Switching from PC to Mac
Been a while since I posted – thanks to a problem with WordPress, which the WordPress GOD himself, David Gagne, fixed for me.
Speaking of David, he switched to Mac a while ago. He’s been swearing to me that he can do everything he can on a PC, and it just works better. My PC can only be described as BAD. It’s big, slow, and the battery life is just absolutely horrible. Today i finally took the plunge.
I went to the Apple store in Northridge and got a a shiny new MacBook. Not a Pro, because I couldn’t figure out a reason to spend another $500 for better video, when I’m not a big gamer – unless you count poker. I got a monitor adapter (to connect to my 24″ Dell), and a keyboard. I also picked up a cool Oakley backpack to replace my hunk of trash attache.
The setup at home could not have been easier. Updates installed quickly and easily, and got all of the apps I needed in about an hour. There is a small learning curve with the keyboard and interface, but I’m completely productive on it right now. And I am prepared to say this: I can no longer imagine why anyone would want a PC running Windows.
Tuning up the golf game
With a 3 day tournament coming up in a few weeks, figured it was time to get my golf game in order. Went over to see Ben at Porter Valley (no link for Ben, because he doesn’t have a website – yet) to see what he thought.
After a bunch of irons on the range, some chipping and putting, he said “Why aren’t you a 3 handicap?” I told him I didn’t know – could he please tell me? His point was that I hit the ball solidly enough to BE a 3 handicap, but that I just apparently didn’t take it to the course. Oddly enough this filled me with confidence.
So I went out today with my buddy Jack (which was just more fun than I can even explain), and shot a 78 – the first time I broke 80 on my home course. 8 pars and one double on the back nine, which has always been my problem nine.
The power of positive thinking. I’ll be sure and pass this along to Sydney.
LONG cross country flying
How about 10.5 hours in the plane?  From Jacksonville, TX (way east side – not terrible far from New Orleans) to Van Nuys, Ca, all in one day. That’s what me, Claudio and Tom did on Friday, to bring back our newest airplane, N8034Z – a fantastic 1982 Piper Saratoga.
About 150 knots across the ground the whole way, and a simple flight, really. Pretty much direct El Paso (where we stopped for fuel and food), and then Blythe and direct Van Nuys. Nice to have a comfy six seat plane to ride in – but MAN was that a long one.
Summer vacation(s)
Summer coming to an end for my not-so-little Sydney before she goes into middle school (!), so we had to get some quality time in.
Started by taking N5199J out to Lake Powell in Arizona. Great flight – over the Grand Canyon – to Page, AZ.
Buddy Dane has a KILLER houseboat, so we spend several days jumping off the roof into the lake, riding jet skis, attempting to water ski (Sydney had more luck than I did), eating and having fun. When it came time to leave, we had to leave a day earlier than the rest of the group, which meant that I had to drive the boat back to the Marina. But see – I don’t drive BOATS. Cars, yes. Planes, yes. Figured it would be easy. Driving was easy, parking was easy. Navigating was impossible. Turns out all water and rocks look the same. Got us there, and flew us home. Great trip.
Next up was Vegas with Pam and her friend Claire. Very cool. Stayed at the Wynn, which is just fantastic. Layed by the pool in a Cabana, went and saw Love at the Mirage, and even managed to win some money gambling. Sydney understands that this is what she gets for working so hard in school. Bonus that I get to enjoy it too. 🙂
2 years to cure diabetes
As of today, I can say that I no longer have diabetes. If you call my doctor, he will tell you the same thing. My blood now tests consistently in the normal range for blood sugar, and without any medication whatsoever.
So despite the fact that a huge number of people are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every year, it absolutely can be cured for some number of them. The cure is surprisingly simple – diet and exercise. It turns out that the medications are actually counterproductive, because they make it much harder to burn fat – which is absolutely the key. I’m not saying you should just stop taking the meds – that would be dangerous. But if you are exercising and watching the diet, your focus with your doctor should be on what needs to happen for you to start eliminating those drugs.
