“I wanted to push the Hallelujah deep into the secular world, into the ordinary world,” he once said. “The Hallelujah, the David’s Hallelujah, was still a religious song. So I wanted to indicate that Hallelujah can come out of things that have nothing to do with religion.” Breaking down Leonard Cohen’s classic Hallelujah. I loved this song, even though it has been so played out in the last several years. If you like this song, you should seek out more Leonard Cohen songs.
Are you looking at me?
We were hanging out in the living room on a Sunday afternoon before baby Graecyn’s arrival when I took this photo. Mia was enjoying a few vanilla wafers and wearing her sunglasses while watching an episode of Dora the Explorer.
This photo was taken on November 4, 2012.
I wanted to take a photo of Graecyn yesterday with my iPhone 4S. I launched the camera app from the lock screen. The familiar shutter image appeared but didn’t proceed any further through the process. I tried again and again, quitting a relaunching, but nothing happened.
I did a hard reset and tried booting into different camera apps I have on my iPhone, but each resulted in no joy.
I did a web search and found that this a problem experienced by some users.
Graecyn Belle was born at 1:50am on November 8. 2012. She weighs 6 lbs 10 oz, and is 19 1/2 inches long, with a thick head of hair like her sister. Mommy, baby, and family are doing great!
Yes!
The plan today is to induce labor since Farrah isn’t showing any signs of giving birth as of yet.
They asked Farrah to call in at 7 AM to see when she could come in. We expected to go to the hospital after dropping off Mia at daycare. But the result of the 7 AM call was to call back at 9 AM, so we took our time getting Mia ready and off to daycare.
Mia enjoying snacks from the Harvest Festival at daycare.
Instead of celebrating Halloween at daycare, they have a Harvest Festival. Parents are invited to enjoy time with the kids. There are a few activities, such as building necklaces, playing with pumpkins, and painting. Mia has a little bee temporary tattoo on her right hand. And the necklace she is wearing is one she put together herself!!! Mom and dad only tied it on her.
By the way, speaking of Bill Murray, every time Road House is on and he or one of his idiot brothers are watching TV—and they’re always watching TV—one of them calls my husband and says [In a reasonable approximation of Carl Spackler], “Kelly’s having sex with Patrick Swayze right now. They’re doing it. He’s throwing her against the rocks.” [Away from the receiver.] What? Oh, my God. Mitch was just walking out the door to the set, and he said that Bill once called him from Russia.
Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future.
This is unexpected but nice to see. I’ve always thought that an adult-flavored Star Wars universe would make a great series on HBO. Perhaps something like that can now happen.
Mia Enjoying a Sunny Day
This photo was taken back on April 21, 2012. Mia was watching us break down the cardboard boxes that had piled up in the garage. It was a beautiful sunny day, so she decided she wanted to read. As you can see, her choice of reading material involves dinosaurs. My, how she has grown since then.
On Friday morning Farrah and I went to the hospital for the version procedure. We went as prepared as could be.
It was odd, walking to Labor and Delivery with Farrah. The last time we had been there was when Mia was born. I asked Farrah if she remembered this and that, but most of it was unrecognizable to her. Most likely her mind was elsewhere the last time we were there.
About two weeks ago Farrah had an ultrasound to check the baby’s size. The ultrasound showed that the baby is a healthy-sized baby girl. But she’s also breech.
It’s late in the pregnancy for the baby to turn on her own. The doctors say it could still happen, but most likely the baby will need to be helped. Tomorrow we’re going in for that help. It’s called version.
It seems like a straightforward procedure — so says the man not going through the procedure.
Gotta love the political season. I didn’t get much out of the debate, but it was fun to watch the highlights. I pretty much have my mind made up.
Did you?
Voting is the least you can do. Don’t sit on your hands. Vote!
“We’re able to view just everything that they do,” Bill Diggins, U.S. chief for the Verizon Wireless marketing initiative, told an industry conference earlier this year. “And that’s really where data is going today. Data is the new oil.” I use Verizon for my 3rd Gen iPad. The LTE is great. I thought about switching to them for our wireless phone service, but this article makes me pause on that idea.
Andy Williams, whose soothing baritone and relaxed performing style made him one of America’s top pop vocalists and a popular TV variety-show host in the 1960s when he recorded hits such as “Moon River” and “Days of Wine and Roses,” has died. He was 84. My mom is a big Andy Williams fan. She plays a Christmas DVD of his every year for what seems like a month straight. I’m sure in the recesses of my brain I know a few words to a few of his songs.
Brought to you by Bridget Mary McCormack, who is running for the Michigan Supreme Court. It seems Bridget is the big sister of Mary McCormack who played Kate Harper on the West Wing.
I always wanted to know why they broke up. I figure it was relationships within the group that broke down. They did end on a high note, I suppose.
The bottom line: John Gruber makes an estimated $500,000 a year from his blog Daring Fireball. But his relationship with Apple is priceless. I enjoy John Gruber’s writing, about Apple, design, technology in general, and baseball. I’ve given up on his podcasting though.
I know someone who is looking forward to this…and it’s not me.
