Scott Maxwell at Insight Partners has a list of his top 10 possible New Year’s Resolutions for Emerging Growth Company CEOs. While all are good, #10 is the most important.
I’ve been training for my next marathon (The Miami Marathon on 1/29/06). Given that it’s winter in Colorado I’ve been spending a lot of time on my treadmill to avoid the darkness, snow, and ice. However, I’d much rather run outside so when we got to Aspen last week I went looking for a pair of Yaktrax so I could run up and down the mountains.
I picked up my Yaktrax (yeah – poor impulse control), but the person that sold them to me recommended I try a pair of IceBug MR Dry BUGrip’s. While the name is a little goofy, the IceBugs (which are made in Sweden) are unbelievably great. At first glance, they look like typical trail running shoes. However, when you look at the cleats carefully, you notice that some of them are made of metal. When you put enough pressure on the metal studs, the ends (the metal part) retract slightly (according to IceBug, they are “smart studs” – Amy’s favorite kind.)
If you’ve ever run up a mountain on snow and ice, you know that it can suck if you only have regularly running shoes. With the IceBugs, it literally felt like I was running on dirt. Zero slippage, no traction issues, and no snow/ice anxiety. Downhill was even more fun as I could really cruise while staying completely in control. Whenever I hit concrete (yes – Aspen has a bunch of heated sidewalks – how decadent), I could heard the smart studs clicking but didn’t feel like I was running on spikes as the tips retracted slightly. Perfect.
If you are a winter mountain runner these are worth ever penny of the $125 they cost. You can buy them online at Amazon or Garmont. It’s only the second day of Chanukah – you’ve still got six more days to buy them for a friend.
The Internet (and the candy industry) is always good for a little sex.
It was another PayDay and I was tired of Mr. Goodbar. Then, I saw Miss Hershey throwing me Kisses on the corner of Clark and 5th Avenue. In no time I pulled out my Whoppers and began feeling her Mounds with my Butterfinger. “Hey, how’d you like to Crunch on my Tootsie Rolls?”, I asked. Well, she did and it felt like pure Almond Joy. Then, I let her have my Choco Taco. She let out little Snickers and moaned,” Oh Henry it feels Good & Plenty. Even better than the 3Musketeers. Oh, those beautiful Sugar Babies!” She asked if I was into M&Ms. I said, “Why don’t you take my Whatchamacallit and slip it in your Bit-O-Honey and feel my MilkyWay?” Hey, I know men are from Mars and women are from Venus, but soon she began to get a little bit Chunky and nine months later out came Baby Ruth.
Thanks Chris (and Chris’ dad Martin).
Today, Vijay discovers the value of a napkin. Thanks Anita.
Once again JibJab absolutely nails it. 2–0–5 is perfect.
I’m not a huge fan of Christmas lights (see my Christmas vs. Chanukah post). However, last night at our holiday party Ross turned me on to the most amazing Christmas light show that I’ve ever seen (and – having grown up in Dallas, I was subject – against my will – to some doozies). This is less “Christmas light” than it is “technology / music / light tour de force with a mild Christmas theme.) Awesome. (Note: for some reason it’s only working correctly in IE this morning so if you are a Firefox user and getting a screen full of gunk, try IE).
I love the Beatles. I love Brian Ibbott’s Coverville podcast. I love running. I set out to do 60 minutes in Atherton early this morning and started listening to Coverville 149: The 2nd Annual Beatles Thanksgiving Double Shot on my iPod Shuffle. 90 minutes later I had one of my best runs of the year. I was late to my first meeting (sorry Greg) but it was worth it. If you are a Beatles fan, don’t miss this one.
The Denver Business Journal has a nice article about my friend Niel Robertson, co-founder / CTO of Newmerix. Neil joined the ranks of CTO bloggers a few weeks ago. For the record, I like his earring.
The Denver Post had a nice profile article on a couple of local Boulder / Denver CEO’s that run, including me (ok – I’m a “managing director” – but who really cares about titles). Ed Roberto – the CEO of Newmerix and occasional running partner was featured also.