Quinn's Place

Books Read - 2011

2012-01-24T14:25:00.001-08:00

Salt River - James Sallis
The Cut - George Pelecanos
Cripple Creek - James Sallis
The Ones You Do - Daniel Woodrell
Muscle for the Wing - Daniel Woodrell
Under the Bright Lights - Daniel Woodrell
Cypress Grove - James Sallis
Victory Square - Olen Steinhauer
An Empty Death: A Thriller - Laura Wilson
Consider the Lobster - David Foster Wallace
A Prayer For the City - Buzz Bissinger
1861: The Civil War Awakening - Adam Goodheart
The Anarchist's Tool Chest - Christopjer Schwarz
Liberation Movements - Olen Steinhauer
Night Swimming - Pete Fromm
A Moveable Feast - Ernest Hemingway
36 Yalta Boulevard - Olen Steinhauer
Beaten,Seared, Sauced - Jonathan Dixon
Freedom - Jonathan Franzen
The Confession - Olen Steinhauer
Rabbit at Rest - John Updike
The Bridge of Sighs - Olen Steinhauer
Rabbit Is Rich - John Updike
The Making of a Chef - Michael Ruhlman
Innocent Monster - Reed Farrel Coleman

A Poem for Today

2011-12-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

From the final two sections of "For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio" by W.H. Auden

Well, so that is that.
Now we must dismantle the tree,
Putting the decorations back into their cardboard boxes -
Some have got broken – and carrying them up to the attic.
The holly and the mistletoe must be taken down and burnt,
And the children got ready for school. There are enough
Left-overs to do, warmed-up, for the rest of the week -
Not that we have much appetite, having drunk such a lot,
Stayed up so late, attempted – quite unsuccessfully -
To love all of our relatives, and in general
Grossly overestimated our powers. Once again
As in previous years we have seen the actual Vision and failed
To do more than entertain it as an agreeable
Possibility, once again we have sent Him away,
Begging though to remain His disobedient servant,
The promising child who cannot keep His word for long.

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

"Away in a manger
No crib for a bed..."

Christmas Eve Morning

2011-12-24T09:26:00.000-08:00

Countdown to Christmas - White Christmas

2011-12-24T06:52:00.000-08:00

"..May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white.."

Poulsbo - December 23,2011 1:00 pm

2011-12-23T15:48:00.001-08:00

Beautiful crisp day. Last minute Christmas shopping.

Countdown to Christmas - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-12-23T07:18:00.000-08:00

In Memory of the Big Man....

Music Friday - Greg Laswell (Girls Just Wanna Have Fun)

2011-12-03T07:38:00.000-08:00

"...Oh,daddy,dear,
You know you're still number one,
But girls, They wanna have fu-un..."

Music Friday - Albert Hammond (It Never Rains in Southern California)

2011-11-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

"Will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it
Had offers but didn't know which one to take..."

Old Tools

2011-11-27T19:00:00.001-08:00

Since I've started hand tool woodworking I've started really enjoying old tools. Lin bought me 2 of these old oil cans locally and I got the smallest one in Santa Barbara last week. I just love the look of them and really love using them in my shop.

Weekend Tool Projects

2011-09-18T19:40:00.000-07:00

I made two new tools to use in my woodworking adventures - a try square and a straight edge. Both are based on Jim Tolpin's designs in The New Traditional Woodworker. Both were fun and easy to do. Here are some pictures:

Hummus

2011-09-17T12:45:00.001-07:00

I made hummus. It tastes good.

Music Friday - Bruce Springsteen - Streets of Philadelphia

2011-08-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

"..Aint no angel gonna greet me
It's just you and I my friend..."

Music Friday - Jimmy Buffet - He Went to Paris

2011-08-05T15:04:00.000-07:00

"Now he lives in the islands,fishes the pilins,
And drinks his green label each day..."

Training Log - 8/3/2011

2011-08-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

I took a few days off after the 11 mile hike - my legs were quite sore for a couple of days. But I'm back and just did a normal run/walk today. Not too bad - some leg pain. I did 4 3x2's although one was actually 5 minutes...

Time: 38:55 min
Run: 15:41 min
Walk: 23:14 min
Distance: 3.1 miles
Route: Caldart

2011 July - Creaky Knees # 53 (Dosewallips Road)

2011-07-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful bluebird of a day. I left home about 7:00am and after getting a starbucks and a scone I was on the road. I crossed the beautiful Hood Canal and was on the Olympic Peninsula. I made the trailhead at about 8:20 and started hiking by 8:30.

