European GP Post Race

Wasn't that an incredible race with so many turn of events?

I love it when it rains in a Formula 1 race... it is the great equalizer, as we saw when the Spyker led for a few laps! I liked seeing all those cars slide into the gravel trap at turn 1, turning it into a parking lot! Liuzzi narrowly missed the safety car and ended up bumping the crane!

It's amazing how Hamilton kept his engine running and was able to rejoin the race after being lifted out of the gravel trap. I'm not familiar with that part of the rules; I didn't know you could rejoin as long as your engine is still ok... and why was he able to regain a lap? It didn't matter anyway, as he still finished out of the points positions.

I have a feeling Raikkonen could have won the race, if he didn't have mechanical problems. I think he could have leapfrogged both Alonso and Massa. Speaking of Alonso and Massa, that was a good battle that they had in the final part of the race in the semi-wet track! As they were headed toward the podium, I thought that there would be some punches thrown, as Massa seemed very angry about the whole thing. Alonso kept his cool and publicly apologized during the press conference. Because of that, there was nothing Massa could do but keep his temper down as well. Besides, I think Alonso made a good, clean pass. That is what Formula 1 is all about!

Today, we just learned that McLaren has been reprimanded for having Ferrari documents but they will not be punished as there was not enough evidence to prove that they used the documents. I hope that this is the end of the story... I would like the battle to only be on the racetrack. Moments like this tarnish the sport, and with so many other sports having controversy (NBA with their referees, NFL with the Vick fiasco, Tour de France, PGA, and MLB with drug issues), it does not look good for anyone.

Let's hope it rains in Hungary like it did last year!

La Vita e Bella!

Here we Run Again!

For all you Atlantans who missed the Peachtree Road Race but wanted to run, or for those of you who want to try running a 10k, I have good news for you. There's another 10k marathon coming up in a few months, the Buckhead Sizzler!

They say its a "fast" 10k, which I think means that it is mostly downhill. People run this race to improve their times and get better seeding in the Peachtree Road Race. I personally want to improve my 10k time. Of course, its also a great way to work out and train. If you're like me, you need to focus on a goal to keep you motivated.

Yes! Another 10k to look forward to!

La Vita e Bella!

Transformers at the Starlight Six

How do you watch new movies when you have a newborn? Go to the Drive-In of course!

I thought Caroline and could only watch new movies through our new Netflix membership. After all, with baby Lucas around, the local multiplex is off limits for a few years. But we really wanted to watch Transformers. At first, we thought of letting "Ninong" Chad (visiting from Toronto) be a babysitter for one night, but that wouldn't be fair to him; he hasn't seen Transformers either. And besides, Chad is terrified of being left alone with Lucas! So, we all wanted to watch it together, even with Lucas. The Drive-In cinema was the solution... we could all be in the car watching the movie!

So, a few days ago after work, we went to the Starlight Six Drive-In. Caroline and I already watched a movie here (Spiderman3) so we already experienced it. It was Chad's first time though, and he was skeptical. He wasn't so sure about the picture and sound quality. But once he saw the size of the screen and realized that the sound is as good as your car audio system, he was impressed. It's a good "date" experience, and I am sure he will look for his local Drive-In in Toronto!

And what of the movie? Generally, I liked it. Of course, there were a few things a Transformers cartoon fan would scoff at (Bumblebee a Camaro? He should always be a Volkswagen Beetle, hence his name!). I liked the banter between autobots and decepticons... that seemed pretty authentic ("Starscream, you have failed me yet again!"). The action sequences were great, although sometimes you really couldn't tell what was happening. Just the thought of two huge robots fighting it out on city streets helped the experience, I guess. And of course, the ending left things open for a part 2... which I am looking forward to!

The only bad thing about Starlight Six is that it is very far from where we live... 40 minutes away! I think we will only go back there to watch movies that we really, really want to watch, or if we are in the area. In the meantime, we will make full use of Netflix!

La Vita e Bella!

Sleepless Nights and Insights

Since Lucas is just over a month old, I decided to write down some of my thoughts and insights from being his Dad:


It must be really hard being a baby... all they can do is cry to tell us that something is wrong. Caroline and I have a 'fun' time trying to figure out what he wants... feeding? changing? sleep? We have almost no idea! But we are getting better at it. For example, if his face crunches up, legs straight, fists clenched, and he is making gurgling sounds... that means he is pooping! Of course, the smell of it is also a dead giveaway!


Lucas seems to wake up like clockwork during the night to feed. He used to wake up every 2 hours, but now he has a good 5 hour sleep... then he wakes up every 2 hours. I don't even need an alarm clock anymore!


He hates being put down! He normally sleeps on our shoulders or chest during the day. When we set him down in his playpen, bouncer, etc. he knows it! He first opens one eye and looks around, and when he knows we aren't there, he cries! Only when we pick him up does he smile again! My only fear about this is spoiling him... I want him to get used to sleeping on his own!


I sure learned alot in a month! At first, I didn't even know how to carry babies. I used to be scared of babies (and they were scared of me). But now, I am a self-professed expert at carrying them, feeding, and even changing his diaper.

Lucas is Beautiful!

2006 Peachtree Road Race Results

This past 4th of July, I ran my (first) Peachtree Road Race!


I wasn't sure if I could do it... I was afraid because I did not train for this race. I am definitely not as fit as I was last year! The main thing that gave me confidence was the fact that I knew that I had finished a 10k marathon already, so I knew it was possible.


The first 3 miles were a breeze... partly because the weather was cool, but I think mostly because it was almost all downhill. However, Cardiac Hill (appropriately named) was the toughest part of the course, from mile 3 to 4. It was a slow, steady uphill battle that didn't seem to end. There were plenty of times up that hill where I just wanted to slow to a walk. But I didn't, and I finally got to the top of the hill.


I don't really remember the last 2 miles; all I can remember was that I was telling myself that I was past the most difficult part of the course, and that I had gone 2/3 of the race without stopping, so there was no use giving up now. When I turned the final corner onto the final stretch, I felt a surge of energy as I knew that the end was near. And as I crossed the finish line, a huge sense of accomplishment washed over me. I did it!


My time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Not bad, considering that I didn't train consistently for this 10k. However, it is slower than the 1:06 time I posted in my first 10k last year in Hyde Park. I know I can do better next year if I train harder.


Next... the Buckhead Sizzler, another 10k coming up in September!


La Vita e Bella!