mDerrickDavis.com

The New 'Buzz' Around Google...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:41:00 +0000

I've heard of Google Buzz, but with much less time on my hands, I haven't taken the time to really dig into what all the 'buzz' was about. Today, it was released to the world.

Basically, it's Google's version of Twitter.

Like everything else with Google, there's a lot of integration across it's platform, and the very little I've played with it, I like it.

Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, YouTube, and Blogger are what I use most often; Google Buzz will probably join that list. What I like about the others is they're easily integrated, and I hope Buzz follows suit.

Facebook is great because 90% of my friends and family use it. Picasa and YouTube give me a place to post pictures and videos to add to my blog or link to my Facebook account.

Twitter's great because I can see what's going on with the world before it hits the airwaves (i.e. I found out about Michael Jackson's death before the news outlets jumped on board). Plus, it's a great source of information with links to relevant topics (i.e. politics, news, sports, etc.) beyond the typical mainstream sites. I like reading about healthcare from a source other than CNN, Fox News, or the Huffington Post.

With Twitter/Facebook integration, my tweets double as Facebook posts, so I can reach two audiences at once. Then my friends and family comment on Facebook, while other conversations get rolling on Twitter.

As you'll see in the video above, Google Buzz will be a fantastic tool with Google Maps integration, and the 'nearby' feature it offers, specifically in traffic situations as the example shows.

Twitter doesn't offer that level of integration, but it has it's own benefits.

Google Buzz seems the most sophisticated with location tagging which opens a world of possibilities. It would be great if I could buzz from my computer or phone and have my Facebook and Twitter status' updated with the same. Simple integration: that way, my posts get the relevant responses.

It'll be interesting to follow this technology and see where it goes.

...and if you haven't seen Google Goggles, you gotta check it out. With time and technology, this could be a fantastic tool!

It's 2:30am...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:54:00 +0000

I just put Olivia back to bed, and by the sounds on the baby monitor, she might be popping up again fairly quick. Instead of going to bed and waking up again, I'll just wait.

In the meantime, here are a few rumblings I've found on the web:

In the market for a new cell phone? No matter which company you've chosen, here's a 'how to' guide to getting the best deal from people within the business.
Nine out of every ten premium PC's sold at US retailers is a Mac. Apple's market share is growing and this article proves that people who have the money, buy a Mac.

Anyone with a Mac already knows the only reasons people don't spend the money to purchase one is because (1) they've never used one, or (2) they don't have the money.

If they have the money and are familiar with the operating system, they buy one... and never touch a PC again.
There was a time when I said this would be my next phone. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be coming to T-Mobile in the immediate future, and from the reports I read, it's a bit sluggish. I would be interested in purchasing the Nexus One from Google, but I'm limited on the plan I can choose.

Because I'm looking for an Android phone from T-Mobile with a virtual keyboard that's aesthetically similar to the iPhone, my options are very limited. I don't like what's currently available to me.

...and my little girl's awake.

A Couple Videos...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:46:00 +0000

She's getting big, turning 6 months old yesterday.

Proving The Point, Time After Time...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:44:00 +0000

I'm currently updating the registration on my Mustang.

In Colorado, emissions testing is required before you can register your vehicle, and as you might expect, it's another shining example of our government at work.

The office of motor vehicles comes next, and I'm certainly looking forward to spending half my day waiting in line.

Each experience I have with the government (federal, state, or local level) reminds me why I hope they never take control of health care.

There's no one financially invested with hopes and dreams of improving the product, or making sure customer service is properly executed. No one cares, and the staff's performance proves it.

I challenge any liberal asking for governmental control to tell me they enjoy their experience at the DMV, social security office, or making a phone call to any other government entity. It's a pain, and everyone knows it.

Our healthcare system needs work - no one debates that point - but let's be real careful we don't put the wrong policies in place.

Man... Not Again...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:44:00 +0000

Life can't be a cakewalk all the time, right? It sure would be nice if it was, but it's fair to say "when it rains, it pours."

Rebecca has a tendency to kill the tires on my car. It's never her car - it's always mine. This morning was no different, as she woke me at 7:30am to tell me she was on the side of the road because she ran over something driving to work.

After a trip to Discount Tire, I replace the tire on my Mustang to find a screw in the tire of our Equinox. Now I'm back at the tire shop having it repaired.

Thankfully I don't work until 4:00 tonight.

It's The Smile That I Love...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:15:00 +0000

My aunt, uncle, and cousins took a trip to Steamboat Springs for Christmas, and a slight detour through Denver to visit for a couple days.

