Another Packed Apple Store

No sales, almost nothing new for the season, still the most crowded spot in Fair Oaks other than Starbucks. And yes, people are buying.

Organic green cuisine at Great Sage

All vegan, even the "crabcake", "egg nog" latte, and cinnamon bun. Great brunch!

Streaming Straight No Chaser @SNCmusic concert at work via Remote Potato @fatattitude

Recorded concert on PBS last night using Windows 7 Media Center. Playing it back today on my iPhone via Remote Potato. Billy Jean/Poison is the greatest mash-up ever. Must remember to do this for more concerts.

Checking in at Loving Hut Vegan Cuisine

Investing $55M in Carrier IQ seemed like a good idea at the time. http://tinyurl.com/5tgacjp

“[Carrier IQ] monitors network performance on the device itself, giving carriers data about exactly what customers are experiencing.” – VentureBeat, June 2010 – In fairness, I would have dropped a few mil on that too, and you can’t say they didn’t warn you.

If Siri was REALLY pro-life...

Courtesy of ifakesiri.com.

What happens if you tell Siri you want to protest an abortion clinic? Results still "pro-life"? http://tinyurl.com/7v7ag9x

I don’t have an iPhone 4S to test this, but I’m guessing Siri’s inability to guide you to an abortion clinic isn’t based on what you intend to do there. Software isn’t politically biased. People are.

Thanksgiving Rightunders

The opposite of leftovers. We packed our own vegan feast for the family dinner.

Ignorance breeds creativity. I have tables to prove it.

The proof is not in data in tables, but the data tables themselves created by people who don’t bother to learn how to do them right in Word or Excel. It’s amazing how many different lines and grids can compose one table.

Bluetooth volume control works for snapping iPhone photos

Should make these desktop photos easier to take.

The fruit of clean-up day

Waiting to come in from the cold

So hard to them all sitting together in one photo.

Oh no! My iPhone upgrade eligibility moved up to... next month!

Damn. Originally thought it was February, but recheck today shows I'm eligible for full subsidy next month. Now I'll be counting the days instead of not thinking about it through winter.

They tried to make me go to decaf, and I said, "Zzzz..."

Between diet, exercise, and decaf, I have great numbers and no focus.

If your file name is too long to tweet, it's too damn long.

Received a PDF with name that is 211 characters with spaces. Windows XP can’t even store it.

At Whole Foods for dinner and a show

Selection for the night is "Supercharge Me", a film about raw food.

I spend too much time showing people how to use the Internet.

“Yeah, you see where it says that word you were looking for? Yeah, click that.”

Using images in lieu of text for contact info in an email sig should banned

Especially if you include a URL. Can’t click it. Can’t copy and paste it. Show the recipient some decency and type that s--- out. Forcing them to re-type it just sucks.

"Basic Instructions" sums up my feelings on Steve Jobs exactly. http://tinyurl.com/3ub35he

Exactly.

Recovering from Irene

Yep, Irene really stuck it to us. I have to drink decaf to calm my nerves.

Survived an earthquake

Please note, my office wall is made of glass so even a tremble puts me at risk.

Got two free Optimus Prime Kre-O figures

Someone was giving these away at the market. Cool.

Marinated what? #signfail

Quote from work: "He doesn't know how to use the word 'back'."

Working for an English-language medical journal, you’d think I would not have to explain such things, but I do. Often.

Our fax machine is dead! Pass the baseball bat and cue the Geto Boys! #OfficeSpace

I may never be in a lightsaber duel or tell a would-be mugger “It’s the one that says ‘Bad M-----f-----‘!” but destroying a hated fax machine is now one beloved movie scene I have a chance to perform IRL. It’s a small dream but a dream nonetheless.

Dragon Go! Goes To GottaBeMobile http://tinyurl.com/66vr5ty

Bing for iPad gets search "lasso"; Tablet PC gets jacks---. http://tinyurl.com/6kwnt3w

I don’t have time to get in depth on this now, but I am pissed. Microsoft releases “circle and search” functionality for the f---ing iPad, an innovation that seems ideal for pen, but Windows-based Tablet PCs don’t get squat? Seriously? That’s just f---ed up.

Google+ / Twitter Crosspost Test: Teaser ...

What's in the box? Looks like a desktop but it's not.

All I can say is HP does not fool around when shipping eval units.

