We're nearing the tail end of this 2012 edition of major league baseball, and there are still some positions up in the air for the playoffs. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are IN, vying between themselves for the AL East championship with the loser being one of the league's two wild card entries. The AL Central has the Detroit Tigers three games ahead of the Chicago White Sox, with three games left to play and thus on the verge of clinching that division. In the AL West, the there are still three teams alive: the Texas Rangers, already in the playoffs but not yet champs of that division, the Oakland Athletics, with the inside track to the playoffs as a wild card team (they could clinch a spot with a win later tonight) and a chance to overtake Texas, and the Los Angeles Angels, just barely hanging on to a remote shot at the playoffs.
In the National League, the divisional winners have been decided: Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants. The Atlanta Braves are also as the best wild card team, leaving the last wild card spot open between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cards, last year's World Series champions, have a two game lead over LA with three games to go. But if they make the playoffs, St. Louis could go the distance once again, in my opinion.
My favorites this year are the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Not only are they my personal favorites, but they are also strong enough to make it to the World Series, for a fourth Series match-up between the Yankees and Braves (the last one being in 1996). Then again, there are some other intriguing possibilities, which I may examine soon in a future article...
Monday, October 1, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
My September 2012 Running Report
September, 2012 saw me continuing to comply with my stated monthly running goals. I barely surpassed my monthly goal of 100 total running miles with 100.9 miles. I kept my personal record consecutive running streak going as well, now standing at 153 straight days. My longest run was a measly 5.0 miles, but that's all right since I am now going for consistency instead of distance on my daily runs.
I had thought of entering two local running races in September, but other matters changed my mind and I let them pass by. I'm still open to running in some events in October should the opportunity arise.
Hopefully, the cooler autumn weather will make my running more enjoyable. I generally prefer outdoor running over the treadmill, but the combined heat and humidity has been pretty bad, especially for September. Maybe we'll get some relief from that.
I had thought of entering two local running races in September, but other matters changed my mind and I let them pass by. I'm still open to running in some events in October should the opportunity arise.
Hopefully, the cooler autumn weather will make my running more enjoyable. I generally prefer outdoor running over the treadmill, but the combined heat and humidity has been pretty bad, especially for September. Maybe we'll get some relief from that.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Hurricane Season Turning Mild...For Now
I just finished a phone conversation with my 86 year old father who lives down in Hollywood, near Miami. He has been closely following this hurricane season, which started out with a bang but seems to be drastically slowing down...at least on the Atlantic side. To be sure, they seem to be ticking off at a fast rate (what letter is it now, "N" or "O"). But almost all of the latest ones are purely Atlantic Ocean storms, hardly of any interest to us landlubbers in Florida. This is in spite of the fact that right now is usually considered to be the most intense time of the season.
Still, all it takes is for one strong storm to hit us and mess things up. I don't think we're going to be presented with a hurricane threat, though, until it is later on, say in October, when the tropical storm pattern changes to storms developing in the western Caribbean and moving north into the Gulf of Mexico...
Still, all it takes is for one strong storm to hit us and mess things up. I don't think we're going to be presented with a hurricane threat, though, until it is later on, say in October, when the tropical storm pattern changes to storms developing in the western Caribbean and moving north into the Gulf of Mexico...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
NFL Replacement Officials Offer Entertainment with Incompetence
Since I had last Monday night off from work, I happened to have my TV on ESPN, which was broadcasting the NFL Monday Night Football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. This was a pretty closely fought contest between two teams that I care little about. But it was close, and that made the outcome somewhat interesting. As well as the fact that the replacement referees, whom the league installed while carrying out a drawn-out labor dispute with the "regulars", were utterly incompetent throughout the game. To me, that was entertainment in itself, much like watching the antics of the Three Stooges. But I, like most other viewers, was completely unprepared for the game's closing play, a Green Bay pass interception of a desperation last-second Seattle pass that one official ruled as a touchdown, one ruled an interception, and the third in the vicinity just kept a distance from. Ultimately the offensive receiver, who committed what was to me the most flagrant offensive pass interference penalty I have ever seen, was awarded the reception although the Packer defender was clearly in possession. So Seattle was awarded the controversial touchdown and, as it turned out, the game as well, 14-12.
