Old Roman proverb

There's an Old Roman Proverb that goes something like this:

"A day
without wine,
is a day without
sunshine"

 

I think I'm going to modify this saying to include Rum and/or Sambuca in my house.

 I experimented last night with some Eggnog and tried adding some Sailor Jerry's Rum and a little nutmeg. I better go easy on the nutmeg next time because boy was I feeling it! 

 

 Hope everyone's ready for the big day this Sunday.

Cooler than your wallet and iPhone case combined

With phones getting smaller and lighter these days I can barely remember where I put mine. Since I'm not a big fan of carrying a wallet in my back pocket I usually opt for a smaller "card holder" with just my license a few cards and my cash usually separate in another pocket (note to would-be robbers I also carry a knife -  see this post) . I'm easily annoyed at having to carry anything extra so when given the chance to consolidate I'd jump at it. Enter this cool iPhone Wallet

The rear of the Incipio case opens up to stash credit cards, your driver's license, work ID and/or cash inside. When it's empty the door doubles as an iPhone kickstand to prop your phone on a table and watch videos hands-free. Can't beat that for $40. 

 

Artificial Intelligence in the form of an annoying British Kid.

And No, I don't mean Harry Potter. Peter Molyneux (I don't trust him by his name alone) and the people who brought you the X Box have created an AI motion controller system called Natal that takes the form of a little boy named Milo. Check out the Milo Movie. This may seem like a good idea... but I've seen the movies. I guess this guy doesn't watch a lot of Sci-Fi but I do. I've seen the movies where the AI gets mad and self aware and jealous etc. etc.

"Molyneux says Milo can recognize your face,
emotions and will interact with you
on a very deep level."

It's very cool technology and of course really, really creepy. "On a very deep level"? As if the creepy British kid wasn't bad enough. Next thing you know humans are on the extinction list and we're counting on Sarah Connor to save us all.

A credit card knife. Just what I need when I feel like I'm being overcharged

http://www.iainsinclair.com/products.php

I almost always have a pocket knife with me. I only say almost because there are times when I'm dressed for client meetings, weddings or holidays that I don't even have my little mini knife in my pocket but being a firefighter has taught me you can never be too prepared for the unexpected.


Now this little gadget would be nice to ALWAYS have with you. I can foresee lots of uses for it and my only worry would be trying to remember to take it out of my wallet before I try to get on a plane.

This thing is cool on so many levels and next time someone tries to overcharge me for something when I'm pulling my wallet out they might want to think twice.

I love when beautiful design and function come together even in something as simple as a knife. Even the website is a pleasure to look at.

Simple. Elegant. And very cool.

Leave a comment and have a Happy Friday!

Tech that improves my commute

No air. No rubber. All cool. Apparently Bridgestone's new tires are made out of recycled resin and support a car's weight with an interweaving design.

The new technology will be shown at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will open for the public from Dec 3 to 11, 2011, in Tokyo. According to the company, all materials used in the tire are recyclable. At the show, which runs through Sunday, Bridgestone is exhibiting an electric single-seat scooter using a prototype of the new tire.
"The tires can absorb enough shocks to allow you to enjoy a comfortable ride," an official said.

Having lost count of how many flat tires we've had on both cars over the years I'm very interested in how fast these will come to market and how soon tire technology like this or similar to them will be standard issue.

Friday Night Fights

I've been a fight fan since I'm a kid and used to box and kickbox as well as a slew of other Martial Arts. I've been to a few Boxing fights but I finally got to go to my first Muay Thai event this weekend @ Friday Night Fights at The Hall at St. Paul’s in New York.

The announcer alone was worth the price of admission. David Diamante the Master of Ceremonies was a site to see with giant dreadlocks tied to the back of his head and decked out in a suit and tie with handkerchief and all. It was surprising to hear the booming ring announcer voice come from this colorful character but it all added to the atmosphere and entertainment of the night.

Most of the fun came from my friends Andy "Polska" Michalski and James "Johnny Rebel" Sprayberry and I placing friendly bets on each fighter at the start of each round and screaming for them. That and the cheap beer led to me waking up sounding like I had gargled with gravel all night. But it was all worth it.

