Brandon's posterous

Brandon's posterous http://brandonfish.posterous.com Most recent posts at Brandon's posterous posterous.com Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:33:00 -0800 Engaged then Married, Reception Later! http://brandonfish.posterous.com/engaged-then-married-reception-later http://brandonfish.posterous.com/engaged-then-married-reception-later

This Saturday I proposed to my girlfriend, Karla, and she accepted. However, this was no surprise to her as she already knew we were going to get married the following day. Seriously? Yes, we were both ready and the process for her to immigrate is too long so we wanted to get started to not be separated any longer. Later, we want to host a reception for family and friends.

I proposed on the top of the tower of La Merced church in Granada, Nicaragua on one knee. Luckily, she didn't hesitate to say yes. Photos are included below. She has a simple gold wedding band and I have a new tungsten ring or as Ruairi calls it "the engineer's choice."

The wedding was this past Sunday, February 21. It was a simple civil ceremony and small celebration after with some Nicaraguan food, music, family and friends.

I'm excited for everyone to meet her and get to know her. If you want an early start, you could friend her on Facebook.

I get a lot of the same questions about us so I thought I'd try to cover them here:

Frequently Asked Questions

How did you meet?

We met through a friend (Suyen) of my college friend (Hailey) when I visited her when she was volunteering in Granada. The place where we met was at the club Cafe Nuit in Granada.

Do you know Spanish? Does she know English?

She knows English and I am learning Spanish.

Were you nervous to get married?

No, not really.

Is it too soon/quick?

No, as Karla says "only we can decide our lives."

What does your family think?

They are all very excited for us.

If anybody adds questions to the comments, I'd be happy to answer them.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:01:00 -0800 Potential iPad Killer Applications http://brandonfish.posterous.com/potential-ipad-killer-applications http://brandonfish.posterous.com/potential-ipad-killer-applications

Now that people have come to terms with the features that the iPad lacks, it's time to discuss the killer applications that could make the iPad big:

Home Appliance and Automation

I need information quickly in my home, what's the first thing I reach for? The iPad of course. Quick access to the latest sports scores, news, weather, restaurant locations, and more. Fixing your car? Reach for a how-to guide on your iPad. Sorry Chumby, the iPad is my new digital picture frame.

Energy Monitoring
Mobile TV
Digital Photo Frame
Internet Radio
Universal Remote Control
Multi player Board Games - sign me up for Boggle

Business Appliance

Digital mobile platforms are used in business for things like tracking packages, checking out at Apple stores, and conducting surveys. What might a new multi-touch tablet enable?

Interactive Displays
Interactive Menus
Surveys & Data Collection
Electronic Voting
Mobile Points of Sale
Mobile Knowledge base

Health and Medical

Doctors and Nurses can get quick access to all the information they need:

Vitals
Medical Records and Images
Instrumentation & Sensors
Drug Interactions
Contact Information

Learning and Education

We've seen what two year olds can do with an iPhone. I can only imagine what one could do/learn with an iPad.

Quizzes
Flashcards
Books and Videos
Interactive tutorials

News and Book Reading

I'm ready for Google Reader on the iPhone.

Conclusion

One thing that you can't deny about the iPad is that it is a large form factor mobile multi-touch platform at an affordable price which I think is cool.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:04:46 -0800 Where's my iPhone self potrait camera attachment? http://brandonfish.posterous.com/wheres-my-iphone-self-potrait-camera-attachme http://brandonfish.posterous.com/wheres-my-iphone-self-potrait-camera-attachme I would like an iPhone attachment that works something like below. A mirror to direct light to the iPhone camera from the opposite side of the phone. This is for self potrats and video calling. A camera on both sides of the phone may be a feature in the next iPhone though.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:07:00 -0800 Poll: Would you rather have a Macbook Pro 15 or an HP Envy 15? http://brandonfish.posterous.com/poll-would-you-rather-have-a-macbook-pro-15-o http://brandonfish.posterous.com/poll-would-you-rather-have-a-macbook-pro-15-o

Until I saw the HP Envy 15, I thought all I wanted was an Macbook Pro 15. Which would you prefer?

Important differences to note are the processor, graphics card, and the Apple has the option of using OS X.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:09:18 -0800 The iPhone Finally Gets Live Video Streaming With Ustream Live Broadcaster http://brandonfish.posterous.com/the-iphone-finally-gets-live-video-streaming-1 http://brandonfish.posterous.com/the-iphone-finally-gets-live-video-streaming-1

iPhone Finally Gets Live Video Streaming With Ustream Live Broadcaster

via techcrunch.com

What interesting things could be done with this? Hmm...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:36:00 -0800 Clear 4g WiMax Review, Speed Test & Unboxing http://brandonfish.posterous.com/clear-4g-wimax-review-speed-test-and-unboxing http://brandonfish.posterous.com/clear-4g-wimax-review-speed-test-and-unboxing

I picked up a Clear WiMAX USB Modem and Clear Spot today from Best Buy. Clear Spot is a personal hotspot which is a mobile WiFi router that uses the USB Modem for an Internet connection. The Clear representative at Best Buy was helpful at answering all my questions regarding service cost to add additional modems ($10 each) and contract cancellation costs ($40 per device). They currently have a 7 day trial promotion.

