Saturday, January 31, 2009

Complaints

As I may have mentioned, I am dog sitting in Palo Alto for the next week for Raider and Brando. I know more Steeler fans than Cardinal fans so I may root (or feign interest) in the play of the Steelers.
So instead of driving the Marcusmobile I will be driving the Prius which does not have Sirius or a jack for an iPod so it is like driving to Oxon Hill and listening to the Wall with John (and then we wonder why we would be bummed out)
While at the library, I decided to get a book on CD to make the time driving around productive rather than listening to mattress commercials and Jonas Brothers songs on radio Disney.
The CD I picked up was about not complaining for 21 Days. That got me thinking how many of my thoughts towards those that put their cigarettes on the ground and the towel offenders at 24 Hour Fitness are not helping me out that much. I am not going to wear a purple braclet but will make an effort to complain less.My thoughts about other drivers being either maniacs on a death wish or idiots does not change their behaivour.
 
On another note I am about 50% through my annual no drinking for two months. Being on the wagon for two months makes drinking more enjoyable when you spend the ten months off the wagon.
 


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Marcus Zack Ronaldi
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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Ms Pac Man

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/29_Ms_Pac_Man_and_the_Final_Final.html

Ms Pac Man and the Final Final

 

In 2009 I did not think I would be going on about a great game of Ms Pac Man but it was like watching Wilt Chamberlin scoring 100 points but Matt scored over 120,000 points in Ms Pac Man (OK, I am not sure if this was an all time high but for me, it was the best arcade game I have seen.)

On Sunday is the Kaiser half so I will not be entering a wing eating contest the night before.

Had lunch with Rik in Bernal Heights at a Mexican joint. He is also taking a break from the sauce. I do enjoy it but I am not missing it if that makes any sense.

On another note, someone put an idea in my head to adopt retired guide dogs.






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Zombies

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/29_Zombie_Sign_and_giving_back_to_the_community.html

In times like these it is really important to network as much as possible. A single random connection can be the golden thread that leads you to whatever it leads to. 
Drove down to San Jose for Lunch 2.0. It was very fitting that it was in an empty office suite. A downturn in the economy is not the end of the world. Growth is not infinite.
Sometimes when a forest needs to burn down to grow stronger.
It would be political suicide for a politician to say, a downturn is part of the natural order of things but it is.

My plans were changed so I ended up looking up One Brick and saw they were at the San Francisco Food Bank and thought it would be fun to give back to the community. We sorted frosted flakes into half pound bags.
We then went to Goat Hill Pizza.

On the subject of Zombies. The news said it was hackers, but maybe, they were zombie hackers? Living around so many grave yards, a full scale zombie attack is something I need to keep in mind.

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Run and Pub Quiz

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/28_Run_and_the_pub_quiz.html

So the training for the Kaiser half is winding down and we did a short run and we were told to run at a race pace. Ran faster than I normally do and you could see near the end I was running out of steam. Was happy that I was able to run that far at that pace considering where I was two years ago when I started running. Joining the various running groups has helped my motivation.
(Pub Quiz)
We were told that we were supposed to wear polo shirts with the collars popped as that is the typical attire of the quiz master. Went into the Clement Street Goodwill and did not see a space monkey but found a shirt that met the criteria. Still a space monkey would be cool.
This week we did not finish second at the Bitter End as we did the last two weeks, this time we were the champions of the pub quiz!

On another note I saw a 12 pack of Guinness on top a news stand. My question is, would you take it?

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

42

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/27_Towel_%2B_Number_42.html

One of my favorite series of books is the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Whenever I go to 24 Hour fitness with my towel I always think of the guide.

Anyway it seems there will be a sixth book written by Eoin Colfer. At this point I do not think there will be a second movie. The first one was quite good but did not make the type of money a "Mall Cop" would make.

One of my favorite things written by Douglas Adams was an account of his visit to Santa Fe New Mexico and spending time with dogs.



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Monday, January 26, 2009

No One to blame

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/26_No_one_to_blame_but_myself.html

Honestly all of the difficulties and disappointments I had today I have no one but myself to blame. I drive into the city and I discover I do not have my phone. Not an issue because as always I have budgeted enough time to get where I am going. I take the N Judah and honestly I think I could be a super hero because I am faster than the train (as it was stopping every five feet). I was not able to call my friend that I was meeting in front of the Moma. Luckily ran into her in the area. (Another demerit from not having my phone...)

