| question |
[Dec. 12th, 2006|01:03 am] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Apartment | ] |
| [ | music |
| | the ding of new email | ] |
is $120 too much to spend on an electric toothbrush? it's one of those fancy sonicare ones. thoughts? |
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| On another interesting note... |
[Nov. 25th, 2006|05:20 pm] |
from http://www.computers.net/2006/11/a_wii_workout_w.html
November 25, 2006
A Wii Workout: When Videogames Hurt
By Bob Caswell
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) has an interesting article out today describing the aches and pains of many Wii player. For those who might have been hibernating this Fall, the Wii is the latest gaming console from Nintendo that was released just two days after Sony's PlayStation 3.
The Wii does not try to compete on a technical level (i.e. game graphics, etc.). Instead, Nintendo is hoping to convert non-gamers with "intuitive game play." The controller it comes with is a wireless, motion-sensitive wand-like device that gamers wave around in the air perhaps as a sword, gun, steering wheel, tennis racket, or whatever a particular game calls for. But apparently, this type of game play amounts to some fairly intense exertion. Reports are coming in of aching backs, sore shoulders, and something now called "Wii elbow."
Here's what people are saying:
"It's harder than playing basketball," says Kaitlin Franke, a 12-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky. She's mostly into the bowling and boxing games, which require some practice of specific motions and fancy footwork.
In Rochester, Minnesota, Jeremy Scherer and his wife spent three hours playing tennis and bowling Wii games. Jeremy mentions his score improvements at the expense of his shoulders and back that were still aching the next day. "I was using muscles I hadn't used in a while." Jeremy is a computer programmer who calls himself as "not very active," but is now on the nightly "Wii workout" plan to get in better shape.
Blaine Stuart of Rochester, New York, mistakenly whacked his fiancée, Shelly Haefele, while playing tennis and also accidentally hit his dog while bowling despite the message Nintendo flashes up on the screen before each game which says: "Make sure there are no people or objects around you that you might bump into while playing."
Ryan Mercer, a customs broker in Indianapolis, lifts weights several times a week. But that hasn't helped much with the Wii. After playing the boxing game for an hour and a half, his arms, shoulders and torso were aching. "I was soaking wet with sweat, head to toe -- I had to go take a shower," he says. And the next morning? "I had trouble putting my shirt on," says the 21-year-old avid gamer.
What are doctors saying? Nothing new, really. "Stretch out and be sure to take care of any injuries afterwards." Lana Kang, an orthopedic hand surgeon, explains, "It's just like athletic play."
Kudos to Nintendo for combining gaming and exercise. Now if they could just make it so that eating a Snickers is the same thing as having a piece of fruit, we'd be set...
*Update* The Wall Street Journal contacted me to let me know that this article is now available as part of its "Today's Free Features." |
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| As exciting as my life is.... |
[Nov. 25th, 2006|05:16 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | The Cure - The Walk (Infusion Mix) | ] |
I had a fitness evaluation the other day. I am 23% fat! That's just crazy. Apparently the trainer mentioned something along the lines that 80% of it has to do with my diet. So starting today I am going to eat 5 small meals that are about 300 calories each. I know it will be tough, especially during the holidays, but I am up for the challenge! I have said goodbye to the 2am slices of pizza after the bars... though the little pieces of dark chocolate on my coworker's desk will certainly be harder to give up. Damn you slow afternoons at work!
Along with the new diet, I am starting a new workout routine. We'll see if it helps.
In case you were wondering.... yes my life does consist of work and working out. Sad, I know. I need a new goal in life. I think most twenty-somethings feel like they are just spinning their wheels. As a kid, my goal was getting into a good college. Been there, done that. But what's next? Grad school? Getting more money at work? Eh, who knows. But for now, it's eating 1500 calories a day! Woot.
BTW, got a new CD recently. It rocks. It's called "Future Retro" and has some interesting mixes of '80s music. You can sample it on iTunes if you are so inclined. |
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| Query |
[Sep. 30th, 2006|10:02 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Apartment | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Nelly Furtado - Maneater | ] |
Is it so wrong to wear a t-shirt which reads "Lady Killer" to a lesbian film festival event? I think not, but others disagree. |
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| C'est La Vie |
[Sep. 7th, 2006|11:25 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | nothing cause my computer is broken | ] |
Let's just say work wasn't terribly fun today. But it's all good cause the weather was awesome and my manager brought me back a couple of sushi place settings from Singapore. She's back in town for 1 week before she heads back to complete the rest of her special project. She gave me lots of kudos for holding down the fort and taking over her projects while she has been away. Somehow I manage to do her stuff and my stuff.... I wonder if I am going to burn out soon? Thankfully I make the gym a priority; it helps keep me sane.
