I'm finally getting close to my exercise program targets for the first time in several months. My morning routine of pushups, weights, etc. had gotten missed a lot, and under par the rest.
I have a really hard time sticking with an exercise program, despite very much wanting to be in better shape for a lot of reasons.
Do you exercise? How well do you stick with it?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Ethnic food in other countries
So in just about any major city in the US you can get Mexican, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, French, Greek, and a bunch of other kinds of food. You can get Sushi in Pittsburgh and eat at a Brazilian restaurant in Seattle.
Is it like that in other countries? I know McDonalds and Starbucks have spread like a pandemic across the globe, but can you get French food in Pskov? Chinese food in Dover? How about calling for a Pizza delivery in La Trang?
Is it like that in other countries? I know McDonalds and Starbucks have spread like a pandemic across the globe, but can you get French food in Pskov? Chinese food in Dover? How about calling for a Pizza delivery in La Trang?
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Mexico is a state...
...of the United States.
...of mind.
Either one works, and that's where I've been for the last week. I do several types of vacations. Going-to-wedding vacations are usually three-day weekends. I recently did the wilder style vacation with my trip to Las Vegas. Every so often, though, I take a vacation where I just slow down. I sleep in. I hike in the woods not to get somewhere, but just to be in the woods. I have no detailed plans for the week, or for the next day, or sometimes for the current day. This was the latter kind of vacation.
Everything moves a little slower in a county the size of Connecticut with a population the size of the Boeing Everett workforce.
So I saw the results of a forest fire at ground level (impressive).
I watched The Dark Knight.
I did some outdoor shooting.
I hiked.
I hung out with various people.
I played computer games.
I read three and a half books.
And I got a LOT of sleep.
...of mind.
Either one works, and that's where I've been for the last week. I do several types of vacations. Going-to-wedding vacations are usually three-day weekends. I recently did the wilder style vacation with my trip to Las Vegas. Every so often, though, I take a vacation where I just slow down. I sleep in. I hike in the woods not to get somewhere, but just to be in the woods. I have no detailed plans for the week, or for the next day, or sometimes for the current day. This was the latter kind of vacation.
Everything moves a little slower in a county the size of Connecticut with a population the size of the Boeing Everett workforce.
So I saw the results of a forest fire at ground level (impressive).
I watched The Dark Knight.
I did some outdoor shooting.
I hiked.
I hung out with various people.
I played computer games.
I read three and a half books.
And I got a LOT of sleep.
The Dark Knight
OK, it's had the biggest opening weekend in history, its getting rave reviews left and right, virtually every person that I've seen or heard comment on it has loved it... and all I can say is "10,000 lemmings can't be wrong!"
Spoilers ahoy! If you haven't seen it yet, you read this at your own risk.
I didn't like The Dark Knight. I didn't hate it, I didn't think it was a bad movie, but I didn't like it. Batman Begins had a certain light-hearted feel to it. "It's a black... tank..." Is the dominant line for me of that movie. Not-quite-believable action is OK because its part of the humor that runs throughout the movie. Yes, there was drama, but it seemed to me to take a back seat to the action and the humor alike. How does Batman appear and disappear? Because he's a Ninja! Ninja can do that! Its kitsch, and that makes it a little funy if you think about it.
In The Dark Knight, drama has jumped from third place or lower to first, and the comedy doesn't quite ring right. The moment that defines this movie for me is the Joker walking out of the hospital as explosions go off, and hitting his detonator repeatedly to make the big one go. It seems like it was meant to be funny, and it might have been, but not coming right after the scene with Dent in the hospital and shortly after the death of Rachel. The humor of this movie is twisted - much like the Joker himself. Drama, disturbing concepts (courtesy of the Joker), action, and humor trailing along like a lost puppy wondering where its owner went. Now, I'm a medic at heart even if I'm not licensed in this state. I do dark humor. Death, disfiguration, and violence can be involved in things without necessarily making them not funny. But here it didn't work for me.
I also felt The Dark Knight was a little too long, with one plot twist too many. By about 3/4 of the way through the movie I was thinking "where did the Joker find all these guys/ how did he get all this information/how did he plan that in advance?" every few minutes. Then "Two Face" comes in and makes that look easy. Dent has no Ninja training - how does he manage to find all those people so fast? How does he get out of the hospital? How does he survive the car crash?
