Blog Master G

I love my Road Runner Turbo. It was upgraded last week to double the speed. I now get 15 MBPS down and 1 MBPS up. Now that’s blazingly fast. And I really notice the difference.

Results from yesterday’s bandwidth speed test (New York City server):

I’ve come a long way since my 2400 baud modem.

Yesterday at the Parting Glass and Niki and Seth’s house:

Happy birthday, Niki, and happy St. Patty’s Day weekend!

As many of you know, I’ve been involved with the Saratoga Steeplechasers for more than a year now. We’re dedicated to raising money and awareness to save the beautiful and historic Universal Preservation Hall in downtown Saratoga. The building is being transformed from a dilapidated old church into a vibrant performing arts center for the community.

I’ve contributed to the efforts by helping to plan last year’s fund raising auction (this year’s auction is coming up March 29!) and by creating a number of online presentations about our efforts (like this one). When the hall officially opens this year (expected in the summer), UPH will be the latest addition to our unique and active community. The entire Capital Region will benefit from the presence of UPH.

Between now and April 9, 2007, the Nordlys Foundation will be doubling all donations to UPH made by first-time donors and anyone under the age of 40. You can learn more about the grant right here, and you can make your donation here.

Whether it’s $10 or $10,000, every contribution is an important one. I’d encourage you to help preserve this historic building, and to contribute to enhancing the quality of life — and our economy — in Saratoga Springs and upstate New York. This piece of history will benefit current and future generations with arts, entertainment, and private affairs (UPH will also be available for weddings, private parties, and other events).

Thank you in advance!

It was five years ago today when Nana left this earth. For the fifth year in a row, I blog in her honor today. She touched so many lives, and the essence of her being lives on.

We had some friends over tonight — one, who, like Nana was, is a Leo — and I was talking about Nana, remembering her and her house.

Tonight we had this delicious goat cheese and fig spread. So it reminded me of Nana and how she had a fig tree in her backyard in Sacramento. As a kid, I didn’t know what quite to make of the strange purple fruit. But it intrigued me. I remember walking around that tree, staring at the ground and looking for fallen figs. For some reason, I liked to look at them on the ground. And then I would look for figs still on the tree. The purple fuzzy fruit. So unique. Just like Nana.

Also in her yard was the apricot tree. I liked to use that tree to get onto the roof. Then sit on the roof and eat apricots. Those were my favorite fruits in the yard. And the giant cherry tree. And the orange tree. I remember when the orange tree was brand new. We also had a swing set in that yard. Eventually the orange tree overtook the swing set. So the swing set had to go. Then there was the tree that was half pear and half apple. It had somehow fused at the base. So it created these delicious and unique fruits.

So here’s to Nana. And here’s to life.

Here’s to friends. And here’s to family.

Life is wonderful and the fruits it bears are delicious. So enjoy every one. I know Nana did.

• Nana memorial 2006
• Memorial 2005
• Memorial 2004
• Memorial 2003
• Memorial 2002

Holy crap it’s cold here this morning! Air temperature: -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind temperature: -23 degrees Fahrenheit. Damn!

Big congrats to my bro, Peter, who ran in and completed the L.A. Marathon yesterday! He finished in an incredible 3 hours, 37 minutes, and 33 seconds (3:37:33), which, from what I understand, is pretty damn good. Considering I haven’t run a full mile — let alone 26 — in ages, I can appreciate the feat even more.

Pete crosses the finish line of the Los Angeles Marthon 2007

The Kenyan guy who won did so in just over 2 hours. In the Bay to Breakers, it was always a Kenyan who won. I think Kenyans must be the fastest dudes on the planet — either that or they just love to race in California runs.

Again, congrats to you, Pete! We’re all very proud of you.

“Depicts 60,000 plastic bags, the number used in the US every five seconds.”

And other mind-boggling stats and images.

(Thanks, Matt, for the link.)

Even in the wake of a natural disaster like yesterday’s landslide in San Francisco, the city is still breathtakingly beautiful. I love this photo since you can see Yerba Buena Island (next-door neighbor to our old home on Treasure Island) in the background to the left of the Bay Bridge.

And back in the day my dad used to live right where the landslide occurred. I’m glad he doesn’t anymore!

On Feb. 11, the Times Union ran this story: A quick change / High-speed Internet is transforming the Capital Region, where the economy increasingly depends on the digital world.

Today they printed my response to that story: Telecommuting helps environment, business.

Here’s my scan of it, too:

If more people telecommuted, the world would be a happier, cleaner, more productive place.

Guess what we had in our refrigerator? Yup, the salmonella peanut butter! Woohoo!

Recall taints lunchtime staple:

Shoppers are warned to throw out jars with a product code on the lid beginning with “2111.”

That’s what we get for buying non-hippie peanut butter like the stuff I was raised on.