In attempt to ward off an oncoming cold I got some exercise and did a little cooking today.
My game plan over the course of the afternoon / evening:
Lots of OJ, apple juice, and water; two Naked Juice, one antioxidant, the other other "well-being"; two cups of lemon grass ginger tea; 6 total miles ran, 3.5 miles indoors, 2.5 miles outdoors (much more satisfying); cooking; eating; 100 mg of zinc (tablet form); two entire heads of roasted garlic spread atop bread; three shots of Jameson (straight from bottle); and Zicam, nasal gel as well as "Rapid Melt" forms...
Tomorrow I'll finish the pulled pork, feast, start some chili, and continue the same routine.
We'll see if it works.

Threw the Vespa in the back of my Jeep and headed south to Madrid for Labor Day to spend some time with Boonie and Beth. Rode around a lot with Boonie and his cousin Jerry on their choppers.

Some shots from the annual scooter rally as well as The Lucky Bastards "Messaround" hot rod show at Memory Lanes. Registration was Friday at Spring Street Tavern in NE Mpls and included Le Cirque Rouge cabaret and burlesque show downstairs at Club Underground. The long ride started Saturday morning at Yarusso's in St Paul and ended back at Scooterville after a pit stop at Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge for a bite to eat. There were a couple more short rides on Sunday that I ended up bailing out on due to heavy rain.

Three days filled with great music and fun in Chicago with Swanson and Alex.

Without a doubt, Gnarls Barkley and The Flaming Lips stole the entire weekend.
Watching what I would estimate to be one-third to one-half of a crowd of roughly 25,000 turn their backs and leave after Gnarls Barkley played their Clear Channel radio hit halfway through their set was simultaneously disappointing, joyous, disgusting, shameful, humorous, and sorrowful. Although, it's not really that bothersome because that exodus only served to liberate precious real-estate for those of us who wanted to stay and enjoy a slice of music history that the evacuees will never quite understand. It takes all types to make the world go 'round.

Other bands I enjoyed:
Husky Rescue, Ryan Adams, Sleater-Kinney, Ween, Wolfmother, Manishevitz, The Hold Steady, The Benevento-Russo Duo, Reverend Horton Heat (signed my empty bottle of Jameson), Queens of the Stone Age, Broken Social Scene

Bands I had to miss but really wish I could have seen:
deadboy & The Elephantmen, The Raconteurs, Nada Surf, Sonic Youth, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Catfish Haven, Matisyahu

Took "Best in Show", Scooter category (sshhhh... don't tell anyone I was the only scooter that entered..) at the First Annual Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show at Diamonds Coffee Shop on Central Ave in NE Mpls Saturday July 22.
The Brass Kings were on stage and they sounded great.

After party that night at 331 Club included entertainment by Le Cirque Rouge cabaret and burlesque show, fire eaters/dancers, flamenco dancers, music from Jehovah's Shitlist, and a winner's circle of bikes and freaks.

Solo/Group Vespa ride. July 11, 2006.

"Grand Rounds" Tour: Minnehaha Parkway -> Lakes Parkways -> Theodore Wirth Parkway -> Veterans Memorial Parkway -> St Anthony Parkway -> Betty's Bikes and Buns in Northeast Minneapolis

On the road with Why Make Clocks from Minneapolis to Fargo. Weekend of April 8th.

Took 2nd place in a bocce ball tournament at Town Hall Brewery's annual hog roast with some people from The Rake magazine on Saturday.