Another Year and more tech toys

So this Christmas has been great. I have always been in a world that revolved around Windows and Unix / Linux but this season has ushered in a new era of MAC devices. MacBook Air, new Mac Mini, MacPro. I have to say that making the plunge, it's refreshing to run on the other side of the tech world. Macs are fun to work in. And once you get over the small annoyances: mouse wheel is reversed, can't cut and paste files, it's a great Operating system. I have always had a mac, mostly mac minis but always used them just for staging and testing software or for documentation and help desk services. This was the first time I used it as a daily driver for all my work and fun.

Having used Linux and being proficient in both Windows and Linux made the transition to my Macs easier. The software is beautiful to work with. Graphical, easy to understand and everything is snappy except IMail. I opted for Thunderbird instead. Most of my Windows software has gone opensource anyways - LibreOffice, Firefox, Chrome, 7Zip, etc. So installing these same applications on the macs were a breeze and gave me a quick way in to being productive on the macs right away.

For anyone who is already using free software and is already in the mindset of learning and using alternative software like libreoffice instead of Microsoft Office, running a MAC will be second nature and after a week or so, you will wonder why you were not using a MAC to begin with.

I still have Linux on my laptop and have it running in a dual boot on my Mac Pro but I have since removed Windows off all my machines. If I need to I can always load it in a VM but after almost a month, the urge to boot up a windows instance has not come up.

I look forward to this year as I learn about all the cool things that can be created using the more native MAC software like iPhoto, iMovie, Aperture, Final Cut.

Cool

Saw this online and instantly thought - 'I want one!'

Backup Buddy

Decided to post a video of an app I built a little time ago.



I also recently have been playing with building android apps. I have a Nexus One and the phone is sweet. I am really excited about the possibilities on this phone. Will post my adventures as time goes by.

Thanks

Been Busy

Sorry haven't posted anything in awhile - will be updating the blog this weekend and next as I am going to pick up the projects I have and will post what I have been up to.

Scooter

Just purchased a Yamaha Vino scooter this last week.

It is awesome. I never really thought about a scooter purchase but having ridden one, I feel in love.

I'll post some pics of it last this week. I can't drive it really yet as it needs plates and sticker but when I get 'em, I'm driving it all summer.

GQ - Jennifer Aniston

Oh my GOD!

This woman is beautiful. I mean I like - no love - women and I have seen lots of pretty women but when I saw the GQ magazine with Jennifer on it - I mean I smiled. I totally, totally smiled - for a long time and starred at the cover. She just makes me feel good. It's hard to explain. Look at the picture and if you are a guy and like women - you are going to smile. She is radiant and attractive and projects playful sex. She still has that girl next door feel - like someone you could hang out with and really have fun with , with or without clothes.

I just really enjoyed the pics in the magazine and have always like her so much I had to blog it!

Sore

Been working out very hard these last couple months.

I workout at the Bally's on Cumberland Ave near 90/94 - it's a great spot cause it is two blocks from my office. I have gotten into a routine since around July - I workout right before lunch and then eat and head back into work to finish the day off. It's worked out well for me.

Since it is winter, and my goal was to be toned and ripped by this summer, I have been working out even more intensely. These last two workouts for instance have been brutal. I target two different parts of my body per workout and yesterday was shoulders and legs. AHHHHHH!!!!

Last night I was fine but today I woke up at 8:30 and was contemplating going to the gym again. I moved and AAAHHHHHH - swore legs. I walked to my balcony and saw it snowing and gave in. Nope - not this morning. I crawled back into bed and woke up around 11:00 am.

It's funny, I have been working out my whole life on and off and never really dedicated myself to structuring my body. I always worked out just to keep in shape and for fun. But this past year it has all been about goals: tight abs, wider chest, etc. I have really been sculpting and trying to get a better body. It's hard and I realize that all those body builders are real artists in away. They - in their head, knew what needs work and chip away at it - for months till they come up close to what they envisoned in their head.

It's kinda sad though in a way. No matter how hard and religiously you work out, we all grow old and even the best of us will lose our bodies in the end. Look at Arnold. It's just amazing that we train so hard for something which is fleeting.

On a side note - I went to a customer site this week and I had not been there in over a year. It was really great to hear all the customer employees who had not seen me in so long comment on how much weight I lost. A couple said "WOW - you got buff!!!"

I know - I know - I'm working out for myself but it really did feel good having others come up who knew me for awhile and say - "Dude you look amazing! What do you eat? Do you workout like every day?"

Working out really does make me feel great. I have so much more energy and am alot more confident about myself. If anyone is interested in a workout buddy and works out at the Bally's on Cumberland - send me an email and we can workout sometime together.