FlockDraw

The first one is FlockDraw. And it’s beyond cool. Somehow, thanks to the amazing power of the Internets, it allows for collaborative drawing. Like, I could be drawing on it, and you could be drawing on it AT THE SAME TIME … and we can see each other do this … in real time.

It’s FLASH based, I believe and it’s really cool … when it works. I say this because I drew something at work, and then later today from home, I went to look at it and it was gone. I did post it to Facebook, and though no one commented, maybe someone erased it? Shrugs. See it here:

Of course, at this moment, it’s blank again. Sigh. Well, we’ll see … maybe it will right itself.

Just in case, I’ve embedded it here in this non-blog page: http://www.brandonandkimberly.com/flockdraw.html … It’s not working as of this writing. The “embed” code they give out is wonky, and it doesn’t even display on my Mac at work. Go figure.

In the meanwhile, the URL for the one I’ve been playing with is: http://flockdraw.com/cc0u4z

UPDATE: Oh wait, now I get it: “It’s important to note that these FlockDraw rooms are meant to be disposable — once the last person leaves the room, the image disappears.” from: ReadWriteWeb. But, still, I can’t seem to get the embedding to work. Sigh.

Squidoo

I’ve been looking for a guestbook for www.brandonandkimberly.com because someone has strongly advised me to, and one of the first things I found in a Google search was Squidoo.

Squidoo is a lot like GeoCities, in that it allows anybody to set up a free website. And, that it looks pretty crappy. I hate all the banner ads, as represented in this screenshot:

If you’re interested in seeing the Squidoo page I set up today but likely won’t continue messing with, see it here: http://www.squidoo.com/brandonandkim … Really, I just think I’m too old for that many ads. However, if anyone clicks on them, I might make money. Ka-ching … yeah, right.

It was easy. I went to their website, signed up, chose two fonts from the free trial selection and specified what domain I will be using them on. The free trial only allows for the use of two fonts on one domain. I then copied the two-line Java call and pasted it into the head of all the site’s pages, then configured the easy-to-use TypeKit editor to specify which font corresponded to which selector in my HTML/CSS of the site, and after a few minutes, I was done.

I chose FF Enzo Web by FontFont for my headlines.

I chose Scrivano by Outras Fontes for my regular body text. I know, I know – it’s a little wild. And kind of a little fancy pants, but it really highlights the fact that I’m using a unique font on my Web site and if you’re cool enough to have an updated browser, then you’re cool enough to see it and, perhaps, be inspired by it and the brilliant web developer behind the Web site. All that, and Kim let me, so there.

But it doesn’t work in all the browsers I use. Here’s the results of my survey:

Go

MAC
Firefox 3.5.5
Safari*

PC
Firefox 3.5.5
Internet Explorer 8

No Go

Mac
Camino
Google Chrome
Opera

PC
Chrome 3
Internet Explorer 6+7

* Though BrandonandKimberly.com keeps crashing Safari. Doh! Man, I hate that browser.

Also, I’m kind of disappointed in the way that various browsers display the fonts I chose.

Check out these screen shots. Discuss.

Firefox 3.5.5 (PC): This is how Typekit displays our wedding Web site on the browser of my choice.

Internet Explorer 8 (PC): It doesn't display as nicely, but, maybe that's just my opinion. Notice how the weights of the headlines between this one and FF are inconsistent.

Firefox 3.5.5 (Mac): It looks pretty good on Firefox for Mac.

The Only One - The American Analog Set
Brandy Alexander - Feist
Can’t Afford to Do It - Odetta
Don’t Forget Me - Neko Case
I’m Your Man - Leonard Cohen
My Blue Heaven - Frank Sinatra
Help I’m Alive - Metric
You Were Made for ME - Sam Cooke
Blue Eyes - Elton John
An Acceptable Level of Ecstasy (The Wedding Song) - Lyle Lovett
Remedy - Black Crowes
The Cause of it All - Roy Orbison
I’m glad YOu’re Mine - Al green
Joan Osborne - Cathedrals
My Only Offer - Mates of State
Valerie - The zutons
Sunshine of Your Love - Ella Fitzgerald

