Got the schedule for July. Looks like I will have plenty of time for the Tough Mudder. I am off July 5-10.
I know who reads this blog and who doesn't. Dad and Julia read this blog and everyone else falls into that other category. I figure Dad talked to you today already, but I was going to ask you, Julia, if you would mind a visit from us immediately prior to the Mudder. Maybe the 5th or 6th. The only potential complication over last time is that we would probably bring Ned the Bearded Dragon and his food with us. We would take him with us to the Mudder. However, I was hoping you could watch Satchel while we were away. I'll call tomorrow and talk to you. Of course, I could have just called tomorrow anyway, but this was more fun.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
6/20/12
Happy Solstice to all who recognize the day in some fashion.
I did my workout routine two days ago. That is a 2.4 mile run to a park then some exercises in a circuit, then run home. I had been doing 20 pushups, 60 second plank and 5 chin ups as a rotation and doing that rotation three times. Two days ago I added a set of box jumps to the rotations. They were 33 inch jumps to the top of a picnic table. Each rotation had ten. Then the 2.4 mile run home. That added a degree of suck to the return trip. If you don't know what a box jump is, look here.
So I took yesterday largely off. We climbed some dunes in the evening and I did some pull ups and chin ups at the park while the kids played. Today I decided to skip the workout and just run farther. I planned to run past the park where I workout and up to the top of a hill beyond it.
From the first step I knew it was different. There was an ache in what felt like the bones of my lower legs. Of course, there were the normal aches and pains associated with running, but this was different. As I passed the first half mile my brain started acting up.
"You know, you should just go to the park. Plenty far enough. You might hurt yourself if you keep this up".
"Seriously, you don't need to workout even. Hell you should probably turn back now. You don't need an injury."
"Dude, this sucks. You have to work tomorrow. 12 hours in the ER on hurting legs is not a good thing. Head home, rest up and try again on your next day off."
"You know, if you hurt yourself, you are contract. No work, no pay."
Then I reached the park.
"OK, that's far enough, just head home."
I kept running.
I got to the next major intersection at the bottom of the larger hill.
"OK, far enough. You went farther than you ever have. That's good enough. Just turn around and head home."
I kept running.
About halfway up the hill, my brain finally gave in. "Fine, if you are set on it, just go."
At the top of the hill is an intersection. I ran to the other side of the street just as a little screw you to my brain for holding me back. I turned around and from the top of the hill I could see the dunes where I started. They were lightly shrouded in mist and they looked oh so far away. It was beautiful. Oddly enough I didn't so much think about it being far back as much as I was thinking about how far I had come. The run home was much easier. There was no question of how far to run. Just go. I drug Satchel for the last mile or so. In the end it was 6.1miles by my gps. Not bad, but I can do better. I'm learning when to ignore my own defeatist inner dialog. Good lesson, but still much to learn.
I got home, showered and we went on a small adventure to the small town of Solvang. It is a small Danish community that is built to resemble a quaint old-fashioned Danish community. It was nice if a little touristy. We hiked a short distance down a trail to check out a waterfall. It was more like a moist cliff than a waterfall. Oh well. It was still pretty. Back to work tomorrow.
I did my workout routine two days ago. That is a 2.4 mile run to a park then some exercises in a circuit, then run home. I had been doing 20 pushups, 60 second plank and 5 chin ups as a rotation and doing that rotation three times. Two days ago I added a set of box jumps to the rotations. They were 33 inch jumps to the top of a picnic table. Each rotation had ten. Then the 2.4 mile run home. That added a degree of suck to the return trip. If you don't know what a box jump is, look here.
So I took yesterday largely off. We climbed some dunes in the evening and I did some pull ups and chin ups at the park while the kids played. Today I decided to skip the workout and just run farther. I planned to run past the park where I workout and up to the top of a hill beyond it.
From the first step I knew it was different. There was an ache in what felt like the bones of my lower legs. Of course, there were the normal aches and pains associated with running, but this was different. As I passed the first half mile my brain started acting up.
"You know, you should just go to the park. Plenty far enough. You might hurt yourself if you keep this up".
"Seriously, you don't need to workout even. Hell you should probably turn back now. You don't need an injury."
"Dude, this sucks. You have to work tomorrow. 12 hours in the ER on hurting legs is not a good thing. Head home, rest up and try again on your next day off."
"You know, if you hurt yourself, you are contract. No work, no pay."
Then I reached the park.
"OK, that's far enough, just head home."
I kept running.
I got to the next major intersection at the bottom of the larger hill.
"OK, far enough. You went farther than you ever have. That's good enough. Just turn around and head home."
I kept running.
About halfway up the hill, my brain finally gave in. "Fine, if you are set on it, just go."
