Frodo managed to hold on to the One ring traipsing across Middle Earth while everyone from the Shire to Mount Doom tried to snatch it from him. I've lost three wedding rings in two years.
The first one I lost I had managed to hold on to for over 10 years. It was your typical gold band. My wife and I were fortunate enough to go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary. Somewhere between my house and terminal B at KCI I lost it. It no doubt sits at the bottom of a little river, waiting for the day some poor hobbit like creature discovers it and lets it ruin his life.
So, while in Hawaii I bought another ring at the big flea market they have at Aloha Stadium in Oahu. It was made out of some kind of stone. It cost about $3, and I wore it as my wedding band. This one came to an unfortunate end because I took it off while working out in the garage. When I was done I tried to grab it, but the ring deceived me. It leaped from my hand and dove toward the concrete floor. When it hit, it broke into exactly three pieces.
The third ring of power I lost after my warm up swim at the Windsor Tri. It was a Christmas gift from my wife and it was made of titanium. I was sure it wouldn't break. But it did something I did not expect. After my warm up, I interlocked my fingers behind my back to stretch my shoulders, and when I released my hands, the ring flew off into the grass. I looked around but couldn't find it. I was sure that short guy with the big feet hanging around there grabbed it and put it in his pocket, but I couldn't prove it.
So, I've been ringless for a couple of months now, and I still feel naked without my Precious. I feel the urge to tell people, "Yes, I'm married! I lost my rings, that's all."
Being the big nerd that I am, if I get a change to replace my wedding band, I'd like to get one of those replica One rings (it'll have to be a replica because, you know, the real one was destroyed). See.
In other news, I signed up for the K-Swiss Ironman 70.3 Branson. Care to join me?
I intended to run this morning, but when I looked outside there was snow and sleet...oh, who cares? Maybe I'll go anyways.
OK, Merry Christmas! Peace of Christ to you this Christmas, and all year long.
God bless us all, everyone!
Frodo lives!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Running to the Beat
Have you tried to run to one of those tacks with bouncing club music? I have, and I can't quite get it to work for me. Either the beat is too slow or I can't stay on rhythm. I find myself going, "Left, left, left, right, left, OK, here we go...dang it! I'm off again!" Another distraction is the lyrics, which are usually one line for each "song", repeated a few dozen times. The words to a recent one I listened to went something like, "She wants it." I spent about a mile and a half trying figure out what she wanted.
While I run or workout I generally listen to some boring podcast where they're discussing the sociological implications of theistic evolution or some other equally tedious topic. I wonder, however, if I'd run faster with music playing. Obviously I can't listen to that cool, hip dance music the kids listen to in their night clubs, but maybe something else. Would I run faster with Hank Williams playing? Or Rich Mullins? Ace of Base?
Maybe someone should put out a track with that drill Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket screaming in your ears. Or something else more positive and encouraging (K-Love? Ack!)?
Here's something else I wish someone would invent: a device that lets you race a "ghost". You know how on Mario Cart you can race one of the ghosts, or rather, race against yourself or someone else who's already completed the race? As you're racing, you can see where the other person was on the track at that time. What about one of those GPS enabled wrist watches that will do that for you? I don't need a 3D display or anything, just two dots going along a route. Most of the time I'm running along and going, "OK, what was my time when I got to the stop sign yesterday? Oh yes, one minute. No, wait, that's one mile. Wait. The turn at the park is a mile. Wait, you certainly didn't run a mile in a minute, so the stop sign must be one minute, not one mile..." That goes on for about a mile and a half.
OK, speaking of running, it's time to do that.
While I run or workout I generally listen to some boring podcast where they're discussing the sociological implications of theistic evolution or some other equally tedious topic. I wonder, however, if I'd run faster with music playing. Obviously I can't listen to that cool, hip dance music the kids listen to in their night clubs, but maybe something else. Would I run faster with Hank Williams playing? Or Rich Mullins? Ace of Base?
Maybe someone should put out a track with that drill Sergeant from Full Metal Jacket screaming in your ears. Or something else more positive and encouraging (K-Love? Ack!)?
Here's something else I wish someone would invent: a device that lets you race a "ghost". You know how on Mario Cart you can race one of the ghosts, or rather, race against yourself or someone else who's already completed the race? As you're racing, you can see where the other person was on the track at that time. What about one of those GPS enabled wrist watches that will do that for you? I don't need a 3D display or anything, just two dots going along a route. Most of the time I'm running along and going, "OK, what was my time when I got to the stop sign yesterday? Oh yes, one minute. No, wait, that's one mile. Wait. The turn at the park is a mile. Wait, you certainly didn't run a mile in a minute, so the stop sign must be one minute, not one mile..." That goes on for about a mile and a half.
OK, speaking of running, it's time to do that.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Product Reviews
Whoa! I just noticed that my iTunes account has 666 podcast episodes. What other sign do we need to prove we're living in the Great Tribulation?
Actually, I converted to Preterism some time ago, so I don't know what the heck's going to happen in the next seven years.
Some of the blogs I try to emulate have many followers and offer product reviews. My blog does not have many followers, and I have not offered any product reviews. Perhaps I don't have many followers because I haven't offered any product reviews. I shall rectify that today.
No, a sponsor (like, say, Under Armour) did not recently send me an item hoping I'd praise its virtues on my blog. That only happens to the popular bloggers, evidently. I did, however, receive some free workout attire some time ago that I shall review today. Full disclosure: These clothes were made available to me by the United States Department of the Navy. Go Navy!
The very comfortable matching sweat pants and sweat shirt I'm wearing now were manufactured by the Soffe company, right here in the USA! In NC no less! Not some soft, west coast state in the Pacific Northwest (or China). The style I have is a grey sweat pants color, which, according to me and Miley, never goes out of fashion. Think Rocky. Think Burgess Meredith. Think sweat. Perfect for boxing and pilates.
I can actually hear Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah as I run through Philadelphia when I'm wearing these bad boys. For some reason, I even put a towel in my collar. I don't know what that's for, but it was good enough for the champ.
Fifty percent fortrel polyester, fifty percent cotton allows for breathability. I'm not even kidding about that. The draw string on the pants is superfluous for me as the elastic waistband is enough to hold 'em up. The elasticized gathered ankles keeps the bottom of my pants from flapping all around like some kind of commie Oregon state flag.
Don't be a bum! You have to get some of these. When they gave me these at Camp Geiger in NC (Marine combat training for the rest of us) in 1995 the idea was to make us all look the same. That is not a problem here in the civilian world. Nobody ('cept Miley and pregnant girls) sports these grey sweat pants anymore. Stand out from the crowd with Soffe Sweats sweat pants and shirts.
And yes, you read that right, 1995. I've rocked these for 15 years, and they're as gray as the day I got 'em! Are your Under Armour garments going to last that long? Sheah, right.
(BTW, I love Under Armour and would gladly pimp my blog for them if they'd send me something!)
Actually, I converted to Preterism some time ago, so I don't know what the heck's going to happen in the next seven years.
Some of the blogs I try to emulate have many followers and offer product reviews. My blog does not have many followers, and I have not offered any product reviews. Perhaps I don't have many followers because I haven't offered any product reviews. I shall rectify that today.
No, a sponsor (like, say, Under Armour) did not recently send me an item hoping I'd praise its virtues on my blog. That only happens to the popular bloggers, evidently. I did, however, receive some free workout attire some time ago that I shall review today. Full disclosure: These clothes were made available to me by the United States Department of the Navy. Go Navy!
