Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Wow. Just did my first "buddy" run. 8 of us met up at and went for a solid 3 mile run. The loop was almost identical to the run I took yesterday, which I finished with 2 stops. So, when I started, I decided to make my goal for the day simple; finish this loop without stopping. It has two pretty steep hills, and those were my major concerns, but I powered through it all and finshed the run and the goal. I was totally pumped...two days of training down, only ~124 left to go! :) As they say at cheerleading camp, Bring It On! Okay, enough out of me...

posted @ 6:35 PM | archive_link | Comment

Monday, January 27, 2003

Mitnick Surfs the Web
Wozniak presented him [Mitnick] with a brand-new Apple Titanium Power Book, then said, "I'm pro-choice, so if you prefer a P.C. I'll buy you one."

posted @ 10:21 AM | archive_link | Comment

Sunday, January 26, 2003

It is official!

I have signed all the paper work and started training for the biggest physical challenge I have ever attempted; I am running the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon on June 1st, 2003. 26.2 miles straight to the dome, and I can't wait! Best of all, I am running for a GREAT cause...to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer Society. The organization I am volunteering through is called Team in Training and together with 30+ others from the central coast we will be participating in a variety of events to help raise funds for research to find a cure.

Part of me is nervous as all hell to attempt this (supposedly, less then 1/10 of 1% of people in the world try to run a marathon) especially since the last time I went 26.2 miles by feet it took 4 days (granted, it was also straight up to 14,000 feet en route to Machu Picchu in Peru). But I knew I did the right thing when today at the kick-off meeting another participant told a very sad account about a 5 year old boy's struggle and ultimate loss in his battle with Leukemia. I know that anything I can do to help make sure other children don't have to succumb to this disease is worthwhile. How lucky are all of us to have our health, our dreams, and the ability to still pursue them?

So, what does this whole thing consist of? Well, I will be training 5-6 days a week with 2-3 runs a week with distance varying from 3-10 miles each. Then every Saturday our whole team will get together and tackle a run that will build up to a distance of 20 mile about 3 weeks before the marathon. From there we taper down in order to keep our bodies well rested for the actual race. I was surprised to find out that the first time I run 26.2 miles will be the day of the race, but hey what a great time for that first! Along the way for training I will run over 550 miles (holy expletive) which is more than the distance from San Diego to San Francisco (or for your east coasters, longer than a roundtrip between Boston and New York City).

By joining Team in Training, I am responsible for raising 2600 dollars (bling, bling!) for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. One of the great things about the money I raise is that 75% of it goes directly to bottom line for funding research to find a cure. The rest of it is used to cover the expenses of running Team in Training. Last year the Team raised 84 MILLION dollars for research to find a cure…isn’t that AMAZING? Anyhow, supposedly they have an electronic method to donate, but I don’t know when I will get access to that, so for now just watch your snail mailboxes for something from me. If you can spare a few bucks for a good cause I would really, really appreciate it!

Tomorrow I go 3 miles…let the challenge officially begin!

posted @ 8:52 PM | archive_link | Comment

Saturday, January 25, 2003

Japancons
From boing boing.

posted @ 3:09 PM | archive_link | Comment

Friday, January 24, 2003

Sony in a nutshell

posted @ 11:38 PM | archive_link | Comment

Oh, go over to the Thesis pages as there is now content there. Finally.

posted @ 7:53 PM | archive_link | Comment

Random thought: If you ever are in charge of a project avoid codenames that have any meaning. Pick things like colors or make up a new word that is neutral. Between MS, Intel, and the FBI/Pentagon I have never seen more PR damage than what has occured with codenames.

posted @ 7:52 PM | archive_link | Comment

Thursday, January 23, 2003

Okay, maybe Syndirella is bad. Cause of it, I just bought an 18.1 inch flat screen from dell. The offer was found late today by slickdeals.net and expires tonight, so I probobly would have not seen it till tomorrow morning (when I normally check slickdeals cause 90% of their content is uploaded in the morning) and then just said "oh darn." Sigh...can anyone loan me some money for food now? :)

posted @ 4:31 PM | archive_link | Comment

I am blown away with the amount of information I have found online about blogs. Here is the tip of the iceberg

posted @ 2:45 PM | archive_link | Comment

Fil was right, Syndirella rules. Actually, it is worse then crack, but in a good way. Hopefully, fill will help me out and help boot strap my reading list! :>

posted @ 9:42 AM | archive_link | Comment

For Fil, I have syndirella-fied my blog entries formats. Fil highly recommeds syndirella, so I am going to play with and let yall know what I think.

posted @ 12:49 AM | archive_link | Comment

Tuesday, January 21, 2003

My friend Neema is exploring whether to blog, or not to blog. I have written a bit to him in order to challenge his thinking, but more importantly so both he and I (as well as other intrested parties like our mutal friend fil) can explore the issue as it has rattled around my head from time to time. To be truthful, I actually have multiple blogs (this is the main one, but i have other public and private ones as well - including one that I have hinted about previously on this but no one has found it yet) and have kept a personal hand written journal off and on for nearly 10 years.

