Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Today was absolutely gorgeous. It was the perfect day for a hike, so that’s exactly what we did.
We jumped in the car and took a trip over to Gay City State Park. We have been to this park before, but missed one trail. Today was the day we were going to complete the entire trail system at this park. Last time, we nearly died from heat stroke, so we weren’t able to make it all the way around the red trail. We had to cut up the yellow trail. I remember my face tingling when we were about half way done. Man, what a day.
Today was different. It was about 50 degrees outside and perfectly clear. The leaves were all crunchy and there was no one around.
We walked down the yellow trail and hooked up with the red trail for about a 2 mile hike. Just long enough to get some exercise.
Of course, I had my camera on me. I wouldn’t want to let you down…
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Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
I had a very good tennis match this morning. It was my first one since I joined the club. As you know, I have been going to the clinics and have taken lessons, but as far as playing real people, not so much.
It felt great to get back on the court. Yeah, I played Saturday, but tennis offers a certain type of addiction. Besides being great exercise, this is a sport I will never be great at. Perhaps if I started playing the game when I was two, things would be different. Taking up the sport again in my mid-thirties has made me realize that I may become just a “strong” player. I am happy with that. Either way, I do a lot of thinking when I am not playing and like to get back out there to practice what I have been dreaming about.
Today, I did something really cool. I brought the video camera. I know, I know, what a herb, but just hear me out. Sure, it doesn’t seem like the coolest thing to do, but the fact is, I want to see what I look like when I play tennis. I have a fear that I may be looking like a total fool on the court. No one has ever taken a video of me playing, so I really have no idea. Also, watching myself play the game helps me analyze my strengths and weaknesses when I am at home. It’s one thing for a tennis pro to tell me to lead with my left foot when hitting a forehand, but actually seeing my foot work all screwed up is quite another. Sometimes it takes “proof” to get the point across. Besides, the camera is small and fairly hidden from others, so no one has any idea. I bet other players would just love to do this, they just aren’t saying it.
Another great reason for bring the video camera is so I can get my $600 worth out of the thing. Just kidding (kind of). The other reason is that I can now bring you screen shots of my swing. Sure, you probably don’t care, but I do…and well, it’s my blog, so you are going to have to put up with it.
I think I will critique one swing each time I play, right here on the blog. It doesn’t matter if it’s a good swing or a bad swing, I am going to tear it apart nonetheless. If you are a tennis player, feel free to jump in and tear things apart too.
Here goes…my two-handed backhand.
Good approach, eye on the ball. Racquet should be down ready to swing. It's not.
Same. Also, right foot should be more forward.
Good straight arm. Raquet should be down, ready to swing up. Moving right foot forward.
If racquet head was down, this would look pretty good. This stroke is not as powerful because it's late.
Right foot forward, shoulders turned, racquet moving down. Eye on the ball.
This is how the stroke should have looked five pictures ago.
Elbow shouldn't be bending yet.
Eye still on the ball, but arm looking kind of crunched.
Good movement, but arms should be more extended.
Starting to look like a golf swing. My eye is still on the ball. An area I have difficulty with.
Good follow through. Feet look a little uneasy.
Getting feet back in place and getting ready to move back to center court.
Moving back to center court and changing grip back to continental.
Now, to me, this helps. I wish I could show you the whole video, but it’s a half hour and only interesting to me, I’m sure. It also gives a good indication of how I act and many of my mannerisms. It’s not often that I watch myself and this helps out a lot.
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Saturday, September 20th, 2008
I know it’s hard to believe, but sometimes, I sit here and think of stuff to write and come up short.
I hear this a lot with blogs…writer’s block. I never thought I would have it. I’m not sure I do, I am really just not in the mood sometimes. I don’t think life is any more boring right now, but it just doesn’t seem like there is anything to talk about. I guess I will just talk about current events.
Ok, I have been playing a lot of tennis. I went to another clinic today and had a good time. The last clinic I went to didn’t go over so well. I think I was hitting too softly. Today, I really nailed the ball good and had a good time. I don’t know what I like more, the game of tennis or striking something really hard. Either way, it’s good exercise and my body is ripped and buff. My aches and pains are even going away. All my strokes are coming along nicely. All I have to do is get my serve semi-consistent and I think I am going to get more involved with playing real matches.
I did win a game today. I lost two right before it, but I did win.
The weather is changing in the Northeast. It has been getting chilly at night and I haven’t been sweating bullets during the day. I even mowed the lawn today and didn’t sweat a drop. I won’t mention that I was on the ride-on lawnmower. I won’t mention that. I am going to start taking the camera out more to get some nice Autumn shots. Also, we can drive places again now that the humidity is gone. See, there are some photo opportunities right there.
The neighbor from up the road stopped by today to introduce herself and give us a big bouquet of Mums. I thought this was very nice. It was a really classy thing to do.
I have had the fireplace going for the past three nights. It doesn’t really do anything, besides look good. To get any heat out of it, I think I really have to pile the logs on. That might happen further in the season when the weather is cold during the day, but not yet.
I tried the pellet stove out today just for kicks. It works great. I went to the top of the basement stairs to see if I would feel the heat rising, and I felt a breeze. I actually felt a breeze, which means that the air was moving all by itself and I don’t need a fan to do it. That’s a good thing. I am curious how the pellet stove is going to heat the house. I am not expecting to have the whole house heated, but a few big rooms would be nice.
Also, after I finished playing tennis this morning, I went over to the pellet stove store and scheduled the delivery of pellets. They are going to drop off all four tons on Monday. Anyone want to come over and help me move four tons of pellets? Yeah, that should be a riot. Ah, it’s only 200 bags. That’s nothing. You bet I am going to be taking pictures of that one.