The very comfortable matching sweat pants and sweat shirt I'm wearing now were manufactured by the Soffe company, right here in the USA! In NC no less! Not some soft, west coast state in the Pacific Northwest (or China). The style I have is a grey sweat pants color, which, according to me and Miley, never goes out of fashion. Think Rocky. Think Burgess Meredith. Think sweat. Perfect for boxing and pilates.
I can actually hear Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah ba ba Bah as I run through Philadelphia when I'm wearing these bad boys. For some reason, I even put a towel in my collar. I don't know what that's for, but it was good enough for the champ.
Fifty percent fortrel polyester, fifty percent cotton allows for breathability. I'm not even kidding about that. The draw string on the pants is superfluous for me as the elastic waistband is enough to hold 'em up. The elasticized gathered ankles keeps the bottom of my pants from flapping all around like some kind of commie Oregon state flag.
Don't be a bum! You have to get some of these. When they gave me these at Camp Geiger in NC (Marine combat training for the rest of us) in 1995 the idea was to make us all look the same. That is not a problem here in the civilian world. Nobody ('cept Miley and pregnant girls) sports these grey sweat pants anymore. Stand out from the crowd with Soffe Sweats sweat pants and shirts.
And yes, you read that right, 1995. I've rocked these for 15 years, and they're as gray as the day I got 'em! Are your Under Armour garments going to last that long? Sheah, right.
(BTW, I love Under Armour and would gladly pimp my blog for them if they'd send me something!)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
American Top Gear
It's not you, it's me.
Honestly folks, it's the same show.
Well, yes and no.
I've been down on the American Top Gear for a little while now, even before I saw it, which is proof of my amazing ability to prejudge. But now I have seen the first two episodes and have to conclude that all the elements are there, except the chemistry.
The banter between the above hosts, whose names I can't remember, seems awkward, forced, and most often, dull. Also, when they directly address us, the audience, it doesn't quite resonate. It's a bit like trying to talk with a friend of a friend.
All of that, however, is probably just me. Others may find these guys quite engaging. And over time they may find their comfort zone and become more interesting.
Aside from that, it looks to me they replicated the BBC version of this show. There are challenges, a Stig, a test track, celebrities driving a reasonably priced car, reviews of cars you can't afford, etc. Surprisingly, at least to me, they even retained the standing studio audience. The graceful and artistic presentations of the cars they are reviewing is also a part of the American version. The theme song is even the same.
The American version is only an hour long, with commercials. I have not seen them do a news segment yet, so that is at least one part they did cut out. The BBC version so far has gotten bigger celebrities to drive their small cars. For instance, Tom Cruise holds the record with their current car on the test track. The American version has had Buzz Aldrin and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
My favorite challenges on the BBC version are when they race from point A to point B across Europe, like from London to some ski resort is Switzerland, James and Hammond using traditional transportation, and Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron, or some other fantasy car. So I hope that sort of thing makes into the American version, though I haven't seen it yet.
The first challenge on the American Version, however, was promising. Two of the American guys, in a Dodge Viper, had to elude a Cobra attack helicopter trying to get a missile lock on them. However, the whole bit seemed overly produced, and the repartee lacking. To be fair, though Clarkson and his fellows come across much more natural on the BBC version, I recognize that their bits and challenges are overly produced as well at times.
So, I wish the History Channel success with this endeavor, and I hope the show makes it. I believe they need to give it some time to gel. Perhaps some day the American hosts can quit explaining all the bits. If you're a fan of the BBC version, you might as well watch the American version. If you haven't watched either, it's worth looking at, just don't expect to like the hosts right off the line.
Oh, one other thing. When they are actually in the cars, driving, testing, what have you, if you watch through a mirror, it appears they are on the "correct" side of the car.
Honestly folks, it's the same show.
Well, yes and no.
I've been down on the American Top Gear for a little while now, even before I saw it, which is proof of my amazing ability to prejudge. But now I have seen the first two episodes and have to conclude that all the elements are there, except the chemistry.
The banter between the above hosts, whose names I can't remember, seems awkward, forced, and most often, dull. Also, when they directly address us, the audience, it doesn't quite resonate. It's a bit like trying to talk with a friend of a friend.
All of that, however, is probably just me. Others may find these guys quite engaging. And over time they may find their comfort zone and become more interesting.
Aside from that, it looks to me they replicated the BBC version of this show. There are challenges, a Stig, a test track, celebrities driving a reasonably priced car, reviews of cars you can't afford, etc. Surprisingly, at least to me, they even retained the standing studio audience. The graceful and artistic presentations of the cars they are reviewing is also a part of the American version. The theme song is even the same.
The American version is only an hour long, with commercials. I have not seen them do a news segment yet, so that is at least one part they did cut out. The BBC version so far has gotten bigger celebrities to drive their small cars. For instance, Tom Cruise holds the record with their current car on the test track. The American version has had Buzz Aldrin and Meriadoc Brandybuck.
My favorite challenges on the BBC version are when they race from point A to point B across Europe, like from London to some ski resort is Switzerland, James and Hammond using traditional transportation, and Clarkson in a Bugatti Veyron, or some other fantasy car. So I hope that sort of thing makes into the American version, though I haven't seen it yet.
The first challenge on the American Version, however, was promising. Two of the American guys, in a Dodge Viper, had to elude a Cobra attack helicopter trying to get a missile lock on them. However, the whole bit seemed overly produced, and the repartee lacking. To be fair, though Clarkson and his fellows come across much more natural on the BBC version, I recognize that their bits and challenges are overly produced as well at times.
So, I wish the History Channel success with this endeavor, and I hope the show makes it. I believe they need to give it some time to gel. Perhaps some day the American hosts can quit explaining all the bits. If you're a fan of the BBC version, you might as well watch the American version. If you haven't watched either, it's worth looking at, just don't expect to like the hosts right off the line.
Oh, one other thing. When they are actually in the cars, driving, testing, what have you, if you watch through a mirror, it appears they are on the "correct" side of the car.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Pumped Up
You can hear me now and believe me later, but I am getting pumped up. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see how my body is responding to all of my work outs.
Actually, I'm still weighing in at a girly-man 160 pounds, or 11 and a half stones for fans of Top Gear. But that's OK, I'm not really trying to gain weight, I dejectedly tell myself. I'm just trying to get stronger and stay fit. Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
I'm not trying to injure myself, but I have this nagging pain in my left should and left side of my neck. There's been a stiffness on the left side of my neck for quite a while. Many moons ago, when I started riding a bike again, I noticed it was hard to look over my left should at traffic. I have to basically turn all the way around in the saddle like one of those equestrian trick riders. The pain, however, is not from lifting. I think it's my bed, but more on that some other time, including how I had to go to Wal-mart and buy a new pillow.
I've been reading this guy's blog about his 5X5 system. He's sort of a self help lifting guru, and he's a bit of a contrarian, which always appeals to me. He stresses squatting and places a high priority on that lift. Through the years I've always avoided squats, though I do believe you need to do them. At home, however, what I can squat is limited to how much I can lift over my head. Needless to say, that's not a lot. I may have a solution, though. Some time ago I built some saw horses. I got to looking at those one day and here's what I came up with:
Now I can appropriately hurt myself by trying to squat more weight that I can lift. (I do not recommend this set up for you. If you try this at home, or anywhere, you will die and/or become seriously disabled and injured with no hope of recovery. The saw horses are designed for carpentry projects, not to act as a proper squatting rack.)
