The Quotidian Paroxysm

Jott - the integration of cellphone, e-mail, and calendar

2008-07-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought of an event or something you would like to put on a to-do list while in some really obscure location or time? Ever remember random things you need to do while lying in bed trying to go to sleep? Ever need a pencil and paper to remember something but come up empty-handed?

NEVER FEAR, JOTT IS HERE. I have recently been using a free internet service recommended by Andrew Fry on his blog. I tried it out and at this point it has been a wonderful device for me to use! Very convenient, always handy, and I will never again forget an appointment.

Simply visit www.jott.com and set-up a free account. It will run through a series of requirements such as entering an e-mail address and a phone number to link to that e-mail, and verifying that the two belong to you. After the account is set up, set the Jott phone number to a speed dial. I am not even kidding, I use it so much that it is near the top of my list. Here is what I do:

I walk out of my orthodontic appointment with another appointment set for the following month. I immediately pull out my cell phone and call Jott. I hear the female voice ask, "Who do you want to jott?" At this point I only have myself as a contact, which works fine, so I reply, "Me." Then comes the time to say whatever you will, such as "Orthodontist Appointment July 18th, 1:00 PM" After hearing a lengthy pause, the female asks, "Would you like a reminder?" "Yes" "When?" "July 16th" "What time?" "12:00" "AM or PM?" "PM" It is as simple as that. Then what happens? On the date and time of your reminder you will receive a text message as well as an e-mail reminding you of the appointment. It is so convenient that I often plan my days just before I go to bed by saying it all into the phone and setting a reminder up for the following morning.

It's a great help to me and I highly recommend it!!

Utah Jazz 2008-2009 Lineup

2008-05-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Without knowing who the Jazz draft in June of 2008, here are the lineups for the next year. Some of the sqauds are my own ideas, but I really think that they could work. Oh, and it revolves around the idea that Jarron Collins is history, Jason Hart leaves on his free agency, and CJ Miles stays to play for the Jazz for at least one more season.

1st Unit
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Ronnie Brewer
Small: Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

2nd Unit
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Paul Millsap
Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

Shooting Team
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Big Squad
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Andrei Kirilenko
Small: Paul Millsap
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Defense
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Kyle Korver
Small: Paul Millsap or Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Energetic Squad
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: CJ Miles
Small: Ronnie Brewer
Power: Paul Millsap

Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

With Kyrylo being as young as he is, I would hope that the jazz could draft a big man to breed competition and make either one better. Roy Hibbert from Georgetown will probably still be around by the 22nd pick. I mean, we snagged Almond with a 25 so we could get lucky and get another steal at 22. Good summer Jazz!

The Great Debate

2008-05-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

CP3 vs DWILL

The two best young point guards are still perennial rivals.

Being a biased but still correct Utah Jazz fan, Deron is easily better (Just Kidding)

Entering this year's playoffs with the possibility of the Jazz meeting the Hornets in the Conference Finals was just too much to fathom. It was fate that set them in the seeds they were. Neither had it easy: Utah had to go through the top-seeded LA Lakers and New Orleans had to go through the defending Champion San Antonio Spurs. With a Utah v NO conference final, both point guards would be able to showcase their talent in a one-on-one dual that would include some of the best highlights of all the playoffs.

There was one snag though: They both ran into teams they couldn't handle. Teams with more experience. Teams that wanted it more.

After cleaning out their respective lockers for the summer, both stand on equal ground. Their respective teams lost close second round series to veteran teams and coaching staffs. Both have much to look forward to as well, with the opportunity to represent their country around the corner. Deron Williams was selected to play in the FIBA Americas tournament last summer with Coach K and team USA, a team that easily swept the competition. With the numbers Chris Paul put up this season there is little wonder whether he will get another shot at impressing the coaching staff. The roster from those 2007 summer games will be expanded to include many players and again be cut down until it reaches 12. My bet is that DWILL and CP3 will both get an invite to the Olympic games and both will play exemplary.

But if one makes it and the other doesn't, it only adds to a debate that will never end: Who is better?

