So I am setting here at work on a Sunday morning organizing customer testing via a confernece call so the technical guys can concentrate on the real work. Cudo to the fellows so far, this group of changes seems to have only has a couple of minor hiccups and they easily dealt with those giving me time to post an update.
I hit the gym hard yesterday. I believe my motivation yesterday is directly related to the music I was listening to on my wife's Zune. I have my daughter to thank for it and Julie I apologize for it being on your Zune, I know it does not run with your taste. It is a funny story how it to listen to it. To give my daughter credit she did ask before she attempted to download the song from iTunes and it started a whole banter back and forth. She wanted the song 'Forever' by Papa Roach but thought we wouldn't approve.
Cansas (the daughter) told her mom it was "really heavy rock!"
My wife replied, 'Have you ever listened to what your father likes.'
Cansas: No mom, you don't understand "ITS REALLY HEAVY ROCK!"
My wife replied, 'Have you ever listened to what your father likes.'
For the most part my only daughter is oblivious to what goes on around her. I love metal and have been known to be a head banger, even been in a mosh pit or two. So I downloaded the whole CD and previewed the songs. I've heard of Papa Roach before, but never listened to them except when they graced the airwaves. So Saturday I needed some workout tunes. One word... 'Awesome'. They drop the f-bomb once or twice, but nothing compared to others. So thanks to Papa Roach for the really great workout.
So that brings us to the real point. I have been using a website to track my workouts as well as my weight loss. I recommend taking a look at DailyBurn.com. It makes it easy to create a weight training program, track your progress, monitor weight loss, and track calories. All for free. When creating a workout it shows videos and pictures of the exercise so you can make sure you are doing them correctly. It evens lets you print out a worksheet to help track while you are at the gym. Great site. Check it out.
Testing still continues to go well with no new problems arising.
See ya later.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
It's been a while.
I closed shop on my personal blog about a year ago, letting the domain name fall into world wide ether. I've missed it at times but could not bring myself to bring it back from the dead. But one day, about 2 months ago, an email came about a comment posted on my blog. "What blog?" I thought. I had forgotten all about the one I created when I went to Iraq.
So here I am knocking the sand out of its boots and knocking the dust out of the corners.
There are a couple of adventures I am currently on. One is I finally got back into the gym and am loving it. I have a couple of goals I posted over on Facebook. 1. Be able to bench press my weight by my birthday (2 weeks from now.) 2. Participate in the Great Greenbrier River Race Triathalon on April 24th in Marlington,WV.
Playing in a WSOP Satellite event at Wheeling Island Casino on MLK day is the other. Poker to me, is like professional football to others. I'm a huge fan. I'm an above amateur player, though some of my friends would argue. I follow it almost religiously. The number of outs for a given hand on a given flop pop into my head with out the need for a summons. Last year Darvin Moon won this same tournament, turning his $130 entry into $5.2 million for his second place finish. Not saying I will, but I am going to make the attempt.
Wheeling Island is running it as a deep stack tournament with no re-buys. So $130 get you 10,000 in chips with the blinds starting at 25 & 50. Rumor and the marketing people have Moon as playing once again. How great would it be to have him at the starting table sitting directly to my right. One can imagine the stories (a.k.a. lies) that would invoke.
I have other passions and vices I will ramble about here. You might here about my 1969 VW Beetle, Custom not Classic, or about my job. I apolzgize to my friends ahead of time for embrassing moments, but console yourself, people reading this will already know. They were either there witnessing the event in all it's glory or was told by Big Red, we all know how she is.
Later and God Bless...
So here I am knocking the sand out of its boots and knocking the dust out of the corners.
There are a couple of adventures I am currently on. One is I finally got back into the gym and am loving it. I have a couple of goals I posted over on Facebook. 1. Be able to bench press my weight by my birthday (2 weeks from now.) 2. Participate in the Great Greenbrier River Race Triathalon on April 24th in Marlington,WV.
Playing in a WSOP Satellite event at Wheeling Island Casino on MLK day is the other. Poker to me, is like professional football to others. I'm a huge fan. I'm an above amateur player, though some of my friends would argue. I follow it almost religiously. The number of outs for a given hand on a given flop pop into my head with out the need for a summons. Last year Darvin Moon won this same tournament, turning his $130 entry into $5.2 million for his second place finish. Not saying I will, but I am going to make the attempt.
Wheeling Island is running it as a deep stack tournament with no re-buys. So $130 get you 10,000 in chips with the blinds starting at 25 & 50. Rumor and the marketing people have Moon as playing once again. How great would it be to have him at the starting table sitting directly to my right. One can imagine the stories (a.k.a. lies) that would invoke.
I have other passions and vices I will ramble about here. You might here about my 1969 VW Beetle, Custom not Classic, or about my job. I apolzgize to my friends ahead of time for embrassing moments, but console yourself, people reading this will already know. They were either there witnessing the event in all it's glory or was told by Big Red, we all know how she is.
Later and God Bless...
Sunday, November 27, 2005
On my way home soon!
Two weeks from today I will be in Kuwait waiting on the plane home.
