Silliness So what are you doing RIGHT NOW? - Page 2857

Rumpelteazer · 08-03-2020, 03:21 PM

I went to my friends' place this morning to look after dog Keira and cat Pien for two weeks. I spend the morning unpacking and cleaning. This afternoon I was able to take it easy, which was nice.

It's the first time looking after Pien. She isn't a lap cat, even less so than Maru and Luna, but she seems okay with me. Keira has calmed down with walk a bit more. Though she still has a thing for cars.

I already noticed that I need to keep a check on my doom scrolling. It'll just get me down, not something I want when I'm on my own. Though the feeling down might also be a side effect of the Prednison I'm taking. Just three more days.

It's almost time to walk Keira a third and last time today. After that I'm looking forward to a nice shower and maybe watching something spooky on my tablet in bed. The next two weeks I'm getting up extra early (less cars and other dog on early mornings). At least I have tomorrow off from work, so I can take a nap some time during the day.

astrangerhere · 08-03-2020, 03:44 PM

Cleaning up my files after a morning in court briefly paused to lockdown the courthouse for some protests going on outside...

Also battening down the hatches for Hurrican Isaias to arrive overnight! Charging all the lanterns and battery packs.

poohbear_nc · 08-03-2020, 06:05 PM

here ... charging up all my Kindles too

astrangerhere · 08-04-2020, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Cleaning up my files after a morning in court briefly paused to lockdown the courthouse for some protests going on outside...

Also battening down the hatches for Hurrican Isaias to arrive overnight! Charging all the lanterns and battery packs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

here ... charging up all my Kindles too

Pooh and I lucked out save for some heavy downpours overnight. No power outages or downed trees! My wife and I spent the evening with some light-weight beer and playing board games listening to the rain.

astrangerhere · 08-05-2020, 01:35 PM

Just ordered my pin and tshirt from Concept2 for hitting a million meters on my bike erg. We got the bike in November and I am trying to bike 10-25k a day in addition to rowing 5-10k a day. The meters piled up fast!

Rumpelteazer · 08-05-2020, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Just ordered my pin and tshirt from Concept2 for hitting a million meters on my bike erg. We got the bike in November and I am trying to bike 10-25k a day in addition to rowing 5-10k a day. The meters piled up fast!

Well done!

I'm currently looking at getting an exercise bike. Normally I regularly cycle in summer, but it's just too busy (busiest cycle city in the world). Also there are many groups of "serious" cyclists who can be aggressive to the more leisurely cyclist. An added bonus is that I'm a good weather cyclist and don't do much cycling when it's wet/windy/cold. Inside it's always cycle weather, no more excuse.

If you have any tips of choosing a exercise bike it would be welcome.

astrangerhere · 08-05-2020, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Well done!

I'm currently looking at getting an exercise bike. Normally I regularly cycle in summer, but it's just too busy (busiest cycle city in the world). Also there are many groups of "serious" cyclists who can be aggressive to the more leisurely cyclist. An added bonus is that I'm a good weather cyclist and don't do much cycling when it's wet/windy/cold. Inside it's always cycle weather, no more excuse.

If you have any tips of choosing a exercise bike it would be welcome.

We absolutely LOVE our BikeErg from Concept2. None of this fancy Peleton nonsense. My Concept2 Rower is as new as it was the day I bought it a decade ago. I oil it and that is all it has ever needed. The Concept2 has a seat that can be changed out if you don't like the standard saddle that comes with it. The onboard computer has a number of features and is USB and heart rate monitor compatible for tracking and logging purposes. No subscriptions or giant video screens.

Hitch · 08-06-2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

We absolutely LOVE our BikeErg from Concept2. None of this fancy Peleton nonsense. My Concept2 Rower is as new as it was the day I bought it a decade ago. I oil it and that is all it has ever needed. The Concept2 has a seat that can be changed out if you don't like the standard saddle that comes with it. The onboard computer has a number of features and is USB and heart rate monitor compatible for tracking and logging purposes. No subscriptions or giant video screens.