Personally, I would take Deron. He's bigger. He has been put into a system where he doesn't have free range to do as he pleases like Paul. There is no way he is as quick or as good of a penetrater or driver as Paul, but he has an air about him. Playing the Mavericks in the Post Season, Paul was seen pounding his chest and yelling "he can't guard me! He can't guard me!" referring to veteran Jason Kidd. It was true, but the arrogance and cockiness that Chris Paul showed on National Television is just another reason that Deron Williams is a better fit for the Jazz who have had a long history of taking cleaner, more humble players than most teams. My pick is Deron, but so many say otherwise.

The only common ground is this: Paul and Williams are utterly amazing to watch. They have completely different styles, but both excel in their own systems. Their teams will meet in the playoffs next year for sure, mark my words.

PREDICTIONS

Conference Finals

Spurs in 7

Celtics in 7

NBA Finals

Celtics in 7

As far as I know, that would make the Celtics the only team to have every series go 7 games and win the title. Strange, huh?

Getting to the Hart of the Matter

2008-01-08T20:54:00.000-08:00

Jan 08 2008
Just when all hopes were lost, the Jazz pulled off a shorthanded victory at Energy Solutions Arena. Anything to be excited about? Well, not exactly.
Ronnie Price joined Andrei Kirilenko on the Injured list after last week's game in Portland, leaving Utah with one less hand to help out off the bench.
It could have been for the better. In last week's game against the Trailblazers, Ronnie Price played 4 minutes and Jason Hart was limited to 12. In tonights game, Jason Hart played 23 productive minutes, with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
After the starters put down the hurt on the Pacers, leading 40-19 after the first quarter, the minutes were shared all around. No Jazz player surpassed 26 minutes for the first time this season.
They were all productive minutes too. In 24 minutes of play, Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and grabbed 4 boards. In the 25 that Deron Williams played, he scored 10 points and dished 9 dimes.
Indiana felt bench woes as Utah's outscored them 54-35 and recorded 4 less turnovers.
The curse of the thrid quarter seemed to dissapate as the Jazz outscored the Pacers by 7.
Morris Almond made his first NBA debut since being sent down to the D-League. He went 1-5 from the field, scoring his first career points with 56 seconds left in the game.
The Jazz play Phoenix on Thursday.

Jazz Find Kirilenko's Shoes Hard to Fill

2008-01-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

During practice earlier in the week, Utah's small forward Andrei Kirilenko was injured (reportedly back inflammation) and did not travel with the team to Portland for a much anticipated rematch against the Trailblazers. This marked the fourth duel between the teams in 25 days, and the second in three games.

Portland entered the game on a two-game winning streak, and had won fifteen of their last sixteen (the only loss coming in Utah).

With many options to fill Kirilenko's starting position, Coach Jerry Sloan went with sophomore CJ Miles. Perhaps the 6 points in 23 minutes was not the productivity he had in mind.

Who else could he have started? A popular among fans, Kyle Korver, would be the logical choice. Korver scored 4 points and went 0-2 from downtown in 22 minutes tonight. Another choice would be Matt Harpring, who shot a productive 7-11 from the field and pulled down 5 boards in just 18 minutes of play.

Jazz starters committed 14 turnovers compared to Portland's 5. The Jazz were outrebounded 31-43. The Jazz bench, led by Matt Harpring with 14, was outscored 28-43 by Portland.
Carlos Boozer was placed under a microscope playing against Portland's sophomore LeMarcus Aldridge. The last time these two met Aldridge scored a career high 36 compared to Boozer's 19. Tonight, Carlos was held to 6 points on 3-16 shooting while Aldridge scored 20 and swatted 4 shots.

Deron Williams led the Jazz with 23 points while Martell Webster led Portland with 26 (a career high with 24 in the third quarter).

Fan-hated Jarron Collins scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting from the field and 1-2 from the free throw line in 8 minutes of play.

Portland's leading scorer, Brandon Roy, played 9 minutes in the first quarter, but watched the blow-out from the bench for the rest of the game.