Why being a professor is the best job in the world : http://comics.com/pearls_before_swine/2009-08-16/

Poor, poor Annie Leibovitz : http://nymag.com/fashion/09/fall/58346/

GARDENING
Hunting season for gardners? : http://www.chron.com/commons/persona.html?newspaperUserId=rjudd&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=rjudd&plckPostId=Blog%3arjuddPost%3a805907a5-17e1-4765-afa5-967e18cca9e8&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest

How to ripen tomatoes : http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ripen-green-tomatoes.html

A shot of lavender, please : http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/08/grow-your-own-drinks.html

GEEK + TECH
Can Streamy fill the FriendFeed void? : http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/why_streamy_could_be_the_next_friendfeed.php

Wired’s first look Windows 7 : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/first-look-windows7

Maximize Photoshop efficiency and such : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/13/10-simple-steps-to-better-photoshop-performance/

Yahoo’s Know Your Mojo says I’m a “matchmaker,” as in, I should have my own game show. Lame. : http://yahoo.knowyourmojo.com/

We’re the digital sharecroppers : http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001295.html

1998 was a long, long time ago : http://www.smashingapps.com/2009/08/13/how-popular-website-designs-looked-like-in-late-90s.html

Why not to call your boss a “wanker” on facebook, especially if they’re your “friend” on the service : http://thenextweb.com/2009/08/09/note-friend-boss-fb-bitch-job/

Get the OpenID code : http://openid.net/developers/

iGoogle gets more social : http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/google_launches_social_gadgets_for_igoogle.php

Why not to switch to Windows 7 : http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/08/7-reasons-to-avoid-windows-7/

Facebook to RSS … for now : http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/08/another-facebook-newsfeed-rss-application-emerges-will-facebook-let-it-stay/

What about Bob : http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/001297.html

Advanced CSS 3 Selectors : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/17/taming-advanced-css-selectors/

Fonts on the web - where we’re at : http://www.zeldman.com/2009/08/17/web-fonts-and-standards/

21.3 GB = The Pirate Bay : http://torrentfreak.com/download-a-copy-of-the-pirate-bay-before-its-gone-090816/

WordPress Hook Hacks : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/18/10-useful-wordpress-hook-hacks/

Lookout for the virus that seeks out your stored-FTP passwords : http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=732&doc_id=180663

Photoshop paths refresher : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/18/mastering-photoshop-with-paths/

It’s content strategy, dummy : http://www.alistapart.com/articles/the-case-for-content-strategy-motown-style/

Twitter - It replaces nothing and adds nothing : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/17/why-i-dont-use-twitter/

When stealing isn’t flattery : http://www.designer-daily.com/what-to-do-when-your-design-is-stolen-2855

How to die the green way : http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2009/08/the_ultimate_environmentally_friendly_way_to_die.html

HYPER-LOCAL
Chron Neighborhood News draws the attention of Hairballs : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/chronicle_email_quotes.php

BlogHouston talks about the Chron’s adventure in bad journalism : http://www.bloghouston.net/item/7791

A high tech county fair? : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/15/news/doc4a86d266d07da325602700.txt

“(Alberto) Gonzales teaching a class on executive branch issues is a bit like … Dick Cheney speaking on firearm safety” : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/pi/going-gonzo-in-lubbock/

Texas Watchdog isn’t granted access to the Lege floor : http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2009/08/news-web-sites-denied-press-access/

It’s a good thing blogs always get it right : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/bloggingfail_right_here_in_hou.php

Holy Rosary Bazaar is Sunday : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/18/news/doc4a8aef2220ad4244821238.txt

Shudder: Could Perry pick Patrick : http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=4448

“rick perry gay” : http://www.texasobserver.org/editorial/gay-panic/

The latest issue of graffit-e, the newsletter for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is out : http://www.class.uh.edu/enews/2009/08/index.html

MIXED SIGNALS
I’m stock-full of playing experience, I’ll let you know : http://communitynewspapergroup.com/articles/2009/08/20/waverly_newspapers/sports/doc4a8c6a9f0eb44811736602.txt

MUSIC
Despite Eddie Money, Neko Case to play Warehouse Live on Nov. 22 : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/neko-case-houston-date-announced

