One Mile Wide

Another leatherman Micro Confiscated!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:29:00 +0000

Having always been a fan of technology and gadgets I have found that the threats on homeland security are not only threatening our safety they are threatening my way of life. Take for example last night. I was honored to attend a Police concert and like I always do when leaving my car behind, I take my keys (in case Boomer-my car- gets stolen). Well attached to my keys is my all important Leatherman micro. Compared to other knock off, made in China micro multitools, this happens to be very useful and well made.

Needless to say, after being molested by the secrity guard it was confiscated. As i angrily proceeded through the gate I experienced a significant feeling of sadness and loss come over me. Not only had the leatherman micro been by my side on countless occasions to help me rip through UPS boxes (thats right - christmas many times mid year), tighten screws, pry things open, pop a bottle top, the list goes on, but it was now in the hands of some unappreciating security guard who probably wouldn't know what the heck it was.

The funny part is, as the title of the entry conveys, if I didn`t get it taken from me last night I most likely would have lost it today at the airport security check. Somehow I can't remember to leave it behind; probably because I can't live without it.

Looks like I have to buy another when I get back. At $20 its a price point I can live with having to replace.

"How come everything I think I need always comes with batteries."

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:29:00 +0000

John Mayer is a pretty cool guy in my book. I find his lyrics to be pretty witty, sharp and intelligent. His music as well is rythmic yet melodic and soothing to listen to. He also "gets me" which, I guess, is the real reason we have our favorite artists in the first place.

A while ago I heard a song by him which at the very end really made me reflect on my life. The song is called "something's missing" and it generally sings to the thought that with all the things we have in our lives something is usually missing and its the one thing we really need; especially clever in this day and age of "stuff". Best part of the song is at the very end he says "how come everything I think I need always comes with batteries". That line caught me off guard the first time I heard it so I played it again in the conext of the whole song and realized that not only does he "get me" but he was freaking right. Everything I think I need in this life generally requires batteries. Does that make me shallow? I would like to think now.

The opinion of me, taken from others, is that I am a very caring person who takes a genuine interest in helping others. There are actually several people in my life who have followed my advice only to see greater success in their own. This is not only a powerful feeling but bestows a feeling of greating meaning on ones life. Yet my obsession with technology has left an inescapable black hole in my life. If I could give it up, I would do so in a heartbeat, because it clearly is a bottomless pit for time, money, and patience. However, I am addicted and somehow I derive so much joy from it which kinda makes it sound like a drug habit and does so even more when it complicates my life.

For example, I am sitting on the plane waithing to take off and am prohibited from using anything for the next 30 minutes. No pda, no phone, no camera computer or ipod,... I even tried to buy the printed word in form of a newspaper but they were sold out.

Paired with my hopeless obsesion/infatuation for tech gadgets is the fact that they all run on batteries, which no matter how hard I try either seem to die or breakdown all at the same time. Funny part is that when they do I am like a man in a row boat without a paddle feeling like I have somehow lost control of my life.

Sometimes I think that if I were and artist my life would have be
en so much simpler. Brushes and paints are somehow never banned, never break, and never become obsolete

Can We Say "Inner Space"

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:31:00 +0000

TDC introduces today the WORLD'S SMALLEST SINGLE-CHIP CMOS CAMERA -- just 1/18th of an inch wide. The camera is designed to be used for colonoscopy, as well as tiny spy cameras, camera phones, webcams, toys and games

I've got an even better idea. Give me the camera on a remote controlled robot and let me swallow it! That would be the most amazing video game ever!

Japanese automakers collaborate on operating system - Engadget

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:22:00 +0000

Japanese automakers collaborate on operating system - Engadget

This has got to be some of the most amazing and groundbreaking news I've seen in the autoindustry despite the arrival of alternative fuel vehicles. Not long ago I was piecing together all the components necesarry to build a full fledged windows operating system into my car for everything from entertainment (music/video) to surfing and GPS navigation. I would have eventually figured out how to build some of the cars vital functions into the system, if only to monitor them. There are still alot of questions around what this proposed OS will be but the concept is compelling at the very least!

