I'm on the dot com

Does the Music Industry Have it Backward?

2010-01-20T19:55:00.004-05:00

Raghuram Iyengar, a marketing professor at Wharton, suggests that the music industry would be much better off if they embraced the pay-per-song model and (get this) actually lower the price per song to be closer to 30 to 40 cents each.

His research shows that consumers would buy significantly more songs at a lower price point. So many more in that that profits would be significantly higher. I wonder if the big labels are listening?

Earthquake's Epicenter?: Twitter

2009-12-29T18:45:00.002-05:00

I listened to a fascinating discussion the other day on NPR regarding newly-found scientific uses of crowd-sourced data.

First, my pseudo-definition of crowd-sourcing:

- taking little bits of information from lots of individuals and smart devices, piecing it all together, and using the resulting set of data to make intelligent decisions.

One of the major crowd-sourcing developments is tracking earthquakes on Twitter. Scientists found that although not as accurate as seismographs, mining Twitter for specific keywords and phrases allow them to more quickly determine an earthquake's epicenter and magnitude. And I bet you thought Twitter was useless.

More crowd-sourcing action:

1. Google mines GPS-enabled phones for speed and computes road congestion

2. Google has helped the CDC track flu outbreaks faster than ever by combining search phrases with their geographic origin

Retirement?

2009-12-15T21:37:00.003-05:00

What do you think, time to retire the blog? I haven't posted in over 6 months now. I'm pretty sure that means my blog is dead.

Or maybe I should just rehash it so it prominently shows a combo of Twitter & Flickr? Is anybody out there? Just nod if you can hear me.

Bing

2009-06-02T23:13:00.002-05:00

Wow, I've been majorly slacking on my blog posts (or complete lack thereof) lately.

In case you haven't heard (you will soon, trust me), check out Bing. It's Microsoft's latest attempt to take on Google.

My first impressions? It's sort of like Word or Excel - lots of "features" that sound great, but in reality 90% of people won't use them.

Google is simple, and people get simple. I'm willing to bet people won't be saying "just bing it" anytime soon.

Box Tops for Education + The Big Clip = Lots of Opportunity for Schools

2009-04-13T17:39:00.004-05:00

One of the favorite things about my current job (Web Geek for General Mills) is the ability to discuss my consumer-facing work with family and friends and get direct feedback from them. I have a few friends that are teachers, and from time to time we'll chat about Box Tops for Education. I'll gain interesting insights like the coolness factor of collecting Box Tops and how it corresponds to age.

Speaking of Box Tops, I'm really exicted to see how The Big Clip will come to fruition in the local grocery stores this summer. There will be a big Bonus Box Tops sweepstakes (you can sign up now to be reminded once it starts), and I'd bet lots of great in-store deals to be had as well.

If you clip Box Tops from your favorite cereals, brownies, and Ziploc baggies -- that's great -- keep it up. But did you know you can easily earn money for your school by using the BTFE.com website? Next time you shop online at Gap or Barnes & Nobles, swing by BTFE.com first, and you can earn money for your school. No gimmicks, no catches.

Check it out and support your school.

Chat on the Web - Quick and Easy

2009-04-07T21:57:00.003-05:00

Chatting (instant-messaging) on the web just got a whole lot easier. No need to worry about signing up for anything or installing any applications.

Visit TinyChat.com
Click the "Create your room" button
Copy the URL they show you
Send this URL to friend(s)
Give yourself a nickname
Start chatting

No signing up. No registering. No worrying about cross-application compatibility. Just chat. Who would have thought?

Indecisive + Photography = Your Opinion

2009-03-19T23:04:00.004-05:00

If there's one thing I've learned from photography, it's that everyone has different tastes. I might consider discarding a shot, only to find out that it's someone's favorite of the set.

I don't think art should be made to please others, but it helps if you ever want to sell it. I'm not there yet (against Addie's & Anders's best attempts), but wouldn't mind to make a penny or two someday.

So I'm curious. Which of these is your fav? (click on the image, then choose "All Sizes" to see it large)

Stone Arch I

Stone Arch II

Stone Arch III

Stone Arch IV

Stone Arch V

Cheap on the Tweet

2009-03-18T07:43:00.002-05:00

If you're a deal seeker, Twitter may be able to help you. Check out CheapTweet -- a Digg-esque site where the most popular deals are Tweeted & vetted by the Twitter community.

Think of it as answering the question, "what deals are people finding right now".

U2 360

2009-03-11T07:41:00.001-05:00

Who wants to see U2 in Cardiff this August? I can show you around Swansea.

Times New Roman is So Last Year

2009-03-03T23:06:00.001-05:00

Bored with your computer's available fonts? Now you can create your own.

Get Your King of Pop

2009-03-02T22:02:00.003-05:00

Mark your calendars. On April 22nd, Michael Jackson's personal belongings are up for sale. Check out the auction details, and prepare your checkbook. If I had more change in my pocket, I'd bid for the Ms. Pacman / Galaga arcade game. It'd make a perfect end table.

Tip of the Day: Advanced Google Search

2009-02-25T00:03:00.004-05:00

Have you ever found yourself searching for information on a website, but to no avail, you can't seem to find it? Perhaps the site has poor navigation, or even worse, a terrible search engine. Don't fret...you can let Google do the work for you.

Perform your normal Google search, but add a "site:[website name without the www.]" to your search string. This instructs Google to search only that site for those keywords.

Here are some examples (these would be typed exactly into google):

minnesota tax form site:irs.gov

dog sledding site:iamonthedotcom.blogspot.com

store locations site:ikea.com

Try it out...it's saved me lots of times.

Why Twitter Matters

2009-02-10T23:45:00.003-05:00

If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you're probably used to seeing my Twitter feed broadcast my latest ramblings. And I'm willing to bet there are a number of people out there that a) don't know what Twitter is, b) don't understand Twitter, or c) think Twitter is overrated and will be gone in a year.

Well I've just read an article tweeted by @jcuene preaching why Twitter (and Twitter search) may become more important than most people think. It boils down to this:

Google Search: provides the most relevant content on the Web that match your search terms

Twitter Search: provides the most recent content on Twitter that match your search terms

In other words, Google helps you find information. Twitter helps you find information that is being discussed right now.

This Clocks Rocks

2009-02-07T16:13:00.004-05:00

The Nixie Tube Clock. I want one.

Social Media 101 - a.k.a. The Barack Way

2009-02-02T23:15:00.003-05:00

I was about to write a post highlighting a particularly bad use of social media, when I stopped and (no offense) thought about my audience. So instead, I thought I'd take a step back and briefly touch on what social media is all about in case there are any lingering questions out there.

Social Media is about you... whether you are a creator, consumer, or contributor, social media needs you. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and YouTube are all exemplary examples.

YouTube would be a worthless site if nobody uploaded a video. It would be equally worthless if nobody ever watched those videos. And it wouldn't be as strong of a website if nobody commented on, linked to, or shared its videos either.

