I first saw this a while back and figured it was time I shared another silly video here.
I need to get me one of these.
This also makes me want to start thinking about Halloween... even though I'm not going to be Mario - I just want to think about it already. :P
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Life Without the Internet
I haven't had access to the internet on my computer at home for about a week now!
I did better than I thought I would. Yeah... A break from the internet at home was probably a good thing!! There are two reasons I was able to stay sane without the internet.
1 - I'm not playing WoW - if I were playing World of Warcraft still I think I'd be very annoyed that I was unable to connect. Then again I would have taken my computer downstairs and plugged it in, since it's just our wireless that we don't have right now.
2 - Books. I'm in the middle of 3 series right now. The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, The Mercedes Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs (Got my wife into those ones too ha!), and as I've waited for my books on hold from those series I grabbed a random book by Laura Resnick called The White Dragon, only to discover it had a prequel and a sequel, so I grabbed that as well.
I finally ordered the wireless piece for our new DSL modem. We'll see how it compares to our old one. At least the internet hasn't cut off for my wife so far! So yippee I'll have the internet again on Friday, which is still a long time.
We are finally dipping our hands into the stock market... or trying to as there are all sorts of barriers and waiting periods for investing in non-marginable securities. We are only looking to invest $500 into a local business' penny stocks, and for some reason Ameritrade isn't letting me. Possibly because they want me investing THOUSANDS through them... but I don't have thousands to invest. Hopefully we won't have to go through somebody else again, because we've already gone through this. I guess as long as the stock stays down while we aren't in and jumps up after it's all good, right? :)
I did better than I thought I would. Yeah... A break from the internet at home was probably a good thing!! There are two reasons I was able to stay sane without the internet.
1 - I'm not playing WoW - if I were playing World of Warcraft still I think I'd be very annoyed that I was unable to connect. Then again I would have taken my computer downstairs and plugged it in, since it's just our wireless that we don't have right now.
2 - Books. I'm in the middle of 3 series right now. The Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, The Mercedes Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs (Got my wife into those ones too ha!), and as I've waited for my books on hold from those series I grabbed a random book by Laura Resnick called The White Dragon, only to discover it had a prequel and a sequel, so I grabbed that as well.
I finally ordered the wireless piece for our new DSL modem. We'll see how it compares to our old one. At least the internet hasn't cut off for my wife so far! So yippee I'll have the internet again on Friday, which is still a long time.
We are finally dipping our hands into the stock market... or trying to as there are all sorts of barriers and waiting periods for investing in non-marginable securities. We are only looking to invest $500 into a local business' penny stocks, and for some reason Ameritrade isn't letting me. Possibly because they want me investing THOUSANDS through them... but I don't have thousands to invest. Hopefully we won't have to go through somebody else again, because we've already gone through this. I guess as long as the stock stays down while we aren't in and jumps up after it's all good, right? :)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Creativity
Not that I really needed another post today...
But this is a really interesting excerpt from a book that will be released this June.
Good advice. (Note: There is some colorful language, so you've been warned, unless you clicked on the link before I added this note, that is... )
Ignore Everybody
"6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, "I'd like my crayons back, please."
The book can be pre-ordered on Amazon:
"Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity"
Another Note: Unfortunately I don't get referral money from Amazon... Maybe I should look into that. :)
But this is a really interesting excerpt from a book that will be released this June.
Good advice. (Note: There is some colorful language, so you've been warned, unless you clicked on the link before I added this note, that is... )
Ignore Everybody
"6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.Then when you hit puberty they take the crayons away and replace them with books on algebra etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the creative bug is just a wee voice telling you, "I'd like my crayons back, please."
The book can be pre-ordered on Amazon:
"Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity"
Another Note: Unfortunately I don't get referral money from Amazon... Maybe I should look into that. :)
A Random Collection of Links
So this morning I decided it'd be good to link a whole bunch of sites I use/visit frequently.
**LONG POST WARNING!!**
First though, I want to direct your attention to the trailer for a new movie coming out - a Live Action "Where the Wild Things Are"
Gotta say I'm quite impressed. And I want a monster costume like that!
Some of these have been linked here before, some haven't, and I hope you find something useful.
Also, not all of these are G or PG-rated... some may be PG-13 and a few even cross over into R territory occasionally. Just thought that might be a good thing to add here...
