It’s been just over 2 years since I switched (back) to Mac from Windows and I have not looked back for a second…just recently I started seeing the incredible usefulness of AppleScript. If you are a Mac owner and not using AppleScript, you should check it out. Pretty much any repetitive tasks that could be replaced by a script can be easily achieved with AppleScript. I have not checked out “Automator” but I suppose that’s the next step. If anyone out there in blog land has some advice/tips for using AppleScript and/or Automator please drop a comment!
Adventures with AppleScript
January 14th, 2010Fixed Gear Bicycles
January 7th, 2010Sometime last year I decided it would be a good idea to order up a fixed gear bike online. I have always been more of the cruiser or mountain bike type of guy, but something made me want to see what the fixed gear bike craze was all about…I got a fixed gear with brakes and a freewheel (that link is not the one I got, but gives you the idea) so it’s not hardly the extreme track bike some people ride. But, the thing is super light (due to lack of components etc.) and really fast…tons of fun really. The bike only cost me about $300…I highly recommend one if you live somewhere that is relatively flat. (hills are a killer). My only issue of the fixed gear vs a beach cruiser is that the fixed gear saddle is nowhere nearly as comfortable. 
Nirve Classic Beach Cruiser
December 31st, 2009I love the look of this Nirve Classic Cruiser. Something about the white/brown combo looks awesome to me. Maybe that will be a gift to myself in 2010? I’ve never owned a Nirve bike before, but I just might need to start… Happy New Year!
Nirve Classic Beach Cruiser Bike
Adventures With Bikes in 2010
December 30th, 2009I spent a solid amount of time in 2009 working on my little bike store, which has become a bit of a success. I have been really happy to get a ton of great feedback from satisfied customers. Seriously, it has been extremely satisfying to hear from so many people who are stoked on the website/service. After many 1000s of orders there have been only a handful of pissed off customers, which I consider a monumental achievement. 
It’s been a very fun and sometimes wild ride and continues to get more interesting…stay tuned to the website for more to come. If you want to keep-up and pick-up the new product rss feed, that is here. 2010 will be a very fun year – I’ve learned a lot in the bike world, and I can’t wait to see what will happen in 2010.
Drunk Senator Max Baucus
December 27th, 2009Democrats and Republicans can both enjoy a laugh here. It would appear that Senator Max Baucus from Montana enjoyed a few stiff cocktails before debating health care on the Senate floor…or at least it appears that way.
I wonder if this has anything to do with the DUI problem in Montana?
The Tank Chair
December 21st, 2009coming soon to an office near you…
Top 6 Amazon Products For 2009
December 17th, 2009I buy a lot of stuff online…most often from Amazon.com. I totaled up my orders for 2009 and I have placed 23 orders (so far, still a couple weeks to go). Part of the reason I place a lot of orders is because I buy some stuff regularly, like dog flea meds. Anyway, below are the 6 products I liked I best. I have no idea if you care, but I just felt like sharing this…
- Weber BBQ Meat tastes better cooked on charcoal. It does. I would tell you about my secret steak rub but then it would not be a secret would it?
- Big Ass Monitor My productivity went way up after upgrading to this big ass monitor. I might even double them up in 2010, but that might be overkill.
- GPS Vent Mount In my 4Runner, this is the best way I have found to mount my Garmin, and it complies with the lame no-windshield-mount law in California.
- ECCO Slip-ons If you are not wearing slip-on ECCO’s I feel sorry for your feet. I got these for $59.99 which is a steal. I own 2 pairs of slip-on ECCOs and they are so comfortable and will last for years.
- 26 ft Flexi Dog Leash My dog can wander on trails without me wondering what animal she will randomly run off after.
- LED Night Lights are super energy efficient so they cost like nothing to run, and make doing anything in the middle of the night way easier.
Liberty Website
December 14th, 2009It may take me a while to get this going, but I have some plans to do a little Liberty website. Nothing very fancy, just a little extra dose of freedom on the Internet in the form of a Wordpress blog. If you want to see how it turns out, please sign-up for the email list or grab the rss feed. I don’t want to make it too politically charged, so the focus will be mostly historic…if you have any suggestions for the sort of content you would enjoy, I’m all ears.
United Airlines Broke Taylor Guitar
December 3rd, 2009the below was in an email forward i received (copy and pasted)…i love stories of internet revenge like this. hope you do too…
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A very interesting customer service story with implied lessons!
A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for youtube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded : “Good luck with that one, pal”.
So he posted a retaliatory video on youtube. The video has since received over 5.5 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video.
Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal”.
Taylor Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders.
Here’s the video….