Wednesday, August 29, 2007

More Exposure

Well, it was quite a "first night" with the new digital camera... (see previous post, Southern Exposure).

A weekly podcast called Java Posse also linked to the tech blog and even commented in their podcast.

In 10 days or so, I received enough hits to represent 40% of my previous total since Jan 07. And I had a big July.... Neat.

I was increasingly uncomfortable with having only one gender, so I added the other gender this weekend. Ha ha.... that wasn't as much fun but still funny. I used to work with the guy on the Harley. The guy in front of the pickup is well-known to some friends (a great guy).

click here

Saturday, August 25, 2007

The Bottom Line

I spoke to my friend Vic back on PEI just now.... He has been really busy but wanted to weigh in on the result of the 1/3 Ironman:

I'm telling you: you're done. It's over. Enough running around in the States in the crazy heat... Just come home, get a job at Deltaware (a local IT shop), find yourself a nice girl, and buy a cottage on the beach.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Southern Exposure

Back in February, I blogged about James Gosling. He received the Order of Canada (highest honour for a civilian) for his contributions to computer science. In particular, he created Java (i.e. he is a demi-god). He works at Sun in California (and as a "research fellow", he basically does whatever he wants).

Well, get this: my sticker/photo stunt (see previous post) is featured on Gosling's blog.

Click here

That photo is one of the first ones I took with my digital camera!

Gosling is huge -- a complete rock star -- in the geek community. For a tech blogger, this is like winning the Powerball (or 6/49 in Canada). I couldn't dream of a better outcome for a fun gag.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Out of My Shell

I remember being so shy in Grade 11 that, in a chemistry class, the teacher built a molecular model and asked us what it was. I had a hunch it was methanol, but couldn't bring myself to answer. Gradually, the teacher provided hints ("you might want to drink it but it would be bad news") that only confirmed my suspicion. Finally, someone else answered. It was pure torture.

In a moment, I'll share a link on the tech blog that shows I'm not so shy anymore. But some prep is necessary:
  • The new digital camera is fun.
  • A closure is an exotic construction in computer languages. It is absent from Java, but some people are pushing for its inclusion into that language. The movement is led by a man, N.G., who works for a company in California. You may have heard of it: Google.
  • In geek speak, saying "+1" means that you are in favour of a proposal.
  • Many geeks use Google Alerts for "reputation management" to find new posts that use their name.
Whew. That's a lot. But the joke is that I had stickers made "+1 for Closures (in Java)" and hit the bars.... N.G., no less, has commented on the blog post.

This is success of the highest order. See it here.

See: I'm not so shy anymore ;-)

Monday, August 13, 2007

Atonement

After a week of re-hydrating and general gluttony, it was time to get back at it.

If I am going to do this 1/2 Ironman, I need to swim 1.2 miles.

So, tonight, I did.

80 lengths = 2 km = 1.2 miles. ~50 minutes which is a new personal best.

That's one down.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Summit Meeting

CC Newswire
St Louis, MO
August 2007

The CC Newswire reports that Captain Canuck had a summit meeting with The Weather today. The surprising development comes hot on the heels of a week of intense jabs between the two parties.

Last weekend, CC cited grievances against The Weather for "egregiously interfering with a triathlon with oppressive heat" and "generally bumming everyone out". The Weather shot back in a press release, noting CC's "sketchy" behaviour of "commuting alone" and driving cars in a manner described as "running 'er up through the gears at every opportunity". CC went on the offensive, claiming that said charges involved The Climate, and that The Weather famously changes to suit its capricious whim.

Today, CC walked with The Weather for 3 miles. Both parties emerged from the session with smiles and handshakes, but it is unclear if the tensions have subsided. The Weather told reporters "it was a positive session, and I think we can move forward". CC was not available for comment, saying he had to go home and shower.

New Wheels Confirmed




My sister wisely pointed out that if anyone could pull off a "I just bought a Porsche" hoax, it's Richard.

But here's visual proof! A roadster in the summer on PEI... My my. That is the life.

Congrats, Rich!

The Apple Of My Eye

I went to an Apple store this weekend. Wow, wow, wow.

I have been eyeing a new Macbook Pro for awhile now. BryGuy's looks fantastic.

In stores now, a new eye-catcher is the 24-inch iMac (seen here).

It is an artifact from the future: a giant screen hovering on its pedestal and nothing else. Straight out of Star Trek.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Optimizers and Satisfizers

I once saw a keynote speech about those who optimize decisions with extreme analysis versus those who form criteria, make a decision, and don't look back. Satisfizers tend to be happier, I suspect...

I am an optimizer and have been contemplating a new digital camera and camcorder (and computer LOL). Well, one down: I just bought a new digital camera. I went with the "satisfizer" approach: I had some modest criteria and just bought one this afternoon, predicated on (a) the honesty of a boutique salesperson (who seemed trust-worthy) and (b) the fact that most electronics are extremely close in terms of performance and reliability.

I am not going to go to Amazon or Consumer Reports and look up the ratings for my purchase. I'm just going to enjoy it. This is a new venture for me (the car turned out to be very similar in the end).

Anyway, look out bars.... Here I come. Ladies with geek stickers, as shown here on the tech blog (with a borrowed cam).

