31 December 2009

State of the Art - The 5th Annual Pogie Awards for the Year’s Best Tech Ideas - NYTimes.com

State of the Art - The 5th Annual Pogie Awards for the Year’s Best Tech Ideas - NYTimes.com: "the Pogies celebrate the best ideas of the year — great, clever features that somehow made it past the obstacles of cost, engineering and lawyers."

Two blue moons occurs once in a blue moon - Akron, OH - The Suburbanite


Two blue moons occurs once in a blue moon - Akron, OH - The Suburbanite: "Most people are familiar with the saying “once in a blue moon,” which is used to describe something that happens very infrequently. Akron residents will get to witness a real blue moon this year.

A blue moon occurs when there are two full moons in one month.

This rare occurrence happens only about seven times in 19 years.

Variations on local time around the world make the dates of the blue moon different, even though it occurs at the same moment. The first full moon in December occurred on Dec. 2. at 2:32 a.m. and the blue moon will occur on Dec. 31 at 2:14 p.m. Blue moons are more apt to happen during months with 31 days. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the last time a blue moon occurred was June 2007. The next blue moon that will occur after this year will be August 2012."

Dakar 2010: The Dakar > The Values


Dakar 2010: The Dakar > The Values: "More than a simple motor race, the Dakar requires off-road navigation capabilities and rock-solid consistency. In rally-raid, endurance is primordial; the least mistake can be costly. This mix of physical rigour and technical performance has been an attraction for champions from diverse horizons for nearly 30 years, all of whom desire to measure themselves and learn about this original event."

27 December 2009

6 Changes

6 Changes

Art on the steps - NewsTimes


Art on the steps - NewsTimes: "NEWTOWN -- Barbara Sandmore did countless paintings over her 50-plus year career, but never a project quite like the one commissioned by Newtown Borough resident Meghan Rice."

26 December 2009

La Quinta Inn Armonk - New York Hotels

La Quinta Inn Armonk - New York Hotels: "We also offer a 'Stay and Go Package' rate that includes shuttle to/from the airport and up to 10 nights of parking your vehicle in the hotel parking lot! If you need more than 10 nights, contact the hotel directly."

20 December 2009

Unclutterer: Daily tips on how to organize your home and office.

Unclutterer: Daily tips on how to organize your home and office.: "Unclutterer is the blog about getting and staying organized. A place for everything, and everything in its place is our gospel."

18 December 2009

17 December 2009

Free Shipping Day is Thursday, December 17, 2009

Free Shipping Day is Thursday, December 17, 2009: "Free Shipping Day is Today!

719 participating merchants are offering free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve"

12 December 2009

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Steak Recipes, Grilling Tips & Cooking Recipes | Steak Enthusiast

Steak Recipes, Grilling Tips & Cooking Recipes | Steak Enthusiast

BACKPACKING LIGHTWEIGHT - Backpacking & Hiking Resources

BACKPACKING LIGHTWEIGHT - Backpacking & Hiking Resources

WINTER HIKING & SNOWSHOEING

WINTER HIKING & SNOWSHOEING: "WINTER HIKING
There's probably a few good reasons to hang up the hiking boots during the Winter--I just can't think of one !

Many of the trails that we travel in Spring, Summer, and Fall are also available during the Winter. Many public parks, cities, and towns maintain trail systems which remain accessible for Winter hiking and even snowshoeing. Some have special rules that apply to Winter use so check with them for specifics. If nothing else, it's a great way to keep those hiking muscles active.

Many lowland backcountry trails are also available year-round, albeit muddy. Trails in the mountains, (although buried in deep snow) are also traversable (with the help of some special gear). With some additional education, training, and gear, there's no reason we can't be just as actively hiking in the Winter as in the other three seasons."

WINTER HIKING & SNOWSHOEING

WINTER HIKING & SNOWSHOEING: "Winter Hiking & Backpacking"

02 December 2009

Hubble Space Telescope Advent Calendar 2009 - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Hubble Space Telescope Advent Calendar 2009 - The Big Picture - Boston.com: "Once more, we enter the month of December and the traditional western Holiday Season, and once again, I'd like to present a Hubble Space Telescope imagery Advent Calendar for 2009."

future album

PhotoPass

30 November 2009

29 November 2009

today's hike.....

Roxbury Mine Hill Preserve & Furnace - Roxbury, CT: "Roxbury Mine Hill Preserve & Furnace"
Mine Hill Preserve Hiking, Historic Site, Fishing, Cross-Country Skiing, Farm Fields
360 acres



Access: Off Mine Hill Road, on right 0.3 miles after turn off Rt 67.

