Bump

(Bump)

That's what happens on computer/geek/technical message boards to keep a message thread active.  They're usually sorted by the latest post, so bumping a thread brings it back to the top of the list.  I felt the need to bump my blog. 

Not a whole lot has been going on.  Oh, except that we got a new car for the eldest child over the weekend.  (Did I get any pictures? No-o-o-o...)  She drove it back to school yesterday.  It made it - that makes it a successful purchase.

My Sweetie and I attended a tea tasting last week.  I took pictures, and I'm composing a blog entry, but it's taking too long to come together.

The weather is "cold."  I still didn't wear a jacket today, but the temperature dropped about 15 degrees from the time I arrived at work yesterday and when I left.  Brisk is an apt description.

Oh, another thing distracting me from blogging is the Major League post-season.  After nothing except one lone, playoff loss about 10 years ago, the Texas Rangers made it to the World Series two years in a row.  They play Game 1 of the World Series tonight in St. Louis.  I've followed them since the early 70's, watching them have 2/3 of a good season, with the other 1/3 always wiping out any success from the majority of the season.

That's about all for now.  So, there. 

Bump.

End of an Era

Yesterday we lost an entreprenurial genius, and a tech-geek legend. 

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a big fan of his products.  I've never owned any Apple products, and I can probably count on my hands and feet the number of times I've used Apple products.  In fact, it wasn't until about four years ago that I allowed my kids to install iTunes on their laptops or purchase an iPod.

With that said, it's undeniable the impact he leaves on the world of technology.  He didn't invent the personal computer, but he helped make it marketable.  He didn't invent the mouse, but he saw its potential and drove his development department to incorporate it.  In fact, Apple didn't invent the cell phone, the mp3 player, touch screens, or tablets, but almost every household (except mine ) has at least one iPhone, iPod or iPad.  (OK, so my son has an iPod, and my wife won an iShuffle).

That doesn't even take into account that the started, or helped build, three different companies -- Apple, NeXT computers (which was eventually bought by Apple), and a little animation company purchased from George Lucas, called Pixar.

I first heard the name "Jobs" back in college.  The computer professor was from Korea, and I thought something had to be getting lost in the translation.  "Jobs" for a last name?  Ri-i-i-ght....

I first heard of Apple when that same year the college set up a classroom full of Apples (Apple II?).  All we could do was stare at them through the narrow window in the door and be amazed at them.  They were purchased without any curriculum to go with them.  Somehow the image of a horse pushing a cart comes to mind.

Anyway, even a non-Apple bigot like myself can admit that what he did was pretty awesome, and the world has a void in it today - not unlike their logo.

I think this is a spectacular tribute to him.

From Jonathan Mak

 RIP, Steve Jobs.

Life Imitates Animation

I’ve hit a dry spell lately for blogging ideas. I guess that’s an indication of how uneventful life has been lately.

I’ve been enjoying reading the blogs I follow (I was going to include links, but I don’t want to leave anyone out, and that would mean a LOT of hyperlinks).

As I’ve been driving to and from work the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a trend in vehicle designs. Maybe it’s the new generation of automotive engineers, maybe they’re bored with the same ol’ – same ol’. Possibly, they’re trying to market to a younger generation, or even the nostalgia that Baby Boomers have for days gone by.

I posted this awhile back on Facebook.

Pikachu, I choose YOU!

Remember the Banana Splits?

Those Mazda 3s always remind me of the second character from the left.

 

And one more:

Looney Tunes?  I always liked Sam the Sheepdog.  Not enough that I'd want to drive a car that looks like him, though.

Isn't that odd, or is it just me?

Yeah, I think I know the answer to that question.