And the Camera Gets Cleaned Out Again

River otter. Incredibly cute but definitely in the DO NOT PET category. I've seen their skulls and they have some serious teeth like all mustelids (weasels, skunks, wolverines).

Simulated FITA indoor using an NFAA target face. NFAA indoor round is 5 arrows per end while FITA indoor is 3 arrows per end on a colorful target.

If I can keep up groups like this or better consistently at Southeastern Sectional, I'll be pretty darned happy!

Cellos Can Be Fun

For many years, I just didn't like the cello. I don't know why I wasn't a particularly big fan of cellos. I think it had a lot to do with those dreadful recitals I had to perform in and sit through as a young pup. Then I started listening to Apocalyptica and suddenly I realized what awesome things can be done with cellos. I don't ever see myself playing a cello but now I can enjoy it as an instrument instead of seeing it as a torture device that's in the same category as soap operas, lite rock, or bad seminars.

Seemann -- featuring Nina Hagen.
Ohne Dich -- with Rammstein.

I survived Christmas in one piece, albeit with a lot of extra adipose tissue that will need to be systematically burned off and muscle re-built from prolonged inactivity. Since when was 50 yards too far to walk?!

First 5k Ever

No post-race or during-race photos but I ran my first ever 5k on the Gainesville-Hawthorne trail this morning. I started off very slowly, partially to reduce my odds of being run over, partially to just make sure I have enough energy to make it there and back again and then the final mile was where I sped up. I actually passed up a lot of people who had passed me up either early- or mid- run during that final mile and sprinted past a guy who had been way ahead of me through most of the run. It was really awesome and the weather was perfect for it! Definitely will do another one as the opportunity shows up and we'll see how far I can bring my time down as I keep training! I actually came out of the run not feeling tired at all so I knew I didn't over-do it at all and probably could've gone faster but I'd rather play it safe than sorry. Now I have a better idea of how to pace myself!

Definitely NOT a Fit

This bow does NOT fit me at all. I love the mass weight and the smoothness but the angle of the string and the position of the sight do not work for me without putting my head in a slightly awkward position. Theoretically the tip of my nose is supposed to be touching the string and there should be another contact point by the corner of my mouth, but I don't see THAT happening very comfortably. The side of my nose has given me much better results. Nonetheless, it's a really cool bow that feels more like a 20 lb bow instead of a 36 lb bow. It belongs to the assistant coach at Newberry, who's an insanely tall skinny guy whose facial features are a little better suited for that style of shooting. I'd love to be that tall with a 33.5" draw length! Aside from the awkward head position and the longbow-style grip I use on just about any bow, though most of my form is pretty good for an Olympic recurve. I don't like the anchoring under the chin too much but I think that can change... if anyone can ever pry the longbow out of my hand long enough for me to stay with a recurve! If I were ever to get an Olympic recurve, it would be a 64" or a 66" (what most people my size seem to favor) instead of a 72" like the one I was playing with.