Delirious Visions

Hertz Hurts

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:34:02 -0700

What was the reason for your previous customer satisfaction survey response?

The self check-in kiosks were a complete failure and waste of time. The line to pick up the vehicle was extremely slow though there were only two customers in front of me. The service representatives were coarse and terse. I was asked to downgrade my vehicle selection in exchange for an unneeded GPS device because “it would take some time to access the vehicle of your selected class.” When I declined the downgrade and asked for the wait time suddenly a car was instantly available. Not trusting this service representative after this exchange, I declined one of your refueling options (one I should have selected) and in the end paid more than I should have. Why do you have two or more refueling options? I’m sure you have your reasons, but in my case it complicated matters such that it aided in my complete dissatisfaction with your service. You should aim to make customers happy first by making our selections easy, then work out how to sneak more of our money on things like a “concession recovery fee.”

Top 10 Reasons Not to Pay $40 to Learn About Social Media

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:29:54 -0700

Top 10 Reasons Not to Pay $40 to Learn About Social Media: A reoccurring issue with marketers jumping on the bandwagon of selling “social media” workshops and yet not even practicing what they preach.

To Which Side Do You Lean?

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:25:04 -0700

A friend sent me this: http://www.fedupusa.org. Not to be remiss, I did a quick search to find an argument to the contrary. It was easy: http://www.slate.com/id/2195308

In every complicated argument there are intelligent people and misguided intelligent people. I’m still working out who is who. On which side of this issue do you fall? I’m undecided but leaning toward favoring the “bailout” bill.

Snipplr - Code 2.0

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:26:00 -0700

Snipplr - Code 2.0: Not every good idea is taken, but this one is. But perhaps there is still room to improve. Watch out Snipplr, there might be a new game in town!

DZone Snippets: Store, sort and share source code, with tag goodness

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:26:00 -0700

DZone Snippets: Store, sort and share source code, with tag goodness: And this idea has been developed and launched at least twice! Alright, watch out Snipplr AND DZone, there may be a new game in town!

Visualization: Annotated Time Line - Google Visualization API - Google Code

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0700

Visualization: Annotated Time Line - Google Visualization API - Google Code: A great open source tool provided by Google that I hope to use in an upcoming project.

Open Flash Chart

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0700

Open Flash Chart: Just when I spent all that time home growing my own Flash based graph for Listing Watcher, I find this. So much time might have been saved. Oh well, next time!

I am the benefactor of amazing modern-day advanced medical...

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:04:00 -0700

I am the benefactor of amazing modern-day advanced medical technology. Humira is a most incredible drug that has currently relieved all of my arthritis symptoms. Without insurance Humira is a most incredibly expensive drug that would completely relieve us of all our money. That’s ONE month. TWO little syringes.

.ME Domains for Personal Branding

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:10:56 -0700

.ME Domains for Personal Branding: Information about .ME TLD domain name and why you should secure your name now before somebody else does.

Reverse Autocomplete; The details matter

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:14:00 -0700

Reverse Autocomplete; The details matter: One way to make those smart auto-fill text boxes.

Stigma: Stupid

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:48:24 -0700

I fell running yesterday. Stupid tired, I caught a sidewalk crease and hit the pavement like a dead fish. I’ve never done anything even close to that before. Even when I was running fat.

Today

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:59:50 -0700

Today: Random picture today at the office. The Tornado team.

In Memoriam

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:12:49 -0700

Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather; reclusive, solitary, talented, stern; lover of art, animals, friends and family; a guide, leader, mentor and student… passed away this weekend. It was your time, it was as it needed to be.

You are now and forever will be sorely missed… I am in no small way who I am because of who you were; this includes a bald head!

You've Got Our Attention

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:09:00 -0700

You wouldn’t think we were a relatively drama-free family right now. Perhaps there is a drama balance somewhat similar to karma and we’ve become imbalanced or otherwise too content. If so, apparently we required a sudden glut, like water through a broken levee, to bring us right with the drama god.

Madison, our family dog, and I were attacked by two pit bulls this morning. No less than three days after our home was burglarized. It was horrific, terrifying and humbling. It was enraging, miserable and sad. It was time consuming and expensive!

