AND LEST I FORGET...
Monday, November 26, 2012
BUY! BUY! BUY!
ONLY 3 HRS 17 MIN LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY/WHATEVER-THE-HECK TUESDAY DEALS!!!!!
(Unless of course they decide to extend them so that you can BUY! BUY! BUY!)
I've gotten between 75 and 100 e-mails today - and at least 1/3 of them have been advertisements of some sort pushing this or that "BIG SALE."
Give me a break.
Somehow I can't help thinking about the John Carpenter movie "They Live", which stars "Rowdy" Roddy Piper as a drifter who accidentally discovers that aliens have taken over and are controlling the world through subliminal messages like "OBEY" and "CONSUME" - money even has "THIS IS YOUR GOD" printed on it - basically all geared to keep people moving along as mindless sheep supporting the status quo.
Kind of like the next month or so of mindless massive consumerism.
Somehow I think the various corporations and businesses looking tor rake in profits over the next month would love to get their hands on a little of the alien action. I understand that the retail sector counts on the holiday season to turn a profit, but in my opinion it's gotten ridiculous. Thank heavens I don't get broadcast or cable TV - it's bad enough getting bombarded by the BUY! BUY! BUY! message through e-mail and online.
JMH
Monday, November 26, 2012
MIRROR REPLACED
Monday, November 26, 2012
Ordered two new mirrors from Amazon last week, they arrived today. Twenty minutes of work and hey presto, I once again have a passenger side mirror on the Honda Civic. The unpainted black finish doesn't even look too bad - I imagine it will almost look like it was intended to be that way, once I replace the driver's side mirror (not today - it's getting cold, dark, and damp out there...)
JMH
Monday, November 26, 2012
Ordered two new mirrors from Amazon last week, they arrived today. Twenty minutes of work and hey presto, I once again have a passenger side mirror on the Honda Civic. The unpainted black finish doesn't even look too bad - I imagine it will almost look like it was intended to be that way, once I replace the driver's side mirror (not today - it's getting cold, dark, and damp out there...)
JMH
Sunday, November 25, 2012
CYBER MONDAY DISCOUNT ON 2013 EMPIRE PASSPORTS
Sunday, November 25, 2012
I've purchased an Empire Passport for the last couple of years, in part to make it easier to go to NY State Parks in-season (many parks don't charge an entrance fee during fall, winter, and spring) and in part to support our state park system, which has been struggling due to years of budget cutbacks and ever-rising maintenance costs. And I was planning to get a new one next spring when my current one expires.
So I was very happy to hear that the Dept of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is offering a discount tomorrow on the 2013 Empire Passports - $40 instead of $65, but they can only be purchased on-line. This is a great deal - you only need to make 6-7 visits in the summer for it to pay for itself - and I strongly encourage anyone who is a supporter of our wonderful NYS Parks to pick one up at the discounted price. In addition to the reasons I gave above, I also suspect it's s subtle vote for the importance of our state parks - the more people who buy them, the harder it is for the folks in Albany to claim that parks just aren't a priority to NYS residents.
The press release is included below:
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites is getting into the holiday spirit early, discounting the cost of the $65 Empire Passport to $40 for a special Cyber Monday online promotion.
"One cannot put a value on all the benefits of spending time outdoors," said State Park Commissioner Rose Harvey. "Whether you are purchasing the discounted Empire Passport for loved ones or for yourself, I am pleased that we are able to offer the affordable, yet indispensable gift, of health and fun this holiday season."
The discount will strictly apply only to online orders placed between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 26. Purchases will be accepted online at www.nysparks.com during this time, but will not be accepted in person or by phone. Each customer will be able to purchase up to three passes at the reduced price.
The Empire Passport offers unlimited vehicle access to New York State Parks for all four seasons. The 2013 Passport will be valid now through March 31, 2014, at upwards of 250 state-operated parks, recreation areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and forest preserve sites.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 58 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
I've purchased an Empire Passport for the last couple of years, in part to make it easier to go to NY State Parks in-season (many parks don't charge an entrance fee during fall, winter, and spring) and in part to support our state park system, which has been struggling due to years of budget cutbacks and ever-rising maintenance costs. And I was planning to get a new one next spring when my current one expires.
