February 2008
50 posts
Just finished up my presentation for Web Directions North. Seemed to go well. Here are the slides in case you missed it. I haven’t posted a presentation in a while, so its actually the first time we’ve publicly posted the numbers from Leaflets. I’ve also decided that I’m officially retiring these slides for session talks (they might make an appearance in some workshops).
“Fitt’s Law will change your life.”
– John Allsopp
January 2008
78 posts
getting ready to go onstage at WDN08!
My decision to consolidate my web services has been a controversial one. Many feel like I am spamming services, but it seems to be working as far as followers go. I seem to be gaining followers in Twitter when I fully expected to lose them. Ironically I have less subscribers to my RSS feed then one would think. Basically saying to me that people prefer to get personal updates via Twitter or other...
Sometimes I have problems spitting out words. My mind is working so fast that it tries to spit out two words at the same time, which creates odd new words.
Today’s word—preperate—a victim of trying to say prepare and demonstrate at the same time.
Arrived in Vancouver for Web Directions North
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Yawn to Mars
I recently watched both Red Planet and Mission to Mars, two movies that came out in the same year, about the same topic and are both REALLY bad for totally different reasons.
Why did I bother? I couldn’t tell you. I find myself watching a lot of movies in HD that I would normally skip.
Red Planet completely failed to create an interesting plot and Mission to Mars came off like, in...
I got all my upcoming trips plugged into Dopplr and added it to the sidebar. My goal for this year is actually to not travel as much as I did in 2007, but you never know. At any rate, Dopplr should allow me to better track my trips and let people know when I will be out of town, or in town for that matter.
Wikitravel →
When I was walking around London, I thought to myself, “someone should really take the local information from Wikipedia and create a city guide that is mobile enabled.” I’m really glad I found Wikitravel which takes care of the first half of that idea, but is better than just a content import. Now someone just needs to take care of the second half of that idea.
Cloverfield tanks in second week →
I guess the word got out that it was just another monster movie. All the negative press about motion sickness probably didn’t help it much either.
I think a lot of folks that haven’t seen it yet were worried about spoiling the surprise, but it doesn’t really have one. It is just a monster movie, but unlike anything one you’ve ever seen before.
Despite what you’ve...
One project kickoff call, five sales calls, 127 emails received (not including Basecamp messages), 50 emails sent, four estimates written, 500 words written on two different blog posts, one new business idea, one parent-teacher conference and two hours playing Burnout: Paradise. Oh and I made dinner for three and spent some time (not enough) with PJ. I’d call that one productive day.
Nick (from the other side of the room): My name is Nick Finck, Director of User Experience.
Client (on the phone): okay... now... hold on, what's his name? SING SING?
Me: Well, that will definitely be his name now.
Listening to Elbow. Mexican Standoff is about as perfect as a song can be. I forgot how much I love this band!
This week is complete madness. I have WAY too much going on and not enough time to do it in. But oddly I’m really excited about all of it. Some really cool stuff is percolating and it is a highly creative time for myself and everyone at the Blue Flavor office.
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The King of Kong
Rarely does a documentary film come along that has enthralling characters, plot intrigue and the emotional ups and downs of narrative film. I found it in the most unlikely of places… in the world of competitive classic arcade gaming. In other words, a movie about nerds trying for the highest score in Donkey Kong.
The film is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters and the story is the duel...
I've seen Cloverfield and I know what it is! →
Back in Seattle. Yeah!
“I’m from Wisconsin and I’m FOR global warming.”
– some douchebag at the airport remarking about the cold
Its currently 3º in Chicago (a high from -2º earlier today). According to the Weather Channel it feels like -14º outside, but they might as well say “you will freeze your nuts off if you step outside.” We knew an “Arctic Cold Front” was coming, but hoping that it might get pushed out a day. I forgot that the weather forecast is far more reliable in the Midwest then it is in...
What the HELL is Disney’s High School Musical? Why was there a sequel? And why do I hear it mentioned every few hours or see signs for it wherever I look?
Cafe 28 in Chicago is awesome! Thanks Harper from Threadless for the recommendation, the tour and all the swag!!
“Maintaining your brand is like personal hygiene for your company.”
– Carlos Segura
Sitting down for the Seed Conference in Chicago.
I can’t believe it. We are staying above a L train! It is a bit muffled, so we’ll see.
PJ is totally enthralled with Electric Company episodes from the 70’s which we bought for her on DVD. In a very short time she has learned more about phonics and reading then all the other modern day kids programming combined. The concept of sketch comedy for kids is brilliant! It isn’t cheesy or hokey (except in that 70’s way), it is just simple and clever skits based around...
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I Hate Books
I know that it is social unacceptable to say it, but I hate books. I don’t hate reading, I just hate the medium. They are bulky, difficult to hold with one hand and after spending most of the day looking at a computer screen, I find it hard to focus on the type. Since it is hard to read without the medium, I tend to not read as many books as I would like (which seems like a common goal).
I...
“The first and most basic frustration folks have with the management is the...”
– from Managing Humans
A simple lesson I wish I had learned a long time ago.
“iPhone sales reached 4M in the first 90 days, means around 2.5M in the last...”
– Chetan Sharma, Mobile Industry Expert
Headed to Chicago for a few days. Looking forward to spending some time with family in Lake Forest, then heading into the city for a few days. Maybe we’ll see the old ‘hood again.
“Madagascar? I’ve never heard of it?”
– Overheard in the Seattle-Tacoma airport
Cloverfield →
I had absolutely no intention to see “yet another monster movie” which I assumed Cloverfield to be. Often clever marketing means bad movie. But after reading Harry Knowles review, I’ve gone from absolutely no interest to severely bummed I won’t be in town opening night. I will certainly make a point to see it before too much of the plot becomes public.
It is raining sideways in Seattle.
Short week this week, consisting of today, then off to Chicago for the rest of the week. Too bad I have at least three days worth of work to do this week.
Its amazing what problems a simple iPhone Restore will fix.
Someone is playing really bad Green Day-ish “punk” covers of 80’s and 90’s songs in the office. Time to go home.
“Tumblr, chat with sister.”
– Jott trying to decipher “Jeff is a Jerk” through the “Acoustical Fidelity-Technology Interrupter” I call Tom.
Jeff is not a Jerk. I was testing out posting to Tumblr via Jott, which I’m surprised actually works really well. The first time I tried it failed (because Tom was talking at the same time. And apparently when Tom talks his voice breaks technology) but I got an SMS almost instantly telling me that it failed. I tried again a few moments later and it was posted to my site within minutes.
Jeff is a jerk. listen
Powered by Jott
“Don’t Be a Prick”
– Title of Chapter One of Managing Humans
Somehow Jeff and I have some sort of shared brain when it comes to clothes. We seem to own all the same stuff and we tend to always wear it on the same day.
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A lot of people like to think they understand the mobile space, but they really don’t. It takes a lot of time and effort to become familiar with all the in’s and out’s.
It is completely unlike the Web as we know it. It took me about four years of working with multiple mobile companies, attending mobile community events, having conversations with to a lot of smart mobile folks...
WatchFor Christmas we got PJ “Old School Sesame Street,” the pre-Elmo Street that Cyndi and I grew up and fell in love with. I was surprised when I saw the disclaimer at the beginning stating that:
Old School Sesame Street is intended for adults and may not be suitable for today’s preschoolers.
Seriously? I mean… SERIOUSLY?
Political Correctness blows! The irony here is...
Garrett: do what you need on the back end and let me know what you need me to do on the front end.
Jeff: That's what she said.
Garrett: go for it and let me know if you get stuck.
Jeff: So is that.