Incredible Talents in This World

Discovered Don Ross on YouTube this morning. Don, RockSteadyJones and Hugh MacLeod... There is such an incredible range of amazing talent in this world of ours... It takes my breath away and fills me with hope.

A Milestone

This past week I passed an important milestone on the jouney of life. I started exercising during the last week of last December. Also modifiied my diet a bit at the same time.

Stats last December: Age 58 (within two weeks of turning 59), 179 pounds, waist 38 1/2 inches, chest 43 1/2 inches, tired easily.

Basic initial goals: Regular exercise, 3 times weekly, no injuries, basic weight goal of 150 pounds (i.e., get rid of the flub), good endurance, strength, flexability, balance, agility and posture.

First exercise session: 30 minutues on the treadmill, elevation 0, speed 3.0, single set of 5 abdominal exercises, took 4 1/2 hours to recover from that 40 minutes of exercise.

Last week: exercised 4 times, six hours of treadmill with four hours at elevation 15, average calorie burn of 1100 per session, weight 154.5 pounds (24.5 pounds of fat gone), waist 33 inches (5 1/2 inches of fat gone), chest 38 1/2 (5 inches of fat gone), lot of endurance, recovery time less than 15 minutes.

Reflections after eight months: [1] It takes a bloody lot of physical effort to burn a pound of fat! [2] I have learned a lot (of positive stuff) about my emotions and the incredible range of emotions relative to exercise and modifying my diet, and in most cases in the early days, if I had based my actions on emotions I would no longer have continued to exercise. However, I listened to the emotional turmoil while I continued to exercise. [3] Starting to look mighty fine... Having a slim waistline Oh la la!

Now beginning to think about the adjustments required to my exercise goals for the future. Ditto for other areas of my life.

Awesome Blues

Came across RockSteadyJones on YouTube yesterday, his music (da Blues) is awesome! You can also search YouTube and find great clips by Son House, Bukka White and other Blues legends.

University Days

Do you remember your university days, undergrad and possibly beyond? What did you love about university, what did you love about your studies, what did you hate, what was stimulating, what was fun, and based on your experiences what would you do differently?

Fall Weather Reminder

This weekend in Toronto was chilly, bringing to mind that fall weather is approaching. Still about a month until the offical date. I look forward to the hustle and bustle of the university students, somehow the spirit and energy adds to the spice of city life.

YouTube and Geriatric1927

Received an email from one of my sons this morning suggesting that I check out the videos presented by geriatric1927 on YouTube This gentleman is 79 years of age and lives in the UK. His life stories are worth watching... Thank you son!

Cheap Tarts Tastes Great

Cheap Tarts favors the flavors of Hugh's Gaping Void, and her blog is well-written and a fun read. Delicious!

Google's Blogger Being Updated

Digg and Techcrunch today post news regarding the soon-to-arrive Blogger update, an already GREAT service giving voice to so many people becoming even better.

Tara Hunt and Pinko Marketing

Hugh's posting on his wonderful Gaping Void blog led me to Tara Hunt's HorsePigCow Blog and her Pinko Marketing wiki. This young woman writes with passion and she has the courage to frankly express her ideas and opinions, especially regarding marketing, community and integrity.

Tara does not expect everyone to agree (and mainstream lack of ideas copycats won't) with her. Give Tara a read and maybe some of her ideas and passion with strike a chord within your heart and mind.

PB Wiki is Cool

Yesterday I discovered a terrific new (free) wiki and collaborative blogging tool called pbwiki BTW "pb" stands for "peanut butter". You can see how other people are using this tool, for example, Tara Hunt at Pinko Marketing

I love this stuff!

Technological Innovations in Application

I have been checking out Internet related technological innovations in application for the past few years, new ideas if you will and how these new ideas connect with people in useful ways.

For example: Blogs and wonderfully original and creative bloggers such as Gaping Void, social connections in the vein of Digg, Myspace, YouTube, and fun fun fun initiatives such as The Million Dollar HomePage.