Social Media is about taking traditional content & publication models and flipping them on their head. Instead of a few powerhouse publishers creating content and distributing it out to the masses, Social Media is about the average Joe or Kjersten writing a blog post, Digging an article, Twittering about Super Bowl commercials, writing a product review, or...you get the idea

This can be both extremely exciting and/or incredibly scary, depending on who you are. Are you a CEO of a company whose products are being bashed by thousands? Scary. Are you a marketer who just happened to put together a web video that was forwarded to friends by the thousands? Amazing.

And thus, the reason why this "new" form of media is so amazing. It's 99.9% democratic, there are no boundaries, and nobody knows what the heck to do with it.

Thanks for reading and doing your part. I'm trying to keep up with my end of the deal.

Tip of the Week

2009-01-26T20:56:00.003-05:00

Do you struggle with pulling aluminum foil or plastic wrap out of the container? Did you know that just about all major & store brand containers feature tabs at the end that you can push in -- so the roll spins around them, and stays in place when you try to rip off your portion?

Such a simple design, and so helpful. Why doesn't more of the world know about these? Or was I the only one left in the dark for all these years? (Apparently not)

All Your Plastic Bottle Caps Are Belong To Us

2009-01-23T00:07:00.004-05:00

I can now recycle plastic bottle caps at work. Unknown to many, most recycling locations accept plastic bottles, but not the caps. So start saving your caps and give them to me next time you think of it. Together, we can make a difference. ;)

Lightroom is a Digital Photographer's Best Friend

2009-01-19T23:00:00.003-05:00

There's a hidden cost in digital photography, and it's tied to one of the medium's greatest strengths -- the ability to take as many photos as you like for "free". The cost is time, and it's the reason why I am so back-logged on my photos.

But as you may have noticed, I'm on a Flickr-uploading spree as of late, and it's all due to my favorite new digital photo tool, Adobe Lightroom. It combines photo management, workflow, and editing seamlessly into one brilliant tool (that happens to integrate perfectly with Photoshop, mind you). It's been saving me time, and allowing me to catch up on loads of photos.

Now my only problem is deciding when enough is enough...

iTunes Tip

2009-01-05T20:56:00.004-05:00

I just discovered my favorite new iTunes "trick".

Want to filter your music by Album, Artist, or Genre?

Simply option-click (sorry, I don't know the PC version, probably Ctrl-Click?) on the little arrows that show up next to the item you'd like to filter, and voila. Filter complete.

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T23:22:00.002-05:00

If you haven't noticed already, I've been pretty slack on my blog for the last few months. Now that I have my own personal laptop (yay!) I'm hoping to change that...

Many thanks to all my family and friends for making 2008 such a great year. Looking forward to a great 2009.

Snow Emergencies in Minnesota

2008-12-03T23:40:00.003-05:00

If you live in Minneapolis, and have to park on the street, you're probably well aware of snow emergencies. However, you might not know which side of the street you can and can't park on. Good ol Minneapolis has finally thought up a solution, and gone straight to the source -- to Facebook and MySpace. Now my only question -- when do they roll out the iPhone app?

Google - What I like, What I don't (sort of)

2008-11-21T23:38:00.003-05:00

I like:

Google Search for the iPhone. Tired of typing? Just say your search query, and it does the "typing" and the search for you. Brilliant.

I'm not sure if I like:

Google SearchWiki. I'm apparently one of the lucky "few" to have first dibs at trying it out. Essentially, you can edit the ranking of your search results, and Google will remember them for your next search. Additionally, you can add comments to your search results, or view comments from the entire web -- only problem is people are stupid, and already I'm seeing a lot of comments like "lol, this site is the best". My next question -- so what does this mean for sites that add new relevant content that a consumer may want to see that wasn't aware of before? Are they out of luck?

I Want My MTV

2008-11-06T23:43:00.004-05:00

I am super excited that MTV has finally taken a step in the right direction and put "Music" back into their acronym.

Watch all of your favorite videos from your favorite artists on their new site, MTVMusic.com, or watch them embedded in your favorite (albeit infrequently-updated) blog, I'm on the dot com.

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five? Got it.
Digital Underground? You betcha.

Dire Straits - Money for Nothing? Bingo:

Dire Straits |MTV Music

Woah

2008-11-04T23:24:00.003-05:00

A picture of history

2 Degrees of Separation

2008-10-21T21:26:00.002-05:00

My coworker forwarded me a link to his friend's PalinAsPresident.com site a week ago, and said: "let me know...if you have any ideas or builds, I think he’ll be launching in a few days."

Naturally, in my too-busy fashion, I never looked at it. Today, my coworker asked if I had checked it out, and mentioned it had incredibly received over 9,000 Diggs. Not only that, but today's VSL Web even highlighted PalinAsPresident.com.

Talk about two degrees of separation...

(By the way, spend your time clicking around -- it's pretty good)

I'm on the dot com (no, really, I am)

2008-10-07T20:23:00.002-05:00

I'm not going to quit my day job, but check out the talent:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/entertaining/

Urban Assault & Dangerous Kittens

2008-09-22T21:51:00.007-05:00

Team Dangerous Kittens (Kate and I), as well as Robbie & friends participated in the New Belgium Brewing Urban Assault Ride, or as they call it: Beer, Bikes, and Big Wheels. It was the first time Minneapolis hosted the event, and I'm proud to say it was the largest showing yet for a new city.

The Urban Assault is essentially a bike race throughout the city (26 miles), with no boundaries and no roped-off predetermined course. There were 5 Checkpoints, each with its own challenge, and 3 Mystery Checkpoints.

The primary checkpoints included some sort of mini competition or rediculous feat, including:

Bike limbo
Minibike riding
Hurling newspapers 50 feet to your partner while riding a beach cruiser
Navigating a track on a modified big wheel
Picking up crushed bottle caps with mittens while getting soaked with water

Before the race, we were given a riddle-like quiz to help place us in the starting blocks, as well as a crossword puzzle to complete which would give us a clue of where to find the first mystery checkpoint. Once found (it was a dude dressed like an angel with an afro at Lake Harriett), we had to read a riddle taped to his chest that gave us clues to the next mystery checkpoint.

The finish line was even creative -- you had to park your bike, take off your shoes and helmet, and bound through an inflatible obstacle course before you could record your time. The Chipotle burrito and Fat Tire beer at the end had never tasted so good. Mmmm, mmmm.

I'm attaching a google map of the ride for reference....

View Larger Map

Photo Contest

2008-09-20T00:15:00.002-05:00

Although I don't stand a chance, I decided to enter a photography contest put on by NWA. I figured what the heck, right? I've entered these two so far, simply because I think they're somewhat unique:

Any suggestions of other favs from my Flickr site that you'd think would be semi-worthy?

Hi, I'm from 1984

2008-09-10T20:51:00.003-05:00

So I finally decided to join Twitter. Thought it would be an easy way to update my Facebook status & blog all in one simple 140-characters-or-less sentence.

I'm so cutting edge with technology it hurts.

Never Again

2008-09-02T22:18:00.004-05:00

This past weekend my best high school guy friends and I headed up to Bjork's cabin for our semi-annual guys getaway trip. It was an awesome time full of food, beer, more food, lots of laughs, video games, and paintball. But the unexpected highlight from the weekend happened in a flash. We were out in the boat and I brought a tennis ball thinking we might play catch and dive off the boat or something. It was my turn to water ski and I jokingly told James that he should throw me the ball while I was skiing. After getting up and stabilized on the skis, James motioned to me with the ball. Figuring what the heck, I gave him a signal to throw it. And he did. And I reacted. And I made a shoestring catch, next to my left foot. I couldn't believe it. They couldn't believe it. It was amazing, and will never happen again.

