Microsoft has some technology called PhotoSynth. It allows you to pull many pictures together and experience the subject of those photos in a new way. Very cool. Watch the video and then try the demo.
[ht: MicroExplosion]
2007-07-22
2007-07-20
Slice and Dice Those Bugs
The good folks over at lifehacker suggest that you could keep a razor blade in your glove box to clean the bugs off your windshield. Hmmmm.... interesting.I don't know about you, but there's no way I am going to go fumbling through my glove box looking for a razor blade. That's a great way to slice open your fingers. I can see the next traffic stop now.
Officer: Can I see your registration.
Me: (looking at the the glove box in fear) ummmmmm, nnnoooooooo?
Officer: (Suspiciously) You don't have one?
Me: (quickly) Oh I have one, you just can't see it.
Officer: (Incredulously) Why not?
Me: I hate bugs on my windshield.
Officer: What??????
Yup, pretty sure that ends badly - for me.
Secondly, there's no way I could possibly reach half way across the windshield of my Ridgeline to clean the windshield. I need that long handle on the squeegee to reach. Even with the squeegee, I can just barely reach the middle.
Thirdly, I'd probably get busted for having some type of concealed weapon. Will they let you park at the airport with such a devastating weapon? LOL.
Think I'll just use the squeegee. Seems better all around.
A laugh on Friday
We all need a good laugh now and again. I got really tickled at how the news guys started laughing at this video. Enjoy.
2007-07-17
Funniest Hockey Brawl EVER
This is the funniest Hockey Brawl ever! Probably because they can barely stand on their skates to begin with. If this is what Pee Wee Hockey is like, I have to find a league around here a go and watch.
Pee Wee Hockey Brawl - Watch more free videos
I can't help but think of the Monte Phyton line "Run Away!" when watching this.
Pee Wee Hockey Brawl - Watch more free videos
I can't help but think of the Monte Phyton line "Run Away!" when watching this.
2007-07-16
Recognizing Beauty
A recent article in the Washington Post describes a fascinating experiment: what would happen if the world’s greatest violin player set up camp at a Metro station in rush-hour Washington D.C.? Master musician Joshua Bell played anonymously for an hour on a $3.5 million violin in a D.C. subway station as part of an experiment to see how commuters would respond. Would busy commuters notice him? Dismiss him, toss him some spare change, gather to listen? Would anybody even notice that they were being treated to masterful renditions of some of the finest music in human history?
I wonder if I would have noticed? I'm not a classical music fan, but I try to notice craftsmanship when I see it - and Joshua Bell is certainly a craftsman.
I know we are busy on the way to work or our appointments for the day. But can we manage to take just a moment and recognize beauty and still be on time?
That's worth pondering about...
[ht: Think Christian]
I wonder if I would have noticed? I'm not a classical music fan, but I try to notice craftsmanship when I see it - and Joshua Bell is certainly a craftsman.
I know we are busy on the way to work or our appointments for the day. But can we manage to take just a moment and recognize beauty and still be on time?
That's worth pondering about...
[ht: Think Christian]
2007-07-15
Cool Quote...
I love basketball. I could go on and on about all the great things about basketball, but I'll save that for another day. But I saw this quote and because of the basketball analogy it made me stop and think..."...it seems that God doesn't care about our short lists. He consistently taps the rejects. It's as if he were the captain of a pick-up basketball team, and he picks all the short heavy kids, just to prove that he can beat the other team all by himself. But then he manages to win the game as a team, just to prove he's not a ball-hog." Ryan Wiksell - The Core
Blog
I love that imagery. God picks us! The rejects. The people who couldn't win on their own. And then uses those same people to build a winning team.
Are you willing to let God pick you?
2007-07-13
Vintage Footage of Indian Motorcycles
Board track racing was popular in the early 1900's. Many accidents and fatalities (to spectators as well as the racers) made this sport short lived. This video is 10 minutes of silent film footage of some motorcycle races of that era. This is the best footage I have EVER seen from this time period.
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
MOCK UP on MU TRAILER
Here's the link to the same video
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
MOCK UP on MU TRAILER
Here's the link to the same video
2007-07-11
Cheap Gas or Not?
