Things I Think About

Should you buy a canoe or a kayak

2009-10-07T11:46:00.000-05:00

When I was growing up my father and I would rent a canoe from an outfitter on the Current River and load it with a couple of days worth of gear. Usually, they gave us a 17’ Alumacraft that required a splash of cool water on the seat and gunwale before climbing aboard on a hot sunny day. Think fried ham steaks (which I also hate). These boats looked like they had been through a bad plane crash and, in my eyes, lacked anything that could pass for style, grace or beauty. While they allowed us to successfully navigate or, in my dads words, perpetually crash from the left to the right bank of the river, it always seemed like a fight. The grabby aluminum hulls weren’t able to slide over logs or gravel bars without getting stuck. The boat made terrible noises with every bump of a paddle or rock. There was no chance of observing wildlife in its natural habitat because the animals could hear you coming from a mile away and, frankly, wanted no part of all that commotion. I hated canoes. It got worse too.

Canoe Advantages

Canoes can be paddled solo or with several passengers
Canoes sit up higher giving you a better view of the water
Canoes allow easy access to gear and more room for it
Canoes offer a variety of sitting and kneeling positions
Canoes are easy to get in and out of

Kayak Advantages

Kayaks ride lower in the water and offer less wind resistance and more stability
A skirt will help keep the inside of a kayak and any gear stored there drier
Kayaks are often faster than canoes

Read the rest of the Canoe vs Kayak post on AdventureCanoe.com

ACA Canoe Instructor Training - Level 3: River Canoeing

2009-08-19T07:47:00.001-05:00

ACA Canoe Instructor Training - Level 3: River Canoeing

Start: Oct 23 2009 - 9:00am

End: Oct 25 2009 - 4:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-6

Adventure Canoe is hosting an ACA instructor certification course. Visit this link ACA Canoeing Instructor Course for more information and to register or email jdixson@adventurecanoe.com

The course will be led by Pat Owens and cost $300

USSEC Global News Update

2009-06-05T22:30:00.000-05:00

USSEC Global News Update

June 5, 2009

Largest European Feed Miller Excited by

U.S. Soybean Meal

            ASA TPIA Chairman Randy Mann, USSEC CEO Miguel Escobar, and ASA-IM Europe Regional Director Mark Andersen, along with two researches from the University of Madrid's Animal Research Department, visited the Nutreco Poultry and Rabbit Research Facilities. Following the trip, the company will conduct research comparing soybean meal by origins at this facility.   Dr. Pedro Perez presented the results of a study showing the advantages of U.S. soybean meal over South American meal. Before this study, Nutreco had not considered comparing soybean meal by origin.

              Nutreco, one of the top ten feed companies in the world, operates plants in 30 countries. The results of the study showed a significant difference and advantage for U.S. soybean meal in digestible amino acids and energy. Study results inspired Nutreco to conduct two additional studies of this nature. Nutreco produces 7 million metric tons of feed annually using approximately 51.4 million bushels of soybean meal.

Soy Products Flourish in Mexico's Baking Industry



            ASA-IM Consultant Fernando Maya helped the Productos Rich plant in Mexico City train employees on the uses of soybean oil shortenings in baking. Productos Rich bakes for wholesalers supplying supermarkets, restaurants and institutional kitchens with frozen cakes, muffins and rolls. To provide their products with a healthy dose of protein, the bakery products are made using 10 percent soy flour.

Productos Rich consumes five tons of defatted and toasted soybean flour and 100 tons worth of soybean oil shortenings and oils monthly. Productos Rich hopes to use the knowledge gained through this seminar to develop new products containing soybean derivatives that will increase their overall consumption of U.S. soy.

Dominican Dairy Industry Wins with U.S. Soy



            ASA-IM Latin America hosted a dairy production seminar in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic in coordination with the Southern Dairy Federation and CONALECHE, a governmental institution dealing with the dairy industry.   ASA-IM Consultants Carlos Campabadal and Pedro Pablo Lora presented on dairy reproduction, health, milk quality and milking techniques for the 80 dairy technicians in attendance. The seminar focused on improving both reproduction and milk production in the dairy industry. These improvements necessitate an increase in U.S. soybean meal usage through higher feed consumption and higher soybean meal inclusion rates.

U.S. Soy Will Help Add Protein to Iraqi Diets

            Concerned about the chronic shortage of protein sources in the Iraqi food system, the new USDA/FAS Animal Health and Food Safety Ministerial Advisor in Baghdad, Dr. Jessica McCoy, met with ASA-IM Regional Consultant Mousa Wakileh in Amman, Jordan to develop a set of joint priorities and coordinated actions that will make U.S. soybeans the solution to the problem.