Later in the day, I am in the sunset and I decide I would walk around Golden Gate Park eating an apple. Purchased an apple and saw they had blueberries in the middle of January for $1 for 4 oz! They traveled all the way from Chile! Sat down on a park bench to eat the blueberries and well you get what you paid for. They felt like blueberries but they were a bit bland. The apple was fine and I did not remember any blunt force trauma that killed my taste buds.





 

Monday, January 26, 2009

On another note, I will be dog sitting in Palo Alto as the Steelers are in the Superbowl. It does make sense. I have the Kaiser half on Sunday so Saturday I will be going to bed early early.

May see a movie Saturday night.


This is a George Harrison themed week.





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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Wine

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/25_A_great_run_and_spilled_wine.html

First off I had a great run from the Marina Green to the Ferry Building. My pace and stride were good. Its amazing how a pace that would have bummed me out to no end in the 1980's is labeled as a great run in 2009 (but was completely out of the question in 1999). Its all perspective.

Now you may be wondering about the title of the entry, the picture of spilled wine or the video of "Spill the Wine" because you know, its not March and I am on the annual wagon.

Did I go home and celebrate with a bottle of wine from the Hecker Pass?

No, this entry is not only a narrative of what happened to cause a bottle of wine to spilled/shattered all over my kitchen floor but also something to remind me, I need to get some oatmeal as I am out.

I was making myself some post run banana/honey/peanut butter/oatmeal bowl when I saw that I had reached the end of my oatmeal. I was tossing the empty container into my recycle bin when one of the bottles of red wine slipped out of the box and shattered onto the floor causing the mess. I cursed up a bit but somehow that did not cause the bottle and the contents to reform and go back into the box. I am sure it was a Ghost of some sort.

Considered going outside and taking a nap on the grass and dreaming that I was the star of a Bollywood Movie but I was concerned Sasha might have decided to become a Sommelier and ended up with a bit of glass so actual action was required. so I cleaned it up.

I am still interested in being a star in a Bollywood movie OR be given two different BBC shows, one called "Me and My Mates" and the other is "ello gov'na






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One of those twenty notes tag yourself

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/25_Song_Notes.html
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 10 friends
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!


IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Nebraska Bruce Springsteen   
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Highway to Heaven Rhinoceros

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Too busy thinking about my baby Marvin Gaye

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
On the road again
Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Businessmen George Carlin

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Why to Change Me Frank Sinatra
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Opus 7 Devics

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Natural Mystic Bob Marley

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Kennel District Pavement

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
The Red Telephone Love

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
This is my country Curtis Mayfield
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Letter to Lucille
Tom Jones
(was'nt quite a few Tom Jones songs had him in jail??)



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Friday, January 23, 2009

Tina Fey as a Pirate

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/23_Tina_Fey_w_Elmo_as_a_Pirate_and_Feist_with_Monsters.html

I just realized that both Elmo and I talk about ourselves in third person. I talk like either a pro athlete or a puppet. The puppet has a longer shelf life.

So I heard that Tina Fey (born 1970, she can be on the bus) was on Sesame Street and somehow, I missed it. Not so into pirates but I do like puppets.

My other favorite Sesame Street appearance was Feist.



















I like going into places where English might not be the top language reciting this song. Counting penguins, chickens and monsters. Nothing can compare.



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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Obama_names_George_Michael._.html

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/22_Obama_names_George_Michael._.html

Obama names George Michael.

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Wham Singer George Michael was named special envoy to China during an event at the State Department on Thursday afternoon.



The move could signal that Obama plans to get involved in China early in his term. President Barack Obama has always been a big fan of George Michael both as a member of Wham and as a solo artist.


It was announced just before 3 p.m. at an event with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.



After he was officially named Obama's envoy, Michael said, "I don't underestimate the difficulty of this assignment."


"The situation in China is volatile, complex and dangerous. But the president and the secretary of state have made it clear that danger and difficulty cannot cause the United States to turn away," he said.


Michael said that along with Obama and Clinton, he believed in the resolution of long standing issues in a possible Wham reunification.



"From my experience there, I formed the conviction that there is no such thing as a conflict that can't be ended," Michael said. "Conflicts are created, conducted and sustained by human beings. They can be ended by human beings."