I need a break. Burn out is hitting me bad.
Some other things of note. I am back up to around 200 lbs. I was down to 194 but put on about 6 lbs of muscle. I normally skip lunch and go to the gym here. Bet that will change when I get home.
I have tentatively excepted a new job. I say tentative because it is all dependent on the security clearance being processed. I am told this can take quite sometime. I am really excited about the job. It is not only a promotion, but a different field of work in the IT industry. To be honest programming has lost its appeal to me; the challenge just isn't there anymore. On the down side, I will have a long commute for a while, at least until we can sell our house and find a new one.
There is a lot to do while I am at home this time. I have to take my polygraphs, visit people at the Bureau of Public Debt, see some friends, spend time with the wife and kids, and of course Christmas and New Years.
I took time in the evening to play a video game, F.E.A.R - First Encounter Assault Recon. Great game and great story line. I can't wait to be able to try the multiplayer out. I was a little disappointed with the ending though.
Big thanks to my friend, Rick, for the care package he sent. The cookies were great and the jerky was awesome. The cookies did put a dent in my meal plans. I guess I will have to put in an extra few miles this week.
Back to the job. The funny thing is I applied not thinking I would even get an interview. So next thing I knew I got an email asking to arrange a telephone interview. Now you have to understand this was for a networking postion, which is alot of my responsibility here in Iraq and includes the telephone system we use. It just happens that the day I had my interview the network was having problems due to satellite issues and coomunications with the teleport in VA. Not even halfway through I lost the connection to the states. I finally got things under control and was able to finish the interview. Later that day I was offered the job.
So when I am at home on vacation I will be doing alot of running around to finalize when I am going to come on board with my new agency and when to tell my old one goodbye. I don't know much at the moment over here beyond what I just told.
God bless,
Frank
I need a break. Burn out is hitting me bad.
Some other things of note. I am back up to around 200 lbs. I was down to 194 but put on about 6 lbs of muscle. I normally skip lunch and go to the gym here. Bet that will change when I get home.
I have tentatively excepted a new job. I say tentative because it is all dependent on the security clearance being processed. I am told this can take quite sometime. I am really excited about the job. It is not only a promotion, but a different field of work in the IT industry. To be honest programming has lost its appeal to me; the challenge just isn't there anymore. On the down side, I will have a long commute for a while, at least until we can sell our house and find a new one.
There is a lot to do while I am at home this time. I have to take my polygraphs, visit people at the Bureau of Public Debt, see some friends, spend time with the wife and kids, and of course Christmas and New Years.
I took time in the evening to play a video game, F.E.A.R - First Encounter Assault Recon. Great game and great story line. I can't wait to be able to try the multiplayer out. I was a little disappointed with the ending though.
Big thanks to my friend, Rick, for the care package he sent. The cookies were great and the jerky was awesome. The cookies did put a dent in my meal plans. I guess I will have to put in an extra few miles this week.
Back to the job. The funny thing is I applied not thinking I would even get an interview. So next thing I knew I got an email asking to arrange a telephone interview. Now you have to understand this was for a networking postion, which is alot of my responsibility here in Iraq and includes the telephone system we use. It just happens that the day I had my interview the network was having problems due to satellite issues and coomunications with the teleport in VA. Not even halfway through I lost the connection to the states. I finally got things under control and was able to finish the interview. Later that day I was offered the job.
So when I am at home on vacation I will be doing alot of running around to finalize when I am going to come on board with my new agency and when to tell my old one goodbye. I don't know much at the moment over here beyond what I just told.
God bless,
Frank
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Labor Day Run
On Labor day I did something I have not done in a really long time. I ran in a US Corp of Engineer's 5k run.
My hat off to MAJ Bill Cowling for getting the event started. Bill is a high school principal back in Missouri. He let out one email slip saying he was thinking about getting a 5K run set up on our FOB. Next think he knew is he had a banner and t-shirts. Envy him.
Anyway, I did respectable. Run time was 28:08. We are sponsor the Vetran's Day run and I hope to improve my time.
I have hit a slump in my weight loss. I can't seem to break 200lbs. The Vetrans day event will give me motivation to up my cardio training and back off the weight training.
I had someone take video and I hope to be able to get it editted and up on my website so Bill's students can see there principals and their handy work.
Later and God bless,
Frank
My hat off to MAJ Bill Cowling for getting the event started. Bill is a high school principal back in Missouri. He let out one email slip saying he was thinking about getting a 5K run set up on our FOB. Next think he knew is he had a banner and t-shirts. Envy him.
Anyway, I did respectable. Run time was 28:08. We are sponsor the Vetran's Day run and I hope to improve my time.
I have hit a slump in my weight loss. I can't seem to break 200lbs. The Vetrans day event will give me motivation to up my cardio training and back off the weight training.
I had someone take video and I hope to be able to get it editted and up on my website so Bill's students can see there principals and their handy work.
Later and God bless,
Frank
Monday, August 22, 2005
115 Degrees Refreshingly Cool!!!!
This goes down to the subject "You know you have been in Iraq to long when...".
