working at home

For the first time in my life my computer setup at home is actually BETTER than my computer setup at work. I’m not talking about GHz. I’m talking about computer monitor, comfort, quality operating system…

So, this then brings up the interesting question…where should I work. Home? Office?  Fortunately I live just 5 minutes from work so it’s not a problem going to work.

apple store and network speed

Holy crap Batman!  I performed a speed test while on the apple store’s wireless network and while I’m not surprised the connection is zippy, I waasn’t expecting:

37.5M download

14.4M upload

wowza!

threaded IM client

When chatting with someone via IM you often have multiple conversations going on at the same time with that same person. It would be nice to have some mechanism for threading these conversations. You’d have to specify which conversation you are talking about–perhaps it indents or keeps multiple panes.  Perhaps this isn’t necessary at all as our brains can handle it I don’t know. But it is definitely not something we do in face-to-face conversations, so perhaps a good GUI would make this easier to follow.

Just a thought.

Celtics vs. Toronto (1-12-09)

Here are my observations from the Celtics against Toronto:

- Something’s up with KG’s jumpshot. Even though he finished the game 7-15 shooting he made only one jumpshot from the outside (go see http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/shotchart?gameId=290112002). The rest of his shots were off alley oops and in the paint. He missed a lot of jumpers between 15 and 17 feet which he normally makes.

- Rondo goes for the steal as his man gets by him and into the lane. This attempt at the steal when he should be moving his feet to get into position, puts an unfair pressure on his bigs who now have to guard their man plus the player who now is free in the lane. Rondo should not go for the steal instead he should move his feet and stay in position.

- Rondo needs to be more aggressive. Yes, he made a nify play at the end of the game faking a pass and making a nice floater in the lane but during the course of the game it works that he attacks the rim possibly be 1 out 3 opportunities.  He had many excellent opportunities to drive the lane and score

- The Celtics rely on the 3 pointer too much.  Rondo driving to the hoop will give up a contested 5-8ft shoot for a shooter behind the arc.  This might be well and good when you are behind and need to catch up, but in the first and second quarters TAKE IT TO THE HOOP or take an easier shot. The trifecta always seemed like an out for a team that doesn’t want to bang it out in the post.

- Scal is a good player. He played excellent defense on Bosch (even though he made some tough jumpers) and knows his role on the court. Well done Veal!

Financial Planner Geek

Yeah, I admit it. I find it terribly satisfying to make my $5,000 contribution to my IRA for 2009 in January of 2009.

I’m also excited that the government has upped the yearly contributions to my 401k to $16,500.

Yes, am I a fiscal planning nerd. I think I was an accountant in a previous life. That said, I know very little about the stock market!

embracing adversity

Yeah, it’s a hokey title but it does summarize the moment.

It wasn’t one of those big moments on the screen where the heroine chops off her own foot and cauterizes it to save her life. No, it was a simple moment on a tennis court. I was playing singles with a demo rackette I got from the main office. As I was serving I began to notice that the grip near the end of the rackette, was worn unevenly and had a distinct odd chaffing feel when held in a particular way. I spun the rackette so that the spot lined up with the gap between my fingers and my palm and didn’t bother me.  However, every time I’d serve, or change grips for a different stroke occasionally held the worn spot against my skin.  It irritated me. As did the match, as a matter of fact. I was the faster player with more powerful strokes that were very inconsistent on this day.  My opponent was merely waiting for me to make errors. I was getting a little frustrated with myself despite my “not playing to win” attitude. So, I decided to embrace what was annoying me. I sought out the won spot on the racket. I intentionally gripped it so it was bothering me. This focused me and made me, well, thump my opponent from that point on. I served harder (multiple aces per service game). I ran harder. I just played better.

Next time I’ll embrace what’s annoying me and make it my own at the beginning of…the match, nay, anything.