Got Sisu?

2008-08-25T22:45:00.004-05:00

I went up north this past weekend with Kate to run in the 26th annual Brimson Sisu run. This community race to help raise money for the local fire department was supposed to be a respectable 4.4 miles. The course changes each year, and therefore the mileage waivers slightly in order to include or exclude certain points of interest. Just my luck, this year's run netted out much closer to 5.5 miles. I managed, but have been paying the price the past couple of days with sore legs. Guess my goal of running a 10k this year just became that much more attainable.

Too much work = no posts

2008-08-13T23:11:00.003-05:00

wow, I'm just getting progressively worse at posting, aren't I? I'm hoping my shiny new iPhone will remedy that... Yes, you guessed it. I finally took the plunge. Now all I need to do is setup a twitter feed and you'll have the pleasure of knowing my wherebouts and latest ramblings at any given moment. Speaking of, there is actually an iPhone app you can download that uploads your exact location to a website every 5 seconds. How creepy is that?

Illume

2008-07-23T20:16:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, Kate and I checked out Red Bull's traveling art exhibit, Illume. According to Red Bull's website, Illume:

...is the first-ever international photography competition that celebrates the world of action and adventure sports. The spirit, the grit, the edgy perfection - that's what we're here to honor. The top 50 finalists will get their work exhibited in bigger-than-life outdoor venues across the globe, providing the most dramatic compilation of action and adventure sports images ever assembled.

Installed on the Stone Arch Bridge, the giant back-lit cubes illuminated the photographs and the awe-inspired people walking around them. The bonus touch to the night was The Gotan Project playing in the background...all good stuff.

Toby from HR

2008-07-17T23:09:00.003-05:00

One final highlight from my quick trip to NYC -- as we waited for a taxi this morning outside our hotel, I turned around and saw Toby (Paul Lieberstein) from NBC's The Office standing behind me, patiently waiting for a ride as well. I did a double/triple take, and I think he noticed -- he had a little smirk on his face when I turned to look at him for the 3rd time, and from reading 2 seconds of body language, I determined that he seemed like a nice, normal guy.

Running from the Ritz

2008-07-17T09:28:00.003-05:00

The Ritz is awesome. I think I can easily say that my room had the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in (minus the surprisingly dream-like beds that rest above the Essen Haus in Madison, WI). Despite the luxury, I woke up early this morning to get outside for a run.

I started out across the street and ran through Battery Park, passing a line of tourists waiting to purchase their ferry tickets to visit the Statue of Liberty, then headed up along the well-manicured park that hugs the Hudson River. Surrounded by other morning runners, dog walkers, and Wall Street pit workers smoking their morning's final cigarettes, I couldn't help but feel the energy of the city and wondered what life would be like in Manhattan.

Back at the hotel, a "For our morning runners" sign rested on the entryway table and was stocked full of chilled Vitamin Water and towels. Small perk, but much appreciated and thoughtful. I guess it's that attention to detail that sets the Ritz apart from the competition.

No Sleep Till....Brooklynnnnnnn!

2008-07-15T22:47:00.004-05:00

Heading to NYC tomorrow for a quick business trip. Wish it were next to a free weekend so I could explore, as I don't make it out there nearly enough.

I don't know my neighborhoods too well, but I do know I'll have the pleasure of staying at The Ritz and spending my time in Chelsea Market. Hopefully I'll get out for some drinks at night and a run in the morning...it's supposed to be a hot one.

Slacker

2008-07-13T22:31:00.004-05:00

As you may (or may not) have noticed, I've been slacking lately on the dot com.

I'm pretty sure I should blame it on summer -- spending time outdoors late into the night, road trips (Badlands and Black Hills!), gardening, summer sports...you get the idea.

So in the meantime, while I continue to slack, why don't you check out my friends' blogs listed to the right, or the newest blogs that I've been too lazy to add:

My friend Kris bought an AmTrak rail pass and took off for the summer.

My friend Katie found a nanny job in Turkey and is living the dream.

Don't Reduce. Refuse

2008-06-26T22:00:00.005-05:00

I wrote a blog post about a year ago explaining how you could opt out of receiving pre-approved credit card offers in the mail. This very same topic came up the other day, and I realized for the first time that the opt-out worked beautifully. Not only does it keep junk out of my mailbox, but it reduces waste too.

Check it out.

47th and Where?

2008-06-22T22:54:00.002-05:00

I've lived in Minneapolis for over 3 years, and I realized today that I don't know this city at all. Kate was nice enough to give me a biking tour of south Minneapolis, and brought us to the little neighborhood pocket of 47th St and Chicago Ave for some amazing ice cream at Pumphouse Creamery.

If you haven't been, go. Now. It's that good. Now the only problem is figuring out which restaurant in that neighborhood to visit next: Cafe Levain? Pizza Biga? Ba Gu?

Adele

2008-06-03T21:34:00.002-05:00

I saw Adele perform at the Theatre de la Jeune Lune (my new fav theatre in the minne) last night. For a 20 year old, her voice has amazing depth and personality. Think Amy Winehouse with neither the craziness nor drugs. It's the sort of voice that makes older men reminisce about their teenage years, and young girls giddy about the cute boy sitting next to them.

In other words, definitely check her out. (and don't forget to check out her MPR in-studio performance, which should be updated soon)

Yes, Another Quote

2008-05-28T14:12:00.003-05:00

I apologize for my lack of posts lately. Perhaps I'll post more once I get an iPhone?

I liked this:

Advertising is a tax for having an unremarkable product

- Robert Stephens, Geek Squad

Far From Home Never Felt So Close

2008-05-19T21:45:00.005-05:00

Unless you've been living under a rock (or perhaps an affluent suburb in the U.S. and don't pay attention to "news" outside of MTV), you've for sure heard of the earthquake that hit Chengdu, China recently.

This natural disaster struck just days after a cyclone ripped through Myanmar. The big difference between these two tragedies for me, as much as I hate to admit it, is the fact that I care a whole lot more about the tragedy affecting China.

It was eye opening to realize this -- and it was immediately apparent to me -- I care more simply because I have been to China and can easily find Chengdu on a map. We met people that were traveling there. And what's more, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe my sister actually got routed through Chengdu on her way to Beijing.

I think realizing this is a good lesson for me (and for everyone in this world). It's good to travel. It's good to interact with other cultures. It's good to step outside your backyard and shake hands with someone that speaks a different language. It's not only fun, but it creates more empathy in this world, and I'm pretty sure that's one thing we don't have enough of.

Happiness

2008-05-11T21:38:00.001-05:00

This is simply too fun

Quote o' the Day

2008-05-06T22:31:00.000-05:00

Cinco de Mayo? No, I don't like Italian.

Marketing where you least expect it. Genius.

2008-05-02T21:04:00.004-05:00

I went to a Dunn Brothers coffee shop the other day to take a break and catch up on some email. When I pulled up my available wireless networks, I was greeted by a very effective use of free advertising.

