Biking Dimensional Analysis

Given:

• bike price  = 500 dollars
• gas price = 3.50 dollars/gal
• gas mileage = 19 miles/gal (source)
• commute distance (round trip) = 10 miles

500 dollars * (1 gal/3.50 dollars) * (19 miles/1 gal) * (1 day/10 miles) = 271.4 days

Based on that, I need to ride my bike 272 days to pay for my bike.

2010 Resolutions/Goals update

My how priorities change once a child arrives. Since our second son, Alex, was born, I haven't had much time to think about these, but here's an update.

House - hang paintings

Still not on the wall and no signs that it's going to happen any time soon. We've actually been thinking about moving so this one isn't really even on the list any more. I should probably just retire the idea.

Life - shoot shotgun (w/Jeff)

Crazy that Summer is over and the same for Fall nearly. There's one possibility that this may still happen in November if I can make it happen and schedules permit. We did a guys trip late in the Spring and talked about the possibility of a pheasant hunting trip down to south eastern Utah and there seemed to be some definite interest. You'd think with this one being on both our lists that we could make it happen. Hard to find time for both of us though with 2 boys each.

Life - go fishing (fly fishing)

I've actually been fishing twice that I can think of and will most likely have another opportunity this weekend as well. I fished late in the Summer up by my mom's for about 2 hours. Didn't have any luck, but CJ got to see his dad dressed up like a fool and standing in the middle of the river. I also fished 2 weeks ago on the elk hunt for about 4 hours and caught 3 fish including a nice 14 inch brown trout. I'm always amazed at how calming and escaping it can be for me to go fish.

Life - improve job satisfaction

Nothing specific has changed in this arena except for maybe my attitude. Things have definitely changed for the better, but that may just be that work has picked up over the Spring and Summer and for sure right now in the Fall. I think I've learned that I need to stay relatively busy at work in order to be getting something out of it.

Life - don't gain any more weight

Can't report much progress here. I hate to keep saying that the 2 boys are keeping us busy, but that's certainly been the case. Additionally, I've had this lingering ankle pain that just won't go away. I was reminded a couple weeks ago on the elk hunt, however, that I need to do something about this issue because the mountains aren't getting any smaller and I'm not getting any younger. Some friends, and my wife, are doing this "Biggest Looser" competition that I didn't involve myself in, but maybe I should have.

Life - blog once a month

Work on this goal comes in waves, and recently I feel like I've had more to write about. That hasn't necessarily manifested itself as more posts, but the desire to write is at high tide. Since the Spring and especially since Alex was born, there's been an extended period of low tide. I've partially justified this as being okay by thinking my declining interest in wanting to post equates to a declining need to complain, but that isn't fair. I have more to offer than complaints. Maybe I need to stop with the damn FarmVille! I have been posting more random thoughts on FB though... does that count for anything?

House - build a shed

I was making good progress down this road a while back but the lack of a decision of where to actually put the shed stalled this goal. We have 2 competing locations both offering pros and cons. In one location, I could simply buy a pre-fab shed... simple, easy, done. The other location (the one I think I prefer) would require a custom shed be built. I have plans for the custom shed, but no cost figures. I know it's something I could build and something down the road I'd be proud to have built, but it hasn't happened yet and Fall is here. The other issue with this one has of course been the issue of whether or not we're moving.

Life - play basketball >=5 times

This damn ankle/lower leg pain I've been experiencing has been keeping this one from happening. There's still a slim chance for this one, but I need to get this pain addressed. I don't think there's anything structurally wrong with my leg, but I'm beginning to wonder if it might be a pinched nerve or something. Need to call/see someone about this. I'm not ready to retire from my athletic endeavors.

House - magicjack transition

I've backed away from this idea some after talking with a few more magicjack customers. Couple with the fact that the magicjack site still says support for Linux is coming in the first quarter of 2010 and I'm not too excited about any progress occurring any time soon. Yes, I hate, hate, hate paying Qwest each month for our overpriced phone service and that thorn digs into my side whenever I think about it.

Life - go to confession

I've read a couple books this year that I thought were going to help me towards this goal, but they've had the opposite effect. I'm struggling a bit with my Catholicism.

2010 Resolutions/Goals update

Original Resolutions/goals post

1. Life - smoke cigars
No real update for this one. Our second baby will be here in July so that will certainly be an opportunity.

2. House - install microwave
Tada! As you can see in the photos, this one is done. The 3rd photo in the group here is where the microwave sat for 8 months. I must admit that the only role I played in getting this done was to find a contractor to do it for us. Luckily, I have found an awesome contractor who's done some other work for us and will continue to do work for us in the future.

3. House - hang paintings
No progress on this one primarily because it hasn't been on the top of the list. Now that the microwave is done, this moves up in priority.

4. Life - see a movie in the theater
Booya! This one is done too. Actually, I've seen 2 movies in the theater already this year. Jo and I had a date night in Jan and saw "Up in the Air". A very good show. Last week, Jeff and I saw "The Book of Eli". Also, a very good show. At this rate, I'll see more movies in the theater than I have in years. Still haven't seen "Avatar".

