Snowboarding Jan 2014

I finally got to the mountain for the first time this year.  I went to Whitetail and had a good time, even with all the people. It was really cold all day (~20 deg F) and snowed, but once I got used to it it wasn't bad. I started on the bunny hill and actually almost fell on the magic carpet then proceeded to crash my way through a few beginner groups.  I really thought I forgot totally how to snowboard.  We hopped on the chair lift to the top of the bunny hill and I had a much better go of it and proceeded to run intermediate plus hills all day.    

The big trip to West Virginia is booked and in fact I have the ski access vehicle in the shop for the trip this year.  As usual it needed a few hundred dollars worth of maintenance.  That is why in the the last picture you see the daily driver, which I have spared from such dirty trips in the past.  I mean I have the GX for such things especially having put the roof rack on in December, but I guess I should be grateful that I have a choice of rides. It is funny because the idea was floated of renting a passenger van for the trip. So us and another family or two could split the cost and not have to worry about the logistics. Of course my first thought was no I wanted to drive my truck especially with laying out the $800 the repairs are costing. The fact is the repairs needed to be done trip or not if I am to keep the GX long term.  The biggest thing that is swinging me toward the rental is the fact I might be able to rent my favorite vehicle on the road today the Mercedes Sprinter Van! I am so excited if I can get one of those for us (at a reasonable rate of course).  A bit of a downer in that I saw the local place that has Sprinter vans also rents Ford Excursions which would be so much more appropriate for the mountains and I should just get that...    

Looks like I was correct with Denver and Seattle playing in the super bowl. I like Denver winning, but I wouldn't be upset to see Seattle and Russel Wilson taking it.

January Update

January has been a blur so far.  I have a few irons in the fire on the job front, but wont get into it just yet, but it's been very busy.  I have been going out to eat and drink in support of these opportunities. This leads to my next observation.  So as I have posted the Kickboxing hasn't led to any weight loss, so for January I have went back to lifting exclusively.  The results: lost 5 pounds in about 3 weeks.  I just respond better to anerobic exercise.  Cardio feels like it's doing a lot and in fact I know I was burning more calories with the kickboxing per session than lifting.  The numbers don't lie.  In the first week I felt like my clothes fit looser and the scale recorded the progress.  This presents a problem; I like the classes and get a lot from it.  That leads me to having to somewhere find the time to do both.  As I said before try a 3 kickbox and 2 lift splits.  Maybe switch it up with 3 lift 2 class weeks.  I'm going to try this starting in February.

Speaking of February I have the annual ski trip planned for the week of the 21st.  The GX needs some work as I always find this time of year, but having a reliable ride to get to the mountain is a must.  Next is the snowboard situation.  I need to check out my gear and see what shape I'm in before the trip and I plan on going next weekend.

Ok the playoffs are in full swing.  I like the Broncos and Seattle.  Although Sanfran coming out of the NFC would be a good accent on the terrible decision made to trade Boldin...

Late December

So I was slacking on my blogging in December.  I guess getting ready for the holidays which went well.  You can see the cabinet doors that finished the project.  These were delivered the Monday before Christmas JIT.  The weekend before I played a charity football game for Santa Claus Anonymous at Patterson Park.  It was fun and sparked a desire to play in the spring.   On Christmas Eve I got an opportunity to give back a little more to my community.  A neighbor randomly forwarded a request for volunteers to deliver gifts and food to needy families in Baltimore County.  Last holiday season I was looking for an opportunity.  So we volunteered for Santa's Helpers and picked up the packages and delivered them on Christmas Eve morning.  We had a lot to do around the house that day, but even with the deliveries we still got it done. I hope to do it again next year.  

We hosted the family for Christmas dinner and had a throwback special entre this year (lobster).  After dinner the young folks had a little after party fire pit, cigars and bourbon.  A great way to cap off the holiday.  

After Christmas we sort of took it easy a little shopping and I played paintball on the following Saturday.  NYE found us at a friend's house for a party and New year's day we made bean soup with the leftover Christmas ham.  

I got to say the Ravens under achieved this season.  They lost some close games they should have won and didn't really play well.  I said since the beginning of the season they would be 8-8 due to the loss of Bouldin and Pollard and they were.  The offense wasn't good.  The running game was terrible. Two fold for me I had Ray Rice a my first pick in 1 of 2 leagues and thus I came in last 1 and 12 (after winning last year).  The other league I just missed the playoffs on points.  The Ravens need to get some weapons on offense and figure out how to make Joe more effective since we are committed to him for a long time.  

