Friday, March 07, 2025

Daniel Corcos, PhD - Exercise and Parkinson's Disease

I have not really connected with alumni groups ever despite graduating from Purdue, Northwestern and University of Colorado.  However, Northwestern had a speaker coming to town that caught my interest.

Daniel Corcos was going to be speaking on Exercise and Parkinson's Disease at the University Club of Denver and I was really excited to take a listen.  I have crossed paths with several individuals including a close childhood friend who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  I am also a strong proponent that exercise is medicine and wanted to catch up on the latest research.  Finally, I have never connected with alumni clubs and really wanted to take the opportunity.

The University Club of Denver is an amazing venue.  It exudes that old wealth of a private club.  It was established in 1891 and sits on the same property at 17th and Sherman 125 years later.  Resident Membership has an initiation fee of $1400 and monthly dues of $325 plus a quarterly food & beverage minimum of $150.  One of the Northwestern Alumni Club officers is a member and was able to arrange the venue.

The food was good with olive toast points, pulled pork sliders and chicken skewers.  They also had a cash bar with all attendees getting one free drink ticket.

The speaker was very thoughtful and covered the material well.  The net-net was that exercise is clinically proven to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

There were about 30 attendees at the event.  Most were retired having had successful careers in a variety of fields.  I talked to a couple of folks that retired from aerospace engineering and a law practice.  It was mostly an older crowd with a smattering of younger folks.  I was surprised to hear that there were a number of speech and language pathologists in the mix.

The speaker spoke at a pretty high level, but clearly showed that outcomes are statistically significant for cardiovascular exercise 4 times per week for 30 minutes and strength 2 times per week.  He was in town as part of coordinating with Anchutz Medical Center with an ongoing phase 3 clinical trial.

I certainly may continue to participate in alumni events and thought it was a really great crowd.

Monday, February 24, 2025

Quattro Assi Sean Kelly Tour Edition











Let me preface this by saying that I buying another bicycle will cause me more problems that this is probably worth, but when Will Martin listed this on Facebook Marketplace for $270 a month ago, I had to have it.  Fortunately, I forgot about it and the price was dropped to $215 at which point I picked it up without even considering haggling.

Per Will, he was the second owner.  He purchased from the original owner, put on new tires and handlebar tape and maybe rode it 500 miles.  

It is an aluminum frame with an aftermarket Easton carbon fiber front fork.  Mostly Shimano 105 components and very comfortable during my test ride in the Sam's Club parking lot.  I am looking forward to giving it a proper ride soon.  Aside from the classic Quattro Assi geometry, I was taken in by the color and the front triple chainring which is pretty uncommon now.  The only must upgrades are the pedals.  Everything else looked good.

Sean Kelly Unveils New Bike

Sean Kelly, the "King of the Classics", attended workshops held at six U.S. bike shops from California to Texas, August 15th-23rd. Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and ride with this legendary cyclist.

During the Tour, Sean unveiled his new bike, a Quattro Assi Elite. Built from Easton Elite Select aluminum tubing and made in the U.S.A. Sean raved to Tour participants on the responsiveness of his Quattro Assi. He noted, one strong reason for the outstanding responsiveness lies within the frame's engineering. The Easton Elite Select tubing employs tapered wall butting. By tapering the tubing walls, not only is the maximum yield of strength increased by 5%, but also a 57% higher fatigue limit is achieved. Additionally, there is a 16% higher tensile strength.

Sean equally praised the surprisingly comfortable smooth ride, not usually found in aluminum frames. The harshness was eliminated during tig welding by using internally purged Argon gas. Externally, the frames are heat treated then aligned within a .5 millimeter tolerance.

Picked up a pair of Shimano PD6700 Road Pedals from Scott Millsapps for $20.  He threw in cleats as well.  He switched over to mountain bike pedals for his new Trek Fuel EXe that apparently set him back $6500, but now his wife does not need to wait for him.

Doing a quick add of my bicycle spend current value:

Gios (2001)                cost = $2000 (2001)    current value = $400
Pinarello (1987)         cost = $750 (1987)      current value = $300
Surly (2017)               cost = $1700 (2017)    current value = $400
Cervelo (2010)           cost = $600 (2023)      current value = $500
Mercier (20xx)           cost = $50 (2024)        current value = $100
Quattro Assi (199x)    cost = $215 (2025)      current value = $215

Nobody needs (6) bicycles, but a lifetime spend of $5500 is not ridiculous.  This does not count a Specialized Rockhopper that I bought for $500 and sold for $125 or a Raleigh Road Bike that I bought for around $300, but was stolen.

