NewEnding Studios

Subject Line

2007-10-07T18:22:00.000-06:00

This is a test post from my iPhone email client with a photo attached.
I'm not too sure how this is going to work but we'll see! Maybe I'll
switch to typepad? Blogger plus Rapidweaver is pretty robust though.

The Simple Things in Life: Grids

2007-05-17T07:12:00.000-06:00

I'm a big fan of grid designs. structure. Conformity. And then breaking that conformity. Designing your site around a grid always makes things seem to flow a bit better as well as hold up against any future changes and revisions. Or "reboots", if that's your thing.

There are a few great articles about grid designs that I highly recommend reading. But if you're looking for a quick and simple way to figure out that grid, a site was forwarded to me this morning that you may find interesting.

Grid Calculator

70 CSS Expert Techniques

2007-05-10T14:25:00.000-06:00

The crew over at Smashing Magazine has done it again. They keep coming out with some great resources for web developers. Check out the latest.

From Smashing Magazine: CSS isn’t always easy to deal with. Depending on your skills and your experience, CSS coding can sometimes become a nightmare, particularly if you aren’t sure which selectors are actually being applied to document elements. An easy way to minimize the complexity of the code is as useful as not-so-well-known CSS attributes and properties you can use to create a semantically correct markup.

Action Pad & Action Book

2007-05-07T15:32:00.000-06:00

From the Behance site - The Action Pad was designed by the Behance team and is based on the Action Method. The four distinct zones on each page provide a flexible template to get the most out of meetings and everyday brainstorm sessions (see usage guidelines below).

Your Passion is your work, treat it well. The Action Pad is made of 80lb Premium Blend paper with a subtle texture (30% post-consumer recycled), printed full bleed, padded, and perforated along with a three-hole punch.

The Action Pad is part of Behance's Action Method product line, the first in a series of Behance projects to help creative professionals boost productivity and make ideas happen. The Action Method was designed to help us push projects forward by organizing our ideas and focusing on action steps. An accordion-style pamphlet on how to practice the Action Method accompanies every product.

PMS 629U

PMS 137U

PMS Warm Grey 4U

Loyal users of the Action Pad include design studios, freelance fashion designers, advertising executives, and entrepreneurs.

Also check out The Action Book

Spider-man 3

2007-05-06T12:01:00.000-06:00

I guess it's a movies month, eh? I went and saw Spider-man 3 the other day and enjoyed it. Not as much as I thought I would, though. It was definitely the weakest of the three as the story seemed to get lost a bit at times with the multiple characters that were fighting with each other for my attention. I feel like I understand why everything was there and needed to be there.... yet it seems like there was just too much going on for not much of a payoff or something. I mean, you have to move Harry Osborne forward with his revenge and need to honor his father, that was a given. They did a great job of introducing Venom (not that I'm a comic book pro or fan) and letting it really get the best of Peter as he also seeks revenge for his uncle's death. But, I don't think that was the point. I mean, it wasn't that we wanted Peter to deal with his need for revenge, it was that he had to let go of his uncle and forgive his uncle's killer (to be a true Hero, that is). Then, to bring Harry and Peter back together before his death, they have to have two villains for Spidey to take on so Harry comes to Spidey's aid. Meh. It was just a bit much.

I really liked the first two flicks as they seemed to focus on the emotional side of a dorky kid coming to grips with his life changing so drastically. This film WANTED to but never seemed to really hold on to it as the chaos around Peter became a bit much. The more I think about the movie, the more I think it was a very hard balancing act. A delicate balancing act and they just barely pulled it off. I'm just left to wonder... Was there any chance of simplifying this story?

Movies I Appreciate: The Illusionist

2007-05-04T11:29:00.000-06:00

I will be posting, from time to time, movies that strike my artistic muscle. When it comes to The Illusionist most people confuse it with The Prestige that came out around the same time. The major difference between the two movies (besides the director, actors, etc.,) is that The Illusionist was actually designed and crafted where The Prestige was a "summer project" from the crew from Batman Begins. If you're looking for an artistically inspirational flick, The Illusionist won't fail you. The story is quite simple and somewhat predictable but the neuance, pacing and visual style are not to be missed. And the acting? Edward Norton & Paul Giamatti. Do I really need to say more? Granted, Jessica Biel is also in it but don't worry, she doesn't have too many lines.