After the game, the media pundits were all abuzz about how bad this officiating was. I agree. But I remember a game back in 1980 between my Miami Dolphins and New Orleans and a similar scenario, this time with the regular officiating staff performing the duties. The Dolphins were ahead, I believe, 21-16, but the Saints mounted a furious last-minute comeback. On the game's final play, the Saints quarterback heaved a clear touchdown pass to win the game, touching off celebrations on that side of the field. But wait, there was a penalty flag and a New Orleans player was called for offensive pass interference. Replay after replay of this play was shown on TV, with no hint whatsoever of the existence of this apparently phantom penalty. The game thus ended with a dubious Dolphin win.
So this sort of thing happens and is unavoidable. Still, the replacement officials seem to be totally incapable of the controlling the game and are increasingly coming under the open scorn of both coaches and players alike on the field. Not that I necessarily want them gone: this IS awfully entertaining, in a slapstick sort of way!
After the game, the media pundits were all abuzz about how bad this officiating was. I agree. But I remember a game back in 1980 between my Miami Dolphins and New Orleans and a similar scenario, this time with the regular officiating staff performing the duties. The Dolphins were ahead, I believe, 21-16, but the Saints mounted a furious last-minute comeback. On the game's final play, the Saints quarterback heaved a clear touchdown pass to win the game, touching off celebrations on that side of the field. But wait, there was a penalty flag and a New Orleans player was called for offensive pass interference. Replay after replay of this play was shown on TV, with no hint whatsoever of the existence of this apparently phantom penalty. The game thus ended with a dubious Dolphin win.
So this sort of thing happens and is unavoidable. Still, the replacement officials seem to be totally incapable of the controlling the game and are increasingly coming under the open scorn of both coaches and players alike on the field. Not that I necessarily want them gone: this IS awfully entertaining, in a slapstick sort of way!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Bicycling to Work Again
Due to some transportation glitches in my family recently (due to good things going on), I found myself for the last two Thursdays with looking for an alternative way to get myself to my workplace besides driving my car there (or being let off by a family member). The city bus, taxi, maybe asking a co-worker for a lift...these all come up as possibilities. But instead I opted to return to an old tradition of mine that I had engaged in to a great extent in the late 1980's and early 1990's: I rode my bicycle the 7.8 miles to work. I knew I would have transportation provided on my return home after work, so it wouldn't be quite as strenuous as the "good old days" when I would bike on a round-trip basis.
Both times I handled the ride quite well, stopping at a Panera's for lunch at about the 6-mile mark. I'd get myself one of their wonderful hazelnut coffees (free refills) along with either a scrumptious cheese danish or a lunch special comprised of a sandwich, salad and (french onion) soup. Panera's french onion soup and salad beat all, as does the friendly, helpful demeanor of their workers (at least that's the case in Gainesville's Panera). This may be the start of a new tradition...
This bicycle of mine is typical for me: I paid around $100 for it. No, I don't plan to go into bicycle racing anytime soon, although I think it would be cool to make it through a triathlon sometime (without bankrupting myself buying an ultra-expensive racing bicycle). Who knows what the future holds, right?
Bicycling does work out some muscles different than running, and I was a little sore after my rides (especially that first one). But it surprised me how easily I took some of the rolling hills I encountered on my route, hills that seemed at times almost insurmountable back in years gone by. So there is definitely an enormous crossover benefit from running to bicycling...
Both times I handled the ride quite well, stopping at a Panera's for lunch at about the 6-mile mark. I'd get myself one of their wonderful hazelnut coffees (free refills) along with either a scrumptious cheese danish or a lunch special comprised of a sandwich, salad and (french onion) soup. Panera's french onion soup and salad beat all, as does the friendly, helpful demeanor of their workers (at least that's the case in Gainesville's Panera). This may be the start of a new tradition...
This bicycle of mine is typical for me: I paid around $100 for it. No, I don't plan to go into bicycle racing anytime soon, although I think it would be cool to make it through a triathlon sometime (without bankrupting myself buying an ultra-expensive racing bicycle). Who knows what the future holds, right?
Bicycling does work out some muscles different than running, and I was a little sore after my rides (especially that first one). But it surprised me how easily I took some of the rolling hills I encountered on my route, hills that seemed at times almost insurmountable back in years gone by. So there is definitely an enormous crossover benefit from running to bicycling...
