The Daily Lott

BFF (The Lott)

Miss Izzy & Lilli enjoy fence fighting, mud baths, and eating poo and are available for back yard parties. Fee negotiable.

Rove Riddance (H-Bomb)

Remembering Karl Rove by Tim Grieve, Salon.com

We could spend days reminiscing about the role Karl Rove has played in our politics over the last decade or so -- the whisper campaigns against Ann Richards in Texas and John McCain in South Carolina, the fight over Florida in 2000, the demonization of John Kerry in 2004, the "thumpin" Rove and his boss and their party took in 2006 -- and we'll be looking forward to what Rove himself has to say about all of it when he sits down to write his book after leaving the White House this month.

In the meantime, here are a few memories that spring right to mind:

The outing of Valerie Plame: Rove leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame to Robert Novak and to Matthew Cooper in the summer of 2003. For as long as it could -- or as long as it needed to -- the White House adamantly denied that Rove was involved in Plame's outing. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said in September 2003 that "the president knows" that Rove wasn't involved and that it was "ridiculous" to suggest that he was. In October 2003,, McClellan said he had spoken with Rove and Scooter Libby and that they had "assured" him that they were "not involved in this." Rove himself was cagey: "I didn't know here name. I didn't leak her name," he told ABC early on, a formulation he repeated for Larry King at the Republican National Convention in August 2004. Only after Bush was re-elected in 2004 did we learn the truth: Rove had, in fact, been "involved." And while he may not have leaked Plame's "name," he confirmed for both Novak and Cooper that Amb. Joseph Wilson's wife worked for the CIA. Asked about the revelation that Rove had, in fact, been involved, Bush said in June 2006: "I trust Karl Rove."

Karl Rove and Patrick Fitzgerald: When Rove first sat down with FBI agents investigating Plame's outing, he somehow forgot to mention that he had revealed Plame's identity to Matthew Cooper. He somehow forgot to mention it a second time when he first testified before Patrick Fitzgerald's grand jury. Four visits to the grand jury room later, Rove somehow managed to avoid the perjury, false statement and obstruction of justice charges Scooter Libby ultimately faced. In his opening statement at Libby's trial, Libby defense attorney Ted Wells argued that the White House had tried to make Libby take the fall for outing Plame because Rove "had to be protected." After Libby was convicted, a puzzled juror asked, "What are we doing with this guy here? Where's Rove?"

Rove and the U.S. attorney purge: We don't know the extent of Rove's role in the decision to fire a slew of U.S. attorneys last year, in part because the president has used claims of executive privilege to block those who do know -- including Rove -- from responding to congressional subpoenas, in part because the Republican National Committee hasn't turned over e-mail messages Rove sent via a private RNC account, and in part because Rove reportedly continued to delete such e-mails even after he was told not to. Among the things we do know: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the notion of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys had been Harriet Miers' idea and "her idea only." Confronted on March 15, 2007, with an e-mail message suggesting that Rove had advocated the idea, Snow said that Rove had actually opposed the idea. One day later, Snow retreated completely: "It has been described as [Miers'] idea," he said, "but I don't want to try to vouch for origination. At this juncture, people have hazy memories."

Rove and Jack Abramoff: Rove has claimed that convicted GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff was just a "casual acquaintance." The House Government Reform Committee subsequently identified 82 contacts between Abramoff's team and Rove's office, including a series of communications in which Abramoff set Rove up with tickets to watch the NCAA basketball tournament from his skybox at what was then known as the MCI Center in Washington.

Rove and terrorism: In June 2005, Rove did publicly what he'd so often accomplished more privately: He painted Democrats as terrorist sympathizers. "Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war," Rove said in a speech in Manhattan. "Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers." Rove -- whose boss, at this point, has sent 3,689 U.S. soldiers to their deaths in Iraq -- argued that comments Sen. Dick Durbin had just made about Guantánamo Bay were "putting our troops in greater danger," then added: "No more needs to be said about the motives of liberals."

Rove and the long view of history: Earlier this year, Rove told the Washington Post that, the disaster called Iraq notwithstanding, the "Bush doctrine" of pre-emptive war will go down as the president's biggest legacy. "It has a logic of force and nature and reality that will cause people to examine it, adjust it, test it, resist it -- but ultimately embrace it."

