I bought myself an Ipod for my birthday (I got another large infusion of cash in lieu of gifts, same as Christmas...y'know, I think I'll just start asking for money each year). I've been wanting some type of MP3 player for a while now and the Ipod is the top of the line. Hastings, the music and bookstore chain, had a refurbished Ipod Shuffle on sale for $50 (Brand new they run about $90. A refurb is brand new innards packed inside a used outer shell. They do it with cell phones all the time) so I picked it up.
The reason for wanting an MP3 player was to use at the gym. When I'm lifting weights and such, I really don't mind if I don't have anything to listen to. That is my zen time, when I can focus my thoughts and put both my body and mind through the wringer. But I also spend a lot of time on the treadmill. And if there is ever a time that screams boredom, it's jogging along on a treadmill. Consequently, I tend to give up running about 5 full minutes before I should.
So, I strapped on my Ipod (actually I just clipped it to my shirt...it's about the size of a half dollar and weighs about twice that) and adjusted my new ear phones and went to work. At first it was kind of cool, listening to my own music and drowning out the noise of the gym. Then I began to silently sing along with my music and before I knew it I had already ran for 8 minutes. This was going to be so cool!
I have a taste for classical music (it drives Heather crazy, but the kids seems to like it) so I made sure to include some of the more uptempo pieces on my Ipod. I even arranged the music to play at specific times for psychological reasons (uptempo for when I running, slower music on my cooling down walks). So there I was, at minute 20, sucking wind at a steady pace of 6 miles an hour when Gustav Holst's "Mars, Bringer of War" kicked in at the 4 minute mark. You've heard it before as it is one of the most used classical pieces for temp tracks on movies and previews. And sure enough, it got my adrenaline flowing. So much so that even though I was close to gasping at this point, I actually increased the MPH on the treadmill. And I ran for anther 5 minutes.
Yeah, I'm loving this Ipod. Now if I could figure out a way to have it help me eat less, I'd be set.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wow, I haven't posted anything in a while have I? I would like to say that I've been busy, kids, school, blah, blah, blah, but the simple truth is that I've been lazy. No, that's still a lie. I've been playing games. Two, in fact. One is online, the other X-box.
Microsoft has introduced a search engine to internet explorer. To get people to try it out they offer points for every search you make using it. Redeem the points at the end of the test period for cool prizes. Seems like that wasn't enough though so they upped the ante. Now they have a website where you can play games using their search engine and generate points there as well. And the swag is SO much cooler. How cool? Well, when you start posting big numbers (like I am now) you can get Microsoft Office 07 or a robot vacuum cleaner. But what I'm going for is a widescreen DVD camcorder (actually I want the Xbox 360 but Heather won't let me get it). After it's all said and done I will have invested about 2 hours a day since Christmas to win this thing. But it will be worth it when I post video clips of the kids on the blog. (and to think my mother never thought playing video games would amount to anything)
The other game I've been playing? NCAA football 07. Yeah, I'm still tooling around on a regular old X-Box (if you feel that sorry for me, leave a comment and we'll talk about where you can buy me a shiny new XBox 360) and since they don't release new games for the old X-Box anymore I have to buy old ones. But the upside is that I pay a fraction of the cost of newer games. And I can play football all day long. Plus, Emery likes to "play" with me (I give him an unplugged controller).
Microsoft has introduced a search engine to internet explorer. To get people to try it out they offer points for every search you make using it. Redeem the points at the end of the test period for cool prizes. Seems like that wasn't enough though so they upped the ante. Now they have a website where you can play games using their search engine and generate points there as well. And the swag is SO much cooler. How cool? Well, when you start posting big numbers (like I am now) you can get Microsoft Office 07 or a robot vacuum cleaner. But what I'm going for is a widescreen DVD camcorder (actually I want the Xbox 360 but Heather won't let me get it). After it's all said and done I will have invested about 2 hours a day since Christmas to win this thing. But it will be worth it when I post video clips of the kids on the blog. (and to think my mother never thought playing video games would amount to anything)
The other game I've been playing? NCAA football 07. Yeah, I'm still tooling around on a regular old X-Box (if you feel that sorry for me, leave a comment and we'll talk about where you can buy me a shiny new XBox 360) and since they don't release new games for the old X-Box anymore I have to buy old ones. But the upside is that I pay a fraction of the cost of newer games. And I can play football all day long. Plus, Emery likes to "play" with me (I give him an unplugged controller).