This trail was an actual road 10 years ago. A washout on the road that was never fixed has slowly transformed this into a beautiful hike. Its a lowland river hike up the Dosewallips River to what once was a car campground in Olympic National Park. There's still a campground but its 5.3 miles from where you parked your car.

The first mile and a half is along the roaring river - after that the hike moves away from the river and starts to climb. You pass over 2 or 3 streams and waterfalls that are making their ways down the mountains towards the river. At about 3 miles you enter the Olympic National Park. After another mile you cross Constance Creek as it rushes downhill. Right past Constaance Creek is the steepest trail in the Olympics. It's the trail to Lake Constance and its just 2 miles long but its a 3500 foot elevation gain.

At 4.3 miles you hit Dosewallips Falls as the river roars down the mountain covering in just a few hundred yards the elevation I walked 4 miles to cover. It was stunning. I had planned to stop here but I wasn't tired so I pushed on the extra mile and made the campground by about 10:30. I found a picnic table and had a sandwich and enjoyed the sound of the river passing and the otherwise quiet and beautiful surroundings. After a while I made my way back down the trail to the car and then home - a great day.

Total Distance - 11miles round trip

Here are the pictures...

Music Friday - Amy Winehouse (Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?)

2011-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

"Tonight with words unspoken,
You said that I'm the only one..."

Training Log - 7/28/2011

2011-07-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

Same as Tuesday...A normal run/walk today. Not too bad - seemed like less leg pain today. I did 4 3x2's although one was actually 5 minutes...

Time: 38:45 min
Run: 15:34 min
Walk: 23:11 min
Distance: 3.1 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 7/26/2011

2011-07-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

A normal run/walk today. Not too bad although my left shin hurt some - just need to keep running. I did 4 3x2's although one was actually 5 minutes...

Time: 38:58 min
Run: 15:03 min
Walk: 23:55 min
Distance: 3.03 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 7/24/2011

2011-07-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Jack and I went for a 3 mile walk. It was pretty hot and the old dog was pooped by the time we got home (no not me...).

Time: 48:47 min
Run: 00:00 min
Walk: 48:47 min
Distance: 2.99 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Music Friday - Pomplamoose (Telephone)

2011-07-23T06:51:00.000-07:00

"...call all you want, but there's no one home
And your not gonna reach my telephone..."

Training Log - 7/19/2011

2011-07-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

I"m in Corning, NY and its hot. 88 right now according to my trusty Droid. Just needed to get out and get it done. 4 - 3x2's.

Time: 37:39 min
Run: 12:45 min
Walk: 24:54 min
Distance: 2.75 miles
Route: Corning,NY

No Garmin link - needed to charge it up...

Morning in Corning

2011-07-19T15:16:00.001-07:00

The street I walk to the Corning office on.

New Phone

2011-07-16T20:38:00.001-07:00

Lin and I got new phones. They are droid incredible 2 phones. I'm actually posting this using my phone. Fun!

Music Friday - James Taylor (Shower the People)

2011-07-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

"Shower the people you love with love
Show them the way you feel
Things are gonna be much better if you only will..."

Training Log - 7/12/2011

2011-07-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Tough one today - left shin hurt - but I bulled my way through. 4 - 3x2's.

Time: 39:47 min
Run: 14:50 min
Walk: 24:57 min
Distance: 3.08 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 7/10/2011

2011-07-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

Lin and I went to Portland for the weekend. On Sunday Lin took an art class in Hillsboro. I did a long walk while she had her class.

Time: 62:54 min
Run: 00:00 min
Walk: 62:54 min
Distance: 4.16 miles
Route: Hillsboro, OR
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 7/8/2011

2011-07-08T15:48:00.000-07:00

Still trying to just get out the door again. But I did increase my running today 4 3x2's with a lot of walking. Trying for a minimum of 3x per week.

Time: 38:43 min
Run: 14:18 min
Walk: 24.25 min
Distance: 3.18 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 7/6/2011

2011-07-06T15:55:00.000-07:00

Still trying to just get out the door again. 5 2x2's with a lot of walking. Trying for a minimum of 3x per week.

