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April 1st, 2007
10:41 pm - This shoe madness has got to stop!
Well, I'm now up to 25 pairs of footwear. I'm pleased to announce however this is a temporary predicament as this is certainly a replacement pair.
I purchased new soccer shoes for various field sports such as Ultimate Frisbee. I hope to donate my current shoes to Goodwill, unless I find someone knows of a better purpose for used shoes.
Perhaps I need to set a limit of 25 pairs, because my shoe buying is getting out of hand!
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March 31st, 2007
06:06 pm - Faster than a speeding Steve
Well, Steve said I had some improvement to do for my Cooper River Bridge Run race.
Well Steve, I came through for you buddy. When you knocked my 25:20 5k time that was just hurtful. So much for bragging about your 5k time, because I tagged the bridge run 10k with a solid 48:56. 10k /2 is already 24:28, and I'll be slashing another minute off of that soon, just for you.
I was hoping to beat a 50 minute gun time, which I did, but I shaved another minute off in true chip time. This beats last year's time by 6 minutes! Considering that I ran a marathon 4 months before that run and this year I've hardly done crap I'm surprised I made it.
The overall goal today was a 8 min/mile pace. I averaged 7:53.5/mile.
I may have to reinvoke the 20 minute 5k goal. My personal best is 22:13.
In other news I finally beat Jeremy this year (less than 3 mins) who had his new wife and soon to be popped out daughter to worry about. Angi did great at 1:41:57, that is 50:39/person if you consider she had to put two bodies beyond the finish line. Myke broke out his 6.2 mile debut with a 1:37:42, where he walked with my sister for Jeremy's piece of mind until he broke out at mile 5 for a quick jog to the finish. He promises to smash this time in 2008.
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March 27th, 2007
04:15 pm - Back in the Market
Yep, it's been fun the last few days. Here are some of my latest picks with their 3-day gains:
ONT 8.22%
AVCI 17.35%
CMGI 11.01%
LMRA 7.95%
So, I've made a little money this week. I'm still very wary of the market right now so I do have tight stops. I have liked playing the short game this week however. :)
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March 5th, 2007
09:15 pm - shoe fetish
I went clothes shopping yesterday. I do this far too rarely, but whatever. I finally bought my black pair of Ecco shoes though, and now I count 23 pieces of footwear in my house. Now, before you wonder too much about a guy owning 23 pairs of footwear I must admit some of these are speciality shoes... ice skates, rollerblades, mountain biking shoes, rafting shoes, etc. I'm sure however that even discounting these speciality shoes you could argue I own too many.
I'd have to attribute most of this collection to my unhealthy affection for trail running shoes. I have to expend enormous amount of effort on an almost daily basis to keep myself from buying shoes on Steepandcheap every time they sell trailrunners. I find myself visiting the shoe section of every outdoor store in an attempt to find my next new love.
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February 28th, 2007
03:07 pm - being tourist in my own company
Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a tourist at a Hearst TV station. I went up to Baltimore for the day to get some insight in to an IP telephony project at WBAL.
When I mentioned that I had never been to a TV station before I was given the opportunity to get a behind the scenes tour. Some of the stuff was pretty impressive for a technology geek like myself. I was particularly interested in the teleprompters on the TV news cameras. I was also able to watch the Baltimore Lottery live and see the news room in action, as well as walk around the set after the show. I was allowed to get a walk through of the news area with all the satellite feeds and saw lots of gadgets as well as racks and racks of high-tech performance broadcasting equipment.
After the TV station tour we visited the sister-rock station 98 Rock. After chatting with DJ Sarah Fleischer we even got a shout out and request on the air.
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03:07 pm - stock market woes
Well, I go out of town and boom. Not fun. Anyway, most my stuff had stops and those are certainly nice on days like yesterday.
Now... I guess I have to learn how to short stock, because it's likely its going to get a little bear for a while.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/sad.gif) disappointed
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February 25th, 2007
09:13 pm - light rules
So, I stumbled along an article about Australia phasing out incandescent light bulbs by 2010. This certainly sounds like a great idea, energy efficiency, save the planet, and all that mumbo jumbo. My first impression was, yuk, how are you are going to deal with that color those fluorescent bulbs put out? I usually buy Reveal bulbs or similar to get around the dreary color from even standard incandescent bulbs. What could fluorescent bulbs provide? But hey I do have them in the kitchen and the closet, I guess that isn't so bad.
