Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy New Year! (Fitness Edition)

Also posted at my Shrinking Family Blog

2009 is almost in the books now and heck the 'oughts' are also ending. We are heading into a new decade. Kinda cool. I'm looking forward to decade number 6 for me :) Remember, I was just barely born in the 60's. Rock on!

Looking back on 2009, I think I've got a lot to be proud of. I've dropped somewhere around 30 pounds or 2.1 stones, or 13 kilograms .01 tons, or 36 troy pounds (whatever the hell those are). Not too shabby. The holidays have been brutal on the workout/diet but January 4 starts me back on my routine.

Something new to the workout rotation in January will be swimming. I swam competitively in my youth. Swimming is such a great way to workout. Calories burn like super dry kindling.

I haven't made it to the gym as much lately as I'd like. Some of it is just lack of motivation but I kind of expect that when my routine isn't so routine. I did stop in to the gym yesterday for a nice run. The Nike+ stuff is still pretty cool. I don't remember if I shared it here or not, I know it's been updating Twitter and Facebook, but here's the link you can check up on me and see my runs: http://my.nike.com/OhCaptain

My run yesterday taught me something about myself I didn't know and still don't really understand. I have several running friends that have encouraged me to find a running pace that I can do for a long period of time. OK. Here's what I'm learning. 4mph on the treadmill is the point at which I feel the crossover between walking and running. 5 mph I can run, but my legs quickly hurt like hell. 6 mph, still hurts but I can do it for about 10 minutes no problem. 7 mph still a little pain, but the heart redlines. And here's the new twist, I hit the button for 8 mph just to see - no pain. My legs didn't hurt and my stride felt comfortable. The downside, my heart felt like it was going to explode after about 60 seconds. Sigh. I think ultimately, I just need to keep it up and all of this will just improve. You think?

So, as my final post for 2009, I should probably do the whole goals thing. Last year, I did this in a very generic and attainable way. I'd like to lose another 30 pounds this year. That would be cool. I'd also like to keep learning to eat and live more healthy. I think this is pretty much where I left off last year. Attainable.

I'll leave you with this video. It's from one of favorite running songs. I love this song! Try it in your headphones and let me know what you think!

This is cross post from my Shrinking Family Blog. I might decide to transition all of this to this blog just to simplify my life. I love blogging but this multiple site thing is getting brutal. Before I do it officially, I'll post it here. Happy New Year!!!!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

For your viewing pleasure, we wish you a merry Christmas!



OhCaptain, OhCountess, OhPrincess1 & OhPrincess2

Got it working! We are tracking Santa!!!!



Ah, there, it's working! You can follow Santa here until he's done. For more details, check out NORADSanta.org.

We Believe! NORAD Santa tracking is back!

Every year, the good folks at NORAD are teaming up with Google to bring us the live tracking of Santa as he makes his way around the globe. One of the coolest tools for Christmas eve ever! You aren't a believer? Check it out!



If there's a way for me to embed the information here, I'll be sure to post it as soon as possible. Until then, be sure to check out all the action here, NORADSanta.org! This way, you'll know for sure when it's time to be in bed with the cookies and milk waiting for you know who!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Tap, tap - Is this thing on?

How've ya been?

Let's see, when was the last time I actually wrote something on here, I mean really wrote something? I'm thinking it's been far too long. I miss writing here. I have been writing a fair bit more lately over at OhCaptain Poker, I've had a lot to say there lately, but more on that in a minute.

I can hear you asking, all of 10 of you that have visited this place in the last 48 hours, "OhCaptain, why oh why the long silence?" It would appear that our lives sometimes get filled with things far more important then blogging. Sometimes we just have to live our lives for a while away from the intertubes.


OhCountess finished grad school this past spring, go back and look - I even posted pictures! This did something to our lives we hadn't had for a while and that was abundance of family time and not one person complained. We've been living life together. Like I mentioned in one of my last posts, we've embarked on a journey to declutter. So far so good.

That's not everything, did I mention she had her tonsils removed a few weeks ago? I had no idea that did that in people older then 10. She's been getting tonsil stones...yeah, I had no idea either. Her doc and her decided to pull the plug on these crap collecting thingamagiggers the day after Thanksgiving. I had really meant to post sooner, but I was making pudding, jell-o and copious amounts of grape Kool-ade while maintaining a supply of crushed ice and administering pain meds. I'm not complaining because there's no way in hell I would trade places with her. No way.

