I've been falling behind quite a lot on the Caps, lately. Most of which is my fault, for sure.
The short of it is that they're near the top of the league in possession stats (Corsi and Fenwick, 5-on-5), but not doing so great, lately, converting that possession into goals differential. I'd put money on that coming around, though. I think they'll just be just fine (possibly even great), as long as they don't panic.
(On a contrary note, have you noticed how abysmal the Sabres are in possession stats? It's still early, but they're threatening to set all-time records for bad possession stats. Under 35% Fenwick For, and barely 36% Corsi For. Ouch. I'm not sure what the all-time lows are, but I'm pretty sure they're a few percentage points higher than that.)
Anyway, back to the Caps, they've been a bit unlucky, so far. The only game of the last three that I saw was the one against the Red Wings. And that was a very good game; fun to watch, especially for such a low-event game.
The first period went, pretty heavily, to the Caps. Corsi was probably pretty even, but Fenwick was heavily in the Caps favor, with the Wings managing only three shots on goal (I can't find the number, but I think the Caps were around twice that many blocked). Goals went the Caps way as well, with Kuzya (off beautiful feeds from Holtby and Ward that got him alone behind the defense on the power play) and Brouwer scoring to erase and overcome a Nyquist goal in the ninth minute.
But things went south, badly, in the third, when a pair of goals (one off an impressively opportunistic use of a bad turnover by the Caps D) by Abdelkader, plus another, later, put the Red Wings in front to stay.
As near as I can tell, the following game, against Tampa, wasn't on TV at all, so I missed it completely. There didn't seem to be a whole lot positive about it, although OV did break his five-game pointless streak (which didn't worry me, in and of itself, but I was worried about the lack of shots during the streak).
Then there was the game against the Coyotes, which I missed, entirely due to fatigue. It was amusing, the next morning, when a friend told me they'd played one period, and lost 6-3. I looked it up while he was telling me, and was amused to see the two late goals that brought it within a goal. But he was fundamentally right; they didn't play a sixty-minute game. In fact, if you took four minutes out of the game, it would have been a 6-1 blowout.
No, that's not terribly meaningful, but it is a much higher concentration of goals than you generally see.
But, through all of that, Caps have maintained good possession numbers, which is why I started by saying that I'm not worried about the team. They'll turn it around; just take somewhat better care of the puck in their own end (some really brutal turnovers in there).
That left us at the start of last night's home rematch against Calgary. I started this before that game, so I'll write it up separately.
20141105
20141104
Running on empty
I started out on my normal bike ride this morning. I was thinking that I needed to stop early (I usually do, on Tuesdays), so I was going to do laps in the hills nearby. But half a mile or so out, I went over something. I heard and felt it, so I was immediately suspicious.
If I'd been more experienced, I probably would have turned around during this suspicious time, but I just kept going, hoping I was wrong. I wasn't; I was out of air very quickly.
Having no experience, I worried that I had some sort of flat where fixing the flat would immediately result in the fixed tube getting punctured again, so I started walking home. I got to a nice and bright streetlight, though, and decided to stop and try to fix the tire there.
Well, I got one tire lever in, though it looked a little strange. When I tried to get the second, though, I broke the lever (and this lever set only had two). So, I walked the rest of the way home, and went to fix the tire.
Once I had plenty of light, and such, I saw that the problem was that the first lever had managed to get under both sides of the tire, which likely meant that the second did as well. So breaking the lever made a lot of sense.
It probably took me a lot longer than it would for someone with more experience, but I had no trouble fixing the tube at home. I thought I wouldn't be able to ride at all today until I remembered that my normal reason for leaving early on Tuesday didn't apply today.
So I had a little bit of time, and tore out on a high-intensity, short ride around the neighborhood (including one lap around the hills where I'd originally intended to do three or four laps).
The one bonus was getting a somewhat better handle on my FTP, since the reading was coming off a shorter, higher-intensity ride than my usual. And that's what you're supposed to do when measuring FTP. I learned that I'm a little closer to where I want to be, but still a ways off (around 3.6 W/kg, and I want to be more like 4-4.5. And yes, I know that that's a wide range).