            ASA-IM market development activities in Iraq place a high priority on full fat soybean meal (FFSBM) production for use in livestock feed.   ASA-IM is pursuing potential U.S. Army financing for FFSBM extruder production projects in Iraq through FAS. Activities will also focus on providing technical support in the Arabic language to both the poultry and aquaculture industries for FFSBM utilization.

            While visiting Iraqi animal industry facilities and meeting with key poultry, aquaculture and animal feed contacts remains a challenge, it will not prevent a determined ASA-IM and FAS effort to implement an expanded market development program that will help Iraqi's to improve their diets with American soy.

High Value Natto Soybean Market Remains Strong in Japan

            ASA-IM Japan participated in four major annual Japanese food bean and soyfood events including the Japan Vegetable Protein Food Association, Tokyo Soybean Wholesalers Trade Association, Federation of Japan Natto Manufacturers Cooperative Society and the Japan Grain Trade Association of Eastern Japan.

At the Tokyo Soybean Wholesalers Association Annual Meeting, ASA-IM Japan Country Director LaVerne Brabant gave opening remarks focusing on U.S. soybean production, the global soybean trade and low inventories forecast by the USDA. He also expressed appreciation to customers for their continuing support of U.S. soybean farmers. Japan imports 80 percent of its Natto soybeans from the U.S. This equates to 3.6 million bushels of high value non-GMO U.S. food grade soybeans.

            ASA-IM Japan continues to support and reinforce U.S. farmers' commitment to the Japanese soyfood complex customers. Japan is the largest single market for non-GMO identity preserved U.S. food grade soybeans.

ASA-IM China Maximizes Impact of Investments in Swine Industry

            Hog prices in China dropped dramatically in 2009 slowing growth rates created by favorable market conditions in 2007 and 2008. Despite this difficulty, Chinese swine producers continue their drive to become more professional and increase performance levels.         ASA-IM China assists the industry by disseminating technology that aids in the establishment of new production sites and helps existing units fine-tune operations by maximizing animal performance and economic benefits. ASA-IM also invited two animal nutritionists recently visiting China to present at a series of Advanced Swine Technology Seminars and on-farm consultations. Dr. Don Bushman and Dr. Robert Rowland joined ASA-IM China Technical Director-Livestock Dr. M.Y. Huang for the technical service programs. The seminar covered topics such as baby pig nutritionand U.S. swine industry and its integrated operation model. Three ASA-IM China preferred customers cosponsored these workshops to leverage each groups' funds and best promote U.S. soy-based swine feeds.

            The consultant team also made on-site consultation visits to a feed mill, three swine farms and a new modern breeding farm that is under construction. By helping these operations increase their productivity, ASA-IM China increases U.S. soybean meal usage in U.S. soybean farmers' number one international market.

USSEC Soy Bits

<image001.jpg>      The USSEC Board of Directors met in St. Louis, Mo. the evening of June 4, 2009. June 5, 2009, farmer leaders will join other industry representatives for the ISPOT meeting to be held in the same location.

<image001.jpg>      Cathryn Dixson and Brent Babb attended the USB/QSSB meeting held in St. Louis, Mo. June 1-3. This roundtable discussion provided an arena to share ideas and coordinate communication strategies for the upcoming year with state staff and farmers.

<image001.jpg>      Brent Babb and Catalina Valencia met with the Global Aquaculture Alliance leadership to discuss and coordinate joint efforts on aquaculture production and feeding standards.

<image001.jpg>      Paul Burke and Mark Andersen led a team of soybean meal purchasers from the Maghreb. As a part of activities designed to familiarize them with the U.S. soy value chain, the team visited the farm of USB Director John Wray in Ottawa, Kan.

<image001.jpg>      Greg Olwig accompanied USB Director Bob Metz to Canada for the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada Conference.

<image001.jpg>      Ethan Brewer and Colby Sutter attended the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. While there, Sutter accompanied a team of Chinese swine farmers and Brewer staffed the USSEC booth.