I started on 3 different diabetes meds, and one of them – Actos – has a well know side effect of weight GAIN. I understand why my doctor prescribed it – his priority was lowering my blood sugar. Even though I told him I was exercising regularly (and understatement, I assure you), and my weight was dropping, he was working based on the raw numbers. I kept insisting that I wanted to come off of the meds, and he was skeptical – likely because 99% of the people who come to his office TELL him they will lose weight, and don’t. But you can. And it will work. I can prove it. 🙂
3.5 hours to get an iPhone
Knew I wouldn’t get it on Friday, so figured I’d cruise in on Saturday (like I did last year) to get the new iPhone 3G. Got to the mall, and there were EASILY 300 people in line. Um – no. I’d try Sunday.
Picked up Sydney Ellen at 7:45 in the morning from a friends house after the Jonas Brothers concert (in her words “The best concert I’ve ever seen in my entire life”), had breakfast at a luxurious Denny’s, and headed to the Northridge mall. Only 11 people in line – but this was 2 HOURS before the store opened at 11am. Since Sydney was getting my old iPhone, she was all for waiting. So we waited.
11am the doors open and….nothing. No movement. Turns out they were letting people in that were turned away at midnight Saturday night – about 10 of them – and then started letting the rest of us in. One at a time to not just buy, but “activate” the phones in the store. I assume this is to keep people from getting a phone without a contract, and then Jailbreaking it to use with another provider. Whatever. It was a major PITA.
Finally our turn came, and the whole process to 15 minutes. Time to play with the over 500 apps available and more coming every day.
Idiotic tattoos
Having a tattoo myself (a heart with “Sydney” in it), I know what a commitment it is. You have to be sure – absolutely SURE you’re not making a mistake.
Absolutely NONE of these people were.
Tiger out for the season – and STUPID comments
Tiger is out for the season getting ACL surgery, which immediately creates all kinds of comments and discussion about golf, which I want to address:
Statement:Â Tiger is too dominant, so it makes golf boring.
Response: Stop being an idiot. We’re watching history. Nobody complained with it was Jordan, or Gordon, or Nicklaus, or PELE for fuck sake. Seeing someone that dominant is inspirational.
Statement:Â How did he get injured when golf isn’t even a sport.
Response: Shut the hell up. Either that, or define “Sport” for me in a way that doesn’t EXCLUDE car racing (because it’s not full contact, or involve running) or INCLUDE chess (because it isn’t one-on-one) or for that matter – in a way that makes any sense at all.
Statement:Â Tiger isn’t the best who’s ever played until he beats Nicklaus’ record.
Response: You’re a numbskull. While it is certainly important to show that you have longevity to be the best, Tiger has already done that – and dominated at a higher level than Nicklaus ever did. To be clear: Tiger currently has over DOUBLE the World Ranking Points that the second place player (Mickelson) has, and over FOUR TIMES the points of the number 3 player. It’s not even close. Another way to put it is this: where do you draw the line? On the 17th hole of the last round of his 19th major, he’s NOT the best player in the world, and 10 minutes later he IS? Go away.
Statement:Â Golfers aren’t althletes.
Response: You’re a moron. Take a look at Tiger’s exercise regimen, and the strength it takes to do what he does. End of story.
Father’s Day Weekend
All in all, it couldn’t have been more fun. Friday to the recital for Sydney dancing at LABA, then all day Saturday doing the same. That’s about 20 numbers for Sydney (including her insane hip hop number), and 3 for me and the Dancin’ Dads. Song this year was from Dreamgirls – “Steppin to the bad side” – and was a great number.
Sunday morning was golf with the Dad, then back to the house for food and the US Open. Then gifts (got a great watch, and better than that – cards from Sydney that I will keep forever), and lots of laughs.
Yes. Really, really great weekend.