Orange Iced Cookies for Halloween

After singing at a wedding this afternoon and exercising, I decided to make soft sugar cookies with orange icing for Halloween.  The icing was good but the cookies needed to be a little less rich and a little cakier.  I'll try a different recipe next time.
 

Home From a Crazy Week

The week is finally over, a couple of late nights working at home, and I'm not working at all this weekend.  The exclamation point of the week was having to dust both cats with flea powder, as the Frontline was just not doing the job.  Now I'm relaxing to Anji Bee's Halloween Chillcast.

Crazy Day and Week

Work is just nuts this week.  In comparison, doing multiple kid transportation runs, grocery shopping, and fixing Beth's birthday dinner was a cakewalk!

New Blog - Scott's Workouts

I created a new blog today, called Scott's Workouts.  It is, at minimum, a workout log.  But hopefully it'll be more than that - an opportunity to discuss workouts and how they're working out.

Up to Clarion

We went to Clarion to see Stephen beat on the big bass drum in the Golden Eagle Marching Band.

Back to P90X

It was kind of a rainy dreary early evening after work, and I didn't feel like running in it. So I reconnected the DVD player and did the P90X Kenpo X workout. Felt great. But it's kind of interesting. The people on the DVD wear heart monitors. One person, and I think it's Tony Horton, reports their pulse as being 160. I don't think the Kenpo X workout has ever got my pulse above 120. Surely my conditioning isn't that good...

Emerald Ash Borer

I think I saw one of these bad boys sitting on the hood of my tractor while I was doing leaf cleanup duty yesterday afternoon. I hope it was something different - I like my two ash trees.

Great Weather and Afternoon Off

Had a great 1/2 day vacation this afternoon in beautiful Indian Summer weather. Took care of the leaves, cut some grass, went to the Ultimate game, and did soccer transportation. I'd do the same tomorrow but I have an offsite class in the afternoon.

Back Spasms and Heating Pads

I can't take any pain killers like ibuprofen or naproxen. Which is too bad, because they're great for taking the edge off the pain of back spasms.

I've been told that back spasms should be treated with ice. But ice doesn't make them feel any better, and heating pads do. Today's spasm is much better, thanks, after the heating pad treatment. I was able to go to work in the afternoon.

2nd Degree Black Belt Test

Beth and I both successfully tested for 2nd Degree Black Belt in our Taekwondo system today!

Michael Phelps - Not

I took Philip to Ross Park Mall to get his "I Swim" hoodie autographed by Michael Phelps, but they had already cut off his line. We decided not to get in the Peggy Fleming line.

Running Behind, Then VERY Late

Things were going OK this morning. I was running behind, but still on time for work. And then I discovered that I didn't have any keys for the car in my driveway. I got a set later in the morning. But I had a rather productive morning working at home.

G-20 Ghost Town/High School Open House

Everyone I had to call downtown at work was working from another location or from home. I went running again in my new running shoes, then it was off to the high school open house. It was nice of most of the teachers to show up.

Welcome to Pittsburgh

Had a nice warm Pittsburgh welcome at the airport this afternoon - cops and dogs. At least they weren't decked out like these downtown thugs.

New Running Shoes

Got new running shoes and had a great, albeit hot and humid, run in them prior to PCC rehearsal. REALLY bummed when I opened the fridge door to discover that all the beer was gone!

Tae Kwon Do Test

It's different sitting with the test panel and watching other people test. Makes me wonder if that's the way I looked as a beginner.

Should've Replaced the Bleachers, Too

Hampton's Fridley Field has a nice new artificial turf. And track. You knew they were gonna replace the track even though they said they wouldn't. Something about my money burning a hole in their pockets.

But they should've replaced those bleachers, which are guilty of felony posterior assault and battery.

Topeak Alien Tool - Lost But Now Found

My Topeak Alien Tool fell out of my seat bag during my ride in Hartwood this afternoon. Fortunately, I re-rode part of my ride and found it.

Pirates Game, And a Man With His Doll

Went to see the Pirates beat the Padres tonight. In our section were 2 guys dressed as pierogies, and this guy playing with his doll:

Ultimate Boosters

Time for work, a run, and then the Ultimate Club Parents' meeting. ATTENTION: If you let your kid out of your bubble he might get a scratch!

Drooling

This is what my backyard deer did today when it wasn't eating my apples.

The Woodlands Foundation

Spent my United Way Day of Caring painting at The Woodlands Foundation. Seems like a pretty good organization.

Ran to Taekwondo

I ran to TKD tonight and then worked out. The run went well. Had to be careful with kicks. Had a real TKD workout!

Takin' It Easy

I'm taking things easy with the hip. Took a nice walk through Hartwood with a camera.

Popped My Hip

Bummer - I popped my hip doing a taekwondo jump kick. Time to shower and ice it.

9/11 Memories

What do you remember about 9/11?

I watched the pictures on CNN.com at work.

A work associate, married to the Somerset County coroner, left early. She subsequently took a leave of absence to assist with the recovery of Flight 93 remains.

