Friday, April 29, 2005
Technolust fulfilled
I am drooling all over my new Blackberry. I am such a geek.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Stupidest hacker EVER
OMG, this is hysterical. For my non-geek friends, the address 127.0.0.1 is always your local machine. That is, the "hacker" was deleting his own files!
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Me talk good English
From the What Kind of American English Do You Speak? calculator:
Dixie? WTF? I haven't lived in C'ville that long :)
I tried switching my answers to see what was causing that result but couldn't get it lower than 10%, so I guess that some term(s) are shared among regions.
| My Linguistic Profile: |
| 65% General American English |
| 25% Yankee |
| 10% Dixie |
| 0% Midwestern |
| 0% Upper Midwestern |
Dixie? WTF? I haven't lived in C'ville that long :)
I tried switching my answers to see what was causing that result but couldn't get it lower than 10%, so I guess that some term(s) are shared among regions.
Riding the bull
I took Alec, Ethan and Grant to the Dogwood Festival fairgrounds last night and had a great time. This is a pretty standard fair with rides that I remember from childhood. Alec went on the Skymaster and loved it. I wanted to go on but didn't want to leave the little guys unattended. He and I also went on the electric bronco and stayed on for a full 50 seconds! I, however, riding on the more difficult mode for grown ups, was thrown in a mere 15 seconds. Still fun, though. Ethan's favorite was the Scrambler, which he went on with me. Grant enjoyed the gigantic slide which he was at first nervous about but ended up going down twice. Go Granty!
Tonight I am taking Alec and Ethan to UVA's National Physics Day. Busy family week!
Tonight I am taking Alec and Ethan to UVA's National Physics Day. Busy family week!
Monday, April 18, 2005
Of snakes and caves
We had a nice family outing yesterday, first taking the kids to the Luray Zoo, and then to the Luray Caverns.
Luray Zoo is a small "rescue zoo" and features all sorts of snakes -- many venomous -- and other cool reptiles that people have abandoned. Ethan, who last year declared that he wants to be a herpetologist when he grows up, exclaimed, "this is too good to be true!" The black mamba and reticulated python were his favorites. Alec enjoyed watching a trio of Wedge-capped Capuchin monkeys jump around their large cage. Sebastian got a kick out of feeding the donkey and goats out of his hand at the petting zoo. That boy has no fear. Grant seemed to enjoy it all, although later he told us the egyptian cobra was his favorite.
The caverns were interesting for the boys but since they involve a bit of a hike this part of our day was more arduous. I think Alec had the most appreciation for the natural beauty of the place, while Seb -- who was in a stroller -- was most attentive to the puddles of water that the caves held. The last time Nancy and I went to the Luray Caverns was in the fall of 1988. We had only been dating a few months. Who would have guessed that our next visit would be with four kids in tow?!
We drove home along the Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive. On the East side of the mountains Spring was in full bloom, while on the West there were barely any buds. Strange.
It was the best day I have had in a while. Work has been so stressful since January that even on my weekends work is constantly on my mind. The fact that I didn't think about work at all was refreshing. I am beginning to feel like myself again.
Luray Zoo is a small "rescue zoo" and features all sorts of snakes -- many venomous -- and other cool reptiles that people have abandoned. Ethan, who last year declared that he wants to be a herpetologist when he grows up, exclaimed, "this is too good to be true!" The black mamba and reticulated python were his favorites. Alec enjoyed watching a trio of Wedge-capped Capuchin monkeys jump around their large cage. Sebastian got a kick out of feeding the donkey and goats out of his hand at the petting zoo. That boy has no fear. Grant seemed to enjoy it all, although later he told us the egyptian cobra was his favorite.
The caverns were interesting for the boys but since they involve a bit of a hike this part of our day was more arduous. I think Alec had the most appreciation for the natural beauty of the place, while Seb -- who was in a stroller -- was most attentive to the puddles of water that the caves held. The last time Nancy and I went to the Luray Caverns was in the fall of 1988. We had only been dating a few months. Who would have guessed that our next visit would be with four kids in tow?!