So I was very happy to hear that the Dept of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation is offering a discount tomorrow on the 2013 Empire Passports - $40 instead of $65, but they can only be purchased on-line. This is a great deal - you only need to make 6-7 visits in the summer for it to pay for itself - and I strongly encourage anyone who is a supporter of our wonderful NYS Parks to pick one up at the discounted price. In addition to the reasons I gave above, I also suspect it's s subtle vote for the importance of our state parks - the more people who buy them, the harder it is for the folks in Albany to claim that parks just aren't a priority to NYS residents.
The press release is included below:
Cyber Monday Deal Offers Discounted 2013 Season Pass for Online Sales
State Parks to offer invaluable gift of outdoors at specially reduced price
"One cannot put a value on all the benefits of spending time outdoors," said State Park Commissioner Rose Harvey. "Whether you are purchasing the discounted Empire Passport for loved ones or for yourself, I am pleased that we are able to offer the affordable, yet indispensable gift, of health and fun this holiday season."
The discount will strictly apply only to online orders placed between 12 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 26. Purchases will be accepted online at www.nysparks.com during this time, but will not be accepted in person or by phone. Each customer will be able to purchase up to three passes at the reduced price.
The Empire Passport offers unlimited vehicle access to New York State Parks for all four seasons. The 2013 Passport will be valid now through March 31, 2014, at upwards of 250 state-operated parks, recreation areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and forest preserve sites.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 58 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
NO RT TURKEY RUN FOR THE TURTLE...
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I'd been looking forward to taking a shot at the RT Turkey Run at Mendon Ponds Park all week... both to see how my foot would react and to finally have a chance to run again! But as I thought about it yesterday I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have my first run in two weeks be a race, where I'd be more likely to overdo it (and less likely to stop if partway through it wasn't going well.) So I reluctantly bailed on yet another enjoyable run this month... but at least it leaves me more time to spend with Ann today...
JMH
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I'd been looking forward to taking a shot at the RT Turkey Run at Mendon Ponds Park all week... both to see how my foot would react and to finally have a chance to run again! But as I thought about it yesterday I decided it probably wasn't a good idea to have my first run in two weeks be a race, where I'd be more likely to overdo it (and less likely to stop if partway through it wasn't going well.) So I reluctantly bailed on yet another enjoyable run this month... but at least it leaves me more time to spend with Ann today...
JMH
Friday, November 23, 2012
CAN TURTLES FIX BIKES?
Friday, November 23, 2012
I suppose it depends on the turtle and on what needs fixing on the bike...
In this case, two of Ann's bikes were down for the count, and since that's her primary means to getting back and forth to work (because parking costs an outrageous amount) it's important to have them rolling again.
I tackled the backup, her mountain bike, first. Two broken links on the chain. So I sized a new chain and installed it... then had to take it apart again because I hadn't threaded it through the front derailleur, and the screw holding the derailleur closed was stripping when I tried to take it apart. Idiot! But the nice thing about replacing chains is it's not too difficult, as long as you're slow and careful so you don't push the rivet all the way out. But it is definitely a grungy job.
Then I went after her primary ride, an ancient steel 12 speed. The initial problem there was a flat, aggravated by the fact that after she replaced the dead tube, the next morning she found the tire flat again. Replaced both tires and tubes, the latter with ones that have some flat-sealing gunk in them - in general I don't like that stuff (it's clogged too many of my air valves) but she rides through enough nasty pointy stuff that's it's a worthwhile extra precaution. Also tightened the front axle a bit and cleaned/lubed the chain, plus I removed a few items she isn't using (bike computer, pump bracket, etc.)
Unfortunately with the cold weather returning I don't have much hope I'll get her to test the bikes out on the street tomorrow... hopefully they will hold up for her trips to and from work for the foreseeable future.
JMH
Friday, November 23, 2012
I suppose it depends on the turtle and on what needs fixing on the bike...
