tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:11:31 +0000http://www.packetfu.org/noreply@blogger.com (Chris)Blogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-4476386167333597290Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:37:00 +00002009-01-02T12:11:31.460-06:00Early in 2008 I put together a list of goals I wanted to accomplish. They weren't fancy lofty goals by any means, they were attainable things I could actually do if I put my mind to it. I find that it helps to write these down on a small piece of paper and keep them in my wallet as a constant reminder. I'm happy to say that I got it all done in 2008 but at times was a blur! 2008: Visit Miami (http://www.packetfu.org/2009/01/my-life-08-into-09.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-9148680088108875729Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:36:00 +00002008-12-09T14:32:07.967-06:00In these tough economic times, it's nice to save some cash on hotels. I recently went to Chicago for a weekend getaway and decided to try out priceline.com for the first time. I ran across another very useful site called biddingfortravel.com that provides strategies for bidding, information on which actual hotels are in the bidding zones and a forum where people post their hotels with price whichhttp://www.packetfu.org/2008/11/hotels-at-discount-pricelinecom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-114462576067409022Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:05:00 +00002008-12-22T11:25:40.915-06:00Reading now: Recently read: To read: http://www.packetfu.org/2006/12/books.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-7229767918612015359Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:36:00 +00002008-11-12T11:56:53.621-06:00It was test day at the gym the other day. Although I'm not as strong as I used to be as I've spent more time practicing yoga recently, here's the results: Press ups - 8 box down dogs Chin ups - 6 regular Squats - 6 step ups each leg on high box using 20kg kettlebell in each hand Extensions - 86 inch broad jump - 20 inch vertical (119 inch / 99 inch) Core - 30http://www.packetfu.org/2008/11/mbg-test-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-7596559225926573083Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:44:00 +00002008-10-19T21:49:59.430-05:00My trip to Amsterdam was awesome! I found the city busy yet laid back, overrun by bicycles which I enjoyed to see, dense yet sustainable and absolutely beautiful. The fact that it was fall with the leaves on the trees falling added to the experience. Walking around the city felt like being in a fantasy land as the streets are lined with charming, tasteful and gorgeous canal houses. It felt like Ihttp://www.packetfu.org/2008/10/amsterdam-trip-recap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-570861887664602905Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:45:00 +00002008-09-30T15:17:36.904-05:00I have recently become interested in SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems and the security implications within their deployment. My research has yielded the following informational links. News how vulnerable are we? The Information Security Evolution in the Utilities Sector Digital Bond - SCADA Security Blog Whitepapers/Presentations Risks of Cyber Attack to Supervisory http://www.packetfu.org/2008/09/scada-security.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-4238847915646885407Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:19:00 +00002008-10-19T21:52:34.728-05:00I'm heading to Amsterdam in a couple weeks. I've found useful information at The Channels site and the Wikitravel Amsterdam page. I am traveling solo, which I have never done before. I've flown to other countries before to meet up with someone but this will be a different experience. I'm looking forward to exploring, meeting new people, spending time with myself, contemplating, growing, becominghttp://www.packetfu.org/2008/09/dam.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-6647274865235174265Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:00:00 +00002008-09-09T09:39:23.556-05:00I finally got my private pilot's license! It took close to two years (21 months) between when I went on a demo flight until yesterday, September 6th, when I passed my checkride. Of course I took two long breaks in there where I didn't do any flying but hey, that's how it goes sometimes. Now that I have my license I really believe it is a license to learn. I have begun putting together a list of http://www.packetfu.org/2008/09/im-private-pilot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-8324690690974000045Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:45:00 +00002008-04-11T11:10:44.568-05:00I tried kombucha for the first time last summer (2007). At the time I thought it was just okay, nothing that I would shell out the $3.50 for again. Well, I tried it again recently, and, well, now I can't get enough of the stuff. I've tried all the different kinds that GT's sells. My favorites are Gingerberry, Gingerade and Guava Goddess. Original - straight up kombucha, a little boring but a http://www.packetfu.org/2008/04/kombucha.