Blacksburg, Virginia's Friends

bigmel42

Subject:	Today's Rides
Time:	3:00 pm.

Today's ride in went very nicely. It was cool but not too cool (there was no dew
this morning), but it wasn't super sunny, either. It was just about perfect. My
only issue was having to slow down before coming to the known bumps. I started
off sore, so I thought I'd give it a slow, leisurely (for me) ride in. I
didn't.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 29.6 mph
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Distance: 7.09 mi
Time: 0.30.12

Approximate calories burned: 275

===

The ride home, while good stats-wise, has increased my general anger for the day sufficiently well that I refuse to talk about it, except to say that I threw my panniers at a fucking snail's pace TWICE on the way home and I fucking hate it here and everything about this godforsaken state.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 28.6 mph
Average speed: 15.0 mph
Distance: 6.67 mi
Time: 0.26.44

Approximate calories burned: 268

fuck this shithole

Comments: Add Your Own.

ranchonmars

Time:

2:06 am.

I rolled the trash to the curb tonight, and the moon was out and bright enough to make shapes in the clouds, the air was the perfect temperature for the humidity, it was quiet, and the lawn was just so inviting... I laid down in the grass and just watched the clouds and listened to the wind and the distant city for about twenty minutes. Very mellow. It was nice. :)

And now my arms are all itchy. I forgot about that part.

Next time, I take a blanket.

(Still worth it.)

Comments: Add Your Own.

ptitza

Time:

5:23 pm.

Не пропустите документальный фильм о переводчице Лилианне Лунгиной. Сколько раз видела эту фамилию на титульном "Карлсона", но не могла и представить себе, что за судьба скрывается за этой фамилией. Впрочем, как у многих в то время.
У Баншура, как всегда, интересный -- и, как всегда, резкий (opinionated) взгляд. Да, ей очень повезло -- и об этом постоянно, фоном, помнишь, когда смотришь этот фильм. Тем не менее, лучезарную улыбку мы видели и у Солженицына, и у Гинзбург, и у Лихачева. А уж о блокадниках и говорить нечего. У тех, кто выжил, конечно.

Ещё из приятного, дома обнаружился софт, качающий "Старое радио" в mp3 (www.staroeradio.ru). Какую книгу вы бы взяли с собой на необитаемый остров? Если не думать, рука потянулась к Бажову (Малахитовая шкатулка), Шварцу (Тень и Дракон), Тургеневу (два романа), Гоголю (Невский проспект), Шпаликову и Горькому (три пьесы). Ну и дальше в том же духе. Бажов бажественен. Пожалела, что у меня не девочка от 6 до 10 лет.

Comments: Read 13 or Add Your Own.

quasadu

Subject:	T-Mobile Solutions Showcase
Time:	5:11 pm.

I've been invited (and am now registered) to go to the T-Mobile Solutions Showcase in Arlington, VA on July 21. The event is being hosted by T-Mobile, HTC, and Microsoft and will feature two new devices - the Dash 3G and the Touch Pro2.

I have been looking for reports of attendees of the event in other cities and came across this report from the NJ event:

http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/T-Mobile-Solutions-Showcase---Free-Dash-3G-and-goodies-article-a_5703.html

I am looking forward to getting the free Dash 3G but I'm a little disappointed since the T-Mobile rep made it sound like we would be getting our hands on the myTouch 3G. That is a phone I'm interested in playing with. I do know that they will be talking about that one at the show and the link above mentioned some hands-on demos, so maybe I'll get to play a bit with it.

As for the Dash, I hear good and bad. CNET likes it. But they compare it to the BlackBerry Curve 8900 a bit, which I currently have, and it sounds to me like the only advantage the Dash has is the 3G support. Don't get me wrong, that's a big advantage, but I don't know if it's enough to sway me from the BlackBerry. I love my BlackBerry. And it's hard to make a case for any device being a better Enterprise/Corporate tool than a BlackBerry.

So we'll see. I'll post my thoughts on the event and a full review of the device later.

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.

bigmel42

Subject:	Today's Rides
Time:	3:05 pm.

It started off brisk and sunny today, and while I again started off wishing that
I had at least t-shirt jerseys, by the end I was sufficiently hot to be all
right with the sleeveless. I'm getting a little cheesed with the quality of the
trail. I had to stop twice today because of hitting edges of bridges hard enough
to knock off my panniers or water bottle. It's worse than yesterday, where I had
to stop once each way because I downshifted and dropped my chain in front (and,
when do you ever down shift in front when not in the middle of a climb?)

