Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My wallet hurts
Guess who paid $4.279/gallon for gas on Sunday?
ME!! YAAAAAAY!!!!!
Granted, it was at a rest stop, where they gouge you in both eyes, then Rickroll you into submission. But still, it hurts to see the tiller go past $60. Oh, and we had to fill up twice this weekend, because of our trip to jenkintown.
My car still gets pretty great mileage, but if I still had my commute, I'd be a lot more depressed about this. Think about it: I was filling up almost every week, at about 14 gallons a fill-up. That's roughly $60/week, or $240/month. That's a car payment for a lot of people.
Which makes me feel bad for the people who have to drive that much. Kind of. Only some of them. The ones lone-piloting Tahoes in stop-and-go traffic can blow.
But the average Accord driver, who can't be getting any better mileage than the 32 I've been averaging on the highway is getting F'd in the A, and doesn't deserve it.
I can't even begin to list all the blame-worthy parties, from the administration to the car manufacturers and marketers, to the morons who bought giant cars with the belief that something that weighs 5000 lbs and has a high center of gravity is somehow safer.
All I can do is keep walking to work, and when it's time to upgrade cars, seriously consider something like the upcoming Jetta TDI. Diesel. It's what's for dinner.
Lame. Sorry.
ME!! YAAAAAAY!!!!!
Granted, it was at a rest stop, where they gouge you in both eyes, then Rickroll you into submission. But still, it hurts to see the tiller go past $60. Oh, and we had to fill up twice this weekend, because of our trip to jenkintown.
My car still gets pretty great mileage, but if I still had my commute, I'd be a lot more depressed about this. Think about it: I was filling up almost every week, at about 14 gallons a fill-up. That's roughly $60/week, or $240/month. That's a car payment for a lot of people.
Which makes me feel bad for the people who have to drive that much. Kind of. Only some of them. The ones lone-piloting Tahoes in stop-and-go traffic can blow.
But the average Accord driver, who can't be getting any better mileage than the 32 I've been averaging on the highway is getting F'd in the A, and doesn't deserve it.
I can't even begin to list all the blame-worthy parties, from the administration to the car manufacturers and marketers, to the morons who bought giant cars with the belief that something that weighs 5000 lbs and has a high center of gravity is somehow safer.
All I can do is keep walking to work, and when it's time to upgrade cars, seriously consider something like the upcoming Jetta TDI. Diesel. It's what's for dinner.
Lame. Sorry.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Just in Case
Kim E's Bachelor party is this weekend, and we're starting off at Classic Pistol in Southampton, PA, where we'll be firing off several hundred rounds from some automatic rifle I've never heard of outside of MSNBC and rap songs.
So, in case I go blowing off my hands, I just wanted to type to you all that I'll miss all the witty observations you never leave in my comments section.
tyuw 8
See that above? That's what happens when I try to type with my nose.
So, in case I go blowing off my hands, I just wanted to type to you all that I'll miss all the witty observations you never leave in my comments section.
tyuw 8
See that above? That's what happens when I try to type with my nose.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Boston Randoms
Hold on, NYC, I’ll be there in less than 12 hours. Now be nice and hold off on that rain. I’ll be giving the TomTom navigation system Vinnie lent me another try, but something tells me I’ll be leaving it there with him. Who can trust a nav system that doesn’t tell you what street to turn on? “Turn right in 300 yards” doesn’t help when there’s no grid system, TomTom! Plus, the lack of a QWERTY keyboard—in its place, an ABCDEF keyboard—is excruciating. I hope I don’t end up in Vermont.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Manhattan tomorrow. This is the first of hopefully many times I will drive, bus, or train it down to see friends and family over the weekend, and a big change from having to fly every time, as we did while we lived in Chicago. I’m not going to miss O’Hare. And when you consider that the drive (approx. 3.5 hours) takes about as long as it does to fly (when you factor in the trips to and from the airport and through security, never mind the inevitable delay), it makes it that much sweeter. Sure, I’ll miss getting my regular airport copy of the New Yorker, but I’ll make up for it with podcasts.
It was 67 degrees yesterday, and a bunch of us had a nice walk from work down to the Sheraton for a town hall meeting (and open bar) to celebrate the acquisition of our little company by a much larger one. A lot of people are happy because their stock options are immediately vested, and will be cashed out at about 60% more than they would be if they had been cashed out a week ago (and possibly in a couple of years). I’m one of those happy people. Not as happy as some—some people are making tens of thousands on this deal, to be sure. But still, I got in to the company at a good time.
So, after a glass (or two) of wine, I walked around outside for a while, and Mrs. W and I sat outside on our patio and had dinner. It was the fourth or fifth dinner we’ve had that has been made up at least partially of leftover food from work (and at least the fourth free lunch I’ve had in four weeks) … it’s a little surprising, all the food they give out here (and that is eventually horded), but if it saves money and keeps food from going to waste, I’m all for it. It also tells me the company has the budget for it, which can’t be bad.
