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Been to Mexico?

posted by Brad at 8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | permalink | 5 comments

5 Comments:

• In one month I will tell you if Cabo is sweet or super sweet.

  By  Anonymous, at 8/17/2005 7:34 AM 

• I just called RCI this morning - the only resort that came up for the entire country in January is in Puerto Vallarta. We are booked for 4 nights beginning 1/21, and have 40 hours to change our minds.
  
  So now I'm especially interested in anyone's opinion of Puerto Vallarta...

  By  Brad, at 8/17/2005 7:45 AM 

• My top pick for Mexico is Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen (on the mainland across from Cozumel). Much better than Cancun. Since you're on the Left Coast, you'll probably want to stay on the West Coast of Mexico. I have friends that have said good things about Cabo, Matzaltan (sp?) is a big more Cancun-ish I think.

  By  Laura, at 8/17/2005 4:47 PM 

• Oops, just saw your comment about Puerto Vallarta. My aunt and uncle go there most every year - they are old and lame and like it. I'd check into the specific resort through www.tripadvisor.com - it may even include timeshares...
  
  Why aren't you checking into Hawaii for January??? While you're living on that side of the country you should go there.

  By  Laura, at 8/17/2005 4:49 PM 

• Tripadvisor is a great source. I used it for France last spring and had no roblems. I also loved Hawaii and you are kind of close!!! Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/18/2005 10:10 AM 

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Tuesday, August 16

Google + Microsoft?

I’m rather vocal about how much I dislike Microsoft Word.  Not because it’s a bad application, but because it evokes painful memories of all the papers I had to write as a student.  Good thing I won’t have to write any papers if I go back for my MBA… right?

I’m typing this post in Microsoft Word thanks to Blogger for Word, which was released today.  Not sure where this fits into Google’s Master Plan, but I had to give it a whirl since it was all shiny & new.    

posted by Brad at 8/16/2005 06:33:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• This is interesting and all... but let's not jump to conclusions. Afterall, TheStreet.com predicts that Google will be having a partnership with Apple to be announced soon. Interesting. As Engadget put it ". As if Google doesn’t really have their fingers in enough pies with enough rumors already..."

  By  MICHAEL, at 8/16/2005 6:56 PM 

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Monday, August 15

82 Hours Later...

Google Alerts comes through.

posted by Brad at 8/15/2005 11:36:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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RSS is Scary & Confusing

According to a Nielsen//NetRatings study released today, nearly 2/3 of all blog readers do not understand or have never heard of RSS. I was somewhat surprised by this, since the two go hand in hand in my mind.

Without RSS, what makes a blog a blog?

The concept of frequently-updated web pages is nothing new. Syndication (RSS) is the magic fairy dust that makes blogs special, because now the web page tells you when it's updated, courtesy of a feed reader like Bloglines or NewsGator.

This is a bandwagon you should be jumping on, kids.

posted by Brad at 8/15/2005 04:43:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Oooh oooh I'm not afraid of RSS. I use it to check all my favorite blogs, Northwest deals, StarTrib articles, etc. It is easy and convenient. Do it!

  By  Alicia, at 8/16/2005 1:03 AM 

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Friday, August 12

Good Lookin' Guy

When giving directions to our house, I always tell people to take the Benjamin Holt exit from I-5. I finally got around to looking him up today - turns out he invented the "caterpillar track" that tanks use to drive around on. Guess what the Caterpillar Tractor Company is named after?

posted by Brad at 8/12/2005 04:20:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Fear of Commitment

When we were camping a couple weekends ago, Missy asked me what I had posted here on The Myth recently - she doesn't exactly "visit" on a "regular basis." She also asked that I send her an e-mail whenever I mention her name so she knows when to "bother."

Services like PubSub and Technorati are the logical choices for stuff like this, but Google Alerts should work for the less blog-savvy among us. I set up a site-specific alert the other day, and you're reading the first official test of said alert...



