MexicanDragon

Thanks, Shelly! Xavier and I had an awesome time at the champions dinner last night. He also got some bibs, so he finally has some "kit." Still raising money, and we ride tomorrow morning. Will send updates! **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Find Dom and stay safe, my Floridifriends. Today at work I went to my second Toastmasters International meeting (something that was recommended to me by my Mentor at work.) We drew cards randomly to see who had to give a 2-3 minute "table talk" or a full-blown 5-6 minute speech. I had nothing prepared, and it was my first time speaking, and the area director was there, so of course I went with the 5-6 minute option, because fuck it. I did an off-the-cuff speech about cycling, bringing up the joys of youth, how I had used it as PT, and segued into a few quick tips for getting a "real bike." I got high marks on the speech, especially for off the cuff. I surprised the evaluator by going with a PT angle instead of straight fun, and it rounded out our day with something more enjoyable, as the first speech was work related, the second was tips on voicing during a speech, and mine was interesting. The area director who was sitting in on our meeting today wound up doing a good speech, and won the "best speech" prize, but coming in second to someone who's been doing this for years, who had the framework of this speech worked out, isn't a bad way to jump into a new program. Doing the entire speech with my fly unzipped, however, may come back to haunt me. **BRENT**

Thanks for the new donations, guys! For anyone else who wants to contribute, please donate to Xavier at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/XavierLawson He's close to his major milestone of 1000$, and I'd love it if he can hit it today! Update: Xavier did it! He's killin' me, so if anyone else cares to donate, choose #TeamOldMan here or #TeamXavier here. **BRENT**

RIP Brock Yates, creator of the Cannonball Run. http://autoweek.com/article/car-life/brock-yates-crosses-finish-line From his son: Today, after suffering with Alzheimer's for the last 12 years, my father finally succumbed. He touched many lives, but sadly no more. ~Brocker **BRENT**

Hey everyone. Final push before our big event Saturday morning! Thanks for all your support so far, and I'm making a final push to have Xavier meet his goal before the ride! We did our final training ride of a just below 20 miles, when we ran out of daylight. https://www.strava.com/activities/733570816 He is SO excited, as this is the reason he's put in so much work riding this year. I'm so proud (if you couldn't tell.) That was taken right after our training ride last week. You cyclists will be happy to know that although most of the time I'm setting the pace, this last ride there was a section he just straight up dropped me on. Oh, did mention he's beating me by over 200$? If you want to help increase the lead, donate to #TeamXavier or #TeamOldMan **BRENT**

I was so tired I couldn't post a picture with 5 tries. I kept falling asleep without knowing which pic I clicked, but there was a 2 hour drag show on the stage downtown. It was Zoë's first drag show, and she loved it. There was Phoenix from RuPaul's Drag Race who did two sets. There Zoe is, one in from the right next to her friend, and standing with mystery dude, Mrs. Pride Chattanooga 2016, and my friend Katie (who Colin, Fitz, and Santa all know.) I took more pix with my SLR that are actually good, so need to edit them; will try to post those tonight. **BRENT**

Took Zoë to a Pride Day celebration. 9 hours for her, 6 for me. Had a great time. She's on the left in the hat. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

This amuses me, but secretly have a lot of respect, as I've known guys who'd get 7-8 hours in your position. **BRENT**

FTFY. And they tell MY people to learn English. **BRENT**

Went out for a 7-8 mile trail ride with an old buddy. Had to cut it short because they started a bike race earlier than we thought. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Jeff may actually play this one. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

A little under two weeks to go, and Xavier is still tearing me up. You'll be happy to know that my mom, her husband, and my aunt have all donated to him. None have donated to me. Here's a shot I just found from the time trial he raced in. So proud of this kid! **BRENT**

Ten minute rendition of "Satan Is My Motor" with audience participation. Short Skirt/Long Jacket//War Pigs// The Distance finale. So happy. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Watching "An Evening With CAKE" in Athens, GA. One of my favorite bands of all time, and the first time seeing them live. No opener; they're doing two sets. I'm not even taking photos during the show, that's how good it is. And, the sound guy is bloody fantastic. Top 3 shows I've ever heard, mix wise. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk Intermission tree giveaway. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Had some old college friends come in I haven't seen in years, and met up with another one who just moved to town a few months ago. I was the culinary tour guide. At Taconooga, we shared some fries cactus. I had chicken and steak Taconooga tacos, with cheese and corn. Friends had chorizo, lengua, and a handful of others. Then the non-taco eating friend had the largest chicken tamale I've come across. Turns out this place offered something my friend wanted to try. We were going to order this top one to sample (corn truffle one) but then the server said they can do half that and half of the bottom (squash.) Not my scene, but I did enjoy the corn truffle one more. There was some gelato from Milk & Honey not pictured, before we went to get drinks elsewhere. Well, someone got so drunk (2nd time in her life to get drunk) we had to wait a while for her to recover, so she and I split some ox tail with a side of fried plantains at a Cuban rum bar called Embargo '62. The drinking thread will be updated, but there was a 151 soaked crouton that was in a beverage we shared... It was technically consumed. But served its purpose well in the moments leading up to its demise. Great bloody day. **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

I watched all of Limitless (the series.) I really enjoyed it, and hate it only got one season, but it did get one full season. It was silly at times, but played to its charms for much of it. I hope Netflix buys it to relaunch one day, as it has Dexter's sister in it, and brought back warm fuzzies. **BRENT**

T$, I bought a Blu R1 HD for 60$ from Amazon. See if you can get it same day'd or overnighted to your hotel. Worst case, most carriers have cheaper "burner" phones (under 200$) that you could pick up when you get in. Which provider again? **BRENT**

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I <3 all of you guys! **BRENT**

Pretty sure this is a hoax, which has come up twice in the past 10 months. **BRENT**

Heh, we'll have to dig deep both physically and fiscally to make the century, but if I do it, I'll do it! **BRENT** Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

Thanks so much, guys! Xavier is so excited that he's beating me already He was quick to point out that my mom donated to me, but not him. I figured some of you may enjoy. **BRENT**

So next weekend I think we're going to give this whole "d-_-b Family Tidal Plan" thing a shot; anyone else want in? **BRENT**

Hey everyone! My son Xavier and I have been training this year, riding hundreds of miles on the roads and the trainer, to prepare for the 2016 Tour de Cure! We hope you will support us in our efforts to help wipe out diabetes! This is my 4th year doing this ride, and Xavier's 3rd. With Xavier's new road bike this year, he wanted to push a bit further on the ride. If we meet our goals, we're going to do the 40 mile route. If we hit a combined 2900$ - representing the 29 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. - we will do a metric century! If we stretch and hit 5000$ combined, we will do our best to do the *gulp* full century ride. Xavier's page Brent's page For a little added incentive, my team (BlueCrossBlueShield of Tennessee) is doing a drawing for a Haro Flightline One bike. Every 5$ is one entry, with 5 for 20$. If one of you wins it, we'll figure something out. Thanks for looking, Brent