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(Sorry for another weather post, but that's all that's going on around here.)

Here's the observed weather from today:

• HEAVY SNOW
• SNOW
• LIGHT SNOW
• FOG
• BLOWING SNOW

Kind of sums it up, no?

According to the National Weather Service, as of 6:52 PM, it snowed 11.2 inches today; a record. Add the 1.5 inches from yesterday, along with 58 or so inches since the first of December and you've got 72.1 75.1 inches total for the season. That puts us exactly four ONE inch behind the season record of 76.1 from 1978-79. Keep in mind it's only February 6. It snows through April here, people. That's another two full months. Don't forget there's extra day at the end of February this year, too. Add the fact that it's snowed a measurable amount on 54% of the days this winter so far. It's like Mother Nature could sneeze tomorrow and another four inches could just fall down just like that. That record is as good as gone.

UPDATE: For all my moaning and groaning, I didn't have it as bad as these poor folks: 800 people trapped on Interstates

Madison is a great town. I love living here. Long ago it was voted the best by Money Magazine, and then its greatness reconfirmed when neighboring Middleton was picked in the top ten. (All of the amenities listed for Middleton are in Madison.) Part of Madison's charm is the downtown and the UW-Madison campus. To make things great, there must be things that aren't so great.

Downtown crime has been on the rise. From home break-ins, to late night assaults, and even unsolved murders, there is concern that Madison isn't so great. Many point the finger to the number of alcohol licenses in bars and restaurants in the downtown. So the City developed a plan to limit the number of licenses and reduce the bar density. The plan freezes the new licenses in a one-mile area downtown and hopes to reduce the number of existing licenses. Proponents cited less crime, safer students, and law-enforcement cost savings. Opponents argued that bars will be over crowded, house parties will increase and become more dangerous, and enforcement costs will increase. Despite a year-long debate, the plan was approved in a 2-1 margin earlier this fall. (Official ordinance)

Fast forward to last night. The Alcohol Licensing Review Committee (originators of the plan) approved a large sports bar and restaurant within the square mile outlined in the density plan. It's in a new development, on a site that had a popular bar in it (Madhatter's). This bar is to be located on the other end of the block, away from the State Street area. But that brings it one block closer to the two largest student dorms on campus, directly across the street from their dining hall. The restaurant will have two floors and have a 550-person capacity. Original plans had an 800-person capacity. Also part of the development is student housing for 1,000 residents. So that means that more than half of the students living directly above the bar will be able fit in the restaurant.

The best part is the closing line of the Badger Herald article:

...[the restaurant's] license was unanimously approved under a few provisions, with several committee members wishing the Brinks good luck.

The Bender Defender is a great idea:

How does the service work, exactly? “We get the customer's vehicle home so they don't need to take a cab back to their car in the morning, remember where they left the car, pay for any tickets or towing fees they may have received and most importantly, so they don’t drive drunk,” explains Campbell. “Our drivers use folding mopeds to get to your location. Upon meeting you at your vehicle they will fold their moped up and store it in a travel bag which goes in the trunk of your car. Once you reach your destination, your driver will hand you the keys, unfold the moped and be off to the next customer.”

Sunday dawned with what was forecast for Saturday: cool and wet. It wasn't raining for the start, but the clouds weren't friendly and the wind that brought them was even less kind. I spent the hour before the start separating the athletes from the spectators on the ramp (aka "helix") and make sure the aisle was clear for the athletes to run back up.

After the start, I made my way to the bottom. The waves on the lake were topping with whitecaps at times. The wind from the north east directly conflicted with the back straightaway on the swim course and pounded the swimmers as they fought through them. Several athletes passed through the peeling zone we briefed the peelers on their duties. This was within fifteen minutes of the start.

The pros left 10 minutes before the main field, but the conditions slowed them a bit. Andrea Fisher and Hilary Biscay arrived to our area first after 53 minutes, followed after a big gap by the rest of the pros. The main field arrived after 1:10 and everyone in the peeling area was busy for the next twenty minutes. Waves and waves of folks streamed out of the water. I stayed at the front and urged the athletes to continue all the way though the chute to get peeled. I saw several bloody eye sockets from kicks to the face. One peeler was asked if a collarbone looked broke.

After two hours and twenty minutes, the swim course closed. But that didn't stop the swimmers. The peeling volunteers began to break down our area, but there were several swimmers declining the ride into the shore and finishing the course. One woman that missed the cutoff kept her wetsuit around her waist, and shivered in the cold while she waited for all the other swimmers to come out of the water. As each one did, she walked over and congratulated them. Another competitor came out late, got hugs from his family and said, "I gotta do this," and took off running up the helix by himself with his wetsuit still on.