Generally Useful/Fun: (Yeah nothing TOO exciting here)
Google - Seriously - it is too amazing how many different VERY useful things this site has for you.
Google Reader - One of my favorite and most used web applications - most of the info I get online I get through Google Reader.
Amazon - Even if you don't buy from Amazon, the reviews and recommendations are awesome.
Wikipedia - Almost everything you need to know can probably be found on this site. I don't care if you should officially cite wiki or not - it's Awesome! (and a great starting point for 'official' references anyway!)
YouTube - Too much fun - although I don't spend a LOT of time on youtube - there are some real gems on there!
Facebook - It's Facebook - my favorite thing is I can stay in touch with friends all over the world I otherwise wouldn't have contact with.
Hulu - While they are just melting your brain so they can eat it... They have TONS of shows to watch. From Heroes to Naruto Shippuden (woot) to The Office to full length Movies. Handy resource!
Uncrate - This site is an interesting list of cool stuff. Mostly it's stuff you can't afford but might like to. Really this should probably be down in the blog section but oh well.
Steep and Cheap - Since my bro doesn't work for the owning company any more I don't visit this site as much as I used to - but if you like outdoor gear and are looking for a screamin' deal, check out steep&cheap - you might get lucky.
Pandora - Great online playlists that have helped me discover some cool new stuff. Since I don't listen to the radio that much anymore (which isn't a bad thing IMO) this helps me find things similar to what I already like!
Mix Turtle - Want to hear that one song you can't get out of your head? Great site, IF it can find an unlocked streaming version...
Apple Movie Trailers - Ooh this one is linked twice today! Amazing! Probably the best place online for trailers. Better than YouTube for movie trailers.
Blogs:
Shoeboxblog - This blog is just awesome. Some of my favorite features are Newsdroppings and Bots with Stuff.
Kottke - This "Liberal Arts Weblog" is the main source of interesting stuff I think. I like this site.
Drawn.ca - Cool art blog featuring works and links to other sites of interest.
Aaron Williams (Comic Author/artist) - Author of two of the webcomics below, links to all sorts of fun flash games and interesting videos/sites in his blog. Mostly fantasy, sci-fi, geek-related stuff.
Art Backwash - Mostly Flash and Vector based Art blog. Cool stuff.
Creative Juices - I think this one is somehow related to Drawn... but it's more focused on cartooning and animation.
Jinx the Monkey: Drip! - This is very similar to Creative Juices - as one of the CJ contributors is the author. Cool animation/cartooning stuff.
IllustrationClass.com - I plan on using this a lot once I actually have a Flash/Vectoring program and more experience with our Wacom!
EnglishRussia - Yes... Russia is really this strange. Although I don't agree with some of their translations sometimes - this is a pretty crazy site. But it is very Russian. Seriously.
Language Hat - I follow this mostly for the Russian content - but the basic linguistic bend is interesting to read if you are interested in languages at all. (sometimes it's a bit much for my laziness...)
Web Comics: (These links will take you to the end usually, so you have to go to the start!)
Nodwick - The life and adventures of a Henchman.
PS238 - School for Superpowered kids - I like this webcomic a lot!
Life on Forbez - This is a fun little comic about a young Nord (alien species) and his new life on the biggest planet in the galaxy (So far there haven't been any humans in the comic)
Zap! - This is a fun space comic.
xkcd - Probably the geekiest comic ever invented. Math, Science, Technology...
Phew! That's a lotta links! I'm done for today I think. Have a GREAT weekend!
**LONG POST WARNING!!**
First though, I want to direct your attention to the trailer for a new movie coming out - a Live Action "Where the Wild Things Are"
Gotta say I'm quite impressed. And I want a monster costume like that!
Some of these have been linked here before, some haven't, and I hope you find something useful.
Also, not all of these are G or PG-rated... some may be PG-13 and a few even cross over into R territory occasionally. Just thought that might be a good thing to add here...
Generally Useful/Fun: (Yeah nothing TOO exciting here)
Google - Seriously - it is too amazing how many different VERY useful things this site has for you.
Google Reader - One of my favorite and most used web applications - most of the info I get online I get through Google Reader.
Amazon - Even if you don't buy from Amazon, the reviews and recommendations are awesome.
Wikipedia - Almost everything you need to know can probably be found on this site. I don't care if you should officially cite wiki or not - it's Awesome! (and a great starting point for 'official' references anyway!)