Time: 39:29 min
Run: 13:07 min
Walk: 26.22 min
Distance: 3.06 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Music Friday - Townes Van Zandt (If I Needed You)

2011-07-01T07:34:00.000-07:00

"If you needed me
I would come to you
I'd swim the seas for to ease your pain..."

Training Log - 6/30/2011

2011-06-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

Same as Tuesday - good to just get out the door again. 5 2x2's with a lot of walking. Trying for a minimum of 3x per week.

Time: 39.24 min
Run: 13 min
Walk: 26.24 min
Distance: 3.06 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 6/28/2011

2011-06-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again. I ran today for the first time in a long time. Nothing special just getting out the door. 5 2x2's with a lot of walking. Trying for a minimum of 3x per week. KT and I are going to run a 5K in late August - that should be lot of fun...

Time: 39.35 min
Run: 12 min
Walk: 27.35 min
Distance: 3.03 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Music Friday - Joan Baez (Forever Young)

2011-06-24T06:51:00.000-07:00

For KT - because its her birthday
For Lin,Sara and Meg - just because

"May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young..."

Mirror - Inspired by Gamble House Mirror

2011-05-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

Here are photos of a mirror I made that is now hanging in our dining room. It was my first real woodworking project. I made it out of poplar with a mahogany stain. Here's the book I got the design and basic instructions from...Arts and Crafts Furniture Anyone Can Make...

Music Friday - Alan Jackson (Old Rugged Cross)

2011-04-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

"On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame..."

Settling - Denise Levertov

2011-04-18T18:09:00.001-07:00

I was welcomed here—clear gold

of late summer, of opening autumn,
the dawn eagle sunning himself on the highest tree,
the mountain revealing herself unclouded, her snow
tinted apricot as she looked west,
Tolerant, in her steadfastness, of the restless sun
forever rising and setting.
Now I am given
a taste of the grey foretold by all and sundry,
a grey both heavy and chill. I've boasted I would not care,
I'm London-born. And I won't. I'll dig in,
into my days, having come here to live, not to visit.
Grey is the price
of neighboring with eagles, of knowing
a mountain's vast presence, seen or unseen.

Music Friday - America (Simon and Garfunkel)

2011-04-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

"...So we bought a pack of cigarettes and Mrs Wagner pies
And we walked off to look for America..."

Music Friday - Hurdy Gurdy Man (Donovan)

2011-04-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Thrown like a star in my vast sleep
I open my eyes to take a peep
To find that I was by the sea
Gazing with tranquillity.

Music Friday - The Weight (Gillian Welch, David Rawlings and Old Crowe Medicine Show)

2011-03-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

"Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in a fog
He said I'll fix your rags if you take Jack my dog..."

The Raised Bed Garden Is Planted

2011-03-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

I built this raised bed last September. Today I planted it for the first time. It has kale, 2 types of lettuce (red leaf and buttercrunch), broccoli and chinese cabbage (bok choy).

Here's the garden.

Mint and Thyme are coming back!

A Day of Remembering

2011-03-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

"Yet not to thine eternal resting-place
Shalt thou retire alone, nor couldst thou wish
Couch more magnificent. Thou shalt lie down
With patriarchs of the infant world--with kings,
The powerful of the earth--the wise, the good,
Fair forms, and hoary seers of ages past,
All in one mighty sepulchre..."

http://quinns-place.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-19-1976.html

It Is Done

2011-03-18T21:43:00.001-07:00

Rabbit is resting...

Music Friday - One's On the Way (Loretta Lynn and the Muppets)

2011-03-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

"But here in Topeka, the screen door's a bangin
The coffee's boiling over and the wash needs a hangin'
One wants a cookie and one wants a changin'
And one's on the way...'

I Made a Box

2011-03-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to start doing some woodworking. Now what I want to eventually get to would be called cabinet making - making small pieces of furniture. I have a lot of carpentry tools but not too many "fine" woodworking tools. So I bought a table saw, and I've bought a few planes off ebay and I'm making do with the other stuff I have for now. I've been playing around a bit particularly wanting to learn to make hand made dovetail joints. So here is my first box (with no bottom or top). The joints are not very good but its a first time and it will get better. It really is a lot of fun -

Finished Box

A View of the Joints

Box in Shadows

Here's my workbench

Music Friday - Desperado (Linda Ronstadt)

2011-03-04T04:03:00.000-08:00

"And freedom
Oh, freedom
Well, that's just some people talking..."