Overall: A
Visuals: A+
Story: B
Acting: B+

Ranking
19

Semantic Web Markup for Blogs

2007-04-30T16:30:00.000-06:00

Personified has posted an interesting blog post about using correct markup with your blog. Honestly, I still need to go through mine (created with Rapidweaver) and see where it stands. He makes some great points and is obviously basing this all around search engine optimization (SEO). If that's your thing (making money, easy to search), then you might want to check it out. I don't completely agree with everything he says but it's a great place to start.

Read on here.

NFL DRAFT: Vikings Take Peterson

2007-04-28T16:53:00.000-06:00

Ok, ok ok. So, this is my personal blog, people. I'll be posting a ton of random stuff here for my own recollection and, sometimes, sheer joy. get used to it.

Adrian Peterson (RB) was drafted today by the Minnesota Vikings. He's a very explosive player and I'm excited to see what he can do when the season gets going. I honestly see this move as a great test of our coaching staff. He's such a passionate, athletic and competitive player... If he gets off to a slow start or changes his demeanor at all it will once and for all prove that our coaches suck and are control freaks. If they give him room and let him do his thing it will finally prove that the coaches are just that, coaches who actually let their talent be talented.

Time will tell! Now lets get a solid receiver (or three)!

Web Designer Resources

2007-04-28T16:42:00.000-06:00

If you design web sites for a living you most likely have a boat load of bookmarks for code clippings, icons, color schemes and more. It gets to be a bit insane managing all those bookmarks and no matter how good you are at it, it's still not easy remembering where they all are and getting to the page you want.

In steps a couple web sites that have done the leg work for you. Bookmark these two links and make your life that much easier. Heck, the reason I'm posting it here is so I can keep an eye on it!

Enjoy!

Tools for Web Designers
Web Developers Handbook 2.0

Google PageRank: A Guide

2007-04-27T17:35:00.000-06:00

Getting your web site high in the search engine's usually starts by, well, doing all the wrong things and then wondering why Google doesn't even think you exist. Well, you can search all over the place (probably using Google) to figure out all the ins and outs of search engine optimization (SEO) and Google's PageRank. "PageRank?", you say? If you don't know what that is you may want to hit searchengineland.com as they have come up with a very informative guide for webmasters that should help.

Check it out!

A Guide to CSS Support in Email

2007-04-26T12:42:00.000-06:00

If you're looking to create rich, HTML email newsletters or adverts, you're probably run into a few issues to say the least. Thankfully, Leopards Mail application will make this process a lot easier (via templates at the moment) but what can you do to make your life easier in the meantime? Well, the first step will be to understand the differences and limitations of each of the email clients out there. This guide is a great place to start learning more about the clients as well as using CSS to style your emails. Of course, not all clients will allow full CSS support so pay attention!

Check out the guide here.

Released: CSSEdit 2.5

2007-04-23T23:15:00.000-06:00

MacRabbit today released an update to my favorite CSS editor CSSEdit! They cranked it up to version 2.5 and with it came a slew of new features, namely a tabbed interface! I know that doesn't sound like much but trust me, it sure speeds up the workflow! Of course, they've also added and updated a few more features like x-ray for simple, visual editing of stylesheets, milestones for CSS experimentation and even a Select Builder for helping you, well build selects!

All in all, it's still THE best CSS editor out there, especially for creating Rapidweaver themes. Even with Coda released from Panic. I'm always a fan of a simple application that does one thing and does it well (especially if it's making my life easier)!

Download a copy today!

Wanted: A New Watch

2007-04-23T22:54:00.000-06:00

A new watch seems to have landed in the UK at Red5 and I'd love to check it out. It's not as sleek as some watches I've seen but I'm dying for a very slim watch that doesn't require He-Man wrists to wear it. The idea of a white watch is also growing on me a bit. Seems clean (and matches my iPod). There are some great Fossil Stark watches out there I like as well.

From the site: "The Pixel Watch from ODM is one of the coolest watches we’ve seen in ages. The Pixel Watch uses an EL (Electro Luminescent) band, and translucent casing to produce an unusual and contemporary design. On the hour every hour, between 9pm and 3am there is an on screen animation and scrolling pattern."

Some of the Fossil watches I'm taking an interest in:
Anadigi , Negative Display, L.E.D. Digital, O-ring Digi, Cross Digi-White, Mesh Black IP

I'm always in the mood for a cool watch! Anyone want to share their favorites?

Rapidweaver Themes

2007-04-23T14:33:00.000-06:00

A few people have sent in requests for the Rapidweaver theme I use on this site. I appreciate the positive feedback I'm getting on this site and the Rapidweaver theme I use for it. I do plan on releasing the theme for Rapidweaver in one form or another very soon. If anyone has any special requests or questions on future themes, please don't hesitate to send them my way!

Panic Release Coda

2007-04-23T14:00:00.000-06:00

Panic, Inc. (one of my favorite software companies) released a brand new application today called Coda. It makes sense that after their award-winning application Transmit they would follow it up with an excellent editing tool geared towards the developer. Not only does it have excellent eye candy with a beautiful interface but it also has a solid user interface that really lets you work more effeciently with web sites. Speaking of editing web sites, you can do that on any local sites OR remote sites as Coda imports your Transmit favorites!

It's the first release of Coda but it looks very promising with tons of unique features and a great company behind it! Download a demo copy here!

Theatrical Release: Hot Fuzz

2007-04-20T12:51:00.000-06:00

Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He’s so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel’s superiors send him to a place where his talents won’t be quite so embarrassing — the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman (Nick Frost), a huge action movie fan. As a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny’s dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action seem more and more like a reality.

View the trailer in HD

Flickr Export Updated

2007-04-20T12:37:00.000-06:00

Connected Flow today updated their plug-ins for iPhoto and Aperture that allow you to upload your images directly to the photo sharing site (my favorite) Flickr. The great news? They've released a plug-in for Aperture that is FREE. That's right, it costs nothing. Of course, they still offer a paid version with a few more features like image replacement (cool) and geotagging (more cool) but it only costs about $27 for Aperture or $23 for iPhoto.

I highly recommend all of their plug-ins as they really make photo sharing that much easier. And, if you're not a Flickr member yet.... why not? Excellent resource for any photographer as you get great feedback of your images, the ability to integrate your photos into most sites (like I did above) and, not to mention it's a great resource for inspiration!

Check out flickr here
Check out the plug-ins here

Finally Home

2007-04-20T11:07:00.000-06:00

The flight was actually pretty cool. The movie was "Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith. I grabbed some snacks (Combo's & Swedish Fish) and was prepared to ask for two of those little cups of ice with Coke. You know, those cups are like the size of two dixie cups and they pack 'em full of ice so you never get too much actual liquid. And, with Combo's it's gotta be Coke so I asked if it was ok if I had to of their miniature drinks. They said sure and handed over two CANS of Coke and two of those miniature drink glasses filled with ice at no additional charge. Great, right? Well, then I had to go to the bathroom right when the movie ended with the rest of the plane. :-p

I woke up this morning realizing I have no car (at the folks) and ache all over. I feel like I played a soccer tourney for a week in Blaine or something. Even the palms of my hands hurt, go figure. Hopefully, since it's gorgeous outside, I'll be able to get out and grab some shots and relax a bit. Not move much. I'll leave the cleaning and catching up until tomorrow.

Tonight I've got a "going away" party for an Apple employee (who also works at my day job with me). Funny to have a going away party for someone who I never worked with at one job, yet work everyday with (and sit across from) at another job.

For all you Rapidweaver users out there wondering what the heck is going on, I'll hopefully make that quite clear in the days to come! Thanks again!

- Jay

Last Day in Las Vegas!

2007-04-19T11:27:00.000-06:00

Last night was fun even though I passed out for three hours. I think my allergies and sinuses are just getting the best of me down here. It is really dusty.....

Chris and I headed down to the Final Cut Pro party but it was pretty lame at first so we went out to eat at Orchid again. Great beef tenderloin and service. I love that they give you a hot washcloth when you sit down. Feels great after being on the floor talking to people all day. After dinner we headed back to the party and got to see Walter Murch talk for about two hours. Very interesting guy even though he has such a dry delivery (or is it his voice?). I learned a lot and got a kick out of hanging out with all these editors from around the world. Fun stuff.

After the party, most of the guys were going to get some drinks or something and I just headed back. It was after midnight at this point so I didn't feel like such a wet blanket. When I got back to the hotel I started watching a movie on my laptop but fell instantly asleep instead. Woke up enough to close the laptop and put it on the floor before Chris got back later that night.

