The End Of Optimism

With this weekend I end my optimistic attempts of using a “If you buy it, she will come” strategy. I have two tickets for tonight’s Neko Case concert at the Buckhead Theater — only one will be used. I have two tickets for at least one of the two Neutral Milk Hotel shows that I will be attending at The Tabernacle this weekend, I fully expected to find a companion for these.

Oh well, I tried.
And failed.

Today’s Daily Challenge
Release muscle tension by gently rolling your shoulders five times, both forward and backward.

The shoulder roll is a simple exercise with big benefits. It’s particularly helpful if you sit in front of a computer or at a desk for long periods of time, as the movement releases muscle tension in your neck, back, throat, and shoulders. This in turn helps prevent muscle strain and stiffness. Shoulder rolls also increase range of motion in your shoulders and upper back, and can improve your posture and balance.

Even when I am standing (which doesn’t happen as much as it should) this is a beneficial movement.

Oh What A (Laundry) Night
Because of the shitty-ass traffic in the Perimeter Mall area (and I read that another 8,000 jobs are expected to be brought in by State Farm and AirWatch!) I sat around the office until nearly 6:30pm last night before fighting my fellow commuters on my way to the lavanderia.

Once I arrived at the lavanderia it was nearly “Nirvana Lavanderia” as there were but two other customers doing laundry on a Wednesday night. I washed and dried my loads as I read the Ars Technica review of OS X Mavericks and was done with my business around 9:00pm.

By the time I arrived home there was little time to do much more than put away my clean laundry, and perform some computer maintenance as I snacked on some High Road Craft Ice Cream. I am currently in possession of a pint of Roasted Caramel Banana.

OMFG it’s amazing!
If you like banana and caramel of course.

ITP Flickr Pic
“North Carolina Scenic View”
North Carolina Scenic View
Hmm, not as striking as I remembered. Also, the aspect ratio seems more “square” than I remember. And, what’s with those power lines?

And In The Face Of Yesterday
I have decided to throw some caution into the wind and upgrade at least one of my two computers to OS X Mavericks this weekend. I have heard many good things about this operating system and want to jump on the bandwagon. Since my laptop is a little less “mission critical” I think that it is the one that I will deem to be the guinea pig.

Wish me luck.

Today’s Personal Project
Have fun at tonight’s Neko Case concert, even though I wasn’t able to get a date for it.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – all things considered, pretty good (still fighting the foot however)
Current Music – silence at the moment, but that’s about to change as I start playing some Neutral Milk Hotel in preparation for this weekend.
Website Of The Day – One of my favorite podcasts “99% Invisible” is running a Kickstarter campaign to go weekly. I will be picking my support level this morning.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – 213 pounds (October 21)

Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~10.1 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0.0 miles
Gym Visits – 0 (0 cardio)

Days Of Bed-Making – 0

Vegetarian Meals – 31
Carnivorous Meals – 27

Marta Rides To Work – 5
Bike Rides To Work – 0

October Goals
– clean my basement to the point where I could have people over
– hire a plumber to replace my malfunctioning faucets
– submit to important documents, neither of which I can talk about at this time
– walk no fewer than 75 miles

2013 Goals: Measurable
– Get my weight down to 190 pounds so that I can wear a 36″ waist pants comfortably
– Completely read ten books, audio books permissible
– Dissolve Sharpened Stone
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Completely run at least one 10k
– Fix all (or at least most) of the things which are wrong with the ITP Estate

2013 Goals: Unmeasurable
– Simplify, simplify, simplify
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions
– Start, and continue, to make my own bread using my bread machine as well as using the technique outlined in Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Discovery That Revolutionizes Home Baking
– Read and discard magazines during the month in which they arrive (even digitally)
– Take two real vacations, perhaps one abroad
– Take a more proactive approach to meeting women (read “stop being such a pussy”)

Books I’ve Read/Heard In 2013

  1. Pages 1.7 for iPad (Timestompers Guide) — by Sean Wells
  2. 60 Mountain Lion Tips — by David Sparks and Brett Terpstra
  3. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business — by Charles Duhigg
  4. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy — by Douglas Adams
  5. Amazing Things Will Happen: A Real-World Guide on Achieving Success and Happiness — by CC Chapman
  6. So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love — by Cal Newport
  7. Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life — by Steve Martin
  8. Who Am I: A Memoir — by Pete Townshend
  9. Still Foolin’ ‘Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys? — by Billy Crystal
  10. Unstuff Your Life!: Kick the Clutter Habit and Completely Organize Your Life for Good — Andrew J. Mellen

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]

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13 Responses to The End Of Optimism

  1. Barb says:

    OK, I have to ask this – not able to get a date? Did you even ask anyone?