In recent days, Obama officials talked to Chinese diplomats about the choice, sources close to the administration and diplomats told CNN. Many were excited and they hoped one day for a Wham reunion.


After Michael was introduced Thursday, Obama said, "Time and again, in public service and private life, he has acted with skill and acted with integrity. He will be fully empowered at the negotiating table, and he will sustain our focus on the goal of peace. "


Michael while still a member of Wham served as a cultural ambassador by performing in China (in 1985). He told the Chinese during this historic performance, "I do not want your freedom, all I want right now is you".



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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Frank Chu on Obama

Frank Chu speaks about the inauguration of Obama



For the inauguration of Barack Obama, technically the 45th President of the United States, I went down to the Civic Center in San Francisco. For the record I was wearing short sleeves.

They had a booth where you could toss shoes at Bush.

I do not consider myself a liberal (or a conservative) or a democrat (or a Republican) but I was really impressed with his speech.

For a transcript go to here

Two things that I really liked were

  1. 1)We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. (One of the things that turned me off to the GOP is how wrapped up they are in the whole Christian Right and I seriously doubt Jesus would have many of those views...)

  2. 2)We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality... (For the obvious reason I am very passionate about the advancement of science specifically stem cell research. One of the main reason I was against Bush in 2000 was his stand on this issue.)








Ran into Frank Chu and I got his thoughts on Obama.




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Monday, January 19, 2009

25 Randomm things about Marcus Ronaldi

25 random things about Marcus Ronaldi

Here are twenty five random things about me

  1. 1)I enjoy the process of donating blood.

  2. 2)I used to be afraid of red jello

  3. 3)My favorite book is Confederacy of Dunces

  4. 4)The day my Ford Pinto was stolen from my high school parking lot was the first time I used a cell phone.

  5. 5)I was blamed for the breakup of the Beatles.

  6. 6)My longest tenure at any job was at the Gap I worked with and met some pretty good folks, some of which may be reading this...

  7. 7)I have gone to Australia twice, New Zealand, Belgium and Italy on United miles.

  8. 8)When I was a kid, I was afraid of dogs. It was not until Noel arrived did I become a fan.

  9. 9)I did the news for a college radio station in West Virginia

  10. 10) I wrote a column for The Daily Athenaeum in the mid 1990's.

  11. 11) Not much of a gambler. Makes me anxious. if I do gamble, its craps. Slot machines and lottery tickets are for people who do not understand math.

  12. 12) I do not consider myself to be cheap, but I am frugal.

  13. 13) I won an essay contest at my library a few years ago but based on my handwriting, I think I won the Children's division.

  14. 14) If I go to a movie theater I like to sit on the aisle.

  15. 15) I cannot blow bubbles (with bubble gum)

  16. 16) I do not know how to drive a stick shift (ask John)

  17. 17) Started running again in 2007 as I was working at Google which has AMAZING food and I was concerned that without that I would be on one of those shows. My goal is not speed but to continue. It clears my head and I am glad I started on that again.

  18. 18) If you want to get on my good side laugh at my jokes and make me think I am clever.

  19. 19) I do not relate to any political party. I am optimistic and hopeful that Obama will be a good president but he has tremendous challenges ahead.

  20. 20) Part of me thinks we will find life on alien planets in the near future. If it is intelligent, this will change everything, and I hope for the better (or they will enslave us to break big rocks into small rocks) I follow the number of extrasolar planets.    Not a big fan of tang.

  21. 21) In the past couple of years I have taught myself how to cook for myself. It is way better for yourself and way cheaper. Mostly stuff in a wok. Also like making stuff in a juicer.

  22. 22) If you are ever tasked with buying me beer, go for obscure and avoid light beers as that is the work of the Devil.

  23. 23) To give myself a break from being connected I will leave my cell phone at home. This sometimes causes issues if I miswrote the address of where I am supposed to go.

  24. 24) I will be skipping my 20th High School reunion to play in the Kickball thing in Vegas in October.

  25. 25) My Ultraman tattoo on my left arm chained the course of quite a few peoples lives.




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Sunday, January 18, 2009

A 10 mile run sans iPod

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/18_A_run_sans_ipod_due_to_user_error.html

Honestly when it comes down to finding someone to blame, I have no one
but myself to blame.

