It's killing me but..........

kopride

"Anal" is a shorthand for an old freudian expression "anal retentive" and is typically used to describe an individual or group who is particularly attentive to details, almost to the point of obsession. See e.g. ""b : of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits (as parsimony, meticulousness, and ill humor) considered typical of fixation at the anal stage of development herefore," In common venacular, it is generally used to describe a meticulous person who obsesses over small details. JS was essentially saying that generally the Japanese are known for sweating the details or being particularly meticulous in preparation. In that regard, Toyota, Sony, and many other Japanese companies created a reputation for being meticulous and attentive to small details. Japanese art is very much a reflection of this attention to the tiniest detail. Therefore, a poorly planned race without a lead car would very much be inconsistent with this aspect of Japanese culture.

I think that you are taking the reference out of context. Certainly, there are individual Japanese that are just as disorganized and careless as what you would find in any other culture, but generally, Japanese culture prides itself on careful preparation and they would not consider a characterization as being "meticulous" as being insulting. JS was expressing surprise that a Japanese race would be marked by poor planning. Also, JS is from NYC where every person spends years and years in analysis with traditional freudian psychiatrists. See e.g. Woody Allen. New Yorkers pride themselves on being much more sophistocated than anyone else so they drop these psycho-babble expressions on unsuspecting folks, particulalry their lesser cousins from Philadelphia, who as Quakers are more prone to quiet reflection . In NYC, a characterization of a co-worker or friend as being anal would be complimentary. In all likelihood, by your comment, you have set JS back years in his sessions with his Psychiatrist (most likely an eastern european jew who charges $300 for a 50 minute session), and he will have to go back with his analyst and explore possible anti-japanese sentiment, most likely caused by inappropriate diapering at the hands of his filipino nanny when he was a child. This in turn, will cause his FTP to decrease as he fails to keep his concentration on his trainer while he obsesses over these unconscious repressed thoughts. If JS does not hit 300 this summer it will be your fault. New Yorkers have very fragile psyches and are particulalry sensitive to any allegation of insensitivity based upon race, gender, culture, or sexual preference. I hope you are happy

Felt_Rider

ROFL

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kopride

Another slow day in the office.

Piotr

You are so prejudiced! $300?! What do you think this is, 1995? Did you see today's gas prices? Eastern European jews drive too you know.

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Pendejo

This is your boss. You're fired! (Unless you're the boss.)

And, yes, I can't see how it can be denied that their are national/cultural characteristics. For example, we Americans are dumb asses.

Pendejo

As I just proved. "There," not "their."

kopride

You're probably right. I was thinking Philly prices, not NYC. Trying to root out deep rooted anti-japanese bigotry probably requires only a top flight analyst. Js is going to be paying 500 plus for a good one with the appropriate goatee, austrian accent, and cardigan sweater. As for gas prices, if the analyst can't afford a manhattan coop, then he isn't good enough for JS. If JS is truly stuck in the anal stage of his psycho sexual development, then he needs the best. He should follow Woody's advice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss8fYIKlRdo

tonyzackery

Uh, what was the point of this diatribe???? And thanks, Jsirabella. Oh, my mistake, you're not Jsirabella...and by the way, I am HAPPY - not because, but in spite of your comment.

Sillyoldtwit

This argument is Killing me but.... back later. Tyson

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kopride

Humor and edification. And, I think that JS's reference to Japanese as "anal" was essentially complimentary; Tyson's experience was out of character for japanese who are usually pretty meticulous.

dhk2

+1 for the humor and edification. Don't know what you are supposed to be doing in your office during the day, but if it doesn't involve creative writing, you're wasting your talents

Getting back to cycling for a minute, our santioned road races here have lead cars, referees on BMW bikes and corner marshalls to direct the racers round the course and control traffic. Getting lost in a road race would be impossible, or at least very difficult, all the more so for those in the lead group with a car up ahead.

But a "Gran Fondo" event isn't a real race, is it? If I understand correctly, it's similar to what we call a "century" (ie, 100 mile) event which is open to all who register and pay an entry fee. These are held on open public roads, with turns well marked on the road, plus cue sheets and/or maps handed to all entrants. There is often a finish line clock, and individual times are recorded vs name/entry number for later display on the event website.

Sillyoldtwit

Today after avoiding the scales for a few days, gingerly stepped on them expecting the worst. And bad it was! I was a big fat 75.3kg - totally obese.

So I've initiated a plan that I call "Target (5) 2030". The 5 = 5W/kg which translates to an FTP of 340Watts @ 68kg. Both of which I'm convinced are achievable.

And the 2030?

Yesterday while listening to a podcast on my iPod (Astronomycast.com) episode 95. They mentioned Nasa's plan to put a man on Mars in 2030.
I'm setting my sights on being around for that event. I shall be a mere 88 years young.

Now, I realise cycling alone won't necessarily get me there, and that I also need to cut down on the calories (read Mister Donuts) and also to increase the time spent doing Chi Gong. Decreasing my calorific intake will of course help in achieving the 5W/kg target too. Oh, and mustn't forget the genes.

Today - no cake, donuts, chocolate or candies. But then it is only the first day.

Watch this space to see a determined success or an abject failure.

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PaulMD

Both are nice goals Tyson! And you can probably lose more weight too! Around Christmas 2007 I weighted 75kg and I wanted to get it down to 70kg to be a lean cycling machine but when I was 70kg I still had a belly. Now 6.5months later I reduced myself to 66.0kg When you told me around Christmas that I was going to weight 66kg in summer, I would have laught at you.

When you start loosing body fat. A strong diet is becomming easier and easier. Two weeks ago I did 60min @ 318watts with 67.5kg. I lost another 1.5kg since then and I did not loose any power. So I will try to attack the 5w/kg very soon...

Keep up with both your targets and you will be there before you realise it!
What's your FTP right now? You did 315watts a while ago, how much did you improve?

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Felt_Rider

I have not done that well this year either. I wanted to be down from my weight last year, which was 74kg and instead it went up and it keeps going up. I am now 78kg at 5'6" and a light frame, but I am under 10%BF. My BF has been dropping, but since I am one of those crossfit kind of guys and not a cycling purist like you cycling beasts my body has been responding to the weights a bit more than I expected. I thought the mix between a lot of cycling training and weights would actually be catabolic, but my experimenting with nutrition keeps me more recovered. (Athough this past two weeks I have felt pretty fatigued with some tough cycling events. )

The way I keep gaining weight with a lean menu adding donuts would be a disaster.

Don't they make a prescription patch to help break the addiction of Mister Donut?

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