Round Rock Express game

Tonight we went with friends to see the Round Rock Express beat the Albuquerque Isotopes. I didn't get a lot of great pictures, but I liked this one.

Great time yesterday...

Yesterday, our trip to Gruene was outstanding. This picture was taken outside The Gristmill. Chuck and Susan were a hoot and three-quarters. We were hoping to see them again tonight at the Heybale show at The Continental Club tonight but declined in the interest of being able to work tomorrow.

We'll see them again in 6 weeks when we're in Alabama.

They were out of water...

Today's awesome plans

1. Pick up extended family at their hotel. (Amy's sister's husband's brother & his wife - that was less confusing than the other two versions of the theory of relativity)
   
2. Drive to Gruene, TX (pronounced GREEN)
3. Hang out for an hour or so and visit a couple of shops
   
4. Have a nice dinner at The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar
5. Enjoy The Derailers (blog tour) at Gruene Hall (Texas' Oldest Dance Hall)

Yes, you have seen a version of these plans before. First, we need to get the house cleaned up. I just finished mowing and am just taking a break to cool off.

Treo Freeware: Today

The above screenshots are from Today v2.2, which is a very Windows CE / Pocket PC kind of application. It's a powerful application which can work as your primary interface to the built-in PIM. The first screenshot above is the opening screen and while it's not busy, there are a number of options available.

Screenshot Explanation:

• Top Row: Just to the right of the word Today is the amount of internal memory and to the right of that is the battery meter. The next item on the top row is the .|..|:: (Day/Week/Months) selector which switches between the three screens shown here. The left and right arrows move backward and forward through the data by day, week or month (depending on what screen you're on).
• Clock Icon: Displays the date and time. This launches the Date & Time Preference screen.
• Owner: This launches the Owner Preference screen.
• Calendar: Displays today's appointments. This launches the calendar application.
• eMail: Displays unread emails here. This launches the email application.
• Tasks: Displays active tasks. This launches the Tasks application.
• Bottom Row: The launcher on the bottom row launches the Contacts, Memo, Tasks and Calendar applications.

Today is Freeware and is recommended.

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Treo Freeware: Snap

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I have been using Snap to grab Treo screenshots (in this case, Snap itself). It does require an SD card and creates the screenshots in /palm/programs/Snap/ on that card (that directory must be exist or be created). It works as advertised and in the short time I've used it, I haven't had any issues.

Screenshot explanation:

• The application is enabled (Enabled is highlighted)
• Snap Key: The Power button is set to capture the screen
• File Prefix: All screenshots will have "Snap-" at the beginning of the filename
• Auto-disable is enabled, which means the program will be disabled after capturing the first screen. The alternative would be to uncheck this and capture all needed screenshots and then launch the program again and choose Disabled

Snap is Freeware and is recommended.
Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Lexar 128MB SD Card

Lexar 128MB SD Card
Originally uploaded by eschulz.

The screenshot program I use requires an SD card so I fet like I needed to get one. My limit was $20 and I ran by Wal-Mart and they had a Lexar 128MB SD Card in that price range. I have moved some applications to it, I put a couple of movie trailers on it and I've used about 11MB, so I can still add a couple of podcasts.

Cost (before tax): $19.99

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Website redesign at 4am

I was awakened about an hour ago by a sudden onslought of Acid-Reflux. Since I've been eating healthier, this has very rarely happened to me. Tonight we were watching the Spurs (National Champions!) and I had a couple of slices of pizza which is what caused it. When this happens about the only thing that helps is to take a Zantac 75 and drink a quart of water.

Usually, I come into the office and surf the net for about an hour and go back to bed. So, tonight, I checked my blog and it was broken (actually it was BROKEN). I decided to try to fix and nothing worked, so I chose a new template that's similar to the old one and added all of the stuff that is normally on the right side of the screen. I think it looks OK. If not, please leave a comment here or on my comment line at (763)322-1842.

Bonzai USB 2.0 SD Card Reader

Amazon sells a very small SD card reader. The Bonzai USB 2.0 SD Card Reader is less than 10 bucks and should fit in the smallest gear bag. I'll try to get one for review.

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Inexpensive (Cheap) furniture

Home Reserve looks pretty interesting. Their furniture is ready-to-assemble. It is shipped via UPS, the fabrics can be replaced and each of the items includes storage space. I'm tempted to purchase a chair or ottoman, just to see what it's like.

Sofa $346 = $299 + $47 Shipping
Loveseat $276 = $239 + $37 Shipping
Chair $196 = $169 + $27 Shipping
Ottoman $96 = $79 + $17 Shipping

What I don't know about basketball....

We just watched the San Antonio Spurs lose and at one point, Hubie Brown said

If you front the low post guy, you've got to jam the passer and make it difficult.

Should I know what that means ?

Not bleeding edge technology...

For those who think that I am ahead of the curve on the smartphone movement, please let me point out that I bought this phone on the two year anniversary of this article about it from Treo Central. It's more like fleeting edge.