So, I'm annoyed and it slowed me down, but I'm still pleased with the ride
overall.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 27.2 mph
Average speed: 13.8 mph
Distance: 6.62 mi
Time: 0.28.39

Approximate calories burned: 255

I wonder how much of that has to do with the meal and shake I had yesterday....

===

The ride home has me completel convinced that the ride has gotten bumpier. I crossed a bridge HARD and my pannier went flying off. That pisses me off. So, I lost time (but not a lot of speed, apparently).

Stats:

Maximum speed: 28.7 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph
Distance: 6.66 mi
Time: 0.25.57

Approximate calories burned: 269

I think that, though there was the snag of all the bumps, I went faster because there was a man who passed me. I had him in my sights until I had to stop because of the pannier. Grr.

Comments: Add Your Own.

bigmel42

Subject:	Today's Rides
Time:	4:17 pm.

This morning it was about 52 degrees out when I got to the mall. It was a little
cool, but it was about perfect. Even though being in the woods was almost
chilly, the small patches (and then eventual paths) of sunlight peaking through
were warm and comforting. It felt like a really good ride, and I'm pleased. I
like these longer commutes, and wish I could have them forever.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 27.9 mph
Average speed: 13.9 mph
Distance: 6.81 mi
Time: 0.29.13

Approximate calories burned: 263

Again, I'm looking forward to the ride home. I think I'm going to get my hair
trimmed before I head back to the house.

===

The ride back to Cburg was a little slow (my legs were tired), but still nice. It was hot, but dry enough that it wasn't unpleasant. It's just been a really nice day today, and I think the rest of the week is supposed to be the same.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 29.2 mph
Average speed: 14.7 mph
Distance: 6.66 mi
Time: 0.27.10

Approximate calories burned: 265

The distance was a bit shorter because I cut across a different road to get to the trail. I don't think I'll do that again. I treated myself to a small chocolate shake at the mall after the ride. I also got a pair of low-top Chuck Taylors (in navy! yea! they're awesome) and a new pair of brown flats. The flats are exciting because they only cost 10 bucks (I was expecting to pay 20, and they were originally 40). I got my hair trimmed, afterall. I'm pleased, it's been a productive day.

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bigmel42

Subject:	Today's Rides
Time:	5:34 pm.

Today's ride in from Cburg was nice. I saw four deer, a groundhog, and a couple
bunnies. The deer startled me a bit, since I thought the one was a cow, and
then realized I wasn't near the cow pasture yet. The trail at that part has
chicken wire fencing, so they couldn't cross my path, and it was neat to just
look at them as I rode by. It made me a little sad that they were fenced out
(their faces were so sweet), but the fence doesn't go the whole way along the
trail.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 28.7 mph
Average speed: 13.9 mph
Distance: 6.84 mi
Time: 0.29.28

Approximate calories burned: 264. Which, given the weekend of binging I had,
isn't nearly enough. I'll make up for it over the rest of the week.

It was cool and damp this morning, which was nice, but the humidity got to me
after a bit. All told, though, it was still a pleasant, relaxing ride, and I'm
looking forward to the ride back this afternoon.

===

The ride home was hot and dry (I'd forgotten my water bottle, so though I had a Nalgene in my pannier, I was thirsty for the bulk of the ride). Despite that, it was REALLY good, in that I felt great, I spun well, and, well, it felt great.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 28.8 mph
Average speed: 15.4 mph (see?)
Distance: 6.86 mi
Time: 0.26.44

Approximate calories burned: 277

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's rides now, too. Yea!

Comments: Add Your Own.

raininva

Time:

12:28 pm.

On Wednesday my family is coming to visit for almost a week. It's the first time my nephews have made the trip... being 5 and 7, so I'm excited about that. It will be them, my sister, and my mom.

In preperation Joe and I have been cleaning. Upstairs was finished yesterday, hoping to finish the downstairs today. The rain decided to ruin our plans of finishing the patio up yesterday so it will hopefully happen today or tomorrow.

We're looking for good local places to take them all out to eat while they are in town. Some place we can take kids to. Any suggestions?

I very much enjoyed my three day weekend. Joe and I went with some friends to HarborFest on Friday night. We walked around a bunch, listened to Collective Soul, and then watched the great fireworks show. Very nice night. Last night we spent the evening at friends in Smithfeild where I got 'back yard envy'... one day.