Have you ever wondered whether you should put that 'cheap gas' into your expensive, pride and joy? I know you have. There are the good gas stations with the big name, the shiny building, and the clean floors. Then there are the other places. Not so nice, not so clean, but the gas is noticeably cheaper. Is it the same quality or not? That's the question. I mean, you get what you pay for, right?
I've had this conversation with various people through the years, usually about the time gas hits a new record high in price. I've noticed that motorheads, mechanics and people who are really into their vehicles, NEVER use the cheap gas. They always buy their gas from one of the big companies. People who aren't as obsessive about their cars, or they have an old beater they bang around in, don't seem to care as much and they buy the cheapest gas possible. Yet, both groups are convinced the other ones are crazy and their own method is far superior.
Last night I think I saw what would end this discussion for me... I had to stop and put gas in my bike. There's a Mobile station on my way home I usually use. The quick pay pass key is nice. It's convenient. The price is usually pretty good (not the absolute lowest, but cheaper than some). I'm filling up my bike when a tow truck pulls in to get gas. No biggie. But then I notice it's the Am Pm gas truck. Yea, the one from the Am Pm gas station. The guy is wearing the Am Pm uniform. He's got the Am Pm logo on the side of his truck. Put he doesn't put Am Pm gas in his truck, but Mobile gas. It's a good thing I had my helmet on and he couldn't see me laughing.
For the record, I have NEVER put Am Pm gas in my car. I'm convinced it's some of the worst stuff ever. I've had co-workers who had issues with the gas. I've got friends on motorcycle boards who swear it's caused them problems. I've got mechanic friends that won't even look at Am Pm gas stations. So I stay away. And obviously the Am Pm tow truck operator feels the same way.
That's some thing to ponder next time you need to fill up.
So what gas do you use? Am Pm? Mobile? Something else? What ever is cheapest?
I've had this conversation with various people through the years, usually about the time gas hits a new record high in price. I've noticed that motorheads, mechanics and people who are really into their vehicles, NEVER use the cheap gas. They always buy their gas from one of the big companies. People who aren't as obsessive about their cars, or they have an old beater they bang around in, don't seem to care as much and they buy the cheapest gas possible. Yet, both groups are convinced the other ones are crazy and their own method is far superior.
Last night I think I saw what would end this discussion for me... I had to stop and put gas in my bike. There's a Mobile station on my way home I usually use. The quick pay pass key is nice. It's convenient. The price is usually pretty good (not the absolute lowest, but cheaper than some). I'm filling up my bike when a tow truck pulls in to get gas. No biggie. But then I notice it's the Am Pm gas truck. Yea, the one from the Am Pm gas station. The guy is wearing the Am Pm uniform. He's got the Am Pm logo on the side of his truck. Put he doesn't put Am Pm gas in his truck, but Mobile gas. It's a good thing I had my helmet on and he couldn't see me laughing.
For the record, I have NEVER put Am Pm gas in my car. I'm convinced it's some of the worst stuff ever. I've had co-workers who had issues with the gas. I've got friends on motorcycle boards who swear it's caused them problems. I've got mechanic friends that won't even look at Am Pm gas stations. So I stay away. And obviously the Am Pm tow truck operator feels the same way.
That's some thing to ponder next time you need to fill up.
So what gas do you use? Am Pm? Mobile? Something else? What ever is cheapest?
2007-07-09
Email Subscription
You can now sign up for an email subscription. You will get an email everytime this blog is updated. If you're not using an RSS reader (which I highly recommend), this might be a good way to keep up with the updates here.
I will NEVER sell your email address. I hate SPAM at least as much as you do.
I will NEVER sell your email address. I hate SPAM at least as much as you do.
2007-07-04
Perfection in the Morning Commute
It's early in the morning. Very early. It's just beginning to get light outside. It is that in between time when it’s no longer night, but not yet day.
I step into the garage and push the button for the garage door. I’m annoyed by how the noise of the old garage door opener destroys the stillness of the morning. There’s no music or rhythm to the clatter – it’s just noise.
