Listening to "Variations on "La Ci Darem La Mano" Op 2" by Chopin, which is a take on Là ci darem la mano, Don Giovanni's and Zerlina's duet in Act 1, Scene 2, of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Don Giovanni..
Both have a riff very familiar to fans of Monty Python's The Lumberjack Song. : o )
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Prius car care
Washed and dried the car, then applied Armor All to inside & out...finally have some time to stop and maintain it a bit.
FLOOR MATS
http://priuschat.com/threads/opinions-on-mat-color-for-bisque-interior.54378/
SHOP VAC
http://www.amazon.com/ArmorAll-AA255-Utility-Wet-Vacuum/dp/B003M2F7NI/
NAVIGATION UPDATES
The 2005 Toyota Prius contains a Generation 4 DVD navigation system; updates seem to come out yearly as follows:
U20 = 2005 = 5.1
...
U27 = 2012 = 12.1
U28 = 2013 = 13.1
Toyota supplies the same navigation systems across the various models. The navigation system accepts DVD+R DL media.
LICENSE PLATES
I have decided to try the zip tie approach for the front license plate:
BULBS
http://priuschat.com/threads/light-bulb-list-2005.16413/ (scroll down for a more accurate list)
MAINTENANCE
http://priuschat.com/threads/just-got-a-used-prius-first-things-to-look-for.93831/
FLOOR MATS
http://priuschat.com/threads/opinions-on-mat-color-for-bisque-interior.54378/
SHOP VAC
http://www.amazon.com/ArmorAll-AA255-Utility-Wet-Vacuum/dp/B003M2F7NI/
NAVIGATION UPDATES
The 2005 Toyota Prius contains a Generation 4 DVD navigation system; updates seem to come out yearly as follows:
U20 = 2005 = 5.1
...
U27 = 2012 = 12.1
U28 = 2013 = 13.1
Toyota supplies the same navigation systems across the various models. The navigation system accepts DVD+R DL media.
LICENSE PLATES
I have decided to try the zip tie approach for the front license plate:
BULBS
http://priuschat.com/threads/light-bulb-list-2005.16413/ (scroll down for a more accurate list)
MAINTENANCE
http://priuschat.com/threads/just-got-a-used-prius-first-things-to-look-for.93831/
- Hatch squeaks when opening
- Interior bulbs burned out
- License plates
- Vacuum interior
- Navigation DVD update
- Local mechanic
- Oil change
- Filters - cabin and engine
- Toyota dealership
- Ensure all warranty work done
- Transaxle fluid drain-and-refill
- Hybrid battery blower fan and duct are not clogged
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Assassin's Creed
Watched each Assassin's Creed walkthrough or movie this weekend:
- Assassin's Creed
- Assassin's Creed II
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed: Revelations
- Assassin's Creed III
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
I slept wrong on my neck last Wednesday evening and woke up in no insignificant amount of pain on Thursday/Friday. x_x So spent a lot of time sitting around wanting something mindless to watch.
I enjoyed watching them--and actually had a chance to say, "Bene, bene" to a food service employee this evening.
Loved the scenery and the climbing. The game takes some liberties with the superhuman strength and dexterity, but it makes for more entertaining gameplay. The first game seemed really repetitive and I thought the interrogation scenes way more violent than necessary (seriously? kill someone just because the main bad guy forced them to make speeches?).
Lucy's death seemed a bit unexpected and forced.
The ~35 minute movie, Assassin's Creed: Lineage, seemed cool, in the sense that the people in it looked exactly like their in-game counterparts.
The boat scenes in Black Flag seemed pretty cool.
The part I enjoyed the best: the way the series handles right/wrong, good/bad. It shows compassion for many of the Templar and Assassin actors and shows most actions in the grey area.
Sunday, December 01, 2013
How to love a candle
From a recent candle purchase:
- FIND YOUR FAVORITE. There are hundreds of choices.
- TRIM THE WICK. Keep your wick trimmed to 1/8" at all times.
