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

A stroll around the lake. Begin.

We managed to run the 2.8 mile inner loop of Greenlake several times this week.

Here's some pictures I snapped along the way.

More photos to follow in a later post.

~Elmer

A visit to the vet

What does a visit to the Veterinarian mean for the family dog?

He gets to come home with a bottle of eye drops and a fashionable new cone-collar.

His usual display of exuberance when presented with a hallway is dulled. And by dulled, I mean totally snuffed out. As we walk away, he plants his bottom on the ground and waits patiently for his amused owners to come back and pick him up.

A whimper or two later, we do.

~Elmer

DirectX10 Tutorial 3 - Shaders and Effect System

The text in the SDK offers very clear and succint explanations of the topics in this tutorial.

To supplement the SDK information, I have included diagrams of what I believe to be happening at certain points in the program.

The location of certain elements in the diagram may not be exactly correct. But I believe the hierarchal information as well as the general idea of what is occuring is correct.

Click each picture to an elarged version.

I hope these were helpful. As usual, if there are any errors, please let me know and I will make the necessary corrections.

~Elmer

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DirectX10 SDK Location: DirectX Graphics->Tutorials and Samples ->Tutorials->Basic Tutorials

Source Code Location: (SDK root)\Samples\C++\Direct3D10\Tutorials\Tutorial02

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