Hat tip to Engadget for this article about an omni-directional treadmill. Did someone say holodeck?
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Friday, August 10, 2007
Baby steps to saving the planet
We've all read at least one article recently that talks about small lifestyle changes that that have a big environmental impact. Well, here's another one. Lighterfootstep.com tells you all about 12 products you should avoid for healthier, more responsible living.
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Baby steps to saving the planet
We've all read at least one article recently that talks about small lifestyle changes that that have a big environmental impact. Well, here's another one. Lighterfootstep.com tells you all about 12 products you should avoid for healthier, more responsible living.
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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Read anything good lately?
Courtesy of my sister-in-law, I found a book-club-meets-social-networking-site called GoodReads yesterday. You basically sign up for the service and list books you've read, want to read or are reading. You can review and rate books that you've read and see what your friends (to whom you link MySpace-style) are reading and recommending.
Historically, I'm quick to sign up for services like this and slow to use them, so we'll see how it goes. If you want to help peer-pressure me into constant use, then sign up for GoodReads and add me as a friend.
Historically, I'm quick to sign up for services like this and slow to use them, so we'll see how it goes. If you want to help peer-pressure me into constant use, then sign up for GoodReads and add me as a friend.
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Monday, August 6, 2007
I write this same thing every year or so
I like to write. I think I'm pretty good at it. That said, I just don't do it very often. I have grand dreams of becoming the next Hemingway, or Carver. Hell...I'd even take being the next Grisham. If you can't become part of the literary canon, having a ton of money dumped on you isn't all that bad.
I even make (most) of my living by writing -- technical writing. I write training manuals and user documentation for a range of different companies: software companies, banks, consulting companies. I keep telling myself that I'm doing this in the short term until I can sell some of my more creative works. The problem there is that I haven't written any of those in quite awhile. I have contracts now that keep me busy for 5-6 hours per day. I work from home, so when I'm done with the contract work, I take care of stuff around here. I run the kids to gymnastics and karate practice.
And I'm also a bit lazy. When given a choice between going to write something for myself and playing Lego Star Wars 2 on the XBox, or reading a good book, or (if I'm really lucky) even taking a nap, I always opt for the more recreational of the activities. I'm not saying any of this to whine or complain. There's no "Poor Brad, he's too busy to write the great American novel" sentiment here. This diatribe is mainly to remind myself that I'm pretty damn lucky already. I get to make a living using the best of my talents to work for myself on my own schedule. The trick now is to stop taking this situation for granted, get off my ass and really reach for the brass ring.
I even make (most) of my living by writing -- technical writing. I write training manuals and user documentation for a range of different companies: software companies, banks, consulting companies. I keep telling myself that I'm doing this in the short term until I can sell some of my more creative works. The problem there is that I haven't written any of those in quite awhile. I have contracts now that keep me busy for 5-6 hours per day. I work from home, so when I'm done with the contract work, I take care of stuff around here. I run the kids to gymnastics and karate practice.
And I'm also a bit lazy. When given a choice between going to write something for myself and playing Lego Star Wars 2 on the XBox, or reading a good book, or (if I'm really lucky) even taking a nap, I always opt for the more recreational of the activities. I'm not saying any of this to whine or complain. There's no "Poor Brad, he's too busy to write the great American novel" sentiment here. This diatribe is mainly to remind myself that I'm pretty damn lucky already. I get to make a living using the best of my talents to work for myself on my own schedule. The trick now is to stop taking this situation for granted, get off my ass and really reach for the brass ring.
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