- LET THE WAX POOL. Each time you burn your candle, allow the entire top layer to become a fragrant pool of liquid wax and you'll get the biggest, boldest scent possible.
- BURN IT SAFELY. Always burn your candle on a heat resistant surface, keep it out of drafts and NEVER leave it unattended while lit.
- KNOW WHEN TO SAY GOODBYE. When only 1/2" of wax remains, it's time to let your candle go.
- REPEAT STEPS 1 THROUGH 5. Keep going until you've tried them all!
A video on trimming the wick.
Graduate School - Statement of Purpose
An insightful primer on writing a successful Statement of Purpose. It lays out what I suspected...you write to the poor admissions committee staff who have to wade through application after application.
The kernel: "Grad schools require the statement of purpose not only because they want to find about you as an applicant, they want you to really think about why you are taking such a life-changing step — truly and profoundly why."
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE EXAMPLES
The kernel: "Grad schools require the statement of purpose not only because they want to find about you as an applicant, they want you to really think about why you are taking such a life-changing step — truly and profoundly why."
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE EXAMPLES
- Sample Statement of Purpose (!) Holy shit this is this the best statement of purpose ever
- "One of the best I've ever read" (via)... well, it is good, but, to me, it sounds sort of lifeless in contrast
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Running Journal, Saturday, 2013-11-30
Resting heart rate:
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Terrain: mix of rolling hills and flats
Comments: Me after I stopped running about 3.5 miles out: ow, ow, ow, ow. x_x;; To add insult to injury, my paracord knot popped out just as I was ascending the embankment to cross the Bridge Street bridge. Ugh. So, I walked the last bit back into Fair Oaks village in my socks. This is me after reaching mile six: "hrm, 11 miles to get around Lake Natoma, plus 2.5 miles to get back to the starting point--I'm going for it, that is only 1.5 miles more than my target of 12.0 miles!" I had only planned to go about 12.0 miles today; instead, due to overconfidence and overlooking the first 2.5 miles I had run, I ended up running about 16 miles. : o P And my feet and calf muscles paid the price. On the bright side, my lower back does not hurt at all, and after a few hours of rest, my body feels relatively strong. My joints feel a bit sore, and my feet still feel a bit like tenderized meat, but overall recovery seems OK. The walk of 3.5 miles back, plus the 0.5 miles to the car, represented one of the most humbling, painful experiences I have had, to date. The whole time, I was impatient to get back, sore, and cursing every bump in the bike path which poked into my feet. While running, it represented a relatively normal experience...I went out slow, disciplined myself to stay slow and under control, and felt pretty good. The last few miles, my legs started feeling wiped out. I took a gel shot around mile eight, and another one around mile 11 or 12. Those re-invigorated me, somewhat. I passed that weird biker guy who shouts encouragement and big smiles to everyone he passes--today, he threw me the hang loose hand signs, twice. Dawn and I tried to park at the CSUS Aquatic Center, but an employee at the entrance enforced the parking rules; we checked out the Nimbus Fish Hatchery lot, but it was full. We checked out the Nimbus Dam overlook lot, but that costs money. So, we headed back to Fair Oaks Village. Dawn's ankle started hurting as we began running, so we walked a portion of the first mile, then she turned back. On the last mile of the way back, I ditched the bike path and walked the parallel street back to the parking lot/boat ramp area at Bridge Street Bridge. Many dead salmon in the American River, now. I noticed a Measure A sign for Sacramento County, advertising improvements to the bike paths...hrm. I love the afterglow of running, getting to basically eat whatever I want to replace calories. : o ) I do feel a bit concerned about my calf muscles, especially my right one. It felt sore, today. I am wondering if my running form puts too much stress on them, when I run slowly. : o \
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~12.0 miles (~4.0 miles walking), so total: 16.0mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Sore calf muscles, tenderized feet