In the meantime, Boston’s great. We can walk pretty much anywhere, which means we’ll probably be going down to one car pretty soon. The restaurants are fantastic, the neighborhood is clean enough, and there are lots of little surprises everywhere—like a random cemetery with gravestones dated 1630. Work is challenging, but not too stressful. It’s pretty much what I need, and—probably more importantly--the group is really great. Four of us went out and did a pub quiz Tuesday night, and while we placed soundly in the middle, it was a lot of fun to be with a group of people I worked with and whose company I happened to enjoy. Maybe next time we’ll pick a pub that isn’t practically on MIT’s campus. Maybe we should go up the street to … oh, right, Harvard. Huh, maybe there’s a place in Southie we can crash.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in Manhattan tomorrow. This is the first of hopefully many times I will drive, bus, or train it down to see friends and family over the weekend, and a big change from having to fly every time, as we did while we lived in Chicago. I’m not going to miss O’Hare. And when you consider that the drive (approx. 3.5 hours) takes about as long as it does to fly (when you factor in the trips to and from the airport and through security, never mind the inevitable delay), it makes it that much sweeter. Sure, I’ll miss getting my regular airport copy of the New Yorker, but I’ll make up for it with podcasts.
It was 67 degrees yesterday, and a bunch of us had a nice walk from work down to the Sheraton for a town hall meeting (and open bar) to celebrate the acquisition of our little company by a much larger one. A lot of people are happy because their stock options are immediately vested, and will be cashed out at about 60% more than they would be if they had been cashed out a week ago (and possibly in a couple of years). I’m one of those happy people. Not as happy as some—some people are making tens of thousands on this deal, to be sure. But still, I got in to the company at a good time.
So, after a glass (or two) of wine, I walked around outside for a while, and Mrs. W and I sat outside on our patio and had dinner. It was the fourth or fifth dinner we’ve had that has been made up at least partially of leftover food from work (and at least the fourth free lunch I’ve had in four weeks) … it’s a little surprising, all the food they give out here (and that is eventually horded), but if it saves money and keeps food from going to waste, I’m all for it. It also tells me the company has the budget for it, which can’t be bad.
In the meantime, Boston’s great. We can walk pretty much anywhere, which means we’ll probably be going down to one car pretty soon. The restaurants are fantastic, the neighborhood is clean enough, and there are lots of little surprises everywhere—like a random cemetery with gravestones dated 1630. Work is challenging, but not too stressful. It’s pretty much what I need, and—probably more importantly--the group is really great. Four of us went out and did a pub quiz Tuesday night, and while we placed soundly in the middle, it was a lot of fun to be with a group of people I worked with and whose company I happened to enjoy. Maybe next time we’ll pick a pub that isn’t practically on MIT’s campus. Maybe we should go up the street to … oh, right, Harvard. Huh, maybe there’s a place in Southie we can crash.
Sitting
When contemplating my aging body, I get kind of hard on myself. I’m not in the shape I was 3 years ago, despite keeping up a half-decent exercise regimen, eating relatively healthy meals, not smoking, etc. With a little dose of rationality, it occurred to me that, while I certainly need to exercise more (and with better quality), snack less, etc., the major underlying problem is simpler: I’ve spent a great portion of nearly the last three years sitting. Just sitting.
Focusing solely on my work days, let’s do some math:
Figure I sat for 85% of my work day. That’s probably underestimating, but the results are harrowing enough, so let’s stick with that. With only two weeks off during the year, let’s take 85% of 40 hours per week, and multiply it by 50 weeks. That’s 1700 hours. Divide by 24 hours in a day, and I sat at my desk for 70.83 days per year. Let’s call it 71.
As I calculated in an older post, my driving commute also swallowed up 27 days out of the year. So there’s another month of sitting.
So, adding the time in a given year I spent sitting at my desk (71 work days) with the amount of time spent sitting in my car (27 work days), we get 98 work days of the year spent sitting. Just sitting.
I worked at the Old Company for 2.6 years. That’s 585 work days. (I worked 80 hours in 9 days, which means I didn’t drive or work on the 10th day. I’m not counting the occasional weekend or 18-hour day, nor am I counting the time I spent driving Mrs. W to work on my days off.) 98 work days/year x 2.6 years = 254.8 work days of sitting. Let’s call it 255.
In other words, of those 585 work days, 255 of them were spent sitting. That’s roughly 44% of every work day at my desk or in the car. Considering what I’m leaving out, 44% is an extraordinarily conservative estimate of the time I spent on my kiester on a given day.
