Thursday, January 31, 2008

A definite workout slowdown for the week, and I finish the month at 39 miles walked + 1 evening of basketball. Not great, nothing close to what I hoped, but more than any month in recent memory, possibly ever. So averaging about 1.25 miles/day. Goal for February: 1.33/day which would get me to 39 miles once again. I'm going to miss the first 2 days while I go to Houston to help out my cousin, but I should be able to make up that deficit easily. Let's hear it for Month Deux!

As for the firing I mentioned in the last post, I finally got the story today. Nothing excitingly legally liable like porn or harrassment, but a decision I can agree with. Not posting the story, of course. Still no official communication from the top, which is kind of disappointing, but then everyone seems to know the story so maybe this was better.

Finished Seeker, and it was quite good. Might try to read all of McDevitt and Scalzi as these were quite enjoyable. Currently reading Trigger by Arthur C. Clarke and Michael Kube-McDowell (which I assume means Clarke might have heard of the book but is being paid handsomely). It's not bad - so near-future it's more fiction with a scientific element than real sci-fi but that's not a bad thing. A good week for reading.

Saw the Enron documentary The Smartest Guys in the Room Wednesday night. Quite good, which probably just means that I agree with them. I am disappointed though - I've always enjoyed mocking California's problems as a result of their NIMBY attitude, but while I think that played a factor, the system was rigged and then gamed to really screw them over. Not as bad as Enron's employees being frozen out of their 401K's while the executives sold their stock, but still unfair. I definitely recommend it for a Netflix.

Also started watching Dexter last week - excellent excellent show! The characters to me are creepier than the dead bodies, but it's just really well-written. We're also in Season 2.5 of Battlestar Galactica, which seems to just get better as it goes on. Good DVD week too.
posted by Unknown 9:58 PM | 1 comments

Monday, January 28, 2008

3 miles today, so 39 miles + 1 basketball for the month. Yea me.

Watched the first few minutes of the State of the Union, but was too disgusted to keep it on. I have much better-written fiction to read. I probably agree with more of his philosophy/policy than I care to admit, but claiming no one would call No Child Left Behind anything but a complete success? I'm pretty sure its cosponsors have disavowed it. Test scores have gone up - so have SAT scores, but those have been re-centered over 100 points. Focus on a metric, and all you get is superior metrics, not the reality supposedly measured by the metric. Anyway I'm now totally in favor of Congress just making sure his most effective use of time over the next year is to nap. On to anyone but him.

Someone at work got fired today. As in, called into a meeting and I assume escorted out as a foil-wrapped sandwich was left on his desk next to his monitor which appeared to be in mid-program, and his kids' art was still on the wall. Weird feeling around the office as most don't seem to know why - this was a good guy who seemed to be producing good work from what we could tell - which is just guaranteed to produce nervousness. I've already had one question come up that only he knew the answer to. Our execs have seemed pretty good about communication - I assume we'll find out enough to know if it's a general concern for all of us left, or something specific.
posted by Unknown 9:07 PM | 2 comments

Sunday, January 27, 2008

2.5 miles today, so 36 miles + 1 basketball for January so far. My legs have hurt while walking the last 2 days, and I saw something today that advised against eating before exercising, so I hope it's just the result of yesterday's breakfast and today's lunch. Hope is always a good thing.

Started Seeker by Jack McDevitt. It's a far-future sci-fi, but overall fairly realistic - technology's advanced, but not in crazy amounts except for interstellar travel. Seems good so far, and as it's an Andy recommendation, I'm sure it will only get better.
posted by Unknown 8:02 PM | 0 comments

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Following up on my earlier post, I walked 2 miles today, so 33.5 miles + 1 basketball for January. Depending on how much I walk tomorrow, I think I have a real chance at averaging 1.5 miles/day for the month. I think I might count basketball as 3 miles, which is conservative for 2 hours in a humid gym, so I'd be even closer. Any input from my readers? I think it's just Shane and Craig out there, but I could be surprised.

I love fog. Visibility was under a mile this morning, and I just love the effect. All week we've had interesting weather like that. I think it was Monday that clouds were all around the horizon in almost a ring. In every direction, houses were outlined by the dark clouds, but it was still open sky above. Dunno why little things like that get me. I like a lot of the shots my photographer friend has displayed here. I've bought one piece from him, and I'm looking forward to buying more.

Also I finished The Android's Dream this morning, and it did not disappoint even to the last chapter. Good stuff. Always take Andy's recommendations seriously.

