This is a better version, and less code.

#Python morse code translator

morse_code = {'a':'.-','b':'-...','c':'-.-.','d':'-..','e':'.',
            'f':'..-.','g':'--.','h':'....','i':'..','j':'.---',
            'k':'-.-','l':'.-..','m':'--','n':'-.','o':'---',
            'p':'.--.','q':'--.-','r':'.-.','s':'...','t':'_',
            'u':'..-','v':'...-','w':'.--','x':'-..-','y':'-.--',
            'z':'--..','0':'-----','1':'.----','2':'..---',
            '3':'...--','4':'....-','5':'.....','6':'-.... ',
            '7':'--...','8':'---..','9':'----.',' ':' | '}

#Function to translate string to morse code

def translate(data):
    text = data.lower()
    #guardian code

    for i in text:
        print morse_code[i] + '  ',

to_translate = raw_input("Type in the text that you would like
                              to translate into Morse code. ")

translate(to_translate)

#Python morse code translator

morse_code = {'a':'.-','b':'-...','c':'-.-.','d':'-..','e':'.',
           'f':'..-.','g':'--.','h':'....','i':'..','j':'.---',
           'k':'-.-','l':'.-..','m':'--','n':'-.','o':'---',
           'p':'.--.','q':'--.-','r':'.-.','s':'...','t':'_',
           'u':'..-','v':'...-','w':'.--','x':'-..-','y':'-.--',
           'z':'--..','0':'-----','1':'.----','2':'..---',
           '3':'...--','4':'....-','5':'.....','6':'-.... ',
           '7':'--...','8':'---..','9':'----.',' ':' | '}

#Function to translate string to morse code

def translate(data):
    text = data.lower()
    #guardian code

    count = 0
    for i in text:
        print morse_code[text[count]] + '  ',
        count += 1

to_translate = raw_input("Type in the text that you would like
                             to translate into Morse code.  ")

translate(to_translate)

My hamstring is feeling a lot better, although it’s not quite 100% yet. The stretching and strengthening techniques I’ve been learning in physical therapy have been a great help. As long as keep that up, I’m pretty confident I will be completely healed in a few months. Knock on wood.

I plan on testing the waters this afternoon. Giddyup!

• A texted based RPG - I love games. This would be a fun little project to tackle. It’s still a bit out of my reach though I think.
• A small program that contains a dictionary of foods and their equivalent nutritional information (possibly just calories to start). - This will help out when I want to track my nutritional intake.
• A math game for Cameron - I thought I could make a game to help my 10 year old daughter with her math lessons. Maybe even unlock a code if she does well that will get her some sort of prize. This would be fun to write and beneficial to her.
• A program that modifies the Zip Lead sheets into lowercase letters. - At work, I get something called a Zip lead on a daily basis. It’s a spreadsheet of all the homes that have sold in our area. I would like to write a program that traverses the text, converts it into a format which I like, and places it in another file to use as mailing address for a later time. This one may also be a little out of my league, but maybe not for long.
• A time line program. - Something basic at first, but maybe incorporate some flash or Ajax in the future.
• A Morse code translator. - As I mentioned in my last post, I am reading a book about the rise (and fall) of the telegraph, and of course, Morse code. I thought it would be fun to write a little program that translates text into Morse code (and vice versa).

Those are some of the ideas I have right now. I’ll post more as I think of them.

My Russian has been improving steadily too. Not only have I been doing my lessons on a regular basis, but I’ve been finding ways to incorporate the language throughout my day. For example, I often answer my co-workers questions in Russian. It only pisses them off a little. I also only count in Russian. I’ll do this a lot when I’m working out, counting reps or tracking time. It’s a great way to keep my mind thinking Russian.

I may be getting a new Camera too. My 10D has had quite a bit of dust on the mirror for the last year and every attempt I’ve made to remedy this problem has failed. This includes spending $75 to send it to Canon directly. Well, I’ve decided to cut my losses and buy the new Rebel XSi (12.2mp) when it comes out in April. It’s about time I upgraded anyways. I’ll keep you posted, but hopefully I’ll start taking significantly more photos after I make the plunge.

