Denver Web Designer + New Dad Blog

Roughing it

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Some friends invited us up to Winter Park for the weekend "camping" at the Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA. It was gorgeous, even with all of the pine beetle devastation going on. Pine beetles have killed 60-70% of the trees in this area.

We stayed in a hotel in Winter Park on Sunday night and did some minor hiking, swimming and siteseeing. Then Monday we drove to this cabin. What an amazing place.

See my flickr for more photos.

Happy Birthday Bloom-4 years old

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:24:00 +0000

It was a BLOOM weekend this weekend. Starting on Thursday, my parents were in town and we all went to La Fogata for dinner in celebration of Bloom being four. Then Friday was a day off but Jinnie was busy finalizing Bloom's Saturday Tea for a bunch of youngsters. Then Sunday was the "parents" celebration of Blooms 1460 days on Earth. It was held at the Welliver's house. They have some great friends. Maybe I am missing something but it seems that the outer burbs of Boulder/Lafayette have more young urban couples with kids than do the areas around Denver. It was tons of fun though. I used my iPhone as the iTunes remote for the entire day playing a superb ( if i do say so myself) playlist.

Happy Birthday Bloom!

Randy Pausch died today at 47.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:54:00 +0000

I have been following this most amazing man through his lectures and battle with pancreatic cancer for almost a year.
It was sad to hear/read today that he has died.

He was a truly amazing person. His spirit and wit, and humor should inspire us all to be better people and to look on the brightside of life.

If you have not seen his "Last Lecture" on YouTube or here, please do so. It is inspiring and thought-provoking to say the least.

I have his book and intend to read once I finish my current one.

What I go through almost every day

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:02:00 +0000

IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO LOAD......

Starbucks announces all 600 closings

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:35:00 +0000

Here is a list of all the Starbuck's closures.
There are 9 in Colorado.

I've been Blogged! Please review/rate me.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Amy Liu from Blogged.com just wrote to inform me that they gave my blog a 8.5 rating.

The criteria is based upon:

Frequency of Updates

Relevance of Content

Site Design

and Writing Style

If you like what I write, like they do, if you find a few minutes free today, please go here and rate/review my blog. Thanks readers.

How To Make Free iPhone Ringtones

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Since I got my iPhone, actually 3 months BEFORE I got mine, I downloaded some songs from iTunes and made them ringtones through iTunes. But even if I already owned the songs I still had to BUY them once from iTunes for .99 and then convert the selection of the song I wanted as a ringtone and PAY AGAIN for that ringtone. That just sounds crazy to me that I have buy the song that I already own and then pay again. SO, I did some digging online and found there are some decent options, especially if you are going to be adding a lot of ringtones for different callers.

Wired has many ways for you to get or make free iTunes ringtones for your iPhone.
I have been reading up on this and for $15 bucks you can buy some software that makes this a breeze, OR you can use Garageband or Quicktime to edit, upload, convert and apply to get free Ringtones of your favorite songs.

Below are some options:

Update:
my buddy Jason just passed this one on to me. Seems the easiest one yet. Audiko
iToner by Ambrosia Software (Mac only)
iPhoneRingtoneMaker by Efiko ( Windows only)
Ringtone Feeder: You can get Free Ringtones here or make your own for a small monthly subscription.

Happy ringing.

The first pic with my iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:09:00 +0000

Yep, here's how this weekend went:
Friday around 11:00am my sister and I went to Cherry Creek Mall to the Apple Store to "wait" in line to get iPhones. When we showed up, there were over 250 people in line. The line went from one end of the mall to the other. (My buddy cory was there, he had been since 8:00am- finally got his phone at 3:00pm) We just turned around and went to lunch.

Then that night, my buddy Jason and I left for Park Meadows Mall Apple Store at around 8:45 figuring we had a better chance. We get there and the line looks ok. Turns out there were about 100 people in line. We waited two hours until basically the Apple people came out and said "we are closing the doors in 25 minutes and you guys probably won't get in...." SO, we decided to leave and cut our losses.