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Belkin accessories on the cheap...

Last weekend, Amy and I went to the 99¢ Only Store in Rosenberg. I have been to this one before and they often have PDA accessories. I've bought sync cables and cases for my old iPaq (which I haven't seen in quite a while). This time, since I knew I was going to be getting a Treo, I bought some Belkin screen overlays and styli.

The styli were a three pack for an HP Jornada 560. I doubt that they'll fit in the Treo stylus holder. They are, however, incredibly cheap and they are perfectly useful as styli. I can keep one in my truck, one at home, and one at desk. I think I'll be able to use monofilament line to keep them tethered. The less I take out the actual Treo stylus, the less likely I am to lose it.

The screen overlays come in packets of 12 and include a screen cleaning cloth and a "smoothie card" for getting rid of bubbles. I bought one package for the Handspring Visor Edge and one for the Palm i705. They have to be cut to fit the smaller Treo screen. I've read that when talking on the Treo, oils from your face can damage the screen. This seems like cheap protection. I cut one to fit yesterday and slapped it on and it seems OK.

Cost (before tax): $2.98

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

My Favorite Fictional Bands

1. Spinal Tap (This is Spinal Tap)
   
2. Steel Dragon (Rock Star)
3. Eddie and the Cruisers (Eddie and the Cruisers and Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!)
4. The Monkees (The Monkees)
5. The Barbusters (Light of Day)
6. The Partridge Family (The Partridge Family)
7. Stillwater (Almost Famous)
8. Oneders, later renamed the Wonders (That Thing You Do)
9. The Rutles (The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash)
   
10. Josie and the Pussycats (Josie and the Pussycats)

Swim Day...

Amy and I went swimming today as part of my daily swim commitment. I was finally able to make up the day I missed. We each swam a third of a mile. Because of the difference in schedules, this is the first time we've been able to go to the gym together and it was a hoot and a half.

Friends - Stay Away !!!

Our fortunes for today at China Wall.

Eric: Watch your relations with others carefully, be cautious.

Amy: You will be called upon to help a friend in trouble.

Lunch at China Wall

Today, Amy took me to lunch at my very favorite restaurant, China Wall. Amy is not 'in the mood' for Chinese food very often, but today she suggested it.

She's known since soon after we started dating that I love their Sesame Chicken. We had been dating for no more than a couple of months and both worked for a big company about a mile from my house. I had called in sick and was feeling a little bit better. She called and offered to bring me lunch and asked me what I wanted and I said "whatever" (meaning don't go out of your way). She brought me a #22 (Sesame Chicken) with Won Ton Soup from China Wall. It was one of the first selfless gestures she ever made.

Soon after that, I fell in love with her.

The road to nowhere

Taken in Round Rock with my Treo 600 smartphone.

ZIP-LINQ Treo Datasync Cable

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Fry's and saw the ZIP-LINQ Treo Datasync Cable cables for $6.99. I bought one, since I was sure I was going to buy a Treo 600 in a couple of weeks. They also had the 12V power adapter for the above so that it can be used to power the Treo via a cigarette lighter. They were $4.99. So for about $12, I got a flexible sync & charging system.

When I installed the Palm Synchronization software yesterday, I was prompted to attach the Treo 600 to the PC via the sync cable. I tried the ZIP-LINQ and it didn't work. I then attached the PalmOne sync cable and was able to HotSync correctly.

This morning, I was able to HotSync correctly using the ZIP-LINQ cable. I did find a note on the FAQ page of ZIP-LINQ's website:

Q. How do I make my Treo 600 Sync?
A. When using the ZIP-DATA-P08 to sync on your Treo 600 you must use the sync icon on the Treo 600 screen. When you choose sync it will default to IR (Infra Red) use the pull down menu below the sync icon and choose sync via cradle. Then it will sync your data through the ZIP-LINQ cable just like a USB cradle. Also make sure wireless mode is off or it will not charge.

Cost (before tax): $11.98

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

Happy Juneteenth!

Juneteenth is an African-American celebration on June 19, the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached slaves in Galveston, Texas—two years after it was issued. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The proclamation was read on the docks of Galveston by Union general Gordon Granger and news quickly spread throughout the state, sparking impromptu celebrations which were continued on the June 19th anniversary.

TreoVida (The Beginning)

Well, I started at the Verizon Store in Round Rock this morning soon after they opened. I looked at the Treo 650 (which was powered) and a Treo 600 (which was dead). The salesman came over when he was finished with the customer he was waiting on. I asked him if they had a AC adapter for the Treo 600, because it appeared to be dead. He said he didn't.

He immediately started pushing me towards the 650. He pointed out that it has Bluetooth and the 600 doesn't. I explained that I would be using it to listen to MP3's and just answering when a call came in. Bluetooth only sends phone conversations to the headset (not Palm audio), so that wouldn't be helpful. He then mentioned that the store doesn't stock Treos. He said that the 650's had been on backorder since a week after they came out. He also mentioned that I could order one and have it sent to my home on Tuesday (Lie1 - It's either on backorder or it's available, not both).

