We took a trip down to the sculptures in DC this last weekend. Here's some suger for you photo lovers:

Isis' first ride on the carousel

Three Ladies

Typical dynamic

So Monday I posted the new Isis video, which I made over the weekend. The footage was all taken by Yin, the photos with her boss Canon 30D and the video with her little Canon camera in video mode. Thus, the photos look much better than the Artemis videos, while the video is somewhat lower quality. Going forward I'd like to use our video camera for video, but there are serious convenience issues with that.

The new iMovie software is pretty cool. A couple things are missing from the prior version, mostly the more advanced things such as a timeline and a bunch more transitions and effects. The main improvement is that everything is in real time, which is pretty incredible. You can drop transitions between photos or video without waiting for rendering. The Ken Burns effect in particular is much better without any rendering time (until you export).

Being able to scrub the video - here I mean play it using the mouse, either forward or backward - is pretty sweet. You can hear the music and/or video clip as you go, either faster or slower than real time. It allows you to really jump around your content and pick what you want to use. No more "Command T" to cut a clip…then you change your mind, have to re-import the clip, blah blah blah. Now after you "clip" a piece of video, the whole video is still there so you can make little adjustments. This may sound minor, but when you are trying to lengthen or shorten the video by 1 second it can be important.

Thanks to The Killers for the great song "Read My Mind" off their latest album, Sam's Town. Don't underestimate the importance of the music in a video; it really needs to fit the mood - in this case anticipation and optimism. It also needs to be something you can hear 100 times and not be sick of it. "Read My Mind" fits perfectly, so thanks guys. Hope you like our version of the video.

Next up, Artemis is due for a catch-up video - that last one is from 2 years ago!

I'll talk about the new iMovie later - for now, just take a look at the result of about 3 hours of fun with the new program.

Read My Mind Video

So, we had our mentorship program reception earlier this week, and I spoke along with several other "protégés". I didn't say a whole lot but I think it went well. I figured it was a big audition for me because this was the only time I would have such a group of high powered managers listening to me. I was lucky that I went fairly early, too, when everyone was still paying attention.

I was actually surprised - several attendees complemented me on my speaking skills! I expected my mentor to say something nice - he is consistently polite and encouraging - but a couple people that don't particularly like me sought me out, as well. That's very encouraging - I've long considered public speaking a weakness. Plus, as mentioned, if you are going to get it right, this was the crowd. Even the top person in my division was there.

So, I am both surprised and content that it went well. Additionally, both my mentor and boss had really nice things to say about me - that's a nice shot in the arm. Sometimes work gets boring but these sorts of highlights really help get it back into focus and recharge my efforts.

I wrote the following haiku, which was included on a token gift we gave to each mentor:

Thank you, kind Mentor
Your gifts of time and knowledge
Impart new wisdom

Let's look at a couple running backs that I expect to disappoint this year.

Tatum Bell in Detroit has a lot of obstacles to overcome. Don't think of him as the new #1 guy - think of him as the guy running behind a terrible offensive line into a murderer's row of tough rushing defenses. Ugly!

Marshawn Lynch is in a similar predicament. With by far the toughest rushing schedule, expect the rookie to be sitting on the bench early and often. Even with superior talent, and I mean LT/LJ type talent, you could expect a very mediocre season running behind this pathetic line against this schedule. With rookie talent, expect very little. The guy you want from Buffalo is Lee Evans, who will be asked to be the guy a lot.

Ronnie Brown will also likely have big problems. With 8 or 9 in the box behind a terrible offensive line, Ronnie will disappoint. He still must be picked somewhere, but he'll probably disappoint no matter where you pick him.

Moving into the real elite backs (or former elite backs), we have Addai and LJ who are first rounders, plus Edge. All three of these guys run behind poor offensive lines. LJ in particular is behind a terrible line this year - I expect he will barely be a top 10 back, which is not much of an accomplishment for the 3rd or 4th pick overall. Addai is in even worse shape, as at least LJ has a fairly soft schedule. Addai gets the super bowl schedule, which is not too terrible but no jog in the park.