I began to put on my gear. I’ve done it so many times, it’s simply habit. My hands quickly perform their task, almost with no instruction from my brain. I don my jacket. The snug, comfortable fit is familiar, almost like an old friend. The body armor slides perfectly into place. The act of zipping the jacket and fastening the Velcro around my neck and wrists is so natural, so automatic; I don’t even have to think about it. I pick up my helmet and a quick tug of the straps pulls it on my head. The quick lock strap snaps firmly into place. I pick up my gloves and pull them on. The fit is snug but comfortable. More Velcro straps hold them firmly in place.
I swing my leg over the bike and settle into the seat. Over time the foam of the seat is worn to just the right shape. Comfortable. Familiar. Just right. My hands find their way to the grips. A quick glance shows that the mirrors are perfectly adjusted. A little choke. A quarter blip of the throttle. The key is turned to the on position and my thumb hits the starter. Instantly the bike rumbles to life. The deep sound of the exhaust is sweet. The rhythm of the 4 cylinders… The burble of the exhaust… The mechanical noise of the engine… The slight vibration in the handle bars… All of these individual pieces come together to form a symphony of rhythm and sound. The song is well known by my ears. But like an old favorite that never gets tired, it still brings a smile to lips and it lightens my heart.
I roll the bike backwards down the driveway. Close the garage door. Pull in the clutch and gently push down on the shift lever. The bike drops into first gear. I gently ease out the clutch and slowly roll out of the neighborhood. The cool morning air is refreshing. I gather speed as I make my way to the freeway. I roll up the on-ramp and the bike effortlessly goes around the corner. Up on to the freeway, I readily find a spot to merge. It’s pretty easy at this time of day, not too many cars – yet.
The bike moves with just a thought. Accelerating. Changing lanes. Braking. Merging. It all seems to happen so smoothly, so effortlessly. It is as if the rider and machine are one. I’m focused on the traffic. No radio. No cell phone. Just man, machine and the music they create together. It’s as close to perfection as I can imagine. It’s that feeling. It’s that state of oneness. It’s that state of perfection… that’s why I ride.
Today's ride is simply to work. I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy a ride to the mountians on this day. But even a simple ride to work, can make an otherwise mundane workday perfect.
I step into the garage and push the button for the garage door. I’m annoyed by how the noise of the old garage door opener destroys the stillness of the morning. There’s no music or rhythm to the clatter – it’s just noise.
I began to put on my gear. I’ve done it so many times, it’s simply habit. My hands quickly perform their task, almost with no instruction from my brain. I don my jacket. The snug, comfortable fit is familiar, almost like an old friend. The body armor slides perfectly into place. The act of zipping the jacket and fastening the Velcro around my neck and wrists is so natural, so automatic; I don’t even have to think about it. I pick up my helmet and a quick tug of the straps pulls it on my head. The quick lock strap snaps firmly into place. I pick up my gloves and pull them on. The fit is snug but comfortable. More Velcro straps hold them firmly in place.
I swing my leg over the bike and settle into the seat. Over time the foam of the seat is worn to just the right shape. Comfortable. Familiar. Just right. My hands find their way to the grips. A quick glance shows that the mirrors are perfectly adjusted. A little choke. A quarter blip of the throttle. The key is turned to the on position and my thumb hits the starter. Instantly the bike rumbles to life. The deep sound of the exhaust is sweet. The rhythm of the 4 cylinders… The burble of the exhaust… The mechanical noise of the engine… The slight vibration in the handle bars… All of these individual pieces come together to form a symphony of rhythm and sound. The song is well known by my ears. But like an old favorite that never gets tired, it still brings a smile to lips and it lightens my heart.
I roll the bike backwards down the driveway. Close the garage door. Pull in the clutch and gently push down on the shift lever. The bike drops into first gear. I gently ease out the clutch and slowly roll out of the neighborhood. The cool morning air is refreshing. I gather speed as I make my way to the freeway. I roll up the on-ramp and the bike effortlessly goes around the corner. Up on to the freeway, I readily find a spot to merge. It’s pretty easy at this time of day, not too many cars – yet.