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Cybersquatting Getting Old for Me
I'm sitting once again outside a Starbucks writing this. This one is the closest of their stores to my house, and like most of the others this early Sunday afternoon, is packed to the hilt with "customers". Most of them, admittedly like me, though, are what my local rag the Gainesville Sun has termed "cypersquatters" in a recent article. These are people who avail themselves of the free wi-fi offered in coffee shops and pretty much camp out there, sometimes all day and/or all night. Nothing bad about that except that soon there are no seats left and the circulation of new customers who'd like to sit a spell in the establishment gets stopped up. And explains why I am currently sitting OUTSIDE, at one of the few remaining available tables. As for me, I almost never use my laptop in these places, rather taking along my portable AlphaSmart word processor, with no need for Internet service. And although I may be here an hour or a little longer, I don't grow roots into the floor either like many of the others, some of whom I have noticed don't even bother to buy anything during their prolonged stay.
Actually, I have a perfectly good front porch to my house that can closely imitate this effect of sitting out in public. I don't have to worry about not finding a seat, and I can save gobs of dough by brewing my own (better tasting) coffee. And I have quick access to both wi-fi and the bathroom should the needs arise. So what am I doing here at this Starbucks anyway? Time to change my study locale, I think...
By the way, cybersquatting has a completely different meaning, apart from the Sun's particular application. Parties who buy up web domain names just to make money selling them to other parties who would naturally be inclined to use them are called "cybersquatters" and are pretty heavily frowned upon. Yeah, and I bet some of them hog up the space in coffee shops as well!
Actually, I have a perfectly good front porch to my house that can closely imitate this effect of sitting out in public. I don't have to worry about not finding a seat, and I can save gobs of dough by brewing my own (better tasting) coffee. And I have quick access to both wi-fi and the bathroom should the needs arise. So what am I doing here at this Starbucks anyway? Time to change my study locale, I think...
By the way, cybersquatting has a completely different meaning, apart from the Sun's particular application. Parties who buy up web domain names just to make money selling them to other parties who would naturally be inclined to use them are called "cybersquatters" and are pretty heavily frowned upon. Yeah, and I bet some of them hog up the space in coffee shops as well!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Assorted Comments Continue
More assorted comments...
--My two favorite football teams from college and the pros, the Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins respectively, surprised me this past weekend with two impressive victories, both highlighted by big plays, ball control, and surging from midway in the third quarter to the game's end. And both teams have young, relatively inexperienced quarterbacks. Yes, pretty impressive...
--Oh my gahhh, will this incredibly painful election campaign season EVER be over? I cannot stand watching the news anymore with all of the bull flying around...
--The running is continuing as usual, with me often resorting to creative means to get my daily dose of running in. And I'm still on target for 100 miles this month, with no break yet in my streak, which stands now at 144 straight running days...
--No, I'm not writing much lately. But maybe it's better that I draw back a bit instead of writing stuff on a daily basis that I don't have my heart into...
--My two favorite football teams from college and the pros, the Florida Gators and Miami Dolphins respectively, surprised me this past weekend with two impressive victories, both highlighted by big plays, ball control, and surging from midway in the third quarter to the game's end. And both teams have young, relatively inexperienced quarterbacks. Yes, pretty impressive...
--Oh my gahhh, will this incredibly painful election campaign season EVER be over? I cannot stand watching the news anymore with all of the bull flying around...
--The running is continuing as usual, with me often resorting to creative means to get my daily dose of running in. And I'm still on target for 100 miles this month, with no break yet in my streak, which stands now at 144 straight running days...
--No, I'm not writing much lately. But maybe it's better that I draw back a bit instead of writing stuff on a daily basis that I don't have my heart into...
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Various Comments
Some more mixed comments...
--The anti-American protests in various Muslim countries, along with their often very violent outcomes, strike me as being, at least to a degree, contrived and premeditated. Events like these are often based on something that has been in the media or Internet for a while, and one can always find something there to get offended about if there is an agenda involved. There are forces in some of these countries (like Libya, Yemen, and Egypt) who want political power and see using the United States as a scapegoat as a means of corralling popular support. And of course, there are the allegations in Libya that Al-Qaeda directed the attack on the U.S. consulate that killed our ambassador there...
--Hurricane season, at least for my home area, has turned into a big yawner. Since I am no longer in grade or high school, I have no vested interest in one of them striking (and getting me out of school). So I'm not exactly complaining...
--The University of Florida football team travels today to Knoxville, Tennessee to play Tennessee early this evening. This looks to be a very even match-up between two teams, each of which sees themselves on the rebound after some disappointing seasons. I have absolutely no idea, though, about how this contest will play itself out, and which Gators team will show up to play. I'm hoping that what they did in the second half of the Texas A&M game last week will stick with them, as they dominated the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense and ran the clock out with outstanding ball control...