To finish on a positive note, I can say nothing bad about the acting. Everyone from the leads to the one-line characters did a great job. The special effects may not always be believeable, but they're quite impressive. All in all while this movie may not deserve to be the super-blockbuster it has turned out to be, there are many, many movies that deserve it less.
Spoilers ahoy! If you haven't seen it yet, you read this at your own risk.
I didn't like The Dark Knight. I didn't hate it, I didn't think it was a bad movie, but I didn't like it. Batman Begins had a certain light-hearted feel to it. "It's a black... tank..." Is the dominant line for me of that movie. Not-quite-believable action is OK because its part of the humor that runs throughout the movie. Yes, there was drama, but it seemed to me to take a back seat to the action and the humor alike. How does Batman appear and disappear? Because he's a Ninja! Ninja can do that! Its kitsch, and that makes it a little funy if you think about it.
In The Dark Knight, drama has jumped from third place or lower to first, and the comedy doesn't quite ring right. The moment that defines this movie for me is the Joker walking out of the hospital as explosions go off, and hitting his detonator repeatedly to make the big one go. It seems like it was meant to be funny, and it might have been, but not coming right after the scene with Dent in the hospital and shortly after the death of Rachel. The humor of this movie is twisted - much like the Joker himself. Drama, disturbing concepts (courtesy of the Joker), action, and humor trailing along like a lost puppy wondering where its owner went. Now, I'm a medic at heart even if I'm not licensed in this state. I do dark humor. Death, disfiguration, and violence can be involved in things without necessarily making them not funny. But here it didn't work for me.
I also felt The Dark Knight was a little too long, with one plot twist too many. By about 3/4 of the way through the movie I was thinking "where did the Joker find all these guys/ how did he get all this information/how did he plan that in advance?" every few minutes. Then "Two Face" comes in and makes that look easy. Dent has no Ninja training - how does he manage to find all those people so fast? How does he get out of the hospital? How does he survive the car crash?
To finish on a positive note, I can say nothing bad about the acting. Everyone from the leads to the one-line characters did a great job. The special effects may not always be believeable, but they're quite impressive. All in all while this movie may not deserve to be the super-blockbuster it has turned out to be, there are many, many movies that deserve it less.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Dream
It was long, and complicated. It involved flying motorcycles (they used a runway, not magic), truth drugs, and a wide variety of other things.
But at the end, I came face to face with a tablet that contained the objective of my entire life. It was written in Latin (not real Latin, dream-world Latin). It was just a single word, and it meant 'live well'. Not live well as in "eat, drink, and be merry" though that was a small part of it, but rather to live a good, honorable, productive life.
What does your tablet say?
But at the end, I came face to face with a tablet that contained the objective of my entire life. It was written in Latin (not real Latin, dream-world Latin). It was just a single word, and it meant 'live well'. Not live well as in "eat, drink, and be merry" though that was a small part of it, but rather to live a good, honorable, productive life.
What does your tablet say?
Friday, July 18, 2008
Brilliance
I just had a moment of brilliance. Someone needs to start a chain of coffee shops called Hot Love.
Think about it: "I need some hot love!" "Let's go get some hot love!"
Hot Love Coffee: because everyone needs more love in their life. :-)
Think about it: "I need some hot love!" "Let's go get some hot love!"
Hot Love Coffee: because everyone needs more love in their life. :-)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I think it is snowing in Hell
...because I need to say something positive about the French Government.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,383924,00.html
A woman applying for French citizenship was denied. Among other reasons: "The woman told immigration officials that she did not know anything about secularism or her right to vote, according to the commissioner's report." Well, that sure sounds to me like she doesn't know enough to be a citizen, so good for the French, and it should be an open and shut case.
Several radical Muslim groups are protesting this decision, saying it violates various freedoms, which apparently include the right to keep half your population in ignorance of their right to vote. (Rolls eyes.)
Any extremists are dangerous, but Islamic extremists seem particularly dangerous to me.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,383924,00.html
A woman applying for French citizenship was denied. Among other reasons: "The woman told immigration officials that she did not know anything about secularism or her right to vote, according to the commissioner's report." Well, that sure sounds to me like she doesn't know enough to be a citizen, so good for the French, and it should be an open and shut case.
Several radical Muslim groups are protesting this decision, saying it violates various freedoms, which apparently include the right to keep half your population in ignorance of their right to vote. (Rolls eyes.)
Any extremists are dangerous, but Islamic extremists seem particularly dangerous to me.
A Man's Home is His Castle
I took a class in armed home defense on Sunday.