PS: We are heading to San Francisco this evening to catch DMB/Black Eyed Peas/Jem with Missy & Tim, and then going to the Twins/A's game Saturday afternoon with Missy (and 40 other U of M alumni).

Maybe it helps to mention the keyword as much as possible? Missy, Missy, Missy.

posted by Brad at 8/12/2005 01:29:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Wednesday, August 10

Bonny Doon 2003 Big House Red

I've been working on this bottle for three days now, and it keeps opening up a little more each day. A tad offensive at first, but rather enjoyable now - not bad for under 10 bucks.

posted by Brad at 8/10/2005 07:20:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Two Looks at Meth

I'm usually a big fan of the NYT Editorials/Op-Ed page, which seem to occupy a majority of the "Most E-Mailed Articles" feed that constitues my daily bathroom literature.

Yesterday, I read John Tierney's "Debunking the Drug War," which argues that Amphetamines (meth) aren't the epidemic that media & law enforcement make them out to be.

NPR offered a slightly different perspective this morning...

posted by Brad at 8/10/2005 07:18:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Can I Get A Hand?

So we spent a whopping $175 at Ikea on a countertop, sink and faucet - what a deal, right? Too bad getting them installed is a complete pain in the ass...

The lone "licensed" contractor that returned Susan's calls gave us an estimate of $560 for one day's work, but we balked at spending 3 times as much on labor as materials - does that make us cheap?

Lo and behold, some local handymen charge a mere $15 an hour for their services. But are they actually available anytime in the next 4-6 weeks? Of course not. There seems to be an opportunity here - anyone know a semi-licensed handyman that's actually available?

posted by Brad at 8/10/2005 01:01:00 AM | permalink | 5 comments

5 Comments:

• I can't believe you actually put that post directly above the one in which you explain how "handy" you will become. I would put the new items into storage until the issue containing how to's on install of counters and sinks arrives.

  By  Anonymous, at 8/10/2005 7:40 AM 

• I suppose I could give you a hand. I do need to get out there before you give up on California. No guarantee I'll be there before you find a contractor, but I am semi-liscensed. The state of Wisconsin says I can legally drive - and I have documentation to prove it. Installing a countertop can't be too far removed from driving a car, right?

  By  Nick, at 8/10/2005 10:10 AM 

• If you pay for my plane ticket I will come and install the counter top. I really think you should loft your counter....
  Jason

  By  Anonymous, at 8/10/2005 5:17 PM 

• Look pal you make over $40.00 per hour and with a benift package worth over another $20.00 per hour pay the craftsman his rate and get it done right!

  By  Anonymous, at 8/11/2005 6:22 PM 

• I make $80,000 a year? News to me, that would be SWEET.

  By  Brad, at 8/11/2005 6:43 PM 

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Monday, August 8

I'm Such a Homeowner

My first issue of The Family Handyman arrived today...



A few weeks ago, my mom totally forced me to order an Entertainment book and I was subsequently offered 3 free magazine trial subscriptions - for about the 10th time in my life. Susan got People, and I knew I wanted Cigar Aficionado. I heard about how great TFH was over on Lifehacker, and the July/August issue doesn't disppoint.

Not sure if I need detailed plans for building my barn-inspired dream shed, but I learned a thing or two about electrical circuit loads, caulking, soffits for drama, stopping a running toilet, and how to cut holes in drywall - which would have been real handy about 3 months ago...

posted by Brad at 8/08/2005 09:25:00 PM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• For the readers: After years of being forced to buy Christmas wreaths, candy bars, popcorn as well as Brad's favorite casserole ingredients....I felt it was time for payback. I think that's fair...don't you?
  
  Brad's Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/09/2005 9:10 AM 

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Sophomore Slump?

