tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35135464297719759742024-03-13T14:37:12.442-04:00zzrgUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-19273501288539171682011-11-27T23:11:00.001-05:002011-11-27T23:33:32.989-05:00HugoJust a few words about Martin Scorsese's film Hugo. It was a really good movie about movies. Visually it was stunning. I think 3D added to the film's aesthetics and was used appropriately. People directing 3D movies should probably study this film to see how to do it.
I didn't think the plot of Hugo was all that great. I kept expecting more to happen. It felt like there were plot lines and connections that were not included in the final cut of the movie. There were certain things that I had expected to happen, that didn't. The effect was somewhat jarring. The automaton never comes to life, the death of Hugo's father in an explosion is never explained.
The movie is really two stories, that of Hugo and that of the film maker Georges Melies. Both are actually good stories, but there didn't seem to be as much drama in either as I would have liked.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-61734393291478338872011-11-27T22:29:00.001-05:002011-11-27T22:36:19.028-05:00Lee's BakeryFor fantastic bahn mi or Vietnamese Sandwich consider <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Lee's+Bakery&cid=10175124369512809220">Lee's Bakery</a>. You will not have a better sandwich and they are a steal at less than $3 apiece. Kelly and I got a pork sandwich and a scrambled egg sandwich and gave each other half of our sandwich. Both were outstanding. If this place were anywhere near my office I would be eating here at least twice a week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-87139655406844843402011-11-21T04:35:00.001-05:002011-11-21T13:11:22.201-05:00Crime VictimIt had been a long work week, I had left work late, made the walk over to the Marta station, took the southbound train to Five Points, and the eastbound train to the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Chandler+Park%2FEdgewood+Station&hl=en&ftid=0x88f506b3df4d0c2f:0xa56357969a9f3cc9">Chandler Park/Edgewood Station</a>. By the time I got to the Park and Ride lot it was about 7:45 I was so ready to go start my weekend, but as I walked up to my car the emergency lights were flashing. My brain was trying to wrap my head around why my emergency flashers were going off and how did I possibly manage to leave them on. My biggest worry was if the battery had drained down with them running all day. There was a notice on the windshield under the wiper about unattended vehicles and to call the police which I found confusing. I was tired and wasn't thinking all that clearly. But when I got in the car to start up the engine and found that the ignition was torn apart along with all the plastic around the steering column the light started to dawn. About that time one of MARTA's finest shown a light on me and asked me in a pleasant but authoritative tone if that was my vehicle. After getting out and having my identify and ownership verified, the police took my report and waited with me while the tow truck arrived. They did ask if I wanted the car fingerprinted and then pointed out I'd already been in it. Not having the fingerprints of any possible suspects or even having any suspects in mind I declined. In fact they asked me to decline in writing. I am not sure if that was the right thing to do or not. I got the feeling they didn't want to or felt it wouldn't matter and I had no idea of the significance of doing it or not. I still don't. I need to learn to ask more questions.<br />
The tow service given me by the police was going to take an hour and a half, a friend recommended that I call Allstate since I was a customer, even though I didn't have their motor-club service. Allstate arranged a reasonable tow in about 45 minutes. As I was waiting I walked around the car and found the passenger side window had been pried outward which is how they gained access to the vehicle... more damage. As I sat in the cold waiting on the tow to arrive I noticed a bolder sized rock in the passenger side floorboard and idly wondered if that was to smash a window or if they were using that as leverage to smash the ignition lock.<br />
The police office that waited with me was very courteous and seem pretty offended that someone had committed a crime in her lot. She seemed to think I was taking it pretty well and I guess I did, at least at first. The truth is that it's been worrying at me all weekend. It's the money and a sense of violation and frustration. Ironically the ignition they destroyed was just a week old. I'd just had it replace because it had worn out and the key was stuck. Right now I am out the $75 I've already paid to have it towed to<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Summit+Automotive&hl=en&cid=16337060441959776803"> Summit Auto Service</a>. I suspect the guys over there will be calling me with the bad news later today. Insurance isn't going to pay for anything because I only carry liability. It's a 95 Accord and it wouldn't make sense to have a comprehensive policy.<br />