Ok, I think I better download a couple shots or go shoot some more! It's going to be a bit nuts carrying all my gear down to the Convention Center and then making a mad dash to the airport tonight. Wish me luck!!!

Love you!
Jay

Day Three

2007-04-18T18:33:00.000-06:00

Apparently there is a Final Cut Pro Users Group (FCPUG) meeting tonight here in the Venetian that is supposed to be pretty huge. Apple is presenting along with a few other companies. I was told it's all a front for a cash bar or something but it would still be good to hob-nob with the FCPUG down here and the other pro's and engineers before I take off.

Tomorrow is going to be tight and I won't have time to update this site. I'll be up in the am to take a final shot here and there of Vegas and the show then off to my last shift on the floor and off to catch my flight at 6:30 pm. Lindsay (right?) will be picking me up at 11:30 pm (CST) and I believe I will sleep and stay in bed until the following Monday. Ugh.

I've had a blast so far, I really have but it's been extremely exhausting. I've learned so much and really want to be back in the video production world again. Apple, once again, not only makes it easier to accomplish well designed productions but also inspires you along the way. But I just can't wait to get home! Love you guys!!!

- Jay

Day Two

2007-04-17T23:48:00.000-06:00

After my 8 am to 1:30 pm shift I was able to catch a couple of the free Apple classes on the other new software they announced. I even got to catch a special one hour training on editing a movie by Walter Murch, an Academy Award winning editor who's done the editing and sound design for The Godfather, Cold Mountain, Jarhead and many more feature films. So many movies under this guys belt it's hard to remember them all. Great experience. I did take some shots but I'm just beat tonight and will get them together tomorrow night.

Chris, my roommate down here and friend from Creative Training, taught me how to play craps tonight! HA! It was fun to learn and I even won some cash.... at first. :-P Don't worry, when it was all said and done I had lost $10 playing craps after playing/watching for about 90 minutes. It was fun but I'm just not a gambler and never will be. Fun to learn and watch though, now that I know what's going on. That's enough of that for me, though (don't worry dad). :-p

Love you all and miss you guys!!! -Jay

Day One

2007-04-16T19:22:00.000-06:00

All in all, it's been a blast so far and a great learning experience. I worked this afternoon from noon to 6. The next two days I'll be working the morning sessions and I'm hoping to catch some of the training classes that Apple is putting on for the entire Studio sweet. We'll see if I'll get to do that as it's a bit insane to get into those classes. They open the floor around 9 am and people literally run to the booth to sign up for the classes that day. Wish me luck!

It was such a long day today, as soon as we got back we grabbed some quick food then came up to the hotel room to relax for a bit. It's about 8:30 right now and we're thinking of going down and hitting the casino or something. I'm really not a club guy or a gambling person so, yea, Vegas just isn't me. It's strange but proves how boring and lame I really am. :-p

Hope all is well! -Jay

Live! From Las Vegas! It's NAB 2007!

2007-04-16T08:18:00.000-06:00

The first place we hit was the Ballagio's buffet. At $38 it's a bit pricey but we get a nice daily allowance from Apple for food and travel. Plus, it was worth it. That's about all I did the first night I was here as Sunday ended up being a very. long. day.

Training went from 7 am until 6 pm but great announcements by Apple really made the day go by fast. I got to meet some Apple engineers as well as the voice behind my favorite software training offered by Ripple Training. It was pretty amazing to be around such talented people. Plus, each of the Apple workers (Creatives) are amazing and totally beyond me in their geek factor. I'm really looking forward to learning a lot about the whole production world. I really feel like I want to get back into it again!

Well, I'm off to breakfast with Chris, hopefully at some overpriced buffet then off to work the booth! Hopefully I'll update more (and get this site on newending.com) soon!

Love and miss everyone! - Jay

Getting Ready for NAB

2007-04-11T13:17:00.000-06:00

I'm taking Friday off to make sure I know everything there is to know about Soundtrack as that's the booth I'll be at. If you wanna stop by and look for me, I'll be the skinny guy with short hair and a ninja posed picture on my Apple badge. A whole week in Vegas, I should have a ton of shots to show you guys when I get back!