Speed Test via Speedtest.net (Comcast Cable results)

Download: 1.23 Mb/s (20.87 Mb/s)

Upload: 0.45 Mb/s (2.58 Mb/s)

Ping: 76 ms (11 ms)

Ping Test via Pingtest.net (Comcast Cable results)

Packet Loss: 0% (0%)

Ping: 109 ms (29 ms)

Jitter: 54 ms (13 ms)

Grade: C (A)

Netflix Movie Streaming & Skype Test

It works. However, the movie I was watching was interrupted once by a "Connection has slowed" error and buffering seemed to take longer. I completed a Skype video call for approximately for 30 minutes with no interruptions and the quality appeared the same.

Clear Spot

After simply plugging the modem into the device and turning it on, I was able to access the Internet on the personal hotspot. The wow factor for using this device I think has made me a Clear customer.

Conclusion

While the speeds were not impressive compared to my cable modem, I think it will work adequately for me as a Internet service replacement. For others who enjoying online gaming or downloading very large files, it may not be a viable option as a ISP replacement. I think it will definitely be a good option for people looking into mobile Internet.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:43:55 -0800 Lincoln Park Apple Store Progress http://brandonfish.posterous.com/lincoln-park-apple-store-progress http://brandonfish.posterous.com/lincoln-park-apple-store-progress A shot of the progress on the coming Apple store at North & Clybourn.

I hope they finish soon so I can get my iPhone fixed. What else could Lincoln Park need? A Target someday I hope. Also, the red line station next door won't look so good next to the new Apple store.

Here's the before shot: http://www.windycitizen.com/chicago/business/2009/04/14/photos-of-the-locatio...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:41:04 -0800 Clearwire WiMax 4G Service now in Chicago - News Release http://brandonfish.posterous.com/clearwire-wimax-4g-service-now-in-chicago-new http://brandonfish.posterous.com/clearwire-wimax-4g-service-now-in-chicago-new

Clearwire Launches Retail and Expands Sales for CLEAR(TM) 4G Mobile Internet Service in Chicago

via newsroom.clearwire.com

Unlimited Plan. Mobile 4G. I'm excited.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:31:31 -0800 How to Make Spherical Ice and Review http://brandonfish.posterous.com/how-to-make-spherical-ice-and-review http://brandonfish.posterous.com/how-to-make-spherical-ice-and-review

The purpose of spherical ice is to reduce ice melting and the watering down of a drink since spheres have a smaller surface area than cubes. I thought this maybe a bit of a gimmick but I was wrong. I've heard they are popular with people who enjoy sipping whisky.

My expectations were exceeded when the spheres lasted long enough to be reused for multiple drinks. They also looked awesome. The spheres melted incredibly slow and they weren't even fully frozen when I used them. I think the future of ice is sphere shaped.

The tray I used is available here at the MoMA Store and some tips on using the tray are below.

The included instructions we IKEA style with pictures only. It requires filling the top half of the sphere through a very small hole which can be a challenge as air was trapped inside and water would not flow into the hole. I had to develop the following techniques:

Submerge the entire tray in water.
Compress the sphere tray multiple times in a pumping motion to force the air out and take water in (preferred). Or I found that if I tilted the tray at the correct angle, air would come out of the tray slowly.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:56:18 -0700 How To Support the Public Option http://brandonfish.posterous.com/how-to-support-the-public-option http://brandonfish.posterous.com/how-to-support-the-public-option

A few ways to support the public option:

Visit HealthCareForAmericaNow.org and don't miss the what you can do to help section
Contact your elected officials
Sign the online petition at CitizensForAPublicOption.com
Upload a video response to Biden explaining why you want health care reform
Share your health care story via a blog or twitter
Add other ideas to the comments
Retweet this post

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:41:06 -0700 Some Pictures from Granada, Nicaragua http://brandonfish.posterous.com/some-pictures-from-granada-nicaragua http://brandonfish.posterous.com/some-pictures-from-granada-nicaragua

Calle Calzada

Calle Calzada

Futsal at a local school

Typical Street

Beautiful stream … but filled with garbage.

Horse Cart

Friends in Parque Central

Sailboat in the Islas Ballestas

Fishing from a power pole

Carriages in Parque Central

Laguna de Apollo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:43:41 -0700 Fun Trip to new Lincoln Park Whole Foods http://brandonfish.posterous.com/fun-trip-to-new-lincoln-park-whole-foods http://brandonfish.posterous.com/fun-trip-to-new-lincoln-park-whole-foods This place is huge (has a cart escalator) and I feel like I could spend all day here. I'm curious to hear about other peoples disoveries in this unique store.

The bar was quite popular for a Saturday afternoon. It's funny to see people shopping with a beer in their hands.

The dry aged beef (dry aging in the background) is delicious. I had to get it again.

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The wine bar I need to check out sometime.

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Gluten Free Beer, I'm excited.