I came home and went running after work at Hartwood. The skies were blue. Cloudless.... Empty. Quiet.

One of my kids needed a picture for school. I found ones of me on the observation deck of the World Trade Center.

What do you remember?

Middle School Open House

Another Middle School Open House. It's amazing how wonderful our children are. They're all doing so well. Just like the children from Lake Wobegon.

Reading More

I'd be able to read more if I went to bed earlier. Or sleep more, maybe. Those would both be good.

Pittsburgh Concert Chorale Audition

I successfully auditioned for the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, and we had our first rehearsal tonight. Really looking forward to it!

Labor Day Visit

Had a nice visit with my parents (and they brought Stephen with them) to celebrate Philip's birthday. Too bad the forecast turned from sunny to drizzle-and-be-overcast-all-day.

Fantasy Football Draft

More log splitting and stacking, then came home in time for my fantasy football draft. Now getting organized for my parents' visit tomorrow

Log Splitting and Moving

Spent time at the cabin splitting and stacking wood. Then, moving furniture between different residences, which entailed following an illogical workplan that involved an extra unnecessary trip.

Another Week Checked Off

Work, a bike ride, and early to bed before leaving for the cabin tomorrow.

Perfect Weather

Another great run in absolutely perfect weather today. Just a bit warm, but low humidity, clear skies, and another cool night on tap. And then it was off to another voice lesson. Working on Sea Fever for my Pittsburgh Concert Chorale audition.

Lunch at the Hartwood

Had lunch at the Hartwood Restaurant with the INL folks today. I still would like to own a place like that.

Straight Into The Dishwasher

I am the only one in my family with the ability to comprehend that putting the dirty dish/bowl/whatever into the dishwasher is inherently simpler than letting it sit somewhere else, where it will be in the way, first.

Headache Better

The headache was better after taking Sudafed but my stomach pain came back after Tae Kwon Do class.

Day in Bed

Spent most of the day in bed with a headache and some pain at top of my stomach. I may have eaten too much at the North Park Clubhouse last night.

Catchin' Up

Catching up on Babylon 5 first season episodes, that is. Watching Episode 12 "By Any Means Necessary" tonight.

Laser Tag

Well, I didn't play Laser Tag. The kids played Laser Tag. I went to Office Max and Borders.

Voice Lesson

Had my first voice lesson today. Interesting!

Up Late...

...and have to go downtown for a class tomorrow.

2 Doctor Visits

The last time I had a TB test, it was like little velcro needles that they'd stick into your forearm. A strange kind of ouch. Now, it's a regular hypo stuck subcutaneously into the forearm. Not sure which I prefer.

Stupid

I'm not saying what, but some things are just stupid.

Rake

It's time to get the rake to clean up Andrew and Philip's floor.

Getting Him Ready

Washing Stephen's clothes and getting his stuff ready so he can leave for Band Camp tomorrow. Not that he's here to do any of it...

Sunny Day

Turned out to be a sunny afternoon for our Kennywood Day. And, Andrew's film won for Best Ending Credits at the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project.

Kennywood

Our family Kennywood day is tomorrow. I hope we get a non-rainy period.

Just When You Thought Things Were Under Control...

The ride on the rudderless ship gets wilder.

Bad Meetings - Or Is That From the Department of Redundancy Department

This string of awful work meetings has me all stressed out.

A Past's Future, Directed by T.J. Williams

Attended the premiere of the latest T.J. Williams film, A Past's Future. Great job! I'll probably need to see it again to keep the characters straight, especially at the end, though!

Long Hilly Ride

Went to a 2 hour Tae Kwon Do seminar today and rode my bike 14 miles to get there. Mapped out the ride on Mapquest. A very very hilly and tough and hot ride.

Cramps, Cramps, Cramps

When does it end?

Today's Bike Ride

Nice 16.5 mile bike ride. More energy than the last ride. The prednisone has been upped to 10 mg/day and that's making things much better, but not all the way there yet.

48 Hour Film Project

Went to the 2nd night of screenings for the 48 Hour Film Project, where people have 48 hours to produce a short film.  It was a blast, and it was held at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, which I had never been to before, but is a great place!

My Genetics Research

I have developed an interest in the study of Genetics, and have now proven that the gene controlling the movement of the TV switch to the OFF position is one that skips a generation.

My Insides

...are turning inside out...

Rain & Lawnmowing

I cut and I cut, and it started to rain and thunder, and still I cut. Fortunately, when the rain really began to increase in intensity, I ran out of gas. At which point I knew when to say when!

Before The Bike Ride

Andrew rode my bike last. So I had to

1. find the pedal wrench
2. change the pedals
3. lower the seat
4. find the pump

before my 16 mile ride.

Splitting Headache

Other than getting out of bed at 11:30 to go pick up Stephen at Clarion, I spent the whole day in bed with a splitting headache. Had 2 pieces of toast and a few pretzels for sustenance. I hope I can sleep tonight.

Naps Are Great, But...

