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Back to Japan
Monday I head to Japan for work. First a conference where our new product is being highlighted, and then some sales training. It will be my first trip to Japan since 2008, the longest I have gone since the mid 1990s without visiting (for reference, I once traveled there 3 times in one month). Will…
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Feeling Human Again – Finally
Last Sunday, I set out on what was supposed to be a modest hike. Almost 3.5 hours later, and a ton of climbing and descending, I was back at home. Tired, sore, miserable and with crippling blisters rising on my feet. Ugh, I had gotten out of shape. After rehydrating, and a fitful sleep (you…
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Hiking – Almaden Quicksilver Park
Since I blew out my legs riding yesterday, I decided to take it easy, and go for a hike. Ha ha ha. I printed a map for Almaden Quicksilver Park, and hit the trails. Not really sure where I was going, I just started up New Almaden trail, and then turned onto the Hacienda trail.…
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Bicycling Magazine – what world do they inhabit?
I have posted about the ridiculousness of Bicycling Magazine in the past. I do not purposefully subscribe, but instead I get a copy with my Performance Bicycle membership. Every month, this rubbish appears at my house. This month’s edition has a giant picture of a rear cassette from SRAM that has 11 speeds. Of course,…
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The Dentist
Today was that twice yearly ritual, visiting the Dentist. Hygienist and a quick check. Where else will you get the joys of the poker, the gouger, and the scraper jabbed at your teeth and gums? As I have long had some moderate gum recession, I get exhortations about keeping the exposed root on my first…
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Seen in Silicon Valley – Mystery Spot
More in the things found in Silicon Valley. This isn’t as mundane as a Mercedes with a lawnmower in the trunk. Nope, this is about the Tourist Trap, AKA The Mystery Spot. Why am I bringing it up? Mainly because there are so damn many of their bumper stickers everywhere. I swear every third car…
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Not going to happen – Comcast Solar
Over the last week, I have had three calls from Comcast. Trying to sell me on their "Energy" program. Apparently they want to install solar cells on my house, pay me $1,200 for the privilege of doing this, and save like 20% on my electric bill. Asking them who "owns" the panels brought about a…
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Seen in Silicon Valley
One thing about moving back to the bay area has been an adjustment. I left in 2003, and things were weird then. However, the 11 years I was gone has led to a watershed of oddity. This is the first in a series of things I see on the roads here. Entry #1, a green…
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It just isn’t fair …
All my life (ok, most of my life at least) I have played guitar, wishing that I could crest a plateau that has evaded me. Alternate picking, one of the foundations of shredding on guitar, has been a skill I struggled with. Of course I tried often. A lot of exercises. Training videos by Al…
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Damn you Netflix – Death in Paradise
Trying to avoid opening the work laptop yesterday, I was browsing Netflix, and one of their recommendations just popped under my remote. Death in Paradise, a BBC detective show. The premise is somewhat weak, the pilot showed a police officer in Sainte Marie (Martinique in the Carribean) was killed with some unusual circumstances. An inspector…