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Las Vegas 2025!






This is my second trip to Las Vegas in less than a year.  The June 2024 trip was with Naveen to see Dead & Company and while it was a lot of fun, this adventure was more my speed and my sensibilities.

Saturday - Feb 1 - Fly in to Las Vegas, uber to Host2Suites, chatted with Dave for an hour, grabbed a Falafel wrap for dinner at the hotel bar

Sunday - Feb 2 - Woke up at 5:45 to get cleaned up and meet Dave in the lobby of the hotel to walk to Convention Center.  Warmed up, finished Hyrox in 2:15:35, met up with Priya, checked out of hotel, uber to Park MGM, relaxed, read a book and had dinner (shrimp fried rice) with Mom at La La Noodles

Monday - Feb 3 - Woke up, headed to hotel gym to get legs moving on the bike, grabbed breakfast with Priya at Starbucks, went for a 900 yard swim at the Nomad pool, live action at Aria, busted out of Aria poker tournament after first break, Panino sandwich at Eataly, went to FountainBleau Hotel at had dinner (veggie burger and fries) at Tavern Bar

Tuesday - Feb 4 - Woke up, uber to Dragon's Lair for upper body pump, uber back to Park MGM and grabbed a coffee at Starbucks, played live action at Aria for a couple of hours and then had pizza for lunch at the Aria food court.  uber to the airport and everything went smoothly

It was fun to spend time with my Mom and Priya.  It was super nice of Priya to come out to my race, but frustrating for her that she could not find me on the course.  We enjoyed chit chatting, I followed them around while they played Pai Gow and slot machines.  I was not playing poker particularly well, but I was playing disciplined and got knocked out on a coin flip JJ vs AK.  I really liked the Dragon's Lair gym as that was one thing I missed last trip.  I did not miss hanging out at the pool, lounges, or fancy dinners.  It would have been nice to take in a show.

Saturday, January 04, 2025

Goodbye 2024!

2024 has been kind of all over the place.  I finished my sixth year at CDOT.  My wife is still with the Department of the Interior (but has moved to the Office of the Inspector General) and is an Air Force Reservist stationed at the US Air Force Academy.  My first born started her senior year at D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School.  My second born started 10th grade at D’Evelyn Junior Senior High School.  My first born had an internship at the US Air Force Academy in the Astronautics Lab.  She continued with the Dakota Ridge Civil Air Patrol and was promoted to Second Lieutenant.  My second born continued to take advantage of drop in volleyball and started volunteering at Children’s Hospital.

My dental health has been stable, but my physical health is in decline.  I gained 10 pounds during the year.  Surprisingly my blood pressure and cholesterol have improved, but my A1C has gotten worse.

Both of my daughters again decided to host birthday parties at the house.  My wife did not have a birthday party.  I celebrated by going out for billiards.

We again traveled quite a bit this year.  We were in London for New Years (1), I drove to Abilene, KS in February (2), I drove to Cheyenne, WY in March (3), the girls were in California for Spring Break, we went to Scottsdale for a family reunion in May (4), we flew down to New Orleans in June (5), I flew to Philadelphia for a funeral in June (6), I flew to Las Vegas for a concert in June (7), we drove to Guernsey, WY in June (8), I flew to Kansas City in June (9), the girls went to Missouri and Louisiana for college visits in September, I flew to London in October (10), we flew to Tampa for Christmas (11).  The Josephs/Contractors came to visit in March, Mom came to visit in April, Tanya came to visit in June, Rishil came to visit in September, India family visited in September.  That is a lot of traveling and family coming to visit.

Professionally I have stayed in the Traffic Safety & Engineering group, but it has not been going as well.  I have continued with training and field work visiting Delta, Johnstown and Lakewood.

My community involvement has stayed low.  I did volunteer at Volleyball keeping the scoresheet for the JV games.  I attended 56 AA meetings and still do not have a home group or a sponsor.