Art came out of the water, took of his wetsuit top down and wandered around. He had no support in town and because the area was shutting down, no idea where to go. My wife saw his lost expression and offered help. She put her arm around his exposed shoulders and guided up the ramp. Her comfort warmed his body. His goose bumps "were beyond hard" and he was shivering considerably. As they walked pondered the idea of another year of his life to give to training, "All of that biking and running for nothing." She got him in the transition area, found him some warm clothes. We saw him again on our way out, his hooded sweatshirt closed tight around his head, transition bags in hand. He asked about if his hotel shuttle would come pick him up. We assured they would and hoped he made it home.

The final swimmer to come out under his own power was a half-hour late. Because everyone was cheering his effort and determinedness, he thought he'd made the cutoff, and continued to ask as he ran towards the helix. When they took his timing chip, he finally realized it wasn't meant to be. The most serious case was the woman dragged in by kayak and was suffering from hypothermia, the first of many on the day.

Our peeling duties over, we stopped by the house for warmer clothes and rain protection and made our way out to the bike course. We planted ourselves at the top of Mid Town Rd. and yelled to the entire rider contingent from 11:30 to 4. We saw lots of under prepared athletes, without arm warmers or long sleeves. The garbage bag was a popular option, but I imagine it was tough with a spinnaker sail on your back. Smiles were few and far between, but when we saw one, we made sure to cheer that much louder. We got to see all athletes we were tracking, some twice. It rained the entire time we were there.

Another stop at the house for dinner and a final dry set of clothes and up to the run course with a final stop at the finish line. The run course was wet. Really wet. The debate continued as to which conditions would be worse: hot and windy (last year) or cold, wet and windy (this year). (I maintain that the cold, wet conditions are worse. It's easier to get cool on a hot day than to get warm on a cold, wet day.) We stomped in the rain and yelled to everyone to keep moving. Lots of long faces just looking to put an end the misery. Number 2181 ran by pleading for a set of gloves. My wife, ever the saint, dug her extra throw-away knit pair from her bag. I ran across the road to her and handed them off. She ended up finishing 928 overall in a respectable 12:58. I hope the gloves were a small bit of help.

We made our way to the finish line, ready for our final volunteer shift to hand out finisher's medals. It was still raining, but we were more than eager to have the wonderful opportunity to hand out the most deserved medal in sports. We had the magical hours from 9 to midnight, when the truly inspirational athletes finish. I got to hand out medals to all types of people from all over the world. Like my finish last year, many faces came alive and the biggest smiles grew bigger upon seeing it and getting it placed around their necks. It still was raining, but it didn't dampen the crowd's spirits and enthusiasm. It was never quiet. The energy was so high at times it didn't feel like it was raining. I gave medals to many of the athletes we saw on both the bike and run courses, and many to friends that we'd been tracking. But, as seventeen hours ticked by, I still had one that I wanted to give out. Unfortunately for her, it just wasn't meant to be. Next year for sure.

Monday, we made it to the volunteer appreciation dinner where IM North America made some impressive announcements. Because of the weather, the local organizations in Verona that rely on the proceeds made during their festival didn't sell too many cold glasses of beer and brats. To make up for the loss in revenue, IMNA donated $500 to each organization. Also, instead of picking one best aide station and award that one station an additional amount, IMNA awarded each aide station and additional $500 to be donated to a non-profit of their choice. It was a nice touch that wasn't necessary. Also, they did share that the directors did have a short meeting to discuss the impacts of the weather to the race. They checked with the run course director, who in turn checked with each run station. All reported that they were good to go and would remain until the course closed. That kind of support made the decision easy for the directors.

Overall, it was a tough day for everyone. Both athletes and spectators rallied around each other, sharing a collective energy. It was a special day for 2140 athletes and 2700 volunteers. This is why the race sells out in 45 minutes. It's something beyond the number and types of pros that show up. It's the opportunity to challenge the heart, mind and body for every athlete, volunteer and spectator.

A quiet, unassuming store on an otherwise busy street, Movin' Shoes is the place to go for your running needs. I've told many people that the place to go. Every employee runs, and their body types show it.