Since he had a nice display with the 600 and the 650, I asked if he could order a Treo 600 and he said they had been discontinued when the 650 launched (Lie2 - I could order it from Verizon's website until a week or two ago). So, he has two display models of a phone that he is unwilling or unable to sell which is very similar to another which is twice the price (Lie3 - Bait & Switch).

I was upset and went home to call Verizon and see what it would cost me to get out of my contract. Before I made that call, I called a Verizon Store in Austin and asked if they had a Treo 600 in stock. He said they did have one. I told him I would be by in a little while. I was able to compare the 600 and 650. While the screen is much better on the 650, the screen on the 600 was far better than any other phone I've ever seen. I purchased it and changed my contract to a slightly newer one for the same price. I also added the unlimited data plan. They helped me fill out the paperwork to get a 25% discount because of where I work. The woman was kind enough to fax that in, so that discount should take care of some of the increased cost.

Bottom Line: The Verizon Store in Round Rock was the problem, not Verizon Wireless.

Cost (before tax): $199.99 ($50 Rebate is available and will be mailed in)
span style="font-size:85%;">Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

I wish Amy and I were here today

Batman Begins

It's finally here. I first blogged about it over a year ago. Today, Amy and I are going to see Batman Begins at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful.

He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city."

Citizens Against Ugly Street Spam (CAUSS)

Citizens Against Ugly Street Spam (CAUSS) works to remove unsightly, illegal commercial street signs, also known as street spam, illegal bandit or snipe signs, vertical litter, telephone pole advertising, including rent to own, lease purchase, avoid forclosure, work at home, work from home, lose weight now, own a PC, affordable health insurance, we buy houses, sell your house in 9 days.

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow is the day! I should be able to get a Treo at the VerizonWireless store. It has been two years since I signed up for Verizon service, so tomorrow, I will be eligible for a $100 discount. That will allow me to purchase a Treo at a more reasonable price.

Note: This article was originally posted to the TreoVida blog on date listed. It was moved to Does the fun ever start ? on Sunday, October 23, 2005.

No, really...

I love sarcasm!

PocketDivXEncoder

PocketDivXEncoder allows you to encode any video clip with optimized parameters for handheld devices (landscape mode, 240x320, low CPU usage, increased brightness, ...). The 2 video output standards (.ogm ou .avi) are playable on the 2 famous DivX players under PocketPC and Smartphone : PocketMVP and Betaplayer. Under Palm, you should try the excellent video player Mmplayer. The clips are created thanks to the fast encoder mencoder.

OEDILF - The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form

This is something else altogether. It's a dictionary and the definitions are limericks. A couple of examples:

Ansel Adams, in photos, expressed
The majestic American west.
His images, stark,
Of Yosemite Park
Are considered as some of his best.

If you think life on Earth is a bore,
Come to Bob's Antigravity Store!
Yes, these rockets and boots
And miraculous suits
Are to lift you right off of the floor!

The Oasis (Continued)

According to the Oasis website, they are again open for business (and have been since June 3rd, just two days after the fire I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Here's what the owner has to say:

Dear OASIS Guests,

In the early morning hours of June 1, 2005, lightning struck The OASIS and the resulting fire devastated much of our facility.

While this tragedy severely crippled us, business as usual will continue in our Starlight Terrace area -- same great views, sunsets and margaritas, with a limited menu. Please bear with us and we will be back better than ever and IN FULL SWING in a few months.

Beau Theriot
And my Super OASIS Crew

In a related note, a benefit is planned for Oasis employees.

Smooth Criminal

The following list of world events is listed on a Flash movie on Michael Jackson's website.

• Marting Luther King is born
• The Berlin Wall falls
• Nelson Mandela is freed
• Michael Jackson is Innocent

These events aren't categorized, but they are the only world events listed. One would think that they are thought of as having similar standing in history.

Happy Flag Day !

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If you're not sure how to celebrate Flag Day...

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses is a company that specializes in very small houses. These start at about 50 sq ft and the largest are 500 sq ft. The site does allow you to get a feel for the houses. Here'e Jay's introduction to the concept.

My name is Jay Shafer, and I live in a house smaller than some people’s bathrooms. I call my tiny home Tumbleweed. My decision to inhabit just 100 square feet arose from some concerns I had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because I just do not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. Tumbleweed meets all of my domestic needs without demanding much in return. The simple, slower lifestyle my home affords is a luxury for which I am supremely grateful.

Houston National Cemetery

We went to Houston this weekend and I had a chance to visit Ken’s grave. It’s at the Houston National Cemetery. It’s a beautiful monument. It’s staggering how many people are buried there (over 57,000) and that is just one of the 120 national cemeteries. Here’s some pictures. If you’re in the area, check it out.

