I thought this was good little story that helps us remember why we are here doing what we are doing... And they call some of these people "retarded"...

       A few years ago, at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back......every one of them.
       One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle".

BEES AND COWS
Saturday, June 3rd 2000 I went for my first ride on my new bike, and it WAS SO HARD! I don’t know if it’s the bike or me! Probably a little of both. Not only was it hard,but I got hit in the head by a stupid bee, like there aren’t a million miles of other air that it could occupy! Anyway, I almost crashed because after it ran into my face, it proceeded to try to escape by going up my face and into my helmet. I looked so stupid! Picture this - ride ride - weave weave weave (while flailing arms and hitting myself in the head - which pissed the bee off), stop - try to unhook feet from pedals before falling over - throw off helmet, hit myself in the head a few more times for good measure - look around to see if anyone is staring - they are. It stung me on the forehead. After I got home it was funny.

August, 2000
OK, so I’m running with the team through a field at InspirationPoint when I see it. The cow. It isn’t close, but it doesn’t matter. Cows have a thing for me. So I, being the person that I am, scream “AAACK! COW!” and speed up. Running faster, I try to explain that cows give me that “we know you eat us” look, they get in front of me, and then they stop and stare. That’s just creepy. This particular cow is now on an intercept course. It has stopped whatever it is that cows do, and is now walking just fast enough to be in front of me before I get to the fence. My teammates watch (and laugh) in amazement as I speed up again. The cow starts running. What kind of cow runs? I beat it to the fence, and the game is over.