Austin Tanney

More london

2009-02-03T19:26:00.000+07:00

Got a better photo this morning. It froze overnight. Running on ice is SLOW, took an hour for five miles.

Extremes?

2009-02-03T01:48:00.001+07:00

Well after last weeks pleasant runs in san diego, this week I am in london for a few days. Here in london they have had the worst snow for 18 years. Buses were cancelled, most of the tubes were cancelled, as were the trains.
My flight here last night was cancelled, and my journey here today took 5 hours. Essentially the city has ground to a standstill.
So, one of my work buddies and I went running. We ran 5 miles through the snow in hyde park.
Lots of fun!
Attached should be 2 photos, one of the view of the winter wonderland from the train, the second of me running in hyde park.
Oh... And I was wearing shorts.

Mountain top view

2009-01-30T13:44:00.000+07:00

Yesterday morning, i drove up the road from my house, parked at the cave hill park carpark and went for a run. The first mile was uphill. I ran right to the top. I got to the point where the path stopped. It was snowing and the wind was cutting. But the they was amazing. The people walking their dogs, wrapped up in coats, hats, scarves etc looked a little surprised by the fact that i was running by them in shorts and a light rain jacket, which made it all the more fun. I then ran the whole way down the mountain, and back home on the roads. 8 miles in total. Not that long, but my longest run in two months. It felt good.

Mountain top view

2009-01-30T13:41:00.000+07:00

Running in san diego

2009-01-30T03:48:00.004+07:00

San diego has got to be my favourite place in the world to run. Going out in the morning before dawn and running by the bay is beautiful. Running back and seeing the sun rise over the bay is spectacular.

I posted a pic of myself on facebook that I took of myself while out running with the San Diego skyline in the background and my friend Jen recommended that I should do this everywhere I go. Which seems like a damn good idea.

So here is the sunrise, and me by the bay..

Funnily enough I actually wrote a post on my phone prior to leaving ireland with a photo I took from the top of the cavehill. For some reason sending it failed so I will post that when I get home.

I've had a good week of training. 7 miles tuesday and 5 miles on wednesday and thursday. Also on tues and wed I managed to fit in 10 miles on a stationary bike. Then on wednesday night I did a bit of cross training and some swimming. Probably the most active I've been in a single week since I was a little kid :-) This morning I was out and on the road for my run at 4.45am. Of course back home there is no way I would manage that. It helps when you're jetlagged and waking up superearly anyway.

What? Another day off?

2009-01-20T06:41:00.000+07:00

So, at the weekend I tried to continue my new regime as planned. I decided to go to an advanced spin class. I figure, I've been to one class now, that makes me advanced.
Of course, I don't want to make things too easy, so I figure I might as well run to the leisure centre.
So, I run 4 miles, then endure an hour of spinning like crazy while being yelled at by a small woman who really missed her calling as a drill instructor in the US marine corps.
Tough, but fun
Sunday I rounded off the week with a four mile run. Should have been longer but due to a combination of factors (my birthday, oversleeping, dinner at the in-laws and a blister about the size of county cork on the sole of my foot) I figured 4 miles would do it.
So, that is one week of my 10 week half marathon training complete. A 23 mile week... Not bad considering most of the last month I've been totally out of action.
Today, monday was another day off due to travel.

Blog rebirth!

2009-01-16T22:55:00.003+07:00

After my typical multi month break from blogging, Im back with more pointless nonsense.
Its 2009 and this year, I have decided, is to be one of lots of exercise and sportiness.
Last year I did 2 10K's... Well one and a half really.
the first was a disaster.
I injured myself a week before the race and tried to run anyway.. but ended up making it worse, having to walk half the course and knocking myself out of training for a few weeks.

The second one was a lot better. I did the Seeley cup in Belfast and finished in a respectable 48.17. My previous personal best in training was about 52 minutes, so I was very happy with that.
I did manage to injure myself a little there too, but after a few physio visits and seeing a podatrist I am back on form again. It was great to find out I have been wearing completely the wrong type of shoe for a year.

