Thursday, November 11, 2010

60 Ways To Make Life Simple Again

I didn't create this list. But, I'd like to think I could. Excerpted from http://www.marcandangel.com/2010/11/01/60-ways-to-make-life-simple-again/

Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple,
and the simple thing is the right thing.
- Oscar Wilde 
  1. Don’t try to read other people’s minds. Don’t make other people try to read yours. Communicate.
  2. Be polite, but don’t try to be friends with everyone around you. Instead, spend time nurturing your relationships with the people who matter most to you.
  3. Your health is your life, keep up with it. Get an annual physical check-up.
  4. Live below your means. Don’t buy stuff you don’t need. Always sleep on big purchases. Create a budget and savings plan and stick to both of them.
  5. Get enough sleep every night. An exhausted mind is rarely productive.
  6. Get up 30 minutes earlier so you don’t have to rush around like a mad man. That 30 minutes will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness, and other unnecessary headaches.
  7. Get off your high horse, talk it out, shake hands or hug, and move on.
  8. Don’t waste your time on jealously. The only person you’re competing against is yourself.
  9. Surround yourself with people who fill your gaps. Let them do the stuff they’re better at so you can do the stuff you’re better at.
  10. Organize your living space and working space.
  11. Get rid of stuff you don’t use.
  12. Ask someone if you aren’t sure.
  13. Spend a little time now learning a time-saving trick or shortcut that you can use over and over again in the future.
  14. Don’t try to please everyone. Just do what you know is right.
  15. Don’t drink alcohol or consume recreational drugs when you’re mad or sad. Take a jog instead.
  16. Be sure to pay your bills on time.
  17. Fill up your gas tank on the way home, not in the morning when you’re in a hurry.
  18. Use technology to automate tasks.
  19. Handle important two-minute tasks immediately.
  20. Relocate closer to your place of employment.
  21. Don’t steal.
  22. Always be honest with yourself and others.
  23. Say “I love you” to your loved ones as often as possible.
  24. Single-task. Do one thing at a time and give it all you got.
  25. Finish one project before you start another.
  26. Be yourself.
  27. When traveling, pack light. Don’t bring it unless you absolutely must.
  28. Clean up after yourself. Don’t put it off until later.
  29. Learn to cook, and cook.
  30. Make a weekly (healthy) menu, and shop for only the items you need.
  31. Consider buying and cooking food in bulk. If you make a large portion of something on Sunday, you can eat leftovers several times during the week without spending more time cooking.
  32. Stay out of other people’s drama. And don’t needlessly create your own.
  33. Buy things with cash.
  34. Maintain your car, home, and other personal belongings you rely on.
  35. Smile often, even to complete strangers.
  36. If you hate doing it, stop it.
  37. Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would give to your grandfather and the same level of patience you would have with your baby brother.
  38. Apologize when you should.
  39. Write things down.
  40. Be curious. Don’t be scared to learn something new.
  41. Explore new ideas and opportunities often.
  42. Don’t be shy. Network with people. Meet new people.
  43. Don’t worry too much about what other people think about you.
  44. Spend time with nice people who are smart, driven, and likeminded.
  45. Don’t text and drive. Don’t drink and drive.
  46. Drink water when you’re thirsty.
  47. Don’t eat when you’re bored. Eat when you’re hungry.
  48. Exercise every day. Simply take a long, relaxing walk.
  49. Let go of things you can’t change. Concentrate on things you can.
  50. Find hard work you actually enjoy doing.
  51. Realize that the harder you work, the luckier you will become.
  52. Follow your heart. Don’t waste your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams and desires.
  53. Set priorities for yourself and act accordingly.
  54. Take it slow and add up all your small victories.
  55. However good or bad a situation is now, it will change. Accept this simple fact.
  56. Excel at what you do. Otherwise you’ll just frustrate yourself.
  57. Mature, but don’t grow up too fast.
  58. Realize that you’re never quite as right as you think you are.
  59. Build something or do something that makes you proud.
  60. Make mistakes, learn from them, laugh about them, and move along.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

TheFlip meets AOL Design

Flip UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras with Personalized Design - Available only at the Flip Video Store. Check out this unique Flip Video design. The Flip UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras combine remarkable video quality in a pocket-sized package. Now personalizable - create yours today. You've never had a video camera that's this much fun.