Speaking of musclely guys from Belgium, a movie you should see is JCVD. Jean-Claude plays himself, a once-popular actor still trying to get work, and gets mistaken for a bank robber. There's a weird soliloquy in the middle, but it's still pretty good. Check it out if you get the chance.
And now, the new me:
Actually, I'm still weighing in at a girly-man 160 pounds, or 11 and a half stones for fans of Top Gear. But that's OK, I'm not really trying to gain weight, I dejectedly tell myself. I'm just trying to get stronger and stay fit. Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
I'm not trying to injure myself, but I have this nagging pain in my left should and left side of my neck. There's been a stiffness on the left side of my neck for quite a while. Many moons ago, when I started riding a bike again, I noticed it was hard to look over my left should at traffic. I have to basically turn all the way around in the saddle like one of those equestrian trick riders. The pain, however, is not from lifting. I think it's my bed, but more on that some other time, including how I had to go to Wal-mart and buy a new pillow.
I've been reading this guy's blog about his 5X5 system. He's sort of a self help lifting guru, and he's a bit of a contrarian, which always appeals to me. He stresses squatting and places a high priority on that lift. Through the years I've always avoided squats, though I do believe you need to do them. At home, however, what I can squat is limited to how much I can lift over my head. Needless to say, that's not a lot. I may have a solution, though. Some time ago I built some saw horses. I got to looking at those one day and here's what I came up with:
Now I can appropriately hurt myself by trying to squat more weight that I can lift. (I do not recommend this set up for you. If you try this at home, or anywhere, you will die and/or become seriously disabled and injured with no hope of recovery. The saw horses are designed for carpentry projects, not to act as a proper squatting rack.)
Speaking of musclely guys from Belgium, a movie you should see is JCVD. Jean-Claude plays himself, a once-popular actor still trying to get work, and gets mistaken for a bank robber. There's a weird soliloquy in the middle, but it's still pretty good. Check it out if you get the chance.
And now, the new me:
Friday, November 26, 2010
So Easy
It's so easy to be lazy, especially over Thanksgiving weekend. Friday night is generally a rest night for me, but I didn't work out last night, Thanksgiving, so I figured I'd hit it again today. It doesn't look like it's going to happen. I should add, by the way, that it's easy to be lazy over Thanksgiving weekend unless you're one of the ladies in my family who do 99% of the cooking. So, I guess I'm thankful for the women in my life who cook all of that good food.
I've found it a lot easier to stay motivated when I have specific goals in mind. Right now, since I'm primarily working with free weights, I want to lift more weight, making small gains each week. When I was a younger man, I did a bunch of crazy lifts that I'd seen in magazines and videos (that's what we had to look at before the internet). Now I keep it simple: bench, squat, dips, curls, shoulder press, crunches, rows. If I had a chin-up bar I'd drop the rows and do chin-ups.
Another thing I did in my youth that I don't do now is not logging my sets and reps. I write it all down now, and it is invaluable. When I started logging my work-outs I would record each day on one page. In other words, if I did bench, dips, and crunches, I'd record all those reps and sets on one page. A few days later, when I did those sets again, I'd record it all, but it would be on a different page. This makes it difficult to compare your current sets with what you did previously. So I started recording each exercise on its own page. For instance, if I do bench today, I record it and date it 11/26. The next time benches come around, I record the sets and reps underneath my previous entry. That way I can see exactly what I need to do to improve on the last session.
But alas, I cannot stay in my garage forever. Soon I have to start running and swimming. Maybe even some biking. I'm not opposed to those things, but I need to get motivated. What? Set a goal? OK, I'll run 15 miles a week until the end of the year. But first, I need to find a video about running to show me how.
Perhaps next time I'll include a reveiw of the American Top Gear. Or perhaps not. Who cares?
I've found it a lot easier to stay motivated when I have specific goals in mind. Right now, since I'm primarily working with free weights, I want to lift more weight, making small gains each week. When I was a younger man, I did a bunch of crazy lifts that I'd seen in magazines and videos (that's what we had to look at before the internet). Now I keep it simple: bench, squat, dips, curls, shoulder press, crunches, rows. If I had a chin-up bar I'd drop the rows and do chin-ups.
Another thing I did in my youth that I don't do now is not logging my sets and reps. I write it all down now, and it is invaluable. When I started logging my work-outs I would record each day on one page. In other words, if I did bench, dips, and crunches, I'd record all those reps and sets on one page. A few days later, when I did those sets again, I'd record it all, but it would be on a different page. This makes it difficult to compare your current sets with what you did previously. So I started recording each exercise on its own page. For instance, if I do bench today, I record it and date it 11/26. The next time benches come around, I record the sets and reps underneath my previous entry. That way I can see exactly what I need to do to improve on the last session.
But alas, I cannot stay in my garage forever. Soon I have to start running and swimming. Maybe even some biking. I'm not opposed to those things, but I need to get motivated. What? Set a goal? OK, I'll run 15 miles a week until the end of the year. But first, I need to find a video about running to show me how.
Perhaps next time I'll include a reveiw of the American Top Gear. Or perhaps not. Who cares?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Nutrition
What I know about nutrition: Halloween candy is good.
I just listened to the Tri-Talk podcast about nutrition. To date I have not done anything differently gastronomically since last January when I started "training" for a triathlon. That's not to say I haven't thought about it. It's always there, like that blender you can't remember turning off. "Isn't there something else I was supposed to do?" So I was pleased to hear the subject of nutrition come up. I have a lot to learn.
Turns out, I need to eat food. Not too much, not too little. Don't eat a lot of Halloween candy. Eat healthy food. That's what I need to do.
Or is it that simple? The host kept using phrases like glycemic intake, post workout insulin uptake, and yam. I can barely run a can opener. You're going to have to tell me what specific foods to eat, and I'm talking name the brand, exactly what time to eat them, and how many times to chew. Until then it's Casey's pizza and Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies.
The Casey's/Little Debbie Diet may not be working, however. I've gained six pounds! For all of October I've been at 158 pounds, which seems scrawny enough, but over the summer I had hit 152. I haven't weighed that much since I was in boot camp in 1993. So, what have I learned about nutrition? When you're hungry, find something to eat, but make sure you're training for some kind of endurance race or getting yelled at while you do push-ups.
Due to the overwhelming number of requests I've received, I'm relenting and showing you a picture of the gym to which I belong. Enjoy:
PS. OK, Blogger is messing with me. I just ran the spell check and it doesn't like the "ver" in "over".
I just listened to the Tri-Talk podcast about nutrition. To date I have not done anything differently gastronomically since last January when I started "training" for a triathlon. That's not to say I haven't thought about it. It's always there, like that blender you can't remember turning off. "Isn't there something else I was supposed to do?" So I was pleased to hear the subject of nutrition come up. I have a lot to learn.
Turns out, I need to eat food. Not too much, not too little. Don't eat a lot of Halloween candy. Eat healthy food. That's what I need to do.
Or is it that simple? The host kept using phrases like glycemic intake, post workout insulin uptake, and yam. I can barely run a can opener. You're going to have to tell me what specific foods to eat, and I'm talking name the brand, exactly what time to eat them, and how many times to chew. Until then it's Casey's pizza and Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies.
