Run - A - Muck

Winter Beach Getaway!

2012-01-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

Spent Sunday afternoon in Point Reyes, CA! The weather was great so we decided we needed a beach day, and drove out to Drakes Beach. On the drive down we had to stop and take a photo of these big freaky woolly long horn cows.

The temperature was perfect and we strolled along the beach looking for "sea glass". We came across a first for us, huge Elephant seals sunning themselves on the beach. I managed to get pretty close and take some photos and a short video of one of the seals.

Of course after enjoying the beach for a few hours we had to hit our favorite restaurant in Point Reyes, Cafe Reyes for a good dinner before heading back home.
For us a visit to Point Reyes is always fun no matter the weather or time or year.

Cyanogenmod 7.2 - Android 2.3.7

2012-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I upgraded the software on my phone to Android 2.3.7 (Gingerbread) via Cyanogenmod 7.2.0 RC1. Thanks to the developers over at XDA-developers.com who keep cranking out updates for my old HTC Eris. I didn't plan on doing any more upgrades but after dropping my phone and having some issues with the photo gallery I decided it needed a refresh and that was an opportunity to try a newer build.

Log Cabin Vacation

2011-09-10T23:41:00.000-07:00

We just spent the last week before school in a vacation home in Junction City, CA. Julie found a VRBO on the hillside just above the town. While the drive there was pretty long especially going straight up I5 then winding along 299 out of Redding, the time did pass quicker than I anticipated. This vacation was the first time we have deviated from choosing a costal location with easy beach access. The closest we had come to this kind of location was our Santa Barbara vacation (4/2009) which was still only 20-25 minutes from nice beach access.

Well we arrived at the cabin with a few hours of daylight left. As we walk in the door we are greeted with a song from Big Mouth Billy Bass hanging on the wall! During the rest of the week Billy entertained us with a little ditty often. So, we headed in, unpacked and headed out for a walking tour of the neighborhood. The lots were large enough that you could only see a couple of other homes. As we walked around the neighborhood, hoping to find convenient access to the river, we discovered all the neighborhood access was on private property.

I started the following morning with a run around the neighborhood, being greeted by a curious dog along the way. Then we investigated the "town" of Junction City where we picked-up some lures to fish with and headed west along 299, which parallels the Trinity River, until we found a good access point called Pigeon Point to setup on the river and play and relax. After a couple hours we drove west on 299 to Willow Creek looking for an ice cream stop and ran into this big creature:

Bigfoot was a popular figure in all the little out croppings (too small to be called towns) up and down along 299. To the right is Anna posing with Bigfoot in Willow Creek. On the way back we found another shaded fishing hole we called Shady Bend (since it was shaded and at a bend in the river).

The following day we we headed back to shady bend and Anna took a shot at fishing. It only took a couple of times reeling in the line before she caught her first fish!

... more to come ...

N 38° 5' 7.206", W 122° 48' 22.0608"

2011-08-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

N 38° 5' 7.206", W 122° 48' 22.0608" Our favorite place to visit in our favorite area of California! This was our honeymoon place and frequent vacation spot over the years since.

Real Life Mermaids

2011-07-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

My daughter Anna is taken with Mermaids and the Ausie TV series H2O Just Add Water. So, I went searching and found these two (1, 2) 20/20 epsiodes on two women who make a living performing as Mermaids and being activists for the sea. Wouldn't it be cool to hire a mermaid for a little girls party!

Iridium Flares, Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station

2011-07-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

Check out Heavens Above and their Android app very cool! There's an Iridium Flare close by tonight. The ISS and Space Shuttle final mission STS-135 will be passing over head in just a few days. Should be visable with just a pair of binoculars!

Critter Cam

2011-06-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Recently I posted this link to a webcam pointed at a spot in our Backyard where we've seen evidence of a critter. We originally thought it was a skunk. Last night we found footprints around our pool that look more like Racoon.

I've had the camera pointed at a corner of the yard where the critter was doing it's business. Since I knew this was a place it had been. Now I've found muddy footprints around the edge of the pool so I'm going to move the camera to see more of the pool and deck area. Maybe I'll finally capture it on camera with this new position.

P.S. camera password was sent to a few friends via email and posted on facebook for friends and family. If you are a friend on facebook you can find the camera password there.

Update: Caught the critter. It was a raccoon! Here are the shots.

Now that we know what it is I've taken the public webcam down.

Soul Surfer

2011-05-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

Just got home from watching Soul Surfer at the theater! Great movie, moving, inspirational! We took Anna and she couldn't stop talking about it afterword. The shark scene is brief, and not gory or the focus of the movie. It's really abut how she recovered and triumphantly returned to surfing while discovering a more fullfilling outlook on life. After seeing the movie I'm thinking about getting the book. Check our her web site for devotionals, music video, and more.

