The other day I discovered Google MyTracks for Android based smart phones. It is basically a GPS tracking software built for runners, cyclists, hikers and other outside enthusiasts. While it isn’t perfect, it is FREE and it is built for Android phones.
I know of a few other applications that are based for iPhone software. While these can tell you what your wattage is, they also cost money. So, I will take free and the ability to upload my maps to Google and Google Documents.
It is pretty cool and anyone else with an Android phone should give it a whirl. You get all kind of stats and it makes me think I am cool and every thing.
It may take a while for me to get used to the racing calendar here in Florida. Unlike Minnesota, where the calendar is based on a traditional April-November season, the Florida calendar is crazy because of the ability to race in the mild winters and the need to avoid the blazing hot summers.
The first part of the road season starts in February and goes until May. The second part of the season starts in September and goes until the end of October. The mountain bike season starts in September and extends through March and the cyclocross season starts in November and ends in January.
This means that there is a lot of racing coming up and I plan to do a little road racing, some mountain bike racing and as much cyclocross racing as I can handle. The shop down the street appears to have an active team so commuting to races should not be a problem.
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I never thought I would take Minnesota Public Radio and the Bill Kling empire for granted. While I refuse to give money to that behemoth of an organization, it is a pretty good public radio station. In Gainesville, I am stuck with the local college affiliate of NPR and it is horrible.
The students they have reading the news are slow, confusing and tend to mumble a lot. In addition, the daily programing includes The Diane Reams Show, which may possibly be the worst radio program in the history of the medium.
This makes my drive fairly aggravating as I have to flip between the National Public Radio produced segments and my own cd’s that I have in the car. I love Morning Edition and Talk of the Nation, but the mini-segments on rescuing alligators from Lake Alice and the oft-repeated “market summary” immediately before Marketplace is ridiculous.
*I love MPR, but I have difficulty in buying their near constant shtick of incredible need for money when they own over 3 different arms of operation (American Public Media, Southern California Public Radio and Minnesota Public Radio) and their CEO is an established multi-millionaire. Plus, if I have to ever hear Mark Wheat talk about “football” and how Americans don’t understand “European football” I may puke on site.
I went on the local tough guy ride yesterday. I didn’t get dropped. That is a good thing, but I figure that has something to do with the fact that I would have never found my way back home if I fell off the back.
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Bob Bradley is the coach of the US Mens National Team again. This is a good thing because I am from Minnesota and I like mediocre sports teams that perform just well enough to let me down in the end.
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There are many differences between living in Minnesota and Florida. Perhaps one of the most obvious is the insistence to celebrate the regional loss in the “War of Northern Aggression.” There is also the lack of quality beer choices at restaurants, dudes that want to look like Jimmy Buffet and tons of strip-malls.
The one that I noticed yesterday was the crazy amount of speed bumps all over town. I began to wonder why they have a ton of them as I tend to hit them at full speed since there are only a few “speed humps ahead” signs in the area.
I then realized it is because snow plows won’t rip them up if they came barreling down the street. I will take this trade any day of the week.
I have been working 10hour days over this past week. Couple that with the 30minute commute to work and you can only imagine how tired I have been. Nonetheless, it is very enjoyable to be in front of a classroom. I am having fun teaching.
One of the kids asked me if I have ever been “mud-bogging.” The entire class sounded shocked when I told them that I had no idea what they were talking about. Apparently, it is the fun thing to do, and after watching this video I think I may have to agree with them:
As I am sure you can imagine, things have been moving along here in Florida. School started this week and it has been extremely hectic trying to get lesson plans, individual education plans and various other paperwork completed. I am sure that I will eventually get a hang of everything, but I am currently working 12 hour days and it is taking a toll.
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I enjoy my commute into work. It takes me 30minutes to drive and it allows me to listen to NPR and get caught up on the news. What I do not enjoy about my commute is the fact that it takes a total of 1hour out of my day. Couple this with the 8-5pm day at school and you see where the frustration comes from.
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There is a twice weekly ride leaving from the world famous Gainesville Hippodrome. This ride is called, “The Hipp Ride.” I guess there is a lot of yelling and “tough guys”. Good thing I have have done a few Tuff Guy rides in Minneapolis.
I went on the local shop group ride this morning. Nine of us took to the start and before I knew it I was completely lost on the south side of town while riding on a bike path that was similar to the Midtown Greenway. Apparently this path is about 17 miles long and is a quick way out of town for those looking to get in a nice loop. The group kept a steady pace throughout and took me on a tour of the area. 70 hard miles deposited into the bank account today.
I must admit, I am very surprised at how good the riding is out here. Tons of country roads with minimal cars. On today’s ride the group decided to go down “Zebra Road.” I soon learned why they gave it that name as a farmer decided some time ago to breed zebras, ostriches, antelopes and other crazy animals.
Sadly, I have no clue where this place is so I can not show Sarah.
I have to admit that I have been pretty stressed out as of late. The move to Florida is one thing, but having a job contingent on passing a test is a whole other ballgame. I am happy to announce that I passed the Exceptional Student Education K-12 licensure exam yesterday morning. I can not emphasize how nice this feels.
After telling people the location of my new place of employment one of the first things said in response is, “watch out for the Waldo speed trap.” I was amazed at how many different folks have been telling me about the tickets that the Waldo, FL police department issue for speeding through their town. So, on the way up to work today I made sure to adhere strictly to the speed limit and wasn’t surprised when I saw three cars pulled over on one stretch of highway, and on the return home I saw another two cars.
Yes, in just a few miles of road I saw a total of 5 cars pulled over on the side of the road in the small town of Waldo, FL.
