January 2010 Archives

Fly the not-so-friendly skies

I had recorded a lively, upbeat version of this podcast and Garageband froze so I lost all of it. I had to start again and sound absolutely pissed off. Sorry. But I can tell you that I talk about these kinds of things:

• Irritations while travelling
• My on-flight essentials
• Favorite airlines
• Taking a break beginning 4 April 2010 and until then, posting new episodes on Fridays only
• The idioPod 2010 Survey is up until 28 Feb 2010.

Remember: I'm always welcoming questions, comments and junk.

Stay updated with upcoming podcasts by checking out the idioPod Event Calendar! (It has been recently changed - now showing local time in the USA.)

Download: Right-click or listen on your iPhone/iPod Touch
Subscribe: Subscribe here
Length: 22 minutes 16 seconds
File Size: 10.2 MB

This is what happens when you plan too many podcast episodes in 1 week...

I posted this podcast episode a lot later than expected so I labelled it as an extra. It's actually a full podcast episode that I wasn't going to post. It makes a few references on days that have already passed (especially near the end). This one's a bit shorter than the recent ones too.

• My original plan for this podcast
• Missing working in Australia
• Complaining about Lowes (a hardware store here in the USA)
• More stuff that I can't remember, but yeah, you get it)

Remember: I'm always welcoming questions, comments and junk... even on this episode.

Stay updated with upcoming podcasts by checking out the idioPod Event Calendar! (It has been recently changed - now showing local time in the USA.)

Download: Right-click or listen on your iPhone/iPod Touch
Subscribe: Subscribe here
Length: 14 minutes 47 seconds
File Size: 6.8 MB

Update: To release one episode per week until April 2010, I have decided to make this podcast episode number 105. You'll still hear "Extra" in the introduction, but this is #105.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hyundai. All opinions are 100% mine.

The Global Green Challenge (GGC) ran from 24-31 October and ran from Darwin to Adelaide. The GGC is the world's leading, cross-continental showcase of the latest advances in hybrid, electric, solar, low emission and alternative energy vehicles.

The Challenge included two demanding urban loops and covered a total distance of 3,147km.

The Hyundai Santa Fe R Diesel was a challenger in the GGC and had garnered some great and impressive reviews and results. Why has the Hyundai Santa Fe R Diesel impressed on every level of the GGC? There are so many reasons:

The Santa Fe R is GreenR. Though there is a 27% power boost, there is a reduction of 7% of CO2 emissions. With its push button start and safe reverse technology, the Santa Fe R is much SmartR. And, impressively, someone can drive up to 1,200km on a single tank of diesel. That means you can drive LongR than before and you can be SafeR doing it with the 5 star ANCAP safety ratings with rollover sensors. And of course, the Santa Fe R is much StrongR due to the 27% power kick and 10% less fuel consumption.

After the challenge, the Santa Fe R diesel had consumed a total of just 160.46 liters of diesel and achieved a low 137.67 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Wow!

To follow the track from start to finish, feel free to see just how impressive the Santa Fe R diesel performed.

Also, don't forget to check out Hyundai Santa Fe's YouTube videos here. The Santa Fe R diesel is available in Australia.

As promised, I did a live recording of idioPod today at 1:30 pm but unfortunately, I didn't see anybody looking so I decided to end it prematurely. That's okay. I wasn't really expecting much for my first live episode.

I did, however, realize that it was recorded and stored at UStream.tv so I present to you the two videos I made today. (I made 1 recording but for some reason it was cut into 2 videos).

In this video podcast, I give you a tour of my mom's yard and just talk about life here in Texas.

  First part of the live podcast episode on 23 Jan 2010

  Second part of the live podcast episode on 23 Jan 2010*

These were recorded with my iPhone so the quality isn't going to be spectacular. Plus AT&T's coverage is HORRIBLE at my place. I will try to do one of these a month if the feedback is decent enough.

If you only want to watch one, watch the one with the *.