The Casey's/Little Debbie Diet may not be working, however. I've gained six pounds! For all of October I've been at 158 pounds, which seems scrawny enough, but over the summer I had hit 152. I haven't weighed that much since I was in boot camp in 1993. So, what have I learned about nutrition? When you're hungry, find something to eat, but make sure you're training for some kind of endurance race or getting yelled at while you do push-ups.
Due to the overwhelming number of requests I've received, I'm relenting and showing you a picture of the gym to which I belong. Enjoy:
 |
| Where the magic happens. |
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Still Going
After seeing the trailer to the American Top Gear, I realized I wasn't done going on about it. Oh, it looks bloody awful! I haven't been this upset since they remade The Office. So, am I going to watch it? Of course I am! How else will I find things to complain about it unless I actually watch. I'm only praying that the American version is only an hour long. BTW, wasn't it great this season when the BBC in their infinite mercy decided to show us the entire one hour and twenty minutes version the Brits get to see? Absolutely fantastic!
My All Time Favorite British TV Shows (keeping in mind I've only seen a handful)
1. Benny Hill (This may top any of my lists)
2. Top Gear
3. Monty Python's Flying Circus
4. Fawlty Towers
5. Keeping Up Appearances
6. The Office
7. Dr. Who
Oops, I just named every British TV show I've ever seen.
Are the British known for their jazz? Heavens no. I was reminded of a song that is just brilliant while listening through my iPod today. Everyone loves Dave Brubeck's Take Five, as well they should. But there is another excellent song on the Take Five album: Blue Rondo A La Turk. The actual video is rather boring; Dave Brubeck hardly moves at all, but here it is:
My All Time Favorite British TV Shows (keeping in mind I've only seen a handful)
1. Benny Hill (This may top any of my lists)
2. Top Gear
3. Monty Python's Flying Circus
4. Fawlty Towers
5. Keeping Up Appearances
6. The Office
7. Dr. Who
Oops, I just named every British TV show I've ever seen.
Are the British known for their jazz? Heavens no. I was reminded of a song that is just brilliant while listening through my iPod today. Everyone loves Dave Brubeck's Take Five, as well they should. But there is another excellent song on the Take Five album: Blue Rondo A La Turk. The actual video is rather boring; Dave Brubeck hardly moves at all, but here it is:
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Disappointed
Just got done working out. Should I be embarrassed that I had to ask my wife to spot me? Probably not. Should I be embarrassed that she had to spot me for a buck fifty on the bench? Probably.
Lately I've taken to loading up my little iPod thing, what's it called? Oh, yes, the Nano, or something. Anyways, load it up, run through it all, load it up again with all new songs and podcasts, and run through it again. Since I have the Nano, that's two days worth of listening. So what's the point of that little report. Well there isn't one.
Every once in a while people will post what's on their iPod, or what their favorite albums or songs are, or which Streisand movie they like best (Meet the Fockers). It's always interesting to see the eclectic tastes of all your friends (Wha? He likes A Star is Born and What's Up Doc?). Not long ago my friends were posting what albums meant the most to their lives or something along those lines. One friend listed Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints. Now, I thought I was the only person in the world who owned that album, and here was someone listing it as one of his all time faves.
As mentioned earlier in various posts I'm too lazy to link to, I enjoy Pawn Stars and Top Gear. Honestly I didn't think anyone besides my wife and I watched those. When I say "those" I mean Pawn Stars. My wife doesn't watch Top Gear except when I force her to by turning up the volume while she's in the room. Anywho, I'm fine with being in the viewing minority (except when they cancel the show). It somehow makes me feel elite.
Only, it seems, I'm not in the minority. Recently I heard that Pawn Stars is one of the most popular reality shows on cable (sounds like a baseball statistic). More dishearteningly (is that a word?), 60 Minutes did a piece on Top Gear and said it was one of the most popular shows IN THE WORLD! Dang it! I'm not so elite after all. Steve Kroft did throw me a bone, however. He went on to say that included a small cult-like following in the U.S. Honestly, that's all I ever wanted to be a part of, a small cult like following, so I'll take it.
So, now I see they're making an American version of Top Gear. Come on! Do we need that? We already have a show called Top Gear, in English and everything. When I heard about the American version, the first person I thought of was Adam Carrolla, so you can imagine my disappointment when I read he was originally attached to the show for NBC's version, but is not slated to be on The History Channel's version. Dang you History Channel! How can you get so many things right, and then totally blow this one?
So much for things going my way.
Lately I've taken to loading up my little iPod thing, what's it called? Oh, yes, the Nano, or something. Anyways, load it up, run through it all, load it up again with all new songs and podcasts, and run through it again. Since I have the Nano, that's two days worth of listening. So what's the point of that little report. Well there isn't one.
Every once in a while people will post what's on their iPod, or what their favorite albums or songs are, or which Streisand movie they like best (Meet the Fockers). It's always interesting to see the eclectic tastes of all your friends (Wha? He likes A Star is Born and What's Up Doc?). Not long ago my friends were posting what albums meant the most to their lives or something along those lines. One friend listed Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints. Now, I thought I was the only person in the world who owned that album, and here was someone listing it as one of his all time faves.
As mentioned earlier in various posts I'm too lazy to link to, I enjoy Pawn Stars and Top Gear. Honestly I didn't think anyone besides my wife and I watched those. When I say "those" I mean Pawn Stars. My wife doesn't watch Top Gear except when I force her to by turning up the volume while she's in the room. Anywho, I'm fine with being in the viewing minority (except when they cancel the show). It somehow makes me feel elite.
Only, it seems, I'm not in the minority. Recently I heard that Pawn Stars is one of the most popular reality shows on cable (sounds like a baseball statistic). More dishearteningly (is that a word?), 60 Minutes did a piece on Top Gear and said it was one of the most popular shows IN THE WORLD! Dang it! I'm not so elite after all. Steve Kroft did throw me a bone, however. He went on to say that included a small cult-like following in the U.S. Honestly, that's all I ever wanted to be a part of, a small cult like following, so I'll take it.
So, now I see they're making an American version of Top Gear. Come on! Do we need that? We already have a show called Top Gear, in English and everything. When I heard about the American version, the first person I thought of was Adam Carrolla, so you can imagine my disappointment when I read he was originally attached to the show for NBC's version, but is not slated to be on The History Channel's version. Dang you History Channel! How can you get so many things right, and then totally blow this one?
So much for things going my way.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Consistency
In October I worked out twenty-two days out of the thirty-one. I'll probably work out tomorrow, so let's say twenty-three days. It's the "off season" (as if I have a "season"), so the work outs are mostly weight training. And the weight training is very basic; bench, squat, curl, etc. I do not yet resemble anyone who lifts weights, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
As reported earlier, since it looks like they're putting on the Branson 70.3 Ironman race, I will try to run it. It's not till September, so I have a year to train, more or less. There's nothing but hills in Branson, so the biking ought to be fun. More on that later.
Man, this post is boring. Even more than usual, and deleting takes so much energy. Let's try this:
Top Guy Movies (That I can think of off the top of my head as I sit here.)
10. Wanted (This barely makes the list as there may be a few girls out there that would appreciate this)
9. Master and Commander: The Far Sid of the World
8. The Bridge on the River Kwai
7. Bullitt (and let's go ahead and throw in The Getaway)
6. Full Metal Jacket
5. Any kung fu movie
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. Fight Club
2. Shoot 'Em Up (Don't watch this with your Pastor, or Mom)
1. The Godfather (This tops most of my lists)
What I mean by "guy movie" is guys like it, gals don't. I'm sure you have your own suggestions, which I'd be willing to hear.