Trails: The Main Loop (blue blazes) is a moderately difficult, 3.5-mile trail that climbs up an old donkey path, past abandoned mine shafts, through quarries and to the remains of an iron ore blast furnace and roasting ovens.

The Nature Trail (yellow blazes) is an easy, 0.3-mile loop that begins at the south end of the pond, passes over the footbridge and rejoins the donkey path.

The restored furnace and roasting ovens are an easy, 0.2-mile walk from the parking lot.

Features: National Register of Historic Places. Restored blast furnace. Roasting ovens. Granite quarries. Mine shafts (now home to bats). Donkey paths. Stone bridge. Farm fields along the Shepaug River. Learn more about about the geology, ecology and history of Mine Hill.

Welcome to PublicEarth - PublicEarth

Welcome to PublicEarth - PublicEarth: "Discover gems like urban art, haunted lighthouses, whitewater rafting... and, of course, all the hotels and restaurants around them."

21 November 2009

Memolio - Have you been naughty or nice?

Memolio - Have you been naughty or nice?: "The Holiday season has started! Grown-ups and children all over the Netherlands are anxiously awaiting the answer to the 'naughty or nice' question... Because on December 5th, the most celebrated holiday of the year - Sinterklaas - is here! Have you decided on your Sinterklaas gifts yet?"

17 November 2009

Birthday knife





just received a new knife as a birthday present from my brother Perry. I decide to photograph it with my other knives. EKA from sweden circa 1972 (my sailing knife); Swiss army knife circa 1976; and the new Swiss army No. 53945 - Soldier Knife Std issue, circa 2009.

Thanks Perry.

13 November 2009



Back in October I was spent a Sunday morning in New Canaan at the Diabetes walk. Ran into an old friend from Boehringer and Hockey, Ron Faanes.

03 November 2009

Kata Dream Bag Challenge

Kata Dream Bag Challenge: "KATA invite you to design your

dream photo bag and submit it to the challenge."

28 October 2009

Interview - Warren Anderson of the 'Great Eight' - (row2k features)

row2k Interview - Warren Anderson of the 'Great Eight' - (row2k features): "ow2k - If you haven't already mentioned it, what is the one memory you will always remember from the 2009 Head of the Charles?
Warren Anderson - Sprinting for the finish line. With a couple hundred meters to go Ali told us that we were passing 42 strokes a minute and still wanted more. That kind of moment sticks with you. I never thought I'd be closing out the Charles like that!... Oww

row2k - There have been varying reports that you have the fastest erg on the US team right now, care to share what your 2k and 6k are?
Warren Anderson - I go 5:46 for my 2k and 18:39 for my 6k. I don't know if that is indeed the fastest USA has right now, but it's something we all need to work on. Let me tell you, I was dragging down the erg average of the Great Eight. Now that's motivation to me."

21 October 2009

another to read - Stone Cold: A Jesse Stone Novel (9784152085528): Robert B. Parker: Books


Amazon.com: Stone Cold: A Jesse Stone Novel (9784152085528): Robert B. Parker: Books: "It's taken four novels, but finally Parker's Jesse Stone series has produced a book as good as top-drawer Spenser. This outing finds the laconic, troubled cop tackling three problems: to capture the pair of serial killers who are murdering random victims in small-town Paradise, Mass., where Stone is chief of police; to bring to justice the three high-school students who gang-raped a younger schoolmate; and to come to terms with his love of both alcohol and his ex-wife, Jenn."

one to read next - Stone Cold : David Baldacci


Amazon.com: Stone Cold (9780446577397): David Baldacci: Books: "Starred Review. The modern-day paladins of the Camel Club are back in their third exciting adventure (after 2006's The Collectors). Justice-seekers Milton, Caleb, Reuben and honorary member Alex Ford, a Secret Service agent, are led by feisty Oliver Stone, aka former CIA assassin John Carr. Their associate, Annabelle Conroy, is a slick con artist on the run after stealing $40 million from lunatic casino owner Jerry Bagger, who killed her mother."

19 October 2009

Photojojo » The Dashing DIY Hand Strap


Photojojo » The Dashing DIY Hand Strap: "How a Dashing Hand Strap Will Change Your Life

As soon as you get this hand strap onto your camera, your life will be one sweet song.

Attractive strangers will ask for your number. Dollar bills will rain from the sky. And Queen Elizabeth will call you personally to sing you to sleep at night."