Want paid for making blog posts? Let the advertisers find YOU and pay you to post advertisements for them in your weblog.

If you have a weblog of your own, give them a try:

Hopefully it goes well...

I recorded this thing over two days so that means I repeat myself a little bit (but I've listened and it's not that bad.) Something I do have to mention is that there is a lot of background noise from the truck I drive for the first 15 minutes (minus a few seconds) so I am sorry about that. You might have to turn up your volume for that. The 2nd half isn't that bad. :)

• My plans to go back to Melbourne and my expectations
• My rescheduled live event on 23 Jan
• Buying a laptop vs a desktop (for other people, personally I have both)
• My stolen radio and the local police
• Shave my head again? Or stimulate my hair roots?
• Privacy concerns with my date I'm leaving, the countdown, my job when I get back,
• The 10 second rule: Fact or fiction?
• A short trip to New Orleans in my future?
• My 1-2 week break from idioPod coming in April

A rescheduled live show happens on 23 January 2010 at 1:30 pm (Central Time for the USA) and 6:30 am on Sunday in Australia (for Melbourne and Sydney).

Of course I'm always welcoming questions, comments and junk if you're willing to dish them out or if you just need someone to talk to.

Stay updated with upcoming podcasts by checking out the idioPod Event Calendar! (It has been recently changed - now showing local time in the USA.)

Download: Right-click or listen on your iPhone/iPod Touch
Subscribe: Subscribe here
Length: 29 minutes 7 seconds
File Size: 13.4 MB

Unfortunately, I had to reschedule the idioPod Live show to the 23rd due to nasty weather. It's not 'bad' weather so to speak but it's wet with a lot of puddles on the ground. Since my live show was planned to be outside, this means it would be cold and wet for me, something I don't need at this time.

I waited to see if things would improve (like it would stop raining) but it hasn't yet.

Sooooo... I'm rescheduling it for next weekend instead. Same time (at 1:30 pm USA/CST) but a little longer to make up having to reschedule it. (These live shows actually depend on decent weather sometimes.)

So make sure you come back to see the details on the newly rescheduled show soon and I will get myself together to improve the look and quality of idioPod Live to make sure it's a live show people will want to watch!

Sorry for the inconvenience though.

I've run into a few problems today and wasn't able to record a new podcast episode. So I'll post a new one on Tuesday instead. At least I hope I will. The live event tomorrow is still on though. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, just look around. You can go here to view it starting at 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm CST (USA) on the 16th.

And also, if you want to tell me what you think about idioPod or want to shape the future, go take a very short survey right here.

We'll see number 104 soon. I promise.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Eye-Fi. All opinions are 100% mine.

How many of you guys have been asked "Where are the photos you took from your vacation"? And you either have to lug out your camera to show them or say, "Oh, they're still there." I'm sure if you're like me, you've had to do both plenty of times. Maybe you're one of the people with boxes of cables. Perhaps you're the kind of person who just doesn't remember where the cord to your camera or card reader is. I'd usually get around to getting my pictures off of the camera about three months after I took them by connecting it to my computer and moving all of the pictures to my hard drive. And of course it took so long because I couldn't find the right cable...

That's where Eye-Fi comes in. What is Eye-Fi? Well it's a wireless SD memory card with up to 4GB of memory PLUS built-in Wi-Fi. You can easily transfer photos and videos from your camera to your laptop so you can share them on your favorite sharing sites like Flickr and YouTube. Eye-Fi also automatically backs up and organizes your photos and videos on your hard drive on date-stamped folders. It's simply an easier, faster and more convenient way to save and share your memories. All you need to use Eye-Fi is a SDHC capable camera and a wireless router.

The Eye-Fi could easily make life a lot easier for me because, yes, I wouldn't have to worry about where I left the cables or cords and transfer from anywhere in my house!

Want to know more? Just watch this video to learn more about this great accessory for your camera.