Sure, I offset a good deal of this by running the occasional 5k, or biking and walking downtown when I could, etc. But it all adds up, especially when you’re over 30.
There is some positive news, though. With my current job, I have three weeks off, plus a holiday shutdown. Not counting state and federal holidays, that means I’ll be working closer to 240 days out of the year (I’m back on a regular 5 day per week schedule, for 48 weeks in a year). Which means less time perched at my desk. I also have a 2-mile walk now, instead of a 35-mile drive, which means that not only does my commute take a paltry hour round-trip (which only takes a total of 10 days out of the year), but that that commute is spent outside, walking, instead of sitting. Add a gym that’s a 5-minute walk away (as opposed to a drive), and we’re well on our way.
Focusing solely on my work days, let’s do some math:
Figure I sat for 85% of my work day. That’s probably underestimating, but the results are harrowing enough, so let’s stick with that. With only two weeks off during the year, let’s take 85% of 40 hours per week, and multiply it by 50 weeks. That’s 1700 hours. Divide by 24 hours in a day, and I sat at my desk for 70.83 days per year. Let’s call it 71.
As I calculated in an older post, my driving commute also swallowed up 27 days out of the year. So there’s another month of sitting.
So, adding the time in a given year I spent sitting at my desk (71 work days) with the amount of time spent sitting in my car (27 work days), we get 98 work days of the year spent sitting. Just sitting.
I worked at the Old Company for 2.6 years. That’s 585 work days. (I worked 80 hours in 9 days, which means I didn’t drive or work on the 10th day. I’m not counting the occasional weekend or 18-hour day, nor am I counting the time I spent driving Mrs. W to work on my days off.) 98 work days/year x 2.6 years = 254.8 work days of sitting. Let’s call it 255.
In other words, of those 585 work days, 255 of them were spent sitting. That’s roughly 44% of every work day at my desk or in the car. Considering what I’m leaving out, 44% is an extraordinarily conservative estimate of the time I spent on my kiester on a given day.
Sure, I offset a good deal of this by running the occasional 5k, or biking and walking downtown when I could, etc. But it all adds up, especially when you’re over 30.
There is some positive news, though. With my current job, I have three weeks off, plus a holiday shutdown. Not counting state and federal holidays, that means I’ll be working closer to 240 days out of the year (I’m back on a regular 5 day per week schedule, for 48 weeks in a year). Which means less time perched at my desk. I also have a 2-mile walk now, instead of a 35-mile drive, which means that not only does my commute take a paltry hour round-trip (which only takes a total of 10 days out of the year), but that that commute is spent outside, walking, instead of sitting. Add a gym that’s a 5-minute walk away (as opposed to a drive), and we’re well on our way.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
More than a feeling
Yes, you'll recognize that refrain, wailed by the recently-deceased Brad Delp of Boston. And then you'll wish me harm. I't s just my way of letting you all know that we're here and safe in Boston. The city. Well, I am. Mrs. W is driving in a blizzard in the midwest. But we're all pulling for her here at the new homestead. Lucie isn't taking to the new place as well as we are; there's a dog park a half-block away, and she's been freaking out with all the new sounds and smells. We're thinking it might be time for some more doggie zanax.
It took us 15 hours to get here-- pretty incredible, really. And we got over 32 MPG the whole way. (Which, and I apologize, is really something you talk about with people if they're as into autos as you, or if you have nothing else to add to a conversation.)
So we're here in a mostly empty apartment, sampling the local brew (see above). The news is always on, and there's nowhere to sit. The Ikea people will be here tomorrow at some point, but they're not bringing seating. Fortunately, the movers will be here Wednesday--a week or two earlier than we thought--to deliver the rest of the stuff. Maybe then, the place will stop echoing, and my feet wont hurt from standing all the time.
Speaking of feet, it's been pretty great walking to work again. I walk through MIT, which means I see some pretty weird-looking people really early in the morning. Asians, too. Lots of Asians.
The new job is very good so far. It's a complete 180 from the old place. I'm involved in highish-level decisions, it's a fun group, and it's very casual all-around. T-shirt casual, though you don't see that too often this time of year. What you do see, though, are a few faded-jean-and-running-shoe combos. Hey, no company's perfect. And did I mention it's near MIT? Anyway, it's been pretty nice. Free coffee, too.
I've been pretty holed up at home the last week, as it's gotten colder every day since I got here. But I've been getting 4 miles of walking in per day, so I don't mind hanging around at night until the weather clears. We did go for a long walk on Tuesday with the dog. We got some frozen yogurt, at a place that even has frozen yogurt for dogs. Once she figured out she could hold on to the cup with her front paw and eat it without having it slide away from her, it took her about 30 seconds to finish it.
That's all for now. I'll send pictures as soon as the place is presentable. It's good to be back east.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