And... for flower fans:

Flip UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras with Personalized Design - Available only at the Flip Video Store. Check out this unique Flip Video design. The Flip UltraHD, MinoHD and SlideHD video cameras combine remarkable video quality in a pocket-sized package. Now personalizable - create yours today. You've never had a video camera that's this much fun.

Friday, September 03, 2010

What genius...

Why is it that we didn't study (and discuss!) -- deeply -- the men (and women) who made history, instead of -- or in addition to -- just the events, places, and dates!


Who could read the words of Thomas Jefferson and not want to learn more!?


"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."


Discuss. What does this mean to you?


What does this mean regarding the rights to free speech? art? business? gun ownership? motorcycle helmet laws?


"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits."


Is this true today? What has changed since Thomas Jefferson's time? What are the advantages of this principle? What are the disadvantages? What is the principle our government is formed around today?


"To take from one because it is thought that his own industry and that of his father’s has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association—the guarantee to every one of a free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."


Does this mean that we shouldn't help people in need? If the government does not tax the greater population to help those in need, who will help them?


"I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive."


Was Thomas Jefferson mistaken? Can a large centralized government benignly care for the populace?


- http://jpetrie.myweb.uga.edu/TJ.html

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The future is on the way...

A few of my favorite things from the future that are here today:

Segways: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_z9s92oe4M
- Require a redesign of all our cities, towns and suburbs... but they're definitely from the future.  Perhaps that's why they don't fit in most places today.


iPhone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk
- I now take map, web, email and all other forms of computer access for granted... in my pocket.


Wing Suits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttz5oPpF1Js
- Mind-boggling control... these guys are definitely from the future!


LED HDTV from Samsung: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HbXzSdResM
- Debuting at Best Buy last Sunday... the TV we'll all be watching in the future.


Wolfram Alpha: http://www.wolframalpha.com/screencast/introducingwolframalpha.html
- The future Web 3.0 (Semantic Web) is here today (in Alpha form... not yet Beta): http://www.wolframalpha.com/


Computer interaction of the future:
- http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/02/ted-digital-six/
- http://www.branitvfx.com/worldbuilder/index.html

Update:

Artificial skin from Stanford
- These prototypes look like the early integrated circuit prototypes of the 60s and 70s.  Where does this lead... burn victim recovery, or I, Robot, Surrogates, and T2?

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Motorcycle Diaries displaced?

Since I started riding, I've been tracking (and blogging) about every day I've ridden, religiously. With only a very few exceptions, every mile of nearly 10,000 miles is accounted for in my daily "motorcycle diary" updates, until my March 16, 2009 update capturing updates through 3/6/09....

As noted in that post, I started writing for Examiner.com as their
DC Motorcycle Travel Examiner. Now, with 85 articles since 12/31/08, I'm confronted with the question of whether I should continue to maintain my blog log.... My ODO now reads 9003, with many days of exciting riding included. The thing is, much of it is now captured here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2294-DC-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Let me know what you think!

Meanwhile, since my first Examiner.com article, the number of Motorcycle Examiners has exploded from just three of us, to 20 of us today! Check them out:

Atlanta Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-7874-Atlanta-Motorcycle-Examiner


Atlanta Motorcycle Lifestyle Examinerhttp://www.examiner.com/x-8023-Atlanta-Motorcycle-Lifestyle-Examiner

Atlanta Sport Bike Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-7271-Atlanta-Sport-Bike-Examiner

Boomer Biker Examiner (Florida)
http://www.examiner.com/x-1197-Boomer-Biker-Examiner

Chicago Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-2313-Chicago-Motorcycle-Examiner

DC Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-8018-DC-Motorcycle-Examiner