Rove and his own legacy: "I'm a myth," Rove says as he prepares to step down. "There's the 'Mark of Rove.' I read about some of the things I'm supposed to have done, and I have to try not to laugh."

Spinning So Fast I'm Getting Dizzy (H-Bomb)

The last two weeks have been chock full of activity, I'm happy to say. It's good to feel like I'm making progress on lots of worthwhile projects. I only wish I was more focused on my successes and less so on the sensation of falling behind in so many other regards. I could fill a page with all of the important, neglected projects I have at home and work. For this evening though, I'm going to try to focus on the successes!

Riding of late has been fantastic although the heat has made it challenging. Recent rides include:

Sat, July 28: Fontaine Rider's Choice (but from my house instead) - 38 mi @ 13.23 mph w/ Emily & Julia. This was a hard ride with 3,080 feet of climbing. The heat was oppressive and I would have cut the ride short if I didn't have Emily & Julia telling me I could go the distance. Thank you both!

Sun, July 29: No biking. Just gardening.

Sat, Aug 4: More gardening!

Sun, Aug 5: Orange-Gordonsville - 41 mi @ 14.40 mph w/ Jane, Frank and CBC. What a lovely route. This is one of my favorite rides, although not good if you need to work on your hill climbing as it's comparatively flat. It was on this ride (not the Tour de Louisa as previously reported) that a bull nearly took out Frank (not Tom!). Frank said hi to him and the bull decided to give chase. He raced 5 or 6 of us down the road and when he was slightly ahead of us, he abruptly cut across our path disappearing out of sight as we sped on. What a close call that was.

Aug 11: Tour de Louisa - 58 mi @ 15.00 mph w/ Jane, Diane, and CBC. Oops, I steered us wrong and added an extra 8 miles to the 50 mi ride by mistake. I started cramping around mile 42, Jane bonked at mile 45, and Diane won the "No Whining" award. We stopped at a custom scooter (Harley) shop and the owners showed off their gorgeous "Indian" and even started it up so Jane could sit on it in her cycling gear and rev the engine. What a photo that would have made! We had to drag her away; it was love at first sight. Thank you Jane for the scrumptious ham & swiss sammies and potato chips we devoured on the drive back from Louisa.

Aug 12: Scottsville Short Loop - 37 mi @ 13.96 mph w/ Jane, Diana, and CBC. This is another of my favorite rides of late. Unfortunately, my quads were talking to me from the very first pedal stroke. (And you dont' want me to repeat what they had to say.)

Corn field at Porters and Esmont Roads in Southern Albemarle on July 7th

Same corn field on August 12th - clearly we're not getting enough water

That's a total of 95 miles and 6,780 feet of climbing in the heat this weekend, bringing YTD miles up to 1213. Woo woo! I love my weekend rides and would ride during the week if I could just get my act together. Maybe someday I'll be able to organize my life around cycling... A girl can dream. Two weeks and counting until the Reston Century. Jane and I are thinking of doing the Ivy-Crown Orchard-Batesville ride next Saturday. It's only 29 miles but has 3,260 feet of climbing. Not sure about Sunday yet. A long, flat route might be ideal. Perhaps the Orange-Gordonsville ride again.

Air Conditioning is a blessed thing. Experiencing my indoor house temp climb up to 90 degrees this past week has certainly reinforced my appreciation of the air conditioning arts. The whole system stopped working on Sat, Aug 4th making sleeping that night fairly miserable. The pups stayed with Sophie at Jane's while we went on our ride and that afternoon I moved in with Emily & Julia at their friends' house (we were all squatting and sucking down cold, dry air while the outdoor temp skyrocketed). What a godsend their hospitality was! Thank you, thank you!!!

