Holy Rollers!
Did you know the Vatican sponsored a pro cycling team? I didn't, and I've been following the sport pretty closely for more than 20 years! I only found out by a sort of accident. I've been keeping track of all the revelations from Jesus Manzano, an ex-pro Spanish rider who's been willing to tell all about systematic doping in the sport. (He's the new Paul Kimmage, I imagine.) He was fired from his team at the end of the last season for getting it on in his hotel room and getting caught. (It seems that such lusty behavior is forbidden by the team contract.) His revenge--and a lucrative payoff, I'm sure--is to give his story to anyone who'll listen (and pay up). Anyway, he's now been offered a spot on this Amore e Vita Italian team, which is comprised entirely of good Catholic boys who refuse to participate in doping (and who certainly will not find themselves in any compromising missionary positions). And, since they're not even on the radar screen of results, they're probably not doping. My personal feeling is that most of the peloton is doping, and justifies it because everyone else is, and, because they have concocted elaborate justifications in their minds, having to do with all sorts of scientific/medical stuff. For example, they may not see blood transfusions as doping, since it is already standard practice (and not illlegal) to rehydrate via IVs at night during long stage races like the Tour de France. Then there's EPO, testosterone, human growth hormone, corticoids, nandrolone, and so many others. Good old boy Lance Armstrong has always said that he has never tested positive, which to me seems like a pretty wiggly rationalization. Notice the clever choice of words, sports fans.
I have no idea why this interests me.
On a completely different note, Gabe got a piece in the annual city school art show. Actually any kid with a pulse did, but here's his self-portrait (in the middle).
Did you know the Vatican sponsored a pro cycling team? I didn't, and I've been following the sport pretty closely for more than 20 years! I only found out by a sort of accident. I've been keeping track of all the revelations from Jesus Manzano, an ex-pro Spanish rider who's been willing to tell all about systematic doping in the sport. (He's the new Paul Kimmage, I imagine.) He was fired from his team at the end of the last season for getting it on in his hotel room and getting caught. (It seems that such lusty behavior is forbidden by the team contract.) His revenge--and a lucrative payoff, I'm sure--is to give his story to anyone who'll listen (and pay up). Anyway, he's now been offered a spot on this Amore e Vita Italian team, which is comprised entirely of good Catholic boys who refuse to participate in doping (and who certainly will not find themselves in any compromising missionary positions). And, since they're not even on the radar screen of results, they're probably not doping. My personal feeling is that most of the peloton is doping, and justifies it because everyone else is, and, because they have concocted elaborate justifications in their minds, having to do with all sorts of scientific/medical stuff. For example, they may not see blood transfusions as doping, since it is already standard practice (and not illlegal) to rehydrate via IVs at night during long stage races like the Tour de France. Then there's EPO, testosterone, human growth hormone, corticoids, nandrolone, and so many others. Good old boy Lance Armstrong has always said that he has never tested positive, which to me seems like a pretty wiggly rationalization. Notice the clever choice of words, sports fans.
I have no idea why this interests me.
On a completely different note, Gabe got a piece in the annual city school art show. Actually any kid with a pulse did, but here's his self-portrait (in the middle).
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