Breesus, Sportsman of the Year 2010

Indeed a well deserved titled for a most deserved individual. I can't say that I am surprised at this accolade awarded to such a leader and inspirational figure. Although I am not a huge American Football fan, I do respect the athleticism of the industry and furthermore the accomplishments of a team such as the Saints, especially in lieu of their most recent troubles i.e. Hurricane Katrina. The full article is here.

Congrats to Drew Brees and the Saints for a great post Super Bowl season and a clear road to another Championship.

Rush Limbaugh Lashes Out Against Motor Trend Magazine

In a recent radio blast, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh questioned, better yet, removed all credibility from Motor Trend magazine when they gave the Chevy Volt the "Car of the Year" award. Rush had this to say, "Of all the cars in the world, the Chevrolet Volt is the Car of the Year?" scoffed Limbaugh on his show last week. "Motor Trend magazine, that’s the end of them. How in the world do they have any credibility? Not one has been sold."

The following response was found on Motor Trends website from editor Todd Lassa: (spoiler, the last line makes the read all worth it)

"Assuming you’ve been anywhere near the biggest automotive technological breakthrough since … I don’t know, maybe the self-starter, could you even find your way to the front seat? Or are you happy attacking a car that you’ve never even seen in person?

Last time you ranted about the Volt, you got confused about the “range,” and said on the air that the car could be driven no more than 40 miles at a time, period. At least you stayed away from that issue this time, but you continue to attack it as the car only a tree hugging, Obama-supporting Government Motors customer would want. As radio loudmouths like you would note, none of those potential customers were to be found after November 2.

Back to us for a moment, our credibility, Mr. Limbaugh, comes from actually driving and testing the car, and understanding its advanced technology. It comes from driving and testing virtually every new car sold, and from doing this once a year with all the all-new or significantly improved models all at the same time. We test, make judgments and write about things we understand.
....
If you can stop shilling for your favorite political party long enough to go for a drive, you might really enjoy the Chevy Volt. I’m sure GM would be happy to lend you one for the weekend. Just remember: driving and Oxycontin don’t mix."

Conversation

Eden has not been feeling well and is very temperamental, she is looking for every excuse to have her way or a temper tantrum will ensue. We had the following conversation this evening. In an effort to console as best I can without being a push over parent:
Eden: Daddy (cheerfully)? Can I have some milk please?
Daddy: Of course baby, let's go get some, thank you for having good manners.
Eden: Can I pour the milk please daddy?
Daddy: Sure thing angel face.
(milk is poured)
Daddy: Ok baby, let's go to bed...
Eden: I don't want to go to bed (smiling cheerfully as though a victory has been had)
Daddy: Well Eden, you know very well that when we have milk it's night night time, so either we go to bed, or the milk goes back in the fridge.
Eden: (crying hysterically) I don't want my milk daddy!!!! I don't want my milk anymore daddy!!!!!

Ahhhh the pleasures of parenthood, although I was quite impressed that she was able to make the relationship between not having the milk and going to bed.

Happy 2nd Anniversary

Happy Anniversary Ashley. We have successfully completed 2 years of bliss, or something like it. I love you and wish you all the best. Thanks for a wonderful marriage and being a wonderful wife and mother.

Science of Sunglasses Oakley's Rolling O Lab

This is some pretty genius stuff, I can finally justify my $250.00 Jawbone's. If you have 5 minutes, please watch this.

Achiote Cafe/CVS On The River

Jeremy and I had lunch on Saturday at Achiote Cafe, an exquisite Spanish Restaurant in the basement floor of the Grand Hyatt on the River. There were Gondola rides going through the river, it was beautiful. This was the view from our table, a little off from our exact table location, but you get the general idea of how picturesque it may have been. The birds were clearly no stranger to this establishment as we dinned near there habitat, the photo of the chair is of a bird eating bread crumbs off of the chair not 5 feet away from our table. It was hilarious. The birds would just hang out waiting for customers to leave, an impromptu bus boy.





With very little introduction needed, this is the CVS...on the river...

This is the entrance/exit to the CVS River Walk. I must have gone 4 times on Saturday just to take in the view. We walked everywhere because everything you need is close, and it's all worth the view.

The Trip To San Antonio

If you've never been, I strongly recommend a vacation there. It is absolutely beautiful.



Jeremy and I stayed here at the Menger Hotel, also known as the "Haunted Hotel" which was built in 1859. These photos do nothing for the beauty that this hotel represents. The rooms are all very old and operate as you would expect an old room to operate.




These photos are from the 1st floor of the hotel, all original very old artifacts that are indicative of the history this town has.


This is the entrance to The Alamo from my room window. I didn't get a chance to go. Photos as of why to come in a bit.

Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon San Antonio

This past Sunday I found myself in a pretty interesting situation. I was scheduled to run a 1/2 Marathon in San Antonio with my good friend Jeremy Zenon. We had been discussing this race for a while and been training just as long. I have been training for a sub 2 hr, specifically 1:59:59 which meant I had to find a 9:09 pace per mile. I trained within those perimeters yet failed to take into account the hills that San Antonio had to offer. The whistle went off and Jeremy and I took off. I felt great, first mile was a 7:59, I scaled back to a 8:54 for mile 2. I felt really good running a sub 9 minute split for the first 8 miles. Then the hills really picked up, and after mile 11 I started charlie horsing, badly. I had to stop twice. My pace suffered, I was psychologically spent, my feet felt smashed to bits from the up hill running. One hill was over 500 feet with an 8% grade (guessing with possible embellishment). There was no end in sight for me, I gave myself 1,000 reasons why I should stop. Then a woman ran along side me, put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Son, you made it this far, I saw your speed back there, this is your race." She smiled and jogged away, I committed to myself that I was going to finish and finish strong. With 1 mile to go I was approached by an older woman named Patty, she asked if she could pace my heels for the finish because she felt like quiting, I smiled in agreement because an audible answer was outside of my human capabilities at this point. We worked, for the next 1.2 miles we worked. I crossed the line at a clock time of 2:19:45, my watch said 2:11:36. All was good in the end, until I drove home and later discovered my chip time is officially a 2:03:17. I AM FREAKIN PUMPED. I never imagined that I could pull off such a time in such a hilly terrain with minimal training. I am in quite a lot of pain, but I am expecting a quick recovery and I look forward to the Houston 1/2 Marathon in January, thinking of setting a new PR.

Special thanks to Jeremy for his lodging assistance and race knowledge on Friday night. The ride to San Antonio Saturday was brilliant, weather was ideal. Had some great food and scenery on day 1, photos to come. Also, race pics to come as well. The pics above are of me in recovery mode...I'm sleepy, I'll post to you guys later. Cheers. Thanks to everyone for your support.

Lap Times:
Mile 1 7:59
Mile 2 8:53
Mile 3 8:56
Mile 4 8:39
Mile 5 8:54
Mile 6 8:40
Mile 7 8:37
Mile 8 8:59
Mile 9 8:59
Mile 10 9:51 (tried to rest here...)
Mile 11 10:49 (first big climb)
Mile 12 11:29 (second half of first big climb + Cramps)
Mile 13.1 9:54

Right at the end, there was a huge climb for about 150 feet, not a very long climb if you haven't just completed 13 miles of running, good weekend.

Ferrofluids, Rare Neodymium Earth Magnetics...What?

Is it a robo-hedgehog? A Lady Gaga headpiece? Or merely a new way to juice lemons? No. In fact, it's not even a solid object: it's a ferrofluid.
Ferrofluids are colloidal mixtures - where one substance is microscopically dispersed evenly throughout a carrier fluid - containing magnetic nanoparticles. When placed in a magnetic field, the suspended particles cause the entire fluid to become strongly magnetised.
In this image a small drop of ferrofluid is placed within a magnetic field created by a neodymium iron-boron rare-earth magnet. The peaks and troughs result as the magnet tries to pull the liquid along its field lines.
Ferrofluids are being used in experimental cancer treatments called magnetic hyperthermia, and are the basis for a new breed of shape-shifting telescope lenses.

Artice credited to: http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2010/11/ferrofluids-the-spiky-side-of.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Officially Official

I was recently involved in a licensing course here in Lafayette at CSC with administrator Colin Gilmartin, in an effort to receive my Level 1 & Level 2 Goalkeeper licenses. I was able to learn a great deal in those two days. I have been a goalkeeper for a very long time and truth be told, I have never had any formal, or informal training. So this course was insightful and informative. I have the books we used for the course, I am scheduled to get one to Wilablog pretty soon, if anyone else needs a copy let me know. It's a pretty extensive binder, so it will take some time to copy, but it's a great tool to have for any coach.

They Grow So Quickly

Getting ready for the ride to school...


Her book sack is almost bigger than she is...



My little princess started school last week, and its seems that she is enjoying it very much, in fact, when I get home int he evenings that's really all I hear about. Her new friends and her new found social life.

I Want to be a Cheerleader, no wait, a doctor, no wait...Shit

Please watch till the end. Not at all what you expect from these interviews. I love science. Hurray for intelligence.



The video is cheesy, but really interesting. You may hate me for asking you to watch this. For Pele1410, this is the equivalent to when I read those damn Twilight books and then told you I enjoyed them.

Next time you watch an American Football game, perhaps we will have a different perspective on the cheerleaders...then again maybe not.

Rooney Comes To America for Rehab

I am sure this is an article that is not lost to anyone who views my blog, but I thought for the theoretical people who read here, this is interesting stuff.

Injured Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will spend a week in the United States undergoing intensive conditioning work on an ankle problem.
The 25-year-old will miss Wednesday's Manchester derby, and is not expected to play for another three weeks.
Rooney is to train at the Nike Town centre in Oregon.
"He can go there without the attention he'd get here," said United assistant manager Mike Phelan. "He needs the conditioning. We all agree with that."
The England international caused controversy recently when he signed a new five-year contract only two days after stating that he wanted to leave Old Trafford.
Rooney said that concerns over the club's squad strength were behind his decision to seek an exit, but then made the shock U-turn after speaking to manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's owners who he stressed "convinced me this is where I belong".

Full article

Here's a Reason to Leave Your Modem at Home When Travelling Overseas

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia man said he received a $17,505 Verizon Wireless bill after using his wireless USB modem overseas.

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/11/01/Man-gets-17505-wireless-bill/UPI-43391288633646/

Brilliant Reffing, Brilliant Attention by Nani (no sarcasm needed)

Not quite sure how this panned out, but well played to Nani for not giving up. Should have been a PK to start with. Manchester United deserved the goal. If Gomes would've punted the ball away this would've never happened.

Conversation

Tony: Tim, you gotta suck on that thing before you just put it in your mouth and bite!
Me: Wait, what? I did, I sucked for like 10 seconds.
Tony: Oh, ok.
James: What the hell are ya'll doing in there?


I was eating a life savers candy.