Deleee-pop-a-wheelie Peterson's
TEAM PETERSON/TEAM "WHEELS ON FIRE"!!!HEY! Thanks for coming to my homepage! AIDS/LIFECYCLE WAS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE. You should seriously consider doing it next year. I'll write more about this amazing experience soon.
In the World... A total of 39.5 million people now live with HIV/AIDS 2.2 million of them are under the age of 15 In 2006, an estimated 4.3 million people were infected with HIV 530,000 were under the age of 15 Every day 12,000 people contract HIV -- 500 every hour. In 2006, 2.9 million people died from AIDS, 380,000 of whom were under the age of 15. That's one child dying per minute.
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Deleee-pop-a-wheelie's latest blog entry:
Monday, May 26, 2008 
......it's a good thing I LOOK like I know what I'm doing.....!
Deleee-pop-a-wheelie's Goal: $5,500.00
Current Total: $5,860.00 |
Deleee-pop-a-wheelie's LinksThe Ride: How to Ride Your Bike From San Francisco to Los Angeles Without Even Dying
Gina Grossini (#2045)
My Myspace page
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Deleee-pop-a-wheelie's BlogMonday, May 26, 20088:13 AMbutterflies and hurricanes....I seem to have both in my belly in anticipation for THE RIDE. I can't believe it's already here, just a few short days away. My to-do list far exceed my hours in which to accomplish it, but you can only do what you can do, right? I'm a bit scared because my only training, save for one day on the road, has been all indoor-trainer hours in the past 2 weeks. That's not good, but it is something. I'm scared for my butt!!! Oh well, as dad always used to say, "It's not going to kill you." Sage advice that has gotten me through some hairy times. Packing for a trip like this is really intimidating because I don't want to forget anything, and I must stay within my 70 pound packing limit, for the sake and safety of the awesome roadies who have to lug my crap all over hell and back. I got duffel bags on wheels for us, so that aught to help... I'm excited to meet all these crazy ("crazy" of course meaning "like-minded") people who have been offering advice, support, humor and love in these past several months. The bulletin board has been a constant source of entertainment and information for me and I am going to miss it after the Ride! I feel like I just jumped into this awesome community of amazing people, and I don't ever want to lose that. Amber, however, has already told me we aren't doing this ride next year. We'll just see about that.
As hard as it is to think of anything other than the Ride, I have to get back to work. Hey! It's workout time! A few hours on my bike and then it will be lunch time! Alrighty then! love, love, LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, May 13, 20089:04 PMHoly. Toledo. Fundraising. Is. Good...!!!!!!!!!!Wow, my last-ditch emails and letters really came through like a bat outta h-e-dubl-hockeysticks today. I had resigned myself to the fact that I wasn't going to make it to my personal goal of $5K. I'm pretty sure today has set some sort of one-day fundraising record. You all are just amazing, and have been from the word "go". I'm stupefied by the love and support of my family and friends. I will never again under-estimate my amazing support system. You people are just way too too much. My gratitude is, well, I actually can't really put into words how I feel right now. I feel a bit like crying for joy. Me, speechless. Mark this day on your calendar, people. xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Friday, May 2, 20082:51 PMIs my body supposed to be doing this?So you may have heard that Amber surprised me and is taking me to the Bahamas for my birthday next week!!! Super duper cool so of course I headed off to the mall in search of shorts and a couple skirts for the trip (because my typical off-duty uniform is sweats and a t-shirt.... not really appropriate for a tropical paradise now, is it?) only to come to the dreadful realization that in spite of my NOT having gained any weight, I've gone up not one, but TWO pant sizes since my past shopping trip (pre-training). Sure, this is all fine and dandy, but for a chick with a lifetime of body issues, this isn't really the best news. I know. It's temporary. I know, it's not fat. But I have a huuuuuuge ass, my hips are darn funny-lookin' and "thunder thighs" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I won't let it bug me. I won't let it bug me. I won't let it bug me..... I'll tell you what, though-- when this thing is over, I have to start running again or I'll be in real trouble!!!! AAAARRRGHHH!!!!!!! Ok, thanks for letting me vent. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, April 27, 20081:34 PMthe bigger picture.