It took until Thursday before my AC was functioning again. Props to B. Brown of B's Heating & Air who went out of his way to diagnose the problem and get it fixed. I now have a pretty clear idea of what needs to be done to bring the system into the modern era. A much larger return for starters. An energy efficient AC built more recently than 1983. D'oh. Two relocated registers (bedroom & kitchen) and two new registers for the basement to condition that funky air. All new ducts for the hell of it. Also an air filtration system - probably filter as opposed to cell, but I need to read up on that. To fit it all in and in the right configuration, the furnace and AC will be suspended from the rafters in the crawl space half of the basement. Happily that should make a condensate pump unnecessary as there should be enough fall from the unit to the exterior grade level. The new condenser will go in the side yard, as per usual. The first quote came in Monday from Albemarle Heating & Air at $9,000. Do I look like a sucker? (Don't answer that.) On Tuesday I met with 4 other vendors: Beck Cohen, W. E. Brown, Comfort Heating & Air, and B's Heating & Air, the last two giving me the greatest comfort. Quotes (not all for the same specs) start at $5,000 and go up from there. When I get B's quote I'll come up with a game plan, which will likely involve holding off until after the Summer if possible.

Sharing house for most of a week was so much fun, Henri & Lilli decided the wanted to come stay with Miss Lottie & Miss Izzy for a spell. All 4 little white dogs are getting along famously. Today we had a puppy pool party in the back yard and good fun was had by all. Sorry no photos of the pool party, but here are some consolation shots.

While the pups romped in and out of the pool, sun, and shade, I had a great time sunning myself and catching up on my cycling reading. The July-August issue of American Bicyclist from the League of American Bicyclists got me psyched to get certified as a League Cycling Instructor (LCI). There's a seminar on Nov 2nd in Arnold, MD. Not sure if I can it then, but sometime soon I'd like to do it. I'd also love to go to the National Rally 2007: El Tour de Tucson Nov 15-17th. Did you know that you can take a bike tour of the National Mall, courtesy of Park Rangers? What a great idea!

If you're not a member of the League, I highly recommend it! Check out the "Why Should I Join The League?" page on their site. If you're a cyclist, you should be a member. It's that simple.

Another super cool thing I learned while sweating and turning pink is that Bicycling.com has a library of GPS route maps! Sadly, there are no routes up from the Charlottesville area, but I think that we can take care of that in short order. Check out GPS Routes To Fitness and upload your favorite GPS route maps!

Looking for a sweet townie ride? Check out the Amsterdam by Electra Bicycle Co.

I didn't read about it this afternoon, but while I'm on the subject of cool cycling stuff, I'd like to point out that for a cool $225 you can be the first on your block to sport the 2008 Giro Ionos Helmet. Follow the link and zoom in to see all of the sexy color options.

Yesterday I finally bit the bullet and bought a bike rack, the oh so sleek and craftily designed Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack. It'll really come in handy when Jane and I head off to our upcoming 4 centuries around the state. Thank you DDIG for the gift certificate from Performance!

Gardening. Jeff Jennings of Jennings Landscape Contracting kindly sent a crew over to pull the weeds in my overgrown front beds and edge the entire thing. Wow, thank you Jeff & co! That was nearly 2 weeks ago and since then I've hoed the entire thing, roughly 600 sf, raked in 18 bags of organic humus and manure, and decided on what to use as a ground cover.

Next steps in the long overdue transformation are:

Music. Stop the presses! Travis Morrison has FINALLY released the album he promised over 2 years ago. Rather, I should say the release date is upcoming - Aug 21st. Oh, I can't wait!!!

More gratuitous puppy pics:

Aug 1: Trip to Riverview Park to cool off and run wild - with Henri & Lilli, Emily & Julia

Aug 4: Trip to Waynesboro to visit Barbara & Randy who were kind enough to watch the pups while I did some plant research at the local nurseries. Thankfully, neither dog tripped Barbara who is recovering from a broken ankle and has to keep all of the weight off of her right leg or she sees stars. Owy! Thank you both for the gardening and plant suggestions!

What haven't I done while sitting here writing this post?

Was it worth it? Eh, I'll let you be the judge.

Good night.

p.s. Earlier this week I saw an archival clip of Bob Dylan performing on Johnny Cash's TV show. The song he sang hit home; there are too many people for whom I can imagine it being true. And that makes me sad for everyone involved.