I've chatted a bit with Stranger about her bike; I love my Waterrower. Until I developed an issue with my lower back, I was a fairly serious exerciser. I still have all my home-gym equipment (hope springs eternal--that or denial, take your pick). But regardless of how decrepit I get, I can always row on my Waterrower. What I love about it the most, oddly enough, isn't really related to the exercise, per se; it's the swooshing of the water. It's very relaxing. Sure, sometimes I run a video, or watch TV; but sometimes I just "zen out," listening to the swoosh of the water.

The downside is, you either need the space for it or be willing to pop it up vertically each day. If memory serves, Stranger's BikeErg is more compact.

You definitely want a softer seat, if you're bony, (like your humble correspondent here) on ANY bike. You want to be sure that you can work at a very slow rate, easier rate and a more challenging rate. I recommend going into a store, dressed (somewhat) for it and rowing away, see if you like it. Make sure that the layout of the bike FITS your personal anatomy--not all rowers will.

If you wish to compete with others, online, the BikeErg is "The One," complete with all sorts of online groups, competitions, groups and all that. If you're a more solitary creature and like the SWOOSH, then you may wish to consider the WaterRower.

Pro tip: there are a crapload of exercise bikes on the second-hand market. People with good intentions, who keep it for a year, use it twice, and then get rid of it. I'd always look there before buying new--but then again, I'm terminally CHEAP. :-) (As all y'alls know!)

Offered FWIW.

Hitch

astrangerhere · 08-06-2020, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

I've chatted a bit with Stranger about her bike; I love my Waterrower. Until I developed an issue with my lower back, I was a fairly serious exerciser. I still have all my home-gym equipment (hope springs eternal--that or denial, take your pick). But regardless of how decrepit I get, I can always row on my Waterrower. What I love about it the most, oddly enough, isn't really related to the exercise, per se; it's the swooshing of the water. It's very relaxing. Sure, sometimes I run a video, or watch TV; but sometimes I just "zen out," listening to the swoosh of the water.

The downside is, you either need the space for it or be willing to pop it up vertically each day. If memory serves, Stranger's BikeErg is more compact.

You definitely want a softer seat, if you're bony, (like your humble correspondent here) on ANY bike. You want to be sure that you can work at a very slow rate, easier rate and a more challenging rate. I recommend going into a store, dressed (somewhat) for it and rowing away, see if you like it. Make sure that the layout of the bike FITS your personal anatomy--not all rowers will.

If you wish to compete with others, online, the BikeErg is "The One," complete with all sorts of online groups, competitions, groups and all that. If you're a more solitary creature and like the SWOOSH, then you may wish to consider the WaterRower.

Pro tip: there are a crapload of exercise bikes on the second-hand market. People with good intentions, who keep it for a year, use it twice, and then get rid of it. I'd always look there before buying new--but then again, I'm terminally CHEAP. :-) (As all y'alls know!)

Offered FWIW.

Hitch

For the record, we have two machines -

The Concept2 BikeErg, which is an exercise bike AND
The Concept2 Rower, which is a rowing machine.

I think Rumple was asking about bikes, so my comments were limited to that. I can wax POETIC about my rower, but I shan't for now.

Rumpelteazer · 08-06-2020, 02:15 PM

Yes, I'm looking for an exercise bike, though my father wants a rowing machine.

The Concept2 BikeErg looks great, but is about twice my budget.

So far my main requirements are that it's a stable and sturdy machine (weight loss is one of the reasons I want to get one), the saddle and handle bars need to be easily adjustable (my mother says she also wants to use it), the lightest setting needs to be fairly light (for my mother) and it needs to have a tablet holder for when I want to watch something. I need to do more research about the mechanism of exercise bikes and which are the best for my budget.

Hitch · 08-06-2020, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

For the record, we have two machines -

The Concept2 BikeErg, which is an exercise bike AND
The Concept2 Rower, which is a rowing machine.

I think Rumple was asking about bikes, so my comments were limited to that. I can wax POETIC about my rower, but I shan't for now.

Oh! I'm sorry, what a maroon. For some reason, when I saw the ConceptErg, my brain just flipped over to rower. DUH. Mea culpa.

