This blog isn't really done to educate anyone. It's main goal is to keep myself in check and hold myself accountable for the things I want to do. It's nice to have a few people follow me so I can check out what blogs they do and perhaps share some information. It's nice to look back and see how far along I am on projects (or what progress I haven't made as well).
I'm still doing well on trying to swear less. I'm a great communicator, but swear words can give a whole sentence in 1 word. I bet I swear 80% less than before, so that resolution is going well.
Starbucks: I managed to only spend $1.80 in January, February I'm at about $35.00. I used to spend up to $300 a month there so this is awesome... not exactly the cold turkey, sometimes it's just worth it for the convenience. I wasn't an addict or anything, sometimes I forget how much that sort of thing costs, just like not planning your meals can cost a lot.
Moab and Mexico trips are on schedule, just some shuffling of dates. Added a NAPA valley trip and Orlando trip in April as well. I like to play hard and both of the add trips are somewhat work related. I'm also planning a 2013 trip to Alaska, something I promised myself I would do when my dad passed away. He never made it to Alaska, so the least I can do is complete that driving adventure for him. He would have done it on the motorcycle, I will do it in a convoy of off road vehicles and friends.
Supplies continue to grow, I did add a small solar charger setup but nothing new in the propane department. I have a Lowes gift card for that, I just need to take the time and get it done. I've added about $700 or more in canned goods, long term storage goods and various other items. The new rifle is a good supply add too! Still working on the neighbors and family, baby steps and low expectations are the way.
Running sucks, this crud is finally going away so I can get back on track. I'm not overly concerned, I just mentally feel like dirt when I don't get my time away from reality on the trails. I started to do some basic body weight stuff like situps and pushups, etc. to help build my upper body and core. I will add swimming 5 nights a week next month when it's warm enough that my swim trucks dont freeze to my ass when I leave the gym and walk to the car. I think I will be able to hit 1800 miles this year, although I keep swearing to not make a mileage goal (but not saying the real swears!).
There are times at work I don't feel like I am earning my paycheck. Times when I just don't have much of anything to do. I think those times are in the past, I've worked harder in the last 90 days than I have in the last year. I also added a bunch of stuff at work so I will not have weekends off starting the end of May to about the end of September. 4 months of no full day off does suck, but if work isn't successful I can find myself with a lot of free time (and eating dehydrated food).
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Colt Magpul M4 Carbine
I left the house 3 times to buy a rifle this weekend, something I had been putting off for a year or more. 3 trips and I finally picked up a nice piece of hardware for the gun safe. The magpul system M4 system is really nice, and I didn't like the rail system most of the rifles had. The rails seemed edgy and clunky in my hands so I opted for the magpul. I got a super deal on it, almost $200 less than the best price I could find online, the wait paid off. It's also nice to have a weapon that is similar to the military version I used for 9 years. I can still field strip and reassemble it with a blindfold (yes I tried), some skills you don't lose.
I have plenty of weapons but I wanted a rifle that was easier to travel with in the vehicles, besides my shotgun. The fact it can shoot both calibers means I don't have to pick up any more/different ammo. I've been a little worried about the political climate and being able to purchase weapons, I figured it was a perfect time to add one more.
I took the in-laws to Costco yesterday so they could get some food and start the food storage they have been talking about. Everything I asked them if they needed (and I already looked in the cupboards and pantry) they said they had more than enough, just got some the other day, etc. I left super frustrated and split some ketchup and mustard bottle packs with them. They think have 3 cans of X item is a lot since they don't use it too often and don't really eat a lot. They don't see if they have 20 cans of the same item they wont need to buy it for 2 years or more. They have a $800 a month food budget, so they can easily load up on food storage and eat like royalty. Breaking the normal habit is going to be hard.
I get to run tonight finally, after over a week, my sinuses are clear enough and my throat doesn't feel like crap. Time to get back on track with my fitness, can't be an ultra runner laying in bed with a runny nose.
I have plenty of weapons but I wanted a rifle that was easier to travel with in the vehicles, besides my shotgun. The fact it can shoot both calibers means I don't have to pick up any more/different ammo. I've been a little worried about the political climate and being able to purchase weapons, I figured it was a perfect time to add one more.
I took the in-laws to Costco yesterday so they could get some food and start the food storage they have been talking about. Everything I asked them if they needed (and I already looked in the cupboards and pantry) they said they had more than enough, just got some the other day, etc. I left super frustrated and split some ketchup and mustard bottle packs with them. They think have 3 cans of X item is a lot since they don't use it too often and don't really eat a lot. They don't see if they have 20 cans of the same item they wont need to buy it for 2 years or more. They have a $800 a month food budget, so they can easily load up on food storage and eat like royalty. Breaking the normal habit is going to be hard.
