The outer two toes on my left foot have started a bit of aching, and I wasn’t sure what was causing, but today I noticed I make quite a few more left turns in the office than I do right turns, which is odd, because you would think it would be the same number reversed on the walk back. I guess I don’t walk the same path there and back, wherever that is in the office. In any case, my two toes are sore and it’s uncomfortable. So I tried making only right turns, which, aside from being even more ridiculous, causes me to dizzy quite quickly. Not conducive to thinking or writing, which are the two things I’m supposed to be doing today.
December 26, 2008
December 15, 2008
November 19, 2008
A Week's Worth Of 50-Word Posts
It’s tough when you know you’re not going to allow for the necessary word count to fully explain a thought or idea, but it’s a fun challenge to say as much as possible, as clearly as possible, in a limited space. The most attractive piece being the lack of pressure to completely fill the empty space. Being tied to a maximum amount of words, created a more inviting environment for jotting quick thoughts. I guess that’s the intent of micro blogging, except you only have a 140 characters, which isn’t quite enough to get 50 words.
A couple of the posts were worse off than the rest (There were only four or five, right?). My Book Meme post not only left off Leah Culver’s Book Meme post , but should have instructed the reader to post the sentence in his own blog; a result of my shrinking the instructions to leave room for my own comment at the bottom of the post. There just wasn’t space to say all I wanted. Anyhow, a Book Meme search is pretty neat.
The second suffering post was that of my Google’s no good at social media post, and shouldn’t bother with acquiring Twitter. Clearly, a point of view that requires a bit of elaboration supporting the claim. Which is to say, that it’s work to write a full entry for such a topic. I’ve put it on my follow-up list, and it involves things like Orkut, Lively, and PicasaWeb. We’ll get there, don’t worry.
I enjoyed it. It was an interesting exercise. I had a handful of short posts I meant to write, but never got around to (as usual). I’ll now be less concerned with my word counts, be they more or fewer.
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November 9, 2008
Show 'Em Stumble Love — StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon is more than just a time-wasting browser add-on to discovering the web. It can also be used to promote interesting or entertaining pages. You needn’t install the toolbar if the page you’re viewing provides a link. So, show the love and Stumble; a close second to leaving a comment.
November 6, 2008
AT&T Buys Free WiFi Hot Spots
This morning, AT&T announced that it will buy Waypoint, Inc . to the tune of $275 million (all cash, baby) thereby expanding AT&T’s network of free WiFi hot spots across the US. A response to the increased number of WiFi enabled smart phones hitting the market and the continued cost burden to the 3G network, which is losing AT&T money
AT&T’s 3G network has been hit hard with loads of people using iPhones, Blackberries, and other smart phones for data and voice, as opposed to just voice. This inundation of data use (to browse Facebook, check email, Twitter, or upload photos and stream video) has forced AT&T to realize the value of opening a free WiFi networked infrastructure. AT&T customers carrying a WiFi enabled hand held can jump onto one of AT&T’s hot spots, which they just expanded by 10,000 locations by agreeing to purchase Waypoint, Inc., and surf the web at WiFi speeds which are much faster than 3G speeds. Hopefully, this will reduce the burden to the 3G network and save AT&T some money.
The major hindrance being that WiFi has a relatively limited range, so unless you’re sitting in the coffee house, at the McDonald’s, or near enough to any of the other now 20,000 US locations, you’re probably not going to offload too much of the 3G burden. Although, maybe a little less burden is just enough to keep 3G working for now. At least until 4G comes along.
The added Waypoint locations also benefit AT&T’s DSL subscribers, who can use their WiFi enabled laptops at any of these hot spots.
September 30, 2008
"Impression Of A Normal Guy"
Jake and Amir from JakeandAmir dot com nailed it in their most recent video "Impersonation" where, after first bickering about whether or not it would be better to have an infinity amount of chicken nuggets or an infinity amount of money, Amir goes on to give what he calls an "impression of a normal guy". I don’t want to ruin it for you, so you should probably give it a view before reading on. You’ll want to form your own opinion about it before I prattle on.
Fair enough.
I don’t know what it is about normal that I find so uninteresting, or what it is that makes it so easy to poke fun around. (Unless we’re talking about the normal vector, which is a line perpendicular to a plane. That’s not easy to poke fun around nor is it uninteresting. However, it is completely off topic, so save your advanced math questions for another time.) And in finding it so uninteresting, it thereby becomes very interesting. Strange how that works, right?
It’s true, though, as Amir displays it — normal people give boring monologues and aren’t terribly great for dialogues either. Reminds me of a conversation I was having with a woman just the other day, where I was going on and on about this and that only to realize I was talking nonsensical circles about life in a far away future, so when I finally paused long enough for her to respond all she could ask was, "what are you doing in the woman’s restroom?" Seems I was too busy talking to notice I’d lost track of the person I was following.
Not the point. Watch the video. Throw these guys in your feed reader. Enjoy the show!
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September 12, 2008
Microsoft's Gates And Seinfeld Is Something To Talk About
I’m not sure who exactly they’re aiming to target, and I don’t really care because it doesn’t change much for me one way or the other. Still, there’s a ton of chatter coming across the line about the latest from Gates and Seinfeld. I’m a fan of the two working together, and I’ve found the content to be more than mildly entertaining. Still, not the point.