I've had a variety of bikes over the years; (exercise bikes, I mean); I have a Kettler Series Speed Pro/Spin, that I've had for...geeze, 8-10 years now (?) that I really like, but it's not quite as adjustable as Rumple's family seems to need.

Sowwy. I'm gonna go sit in the dunce corner now.

Hitch

Rumpelteazer · 08-08-2020, 02:03 AM

I know rowing is really good, but I still have flashbacks to summer days spend on the little rowing boat my father bought for me, wrestling with the oars, getting blisters and really having no where to row to.

I want to use the bike about an hour a day (cycle over 15km a day). I'm going to do it at my own leisurely pace, though I might get a bit more enthusiastic later on, who knows. Although my other says she wants to use it, I doubt she will.

Right now I'm enjoying the coolness of the morning. It's going to be a hot day today, 34-35C. So I've opened up the house to let the fresh air in and when it starts getting warmer outside than inside I'll close everything up until it cools down again tonight. This weather is going to last until at least Wednesday. Some time between Wednesday evening and Thursday evening the thunderstorms will come in (yay) and it starts cooling down. Depending on when they come Thursday might also be hot, though the current prediction is 27C and that sounds blissfully cool compared to today's temperatures.

astrangerhere · 08-08-2020, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I want to use the bike about an hour a day (cycle over 15km a day). I'm going to do it at my own leisurely pace, though I might get a bit more enthusiastic later on, who knows. Although my other says she wants to use it, I doubt she will.

I do 25k in right at an hour and five minutes. My wife can do 35k in an hour and thirty, which is still out of my reach.

Rumpelteazer · 08-13-2020, 02:07 PM

Looking at Philips Hue ceiling light fixtures. In the two hanging light fixtures over my desk I want to get to screw in Philips Hue lightbulbs which you cannot only dim but also set the colour temperature. Which is great when I'm doing creative things I can set them to daylight and when I'm doing other things I can set them to warm white.

Philips has also has ceiling lights with the same function. I need to get new ceiling lights since the ones I have now won't take LEDs (too closed). The only problem is that they are expensive; €140 and up. They are bright, 2400 lumen. So I just might get away with getting one, right now I have two light fixtures with a 15 watt CFL each. I will need to get an extra wall switch/remote (one for by the entry door and one for by my bedroom door).

I also need to think about my desk situation. I now have a bit L shaped desk. On the short section I have my desktop PC, on the long section I keep a lot of my scrapbook and card making things, and I have a work section. My supplies will be moved to my closet, once I finished cleaning it. I'm thinking of getting a separate desk for my desktop computer and a drawing table for my creative hobbies, for some of those it's nice if I can tilt it.

Decisions, decisions.

Rumpelteazer · 08-16-2020, 02:44 AM

It's my last full day of house sitting. Which means it's cleaning day. I like to start the day with my chores, that way I can get it over and done with as early as possible and because it's going to be a hot afternoon again, I've already started. I've swiffered the floor, dusted and cleaned the toilets. I'm now waiting for 9am to start vacuuming, I don't want to get noisy too early for the neighbors. When I've done that I have to mop the bathroom and downstairs. Which usually takes longest, since I have to wait for the floors to dry to do the next section.

Dog Keira already knows it's chore day, which she doesn't like because I won't allow her to follow me as usual. Cat Pien was delighted when I took out my floor Swiffer, which was new to her until last week. She thinks floor swiffering is a fun game.

08-03-2020, 03:21 PM	#42841
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,348 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	I went to my friends' place this morning to look after dog Keira and cat Pien for two weeks. I spend the morning unpacking and cleaning. This afternoon I was able to take it easy, which was nice. It's the first time looking after Pien. She isn't a lap cat, even less so than Maru and Luna, but she seems okay with me. Keira has calmed down with walk a bit more. Though she still has a thing for cars. I already noticed that I need to keep a check on my doom scrolling. It'll just get me down, not something I want when I'm on my own. Though the feeling down might also be a side effect of the Prednison I'm taking. Just three more days. It's almost time to walk Keira a third and last time today. After that I'm looking forward to a nice shower and maybe watching something spooky on my tablet in bed. The next two weeks I'm getting up extra early (less cars and other dog on early mornings). At least I have tomorrow off from work, so I can take a nap some time during the day.