USSEC Events Calendar

June 3-5

World Pork Expo

Des Moines, IA

June 3-5

Animal Nutrition Association of Canada Conference

Canada

June 5

International Soy Planning and Opportunities Team Meeting (ISPOT)

St. Louis, MO

June 8-12

Workshop on the Nutritional Advantages of U.S. Soybean Meal

Tunisia

June 16-21

South America Biotech Conference

Brazil

June 22-25

USB Board Meeting

Dearborn, MI

June 22-27

Risk Management Workshop

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

June 24-29

July 15-16

July 20-23

Soybean Meal Workshop

U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (FAS Cooperators)

ASA Board Meeting

Seoul, Korea

Bethesda, MD

Washington, DC

August 2-6

U.S. Soy Export Week

St. Louis, MO

4pt 0in 5.4pt;height:14.5pt'>
U.S. Soy Export Week

St. Louis, MO

ml>

<June 5.pdf>

More Motorcycle Photos

2009-04-03T10:05:00.001-05:00

I posted some motorcycle photos over at my site.

Motorcycle Photos

2009-03-18T16:14:00.001-05:00

I was playing around with iLife and uploaded some photos of my motorcycle.

http://web.me.com/jdixson/Motorcycle_Stuff/

Check it out.

New Gateway BMW

2009-03-16T17:36:00.002-05:00

I made some changes to the Gateway BMW Motorcycle site. It now has tons of BMW Motorcycle News, information about the motorcycles including the R1200GS Adventure, the BMW F800GS, and the 2009 BMW K1300GT Sport Tourer.

Check it out when you get a chance.

Orgasm on a bike?

2008-11-18T10:25:00.000-06:00

I posted this over on Paunchiness as well but I thought it was fitting here.

I've always wanted my wife to get a bike so she could go on rides with me. Unfortunately, she's not really into the whole idea of riding and doesn't really get it. I've thought about sneaking one in for a birthday or christmas present. I feel that getting someone exercise equipment in any form for a present sends the a mixed message. Even though my wife looks incredible and takes care of herself I think she'd figure I gave her a bike because I thought she was fat and needed to work out more.

Either way, this is a funny video. Show it to your loved ones for a laugh not to butter them up in preparation for buying them there first bike since childhood.

If you're still thinking about buying a wife or a girlfriend a bike it's probably ok as long as it's an arbitrary gift sometime in the spring and not in any way related to a holiday where they expect something that they want.

Fish Oil - Weight Loss & Depression Benefits

2008-11-13T10:59:00.001-06:00

Scientific research consistently shows that those who consume the most omega 3 fish oil weigh less and experience more successful weight loss than those who don't supplement with omega 3s.

Research published in the Journal of Nutrition found that omega 3 fish oil helps stop the conversion of pre-fat cells into fat cells by causing pre-fat cell death. [vol. 136:2965-2969]

Consuming fish oil during weight loss also helps balance hormones and increase metabolism.

Omega 3 fish oil capsules provide high levels of the important fatty acids DHA, EPA and DPA.These essential fatty acids are important in maintaining health and effectively losing weight.

Most people abandon diets and maintenance because of feelings of anxiety and depression. Studies show that a major reason for these "blue" feelings is because of lack of fatty acids – particularly DHA.

Research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that "depressed subjects showed significantly lower total omega 3 fatty acids" than those who weren't depressed. [Vol. 26, No. 38, 35-46]

Omega 3 fatty acids help ease depression – the more you get, the better you feel.

DHA has been shown, over and over again, in study after study to overcome depression and help people feel much better.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed, subjects with depression were given omega 3 DHA fatty acids, compared to subjects in a placebo group, there showed significant benefits in just three treatments. [Vol. 159:477-479]

Researchers at the psychiatry department of the University of Sheffield UK summed it up nicely – "omega 3 supplements with DHA alleviate anxiety and depression." [Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 48(2-3):149-55]

People feel happier and more accepting of their circumstances when they're getting optimum levels of omega 3 with DHA – no matter what those circumstances might be.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown in study after study to overcome depression, help people feel better and aid in weight loss.

Omega 3 fatty acids also destroy fat cells, provide more energy, improve metabolism and help improve mood while dieting.

Others benefits include protection from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and more.

There's no reason not to add some fish oil to your diet. Buy some now from Amazon.

Anyone tried the "Fat Fast" (Kekwick Diet) lately? - Atkins Diet

2008-11-12T09:53:00.001-06:00

From Paunchiness.com - Lose Weight, Get Fit

The Kekwick Diet was named after one of its developers, Alan Kekwick. It was documented in a study titled:

"Calorie Intake in Relation to Body Weight Changes in the Obese," Lancet, July 28, 1956, 155-161 by Alan Kekwick and Gaston Pawan.

Basically, what they did was to take a group of overweight subjects and put them in three groups. Each group received 1000 calories per day. One group was fed 90% carbohydrates, the second group 90% protein, and the third group 90% fat.

The group receiving 90% carbohydrates gained an average of 0,24 pounds per day of the study. The group receiving 90 protein lost an average of 0,6 pounds per day of the study, and the group receiving 90% fat lost an average of 0,9 pounds per day of the study.

This clearly demonstrates the superiority of diets high in protein and fats over diets high in carbohydrates. Note that each group received only 1000 calories per day. It's interesting to note that even at the very restricted level of 1000 calories per day, subjects fed 90% carbohydrates actually GAINED weight.

A 1000 calorie per day diet of 90% fat is not a very exciting diet, but it can achieve the fat loss you apparently wish to achieve.

Do please note that the Kekwick is a diet designed by doctors and tested in clinical trials, so don't be in too much of a hurry to dismiss it outright. It certainly isn't a diet that should be widely used, however.

Finally, the Kekwick diet isn't recommended unless you are extremely insulin resistant and have not been able to lose body fat on any other diet, including a more conventional low-carbohydrate diet.

In the book, Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, Dr. Atkins wrote that the Fat Fast is for the people who are severely resistant to weight loss. It's not to "speed up" the rate of your loss because you believe you are losing too slowly.

According to Dr. Atkins you can be severely metabolically resistant to weight loss for a number of reasons. But you have to rule out any weight loss "stallers" that can be reversed or alleviated.

Before considering doing the Fat Fast:

1. Did you follow the book exactly during Induction and still didn't lose any weight?

In other words, did you only eat what was listed on the Induction Acceptable Foods list, followed the rules of Induction, exercised, took your vitamin supplements, etc. If you didn't do any or all of these things, your lack of weight loss might not be due to metabolic resistance to weight loss at all and you should really consider doing the diet properly before considering to do the Fat Fast.

2. Did you go to your doctor to have tests done for the following: hyperinsulinism, thyroid problems, and yeast overgrowth?

If any of these things apply to you, then your doctor should be able to give you treatments to help you with these problems and once these problems are solved your weight loss, typically, will improve.

3. Are you on any medications that can interfere with your weight loss?

Dr. Atkins cites anti-arthritis medications, steroids, hormones (birth control pills, HRTs), anti-depressants, diuretics and beta-blockers as some of the medications that can interfere with weight loss. If you are on any of these medications, you should sit down with your doctor and try to figure out if any alternatives can be given to you instead.

If you have gone through this list and have ruled out these things with your doctor, then Fat Fast might be an option for you.

Fat Fast/Kekwick diet isn't for you if:

You "cheated" through your Induction phase by not strictly following the Rules and/or eating foods not on the Acceptable Foods List or not in the quantities allowed during Induction. Those sneaks, cheats, and one bites can severely derail weight loss in some people.
You are losing weight and want to break a stall.
You want to speed up your metabolism to lose weight faster.
You want to lose weight faster.

http://www.paunchiness.com/2008-08-kekwick-diet-atkins-fat-fast-weight-loss-results/

SNL Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin FULL VERSION with Tina Fey

2008-10-03T09:40:00.001-05:00

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHLp5Fu6r0

James Dixson
Atomicdust

Sent from my iPhone

Epson 9600 needs repairs.

2008-08-21T08:55:00.001-05:00

The Epson printer at our office had the yellow jet clogged. We called
on the repair man and he disected it and replaced the print heads.

The crazy pedicure lady

2008-08-19T13:53:00.000-05:00

I went in to get the caluses ground off of my feet and was greater by
this nice woman in a polka dot clown suit and britany spears hat.

Tower Grove Park

2008-08-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

Out for a walk in the park last night.

Rented a Ducati in puerto rico

2008-08-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

I flew down to PR with my wife and rented a motorcycle from Ducati of
Puerto Rico

BicycleWORKS Fund Raiser Ride

2008-07-17T14:52:00.001-05:00

On the weekend of July 25 BicycleWORKS is hosting a pledge drive to inaugurate a new fund-raising event designed to put us on the path to ownership of a permanent home. For twenty years BicycleWORKS has been serving the Saint Louis community by renting space in the Shaw Neighborhood. It has become clear to us that in order to grow or even maintain our presence in the community that BicycleWORKS will have to lay down roots before the market moves beyond our grasp. To this end, we are sending out four of our "fittest and finest", myself included, to the Katy Trail and challenging you to match 25 cents for every mile our team covers before passing out of exhaustion. We leave Friday morning from Saint Charles and will ride until the first person goes down, be it 70, 85, 125 or the whole 225 miles. The rules are simple, you pledge to pay 25 cents per mile by sending an email to info@stlbikeworks.com with the heading "KATY TRAIL", and we pledge to ride as far as we can go before falling passing out (defined as any member of the team taking a single break that is greater than 30 minutes long). We will keep this pilot attempt informal and on the honor system, but we hope that with success we will be able to create a regular and formal BicycleWORKS funding raising event. Those that can't handle the suspense are welcome to give us the benefit of the doubt and donate the maximum amount of $56.25 (25 cents x 225 miles). We also will gladly accept pledges greater than 25 cents per mile, if you are so inclined to torture us by giving us the incentive to actually ride as far as we can go. Pledges will receive an email a week after the ride providing a brief log of noteworthy events, the total mileage covered by the BicycleWORKS team, and the final amount of your pledge.