Okay, back to cleaning up.

Comments: Read 4 or Add Your Own.

wanusmaximus

Subject:	Everything I ever needed to know in life I learned from South Park
Time:	9:29 am.

The following is an article in Psychology Today by Satoshi Kanazawa. I found it very insightful as South Park has also shaped a lot of my views on the world.

I am a big fan of South Park. In my mind, the perspective of the creators of South Park (Matt Stone and Trey Parker) on every social and political issue of the day is right on the mark, and I proudly identify myself as a “South Park Republican,” which essentially means libertarian. I love South Park because, among other things, Stone and Parker have better understanding of human nature than supposed experts like Richard Dawkins.

Dawkins and his ilk (like Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris) consider religion to be the root of all evil, and envision and advocate for an utopian society where there are no religions and everybody is an atheist. They believe that wars and violence will disappear if we eliminate religion from human society. Dawkins and Co. are wrong on at least two fronts.

( Read more... )

Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.

bigmel42

Subject:	Today's Rides
Time:	7:51 pm.

They were good. I rode the whole length of the trail each way, instead of hopping off/on at Airport road. I must say, the whole length was nicer, both for the mileage and avoiding a hill that ended/started with a stop light.

The ride in was cool and sunny, and just perfect for a ride. I haven't ridden in
ages, and it was nice to get back on the bike and ride. Having done it once,
I'm excited to ride in for the rest of the summer (and be ready for riding into
Tech and putzing around with Commie).

Stats:

Maximum speed: 30.5 mph
Average speed: 14.0 mph
Distance: 6.90 mi
Time: 0.29.28

Approximate calories burned: 268

This is very approximate, since I haven't weighed myself in weeks.

===

The ride home was not as cool, but still sunny and enjoyable.

Stats:

Maximum speed: 29.5 mph
Average speed: 14.4 mph
Distance: 6.88 mi
Time: 0.28.36

Approximate calories burned: 271

Comments: Add Your Own.

tango

Subject:	New Phone
Time:	7:03 pm.

I bought an LG Xenon today! Liking it so far, though disappointed in the slight change in the power cable that prevents me from using my old charge cable.

I also upgraded to unlimited text messages. Please note that this doesn't mean much, other than that I can now send and receive them without worry during cons. I will not be turning on Twitter notifs (except during special events - notably, MFF). I do not get cell signal at work currently, so any messages sent while I'm at work will be delivered at random sometime after I go back outside and turn airplane mode off.

PS: I should point out that not everyone's numbers transferred over. More annoying for me is that the ability to store first, last, and nick name was apparently a special feature of the RAZR, so there are at least three Davids in my phone that I can't tell apart. If you message me, please sign your message!

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wanusmaximus

Subject:	Federal agents hunt for guns, one house at a time
Time:	3:10 pm.

In front of a run-down shack in north Houston, federal agents step from a government sedan into 102-degree heat and face a critical question: How can the woman living here buy four high-end handguns in one day?

The house is worth $35,000. A screen dangles by a wall-unit air conditioner. Porch swing slats are smashed, the smattering of grass is flattened by cars and burned yellow by sun.

“I’ll do the talking on this one,” agent Tim Sloan, of South Carolina, told partner Brian Tumiel, of New York.

Success on the front lines of a government blitz on gunrunners supplying Mexican drug cartels with Houston weaponry hinges on logging heavy miles and knocking on countless doors. Dozens of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — sent here from around the country — are needed to follow what ATF acting director Kenneth Melson described as a “massive number of investigative leads.”

( Read more... )

Good things never happen when the ATF comes knocking on your door...

Comments: Read 6 or Add Your Own.

ptitza

Subject:	Котауси
Time:	4:03 pm.

Интересно, какой это будет день -- среда? четверг? какое число? время суток? когда я, вняв, наконец, уговорам заказчика, начну переводить advocacy - "адвокаси", а не виться, как уж на сковородке, с "пропагандой", "агитацией", "общественно-политической кампанией" и прочими сомнительными действиями? Карфаген, конечно, будет взят. Но ещё крепки стены...

(Приняв позу Пушкина с откинутой вправо рукой (см. пл. Искусств, памятник работы Аникушина, 1959 г.), декламирует: )

«Ты меня не обманешь, Котауси!
Вижу злые твои глазауси
И злые-презлые зубауси!
Слышу гнусные адвокауси,
И энфорсменси, и конституауси!
И бест-практиси и прайвисяуси!»

