Friday, April 29, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
This is a short and neat article written by a GIS analyst on the impact that Google satellite maps are having on the awareness lay people have of the GIS profession.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Recall that last weekend I tried an Americano at Starbucks after liking the Americano I drank at our local independent coffee shop. I thought the Starbucks Americano was weak and that I wanted to try ordering it with an extra shot next time.
Well yesterday we stopped by Starbucks to read the Saturday paper and The Week magazine. I ordered a "tall Americano with an extra shot". It was sublime! The perfect cup of coffee. This is now my standing order at Starbucks.
It was so good I went up for a second one. I ordered the same thing but from a different barista. She asked if I meant a triple Americano. I gave her a confused look and mumbled something that probably sounded like "Uh..whaa..huh?" She explained that a tall Americano is normally made with two shots of espresso, so did I mean a total of three shots? Yep.
A tall at Starbucks is 12 ounces by the way, and a shot of espresso is one ounce, so the perfect Americano (for me anyway) is one part espresso and three parts hot water.
Our last two visits to a coffee house have been to a Starbucks and not our independent. I think it is because Starbucks has a few comfortable soft upholstered chairs, and we just didn't feel like sitting on hard wooden chairs at a wood table for a couple hours.
Well yesterday we stopped by Starbucks to read the Saturday paper and The Week magazine. I ordered a "tall Americano with an extra shot". It was sublime! The perfect cup of coffee. This is now my standing order at Starbucks.
It was so good I went up for a second one. I ordered the same thing but from a different barista. She asked if I meant a triple Americano. I gave her a confused look and mumbled something that probably sounded like "Uh..whaa..huh?" She explained that a tall Americano is normally made with two shots of espresso, so did I mean a total of three shots? Yep.
A tall at Starbucks is 12 ounces by the way, and a shot of espresso is one ounce, so the perfect Americano (for me anyway) is one part espresso and three parts hot water.
Our last two visits to a coffee house have been to a Starbucks and not our independent. I think it is because Starbucks has a few comfortable soft upholstered chairs, and we just didn't feel like sitting on hard wooden chairs at a wood table for a couple hours.
We watched Sideways last night and both really liked it.
It's about a couple of middle age friends from college going on a road trip through California wine country the week before one of them is getting married. Good character development. Engaging story line.
An interesting factoid: Three months after the release of Sideways the sales of merlot dropped by 2% and the sales of pinot noir increased by 14%.
I found myself wanting a glass of wine all the way through the movie. I suggest opening a nice bottle of pinot before starting the movie.
I never had a pinot up until 2001. Until then my favorite was cabernet sauvignon. I would have a tough time choosing which one I like better now.
It's about a couple of middle age friends from college going on a road trip through California wine country the week before one of them is getting married. Good character development. Engaging story line.
An interesting factoid: Three months after the release of Sideways the sales of merlot dropped by 2% and the sales of pinot noir increased by 14%.
I found myself wanting a glass of wine all the way through the movie. I suggest opening a nice bottle of pinot before starting the movie.
I never had a pinot up until 2001. Until then my favorite was cabernet sauvignon. I would have a tough time choosing which one I like better now.
Friday, April 22, 2005
I don't know if the difference is between male dogs and female dogs, or if the difference is just from dog to dog, but some dog's urine and/or poop kills grass while others make it grow.
Goliath's stuff definitely made grass grow. The grass would grow greener around a steamer that was left on the lawn for just a week.
He never learned to lift his leg to pee on objects so he did a good job of evenly distributing his pee over most of the lawn.
Why do I mention this? After more than a year and a half of his demise the areas of the yard that he preferred are still significantly greener and fuller than the other areas. I usually have to raise the lawnmower up half a click when I get to those sections or the lawnmower gets clogged up.
He went through about 25 pounds of dog food per month. He used our current yard for about 32 months. That is almost 800 pounds of nutrients applied to a relatively small area.