I once held her in my arms,
She said she would always stay.
But I was cruel,
I treated her like a fool,
I threw it all away.

Once I had mountains in the palm of my hand,
And rivers that ran through ev'ry day.
I must have been mad,
I never knew what I had,
Until I threw it all away.

Love is all there is, it makes the world go 'round,
Love and only love, it can't be denied.
No matter what you think about it
You just won't be able to do without it.
Take a tip from one who's tried.

So if you find someone that gives you all of her love,
Take it to your heart, don't let it stray,
For one thing that's certain,
You will surely be a-hurtin',
If you throw it all away.

-Bob Dylan
"I Threw It All Away"
from Nashville Skyline
Copyright © 1969; renewed 1997 Big Sky Music

New MS Gene Discovered (H-Bomb)

International Collaborators Identify New Genetic Risk Factors for MS
National MS Society Supported the Largest Whole Genome Scan for MS

July 30 - The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) has identified two new genetic variations associated with MS, completing the largest replicated whole genome scan (scan of all the genes in the body) for multiple sclerosis to date. In addition, two independent collaborating groups published papers in Nature Genetics confirming one of these gene variations. The findings point to potential mechanisms underlying the disease and present possible new targets for designing better therapies to stop the immune attack in MS.

The IMSGC, a group of international MS genetic experts created with funding from the National MS Society, report their results in The New England Journal of Medicine. The Society and Harvard united to jointly raise a total of $3.63 million to fund this genome scan study. Read more.

You can help fund the next break through by making a contribution today! Thank you!

We believe that moving is not just something you can or can’t do, but rather is who you are. That if you are alive, you are connected to the potential, the hope, the momentum of it all. Multiple Sclerosis stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t. - National MS Society

Dark & Stormy Good Times (The Lott)

Mike practices the Daddy craddle.

Izzy + Lilli = Lizzy

"No one understands me like you, Stone Pug" - Lottie

Henri Doodle Poochiarelli Pelliccia enjoys fine dining.

Miss Izzy on the loose!

"Lottie loves you."

Where does the time go? (H-Bomb)

I fell behind with posting to the blog this Spring and it's been hard to get back into it. I pulled up my calendar, biking log, class schedule, vet bills, and iPhoto looking for clues to what all I've been doing of late. Here's what I found...

On April 1st I created a .Mac group called Team Dominion Digital & Cycling Friends. The message board and ride calendar were the primary objectives. I loaded the iCal calendar with every local and regional ride I could find. Over the following couple of months I compiled cycling resources and safety info and posted it on the site using iWeb. In the end the invite-only aspect .Mac groups is limiting. We are up to 37 members; I think we'd have more if the process for joining wasn't such a bit of a hassle for some people. I keep meaning to check out Google groups to see if they're any easier to join. Let me know if you'd like to join the site and I'll send you the invite...

On April 20th I joined Jayme and Derek at the now defunct Starr Hill Music Club to see Josh Rouse. Watching him play with so much self assurance and joy reminded me of how determined and confident he was back in 1997 when he was still making overpriced coffee drinks at Starbucks in Nashville. It was thrilling to see how he had succeeded at his dream.

On April 21st Emily, Julia and I took all 4 pups out to PVCC and played with Julia's faboulous new 10 megapixel digital SLR with sport mode. I was able to catch some nice shots of the pups. The next day I gave Izzy her first haircut and she's worn a puppy cut ever since.

May 2 - July 11th I attended a management training class called "Supervision". My friends Grant Tate and Jennifer Till of Bridgewater Innovations taught the class using course materials from the Resource Associates Corp (RAC). The text and action workbook covered:

I learned a good deal and recommend the class to anyone looking to develop their management skills as well as their own personal goal and time management skills. I still have a lot more work to do, but I know where I should be heading now.

In May I met Jeff Erkelens of Latitude 38 - Urban Design Build and fell in love with the modern, sustainable house he built at 1002 Grady Avenue. With super realtor Bob Hughes' help I put an offer in but it wasn't meant to be. It was disappointing at the time, but in the end I'm happy not to be saddled with a HUGE mortgage.

I did take the opportunity, however, to tidy up the garden beds in case I needed to put the house on the market right away.