It’s not a very big secret, it’s no secret at all, when it comes to what computers/software people are using that it breaks down something like this:
- Only fanfolk are using Apple
- Only geeks are running Linux
- Everyone else is using some version of Windows and Internet Explorer
- 99% with default settings and outdated software like IE6
The problem with this is that the 99% in the everyone else group isn’t interested in what computer or operating system they’re using. They just want it to work when it’s time to check the email or surf the web, right? So why, in their minds, do they need a new whatever from whomever? They don’t, and so they continue to use things like IE6, even though we have Chrome and Firefox 3.
Which is to say that no matter how cool, great, and awesome the next Microsoft products are or aren’t, they’re still going to be out there and that 99% isn’t going to jump on board. It will have to be forced on them like the latest OS coming bundled with a new computer.
What Microsoft is doing with Gates and Seinfeld is giving all the people a chance to start talking about what’s happening in the tech world. People, regular and tech junkies alike, are walking around saying “I don’t understand what’s going on. What are they doing?” The regular people know they should be paying attention because “whoa, two of the most accomplished guys in their respective fields on Earth” are appearing together in front of them . Might mean it’s time to start paying attention. Meanwhile, the tech junkies know they need to pay attention because Microsoft has the resources to change, for better or worse, the computer world as they know it. Change is scary. Commercials are fun. But whatever the case, regular or junkie, they now have a common ground to start from thanks to Microsoft.
Talking is a good thing. Talking about Gates and Seinfeld is a great thing for Microsoft. But enough talking. Check out the clip.
August 22, 2008
Dot's Dog, Stockton's Red Hot Chicago Hot Dog
I’m in Stockton two to three days a week for work and, while I will usually pack a sack lunch, occasionally I’m lazy or running behind schedule in the morning and I leave the house with no lunch or snacks. So I have reason on these occasions to leave the safety and comfort of my office to find a lunchtime meal. Keeping with the spirit of my love for a tasty hot dog, I found Dot’s Dog in Stockton.
Dot’s, located at the corner of Pacific and Adams, prepares a mighty fine Chicago Dog, boasting that all their ingredients are flown in from Chicago. (Except for a few of the fresh vegetables.) Let me tell you, I’ve eaten a hot dog in Chicago, where you don’t even think about asking for ketchup, and Dot’s does a darn good job of bringing that authenticity to the West Coast. From the neon green relish to a poppy seed bun, you’d never know you weren’t eating at Super Dog in Chicago.
There are a few other hot dog choices, as well as a meatball sandwich, and a french dip authentically drenched with au jus. (Probably the only thing I haven’t had yet, and I’m looking forward to it. I just have to be in the right frame of mind to eat wet bread.) Dot’s Dogs offers chips as a side, which I’d like to see replaced with fries. I don’t know what it is, but something about cheesy Doritos just doesn’t sit well next to an awesome Chicago dog. (Sometime I order two dogs and skip the side orders. They’re that good!)
As per the usual, I’m not that concerned with the interior decor, which they’ve done up in classic rock paraphernalia. It’s nice. The strange thing here is that they’ve fenced off a portion of the inside of the building for potential lease to a tenant. I don’t know who would open up shop inside a hot dog stand, but hopefully it works out and Dot’s stays in business. And there’s plenty of sidewalk seating along Pacific and along Adams, which also sports a walk-up window for ordering.
Another solid eatery offering quick and delicious food that I recommend whole-heartedly. Make sure when ordering, you tell them to “drag it through the garden.” They’ll know what it means. You won’t be sorry.
August 18, 2008
Vacationing Or Working, I'll Decide
So I’ve been out and about, away and such, for a almost eight days, and I’m just now returning to the home where I lay my head to rest peacefully most nights. I probably should have given some advanced notice, but I didn’t make time before venturing off to Portland for a bit of birthday bashing and celebrating, then making my way to a family camping trip in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area of Northern California, and rounding it all out with a four-day, out-of-town seminar for work. You could try to imagine the fatigue, and whatever else, I’m experiencing at the moment, but I’d suggest not worrying about that. (I’ll do that for all of us.) Do know, though, that I have returned and I’m fully committed to getting this writing stuff back on schedule. So let us be to rest, and we’ll meet again Wednesday.
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August 8, 2008
Capitol Dawg's Midtown Hot Dog
I’ve been here a few times now, most recently because of a coupon for a free dawg sent out via snail mail, and I’m a fan. I should start by saying I’m an all around fan of hot dogs. From the late night corner street-vendor to the big box Costco brand — the Costco Polish dog being one of my favorites, just because you get so much for your dollar fifty. It’s a deal and a half! You can’t go wrong with a hot dog.
Located on 20th between “L” and Capitol streets, it’s sitting in prime walking space for most of midtown’s daytime busy bodies looking for a deliciously quick meal. Service is fast, and seating is aplenty with a large outdoor patio that has just enough shade and sun to keep comfortable. Setting and atmosphere aside, I’m not sitting down to eat because of the decorative memorabilia on the wall. No. I want a hot dog, and that’s what you get. Keep it simple, and give me some spicy mustard and sour kraut. I’m hooked and sold.
The menu offers more than twenty ways to prepare a dog, so it can take a minute to read through the list and figure out what you’re craving. The real problem being that once you decide, you might keep reading and find that you fancy another type, and now you have a real choice to make. I’ve so far enjoyed the self named Capitol Dawg, the Midtown Dawg, and the Hotlink. I still have a bunch more to try. I’m very curious about the Sacramento Dawg which sports guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. (On a hot dog?! I know. But you have to be adventurous when it comes to food.)
I have to say it’s a solid 3.75 out of 4. Good times.
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