Google Maps rolled out a new feature where someone can mark and publish a map. So I fiddled around with it and produced a map of my favorite restaurants.
It is nifty; I'll probably add a few more when I get their street addresses.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
Taxes
Last year I did my taxes early, but wound up submitting a 1040-X correction because my company sent me a corrected W-2. Something to do with bookeeping as companies merged resulted in accounting errors for many employees. Anyway, the corrected W-2 turned a small refund into a small debt.
This year I decided to file late, just in case the same thing happened. I wouldn't have waited otherwise, but we received some email about how due to the merger we would get two W-2's this time. How long will the ripple effect of Company A buying Company B go on?! It might be a mess especially if both companies kept different fiscal years, but this should be all. Since I received two W-2's I thought there might be a small chance of another correction.
Anyhow, with about two weeks left I figured there wouldn't be any corrections arriving so I went to the store, bought some tax software, and cranked through it. Not too bad - I get a refund of about $600! Maybe I'll put that towards a mountain bike. ;)
This year I decided to file late, just in case the same thing happened. I wouldn't have waited otherwise, but we received some email about how due to the merger we would get two W-2's this time. How long will the ripple effect of Company A buying Company B go on?! It might be a mess especially if both companies kept different fiscal years, but this should be all. Since I received two W-2's I thought there might be a small chance of another correction.
Anyhow, with about two weeks left I figured there wouldn't be any corrections arriving so I went to the store, bought some tax software, and cranked through it. Not too bad - I get a refund of about $600! Maybe I'll put that towards a mountain bike. ;)
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Relay Assignment
I got my relay assignment from the team captain: Leg 2, Leg 14, and Leg 26. Total distance is just over 15 miles.
I'm excited, and also glad I signed up for the 12 person team. I think dealing with the running logistics will be a lot, so having 11 other people running in between my portions will be welcome for downtime and rest.
This relay is 165 miles long, so if we average a 9 minute mile, I can expect to run about every 8 hours. That should be roughly at 2:30 pm, 10:30 pm, and 6:30 am.
I'm excited, and also glad I signed up for the 12 person team. I think dealing with the running logistics will be a lot, so having 11 other people running in between my portions will be welcome for downtime and rest.
This relay is 165 miles long, so if we average a 9 minute mile, I can expect to run about every 8 hours. That should be roughly at 2:30 pm, 10:30 pm, and 6:30 am.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
American Idol
After running club my friend Diana wanted to get something to eat. So we stopped to pick up some food, and an extra dinner for Travis, and returned to her condo.
They are into aquatic pets! Diana has a tank with two large turtles, and Travis is building a saltwater tank with coral, anemones, exotic fish. It'll be really spectacular when it is complete.
Travis returned from work, and we watched TV while eating dinner. We flipped on American Idol and they filled me in on each contestant, since I don't really watch the show.
I don't even remember anybody, except for one: Sanjaya. Not because of his great singing talent - he's got a quiet voice and is almost drowned out by the music - but because he wore this bizarro ridiculous looking fake mohawk. And shook his head during the song to toss the mohawk back and forth. I almost laughed the entire time.
They are into aquatic pets! Diana has a tank with two large turtles, and Travis is building a saltwater tank with coral, anemones, exotic fish. It'll be really spectacular when it is complete.
Travis returned from work, and we watched TV while eating dinner. We flipped on American Idol and they filled me in on each contestant, since I don't really watch the show.
I don't even remember anybody, except for one: Sanjaya. Not because of his great singing talent - he's got a quiet voice and is almost drowned out by the music - but because he wore this bizarro ridiculous looking fake mohawk. And shook his head during the song to toss the mohawk back and forth. I almost laughed the entire time.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Winter Park 10K
The finale of the Track Shack Grand Prix series was this event. I didn't sign up for the Grand Prix this year, not that I can place high enough to build up points to win!
I did 48:28, which I was pleased with. I took it easy for the first mile or so, running and chatting with a friend, before pulling ahead at the water stop around mile 1.5. I should have grabbed a cup because the next water stop wasn't until mile 4... but it wasn't too bad. It was humid but I wasn't going all out so I was fine, if a bit thirsty at the second water stop.
