Iron Girl Triathlon Training

Those who know me, know that I tend to get chilled rather easily. So it's no surprise that I took a break from triathlon training for the cold months. That break is over. It's not warm enough on the streets for regular biking, but Jason and I both need the extra time in the pool. If I had any doubt about it, our first swim proved the right of it.

Jason is a good swimmer. He knows how to swim. He's comfortable in the pool. But swimming long distance is different than messing around in the pool. It takes a few dips before you can breath comfortably at a steady pace.

It took me three swims my first year to get my stroke back. I thought that would be enough. But it didn't prepare me for the lake swim. I knew the visibility would bad, but knowing and experiencing are two different things. I wasn't expecting difficulties with the currents or the other swimmers.

Last year, I knew what to expect. I swam religiously every week with the group swim. I felt much more confident in my swim. The currents pushed me a bit, but I corrected my trajectory and stayed mostly on course. Although there were about a hundred more swimmers in my wave, I managed to navigate them with only a few incidents. All and all, I managed to shave over a minute off my time. Practice really made a difference.

This year, I'm hoping to shave another minute off my time. Which is another reason I wanted to start swimming so early in the year. So far, we're both off to a good start.

Snow in Columbus

Snow. In Columbus, GA. It was a bit wet, but it stuck to everything. Winkin didn't like the snow. Bert didn't either, but Winkin's picture was better.

Snow in the south is an experience, for the animals as well as the residents. Everything closed. Some waited for the storm to arrive, but they closed when the snow started falling. Many of my fellow residents panic at the thought of driving on the white stuff. They hurried home to batten down the hatches until the sky and ground cleared. And then there are those that took to the roads, tempting the fates by speeding or swerving onto the roadside.

Fear or trill, the snow was short lived, as it always is down here. Maybe next year we'll get snow that lasts for more than a day.

Best Laid Plans - College Update

In the time that I've been on break from college, some things have changed. One is that now students have a hold on their accounts and cannot register for classes until they meet with an advisor. This insures that students stay on track, what classes are necessary for their desired degrees and what classes will be a waste of time. This is a great idea. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be doing me much good.

I talked to my advisor. We settled on a class (and even a backup class). And then it's time to register. Monday is for Seniors. Tuesday is for Freshmen. Wednesday is the rest of us.

I checked the pages Monday and my classes are already gone!! Son of a bitch. This is the second time this has happened. As luck would have it, the class I missed out on in the Fall, is open this Spring. It's even a class I want - Geology.

Maybe next Fall I'll be able to take the class I missed out on this Spring.

Kittens!!

So I've been feeding a stray siamese cat for the last month or so. Turns out, she's a mom. Five kittens. They are the cutest balls of fur you've ever seen.

Course, now I've got to find homes for the darlings. Anyone want a kitten?

Glen Beck is a Tool

Since my last post was successful in it's succinctness, I thought I would continue the trend. Although the title says it all, he's such a tool that I'm going to say it again. Glen Beck is a tool!

On Joss Whedon's success

Excerpt from the Variety article Whedon's Hit-free adventures ( http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118008965.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565 ):

Some more seasoned TV producers seem perplexed merely by the level of hoopla surrounding Whedon. The guy's obviously talented, but if you aggregated the average audience for everything he's produced, it probably wouldn't equal an episode of "Dancing With the Stars."

I'll try to be succinct,... bite me.

Culture Diversity Class

I began this class with a few preconceptions. I assumed the class would focus on at least a few different cultures, maybe even discuss the key elements that are similar as well as where the cultures diverge. I was wrong.

The class focused on how Black Americana students learn differently than their white counterparts. What? My first reaction was to protest. Biology is the same regardless of race. As the class progressed, it became clear that the teacher used the class as an opportunity to push his agenda. He did manage to bring culture into the equation. His argument is that young Black Americana's have a culture against learning. To counter that attitude, teachers should amend their methods. Of course, from my view, the methods suggested would be applicable to all races, so I fail to see the need to resort to racial division.

