Give Us One Minute...

Can Charlie Brown’s tree get any sadder? Yes it can.

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:27:17 PST

While setting up my Charlie Brown Christmas tree in my office today, the single red ornament fell and landed with a resounding “POP!” I never thought this iconic tree could look sadder than it does in this image taken after the carnage. “Good Grief!” in my best Charlie Brown voice.

Daddys, Daughters and Divorce (3Ds)

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:29:02 PDT

Some of you know that my daughter maintains her own blog (like daddy, like daughter) called Katt@Blogger. Yesterday she wrote a piece that really touched me, or rather hit me like a tank running through a brick wall. Here’s the general thesis: being the child of divorced parents sucks! She’s actually a much more talented writer than that quote may reveal. Heck, she’s a much better write than I am. So check out her post and then come back and hit the link below to read my response.

Give us one minute and click here!

Sketching their way through the Big Apple

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:22:11 PDT

I love using my Moleskine to keep my life in order, but this video shows someone who excels in using their favorite notebook to sketch their escapades in New York. Check out the documentation of their trip in the YouTube video below:

Do you have an interesting use for your Moleskine? Drop a comment and let us know.

Casey Anthony acquitted of murder

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:46:05 PDT

From the Journal Courier article:

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida jury has acquitted Casey Anthony of murdering her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. Anthony showed no reaction when the jury’s verdict was read today after more than 10 hours of deliberations.

No reaction huh? That speaks volumes. Add this one to the O.J. Simpson School for Evading punishment.

North Korean students train for Bob Villas’ job

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:47:40 PDT

Reuters is reporting that North Korea is closing universities. The reason? To build housing:

"To date only some 10,000 units have been built, so the students have been taken out of universities in order to speed up the construction of the balance before major celebrations take place in April 2012 to commemorate the 100th birthday of the founder of the DPRK, Kim Il Sung."

Nothing like a country having its priorities in place. Time for a Korean reunification. We live in a wonderful country.

Nixon administration is the incubus for Fox News

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:12:16 PDT

This in from Gawker:

Republican media strategist Roger Ailes launched Fox News Channel in 1996, ostensibly as a "fair and balanced" counterpoint to what he regarded as the liberal establishment media. But according to a remarkable document buried deep within the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, the intellectual forerunner for Fox News was a nakedly partisan 1970 plot by Ailes and other Nixon aides to circumvent the "prejudices of network news" and deliver "pro-administration" stories to heartland television viewers.

And this surprises anyone? Makes perfect sense that the GOP would want their voice out there as a counter to the Dems'. It's politics folks.

"The College of 2020: Students" is a must read for higher education administrators

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 16:05:56 PDT

Tomorrow we begin a two-day retreat for our college Academic Council. To prepare, each member is to read "The College of 2020: Students" by Martin Van Der Werf and Grant Sabatier. Give us one minute and click the link below to find out more about this important research document as well as who should read it. You might be surprised at my answer.

Give us one minute and click here!

Bin Laden is Dead!

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:19:50 PDT

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." - Mark Twain Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

Doc Martin is our new favorite television doctor

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:20:50 PDT

While browsing the shows available from the new Amazon Prime streaming service, we came across a little BBC show called Doc Martin and we are officially hooked. What's not to like about a cranky, irritable GP who has left the high paying world of surgery because blood gives him panic attacks?

And did I mention his inept receptionist, quirky townsfolk and an amazing dog that has the ability to always find his way back home every time the Doc tries to get rid of him? Set this entire show up in a small remote seaside village in England and what you have is a cross between House and Northern Exposure. This is truly a gem from across the pond that must be watched. It is also available to Netflix subscribers and of course on DVD. So check it out and let us know what you think by dropping a comment below.

What Steven does...

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:43:43 PST

Popular higher education blogger, Dean Dad (real name unknown to protect the guilty), recently wrote a blog post entitled, A Professor in a Suit and I thought it apt that I share his thoughts with those couple of you who follow this blog. So after reviewing his post, pop back here and click the link below to read my associated ramblings.

Give us one minute and click here!

A complete Indian meal in a box for under $4?

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:21:26 PDT

Is that even possible? Well, it is if you shop at your local Target. We’ve know about Target’s Archer Farms brand of foods for some time, but about a year ago we were checking down the international isle and discovered their Coconut Curry complete meal in a box; and it was yummy.

This box contains all you need for an authentic Indian dinner (full-disclosure: we’ve never been to India, so we probably don’t know good Indian food from a Big Mac!). The kit includes:
Give us one minute and click here!

