Recently in miscellanea Category

     Whenever I read titles of articles like "Will Coral Reefs Disappear?" my head starts to swim. The answer to such catastrophic questions is always yes. Yes. Coral Reefs will disappear if things change. They will also reappear elsewhere. We know from historical records that the ocean and land has changed as time has past. It is amazing, though, how much emphasis we place on changes over a short period of time that really have to real significance in the grand scheme of life on planet earth. We think that because we can measure changes with greater detail today that somehow they are more significant than they were ten, twenty or one hundred years ago. 

We're again at that time of year where I mess with the design and layout of the site. I have another site I'm currently working on (snf.me) and although I'm happy with TypePad's product, I don't like the inflexibility in things I grew used to having under my own control. Right now, Action Streams (the programming that aggregates all of my feeds into one place) is not working correctly, so you're seeing double and triple posts of old articles. I don't know how to fix that yet, but I'm gettin' there. I can't figure out why AS has problems with multiple RSS feeds and that's what I intend to work on.

I should be reposting some snf.me material over here shortly and hopefully I'll get time to work on the issue at hand.

This is a take-off on a phrase many of my Hillsdale brethren will know well.

The thoughts I have now - especially nearing what we are hoping as much as any one (or many) can hope - are those along the lines of whereto from here? I don't want to continue down the same path. Despite what has happened, there would be something else prompting this thought - some other happening, some other occasion - but I rarely have the strength or courage to say it out loud. Steph having cancer was a shock and regardless of the outcome (and for those reading this and who are not in the know, the outlook is fantastic) it changes things forever. I know that life will go back to some norm when this is all over, but I have a feeling that some hint of the aftertaste of the experience will follow us for the rest of our lives.

So, the big question that awaits an answer is which thoughts will have the greatest consequences? Every few days or weeks, I move in and out of a shell. There is a period of time where the only thing I can concentrate on are Steph and what it means to care for and watch someone go through the things she has endured and then the shell-shock of experiencing the world around me as I come out of the cave. The reality of today - each time I return from my retreat - is disturbing, at best. For years, the change towards the problem is someone else's has been gradual. What I mean is the subtile changes in average the average citizen's opinion that someone else will be held accountable for their failures (but of course, not for their successes - for that they alone are responsible). I'm scared by the constant move towards collectivism - as if, it is the only solution out there - and this move is brash in some instances and very meek in others. But, the march goes on.

Through life's experiences, you are confronted with those big things. Everyone is. The big things have always made me go back to wanting to take my own responsibility for my actions and the regret of having bowed to the opinions and advice of others when it was really my (or my and Steph's) opinion(s) that made the biggest difference. The subtile message was that, we, as individuals, knew best. As we move forward, picking up certain pieces, it is hard not to see where we mistakenly took the advice of others because of a certain respect we thought owed to them (for whatever reason). Luckily, these were not big mistakes and life has treated us well. But, they have been important enough decisions to have made a difference.

I want to change that. I know I can't always make my own decision. Survival (the type I would like to continue to enjoy) requires some amount of pragmatism. I stand before the precipice of which thoughts?

The most disturbing thing that got my blood boiling was the following comment on the actual YouTube page where the video is on display:"If you pay crap wages...you get crap work...period. These 2 where clearly acting on disrespect,and boredom. Had they better incentives, better pay they would have respected their jobs and responsibilties more." (From Wickedpainz) Are you serious? Do you really think this way? If people are unhappy with their wages, no one is holding a gun to their heads making them do anything - including work. The economy is currently in the tank, yes, but using that as an excuse to pull a prank that damages the reputation of any person or company and puts at risk the jobs of tens of thousands of people is unwarranted at any level. This is a sad commentary on the attitude that some people have towards others and shows that excuses are like assholes. Everyone has them [apparently].

I'd love to dive into this topic, but time doesn't permit and I'm writing these thoughts more in honor of the diary nature of this site for me than specific details (at this time):

Red Scarlet (from the founder of Oakley)

Nikon D90 (nothing special until you realize it does 720p video)

D90 is on pre-order in hopes of arriving before our October Germany trip. I'm not convinced yet because I truly love my D3 and D300, but this could end up being the bridge between video and photography I've been looking for. Plus, the idea that I can shoot video and control depth of field is extremely exciting.
After reading the Wired article on Scarlet's big sister, Red One, it is really amazing what someone (i.e. Jim Jannard) can do when they are passionate about a subject and don't buy into the idea that it can't be done (of course, his financial successes haven't hurt, either).