SPEEDBAG BOXING 2007 MOBILE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:32:00 +0000

Not to overdo it with the speed bag thing, but this video had me rolling. I respect the fact that the man has a concept and a patent, but tell me how the 100 dollars I give you will actually turn into $1000? I can't see people actually buying enough of these to allow such a return on investment. Unless he caps the initial investors to a finite number (like angel investors) and then upon product release and sale (which also assumes Pos cash flow) makes payment back to the investors. Or maybe he is going to package the debt into a subprimbe bond and write it off as business expense. lol

Speedbag - Everlast Pro 9x6 2nd video Jaguiler

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:29:00 +0000

After having spend 13 years training in the gym I needed to add something different to my workout. The speedbag was just that thing. A sweet blend of strength, speed, and coordination mixed with a rythmic sound, the speed bag is one of the coolest training tools in the Gym. This guy, I might add, has the most complex and advanced technique I've ever seen. Give it a try if you haven't already.

Interoperability, Intercompatability, Interchangeability, IPHONE?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:22:00 +0000

I've noticed something about tech over the last couple of years that has really blown my mind. Is it really possible that many ofl the devices which comprise the bulk of consumer electronics have reached a state where they really can talk to one another without complex procedures. Just this morning, I plugged my Ricoh Digital camera into my computer via mini usb cable. After downloading all the pictures, i then plugged in my Cingular 8525 windows smart phone to sync up. Sometimes when I am on the go and need to charge my Ipod, I plug it into the same usb charger that I plug all my other devices into. So far I've done all this with one cable and one charger! Simply mind blowing! This past weekend, my brother's digital camera card was full, so I offered him the card from my cell phone; he just plugged it right in. And more convenient than ever is being able to post to this blog from my cell phone using my email address which is linked to my pop3 account all while adding text and picture attachments. Oh, did I mention that My ipod plays in my car, at work, and at home without one single adapter? It's all a standard 3.5mm jack. Now with Google documents, I can acces and edit all my stuff on a Mac and a PC. In case this hasn't hit you yet, never before has such interoperability been possible across such a vast array of devices.

So why do I throw IPhone in there? Because It's screwed up this whole formula. It doesn't take mini USB. It doesn't take Mini or micro SD. It's headphone jack is non standard. It's PC interface is governed by ITunes- so now software needs to be repacked from their regular CAB format. Dragging and dropping files can only occur through ITunes (unless hacked)

Not only is this a reason to not buy the IPhone, It's a great reason to have it banned from the consumer market!

The Hidden Politics of Jersey City

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:41:00 +0000

From the Jersey City Reporter

A sledgehammer smashed through a sheetrock wall, revealing a hidden office in the old Jersey City Medical Center.

"As Jersey City's longest-serving mayor and an influential politician on the national level, Hague and his reign have become the stuff of local lore. For years, tales have been told of an office maintained by Hague at the medical center, where clandestine meetings took place with visitors arriving through a "hidden" doorway leading to a "secret" stairwell. Even reputable historical sources sometimes preface their descriptions of the office and stairway as if they're not sure whether it really existed, lending the room an aura of myth. So it's natural that certain parts of the story seem to have been embellished over time. There is, indeed, a back door there, but it may have just seemed hidden because it blends in with the wood-paneled walls. But other parts of the story seem to have been confirmed by discoveries made during the restoration. Across the hall from the Hague office, demolition crews discovered a small, walled-off space that once contained a stairwell. To access it, they had to break through a solid brick wall. It is not clear whether the hidden stairwell is the one spoken of in local legend, since many alterations were made to the medical center in the 60 years since Hague was mayor. Zakalak said many aspects of the building were changed over the years. "Rooms had been rearranged," she said, "corridors had been rearranged, staircases had been closed off. And as we started going through the buildings, we found interesting spaces. There are interesting spaces throughout the entire hospital complex." "

How Cool Is this?