Edge will be interesting, as the Cardinals have a terrible line but an interesting team with two stud receivers and a fun young quarterback. I expect Edge to blow up against the weak teams on the schedule, but have real problems every time he faces a stiff defense. If you draft him, plan ahead to sit him during the worst matchups.

Edgerrin James

I know a lot of you aren't into Fantasy Football, so feel to skip this one.

Let's talk about running backs. Last year, I plucked LT with the first pick when everyone was jonesing for LJ, and that difference nearly won me the championship (I did score the most points for the season and score a nice payout). Why didn't I pick LJ? I didn't like his situation, and I loved LT's.

How about this year? Very little has changed for LT. I think he is still the #1 guy based on the same analysis from last year, plus the proof of a stellar season. San Diego still has a stellar offensive line - the best in the league. They also have a very even schedule, with a balance of difficult and easy games for LT. Anyone who picks first and doesn't pick LT is an idiot, plain and simple.

After that, things get very interesting. Most people have Stephen Jackson at #2, and that makes sense by my accounts. The Rams have a very good rush blocking line, and Jackson has a year of stud-hood under his belt. He can carry the load. They also have an even schedule in terms of the defenses they face.

But here's a name out of a hat - Maurice Jones-Drew. Last year this cat seemingly got very lucky to score so many touchdowns on so few carries. That's a feature, not a flaw. I love guys with a nose for the end zone, guys like Reggie Bush and Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes. MJD doesn't measure up to any of those guys in their prime, but he does have a couple big advantages. First, Jacksonville has a great offensive line. More importantly, Jacksonville has a slew of games against porous rushing defenses - just the types that allow big touchdown runs from midfield.

Let's look at a couple more guys running behind elite offensive lines, Brian Westbrook and Cedric Benson. These guys both have tough rushing defenses to face, but should still perform great since they are #1 guys with little competition for carries. Westbrook especially does well here since he can catch passes against the run stuffers on the schedule.

A couple more guys in great position to take advantage of weak opponents are Reggie Bush (and Deuce) and Travis Henry. Given the great RB system they have in Denver, I am very high on Travis. It's becoming conventional wisdom that Travis Henry will be a top 5 back, but I think in this case the wisdom in right on track. Except big things from Mile High, especially against the weaker opponents on the schedule.

Maurice Jones-Drew

I seem to be spending a lot of money on myself lately. This is kind of disturbing because I've always been pretty good about day to day stuff, although a quick look at my TV and stereo system (and iPods...and computers...ugh) show I will splurge for the big item.

But really, clothes and stuff I usually stretch things pretty far. But lately, I have bought a lot. I think part of it is necessity...and a lot is vanity.

For example, I've bought a lot of workout clothes. Now I know I could work out in a plain t-shirt and some old cotton shorts, but that is really not too fun. I've always liked the Under Armour shirts, and I feel like I've "earned" the body to wear them without looking foolish. So, I have 3 of those at a cost of about $85.

I also bought a few pairs of shorts. Again I really don't like to have to wear 8 year old purple shorts, and now that I work out 5 days a week or so, I was running out pretty often. Still, $100 or so in shorts is not cheap...I don't really need $40 per pair shorts...but they are really great for performance.

Basically, all this working out has led to me spending quite a bit. And I can't forget my $1,000+ in Kettlebells, rings, weights, racks, etc. Still, since those things are crucial to my workouts (and those of several trainees) I think it is money well spent.

But I also seem to be spending a lot on regular clothes. Now obviously I can't keep wearing old shoes and belts forever, and most of my wardrobe was from my last trip to Thailand, more than 2 years ago. I guess it's just time to refresh. But I must have spent $500 on clothes this summer. I am a real deal hunter...but when I find the deals, I really dig in. Jeans on sale...3 pair. Slacks on sale...several pair. Shirts on sale...break out the credit card.

Anyway I am really conscious of this since I am supposed to be in "austerity mode" in preparation for our trip to Thailand. We've been doing a great job wiping out the debt and I don't want to compromise that with a shocking "rewards card" credit card bill.