Utah plays Indiana at home on Tuesday (01/08/08)

Tip #2 -Commuting

2007-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thinking about choosing a school that includes a commute in the route? Whether it be a community college or a four-year college, the workload can be rough. Do you really want to add a half-hour drive into the mix each way? However, thinking economically, do you have the option of free housing (e.g. with family or friends)? because the cost of gas to drive to school and the parking pass may be less than the cost of on campus housing. In my situation, going to a university without housing of any kind, I had no choice but to commute. There is no university parking either, so getting a pass is out of the question. I had to fight for a parking space a mile from the campus every day. These are things to think about...

If you are considering commuting, you aren't alone. 87% of all college students live off-campus.

So, here are the options:
1) Pay for the car (insurance, purchasing cost, etc...), gas, and parking.
2) Live on campus
3) Public transportation

1) Pros:

Perfect for that trip into town or late night pranks a little ways away
face it: anybody who has a car in college is cool -Ergo you'll make friends
Ever need to get away? Now you can.

Cons:

A car accident could really ruin your plans even if you didn't cause it
sometimes (like me) parking is not available so get ready to do walking
People always ask for rides, but these poor college students can never seem to pay for gas
adding more empty time to your schedule might break it!

2) Pros:

You can experience the college atmosphere
friends are next door
the campus is a two minute walk--always.
Wake up two minutes before class? No time, no problem

Cons:

Can't see your family and friends back home
Economic Cost
You might not be ready to "live" with someone

3) Pros:

Last minute assignment need polishing, and the commute allows for hands-free
Cheap--cost of gas is more than the bus ticket
Many colleges offer transportation discounts for students. Mine was $45 flat rate no matter how often I traveled.

Cons:

Stops: the commute can be much longer when the bus stops at every street corner
If you miss the bus, thats all there is. Wait for the next one and suck up being late to class
Tricky to figure out at first. A few calls home with "Mom, Im lost" whipped me into bus-chart-reading shape

Sorry to be so long-winded! There it is. Any of the three choices work for any college student. Just make sure that the one you pick works well for you! Until next tip...

Tip #1 -Starbucks

2007-12-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

To kick off my new calling as a college blogger, I have decided to address the most familiar topic to all college students: Coffee. Well, not just any coffee. Starbucks.

See, the problem is that college students are poor, but that coffee fix needs to be filled right? Do you find yourself unable to wake up without it? Here are some tips to keep Starbucks from being your alarm clock, biggest investment, but still keep drinking the liquid you love.

1. Drink your coffee at least three hours after waking up in the morning. Why? because as you use the coffee religiously to get you out of bed, your body relies more and more on it. After a tough all-nighter, coffee may not be able to give you any boost at all. To ensure that coffee will be there when you need it, dont think you need it when you dont.

2. Look for alternatives. Have you ever priced a coffee maker? How about bags of coffee beans? They may seem expensive now, but how much do you spend on coffee at Starbucks? I would guess that if you need your coffee enough, an investment like a coffee maker is right for you!!

3. Use natural substances for everyday wake-up. (Save the coffee for the tough ones) One liquid that I have found works well is Gatorade AM, which replenishes the liquids lost while asleep. Other non-caffeinated beverages include apple ciders, hot chocolates, even a cold glass of milk can do wonders in the morning. Also try Instant Breakfast.

4. Get a schedule to utilize free time (rid yourself of unnecessary late nights and the subsequent coffee dependency!) Even sticky notes left on your bed post to remind you of upcoming assignments, due dates, events, and commitments can keep them fresh on your mind so that when you have a second, you get ahead leaving the all-nighters out to dry.

Remember, coffee is good. Its not good enough for me to spend a quarter's tuition on over the course of my four-year degree. Just think about that and drink responsibly!

IVE DECIDED!!!

2007-12-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

I will be blog about the college life: what to consider when choosing a college, my personal experiences, loopholes, dealing with the economics, how to deal with school and life, and other such college issues. I will also live up to my name and post daily. That is what you can expect from me in the near future!!!