In this case, two of Ann's bikes were down for the count, and since that's her primary means to getting back and forth to work (because parking costs an outrageous amount) it's important to have them rolling again.
I tackled the backup, her mountain bike, first. Two broken links on the chain. So I sized a new chain and installed it... then had to take it apart again because I hadn't threaded it through the front derailleur, and the screw holding the derailleur closed was stripping when I tried to take it apart. Idiot! But the nice thing about replacing chains is it's not too difficult, as long as you're slow and careful so you don't push the rivet all the way out. But it is definitely a grungy job.
Then I went after her primary ride, an ancient steel 12 speed. The initial problem there was a flat, aggravated by the fact that after she replaced the dead tube, the next morning she found the tire flat again. Replaced both tires and tubes, the latter with ones that have some flat-sealing gunk in them - in general I don't like that stuff (it's clogged too many of my air valves) but she rides through enough nasty pointy stuff that's it's a worthwhile extra precaution. Also tightened the front axle a bit and cleaned/lubed the chain, plus I removed a few items she isn't using (bike computer, pump bracket, etc.)
Unfortunately with the cold weather returning I don't have much hope I'll get her to test the bikes out on the street tomorrow... hopefully they will hold up for her trips to and from work for the foreseeable future.
JMH
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
MIGHT AS WELL FACE IT...
No Seashore Nature Trail 50k for the Turtle
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I haven't run for almost two weeks, and my foot hasn't bounced back to normal... more like a slow crawl punctuated by occasionally being dragged backwards every once in a while when I do something stupid. I suspect this is going to be a slow-healing injury that I'm going to have to manage carefully so that I can be ready for the Big Island Marathon in March and Rock the Ridge in May - and attempting a 50k after little or no running for 6 weeks doesn't qualify as careful management. In any case, the 50k was going to be a struggle after spending November training for it - as things stand now, it's questionable if I'd even be able to finish in 8 1/2 hours, regardless of the state it would leave my foot in afterwards.
So I'm doing the smart, mature thing and pulling myself out of the 50k, growling and snarling all the way, damn it.
Hopefully taking it easy for the next month or so will leave me in a better place going into snowshoe season and next year's running season. And in the meantime I'll try to do some thinking and see if I can figure out how to have my running in 2013 not suck nearly as much as I did in 2012.
Can we have some cheese to go with all this whine? Sigh.
JMH
No Seashore Nature Trail 50k for the Turtle
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I haven't run for almost two weeks, and my foot hasn't bounced back to normal... more like a slow crawl punctuated by occasionally being dragged backwards every once in a while when I do something stupid. I suspect this is going to be a slow-healing injury that I'm going to have to manage carefully so that I can be ready for the Big Island Marathon in March and Rock the Ridge in May - and attempting a 50k after little or no running for 6 weeks doesn't qualify as careful management. In any case, the 50k was going to be a struggle after spending November training for it - as things stand now, it's questionable if I'd even be able to finish in 8 1/2 hours, regardless of the state it would leave my foot in afterwards.
So I'm doing the smart, mature thing and pulling myself out of the 50k, growling and snarling all the way, damn it.
Hopefully taking it easy for the next month or so will leave me in a better place going into snowshoe season and next year's running season. And in the meantime I'll try to do some thinking and see if I can figure out how to have my running in 2013 not suck nearly as much as I did in 2012.
Can we have some cheese to go with all this whine? Sigh.
JMH
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
"LOOK! AN EAGLE!"
11.2 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Couldn't muster up much enthusiasm for a ride today... didn't help that I was slightly under-dressed so my upper body was a little chilly the whole time, and I generally find the hats/neck gaiters/earbands I wear somewhat uncomfortable under my bike helmet (the straps are a little short, so even a thin hat underneath is a tight fit.) For a while I wondered if I might have been better off going for a walk instead.
But then I saw an eagle perched in one of the trees below the Lock 7 dam - that was cool, for a while I saw eagles almost every time I went to the bike path, but the last two years they've been mostly absent. And on the way back I spotted a female bufflehead near the Niska Isle bridge. That convinced me to tough it out a little longer - but only a little.
