I got the comments back from my adviser on the first chapter of my thesis yesterday and much to my surprise she liked it! I’m very happy as it’s not often I get that good of a response from her so I’m really motivated. I need to get chapter 2 to her by Monday and I think I can do it. This weekend will be all about writing.
Also I went to a talk by Jason Weidemann, an acquisitions editor, from the University of Minnesota Press. While his talk focused more on getting books published, the advice overall was really great that could be applied to writing in general. I took a lot of notes during it and also recorded it on my digital voice recorder. I think having the recording will be very useful to listen to later on. In fact, knowing him already will help when the time to publish comes up (many years from now) and I active at the talk. I asked a question specifically about Minn. Press, Mechademia, and also I had the adapter that they needed for him to use his Powerpoint.
All in all yesterday was a good day. And I think today will be too.
It’s been over a week since I started wearing my Vibram Five Fingers so I thought I should post a little review.
I have to say that they are by far some of the best shoes I’ve worn. It’s kind of fun walking around in them. I feel a bit like a Hobbit, Halfling, or Grass Runner depending on which terminology you go by. They do what they say. I feel more when I’m walking now also my stride and step both feel different. The KSOs do a good job of keeping stuff out though it doesn’t help for when I put my foot in with particles on my foot like kitty litter. I still get weird looks from people as toed shoes aren’t common but I don’t mind. They’re comfortable.
I think I will get a pair of the classics as they’re an easier casual shoe but I’ll hold off until I head back to the mainland for that.
I give the Vibram Five Finger KSO’s
(4.5/5)
Posted in Daily, Feature, VFF
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For Valentines day my girlfriend and I along with another friend swam out to the Mokulele islands. Located off the shore of Lanikai in Kailua about 1500m away give or take. It was both a very tiring and rewarding activity. In all it took about 3 hours as we wandered around on the island for a bit. Was a great way to spend the day I think. Muscles feel like a good workout. I’m exhausted but its a good exhaustion. Definitely good stress reliever.
We only went to one of the islands that was out there as we weren’t entirely sure whether or not we were allowed on the second island or not. Also the waves would have made it pretty rough. The kayak tours were also a challenge. The people didn’t know how to control their craft and they nearly ran into us as we approached the shore.
Afterward we went to the mall to pick out a few more items for St. Patrick’s Day. Never can have enough green after all.
Oh and it was on this day Caeser was told he would die.
In the process of updating the look of this blog I have read many blogs on website design, development, and Photoshop brushes/patterns/textures/etc. And in doing so I have expanded my knowledge and library of sources greatly. I hope to add some of these sites to my blog roll soon so that others can check them out. I feel that I should be more active as opposed to just a scavenger taking what I want and not giving anything back. As such I feel that with my limited skills I will start with something easy. The first I will be releasing will be texture packs of Hawaiian sand. Wont be big though maybe 5 or 6 textures. I plan to release these as a freebie as I understand the pains of being a student with low-income and how helpful the free stuff as been to me. I will post them in a .zip file containing both the textures as individual JPG files and a .pat file for Photoshop. These will be released under the creative commons license with free use, no need to attribute them to me but may not be rereleased/repackaged, and as always share and share alike.
I plan for in the first sand pack to be:
Waikiki
Lanikai
Kailua Bay
Ala Moana Beach
Makapuu
Stay tuned!
I’ve been interested in these newfangled Vibram Five Fingers since Lifehacker’s article on them last summer and I finally broke down and got a pair today. It was stumbling across the blog birthday shoes and a discussion on the Lanikai Pillbox hike with someone who actually was wearing a pair that was the last push. I got a pair of the black KSO model. KSO stands for “Keep Stuff Out” as the foot is fully covered so no stones or whatnot will get in.
Got them at the Wheatgrass store in Kaimuki. The owner was a good guy and helped me get the right size since they’re fit differently than normal shoes. Wore them out of the store and wearing them in the coffee shop as I write. It pretty cool. I feel a lot more than with shoes and my feet are still protected. Will take some getting used to but I look forward to it.
Will write a full review after I wear them for a few days.
Today was a day of relaxation before I sit down and get started on school work. Been watching some old episodes of Robotech on hulu. Still a classic.
Doing laundry today as well. The apartment was getting a little out of hand so I picked up all the clothes and am doing two loads. It’s nice to see the floor again.
Been tinkering around with the blog too. Added some new plugins for widgets and have a really cool login screen as well. Seems like this thing is finally starting to get some personality.
