Tinderbox: Mapping the Interior

March 30, 2010

In his book The Size of Thoughts, Nicholson Baker talks about some of the unexpected advantages of library card catalogs over databases: fingerprints for instance. Dark smudges of body oil can tell you at a glance which topics in the catalog are the most popular, something that would take a complex structured query to achieve [...]

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For “Mind Like Water” Use a GPS

March 25, 2010

Last week’s trip to Seattle and Portland was the most enjoyable time I’ve ever spent driving in two unfamiliar cities. Nevermind the list of crazy place names: Tukwila, Puyallup, Newaukum, Tigard, Tualatin to name just a few. I was at peace. I had achieved mind like water. Apparently I use a lot more brainpower than [...]

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The Price of Certainty is $25

March 14, 2010

I ordered a GPS unit from Amazon ahead of a trip to Seattle. But then the estimated arrival date slipped to the day after departure. Dilema. On one hand it seemed like the USPS should be able to deliver the parcel in time. On the other, I really wanted the unit to help navigate a [...]

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What’s the Big Idea Behind TEDxConejo?

March 11, 2010

Buckminster Fuller believed that power and potential came from opposing forces. Fuller’s geodesic dome, an enclosed space with no need for interior supports, made use of this principle. But Fuller felt that the clash of opposites could do much more than keep buildings aloft. He saw in these forces the potential to end world hunger. [...]

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Why I Stopped Blogging

February 27, 2010

I started this year with a goal to better focus my writing and blog every day. I did a pretty good job of it until February 15…and then I stopped. Why? My attention shifted. The things I’m interested in at the moment don’t necessarily fit the theme of this blog…which is loosely defined as “things [...]

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Project Trail Dog: Training the Perfect Hiking Buddy

February 15, 2010

A good trail dog needs to be calm, confident, alert to danger but not easily threatened, and most of all…focused on his owner. This does not describe Mr. Moose, the German Shepherd (Greyhound?) mix that I am training to be my trail buddy. He does very well with people he knows, and he’s more plenty [...]

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Bucket o’ Links #3: Tips, Tricks and Hacks

February 13, 2010

General Remove rust with a potato Reduce clutter: buy fewer but better tools Make your own no-kill mousetrap Information 10 tips for using del.icio.us Use Gmail to manage multiple email accounts (Read this about Gmail, Buzz and privacy first) Use Facebook like a pro Productivity Getting things done with kaizen Boost productivity with multiple positives [...]

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Night of the Hunter: Dealing with Distraction

February 7, 2010

Some people are farmers, some are hunters. Some people excel at routine tasks, making small incremental improvements, minimizing risks while maximizing returns. Others are better at recognizing patterns, focusing for long periods of time in pursuit of a goal, reacting suddenly and effectively in chaotic situations, taking risks. The “hunters and farmers” metaphor has been [...]

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What’s in Your (Survival) Backpack?

February 3, 2010

Fire starting tool Jaymi Heimbuch puts together an industrial-strength survival pack, the sort you might need to survive a Haiti-style disaster. There are plenty of good resource links here, plus lots of chatter in the comments. Heimbuch’s main complaint? This first aid, survival kit tips the scales at 30 lbs. (Hint, go with LED flashlights [...]

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Uncharted Territory Now Charted by Fascinating Maps

February 1, 2010

There’s a peculiar comfort in a map – it extends the boundaries of our consciousness to the furthest regions, giving a clear picture of relationships that might otherwise be lost in the murky fog of our lizard brains. Maps bring to light new possibilites. Maybe I can get there from here… and reveals existing boundaries [...]

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Project Trail Dog: the Going Gets Ruff

January 30, 2010

When I decided to take on the project of a new dog, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I had previously taken Mr. Moose on a “test drive” and satisfied myself that he was an intelligent dog, willing to learn, eager to please and able to settle down. He met my sketchy [...]

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Bucket o’ Links #2: Unnatural Animal Acts

January 28, 2010

Animals the way nature never intended. Jerry, the World’s Most Human Chimp Unicorn taxidermy ($900) Smuggler busted with geckos taped to chest (pic) Chimpanzee baffled by magic act (Japanese) Paper Keyboard Cat Wall of Fluff (way too much cute) Homing pigeons courier memory cards for whitewater photographers Dog eats Taco Bell burrito in 1 second [...]

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Bucket o’ Links #1: Cool Gear

January 27, 2010

Here are a few links I’ve collected over the years, but an never going to get around to blogging. Enjoy, there are plenty more where these came from: Accessories Bacon Wallet: Looks like bacon, won’t attract dogs. The Goat Do-It-Yourself Gear Backpack Stove: Use a Pepsi can (these work great!) Lifehacker Messenger Bag: Make your [...]

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Wildlife Photo Winner: Three Wolves and a Moon

January 26, 2010

Jose Luis Rodriguez may have faked this year’s most amazing wildlife photo but he could be responsible for the year’s most awesome meme: three wolves jumping over a fence under a full moon. The photoshopped version of Rodreguez’ photo comes from myconfinedspace.com, a site that recycles NSFW, crude, lewd and silly images, by way of [...]

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How to Keep a Firm Footing in Icy Weather

January 21, 2010

There’s nothing worse than going for a morning stroll only to find yourself with the “rubber side up” as they say. Black ice, slippery sidewalks and refrozen snow can be a game-changer for people (like myself) in a certain demographic. I don’t make it to the snow very often, and when I do I’m usually [...]

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