On our family trip to the Bahamas I wanted to take some of the free time I knew I'd have to see if there would be a chance for me to find private Yoga instruction. By the end of the trip, I was given more than I had hoped for. My search started in the fitness center at Atlantis. I was directed to a gentleman - who I imagine is a personal trainer for the club - who contacted a local yoga teaching center. Little did I know that the place he contacted is actually a retreat and training center for Sivananda Yoga. Sivananda Yoga (as I slowly learned) is what I would best describe as a mix between the McDonalds Yoga you and I (may) know of through television and videos (or classes offered at a local fitness center) and Hindu. Although I suspect (and hope to learn more about) Sivananda has its roots in Hindu, the lack of the instructor's emphasis on gods or any deities leads me to see it as having a closer relation to Buddhism (rather, the branch of Buddhism I am most familiar with - that of the Dalai Lama). I had simply hoped for an instructor who would have the time to show me what I was doing right and wrong and make sure that as I continue to learn and practice it for triathlon training that I was doing things correctly.
Luckily, I was able to arrange for three private sessions. The first session was spent discussing what I already knew (or didn't know) about Yoga and what I had hoped to accomplish in our sessions. I made clear that I was not interested in the potential religious element of Yoga and had simply hoped to find someone to clarify some historical and specific physical aspects of the practice (perhaps I should have kept this to myself and simply learned what Sivananda Yoga taught). What developed was fascinating - especially given the short amount of time I was given with the instructor. She started me off with basic breathing exercises that I would liken to relaxation and meditative practices. In fact, we spent the majority of every session on breathing exercises, as I found the practice and theory fascinating. Right away, it occurred to me that the value of the breathing and meditative activities could very quickly be applied to the most difficult part of my triathlon experience (whether training or racing): running. I have already been able to find that place, mentally, to overcome the pain and/or boredom of the activity when it comes to swimming and biking. With swimming, I still struggle with [losing] proper form, but the struggle with breathing and effort isn't what is causing me grief. Biking is just ... easy; not physically, but mentally. I am much more willing and able to move through the pain and boredom than any other activity. I don't know if it is the combination of challenge and potential for speed, but whatever it is, biking remains my favorite side of the triathlon. Running is a whole different ballgame. I find myself looking forward to the run, but I find it most difficult to push harder and/or simply go the necessary distance to prepare myself for the types of competitions I want to race in. There are so many moments during each run where I simply lose the desire to continue. Regardless of effort level, I just want to quit. I can have plenty of energy left when running a 400, but I just can't mentally get over that barrier that the mind throws in my path to stop. The struggle compounds itself and ends up creating a vicious circle of doubt and apathy. Ironically, some of my longest and hardest runs are those that I have walked away from feeling completely refreshed and satisfied. So, the irony is that I really do enjoy the hard times in the end, but in the process of getting *to* the end, I fight my mind more than anything else.
During one of the breathing exercise practices, however, I found this level of peace with my physical being that I realized instantly how nice it would be to apply that meditative practice to my running - especially when things became difficult. It is odd to think that a relaxing, meditative practice could be successfully used while struggling up a hill in the heat of the day, but it was exactly that which happened when I thought back to the morning before and what I had learned. If for only a short moment, a wave of relaxation overtook me and suddenly I was running faster and "lighter" than I had the last three miles. It was only after a car almost ran me off the road (2 mi. later) that I lost it. Like with any practice - whether physical or mental - it will take time to learn to apply some of the breathing and meditative practices to more of my runs, but there is no doubt it will help.
I am in no way implying that what I'm talking about isn't happening to runners all the time and all over the place, but with those who share my struggle, it is amusing to find that a practice I came to because of the desire for greater flexibility has already provided for that but also another tool to add to the tool chest in dealing with the pain of running.
After finding the other two sessions helpful, I'm planning on trying to make it to Chicago's Sivananda center for more instruction on their form of Yoga. I'm curious what other tools they can provide to help in mastering my own mind for better training. Perhaps I can pass some of them on to you...

The annual (or semi-annual depending on the year) Wisconsin Dells boys trip took place last weekend and was a blast - as usual. I'd love to go into details of the weekend, but nothing but trouble would come of that exercise. As Raj and I rode home, a torrent of thoughts went through my head. As I/we get older and as these types of outings get harder to make because of our family and work lives. Thus, the value on the time and experiences like these is greater. I wish details could emerge about the people and their personalities, but it would be unfair to openly scrutinize people without giving them the benefit of retort - and in some cases, it would be downright inappropriate. So, the following is a little disjointed and purposefully ambiguous.