I have a team, Wheels on Fire, which consists of several firefighters, a few family members, and 2 young ladies who I consider little sisters. I had set my goal to $5K because I I think there are people I know that will give to me, or won't give at all. I mean, my great-aunt might give some money, but I'm the only one she'd think of giving it to, you know? And on top of that, I really, really want that jersey. But these girls are in trouble with their fund-raising. And now, that jersey is looking a little less important to me. I still want it. But I want my whole team to get to their fund-raising goal without having to dip into their savings bonds and credit cards to get there. And I want that more. Yard sales. House parties. I don't know what more to do for these girls. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. This is a small town and there are about 8 of us trying to raise ALC money here. It ain't pretty, but it will happen. Visit Alecia at www.aidslifecycle.org/1647 and Kelly at www.aidslifecycle.org/1862. Thanks in advance for your help, be it financial, emotional, spiritual, whatever!!!!!!!!!!!
On training: I am finding that the more I train, the less the little things are getting to me. Let me tell you a parallel story. When Amber and I were just starting out as a couple, way back in the stone ages, she was always trying to get me to run with her. Haha, because she is a runner and I am a, ummm, not a runner. But to keep her impressed I would go. Always within, I dunno, the first block or so, I'd start with the complaints of a cramp, or a rock in my shoe, or my lace untied, or it's too hot, or whatever excuse I could find. Needless to say, my running skills aren't so impressive (but something about me must be, because all these years later she still finds me riveting. hahaha!) but I kept it up. Over time, I got to the point where running wasn't such a huge enemy (I still don't like it, but find it to be a necessary evil from time to time) and the rock in my shoe was bearable for the duration of the 1- or 2- or 3-mile run. When I started in the saddle, my ass would hurt right away. And I couldn't feel my toes. And it was too windy. And the hills were too steep. And the elastic in my sleeves was too tight. And I hated my gu. And....and....and..... you get the picture. Things are slowly changing and I'm really enjoying riding more than I ever enjoyed running. Seriously. My worst day on the bike is better than my best day running! That's like saying my last root canal was better than my last poke in the eye with a sharp stick. hahahaha! So that's all good.
....now if we could just get this fund-raising out of the way..............
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, April 9, 20081:01 PMit's all about DETERMINATION.Whether you're talking about climbing hills or raising funds, the key is to be determined. Let's talk about the hill-climbing first. I am finding, much to my pleasant surprise, that I might be part mountain goat. The hills get me pumped. Easy to say right now from the comfort of this desk with no hills directly ahead of me (literally spealking, of course--- metaphorically, well, that's a whole other story I'll get to in a minute) but seriously, I feel very lucky that I seem to chugga-chugga-chugga up most hills. Not with ease, necessarily, but I hear Dorrie's voice in my head, singing, "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming," and it helps a bit. Also, there used to be this house song that repeated, "go on, keep on doin' what you're doin'-- gotta keep movin'," and that is another of my mountain mantras. Distance and time in the saddle, however, seem to be my greatest challenge. I was on the ol' indoor trainer yesterday for about 5 hours at work. I took my laptop out there and got some work done while I rode umpteen miles. Last night while lying in bed, I could actually feel my seat in my buns, like a phantom pressing uncomfortably in my nether-regions. Niiiiiice. No, not so much. Today, the simple act of sitting is a bit of a challenge, and sitting on the bike seat for an hour was just totally unreasonable. I dis-mounted, put my bike into my truck so as to not try that foolishness again, and spent the next hour on the treadmill, out of guilt. That's a switch--- me running to take a break from biking. I don't think that's the natural order of things and it has me bamboozled. Oh, well, so anyway, I'm going to get there. Maybe I need more padding, in addition to the padded seat, padded shorts and natural god-given padding I am, ahem, blessed with. Ok, let's talk about that metaphoric hill, the hill of fund-raising. I am going to get one of those awesome $5K jerseys if it effing kills me. I am going to beat every bush (again, metaphor) and squeeze dollars from every nook and cranny I can. And stop at $5K? Hell, no. I'm going full-stop until the deadline, people. In the name of love. In the name of humanity. In the name of doing the right thing. In the name of I CAN AND I SHOULD SO I WILL. chugga-chugga-chugga!!! xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Thursday, April 3, 200811:24 AMMiles and miles and $1850 to go!!!I crashed again. I wish I could say I'm getting better at it, but that would be a lie. In fact, my most recent gravity-storm was my most painful to date. But it is no matter--- I was on my trainer this morning and will be back on it after I'm done writing this blog. As far as injuries go, I have to knock on wood. Amber is gaining confidence; it is really awesome to watch her blossom in her riding and self-confidence. Did I tell you I rode over the Altamont to Livermore? I took Midway to Grant Line to Old Altamont Road down to Greenville. Probably the easiest route of the 3 I know of, but I opted for the widest road for safety. I don't have the guts or skills to go all the way over on Patterson Pass or Corral Hollow. Yet. I am within $1850 of my personal fundraising goal and am continually in awe of the people coming through with donations of all sizes. Every dollar means the world to me. Sending love with this blog. Consider yourself hugged!!