Monday, April 18, 2005

Armstrong to Retire After Tour It won't be news by the time you read it here, but Lance Armstrong has decided to retire from cycling after competing in this summer's Tour de France. He's already locked up one of the greatest careers in sports, winning six consecutive Tour titles with a chance for a seventh one this year. He's been so dominant, that sometimes you forget for a moment that the most amazing thing is that he nearly diednine years ago from testicular cancer. Armstrong said he wants to spend more time with his three young children. "the biggest inspiration in my life now and the biggest inspiration to this decision". "They are the ones that make it easier to suffer, but they are the ones who have told me that it's time to come home," Armstrong said. "And so without them, none of this would be possible." He also thanked him mom, who he descibed as "a great force that I have learned a lot from", and girlfriend Sheryl Crow: "Sheryl, you've been an amazing woman. For somebody's who's the Queen of Rock & Roll you sure have been a great cycling fan, cycling teammate and a great partner." Some athletes are content to walk away, but others find that there's no substitute for the fire of competition and the glare of the spotlight. Lance has never been a conventional athlete, and it'll be interesting to watch him adjust to life away from sports. He's only 33 years old, and as much as anything it's been his unmatched drive and desire that has helped him succeed. Will he pour that passion and indominable will into other ventures? 4:36:06 PM    comment []

Buffy Singalong Austin's Alamo Drafthouse has a well-earned reputation for hosting movie-related events. They put on another hit last night, as Sarah and I went to the Buffy Singalong, a screening of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode, "Once More With Feeling", complete with encouraged - or demanded - crowd participation. It was a fantastic time, and not just because Sarah looked so fetching in her Sunnydale High T-shirt. There was a real sense of fun and community. Also, Texas Spike made an appearance. Next up on the Alamo event calendar: The Big Lebowski roadshow, featuring the movie, bowling, and White Russians. ("There's a beverage here!") Where did I leave my bathrobe? 12:23:00 PM    comment []