I picked up some good tips, and got in some very good practice shooting. However, either my arms are too weak or my pistol is too heavy for sustained one-hand shooting. :-(
This was the first time I'd done shooting in the dark (both blind and aided by flashlight). I've always known intellectually how much difference having your sights a little bit off means even a few yards away, but this really brought it home to me. In the dark, unless you have night sights, you WILL miss a lot of your shots, even with good technique otherwise. If you can perfect your stance and hand position you can still be fairly effective, but then there's the fact that if you're shooting in the dark you've probably got other factors stressing you out and reducing your base effectiveness.
I picked up some good tips, and got in some very good practice shooting. However, either my arms are too weak or my pistol is too heavy for sustained one-hand shooting. :-(
This was the first time I'd done shooting in the dark (both blind and aided by flashlight). I've always known intellectually how much difference having your sights a little bit off means even a few yards away, but this really brought it home to me. In the dark, unless you have night sights, you WILL miss a lot of your shots, even with good technique otherwise. If you can perfect your stance and hand position you can still be fairly effective, but then there's the fact that if you're shooting in the dark you've probably got other factors stressing you out and reducing your base effectiveness.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Horseback Riding
Saturday I went horseback riding for the first time in my life.
I rode a mare named Shiloh for about an hour and a half - legs got a little tired, but overall I was in fine shape at the end and I didn't fall off!
Shiloh clearly felt that she knew more about the trail and following the horse in front of her than the idiot on her back did, but was willing to play along with the concept that the 165 lb biped was directing the 1200 lb quadraped. Perhaps she was hoping for more carrots at the end of the ride (if so, her hopes were fulfilled).
Riding a horse is very different from walking a dog or driving a car; the two closest experiences I have in my life. Most dogs I've spent time with let the human go along at their own pace while they scout hither and yon, never getting very far away but seldom following the same path either. A car, of course, requires constant attention (in theory, at least; I'm convinced Lupae has driven herself home a few times without much help from me). A horse... well, you need to give periodic input to go where you want to, but for long periods you can just relax and enjoy the ride. More physical than driving a car, but the horse does more work than you walking the same terrain would take.
Low branches are rather more of a problem, and a horse can't turn as sharply as a person can. The horse may or may not realize that your leg sticks out further than its body. It also may or may not care.
Still, it was a lot of fun, and I'm sure I'll be riding again soon.
What animals have you ridden?
I rode a mare named Shiloh for about an hour and a half - legs got a little tired, but overall I was in fine shape at the end and I didn't fall off!
Shiloh clearly felt that she knew more about the trail and following the horse in front of her than the idiot on her back did, but was willing to play along with the concept that the 165 lb biped was directing the 1200 lb quadraped. Perhaps she was hoping for more carrots at the end of the ride (if so, her hopes were fulfilled).
Riding a horse is very different from walking a dog or driving a car; the two closest experiences I have in my life. Most dogs I've spent time with let the human go along at their own pace while they scout hither and yon, never getting very far away but seldom following the same path either. A car, of course, requires constant attention (in theory, at least; I'm convinced Lupae has driven herself home a few times without much help from me). A horse... well, you need to give periodic input to go where you want to, but for long periods you can just relax and enjoy the ride. More physical than driving a car, but the horse does more work than you walking the same terrain would take.
Low branches are rather more of a problem, and a horse can't turn as sharply as a person can. The horse may or may not realize that your leg sticks out further than its body. It also may or may not care.
Still, it was a lot of fun, and I'm sure I'll be riding again soon.
What animals have you ridden?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Vegas! Part 2: Reactions
Las Vegas was a fun city. Las Vegas is a dessert city. Spending all your time there would be too fattening and generally unhealthy, but a little bit of it is good and adds a little sweetness to your life. Yeah, its in the desert, pun semi-intended.
I look forward to going back and exploring the things I didn't have time for this vacation. Other shows (Cirque de Soleil, Zumanity, maybe some magic), the attractions and displays at other casinos, hiking in Red Rock or riding in the Valley of Fires (when it is cooler).
Las Vegas has a lot of stuff you can see for free; the casinos write it off to suck you in, but you don't have to be sucked in. You can watch the fountain at the Bellagio without gambling there.
Ride the spiral escalators, look at the wild displays... heck, some of the billboards are worth a few minutes of your time.
