Friday, January 4, 2013
Exercise
This isn't a new year's resolution. I've always been keen to exercise and stay very active. It actually makes the Queen a little crazy in that I hardly sit still. Outstanding to ensure that I look enviable at that upcoming 20 year reunion, I do want to trim up a little bit, so joining her in some ancillary exercise to tone up is very agreeable to me. Tonight, we dragged out the old yogalates DVD, and did the whole thing. 60 minutes' worth. According to the host, 3 times a week for 3 months will give me the body I've always wanted. I'll have to try it because being a geek, the body I've always wanted belongs to a girl, not me. I don't "want" myself. That's just ... weird.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Burnt Popcorn
The aroma of fresh popcorn will lighten the mood and give everyone a warm, fuzzy feeling like an 8 week old puppy. In the same way, a bag of scorched microwave popcorn is about as lovable as a rabid pit bull trained by Satan himself. The smell of burnt kernels will send a normally congenial office down the path of destruction as everyone prairie dogs out of their cubes in the hunt to lynch the infidel who dared to curse their space with the scent of perpetual ash.
This morning, with the yeast happily rising in the dormant oven, I remembered that we forgot to make bread the day before, and when you sort of count on that to make your lunch, you end up with the lunch that I was able to cobble together: a bag of Dorito's and microwave popcorn. If you know much about the history of the microwave oven, then you may well know that popcorn was one of the first food ever cooked in the new invention way back when Truman was in his first term and personal computers were science fiction. But after almost 70 years, popcorn remains one of those foods that is tricky to get right in the microwave, and even harder to get right in an oven where you've never cooked it.
So I put the popcorn in the microwave and set the time for 3 minutes (the happy zone for popcorn at home), but I stood right next to it the entire time waiting for that time when the kernels stop popping (no more than 5 seconds apart). It took a minute fifteen for it to take off and it went full tilt for another minute before it settled down.
I felt it in my gut. I thought it was time to take it out, but there was still 45 seconds left, and I kept hearing the occasional pop. At about 30 seconds remaining, I opened the door and smelled it. That light scent of overdone popcorn. Smoke was not billowing out or anything and the smell was not strong, but I knew I had waited too long. It no longer had that good smell, but at the same time, it wasn't overwhelmingly bad either. It was as if the two smells were canceling each other out.
I opened the bag and looked inside. Sure enough, quite a few of the popped kernels were browned on outside and black inside, but just as many of the others were white or yellow (you know, movie butter) and looked fine. I took the yin-yang mess back to my desk and poured a little into a bowl and started sorting as I ate the good stuff. In the end, only about a quarter was burned while the rest was fine, so I believe I dodged a bullet on office hate, and learned that it takes about 2:15 to cook popcorn in the microwave at the office. It'll probably be another five years before I do it again, but I'll totally keep that in mind.
This morning, with the yeast happily rising in the dormant oven, I remembered that we forgot to make bread the day before, and when you sort of count on that to make your lunch, you end up with the lunch that I was able to cobble together: a bag of Dorito's and microwave popcorn. If you know much about the history of the microwave oven, then you may well know that popcorn was one of the first food ever cooked in the new invention way back when Truman was in his first term and personal computers were science fiction. But after almost 70 years, popcorn remains one of those foods that is tricky to get right in the microwave, and even harder to get right in an oven where you've never cooked it.
So I put the popcorn in the microwave and set the time for 3 minutes (the happy zone for popcorn at home), but I stood right next to it the entire time waiting for that time when the kernels stop popping (no more than 5 seconds apart). It took a minute fifteen for it to take off and it went full tilt for another minute before it settled down.
I felt it in my gut. I thought it was time to take it out, but there was still 45 seconds left, and I kept hearing the occasional pop. At about 30 seconds remaining, I opened the door and smelled it. That light scent of overdone popcorn. Smoke was not billowing out or anything and the smell was not strong, but I knew I had waited too long. It no longer had that good smell, but at the same time, it wasn't overwhelmingly bad either. It was as if the two smells were canceling each other out.
