I'm starting to gain back some weight from not doing enough cardio and I'm not getting as much productive practice as I would like, so I am going to switch back to doing the gym on Wed nights to help get that 3 day a week at the gym.
I'm just sick of having to deal with the kids there and I need an emptier session to start gaining power on the moves w/o feeling like I'm gonna crash into someone. I'll try this for a few weeks to see what happens.
Also, I'm now looking into doing Pilates either on Sat. or Sun. with a Pilates trainer to appease the secondary coach goddess' need for me to be more flexible and have more muscle control. I don't know if I'll add more skating time... but if I don't, I don't think it'll be that big of a loss... (Of course, I'll tell the secondary coach this. I think she'll understand why I'm dropping Wed. nights, considering that I take lessons on Wed mornings with her! And my primary coach doesn't really care about how I spend my time as much... he just wants results!) :-P
Monday, April 25, 2005
Playing QA spy again...
I'm now learning the Extreme Programming Model so that my company can get started on using this model for testing software. This should be a pretty hard sell though since everyone right now has their own office and is very content having their own cube and not into the open office model that this model is encouraging.
And then a thought came to me... I was thinking of the office setup that the blond office window guy was in. Initially when I saw the office I thought "Ewww!!! No privacy!!! And I have to face people in the middle too!" Now thinking about it, it was INTENTIONAL!!! I saw how the office had design notes and how the objects are organized. I also noticed on occasions that they have a meeting in that office but on occasions, one or two may have headphones on and keep working. I realized that this was part of the working environment that EPM promotes. However, I don't see developers work in pairs that often, though there may be cases where a developer is hovering over a person's computer on something. (Pairs programming?)
The other thing I noticed that's strange is that they all work at pretty much the same hours!!! They also mostly leave at the same time too...well, except for the Lead Engineer/founder (Yeap -- "Blond office window guy") who usually leaves first.
I wonder if they know that I'm slowly picking up on how they work, even though I don't know their technology yet. Well, other than that they're writing in Java and are probably using LAMP (b/c they're a startup!) :-P
And then a thought came to me... I was thinking of the office setup that the blond office window guy was in. Initially when I saw the office I thought "Ewww!!! No privacy!!! And I have to face people in the middle too!" Now thinking about it, it was INTENTIONAL!!! I saw how the office had design notes and how the objects are organized. I also noticed on occasions that they have a meeting in that office but on occasions, one or two may have headphones on and keep working. I realized that this was part of the working environment that EPM promotes. However, I don't see developers work in pairs that often, though there may be cases where a developer is hovering over a person's computer on something. (Pairs programming?)
The other thing I noticed that's strange is that they all work at pretty much the same hours!!! They also mostly leave at the same time too...well, except for the Lead Engineer/founder (Yeap -- "Blond office window guy") who usually leaves first.
I wonder if they know that I'm slowly picking up on how they work, even though I don't know their technology yet. Well, other than that they're writing in Java and are probably using LAMP (b/c they're a startup!) :-P
Friday, April 22, 2005
Post AN stuff... and next year's stuff!!!
AN was fun, even though I didn't attend it. Imagined if I did attend... :)
Lots of my friends have medalled. A couple of them even got the Gold!!! And lots of interesting things at the post-AN competitors party!!! Oh, my!!! :)
My poor primary coach got a lot of people asking "So when am I testing and qualifying for AN?" He says "When she gets her power 3's!!!" *rolleyes* Figures!!! :-P They also hassled him to hassle me to go to Peach Classic in September. Better start saving now...
Of course, there's "other gossips" too but...
Next year's Adult Sectionals is sorta on my home turf! I really want to make my debut as a Bronze lady this year and I've been pushing myself hard to pass Bronze moves b/c I'm really sick of it and also b/c I need to pass it to work on passing the Bronze FS (which I'm already close to getting... all I need is a program!!!) to qualify for AN. The talk now is that I will test once the new skating season starts and all the kids are done with testing for regionals, so that 1) I don't get really tough judges who also will be scrutinizing the kids along with me and 2) the test requirements for the Moves test would have been changed to make it easier for me to pass the test.
