Category Archives: Nerd Stuff

These posts relate to my nerdery (obviously). Computer stuff, games, movies, miscellaneous hobbies (nerdy, of course). Carr stuff is sort of nerdy, but I have another category for that.

Running Away From My Problems.

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May 9th has come and gone, so I thought I’d post a quick update on my progress.

First the bad news: I didn’t reach my weight loss goal- I’m currently at 244. Fun fact: 244 moves me from “obese” to “overweight” on the BMI!

Now the good news: The changes I have made in my life are sustainable. Even “cheating” a little here and there still nets me gradual weight loss. Plus, I can always comfort myself with the “I must have gained some muscle” excuse 🙂 Bottom line: I’m happy with my progress.

Overall I feel really good. I rarely ache or feel fatigued during the day anymore. I also feel like my mental clarity and my moods have improved. Exercise seems to have a balancing effect on the body. I wish I would have realized this sooner.

My next goal is to add significantly more weight training to my regime (build muscles to burn fat, right?). I’m also going to focus more on my nutrition (yes, actual health) in the coming months.

I’ve achieved a couple of fun milestones in the past few weeks. I jogged my first half marathon (treadmill, average speed 5.1mph). I also -easily-ran my first sub 8 minute mile (7 mins, 50 seconds). I’m going to shoot for a sub 7 minute mile in the near future.

I wish I had never given up last year. Who knows where I could be right now? But this time I’m going to stick with it.

Anyway- enough about excercise for now. In a few months I’ll provide another update. Wish me luck.

Posted May 10th, 2011 by Cam

Hong Kong Teahouse

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I think I’ve eaten at every Chinese, Thai and Sushi restaurant in Utah Valley. When Fran announced that she wanted roast duck and that we had to go to Salt Lake to get it I was delighted. Nothing like expanding one’s culinary horizons. Her quest took us to the  Hong Kong Tea House in downtown Salt Lake. I have to admit that my initial impression wasn’t overly positive, but I’m willing to try any Chinese restaurant. And then I saw the daily special: ribeye steak stir fry. Fran got her duck, an order of bok choy and some shark fin soup.

The food presentation was captivating and the taste was extraordinary. The ribeye stir fry has been, by far, one of the best meals I’ve eaten in years. I asked about the availability and, sadly, it comes and goes (you can call ahead if you’d committed to this particular dish). If anyone is looking for a new Chinese food experience I’d readily recommend Hong Kong Tea House.

Posted April 13, 2011 by Cam Hughes

Sesame, the Rat

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Last month we decided to get another Rat. I went to Petsmart on a Wednesday and prescreened the rats (they put them out on Saturday). One of them came right over to take a closer look at my hand and I knew she was the one. We went back Saturday and picked her up. We named the new rat Sesame and she was a blast right from the start.

More than anything she reminds me of a small dog. She’s actually very affectionate and loves to play. Fran has gotten especially attached to her and brings her into our bed to play in the evenings. The other night I asked her, “A month ago if I told you we were going to let a rat run around in our bed would you have believed me?” No way. I’ve said it before, it’s amazing how you can get so attached to a tiny “pest.” We’ve been much more careful this time around and I think Sesame is destined for a long happy life (as far as rat lives go). As weird as it feels to say it, a rat makes an excellent pet.

Posted April 12, 2011 by Cam Hughes

Health Reform Update

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My journey has been filled with many peaks and valleys. Overall, making a lifestyle change has been incredibly challenging. I periodically cope with feelings of detestable donut desirings, incapacitating ice cream indulgences, and buffeting buffet buffoonery.  Last week I managed to injure my back and shoulder (I actually had Jillian Michaels appear in a dream and yell at me!). Bottom line, my efforts have been seriously derailed since my last update.

However, I am pleased to report that not all is lost. I actually met my weight loss goal on Apri l 10th: 249 pounds. I had hoped to be much further along, but I am happy with this small victory (especially considering that I don’t think I necessarily earned it). I think I’m fully healed up now, and so it’s time to put my shoulder back to the wheel. My new goal is 240 by May 9th. 29 days, 9 pounds (I’m secretly hoping I hit 239). Wish me luck!

Posted April 13th, 2011 by Cam Hughes

Healthcare Reform

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Originally written Feb 20, 2011:

Ever tried to lose 70 pounds? It’s tough. I’m sure everyone has heard of The Biggest Looser by now. Every week – with a few exceptions –  the contestants inspire me.  At my worst in 2009, I tipped the scale at right about 300 pounds. In 2010 I worked my way down to 257 but then events in my life overcame my resolve to exercise and I gave up. I slowly worked my way back up to 277.

Enter 2011. Two hundred seventy seven pounds  is a long way from where I need to be.  So… For the last month I have walked a 5K every day on my treadmill. In addition I have being doing weight training every day. Additionally I have reduced my caloric intake to about 2250 calories a day. The net result: thus far I have lost about three pounds each week.  As I write this I currently weigh 265lbs.

Weight loss is about one thing: Using more calories than you consume (“types” of calories is a topic best left for a conversation on health- this post is about intake vs. consumption). Here’s my  math. Someone my starting size (277lbs, 6′ 4″) has a resting (basal) metabolic rate of about 2200. And during the course of my day (7 hours sleeping, 17 awake, super light activity) I burn about 1000 additional calories. Therefore,  my total daily burn is probably somewhere around 3200 (that’s to maintain my current weight). To lose a pound you need to burn roughly 3500 calories. So, over the course of each day I eat (on average) 2250 calories, burn about 700 (exercise) and I have a deficit of 1650. Over the course of a week my deficit total is somewhere around 11,000 and 11,000/3500 = 3-ish lbs lost each week.