I am frustrated with the whole thing and it's caused a lot of anxiety. It's inconvenient and money issue around the holidays are never any fun. On the other hand, it's just a car, I'm healthy, happy, life is going my way, and I am profoundly grateful for the multiple friends who either looked out after me this weekend or offered to help. Because of them I did have a nice weekend and perhaps was even more conscious than usual that it was a nice weekend. Certainly next time I drive somewhere in my own vehicle I am going to be consciously appreciative of the fact.<br />
<b>Note:</b> In talking to the MARTA officer, she mentioned that the north lot at the Chandler Station might be the safer lot because of higher activity levels. This happened in the south lot where as you might guess, I will not be parking again.<br />
<b>Update:</b> It looks like I will just need another new ignition. Yeah, to replace the one I put in last week. When the shop called me with the diagnosis on my car, they said it was that I needed to live in a better neighborhood. I love their sense of humor and I am really grateful the would be thieves didn't successfully steal my car. Now that would be a problem.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-92165657667605701312011-11-21T04:29:00.001-05:002011-11-21T04:34:30.413-05:00Dancing GoatsOn Saturday did I really drink coffee somewhere besides Starbucks? Why yes I did. Kelly's pick after we took her cats to the vet. I think the coffee was stronger and darker than Starbucks. It was delicious. Also, if I was going to hang out and work, or hang out and socialize, the Dancing Goat has a far better space than Starbucks. This is a really cool little coffee shop. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Dancing+Goats,+Decatur,+GA&hl=en&geocode=+&gl=us&hq=Dancing+Goats,+Decatur,+GA&t=m&z=15&vpsrc=0">Dancing Goats</a> <b>Thumbs Up</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-55465461557196092842011-11-16T23:30:00.000-05:002011-11-21T20:37:26.917-05:00Yeah BurgerA good solid burger, but the fries were a little disappointing, not crisp or tasty. The ambiance could have been a little better. It seemed a little loud for the casual conversation I like at a burger joint. I think Farm Burger has the better burger and is still my favorite. (And no I have not tried Flip Burger yet.) <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=YEAH+Burger,+Howell+Mill+Road,+Atlanta,+GA&hl=en&cid=5928733150237790134">Yeah Burger</a> Thumbs UpUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-48043677770940585652011-11-12T23:30:00.000-05:002011-11-21T20:40:45.215-05:00Pho Dai Loi #2Kelly introduced me to Pho tonight (Vietnamese noodle soup pronounced "fa"). My first impression was kind of "meh". The flavors were very different from what my palate is used to, but I kept going to give it a fair shake and by the time I got to the bottom of the bowl I was wondering when I would get a chance to come back. Kelly was introduced to it by a Vietnamese co-worker who said it was some of the best in town. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Pho+Dai+Loi+%232&hl=en&cid=13999730413667970684">Pho Dai Loi #2</a> <b>Thumbs Up</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-49659138042825682892011-10-31T05:34:00.000-04:002011-11-21T05:38:11.131-05:00Mirch Masala Indian CuisineHad really good Indian Buffet here after a weekend in the mountains. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Mirch+Masala+Indian+Cuisine&hl=en&cid=13996692036592780632">Mirch Masala Indian Cuisine</a> <b>Thumbs Up</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-65129252959297353202011-10-21T12:10:00.002-04:002011-10-21T12:10:44.712-04:00thought"Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich." — Sarah Bernhardt (thank you Jessica)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-76110320201397911792011-07-01T07:56:00.001-04:002011-07-01T08:03:26.577-04:00Midnight in Paris<p>I was destined to love Woody Allen's new film Midnight in Paris. I cannot think of a Woody Allen that I actively dislike and there are quite a few that I am outright in love with. I think Midnight in Paris will definately fall into the later catagory. It's a gem of a movie that I am glad I didn't know very much about when I walked into the theater. The movie kept surprising me and delighting me as it wasn't what I thought it was at all. Given this fact it's quite difficult to review, I don't want to spoil any of the things that came to me as wonderful little surprises.