--The anti-American protests in various Muslim countries, along with their often very violent outcomes, strike me as being, at least to a degree, contrived and premeditated. Events like these are often based on something that has been in the media or Internet for a while, and one can always find something there to get offended about if there is an agenda involved. There are forces in some of these countries (like Libya, Yemen, and Egypt) who want political power and see using the United States as a scapegoat as a means of corralling popular support. And of course, there are the allegations in Libya that Al-Qaeda directed the attack on the U.S. consulate that killed our ambassador there...
--Hurricane season, at least for my home area, has turned into a big yawner. Since I am no longer in grade or high school, I have no vested interest in one of them striking (and getting me out of school). So I'm not exactly complaining...
--The University of Florida football team travels today to Knoxville, Tennessee to play Tennessee early this evening. This looks to be a very even match-up between two teams, each of which sees themselves on the rebound after some disappointing seasons. I have absolutely no idea, though, about how this contest will play itself out, and which Gators team will show up to play. I'm hoping that what they did in the second half of the Texas A&M game last week will stick with them, as they dominated the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense and ran the clock out with outstanding ball control...
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Assorted Short Comments
It's been a little while since I've written on this blog, but I think I'll give it a shot with some short comments on various topics...
--The presidential campaign continues its tedious journey toward the traumatic event (win or lose) on election day when one side claims victory and the other questions the validity of the results, crying foul. You just know this is coming...
--The University of Florida football team under second-year head coach Will Muschamp has won its first two games, the last one an unexpectedly strong ball-control effort against Texas A&M on the road in the latter's very hostile stadium. In my personal history of following my favorite teams during their "glory" years, the best teams always had a knack for controlling the ball on offense, and thus the tempo of the game, with long, time-consuming drives. Being able to consistently get into third-and-short situations and then convert to first down is the hallmark of a true winner. I'll take that over razzle-dazzle any day...
--I am currently in the process of reading several books at the same time. They are scattered across my house and in my car. And some I just read bits of when I stop by a store where they are on the rack. This is probably not the best strategy in the world for reading, as I have the tendency to forget where I am in a story and what's been going on...
--My running continues as I attempt to reconcile some currently rather turbulent areas in my life with my need for regular routines. Still, so far I have managed to keep my daily running streak alive, now standing at 133 straight days...
--Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in this country, and also lies on Tuesday, the same day of the week when they happened. I wonder, after all this time, how far the rescue technology and procedures have progressed to save those trapped high up in skyscrapers during disasters...
--I was pleasantly surprised a couple of weeks ago when I tuned my radio in to 980/WDVH one evening and discovered they were broadcasting Alan Colmes' radio show. Finally, at least one liberal radio talk show to stand up against the overwhelming number of conservative shows...
--The presidential campaign continues its tedious journey toward the traumatic event (win or lose) on election day when one side claims victory and the other questions the validity of the results, crying foul. You just know this is coming...
--The University of Florida football team under second-year head coach Will Muschamp has won its first two games, the last one an unexpectedly strong ball-control effort against Texas A&M on the road in the latter's very hostile stadium. In my personal history of following my favorite teams during their "glory" years, the best teams always had a knack for controlling the ball on offense, and thus the tempo of the game, with long, time-consuming drives. Being able to consistently get into third-and-short situations and then convert to first down is the hallmark of a true winner. I'll take that over razzle-dazzle any day...
--I am currently in the process of reading several books at the same time. They are scattered across my house and in my car. And some I just read bits of when I stop by a store where they are on the rack. This is probably not the best strategy in the world for reading, as I have the tendency to forget where I am in a story and what's been going on...
--My running continues as I attempt to reconcile some currently rather turbulent areas in my life with my need for regular routines. Still, so far I have managed to keep my daily running streak alive, now standing at 133 straight days...
--Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in this country, and also lies on Tuesday, the same day of the week when they happened. I wonder, after all this time, how far the rescue technology and procedures have progressed to save those trapped high up in skyscrapers during disasters...
--I was pleasantly surprised a couple of weeks ago when I tuned my radio in to 980/WDVH one evening and discovered they were broadcasting Alan Colmes' radio show. Finally, at least one liberal radio talk show to stand up against the overwhelming number of conservative shows...
Monday, September 3, 2012
Blog Writing Slows Down for Now
I am currently in a period when I am not very motivated to write blog articles. Sure, there are probably interesting topics to cover (as well many rather boring ones). But I am feeling a bit introspective right now, and don't feel up to sharing my thoughts with the world. We'll see how this plays out, but for now, don't expect very much here. At least not on a daily basis...