YouTube - Too much fun - although I don't spend a LOT of time on youtube - there are some real gems on there!
Facebook - It's Facebook - my favorite thing is I can stay in touch with friends all over the world I otherwise wouldn't have contact with.
Hulu - While they are just melting your brain so they can eat it... They have TONS of shows to watch. From Heroes to Naruto Shippuden (woot) to The Office to full length Movies. Handy resource!
Uncrate - This site is an interesting list of cool stuff. Mostly it's stuff you can't afford but might like to. Really this should probably be down in the blog section but oh well.
Steep and Cheap - Since my bro doesn't work for the owning company any more I don't visit this site as much as I used to - but if you like outdoor gear and are looking for a screamin' deal, check out steep&cheap - you might get lucky.
Pandora - Great online playlists that have helped me discover some cool new stuff. Since I don't listen to the radio that much anymore (which isn't a bad thing IMO) this helps me find things similar to what I already like!
Mix Turtle - Want to hear that one song you can't get out of your head? Great site, IF it can find an unlocked streaming version...
Apple Movie Trailers - Ooh this one is linked twice today! Amazing! Probably the best place online for trailers. Better than YouTube for movie trailers.
Blogs:
Shoeboxblog - This blog is just awesome. Some of my favorite features are Newsdroppings and Bots with Stuff.
Kottke - This "Liberal Arts Weblog" is the main source of interesting stuff I think. I like this site.
Drawn.ca - Cool art blog featuring works and links to other sites of interest.
Aaron Williams (Comic Author/artist) - Author of two of the webcomics below, links to all sorts of fun flash games and interesting videos/sites in his blog. Mostly fantasy, sci-fi, geek-related stuff.
Art Backwash - Mostly Flash and Vector based Art blog. Cool stuff.
Creative Juices - I think this one is somehow related to Drawn... but it's more focused on cartooning and animation.
Jinx the Monkey: Drip! - This is very similar to Creative Juices - as one of the CJ contributors is the author. Cool animation/cartooning stuff.
IllustrationClass.com - I plan on using this a lot once I actually have a Flash/Vectoring program and more experience with our Wacom!
EnglishRussia - Yes... Russia is really this strange. Although I don't agree with some of their translations sometimes - this is a pretty crazy site. But it is very Russian. Seriously.
Language Hat - I follow this mostly for the Russian content - but the basic linguistic bend is interesting to read if you are interested in languages at all. (sometimes it's a bit much for my laziness...)
Web Comics: (These links will take you to the end usually, so you have to go to the start!)
Nodwick - The life and adventures of a Henchman.
PS238 - School for Superpowered kids - I like this webcomic a lot!
Life on Forbez - This is a fun little comic about a young Nord (alien species) and his new life on the biggest planet in the galaxy (So far there haven't been any humans in the comic)
Zap! - This is a fun space comic.
xkcd - Probably the geekiest comic ever invented. Math, Science, Technology...
Phew! That's a lotta links! I'm done for today I think. Have a GREAT weekend!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
P90X - Week 10 Change and other stuff
Today is the 3rd day of week 10. I decided to make a change because I'm not completely happy with the results I've been getting.
I've definitely gotten results - my lung capacity, heart rate, endurance, strength has all improved over the last 60 days, no question. BUT... being the narcissist that I am, I want more VISIBLE results. So I've switched to Classic.
Unfortunately yesterday was a bit crazy so I didn't get started on Plyometrics until about 9:45 PM. I hate working out too late. It really messes up my sense of 'Ready-for-bed-ness'. So I only did 45 minutes of the 60 minute workout. I'm a slacker. I feel good though, plus I had some good workoutish stuff earlier in the day moving lumber for my wife's square foot garden project we're working on.
So hopefully this will work. :)
In other news, I'm finally back to getting somewhere on my Ocean drawing for my nephew. Added a pretty cool Sea Turtle yesterday! I've also come up with an idea of a world for a book or something - basically for now I'm going to try to draw characters and denizens of this world. If any of them are any good (in my mind anyway) I'll put them on Deviantart. We'll see.
I've definitely gotten results - my lung capacity, heart rate, endurance, strength has all improved over the last 60 days, no question. BUT... being the narcissist that I am, I want more VISIBLE results. So I've switched to Classic.