</p><p>The themes of Midnight in Paris are simple and the lessons learned by our protagonist timeless and oft repeated.</p><p>The movie should come with a warning label however. The next morning you will have an irresistable urge to get on a plane to fly to Paris for coffee, to walk the streets, to listen to some Cole Porter, to re-read some Hemmingway, and if you are really lucky fall in love. Unfortunately the plane ticket alone would be $4088. Not that I checked or anything. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-63835355496466554732011-06-30T07:59:00.000-04:002011-06-30T07:59:19.488-04:00GPSsummer dawn so blue and clear<br />
but my latte is almost gone<br />
and the GPS is asking me<br />
to select a destination<br />
i am fairly certain<br />
it was not intended<br />
to be a difficult question<br />
capable of provoking<br />
such existential angstUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-55494127660688174992011-05-30T10:19:00.000-04:002011-05-30T10:19:01.608-04:00dark and broody or smilingHmm, maybe according to <a href="http://www.scienceofrelationships.com/home/2011/5/29/do-nice-guys-really-finish-last.html">science</a>... I am not dark and broody enough.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YA75gQSVIs/TeOmdTy6c9I/AAAAAAAABJc/nIWyiZbbjcg/s1600/Picture+460+%2528300x169%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4YA75gQSVIs/TeOmdTy6c9I/AAAAAAAABJc/nIWyiZbbjcg/s1600/Picture+460+%2528300x169%2529.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying Dark and Brooding</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKADB4Ywz2w/TeOmkmiHPsI/AAAAAAAABJg/fb0_ahedoFc/s1600/Picture+462+%2528300x169%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKADB4Ywz2w/TeOmkmiHPsI/AAAAAAAABJg/fb0_ahedoFc/s1600/Picture+462+%2528300x169%2529.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normal Look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-69629386756444504632011-05-28T16:16:00.000-04:002011-05-28T16:16:01.793-04:00What I've Been Reading<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1935415131/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=zzrgnet-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1935415131&adid=0AFEDAS8GREZMKTHTDC5&"><strong>Killer Instinct</strong></a><strong>, Zoe Sharp (2001)</strong> I dearly love badass women and Charlie Fox certainly suits that bill. A self-defense instructor in Lancaster England that gets that gets caught up in the mystery surrounding a serial killer. Killer instinct is straight forward mystery and action that reminds me of the kind of fun that I had reading Lee Child or John McDonald. Killer Instinct is actually the first book in the series which has only recently been released in the US. I am pretty sure I will be reading the rest of them.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307389812/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=zzrgnet-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0307389812&adid=09R0DYF9AT8S4VTK187G&"><strong>Pygmy</strong></a><strong>, Chuck Palahniuk (2009)</strong> Pygmy is narrated by a foreign exchange student who has come to America as part of a covert plot to strike a blow against America. The language and the cadence of the narrative was initially a little off-putting. But once I got past that I found the book an increasingly funny look at our modern American society from the perspective of someone coming from a completely different ideology. A number of Pygmy's observations were uncomfortably spot on.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307388921/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=zzrgnet-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0307388921&adid=1W3W9D0D2NKWA9HA7P7W&"><strong>Choke</strong></a><strong>, Chuck Palahniuk (2001)</strong> I didn’t like this one nearly as much as I enjoyed Pygmy. The humor was there, but a little more uneven and the story seemed to wander a little bit towards the end. There were elements of Palahniuk’s best work present; they just never seemed to come together. I think Choke was my least favorite Palahniuk book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-82062541353099886132011-05-23T04:24:00.000-04:002011-09-06T06:05:31.410-04:00Jo Nesbø<em>Having millions of readers is not dramatically different from having a few thousand; you still have to write books and you still wake up in the morning being your own boss, deciding whether you want to get up</em>. -Jo Nesbø (<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/05/22/crime.novelist.nesbo.snowman/index.html?hpt=C2">cnn</a>)<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-42022029390297642652011-05-07T16:05:00.000-04:002011-05-07T16:05:17.394-04:00The Weekend Finally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3ccCxLXfc/TcWc0hj9pxI/AAAAAAAABJY/Mw6ISLgzJTY/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_3ccCxLXfc/TcWc0hj9pxI/AAAAAAAABJY/Mw6ISLgzJTY/s400/IMG_1035.