Updates Coming

2007-04-09T13:09:00.000-06:00

If you want to see any specific Rapidweaver themes, please drop me a line so I know what you guys and gals are looking for in a web site theme. There are some very exciting things going on this year in the Rapidweaver community and I really hope to be a part of it.

Thanks again for everyone's time and patience and for stopping by!

- Jay

Can Anyone Save Packard Bell?

2004-12-07T13:54:00.000-07:00

This reprint is from Scott Kelby, Mac Today Magazine (now Mac Design), Mar/Apr 2001

The other day, while reading another article designed to scare the pants off potential Apple customers and/or shareholders, I started wondering what life would be like if I somehow got a writing gig at a PC magazine. Besides having to wear the dorky-looking outfit, wire-rimmed glasses, and pocket protector, I'm certain that during my first day on the job I'd be handed a secret dossier that would include the closely guarded manual of rules for writing any article that mentions Apple Computer. It would include certain guidelines to follow, like "Any good news on Apple must be followed by the word 'but' and then a direct reference to either: (a) their small market share, (b) any quarterly loss in the past five years, or (c) Microsoft's dominance.

This manual provides PC-worshipping journalists with guidelines for "selective reporting" where only damaging facts and figures about Apple are allowed. The latest amendment to their manual is how they should refer to the Macintosh operating system. It must always be referred to as "outdated." And even though Windows 95 tries to emulate the Macintosh operating system, it must never, under any circumstances, be referred to as outdated. That would be blasphemy.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the Macintosh press needs a similar manual for writing about PC manufacturers. With that in mind, I decided to write a few news blurbs on some of the PC manufacturers so they'd get a little feel of that "selective reporting" from a Macintosh point of view.

CAN ANYONE SAVE PACKARD BELL? Heavy competition and unexpectedly low holiday sales are taking their toll on some PC manufacturers and Packard Bell, once a shining star among PC clone makers, has fallen on hard times. The beleaguered company is struggling amidst rumors of bankruptcy, suffering a dwindling market share, and staggering from being rated at the bottom of the heap for consumer loyalty (when polled earlier this year, less than 35% of Packard Bell owners would buy another Packard Bell). The public may be asking, "Can anyone save Packard Bell?" A recent article detailing Packard Bell's woes in the December 30 issue of Business Week magazine noted that "Many experienced consumers shied away from Packard Bell, citing its reputation for shoddy quality and indifferent service and support."

That same article noted that Packard Bell "has watched its sales and market share slowly slide since last January." It pointed out that in the first ten months of '96 alone, Packard Bell had already lost 8% of their market share. In a business where market share is everything, a dramatic drop like this could spell doom. Couple this with lagging sales (they fell $1 billion short of their sales estimate) and a widely heldperception of shoddy quality and poor customer support, we can't imagine a scenario where they'll be able to survive in the long haul. Packard Bell, unlike rival Apple computer, which won the J.D. Power & Associates award for overall customer satisfaction and has over 27 million fiercely loyal customers, has quite an uphill battle to survive. And if they don't survive will anybody really care__or will they just buy a cheap PC clone from somebody else?

In a business where market share is everything, a dramatic drop like this could spell doom.

CAN ANYBODY SAVE GATEWAY 2000? Recent television advertisements by upstart PC clone maker Gateway 2000 have raised serious questions about the company's future. The advertisements point to sales figures of only one million units, whereas rival computer maker Apple Computer had sales figures of nearly four times that amount in the same time span. This would put Gateway 2000's market share below 1.75% which, as any industry analyst would tell you, means instant death in the highly competitive PC clone market. With sales of only 1 million, it seems clear that Gateway 2000 has four times the problems of Apple Computer. Which brings us to the question, "Can anybody save Gateway 2000?" Of course, if Gateway doesn't survive there's always IBM.

CAN ANYTHING SAVE IBM? After surviving the largest single-quarter loss in the history of business, IBM, once the leader in personal computers, has seen its market share fall well behind industry rivals like Compaq and Apple Computer. IBM, once the dominant PC maker, has seen its position erode as PC clone makers and Apple Computer have seized the lion's share of the desktop PC market. And their fiasco with OS/2 is better forgotten. One bright spot in IBM's personal computing efforts is the success of the PowerPC chip, developed in a joint effort by IBM, Motorola, and Apple Computer, which is currently the fastest personal computer chip on the market, speeding past competitor Intel's fastest offerings.