In case you've been away (physically or mentally), I wanted to remind you that on Saturday, 16 January 2010 there will be a short, 30 minute live idioPod courtesy of Ustream.tv. You're invited to take a look at whatever I might be doing at the moment. I am hoping that I'll be able to show you something interesting and fun about the world around me while I'm here in the USA.

So remember, you can go to Idiologic.com on the 16th or you can head over to my page at Ustream.tv to view the live event. It will be happening on Saturday at 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm (for US Central Time).

I hope to see you there and if not, I understand.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of LG Chocolate Touch. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you wanted a new phone but haven't made up your mind about what you want? What if I told you that there is a phone out there that has outstanding, crystal-clear sound quality using Dolby Mobile technology for your music and has a great 3.2MP camera/video recorder to boot? And what if I told you that the phone would also let you easily upload those pictures/videos to your social networking accounts with one simple touch of a button (the Social Network Message Key)? Wouldn't that make mobile blogging so much easier?

That phone has arrived and it's called the LG Chocolate Touch!

Not only would you get a great phone, but you would also get a great music player, a high-quality camera that is capable of recording your memories to show your friends and family. You could leave your other bulky camera and your MP3 player at home because it's in your phone. When it comes to portability, the LG Chocolate Touch not only makes your life easier (and lighter) but also a lot more fun.

Plus, wouldn't your friends love to get the silly text messages and crazy photos? Oh I bet they would! And even if you didn't, you can always be amused by the sweet visual effects and features such as the Rhythmical Beat feature that vibrates to the beat of your custom music! And who can forget Visual Voicemail... definitely a time saver!

I had the opportunity to play with one of these phones and must say that it's a great piece of technology. I'd love to have one of these things. If you haven't taken a look at it, I suggest you do. You'll be pleasantly surprised (and it will also keep you from spending WAY too much money on another phone that shall rename nameless... plus you'll get way better service too.)

You might know this, but then again, you might not... the subject is a quote from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" which is probably my favorite musical ever. No, but really, I have this "thing" for old school video games. You know, the classics like Doom, Duke Nukem 3D or Quake.

Recently, I learned about Quake Live. And I also learned that you don't have to download the game to play because you can play from your browser. And to make it better, I realized that it works on the Mac (through Safari). And I also have to admit that it works pretty darn well too.

I have a profile at Quake Live which tells you some of my statistics. And if you look at it, you'll see that I haven't played against real people yet [at the time of me writing this]. That's because I have always really sucked in multi-player games. (And I don't like to lose!)

I just thought that it was a neat thing and thought I'd share with you guys. Especially if you want to kick my ass! hehe Head over to Quake Live, make an account, download the plug-in then be my special friend!

The start to 2010 is quite average.

Recorded over 2 days. The first one was recorded on 31 Dec 2009. I talk about my weighty issues, a pet peeve: having lots of kids and not being able to afford it because of irresponsible spending, a little bit about my high school crush.

In the next part, I talk about my Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, a new addition to the family, my new toys/games and make sure you visit the weblog (if you're not already here) and view the updated calendar.

A live show on 16 January 2010 at 1:30 pm (Central Time for the USA) and 6:30 am on Sunday in Australia (for Melbourne and Sydney).

Of course I'm always welcoming questions, comments and junk if you're willing to dish them out or if you just need someone to talk to.

Stay updated with upcoming podcasts by checking out the idioPod Event Calendar! (It has been recently changed - now showing local time in the USA.)

Download: Right-click or listen on your iPhone/iPod Touch
Subscribe: Subscribe here
Length: 18 minutes 23 seconds
File Size: 8.4 MB

I finally got my Apple Magic Mouse in. Everybody had the things on backorder, even Apple. And now, a not-so-special review of it. Well, you know how my reviews are. Very short and very sweet.

In case you didn’t know, the Magic Mouse is Apple’s new mouse. And let me say for the record it’s a step up from their Apple Wired Mighty Mouse (of course it’s just called the Apple Mouse now).