Feeling the need to entertain, the seven of us headed to P.F. Chang's for dinner until we realized it was too damn cold to be out of the house.

In the process, Olivia-Grace got her first taste of Dr Pepper and seemed to love it. Watch above for your video evidence.

Come On Man, Cut Me Some Slack...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:36:00 +0000

My wife was in an accident last week, and thankfully wasn't hurt. The car, however, was. She rear-ended a driver in front of her who decided not to stay at the accident scene, but unfortunately for us, our Equinox is not driveable.

That means I'm dealing with insurance.

Thankfully, we have Progressive and they've made the process fairly harmless. The only hold-ups have been by me, not wanting to move forward until I know what the process is, instead of getting a rental replacement and being told we're not covered for this specific circumstance.

But today, I'm living very tight with Murphy's Law:

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.

Our vehicle was supposed to be released from the tow yard yesterday, but I get a call from the body shop telling me the Equinox has yet to arrive. He says he'll investigate. Progressive calls to tell me the tow yard needs a verbal release from me before they'll let the tow company pick it up.

However, they don't seem to have on file that I verbally released the vehicle yesterday.

And I'm currently waiting for Enterprise to pick me up so I can get our rental, but the driver drove to the wrong location - they're blaming it on Map Quest. They must not be using the same website as I am, because I found it just fine.

I'd recommend Google Maps, but it seems like user error.

With a little down time, I'm completing my medical insurance enrollment through my employer, and as you would imagine, I've run into a snag there, as well. I need to complete a form that is linked on Lincoln Financial Group's website, but the link's broken. Sheesh...

On top of that, I'm installing tile at home, but my drill died before I could put the screws into the sub-flooring.

Now I need a new drill, which isn't too bad. I'll take any opportunity to purchase new power tools.

Thankfully, my daughter returns home tonight with my parents. Let's hope they have no problems or delays with the flight.

At least it gives me time to get the house cleaned.

I've Found My Next New Phone...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Assuming it's released by T-Mobile, this phone looks fantastic.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 hasn't been released in the states yet, and there's still speculation regarding the network, but I'm praying T-Mobile gets this phone. AndroidGuys is speculating that it might be one of two landing spots for U.S. Carriers.

My iPhone is a couple years old, and as any electronic product, it begins to slow over time. When it's ready to retire, I would like an Android device because of the flexibility - background apps, integration, Google Maps Navigation, etc.

Because of it's stubbornness, there are a few things the iPhone doesn't do, but - as the Motorola Droid advertisements tell you - this phone "does".

My #1 complaint with Android has been the aesthetics. The iPhone is beautiful. Simple things like closing a program, turning from portrait to landscape, activating a call, etc... all have a fantastic graphic interface. When I use my finger to scroll, it's very responsive and seems to relate to my touch precisely.

Android is slightly less responsive and graphically behind, and while these may be minor details to some, the goal of open source programming (like Android) is to improve on the product and make it better. I thought if I was patient, the right mobile device would come along.

With a 1GHz processor and 8.1 megapixel camera on the Xperia X10 - it looks like it has.

It's Time To Buy A Smartphone...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:31:00 +0000

If you haven't made the jump to a smartphone, you're missing out - and it might be costing you more money than you think you're saving.

Last night I added Google Maps Navigation to my wife's myTouch 3G, and it's fantastic.

Google Maps Navigation is the next level of Google Maps, adding a turn-by-turn voice navigation to phones. It's just like a navigation system in your car, but it's on your phone instead of in your dash. The kicker - it's FREE!

Thinking hard about buying a Garmin or TomTom for your car? Think again. Instead of spending anywhere from over $100 to nearly $1,000 - drop $150 for a new phone and download the free app.

Is free really free? Since you're paying $100 - $200 for a smartphone, I suppose it's not technically free, but it's certainly worth the upgrade from the basic phones currently available.

Also, while I'm shopping, Amazon Mobile is a useful app on my iPhone. When I find an item I like, I search for it on my phone and Amazon Mobile tells me if I can find it cheaper online. If the cost savings is significant enough, I'll order it directly from my phone.

Imagine trying to find a digital camera for a family member at Christmas through Best Buy, Sam's Club, or another store in the mall. You see it on the shelf for $350, but Amazon Mobile tells you it's $180 online. With $170 in savings, you tell me where your money is best spent?