Monday, January 14, 2008
Birthday query
I have a birthday coming up soon (no, you do not have to get me anything) and I was thinking about previous birthday memories. I had an epiphany at that moment (and a way to increase the interaction of readers on this blog).
What is your best birthday moment? Is it a party? A gift? Is it a funny anecdote? Perhaps the day you could legally drink (Perhaps the day you were officially in the AARP)?
Leave a comment telling me (and everyone else) what it is. Please keep it PG-13 (My kids might read this someday).
I'll go first to break the ice. My most memorable birthday moment (of which there are several) was on the occasion of my 21st birthday. I was working at Eskimo Joes as a bouncer. Unfortunately my b-day fell on a Sunday, which limited the amount of damage I could do to myself. However I was not to be deterred, even with an all day long winterguard rehearsal on Saturday (Winterguard? Too long of a story, another time perhaps). After rehearsal broke for the evening, I didn't even bother to shower (even though I was dripping with sweat). I just changed right there in the gym and took off for Joes (with a designated driver in tow). The entire crew was waiting for me at the door to greet me with cheers, congratulations and...handcuffs? Some of the guys also served as National Guard reservists and thought it would be a funny idea to handcuff me to a barstool. I played along with the joke, even though I didn't know what I was getting into. Me and my barstool saddled up to the bar and legally ordered my first drink (a beer). I consumed it, and four or five more, rather quickly (I was a heavy weight in those days...now I can get plastered on a Zima). Nature's phone call started ringing but I was still attached to lacquered furniture. I called over one of the guys (one with keys) and asked to be released to, um, you know. With a laugh and a look on his face that I'll never forget, he said that if I had to go that bad, I'd find a way. And then he walked off. I figured I could hold it for another 30 minutes or so, but no, I was about to pop like an overinflated balloon (I have a bladder the size of a two year old). With no other recourse, I grabbed my barstool and headed off the men's room. Once I was in the door, I had two options: very long community urinal or toilet. I opted for the urinal. Figuring I would make this as memorable an experience as possible I hopped up on the barstool whilst I, um, went. I was almost done when another patron walked in. For five seconds he just stood there and looked at me. After looking around to see if anyone else was in the room, he whispered, "Hey buddy, where can I get one of those?"
They unlocked the handcuffs when I returned, leaving me free run of the joint for about 20 minutes until close. Much more alcohol was consumed and I retired to my apartment with the blissful peace of having conquered yet another of the milestones of age.
What is your best birthday moment? Is it a party? A gift? Is it a funny anecdote? Perhaps the day you could legally drink (Perhaps the day you were officially in the AARP)?
Leave a comment telling me (and everyone else) what it is. Please keep it PG-13 (My kids might read this someday).
I'll go first to break the ice. My most memorable birthday moment (of which there are several) was on the occasion of my 21st birthday. I was working at Eskimo Joes as a bouncer. Unfortunately my b-day fell on a Sunday, which limited the amount of damage I could do to myself. However I was not to be deterred, even with an all day long winterguard rehearsal on Saturday (Winterguard? Too long of a story, another time perhaps). After rehearsal broke for the evening, I didn't even bother to shower (even though I was dripping with sweat). I just changed right there in the gym and took off for Joes (with a designated driver in tow). The entire crew was waiting for me at the door to greet me with cheers, congratulations and...handcuffs? Some of the guys also served as National Guard reservists and thought it would be a funny idea to handcuff me to a barstool. I played along with the joke, even though I didn't know what I was getting into. Me and my barstool saddled up to the bar and legally ordered my first drink (a beer). I consumed it, and four or five more, rather quickly (I was a heavy weight in those days...now I can get plastered on a Zima). Nature's phone call started ringing but I was still attached to lacquered furniture. I called over one of the guys (one with keys) and asked to be released to, um, you know. With a laugh and a look on his face that I'll never forget, he said that if I had to go that bad, I'd find a way. And then he walked off. I figured I could hold it for another 30 minutes or so, but no, I was about to pop like an overinflated balloon (I have a bladder the size of a two year old). With no other recourse, I grabbed my barstool and headed off the men's room. Once I was in the door, I had two options: very long community urinal or toilet. I opted for the urinal. Figuring I would make this as memorable an experience as possible I hopped up on the barstool whilst I, um, went. I was almost done when another patron walked in. For five seconds he just stood there and looked at me. After looking around to see if anyone else was in the room, he whispered, "Hey buddy, where can I get one of those?"