Biggest Online Purchase

2007-12-03T21:59:00.000-08:00

I recently asked my grandfather what the biggest online purchase he would make is, and he told me that he has already bought a car on Ebay, and could be willing to buy larger. So what is the problem with purchasing online?
Security is a big issue, with credit card numbers and identity being stolen everyday. Entire bank accounts can be drained and credit scores can be ruined. In the long run, I dont think these are the main problems people have with purchasing online.
I think its with getting the items you bought in the condition you thought they were in. My dad said that he would definately buy a car online, but only through a reputable dealer. He would never buy something so costly through Ebay. The question that scares off buyers is this: Will I get what I paid for, in the condition I paid for?
For myself, I have bought a $1000 Electric Keyboard online, and I would be willing to buy up to about $5,000. But like I said, only from some organization that I can trust.

Virtual Communities--Is it a Stretch??

2007-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

NO WAY!!

What is one of the first online communities that comes to mind? Myspace.

Another?

Facebook. Which by the way was recently valued at $15 Billion. Are social networking sites valuable? Why? How?

What makes an online community anyways?? What makes a real community? Dictionary.com lists a community as thus:

a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

By this definition, an online community can be easily achieved. We all share a specific locality we call the world wide web. The only difficult part is the common government. The community of Triggerstreet has something called a "Hall of Justice," in which people can be reffered for inappropriate content or actions. Facebook even has a "report for abuse" button.

These communities are actually valuable. Pushy sales salespeople turn into pure referrals and actions on the whole part and willingness of the consumer. Now that is the best reason for communities. That is why they are invaluable. Social sales, social news, social world. These networking sites are the way of the future.

The Few, The Proud, The Blogging Community of the South Sound

2007-11-29T15:36:00.000-08:00

Rising early from bed, I flicked on the lamp and threw off the covers. With no time to waste, I showered, dressed, and brushed my teeth. I quietly exited the house, fired up the engine of my car and began my morning journey.

Yes, I am one of them. I am a blogger. You don't think we're superheroes? Guess Again

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the South Sound Technology Conference this morning. I walked in about 20 minutes late (sorry!) and sat in the balcony. From this vantage point, I was able to see practically everyone who was in attendance (well, the back of their heads). I was able to recognize many people: Mark Briggs, the editor of thenewstribune.com, Andrew Fry, my professor at UWT and writer of http://www.livingandwokingvirtually.com/, TacomaChickadee, from "tickle me, tacoma," Derek Young, from Exit133, Kevin Freitas, from KevinFreitas.net and FeedTacoma, Erik Hanberg, from ErikEmery.com and Exit133, and my favorite guest, the Tacoma Gnome, from TacomaGnome.

I have come to respect these people. Keeping up a blog is not an easy task, and they are definately adept at it. I would recommend these blogs to anyone that is looking around. I was hoping that the secrets of a blog would be revealed through the presentations of these fine people. However, its not as easy as a formula that spits out an answer. Thus, I have decided that I must choose a topic to blog about and narrow my range down. I will think about it for a while, but for now I am leaning towards blogging about College Life. Hmmm. Ill think about it... Until then!

Floor Drooling, Recording, and Prizes!!

2007-11-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

Today was an eventful day so far...

You know when you have an exam coming up and you know that all you have to do is refresh your memory on the material and youll be fine? So all that you do is wait until the night before and cram! Thus was the case last night. I spent all day yesterday writing music and recording and by the time I finally came home, around 8:45, I was exhausted. So, when I laid down on the carpet in front of the computer to stuff information into my brain concerning Akerlof's Lemons, Externalities, and Kenneth Arrow's theories concerning Asymmetrical Economic Information for my economics exam, as well as history of the internet, the Dot.Com Bubble, and RSS Feeds for my Living and Working in the Virtual World class, I didn't plan on falling asleep on my face. For the third night in a row, I found myself asleep on the floor. My alarm woke me at 6:00 AM, then at 6:05, and then at 6:10. I turned on the computer and studied as much as I could in an hour and ten minutes. Time will tell, but I feel good about the respective tests for the time being.

I mentioned an online scavenger hunt earlier. My team was second place, and I had thought that our teacher had forgotten about the prizes, but when I went into class I had the choice of a starbuck's gift card or a husky's pin. I naturally chose the pin, and I'll wear it as a tie tack to remind me of my loyalty.