Unfortunately yesterday was a bit crazy so I didn't get started on Plyometrics until about 9:45 PM. I hate working out too late. It really messes up my sense of 'Ready-for-bed-ness'. So I only did 45 minutes of the 60 minute workout. I'm a slacker. I feel good though, plus I had some good workoutish stuff earlier in the day moving lumber for my wife's square foot garden project we're working on.
So hopefully this will work. :)
In other news, I'm finally back to getting somewhere on my Ocean drawing for my nephew. Added a pretty cool Sea Turtle yesterday! I've also come up with an idea of a world for a book or something - basically for now I'm going to try to draw characters and denizens of this world. If any of them are any good (in my mind anyway) I'll put them on Deviantart. We'll see.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Happy First Birthday!
My baby girl turns one today. She is SO adorable!!
I still have a hard time believing that I am the father of three wonderful children.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
I still have a hard time believing that I am the father of three wonderful children.HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
P90X - Day 60!!
Wow. 60 days of P90X. That's crazy.
Today we are supposed to do Yoga, but I am also doing Jujitsu tonight so it all depends on timing. I have found that the later it gets without working out, the harder it is to work out.
I have a 'cool down' period before bed where I HAVE to sit in front of my computer and 'veg' with a game or movie or show or anime or something like that. (We've also been watching Arrested Development which is AWESOME, but if it's not on my computer it's like it doesn't count - I'm weird)
We took pictures on Tuesday night since we had an awesome run and no kids to interrupt us. I know, I know, I still haven't even posted my before and after 30 days pics! I promise these pictures WILL be up eventually. After 60 days I feel good about myself, but I don't think I've achieved what I'm going for 'looks'-wise. One reason is we are doing the LEAN program and I think I need more weight-oriented workouts (and more protein to speed that up). Unfortunately, this is difficult as well due to my lame shoulder. Grrr...
Anyway, hopefully what I've heard (that the first 60 days you improve a lot performance-wise, and the last 30 days you REALLY see visible results) is true. Not that there hasn't been a change, because there have been improvements, just not quite what I want.
I just started reading the 'graphic novel' WATCHMEN, and that movie is in the news a lot lately, so to celebrate - here's Wall-E, Watchmenified:
Finally, I leave you with a news clipping from Shoebox, one of my new favorite blogs:
"An undersea volcano has erupted off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific, because you just had to throw that tiki idol back in the ocean, didn’t you! Like there wouldn’t be consequences! You know who you are!"
Today we are supposed to do Yoga, but I am also doing Jujitsu tonight so it all depends on timing. I have found that the later it gets without working out, the harder it is to work out.
I have a 'cool down' period before bed where I HAVE to sit in front of my computer and 'veg' with a game or movie or show or anime or something like that. (We've also been watching Arrested Development which is AWESOME, but if it's not on my computer it's like it doesn't count - I'm weird)
We took pictures on Tuesday night since we had an awesome run and no kids to interrupt us. I know, I know, I still haven't even posted my before and after 30 days pics! I promise these pictures WILL be up eventually. After 60 days I feel good about myself, but I don't think I've achieved what I'm going for 'looks'-wise. One reason is we are doing the LEAN program and I think I need more weight-oriented workouts (and more protein to speed that up). Unfortunately, this is difficult as well due to my lame shoulder. Grrr...
Anyway, hopefully what I've heard (that the first 60 days you improve a lot performance-wise, and the last 30 days you REALLY see visible results) is true. Not that there hasn't been a change, because there have been improvements, just not quite what I want.
I just started reading the 'graphic novel' WATCHMEN, and that movie is in the news a lot lately, so to celebrate - here's Wall-E, Watchmenified:
Finally, I leave you with a news clipping from Shoebox, one of my new favorite blogs:
"An undersea volcano has erupted off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific, because you just had to throw that tiki idol back in the ocean, didn’t you! Like there wouldn’t be consequences! You know who you are!"
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ukulele Action!!
Wow this Jake Shimabukuro guy is awesome!
Makes me want to learn how to play the Ukulele... (And improve on the guitar)
I like that Beatles song anyway! Very well done.
Post with real life-type info later today maybe...
Makes me want to learn how to play the Ukulele... (And improve on the guitar)
I like that Beatles song anyway! Very well done.
Post with real life-type info later today maybe...
Monday, March 9, 2009
P90X - Week 8
Wow...
I can't believe we are at week 8 of this p90x! 5 weeks to go after this recovery week.