Music Friday - A Better Place to Be (Harry Chapin)

2011-02-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

"And the little man, Looked at the empty glass in his hand.
And he smiled a crooked grin, He said, "I, I guess I'm out of gin."

Training Log - 2/28/2011

2011-02-27T15:06:00.000-08:00

So I basically stopped exercising for the entire month of February. Here it is the last day of the month and I'm back in Taiwan. So to cap off the month I got up and did a normal treadmill workout. I just picked up where I left off. I did 4 5x5 repeats for 20 minutes of running. And then I did a 5 minute sprint on the exercise bike after I was done running!

Time: 45 min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25 min
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: treadmill

Music Friday - Baby (Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris)

2011-02-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

"You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever and I'll be there..."

Hope Spring Eternal!

2011-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training today...Go M's!

Music Friday - Heart of Gold (Neil Young)

2011-02-11T10:44:00.000-08:00

"I want to live,
I want to give
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold "

Music Friday - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk (Rufus Wainwright)

2011-02-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

"...And then there's those other things
Which for several reasons we won't mention
Everything about 'm is a little bit stranger, a little bit harder
A little bit deadly..."

Leaving Taipei

2011-01-28T15:59:00.000-08:00

I'm heading out of Taipei once again - heading home. It's always a good feeling to be going home. I miss Lin, I miss the girls - I miss Rosie when I'm gone. I miss not being able to do the normal things like cooking or playing the guitar or just watching stupid shows on tv.

So now I'm headed home and that always feels good.

It's almost Chinese New Year and everyone is wishing me a Happy New Year. It seems a little odd but interesting too - and its nice they're wishing it to me too. And the woman at the hotel when I was leaving wished me Happy Landings - I like that.

Music Friday - La Vie En Rose (Pomplamoose)

2011-01-27T14:52:00.000-08:00

Il me dit des mots d'amour,
Des mots de tous les jours,
Et ca me fait quelque chose.

He tells me words of love,
Words of every day
And it does something to me.

Boring

2011-01-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

My blog has gotten boring...I'll be working on that.

Training Log - 1/26/2011

2011-01-26T02:34:00.001-08:00

Treadmill workout again at the hotel gym in Tainan. I did 4 5x5 repeats for 20 minutes of running. I got out of work a little early today and decided to hit the gym today instead of in the morning - tomorrow I'll be packing to move to Taipei for the last couple of days.

Time: 45 min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25 min
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: treadmill

Training Log - 1/25/2011

2011-01-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Treadmill workout again at the hotel gym in Tainan. I did 4 5x5 repeats for 20 minutes of running.

Time: 45 min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25 min
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: treadmill

Music Friday - Badlands (Bruce!)

2011-01-21T18:23:00.000-08:00

Now I believe in the love that you gave me.
I believe in the faith that could save me.
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day it
Will raise me above these

Badlands...

Training Log - 1/22/2011

2011-01-21T16:14:00.000-08:00

Treadmill workout again at the hotel gym in Tainan. I did 6 5x5 repeats for 30 minutes of running. This was my long workout for the week. It was a good workout. I built a new Bruce workout playlist and I watched the second half of Liverpool vs Everton (2 - 2 tie).

Time: 65 min
Run: 30 min
Walk: 35 min
Distance: 5.0 miles
Route: treadmill

Training Log - 1/20/2011

2011-01-19T14:56:00.000-08:00

Treadmill workout again at the hotel gym in Tainan. I did 4 5x5 repeats for 20 minutes of running. Same workout as Tuesday. Its feeling good so its like I've crossed over a hump where the workouts are painful to where they are less than painful - this is good.

Time: 45 min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25 min
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: treadmill

Training Log - 1/18/2011

2011-01-17T14:52:00.001-08:00

Treadmill workout again at the hotel gym in Tainan. I did 4 5x5 repeats for 20 minutes of running.

Time: 45 min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25 min
Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: treadmill

Training Log - 1/16/2011

2011-01-16T00:52:00.000-08:00

Treadmill workout at the hotel gym in Tainan. It was a good solid workout. I felt good. I did 5 5x5 repeats for 25 minutes of running.