This morning after my run (#1103), I got home and grabbed Madison for my regular dual purpose cool-down / doggy-daughter time and not a full minute after heading out did a pair of dirty pit bulls come tearing around the corner making a beeline for the two of us. Ashley and I had seen these dogs out earlier and unfortunately strays are extremely common in our area so this sighting was routine. In fact so much so that I’ve seriously considered starting a non-profit group to aid in the collection of these poor animals. I have animal control on speed dial and they know who I am because of the number of dogs I have caught, found, trapped or otherwise been forced to deal with. Usually there is no issue with these loose dogs. They are typically solo, seeking a pack, weak, hungry and lonely. They usually present no danger and often follow us out and home. I’m always cautious but find myself complacent in the deeply bred nature of these animals. Not anymore. Not these dogs.

The attackers lost no time sizing Madison up and moving in for the throat. I, an individual who loves his dog as his child, intervened knowing full well the risk. In fact, know now all you who might suggest I ever do otherwise: I was fully aware of the situation, had the wherewithal to know the risk and consciously decide to act. I knew what I was doing, I chose to do it despite the risk and I’ll do it a 1000 more times without hesitation.

In brief summary, a good Samaritan witnessed the attack and called the police on my behalf. Another neighbor’s dog broke free of his confines and rushed to our defense (the first time I have ever been glad for incompetent dog owners). Another neighbor hurried to help chase the dogs away. The police, fire department and animal control arrived. I went into a mild shock, my blood pressure dropped, I went blind, threw up and then pulled it together with help after I was taken inside to cool down. It was about 100 degrees outside and I, lying bleeding on hot concrete, adrenaline rushing, exhausted and dehydrated after my earlier run had nothing left in the tank. At this point, at my side with pride, Madison was taking better care of me than I of her. We confirmed my health and well being after some time and the paramedics finally left Madison and I to get to our doctors.

Before the day could really begin though I needed to confirm the identity of the attackers. You see, it turns out the dogs belong to our neighbors across the street and three doors down. The female is in heat and the male territorial and protective. It was a simple matter of dogs being dogs and dog owners being ridiculously incompetent and irresponsible. Once chased away the dogs returned home and were easily followed. The police and animal control had no problem retrieving them. Once confirmed, they were transported to holding where they will be quarantined for 10 days. After that, I don’t know.

In an unexpected turn, while I was waiting on animal control to bring me the dogs to identify, the owner of the pit bulls came over to apologize directly in person. I was quite proud of my composure. I allowed her to speak her peace and I gave her no relief of guilt. She left in tears, thoughtfully and authentically regretful, verbally thankful that Madison wasn’t Aiden (or any other small child) and I’m certain an otherwise unchanged person, fully capable of resuming the same irresponsibility demonstrated today.

Once free of the insanity of my neighborhood I was able to attend to the very most important issue of the day: mending myself and my baby girl. About 50 miles, $400, 2 shots, 6 prescriptions, a few rolls of gauze and 5 hours later we were finally treated and home.

Thankfully, all injuries turned out to be somewhat superficial, thus the quick turnaround. However, the distance of the wounds to Madison’s jugular are far too close for comfort. If the intervening neighbors dog hadn’t caused a distraction I fear it would have been way worse…

Again, I consider us all very fortunate. Things could have gone so much worse. I’m grateful, we were finally able to hear the drama lords and the desire they have for us to move away from this place before anything truly serious happens. You hear that Gaia!? You’ve got our attention! We’re getting the hell out of here!

Comments? I’ve cross-posted like crazy: Delirious Visions Blog and The Crossman Family Blog

No Keeping This Geek Down

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:51:00 -0700

As you may have heard via blog or Twitter, we were burglarized yesterday. Ashley came home at about 4:45 PM to this:

We called the police, checked the house and found they also stole Ashley’s jewelry box and my cologne (I assume because the thief wanted to smell really good while running to their beige Chevy Tahoe and before peeling through our neighbor’s yard during the getaway).

