furiousBlog - in my diatribe

my new favorite

furiousBall — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:20:43 +0000

Crazy busy today – and the irony is not lost on me that I will be running around like this on a day that is supposed to be set aside to rest. But let me leave you with the links below and my new favorite Hipstamatic shot…

Snake Robot Climbs a Tree
The Rolling Shutter Effect – I want to try this with my iPhone. This is what happens when your subject is moving faster than your camera’s scan rate
Dolphin Boobs!
Apps n’ Such

fun!

furiousBall — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:30:30 +0000

What a fun day yesterday. After getting some work done in the morning, I dropped Abbe off at The Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe for work, and I got home hopped on my bike and had a great time at Bub’s soccer practice.

Viv and I were running the bases at Brooks Field and Viv held the camera on herself to some hilarious results…

That afternoon, after getting more coding done, I picked up Abbe from work, we headed to Jo Ann’s to get her some materials to make hats that we plan on selling to raise money for the Disney Marathon, stopped at Target for school supplies for Van and Viv, and then rode our bikes to PJ’s for dinner. After dinner, we headed to the Sand Stand for ice cream, walked across the bridge to stare at Lake Aetna a bit, and then started to pedal over to visit our friends LarryMac, Sharon, and Tim. Hanging out at Tim’s place was a blast! Tim has a little tiny puppy named Angus…

See? He’s a dainty 160 pound (not yet full grown too!) English Mastiff – so darn sweet. And here’s Abbe vs. Angus in a tug of war… I think Angus wins this one.

Larry brought over his conga and Tim got his guitars out for an impromptu jam – what a blast!

Here’s the three of us making some noise…

Movie reviews…

The Runaways – this movie was decent, and really only flawed due to the acrimonious departures of some of the members of the band. Joan Jett and Cherie Currie’s characters were great, Kristen Stewart did an awesome job as Jett. The shortcomings of the film were the performances were dumbed down a bit (based on the raunch I’ve heard actually took place) and the other members of the band (most notably Lita Ford) were nearly absent from the film entirely. That said, this film was based on Currie’s book about the band and her relationship with Jett and Lita Ford apparently would not be involved with the film.

Small Business/Tech Links…

so much more than music

furiousBall — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:06:50 +0000

I was reminded yesterday morning while teaching guitar to one of my little superhero buddies – it’s amazing the things you learn while you teach. There is so much more than music that happens when a kid learns to play an instrument. I’m so proud that my daughter is now interested in learning guitar AND getting back at piano. Also, my son wants to get back to guitar lessons too. I don’t push playing music on either one of my kids, but I am very happy they want to learn. (photo below by Denise)

less substantial

furiousBall — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:20:51 +0000

Busy day of coding and some back to school shopping. I’ll post something more substantial tomorrow probably.

Movie reviews…

Clash of the Titans – release the crap.

Small Business/Tech Links…

pizza, Phillies, and phriends

furiousBall — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:17:09 +0000

Yesterday was a whirlwind, productive, and fun. My buddy Doug stopped in to hang out with Abbe, my kids, and I to have some pizza, beer, and watch a crazy Phillies – Rockies game last night.

I forgot to get all that sleep I was needing so badly last night, so I’m doubly-tired now.

Oh, before I forget, DressLikeAHo is running two specials right now, use coupon code “25clear” for 25% off any closeout or clearance items or use coupon code “10vamp” to get 10% off orders of $40 or more. Get your Halloween costumes now!

Small Business/Tech Links…

Google Wave to Rise Again

beat

furiousBall — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:46:52 +0000

I am beat today. Lots of working and a run in the dark last night have me tuckered out. I need to force myself to bed early tonight. Very busy day today: code, drop kids off at Mom’s, go to BNI, pick up kids, teach piano lesson, and code until sleepy time.

Movie review…

To Catch a Thief – Cary Grant + Grace Kelly + Alfred Hitchcock = it’s awesome.

Kinetic Wall Sculptures
True Tales of False Romance
Happy 90210 Day!
Louis CK Got Drunk and Tweeted… and said somethings to Sarah Palin that might have been in somewhat bad taste
Woody Guthrie Inspired Pencil Set
Vanity Plate of the Day

gooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaal!

furiousBall — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:41:05 +0000

Bubs has his first soccer practice of the season last night. He lost his love for soccer a few years ago. He attended a soccer camp that consisted of great one-on-one training for the kids that really wanted to play soccer. Unfortunately for kinetic 5 year olds, it was a hot bed of bad behavior – lots of one-on-one training surrounded by 50-60 5 year olds sitting around on the grass with soccer balls and crap to play with. Ergo, he ended up getting in trouble, not paying attention, and hating soccer.

But this was not soccer camp, this was practice for his team filled with all of his buddies and he had a blast. He even… wait for it, scored a goal during the scrimmage! The only disturbance during practice was a deer that came sprinting along the side of Brooks Field(the boys loved that). I was hoping to have lots of pics and video of the practice, but my iPhone was absconded by Viv so she could get her fill of Talking Carl and Pocket God. Prior to the game, Viv did Abbe’s hair and toenails… so pretty….