I've got to give them credit. Not only was this mysterious "Asian Takeout" smart enough to realize that their neighbor (the coffee shop) would be full of laptop-carrying java junkies. But they had the forethought to 1) advertise in an extremely unconventional spot, and 2) have the goodwill to offer up free wifi as well. I don't know about you, but I've got the munchies.

Nothing Fake about Fakebook

2008-04-22T20:59:00.006-05:00

This past Saturday night I volunteered for The Current's Fakebook series at The Fitzgerald, featuring Chuck D from Public Enemy, Slug from Atmosphere, and Brother Ali.

Brother Ali opened up the night with his energy-filled hit song Truth Is and got the crowd moving. After a few more songs, he walked off stage and was replaced by Mary Lucia and Chuck D. Mary interviewed Chuck D for about 45 minutes about music, politics, and just about anything. Brother Ali and Slug both performed a few more times, and then Mary wrapped up the session with both Chuck D and Slug together.

If you're not familiar with these guys, this probably doesn't mean much. But to see one of the most influential hip hop artists in history (Chuck D) with some of the area's best local music talent in an informal setting was awesome to say the least -- and the fact that MPR sponsors these events makes them that much cooler.

Art is a Gift

2008-04-18T17:27:00.002-05:00

Make yours here.

Northwest is Now Delta* ???

2008-04-14T22:10:00.004-05:00

I had heard the rumblings about Northwest Airlines and Delata merging, but for some reason I didn't think it would go through. That is, until I received this email tonight:

As a valued Northwest Airlines customer and WorldPerks^® member, I wanted you to be among the first to hear that we have announced a merger with Delta Air Lines. Subject to regulatory review, our two airlines are joining forces to create America’s premier global airline which, upon closing of the merger, will be called Delta Air Lines.

By combining Northwest and Delta, we are building a stronger, more resilient airline that will be a leader in providing customer service and value. Our combined airline will offer unprecedented access to the world, enabling you to fly to more destinations, have more flight choices and more ways than ever to earn and redeem your WorldPerks miles.

They forgot to add the most notable highlight of the merger to their list: more ways to screw Minnesotans over thanks to even less competition.

China, Our Travels

2008-04-06T12:47:00.004-05:00

Most Americans, myself included, are not up to par on Chinese geography. Heck, most Americans would fail a 50 state test. So that's why I've put together a Google Map (have I mentioned before how much I love Google?) of our trip, and highlighted the various modes of transportation in different colors.

And speaking of modes of transportation, they were as diverse as the scenery. We traveled by:

Airplane
Train
Bus
Mini bus
Subway
Taxi
Boat
Personal car (it was a new Fiat)
Bicycle
Pseudo bicycle rickshaw
Foot
Zipline

Our path of travel, as it may not be apparent on the map:

Flew into Beijing
Overnight train to Xi'an
Flight to Guilin
Boat to Yangshuo
Bus back to Guilin
Flight back to Beijing

View Larger Map

China, The People

2008-04-03T21:44:00.002-05:00

Mountains can be beautiful, lakes serene, and bustling cities energizing, but it seems time and time again that no matter where you travel, or what you encounter, it's the people that make the trip (and life) memorable.

So it shouldn't be surprising that the people we met throughout our trip fill a large portion of my memory. I'm going to continue with the list theme and bring you, in no particular order, the people that left the greatest mark:

My sis -- Not too many people can travel with a sibling for 2 weeks straight. I think it's pretty cool.
Xian, my sister's friend -- Xian was our official Chinese Lifestyle Consultant, Food Connoisseur, Tour Guide, and Translator. Our trip was a vacation when she was around. She walked, I followed. She ordered food, I ate. She hailed a cab, I got in. It was so easy and fun. Thanks sooo much Xian! (not that you'll see this, since China blocks Blogger, but maybe my sister can tell you about this post!)
Master Director Wei -- He ran the Yangshuo Culture House, taught Jen and I Chinese calligraphy, brush painting, and taichi. He personally met us in town and got us a driver to his house. He hooked us up with 2nd row tickets to the most popular show in town. His mom(?) cooked us the most amazing meals. He's making a difference for all the lucky travelers that knock on his door.
Chinese tourists -- What's with the peace sign anyway?
Chinese people that like to photograph white people -- Jen and I couldn't figure it out. Over and over again, people would come up and pose with us as their friend took a photo with their cameraphone. Or, they would try to be sneaky about it and snap our photo in a semi-covert fashion.
Chinese babies -- my friend Diana's said it before, and now I believe her. Chinese babies just might be the cutest babies out there. I'm guessing it's the adorable round faces and chubby cheeks. And speaking of chubby cheeks, all toddlers still undergoing potty training would wear these little pants with a crack down the backside, so their butts would be hanging out. It was so rediculously funny and cute -- definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
Trinket / Beverage Sellers -- You can't go to any tourist location in China without getting attacked by a gaggle of trinket and/or beverage sellers. Who knew I could get a beer on The Great Wall?
Old man with tangerines -- We were hiking past him and for no reason but his pure goodwill he shared his bag of fresh tangerines with us
Seven Stars Park Cave Guide -- Our tour guide was super nice, peppy, spoke English very well, and always made a point to make sure Jen and I saw and understood everything. Why can't all tour guides be this way?
Shady McShadester -- To the man that sold us Oreos but switched them out with bad imitation knock-offs: you suck.
Tibetan man on the bus -- He asked our friend Xian, "Are they 'Hello'?"
The Italian Couple -- If it wasn't for an Italian mother and son, Jen and I might still be stuck 20 miles outside Xi'an at the most overrated and random tourist trap on the map. We thought we'd see one more sight on the way to the Xi'an airport. Little did we know that once there, we were stuck. Can we get to the airport from here? No. Could they call a taxi for us? No. However, the local shop owner would drive us to the airport for very small fee of 100 rmb. That's not a lot of money ($14), but it was the principe -- he was ripping us off big time and he and everyone around us trying to "help" knew it. Enter the Italian mother and son duo on a personal guided tour through China. Not only were they going to the airport, but they were on our same flight. Could we offer them any money to pay for the ride? It was out of the question. Grazie mille.
Other world travelers -- whether it was the fun couple that joined us for taichi, or the couple from Alaska that shared a Yak cheese pizza with us, or the Australian couple that we ran into unexpectedly in two different cities, or the South African couple on The Great Wall tour that told me of their wonderous year-long around the world trip, traveling throws you into the midst of amazing, diverse, like-minded, interesting, fun, and nice people. It gives me hope.

China, The Food (Young Joe, Chow Fat)

2008-03-31T21:09:00.004-05:00

I have to admit, I was a little nervous about what type of food I would find in China. How would I order? Do they eat dog, or is that just a stereotype? Would I be presented a plate full of squishy things with tentacles? Raw things? Pigeon? Donkey? Would I hang my head and succumb to Mickey D's? Could I last 2 weeks on Snickers and beer?

All my worry was for naught. The food was spectacular. I'm starting to realize there's a reason why people in different parts of the world eat different foods -- because they know something we don't, and that something tastes good.

