I was able to accomplish a lot today. You see, i accumulated 26 hours worth of work over the weekend and that allowed me to play hooky from work.
I had intended to sleep late, but the neighbor who only mows his yard once every month and a half decided today, this morning, was the day to mow the lawn. At 7am he was making noise. So much for that idea.
I finally got around to dropping off some of my work clothes at the cleaners. Then i decided i would finally drop off the large bag of clothes i set aside for donation. And that i did. I did go to work for about 3 hours to take care of some nuisance type work. Following the 3 hours at work, i came home to get ready for a workout at the gym. A nice 45 minute workout wore me out, since it had been nearly a week since my last lifting workout. But i wasn't done yet.
I came home to get some laundry started. I waited for the mail man in hopes that my pouch for my Nike+ sensor would come in. But it never came. I decided to run anyway. Today's goal was 3 miles. I decided to place the sensor in a slightly different location. That location changed the output of the sensor (and i wasn't really surprised). This time the sensor was measuring a slightly longer distance traveled that what i actually did. I think this time the sensor was slightly more horizontal to the ground. At any rate, i won't be getting consistent results until i get that pouch and keep my sensor placement in the same location.
Following the run i went to get a smoothie...a chocolate monkey to be exact. That was pretty yummy. Picked up some other food too and headed home.
The plan was to get into the studio tonight to do some additional work. I wanted to print some music out, but i fought with what appears to be a dying or dead printer. Ugh. So, i got frustrated and walked out. I'll get in the studio tomorrow.
So, i finished the laundry instead.
So many things get done when work doesn't get in the way...what could you get accomplished?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Missing Distance
I went for another run today. I did a short 1/2 mile for a calibration run. I stopped only long enough to reset the Nike+ device. Then i kept going. About a mile and a half in, i noticed that the distance just wasn't tickin' off like it had been. I thought to myself, "i know i've run further than that." I started thinking about possible issues and then it donned on me. The sensor is askew.
So i stopped to check it out...and sure enough the sensor was sideways. You see, Nike had this grand scheme to get you to buy their shoes. We'll put a little pocket in the bottom of the shoe for the sensor...that way you'll have to buy our shoe if you want to use our nifty sportband or iPod nano device. Well, you don't have to buy their shoe, but you must understand that the sensor must be a certain way for the unit to work correctly. I was aware of this and tried to keep the sensor in the right orientation. But without a little pocket in my shoe, i just had to wedge the sensor between my shoe and foot. I have ordered a special pouch that goes on top of the shoe which will fix this sideways sensor issue...but in the meantime, i have to improvise.
My improvisation cost me about 1/2 mile of distance. The sideways sensor is probably also the cause for a loss of about 1/10 of a mile per mile ran on my first run. So, my first few runs will be slightly off in distance, which sucks, cause i actually ran more than what the sensor picked up. Such is life i guess.
Today i made 5 miles. However, i won't lie, it wasn't in one continuous stretch. After mile number 3, i walked a 1/2 mile. My legs were hurtin'. I wanted to get to that 5 mile mark, so i put in two additional miles. The Nike+ sports band only got 3.86 (+0.49 ran on the calibration run). The other 1/2 mile or so was due to a sideways sensor. The good news is that on the calibration run, the Nike+ was only 1/100 off. Not too far off.
I borrowed Carla's pedometer to do a comparison between the Nike+ and the marked trail. Turns out that the pedometer was further off than the Nike+. But in the end, I ran 5 miles, and walked a mile.
And, if that weren't enough, i came home to mow the backyard. Since i was working all weekend, i didn't get a chance to mow my lawn on its regularly scheduled day. That wasn't fun.
I paid some bills and loaded the dishwasher. Now, i'm gonna relax the last 2 hours or so before bed.
Other things i need to do this week include: take clothes to the cleaners, hit the gym to lift and swim, HIT THE STUDIO, do some laundry, get a haircut, do some general house chores, go grocery shopping...i'm sure there are more things for me to do...it's a busy week.