At the Iwo Jima Memorial

Ugh. Social networks and people I know online keep using my real name this week.

Seeing my real name used online reminds me of how much my nickname has grown to be the online me. I don’t always like it, but in digital life, I am Sumocat.

Is social networking supposed to be viral? If not, sorry if I infected you. #Google+

Came home late last night and responded to an email that Josh Smith had added me to one of his Google+ circles. Logged in and wound up joining the network. Next morning I found I repeated the process. Feel a little unclean now.

Despite poor reviews, people chose comic book star over Mormon. Bad sign for Mitt. http://tinyurl.com/3fqturv

We’ll see in 2012 if political life imitates the arts.

Sorry for the looping tweets. Hopefully I've fixed the issue.

If not this entry will show up on Twitter a dozen times.

That sound you hear is my brain sizzling as I attempt to catch up with a week's worth of work.

The problem with going above and beyond one’s regular duties is that those regular duties need to get done eventually.

Geared up for Annual Meeting

I got two touch tablets and an iPhone 4.

Caught the bus to H.E.B.

Pretty good supermarket with great deli area. Enjoying sushi now.

This must be the place...

Waiting for my baggage in San Antonio.

Getting drunk at Sunset Hills Vineyard

Kidding. I'm stone sober as usual.

Feeling fantastic (at the moment)

Feel like I finally got a bad med out of my system. Will see how well diet and exercise serve me this weekend.

I like my batteries like I like my women: packing a jelly roll. http://tinyurl.com/3zpl4js

Sorry, I saw the words “jelly roll” and couldn’t help myself.

Great advice from @ChrisPirillo: "Is Your Blog Human Enough?" http://bit.ly/lG4Ngc

Between sarcasm and handwritten posts, I’ve got the human angle pretty well covered.

Why can't PowerPoint have an easy option to export high-res images?

People see these slides blown up across projector screens and think they’ve got massive images, then they export them to image format at 960 x 720 still believing they’re huge. Meanwhile, the solution of printing with Microsoft Document Imaging remains a well-kept secret. There needs to be an easy “export to printable format” option.

Gotta love the views in Reston

Unfortunate timing of iPad 2 stories at @Slashgear

Close a door, open a window.

This is sooo #Takei http://youtu.be/dRkIWB3HIEs http://www.itsoktobetakei.com/

Literally the most Takei-est thing on the Internet. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Nobody likes cucumber.

Just needed a URL to support that I read this on the Internet.

Just drove under a helicopter

Was literally hovering over Sunset Hills Drive when I drove under it. Cool.

Up close with two baby groundhogs (video) http://youtu.be/3kvWZB2kWeI

Part of my unlisted YouTube stash. http://youtu.be/3kvWZB2kWeI

My favorite phrase to hear at work is: Who gives a s---? Brings a smile to my face. :)

It typically signifies that a problem is being given the attention it truly deserves.

Lettuce, parsley and strawberry planted

Should make for an interesting salad.

Dear Birthers: Here's your "long form" cert. Please STFU now http://tinyurl.com/3pd9ey9

Not that I expect this to satisfy any of those irrational morons who believed in the Birther conspiracy in the first place.

If catching cat vomit isn't good practice for parenthood, forget I wrote this.

It's easier than cleaning the floor and I figure I'll be catching worse
when I have kids. Or at least that's how I justify it.

In case I forget: Happy Homer Day!

Late one night on the couch. Homer can make himself comfortable in any gap.

Eating mango shave ice with adzuki and ice cream

Bluebells at Bull Run Regional Park

Impromptu pond at Bull Run Regional Park

Fox & Friends viewers be aware: That dude giving breast exams at Walgreens is not a doctor. http://tinyurl.com/4xwge2e

No matter what Steve Doocy says, the guy offering to check your pelvis at Walgreens is a pervert, not a doctor.

Tim Pawlenty: "I'm Running For President" #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement http://tinyurl.com/3w58thk

“[Tim Pawlenty’s] campaign said the ’I’m running for president’ comment was not an official announcement.” – With such daring statements followed by forceful retractions, I just don’t understand why people find T-Paw boring.

I may have a computer peripheral addiction

Or perhaps just a computer addiction. Either way, dual keyboard usage seems a bit excessive.

$15 gift card for only $70? Deal #FAIL

I know what they're trying to say (I think), but they didn't do it right.

