Merry-Go-Round

Sprinting the straights and jogging the curves.

I haven't really talked gear before.
I'm using Sporttracks, an incredible piece of freeware that pulls the data from my Garmin Forrunner 305 and overlays the plot points on Google maps. I've used Nike+ and the previous Nike pedometer system, but I'm happiest with this combination. You get good tracking of your gear (reminding you to switch out shoes), automatic weather tracking, weight maintenance options and all sorts of fun charts.

Criticisms
- Sporttracks doesn't handle the heartrate info that the Forerunner 305 has, so I still have to use the abysmal Garmin Training software for that.
- The one thing that Nike+ does that I really miss is pretty par for the course for Apple-related stuff. It's the pretty. Nike+'s website is really wonderful, and I loved using it, I just wish they didn't demand that you are only able to use their own proprietary crap. I should rephrase. The iPod is most certainly not crap, it's just not the crap that I want. Why not allow me to buy into the Nike+ system with a different piece of crap?

Scrabbling

From a game I'm playing with Jayfish and Zerodoll. I didn't think this could be done.

The First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem

So, I haven't been blogging about running very much, because I realized that it must be amazingly boring to read, but today might be worthwhile.

I've been ramping up my miles 'cause I'm doing a marathon soon (disturbingly soon, actually), so today's run was planned to be a really gorgeous run of about 14 miles. It's a bit of a pain for the first 2 miles or so because you have to run through some very nasty car-centric areas with lots of traffic lights.

Once you get past that chunk, it's a really beautiful part of town that no mortal human could afford to live in, but credit where credit is due, they've got a lot of greenspace and running trials. Must be nice to be rich, but hey, at least they haven't blocked it off to through running yet. It's even so swanky they've got water fountains on the trails.

After that bit, it gets even better. It's a pretty famous area, so I'll spare the description, but there's green, there's water, and curse me for being so crass, there's an unending stream of women who are... well... another nice aspect of the scenery.

So, the fun part of the story is that I got to the turnaround point and I was really feeling pretty good for having run 7 miles. No stitches, feet felt fine, knees and back and heck, everywhere - not even much muscle ache. So hey, my endorphin-addled brain asked me, "why not run further?" It's just an out and back, right? I could just add another mile or so on, turn around and zip-zop, no problem. Add another couple of miles to my weekly total and be ahead of the game for my prep work, right?

Ah, hubris.

Anywhoo. I kept on running, thinking I knew there was another major geographic point that should be coming up soon. I figured I'd turn around there, and it would make a pretty picture on my GPS map when I got home. (Yes I really did consider that on the 'pro' side of the mental note paper. The 'con' side was curiously absent such phrases as 'pain,' 'idiocy' or 'brittle knees snapping like dry kindling')

So I keep running on, becoming more concerned that I hadn't seen my new turnaround point. The added problem was that it is a beautiful day today, so when I did see it in the distance, it was way in the distance, but by that point my head was set to get there.

Long story short (well, not really short, but trust me, I could drag this on for pages), at the turnaround point, I looked at my GPS, and saw that I had run ten miles. Even at that point though, I didn't realize the pain I was in for. To be honest, I did ok up until about mile 15 where you turn into the uber-neighborhood. From that point on, it was really more of a shuffle run.

I did make it home - no walking. I had a wee bit of joy getting up the stairs, but after a nice long bath and a brutal NYT crossword, I'm feeling much more human. Only real pain is muscle pain and a little bit of arch grief.

Hooray for idiocy and bullheadedness!

Oh, and that GPS map looked really cool.

What is This Weekend Of Which You Speak?

I'm not really sure how to cope with this new information. I think that I may not have to work through the entire weekend in my office. I may very well be able to squeeze out a whole day without working on any specific projects.

So... It's been a while. What do people do when they aren't working?

Once More Unto the Quiz, Dear Friends

Without ado, further or otherwise, a quiz. (sentence fragment -.5, unnecessarily wordy -.5, awkward -.5)

1.

You crave attention--you can never say no
Throw your affections anyway the wind blows
You always make it--you're on top of the scene
You sell the copy like the cover of a magazine

2. This one may be a bit hard, but I had to use it just because of that 3rd line.

Here today, gone tomorrow
It’s possible, but I doubt it
His kiss is credit in the bank of love
I never leave home without it

3.