With these simple tips and tricks, you’ll learn all the things your intelligent assistant, your remarkable camera, and your amazing iPhone 4S can do. I know most of these tricks, but do you?
I guess there are only so many places you can visit and talk about food.
Trying to recreate a photo from Farrah’s childhood. We’ll need to go back to Hawaii and try again.
On our last trip to Hawaii, Mia and Farrah tried to recreate a photo from Farrah’s childhood, circa the late 70’s early 80s. Mia wasn’t as cooperative for the photo, unwilling to stand on her own. This just means we need to go back to Hawaii to retake this one day soon.
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Two numbers. Just numbers.
The first number is the highest it has been in my life. It has increased by leaps and bounds over the years. At the end of high school, it was 118. At the end of basic training, it topped out at 130. After a time overseas it climbed to 155. This was only a period of about six years! And now it is what it is.
Oh, I can’t wait. But I sure don’t look forward to seeing Amy and Rory leave.
I just sold a somewhat old gadget to Gazelle.com. It is the first time I’ve tried selling back an old electronic device — that still had considerable value — to an online service. I’ve heard good words about Gazelle.com. I am hoping I won’t be disappointed.
It was easy enough to find the item I was selling to them on their website. They previously would take almost any electronic item, but they now have narrowed the selection down to mostly Apple products.
I have always been surrounded by women. I grew up with two older sisters who tormented me through childhood. Most of the managers I’ve worked for have been women. When I was a manager at a record store, most of the people who worked for me were women. Girls. Women. Always.
So it comes as no surprise that we are having another girl!
Yes, another bundle of joy is on the way.
I’d give this a try.
A lot of photo apps, right?
Seems like I’ve bought a ton of iPhone camera apps. But there is so much more. The latest one I have been using is called Pris. I must admit, though, I more often than not just use the normal camera app.
Prometheus
The tagline for the movie is: They went looking for our beginning. What they found could be our end.
Synopsis:
Ridley Scott does science fiction again. I remember watching Alien at the Old Mill 6 Theaters in Mountain View. My sister took me. I don’t recall if I knew what the movie was about before watching it. I think all I knew was that it took place in outer space.
Ah, Quentin Tarantino’s movie for Christmastime. Nice. I’m not a big Jamie Foxx fan though, but I’ll probably watch this film. (via DM)
I don’t think I ever imagined Mister Rogers being remixed, but it has been done. I was not a big Mister Rogers watcher when I was a kid. But this remix makes me think I missed something.
I have been on a photo publishing streak lately. I have tried to be diligent to post new photos quickly, as well as going back to posting older photos.
Here are a few direct links to new albums:
At the Children’s Discovery Museum – Spending a few hours here with Mia. It is her first time visiting this museum.
Celebrating Kayla’s High School Graduation – Celebrating at the Crow’s Nest.
I think I’ll be able to actually watch a few films this summer. If all works out, I hope to watch the following movies. Half are comic book-based movies, which appears to be this season’s trend. Anyway, here’s my list in order of anticipation:
The Dark Knight Rises
If you know anything about me, I do love some Batman! This is the last of Chris Nolan’s take on the Dark Knight detective.
The Wanda Group, a Chinese conglomerate with extensive interests in the entertainment business, has agreed to acquire AMC Entertainment, North America’s second-largest movie theater owner, in a deal that is valued at $2.6 billion, including roughly $2 billion in assumed debt, the companies said Sunday. A friend of mine wonders if this means the Chinese will help in curbing piracy in China. Who knows. Pirates will be pirates.
A very calm and cool James Bond. I’m looking forward to this one.
One of my favorite podcasts has unexpectedly moved podcast networks! It was previously on 5by5 but is now on the Mule Radio. I don’t know the reason for the change. But people are speculating here and there.
My guess? The 5by5 Network is growing. Gruber, the primary person on The Talk Show, probably couldn’t work around the scheduling constraints of the growing network. At least I hope it is that simple.
Three Point Landing Want to look cool? Stick a three-point landing just like your favorite action movie.
After a Sunday Mother’s Day Brunch at Coconut Grove, we all headed down to the Boardwalk to watch Mia ride the merry-go-round. She did well for the most part, with Auntie Susana holding her. Towards the end of the ride, she was getting a little antsy, but hung in there.
Also, I posted photos from the brunch and dinner as well.
Farrah and I were able to actually watch another movie! Last week we finally saw The Hunger Games - which I would rate Matinee. This week we watched The Avengers. When filming The Avengers was first announced I was a bit nervous. How could a movie with so many characters do justice to the comic book? I mean, would we just see the team fighting the villains on screen and bits of dialog thrown in.
It has been a while. Again. Life has just been busy. But I have a few moments right now to put down a few thoughts.
As I write this, it is Friday afternoon. I’m on the train heading home. I am typing on my new iPad. This new little machine is a joy to work on. It is much faster than the original iPad, which is now Mia’s full-time companion.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by AJ Giron (@verbal)
This is how you build a future champion, by starting them off young.
I just lowered my Netflix account to streaming only. I’ll only rent DVDs - which I don’t often do - from Redbox now.
Warner Bros.’ deal with Redbox has expired with the two companies still at odds over how long consumers should wait to rent DVDs for $1.20 a night. As a result, kiosk rental company Redbox will have to buy Warner DVDs from retailers like Wal-Mart at a higher price but will no longer make customers wait 28 days after discs go on sale to rent them, as it did under a previous agreement with the studio.
Hummingbird for Life
Today was Mia’s last day with the Hummingbirds at 2nd Gen, the daycare at Genentech. She was there for fifteen months under the care of all her loving teachers: Barbara, Cathy, Stefani, Joanna, and Fely. Oh, and so many friends both older and younger. She’ll miss 2nd Gen. But it’s time to move on. We won’t forget the Hummingbirds!
I’m excited about the new season. But I seriously need to watch the last few episodes from last season. I’m a bit behind, but I do know what happened.
…Warner Brothers are now imposing additional stipulations for its DVD movie new releases. Starting Feb. 1, the company has decided to restrict Netflix users from adding any new DVD releases to their queue until 28 days after the DVD goes on sale in retail stores, according to an LA Times report. We only rent a few DVDs now from Netflix. We’ll probably switch to streaming only next month. But if we were to continue, I’d find this inconvenient.
A new video by C.G.P. Grey about 10 common misconceptions. Good to know, except for the last one. I could have gone through life without knowing this “fact”.
PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.
It’s best explained by this short video. It is important to know if you want the Internet to be open as it is.
Anything can use a little redesign. It’s all about presentation.
How Hokschirr came up with idea: “I started thinking about which products I use on a daily basis, and which ones I wished had better packaging,” she tells Co.Design. “I settled on tampons when I spied an orange box decorated with swirls that was obnoxious and pastel at the same time. In my re-branding I focused on making packaging that was less whimsical, more geometric, and more elegant–packaging that I personally would like to have in my bathroom, instead of trying to find creative ways to hide.
Paula Deen having diabetes was previously a rumor but now has turned into fact. She’s known for three years.
We can look forward to People or Us magazine running the cover story, “I’m back” usual rehab story private hell. Clearly, this has been coming for a while. She’s been looking for ways to position herself. Is she really going to be selling the cure now? Or will she back off for a decent interval?
Hello from Matthijs_Vlot on Vimeo via (Daring Fireball).
If you’re a Dr. Who fan and have $250 laying around, you might consider getting a new purse - a TARDIS handbag.
All of this backstory knowledge fuels my rage. When I see Google talk about how “open” the platform is, setting it up as the foil to the “closed” (and framed as “evil”) iPhone, I want to scream and rip someone’s head off. It’s not only the most extreme example of being disingenuous that I can ever recall seeing — it’s nuclear bullshit. Good read on MG Siegler’s tumblr page. I personally haven’t used an Android phone.
I enjoyed season one a lot. Season two was a snooze-fest. But reading this little story in Entertainment Weekly online (and the link to AICN) makes me see that season two could have been so much more. What got in the way? Money.
The ShamWow guy is back with another product. This time it is a reusable lint roller. But, oh, of course, it is so much more.
Good information to know when traveling to other countries.
Nearly everyone all over the globe know that flashing the middle finger is meant as a huge insult to the recipient. However, many common hand gestures which are perfectly innocent in the US are in fact quite dangerous in other parts of the world!
Interesting blog post on some art pieces remade using real people. Pieces are by various artists such as Frida Kahlo, Gustave Courbet, Annibale Carracci, Salvador Dali, and Botticelli.
In this week’s BBC-aired episode titled “A Scandal in Belgravia,” Holmes has a close encounter with a whip-smart dominatrix, Irene Adler (Lara Pulver), who gets under his skin by flashing much of hers. Some detractors said the scene was too racy to air early in the evening, when children are more likely to be watching TV. I have seen the name Benedict Cumberbatch a lot lately, ever since Farrah and I started watching BBC’s Sherlock on Netflix streaming last weekend.
Spotify made its big U.S. debut on July 14, 2011.
In one week, we’ll be marking the streaming music service’s six-month anniversary.
And in one week, all those users who signed up for the free all-you-can-eat desktop music that day will find out that they’re going to be limited to just 10 hours per month now. You’re also only allowed to play individual tracks more than five times per month.
I’m sure this is a question we will ask Mia every so often. I know her answer will always be Mom.
This storm came out of nowhere. Weather was clear 15 seconds before the video started. I let go of the gas to slow down instead of braking in the beginning of the video.I knew i was driving too fast and braking would not have been a good idea. Beginning of this film is when I pushed the record button on the camera. You can hear me shut off the radio.
There’s some good, and some bad to look at in this video. I don’t think I’d try this on BART though.
The two-track line —a 30-foot-wide span, with 21 elevated stations — is designed to accommodate an increasing crush of commuters and tourists while encouraging new growth and development, particularly on this undeveloped part of the island. The Honolulu rail project, scheduled for completion in 2018, seems certain to change sharply the nature of much of the south side of the island, as well as downtown Honolulu. It would certainly bring a different feel to Oahu.