If I'd been more experienced, I probably would have turned around during this suspicious time, but I just kept going, hoping I was wrong. I wasn't; I was out of air very quickly.
Having no experience, I worried that I had some sort of flat where fixing the flat would immediately result in the fixed tube getting punctured again, so I started walking home. I got to a nice and bright streetlight, though, and decided to stop and try to fix the tire there.
Well, I got one tire lever in, though it looked a little strange. When I tried to get the second, though, I broke the lever (and this lever set only had two). So, I walked the rest of the way home, and went to fix the tire.
Once I had plenty of light, and such, I saw that the problem was that the first lever had managed to get under both sides of the tire, which likely meant that the second did as well. So breaking the lever made a lot of sense.
It probably took me a lot longer than it would for someone with more experience, but I had no trouble fixing the tube at home. I thought I wouldn't be able to ride at all today until I remembered that my normal reason for leaving early on Tuesday didn't apply today.
So I had a little bit of time, and tore out on a high-intensity, short ride around the neighborhood (including one lap around the hills where I'd originally intended to do three or four laps).
The one bonus was getting a somewhat better handle on my FTP, since the reading was coming off a shorter, higher-intensity ride than my usual. And that's what you're supposed to do when measuring FTP. I learned that I'm a little closer to where I want to be, but still a ways off (around 3.6 W/kg, and I want to be more like 4-4.5. And yes, I know that that's a wide range).
20141029
Caps were on road, too
I don't have a whole lot to say about the Caps' recently-completed road trip, but there were a few things.
I thought the Caps played very well in Edmonton, but were a little bit unlucky not to win. Certainly, their possession numbers stayed very good. I, unfortunately, missed the last period, but mostly enjoyed watching the first two.
The possession numbers remained very good in Calgary, and they were able to win that one. I wasn't able to watch the whole thing that night. In fact, I only saw the first period live. I ended up watching the second and first few minutes of the third the next night while my wife was getting the kids ready for bed.
I thought the first goal of that one was kind of weird, with a Calgary being very generous with the puck while ostensibly playing "four corners" on a penalty kill. Wardo, I'm sure, was thankful. It ended up being quite a good game for him, as he got another, early in the second, putting in a rebound from a Latta shot (high caffeine, I'm sure).
And the third had Backstrom showing that Trotz wants him to shoot more (and Alzner showing that he's looking for long passes more often), wristing one in from just inside the blue line.
A good game, any way you want to look at it.
Then the Caps faced Vancouver. The first period was pretty terrible, possessionally, as the Caps were simply dominated. Peters kept them in the game, making a number of excellent saves to keep the game scoreless.
The second started with the Caps clawing back, possessionally, and even taking a lead when MarJo buried a beautiful cross-ice feed from Burakovsky. Things continued to look good for another eight minutes or so, until the wheels fell off, completely. They allowed three goals in under two minutes (the first of which was on the power play), and did not look good in the process. A little bit of bad luck, but some rather bad play, as well.
One mote of good news came when, a minute and change after that third goal, Liam O'Brien got his first of the season on a nice deflection of a centering pass from Greenie.
But that was as good as it got; the Canucks cemented the victory with a minute left in the game and Carlson in the box for a delay-of-game penalty. The puck was in the Vancouver end, as Peters had been pulled, but Vrbata put it in from very long range.
Overall, I was pretty happy with what I saw. I wish they'd been able to get at least one more point on the trip, but they look like a team that should be doing better, not one lucky to be where they are (as was the case for most of last season).
Burakovsky continues to look very well, and is central to a line shuffling that occurred yesterday at practice. Tonight, against Detroit, he'll be centering OV and Wardo, with Backstrom being paired with MarJo and Brouwer. I guess that makes Bura the top-line center, but it seems odd all the way around; the top line has not been part of the team's ... issues, I guess. And I still don't like splitting Chimmer and Ward; Ward's recent goals notwithstanding, they've been too good together for too long. Their games just mesh too well.
I hope Bura handles the additional pressure as well as he's handled his situation thus far. The season could go downhill very quickly if Bura gets frustrated.