A few highlights:

Hot Pot -- Think Chinese fondue, but with water instead of oil. Take loads of thinly sliced lamb, fresh greens, mushrooms, ginger, dough, potatoes, fish balls, noodles, and tofu and cook them together in a pot of simmering water in the middle of your table. Add beer, friends, and dipping sauces, and you're guaranteed a good meal.
Peking Duck -- We were honored to eat duck number 1,150,325,487, and we have the certificate to prove it. Since 1864, Quanjude has been serving its famous Peking (roast) duck. Order your duck, and they wheel out a silver cart and carve it for you on the spot. Duck breast, skin with fat, and head are all presented. Take a few sprigs of spring onion, dip the duck in a dark, thick, amazingly tasty sauce, and wrap it in a small rice-based tortilla. Mmm, mmm good. Bonus entertainment comes when they fill up your tea pot. Instead of a basic pour, it's more a perfectly arched jet of water.
Street Food -- From sweet sticky rice treats to skewered lamb kabobs rolled in cumin and rosemary, you could find just about everything from a street vendor.
Dumplings -- How can you go wrong? Mash up a bunch of pork, beef, tofu, shrimp, or your favorite choice of protein, add some vegetables, and wrap them in a bun and steam or pan fry to your liking. Yum.
Donkey Pancakes -- Braised donkey in a pita pocket. Who knew?
Red Bean This, Red Bean That -- I don't know if red beans are naturally sweet, or the Chinese just picked them to use in pastries and artificially sweeten them. But honestly, I don't really care. From red bean lattes to red bean scones, we were pleased.
Home Cooked Goodness -- We were fortunate enough to stay at the Culture House in Yangshuo, home of Master Director Wei. And let me tell you, he deserves every bit of the title "Master Director". At night we sat down at a large dining table with the 8 or so other travelers staying in the same house. An older woman (perhaps Wei's mother?) would bring out heaping dish after dish until the lazy susan in the middle of the table couldn't hold anymore. The food was by far the best we had the enitre trip. Since we were in the south, the ingredients were fresh. The sauces were perfect. Jen fell in love with the dumplings. I obsessed over the stuffed peppers and ginger pork. I would go back to China simply to learn the cook's secrets. You think I'm kidding.

China, The Highlight Reel

2008-03-30T21:36:00.010-05:00

Shortly after our trip started, Jen and I decided to keep a list of highlights and anti-highlights (memorable moments, but not in a good way).

A number of these probably won't make sense unless you've been to China or were on our trip, so feel free to ask if you'd like further explanation... (and many of these will link to photos once I have them uploaded, so you'll have to check back later)

Highlights

Flight to China and getting bumped to business class for no apparent reason
Personal tour guide / lifestyle consultant / food orderer: Xian
Water show at Grand Goose Pagoda
Hot Pot
Pot Stickers
Grandma's cookies
Buying Chinese Rolex
Red Lantern Hostel
Seven Sages Hostel
Sweet Sticky Rice
Chinese babies' butts
Old man Mao outfits and glasses
Forbidden City
The Italian couple
Western breakfast
Western toilets
Eastern clean
Terracotta Warriors
"Are they 'Hello'?"
Megaphones
Guilin Seven Stars Park: tour guide, peacock photo, man with free tangerines, Bill Clinton podium, ink blown painting, golden rat, temple(s)
Guilin Backpackers Inn
Yangshuo
Biking in countryside outside of Yangshuo
Not getting followed up Half Moon trail by old ladies selling water and coke
Master Director Wei and his Culture House
Chinese Calligraphy, brush painting, and taichi lessons from Master Wei
Fresh banana and lemon yogurt smoothies
Home cooked Culture House food
Impressions Liu Sanjie light show, with door-to-door service and 2nd row seat while paying less than face value of ticket
Yak meat, Yak cheese pizza, Yak cafe
The Great Wall
Ziplining down from The Great Wall
Donkey Pancakes
Peking Duck
Jasmine tea
Full body and foot massage
The Summer Palace
Wu-Mart
Dried Fish
Red bean latte, scone, and pastries
Signs written with poor English grammar

Anti-Highlights

Fake Oreo switcharoo
Deer Park
Last-minute flight booking
Counterfeit 100 yuan bill
Chinese Rolex breaking. Twice.
Pearl Market aggressiveness
Dried persimmons
Flight delay and cancellation
Mr. Bond coffee
The bus ride to The Great Wall
Flight back home in economy where nothing worked (no movie, no dimming of lights, lack of food selection)
Being hassled everywhere to buy cheap crap

China is Great, but Doesn't Like Blogger

2008-03-26T21:27:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a two week trip through China. I had hoped to blog a little bit along the way, but remembered once I sat down at the computer that China blocks the major blog sites.

It's difficult to sum up a trip to a (new-to-me) foreign country that's not a part of the Western world. You'll have to bear with me as I collect my thoughts (and photos) into a hopefully coherent summary.

Ready, Let's Go!

2008-03-06T22:30:00.009-05:00

Take a roller coaster and cross it with a pinball machine. Then bring the temperature down below zero. Throw in a bunch of snow and ice. Next, toss a handful of uber-excited, incredibly strong dogs that live for nothing in life but to pull (something, anything, and everything), and you have the perfect recipe for dog sledding.

I think my friend and coworker Heather summed up our dog sledding trip quite well with two very different statements:

"what the hell [have I gotten myself] into"
"I was amazed at how relaxed I was upon completion of the experience...we spent 4 full days not thinking about work, regular-life obligations or anything else. It was all about the experience and getting from point A to point B. Such a clear mind is so hard to come-by and it was weird to experience it so fully for such an extreme amount of time."

Outward Bound led our 4 day dog sledding expedition through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This was my second Outward Bound trip, and I can't speak highly enough about the organization and all of the instructors I've interacted with. They're incredibly knowledgeable, concerned about your safety and well being, and give their all to make sure you have an amazing experience. If you're ever considering an outdoor adventure, I highly recommend checking them out and the wide variety of trips they offer.

From sun-up to sun-down, we were active. Whether it was stomping through thigh-deep snow to find a good tree to saw down for firewood, or pushing and pulling with all our might to stop our sled from falling into a ravine, or chipping away at 24 inches of ice to get a water hole, we were working.

In the morning we boiled water, fed the dogs, took down camp, ate a little breakfast, and got the cross-country skiers off to break trail and set the pace for the day. The ones mushing were left to finish packing the sleds and harness the dogs.

The dogs were fantastic. Each had his or her own unique personality. Some were crazy, others shy. Some drank their soup as fast as their tongues could lap, while others didn't budge when you set a bowl in front of them. At night they would randomly start howling in unison, and then stop on a dime as if a conductor had flicked his wrist.

The one thing the dogs all had in common (for the most part) was their love for pulling. They would bark and whine if we stopped on the trail for more than 2 minutes. And getting them hitched in the morning was like trying to get a child to walk and not run on their first visit to Disneyland.

The Boundary Waters proved to be a perfect place for a dog sledding trip -- beautiful wide open lakes, tight portages for exciting ups, downs, and turns, and nobody for miles and miles. I'm happy to report that although we woke up to -10, we were never really cold. I did smash my pinky between the sled and a tree, but that was the worst of it for our group. Oh yes, and I (and the rest of my team) did hop in the frozen lake at the end our trip after getting in the sauna. There's nothing quite like it -- much like dog sledding -- and I encourage you to try both.

Into the Wild, well, sort of

2008-02-27T22:59:00.003-05:00

So I'm heading out into the great white north tomorrow for my first-ever dog sledding trip. If I don't lose a finger or part of my nose I'll consider it a successful adventure.

Supposedly there's an opportunity to take a polar bear plunge of sorts at the end of the trip. I'm posting that now so you, my faithful readers, hold me to it and will rip on me in case I wimp out.

Hoping for some exciting pictures to follow. I'll see you in a few.

St Vincent

2008-02-23T17:17:00.002-05:00

Last night a few of us saw St Vincent both rock out and woo the audience at the Cedar Cultural Center. As St Vincent walked past us off the stage, my friend Jeff summed the evening up best: "she's adorable".

AND, she can play one mean guitar.

But don't take my word for it; see what my African sister across the pond listed as her top album of 2007.

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-21T23:41:00.004-05:00

Anyone catch the lunar eclipse last night?

I didn't bring out my camera for the eclipse because the last time I tried to photograph the moon it was either too bright and washed-out or too dark without enough contrast.

However, I did learn recently that on average, the moon moves the size of its diameter about every two minutes. So keep that in mind next time you take a long exposure at night...

I'm interested in too much stuff

2008-02-17T23:17:00.002-05:00

That's my memoir in six words. See others and share yours here.

The Current Saves the World

2008-02-15T00:06:00.003-05:00

Call me crazy, but 89.3 The Current is one of the top 10 best things in Minnesota. Actually, if the voting were up to me, I'd put it into the top 5. Maybe even top 3.

It's a place where real people (not faceless DJs) play real music -- not just the over-produced Nickelback-wannabes that Clear Channel and MTV try to throw in your face. Tonight, on this lovely Valentine's Day, Mark Wheat has been serenading us devote listeners with the top love songs of all time. Come midnight, they will kick it Wedding Singer style and play the top break-up songs of all time.

Curious to see what made the list? Check out The Current's playlist.

Could you ask for anything more?

Happy Don't Get Tossed into the Doghouse Day!

2008-02-13T23:37:00.003-05:00

Walking into Target tonight around 9:30, I stumbled across a group of men desperately searching for what surely must have been the most thoughtful and meaningful way to show their undying love for their significant others. It was a Hallmark dream come true.

I don't know about you, but nothing says "I love you" like buying a greeting card that someone else took the time, energy, and thought to create.

And that, my friends and random readers, is why Valentine's Day sucks.

Smart Car

2008-02-13T22:11:00.001-05:00

Tonight I saw my first state-side Smart Car pulling onto Minnetonka Blvd in wonderful St Louis Park. I had heard they were coming to the U.S., but didn't realize how soon...I have to admit, it looked a little funny sitting next to an SUV at a stoplight, but I do like them. I can't fit into them, but I like 'em.

Polling Place Photo Project

2008-02-05T23:30:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my trusty VSL newsletter, I was informed about the NYT Polling Place Photo Project in time to play an active role in history. I had planned on attending the caucus tonight anyway, so it didn't take a whole lot of convincing to bring along my camera.

The idea behind the polling project is fairly simple:

The Polling Place Photo Project is a nationwide experiment in citizen journalism that encourages voters to capture, post and share photographs of this year’s primaries, caucuses and general election. By documenting local voting experiences, participants can contribute to an archive of photographs that captures the richness and complexity of voting in America.

This was my first caucus, and although I didn't stay till the end, I did linger long enough to soak up the energy in the room. There was definitely a buzz in the air, and you could get a genuine sense that this is what the U.S. is all about -- every age, race, and socioeconomic status coming together to make their voices heard. It's a brilliant idea.

I snapped a few photos for the project, but didn't want to be overly obtrusive since voting can be a very private experience for some people.

Two highlights from the night:
1. Seeing Al Franken
2. Overhearing a teenager whine, "Mommy, I want to go vote now."

It's Good to be a Guy

2008-02-04T22:59:00.000-05:00

Had a guy's getaway this past weekend over in Hayward, WI. The highlight for me was playing hockey out on the freshly shoveled (thanks Achter) patch of frozen Sand Lake with two broomsticks, a squeegee, and a shovel. Halftime consisted of peanuts, beers, and a discussion on the finer points of playing hockey without knowing how to stop. Good times.

Photo Tip of the Day

2008-01-31T23:59:00.000-05:00

Aperture controls your flash, shutter speed controls ambient light.

And don't forget it.

I Didn't Vote for Bush, so he Gave me a iPhone

2008-01-29T22:25:00.000-05:00

As you've probably heard, Bush wants to give us money. Never mind that the average American's personal savings rate is negative AND it's the lowest it has been since the Great Depression -- Bush wants us to spend, not save. It's good for you. Come on, we're Americans. We love spending money.

If G Dubya's plan makes it through, I think for once I'll acquiesce. Instead of saving the money (as I think everyone should), I'm going to spend it as quickly as possible.

You'll find me buying an iPhone at the local uber-cool Apple store quicker that you can say "crackberry". That is unless, of course, Steve Jobs hasn't increased the iPhone's storage capacity by then. If that's the case, I'll probably just head over to Wal-Mart and buy as many trinkets as possible. I just can't get enough trinkets.

Can it Get Any Better?

2008-01-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Mark Your Calendars!

2008-01-24T21:19:00.000-05:00

January 31st is International Delete Your MySpace Account day.*

Be there, or be square.

*Brought to you by your friendly FaceBook team.

2008: The Year of Adventure; Or: The Year I Blew All My Savings

2008-01-22T23:45:00.000-05:00

I don't know what's gotten into me.

At the end of February I am going dog sledding for 4 days out in the Boundary Waters.

In March I'm going to China for 2 full weeks.

Cheers to a year full of adventure.

Werid, huh?

2008-01-17T22:15:00.000-05:00

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.

--I read something similar to the above years ago while waiting in line to partake in a taste-testing panel. I've always thought it was pretty interesting...

Give Me Multi-Touch

2008-01-16T21:47:00.000-05:00

So I don't need the world's thinnest notebook, but I do like where Apple's going. I'm actually a tiny bit frustrated -- because now that I've seen the multi-touch trackpad, I want one on a MacBook Pro. Which now means I'm going to put off buying a laptop even longer. This may be a brutal cycle -- I'll be paralyzed by waiting for the next great feature that I'm convinced will be just around the corner.

I Told Myself So, But I'm Still Not Listening

2008-01-14T23:28:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, right before Christmas, I told myself I should buy some Apple (APPL) stock, thinking that surely iPods will be a big holiday gift and their stock will rise at least a little bit. I wish I would have listened.

Tomorrow is the Macworld Expo, where many analysts and Mac-addicts are theorizing that Steve Jobs, in his signature black turtleneck, jeans, and white sneakers, will announce a flurry of enhancements to the Mac and MacBook, Apple TV, and various other products.

Personally, I've been waiting for tomorrow for some time. Not because I'm an Apple junkie (OK, so I might be slowly turning into one), but because I want to buy a MacBook and figured I might as well wait a couple months till they announce the latest upgrades.

