If you are a Follower of InsidePerimeter on Twitter or one of my friends on Facebook then you’ve probably seen my latest update “<--- Focusing" and wondering what it's all about. Well, I've decided the time has come to once again attempt to focus on the things which are important to me -- work, weight loss, and photography (I couldn't come up with a synonym which started with a 'w') -- because I feel as if I am completely scattered and am doing nothing well any longer.
Clemson Trip Complete
I’m thrilled to report that the Jackmobile made it to Clemson and back without incident. Mechanically he did incredibly well, and I had the same confident feeling that I had along my trip prior to the breakdown in Boulder.
The trip was not without incident however. It’s funny how recent events can taint your outlook on life. While sitting in the hotel lobby on Wednesday night a young Asain woman came out to the lobby and spoke (in her best broken English) to the kid at the front desk in the hotel. She was trying to get him to allow her to make a phone call on the front desk phone. The guy repeatedly explained to her that the phone in her room would make calls if she dialed ‘9’ first. To which she got frustrated and said that she needed to make an out of state call, and that the number was blocked from her room. He refused to let her use the front desk phone. She then proceeded to walk to where I was sitting and asked me if she could borrow my mobile phone to make a phone call. Having witnessed the scene at the front desk, not knowing her from Eve, and not knowing to where she was going to place a call, I politely declined and she seemed frustrated. At that time I started to wonder if I was going to have a car keying for which I’d at least understand why.
ITP Flickr Pic
I think I actually said “What the fuck” when Jill2 (my Garmin GPS) directed me to get off of I-85 at Exit #2 in South Carolina in order get to Clemson. I’ve been to Clemson a handful of times now and have never gotten off at this exit (mostly because I have no need for fireworks).
I did what she said, and wouldn’t you know, my compliance was rewarded.
I probably could have gotten a better shot of this hearth. I had my Nikon 17-55mm lens on the camera and where I parked was a bit of a hike to get here (not knowing that there was a dirt road right next to this tree) and I didn’t want to go back to the car to get a longer lens.
A Busy, Busy, Weekend Ahead
I will be riding somewhere tomorrow. There is rumor that I will be banditing the sixty-mile course of this year’s Beautiful Backroads Century (self-supporting since I won’t be paying of course). However, there is a rumor that I’ll skip the long drive up I-75 and ride the Red Rocket from the house (where I will go, nobody knows).
Tomorrow is also East Atlanta Strut day. Though I’ve missed this event in some recent years, I plan to make it back out again this year and have a great time within walking distance of the Inside The Perimeter Estate.
Speaking of the Estate….. I plan to start doing some work (yard, cleaning) around the house on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. Of course there will be football on the television, so I also plan to be indoors during football time so I can drink beer while I listen to the games on the tv while I work.
Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – attempting to be positive
Current Music – silence for focusing
Website Of The Day – I love this event so much I’m pimping it again — East Atlanta Strut.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – my car
Exercise (b)Log – nothing
Morning Weigh-In – didn’t check
Pages Of 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die Read – 77
Monthly
Foot Mileage – ~15 miles, Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0, Situps – 0
Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 1 (2)
Vegetarian Days – 0, Carnivorous Days – 16
Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0
September Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Ride my bicycle no fewer than 250 miles
– Determine the fate of Sharpened Stone, LLC
– Complete at least one iPhone application (seriously, this needs to happen)
– lose five pounds
– eat vegetarian at least one day a week
2010 Goals
– Reduce my weight to 185 pounds (starting weight was 198 pounds) [update: On July 1 I’ve sadly gained weight; I’m at 203 pounds]
– Completely read the book 1001 Paintings You Must See Before You Die
– Earn at least $150 through photography sales in order to cover the cost for the renewal of the Sharpened Stone.
– Save $500 for the sole purpose of donating to charitable organizations of my choice
– Attend at least one professional photography workshop
– Enter no fewer than three photographic competitions / gallery showings
– Get the Black Sheep stats out of Excel and online
– Ride in no fewer than two 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Complete my Taco Mac Passport requirement of 125 beers
The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in PHP and CSS Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]
Besides seeing the hearth – it was probably a much more scenic drive that the usual way into Clemson. we took exit 1 to Seneca to a friends lake house on Lake Keowee, and some others that used a GPS (instead of the emailed directions) were directed to exit 2. Maybe Garmin has a deal with someone at exit 2.
