Up North (& Out There doing it)

Getting a little obsessed.

Recently, I've been going a little 'data overboard' with my movement data. I had been waiting and waiting to pull the trigger on a Garmin, after what seemed like everyone and their mother, had one and was telling me that it was the best thing since sliced bread.

Well, turns out, I think they could be right. I picked up a Garmin405 and it is simply put -- spectacular. It wears like a 'regular' watch, fires up the GPS  connection in seconds (not minutes like my old Timex) and doesn't require anything else unless you want to wear a heart rate monitor strap (which I got).

But the best part, and why I went for the 405 rather than the 110 or the 210 -- when I walk into my house, the watch automatically uploads all of the 'new' runs over to my computer. Now, unfortunately, it's
still an additonal step to load it up to my computer, but that's as simple as logged into the website (connect.garmin.com) and clicking upload. Since the data is already there, it's pretty painless.

And the experience on the site is great. Excellent and accurate maps, easy ways to share the data with friends via FB, Twitter or email and great privacy settings -- because it occurred to me that perhaps I
didn't want to have 25 runs that all started at the same house out on the web.

Fantastic.

But two days later, I decided to pull the trigger on another data capture device, a FitBit. It looks like a little USB drive, but really is a clip. Put it  in your pocket or clip it on your shirt and it records all of the steps that you take during the day. It tracks mileage, calories and gives you a little 'flower' icon that grows or shrinks based on how active you've been in the past trailing 3 hours.

Again, walk by your computer and the data is automatically uploaded but this time directly to the web so you can see what you have been doing. It comes with the ability to use it as a sleep monitor as well,
which I'm a little less interested in but might have to give it a try simply because.

Part of the reason that I got the @FitBit was because I thought my Mom would love it, but I'm always hesitant giving new technology to her that is untested and untried. We gave her an iPod for her birthday a
couple of years back and I've been blown away with what a good gift that made. But that's because it meets a need and is so simple to use.

After a couple of days using the FitBit, I think it's the same and it's really likely to become a gift sometime soon.

Obsessing on personal data

I've been obsessing on recording personal data. Just picked up a Garmin 405 for the runs I've been doing.

3 runs in - I love it!

instead of the Timex 3 part system, all of the smarts are in the watch. And then I walk into my house -- the runs are automatically downloaded to my computer for uploading to the web.

Then, somewhat on a whim, I got a FitBit to track the number of steps I take. Partially to see how insane our Disney vacation is going to be next week as well. But just so curious.

I don't even know how many steps that one should take in a day and if I'll even come close, especially on the days that I don't go to the City.

Yoga

Finally pulled the trigger after thinking about it for years and took my first yoga class. I think I was really inspired after reading a NYT Magazine article about a group at MIT who build this 'age suit' to allow for young (20 something) designers to feel what your mobililty is like in your 60s and 70s. The picture (which I hope I can find) really was telling and in a microcosim is what at times I feel like.

I keep having flashbacks of talking to my Dad when I was about D's age and asking  him why he couldn't sit 'criss cross apple sauce '(just occurred to me that they probably don't call it 'Indian style' any more).

Over it

Woke up on Monday, after a beautiful weekend to this. Blah.

The snow was so wet and coming down so thick that I had to wipe the windows of my car 5 times in the AM.

One time, it was before putting the boys in the car and then immediately after they were buckled in.

It was that crazy.

Take the Boys to Soccer

I take the Boys to soccer every Saturday morning, while S goes to Yoga -- It's become a great part of our family day routine. But while I'm waiting for the boys, I'm in a lobby with other parents, which typically I enjoy. Except for these two sets of parents. It's not that they aren't nice, it's that the one guy has an opinion about everthing (policitics, taxes, policy, home construction, etc) and an incredibly booming and grating voice. So much so, I've actually had to leave the lobby just to be able to concentrate enough to read my Kindle. It's that penetrating of a voice.

KDaddy, where are you?

Ok, this is getting ridiculous and I'm starting to think there are a lot of kdaddy@ handles out there who thing they have kdaddy [at] gmail [dot] com. (which they don't).

So far,  besides the photos that I've shared, I've already received:

* Geico registration for a 2008 Hummer (in NY)

* Some more dental appointment reminders (in GA)

* Now a W-9 form to work for a company that clearly does maintenance and lawn care for reposed homes.

Don't these folks realize they are missing these documents?

Had a great Moment

On the way into the City tonight to see a family member play in her High School Orchestra @ Carnegie Hall. I'm very excited about it. Always wanted to go to Carnegie Hall and it's a great one two punch.

Getting the boys ready for a 'new' babysitter was quite an ordeal but one that made me laugh. Especially when G insisted on getting undressed and redressed all by himself. It was amazing.