We drove home along the Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive. On the East side of the mountains Spring was in full bloom, while on the West there were barely any buds. Strange.
It was the best day I have had in a while. Work has been so stressful since January that even on my weekends work is constantly on my mind. The fact that I didn't think about work at all was refreshing. I am beginning to feel like myself again.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Welcome Ava
I have a new niece: Ava Elizabeth (I like the name!) was born to Dini and Ed at 10:53 PDT. Weight: 7.74 lbs. Length: 19". Everyone is healthy.Ed and Dini: you two ROCK. I know you will make great parents!
Missy Wright: looks like you are the winner in the baby pool!
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Land and roll
With the "Moment of Flight" finished I have a bit more free time and I want to spend some of it practicing parkour moves. My pk-roll is fairly good. Time to work on my landing and then combining the two moves.My ankle is a bit tender still so I may have to wait another week or two to really get into it like these traceurs are doing. I want a gym like that!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Ta-da!
w00t! I DID it. My full performance of "Moment of Flight" went off without a hitch last night. What a rush! Nancy, Alec, Ethan and Grant were in the audience and seemed to genuinely enjoy it.
Later during "Rope," Nancy sat with Alec and Ethan while I entertained Grant playing in the elevator and backstage. It was cool to see him trying to imitate some of the parts of Flight! What a cutie. He and Jaclyn even traded dinosaur impersonations!
Elizabeth says my recovery is "superhuman." I'm not so sure... the whole incident has left me feeling rather mortal.
As it was the final performance we had to strike the set. It took a while so the cast party didn't begin until around midnight. It was quite mellow -- everyone was exhausted. I thanked Rob and Lea for giving me the opportunity to perform. When I auditioned last autumn I was merely looking for a way to vary my exercise routine. What I ended up with was an appreciation for an art form that I had never paid any attention to, flexibility that I have not had since high school, and fifteen new friends.
This has been a good year. And it is only April!
Later during "Rope," Nancy sat with Alec and Ethan while I entertained Grant playing in the elevator and backstage. It was cool to see him trying to imitate some of the parts of Flight! What a cutie. He and Jaclyn even traded dinosaur impersonations!
Elizabeth says my recovery is "superhuman." I'm not so sure... the whole incident has left me feeling rather mortal.
As it was the final performance we had to strike the set. It took a while so the cast party didn't begin until around midnight. It was quite mellow -- everyone was exhausted. I thanked Rob and Lea for giving me the opportunity to perform. When I auditioned last autumn I was merely looking for a way to vary my exercise routine. What I ended up with was an appreciation for an art form that I had never paid any attention to, flexibility that I have not had since high school, and fifteen new friends.
This has been a good year. And it is only April!
Friday, April 08, 2005
I'm baaaack!
I took a few small test runs on the wall this evening. It felt good. I plan on performing tomorrow night! Nancy, Alec, Ethan and Grant will be in the audience.
Cast 1 had an amazing final performance tonight. Well done!
I'm going to sleep now... BIG day tomorrow!
Cast 1 had an amazing final performance tonight. Well done!
I'm going to sleep now... BIG day tomorrow!
Fracture-free fibula!
The x-ray of my shin was negative! Apparently the pain is due to some severe bruising on and around the bone.
I am one step closer to getting on the wall tomorrow!
I am one step closer to getting on the wall tomorrow!
Thursday, April 07, 2005
A partial performance!
This afternoon I stopped in at CVS to pick up a new ACE bandage for my ankle and saw an "ankle stabilizer" for $17. I figured, what have I got to lose?!
Later, I strapped the thing on during pre-show warmups and it felt very good. It enabled me to run -- a first since my sprain! I pushed my foot against the wall to test out how much pressure I could apply... ouch! But... wait... that pain is in my shin.
Crap. I really fear I have a minor fracture in my shin above my ankle -- that is the current locus of pain.
