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Women Love Shoes!

January 30th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.

I’m going to really start back with the running tonight on a regular basis.

I had been flirting with it (run a minute or two, then walk) and the last time I worked out (which, sadly was last week due to The Project) I ran for a full kilometer in the middle of my run thanks to the Nike+ thing.

I had a goal to run 30 miles this month - but due to the foot injury, that didn’t happen.

I bought a new pair of running shoes last night - the ASICS GEL-1110.  The last time I worked out, I noticed that the “Nike Air” pocket thing in the heel of my right shoe was blown out.  Since I have no idea how long it’s been that way - perhaps it was contributing to my foot problem since it was my right foot having the problems.

Anyway.

Back to the ASICS shoe - it was Runners World “2006 Editor’s Choice Award” winner for best shoe.  That’s really, really good.  I tried on a couple of pairs of Nike’s - one that was even compatible with the Nike+ sensor - but in comparison, they were lacking.  The GEL-1110 fits my foot perfectly.  The best part about it was the fact that the Asics was the least expensive ($79.99) compared to the Nike shoes I tried ($84.99 and $89.99).  Even better when the guy rang me up and the ASICS were $44.99 instead.  Woo!
I think I found my new brand of athletic shoe.  That’s pretty huge considering I’ve bought nothing but Nike shoes for, well, as long as I was the one buying the shoes.

So tonight, I’m going to run 3-4 kilometers, see how I feel, then try for 5 if I’m feeling up to it.   Then onto a regular schedule to get my fat butt back into shape.  I’ve gotten soft and I don’t like it.

I also need to avoid office party things where they have cake.  I can normally resist cake, but not when they have German Sweet Chocolate Cake with the caramel/coconut frosting.  Yeah.  I’m thinking that extra kilometer may be just for that cake.

Productivity!

January 29th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.

I’m quite pleased with the amount of work I got done this weekend for the new project.  Got three different site designs completed and I didn’t have to be as big of a bitch as I was fearing I was going to have to be.

Woo!

Apparently, all I had to do was be a helpful little reminder elf to the others and it’s all good.

We have a lot of technical stuff to arrange and set up before we’re launch next week - and the question of getting the last of the software is one we need to answer as well.  It’s not a dire situation, just not the ideal one.   But, it’s going to kick ass when it’s done and you can rest assured I’m going to pimp the hell out of it on this blog.

More as things develop.

This Guy Deserves An Award

January 26th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.

This has to be the best thing I’ve read all day:

Designer gets pissed at Craigslist

The original Craigslist post is gone - but thank goodness someone got a copy of it before it went away.

The Price of Fame

January 26th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.

I’m really beginning to ramp things up for the launch of the new project.  As a result, I have to become the Hard Ass Bitch (HAB).

First off, since I’m the Director of Operations (because that’s my strong suit), it’s MY responsibility to ensure that everything is getting done and that deadlines are being communicated and followed up on.

Some of the people in the project are great - they’re proactive, they’re enthusiastic, they’re raring to go.  Others are a bit more reactive and not as time-sensitive as I would like them to be.  But then, I’ve never communicated that fact to them, so it’s really my problem, not theirs.

But my stress levels are going to be quite high the next week and a half.  Lots to do and every bit of time needs to be utilized in finishing this part of the project.  It’s annoying that I’m the only one that seems to be concerned with the “now” and finishing this part of the project.  Sure, it’s nice to have the energy and ideas for the next part, but if this part doesn’t get finished, then you really can’t do the fun part.

Also, I’m not sure anyone but Tim knows the level of commitment and the huge list of responsibilities that I have in regards to this project.  The things that I’m expecting everyone else to do, I also have to do - but in addition, I have to be the CEO, CFO, COO and Supreme Dictator of All Things.  Well, maybe not the dictator part, but you get the picture.  I want more than anything to do the fun part too - but goddammit, the shit work has to be done FIRST!

Frustrating.  But again, it’s my own problem because I’ve not been the HAB and communicating that to anyone.

That is going to change.

I just sent out the “manifesto” of the new project to all involved and I’ve outlined all the deadlines that I expect them to follow.  And if I have to be a HAB to get some results that weren’t my doing, then so be it.

What everyone has to realize that anything I do with this project isn’t personal - it’s business.  We’ve set it up from the get-go as a business, and it’s going to be run like one.  If I have to be the HAB and make a tough decision that may not be liked, then I’ll have to make it if it’s for the good of the project.

So combined with my full-time job where it’s our busiest time of year, I’ve been becoming a little stress nugget.  Tim being in Boston all week hasn’t helped either.

But, the way I look at it, if we do a ton of hard work over a short period of time, then it’ll be smooth sailing from there.

Time’s a wastin’!

Birthday Treats!

January 22nd, 2007. Published under General. 2 Comments.