The first pro fight of the night was Kevin Horowitz, whose friends we happened to be sitting with and Mervin Rodriguez. Horowitz got fancy trying to land a few crescent kicks but looked like he was lumbering a bit early on. Rodriguez clearly preferred to fight in the clinch, but was unable to successfully tie up Horowitz who it turns out is an MMA fighter and was doing this for fun. The judges scored this fight for Horowitz by unanimous decision which I think we all agreed with.

Amatuer fighters Josh Fitzsimmons and Phil LeGrand was another great fight and the crowd went bananas for LeGrand, rightly so because he was from Brooklyn. This was a great matchup and was really hard to judge with lots of points going to Fitzsimmons  but more power punches going to LeGrand as well as some pretty fancy foot work. Fitzsimmons was the aggressor but LeGrand was a hard target to hit. The judges and I think the crowd were split on this and LeGrand won it by Split Decision (so I'm hoping for a rematch).

There were some other great fights, including a "Girl Fight", in their somewhere but the names of the fighters escape me... I'll have to update this if and when I find my beer soaked program.

The big fight of the night was the main event with Turan Hasanov and Villi Bello. The bout was non-stop action from start to finish because both fighter came out aggressive but Hasanov seemed to be hungrier. Hasanov's leg kicks slapped Bello repeatedly in the ribs there was no real power behind them but the sound they made resulted in many shouts of "Oh!" from inexperienced fight watchers. It went to the judges and despite Bello turning it on and winning a few rounds (on my imaginary scorecard) the fight awarded to Hasanov by unanimous decision.

Lots of excitement from a standing room only crowd and I'm looking forward to going back in January!

 

A good friend of mine knitted my 17 month old son and I these beanies that I'm in love with. I actually wore mine most of the day yesterday inside because I was chilly but mostly because I think it looks cool on my balding dome.

Check out her adorable knitted creations on Etsy and if you're smart you'll order yourself one to keep warm and look cool doing it.

Countdown begins.

Countdown to Christmas, New Year's and most importantly new resolutions is on. I try not to wait until New Year's Eve/Day to start my resolutions because I like to get a head start on them. If you're planning on trying to be a better person at anything then why wait? Start now.

This year once again I've got to get back in shape and drop a few pounds so I'm officially starting. I got hurt a while back and haven't been able to do much. Actually writing it down and announcing it for others to hear is a major step because now I have to actually do it. My goal at first is to move more and eat less so I'm going to start there and see how much it helps. Hopefully the physical therapy I've been going to for my knee and elbow are doing their job and I can actually start running and lifting again. Fingers crossed!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Miss you every day.

Keep on keeping on.

“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

-Charles F. Kettering

They say 4G, I hear ORGY.

Has anyone seen this spot yet? I know I have a dirty mind so don't bother wasting your time telling me that but seriously how'd this commercial get made and no one, not one person(?) thought it sounded a little too much like "orgy" every time they say 4G? They actually sing it which I think is even more fantastic...

And you gotta love the pink hair and goatees on the little elves!  Welcome to an Orgy Wonderland.

 Happy Thanksgiving Eve everyone, safe traveling and don't eat too much!

This is good advertising?

I don't know what this is supposed to be selling the public but I imagine they're trying to tell me this lawn mower has sharp blades, don't all lawn mowers have sharp blades? Is it so fast that it caught this poor frog standing on the lawn? Animal cruelty to sell lawn mowers is not amusing but I guess the guys in Bangkok thought this would somehow sell more Black & Decker lawn mowers.

What amazes me is how many people probably had to approve this campaign to get it into production and no one stopped it. The thing that I find even more horrific is that the credits listed for the Advertisements have 2 photographers but no illustrators or effects people, so I'm thinking they actually sliced animals in half to produce these ads. I don't think there's a medal for animal cruelty in advertising but after seeing this campaign with a frog, snake and lizard all cut in half I know who I'd vote for .

DIY or How your Dad would have done it.