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-6654009703224652476Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:38:00 +00002008-05-30T20:38:51.701-05:00Revised 5/30/2008, post trip. I updated the stuff I packed. I was pretty close, the changes are in italic below. I am taking a trip to Peru soon where I will be hiking up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The only luggage I will be bringing will be what fits in my Kelty Redwing 3100 backpack. Here's the list of the stuff I am planning on taking with me: Passport/Vaccination certificate Travel http://www.packetfu.org/2008/03/packing-for-inca-trail-to-machu-picchu.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-7429101323434316215Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:03:00 +00002008-02-25T11:12:20.194-06:00One of my dreams is to buy 5-10 vacant wooded acres in Wisconsin, within an hour or two drive of Madison and preferably with a stream meandering through. After buying such a parcel I would love to put up a year-round yurt. After looking at most of the companies that sell yurts, I think that Pacific Yurt offers the best product. I came across this list of places on the Pacific Yurt website that http://www.packetfu.org/2008/02/yurting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-1361637097364463175Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:50:00 +00002007-12-25T20:05:24.559-06:00As I posted last year, I wanted to go camping this year at Blackhawk Memorial Park Campground in Argyle, Dells of Eau Claire County Park Campground in Wausau, Long Lake Recreation Area Campground in Dundee, Nelson Dewey State Park Campground in Cassville, Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers and Pine Woods Campground in Wales. Well, I made it to Blackhawk Memorial Park, Long Lake (Kettle http://www.packetfu.org/2007/12/camping-in-wisconsin-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-4552141203090260361Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:46:00 +00002007-12-11T15:37:46.460-06:00I am super excited that I'm going to take a demonstration flight in the Cirrus SR22-G3 Turbo! It will be a change from my current trainer which is a Cessna 152. http://www.packetfu.org/2007/12/cirrus-sr22-g3-turbo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-850250770513194434Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:27:00 +00002007-11-16T19:28:39.831-06:00Here are some notes on what I've found works best for my Nikon D50: Portraits - Aperture-priority exposure mode (A) with the largest aperture (smallest number as in f/2.8), within Optimize Image set Sharpening to low, Color Space to Ia, and Tone Comp. to Normal or Medium Low. Focus on the eyes. Night Portrait - Aperture-priority exposure mode (A) with the largest aperture (smallest number as inhttp://www.packetfu.org/2007/11/nikon-d50-settings-for-portraits-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-3089453861837565070Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:15:00 +00002007-10-08T21:31:21.203-05:00I reserved a fire circle at Picnic Point last weekend and rode my bicycle there with a friend. It was such an awesome time. There's nothing like being able to jump on my bike in such an urban area like I live, ride it for 15 minutes and be able to build a fire in what is essentially the woods and settle in as the sun goes down. And the wood was already stacked up, ready to go and free! I felt http://www.packetfu.org/2007/10/getting-away-without-leaving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-7057859914580487382Mon, 10 Sep 2007 18:36:00 +00002007-09-10T13:42:16.987-05:00Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are going in this ocean of chaos, it has been the authorities, the political, the religious, the educational authorities who attempted to comfort us by giving us order, rules, regulations, informing, forming in our minds their view of reality. To think for yourself you http://www.packetfu.org/2007/09/think-for-yourself.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-5489022884883382800Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:20:00 +00002007-07-26T22:53:12.856-05:00I've progressed to do much of the radio work during my flying lessons. At times it can be a bit overwhelming trying to talk and fly an airplane. Before takeoff I have to talk with Clearance and then Ground and then Tower. After takeoff I have to talk with Tower and then Departure. There's an awesome website, LiveATC.net that provides the ability to listen to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Madison's http://www.packetfu.org/2007/07/me-on-radio.