Oh, and I figured out some ideas for Wife's birthday tomorrow - we'll see if she's as impressed with me as I am. :-)
posted by Unknown 3:05 PM | 0 comments

Walked 3 miles Thursday for 31.5 miles + 1 bb for the month. Planning on heading to the gym today too - the magazines are piling up in my car - so we'll see how it goes.

Finished Bowling Alone, which was great analysis but so incredibly vague on recommendations that it almost induces hopelessness. It's optimistic in looking at previous periods of declining social capital that were always followed by upswings, but just gives vague "improve stuff" prescriptions that don't give an individual anywhere to make a start. Still certainly worth the read, though. After that, I've been reading The Android's Dream, on loan from Andy. Now this is good escapism sci-fi - good engaging story, enough character to support the story and keep me interested, and interesting science/world concepts that I hadn't considered before. And good references throughout, as should be obvious when I tell you the cover of the book is covered in sheep.

Wife's birthday is tomorrow, and I haven't gone shopping yet. Planning to today, but I feel kinda weird as I've usually planned more than I have for this one. It's been an insane few weeks, so I don't feel bad about it, but I wish I could've thought of more. Mebbe creativity will strike today. Stranger things have happened.

Thompson and Kucinich dropped out, the most noticeable effect being that their wives will no longer be featured on Daily Show/Colbert. Alas. South Carolina should be interesting - I think Hillary would wrap up the nomination with a win, while Obama could stay in it. If he does, I'm still hoping for electoral chaos. Same with the Republicans in Florida, although I won't mind seeing Giuliani call it quits if he gets wiped out there as well. Isn't it fun watching the end of so many political careers one way or the other?
posted by Unknown 8:03 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

I'm tired, so just a workout update tonight. Walked 3.5 miles yesterday, so 28.5 miles + 1 basketball for the month. Didn't make it this morning because I was up after midnight reading scholarship apps. Which is why I'm tired now. Good night.
posted by Unknown 10:45 PM | 0 comments

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Did not make it to work out today due to scheduling. For those worried that my resolve might be flagging, it really has been scheduling issues for 3 straight days. Tomorrow should be back on the horse as I don't foresee any problems.

Dieting sucks. Especially when it's not to lose weight or to look better, but to survive. So many tastes - ironically I think my aesthetic appreciation and distinction in food taste is better than that of my vision and hearing - that I want, and these wants just build. I let a little steam off occasionally, but mostly the wants just keep building. I like food, I love eating. (For those of you saying "So do I! But I control it, and golly gee so can you!" just stop right there. Not that you may not be right, but that's almost as helpful as giving a fish a bicycle.) And I think the closest I could get to eating what I want would require working out as a full-time job. Maybe if I became a rhythmic gymnast (or whatever the tassle twirlers are called), that would give me the activity level I would need. And I'd look mighty fine doing it too. Grr arg.
posted by Unknown 10:26 PM | 2 comments

Saturday, January 19, 2008

No workout today - too much to do hosting family and going to the funeral. Was a great day for talking to and catching up with everyone, and the funeral itself was simple and seemed just right.

Politicswise, looks like Romney, McCain, and Clinton had big days. I think more than New Hampshire, Nevada signals Clinton's ability to resurge in the polls (don't call it a comeback!) given Obama's major recent endorsements in the state. I'm glad to see McCain with momentum in the race - I don't see Romney winning enough delegates, and I think if Huckabee gets enough to decide who wins, he'd pick McCain, even if not for reasons I'd agree with. I like McCain much more than Giuliani, and Romney still has something that doesn't sit right with me, much like Kerry in 04. Still rooting for undecided conventions on both sides!

So now the polls have said that Obama's barely favored in 2 states he's ended up losing. Not that I've heard any evidence, but would it be smart strategy for the Clinton campaign to tell all supporters that if contacted for a survey, say they're voting for Obama to create a sense of urgency for Clinton supporters to get them to vote? Like I said, no evidence, but given the odd pattern of similar predictions/results, something's gotta be happening.

On a final note, I think I forget sometimes how much I really like my extended family. The aunts, uncles, and cousins are really great folks. This weekend's made me more than ready for the reunion in July to just get here.
posted by Unknown 10:27 PM | 0 comments

Friday, January 18, 2008

Sorry it's been a few days. For the workout record, walked 2 more miles Wednesday morning, so 25 miles + 1 basketball. Haven't had time since, but mebbe tomorrow.

