Day 14 - Slowly, sluggishly, I venture out for the day, but not until

Because it was a Sunday, AKA, the lord's day, I needed to heed the call of a Bloody Mary while watching the lords of the gridiron play at a local sports bar. With my cousin and her posse, we (including Stanley - though he did try to oversleep) headed to the Upper Deck Sports Bar in Old Scottsdale, Arizona. With games on multiple televisions throughout the bar, I was able to secure one to watch my purple lads against New England. Unfortunately, the result was not the same as my visit to Gillette Stadium in January, 2010.

Stanley, the omnipresent tag-along, was certain the Ravens had the game well in hand. But, as you can see, Stanley was more focused on the drinks than the game itself.

Stanley and I were engrossed in the Ravens v Patriots game. Stanley was waaaay too happy throughout the game, always looking like he was doing jumping jacks. Sure that was nice when the Ravens were up by 10 points, but he could have chilled a bit at least when the game went into OT.

Stanley had too much to drink during the game and went face down and pretended to be a chalk outline after the final whistle blew when the Pats won by a field goal.

After a couple of cups of coffee, he was his old chipper self again. 

After coming home to have a delightful lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup (perfect together like PB&J, Bugs and Bunny), I took a ride to see if I could get a massage. (I know I'm riding cross country to raise money for services provided to torture victims, but I have given myself permission to get massages here and there. Plus they are much less expensive here in AZ than at home in MD.) No appointments were available at the time I wanted to go, so I rode to REI to get my bent wheel repaired and purchase some supplies to replace those items which I lost in the Imperial Desert and things I realized I really needed as well.

En route, I came across a business sign that shows just how ridiculous Americans are. This place was nicer than any homes I have ever been to in my life. Give the Fluffy to a neighbor to watch and spend the difference on something less indulgent (like food for Pakistani flood victims, child welfare or environmental issues). Fluffy can hang with the neighbors. Fluffy just cares about food, water and a nuzzle here and there, not that they went to some hoity-toity resort to show off excess wealth! (Yeah, there's my soapbox speech for the day. Whew. That's done.)

Just a sign.

So I finally made it to REI on the directions Mr. Google Maps provided on my Droid. Ooof! It was like an Ozzy Osbourne song - "Over the Mountain," when there was a much easier route of flat easy roadways. Oh well, I got in 15 miles or so finding my way around Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Phoenix. While at REI, I met a cashier who was originally from Northeast Philly. We did the Phill, chat and discussed why I was walking through the store with my bike and a bunch of goodies. A woman in line behind me overheard and we all started chatting. The woman behind me in line was gearing up to go to Peru for a medical mission. Ooooh and that lucky duck is going to Machu Pichu. That's one of my bucket list items along with Angkor Wat. We all chatted for a bit and parted ways, but my jealousy of a visit to Peru is still eating at me. Blah!

So on my ride back to my cousin's home, I came upon an orange lighted monstrosity that few, other than Clark W. Griswold, could appreciate. I almost puked.

Upon finding the homestead, I pulled out my goodies and began to program my new odometer. Two hours of reading tiny print and I still couldn't get the Cat-Eye brand thingy to work. I passed out with it on my lap.