Wisegirls

Yesterday, Amy and I watched Wisegirls. It was a mediocre movie, but according to IMDB, it is Mariah Carey’s best movie to date. Unfortunately, it wasn’t even close to Mira Sorvino’s best work.

Celebrity Sighting...

I’m almost certain that I saw Sydney Bristow walking out of Wal-Mart this morning. She was not wearing a disguise (which is obviously the perfect disguise). It also could have been Jennifer Garner or Electra or some random woman. I’m fairly sure, however, that she was packin’ heat.

Whoops!

In what might be a crushing blow to my plans, the Palm Treo 600 is no longer listed on the Verizon Wireless website. I am unwilling to purchase a new phone until Saturday, because that's the first day I get a $100 credit toward a new phone. There's also a $50 rebate that (if I remember correctly) is available until June 18th.

If the Treo 600 is unavailable, I may have to look at alternatives. That would certainly include the Treo 650. It is only $100 more, if I ignore the rebate. In the past, I haven't had great luck with rebates.

The 650 does offer the following advantages:

1. Better screen resolution (320x320 for the 650, compared to 160x160 for the 600)
2. Bluetooth capability in the 650, which means a wireless headset will work
3. Vastly improved camera on the 650, which means better pics for the blog(s)
4. The 650 does have a removable (replaceable) battery
   

There are additional differences here (but at least one item is incorrect - the camera is not 1.3 megapixels.)

New Blog - Look for announcement

I will be launching a new blog next Saturday (June 18th). Stay tuned for a formal announcement. It will not replace Does the fun ever start?. It will target a different audience.

Gubernatorial

Now that's a funny word...

Mac Zealots – A special breed

The other day, I was listening to the Daily Source Code and Adam Curry was talking about a problem that’s been plaguing his PowerBook. While he’s recording the podcast and is playing an MP3, sometimes the sound stops for a short time (.25 seconds) and then resumes. He blames it on his external LaCie hard drives. Adam often complains about what a bear Windows is to keep running, because Windows is the problem. I think it’s funny that when a Mac has a problem, it must be hardware, but when a Windows PC has problems, it must be the Operating System.

The fact is that Apple systems tend to be more reliable because there are less variables. One company makes Macintosh computers. One company designs them. One company sells them. One company supports them.

Windows PC’s are made by many major brands plus thousands and thousands of smaller manufacturers and everybody’s brother-in-law. Windows is a very stable operating system and has been for many years (at least ten). I have fixed tons of systems that people were ready to ‘throw out the window’ because they were unreliable.

You will have a more reliable system if you do the following:

1. Buy a system from a known and reliable vendor (I have a bottom of the line Dell Dimension)
2. Install service packs and hotfixes
3. Install and configure a firewall (I use ZoneAlarm)
4. Use Firefox as your browser (I have since it was called Phoenix v.4)
5. Install and configure a anti-virus program (I use AVG)
6. Only install programs you plan to use (I’m not a software collector)

Not my fault...

Today, I will not be able to meet my daily swim commitment. The pool was closed, due to a power failure (it's an indoor pool and apparently the room is dark). I will make it up on a weekend day.

Out on a limb...

I seem to be the only one in the blogosphere, but I don't believe for a minute that Apple is going to start using Intel chips. Everyone seems to think that this will be announced today.

World's first disposable digital camcorder

"The introduction of the disposable film camera significantly grew the photography industry by making photography accessible and affordable to anyone," said Mike Wolf, Director of Digital Photography Trends at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. "One-time-use camera category has grown to be 218 million units annually and we expect it to account for 38% of total film volume in the U.S. in 2005. A simple and affordable one-time-use digital camcorder could spur growth in the digital video market in a similar way."

"We believe that capturing and sharing high-quality, digital home movies should be a fun and easy experience," said Jonathan Kaplan, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Pure Digital Technologies, Inc. "Our partnership with CVS/pharmacy delivers a complete digital home video solution that is affordable and simple enough for even novice users."

Video Camcorder Features and Benefits

• Simple-to-use, pocket-sized camcorder weighs under 5 ounces
• Holds 20 saved minutes of digital quality video and sound
• 1.4 inch color playback screen
• Ability to playback and delete videos
• Return to any CVS/pharmacy 1-hour photo lab for DVD

DVD Features and Benefits

• Simple viewing on DVD players or computers with DVD drive
• Convenient archiving and storage
• Email video and video greeting cards as easily as digital photos with SmartShare(TM) computer application
• No email system or software installation required

Through its partnership with Pure Digital, CVS/pharmacy is the first to bring digital one-time-use video cameras to consumers. Exclusively available now in over 1,400 CVS/pharmacy locations nationally, the cameras will be available in over 4,500 stores by June 26th. The CVS Digital One-Time-Use Video Camcorder retails for only $29.99. Video camera processing is $12.99 and includes a CVS DVD built with technology for easy viewing, sharing and archiving of home videos.