They unlocked the handcuffs when I returned, leaving me free run of the joint for about 20 minutes until close. Much more alcohol was consumed and I retired to my apartment with the blissful peace of having conquered yet another of the milestones of age.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
New Year's Poll
So what did everyone do to celebrate the new year? Pretty much the same thing as everyone else, according to the poll (man, ya'll are some boring people...kidding). Overwhelmingly, over 90% of respondents indicated that they participated in traditional activities. Thanks for participating...another exciting poll will be coming soon.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Just a bit creepy
I officially have a stalker.
About a six weeks ago, I got a walk in haircut. A man's haircut, very simple. The guy was pleased with his haircut and said he would be back. That's good, right? Building clientelle and all that.
Same man came back about a two weeks later for another haircut. Nothing big, cut another cut, another satisfied customer.
Christmas break came and went and we came back to school. I walk in to the school and the same guy is sitting in the lobby, waiting. He got there at 8am, even though we don't start seeing people until 9:45. This time he wanted color and a haircut. After theory (we have an hour of "textbook work" before we start appointments), I got everything ready and set to go. Man loved his color and cut, even gave me a $5 tip this time. Got a manicure while I was coloring his hair from one of the girls. Said he will be back in two weeks.
Yesterday, same man showed up for yet another haircut and manicure. Gave me an OSU hat for a tip. Said he would be back on a weekly basis. Only this time he didn't leave once we were finished. He stayed and chatted me up until one of the instructors came to my rescue (after an hour had elapsed, I might add).
Today, the man shows up, out of the blue, with bags of gifts for me and the girl who gave him his manicures. Okay, now I'm officially creeped out. Everyone else is too. Kathy, the school's manager, gathered the bags and gave them back to the man, telling him that he will need to get his hair cut elsewhere.
I know this sounds somewhat funny, but it really creeps me out. First, the man is homeless. Second, the man is jobless. Third, no car. Fourth, no family or friends. Now the picture becomes just a bit clearer and starts bordering on obsession. Granted, he could just be a nice man (he's older, around 60-ish) or he could be planning on boiling my innards for custard. Unfortunately, in this day and age, one can never take the chance that someone always has good intentions. Fortunately, the man doesn't know where I live or what I drive. However, he does know where I go to school, which could be a bit problematic. I guess if you see a headline in the newspaper that reads "Cosmetology Student Missing, Stalker Suspected" you'll know its me.
About a six weeks ago, I got a walk in haircut. A man's haircut, very simple. The guy was pleased with his haircut and said he would be back. That's good, right? Building clientelle and all that.
Same man came back about a two weeks later for another haircut. Nothing big, cut another cut, another satisfied customer.
Christmas break came and went and we came back to school. I walk in to the school and the same guy is sitting in the lobby, waiting. He got there at 8am, even though we don't start seeing people until 9:45. This time he wanted color and a haircut. After theory (we have an hour of "textbook work" before we start appointments), I got everything ready and set to go. Man loved his color and cut, even gave me a $5 tip this time. Got a manicure while I was coloring his hair from one of the girls. Said he will be back in two weeks.
Yesterday, same man showed up for yet another haircut and manicure. Gave me an OSU hat for a tip. Said he would be back on a weekly basis. Only this time he didn't leave once we were finished. He stayed and chatted me up until one of the instructors came to my rescue (after an hour had elapsed, I might add).
Today, the man shows up, out of the blue, with bags of gifts for me and the girl who gave him his manicures. Okay, now I'm officially creeped out. Everyone else is too. Kathy, the school's manager, gathered the bags and gave them back to the man, telling him that he will need to get his hair cut elsewhere.