On May 10th Yay short hair! Thank you Megan!

On the evening of May 14th, Jane and I took Sophie, Lottie and Izzy to PVCC along with Beaker & Milo. All was going well with lots of puppy rough housing until Lottie tore her right ACL while or immediately after running downhill on an asphalt path. Oh, it was pitiful. She wouldn't put any weight on it and I took her to the vet a day and a half later. She was tentatively diagnosed with a torn ACL and that was confirmed two weeks later when she was sedated and xrayed. When I wasn't home with her, I had to keep Lottie confined to the kitchen so she wouldn't use her hind legs to jump on the furniture and risk worsening the tear. Several times a day I carried her down to the back yard and stood guard at the bottom of the stairs waiting until she was ready to be carried back up. She did not like any of it one bit and was clearly in pain. It broke my heart. Two weeks after the injury Dr. Betts was impressed with how her other ligaments were thickening to compensate and felt that surgery was not indicated. Carrie had urged me to be very cautious about proceeding with surgery so I was glad to hear that Dr. Betts felt it wasn't necessary. Since then the stability in Lottie's right knee has continued to improve. Her limp varies from slight to pronounced depending on her activity level. When I know in advance that I'm going to take her for a walk, Betts suggests that I give her Rimadyl to help prevent inflammation, but only if Lottie is well hydrated. It can be deadly if given to a under hydrated dog. Danger zone!

When Lottie was xrayed they saw that her hips aren't so great which explains the stiffness she has sometimes when getting up and hesitation with jumping sometimes. She now takes Flexicose with her meals.

On May 31st: Miss Izzy was spayed. We had a full-fledged infirmary in the kitchen for a few days. She bounced back quickly, of course!

On June 2nd I attended a UVA reunion for the first time. It was my 15th college reunion and I visited with some of the coolest people in town at the WTJU Reunion Reception including Reggie Marshall of Mars Jazz fame with whom I had worked on the Jazz Concert Series in 1991-92 and the very first UVA Jazzfest in 1992. We both missed Timmeny. Good lord, it was hot.

On June 9th and 10th nearly 600 riders converged at the STAB Lower Campus for the Tour de Vine MS Bike Tour. Team Dominion Digital proudly participated for the 2nd year with each of us putting in countless hours on the bike to prepare for the bike ride. Our 11 riders biked 1515 miles and raised $9,575 for Multiple Sclerosis research and services! With the generous donations of 33 sponsors, I was able to raise $3000! Happy Father's Day Jeffrey! I will keep riding and fundraising for the National MS Society until we have a cure and a prevention. A big thank you to Lou for watching Miss Lottie and Miss Izzy all weekend.

On Monday June 11th, my cousin Vicki died tragically. My grandfather called on Tuesday to tell me. I was shocked and saddened. That Friday I met up with my cousins David and Margaret, my aunts Pat and Peggy, my father, and my uncle Jimmy, Vicki's father, for Vicki's funeral near the home of her mother Pin and step father Charlie in Bedford, VA. I met her son Kane and saw photos of her daughter Devan for the first time. Most of us hadn't been in touch with Vicki or Margaret for years and felt at a loss to understand how so much tragedy and darkness could have befallen her. Pin and Charlie were very welcoming and I want to try to keep in touch with them, at least with a new year's card each year.

On June 14th Mom was awarded her THIRD Daytime Emmy in the Creative Arts for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction / Electronic Camera / Video Control for a Drama Series, specifically for her role as the Senior Video Operator (SVO) for All My Children. Woo Woo! Congratulations Mom!

Mom was out on Short Term Disability at the time and has since been approved for Long Term Disability which is fantastic news. How sweet it is to go out on a high note!

On June 16th Lottie turned 7! We celebrated the following weekend by hosting an impromptu puppy pool party in the back yard with her friends Henri, Lilli, Sophie, and Ruby and my friends Emily, Julia, Hope, and Lisa. Frosty Paws were enjoyed by all of the 4 legged guests.