Realizing that there may be thousands if not millions of other consumers thinking the same thing, one would expect their stock price to take another slight jump tomorrow. I'm telling myself again I should buy some APPL stock, and I still don't think I'm listening yet. It only fuels my fire to read this from CNN.com:

Over the past three years, shares of AAPL have seen consistent appreciation as a result of the Macworld event. On the day of the event, share price increases 2.8% on average; however, shares rise an average of 9.2% from the closing price the day before Macworld through the week after the event.

Maybe one of these days I'll finally listen to myself. Until then, I want my iPhone.

It Sucks to Be Me

2008-01-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

OK, that's a lie. I'm pretty happy being me. But I saw Avenue Q (think Sesame Street meets Dave Chappelle) last night and It Sucks to Be Me turned out to be my overall favorite song.

The show was funny, and I especially enjoyed the Gary Coleman references, but I don't think it passed the "mother-approved" filter...so Mom and Dad, I would pass on it -- and let the twenty-somethings sing along to Everyone's a Little Bit Racist.

Tip of the Week

2008-01-07T21:46:00.000-05:00

For the guys:

We've all been there...you're at a bar / club / wedding reception hanging out with the boys, enjoying a beer, and having a good laugh. A girl comes up and asks you to dance, and although it sounds fun, it just doesn't sound fun at that moment.

Here's what you do.

Pause for a moment. Take a drink. Smile, and then reply, "I am dancing."

The Only Thing You'll Ever Need to Know about Dancing

2008-01-02T22:33:00.000-05:00

Happy 2008

2008-01-01T21:38:00.000-05:00

Most people agree that New Year's Eve is over-hyped. Much like Hallmark lives for Valentine's Day, bars, clubs, hotels, and DJs around the world live for NYE. When else can you charge a $50 cover and justify it by handing out 3oz of free "champagne"?

Don't get me wrong though -- my last two NYE celebrations were a ton of fun. My friends and I elected to go the all-inclusive route and dropped the big bucks to eat, drink, dance, and be merry till the wee hours of the morning.

So this year, the combination of fighting a cold and having no plans pretty much suffocated any dreams for a repeat blowout NYE celebration. That is, until I got a hold of Guitar Hero II.

In a very modern-day-American fashion, I literally ROCKED in the new year to none other than Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name. Ahhh yeah.

'Tis the Season to Buy Loads of (Cheap) Crap

2007-12-31T13:15:00.000-05:00

Attention Shoppers:

If you don't already own enough stuff, and if you didn't receive more stuff for Christmas, now is the time to stock up on even more stuff. Simply stop by your local Target (or dare I say Wal-Mart), find your way to the very back corner where the remaining battered fake Christmas trees are still standing and go crazy.

Icicle lights, ornaments, wreaths, garland, and your favorite fiber optic snowmen are all on sale for 75% off! What's that? You already have so much stuff that the neighbors refer to your family as "The Griswolds"? Who cares?! It's 75% off!!! Get out there and buy more cheap crap!

The Thing About Shaving Your Head Is...

2007-12-21T11:14:00.000-05:00

...it's cold. People living in Minnesota in December should not shave their heads. But that's what I did yesterday. Why do you ask? There are a few reasons, but one in particular: curiosity.

I've been trimming my beard for the past 3 years, and whenever I do, I always wonder what I'd look like if I just kept on trimming all the hair on my head to the same length.

I have a solid 2 weeks off of work and no big plans, so I thought I'd give it a whirl in hoping that if it looked absolutely horrible, those 2 weeks of hair growth would make it look only semi-horrible.

There are a few things that I've realized from this....

1) You have an idea in your head of what you look like. When you step in front of a mirror and you look nothing like that, you are incredibly shocked (And I still am. I don't know when this feeling will stop).

2) If I stare at myself long enough in the mirror, I start to think it's not so bad after all. It makes me wonder if we all have some sub-conscience self-respect process running in the background that kicks in every now and then as a survival tool to tell you that you're good enough, smart enough, and doggone it, people like you.

3) This haircut is only shocking to the people that know me, and nobody else.

4) Shaving your head is a great way to save money. If people get used to it, this could be my new summer 'do.

5) Shaving my head is the most exciting that has happened to me recently. How sad.

Glow-in-the-dark Cat Saves World

2007-12-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

OK, so these kitties haven't solved global warming (yet), but they freaking GLOW IN THE DARK.

Can you believe it? Why hasn't this been headline news? What would bring more warmth into this cold, dark world than a cuddly little cat that literally glows with love? This is better than world peace, because it is world peace...that GLOWS!

They're Back

2007-12-17T23:07:00.000-05:00

Dust off the spandex and stock up on your VHS tapes, because American Gladiators is back. Yes, you read that correctly. The Assault, Gauntlet, Joust, and your other favorite events are back and better than ever.

A friend of mine had the genius idea of starting a contest amongst us guys to see who could guess the names of the new Gladiators.

This of course sparked a flurry of emails, as all other issues, whether work, personal, or political in nature, paled in comparison.

A sample of what we've come up with...
Onyx, Bruiser, Shiloh, Falconer, SlamDance, Hail, Brick, Hurricane, Tsunami, Lynx, Steroid, Human Growth Hormone, Fireball, Canon, Dynamo, Comet, Axe, Vegas, Retro, Crash, Slam, Flame, Zeus, Volcano, Lars, and Tito.

What names would you pick?

Traveler IQ

2007-12-10T22:32:00.000-05:00

Think you know your world geography?

Check out Traveler IQ.

My score: 175,781
Final Level: 6
Traveler IQ: 92

I got a little nervous and clicked poorly a few times, I think I could do better...

Looking to Buy Your Favorite Blogger a Christmas Present?

2007-12-09T23:30:00.001-05:00

I'll take this.

Look Ma, I'm #7

2007-11-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

So I'm not #1, but I'm ok with that.

Who knew taking a picture of an Ikea lamp would put me at #7 on Flickr Explore?

And while you're looking, that one guy's "happy SINKO DE MAYO" is pure genius.

My Onion Article

2007-11-27T21:47:00.000-05:00

Chili tastes even better with bacon. More on page 4C.

Post Secret

2007-11-26T22:27:00.000-05:00

Have a secret? Want the world to know?

Then write it on a postcard and send it to Frank Warren. Who?...And why?...Do you ask?

Check out his blog Post Script. And then go buy his book. I did.

Snow!

2007-11-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's finally snowing!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Light Rail and Bus)!

2007-11-14T23:46:00.000-05:00

This past weekend Anders and I traveled to Chicago for a mutual friend's wedding. In honor of our Swansea days, we decided to switch it up and go old school.

What's old school do you ask? Traveling without an iPod??

No, my friend, we went by rail. I loved the days when I criss-crossed Europe by train, and I figured it was about time I did so state-side.

I'm happy to report the ride on Amtrak was smooth, comfortable, relaxing, and showed me a beautiful part of the Midwest that I had never seen before. In other words, it was everything an airplane can never be.

The wedding was great, dancing with the old Wales crew was incredibly fun, and reminiscing with everyone was both happy and sad. We flew back home, and to keep our public-transportation kick going, caught the light rail and a bus back to the Amtrak station where we had parked just a few days prior.

