New Laptop!

Okay, so I finally did it... I ordered a new 15" MacBook Pro.  This is something I've been meaning to buy (a Mac) since OS X came out... so I'm only about 10 years late.  Back in that time when I heard OS X was going to be Unix based I got pretty excited but I think I was more turned away because I was already a committed PC gamer, not to mention I couldn't afford one at the time.

The previous laptop I purchased was a Toshiba P3 450mhz, 64MB RAM, 6GB hdd, and an 800x600 screen.  It was outlived by my Gateway 2000 P2 266mhz, 192MB RAM, 4GB hard drive, 1024x768 resolution, running OpenBSD.  Needless to say it has been a while since I've had a descent laptop.  My latest desktop was built in 2005 and is now dead.  I'll be sending my old Gateway laptop (with OpenBSD stickers) back to apple through their free recycling program.

In baby news, we have an appointment tomorrow to determine the sex.  Can't wait!

I am also very proud to announce that Aimee won second place in the Digital Manipulation category at the University of Central Missouri Photo Expo contest.  All three of her submitted photos made it to the gallery and the following picture titled "The Watchman" won the prize.  Yes, that is me.  No, I didn't know I was being photographed.  Yes, there will be a prize for whoever can name the address of the building I am standing on.  (Not that anyone reads this anyway!)

first bike ride of the year

I went out for my first ride since the MS-150 back in September and WOW I need to find a way to stay in shape during the winter months!  The guys that I ride with upgraded their bikes to true road bikes.  Last year we all had hybrids so we were all pretty well matched in speed.  To top it off they have already got in several rides this year.  It was a 16.69 mile ride @ 12.7 mph.  A few observations/upgrades I need to make.

• Eye wear - My plastic frame glasses + clip-on shades aren't going to cut it.  They don't provide complete eye coverage, they slide down my nose, and wind blows my eyes.  I need to order some more contacts and use wrap-around shades.
• Foot wear - My $9 wanna-be bike shoes are _okay_ but they slip around on the pedal too much even with my toe clips.  I found my self jamming my toes into the clips so much that my feet would fall asleep.  Adjusting the clip slightly helped but I might go back to my Nike trail running shoes since they have better grip.  Going forward I think I am going to get some clipless pedals + shoes.  I really don't want to spend the money on them but it will be worth it if I ride this bike for at least another year.
• Tires - My stock tires are still in good condition but the 700x32c size leaves me dragging behind my bike buddies.  I am currently budgeting for some 700x25c tires to help.  I'll keep my 700x32c tires for the Katy trail and such.
• Bike Computer - Somehow I lost my bike computer before we took off for the Bike 4 The Brain ride last year.  I don't really feel like spending too much on this so I am going for the Schwinn 17-function option on Amazon for $10.
• Pump - I don't really have an accurate gauge for my on-bike pump.  It tends to be off by 15 psi so I'm afraid to get my tires too close to 110.  I'll be getting a more accurate floor pump so I can ensure proper inflation.

 That is all for now.