One good sign; Wilson is finally well enough to get called up, sending Chris Brown back to Hershey. Hard not to see that as an upgrade, even if my expectations for Wilson are much more tempered, I think, than those of the Caps' top brass. (Yes, I'm still a bit bitter about them not sending Tom back to Junior, last year. And losing Perreault because of it.)
Anyway, as mentioned, tonight's game will be at home against Detroit. Somehow, this is a 'Rivalry Night' game, despite the Caps and Red Wings only being in the same division for six seasons over their history.
I thought the Caps played very well in Edmonton, but were a little bit unlucky not to win. Certainly, their possession numbers stayed very good. I, unfortunately, missed the last period, but mostly enjoyed watching the first two.
The possession numbers remained very good in Calgary, and they were able to win that one. I wasn't able to watch the whole thing that night. In fact, I only saw the first period live. I ended up watching the second and first few minutes of the third the next night while my wife was getting the kids ready for bed.
I thought the first goal of that one was kind of weird, with a Calgary being very generous with the puck while ostensibly playing "four corners" on a penalty kill. Wardo, I'm sure, was thankful. It ended up being quite a good game for him, as he got another, early in the second, putting in a rebound from a Latta shot (high caffeine, I'm sure).
And the third had Backstrom showing that Trotz wants him to shoot more (and Alzner showing that he's looking for long passes more often), wristing one in from just inside the blue line.
A good game, any way you want to look at it.
Then the Caps faced Vancouver. The first period was pretty terrible, possessionally, as the Caps were simply dominated. Peters kept them in the game, making a number of excellent saves to keep the game scoreless.
The second started with the Caps clawing back, possessionally, and even taking a lead when MarJo buried a beautiful cross-ice feed from Burakovsky. Things continued to look good for another eight minutes or so, until the wheels fell off, completely. They allowed three goals in under two minutes (the first of which was on the power play), and did not look good in the process. A little bit of bad luck, but some rather bad play, as well.
One mote of good news came when, a minute and change after that third goal, Liam O'Brien got his first of the season on a nice deflection of a centering pass from Greenie.
But that was as good as it got; the Canucks cemented the victory with a minute left in the game and Carlson in the box for a delay-of-game penalty. The puck was in the Vancouver end, as Peters had been pulled, but Vrbata put it in from very long range.
Overall, I was pretty happy with what I saw. I wish they'd been able to get at least one more point on the trip, but they look like a team that should be doing better, not one lucky to be where they are (as was the case for most of last season).
Burakovsky continues to look very well, and is central to a line shuffling that occurred yesterday at practice. Tonight, against Detroit, he'll be centering OV and Wardo, with Backstrom being paired with MarJo and Brouwer. I guess that makes Bura the top-line center, but it seems odd all the way around; the top line has not been part of the team's ... issues, I guess. And I still don't like splitting Chimmer and Ward; Ward's recent goals notwithstanding, they've been too good together for too long. Their games just mesh too well.
I hope Bura handles the additional pressure as well as he's handled his situation thus far. The season could go downhill very quickly if Bura gets frustrated.
One good sign; Wilson is finally well enough to get called up, sending Chris Brown back to Hershey. Hard not to see that as an upgrade, even if my expectations for Wilson are much more tempered, I think, than those of the Caps' top brass. (Yes, I'm still a bit bitter about them not sending Tom back to Junior, last year. And losing Perreault because of it.)
Anyway, as mentioned, tonight's game will be at home against Detroit. Somehow, this is a 'Rivalry Night' game, despite the Caps and Red Wings only being in the same division for six seasons over their history.
Finally done
Well, it took just shy of four months, but iTunes Match has finally finished matching my entire song library. That's just shy of 22k songs, so now everything is available (which shocked me by including the vast majority of my japanese soundtracks. And my daughter's kindermusik CDs. And the french concept album for Les Mis. But not my two-disc recording of Jekyll & Hyde, which is very unfortunate).
And now the 32GB on my phone feels a lot less cramped.
And now the 32GB on my phone feels a lot less cramped.
20141027
How much do you drink?
The last couple months, I've been drinking about a drink a week or so. For a while before that, it was probably closer to a drink a night (ranging from 0-2, but probably a bit less than one a week on average).
