GuruSpace Alpine FireSalsa

Random thoughts: MySpace has been down and then buggy over the last few days, apparently because of some heat-related power outages and poor data mirroring planning in Los Angeles. Lame.

I tried some sample packets of some new protein powders recently, Wellements Pro Blend 55, both the Alpine Vanilla and the Strawberry Twist flavors. Love the vanilla, but the strawberry is yucky.

Firefox 1.5.0.5 is out. Luckily, I didn't have any issues with extensions or themes not working after the update, but I know people who did. Oh, well.

I'm mentioned in this Internet Retailer article about Bodybuilding.com podcasts - as a "Web 2.0 guru"! Heh heh.

Have you tried Sam's Choice Southwest Black Bean & White Corn Mild Salsa yet? Wow, it's quite tasty - and this is from someone who doesn't normally even like salsa! Mmmmm.   =)

B Vitamins

Here's a list of B vitamins, with their associated names, for my own reference (since I tend to forget these easily). The ones crossed out are no longer considered "true" vitamins. All the B vitamins are water-soluble. The common (accepted) ones are in bold.

"B" Name	Real Name	Purported Purposes
Vitamin B-1	Thiamine	B-1 helps the cells convert carbohydrates into energy. Supposedly also helps keep mosquitoes away, but this is apparently unconfirmed and most likely just urban myth. Is essential for the functioning of the heart and for healthy nerve cells, including those in the brain. Also helps the body cells convert carbohydrates into energy.
Vitamin B-2	Riboflavin	Body growth and red blood cell production. Similar to thiamine, it helps in releasing energy from carbohydrates.
Vitamin B-3	Niacin	Niacin is often prescribed by doctors to help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Also helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also important for the conversion of food to energy.
Vitamin B-4	Adenine	???
Vitamin B-5	Pantothenic acid	Metabolism of food, synthesis of hormones and cholesterol. Apparently helps clear up acne, as well.
Vitamin B-6	Pyridoxine	Helps the body use ingested protein, aids in the formation of red blood cells and in the maintenance of normal brain function. It also assists in the synthesizing of antibodies in the immune system.
Vitamin B-7	Biotin	Metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, synthesis of hormones and cholesterol.
Vitamin B-8	Ergadenylic acid	RNA synthesis, as well as ADP and ATP synthesis. Helps break down food into energy and supports hormone functions.
Vitamin B-9	Folic acid	Synthesis of DNA, production of red blood cells, and prevention of birth defects.
Vitamin B-10	Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)	Protects the skin against ultra-violet radiation. Also helps with the breaking down of protein, and maintaining intestinal flora.
Vitamin B-11	Pteryl-hepta-glutamic acid	???
Vitamin B-12	Cyanocobalamin	Important for metabolism, formation of red blood cells, and maintenance of the central nervous system.
Vitamin B-13	Pyrimidinecarboxylic acid	???
Vitamin B-14	Pterin phosphate	???
Vitamin B-15	Pangamic acid	???
Vitamin B-16	Dimethylgycine	???
Vitamin B-17	Amygdalin	???
Vitamin B-18	???	???
Vitamin B-19	???	???
Vitamin B-20	Carnitine?	???
Vitamin B-21	???	???
Vitamin B-22	Aloe Vera extract?	???

Inositol and Choline Bitartrate are also related to the B vitamin family (inositol is sometimes dubbed vitamin B_m). Choline is good for enhancing memory and brain function. Inositol is used for the breakdown of fats and reducing blood cholesterol.

If you can help me fill in the missing information, please do share.

Food Car Beta Bars

In car news, we recently surpasses 82,000 miles on the odometer. In food news, I've recently tried the following tasty items:

• ISS OhYeah!® Protein Bar (Peanut Butter & Strawberry flavor)
• MuscleTech Meso-Tech Complete MRP bar (Peanut Butter Chocolate flavor)
• Xyience Xenergy energy drink (Cran/Razz flavor)
• Promax energy bar (Honey Peanut flavor)

I recently upgraded from IE 7 Beta 2 to IE 7 Beta 3. They still haven't fixed the toolbar issue, however. Sigh.

I was recently introduced to a funny IT-related comic strip, called "User Friendly". Check it out if you're technically inclined.

Cold Old Septic & the Newcomb Fireworks

We spent the better part of two Saturdays ago having our septic tank (well, technically, it's not a septic system because there is no leach field, but it's a lift tank or holding tank) pumped because there is apparently a sewer pipe blockage down the street, and our lift pump has burned out because of it. Not so nice.

At the same time I was worrying about the sewer, our air conditioning (A/C) started acting funny (or smelling, rather). After calling a couple of A/C guys about it and getting the standard (and unwarranted, I might add) lecture about how nobody ever changes their filters, I discovered the problem myself - standing water in the ducts.

There was about 2 or 3 quarts of water in the ducts just in front of the first register. I noticed it when the A/C was on because the force of the air rushing past it was creating ripples. I stuck about 10 dry towels down there and pulled them all back up soaked. Once I got the water out, by golly if the air flow didn't double and the funky smell disappeared! Dang condensation!

I have finally accumulated 1,000,000 neopoints in Neopets! I'm now the proud owner of a Millionaire Platinum bank account at the Neopets Bank! Gotta love Neopets!

We invited Chris and Sarah Newcomb over for some BBQ pork chops the next Sunday. Their little baby (Aiyana) thought Becky was just hilarious jumping around making faces at her. We then were treated to some ribs and smoothies at their house just a few days later - great stuff!

Becky and Jared enjoyed watching the fireworks on our street on the 4th. Becky and I did a small test run a few nights before in our driveway with some leftover fireworks from last year (that we bought in Susanville, CA) that we could never use (being illegal in NV). We then headed over to Rocky Mountain Fireworks & Fur Co. (the big yellow building off of exit 26), and grabbed a few more for this year. Fun stuff - I think we only had one dud out of the whole bag!

Status update: in our multi-year quest to read through the complete Old Testament, we now are getting close to finishing. We have recently completed Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, and Joel, and Amos. =)