Kat Scratchings

Death and Taxes

sabercat — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:09:36 GMT

Should be one and the same. After three painful wastes of weekends going through mountains of paperwork and spreadsheets with Turbo Tax, it is finally over. (I hope...no audits please). I ended up coming out with only a 42 cent delta between all the forms. I call that "pretty good".
Also good news, with all the charitable deductions, a mortgage and 2 kids I'm getting some money back for a "change". Not much, but enough to go out to dinner with friends and buy some landscaping/garden stuffs.

Until next year taxes... pppbbbbbttttt!

The 7th Meme....

sabercat — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:57:47 GMT

From Gilmore:
Comment to this post, and I will list seven things I want you to talk about. They might make sense or they might be totally random. Then post that list, with your commentary, to your journal. Other people can get lists from you, and the meme merrily perpetuates itself

Professionalism, Family, skating, Disney, milkshakes, extreme sports, reputation.

Professionalism: Is a duality in many respects. I enjoy the formal, exactness that comes from one of my jobs. In a complete 180, I also enjoy the randomness, impromptu and spontaneous nature of my other job(s). Above all, I beleive you should do your best in whatever endeavour you choose. No regrets, that what makes life worth living.

Family: Is the most important thing in my life. It is the root of happiness. They are my closest of friends, my companions in life and my purpose and legacy.

Disney: Whoa... this one might elicit some angry responses. Disney takes some of the best, most creative talent on Earth and exploits their talents for profit and greed, leaving them with a pittance for their efforts. However, the heart and soul of that talent shines through and inspires.

Milkshakes: Chocolate please, with extra chocolate sauce and if they have chocolate whipped cream...that too. Did I mention chocolate? I also have this obsession with trying a milkshake at a diner in nearly every place I visit (where it's possible...China isn't exactly a hotspot for dairy, chocolate or cold things).

Extreme Sports: Yes. I suppose my penchant for them has waned with experience and age, however, I like things that challenge my talents. Extreme Sports are one way that never disappoints.

Reputation: I'm sure it goes before me. Some likely good, some potentially bad. I hope most of it good. I try to give everyone a fair shake no matter who they are, where they are and what they do. Friends come in all shapes and sizes!

Who's next!?

Sushi...

sabercat — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:44:18 GMT

I'm pretty sure I'd addicted. It's like the Indian food cravings I had a few years back. About every week or so, there's something "internal" that just says..."You need SUSHI!". Maybe it's a tapeworm that needs to be fed Hamachi, maybe some sort of preconditioning by sushi sales vendors. Whatever it is... I'm now hungry.

THG

sabercat — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:18:37 GMT

So cool when your direct job scope continues to get press (rumored or not). Way to go THG!

New Years!

sabercat — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:49:00 GMT

I suppose I should get around to posting a few resolutions since I've spent the rest of the day putting them into practice.

For 2012 I'd like to:
1. Look to put more "fun" into the basic things of life. So often we get so caught up in tasks and the little things that we forget to have fun along the way. This is one of those items in life I used to be VERY good at, but feel that I've slipped in the last few years to a point where I've noticed and want to change.
2. Be more consistent in following through. I also used to be VERY good at this. With the expanded scope of family and still trying to keep up "fun" jobs in addition to "real" work, I've found that things fall through the cracks. I'm organized in that I track all the items that I need to do, it's just being consistent in managing time so that I can get all that is needed done!
3. Spectacular family experiences. I want to have at least three of these a year, they don't need to be exotic trips or expensive outings. Just ones that create lasting memories. My parents were pretty good about this, and I know what a difference it made in my life.

That's it! Simple and sweet. No sense in biting off more than these teeth can chew!

Happy 2012 all!

Time to upgrade the system...

sabercat — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:35:52 GMT

Black Friday was my friend. Gigabyte X79... UD7 board on the way. i7-3960x, 2 x 160GB SSD HDD in RAID 0 and a pair of 580 GTX's with 3D vision 2 glasses and monitor, 16GB Patriot XMP DDR3-1866. I think I'm good for a little while... ;)

Hey Pewter...

sabercat — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:43:18 GMT

In addition to giving you some fantastic assets...1000 calories an hour and that's for a lightweight only doing 16 MPH...