18 October 2009

Surprises squash Kiwis - BostonHerald.com


Surprises squash Kiwis - BostonHerald.com: "Sivigny, who competes for the GMS Rowing Center (Londonderry, N.H.), used a nice row and a buoy violation by defending champion Nathan Cohen of New Zealand to win the men’s race in 18:01.095."

17 October 2009

Drysdale sitting, not on sidelines - The Boston Globe


Drysdale sitting, not on sidelines - The Boston Globe: "This afternoon, the world’s best sculler will bid to reclaim the championship singles title he won four years ago. Tomorrow afternoon, he’ll join seven of his world-class colleagues in the Great Eight as they try to duplicate what they did in March, when they beat all comers at the Head of the River Race on the Thames and struck a blow for two-oar pullers everywhere."

16 October 2009

HEAD OF THE CHARLES

The Harvard Crimson :: Sports :: HEAD OF THE CHARLES '09: The Family Stone: "Gregg’s greatest legacy may have emerged from his and his friends’ efforts to keep themselves rowing during law school by starting the C.R.A.S.H.-B. Club—which originally stood for Charles River Association of Sculling Has-Beens (though it was later changed to the Charles River All-Star Has-Beens). Among the founders was Tiff Wood ’75, rowing legend and the subject of Harvard Class of 1955 graduate David Halberstam’s “The Amateurs.”"

14 October 2009

11 October 2009

Droopy update

It's been a while since i've posted a picture of Droopy so here you go all you Basset fans....Droopy is 1 year and 2 months old now.

 
 
 

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going solo

Another rowing first today. My first solo row. Beautiful autumn morning in Connecticut, a mist over the waters of the Housatonic River when I arrived at GMS. The air temperature was 41 deg. F, about 8 degrees cooler than at home when I left. So this is the first time I pulled my boat off the rack, a Wintech 24, carried down to the dock, rigged the boat and launched...all by myself. I rowed to the Lover's Leap bridge and back to GMS. Glided into the dock, removed the oars, threw the boat up on my shoulders and placed it back on the rack.

So not a big deal really, but a step in the right direction. No harm to me or the boat.....and it was a beautiful morning on the river.

09 October 2009

The Berlin Reunion - The Big Picture - Boston.com


The Berlin Reunion - The Big Picture - Boston.com: "Earlier this week, 1.5 million people filled the streets of Berlin, Germany to watch a several-day performance by France's Royal de Luxe street theatre company titled 'The Berlin Reunion'. Part of the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Reunion show featured two massive marionettes, the Big Giant, a deep-sea diver, and his niece, the Little Giantess."

08 October 2009

Bombing the moon









NASA TV Daily Schedule: All Times are Eastern Time Zone

October

October 9, Friday
6:15 a.m. - LCROSS Live Impact Coverage - AMES (Public and Media Channels)
10 a.m. - LCROSS Post-Impact News Conference - AMES (Public and Media Channels)
3 - 3:15 p.m. - Expedition 21/20 Change of Command Ceremony - JSC (Public and Media Channels)

07 October 2009

crash

Barb had a fender and bumper bender today on White street. no harm to Barb but the Jeep left front fender was bent back into the tire.

rowing through the gorge

another first yesterday in rowing. I was in the Hudson racing single and for the second time I went through the gorge at lover's leap, but this time rowing myself. not very eventful, just a nice row into lake Lillinonah. that's about a 4K round trip. just a couple of weeks left for evening rowing. I'll need to start making time on the weekends into November and get serious on the erg.

04 October 2009

ran into an olde crab during the disbetes walk in New Canaan

Ran into Ron Faanes at the Diabetes walk in New Canaan this morning. Ron is a member of the oldecrabs hockey club and they will be holding hockey tournament in a couple of weeks in Danbury.

03 October 2009

thebestcamera.com - Recent Photos

thebestcamera.com - Recent Photos

Twins cut Tigers' lead to one in grand fashion | StarTribune.com

Twins cut Tigers' lead to one in grand fashion | StarTribune.com: "Twins cut Tigers' lead to one in grand fashion
Delmon Young: Grand slam

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Delmon Young ripped a grand slam home run in the first inning of Friday night's game.

Delmon Young's first-inning grand slam sparked the Twins, who jumped out to a big lead and then held on to win."

30 September 2009

25 September 2009

Rowing in a Nutshell: Sculling (and S...