Keep a clean nose
Watch the plain clothes
You don't need a weather man
To know which way the wind blows

4.

Another year and then you'll be happy
Just one more year and then you'll be happy
But you're cryin'
You're cryin' now

5.

So you think your schooling's phony
I guess it's hard not to agree
You say it all depends on money
And who is in your family tree

6.

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around."

7. Really popular/infamous song, but more obscure lyrics

Outside it's cold misty and it's raining,
They got each other neither one's complaining,
He says I sorry but I'm out of milk and coffee,
Never mind sugar we can watch the early movie.

8.

Now you're in trouble, maybe she's an intellectual
What if she figures out you're not very smart
Or maybe she's the quiet type who's into heavy metal
Boy, you got to get it settled
Cause she's breaking your heart

9.

That's the way it began, we were hand in hand
Glenn Miller's Band was better than before
We yelled and screamed for more
And the Porter tunes "Night and Day"
Made us dance across the room
It ended all too soon
And on the way back home

10.

Working on the sound of the band
Trying to get the music right
Two go out working
Three stay home at night

Ya know, after looking back at those, they're pretty tough... Good luck!

I Have Hopes

It's been a real killer-diller of a couple of weeks for your host here at Overread Central. I shamefully admit, I haven't even been reading blogs, so I humbly apologize if you've had something important going on. I completely missed it. I'm going to try to get back into the blogging swing of things, so we'll see how that goes for us.

For now, I think the least I can do would be a bullet-list. And I mean it. It's the least I can do. That's why I'm going to do it. :)

• The nasty project that was hanging over my head has left my laptop on electronic wings, soaring to my advisor. If he likes the ideas, it will become the huge monster project to use in hunting funding. I have hopes.
• The marathon is still go. It will happen in a few weeks, but due to a bit of arch/heel pain, there will be no attempt to break any time barrier short of 24 hours. I have hopes.
  
• I bought a lottery ticket. I have hopes.
• My computers are conspiring against me. My laptop seems to enjoy certain international websites only until I find crucial information, then it shuts down. Also, the speaker only works when it wants to. So far I think I've discovered that it approves of 80s pop, but not musical theatre. My desktop has become very protective of the home network. Protective enough that it thinks I probably shouldn't be allowed to use it. We are in negotiations. I have hopes.
• While writing, I've been listening to music. Expect a few quizzes in the near future.
  
• My library rocks. I was let into the Special Collections room because one of the books I needed was apparently "special." I not really sure why. It wasn't particularly rare or fragile, but ah well. Before I was ushered into the chapel of books, they made me lock up all my bags and books and pens in a locker. Then, in the inner-sanctum, they brought out a special mini-podium made of cushions on which they carefully placed the book. There was also a delicately-balanced padded page-holder that held the book open to the table of contents. I sat down with great reverence, only to discover on looking at the table of contents that there would surely be nothing in the book that I could use. Embarrassed, I flipped through the pages for a few minutes in the hopes that they would think their efforts were appreciated, then I left.
• I have hopes.
  

Those Mannings Are Going to be Insufferable at their Reunion

Right, it'll be a blow-out. I can catch the commercials on Youtube. No problem. I've got to get that paper, that recommendation, and those grades (oh, and get that Japanese speech written, too) all in on Monday, so go in to the office. You won't be missing much.

Only what looks like one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory.

Crap.

Thanks a whole lot, little ESPN flash updater thingie. It would have been better if I hadn't found out until I got home.

Ah, well, back to work.

Pretty Fly

We had a big test for the class I'm TAing. We ask the students to write their section number on their exam sheets. Many students forget the section number. This is how we realize how the students really see our sections.

Most are "[time] section with [TAs name]"

Best one I've gotten so far is "10am, [room number]? with the white guy"

Now I know. I'm the white guy.

Oh The Humanity

I had kinda thought that I would try to put a more substantial post up here, but something more important happened. I drank this:

If you can't see that well, that's a Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper. I like Dr Pepper. A lot. Really heaps. This is an abomination. It's like you ground up chocolate Necco wafers into a bottle of hyper-carbonated water. My stomach can't figure out whether to give an acidic half-burp or grumble or just explode in revenge toward me for forcing that stuff down my throat.