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, March 25, 20088:26 PMI finally took a spill. It's not fun. Don't do it!So yesterday my beautiful wife and I thought we'd go to The City for a nice ride from the GG Bridge along the Embarcadero to PacBell Park and back. So here's what really happened (the best made plans of mice and men... and bicyclists...) We park at Chrissy Field, get all gear up and hit the road toward The Bridge. A few tourists on bikes who SOOO don't get the right-of-way thing or the single-file thing.... but I digress... We get to Ft. Point, turn around, go up that hill (you know the one), decide against going across the Bridge (we will next time. Well that's the plan anyway...) and then cruise through The Presidio back toward the car to shed a few layers. As I'm getting ready to cross the street, this car pulls up to the stop sign and sits there. And sits there. And sits there. Now you know how it is, I had my timing down for him to NOT sit there for several minutes, which threw me totally off and ker-plunk there I went, down. According to my precious wife, who finally re-gains her composure after a few minutes (she's very sympathetic). she razzes me about the noise I made as I am falling. According to her, it is a "Whuuuu- whuuuuu-whuuuuuuuuuuuuh!" sound that she repeats (rather mockingly) numerous times throughout the day. (Which reminds me. Next time you see me, ask me to repeat the primordial gutteral noise that Amber makes on kiddie roller coasters. I think that might even up the playing field a bit.) I told her that was the international falling noise. She should learn it so the next time she falls in another country, they'll know exactly what's going on. My water bottle smashes to smithereens on my fall. Ok not really, but it does crack and is therefore rendered completely useless. I loved that dang bottle. Now I'm irked. Ok, so we get back to the truck, doff some layers and head back out, along the Marina. NEVER AGAIN. If it's called TOURIST SEASON, why can't we shoot them? No, really, god bless 'em, but damn it, why don't they get a brief "rules of the road" lesson when they rent those damn bikes????? And the pedestrians are just as bad. They will stare you down, playing a twisted game of Chicken with you until one of you swerves. Good luck if you have one of those random-same-decision moment and you both swerve the same direction. We go up that hill by the youth hostel at Fort Mason, down it, out along the maritime museum promenade, and by the time we hit California we are DONE with people. Seriously. If I had the artillery, I would have gone postal. So we went up California, zig-zag back to the free parking lot at Ft. Mason, up that hill again (it's uglier that direction, btw) down the other side (where Amber played Chicken with a mtn biker who was taking up the whole lane. Whatever. WHATEVER!) and high-tail it back to the truck, grateful that we escaped with our lives. Eff this, we're off to Ocean Beach. Mmm, lunch at The Beach Chalet and we're ready to ride. We get our windbreakers on and hit the road along the beach. Yayyy! People with dogs who give them all the slack in the world, all the way across the sidewalk! Really, people! I almost get clothes-lined several times, no lie. Oh, and the wind! Something to behold. That combined with sand and you are talking a ride in paradise... if your idea of paradise is really hell. We get to Sloat and turn around, opting to ride on that road that parallels the Great Highway instead. Wow, if we think the wind was bad coming south, the wind was extra-super-duper crap heading north! Now, being from Tracy, we can handle wind with the best of 'em, trust me. But again, the sand-blasting effect was another animal entirely. And the buses. And the electric trolley turn-around (that jacks Amber up for a minute) but we somehow make it back to the car. Lessons learned: 1. Sand-blasting, while nice while its happening (not), has a sensitizing effect on my skin. Today my face feels like I was baked at 350F for about an hour and a half. 2. Tourists suck. 3. All that for about 14 total miles. Mmmm great. Well, the silver lining is that we went to Sports Basement and I got one of those really cool aluminum water bottles from Switzerland. See? It wasn't a total loss. Loads of Love! xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, March 18, 20083:14 PMThe AltamontYesterday I chugged up Patterson Pass Road, up Midway to its summit, back down and continued up Pat. Pass for 3 miles up hill. I think I'm in trouble because that wasn't easy!!! More hills in my future, I think.