I'm not sure if I'm a huge fan of the 'recovery weeks' because I don't feel like I worked out enough... I usually feel GOOD don't get me wrong, but without some weights, I just don't feel as tough.
Last week we replaced the P90X Cardio routine with an outside run in the almost-spring weather. It was GREAT and a very good way to refresh our desire to continue. If the weather gets a bit nicer than it is today we may do this again!
Saturday I went and learned some new Jiujitsu techniques (escape from half-guard and after), and practiced them for about 2 hours. A couple of them were tough on my neck, so I am extremely sore from the base of my skull down to the upper middle area of my spine. No fun. Hopefully Yoga X today will loosen me up a bit. The GOOD results from these new techniques is discovering a few of my weaknesses that I can now correct.
The problems:
- I try to 'muscle' my way through things sometimes rather than just using easier body mechanics.
- I distribute my weight too far forward and need to extend it back. This is actually the reason I lost that Sumo match I posted last week or so - I didn't consistently keep my legs in a more supportive farther-back position, so I fell backwards.
I don't mind finding ways to fix my problems, so I was glad for the opportunity to both learn some new techniques and improve my overall ground game. Now to actually get an overall 'game' to utilize...
I can't believe we are at week 8 of this p90x! 5 weeks to go after this recovery week.
I'm not sure if I'm a huge fan of the 'recovery weeks' because I don't feel like I worked out enough... I usually feel GOOD don't get me wrong, but without some weights, I just don't feel as tough.
Last week we replaced the P90X Cardio routine with an outside run in the almost-spring weather. It was GREAT and a very good way to refresh our desire to continue. If the weather gets a bit nicer than it is today we may do this again!
Saturday I went and learned some new Jiujitsu techniques (escape from half-guard and after), and practiced them for about 2 hours. A couple of them were tough on my neck, so I am extremely sore from the base of my skull down to the upper middle area of my spine. No fun. Hopefully Yoga X today will loosen me up a bit. The GOOD results from these new techniques is discovering a few of my weaknesses that I can now correct.
The problems:
- I try to 'muscle' my way through things sometimes rather than just using easier body mechanics.
- I distribute my weight too far forward and need to extend it back. This is actually the reason I lost that Sumo match I posted last week or so - I didn't consistently keep my legs in a more supportive farther-back position, so I fell backwards.
I don't mind finding ways to fix my problems, so I was glad for the opportunity to both learn some new techniques and improve my overall ground game. Now to actually get an overall 'game' to utilize...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Baman Piderman
This post is brought to you by pure awesomeness.
Just because.
Yippee! Buuuut my booots are all sticky!
Just because.
Yippee! Buuuut my booots are all sticky!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
P90X - 45 Days -HALF WAY! (& Burn Out)
Last week was very difficult to do P90X. We missed one day due to a sick baby and late starts, but overall it was difficult to "Bring It" the whole week.
The exercises are still great, but the repetition of some of the workouts combined with the difficulty in juggling an hour of workouts after work while dealing with crazy screaming children has kind of burned me out on the way we are currently doing this program...
Add in a couple of people on the DVDs that REALLY bug me. I know I should just get over it... but there is this one lady on a few of the workouts - almost EVERYTHING about her annoys me to no end! Weird.
Anyway. We are not giving up P90X, but I am considering occasionally substituting a few different exercise programs in place of a few P90X ones. Rodney Yee's Power Yoga might be a good replacement for the P90X version, Forza: The Samurai Sword workout could easily replace a number of workouts, although I am slightly worried about my dumb shoulder's ability to DO that workout. I miss it. Fun hard workout. (Yes I am a geek that likes swords)
The exercises are still great, but the repetition of some of the workouts combined with the difficulty in juggling an hour of workouts after work while dealing with crazy screaming children has kind of burned me out on the way we are currently doing this program...
Add in a couple of people on the DVDs that REALLY bug me. I know I should just get over it... but there is this one lady on a few of the workouts - almost EVERYTHING about her annoys me to no end! Weird.
Anyway. We are not giving up P90X, but I am considering occasionally substituting a few different exercise programs in place of a few P90X ones. Rodney Yee's Power Yoga might be a good replacement for the P90X version, Forza: The Samurai Sword workout could easily replace a number of workouts, although I am slightly worried about my dumb shoulder's ability to DO that workout. I miss it. Fun hard workout. (Yes I am a geek that likes swords)
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