So i stopped to check it out...and sure enough the sensor was sideways. You see, Nike had this grand scheme to get you to buy their shoes. We'll put a little pocket in the bottom of the shoe for the sensor...that way you'll have to buy our shoe if you want to use our nifty sportband or iPod nano device. Well, you don't have to buy their shoe, but you must understand that the sensor must be a certain way for the unit to work correctly. I was aware of this and tried to keep the sensor in the right orientation. But without a little pocket in my shoe, i just had to wedge the sensor between my shoe and foot. I have ordered a special pouch that goes on top of the shoe which will fix this sideways sensor issue...but in the meantime, i have to improvise.
My improvisation cost me about 1/2 mile of distance. The sideways sensor is probably also the cause for a loss of about 1/10 of a mile per mile ran on my first run. So, my first few runs will be slightly off in distance, which sucks, cause i actually ran more than what the sensor picked up. Such is life i guess.
Today i made 5 miles. However, i won't lie, it wasn't in one continuous stretch. After mile number 3, i walked a 1/2 mile. My legs were hurtin'. I wanted to get to that 5 mile mark, so i put in two additional miles. The Nike+ sports band only got 3.86 (+0.49 ran on the calibration run). The other 1/2 mile or so was due to a sideways sensor. The good news is that on the calibration run, the Nike+ was only 1/100 off. Not too far off.
I borrowed Carla's pedometer to do a comparison between the Nike+ and the marked trail. Turns out that the pedometer was further off than the Nike+. But in the end, I ran 5 miles, and walked a mile.
And, if that weren't enough, i came home to mow the backyard. Since i was working all weekend, i didn't get a chance to mow my lawn on its regularly scheduled day. That wasn't fun.
I paid some bills and loaded the dishwasher. Now, i'm gonna relax the last 2 hours or so before bed.
Other things i need to do this week include: take clothes to the cleaners, hit the gym to lift and swim, HIT THE STUDIO, do some laundry, get a haircut, do some general house chores, go grocery shopping...i'm sure there are more things for me to do...it's a busy week.
Friday, July 25, 2008
First Solo Run
Ugh...that was not fun. I miss my running partner. Right now she's on her way to Spain. In hopes of making the running a bit more tolerable, i bought the Nike + Sports band. I'm a fan of tech gadgets. I took it out for a run today. Since it was the first run with it, i though i would use the run i did today as the calibration run.
I went to a park here in Friendswood that had a marked jogging trail...2 laps = 1 mile. Easy enough. I'll just do my usual 4 mile run then take the gadget home and stick it in the laptop to download the data. Well, following the run (4 miles by the trails markings) i only went 3.65 miles according to Nike+. Hmmm...i should be able to adjust that when i get back to the house. Wrong. Evidently, my pace varied too much and that run didn't count as a calibration run. I wasn't able to update the run data that was captured. So, Nike+ thinks i only ran 3.65 miles (and maybe i did...maybe the trail is off). Perhaps tomorrow after work i'll put in a short 1/2 mile calibration run?
I went to a park here in Friendswood that had a marked jogging trail...2 laps = 1 mile. Easy enough. I'll just do my usual 4 mile run then take the gadget home and stick it in the laptop to download the data. Well, following the run (4 miles by the trails markings) i only went 3.65 miles according to Nike+. Hmmm...i should be able to adjust that when i get back to the house. Wrong. Evidently, my pace varied too much and that run didn't count as a calibration run. I wasn't able to update the run data that was captured. So, Nike+ thinks i only ran 3.65 miles (and maybe i did...maybe the trail is off). Perhaps tomorrow after work i'll put in a short 1/2 mile calibration run?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tech and Repair
This evening i spent a little time playing guitar tech. My silver beauty had a loose strap button. It's been bugging me for quite some time now. So, today, i took care of that little problem...hopefully for good.
I also performed a repair job on my garage door. One of the hinges more or less shattered the other day. I didn't want the garage door to come crashing down on Delilah, so i replaced the garage door hinge. Pretty simple repair. Although it was insanely hot in the garage.
I was hoping to get a short run in...(ugh...i bet you'd never thought you'd hear me say that...) But my garage repair took me slightly longer than i wanted.
Instead, i'm trying to catch up on laundry.
Oh, if i only had the money to pay people to do these things...perhaps one day?!?
I also performed a repair job on my garage door. One of the hinges more or less shattered the other day. I didn't want the garage door to come crashing down on Delilah, so i replaced the garage door hinge. Pretty simple repair. Although it was insanely hot in the garage.