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-114668959109063025Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:01:00 +00002008-10-19T21:56:13.685-05:00Here are my favorite places to eat in Madison: Breakfast: Marigold Kitchen Sophia's Bakery & Cafe Eldoraldo Grill Fish Fry: The Avenue Pizza: Roman Candle Pizza Pavlov's Pizza Greenbush Bar Natt Spil Italian: Peppino's Fork and Spoon Cafe Mexican: El Pescador Eldoraldo Grill Burrito Drive Japanese: Wasabi Restaurant Muramoto Takumi Upscale: Restaurant Magnus Sardine Misc Cuisines: Buraka http://www.packetfu.org/2006/10/favorite-madison-restaurants.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-8010251491241473731Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:11:00 +00002007-07-17T20:51:13.342-05:00Last winter I went on an introductory flight in a Cessna 172. It was the first time I had been in a General Aviation (GA) aircraft. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. What I liked was the freedom of movement in flight, the exhilarating feeling of taking off, and the way I could forget about normal everyday life and "get away" for a couple hours. I wasn't completely sure I wanted to follow http://www.packetfu.org/2007/07/flying-lessons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-9213138623712125420Sun, 17 Jun 2007 16:56:00 +00002007-06-20T14:16:52.377-05:00The author of Vinography: A Wine Blog posted How to Taste Wines You Can't Afford which suggested attending pre-auction tastings. I looked around the Madison area for pre-auction tastings and the closest I found was Edward Roberts International in Chicago. So I went to the tasting yesterday at the Columbia Yacht Club. It was a fantastic event as I learned alot about wine and sampled 1 ounce pours http://www.packetfu.org/2007/06/how-i-tasted-wines-i-cant-afford-well.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-6423048264936326999Thu, 17 May 2007 01:50:00 +00002007-05-18T10:52:49.499-05:00I finally found a plant I can have in my house that will safely coexist with my cat. After finding plant after plant that I liked I would check the list of plants poisonous to cats and would inevitably find it listed. These included the Snake Plant (Sansevieria Laurentii), Corn Plant (Dracaena Massangeana), Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica), Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina), and Madagascar Dragon Tree (http://www.packetfu.org/2007/05/i-finally-found-plant-i-can-have-in-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-3514845238266601007Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:03:00 +00002007-05-08T15:17:21.477-05:00I just returned from spending 15 days in Ghana. The large cities - Accra, Kumasi - are swarming and oven-baked and marked by an ever-present blanket of filthy air and traffic jams. The simplest excursion is a battle against impenetrable crowds, scorching heat and a mad, horn-blaring rodeo of cars, overloaded and mufferless trucks and tro-tros, ambling goats, and gangs of adolescent hawkers going http://www.packetfu.org/2007/04/ghana-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-2330246394002824156Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:54:00 +00002007-04-03T19:56:38.906-05:00I've brewed beer a few times and these are the last two recipes I've used. I would like to brew a fruit based beer this summer, maybe watermelon. Honey Ale - simple beer that has just a mild hint of honey 4 lbs Alexander's Pale Malt Extract 1 oz 5.4% alpha acid Cascade pellet hops 1 oz 3.6% alpha acid Saaz pellet hops 3.5 oz Wyeast #1056 American Ale yeast (also known as Chico) 2 lbs light http://www.packetfu.org/2007/04/beer-recipes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-116508670484810495Sat, 02 Dec 2006 19:07:00 +00002007-08-30T23:28:28.642-05:00A life, you know what that is? It's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come. I like tea now, in vast free flowing quantities. Ginger Lime Rooibos. Citron Oolong. Rooibos Chai. Jamaica Red Bush.http://www.packetfu.org/2006/12/yes-thank-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5225997.post-116094082855262660Sun, 15 Oct 2006 19:23:00 +00002006-10-15T15:31:48.623-05:00I've been singing in the car, smiling at strangers, losing my father without making a reconnection, buying new socks, putting on my flannel sheets, losing a really special connection with someone, playing in the autumn leaves, helping someone find their lost cat, smelling the grocery store, crying, looking out the window, laughing, learning from my mistakes, watching the sun come up, trying to http://www.packetfu.org/2006/10/touche-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris)