Scott cycles…

It’s that time of year again

By now – my 3 blog fans have figured out that sometime in the winter (or spring) I get may big arse in gear.  I get angry about my weight gain from last year and go on the offensive.  This leads to a lot of posts about weight loss, progress, training, etc…. well.  It’s that time of year again!

The good news is – much like last year, I’m not starting off as heavy as I did the year before.  Additionally – I didn’t have the month long back injury in 2009 that I did in 2008.  I’m feeling a little bit better than I did last year after my first workout.  Part of that is less weight, part of that may be my MaxFit stuff I did not that long ago.  Regardless – I’m doing better and am lighter.

The first thing I need to do is lose weight, the second thing I need to do is get ready for my assault on the Peachtree Roadrace.  I’m in!  My goal for the year is to break an hour.  I ran for the first time yesterday and I plan on running all they way until July 4th.  Will I?  Who knows.  There are some other factors in life, like my addiction to 2 wheeled speed, that may affect my funky strided running career – but the goal exists and I plan on achieving it!

Many of you watch the Biggest Loser.  You know those little things they all wear on their arms? They are called the “BodyBugg”.  They track your caloric burn for the day.  That coupled with accurate caloric tracking can help somebody to figure out how many calories they NEED, how many they over ate or under ate.  I got a great deal on one (Costco – $179 w/1 year online access which is $20 cheaper and 6 months longer than other places).  I’m going to give it a try and see how it works.  I’m pretty excited.  It will show me how many calories per minutes I am burning all day long.  I don’t have the wrist watch option, so I just have to download later.

First public weigh in – 2/5/2010 – See you there!

A new beginning

As with every new year, we all have a new beginning.  In many ways, it’s just another day, in others – it’s a new year.  A chance to “start over” a chance to do things a little but different than we have in the past.  For me – it’s a bit more of a new beginning this year.  As most of you know – tomorrow I start a new job.  It’s exciting.  It’s new. It’s scary.  It’s weird.  I don’t know where I “sit”.  I don’t know any of my co-workers.  I have to learn new names, learn new systems, get on top of my game as fast as possible.  I have to learn who is the chatty cathy – who is the smart guy, who doesn’t talk, who come in early, who comes in late… I have to re-prove myself.  One side of me loves the challenge – the other wonders what it will take.  All of this stuff is rushing through my head – it’s crazy!

Tomorrow starts with an orientation then off to the new job.  It will be different, that is for sure!  I will get to go past my old building twice.  I think I will call Mowgli and test the phenomenon!

Sirius XM – you just cost yourself money – #FAIL

Sirius and XM – while being the same company, are operating completely separate from each other.  This is REALLY stupid and will, in my opinion end up costing them much money.

They now offer a cool product (I wont name it, as I don’t want google to think I said anything nice about it) but it allows you to use an iPhone or an iPod touch to control your Satellite radio.  Nice!  I would LOVE this for my car.  But here is the problem… I have a Sirius subscription – 1 lifetime, one monthly.  I could use XM or Sirius and be fine.  I don’t much care.  The thing is – with additional radios – on an existing plan, they are 1/2 price.  In order to use this XM device, I have to pony up double the money.  #FAIL!  You guys are in fact the same company.  Combine systems and get it over with.

On top of all of that – after speaking to representatives from both companies on the phone, I am certain their phone support is off shore.  It *ALMOST* makes me want to cancel my subscription – but … I do enjoy the music and lack of commercials.

This is public… forever!

Through the years, I have posted many things on the internet.  I’ve never posted anything on “internets”… there is only one internet.  (Sorry, i’ve been seeing even technical people use “the internets” lately, its incorrect.  There are intranets… but only one internet…. we digress!)  Over the years, I’ve vented, expressed great discontent with various products, services, people, situations and other oddities in life.  As a matter of fact, sometimes I don’t even recall exactly what I wrote.  I do sometimes us a personal filter and not post things I think might come back to “haunt me”.  This week, I realized how important that can be!

I was in the middle of a phone interview with a potential employer when an interesting question came up – “Why should this guy win a Darwin award?”  I was confused – and asked for some more information.  ”Could you give me a little more context on that question?”  There is a picture on your website – you asked if he should win a Darwin award.  Wow – ok – what did I write?  Thankfully, I do apply my personal filter to my blog – so I wasn’t too scared – but what is out there?