I just walk out of the gym. Usually go at noon instead of lunch. I walked out and thought to myself "It is a rather cool pleasnat day!" Then I heard on Armed Forces Radio, Mosul current temperature was 115.
Yeah, I think I have been in Iraq too long.
Things have been busy for me here. Currently I am the GRN Information Management Officer. I have been busy managing personnel and resources.
Also been busy applying for jobs outside of the Public Debt. Don't get me wrong I love working there, but I think I have out grown the job and there is no chance for me to advance. I really like what I am doing here, but it is beginning to take a toll on my family.
Oh by the way, I am now down 65 pounds, just above 200. I have lost over 6 inches on my waist.
God bless,
Frank
I just walk out of the gym. Usually go at noon instead of lunch. I walked out and thought to myself "It is a rather cool pleasnat day!" Then I heard on Armed Forces Radio, Mosul current temperature was 115.
Yeah, I think I have been in Iraq too long.
Things have been busy for me here. Currently I am the GRN Information Management Officer. I have been busy managing personnel and resources.
Also been busy applying for jobs outside of the Public Debt. Don't get me wrong I love working there, but I think I have out grown the job and there is no chance for me to advance. I really like what I am doing here, but it is beginning to take a toll on my family.
Oh by the way, I am now down 65 pounds, just above 200. I have lost over 6 inches on my waist.
God bless,
Frank
Thursday, May 26, 2005
On my way - "Home sweet home"
Time is close. I will be stopping in Las Vegas for CCNA training. I feel your sympathy from here. I will be either flying or in airports for over 28 hours, yet still land on the same day I leave.
Well I made it to one of my goals. I've lost a total of 50 lbs since a have been here. I can bench press my weight and on the Hammer bench press I can do 300+. Still think you will catch up, Rickster! More than welcome to try. I have now become the poster child for going to the gym at the office.
It has been rather exciting here the last few weeks. We have gotten mortarred a few times. Once when I was away traveling, a mortar hit our parking lot and busted the glass and flattened the tires on all four vehicles we had at the time. I will catch hell over this, because I have kept it from my wife and mother so they would not worry as much.
It is starting to get hot here. It is nothing for the temperature to be 100+, but it is a dry heat. Everyday during lunch time a job to the gym and my lips are starting to crack by the time a get there. The moisture just gets sucked out of everything. So when I get back at the end of June things should be really hot.
Hated to heear that my favorite gaming group is now defunct. LanXtreme you will be missed. I plan on holding a small LAN party when I make it home this coming winter. You guys might stand a chance.
Well I made it to one of my goals. I've lost a total of 50 lbs since a have been here. I can bench press my weight and on the Hammer bench press I can do 300+. Still think you will catch up, Rickster! More than welcome to try. I have now become the poster child for going to the gym at the office.
It has been rather exciting here the last few weeks. We have gotten mortarred a few times. Once when I was away traveling, a mortar hit our parking lot and busted the glass and flattened the tires on all four vehicles we had at the time. I will catch hell over this, because I have kept it from my wife and mother so they would not worry as much.
It is starting to get hot here. It is nothing for the temperature to be 100+, but it is a dry heat. Everyday during lunch time a job to the gym and my lips are starting to crack by the time a get there. The moisture just gets sucked out of everything. So when I get back at the end of June things should be really hot.
Hated to heear that my favorite gaming group is now defunct. LanXtreme you will be missed. I plan on holding a small LAN party when I make it home this coming winter. You guys might stand a chance.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Update
Sorry all!
The USACE office here has just finished a move and it kind of put the hammer to me for a while.
You might remember this pic. It is of me on Jan. 16th, 2005.
This is me today. Forty pounds lighter and four inches in waist less.
I am working hard to suprise the inspiration of my life, my B E A Utiful wife Julie. I love you, baby.
So, as I was saying we moved. We orginally occupied a small area on the the second floor of a three story palace. The one below, in fact.
This is our new place. Smaller and nicer is a cozy sort of way. Only one story, but we have it all to ourselves.
Oh yeah, this is me working.
It was hot inside and cool outside. This was me dimantling the server so we could get the steel server rack down the stairs. Took eight grown men to get it down the marble staircase.
You can reach me with comments and questions at frank.wolfe@gmail.com .
Later and god bless,
Frank
The USACE office here has just finished a move and it kind of put the hammer to me for a while.
You might remember this pic. It is of me on Jan. 16th, 2005.
This is me today. Forty pounds lighter and four inches in waist less.
I am working hard to suprise the inspiration of my life, my B E A Utiful wife Julie. I love you, baby.
So, as I was saying we moved. We orginally occupied a small area on the the second floor of a three story palace. The one below, in fact.
This is our new place. Smaller and nicer is a cozy sort of way. Only one story, but we have it all to ourselves.
Oh yeah, this is me working.
It was hot inside and cool outside. This was me dimantling the server so we could get the steel server rack down the stairs. Took eight grown men to get it down the marble staircase.
You can reach me with comments and questions at frank.wolfe@gmail.com .
Later and god bless,
Frank
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