Anyway, I can run fine, so I propose to Rob -- fifteen minutes before curtain -- that he let me do the first part of the piece (which is all on the floor), and let Timmaaay (my twin from the other cast) perform the second part (which is the tricky wall stuff). After a quick discussion with the rest of the cast he agreed!
And it went GREAT. Not just for me, but the entire piece went off without a hitch. We hit all the right music cues, had a lot of focus.... Things just clicked.
It was exhilarating to be a part of the show rather than just a spectator, even if I couldn't get on the wall. Every member of the cast and crew congratulated me on an unexpected comeback!
THANK YOU to all my Live Arts friends for being so supportive. An extra big thank you to Tim for letting me share his stagetime. I owe you one.
I'm going to try to get an x-ray of my shin tomorrow. If there is a fracture, there is no way I am getting up on the wall Saturday. If not, I might just give it a try. Stay tuned.....
Later, I strapped the thing on during pre-show warmups and it felt very good. It enabled me to run -- a first since my sprain! I pushed my foot against the wall to test out how much pressure I could apply... ouch! But... wait... that pain is in my shin.
Crap. I really fear I have a minor fracture in my shin above my ankle -- that is the current locus of pain.
Anyway, I can run fine, so I propose to Rob -- fifteen minutes before curtain -- that he let me do the first part of the piece (which is all on the floor), and let Timmaaay (my twin from the other cast) perform the second part (which is the tricky wall stuff). After a quick discussion with the rest of the cast he agreed!
And it went GREAT. Not just for me, but the entire piece went off without a hitch. We hit all the right music cues, had a lot of focus.... Things just clicked.
It was exhilarating to be a part of the show rather than just a spectator, even if I couldn't get on the wall. Every member of the cast and crew congratulated me on an unexpected comeback!
THANK YOU to all my Live Arts friends for being so supportive. An extra big thank you to Tim for letting me share his stagetime. I owe you one.
I'm going to try to get an x-ray of my shin tomorrow. If there is a fracture, there is no way I am getting up on the wall Saturday. If not, I might just give it a try. Stay tuned.....
Ambitions for Saturday
I have the score for "Moment of Flight" stuck in my head. Specifically, the part at about minute 16...
My ankle is improving. I still doubt it will be healed enough for me to perform for Saturday's closing show, but I plan to get it professionally taped and take a few test runs before the show. Rob says it is my call whether I feel capable of performing.
I am far more concerned with avoiding any permanent damage that would likely result from a re-injury than I am from any discomfort. Yes, I am ambitious. But we will see.
My ankle is improving. I still doubt it will be healed enough for me to perform for Saturday's closing show, but I plan to get it professionally taped and take a few test runs before the show. Rob says it is my call whether I feel capable of performing.
I am far more concerned with avoiding any permanent damage that would likely result from a re-injury than I am from any discomfort. Yes, I am ambitious. But we will see.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
I am Molybdenum
According to the Which Chemical Element Am I Test I scored 37 Mass, 30 Electronegativity, 64 Metal, and 0 Radioactivity!
"I like to think of you as the miracle worker in The Princess Bride... you can do anything and you do it for the betterment of society. Just because you can raise the dead and make flying wagons and stuff doesn't mean that you show off about it though. You are capable of forming bizarre webs of relationships in which individuals are accomplices, lovers, coworkers, and so on all at once. I once saw you hanging out at the center of a cycloheptatriene... it was completely freakish and bizarre, and I'm not sure I've known what to think of you since. But hey, to each their own. Oh, and stay away from the carbon monoxide... you suck that stuff up."
"I like to think of you as the miracle worker in The Princess Bride... you can do anything and you do it for the betterment of society. Just because you can raise the dead and make flying wagons and stuff doesn't mean that you show off about it though. You are capable of forming bizarre webs of relationships in which individuals are accomplices, lovers, coworkers, and so on all at once. I once saw you hanging out at the center of a cycloheptatriene... it was completely freakish and bizarre, and I'm not sure I've known what to think of you since. But hey, to each their own. Oh, and stay away from the carbon monoxide... you suck that stuff up."