This year I have decided to be very ambitious. All last year I gradually increased my running from not running or doing any exercise at all, to running 30 miles a week and with a 10 mile run as my longest.
This year I am planning to do 2 or 3 10k's
2 half marathons (possibly 3)
and 2 sprint triathalons.
Id like to do a full triathalon, but dont think I will be able to get myself to a sufficient level.

This week, I started my training plan for the first half marathon. Its a 10 week plan and will have me prepared to run the Omagh half marathon on the 21st of March. I am also doing a 10k on the 8th of March. then possibly another 10k in April, Another half marathon in May and the first sprint triathalon in June.

My training invovlves running 5 times a week, going to spin classes twice a week, going to the gym and swimming.
Obviously, in order to maximise spending time with my family and holding down a job, this will take some work, so most of my running is late in the evening after Zane goes to bed, and the spin classes twice a week before work.

Its going to be hard work, but I am looking forward to it.

This week I got off to a good start. I got my orthotics from the podiatrist and did 4 miles on Tuesday night, then 5 miles on Wednesday night, then a 45 minute spin class at 6:45 on Thursday morning, then another 5 mile run on Thursday night.

Today, Friday, I am giving myself a day off.

I will keep the blog updated with my progress.

Airports and boredom

2008-08-30T07:20:00.003+07:00

Im sitting in the airport in Atlanta Georgia.
This morning I was in Charleston, South Carolina (a BEAUTIFUL place).
I arrived at the airport shortly after 12 for a 3:30 flight.
3 and half hours of waiting.
I arrived here in Georgia at 5.
My flight home was due to leave at 8:25
Another 3 and half hours of waiting.
At about 7 I found out my fliht is not delayed to 11 pm.
Add another 2 and half hours of waiting.
A total of 9 and half hours of sittin around airports in one day.

On the bright side, while browsing the internet I just discovered that Amanda Palmers upcoming Solo album is out soon. I also just realised it is produced by Ben folds.
The same guy who produced the William Shatner/ Henry Rollins/ Adrian Belew track in the post below.
My respect for the man has just grown 100 fold.

*update*
flight pulled back by one hour.. we now leave at 10 pm. Slight improvement.

*update 2*
Ben Folds does a great version of Tiny Dancer, the only Elton John song that I like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g06RXYsksRg&NR=1

Genius

2008-08-11T15:56:00.002+07:00

Henry Rollins.
William Shatter.
Adrian Bellew.
All on a track together.
Pure genius.

Give me your money!!!

2008-07-22T03:17:00.004+07:00

Well..
Not me..
Charity.

Ive taken up running recently.
Yes..
Really.

Im not going to be running any marathons in the next 6 months or winning any olympic medals, at least not in this lifetime. However.. I am determined to makes some money for charity.

I am running a 10k race (thats 6.2 miles for our american readers, or indeed anyone who like me, still works in miles) and all the money raised goes to Cancer Research UK. This is an excellent charity and every penny is well spent.

So... Please click the following link and visit my sponsorship page to give some money to a great cause. Every penny counts, so even if youre a bit skint.. give a pound... or two... or three... or ten. whatever you can afford.

http://www.run10ksponsorme.org/austintanney

Dancing baby

2008-06-10T22:52:00.002+07:00

I havent posted a blog entry in about 6 months.
Been BUSY!
Here is a little video of Zane groovin out in St. Georges market in Belfast a few weeks back.

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-02T03:56:00.001+07:00

Zane283, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Well 2007 was a GREAT year.
Heres to an even better 2008.

Saul Williams

2007-12-17T03:40:00.001+07:00

Make Your Mark!!!

2007-04-12T14:53:00.000+07:00

I'm not entirely sure why, but this website actually gets a lot more hits than I would have thought.
I get that my friends and some of my family may pop along from time to time to check for updates and pics of Zane, but that doesnt really explain the couple of hundred hits every month.
So.. reveal yourselves!
Put yourself on the map!