Rowing in a Nutshell: Sculling (and Sweeping) with Ease
(#12, 4/08)
Trying for more ease and less work for speed at the
transition points from the drive to the recovery (Release)
and from the recovery to drive (Entry) and during the drive
through stability. Some notes in a nutshell on rowing from
observations, a common sense approach.
“Form follows function”-Louis Henri Sullivan, 1896
Sandy Koufax, 1996

some rowing articles

hamiltonarticles

some more rowing articles

roylearticles

MINI rowing picture


Echo Rowing: My Echo shell is longer than my car!: "My Echo shell is longer than my car!


Here's a great picture from Echo Enthusiast Bill Phillips - his Echo Rowing shell is longer than the car!

20 September 2009

GMS Regatta today


170 boats, over 300 rowers enjoying a beautiful day in Connecticut at GMS Rowing center

results

19 September 2009

International Talk Like a Pirate Day - Bing Reference

International Talk Like a Pirate Day - Bing Reference: "International Talk Like a Pirate Day
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
view original wikipedia article"

The Official site for International Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

The Official site for International Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19: "September 19th (every year)
is International Talk Like A Pirate Day
[All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here]
From Citadel, a division of Kensington Books :
The Pirate Life: Unleashing Your Inner Buccaneer,
by Ol' Chumbucket and Cap'n Slappy"

09 September 2009

rowing in a racing shell for first time

yesterday I graduated to a "real" scull..a Vespoli.

29 August 2009

cleaning house...again

last time I used this title it was associated to pressure washing the house. This weekend it means there is a dumpster in the driveway and it is time for a cleansing.

Katie accepted to Yale

I need to catch up on what's been going on...

Katie applied to Yale University and was accepted. Along with the acceptance came a full ride. Pretty impressive. I looks like she will defer for one or two semesters, stay at WCSU to get up to speed in Chemistry and Biology. She is switching her major to Bio-Medical Technology.

24 August 2009

another first in rowing

Was back rowing today after a 2 week vacation on the cape. (we'll get to that in another post) So back to today's first! I was concentrating on being smooth and quite. I was trying to applying something I learned while kayaking on the cape. I learned after a few days of kayaking that steering was done by very small variances in the stroke. This cannot be accomplished when using power stokes like I like to do when sculling. Anyway, long story short...I was very relaxed..and then I discovered my hands behind my back.. (they shouldn't be there).. the boat tipped and in I went into the Housatonic River. A slow motion "crab" (Crab - rowing term for an oar driven past the point of recovery, usually flips the boat)....I was rescued by my coach and we motored back to the dock, scull in tow. I was leaning too far back she says, so another thing to work on....

05 August 2009

another first








today i spent a couple of hours on a Wintech 24. The thinnest single I've rowed so far.

03 August 2009

Lover's Leap whitewater


Lover's Leap Rapids
Originally uploaded by newmilfordct

got to row through this today.....fast going through...a hard pull on the way back. maybe not quite as fast as the picture suggests, but close.

02 August 2009

Droppy has a birthday


The 12 puppies of Droppy's litter started arriving August 1st and finished August 2nd. So this weekend is Droopy's Birthday weekend....1 year old.

01 August 2009

clean house

sometimes that means throw stuff out...today it meant to pressure wash the house.

28 July 2009

YouTube - Rowing Technique by Flip Luisi

2009 Meteor Showers

2009 Meteor Showers: "August
Perseids
August 12-13

Frequency: 45+ per hour
60% illumination
This shower produces about 60 meteors per hour, and its performance is farily consistant from year to year.
Parent Comet: 109P/Swift-Tuttle"

24 July 2009

U23 girls




USA BLW4x
KARZ Devery
NELSON Lauren
ROBINSON Katherine
BURKE Victoria

Start of the Senior B Lightweight Women's Quadruple Sculls at the 2009 World Rowing U23 Championshipd in Racice/Prague, Czech Republic. MyRowingPhoto.comLightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls (BLW4x)

Entering the under 23 championships for the first time, this event has attracted nine countries to race. These nine boats were divided into two heats with the top two boats going directly to the Final. The four women in each boat had to weigh in this morning two hours before the race with each boat having an average weight of 57kg. They then took to the water and in Heat One Germany set the pace.

Stroked by Kaja Brecht, Germany got out just in front of the Netherlands. As the Dutch slipped back, the United States moved into second and tried to get up with the Germans. Germany, however, were in control and got to the finish line easily in front. The US earned a spot in the Final with their second place finish.