Source: http://www.gizmag.com/go/4124/

Posted using w.bloggar

I jut downloaded and installed w.bloggar. It's an app which is supposed to make blogging easier. Actually, why don't I let the authors explain it's purpose.

The w.bloggar is an application that acts as an interface between the user and one or more blog(s); in other words, it is a Post and Template editor, with several features and resources that the browser based blog editors do not offer.

Church in Georgetown

IMG_3615
Originally uploaded by eschulz.
Amy I went and shot some pictures today in Georgetown. I took about 50 and really liked this one. One or two others may be post-worthy, but not right now.

The Zoo

The Scorpions best song: The Zoo
Best place to see a variety of animals: the zoo

Related to the redesign...

I had tried to add much larger pictures. It caused problems at 800x600 which some of my visitors use. One of my faithful readers reported this issue at (763)322-1842. Because of the 100% money back guarantee we offer, I had to go back to smaller pictures. (It wasn't just YFML, I had the same problem on my laptop). You can still click the pictures get the larger ones.

These sentences sound the same to me...

Stick it in your ear.
Stick it in your rear.

Observations - Kenneth Reed Golden

My friend Ken died about 20 years ago. I didn't know him for that long. I met him when he was recovering from a brain tumor. We were the only two programmers (now they're called developers) at an insurance company. I wrote all of the user interface stuff (the part of the program you interact with) and Ken wrote the important stuff. One evening, Ken and I ordered a pizza and after about 15 minutes, Ken said "Time never passes as slowly as when you're waiting on a Pizza from Chanello's".

Soon after that Ken's cancer came back and it killed him on 12/23/1985. I'm older now than he was then. He made an impact on my life and I miss him. This post started as a way to quote Ken and make it funny. Instead, I feel like I needed to share a little about him. Ken left a daughter who would be in her mid 30's now. I want her to know what a great guy her dad was.

My observations (Schulz's Laws)

1. People who are spontaneously funny are often unable to tell jokes well. Conversely, people who tell jokes well are generally not spontaneously funny. The reason for this is that inherently funny people do not need to rely on "jokes" to get laughs. However, in order to get laughs, the unfunny person is forced to learn them.

2. People who are smart and confident feel comfortable answering questions with a reply of, "I don't know." People who are less confident or less smart often feel the need to answer all questions, regardless of their lack of knowledge on the subject.

I may add to these in the future.

Another Pet Peeve:...

People who say something is "three times smaller" or "twice as slow." These are incorrect and make little sense. The correct way to state these ideas is "one third as large" or "one half the speed." These make perfect sense and are correct.

Bob Woodward reveals how Mark Felt became Deep Throat

Recently, the news broke that Mark Felt was the Watergate scandal's elusive Deep Throat. This is a fascinating article by Bob Woodward on how Felt became Deep Throat.

The Oasis destroyed by fire

Located 450 feet above Lake Travis, The Oasis offers breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country and spectacular sunsets! Enjoy the scenery from one of the 40 plus outdoor decks, or inside from one of the enchanting dining rooms.

It was a great place (and hopefully, will be again). It was destroyed by fire this morning.

The Associated Press reports that authorities speculate that the fire might have been sparked by a lightning strike. No injuries were reported.

Media reports indicate owner Beau Theriot has pledged to rebuild The Oasis.

7.5 miles, 25 yards at a time ...

I just got back from the Clay Madsen Recrecreation Center. I swam just over a third of a mile. I plan to do that at least 22 times this month (every weekday in June) which will be almost exactly 7.5 miles. This kid loved to swim.

I once had an abundance of hair!

Our nephew is in the newspaper !!!

Amy and I could not be more proud of Will. He's a sophmore at Fort Payne High School in Fort Payne, Al. He just took second place at a Southeastern Junior Golf Tour event at Terrapin Hills Country Club
.
This is his family. Good lookin' family, huh ? (Will is on the left)

Houston welcomes our friends...

Over the course of the next couple of months, some of our closest friends are moving to Houston. I grew up within 15 miles of that town. I love so much of what that town has to offer. I still love Austin, but Houston holds a soft spot in my heart. We will miss seeing these friends as often as we normally do, but I'm looking forward to rediscovering Houston with a whole new group of friends. I want them to try some of my favorite things in Houston.

• Seeing The Hightailers on Thursday nights at The Last Concert Cafe
• Going to the Museum District especially the Museum of Fine Arts and the Contemporary Arts Museum
• Enjoying burgers at Beck's Prime and pizza at Star Pizza
• Visiting Hermann Park especially the train, the Zoo and Miller Outdoor Theater
• Seeing Beans Barton and the Bipeds at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar
  

When they're homesick for Austin, these favorite Austin things are available in Houston

• Alamo Drafthouse
• Chuy's
• The Houston Press (the Houston equivilent of The Austin Chronicle)
• The Continental Club
• Freebird's World Burrito
  

And then there are the things they should try to stay away from completely

• Severe head injuries at Waterworld
• A roomate with a tent his room (Hey, Randy !)
• Running a computer store with zero customers.