Saturday morning came and we had a plan. I would go to the AT&T store on S. Colorado, and he would check out the AT&T in Cherry Creek. We would communicate by our old boring cell phones and decide where to meet up based upon the lines. Well I was up early - as always- and got to the AT&T store at about 9am. I was there for about 20 minutes when one of the workers came out and said, "we only have 4 iphones left and they are all 8GB." THANKS ALOT! So I quickly packed up my camping chair, water, WSJ, and plowed down to Cherry Creek. When I got there, the line was 35 deep. Manageable. So Jason shows up and we wait two hours and presto! 16GB black iPhones! It was worth the wait(s).

In Her (Vans) Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:37:00 +0000

I was shopping for my niece at Zappos when I came across these super cute wittle bitty swash Vans. I wore Vans all the high school....and beyond. Was probably one of the first in my school to get them once we saw Fast TImes at Ridgemont High. I love their colors and styles. I would be wearing them right along with Hadley today IF my old man feet weren't so destroyed from WEARING VANS for so many years. Flat soles, no arch support can kill a rad dude-used-to-be. I hope Hadley realizes what she's gotten her feet into....in a year....when these fit her.

The Flip Ultra Video Camcorder

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:27:00 +0000

Today my Flip Ultra Video camcorder arrived. It is sweet. I have only recorded six video snippets so far but I really like the quality and the sound is not too bad.

I chose the Flip Ultra over the new Flip Mino only because of price and the fact that the only major differences were the battery (the Mino has a rechargeable, the Ultra requires two AA batteries ( included ) and the ability to automatically save for YouTube.

What's so great about the Flip Ultra is that it is compact ( think old kodak instamatic ), it is easy to use - one quick push of a button starts the recording, it has a decent zoom for what it is, and it looks cool.

It stores 60 minutes of video on its small hard drive. You just click the flip button on the side and out pops the built-in USB ( think ultra cool flip comb from the 80s). It comes in 5 colors, I chose black, but the orange, green and white are also cool. Not so much digging the pinkish red though.

The software is a little less desirable but after a few tries I figured it out. The only thing confusing me now is how do I change where it saves the video. A quick Spotlight search found the folder - in my Documents folder - and then I was fine.

Also of mention is the Flip tripod- $7 bucks on Amazon. I knew the Flip Ultra was going to be lightweight and thus not deal too well with motion, so I got this handy tripod that you can wrap around poles or banisters. I have yet to try it but I know it will do wonders for self-videos, as well as, little Hadley filmings.

With a baby, dogs, and fast moving lifestyle, this camera fits right in. Look for more video on Flickr.....a lot more.

Happy 4th weekend everyone

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Our new 4th Independence Day hats. Mine makes me look fat.

We spent the weekend camping w/ friends in our backyard, drinking cold beverages, and listening to Stone Temple Pilots. It has been in the upper 90's and breezy so tolerable. By the way, Happy B-day MIL.

Intense at SeaWorld

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:37:00 +0000

It was hot, humid and Hadley had been up for awhile. We were at the sea lion show watching otters and people coexist with the flippered characters. Hadley was tired, hot and intense. I just love this photo.

Starbucks is closing 600 stores

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:50:00 +0000

You heard it here. Starbucks, who has 16,000 stores world-wide, said today that it will be closing 600 stores to compensate for the economy and the degradation of its core product experience, coffee.

Happy 7 Months Old

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:30:00 +0000

Hadley is 213 days old today. We are celebrating by letting her do whatever she wants. Oh wait... Happy Day, Tushy!.

The Benefits of Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:45:00 +0000

Did you know that trees and green grass make you and your kids smarter?
Did you know that trees increase the value of your property by as much as $20,000?
Yes. They do.
I used to have this conversation with a good friend of mine all the time. What makes a neighborhood lined with trees feel cozier and more relaxing, rather than tract home developments with no trees? Why are we drawn to areas with trees such as parks and why do people (not all) buy houses in older neighborhoods because of their mature tree numbers?

This was brought to the surface again this week when my neighbor informed me that they are cutting down this beautiful, mature, healthy locust tree in their backyard...."because it messes up the patio." I was shocked. I guess living in Denver is part of my issue. Denver does not have an abundance of trees. It is like pulling teeth to get a tree to grow and prosper here. Unlike the northeast. (ahhh, the northeast). We have a deficit of trees here and trees are good for us. Trees are good for many things.
Christy and I bought our house partly because of the trees in the neighborhood. Now I know you cannot predict or dictate what your neighbors do, but it was a factor.

