Twitter twittering, pt. 2

One thing I have noticed about using the Twitter apps on the iPhone is that they are somewhat interchangeable in function. Rather obvious observation, but what distinguishes one app from another? There are a few basic things I like to do when I'm using Twitter each time I open an app: check updates, direct messages, and respond to any follow requests. All four of the apps I have do these things in a very similar way. The differences are small, but may make the difference in choosing one app over another. For example, TwitBird Pro (formerly iTwitter) shows the most recent update so that you have to scroll down to find the last unread tweet. I have tried to find a way in the settings to switch this option, but I haven't yet. If I don't check for awhile, when I update I have to scroll down to find the last unread tweet. TwitBird Pro does allow for easy marking of read tweets, although the only option is to mark all read. I have been using TweetDeck more and more lately because of the groups option, whihc allows you to create groups for easier following of your Twitter friends. I also like the interface with TweetDeck more than the other three apps I have. The experiment will continue as I try to determine why I like one app more than another.

Twitter twitterings

Today, Twitter went down and revived itself before I even knew about it. I saw a news story online and then saw a flood of stories about how Armageddon had almost arrived. I was expecting the Four Horsemen of the Internet to have descended upon the fragile intertwinings of the new darling of social media. People were literally all atwitter about the lack of Twitter. I like Twitter, I use it, although in a more passive/lurker mode than as an active and frequent twitter tweeter. I follow friends and podcasts, folks who have similar interests that I may know from forums I read (and lurk in). I have posted 220 tweets (as of today) and I joined Twitter over a year ago. I have also sent about 60 direct messages (most to the same person – it seems quicker than email or texting for some reason). I’m not a super-user by any stretch of the imagination, but had I known that Twitter had big issues today, I probably would have checked every few minutes to see if it was back up and working. I like seeing what my tweeps are doing, what interesting pictures they're sharing, or what links they have posted. I do feel connected to these folks and I would not have enjoyed being out of touch.

How I would have checked Twitter's status brings me to this point: I can’t have Twitter open on my work laptop (nor should I, really), but I can check the various apps on my iPhone that allow users to tweet, post picture via Twitpic (or yfrog, flic.kr, etc.), send direct messages, follow, unfollow, well, you get the idea. The apps allow a person to follow Twitter, even when they can’t get to a computer. There are many apps around that do this. I have 4 right now, Twitterific, TweetDeck, TwitterFon, and iTwitter. What I’d like to try to do over the next few posts (which I hope are more frequent than my more recent posts), is review, in an unscientific way, these apps, how they work for me, which one I use most and why.

Not complaining, but still. . .

So, it’s hot here in Minnesota right now. The kind of hot we don’t like, humid, and, to use a technical term, “icky.” It is not fun having to go to work dressed up, although it is fun to have to go to work. Please don’t think I’m complaining, just not overly thrilled with humidity and sweat. Thank goodness my car’s A/C works so well (as does the A/C in the house!).

I haven’t had much success getting into a good rhythm for my race training this spring and summer. I really need to find a way to get my workouts done without worrying about how or when I’ll do them. I also need to do much better with eating, portions, and choices. Part of the problem is that I’ve been tired lately and I just don’t feel like I’ve had a chance to take the time to get my head on straight. I’m hoping that this weekend will allow me the opportunity to get these things under control again.

Minneapolis Half-Marathon

Yesterday, May 31, was the Inaugural Minneapolis Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 5K. I ran the half-marathon and finished in 2:30. My goal for the race was not based on a finish time in mind, just to finish, which I did. I’m glad I didn’t have a specific time in mind, because the course, while absolutely wonderful and scenic, was hilly. There were more hills than I thought there would be, but I really enjoyed this race. The day was beautiful, sunny, with little wind, a bit chilly at the start and not quite hot by the end of the race. If you have been to Minneapolis’s riverfront near the downtown area down towards the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus, you know what the scenery is like. The course was well-laid out (even with the hills) and a good challenge without being overwhelming.

The packet pick-up and expo, while small (remember, this was the first year for the race), was well-organized. It was outside, under an old train shed that was originally a part of the Milwaukee Road Railroad Depot in downtown Minneapolis. The race start was also at the depot, so it was very convenient to have everything right there. The finish was down by the riverfront at an old flour milling complex that has been restored into the Mill City Museum and condos. I used to give tours there 14 years ago for the Minnesota Historical Society and I had not been down in that area much since about 1999, so it was really neat to be back there.

I will definitely think about doing this race again next year, but I do think I’ll train for the hills more next time.

If you would consider helping out, I’d appreciate it

A quick note here – I have joined the Team AllEars running team for the 2010 WDW Marathon weekend. Part of our goal is to help raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Please consider helping out this fantastic cause and supporting Team AllEars as we train for our half-marathons, full-marathons, and Goofy Challenges. I’ll have more information on the team as I continue to train. Thanks!!!

Spring has sprung

The days are getting warmer, the sun is rising earlier and setting later, and the boy likes to be outside. This should help explain the lack of posts. So, until we get a rainy stretch or the leaves begin to fall, short posts will be the norm.