I spotted some of the fluorescent replacement bulbs at Wal-Mart this weekend (Yeah, I was actually shopping at Wal-Mart.) that boasted natural color, so I bought a few. I put two in my hallway, my usual most annoying place for a light to go out. I can only guess that it is because how many times a day I turn these lights on and off, and also replaced some in my bedroom. A place that because of my ceiling fan light with 4 bulbs is usually too bright. I tend to usually put four in and unscrew two, screwing one in as another goes out.
What I didn't expect, because I don't generally use those bulbs, is the time it takes for them to turn on. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a little different way of moving than most people. So, now I find myself not liking these bulbs so much. I go to walk down my hallway and after hitting the switch, I'm halfway down the hall before they turn on. Now what's the point of even having a hall light?
Now what do I do, assuming this could happen someday here. Do I buy a ridiculous amount of Reveal bulbs to stock up, move a little slower, or just deal with the annoying effect of a light flickering on when you're halfway through the room where you wanted light?
It was a fun thing to try, but I don't think I'll be settling for fluorescent bulbs anytime soon. In the meantime I'll just feel for the Australians.
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February 16th, 2007
08:23 pm - One Fierce Cold
I survived Snowshoe 2007 just to contract one fierce cold. One of the fiercest I remember. I missed two days of work this week, been sleeping in late, and I still feel like crap.
This cold was timely enough not to ruin my return to the world of snow fun however. No broken bones at Snowshoe like last year. I did almost every run up there, greens, blues, blacks I didn't care. I even ventured over to the Western Territory to do the runs beside the double-black which I was advised against doing on a Snowboard. This was until I took a nasty spill and hurt my leg, only to return to the other side and take a nasty whack to my head. So, I got beat up a bit... But boy did I have a blast!
I can not wait to see Kevin's helmet-cam footage. Just picture: Kevin... with a helmet?, yeah, and a duct tape attached video camera. With some trips through the woods, gut-spliting commentary, and one side-ways TV we had quite the entertaining show. So... Kevin, where is that movie?
Now... If I can just get back to healthy this weekend I can be back running Monday to get ready for the Cooper River Bridge Run! I'm shooting for a sub-50 min run this year.
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February 5th, 2007
03:32 pm - bruising hilarity
I mostly feel alive when I'm surrounded by hilarity, sometimes by myself, but more often by others. The usual crew that has me tickled is Kevin, Steve, Sherry, Jeff, or such cohorts.
Few of you know the hilarity I witness daily at work. One of my co-workers can make up technologies in the blink of an eye and deliver them in a true Carolina accent with no hint of sarcasm. One who knows the lingo and appreciates good humor can do nothing but laugh. He'll tell you that he needs a Novell cross-over to do the needful, or that he plans to connect something using 802.11fr, which is of course, frame-relay over wireless. He has also personally routed TCP/IP packets using BGP long-country. BGP long country is, as he explains, required when connections are made beyond the Mississippi River.
I dedicate this blog however to another co-worker. I walk into his cube this afternoon cube to find him in a true spat with fidgety. He is poking holes into something with a small screwdriver. I ask him what he is doing, as I can hardly see. As he replaces the hole-ridden plastic cap to a water bottle, he informs me he is perfecting his latest invention, the water shaker. I can just see the Guiness brewers shouting, "Brilliant"!
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January 30th, 2007
03:59 pm - Charlotte construction traffic
Notice anything wrong with this? It's not always the construction that is the problem...
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December 12th, 2006
07:23 pm - My other big day in the market.
So... I'm still getting in to this stock trading thing. It is a lot of fun, and apparently I'm trading at an interesting time in the market. My coworker who helped me get in to trading cautions that another market correction is pending soon, as early as 1 to 3 months. In the meantime things are doing very well since July.
I have done well with most the stocks I have chosen, and especially with some of his favorites he has generously shared with me.
Today's winner was MAMA, you view the quote here. You can imagine how happy I was to be in a position with a 80% gain. My guess is few people have ever been well invested in a stock that has done even close to 80% in a single day.
Those of you fundamental fans can check out Mamma's site at www.mamma.com, it is a new search engine that announced a new video search capability today.