Time: 55 min
Run: 25 min
Walk: 30 min
Distance: 4.25 miles
Route: treadmill

It's a Wacky Wacky World

2011-01-16T00:50:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm in Tainan running on the hotel treadmill. On the tv monitor attached to my treadmill I'm watching sumo wrestling while I'm listening to my Glee workout playlist. I decided though (and I ended my workout this way) that the best song for sumo was Jungleland - "there's a ballet being fought out in the alley" - it just seemed right.

Music Friday - Keep on the Sunny Side (June Carter Cash)

2011-01-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

"Let us greet with a song of hope each day,
Though the moments be cloudy or fair..."

Traveling Man

2011-01-13T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm off to Taiwan tomorrow for 2 weeks. I am less than excited...

Training Log - 1/13/2011

2011-01-13T15:47:00.001-08:00

the last couple of days have been different. Yesterday morning at 5:45am there was snow all over the ground - about 4 inches worth and it was raining...so a wet mess outside. Becuase of this I decided to do the Wii fit. I did quite a bit of step and rhythm boxing. Today I did the Wii fit again - step, rhythm boxing and yoga. It was great fun and a great alternative when the weather just won't cooperate.

I exercised about an hour both days so I'm giving myself the equivalent of 3 miles in my How Am I Doing Chart....

Training Log - 1/11/2011

2011-01-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Just a walk today since I ran yesterday - but I did it at 5:45am!

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/10/2011

2011-01-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

I woke up at 5:45 this morning and put on my running clothes. the bed looked so tempting that I laid back down for just a minute - well it was 6:30 before I got up. I decided to wait until later so I ran about 3pm. the problem with running later is I spent time today wondering if I would run, when I would run. There are many advantages to getting it out of the way first thing....

I added running to my workout again. 4 3x2 splits....

Time: 36.5 min
Run: 14 min
Walk: 22.5 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/7/2011

2011-01-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

Okay - I've done 5 days (an entire work week) getting up at 5:45 am. I've concentrated this week on just getting up and out the door. This will continue to be a struggle but I know I can do it. Next week I'm going to add more running - I do like the feeling of already completing my exercising even before the day begins. I don't have to worry about when to do it and then backing out at the last minute.

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/6/2011

2011-01-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

I really didn't want to get up this morning. But I did and I did my 3 mile walk at 5:45am...no running today.

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/5/2011

2011-01-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

Day 3 of my new early morning exercise program. My main goal is still just getting up and getting out. I did the 3 mile walk and even threw in 2 3 minute runs for good measure....
Time: 41 min
Run: 6 min
Walk: 35 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/4/2011

2011-01-04T07:25:00.001-08:00

Day 2 of the New Year. I again arose at 5:45 and did the 3 mile walk just as planned. I'll start running again soon.

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/3/2011

2011-01-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Since it's a new year I'm trying something different. I want to exercise first thing in the morning. I have never been able to do this...Lin is going to do it with me. At least the getting up and exercising part - we may not do the same things. I plan to get up at 5:45 and that gives me the hour between 6 and 7 to go out and run. For this week I'm just going to ease into it and try to get up every day and do a 3 mile walk. I'll add running later in the week or next week.

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.05 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 1/1/2011

2011-01-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! It's Lin's birthday and its 1/1/11. What a special day...and the weather is beautiful. Lin and I took a nice walk to get our year of health started!

Time: 37 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 37 min
Distance: 1.9 miles
Route: Deer Run Loop
Garmin Link:

Books I Read - 2010

2010-12-30T13:23:00.001-08:00

This is the list of books I read in 2010. Not as many as in 2009.
The Nearest Exit - Olen Steinhauer
The Disappearing Spoon - Sam Kean
The Tourist - Olen Steinhauer
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
Made By Hand - Mark Frauenfelder
Presumed Innocent - Scott Turow
Spies of the Balkans - Alan Furst
Medium Raw - Anthony Bourdain
The Fourth Victim - Tony Spinosa
War - Sebastian Junger
Food Rules - Michael Pollan
Matterhorn - Karl Marlantes
Hose Monkey - Tony Spinosa
Tower - Ken Bruen and Reed Farrel Coleman
Empty Ever After - Reed Farrel Coleman
Beowulf - Seamus Heaney Translation
Saturday - Ian McEwan
Murder in Belleville - Cara Black
Dangerously Funny - David Bianculli
The Big Burn - Timothy Egan
The Spies of Warsaw - Alan Furst
Murder in the Marais - Cara Black
The Man Who Ate Everything - Jeffrey Steingarten
Rain Gods - James Lee Burke

Training Log - 12/30/2010

2010-12-30T13:20:00.000-08:00

It's been too long - so today I just took a 45 minute walk. Back to serious training in a few days hopefully.