In my recent reading of John Adam's life, it appears that having a journal greatly enhances a person's clarity of thought and ability to work through difficult issues. But, with the public nature of Blogs, the journal's role is one's life is much more intresting and unpredictible. I don't know where Neema will end up, but regardless I am impressed with his thought in pondering this issue.

Blogs are soooooooo powerful, and sooooooooooo under understood right now. I am happy my thesis topic is going to allow me to submerge myself into them (even if the more intresting aspects maybe sociological in nature and my requriment is to focus on the technology side).

posted @ 4:27 PM | archive_link | Comment

:>


Just went for a killer run, I really do love California!

posted @ 10:15 AM | archive_link | Comment

Yesterday I recieved an email from an on campus group asking me for some help. I struck out the content of the email, but it is offical, I am old:

Mr. Muraka,
****
Jenny
Open House Committee

So sad, so sad!

posted @ 8:23 AM | archive_link | Comment

Monday, January 20, 2003

If you haven't seen noah grey's site, go there now.

posted @ 11:13 PM | archive_link | Comment

Happy MLK day!

posted @ 6:26 PM | archive_link | Comment

From my friend Matt:

>1. Bluetooth...would ya?

Yes for phone sync, pda sync, and cordless headset functionality.

>2. Palm Tungsten vs. Pocket PC (any)

Haven't tracked Tungsten at all, but I really like my PocketPC. I have the Toshiba with built in wireless and use it to surf the web from the couch. Pretty cool. The new HP ipaq has Bluetooth and wifi built in + a super ir port for using it as a universal remote. It would probably make good sense if you get a Bluetooth phone...

>Any other helpful hints about Bluetooth...

It is still a babe in the woods, so expect prices to drop in the future and technology to significantly improve. Of course, if you are cynical (and I can be) you would remind friends that what I just said was said almost 5 years ago when Bluetooth first got some steam. :> As the they say online, YMMV (your mileage may very).

>Thanks for your time - you know I trust your opinion and appreciate any words of wisdom from the Uber-nerd...I mean Uber-Genius. :)

At least my friends are honest about their opinions of me.

posted @ 5:14 PM | archive_link | Comment

I just geoURLed my site, have you? Also, if you haven't used ACME mapper before, check it out! Add your zip code and get pictures like this one. Too cool!

posted @ 8:02 AM | archive_link | Comment

Thursday, January 16, 2003

Quick poll, what blog tool do you use? Quick, don't hesitate to answer via a comment...it is easy and painless!

posted @ 4:38 PM | archive_link | Comment

So I haven't written for a while cause of everything that is going on! I am offically back in the swing of things at Cal Poly, and have gotten all the little stuff taken care of. Now only the big stuff remains, like finishing my thesis. :)

The house is offically clean(er) now. We had a professional carpet cleaner come in and fix up our mess. Plus, we all put in some elbow grease and cleaned the joint up. More importantly, we got the Home Theater system set up...SICK! We have a two TV system (35 incher, and 27 incher) that are centrally switched to run any of our inputs. And boy, what kind of inputs we have! Check it:

• Xbox
  
• PS2
  
• Game Cube
  
• Dreamcast
  
• N64
  
• SNES
  
• NES
  

We are in gaming heaven! My roommates are re-conquering Zelda right now, and I am getting addicted to Tony Hawk 4. This is definte trouble in the making...now all we need is a Foosball table and i can never accomplish anything again.

This weekend promises to be fun as Dan, Steve, Triton, and Jen are all coming down to hangout. The last three are staying at my house, which has me a bit nervous, but hopefully Steve & Triton will behave! What have I gotten myself into? Last time Trition stayed at my house my room was TPed, and I was doused in Sardines (oil, not water packed too)! I can't even write what Steve has done to my house in the past for fear of those with weak stomachs! ;)

I have decided that Reality TV is evil. Joe Millionare...my god, where did they find these women? And truth be told, where did the find the guy? At least it is sinfully fun to watch! Also, I think I might have to start my own reality TV series....there is definetly some intresting backdrops I could use. Man, oh man!

It feels really, really good to be back in SLO town. RIght now the door to my back yard is open, the sun is shining, and the waves are crashing. Unreal! Is it really janurary right now?

posted @ 4:37 PM | archive_link | Comment

Sunday, January 12, 2003

Dan, my advisor, and I are exploring blogs together. I am going to show him blogger.com interface, as well exlpore the basic of the blogging community.

posted @ 1:16 PM | archive_link | Comment

Saturday, January 11, 2003

CSS hates me. I tweaked and tried a bunch of fixes (caught a few errors), but still cannot get my site to render in IE5.0 right and so I assume it is also broken in all other browsers other than IE6.0 (and perhaps 5.5). I have invested enought time for now, so notice the new disclaimer on the front door. Sorry!

posted @ 1:41 PM | archive_link | Comment

Friday, January 10, 2003

Note, I know my site sucks in anything other then IE6. I will figure this out and fix as asoon as possible!

posted @ 12:07 AM | archive_link | Comment

I just took the blogger personality test...not quite sure what it means, but here are the results:

You are a David Weinberger.

