I received my birthday card from my brother yesterday. That’s right, my birthday was July 22nd. My brother and I have an agreement that our birthday cards to one another do not have to arrive on time. The same cannot be said for our mother however; she requires that her card arrive on time, no excuses allowed.
Trying Different Things Last Night
I met up with the Flickr/RPS gang last night at Five Guys Burgers And Fries and promptly ordered french fries and a Coke for my dinner. That’s right, no burger.
Last night’s Roswell Photographic Society meeting was a presentation by former group President Tom Vadnais. Vadnais gave an excellent primer to taking great (field) photography, and I attempted something new by recording the presentation’s audio using my iPhone as a digital recorder. Over the next day or two I’ll give the recording a listen to see how well this worked out.
As Vadnais showed his (much superior) shots of White Sands National Park I started reflecting on my trip to Colorado two years ago and came to the following conclusion — I did some really stupid things on that trip, most of which I’ll be repeating at the end of this month. Two years ago I drove to the middle of nowhere, alone, at daybreak to take photos with complete disregard to the potential dangers which could have harmed me. I drove on dirt roads and walked through unfamiliar lands possibly filled with dangerous animals, all with no provision for emergencies.
ITP Flickr Pic
I challenge myself to take photos other than “the norm” for a given situation.
In this photo we see five people who, moments ago were in a raft with a sixth person, on the shore watching their sixth get rescued from the river.
I Wonder What The Grashopper Thinks
While whacking back my lawn weeds the other day I saw many grasshoppers attempt to hop away to safety. I started wondering how they perceived the lawn mower, wondering if they experience it the same way that we experience tornadoes.
The lawnmower:
- Comes out of nowhere with little warning
- Makes a loud sound, not unlike an approaching train
- Causes mass destruction and death
- Passes in a matter of minutes
I know, it’s a strange analogy but I can’ t help but put it out there.
Shuttling (I Hope)
With a schedule in flux and a conflicting weather forecast, I decided to shuttle the Red Rocket in to work with hopes that I’ll be able to ride home tonight and back in to work tomorrow morning. Of course if my dinner plans materialize the way they are supposed to, or if the “20% chance” of rain materializes, I’ll have to find another way to get my exercise today.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – okay, not great, but okay
Current Music – listening to last weekend’s “Sound Opinions” podcast
Website Of The Day – Only TWO days remain to fund the Good Food Truck’s Kickstarter Project. They are about $400 from their goal of $4200. If you want to see street food in Atlanta, this is a good project to fund before it’s too late.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – 0 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 3 (3)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 2
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
August Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month (I did it once, I can do it again!)
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 200 miles
– Get the Sharpened Stone, LLC moving further
– Complete at least one iPhone application (seriously, this needs to happen)
– Completely plan out my August/September Colorado trip
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Hey ITP Readers:
I just caught wind of a cool deal if you are looking to learn how to ride track-style at Dick Lane Velodrome.
http://livingsocial.com/deals/3415?ref=addthis-share2-760404&rpi=760404
That link (look for http://www.livingsocial.com to be a WotD pick soon) will get you four 90-minute track classes for only $30 if you buy today. FYI- I have no financial connection to LivingSocial or Dick Lane Velodrome.
It’s a whole lot of fun to ride at the velodrome… just like NASCAR.. going fast and turning left!
-FP
I’m not sure why, but I have no interest in track riding, just like I never liked running on a track, or anything that goes in a smaller circle. I don’t mind watching it – but just don’t want to do it.
Why did you just have french fries and a coke for dinner? It would probably be less calories to have the burger & no fries.
I accidentally ordered too much food at lunch (because I attempted to order in Spanish), so I cut back how much I ate at dinner. There are probably fewer calories in the burger, but I felt like eating fries instead.
I am contemplating buying the Velodrome offer, especially since it appears that they provide the bike. Steve, do you know what sort of pedals are on a loaner track bike?
Barb, I just remembered that I had a discussion with one of my Flickr/RPS about RAGBRAI (sp?) on Saturday; one of his boys rode it this year.
I just bought the deal. I’ve been talking about it for awhile, I guess this was the push I needed. Also the ‘deal’ is vaild until 8/2011. Paulie, according to the website you bring you own shoes, pedals and helmet.
I’ve been trying to detox from the weekend…lots of fruits and veggies, two days of drinking in a row isn’t the fun it use to be.
Speaking of RAGBRAI, my boss’s sister lives in Iowa, he told me last week(?) that she had a group of riders camping in her yard.
I’m looking forward to my trip next week, any suggestions on sites to see between here and Nashville? Outdoorsy type stuff…probably skip Lookout Mountain however.
Ah, thanks Martha. I ain’t so good at reading all the finer details. 😉
I don’t know of too much outdoorsy stuff. Hasn’t someone opened a zip line somewhere up there? That might be kind of cool.
Sadly (?) I’ve not been toxing much lately. I keep saying it’s to lose weight, but then I eat as if the world is about to experience an apocalypse tomorrow.
Martha, I don’t know how you travel beyond Nashville, but Mammoth Cave is not far past Nashville. We stopped in on the way back from driving the Beast back from Detroit and it was very enjoyable… if you like caves.
I would have guessed you bring your own shoes and pedals. Having some saddle height measurements wouldn’t hurt either.
Oh, it wasn’t just the drinking, it was the massive amounts of bad, processed food and plates of meat I shoved in my piehole while drinking…along with lack of sleep and feeling so bad (from said bad food, booze and not sleeping) I could barely get my ass out the door for any sort of physical activity.
Steve, I remember going to Mammoth Cave when I was a kid. I do go by it on my way home. I might do that after I leave Nashville…
You speak of meats as of they are bad things. Wait, why can’t I lose weight? Riiiiiight, now I remember. 🙁
I don’t think it is the actual meat why you (or I, or anyone) can’t lose weight……. I’m thinking more the amounts & the way they are prepared.
I’m off to the doctor in a few to get a shot for my poison ivy – I’ve never done that, I’ve always just toughed it out, I hope it really does help it to clear up faster.
Barb, the shot should help. I had a very bad case years ago that required a steroid shot. Getting rid of it quicker than waiting it out was heaven.
The rafting shot – oh, just wait until Lisa sees that one – visions of that river guide saving your life by grabbing your Teva strap will come “rushing” back to her, I’m sure 🙂
And, funny you should mention it, but I thought of that same metaphor last time I mowed our yard – a couple of weeks ago when the weeds were almost as tall as they are now…
We’ll keep you posted on Kyla’s progress building her house (or, more accurately, having her house built) – we’ll see if we can get her to include a posh little shed out back 🙂
While up at the Ocoee I recounted that story about me and my inability to control my ducky.
Please make sure Kyla includes fully functional plumbing in the posh shed. Some day she’ll finally realize that I’m the man for her, or at least for her servants’ quarters. ;^)
Well I have functioning plumbing and I will not have to sell my first born (or even have a first born) to watershed management…My yard doesn’t look great, I doubt I’ll be able to do much to fix it until fall.
I’m getting ready to go a third round with the mower, wish me luck.