Well, that's what's on my mind. Have a great weekend!

My quest to be a good puller-upper continues. I mentioned I can do 20 kipping pull-ups in one set. I tried the other day and easily got 10 dead hang pull-ups (hands facing away from my face), so that's a personal record.

The other night I tried weighted pull-ups. These are more of a pure strength exercise, basically "going heavy". No kipping. What I do is put a couple kettlebells on the ground and hook my feet in them. Then, pull-up.

You have two elements to a personal record, the amount of weight and the number of repetitions. For my test I used two 8 kg kettlebells, or about 35 pounds total. With that weight I got 6 pull-ups unbroken. It's interesting that with no extra weight I only get 4 additional pull-ups - I think that suggest that my grip may be weak, but I'm not really sure. Email me with any diagnosis.

So here are the variations - chin up (hands facing face) with kip, currently 20 reps. Dead hang pull-up (hands facing away from face), 10. Weighted pull-up, 35 lbs, 6 repetitions.

When I started this back in March my max pull-ups for one set was about 4, and I couldn't kip. My max with a 10 lb vest was around 3. CrossFit works.

Great day at the pool this last weekend. Artemis and Isis in the water, lounging around, jumping, with lots of friends around. Good community and family day.

One thing I tried out is drown proofing. There is a site, drownproofing.com, that talks about it. I found it by reading the Navy SEAL's training regimen.

Basically, you float in the water, upright, with your head facing down. Every so often you give a little kick, raise your head above water, and take a quick deep breath. Apparently you can stay (alive) in the water pretty much indefinitely using this technique.

I tried it, but is not that easy. The hardest part for me was getting a good breath when just surfacing a little bit - the water is right near your mouth so it's kind of unusual. If you pop too far out of the water, you use too much energy and you'll eventually tire.

So, I plan to work on this every now and then. I think I also need swimming lessons - my swimming is totally inefficient. Maybe lessons, we'll see. I think the best time will be when it cools off and it's no longer possible to work out outside every day.

I know a lot of you couldn't care less what I think (I know), so here's a little sugar.

What is the deal with Democrat presidential candidates? Why can't they find decent leaders?

The last two elections should have been pretty easy Democrat wins. Gore basically double-faulted every point of the match, and even with a big assist from the media he failed. Yes he won the popular vote, but given the Clinton momentum he should have just won going away. Four years later, they failed to knock over a pretty weak President Bush by nominating one of the worst candidates I can imagine. Shades of Bob Dole, had the sonorous Kerry.

Democrats keep repeating this Senator thing. Senators make terrible candidates. Maybe back when JFK was a fresh-faced senator it made sense, but since then, I don't think a Senator has won the presidency.

Clinton was a real boon for the Democrats, but let's be honest - if he had chosen to be a Republican, he would still have won twice. The guy has political talent others can only watch in awe. Even his fiercest critics would enjoy having dinner with the guy.

But aside from Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidates look something like: Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry. My god, can you imagine having dinner with THAT group? What a snore fest of ignorance…and Carter even won! Wow! He must be the worst of the bunch, just willfully damaging to the country, but the others are all just kind of boring.

So, Democrats are the hip party, the hippie/progressive party, and the best they can offer is Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, and Kerry?

And this is what is upsetting to me, why and how do such losers get nominated? And now, what? Obama, Clinton, and Edwards. Three freaking Senators! Again! Gah. Obama is a rookie with very little depth - I think there is little doubt that if he weren't black, he wouldn't be in the race. Way too inexperienced. This is one of the complaints against affirmative action, that talented black candidates (in any field) get pushed beyond their peer group too quickly and then have trouble among the more experienced/talented peer group. Don't get me wrong, Obama probably has what it takes to be president - maybe in 2012 or 1016. Not 2008.

And Hillary? The favorite? Democrats really just don't understand America if they nominate her. She simply can not win unless the Republican candidate completely blows up. It certainly makes for an interesting storyline ("Making History" is the Democrat pledge for this election, either a Black or a Woman president…yeah OK).