Jersey City Continues to Surprise!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:29:00 +0000

About once a week I take some time to drive slowely through the streets of Jersey City into neighborhoods that retain the Pre War and Art Deco charm that has helped me fall in love with this place I live in. (and helps me hate New Jersey just a little bit less). Aside from people pouring their heart and soul into restoring these homes and buildings, larger scale developers tackle the more insurmountable projects. Three of the most thrilling real estate developments that are currently well underway include

www.LibraryHallLofts.com

www.CancoLofts.com

www.TheBeaconJC.com

Each has sought a diamond in the rough and taken the risk of developing a historic landmark in a rundown neighborhood. Far (relatively speaking) from the vibrant and well established waterfront areas to the east of the NJ turnpike, these projects are thrilling in that provide anchors for redevelopment in areas that are in dire need. Jersey City, by comparison to Hoboken, is much larger and more diverse, yet it's growing up in a way that sets it apart from its dimunitive nieghbor. Its taken on a life that is much more Manhattan like with it's residential sky scrapers (Trump) and big name corporations (Chase, Goldman etc)

Gadget Designs Are sometimes Intelligent. Usually not!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:53:00 +0000

Names Like Panasonic Toughbook, Casio G Shock, and the Classic Yellow Sony Sports, are the only recognizable names in electronics that have been built to withstand every bumps and jolts. Which surprises me because I don't understand how more people don't demand more durable and weatherproofed devices. Quite honestly, the things that are most dangerous to devices are liquid spills and drops onto hard surfaces. If those two things are taken care of, then concerns over pocket lint and makeup spillage become non-issues. Having taken apart many electronics in my day, I can assert that waterproofing a device and adding some shock resistance is not a daunting task and doesn't add much cost (as a percentage of total price) to the device and might even save on the back end in warrantee coverage! Unless of course these companies want you to fall prey to these evil forces of nature and come back to buy another! This actually makes sense since warranty programs actually suck and don't do much for you outside the 90 (1 year if you're lucky) window. If nothing else, the only benefit would be to save many heads in a warrantee department. With that in mind, I always appreciate something like this Olympus Stylus 770SW where the manufacturer acknowledges that we don't all live in padded bubbles like Michael Jackson.

NIghtmares of A Passport Office Scolding!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:13:00 +0000

Let me paint a picture. You are a person who keeps a mental inventory of all your personal belongings like Dell does over its components. You know where everything is all the time and rarely if ever have that "now where the heck did i put that" feeling. Also imagine that you have to go another country in 3 weeks and need your passport. No problem you think as you run home after work to take it out from the place you put it! Now imagine the horror you feel when the one place you put the passport does not hold the passport. Imagine that sinking feeling of knowing that you must look for this tiny flat object in a huge apartment and if you don't find it will have to deal with the slowest, most inefficient government office.

Well that nightmare came true for me about three years ago and the reason I reflected on it now, is because I am leaving for a trip to Ecuador and the passport I had gotten before that fated trip has four pages of amendments; enough to confuse the easily confused. The funny part of the story is the short but painful lecture I received upon speaking with the agent at the Passport office several years ago when I needed a replacement. It went something like this and put yourself in the "PRICE CHECK ON TAMPONS - AISLE 2" kind of scenario.

Passport Agent: Can I have your old Passport
Me: I am here for a new passport
PA: Have you ever had a passport
Me: Yes
PA: Do you have it?
Me: No
PA: Did you lose it?
Me: I didn't lose it, I just can't find it
PA; SO YOU LOST IT! Let me just tell you son, that a US passport is not a right, it's a privilege! Do you know how many people apply for Visa's and don't get them. You are an American Citizen. A member of the greatest country in the world.
Me: I know I am surprised I lost it!
<Her voice gets louder>
PA: Don't interrupt me, I am not finished. You are not only irresponsible but have now created a potential threat to the national security of this country. You have created an opening for some nefarious character to impersonate you and possible threaten the well being of my children. You are lucky that I am going to give you a new passport, but it will only be good for 6 months. In those six months if you lose it, you will not be granted another passport. If you are responsible enough not to lose it, then you may apply for an extension.
Me: Thank you ma'am
PA: You had better be thankful and count your blessings you don't lose it again!