You are smart, savvy, interested in why people do what they do,
enjoy questioning yourself and are not balding.
Take the What Blogging Archetype Are You test at GAZM.org

Here is a list of all the archtypes, but go take the test (karen, fil & christina) and see what you get!

I know what you are thinking, why is bubba spending all this time examining blogs, blogging, and what not...doesn't he have a thesis he should be working on? Well...i have an idea for a thesis that would involve an analysis and expansion of the blogging space, so I am spending some cycles seeing what is out there. If anyone has seen a good research paper on blogs out there let me know...;) I swear, I go through more thesis topics then most people do TP!

posted @ 12:05 AM | archive_link | Comment

Thursday, January 09, 2003

I went to farmers market tonight. I am not sure if people outside of California know about it. Here is an article all about them. Nothing beats a San Luis Obispo Farmer's Market outing!

On the geek side of things, I installed Visual Studio .NET today. I am excited to get to play with it and try to figure out what this whole .NET thing is about. If anyone has an idea please let me know! ;)

posted @ 11:11 PM | archive_link | Comment

Wednesday, January 08, 2003

Well, every adventure has a begining. Yesterday was mine.

I am officially living full time in Shell (Pismo) Beach. Yesterday I set up wireless internet, and right now I am sitting in the living room looking at (and hearing) the ocean. Last night, I slept with the sliding glass door open so I could listen to the waves crash as I slept. I woke up to a blue sky, and surfers walking down the cliff I live on to hit early waves. Unreal!

I cruised around the block today via el pedros to survey the scene. I think I might be living in a dream right now. This place is perfect. Maybe unreal is a better term. Yeah, unreal is the best term.

Let me intro the roommates. I will get some pics of them up after I get my computer all set up.

Nate
Nate is a computer IT kinda dude that went to Cal Poly the same time I did. He now works in town at a local accounting firm, and seems to truly love his job. Nate has the master bedroom which he shares with his Girlfriend.

Jennie
I don't know too much about her yet, but she is a very polite and seemingly soft spoken young lady. Also, I am not quite sure how long she and Nate have been dating, but they seem to be happy and comfortable with eachother. Right now, she is waitressing and taking a class at Cal Poly while she awaits Med (PA? PT?) school.

Greg
By far my most mellow roommate. Greg grew up near me (Los Gatos) and also went to Cal Poly. Right now he is hanging around and enjoying life. Greg is a sports fanatic and a pretty neat fellow.

Chuck
Well, Chuck doesn't really live here, but he does. You know what I mean? When I woke up today, it was the first time I have not seen him at the house. Chuck is Greg's little brother (though he is physically much bigger then Greg). I like Chuck...and not just cause is name is Chuck.

Well, I got a big todo list today, so I need to run...

posted @ 9:46 AM | archive_link | Comment

Monday, January 06, 2003

danny pointed me to this. I haven't finished reading it, but the first 1/3 was good. Thanks D dog.

posted @ 1:28 AM | archive_link | Comment

Have any of you ever heard of a Pronto Neo? Pretty sweet little gadget. LCD Universal Remote Control. Right now I am programing mine (in a vb style app) to have cool macro's and make it easy for my parents to use the new HT setup. You know, big button that says Watch TV...and blamo...TV turns on, receiver gets set to TV mode, and volume is set automagically! Anyhow, niftty if you ask me.

Watched the Niners' Game today...SWEET! I haven't seen such a good football game in quite a long time. Unreal. Oh, and tomorrow night I am actually going to go to a Warrior's game. A buddy of mine's girlfriend works for them and got us sweet court level tix (for free!) Should be lots of fun.

Tuesday is the big day...offically start life in SLO and get laser like (well, as laser as bubba gets) focus on the Thesis. I am getting excited. It should be a very intresting 6 months with large potential payoffs.

Anyhow....off to the remote programming I go! Yeah toys!

posted @ 12:43 AM | archive_link | Comment

Friday, January 03, 2003

Well...I am back from another crazy New Years with all my buddies! We were in South Shore Lake Tahoe...it was an unreal time! I didn't take my dig camera because I couldn't find it...so unfortunetly no pictures. But maybe that is a good thing....;)

Hope everyone had a happy new years...several good friends went off and got engaged...three couples to be exact. Man, it is a fact...we are getting older! :) I won't say who got engaged yet, because I don't want to spoil their fun...but Congrats to all of you...and you know who you are!

Have a good 3rd day of 03.

posted @ 12:39 PM | archive_link | Comment