And when I get the video camera... well, to paraphrase Jack Nicholson as the Riddler on Batman: just wait till they get a load of me (on YouTube).

ps. StL is a small world. A friend recently saw the post on ladies with stickers and knew one of them from softball. LOL

pps. I may need help with uploading pics from my computer. My current lame computer doesn't have working USB ports.

ppps. Thanks to everyone who, on email, gave me recommendations on their cameras!

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Cute Nurses and Good Friends

Out at Mattoon, IL, for the "Mattoon Man" (1/3 Iron). I had just finished the bike at about 3 hours. The heat was insufferable (at least mid-90s F) but I had hoped to summon enough energy to make the 8.5 mile run.

(Long time fans of CC know that the absolute tri goal is: don't stop running -- no walking. )

I was definitely knackered by the 38 mile bike, but generally things were looking good: I was ahead of schedule, hydrating/fueling well, and had a few CC tri fantasies in my head for the inevitable blog posts. The goal was not to run hard: just to run. I had seen Vic's comment: don't kill yourself. A good plan.

At mile 2, I noticed that the strips of black tar over the cracks in the road had sneaker prints in it. By mile 3, the tar was beginning to blister. I don't know if I have ever competed in such heat. I shuffled along at a glacial 11 minute pace. I was becoming disoriented. Many other competitors were walking.

At 3 1/4 miles, so was I. Game over. I walked several miles and tried to shuffle along for segments but it was unbearable. I remember having a gel packet that I couldn't open because of sunscreen on my hands, yet in the weird calculus of my mind, I couldn't ask anyone to open it for me.

At mile 7, I had some water. It would be the last time I could keep anything down for hours. At mile 8, I was ill. Somehow, I managed to shuffle to the ignominious finish (56th of 58). I rested in the shade and had some more water: no go. Sick again.

Incredibly, I managed to arrange my stuff and go back to the motel for a nap. 3 hours later, I spoke to BryGuy on the phone; he watches out for his friends like no other, and was calling for his patented "check in". Concerned, he recommended a hospital. Bah! I'll be fine.... We agreed to talk later in the evening.

In the evening, I still haven't had anything... I spoke to BryGuy again, who thankfully enlisted medical advice (from an extremely well trusted source) and laid out the situation. There was no arguing: I knew he was right and took a cab to the ER.

Before long, that weird sensation of getting refueled by IV was underway.... I laid on the bed for 2 hours while listening to surprisingly detailed conversations at the nurses station.

And now, back home, all is well. I hate to disappoint the legion of loyal fans of CC dot com but no witty recaps. Mattoon beat me (since I walked) and the real story here is friendship and people who look out for people.

Thanks, BryGuy!

ps. Thanks to everyone for their pre-race support. JAK sent an e-card but I haven't been able to see it yet since Hallmark's site is down.

pps. Mattoon Man was very well-run. Safety was paramount and there were friendly volunteers throughout the course, and at every mile of the run. Finish time was 5 h 10 min.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Pre-Race Jitters

I used to do a little,
but the little wouldn't do it:
so the little got more and more.
I just keep trying
to get a little better:
just a little better than before.
-- Mr Brownstone, Guns n Roses
Though it's about heroin, that song worked for me in university and will again this weekend (I hope) for the 1/3 Iron. Some thoughts:
  • The packing is the worst in terms of nerves. One does not want to drive 4 hours and leave something back in the apartment.
  • I bought a high-end energy drink (like Gatorade only for pro's). Get this: 1/2 liter has 1200 calories! That's crazy! It is actually supposed to be sipped every hour. It's supposed to be easy on the stomach.
  • My foot hurts for some reason and I haven't done a thing this week. Wunderbar.
  • I have worked out a reasonable goal: 4 hours 30 minutes. We'll see. That presumes an average of 15 mph on the bike which will be tough for me. Btw, that's longer than the drive to the race (3.5 hours). That's crazy.
This is probably the last post till race time. Game on!

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Meet Virginia

I'd like to ask Virginia Kerr out on a date.

She is on a local news program (CBS/Channel 4) in the mornings. Her hair is way longer now and she is cute as a button -- much more so than that silly media shot in the link.

Virginia, how about it? We'll along the river in my Civic Si and have a picnic along the bluffs. Wine, cheese, crackers... I'll bring my guitar and serenade you with a Spanish flamenco thing that I ripped off my bro-in-law. Poems. Witticisms. We can lay back and contemplate the duality of being huge media successes and yet ensnared in all its concomitant trappings.

It's not easy being power people in this town..... Drop me a line!

ps. Oops... So much for that idea.... This photo on her pseudo-blog shows the glittery ring.... Not a flattering photo (by design, if you read the post)

Attention Bakers

It is amazing how many people tell me they could never have a blog, and then later tell me ideas for their non blog that they could never have. I work with a great guy who tells me a new idea for his non blog every day.

Everyone has at least one good blog in 'em. (I have 2 and possibly more on the way).

Here's a blog with a solid theme: a couple is getting married this year, and has substituted wedding cake with cupcakes, the baking of which will be done by a friend. (I may or may not know these people. I can never remember what I'm allowed to reveal. Identities are probably revealed in the text.)

The blog is all about the making of the cupcakes. Recipes, experiments, etc. For the right audience, it is a very good niche with a loyal fan base. Check it out!

ps. Sadly, there is no blog about the actual wedding! Hello?! People, what are your hopes? your dreams?