There are also Once In A Lifetime Opportunities that will be unavailable to them

• Meeting five time Pro Bowler & former Houston Oiler Ray Childress at Chuy's
  
• Singing Karaoke at the Sing Along Club with several gorgeous backup singers.
• Selling computers to and becoming friends with great writers (Vikram Chandra, Timothy Wegner and David Harvey)

Originally Posted 05-30-2005, 10:43 PM. I will continue to add to this list and republish it.
Updated 09:21am, Sept 4, 2005

HBO: Six Feet Under

Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends. HBO presents the fifth and final season of the award-winning hit series Six Feet Under - now premiering every Monday night starting in June.

Apache helicopters in formation...

IMG_3553
Originally uploaded by eschulz. I took this yesterday at Fiesta Amistad. I was standing in the middle of the street and they were almost exactly overhead. It was a very impressive sight, just after the presentation of colors and the 21 gun salute.

Our former Mimosa tree

IMG_3519
Originally uploaded by eschulz. This is a picture I just took of the tree in our front yard. My real estate agent called it a Mimosa. Everyone who's ever seen it called it a Mimosa. So why is this post titled "Our former Mimosa tree"?

I was going to link to the Mimosa entry on Wikipedia, just to be clever. That's when I see the following:

The name Mimosa has also been misapplied to several other related species with similar pinnate or bipinnate leaves, most commonly to Albizia julibrissin (Silk Tree) and Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle).

So this picture is of our Albizia julibrissin (Silk Tree).

In order to help forget this sordid chapter of our lives, please drink a cocktail composed of six parts champagne and four parts thoroughly chilled orange juice, traditionally served in a tall champagne flute.

Fiesta Amistad

El Amistad Club of Round Rock, Texas is a non-profit civic organization created in 1968. The founders joined forces to support efforts emphasizing education, community services, veterans recognition and Hispanic cultural awareness. The club planned annual events and invited area businesses who share a common goal for the good of our community.

The club's premier fund raiser is Fiesta Amistad which was originally held at Veterans Memorial Park on the banks of Brushy Creek. In 1988, the annual fiesta outgrew its original location and was moved to downtown Round Rock. It has continued to grow into Central Texas' largest Hispanic two day event. Fiesta Amistad is always held on Memorial Day weekend and features live music, plenty of food, and family entertainment.

We're gonna head over there in about an hour. Feel free to join us there!

Latino Comedy Project

Last night, we went with a group of Amy's coworkers to see the The Latino Comedy Project in “Citizen Quién?”. Another of Amy's coworkers is one of the perfomers in the troupe. It was funny and we really enjoyed it. It was in the downstairs theatre at The Hideout Theatre.

Lost Vs American Idol

Tonight, there's a controversy about what you're watching and what you're recording. Tonight, we are recording the season finale of both Lost and American Idol. That way we can fast forward through all of the commercials.

Do you want a bag ?

This simple phrase must be the first thing taught to new convenience store employees.

I finally made it to the counter. I'm third in line, so it won't be long. As soon as the clerk tells his girlfriend that some jerk just threw up in the bathroom, he's gonna start checking people out. Luckily, the woman in front took advantage of the ten minute wait to check out which lottery tickets to buy and because of that, it only took her seven minutes to decide. I'm second in line. The guy in front of me must have missed the 42 signs that checks aren't allowed, but I feel sure that they'll make an exception this one time. Finally, after having been in the store for just 23 minutes, I get four cans of Diet Dr. Pepper and bag of pretzels. I pay with a $20 and he gives me some random amount of money for change. He then says those magical words "Do you want a bag ?". Convenience, my ass.

(The above is a rant and may contain some exaggeration. I may have only been there 22 minutes.)

Con on Comedy Central

This show is silly and over the top, but I really like it. So sue me.

From strolls down the red carpet to a singing gig at a baseball game, Skyler Stone can get anything he wants for free. Why? Because he's a con man. And his new show is about showing you how you can live the con lifestyle, too! This half-hour reality series finds the ever-charming Skyler Stone conning his way through life, documenting the entire process of executing his next 'hit.' Each episode features a new scam, a new mark, and a new perfect con for the history books.

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema presents...

From the Alamo Drafthouse website:

In 2005, the Alamo is setting out on a 6000 mile, 21 day journey, across the west for a series of film screenings that will take the movie-going experience to a whole new level. We will be screening 12 famous films in their original shooting locations, chosen specifically to intensify the viewing experience.

A pass is available for all of the screenings, or you can pick and choose a la carte. The website will be updated with complete driving directions, as well as other attractions in the area.

Apple's Jobs Announces iTunes Podcast Support

From eWeek.com:

CARLSBAD, Calif.—Apple Computer Inc. CEO Steve Jobs demonstrated a new version of iTunes here Sunday that adds a Podcast directory and one-click subscription.