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This photo is for my Peru trip buddies. Featuring both Amantani and Cusco.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:29:37 -0700 First Inflight Post: Inflight Speed Test http://brandonfish.posterous.com/first-inflight-post-inflight-speed-test http://brandonfish.posterous.com/first-inflight-post-inflight-speed-test According to Speedtest.net:

0.62 Mb/s Down
0.21 Mb/s Up

Download times (gogoinflight.com & American Airlines)
Mp3 in 1min (5MB)
Video clip in 8 min (35MB)

Pandora: Yes.
Netflix Watch Now: Yes. I'm watching Numb3rs.
Torrents: Ha ha. I dunno.

Now if only I was in first class.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:31:16 -0700 Business Idea: LED Home Lighting Replacement http://brandonfish.posterous.com/business-idea-led-home-lighting-replacement http://brandonfish.posterous.com/business-idea-led-home-lighting-replacement

LED light bulbs currently cost about $50 but offer a long life and electricity savings. To get over the large initial investment I propose this business idea:

Offer financing (payment plans) for the lightbulbs to match the costs with the electricity savings
Provide the physical changing of all light bulbs
Recycle the replaced light bulbs
Guarantee replacement of bulbs if they burn out early

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:57:02 -0700 Dune Buggies in Huachachina, Peru http://brandonfish.posterous.com/dune-buggies-in-huachachina-peru http://brandonfish.posterous.com/dune-buggies-in-huachachina-peru Here are some videos of dune buggying and sand boarding in Huacachina, Peru. The buggies were a highlight of the trip. They were like riding a roller coaster. The buggy had a 350 Chevy V8.

Dune Buggying

Sand Boarding

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:54:00 -0700 Picturesque Peru http://brandonfish.posterous.com/picteresque-peru http://brandonfish.posterous.com/picteresque-peru

Paracas, Peru

Candelabra - Near Paracas, Peru

Sea Lions at Islas Ballestas

Penguins at Islas Ballestas

Sand Dunes and Dune Buggies near Huacachina, Peru

Hotel Huacachinero

Hotel Nasca Lines

Plaza de Armas - Arrequipa

Colca Canyon

Near Puno, Peru

Puno from Lake Titicaca

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Reed Boat - Uros - Lake Titicaca

Reed Islands - Uros - Lake Titicaca

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Amantani Island - Lake TIticaca

Cusco, Peru

Cristo Blanco - Cusco, Peru

Koricancha - Inca Temple - Cusco, Peru

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Along Inca Trail

Horses Along Inca Trail

Camp Along Inca Trail

Lounging on Inca Farming Terraces

Machu Picchu at Sunrise

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Machu Picchu

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:59:54 -0700 Brian's Bachelor Party http://brandonfish.posterous.com/brians-bachelor-party http://brandonfish.posterous.com/brians-bachelor-party You have received new photos from Brandon Fish.

-- Email sent with the "Multi-Photo Email" iPhone application --

See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:01:00 -0700 Transit: O'Hare to Evanston, Northwestern Bus http://brandonfish.posterous.com/transit-ohare-to-evanston-northwestern-bus http://brandonfish.posterous.com/transit-ohare-to-evanston-northwestern-bus

One relatively unknown option to get from O'Hare to Evanston is the Pace 250 Bus (Map, Schedule, and Fare Info):

Cost: $1.75 ($0.85 with student id & other discounts)
Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour 15 minutes to the Davis Purple Line Stop in Evanston
How:

Go to O'Hare ATS monorail by taking escalators up, to cross over ticketing drop off lanes, and down the escalator on other side to get to the monorail which runs on the inside driving lanes.
Take monorail towards parking lots past Terminal 5 to the Pace stop in Lot E where the Pace bus departs

Other Options Include (time and price are estimates):

$29 "Flat Rate" Cab Fare via Norshore & others northside cab companies (45 minutes)
$40 Regular Cab Fare (45 minutes)
$29 Airport Express Shuttle (45 minutes)
$2.25 CTA Blue Line/Purple Line (2 Hours)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:53:02 -0700 Easy PDF on computer to Stanza iPhone (ePub) http://brandonfish.posterous.com/easy-pdf-on-computer-to-stanza-iphone-epub http://brandonfish.posterous.com/easy-pdf-on-computer-to-stanza-iphone-epub I found a simple workflow to transfer and convert a PDF on computer to Stanza on the iPhone:

Use Stanza to convert PDF to ePub (called Open eBook in Stanza)
Upload to file sharing service like drop.io
Copy link location and short with a URL shortener like bit.ly
Enter the shortened URL in Stanza and enjoy!

I think this could be made into one web service which I may do if I find the time.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:20:00 -0700 Twitter Client that expands embedded Links? http://brandonfish.posterous.com/twitter-client-that-expands-embedded-links http://brandonfish.posterous.com/twitter-client-that-expands-embedded-links

I would like to have a twitter client that can expand the links people send into something useful like a Youtube embed or article preview.

Why? I hate having to click a link and waiting for a browser to open only to find out I wasn't that interested in the link.

This is a great feature of Posterous : take a link and turn it into something useful.

Does anyone know if this exists?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/45195/brandon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/Q9e9xNUojD Brandon Fish Brandon Brandon Fish