5. Life - shoot shotgun (w/Jeff)
No progress on this one and real effort due to weather. Come on Summer!

6. Life - go fishing (fly fishing)
Not to blame the weather on this one too, but it is easier to keep this one on hold while it's still cold. Although, now that it's starting to warm up, I am starting to feel the itch more and more. I don't want to say I'm confident that this one will get done (especially with the new baby on the way), but I'm very hopeful. We do have plans to go to Clear Creek in April, so that might be a good time to shoot for.

7. Life - improve job satisfaction
This one has been a struggle, and I'm a little reluctant to write much about it. Sadly, there's only so much I can do to really work on this one. I am hopeful for this one as it's one of the most important I feel.

8. Life - don't gain any more weight
Ugh... can I just skip this one for now (as I sit here eating trail mix)?

9. Life - blog once a month
Doing pretty good on this one. Not all of my posts have been at the same level, but I do feel like I've been doing a better job of getting my thoughts and feelings out there. Part of the issue that I struggle with is finding something other than the day to day to write about.

10. House - build a shed
Some progress has actually been made on this one, and I think I have a plan to get it accomplished. For information sake, I had a contractor give me a bid, and it was in the ballpark of what I was thinking (which is more than I want to pay). I've also done some research on buying a shed kit and either having it put together or doing it myself. The current plan is to buy a kit and put it together myself. I'm sure that it could be done over a weekend with some help from a friend or two.

11. Life - play basketball >=5 times
No progress here, but some of the guys I used to play ball with are starting to play on the occasional Sunday in addition to Tues and Thurs during lunch.

12. House - magicJack transition
According to magicJack's site, they were supposed to be coming out with a new version that would run on Linux. That has yet to happen. We've given some more thought to the idea of buying a new computer and I'm sure we'd end up with a Windows box, but that hasn't happened yet either. My wife has warmed up to the idea though due in large part to the number of phone solicitations we receive on a daily basis. It seems like the more money you donate, the more calls like that you receive.

13. Life - go to confession
No real progress to report here although my plan to read a book about the sacrament is on the horizon. I wanted to get through a few other things that I was reading before I started to work on this one. I've since finished those other things, and the next step is to talk to Greg about a book that he could recommend.

So, I'd say the tally to this point is 3/13 which isn't great, but I'm still hopeful. Progress is nice to see and with winter nearly behind us, I'm excited to see what the warmer weather brings.

2010 Resolutions/Goals

As I mentioned in my earlier Resolutions in Hindsight post, I've not a fan of resolutions. I think part of the issue has to do with pressure, of which I'm not too big on. I see no need to place additional pressure on myself because I've already got enough to go around. Why do I feel the pressure? Who knows... story of my life. It's something that I've lived with for as long as I can remember. I'm sure those that know me would agree.

At the same time though, I do recognize that having a plan is a good thing and that a little pressure can also be a good thing. In addition to pressure, I've always been a planner, but I'm much better at planning for the short term rather than the long term. Give me something to plan for in the near future, like a dinner party or something, and I start planning. Ask me where I see myself in 5 years and what I'm doing to get there, and I probably can't be too specific.

So, with that in mind, I'm throwing out some resolutions/plans/goals for 2010.

1. Life - find occasion to smoke cigars
   About 6 months ago, my mom took me to an open house the Tinder Box was having. We drank some wine, had some cheese, and smoked a cigar. I haven't smoked a real cigar is forever - probably 15 years or so. Yes, I've smoked some cheap cigars with friends upon occasion, but nothing worth remembering. So, my mom and I smoke a nice cigar and it's a pleasant experience. One of those mother/son experiences (certainly not your typical one, but it never has been with my mom). She says I should buy some and she offers to buy some as well. I ended up buying 5 cigars I think and a humidor. I admit that these were both impulse buys, but nevertheless. So now I have these cigars and I'd like to share them in hopes of having other memorable experiences with some people in my life. Who/when/where is a bit of a question. I guess time will tell.
   


2. House - install microwave
   Certainly an easier one to write about. For anyone who's been to my house, I'm sure you know what this project is referring to. We've had a microwave sitting on our countertop for quite some time now... I would 4 months. About 6 months ago, our previous microwave was sitting hidden inside one of our cabinets, but one day it died. We were able to replace the microwave with the new one relatively cheap (we have yet to pay for it in fact). However, we never liked the microwave in the cabinet and want it mounted above the stove. That however is proving more involved than we hoped. This project is another piece our kitchen improvement understanding that we're working towards. I need to get an electrician over here to run a dedicated line so that we can take the next step in getting this project accomplished.
   


3. House - hang paintings
   We inherited some paintings from my grandparents that were my great-grandma's this past May. We need to replace the frames and decide on the right location. Sounds easy enough, but May is only 5 months away. Our house has certainly been in transition quite a bit over this past year, but we have to get this done.
   


4. Life - see a movie in the theater
   Can't believe that I/we are admitting to this one. I honestly can't remember the last movie I/we saw in the theater. We finally managed to watch a DVD just the other night for the first time in forever. Sad thing is I know there have been some movies this past year that would have been great in the theater. We just need to do it. Should I modify this goal such that it can't be a kid movie? That would probably is pushing it so I'll stick with any movie.
   