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, banana, apple, Hammer Nutrition gel shots - chocolate, raspberry (expired, but I ate anyway...were still ok), broccoli, rice cakes, dark chocolate, hummus & flatbread, mushroom & barley soup w/dark bread, Greek Gods Cinnamon yogurt, hard boiled eggs
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Terrain: mix of rolling hills and flats
Comments: Me after I stopped running about 3.5 miles out: ow, ow, ow, ow. x_x;; To add insult to injury, my paracord knot popped out just as I was ascending the embankment to cross the Bridge Street bridge. Ugh. So, I walked the last bit back into Fair Oaks village in my socks. This is me after reaching mile six: "hrm, 11 miles to get around Lake Natoma, plus 2.5 miles to get back to the starting point--I'm going for it, that is only 1.5 miles more than my target of 12.0 miles!" I had only planned to go about 12.0 miles today; instead, due to overconfidence and overlooking the first 2.5 miles I had run, I ended up running about 16 miles. : o P And my feet and calf muscles paid the price. On the bright side, my lower back does not hurt at all, and after a few hours of rest, my body feels relatively strong. My joints feel a bit sore, and my feet still feel a bit like tenderized meat, but overall recovery seems OK. The walk of 3.5 miles back, plus the 0.5 miles to the car, represented one of the most humbling, painful experiences I have had, to date. The whole time, I was impatient to get back, sore, and cursing every bump in the bike path which poked into my feet. While running, it represented a relatively normal experience...I went out slow, disciplined myself to stay slow and under control, and felt pretty good. The last few miles, my legs started feeling wiped out. I took a gel shot around mile eight, and another one around mile 11 or 12. Those re-invigorated me, somewhat. I passed that weird biker guy who shouts encouragement and big smiles to everyone he passes--today, he threw me the hang loose hand signs, twice. Dawn and I tried to park at the CSUS Aquatic Center, but an employee at the entrance enforced the parking rules; we checked out the Nimbus Fish Hatchery lot, but it was full. We checked out the Nimbus Dam overlook lot, but that costs money. So, we headed back to Fair Oaks Village. Dawn's ankle started hurting as we began running, so we walked a portion of the first mile, then she turned back. On the last mile of the way back, I ditched the bike path and walked the parallel street back to the parking lot/boat ramp area at Bridge Street Bridge. Many dead salmon in the American River, now. I noticed a Measure A sign for Sacramento County, advertising improvements to the bike paths...hrm. I love the afterglow of running, getting to basically eat whatever I want to replace calories. : o ) I do feel a bit concerned about my calf muscles, especially my right one. It felt sore, today. I am wondering if my running form puts too much stress on them, when I run slowly. : o \
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~12.0 miles (~4.0 miles walking), so total: 16.0mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Sore calf muscles, tenderized feet
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, banana, apple, Hammer Nutrition gel shots - chocolate, raspberry (expired, but I ate anyway...were still ok), broccoli, rice cakes, dark chocolate, hummus & flatbread, mushroom & barley soup w/dark bread, Greek Gods Cinnamon yogurt, hard boiled eggs
Friday, November 29, 2013
Curtain over door
Saw this at IKEA a while back--they put a curtain over the inside of the door to mask it. Clever?
Sacramento Area Hikes
While at the Davis Co-Op a month or so ago, one of the cashiers recommended the following resources:
http://yolohiker.org/
and the following hikes:
http://yolohiker.org/
and the following hikes:
He also recommended Alamere Falls.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sierra Nevadas - Play at Home
For those of you who do not wake up each day seeing the Sierra Nevada mountains, you can hold up a Sierra Nevada beer and pretend.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Running Journal, Saturday, 2013-11-23 - Around the horn
Resting heart rate:
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: pleasant, but cooling quickly after sunset
Time: 2:00-5:15 p.m.
