Wednesday Art: Untitled 20091008

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The Museum

Lollipops

Weaver

Tue Pic of the Day: Winter Fun

Can it get any better? A little snow. A nice hill. A couple sleds. Warm jackets, snow pants, hats, and gloves. A trip to "old McDonald's" for lunch, followed by a matinee showing of Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

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UPDATE: Traveling Without a "Net"

UPDATE: AT&T Website Stops Selling iPhone in New York City

I remember visiting NYC back in March and complaining about the terrible reception I was receiving with my iPhone. It struck me as odd that I was in one of the most visited cities in the world, a cosmopolitan destination, and I could barely send and receive data, and kept dropping calls.

I've been following the recent cell coverage war between AT&T and Verizon, and independent studies have shown that AT&T does in fact have a faster network (coverage is a different story), but it appears they still don't still don't have the coverage problem sorted out in NYC.

Another angle on this story is the recent rumblings from AT&T that their network is "overwhelmed" with "data hog" users. The smartphone market (specifically, the iPhone) is growing faster than AT&T can expand their network. AT&T CEO Ralph De la Vega has gone so far as to say that AT&T is experimenting with the idea of charging for data usage -- very similar to how cell phone minutes are currently charged.

One would think that fixing the the coverage problem in NYC would be a good investment for AT&T, and not that difficult of a fix. Turning your back on the smartphone market as it continues to expand is probably not a good business decision. Charging users for data usage is not something I'm too excited about.

March 1, 2009

The title is a little dramatic, and not entirely true. Traveling
without a net, what does that mean?

It means since I have started blogging again this is the first time I
have traveled without a laptop -- hence, without the net and the
ability to post to a blog. Get it?

So what? Well, I'm writing this post on my iPhone, sitting in a plane
in Charlotte, NC. Once finished, I will send it to my blog for posting.

I can tell you are not impressed, but the amazing thing is that I am
posting to a web site (my blog) simply by sending an email.

I'm sure to most veteran bloggers this is not all that big of a deal.
To me it was a revelation of the power of Web 2.0. Think about, no
access to a browser, but I can continue to write and post thoughts to
my blog.

So, maybe not traveling without out a net, but traveling with a mobile net...

Post note: I wrote this blog on Friday, 27 February with the intention
of posting it once I arrived in NYC. However, upon arrival in the
city I found that my 3G connection, actually, cell phone connection in
general, was spotty. How strange is that, I get better cell coverage
in Jacksonville, NC than I do in NYC? AT&T, can you hear me now...?

Weekly Roundup: Dec 20-26

Blog Posts:

True Friends

Merry Christmas

Notecard Art:

The Museum

Pictures of the Day:

At the Movies

Light Kicks

The Specimen

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Weekly Roundup: Dec 13-19

Sat Pic of the Day: The Specimen

So, when was the last time you had pickled bologna, if ever? It doesn't look bad cut up on a plate, but if you saw it in the jar, you might rethink eating it. I will tell you, though, Ritz Crackers, pickled bologna, and Cheez Whiz make a pretty tasty hors d'oeuvre.

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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

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Thu Pic of the Day: Light Kicks

Lights in boots and shoes is a great idea, but I wish someone would make them for adults, too. I'd buy a pair.

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Wednesday Art: The Museum

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Lollipops

Weaver

Panels

Tue Pic of the Day: At the Movies

Going to see a movie in a theater is the only way I have found to completely forget about everything. When I'm watching a movie, anything going on outside that theater disappears for a couple hours. My mind clears and I focus on the story being told on the screen. It's a great thing.

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True Friends

True friends are just that. It doesn't matter that you have not seen or spoken with them in months, or maybe years. It doesn't matter that life's events have taken you on different paths. It doesn't matter that you always don't see eye-to-eye with each other.

It doesn't matter because a true friend is someone you have established a family-like bond with, and this bond transcends any issues. You share the high and low points of life with them. When you need a true friend they are there for you, no questions asked.

A true friend is a rare thing, but you know when you have one. They are one of life's great pleasures.

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Related Random Thoughts

How Many Friends Can You Manage?

Friends Don't Owe

When You Lose Someone You Love

Weekly Roundup: Dec 13-19

Blog Posts:

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Thoughts on Public Transportation

UPDATE: What Gordon Gekko Can Teach Us About Smartphones

UPDATE: Thoughts on Free Wi-Fi

I resolve to...

Notecard Art:

Lollipops

Pictures of the Day:

Mr. Postman

Entertainment Center

The De-Icer

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Weekly Roundup: Dec 6-12

Saturday Pic of the Day: The De-Icer

This picture was taken looking out the window of an airplane at Reagan Airport in DC. The view was comforting and unnerving. Comforting to know they were getting the ice off the plane. Unnerving to know there was ice on the plane in the first place.

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I resolve to...

It's a little early to make New Year's resolutions, but I thought I would get an early start this year. Hell, I just thought I would get a start, because I usually don't make resolutions.

I don't make resolutions because they don't work. They don't work because you're trying to give up a vice that's near and dear to you; something like lose weight, but you like food too much, or exercise more to try to mitigate your love for food, and lose weight.