Australia did not hold back in Heat Two. Despite being in the lead, the French were hot on their tails and unrelenting. France also had to worry about a surging Japanese crew and thus continued to work hard to keep their qualification hopes alive. Coming into the final sprint, three boats were battling it out for two spots with Australia still in the lead. A solid sprint by Japan gave them second and, along with Australia a position in Sunday’s Final.

19 July 2009

a weight update

this morning I hit the scale at 213, that's a BMI of 27.3.

when I started my efforts to lose some weight it was January (2009). I was as high as 250, with a BMI of 32.1.

My goal was to get my weight to 220 for my May round of doctor visits. I just made that, but now I've been stuck in the 216-218 range for 2 months. I has been just in the last week I seem to have broken through.

I'd like to get under 210, that's the current goal.

The BMI calculators want me at 196 pounds, but one step at a time. Maybe next year.

Barb's Friday was not as planned

Barb's back has been bothering her as of late. To the point that she has starting seeing a Chiropractor. As she was checking with the reception desk on Friday's visit, she started feeling a little lite-headed, so she sat down in the lobby. She blacked out and awoke with the doctor sitting next to her. 911 was called as a precaution so Barb got to spend the next 24 hours in the care of Danbury hospital for observation. Blood samples every 2-3 hours, BP monitoring, etc. Nothing was found and she was released Saturday for Lunch at home. So the only damage done was a restless night without much sleep as is common at hospitals.

rowing last week

weather improved enough to get two days on the water this week.
both days in a single.
haven't fallen in yet....

Tuesday was in a Maas Aero



Thursday was in a Wintech 21

some new pics of the boys

06 July 2009

mini in for service today













After washing the car we dropped the MINI off for pads and an oil change at Precision BrakeWorks. The MINI also got a new air filter. We have put 31,500 miles on the MINI since taking delivery on New Year's eve 2004.

So while we were down Rt 7, we decide to have dinner at the Georgetown Saloon. Good meal and beer, good song.

05 July 2009

in honor of July 4th

 

downtown Danbury, CT
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21 June 2009

my YES watch on the summer solstice



the summer solstice is today (and father's day). check out what the yes watch does every hour....

I picked up my WorldWatch by Yes a year ago on eBay. I always appreciated the idea of the YES watches. It looks like this is the 10 year anniversary of the WorldWatch as YES has released a Worldwatch II

15 June 2009

sculling





tonight was my first night in a single sculling. I was rowing a Laser. It's a wide body as rowing shells go, very wide. It still felt less than stable, especially when I thought too much, analyzed too much and didn't relax enough. None the less I didn't get wet, much to my surprise. Must remember to relax and use my legs to drive the boat, not my arms.

ConnecticutPlus.com News - Tom Sachs: Cameras at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum



ConnecticutPlus.com News - Tom Sachs: Cameras at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

14 June 2009

long walks require long rest

it's been a hard rain

 


it feels like it has been raining all week. Tuesday or Wednesday morning it was pouring...hard! As I left for work I discovered Katie had left her moonroof open in the Jetta. We have been attempting to dry it out inbetween showers.
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Improving Your Photos

20 Easy Techniques For Improving Your Photos - Digital Photo Tips and More on PopPhoto.com

Finals Set at 2009 USRowing Youth National Championships

USRowing: "In the women’s double sculls, GMS Rowing Center’s Kim Hopewell and Celia Kohl recorded the top time, winning the second semifinal in a 7:54.63. Archbishop Prendergast High School’s Jackie Lees and Jeanine Lees won the other semi in an 8:01.40. Hopewell came back to stroke the GMS Rowing Center women’s quadruple sculls later in the morning. Racing in the second of two semifinals, GMS finished with a time of 7:08.89, defeating Saratoga Rowing Association by more than 11 seconds. Pocock Rowing Center won the other semifinal in a 7:18.55."

This is where I'm learning to row...

03 June 2009

DAMN - Adult female Deer tick!


this morning on the drive (8:30AM) into work I felt a point of discomfort in the middle of my back on the left side. I removed my shirt and saw a red sore about the size of a nickel with a tick in the middle.

Dr. Berman's office 1:15PM. Had tick removed and area inspected. It's a deer tick (Dog ticks are better because they are less likely to carry Lyme disease. Rx antibiotic for 2 weeks.

The question is when did the tick and I become acquainted? Saturday - hike at Tarrywile with Droopy; Sunday - Tarrywile again and Golf cousre walks with Droopy; Monday, probably not, no walks with Droopy, first night for LTR; Tuesday - hiked the gas line (deer highway next to the house) all the way to the next street.

Barb's been suffering with Lyme for 10 years. It is bad stuff.