I do believe I'm going to sell off my winnings, wait for a pull back and buy more!
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December 11th, 2006
10:05 am - Definitely need to get out more.
This time last year I ran a marathon and now I get winded cutting my grass. I did alright this weekend, playing Ultimate Frisbee, yard work, and ice skating, but I need to keep it up through the winter. I'm going to try to go mountain biking in the next couple weeks and of course snow boarding. The trick is keeping up through the winter. I blame the lack of daylight! I have to wait for the weekend just to blow leaves in my yard.
Winter is not putting up a great fight here in Charlotte. Yes, it's been cold a few days, but I've had to cut my grass for the 3rd time since I thought I was done with it for the season. I have hope that this is a sign that it is going to grow that well in the spring. Then we can put that sprinkler system to good use!
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December 8th, 2006
02:51 pm - This week I am a trader.
So. I decided to try this stock trading thing. It is a very social activity as my co-worker shared with me. Taking a few tips both good and bad, I've done pretty well over the week. I lost some money certainly and was down a bit after taking a couple losses in the $300-500 range.
I made some good choices, with help, and settled those losses out with some big wins today. One win I took too soon and left some money on the table after taking a positive $700 and another is still sitting at a good $400 or so, with a stop loss that will still net me some cash.
I've traded with real money, and was a bit nervous. The losses were a fail-safe which I learned to place without emotion. I was pleased to see the stock fall further after my realized loss. What a good training example of why you set those limits.
My fake money portfolio was as high as 1.6% or $1500 today and my real portfolio is up well over $1,000 for the day, with most of those wins already realized. Man I feel good. I'm ready to learn more and take a few less risks to help limit those losses a bit more.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/smile.gif) pleased
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December 7th, 2006
10:10 am - It's good to be a Jugg.
On the way back from a morning snack run, I entered the elevator after our VP of MIS. We exchanged the normal good morning gestures and all that. Then after a pause he leads, "It's good to be a Jugg". The resulting conversation was comical, as always.
When we were all riled up about the Juggernaut video on Youtube, and the subsequent sequence in X-Men III, our VP coined the term Juggernaut for those of us in the network group. He often enters the data center and refers to us as the Juggs.
Wikipedia's introduction on the term Juggernaut:
"The term juggernaut is used to describe any literal or metaphorical force regarded as unstoppable that will crush all in its path. In Britain, it is also used to refer to any large and heavy lorry."
Having your manager's boss regard your team at work consisting of Juggernauts doesn't seem like a bad thing. Especially if he feels you are on his team, and he is in control of such force.
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December 5th, 2006
01:29 am - car buying fiasco
An update on my car buying fun. Its not really a fiasco, but considering that I found the car I really really want I'm probably going to have to juggle 2 car payments for a while. That may be the fiasco. I may have to calm my usual lavish ways, although I did buy an Xbox 360 today. What is the alternative, to wait? As Sherry will have you believe, and one of her favorite sayings, "Josh doesn't wait".
So I found a BMW 540i, just the flavor I want, silver on gray, or gray on silver, I don't know what the order is for interior and exterior. It is pretty much a M5 wanna be. Basically a toned down M5 for $10k less. Who needs 400hp anyway? Personally I can afford to lose 25% of the HP for 10 grand.
I placed a bid on eBay and didn't meet the reserve, then I receive a counter-offer from the seller. I'm going to sleep on it, but I'm pretty sure I'll go for it. Everything from Edmunds to Kelly to Blackbook says its a good price. Its somewhere in the realm of Kelly Blue Book trade-in, the Blackbook value, and Edmunds' True Market Value. I will of course call the seller and make one more plead for a lower price.
Current Mood: excited
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November 27th, 2006
04:49 pm - Aspiring Photographer
This week I want to really get in to digital photography. I tried to buy a Digital SLR today, a Canon Digital Rebel XT to be exact. I bought it from a shady internet retailer with a temporary Discover card number. We'll see what happens. It said factory sealed, if not I'll get a credit and shop again. I think I have my first lens picked out too. I'm looking at a Canon 28-135 USM lens with Image Stabilization. I'll continue to shop for that a bit as I learn more about lenses.
I've taken some pictures recently with my Canon SD200 and SD600 and I'm increasingly happy with my pictures. I believe that if I start concentrating more I will be soon limited by the camera I'm using, if not already. I have a lot to learn about photography and post-processing as well!