There are obvious cardio benefits too. I timed myself in the beginning of my journey. It took me more than 11 mins to puff my way through a mile. Now I can run a mile in under 9 mins (sans puffing). My 5K time was 39 mins and now I can run it just shy of 32 mins. My goal for my birthday is a sub 8 minute mile and a sub 30 min 5K. The body’s ability to heal itself is fantastic.

Update written March 15, 2011:

By the beginning of March I was down to 257 again. I ran a mile in 8 mins 10 seconds and a 5K in 29 mins. I had high hopes for reaching the 240’s by my birthday (March 22nd).

And then the shin splints came. I’m not exactly certain why they started. Possibly bad running form, the increased workout intensity or the fact that I changed shoes (wore my other pair out!). The pain got so bad I could barely walk, let alone run.

But I was determined not to give up this time. I changed my walking technique to compensate for the pain and I adjusted the treadmill incline to maintain the workout intensity. There were days I simply had to skip. Around the same time work and home life got particularly stressful (sorry, no juicy details) and I compromised my diet at times. While there was no further weight loss, I was able to maintain my progress.

Fast forward two weeks. Today I was finally able to run again without pain. I jogged about six miles while I watched the part of the bachelor finale on Hulu. It felt so good to run again! I don’t have any residual pain after my run, so I’m feeling hopeful. It’s back to my diet and regular workout now.

I’ll post another update sometime in April. My new goal is to hit the 240’s by April 10th, since my original plan hit a snag. Wish me luck!

Just Plugging My Companies!

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At BladeHQ we recently created a content & marketing department. I think this effort is critical to our success. Some of the most important elements attached this expected success are, sadly, proprietary. As much as I would love to discuss everything it will have to wait indefinitely. Suffice it to say, marketing revolves around the idea of being mentioned. The more places you’re mentioned the better.

And so it is with pleasure that I mention my companies on my personal blog. I’ll just spotlight one every month or so until I run out…

BladeHQ.com was started back in 2003 as a spin off of my first company, BladePlay.com. It’s purpose was to sell higher end knives and gear it’s marketing more toward professionals and collectors. Initially we had limited success because we lacked a “brick and mortal” retail store (a requirement imposed by many knife manufacturers). We opened our first “store” late in 2003 and started carrying name brand knives on our website. With careful planning and some luck our web store continued to grow even through the recent recessions.

With unparalleled in stock availability, top tier customer service and unmatched value we have become one of the largest knife retail companies in the world. We specialize in military, police and collectible knives. We carry brands including Spyderco Knives, Protech Knives, Microtech Knives, Kershaw Knives, CRKT Knives, TOPS Knives, SOG Knives, Benchmade Knives. We’ve got folding knives, spring assisted knives, butterfly knives, and everything else in between.

Our growth has allowed us to expand and in more recent years we have expanded our offerings to include more niche items such as survival gear, outdoor equipment, watches and even clothing. 2011 has started off super and we have some exciting plans for the coming months.

A Rat Named Pepper

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A few weeks ago Michael got his first pet. He picked out a cute little white and grey rat and we named her Pepper. At first she was understandably nervous, but after a few days she started getting comfortable around us and within a week her personality was manifesting itself. She liked to nibble nuts & lick fingers, sit on shoulders, hide under covers and she was a very picky eater (she loved sunflower seeds).

I say “was” because a few days ago she was accidentally killed by a piece of furniture. I won’t go into details, but it was very sad. The irony of the tears we shed for our pet rat didn’t go unnoticed. We exterminate these types of “pests” all the time. But a few weeks with a rat like Pepper can change your perspective. She was a sweet addition to our family and she will be greatly missed. RIP Pepper.

Posted Feb 20, 2011 by Cam Hughes

Now entering 2011

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2011 has started out with a bang! I just got back from the 2011 SHOT show in Las Vegas (I covered it on our company blog, knifeblog.com). The show is always a blast (yeah “bang” and “blast” are bad pun references to the “SHOT” show, so sue me). We get to meet with vendors, see new 2011 products and feel out the new trends. It’s exhausting though- the show has nearly 30,000 booths and that means a lot of walking. At about 4 pm each day we’d go back to the hotel, flop into the bed and fall asleep. I got a cold on the second day so I was more tired than usual (I’m still trying to fight it off, but it’s the first time I’ve been sick in almost eight months!).

Being exhausted didn’t stop us from having fun though. Each night we took in the Vegas stores, sites and atmosphere. We went to see Penn & Teller too (at the Rio). The acts are humorous, thoughtful and well done. Sometimes it seemed like things were dragging and there were a couple of slips, but overall it’s something I’d recommend to someone looking for Vegas magic production.

Anyway, here are a few reflections, thoughts, resolutions, etc. 2010 seems like a blur, a memory that’s already fading into the background. 2011 is whipping past me at unprecdetended speed. Should I slow down? Do I want to?

My family is growing and evolving. Little people I helped create years ago are now reading, writing, drawing, playing video games, having adventures and surprising me each day. We’re still debating about whether to add another family member or not, but I’m pretty sure a sixth isn’t too far off. Good thing we’ve got a mini van.

Likewise our companies are growing and changing. I never would have dreamed we’d be where we are today. 2011 has started off strong and we’re building infrastructure to accommodate what we think will be a phenomenal year. We have some great things in store, but I’ll discuss that on camoncommere.com in the coming months.

My one and only resolution this year is to focus on my health. That means less work, more exercise and better nutrition. It’s my only resolution and I think I should be able to handle it. The SHOT show was a great starting point, since I had to walk until my legs and feet begged for mercy. My goal: lose 60 pounds of fat and run a 7 minute mile. I think getting my body in shape will spill over into other areas of my life too and help me find some of the balance that I’ve been missing.

A toast to 2011. May it be a year filled with adventure, growth and with things that make life worth living.

Sledding on Jan 1, 2011