And in case you think I am lying

Wishing for a sign!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:47:00 +0000

Ever since I moved to Jersey City I've always yearned for the day when I would walk to the water front and see a the new freedom tower emerging from the view of lower Manhattan. Unfortunately it has taken quite some time but progress is being made I know this. Until then I keep this view in front of me hoping to one day replace it with something even more spectacular!

Out of Control

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 20:55:00 +0000

Tell me this shit is not amazing!

Celebration Day - Big Feeling of Accomplishment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:19:00 +0000

For those of you who may not know I am a closet inventor, however, lately I've really been working on coming out of the closet because apparantly my ideas have some merit. How do I know? Well, last year my company decided to file a patent application for an idea I developed and is expected to be published in december of this year. While there is no guarantee the patent will be published, or for that matter that its really worth any real $$$, the thought of having my name in the USPTO database is pretty thrilling.

There are some other ideas I've been working on to send to some larger companies in hopes a development opportunity might arise, one of which is for Motorola. Well during my patent search, I ran across two other issued patents that were nearly identical to what i had intended to do. Two that were identical??? How can that be if the whole idea of a patent is to protect the originality of an idea. I am by no means a patent examiner, but know enough to say that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck. Clearly these two patents were for the same concept but somehow the second slipped by. Normally i would be discouraged by the existence of one similar patent and turned off by two, but part of me believes the invention is somewhat iterative and that innovating on the two predecessors could result in another patent.

The irony in this whole thing is that beyond the so called protection afforded by a patent, there is always the distinct possibility that a really good patent attorney could one day argue in a court of law that one patent infringes on another thus nullifying its worth. So why the heck do we even have patent examiners if the patent issuance process is only a suggestion of originality not a guarantee. grrrrr

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Just turn off the TV! - BloggingStocks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:23:00 +0000

Bloggingstocks.com is one of my favorite finance related blogs. It captures the most burning news stories with insight and commentary that could really help you profit on the market. It's helped me :). Reading though it today, I came across a story that was not only amusing but true.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Just turn off the TV! - BloggingStocks

However, it seemed to have overlooked one other cost associated with watching TV....DIABETES. Watching tv generally causes people to eat more. Pair that with lower activity levels and decreased metabolism and you've got recipe for weight gain. The insidious cycle of weight gain perpetuates TV watching because it's inherently a non-exhaustive activity and won't tire out the overweight. Thus the problem progresses. And before ya know it, doctor visits bring doctor bills which ultimately accelerates the cost of watching tv - Blogging on the other hand is excercise for the mind and the fingers.

Soundwave- I'm Too Sexy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:02:00 +0000

What's up the the sudden antogonism of Soundwave! Ha ha. I do agree that he was obsoleted by the MP3 Player, which reminds me, if i ever see a smart phone transformer, I think I might barf. For some reason, I feel as though a cassette player is so much cooler probably because it has some relation to the 8 Track which has its own chapter in history.

Soundwave: The Touch

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:58:00 +0000

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a big transformers fan. Not, sleep in Optimus Prime pyjamas, big, but big enough to want to see the movie another 5 times. However, I've been very lucky to come across some outright hilarious videos that some people have put together. And so, I share, because I love you...the absent readers of my blog.