Or you can take it one better than that... Google Android (maker of my wife's myTouch 3G) offers an app called ShopSavvy. It's a barcode scanner, just like you'd find in the checkout lines at your local grocery store, only it's connected to the web. Scan any barcode you'd like, and it searches the web and finds the item cheaper both nearby and on the web. If you'd like to walk a few doors down in the mall, or travel across the street, it tells you. If you'd prefer - just like the Amazon Mobile app - simply buy the product online using your phone.

Then there's apps to help you find the cheapest gas, download and read books for free, and listen to free radio that suits your tastes and not what over-the-air stations want you to listen to.

Frugal buyers will still have a hard time making the jump, but it might be time to put pen to paper and find out how you can reduce costs by spending a little more on your mobile device.

People who do understand the craze still say, "I just want a phone to make calls - I don't need all that other stuff."

"All that other stuff" will save you money. I'm not saying smartphones are for everyone, but some people are letting opportunities pass them by.

It might be time to look again and actually consider the upgrade.

Faith As A Crutch...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Jason Berggren wrote a book called "10 Things I Hate About Christianity." I've owned the book for quite a while with the intention of reading it, but haven't picked it up until recently.

Unfortunately - because of my schedule and our baby girl - I don't expect to finish it very soon, although it's been difficult to put down.

The premise is simple: Jason is a pastor and former singer in a Christian heavy metal band. Like me, he has a family, considers himself politically conservative, writes a blog, and has a strong belief in what Jesus stands for.

But like all of us, he has frustrations with his faith, and he discusses them in the book. Contrary to what the title may lead you to believe, the book is designed to elevate Christianity by discussing different aspects of the faith, and some of the challenges they can present.

You can find out more about the book, including reviews, from Amazon.com.

Personally, it's added another perspective to my spiritual journey, and continuously challenges me to think. In the first chapter, Jason talks about conversations he had with a friend - also named Jason - who brings up using faith as a crutch. The book reads:

Jason later admitted he often viewed faith as a crutch. I'd heard this many times and found it insulting, but I didn't know how to respond. Was there no way faith could find a home in the heart of the truly strong-minded, independent, freethinking person?

I came back the next Thursday and confessed I agreed with Jason. I even took it one step further. For me, faith was more like a wheelchair or one of those motorized things old people drive around in the grocery store. I was beginning to gain a little life experience, and to realize that when I'm down-and-out, beaten up emotionally, or at my wits' end, faith is the only reason I can press on.

I also submitted the idea that those who live by their sincere faith are in fact quite strong and resolute, maybe even the strongest of individuals. Faith can propel people forward against all odds and carry them through the storms of failure and discouragement. They may act against practical thinking and pragmatic theories, but they don't care. They have a drive in them that's amazing, like Rocky Balboa in the boxing ring. And no matter what they're facing, they see each situation as an opportunity.

I've spent my life creating a mental toughness for myself, that when I felt down-and-out or beaten up emotionally, I powered on because it was the right thing to do. No one was going to feel sorry for me, and too many people were counting on me that I needed to learn to deal with life.

When I dig deeper to find the root of my belief, I remember a time I had to make a choice: either I believe God has a plan, or God created free will. I do not believe both exist.

If God has a plan, then everything we do is part of that plan; our path has been laid. However, if you believe in free will, you must take responsibility for your actions, including responsibility to your creator.

I always believed in free will. When I'm down for the count, God isn't going to pick me up. Thankfully, however, because of what I've learned about Jesus, I pick myself up.

I do believe that strength comes from God, but I believe it indirectly comes from God. More importantly, I believe it comes from the lessons I've learned about God and Jesus.

When a person expects to derive their strength from God, I believe it can create a resentment toward God. If you're in a very dark place asking God for strength and you're unable to find it, I don't believe it's God's fault.

I've never believed that God will magically lift you up, and believe teaching the faithful that God will do so is wrong.

Maybe we've learned to get up because of God, but I have a hard time believing we've been lifted up by God.

When I try to teach someone about faith, I believe it's important to teach someone that they'll learned strength through the experiences of others, which will inherently make them stronger. But placing unrealistic expectations that God will make things 'all better' creates a frustration of faith when God doesn't come through.

"Where was God when I needed him?"

I don't believe it's God's job to pick you up. I believe it's our job to learn why it's important to pick ourselves up.

Is faith a crutch? I'm not necessarily sure. When I think of the term 'crutch', I view it as something that helps keep me upright. I prefer to view my faith as a solid foundation that I've built with the help of friends, family, and my Maker. I proudly stand on top, but continuously add layers as I grow.