Zero Day

2011-05-09T20:42:00.000-07:00

Just picked up this Thriller in Kindle format for only $11.99 for my phone and / or computer. Seems pretty good sofar! Check out Mark's site for the book too. If you order through the links on his site he gets a little back for the referral. He has also posted a video of a possible movie trailer somebody put together for the book.

Gingerbread

2011-03-26T00:37:00.001-07:00

Just installed the latest XDA Developers Android build 2.3.3 Gingerbread on my phone. Smooth sailing so far!

Found this great new camera on Amazon

2011-03-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

I found the Nikon Coolpix S8100 on Amazon while looking for a replacement camera for my Nikon Coolpix S50. Which has been repaired once after being dropped and may be in need of repair again. After the first repair I've decided it's isn't cost effective to repair these point and shoot digital cameras. Especially the ones that are in the $200 - $250 or less price range.

So, this new S8100 is great with a much improved image sensor, 1080p video, 12.1 Mega-pixel CMOS, 10x optical zoom, 3in LCD, HDMI out port for direct connection to a TV, and really good low light ability.It charges via USB cable, though the mini jack for the camera is still the Nikon specific shape. It's going for only $220 with Tax & shipping! It feels solid and is very near an SLR in feel!

I can't wait for our next coastal vacation, where I'm sure I'll get plenty of use from this new camera!

AT&T Bandwidth Usage Caps Comming

2011-03-14T06:21:00.001-07:00

Usage caps for DSL & U-Verse Customers coming in May
AT&T will cap DSL and U-Verse internet, impose overage fees (update) -- Engadget
This sounds like a way around Net Neutrality for AT&T. While they won't be prioritizing their video packets over others. They are essentially charging more for others to stream video and giving them selfs a pass. With the higher bandwidth caps for people who pay more to subscribe to their U-Verse service and saying their U-Verse TV service doesn't count against the bandwidth cap. So, since I'm using Netflix and Amazon on demand for my source of video, they are effectively squeezing out the competition with this move. I don't know what my current bandwidth usage is per month, but if I have to pay extra for U-Verse just so I can not use their service and continue watching video via other services... Then This seems a bit unfair. They are both charging more for the higher bandwidth cap and not counting their own video service against that cap. This is the anti-competitive techniques of AT&T of old. Straight out of the book I just finished The Master Switch by Tim Wu. If I pay more for U-Verse to get the higher bandwidth cap I'm still under a more restrictive cap than people using AT&T's video service to get their entertainment.

Update: I've found AT&T's page describing the new policy and their link http://www.myusage.att.com/ to see my actual current bandwidth usage. Now that I have that usage meter, I see that Jan - Feb I used 55GB and Feb - Mar I used 48GB. So, even with watching Netflix movies and shows and Amazon on Demand movies we are still way under the 150GB cap! This fact doesn't change my opinion that their policy seems unfair for competition though. AT&T has chosen a good number for their bandwidth caps and the $10 for each 50GB over doesn't sound too bad either. However, they are still saying that their video packets are free and anyone else's cost money.

Update: Well, AT&T started officially metering bandwidth usage yesterday. According to the page they provide that lets me see my usage, my peak usage was last month with less than half of the 150 GB I'm allowed. So, for now the caps don't seem to affect me with my usage patterns. Netflix will survive!

Trying out Barefoot Running

2011-02-26T20:15:00.000-08:00

Just picked up a pair of Vibram Fivefingers Komodo Sport barefoot running shoes. I just took my regular budget for new running shoes and went a different direction than usual. I've been reading up on barefoot running for a couple years and thinking about trying a pair of Vibram Fivefingers ever since I read the book Born to Run. When I first started looking into this new foot wear there was only one store in town that carried them and the selection was small. They hadn't developed their KSO's yet either. This year the Komodo, the Bikila, and Bikila LS are all new. These models looked like they might be a better fit with a nicer upper. So, I went to REI ( one of the many local stores that now carry Fivefingers) and tried on a pair. This time around I liked the fit and feel and just had to try them. My wife thinks they are too strange to be seen in. I noticed on the way out, another brand of shoe that uses the Vibram made soles but is a more traditional looking shoe. ie: no individual toes.

Today I found Christopher McDougall, the Author of Born to Run has spoken at Google Talks and TEDx events, which can be found on YouTube.

2011/02/27 Update: I went for a 6mi run in my regular running shoes. Then, based on Vibrams recommendations, I then put on the Komodo's and did a short run that was about 10% of my usual distance. They say to take a few weeks to get used to running nearly barefoot, strengthening the muscles in your feet and lower legs. Then build back up to your usual mileage taking care not to over do it. Well after my short run, less than 1/2 mile, I can see their point. I could feel my calves working much harder and after one time around the block I considered calling that enough. However, I did go for another lap around the block, opening up to a sprint for part of the lap. I'm looking forward to my next run in them!