I've bought my last four pairs of shoes from them, and a month ago, went back to get myself ready for a new season. I brought the latest copy of Road Runner Sports catalog, with at least seven different shoes circled, and my existing pair. It was within a half-hour of closing of a long day, and the clerk assisted patiently answering every mundane, newbie question that I could muster. I must've tried on at least six different pairs of shoes, settling on some Brooks Beasts that hoped to provide the support for my flat feet without additional inserts.

I tried them out on two separate occasions, but didn't find the comfort and support needed. Saturday, I went back, again within an hour of closing, following three people to find the store bustling with people. There were many boxes of shoes strewn about with all types of people trying out shoes. There was the high school athlete, struggling to find race shoes in a twelve-and-a-half, the newbie runner learning just how much she overpronates, the New Year's resolution, dealing with blisters as she moves from the treadmill to out doors, and a few more out of earshot.

I hung out behind everything, ready to wait for awhile. Suddenly I was confronted. I explained my situation and asked for a new pair of my old shoes. He disappeared in the back and came back with the new model. Was the old model available? Another few minutes in the back, and no, they weren't. He took a look at the Brooks, said that's OK, they're a bit more, but we'll call it even. Really? Sure.

I promised to come back. I also promise to send everyone that asks about running shoes in Madison to Movin' Shoes.

I missed the latest UDC approvals inlast week's paper. Aside from the proposed development, which sounds cool itself, there was a short paragraph near the end with some big news:

...the UDC approved several projections including the Great Dane Pub and Rstaurant in the Hilldale Shopping Center [and] the Granite City Brewpub and Restaurant in the West Towne Mall parking lot...

Wisconsin's Governor Doyle works out at the Shell most Sunday mornings. This past Sunday, he spent about a half-hour on an elliptical machine, and then ventured over to the recumbent exercise bikes. Because the recumbents are used seldomly, they offer some solitude. However, when you're the governor, solitude is a fleeting thing.

Many people stopped by as they ran or walked around the track, or visited as they rested between basketball games. I was in the middle of running nine miles and able to hear only tidbits of conversations as I made my way around the track. One woman stopped and obviously had a few thoughts on the governor's recent decisions. (Concealed guns & Booster seats) I picked up two sound bites of the conversation. Both are Doyle's responses:

...if you look at the big map with all those red states in the middle, there's only...

...when you get out of your booster seat at age eight, you can go out and get your gun...

That second one sticks with me as being a really, really weird quote. Keep in mind it's taken totally out of context. There's only so much you can hear as you run by.

Many thanks to the fine gentleman in the Brocach Irish Pub on Saturday night, about 9:45 PM. The Badger Hockey team just got swept by Minnesota, and it wasn't pretty. You must be a big fan, and knew that we needed something to cry in. We were nearly done with out beers and thinking about leaving, when the bell rang and the bartender announced that the next round for everyone was on you.

Imagine the surpise on everyone's faces when they learned that the drinks they just ordered didn't cost them anything. Then imagine their face when they thought about what they just ordered, thinking it should've been something different had they known it was free.

So, again, thanks. I hope that we meet so that I can thank you personally.

We were shook at 12:20 to the sound of an explosion. We couldn't locate the direction of the source due to the tall buildings that surround our apartment. Within five minutes, sirens directed up to the Dane County Parking ramp, located two blocks west of our place. We followed them to the scene, along with some others wondering what happened. All concurred that there was an explosion, some relating stories of pictures shaking on walls. The emergency crews were not in a hurry, but diligent in their duties. The only rumor we heard as to the source was that a car exploded and a man staggered out of the ramp claiming that it was his.

Approximately one month ago, a pipe bomb was discovered at the same structure by a worker. It was diffused and police had no leads.

As we started to leave, so did the plethora of rescue vehicles. I took the above shot as we started to walk away.

Update 12/25: Turns out it was a bomb. The previous bomb scares were not bombs, just resembled bombs.

An excellent report in this morning's paper about the Mayor and his struggles of late. One quote was the most disturbing:

"The challenge won't come from people who think I'm ineffective, but from people who think I'm too effective at things they disagree with."

The Mayor sees the potential political challenges as a compliment. His ego is getting in the way. By admitting that he's effective at getting his way, he's losing the support of those he needs the most.

Responding to comments that he looks down at those that don't see an issue his way, the Mayor said:

"...If it's an issue I care enough about, I've got a well-developed point of view on it. I believe in my point of view. I'm scratching my head and thinking, 'How can they disagree with that beautiful argument?' (But) I try not to stew over it."

Now that's a Mayor everyone can get behind, right? I mean, doesn't everyone want a mayor that thinks your opinion doesn't count, but takes it as a compliment, making his idea all that much better?