Friday, August 31, 2012
My August 2012 Running Recap
This past month of August saw me continuing with my goals of consistent running over modest distance. I met my monthly 100-mile target with a total of 109.48 miles. I ran every day, extending my personal record streak to 123 days. My longest run was 6 miles. The running was split between outdoor runs in my neighborhood and the treadmill, depending largely on the weather and time constraints.
I intend to continue with my running goals in September, but, due to personal issues, may have a more difficult time meeting them. Oh well, I'll do what I can...
I intend to continue with my running goals in September, but, due to personal issues, may have a more difficult time meeting them. Oh well, I'll do what I can...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Isaac, GOP Convention Stories
In the midst of two major ongoing news stories, namely "Hurricane" Isaac and the Republican National Convention, I find myself at a loss for words about them. So writing ANYTHING here is a stretch. After all, in this day of almost instant information access, the idea of me using this forum to spew out redundant news makes no sense. What's left are my opinions, pure and simple. So here goes...
There is no doubt that a storm like Isaac needs to be taken seriously. But the news outlets, especially the Weather Channel, have gone overboard with their coverage and melodrama. Isaac may have barely gotten into hurricane status just before striking land, and naturally there is always the damage caused by high winds, storm surge, and rain-induced flooding to take into account. Not to mention the specter left over from 2005 with the catastrophic flooding caused by broken levees when Katrina passed by New Orleans. Still, the impression I got from the coverage of Isaac is that the media employees were overly anxious to cover a hurricane, and frankly, this year they weren't getting all that much...
As for the Republicans, I have been so dismayed and disgusted by the behavior on the political right against Obama for his entire presidency that it galls me that any of them would expect me to display any kind of respect toward their cardboard candidates should they (very possibly) get elected this November. I have no desire whatsoever to watch Mitt "Etch-a-Sketch" Romney reframe himself as anything but a wealthy-coddling extremist on social issues after he went out of his way during his run for the GOP nomination to "out-right" his extremely ideological primary opponents. So now I'm supposed to forget all that and think about the "human" Mitt, right? I think someone from one of the major TV networks had it right, if unintentionally so, when she said that Anne Romney would have a big task ahead of her on opening night when she addressed the convention and tried to make her husband seem more "human". Did she succeed? Not with me, since this party has thoroughly blown any hint of credibility with me and I am boycotting their "rilly big shew". So screw their high and holy convention...
Gee, I guess I wasn't at a loss for words, after all.
There is no doubt that a storm like Isaac needs to be taken seriously. But the news outlets, especially the Weather Channel, have gone overboard with their coverage and melodrama. Isaac may have barely gotten into hurricane status just before striking land, and naturally there is always the damage caused by high winds, storm surge, and rain-induced flooding to take into account. Not to mention the specter left over from 2005 with the catastrophic flooding caused by broken levees when Katrina passed by New Orleans. Still, the impression I got from the coverage of Isaac is that the media employees were overly anxious to cover a hurricane, and frankly, this year they weren't getting all that much...
As for the Republicans, I have been so dismayed and disgusted by the behavior on the political right against Obama for his entire presidency that it galls me that any of them would expect me to display any kind of respect toward their cardboard candidates should they (very possibly) get elected this November. I have no desire whatsoever to watch Mitt "Etch-a-Sketch" Romney reframe himself as anything but a wealthy-coddling extremist on social issues after he went out of his way during his run for the GOP nomination to "out-right" his extremely ideological primary opponents. So now I'm supposed to forget all that and think about the "human" Mitt, right? I think someone from one of the major TV networks had it right, if unintentionally so, when she said that Anne Romney would have a big task ahead of her on opening night when she addressed the convention and tried to make her husband seem more "human". Did she succeed? Not with me, since this party has thoroughly blown any hint of credibility with me and I am boycotting their "rilly big shew". So screw their high and holy convention...
Gee, I guess I wasn't at a loss for words, after all.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Isaac Not a Major Disaster
Hurricane Isaac, which had already caused a lot of trouble in Florida earlier, has been sitting on southeastern Louisiana, dumping copious amounts of rain on New Orleans and surrounding areas. But the levee that broke in 2005 under Katrina have been fortified and are holding strong. That's not to say there isn't flooding: some areas still went under water. But the situation is nothing like the scene there seven years ago...
