Swirl with me

I am buying a bike!

2008-06-22T13:02:00.001-07:00

I am buying a bike!, originally uploaded by millerhj.

With our move to our condo we will be farther from work. Walking -->
Biking

What I saw today

2008-06-18T15:39:00.001-07:00

What I saw today, originally uploaded by millerhj.

What I saw today

2008-06-17T06:17:00.001-07:00

What I saw today, originally uploaded by millerhj.

What I saw today

2008-06-16T09:55:00.001-07:00

What I saw today, originally uploaded by millerhj.

NYC

2007-07-03T14:51:00.001-07:00

Sent from my iPhone

NYC

2007-07-03T14:50:00.001-07:00

Sent from my iPhone

Am I creative?

2007-06-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

You Are 84% Creative

You are an incredibly creative person. For you, there are no bounds or limits to your creativity.
Your next creation could be something very great... Or at least very cool!

How Creative Are You?

A Mouse in the tub!

2007-03-17T10:39:00.001-07:00

A Mouse in the tub, originally uploaded by millerhj.

I woke up one morning to find a mouse in the bathtub!

Masha to the rescue, originally uploaded by millerhj.

Luckily Masha came to my rescue

Unexpectedly beautiful photos

2007-03-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

I added FILE magazine to my feed reader a couple of days ago. I enjoy many of the images but especially one today, above. I enjoy looking at images that have a different perspective, hopefully it will broaden my vision and help me when I am taking photos.

Infohoarding

2007-03-07T06:58:00.000-08:00

I was just reading an article on infohoarding at Wired. I see myself in it a little bit. I never heard someone called a "completionist" before but I have that tendency. It is almost impossible for me to delete the songs I don't like from an album on my ipod, even though I am at the limit of my storage capacity and I have to start culling. And I would really like to have my own copy of Project Gutenberg, I don't know why, I just would. I guess this is part of the reason I am going to library school and changed professions. If you can fulfill your compulsions at home, try to do it at work.

Guilt

2007-02-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning, I have had my morning coffee and returned from my massage. I am quiet and contemplative. This afternoon I will go to a memorial service for one of my zen teachers. She was a wonderful woman, although, I guess I didn't know her well. She didn't share much of her personal thoughts. She was quiet and let her husband do most of the talking. I am feeling guilty that I didn't even know she was sick. I had fallen out of touch with them, haven't been to a meditation service for more than a year, maybe two, maybe more than that. In my guilt at not meditating, I evaded contact altogether. And now. And now I face it all head on and there is no turning away from it. What do I do in this helplessness, something I can change or solve or cure. I feel I made a mess and I can't clean it up. I want to run away and pretend I don't know anything about it. But I will take a deep breath and go, of course.

Catching up

2007-02-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

Life seemed to get away from me lately. Here is a quick summary.

Regarding exercise:
I have been going to the gym after work (plan 2) and it has been pretty successful. I went 3x the first week, 2x + Sunday this last week. I do have less time and perhaps that is why I have felt more rushed than usual. But on the positive side, I feel less stressed after I get home.

Regarding culture:
Last Sunday (2/4) we went to see The Painted Veil. It is a beautiful film and a touching love story. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Go see it if you have a chance.

On Friday night (2/9) we went to the opera! We saw Eugene Onegin. It was our first time at the Met and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Regarding my life:
I was feeling really drained yesterday, partially due to a busy week at work, partially due to the late night Friday and maybe due to just being tired, in general. As a consequence, I wasn't productive and now I am not happy with myself. I caught up on a lot today and did go to the gym but I feel like everything happens so fast, I don't have time to process it. I don't have time to discuss things with my friends or family. I have all these micro imaginary conversations with people. I make plans that I never carry out. I have ideas that zoom around in my head until they fade away. I think writing about things here might help so I have taken time to create this entry. There is a discussion thread on one of my class forums about blogging and whether it is an ego-centric thing to do. I guess if the point is to get famous and have thousands of readers, one could conclude that. Why do people write diaries or journals? Why do people tell each other stories? I think it is partly to reflect on what has happened, to put some perspective on one's life. Maybe I write all this to slow my life down, to preserve a tiny bit of it before it is washed away in the stream of minutes and hours, duties and deadlines. Maybe as you read this, you will help me see myself as a person rather than a jumble of events and plans.

How to fit in the gym

2007-01-30T17:43:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to lose weight, with gentleness towards myself. Nothing harsh and not too much deprivation. Well it hasn't been going very well. It seems that eating healthy may not be enough. I need to get more exercise. Also, I have been feeling like all my joints are wrinkled, if you know what I mean. I turn my head too far, it hurts. Not a lot, not like an injury. It hurts when I bend over to tie my shoe. My back is tight, my hips are tight, my ankles are tight. And this is with a 60 min massage every other week! But how to fit it in?

Here is my weekday schedule.

