I know that many OKers are probably already big fans of Spikecam, but if you aren't it must be because you don't know what you've been missing!

Today, Spikecam hosted the first "sandwich eating session" demonstration on the web. If you missed it, here are a few of the highlights:

PS - Check out the angle in that left knee! Must be a 30-degree bend at least! If anyone's harboring any thoughts of besting OK at the relays this year, better just knock it off right now!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), September 28, 2001

Answers

The Spike (and Mayr) cam is still in its testing and development phase. I don't plan to have it running round the clock. I'll probably turn it on for special events. I'm also testing out various software solutions and approaches. My current test is at:

http://www.geocities.com/okansas.geo/cam/cam.html

The image at that page should update every minute when I've got the camera on. When the camera is not on, you should see the last image from when the camera was on.

I will be experimenting with the cam today (Sunday 9/30). If you happen to check, you might see me icing my knee while watching the Nascar race!

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), September 30, 2001.

For anyone who has absolutely nothing better to do...check out the webcam at about 5 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, October 2. If you've been curious about the knee strengthening and stretching excercises I do as physical therapy, you'll want to have you the web cam page open!

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), October 01, 2001.

4:45 HDT: 15 minutes before the start, Spike is beginning his mental prep, sitting at his keyboard in a dress shirt and tie, Spike is ready to get into his PT gear.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

4:58 HDT: Spike, having found himself caught up in work and rebuking the stupidity of "Sergey", an infamous US team jerk and wannabe pundit, who was recently found to make remarks on a US team newsgroup stating that he knows certain facts when in fact he is 100% wrong, finds himself now running late for his 5pm HDT PT session. We await an empty camera view now hoping for some PT action soon!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

5:08 HDT: Spike has aimed the camera in front of his fireplace and is ready to go now! ... he begins with some calf stretching, leaning against the wall (you can almost feel the pain!).

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

5:10 HDT: We're seeing some stretching of the back of the legs, alternating legs. Spike has an unusual hand placement - hands held together behind his back. He puts a leg up on the chest (or whatever) in front of his fireplace to stretch.

Mary is also watching the proceedings.

5:11 HDT: Suddenly Spike is on the floor, legs outstretched in front of him, Spike is propped up on his hands. It isn't clear what the benefit is here... action comes to a stall...

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

5:15 HDT: NN~^\ makes her first appearance in the camera. Spike seems to have become distracted speaking with her. Is Mary holding a bowl? One has to wonder if she isn't eating. ... meanwhile Spike is becoming more active, with legs crossed he seems to be working something... ooops! Suddenly Spike is out of view! WHERE DID SPIKE GO?

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

Ahhh... that's better. Spike was just over by the computer picking up the leg weights. The TV is now on (NASCAR? One has to wonder).

5:20 HDT: more of the crosslegged stuff. Spike is extending one leg and seems to be holding it in the air. We might be seeing something more like exercise than stretching now. The left (bum) leg is getting most of the attention.

5:24 HDT: Mary says "and now for the toughest exercise of all...". In response, Spike flips over on his stomache. He lifts a leg up off the floor, straightened. That's gotta hurt! Moans and groans reported.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

5:27 HDT: a bit of aimless flopping around on the floor now.

Then the real test... HOW FAR CAN SPIKE BEND HIS KNEE?

The camera angle is difficult from here. Let's get MJ's opinion... a little bit less than 90 degrees she says! Not bad. She also reports the TV show is called "NASCAR Tonight" and notes that a rope, rather than Spike's leg muscles, is used to bend the knee.

5:31: Spike lies on his side. The lower leg is straight with his body. The upper leg is pulled up towards his chest and bent. Apparently all of this is used to stretch the lower (bum) leg. Next is leg strengthening... lifting the bum leg up in the air to the side. Spike has the ankle weight on.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

5:39 HDT: 2 more exercises left, but Spike must move the cam so that we may view them...

We're greeted with a view of the wall, Spike is standing with back against the wall facing the cam. It looks like he makes a 'sitting down' motion with his back against the wall. There is no grotesque swelling noticeable in his knee, but it is possible to see a little bit of difference between his legs.

This must be the last exercise: Spike with his side to the wall, he is doing something. This isn't an obvious exercise, but it must have a purpose.

5:46 HDT: The cam view changes back to the fireplace surroundings. Spike is now lying on the floor against a pillow. PT is over. It has been fun watching!

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 02, 2001.

Suddenly Spike is on the floor, legs outstretched in front of him, Spike is propped up on his hands. It isn't clear what the benefit is here... action comes to a stall...

This excercise doesn't look like much, but it is fairly tough. Basically, I'm just sitting on the floor with my legs as straight and flat as possible. Then, I tense the muscles on top of the leg and press the knee down with those muscles. Getting the knee straight is quite tough for me to do. I often keep a bit of towel under the knee to give it a bit of support.

-- Michael (mike_eglinski@kcmo.org), October 02, 2001.

Must the rest of us get injured in order to start stretching exercises. Inspired by Spike's determination, I will start stretching tomorrow morning.

-- mean gene (gmw@ku.edu), October 02, 2001.