Monday, August 27, 2012
Isaac Bearing Down on New Orleans
As I write this, Tropical Storm Isaac, expected to soon be upgraded to hurricane status, is bearing down on the New Orleans area of Louisiana, threatening to repeat the disaster of seven years ago with Katrina. To be sure, Isaac will be just a minimal hurricane compared to its much stronger predecessor and the city seems to be undergoing a more orderly evacuation with the goal to avoid having so many trapped in massive flooding in an area that is mostly under sea level. But forecasts have the storm slowing and even lingering there for a couple of days, dumping an enormous amount of water in the process. Will the levees hold this time, or will they break once again and cause the city to go underwater?
In the meantime, the Florida peninsula has been undergoing its own storms, as a huge section of Isaac seemed to separate and hang over the state just as its center turned westward toward Louisiana. For the last couple of days, we have had copious amounts of rain, with more expected. Still, the bulk of this stormy area has moved offshore into the Atlantic, sparing us extreme flooding. South Florida seems to have gotten the worst so far; this is soon to change when the Louisiana coast and adjacent areas suffer Isaac's full onslaught...
In the meantime, the Florida peninsula has been undergoing its own storms, as a huge section of Isaac seemed to separate and hang over the state just as its center turned westward toward Louisiana. For the last couple of days, we have had copious amounts of rain, with more expected. Still, the bulk of this stormy area has moved offshore into the Atlantic, sparing us extreme flooding. South Florida seems to have gotten the worst so far; this is soon to change when the Louisiana coast and adjacent areas suffer Isaac's full onslaught...
Sunday, August 26, 2012
70.3
Having completed both the half-marathon and marathon events in running, I feel a sense of connection while out driving when I see, on the back of a vehicle in front of me, a decal with the simple number of "13.1" or "26.2" on it. For that means that the owner of that vehicle has run one of the two aforementioned distances, expressing their accomplishment, of course, in miles. So the other day it intrigued me when I was on the road and saw a car with a decal that simply said "70.3". Well, it took me a very, very short time to figure that this individual was referring to having completed a triathlon event (swimming, bicycling, and running), the total racing distance amounting to 70.3 miles. H-m-m, maybe that's the Ironman triathlon I've heard so much about.
But after reading up on it in Wikipedia, I found out that I was only partially correct in my conclusion. "70.3" is an Ironman triathlon, but not the full version. No, this is an Ironman half-triathlon, with the distances covered breaking down to 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of bicycling, and 13.1 miles of running. Sounds like something I could build myself up to, after the current medical issue I am facing eventually is satisfactorily resolved. After all, I have run many, many half-marathons and I could train up to the other two distances. But a full Ironman triathlon? No way, dude...
By the way, since it is a "half-triathlon", why not get cute and perform some arithmetic on it? Then it would be the three-halves-athlon, or the one-and-one-half-athlon. Oh well...maybe we should just name it like the decal does: "70.3".
But after reading up on it in Wikipedia, I found out that I was only partially correct in my conclusion. "70.3" is an Ironman triathlon, but not the full version. No, this is an Ironman half-triathlon, with the distances covered breaking down to 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of bicycling, and 13.1 miles of running. Sounds like something I could build myself up to, after the current medical issue I am facing eventually is satisfactorily resolved. After all, I have run many, many half-marathons and I could train up to the other two distances. But a full Ironman triathlon? No way, dude...
By the way, since it is a "half-triathlon", why not get cute and perform some arithmetic on it? Then it would be the three-halves-athlon, or the one-and-one-half-athlon. Oh well...maybe we should just name it like the decal does: "70.3".
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Cryptowisdom
Consider this statement:
"The amount of satisfaction you get from life depends largely on your own ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness."
Such was the result of one of the relatively easy cryptograms I recently solved out of a puzzle magazine. Usually the sentence I get is something silly or irrelevant, but this one give me some food for thought. And the more I thought about it, the more I had to agree with Mr. Crypto...
It all arises from the need within all healthy human beings to feel that they have control over their own lives. Having a sense of independence forces people to devise personal strategies for maximizing their opportunities to decide how their own lives are structured. This doesn't preclude limitations and challenges; in fact, these tend to enhance the enjoyment of finally "solving the puzzle", much in the same way pleasure can come from decoding an especially difficult cryptogram.
Of course, if you are the type who spends much time blaming others, past and present, for your woes, then you probably aren't going to appreciate the above words of cryptowisdom. I know people who can never let go of the bitterness contained within their memories enough to enjoy the present moment and its challenges and opportunities. Such people seem to stumble through their lives, continually being "assaulted" by events that just "happen" to them. I don't want to be like them.