It's nearly impossible to motivate to do anything after an after-work nap!

Pittsburgh CLO's Into The Woods

Just got back from the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. Great! But it really gave me an appreciation for how well Hampton High School did it in 2008.

Skinhead

I cut Philip's hair today. And while it's not exactly a skinhead, it's almost as close as I can get it with my Oster Fast Feed clippers.

Chicken & Rice Soup

Beth made the best chicken and rice soup today. Most of the time, I don't even like the stuff.

The Cycle Will Continue

I might as well go to bed.  Doesn't matter.  Either in the middle of the night, or once I wake up tomorrow morning, the cycle will begin anew, and another day will be (literally) down the drain.

(Re)Learning The Basics

After church, I managed to squeeze in a short nap before going to a 2 hour tae kwon do seminar. It's amazing how much I either forgot, or, more likely, never learned.

John Deere LA 145 vs John Deere 400

A few weeks ago I picked up a very gently used John Deere LA 145 to replace my vintage 1976 John Deere 400, which broke a rod in one of its cylinders. Second time this has happened in this supposedly good quality Kohler engine. The first time I had it replaced. This time, no way I'm throwing good money after bad - they wanted $2300 or something like that to replace the motor, so the tractor is going bye-bye.

Anyway today is the first time I used the LA 145 - the kids and wife used it before. The operation is just slightly less convenient then the 400, and it does take a little longer to cut with a 48" deck instead of the 60" that the 400 had, but the grass cutting is so much better that it's unbelieveable. I should have "downgraded" a long time ago.

Another Driver

Andrew got his driver's license today. Yikes!

Workout Change

I have been so tired after running recently that I haven't been doing my other exercises. So today I started with Ab Ripper X, then did my Tae Kwon Do patterns, then went for a run. That wasn't so bad.

Tired, But No Nap

So tired. Yesterday's run was a long one and I was tired from the start, and exhausted the entire evening. Today was rainy and it would have been a great day for a nap. But our executives were the only ones doing that.

Back To Work

Back to work after a 5 day weekend. 'Nuff said.

Last Day Off

Good last day off before going back to work tomorrow.  Saw the in-laws off, shuttled the kids from place to place, started and completed an overdue college financial form, changed the oil in the car, took a short nep (YES!), went to Tae Kwon Do, etc., etc.  Need to retire soon so I can have Philip to swimming by 7:15 tomorrow.

Everything But A Comfy Chair

We're back home with more furniture than I know what to do with. No comfortable sofa or easy chair, though.

A Long Hot Road

Went for a long run (long for me) in the 90 degree heat, took a wrong turn, and had to walk the rest of the way home, when I took another wrong turn. I learned that a "lane" might still be a dead end.

Pig Roast

Went to a going away party for my in-laws, who are relocating. Had roast pig for the first time...yummy!

Cleanup

Spent a lot of the day cleaning, but didn't seem to get much done. I did enlist the kids in weeding in front of the house, though.

Time Off

Today was my last day of work this week before 2 mandatory days off. Unfortunately, those 2 days of work aren't gonna go away.

Do You Support Universal Health Care

Question for people who don't support universal health care: What's your plan if you lose your job?

Or do you only oppose it because someone with an accent might get it?

Mandatory 2 Days Off

Good thing I'm only working 3 days this week before my mandatory 2 days off. It's mandated by my company because those of us who are left are so motivated and working so efficiently that we have extra time that we spend sitting on our thumbs so naturally we need to have 2 unpaid days off.

Aging, But Not Gracefully

Same schedule as yesterday but got home at 5 since Philip swam the last event of the day.  Then, instead of a nap, I went on a run, which exhausted me.  Now, after a shower, I'm in bed icing my knee and later I'll ice my hip.  Nothing like aging gracefully...

Exhausted

Up at 5:45 am. At swim meet by 7:15 am. Arrived home at 4 pm. Thought a nice slow walk might be good, but a nap turned out to be better.

Swim Meet

The work week is done. I'm behinder than I've ever been. And I'm off to a swim meet for the next few days. I'll have to get up earlier than I do for work!

Tired, So Tired

I need to sleep through the night. It's just like having an infant in the house, except it's harder to get back to sleep.

A Task That Should Be Easy

Today I successfully completed a difficult task that should be easy. That's right, I'm talking about changing a watch band. I have my trusty Casio W-71, that does everything I need a watch to do. The band finally failed today. So it was off to Wal-Mart, with Andrew driving, to get either a replacement watch or replacement band. Got the replacement band, brought it home, and remembered why I prefer to get a new watch. Those bands are tough to get off! But I got it changed. Next couple of days will determine if the band is leaching enough plasticizer to irritate my skin.

It's always something...

Sleepless in Pittsburgh

I've had trouble sleeping the past few nights.  I am reading Hyperion, by Dan Simmons, and was having trouble sleeping when I was reading his newest book, The Terror.  I wonder if that's what's keeping me awake?

Sick

Home sick today.  Ugh!