Speaking at the D: All Things Digital conference, Jobs showed off the new version of iTunes, which will include a searchable directory of Podcasts. Apple plans to make it easy to find and subscribe to Podcasts via iTunes—it will take just a single click to subscribe to a Podcast once it has been located.

Photography Day

IMG_3495
Originally uploaded by eschulz. Yesterday, Amy and I went riding around Lake Travis looking for photography opportunities with friends. I wasn't that pleased with most of the shots I took, but I did like this one. This is my friend Al and my lovely wife, Amy.

Radio - Accelerating its imminent demise...

As you remember, I stopped listening to radio about 6 months ago. My wife hasn't, and yesterday we were driving and heard that 101X is giving away one iPod mini every day in May. It seems incredibly short-sighted to me. With an MP3 player, some people are going to start listening to Podcasts and other available content and realize they no longer need to listen to radio.

Blog Birthday Wishes 2

My wife calls the voice mail line to wish me a happy blog anniversary.

And the winner is...

J-Money! Jeff !

He's a fan of my blog
and he knows where it's at.
Even in a drunken fog
his rhymes are phat.

Thanks to everyone who entered. We may do this again sometime.

The contest is over...

There were eleven entrants. I haven't yet verified the eligibility of all those. The eligible entrants will be numbered (in the order they were received) and will then go to random.org and have it choose a number in that range. The winner will be announced tonight. Stay tuned...

Blog Birthday Wishes 1

Submitted by a friend of ours (and friend of the the blog):

Your blog makes me smile,
your research goes the extra mile
good days-bad days, it matters not,
maybe your blog just makes me hot

I look to your blog for wisdom and hope
Without your blog I could hardly cope
Sometimes your bloggin' makes me dance
I wish it could fit inside of my pants

Links for music and technical stuff
Your carpal tunnel from typing must be tough
Oh, how I wish I could blog like you
It would be overwhelming, what would i do

Do you blog on the toilet or when you cook
Maybe you blog while you're reading a book
So much information, where is the time
Having blog talent as yours should be a crime

Pics of blue bonnets and even your cats
mountains of info, comments and stats
So what will be your new Fortune Today
Jeff wins the contest, yippee, hooray!!!

With that attitude, you just might!

The contest will end in 72 minutes...

It seems as though everyone waited until the last day to enter the contest. I am going to bed, but see that the entries are still pouring in. If it arrives by midnight (as measured by GMAIL) , you will be entered.

Build Your Own Modular Dwelling

Inspired by prefab architecture, this 100-square-foot structure, made with simple materials, can be assembled in just over a week. Kit includes blue line prints, step-by-step instructions, and tips.

I found this on the pages of ReadyMade magazine and want one. Got it ?

ReadyMade Magazine

ReadyMade is a bimonthly print magazine for people who like to make stuff, who see the flicker of invention in everyday objects -- the perfectly round yolk in the mundane egg.

I looked at a coworker's copy today at lunch and was impressed. It targets a different audience than Make, but there are strong similarities.

The redesign is complete

Thanks for your patience. If there are any issues, please leave a comment to this post and I will try to work on them.

Does the fun ever start ? Birthday

This blog was created one year ago today! Several things are planned for the celebration. The first is that I am currently working on a redesign of the site. I plan to use template that will allow for a higher level of device independence. Right now, the site doesn't really exploit high resolution monitors very well. If you reload the site for the next hour, it may look different each time. Stay tuned!

Four Auburn Players Taken In First Round Of NFL Draft

The Auburn football program made history during the first day of the 2005 National Football League Draft Saturday as four Tigers were drafted in the first round, becoming the first school in Southeastern Conference history to have four first round draft picks in the same year. Running backs Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams were taken by the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the second and fifth overall picks, while cornerback Carlos Rogers and quarterback Jason Campbell were both taken by the Washington Redskins with the ninth and 25th overall selections.

Culture Weekend - Saturday

Tonight, Amy & I are going to dine at Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill. We've been there once before for a special occassion and really had a wonderful evening. After that, we're going to see Swan Lake performed by Ballet Austin at the Bass Concert Hall on the University of Texas campus.

Culture Weekend - Friday

Last night, after work, Amy and I met a friend at Matt's El Rancho and then the three of us went to see Will Taylor and Strings Attached and AJ Croce. It was a spectacular night. We weren't familiar with AJ's music until last night. Amy won an autographed copy of the new CD (his fifth). AJ is an astonishing piano player, songwriter and singer.

While reading the program, I noticed that my friend Tony Kyle is the photographer for Strings Attached. You can check out his pictures of the show at his site.

Treo 600 Smartphone

I can't wait until June 18th, 2005. On that date, Verizon Wireless is going to let me upgrade my piece of crap phone. I could do it today, but if I wait until that day, I get $100 off. Getting that large a discount can get me into a smartphone for not a lot of coin. I'm leaning towards a Palm Treo 600 ($150 after rebate). I've always been a Windows CE user, but I no longer want to carry a dedicated PDA. This should give me the ability to blog or even moblog.