CAN ANYTHING STOP APPLE? After stunning the computer industry by bouncing back to profitability from a $750-million quarterly loss earlier in the year, Apple Computer just posted a comparatively modest $120-million loss for its most recent quarter. The loss, which occurred during what has been called one of the weakest fourth quarters for computer retailers in years, is a far cry from Apple's problems of last year when the board was forced to oust then-CEO Michael Spindler. In fact, a significant part of Apple's recent loss was caused by the fact that high consumer demand for Apple's new 1400 series PowerBook computer created a massive backlog of orders. Although analysts have predicted Apple's demise every year since 1984, they're consistently wrong.

Although Apple does face some challenges, clearly there are many companies that would envy Apple's position as the nation's fourth largest personal computer maker, with over $1.8 billion cash in the bank, sales of nearly four million units a year, a $200 million backlog of orders for new units, and the number one ranking in consumer loyalty in the industry. I guess the 27,000,000 Apple enthusiasts are just glad they didn't buy a Packard Bell.

-------- UPDATE ---------

Apple has nearly $5 billion in the bank, has a commanding lead in portable music players, world wide revenue up an average of 26% and has had their stock price almost hit $70 (currently at $62.97). There are a lot more stats then that out there I could post here... But I'm lazy. Plus, the mainstream media outlets are doing a fine job these days letting people know how successfull and trend setting Apple is these days. :-)

Chicago, 2004

2004-11-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Chicago, 2004
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

A quick, almost-spur-of-the-moment trip to Chicago turned out to be one heck of a good time. But next time, I'm going to plan a bit better! :-p

We ended up getting there on Saturday around 3pm. By 6:30 we had found a place to park. At a hotel. Due to a stupid Disney Holiday Parade thing going on. THE worst day to be driving in Chicago!! ARG. Then on Sunday we hit the aquarium which is right by Soldier Field, home of the Bears who were also playing a game that night. Go figure!

It was a blast, though! I'm going to post a couple quick vids I took there soon!

[View Slideshow]

Yellow

2004-10-24T13:46:00.000-06:00

View Slideshow
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

A strange Sunday has snuck up on me. My allergies are at an all time high and I can't seem to get my head to stop feeling all fuzzy.

Photos need to be gathered, edited and burned to disc ASAP. I can't help but go back and forth on my feelings on shooting weddings. At times they're amazing-- photographic, moving and fun-- others are grating and boring.

The Vikings seem to be sleep walking through this game today against the Titans. God knows the Titans stink but I feel even the 'Queens are waiting for this year to fall out from underneath them. We'll see.

Talk about random thoughts, eh? How about this one... Keane is as good as they say. I'm hooked. I'm also falling in love with music again. I seem to go in waves on this too. I'd love to hear what music you think I should listen to.

My three Must Hear's:
Everyone's Changing - Keane
I'd Rather Dance With You - Kings of Convenience
Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered - Ella Fitzgerald

Anela's 4th Birthday

2004-10-11T11:01:00.000-06:00

Mpls 10.07.04

2004-10-07T16:28:00.000-06:00

Mpls 10.07.04
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

[slideshow]

I wasn't too motivated today. Our network went down, some light FCP action and it rained off and on. The weather inside was a lot like outside-- dreary and dull.

I'm off to take a nap before I hit a party! Enjoy!

So Damn Lucky : Dave Matthews

2004-10-06T23:15:00.000-06:00

"So Damn Lucky"

Everything's different

My head in the clouds

I hit this corner

With my foot on the gass

I started sliding, I lose it

Everything's different just like that

Oh my God, wait and see

What will soon become of me?

Frozen heart

Screaming wheels

Does that screaming come from me?

So damn lucky, when went on ahead

You say, you say

I see you later

I heard what you said a few minutes later

I'm sliding

Everything's different, again

Oh my God, wait and see

What will soon become of me?

This frozen heart

Screaming wheels

But does that screaming come from me?

I'm dizzy from all this spinning

Now I'm thinking that you did all you could

When you said my love

Take it slowly

Ok, is what I said

Oh my God, wait and see

What will soon become of me?

Frozen heart

Screaming wheels

But does that screaming come from me?

Take me back, just before I was spinning

Take me back, just before I got dizzy

Take me back, amazing what a minute can do

Just like you

So, so, so, so, up, around, around, around

Amazing what a minute can do

Around, Around, Around

Ok....

