Sunday, July 20, 2008
My Civic Duty
Tomorrow I'll be heading to the Duval County Courthouse for jury duty. It's my first time ever - should be fun. I'll have plenty of reading material and podcasts to keep me entertained as the summons recommends.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
iPhone 2.0
Despite the slew of articles reporting activation problems with the new iPhones and software updates on the existing phones, my update went smoothly. I was hoping the software would be available late Thursday night or early Friday morning. But not so much. Apple was dead set on getting everything timed just right. And sure enough, they got a big fat server meltdown. I waited until around 7 last night - no problems.
I had already downloaded maybe a dozen apps from the Apps Store. As soon as the software update was complete, I piled on the programs (most are under a megabyte). So far, my favorites include Weatherbug (the radar view is great for watching the afternoon Florida thunderstorms), Remote, which turns the iPhone into a remote for household computers and AppleTVs. So there's no need to get off the couch to select a new song. The New York Times app is also pretty solid. I tried a French translator program which contains a good range of phrases (complete with audio) - everything from finding the bathroom to pick up lines. And I bought the game Enigmo - also impressive, but it seems to a battery drainer.
I had already downloaded maybe a dozen apps from the Apps Store. As soon as the software update was complete, I piled on the programs (most are under a megabyte). So far, my favorites include Weatherbug (the radar view is great for watching the afternoon Florida thunderstorms), Remote, which turns the iPhone into a remote for household computers and AppleTVs. So there's no need to get off the couch to select a new song. The New York Times app is also pretty solid. I tried a French translator program which contains a good range of phrases (complete with audio) - everything from finding the bathroom to pick up lines. And I bought the game Enigmo - also impressive, but it seems to a battery drainer.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A New Office
On Monday, my coworkers and I moved to our new office building. The move took place over the holiday weekend. Surprisingly, the move itself went smoothly. The computer servers and telephones were all back online on schedule. I thought for sure one of the servers would fall off the moving truck on the way over. But I guess not.
The building is your standard modern office construction, certainly no feat of architectural brilliance. I miss the modern art from Progressive - it's amazing how much difference something interesting on the wall makes. I'm sure it's of the same caliber of construction as any new home around the area - thrown up quickly with mediocre craftsmanship. We're also making a attempt to go green. Everyone got a new mug, no more styrofoam cups. That's a forced change that's good all around (as long as I wash my mug on occasion) And the bathrooms (only the men's for some reason) have a sound sensor that turns off most lights after about 30 seconds of quiet. Yes, that means we end up peeing in near darkness until the flush wakes up the lights. Either the sensor is miscalibrated, or the designer needs to see a Urologist.
My drive time is a little longer due to the increased distance from home, but I'm getting a better freeway mileage. Oh and the parking spaces are surprisingly tight - even for my little 325. Maybe it's a back door way to discourage all the SUV owners by scratching up their doors.
Complaints aside, my new desk is probably in one of the better places to be. I have a nice window seat away from the major traffic areas, break room and restrooms. And we're much closer to a YMCA branch. So the lunch time workouts will be a little easier to squeeze in.
The building is your standard modern office construction, certainly no feat of architectural brilliance. I miss the modern art from Progressive - it's amazing how much difference something interesting on the wall makes. I'm sure it's of the same caliber of construction as any new home around the area - thrown up quickly with mediocre craftsmanship. We're also making a attempt to go green. Everyone got a new mug, no more styrofoam cups. That's a forced change that's good all around (as long as I wash my mug on occasion) And the bathrooms (only the men's for some reason) have a sound sensor that turns off most lights after about 30 seconds of quiet. Yes, that means we end up peeing in near darkness until the flush wakes up the lights. Either the sensor is miscalibrated, or the designer needs to see a Urologist.
My drive time is a little longer due to the increased distance from home, but I'm getting a better freeway mileage. Oh and the parking spaces are surprisingly tight - even for my little 325. Maybe it's a back door way to discourage all the SUV owners by scratching up their doors.
Complaints aside, my new desk is probably in one of the better places to be. I have a nice window seat away from the major traffic areas, break room and restrooms. And we're much closer to a YMCA branch. So the lunch time workouts will be a little easier to squeeze in.
Friday, July 4, 2008
After Dinner Guest
We had just finished up dinner and I was looking back outside when I saw this snake on the patio. It appears to be a Cottonmouth. I grabbed the camera for a few quick shots - not my best work, but I wasn't taking any chances and stayed behind the glass or screen. After checking out the grill, the creature headed back out towards the fence...
Yikes!
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