I get to run tonight finally, after over a week, my sinuses are clear enough and my throat doesn't feel like crap. Time to get back on track with my fitness, can't be an ultra runner laying in bed with a runny nose.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
I'm alive and watched some tv
Yes, I know that normal is a little skewed, but heck it's nice to feel better. I boozed the cough syrup last night about 10 times and had some horrific PTSD dreams. It had been a while since I had any of those so it was a night of restless sleep followed by a long shower this morning. I don't know why I keep escorting Cheney around Iraq with truckload of cash on pallets but it's always a wicked gunfight.
In my misery sickness I watch both episodes of this seasons doomsday preppers. I learned a few things, was horrified by a few things, and laughed until my cough drop flew across the room. I'm not sure how much of the show is staged, I imagine a lot, and things are out of sequence to me. I was amazed (yes, still it shocks me) that people don't take trying to be in shape more serious. I'm not even talking extreme, I'm talking about being able to run 1/4 mile without flopping over dead.
One of the couples in the show owns a prepping company and that wasn't disclosed. Easy to have 30 years of freeze dried food when you own company that sells the stuff. That annoyed me, but they had good information in that segment so I went to google some of the info and found out that same couple apparently scammed people out of millions of dollars and helped lead to the downfall of the financial system in 2008/2009. The same thing they are prepping for. Homework counts Nat Geo TV!
Reality TV sure does leave a bad taste in my mouth (well besides the taste of the "cherry" flavored cough drops). I watched some American Idol, just the auditions, it's amazing that people can't be honest and just tell a loved one they can't sing for shit. I don't watch the actual show, just the auditions, it's my little bit of rubbernecking and I don't even look at accidents on the highway if emergency services are on scene. I tried to watch some cooking shows but mostly it was a bunch of angry white people competing instead of actual food programs. TV just sucks in general.
I've not run for a week, I feel like a sloth and my ultra running is a failure. I'm hard on myself but it's the only way to stay motivated, everyone else will let me slack. Next time I'm sick I want the real flu so I can throw up and crap myself so I can at least lose a few pounds. If I'm going to be miserable let's just get the full, real deal. Not pleasing but I might as well have the works if I'm going to be sick.
In my misery sickness I watch both episodes of this seasons doomsday preppers. I learned a few things, was horrified by a few things, and laughed until my cough drop flew across the room. I'm not sure how much of the show is staged, I imagine a lot, and things are out of sequence to me. I was amazed (yes, still it shocks me) that people don't take trying to be in shape more serious. I'm not even talking extreme, I'm talking about being able to run 1/4 mile without flopping over dead.
One of the couples in the show owns a prepping company and that wasn't disclosed. Easy to have 30 years of freeze dried food when you own company that sells the stuff. That annoyed me, but they had good information in that segment so I went to google some of the info and found out that same couple apparently scammed people out of millions of dollars and helped lead to the downfall of the financial system in 2008/2009. The same thing they are prepping for. Homework counts Nat Geo TV!
Reality TV sure does leave a bad taste in my mouth (well besides the taste of the "cherry" flavored cough drops). I watched some American Idol, just the auditions, it's amazing that people can't be honest and just tell a loved one they can't sing for shit. I don't watch the actual show, just the auditions, it's my little bit of rubbernecking and I don't even look at accidents on the highway if emergency services are on scene. I tried to watch some cooking shows but mostly it was a bunch of angry white people competing instead of actual food programs. TV just sucks in general.
I've not run for a week, I feel like a sloth and my ultra running is a failure. I'm hard on myself but it's the only way to stay motivated, everyone else will let me slack. Next time I'm sick I want the real flu so I can throw up and crap myself so I can at least lose a few pounds. If I'm going to be miserable let's just get the full, real deal. Not pleasing but I might as well have the works if I'm going to be sick.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
On the mend
Finally got some sleep last night so I don't look so much like a zombie with raccoon eyes.
Does that mean I don't have to prep for myself invading myself...?
I spent about 2 hours in the food storage area today, nothing else to do since I was going to give it one more day before I went into work. I can't stand when people go to work sick, so I certainly wasn't going to be that guy.
I added about $300 worth of canned goods and pasta to the food storage in the last 2 weeks and this was a good time to label and organize it all. I checked all the expiration dates on everything in storage and even added a shelf to one rack to hold all of the baking goods (soda, powder, bread crumbs, evap. milk, etc.). I have some pop tarts and brown sugar expiring soon so those got moved upstairs into eating rotation. I don't worry about the dates so much, but I while I have access and the ability to replace items, I will do so. I have 12 #10 cans coming in this week that will fill up all the remaining rack space, and I have several 5 gallon buckets to finish putting together. I'm running out of room, fast.