5. Life - shoot shotgun (w/Jeff)
   This is really a 2-for-1 goal. This past year, a friend of mine, Jeff, had the goal to shoot his shotgun. We've talked about it a number of times and I/we have other friends that would be interested in this as well. Normally, shooting my shotgun wouldn't qualify as a big deal, but I didn't shoot mine all last year. I could have gone on the pheasant hunt or the duck hunt, but passed on both. I doubt though that Jeff would want to go hunting. Going down to the Castle Valley bird club would be fun though. My current thought is that we can just got out to the Lee Kay center or some place and shoot some skeet.
   


6. Life - go fishing (fly fishing)
   This is one I'm almost ashamed to write about. I justify this sacrifice that I feel I've made with the thought that I'm focusing on my family these days. Fly fishing for me is one of the best things I can do for myself and something that I could do every day. A few years back, I was fishing quite a bit and I would drive quite a ways to fish for an hour or so. I'm trying to think about where/when I fished this past year. I think I fished down in Clear Creek once or twice. I didn't fish on the deer hunt though... oh yeah, I forgot about fishing up at my mom's. I actually caught a real nice one in fact. So let's say I fished 5 times total. Not nearly enough. One thing that would help in this area is if I could fish with someone. Not that it's a team sport or anything, but having someone who was prodding me to go.
   


7. Life - improve job satisfaction
   Work can't just be work, and lately it has been. We, as Americans especially, spend so much time working and so it can't just be a job. I used to love my job. Granted, that was quite a few years ago, and I was still pretty young and naive, but it needs to be more for me. As a software developer, I don't have one of those jobs that I can leave at work. I spend a lot of time thinking about work during the off hours. There are times when I'm working on an project and I've got my head so far into it that I end up dreaming about it at night. For that and many other reasons, I have to find more satisfaction in what I'm doing. I'm not suggesting that I need to find something outside of my field and do something completely different. I have responsibilities as a husband and father that don't allow for that kind of a change, but there has to be a way for me to get more out of work. I only hope I can find how to do that.
   


8. Life - don't gain any more weight
   I definitely need to put some attention towards this one. A few years ago, I was in the best shape of my life, but that was 30+ lbs ago. Yes, I can come up with a bunch of excuses, but I can't continue to allow that to happen. Yes, everyone struggles with this, but still. I need to find a way to fit this into my routine. Honestly, I think this one will be one of, if not thee, hardest one to work on and accomplish.
   


9. Life - blog once a month
   So far so good on this one, but this tends to go in spurts I've noticed. I have multiple blogs and I think if I totaled all my posts in them all, I'm doing ok. I want to write more though. I'm finding it to be somewhat cathartic. I'm certainly getting more comfortable with putting things out there than I've been in the past. I think I'm more comfortable with who I am these days. It may sound bad (which isn't my intention), but if people don't like what I have to say, then my attitude has been, don't read it. I am who I am (which is something I say in our EE talks - another topic). They have to be real posts though. The ones where I'm just making a comment or the like, don't count. This one counts.
   


10. House - build a shed
    This one has been in the making for some time, but I think it's time to get this one accomplished. It should actually be pretty easy because my intention (now) is to have someone else build it. Originally, I had plans to build it with my dad or something, but I think that idea has faded. Granted, building the deck with my dad was a nice experience, but I don't think it'll happen again.
    


11. Life - play basketball >=5 times
    Another one I'm ashamed to be writing about, but I really need to do work on this one. For so much of my life, basketball has been a factor. And yes, I can come up with a bunch of excuses not to play, but I need to play. I really enjoy it and I need to stop worrying about getting hurt. Yes, I have aches and pains in my body these days that weren't there in the past, but I'm not 20 years old either. Hell, John Stockton played till he was 40 and he was playing professionally.
    


12. House - magicjack transition
    Have I mentioned how much I hate Qwest and hate paying so much damn money for a home phone? A few years back I moved to a pay-as-you-go cell phone thanks to Jeff's suggestion and I'm so thankful. The amount of money I save I my cell phone has been so worth it. I'm sure the same can/will be said for the transition to something like magicjack. Yes, I'm sure the service/call quality won't be the same, but imagine the savings. I'm paying Qwest money in fees and taxes each month than magicjack would cost me/us for a whole year. It seems like a no brainer. Not to mention how good it will feel to call Qwest up and say screw you and cancel my service with them. One thing that is holding me back at this point is I'm waiting for magicjack to come out and support Linux because my home computer is running Ubuntu. They say it should be out in the first quarter of 2010.
    Update: I actually made some progress on this one today. I setup my Google Voice account.


13. Life - go to confession
    This is a hard one to write about because for some reason, I feel ashamed. In fact, I don't think I can write much about it. My intention is to read a book (hopefully Greg can suggest one) so I can learn more about the sacrament and then do it. I think that's all I can muster at this point.
    

Well that's it for now. I'll try to post updates as they happen. Yes, 13 is an unlucky number, but I can't think of any others at the moment. Here's hoping for a successful 2010.