At the top of the hill is an intersection. I ran to the other side of the street just as a little screw you to my brain for holding me back. I turned around and from the top of the hill I could see the dunes where I started. They were lightly shrouded in mist and they looked oh so far away. It was beautiful. Oddly enough I didn't so much think about it being far back as much as I was thinking about how far I had come. The run home was much easier. There was no question of how far to run. Just go. I drug Satchel for the last mile or so. In the end it was 6.1miles by my gps. Not bad, but I can do better. I'm learning when to ignore my own defeatist inner dialog. Good lesson, but still much to learn.
I got home, showered and we went on a small adventure to the small town of Solvang. It is a small Danish community that is built to resemble a quaint old-fashioned Danish community. It was nice if a little touristy. We hiked a short distance down a trail to check out a waterfall. It was more like a moist cliff than a waterfall. Oh well. It was still pretty. Back to work tomorrow.
Monday, June 18, 2012
6/18/12
I write today from the inside of Irv. Back home again. Woke up late this morning and packed up. Moved back home and resettled...mostly. There are still a few things undone, but there is a little time in which to do them.
It was a good day. We got home, got set up. I got a decent workout in, went to the store to resupply and now back home, with a drink. Kids are asleep and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. Good times.
The workout today was good. I ran 2.4 miles to the park where I performed a circuit of 20 push ups, 60 second plank, ten 33 inch box jumps and 5 chin ups. I did the circuit three times and ran home. Not too shabby for missing workouts essentially for a week. I'll take it.
Tonight I am going for one last good look through the short story for AFO and then I think I'll post it. It isn't great and never will be, but it is a short, it is done and I need the practice. I fully suspect I will have half a dozen shorts before I can write one I will really like every once in a while.
Now time to grind out some more work, workouts and stories. Next big event is the Tough Mudder. After that we will see. I think we are planning a Monterey Bay Aquarium trip and we would love to get back down to see family in San Marcos again.
I noticed that both my Dad and my Sister joined the AFO forums. I wonder if they will post or simply lurk. Lurking is fun. Posting is more so.
It was a good day. We got home, got set up. I got a decent workout in, went to the store to resupply and now back home, with a drink. Kids are asleep and I get to sleep in my own bed tonight. Good times.
The workout today was good. I ran 2.4 miles to the park where I performed a circuit of 20 push ups, 60 second plank, ten 33 inch box jumps and 5 chin ups. I did the circuit three times and ran home. Not too shabby for missing workouts essentially for a week. I'll take it.
Tonight I am going for one last good look through the short story for AFO and then I think I'll post it. It isn't great and never will be, but it is a short, it is done and I need the practice. I fully suspect I will have half a dozen shorts before I can write one I will really like every once in a while.
Now time to grind out some more work, workouts and stories. Next big event is the Tough Mudder. After that we will see. I think we are planning a Monterey Bay Aquarium trip and we would love to get back down to see family in San Marcos again.
I noticed that both my Dad and my Sister joined the AFO forums. I wonder if they will post or simply lurk. Lurking is fun. Posting is more so.
6/17/12
Happy Father's Day to all.
I had to work today. 12 ER hours. Michael and Max drew me little medals saying #1 dad on them on little chunks of hotel stationary. I pinned them to my scrubs and wore them all day proudly. So freaking cute. I told my patients I won this year. Last year I came in third place but I knew that if I just buckled down I could do better this year. Then I thanked the other fathers for a good competition and wished them the best of luck next year. I had fun with it.
Tired. Worked four of five days and my one day off was filled with pulling the RV back from the shop and getting it back in the park. No rest coming either as tomorrow we move back into the house.
Oh well, no one said it would be easy.
Also need to get back to training, the Mudder is coming up fast. I won't be ready but I plan on doing it anyway.
I finished my first draft and first re write of my first challenge entry on the AFO forums. Not the best story, but a story. I am looking forward to critical feedback and hopefully...improvement.
More tomorrow I suppose.
I had to work today. 12 ER hours. Michael and Max drew me little medals saying #1 dad on them on little chunks of hotel stationary. I pinned them to my scrubs and wore them all day proudly. So freaking cute. I told my patients I won this year. Last year I came in third place but I knew that if I just buckled down I could do better this year. Then I thanked the other fathers for a good competition and wished them the best of luck next year. I had fun with it.
Tired. Worked four of five days and my one day off was filled with pulling the RV back from the shop and getting it back in the park. No rest coming either as tomorrow we move back into the house.
Oh well, no one said it would be easy.
Also need to get back to training, the Mudder is coming up fast. I won't be ready but I plan on doing it anyway.
I finished my first draft and first re write of my first challenge entry on the AFO forums. Not the best story, but a story. I am looking forward to critical feedback and hopefully...improvement.
More tomorrow I suppose.
Friday, June 15, 2012
A New Writer's Group Appears.
Long ago in an Internet corner far away there was a Usenet group. It died. And yet it now lives again. There are serious signs of life over at the AFO forums. A couple of the old school guys and a few new faces have already appeared. There is a challenge with actual entries.
