The King Of Pain

This week I’ve experienced two kinds of pain — mental and physical. While I’d rather suffer from neither, I’m think that I’d rather the former over the latter. Yesterday my inferior genetics combined with the lingering elbow pain caused by the fall I took during a Black Sheep Hash a couple of months ago really took their toll on me. If I thought that all of my physical pain could be cured by doctors visits I’d be the poster boy for Universal Healthcare this year.

Rocking Raleighwood
Another NC State Career Fair is in the books. With a 4pm ending time and a 6pm dinner meeting time I was glad that my training schedule called for a mere two-mile run. Not feeling my greatest I debated the merits of a rest day versus staying on schedule, and oddly staying on schedule won out.

With near 70º F temps in the area (all that changes today we are told, today’s high is only supposed to reach 45º F) I didn’t have to change into too many running clothes to get ready — shorts, shirt, shoes, go! Because I only had to go two miles I chose a simple “Run one mile straight down this road, and then turn around and run that mile back.” approach. Of course I can’t do things that simply (shall I confess that my fitness has not really reached a point where I can go for a two-mile run during which I don’t have to stop?) so I ran as far as I could — about a mile — walked for a little bit — about 0.25 mile — and then turned around to run back. To my pleasure I found that nearly the entire mile out was on an incline and into the wind, so the mile back was a breeze (almost literally) so I wound up tacking another couple of blocks onto the end. By the time I had walked back to the hotel the Garmin read “2.8 miles.” All things considered, I’ll take it.

Dinner last night was with my coworker Joe, ITP-Readers Lisa and Randy and their two lads at one of our favorite Raleigh dining establishments, Village Draft House (you thought that I was going to say Flying Saucer, didn’t you?). Last night was especially rewarding because I was introduced to a new local brewery called Lone Rider Brewing Company through the consumption of their Peacemaker Pale Ale. I find ales usually help me forget about what ails me.

HEEEEEY OOOOOOH! I’m here all the week! Try the veal!

ITP Flickr Pic
When in Raleigh I stay in a hotel that is in downtown. I stay at this hotel because it is convenient for getting to and from NC State, as well as its proximity to Flying Saucer. And while ITP-Reader Lisa correctly pointed out that it is also conveniently located to other drinking establishments in downtown Raleigh, I retorted that those establishments don’t necessarily employ attractive young ladies who’ll wear plaid skirts. Yes, I’m a pig. You are just figuring this out?

This is the view from the hotel’s restaurant. This was yesterday’s “sunrise.”

Look Who Has Gone Wireless!
I don’t know which shake of the proverbial rubber chicken correctly configured my new D-Link travel router so that it works with this hotel’s network, but it’s working now and I have no intention of fucking with the configuration during my stay.

No longer am I cabled to the desk! Woo Hoo!

Happy Birthday To My One And Only Bro
Seeing Punxsutawney Phil seek his shadow always reminds me that the following day is my brother’s birthday. In past years I’ve wished “Ronnie” a happy birthday in this space under the guise that he was too wise to read it. Now knowing differently I wish ITP-Reader Ronnie, aka my bro, a very happy birthday. And, if the USPS has done their job his physical birthday card will have arrived on time — a condition that neither of us puts much concern into.

Stats & Goals
Daily
Current Mood – dealing with the realities of my life, but aren’t we all?
Current Music – listening to a “Build and Release” podcast
Website Of The Day – I am a computer nerd (not first class yet, but I’m working on that). As such I love technology podcasts and was pleased to find a whole network called 5by5 TV which is dedicated to technology podcasts.
Mode Of Transportation To Work – n/a
Exercise (b)Log – running/walking (2.8 miles)
Morning Weigh-In – no can do

Monthly
Foot Mileage – 6.3 miles
Wheel Mileage – 0 miles
Pushups – 0
Situps – 0
Stairs – 0 flights

Consecutive Days Of Bed-Making (Longest Streak) – 0 (1)

Vegetarian Days – 0
Carnivorous Days – 2

Marta Rides To Work – 0
Bike Rides To Work – 0

February Goals
– Not to get sick for the entire month
– Not get fired from my job
– Run no fewer than 75 miles
– Lose two pounds
– Go out on a date with someone else
– Read an entire book

2011 Goals [will be a little more fluid than in past years]
– Reduce my weight by 25 pounds based on the my weight as measured on February 1st
– Completely read the book Daily Negations which I received as a Christmas gift.
– Run Sharpened Stone as a real business — one which does not get penalized.
– 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
– Ride in no fewer than five 50 mile or 50K bike rides
– Run in no fewer than two half-marathons
– Submit at least one application under the name “Sharpened Stone” to Apple’s iOS store

The Unmeasurable
– Continue backing up all data, including the off-site storage
– Become a proficient programmer in Objective-C
– Do not create a solution for something which is not a problem
– Eat smaller portions

Cheers,
Paulie [eatl/ga]