Sorry I’ve been away: time flies when you are not having fun. But now I’m back. Moore’s Law, which began with a random observation by the late Intel co-founder Gordon Moore that transistor densities on silicon substrates were doubling every 18 months, has over the intervening 60+ years been both borne-out yet also changed from a lithography technical feature to an economic law. It’s getting harder to etch ever-thinner lines, so we’ve taken as a culture to emphasizing the cost part of Moore’s Law (chips drop in price by 50 percent on an area basis (dollars per acre of silicon) every 18 months). We can accomplish this economic effect through a variety of techniques including multiple cores, System-On-Chip design, and unified memory — anything to […]

The post AI and Moore’s Law: It’s the Chips, Stupid first appeared on I, Cringely.






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The government deregulated the airline industry in 1978. Since that time, the basic pricing in the industry, as well as airline fortunes, have been more or less continuously on the downward slope. It has been a very long trip down.

The industry may be heading up again, though. In the third quarter of 2010, the average domestic airfare was 11% higher than a year earlier. Profits returned to the industry in 2010 behind higher prices. In some part, these higher prices were the result of the additional fees that most of the domestic carriers charged passengers for checked baggage, better seating, rerouting and so forth. Still, the industry was able to hold its higher prices.

These prices are holding because the major industry players are less enamored of discounted flying. All of the big airlines are finding ways to extract prices from industry customers. Now that airline capacity utilization is high, the industry is more careful about capacity additions. Higher prices are here to stay.

The consumer still is far ahead. Even at these higher prices, ticket prices are a bargain. In fact, ticket prices, adjusted for inflation, are 20% below the levels of 1995. The industry has continuously stripped benefits from the base product in order to save costs. In 2010, the industry added back a few of those benefits (for example, economy plus seating) for an additional charge. We may see more of that over the next few years.

Here is a shoulder workout for those who don't have a lot of time to spend in the gym, but is very effective for maximal muscle gains.

NOTE:  These 3 exercises are done right after the other making them a GIANT set.  No rest between exercises.  Rest for 2 minutes.  Wash, Rinse, and Repeat.

1.  Shoulder Combo Press 5 sets of 8

2.  Shoulder Y Press 5 sets of 8

3.  Rear Delt Reverse Fly 5 sets of 15-20 reps


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Skinny Guy Training

By:  Vince Delmonte

Remember, never fix something that isn’t broken, so if you’re a beginner bodybuilder and you like to select body parts to train based on how sore they are and it works, stick with what you’re doing. On the contrary, if you’re skinny and looking for a plan that works for you, then this is an ideal place for you to be. Here, you can find a wonderful resource for constructing your weekly training routine and a body part combination program that meets your needs. This information is based on my own experience.  If you’re more into academia and research than experience-based information, then you’re still in the right place, because much of this information is based upon detailed studies.
You’re probably familiar with the saying, if you try to chase two rabbits, both are sure to escape. This also applies to training and how it should be split up. Keep in mind, each day that you wake is a new start and a new opportunity to morph your so-so, skinny fame into a hunky, beastly body that will surely earn you some respect from other men and get you noticed by the ladies.

You should invest your time each day into working out at a gym, not just spending time there. After you begin doing this, you can have the body that shows you’re in control of your physique and your destiny. You HAVE the power to get the body and whatever else, for that matter, that you want out of life.

Discontinue your current routine of going to the gym and wasting your time. In other words, stop working on multiple body parts when the muscle groups that are assisting these parts aren’t fully recovered yet. Is it really practical to expect your muscles to develop, when you don’t set them up to excel and train to their maximum capacity?
Your weekly training needs to consist of a well-planned workout that is based on your previous workout, as well as the workout to follow. This is much easier when it’s just on paper, but one workout split isn’t the only method to break up your workout routine. In fact, it’s just an instance where you can have a nearly perfect split. Mainly, this article is to help you understand that success relies on what you do today, what you did yesterday and what you’ll do tomorrow.

• Let’s say you trained your chest yesterday, and you’re still sore from it the following day. When you’re at the gym, this pain will put a damper on your leg training.
• Now, it’s arm day. Your biceps are swollen and you’re experiencing some tightness, because of the chin-ups you did yesterday. You obviously are in no condition to train your back today.
• Your triceps are sore from the supersets you did on them yesterday. Since today is chest day, how are you going to bench press?