I don't need my faith to stand, but it's because of my faith that I am able to stand.

She's Chubbin' Up...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Mom's in town - so you know what that means: pictures... and lots of 'em. Here are a few.

If you wanna see more from the album, click here.

It's A Tough Life...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:27:00 +0000

From Olivia-Grace Ann Davis

It's been a rough morning for my little girl. After her morning feeding and diaper change, she might have a long day ahead of her.

Rest while you can... and please note the sarcasm.

All Fixed...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:56:00 +0000

So it looks like my blog was sitting in an injured state for the last few days. Since my most recent post, I didn't close a tag properly, sending the site into a tizzy.

I own a Mac and use both Firefox and Safari as my web browser, and both have the glitch under control. Internet Explorer, however, does not.

Thanks to my mother for pointing it out.

But it's all fixed... at least, it appears to be.

I May Not Be Able To Write, But I Can Listen...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:38:00 +0000

Secretly, I'd love to write music. Unfortunately, I don't have skills near those of Aaron Barker or Erv Woolsey, who wrote George Strait's hit, "I Can Still Make Cheyenne."

Damn, this is a good song... one of the best, actually.

George's voice is so tender, and the lyrics tell a story about a the relationship between a cowboy and his love, assumed to be his wife.

Listen to the song - as a matter of fact, listen to George Strait. There are very few musicians on his level as an artist.

A Church Would Be Nice...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:47:00 +0000

We need to find a church.

It'd be nice if we could begin with finding a denomination.

Rebecca was raised exclusively Catholic, which included Catholic school when she was young. I was raised Lutheran, spent some time in the Baptist church, and have attended Catholic mass from time to time.

With the birth of our daughter, it's become important that we find a church we're comfortable in, and pass along our faith.

Unfortunately, the path of my spiritual journey has taken me to a place where it's difficult to re-acclimate myself to organized religion.

But since my marriage - and now the birth of my daughter - I've come to realize that it's no longer about me.

While we're responsible for giving her proper nutrition, teaching her how to behave in public, and providing her a good education, we're also responsible for the eternity of her soul.

We will raise her in a home where she can come to know God, understand his teachings and philosophy, know their origins, and respect that others might feel differently.

Thankfully, because she'll grow up in my house, I can sit her down and teach her.

As far as getting the word out to others, I've never been comfortable trying to bring someone to God unsolicited.

Respectfully, I am not someone who will march into the streets like a good Christian soldier and begin telling everyone what my faith in Christianity has done for my life, and in return, what it can do for yours.

I do not believe it's a very effective way of bringing people to God.

While I do not like using bible verses to support an argument (I believe they're often taken way out of context), bear with me. Recently, I was reminded of one of the more popular verses, Matthew 28:19. Here's the entire paragraph:

Matthew 28:18-20 - ¹⁸Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Reading the passage, I do not believe it's my job to hand out literature door to door, or sit a person down and begin telling them why their life needs to change, or tell them how Christianity has changed my life.

I interpret this passage to mean showing God within myself... showing people that I believe, and letting that do the work.

Once it becomes evident, that's when the real work begins: showing people what Christianity can do for one's life.

But isn't that what it's all about: showing the existence of God through yourself, which proves to others that lives can be changed?

Life At 10 Weeks...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:08:00 +0000

Here's a moment between Olivia-Grace and myself, where I'm fitting her into the new car seat. We talk to her as much as we can, and thankfully she listens.

I'm happy to show off her smile for the world to see. It melts her daddy's heart, and I live for it.

Sorry about the bad camera work, but I can't take my eyes off her, and that means sometimes the picture isn't very well centered.

These are the moments that make me happy to be a parent, and these are the moments everyone says you get to experience - the moments you hear about from friends, or on television, or from your parents reminiscing about raising their own children.

But in reality, there's an entirely different side to parenting that is rarely discussed.

Don't misunderstand what you're about to read - I love my little girl more than I thought I could ever love someone. I laugh when she laughs, and I hurt when she feels pain.

But no one talks about sleepless nights or the strain that a baby can put on a marriage. A marriage is hard work - and with a baby, it becomes that much more difficult.

You don't hear about how your life stops because you can't find 20 minutes to mow the yard because the baby won't let you lay them down long enough, and both you and your partner have a job with opposite work hours so you don't have to spend $200 a week on a babysitter.

Consequently, you rarely hear that it can cost $200 or more per week for a babysitter.