GRRRR!!!! (But... he's right! No chance in hell I'm getting enough power from my skating to pass this year.)
Lots of my friends have medalled. A couple of them even got the Gold!!! And lots of interesting things at the post-AN competitors party!!! Oh, my!!! :)
My poor primary coach got a lot of people asking "So when am I testing and qualifying for AN?" He says "When she gets her power 3's!!!" *rolleyes* Figures!!! :-P They also hassled him to hassle me to go to Peach Classic in September. Better start saving now...
Of course, there's "other gossips" too but...
Next year's Adult Sectionals is sorta on my home turf! I really want to make my debut as a Bronze lady this year and I've been pushing myself hard to pass Bronze moves b/c I'm really sick of it and also b/c I need to pass it to work on passing the Bronze FS (which I'm already close to getting... all I need is a program!!!) to qualify for AN. The talk now is that I will test once the new skating season starts and all the kids are done with testing for regionals, so that 1) I don't get really tough judges who also will be scrutinizing the kids along with me and 2) the test requirements for the Moves test would have been changed to make it easier for me to pass the test.
GRRRR!!!! (But... he's right! No chance in hell I'm getting enough power from my skating to pass this year.)
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Last Lesson before AN...
My primary coach and I had our lesson this afternoon before he takes off for Adults Nationals. This year he is "in retirement" and won't be competing, much to the sadness of a lot of adult skaters out there, because he's such a beautiful skater to watch!
Oh, dear! I still have a long way to go on my basics to be ready for Bronze Moves, especially the back crossovers going the counter-clockwise direction!!! I guess my homework this week, like last week, are practicing those 'til the cows come home! I also have work to do on my FI mohawks too! He skipped working on forward power 3's this week (which is just as well, since the LFO side has no power whatsoever.) *rolleyes* However, he did like my forward alt. crossovers a lot!!! :D
So I got work cut out for me while both of my coaches are gone. (My secondary coach is also out of town at a competition but NOT AN!) No rest for this demi-geek/skater!!! She's got WORK to do this week!!!
Oh, dear! I still have a long way to go on my basics to be ready for Bronze Moves, especially the back crossovers going the counter-clockwise direction!!! I guess my homework this week, like last week, are practicing those 'til the cows come home! I also have work to do on my FI mohawks too! He skipped working on forward power 3's this week (which is just as well, since the LFO side has no power whatsoever.) *rolleyes* However, he did like my forward alt. crossovers a lot!!! :D
So I got work cut out for me while both of my coaches are gone. (My secondary coach is also out of town at a competition but NOT AN!) No rest for this demi-geek/skater!!! She's got WORK to do this week!!!
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Adult Nationals Send-Off Party
The skaters who ARE going to AN from my rink just had an informal freestyle session where they warm up for about a half hour and do their individual programs with the entire patch of ice split amongst the skaters there on the second half of the hour. It's like a mini-skating show of sorts and it was fun watching all the programs that are going to be done at AN -- especially the interpretatives programs! Loved all the outfits donned for the program! :)
I wish them all good luck at Kansas City! Go kick some ice butts out there, you guys!!!
I wish them all good luck at Kansas City! Go kick some ice butts out there, you guys!!!
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Getting close to Adults Nationals
...and I'm not going!!! :( I am STILL struggling to pass my Bronze Moves test this year. I've worked very hard for the last 3 years to pass just this one test. I did take this test back in August but I was nowhere near ready. This year I'm a bit closer to being ready, but I'm going thru some rough patches on a couple of the moves.
Right now:
Forward alt. crossovers - It's the strongest of the moves! I think I'll pass with this move, but it's still not perfect yet. I sense at least one of the judges will ding me on the quality of the crossovers.
Back alt. crossovers - Have trouble with staying on the BI edge when I step out and letting the edge ride around. And we are NOT going to talke about those back crossovers around the ends of the rink... *rolleyes*
Forward power 3's - getting much better. I think if I could get more power on my weaker LFO3 and keep going on my RFO3 side, this move may become the second move where I'll score higher than average.
Back crossover to BO edge - It's hit and miss! When it's good, it's very VERY good! But when it's bad... well, it TOTALLY SUCKS!!! AUGH!!!
