Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Cloud Covered Fire in the Sky

We set an alarm for 2:15am hoping to catch a glimpse of the shuttle launch. But after stumbling out of bed, all we saw was an overcast sky to the east. With just a couple more years of shuttle launches, I want to try attend one.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

iPhone Fun to Come

I'm sitting here watching today's iPhone SDK presentation.    SDK stands for software development kit.    Basically, Apple has created a programming environment that will allow people to create applications for the iPhone.   Some of the tech speak was beyond me, but the demoed sample software was pretty slick.   A few games were shown that use the full functions of the touch screen and accelerometer.   Nintendo Wii games came to mind.  Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a few Wii games converted to the iPhone platform. 

But games weren't the sole focus.   AOL IM was shown along with SalesForce marketing tools, and even Epocrates, a mobile drug guide for the health care industry (and the consumer). Check out their consumer lookup using the link.    

Apple is also going right after the Blackberry market with the announcement of a major behind the scenes infrastructure change to the phone.  If I'm able to use my phone for work I'm sure I'll prefer using using it over MS Outlook any day of the week.   I may even want to check my work email on the weekend.   Find me a full size keyboard, and I'll never use Outlook again. 

It's also great to see that all the new applications, which we'll start to see in June, will also be available on the iPod Touch.  

The growth for Apple may be just beginning.  



Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Sicko

Michael Moore never fails.   After each movie, I'm ready to move to Canada.   This one is no different.   But I hadn't thought about Cuba before.   Apparently, health care is top notch there.   The film ends with a bunch of 9-11 rescue workers traveling to Havana seeking health care. 

Sadly, I doubt our sorry state of health care will change any time soon.  


Sunday, March 2, 2008

Sunny with highs in the 70's

We enjoyed this weekend at Shelby's, around the beach, or shopping at the Town Center (I continue to wonder what will support the high end shopping now that the luxury of cashing out home equity is no more).   The weather has been just perfect, a little cool in the evenings, but so comfortable in the sun during the day.   The searing heat is just around the corner, so we're trying to the make the best of the weather.

Bonnie heads off to St. Louis tomorrow for a class.   So I'll be holding down the fort.   I'll have plenty to keep me busy - a few books to page through, maybe a movie (Sicko should be arriving from Netflix soon), and with a wedding assignment next weekend, I'll be double checking my gear. 

The last few evenings we've been enjoying HBO's The Wire on DVD.  As Bonnie put it, "It's like Law and Order, but a little more raw."

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Wednesday, February 27, 2008

2nd Stripe


With a touch less fanfare, I was awarded another stripe this evening. Now I might last a little more than a minute with a senior student.   There's still so much learn...  


Fill it up

At $3.25 today, gas is getting a little ridiculous.   Maybe I should've bought a Prius instead of a BMW.   I guess I'll just make the most of my growling combustion engine while I can still afford to fill the tank!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Thank Your English Teacher

Hopefully your understanding of the language isn't nearly as poor as these blogs like to highlight: