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Life
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Nov. 17th, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
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The iPod adapter is installed in my car, and I like it. I ended up having a shop install the exhaust since the former owner elected to bend the hangers over and weld them to the pipe... which is actually trivial compared to his many other sins (he cut out ALL the resonators and replaced them with straight pipe, his welds are ugly, his exhaust tip replacement is crap, his boost gauge was shoddily removed...) I didn't really want to wedge myself under my car while it was on stands and use an angle grinder or Sawzall.
Watching the shop guy in action made me want a garage of my own... and a lift! Auto labor is apparently pretty affordable if you know what you are asking for, are interested/willing to hang out and watch the person, and have cash. It seems that in San Diego most people who have an abundance of tools and buy parts themselves are active military -- that was the first question out of the shop guy's mouth when I opened my trunk and he saw four jack stands, a bunch of associated tools and a pile of catback exhaust. It makes sense logically, since Navy folks around here are often both short on cash and long on free time when in port.
The half marathon on Sunday went... okay. I finished, which was my primary objective. I pulled something in my left leg around mile marker 9, and jog/walked the rest of the way (pace went up by about 4 minutes, doh.) Still, it was a good experience overall. I'm still a bit stiff.
I have already ordered most (70% by cost) of my reward - a full set of dive gear. The local dive shop is checking on availability and delivery time for my BC. I took care of sizing there, so I naturally ordered it there - if they were a certified Sherwood dealer, I would have ordered the rest there, but they aren't. However, they seem pretty cheerful about assembling everything for me once the BC comes in. I'll probably spend several days chortling over everything before I manage to determine how I want it configured. :)
I'm flying out to Norfolk for work on Thursday, and will be there through Monday. Good times. I hate Norfolk in November. While I am there, I will probably buy a shotgun. Still torn between a Remington 870 and a Mossberg 500. I will probably rent both and evaluate. Rumor has it the 870 is more expensive and feels more solid, the 500 is cheaper but has more slop. Reliability is anecdotally a tossup. My decision will be based primarily on ease in firing with either hand since I am left-handed and right-eyed and haven't decided what to do about that with respect to long arms yet.
And my IPT lead is officially moving to another program (he is replacing a reservist, who is going to Iraq.) I am splitting his job with a coworker for the next month. We are both also covering our existing workload. In the new year, there will be a formal requisition opened, and people who apply will be interviewed.Mood:  suffering through a lecture |
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I've been busy and therefore neglecting LJ, so a quick update...
I bought a car this weekend; a black 2008 Mazdaspeed3. It goes fast! I am thinking about replacing the loud aftermarket exhaust with something a bit more subtle. And I am definitely installing an iPod interface; there is one which will show the ID3 tags on the stereo display and let you use the steering wheel controls. I am kind of annoyed that it is apparently next to impossible to buy a hardcopy of the factory service manual.
This week I ran about 19.5 miles. The long run was 7.25 miles, which I completed about half an hour ago. This puts me back on track on the running plan, since I've made every run this week. Hooray! And about time too, since the plan starts ramping up one mile each week on the long weekend run.
I have a midterm tomorrow. The systems engineering class is significantly less annoying once we started being sensible and having one person take responsibility for drafting an assignment, then reviewing it in the telecon (we're all distance students) rather than trying to actually write it in the telecon.Mood:  accomplished |
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I've been totally bad about posting exercise, and also pretty bad about actually doing the exercise. I am on track for maximum distance, currently running max of 6 miles at once (but it hurts.) But I have not been running 4x a week as planned. It's a mix of travel and not prioritizing it highly enough. But at least I'm on track to make 13 miles by mid-November, even if my time sucks.
I've still got a couple weeks of slack in the schedule to make it up (meaning improve my time) if I work at it. And I'm actually in town this weekend! Err, but not next weekend. So far as I know, I am not traveling at all in October, so I should be able to stick to my plan.Mood:  hopeful |
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In my car, that is; my house is still cooled by the convenient method of leaving the windows open (and leaving a fan in the doorway, on occasion.) We replaced the filter/dryer, pumped the system down to vacuum, and charged it back up. I drove it around a bit tonight, and it is cold. Hopefully it won't leak... Tomorrow after driving it around a bit more, I will take a look with the UV light.