On a side note, and before I forget, one of my favorite things about
the iPod is discovering music that I may have loaded and never found.
One is an artist I never heard of called Famous L. Renfroe.
http://fatpossum.securesites.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_Code=119
and a song called Slave, by Elton John on Honkey Chateau.

OK back to the main subject which is I showed up to the Long Run and I
discovered that I had not charged my iPod. I would have to run ten
miles with only my thoughts to distract me.
Part of me considered skipping the run but it was a perfect weather
day. (its mid January and the weather is better than Summer)

So I decided to release expectation and simply run without connection
to speed or distance. Normally I do not like running over the Golden
Gate Bridge but I got the "runners high" on my run back over the bridge.
Some of the things I thought about included how I am now the same age
as George Foreman when he was an ancient boxer set on winning the
heavyweight title of the world. Not only did he come back as a great
fighter but he had reinvented himself from a surly bully to a friendly
giant (who could still knock you out). I also thought of the coming
transition of power and how Obama's speech is the most pivotal one for
a down trodden nation. Briefly considered going to it but felt that I
could simply get wet socks and then find a crowded freezer. I may go
to the Civic Center to watch the ceremony OR it may be on television.
I have found him to be the best speaker I remember.

I met someone with a dog who did not have a name and I suggested Sully
based on that pilot who landed that plane. So if you ever need a dog
named let me know.

After the run we all headed over to fleet feet where psoas were doing
massages. I had them work on my calves which have been a bit tight as
of late. It was the hardest massage I ever had. With all of the
running I am doing, I should consider working that into the process.
http://www.psoasbodywork.com

Again it was a perfect mid-January sunday. A bunch of us from the
Marathon training program were in the back of the Chestnut Street
Fleet Feet. Brett was making bagels on a grill. I did not know you
could do that.

On another note, the Arizona Cardinals are going to the super bowl. A
black man is being sworn in as President. Three of the four
heavyweight champions are white. We are in the Twilight zone ; )


Had my Sunday conference call

Later in the evening went to a networking party where they had Tandori
Paneer. Was not aware you could do that.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Entries

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/17_Marcus_visits_the_Sonoma_County_cave.html

So I went to Sonoma county via a Limo (see the earlier entry about not getting run over...)

You could not ask for more perfect weather. Short sleeve golf shirts in mid January. Kind of glad I am not in DC for the Inauguration which I would imagine would be both cold and crowded.

At one point I had to get out and push the Limo. Luckily some other people decided to help me.

It was a fun field trip all around.

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/17_A_Cat_eats_cheese.html


Here is a video of a cat eating cheese on my trip to Sonoma county where I did not see Robin Quivers.


http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/17_The_downside_to_being_low_tech....html

Sometimes when I go out, I leave my cell phone at home. When I do that, I should make sure that I properly write down the address of where I need to be. I was going on a field trip to Sonoma county. Was very punctual but a block away. Walked back and stopped off at the Apple Store and checked the address, I was a block off and ran back and somehow was able to catch the limo.  Luckily I was not hit by a car and flown fifty feet into the air.




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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Blood and Turkey

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/14_Blood_%26_Turkey.html

Made a turkey and I was happy with the result. Will not be making a turkey for the Marcus Cooking and Variety show.
Donated blood which is one of those odd ball things I enjoy doing. I am now up to 23 blood donations. Which is close to donating my entire blood supply three times.
http://www.bloodcenters.org/
Saw the news about Steve Jobs and 1) was glad I sold my Apple stock and 2) kind of put things in perspective about health. As far as I know he is someone who avoided soda and such with the best access to medicine and healthy living and he has had numerous health problems. I wonder what would happen if he showed up and he well, looked like he was living the good life.
While in the Marina I ran into a couple of Mormon elders on a Mission and they did not have stamps. Was nice to them and we had a debate about some of the items such as the magic glasses. We talked about their good language centers.
Did a talk at the Urban Diversion center about showing up on recruiters radar.
http://web.me.com/hydra9/Resume/Getting_your_resume_found.html

Got an e-mail earlier in the day about the new Waka kickball rules and I am actually quite happy with the changes. For example, (from an e-mail)
NEW RULE #1
Previously: A pitched ball had to bounce once before reaching the plate to be considered a strike.