No, instead it's much better to be rooted in the present and focus on thriving in it, like the puzzle says, through ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness. Sure, sometimes you may need to ask someone for a helping hand, but that should only be seen as using the available resources, not as a personal surrender to passive dependence.
"The amount of satisfaction you get from life depends largely on your own ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness."
Such was the result of one of the relatively easy cryptograms I recently solved out of a puzzle magazine. Usually the sentence I get is something silly or irrelevant, but this one give me some food for thought. And the more I thought about it, the more I had to agree with Mr. Crypto...
It all arises from the need within all healthy human beings to feel that they have control over their own lives. Having a sense of independence forces people to devise personal strategies for maximizing their opportunities to decide how their own lives are structured. This doesn't preclude limitations and challenges; in fact, these tend to enhance the enjoyment of finally "solving the puzzle", much in the same way pleasure can come from decoding an especially difficult cryptogram.
Of course, if you are the type who spends much time blaming others, past and present, for your woes, then you probably aren't going to appreciate the above words of cryptowisdom. I know people who can never let go of the bitterness contained within their memories enough to enjoy the present moment and its challenges and opportunities. Such people seem to stumble through their lives, continually being "assaulted" by events that just "happen" to them. I don't want to be like them.
No, instead it's much better to be rooted in the present and focus on thriving in it, like the puzzle says, through ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness. Sure, sometimes you may need to ask someone for a helping hand, but that should only be seen as using the available resources, not as a personal surrender to passive dependence.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Upcoming Gainesville 5K Runs
I was thinking about running in an upcoming 5K race, but missed out on the Haiti 5K that was scheduled for tomorrow (in Gainesville, not Haiti). So, at least locally speaking, I'll have to wait until next month. On September 16 is something called "Ducky Dash", while on the 29th Dog Days 5K, which I once ran back in 2008, will take place. Maybe one or both of those two might work...
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Loud Ignoramus
I heard Obama's going to start attacking Mitt Romney's religion soon. At least according to an elderly fellow sitting with another couple at McDonalds this morning. They had been talking among themselves in a relatively subdued, pleasantly conversational mode until the one man suddenly went off into heated political banter and raised his volume several decibels. The woman sitting across from him responded that she didn't like anyone attacking another's religion and the loud-mouthed old dude replied that this strategy would backfire on Obama. The party at this table then batted the conversation around with the presumption that Obama and the Democrats had ALREADY been attacking Romney's religion. Then the instigator of all this drawled on (very loudly, so that everyone in the restaurant could hear his exalted words) that he didn't know why the fuss about Mitt Romney refusing to produce his tax returns when Obama wouldn't produced his own birth certificate.
There is a huge segment of our population, folks, that lives in an insulated bubble. If they don't like someone or something, they will take any negative insinuation or speculation, no matter how unsubstantiated or even in DIRECT CONTRADICTION to the truth, and adopt it as "their" own truth. It has been the conservative Christian evangelical wing of the Republican Party that has been attacking Mitt Romney for his Mormon faith, not Barack Obama. This while our president has been mercilessly (and hatefully) mischaracterized as being a Muslim, not that being one is anything one should have to defend anyway. And the loud ignoramus at McDonalds will never be convinced about Obama's birth certificate, which WAS produced and shown to the world.
I don't know what to do about people like this gentlemen and his deluded, convenient notions, other than to pity him and those who have to endure his claptrap. Because, for his own reasons, he is emotionally committed to hating our current president, pure and simple...
There is a huge segment of our population, folks, that lives in an insulated bubble. If they don't like someone or something, they will take any negative insinuation or speculation, no matter how unsubstantiated or even in DIRECT CONTRADICTION to the truth, and adopt it as "their" own truth. It has been the conservative Christian evangelical wing of the Republican Party that has been attacking Mitt Romney for his Mormon faith, not Barack Obama. This while our president has been mercilessly (and hatefully) mischaracterized as being a Muslim, not that being one is anything one should have to defend anyway. And the loud ignoramus at McDonalds will never be convinced about Obama's birth certificate, which WAS produced and shown to the world.
I don't know what to do about people like this gentlemen and his deluded, convenient notions, other than to pity him and those who have to endure his claptrap. Because, for his own reasons, he is emotionally committed to hating our current president, pure and simple...
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Here Comes University of Florida Football, 2012 Edition
The opening of the 2012 college football season is coming fast, and who knows what is in store of the University of Florida team, with its second-year coach Wil Muschamp. They didn't do very well last year, but at least finished with a winning record and a bowl victory at the end.