In case you are wondering, the area of enriched soil is the half of the back yard that is closest to the house, especially within 15 feet of the patio. He didn’t like to be outside much. He would race outside, do his thing, and then be barking at the door to be let back inside with us. I guess that tendency explains why he fertilized closer to the house.
Goliath's stuff definitely made grass grow. The grass would grow greener around a steamer that was left on the lawn for just a week.
He never learned to lift his leg to pee on objects so he did a good job of evenly distributing his pee over most of the lawn.
Why do I mention this? After more than a year and a half of his demise the areas of the yard that he preferred are still significantly greener and fuller than the other areas. I usually have to raise the lawnmower up half a click when I get to those sections or the lawnmower gets clogged up.
He went through about 25 pounds of dog food per month. He used our current yard for about 32 months. That is almost 800 pounds of nutrients applied to a relatively small area.
In case you are wondering, the area of enriched soil is the half of the back yard that is closest to the house, especially within 15 feet of the patio. He didn’t like to be outside much. He would race outside, do his thing, and then be barking at the door to be let back inside with us. I guess that tendency explains why he fertilized closer to the house.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
I started around 260 but didn't start keeping track until 247. Notice the little bump the week after my birthday! (These are not my daily weights. They are averages of the previous seven days, that is why it took a week for the birthday excess to show up. The last two days I have been under 240, but that won't show up in the averages for another week.)
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
I am thinking about putting my birthday money towards this saddle.
Body Geometry medically proven comfort, delivered in a focused off road design.
Slightly downturned nose for comfort during seated climbs
Smooth back won't snag shorts when you need to get behind the saddle for steep drops
Scientifically proven Body Geometry design with V-Groove plus window relieves pressure and improves bloodflow , even in extreme riding positions
Durable, lightweight, water resistant MicroMatrix synthetic leather
Abrasion resistant panels on the corners and nose
Lightweight, hollow titanium rails
Approximate Weight: 240gm
Body Geometry medically proven comfort, delivered in a focused off road design.
Slightly downturned nose for comfort during seated climbs
Smooth back won't snag shorts when you need to get behind the saddle for steep drops
Scientifically proven Body Geometry design with V-Groove plus window relieves pressure and improves bloodflow , even in extreme riding positions
Durable, lightweight, water resistant MicroMatrix synthetic leather
Abrasion resistant panels on the corners and nose
Lightweight, hollow titanium rails
Approximate Weight: 240gm
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
A small development on my coffee preference front: When I first ordered an Americano at our local independent shop they asked me if I wanted one shot or two of espresso. I said two.
This weekend we went to a Starbucks and I ordered a small Americano and did not specify any shot preference. It was too week for me. It was actually weaker than some regular cups of coffee I have had.
The next time I order an Americano from Starbucks I will order a "small Americano with an extra shot". I don't want to order it "with two shots" in case it is already made with two shots.
(I feel really dorky saying tall, grande, and venti instead of small, medium, and large in Starbucks, so I usually just say small, medium, and large.)
This weekend we went to a Starbucks and I ordered a small Americano and did not specify any shot preference. It was too week for me. It was actually weaker than some regular cups of coffee I have had.
The next time I order an Americano from Starbucks I will order a "small Americano with an extra shot". I don't want to order it "with two shots" in case it is already made with two shots.
(I feel really dorky saying tall, grande, and venti instead of small, medium, and large in Starbucks, so I usually just say small, medium, and large.)
My A1c numbers have always been in the 7.x range. The doctor just called and, because of my weight loss, my last test came back a 6.6.
Excellent control: A1c less than 7%
Good control: 7 to 7.9%
Fair control: 8 to 8.9%
Poor control: greater than 9%
Excellent control: A1c less than 7%
Good control: 7 to 7.9%
Fair control: 8 to 8.9%
Poor control: greater than 9%
Get ready for some old time religion. The new pope is in town.
Karl Rahner, Hans Kung and Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger all die on the same day, and go to meet St. Peter to know their fate.
St. Peter approaches the three of them, and tells them that he will interview each of them to discuss their views on various issues.