This colder weather's going to take some getting used to... at least until we get snow and ice and riding becomes too risky.
JMH
11.2 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Couldn't muster up much enthusiasm for a ride today... didn't help that I was slightly under-dressed so my upper body was a little chilly the whole time, and I generally find the hats/neck gaiters/earbands I wear somewhat uncomfortable under my bike helmet (the straps are a little short, so even a thin hat underneath is a tight fit.) For a while I wondered if I might have been better off going for a walk instead.
But then I saw an eagle perched in one of the trees below the Lock 7 dam - that was cool, for a while I saw eagles almost every time I went to the bike path, but the last two years they've been mostly absent. And on the way back I spotted a female bufflehead near the Niska Isle bridge. That convinced me to tough it out a little longer - but only a little.
This colder weather's going to take some getting used to... at least until we get snow and ice and riding becomes too risky.
JMH
CITY LIVING STRIKES AGAIN...
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Stepped out on the porch to check the temperature this afternoon and noticed the mailman and a neighbor looking at my car - so I figured I'd better go see what was up. Once I got out there it was very clear - some @$$&#*%$$!!! decided to smash my passenger-side mirror last night. According to the mailman they hit several cars along the street, apparently I happened to be one of the folks who picked an unlucky number.
I'll never understand the compulsion to destroy other folks stuff for no reason - but then again there are enough immature jackass morons around here with way too much time on their hands that it's not that surprising.
I've got an e-mail to a friend who owns a body shop to get an estimate on having the mirror replaced professionally... and based on a little research I did online, I could probably even do it myself for about $50 in parts.
JMH
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Stepped out on the porch to check the temperature this afternoon and noticed the mailman and a neighbor looking at my car - so I figured I'd better go see what was up. Once I got out there it was very clear - some @$$&#*%$$!!! decided to smash my passenger-side mirror last night. According to the mailman they hit several cars along the street, apparently I happened to be one of the folks who picked an unlucky number.
I'll never understand the compulsion to destroy other folks stuff for no reason - but then again there are enough immature jackass morons around here with way too much time on their hands that it's not that surprising.
I've got an e-mail to a friend who owns a body shop to get an estimate on having the mirror replaced professionally... and based on a little research I did online, I could probably even do it myself for about $50 in parts.
JMH
Friday, November 16, 2012
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...
Friday, November 16, 2012
I've been clinging stubbornly to my intention to run the Lil Rhody Runaround this Sunday, for a bunch of reasons - I enjoy the race a lot, it's one of my few remaining chances to run a race in RI this year, and I was also looking forward to visiting Trustom Pond NWR to check out the flocks of migrating waterfowl and Rome Point to hopefully check out the seals.
But - it's been a very long week at work, leaving me less than enthused about spending 8 hours driving this weekend. And while my foot has been slowly feeling better - I suspect it hasn't improved much beyond where it was last Saturday, when a short easy run left me limping around for a couple of days afterward. And at this point - if I'm going to have any chance of running the Seashore Nature Trail 50k, I don't know that I can afford more setbacks.
So at much as it aggravates me to do so - no Lil Rhody for me this weekend.
Sigh. Being injured really sucks.
JMH
Friday, November 16, 2012
I've been clinging stubbornly to my intention to run the Lil Rhody Runaround this Sunday, for a bunch of reasons - I enjoy the race a lot, it's one of my few remaining chances to run a race in RI this year, and I was also looking forward to visiting Trustom Pond NWR to check out the flocks of migrating waterfowl and Rome Point to hopefully check out the seals.
But - it's been a very long week at work, leaving me less than enthused about spending 8 hours driving this weekend. And while my foot has been slowly feeling better - I suspect it hasn't improved much beyond where it was last Saturday, when a short easy run left me limping around for a couple of days afterward. And at this point - if I'm going to have any chance of running the Seashore Nature Trail 50k, I don't know that I can afford more setbacks.
So at much as it aggravates me to do so - no Lil Rhody for me this weekend.
Sigh. Being injured really sucks.
