A new week, being on-call

Being on-call has never bothered me very much. I suspect there are two reasons for that- first I am confident in my ability to rise to a challenge and second I am quite happy just reading a book. These two qualities help me overcome two common anxieties with being on-call. I am not worried about being stranded from my coworkers and having to solve a problem personally. Staying at home isn't a hardship for me. I like to catch-up on my reading, etc.

The downside of being on-call is it increasing Nicole's Apartment Fever(like Cabin Fever but more apartment-y). Nicole quit her job a several weeks ago due to working rarely and then only on evening shifts and ever since then she rarely goes out. She doesn't like to go many places alone and she knows few people here. So she waits for me and we usually go out at least a couple of times a week. But the one week a month I am on call she gets even more stir-crazy then normal. (The regular crazy is present at the regular level. Its the good kind of crazy.)

The other thing of note is this is my month of fasting from Basketball. Now that the Olympics have ended I have almost a month until the Utah Jazz training camp. It is enough to drive a man mad. Well at least crazy enough to watch extra chick flicks with your significant other.

I have completed almost a full month on the Wii Fit program. Unfortunately I have gained some weight. The aerobic options for the Wii Fit aren't nearly intense enough to fit my eating habits. But on the bright side my hips now move almost independently from my shoulders. The Yoga part of the Wii Fit is slow helping me gain strength and flexibility in all my neglected areas.

And for everyone worried about Hurricane Gustav- it is hitting so far East of Houston I expect will only get a rainstorm and some evacuees.

Oh the only other interesting thing I have seen recently was a NOVA espisode on EpiGenetics- how enviroment effects turn on/off genes. It was very interesting. EpiGenetics appear to be at the source of some cancers- markers for diabetes through 3 or 4 generations or exposure to pesticides. EpiGenetic treatments also appear to be a possible source to send some cancers into remission.

Until next time I bid you Adieu.

Kemah, More Wii Fit

Nicole and had a fun trip to Kemah. Kemah is a small tourist attraction on the Gulf of Mexico with restaurants, a few rides and stingray petting zoo. Nicole's favorite was the petting zoo. My was ride called the Pharaoh's something or other. It is like Lagoon's Tidal Wave: it rotates around a pole like giant swing. Giving you a little bit of weightless and straight look down. I couldn't stop laughing at Nicole. She was shrieking at this little ride and clutching my arm and side hard enough to leave a mark. I am now unsure how Nicole will do at Six Flags. You should see Nicole's blog for pictures. (To be added soon.)

Oh and the Boardwalk Bullet- a modern Wooden Roller Coaster- was the roughest, fastest and the least fun roller I have ever been on. It was a lot like I would imagine going into orbit would feel like, if you were launching through a tornado. It was significantly faster then the Colossus at Lagoon and each turn slammed you side to side in the car. Nicole sat to my right and her head hit my shoulder 3 times. In a way I glad that it worked out that way. Hitting my shoulder was probably better the hitting the hard plastic of the rollercoaster-car. Anyway don't go ride this coaster. Instead spend more time petting the stingrays. I am sure Nicole will expand on this experience. Anyway it was a lot of fun.

More on the Wii Fit:
I am still doing at and I am nearing a month of use. Overall my body tone has improved. Also my flexibility in my hips, lower back and calves has improved. So I would recommend it to anyone as a bridge from not exercising to have a physical base. Once you have developed your body it is easy to branch out to other things because it isn't such a big shock.

Beard update: I think the beard is dead for the time being.

Beard/No Beard and Wii Fit

Over the last two weeks not that much has happened. I did grow a beard twice. I like the way it looks but it only lasts for about a week and a half. It takes that long to start itching. And I can only stand about two days of itching. And once I shave I just stop thinking, "Man, my jaw looks weak."


The only other thing of note is using the Wii Fit for two weeks. I have to to say I like it. I think my lower back, hips and calves are little stronger and more flexible. So I don't know that I have lot more to say.