Client Work, 20080803su1939

I've been at a client location since about 4:30 PM until now (7:39 PM). I'm getting close to finishing up. Rather than riding back home (a 90 minute ride), I'm probably going to accept the offer for a ride home so I can get to sleep early tonight.

[2127] As is often the case, things are taking longer than anticipated. I'm still removing unnecessary programs that were pre-installed on the computer when the computer was new. These programs slow down the computer. Because it is an older computer, and slow, it is taking a while to remove all of these. 

Bicycle Ride, 20080803su1500-1630

My bicycle ride today was about 10 miles and took 90 minutes. I had to ride slower because of headwinds and gravel roads. Photos from the ride are below in reverse chronological order (newest at top going to oldest photo).

The GPS and mapping system in my iPhone took me on the "most direct route" to where my client lives. The "road" the GPS had me take, went from a bumpy paved road, to a gravel road, and then on a dirt road that was so rarely traveled that it had grown over with grass.

I was reminded of a time when I'd traveled to South America, and was on a bus in Peru. The road conditions were similar to what I faced today. Eventually, the bus driver took us through a field in the high planes of Peru where no road existed at all -- only wild llamas grazing.

As I was riding my bicycle, through the remote rural area of Iowa, I came upon a sign with the following warning, "Caution, Minimum Maintenance Road. Level B Surface. Enter at your own risk." This reminded me that sometimes in life, we are given a choice to take an "overgrown trail or path" that seems challenging and/or risky. Yet, it turns out to be the most fulfilling and rewarding path.

(below) In this photo, I'm continuing to ride north west on Wapsi Extension North East toward my destination. It was nice riding along these smooth quiet rural dirt roads.

(above) In this photo, I'm continuing to ride north west on Wapsi Extension North East toward my destination.

(above) After going a short distance on 340th St. NE, I turned left/north on Wapsi Avenue North East and continued a short distance to Fairview Cemetery Road NE which continued diagonally north/east. I turned left/north at Vincent Avenue North East and went a short distance to Wapsi Extension North East and turned left (north west) on that road (seen above in the photo).

(above) Fairview Cemetery Road NE intersects with 340th Street North East (seen in the photo above). I turned right at the intersection and continued for a short distance on 340th St. NE.

(above) A short time after the warning sign, the road became a dirt surface with ruts in it.

(above) A short time after the warning sign, the road became a dirt surface with ruts in it.

In the photo above, I'm turning right (north east) on Fairview Cemetary Road North East. This is a road that goes diagonally north east. To get to this point, I went from downtown Iowa City to Muscatine Avenue and continued east. Then I went left/north on Scott Boulevard. Then I went right/east on Rochester Avenue which becomes Herbert Hoover Highway South East. As soon as I crossed Interstate Highway 80, I went north west on Utah Avenue North East and went around the curve to connect up with Fairview Cemetery Road North East.

Road, 20080803su1555

Warning Sign, 20080803su1550

Road, 20080803su1545

Road, 20080803su1540

Road, 20080803su1530

Minimum Maintenance Road Ahead, 20080803su1605

I'm turning right (north east) on Fairview Cemetary Road North East. This sign reminds me of how sometimes in life, some of the most rewarding roads we might take are minimum maintenance roads. Like this gravel road I'm riding on, some of life's paths are less traveled and
not kept up like the main roads, but they are more interesting.

Found 7 Pennies, 20080803su1515

While riding today, I found seven pennies in the road. They weren't in a circle as pictured, they were scattered along the street, and I saw them as I road along. Sometimes we need to be observant in life to see things of value that are right in front of us.

Baby Sunscreen, 20080803su1457

I'm putting on some SPF 50 baby sunscreen to protect my sensitive and
baby-like skin from the harmful rays of the sun. I probably should
have been doing this during the three weeks I was on the west coast,
but it's never too late to start. I'll also be wearing UV blocking
sunglasses. I'll be riding for about an hour to reach my destination.

Pingu and Cartoon Karma, 20080803su1438

Yesterday, I was taking a break, and watching a cartoon about a penguin named Pingu. In the cartoon, there is a bird that (without the benefit of a bird bathroom) relieves itself and soils the little penguin, dropping the unwanted surprise on the penguin's back. It's a cute cartoon, I had to laugh. Today, I was on my way to work, and later notice that I had a bird dropping on my back. I wonder if there is such a thing as cartoon karma?

Metabolic Age, 28 Years Old, 20080803su1432

While at the office, I took a few minutes to weigh in. My metabolic age has now been reversed to 28 years old. My goal is to be in my early 20s. I'll continue eating nutritious vegan food, exercising daily, drinking tea, drinking plenty of water, and doing the other things that help reverse age and assist in weight management.

Riding to Office, 20080803su1413

I called my 2:00 PM client to explain that I was running behind
schedule. They were very understanding and flexible. I'm going to drop
some things off at my office to lighten the load for my long bike ride
to the client's home. The ride will be almost 20 miles round trip.

Hajmola, 20080803su1358

I just ate two Hajmola tablets. They are very spicy, with almost a
tart flavor. The spices taste all natural, I presume they are. I like
Hajmola because the intensity of the flavor gives me an energy boost.

Starting morning routine, 20080803su1135

Before starting my morning routine, I went to check on the cable modem to see if I could fix the Internet service. I also needed to clean up a mess that some cats had made. So, now, I'm finally back home ready to start my morning routine. Since it's Sunday today, later on, I'll try to take care of the weekly tasks that I leave for the weekend to get done.

Mediacom Internet Service Disruption after Thunder Storm, 20080803su1055

I don't know about the rest of the country, but in Iowa City, the cable modem equipment used by Mediacom High Speed Internet service (MCHSI) is very sensitive to electrical storms. As a result, it is common after a thunder and lightning storm to loose Internet access.

To gain Internet access again, simply reset the Mediacom cable modem by unplugging the power cord and then installing it again.

This method worked fine a few minutes ago, without requiring a reset of the wireless router. However, if this method doesn't work for you, you might also try resetting the wireless router and also any computers trying to connect.

The cable modem shown in this photo is an RCA Model DCM425. The status lights on the front of the unit indicate Message, Cable Activity, Cable Link, PC Link, and Internet. When the unit is functioning properly, all of the lights except the message light should be on (unless you have the message feature and a message is waiting). If the unit needs to be reset, the only light on may be the PC Link, indicating that the cable modem is connected to the wireless router.

After the Storm, 20080803su1028

The storm last night around 3:00 AM was so severe that it woke me from a sound sleep. It's Sunday, so I let myself just sleep in to get the rest I need. I woke up a few minutes after 10:00 AM (8:00 AM Pacific Time) and soon discovered that the storm seemed to have disrupted Internet service. I'll probably need to reset the Cable Modem and Wireless Routers to resore service. For now, I'm using the ATT Edge Network.

I'm told that the ATT store can apply a significant discount to the monthly bill for state employees. So, I need to check on getting that done, but I need to stop by the store for that. Maybe sometime when I'm near the mall where the store is located.

As I write this, it's now a little after 10:30 AM. I'm planning to do my full morning routine before going to do some client work this afternoon. The people I'm going to go help live in the rural area north and east of Iowa City, so I have a long ride ahead of me this afternoon.

I'll be updating throughout the day.

Thunder Storm, 20080803su0320

I woke around 3:00 AM to a severe thunder storm.

Home, getting ready for bed, 20080803su0102

Riding home, 20080803su0053