I opened the bag and looked inside. Sure enough, quite a few of the popped kernels were browned on outside and black inside, but just as many of the others were white or yellow (you know, movie butter) and looked fine. I took the yin-yang mess back to my desk and poured a little into a bowl and started sorting as I ate the good stuff. In the end, only about a quarter was burned while the rest was fine, so I believe I dodged a bullet on office hate, and learned that it takes about 2:15 to cook popcorn in the microwave at the office. It'll probably be another five years before I do it again, but I'll totally keep that in mind.
Morning Meeting: Extended Director's Cut with Extra Words
So I just came out of a meeting that was probably 15-20 minutes worth of material at the very most. He managed to chatter for a solid hour. No kidding. He prattled on about the various slides he was presenting, and rambled about initiatives and acronyms and the business and the customers and ... zzzzz ... and still on the slide with the four points on it and, yes, we know they're in bloody order of importance. You mentioned that 15 minutes ago...several times. I really suspect he had to meet a time quota of 50 minutes, so he used an unnecessary number of words just to fill that time. The result was almost zero retention of any of the information because it was delivered slowly and indiscriminately.
Other important things we got out of the meeting were scribbled on a dry erase board from what we suspect was a weight watchers meeting, and we probably misread due to poor penmanship. That'll teach them to write more legibly. Apparently, you should "pack a night husband." We're not sure how that differs from a regular husband. Barananas, 1 or 2 insui, cabots, clean sticks also played into the mix of their discussion somehow.
Anyway, we decided the most important thing to remember from the meeting are keep it secret, keep it safe, and destroy it. In a close second are PACO which is an unofficial acronym for something uninteresting that we were told we probably shouldn't use as an acronym and we have TMA (which is an acronym that stands for "too many acronyms"). Another productive meeting behind us. On to work.
Other important things we got out of the meeting were scribbled on a dry erase board from what we suspect was a weight watchers meeting, and we probably misread due to poor penmanship. That'll teach them to write more legibly. Apparently, you should "pack a night husband." We're not sure how that differs from a regular husband. Barananas, 1 or 2 insui, cabots, clean sticks also played into the mix of their discussion somehow.
Anyway, we decided the most important thing to remember from the meeting are keep it secret, keep it safe, and destroy it. In a close second are PACO which is an unofficial acronym for something uninteresting that we were told we probably shouldn't use as an acronym and we have TMA (which is an acronym that stands for "too many acronyms"). Another productive meeting behind us. On to work.
The Uploading Project Continues
Making good progress on the uploading as I've returned to work. I brought a few CDs with me yesterday (including the most epic opera in history: The Ring of the Nibelung by Richard Wagner... go ahead, look it up) and found that the upload speed at work was many, many times faster than at home, so last night, I decided I would finish the upload of my iPod at work to get through the last 3,000 songs. When I shut it down last night, it said it needed 55 hours to finish as it plugged along. I started it this morning, and it said it only needs 4 and a half hours. That's a pretty significant difference. I have some duplicates to deal with, but I know which ones they are, and I expected them. But trimming 2 days off the time is worth the extra cleanup.
I went ahead and brought more CDs to rip today, which I will do during the iPod upload, so when it completes, I'll be able to send those up as well. Moving right along. The collection, I must say, is quite impressive. Yes, it is an obsession, which means I have completed the first step to recovery. I don't plan to move on to any of the other steps.
I went ahead and brought more CDs to rip today, which I will do during the iPod upload, so when it completes, I'll be able to send those up as well. Moving right along. The collection, I must say, is quite impressive. Yes, it is an obsession, which means I have completed the first step to recovery. I don't plan to move on to any of the other steps.
More Rehearsal
So my day went out with a bang. I came home to find everyone packing up the Christmas stuff, which is kind of sad that the season has come to another end, but also means that we're moving onto another year. The Queen said to remember that she placed the hooks we got this year in a bag that went with everything else in all the boxes (which is why I write it down here because I will definitely forget in the next 11 months), and those plastic tubs are packed very tight. We are blessed.