Lone Star Indie Bash : http://indiehouston.org/upcoming-shows/lone-star-beer-is-having-a-show-support-your-states-brewery/

R.E.M. live discs out Oct. 26 : http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/08/rem-live-at-the-olympia-set-for-oct-26-release.html

New R.E.M. tracklist : http://pitchfork.com/news/36257-rem-reveal-live-album-details/

Kind of Bloop - a tribute to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue : http://laughingsquid.com/kind-of-bloop-an-8-bit-tribute-to-miles-davis/

Astral Years : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/17/van-morrison-rediscovers-astral-weeks-in-to-be-born-again-doc/

Why Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue is so great : http://www.slate.com/id/2225336/pagenum/all/

NEWS
Meet the Jefferson Area Drug Enforcement (JADE) : http://iheartejade.blogspot.com/

A screeching halt : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/21clunkers.html

The rich not as rich no more, featuring Mr. (Virus) McAfee : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/business/economy/21inequality.html

I first met Ken in college, when we both were sharpening our skills at The Daily Cougar. He was the ace reporter who always got it right and I was the columnist who never knew what time it was. Since then, he had a stint at many a small paper around Houston and we last worked together at the Houston Chronicle’s Neighborhood News department.

We all got together to bid him farewell recently, and I snapped a few shots of the journalistic legend. But, I was shooting into the glare of a large window behind him, so I have altered the following photos to highlight his good features.

Keep in touch, buddy.

Ken Fountain and one margarita

Summer is nearing its end, and I know this because 1.) Hurricane season is here and 2.) School starts back up everywhere next week.

Corina went to the beach this summer, her last summer before starting regular school: She’ll be entering kindergarten next week.

Good weather back on July 31 when we made our annual pilgrimage to the beach. (photo by Kim Kovar)

So mischievous ... she's clutching a water gun in this shot. (photo by Kim Kovar)

Kim was at the beach, too - and I'm really glad about that. (photo by Corina Moeller)

... Because when those photos were taken, I was limping back over to them after having my toe mauled by a shark. (Photo by Kim Kovar)

… or something.

Here's my toe all wrapped up later that day. Now, more than two weeks later, I can say I'm getting back to normal ... which means it looks like I'll be mowing the lawn this weekend. Hoo-rah. (Photo by Kim Kovar)

Kim and I had a chance to drop by their offices recently for a cake testing and they made two giant cakes for us to sample and showed us a portfolio of their work.

I hate to spoil the cake before it’s baked, so I think all I’m allowed to say is that Kim’s will be white and mine will be chocolate.

I was really impressed with the owner’s cake portfolio and professionalism and look forward to the masterpiece her staff will be creating for our special day.

We took home a lot of cake after our tasting at Sweet Tooth.

Also, songs that were rejected today for consideration for the wedding reception playlist:

• Table and Chairs - Andrew Bird
• Waltz #2 - Elliott Smith
• Sugar Magnolia - Grateful Dead
• Flowers and Liquor - Hayes Carll
• Burn the Honeysuckle - The Gourds
• Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix

They include shots of watermelons growing on the side of the house, that my daughter and I planted.

It starts with these purty flowers.

Then it grows into a tiny little watermelon.

Here's another little watermelon

I better start liking watermelons.

Here's a shot I snapped of Westheimer at Dunlavy, during a recent visit with my pal David.

RECREATIONAL READING
Another great post from Betty Martin’s blog : http://bettymartin.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/another-anti-war-blog/

GEEK + TECH
Houston design firm makes unmatchedstyle.com : http://www.unmatchedstyle.com/gallery/poplabscom.php

For IE6, gif it, don’t png it. : http://www.pewpewlaser.com/articles/png-into-gif

“The over-extended class” : http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/005073.html

What WebMonkey wants to throw in a black hole, featuring #99ff33 : http://www.webmonkey.com/blog/8_Things_on_the_Web_We_d_Like_to_Throw_Down_a_Black_Hole

Nobody cares about your website : http://newsweaver.ie/gerrymcgovern/e_article001512755.cfm