DC Motorcycle Travel Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-2294-DC-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Denver Motorcycle Examiner
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-378-Denver-Motorcycle-Examiner

Detroit Scooter Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-3223-Detroit-Scooter-Examiner

Kansas City Motorcycle Examiner
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-3640-Kansas-City-Motorcycle-Examiner

LA Motorcycle Examiner
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-7872-LA-Motorcycle-Examiner

LA Motorcycle Travel Examiner
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-7101-LA-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Louisville Motorcycle Travel Examiner
http://wwww.examiner.com/x-4702-Louisville-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Houston Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-9191-Houston-Motorcycle-Examiner

Manchester Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-6367-Manchester-Motorcycle-Examiner

Miami Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-8272-Miami-Motorcycle-Examiner

Phoenix Motorcycle Travel Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-9204-Phoenix-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Seattle Alternative Transportation Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-3227-Seattle-Motorcycle-Examiner

Seattle Motorcycle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-5822-Seattle-Motorcycle-Examiner

Tampa Motorcycle Lifestyle Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-8142-Tampa-Motorcyle-Lifestyle-Examiner

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Audi Q5 Driving Experience

As a die-hard BMW aficionado, it might seem strange that I'm also an Audi fan. Credit that change of heart to last August's Audi Driving Experience! That said, it's fair to say that where there are a number of options, the choice I'm looking for is "All of the above!" My ideal garage contains a couple Ferraris, a Porsche or two, several BMWs (my 550i, an M5 for the track, and a 650i once a hard-top is available), a 2009 Corvette ZR1, and would still have room two or three Audis. I'd also have a bay or two for the motorcycle collection (Suzuki GSX-R1000, Ducati 1098, Yamaha R1, Honda CBR1000, BMW S1200RR).

In any case, offered the opportunity to drive someone else's car (or bike), I'm there! Especially when I don't have to worry about abusing their tires and brake pads.

If you're in the DC area and have nothing planned for tomorrow, run-don't-walk, to sign up for one of tomorrow's sessions: http://www.audidrivingexperience.com/2009/?area=Q5City&id=325! Then, read on. If you're outside the DC area, check out http://www.audidrivingexperience.com/2009/?area=Q5 for your options.





Complimentary, Audi hosts a fantastic well-run event, with a good balance between the marketing and sales pitch, technical briefing, and hands-on driving. Yesterday's all-day affair included continental breakfast, all the cappuccino and lattes you can stand, and was wrapped up with a very nice lunch. Again, all compliments of Audi. Classy.




An overcast drive on 495 turned to rain, which, shortly after our arrival in the Audi tent, turned to torrential downpour. OK. Good for testing stability control systems.

We arrived shortly before 10AM, so had ample time to enjoy the amenities in the first tent as we waited for the kick-off of our 10:30AM session.





The planetarium-like briefing introduced us to Audi and the Q5. Although there are many features of note, probably the most catchy was the full 3D navigation system with rendering powered by a custom NVIDIA 3-D chip. (I own NVIDIA stock, so I'm glad to see growing demand for their chips! ;-)) Also notable was the surprise announcement that we'd also be driving the supercharged V6 A6. Woohoo!




Following the briefing, the skies began to clear, and we moved to the hands-on briefing. These briefings were much more marketing-oriented for the Q5 than they had been for the A4 in August. And, we missed a few key features (turning parking break on/off, turning off rear windshield wipers) that might have been handy. But, who's complaining!





On to the first drive! We split up into three groups. Our group of three Q5s followed our Audi leader on a tour of the area around FedEx Field. It was all quite sedate. Aside from the ride height and elevated view out the windows, it's pretty much like driving a big A4 (which, by the way, is what the Q5 is at heart -- based on the A4, it has a 4" wider wheelbase to preserve the CG relative to the tires).