Terrain: mix of rolling hills and flats
Comments: Ran around Lake Natoma today, starting at mile marker 23.0 at the CSUS Aquatic Center, through to Folsom, across the Lake Natoma Crossing, then back to the Nimbus Dam along the north shore. Someone has disabled the water at the mile 27.0 marker, but the water just a bit before that still works. Had hoped to get in 12.0 miles today, but only got in 11.0 miles, due to darkness...the sun set at 4:47 p.m. today...I had forgotten, and I panicked a bit, thinking a ranger might lock our car in at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery lot. : o P I saw a lot of race graffiti on the bike path about Kaia girls. Also, noticed a number of people participating in the "The Spirit of Rock" 50 mile race. As I ran past the embankment going up to the finish line at the Lake Natoma Crossing bridge, one volunteer remarked, "I sure hope he knows where he's going." Lots of acorns on the bike path, blue oak, I think, and they hurt when I step on them--ow, ow, ow.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 11.0mi
Weight (after run): 80.4
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Sore calf muscles
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, banana, banana chips, egg, soup with dark bread and naan bread, hummus and flat bread, ramen and rice from ... Ramen and Rice
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: sunny
Temp: pleasant, but cooling quickly after sunset
Time: 2:00-5:15 p.m.
Terrain: mix of rolling hills and flats
Comments: Ran around Lake Natoma today, starting at mile marker 23.0 at the CSUS Aquatic Center, through to Folsom, across the Lake Natoma Crossing, then back to the Nimbus Dam along the north shore. Someone has disabled the water at the mile 27.0 marker, but the water just a bit before that still works. Had hoped to get in 12.0 miles today, but only got in 11.0 miles, due to darkness...the sun set at 4:47 p.m. today...I had forgotten, and I panicked a bit, thinking a ranger might lock our car in at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery lot. : o P I saw a lot of race graffiti on the bike path about Kaia girls. Also, noticed a number of people participating in the "The Spirit of Rock" 50 mile race. As I ran past the embankment going up to the finish line at the Lake Natoma Crossing bridge, one volunteer remarked, "I sure hope he knows where he's going." Lots of acorns on the bike path, blue oak, I think, and they hurt when I step on them--ow, ow, ow.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 11.0mi
Weight (after run): 80.4
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Sore calf muscles
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, banana, banana chips, egg, soup with dark bread and naan bread, hummus and flat bread, ramen and rice from ... Ramen and Rice
Monday, November 18, 2013
Running Journal, Monday, 2013-11-18
Resting heart rate: 65bpm, at the time of posting
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: slight breeze; partly sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: Early afternoon
Terrain: mildly rolling hills and flats
Comments: 45 minutes; maintenance run. Ran from mile 20.0 of the American River Parkway to Sunrise Bar, then across Jim's Bridge and west along the bike path to Bannister Park, then returned to Sunrise Bar and west along the south side of the river on the horse trail to the little picnic area near mile 19.0, then back east along the bikepath to Bridge Street bridge. Map. Wore new Injinji socks and the Xero shoes. Rocks poked my feet. Saw a maintenance crew member driving a truck pulling a bikepath leaf blower. The bikepath to Bannister Park has new asphalt. Lots of salmon remains in the river. This seems like one of the few remaining nice days as we head into the rainy season.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~4mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?:
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, peppermint candy cane chocolate square, mixed veggies, two hardboiled eggs, mashed sweet potatoes, fusili pasta with marinara sauce, mini dill pickles, minestrone soup with dark bread, Greek Gods yogurt, banana chips, Costco fruit medley
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: slight breeze; partly sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: Early afternoon
Terrain: mildly rolling hills and flats
Comments: 45 minutes; maintenance run. Ran from mile 20.0 of the American River Parkway to Sunrise Bar, then across Jim's Bridge and west along the bike path to Bannister Park, then returned to Sunrise Bar and west along the south side of the river on the horse trail to the little picnic area near mile 19.0, then back east along the bikepath to Bridge Street bridge. Map. Wore new Injinji socks and the Xero shoes. Rocks poked my feet. Saw a maintenance crew member driving a truck pulling a bikepath leaf blower. The bikepath to Bannister Park has new asphalt. Lots of salmon remains in the river. This seems like one of the few remaining nice days as we head into the rainy season.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): ~4mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?:
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, peppermint candy cane chocolate square, mixed veggies, two hardboiled eggs, mashed sweet potatoes, fusili pasta with marinara sauce, mini dill pickles, minestrone soup with dark bread, Greek Gods yogurt, banana chips, Costco fruit medley
