CycleOps Trainer

Last week I cleaned off the cobwebs on my bike, degreased the chain, pumped up the tires and took it out for a spin. That is when I realized that I really missed riding so I decided to get myself an early Christmas present. I've been lazy; other than the weekly basketball games, I've done nothing to improve my cardio. The best way to feed my desire to cycle and to get in shape is purchasing this trainer; I've always wanted one and after some quick research I ended up with the 2008 CycleOps Fluid Trainer. If you are unsure what this contraption is; it is basically a stationary bike except you're riding a real bike (your own bike). You hook up the back tire and you cycle in place with varying degrees of resistance and since it is your bike it feels like you're actually out on the road. I foresee some nice workouts in the near future and I look forward to rekindling my love of cycling with my Trek 1000. Buns of steel baby, buns of steel.

SICK

I feel it coming on; stuffy nose, heavy eye-lids, cloudy head... I don't really want to be at work today. Hopefully I feel better as the week progresses.

I blame it on my adorable nephew Aiden.

The Melting Pot

Wow, Thanksgiving is tomorrow. This year has roared by and Christmas is already on the horizon. So recently a lot of my co-workers have been talking about the Melting Pot (which recently opened near Brea) and how great the food tastes, etc. There is one in Irvine but I have never eaten there before. Yesterday, I took Kaini to the restaurant and here is my breakdown of the complete meal:


First Course: Cheese Fondue
We chose the fiesta cheese; they used a beer base and added cheese, garlic, and a lot of jalapenos; it was pretty good but heavy, the cheese was gooey. It came with vegetables, breads, and chips to dip. I think I had a little too much here.

Second Course: Salad
Several to choose from; K's Spinach Mushroom Salad was pretty good, my Athenian salad was OK. Nothing too special here.

Main Course: Fondue
We chose to use the Coq Au Vin base and chose the Fondue Fusion meal (includes; lobster, fillet mignon, ravioli, citrus pork, garlic herb chicken, etc...). The Coq Au Vin uses a burgundy wine base and adds herbs, mushrooms, garlic, etc. The main course came with as many dipping sauces as items to cook. The lobster was great; and the fillet mignon was great - midway through I was already stuffed (and started 'not' enjoying the food as much).

Dessert: Chocolate Fondue
There were a lot of different choices; we chose the Flaming Turtle which is milk chocolate and caramel flambayed with 151 (with random nuts). It was good but I was already too full before dessert to enjoy it much; the marshmallows were awesome though.

Final verdict:
Great dining experience, the food was mediocre, and it was just too pricey. I think the 'big meal' could easily feed 3 or even 4 (that would cut the cost significantly). I would go back but probably not as a couple (way too much food); or go back to just do appetizers and the dessert; not the complete meal.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Happy Birthday!!!

PiRo is one! [wow, time flies...]