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>I took this picture of the sky yesterday as I was sitting in traffic on the way from from work Friday afternoon. It was gourgous out, but I was not feeling any lifting of my spirits from those beautiful blue skies. It had been a long week. I was hoping to come home and get some things done, but was just too tired and frazzled. I settled for cooking some burgers, eating, then laying down and listening to the Braves game. I am not a big baseball fan, but I do find listening to games on the radio very relaxing. I certainly did last night, I fell asleep almost immediatley. (Hey, they won!) I don't even think that I feed the cat last night, she was looking at me fairly indignantly this morning when I woke up.<br />
<br />
A friend posted <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter.html">this link</a> on Facebook this morning, a TED video of performance poet Sarah Keyes which got my mind started on the right note. It's a little uneven, but there are bits of it I really like. A few clicks later I found an even more talk on TED, Steve Job's Stanford University graduation speech on <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html">How to Live Before You Die</a> where he talks about having the faith to follow your heart and how you should wake up everyone morning, look in the mirror, and ask yourself if what you were going to do today would be what you would do if you knew if it was the last day of your life, and if your answer to that was no too many days in a row you had better make changes. He talked about how dropping out of school freed him to learn and how being fired from Apple opened up so many other doors. It's definately worth a listen.<br />
<br />
I've had coffee with friends this morning to get the weekend off to a good start and have been spending most of the day relearning CSS and XHTML and have started delving into ASP.NET and C#. I'm thinking of making it a goal to become a training and educational web guru. And if that doesn't work out, maybe I can just become a web lackey, sell the house, move to Seattle, and spend my life biking between coffee houses.<br />
<br />
Tonight I'm looking forward hearing my extremely talented friend <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/rhebaatl">Rheba</a> perform at <a href="http://www.ragamuffinmusic.com/">Ragamuffin Hall's</a> during their open mic night tonight.<br />
<br />
I have a couple of hours before heading out for dinner and music. Think I will spend it hitting <a href="http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTitle/Professional-ASP-NET-4-in-C-and-VB.productCd-0470502207.html">the book</a> again or maybe brushing up on my <a href="http://www.positech.co.uk/gratuitousspacebattles/">Gratuitous Space Battles</a> skills.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-84315111168357906042011-05-07T06:28:00.000-04:002011-05-07T06:28:11.927-04:00focusI am not saying that I am easily distractable, but I was having some yogurt and thinking that I needed to write an entry about budgeting my time and attention because I not making near the progress on several projects that I want. I had gotten as far as typing in a title and had a bite of Fage Greek Yogurt. I thought to myself the Acai Berries flavor was pretty good so I went out on the Internet to see what kind of plant Acai Berries grew on and if you could grow them in Georgia and it was not until several minutes later I realized I had started this entry and immediately abandoned it. <i>For the record, no you cannot grow them in Georgia or anywhere else the temperature regularly gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.</i><br />
<br />
So with the overload of projects both work and personal I realized that I need to be pretty serious choosing what I am going to focus my brain on at any given moment for the foreseeable future and budget my time carefully. There is so much I want to do, to learn, to explore, and experience and time seems so limited!<br />
<br />