Has anyone else out there traveled by Amtrak? What's up with Americans being so against trains and public transportation in general?

Gunga Galunga

2007-11-12T21:07:00.000-05:00

A little cheesy, yes, but good stuff...

Instruction for Life by the Dali Lama:

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Follow the three R’s:Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

1987 Never Felt so Cool

2007-11-08T19:50:00.000-05:00

I don't know much about 1987.

I was more concerned about making the perfect fort and finding Chewbaca's missing arm than the terrible fashion trends plaguing our nation. Music was a mystery to me, minus my beloved Duran Duran tape (I rule!).

Now when I think of 80's music, the first thoughts to cross my mind are synthesizers, tight pants, and more cowbell.

So, as you can imagine, I was shocked when I recently realized that 1987 put out one of the greatest albums of all time -- U2's The Joshua Tree. What's that you say? But it's still relevant today? I know -- that what makes it so amazing. Not only does it rock your face off (Bullet the Blue Sky), but it also makes you think (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For).

To commemorate this monumental album (AND to make more money for their new skyscraper), U2 just released a special 2 CD + 1 DVD "Limited Edition Super Deluxe" version of The Joshua Tree.

Bono for President.

Turn on the Magic of Colored Light

2007-11-07T23:43:00.000-05:00

Do you know what rocks? Lite Brite. So what would any techno-nerd with a penchant for this wonderful toy do? Make a digital version, naturally. If it's good in real life, it must be better on the dot com, right?

Apparently, my sensitive green side came out when I created this. I'll have to work on a more appropriate manly scene...

1-800-GOOG-411

2007-11-04T22:47:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder when IKEA closes? Ever land at the airport and really wish you had Thanh Do's number so you could place a take-out order on your way home? Or perhaps you've just finished canoeing down the Mississippi River and get the craving for Jerabek's New Bohemian Coffeehouse and Bakery but don't know how to find it?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then 1-800-GOOG-411 is for you...(if you answered yes to all three of the above, then we need to talk, because we have a lot in common).

Here's how it works:

You dial.
You say your city and state.
You say the business you are interested in.
They connect you free-of-charge. (and/or text you information including phone #, address, and link to a Google Map.)

So what are you waiting for?

Stingy Jack

2007-10-28T21:18:00.000-05:00

My friend threw his 4th annual Jack-o-Lanternpalooza today. As I was taking the shot above (mine is the Pac Man) Anders and I were talking about how in the world the tradition of carving pumpkins would have ever gotten started.

So if you've ever wondered too, then read on:

History of the Jack-o-Lantern

People have been making jack-o-lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o’lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o’lanterns.

Source: The History Channel
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/halloween/pumpkin.html

Customer Service Winner of the Day

2007-10-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

I seriously found this online today while looking for (embarrassingly enough) magazine holders...

You may request a certain color in the comment section of the order form, however we cannot guarantee that we have it, or that you will receive the color you request.

She Loves Me, She Retails Me Not

2007-10-24T23:29:00.000-05:00

Ever shop online and upon checking out see an option to enter a coupon or promotion code? Ever wonder who are the lucky souls that are so fortunate to claim free shipping or receive free lip gloss with orders over $9.99?!

Then make sure to visit RetailMeNot.com before your next online purchase. The site is an open forum where users post coupon/promotional codes for hundreds of online merchants. Run a search for your site, find the code that works best for you, and give it a shot -- you've got nothing to lose. I've used it a few times now and it's beautiful.

It even saved me 10% off my next Amtrak trip!...and I'm not joking. Come November, I'm heading to Chi-city in style. No, really. Yes, Amtrak.

Conet Project Track

2007-10-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

Brad pointed out from my previous post that the Conet Project samples didn't play.

So here's a sample à la Last.fm (make sure to listen for at least a minute and a half):

The Conet Project – The Swedish Rhapsody [G2A]

Get Your Creep On

2007-10-21T20:26:00.000-05:00

Looking for some scary "music" for Halloween, yet don't want your average screams, creaks, and howls?

Then check out the Conet Project. I heard about it a few years ago while listening to NPR. The short version of the story is just as eerie as the audio tracks: some guy discovered number stations being broadcast over short wave radio. These number stations typically broadcast some sort of simple lullaby or popular old tune followed by an array of numbers being read by (typically) a female voice. They are believed to have originated in the cold war, and are coded messages that are transmitting some sort of instructions. Think "the cow crows at midnight", or "the red boot shines when lit"...total nonsense to us, but it means something to someone (i.e. shoot that one dude).

If that's not creepy enough, then imagine finding these short wave signals being broadcast years later, without any sort of explainable source. The founder of the Conet Project has looked, and has had no luck. Some theorize that abandoned computers are sending them out. Others suggest there's some random guy holed up in an underground cave, still believing a nuclear winter is about to hit at any moment and doing his best to keep his spies informed. Whatever the case, these signals are not traceable...nobody knows where they're coming from.

They're broadcast in all sorts of styles and languages. Make sure to listen to a few samples online. And then get ready to really creep out the neighborhood kids...and yourself.

The Way Albuquerque Are

2007-10-16T21:40:00.000-05:00

Albuquerque is:

Dry
Rocky
Adobe
Carne Adovada
Green and Red Chiles
Obsessed with Balloon Fiesta

Run Forrest, Run

2007-10-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

The Twin Cities Marathon took place today amongst unusual heat and humidity for this time of the year. I ran in the 5k yesterday, and let me tell you, that is still the right distance for me -- it's long enough to feel like you did something, yet short enough that your knees don't feel like they're going to explode.

I love how marathons bring out the best in everyone. If you're a runner, you're pushing your physical limits. If you're a bystander, you're cheering on complete strangers out of pure goodwill and camaraderie

I'm thinking a 10k is next on my list...any recommendations out there?

Awesome RJD2 - Work it Out

2007-10-06T13:11:00.000-05:00

That Blackberry is so last year

2007-10-03T22:21:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending MIMA 2007 today in downtown Minneapolis.

It was a great introduction into the world of Interactive Marketing, and I came home energized about all of the exciting opportunities present in the field.

Favorite session: Advergaming: Architecting F-U-N Online, presented by Bret Hummel of Ham in the Fridge.

Favorite speaker: Jason Fried, founder of 37signals. He shared his mantra of Unconventional Collaboration, the subject of his book Getting Real (available to read online for free!). He made some very good and refreshing points that I'd like to summarize in a future blog post, such as: meetings are generally a waste of time, and don't use words like "need" and "easy".

All good stuff. Now if I can only stay focused enough to apply it...

Not a Total Waste of Time...

2007-09-27T22:46:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading my ramblings for some time, you may recall this post from last December, where I described how I fixed the rear window of my VW and documented the process on Flickr.

I described the photo set as a "self-paced auto-mechanic class in high school that you never took but wished you had". To my surprise and elation (I helped someone!), it turns out that someone did take my class, and recently left me this comment:

This is precisely what I intend to do to my door today. The window's been held up by tape for long enough. Someone tried to cut the tape and get in. I'm just going to prop the thing up and remove the tape.

This photostream is exactly what I needed to make sure it could be done. Thank you.