The Days are Just Packed

2007-03-22T06:23:00.000+07:00

The title comes from an excellent calvin and hobbes collection.. and its true.. the days are just packed.
I'm pretty busy in work at the moment and everyday I just cant wait to get home to see my wonderful wife and son.
I make no pretense, I'm a lucky guy and I am happy to admit it.
It seems that well over a month has passed since my last post.
Not really a surprise, its not like I get a lot of time to mess around online,
nor do I have any particular desire to, but when Rik asked me last night why I hadn't updated this in a while and told me that people were actually checking it.. well I thought I should.
Right now Steph is in bed and Zane is asleep beside me, so I have some time

Obviously, other than taking pictures of Zane, I haven't been doing any photography, hence there have been no website updates for a while. However I have definitely made up for that by making lots of photos of Zane. Literally hundreds of them.

One thing I have been carefully doing is ensuring that I take at least one photo of him each day. I intend to do this as a "project" (sounds so calculated) for at least the first year of his life.
One day, one photo, one year.
Or so the idea goes.
These can be viewed on my flikr account and i will periodically post a selection on here.
So, the last post showed photos up until Zane was 7 days old, this selected series spans day 9 to day 43 (a week ago)!
Updates will follow, sporadically, whenever I get round to it.
Enjoy!
Hope life it treating you all as well as it is treating me!

Like Father Like Son

2007-02-12T06:19:00.001+07:00

Like Father Like Son, originally uploaded by AustinT.

We were laughing about Zanes Little grumpy face.
Well, there is little doubt about where it came from
Just in case you have difficulty telling the difference,
I am on the left,
Zane is on the right.

And so on to the second batch of photos of Zane Tanney!
He is now 12 days old and already I have half a gigabite of photos of him on my hard drive. Here and on my Flikr account are a select few of them!

I love this shot, I took this while Zane and Steph slept with me on the couch. The smile is totally natural. I truly couldnt be happier.

Happy Family, originally uploaded by AustinT.

In an effort to show more than just pictures of Zane peacefully sleeping.. the following two photos should conclusively show that he definately takes after both myself and Steph, and that we are undoubtedly going to have prolems with the little guy in years to come.

Attitude, originally uploaded by AustinT.

What You Lookin' At?, originally uploaded by AustinT.

In some ways he is so tiny.. Like in this photos when you see the size of his head in relation to my hand..

So Small, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Then on the otther hand, when you I see this photo it amazes me that less than two weeks ago he was still inside Steph!!

Big For 10 Days, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Steph has taken to being a Mom so well, she looks absolutely gorgeous, and seems so happy.

Sleepy Steph and Zane, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Happy Steph and Zane, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Mom and Son Again, originally uploaded by AustinT.

He looks so beautiful and peaceful when he sleeps, and he has the cutest little yawn.

Yawning, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Little Sleeping Zebra, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Finally, for now, One last pic of him sleeping, this time latched onto me like a little baby Koala!!

Little Koala, originally uploaded by AustinT.

The Happiest man alive

2007-02-03T06:45:00.001+07:00

11 comfort, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Yup, thats right, I am the happiest man alive
My wonderful son Zane was born on the 30th of January at 23:06
He was 8 pounds 10 ounces
And he is the most beautiful kid in the world
:)

Zane 24 hours, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Here he is with his mom, looking gorgeous after all her hard work.

Supersteph and Zane, originally uploaded by AustinT.

And here he is with me. Looking exactly like the luckiest and happiest man in the world, which I am.. of course!
After that, just keep scrolling down for lots more pictures....

Incredibly Proud Dad, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Mom and Son, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Close, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Tiny Hands, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Tiny Feet, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Sprawled, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Grinning So Much It Hurts, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Love, originally uploaded by AustinT.

great things

2007-01-26T17:56:00.001+07:00

ahead, originally uploaded by AustinT.

ahead
great things
changes
excitement

Empty spaces

2007-01-18T04:43:00.001+07:00

UnderRepair, originally uploaded by AustinT.