JMH
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
0.7 Mile Walk at Buckingham Lake
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Ducked out of work briefly this afternoon, just enough time to go over to Buckingham Lake and walk around it once. One nice thing about the chilly weather - no crowds! Just a couple of people near the parking lot and a mom & kids at the playground.
The minus, of course, is a lot less wildlife - the usual mob of ducks hoping for a handout, plus a kingfisher I spotted from a distance.
Regardless - it was a real pleasure to spend half an hour or so outside, in daylight, after a long day at work (even if I had to go back to work afterwards.)
JMH
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Ducked out of work briefly this afternoon, just enough time to go over to Buckingham Lake and walk around it once. One nice thing about the chilly weather - no crowds! Just a couple of people near the parking lot and a mom & kids at the playground.
The minus, of course, is a lot less wildlife - the usual mob of ducks hoping for a handout, plus a kingfisher I spotted from a distance.
Regardless - it was a real pleasure to spend half an hour or so outside, in daylight, after a long day at work (even if I had to go back to work afterwards.)
JMH
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Sigh... A Missed Opportunity...
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I'm currently in the process of converting my music collection to digital (stage 1 - ripping CDs) and have also been expanding/updating a bit as I do so... which also has me thinking about which groups or performers I'd like to hear more of and then searching ebay and half.com for good deals. What can I say, I'm old-fashioned - I like having a CD to fall back to if something happens to one of those new-fangled digital file thingies all my students seem to think is the natural state for sharing music.
One of the groups I've enjoyed pretty consistently since college has been Battlefield Band. Their lineup has gone through tremendous changes over the decades (to the point where there are no longer any of the founding members still performing with the group) but they've maintained a consistently energetic and eclectic sound (if that makes any sense) incorporating a variety of instruments but always including bagpipes, fiddle, piano/keyboard, and guitars. Some groups I like because of their consistent sound (the Tannahill Weavers come to mind - they've found what works for them and kept at it for around 20 years with only minor changes) and some I like because of their variety - Battlefield Band is one of the latter, a band that understands and loves its traditional roots but also isn't afraid to try new things, as the "old surfing song from the Outer Hebrides" below demonstrates:
(OK... the visuals with that one are downright eerie, given the recent storm devastation in the NYC/NJ area)
Anyway, one drawback to my only occasional attention to music is I sometimes go looking for current info on an artist or group and discover that they recently performed in the area. A couple of years ago it was Dougie MacLean over in Pittsfield - thankfully I was able to attend his concert in Schenectady back in May - and this time around it turns out to be Battlefield Band, who were down in Hudson of all places, a mere three weeks ago.
Perhaps I need to do a better job of regularly checking for upcoming gigs, especially for artists and groups that don't come to the U.S. all that often. Might be another positive use for that infernal "social media" site that rhymes with "ace crook", much as I loathe spending any more time in its sinister clutches than I absolutely have to... more evidence of what an old-fashioned curmudgeon I am.
JMH
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I'm currently in the process of converting my music collection to digital (stage 1 - ripping CDs) and have also been expanding/updating a bit as I do so... which also has me thinking about which groups or performers I'd like to hear more of and then searching ebay and half.com for good deals. What can I say, I'm old-fashioned - I like having a CD to fall back to if something happens to one of those new-fangled digital file thingies all my students seem to think is the natural state for sharing music.
One of the groups I've enjoyed pretty consistently since college has been Battlefield Band. Their lineup has gone through tremendous changes over the decades (to the point where there are no longer any of the founding members still performing with the group) but they've maintained a consistently energetic and eclectic sound (if that makes any sense) incorporating a variety of instruments but always including bagpipes, fiddle, piano/keyboard, and guitars. Some groups I like because of their consistent sound (the Tannahill Weavers come to mind - they've found what works for them and kept at it for around 20 years with only minor changes) and some I like because of their variety - Battlefield Band is one of the latter, a band that understands and loves its traditional roots but also isn't afraid to try new things, as the "old surfing song from the Outer Hebrides" below demonstrates:
(OK... the visuals with that one are downright eerie, given the recent storm devastation in the NYC/NJ area)
Anyway, one drawback to my only occasional attention to music is I sometimes go looking for current info on an artist or group and discover that they recently performed in the area. A couple of years ago it was Dougie MacLean over in Pittsfield - thankfully I was able to attend his concert in Schenectady back in May - and this time around it turns out to be Battlefield Band, who were down in Hudson of all places, a mere three weeks ago.