After fixing the car, Adam and I headed over to The Linkery for some well-earned tastiness. Stone Ruination and Rock Bottom's Old Curmudgeon on cask, Pastured organic Berkshire pork porterhouse (the best pork I have ever had), and a nice grilled wild bluefin tuna with wheatberries.
( some pictures: )Mood:  satisfied |
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So, I really want scuba gear. I want to buy it before Christmas, when we are diving in Belize. (Actually, I want to buy it now; I've got it all picked out and I've practically named each piece by this point.) But, scuba gear costs quite a bit of money, particularly since I have fairly specific desires as to what I want and don't see the point in buying something if I am going to resent it for not being the model I wanted. So, I am using the carrot of scuba gear to bribe myself to be good.
I'm signed up for the Silver Strand Half Marathon on November 15. In order to be "allowed" to buy scuba gear, I have to train for it, and run in it. I don't need to make a particular time, I just need to do the damn thing.
This isn't exactly a "hard" goal, except I really, REALLY hate running. I would rather hike 15 miles with a pack than run 5. Actually, I'd probably rather hike 15 miles with a pack than run 3. So, even though I was supposed to run the America's Finest Half Marathon in August, I haven't been training enough for it to be successful. I have a pretty decent half marathon training plan for novices that I just haven't been sticking to.
I have a secondary goal of being able to do a hundred consecutive good form pushups by the time of the half marathon, but I don't think I'll make that a hard go/no-go criteria for the gear. I am about 70% convinced I should make keeping to the hundred pushups training program a requirement, though.
I'll be posting weekly roundups of my exercise again, since I've gotten fat and lazy.
Edited to add: I will also be updating my planned and accomplished exercise in my Google Calendar.Mood:  determined |
| » Mt Whitney |
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Hiking Mt Whitney this weekend was fun, but unfortunately we didn't summit. Brandon twisted an ankle on Saturday. We overnighted at Trail Camp (at about 12 Kft), but in the morning the ankle wasn't any better. We didn't want to add an extra 10 miles of scrambling in snow to it, so we headed down.
I saw several chipmunks, plenty of birds, lots of little fluffy tailed mice creatures, and my first marmot. Marmots are pretty big.
Pictures are below the cut; they're crossposted to Facebook, so you can skip over the cut if you've already seen them there.
( Pictures of the Mt Whitney trip )
Jun. 17th, 2009 @ 08:27 am
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| » Long time no post |
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After seeing ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ratseal's slightly forlorn post, I realized I haven't posted to LJ in ages. I've mostly been using Facebook for short status messages and pictures, and LJ has mostly reverted to saving recipes so I don't forget them.
Let me post. No, there is too much. Let me sum up. (FB has damaged my ability to write longer posts, and I haven't been doing much lately worth posting about.)
Current status summary:- I went on a hike last weekend summitting Mt. San Gorgonio again; pics are here. (yay)
- I've been very busy at work (boo)
- But I'm getting an award on Monday (yay)
- I'm sick this weekend so I skipped out on hiking (boo)
- But I'm summitting Mt. Whitney next weekend (yay!)
- And I'm also hanging out in Seattle in a couple weeks, and then going to hang out with my sister on her carrier for a week (yay!)
So mostly yay.
Jun. 6th, 2009 @ 05:40 pm
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| » Red Chicken Curry |
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Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken breast
1 red bell pepper
~1/2 lb crimini mushrooms
~1/4 lb snow peas
2-3 serrano peppers, diced (not seeded)
~2 Tbsp red curry paste (A Taste of Thai)
1 14-oz can light coconut milk
salt
pepper
madras curry powder
paprika
cumin
coriander
~1 Tbsp sesame oil
~2 Tbsp vegetable oil (canola or other)
Instructions:
Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks. Rub with salt, pepper and madras curry powder.
Heat both oils in large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and sear.
Reduce to medium, add all vegetables. Saute until red pepper begins to soften, approximately 5 minutes.
Add coconut milk, curry paste, and spices (paprika, cumin, coriander, salt) to taste. Simmer until thickened and aromatic.
Jun. 1st, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
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| » Score!! |
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950/1000 on my final. I was convinced I'd bombed the first question (worth 30% of the final, final is worth 40% of the class, could have tanked my grade for the semester.)