Please remember include the following details in your email:

· “KATY TRAIL” as the subject of your email to info@stlbikeworks.com

· Sponsorship of the entire team of four - or - a single rider

· Total amount of pledge per mile or lump sum

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing everyone at the shop!

Dirt Bike Review - 2007 BMW G650 Xchallenge

2008-05-23T12:11:00.001-05:00

New Xserve for the office

2008-05-21T13:59:00.000-05:00

Woah this thing is way bigger than I thought. It should be pretty cool
once its up and running though.

KTM and the BMW go on an over nighter

2008-05-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

Went on a little camping trip ok the motos. Here's a pic.

Fun job?

2008-05-16T08:53:00.001-05:00

These guys get to hang out all day and clean windows. OK, so the cleaning windows part probably isn't all that fun but it's probably better than shoveling gravel or something.

Stiff boxers

2008-05-12T15:04:00.001-05:00

This company sent us a sample of their boxer shorts to use for
voltron. They were so stiff they stood up by themselves. Sorry but I
like my undies to be comfortable.

I want a UTV

2008-05-02T15:11:00.002-05:00

Its like an off road golf cart. Perfect for hauling things around the farm I don't have or just some offroad adventures.

Riding a BMW & KTM motorcycle to Arkansas

2008-01-22T16:12:00.000-06:00

More motorcycle photos from our trip here....

I made a little video as well...yeah it sucks I was holding a digital camera in my hand while riding...

Charlotte to St. Louis on a Motorcycle

2007-09-25T17:01:00.000-05:00

I bought a new motorcycle last week. Here's a link to my photographs.

Charlotte to St. Louis on the new motorcycle

Tour of Missouri - Stage 6

2007-09-17T09:09:00.000-05:00

BMC parked their truck right next to the Anti-Doping trailer...I asked them if they were trying to send some sort of message...they said it was an open parking place.

Floyd Landis wasn't with them though...oh well. I was hoping for a surprise visit from Floyd or maybe even Lance...I didn't see either of them and there weren't any reports of them in the news.

I did get to see the guys from Discovery...

Hincapie won the race...Good for Disco, I'm sure there were mixed emotions.

Check out all the photos on Flickr. Sorry I didn't cull out the crappy ones...

We should get a Floyd Landis decision in five more days...lets hope it goes our way.

The Rain Song

2007-09-12T17:05:00.001-05:00

It is the springtime of my loving - the second season I am to know
You are the sunlight in my growing - so little warmth I've felt before.
It isn't hard to feel me glowing - I watched the fire that grew so low.

It is the summer of my smiles - flee from me Keepers of the Gloom.
Speak to me only with your eyes. It is to you I give this tune.
Ain't so hard to recognize - These things are clear to all from
time to time.

Talk Talk - I've felt the coldness of my winter
I never thought it would ever go. I cursed the gloom that set upon us...
But I know that I love you so

These are the seasons of emotion and like the winds they rise and fall
This is the wonder of devotion - I seek the torch we all must hold.
This is the mystery of the quotient - Upon us all a little rain must fall.

This song describes how I feel...

June 3-5	World Pork Expo	Des Moines, IA
June 3-5	Animal Nutrition Association of Canada Conference	Canada
June 5	International Soy Planning and Opportunities Team Meeting (ISPOT)	St. Louis, MO
June 8-12	Workshop on the Nutritional Advantages of U.S. Soybean Meal	Tunisia
June 16-21	South America Biotech Conference	Brazil
June 22-25	USB Board Meeting	Dearborn, MI
June 22-27	Risk Management Workshop	Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
June 24-29 July 15-16 July 20-23	Soybean Meal Workshop U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council (FAS Cooperators) ASA Board Meeting	Seoul, Korea Bethesda, MD Washington, DC
August 2-6	U.S. Soy Export Week	St. Louis, MO