Some quotes for the day:

“The difference between people who get things accomplished and people who don’t is that the people who always seem to get things done ACTUALLY DO THEM.” ~Tony Robbins

“Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way.” ~ fortune cookie from Friday

* * * * *

The gals in my group got me birthday treats: Dilly Bars! So now I need to work out more tonight to offset that.

Not like I had much to do tonight anyway. I can’t watch Heroes because I’m going to wait and watch that with Tim. I do have last night’s BSG to watch, so perhaps after working out and dinner I’ll watch that.

Another day older.

January 22nd, 2007. Published under General. 2 Comments.

Well, today’s my birthday.

And to celebrate, I had to get up early to get Tim to the airport.  He’s out of town for work until Saturday - some training certification course - so it’s going to be me and the kitties eating leftovers to celebrate.

Well, that’s not entirely true.  Tim bought me early birthday flowers and took me out for a great dinner Saturday night.  But still, I’m going to miss him like crazy.

It’s funny, I got a instant message from some weird screen name I never heard of - and they started off the conversation with “happy birthday a day early”.

All I could think of was that some crazy weird stalker person is stealing my identity or something and is now gloating about it.

Turned out it was my oldest brother who is new to instant messaging.  So my first birthday wish was yesterday.  Then my online friend Nicole left me a b-day comment in my comments - so she’s the first (aside from Tim) to wish me “Happy Birthday” narrowly beating out my best friend Diane by just under an hour.

* * * * *

After a WTF nightmare moment with one of the sites yesterday, I think we’re still going well to be back on track for the launch soon.

Video Killed the Radio Star

January 19th, 2007. Published under General. 3 Comments.

Right now I’m not at my desk.

I’m down by our huge, fancy-schmancy conference room manning the door for a video recording project we’re working on today.  So I cajoled the tech guys into letting me use a laptop for the day.  Pretty slick, I say.

This is something new we’re doing this year for the firm’s annual meeting.  Our department has to do a presentation about our practice and traditionally, it’s been a PowerPoint presentation that has gained such little interest that people used the time to go to the bathroom or get more coffee.  So to make things a bit more “interesting”, we’re doing a video montage of people from a majority of our offices talking about our practice.

Guess who’s been the organizer of this entire project?

Yep, you guessed it.  Me!

So my past few weeks, in addition to the normal insanely, crazy-busy pace that year-end brings to my job - I’ve also had this on top of it.

The brilliant thing about the project - while we have about of month of work still ahead to get the finished product - is that now, I can cruise.  I was the organizer - and now that things are rolling, the brunt of the work falls on other people.  Sure, I’ll have a few meetings to set up, but nothing like the juggling job I had up to this point. 

But it should be pretty cool when it’s done.

* * * * *

This weekend is going to become a web-designing blitz in order to get the sites done (or as close to done as we can get) this weekend.  If I have to stay up late Saturday to make that happen, then I will. I do have to work the part-time job this weekend too, so there’s that.  I’m planning on February 5th for the launch of the new project. 

Here’s hoping anyway.  I’m tired of pushing the deadline back.  I’m already a month behind my projected schedule.  Dammit.

* * * * *

I’ve been walking on the treadmill this past week, and I tried running again in short, 1 minute intervals last night.  I made sure I ran normally and not running to favor the foot.  I think that’s what part of the problem was in the first place - compensating for the injury made it worse. 

The foot feels good today - so that’s the ticket, methinks.  Tim and I are going to go shopping for new running shoes for my birthday present this weekend.  I’m going to pick up a pair of the Nike Free’s too.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Ow!

January 12th, 2007. Published under General. 3 Comments.

It’s amazing what 25 minutes of Pilates does to you.

For those of you who don’t know, Pilates focuses on your “core” muscles. Basically Pilates is a sit-up and/or crunch that never ends. Seriously, I was in this position for most of the 25 minute session:

Although I did this 25 minutes of Ab Death Pilates on Tuesday - today, when I sneeze or laugh, my abs and sides hurt like you wouldn’t believe. It’s funny that the moves are very dance-like in their posture and movement. Reminds me of when I took ballet in college. Yeah - I took ballet in college - you gotta problem with that? For being short and stocky, I’m pretty graceful!

I’m just sore - but I can feel the difference in my posture already. So, as difficult as it may be, I’ll try it again.

My foot is still slowly getting better, but it’s still not to a point where I think I can start running again - which is driving me INSANE.

I was doing a bit of research on the subject to see if there’s a way I can speed up the healing process and prevent this injury from happening again. It looks like I need to strengthen the metatarsal flexor muscles in order to buffer any impact from running in the future, especially since as you age, the cushioning in your feet decreases.

One culprit to weak flexor muscles are shoes that give too much support. This surprised me - but after reading more about it, it does make sense. If you’re getting all your stability and support from your shoes, your feet don’t have to work as hard - thus weakening the muscles. This is all related to running, not general foot health. This apparently is such an issue with runners that Nike developed the Nike Free shoe - which is supposed to mimic barefoot running while protecting the bottom of your feet from the environment. And it’s true - we have soft, unprotected feet.