DAVE MATTHEWS lyrics

Mpls 10.06.04

2004-10-06T20:16:00.000-06:00

Mpls 10.04.002
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

[view slideshow]

Well, here it is. The first in a series of shots that will hopefully continue M-F as I hope to take pictures on my lunch break in downtown Minneapolis.

I'm really looking forward to this, getting back to the basics of composition and color. We'll see how well I can work with a compact camera. ;-)

Spam Bill Sent to Senate; Senate Spam Filter Deletes It

2004-10-05T17:36:00.000-06:00

SatireWire | Briefs

Washington, D.C. (SatireWire.com) — The anti-spam bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday was sent to the Senate today, but the Senate's spam filtering software automatically determined it was junk mail and deleted it. Amy Lee, Chief System Administrator of the Senate, defended the software's actions: "Our filter recognizes the email addresses of anyone known to propagate junk," she said. "This one came from house.gov. Of course the program blocked it."

Undeterred, House leaders vowed to send the Unsolicited Electronic Mail Act again. "We sent that bill to the Senate because they were referred or requested additional information," said Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M. "I don't want to waste their time or ours, but we are seeking positive, motivated individuals that are serious about voting for this bill and making their dreams come true! Hot House staffers are waiting for their call !!!"

dooce: Second Amendment

2004-09-30T15:25:00.000-06:00

I swear this is the best web site around. She reminds me so damn much of a friend of mine with her own adorable little child. I really need to see those two cuties more.

If you haven't stopped by Dooce before... You really can't say you're on the internet.

dooce: Second Amendment

First iPods, Now Computers: Apples Are In

2004-09-22T06:55:00.000-06:00

Following iPod Craze and Concerns About PCs Crashing, More Students Buy Macs

By Owen Hearey

Columbia Spectator Online

September 22, 2004

When Jordan Ledy, CC '08, went shopping for a new computer, it took a little prodding from his mother for him to consider a Macintosh.

He'd used Windows-based computers for much of his life, and he was a little concerned about leaving the PC world. But now, after having his new Apple Powerbook for little over a month, he's enthusiastically joined the bandwagon.

"Macs are the shit," Ledy said. "They're the easiest to use and Apple's interface is just so slick. [By comparison] XP looks like Fisher-Price." Ledy isn't the only one who's fallen in love with Apple. According to market tracker IDC, in 2003 Apple sold 193,000 Macs to people in colleges and universities, a jump of 17.7% over the previous year. If you only consider laptops, the computer of choice for most new college students, Apple sales to higher education grew by 58.5% in the same period.

For many students, the decision to get a Mac is about one thing: music. Ever since Apple released it's industry-standard iPod, audiophiles have been joining the Mac crowd in droves.

Even though Apple enabled iPods for PCs last year, there is some evidence that iPods are functioning as a "gateway product" for consumers to switch from PC to Mac.

In an effort to catalyze this effect, Apple introduced a $200 iPod rebate over the summer for students who purchased an Apple laptop. At the Columbia University Apple Store, that effectively brings down the entry-level iPod's price to $69. Students can still take advantage of Apple's "Cram And Jam" rebate until September 25th.

Among the other possible reasons for the rise in sales is ease-of-use. Macs' Unix-based system software is much more stable and less prone to crashing than PCs' Windows software, many say. The sales surge comes at a time when Microsoft is scrambling to react to increasingly frequent and damaging virus attacks. For many computer users, the difficulty of switching to a new operating system is made up for by the safety and ease of the Apple environment.

"With PCs I always had problems with compatibility," says Dana Balitzer, CC '08. "I haven't had those problems with Macs. It doesn't breakdown."

Furthermore, for most laptops, Macs are comparatively priced or even cheaper than their competitors. Currently, both Apple and Dell offer discounts to Columbia students for computer purchases. With the discounts factored in, a standard 14" Apple iBook laptop with a 1Ghz G4 processor, 40GB hard drive and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive costs $1200. A comparable Dell Latitude costs $1730.

"It was far cheaper than the equivalent [PC]," said Deborah Beim, CC '08, who debated whether to get a Mac or a PC over the summer. "Everybody who I talked to said they were far easier to use."

