Look What I Did...

So I like to make pretty pictures. I spend a lot of time in photoshop for my job. I like to sharpen my skills and deepen my knowledge of the far reaches of photoshop. This tutorial I got from hongkiat.com. Its a pretty good place to find anything you need to know about PS. The tutorials are easy to follow and they have pictures.

When I came home tonight me and my wife cooked some healthy dinner. That's a salad we had for dinner. On top are some onion rings and a jalapeno. We also fried up some squash. We've been on a frying  spree. Everything just tastes better when its dipped in batter then put into boiling hot grease.

My Life Thus Far.

... is a bit anticlimactic.

I just got done watching the movie "W." The one about George W. Bush. I was prepared for a all out attack on the man, but it was a little more far that I imagined. You can't take everything you see in a movie for the truth, but it did play to both sides. It ended in an unexpected way. It actually paralleled his terms in office. I enjoyed the first half. The explanation of  Bush's past and relationship with father, and troubles that he faced were acted in a way that, if not factual, seemed believable. The administration did make mistakes and was very unpopular at the end, but the movie emphasized a key point that I admire about George W. He was not a politician. Had he been one, then he would have done better in the rating and probable would have done a impudent effort in the middle east. I'm a happy with the how, why, when and where the war has taken place? As an airman in the Air Force, I can say I'm not exactly thrilled. I can't help but to think about all the men and women that have paid for this war with their life. The war has cost untold billions of dollars but my thoughts always drift to the fact that before a decision to go to war is made, the cost in lives is estimated. Thats why I don't want to be the president.

I'm actually really encouraged in my workout. I ran a mile and a half in 11:30. That is my best time yet, not to mention that it is also within graduation req's. My push-ups are the only thing that I haven't gotten there yet. 25 Seems to be my wall. That is in a minute. I've gotten 35 in two minute, which is what I need to do before going to basic, but 45 is the number to do in a minute for graduation. I've grown complacent with set-ups. After fulfilling the 50 in a minute in only a few tries, I let that become a back burner issue. These are the lowest standards for graduation. Lately I've been entertaining the thought that I could bump up to the next level of graduation. I have no idea if there is any real incentive to do so, but It would be some great bragging rights.

I have tomorrow off. Man, do I need it. It really doesn't feel like a day off. It really took me by surprise. I usually have a plan for the day, but tomorrow is a little void. I may go to the gym, or take my guitar to the shop. I need to restring one. I also planned to do a little DIY work on a pedal. Me and the wife actually have this mid-week day off together. Neither of us knew till this afternoon when she called in to her work. Evidently the kindergarden is still ironing out their summer schedule.

Oh well, my woodchuck is about gone and its getting about that time.

Laters

The Bike.

... otherwise know as my butts worst nightmare.

I know that the exercise bike is suppose to work the legs but I'm not sure if it works the but muscles or if 20 minutes of sitting on a near rigid piece of plastic makes your bum ache. I found myself sitting every-which-way you can on the seat. That wasn't the worst part. I try my best not to look like a total novice when I go to the gym. I most likely fail measurably at this, but I try. I climb on the bike and start a program. I know that these are designed to give you a good workout but never really give them much thought until now. I selected "hills" and as I thought, it simulated going up and down a series of hill. The parts that were "up hill" nearly killed my. My only saving grace was the fact that there is a manual level selector. I was able to dial down the grade if I found my self too in-over-my-head. The levels were 1-20. I started at 15. I spent most my time at 10. Those hills were tough!

I was starting my cool down when my father showed up. He got on a treadmill so I joined him. I didn't anticipate this part of the workout. I planned to just bike. My dad doesn't run much. So I matched his speed and walked briskly beside him, trying to maintain a conversation. I walked a mile, jogged a mile, and then when for another mile and a half or so. I'm trying to keep it low-impact and work on endurance and stamina.

I made one important mistake today. I didn't tell my wife that I was going to the gym. I did mention it, but not as firm plans. Sorry Jen.

Kind of a boring workout blog, sorry guys.

later

The Base Gym

So I finial went. My father has been wanting to go with me for a while. For those of you who don;t know, my father was an officer an the Air Force for 20+ years. I think he is kind of excited about doing "air force" stuff together. Me and my father went after work. It was rather spur of the moment but it worked out. The gym was about the same it has been for the last five years. I went some right after I got out of high school. The only thing that my father and I did was run on the treadmills. I had planned to run so thats what I did. I was actually excited about have an accurate measurement of my run times. 1.5 miles in 13:30. I wonder if I'm that fast on the street now. That was about the time I ran right before I took a break for my legs. Pretty stoked about going to the gym more. I like the fact that the treadmill doesn't pound on my legs as much.

Cutting it short, I have to go hang out with the wife and friends. Actually excited about having a night out.

Later

Love, Say it with Magnetic Decals.

So me and the Mrs. went down to the base today. We were getting are military ID's. This is pretty exciting and actually a little against the rules. See they don't really let you have one of these until just before you leave for basic, but I have no basic dates (I won't be leaving until after july most likely) and I still got one. I didn't do anything backhanded or anything. I need an ID to be able to enroll in Tri-Care. I need to enroll in that cause there is a baby on the way. I had to shave and put on a BDU Jacket for the photo. I miss my beard. We ran around the office building going up and down the stair trying to find the place, and when we did we had to go back up stair to print a document out. (super awesome fun.) But we did it. We are now card carrying members of the Air Force. Well, Jen isn't in the Air Force like I am, but really it is a commitment that we have both made.

We also went to the BX and did a little shopping while we where there. We also had our first meal as a military couple right there in the food court. I was surprised to find that the base had a starbucks. The only thing better than a tall moca latte is a tax free moca latte.

Utterly and Completely Shameful...

... I'd like to take a break from blogging about babies and take this opportunity to update you on something.

If you've read my blogs before now, then you know that I'm joining the Air Force Reserves. Thats all fine and dandy, but in order for me to graduate basic I have to do something that I have no talent for. I most display strong displays of athleticism. I must do 50 set-ups and 45 push-ups in a minute, and run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes. Running is the biggest obstacle facing me at this point. I've just come off a break from running. I know that it is not good for progress to take time away from running, but I had such great pains in my legs I thought that I may have stress fractures. The only way to get better was to take time off. So after my break I went back to running. My first times were unmentionable. Over 20 minute for two miles. Today I was able to get under 20 minutes, and my 1.5 miles time was 13:30. Not great, but closer to the times I was putting down before the break. I was closer to  12 minutes three weeks ago. I am gaining in leaps and bounds now, but I'm still struggling, and the familiar pain is back in the legs. Oh well, no pain no gain. I have to go finish up the workout.

Laters

Newborns...

... are really small.

I recently had a chance to hold a newborn baby. (is a baby still a newborn when its a week old?) A couple of my friends have been trying to adopt and just a few day ago they were able to bring their new baby home. Being brand new parents, they stay home most of the time and they were wanting visitors. So me and Jen, and two or our other friends went to see them yesterday. The baby was so tiny. I was afraid to hold it. I guess I need to get comfortable with baby holding because I'm going to be doing a lot of it come december. Little baby Jaden was pretty calm for the entire visit. I think he just slept though most everything. Every now and then he was stretch or yawn, but then he would nestle down and go back to sleep. I hope our baby is that passive. Adoption is a long and hard process and we will be praying for that whole family.

...man, I'm going to have one of those...