Watch the whole thing... a clever way to prove that he is actually singing backwards.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A healthy appetite
Guess which member of our family had the following breakfast this morning?
2 Eggs, scrambled
1 slice of toast
1 whole banana
That's right, our son (who weighs somewhere less than 25 lb.) is going for a record of eating his own weight in one day. Off to a good start...
2 Eggs, scrambled
1 slice of toast
1 whole banana
That's right, our son (who weighs somewhere less than 25 lb.) is going for a record of eating his own weight in one day. Off to a good start...
Friday, December 21, 2007
Listening to an album
It occurs to me that with the ubiquity of digital music, people might not listen to albums straight through, beginning to end, ever again. Given, you can certainly do that on an iPod, but I much prefer to let the Shuffle function be my DJ.
For years, I listened to tapes and CDs as the artists made them. This resulted in an interesting phenomenon - when I heard certain songs, even out of context like on the radio, my brain expected the next song to be the song that followed on the album. One song just naturally let me to expect the next one in order.
Which leads me to a particularly odd moment. On occasion, after hearing Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream", the next thing on the Full Moon Fever album (CD version) pops into my brain. That is, Tom Petty's voice, speaking plainly:
Sadly, that CD was among the several that I lost many years ago... so even if I buy the song download, I probably won't get to hear that extra bit (which wasn't a separate track on the album... just followed the song after a few seconds of silence).
Do you ever listen to an album straight through anymore?
For years, I listened to tapes and CDs as the artists made them. This resulted in an interesting phenomenon - when I heard certain songs, even out of context like on the radio, my brain expected the next song to be the song that followed on the album. One song just naturally let me to expect the next one in order.
Which leads me to a particularly odd moment. On occasion, after hearing Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down a Dream", the next thing on the Full Moon Fever album (CD version) pops into my brain. That is, Tom Petty's voice, speaking plainly:
"Hello, CD listeners. We've come to the point in the album where those listening on record or cassette will have to stand up, or sit down, and turn over the record, or tape. In fairness to those listeners, we will now take a few seconds before we begin side two. ... Thank you. Here's side two."
Sadly, that CD was among the several that I lost many years ago... so even if I buy the song download, I probably won't get to hear that extra bit (which wasn't a separate track on the album... just followed the song after a few seconds of silence).
Do you ever listen to an album straight through anymore?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Game-changer
If this is real, it's perhaps the most significant invention to date of the 21st century:
Everything that goes into Frank Pringle’s recycling machine—a piece of tire, a rock, a plastic cup—turns to oil and natural gas seconds later.Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, doesn't think it will stand up. But it takes more than a snake oil salesman to get featured in a legit publication like Popular Science.
The Flipper has landed [a job]
As I hinted at last Friday, I've been having a lot of conversations with a potential employer. I'm happy to report that today, I faxed back my signed [accepted] offer letter.
As of January 7, I will be working in Product Strategy for a medium-sized educational software company. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity, although it's a significant departure in terms of both industry and job function for me.
What does this mean for you, dear reader? There are several possibilities:
1. A happier, less stressed Flipper to blog about fun and amusing things
2. A busier Flipper with less free time to blog
3. A whole new source of blog material: office life!
Can't say which of these scenarios is most likely, but there will likely be components of all three.
As of January 7, I will be working in Product Strategy for a medium-sized educational software company. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity, although it's a significant departure in terms of both industry and job function for me.
What does this mean for you, dear reader? There are several possibilities:
1. A happier, less stressed Flipper to blog about fun and amusing things
2. A busier Flipper with less free time to blog
3. A whole new source of blog material: office life!
Can't say which of these scenarios is most likely, but there will likely be components of all three.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Website design suggestions?
I'm looking for recommendations for website design software.
Last summer, we launched BookBonds.com - the website for the wife's startup family literacy class. Version 1.0 of the site is a very weak execution, created with MS Publisher. In fact, I'd prefer to think of it as Version 0.1.
In any event, we are starting to actually advertise BookBonds to drum up some interest in classes starting in late Spring. This will hopefully drive traffic to the website. So I'd like to replace what's there with a better execution.
Here's a list of HTML editors from Wikipedia. I'd certainly prefer a choice that has the magic word "Free" in the fourth column, but I'm open to those that have a two-digit price. If you have experience with any of these (or others), please offer your advice!
Last summer, we launched BookBonds.com - the website for the wife's startup family literacy class. Version 1.0 of the site is a very weak execution, created with MS Publisher. In fact, I'd prefer to think of it as Version 0.1.
