http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/ Net Builders Webmaster Forum en Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:54:33 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.netbuilders.org/images/styles/ShinyBlue/misc/rss.jpg http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/ http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/27-just-mix-things-up.html Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:37:07 GMT Some people think I'm odd, other's think I'm gay... I crochet and knit (woo, that rhymed). I try to mix things up, and do as much as I can -- pick on all the oppurtunities that arise (college/high school will be beginning for me in February, which will allow more room for development).

I can never do one single thing for too long. I have made attempts to sit myself in front of the screen and work for hours on end, but eventually it's not worth the effort to force myself. It's something that can be delayed, and I generally do so -- so that I can experience more.

I'm 13, and there's not really any real reason why I need to earn money. Sure, it helps and is vital to do the things that I want to do... But I don't need money to survive -- I'm fully supported as it is. I do, however, think it's good for me to get a head start and learn how I can earn money (and do so at the same time). Times get tough, and it's nice to help out.

I have found cycling extremely enjoyable. It's something that I can continue to improve on, can experience new experiences with, can continue to challenge myself with, or simply to explain for me that I am not lazy / do not spend all the time that I can in front of a screen.

Diversity is a good thing. If you can, find some time and do something new. ]]> Charles http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/27-just-mix-things-up.html http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/15-maungakotokutoku-hill-x-5.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:26:16 GMT Yesterday (22nd December), Julian Carr and I cycled together up the Maungakotokutoku Hill, five times. It was a difficult temperature to ride in,... Yesterday (22nd December), Julian Carr and I cycled together up the Maungakotokutoku Hill, five times.

It was a difficult temperature to ride in, and I perhaps should have worn a slightly thinner layer. We started off (Julian leading) at a decent pace, finishing the first climb in 9 minutes and 55 seconds, Mum waiting at the bottom to record our time.

We sped up on the second lap (this time I took the lead), finishing in 9 minutes and 37 seconds. That was painful.

We took it easy on the third lap, spending about 3/4 of a minute off the saddle to give our legs a little bit of a rest. This lap took 10 minutes and 33 seconds.

We stayed seated for most of the fourth-lap, going slowly to retain breath for the final climb. Julian was also explaining to someone on the phone how he was cycling up a hill "in second place." When we reached the top, we knew that we were almost done. On the descent, a bee flew into Julian's helmet. We descended slowly, to gather as much energy as we could for the last and final climb. 11 minutes and 33 seconds.

The final lap, which we spent most of the time out of the saddle, saw us reach the top in 9 minutes and 28 seconds. That's 15 seconds slower than my Hill Climbing Champs finish-time. ]]> Charles http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/15-maungakotokutoku-hill-x-5.html http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/13-paekakariki-hill-x-2-around-paremata-akatarawa-loop.html Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:26:24 GMT I got out for some pretty chunky miles in the weekend. Saturday, I covered 80km -- departing over Paekakariki Hill, around Paremata and back over... I got out for some pretty chunky miles in the weekend.

Saturday, I covered 80km -- departing over Paekakariki Hill, around Paremata and back over Paekakariki Hill (and along SH1 home).

Sunday, I covered 100km -- departing over Paekakariki Hill, along SH58 and over Hayward's Hill, along SH2 to Upper Hutt, over Akatarawa Hill and back along SH1 home.

Today, I just did an easy 35km cruise around town with Greg to get rid of any lactic acids that may have built up from all of yesterday's hill climbing.

Tomorrow, I have a 3up Time Trial. I will be placed with 2 riders of different riding capabilities to me (they'll probably be a lot better than I am), and be responsible for covering the 38km circuit as quickly as possible. ]]> Charles http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/13-paekakariki-hill-x-2-around-paremata-akatarawa-loop.html http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/3-maungakotokutoku-hill.html Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:36:46 GMT I've lost my Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to this hill... I've now agreed to join a group, and meet them at the base of the hill (which is a good 10km away from my house) at 6.30am. That kind of hurts, forcing me to wake up at 5.15am.

This morning, I biked up and down the hill twice. It was a good outing, and I'm looking forward to going out again on Friday (I might have a crack at three times).

It is 2.5km of pure up-hilly-ness. The descent is not too great, it's far too windy. But the ascent is good, because with all the corners, the angles change the steepness of the hill -- making it even more of a challenge for me to make it up. Hmm, I've got a lot of cycling ahead of me -- 1 rest day (Thursday) a week. ]]> Charles http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/3-maungakotokutoku-hill.html http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/1-i-knew.html Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:25:35 GMT I have launched a new project, I Knew It! (http://www.iknewit.org/), where I will be/have been experimenting to find out whether you really do need... I have launched a new project, I Knew It!, where I will be/have been experimenting to find out whether you really do need to pay big bucks to get good quality work.

So far, I've spent a total of $7 on the logo -- rather pleasant on the pocket, excellent on the Web site.

I've paid $2 per page of content, which is supposed to average out at around about 500 words per piece.

I had the design pre-made, and it has already been used on other Web sites (which are no longer in my hands).

I decided that running a large static Web site would get pretty difficult... So, I coded a slight back-end which allows me to add and edit pages (categories need to be added directly to the database, because I don't imagine that there will be a very large number of them -- and that they should be reasonably easy to keep a track of as it is).

In terms of marketing, I will be using automated article submission software/services (haven't yet decided exactly what I'll use -- possibly iSnare). I've seen fairly good results from this in the past, and it's extremely easy.

I'll keep you updated. :cool: ]]> Charles http://www.netbuilders.org/blogs/charles/1-i-knew.html