Offense vs Defense

I'm really happy that Rinaldo Nocentini is wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France.  He got the Jersey because of his aggressive riding.  And aggressive riding is exactly what the favorites are not doing.  All the riding in the pelaton is about being defensive.

I hope that Nocentini or some other risk taker wins this year's tour while the Astana prima donnas play their games.

Terrible Tour de France Coverage on Versus

I am greatly bothered by the evening coverage of the Tour de France with Bob Roll and Chris Hummer on Versus. It's terrible! I got up early today to watch the live coverage with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin and it was much better. Highly recommended!

Watching The Tour de France

What a great Tour de France this year! Two breakaways have succeeded thus far, with the winners not being amongst the media darlings Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and Team Astana.

Congratulations to today's stage winner Brice Feillu and GC leader Rinaldo Nocentini. Bring it!

The High Cost of Living Simply

Got a new REI catalog yesterday. I am increasingly amazed by how expensive it is to engage in activites (backpacking, camping, hiking, etc.) characterized as living the simple life.

Could it possibly be that living simply is something different entirely?

Trek Bike vs Trek Bag

I like my year 2000 model Trek 7000 mountain bike. One of the best hardtails Trek ever made. Their seatpost bags are junk, though. Simultaneous complete failure of both straps. I don't need to waste my limited riding time repairing my bag!

It's Great to Have a Good Run

...to provide some meaning after another unsatisfying day at work.

No to Armstrong, but...

I'm not the biggest fan of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France comeback, but you've got to hand it to him - he really used his experience to take advantage of the opportunity to move up in the general classification in a crosswind in today's Stage 3 through the Camargue. Exciting stuff.

Wanna Head For The Hills

Out of the mountains and back to hot humid Pittsburgh. Gonna have to do something about that...

Wildlife Condo Construction

Spent July 4 building a wildlife shelter (i.e. a glorified brush pile) in the woods of Western Maryland.

Bad Start to Holiday Weekend

Our holiday weekend was going great until my brother-in-law was taken to the hospital after blacking out after fainting or having a seizure.

Pink Hair

Philip's in the process of getting his hair dyed pink. It turned out to be more complicated than normal and they had to bleach it first because it was just a little too dark for the light pink to show up. Fortunately, his hair is only 1/4" long.

Second Viewing

Second funeral home viewing and second parastas in 2 days.

And Blogger is good - I noticed as I was publishing that a florist ad appeared in the sidebar.

Back To Work

Back to work today after 11 days off. I was already behind, and now it's worse. Even moreso, given that I was slapped with some busy work that will continue on into tomorrow.

Beth's Back!

I picked Beth up at the airport after her Caribbean cruise.  Great to have her back!

New Black Belt

I've been working with Alex, a candidate in our Tae Kwon Do system. Today he had an awesome test and earned his first degree Black Belt!

Kids - GRRRR!!

I had the kids do 4 loads of laundry so I could take them to the laundromat to dry, since the dryer motor is broken and I had ordered a new one.  I got back from the laundromat at 10:20 pm, and on a whim checked to see the shipping status of the motor, and found that it had been delivered at 5:43 pm.  And the very same kids who were doing the laundry for me knew that the box had arrived.

GRRRR!!!!!

Beginning of a Long Weekend

Sang at Vespers tonight, the first service in a long weekend of services for the consecration of our new diocesan bishop.  Tomorrow there will be a very long liturgy with the consecration, and Sunday the bishop will be serving at our church.

             

When Stuff Is Broken

Today I push-mowed a fraction of our grass for 90 minutes. When I say "a fraction" I'm meaning something like 20%, tops. That's because the tractor is broken (only firing on 1 cylinder.)

The other thing is that I hit the laundromat to dry 4 loads of laundry since the dryer is broken. I really hate to say it, but it was almost easier than if it had been done here.

TKD Camp Day 2

I'm exhausted, but only slightly bruised, after the second day of TKD camp. Arrived home to find the clothes dryer broken, adding to the task list for the rest of the week. I need to find a way to spend the whole week there next year.

Day 1 of TKD Camp

Completed Day 1 of TKD camp. Hurt left glute or muscle just below left butt cheek. The noise of the frogs from the nearby river is incredible!

Tractor Woes

Got the tractor tuned up, fixed the mower deck, changed the air cleaner. Only to find out that only 1 cylinger was firing. Changed out spark plugs and wires. I think this could be the end.

Shortened Father's Day Bike Ride

After a Father's Day afternoon nap, I decided on a 20 mile bike ride, going the opposite direction than I had previously ridden this course. I was about 15 miles into it, coming up a major hill and riding better than anticipated, when I blew a tire. Replaced the tube but the tire's sidewall had blown. Fortunately, Stephen was available to give me a Father's Day lift home!

How To Get Stuff Done

Yesterday I got a lot of bathroom cleaning done.  But today I didn't finish it.  However, I did catch up on the dishes, make the church bulletin, Tweet with a workout friend, do a nice run, TKD patterns, and Ab Ripper X, transport Andrew all over the place, make a good dinner, and play Super Scrabble with Faith.  Also got the little kids doing 1 load of laundry off their floors per day with instructions to put non-fitting stuff into a separate pile.

