just ignore and let this one die

I don't even own a cell phone, older or not. So . . um . . I'm more Luddite than you!

Hi Everyone.

Stage 19 at le Tour de France today was a lot like Stage 18 yesterday. Not really flat but not hilly enough to prevent a bunch sprint at the end of the 165.5km or 103 miles.

All of the early attacks were caught easily until about 10km out when a group of four riders managed to break away. Then the peleton relaxed for awhile content to let them stay out front to discourage any more attacks. Eventually they were caught with 96km still to go and almost immediately Sylvain Chavanel attacked. He didn't manage to break free and more attacks came thick and fast; all were quickly caught.

75km into the race Chavanel, of Team Cofidis, attacked again and this time managed to get clear. Soon fellow Frenchman Jeremy Roy of the Francais de Juex team was able to bridge the gap and join him. The two worked well together and although the tempo was high for everyone today, the peleton again relaxed.

In fact they relaxed too much. By the time the teams of the sprinters began seriously chasing the two it was too late. Chavanel cleverly slowed down near the finish forcing Roy to choose between pulling in front too soon or slowing down also. Chavanel patiently waited until Roy burst out of his slipstream and tried to pull ahead. Instead Chavanel was then able to use Roy's slipstream to slingshot himself across the line first. He was so happy. A few moments later the tv cameras caught him with tears of joy, being hugged by one of the Cofidis soigneurs.

The peleton arrived 1min. 13 sec. after the first two riders and there was a bunch sprint for the remaining points of the day in the sprinters' competition, won by German Gerald Ciolek of Team Columbia.





Edited to add that, sadly, about five riders got eliminated from the tour for taking too long to complete today's course.

I imagine you meant to say "...who speak English..."



What is it a tattoo of?



/me swoons too!



I believe there are times when it's best not to wait until something like this has turned into an emergency. I'm imagining an older Trout traveling back in time to berate you for letting this go so long that it caused permanent arthritis or something.

Oh alright. I'll call the damned doctor. When he gives me the bill, I'll have to remember to punch him with my left hand.

Yes, Trout, I am thinking now it sounds much more like arthritis, especially when you said it's hard to make a fist...stiff joints, etc...You should get it checked out...

oh, this part is awesome! WOW! what an amazing race day!

a dove holding an olive branch. it's a tribute to her late husband. he loved the whole message of a dove extending an olive branch. he was a great man an i miss him very much. enough to get the same damm tattoo.

If the bill is really hefty, I am sure I can dig into my pockets for some more loose change and have it wired to you. No please, don't thank me, it's my pleasure.

Kaimi, I'm still exhausted from the Tour de France's day in the hills. But wow!! What an exciting conclusion to today's stage of the race. Thanks again!

if you can get the bill before we reach post 30k here, another little silent, secret contest just might be in order. between rayfig and macdaddy, i bet we can cover it nicely.

That sounds lovely.

I would still advise getting it checked. Depending on what is wrong and how long it goes on, it could impact mobility in that area for the rest of your life. Some things are not worth putting off.

Besides, going to a doctor is nowhere near as bad as going to the dentist.................. unless you have been putting off proper checkups and the doctor pushes for a full checkup including the wonderful prostate check.

And here I thought I was the last to get one.

Wow - your friends there are my friends too. And I figured they were getting rich enough just off of my donations.

uhhhh..... the 'down there' doctor is WAAAAAAAAAAY worse!

i got my first cell phone in November because my job was so violent and physical that i didn't feel safe not having a way to reach out for assistance. of course, job over... keeping the phone (altho i nevfer use it)! LOL

It was very canny riding, and a bit lucky too.



It's been really nice of everyone to put up with me going on about it. Only two more days to go now. Tomorrows time trial will probably decide the winner in the still close race for the Yellow Jersey of the whole tour. And the final laps around Paris on Sunday might have some exciting vying for the final winner of the spinter's competiition Green Jersey.

No way, they got me too, greedy bastards. *shakes fist*

Oh dear. I think I'm glad your are out of that job. I hardly never use my cell phone except when we're traveling, then it is very handy.

No need. I take care of my own bills and always have. Nobody pays or has paid my way in anything - at least not since I hit 18 and moved out from under my parents' roof.

It's just my hand. If they ask me to drop my pants, I'm out of there! I'll roll up my sleeve, but that's about it.

You worked in the Shoe Dept at MACY'S?

you and me sister. i am SO glad to be out of that job. it was an emotional nightmare, to say the least. anyway, this is why i left ym job early, and why i am now changing professions back to office work.... s l o w l y trying to go back to work. i'm sort of done with the whole 'restraining children' occupation.

okay daddy. you can put your pride back in your pocket now. LOL

LMAO!