After leaving the office at 8, I went to the gym to run a few miles. After that, my friend joined me for some sushi at Whole Foods (which rocks).
When I got home, I recognized a tell-tale smell... it wasn't the garbage. Or the laundry. It was the smell of an electrical short.
I knew it had to be my computer since I left it on when I left my place this morning... now it was off.
I was able to turn it back on. I took off the case lid and used the computer normally. All of a sudden it turned off again. I took apart the case and poked around the inside. I don't see any leaky capacitors... so I hope the damage is limited to the power supply. This is kind of annoying since I replaced the power supply and mobo almost last year to date.
I guess I'll be spending my lunch hour at Fry's tomorrow. Let's hope I manage to get out of there with just a new power supply.
So all in all, today was an OK day... full of fun things and not so fun things. But the best part is that tomorrow is Friday.
PS: Other things I have been thinking about buying include a 1TB NAS (for backing up music and photos), a MacBook Pro, and a Canon EOS 30D. |
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| Is it so wrong... |
[Sep. 5th, 2006|08:39 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Fischerspooner - Emerge (Junkie XL Remix) | ] |
to think of relationships (friendships, work situation, etc.) in economic terms? You know... net present value, discounted cash flows, and opportunity costs? Sure it seems somewhat callous, but sometimes you just have to cut off friends.
Another random note, probably one of the most annoying things happened to me yesterday. I did laundry a week or so ago and finally got around to folding and putting it away. Hey, don't judge; we all lead busy lives. Anyway, I come to find out that I lost a sock. It wasn't just a normal run-of-the-mill sock. This sock was apart of a pair of gym socks that rocked. They provided the best foot support while I would run. C'est la vie.
PS: Body Worlds 3 in Houston was pretty cool save the long lines, crowding and children touching the exhibits. It's also funny how everyone became an anatomical expert. It was as if the room was filled with doctors.
PPS: I'm late for work and I don't really want to go in. I guess I have a case of the Tuesdays (given that Monday, yesterday, was Labor Day). |
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| Perhaps the coolest thing ever... |
[Sep. 3rd, 2006|08:54 am] |
I am leaving right now for a day trip to Houston. We are going to see Body Worlds 3. It should be fucking bad-ass. Maybe I should have gone to med school?
I guess the guy above is circumcised. Perhaps they should redo "Spoonman" to be "Skinman."
PS: I think I am becoming more lactose intolerant.
Q: What is everyone doing this Labor Day? |
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| wtf |
[Sep. 2nd, 2006|08:17 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | 2006 MTV VMA Awards Show | ] |
I've lived in Austin for over 4 years. Should I move? I don't feel like I belong here. There is nothing keeping me here for the most part. |
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| You know something.... |
[Jun. 9th, 2006|07:15 am] |
| [ | Tags | | | gym | ] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Apartment | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  thirsty | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Chemical Brothers - Galvanize | ] |
It's tough to do a 5:30AM spin class at the gym when you've only had 4 hours of sleep. Hopefully I'll have enough energy for my lunch time jog and the gym later on tonight. I gotta lose the fattiness somehow... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 4th, 2006|01:33 am] |
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I don't like being the nice guy. |
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| Things I love... |
[Jun. 3rd, 2006|04:10 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Apartment | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  content | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Coldplay - Talk (Thin White Duke Mix) | ] |
The Economist. Harvard Business Review. Music (remixes). Books (currently going through a science/sci-fi stint). Being able to take a vacation whenever I want. Oh yeah, and alcohol.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. |
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| I need a break... |
[Jun. 1st, 2006|11:35 am] |
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I'm getting into a rut here in Austin. Work-wise. Socially. I need a change or atleast a decent weekend trip. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of Seattle. |
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| Burned Out |
[Apr. 27th, 2006|11:41 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | penn, work | ] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | apartment | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | "King of the Road" | ] |
I think I am actually getting burned out with work. I just don't care anymore... but yet I do. It's a vicious cycle. Thank God I am going on vacation in two weeks... my 5 year reunion at Penn. Scary.
It'll be interesting to see what my other classmates have accomplished... or failed to. I'll be taking business cards and polishing my resume just in case any of my friends can hook me up with a new gig.
Q: Are reunions worth it? Why is it assumed that it turns into a pissing contest of sorts? |
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