Perhaps I need to do a better job of regularly checking for upcoming gigs, especially for artists and groups that don't come to the U.S. all that often. Might be another positive use for that infernal "social media" site that rhymes with "ace crook", much as I loathe spending any more time in its sinister clutches than I absolutely have to... more evidence of what an old-fashioned curmudgeon I am.
JMH
Monday, November 12, 2012
MORNING CRITTERS
2.5 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Monday, November 12, 2012
After yesterday's aborted trip to Five Rivers, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and a day off from work to make a rare early morning visit, reasoning that (1) there wouldn't be too many people around, and (2) the critters would probably be more active than they are mid-day. And happily I was right on both accounts - enough so that it made up for having to get up early on a day off.
I heard lots of woodpeckers today and spotted a few too - a couple of small downy's, and also a couple of pilated woodpeckers, including one which I had a fairly good view of for a while. Lots of small birds as well, especially chickadees (they seemed to be everywhere.) I even shot some slightly blurry video of a what I think was a wren singing very loudly.
The Beaver Pond hosted a heron which I startled initially but then seemed pretty cool about my hanging back on the trees taking pictures. The water was the highest I've seen it in some time, I would imagine in part due to the rain we've had recently but also because I think the beavers have raised the height of their dam along the edge of the spillway. The Heron Pond was also looking good, and the very itchy duck mob was hanging out on the fallen tree - some snoozing, most itching. I used to think they were so itchy because of feathers growing on but after months now - I wonder if they have mites or some other sort of parasite?
Wandered over to the smaller ponds past the old orchard and spent a while watching and photographing a red-tailed hawk that perched in several trees along the access road. Not much else going on in those ponds at the moment.
It was tough to tear myself away but I did want to get out on my bike and maybe walk at one or two other places today... and perhaps it was just as well, since more people were starting to arrive, complete with noisy children...
JMH
2.5 Mile Walk at Five Rivers EEC
Monday, November 12, 2012
After yesterday's aborted trip to Five Rivers, I decided to take advantage of the nice weather and a day off from work to make a rare early morning visit, reasoning that (1) there wouldn't be too many people around, and (2) the critters would probably be more active than they are mid-day. And happily I was right on both accounts - enough so that it made up for having to get up early on a day off.
I heard lots of woodpeckers today and spotted a few too - a couple of small downy's, and also a couple of pilated woodpeckers, including one which I had a fairly good view of for a while. Lots of small birds as well, especially chickadees (they seemed to be everywhere.) I even shot some slightly blurry video of a what I think was a wren singing very loudly.
The Beaver Pond hosted a heron which I startled initially but then seemed pretty cool about my hanging back on the trees taking pictures. The water was the highest I've seen it in some time, I would imagine in part due to the rain we've had recently but also because I think the beavers have raised the height of their dam along the edge of the spillway. The Heron Pond was also looking good, and the very itchy duck mob was hanging out on the fallen tree - some snoozing, most itching. I used to think they were so itchy because of feathers growing on but after months now - I wonder if they have mites or some other sort of parasite?
Wandered over to the smaller ponds past the old orchard and spent a while watching and photographing a red-tailed hawk that perched in several trees along the access road. Not much else going on in those ponds at the moment.
It was tough to tear myself away but I did want to get out on my bike and maybe walk at one or two other places today... and perhaps it was just as well, since more people were starting to arrive, complete with noisy children...
JMH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
17.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Sunday, November 11, 2012
I had thought I would go for a walk at Five Rivers first, but when I got there the parking lot was packed and overflowing... and the thought of having to put up with that many people just did not appeal. So I headed over to the Lions Park in Niskayuna (which was also packed - guess folks appreciate a warm Sunday afternoon in November) and got on the bike an hour earlier than I planned.