In terms of hobbies, I continue to broaden my horizons.  I have continued with the Garage Gym Build.  I have stuck with endurance training with two RMRR events and the Littlefoot Triathlon.  I participated in Bike-to-Work Day for the second year in a row.  I lifted in the Spring and Fall GGC setting a lifetime best 762.5 pound total.  I continued with Highland Games throwing in Elizabeth and the Colorado Scottish Festival.  I upped my Grip involvement participating in Rolling Hills Grip Challenge 2, Dub’s Grip Challenge, Rocky Mountain Grip Challenge and king Kong.  By far the biggest uptick has been All-Round Weightlifting.  I formed a club, traveled for National and International competition, hosted an event, hosted a venue for multiple hybrid events and accepted leadership positions.  Archery has slowed down a bit with only 9 sessions (down from 22).  I also dabbled in Backgammon, but it didn’t take.  One of my bigger debacles was buying a Glock with the intention of getting involved in USPSA.  I paid $30/month for a Blu-Core membership and never used it.  I did play a little more poker with 4 casino outings and 1 home game.

No religious involvement year to date.

We had (3) ski days during a Thanksgiving week trip to Keystone.

I had (3) days in the Coral Seat including the 4th of July bash.

Similar golf to last year with a few trips to the driving range.

Numismatics was up relative to last year.  I attended (9) meetings of the South Suburban Coin Club, (5) meetings of the Denver Coin Club (DCC), went to the DCC show and the ANA show, purchased (3) dimes, (1) half dime, (2) quarters, (2) Gupta Dynasty coins, (1) Mughal Rupee, a buffalo nickel, and (2) medals.  I also purchased (1) dime book, (3) reeded edge half dollar books, (1) dollar book, (3) Indian coin books, (1) Canadian Coin book.  The capstone was presenting on dimes at the South Suburban Coin Club meeting.

I read (2) books last year.  Killed by a Traffic Engineer and Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do.  Both were non-fiction work related.  I started a few others including Chamber Divers, Goerner the Mighty and The Complete Keys to Progress.

I had some big purchases this year including a Concept2 Bike Erg and a Torque Tank Magnetic Sled.  I bought some more ROC-MO plates, I went nuts on grip with Grippers, Contest Implements and Misc items, I also bought a Highland Games Heavy Weight.  No real favorite purchase as they are all thinly used.  In terms of rarity, the Scott Preacher Bench is a gem, the 9 pound York roundhead in the wild was exciting and the Dragon’s Tooth implement was a gem.  Personal items include some Purdue fan gear and a single speed bicycle.

In terms of home improvement, we tackled the big expense of having a second air conditioning unit installed.  That was an important task.  We also had the handyman touch up exterior paint.  We also got a new toilet for the half bath.

Most unusual in terms of purchases were vehicles.  We purchased in 2024 Subaru CrossTrek in March.  The intent was for Nisha to have a car to learn on.  It would also be my primary vehicle as my Jeep was pushing 10 years and 100,000 miles.  The 2011 Subaru Legacy was totaled in June.  As a replacement, I decided to buy a 2007 Subaru Impreza in August.  The Impreza turned into a money pit which I eventually sold in October.  In the meantime, I bought a 2012 Subaru Legacy in September and I feel like this will be a good vehicle for me.  Diya has been driving the 2024 and Nisha has started to learn on my Jeep.

Gupta Family Trust established

The Kansas City Chiefs repeated as Superbowl Champions.  Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.  James Sprague won his first CrossFit Games and Tia-Clair Toomey repeated as champion after taking a year off for the birth of her daughter.

Donald Trump took the White House and the Republican party took control of the Senate and House of Representatives.  It will make for a chaotic 4 years.

Diya continued to tour colleges, took (and retook) her ACT and SAT, applied to a number of colleges while also doing a Civil Air Patrol encampment, going to Girls State and attending Band Camp.  Nisha has been going to drop in volleyball and volunteering at Children’s Hospital.

In the Spring Diya was on the Track & Field team specializing in Pole Vault.  Nisha played tennis and was the doubles 2 pairing on the JV squad.  In the Fall Diya was a section leader of the 3A Championship Marching Band and Nisha played volleyball on the JV squad.  They both did Mock Trial again.

Best Wishes for 2025!

Thursday, January 02, 2025

Tampa Travel





We did a nice family vacation to Tampa for the holidays.  Seven days is usually a long trip for me and this certainly felt long.  It was tougher as I did not plan any adventures or outings for myself.  My brother-in-law has a 10 year old and a 7 year old and they can certainly be a handful.

Wednesday 12/25 - Fly to Tampa

Thursday 12/26 - Avilla Gym, Tijuana Flats for dinner (quite the production for some reason)

Friday 12/27 - Siesta Key Beach.  Long travel day, but nice beach.  I went for a swim.  Dinner at an Italian place.