5 step mohawk. The first step is consistently crappy. The 4th and 5 step is dicey b/c I have to be careful not to let it go on a flat. I've had good and bad days on this.
But WAIT!!! Even if I pass the Bronze moves, there's also the Bronze FS to take care of before I can go to AN 2006 in Dallas. Meanwhile I'm keep practicing as eveyrone else is in Kansas City... and hope that by this time next year, I will be on a plane to go to Dallas to compete. :)
Right now:
Forward alt. crossovers - It's the strongest of the moves! I think I'll pass with this move, but it's still not perfect yet. I sense at least one of the judges will ding me on the quality of the crossovers.
Back alt. crossovers - Have trouble with staying on the BI edge when I step out and letting the edge ride around. And we are NOT going to talke about those back crossovers around the ends of the rink... *rolleyes*
Forward power 3's - getting much better. I think if I could get more power on my weaker LFO3 and keep going on my RFO3 side, this move may become the second move where I'll score higher than average.
Back crossover to BO edge - It's hit and miss! When it's good, it's very VERY good! But when it's bad... well, it TOTALLY SUCKS!!! AUGH!!!
5 step mohawk. The first step is consistently crappy. The 4th and 5 step is dicey b/c I have to be careful not to let it go on a flat. I've had good and bad days on this.
But WAIT!!! Even if I pass the Bronze moves, there's also the Bronze FS to take care of before I can go to AN 2006 in Dallas. Meanwhile I'm keep practicing as eveyrone else is in Kansas City... and hope that by this time next year, I will be on a plane to go to Dallas to compete. :)
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Yoga... Yoga... Yoga....
This is the new command from my secondary coach for today! She wants me to start taking Yoga classes and learn to stretch those hips. In fact, she encourages yoga for me over ballet! (Now there's a first!!! She pushes ALL her students to take ballet usually...) :-P She said that she can always work on "my arms and my overall presentation." But I definitely need to work on stretching and flexibility.
I practice on the ice a lot and work out a lot at the gym as it is and now she wants YOGA too!?!?! Where am I gonna find the time besides on weekends? And since she wants at least 3 times a week, where am I gonna fit in the 3rd day? YIKES!!! =8-O Unfortunately, my primary coach and NOW my chiropractor says the same. So... *sigh*
I practice on the ice a lot and work out a lot at the gym as it is and now she wants YOGA too!?!?! Where am I gonna find the time besides on weekends? And since she wants at least 3 times a week, where am I gonna fit in the 3rd day? YIKES!!! =8-O Unfortunately, my primary coach and NOW my chiropractor says the same. So... *sigh*
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Best bargain at Walgreen's yet...
Found THIS at the Walgreens on Market near the Castro district!!! It's $99.00, but well worth it!!!
AHHHHH!!! :D
AHHHHH!!! :D
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Secondary choose new music...then a better song came along!!!
AAAAAUGH!!!! What a dilemma!!!
I've picked out Enya's "May It Be" from "Lord of the Rings- The Fellowship of the Ring" soundtrack. Actually it was more my secondary coach's choice out of the 6 pieces that I've picked. Most of them are soul or rock... and she had to pick the one ETHEREAL floaty piece!!! BOY do I know my secondary coach well... (Oh, well! It *IS* a beautiful piece. I hope I can do justice to it and finally WIN the artistic event this year!)
But the new piece I just stumbled along on is Duran Duran's "What Happens Tomorrow" from the relatively new Astronaut album. AUGH!!! I would love to do this piece!!! Maybe my skating friend from LA (who's a big Duran Duran fan) could do this piece justice, since she has the edges and the skating prowess for the piece. (I don't have that prowess yet, which is why I'm doing wimpy ballerina and ballad pieces now...GRRRRR!!!)
I've picked out Enya's "May It Be" from "Lord of the Rings- The Fellowship of the Ring" soundtrack. Actually it was more my secondary coach's choice out of the 6 pieces that I've picked. Most of them are soul or rock... and she had to pick the one ETHEREAL floaty piece!!! BOY do I know my secondary coach well... (Oh, well! It *IS* a beautiful piece. I hope I can do justice to it and finally WIN the artistic event this year!)