On June 20th fter several weeks of periodically sitting on hold for long stretches only to then be told that there were no seats available, I succeeded in using frequent flier miles to book my r/t ticket to New Zealand in February! I'm thrilled! I'll be gone for 20 days and actually in NZ for 15 days. I have a night in LA which is great; I'll get to see family & friends. Coming back I go through SFO. For part of the time in NZ I'll stay with Bob & Susan on their sheep farm about an hour north of Auckland on the North Island. The rest of the time I'll be on the South Island biking and maybe white water rafting. I need to scout out my options. Oh, I can't wait. I'll need to line up temporary housing for Miss Lottie & Miss Izzy...

On June 22nd you wouldn't have been able to find a single 80s cocktail dress at local thrift shops. They were all being strutted about at the 80s Prom - a totally radical benefit for Planned Parenthood. What a huge success! Turnout was fantastic and everyone (except me) had fantastic 80s costumes. We danced the night away.

On June 24th I and another 15 or so friends helped Amy & Mike move into their new home, right next door to Emily & Julia on Belmont Avenue. The house is lovely and their kitchen renovation is nearly complete.

On June 26th the brilliant Dr. Sadiq orchestrated Jeffrey going in for major surgery. His Baclofen and Methotrexate pump was due to be replaced with a new model and better battery that should be good for 7-9 years. The pump is placed behind the abdominal muscles and connects directly to his spinal column. We HEART Sadiq. He's been phenomenal for Jeffrey's MS care and so very attentive and caring.

On June 30th Miss Lottie, Miss Izzy and I went up to Alexandria to visit with my cousins David & Jill and their sweet baby Lelah who was about 14 weeks old. We caught up in the house, yard, over dinner, and on a long walk / jog on Sunday.

On July 8th Julia and I brought Henri, Lilli, Lottie, and Izzy to Beaver Creek Lake to cool off in the water. Good lord it was hot! Lilli swam around, Henri & Lottie waded and Izzy was afraid of the water.

On July 15th I left the pups with Lou (thank you!) and went to Deep Run Park in Richmond for the DDIG Summer Picnic. It was scorcher, but a great deal of fun nonetheless. Hamdingers provided the catered lunch and Dark & Stormy bevs, Jason McKown made 90 gourmet cupcakes. Kyra pulled it all together and then some - with the wonderful help of Eric! Thank you Kyra & Eric!

On July 18th Frank started as a new Office Manager at Dominion Digital! Kyra and I have been training him in everything that goes through the Biz Office and he keeps coming back each morning so we're quite happy! After work on Frank's first day we enjoyed some Dark & Stormy cocktails, picnic leftovers, and a game of Carcassone. Al & Julia both liked it so much, they went out and bought copies for themselves.

As I was leaving work on Friday, July 20th to pick up the car from Cole's over next to Mas, I walked right into a Peace Rally at the West End of the Downtown Mall. Cindy Sheehan brought her Journey for Humanity to town on the way to DC to demand Bush & Cheney's impeachment. The pups and I cheered on the speakers and then hustled down the Mall taking photos as the March made its way to the Pavilion.

NBC 29: Peace Activist Cindy Sheehan Holds Rally

The Hook: Victory marchers meet Sheehan singers

Daily Progress: Anti-war protestors' visit, rally spark counter-march

NBC 29: Duel War Rallies on the Downtown Mall

Photos: Rally for Impeachment and Peace - Charlottesville, VA - July 20, 2007

On Saturday, July 21st Blair hosted a fabulous cocktail party as a baby shower for Amy. So much fun! You guessed it... lots of little baby shoes for the wee one!

July 24th: Yay - even shorter hair! Thanks again Megan!!!

July 26th: Today has been great. I was trying to build a wiki page with discussion board and document library on Campfire. In the process I broke a bunch of things (that part is not so great), but learned some pretty sophisticated SharePoint admin tools in the process. After work, I battled the mosquitoes and heat while pulling weeds from the neglected garden beds (so much more to do) and pruning the Ink Berry shrubs. Afterwards, I bathed the pups and sat down with iTunes running and finished up this lengthy post. (It's been in the work since Sunday. Oy!) Friends have given me SO much new music and I'm terribly behind in listening to it all. Me and music were on the outs for awhile, and it's nice to be getting back together.