With Denver's Mile High Million - plant 1 million trees, I thought, well, if the city is so gung ho about planting this many trees, then maybe they would frown upon people needlessly cutting these natural wonders down for little or no reason. The answer, well, is no. Well, not NO, they don't care, but no, there are no laws against this. I understand, we don't want any more of a dictatorship in this FREE country of ours, but I thought maybe there were some possible boundaries for homeowners/developers intending on cutting down things that take FOREVER to grow....blah blah blah.

In order to talk to my neighbor and educate him on why he might want to rethink taking this tree out, I called the city arborist. This guy knows his stuff. I thought it might be illegal to take down such a healthy tree, but as it turns out, the only legality involving trees is of trees that are "owned" by the city. Trees that fall within three feet of the street or trees that line the road are the city's property and cannot be cut without permission.

Here are some informative tree links, if you are interested:

Why trees are good in Social and Domestic aspects

Trees increase home and property values

All of your tree questions answered here

Research has also shown that trees have significant mental health benefits: Kid’s test scores are higher and people heal faster when they have views of green spaces & trees and there are fewer incidences of violence in environments with trees.

Use only what you need- and get free stuff too.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:17:00 +0000

Denver Water has a fun and INFORMATIVE site. Use it. And check out their FREEBIES page.

R.I.P. George Carlin: Here's to you.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:07:00 +0000

(WARNING) MIL, and others that are sensitive, Please cover your eyes:

Shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, and tits.

THESE are the 7 words you can NEVER say on TV or radio.

We will miss you George.

Time for Solar

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:52:00 +0000

Xcel rates up 38% in third quarter of 2008

When you can, go out and git yurselves one of these.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:40:00 +0000

They are awesome! And cute. And cuddly. And refreshing. And inspiring. And hilarious. And adorable. And MORE!

Why Should YOU?

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:22:00 +0000

This outta get some feedback:

Father's Day on the Patio

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:46:00 +0000

Look at this kick butt Father's Day pic. French toast, coffee, and the coolest t-shirt ever. iDad! We had a great day starting with breakfast, then Student Art Fair, naps, and dinner on the patio. Thanks Fam for the great day.

Happy Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 13:35:00 +0000

Well, today is my first Father's Day. I am excited to see what the day has in store OR what my WIFE has in store for me.

Being a father means:

No more late nights

Many early mornings

More tears of joy than ever before

You now love TWO people more than you love yourself

You can't just bail on a job because you "don't like it" - well, you could but....

You instantly have new Dad friends

You say the word DAD a LOT more

Who's Your Daddy has a completely different meaning

You might just get breakfast in bed

I will repost later tonight when I have been through the day.
If you are a new father, or old- Happy Day!

I have mentioned him before, but Randy Pausch is someone who EVERYONE needs to listen to. He speaks tear-jerking wisdom.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Ah Ha! Just as I suspected: Crappy 3G iPhone back.

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:16:00 +0000

iLounge gives report on how smudgy and scratch-prone the new 3G iPhone really is. Good job Apple! Duh!

COME to Butthead

noreply@blogger.com (Dave) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:59:00 +0000

OH BOY. My prayers were answered yesterday (be able to surf the web while being mobile, view photos, listen to music ALL on the same device) when Apple announced the new 3G iPhone.
I love most things about it. BUT the one thing I do not like, and have a question about is:

Why the plastic black ( or white ) back? The aluminum was so much more "green" and more smart. It did not show scratches or signs of use. It was sleeker and more sophisticated-looking. I also think it stood out from the crowd. Now it will look like any other Blackberry, Nokia or Samsung. I am sure they did it for two reasons. 1. Cost. 2. Ubiquity - more people will want it now that it is "like" the other phones out there.

Nonetheless, Christy and I ( and probably Jason G.) will be running to the Apple Store as soon as July 11 comes around. We cannot activate our phones until July 22 ( THANKS SPRINT!) but I will take it out of the box and rub it until activation.

Oh, and did you hear about the new Mobile Me? Bye Bye (dot)Mac. Sounds cool. I hope it works better than the .Mac sync. I still cannot use my Intel Leopard Mac sync at home with my work Tiger mac. It kills the iCal app every time I open it. So I am using Google Calender. GOOD but cannot sync with my new upcoming favorite GEEK toy.