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Running Journal, Saturday, 2013-11-16
Running Journal, Saturday, 2013-11-16
Resting heart rate: 87bpm, about 75 minutes after finishing
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: slight breeze; sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: About 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Terrain: mostly flat, some rolling hills, with a steep climb up Hazel Avenue bridge
Comments: Ten miles, starting from mile 20.0 at the Fair Oaks Bridge Street bridge, continuing along the bike path to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, up Hazel Avenue bridge to the bike path on the north side of Lake Natoma, then another two miles along the bike path to the mile 25.0 marker. And back. Saw a black tailed deer with antlers, I think maybe 5-10 points. Smelled dill, one of my favorite smells. Noted the spray painted markers next to the electrical transmission towers east of the Nimbus Dam represent the mile and the sequence...e.g., the first tower from the dam is 0/1, the second is 0/2, and so forth. I assume the first tower in the second mile is 1/1, the second is 1/2, and so forth. Ran four minutes, rested for 30s, repeated that about 30 times. The glossy leaves on the trees appeared like millions of litle flags reflecting the afternoon sunlight. Less energy today--a bit short on sleep this week.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 10mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?:
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, smoothie from the Happy Nutburger Stand, banana, hummus & flatbread
Resting heart rate: 87bpm, about 75 minutes after finishing
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: slight breeze; sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: About 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Terrain: mostly flat, some rolling hills, with a steep climb up Hazel Avenue bridge
Comments: Ten miles, starting from mile 20.0 at the Fair Oaks Bridge Street bridge, continuing along the bike path to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, up Hazel Avenue bridge to the bike path on the north side of Lake Natoma, then another two miles along the bike path to the mile 25.0 marker. And back. Saw a black tailed deer with antlers, I think maybe 5-10 points. Smelled dill, one of my favorite smells. Noted the spray painted markers next to the electrical transmission towers east of the Nimbus Dam represent the mile and the sequence...e.g., the first tower from the dam is 0/1, the second is 0/2, and so forth. I assume the first tower in the second mile is 1/1, the second is 1/2, and so forth. Ran four minutes, rested for 30s, repeated that about 30 times. The glossy leaves on the trees appeared like millions of litle flags reflecting the afternoon sunlight. Less energy today--a bit short on sleep this week.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 10mi
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?:
Foods eaten today: pumpkin flax granola w/milk, smoothie from the Happy Nutburger Stand, banana, hummus & flatbread
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Running Journal, Monday, 2013-11-11
Resting heart rate:
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: calm; sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: Maintenance run. had my head up, focused on the distance. Felt the sponginess of the track on the north side curve. The four massive lights blinded me as I ran toward them. Above, light clouds obscured the moon. Down below, a light haze, partially from wood burning fires and partially from fog. At the end, I noticed I ran faster when I pulled my thigh muscles forward instead of up. Felt smooth running...got lots of rest and hydration the last two days.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running):
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: ankles sore
Foods eaten today: pumpkin pancakes, maple syrup, banana, peppermint chocolate, Trader Joe's Japanese Fried Rice, rice cakes, hummus, flat bread, hard boiled eggs, yerba mate tea, sugar snap peas...wanted a beer but refrained
Body Mass Index (BMI):
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR):
Weather: calm; sunny
Temp: pleasant
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Terrain: flat
Comments: Maintenance run. had my head up, focused on the distance. Felt the sponginess of the track on the north side curve. The four massive lights blinded me as I ran toward them. Above, light clouds obscured the moon. Down below, a light haze, partially from wood burning fires and partially from fog. At the end, I noticed I ran faster when I pulled my thigh muscles forward instead of up. Felt smooth running...got lots of rest and hydration the last two days.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running):
Weight (after run):
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: ankles sore
Foods eaten today: pumpkin pancakes, maple syrup, banana, peppermint chocolate, Trader Joe's Japanese Fried Rice, rice cakes, hummus, flat bread, hard boiled eggs, yerba mate tea, sugar snap peas...wanted a beer but refrained
Monday, November 11, 2013
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