In any event, we are starting to actually advertise BookBonds to drum up some interest in classes starting in late Spring. This will hopefully drive traffic to the website. So I'd like to replace what's there with a better execution.
Here's a list of HTML editors from Wikipedia. I'd certainly prefer a choice that has the magic word "Free" in the fourth column, but I'm open to those that have a two-digit price. If you have experience with any of these (or others), please offer your advice!
Babies and Laundry
Several observations on babies and laundry:
1. For the first year-and-a-half of marriage, we lived without our own laundry machine. There was a laundromat next door to our apartment building, so this was manageable. However, I cannot imagine living with a baby and not having your own washing machine. Got that, kids? First get married, then get a washing machine, then you may have kids.
2. Babies are the reason that washing machines have a "heavily soiled" setting. Unless you do your own car maintenance in the garage, you've probably never really needed that setting... until kids come along.
3. Washing new baby clothes is mandatory before putting them on the kid, to get rid of any trace chemicals used in packaging. There's an upside to this: a load of laundry containing brand-new children's clothing produces an incredibly soft, puffy lint in your dryer's lint filter. I'm not kidding. I'd like to save up enough new-baby-clothes-lint to stuff a pillow. What's softer than a baby's bottom? New-baby-clothes-lint!
1. For the first year-and-a-half of marriage, we lived without our own laundry machine. There was a laundromat next door to our apartment building, so this was manageable. However, I cannot imagine living with a baby and not having your own washing machine. Got that, kids? First get married, then get a washing machine, then you may have kids.
2. Babies are the reason that washing machines have a "heavily soiled" setting. Unless you do your own car maintenance in the garage, you've probably never really needed that setting... until kids come along.
3. Washing new baby clothes is mandatory before putting them on the kid, to get rid of any trace chemicals used in packaging. There's an upside to this: a load of laundry containing brand-new children's clothing produces an incredibly soft, puffy lint in your dryer's lint filter. I'm not kidding. I'd like to save up enough new-baby-clothes-lint to stuff a pillow. What's softer than a baby's bottom? New-baby-clothes-lint!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Job update coming soon
That's right... not "job search update".
Not ready to share the news just yet, but hopefully after the weekend!
HappyHanukah Chanukah Hannukkah Festival of Lights!!
Not ready to share the news just yet, but hopefully after the weekend!
Happy
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Fun, relatively amazing online game
This may be a little outdated. With websites - at least those that have been around a while - you can never be sure if you've discovered a hidden gem, or if you're the last person on earth to learn about a popular trend. For example, I got laughed at by about 80% of my colleagues a couple of years ago when I recommended that people read The Onion. (Of course, the 20% who were even slower than me were very appreciative for the tip!)
In any case, play a few games of 20 Questions online. This is not only a fun and impressive game, it's also a great example of how a computer can learn from people. So many people have played the game that the software is prepared to discover practically any object you can think of within 20 questions.
You must be honest and give straightforward answers!
Click the link above, then "Think in American", then "Classic 20Q" at bottom-left. (It's built in frames, so I can't give you the direct URL to start the game.)
They also sell a 20 Questions ball, which is a good learning toy for kids. It's got the software built-in, so you can play anytime, anywhere.
In any case, play a few games of 20 Questions online. This is not only a fun and impressive game, it's also a great example of how a computer can learn from people. So many people have played the game that the software is prepared to discover practically any object you can think of within 20 questions.
You must be honest and give straightforward answers!
Click the link above, then "Think in American", then "Classic 20Q" at bottom-left. (It's built in frames, so I can't give you the direct URL to start the game.)
They also sell a 20 Questions ball, which is a good learning toy for kids. It's got the software built-in, so you can play anytime, anywhere.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Shirt for the meme-loving MOTs
Can't remember if I blogged about the launch of shirt.woot.com, but today's offering is one that deserves to be shared. Alas, it sold out before I could order one. Read the product description at the link above.
Merry Channukah!
I previously blogged about thisisbroken.com, which was discontinued, while the good experience blog continues to post occasional "broken" submissions.
They posted this gem yesterday: A clearly "broken" holiday promotion spotted by a reader at a Balducci's market in Manhattan.
Link to original post
They posted this gem yesterday: A clearly "broken" holiday promotion spotted by a reader at a Balducci's market in Manhattan.
Link to original post
Walk Washington!
Even though I live out in the 'burbs, this is one of the things I love about the DC area. Appropriate that Boston is #2, walkability was one of the things I liked there too.
The report ranks the Washington region first among the country's major metropolitan areas in the number of "walkable places" per capitaRead the whole article here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)