As reported earlier, since it looks like they're putting on the Branson 70.3 Ironman race, I will try to run it. It's not till September, so I have a year to train, more or less. There's nothing but hills in Branson, so the biking ought to be fun. More on that later.
Man, this post is boring. Even more than usual, and deleting takes so much energy. Let's try this:
Top Guy Movies (That I can think of off the top of my head as I sit here.)
10. Wanted (This barely makes the list as there may be a few girls out there that would appreciate this)
9. Master and Commander: The Far Sid of the World
8. The Bridge on the River Kwai
7. Bullitt (and let's go ahead and throw in The Getaway)
6. Full Metal Jacket
5. Any kung fu movie
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
3. Fight Club
2. Shoot 'Em Up (Don't watch this with your Pastor, or Mom)
1. The Godfather (This tops most of my lists)
What I mean by "guy movie" is guys like it, gals don't. I'm sure you have your own suggestions, which I'd be willing to hear.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sac River
Went canoeing yesterday on the Sac River. Got in at the access on 82 highway and headed south, which is upstream. However, there's not a discernible current, so the headwind was the biggest challenge. Along the way we stopped to fish. At about 2.5 miles up, we stopped to fish again and decided to turn back.
We had no luck with the fishing. We caught one cat and that was it.
Heading back I thought the wind would push us along, but it had died down by that time and we have very little help in that regard. We stopped to climb a bluff. We also spotted a land bridge formation that we wanted to check out, but time was getting away from us at that point, so we saved it for the next trip.
Altogether I guess we did about 5 miles. I'm getting frustrated with my eTrex. The stupid thing randomly shuts itself off. At the end of the day, I saw it was off, turned it back on, and the mileage read 2,005. I'm pretty sure that's not right.
Here are the pics:
We had no luck with the fishing. We caught one cat and that was it.
Heading back I thought the wind would push us along, but it had died down by that time and we have very little help in that regard. We stopped to climb a bluff. We also spotted a land bridge formation that we wanted to check out, but time was getting away from us at that point, so we saved it for the next trip.
Altogether I guess we did about 5 miles. I'm getting frustrated with my eTrex. The stupid thing randomly shuts itself off. At the end of the day, I saw it was off, turned it back on, and the mileage read 2,005. I'm pretty sure that's not right.
Here are the pics:
My mug wasn't that important to the photographer.
And back she goes!
A view from a bluff.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Been Lazy
Every once in a while I have to "start working-out again." This week's been one of those times. I haven't done much since the Hermann Cross, and I wasn't very active before that. So I need some motivation here.
Since I've started reading blogs by triathletes and racers, I've seen a number of them quit. Some have quit blogging, and some have quit racing. You'll be going along, looking for the next post, and then all of a sudden they'll write something like, "Well, when I started this I wanted to...but now it's kind of a chore and not fun anymore, soooo, goodbye."
For me, when my motivation for working-out or whatever wanes, its because my motivation in general is waning. I wouldn't call it dysthymia, which I understand is long term. I'd call it short term dysthymia. I can't even stay motivated about being depressed.
My goals are to weight train for the rest of the year, and throw in some running if possible. At the beginning of the year I want to hit the water and finally learn to swim. I'd love to fit some long rides in there somewhere on warmer, dry Saturdays throughout the Fall if I can find any. When Spring roles around I want to pick up training in earnest and hit a couple more triathlons over the Summer. If they hold the 70.3 event in Branson again next year, I'll sign up. That'll give me something to train for.
One last thing. I'm recruiting an adventure race team. What's an adventure race? This is from the USARA website:
Adventure Racing offers an easy crossover for cyclist, runners and water sport enthusiasts just to mention a few. Adventure races can vary anywhere from 2-5 person teams, with some events now offering solo categories. The disciplines can also vary from race to race. Adventure racing can include shredding through tight single track on a mountain bike or orienteering and hiking through a dense forest. Adventure racers may find themselves ripping down rapids in a canoe and then rappelling off a 100 foot rock face. The races can last a few hours or several days and can cover 10 - 100 miles or more!
Sound fun? Let's do it!
And now, a toast. To staying motivated!
Since I've started reading blogs by triathletes and racers, I've seen a number of them quit. Some have quit blogging, and some have quit racing. You'll be going along, looking for the next post, and then all of a sudden they'll write something like, "Well, when I started this I wanted to...but now it's kind of a chore and not fun anymore, soooo, goodbye."
For me, when my motivation for working-out or whatever wanes, its because my motivation in general is waning. I wouldn't call it dysthymia, which I understand is long term. I'd call it short term dysthymia. I can't even stay motivated about being depressed.
My goals are to weight train for the rest of the year, and throw in some running if possible. At the beginning of the year I want to hit the water and finally learn to swim. I'd love to fit some long rides in there somewhere on warmer, dry Saturdays throughout the Fall if I can find any. When Spring roles around I want to pick up training in earnest and hit a couple more triathlons over the Summer. If they hold the 70.3 event in Branson again next year, I'll sign up. That'll give me something to train for.
One last thing. I'm recruiting an adventure race team. What's an adventure race? This is from the USARA website:
Adventure Racing offers an easy crossover for cyclist, runners and water sport enthusiasts just to mention a few. Adventure races can vary anywhere from 2-5 person teams, with some events now offering solo categories. The disciplines can also vary from race to race. Adventure racing can include shredding through tight single track on a mountain bike or orienteering and hiking through a dense forest. Adventure racers may find themselves ripping down rapids in a canoe and then rappelling off a 100 foot rock face. The races can last a few hours or several days and can cover 10 - 100 miles or more!
Sound fun? Let's do it!
And now, a toast. To staying motivated!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
More Stream of Consciousness
So there I am watching Glee with my wife. I'd never seen that show, and this episode was evidently about faith. I found myself praying that it would end so I could watch Top Gear. The only pretend high school students I want to hear singing are John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
I used to think those guys on Myth Busters had the best job ever. Now I'm not so sure. Have you seen Top Gear? These guys get to drive the most expensive cars on the planet, and there's no annoying hosts that insists on using a pirate accent every episode. Driving expensive cars really fast through Europe is my new career objective.
The other thing that Top Gear gave me is an item on the bucket list: drive the Nurburgring race track in Germany. You can show up, pay a fee, and drive (from what I understand). My wife asked me what I would drive. I said it would have to be the rental car, though on the website I linked to above I saw an add for race car rentals.
Speaking of driving east of the Rhine, a few weeks ago I mentioned my Roman Empire tour. At the time I was behind in listening to The History of Rome podcast. But then the very next episode I listened to Mike Duncan announced a real Roman Empire tour they're putting on. Dang it!
OK, I need to quit watching TV and figure out how to get to Nurburgring. Danke schoen!
I used to think those guys on Myth Busters had the best job ever. Now I'm not so sure. Have you seen Top Gear? These guys get to drive the most expensive cars on the planet, and there's no annoying hosts that insists on using a pirate accent every episode. Driving expensive cars really fast through Europe is my new career objective.
The other thing that Top Gear gave me is an item on the bucket list: drive the Nurburgring race track in Germany. You can show up, pay a fee, and drive (from what I understand). My wife asked me what I would drive. I said it would have to be the rental car, though on the website I linked to above I saw an add for race car rentals.
