In order to give proper credit to the men who are responsible for their victory over Utah, BYU should consider changing their team colors to black and white stripes with lots of yellow trim.
Not at all bitter,
Brad
p.s. Prof. Young will put a real post together soon - he promises!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Nightrider and Jersey voting...
11/5/2007: 14.09-mile biking, 50:07, 16.9 mph
Yesterday was my first "night-time" commute home. I left work about 5:20pm and by then it was completely dark. Fortunately I had installed a headlight and taillight on Aldetha, plus I was wearing my reflective jacket, so the cars didn't run me down. My time was a little slower due to a serious stitch in my side that I just could not get rid of.
This morning I biked to work in the pouring rain - but not after I had voted! In New Jersey the entire state assembly and senate are up for grabs. I managed to vote for only one Republican (out of about 6 options.) Why? Well I actually have met and talked with the Republican I voted for and he's an OK guy - plus, the parties here in Jersey are very similar. You vote for the one out of power because whoever is in power is corrupt! I did vote for my boss, not because he's my boss and in spite of the fact that he's a Democrat. I voted because I know and like the guy - and Toms River is part of the corrupt Republican machine of Ocean County.
Maybe I'll run for public office after I'm the dean,
Brad
Yesterday was my first "night-time" commute home. I left work about 5:20pm and by then it was completely dark. Fortunately I had installed a headlight and taillight on Aldetha, plus I was wearing my reflective jacket, so the cars didn't run me down. My time was a little slower due to a serious stitch in my side that I just could not get rid of.
This morning I biked to work in the pouring rain - but not after I had voted! In New Jersey the entire state assembly and senate are up for grabs. I managed to vote for only one Republican (out of about 6 options.) Why? Well I actually have met and talked with the Republican I voted for and he's an OK guy - plus, the parties here in Jersey are very similar. You vote for the one out of power because whoever is in power is corrupt! I did vote for my boss, not because he's my boss and in spite of the fact that he's a Democrat. I voted because I know and like the guy - and Toms River is part of the corrupt Republican machine of Ocean County.
Maybe I'll run for public office after I'm the dean,
Brad
Saturday, November 3, 2007
New job & Halloween...
10/22/2007: 14.10-mile biking, 46:22, 18.2 mph
10/24/2007: 13.90-mile biking, 44:55, 18.6 mph
10/26/2007: 7.01-mile biking, 24:46, 17.0 mph
10/29/2007: 7.12-mile biking, 24:17, 17.6 mph
10/30/2007: 14.18-mile biking, 47:43, 17.8 mph
11/2/2007: 14.20-mile biking, 46:43, 18.2 mph
Well, I still haven't settled enough to blog on a regular basis. I hope to set a specific time to do so, but for now you'll have to endure the hit & miss posts.
OK, what's new? Well, I have accepted the position of Program Coordinator for my department at OCC. What does that mean? I get to help in the administrative stuff (kinda like an assistant dean.) As a part of that, I will evaluate the adjunct faculty (rather than having the dean do it all himself.) Fortunately, Dean Strada will take me through the evaluation process several times before they "count." The other parts should be easy enough - the staff is very supportive and we are all excited to be working together. I get paid for this job as if I was teaching two additional classes in each of Fall and Spring semesters and one additional in Summer. It will mean I have to be at the college from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday (with a few evening and off-site evaluations) but I'm already there for that time anyway - it's the only place I can really get work done.
For those of you who did not hear, my wife is now the Ward Choir Director. She has an awesome Christmas program written and we will begin practicing it this week (there's the downside of changing choir directors after October Conference!) I'll leave the details for her blog - if she wants a topic for her next post.
On Halloween we all went downtown Toms River to see the parade (2nd largest in the country!) It started at 7pm. We were too cold to stay longer than 9pm. From my students who stayed for the duration I was told it lasted until 10pm! For those of us used to the Disneyland parade (30-45 minute wait and 20-30 minute parade in at least 60 degree weather) the Toms River parade was too long and too cold. There were some good marching bands and real steam engines that were entertaining, but next year we'll stay home.
Until the next break in the action,
Brad
10/24/2007: 13.90-mile biking, 44:55, 18.6 mph
10/26/2007: 7.01-mile biking, 24:46, 17.0 mph
10/29/2007: 7.12-mile biking, 24:17, 17.6 mph
10/30/2007: 14.18-mile biking, 47:43, 17.8 mph
11/2/2007: 14.20-mile biking, 46:43, 18.2 mph
Well, I still haven't settled enough to blog on a regular basis. I hope to set a specific time to do so, but for now you'll have to endure the hit & miss posts.