While that's normally enough excitement for most people, we had spent most of the time leading up to that preparing for Christmas. In my world, we don't start getting ready for Christmas around December 22. That's plenty of time, right? This year was different. If we want to make sure the kids had a fun Christmas, we got damn near everything ready before her surgery. Weird.

I know, but OhCaptain...I know I'm making excuses. Really, I went to Las Vegas two weekends ago (which is true). It was the annual Winter Gathering for the World Poker Bloggers Tour (#wpbt). Last year, I took the Mrs. but this year, she just didn't think she would be up to it. I asked several times if she really wanted me to go...she actually booked the trip for me. I love her :) WeaselMomma - 13 didn't win. MomoFali - I love the Bellagio poker room! I didn't get to play there this time. That room is full of sharks and I like the rooms full of fishes. I did spend almost an entire day in the Lagasse Stadium over at the Palazzo. Holy crap that place is awesome. I actually don't play slots unless there is a gun pointed at my head...so I could win anything back for your hubby and when I asked them nicely, they just smiled...sorry :-P

We are zooming towards Christmas and the New Year at our house. Most of our family lives in the area which you'd think we make for easy planning...why can't we just all get along and have one get together? Christmas will be spread over the next week. A little here a little there. Thankfully, work will be hit or miss as well. One thing I loved about my old job was I basically had the month of December off.

As I head to the new year, I'll need find time to write more. I really do miss it. I know I REALLY want to piss people off with a post about health care reform. I don't really want to piss them off, but my opinion will probably not be popular with everyone or even many. I had a fun idea about polar thinking which isn't about being cold. We've instituted our own economy in our house complete with Daddy Dollars and Mommy Mart. That might be fun. I'm sure I could go on and on about my distaste for something. Heck, I might actually post something funny my kids say.

I thank each of you that got this far and even still visit here. Believe me when I say, I miss writing and should be back soon. I can't imagine I can keep my mouth shut for much longer :)

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Merry Festivus! Ain't it almost time for the airing of the grievances?

Friday, December 11, 2009

I love the neon




Walking around Las Vegas with Lightning36. Good times.

-- Posted from my cell phone that starts with the i.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The story of 3 bags and a broken clock

Here they are, 3 bags. My suitcase, camera bag and the bag I'll take to work with a change of clothes.


I'm updating all my blogs with this post because a trip to Las Vegas is when all 3 cross paths. I have poker, photography and fun all planned! The only thing missing will be my bride at my side. This will be my first trip to Vegas without her. Some parts won't be the same without her.

Have fun in Minnesota! While it's not warm this time of year, Vegas is also not 3 degrees. I won't be jealous. Promise!

Many updates to come! Laters!

-- Posted from my cell phone that starts with the i.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Snowed in

No doubt, I'm gonna be here at the house for the forseeable future. We got around 11 inches of snow and top that with a lovely cherry, we now have wind gusts in the 40 mph range.

My street has 3 and 4 foot drifts. Until I see a plow, it's cookie decorating time!


-- Posted from my cell phone that starts with the i.

Location:County Road 22,Rochester,United States

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Are you ready for snowmageddon?


Winter is here and they say it's coming like a freight train. My area is already under a blizzard warning although there's only been a dusting of snow. These things are weird. I'm never really sure if the weather people have any idea what they are talking about. People start acting all funny like we are hunkering down for some sort of disaster. Oh well. Just read the sign above and remember Newton's First Law:
An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Truer words have never been spoken.

-- Posted from my cell phone that starts with the i.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Behold the power of reusability

In computer programming, we software engineers love the idea of reusing code and solutions whenever possible. It's one of the cornerstones of our jobs. It makes things less expensive to develop and frankly, reinventing the wheel gets horribly boring after you've done in a few times.


Wally is my hero.

Dilbert.com

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Inspired by Kat

Kat's comment on my last post inspired me to find my favorite Gary Larson's Far Side cartoon of all time. This cartoon not only reminds me of some of my friends but makes me laugh for it's simple delivery. Gary Larson was a true genius in our time. I miss his work.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Heard at the dinner table

You'd think working half days and having done all that prep work I mentioned in the last post, I'd have nothing but free time. Hm. Nice try.


Tonight, at the dinner table, OhPrincess1 said something that just got me laughing:
I just don't get it. They make seedless grapes and seedless watermelon, so why can't they make boneless chickens?
Hope you are having a great day! I'll be back soon...there's too much to write about.