Monday, April 04, 2005
Some amazing photos
By chance I stumbled across this weblog containing some stunningly beautiful photos. I don't read Farsi so I can't tell if they belong to the 'blog owner, but damn, they are good!
Weekend of Flight
I attended the "Moment of Flight" performances on Friday and Saturday evening. Cast 1 on Friday looked terrific and were very well received by a packed house who gave a standing ovation. Friday was also the first time I saw "Rope." All I can say is "wow." I think sometimes phyisical theater can be cheesy, but the piece has a purity and simplicity that was graceful and beautiful.
After the show we attended a reception upstairs for the guests, who had paid a premium to see the opening night performance. The event was classy, and I especially enjoyed meeting the families of my fellow wall-runners (Elizabeth's mom and sister and Scott's dad).
After the reception about a dozen of us went out to Escafe to celebrate. Without a doubt it is the smokiest bar/restaurant I have ever been in. It was so overwhelming I nearly turned around and left, which I have never before done anywhere. I've eaten once there, and it was good, although their martinis are warm and they serve godawful Starr Hill beer on tap (South Street is far superior).
Cast 2 (my former team) performed on Saturday flawlessly. It was a fantasic performance where everything came together: people, musical cues, lighting... The runners were catching some serious air (Nicol) and hang time (Salsa Dan) on the walls of the set. I joined my former castmates for a bow, crutches in hand. Rob felt that showing my injury in public would underscore the risks of the show, and I agreed. Jaclyn "Dinosaur Roar" Gerard performed Rope in public for the first time and looked terrific, despite all the ropes wanting to tangle up (what was up with that?!) and a problem with the lighting. Both pieces got a standing ovation.
Sunday's matinee I took a pass on, but Nancy and I took the kids to cast member Darryl's house for a pot luck dinner. I'm glad everyone has finally had a chance to meet my mujer! Excellent oriental noodles, Dan (recipe, please?)!
All-in-all a good weekend. I await this Wednesday's publication of the C'ville paper so I can read what the critics thought about the show.
My ankle continues to improve, but not fast enough. I am hobbling around in a brace now sans crutches. There is no way I will be healed in time for the final show on Saturday :(
After the show we attended a reception upstairs for the guests, who had paid a premium to see the opening night performance. The event was classy, and I especially enjoyed meeting the families of my fellow wall-runners (Elizabeth's mom and sister and Scott's dad).
After the reception about a dozen of us went out to Escafe to celebrate. Without a doubt it is the smokiest bar/restaurant I have ever been in. It was so overwhelming I nearly turned around and left, which I have never before done anywhere. I've eaten once there, and it was good, although their martinis are warm and they serve godawful Starr Hill beer on tap (South Street is far superior).
Cast 2 (my former team) performed on Saturday flawlessly. It was a fantasic performance where everything came together: people, musical cues, lighting... The runners were catching some serious air (Nicol) and hang time (Salsa Dan) on the walls of the set. I joined my former castmates for a bow, crutches in hand. Rob felt that showing my injury in public would underscore the risks of the show, and I agreed. Jaclyn "Dinosaur Roar" Gerard performed Rope in public for the first time and looked terrific, despite all the ropes wanting to tangle up (what was up with that?!) and a problem with the lighting. Both pieces got a standing ovation.
Sunday's matinee I took a pass on, but Nancy and I took the kids to cast member Darryl's house for a pot luck dinner. I'm glad everyone has finally had a chance to meet my mujer! Excellent oriental noodles, Dan (recipe, please?)!
All-in-all a good weekend. I await this Wednesday's publication of the C'ville paper so I can read what the critics thought about the show.
My ankle continues to improve, but not fast enough. I am hobbling around in a brace now sans crutches. There is no way I will be healed in time for the final show on Saturday :(
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