Ladies Bicycle Racing hits Ireland

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Here in Ireland, women’s bicycle racing is still in its infancy, but starting to gain popularity. There are a few races,and cycling clubs for both men and women. One of the women (Caroline Martinez) that I know from work is highly involved in bicycle racing. Last week, she mentioned that she was looking for someone to do some photos of of the ladies cycling team sponsored by D.I.D. Electrical and Spin11. So, on Friday, we met up, and the elite ladies team of DID Electrical (it’s a DIY chain shop here in Ireland) were presented with their team car and their self designed uniforms. Only part of the team was able to be there, but we had some fun and got some great pictures to go with the press release and up on the team’s brand new website (Click here).

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DID Electrical is a great sponsor for the group. They are one of the larger cycling sponsors here in Ireland, and are a major promoter of the Cycle for Life Appeal charity event (click here), benefiting the Temple Street Children’s Hospital. The race itself takes place later May 4, 2013, and I’m so pleased to have had the chance to meet the ladies – and Mike, the Cycle for Life mascot – and have the opportunity to get some photos of him with the ladies. (We all love Mike, after all, he’s just a big kid at heart!)

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I think one of the cooler photos of the day is of Caroline Conway.

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Upon seeing this picture,would you want to race against her? If your answer was no, I think we’re in agreement. These ladies are one tough bunch – having melded together from years of bicycle racing into a new team. Their first race was Sunday, over in Drogheda. The race was the National Women’s League,and covered some 56km around Coombes Connor course.

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The great news is that Amy Brice – one of the ladies on the team (not pictured) – took first place. Congratulations to her, and to the entire team on their first win – I look forward to seeing some of your races both here in Ireland – and internationally!

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To see the article on the team launch, check out stickybottle.com’s article .

For more information on Amy’s win yesterday, please see Womenscycling.ie.

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Happiness in Today’s World

Orange and Pink Rose

Serious Question: I keep seeing lots of motivational websites, power over thinking blah blah happy happy. How to manage weight and be happy, how to be happy with your spouse, how to be happy with your life, how to be a happy parent, how to be happy in your job… how to be motivated for this or that.

I’m looking at them and thinking superficial bunch of shite. What is it with the modern world that thinks we have to be happy and stress free and motivated all the time?

Is it not more normal that I’m happy, and I’m sad, and I’m frustrated, demotivated, and I’m stressed at various points in my life? Is it just less acceptable anymore to be something other than “happy” in today’s world?? What is wrong with just being what you are at the time – and working your way through it?

Am I alone in thinking that some of these constantly “chipper” websites are mal-adjusted and couldn’t deal with real life when it bites them in the ass? Am I wrong in feeling that they are almost too happy – gushy – here have an ice cream happy – instead of actually offering something that allows someone to realistically cope?

Please tell me your thoughts, because I’m starting to think I’m the one that’s crazy because I’m not happy all the time – when maybe I should be taking the happy pill they are trying to sell.

Fairy Ring

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Cookie Wars!

On Thursday, after just having gotten done saying that I could lose about 50 pounds, the Universe intervened, and surprised me with a package. A package?!? Yes, A package. Some lovely friends of mine sent me 6 boxes of Girl Scout cookies from across the pond. 2 Boxes each of Samoas, Tagalongs, and Thin mints. (No dieting for me on that day!)

Well, being the kind hearted person I am, I chose to share the one of each of the types of cookies with the team at work. By the time yesterday rolled around, I was trying to keep the cookies away from me – as I had been nibbling on the cookies – along with the rest of the team – for the better part of the day. There was now only a single Samoa cookie left in the box. So, I set the cookie box aside, and said Please, someone else eat the last cookie!

My colleague, Paddy, rarely eats sweets. In fact, he’s one of the least sweet-toothed people I know. Each day, he has tea and toast for breakfast, and if it’s a really busy day, he’ll maybe have a little something sweet, like a bit of a cookie, but that’s it. So, when I handed him the box, he laughed and this is what he did – to torture me. It made me crack up laughing – and thus began the first shots in….

The last girl scout cookie in the samoa box has begun a cookie war... #cookie #girlscoutcookies #yum #humor #officefun #deskwars #laugh

THE COOKIE WARS!!

My response was swift, as he had placed the cookie right on the “line” between the desks, and it was staring at me, tempting me. I decided to tempt him back – No cookies = No tea… and then wondered… Is this how North Korea got started with their “line in the sand”??

The response to my teammate was swift and sure. No cookies - no tea. #cookiewars #officehumor #fun #funny #humor #office

And thus, the tensions had escalated…and the NO Cookie Zone had been established.

The lines have been drawn... No cookie zone. I wonder if this is how N.Korea got its start?!? #cookiewars #fun #officehumor #allinadayswork #friday #funny #office #humor

Quickly thereafter, the glass jelly bean tanks moved in, trying to keep the peace… and defend the “line” through impartial intervention. Tee hee!

The glass tank jelly bean jars have joined to keep the peace!! #humor #office #fun #cookiewars #lol #friday #officehumor #joy #laughter #omg! #allinadayswork

The quiet didn’t last long however, The Forbidden cookie’s evil paper coffee cup dictator is having none of it. Meanwhile, my coffee mug has adopted its own slogan across the de-cookified zone.. “i am not a paper cup!”

Oh no!! Angry paper coffee cup dictator has joined the war..spreading lies and propaganda!! What shall we do?!? #cookiewars #humor #allinadayswork #officehumor #office #fun #funny #ohnoes! #funny

Hooray! The recycleable coffee mug has joined the battle and brought his own slogan!! I am NOT a paper cup!! #standoff #cookiewars #officehumor #office #humor #fridayfun #friday #fun #greenteam #laugh #allinadayswork #whilethecatisawaythemicewillplay

The standoff continues through the weekend… who will win?

How long will the forbidden cookie war standoff last?!? Who will win?!? The world may never know. #cookiewars #office #politics #humor #fun #funny #amusing #officehumor #laugh

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