A visit to the market

Random pictures from a visit to the local ethnic market. I'll spare you the pictures of live tilapia and crab. Enjoy :)

~Elmer

So much to learn!

I'm a visual person.

I have always had a strong interest in user interfaces, design, usability, etc. Pretty much anything to do with how we interact with the systems around us. I remember spending hours tweaking the color settings on my Windows 3.11 system. I'm still doing the same on my Vista machine, albeit with different tools. I'm already poking around in my G1, figuring out how to modify the GUI as much as possible.

I've decided to leverage that interest into my learning and my direction as a developer. I've been immersing myself in the usual alphabet soup that is programming.

For Windows development, I've gone with .Net, specifically C#, XAML, and the Windows Presentation Foundation for GUI application development. So far, I've been impressed with the ease and speed with which applications can be created. It's a far cry from when I used MFC to build rudimentary applications.

My G1 has piqued my interest in mobile development. I have the Eclipse IDE and Android SDK installed on my PC. The documentation has been easy to follow and the similarities between Java and C# and the use of XML for application layout eased the learning curve. I already have "Hello World!" up and running in the emulator with a full "Geek Smile" in tow.

I'm also going to finally commit to learning how to use Photoshop. That's another can of worms in it of itself.

All in all, exciting times.

~Elmer

G.I. Joes closed down

Few things are more fun than finding a wide open space and playing catch with someone. It was under this premise that the family and I went down to our local G.I.Joes to pick up a mitt for our daughter.

Unfortunately, the store had closed down. The sign was gone and the once item-laden store was now empty and laid bare with only support columns, bare walls, and darkness reaching back into the far recesses of the building.

It's unfortunate. That was our go-to store when we needed an outdoor item.

I recall one of the days we had a windstorm. My daughter and I drove over to pick up a soccer ball. We thought it kind of odd when we crossed under I-5 from West to East that the stoplights were all blinking red in 4-way stop mode. When we entered the parking garage, we were greeted with more confusion. The main lights were down and only the emergency lights were flashing. We pressed on, parked, and strolled up to the store.

They were having one of their numerous outdoor season ending sales. We went into the cage and looked for a soccer ball. Nothing. So we thought we'd try our luck inside.

A large bodyguard fellow greeted us and asked, "Cash or Check?" Apparently, the lack of power rendered the card readers and check out stands useless. Luckily I had my checkbook on me that day.

He ushered us into the dark store. A few calls on the 2-way radio later, a flashlight wielding employee appeared. We then had the surreal experience of being led into the back of the store where the soccer balls were held. The usually lit store was in complete darkness; merchandise loomed above us, sports equipment stuck out into the aisles menacingly, and paths briefly lit by the flashlight appeared and disappeared.

We made it to the soccer balls without incident and even managed to pick up a Nike youth model on sale. Making our way back to the light, where the employees were filling out orders on paper was a strange feeling. The darkness we had just left was soothing. The glaring lights and bustle served as a shock, a wake-up call of sorts.

My daughter was beaming. Not only did she get a ball, she went on an adventure! I certainly felt the same.

~Elmer

The mitt? The internet took care of that. But, can you put a price on a good adventure?

Making the case for the 'Man Bag'

I recently replaced my aging Motorola RAZR with a T-mobile G1 (HTC Dream). It quickly assumed its place alongside its other pocketfilling companions: multiple sets of keys, bulging wallet (.. it's not the money ), the girlfriend's wallet and phone when she doesn't feel like carrying them ( always ), and various other knick-knacks that find their way into my pockets.

This situation is anything but ideal. From the style perspective, I'm fairly sure that "bulges in all pockets look" won't be lighting up any fashion runways any time soon. The stretched, tight, feeling that you get isn't exactly what I would call comfortable. Let's not forget loading and unloading. Any time I get into a car or anyplace I have to sit, I'm compelled to empty my pockets. Airport security? Same deal. Into the tray goes the items. Then, there's the joy of placing said items back into their respective pockets. The whole process is morphing itself into some sort of ritual.

Solutions? The obvious one is cut back. Remove those giant key chains and useless knick-knacks. Don't store movie stubs and receipts from the last 6 months in your wallet. Better yet, get one of those magic folding clasping wallets to really become minimal. These, however, only attack the symptoms and do not directly address the cause.

Enter, the Man Bag. When I have broached the subject with my friends, I get the usual guffaws and cries of "MURSE!! MURSE!!" That's understandable. The kind of bag I'm referring to is anything but a purse. It's more along the lines of what Laptop-Toters use everyday. In fact, being able to fit a Netbook or Ultraportable would be a requirement. Think messenger bag or large saddle bag.

Now all your problems are solved. Dump all your junk in the bag. Carry whatever you want with you. Be able to walk like a normal human, because you aren't being poked and pressed from all angles every time you take step.

There are still challenges and stigmas to overcome. Do you keep everything in the bag? From observations of my bag-toting friends, they usually keep the wallet in their pockets. Are you trading one set of pros and cons for another? From my perspective being able to go either route is a plus. It's always nice to have options.

~Elmer

Take the picture

I'm a sucker for a scene. Whether it be a frozen moment in time or a short sequence of events. I'm referring to the kinds of things you'd see in a good picture album or in a movie.

Something you'd want to remember or capture in some way. Something evocative.

Emotions, events, or any notion of specifics don't matter; as long as it causes the person experiencing it to pause for even the briefest moment.

I have one of these moments after nearly every one of my daughter's violin lessons. The adjacent instruction room provides it for me. I think it's the light at that time of day. Or the arrangement of the empty furniture. Or the open violin case. Or the numerous other random details.

I liken it to walking into an empty dimly lit lecture hall or into a building or business after hours.

Luckily, one of the days the room was not in use, I had a camera on me. Under the chagrined gaze of another parent, randomly peering up from his Thinkpad, I managed to get a few exposures.

I wish the picture was sharper. My Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 II lens seriously needs a digital body to attach itself to.

~Elmer

A stroll around the lake. End.

These photos are a continuation of photos found in a previous post.

~Elmer

Macaroni & Cheese - a lesson in futility

I'd like to talk about something very important. Macaroni & Cheese. Specifically, the Kraft variety.

I have no qualms with the taste; after all, it is "The Cheesiest." What is a source of befuddlement for me, however, is the opening mechanism.

It seems so alluringly simple. One would assume that "TO OPEN PUSH SIDE FLAP AND TEAR BACK" and "TO OPEN PUSH HERE" would combine for an easy entrance to cheesy yummy goodness.

But try as I might, a successful execution of this strategy eludes me. No amount of staring, pinching, or pulling seems to help.

And so, I resort to the default. The ripping, rending, and utter destruction of the boreal opening. Eventually, I am victorious and yet I feel defeated.

Perhaps, someday Kraft will fix the perforations or abandon the madness of this method altogether.

Until that day... Doh, the water for the macaroni and cheese is boiling. Next time. Next time.

~Elmer