15 June 2001

Greetings once again from Indy all you Ratketeers.
 
What is missing from this picture? Me. I was entered in the Steeplechase but thought better of it based on my Achilles' injury. I watch these races and I do miss it. It is torture, but a helluva lotta fun steeple.jpg (59220 bytes)
We went up to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the home of the Indy 500, to watch some of the bicycle events. It is a city unto itself and the track is like the moat. You have to drive under it to enter the "city". There is a lake, a park, several buildings as well as their own Police and Fire Departments all within the confines of the track. Although it is known as "The Brickyard", the only part that is still bricks is the finish line.
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On a lighter note, the South Australian Fire Brigade threw one helleva party last night in the hotel...."You know who" was quite a hit. I am not exactly sure why, but one of their guys got dressed up like a Hooters Girl. In the third photo, El Seņor poses with him/her and a member of the Polish Rowing Team.
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Here, El Seņor is being social with Peel, Ontario Regional P.D. Women's Tug-O-War Team. peel.jpg (60498 bytes)
One of the senior members of the Aussie Fire Brigade demonstrates how Aussies drink wine. He is originally from Scotland was quite impressed with Kearny's place as the Meat Pie and Haggis capital of the East. When I showed my displeasure for the taste of haggis, he suggested that one could enhance the taste by pouring juice on it. When I asked what kind of juice was best to use, he said "Whiskey, of course". Here he and El Seņor are chatting with a member of the Nigerian Track Team.
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As far as my competition goes, I have been playing it safe and am only running the half-marathon (if you consider that to be safe). I have been worried because of my injuries and the heat spell Indy has been going through (Now I know why they had the games in June instead of July). As luck would have it, a major storm is passing through town as I am writing this. Hopefully it will cool things off for tomorrow and maybe even stick around for the race. rain.jpg (76189 bytes)
Take it easy everybody...until next time