I remember as a kid back on the farm running all over the place in my bare feet - especially down the gravel driveway. I had such callouses on the bottoms of my feet, I couldn’t feel a thing. Same thing goes with distance runners from Africa - they run barefoot all the time, and when it comes to foot-related injuries, they have a substantial lower rate of injuries compared to us well-shod runners.

So, since I need new running shoes anyway, I’m going to buy two pairs: one pair that is more cushioning than my previous pair (to help with shock absorption) and a pair of the Nike Free to rehabilitate and strengthen my feet. I have to get two pairs because they recommend to not switch “cold turkey” to the Free, but to gradually add it to your warm ups, then short, easy workouts over a 6-month period. Even then, they say it should not be your primary running shoe.

And, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than going to physical therapy.

* * * * *

It’s Christmas this weekend for my family!

Due to the holidays falling on the weekend, and combined with my siblings and I all having various conflicts one weekend or another - this weekend was the first one since the first part of December that we’re all free.

Feliz Navidad!

Crybabies.

January 10th, 2007. Published under General. 1 Comment.

After Apple’s announcement for the iPhone* yesterday, there’s been a huge amount of complaining about it. Most of the complaints is that Apple didn’t utilize the touch-screen and widescreen display interface for the iPod. Other complaints were that it was “SO EXPENSIVE!!!!1!!one!”

Well, I’m here to address those complaints.

The iPhone is a product that was in development for over 2 years. It’s no secret - although they kept the details for the product under tight wraps - that Apple has been wanting to get into the cellular phone market for years now (the Motorola Roxr, anyone?).

And why not?

Without having any market or sales figures at hand, it’s a market that sells an exponentially higher number of units than any mp3 player market. It’s also no secret that Apple has been wanting to break into the Japanese markets too - and that market is crazy about cell phones.

Secondly, even if they make a tiny dent in the cellular market - that will translate into dollars. Dollars that can be sunk into new products - and UPGRADED products.

Speaking of upgrading products - that’s exactly what they will do with the iPod if this phone is a success. They’re not going to mess around with the cash cow that is the iPod by radically changing a tried and true (and successful!) interface with a yet-to-be-proven interface and operating system. They’re going to use the iPhone as the Guinea Pig for all the bugs, glitches and tweaks that a brand new system like this will most assuredly have and once they perfect it, it will translate to the rest of their products. The iPod will get the touch-screen, wide aspect ratio display, the Front Row remote will most likely get some of the touch-screen elements in order to make the new Apple TV a more robust and more competitive product. The possibilities are endless. But first, they need to make sure it works before they go ape-shit crazy changing everything.

Unless you want them to go out of business by making stupid fucking decisions.

In regards to it being so expensive, have you looked at the prices of other smart phones? Just looking on Cingular’s website, I found the following three smartphones (because really, that’s what the iPhone is) that are the most comparable to the iPhone:

• Blackberry Pearl - $399
• Samsung Black Jack - $449
• Palm Treo 750 - $649

All products in the range of the $499-599 iPhone. Nevermind the fact that the iPhone will run circles around all those products.

“But BlogKitten,” you cry, “nobody pays full price for those products on Cingular’s website!”

True - and they won’t with the iPhone either. Sure, you can buy it outright for $499. But you can also get the phone with a 2-year plan with Cingular and only pay $299 for the phone.

So tell me, how is it any more expensive than a Palm Treo 750? Especially since you also get a good sized mp3 player with it? Seriously - I just went from a 4G 20GB iPod to a 2G 4GB Nano and I don’t notice the difference. Instead of carrying around 18GB of music around that I never listen to I now carry around 3.5GB of music I rarely listen to. What’s the difference? In this case, size does NOT matter.

Also, I think that people are making the mistake of comparing the price of the iPhone - which is really more like a Treo than a Razr - to a regular phone. Of course it’s going to be much more expensive than a regular phone. But that’s not what it is. It’s way more than that.

Chill out, you detractors. Take a deep breath. The touch screen “wide” iPod video will be here soon. You can quote me on that.

* * * * *

* - Seriously, have you been under a rock the past 24 hours? No explanation for you! Two weeks!

Apple, Inc.

January 9th, 2007. Published under General. No Comments.

After reading the live updates about MacWorld, I have a few thoughts:

Firstly, the iPhone looks hot.  Seriously hot.  Blogkitten Trifecta of Hunky Actors hot.  I will most likely still get the Cherry Blossom Razr - but my Apple stock just took a huge jump up in value.  Awesome.

Secondly, they dropped the “Computer” from their company name. Most likely because most of their business isn’t computers anymore.  Again, awesome.

That’s all for now. Too much on my desk to elaborate.