Speaking of driving east of the Rhine, a few weeks ago I mentioned my Roman Empire tour. At the time I was behind in listening to The History of Rome podcast. But then the very next episode I listened to Mike Duncan announced a real Roman Empire tour they're putting on. Dang it!
OK, I need to quit watching TV and figure out how to get to Nurburgring. Danke schoen!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What is This?
Took a sick day. Home from work.
What happened to Drew Carey? And I thought Bob Barker looked ill.
After just a little checking, it turns out Drew Carey lost weight.
Can you watch The Price is Right online yet? We're thinking of getting rid of our sat TV and getting all of our entertainment pleasure from the WWW. I also want to rid myself of a land line and go 100% cellular, iPhone 4 probably. We'd save about $60 a month in the deal, though we may have to get a plan with more minutes, which would cut into the savings. I do think I'd miss the football games. It's not readily apparent to me that those are streamed live.
A few weeks ago when I was talking about skeptical pod casts I failed to mention a couple of others that I think compliment the skeptics nicely. One is Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul, and the other is Unbelievable with Justin Brierley. Unbelievable is excellent. Brierley gets believers and unbelievers of various ilks together to debate a particular topic. The debates are always well cultured and subdued. Not at all what you would find on American radio with everyone talking over each other. I assume that's because most of the guests are British chaps.
Speaking of believers, what is this?
Here's the article.
I saw this reading the bikesnobnyc blog.
Excerpts from the article:
What happened to Drew Carey? And I thought Bob Barker looked ill.
After just a little checking, it turns out Drew Carey lost weight.
Can you watch The Price is Right online yet? We're thinking of getting rid of our sat TV and getting all of our entertainment pleasure from the WWW. I also want to rid myself of a land line and go 100% cellular, iPhone 4 probably. We'd save about $60 a month in the deal, though we may have to get a plan with more minutes, which would cut into the savings. I do think I'd miss the football games. It's not readily apparent to me that those are streamed live.
A few weeks ago when I was talking about skeptical pod casts I failed to mention a couple of others that I think compliment the skeptics nicely. One is Renewing Your Mind with R.C. Sproul, and the other is Unbelievable with Justin Brierley. Unbelievable is excellent. Brierley gets believers and unbelievers of various ilks together to debate a particular topic. The debates are always well cultured and subdued. Not at all what you would find on American radio with everyone talking over each other. I assume that's because most of the guests are British chaps.
Speaking of believers, what is this?
Here's the article.
I saw this reading the bikesnobnyc blog.
Excerpts from the article:
In order to remain relevant in this new landscape, many evangelical pastors and church leaders are following the lead of the hipster trendsetters, making sure their churches can check off all the important items on the hipster checklist:
- Get the church involved in social justice and creation care.
- Show clips from R-rated Coen Brothers films (e.g., No Country for Old Men, Fargo) during services.
- Sponsor church outings to microbreweries.
- Put a worship pastor onstage decked in clothes from American Apparel.
- Be okay with cussing.
- Print bulletins only on recycled cardstock.
- Use Helvetica fonts as much as possible.
- Leverage technologies like Twitter.
I didn't realized hipsters hated serifs so much, but OK. Here's more:
Hipster Christianity's attention to shock value manifests in others ways. Some churches hold their services in bars and nightclubs—Mosaic in L.A. meets in the Mayan nightclub, and North Brooklyn Vineyard in New York meets at a place called the Trash Bar. Some churches, like Grace Chicago, host wine tastings or schedule outings to microbreweries. I even attended an Anglican church a few years ago that sponsored a cookout with fine wines, beer, and a selection of cigars from the priest's own humidor. Other churches focus more on the shock value of sermons, delving into touchy subjects such as homosexuality, child abuse, sex trafficking, HIV/AIDS, and so on, sometimes with an f-bomb or two thrown in for good measure.
Another distinguishing mark of hipster Christianity is the music in its worship services. In keeping with the overarching "avoid doing what everyone else is doing" motif of hipsterdom at large, most of the hipster churches I visited seemed done with the U2- starry-rock style that now dominates megachurch evangelicalism. Rather than contemporary praise choruses, many of them favored centuries-old hymns.
If hipsters cannot completely overthrow the structures that bind them, they can at least destabilize them by engaging in hedonistic behavior: smoking, drinking, cursing, sexual experimentation, and so on. It's about freedom, partying, and transgression—not in the Jersey Shore, frat-party sense (unless ironically), but in the "bourbon cask ales taste good and I don't care if I get drunk" sense. Hipsters ridicule bourgeois concerns such as "cigarettes cause cancer" and "drinking should be done in moderation," opting instead to recklessly embrace such vices with "why not?" abandon. If you aren't willing to engage in at least some of this "subversive hedonism," you will have a hard time maintaining any hipster credibility.
Dude, I am totally converting to Hipsterism.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Hermann Cyclocross
Hey, got fourth place in my race at Hermann!
OK, there were eight riders, in the beginner men's race. But I was pleased as punch to get that fourth place. Again, I show up with the only bike that costs less than $250. And I'm not talking about the frame. I'm talking the whole bike. There was one other guy that had "regular" pedals. The rest of them had their fancy clipless pedals and actual 'cross bikes. I had a Schwinn.
They started the beginner men, and then thirty seconds later they started the nine beginner women. Two of the women beat all of the men. I finished behind the fourth place girl. That was Saturday.
I was supposed to race Sunday as well, but Saturday night the park flooded, so they canceled Sunday's race. Dang it! After it started raining I was looking forward to racing in the mud.
It was fun while it lasted, though once or twice I thought my heart was going to explode.
Later, my wife and I made an evening of it and ate German food and sampled Hermann.
Now, here are some pics.
OK, there were eight riders, in the beginner men's race. But I was pleased as punch to get that fourth place. Again, I show up with the only bike that costs less than $250. And I'm not talking about the frame. I'm talking the whole bike. There was one other guy that had "regular" pedals. The rest of them had their fancy clipless pedals and actual 'cross bikes. I had a Schwinn.
They started the beginner men, and then thirty seconds later they started the nine beginner women. Two of the women beat all of the men. I finished behind the fourth place girl. That was Saturday.
I was supposed to race Sunday as well, but Saturday night the park flooded, so they canceled Sunday's race. Dang it! After it started raining I was looking forward to racing in the mud.
It was fun while it lasted, though once or twice I thought my heart was going to explode.
Later, my wife and I made an evening of it and ate German food and sampled Hermann.
Now, here are some pics.
Friday, September 3, 2010
I'm Training for Cyclocross
Well, not really. Not in a real way. My training is pretty pathetic. I read these blogs about people going out on these 1,000 mile bike rides in the morning and I think, "I don't really know how to ride a bike, do I?"
It's hard to train for a ride when you don't know what the distance is. The race is in Hermann, MO at the city park. There are some stairs to climb. Other than that I don't know anything else.
I have practiced jumping off my bike, picking it up, and then carrying it over an obstacle. So far, no one's seen me do this. I'm sure they'd think I was crazy. To add to the crazy, when I do it I act like I'm in a big hurry. So I can only imagine what that looks like.
"WTH?! What's that boy doin'?"