ALDI Hack: A new way to eat your sweet potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:19:07 PST

If you’ve been following GUOM for a bit, you may have seen an image we posted around Christmas time of a LEGO item we found in the ALDI specials bins. Once that picture was posted, the secret was out. We are in fact, ALDI shoppers.

Yes, much like that other four-letter specialty store, IKEA, we are hooked. So it just made sense for us to begin posting about our favorite grocery store and some of the interesting things we find. So this is the first in a series of future posts and today we start with an ALDI Hack. What’s an ALDI Hack? You’ll have to give us one minute after the click below to find out. Also be sure to subscribe to our RSS Feed, so you don’t miss more ALDI Tips and ALDI Hacks coming in the future.
Give us one minute and click here!

LEGO@ALDI

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:20:14 PST

{Repost from http://www.bricksinmypocket.org}

Here’s what I found at our local ALDI:

Prices are on par with other stores, but this is the first time I’ve seen this many sets at this discount “grocery” store. Anyone else seeing any different sets?
----------
Posted on the go, using BlogPress from my iPhone 4! So expect typos!

The brightest day and blackest night is coming Summer 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:00:31 PST

A trailer for the new Green Lantern film has just been released and I have to say, I am pretty excited about this one. Growing up in the 70s, Green Lantern was always my favorite comic hero (both the Golden Age and the Silver Age versions). I even had a green ring that I wore for a couple of years during grade school. Wonder what happened to that ring? Hmmm....I digress.

For a young boy hooked on sci-fi as well as comics, it was this amalgam of superhero and sci-fi elements of the Silver Age Green Lantern that kept me reading. DC then strengthened the title by teaming the Green Lantern up with the Emerald Archer, Green Arrow. Best 70s team-up ever; in my opinion.

I am happy to see that the movie will keep the sci-fi thematic elements intact. The web is abuzz that this is the Star Wars of superhero movies. Could be! So after the click below, give us one minute, sit back and enjoy the new trailer.
Give us one minute and click here!

It pays to spring for luxury

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:21:11 PST

We were browsing our favorite big box store about a week ago and wondered if they had some sheets for our king-size bed. We traveled down the aisle and low and behold, they had some nice no-name brand 1000 thread count sheets. 1000 thread count! I don’t think we’ve ever had anything above around a 300.

The price seemed fair for a set of premium sheets. Only $89.00 for the set (but I found them for $79 after the fact on Amazon and have linked to them for you...sigh). We are not extravagant types, but we went ahead and decided to treat ourselves once we opened the packaging a bit and touched the sheets. We also picked up a new down comforter displayed next to the sheets.

We should not have purchased either and certainly not both. They are so comfortable, we don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. Moral of the story? Sometimes the finer things in life are worth EVERY penny, but you might be late for work.

So what luxury items do you treat your self to? Any guilty pleasures to share? Drop a comment and let us know. We’re going back to bed now. Zzzzzzzzzz.

“O zephyr winds which blow on high...

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 07:43:22 PDT

...lift me now so I can fly.” Do you remember which 70s super-powered hero uttered this phrase to take flight? No? Then see if this one refreshes your memory, “Oh mighty Isis!” That’s right, a couple of years before Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman and a decade before She-Ra, there was another female superhero protecting teens and southern California from evil and personal stupidity. Her name was Isis.

Give us one minute after the click below and I’ll tell you how you can relive your 70s Saturday mornings by viewing every episode of the series in a day or two, or better yet, instantly.
Give us one minute and click here!

IKEA. Now Mac compatible!

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:16:11 PDT

Well…not the store, but rather their Home Planner software. A recent update now allows Mac users to design and create the IKEA home or apartment of their dreams in their browser. We are huge IKEA fans (which will probably begin to lead to some new posts down the road) and wish we would have had access to this feature about a month ago when we went and purchased our PAX closet system. It could have saved us about 30 minutes with an in-store assistant (who was great) and allowed us more time to get at the Swedish meatballs! Learn where to grab your Mac plugin after the click.
Give us one minute and click here!

Go Racers!

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:52:35 PDT

My schedule of late has not allowed me to keep up with any college basketball. For shame! I woke up this morning and was reviewing local Google Buzz posts. One post was simply, “Stupid Murray State!” Nikki and I are both Murray State University grads, so any ill speech toward our alma mater is not appreciated. Then I remembered that the NCAA tournament is in progress.