Back in the FedEx stadium parking lot, we split up into two groups. I was initially disappointed as we headed to the A6, figuring they would be the highlight of the experience; a great place to finish. As it turned out, they were a nice step up from the drive on street. The A6 supercharger launched nicely off the starting line, shifted cleanly into second just before the cones denoting the braking point, and then jumping on the brakes brought ABS into play for a stop well ahead of the turn. The power and braking were not substantially different than I'm used to in the BMW 550i, so it wasn't that impressive of an experience for me. But, to say that a 3 liter V6 is matching performance of a 360 HP 4.8 liter V8 is saying a lot. And, with the supercharger, there's absolutely no turbo-lag.

The more impressive experience was as the passenger. The G-forces that I usually expect from the initial launch were much more surprising when someone else is controlling the throttle, and the first two or three seconds were quite roller-coaster-like. Wheeeee!

Sadly, the shift into second made the relative lack of horsepower evident. With 360 HP, my 550i is just getting going when you shift into 2nd gear at 44 MPH; it continues to pull hard in 2nd until the next 70 MPH shift point. And, would continue to pull hard at 70 MPH in 3rd, if there was anywhere around here to do that. (It continues to pull hard in 6th once you get the car into the 90+ MPH zone. During our trip in Munich, I routinely forgot that I was in 6th rather than 5th at 100 MPH.) If anyone is seeing this as a play for Audi to get me in their S5 and their R8... they'd be right. One way or another, a trip to Sonoma and the Audi Sportscar Experience is in my future!



As we wrapped up the runs in the A6, we watched other group yank the Q5s through the road course blocked out by orange cones. Ah! Now, that's more like it as we watched full-throttle acceleration into S turns, followed by a hard left. One of the Q5s got the rear out in the hard left. Oh yeah!

We each got our own Q5. I took the lead car, and was first out on the track. After a intro run behind the Audi leader, we were each launched one by one onto the course, advised to take the first lap easy.

The first lap was indeed easy, and I was fortunate to sort my way through all the cones. (Others weren't so fortunate.)

My second lap, I pushed harder, and caught up with the car in front of me that had gone off the course. Oops...

My third lap, I pushed still harder, and found that I could break the wheels loose on the wet pavement (the sun was out, and the track was clearing under the cars -- but not yet dry). Hard acceleration in the Ss, right-left-right, then left, hard. Around to the left, then right hard. Accelerate briefly into a hard off-camber left (the parking lot slopped steeply to the car's right at that part of the "track"), and around the left into slalom cones left, right, left, right, left, then hard right and then into the "pit" chicane. Slow, and stop behind the line of traffic.

What a rush! Breath. Relax.



Repeat! Fourth and fifth laps, I accelerated the entire time except where necessary to stay within the cones. On my third or fourth lap, I just about ran over the cones on the off-camber turn, but was able to balance braking and throttle to use the front wheels to pull the Q5 through the remainder of the turn. Confidence inspiring! Even wildly abused, the Q5 maintains its composure.

The fifth lap was just silly, as I was now fully comfortable with the car, and the lay of the track. Tires complaining at every turn and then engine revving hard much of the time; where's the video recorder when I need it!

Heart rate returning to normal as we walked back to the tent for debriefing and a quick 15 question "test" / competition, lunch preparation was under way.


We took the post-event survey, giving Audi high marks, and then jumped in line for lunch.

Wrapping up close to 2PM, it was a very full day! A quick spin through the empty FedEx parking lot gave the 550i a chance to breath and wear off a little tire. OK! Time to head home before the FedEx security folks call the police.

Thanks again Audi! A fantastic experience that I'd recommend highly to any car fan!!


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Great quotes

Here's my new favorite quote based on a variety of recent experiences (fortunately, very few of them first-hand). I'm not sure I can completely take credit for this one, but it's my wording:

"Some people just aren't happy unless they can find something to complain about."
- http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Some+people+just+aren%27t+happy+unless+they+can+find+something+to+complain+about%22

A couple (updated 3/25/09) for motorcyclists:

"Live every day as though it was your last, but ride to make sure it's not!"
- me


"Riding like there's no tomorrow is the quickest way to prove yourself right."
- me

Also, from the wisdom of the iPhone Backgrounds app:

"Take risks: If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise."