Like I said, this day is so far so good...

Free Time

2007-11-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

Ive had some free time lately, and I've done some soul-searching. This may be a very Tie-Dye blog.

NBA: Lets start with the Utah Jazz. What is their deal? They can blow out Golden State in both games, kill Sacramento, own Memphis, and squeak by Cleveland? How about their squeak by the Seattle Sonics? Unbelievable. While we're on the subject, why are the Sonics playing so poorly? with the number two draft pick (might as well have been the number one), the sonics find themselves 0-7. The ever-elusive victory might well remain elusive as their schedule doesn't look promising. We, as washingtonians, think its very disrespectful for NBA Commissioner David Stern to talk to us in this manner. How can you tell us that if the Supersonics leave our state that we will never get another team back? Isnt that exactly what happened in Charlotte? Oh, but wait. They DID get a team back afterwards. Hmmmmm...

MUSIC: I have recently began to write music for an upcoming CD. I play the piano, and the CD would consist of a few original pieces as well as some Jim Brickman pieces. The hardest part I have found is finding a CD title. I have several ideas: Left Unsaid, Moving Foreword (yes, spelled that way on purpose), Finding the light, Forgotten Anthems, or Peace of Music. Any others would be welcomed.

TECHNOLOGY: I have recently been offered a position by NorthwestWebCo to do website layout. If you go to their website, www.northwestwebco.com, I think you'll agree that it is a pretty cool layout. I think I am going to take the position, and am excited to invest in a developing company. Actually, one of my friends owns the company and it is growing slowly and steadily. He has a good head for business, and seems to know where he plans on taking the company.

LOCAL SPORTS: The Harbour Hurricanes Rugby Team had another awesome practice, with a total of 22, I believe, coming out to learn about rugby. I am excited to be a part of a wonderful rugby movement, and I think they have a very promising season ahead. I have begun training form local Triathlons in the spring and summer. I have never done a triathlon before, and believe it will be a wonderful experience.

TACOMA: I have had some wonderful experiences in Tacoma recently and have found that quant little city that so many people have known their whole lives! If anyone is visiting, or if you are bored, I would recommend walking around by the museum of glass, over the bridge there to see the glass sculptures, along the water, and around the University of Washington - Tacoma Campus. It is gorgeous! I have worked up Pacific Ave near 38th and further up near 72nd, and I love the feel near the water and Point Defiance Zoo so much more than that of downtown.

That is all that is on my mind right now, other than the fact that I just recently added the TacomaGnome as a friend on Myspace! His is one of the only blogs that I follow religiously. Check it out!! (See side menu) Until next time, Peace and Love!!

Scavenger Hunt

2007-11-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

The scavenger hunt has begun, and we are already in the lead! I just know it! We are breezing through the questions and I think our team will easily finish it before the end of class!! Our team rules the world! If you have no idea what Im talking about, see here. Have fun!!!

Orwellian Society?

2007-11-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

I have recently looked into the novel "World without secrets" as a part of learning about our digital age and the ramifications that we have to face because of our place in it. It discusses the idea of a collective "Big Brother" that knows what we do and when we do it and also punishes us for those actions. It seems to be a good read, although kind of expensive ($29.95 YIKES!). I searched google products for it, changed the criteria to sort from low to high priced and found some veeeery inexpensive used copies. I do recommend buying used copies of books online as I have made a few purchases and have been completely satisfied with the results. I bought a book for .99 and thought the copy was good enough for me. Back to the novel at hand, there is a question that arises within the book: Is Big Brother bad or good for the society? Shouldn't those that have nothing to hide be okay with the fact that they Can't hide anything? I will have to read further into the story to see what the answer here is, but in my own life I would have to say "no. That is not okay."

