Promotion

Been working on a build system for some work I've been hacking on since the Christmas holiday. Something related to PDFBox.

I've been using SCons over the gnu-autotools b/c I really enjoy the experience and the ability to tap into the capabilites of python inorder to build software.

Getting in Shape

Prior to coming back on temporary active duty, I put on some undesired pounds.

Completing college, taking too many math/science courses my last semester, severely spraining/rolling my ankle (it made a loud popping sounds other people around me heard on a soccer field) and dealing with the post stresses of college life took their toll and I was managing to weigh in at 224 lbs. Heavy weight lifting combined with all of the above didn't help the situation either.

Historically, I would have to run something like 10 miles a day to start up my metabolism (which I have done many times) along with severely cutting back on my food intake.

Needless to say, I've gotten kind of tired of this approach and took some advice my parents bestowed upon me

A year ago, my father had heart surgery. He was the 0.0001% of the population that was supposed to not have it. In that, A) he's in terrific shape, B) works out every day-religiously/watches his diet, C) low body-weight/fat. Unfortunately old age or genetics has caught up with him and he ended up going in for a stint and staying for a bypass for a 7 way blockage. During the surgery, the doctors paused to examine his heart and lungs because 'they'd never seen a set that healthy before'.

Considering the surgery he sustained, my pops re-adjusted his dieting. Now he consumes soy-based products like boca burgers, some chicken (non-soy and soy), and some cajun-frozen chicken (non-soy).

After getting home for Christmas, I decided to try out the boca products my folks were eating and the health cereal. I really liked the stuff. It filled me up, so I wasn't snacking, and man...I just really got a big energy boost.

Which is not to say I don't snack...I still do I just go for oatmeal or hommus with pita bread.

I managed to lose something like 10 lbs in just over 2 weeks. Magical I know but, I had to do nothing more than run 25 minutes a day (treadmill/outdoors) and dramatically alter my eating habits. So, now I'm all into eating the stuff my folks were feeding me.

Just a tip for all those individuals out there that would like to try something different. Just remember to mix up that food intake. Just eating boca burgers (I usually include whole grain bread, spinach leaves, heart-smart cheese, and hommus) could increase your estrogen levels and that's bad news for dudes.

Make sure to watch calorie intake. You'd be amazed at the difference between a soy burger's caloric count versus a bag of potato chips.

Remember to still get out and jog - you don't need to be the fastest person out there, but it pays off in dividends.

New Hardware

Besides my new, lighter, more nimble body, I've also managed to get a decent laptop. So, I'm thinking about giving Ubuntu a shot.