Testing ping.fm account

This should appear as a blog posting to blogger and facebook...

blog test from "Blog IT"

Going to see if this posts multiple times again and if it does finally update the FB status.

Second test...

Posting second message for testing facebook rss connection...

Interfacing with Facebook

I'm testing how to stream a blog to a Facebook business page (Assorted Thoughts). I've already connected this blog rss feed via the "Notes". All the posts appeared in a note, in a box, and as updates. I'm now checking if a new post on this blog appears correctly on the Facebook page...

Beef Tripe

My husband has a strange affinity to eating beef tripe (cow stomach). I’ve always been rather tenuous to join him in this “delicacy”. Just the idea of eating stomach lining makes my nose curl but then again I love the idea of not wasting any part of an animal… thus the dilemma. Every time he brings this topic up (when he finds a market selling fresh tripe) I’m usually willing to take a few bites and before I know it I’m lured into eating a bowl of my own.

To help his argument regarding tripe as “good eats” is the nutritional value (great source of protein): http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/beef-products/3483/2

If you are like me and will never be comfortable eating various cow organs… I do suggest you give tripe a try. Several cultures have tripe recipes (just not the culture I grew up in) and so far my favorite is a French-style stew using tripe, beef stock, potatoes, carrots, and basil leaves.

Tripe stew definitely qualifies as comfort food on a cold day.

Fees for Java??

Sure enough the newest release of JDK has a $$ aspect. It includes a better garbage collection, called G1 (for garbage first), but a Java support contract is required if it is used in production. This is new for Sun... since Oracle bought Sun Microsystems. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out and effects Java. More to come...

Calories in == Calories out!

I tried several sites/apps to track calories and workouts. So far the one I like best is supported by Lance Armstrong (www.livestrong.com). The site has a tremendous food database. They have foods from Trader Joe's, Costco, Harris Teeter, Krogers, Food Lion, WaWa (and all other food stores). It is amazing! They even have the nutrition facts for recipes from cookbooks (i.e. Moosewood).

WOW.

One concern I have is the exercises appear to give more credit (calories) than expected. For instance, livestrong.com gives significantly higher calories burned for walks than does mapmyrun.com. I'm n0t sure who is correct but when I'm trying to loose weight I'd rather take the lower.

Anyways, I've used this site for about two weeks now and it has been a tremendous help in learning what foods are "healthy" and which are best to avoid (or keep to small portions). Also it's great to determine that one needs to go for a walk/run before delving into that dessert!

Using Google Maps to map out runs

Turns out there are several sites which allow you to map out runs. So far my favorite is www.mapmyrun.com. They also have other sites such as www.mapmyhike.com and more. What is great is you can share the routes you enter for others to use. What a great way to find running routes!

MapMyRun also interfaces with various GPS devices (i.e. smartphones and garmin devices) so you can quickly upload routes you've completed.

There are others (runnersworld.com and such) but I've found mapmyrun has the most features and best interface.

Anyone have any input on other sites?

Triathlon Books

Just returned from Barnes and Noble, purchased two books for training.

1. "Essential Week-by-Week Training Guide" by Triathlete Magazine
2. "Complete Book of Running" by Runner's World

Looking forward to getting some good training tips and workouts. Read a few pages in the first book and it perfectly described me (someone not following a plan) as someone who does the same workout over and over and over....

Any suggestions on other good books?

Twitter on Windows Mobile

Installed PocketTwit on my Sprint smartphone (Windows Mobile 6). GUI simulates the iphone interface. Confusing at first (no menus) then I realized I was to use "finger gestures" to view menu options (scroll left and/or right for different options to appear). Looks like a nice app but I'm going to play with it for a few weeks before I pass judgement... Like all apps there will be features I'd like to have added!!

Speed up Firefox on startup

Trying to speed up firefox.. after a reboot it is painfully slow to startup. After the first launch it is blazing fast... Even if I wait after the reboot the first launch takes too long. Initially it took over one minute. I now have it down to 40 seconds. This is still too long.

What I have tried so far:

• Tweaked some parameters in about:config from url: http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6136_102-0.html?threadID=242416
• Decreased the number of history days to keep from 90 to 5... no noticable change
• Changed proxy settings (from url: http://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?comments_parentId=106196&forumId=1)

start Firefox3 and go to Tools Menu >>> Option >>> (in the new window) chose Advanced >>> Network Tab >>> (in connection Table) press Setting button >>> (in the new window) chose Manual Proxy Configuration >>> type in the HTTP Proxy Field: 127.0.0.1 >>> and Port: 0 >>> click OK >>> click OK >>> restart your firefox3

• STILL SLOW....
• Uninstalled several apps to speed up computer in general... no big changes.
• Installed and ran FireTune... some improvement, still not enough

Still looking for a better answer... Anyone?