FC 39 - For the Birds

This comic is for bird nerds*. If you aren't a bird nerd, you probably won't get it, at least not right off the bat. Maybe you will. I don't know you. For the non-bird nerds in the audience, I've left a bit of an explanation in the comments section below.

I really like how this one turned out, both graphically and otherwise. It feels good when a mini-project comes together so nicely (even if it did take way longer than it should have). Maybe one of these days I will do a comic out on paper. Perhaps it would allow me to be less finicky about details and technical conundrums (anti-aliasing vs. non) and complete a comic in less than 4 hours. For now, however, I enjoy my Paint Shop Pro 5.0. Besides, you would not want to see my free hand interpretation of a bald eagle.
Thursday July 3 2008File under: comic

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Web Project Olio

To keep myself sane in between periods of travel, I find myself getting involved in quite a number of computer/web projects. While I know not all of them are super exciting, I figured if I compiled them all into one post, it might pass muster on the interesting scale.

Firstly, I've just finalized creation of a website for Jai Guitars, a guitar refinishing project run by friend, frisbee great, and occasional BdW commenter Joe. I think the site turned out great and was a lot of fun to make. Check it out, and if you end up ordering a guitar, tell him you heard about it on BdW.

Other projects I've been dinking with:
  • I'm helping out the Elect Bill Turner campaign by maintaining their website. It is my first involvement with a political campaign and I think it will prove to be eye opening*.
  • After it initially getting a fair amount of press, I'm continuing to update North Sound Transit Guide. Recently, I added Frequently Requested Routes (fully planned routes mostly between Seattle and major North Sound cities), a feature that I think should be very useful. I hope to be adding more features soon.
  • I threw together this little game for Luke (of Sponsor My Loans, Blog About Beer, and Real World Really)*. It's about as hokey as web browser games can get, but also kind of fun. I think he's putting it together for his boss or something, so if you happen to pass through Portland, Maine, don't go advertising it from rooftops.
  • I continue to work towards getting a crossword published. I've submitted two for publication but haven't heard back. If you want to check out the new ones, they can be found on the games page. (I'm told these latest ones are both better and easier than the first couple, so if you tried before and were dissuaded, think about having another look.)
I've got a few other projects in the works including adding a new product to troothpicks.com*, a face-lift/added feature set for BdW*, and maybe another small business website or two to add to my resume. If you've got some web related project you've been pondering, maybe I can help. Have your people call my people.
Thursday July 3 2008File under: work, coding

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Quote for Monday 2

"Give me slow food and fast internet!"
Monday June 30 2008File under: quote

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Phototastic

I like having pictures of where I've been and what I've done. Who doesn't? As for actually taking them (getting people all lined up, making sure there are batteries in the camera, etc.), that's another story. Esp. when traveling, I really try to force myself to take as many pictures as I can because I know I will appreciate it later. This blog has been a great help in the motivation category on that front. (It is also worth noting that I've had many great people contribute their photos of shared experiences to this blog and for that I'm quite grateful.)

But those are more documentary type photos. Rarely do I think I capture something that can stand on its own without explanation or context. I'm slowly learning the art of photography, or at least producing pictures that I like, and as my skill grows, my interest grows. Someday I will have a photo that I will like well enough to enlarge, have framed, and put on my wall*.

Speaking of fancy photography, my friend and your fellow BdW reader Sweet Julie has a photo in the finals of Nikon's Big Deal Photo Contest*. It is a great photo and worth checking out. Winners of the contest get a fancy new camera, so share the love and go vote!

(Yeah, so this post was a combination of having little going on in my world and wanting to help a friend win a free camera. If you've got a cause you want promoted to the throngs* of BdW readers, send it my way.)
Sunday June 29 2008File under: misc

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FC 38 - Everybody Poops

Before you condemn me for the sacrilegiousness of this comic, let me make a case: everybody poops. Back in the day, toilets were hard to come by. At some point in his life, Jesus must have found himself in this situation. So while the bible didn't specifically mention it*, this week's comic could very well portray a scene from history.

Okay, okay. I know that is pretty weak. My true defense is something along the lines of humor, and the pursuit thereof, being a divine thing and the value in the ability to not take things too seriously. And while I know that defense won't appease all, I'll just leave it at that.

As per her request, the artist of this week's comic will remain nameless. (Unfortunately, the powers that be already know and I'm sure that this will be recorded in the "bad" column in that big scoreboard in the sky, both for the artist and me.)

(Other allusions I tried to work into this post somehow were something about a religious "movement"* and something clever about the pope doing something in the woods.)
Thursday June 26 2008File under: comic

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Apple Splitting Fun


In a further attempt to keep this blog at least somewhat interesting between my travels, I present you with this video I took of myself the other afternoon. A couple years back, a friend taught me how to split an apple with my bare hands. I hadn't done it in quite some time, hence the less than smooth performance. Still I think it is pretty neat.

Do you know any good food tricks? I was thinking of trying to work up a vaudeville-ish style act to demonstrate a bunch of food-related tricks. So far, I've got the t(r)oothpicks/saltshaker/forks balance, the speedy hard boiled egg peel, various grape toss/catch tricks, and this apple thing. I think I will need to find a few more before I am ready for Broadway.
Wednesday June 25 2008File under: misc, video

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Quote for a Monday

"Trust your heart. Follow your feet. You'll know when you get there."

-Stuart McLean, Vinyl Cafe
Monday June 23 2008File under: quote

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Happy Summer!

Summer here in Skagit County starts at 5:00pm (and 14 seconds). According to my watch, that is right about....NOW. I celebrated a little early by busting out the hammock and lounging back for some reading and a short little nap. I hope that is a harbinger of the next few months. Summertime and the livin's easy.
Friday June 20 2008File under: Anacortes

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FC 37 - Again With the Cows

I'm excited to present a new artist in this week's Friday Comic. Not only did she draw the comic, but she also came up with the idea (undoubtedly inspired by our previous series on cows.) Katherine, current NYC denizen, had a go at the notorious MS Paint and I would say came out quite victoriously. I went in and did a little sizing/background work, but the artistry is all Katherine.

I kind of like this whole theme idea. We did the cow thing a couple times, then the potty humor a couple times, and now back to the cow. It will all make for a great chapter in the book. Then, of course, there is the most popular sub-series, Rock Paper Scissors. Hopefully that's one we'll revisit soon.

I like Friday Comics. I hope you do too.
Friday June 20 2008File under: comic

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Everyone Deserves a Good Paddling

This past weekend, I took our so often neglected kayak out for its* first voyage of the year. I'm always looking for an excuse to get out on the water, but rarely find one. (Lack of transportation for the kayaks is usually one of the main reasons*.) A friend visiting from out of town was reason enough to get out and have a good paddling.

We launched the double kayak at low time at South Harbor Park (a.k.a. Sea Farer's Memorial Park) and headed over to Saddlebag Island. Saddlebag is my most common destination because it is a fairly easy paddle (we did it in just over an hour) and it is a state park. I've camped there a time or two but not this time. After exploring the island a bit, we re-took to the sea only to find the rudder broken. My arms got an extra workout as I had to paddle hard to keep us pointed in the right direction. Besides the sore arms, broken rudder, and sun burn*, it was a wonderful way to spend the day.

There are pictures of the aforementioned adventure but until they make their way from cell phone to computer (pending learning how to transfer said images), you will have to use your imagination. If human intelligence triumphs over technology sometime soon and the pictures are liberated from the phone, I will post them in the comments. I know how annoying pictureless posts are. EDIT: Humans triumph machine! Here's me on Saddlebag Island.
Monday June 16 2008File under: Anacortes

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