Dance Recital

I love the annual Hampton dance recital. And not just because my daughter is in it. Carol Nover does a great job with the girls, not only with teaching them to dance but also, it seems, with being a friend to the girls, especially the older ones as they near graduation. It's neat to see, especially as part of a community rec program.

Getting Packed

Getting Beth packed up for her cruise. Actually, I'm mostly staying out of the way and keeping the snide comments to a minimum. TRYING to keep the snide comments to a minimum. I take her to the airport tomorrow morning.

A Brand New Baby Camera!

Today we received a cute new little digital camera, a Canon SD1200IS, into our family. It joins a Nikon D70, Canon S400, an Olympus C2100UZ, and at least one other Olympus which we can't find. Plus, in the film camera department, a Canon AE-1 and an Olympus Stylus Epic.

Foxes 0/2 vs Cars

Second dead baby fox on McCully Road today. Some people's kits...

Counting Pennies Instead of Collecting Dollars

Our top managers are expending all their energies keeping every last nickel and dime within our grasp. There's nobody left to figure out what we need to do to bring the dollars in.

Take Out ALL The Garbage

How hard can it be for a 16-year-old honor roll student to take out all the garbage every week? Do certain garbage cans erase themselves from memory? Does the garage door freeze itself closed so that its contents can compost there for months on end?

We'll see how well the memory's contents unlocked after the ultimatum that an incomplete job would result in no more graduation parties this summer.

Persistence

"Our feet are still big. We haven't found all the ways of shooting them yet."

First 5K Race in 9-1/2 Years!

Tonight I ran my first 5K race in 9-1/2 years, the Riverview Park 5K. Home of the Allegheny Observatory, it was beautiful place for a race, and it was a nice evening. I ran it in 23:54, which I'm pretty happy with. I'm a little unhappy with finishing in 4th in my age group, just one place out of the hardware!

Iron City Brewing Loses Its Way

Today was a sad day in Pittsburgh. According to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, One of America's Great Newspapers, Iron City Brewing, formerly known as Pittsburgh Brewing, will be leaving its home in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh and moving its brewing operations to Latrobe, at the former Latrobe Brewing plant, now owned by City Brewing of La Crosse, Wis.

Unfortunately, Pittsburgh Brewing lost its way some time ago, when it forgot to brew good beer. Sure, I'm happy to have an Iron City or IC Light, but, let's face it, they're not at all good beers.

I was excited for Pittsburgh Brewing a few years ago when they introduced J.J.Wainwright's Select, an all malt beer. There was nothing frilly about it. It was just a very good basic all-malt beer. And then they got rid of it and started making something called J.J.Wainwright's Evil Eye, which was crap. They got rid of the best beer they'd made in decades and replaced it with crap.

So we're sorry to see Pittsburgh Brewing go, and we're especially sorry for the hard-working Pittsburghers who will lose their jobs. But Pittsburgh Brewing still needs to find its way back to brewing good beer.

Buzzcuts

I only do one kind of haircut - the buzzcut. But I do it well, and it has been much better since I got the right clippers for job about 6 months ago. Take it from me - the RiteWalCVS brand don't cut it. I got Oster Fast Feed clippers and Oster T-Finisher trimmers, which I also use to trim around my beard.

I gave a buzzcut today which was probably a better haircut than the professional one I paid for this afternoon.

House Trek III: The Search For Socks

The search for my socks took a westward turn today, and many rotting corpses were found in a large burial mound of clothing otherwise known as the floor of a kid's bedroom. Sanitation measures are currently underway, with the outcome uncertain.

The Terror, by Dan Simmons

Today I finished The Terror, by Dan Simmons.  It's a novel based on what might have happened to the doomed Franklin Expedition.  It's one of the most unusual books I've read in a long time.

Where Were The Prayers?

Today was Pentecost Sunday in the Orthodox Church, and we have a service called Pentecost Vespers. Vespers would normally be served in the late afternoon or early evening, but Pentecost Vespers usually takes place at the end of the Pentecost Divine Liturgy, or shortly thereafter. Our church has it after coffee hour.

The Pentecost Vespers service is a little bit different than the normal Vespers service in that it includes 3 beautiful and somewhat lengthy "Kneeling Prayers" which represent the first time that we have knelt since before Pascha (Easter).

So, we have it arranged so that only the people who really want to be there for the service are there. But each year the kneeling prayers get cut shorter and shorter. I used MS Word to do a word count and we did exactly 16% of the prayers! There was barely enough time to get down on our knees before it was time to stand up again. It's hardly worth attending.

Thrifty Shopping

Hit the Goodwill store today. Got 3 pairs of pants and a brand new suit, new with tags and perfectly fitting jacket, for $24! That was considerably less than the 2 belts I bought at Macy's afterwards.