Rode all the way to partway up GE's hill - then stopped to take pictures of a flock of geese grazing on the lawn, decided I'd had enough of hills, and headed back. Stopped just past the Niska Isle bridge on the way back to watch a heron hunting and some ducks dabbling. Just before the small parking area east of the Lions Park, I spotted a small raptor in the trees near the river. Stopped to take a picture and of course it flew off, followed a short while later by a red-tailed hawk that shrieked at me before heading for a different perch. Watching jumpy birds while wearing flourescent yellow just isn't a good plan.
Went all the way to the top of the hill past the water treatment plant - there was a deer crossing the grass as I pulled up, and on the way back I spotted a bat fluttering around and later on what I think might have been an owl - the brief glimpse I had as it flew across the path suggested a very rounded head. I considered doing a few more miles but decided to call it an evening - I'll have plenty of chances to ride in the dark over the coming weeks.
Foot ached on and off, but nothing too bad. My left knee hollered at me a couple of times - not sure what that was about, unless it's trying to warn me that favoring my right foot is stressing out my left side.
JMH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
I had thought I would go for a walk at Five Rivers first, but when I got there the parking lot was packed and overflowing... and the thought of having to put up with that many people just did not appeal. So I headed over to the Lions Park in Niskayuna (which was also packed - guess folks appreciate a warm Sunday afternoon in November) and got on the bike an hour earlier than I planned.
Rode all the way to partway up GE's hill - then stopped to take pictures of a flock of geese grazing on the lawn, decided I'd had enough of hills, and headed back. Stopped just past the Niska Isle bridge on the way back to watch a heron hunting and some ducks dabbling. Just before the small parking area east of the Lions Park, I spotted a small raptor in the trees near the river. Stopped to take a picture and of course it flew off, followed a short while later by a red-tailed hawk that shrieked at me before heading for a different perch. Watching jumpy birds while wearing flourescent yellow just isn't a good plan.
Went all the way to the top of the hill past the water treatment plant - there was a deer crossing the grass as I pulled up, and on the way back I spotted a bat fluttering around and later on what I think might have been an owl - the brief glimpse I had as it flew across the path suggested a very rounded head. I considered doing a few more miles but decided to call it an evening - I'll have plenty of chances to ride in the dark over the coming weeks.
Foot ached on and off, but nothing too bad. My left knee hollered at me a couple of times - not sure what that was about, unless it's trying to warn me that favoring my right foot is stressing out my left side.
JMH
So Much For After the Leaves...
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Yesterday's very easy run made it clear - any running in the near future is going to have painful consequences. And since I really want to be able to run the Lil Rhody Runaround next Sunday, that means the best plan is to skip After the Leaves Have Fallen today. Needless to say I am very unhappy about this - both the loss of today's run (though I might go to Minnewaska tomorrow and ride) and the fact that it throws in question my ability to run the Seashore Nature Trail 50k in mid- December.
Sigh. Injuries suck big time.
JMH
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Yesterday's very easy run made it clear - any running in the near future is going to have painful consequences. And since I really want to be able to run the Lil Rhody Runaround next Sunday, that means the best plan is to skip After the Leaves Have Fallen today. Needless to say I am very unhappy about this - both the loss of today's run (though I might go to Minnewaska tomorrow and ride) and the fact that it throws in question my ability to run the Seashore Nature Trail 50k in mid- December.
Sigh. Injuries suck big time.
JMH
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Friday, November 09, 2012
QUIET NIGHT...
2 Mile Walk in the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Friday, November 9, 2012
I had hoped to try going for a run tonight to see how my foot would react, but by the time I left work I was sufficiently tired and hungry that it just wasn't happening... actually, it took some doing for me to eventually convince myself to get off my lazy backside and make an extended walk to the store. I was surprised by how quiet it was... maybe it's early enough that the college kids haven't started partying yet, or maybe people are taking advantage of the long weekend to go away...