You never hear that when a mother breastfeeds, it's a job in itself - and it can be painful.

When your baby hurts - you hurt. Rational people understand that crying is a part of raising a child and can handle it - but when she gets gas pains and cries in what appears to be utter agony, or receives shots while in your arms and you can't take the pain away, there's no worse feeling in the world.

And there's the concern about her future. Everyone believes their children can be President some day; or a doctor. But the reality is, they can become alcoholics, deal with mental illness, or make bad decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives.

But every decision we make can affect the person she becomes. While there's certainly a scary side to every decision, I trust the decisions my wife and I make will be in the best interest of our daughter.

Thankfully, there's a rewarding side.

You leave work as early as possible to speed home and look into your baby's eyes. Each day, she does something else that impresses me and offers hope for what she can become.

You live with a camera to catch every moment so you'll have something to show anyone who's willing to look.

You watch her sleep because you can't take your eyes off her. And watching my wife get joy from my daughter is priceless and makes me love them both more and more.

And also, because of late-night feedings, you learn to love late-night TV; Roseanne is on all night.

We're trying our very best, which is probably why it can be so exhausting.

Recently, on a plane to Texas, Olivia-Grace cried while in the air. We did everything we could to stop her, hoping not to disturb the other passengers, but for a bit, she was inconsolable. While we were walking off the plane, a man put his hand on my shoulder and said, "It'll get better."

That calmed me. After feeling like we were disturbing every passenger on the plane, someone else understood - and he wasn't upset that our baby's crying made it difficult to watch his movie or read his book.

Then I remembered a conversation I had with a lady who was checking us in for that flight, just before leaving town. I mentioned my concerns and she said, "You can't worry about that. If they get upset, they probably don't have kids."

Touché.

I told Rebecca that I feel like we joined a new club where only parents are members. We've certainly noticed a difference in the world.

Some friends have disappeared.

Conversations with others who have kids of their own seem different, and it's unexplainable. People with kids - specifically complete strangers - seem to offer a nostalgic smile or compassionate gesture, while others who have yet to have children of their own appear sincerely happy for us, but understandably do not comprehend the life-altering experience parents go through.

I can't expect they would.

But that's what makes having children worth every second - and the positives far outweigh the negatives, but for some reason, the dark side is never discussed. Maybe people are worried they'll be perceived as bad parents, but in reality, it's no walk in the park.

If I'm the only father who's felt this way, so be it - I'm still gonna raise my daughter the best I can, and pray that when I look back, we have a person we can be proud of.

I Don't Like Your Bid...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:42:00 +0000

I'm not very interested in the Olympics, and don't pretend to be, but the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the host of the 2016 summer games made me notice.

It should come as no slap-in-the-face that Chicago had the least amount of votes for the final four cities hoping to play host. Without the help of Michael Phelps, the ratings were down and sports talk radio reminds us every day that we don't care about the Olympics.

Why would the IOC want to award us with hosting rights?

It would be great for an economic boost, and I have no doubts Chicago would have been a fine host, but until we begin showing respect to the Olympics, don't expect them to return the favor.

In case you haven't noticed, the USA isn't #1 in the world's eyes any longer.

She's Going To Texas...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:45:00 +0000

Tomorrow, we're taking her to Texas for her first time.

Olivia-Grace will be baptized on Thursday evening, my 10-year reunion is Saturday, and my father turns 50 on Sunday.

It should be a great weekend of family and great friends.

We can't wait.

Everyone's A Critic...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Everytime someone talks about the Cowboys, I hear it.

Regarding the new billion dollar Cowboys Stadium, I've heard it called Jerryville, Jerry World, and the Cowboy Death Star. I'm not sure why there's a condescending tone in every talking head's voice when discussing the Cowboys new house.

Jerry Jones has done nothing but try his best to make the Cowboys a winning franchise, including spare no expense.

Of course, there have been times when every Cowboy fan has rolled their eyes at something he's done - bringing in players with a checkered past or creating marketing frenzies for player signings to name a couple - but he's the type of owner most fans want running the franchise of their favorite team.

He does what it takes to win. Why are we giving them hell?

I Can't Believe I Didn't Find This Sooner...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Today, Apple and AT&T rolled out video and pictures messaging (the technical term is MMS) for the iPhone.

MMS is a feature that's been available on nearly every phone for almost a decade, however the iPhone was missing this one simple feature since it's inception.

According to the experts, AT&T's network is so clogged with voice and data, they were concerned MMS would cripple the system all together.