In the afternoon I went on a 20 mile bike ride. So tired afterward that I had a drink, a snack, and a nap!

Blackberry Blogging

Today I figured out how to post to my one-line journal (which has rarely been just one line) from my Blackberry!

RIP David Carradine

I was saddened today to learn of the death of actor David Carradine. He died in a Bangkok hotel room of an apparent suicide. Carradine's role of Kwai Chang Caine in the Kung Fu television series is what gave me my initial interest in the martial arts. I didn't start studying Tae Kwon Do until 25 years after the series ended!

Slovenliness Is Loveliness

On of my college freshman classmates opined that slovenliness is loveliness. I've certainly adopted the slovenliness part but I'm still searching for the loveliness. My disorganizational tendencies drive me nuts sometimes!

Confession

Choir practice tonight.  They had it early so people could go home and watch the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3.  I went shopping at Kohl's after practice and had the store to myself!

I'm Plumb Leakless

Took a day of vacation today and successfully did the permanent installation of the new (used) water softener.  Only 1 resolder required!  Couldn't find my propane torch and had to buy a new one.  This pretty much guarantees that I'll find the old one soon.

Turkey on the Trail

Had to get up early to work the swim meet this morning.  But then there was a nap in the afternoon.  And then a mountain bike ride at Hartwood.  Best part was going on a singletrack through a field with waist-high grass.  All of a sudden a turkey appeared on the path in front of me.  I sped up a couple of times, but the turkey also increased its speed and disappeared into the woods at the end of the grass.

Picnic + Dishwasher Successfully Installed

Busy day - bought dishwasher, 45 minute run, company group picnic at North Park, and came home and installed dishwasher. Gotta get up early early tomorrow to work at the swim meet.

Survived a Full Day at Work!

Survived my only full day at work today and had a nice 15 mile bike ride afterward. Looks like it's going to be a busy weekend with a swim meet, company group picnic, and soccer game!

Prick Testing

Had prick testing for food allergies today. The only positive was the histimine control. Interesting result in that it was negative for a food (fish) for which I had previously tested positive. Blood testing is next.

Satisfaction Is Proportional to Fantasy

Mike has helped me to realize that my satisfaction is directly dependent on my level of fantasy.

Safety First!

Picked up a company van for an out-of-town trip tomorrow. It has a bad windshield wiper squeegee. Given our current company policy, I should probably cannabilize one from one of the the other vans.

Defend the dividend!

I Need Another Day Off

Today I did it all - slept in a little bit, checked out the Giro d'Italia on Velonews.com, took a 17 mile bike ride, did Ab Ripper X, read a few more chapters of "The Terror," took a nap, fixed the kitchen floor so the dishwasher can be replaced, and had burgers from the grill.

What I really need is another day off!

Lazy Sunday

Well, I'm not accomplishing anything on my task list this weekend! Church this morning, some parallel parking lessons with Andrew, threw frisbee with Andrew, napped during the thunderstorms, went to see Star Trek with Beth (we really liked it) and then took a walk through Hartwood.

First Mountain Bike Ride of the Year

After 2 trips to Dirty Harry's, and more maintenance than I had planned on, I took my mountain bike on a ride through Hartwood Acres. One of the trails was blocked by a doe and fawn, so I had to go home a different way!

Took a Wrong Turn and Had a Great Bike Ride

Took a half day vacation, went on a bike ride, took a wrong turn, & went for 17 miles, including a couple of roads I'd never been on before. Great ride!

Make It A 4-Day Weekend?

I want to take vacation tomorrow but I have a 1:00 call, which I could do from home. I also have to do some stuff in advance of that call, and I have a monthly report due.

If I stay home I can go on a nice bike ride, or I can do that plumbing project. Of course, those pipes'll still be there on Saturday!

Shirtless Running

One of the greatest days of the year is the first day I can run without a shirt. With the temperature in the low 80s when I got home from work, that was today!

Love My Steel Trek 520, Vintage 1984!

I have a bad spoke on my mountain bike, and couldn't get my wheel trued today. So I went on a road ride with Stephen on my vintage (1984) steel Trek 520. Love that ride!

Systema - Breathe Deeply and Under Control

I don't know anything about Systema, other than that it is a Russian Martial Art. At tonight's TKD class we did some breathing drills which were from our teacher's studying of Systema. The basic idea is that you don't let your body decide when to breathe; rather, you control your body, including controlling when it is to breathe. Some good drills.

In thinking about this workout, it occurred to me what I like so much about running. When I run, the exercise is intense, yet so regular, that I have breathing on my mind and I really pay a lot of attention to the rhythm of my breathing. It is under my control, and I vary my breathing patterns at times, depending on the intensity of my running.

Other exercises, like walking, don't tax my breathing so much, so I don't have the degree of mindfulness of my breathing that I do with running. Mountain biking is, at least where and how I ride, a series of anaerobic fits and starts, so I spend a lot of time breathing, but it's a mostly a matter of breathing as much as possible.