I did Muay Thai for the remainder of December and still haven't lost a pound, but I feel like I am getting better.  I have been working in lifting too so I am trying to get to the gym 5 days a week 3 Kickboxing and 2 lifting.  I hope that helps with the weight before I hurt myself.  

I also finished making a Paracord Rifle sling for the AR which turned out real well (picture to follow).

Putting the boat away

So from last week's edition one bad is now a good.  The boat is on the dry land.  Getting it to the marina was fun.  The fog made it tricky as I couldn't see more than 30 yards. There was a point where I couldn't see any land.  I now have to take off all the contents and finish winterizing the engines, but it is high and dry. On another note I sparred for the first time this weekend.  I went against some folks that had more experience than I do. I felt like I was playing a video game with a character that hadn't unlocked all the moves yet, but this is real life and it hurts in real life.       

Beginning of December Good and Bad plus Cabinet project

the good: After one month still doing the Thai Boxing and I hurt less

the bad:   I haven't lost one pound

the good: The Ravens beat the Steelers on Thanksgiving

the bad:   They are 6-6 and are hanging on to a wildcard spot, but they don't look good

the good: I am in 4th place in my neighbor hood fantasy league and hopefully playoff bound

the bad:   I am in last place at 1-12 in my work league (after winning last year)

the good: I have a job

the bad: people got laid off and and we are all at risk within the next few months

the good: I have a plan to move on in my career

the bad:   That I have to move on in my career

the good: We painted the first floor over the last couple of weekends (been dreading this since we moved in)

the bad:   Still have a few doors to complete

the good: My boat is floating

the bad:   That means it's still in the water and the creeks are freezing already

the good: Got the over the range microwave installed 

the bad:   No bad on this (so far) except we still need to get the modified cabinet doors back from the carpenter

Picture 1 is removing the cabinet and range hood.

 

Cabinet disassembled as its being cut down.

The cut down cabinet reassembled.

Vent adapter to adjust the height.

re-installed cabinet and microwave. 

Mid November

So I have kept up the kickboxing and haven't lost a pound.   It is intense and I am progressing skill-wise and I have been enjoying myself (except for the aches and pains). I have been going 3 times a week for 2-3 weeks now and I will continue for the next couple of months.  I did pull a double (Kickbox and regular gym) one day.  I felt great doing that.  This points to the next problem which is cost.  Two expensive gym memberships isnt sustainable.  My idea is to cancel and join a low cost (read no-frills gym) for when I will be doing a weight lifting workout.

Issue #2 is work.  We had layoffs and I was spared, but got the message loud and clear.  This initiated plan 63 which i will go into greater detail as things progress.  Looking out for those coworkers that were affected, I called and old contact at Black and Decker and made an inquiry on their behalf.  Turns out they are highering and may have already contact one of the laid-off folks.

Went to the Bengals @ Ravens game which was a good time.

More to come    

Two new hobbies

Ok as many people know I am a serial hobbiest.  A friend at work has been asking me to try out their gym.  It is a Thai Boxing gym.  I finally went.  I had been slacking on my working out and gained 15 lbs since the spring. I had been going regularly but the intensity enough to make a difference.  Now I have a true hour workout that is intense and I hope to gain a new skill in the process.  It has been hard due to the nature of the workout, lots of aches and pains from using new muscles but actually my cardio has been keeping up pretty well.  We'll see how the weight loss goes but I don't think my body has a choice but to lose doing this.

The second one I have taken steps to start but not actually done it yet and that is reloading.  I got two new rifles this year and ammo is actually still hard to find due to hoarding because of gun control crackdowns causing fear, but that is another subject.  I have purchased the majority of the items I need but I still need a few things.  The first is  a good reference book.  The library doesn't have anything on it which I am surprised or is this part of the conspiracy against gun rights?  I hope not, but it is odd.  I would rely on the old internet, but when it comes to a potential safety issue I think I am going back to the old analogue book for this one.   This hobby isn't about saving money because It probably going to take 1000s of rounds to break even.  It is more about tuning to get the best performance and availability.  Again we'll see how it is goes or I will be typing with one hand or eye in the next month or so...