Learning

Let me preface this by saying, I really enjoy learning new things. In fact its a rather large part of the reason I took the job I did, I knew I'd be exposed to a number of new things.

So far I was right, I have been looking at a number of new things. However, I've become increasingly aware of how much easier it is to learn something when I have a specific reason to do so. Barring a reason to learn it, being able to actually involve myself in it is a fantastic thing. For the last couple of days I've been looking at .NET, JavaScript, Flash, and various other online tutorials in order to attempt to learn something about them.

I think I've learned a decent bit about the technologies, but as far as being able to apply them and do something functional with them I'm considerably less sure. Its really an interesting thing.

Strange Times

It has been kind of odd since I've been at the office; possibly a little more so since last Friday.

Since I started my new job I've been waiting for something 'down my alley,' as it were, to come along but it just hasn't happened. However, looking at what is going on at the office I'm not to terribly surprised. Most of what is going on right now is either wrapping up existing work or working on pitches for new work which leaves remarkably few technical tasks requiring attention, at least from my perspective.

Adding to this is my illusion that while drinking this past Friday night one of the (remarkably attractive) women from my office was interested in me. Judging from behavior the past two days I'm pretty sure it was the alcohol making me think so. Se la vie.

Wii Released in Japan

So, I read this funny article about the Wii being released in Japan. The reason I thought it was funny is this quote..

Some early reviewers in the US have complained that the vigorous action demanded by the Wii controller has left them feeling stiff after a long game session.

I think this is funny because it attests to American laziness. Reviewers didn't like the console because it required to much physical activity. To me this is simply hilarious.

Minor Advice

A little piece of advice, possibly with later elaboration...

When you go out with co-workers you don't just have to be careful with what you say; for fuck's sake be careful with what you think too.

Second Life

I signed up for Second Life this evening just to kind of check it out.

So far all I can say is 'huh?'. By that I mean, I don't get it. Maybe its the gamer in me, but if I'm going to be playing something like that I'd rather play something like EvE Online where I could feel a definite sense of accomplishment. I suppose the sense of accomplishment comes from having goals set by the game engine, which it didn't seem to me existed in Second Life.

Maybe it will grow on me.

Second Work Out

For the second day in a row I was in the gym bright and early (well, to me). Still being a little sore from yesterday and not wanting to overdo it I decided to take it a little easy on myself. Easy on myself consisted of twenty-five minutes doing cardio on a seated bike and then doing about twenty minutes of core exercises; not a terribly difficult workout. However, as I was headed down to the shower I was feeling definitive tightness in my abdominal muscles.

In doing the core exercises I learned some new exercises, and some new ways to do old exercises. The first new exercise I learned is called a plank. Basically you lay out as though you were going to do a push-up except with your forearms flat on the floor/mat. Once in that position you squeeze your core muscles tight and hold the position. It sounds relatively simple and not terribly taxing, I certainly felt it though. The second I learned is called a canoodle (at least thats what the guy told me it was called). In order to do this sit and lean back on your palms with your arms straight, then lift your legs off the ground against one another at about a thirty degree angle. Once in position you pull your knees up to your chin while tightening your abdominal muscles and rocking your upper body towards your knees without lifting your palms. I found this exercise to be difficult because I felt off-balance for much of the change in position.

As an aside, while looking for confirmation on the name canoodle (I didn't find it) I found an article by Paige Waehner which contains the ten 'best' abdominal exercises with the bicycle exercise coming in at number one.

Can't Sleep

This morning I woke up at 6:30. Given my recent lifestyle this is a fairly absurd hour to be awake, so why did I do it?

I'm glad I asked; I woke up in order to go to the gym I just joined NYSC. All went as planned, I woke up went and rode a bike for fifteen minutes or so and then did their XPressline total body workout. It wasn't really a total body workout but it did hit eight major muscle groups and it wasn't terribly taxing. Basically it was a great way for me to get started again. Afterwards I went to work and put in a boring day of researching SharePoint.

So the thing I'm trying to figure out now is, how can my body be so tired and my mind refuse to wind down enough for me to fall asleep? I mean, the circles under my eyes are so dark it looks like I was in a fight but I can't sleep. Bah!