Assuming the author of the buzz post was a Murray State fan, I thought to myself, “Murray must have lost their first round game to Vanderbilt.” I fired up ESPN to see the carnage and much to my surprise, the author of the buzz post was a Vanderbilt fan. Murray won the game by 1 point during the last 4 seconds!

Today the Racers take on Butler. It should turn out to be another close game with me keeping my fingers crossed that Murray can squeak out another win. Go Racers! For more info on the upset win, check out the ESPN coverage after the page turn below.
Give us one minute and click here!

Experience life on the Tundra

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:58:36 PDT

When I was stationed in Alaska I was able to run into Anchorage on Saturdays and one of my favorite things to do was to stop by the downtown open–air market during the spring and summer months. Each week there was a little booth set up and inside was a lone cartoonists hocking his wares. The cartoonist’s name was Chad Carpenter and he was pushing his Tundra cartoon books.

Chad is obviously well know in Alaska, but not so much in the lower 48. His humor also portrays much of what life is like in Alaska for both humans and animals (although in his world, the animals talk and are about as idiotic as humans!). I stopped by during a visit to the market and had a chance to talk with him as well as review his work. He was incredibly funny, personable and I enjoyed his work so much that I purchased one of his books. On the spot he also included an autograph. Free of charge.

Since those days, I’ve noticed that Chad is starting to get his name out there and his comic strips are appearing in more newspapers. I thought I should share this gem of a cartoonist with the GUOM readers. After the click, you will find a YouTube video posted by Chad. It showcases some of his best work.
Give us one minute and click here!

Lockheed Martin F-35B STOVL Jet Demonstrates Hover and Short Takeoff Capability

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:07:36 PDT

I’ve always loved aircraft. I guess that explains why, as a young man, I entered the Air Force and became an automatic flight control systems specialist. Aircraft have come along way since my days in the Air Force over 20 years ago and the F-35B Lightning II is just short of amazing. A subsonic jet capable of vertical takeoffs? No way!

The F-22 used to be at the top of my "awesome aircraft" list, but I now think this Joint Strike Fighter might just take the top spot. Give Us One Minute after the click below to view some incredible video footage. You’ll also find a link to more info if you are as intrigued by this aircraft as I am.
Give us one minute and click here!

Calacanis’ Message to the President

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:29:10 PDT

I never thought I would agree with Jason Calacanis politically (a tech pundit, venture capitalist, and very smart guy who leans to the left), but I have to say, "Hear! Hear!" Give us one minute after the break below.
Give us one minute and click here!

We’ve moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:42:22 PST

It has been quite some time since we’ve made a post to GUOM. Steven’s been off working on his BimP and Doc’s Tech Notes blogs and Nikki’s been too busy to blog. As you may remember, the site was previously a WordPress blog hosted by GoDaddy. We decided it was time to cut the monthly fee for hosting. We’re a small blog with little need for the overhead. So, today we’ve completely moved to Blogger. It will take some time to migrate our best posts here, but in time they’ll arrive.

There is also some serious redesign tasks to complete -- yup...the old look WILL return just as soon as Steven figures how to migrate his old CSS code over to Blogger. We’ll also be changing the content theme of the site. It will be come more of a journal of activities (a stream of consciousness) for friends, family and anyone else interested. Steven will keep posting tech tips, they just wont’ be here, they’ll be at Doc’s Tech Notes and our LEGO items will still reside at BimP.

So stick around and watch the site take shape. You can subscribe to our RSS feed by clicking here. Lastly, always feel free to stick around, have a beverage and drop a comment or two any time you wish.

We have Terratrike fever

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:05:06 PDT

We are off today to purchase two a (Nikki decided to wait) TerraTrike Path 8. The Path 8 is a tadpole recumbent bike. As you’ll notice in the image below, it has two wheels in the front and one in the back. Very stylish and efficient design. If you aren’t familiar with them, just do a quick Google search. I’ll post some images later.

Give us one minute and click here!

Do you remember the Ready Ranger Back Pack?

noreply@blogger.com (Steven and Nikki Combs) — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:00:36 PDT

{Update 3 July 2009: This is a top 5 GUOM blog posts.}

About a week before Christmas 2007, my son came home with an exercise for his Dad, yep…parents get homework these days! My task? Write about the best Christmas gift I ever received as a child. I fondly remembered a wonderful gift called the Ready Ranger Pack by Aurora. It was an amazing use of plastic in the mid 1970s and was my Red Ryder BB Gun (of course a reference to the film A Christmas Story). Give Us One Minute after the break.

Give us one minute and click here!