08-03-2020, 03:44 PM	#42842
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,755 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	Cleaning up my files after a morning in court briefly paused to lockdown the courthouse for some protests going on outside... Also battening down the hatches for Hurrican Isaias to arrive overnight! Charging all the lanterns and battery packs.

08-03-2020, 06:05 PM	#42843
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,726 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	here ... charging up all my Kindles too

08-05-2020, 01:35 PM	#42845
astrangerhere Professor of Law Posts: 3,755 Karma: 68428716 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Chapel Hill, NC Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Libra H20, Kobo Aura One, KoboMini	Just ordered my pin and tshirt from Concept2 for hitting a million meters on my bike erg. We got the bike in November and I am trying to bike 10-25k a day in addition to rowing 5-10k a day. The meters piled up fast!

08-06-2020, 02:15 PM	#42850
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,348 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Yes, I'm looking for an exercise bike, though my father wants a rowing machine. The Concept2 BikeErg looks great, but is about twice my budget. So far my main requirements are that it's a stable and sturdy machine (weight loss is one of the reasons I want to get one), the saddle and handle bars need to be easily adjustable (my mother says she also wants to use it), the lightest setting needs to be fairly light (for my mother) and it needs to have a tablet holder for when I want to watch something. I need to do more research about the mechanism of exercise bikes and which are the best for my budget.

08-08-2020, 02:03 AM	#42852
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,348 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	I know rowing is really good, but I still have flashbacks to summer days spend on the little rowing boat my father bought for me, wrestling with the oars, getting blisters and really having no where to row to. I want to use the bike about an hour a day (cycle over 15km a day). I'm going to do it at my own leisurely pace, though I might get a bit more enthusiastic later on, who knows. Although my other says she wants to use it, I doubt she will. Right now I'm enjoying the coolness of the morning. It's going to be a hot day today, 34-35C. So I've opened up the house to let the fresh air in and when it starts getting warmer outside than inside I'll close everything up until it cools down again tonight. This weather is going to last until at least Wednesday. Some time between Wednesday evening and Thursday evening the thunderstorms will come in (yay) and it starts cooling down. Depending on when they come Thursday might also be hot, though the current prediction is 27C and that sounds blissfully cool compared to today's temperatures.

08-13-2020, 02:07 PM	#42854
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,348 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Looking at Philips Hue ceiling light fixtures. In the two hanging light fixtures over my desk I want to get to screw in Philips Hue lightbulbs which you cannot only dim but also set the colour temperature. Which is great when I'm doing creative things I can set them to daylight and when I'm doing other things I can set them to warm white. Philips has also has ceiling lights with the same function. I need to get new ceiling lights since the ones I have now won't take LEDs (too closed). The only problem is that they are expensive; €140 and up. They are bright, 2400 lumen. So I just might get away with getting one, right now I have two light fixtures with a 15 watt CFL each. I will need to get an extra wall switch/remote (one for by the entry door and one for by my bedroom door). I also need to think about my desk situation. I now have a bit L shaped desk. On the short section I have my desktop PC, on the long section I keep a lot of my scrapbook and card making things, and I have a work section. My supplies will be moved to my closet, once I finished cleaning it. I'm thinking of getting a separate desk for my desktop computer and a drawing table for my creative hobbies, for some of those it's nice if I can tilt it. Decisions, decisions.

08-16-2020, 02:44 AM	#42855
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,348 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	It's my last full day of house sitting. Which means it's cleaning day. I like to start the day with my chores, that way I can get it over and done with as early as possible and because it's going to be a hot afternoon again, I've already started. I've swiffered the floor, dusted and cleaned the toilets. I'm now waiting for 9am to start vacuuming, I don't want to get noisy too early for the neighbors. When I've done that I have to mop the bathroom and downstairs. Which usually takes longest, since I have to wait for the floors to dry to do the next section. Dog Keira already knows it's chore day, which she doesn't like because I won't allow her to follow me as usual. Cat Pien was delighted when I took out my floor Swiffer, which was new to her until last week. She thinks floor swiffering is a fun game.