Maybe this sounds like something you’ve grown accustomed to; however, it’s an indication that there’s not any planning involved in your training. During this article, I’ll give you an example of how a seven-day routine should look. It might sound like an overabundance of work, but if you’re serious about getting in shape, then it’s a necessity.

1. Remember that Big Muscle Groups Should Not be Near the Small Muscle Groups.
Let’s say you start by training your arms on Monday. The advantages of this include your arms being fresh when you’re training other body parts like your back, shoulders or chest. Therefore, your arms need to be away from these parts when you create your plan, since your large muscle groups will suffer from working your arms the day before. Additionally, science states that partnering antagonist muscle groups with agonist muscle groups consequently leads to a boost in the second group of muscles to be trained. Thus, it’s vital to alternate how you train your arms on every Monday. For example, if you begin working on your biceps this week, you’ll want your arm workout next Monday to start with your triceps.

2. Make Your Legs Special.
Your legs should have their own day. So now that it’s Tuesday, you should train your legs, due to the fact that skinny guys need to particularly focus on the leg muscles. Large muscles groups like those within your legs stress your heart and the rest of your body. Your arms are basically useless anyways when you’re leg training, so in all actuality it doesn’t matter if they’re sore. In addition, the energy you use training your legs should take all your energy. You should not be able to train a second body part on the same day you’re doing your legs. Finally, after your leg training, you should definitely have worked up an appetite. This will assist you in maintaining your high calorie diet. This is a vital aspect of growing your arms and allowing them to recover from the day before.

3. Always Follow the Two Day Off, One Day On Rule.
Skinny guys are in luck with this rule, since it’s most likely the most effective muscle building split for their body type. A person’s glycogen reserve diminishes as a consequence of two days of continual training, at least that’s what I’ve found to be true. Moreover, strategically scheduling your rest days aids in the prevention of your glycogen reserve becoming low, which means you can train fresher on your workout days. This method helps to guarantee you won’t have nervous system or hormonal fatigue throughout your workout on Thursday or Friday. When you have that extra day on the weekend, it will ward off fatigue caused by your weekly training.

4. Chest and Shoulders Need to Learn to Share!
This is my personal favorite for body part combinations. They might both be large muscle groups that comprise your upper body; however, you haven’t centered your training on the arms since Monday. You know what that means? Your shoulders and arms are well rested, so you can go until they can’t take any more. Because of the location of the chest and shoulders, there’s a lot of overlap when it comes to muscle groups. They both require pressing motions, and your shoulder’s anterior head is used a great deal when you’re exercising your chest. Personally, I work my upper traps on this day, as well. Working your shoulders has a direct effect on your traps.

5. Your Back, Need I Say More?
Light headedness is oftentimes symptomatic of a back workout. Working on your back entails using a lot of your energy reserve; hence, you must have optimal energy and you shouldn’t be experiencing any tightness in your legs and lower back. And of course, your biceps must have already recovered to allow you to receive the most beneficial workout from weighted chin-ups and heavy rows.

6. Make One Day of the Weekend an Active Day.
Designate Saturday as your active day. Work on your cardio, calves and abs. Do a little cardio, but don’t exceed more than 40 minutes of it. Then, you should work on your legs and calves. Generally, these body parts don’t have a correlation with other muscle groups. Sunday can be your day off to relax, but make sure you rest and eat on this day. What a life, huh? You get an entire day to take it easy and chow down!

Like all workout plans, there are imperfections. But, I would continue a regimen for about four to six weeks. My other books and videos note that training a muscle only once a week has a negative impact on a workout routine, but this concept related directly to body part optimization. Ask yourself if there are changes you can make to the routine you currently implement. I chalk up my success as a body builder to a well-coordinated schedule that leaves me without any doubt of what I’m going to work on each day. My time and energy at the gym is not squandered on thinking about if this program is right for me. I can be reassured when I walk into the gym that it’s effective because I planned accordingly by using these six rules.

Are you serious when you train in the gym? 
Are you getting the results that you really want? 
Are you easily distracted by outside influences?

I can't tell you how many times I see people in the gym socializing with other people or their friends.  I'm not saying that you have to be a complete jerk and ignore people, but if you are serious about your training your mission or job is to get in and get out of the gym.   You have a life outside of the gym right?