OK, what's new? Well, I have accepted the position of Program Coordinator for my department at OCC. What does that mean? I get to help in the administrative stuff (kinda like an assistant dean.) As a part of that, I will evaluate the adjunct faculty (rather than having the dean do it all himself.) Fortunately, Dean Strada will take me through the evaluation process several times before they "count." The other parts should be easy enough - the staff is very supportive and we are all excited to be working together. I get paid for this job as if I was teaching two additional classes in each of Fall and Spring semesters and one additional in Summer. It will mean I have to be at the college from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday (with a few evening and off-site evaluations) but I'm already there for that time anyway - it's the only place I can really get work done.
For those of you who did not hear, my wife is now the Ward Choir Director. She has an awesome Christmas program written and we will begin practicing it this week (there's the downside of changing choir directors after October Conference!) I'll leave the details for her blog - if she wants a topic for her next post.
On Halloween we all went downtown Toms River to see the parade (2nd largest in the country!) It started at 7pm. We were too cold to stay longer than 9pm. From my students who stayed for the duration I was told it lasted until 10pm! For those of us used to the Disneyland parade (30-45 minute wait and 20-30 minute parade in at least 60 degree weather) the Toms River parade was too long and too cold. There were some good marching bands and real steam engines that were entertaining, but next year we'll stay home.
Until the next break in the action,
Brad
Monday, October 22, 2007
Downpours, Gaming and Dumbledore...
10/17/2007: 14.08-mile biking, 45:43, 18.5 mph
10/18/2007: 14.15-mile biking, 46:24, 18.3 mph
10/19/2007: 7.04-mile biking, 22:31, 18.8 mph
Last Friday I had to abandon my bike ride home - yet again! This time it was the weather that did not cooperate. Normally I can bike in the rain just fine (I've even done it here in NJ), but Friday afternoon was an exception. I was warned by my colleagues not to bike home, so I called my wife and she and the boys came to pick me up. As I walked towards the parking lot where I was to meet them the rain was moderate. I thought "this isn't too bad, maybe I shouldn't have called." Just then the rain started coming down in sheets, driven by a 20+ mph wind. This condition continued for the remainder of my wait for my wife, most of the way home, and for an additional 2 hours (off and on) after we got home. I was definitely glad I called.
Saturday, the Toms River library hosted a "family gaming" day from 10am-2pm. They had three gaming systems set up (including a Wii) for families to come and play. My boys spent some time playing Mario Cart and Wii bowling. As a family we did a doubles match on Wii tennis and took turns on Dance Dance Revolution. I was quite impressed with DDR. My wife and I are seriously looking into the cheapest way to get a good DDR platform. Why? The main reason is that it offers a good workout while having fun! As the days turn colder, we may not be able to keep up on our running/walking/biking - so we would want a fun way to stay in shape (sorry Kathy Smith, you're not fun!) If you have any suggestions on getting an inexpensive system that supports DDR (not the midi plug-and-play) please post a comment.
Finally, J. K. Rowling has declared that Albus Dumbledore is gay. I found out about this as I was looking for a legal article to give to my students. Within the article I found the response I would give to her revelation:
[G]iven that the Potter books, now complete, make no mention of Dumbledore's sexuality, Rowling would not appear to have any authority to declare the print version of Dumbledore gay, straight or bi. Her views on such matters are naturally of interest to fans of her books, but the work must stand on its own.
[A]n author of a work of fiction is, at best, first among equals in interpreting that work. Her intentions do not control the meaning of the text.
Unfortunately, we will now have the joy of watching the imminent collision as gay rights advocates proclaim Harry Potter as the greatest stories ever told and the book censorship crowd add "advocates homosexual lifestyle" to their lengthy list of Rowling's offenses.
Though I do love watching a good train wreck,
Brad
10/18/2007: 14.15-mile biking, 46:24, 18.3 mph
10/19/2007: 7.04-mile biking, 22:31, 18.8 mph
Last Friday I had to abandon my bike ride home - yet again! This time it was the weather that did not cooperate. Normally I can bike in the rain just fine (I've even done it here in NJ), but Friday afternoon was an exception. I was warned by my colleagues not to bike home, so I called my wife and she and the boys came to pick me up. As I walked towards the parking lot where I was to meet them the rain was moderate. I thought "this isn't too bad, maybe I shouldn't have called." Just then the rain started coming down in sheets, driven by a 20+ mph wind. This condition continued for the remainder of my wait for my wife, most of the way home, and for an additional 2 hours (off and on) after we got home. I was definitely glad I called.