Adding to the Virtual World

2007-11-05T19:00:00.001-08:00

As our world is integrating technology into every thought, action, and idea, we have turned many very physical services into online replicates. We have music online! I just today downloaded piano sheet music to perform in a few weeks. I can watch church online twice a year, order my groceries, and listen to the radio. Google is one of the main compilers of online services. As I said in my recent post about the Google OS for cellphones, Google has amazingly reduced the stress of living in the virtual world. They have put YouTube, GMail, Google News, Google Maps, Google Weather, Google Product Search, and so many other features together in one location, which makes it so much easier to live in our modern age. All in all, the internet has really made life simple with all of the online services it has to offer.

Purchasing Followup

2007-11-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

As I wrote earlier, I ordered two rugby balls online on October 20, 2007. I also said how easily I could track their progress through an online service of UPS. The order initially said 1-2 weeks. You can imagine how amazed I was to recieve the first one on October 26th, and the next on October 29th. The process was easy, not time consuming, and I felt good (well, as good as you can) about giving out my credit card info online. Its always comforting to see the padlock at the bottom of the page to let you know that the site is secure. How secure is it though? I dont really know, but the padlock makes me happy enough to purchase online.

Light Rail--Heavy debate

2007-11-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

A plan has surfaced to give another aquiduct to Tacoma from Seattle: A new light rail running from the Tacoma Dome to Down town Seattle. The debate ensues about the price and practicality of such a transportation. The project is projected to cost $3.36 Billion and is considered the largest tax-package ever put forth to Washington Voters. The Light Rail would decrease the likelyhood of traffic with public transportation, simplify a trip from Tacoma to Seattle by eliminating transfers, and would run for about 70 minutes. If began now, the project is estimated to take 20 years to complete, by which time the need may be obsolete.

The article just reaffirms what I was thinking to my self: what a wonderful city Tacoma is. We continue to link other places to our cosmopolitan city and continue to flow traffic of people into it. Im not saying that higher volumes of people into the area is good for the city, I'm simply saying that if more people had the opportunity to observe our way of life, many rumors could be dispelled. The shroud that seems to surround the city of Tacoma and give it a less-than-perfect quality might be lifted.

Googles of Developments

2007-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Today, Google announced their plans for a cell phone in the near future. "Near future" means weeks. And the phone part, well its not actually going to be a phone. What I mean is that Google is creating an operating system for most available phone carriers. It bundles together most of their available services, like their unmatched search capabilities, GMail, GPS, GoogleMaps, Froogle (Product Searches), Youtube, and instant messaging. Sources say that Google may be ready to name TMobile as their carrier, but at this point not much is certain about the future of the product. One more step towards Google Grid... (If you don't have any idea about Google Gird, watch the Youtube video "Epic")

Tacoma Renaissance

2007-10-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the Columbia Bank Center over on "A" Street? I recently became acquanted with the Accounting company Moss Adams, which resides in one of the many suites. The funny part is that I came in "contact" with this company through a fender-bender in traffic with one of its employees (Was actually a pleasent experience! Shows you the kind of people that reside in Tacoma!). I looked them up on the internet to find this pleasant quote:

It is an exciting time to work in Tacoma as the city is experiencing a
renaissance: from the Glass Museum, featuring the Dale Chihuly Bridge, and the
expanding University of Washington Tacoma campus, to the Sound Transit and light
rail and new apartments and condos being built downtown. All of this and more is
within walking distance of the Tacoma office. Not only does this provide
business opportunities, it also provides ways in which our personnel can get
involved in the community. Working in the Tacoma office can provide you exposure
to our group specialties and the ability to experience this renaissance first
hand.

They are absolutely correct. Being a student of the expanding campus of the University of Washington, I too can witness this renaissance first hand. I was very sheltered before this year, being a resident of Gig Harbor, to the amazing aspects of Tacoma Life! I had never ridden a city bus before, and the options are astounding! I took a trip on the Light Rail and was surpirsed, and proud, that our city has a free public transportation system.

To any of those Anti-Tacomans, get rid of those false-first impressions. Come see the countless woderful experiences that are all within walking distance! How can you even say that Tacoma sucks? Its only because you are too ignorant to care.