Well – I’ve scanned back almost a year, looking at the things I have written.  I don’t see anything I’m ashamed of.  The thing is – it’s right out there – on a daily basis.  Anybody can find it.  I’ve made sure I never complain about my customers at work, I’ve made sure I didn’t use profanity (well, excess profanity), I’ve kept it focussed on experiences in my life – and for that I was grateful.

Back in the day, if you did something – people might write a book about it and if somebody read the book – they might realize it was YOU!  Today – if you do something – and somebody writes about it, posts a picture, blogs, tweets are electronically stored and linked in so many places it will probably just about blow your mind!

You will not be “forgotten”….  While I didn’t get hurt by my actions – as I’ve done nothing wrong, they have been reviewed by people – I know this for fact!

Please do this for me! Please!

Well, not really for me, but for Track Cycling.  Please stop what the UCI and the IOC are doing to the sport I know and love.  While I don’t really fancy the individual pursuit, it is perhaps the most PURE endurance challenge in all of cycling.  I ask you – even if you don’t understand – PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/keepindividualpursuit/index.html

If you are fearful of signing this because you don’t understand – Contact me!  I will gladly explain it all to you.

This means a lot to me, and a lot to many people I know.

It only takes a second.  After you sign the petition – you will be asked to donate money – YOU DO NOT HAVE TO! That is something else – not required for the petition!

PLEASE!

Future Darwin Award winner?

I was driving to work today, on a long straight road (Windy Hill).  There were no cars near me when I saw this … I had to take a picture.  I fought with the morale dilema and decided I could do it safely as there was only one MUCH larger vehicle near by.

Darwin Award Candidate

I guess there were too many people in the truck cab? so he thought “I’ll just ride back here”…. doesn’t seem so safe to me!  We were doing about 50 at the point I took this picture!

Unsolicited Product Endorsement: Bounce Dryer Bar

You know, I complain about a lot of stuff – and I’m not always pointing out things I like.  Well, I have something I like… the Bounce Dryer Bar.

If you do laundry – and you use dryer sheets, you know how those stupid things show up in the strangest place.  On the floor, the bed, in your pant leg, in your bag…. they are annoying.  They work great, but they are cumbersome.

The folks at Bounce have come up with the “Dryer Bar”  (http://www.bounceeverywhere.com).  This thing sticks in your dryer and works as well as any sheet you have ever used.  I know some people don’t like to use dryer sheets on their towels – it pops out quite easily.

Bounce gave me nothing, this is just me – now the fed won’t be probing me – but try it out, I think you will like it.

Dear Google – this is going to be a problem!

Not good - for a web browser!

Several Updates…

The job search is going well.  I have an interview today.  As with any interview, you never really know if it’s the right job, if it’s a good fit, if you will rock the interview, if you will stutter and blunder … Just go in positive and do what you can.  I have to say thank you to all that have grabbed my resume and started networking for me.  The more people that see it, the better chances that I will find a job that will help to improve my life!  I’m quite excited about the future.

Mom commented that I have been slacking on my MaxFit updates – it is going really well.  It’s hard, but after a week, the stiffness and general soreness has faded.  You are sore and stiff, but some light stretching helps a lot.  I did mess a day, but in a short while I will go do my first workout of the day, making up for that.  Tonight I will be back on track.  I do hope they make this plan available to the public.  The short nature makes it a VERY do-able plan.

Finally, I have to share an experience I had last night.  I went to the “Street Reach” program with our church.  I helped to hand out a bunch of coats and stuff and hung out for a while afterwards.  I even had the opportunity to fix a man’s bicycle!  Well – at the “end of the evening prayer”, I was holding a man’s hand.  The guy leading the prayer said “Let us pray that people in need find the jobs they need to improve their lives”.  I felt thankful for that, but the next thing really changed my attitude.  The guy squeezed my hand and said “that’s what I need the most, I need a job”.  Suddenly my situation was not 1/10th as bad as I thought it was.  I have a home, a family, a job, a car, food, clothes… I am thankful for all that I have, today.  I hope that I can maintain the “attitude of gratitude” I used to hear about and talk about in AA and stuff.  Helping people in need if far more gratifying than helping bike racers… I can promise you that!

Currently Seeking New Employment

As I am sure you are aware, my employment has been terminated with my current employer, effective 1/31/2010.  I’m now in search of a new job.  I’m posting my resume here in an effort to help get it in the hands of people that can help.  If you need an updated copy, need changes or anything, please do not hesitate to contact me.  You can reach me via email – scott@scottpatton.com.

My Resume