In my neck of the woods there's this old road that is closed off. I presume they closed it sometime after they built the dam. At any rate, it is subject to flooding, which leaves all kinds of debris in the form of logs scattered across the old pavement. It's quite secluded, and I've only seen someone back there once, but they were fishing off the first bridge. I'd say the entire length of the closed road is about a mile, so once you get beyond that first bridge, you're not likely to see very many people.
Where was I going? Oh yes. So I tear down that road, hopping off my bike to carry it over the logs, hopping back on riding some more. Wow, just reading that back it does sound crazy. Perhaps if I were in the company of other cyclists it would look more normal. Alone it appears I've got some kind of obsessive compulsion. "Must carry bike and jump over log. Didn't do it right. Must do it again."
OK, enough for now. Search YouTube for Hermann Cyclocross. You'll find it. Enough for now.
Hermann Cross
It's hard to train for a ride when you don't know what the distance is. The race is in Hermann, MO at the city park. There are some stairs to climb. Other than that I don't know anything else.
I have practiced jumping off my bike, picking it up, and then carrying it over an obstacle. So far, no one's seen me do this. I'm sure they'd think I was crazy. To add to the crazy, when I do it I act like I'm in a big hurry. So I can only imagine what that looks like.
"WTH?! What's that boy doin'?"
In my neck of the woods there's this old road that is closed off. I presume they closed it sometime after they built the dam. At any rate, it is subject to flooding, which leaves all kinds of debris in the form of logs scattered across the old pavement. It's quite secluded, and I've only seen someone back there once, but they were fishing off the first bridge. I'd say the entire length of the closed road is about a mile, so once you get beyond that first bridge, you're not likely to see very many people.
Where was I going? Oh yes. So I tear down that road, hopping off my bike to carry it over the logs, hopping back on riding some more. Wow, just reading that back it does sound crazy. Perhaps if I were in the company of other cyclists it would look more normal. Alone it appears I've got some kind of obsessive compulsion. "Must carry bike and jump over log. Didn't do it right. Must do it again."
OK, enough for now. Search YouTube for Hermann Cyclocross. You'll find it. Enough for now.
Hermann Cross
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Skeptical Post
Time to blog.
Send me all the money you can if you'd like to invest in my new business venture. I will soon start a company that gives Roman history tours through Europe, Asia, and Africa. We'll see Rome, Pompeii, Hadrian's Wall, Masada, Alexandria, etc. And you'd better believe we'll be crossing the Rubicon (never mind that no one knows where that's at now). I'll use your investment money to first see all of these places myself. Then later, once my company is formed, I'll apply that amount toward your first tour. It'll be epic!
I have discovered the skeptical podcasts. I'm not providing any links, you already know how to search iTunes. Anyway, these skeptics' podcasts are very interesting, and as a reformed Christian, I can say amen to about 98% of what I hear on them.
The skeptics rail against astrology, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, psychics, ESP, communicating with the dead, belief in UFOs, belief in ghosts, and a bunch of other nonsense. This is all stuff I don't believe either. They also dismiss faith healers and other miracle workers. Again, I'm still in their camp.
I may be a Christian, but I've never witnessed a miracle. Not even a little one. Keep in mind, my miracle standards are pretty high. For me to call it a miracle it has to be somewhere on the order of what Jesus or the Old Testament prophets did; the blind see, the lame walk, deformed limbs made whole, the dead return. I haven't seen even one of those things happen. So when I hear of someone saying that someone somewhere performed a miracle, I become skeptical. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm just saying I doubt it.
The skeptics and I do part ways in some places. For instance, they don't seem very skeptical about evolution. They are quite certain that this process they've never observed is a fact. I will come a lot closer to believing in evolution when two things happen. One, give me an adequate answer to the question, where did matter come from? Two, create life in the lab. Since we're so sure how life came about way back however many billions of years ago, do it in the lab. It shouldn't be that hard, really.
Anyways, enough of that. If you're skeptical that I won't have a really great time with your investment money, don't be.
Send me all the money you can if you'd like to invest in my new business venture. I will soon start a company that gives Roman history tours through Europe, Asia, and Africa. We'll see Rome, Pompeii, Hadrian's Wall, Masada, Alexandria, etc. And you'd better believe we'll be crossing the Rubicon (never mind that no one knows where that's at now). I'll use your investment money to first see all of these places myself. Then later, once my company is formed, I'll apply that amount toward your first tour. It'll be epic!
I have discovered the skeptical podcasts. I'm not providing any links, you already know how to search iTunes. Anyway, these skeptics' podcasts are very interesting, and as a reformed Christian, I can say amen to about 98% of what I hear on them.
The skeptics rail against astrology, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, psychics, ESP, communicating with the dead, belief in UFOs, belief in ghosts, and a bunch of other nonsense. This is all stuff I don't believe either. They also dismiss faith healers and other miracle workers. Again, I'm still in their camp.
I may be a Christian, but I've never witnessed a miracle. Not even a little one. Keep in mind, my miracle standards are pretty high. For me to call it a miracle it has to be somewhere on the order of what Jesus or the Old Testament prophets did; the blind see, the lame walk, deformed limbs made whole, the dead return. I haven't seen even one of those things happen. So when I hear of someone saying that someone somewhere performed a miracle, I become skeptical. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I'm just saying I doubt it.
The skeptics and I do part ways in some places. For instance, they don't seem very skeptical about evolution. They are quite certain that this process they've never observed is a fact. I will come a lot closer to believing in evolution when two things happen. One, give me an adequate answer to the question, where did matter come from? Two, create life in the lab. Since we're so sure how life came about way back however many billions of years ago, do it in the lab. It shouldn't be that hard, really.
Anyways, enough of that. If you're skeptical that I won't have a really great time with your investment money, don't be.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Hiking/Canoeing/Camping
This last weekend The Boy and I went down to SE MO. We went to hike the Ozark Trail and canoe the Courtois River. The plan was to check-in Friday evening and camp. Then on Saturday morning get up, drive to the trail head, leave the truck and hit the trail. We'd hike back to camp, and then in the morning get in the canoe and float back down to the trail head. It was supposed to be about 12 miles of hiking, and 12 miles of floating over two days.
The rain cleared up and Saturday morning we started hiking. The Ozark Trail is wonderful, at least the section we were on. At one point you're hiking with the river on one side and bluffs on the other. There were too many caves to count or take pictures of (What is this? The Cave State?). We found some impressive rock formations and some nice views of the forest. We even saw wildlife.
I'm not exactly a Spartan when it comes to camping. It's getting better, though. I only had one Rubbermade tub this time.
It rained on the way down, and rained a little once we arrived, which was a bummer. But I was mostly disappointed with where I'd booked us. The Ozark Trail swings right by the Bass River Resort, and that is a good place to put in your canoe. However, upon arrival I discovered this wasn't a campground, this was a party camp. I believe everyone under the age of 29 from Rolla and St. Louis was there with us this weekend, and they each carried 24 cans of beer. I stayed on the "quiet" side of the camp, so we only had to listen to karaoke until 11 PM.
Twelve miles may have been a little ambitious for a nine year old boy, so at mile seven we decided to take a short cut. At this point on the trail, we had five more miles to go. But we were only one mile from the camp if we walked straight toward it. That didn't work out so well, and I don't recommend it. I had Camp programmed into my eTrex, and I was fairly certain it was leading us in the right direction, but it is almost impossible to walk in a straight line through the forest of SE MO.