In rollerblading, a 140-pound person going 7.5 mph burns about 300 calories in an hour. This speed is appropriate for a beginner, and as a beginning you will burn more because you are not efficient at the movement. As you become more skilled, you have to skate harder and faster to burn more calories.

A more advanced participant of the same weight might go 16 mph and could burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour--but keeping that pace for an hour is extremely challenging.

Muscles Used
Rollerblading involves the whole body. The muscles in the shins, thighs, buttocks, abdomen and arms must all work to control and propel the body. The more muscles involved, the greater the calories burned. Build long, powerful leg strides and pump your arms front to back (rather than side-to-side) to burn more calories. The abdomen must work to keep you balanced and to guide your body during turns and stops. This build-up of core strength helps you stand taller, feel fitter and perform any athletic activity better.

Mix Up Your Routine
Alternating between high-intensity exercise and recovery is a great way to increase your calorie expenditure. A steady skating session might burn 400 calories per hour, but if you alternate between that pace and super-high speeds, you can amp up your burn by 10 percent to 25 percent.

You also can focus on your position. Bend deeply at the knees like a speed skater and swing your arms front to back. The power of your arm and leg strokes increases your speed and your calorie burn. You may have seen some skaters draw an hourglass while skating. This move, called the swizzle, is a fundamental move in inline skating fitness videos and ramps up the intensity of your routine. You can also scorch calories by performing skill drills such as crossovers, hopping, one-footed slaloms and backward skating.

Versus Other Exercises
The action of skating keeps your shins, thighs and hips activated almost constantly, unlike running and cycling. Although almost comparable to running in terms of calories burned, rollerblading affords time for coasting. Since rollerblading puts less wear and tear on your joints, it might be a more sustainable activity.

Fitness Rollerblading
If you are just learning to rollerblade, become very familiar with the brake to prevent lots of falls. As you become more advanced, classes, videos and books can assist you in creating challenging and different routines. Stick to it: Regular rollerblading burns a lot of calories and helps build a fit, toned body

Read more: Calories Burned While Rollerblading | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5394992_calories-burned-rollerblading.html#ixzz1dwDuH0rn

Goin' 3D!

sabercat — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:21:50 GMT

I finally took the plunge to get 3D setup for the computer and the projector. Tried it out for the first time last night on Battlefield. Amazing. While I wouldn't call it "Earth Shattering" it does add a very real element to the experience. Highly recommend taking a look at it, for those that haven't had the experience.
I'm using stereoscopic active 3D, via NVidia's 3D vision.

I've done a lot of "boring" posts lately.

sabercat — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:24:51 GMT

Mascotting... skating times, etc. I should at least take the time to post something more "meaningful". This was not prompted in any way by 9/11, at least not consciously. Life is good in so many ways, I can't express how grateful I am to have been blessed with good friends, family, and surroundings. I think too often I take that for granted and in times like these realize how much of a blessing that is in the world we live in these days. Kids are great. They progress and grow so fast, and yet time slows down when you are with them. My son will likely grow up to be a rocket scientist that breakdances and my daughter, a researcher, she has so much focus on things at such a young age. I have a fantastic wife, who is always supportive and with whom I can grow with through experiences and have meaningful deep discussions with. Despite some other family health problems, it has been a very good summer, with time spent together, where it matters most.
I have some long time friends coming in over the next few weeks for events, it is so interesting to me that we've all taken dramatically different paths, yet our friendship remains as solid as ever and time and distance have not changed a thing. I'm really looking forward to spending more quality time with them and family here in the coming weeks/months...