Cloning seems like an approach, but I think there are a couple of cautionary sci-fi stories out there about that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-27507546040625623602011-05-03T06:29:00.000-04:002011-05-03T06:29:06.551-04:00Jonathan Lethem Writing Quote<blockquote><em>Waking up every day totally baffled, that's the condition of the novelist. I don't know what I'm doing today, I must be doing the right thing.</em>Jonathan Lethem</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-72933698067704696532011-04-29T07:53:00.000-04:002011-04-29T07:54:12.072-04:00Royal Wedding<div></div><div>Didn't intend to watch it. Was only vaguely aware when it was happening. Ended up watching it.</div><div><br></div><div>Such a lovely, marvelous occasion. It was like watching human beings at their very best. All that emotion in England, I felt a little jealous being an observer and not a participant.</div><div><br></div><div>The ceremony was pretty close to my ideal wedding. At least the first bit, I confess I had to leave for work long before it was over.</div><div><br></div><div>I loved the St Catherine's quote used in the service, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); font-size: 12px; color: rgb(24, 24, 24); line-height: 18px; ">"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia, serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); font-size: 12px; color: rgb(24, 24, 24); line-height: 18px; "><div class="quoteDetails" style="float: left; width: 518px; margin-right: 12px; "><div class="quoteFooter"><br></div><div class="quoteFooter">That's a tall order to try to live up to.</div><div class="quoteFooter"><br></div></div></span><br>Sent from my iPhone from MARTA's Red Line</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-90202642666099780622011-04-29T07:38:00.001-04:002011-04-29T07:38:49.478-04:00GlimpseEvery now and then<br>I will catch a glimpse<br>Out of the corner of my eye<br>My life as it was meant<br>Like walking past a television<br>Having a shock of recognition <br>Before someone flips channels<p><br>Sent from my iPhoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-43037812436321202972011-04-26T07:29:00.001-04:002011-04-26T07:29:50.608-04:00FragmentI am on the train<br>the sun rises over the city<br>glinting off the glass tower<br>like a promise <br>no hint of the afternoon rains<p><br>Sent from my iPhoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-74386118092184857722011-04-25T07:42:00.000-04:002011-04-25T07:51:39.874-04:00Monday<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybpH7vWj7p4/TbVgTUfJUOI/AAAAAAAABJI/sJm_4N61PI8/s1600/photo-799875.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybpH7vWj7p4/TbVgTUfJUOI/AAAAAAAABJI/sJm_4N61PI8/s320/photo-799875.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599487596738203874" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-21481519583604239052011-04-25T06:45:00.000-04:002011-04-25T06:45:34.425-04:00MondayMonday here. Sleep is all messed up from staying up very late on Saturday night. I had the opportunity to visit a friend that I don't get to see much and also to have my head crammed full of web development, dot.net, asp, and C# goodness. I felt like my head was going to explode. In a good way. Didn't get home until about two am and made the mistake of getting up and going out for coffee and then breakfast with friends the next day. I tried to nap a bit, didn't really work. And my sleep was all off Sunday night as well. It's Monday morning and I still have to get my head straight.<br />
<br />
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am not going to get anything accomplished on my ongoing projects today which is frustrating. I will have the chance to show up and be of service and be useful, for which I am grateful. Still I will be anxiously awaiting Tuesday when I can get back to the fun stuff.<br />
<br />
I have a full to do list going right now and I am not making as much progress as I would like. I need to just take it one day at a time and keep my feet moving forward. It will all get done eventually if I keep that forward momentum going.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-87401496699108534102011-04-05T08:38:00.000-04:002011-04-05T08:38:13.098-04:00windy night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GSr_ErfYRI/TZsNGiKSsAI/AAAAAAAABJE/cTMQeFN1uRk/s1600/snapshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GSr_ErfYRI/TZsNGiKSsAI/AAAAAAAABJE/cTMQeFN1uRk/s200/snapshot-11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>A big storm rolled in about 11:30 PM. After it blew through the rest of the night was punctuated by random gusts of heavy wind. I wasn't particularly grateful a year ago when I moved into my new house that the first thing my home owners insurance company did was to make me take down an huge, menacing, and mostly dead tree. But after a night like last night, I gotta say, it was a relief knowing that tree wasn't in the front yard.<br />