Time: 45 min
Run: 0 min
Walk: 45 min
Distance: 3.0 miles
Route: Caldart Route
Garmin Link:

Brioche and Homemade Bacon

2010-12-28T16:40:00.000-08:00

During the week of Christmas I decided I wanted to make brioche. Now I've never made brioche and actually not sure I've ever had it. But I wanted to do it and I found this recipe . Well the results were great! It tasted delicious by itself or with some jam. KT made some french toast with it and it was divine. It was of course best with some homemade bacon I had also made...

Christmas Music - Angels We Have Heard on High

2010-12-17T13:49:00.001-08:00

Enjoy...

Music Friday - The Head and the Heart " Lost in My Mind'

2010-12-17T11:25:00.001-08:00

Haven't done this in a while. Here's a new group I just found and like...

"...Momma once told me, you're already home when you feel loved..."

Training Log - 12/7/2010

2010-12-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

I"m still in Taiwan so it was another treadmill run. I was pretty stressed so I started out good and it felt good. I tapered off at the end but it was still a good workout. I did a 10 min, 7 min, 3min and 2 min intervals of running.

Time: 42 min
Run: 22 min
Walk: 20 min
Distance: 3.3 miles
Route: Treadmill in Taichung (Windsor Hotel)
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 12/5/2010

2010-12-05T01:13:00.000-08:00

I'm back in Taichung, Taiwan. I arrived today after spending last night in Taipei. It's Sunday so I wanted to continue my short streak of working out. I did a 40 minute run/walk on the treadmill in the hotel gym. I listened to Glee which makes the treadmill tolerable. I was a bit tired from the travel but overall it was a good workout. A good start to my week here. I plan to do this again on Tuesday and Thursday - subject to the work schedule.

Time: 42 min
Run: 24 min
Walk: 18 min
Distance: 3.4 miles
Route: Treadmill in Taichung (Windsor Hotel)
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 12/2/2010

2010-12-02T16:04:00.001-08:00

Base building day. Normal 4 intervals of 5 x 2. I'm okay with this for right now. It's still get out the door time. As I tell Sara when she asked me how my run was - "I made it back...". right now that's fine...

Time: 42 min
Run: 21 min
Walk: 21 min
Distance: 3.53 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 11/29/2010

2010-11-29T16:42:00.000-08:00

Another week layoff since the Gobble. I'll blame the bad weather and Thanksgiving although I could have gotten out at least by Friday. No mind - today's another day. Good run - just a normal one. 4 - 5x2 repeats. I'm hoping to do another 5K on Dec. 18th...

Time: 42 min
Run: 21 min
Walk: 21 min
Distance: 3.45 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Green Lake Gobble - 5K - 11/21/2010

2010-11-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today was the annual Green Lake Gobble 5K. This was my first 5K and it was very exciting because everyone took part. KT and I ran/walked the race and Lin,Meg and Sara walked it. It was great fun...

Time: 37min
Run: 29 min
Walk: 8min
Distance: 3.1 miles
Route: Green Lake Loop
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 11/15/2010

2010-11-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

I felt good today after another two week layoff. I wish I hadn't done it but oh well...sometimes the traveling and jet lag make it tough - but that's just an excuse. I did 4 5 x 2 intervals. Gobble is on Sunday. My plan is 5 x 2's. I'll do 4 of these and then try to run to the finish

Time: 45min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 25min
Distance: 3.49 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Kindle

2010-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have completed my first book on the Kindle. It was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Lin recommended it to me and I thought it was great. I also highly enjoyed reading it on the Kindle.

Note - Markus Zusak and I have the same birthday (but not the same year)....

Training Log - 11/1/2010

2010-11-01T02:41:00.000-07:00

Treadmill workout at Hotel One in Taichung...not a very good workout - shins and ankles hurt.

Time: 45min
Run: 12 min
Walk: 33min
Distance: 3.1 miles
Route: Treadmill - Taichung

Training Log - 10/31/2010

2010-11-01T02:40:00.000-07:00

Treadmill workout at Les Suites in Taipei...not a very good workout but I did run a 15min continuous interval.