My grandmother died Tuesday night. Probably a good thing - she was in a lot of pain from a recent surgery, and the immediate cause of death was the decision to up her morphine to keep her from suffering. It's been at least 5 years since we first thought this was going to happen, but she just always kept going. Her heart even lasted a couple days longer than they expected on the morphine. That's who she was. And 93 years, 4 daughters, 9 grandkids (including me, which really should've made her life absolutely fulfilled regardless of everything else!), and 7 great-grandkids sketches out a pretty rewarding life.

Trying to think of what to say at the funeral tomorrow. I'm thinking I might go with the theme of what I learned from her:
1) Perception: Even after macular degeneration took hold, she still managed to notice my dad's hair from across a crowded room. If you're not able to perceive everything, make sure you see what counts!
2) Interstate Frontage Roads in Round Rock are One-Way: When turning out of a drive-thru, well, yes, she went the wrong way for about a quarter-mile. Fortunately Texas drivers are friendly (not counting Houston).
3) Patience: When she'd visit Hawaii, she'd sleep in my bed. Having an audience who wouldn't leave, I kept asking tons of questions far later than my parents knew I was awake. No matter how late it went, she answered them all.
4) Loyalty: I was watching Cowboys-Redskins with her once, and just to be ornery, I said "Go Redskins!" Suddenly I realized I was sitting on the floor because this 70-year-old woman had physically kicked me off the couch.
5) Security: She often stayed with me in Hawaii when my parents went to national conventions, and one year a hurricane hit. The lights went out, but she just kept reading my favorite book to me over and over, and I wasn't worried anything would happen because Grandma was there to take care of it.

That's probably more than I need to say, so we'll just see how the flow's going at the service.

In other news, I saw Wall Street on Wednesday. While the computers and phones looked ridiculous, it was great to see many good actors so much younger, and it was a good movie/story. And yet Charlie Sheen's probably made tons more from Two and a Half Men. Gordon Gekko wouldn't be surprised.
posted by Unknown 11:09 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Walked 1.5 miles this morning, so 23 miles + 1 basketball on the month. Planned to go farther, but some leg soreness. I'll try to do better tomorrow.

Watched Network this weekend. I suppose it's a sad sign that it seemed like a dumb play on what really happens on TV rather than the satire it was in 1976. Not my favorite Netflix selection. But if I sat through Final Four 2 on Saturday, pretty much anything is watchable.
posted by Unknown 9:24 PM | 0 comments

Monday, January 14, 2008

Well I tried to play basketball on Saturday. The sides of my feet hurt almost immediately and I had to bail after 5 minutes and walk funny for a couple of days. I definitely need new shoes, which I plan to take care of before Thursday night, when I will hit the court again. Because of the feet, I didn't walk on Sunday, and this morning there was a scheduling issue. Tonight I almost went but decided I'd rather get things done around the house and do it in the morning. So I've held steady at 21.5 miles and 1 evening of basketball for 2008. Hope I'm not letting anyone down just yet.

And my cousin won the bet. Good for him. *mutter, mutter, sputter, cough*

Bowling Alone has a chapter on TV that I would make required reading in every school and ideally for every parent. I don't claim to know how much they're cherrypicking their data, but it seems broad enough that a trend is apparent, and the trend is ugly. Watching TV over not watching TV lowers social involvement from every level from casual friendships through organizational leadership through political awareness/activity. Having it on habitually even when there's not something to watch lowers the numbers even more. These negative correlations are stronger than the impact of financial worries and suburbanization, which are usually the big reasons given for lack of involvement. Anyone know of more recent research (the book was written in 2000)?

And this is a must-click link for anyone who reads this blog: http://missedmanners.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/battle-of-pelennor-fields/
posted by Unknown 8:53 PM | 0 comments

Saturday, January 12, 2008

No workout yesterday - legs abd elbow still hurting from basketball. But I'm headed back to the court in the next hour or so. Hopefully it'll be easier this time.

Wanted to share a quote from Wife (that I'm probably mangling): There's two people out there who are incredibly lucky we married each other.

Signs is on TV right now - I remembered it was an early career boost for Joaquin Phoenix, but I hadn't realized Abigal Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame also got started here. I watched Batman Begins last night - it was better than I remembered. Bookwise, Kalif's War finished well, and I'm getting back into Bowling Alone.

My picks for today's NFL playoffs are Green bay and New England. I know that's brave and out there to pick multiple favorites, but the games are what they are. And I like being right.
posted by Unknown 8:15 AM | 2 comments

Thursday, January 10, 2008

No distance today, but did go 2-1 in full-court basketball, including making several shots and defensive"effort." Left elbow and right finger are killing me, but legs are good, and they're the important ones. I don't think my cousin hit the gym, so hopefully it's still 11.5-10.5. Yea gambling!