It's been out for almost 2 weeks, so hopefully you've heard Mr. A-Z, the new album from Jason Mraz. If not, click on that link to listen to audio clips in the following order:

3 - Geek in the Pink
10 - Please Don't Tell Her (currently in my ears)
4 - Did You Get My Message?
1 - Life is Wonderful
2 - Wordplay (currently on your favorite adult rock radio station)
8 - Plane
5 - Mr. Curiosity
7 - Bella Luna
6 - Clockwatching
9 - O. Lover
11 - The Forecast
12 - Song for a Friend

...or just buy it.

posted by Brad at 8/08/2005 06:11:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Saturday, August 6

Passing Time

Susan goes back to work on Monday, exactly one month after her fun ACL surgery. During the 3 weeks since Nurse Jan finished her tour of duty, there have been many daytime hours to fill...

Cooking, cleaning, organizing, reading, physical therapy, jewlery making, and staining the table Rich helped us build last summer just to name a few. Probably more than anything else, though, it's been Sex & the City.



Brie hooked us up with the first six seasons on DVD, and we find ourselves in the midst of Season 4. I'm a bit surprised at how much I enjoy it - 9 discs down, 7 to go...

posted by Brad at 8/06/2005 02:20:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Shake, Pekoe

Good dog.

posted by Brad at 8/06/2005 01:08:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• That's what I like to see...a well trained puppy! He is so cute. I can't wait to meet him. Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/06/2005 9:22 AM 

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Thursday, August 4

Vamonos, Mama

LUV is bringing my Mom out to visit in 3 weeks, yaay!

posted by Brad at 8/04/2005 10:38:00 AM | permalink | 0 comments

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Tuesday, August 2

Push Pin Progress

I've been trying to mark our major trips on a map so we can make sure to see every nook & cranny of the state before we move back, our SoCal progress would best be described as hurty...

posted by Brad at 8/02/2005 09:28:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Eco-Friendly

I hitched a ride with a neighborly coworker today, which was an interesting experience - don't think I've carpooled to anywhere besides the bar since Wade and I did it during our internship summer of 2001. I had to get up about 2 hours earlier than normal, so it must have been the Sumatra that kept me going.

As it turns out, Karen is also a biker and shares my goal of pedaling the 15 miles to work. Of course we have to wait for it to cool down a bit, today was the chilliest of the week at a mere 98 degrees!

I'd better get a helmet though, death has been following me around lately - a 25 year old San Francisco man is presumed dead after falling over Vernal Falls on Saturday, and there was a fatal car accident on I-5 about a mile from our house this afternoon...

posted by Brad at 8/02/2005 08:13:00 PM | permalink | 0 comments

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Monday, August 1

Care to dance? 

posted by Brad at 8/01/2005 05:14:00 PM | permalink | 3 comments

3 Comments:

• Make sure you stay away from both the tour buses and the speakers. Shat comes out of both ;)

  By  Anonymous, at 8/02/2005 7:42 AM 

• I always liked the designs on warehouse tickets. I know you photograph all of them. Compilation?

  By  Nick, at 8/02/2005 9:24 AM 

• sadly, i don't photograph them all. but it would be cool to put together the ones i have...

  By  Brad, at 8/02/2005 11:22 AM 

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Yaay, Camping

Susan's knee held up, and we had a nice weekend in Yosemite that wrapped up a few hours ago when we got home. Kind of incredible how many more people were there compared to our trip last fall, but the waterfalls really are something to see - pictures don't do them justice.

Pekoe's first camping trip was surprisingly successful, although he did wake us both up last night with his snoring - who knew dogs snored? Susan fell asleep tonight while we "watched" Upside of Anger, which I didn't particularly enjoy.

Pretty sure I won't miss sleeping on an air mattress tonight...

posted by Brad at 8/01/2005 12:35:00 AM | permalink | 1 comments

1 Comments:

• Nice pictures but the dog driving makes me want to call your insurance man! Mom

  By  Anonymous, at 8/01/2005 8:37 AM 

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