Happy Halloween! Garyology, ArtSpring, Joe Squared & New MP3s

01Nov09

Here is something you should know about me.  Modesty aside, I am made of magic.  I know some of you are Rationalists and believe in only what you can physically sense.  Your imagination(?), your sense of wonder, stops at about the molecular or atomic level.

Filed under: Friends & Family, Music & Art   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: mp3, music

My Sci Fi Recommendations

25Oct09

I give you Skiffy.

I find Hugo and Nebula nominees and winners.  That’s a good way to find things.  I think they usually have … like the human interest story is usually as (or more) prominent than the science fiction aspect.  Maybe that’s a generalization, though.

Hugo Award for Best Novel List

Nebula Award for Best Novel List

There’s no guarantee, though.  I’ve read most of “Rainbow’s End” by Vernor Vinge, for example, and couldn’t make it through.  Boring.

Filed under: Books & Writing   |  8 Comments
Tags: sci fi

Sci Fi: Need new Skiffy

24Oct09

I’m in a writin’ mood.  Yet I don’t seem to be in a frame of mind to sit myself down and write.  Gonna have to do something about that.

I’ve read a bunch of sci fi books recently (not including the two Dr. Who ones, which were entertaining):

• “The Accidental  Time Machine”, Haldeman
• “Gateway”, Pohl
• “The Mote in God’s Eye”, Niven

And today I finished:

• “The Cat Who Walks Through Walls”,  Heinlein

First, I should say that I keep getting these guys confused so I’ll probably get some names mixed up while I’m writing this.  All of them made me think that I freaking miss Octavia Butler.

SPOILER ALERT!

Filed under: Books & Writing   |  1 Comment
Tags: sci fi, writing

Current Events: “Whitopia” & “Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?”

18Oct09

These are not book reviews.  I haven’t read the books.  I listened to interviews and radio programs with the respective authors.  It’s more an editorial.  My opinions on the topic not an analysis of the books.

Whitopia

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113543979

This is interesting.  So that’s where you all are going!  The “exurbs”.

Filed under: Culture & Society, News & Politics   |  1 Comment
Tags: racism, religion

I hate Adams Morgan

18Oct09

Can I say that?

I guess I should qualify that statement.  I hate Adams Morgan on Friday and Saturday nights.  And maybe Thursday nights, too.

Oh wait.  I should warn you.  This blog entry is not interesting.  There’s no point, really.  No moral to the story.  No story.  Just externalizing.  It’s been a while since I stretched my writing muscles.

Filed under: Uncategorized   |  2 Comments
Tags: awkward, dc, nightlife

Me so Horn-y

18Oct09

One of my nephews started playing saxophone in school.  I went up to Baltimore to give him a music lesson yesterday.  He’s very hard on himself.   Have you ever seen someone make a mistake and then have a mini-tantrum at themselves?  You musicians know how music is.  When you practice you make constant mistakes.  It takes hours of shedding over days/weeks/months/years to really be able to express yourself like you want.

Filed under: Music & Art, Self Improvement   |  2 Comments
Tags: edu, Education, music

Leika: October, 1993 – October 3, 2009

03Oct09

I had Leika euthanized today.  Her heart stopped beating on October 3, 2009 4:03pm EST.

Filed under: Life   |  6 Comments

What D’you Know About the New-ness?

28Sep09

work

Today is the first day of my second week at the new job in Arlington.

It’s good stuff.  It’s my usual web designer/developer role.  It’s a pleasure to be able to get my hands dirty with design.  It’s been too long.  There are some really interesting design projects to tackle.  Lots of them, actually.    Good people, good work, yet another great location.

I really am lucky to have worked in some of the best spots in the country.  It’s pretty amazing when I think about it:  Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Los Gatos briefly, San Franciso South of Market, Chinatown/Penn Quarter in DC, K St., and now Arlington.  Just a few blocks from Ballston Mall.

By the way, I have to thank Alejo, Dave, and Michael M., the design team I worked with at NAVTEQ.  I picked up so much good stuff from them.  Design patterns, techniques, interacting with colleagues, documenting designs, Adobe InDesign for design work, templates, workflow, online resources, conferences, seminars, DC design groups.  And how to be a UX team of one, when necessary.

Filed under: Work & Professional   |  2 Comments
Tags: work

Health Care & Crazy Mofos

14Sep09

Here are two quotes re: health care for you:

“This is not a political issue.  This is a moral issue and it’s time to fix it.”

“If [Pres. Obama] accomplishes health care that will be the end of America.”

What America needs, imo, is Health Care and not just Health Insurance.

Oh.  And there’s a sign that I wish I could show you.  Oh wait.  I can.  I’ll just pause the TV and take a pic with the iPhone camera.  Pardon the CRT scan lines.

In particular, observe the “Obama: R.I.P. American Dream 1776-2008″ sign.  I’ll get to that in a bit.

Filed under: Health & Exercise   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: barack obama, health, racism

MP3s: Liberated Muse 9/11 @ the Potter’s House

13Sep09

Here are the four tunes I have recorded at my gig at the Potter’s House last Friday night.  The playlist mode is so you can listen and enjoy as you read this.  Or laze around sipping on your beverage of choice.

Playlist

Filed under: Music & Art   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: gig, liberated muse, mp3