558
04/16/08




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GPS for running

I got tired of mapping out distances, measuring out mileposts, and timing myself on an analog watch. So, I bought a Garmin Forerunner 205. It receives GPS data from our Big Brothers in the sky and calculates all sorts of information for me such as distance run, pace, elevation, grade of incline, and calories burned. It also tells time!

I took it out for a test run today. I did 2.00 miles in 17:17. The GPS is accurate to about 20 or 25 feet. Rock on. There are tons of other features I have yet to explore. One feature will tell you how to get back to where you started if you're a moron like me and you get lost while out running. Another feature acts like a virtual running partner. Not sure what that's all about. I have to try out the software that lets the watch interface with the computer and the internets. This is exciting.

Comments
  • Wow, that looks really cool. Sounds like it would be great for hiking, I'll have to check it out.
       Posted by Shaw on 04/17/08

  • 2 miles in 17:17???? Wow, you're fast already.
       Posted by Eric Gervase on 04/17/08

557
04/13/08




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DTV Converter Box

We don't have cable or satellite or anything like that. We have good, old-fashioned rabbit ears and we haven't yet gotten tired of receiving our television programming for free. The government decided to force broadcasters to stop sending out an analog signal by early 2009. This meant we needed to get a a special signal converter box by then or else all channels would be snow and static. The government, in its quest to keep the masses sedated, sent us two $40 off debit cards to use to buy the converter boxen. I went to Radio Shack and bought them. I hooked one up so far and I am very impressed. No more static, shadowy pictures, or weird lines on the screen. The channels come in so clearly and we even get extra channels. w00t!

What I really like is the built-in TV guide feature. You can scroll through the day's listings and even get a detailed description of the shows that are on. The government may not cover some senior citizens' prescriptions, but they do cover the cost of converting to DTV! Holla!

UPDATE: Yes, I'm sure we don't have cable. I don't know why it says "ESPN" in the lower left corner of the screen.

Comments
  • How does that work? Did you have to send in a post card or something?
       Posted by Nathan Powell on 04/16/08

  • Go to www.dtv2009.gov to sign up for your two free coupon cards. They are only needed if you have get your TV stations over the air.
       Posted by DonnySpi on 04/16/08

  • hey - you've got Oprah and Desperate Housewives there - w00t!! Who needs cable (or prescription drugs) ?


       Posted by nils on 04/17/08

  • That's ABC you are watching in that pic. They broadcast some ESPN NBA feeds. You need an HDTV, you don't know what you are missing. I have a 42" and 47" LCD1080P and I can no longer watch TV over someone's house that has non hdtv. One bad thing is though is Comcast is now compressing their HD signal so much that its starting to look SD. You are a lucky FIOS customer.
       Posted by Big Ohn on 04/18/08

556
03/26/08




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Very Busy

I have been very very busy lately and haven't updated this blog in a long time. Here are a few quick highlights of what's been going on:

  • I am still running. I sort of finished the C25K. The last 3 weeks are all very similar (run for 20 minutes, run for 22 minutes, etc.) I have been doing 3-mile loops around my house in the nice weather. The terrible hills I have to run up and down are great practice for when I run a 5K
  • 5K. I plan to run the Race Against Racism in April. Ironically, I predict a man of African descent to win the race.
  • Work is fun. A bit stressful at times, but fun overall.
  • One of Amanda's sister's newborn twins spit up on our dog. That was funny.
  • At Starbucks recently I ordered my usual Peppermint Mocha. They usually write PM on the cup. When I picked up my order it said just M. I said a little louder than I should have "M? Only M? There better be P in here too!"

Good times.

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    555
    03/09/08




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    Ripping People Off

    I got a letter in the mail from St. Matthews Church in Oklahoma saying that if I followed their specific set of instructions and sent them money that God would bless me richly. The mailing included a "prayer rug" which was contained a picture of Jesus that was an optical illusion. Stare at it long enough and it would look like Jesus' closed eyes would open. The enclosed literature told me that if I prayed using the prayer mat, it would cause Jesus' eyes to open. They said I needed to send them a monetary gift, even if what I was praying for was money because I was broke. The money was said to prove my commitment and faith to following the steps to receive my heart's desire.

    This kind of nonsense burns me up. It preys (get it?) on the weak in faith and the gullible. It misrepresents what the Bible says about God's blessings (i.e. there's no deposit required) and can lead people astray.

    I wrote on their literature what I think of what they're doing and I wrote out my name as "Liam Duarf". Ten points to whoever guesses the significance of my fake name. :-)

    Comments
    • Mail Fraud!

      I've gotten that one and another one from them that enclosed a "miracle handkerchief." They pulled the verse out of acts where Paul uses a handkerchief and they butchered it for money. Makes me sick.
         Posted by eric on 03/09/08

    • Can I see the Jesus optical illusion? Like, maybe you could scan it and post it. I love optical illusions.
         Posted by Joey on 03/09/08

    • Ten points to Eric for a correct answer!

      Joey, I mailed the prayer mat back to them (as instructed, and because it'd make their postage bill higher), but you can sort of see the closed/open eye in the Jesus portion of the picture above with all the paraphernalia they sent me.
         Posted by DonnySpi on 03/09/08

    554
    03/03/08




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    Outdoor Run

    Since it was in the mid 60s today, I went out for a run after work today. After running on a treadmill all winter, let me tell you how weird it was to run... and actually get somewhere. I had to get used to that sensation again. Weird. Plus the ground is harder than the treadmill so my legs and feet had to get used to the extra shock. I didn't bring a watch or GPS or cell or anything with me. I headed up the road to run in the countryish part of the Hummelstown area.

    And I got lost.

    The sun was setting quickly and I had no idea which way was home, though you couldn't tell that from the map of my route. Yeah I meant to run in a nice loop, really I did. No I didn't. I was just glad to make it home alive :-). It was like a scene from a cheap horror flick at one point. It was dusky out, I was tired and lost and I was running down a deserted road. I came upon a house -- it wasn't a house though. It was Appalachian Taxidermy. There was a big sign out front saying so and I could almost hear the creepy soundtrack music playing.

    I came home (finally) and plugged my route into a Google Maps / running mashup. I saw total distance: 4.8. I was estatic -- I ran almost 5 miles and didn't feel that bad!

    Then I realized it was in kilometers.

    Duh.

    Still, 3 miles is really good, and I did feel great after the run. Life Lesson #385: When lost -- always turn right :-).

    Comments
    • Hey man! Nice run! w00t! Runnerz 4 evah.

      It was majestic out last night. It was an off night for me and took all my restraint to NOT go for a run. Tonight is an on night, and it's flippin miserable out there. Just my luck!

      Happy feet!
         Posted by Nathan Powell on 03/04/08

    • Nice work... Looks like you are really taking to this running thing.
         Posted by Edog on 03/09/08

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