’s a rather interesting list indeed.
The world did not end on Saturday May 21. I repeat, the world did not end.
I am sure there were plenty who gave up most of their worldly possessions with the end of the world rapidly approaching. That would have made this past Monday a really rough start to the week. Time to get back to work and make a buck or two, I suppose. Everyone needs a little cash to get by until the “next” end of the world, currently scheduled for December 21 or something like that. Does that mean I won’t have to do any Christmas shopping this year?
In the meantime, the sporting world kept right on rolling, No-pocalyspe or otherwise. And as always, there has been more rhubarb than you could shake a syringe at. A syringe, you ask? Let’s get started on the next episode …
1. Was Sunday May 22nd the beginning of the end for Lance Armstrong?
I could be completely wrong. Maybe this time is for real.
May 21 is predicted to be the end of the world. Christians tell us that Judgment Day is upon us.
Wow. Is that a buzz kill for a Saturday or what? Exactly what time should I put on my Outlook calendar? I do not want to be late. And I guess that means that I should cancel all upcoming appointments?
Let’s not forget that Judgment Day has come and gone a number of times before. Wasn’t there something written about a boy that cried wolf? Or am I just being a tad cynical?
It is all this focus on the negative that disturbs me. Over and over, we’ve been presented with countless potential “endings”. But somehow, through all of them, the world just keeps on spinning and people keep on waking up and drinking their Starbucks and heading off to work and coming home from work and dying of natural (and not-so-natural) causes. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Or - it could all end on May 21. Either way, let’s make a deal. I have a proposal.
I have always maintained that more often than not, a real-life story can indeed be more mind-twisting than any piece of fiction. Just when you thought you’d heard the craziest or most incredible tale, something else pops up to put everything else to shame. Who needs fiction when we have reality? I think that Rhubarb Ruminations should have that as it’s byline - “where truth is stranger than fiction”!
Here are a few more stories that bring true meaning to that phrase.
1. Consider this – there is a possibility (albeit a slim one) that both Sarah Palin and Donald Trump could run for the nomination as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate. If I ever thought that “Alaska 2008” sounded downright bizarre, add “Atlantic City 2012” to the mix. Palin and Perry, or Trump and the Celebrity Apprentice? No, the Presidency is not turning into just another reality TV show, or at least let us hope that is not the case. It could be an interesting battle of hair care products as we head towards the 2012 election. Pantene, Suave, and Rogaine could all become corporate sponsors.
For those in the US that didn’t know or, perhaps more accurately, really didn’t care – there was a federal election held in the country north of the US on Monday, May 2.
As luck would have it, having an election just three days after a Royal Wedding and one day after Bin Laden’s death didn’t exactly guarantee very much coverage in the American newspapers. Not that a Canadian election would ever gain much news traction in this country anyways.
Living just one mile from the state of New York, I grew up watching US political coverage on TV. Let’s face it - Canada has just one-tenth the population of the United States, and at times about one-tenth the level of news excitement and political intrigue. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at five fun facts about the current Canadian political climate and how similar (and different) it is compared to the politics south of the 49th parallel (the line of latitude that serves as the main border between Canada and the United States).
A lot of folks might get a little superstitious about the number 13. Many would consider it an unlucky number. Sure, there are plenty of examples of 13 being a little unlucky. Apollo 13 had its problems - launching on April 11, 1970 at 13:13 CST and having an explosion of an oxygen tank on April 13, 1970. Some buildings don’t even have a 13th floor.
But to this writer, 13 has always been a good number. Why, I am not sure – but sometimes, you don’t ask.
The topic of speed and efficiency seems to be on my mind these days. Maybe it’s because I spent the better part of 18 hours last week waiting to make a 3 minute testimony in a committee meeting. Hurry up – and wait. Dedication to the cause, or insanity personified? You make the call. The Ruminations will head down that road and see where it ends.
1. Let’s start with something that does not move fast, and seems to be losing efficiency left and right – the US Postal Service. The postage rates keep climbing because they are losing money. Ever wonder why?
Up to 60% of runners will sustain an injury within any given year. Poor running mechanics, in conjunction with poor, ineffective and outdated training methods, can pose a significant injury risk. "RunSmart" was written to address these issues in the running community.
"Running Injuries: Etiology And Recovery- Based Treatment" (co-author Bridget Clark, PT) appears in the third edition and fourth editions of "Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: A Team Approach" by Charles Giangarra, MD and Robert C. Manske, PT.
Allan Besselink, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Dip.MDT has a unique voice in the world of sports, education, and health care. Read more about Allan here.
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