Saturday, the Toms River library hosted a "family gaming" day from 10am-2pm. They had three gaming systems set up (including a Wii) for families to come and play. My boys spent some time playing Mario Cart and Wii bowling. As a family we did a doubles match on Wii tennis and took turns on Dance Dance Revolution. I was quite impressed with DDR. My wife and I are seriously looking into the cheapest way to get a good DDR platform. Why? The main reason is that it offers a good workout while having fun! As the days turn colder, we may not be able to keep up on our running/walking/biking - so we would want a fun way to stay in shape (sorry Kathy Smith, you're not fun!) If you have any suggestions on getting an inexpensive system that supports DDR (not the midi plug-and-play) please post a comment.
Finally, J. K. Rowling has declared that Albus Dumbledore is gay. I found out about this as I was looking for a legal article to give to my students. Within the article I found the response I would give to her revelation:
[G]iven that the Potter books, now complete, make no mention of Dumbledore's sexuality, Rowling would not appear to have any authority to declare the print version of Dumbledore gay, straight or bi. Her views on such matters are naturally of interest to fans of her books, but the work must stand on its own.
[A]n author of a work of fiction is, at best, first among equals in interpreting that work. Her intentions do not control the meaning of the text.
Unfortunately, we will now have the joy of watching the imminent collision as gay rights advocates proclaim Harry Potter as the greatest stories ever told and the book censorship crowd add "advocates homosexual lifestyle" to their lengthy list of Rowling's offenses.
Though I do love watching a good train wreck,
Brad
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Aldetha meets Padi...
10/02/2007: 14.24-mile biking, 47:25, 18.0 mph
10/03/2007: 14.11-mile biking, 47:28, 17.8 mph
10/04/2007: 14.06-mile biking, 46:57, 18.0 mph
10/05/2007: 14.07-mile biking, 46:31, 18.1 mph
10/08/2007: 14.11-mile biking, 47:37, 17.8 mph
10/09/2007: 14.13-mile biking, 45:37, 18.6 mph
10/12/2007: 6.9-mile biking, 23:09, 17.9 mph
That just looks ridiculous! I should blog more often.
OK - some explanation is in order. 1st, I didn't all of a sudden move closer to the college on 10/3. I actually filled my tires up to the proper pressure. So naturally, I thought my speed would dramatically increase - wrong. It increased a little, but most of the decrease in resistance due to a fully-inflated tire was offset by the increase in circumference of a fully-inflated the tire. That explains the drop in mileage.
The "short" ride last Friday came courtesy of a flat tire I noticed about 100 yards before the end of my ride to work. I ended up taking Aldetha home on our car rack and fixing the tire myself on Saturday. However, once I changed the tire it developed a severe "wobble." I also noticed that Aldetha's rear brake was not properly engaging the tire. I contacted a colleague who had biked to OCC since 1974 for a bike shop referral. He recommended Padi's Pedal Power. Due to my schedule I could not get Aldetha in until this morning - so my wife has driven me to work these past two days.
Wait! I just got a call and Aldetha is fixed! We can pick her up today and I can ride again tomorrow.
I feel much better starting my work day with a rigorous bike ride,
Brad
10/03/2007: 14.11-mile biking, 47:28, 17.8 mph
10/04/2007: 14.06-mile biking, 46:57, 18.0 mph
10/05/2007: 14.07-mile biking, 46:31, 18.1 mph
10/08/2007: 14.11-mile biking, 47:37, 17.8 mph
10/09/2007: 14.13-mile biking, 45:37, 18.6 mph
10/12/2007: 6.9-mile biking, 23:09, 17.9 mph
That just looks ridiculous! I should blog more often.
OK - some explanation is in order. 1st, I didn't all of a sudden move closer to the college on 10/3. I actually filled my tires up to the proper pressure. So naturally, I thought my speed would dramatically increase - wrong. It increased a little, but most of the decrease in resistance due to a fully-inflated tire was offset by the increase in circumference of a fully-inflated the tire. That explains the drop in mileage.
The "short" ride last Friday came courtesy of a flat tire I noticed about 100 yards before the end of my ride to work. I ended up taking Aldetha home on our car rack and fixing the tire myself on Saturday. However, once I changed the tire it developed a severe "wobble." I also noticed that Aldetha's rear brake was not properly engaging the tire. I contacted a colleague who had biked to OCC since 1974 for a bike shop referral. He recommended Padi's Pedal Power. Due to my schedule I could not get Aldetha in until this morning - so my wife has driven me to work these past two days.
