tumbledry

Amazing retouching work

Amazing retouching work - The pictures of the people and the shoe are stunning examples of how much Photoshop can be used to retouch a picture.

Nada Surf

Nada Surf

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Torchlight 2006

At the starting line to the Life Time Fitness Torchlight 5k yesterday, I looked down at my race number and noticed a coupon at the end of the race for a free Michelob Ultra low calorie look at how we can appeal to the exercising crowd and isn’t it amazing how little flavor there is in this beer. Recalling how I had felt at the end of the race last year (not too hot), I turned to the guy next to me and asked, “How could anyone want beer after a run?” I guess I assumed that those standing at the front of a crowd of 2500 runners would not be the type to pound back beer after a run. Instead, he said absolutely nothing and stared through my head as if it wasn’t there. To Mr. In The Race Zone, I say: thanks for making the beginning of my race memorable. “Screw talking to people,” I thought, feeling the tension in everyone around me rise as the starting horn was lifted into the air.

The logo for the 2006 LifeTime Fitness Torchlight run, a picture taken on the t-shirt I received at the end of the run.

Adrenaline is an interesting phenomenon: it can have amazing effects on the human body, but has to be pretty powerful to overcome normal physiological limitations. For example, if the crowd I was in was running from a herd of bulls, nobody would get tired - they would be running for their life. However, in a race situation, the adrenaline boost from the anticipation of the start wears off in the first 200 yards. Then your running gets down to brass tacks - your training either buoys you above the surface of exhaustion or pulls you down into the turbulent waters of hyperventilation, muscle cramps, and etcetera.

During the run, I realized some important things about my running style: I’m more efficient going uphill than down. That said, it’s rather discouraging to pass someone up a hill, and then have them tumble past you on the way down. Strange. I finished with a time of 18 minutes, 39 seconds. This, according to Google Calculator, is a 6.00 minute mile pace. I think this is about a three minute improvement from last year. I’d love to improve another three minutes between now and next year.

Here’s to a good race.

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One of my favorite pictures ever

One of my favorite pictures ever - Perfect composition, execution, artistic vision, and so on.

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Chemistry is Fun

Chemistry is Fun

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George

George

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Perfect iPod Accessory

Perfect iPod Accessory - This great gadget features a gramophone-type appearance, but it plays your iPod’s music and incorporates a touch screen album art display. Exquisite.

Yan Yan

Yan Yan

The strangest phrases on this snack food - found in the ethnic section of Cub Foods.

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My Rings

My Rings

Taken in the research lab - you can never wear rings or jewlery while doing chemistry, they simply get in the way.

Transient

Transient

The flowers in the small front gardens outside of Selby were in perfect bloom, but with this heat, their beauty only lasted a day or two.

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