HA!
May. 11th, 2009 @ 04:36 pm
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| » Hiking 16.3 miles, Eagle Crag |
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Eagle Crag is east on the 79 from Temecula. The trailhead is actually quite easy to get to even in a Civic, provided you're willing to drive on winding dirt roads with steep dropoffs on both sides. The road was pretty well graded, so rocks and ruts were not a problem.
( More on the hike )
On the way back (still about 7.5-8 miles out), we were headed down the trail and suddenly heard a loud rattling noise. After a quick glance identified a large rattlesnake coiled 8 feet away (reading snake identification pages, we think it was a southwestern speckled), we teleported about 30 feet back up the trail. We spent several minutes trying to figure out a way past either above the trail or below, but we were cut off by steep slopes and chaparral on both sides. Eventually, we figured out we'd have to get past the snake somehow. Since it was only 4 feet off the trail itself, this posed a problem; they might not be able to strike that far, but I'd rather not get within 4 feet of a rattlesnake that expressly unhappy about my presence.
We tried making a fair amount of noise back towards the snake in the hopes that it would move off, but it refused to budge, and started rattling more loudly. We backed back up and decided we'd have to move it along by shying rocks near it. We edged back around the curve until we could just see the snake, then began throwing fist-sized rocks closer and closer to it to get it to move. Eventually, we succeeded! The rattler started moving uphill away from the trail. We waited 15 seconds or so to let it get farther away, then noticed it was starting to arc back towards us, so we scampered past it until we got safely downtrail.
I might add a Sawyer extractor to my hiking first aid kit, since if somebody gets bitten on one of my hikes, it's likely to be several miles from medical attention. The only other alternative (leaving them behind and racing for help) might not always be available, depending on how isolated the trail is.
May. 11th, 2009 @ 03:39 pm
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| » Penguicon and stuff |
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Well, mightyix has shamed me by making two Penguicon posts when I haven't even made one yet, so I should probably throw some words down.
( Wall of text does not crit you )
Summary:
Penguicon is awesome, and probably second on my list of con objectives for 2010 (Dragon*Con is probably always going to have first place.)
Objectives for next year: Drink a little bit less, party/wander a bit more. I would like to chat with more strangers next time -- it is not something I am any good at, but I can work on it. Bring some pretty clothes so boys will like me (I was very lazy and just brought t-shirts and jeans this time.) Bring a classic console or two in case a casual hangout spot needs some light entertainment. Engage in more shenanigans of various sorts (no complaints about the ones I did engage in, though.) Also sleep in less. And go to some panels!
May. 5th, 2009 @ 09:36 am
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| » Hypothetical plausibly deadly scenarios |
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I had a lively debate with Kevin this weekend about the definition of death as it applies to a couple of science fiction situations (this started out due to some episodes of Stargate SG-1.)
( Discussion below cut )
Opinions? Actually, I should just make a poll. I'll tell you which of us was which later; I don't want to throw the vote.
Poll #1391966
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 12Teleporting vs. Age Regression, which is okay? (pick all that apply)
Apr. 29th, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
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| » Beef Short Ribs in Chipotle and Green Chile Sauce |
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Ingredients:
1 t salt
1 t freshly ground black pepper
1 t ground cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t ground coriander
8 3-inch-long meaty beef short ribs
2 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 14-oz can chicken broth
1 14-oz can diced tomatoes
1/4 c fresh lime juice
1 1/2 T chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (canned)
3 large fresh anaheim chiles, stemmed, seeded, cut into 1/4" thick rings
chopped fresh cilantro
lime wedges
Instructions:
Mix first 5 ingredients in bowl; sprinkle all over short ribs.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Add half of ribs and brown on all sides, about 9 minutes; transfer to plate. Repeat with remaining ribs. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and garlic to same pot; cover and cook until onion is soft, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add tomatoes, lime juice, and chipotle chilies. Return ribs to pot, meaty side down, in single layer. Bring to boil; cover and cook in oven until ribs are just tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove pot from oven. Tilt pot; spoon off fat. Place pot over medium heat and simmer uncovered until sauce coats spoon and ribs are very tender, about 25 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper and add chili rings. Simmer until chilies soften, about 10 minutes. Transfer ribs and sauce to large bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro; garnish with lime wedges.