He then points at Rahner and says "Karl! In my office..." After 4 hours, the door opens, and Rahner comes stumbling out of St. Peter's office. He is highly distraught, and is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
St. Peter follows him out, and sticks his finger in Kung's direction and "Hans! You're next..." After 8 hours, the door opens, and Kung comes out, barely able to stand. He is near collapse with weakness and a crushed spirit. He , too, is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
Lastly, St. Peter, emerging from his office, says to Cardinal Ratzinger, "Joseph, your turn." TWELVE HOURS LATER, St. Peter stumbles out the door, apparently exhausted, saying "Oh God, that's the hardest thing I've ever done..."
St. Peter approaches the three of them, and tells them that he will interview each of them to discuss their views on various issues.
He then points at Rahner and says "Karl! In my office..." After 4 hours, the door opens, and Rahner comes stumbling out of St. Peter's office. He is highly distraught, and is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
St. Peter follows him out, and sticks his finger in Kung's direction and "Hans! You're next..." After 8 hours, the door opens, and Kung comes out, barely able to stand. He is near collapse with weakness and a crushed spirit. He , too, is mumbling things like "Oh God, that was the hardest thing I've ever done! How could I have been so wrong! So sorry...never knew..." He stumbles off into Heaven, a testament to the mercy of Our God.
Lastly, St. Peter, emerging from his office, says to Cardinal Ratzinger, "Joseph, your turn." TWELVE HOURS LATER, St. Peter stumbles out the door, apparently exhausted, saying "Oh God, that's the hardest thing I've ever done..."
Monday, April 18, 2005
Saturday, April 16, 2005
I think I have yet another new favorite coffee drink when I am ordering out. (At home I still like coffee from my newly rediscovered moka pot.) It is called an Americano. It is simply espresso with enough hot water added to dilute it to about the strength of a normal cup of coffee.
I don't like drip coffee any more. The slow brewing process adds too much bitterness, and the paper filter removes too much of the good oils that are in the coffee. I don't think a straight shot of espresso is enjoyable, and a cappuccino just seems like too much sometimes. (whatever the hell that means.) The Americano gives me the best of both worlds. The sweet non-bitter taste of espresso in a less intense form that I can drink like a regular cup of coffee.
Another advantage is that a coffee shop's drip coffee can sit brewed for quite some time. As soon as coffee is brewed the taste starts to deteriorate and get bitter. With an Americano it is not brewed until after you order it so it is always very fresh.
Also, I like a HOT cup of coffee. Drip coffee makers just can't get as hot as the water from an espresso machine. Therefore you are always guaranteed a fresh hot cup of coffee with a nice full body when you order an Americano. Sheri tried it (I drink it black) and she said she really liked it a couple of times. She normally adds a lot of Equal sweetener to her coffee.
I don't like drip coffee any more. The slow brewing process adds too much bitterness, and the paper filter removes too much of the good oils that are in the coffee. I don't think a straight shot of espresso is enjoyable, and a cappuccino just seems like too much sometimes. (whatever the hell that means.) The Americano gives me the best of both worlds. The sweet non-bitter taste of espresso in a less intense form that I can drink like a regular cup of coffee.
Another advantage is that a coffee shop's drip coffee can sit brewed for quite some time. As soon as coffee is brewed the taste starts to deteriorate and get bitter. With an Americano it is not brewed until after you order it so it is always very fresh.
Also, I like a HOT cup of coffee. Drip coffee makers just can't get as hot as the water from an espresso machine. Therefore you are always guaranteed a fresh hot cup of coffee with a nice full body when you order an Americano. Sheri tried it (I drink it black) and she said she really liked it a couple of times. She normally adds a lot of Equal sweetener to her coffee.
I ordered the Google t-shirt I posted about last week, and it came in a couple of days ago. Today was the first day that I wore it out and I noticed several people looking at it, and one guy even commented "I like your shirt." as we were leaving a bookstore today. I plan to post a picture of me wearing it tomorrow.
I haven't posted in a while. I go in cycles sometimes where I just don't feel like writing. I think I'm back.