IN 2009: A pitched ball must bounce at least TWICE, or ROLL, before reaching the plate to be considered a strike.

Why the change? To help keep the game at its roots as a social co-ed game anybody can play.

For all of the Kickball rules
http://www.kickball.com/rules.php

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Outside of my comfort zone...

Outside of comfort zone confusion


Someone I know named Molly Wheeler has set up a weekly conference called "Out of Your Comfort Zone". Last Sunday one of the callers, Chris Peterson mentioned his respect for the people on the street with the clip boards. So yesterday instead of looking away I was upfront and friendly. The call is through something she set up called, www.yournaturalhigh.com

So I am walking Palo Alto and I smile at this attractive woman walking down University. She smiles back and we keep walking. Then she stops and in some accent she asks, "Do you cruise.."

I was a bit thrown off thinking that I had stumbled upon the magic formula or I was going to end up like the guy in the Kidney Thieves urban legend

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.asp


but she was referring to Cruises and she was inviting people to go to some sort of Information session on cruises which to be honest reminds me of the movie Wall E. Not a big fan of the cruise experience. Sort of like forced frivolity like in Vegas.

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Monday, January 12, 2009

Link of interest

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Singularity

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/10_singularity_and_lawn_mowers.html
I got an interesting message via Facebook from the daughter of a former lawn mowing client of mine from the 1980's when I started the lawnmower on their carport and cut up their rug. (this was only mentioned as I could imagine after this happened being asked this question via a world wide network of computers). This woman's husband thinks machines/computers will develop enough intelligence to want to overtake us. This is often referred to as the technological singularity is a theoretical future point of unprecedented technological progress, caused in part by the ability of machines to improve themselves using artificial intelligence. (this last sentence was cut and pasted from the Wikipedia)
Now my thought is that this will happen and will happen in my lifetime but I am not worried.
Check out this video from the Mitchell and Webb.
They are many instances through history when technology made some sort of human endeavor obsolete.
Now I could be wrong and I could be vaporized three days later after the singularity.
My prediction is that MacGoogle OS XXV will be the singularity.


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Friday, January 09, 2009

Ultraman theme

Locked out..

For the full experience go to
 

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/9_Locked_out...html


So the photo and the song has NOTHING to do with my day (Ultraman).

For the second time I had a situation with a locked door. Gave a talk at the Peninsula Works about how being a Power User of social netwoking can find you a job.


Discovered my keys were not on my person. As I was driving the Prius (which does not have Satellite Radio or a jack for an iPod so I have to listen to crummy peasant Radio which is FULL of commercials.)


Yesterday when I rolled up to the Guard booth I said, "Hello Governor" in a bad cockney accent. In my mind, I have this idea of being on some sort of short lived but well loved BBC show called, "Hello Governor". I do not think he understood what I was saying or why I was saying it.

Today I had to get the extra key from the office and then have the gate ring me in.

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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

The NFL

Seeing the NFL live is an inferior experience

I have seen quite a few news stories about how the Minnesota Vikings had an issue selling out their playoff game (which they lost). Failure to sell out, means that the game is not shown on local TV. Based on the total cost of going to an NFL game between the tickets, parking, food and drink I am amazed that they sell out at all because watching the games at home (or at a bar) is a far better experience. Give me Kezar over Candlestick anytime.

Last year the average NFL playoff ticket was $121. So lets round down to $100. If you were taking a date, it would cost close to $300 for something you could watch far better at home. Two parents taking their two kids would be close to $500.  Your team advances and has home field advantage?

Watching the game live, I am always wondering what is going on. Plus add the crowd, the elements and the thugs watching at home beats it.

The NFL (and the other major sports) really need to be really careful as they are an indulgent luxury and their place in the circus can easily be replaced.

Next season I can see an issue with the NFL selling out which will lead to more black outs which will lead to lower interest and ad revenue. If a game is blacked out in a local market the NFL typically does not show another game in its place.

I used to be really into boxing in the late 1980's and 1990's but I lost interest due to the lower quality match ups on the pay per view card.

Look at this article about the Tyson Ruddock fight from 1991

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFDA1E38F93BA25750C0A967958260

Besides a matchup of two of the top heavyweights, each of the other two fights were worth turning on the PPV card.

