Well about 15 minutes ago power stopped - it is FAR too quiet now, it seems like most folks came out of their houses, I can hear neighbors talking - but so far no news about it (checked local) and no word around the street as to why we are all offline - but such is the joys of easing into summer I suppose - it’s that or an accident, just not sure.
So I am going to logoff for the night I guess (unless it comes back on sooner than later - but I want to conserve my power on the MBP since it’s easiest to get online with - but so far I’m alive - unless the zombies are coming, in which case folks - aim for the head. Night Folks.
Posted on 31 March '07 by Chuck Brown, under Uncategorized. No Comments.
A few months ago I started sketching out some programming, just laying out the layers of interaction, how things would work, and getting the ball rolling with a project to handle all my media from a remote location should I ever be out and about, and desire say a MP3, a DVD, a Image, etc. just a end-to-end solution for all of my media, last night, I started on it some, after a day of playing with ScreenCasts I am creating for customers - I felt like a little “me” time was needed.
I started on my Wiki I setup, mapped out some of the general things, listed the DVD’s first on the list, and actually did a dry run with Firefly (Disc Two, First Episode on the disc) - and I must say, it went swimmingly. Granted, the end result was a 100MB+ file, still, original audio track (not slimmed down) and original DVD resolution, it was not too shabby for a 45 minute episode, and played pretty dang smooth.
So now I have the basis for playing Flash Based Movies, there is some code to be had, a little PHP/MySQL since this Flash Player I am using has some functionality for that built in, I can start to map out and setup entire seasons/batches of videos in FLV, from my Stargate Collection, to My Name is Earl, and put them up in a secret location to utilize on the go - which leads to another issue “Bandwidth” - what to do, what to do. One option is actually rather cool, just got off the phone and I can get 10mp down / 2mb Up for $200~ a month, take out my normal cable modem bill and its not that bad, plus 5 static IP’s enough to do the friends server, etc. plus it’s cable, which is burstable/scalable, etc. So could be very good.
But thats my latest distraction, and it seems like it’ll be a good one, heck having to watch the FLV’s to make sure they are clean, it’s hard work! 
but life lately seems good - distractions are nice, but today it just seems one thing after another is going right, and I say PTL for that! Just got an order, just got a $500 check, just got a call on bandwidth - a good day thus far indeed, I am greatly blessed - so what am I going to do? Goto the bank, goto Target, and possibly Del Taco. Oh yeah. 
have a good Friday folks.
Well Friday is nearly upon me (probably the rest of you too) been working a good chunk of the night, still have some to go, a site to get SSL setup for, but I need to get my phone setup here so I can do the calls to verify the SSL info, but should be a easy go, just need to get it setup in the next hour or so since the site’s IP will change.
Thursday was a good day, with only 1 real road bump to deal with, and it still has to be dealt with, but for the short term, I got the ball rolling with some changes - heck even found out about another office space should I need it, ladies at the old building are very cool, and said they had a spot they want me to come look at next week as a possibility, might not be a “jump into” sort of thing right away, but long term if I need an office again, might work out.
Currently uploading some things to the Friend server, downloading some songs from iTunes, and considering picking up a new iPod since my current iPod is starting to lag, and click a little, on top of the battery laggin, but it’s served me well, and plus I’d really like the newer ones so it sync’s my videos like shows/movies I have picked up, not sure if I am going to yet or not, but we shall see.
Brain is a tad scattered, but hey its 11pm, what do you expect? Maybe more later, or tomorrow, so much to do, so little time.
Well, maybe a little - been up since a little before 7am, working like a mad man, going to do some more tutorial videos and script writing (so far so good) - picked up a headset @ Officemax yesterday and it is a lot better quality than using the built in mic for the iMac/MBP - USB based so its handy, and easy to use.
In the last hour I have updated several scripts, and got to try out the new Gallery2 version, very snappy - if I wasn’t attached to Flickr for the ability to use/abuse their bandwidth/storage, I’d use it in a heart beat but its been a good day thus far, still need to work more on the taxes, but I have to send out 1 final W9 today to get my final 1099 (yay! - no really.) but will be nice to have that stress out of the way.
Had dinner with Ms. Rosie last night, been a while since we have had a chance to hang out and just chit-chat, twas nice, just wish I didn’t eat that big lunch, those pancakes were so tasty. but it was a good visit, got to catch up, hear about her fam, Mr. Noah, etc. nice to catch up - a nice alternative to working anyday!
Anywhoo, just taking a break - might go for a drive and snag mail, or may just keep working, I seem to have a groove
Posted on 29 March '07 by Chuck Brown, under basic goodness. No Comments.
A long time ago, back in the days of starting a business, I made a few choices, I took some steps away from what was my at some level “expected” path and picked a different path, doing crazy things like forming FlockHosting which isn’t what I would call “super profitable” but gave me the joy and privilege of helping out Christians and Ministries get online afford-ably - another choice I made was in location.
When my brother and I got the office, one big thing we focused on was windows. We wanted light, we wanted a little bit of a view, we wanted to not be locked in a cave - like when I made changes in my business, I moved my office from the office where I am now to my home - and I never looked back - I think I may be at that crossroads again.
I spend a good portion of my day/job in front of a computer - working on personal projects, or working on favors for friends, or dare I say it, client tickets (as few and farbetween as those are) - but with so much time in front of a computer, in a room with artificial lighting just doesn’t cut it - a window, a bit of nature, fresh air, is always a must, and I think that’s where I am going with the office currently. I like the gang where I am, I mean let’s get the run down, my childhood pal, my long time friend who helped start my business, a site designer/programmer who is eager to learn/fun to chat with, ryan, and the rest of the wacky team of course who is sadly going away as part of that building shuts down - but its a wonderful group, but it’s not my office anymore, it’s not like I had setup on 19th - and that’s okay.
I’ve come to realize I have a blessed life, as much as I like to complain here and there, and let myself get down, unless one heckuva job offer, or one special lady enters my life, I think my crazy situation of odd nights of sleep (or no sleep), hanging out with some friends, family, and taking a day to just wander with my camera - thats more important to my sanity right now than a place to set my laptop, and while I am sure I’ll always have a place & a key to the office - I’ll probably only swing by to visit, or come in to work on the occasional project vs. make it my work home so to speak.
So the week of me continues, still awake, craving a swimming pool, and pondering the todo list for the day (which may include a nap) Have a good day all.
I need a swimming pool, or a much larger bathtub I miss swimming lately, swimming always was a fun way to unwind as you work to control your breathing, and get some good physical movement - I miss my pool.
6:30am, awake. possibly sick, not sure - ah the joys of life.
Posted on 28 March '07 by Chuck Brown, under random thoughts. No Comments.
Well I am sitting here on the couch, awesome sound of WIND blowing around outside - and what a day. Today was more of a day of rest, than really work. I did some work, don’t get me wrong, but the end result of the day was getting some much needed rest I believe I probably needed with this flu I have had it seems, I just figured it was warm, but instead today I found myself aching all over, and peaking some temps, but I did get some laundry done, and a good nap or two in, and with this wind, probably going to get off the net and enjoy the sound - just something about wind blowing thru the leaves.
This weekend I may be going out to the coast for a day or two, not sure as of yet, may hitch a ride with my cousin (hi sarah!) and ride home with her in her car, and then hitch a ride back with the rents, but I may just as soon take my own car and stay a day or two extra at the coast and enjoy the sun and surf, come back with a toasty red burn (… redhead, light complexition, aka your TAN equates to my BURN) - or I may go move heavy things, rest a night, and come home.
All in all, thus far a good start to a week, getting the last of my W9’s out tomorrow so I can get myself the last of my 1099’s in so I can complete my taxes, and hopefully my brother finds out some good info on LLC/S-Corp so we can maybe make both our tax lives easier here this year - I know I’d love the idea of only having a W2 to report, and go back to the 1040EZ form.. oh that would be wonderful!
Anywhoo - that’s it for me tonight, actually dipped down to 33% while sitting here but who’s counting Night folks, thanks for the prayers, much appreciated.
Posted on 26 March '07 by Chuck Brown, under basic goodness. 1 Comment.