In martial arts, I pretty much exhale on every technique when I do drills or patterns. However, my understanding of Systema is that it is not a pattern-based system. It's more fighting-based, so breathing under rapidly changing circumstances can be a challenge, and is definitely something that is an opportunity for development.

Tonight's workout was very enlightening. I'm going to pay a lot more attention to my breathing in my various activities.

Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil (Vespers)

Went to St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh's Oakland section to see the Mendelssohn Choir performance of the Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil (Vespers). Magnificent!

The Long Sleep

I didn't go to the prom but I slept in like a promgoer, not getting up until 11:15 am. Well, there were a few interruptions, with Stephen coming home at around 5 am, and Beth getting up at 6 am to go on a Venture Crew trip with Andrew. And the political calls started just before 9 am.

Prom Photos

Had a great time taking photos of Stephen and Kayla and their friends before the prom.

Today's Workout

30 minute run and Ab Ripper X. Finally getting back in the groove.

What's That Smell?

When I got back yesterday there was a burny smell that I couldn't quite place. But today, the computer stopped working, and I found that my video card's fan had stopped working and the card was overheating. Found it just in time, too, because the AGP slot on my motherboard's looking a bit charred. But I put in an old card and it does seem to work, so I just need to replace with a better card.

Bite Me

Back from Minnesota. Finally found those "Bite Me" T-Shirts, with giant mosquitos on them, at the airport. Got two of them to be fought over at home. Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.

Good Trip to Minnesota

Enjoying the trip to Minnesota so far. We ate dinner at Bacio in Minnetonka.

Getting Ready to Travel Tomorrow

The fever is mostly gone so it looks like I'm going to be stuck with going to Minneapolis tomorrow morning, including a 3 hour leg from Newark, with a nasty head cold.

Could it be Swine Flu?

I've been in bed sick since coming home from work Friday. A team of medical experts I think that it's swine flu.

Sick For The Weekend

It appears that I've gotten sick just in time for the weekend. I have air travel planned for Monday and Tuesday, so hopefully I'll feel some better by then.

The Taming of The Jungle

After a drenching rain yesterday and threats of more of the same today, it turned out to be probably the nicest evening of the spring and we finally completed the year's first taming of the jungle.

I Am...

...one meaningless day closer...

I Must Not Have a Good Butt Crack

I must not have a good butt crack, the evidence of which is my plumbing ability. I thought I was reasonably good as a sometime dabbler in plumbing, but I don't know after tonight. I was setting up my new water softener, at least temporarily, and it was the first time I had tried plastic plumbing parts. I still don't have all the drips stopped, but at least now they're acceptably infrequent. I think I'll go back to all copper tubing for when I permanently install the softener.

Why I Stayed Up Late

I was up very late last night posting Anything Goes photos to my Smugmug and Facebook accounts and tagging them on Facebook. I wonder what'll cause me to stay up way too late tonight?

SWDD (Same Whirlwind Different Day)

Andrew's final PYCO concert of the year was this afternoon. "Anything Goes" is done, unless they get a Gene Kelly Award nomination. So the whirlwind is over. No, wait, Stephen just got home. SWDD (Same Whirlwind Different Day).

Season's First Steaks on the Grill

Cello recitals, steaks on the grill with my visiting parents, and the final performance of "Anything Goes." And tomorrow it continues...

A Full Suburban

A full Suburban came home from Clarion today. A whole lot more stuff in it than went up there last August. Including a drum set, which should make it an interesting summer indeed.

Looking Back at This Aching Day...

Yikes! My back was terrible today and I stayed home and am back on steroids! The ravages of age...

Water Softeners Proven To Cause Backache

It's a good thing I took Andrew with me to get the water softener, as I could have never gotten it out of the basement otherwise. As it is, I strained the other side of my lower back. I'm falling apart!

Trying out Craigslist

My water softener is at least 21 years old. I've done some repairs to the timer, hoses, and valves, but now the timer has failed me for the last time. I'm buying an updated model used on Craigslist. Which will be interesting, as I've never bought anything from anyone on Craigslist before. It's only going to cost a little more than the last timer/motor assembly I bought.

Or,as I posted on Twitter:

The 22 year old water softener is going to the great ion-exchange resin bed in the sky, as I refuse to replace its ticker again.

Red Alert - It's Swine Flu

Swine Flu's on the move. We're up to like 48 cases in the U.S. No deaths. But it's a bona fide public health crisis. Never mind that at least 36,000 people die in the U.S. each year due to influenza. We won't be wearing surgical masks in trains and airplanes for that. Just swine flu. Or bird flu, the most overrated pandemic in history.

It's WAY Too Hot, and It's Only April!

Temperature in the mid-80s today. WAY too warm for my tastes, in April or any other month of the year. Came home from the soccer game and was too tired to even think about that first grass cutting or even working out. So I had a nice long nap instead!

Irons and Toasters

Heard today at Scott's house...

"I think iron technology ranks right up there with toasters. They can get a friggin’ man on the moon but they can’t make a toaster that makes toast or an iron that doesn’t leak water all over your clothes."