The most successful people in life have a goal that they want to accomplish and they do not allow any outside influences to dictate or distract them from that goal.  We all get distractions and interruptions in life and when they come, successful people put into place boundaries.  When you are in the gym you have to set up boundaries for yourself.   I mean whose life is it anyway, yours or theirs?  There are clearly things that are out of your control and things that are in your control.  Take control and get your life back!

One thing that I do to keep people from distracting me in the gym is such a quick fix.  I simply put on my headphones and put on my favorite work out music and it's ON!  Most people won't bother you if you have your headphones on and if they do just simply answer their question quickly and move on.  There will be times when people will ask you if you are on or using some type of machine, that's o.k.  If they want to talk to you any further than that, simply tell them that when you are finished with your training, you will be happy to get back with them with any questions that they may have.  

 Here is a list of things you can do to decrease the amount of distractions when in the gym:

1.  Headphones/MP3 Player/I-Pod

2.  Hat (Optional)  This will help you not to make clear eye contact or others seeing you making eye contact.  Some women will do this to avoid any men coming up to them.

3.  Set clear goals for yourself of what you want to accomplish in the gym.

4.  Answer any small questions and move on.

5.  Set yourself a time limit.  Setting a deadline is very effective.  It pushes you to finish on time.

Implementing some of these strategies will help you decrease your distractions while in the gym, only if your serious about your training.  Focus on your goals, set deadlines/boundaries, and watch success begin to unfold.  Whatever you decide to do, do with all your strength.

Train Hard!

 

Apple’s new AirTags are a straight-up gift for photographers. After testing one for the past couple of weeks, I’ll be hiding an AirTag in my scooter, one in my car and another one in my camera bag.
Read more »

NEWS – If you’re a Harry Potter fan and also love writing, the new LAMY Harry Potter fountain pens will be a magical addition to your pen collection! These special edition fountain pens combine the charm of Hogwarts with high-quality craftsmanship, making them perfect for jotting down your own stories or doodling your favorite characters. […]

REVIEW – I’ve been updating my EDC and talking about it on my YouTube channel for the past few months. My next category to discuss is flashlights and it turned out to be a good choice because I was recently offered the chance to review the SPERAS ARC Ti Titanium USB-C keychain flashlight. Let’s check […]

REVIEW – Look at my fancy coffee maker! The PINKAH Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker is a contemporary take on the French Press design that features an innovative leakproof pouring mechanism and a double-walled design that keeps your beverages hot for hours. We love all the coffee things, so let’s learn more. To the […]

It happened again. NYT. #7 again. I have no words, except THANK YOU. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2024/08/11/hardcover-fiction/

Priya Parker's book The Art of The Gathering (TAoG) was recommended to me by a friend from church who knows how much I enjoy putting together events for others.
As I began reading TAoF, I was quite inspired by the rich meaning Parker ascribes to gathering, and the significant possibilities of making a concrete difference in the world through our gatherings. Yes, I nodded to myself, the events I put together do matter. Nice ego stroke. But as she laid out a step by step methodology for ensuring those gatherings have purpose and are effective, my kneejerk reaction was that her approach felt overly controlling and I worried my guests would resent the kind of manipulative engineering she describes. What happened to organic gatherings that are completely open and free from any sort of direction? Isn't that where happiness and change can take root? Turns out, not so much. She makes a very good case for why proper planning and execution of gatherings under thoughtful leadership make for the best gatherings. I recalled the best events I've ever been to, and had to admit Parker was right - those that were carefully planned with purpose and direction, where the guests and activities were curated, turned out to be the most impactful.
So I've made it a goal to put the principles she's laid out in TAoG into practice, and it's going well so far. I set an intentional purpose for each gathering. I curate the invite list based on that purpose. I choose a setting that aids the purpose (the right density; the right locale). I actively manage the event - not heavy handed mind you, but not laissez faire - to protect/equalize/connect my guests. I aim to always create a temporary escape from the world during my events. I work hard before each event and prime my guests for the event. During the events, I include activities that encourage people to open up with each other. And I close the events with a recollection of our purpose, summarize the event, and try to leave my guests with something memorable.
If you are responsible (or enjoy and would like to be responsible) for organizing and hosting events (for work, for pleasure, as a volunteer, etc) I highly recommend this book. Life is too short to just go through the motions of meetings and events; they should be infused with purpose and Parker can teach you how to make it so. I especially encourage this as a read for those in the Christian community who have been given the gift of hospitality and want to refine and improve their event hosting, understanding that showing God's love to others through event planning and hosting is important work in the kingdom.