And Abbe helped Viv get dressed up as a cheerleader…

And here’s the lone picture I got of the team (Bub’s is in a Raul Ibanez shirt behind a bunch of kids, can’t even see him)…

Movie reviews…
Crazy Heart – first off, you know I’m going to love a film made in New Mexico, but this film is a perfect example of how effective a character study with great acting can truly be. The only discount I would place on this film is I really did not find Colin Farrell believable as a country music star.
L’Eclisse – Criterion Collection – I’ll admit it, I had to go read a review of the film to really get it. And to me, that’s the mark of a nice piece of art, but not a great film. The extremely well-respected Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni creates this statement of society’s disconnect from itself mostly through technology (very much ahead of it’s time) and how sexuality was the last real grasp humanity truly has for feeling human. See what I mean? I absolutely appreciate anyone attempting a statement like that, the problem is it tends to become more a lesson and less entertainment.

xkcd : Orbiter
Fat Jew Nude on Shrooms in New Mexico – thanks Adam
It’s Time to Get Laid
Also, I will Shoot You – thanks Justin
Pulp Ravioli
This is How I Feel About Buying Apps – thanks Justin

Small Business/Tech Links…

furiousBall List : Ken Miller of Metro Public Adjustment

furiousBall — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:18:07 +0000

You’ve heard of Angie’s List, well, here’s the furiousBall list, small companies in the South Jersey area you can count on to do a great job for you.

Property damage? Call Ken Miller of Metro Public Adjustment first!

A tree hits the roof; the basement’s full of water; a kitchen fire leaves the house covered in an oily film of smoke; it’s a homeowner’s worse nightmare. Then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, you have to deal with the insurance company.

Before you do, give Ken Miller of Metro Public Adjustment a call. As a public adjuster, Ken represents the interests of property owners like you in claims involving damages just like these. He is your advocate, taking the claim process from start to finish, and expertly negotiating with the insurance company to make sure that you, the policy holder, get everything you’re entitled to, recovering property losses to the fullest amount possible.

Here’s what Ken and Metro can do for you:

Appraise the damage and help you understand the factors that determine a settlement amount.
Prepare an estimate and other claim documentation.
Review the policy to determine coverage and explain all the complex conditions and limitations found within.
Skillfully negotiate on your behalf against the insurance company adjuster who is paid to represent the interests of the insurance company.
Make sure that your claim is processed quickly.

Property inspection is absolutely free as is a review of your policy. Public adjusters like Ken work hard on your behalf for a fee based on a percentage of the recovery. Though not guaranteed, settlements are often much larger than what you can expect going it alone with the insurance company. Best of all, Ken does all of the work for you.

Whether it’s a big loss or a small one with big potential, get the help you need to navigate through some rough insurance waters. The piece of mind is just a bonus.

For Damages or Career Opportunity contact Ken Miller:
www.metropa.com/kmiller | kmiller@metropa.com | 609.410.0815

clay and wine carriers

furiousBall — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:00:43 +0000

Abbe took my son to Binkley’s yesterday. She needed some thread and Bubs just wanted to take a ride. Whenever you take a kid to a store that has toys, it happens, they ask for something. But, I was really impressed with what my son requested – modeling clay. And he even asked to get some for his sister too.

So why did Abbe need the sewing thread? She’s making wine carriers and gift baskets for the Carriage Trade Cheese Shoppe… check ‘em out…

Yesterday while taking out the recycling, my neighbor Kristen stopped me and thanked me for their Trail-A-Bike. See, I got a trail-a-bike last year from my mother and Viv quickly learned to ride her two wheeler. So rather than just have the trail-a-bike get rusty in my backyard, I gave it to LarryMac – someone else could use it, it’s in brand new shape. So he set it up for Kristen’s bike so her son Ben could use it. Very happy they will get some more use out of it.

Rest in Vinyl – your cremated ashes made into vinyl records
Full Metal Disney
Hygiene Tips

Small Business/Tech Links…

New Google Priority Inbox
The Wilderness Downtown – new interactive HTML5 story by The Arcade Fire

hot run!

furiousBall — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:08:40 +0000

Yesterday’s run was tough! I thought we were done with all that plus 90 degree crap… but oh no! I endured 7.42 miles around Cooper River Park. I was so sweaty that I spotted dried lines of salt on my face while driving home. I thought that was kind of cool, last time I had that was sailing on a choppy day (but instead of sweat, it’s salt water).

After our run, Abbe and I made a really good dinner – tilapia marinated with soy sauce, pinch of garlic salt, and a pinch of red pepper; sliced up squash with butter, salt, pepper, and topped with zucchini bruchetta; and baked sweet potatoes. Abbe wrapped up the fish and veggies in foil and I threw it on the grill. I really should have taken pictures, because it came out awesome!

Sneaking up to scare Abbe while sewing…

Movie reviews…

Cold Souls – at a certain point, these medium-cool, Wes Anderson-type movies need to have some sort of something that happens, not just situational awkwardness. I love Paul Giamatti, but this film literally had no soul.