But the new piece I just stumbled along on is Duran Duran's "What Happens Tomorrow" from the relatively new Astronaut album. AUGH!!! I would love to do this piece!!! Maybe my skating friend from LA (who's a big Duran Duran fan) could do this piece justice, since she has the edges and the skating prowess for the piece. (I don't have that prowess yet, which is why I'm doing wimpy ballerina and ballad pieces now...GRRRRR!!!)
Friday, March 25, 2005
Got Bug Tracking Process first. Now the tool...
...well, not quite! It seems there's been no discussion from anyone as a group on what source code control software to use in the end (or at least whether or not VSS is the one they want to give up. This of course, determines which bug tracking system I want to evaluate, since one of my criteria is integration between the bug tracking system and VSS (or whichever SCM system they want.") But...we'll fix that Monday at our "weekly" meeting!!! :D
So I'm slowly but surely whipping this new organization in shape to become a freakin' efficient software group!!! If only the "so called geeks" (have to differiate between "REAL geeks" and "so called geeks." The real geeks know their technology and they think about the consequence of changing their code. Also, they are smart enough to follow good sound fundamental software engineering practices, (which I'm trying to teach these guys now...) The "so called geeks" rely on their technical knowledge to "program their way out of problems." Also, they don't do this for the love of technlogy, but simply for the money!!! "Real geeks" love technology... and their emthusiam shows...and they aren't afraid of showing me (a demi-geek) a thing or two w/o coming off condescending. :)
The group of engineers I work with don't claim to be geeks...and they admit that they're in it for the money and they value family life more than work... I can most definitely live with that!!! :)
But... getting back...
I have 9 defect tracking software to evaluate... and the shark... eh, vendors are smelling a potential sale. We'll see if we end up buying anything though. If the company is really strap for cash, we might take the existing Sharepoint system's bug tracking system and try to get it to act like a REAL one. And that developer sure wouldn't mind it either. :) (I'm trying to narrow it down to about 3...) :)
So I'm slowly but surely whipping this new organization in shape to become a freakin' efficient software group!!! If only the "so called geeks" (have to differiate between "REAL geeks" and "so called geeks." The real geeks know their technology and they think about the consequence of changing their code. Also, they are smart enough to follow good sound fundamental software engineering practices, (which I'm trying to teach these guys now...) The "so called geeks" rely on their technical knowledge to "program their way out of problems." Also, they don't do this for the love of technlogy, but simply for the money!!! "Real geeks" love technology... and their emthusiam shows...and they aren't afraid of showing me (a demi-geek) a thing or two w/o coming off condescending. :)
The group of engineers I work with don't claim to be geeks...and they admit that they're in it for the money and they value family life more than work... I can most definitely live with that!!! :)
But... getting back...
I have 9 defect tracking software to evaluate... and the shark... eh, vendors are smelling a potential sale. We'll see if we end up buying anything though. If the company is really strap for cash, we might take the existing Sharepoint system's bug tracking system and try to get it to act like a REAL one. And that developer sure wouldn't mind it either. :) (I'm trying to narrow it down to about 3...) :)
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Chicken Fat
My online skating friend, Annabel, pointed me out to this funny exercise routine song that she wanted to skate to (but her coach wouldn't let her...) The title is appropriately named "Chicken Fat!!!"
(Warning: put on the speaker or headphones, but turn down the volume (it's LOUD!!!) before clicking on the "Chicken Fat" link.)
OMG!!! I would LOVE to have known about this piece back in the days when I was doing high impact aerobics classes and everyone used to pick on each other by yelling "CHICKEN!!!" to each other. LOL!!!
(Warning: put on the speaker or headphones, but turn down the volume (it's LOUD!!!) before clicking on the "Chicken Fat" link.)