My birthday was a week ago yesterday. Sheri and I took the day off work and took the morning express train into Chicago. From Union Station we took the 28 express bus to The Museum of Science and Industry to see the Body Worlds exhibit. Outstanding!
Mom and Dad took the Amtrak in Friday morning. The plan was that we were going to meet them at Union Station and then proceed to the Museum together, but there was trouble on the line (that's for you Shawn!) and they were two hours late getting in. We purchased the tickets on-line and you have to specify a time for the movie and the Body Worlds exhibit. As it was approaching the time for us to enter the movie Mom and Dad were still at least an hour away from being at the Museum, so I got the bright idea to change their ticket times before they got sold out and then leave the tickets at will call. That worked out good.
We finally met up with Mom and Dad after they had seen the movie and started the Body Worlds exhibit. We told them we would meet them in the cafeteria. We were getting tired and a little hungry.
Sheri and I split a surprisingly good sandwich and a bag of chips. I got a Diet Pepsi from a machine. We sat there for a while just relaxing and watching people. My back was bothering me so I didn't mind just sitting.
Mom and Dad found us after about an hour. They got a sandwich per our recommendation and a salad. We sat there for a while catching up on things. When they were done eating we did a very quick walk-around of the rest of the Museum. The coal mine and the German sub exhibits were both closed for remodeling. Crap!
When we were done the four of us caught the bus back to Union Station. I decided that for my birthday dinner I wanted hot dogs and French fries from Gold Coast Hot Dog in Union Station. Portillo's Chicago dogs are good, but Gold Coast dogs are even better. Also, I don't normally get French fries any more, but there are very few fries as good as theirs so I splurged. Besides, it was my birthday.
The plan was to get back home and go to our favorite coffee shop for coffee and a birthday cookie, but on the way home I realized that we were all too tired for that, so we just went home.
I opened up birthday gifts on the couch and then we all went to bed relatively early.
Saturday morning I made a soy protein drink for Dad and I because he was curious to try one. He liked it.
Then we went to the Bobak's. We ended up eating at their inside café for breakfast. We got two Polish sausages baked inside bread dough. Sound strange for breakfast, but everyone really liked them.
We walked around the store for a little bit and then we drove by the Ikea that is being build near our home.
Then we went to Trader Joes. Dad got some soy protein powder. He got the smaller tub than I get and from what I hear he has almost already finished it!
After that we took them to our downtown to stroll around. We took them to Penzey's to get some good spices.
Then we went to our favorite coffee house and relaxed with some cappuccinos. It think it was the first real cappuccino they had (as opposed to the gas station cappuccinos) and they both appeared to enjoy them.
At this point it was probably about 4 PM and we were all getting hungry, so we took them to Joy Yee, our favorite local Asian restaurant. We started with an appetizer of cold Japanese seaweed salad. Then we split an order of Thai red curry chicken and an order of chicken phad Thai. Their portions are HUGE and the appetizer and the two entrees were more than enough. Everyone left full.
We went home and watched Spanglish. It was good.
Sunday morning Sheri had to be at work at 6 AM, so the three of us were on our own for the day. We ended up having breakfast at White Castle (Don't laugh. Their toast-egg-cheese-on-toast sandwiches use fresh eggs and are really good.) and then spending most of the afternoon in the backyard and hanging mini-blinds over the two windows in the garage. We also bought a packet of seeds to grow giant sun flowers and planted those in the back yard.
Around 4 PM it was time to take Mom and Dad to the Metra station. We stopped on the way so they could pick up a couple of sandwiches at Jimmy Johns for the Amtrak ride home. I think from now on every time they visit we will have to take them to Jimmy Johns. Their vegi sub is that good. They love 'em.
Sheri called about the time we got to the Metra station. She was half way home from work and wanted to let us know she was trying to get to the station before their train came so she could say good bye. She made it.
The took the Metra into Chicago, had a couple more hot dogs from Gold Coast, and then took the Amtrak back home. I think they said they didn't get home until like 1 AM.
All in all it was a nice birthday.