Adventure Most years/times we have gone to the Dells, we rent a cabin a short stint outside of Wisconsin Dells (everyone assumes everything up there is in the Dells, when in reality, most of the big resorts are in the jurisdiction of Lake Delton, not Wisconsin Dells) somewhere along the Wisconsin River. Matt set this up the first time five years ago and although some of us were wondering what the hell we were doing in the podunk Dells, it turned out to be a fantastic trip and a fantastic idea, long term. This year, we thought we would have quite a few more people than normal, so I, as this year's organizer, got a bigger cabin. Well, there were less people than the normal. Not by many, but by enough to have initially made me worry we went overboard. I was wrong. The cabin was much better, more secluded and big enough to accommodate the typical monkey fun that goes on. There will definitely be a next time and it will be at the same place if I have anything to do with it. Although the train rolls by every hour or so, the cabin has a great view and easy to find location.
Josh and I ended up going out for a great and yet miserable ride on Saturday. It took us 20 min. to cover the distance that took 40 min. on the return. Plus, he had to deal with a bum rear derailleur on the Giant TCR he is borrowing from me (for the time being). No rear gear shifting control and 20+ mph headwinds do not make for a comfortable combination. Besides the headwind issue, the ride was unbelievable. Highway O (in that area) is newly paved and we saw all but two cars driving on the 13 mi. ride. I wish I had taken more time to go further, though. It would have definitely been a brutal return, but another 10-15 mi. out would have done the body and spirit good. I'll reserve that for next time, I guess. Ironically, we went out in a light rain and by the time we came back, the weather started to clear and the sun came out.
Saturday evening was much more subdued that Friday night. We went out Friday and stayed in Saturday. No adventure there, other than the ridiculous steak dinner Raj cooked Saturday night. This was far better than the $650 dinner for six we had at Kaminski Bros. Chop House at Chula Vista last year. When you combine expensive with horribly prepared food, it is hard to leave without feeling gutted. The quiet Saturday night is mainly due to the fact that we're all getting two old to go all out two nights in a row. That's a good thing, though. I actually came home awake and with extra energy - not used up and drained down. Adventure is good - in Massen (in moderation).

Interviews One of the most interesting aspects of being on a trip like this is that you have an opportunity to see people in a semi-natural element. What I mean by this is that without the normal inhibitions, people's relaxed nature starts to shine and it gives you better insight into what drives them. I wouldn't go so far as to say that the true person shines in moments like these. Plenty of people give a different face to their coworkers at work than they would ever dream of doing when out with friends. But, this face has an impact, nonetheless, on how a manager can better deal with that person. This is quickly leading to what I've thought most about: finding good people to work for our business. I'm obsessed with building a long-term top notch team for our companies. I am not my father and while I wish I were when it comes to his tenacity, insight, and talent, I am not. I know there are areas where I am severely lacking and if we are going to continue on the path of success he has set before us, we will need extraordinary people to fill the voids he leaves - whenever that is. So, weekends like this give me an opportunity to interview. Yup... interview. Never forget that the best jobs come through knowing or meeting someone... even in the oddest of places like the Dells.
There were two people in particular I had in mind - one of those, maybe someday positions. They have no idea who they are. One would be shocked to even consider it was a possibility because of the circumstances under which we were talking. But, it was. I walked away from both conversations with one of those wow... I woulda' never imagined this is the way things are based upon what I have seen up until this point feelings. Those who are in a position of hiring well paid managers know what I mean - you beg for the time to spend with a person you are thinking of hiring so that all the baggage is laid bare. 'Tis better to know ahead than afterwards. I haven't made up my mind on either, but I was left with this:
Confidence is paramount. Both of you have it. But both of you think I'm someone or was being driven by something that I was not. It was a LOL moment when it hit me. You think I'm talking to you about something that I'm not. In one case, you are misreading my intentions and are definitely missing some real opportunities. In the other case, you were simply oblivious - for reasons I don't quite understand, because you're pretty damn intelligent.
The most interesting aspect of interviewing people who don't know they are being interviewed is that the bigger surprises come from how different their home personality may be from their job personality. Not that this is unusual. I am wired differently at work than I am at home - although, partial to my upbringing, I would argue that I am inclined to act more like I do at work at home than vice versa. Anyone up for a re-interview is fine by me...

More Time with friends has an amazing way of re-energizing you. Most of us have known each other for most of our lives - literally. The ability to relax and interact in a no-pressure environment with people like that is amazing. It never ceases to amaze me how different our lives are, though, than what we thought they would be like. One common thread among the attendees: we never thought we'd still be in contact or even be in the same area that we are today. (Perhaps two or three of us did, but the majority didn't.) It is always interesting how life leads in directions you never imagined.

Kottke always finds things that intrigue me... This is just plain 'ol good schtuff.

Had to update the link... Vimeo deleted the video for some or other reason that I ... I really don't care why. I can't stand the poor quality of YouTube videos, but I don't want to delete this post, so taking Kottke's lead - again - here it is on YouTube.