2011/03/09 Update: I've been walking around when at home w/o shoes and trying some of the exercises, I found in this post and this video. That should help me transition to barefoot running. This morning I went for a short run to the park and ran on the grass then headed home and changed onto my standard running shoes and added a bit more distance. Trying to ease into this.

2011/03/19 Update: I went to the trail and ran first in the fivefingers shoes then returned to the car and switched shoes and added some more distance again. It was pretty wet and the Watt Ave. Parking area & trail was flooded. They must be letting water out from the dam since we haven't seen that much rain.

2011/06/17 Update: Well I haven't been updating this post much recently. However I have continued to improve and I now prefer running in my Vibram Fivefingers over my Merrell Trail Gloves. The Merrell shoes look more normal but are just a tiny bit stiffer. I can finally run at a quick pace for a few miles comfortably in the Vibrams.

NASA Space Shuttle Launch on Roku

2011-02-24T06:45:00.001-08:00

Today at 4:50pm eastern time NASA is launching the final mission for the space shuttle Discovery. Watch it live on Roku in HD or on the web at www.nasa.gov under Multimedia is their NASA TV link.

3 Great Ways to Watch the Last Space Shuttle Missions

Posting via Blogger App

2011-02-17T22:58:00.001-08:00

Just trying out the new Blogger app from my Andriod phone!

Rooted and Flashed

2010-12-18T16:28:00.000-08:00

I finally went for it and rooted my HTC Eris and Flashed a new ROM / Updated OS onto it last night! It turned out to be easier than expected. I just downloaded the 1-click root app and installed it on my phone. Then downloaded the ROM I was interested in / had been following for a while. Then copied the zip file to my phone, powered it off and rebooted it while holding the up volume and power button at the same time. This gives you a menu for making backups, wiping the internal storage, & flashing a new ROM from the SD card. After making a backup I wiped the internal storage, and flashed the new Android 2.2.1 Tazz Froyo build to the phone. Now I'm wishing I had done this sooner! The phone runs faster, is more responsive, and I have all the new features in 2.2 that I didn't have in 2.1. Mainly voice commands, vastly improved battery life, moving apps to the SD card form the limited internal memory, Tethering, and improved features in many apps that weren't available in 2.1. Since my phone is out of warranty and wasn't going to get any new OS updates from Verizon, this was my only option to get the new features until my contract runs out.

Now I can wait for the end of my contract and not be missing out on the new OS features. I see 2.3 Gingerbread is already out and developers are making new builds. In a few months I might try the new version!

Body Browser by Google Labs

2010-12-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

Check out this great demo of WebGL & HTML5. The technology is less interesting than the usefulness for study of the human body and it's various systems! Zoom in and turn on the labels. Click on muscles and organs to isolate them...

Body Browser - Google Labs

Simon's Cat in 'Santa Claws'

2010-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

Love these. This is what our cat does at night while we sleep. Check out his whole series.

My new Roku!

2010-11-19T23:13:00.000-08:00

Check out the Roku player for Streaming video from the web, Netflix, Amazon on Demand, YouTube, Podcasts, and many more.

Upgrade Your Life

2010-11-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Check out this great productivity book. You can read the first chapter for free at Amazon via their web based version of the Kindle reader or go to the books website to see the updated "Life Hacks". Updated because computers and the internet are in a constant rapid state of change.

Mermaid Mosaic

2010-10-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

Julie's latest mosaic piece: Mermaid Mosaic as posted by: Jayne Photo. Check out her Etsy site and her flickr images as well as the youtube videos of how the mosaics come together.

Videos showing how these mosaics were created:
Sea Turtle Mosaic
Mosaic Sun Clock
Dragonfly Sunflower Mosaic
Long Tailed Gecko
Mosaic Table Tops
Indian Blue Peacock

New photos on Jayne Photo

2010-08-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

www.jaynephoto.com

Thinking about rooting my HTC Eris and installing Android 2.2

2010-08-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Reading recent posts on a Facebook fan page for the HTC Droid Eris. A few people have rooted their phones and installed Android 2.2. They claim better performance because they can over clock the processor and better batter life? Of course these two things seem to be mutually exclusive. So, I'm waiting to read more on others experiences. I'm not having any issues with my phone so I guess I'm not as motivated as some of these other people.

I'll bet if the few that are claiming slow performance reset their phones to the factory settings and selectively reinstall some of the apps they use their problems would go away.

Anna and I Walking on the Beach

2010-08-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

Run-A-Muck Photos

Photo of the day!

2010-08-18T23:21:00.000-07:00