Well, the Healthcare Triage from a couple of weeks ago, about Antibiotics and Alcohol Use (not related to each other; two topics) was pretty pretty interesting. The antibiotics part was slightly interesting, but the alcohol section blew my mind. I never thought of one drink a night being all that much, and it won't put you into the top ten percent of drinkers, but it will put you in the 70-80% decile.
Holy crap!
So how much does the top ten percent drink? That's even more amazing. Over ten drinks a day!
I've never had ten drinks in a day in my life. I've exceeded three only a handful of times, and only one of those times (strong sangria served in a pitcher with large glasses) might I have even gotten close to ten.
Cut that ten percent's drinking down to the average for the penultimate decile, and it would cut overall alcohol consumption for the entire country by sixty percent. Consider my mind blown.
Well, the Healthcare Triage from a couple of weeks ago, about Antibiotics and Alcohol Use (not related to each other; two topics) was pretty pretty interesting. The antibiotics part was slightly interesting, but the alcohol section blew my mind. I never thought of one drink a night being all that much, and it won't put you into the top ten percent of drinkers, but it will put you in the 70-80% decile.
Holy crap!
So how much does the top ten percent drink? That's even more amazing. Over ten drinks a day!
I've never had ten drinks in a day in my life. I've exceeded three only a handful of times, and only one of those times (strong sangria served in a pitcher with large glasses) might I have even gotten close to ten.
Cut that ten percent's drinking down to the average for the penultimate decile, and it would cut overall alcohol consumption for the entire country by sixty percent. Consider my mind blown.
On the road, again
Just a few small updates on my biking adventures. Thankfully, no big problems.
I've gotten the crank rings upgraded to Rotor Q-Rings, which has been helpful. I'm still not sure if I need to adjust the setting on them, but I definitely get less tired with them. I haven't been going as fast, although I think that's likely because I've been doing a lot more hills (and I've definitely improved on the hills in the last week or so, which might or might not be related).
I was worried that shifting would be negatively impacted, since the Q-Rings are elliptical, but I haven't had any issues with that. At least, none that I can't attribute to the continuing wonkiness of running an eleven-speed cassette with a hub that only accepts ten-speed.
The wheel set that I ordered from prowheelbuilder is still waiting to be built. Thankfully, I've still got that borrowed wheel, so I'm still cranking out the miles. Hopefully, they'll get it built the end of this week, and I'll be able to get rolling on them early next week. And hopefully they'll be as good as I hope they are.
Speaking of miles, my total passed 1250 for the year this morning. I think that puts me a hair over one thousand for my Motobecane road bike; I'll have to look. Also, the Retul fitting got me on a narrower handlebar. I ended up doing the changeover myself, and that's helped. It hasn't eliminated my sore neck, but it has greatly reduced it.
This morning, I really wasn't feeling it, and took an easy ride. And for once, I kept with that determination. The cold didn't help much, though. With my normal cranking, I hardly notice 42 degrees. This morning? Not the case.
I did determine, a few days ago, that 45 is iffy for my normal gloves, and I definitely want something warmer when it gets any colder. I haven't found the lower limit on my light, cold-weather gloves yet (in my one test, those gloves did great when it was very wet). I have some heavier ones that I expect to only break out a couple of times a year (ironic that I got them cheaper for it being "end of season", despite them being just about to come into season); we'll have to wait to see how those work.
On my bottom half, a couple of notes for colder or wetter weather. Mostly, I've just been wearing my normal shorts, so far. I have worn my thermal (to use Pearl Izumi terminology) shorts a couple of times. I don't notice the difference in my legs, but do notice it a little in my abdomen. Probably not worth paying extra over the Pro In-R-Cool shorts, but maybe worth having one or two pairs if the price is very, very close.
I got a couple of long-sleeve, transfer baselayer shirts recently. I actually wasn't sure if I'd want to wear them, and with a jersey, I'm still skeptical. But for laundry reasons, I work just that, with my light jacket, and found that works very well in the lower forties. I'm thinking that wearing that, a jersey, and my softshell jacket (incidentally, I'm very bummed to see that I paid $20 more than is being asked for that, now. But on the plus side, I got the baselayer shirts for that much cheaper) will probably work well in temperatures about as cold as the worst in which I'd contemplate riding.