OMG!!! I would LOVE to have known about this piece back in the days when I was doing high impact aerobics classes and everyone used to pick on each other by yelling "CHICKEN!!!" to each other. LOL!!!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Bug Tracking System
The end of my second week at work and I'm already looking into bug tracking system. WOW! This company REALLY doesn't have ANY processes!!! I wonder how they managed to build this other system using FileMaker Pro they did without QA processes? EEEEEK!!! =:-O
I took parts of what I remember from my last job, parts from Bugzilla's User Guide and parts from the existing database. I hope I can give them a respectable bug tracking process in the end and they would go along with whatever choice I had in mind. :)
I took parts of what I remember from my last job, parts from Bugzilla's User Guide and parts from the existing database. I hope I can give them a respectable bug tracking process in the end and they would go along with whatever choice I had in mind. :)
There's never ONE piece of music...
...that I specifically want to skate to. I have at least 12 pieces of music that I want to skate to. I had to cut it down to the ones that I could 1) skate at a reasonable speed and 2) that my coaches would like approve of my skating to. *sigh*
More motivation to get more power and speed in my skating I guess... ;)
More motivation to get more power and speed in my skating I guess... ;)
Monday, March 14, 2005
One reason why I keep pushing to be eligible for AN...
http://www.skatingforums.com/showthread.php?p=220377#post220377
The comaradarie that comes from the adult skating world is the REAL reason why I work so hard and so many years to become eligible for Adults Nationals. I feel the "Quan" (or should I say "the Kwan") when I'm around these people...
I posted the posting above the one that "sk8er1964" has reply to (that I linked above) because I *KNOW* how well those guys skate! Nick Chou (this year's Pacific Coast Adult Sectionals champion in the Championship Adult Gold men event) have gorgeous edges, nice jumps and cool spins. (Especially his cannonball sit spins!!!) I dare "kunduchaiko" to tell me that he doesn't have that nice polish. Same with Andy Schell!!! Same with a particular former Adult Gold male skater and 2002 Adult Nationals Adult Gold men champion. (My coach, Jay... *AHEM*)
I hope that posters like "TimDavidSkate" and "kunduchaiko" would strongly think about getting back on the ice and "SKATE DAMMIT!!! SKATE!!!" You guys have LESS THAN ONE MONTH to get ready for Adult Nationals in Kansas City! What the hell are you guys doing griping about a "sandbagger?"
The comaradarie that comes from the adult skating world is the REAL reason why I work so hard and so many years to become eligible for Adults Nationals. I feel the "Quan" (or should I say "the Kwan") when I'm around these people...
I posted the posting above the one that "sk8er1964" has reply to (that I linked above) because I *KNOW* how well those guys skate! Nick Chou (this year's Pacific Coast Adult Sectionals champion in the Championship Adult Gold men event) have gorgeous edges, nice jumps and cool spins. (Especially his cannonball sit spins!!!) I dare "kunduchaiko" to tell me that he doesn't have that nice polish. Same with Andy Schell!!! Same with a particular former Adult Gold male skater and 2002 Adult Nationals Adult Gold men champion. (My coach, Jay... *AHEM*)
I hope that posters like "TimDavidSkate" and "kunduchaiko" would strongly think about getting back on the ice and "SKATE DAMMIT!!! SKATE!!!" You guys have LESS THAN ONE MONTH to get ready for Adult Nationals in Kansas City! What the hell are you guys doing griping about a "sandbagger?"
Court Rules against California Ban on Gay Marriages
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20050314/ts_nm/rights_gays_california_dc
This is good news, in my opinion! I've been pretty sick of the "Religious Right" spewing their views on one's personal sexual preference for a while. You do your thing! They'll do theirs! If you don't like it, look the other way!
(Of course I'm writing this in support of the majority of our male figure skating coaches!!!) ;)
This is good news, in my opinion! I've been pretty sick of the "Religious Right" spewing their views on one's personal sexual preference for a while. You do your thing! They'll do theirs! If you don't like it, look the other way!
(Of course I'm writing this in support of the majority of our male figure skating coaches!!!) ;)
Friday, March 11, 2005
Cuz I'm the tax man...yeah, I'm the tax man!!!
Best described by the Beatles It's that time of the year again... Gotta go and see my tax consultant! BTW: here's a shameless plug for Bob Deitz's Tax Services! Excellent guy... of course, he's a tad expensive, so I go to his associate Dorothy instead! Both are EA's (enrolled agents... they're the ones that represents the taxpayers before the IRS.) If you got lots of complicated tax paperwork (i.e. stock options, self-employed, etc...) and want strategic advice on how to manage your money, he's the guy to go to!!!