<br />
It was odd. The heavy winds woke me several times during the night, but I awoke feeling particularly refreshed, and even, optimistic. I cannot help but think that the somehow blew some cobwebs out of my mind and spirit. It feels good.<br />
<br />
After talking to a coworker yesterday, I decided to get back on the MARTA wagon, or more literally the MARTA train. This time around however, I am not going to catch the bus in front of my house, I am going to drive the few miles down the road to the Inman Park Station. This should cut at least a half hour to forty five minutes off the MARTA only option.<br />
<br />
My reward to myself once I get back in shape and lose the excess weight that I am carrying around is to buy a fixed gear bike and use it to get between my house and the train station and on the other end, between the Dunwoody Station and my job.<br />
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I did stop by Starbucks to have a latte, surf the Internet, and get a little work done. It's a decent walk from Starbucks to the office. The broken little toe is much better, although still tender. I have become considerably more careful walking around my house, particularly in the dark. I expect this to last for a little while before I forget how painful a broken toe is anyway. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-67243710588700958122011-03-31T09:13:00.000-04:002011-03-31T09:13:07.413-04:00no powerWow, sitting in the dark at 6 AM with the power off and no Internet. I feel very unplugged. Although, I do have my iPhone sitting on the shelf next to me and I have already updated my Facebook status with the power outage, so how unplugged am I really. Then there is the matter that I am sitting here typing on a laptop with far more computational power than was used to land man on the moon. I think I need to do a little more work on my unplugging, although in fairness, this was not a planned period of unplugging. I keep meaning to do one of those, just 24 hours worth, but life has not been cooperating with that.<br />
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I suppose given that all the power is out and I cannot really work as m project is on my desktop which is quietly cooling off in the dark corner, I could use this time to meditate. I have the guided meditation on my phone and I know where my ear buds are. It’s the perfect time to get it out of the way if I can get over the distraction that the power could come on at any second. Let’s give it a try.<br />
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Okay, I am back and feeling very… oh what is the word I looking for? Self-congratulatory that I took advantage of the power outage and made good use of the time. Okay, now I am ready for the power to come back on. I am waiting. Well I guess the universe has other plans for the time being. It’s still dark outside and honestly I am not sure exactly what time the sun comes up. I think I have awhile.<br />
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The cat seems undeterred in wandering around the house in the dark. It’s making the most interesting noises. If this was the end of a horror story instead of a blog entry, I would now end with “at least, I think that’s the cat...”<br />
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Okay, really, what part of lights action camera are you not getting?<br />
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So, after some more sitting in the dark our intrepid young hero decided to keep his momentums going even without power. Noticing that the sky was just beginning to lighten and one of his resolutions was to get more exercise he decided that a brisk walk was in order. By the time he returned, the power still wasn’t on. With web based training class approaching and no internet connection, our hero jumped into the shower, jumped into the car, and hightailed it to work. (With a brief diversion to Starbucks.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-32086565608609464122011-03-27T10:29:00.000-04:002011-03-27T10:29:29.395-04:00Quote of the Day"Fortunately from the outside most people can’t tell rapid exploitation of a belatedly recognized opportunity from deep laid planning." Miles Vorkosigan via Lois McMaster Bujold (Komarr)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3513546429771975974.post-23469883702086152652011-03-25T09:04:00.002-04:002011-03-25T09:04:44.038-04:00thought for the day"Aim high, you may still miss the target but at least you won't shoot your foot off" Eli Quinn via Miles Vorkosigan via Lois McMaster Bujold (Komarr)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0