    So, after spending a bunch of money at Home Depot, Lowes & IKEA, I tell myself, do not spend any more money until the next credit card cycle. You know what that means? I keep finding things to buy. I found a pair of running (ok, walking) shoes, bought some expensive sheets, and then last night bought my parents plane tickets to come to GA for Christmas. (side note, that cool little Google Chromebook is barely even for email for my mom, she still can’t figure it out at all). At least my parents will send me a check for the plane tickets.

  2. Haven’t met anyone to ask.

  3. bob says:

    Barb you may need to go old school with your parents and teach basic computer stuff like how to use the mouse. Have them play solitare, that is a great way to teach how to use the mouse/click controls.

    Paulie, I won’t give you dating advice. I will say that so far so so on the Mavericks upgrade. I am still having some Java problems which is not allowing me to use VPN to connect to my corporate network. Stupid Java!!

    Jenka, what class is your friend racing in Savannah? Cyclocross is fun as hell, I’m addicted. The course in Savannah looks crazy too, there is a flyover and a death spiral. Good times!

  4. Barb says:

    Bob – I did get my mom a mouse this past summer, she does like it, and she does play a little solitaire. (that is when she can find the game, she forgets how to do everything as soon as I tell her, over & over & over).

  5. bob says:

    Funny Barb, I have end users at a technology company that do the same 🙂

  6. Steve says:

    Bob, that’s scary.

    Barb, it sounds like there should be a Tasty China adventure with the ‘rents. We are all so entertaining, after all.

    Paulie, I’m sorry you are wasting money on unused tickets. I always thought it was a good sign that you bought 2- hope springs eternal and all that. Not too late to ask a friend to go.

    There was suffering last night and it was good! I’m trying to pay more attention to the cadence and “stand” suggestions on the video. I managed a solid half hour, which was pretty good considering I haven’t been on the bike in 2 weeks.

    There is also a bar at the CX in Savannah. Should be entertaining!!

    -FP

  7. Barb says:

    Not sure if my parents are up for Tasty China, they are pretty much in the bland food eating catagory. But, you just never know…….. I know they would love to meet our friends, so we may come up with some sort of gathering.

    TJ is working some sort of CX race in NC this weekend, must be a national race of some sort?

  8. Jenka says:

    Bob: I have no idea! She’s never done it before, and will be riding her mountain bike. I don’t know if that even remotely answers your question. All I know is it’s on Saturday! She gets around, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if you met her. Death spiral sounds pretty damn awesome!

    God, I hate Neko Case. I think I’m the only one. But UGH, she makes me want to stab my eardrums out.

    Red Sox won the first game last night! Only 3 more to go! Reason #87 why it’s annoying to watch in a sports bar: guy next to me at the bar last night wouldn’t shut up about his dying grandmother with stage 4 cancer. I mean, I feel really bad about it, but WTF? I need to get a TV. Or friends with TVs.

  9. Barb says:

    Jenka – you just made me laugh on the reason to get a TV…..

    Allan is painting the ceiling this afternoon, that makes me so happy! (Because this way I don’t have to help, I hate painting ceilings!) I”m okay with walls, and doors, & door moulding, & baseboards, just nothing up over my head.

  10. May be getting beers with coworkers after work — Neko Case outing in jeopardy….

    I thought you were going to complain about the guy hitting on you all night, Jenka.

  11. Barb says:

    What? Paulie is going out for beers with co-workers after work? Shocking…… that never happens.

    And just becasue Jenka doesn’t like Neko doesn’t mean you should skip it. Just saying. LOL

  12. Geez, am I that transparent??? 🙂

    Actually in the end hanging out with people pleases me more than going to the concert alone — even if I am pissing away money.

  13. Steve says:

    Jenka, don’t expect the Cards to roll over every night lkie that. I think they helped your cause as much as anyone on your own team.

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