5:00 - 5:30 AM - Get up
5:00 - 5:45 AM - Make coffee, drink coffee, check online class site, read email
5:45 - 6:30 AM - Get ready for work, shower, dress, pack bag
6:30 - 7:04 AM - Drive to train station
7:04 - 8:20 AM - Train to NY
8:20 - 9:00 AM - Subway, walk to work (~10-15 min walking)
9:00 - 5:00 PM - Work (I have a 1 hour lunch which I usually use to do my classwork)
5:00 - 5:41 PM - Walk, subway to Penn Station
5:41 - 6:55 PM - Train
6:55 - 7:20 PM - Drive home
7:20 - 10:00 PM - Free time, dinner, spend time with Dima, schoolwork.
10:00 - 5:00 AM - Sleep

Some ideas I am toying with:

1. Just do a 15 min workout at home in the morning and in the evening, yoga, strength training (I have small dumbells and stretch bands). And then work out both weekend days.

Pluses:
Sounds easy
Not much disruption of my schedule
Still leaves me with free time

Minuses:
Will it be effective?
Will I do it?
Might also be easy to blow off.

2. Go directly from the train station to the gym. So that schedule would be:
6:55 - 7:30 - Drive to the gym
7:30 - 8:30 - Workout
8:30 - ~~9:20~~ 8:50 - Drive home
~~9:20~~ 8:50 - 10:00 - Free time, dinner, spend time with Dima, schoolwork.
10:00 - 5:00 AM - Sleep

Pluses:
Real workout
I usually like working out in the gym
I think I can motivate myself to do it every day (except Mondays when I go to therapy - which I am very good about going to so that suggests this would work too)

Minuses:
Losing a big chunk of free time/class work time.
I get tired if I get home late several nights in a row.
I sometimes have to stay late at work for seminars/networking/a journal club I lead
Maybe it will be too much.

3. Work out at work (there is a gym in my building I can go to for free) during lunch hour.

Pluses:
Convenient
Might fit into my schedule better than other options

Minuses:
Can't shower, will have to go back to work.
With clothes changing time, will only work out about 40 mins
Something always seems to prevent me from taking a lunch break
Will have to carry gym clothes to work.
I never used this gym, I don't know if I will like it.
Lunch time is a time to interact with my boss and I would lose this opportunity

4. Work out after work, in my work gym.

Pluses:
Convenient
Might be easier since I won't be tired from the trip home

Minuses:
I will still be getting home late (~8:30 probably)
Will have to carry gym clothes to work.
I never used this gym, I don't know if I will like it.
Losing a big chunk of free time/class work time.
I get tired if I get home late several nights in a row.
I sometimes have to stay late at work for seminars/networking/a journal club I lead
Maybe it will be too much.
P. sometimes work out after work.

Sleepy Monday

2007-01-29T02:57:00.001-08:00

Monday morning, originally uploaded by millerhj.

I didn't get a chance to go to Morton as I hoped. I did get a lot of my school work done, although not as much as I hoped. I got caught up but didn't get ahead. No assignments completed a week before the deadline. Oh well. I made it to the gym on Sunday, too. That was good. I know I need to incorporate more exercise into my life but I honestly don't know when. Maybe in the evenings, although motivation is a problem there. I guess I could get up earlier... 4 AM perhaps. Some people do it. My gym doesn't open until 6, to late for me to go before work. I will try to think about all my options and write a post about it later. Maybe you have some advice?

Weekend - Mostly school

2007-01-27T03:49:00.001-08:00

Black-capped chickadee,
originally uploaded by millerhj.

It is 6:30 AM on Saturday. I just installed Firefox 2.0 and some cool extensions. Enough playing though. I need to get a lot of work done for school. It is bitter cold outside, so it feels nice to stay inside today. I hope to go Morton wildlife refuge tomorrow. That is where the chickadees, titmice, and nuthatches eat out of your hand.

Where are the comments?

2007-01-26T12:51:00.001-08:00

dessert, tea and coffee, originally uploaded by Saffron.

I was hoping that this blog would be a conversation of sorts, like all of us sitting around drinking beverages, coffee, tea, wine, ... except at different times. Please join me.

In over my head

2007-01-24T02:48:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with school and work today. I am running and trying to catch up. I hope I do ;) I have had stuff after work two days in a row. Monday it was my therapy and last night, the journal club I run for the postdocs at work. Two days getting home after 8 pm. I have an essay due in one class and I haven't done the reading or kept up with the discussions in either. I hope to spend some quiet time today at work doing these things. Last two days at work it was one thing and then the other. Ok, nearly 6 am time to get ready for work.

Joe Purdy

2007-01-21T03:57:00.000-08:00

I made a kaboodle account and added a badge about the music I love or am listening too. My long commute has given me lots of time to listen to music and my ipod is as important to me as my bottle of water or umbrella for providing me a comfortable day's travels.

I learned about Joe Purdy because one of his songs was featured on Lost. Right now I am listening to his song, "Blue in the sky" from You can tell Georgia.