For being wet, I have only a little bit to add. I wore my amfib tights on a cold, rainy day a week or so ago. And they passed the test with flying colors. In fact, I was having a very nice ride until the bike path went under a road, and I found out it was flooded six inches deep, or so, which got my feet soaked. It still wasn't a miserable ride, even after that, but it definitely went downhill quite a bit.
Incidentally, I noticed after the ride that the stirrups on those are not in the outer layer. What I could have done (and wish I had) was to put the stirrups over my shoes, then put my booties on, and then put the outer layer over those. Not sure if would have helped with the flooding (because that water might well have gone through the sole of the shoe; let's hear it for ventilation), but I think it'd've made a big difference with anything short of that.
Getting back to the point, those pants are fantastic for cold and wet weather. I have two pairs, and might want another.
I also have some Cannondale Blaze Bib Tights, bought for the same reason. Good for cold, not for wet; I've worn then twice in wet weather, and both times came back with wet legs.
Oh, and both of those pairs of tights? Take forever to dry. Make of that what you will.
Ahh, and I have a couple of leg/knee warmers, but haven't worn any of them yet.
Finally, I got the Serfas Thunderbolt USB taillight. I was really happy with it for about two months, when it stopped charging. I got in touch with their warranty folks, and their only questions were to confirm which light, and to get my address. I haven't gotten the replacement yet, but I was very impressed by that. If the replacement arrives soon, and lasts longer than the first, I'll be a very happy camper. I've gotten a new light (didn't think about checking warranty until after ordering that), but I don't like that light nearly as much.
I've gotten the crank rings upgraded to Rotor Q-Rings, which has been helpful. I'm still not sure if I need to adjust the setting on them, but I definitely get less tired with them. I haven't been going as fast, although I think that's likely because I've been doing a lot more hills (and I've definitely improved on the hills in the last week or so, which might or might not be related).
I was worried that shifting would be negatively impacted, since the Q-Rings are elliptical, but I haven't had any issues with that. At least, none that I can't attribute to the continuing wonkiness of running an eleven-speed cassette with a hub that only accepts ten-speed.
The wheel set that I ordered from prowheelbuilder is still waiting to be built. Thankfully, I've still got that borrowed wheel, so I'm still cranking out the miles. Hopefully, they'll get it built the end of this week, and I'll be able to get rolling on them early next week. And hopefully they'll be as good as I hope they are.
Speaking of miles, my total passed 1250 for the year this morning. I think that puts me a hair over one thousand for my Motobecane road bike; I'll have to look. Also, the Retul fitting got me on a narrower handlebar. I ended up doing the changeover myself, and that's helped. It hasn't eliminated my sore neck, but it has greatly reduced it.
This morning, I really wasn't feeling it, and took an easy ride. And for once, I kept with that determination. The cold didn't help much, though. With my normal cranking, I hardly notice 42 degrees. This morning? Not the case.
I did determine, a few days ago, that 45 is iffy for my normal gloves, and I definitely want something warmer when it gets any colder. I haven't found the lower limit on my light, cold-weather gloves yet (in my one test, those gloves did great when it was very wet). I have some heavier ones that I expect to only break out a couple of times a year (ironic that I got them cheaper for it being "end of season", despite them being just about to come into season); we'll have to wait to see how those work.
On my bottom half, a couple of notes for colder or wetter weather. Mostly, I've just been wearing my normal shorts, so far. I have worn my thermal (to use Pearl Izumi terminology) shorts a couple of times. I don't notice the difference in my legs, but do notice it a little in my abdomen. Probably not worth paying extra over the Pro In-R-Cool shorts, but maybe worth having one or two pairs if the price is very, very close.
I got a couple of long-sleeve, transfer baselayer shirts recently. I actually wasn't sure if I'd want to wear them, and with a jersey, I'm still skeptical. But for laundry reasons, I work just that, with my light jacket, and found that works very well in the lower forties. I'm thinking that wearing that, a jersey, and my softshell jacket (incidentally, I'm very bummed to see that I paid $20 more than is being asked for that, now. But on the plus side, I got the baselayer shirts for that much cheaper) will probably work well in temperatures about as cold as the worst in which I'd contemplate riding.
For being wet, I have only a little bit to add. I wore my amfib tights on a cold, rainy day a week or so ago. And they passed the test with flying colors. In fact, I was having a very nice ride until the bike path went under a road, and I found out it was flooded six inches deep, or so, which got my feet soaked. It still wasn't a miserable ride, even after that, but it definitely went downhill quite a bit.
Incidentally, I noticed after the ride that the stirrups on those are not in the outer layer. What I could have done (and wish I had) was to put the stirrups over my shoes, then put my booties on, and then put the outer layer over those. Not sure if would have helped with the flooding (because that water might well have gone through the sole of the shoe; let's hear it for ventilation), but I think it'd've made a big difference with anything short of that.
Getting back to the point, those pants are fantastic for cold and wet weather. I have two pairs, and might want another.
I also have some Cannondale Blaze Bib Tights, bought for the same reason. Good for cold, not for wet; I've worn then twice in wet weather, and both times came back with wet legs.
Oh, and both of those pairs of tights? Take forever to dry. Make of that what you will.
Ahh, and I have a couple of leg/knee warmers, but haven't worn any of them yet.
Finally, I got the Serfas Thunderbolt USB taillight. I was really happy with it for about two months, when it stopped charging. I got in touch with their warranty folks, and their only questions were to confirm which light, and to get my address. I haven't gotten the replacement yet, but I was very impressed by that. If the replacement arrives soon, and lasts longer than the first, I'll be a very happy camper. I've gotten a new light (didn't think about checking warranty until after ordering that), but I don't like that light nearly as much.
20141024
Whither the iPad
Just trying to do a little catching up on my RSS reading (couple weeks behind, sadly). Caught this Stretechery article on the iPad, and think there's at least one facet he isn't catching.
Specifically, he calls out Apple for not doing enough to get developers to work on the iPad. I'm not saying he's wrong there (I really don't know, and certainly see it as possible), but he's certainly overlooking one factor, which is that Apple is pushing developers away from device-specific solutions with auto-layout and moving away from pixel-perfect design.
Is that going to help the iPad? I don't know (but wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't), but it does mean that there are fewer iPad-specific apps, going forward. It has basically become indistinguishable, going forward.
Specifically, he calls out Apple for not doing enough to get developers to work on the iPad. I'm not saying he's wrong there (I really don't know, and certainly see it as possible), but he's certainly overlooking one factor, which is that Apple is pushing developers away from device-specific solutions with auto-layout and moving away from pixel-perfect design.
Is that going to help the iPad? I don't know (but wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't), but it does mean that there are fewer iPad-specific apps, going forward. It has basically become indistinguishable, going forward.
20141023
Thoughts on iPad Air 2
I don't have a whole lot to say about this, but saw this review of the new, full-sized iPad, and wonder what the author was looking for. They can't revolutionize the device every year. Heck, look at the difference between the Retina Mini and the Mini 3.
Anyway, I received my Air 2 yesterday. One oddity: the box only says iPad Air, not "iPad Air 2". Only indication that I had the right model was that the color was listed as "Space Gray".
I don't have a whole lot to say about the upgrade, except that I'm thrilled with it. It does everything the old one does, a LOT better. I don't yet have anything that really takes advantage of the speed, yet, but hope will get some things soon.
Regardless, I'm very happy with the purchase.
Anyway, I received my Air 2 yesterday. One oddity: the box only says iPad Air, not "iPad Air 2". Only indication that I had the right model was that the color was listed as "Space Gray".
I don't have a whole lot to say about the upgrade, except that I'm thrilled with it. It does everything the old one does, a LOT better. I don't yet have anything that really takes advantage of the speed, yet, but hope will get some things soon.
Regardless, I'm very happy with the purchase.
20141020
Follow-up on retina iMac
Just a minor correction to my discussion of the iMac from the other day. The memory is user-replaceable (thanks, ifixit), so it isn't quite as expensive as I was thinking. Getting 16GB RAM to start (especially since they've provisioning it as 2x8, rather than 4x4), and later upgrading to 32GB will work fine.
So my odds of getting one went up a bit.
So my odds of getting one went up a bit.
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