Thursday Reading: 2010 State of the Union Address

Don't think we'll make it through all of this, but we'll read parts of it.

Pictures: Big Bend 2009

Remarkable trip to Big Bend after Christmas. Our initial inspiration was Isaac's national park assignment for next semester.

The mountains were breath taking. Even Denise and my legs were burning on the long way down after a 10 mile hike, Isaac was jumping down the trail like a billy goat.

We may have broke the vacation picture rules about taking too many shots of the same subject, but the mountains were amazing! Can't wait to go back for a longer stay.

Reading: Nebula Award Nominations On Tor

A list of potential award fantasy fiction published by Tor.com throughout 2009. Could make for interesting reading.

Pictures: Sound Project With Grandpa Jim

Good pictures of the kids for Grandpa Jim's visit on Christmas. We made a sound device from a kit, complete with plug for the amp. It worked great to wake everyone up from their naps when we were finished.

Linchpin: What Matters?

Here's another one from Linchpin. He says our work is our are, and the obvious enemy is the status quo. Godin encourages us to be a creative genius again, like we were when we were children. Make connections and combination, say surprising things, be original, and engage your audience.

Strong Stuff!

Linchpin: What Matters?

School: Don't Feed The Lizzard Brain

More thoughts from Seth Godin and his new book Linchpin. Here's a poster he put on Scribd. I suppose we are feeding into this scam with Isaac; however, I'm not sure how else to go about it outside of encouraging curiosity and creativity whenever possible.

Linchpin: School Is A Scam

Pictures: Christmas Eve 2009

Christmas cookies and some "Fire Power". You must check out "Night at the Smithsonian". We had fun with the "Fire Power" this Christmas for sure.

Pictures: Rugby January 2010

I love to see Isaac at the rugby matches. He always seem to hook up with friends, and this time they even played a game. Of course, nobody there is afraid of getting dirty!

Blogs: Informal Economy

Check out this blog, stealth of nations. Writer Robert Neuwirth discusses global "informal economies." It is the market of street vendors and other undocumented businesses.

The blog reminds me of a local vendor I call "preacher man" (mostly because he performs thousands of street-side blessings each day). I told the preacher I didn't care to donate to his charity; however, I would be more than happy to purchase his product (candy bars in this case). I suppose this is a small piece of the informal economy at work here in H-Town.

This informal economy of Neuwirth's was also the inspiration behind the 3D printer shanty town in Cory Doctorow's book, Maker's. Cory's implementation suggests that while economic disaster sometimes brings depression, it will also nurture creativity.

Games: Snakebox

Snake game in 3 dimensions. Should work for a study break. Suggested by Woot.com.

Gardens: Make Your Own Germinating Pots

This web site explains how to make your own germinating pots for spring planting. The roots will grow through the newspaper while growing in the garden. Mid March to early April is the time to begin the process if germinating your own seeds.

Running: Born To Run

Just read the book by Christopher McDougall, Born To Run. He basically tells the theory that humans survived evolution, due to their ability to run long distances. While never the fastest mammal, they did have the ability to run the longest distances.

This article in Scientific American supports this theory in their discussion regarding the reason humans did not develop hair, like other mammals. If you are going to be a long distance runner, you need a better method to dissipate body heat. The book discusses this combination of traits, along with others, allowing early humans the ability to literally run the hooves off an antelope.

A great book, which also discusses alternative injury free running techniques. It inspired us to study our evolutionary history, and run for the joy of running, and because we were "born to run," not sit on the couch.

Mobile App: iSites IPhone App Publisher

This online application will let you design an app for iPhone and Adroid primarily using RSS feeds. While its not extremely functional, just an RSS reader, it could get the boss an quick iPhone app he's been looking for.

Luckily, I built an RSS feed into the Harris County Case of the Month application so that we could use it in the future. A quick fix to include News and other articles from the marketing department might do the trick.

Otherwise, I'm trying to talk him into spending time building a mobile website instead of an app. Thin client is the way of the future - onward to the browser OS.

Music: The Low Anthem

Tiny Desk Concert on NPR. Love the beginning song with the high harmony, contrast with the stand-up bass. Also great effects from a small, live concert (even using cell phones). What is that instrument in the beginning of song #2? Soprano baritone?
Careful for slight language in #2 song.

Science Fair: Laser Light Show

I think we could adapt this set-up to use our new Lego kit. It has a motor that would work nicely.

WIFI: Free WIFI starts today at McDonald's

For our lovable traveling sales person. The ability to connect at any McDonald's for free might work almost as good as a 3G internet connection on the phone. Now if only we can pass on the fries.

Thursday Reading: Haiti Earthquake

In light of current events in Haiti, changing the reading assignment to Haiti's earthquake. Interesting story in Time, whether the earthquake could have been predicted.

Search: Google Makes You Smart?

This is one of my favorite sayings. This article from Nicholas Carr has me conflicted, because he questions how smart fast, accurate search algorithms actually make you.

For most day to day functions, a Google search can find almost any answer. However, original knowledge cannot be obtained through search. Carr says truth only comes from hard work and knowing.

Truth is self-created through labor, through the hard, inefficient, unscripted work of the mind, through the indirection of dream and reverie. What matters is what cannot be rendered as code. Google can give you everything but meaning.

Thursday Reading: Anabolic Steroid Use In Teenagers

Is it too soon to have a discussion with Isaac about anabolic steroid use? After the rage that was pee-wee football last season, I don't think believe it is.

The recent Mark McGwire admission seems to present a good time in the media attention cycle to begin a discussion. This article is from a Hospital Group and discussed the pressures for a teen to be faster and stronger.

Quotes: Be Ferocious

I love this quote. It works great for the rugby pitch as well as in business. I wanted to express this to the boys on my team, the difference between a friendly and a cup match is the level of ferocity.

"Play by the rules, but be ferocious." Phil Knight

Typing: A Simple Typing Application

This one is for Isaac to try out. There are much more advanced typing applications available, but this one does not require any registration (just begin typing). It has simple and advanced modes.

Music: Adam Arcuragi

I've been looking for some good new music for Christmas music gift certificates. This one seems promising. Oh dear, may need to look for a mandolin on Ebay lover (whole new set of chords too, but it does sound cool).



Here's one of the best one's from the album. "Bottom of the River"

Cats: Big Cat Pictures

We certainly don't have enough cat references on this site. Here's a site with big cat pictures and information.

I chose the puma picture because they were supposed to be in Big Bend when we went hiking. However, the only chance we had to see one was in the museum (probably better that way). Pictures of the Big Bend adventures coming in the future.

Thursday Reading: From a New Fantasy Website

A short story from a new fantasy website, Realms of Fantasy. Not really an inspirational story, but perhaps an effort at a parable.

Is it so difficult to see your true love when they appear? I'm glad I did. However, beware of the prophet.

Sales: Hand to Hand Sales Tactics

Thought Denise might be interested in these hand-to-hand sales tactics. It says you have to love cold calling. She does, and that's one reason she's awesome at that job, and why I would be terrible.

Most of these are technology based, but I think there are cross-over points.