My neighbor who has yet to begin prepping but want's to do it asked if I could store everything here, since she rents. Her plan has always been to show up, I've known it even if she never mentioned it, and I've stocked up for that already. Depending on how serious she gets, I'll get rid of some cases of bottles water and free up a shelf to see how she starts out. The water will go into the vehicles for the next mountain adventure trip, so it's not going to waste. I prefer the larger gallon or greater jugs, but when the case was 24 bottles for $1.99 it was the better deal.
I'm also going to run tomorrow, this cold be damned. I feel like such a slug when I don't run for 5 days, I think it will prove to be an adventure.
Thanks for the well wishes, it's just my yearly cold and for the first time in memory it has kept me from work... normally sick days are always on the weekends.
Does that mean I don't have to prep for myself invading myself...?
I spent about 2 hours in the food storage area today, nothing else to do since I was going to give it one more day before I went into work. I can't stand when people go to work sick, so I certainly wasn't going to be that guy.
I added about $300 worth of canned goods and pasta to the food storage in the last 2 weeks and this was a good time to label and organize it all. I checked all the expiration dates on everything in storage and even added a shelf to one rack to hold all of the baking goods (soda, powder, bread crumbs, evap. milk, etc.). I have some pop tarts and brown sugar expiring soon so those got moved upstairs into eating rotation. I don't worry about the dates so much, but I while I have access and the ability to replace items, I will do so. I have 12 #10 cans coming in this week that will fill up all the remaining rack space, and I have several 5 gallon buckets to finish putting together. I'm running out of room, fast.
My neighbor who has yet to begin prepping but want's to do it asked if I could store everything here, since she rents. Her plan has always been to show up, I've known it even if she never mentioned it, and I've stocked up for that already. Depending on how serious she gets, I'll get rid of some cases of bottles water and free up a shelf to see how she starts out. The water will go into the vehicles for the next mountain adventure trip, so it's not going to waste. I prefer the larger gallon or greater jugs, but when the case was 24 bottles for $1.99 it was the better deal.
I'm also going to run tomorrow, this cold be damned. I feel like such a slug when I don't run for 5 days, I think it will prove to be an adventure.
Thanks for the well wishes, it's just my yearly cold and for the first time in memory it has kept me from work... normally sick days are always on the weekends.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sick
I'm so f'n sick I cant stand it. First sick day in years, think tomorrow will be another. TV sucks, sleeping sucks when you cant breathe and cough all the time.
Seriously TV sucks, who comes up with this crap? Judge whomever, stupid teenager angst dramas, celebrity bullshit... At least the superbowl had some cute commercials. I watched Atlas Shrugged part 1, it was pretty good, about what I expected and entertained me for 90 minutes while I was in misery on the couch.
Ya, seriously. I'm sick.
Seriously TV sucks, who comes up with this crap? Judge whomever, stupid teenager angst dramas, celebrity bullshit... At least the superbowl had some cute commercials. I watched Atlas Shrugged part 1, it was pretty good, about what I expected and entertained me for 90 minutes while I was in misery on the couch.
Ya, seriously. I'm sick.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Frozen head!
Whenever I don't feel like running, I have a great run. Last night was no exception, 28 degrees and blowing snow. I was getting ready and had my ride all set to drop me off so I wouldn't have to do an out and back... everything was on the table and ready, I was prepped!
Then the text came over that they were there and waiting so I grabbed my stuff and ran outside and jumped in. 15 minutes later I got out of the truck and realized I didn't have my jacket or my hat. So much for being organized and planning ahead. My gps didn't want to sync so I took off so I wouldn't freeze while waiting. The high school cross country team ran past me and one of them called me crazy frozen head. They were all bundled up in sweat pants, hoodies, hats, gloves, ear warmers, etc. I had shorts and a t-shirt and my hair had an inch of ice/snow on it. I knew as long as I kept moving I would stay warm and be fine, so I just chugged along down the trail into the snow, ice and mud. What a great run, I'm sure it was a record but since my GPS didn't sync for about 1/2 mile I really can't be sure.
My neighbor came over and said she is going to give me $200 a month to help her get supplies and food, just in case. I laughed and asked her if she watched contagion and she admitted it did finally put her over the edge to start putting thing aside for emergencies. She wanted to get buckets of this and that, but I smartly suggested she just fill her cupboards with food and then start working on longer term items. I told her if you don't have your kitchen cabinets full of stuff, adding things under the stairs doesn't really help. I then gave her a 30 minute tour of all of my supplies and explained the reasons for some of them. I had some empty gallon water jugs that I gave her and few other little things to help get started. She asked a lot of good questions so I think she will be fine... as long as she starts. She was really hung up on buckets of rice and beans and asked why I don't have all of my rice and beans in buckets, but then realized there isn't a need to make everything 10 year+ storage, especially if you rotate correctly. 25 lbs of rice is what I use in about 4 months so I don't want all of it sealed up.