Hampton Dolphins Banquet

Had a great time tonight at the Hampton Dolphins swim team banquet, held at the Wildwood Golf Club. I came home with the recipient of the "Most Colorful Swimmer" award.

Another Late Night

Beth stayed up till 4 am last night sewing costumes for Hampton's production of "Anything Goes." We hope her efforts are appreciated.

The Bare Minimum

I can understand not being motivated to excel in school. But I can't for the life of me understand not being motivated enough to do the bare minimum.

Or is it that we don't agree on what constitutes the bare minimum?

Back To The Grind

Back to work today after a 4 day weekend. It wasn't enough time off.

Rituals

"Rituals should have some unpleasantness, or you don't appreciate them properly."

- Vijjika, from Red Mars, by Kim Stanley Robinson

Pascha - The Aftermath

The cooking is done. The cleaning is done (yeah, right!) The guests have come and gone. Voluminous amounts of food have been consumed and we have enough leftovers to last the week. !Everyone has gone to bed at 9:00 pm. Sounds like a good idea!

Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy

I stayed at the Holy Friday Vigil until about 5:30 am, then went home to sleep for a couple of short hours before the Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy. I'd have to say that this is probably my favorite Orthodox service (although I really like the Wedding Service, too.)

Here is the kontakion (a kind of thematic hymn) sung at that service. It captures the stark reality of Christ's death, yet anticipates the Resurrection.

He who shut in the depths is beheld dead,
Wrapped in fine linen and spices.
The Immortal One is laid in a tomb as a mortal man.
The women have come to anoint Him with myrrh,
Weeping bitterly and crying:
"This is the most blessed Sabbath
On which Christ has fallen asleep to rise on the third day!"

Holy Friday

The Holy Friday services were very nice. I particularly appreciated having Protodeacon Michael there for the Holy Friday Vespers. He is usually at St. Tikhon's Monastery for Pascha. We're enjoying having him and Mat. Mary here this year. Now I'm off to the Holy Friday Vigil.

But Will I Find Time For Any Spirituality?

• Tonight - Holy Friday Matins
• Tomorrow - Vacation from work (but with one teleconference thrown in), cleaning and cooking, Holy Friday Vespers and Holy Saturday Matins, followed by overnight vigil.
• Saturday - Conclude vigil, Holy Saturday Liturgy, cleaning and cooking, Nocturnes and Resurrection Matins
• Sunday - Paschal Liturgy, cleaning and cooking, big dinner with parents and other guests, cleanup
• Monday - Bright Monday Liturgy, Open house at choir director's home, doctor’s appointment. That doctor's appointment is being replaced by a nap.

Ides of April Haiku

Beware April’s Ides
Tax Day and Titanic’s end
Much worse than March’s

A Fun Time At Newark Airport

We're scheduled to come home on the 6 pm flight, right? So it's delayed till 7 pm, say the monitors. So we sit down to eat. Drinks ordered and delivered. Food ordered. One of us, bored, goes and checks the monitors, which show a gate change and that the flight is now back on time and boarding. Drinks guzzled and order changed to takeout. Last ones on the plane.

Then came home and celebrated by finishing my taxes!

A Taxing Time

Just completed the first run through of my taxes at about 2 this morning. Now I'm so tired that I can't look at it tonight, and I have to travel tomorrow. As much as we owe this year, it truly pays to procrastinate!

Let My Prayer Arise Trio

Stephen, Andrew, and I sang the "Let My Prayer Arise" trio during the preparation for communion at today's Divine Liturgy. It was the first and only time that we were able to do it this year, with Stephen being at Clarion.

Lazarus Saturday Divine Liturgy

Went to Lazarus Saturday Divine Liturgy today. It has been 10 years since the family was received into the Orthodox Church on Lazarus Saturday 1999.

I'm Getting Tired of Plain Bland Soft Food

Subject line says it all.

I'm Now Dairy Free

All right - based on Why Doesn't My Doctor Know This? (see yesterday's entry) I'm trying out the dairy-free approach. So far, so good!

The only dairy allowed is clarified butter, which contains neither the lactose nor any of the milk proteins implicated in milk sensitivity. Time to break out the butter and get clarifying!

Why Doesn't My Doctor Know This?

The library finally got Why doesn't my doctor know this? by David Dahlman, which I'd had on request for some time. Looks like it has a lot of good info for helping me to deal with my UC. I may have to end up buying it, though, as it spent a significant portion of its former life in a non-smoke-free home.

It Snowed Today

It snowed today, but just a little bit. I made a note of it because my oldest son was born 19 years ago today and it snowed 4 inches that day. I was to have attended a church meeting that morning, and stayed home due to the snow. My wife's water broke, and, well, whatever plans we had for the day were changed!

You do what you practice

You do what you practice.

Context: Tae Kwon Do class - specifically on the need to keep your hands up during sparring or a fighting situation. If you don't practice keeping your hands up, you won't do it in a real situation when the pressure's on.

Application: Everything.