Category: Miscellaneous

Life is not only work.

  • Frozen vs. Watchmen

    It seemed obvious to me that the character of Queen Elsa from Disney’s excellent Frozen had glimpses of similarity to Dr. Manhattan from Snyder’s excellent The Watchmen. Both had nearly infinite power, which detached them from their humanity and fellow humans. Each secluded themselves far away in a self-made palace as a way of both…

  • Sparked interests and water analogs

    Sparked interests and water analogs

    Today, on the way to visit friends, my daughter asked me probing questions about one of my favorite little obsessions: traffic signals.

  • DIY mamma

    When my washing machine breaks down, do I call a plumber? No! I text my wife.

  • cell phone plan switcheroo, part 2

    cell phone plan switcheroo, part 2

    Here’s a triumphant update to the last post on switching cell phone carriers.  It’s been a long road, but we finally got there.  As of now, we are now truly paying $80 per month for two cell phones (with about $10 tacked on for taxes). If you too want to try to make the switch,…

  • The hunt for the perfect cell phone plan

    The hunt for the perfect cell phone plan

    I am nothing, if not occasionally obsessive.  I get fixated with certain projects, plans, or life goals  Well lately (as in the last 6-9 months), I’ve been rather preoccupied with finding the perfect, affordable cell phone plan. The last time I was this worked up about hacking my status as a cell phone user, it was…

  • The long happy life of a coyote survivor

    The long happy life of a coyote survivor

    “Daddy, Ebenezer not sick anymore?”  “No sweetie, he isn’t sick anymore.” Ebenezer was more than just a pet cat.  He was a symbol of my developing adult life.  I got Ebenezer when I lived in Dallas. My Aunt Debbie and Uncle Rick knew of a neighbor who had a new litter of kittens.  They knew…

  • The Cabin In The Woods

  • Thoughts on semantics and syntax, forests and trees

    I love “computer” programming. There are many good programming principles that can be applied to life. Take for instance the difference between syntax and semantics in language. Syntax is the nuts and bolts. It’s the grammar, the rules that tell you how to construct a sentence correctly. Its meaning is derived solely from how the…

  • Typeface

    I caught this nice little Kickstarter video today while reviewing the top 2012 funded projects.  It’s a typeface commissioned by the city of Chattanooga.  Their pitch video is really well done, in that Helvetica , designer-friendly way.  It reminds me of the really excellent podcast “99% Invisible” by Roman Mars, which explores the hidden world…

  • Career hop

    There are hunters and there are gatherers.  I’m more the latter, my wife the former.  I like to settle down and dig my roots in.  What can I say, I don’t like change. The same goes with my job choices.  My first job post-college lasted 10+ years.  It basically fell into my lap — a…