In other news, I'm going to be auctioning off a work of art my dear friend Julia made as a fund-raiser. It's a beautiful AIDS Lifecycle logo mosaic artpiece. I hope to post a picture of it here soon. If I can just figure out how to do that. xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, March 15, 20082:17 PMmy ass hurts like hell. YAYYYYYY!I guess that is a good thing because it tells you I'VE BEEN TRAINING LIKE A MAD WOMAN. I splurged and bought a new indoor trainer which I bring to work and ride for 1-2 hours as time permits. When we're home, Amber and I take turns going out for 1-2 hours while the other stays and plays with Jack. One of these days we'll get a babysitter so we can ride together. Problem there is our babysitters are doing the Ride too and will naturally want to go out on the road with us! I need some new babysitters so Team Tracy can go out for some good long hilly rides. Hmmm. We try to ride every day. So far, it's been going great. You know, except for the ass-ache and girly-parts ache, too. What the heck? We're all friends, right? I hope you can take the frankness. But you know how I am. Somehow you like me anyway. Thank you for that!!!!!!!!!!!!! And while were on the topic of thank you... thanks again to all our sponsors and behind-the-scenes peeps. There are so many people supporting us in so many ways, I can't even find words to express my gratitude and admiration for all of you. xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, March 3, 20081:02 PMAmber's Surprise Bday/fundraising party!Yesterday was Amber's surprise birthday party which went off without a hitch!!! She was SURPRISED (to put it mildly) and the best part is that now she is just $75 short of $3000 for The Ride!!!!! On the e-vite I asked everyone to donate to her Ride in lieu of gifts and everyone did, to the tune of about $16K!!!!!!! Not bad for a day of partying! BIG THANKS to everyone. Now I really need to get my butt in gear, in more ways than one----my Dolce (bike) will be out of the shop Wednesday so I can get on it, and I have some serious fundraising to do for myself!!!! Zoikes!!!!!!!!!! Loads of Love! : ) Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, March 1, 200811:02 AMOver two k, so I'm upping my goal!You people never cease to amaze me.
Thank you for your support and donations!
My bike is getting tuned up and will be good-to-go next week. I'm off to the races!!!!!!!!
LOADS OF LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Friday, December 28, 20078:01 AMfifteen hundred!Matthew took me to my next benchmark, $1500. Thanks to all of you who are making this fund-raising effort so seemingly effortless on my part! Stay posted for upcoming fund-raising party news... I LOVE YOU!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, November 17, 20078:29 AMI finally got a BIKE!I can't remember if Russ or Chris sent me the link, but one of them found a bike on craig's list that I ended up buying from a great gal in Albany. It's a Specialized Dolce (women specific design---woo-hooo!) and it is sweeeeeeeeeeeeet (pun intended. Umm, "Dolce" means "sweet" in like all the romantic languages.). I can't ride it until I get the right shoes and get it fitted for me, but I'm well on my way! I keep finding myself surrounded by people who want to help me, in ways I had never expected. It is really awesome. Also, I want to thank everyone who has been keeping my brother Matt in their thoughts and prayers. He's not totally out of the woods and has one more chemo treatment scheduled, but the monster tumor in his liver seems to be totally undetectable... g-o-n-e. This bout with cancer is officially coming to an end. AMEN! Written with much love and gratitude to the abundance and goodness of the universe and to you, Dele Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, October 23, 20078:49 AMDMC takes me past the halfway mark!Thank you, Darren--- I'm officially over halfway to my MIMIMUM goal of $2500!!!!!!!!! YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! So I guess I can focus on getting a bike, gear, training...... YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love to you all!!!!!!!!!! xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, October 16, 20077:11 PM$1K!!!....and rising...!!!Thank you, Ragle-B, for taking me to my first thousand!!!! And everyone else who has and will donate, you are like totally the wind at my back, pushing me forward. I almost said you were the wind beneath my wings, but then I started to dry heave a little bit! hahaha!!! And FYI, Amber bought a used Specialized today. Looks like it will do the trick! Oh, wait, one more thing... PLEASE take a minute and check this guy out. I just ordered his book. All proceeds go to his fundraising efforts. Additionally, his wife's company is matching his fund-raising, so the amount you'll be effectively donating is more than the price of the book! It's a great deal, all around! And let me just tell you first-hand that THIS DUDE IS AWESOME. Upon hearing that Amber didn't have a bike, he offered to lend her one until she bought one!!! His AIDS/Lifecycle site is http://www.aidslifecycle.org/1700 and the site for his book is http://www.theridestory.com/. I can't tell you how awesome he is, but if you read the excerpt from his book, you'll get it! Much love to you all. xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, October 13, 20072:07 PMWhat a difference 2 days makes...!You have donated $500 to my ride in 2 days. You people. Too awesome. My gratitude is boundless! AND Anne, a freecycler here in Tracy, has GIVEN me her indoor trainer! (IF you don't know what freecycle is, google it. It is totally rad.) I'm going to bring it to the fire station and really kick this training thing into high gear!!!!!!!! I'm getting very excited, and it's only mid-October! xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, October 10, 20077:24 PMHOLY TOLEDO!You people are FREAKIN' MY FREAK! I am already over a sixth of the way to my fund-raising goal! Maybe I should up the goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) We are in the process of possibly working with one of my people--- one of YOU out there who is also part of Team Peterson---- who has connections to get some wristbands made. More news on that as it comes through. We intend to send those to all of you who make donations so you can wear it and proudly tell people you are part of TEAM PETERSON! These will be similar to and inspired by the red bracelets we're all wearing in support of my oldest brother, Matt, who is in a knock-down, drag-out fight with cancer (the cancer is LOSING, I'm happy to report). Well, Amber is still in search of a bike and I've posted on Freecycle that I'm looking for an indoor trainer. Not "rollers", which require amazing balance and skill, both of which I lack at this time. An indoor trainer locks the front wheel and lifts the rear off the ground so I can pedal and pedal while catching up on "LA Ink" or "Dexter" or "L Word" re-runs. Multi-tasking, it's what I'm all about! ALSO, one more thing: if you are in a business like massage therapy, beauty, painting, etc.--- or you own a business that needs a tax write-off and you want to donate a goodie basket, please let me know. We are hoping to get at least 20 things together, including gift certificates for haircuts, facials, painting a room, etc., and include a silent auction at an upcoming Fund-Raising Party we are planning on having early next year. Ok, got to go help with Jack now. It's bathtime!!! xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, September 29, 20072:14 PMBeginning...Wow, on the first day that my website was up and running, my total jumped right to $300!!! NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My first note of support and my first donation came from LISA VINCENT, followed soon thereafter by CHRIS & PATTY ANDREWS, MIMI NICHOLS and ERIN THOMAS. You all are so awesome, thank you. And I must thank those of you sending words of advice and support---- you are what will make this thing HAPPEN!!!! Amber and I have a few fun tricks up our sleeves for fund-raising. We are hoping to solicit donations from our friends with talents (massage therapists, hair geniuses, boutique owners, etc.) and have a party with a silent auction. I'm also trying to get Amber to do a bikini car wash, but she's hard to convince when the thermometer is dipping into the low 60's. I'll try again when the weather gets nice again! hahahahaaa! But seriously, folks, thanks again for getting our fund-raising off to a rip-roaring start. Our "cycle buddy" Hillary (she works for the AIDS/Lifecycle organization and has been assigned to motivate, encourage, etc, a group of participants, as well as be our go-to gal on the inside) has already sent us a note, congratulationg us on getting a great start on our fund-raising. It's all YOU, people. Give yourselves a hand. In other news, I bought a book last night called "ChiRunning" and am very excited at the possibility that it might teach me a way to actually enjoy running. I'm into the 3rd chapter and I'm becoming very optimistic that this book could very well change the way I look at exercising. There's also a book (by the same authors) called "ChiWalking". Too bad they don't have a book for "ChiBiking"!!! Regardless, it looks like I might be able to bring the principles and techniques of ChiRunning to the bike with me. I'll let you know how it works out. xoxo Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, September 24, 20078:50 AMI am a triathlete. What am I thinking doing THIS?!?!?Ok, to say I'm a triathlete is using the term loosely. I enjoy triathlons, but I don't do well. I am sometimes back there with the grannies crossing the finish line. But they are fun, so I keep doing them. PJ, who is one of our best friends and really more like a brother to us, did the AIDS ride last year with some guys from his fire department. When he got back, he was ON FIRE (in a good way) and wanted us to enjoy the incredible experience he had just had. He signed up as soon as he could, and we decided to just go for it. Now PJ has taken me to a few spinning classes and wow, I am SO not a biker! But in my last tri, my bike game had definitely come up a few notches. So I'm feeling good about that. Amber still needs A BIKE. And I'm on Sean's old Miyata, which rules the universe. I love it. I have to pimp it out to make it work for this ride, but that is happening bit by bit. Ok, more as it comes. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!! Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb |
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