Edwards is probably their best hope, and this guy has real problems managing his media image.

So where are the executives? Where are the Mitt Romney's and Giuliani's of the Democratic party? I don't want someone who just heard "Yes Sir" in the Senate no matter what happened. Isn't there a decent Democratic Governor somewhere? They had Dean, but that's what you get for trusting Vermont.

It's not that I really care - I love the gridlock. With Democrats having both houses, I am definitely rooting Republican for the next election. As long as nothing can get done, as long as there is obstruction, all the better from my point of view. Go on and squabble, retards - just cut the pork and I'll be happy.

There is the matter of Iraq, but honestly I don't think that once in office any of the Democrat candidates would screw that up. Something about being in charge gives you backbone (unless you're Carter). Kerry and Gore would have been disasters, but Obama, Clinton, and Edwards all have their hearts in the right place, I think. No matter, it'll be President Romney come 2008, and the president's ability to speak in public will no longer be a national joke.

I am so psyched for Bourne Ultimatum tonight! One thing that is funny though is how they market the original Ludlum books using the movie photos as the cover. The start of the first movie, Bourne Identity, was based on the book. Everything from about 20 minutes into the movie, though, was completely different!

The second movie, Bourne Supremacy, bore no resemblence to the book. Which, again, was fine - the story is true to the character, and the screenplay is probably a better movie than the straight out books. In any case, the originals would have required massive rewrites in order to account for modern technology.

Nonetheless, there is Bourne Ultimatum on the book shelf, with the back of Matt Damon's head on the shelf. Virtually anyone buying the book because of the movie would be sorely disappointed, but I guess that doesn't bother the publisher.

Anyway, I lost my point. I am psyched! I really enjoy this character, and the movies have done a job of bringing action back to movies. I went back and bought Bourne Identity last night, and watched it. Check out how dorky this is - I actually made a list of Bourne skills. Languages, fighting, fitness, weapons handling, automobile handling, environmental awareness & memory, etc. I thought it might be cool to try to develop a couple of the skills, in particular performance driving, fighting, and weapons handling.

The fitness seems to be going well - I noticed Bourne doing some pull-ups in the couple scenes. They were dead hang (no kip) pull-ups, so I paused the movie to give those a try. I got 10, both pull-up and chin-up. That was worth a (freshly baked peanut butter) cookie!

Movie tonight! (assuming I can get permission, heh)

I wrote about my new stock trading "system" a while ago - it is now operational. However, I just wrote it so it is kind of in testing mode. Not really ready for prime time.

What's funny is, I turned it on for Amazon on 7/24/07. No matter when you read this, this is an easy day to find on the chart. What happened is, my system was supposed to close out the stock if it went below $69. It did go below $69, but my system for some reason only sold 20% of my shares, leaving me with about $8k in stock. Woops! It looked like that cost be about $220 until 4 pm, when Amazon released earnings. The next day, the stock is up around 25%!!

So for all my work this year, this one lucky turn works out to about 20% of my gains for the year. Usually it is poker players that use the term "better to be lucky than good," but in this case it applies to stocks! Anyway, I'll take it.

Don't miss the July archive here.

New show on HBO (it’s not television!), Flight of the Conchords. Some episodes are a bit slow, but there are some great parts. The story is kind of thin and silly, but for a 20 minute show, not bad. The killer part is the music.

These two guys, New Zealanders Jerome and Bret, are in New York trying to start a career. I use the word "try" very loosely here. During the show, they break into strange music videos. The videos are the real centerpiece of the show - they are uproariously funny. In fact, Yin had to shush me while I was watching the other night.

A couple that I saw were "It's Business Time" and "Bowie's in Space" - I am guessing titles here, as they don't have actual names. Business Time is available on YouTube here. I think these videos are probably funnier in the context of the show, but thank the lords of the Internets for YouTube.

Anyway, watch it. Very funky and smart, lots of little characters that add depth to the show. Sort of like Extras + Monty Python, in parts of New York you've never been.