The bike moves with just a thought. Accelerating. Changing lanes. Braking. Merging. It all seems to happen so smoothly, so effortlessly. It is as if the rider and machine are one. I’m focused on the traffic. No radio. No cell phone. Just man, machine and the music they create together. It’s as close to perfection as I can imagine. It’s that feeling. It’s that state of oneness. It’s that state of perfection… that’s why I ride.
Today's ride is simply to work. I'm not fortunate enough to enjoy a ride to the mountians on this day. But even a simple ride to work, can make an otherwise mundane workday perfect.
2007-06-27
What's in a Name?
Coming home from work today I passed an old, decrepit bus. It looked like an old school bus that had been painted grey and pushed into service by a company named “Elite Transportation.” Yup, Elite Transportation… An old, beat up school bus… The occupants looked crowded, uncomfortable and hot as they bounced down the freeway. I’m not quite sure what was so elite about that.
Make sure the name of your company matches the product or service you provide. It’s common sense and a courtesy to your customers. You do want those customers to come back, don't you?
Make sure the name of your company matches the product or service you provide. It’s common sense and a courtesy to your customers. You do want those customers to come back, don't you?
What’s Tripping You Up?
I’ve been getting up (or trying to get up) early in the morning and go walking. I clearly need the exercise. But sometimes it’s really hard to get up long before sunrise and exercise. My deepest desire at 4 am is NOT walking! If I don’t give into the temptation for a bit more sleep, I get up, get dressed and don my MP3 player and then hit the road. I have a loop I can do around the local neighborhood that’s 1.5 miles. It’s early, so I don’t have to worry too much about cars - other than the paper delivery guy.
I’ve noticed then when I walk I have a tendency to devote too much attention to the ground right in front of me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to watch where you are going. But I sometimes find all my focus just a few feet in front of me. When I am doing that, I notice every crack in the asphalt, every weed that’s growing, every piece of trash, every fallen leaf and every oil stain left by a parked car. And guess what, there are lots of them. The road takes a lot of abuse between the cars, the weather and the ground shifting. The road looks like it’s quite a mess.
I’ve also noticed that when I lift my eyes and look down the road, to where I’m going – all that mess – all those cracks – all those oil stains, they all disappear. I can’t even see them anymore. The road now looks just fine. It’s smooth, flat and perfectly adequate for the task. My goal is now the next corner, not the next crack or oil stain.
What an enormous difference a change of perspective makes!
Are the cracks and oil stains of life tripping you up? Is that all you can see? Does everything look broken and messed up? If so, may I suggest a change of perspective? Lift up your head. Look to the goal. Don’t let the little cracks and stains of this life trip you up.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
2007-06-20
2007-06-16
Now for something completely different
I ran across this and found out my two sons have no idea who Cheech and Chong are! What's the world coming to? The crazy part, is they have some Mexican blood in them. I guess it's time for them to learn a bit of their culture.
2007-06-15
Brilliant or ......
I couldn't stop watching this. It's brilliant and strange at the same time. Very creative.
This is the Austrian brass ensemble "Mnozil Brass" performing in Austria.
Does anyone else miss Freddie Mercury?
This is the Austrian brass ensemble "Mnozil Brass" performing in Austria.
Does anyone else miss Freddie Mercury?
2007-06-13
New Music
Are you the kind who likes to find new music? To discover the new artist before all your friends do? If so, you should check out Amie St. The community rates the music of new artists wanting to be discovered. The higher a song is rated, the more it costs. All the way up to 99 cents. The new undiscovered music can be had for free or very cheaply. No DRM either. Whoo Hooo.
Definately worth checking out - Amie St.
2007-06-12
NBA Finals
I'm a huge basketball junkie. I live for this time of year and all the hype and excitment. The only problem is -- this year there is little to no excitment.
Tonight's game between the Cleveland Cavs and the San Antonio Spurs was close. But it tied for the lowest scoring game EVER during the finals. Not exactly exciting. The series is now 3-0 in favor of the Spurs. Are we looking at a sweep? Probably...
It's going to be a long a summer while I wait for football to start.
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