We got everything put away in its place without a hitch, and settled into our newly emptied living room for fish fingers and custard and an episode of Doctor Who (Gridlock, this time, in our second pass through the new series) before I had to run off to my weekly rehearsal at church. The day rounded off with the Queen and I making bread before passing out for the night.
Overall, it was a very simple evening, but those are good to have every once in awhile.
Oh, and fish fingers and custard (or rather, fish stick and pudding on this side of the pond) is a bit of an acquired taste and not for everyone. The idea is that you dip the fish sticks in the pudding like it is dipping sauce. If you just said "Ew", you clearly never tried it. It is surprisingly good.
We got everything put away in its place without a hitch, and settled into our newly emptied living room for fish fingers and custard and an episode of Doctor Who (Gridlock, this time, in our second pass through the new series) before I had to run off to my weekly rehearsal at church. The day rounded off with the Queen and I making bread before passing out for the night.
Overall, it was a very simple evening, but those are good to have every once in awhile.
Oh, and fish fingers and custard (or rather, fish stick and pudding on this side of the pond) is a bit of an acquired taste and not for everyone. The idea is that you dip the fish sticks in the pudding like it is dipping sauce. If you just said "Ew", you clearly never tried it. It is surprisingly good.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
The Oversleeping Habit
I suppose I should provide a resolution to the posts I made back in October about my rather dreadful habit of snoozing the alarm clock, oversleeping, and being late to things. The good news is that I was able to maintain my habit change of not snoozing the alarm clock to the point that I do successfully wake up with it now. What I learned is that the snooze button can be used properly without abuse, and has a very solid and meaningful purpose.
There were many, many mornings where I was nothing short of a zombie and standing upright was an achievement. I had to keep my habit breaking going, so I just dealt with it. However, once I got past that, and I hit my vacation, I learned something useful to do with that snooze button. When the alarm went off this morning, I hit the snooze button for the first time in three months. Once I did this, I laid back down in bed, but kept my eyes open, willing myself to wake up. I admit that I did actually snooze a bit, but when the alarm went off the second time, I was able to simply get up and walk about much better than the first time around. I believe this says that if I feel rather zombified the first time around, a moment taken to wake the body up is time well spent, especially with my newly formed habit of jumping out of bed with the alarm.
So my mission was a success, and I do believe I am better for it.
There were many, many mornings where I was nothing short of a zombie and standing upright was an achievement. I had to keep my habit breaking going, so I just dealt with it. However, once I got past that, and I hit my vacation, I learned something useful to do with that snooze button. When the alarm went off this morning, I hit the snooze button for the first time in three months. Once I did this, I laid back down in bed, but kept my eyes open, willing myself to wake up. I admit that I did actually snooze a bit, but when the alarm went off the second time, I was able to simply get up and walk about much better than the first time around. I believe this says that if I feel rather zombified the first time around, a moment taken to wake the body up is time well spent, especially with my newly formed habit of jumping out of bed with the alarm.
So my mission was a success, and I do believe I am better for it.
First Day Back
So I got into work bright and early this morning, and often, the first day of the year yields many errors and problems due to the Medicare system doing updates. This year? Nothing. Not a tick. However, in an effort to be proactive, my company sent out a notice stating that any updates needed will be done by noon. This did not stop a host of sites from waiting until they heard from us saying the updates were done and holding their claims. Of course, this made some of them upset (they'll get upset if their coffee cools too much before they arrive) because we sent out a notice for something that didn't happen. Oh well. Can't win with these people.
Most of my day actually consisted of helping out the two other people who are learning and doing the job I was doing though I am still considered the head expert on those systems. It's good to feel needed.
Although I was at home for the past two weeks (with the exception of the 26th because someone else called that day before I did), being back at work doesn't feel weird at all. This is likely because I've been here for over five years. In fact, my fifth year officially with the company will be next month and I get yet another week of vacation. Probably shouldn't procrastinate in using it like I did last year, though I suppose if you are known for the procrastination of anything, it should be time off. It's use it or lose it, though, so it would suck not to take the time. I've actually been sitting where I am right now for three years or so (I think).