I can see blue in the sky when its raining.

Very nice song.
And another from the same album, "Balcony/Green eyes"

Green eyes are better than blue, I ain't trying to be mean, just telling the truth. It's enough to make me run away with you. Green eyes are better than blue.

It says something to me about the fickleness or inexplicability of human desire.

New haircut

2007-01-20T16:30:00.001-08:00

New haircut, originally uploaded by millerhj.

Saturday library stuff

2007-01-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

My classes are in full swing. Today I had a massage and a haircut but most of the day was spent at my desk. I have two classes this semester. One is called "Information Resources: Organization and Access" and the other, "Digital Libraries." Both seem like the will be interesting as well as challenging. I also spent some time playing with our book collection at Library Thing. I played with tagging and imported some more titles. I currently have 581 books cataloged there. I have at least 400 more at home. I would really like to add all books I borrow and read as well. I joined as a lifetime member to support this great library project. I also ordered the Cuecat scanner to make adding new books easier. I added a widget on the right side that shows a few of the book covers, it changes every time the page is reloaded. I am feeling very librarian!

Can you spare some change

2007-01-17T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have been working in the city for nearly a year now. I have gotten used to most things that I experience every day. I have mastered the subway. I can reach into my handbag, get out my Metrocard and swipe it without slowing my step. I know which end of the train to be on for optimum efficiency. I time the lights while I walk and carry my umbrella every day. I glare at the cars trying to make right turns into the crosswalk. But I don't know what to do when someone on the subway car starts to preach or sing or address me and my fellow passengers. There are often blessings and thanks and then he (its always been a man) walks through the car asking for money. I never give anything. I always feel badly. I have seen signs on the subway saying not to give money to panhandlers, rather to donate to a charity. I think this makes sense. But to see some who looks to be in need and refuse... This happened again on Tuesday evening. A man reciting something like a poem, full of blessings and prayers for our soldiers in Iraq. When he walked past, I looked down. Two men did give some change. One a man in dusty work shoes. Another a young man, in casual clothes. It seemed to me the the ones with the least were the ones who gave. And I still don't know what I will do when it happens again. Should I put some change in my bag or keep looking down?

San Pedro River

2007-01-15T08:08:00.001-08:00

San Pedro River, originally uploaded by millerhj.

Dima gave me some photoshop lessons and I converted this picture to black and white.

AZ trip pictures

2007-01-15T06:46:00.001-08:00

Cottonwoods at San Pedro House, originally uploaded by millerhj.

This is probably my favorite photo from the trip. The sky on that day was incredible. The cottonwoods that grow along the banks of the San Pedro River are silvery white and under the dark cloudy sky, they were almost luminescent. Once again, the picture does not convey the great beauty.

I finished uploading the best pictures so have a look.

AZ trip - First pictures

2007-01-14T05:31:00.001-08:00

Whitewater Draw, originally uploaded by millerhj.

I am finally getting some of the pictures I took while we were in southeastern Arizona uploaded to Flickr. This is one of my favorites. This was taken at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. The sky was so blue that day and it reflected on the water so the water was just as blue. I was amazed that from this view the only thing interrupting a continuous deep blue expanse was this tiny strip of land in the horizon. The picture is a poor substitute for being there. It was incredible.

Books and memories

2007-01-14T04:33:00.000-08:00

I just finished The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs. It is a hilarious book. I read the copy in the Recreational Reading collection of the library where I work but when I just added the link to this post from Library Thing, I found I have a copy in my own collection (duh). I hate to admit this but something similar has happened recently as well. Similar in that I don't always know or remember about everything I buy. I belong to a few book clubs, One Spirit, Homestyle, and QPB. At the end of 2006 they had sales and don't pay until March offers, so I couldn't resist and stacked up on some books I had been wanting for the long holiday break. I really wanted Strength Training for Women because I am going to start to exercise more and I needed some inspiration. Well, I bought it from two different clubs. I have two copies.
This post isn't going where I planned. The title was not suggesting books and loss of memory. Oh well, sometimes blog posts have a will of their own. I suppose this story had to be told. Yes, I have more books that I can even keep track up using tools like Library Thing and my own brain. Every time I read a book, it leads me to more books that I want to read. In The Know-It-All, Jacobs reads the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica. Now I am eyeing my own copy. Maybe I could try it too. It only took him a year.

Swirling words

2007-01-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions."
--James A. Michener

Although I am around people a lot, during my travels to and from work and at work, I often feel alone with my thoughts, with no outlet for their expression. At these times, my thoughts feel as if they are swirling around my head, like a the small dust devils we marveled at as kids. It was one of the mental whirlwinds that spun the idea of this blog. I intend for this to be a outlet for the thoughts, ideas, observations, and images that inhabit my mind and which I never seem to have time to tell anyone. So by this definition, I am writing this blog for me. I am not trying to get a readership or serve some purpose. But, if anyone would like to swirl with me, they are welcome.