The course is really nice, winding around residential Winter Park. We had a view of a few lakes, many shady roads, a minor hill or two... the only complaint is cobblestone roads for half the course. I'm not sure why but older parts of this area paved their streets like that.
I did 48:28, which I was pleased with. I took it easy for the first mile or so, running and chatting with a friend, before pulling ahead at the water stop around mile 1.5. I should have grabbed a cup because the next water stop wasn't until mile 4... but it wasn't too bad. It was humid but I wasn't going all out so I was fine, if a bit thirsty at the second water stop.
The course is really nice, winding around residential Winter Park. We had a view of a few lakes, many shady roads, a minor hill or two... the only complaint is cobblestone roads for half the course. I'm not sure why but older parts of this area paved their streets like that.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Magic Game
Back in February I won tickets to tonight's basketball game, Orlando versus New Jersey. I'm not the biggest basketball fan, especially pro basketball, but I also don't want to waste a free ticket!
I arrive in the middle of the second quarter, because I had some trouble parking. Lines were long and I wound up driving in a complete circle around the arena only to find all those parking lots were reserved for pass holders. Eventually I found a public garage a few blocks away and walked over. Late as I was, I beat Amy and Christine there! They arrive about 15 minutes after I did.
The game was OK: Orlando and New Jersey were close in the standings, near the bottom. ;) The Magic trailed most of the game but somewhere in the third period they tied it up and took a small lead, and the game got a lot more exciting. Except it bogged down again with the foul and free throw routine. This is just ultra dull for me to watch, but at least Orlando won.
Overall it was pretty fun, especially for free. I could take in a basketball game or two each year. To see football, hockey, or baseball live means driving out to Tampa and that is a lot more planning.
I arrive in the middle of the second quarter, because I had some trouble parking. Lines were long and I wound up driving in a complete circle around the arena only to find all those parking lots were reserved for pass holders. Eventually I found a public garage a few blocks away and walked over. Late as I was, I beat Amy and Christine there! They arrive about 15 minutes after I did.
The game was OK: Orlando and New Jersey were close in the standings, near the bottom. ;) The Magic trailed most of the game but somewhere in the third period they tied it up and took a small lead, and the game got a lot more exciting. Except it bogged down again with the foul and free throw routine. This is just ultra dull for me to watch, but at least Orlando won.
Overall it was pretty fun, especially for free. I could take in a basketball game or two each year. To see football, hockey, or baseball live means driving out to Tampa and that is a lot more planning.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Scavenger Hunt Run
This evening's Orlando Runners Club activity was a scavenger hunt at Crane's Roost in Altamonte Springs. The idea was to form teams of 4, and then run around the area answering questions. We had 1 hour and the event concluded at the newly opened Fleet Feet store near the mall.
Christine prepared 25 questions, all of which could be answered by searching the area. Questions like: What band is playing at Gina's on March 31? How many people/animal tiles are in the courtyard? What event takes place every day except Tuesday? And so on.
Afterwards we had dinner at Gina's and waited while Christine graded the results. It was close... in fact the team I was on was 1 point down! We went over the answers and one was "How many emergency call boxes are in the park". I found 6, while everyone else found 5, including Christine. She said if I could prove there were 6, we would win. Everybody agreed where 4 of them were, but where the others just saw 1 I saw an extra. So Christine and I walked over to the fountain on the north side and I pointed out 2 call boxes, giving my team the victory. :)
To my surprise, we won goody bags from Fleet Feet - a blinky light, hat, and a few samples.
Christine prepared 25 questions, all of which could be answered by searching the area. Questions like: What band is playing at Gina's on March 31? How many people/animal tiles are in the courtyard? What event takes place every day except Tuesday? And so on.
Afterwards we had dinner at Gina's and waited while Christine graded the results. It was close... in fact the team I was on was 1 point down! We went over the answers and one was "How many emergency call boxes are in the park". I found 6, while everyone else found 5, including Christine. She said if I could prove there were 6, we would win. Everybody agreed where 4 of them were, but where the others just saw 1 I saw an extra. So Christine and I walked over to the fountain on the north side and I pointed out 2 call boxes, giving my team the victory. :)
To my surprise, we won goody bags from Fleet Feet - a blinky light, hat, and a few samples.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)