Angry Birds on a Windows 7 tablet? No! Angry Birds on TWO Windows 7 tablets! http://tinyurl.com/3wlw6eg

That’s right. Dueling Angry Birds on Windows tablets on video only from Sumocat.

Just saw Eee Slate ad on Pandora

Used the video posted on Microsoft's site.

Almost done at the dentist. Yay!

Attn marketers: You cannot charge a fee and call your service free!

Just wasted three minutes reading about a “free” delivery service before getting to the $79 annual fee. WTF? That’s like Jiffy Lube advertising free oil (with $30 oil change).

My shave ice flavor? Tiger's blood!

Actually strawberry, watermelon and coconut blend, but whatever. Great way to sell shave ice.

Real shave ice in Virginia! Woo hoo!

Hau Lani Shave Ice at Manaport Plaza in Manassas! Just opened! So awesome!

Bumper sticker seen on Hummer H3: "Don't let the car fool you, my treasure is in heaven."

A bumper sticker that reads "I am an idiot" would have been more direct.

"Beef" and broccoli for lunch

Discovered that the East Chateau Chinese restaurant next to Vienna Rexall serves vegetarian "meats". Sauce is a bit sweet but tasty.

Ugh. "Sparkling Essence" barely sparkles, minimal essence

The things I do to cut calories and avoid sweeteners...

Dear Apple in-app sub policy haters: Stop whining, start thinking http://tinyurl.com/45selhv

I keep reading people complaining about Apple’s in-app subscription policy, yet they aren’t thinking very hard about ways to beat the system. Apple’s own rules limit in-app purchases to in-app goods/services. Therefore, cross-platform goods/services cannot be purchased in-app. Consider the implications.

Dell launches Windows-based multi-touch tablet - three years ago http://tinyurl.com/6x5q7sw

Don’t know why people are getting excited over a Dell multi-touch tablet running Windows 7. If you really want it, buy one now at http://www.dell.com/tablet.

@Amazon So "Ready to Ship" means ready to pack in another box?

So I guess that sticker just doesn't mean anything.

@mikecane Look who's hot on Twitter

Especially impressive since I’m not logged in to Twitter on this machine so presumably it’s not just pulling from people I follow.

Found my book in PDF http://tinyurl.com/64vwzwd

Impressive quality too (the file, not necessarily the content). Looks like an authentic digital copy, not a scan of the book.

Finally reached a competent tech at @Comcast - Thanks Ronald!

Two calls to Comcast last night to no avail. One call today, and I’m online in minutes. It’s baffling how easy that was. Thanks Ronald!

Who needs an Internet kill switch, when there's @Comcast

Clearly those extra channels put us over the limit of the quantity of services Comcast can provide at once. Still no Internet access this morning.

Added channels, lost Internet. Thanks @Comcast

I sign up for more channels, they cut my Internet and phone. Clearly not worth it.

Damn it! Followed an @CocaCola truck to work and have been craving one since.

Of all the cravings I fight, the desire to guzzle an ice cold Coca-Cola could be the hardest. Curse you and your trucks and your use of high-fructose corn syrup!

A magic elixir for a snowy night

Hot chocolate made with real chocolate. Thanks, babe!

Apocalypse Snow 3: This Time, It's Persnowlal

The most horrible thing I have seen all week, specifically the 2nd and last photos.

Keep in mind, I was staring at my own bloodied face on Sunday and the scabby stuff since then. Click through at your own risk. Via Cracked.

 

Really hate grapefruit. Tastes bad and rips off name of another fruit.

Seriously, there was already a fruit called “grape” and it looks totally different. It’s like naming a new leafy green “carrotvegetable.”

Ugh. Had no idea I've been a semicolon junkie for so long.

Skimming through my old book and found a semicolon. Assumed I didn't really use it until after teaching at Sylvan, but clearly it's been longer.

The echo chamber is officially an idiot chamber http://goo.gl/fb/Urdr1

http://goo.gl/fb/Urdr1

Ice on the sidewalk

Ice crystallization pattern caught my eye when taking out the recycling.

@Energizer this installation template sucks #FAIL

Just glad I spotted the problem before I drilled.

Artists cannot spell #FAIL

I don't know what's worse: misspelling their own name or the boringness of their ad for art instruction.