This is my first blog entry in a month and a half...
Apart from the normal meltdown in activity of any kind over the Xmas break, at some point my site went down and I had some problems with my hosting company. Little problems like them accidentally losing my site, my login details, the backup of my site etc.
Fun fun fun.
Life has been hectically busy but I just thought I would post a picture, the one above sums up the state of my blog and site really.
Also, if this works, here is some good music.
Audio and visual pleasures.. thats got to make up for the absence

A bit of nature

2006-11-29T15:51:00.001+07:00

crunchBerries, originally uploaded by AustinT.

I hate naming/ categorising/ tagging photos.
I mean, I could go off ona long tangent about
what this photo represents,
why I like it,
why it exists,
blah blah blah
I'm not going to.
This is just another blog entry with two of my photos.
The common theme of the day is
nature.
YAY.

Shroom, originally uploaded by AustinT.

spray

2006-11-28T17:23:00.001+07:00

spray, originally uploaded by AustinT.

An old shot that had got lost in a folder somewhere on my mac.
I like it.
For the first time in a long time, I am reaching a stage where my stock of images which I want to place online actually are online. There are now only about 30 images which are sitting in a folder waiting to be uploaded somewhere...
I havent really been shooting digital lately though. So all my recent photography has been film.
I have now got a few hundred prints
I'm just getting to know the camera's though so a minoritiy of these will ever get scanned.
I do need to get a scanner though.

Coconuts, originally uploaded by AustinT.

This is yet another shot from Cuba. In the markets, Pina colada's are made fresh with fresh coconut milk.
Nice.

Cuban Cars

2006-11-27T21:09:00.000+07:00

carsincuba1, originally uploaded by AustinT.

A couple of shots of cars taken in cuba.
Most of the cars over there date back to the pre-revolutionary days.
1950's American classics.
Beautiful.
Keeping them running is a lot of work. Apparently Russian tractor parts feature quite heavily in the maintenance of them.

CarsInCuba2, originally uploaded by AustinT.

The framing of this sucks. Pity, as other than that I love this shot.

CarsInCuba2, originally uploaded by AustinT.

barriers

2006-11-21T19:59:00.001+07:00

barriers, originally uploaded by AustinT.

isolation, originally uploaded by AustinT.

Doing the rounds

2006-11-20T18:09:00.000+07:00

I know this is already doing the rounds on the internet, but I do particularly like this so thought I would save it here.
Also this is the first time I've tried "blogging" something from YouTube.

Tattoos-and-Junk-Food

2006-11-13T21:48:00.000+07:00

Tattoos-and-Junk-Food, originally uploaded by AustinT.

When I started this "blog" It was intended for snapshots that I probably wouldnt put on on my deviantArt account. or my portfolio.
I've given up on that,

I took this while standing in line in McDonalds one day.
Its another one shot with the canon Ixus.
I got another film camera at the weekend.
A Fed 5C
Put a roll of film through it yesterday while walking round Belfast and posted it off to Ilford to be processed and printed, along with two more rolls of APX100 that went through the Minolta, last night.

The fed 5 is lovely to use... REALLY nice indeed. I also got an uptake spool for the Zorki 4 i got, so am putting a test roll through it this week.
Initial feeling is that its not as nice to use as the Fed. although the Fed was purchesed from a guy who serviced it and made sure it was in perfect condiiton.

I'm really looking forward to getting these films back. Of course this is another reason for processing them myself. Not just becuase its MUCH cheaper and will be a lot of fun, it also caters to my desire for instant gratification.

I really need to get a scanner so I can get some of these online but its going to be a while by the looks of it.

Finally, I just saw this online this morning New Zealand students may 'text-speak' in exams. This is just outrageous. I've got a personal hatred of "text speak" and think that is is of paramount importance that children should be actively discouraged from using it.. For it to be accepted by educators is a disgrace!