Stereogum: indie music reviews and news

I just discovered Stereogum for my indie music news, reviews, and samples from the comments of a Gizmodo article. I'm checking it out, but I don't know how it compares to Pitchfork for national level news, but I'll keep y'all posted.

Fast Track blogging

I'm now going to be blogging at the Fast Track Racing Team's Unofficial Blog (here).

Let's just hope I have the time to keep up with both.

Shoe review: Saucony Fastwitch4

I was debating between buying Saucony's Fastwitch4's or their lighter A3 shoes. The store I tried them on at didn't carry the A3, so I wouldn't be able to try them on before ordering, but they had the Fastwitch4's. The one thing that concerns me especially with racing flats is the width of my feet. I don't wear wides, but I'm almost right on the border. So sizing would have been tricky. When I tried them on and got on the treadmill at the store, the fit was awesome, they had a decent amount of support and were light.

Hustle up the hancock

I recently did Hustle up the Hancock (Feb 28th) in Chicago. It's a stair climb to the top of the Hancock Tower.

I did it in 17:55. I feel okay about my time, but I think I should have at least done it in 16:20 or so. I got stuck behind some people around the 40th floor. Also I'd only really been training for about a month-one of my friends wasn't able to do it, so I took over for them.


Image credit (Flickr:Globetrotter 2000)

How would I describe myself

I saw this posted on twitter (Nerds, Dorks, Geeks, and cool dudes.) While I found the article interesting it doesn't have enough classification to people that are experts or obsessed with a given field, have the brains, and the social skills so they don't fall flat on their face interacting with people on a given basis.

As I was reading the article, I was trying to figure out where I applied in the whole mess. The best way I'd describe myself is someone that is :

1. Into sports-granted I don't compete or watch the usual sports regularly. I like running and playing Ultimate Frisbee. I'm not even that fast of a runner, but I am getting faster.
2. I think I'm smart and I'm told I'm pretty smart, but I'm never quite sure (see Imposter Syndrome). I love reading and learning about random topics. I also like sharing whatever I learn (maven)
3. I'm pretty fashionable for a guy. I consider myself a metrosexual, but I'm not effeminately fashionable.

Reading list

I just subscribed to GQ, something I've been meaning to do for a long time. I actually had been trying to decide between Details, Esquire, and GQ. All of them are similar but have subtle differences. I saw a deal on GQ for a 2 year subscription. Amazon made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I love reading both online and in-print. I actually prefer print. I find large amounts of text on a screen are hard on the eyes. I think that's the appeal of the Nook and the Kindle.

New Years Resolutions

1. Running more-I'd like to PR at the 8k and Half Marathon distance
2. doing my CISSP
3. Practice my German more-There are immersion groups in the area and use pen pals in a German speaking country (letternet.de)
4. keep in better contact with relatives and past connections from old jobs and stuff
5. build a better relationship with my fraternity chapter and the graduate advisory group
6. invest more aggressively
7. Use Kiva more
8. Blog more frequently
9. Get organized
10. Get into hardware hacking and diy electronics projects

I came up with these several weeks ago but I just finalized them.