Saturday 12/28 - Hung out at the pool, leftovers for dinner

Sunday 12/29 - Drove to Crystal River.  Met up with Terry and Terri.  Lunch at Waterfront Social.

Monday 12/30 - Busch Gardens.  The park was very crowded.  During the 8 hours in the park, I only went on one ride (Cheetah Hunt).  Dinner at Zeko's Mediterranean.

Tuesday 12/31 - Sketchers store, Pop Stroke Mini Golf.  Publix sandwich for dinner.

Wednesday 1/1 - Tijuana Flats for lunch, Fly home to Denver.  Old Chicago for dinner.

Overall, the girls seemed to have fun.  It was also an interesting change of pace to be watching professional and college football.  I also got back into the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.  I re-read a big chunk of Oathbringer (3rd book) and am looking forward to the next installment.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Christmas Shopping for Myself

It is always tough to shop for my wife and the children.  Shopping for myself is surprisingly easy, especially when Black Friday deals abound.

English Bridle Belt - Belt Fed Strength
Leather belt - Rogue Fitness (5 items ship free)
OSO Axle Collars - Rogue Fitness
Mini Bands - Rogue Fitness
Wrist Wraps - Rogue Fitness
Wrist Wraps - Rogue Fitness
AtomiGripz (2) - Ben Helms
Carhartt Jacket - CDOT Store
Round Grip String Bar - Titan Fitness
Apollon's Axle - Jason Wood
Barrel Strength Systems Grip Package - Jason Wood
Wall Mount Ab Amigo - AbMat

Some items had been on my list for a while and I pulled the trigger due to a sale.  Others were opportunistic purchases due to deals on Facebook Marketplace.

Potential Gifts for Family:

Nisha - Robe, ski poles

Diya - CriCut Explore Air 2 (machine $149, bundle $289)

Ratna - ??

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Keystone 2024





After skipping the 2023-2024 ski season, we decided to get out for a few days of skiing to kick off the 2024-2025 ski season.  We were able to secure lodging at the Silver Mill Condominiums near the River Run Gondola.  It worked out really well having a 2 bedroom condo for the four of us.

We arrived around noon on Sunday, unpacked the car and got out for a couple of runs.  We took the gondola up and took Schoolmarm all the way down.  We all struggled a bit getting our legs back underneath us.

That night we had dinner out at Rotolo's Craft and Crust.  The pizza was OK, but it was nice to have a hot meal.

Monday, we had breakfast at the condo and then headed up the mountain.  After a couple hours of skiing we went by the Summit House to have a snack that turned into a full blown lunch with 2 orders of chicken fingers and fries.  I headed back down the mountain and the girls skied another hour on their own.  That night we did soup and leftovers for dinner.  That night we watched "Growing up Smith" and were all surprisingly entertained by the story of an immigrant family who struggled to adjust to life in the United States and having their children defiantly "date" American kids.

Tuesday was an interesting day with my older daughter heading out on her own for first chair and then calling it a day after a couple of runs.  Ratna and I went out later.  I skied one run with her and another on my own.  With weather moving in, the powder was great, but the visibility left something to be desired and my goggles were fogging up.

Tuesday night we grabbed savory crepes from The Crepe Stand.  They were pretty tasty, but we got there a little early and were not super hungry.  That night we also decided to play cards.  We all learned a new game called Euchre.  I had played in college, but it has certainly been a while.

We headed home after checking out at 10:00 AM on Wednesday.  The drive back was surprisingly easy.  Roads were mostly clear with some snow packed section.  One section of I-70 was closed, but the detour along US40 was very easy.

It was a really nice 4 day, 3 night getaway.  We are not first chair to last chair enthusiasts, so having a comfortable condo with amenities like a game room and hot tub are really nice.  It was also nice to have underground parking and a ski locker so were not hauling gear up to the room.

It is tougher to ski together with my older daughter starting to take on expert terrain while, my younger daughter and I stay on intermediate terrain, while my wife prefers beginner terrain.  We make it work and having the base area in walking distance of the condo makes things much easier.

Many of the runs were still closed, but there was plenty of terrain for use to explore over 3 days of skiing.

Everybody's gear worked great.  It is time to get my younger daughter some poles and I may get some new ski goggles.  I did not pack much warm gear assuming temperatures in the 30's.  I was a little chilly with temperatures in the 10's and 20's, but did OK.

Packing food from home was very nice.  I should have packed some decaf tea and also some lunchmeat.