I took my wedding ring off for the game, and as I walked outside heard it fall out of my shorts pocket. I visualized several Lord of the Rings scenes with people scrambling in the dirt for the precious as orcs approached, but fortunately I found it before I had to start digging through leaves. Whew - still married.

The frustrating coworker was nice today - dunno if I said something, or if someone else did, but I hadn't said anything to anyone at work. But I'll take what I can get. Also we drew partners for the foosball tournament - I got paired with one of the Top3 players. He might be so good that even I can't keep him from losing, but we'll have to see. I'm a heavy, heavy anchor of anti-talent.
posted by Unknown 9:16 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

3.5 miles tonight. My cousin made it 3, so the total stands at 11.5-10.5 with 3 days to go. We both have non-distance activities tomorrow, so I suppose it will be Friday and Saturday to decide it. For the month, I'm at 21.5 miles. We'll see how this pace goes.

Buh-bye, Governor Richardson. I liked Governor Bill for a lot of the campaign - the only Democratic candidate with actual appointed executive experience (Hillary-backers are welcome to debate this but he did have a Cabinet post and several high-level diplomatic missions). I thought from last summer that he had no chance to catch up with the better politicians and should just speak only in Spanish. Maybe he still couldn't have won, but it would have been fun to watch. Now I could see him on a VP short list, both for his ethnicity and his experience. I hope he's not done with public service yet.

I know Kucinich's alien masters won't let him drop out, but Gravel confuses me. I'm starting to think someone else signed him up and has just been taking him to appearances without telling him what he's doing, and he just thinks people want to see him. In all fairness, his electoral impact isn't that much less than John Edwards', quantitatively.

The Kalif's War is dragging a bit - it's more of a political book, which means more dialogue and characterization, and those are certainly not the series' strong points.

Ever had a coworker who'd developed such a pattern of insensitivity you just cringe whenever they walk up to you, even before they offend you? I've got someone like that right now who keeps saying things as though I'm not performing adequately. I was instructed to make clear in one meeting that her part was delivered on time. I should point out here my piece was delivered earlier and hers has had just as many mistakes since, but I'll try to keep facts from getting in the way. I can't tell how she'd react to being confronted on this assumption of my incompetence, and I don't really want to alienate someone I have to keep working with, but boy I want to bring out IntimidatorChuck. I'm told he's quite impressive.
posted by Unknown 8:11 PM | 1 comments

Math is hard. If I had walked 8 miles on Monday and didn't walk any on Tuesday, I had still only walked 8 miles. Still beating my cousin, but I shouldn't inflate the numbers.
posted by Unknown 9:04 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

No workout today, but I'm still beating my cousin 8.5-7.5. I'll try to up the gap tomorrow, but I think I'm gonna lose if I play basketball Thursday and/or Saturday.

Why does the government pay for primaries? Shouldn't the parties handle their own candidate selection? It's taxpayer subsidies for only two parties to get more publicity and credibility. I'm sure the media and more direct donors would still fill the function, but I'd rather not have the government involved. Mebbe that's just me.

That's about as deep as I get. Good night all!
posted by Unknown 10:02 PM | 0 comments

Monday, January 07, 2008

Walked 3 miles tonight for a total of 18 for the month. Taking tomorrow off cuz I'm getting some aches and pains, but I will be back on Thursday. Still leading my cousin 8-5.5 for the week, but I'm afraid of what tomorrow will bring.

Reading The Kalif's War while taking a short break from Bowling Alone. It's the third book in the Regiment series I read in December, and the only one I've missed. Definitely not great literature (dialog and characterization is pretty basic yet efficient), but pretty cool ideas/world and a great distraction.
posted by Unknown 10:26 PM | 1 comments

Sunday, January 06, 2008

"DVDs are harder to burn than books." My wife's opinion on why technology can only improve Williamson County.

Well I was gonna take off from working out today, but then my cousin challenged me to see who could cover more distance in our workouts this week. Well, he made it 2.5 miles this morning, and I ended up with 5 this afternoon, so he's got 2.5 miles to make up already. This should be fun! For the month/year, that puts me at 15 miles.

On a similar note, I'm considering inviting friends and folk to "sponsor" my exercise and pledge per mile or per pound or however they want to towards a good cause. Is that obnoxious? I'd probably suggest a UT scholarship fund, but other sources would still motivate me. Well, most. If there's a nonprofit out there seeking to amend the Constitution to let Bush serve a third term, I don't think I'd want to raise any money for that. I'm interested in any opinions from the gallery.

