Patrick Alan King

Soccer season is over, but of course we’re out doing something.

Can you guess?

Yesterday, I was leaving the office building that I have been working in for the last five months. I’ve seen a lot of people there that I haven’t ‘met’ but I run into quite regularly and so they are familiar.

As I was standing by the elevator bank on the 7th floor, I could see a guy through glass wall of the reception area who looked very familiar to me, but I couldn’t place why. So, I stared — until he turned and came out to join me at the elevators. Then I looked at the floor, offering a meager ‘hey’.

The elevator arrived and we both jumped in.

He turns to me and says “Did you take a training course in Chicago?” (We’re in Tampa)

Yes. I had. I worked with Curt on a team project for three days straight, over a year ago.

I am not a visual person. I recognize people as familiar, but I can’t place where or why I know people. I see people and I wonder if I know them as in have been introduced or if I just recognize them because I was at a similar event.

It’s really sad. I wish I could recognize people like that, but it’s not how I process data. My memory is not visual. I’m more likely to remember any conversation that we have had in detail, but less likely to remember your name or face. Well, more specifically, your face in association with your name. I probably remember hearing your name, but it isn’t in my memory associated with your face.

So, please never be offended if I don’t recognize you. I probably do, but have no idea why. I’m still wondering who that woman was I was sitting behind at Oliver’s recital the other day. She looked familiar and at least one time, she seemed to look at me like I was familiar to her. If I am actively not looking at you, it’s probably because I am embarrassed that I have no idea who you are.

I really should work on that.

…are always fun and filled!

Today we had a cub scout event, a soccer game, and a piano recital.

Two photos because it was the last soccer game of the year. I’m not sure which sport starts next yet. Probably basketball.

Ok, it’s November so I can start posting this.

Tools:
1. Ryobi 18V ONE+

I have the Impact Drill.
The Dual Function Inflator is the one I would like the most.

I wouldn’t mind anything in the set, really. I am sure they will come in handy one time.

The HandVac and the Fan are two that I wouldn’t mind having and would probably use regularly.

I don’t have a Jigsaw or reciprocating saw right now, either.

I could use some more bits for my Impact Drill. I discovered yesterday that I don’t have 1/4″ socket Hex Bits. I almost bought them to fix my garbage disposal, but thought I could try old fashion muscle, first.

2. The D90 Camera Body only

I like my D40x. But I would REALLY like the D90. It really is the photographer, not the camera, but it has more features that I want. I like gadgets like that. I used to want a ton of lenses, but I can’t really see me swapping out lenses all that often.

3. Kindle I’m actually going to test drive Melissa’s Kindle soon. She’s willing to read one of my old fashion books, while I try out her Kindle.

4. Netbook I don’t really want a netbook. I want a honkin’ small laptop. Something like a Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet, tricked out to about $3K. Of course, that’s kind of pointless as I spend 90% of my computer time on my work laptop. (ThinkPad T60p). I’m sort of brand loyal. I had a T40 before the T60p.

I can’t really say that I want much more than that. Can you ask for a Maid Service for Christmas?

Update:

5. Ladders
I need ladders. 2 of them. A nice light 5′ 300lb step ladder and a 300lb as tall as they get Extension Ladder. Technically, I need the extension ladder before Christmas to put up the second story Christmas lights.

Well, I think it is close enough to the end of the year to start looking at these things. It’s always good to see where you are compared to your project plan and identify where you slipped. Or something like that.

Ok, so, around August, I committed to The Motivator(Roxanne St. Claire) that I was going to finish a novel and get back under 200lbs by the end of the year.

Then I proceeded to gain 10-15lbs and not write anything.

Nothing like setting myself up for a challenge. All is not lost. Let’s not panic or roll any dice yet.

Ok, goal 1: Lose the weight. Ok. We’re in progress on that. I have already dropped about 12lbs and am on my way down. No, I would not like a piece of bread. I loosely follow the South Beach Diet. If you read the book, I pretty much follow a Phase 1.5(Not quite phase 1 or phase 2), though not strict on the lean/low fat parts. I had a 12 piece chicken nugget and an unsweet ice tea for dinner this evening.

If I keep this up, I’ll be under 200lbs before Thanksgiving and on my way down into the 180’s. That’s where I really belong anyway.

Goal 2: Finish a novel. Ok, let’s be clear. I am just saying finish. Write “The End”. Complete the first draft.

This is still completely doable. I have 27K words. I am projecting 65K words total for this story(It’s YA, so that’s a good number). That leaves 38K words to go. There are 57 days left in the year. I’ve been having success with timed writing. 1 hour or 1K words, which ever comes second. So, technically, I could come pretty close to writing this thing from scratch between now and the end of the year. I have 18 spare days.

See? These goals are easy. Just like I planned way back when I was lighter and writing every day… How are you coming on your goals?

Here I go from one event to the next on a Saturday.

Playing Soccer in October. It’s still darn hot out.

And following it up with Halloween in the neighborhood.

Lots and lots of hot fun was had. How was your Saturday?

I need recommendations on what I want.

I know I want a Kindle. I have chosen the Kindle because there is already one in my house. I’d probably evaluate others if it was the first. I’m more partial to supporting the Big-Box-Book Stores than Amazon. It’s their fault for being a year late, so I am not getting the B&N Nook.

I also THINK I want a NetBook. A pretty honkin’ one though. I know Melissa wants one of these. I think I am looking at the HP Mini 311. Then again, it seems the ASUS models are cheaper for the same level of function. More research is necessary.

Oh, and I WILL be getting a POOL! It’s not necessarily a Christmas Present, but I will be getting one.

What other gadgets and things do I want? What do you want? *prepares to grant Christmas Wishes*