Journal

Climb

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Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.

– Jack Kerouac.

I|O 2013

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This year’s Google developer conference revealed quite a few more reasons for me to swoon over and enjoy. There were also a few items I wish were addressed but was disappointed.

Google+ 

Completely redesigned social network and hub for almost everything Google. Love the new “Google Now” cards interface. A lot cleaner and they brought in the Roboto font from Android in too. The photos section got some new tricks up it’s sleeve as well.

Hangouts

Code named “Babel” while in development this cross-platform app when done will unify the G+ video hangouts, the IM client formerly known as Talk, and Google Voice for phone. Even the iSheep can use it.

Google Music, Books

The redesigned Google Music beat Apple to the music streaming game. I signed up for the $7.99 a month service (called All Access) for unlimited music that compliments the music I already own and interfaces with each other.

The Books offering allows me to upload my own content such as PDF documents, share them, etc. I’ve accumulated tons of self-published books and can now enjoy them in location.

Google TV

My Google TV player will be enjoying more frequent updates and is scheduled to upgrade to version 4.2 Jelly bean soon. w00t.

Disappointed In…

After it was announced that everyone’s favorite RSS feed reader was killed off, we had all hoped there would be a much improved alternative. Not so. At least we would have a more robust and user-friendly Google Currents, right? No.

Blogger. Google bought this company years ago and it has been a bastard ever since. Unloved and unwanted. If they ever focused on this service I would be all over it right now.

More

There is of course so much more announced at IO but these are the highlights for me. Redesigned Maps, developer tools, Google Glass etc. are all coming soon so there is plenty to look forward to soon.

GeoDenbow

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Did a little more urban exploration (Urbex) around Tulsa today. Using nothing but my mobile phone I found hidden treasure, hacked portals for the Resistance, hiked a trail or two, tracked it with a fitness app and documented it all with photos.

Whew!

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The Best Laid Plans

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Where did they go? Its been a long five years since I’ve lost a lot.

I have been doing everything else trying to get back to that life by taking on the odd job here and there and doing things I am not interested in.

I’ve been wandering around way too long and I haven’t the first damn clue as to what I am supposed to do.

My plans and goals and dreams have gone away and I don’t know how to get them back.

I want to return to making a self-sufficient life. One that can support my family. I want them to be proud of me. 

I want to be proud of myself. 

 

 

17 + 22

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Today, May 4th marks the 17th anniversary that I married the WonderWife.

Tomorrow, May 5th makes it a total of 22 years together.

I love you, Jenny.

Twitter 7.0

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Today marks the seventh year of TWTTR.

As an early adopters back then we didn’t know what we were doing but we had fun exploring it and making it ours.

Over the years, like all social media platforms it has gained huge users both legitimate and spam.

I’ve also signed up for a similar platform called App.net. The difference between these two is that App has a business model. You have to pay to get in. This helps eliminate the spam and increases the desire for a great interactive product since everyone is invested in it.

The problem is that most of the friends and followers I’ve made over the years on Twitter have not or will not convert.

Dilemma.