One of the reasons I like wandering around outdoors is all the things I end up thinking about and all the things I notice around me - something I think is a lost art, given that most people are endlessly distracted by their music, text messages, phone calls, and so on when they're out and about. As I walk around the Albany neighborhoods one of the things that stands out is how the houses are mostly up on hills, well above street level. And I wonder how that happened - it seems far too regular to be just a coincidence of geography. Were the streets dug down to run below the level of the houses, or was the land under the houses built up higher than the streets? And why? Drainage? Perhaps one of these days I'll do a bit of research about the architectural background of Albany and it's streets and find the answers... for now I just continue to ponder the questions while I'm out walking around.
JMH
2 Mile Walk in the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Friday, November 9, 2012
I had hoped to try going for a run tonight to see how my foot would react, but by the time I left work I was sufficiently tired and hungry that it just wasn't happening... actually, it took some doing for me to eventually convince myself to get off my lazy backside and make an extended walk to the store. I was surprised by how quiet it was... maybe it's early enough that the college kids haven't started partying yet, or maybe people are taking advantage of the long weekend to go away...
One of the reasons I like wandering around outdoors is all the things I end up thinking about and all the things I notice around me - something I think is a lost art, given that most people are endlessly distracted by their music, text messages, phone calls, and so on when they're out and about. As I walk around the Albany neighborhoods one of the things that stands out is how the houses are mostly up on hills, well above street level. And I wonder how that happened - it seems far too regular to be just a coincidence of geography. Were the streets dug down to run below the level of the houses, or was the land under the houses built up higher than the streets? And why? Drainage? Perhaps one of these days I'll do a bit of research about the architectural background of Albany and it's streets and find the answers... for now I just continue to ponder the questions while I'm out walking around.
JMH
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Feels More Like December...
1.2 Mile Walk in the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
No run tonight, thanks to my blasted foot... but I did manage to walk to the store and back to pick up some food. The "nor'easter" is supposed to come through later tonight, with the possibility of a bit of snow (a couple of inches, tops) and possibly some rain. Tonight was cold and damp, with spatters of very fine, very wet snow coming down... brrr. The last few days have felt much more like mid-December than early November.
And it doesn't even have the distinction of "first snow of the season" since it barely qualified as snow, plus I drove and ran in snow flurries Saturday morning...
JMH
1.2 Mile Walk in the Pine Hills Neighborhood
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
No run tonight, thanks to my blasted foot... but I did manage to walk to the store and back to pick up some food. The "nor'easter" is supposed to come through later tonight, with the possibility of a bit of snow (a couple of inches, tops) and possibly some rain. Tonight was cold and damp, with spatters of very fine, very wet snow coming down... brrr. The last few days have felt much more like mid-December than early November.
And it doesn't even have the distinction of "first snow of the season" since it barely qualified as snow, plus I drove and ran in snow flurries Saturday morning...
JMH
@#$*&#%#!!!! Foot...
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Partway through my walk at Vischer Ferry yesterday the inner arch of my right foot began grumbling... and gradually progressed to hollering. I figured it was a cramp due to the fit/flex of the shoes I was wearing, changed shoes, and walked a little over 2 miles more yesterday with it still griping but not quite as much. And it kept hurting all evening.
Today I'm not nearly as confident about the cramp diagnosis - it's still pretty painful. So much for running tonight and possibly for the near future... right when the double whammy of the loss of daylight savings time and unseasonably cold weather makes riding after work difficult. Not to mention needing to train for a running a 50k in 5 weeks...
Seems like it's going to be one of THOSE weeks...
JMH
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Partway through my walk at Vischer Ferry yesterday the inner arch of my right foot began grumbling... and gradually progressed to hollering. I figured it was a cramp due to the fit/flex of the shoes I was wearing, changed shoes, and walked a little over 2 miles more yesterday with it still griping but not quite as much. And it kept hurting all evening.
Today I'm not nearly as confident about the cramp diagnosis - it's still pretty painful. So much for running tonight and possibly for the near future... right when the double whammy of the loss of daylight savings time and unseasonably cold weather makes riding after work difficult. Not to mention needing to train for a running a 50k in 5 weeks...
Seems like it's going to be one of THOSE weeks...
JMH
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Friday, November 02, 2012
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