Resolutions take discipline. After all, you are resolving to do something different. To make a change in something you have identified with yourself that needs "fixing."

But, are you serious about making a change, or are you just resolving because it's what everyone does this time of the year, and you hope just because you've resolved something it will motivate you to make it reality?

If you're not serious, why set yourself up for failure? Why not think about what you're resolving to accomplish until you are really ready to make the change?

So, after prattling on about how unsuccessful New Year's resolutions are, and how I don't make them, I've made a resolution this year. I have resolved to stop saying:

- At the end of the day...
- It is what it is.
and
- In a perfect world...

Everyone uses these phrases. I recently heard a news story that referenced these phrases as a few of the most used/abused (and annoying) phrases of 2009. I realized that I use them and how silly they are, and have resolved not to use them any more. Pretty simple, huh?

Are you truly resolving to change anything with your life this New Year's?

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Relates Random Thoughts:
Life as Business

The Battle of Wills

Do Something

Pic of the Day: Entertainment Center

I don't subscribe to tv cable service any more. This is how I watch tv and movies now.

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UPDATE: What Gordon Gekko Can Teach Us About Smartphones

UPDATE: "Morgan Stanley: Mobile Internet Market Will Be Twice The Size of Desktop Internet" and With a New Phone, Google May Challenge Apple"

I found these articles interesting because they speak to my "If your are not connected, you are not connected" philosophy. The Morgan Stanley study is pretty definitive about the projected growth of the smartphone. Google's recent overtures into building a smartphone, as opposed to just supplying the Android operating system for them, is telling of how important they think the future smartphone market will be. It's coming folks... Eventually, being constantly connected to a network is going to be the the rule, and not the exception.

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June 2009

TECHNOLOGY: "Smartphone Rises from Gadget to Necessity," by Steve Lohr, New York Times, 10 June 2009.

For a growing swath of the population, the social expectation is that one is nearly always connected and reachable almost instantly via e-mail. The smartphone, analysts say, is the instrument of that connectedness — and thus worth the cost, both as a communications tool and as a status symbol.

If someone would have asked me two years ago if I would spend my money to buy a smartphone, I would have told them they were crazy. I've been issued Blackberrys for work, and that is how I got my first "taste" of, what I refer to as, my "mobile brain." However, I wasn't ready to spend my hard-earned money on a personal smartphone. Then I began commuting to work in DC on the train/metro and AT&T offered me a Blackberry for thirty dollars -- it's been all down hill since then.

I used the Blackberry for about seven months and then traded up to an iPhone. I couldn't survive without it now. My personal and professional lives depend on having constant access to the network.

Some may scoff at this notion, but before you pass judgment ask yourself: Could you survive without your cell phone? I would venture that many would say yes they could, but if you dig deep and really think about how much you rely on your cell phone, I think you would have to admit that it would be difficult.

It's the same way with a smartphone, which is essentially a cell phone on steroids. The main difference between a regular cell phone and a smartphone is the smartphone's data plan, which provides access to the internet.

Now, let me cut to what I really want to talk about, which is the nature of the world some live in now, and most soon will live in in the future. The days of constant connectivity are coming, and it's going to be very difficult to avoid it. Sure, you can go Ted Kazinsky and check out of society -- please don't send letter bombs to people -- but few are disciplined enough to pull this off.

For the rest of us, we're going to be expected to be connected ALL the time. Just look at the rise of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. We are living in the age of the constant stream of information -- real time information. I've said it before, knowledge is power; those that have the knowledge, have the power and the advantage. Being constantly plugged into the network is the means for obtaining the knowledge. Smartphones are becoming the delivery mechanism for maintaining the constant stream of information.

Gordon Gekko, Michael Douglas's character in the movie Wall Street said it best. In a discussion with Bud Fox, Charlie Sheen's character, Gekko said, "The most valuable commodity I know of is information. Wouldn't you agree?" Gekko proceeds to tell Fox that if he wants to be a player he needs to start getting information. He finishes the discussion by telling Fox, "If you are not inside, you are outside."

My point here is that it's important to feed your brain, and more and more this is happening through smartphone-like devices. To paraphrase Gordon Gekko: If you are not connected, you are not connected.

Image is property of the Random Thoughts Blog.

Wednesday Art: Lollipops

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Weaver

Panels

Fenced In

Pic of the Day: Mr. Postman

I walk out to this mailbox most days to check my mail. I say most days because I get so little mail anymore it's not worth it to check every day. How about you? With the exception of Victoria's Secret catalogues and junk mail, do you get much mail these days?

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Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Thoughts on Public Transportation

Let's face reality: to embrace public transportation means to give up control. Give up control of your time. Give up control of many conveniences. Give up control of certain options.

When you opt for public transportation your schedule becomes, at the same time, rigid and fluid. You are at the mercy of the schedules of the trains and buses of the system, so your schedule is rigid. Sometimes the trains and buses don't run on time. So when the trains and buses are not on time, your schedule moves from rigid to fluid -- fluid because now you have to go with the schedule the system gives. But, is this any different than getting stuck in a traffic jam?