And Cap'n Mike (Brownbeard on the links) has taken up my blogging challenge, and is posting more or less daily. Read him - he's funny and interesting and despite himself occasionally wise.

Titans up 6-0 in the 3rd quarter - I'd love the upset even though it would be blamed more on Norv Turner's and Philip Rivers' respective incompetencies. Go Vince!
posted by Unknown 5:08 PM | 0 comments

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Now I'm reading a lot about how Hillary's in a desperate situation. I just don't see it - while Obama's definitely got a fighting chance to build momentum, I think she's just too strong in too much of the country to not get the nomination. But how much fun would it be for either party to not have a clear nominee at the convention? Yeah, I'm probably a little too stoked about this idea just because of Season 6 of the West Wing, but I think it would be a much more fun summer.

So 10 miles walking for the month now in 4 days at the gym. Might take tomorrow off as I had some knee and ankle twinges the last couple of days.

Weeds is a great show.
posted by Unknown 12:40 PM | 1 comments

Thursday, January 03, 2008

And it looks like Iowa is going to Barack and Huckabee. It feels like they're the 2 I've been hearing the most about recently, but it's always tough to tell if I'm hearing about them because they're gaining momentum, or if they're gaining momentum cuz even a schlub like me is hearing more about them. The Newsweek Bump.

I'm glad Joe Biden and Chris Dodd are running, if for no other reason that every time Hillary says she's better than Obama because of her experience, they can harrumph to remind her they were working in goverment for decades before she ran for office. I'm pretty sure they'll drop out, if not tomorrow, then after New Hampshire, so I thought I'd mention them now. Tom Tancredo and Sam Brownback, we hardly knew ye before your early exits, but they were still far too late to keep your intolerance from further infecting the race. I'm kinda hoping Dennis Kucinich will step onto a UFO for his exit when he announces his withdrawal. One can hope.

Workout update: 6 miles for January and the year.
posted by Unknown 9:09 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

I called the Georgia-Hawaii game, although I didn't think it would be that much of a disaster. Speaking of disasters, Oklahoma seems to be missing their shoplifting lineman as they're trailing West Virginia. I would've thought they'd win this easily, but sometimes I don't mind being wrong.

Gave up on a friend today. Not cutting her off or anything, just disappointed at the passive way she lets people control her life, seemingly against her will. But if she's not going to act on what she thinks or claims to, no point trying to persuade her to change or support the passive actions. Maybe I could convince her friends? btw, if I seem skeptical about my religion, hers are Christian friends exercising impressive amounts of judgement without any leavening of love or mercy. Yea church. Thank you to so many of you who demonstrate the reverse in your lives, regardless of belief.

Ouch, OU's down another touchdown. Would this loss to a team abandoned by its coach be uglier than being outgimmicked by Boise State? I think this comparison is worth serious investigation next time you're in town, Spence.

Workout update: 3 miles for January, 3 miles for 2008. When you get to the gym at 5:30, there are no New Year's Resolvers getting in the way. Unless I am one. That should make me uncomfortable tomorrow morning.
posted by Unknown 10:03 PM | 1 comments

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Saw National Treasure 2 today - also a good movie. Overall I've been very pleasantly surprised with all the movies I've seen during this little vacation. Or maybe everything's just better on vacation. Either way I'm happy.

Bowling Alone mentions 2 kinds of organizations - "bonding" that bring their members closer together by focusing on a commonality that often excludes others (religious organizations, Mensa), and "bridging" groups that bring people who might otherwise never meet together (Salvation Army). Every group has both, but most are decidedly either inward- or outward-focused. I've always preferred outward-looking groups (or at least eagerly welcoming ones), but it makes sense that both functions are useful and good for certain purposes. This has just kinda stuck with me from the book.

I feel like a voyeur in elections. Being in Texas, my vote's irrelevant to national elections as Texas only goes one way, and our primaries will be too late to matter. Being in Austin, my vote usually won't matter in state elections and my congressional district has been tweaked to make sure that vote doesn't matter. I don't know why I'm actually continuing with it, but it feels good to at least be informed. Iowa kicks off the madness Thursday, and I'm looking forward to seeing if there will be any last-minute surprises. I'm not sure those can exist any more - heck, I think the only reason Obama and Huckabee are close is the media's desperation to have a second contender than any real chance - but one can hope.

Time to watch Georgia continue to prove why Hawaii's record doesn't justify a spot in the title game. I'd love to see Hawaii make the upset, but they just don't have the offensive line to play against anyone east of the Rockies. Yes, I'm suggesting that they could hang with the Pac10, just none of the varsity conferences.
posted by Unknown 8:39 PM | 0 comments