Так ответила умная Мауси -
И скорее бегом от Котауси.

(В стихотворении использованы шоб-они-сгорели-слова: advocacy, enforcement, constituency, best practices, and privacy).

Comments: Read 12 or Add Your Own.

wanusmaximus

Subject:	Va. Man Did Machine Gun Conversions, ATF Alleges
Time:	11:41 am.

Federal agents raided an Alexandria man's home and seized 75 guns after he sold three machine guns to an undercover agent beginning in April, authorities said yesterday.

John M. Walker, 50, was charged with illegally converting semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic ones, court records show. Fully automatic weapons are legal but heavily regulated. Walker was not a licensed dealer, according to Special Agent Mike Campbell of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Campbell said that people who buy such converted weapons on the black market are more likely to have criminal ideas for their use than legitimate collectors.

Comments: Read 11 or Add Your Own.

tango

Subject:	Pre-Con To-Do
Time:	7:35 am.

Pack, obviously. And yet, I feel like I'm missing something...
Right, it would have to happen at the con anyways...Brush out Rumba.
~~Verify all of Rumba is in his bag~~.
~~Locate badges and sketchbook~~.
~~Locate badge lanyards and holders~~.
Attempted without success Get Kofu's email address.
~~Do math for room cost~~, send to roommates. A little late for t he last part now.
~~Set Out of Office Message - both of them.~~
~~Grocery shopping~~.
~~Get cash from bank (I'm getting art, damnit. High on my list is Sandy S. and Tod (ninjahijinx).)~~
~~Convince iberian_wolf to give me a haircut.~~
Skipped, due to rain.Wash car, including cleaning inside of windows.

Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.

tango

Subject:	Anthrocon
Time:	12:29 pm.

Yes, I'll be there.
Yes, I'm staff. You can find me in the vicinity of the Dealer's Room and Charity Events.
I'm arriving on Thursday around noon. My car is full. Rumba will be with me.
Rumba may have surprises for people. If he doesn't, then I will. (Have to work out logistics.)
I'll be in the Westin. My room is full.
I plan to be playing Lupus in Tabula Saturday night during the Masquerade.
I'm leaving Monday morning around 0800 because I'm having FiOS installed that day.

Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.

ptitza

Subject:	Разное
Time:	7:18 pm.

Не орите, вы не на рынке
Брошюра на 30 стр. о нераздельности "рынка и демократии". А у нас слово рынок (базар) ругательное, и что делать? Баба базарная. Красная цена в базарный день. Да и Базаров личность в нашей литературе подозрительная. И как эту брошюру встраивать в культурно-исторический контекст, спрашивается?

Откуда берутся новые слова
Статья (от американского заказчика): "Российско-американская группа по инвестиции". Пишу: "Опечатка тут, нужно - инвестициям". Отвечают: "Нет, нам не нужно мн. ч., означающее инвестиии в предприятие. Нам нужна "инвестиция" -- собирательное существительное в ед. ч., выражающее идею инвестиций (!). Впрочем, ваше замечание нам понятно". Не знаете такого слова -- инвестиция? Ничего. Скоро оно широко войдёт в ваш обиход.

Зачеркнул 9, сверху написал 10
Знакомая пишет из Италии: "Ну нет у нас особого порядка, что делать. Но в Италии, если дело заходит в тупик, вдруг всё чудесным образом само устраивается. Вот пришли мы раз на вокзал, у нас в билетах вагон 10, а в составе только девять. Ну, и что? Проводник взял табличку с номером девять, зачеркнул и переправил на десять. И пригласил всех садиться. В другой раз опять не нашли свой вагон 10. А проводник сказал, что это ничего, пускай все садятся в четвертый, заодно уточнил, что четвертый вагон прицеплен после шестого...

*Курсив мой. От изумления.

Comments: Read 18 or Add Your Own.

cutieamy_chan

Subject:	LP Post aka Pimping my Sales on my Friends Page!
Time:	6:36 pm.

I got my LP today from meta...I got some cool items (in the wrong color for me) so I'm trying to sell them.

Here is everything I got...I was so excited when I opened it. I traded my black op for a pink one! :D s I want to sell or trade those capris, since they're not my style. I'd love to be able to find the Leopard Heart cirular skirt from Meta in exchange for the pants, or at least, like, $40 so I can try to recoop so money. XD

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