I was hoping to get a short run in...(ugh...i bet you'd never thought you'd hear me say that...) But my garage repair took me slightly longer than i wanted.
Instead, i'm trying to catch up on laundry.
Oh, if i only had the money to pay people to do these things...perhaps one day?!?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Horelica House of Music -- Edition 24
Wow...it's been ages since the last installment of Horelica House of Music hasn't it? I apologize for the delay. I have been having a wonderful time over the last few months. In fact, the first band listed on this post is a part of my wonderful time. As mentioned in previous posts, Al, a friend of Carla and me is in this band.
Clandestine is their name, celtic music is their game. Carla and I have seen Clandestine twice now, and hope to see them in Austin at the end of next month. If you get a chance, go see these guys, you won't be sorry. Being somewhat of a musician, i'm absolutely mesmerized with the percussion...and the bag pipes. At the last show, i bought their latest CD -- ReD. I have a feeling i'll be getting the previous CDs at the next show or two.
And on to a completely different band...
Ok, only the knowledgable would know this band based on the above graphic. I won't keep you guessing. Tool is the band, and Undertow is the album. Tool is making their second appearance on HHoM. In fact, Tool started off HHoM. I chose this one because a song off of this album is one of the next covers that Finding Reason is working on. I get to carry the guitar work on that song so i'm a little excited and a lot nervous. So far personal practice has been going well on that song, but i still have a ways to go.
At any rate, as with all the editions of Horelica House of Music, i recommend you listen to these bands. Some will like em, and some will not. Which one are you?
Clandestine is their name, celtic music is their game. Carla and I have seen Clandestine twice now, and hope to see them in Austin at the end of next month. If you get a chance, go see these guys, you won't be sorry. Being somewhat of a musician, i'm absolutely mesmerized with the percussion...and the bag pipes. At the last show, i bought their latest CD -- ReD. I have a feeling i'll be getting the previous CDs at the next show or two.
And on to a completely different band...
Ok, only the knowledgable would know this band based on the above graphic. I won't keep you guessing. Tool is the band, and Undertow is the album. Tool is making their second appearance on HHoM. In fact, Tool started off HHoM. I chose this one because a song off of this album is one of the next covers that Finding Reason is working on. I get to carry the guitar work on that song so i'm a little excited and a lot nervous. So far personal practice has been going well on that song, but i still have a ways to go.
At any rate, as with all the editions of Horelica House of Music, i recommend you listen to these bands. Some will like em, and some will not. Which one are you?
With Authority
Guitar Hero is a pretty fun game to play. Even when you get beat as badly as i do, it's still fun to play. Carla proudly displays her dominance. She continues to beat me with authority on this game. Her hand-eye coordination is much much better than mine. She can't beat me in boxing though.
Carla points out her dominance...with authority!
Carla points out her dominance...with authority!
"You are Doing WHAT?"
The title of the blog is what you'll be saying once i let you in on some things that i've been doing lately.
First it started with a little weight lifting. Then i started swimming. And for crying out loud, i'm actually running now. No, not running from the police, like in my younger days, but running. I won't say running for fun...cause that would just suck the "fun" out of it.
Actually, the reason i'm doing all these things is that i get to spend time with Carla. This morning we had a 4 mile run. Four miles is the farthest i have ever run continuously. I guess i'm trying to see if i have the stamina to complete a 6.2 mile run. Next month is the Nike Human Race. Carla and Lisa have signed up for it...and today's test was to determine if i could possibly make it. I think i can...with a bit more training...i think i can make 6.2 miles.
So, yes, i have been lifting weights, swimming, and running. I'm pretty sure it's the company that keeps me going... ;)
First it started with a little weight lifting. Then i started swimming. And for crying out loud, i'm actually running now. No, not running from the police, like in my younger days, but running. I won't say running for fun...cause that would just suck the "fun" out of it.
Actually, the reason i'm doing all these things is that i get to spend time with Carla. This morning we had a 4 mile run. Four miles is the farthest i have ever run continuously. I guess i'm trying to see if i have the stamina to complete a 6.2 mile run. Next month is the Nike Human Race. Carla and Lisa have signed up for it...and today's test was to determine if i could possibly make it. I think i can...with a bit more training...i think i can make 6.2 miles.