My birthday was a week ago yesterday. Sheri and I took the day off work and took the morning express train into Chicago. From Union Station we took the 28 express bus to The Museum of Science and Industry to see the Body Worlds exhibit. Outstanding!
Mom and Dad took the Amtrak in Friday morning. The plan was that we were going to meet them at Union Station and then proceed to the Museum together, but there was trouble on the line (that's for you Shawn!) and they were two hours late getting in. We purchased the tickets on-line and you have to specify a time for the movie and the Body Worlds exhibit. As it was approaching the time for us to enter the movie Mom and Dad were still at least an hour away from being at the Museum, so I got the bright idea to change their ticket times before they got sold out and then leave the tickets at will call. That worked out good.
We finally met up with Mom and Dad after they had seen the movie and started the Body Worlds exhibit. We told them we would meet them in the cafeteria. We were getting tired and a little hungry.
Sheri and I split a surprisingly good sandwich and a bag of chips. I got a Diet Pepsi from a machine. We sat there for a while just relaxing and watching people. My back was bothering me so I didn't mind just sitting.
Mom and Dad found us after about an hour. They got a sandwich per our recommendation and a salad. We sat there for a while catching up on things. When they were done eating we did a very quick walk-around of the rest of the Museum. The coal mine and the German sub exhibits were both closed for remodeling. Crap!
When we were done the four of us caught the bus back to Union Station. I decided that for my birthday dinner I wanted hot dogs and French fries from Gold Coast Hot Dog in Union Station. Portillo's Chicago dogs are good, but Gold Coast dogs are even better. Also, I don't normally get French fries any more, but there are very few fries as good as theirs so I splurged. Besides, it was my birthday.
The plan was to get back home and go to our favorite coffee shop for coffee and a birthday cookie, but on the way home I realized that we were all too tired for that, so we just went home.
I opened up birthday gifts on the couch and then we all went to bed relatively early.
Saturday morning I made a soy protein drink for Dad and I because he was curious to try one. He liked it.
Then we went to the Bobak's. We ended up eating at their inside café for breakfast. We got two Polish sausages baked inside bread dough. Sound strange for breakfast, but everyone really liked them.
We walked around the store for a little bit and then we drove by the Ikea that is being build near our home.
Then we went to Trader Joes. Dad got some soy protein powder. He got the smaller tub than I get and from what I hear he has almost already finished it!
After that we took them to our downtown to stroll around. We took them to Penzey's to get some good spices.
Then we went to our favorite coffee house and relaxed with some cappuccinos. It think it was the first real cappuccino they had (as opposed to the gas station cappuccinos) and they both appeared to enjoy them.
At this point it was probably about 4 PM and we were all getting hungry, so we took them to Joy Yee, our favorite local Asian restaurant. We started with an appetizer of cold Japanese seaweed salad. Then we split an order of Thai red curry chicken and an order of chicken phad Thai. Their portions are HUGE and the appetizer and the two entrees were more than enough. Everyone left full.
We went home and watched Spanglish. It was good.
Sunday morning Sheri had to be at work at 6 AM, so the three of us were on our own for the day. We ended up having breakfast at White Castle (Don't laugh. Their toast-egg-cheese-on-toast sandwiches use fresh eggs and are really good.) and then spending most of the afternoon in the backyard and hanging mini-blinds over the two windows in the garage. We also bought a packet of seeds to grow giant sun flowers and planted those in the back yard.
Around 4 PM it was time to take Mom and Dad to the Metra station. We stopped on the way so they could pick up a couple of sandwiches at Jimmy Johns for the Amtrak ride home. I think from now on every time they visit we will have to take them to Jimmy Johns. Their vegi sub is that good. They love 'em.
Sheri called about the time we got to the Metra station. She was half way home from work and wanted to let us know she was trying to get to the station before their train came so she could say good bye. She made it.
The took the Metra into Chicago, had a couple more hot dogs from Gold Coast, and then took the Amtrak back home. I think they said they didn't get home until like 1 AM.
All in all it was a nice birthday.