Score: 1 bottlecap out of 5

Hi! Coo...

since last? fifteen days
overwhelmed and quite tired
more blogging to come

Collective Souls

If the collective noun for goose is gaggle, whale is pod and dove is exaltation (cute, eh?), what is the collective noun for gradfolk?

I suggest:

a procrastination of gradfolk
a laze of gradfolk
an insomnia of gradfolk
a neurosis of gradfolk

How about Professors?

a tenure of professors
an exasperation of professors

Any other suggestions? We could petition the Websters people...

Mind the Quiz

Hazah to the quizzers! Those noble souls who despite setbacks and earworms and Eddie Murphy videos continue to strive for lyrical success. Truly they are heroes of our time.

I was worried about Zerodoll, but she did come through with #7. Alas, googling is considered poor sportsmanship, but I do highly recommend youtubing the ones that you don't get after you give up. You will be rewarded by much head-slapping and truly horrible videos.

However, there was a bit of a stumble on numbers 8 and 10 last time 'round, which were Warrnt's 'Heaven' and Roxette's 'Dangerous.' To be honest, looking back at #10, I can understand why no one got that one. It's clear when you sing it, but it really isn't clear with just the lyrics.

Alrighty then, Fair warning, the Winamp radio that streams me my tunes has been set on the Classic Rock station, so that's what you'll be getting. Well, mostly. :)

1.

I know its late, I know you're weary
I know your plans don't include me
Still here we are, both of us lonely
Longing for shelter from all that we see

2.

But it was only fantasy.
The wall was too high,
As you can see.
No matter how he tried,
He could not break free.
And the worms ate into his brain.

3.

catch the wind, see us spin,
Sail away, leave today,
Way up high in the sky.
But the wind wont blow,
You really shouldn't go,
It only goes to show
That you will be mine
By taking our time.

4.

So far away from the garden we love
She is what moves in the soul of a dove
Soon I shall see just how black was my night
When were alone in her city of light

5.

They are one person
They are two alone
They are three together
They are for each other

6.

And then your wife seems to think you're part of the furniture
oh, its peculiar, she used to be so nice.

7.

Now you're climbing to the top of the company ladder
Hope it doesn't take too long
Can't you see there'll come a day when it wont matter
Come a day when you'll be gone

8.

She's got loving like quicksand
Only took one touch of her hand
To blow my mind and I'm in so deep
That I cant eat and I can't sleep

9. Careful on the artist for this one :)

When you're down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

10.

I've been walking in Central Park
Singing after dark
People think I'm crazy
Ive been stumbling on my feet
Shuffling through the street
What's the matter with you boy?

Politics Comes To Campus

Overheard:

"No! Edwards' wife has, like totally normal hair!"

First in the Nation

Wow. Now I'm really still undecided about who I like in the primaries, so I'm really interested in the coverage over in NH. What I'm thinking:

• Iowa? New Hampshire? Yeah, I think we need to redo the primary system altogether.
• Clinton looks absolutely exhausted. I don't want her to be president, but I really hope she hangs in and makes a good showing.
  
• Obama is still getting very friendly coverage, and it doesn't seem that anyone is being very critical
• Is Edwards really so much of a longshot that he doesn't warrant any coverage at all? Also, that hair is terrifying.
  
• Huckabee - The networks only go as far as mentioning that there are very few 'Evangelicals' in NH. Why don't they talk about specifics? Talk about evolution, science, stem cells, abortion! These aren't solely religious issues. They are political issues.
• Romney - Looking very casual and blase. This seems to work well for him. Clinton could learn from this I think.
  
• McCain - he seems very upbeat for a guy who is getting his tukas kicked.
• Guliani - who?
• Thompson - How is this man getting votes? Somnambulism is not a platform. He doesn't even have any stage presence. How is that possible?
• Paul - I'm really glad he's out there raising issues, but I look at him like Kucinich. I really wish more people would argue their ideas rather then just dismiss them, but neither one is electable. Paul as a third party candidate would be a hoot though.
  
• I'm figuring Obama and Romney will win and become pretty hard to beat.
  
• I worry that Democrats are getting a bit complacent, thinking that they'll have no problem against any Republican. I think that they forget that they are Democrats and that means that they can find a way to lose anything anytime.
  