We will be riding the cruiser bikes around Savannah this weekend – it is a reccy weekend for InterAm 2011 – I’m exited to do our wheelhopper reccy, a few beer stops & see the tourist sites of Savannah.
and – U-Verse is getting installed this morning – just got calls from the outside guy who is working already, and the inside guy should be at the house to bother Allan within 30 minutes. So far this customer service has impressed me.
Garmin must have a deal with the two huge fireworks places which are the only thing on Exit 2.
I was not a big fan of AT&T (contracted to BellSouth once, have spotty iPhone coverage) but admit their U-Verse team did a great job with my installation. And so far the service has been everything they promised.
Have fun in Savannah. After three weeks of traveling I’m happy to stay home this weekend, which is why I’m considering riding from the house. Besides, next weekend is Hartwell and in October I’ll be most likely traveling to North Carolina on two weekends.
Since we didn’t do the big road trip, we substituted 3 weekend trips (Isle of Palms, Lake Keowee & now Savannah).
Allan isn’t sure if he can get next Saturday off, so we might not be at Hartwell now after all. (glad I didn’t pay yet, I”m not one to ask for a refund & I hate giving away money). I haven’t been riding enough to go do 3 Gap on that Sunday, I’m sure I could suffer thru it, but not sure if I want to.
But I’m sure there will be plenty to do with the garage & stuff like that anyway.
Bummer on both accounts for next weekend, Barb. I’ll be bringing the Red Rocket with me for a ride up in Hartwell next weekend. I’ll try not to get lost again… 🙂
depending on a few things, I may come up to Hartwell for the day on Saturday – I’ll definitely bring my bike. We will be spending the weekend rooming with Oops & Deposit Slit, so I’ll work out a deal with them maybe.
I’m thinking the same thing Barb, I’ve been out of town or just really busy the last few weekends (and more to follow) plus with the uncertainty of what’s going on with Jerry’s dad, I’m thinking about bailing on Hartwell or only going up for the day. We will see.
Paulie, next time you are in Raleigh, I would HIGHLY recommend the Village Kabob, on Peace St @ St. Mary’s. I found it by accident but great Afgan food. I had the mantu last night, dumplings stuffed with meat & onions with a meat sauce, yogurt and dried mint. I’m ready to go back for lunch and try something else.
I plan to do Hartwell Fri-Sun though I need to be back in Atlanta by Sunday night to attend the Pavement show at The Tabernacle that night.
Thanks Martha. I’ll be in Raleigh next month. Hoping to spend the weekend with the Randy and Lisa and then working NC State’s career fair.
Martha, I saw the score from last night’s game. I know how deeply Jerry cares about his football, hope that doesn’t put a damper on the rest of the weekend.
hey Martha – we could meet over there by your office & carpool. We just might have to discuss this more next week.
I was wondering what mantu was……..
hey Paulie – I just saw that at this new movie place in Roswell called the Studio Movie Grill – they have a sunday night theme – Mad Men & Martini’s – you could go hang with other Mad Men fanatics.
and – one more for Paulie (& everyone)
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2010/09/texas-chef-successfully-deep-friesbeer
Oh, I just may have to do that Barb, though I’m not a Martini drinker. It’s a shame that the second-coming of Reingold Beer in New York flopped (or so I believe) because they drink that on the show as well. 🙂
And someone should smack me for considering purchasing the Cuisinart gas grill that is today’s Deal of the Day at Amazon.
Ate too much at the Chinese Food Court today. Oh boy, do I need to refocus yet again on my desire to lose weight.
Paulie — at least you aren’t on your 5th beer of the afternoon. Last day of vacation and we still have good beer left that won’t fit in the cooler to drive back. What’s a good hasher to do? About to top off the beer with some homemade ice cream 🙂