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10:17 am - Stock Trader
Last week I decided I want to be a stock trader. It is odd that every place I’ve worked in the past 10 years had to choose a different retirement manager. I have an account at Principal, T Row Price, John Hancock, ING, and some other that I can’t remember right now. My own choices for playing with the stock market included a few others. After digging through some papers I found a comfortable year of salary worth of monies to invest. I’ve been reading books on stocks and sent another feeler for an investment club amongst friends, to learn more about stock trading. The mutual funds are nice, but they just aren’t exciting me. With my own play accounts I’ve done okay and over the long term I think I may be ready to invest a portion of more important funds. So I’m going to work on consolidation and start doing some research!
I'd love to hear any suggestions for books or other information. So far all I've found is a great couple books by Peter Lynch. If there is a guy who can excite anyone about picking there own stocks, it may be him. He is mildy funny and continues to write about how little it is about stocks (and explains it) and how much it is about the company when investing. His books are a bit dated however. They do however breed excitement and confidence for the average invester.
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November 20th, 2006
07:30 pm - Livin' in the Ghetto
I joke sometimes about living in the Ghetto. It is somewhat amusing to me because I don't care much. Iam often armed and can hold my own in almost any situation. I would feel much different with a family.
The real problem is that although I feel more than able to defend myself, I am totally unable to protect my property when I am not at home. Saturday night my house was buglarized. This is the second time in the 8 years I've lived in my home. Stolen from my house was 2 Xboxes, 2 PSPs, a car stereo, and pocket change. They always take the pocket change. The buglars ignored the 6 ft tall telecommunications rack with $7,000 of Cisco equipment and the 2 Dell workstations. They ignored brand-new retail packaged hard drives and card readers, the electric helicopter, boxes of electronics, and the other 3 computers in the house including my 1.5 tb Linux media server. Not too bad to have buglars in your house and take less than a 10% of open and displayed equipment.
Not a big deal for me, really. They didn't cause any damage this time so I have nothing to fix. I'm more upset that all my closets and drawers were opened and my closet tossed.
My silly mother says, "Good thing you weren't home!". Whatever. I wouldn't be out $600 of toys if I were home, that's for sure!
If anyone has a lead on a hackable Xbox, I'd be very interestd. I have no TV until I build a new media center. :(
Current Mood: ticked
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November 13th, 2006
06:02 pm - The Wedding
I survived my sister's wedding! I know I've had issues with the wedding since I heard about it, but I'm okay with it now. Like I had any choice...
I must clear up however that I never had a problem with her or him. I really just think they should have waited a bit longer. The wedding itself really wasn't that soon, but I think they announced the engagement after less than 8 months together.
I really like Jeremy and as I kept saying, I'd marry him if she got cold feet. Although now it is too late for that. Certainly the best brother-in-law I could ask for, and my dedication speech announced pretty much just that. What else do you do with a guy who makes your sister this happy?
The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and I do believe everyone had a good time. My brother was the DJ at the reception, and he did a wonderful job.
 If his DJ career doesn't take off, he can always fall back on modeling.
 I think it was near 70's Saturday, cooling off just a little for the wedding. By the time we woke up it was snowing. I saw 32 F reported on the way out of Banner Elk.
We tried to plan a hike for Sunday, but many people backed out despite my warning for cold weather. It ended up being just Tarah and myself on the way back to Charlotte. Luckily I had a very timely gift of cold-weather gear including goggles and gloves to wear on the hike. I was also able to take some award winning pictures during the hike. (Okay, I haven't won any awards yet... But it's possible)
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November 5th, 2006
05:19 pm - yet another hobby
I participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Shoot for a Cure event this weekend. I did alright, my first time sports clay shooting I scored 8th place overall and our team placed 2nd only to Hearst's other team.
My first round was skeet shooting and I scored 12/25 for pretty much my first time shooting a hunting-type shot gun or moving targets of any kind. My second round was trap shooting where I was able to score 9 hits in a row after only one miss. I completed the round of trap shooting with 20/25 scoring 32/50 overall, 1st place was tied at 42/50 by two very experienced shooters, both on our other team.
I'm now shopping for a shotgun and considering a membership to the gun club. Anyone else game for shooting sports clays?
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webwidejosh's journal