• Isn't it cool when the news channels cover (what I consider) news?
• I'm really torn about Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert being back on TV despite the strike. Also, neither of them seem nearly as sharp without their writers. I did really miss them though.
  

It's Not the Quiz, It's the Humidity

Man, it's getting really hard to sneak one by you guys. The only one that got by way 'I am, I said,'
by the incomparable Niel Diamond - Incomparable because I can't think of anyone to compare him to at the moment.

Also, I should know better than to question Gary's music knowledge - his grasp is all-encompassing. I had no idea that Randy Newman wrote 'Mama Told Me Not To Come.' Mr. Newman is everywhere, I tells ya. And he's (Gary, not Randy) has started up a review of a year that I'm particularly fond of: 1982.

So, now I was going to try to avoid quizzing from '82, but hey, no promises :) Although for some odd reason, we're going in chronological order. Odd, eh?

1.

The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend

2.

How did ya' know I needed you so badly
How did ya' know I gave my heart gladly
Yesterday I was one of a lonely people
Now you're lying next to me

3.

It swings
It jives
It shakes all over like a jelly fish,
I kinda like it

4.

Remember how I found you there
Alone in your electric chair
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled

5.

Boys with small talk and small minds
Really don't impress me in bed
She said, I need a man's man, baby
Diamonds and furs
Love would only conquer my head

6. This one may be a little hard, but oh my god, I had no idea this is who sang this song...

Baby - there's no need for living in the past
Now I've found good loving gonna make it last.
I tell the others don't bother me
'Cause when they look at you
they don't see what I see
No - I don't listen to their wasted lines
Got my eyes wide open and I see the signs

7.

My heart is old - it holds my memories
My baby burns - a gem like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again

8.

I don't need to be the king of the world
As long as I'm the hero of this little girl

9.

This drug makes me crazy
Makes me see you more clearly.
Oh, baby, now I can see you.
Wish I could stop,
Switch off the clock,
Make it all happen for you.

10.

Hey, where's your work?
What's your game?
I know your business
but I don't know your name...

PS - was going to quiz you with Eddie Murphy's 'Party All the Time,' but I couldn't find a good chunk. I do however, highly recommend looking at the video -- Hilarious.

Stranger on a Strange Campus

Ah first day of classes. It's all so very cool. I wonder if I'll ever not love it. I've got another couple of early classes - one at the unheard of time of 9am! Hehe. I actually kind of like the early classes. I figure that no one signs up for a 9am class unless they actually want to be there, well and maybe a couple of folks who aren't motivated but couldn't get in any other sections. But frankly, they probably won't wake up early enough to make it to class, so that leaves me only my motivated students and a smaller class! Win-win!

Also, funny thing happened today - I was heading home when I passed by a very flustered looking mom using very broken English to try to ask a student how to get to the bus stop. Her little kid was chattering away in a language related to Gruub studies, so I butted in and said I could show her the way. She seemed so relieved to find someone she could communicate with. It turned out that she was a visiting post-doc in the Not-Gruub Department, and they really hadn't done much to get her oriented to the area. Halfway to the bus stop I realized that she needed much much more help that I could give(kindergarten for the kid - he doesn't speak English, housing, transportation, etc.. etc...), so I suggested we swing by the office of the folks that teach her language, and see if they could help her out. We got there and there were several folks who seemed more than happy to help her out. I had to run off, but I think everything will be go much smoother for Ms. Mom.

Hooray for happy coincidences!

Speaking of Pixar Movies,

Have you seen these quality trailers? Look out Wall-e!

The Little Cars

Ratotoing

Why Yes, Yes I Am

A geek, that is. I'm watching the caucusing on CSPAN. I am now even more convinced than ever that the Democratic Party is unable to organize its way out of a wet paper bag.

I am kinda digging it though. Sure it's a very weird and arcane way of doing things, but I tend to be partial to the weird and arcane.

By The By

In case it wasn't clear to anyone out there, Ratatouille is simply one of the best movies ever.

That is all.

(Thanks Mr. Fish)

Blog?

I'm very much digging the phunky photoblog site that Ianqui is using. I'm testing it out over here. What do you folks think? Does the photo actually fit on your page (I know that was a grief with blogger)? The small version still looks a little too big to me, but I really don't want to do a lot of resizing...