New tools for Google Services for Websites : http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-tools-for-google-services-for.html

The crash-happy Firefox 3.5 : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/08/i-want-to-love-firefox-35-but-it-keeps-crashing-on-me/

16 ways to share large files : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/08/16-apps-that-make-sharing-large-files-a-snap/

Does Microsoft’s investment in Facebook net them “below-the-fold” search results when one searches Facebook? : http://www.allfacebook.com/2009/08/facebook-search-bing/

Advanced CSS tips and tricks : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/10/mastering-css-advanced-techniques-and-tools/

“… A website is more like a storefront … you need to advertise to attract trade.” : http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/09/10-harsh-truths-about-corporate-blogging/

As it broke - Facebook acquires FriendFeed : http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/08/10/facebook-acquires-friendfeed/

Blackberry vs. iPhone : http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/08/great-geek-debates-iphone-vs-blackberry/

Forgetting is healthy : http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2009/08/in_a_webbed_world_do_we_remember_too_much.html

You can’t delete Flash “cookies” : http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/08/you-deleted-your-cookies-think-again/

Android has some cool apps : http://lifehacker.com/5331710/ten-more-neat-and-productive-android-apps/gallery/

How to create a line art silhouette : http://www.layersmagazine.com/silhouettes.html

How to create line art from a photo : http://www.graphic-design-employment.com/live-trace.html

Colorizing line art : http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=30229&seqNum=8

“New Photoshop Line Art Trick” : http://www.tomrichmond.com/blog/2008/06/06/new-photoshop-line-art-trick/

HYPER-LOCAL
Maybe carp is not crap : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/botb/one-mans-trash-fish

More on the Schulenburg dance hall : http://www.texasobserver.org/index.php?/critics-notebook/destination_dance_hall

WiFi coming to Rosenberg : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/06/news/doc4a7b0c05465f7459130225.txt

Sunflower swiping in the Montrose? : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/08/some_old_ahole_is_swiping_the.php

I can’t believe there wasn’t any water at Summer Fest. My God. : http://www.29-95.com/music/story/29-thoughts-summerfest

Prescriptions just got cheaper in Fort Bend County : http://www.fbherald.com/articles/2009/08/10/news/doc4a8082d5e8e8f365451104.txt

MEDIA
On media layoffs, and the wrong assumption of “I’m a lot better than that doofus, so I must be safe.” (the comments are as good as the post) : http://johnemcintyre.blogspot.com/2009/08/patron-and-protege.html

The term is “programmer/journalist” : http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/08/how-computer-assisted-reporters-evolved-into-programmerjournalists219.html

NEWS
How to refute the birthers : http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2009/08/05/birther_faq/index.html

So what - a third of the kids who graduate college were likely pushed there by rich parents and thus have no debt. For the rest, the median debt was about $20K : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/education/12college.html

ART
Why so serious? : http://www.drawger.com/drewfriedman/?section=articles&article_id=8462

Marmaduke explained : http://www.29-95.com/time-suck/story/marmaduke-explained-08-10-09

MUSIC
Elton John + Alice in Chains = Black Gives Way to Blue : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/08/11/elton-john-joins-alice-in-chains-new-album-to-honor-layne-staley/

.CMX : http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/08/11/in-a-move-im-calling-too-little-too-late-too-proprietary-major-labels-are-introducing-their-own-file-format/

TELEVISION
Mad Men written predominately by mad women : http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/08/08/mad_women_writers/index.html

GARDENING
Tomato blight is partly the fault of the renewed interest in gardening, Dan Barber claims : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09barber.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=late%20blight&st=cse

Coreopsis - one you don’t hardly have to water : http://blogs.chron.com/lazygardener/2009/08/ol_reliable_heat_bloomer_coreo.html

So I dumped him out and snapped some photos for your amusement.

There he is. In my shoe. Which means the dance begins.

Sometimes I consider buying new gardening shoes just so he won't be disturbed. (Don't tell Kim)

"You don't scare me, fat boy."

He's so lethargic when I find him in my shoe in the mornings.

A wee bit disillusioned, too. I mean, what's he trying to do here? Hide under the shoe? Fat chance.

Until we meet again ...