Here is a pic from a few weeks ago with Rock trying to escape a vehicle while Luke shows him how to ride in style! Rock is getting better around people, not as many barks and growls once you show up a few times to the house. He still scares the hell out of strangers, so the socialization is working perfect.
The in-laws are not going to Mexico, we all decided to head to Moab in May and do some off roading and sight seeing. This will be a lot easier on them, it's honestly hard to travel for them in airports. We will still go in October and do some diving, but Moab is awesome so I'm not upset at all about adding another trip. We also added a trip to Napa Valley in April.
All part of my prepare, plan and have fun kind of life.
Then the text came over that they were there and waiting so I grabbed my stuff and ran outside and jumped in. 15 minutes later I got out of the truck and realized I didn't have my jacket or my hat. So much for being organized and planning ahead. My gps didn't want to sync so I took off so I wouldn't freeze while waiting. The high school cross country team ran past me and one of them called me crazy frozen head. They were all bundled up in sweat pants, hoodies, hats, gloves, ear warmers, etc. I had shorts and a t-shirt and my hair had an inch of ice/snow on it. I knew as long as I kept moving I would stay warm and be fine, so I just chugged along down the trail into the snow, ice and mud. What a great run, I'm sure it was a record but since my GPS didn't sync for about 1/2 mile I really can't be sure.
My neighbor came over and said she is going to give me $200 a month to help her get supplies and food, just in case. I laughed and asked her if she watched contagion and she admitted it did finally put her over the edge to start putting thing aside for emergencies. She wanted to get buckets of this and that, but I smartly suggested she just fill her cupboards with food and then start working on longer term items. I told her if you don't have your kitchen cabinets full of stuff, adding things under the stairs doesn't really help. I then gave her a 30 minute tour of all of my supplies and explained the reasons for some of them. I had some empty gallon water jugs that I gave her and few other little things to help get started. She asked a lot of good questions so I think she will be fine... as long as she starts. She was really hung up on buckets of rice and beans and asked why I don't have all of my rice and beans in buckets, but then realized there isn't a need to make everything 10 year+ storage, especially if you rotate correctly. 25 lbs of rice is what I use in about 4 months so I don't want all of it sealed up.
The in-laws are not going to Mexico, we all decided to head to Moab in May and do some off roading and sight seeing. This will be a lot easier on them, it's honestly hard to travel for them in airports. We will still go in October and do some diving, but Moab is awesome so I'm not upset at all about adding another trip. We also added a trip to Napa Valley in April.
All part of my prepare, plan and have fun kind of life.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
It will be a smoth transition
Those words make me cringe, they always have. Especially when it's from a vendor who is changing something or we are switching to. Tuesday morning we changed the operating software here at work, and it's been a long couple of days/nights. It's going much better than I expected, I am a pessimist after all, but there were some serious issues right away. I know it's worth it down the road, it's saving the company 15k or so a month, bu of course training 140 employees on a new program bites. Hard.
My sleep schedule is ruined, so is my running. I've cancelled my training and am just doing maintenance miles, not what I wanted but it's what I have to do. We have a HUGE OMG type of storm coming in.. yawn... but once it melts the ice will be in the way. I decided just to chill for a few weeks while we get everything at work straightened out and the sun stays out a little longer. I pushed my first ultra of the year to June instead of the end of April, I think it will work out much better this way.
Some positive news last night about a company wanting to lease some land that we have in Texas. It comes with a nice signing bonus and the hope of a revenue stream eventually. We recently decided to finally get a better gun safe, something for the guns of course, but also for the documents in the safe deposit box. We will keep copies of the documents at the bank just in case, $50 a year is worth it with land lease document copies, title copies, passports copies, birth cert's, etc. I don't know what kind of safe yet, but I have a size and fire rating in mind, hopefully Costco will have something that will work.
This has taken me 6 hours so I will just publish before I get pulled away again.
My sleep schedule is ruined, so is my running. I've cancelled my training and am just doing maintenance miles, not what I wanted but it's what I have to do. We have a HUGE OMG type of storm coming in.. yawn... but once it melts the ice will be in the way. I decided just to chill for a few weeks while we get everything at work straightened out and the sun stays out a little longer. I pushed my first ultra of the year to June instead of the end of April, I think it will work out much better this way.
Some positive news last night about a company wanting to lease some land that we have in Texas. It comes with a nice signing bonus and the hope of a revenue stream eventually. We recently decided to finally get a better gun safe, something for the guns of course, but also for the documents in the safe deposit box. We will keep copies of the documents at the bank just in case, $50 a year is worth it with land lease document copies, title copies, passports copies, birth cert's, etc. I don't know what kind of safe yet, but I have a size and fire rating in mind, hopefully Costco will have something that will work.
This has taken me 6 hours so I will just publish before I get pulled away again.
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