For people in certain professional fields, however, there may not be a choice between platforms. Macs are widely known for being the premier platform for individuals in the arts, especially those involved in graphic design. Conversely, PCs are known to have an edge in data processing and programming. However, for the wide majority, including most students, it's merely a question of preference.

Despite Apple's growing popularity, the company still holds only a 3.7 percent market share in the overall personal computer market. The "Wintel Empire", it seems, is a little harder to break down than limited successes on college campuses might suggest. Brett Chung, SEAS '07, is one student who wasn't swayed by Apple.

"I considered buying a Mac, but I don't know it as well as the PC. I stuck with the more familiar computer," he said.

Duke's Slideshow

2004-09-21T09:35:00.000-06:00

Flowers
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

If you would like to see a slide show from Duke's wedding...

CLICK HERE!

DVD: 'Star Wars' trilogy coming out on DVD

2004-09-20T23:10:00.000-06:00

It's about freakin' time! I can't wait to get my hands on this DVD set. I'm not a fanatic like so many others out there... But these three movies really pulled me into the visual medium of story telling. Escapism at it's best.

Of course, I ordered it from Amazon with THX 1138 hoping it would ship on Monday so I would have it on Tuesday but no. No shipping confirmation email. Nothing. So I'll be waiting an extra day (of course I got overnight deliver! Duh.) and I work a double on Wednesday. So rats.

Oh well. May the force be with all of us.

DVD: 'Star Wars' trilogy coming out on DVD

Dan Playin'

2004-09-20T16:22:00.000-06:00

Dan Playin'
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

Note to self: Find out Dan's last name and where I can hear some of his album music from Duke! Killer voice and talent on that guitar. I wonder if he's covered anything as he seems more fitted for that. I also wonder if you can post a series of photos -- a slideshow of sorts.

Ask celina? Who knows....

The Mac is a Harsh Mistress

2004-09-20T14:21:00.000-06:00

We can never go back and change the past, but we can start now to create a new ending!

I was asked for advice today from someone who was apprehensive about buying a new Mac, and wanted to know my opinion. This, of course, is sort of like going up to Dick Cheney and saying ?You know, I?m not sure about that Iraq thing. What do you think??

Microsoft, ladies and gentlemen, is a cheap whore. She lives on the fringes of the law, but there?s no getting rid of her because she fulfils a certain need in our society. People want what she is selling.

There?s a certain painted-on mystique to her, of course. We?ve all been indoctrinated with the propaganda, the hooker with the heart of gold, the disturbingly wide-mouthed Pretty Woman. When you find her, though, beneath the paint she?s really quite plain. You take what you need from her, but reluctantly and because you have no alternative. You get what you want, but she is almost peripheral to the act.

Apple is a lover.

From the moment you meet her, you know that she wants you to be happy. She wants to be a part of your life, and you can?t help but be drawn into wanting to be a part of hers. She is beautiful and elegant in ways that the layers of paint on the Microsoft street-walker can only desperately try to imitate.

I have bought more software for my Mac than I ever did for my Windows PCs, most of it shareware. Is it really that much higher quality? Or am I buying her presents?

There is one danger, though. So long as you are careful to protect yourself from infection, Microsoft can not hurt you. Microsoft is a transaction, and if the transaction goes sour, you?re only out of pocket. When your lover hurts you, she can break our heart.

And Apple, for all her charm and grace, is notoriously thoughtless at times: scratch the surface of the Internet and you?ll find a string of bitter, abandoned ex-?s who still curse her name.

And yes, this is possibly the most disturbing post I?ve ever written.

(See also: And Linux is your psychotic ex?)

[REPRINTED FROM: The Fishbowl]

Tammy & Duke

2004-09-20T14:18:00.000-06:00

Tammy & Duke
Originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

Here is another shot from this past weekend's wedding of my boss, Duke Zurek. The wedding was almost an Apple ad as the DJ and I were spinning our 15" Powerbooks. One had all the music and the other showed off shots taken earlier that day.

I think I really like this Blogger/Flickr combo. I've tried so many different blogging options (TypePad was my favorite) but I really don't know. At least with Blogger I can can my own server thing at some point and still have a presence online. Do I really need a server? A domain is nice but I can always redirect. Cheesy? Yes. But cheap.

Duke's Wedding

2004-09-20T13:58:00.000-06:00

duke,
originally uploaded by Jay Runquist.

Another test of a photo blog from flickr