Of course, I hope this year won't end up with another parody:
"I owe! I owe! So off to work I go..." :-P
(It shouldn't be this way. I have a house with a mortgage...) :)
Edited to add: Got back about $2800 in Fed and $800 in State. All debts are now in the house equity loan, which is DEDUCTABLE! Thank goodness for buying a house!!! :)
Of course, I hope this year won't end up with another parody:
"I owe! I owe! So off to work I go..." :-P
(It shouldn't be this way. I have a house with a mortgage...) :)
Edited to add: Got back about $2800 in Fed and $800 in State. All debts are now in the house equity loan, which is DEDUCTABLE! Thank goodness for buying a house!!! :)
Thursday, March 10, 2005
"Skating Psycho"
This past Wednesday morning I ran into this skating coach. She was doing her own practice for her own program. Later on, I was back at the rink to practice the stuff that my secondary coach wanted me to do. She saw me and I said "Are we just crazy to be here early Wed. morning, only to be back for more Wednesday night?" She replied "Me? At least *I* am getting paid for this. You're not???" And I added, "Yes, and if you think that's bad, I'll be back to skate some more the next day in the afternoon." She replied "You are PSYCHO!!!" (Unfortunately she's probably right!!! Lucky for me, my aging body and my good sense does slow me down enough to NOT skate every single day!)
Hey! At least I'm not skating Friday. Of course, that's because I'm skating Sat. Sun AND Monday nights again!!! :P :D
Hey! At least I'm not skating Friday. Of course, that's because I'm skating Sat. Sun AND Monday nights again!!! :P :D
Survived first week at new job
It's a good sign that people are very nice at this company and have a great sense of humor! I wish to get to know these people better, but of course, now is the time to make an impression on them. I want to start putting in some necessary software processes in place so we can at least have a sane software release cycle! :P
Boy, it's gonna be interesting though.. there's no software prccess in place! Nada!!! Zilch!!! I get to start from scratch, including the bug tracking system. (They want to swicth from Gemini to Bugzilla...) OTOH, I get to learn about C# and .NET... and maybe, just maybe... I could ask for a UI automated test tools? Maybe? Please? :D :P
Boy, it's gonna be interesting though.. there's no software prccess in place! Nada!!! Zilch!!! I get to start from scratch, including the bug tracking system. (They want to swicth from Gemini to Bugzilla...) OTOH, I get to learn about C# and .NET... and maybe, just maybe... I could ask for a UI automated test tools? Maybe? Please? :D :P
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Read a few of "blond window guy's" blogs
Definitely a computer geek. LOVES computers!!! Middle-of-the-road to left political leanings based on his blogs! Certainly is NOT a Bush fan!!! (Thumbs up for that!!!) :D Very intelligent guy... too scary intelligent, in fact!!! I think I'm gonna bore him to tears if we've ever met for coffee!!!
Never mind working at his company either! I'm definitely NOT as much of a geek as he is and I think he'd want someone who's as passionate about technlogy as he is to work for him. I have my limits -- choosing between computers and ice skating, it would be no contest which one would win!!! ;) After all, the one major reason I want to work for his company is that it's right across the street from my home rink and a half block from the gym I train for my skating!!!
Oh, boy... do I have Adult Onset Skating Syndrome (AOSS) or what!?!?! :-P (If "blond window guy" sees this blog, he's probably gonna think I'm insane...well, after he finally stops laughing!!! And he's probably right too!!! LOL!!!)
Never mind working at his company either! I'm definitely NOT as much of a geek as he is and I think he'd want someone who's as passionate about technlogy as he is to work for him. I have my limits -- choosing between computers and ice skating, it would be no contest which one would win!!! ;) After all, the one major reason I want to work for his company is that it's right across the street from my home rink and a half block from the gym I train for my skating!!!
Oh, boy... do I have Adult Onset Skating Syndrome (AOSS) or what!?!?! :-P (If "blond window guy" sees this blog, he's probably gonna think I'm insane...well, after he finally stops laughing!!! And he's probably right too!!! LOL!!!)
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