Weekly Workout Rewind - 12/17/2006

I forgot to keep track of my workouts last week. It was a quiet week at work until Wednesday, when I worked late both Wednesday and Thursday, so I missed a couple of workouts. Last week was also week 2 of not being able to work my upper body due to my doctor's recommendation for my biceps tendonitis. I did manage 3 cardio sessions, used weights on my legs once, and worked my abs twice. Diet wise, it was a bad week. My neighbor gave me a bunch of homemade cookies. At work, I attended three different luncheons. I spent the weekend at my mother's house through Christmas, and of course, lots of food, main courses, and desserts. I am back in my house till Friday, so I can complete some cardio, and eat a little healthier. I have not attempted to step on my bodyweight scale simply because I know the readings will be bad. Later kidz.

Merry Christmas to All Bloggers

Merry Christmas to all Bloggers!

Happy Birthday Keifer Sutherland

Happy Birthday to Keifer Sutherland! The star of Fox's TV Show '24' is 40 years old today. 24 is my absolute favorite TV show. This weekend, I bought Season 5 of 24 on DVD from Circuit City for about $35. For a new release, it was a good price. The first thing I watched was the Season 6 Prequel. It was sponsored by Toyota and it featured the new RAV4 as a getaway vehicle. I was a little disappointed with the Season 6 Prequel, maybe the commercialization had something to do with it. Here are just a few reasons why I like 24:

• Great storylines


• Superb acting


• It is addictive


• The plot twists make it very suspenseful


• Someone gets interrogated by Jack in his own special way


• Jack gets interrogated by the bad guys


• Jack is a tough guy, but a smart, resourceful tough guy


• A main character is guaranteed to get knocked off at some point in the season, but you never know who


• The female characters are babes

The 2 hour season premiere of Season 6 of 24 is January 14th at 8:00PM on Fox TV. Mark your calendars.

Weekly Workout Rewind - 12/10/2006

I only completed 2 cardio sessions, and spent Saturday washing and waxing my car. After receiving a diagnosis of biceps tendonitis from my doctor earlier in the week, I was told not to work out my upper body for 3 weeks. One week down, 2 weeks left. It seems like an eternity. Since I can not work my upper body, I have been trying to find creative ways to mix up my workouts for my legs only. I can not use my Nordic Track ski machine, so I can only use my exercise bike for cardio. To break up the boredom from riding my exercise bike, I work my abs between two shortened cardio sessions. You could say I cheated on Saturday by washing and waxing my car. I used my arms for pushing and pulling movements. Oh well, that's all for now.

Balsillie Bails on Penguins

Mr. Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company based in Waterloo, Ontario, that makes and markets the popular wireless Blackberry devices, withdrew his offer to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. An article in the Post Gazette states that sources believe Balsillie would not agree with the NHL on a last minute consent agreement to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh regardless of the arena situation.

If Balsillie had no intention of keeping the Penguins in Pittsburgh, I am glad that he withdrew his bid. The Gaming Commission will make a decision on December 20 on who will be awarded the slots license. In my opinion, the Isle of Capri plan is the best. No cost to the taxpayers and no cost to the Penguins.

I have been following the Penguins this year, and it would be a shame to see this young, promising team go to another city.

Biceps Tendonitis

I went to an orthopaedic surgeon today to check on my biceps injury. Good news - it is not a biceps tendon rupture. Bad news - I have biceps tendonitis and the doctor told me not to work out my upper body for 3 weeks. A rupture would have meant surgery, physical rehab, etc. so I am happy I will only be out of commission for 3 weeks. I will still be able to work out my legs and concentrate on my cardio sessions.

An Occupational Therapist made a custom arm/elbow split for me. I need to wear it at night when I sleep and during the day as needed. When I wear the splint, I feel like I am 3CPO from Star Wars because my forearm and upperarm are held in place at a specific angle. The Occupational Therapist was cute, friendly, had a pleasant personality, and expressed genuine concern for my well being. She put some sunshine in my cloudy day. I am still bummed out about not being able to work out my upper body. I will need to reduce my calorie intake and watch my diet more carefully for the next 3 weeks.

Later Kids!

Test 2

I am just testing my site feeds. OK on Butlerbloggers, does not seem to be working on Pghbloggers.

Weekly Review - 12/3/2003

I was out of town last week from Sunday to Thursday, so I only worked out two days - Friday and Saturday. I did a stupid thing on Friday. I decided to work my biceps and I over did it. I did a bunch of barbell preacher curls and dumbbell hammer curls. Saturday my left bicep was a little sore. I am right handed, so my left arm is weaker than my right arm, so I knew it would be sore. I woke up early Sunday AM, and my left arm was in pain, yes pain. I could not lift all the blankets off of my body with my left arm. Hopefully, it is not too serious and will heal up with some rest. I have to keep in mind that I am no longer in my 30's, my body can not take as much wear and tear as it used to.

A+ and MCSE Certifications

I passed my A+ Core Operating System Exam on Thursday. Since I passed the hardware A+ exam last year, I am now officially A+ certified. Unlike Microsoft’s certifications, CompTIA’s A+ certification does not expire.

Speaking of Microsoft Certifications, I did pass all of the required exams for Windows NT 4.0, so I am a certified MCSE for Windows NT 4.0. For the Windows 2000 MCSE track, I have one more exam to pass to become certified in Windows 2000.

Why is it taking me so long to complete the MCSE Windows 2000 Certification? My life has changed from 4 and 1 / 2 years ago when I lived in Central PA. These may sound like excuses, but here is my list:

1. Back then, I had a small 2 bedroom house which was easy to maintain. Now I have a 3 bedroom house on a cul-de-sac with a garage and a finished basement. I spend more time maintaining my current house than my old one, so I have less time.

2. My drive time to work used to be 15 minutes in Central PA, now my drive time is over 30 minutes. Again, less time.

3. When the Windows NT exams were still active, I worked with 3 other people who received their MCSE’s in NT 4.0 at the same time. It became a competition rather than a goal to achieve. For the three people, my company paid for an external vendor for classroom instruction. There was no more money left for training, so I decided to study on my own time and I was able to earn my MCSE in NT 4.0 by myself. This did not please my former supervisor. He downplayed my achievement because I made him look bad.

Two of those people are no longer with my company – which downsized and kept the best PC technical support people. The NT 4.0 exams were fairly easy and those two former co-workers where what many referred to as “Paper MCSE’s”. They were able to memorize answers to test questions but were in reality very bad PC technical support people.

The competition is not there anymore. I do not have to prove myself in front of my co-workers.

4. I question the usefulness of having an MCSE certification now. Do companies place any value in it these days?

Every winter, I catch a bug to pick up the books again and complete my MCSE in Windows 2000. Time will tell if I decide to do it.

Weekly Review - 11/26/2006

I completed 5 cardio sessions this week and 3 weight lifting sessions. I worked every body part except my biceps and triceps. A good week. I will be out of town next week taking a class/exam for the Operating System portion of the A Plus Certification . Last year, I passed the Hardware Exam. The format of the A Plus exam is changing 1/1/2007, meaning I would have to take the tests all over again. My supervisor was able to get approval for the class/exam. I will have to study at night, so I do not know how much time I will have to work out.