It is hard to blame Coach Muschamp too much for the disappointing season in 2011, as he was dealing with players recruited during the Urban Meyer era. That in itself might make you think that, having won two national championship under his predecessor's short tenure at UF, the current coach would have had an enormous well of talent to draw from. But apparently, during Meyer's last two years, he had suffered through some health issues that may have impaired recruiting to an extent. Also, the former coach abruptly retired and then decided to try coaching the team for another year, giving a sense of instability about the football program at Florida to potential recruits. Giving just a little edge to other schools in this area can be enough to turn a good season into a mediocre one. Also, the starting senior quarterback, John Brantley, suffered a season-ending injury in the Alabama game (the Gators had been undefeated up to that point) and his replacements simply did not have the poise that experience brings. Besides, the offensive line had some major issues in 2011...
...As did the defensive secondary. Muschamp feels, though, that the secondary is one of the team's strongest areas this season. But I also know that, with a great offensive line you don't need a great quarterback to go far. So do the Gators have what it takes?
The first game will be a pushover against a minor college. Then Florida will be tested against Texas A&M, who will be playing their first season in the hyper-competitive Southeastern Conference.
I am not one of those fans who are only happy if the Gators win the conference title and compete for the national championship. But I do want to see a team that is at least a couple of notches better than what has been out there for the past two years. I don't want schools like LSU and Alabama to begin looking at us the way we've grown accustomed to looking at Kentucky, whom we've beaten every year since the late 1980's, often by massively lopsided scores. And I certainly don't want to see Kentucky starting to beat US...
It is hard to blame Coach Muschamp too much for the disappointing season in 2011, as he was dealing with players recruited during the Urban Meyer era. That in itself might make you think that, having won two national championship under his predecessor's short tenure at UF, the current coach would have had an enormous well of talent to draw from. But apparently, during Meyer's last two years, he had suffered through some health issues that may have impaired recruiting to an extent. Also, the former coach abruptly retired and then decided to try coaching the team for another year, giving a sense of instability about the football program at Florida to potential recruits. Giving just a little edge to other schools in this area can be enough to turn a good season into a mediocre one. Also, the starting senior quarterback, John Brantley, suffered a season-ending injury in the Alabama game (the Gators had been undefeated up to that point) and his replacements simply did not have the poise that experience brings. Besides, the offensive line had some major issues in 2011...
...As did the defensive secondary. Muschamp feels, though, that the secondary is one of the team's strongest areas this season. But I also know that, with a great offensive line you don't need a great quarterback to go far. So do the Gators have what it takes?
The first game will be a pushover against a minor college. Then Florida will be tested against Texas A&M, who will be playing their first season in the hyper-competitive Southeastern Conference.
I am not one of those fans who are only happy if the Gators win the conference title and compete for the national championship. But I do want to see a team that is at least a couple of notches better than what has been out there for the past two years. I don't want schools like LSU and Alabama to begin looking at us the way we've grown accustomed to looking at Kentucky, whom we've beaten every year since the late 1980's, often by massively lopsided scores. And I certainly don't want to see Kentucky starting to beat US...
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Tropical Storm Isaac Looking Ominous
Well, it looks as if the meteorologists weren't just crying wolf when they began to raise alarms about a tropical low in the eastern Atlantic, as I reported here a couple of days ago. We now have a named tropical storm, Isaac, that is expected to rapidly intensify to hurricane strength after it soon enters the Caribbean Sea. And worse, the projected pathway so far has it veering in a northwestward direction when it nears Cuba, crossing that island nation and then...heading toward Florida. Uh-oh, maybe this could be something really, really bad.
The worst hurricane scenario that Gainesville could face is for a strong hurricane to develop in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and then enter Florida at Cedar Key, heading straight for Gainesville. This nightmare possibility almost happened in 1985, when hurricane Elena appeared to be headed straight toward Cedar Key but then suddenly stopped just going ashore there and changed direction to the WNW, away from us. Tropical Storm Isaac, while still very far away, has the potential, at least at this early stage, to do what Elena didn't. So I'm on high "TV weather" alert right now...
The worst hurricane scenario that Gainesville could face is for a strong hurricane to develop in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and then enter Florida at Cedar Key, heading straight for Gainesville. This nightmare possibility almost happened in 1985, when hurricane Elena appeared to be headed straight toward Cedar Key but then suddenly stopped just going ashore there and changed direction to the WNW, away from us. Tropical Storm Isaac, while still very far away, has the potential, at least at this early stage, to do what Elena didn't. So I'm on high "TV weather" alert right now...
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