Your supporter from over the bridge,

The Napster

2007-10-25T10:01:00.001-07:00

Kevin Freitas, the Tacoma blogging Guru, visited my Living and Working in the Virtual World class at UWT on Tuesday. His visit was inspiring more than anything else. He showed us that through his many years online blogging he has gained a pretty large influence in the WWW. In fact, he can search Google for the word "Kevin" and be in the first few entries! That totally amazes me! He is top of the list for searches on the most random things! But that is what amazes me: He blogs about what he wants to, and people really do find it useful. I hope to continue this blog and be able to gain knowledge of FEEDS and HTML in order to create my own blogging site just like his. I also took the liberty of joining feedtacoma.com for all of my future Tacoma blogs. What a stud!! Well, Im off to do my midterm for Living and Working in the Virtual World!

RUGBY 07-08

2007-10-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

The rugby season is starting again! I played last year as a rookie on an all-rookie team that had its first season. It was an incredible miracle season, and the story is here. I will be following the progress of the team this season as well as recapitulations of the games on that blog with small blurbs on this one.

In my technology course @ UWT we discussed very briefly online purchases. To relate, I recently purchased my first rugby ball online through a company that uses UPS ground shipping. That website is so easy to use not only to send something, but to track it as well! I can tell where my ball is at all times and when it is going to arrive here. They say that about 75% of all buyers abandon their shopping cart before purchase, some due to the confusion by the site. That is not a problem with UPS, as their site is easy to use and navigate through. I would use them again.

P.S. Anyone is welcome to join our rugby team. The only prerequisites are that you are 19 or under and of the male gender. More information will be posted on my other blog in the next week.

Doh!! I forgot...

2007-10-16T14:56:00.001-07:00

I promised I would post my Simpsonized self in here! Thanks fo rthe reminders! Here are the two versions. I cant decide between the two!! I would recommend you go and Simpsonize yourself though! It is way easy!

Egosurfing

2007-10-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

Egosurfing- a popular past time becoming increasingly familiar in our modern society. Ever had the curiosity to see how much you are written about online? Don't think you would find anything if you ran your name through Google.com? Think again.

Google reports that 25-50 Million searches of proper names are executed each day. So you aren't alone. In fact, it has become a major strategy for CEO's to figure out how they are viewed by the public through egosurfing. "You have to have thick skin" says Pete Slosberg, owner of Cocoa Pete's Chocolate Bars and Pete's Wicked Ale. He often searches his own name in Google, and finds out what problems with customer service there are to confront them. What a clever use of the advanced search capabilities of Google!

Kevin Delaney of The New York Times goes further to say that Google is a very powerful influence in your professional career. If you are becoming lost in the many crowds, he writes, it may have occupational and financial consequences. People might wonder why you aren't showing up in a Google search, which can be worse than actually showing up.

Now I know that you are wondering where I rank right? Well, the only thing as bad as having a common name on Google, is sharing a name with a celebrity. I grew up by the name "Bryant Boyer," which happens to be the name of an NFL player. I am, however, second on that page for my Track and Field in High School. Its alright with me because it is a respectable mile time. Next on the list: Swine Registry?? I swear it has nothing to so with me!!

Anyways, I rank first on Google for "Bryant Boyer" track, "Bryant Boyer" tacoma, "Rob Boyer" Wrestling, and "Bryant Boyer" scrum half (my rugby position). Other notables are "Briant Boyer," which it seems is where my name was misspelled with relation to my Band, and "Bryant Boyer" wrestling, where I am listed third in my high school wrestling results.

But don't take my word for it....

Newspapers Online

2007-10-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

While going to UW-Tacoma, I had the opportunity to find myself in a guest lecture given by Mark Briggs of the Tacoma News Tribune. He is the editor of TheNewsTribune.com It was a unique experience to be able to view what is becoming the new world of news through his futuristic eyes. I also decided to Simpsonize myself as I saw that he had done so. However, the picture upload device is down at the moment, so I will post it later. What I thought was especially interesting was the power the press truly had in the early years of America. Briggs explained of the monopoly of advertisement that the papers had, and it is amazing to me. Nowadays, Google.com is responsible for 40% of the world's advertisements!! Talk about becoming a Virtual world!! I simply cannot wait for the google grid!!