Is AT&T Having Trouble Dealing With 25% More Customers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:39:00 +0000

My company uses Cingular/AT&T as it's coporate mobile provider for what reason I'm not sure, especially considering Verizon does have the best service in the North East. So it was no surprise when one of my directors was cutting in and out during a conference call the other day. The funny thing was, he said "I bet this is because of all those damn converts who bought the Iphone and now use AT&T." He had also mentioned that there have been several times during the last week where he got the "Network Busy, Try Again Later" message. The funny thing is, he's probably right. I don't know how close AT&T is to their network capacity but part of me is suspicious that the sudden additional load within the last month has pushed some limits especially in the very crowded regions like NYC.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:29:00 +0000

Maybe 2 Miles Wide

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:16:00 +0000

I was thinking about expanding the scope of this blog to be Two Hundred Miles Wide, after spending my unearned lunch break reading through a story about "Mileage Runners". For Mileage runners, the idea is quite simple - String together as many connections into an airline trip as possible to accumulate the most number of miles with the cheapest fare. And the amazing thing is that these aren't unemployeed bums (which would run coutnerintutive to flying which costs money) but rather business travelers who lengthen the trips using vacation or sick days. The reason why I bring this up is not only because the idea is very creative (albeit a significant was of time - by my standards) but rather because it makes me realize how creative people are.

The biggest source of my distraction in the last year is not becoming engrossed in video games or yapping on the phone, but rather reading through feeds and blogs. My goal in doing so is seeking to learn as much as humanly possible about ways people have found to manipulate the system or figure out how things work or even see what kind of zany idea someone has dreamed up. For an idea guy like myself, learning is like a drug addiction and the internet has made it like drinking from a fire hose. My next step might be to seek help :-)

Staying Current on Jersey City Economic Developments

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:57:00 +0000

As an Afterthought, here is a site that I visit weekly to stay abreast of the biggest developments happening in Jersey City. Its really remarkable to see all that this city is doing.

Gentrification in Jersey City

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:47:00 +0000

Living in Jersey City has always been a love hate relationship. Quite honestly there is so much about it to love; proximity to the city and the hudson, access to great public transit and airports (even though Newark is hell on earth), a lot of character and history. However moving in at what is still an early stage, where every day I walk out my front door and see human filth and garbage on the streets really puts a knot in my stomach.

Not forgetting that when I decided to take the plunge and move into an area like this, I accepted the reality that not for another 5 years would I see any significant turn around. Well Three years in, things are really changing. Streets are being repaved, big names like Trump and Goldman Sachs are really making an impact. And buildings that were once boarded up are being given a new life. This is the part that really makes a difference and makes me want to live here. I didn't buy in for instant property appreciation and profitable flipping I wanted to be part of something historic and great. Seeing human spirit drive people to restore formerly gorgeous homes back to their days of splendor is quite an inspiration.

Hope everyone is having a great tuesday.

Real transformers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:57:00 +0000

You've gotta appreciate the ingenuity here.

Social Overnetworking

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:24:00 +0000

I recongize that I've been writing a lot in the last 24 hours but bear with me. There are many issues that, unbeknownst to me, I needed to get off my chest.

The one that is really starting irritate me is around social networking. If I understand the business model correctly, revenue is generated through adwords and then additional subscrption fees (if any) which i've got to believe amounts to very little (since no one wants to pay for anything someone else will offer them for free). I also believe there must be some enormous yet to be monetized value in the info that can be gleaned from the connections that people make between themselves, places they visit and things they buy.

However, It seems like with all the Me Too socials networking sites out there competing for these penny revenues, the ultimate value in the network is being destroyed due to fragmentation and dilution. Not to mention the overload that will come ablut as people become too frustrated with trying to find their friends on the social web. "Oh wait u are using AIM still? I just started using skype! Skype?? I thought Blingo was the way to go."

The only real value that will be derived will occur when companies study the social networks and develop products from their learnings that consumers will buy. Assuming they haven't already changed their minds.

Maybe I Missed Something Significant but...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:51:00 +0000

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. strategists are exploring how to implement a peace accord to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War and hope to start discussions with North Korea as soon as year end, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday"

When a war hasn't been fought in 54 years, doesn't that technically mean it's over? Or is it that there needs to be papers filed. To this day, it amazes me that a phenomon which destroys villages, kills women, men, children, and wipes out food supplies actually has a formal process to start and end it.