Still using the Bowflex and am stronger than ever. I think my stomach had gotten flatter. I like that because sitting in a computer chair all day doesn’t work wonders for the body.
Ummm, what else? I don’t know. September just seems kind of slow, doesn’t it? I mean, there is a lot of stuff going on, but the wheels of commerce don’t seem to be turning as fast this month. I wonder if this is the way it’s going to be until December. I keep trying to think back to the way it was last year. I thought things picked up in September, but maybe not.
I have been working a lot, trying to get things to launch in a big way. I have a little goal that is, well, not so little. I am laying the groundwork for the whole thing right now. It’s a bit difficult because there are so many options for things and so much to learn. If I could just get past a few hurdles, I could really move things forward. We’ll see what happens.
Ok, enough of this “not writing.” I guess I did have something to write about after all. The only problem is that there were no pictures. Sorry Mom.
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Thursday, August 28th, 2008
Yesterday, I decided to start riding my mountain bike in the morning, when it’s cooler outside.
I think we were going for a walk when I came up with that idea. You know, as I was out and about…I always get good ideas. When morning rolled around and I was drinking my coffee, let’s just say I was less enthusiastic.
Even thought I was still groggy, I stuck to my word. I got on the bike and started to ride. For any of you out there who have ridden a bicycle for any amount of distance, I am sure you will agree with me when I say it is great exercise. I already knew that, but was reminded of it as I was struggling to get up the first hill. For those who know what “Brewster Hill” looks like, this hill reminds me of that one. It’s not nearly as bad here, but when I was on the bike, it sure felt it.
I had planned on doing the 3.7 mile ride, but when I got to the end of the road, I decided to make a left and do the 5 mile one. I am glad I did, because I keep talking about doing it. There are tons of downhills and uphills. The uphills are much less fun, but my legs got a great workout.
This area is really great for recreation. I am very pleased that people take it so seriously around here. On the last part of the ride today, I had to go through the woods. That was fun because I got to “get some air” off a few rocks. You know what that means, I think I might need to get a helmet.
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Wednesday, October 25th, 2006
By request from my flight instructor, I went to the doctor this morning. Well, he is a doctor as well as an Aviation Medical Examiner. Real nice guy located in Middletown, NY. I went in for my medical certification. All student pilots need this before they can fly solo and get their Pilot Certification. Once your instructor endorses the back of the certificate with the date, make and model of airplane and their signature, you are golden to perform your first solo. This will be the first time in your life you are in an airplane (in the sky) alone.
I wanted to write this post to describe exactly what happened at the doctor’s office. I was kind of curious before I went and I am sure that other students out there want to know what goes down and are kind of anxious about it. So here it is…
I walked in and said hello. That was the hard part. They handed me the application sheet that basically asked me who I was and when was the last time I went to the doctor and for what. It also asked if I have any medical conditions…diabetes, hearing problems, etc…I filled this out and handed it back to the desk. They then asked me to give them a urine sample. I did this and gave it to them. Then, they walked me over to the eye test machine. They had me read the bottom row of letters…the really teensy weensy ones. I completed this fine. My right eye is slightly blurry, but I still read the letters. My left eye is crystal clear. I then had to read the sheets with color bubbles mixed with black and white ones. This tested my eyes for color accuracy. Then I went into the exam room to meet the doctor. He asked me to remove my shirt and he asked me to breath with a stethoscope against my back. Then, he checked my heartbeat from the front. He said it was beating fast and told me I needed to exercise…that would slow it down. I told him I was a little nervous because I really wanted this certificate. Oh well. He then had me sit on that little bed covered with paper. He checked my ears with the light and made me open my mouth to look in. Then, he shined the light in my eyes to see if there was anything wrong there. All looked good. Then, I had to lay flat on the bed and he tapped my stomach and my back with the tips of his fingers. All good. All the while, he kept conversing with me, sometimes quietly. This was to check my hearing and to make sure it was suitable for flight. There are certain requirements. For the third class, they are listed below:
Third class certifications require the least involved examinations of all medical certifications. They are required for those intending to be pilot-in-command of an aircraft under the Private or Recreational pilot certificates or while exercising solo privileges while a student pilot.
To qualify for a third class medical certificate, pilots must meet the following requirements:
- Distant vision: 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction
- Near vision: 20/40 or better in each eye separately, with or without correction, as measured at a distance of 16 inches
- Color vision: Demonstrate the ability to perceive the colors necessary for the safe performance of airman duties
- Hearing: Demonstrate the ability to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room, using both ears, at a distance of six feet, with their back turned to the examiner, or pass an approved audiometric test
- Ear, Nose, and Throat: Exhibit no ear disease or condition manifested by, or that may reasonably be expected to be manifested by, vertigo or a disturbance of speech or equilibrium
- Blood Pressure: Under 155/95
- Mental Status: No diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe personality disorders
- Substance Dependence: No dependence on alcohol or any pharmacological substance in the previous two years
For pilots under 40 years of age, third class medical certificates expire on the last day of the month they were issued, three years from the date of issue. For all others, they expire on the last day of the month they were issued, two years from the date of issue.
I hope I am not leaving anything out and I hope this helps any anxious students out there get a feel for what they need. Also, make sure you drink some water before you go in, because, as I said above, you will need to give a urine sample.
If you do ok during the appointment, you will most likely walk out with a card that looks like this:
This is actually a first class certificate I found online (I changed it to say “3rd”), so your third class one may look slightly different.
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