Wait! I just got a call and Aldetha is fixed! We can pick her up today and I can ride again tomorrow.
I feel much better starting my work day with a rigorous bike ride,
Brad
Friday, October 12, 2007
I'm still alive...
Lunch is almost over, so I have to post quickly. I'll save the biking stats for later, but here's something that must be shared:
My apologies to musicians and Star Wars fans everywhere,
Brad
My apologies to musicians and Star Wars fans everywhere,
Brad
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Busy but productive...
9/19/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 49:59, 17.1 mph
9/20/2007: 14.22-mile biking, 49:09, 17.4 mph
9/21/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 47:50, 17.8 mph
9/24/2007: 14.23-mile biking, 48:25, 17.6 mph
9/25/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 48:42, 17.5 mph
9/27/2007: 14.22-mile biking, 49:43, 17.2 mph
9/28/2007: 14.24-mile biking, 48:39, 17.6 mph
10/01/2007: 14.25-mile biking, 45:51, 18.6 mph
As you can see, I still make it to work most every day via my bike...I just don't take the time to blog about it. Yesterday my bike time was helped by mildly favorable headwinds and the fact that I wasn't on my feet teaching all day. All of my classes had their first exam yesterday - which means I got to sit down for most of the class. Other factors that could have contributed to my faster time are: recent weight loss, my body adapting to my biking, improved cardio system due to my biking. I do think it was an anomaly. I normally sit in the 17 mph range and probably will until the weather forces me to slow down a little.
All of my classes are going great! I still love teaching and the students seem to enjoy my classes and the way I teach. I am also enjoying teaching seminary. Waking up at 5am is hard, but starting my day teaching the Gospel from the scriptures is great.
I don't think I mentioned it before, but about 2 weeks ago we went out looking at some houses. We saw a total of 4. We would not even consider the first and the last that we saw. The second was OK, but it had a pool which is a "deal-breaker" for us. The third was practically perfect in every way. Well, not really, but it would require minimal work for us to move in. The updates we would want beyond that could wait for at least 5 years (possibly ten.) The list price is a little high for our budget, but our realtor says its overpriced. By the end of January she thinks it will come down into the upper end of our price range. In the meantime, I am continuing to browse the listings and preview homes with the realtor. As we find houses that we think my wife would like, we bring the whole family for a look-see. Of course, all the houses I am looking at now are being held up to the standard of that third one we saw that we fell in love with.
That's all for now, I have to get back to being a professor.
Add "happy" to the title up there,
Brad
9/20/2007: 14.22-mile biking, 49:09, 17.4 mph
9/21/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 47:50, 17.8 mph
9/24/2007: 14.23-mile biking, 48:25, 17.6 mph
9/25/2007: 14.21-mile biking, 48:42, 17.5 mph
9/27/2007: 14.22-mile biking, 49:43, 17.2 mph
9/28/2007: 14.24-mile biking, 48:39, 17.6 mph
10/01/2007: 14.25-mile biking, 45:51, 18.6 mph
As you can see, I still make it to work most every day via my bike...I just don't take the time to blog about it. Yesterday my bike time was helped by mildly favorable headwinds and the fact that I wasn't on my feet teaching all day. All of my classes had their first exam yesterday - which means I got to sit down for most of the class. Other factors that could have contributed to my faster time are: recent weight loss, my body adapting to my biking, improved cardio system due to my biking. I do think it was an anomaly. I normally sit in the 17 mph range and probably will until the weather forces me to slow down a little.
All of my classes are going great! I still love teaching and the students seem to enjoy my classes and the way I teach. I am also enjoying teaching seminary. Waking up at 5am is hard, but starting my day teaching the Gospel from the scriptures is great.
I don't think I mentioned it before, but about 2 weeks ago we went out looking at some houses. We saw a total of 4. We would not even consider the first and the last that we saw. The second was OK, but it had a pool which is a "deal-breaker" for us. The third was practically perfect in every way. Well, not really, but it would require minimal work for us to move in. The updates we would want beyond that could wait for at least 5 years (possibly ten.) The list price is a little high for our budget, but our realtor says its overpriced. By the end of January she thinks it will come down into the upper end of our price range. In the meantime, I am continuing to browse the listings and preview homes with the realtor. As we find houses that we think my wife would like, we bring the whole family for a look-see. Of course, all the houses I am looking at now are being held up to the standard of that third one we saw that we fell in love with.
That's all for now, I have to get back to being a professor.
Add "happy" to the title up there,
Brad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)