In the end, I'm not certain we saved any time, but I am certain I ruined my wife's camera. We already had one river crossing, which we waded across no problems. Our "short cut" forced us to do another, so I began wading. I had my cell in my left hand, ready to hold it out of the water. Unfortunately, the river got deep and I plunged in up to my chin. My first thought was, "don't drown," and then, "swim for the other side." The thought, "Your wife's camera is in you backpack" didn't cross my mind until I crawled upon the bank of the other side. Yes, the camera got soaked, and at last check still doesn't work.
My son willingly jumped in the river. He never passes up on opportunity to swim. We finally made our way to camp. I'll post some more pics below, but they were all taken before that last river crossing, needless to say.
Once back at camp, we sat around for a couple of minutes and decided to get in the canoe and get to the truck that evening. We started hiking at about 9:30 AM. We got to camp around 3:30 PM after hiking/swimming approximately eight miles. We got in the canoe around 4 PM, and I think we were getting in the truck about 7 PM. It was supposed to be 12 miles of floating, but my eTrex said 10 miles, downstream. A very good day (except for the camera). I am proud of The Boy for doing it.
Sunday morning, once The Boy finally woke up, we had breakfast, broke camp, and headed down to Taum Sauk Mountain, the highest point in Missouri. At about 1,776 feet above sea level (depending on which reference you look at), we both stood on the top of Missouri. It was very gratifying. Very close by you can find Mina Sauk Falls. Not to be missed! Impressive! You should see it! Unfortunately, I can't show you. My wife's camera was drowned, and my cell phone battery was so run down it wouldn't let me take pics. Do a Google image search and you see what I'm talking about.
At that point, we were done.
Here are some other pics of us on the trail:
 |
| Luckily we brought enough sunshine to drink. |
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Another Boring Race Report
Last Saturday I completed the Windsor Tribute Triathlon. 500 yard swim. 18 mile bike. 3.1 mile run. It was a lot of fun and I'll probably try to do a couple more races next year. I might have said earlier that I've always wanted to do the Shawnee Mission Tri. I intend to sign up for it again next year. I still need to finish that thing.
Anyways, back to Windsor. 12 minutes something coming out of the water. Pathetic. An hour and two minutes on the bike. 24:47 on the run. 1:42:04 officially for the whole thing. Nothing to brag about. Middle of the pack for my age group.
It's easy to be intimidated when you show up for one of these things. There's a lot of athletic-y looking people there with great bikes and cool spandex outfits. I don't have such a great outfit. At my last tri I had a hard time getting my bike jersey on, so this time I cut the sleeves off of an old Old Navy tee shirt and wore it with my bike shorts. Perhaps not so cool, but I got that shirt on a lot faster.
One more thing. The girls at these races are very fast. I got beat by two of them. I can tell you though, at Shawnee Mission I would've been bested by scores more.
Enough about that. I have my eyes on another race. There is a cyclocross race in Hermann, MO in September. Time to start training.
Anyways, back to Windsor. 12 minutes something coming out of the water. Pathetic. An hour and two minutes on the bike. 24:47 on the run. 1:42:04 officially for the whole thing. Nothing to brag about. Middle of the pack for my age group.
It's easy to be intimidated when you show up for one of these things. There's a lot of athletic-y looking people there with great bikes and cool spandex outfits. I don't have such a great outfit. At my last tri I had a hard time getting my bike jersey on, so this time I cut the sleeves off of an old Old Navy tee shirt and wore it with my bike shorts. Perhaps not so cool, but I got that shirt on a lot faster.
One more thing. The girls at these races are very fast. I got beat by two of them. I can tell you though, at Shawnee Mission I would've been bested by scores more.
Enough about that. I have my eyes on another race. There is a cyclocross race in Hermann, MO in September. Time to start training.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
First Triathlon Race Report
My first triathlon ever was called due to rain and lightening. Bummer! To be fair it was a heck of a storm. It followed us back home to Clinton and blew over a bunch of trees and limbs, including a large maple tree limb in my yard.
Probably the best way to do this is using the Socratic method. I will provide the answers.
Q. So, overall, how did it go today?
A. Well, I didn't die, if that's what you're asking.
Q. No, just trying to get a general impression. Um, how was the swim?
A. Horrible. The water was a hot eighty-some degrees, which I'm sure sapped my strength, causing me to almost drown two times. I did finish in like 27 minutes or so, in spite of the thick water in SM Lake.
Q. Thick water?
A. Yeah, I wasn't used to it.
Q. OK...let's talk about transition one. Had you practiced transitioning from swimming to biking during your training?
A. Why would I? I already know how to put on a shirt and shoes.
Q. So, you didn't have any problems with T1?
A. Well, actually, it took like 15 minutes to get my shirt on. My torso was wet with that thick lake water, and all my shirt wanted to do was wad up in my pits and above my nips. It was embarrassing.
Q. Wow. So on to the ride. Were you able to make up any time after dealing with the, uh, you know, thick lake water?
A. Actually, again I was at a disadvantage. Everyone else had high dollar bikes with clipless pedals. I got passed like an arena league football.
Q. So do you think you should've trained differently?
A. I said they had clipless pedals. Did you not hear me?
Q. How was the route?
A. The route was up hill the whole way.
Q. I thought it was a loop.
A. It was.
Q. Hmm. OK, I'm done. Goodbye.
And there you have it. Just like the race report, the race ended when I was on the bike. I really wanted to finish, and I think I could have. The swim was harder that I expected, the biking about as hard as I suspected it would be. The run? I'll never know. Oh well, I have another race in two weeks in Windsor. See you there!
And now for some pics:
Probably the best way to do this is using the Socratic method. I will provide the answers.
Q. So, overall, how did it go today?
A. Well, I didn't die, if that's what you're asking.
Q. No, just trying to get a general impression. Um, how was the swim?
A. Horrible. The water was a hot eighty-some degrees, which I'm sure sapped my strength, causing me to almost drown two times. I did finish in like 27 minutes or so, in spite of the thick water in SM Lake.
Q. Thick water?
A. Yeah, I wasn't used to it.
Q. OK...let's talk about transition one. Had you practiced transitioning from swimming to biking during your training?
A. Why would I? I already know how to put on a shirt and shoes.
Q. So, you didn't have any problems with T1?
A. Well, actually, it took like 15 minutes to get my shirt on. My torso was wet with that thick lake water, and all my shirt wanted to do was wad up in my pits and above my nips. It was embarrassing.
Q. Wow. So on to the ride. Were you able to make up any time after dealing with the, uh, you know, thick lake water?
A. Actually, again I was at a disadvantage. Everyone else had high dollar bikes with clipless pedals. I got passed like an arena league football.
Q. So do you think you should've trained differently?
A. I said they had clipless pedals. Did you not hear me?
Q. How was the route?
A. The route was up hill the whole way.
Q. I thought it was a loop.
A. It was.
Q. Hmm. OK, I'm done. Goodbye.
And there you have it. Just like the race report, the race ended when I was on the bike. I really wanted to finish, and I think I could have. The swim was harder that I expected, the biking about as hard as I suspected it would be. The run? I'll never know. Oh well, I have another race in two weeks in Windsor. See you there!
And now for some pics:
We celebrated our anniversary in Overland Park. Here's a view from our hotel. We stayed overnight since I had to be at the park so early.
Trying to be brave, before the swim.
My wife tried to get a shot of me swimming. That's me under the surface of the water, drowning.
Transition 1, and The Lotus.
How do these pedals work?
Weeeee!
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