Everyone I know who owns an iPhone loves everything about it - it's clearly the greatest mobile device that currently exists. Regarding their service with AT&T, no one seems happy. They drop calls, voice mails arrive late, 3G is slow, etc.

Luckily, my iPhone is both unlocked and jailbroken, which means I'm able to use it on another network, to which I'm under contract with T-Mobile.

There's a group that exists called the iPhone Development Team, and they're the brains behind unlocked and jailbroken iPhones. They do the work, release the code to the public, and poor schmuck's like me take advantage.

Once an update is released from Apple, it usually take a few days for the Dev-Team (which is their ubber-cool nickname) to find the crack and make the software available. Because MMS was released today, I assumed I'd have it available to me in a few days.

Until I started a web search to check on the status...

Come to find out, the workaround has been available for unlocked/jailbroken iPhones for quite some time now, but I never knew about it.

Thanks to Geek.com, I can now send and receive picture messages on my iPhone. If you're phone is unlocked through T-Mobile, you'll find that link helpful getting started.

Here's living proof:

Ain't technology sumthin'?

She's Loves It...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Rebecca bought Olivia-Grace a mobile to attach to her crib, and she loves it.

It's Still Funny After All These Years...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Since the birth of our daughter, this blog has become a dumping ground for quick posts, baby videos, and someone else's original thought.

This post will be no different.

The difference, however, is that I have a connection to the person responsible for the video above. Growing up in Orange, Texas, everyone knew about Shirley Q. Liquor.

Created by Charles (Chuck) Knipp, Shirley is a black woman from my hometown who tells stories about her life experiences.

Growing up, there was a phone number we could call - and I still remember it: 409.883.7227 - and you'd hear Chuck as Shirley rambling about her 19 children, her friend Watusi Jenkins, her "stories" on TV, and trips around town. She was the stereotypical low-income, under-educated woman from the ghetto.

She often misspoke words like K-Mark & Wal-Mark, and calling lesbians "lebesians." She even called Orange's infamous Simmons Drive (known for prostitutes, crime, and low-life hangouts) Simkons Drive; and as I recall, she considered a run for mayor, which happened to correspond with the O.J. Simpson trial, and made a campaign promise to change Simkons Drive to O.J. Simkons Drive.

The inherent racial undertones (and in reality, the overtones) are not overlooked, and over the years, Chuck's character has become more and more famous. As he began taking the show on the road, dressed as a large black woman, he encountered protests and lots of criticism.

That's not my fight. As a member of the community where it all began, I remember it all being good fun, and everyone - both whites and blacks - saw it as it was: comedy. As the character's popularity grew, so did the backlash.

By posting the video, I mean no disrespect. The humor is funny, and just as I laugh at D.L. Hughley, Katt Williams, and Lisa Lampanelli for making fun of every race, color, and creed walking the Earth, I'll do the same with Shirley Q. Liquor.

The best YouTube channel I've found is right here, and I think it might be Shirley's, herself.

If you're interested in more of the creation of the character's background, then follow this link.

Otherwise, enjoy another video.

Actually, ignore the mouthy guy in the video - you're simply interested in the audio. This clown thought it'd be funny to record himself lip-reading from Shirley's act.

Seems pretty 'ignunt' to me.

A Quickie...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:42:00 +0000

I had to pass along the quote of the day from my hostess.

I don't know that I have a 4.0, but I have all A's.

Just one of a series of doozies she blesses us with daily.

The Red Raiders Come To Austin...

mderrickdavis@gmail.com (M Derrick Davis) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:13:00 +0000

The Texas Longhorns play the Texas Tech Red Raiders this evening. We'll have the TV on at the restaurant, but the home DVR is set, too.

ESPN/ABC is promoting the game as Texas trying to avenge last season's loss, but that's impossible - the game cost Texas a National Championship opportunity. It still hurts, but it's part of the game.

Here's what I'll be watching for:

Will Texas commit less penalties? They've had a lot in the first two weeks.
Colt McCoy started very slow last week, and he ran the ball a total of three times vs. Wyoming. Does he need to run the ball a bit more to get into a rhythm?
With Vondrell McGee and Fozzy Whitaker dealing with injuries, can Tre' Newton (son of former Dallas Cowboy offensive guard Nate Newton) bring the running game Texas needs? He looked great last week in Laramie.

Then Sunday: the New York Giants travel to Texas for the opening of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium - and my parents will be there.

I'm jealous.