The thief left so much behind that I can’t help feel extremely fortunate. I lost no computer hardware and thus have no real concern about our digital and identity security. Of course we have a Mac based complete automated secure off-site backup arrangement via ChronoSync, Amazon S3 and Jungle Disk so my temporary and ultimately relieved concern was limited merely to the time consuming stress of identity protection (changing bank passwords, locking down our credit report, etc). Let me take this moment to INSIST THAT YOU ENSURE YOU ALSO HAVE AN AUTOMATED SECURE OFF-SITE BACKUP SOLUTION! Just ask yourself, what would happen if my home burned down in the next 60 seconds?

Not to be discouraged or defeated, in only moments after getting home we were back online!

An old 17” server monitor of mine gets us back in action and gets Aiden his morning Nemo (Pixar’s Finding Nemo).

Alas, the story doesn’t end here! Only hours ago Ashley found a suspiciously timed Craigslist ad. Though the mind runs wild with ideas and suspicions, and everyone is eager to help in any way they can, I’m no vigilante. However I am smart! I have a case number, officer number and the phone number for Crime Stoppers all given to me by the original assisting officer. So I call the police to ask for assistance or advice.

Follow this if you can: I call Crime Stoppers and efficiently explain the situation, the receptionist is very helpful and curious but doesn’t know exactly what to advise so she conferences me with the local duty officer. They recommend that I call the local property crime department to offer up my information and append the police report. So I call this department and there’s little that can be done because the report isn’t in the system yet. However, this kind officer recommends that I call the North Valley Command Center to find the Sergent who could likely better help me. I don’t get the Sergent but I get another wonderfully nice and helpful individual (who also would like to know about my neighborhood because she’s looking to buy a house there) and I’m directed to call the area specific detective unit to find someone who would actually attend to my case had it been filed yet. This is it! I get another helpful desk clerk and then finally I get a seriously hyper-real police detective on the phone.

Terse and gruff, he is the real deal. I describe the situation, certain details and facts including our possession of the TV serial number; he has his doubts. I also relate with him and convey my full comprehension of his position. We connect. And after three brief conversations and two call-backs he’s on board. He “assigns” me an undercover task. If willing, I am to contact the Craigslist seller with an alternate identification and do my best to string the seller along until the detective can gather the resources to stage an undercover operation. He says he would do it right away but it’s Friday afternoon and his resources are tapped until Monday.

Now it is hours later and regrettably I have to report that I was able to confirm without question that this listing is NOT for our stolen TV. I would love to seek and gain some kind of justice for my loss, however it appears as though it’s not meant to be… not this way.

I never had my hopes up so I’m in no way disappointed. I still feel the same way I did a few hours after getting home to survey the damage. We are very FORTUNATE.

I have suspicions about who did this and I know their life is punishment enough. This loss is hardly a ripple across the place in life I am in right now. Yet it’ll be a lifetime of piercing guilt now for some foolish soul. One that will drag on them, even if only mildly, for the rest of their lives. I’m actually a victor in this story, they a victim.

The blog is a work in progress but you can comment here: blog.deliriousvisions.com

The Dog Files

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:07:00 -0700

The Dog Files: Tagged for its design inspiration, plus I love dogs.

Send Money to India - Xoom Global Money Transfer

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:53:00 -0700

Send Money to India - Xoom Global Money Transfer: Though currently unproven by me, this could be a fantastic solution to my overseas financial demands.

Life in a Tornado

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:03:00 -0700

Life in a Tornado: My colleague Chris, owner and fearless leader of Tornado Design has a great camera, a keen eye and a Flickr Pro account. See us in action!

The Fag Bomb

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:53:00 -0700

The Fag Bomb

Communcative Developer Community

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:27:34 -0700

I’ve added new social media applications to my repertoire this weekend:

Plurk, Brightkite and Ping.fm.

This is a lot to handle on top of the other social media applications I’m managing but I’ll survive. What’s great about all of this is the interconnected nature of it all and as a developer I’m encouraged by the small but steady steps of progress on this macro scale. The best part is that I identified a service overlap between a desktop product I use on the Mac called Moodblast and Ping.fm but rather than sitting on my laurels or dreaming of a day when there’s a better option, I contacted the makers of Moodblast over at Circle Six Design and pleaded my case! Low and behold, only mere hours after pressing the submit button on a comment form, Brett, over there at Circle Six got back to me, talked to me like I was a friend and promises to enhance his software.

In this day and age, as a consumer I am as much a part of the solution as is the product developer!