Thursday, December 22, 2011

Last Gasp SARATS Entry!

Hey there! Long time no write! How have you been? I sure have missed you these last 9 days... I have no good excuse. Just got busy again. Somebody else who got busy was Darin from Duluth, Minnesota. He submitted a picture for SARATS at 9:01 PM (Eastern) on December 15, bringing the total number of entries to a whopping 18! There were 12 entries in the Smackdown's first year. Now, does that translate to 150% growth or 50% growth? I've always been a little slow on growth percentages. In any case, it is awesome. Thanks again to all who entered.

Here's Darin's email:

Hi Rantwick,

I guess I've procrastinated as long as I could, so here is my entry into the smackdown.
 
These two beautiful maples are in my back yard in Duluth, Minnesota. Not only are they the perfect distance apart to hang a hammock, the squirrels and chipmunks who frequent them keep my dog, Loki, entertained and out of my hair for hours on end. 
Thanks for putting on the contest, and despite what Loki may think, I find reading your blog much more entertaining than watching squirrels and chipmunks.

Darin

 
 
 
 
Pretty damn good entry if you ask me.
 
I consider Darin an excellent new acquaintance for several reasons. First and foremost, he appears to be pretty crazy about bikes and has a number of them that I envy and/or covet quite badly. This leads to a second reason; one of said bikes gets ridden in Winter in Duluth, Minnesota.
 
 
 
 
Look at those fat tires. So cool. The last reason I'm pleased to have "met" this dude is that Duluth Minnesota and the pictures from his blog remind me very much of my birthplace and childhood home of Thunder Bay, Ontario, which I openly pine for sometimes on these pages.
 
Look at this map:
 
 
 
 
 
Hell, we're practically brothers! Darin, please don't be alarmed. I won't be showing up at your house or anything. I may, however, be sending you some syrup; only the voting will tell.
 
Speaking of the voting, it may have to wait until the new year, meaning a SARATS winner may not be declared until later in January. Sorry for the delay, but I've been kind of swamped lately.
 
I probably won't be writing again until after Christmas. I want to wish all of you a truly peaceful and loving holiday. Whatever you think the real point of Christmas is, cling to it as best you can and try to just dump all the rest.
 
Yer Pal,
R A N T W I C K

PS - I take issue with Darin enjoying reading my blog more than watching squirrels. Squirrels should win that one hands down. Darin, you're not my new best friend anymore, you anti-squirrel watching jerk. So there. 

11 comments:

Steve A said...

Read Darin's input again. He didn't say he didn't absolutely LOVE squirrels, merely that he adored Rantwick even more. Hmm, did you ever see the movie "Fatal Attraction?" Minnesota is within driving distance of London, too!

RANTWICK said...

I think it would be like, a 15 hour drive. If I'm gonna go that far, I should really just go all the way home and leave poor Darin alone.

As to my squirrel comment, I knew that. If surfing the Internet has taught me anything, it is that one should be mean to others for no reason at all and without any forethought of any kind. So shut up, Steve, you jerk.

Steve A said...

Oooo - CLASSIC Rantwick form. Welcome back!

RANTWICK said...

Thanks, man! I'm just happy to be here.

TrevorW�� said...

Just like to wish you everything that you would wish for yourself, for the upcoming Christmas Holiday season Rantwick......

Will connect with you again in 2012

-Trevor

RANTWICK said...

Hey, thanks Trevor! Same here man.

Anonymous said...

That is a good tree! As far as 15 miles/km's or whatever, and Fatal Attraction, I think that distance is not big enough to make a difference to anyone who is crazzzed!!! :)

Keri said...

I just wanted you to know I looked. I did. I took this photo today, 12/23.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26585352@N06/6562100221/

Still very little color. It's been so hot. And I'm not bragging about that, having to run the A/C in December is killing me.

Merry Christmas!
K

rlove2bike said...

Thanks for the great reading with a good chuckle now and again.

Merry Christmas!!

RANTWICK said...

PA - It is 15 HOURS. Even the crazed hesitiate to drive 15 hours.

Keri - I see your predicament. Thanks for trying, and there's always next year!

rlove - You are very welcome. Thanks for bothering to read it, and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year right back atcha.

cafiend said...

Rantwick: Re: crazed --what about that crazy astronaut woman who wore adult diapers on her marathon revenge road trip a few years ago? That be some craaazy!

Happy end of December and beginning of January to you...and the rest of the year along with it.

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