With "The Body", Bryson has done for our flesh houses within which we reside what he previously did for our brick and mortar ones in his book "At Home".  We have been treated to a full walk-through of the entire human body and all its functionality, in glorious detail. Bryson's language is beautiful and at times also mystical in its descriptiveness:

"You have a meter of it [DNA] packed into every cell, and so many cells that if you formed all the DNA in your body into a single strand, it would stretch ten billion miles, to beyond Pluto. Think of it: there is enough of you to leave the solar system. You are in the most literal sense cosmic."

Perhaps what I love most about "The Body" is the detailed narrative Bryson provides on so many key people in the history of medicine, infectious diseases, anatomy, etc. Many of these people I'd never heard of before and it was enlightening to read their fascinating (and often sad) stories. It seems there is a lot of drama and intrigue in the world of medicine.

As with all books on science and medicine, some portions of the text are outdated. For example, Bryson writes that we have no idea what the full mechanism causing labor to begin for a pregnant woman involves. Only, the thing is,  now we do. Per some of the medical research of late, it seems to be induced by chemicals the fetus releases after their lungs are fully developed. So, as you read, should you come across one of his statements that science still hasn't figured out X yet, go ahead and google it because it's entirely possible that science has actually figured it out by the time you've sat down to read the book. 

This is probably my favorite book by Bryson, outside of Notes from a Small Island. I recommend it highly as an addition to your library. A good read for young adults as well.

Buy This Book

Alt Text. Two elephants, conferring.

Alt Text: Two dog walkers, walking two dogs. (It looks as if I've whimsically made it look like one of the dogs is interested in a butcher's signboard advertising sausages, but actually it wasn't me who did that. It was the dog.)

Shiva Baby [US, Emma Seligman, 4] The ambient social pressures of a post-funeral gathering skyrocket for a directionless college student (Rachel Sennott) when attendees include not only the expected ex-girlfriend (Molly Gordon) but also the sex work client she’s caught feelings for. Knife-edge comedy of emotional suffocation uses a plucky suspense score for that extra frisson of social anxiety.

If you've been missing family events during the pandemic, this film is the cure for that. Polly Draper and Fred Melamed appear as the loving but insufferably intrusive parents.

Night of the Kings [Côte d'Ivoire/France , Philippe Lacôte, 4] When the red moon rises over MACA, the Ivory Coast’s toughest prison, its inmate boss appoints the new arrival as storyteller—a post that results in death if the tale ends before sundown. Prison drama with compelling narrative hook widens out to encompass ancient warfare, contemporary politics, and even a wizard duel.

Spring Blossom [France, Suzanne Lindon, 4] Bored with her classmates, an awkward 16 year old (played by the writer-director) pursues her attraction for a ruggedly handsome stage actor (Arnaud Valois.) Character drama sets aside the sexual aspect of this staple French cinema situation to focus on the emotion, periodically breaking from naturalism to have its characters express their feelings through dance.

This year’s Q&As are Zoom interviews between the programmers and filmmakers, which drop on YouTube when the films become available for online viewing. In the Q&A for this one we discover that the director wrote it when she was 15, a year younger than her character. She’s 20 now. Lindon is the daughter of well-known French actors Vincent Lindon and Sandrine Kiberlain.

Get the Hell Out [Taiwan, I-Fan Wang, 4] Taiwan’s notoriously pugilistic parliament tips into arterial spray when the effluent of a controversial chemical plant triggers a zombie epidemic. Zombie comedy features an eye-searing palette and an onslaught of optical overlays, and is paced like a quarter kilo of crushed Adderall. 

It’s quite an achievement to find the worst hue of every color on the visible spectrum. Fortunately the underlying message, that government officials would respond to a pandemic by idiotically making it worse, has no bearing on anything that comes to mind.

---

Capsule review boilerplate: Ratings are out of 5. I’ll be collecting these reviews in order of preference in a master post the Monday after the fest. Films shown on the festival circuit will appear in theaters, disc and/or streaming over the next year plus.

American Hiking Society constantly monitors legislation that could enhance or protect the hiking experience. A new bill, HR 1912 - the Complete America’s Great Trails Act - has the potential to significantly benefit some of the most spectacular trails in America. This proposed legislation would grant a tax credit to private landowners who provide conservation easements to certified National Scenic Trails – resulting in a low-cost incentive for willing landowners to donate easements that would increase trail connectivity. This means that private landowners have a new incentive to allow hikers to pass through their property, and trails get a guaranteed corridor that protects the connectivity and continuity of the hiking experience for years to come!