I’ve been doing a lot of writing too. Actually, I never really stopped. I write in my journal at least once a week, but more often several times a week. These entries can range anywhere from day to day activities, thoughts and ideas, character development, random lists, just about anything that pops into my mind. It’s oddly liberating to get all your ideas out of you head and into written form. I highly recommend it.

Python and music are next on my list. I plan to do some coding tomorrow morning when I get up. In all fairness, a lot of my time has been spent reading lately. Currently I’m in the middle of two great books; The Victorian Internet and Ben Franklin: An American Life. Both are really fascinating.

I’ve also been watching some of the open courses Yale is offering. Specifically, Professor Kagan’s Philosophy course on death. This is what makes the Internet great, free knowledge. I’m not watching online courses made specifically for the net, but an actual Yale course, taught at Yale, by an actual Yale professor, in front of a real Yale class. Life is good. I even have homework. I have to read Plato’s Phaedo before the next class.

Coincidentally enough, that link to Plato’s Phaedo takes you to M.I.T.’s site, another incredible organization that promotes free knowledge for everyone.

But now I’m just rambling, and I’m hungry, so it’s time to wrap this up.

So what did happen? Where did it all go wrong for me? I think it really started when the cold weather set in. It’s very hard to get up at five in the morning when it’s two degrees out. It’s also pitch black until seven o’clock this time of year..so depressing! I found myself not getting up so much, and since a good chunk of my daily routine involved me getting up at the crack of dawn, the whole process suffered as a result.

Then, sometime in October I injured my hamstring. It wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t run on it, or at least that’s what I thought. I’m not, what one might call, an athletic person. I don’t have much knowledge of muscles and muscle groups and other such things. As my hamstring got worse, I would take a week off from running here and there. It never seemed to get better though. Then December came around and I decided not to run at all and see if it would eventually heal. It hasn’t.

Then came the holidays. My daily routine wasn’t very compatible with the holiday season. Especially the eating healthy foods part. Blah! The rest of my goals just fell apart after that. I all but stopped getting up early, which lead to less Python lessons and less meditation. Lack of running coupled with eating junk has taken a toll on my energy levels. Lack of energy had me opting to watch TV rather than read or study Russian. It was a nasty domino effect.

It’s not over yet, though. I’ve been reading a lot of the entries I made into my journal. Trying to remember what I did, how I felt, etc… It’s like getting advice from my past self. Then I remembered why everything worked for me. I started small. I need to get back to the basics. Back when I started all this I kept telling myself that anything was better than nothing. If I didn’t feel like exercising, I would just repeat that quote and commit to something lite, like ten push-ups. Ten isn’t much, but it was better than nothing. I used the same philosophy with my studies. Instead of studying a full section in my Python book, I might read a few Python blogs, or browse the Python forums. It’s not much, but it was better than nothing. This also helps to build confidence. Instead of giving in and not exercising at all, I would just lower the task and complete it. A completed task is a victory, at least on a subconscious level.

I also love Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan. Those three words have motivated me more than any other three words I can think of. “Just Do It”. So I did. And I kept on doing it.

Now I just have to do it again. Stay tuned…

Not my best run. My hamstring has been kicking my butt lately. I think it’s because I’ve been slacking off when it comes to stretching after every run. Oops! Now I’m paying for it.

Then there is Jack. Jack is my self discipline. Jack is more like a drill sergeant, constantly yelling at me, telling me to do this or that. Jack’s not as subtle as Federico and he can be downright mean at times. When Jack is around, he gets the job done. The thing is, I think Jack left with Federico. Where can they be?

So now I’m forced to hang out with Daryl and Seth. Daryl is my procrastination and Seth is my laziness. Seth just sits around all day doing nothing. He pisses me off. Daryl is good friends with Seth. He never wants to do anything now, always later. He says things like, “we can just do it tomorrow” or “we might as well start fresh next week” or “I’m to tired right now, maybe later”. He pisses me off too, especially when I take his advice.

I think it’s time for Seth and Daryl to take their leave. They’ve been hanging around too much lately. I’m going to confront them today and tell them they are not welcome here anymore. It’s going to be awkward. Wish me luck…