It lives.
In other news, I head down to pick up the RV tomorrow. Turns out they are only going to fix one of the five problems I sent it in for. I will have to fix one of them myself and the others they say aren't problems. I am not particularly satisfied with this answer and we may revisit this again.
Well, it is late and I still have to work on my challenge entry. I can't win, since I set the challenge, but I still want to enter.
It lives.
In other news, I head down to pick up the RV tomorrow. Turns out they are only going to fix one of the five problems I sent it in for. I will have to fix one of them myself and the others they say aren't problems. I am not particularly satisfied with this answer and we may revisit this again.
Well, it is late and I still have to work on my challenge entry. I can't win, since I set the challenge, but I still want to enter.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
6/12/12
Have to work tomorrow, so I tried to make today count. Got up, got some computer stuff done and then took Michael to his Sea Life class. He really loves it. Sarah and I sat and watched Max play in a park with other kids while Michael was in his class. Three hours. It was good for us all I think. Then back home for more computer stuff, then dinner, a small workout and the night time preparations.
A good day.
I am putting too many irons in the fire. I know it and yet I don't care. I am interested in each of them and want to see how they pan out. The latest thing is an addition to the Adventure Nickel website that has nothing to do with the website.
I used to write short fiction with the possible aim of writing more or even making a living out of writing some day. There was a Usenet group called Alt.Fiction.Original where a bunch of us wannabe writers got together and helped each other out. A fairly popular author came out of the group and there were several others who easily could have had they been as persistent in the business side as they were in the writing side. I went back there after an online conversation with a cousin who is writing. It is a dead and desolate place where wing nuts post conspiracy theories and spammers reign. Every 20 posts or so there is a cry from someone who once gained benefit from the board. "What happened?"
I thought what the hell. I have a website and bandwidth to spare. So I went out, got some free forum software and installed a forum on the website. I am actively recruiting writers to come and be a part of what could become again a lively and vibrant community. There are a few key people in place that will make this an awesome community if people will only show up and contribute. I figure I can make a go with 10 solid contributors. We will see. If not, then I will spend a lot of time writing short stories and critiquing them myself. Should lead to a healthy schizophrenia.
http://adventurenickel.com/AFO/phpBB3/
Hell, I'm proud from a technical standpoint. I'm proud that I saw something and didn't just cry about it, but did something. I'll probably feel silly about it someday, but oh well. Just add it to the list.
So, if you know any budding writers, send them to the board. You get what you give.
A good day.
I am putting too many irons in the fire. I know it and yet I don't care. I am interested in each of them and want to see how they pan out. The latest thing is an addition to the Adventure Nickel website that has nothing to do with the website.
I used to write short fiction with the possible aim of writing more or even making a living out of writing some day. There was a Usenet group called Alt.Fiction.Original where a bunch of us wannabe writers got together and helped each other out. A fairly popular author came out of the group and there were several others who easily could have had they been as persistent in the business side as they were in the writing side. I went back there after an online conversation with a cousin who is writing. It is a dead and desolate place where wing nuts post conspiracy theories and spammers reign. Every 20 posts or so there is a cry from someone who once gained benefit from the board. "What happened?"
I thought what the hell. I have a website and bandwidth to spare. So I went out, got some free forum software and installed a forum on the website. I am actively recruiting writers to come and be a part of what could become again a lively and vibrant community. There are a few key people in place that will make this an awesome community if people will only show up and contribute. I figure I can make a go with 10 solid contributors. We will see. If not, then I will spend a lot of time writing short stories and critiquing them myself. Should lead to a healthy schizophrenia.
http://adventurenickel.com/AFO/phpBB3/
Hell, I'm proud from a technical standpoint. I'm proud that I saw something and didn't just cry about it, but did something. I'll probably feel silly about it someday, but oh well. Just add it to the list.
So, if you know any budding writers, send them to the board. You get what you give.
Monday, June 11, 2012
6/11/12
Busy day today. Got up early and dropped off Irv. Drove back in time to meet the crew here after Michael's sea life school.
Then some home time working on another computer project. Then some hot tub time. THe hotel is worth it for the hot water alone. In the RV we tend to be so conservative. Don't take long showers. Use water very sparingly, even though we are hooked up to city water it just becomes a habit. Not here. I am conservationist at heart, but I am only human. Long hot showers. Oh yeah.
Some time in the hot tub too. Life is good, if expensive.
Then some home time working on another computer project. Then some hot tub time. THe hotel is worth it for the hot water alone. In the RV we tend to be so conservative. Don't take long showers. Use water very sparingly, even though we are hooked up to city water it just becomes a habit. Not here. I am conservationist at heart, but I am only human. Long hot showers. Oh yeah.
Some time in the hot tub too. Life is good, if expensive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)