Musings of a Madman

Purchase a pretty cool piece of Journaling/Blogging software last night named MacJournal. Tried it out a few weeks back, but at the cost of $40 I could not bring my self to buy it. At any rate they had an end of year blow out sale yesterday with 40% off and I dug in for a couple pieces. I picked up the following pieces of software:

1. MacJournal (which I am using to add this post to both my journal and blog)
2. MacGourmet: The intent is to move my family on a more structure eating form.

That’s all for this post, just wanted to share my latest digs!

Checking out the Camera Recording Function:

Pretty much spend most of the last few days trying to find a mind mapping program to help clear my brain.  I have got lots of stuff to flesh out but it is just not coming to me.

I am trying out a few programs right now – Personal Brain, Concept Draw MindMap, and Curio.  I like bits and pieces of all three of them, but something is still missing.

PersonalBrain – Pro: Dynamic and immediate; Con: attachment and notemaking space.
Concept Draw MindMap – Pro: Rich and feature filled; Con:  Windows only…still evaluating.
Curio - Pro: Feature filled…can add all kinds of media; Con:  Very static…

Still hoping to bust through this malaise and get back to productivity. 

I need to do the following: Financial plan next year, set schedule for family, work on a few items for work with deadlines.

After 2 years with my MacBook, I decided to give it a well deserved upgrade. For the longest while I have debated upgrading, but with 500GB just over $100 a pop, I had to jump at the opportunity.

Started the process last night using Shirt-Pocket’s SuperDuper. Hopefully, I can get it done tonight.

HOW TO EXERCISE
Make a commitment to invest at least four hours per week to exercise. Aim for 30-60 minute workouts 3 times per week to support a healthy body and mind. As soon as you feel your enthusiasm decreasing, try a different activity. Team up with a friend. Having a buddy who is committed to a fitness strategy will keep you motivated and increase your chances of success. To achieve a toned, hard-body look, try adding at least two hours a week of free-weight or weight-machine training to your aerobic routine. Lean muscle weighs more than fat, so pay less attention to scales. Exercising in the morning will encourage calorie burning and energy all day long and exercising before meals helps reduce your appetite.

WHICH EXERCISE IS BEST?
Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, rollerblading, bike riding and basketball stimulates your entire body, encouraging circulation, stamina, heart and lung health, lymphatic drainage and more. It can also help to enhance your mood and focus.  Weight-training exercise increases lean muscle mass. Muscle tissue burns calories for energy so the greater amount of muscle tissue you have, the more calories you can burn.

Example Week For Advanced Fitness Level:
Monday: 45 min run before breakfast
Tuesday: 1 and half hour spin class
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 30 min elliptical machine, free weights and 30 squats
Friday: 30 min run before dinner
Saturday: 1 hour playing basketball
Sunday: Rest

Really need to start pushing some stuff here on Marcus’ chess journey.

Grafton (15 November 2008): 3/25 Unrated
Echo Lake (6 December 2008): 20/60; Rating:

Link:
VA Chess Federation
VA Scholastic Chess Association
United Chess Federation Member Support