Yes, I know that there's a later version of the Treo, the 650. It adds a better screen, bluetooth and a couple of hundred dollars to the price. It's easy for me to justify a $150 Phone / PDA. It's much tougher to justify a $350 phone / PDA. For $350, whatever I got would have to come with WiFi and neither of the Treo's do.

I guess I'll be looking for a cheap 1G SD card soon...

Y! Music Unlimited

Yahoo! Music Unlimited is a subscription service that gives you access to over 1 million songs for as little as $4.99/month with an annual subscription. You can listen, transfer to compatible devices and explore music with your friends. You can also buy burnable downloads for just $.79!

McAfee Internet Security 2005

FREE after mail in rebate - McAfee Internet Security 2005

Contest - Announcement III

Be sure and enter the Does the fun ever start? contest. It ends one week from today (or at 30 entries). Think of a good story and share it!

Rocketboom

Rocketboom is a three minute daily video weblog based in New York City. We cover and create a wide range of information and commentary from top news stories to quirky internet culture. Agenda includes releasing each new clip at 9am EST, Monday through Friday. With a heavy emphasis on international arts, technology and weblog drama, Rocketboom is presented via online video and widely distributed through RSS.

There are several RSS feeds and I subscribed to the Windows Media Video (WMV) version in Doppler 2.0. Y'all might remember that about 6 months ago, I stopped listening to radio (and that hasn't changed) in favor of podcasts. Video will not supplant my podcast listening (because I listen to those mostly when I'm driving). It might, however, cut into my television viewing.

More Fortunes from last week...

You will have good luck in business affairs.

A good reputation is more valuable than money.

Lazy Sunday....

collage-1
Originally uploaded by eschulz.

The whole family spent a lazy Sunday at home. Amy and I watched the DVR for a few hours and caught up on Lost and Alias. We didn't leave the house.

Sabrina (top) and Toby (bottom) were almost as productive.

Austin City Limits - 2005 Festival

The Austin City Limits Music Festival has announced the lineup for 2005. The fourth annual festival will again be held at Zilker Park in Austin, TX. It will start on Friday, September 23rd and will end on Sunday, September 25th.

Blogger - Recently Updated

Blogger - Recently Updated
Originally uploaded by eschulz.

I've never seen my name on this list.
It's an honor just to be nominated.

Todays Date: 05/05/05

Ain't that cool ?

Today's fortune...

It is best to consult others before taking unusual actions.

(I went to Panda Express for lunch today. It was quite good)

An open letter to dog owners...

Dog owners live on either side of my house. To the left, there's some kind of dark knee-high brown dog. To the right, there is a smaller white dog and a larger tan dog. I have no idea what breed they are. Both neighbors have wooden fences. I'm not really
aware of them having dogs until I step foot into my backyard. All three of them bark until I decide to go back in. If I'm out there for two hours, they will bark for two hours.

The owners clearly have no concept of personal responsibility.

I also don't understand what these dogs provide to their owners. I don't know why the people don't give the dogs away to someone who will cherish them and show them the attention they deserve.

Contest - Announcement II

Be sure and enter the Does the fun ever start? contest. It ends two weeks from today (or at 30 entries). Think of a good story and share it!

Yahoo! Traffic Information

Yahoo! Maps has traffic information for most major cities across the country, and they're expanding coverage all the time.

FlipStart.

The Vulcan FlipStart combines the performance and functionality of the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system with always-on connectivity that fits in the palm of your hand. This combination re-defines mobile computing for users who want access to business-critical software, email, and the Web while on the go.

It's looking like Vaporware to me. It was previewed at DEMO 2004, which was well over a year ago and there still is no pricing information available. I'd love to have one if it's ever available.

Muvo Micro N200

IMG_3335
Originally uploaded by eschulz.

Here's a picture of my Creative Labs Muvo Micro N200. The rubber band isn't just there for looks. It's a hack. I dropped the unit several weeks ago and the battery cover won't stay on without the rubber band. It also provides traction, so it doens't slide around on the console of my truck.

OutNotes.com

chances are you or someone you love has struggled with their sexuality. this site is about these people breaking out of the shackles of an oppressive society and reaching out to the ones they love. it is a collection of letters written in search of acceptance.

Open Media Network

OMN is a free public service designed to help you enjoy a broad selection of movies, public TV and radio, video blogs and podcasts while protecting producer's copyrights.

I downloaded and viewed several programs. There's not a lot out there yet, but it certainly is interesting.

PostSecret

PostSecret is a really unusual site. If you like, you can snail mail them a 4x6 postcard containing a secret. If chosen, it will be posted. The blog is a gallery of those postcards. They are all over the place. Check it out.

Batman Begins...

It's been nearly a year since I first posted about the upcoming movie, Batman Begins. Its release date is June 15th. The latest trailer is out and looks awesome. Here's the synopsis:

Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful.

He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.