So, yes, i have been lifting weights, swimming, and running. I'm pretty sure it's the company that keeps me going... ;)
Black Ops
Last night Carla and I took part in some black ops. Unlike the government, we aren't shy about disclosing the evening's activities.
First, a little back story: An inside joke got started when we were in Moscow for the shuttle mission between me, Carla, and Al. Al is a shuttle planner who was on part of my shift for that mission. Anyway, the sheep thing started and has traveled to the US. Al bought a sheep for Carla, and that sheep made it to the hands of Carla prior to the last Clandestine show. (All has a celtic band that we've been too a couple of times now).
Now what to do with it? Carla and I came up with an idea to TP Al's bushes. We found out that Al lives one street over from Carla. Last night...we struck, er, i mean the sheep struck.
Here's what the sheep looked like before deployment.
Here we are...pre-black ops.
Here's the sheep's handiwork. The sheep has a firm grasp on the TP. The sheep has been passed...
I wonder where it will pop up next?
There will be some videos that follow...
First, a little back story: An inside joke got started when we were in Moscow for the shuttle mission between me, Carla, and Al. Al is a shuttle planner who was on part of my shift for that mission. Anyway, the sheep thing started and has traveled to the US. Al bought a sheep for Carla, and that sheep made it to the hands of Carla prior to the last Clandestine show. (All has a celtic band that we've been too a couple of times now).
Now what to do with it? Carla and I came up with an idea to TP Al's bushes. We found out that Al lives one street over from Carla. Last night...we struck, er, i mean the sheep struck.
Here's what the sheep looked like before deployment.
Here we are...pre-black ops.
Here's the sheep's handiwork. The sheep has a firm grasp on the TP. The sheep has been passed...
I wonder where it will pop up next?
There will be some videos that follow...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
I know, i've been neglecting this little part of the world lately. I've been busy. I've been swimming, lifting weights, and even running. Yes, i think i'm sick in the head. I still spend time in the studio...in fact that is where this post comes to you from. I have a new girl. I don't have pictures of her yet, but when i find some free time, i'll get them posted here.
Not too much new news on the Finding Reason front. We're adding two more covers to our set list...where yours truly gets to do the guitar work. We have another original being developed with another original about to hit the practice rotation. I'm making some headway on the new material, but still have a ways to go.
I need a vacation. I think i might actually plan one here for the future.
Sorry this is so short, but i have things to do...
Hope to see you soon...
Not too much new news on the Finding Reason front. We're adding two more covers to our set list...where yours truly gets to do the guitar work. We have another original being developed with another original about to hit the practice rotation. I'm making some headway on the new material, but still have a ways to go.
I need a vacation. I think i might actually plan one here for the future.
Sorry this is so short, but i have things to do...
Hope to see you soon...
Monday, July 07, 2008
8 Years
I just recently passed my 8th year anniversary in the space business. It's quite unbelievable that i've been here this long. I've seen a lot in those 8 years: Good times, bad times, history making events... I've traveled a bit (California, New Jersey -twice, Moscow-3 times). I've been a flight lead and an increment lead. I've met some great people...
I have an incredible job...sometimes i forget that.
Here's to 8 years...
I have an incredible job...sometimes i forget that.
Here's to 8 years...
Saturday, July 05, 2008
The Annual July 4th Bash
What would be a 4th of July celebration without good friends? Well...let's just say it wouldn't be the same without them. Again the annual 4th of July celebration was held at the Parris' for the 2nd year in a row. The Green's weren't available the last two years...we missed you! Anyway...great food (the American flag cake made by Carla), pleasant conversation, a wee bit o'drinkin', the blueberry incident (which replaced last year's cheeto incident), and some good ol' blow up in your face fireworks...what's not to like?
Ok, no one was hurt in the fireworks demonstration. Although, we were trying for the "blow up in your face" part of the night when our firework finale failed to go off.
Here is a small slide show of some of the events of last night. I'm hoping Josh or Melissa Wallace will post more pictures.
Ok, no one was hurt in the fireworks demonstration. Although, we were trying for the "blow up in your face" part of the night when our firework finale failed to go off.
Here is a small slide show of some of the events of last night. I'm hoping Josh or Melissa Wallace will post more pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