American Hiking supports HR 1912 and applauds Rep. Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Lummis (R-WY) for introducing this forward-thinking legislation. We also applaud Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) and Rep. Bono-Mack (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Trails Caucus, and Reps. Kind (D-WI), Massa (D-NY), McMahon (D-NY), Lance (R-NJ), Polis (D-Co), Boccieri (D-OH), Pierluisi (D-RC-PR), for their original co-sponsorship of this important legislation.

American Hiking advocates for changes in policies that provide our partners with as many tools as possible to protect and manage our nation’s great trails. Thus, we work closely with regional and local organizations that protect, maintain and promote the various elements of America’s National Trails System. We also partner with Congress and the federal land management agencies charged with managing and administering our trail resources.

American Hiking has championed the protection and enhancement of America’s National Trails System since our founding in 1976. Our National Trails System consists of more than 7,000 authorized miles of National Scenic Trails, more than 36,000 miles of National Historic Trail routes, and more than 1,000 registered National Recreation Trails.

Take Action to urge your Representative to co-sponsor HR 1912.

Read the full text of HR 1912, and read the Dear Colleague Letter being circulated by Reps. Connolly and Lummis.

Five new National Geographic maps complete coverage of Washington Cascades

Published: Tuesday, September 07, 2010, 3:15 AM
Terry Richard, The Oregonian
Washington's Cacades are covered.

With the release of five new maps this summer by National Geographic, the rugged mountains of Washington are covered from the British Columbia border to Oregon.

The maps are sold under the Trails Illustrated brand.

New titles this year area Mount St. Helens/Mount Adams, Goat Rocks/Norse Peak/William O. Douglas Wilderness Areas, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Glacier Peak Wilderness and Mount Baker/Boulder River Wilderness Areas.

They go along with several other titles already in print to complete the coverage: North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainier National Park and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

The full-color maps are printed on hefty water-proof, tear resistant paper. National Geographic is one of the best mapmakers in the business, so the maps meet the highest standards.

The maps are topographical, but they cover such a large area that the contour interval is 50 feet. This is a little too big for serious off-trail mountain navigation, but National Geographic also sells state map series on CD Roms under the Topo brand with 20-foot contour intervals.

The new printed maps maps are excellent for hiking and driving. They show most of the trails and most of the roadside amenities, in easy-to-read formats.

Your map files may already contain U.S. Forest Service maps of the areas, but these maps often go 15 years or more between updates. The new Nat Geo maps are the best new maps at this time for the areas they cover.

Look for them at stores that sell maps, though getting this many new titles in any particular store may be difficult.

One place that does have them all is the Nature of the Northwest in Portland, at 800 N.E. Oregon St., Suite 965. Phone number is 971-673-2331.

You can also order them from National Geographic. Cover price is $11.95. For more information visit Trails Illustrated Washington maps.

-- Terry Richard

Last weekend my class and I headed to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park for a Leave No Trace Trainer Course. The training was a part of a Wilderness Ethics class being offered by San Juan College. We were all super pumped to be headed to a beautiful place like the Black Canyon for a “class”.

If you have ever been on a Leave No Trace Trainer Course, then you will know that the first topic talked about is Plan Ahead and Prepare. Our instructor mentioned that it might be the most important principle as it will set you up for success for your next outdoor adventure. Included in the discussion were the hiking/backpacking 10 Essentials, in which a map is one of those ten. As a self-proclaimed “map geek”, I was pretty excited to see our instructor pull out the Trails Illustrated Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti NRA Map.

The map was a vital resource for planning our hikes for the weekend. By studying the contour lines and trail distances on the map we were able to determine which trails were the most suited to our group’s physical abilities and the class’ educational purposes. The map provided basic details like restroom locations, but was also detailed enough to show us what areas of the park required a backcountry permit. The map made several appearances during our hikes and quite a few more back at camp while students planned a return trip later this fall.

David Whitford – Student, San Juan College

1. Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam charged over head-on collision, allegedly failing second drug test  ABC News
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3. Broncos player charged after car crash: 9News Latest Stories Season 2024, Short Video  9Now
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5. Club Statement: Ezra Mam  Broncos