I had a dream while sleeping at the Luxor. I dreamt that someone came into my room and adjusted the curtains. Someone else came in through a connecting door in the bathroom (there was a connecting door in the room, but not in the bathroom) and was brushing their teeth. I seldom have dreams like that - dreams where I'm in the same place in the dream and in reality. I was also able to move freely and speak; usually I'm handicapped in some fashion in my dreams.
I look forward to going back and exploring the things I didn't have time for this vacation. Other shows (Cirque de Soleil, Zumanity, maybe some magic), the attractions and displays at other casinos, hiking in Red Rock or riding in the Valley of Fires (when it is cooler).
Las Vegas has a lot of stuff you can see for free; the casinos write it off to suck you in, but you don't have to be sucked in. You can watch the fountain at the Bellagio without gambling there.
Ride the spiral escalators, look at the wild displays... heck, some of the billboards are worth a few minutes of your time.
I had a dream while sleeping at the Luxor. I dreamt that someone came into my room and adjusted the curtains. Someone else came in through a connecting door in the bathroom (there was a connecting door in the room, but not in the bathroom) and was brushing their teeth. I seldom have dreams like that - dreams where I'm in the same place in the dream and in reality. I was also able to move freely and speak; usually I'm handicapped in some fashion in my dreams.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Good News from DC!
The DoD is going to rebid the tanker contract!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070901767.html
I know we're a long way from the end, but every step in the right direction is important.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070901767.html
I know we're a long way from the end, but every step in the right direction is important.
Vegas! Part 1: Overview
I know "What happens in Vegas, stay in Vegas," but I'm going to share anyway. I was with a group of 2-6 people (total of 7 different persons) including myself for all of what I will describe here. Three of the people were locals (Air Force or dependants), and four (including me) had never been to Las Vegas before.
July 3rd, late afternoon: Flew in from SEA. Ate dinner at a Greek place, drove down Las Vegas Blvd.
Thoughts:
Middle of Nowhere, population 2,000,000, plus tourists.
Azel protect us, there are slot machines 20 feet from the gate.
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but EVERYTHING is bigger in Vegas.
July 4th (Independence Day!), morning: visited Red Rock National Park (gorgeous, but way too hot to hike in for long). Ate brunch at "Hash House a Go Go" (no, I'm not making that up) and had a Snicker's Pancake (a pancake about a foot in diameter, no I'm not kidding, with pieces of Snicker's Bar cooked in).
Afternoon: cooled off in a swimming pool.
Evening: BBQ and watched the fireworks at Nellis AFB. It was a mere 90 degrees outside.
Thoughts:
Zarth, 105 degrees in the SHADE?
Dear Azel do I miss being associated with the military. It really means more to toast to 'absent companions' with people who understand.
Must go to Red Rock again... when it is, oh, 80 degrees or so.
Why am I not surprised that the perimiter security at Nellis are contractors?
July 5th, morning/early afternoon: Window shopping at the Forum Shops (attached to Caesar's Palace). Exotic chocolate and good but overpriced gelato. Watched a guy tickle a ray (the fishy thing) under the chin.
Evening: Spamalot! Vorpal Bunny Slippers! The Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls!
Thoughts:
FAO Shwartz is planning to attack someone with that 2.5 story tall Trojan Horse.
"Remember, what happens in Camelot stays in Camelot!"
[Sings] I'm not dead yet...
July 6th, morning: Valley of Fire(s?) State Park. I've never seen purple rock before, have you? Red rock, yellow rock, golden rock, brown rock, grey rock, black rock, yes, purple rock, no. The car tour was probably sufficient, though hiking/riding there would be fun to do when it is a lot cooler.
Evening: The Bellagio Fountain (watched two shows), amazing and fun. The chocolate artist (confectioner doesn't give the right impression) at the Bellagio. Fantastic and novel deserts and quite reasonably priced. And a chocolate waterfall. Did I mention the chocolate waterfall? The themed display in the main lobby was really nifty too; trains! Oh, and giant baby eaglets and lots of other stuff. Checked into the Luxor for one night (host had to work the next day, but I got a great deal - $65).
Thoughts:
At 110 degrees, it no longer matters that "its DRY heat!"
"If you maintain a pyramid properly it will last 6,000 years. Please excuse our appearance during construction."
MMM... chocolate art. I didn't know you could write on chocolate with edible ink.
July 7th, morning: attended a presentation on timesharing on Las Vegas Blvd. Didn't buy, but got some nice comps and free food.