...and another that is exactly right:

"Don't look for inspiration. Start working, and inspiration will come to you."

And, one from a friend:

"To achieve one's goals, one must be willing to give without expecting to receive anything in return. Be proud even when you think you don't have anything to be proud of, and be friends with those who wish to see you fail. Because a follower will always be a follower until he or she makes the sacrifice of a leader."

Monday, March 16, 2009

Motorcycle Diaries 2009.03.09

If you aren't following religiously already, check out the (near) daily updates here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2294-DC-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

In particular, check out the latest series, starting with:
Motorcycling is a religious experience

3/9 GSX ODO 8269
To work and back, twice.
Notable: This was a good day to ride! Not only did the weather cooperate, but drywall finishing work on the new home theater required a lunch-hour trip home. Twice the fun, half the gas!

3/8 GSX ODO 8236
Around.
Notable: Still exhausted from the previous day's ride, didn't have a whole lot of motivation until just before sundown; just a quick ride to clear the cobwebs.

3/7 GSX ODO 8225
Georgetown.
Notable: DC rides: Algonkian Parkway to Georgetown Pike to George Washington Parkway

3/6 GSX ODO 8149
Loudoun Motorsports and back.
Notable: Perfect weather for riding. Talked with Clay Davidson for the first time in too long. In 2006, Clay got me started on the SV650-S and was there when I was ready to make the jump to the gixer.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Motorcycle Diaries 2009.02.25

2/25 GSX ODO 8119
Around.
Notable: 50 really is too cold to ride. I missed my first real turn when I felt the rear breaking loose and wasn't sure the front-end was going to turn-in properly. I've skidded the rear a couple of times on the same downhill run when braking, but this is the first time I felt like I might not make the turn. I rode on straight (in spite of my turn-signal) rather than risk it, glad that no one else was at the intersection. ...but tomorrow is supposed to be 60+!!! woohoo!!

If you aren't following religiously already, check out the (near) daily updates here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2294-DC-Motorcycle-Travel-Examiner

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Motorcycle Diaries 2009.02.11

Happy New Year! And, yes, I have been riding around Virginia in the middle of winter!

2/11 GSX ODO 8114
To work and back.
Notable: After a visit to the eye doctor, the weather (68 and partly sunny) was just too good to pass up. So, after swapping the car for the bike, returned to work, wrapped everything up, and then headed back home. It's necessary.

2/8 GSX ODO 8099
Woohoo! Waxpool, 50, Snickersville Turnpike, 7, lunch at Nick's, and then home!
Notable: Riding the sweepers on Northern Virginia’s historic Snickersville Turnpike
Meeting up with 14 other sport-bike riders at noon, then hitting the road with the group. Heavy Metal Thunder! The pace was quick, and mostly legal, most of the time. It was well after noon, so it's unlikely that we woke any of the Snickersville residents, and passing rapidly, it's unlikely they were troubled by the roar of the bikes for too long. We may have seen 116 briefly on the way back on 7, but for the most part, kept the pace with the traffic. A fantastic ride, with a great new group of friends as a bonus! Oh, most notable of all: nearly 70 at 11:30AM and warming; still comfortable when I finally headed home at 5:30PM. This is the way winter is supposed to be!

2/7 GSX ODO 8017
Out to enjoy the weather for just a bit before heading to the Washington Auto Show.
Notable: In the high fifty's and sunny, it's good enough for a quick run around the block. (It's a big block.) Passed a couple riders going the other way, and then caught them again arriving home.

2/1, GSX ODO 8006
To pick up Joe's truck and back.
Notable: How different a Ford F150 and a Suzuki GSX-R1000 handle. And yet, the Ford's massive V8 and four giant tires their share of work to handle all that mass. But, nothing beats a bike and a rider weighing in under 600 lbs! 168 HP can handle that weight nicely.

Hauling lumber with the F150, I missed the apex of the temperature -- into the mid 60s. But, it was warm enough to enjoy the ride out and only a little chilly on the way back after 5PM.