But that wasn't my biggest shock. One day after class, I approached the teacher to clarify details about the final. The response was basically why worry about it, since I knew I was going to get an "A". In addition, the teacher frequently mentioned that this was a low level survey class. It is incredibly difficult to take a class seriously, when the teacher doesn't.

Non-Traditional Student

For years I've been saying I'll go back to college... when I can,... when the opportunity arises,... when it is convenient. Excuses. I knew it. Everyone else knew it.

Well, I finally did it. I returned Spring 2009 at Columbus State University. I've known for years that continuing with a Mathematic major would be useless. As much as I enjoy math, it isn't a career path for me. After discussions with an advisor, I found out that CSU will be offering an English: Creative Writing degree (though not until Fall 2010). So, I changed majors to English.

My first class was Introduction to Fiction. It was amazing. I learned a great deal about critical analysis of literature. I also realized that some of the fresh out of high school students are not inclined to actually study. They seemed offended that they would be expected to work for an "A". Indeed, many habitually came to class ill prepared. And that was just reading the assigned stories. Regardless of the lack of interest shown by the other students, the teacher lead many enjoyable discussions. At least I enjoyed them. And I'm looking forward to more.

Math Geeks

Technically, I'm not a math geek. I should be. I love math. I'm even good at it. But being good isn't being great. Real math geeks are great at math. I know enough to know that I'm not at their level. I'm somewhere in the ravine between mathletes and normals.

So to all the real math geeks out there, salute and happy ciphering.

2010 Costume Progress 1

As happens every year, we're coming home from DragonCon with high enthusiasm for next year. This includes elaborate plans for an amazing kick ass costume.

Last year, the enthusiasm faded and so did the weekend trips to Lowe's.

But this year will be different!!

No, really.

Different.

...

Maybe.

DragonCon

Just 21 days left until DragonCon, 20 days for those of us that go up early. This will be a great year. Not that there are any guests that I'm on the edge of my seat over. Still. It's the one of year that I feel like I'm understand and accepted.

I don't have to explain what frak means.

The only freaks are furries (of course, that doesn't count the self-proclaimed freaks).

Princess Leia bikini sightings are well into the double digits.

The local Fire Marshall Bill morphs into the evil line whiner what whines at midnight,... and 10 am,... and 4 pm,... and god forbid you snap a picture on the wrong floor at 9 pm.

Good natured debates (star wars vs. star trek; classic bsg vs revisioned bsg; buffy vs. Anita Blake) are as common as Jayne hats.

So say we all.

Dresden Files

Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. If you know who that is, I really don't need to say anything else. If you don't, then you should be reading the Dresden Files novels. I love these books and I'm not alone.

The books are written in first person, so we quickly get to know the main character,... intimately. Dresden is awesome. I like so much about this damaged good guy,... scruffy but handsome,... masterful smart ass,... and from the get-go, he's powerful, knowledgeable and competent.

The first three books have a different story model than the later books. The first books have a tenuous thread connecting them, that is, outside the characters and the world setting. Mostly, they are stand alone books.

The later book, on the other hand, have an ongoing plot that weaves through each installment. Each climax pulls us progressively deeper into the conspiracy.

This setup means that the end of each book leaves a few key questions unanswered. The natural result was me at the bookstore door at 9:00 am on 04/07/2009 for the release of the last book. (I asked. They wouldn't let me buy it at midnight the night before.) This also means that I'll be at the bookstore as early as possible with cash in hand (or at least a credit card) on 04/06/2010 for the next book.

Firefly

How better to start my blog, than to talk about Firefly - Episode 1, Serenity. Hands down, this is my favorite of the Firefly episodes. The writing is phenomenal. The characters are unique and the actors play them to the tips of their toes. I quickly fell in love with each of them - faults and strengths. The plot unfolds at a steady pace that drew me in and kept me riveted.

I cannot believe that Fox made Whedon write a new episode as pilot. I can't think of any other show with a more appropriate pilot than Serenity was for Firefly. The only one that comes close is miniseries that opened the door for a new Battlestar Galactica series.

The whole Firefly incident has to be the biggest blunder for the execs at Fox. And still they continue to underestimate Browncoats everywhere.