Apr. 29th, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
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| » It's a miracle he's still single |
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Adam: "Ooh, that reminds me!"
Me: "Let me guess, your notch filters?" [editor's note: he was very smug earlier about the notch filters he derived being used for an unspecified work project]
Adam: "Yes!" (wiggles eyebrows) "I kind of want to rederive them for you..."
Me: "...Wow, it's a miracle you're still single!" (opens a browser window, starts typing in an address)
Adam: "...Are you looking up notch filters?"
Me: (snickers, rolls eyes) "No." (finishes opening up LJ 'Post an Entry' page)
Adam: "...Crap. I hate you. Will you add that I hate you?"
Edit: I'm going to have to shut the laptop soon; he is itching to tell me more about the filters he's so proud of, but refuses to do so until I close the laptop. I suspect powerful nerding is inbound.
Apr. 24th, 2009 @ 09:56 pm
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| » Course schedule |
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If anybody is curious, below the cut are the courses I'm planning on taking for the rest of the my degree. Classes I've already taken are green, classes I plan to take are red. The X indicates that the particular class is available that semester.
I was really torn between concentrating in sensors and concentrating in propulsion/power. I settled on the latter, though.
( Overly detailed course schedule )
Apr. 22nd, 2009 @ 10:20 am
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| » Marscarpone with fruit |
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Ingredients:
4 Tbsp marscarpone cheese
6 or so blackberries
4 or so strawberries, quartered
honey
mint
Instructions:
Pile marscarpone in bottom of a small bowl. Top with fruit. Sprinkle fresh whole mint leaves liberally over top. Drizzle generously with honey. Mix.
Did I mention that blackberries are currently $0.77 per 6 oz container, and strawberries are $3 per quart? Fantastic!
Apr. 19th, 2009 @ 09:48 pm
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| » Chicken Tortilla Soup |
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Ingredients:
1 raw whole chicken, approx. 5 lb
1 15-oz can black beans, drained
1 15-oz can corn
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 large tomatoes, diced
2 large onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, minced (also good if you substitute pasilla)
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 Tbsp adobo sauce from can, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
Juice from 2 limes
Cumin
Salt
Pepper
Queso fresco
Corn tortillas
Instructions:
Place whole or jointed chicken in large stockpot. Add just enough water to cover. Boil 1 hour or until done. Remove and chill, then remove meat from chicken and shred into pieces. Skim broth to remove fats, then return shredded chicken to stockpot.
In large skillet, saute diced onions in olive oil over medium heat. When tender, add garlic and jalapeno. Saute until aromatic and add to pot.
Add remaining ingredients to pot. Simmer 30 minutes. Season to taste with cumin, salt, and pepper.
Heat 1/4 inch peanut oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Slice tortillas into 1" strips. Fry until crisp.
Serve tortilla soup topped with grated queso fresco and tortilla strips.
Apr. 19th, 2009 @ 09:46 pm
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| » Expensive day |
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I still need to get crampons (probably the Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons) and a crampon bag.
Oh, the incentive for this sudden splurge of camping gear: Adam and I got a Mt. Whitney slot!!! We will be summitting the highest peak in the continental U.S. June 13-14. Whoohoo! There is very likely going to be a lot of snow and ice up there that early in June.
And it looks like my half-marathon is 3 days before my 29th birthday. Maybe I should think about running a marathon before my 30th...
Apr. 16th, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
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| » "Shall issue" CCWs in CA |
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If you live in CA, and like guns, write your assemblyman (and maybe the assemblymen on the committee of public safety) in favor of AB 357 and AB 1167.
The first would make CA a "shall-issue" state (removing the "good cause" requirement), and the second would direct the DOJ to set up CCW reciprocity agreements with other states.
I know the timing is odd, but this is not in fact an April Fool's joke.
Apr. 1st, 2009 @ 10:59 am
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| » Fridge organized |
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( Slightly less chaotic picture )
I really need to organize my pantry next - there is zero space in it for extra stuff.
My next move (home purchase?) really needs more fridge and cupboard space. The checklist for my future home is starting to get pretty lengthy.
Adam and I are cooking white bean and leek soup tonight, and eating some delicious leftover pea dumplings.
Mar. 22nd, 2009 @ 06:23 pm
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