Sore...

sabercat — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 18:22:41 GMT

Wow... beautiful morning this morning, 19.6 miles in 1:04:32. Not too bad, for that distance. Best line today from a biker who hung behind me for 4-5 miles. Dayum... I've never drafted off a guy on rollerblades before. :)

15.2 miles in 44:06

sabercat — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:59:28 GMT

Not bad for not skating for a few weeks. Awesome night on the trail tonight. mid 70's and a nice light breeze.

I so need to go here...

sabercat — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:41:19 GMT

Anyone in Waco out there?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-H9GEaJ2Qk

For all you Muppet fans out there...

sabercat — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:37:58 GMT

Brown Chicken Brown Cow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzQ4qdlhurc&feature=player_detailpage

LOL!

Be prepared...

sabercat — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:14:18 GMT

Because the fishercat will text you endlessly.

I got a message today from Mars...

sabercat — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:32:50 GMT

You know who you are fishercat.
Because the kat's the only kat, who knows where it's at...

For Farraptor!

sabercat — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:43:55 GMT

Here's your big break buddy!
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/tlg/2204586138.html

NEED EXTRAS FOR ALIEN ZOMBIE FILM FOR FEBRUARY 19th & 20th (CARMICHAEL, CA)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2011-02-08, 6:21PM PST
Reply to: gigs-xjcwc-2204586138@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PROJECT TITLE: Ways Of The Unknown Zombies

A film about alien zombies invading Earth and taking the life out of people to take back their planet and start a new generation.

We need extras for the following shoots:

February 19th
2pm - 4pm

February 20th
5pm - 8pm

The shoot location will be in Carmichael, CA

If interested please send photo to the email listed above and we will send more info.

This is a non paid gig but you will get a free copy of the DVD when finished

A day of old friends.

sabercat — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 08:25:15 GMT

Had an event today where it was good to see some old friends. (I also had some time to burn waiting for some folks so I caught up with some new friends on the phone as well) Great event, lots of fun, although I'm sure I made an ass out of myself backstage and out at the venue. I try to keep with character. :)
Anyhow, home and waiting for the laundry to finish so I can hang stuff for tomorrow's event. Fun times. Good to see the folks I did as well. You know who you are!

42 degree pitch + 2 feet of powder.

sabercat — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:33:30 GMT

Amazing day in the Sierra backcountry yesterday, I am SORE from the hike from the lifts, but man, those first 20-24 turns were WELL worth it.

Amazing.

Happiness is...

sabercat — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:35:25 GMT

A new G19 Logitech gaming keyboard and MX mizzouse. ;)

Nothing says love...

sabercat — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:05:04 GMT

Like Tritium night sights. <3 His and Hers.

Hol-i-daze

sabercat — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:00:59 GMT

Wishing everyone a happy holidays out in cyber-land. I'll admit, being a kat, I was way too lazy to get Christmas cards out this year. I'll be on uber top-secret travel here soon, and for those whose cities I'm close to, you can expect a dinner or late night snack on me when I'm visiting.

Hope all is safe for everyone this break! And wishing you the best for the new year.
Skiing is also in order... tall order. Pass is bought.

How would you spend...

sabercat — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 03:46:28 GMT

From the latest Gov't plan..."That means an extra $2,172 in the 2011 paychecks for all Americans making at least $108,600, the current maximum amount of income subject to the FICA tax. The goal of this tax break is to give a jolt to the anemic economic recovery on the assumption that everyone -- the middle class and the truly wealthy -- will go out and spend that money."

So how is everyone spending their $$$? Inquiring kats want to know.
Me... I think I'll have enough to eat out at Wendy's, maybe even splurge on a frosty. The rest will go towards the tax bill that I'm sure will hit us the next year.

VOTE!

sabercat — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:28:32 GMT

If you are a legal citizen, please go vote. :) Millions of people have given their lives so that you could have the opportunity to do so.

That is all.

For nico!

sabercat — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:19:56 GMT

You know you can live forever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QPiF4-iu6g&feature=player_embedded#!

Short Post

sabercat — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 18:26:40 GMT

Life is good.