Is it just me or is the whole idea of "Doing-it-yourself" the way we should do things? I feel a little overloaded by all the shows, websites and blogs these days about DIY. I feel like there's this resurgence of DIY'ing and people feeling very empowered by it which I think is great but I also feel like this is the way it should have been all along. I'm glad people are picking up their tools and fixing, breaking, building themselves. When you need to call a handyman to hang a picture in your house it should be because you're physically incapacitated, ridiculously rich, too old or a combination of the three.

I think what bugs me about the DIY rage is the people who are beaming with pride over the fact that they painted a whole room and hung curtains by themselves... Wow, the whole room? And you hung the curtain rods AND the curtains? I don't think there's a medal for that but maybe there should be. And no just because you've done that doesn't mean you can apply to be the next Design Star. Sorry.

I do however absolutely LOVE the Pinterest craze and if you haven't discovered it for yourself yet get over to http://pinterest.com/  and check it out because it's a great way to keep track of all those cool things you've found online while you were supposed to be working. Now making things yourself that you would have otherwise bought I think you should be very proud of and so many people with so many great ideas that many times involve recycling, upcycling and recreating makes the world a happier place.

Fog filled bubbles. Getting ready for Halloween 2012!

OK I know I should probably be thinking about ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas or maybe even considering New Year's Eve plans but I stumbled upon this on my travels across the World Wide Web this morning and thought how cool Fog filled bubbles would be for kids and parents alike!

Order one now and you can thank me next year. Oh and don't forget to invite me to your party.

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/78724?source=CJ&cm_mmc=CJ-_-2296962-_-2868751-_-Hammacher+Product+Catalog

I still have all of my wisdom teeth. They're in a ziplock bag somewhere.

Speaking to a friend at the office this morning this was my retort when she announced that she still had all of her wisdom teeth. It's that time of year for colds, sinus infections and of course in our house ear infections. Stay warm and germ free my friends.

2 kids. 3 ear infections. All this cuddling is awfully nice.

My 3 1/2 year old daughter suffered from ear infections a lot when she was an infant and she eventually needed to have tubes put into her ears 2 years ago. She's been ear infection free ever since, until Friday night that is... The only good thing is that now that she's older she could actually tell us that her ear hurt, "on the inside Daddy", luckily we took her to the Doc and got her on antibiotics and she felt better quickly. The bad thing is that our 17 month old now has ear infections in both ears and isn't responding quite as well to the meds and has been running a fever on and off for 3 days now. Poor little guy is a trooper though and fighting like the best of 'em. The only bright side for us (there's always a bright side), is that the tough guy has been a big mush and non-stop cuddler. I can't help but feel bad for him because I know he's uncomfortable but all this cuddling is awfully nice.

And with that here's a little "ear" humor.

An old man walks up to the receptionist in a crowded waiting room of his doctors office. The receptionist asks him to state his problem, to which he replies, "I've got a problem with my d!ck." The young woman became immediately annoyed with him and told him he shouldn't use that kind of language in public and perhaps he could have just said he had a problem with his ear which would be less offensive.

So the man walked out of the waiting room, waited a few minutes and walked back in to try again. Again the receptionist asked him to state his problem, "I've got an ear problem, the old man says".  The young woman smiled at him proudly that she had taught him a lesson.

"And what is wrong with your ear exaclty?" She asked.

"I can't piss out of it!"

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished. Or. Nice job. Now Do This.

Well apparently the extra work we helped our boss with was so good that he wants us to help out on something else. Yet again. So even though I was praised for a job well done, I get to do even more work. This is a good thing right?

Murmuration. I learned a new word today and so much more.

Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me. After the destruction a simple snowstorm can cause by coming a few weeks early to the East Coast I was introduced to this video (thanks Neil!). And my love and respect for Mother Nature was restored in an instant.

A flock of Startlings is apparently called a murmuration and this video shows exactly what a murmuration in all of it's magical, shape shifting awe inspiring beauty looks like.



Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

I'm usually loud enough without having to write

Since I've never been one to stay quiet for any length of time I thought I'd share my "voice" here. More musings to come once I figure this all out.