Then they started watering down the undercard and then they were bad decisions (such as Holyfield Lewis I) and way too many governing bodies. When they are four heavyweight champions and I could not pick one out of a line up then there is an issue. (OK, the 7 foot tall Russian but I could not name him)

So the connection between the expense and the experience of the NFL and me (and many others) losing interest in boxing is they both did not see the damage of short term gains on long term interest.




--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Sunday, January 04, 2009

Run + Time Crimes + Sunday NYT

For the whole picture go to:
http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/4_Run_%2B_Time_Crimes_%2B_Sunday_NYT.html

Yesterday I hiked and it was harder than I expected. So when I ran today with the Kaiser Half Marathon training program it was like my legs were made out of hardened pancakes that were left in the rain. When you run on a consistent basis, they are good runs and then they are ones like today. So that means Tuesday should be good : )

Prior to the run got confused about the start (333 3rd Street compared to 333 Harrison St) but luckily someone gave me a ride.

It was like a running field trip to PSOAS Massage and Bodywork but I did not get in the queue. May do a wildcat iPod swap.

Had a bit of time to kill before seeing the movie Time Crimes at opera plaza (see it or add to Netflix) so I was at Peetes coffee. A person with a laptop wearing middle eastern clothes asked if he could share my table and I told him he could (big table). He was fiddling with the laptop and he said, "Can I ask you for a favor". I said (and meant) that all depends. Turns out he needed to know how to use the wireless in the coffee joint and he needed a code. Which was a simple problem I could solve.

Speaking of codes, It was a priority to get into MacWorld but this has been resolved and I will be going to find out how I can make the most Kung Fu iWeb sight ever!!

Here are some of my favorite articles from todays New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/magazine/04Creatures-t.html?hp

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/business/04blind.html

Here is a video of Cosmo not liking Jet Skis



--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Somehow the Snapple Winner was not aware of the Willie Wonka Movies.

Somehow the Snapple Winner was not aware of the Willie Wonka Movies.


(for more stuff click on link above...)

The big event of the day was a hike in the Muir Woods with Urban Diversion. The map below shows where we hiked.

The first exciting thing that happened was a couple locked their dog in their Outback. They asked if I had a coat hanger. I have lots of junk in the trunk including a bag with some random books and coat hangers. The books came from a book swap and I will probably be donating as they will not be part of the 52 books I will read in 2009.

We hiked to Stinson Beach. I went to the market (which was pretty pricey) for cheese and turkey while everyone was eating in a place that seemed well, they put the pepper on if you know what I mean.

Anyway we were all discussing what happened on New Years and it turns out one of the hikers won a nationwide contest for Snapple drinkers. The whole thing sounded a bit like the movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The odd thing, this person never saw the movie and had no idea what I was on about. The waitress with the pepper thought I thought she looked like an oomba loompa.

So if you have never seen the movie or the Oomba loompa here it is.

The bit where the kid got sucked up the tube in the first movie was really scary when I was a kid.


I did see a Standard Poodle so it was a good day.

It was a challenging hike back up. I am glad I have been running and such.


Later in the day I gave the book away from earlier. So if the people had not locked the keys in the car I would have never known the Parable of the Skilled Physician and his Sick Children and then passed it on.


http://nichirenshoshumyoshinji.org/LecturesData/2006/01_Okyobi.htm

--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Saturday, January 03, 2009

Word of the day...

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/3_Word_of_the_day...html

Word of the day..

 

So it is a new year and all of those self improvement things always suggests the learning of new words and working them in conversations.

So the word of the day from

http://wordsmith.org/words/shilly-shally.html

is Shilly Shally which means To vacillate; to dawdle.


I am going on a hike today in Marin and I am guessing many of the people will be running late. With everyone who is on time assembled I will say, I hope they do not Shilly Shally. Then I will go on about what I meant and how they should be striving to improve their vocabulary.




--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Thursday, January 01, 2009

First 10K of 2009

http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/1_First_10K_of_2009.html

First 10K of 2009

 

For some reason some maniac signed your humble narrator for a 10K. If you are in training to run a race, I would not recommend drink followed by a late night.

Drove to Palo Alto and later added to my pie chart.

Did not have an optimal run (see the pace). Was glad that it was not hot.

Afterwards had my annual "I am legend" lunch at Plutos. All in all it was very similar to the start of 2008.





--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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twitter = hydra1970

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