Category Archives: Personal

Skiing in 2013

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Breckenridge 2013

This years ski trip was to Breckenridge, CO a place I’ve been to a few times and it’s always good to go back. The group this year was 13 one of the largest since I’ve been tagging along. We stayed about 6 miles south of Breckenridge in a four bedroom three and a half bath house that could sleep 18. Even though the snow count was down this year it was still piled eight feet high beside the driveway. A couple highlights from the house were the hot tube wasn’t up to temp end of day one. That was kind of a bummer but after that it was no problem. A neighborhood dog showed up the morning of day five, he’d be back the following morning as well. He’d hang out on the front porch waiting for attention. We also saw a fox running through the back yard one morning, to quick to get any pictures though.

I’d like to thank the folks at Alpine Sports Rental for another job well done on equipment. I can’t remember a time I didn’t rent from them and with the service they offer I’ll keep going back. We alternated between Breckenridge and Keystone, two days each place. It was cold the first day and windy the second. But by day three and four it was in the 40’s at the base and the sun was peeking through the clouds. A few nights we got some snow which was nice. Ironically though the last night we got six inches at the house, and it was still coming down when we left. If we’d only had one more day that would have been sweet!.

It was an excellent trip and good to see all the guys again. No injuries, other than some sore muscles. Can’t wait to see where we go for 2014.

Stand Up Desk

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For the better part of 10 years now I’ve been telecommuting and have always had a traditional desk. Lately I’ve been reading about stand up desks and the positive impact it can have so with the Christmas holiday it seemed like a good time to give it a try. A few years ago we purchased a drafting desk to replace a rather large L shaped oak unit that adjusts to a variety of heights between 27 to 38 inches off the floor. So a new desk isn’t needed but my chair won’t go high enough. Ironically when we got back from visiting family yesterday the cylinder on ‘said chair’ isn’t working. I took that as a sign to go get a new one making sure it was a drafting chair.

I picked up a chair from Office Depot and set out raising the desk as high as it will go to 38 inches from the floor. It would be better if I could get the desk to around 42 inches but the chair won’t go that high. Besides I’m not sure how much I can stand and type so it might not matter.

Stand Up Desk

Yes the desk isn’t normally that clean and if it doesn’t work out I can always go lower or back to standard.

A few days in Anaheim, CA

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Oak Quarry

Last week I was in Anaheim, CA on business and had an opportunity to play some golf during a little down time. Not knowing the area a coworker and I got with another Supplier that had been wanting to play Oak Quarry for a number of years, it was the perfect opportunity so we tagged along.

Created from an abandoned rock quarry in 2001 it is a site worth visiting and a course anyone would enjoy playing. We had a blast, even though I played like crap! The views are breath taking and the holes are challenging. Bring a few balls cause beyond the rough it’s unkept and you’re not going to wander into the weeds and brush wildlife, stickers and thorns will keep you on the course. If you play from the black tees you’ll be hitting driver from all the par 4’s, don’t let the first hole fool you. It’s better to stick with the blues or whites, that 20 yards will help a ton.

Hopefully I’ll get back there and can play it again, regardless it was a great experence. If you’re ever in the area and looking for a place to play I’d recommend it.

Summertime in Jamaica

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jamaica_2012

Last week six of us headed south to Jamaica for a week on the beach at the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton, about a half our outside of Montego Bay. For Kay and I it was a welcomed summer vacation, for the others is was the last chance to get away before school started. We booked through Vacation Express and were on the last Sun Wing charter direct from Nashville.

The Grand Palladium is the largest resort in Montego Bay and it has a lot to offer. There are two ‘sides’ to the resort, the Jamaica side which is more for families and the Lady Hamilton which is more for adults or couples. They’re connected by an enormous pool, with swim up bar, and main building that has resturants, shops, casino, disco, and common areas. The resturaunts will fit any pallet with two buffets and a sports bar that’s open 22 hours a day.

In addition to the main pool there’s an adult only pool with a bar that’s open till 10:30pm and another pool with a Spa and ‘lazy river’ that’s shaded. If you’d rather be on the beach there’s three to choose from. I’d recommend Sunset Beach as it has the most shade. It’s in a cove and is where the included water sports (snorkeling, kayaking, paddel boats, wind surfing, catamaran) are located. It also has ‘the jerk hut’, which you need to visit at least once and The Poseidon resturaunt.

You really have everything you need at the resort but if you want to go on an excursion that’s ‘no problem mon’. We took a taxi to Negril for an afternoon and stopped by Margaritaville, did some shopping, got to see a still working light house that’s a few hundered years old and visited Rick’s Cafe. Rick’s is known to be a good place to see the sunset, on the day we were there it cloudy. But you will have some entertainment from the locals cliff diving.

Our other trip was to Dunn’s River Falls, the most visited attraction in Ocho Rios if not the whole Island. It is a must if you’re there for any length of time but before booking ask when the cruise ships doc. If your schedule allows avoid a day when they’re in port, lines will be shorter and you’ll have more time on the falls.

The other days were spent at the resort on the beach. I did get Parmy Olson’s ‘We are Anonymous: Inside the Hacker World of LulzSec, Anonymous, and the Global Cyber Insurgency’ to pass the time. It was a interesting read. We sprinkled in a little volleyball and tennis, but no running. Some others in the group did a little but walking was enough for Kay and I. And yes it is a big place so be prepared to take a stroll if you need to get somewhere.

We had a great time and would recommend the resort if you’re looking for a place to hang out in Jamaica.

Purity’s Moosic City 5K/10K Run

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This weekend was the Purity Moosic City 5k/10k Run at Metro Center in Nashville, TN. I haven’t ran much since the Predators 5K a few weeks ago and didn’t know what to think about signing up for the 10K. If there was a benefit to having 3 hockey games last week it was decent training. The first mile wasn’t good but it got better after that. I finished at just over an hour, 1:04 I think. I can’t remember the last time I went for a solid hour without stopping at anything let along running. Hockey is a little different even though games will go an hour we’re only on the ice for a minute at a time.

Kay has run this a number of times but it was my first. Course was flat and the weather was good, not to hot and not to cold with a breeze. The best part was the ice cream sandwiches after the finish, excellent!!

Hoping I can give it a go next year.