I know this sounds somewhat funny, but it really creeps me out. First, the man is homeless. Second, the man is jobless. Third, no car. Fourth, no family or friends. Now the picture becomes just a bit clearer and starts bordering on obsession. Granted, he could just be a nice man (he's older, around 60-ish) or he could be planning on boiling my innards for custard. Unfortunately, in this day and age, one can never take the chance that someone always has good intentions. Fortunately, the man doesn't know where I live or what I drive. However, he does know where I go to school, which could be a bit problematic. I guess if you see a headline in the newspaper that reads "Cosmetology Student Missing, Stalker Suspected" you'll know its me.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Half way done
By noon tomorrow, I will be halfway done with school! Whoo-Hoo! Yeah! A degree in Cosmetology is 1500 hours and noon will see me at exactly 750 hours. Granted I still have a long way to go (about 5 more months) but just knowing that I have reached the apex and am now descending to the other side is a great, great feeling. At this rate, assuming I don't miss any more days, I'll graduate on or about the 28th of May.
And, as credit hours go, I'll officially be a senior on February 6th.
And, as credit hours go, I'll officially be a senior on February 6th.
My Christmas present to myself
The pic is a bit fuzzy. But what we have here is my Christmas present to myself. I am evidently a difficult person to buy Christmas presents for (thats a joke, I'm really easy to buy for...comic books, people!) But I did get a large infusion of cash in lieu of gifts this year so I thought I would get myself something that I've been itching to get for some time now. A tattoo. This marks my fourth tattoo and the first one that would be construed as "visible" (the rest are hidden by clothing).
What does it mean? "Large coke, extra ice". It's how I order my drinks at a Chinese restaurant.
Just kidding (although you wouldn't believe the number of people who fall for that joke). It's stylized Japanese kanji for "father". All of my tats have a meaning that is important to me and being a father is one of the most important. So I wanted to get something that reminded me not only of the privileges of being a father but also of the responsibilites. It's really hard to avoid something when it stares you in the face everytime you raise your hand. And being a father, a good father, is the one of the most important things I can think of in this world.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Peek-a-boo
The pictures don't show motion very well, but Emma was playing peek-a-boo with me last night. She gets a kick out of it. Oh, and she's walking now.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Poll results
It was close, but it seems that more of my friends than my family visit the blog (odd, as I would have thought it the other way around).
I have a new poll lined up for the new year.
I have a new poll lined up for the new year.
Happy New Year!
We spent New Year's Eve at some friends, playing Monopoly while waiting for the ball to drop. Afterward, it was about 5 straight hours of Halo 3. Yes, you read that right, 5 hours straight. I actually lost track of time and didn't realize it was so late (or rather, so early) until I started to feel a bit sleepy and hungry. We got back to our house around 6am. It was fun though. You can never get enough Halo 3.
But I'm paying for it today. I'm wiped out. So are the kids. They are fast asleep this afternoon, laying down with barely a whimper.
But I'm paying for it today. I'm wiped out. So are the kids. They are fast asleep this afternoon, laying down with barely a whimper.
Christmas #3
After Christmas morning at my mother's, we left for Christmas afternoon with Heather's parents. I was just about Christmas-ed out at this point. It was fun for the kids though. They always going over to Grandma and Pappa's.
Emma's favorite toy? The wrapping paper.
Emma's favorite toy? The wrapping paper.
Christmas #2
I know these are a little late, but the holidays have been hectic.
Darrell has someone dress up as Santa and come by on Christmas Eve for the kids. Emery and Emma DID NOT like Santa, as you can see (although they did like playing with the toys he brought after he left).
Heather is going to kill me for posting this, but I couldn't resist. Here is her favorite Christmas present.
Ah, grandchildren.
Daddy was responsible for helping the kids sort out their mess.
And, as you can see, they really enjoyed their Christmas at Nana's.
Darrell has someone dress up as Santa and come by on Christmas Eve for the kids. Emery and Emma DID NOT like Santa, as you can see (although they did like playing with the toys he brought after he left).
Heather is going to kill me for posting this, but I couldn't resist. Here is her favorite Christmas present.
Ah, grandchildren.
Daddy was responsible for helping the kids sort out their mess.
And, as you can see, they really enjoyed their Christmas at Nana's.
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