In an attempt to shake myself from the doldrums that was my routine, we started using Wii Fit. I forgot that it was 1) fun and 2) had actual workout routines. Nothing major or strenuous (or maybe I have to unlock that) but there are several strength exercises and yoga positions. I’m actually looking forward to doing it again tonight.
Also, I read an article about Africian running style, where they have purposeful modes of running. Obviously, I’m not planning to run 1,000 miles but what struck me was the notion of starting slow and ending strong. It seems like such a basic concept, but the article did note that there’s a cultural aspect to running, where Americans tend to set the pace of their run early and attempt to keep that pace the whole way. That struck a chord so I did a run last night, and the difference was incredible. I started with a very slow trot, kept that pace up to the top of the hill and then brought myself up to my normal speed. After one lap, I felt fresh enough to do a couple more. I was nowhere close to winded. That being said, I struggled mightily to not pick up the pace. I would say that this style demands a lot more discipline than running at the usual speed and powering through it.
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WiiFit wasn’t really planned; the balance board was already out because I finally picked up a game that uses it: Shaun White Snowboarding Road Trip. The game is absolutely brilliant with the board and for the first time I felt like the balance board was a worthwhile purchase. The first person to try the game was Nora. She struggled mightily going down the mountain the first time, but after she crossed the finish line, something clicked (literally, her eyes lit up with understanding) and her second time down, she carved down the mountain. I wasn’t able to replicate her run until my fifth or sixth try, but when I did – wow! what a game. I’m looking forward to racing through this title.
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I’m using Jaya’s old cell phone, a samsung u740, and I’m liking it very much. Problem: she had all her contacts on it (a LOT of contacts) and I’d be damned if I handwrote every single one. Solution: use bitpim and back them up. I bought a usb cable and figured I was good to go.
Windows: downloaded the driver. Went through that rigmarole of constantly finding new things to install and assigning com ports. Naturally, windows decided to use that port for internet access instead of broadband. Why? I don’t know. Downloaded and installed bitpim. Started, booted out with an error. Found the MSDN topic that indicated the developer was at fault. Read some ranting, downloaded the missing dll. Started up fine. Read the phone fine. Logs say it could access everything EXCEPT the contacts. Why? I don’t know. Rebooted in Ubuntu.
Ubuntu: plugged in the phone. Went to ubuntu software manager, typed in ‘bitpim’. Hit install. Went to desktop 2 and surfed the web. Went back to desktop 1. Ran bitpim. It loaded everything, backed everything up, and started editing my contacts.
I’m not trying to dump on Windows though it does have that appearance; I’m just amazed at the user experience that Ubuntu is currently offering. It boots in 20 seconds (not including the time that it takes to type in your password). Everything is fast and well laid out. The innards doesn’t get in the way of work. Of course, a verizon phone and bitpim are one off sorts of programs, but the experience was as if it were completely naturally to want to back up your phone to your desktop. Absolutely brilliant.
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Angels and Demons: finished it last night. The second half whipped by in a hurry and was enjoyable except for more obvious product placements. The last fifty or so pages were a major letdown. The ending was interesting but much too contrived. It was just too, too much. That being said, it did manage to entertain, so mission accomplished.
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Finally: the NBA draft was boring. Players went where they were slotted on mock boards. That usually doesn’t happen, except it’s 2010. This is the Free Agent Derby to rival the 1996 FA derby. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Amar’e Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, Yao Ming (just to name a few) are free agents. The Nets, the Bulls, the Knicks and other teams have cleared cap space in attempts to lure some of these guys.
The draft was a ho hum affair. The Sixers grabbed who they were supposed to grab (Evan Turner) and made no trades. I’m genuinely excited for Turner and Holiday in the back court with Iguodala at his natural small forward position. Brand wasn’t traded, so he’ll go to center with Hawes, with Thaddeus Young, Maresse Speights and Andreas Nocioni at PF. One of those guys will get traded after the derby, I believe.
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I’d like to go to a Sixers game that they actually win. To the best of my recollection, we last attended a winning game in 2002.