Afternoon: The Star Trek Experience. I was kidnapped by aliens! Shot at! Tractor beamed! And... um... nothing to see, move along folks, just a weather balloon and some sunspots... :-)
Evening: Yes, I gambled in Vegas (roulette at the Luxor from one of the comps from the morning presentation; 22 Black never came up). Lost what I expected to loose, would like to try it with less of a rush next time. Got to the airport, and returned to SEA.
Thoughts:
Hotels on the Strip are designed so you have to go through/past the Casino to get to anything. Signs will lead you on the shortest path to your destination... that takes you through the casino. Security will direct you to your destination... by way of the casino. The buffet at the Luxor is good... its just past the casino.
The Monorail should run to the airport. No, really, its RIGHT NEXT TO the Strip, and maybe a mile from the current end of the line. The Monorail should GO TO THE AIRPORT. Yeesh. Some moving walkways in the airport terminal wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Live long, and prosper.
July 3rd, late afternoon: Flew in from SEA. Ate dinner at a Greek place, drove down Las Vegas Blvd.
Thoughts:
Middle of Nowhere, population 2,000,000, plus tourists.
Azel protect us, there are slot machines 20 feet from the gate.
Everything may be bigger in Texas, but EVERYTHING is bigger in Vegas.
July 4th (Independence Day!), morning: visited Red Rock National Park (gorgeous, but way too hot to hike in for long). Ate brunch at "Hash House a Go Go" (no, I'm not making that up) and had a Snicker's Pancake (a pancake about a foot in diameter, no I'm not kidding, with pieces of Snicker's Bar cooked in).
Afternoon: cooled off in a swimming pool.
Evening: BBQ and watched the fireworks at Nellis AFB. It was a mere 90 degrees outside.
Thoughts:
Zarth, 105 degrees in the SHADE?
Dear Azel do I miss being associated with the military. It really means more to toast to 'absent companions' with people who understand.
Must go to Red Rock again... when it is, oh, 80 degrees or so.
Why am I not surprised that the perimiter security at Nellis are contractors?
July 5th, morning/early afternoon: Window shopping at the Forum Shops (attached to Caesar's Palace). Exotic chocolate and good but overpriced gelato. Watched a guy tickle a ray (the fishy thing) under the chin.
Evening: Spamalot! Vorpal Bunny Slippers! The Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls!
Thoughts:
FAO Shwartz is planning to attack someone with that 2.5 story tall Trojan Horse.
"Remember, what happens in Camelot stays in Camelot!"
[Sings] I'm not dead yet...
July 6th, morning: Valley of Fire(s?) State Park. I've never seen purple rock before, have you? Red rock, yellow rock, golden rock, brown rock, grey rock, black rock, yes, purple rock, no. The car tour was probably sufficient, though hiking/riding there would be fun to do when it is a lot cooler.
Evening: The Bellagio Fountain (watched two shows), amazing and fun. The chocolate artist (confectioner doesn't give the right impression) at the Bellagio. Fantastic and novel deserts and quite reasonably priced. And a chocolate waterfall. Did I mention the chocolate waterfall? The themed display in the main lobby was really nifty too; trains! Oh, and giant baby eaglets and lots of other stuff. Checked into the Luxor for one night (host had to work the next day, but I got a great deal - $65).
Thoughts:
At 110 degrees, it no longer matters that "its DRY heat!"
"If you maintain a pyramid properly it will last 6,000 years. Please excuse our appearance during construction."
MMM... chocolate art. I didn't know you could write on chocolate with edible ink.
July 7th, morning: attended a presentation on timesharing on Las Vegas Blvd. Didn't buy, but got some nice comps and free food.
Afternoon: The Star Trek Experience. I was kidnapped by aliens! Shot at! Tractor beamed! And... um... nothing to see, move along folks, just a weather balloon and some sunspots... :-)
Evening: Yes, I gambled in Vegas (roulette at the Luxor from one of the comps from the morning presentation; 22 Black never came up). Lost what I expected to loose, would like to try it with less of a rush next time. Got to the airport, and returned to SEA.
Thoughts:
Hotels on the Strip are designed so you have to go through/past the Casino to get to anything. Signs will lead you on the shortest path to your destination... that takes you through the casino. Security will direct you to your destination... by way of the casino. The buffet at the Luxor is good... its just past the casino.
The Monorail should run to the airport. No, really, its RIGHT NEXT TO the Strip, and maybe a mile from the current end of the line. The Monorail should GO TO THE AIRPORT. Yeesh. Some moving walkways in the airport terminal wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Live long, and prosper.
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