Still running, too

I ran the Get in Gear 10k this morning. I’m training for a half-marathon at the end of May, so the distance wasn’t taxing by any stretch of the imagination, but a race always gets me running a bit harder than training. That is the point, I know, but I’m surprisingly a bit more tired than I thought I’d be after only 6.2 miles. I do know I have to eat better because I’ve gained about 6-7 lbs since I started my new job. The temptation of eating the cafeteria’s food (and, yes, it’s pretty good) is overwhelming some days, even when I bring a lunch. We have also not been eating the best at home, as I often get home after my wife and it can get late before dinner’s ready. I don’t do well eating later and I’ve been rationalizing a fair amount of junk food lately. For a few years now I have said that I will eat better and lose weight before the Disney marathon, but it doesn’t seem to work. I need better ideas on how to stick to better eating habits.

Still fumbling

You’d think that I’d have found a rhythm with work and home life to be able to post more often, but apparently not yet. One thing that I’ve been trying to do is figure out how to post more often. I have also registered for the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon, which will be my 4th consecutive race there. I posted on my training for this year’s race over at The Mouse and More, but I don’t know if I will do that this year. I may do it here or not at all. Since it’s just the marathon next year (I’m doing the Goofy again in 2011), the training will not be as rigorous. At least I hope so. My wife is running the half marathon, her first, and we’ll have to figure out the training schedule for the long runs on the weekend. Additionally, the training takes place during the holidays, which is always fun, and the weather here in Minnesota is always a factor come wintertime. We’ll see how it goes.

I had a birthday a few weeks ago (the blog’s title is still accurate), but this time it was different because my wife, son and I are happy and in a good place, unlike last year. I should point out that my wife and I have the same birthday one year apart (can’t forget it that way!). Unlike Christmas, when I couldn’t really afford to get much for my wife, I was able to get nice gifts for her birthday. She has always said that I get more gifts for her or spend more money. This year, she outspent me, but only because she got me a GPS training watch (Garmin Forerunner 405). It’s very cool and I was really surprised when I found out. Read that sentence again. Found out, not opened. I saw the receipt a week or so before my birthday and I fessed up the day before. I always do that – although not always accidentally! Anyway, it was a great present and, although I don’t like thinking about being a year older, getting it made me really appreciate where I was a year ago and where I am now – emotionally, physically, heck, even financially. Things are great and I plan on making them even better this next year!

Have not disappeared…

…just been busy at work. I still enjoy saying that. It’s been a month in the new job, I still love it, and I think I’m doing a good job. My wife’s company went through a round of layoffs and she survived, so we’re very happy about both of us working again. We plan on focusing on getting bills paid down, but we do want to start planning so work on the house, too. Can’t want for spring so I can get outside to run, too!

Back to work!

I’m closing in on the end of my second week at my new job and I am thrilled! I really enjoy the work and the people. The company is great. I’m getting used to getting going early in the morning again and my wife and son have adapted pretty well to Daddy having to leaving earlier than they do. I have even gotten used to commuting again. So far, it’s been good and I know, believe me, that in the state the economy is in right now, I am very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. I intend to take full advantage of it.

Starting new job on Monday

Last Thursday, I was offered a new job, which I accepted enthusiastically. I start on Monday and I am very excited, not only to be working, but in this particular position. I will be doing some things that I believe really play to my strengths and interests. I am being circumspect right now about the position and the company only because I’d like to get a few weeks of work under my belt before saying more.

I will say, though, that the last 8 months have been very challenging and yet also fulfilling. When this whole journey started, I was very concerned about not only finding a new job, but not getting disappointed or depressed. For the most part, I did not succumb to feeling down, although it would happen every once in a while. I guess I just knew that I would get a job, that it might take some time, and that eventually everything would work out. It did, in a wonderful way. The timing for the interviews, the timing for hearing about getting the job allowed me to be able to keep working on my project, train for the Goofy Challenge and have a vacation at Disney World, and also enjoy the holidays.

This blog was started to note the process of getting through a difficult time, finding a job, raising a son, and generally continuing to grow personally. Since at least two of those objectives are on-going, so will the blog. I’m going to continue to fumble through my forties. You’re welcome to join me!

Offered and accepted a job!

I was offered a position this afternoon, which I accepted. I am very excited and will post more later. I am incredibly happy and relieved!

Goofy Challenge completed!

Longer report coming very soon, but wanted to let everyone know I completed the Goofy Challenge and much quicker than I thought I would do it. I was sore Sunday and Monday, but felt pretty good Tuesday and yesterday (which is when we came home to below zero weather!).

Excitement tempered with anxiety, what a combo!

I could hear about the job I interviewed for any day now. While I hope to hear good news before leaving for Walt Disney World, I don’t really want to hear bad news before I go. If I don’t get the job, I’d rather find out after I’m back. The anticipation in waiting to hear is bearable, because potentially, I could always hear good news. Getting the bad news before the trip would be a bummer, but I’d be okay.

Trying to recover from the holiday season, my wife and son were home a lot and I think everyone was going a little stir crazy by yesterday (Sunday). I’ve got to get some work done on the project and I have kept up the job search, but I still would rather just hear good news and go on the trip.