Time: 40min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 20min
Distance: 3 miles
Route: Treadmill - Taipei

Training Log - 10/28/2010

2010-10-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

Loop 4 around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo - at 5am. Today I did two 10x3 intervals and a middle interval of 6 minutes. Total run time was really 27 minutes....for some reason it was a very tough run - everything hurt but I bulled through it.

Time: 67min
Run: 27 min
Walk: 40min
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Imperial Palace Loop

Training Log - 10/25/2010

2010-10-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Another run/walk around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo - at 5am. Today I did two 10x3 intervals and a middle interval of 6 minutes. Total run time was really 27 minutes....

Time: 64min
Run: 27 min
Walk: 37min
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Imperial Palace Loop

Shibuya - Tokyo

2010-10-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

I was here today....there were lots of people...

Training Log - 10/22/2010

2010-10-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

Another run/walk around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo - at 5am. Today I did two 8x3 intervals and finished the loop with a 10 minute run. The second 8 is the tough part because its mostly uphill....its about a 15 minute walk to the Palace and then 15 back to the hotel.

Time: 63min
Run: 26 min
Walk: 37min
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Imperial Palace Loop

Training Log - 10/20/2010

2010-10-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

I'm in Tokyo so I took advantage of my jet lag and went out at 5am. I walked to the Imperial Palace and then ran/walked the loop around. Total running time was 23 minutes and total walk time was about 40. There was one section with a bit of a grade that was a tough slog but otherwise it felt good.

Time: 63min
Run: 23 min
Walk: 40min
Distance: 5 miles
Route: Imperial Palace Loop

Training Log - 10/12/2010

2010-10-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

I felt good today after the two week layoff. I wish I hadn't done it but oh well...here we go. I did 2 10 x 3 intervals. By the end of the second I was dragging but for at least 75% of the running I felt good...gobble, gobble...

Time: 43min
Run: 20 min
Walk: 23min
Distance: 3.50 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Bacon!

2010-10-07T15:41:00.000-07:00

Yes! Homemade bacon ready to fry up...I think I see a bacon cheeseburger in my future!

Harvest

2010-10-07T14:29:00.000-07:00

This is it - my total tomato harvest for the year. I'm planning to make a roasted tomato salsa with my meager bunch.

Wooden Spoons

2010-10-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

I read this book called Made By Hand by Mark Frauenfelder. He talks in it about making and doing all sorts of things. So I decided to embark on a little wood working project. I decided to make wooden spoons. I did this using hand tools with a slight assist from a dremel at the end. I went to Home Depot and bought a piece of red oak wood and made this spoon and spatula. Not too bad for a first effort. I've already got another one started...

Training Log - 09/27/2010

2010-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

It was a tough slog today. Not sure why - but I'll chalk it up to jet lag. I did 5x3, 7x3 and 4x3 intervals with a big walk at the end. At least I got out the door...

Time: 45min
Run: 16 min
Walk: 29min
Distance: 3.50 miles
Route: Caldart
Garmin Link:

Training Log - 09/23/2010

2010-09-23T03:13:00.000-07:00

Short workout on the treadmill before dinner in Taichung...

Time: 25min
Run: 13 min
Walk: 12min
Distance: 2.0 miles
Route: Treadmill

Training Log - 9/21/2010

2010-09-21T02:45:00.000-07:00

Treadmill workout in Taichung today. I ran for 5,6,4,4,2 with walking in between for a total of 42 minutes.

Time: 42min
Run: 21 min
Walk: 21min
Distance: 3.22 miles
Route: Treadmill

I'm Dope on the Floor

2010-09-19T02:07:00.000-07:00

In general tread mill workouts are pretty dull. I've found a sure fire way to make them more than tolerable - and an almost magic cure for depression. I have a great Glee playlist about 50 minutes long. It makes me smile while I run. Hopefully I don't bust out into song too often...or the Taiwanese folks might have me committed. Here's the list:

Don't Stop Believing
Anyway You Want It
Can't Fight This Feeling
Alone
Bust a Move
You Keep Me Hanging On
Sweet Caroline
Proud Mary
Jump
Bad Romance
Fire
Jessie's Girl
Run Joey Run
U Can't Touch This