I am always disappointed and yet amazed that approximately six years after I try something, the real thing comes out that actually works. I saw the Cintiq 12WX mentioned on Moose News Blog and said that at that price, it just had to work. I tried my first tablet about six years ago. Actually, I used one with some odd cad software much further back, but I never really saw it as a way to draw - or get back to drawing; something I haven't done seriously since I was in grade school.* By golly, it just works. The hardest part about using a tablet (either the type you need to use a normal screen with or a screen-based tablet) is getting used to the tools you need to draw. Adobe Illustrator has some odd ways of defining brush strokes. Don't even get me started on the pen.

I'm loving it, though. It makes photo editing and simple drawing oh-so-easy. Like most things, I'll write a more detailed review when I've had much more one-on-one time. For now, if you're on the edge and aren't sure if it really is better than their normal tablets, it is. Hands down.

* No, not your doodle-because-you're-bored drawing, but real, landscape, animal, people drawing. I would love to think it is art, but it isn't... not yet. Maybe with practice.

Years back I asked myself the question of why I even try to maintain a weblog and host my own content. Obviously the topics I choose are random and span across the different interests I have (whether it be today's obsession with photography or tomorrow's problems with getting widget XYZ to operate the way I want), but when I do take the time to sit down and write something, I'm hoping that it will provide a tidbit of information or guidance to others. (That's the ego side of this venture.) Why do I put the effort, though, in controlling the bandwidth and machinery that hosts my site(s)? Why not use Blogger for my weblog, Flickr for all my photos, YouTube for videos, etc? Because they are all out of my control. I have no idea whether or not any of these services will be around in ten years. I've been blogging for over ten years. The internet archive only goes back to a site I had running in 2001, but this is quite a bit after I actually set up the first website and I'm not sure why the earlier ones don't show up. Every post I've made to my blog that has something to do with a picture or video requires that that specific picture or video (or whatever else) remains available to visitors. More importantly, because I use this weblog as a method of keeping a sort of exhibitionist diary, I want access to that content forever. If I were to take the time and go back through the archives, I'm sure I'd find many a place where I had posted something, linking to another site, and now that site is gone. That breaks the usefulness of this blog, in my opinion. What good is keeping the here and now intact and yet destroying the history? To me, that's a waste of the effort I've put into this all these years.

Today, I stumbled across a blog I hadn't visited for quite some time; jayallen.org, or more accurately, jay.vox.com. Jay linked to a hilarious video on YouTube that was a clip from Saturday Night Live's PUNCHED! bit. This is a screenshot of what I encountered:

Of course, this is not Jay's fault. How could he know that the video would be removed from YouTube? I encountered this all too often, though, when linking to articles, etc. If a website owner chooses to change their url style (which has undergone major shifts across the internet in blogging) - i.e. going from something like archive/category/000010.php to archive/url_now_is_readable_instead_of_cryptic - they break all of the links that were made to their website at one time. One solution I thought of is that instead of linking to specific urls, I should just link to a Google search term that will likely bring about the current url of the link I want people to access. The problem with this is the same as the problem with visual or audio content; what if Google disappears? Who would have thought in 1996 that Google was going to be a search giant monster and AltaVista would be nothing?

This is why I find it so important to host my own content. I hate it when things break. I don't understand why you would design a blog (or anything you put a lot of effort into) around a method that will naturally break as the years go on. If all you do is provide links to other stuff, then it is likely that some day, the content you worked to create will become meaningless. I like to have historical reference to who I am and what I do. Without working links, I can't. (This is my purpose, however, and I'm sure it does not match other's.) I limit what I put here even on the basis of whether or not I can quote or copy to embed someone else's content. I feel safe embedding the above screenshot because it is what I saw when I visited Jay's site and I'm not trying to blatantly steal his creativity. The line of stealing someone else's work becomes thinner, though, when you want to embed their complete thoughts and or creative works on your site. It is something one needs to be wary of. It is also the reason why the images I host on Flickr are there with the Creative Commons license of Share-Share Alike-Non Commercial (so is all the content I put on the web). I want people to feel comfortable taking and redistributing my works, as long as I am give credit and they do not use my works to make money. Why the last part? Because, I want to control making money with my content that I've worked hard to produce. It's that simple.

So, if you have any concern about the longevity of the work you do, it helps to think about these things. I'm certain that even since I became aware of this conundrum, there are plenty of items here that are broken. Every week, I search a bit for them and try to fix them. Since I don't want to be forced to do this for eternity (fixing past content every time I decide to change something or someone decides to remove what they have done), I'm going to be more cautious about what I post here and how I post it. And, I'm going to continue hosting my own content so I can retain this control.