I'm an old (and increasingly fit) guy and I ponder about these people whose lives are so intertwined with technology and the Internet. Where do they get these wonderful ideas? What drives them? What do they think? What do they eat? What makes them happy?

I have been also researching innovations in order to discover the right opportunity which will enable me to work with the right team to help them create something magical.

It's getting close, I can feel it and it is exciting!

UK Terror Plot to Bomb Ten Airplanes

This morning's news is distressing with respect to a UK terror plot which had the intention of blowing up 10 commercial airplanes travelling between the UK and the US. It is also highly encouraging that Scotland Yard uncovered this plot and arrested at least 21 suspects thereby thwarting the plotter's disgusting plan for mass-murder of innocent men, women and children.

You can check-out CNN and BBC News for updates throughout the day.

Scotland Yard and all other participating government agencies are due huge congratulations for their diligence in this matter of protecting our society.

The New Big Cat Has Spots

Apple's next operating system (Leopard, OS 10.5) is almost here. I wonder what advantages will arise from the 64 bit capability. I guess that Leopard will be the included OS when I purchase my new Mac in December.

New Week and Sarah's New Post

Well the lovely long weekend is over and back to work, although, since the summer is still with us, the pace of work is relatively slow and easy. Gosh, the weekend was fun!

Sarah has a new post and some excellent climbing photos in sunny Southern California.

My Apple Computer... Old Faithful

Bought my Green iMac (DVD model) in the fall of 2000. Imagine, a six year old computer and it still works well! 450 MHz CPU, 100 MB bus, 20 GB hard drive.

Only a few minor upgrades since 2000: RAM increase to 320 MB, moved to Panther (OS 10.3), new keyboard and mouse.

Been buying Macs since 1984 and they have always worked. And, I expect my next Apple computer (to be purchased this coming December) will also provide me with an equal measure of high customer satisfaction.

Early Birds and Late Nighters

Along with a large group of people I awake early, usually between 5 and 6 AM while others find later nights and sleeping in more suits their nature. It's always fun to note the posting timestamp for my favorite bloggers. For example, it is not uncommon for Hugh at Gaping Void (GREAT Cartoons on the back of business cards) to be hard at work posting at 1:00 in the morning. Now that is wonderful for me as when I daily visit his blog around 6 or 7 AM in Toronto... TA DA there is always something interesting, often fun.

I believe the above solidly and carefully drafted case study proves that, indeed, there exists balance in the universe.

A Party of Two

Friday afternoon of the long weekend. My darling wife and I. Enjoying the day and into the evening on our balcony in the heart of the city. A lovely white wine and well-fed... A salad of verdant greens, paper-thin slivers of red onion, orange peppers, button mushrooms and beautiful tomatoes, topped with freshly prepared chicken breast and an organge juice, honey and olive oil dressing. Wonderful conversation and laughter.

August Long Weekend

My son Aaron celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday... A beautiful introduction to three lazy summer's days of bliss. The city ought to be quiet with so many out of town for the long weekend.

Long weekend maybe plans... A lovely stroll with my darling wife on the University of Toronto campus, a delicious homemade burger with a cold beer, and possibly, even the chance to complete Moby Dick.

Best wishes to all for a super weekend!

Summer Storms

Wild raging summer storm last evening here in Toronto, dramatic lighting, rolling thunder, windy noises and that very special hard summer's rain... Wonderful!

A Week's Light Reading

James A. Michener's "Caribbean". A ripping good read and a little historical knowledge thrown in for good measure.

Herman Melville's "Moby Dick". American 1850's language, vivid descriptives and the author has a sense of humor.

John Grisham's "The Summons". A very very light read, not as good as some of his other books.

Ah, summer's relaxing diversions.

A Short Summer Break and No Computers

Loved it! Kind of a long weekend refresh. This summer is turning out great... My exercise program progressing in leaps and bounds. Reduced my weight 21.5 pounds since January 1st, and my waistline is now a waistline, used to be 38.5 inches, now down to 32.5 inches. Excellent!