Anyway, as I sit here waiting for the day to end, I do recall that I need to complete the entry form I have for the adult creative writing contest. I have a children's book that I need to submit, and the Queen has been understandably hounding me about it (in a good way). It's not that I don't want to. It's just that so many things are just distracting. I suppose you could say I haven't done that for the same reason I haven't kept up with this blog.
Oh, something shiny...
Most of my day actually consisted of helping out the two other people who are learning and doing the job I was doing though I am still considered the head expert on those systems. It's good to feel needed.
Although I was at home for the past two weeks (with the exception of the 26th because someone else called that day before I did), being back at work doesn't feel weird at all. This is likely because I've been here for over five years. In fact, my fifth year officially with the company will be next month and I get yet another week of vacation. Probably shouldn't procrastinate in using it like I did last year, though I suppose if you are known for the procrastination of anything, it should be time off. It's use it or lose it, though, so it would suck not to take the time. I've actually been sitting where I am right now for three years or so (I think).
Anyway, as I sit here waiting for the day to end, I do recall that I need to complete the entry form I have for the adult creative writing contest. I have a children's book that I need to submit, and the Queen has been understandably hounding me about it (in a good way). It's not that I don't want to. It's just that so many things are just distracting. I suppose you could say I haven't done that for the same reason I haven't kept up with this blog.
Oh, something shiny...
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
A New Year
So 2013 arrived with no apocalypse, so life goes on. We spent out New Year's Eve just watching more movies and generally being quiet about the whole affair. We had some noisemakers and poppers for the princesses, and of course, we watched the ball drop at midnight, but that was the extent of it. I did realize last night that I was already falling down on my blog, so I'll be adding some retroactive entries tomorrow to cover the weekend. The Cloud Player is up to 15,000 tracks as I finished the Queen's iPod and moved on to my own and I'm trudging through the CDs I never really bothered to rip. I've also been cleaning up the upload mess which is as time consuming as everything else I touch.
Beyond that, it's back to work with me tomorrow as life goes on. Not looking forward to it on one hand as I have to serve others, but work is also a place where I have to sit in front of a computer for many hours a day and I can work on lots of other stuff there as I wait for "the man" to give me more work. Here's to another year.
Beyond that, it's back to work with me tomorrow as life goes on. Not looking forward to it on one hand as I have to serve others, but work is also a place where I have to sit in front of a computer for many hours a day and I can work on lots of other stuff there as I wait for "the man" to give me more work. Here's to another year.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A Lazy Day
Nothing much happened today. I went to church for the worship team where I played bass and got me some righteous blisters. The queen picked the princesses up from her parents' house, and from there, we all spent the day doing a whole lot of nothing. I mostly worked on uploading our music to the Amazon cloud player so all our kindled have a more than complete library of pretty much every piece of music we have ever owned. It is awesome. We took that faulty faulty Abe Lincoln movie back and swapped it for Dark Knight Rises. It was pretty pretty good.
We're distinctively back into our movie watching again, I think. Of course, I have a list.
Date Night
I do not wish to be remiss in keeping this as a sort of journal of things that happen, so on Saturday night, the queen and I had a date night. We do not take many of these because we are rather selfish of our time with the princesses but my in-laws offered to keep them overnight so we decided to accept their offer and enjoy the evening. We started with a long talk about life and things of that nature which is something we do not often get to do with the princesses around. We moved on from there to dinner at Olive Garden, which holds some significance for us as we had some of our earliest dates there. We moved on to some therapeutic shopping time for the queen, which is considerably different without the children as she can roam and explore more freely without the extra "help." This and a couple of frappuccinos from the Starbucks conveniently located inside Target moved the evening along nicely.
From there, we attempted to go bowling, but they were having their glow bowl where you pay for the three hours or not at all. As we only wanted a game or two, we left, grabbed a movie and went home. I let the queen pick and she chose Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which, despite the problems with the bluray, was a pretty decent movie. Overall, it was a very good evening, and I do look forward to many more years and many more dates with her.
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