One of my huge problems with the Mighty Mouse was that I was a little too squeeze happy or maybe the mouse itself was a little too sensitive. The other big problem was the stupid scroll wheel building up dirt inside. Sad really. Otherwise, it would have made a really nice mouse. Especially ergonomically.

So the Magic Mouse doesn't have the annoying squeezable sides or the scroll wheel. And that itself makes it great. What I don't like about it is that I was expecting it to be like the new trackpads in the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros. You know, three and four finger swipes and junk.

But I got it, looked at it and used it and three and four finger swipes aren't fun. How would I know if the functionality isn't built in? Because there's a little program called MagicPrefs that adds a whole lot of functionality. Then I discovered very quickly how irritating tapping can be. And MagicPrefs also made my trackpad the most hated thing on my computer.   

And the mouse isn't very comfortable for my hand. And that's a bad thing too.

But when push comes to shove, I'm seriously happy that I don't have to keep using my trackpad. I missed having a real mouse to use my Mac with.

Products mentioned in this post:

Ah we needed an update, didn't we? Sure you did. I know I did.

Well so 2010 is here and as far as I know, mostly queer. I'm sitting here with my fingers in my ear because the dog is snoring. And I could keep rhyming like a bloody idiot, or I can get on with my bad ol' self.

I haven't been feeling very spectacular lately with my kidneys and such. I jumped on the scale the other day and it said 187.5 pounds (which is 85 kg). I was like, wow. But something told me that the scale was wrong so a day or two later, I jumped on (literally) and it was 178.5 (and that's about 81 kg).

So what could have happened where I lose 9 pounds (ahem, 4 kg) in one day? Any one of these things may have happened:

• I dropped the new-born baby I was holding.
• The dog jumped out of my arms.
• The alien jumped into the toilet and flushed itself.
• I threw my guts up, literally.
• I had to pee... really bad.
• I was full of shit, um, literally.

I assure you it wasn't any of those things. Or maybe it was just the bathroom scale being funny. I usually weigh myself with minimal clothes on like with my underwear and socks on only. When I weighed myself, I was wearing jeans, a jacket and doing something else... I don't remember what... I think brushing my teeth.

BUT I poke fun of myself saying that but honestly, 2009 was my heaviest year. I had never, ever hit the 180 pound mark and I am struggling very hard to keep the weight off. I have always been somewhat on the thin side. I liked it. I had no real problem with it and putting weight ON was always a huge problem. Well I have it now. And it's very, very hard to lose.

So this year, I will focus on that. I need to get into better shape. My body is reminding me that I'm getting older and I'll have man titties (yes, this is a scary link) in no time. Something I don't want.

Now all you people who thought I would never put on weight can laugh. ;) If your goal this year is for a healthier body, let me know. I know it sounds funny but I can give you some dietary tips (and I'm so capable and qualified to do it). I wish you luck and hey, don't quit on your new gym membership, yeah? Your body will love you for it later.

My goal for the first 6 months of 2010 is to lose about 5 pounds a month. Very easy. Very attainable.

The area in that light blue is how much I weighed (mostly) in Australia so it goes to show you that I've been putting it on like crazy in the USA. There is just too much good food here. I am hoping to lose 20-25 pounds of fat this year. If I put on muscle, that's even hotter/sexier/better.

And these graphs were made by OmniGraphSketcher by Omni Group which make awesome Mac software. (And making graphs is a nerdy obsession of mine...)

Don't get overexcited, this is more like a trial!

I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and try doing live show but it's not really with me sitting in front of the computer or anything like that. This live show will be done while I'm up and around via my iPhone.

You'll see the area where I am living at the time and some of the things that I like to do. (Just some... not all.)

And if I haven't confused you already, this all will be happening on Saturday, 16 January 2010 from 1:30 to 2:00 pm (US Central Time).

In the USA
Date: Saturday, 16 January 2010
Time: 1:30 - 2:00 pm (US Central Time)

In Australia
Date: Sunday, 17 January 2010
Time: 6:30-7:00 am (Eastern Time)