Likewise, certain conveniences of jumping in your vehicle and driving from point A to point B are sacrificed. Maybe the ability to avoid the inclement weather, or the need to physically walk any distances -- you go "door to door" when you're in your own car. But, you are still going to have to park your vehicle, and very rarely are you going to be able to park close enough where you don't have to walk. You're still going to be exposed to the elements.

Finally, maybe you don't have certain options that require the flexibility of having your own vehicle. Maybe you can't stay late at work -- you have to make the train schedule. Is this a bad thing? It's a built in reason to get out of work at a descent time. Maybe you don't have the option of meeting at that restaurant for dinner, or the bar for a drink. How about coordinating a linkup at a place near your commuting route?

I think these arguments are offered by folks who have never given public transportation a chance; never really stepped out of their comfort zones.

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Related Random Thoughts

Life as Business

Mo Money, Money Problems

Appearance is Everything

Weekly Roundup: Dec 6 - 12

Blog Posts:

Life as Business

Crappy Weather

Notecard Art:

Weaver

Pictures of the Day:

Buffet

Metro

VRE

Barber Shop

Bull Riding

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Pic of the Day: Bull Riding

Do you think I rode it?

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Crappy Weather

Since many have experienced a first blast of winter weather for the season I thought I would take a moment and reflect on a weather related phenomenon.

What is it about crappy weather that makes people lose their minds? With the storm that blew through the mid-West and East Coast this week, there was a lot of questionable judgement on display.

You can rest assured that soon after it starts raining or snowing you are going to hear rescue sirens racing to the seen of an accident. It's as if people forget the rules of driving, or forget that they are driving.

Fashion sense usually takes a hit, as well. What makes a guy think that crazy Russian-style winter hats or Australian outback hats are remotely suitable for urban wear? I'm no fashion maven, but certain things just don't work.

When the weather gets poor, take a breath and evaluate your decisions. Slow down your driving speed, increase your following distance, and for God's sake scrutinize you fashion choices.

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Related Random Thoughts:

My Own Good Ideas

Questionable Judgement

The Never Ending Phone Call

Pic of the Day: Barber Shop

Given my line of work, I get a weekly haircut. For me, Thursday's are haircut days. I love a good haircut. There's just something about sitting in that chair, closing your eyes, and being pampered for twenty minutes.

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Wednesday Art: Weaver

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Panels

Fenced In

Sprockets

Pic of the Day: VRE

Another commuting picture today. VRE is the Virginia Railway Express. It's the commuter train that connects the Northern Virginia suburbs to DC. This picture was taken at about 6:00 AM this morning as I made my way downtown.

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Life as Business

Do you run your life like a business? That's a weird question, huh? What I mean is: do you handle your finances, your time, your resources, your "people" (spouse and children) like you would if you were running a business?

I know this sounds cold, and maybe it is. But, if you consider the things that make a business successful - accurate finances, customer service, quality work/products - aren't these the same things that could make your life successful?

Pay your bills on time and live within your means. Take care of your spouse and kids to the best of your ability. And strive to be the best spouse and parent you can possibly be - make yourself better every day.

When you look at it this way, doesn't make sense to run your life similar to running a business?

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Related Random Thoughts

What Really Matters

The $100 Rule

How Much is Your Time Worth?

Pic of the Day: Metro

I'm attending a training seminar in downtown DC for the next couple weeks, which means public transportation. Hands down, the best way to get around - or get from the suburbs to downtown - in DC is to use public transportation, and I love riding the Metro. You climb aboard and let someone else do the work while you relax with your thoughts. I'm writing and will post this entry while making my way home.

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Pic of the Day: Buffet

So, that was the sign at the head of a Sunday BBQ buffet at one of my favorite BBQ joints. Just the the idea that retaurant management had to post the sign made me go, "Hmmm...". I never get my money's worth at buffets because I never eat enough, but I guess some folks must...

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Elevator

That's the elevator from the National Gallery of Art in DC. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it's a huge elevator - the biggest I've ever seen. It's in the East Wing of the gallery, which houses the modern art collection. The National Gallery of Art is well worth a visit if you get to DC.

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Mo Money, Mo Problems

"Possessions are a way of turning money into problems." - Brian Eno

Yet another quality quote from Bono's 14 November New York Times column. In our "if some is good, more is better" society, Eno's quote succinctly summarizes the overall problem.

It's difficult to get out of the spending cycle. We've created a society where our way of life - our economy - depends on Americans spending and accumulating.

We buy stuff to replace perfectly good stuff, only to throw perfectly good stuff away (which causes environmental problems), and buy more stuff. And that stuff is bought on credit, which many Americans can't afford to pay off. It's a vicious cycle.

It's hard to break the cycle because we all want. We want the best stuff for ourselves and the best stuff for our kids.

Maybe if we wanted a little less and appreciated a little more, life would be easier.

How much stuff do you need? Does that stuff really make you happy? Is that stuff really what is important?

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What Really Matters

Moving and Purging

Responsibility

If Some is Good, More is Better

Panels

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Fenced In

Sprockets

Sunburst