New blog

I just discovered that my web host has built-in blogging software, and it seems pretty cool. I'll link to it here once I've got it set up. I think I'll keep both blogs active for now, until I figure out what to do with them.

Happy New Year!

Well, 2005 was a pretty eventful year for me, and 2006 looks to be exciting too. I know I haven't posted for a while, but the holidays were typically hectic. I'm not making any resolutions this year, but I do try to get back into a daily rhythm. We're extremely busy at work, so that will probably be difficult.

I got a wireless keyboard for my HTPC for Christmas, so I can finally get back to playing some games on it (if I have time). The only game I've been playing recently is the Palm version of Lode Runner: TLR. I'm stuck on the next to last level (149) and I don't see any way to reach the exit door. I think it's time to switch to a new game.

Holidazzle

Well, the holidays can really make it difficult to keep resolutions. Luckily I'm not on a diet. Anyway, the push-ups and blogging restart tonight. No news, other than I'm happy that Tech is headed to the ACC Championship. My dream is for VT to crush Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, but there's still some football to be played.

Nothing...

...to say.

Wallpaper: Spring

I promised some wallpaper earlier, so here's the first image (currently my work desktop):

(click for full-size 1.6 MB image)

This image was taken during the cherry blossom festival in Washington, D.C., last spring. I think it nicely shows off the quality of my new digital camera, a Casio Exilim EX-Z55. It's very tiny but has a large screen and can capture 5-megapixel images (bigger than the one above). I'm very happy with it.

I've been trying to capture some fall images, but I'm not satisfied with the results so far.

Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi!

What's better than Tech beating UVa 52-14? For Miami to lose on the same day. ACC Championship, here we come!

Some Good Articles

Everyone should read the interview with Bill Tierney at FrontPage magazine, which is an excellent summary of the twelve wasted years between the Gulf War (a.k.a., "please play nice, Sadddam") and Operation Iraqi Freedom (a.k.a., "this time we mean it!"). What a contrast between the on-the-ground reality described by Tierney and the bitter self-delusion being spouted by that jackass Jimmy Carter. I see FrontPage has a follow-up article on Carter, but I don't think I can stomach it right now.

I donated blood today, so I think I'll have to skip the push-ups tonight.

Busy

I had a club meeting tonight, so I'm still catching up on things at home. (Already did my push-ups.) Tomorrow I'll post some nature images that should make good desktop wallpaper.

Catblogging

Steffi says, "Hi!"

Success!

5 + 22 + 13 + 10 = 50

I've learned three things from today. First, warming up definitely helps. I was still sore from yesterday and the first 5 push-ups were tough, but after waiting about five minutes I was able to crank out 22 without too much trouble.

Second, I shouldn't wait too long between sets. Yesterday I waited about four hours before trying the final ten, and they were killers (done in two sets of five). Today probably waited about half an hour and then did 13, and they weren't too bad, and then the final 10 weren't bad at all. I probably could have done a few more in the last set.

Finally, doing 50 push-ups a day is not an unrealistic goal. I was worried I wouldn't be able to recover fast enough, and eventually my arms would be hanging limp and I would have to take a day or two off. (That could still turn out to be true.) However, with proper pacing, I think I can fit 50 push-ups in a single day in the short term, and of course over the long term I should be getting stronger so that it's less of a strain.

Now, time for a snack.