Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-14

Written by Big A on March 14th, 2010
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-07

Written by Big A on March 7th, 2010
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-28

Written by Big A on February 28th, 2010
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-21

Written by Big A on February 21st, 2010
  • CURLING!!! #
  • Trying to teach @alicupcake Photoshop for her new blog… God help me! #
  • Oh… this is the GREATEST WEBSITE I've ever seen! EVER!!! http://bit.ly/ce7j58 #
  • Shut up and play Golf! #tigerwoods #
  • @JenHarris09 @EmpireAve @smashingmag @bdnt @OneRiot #followfriday #
  • @EmpireAve if I start today can I hitch hike to Edmonton from Denver in time? in reply to EmpireAve #
  • @popcandy watching the Dr. Who Game Show Episode (S01E12)… #AWESOME !!! #
  • Just noticed the site I'm currently redesigning has this disclaimer: "Site Best Viewed with Internet Explorer or FireFox" #ROFL #
  • Really enjoying the new features in @Tweetdeck especially Flickr Feeds #
  • @bdnt The Renewable Energy Initiative http://bit.ly/9Ax5yG Only have the front page done, but will be done by Friday! #bdnt #
  • Renewable Energy… This is one of the most enjoyable projects I've worked on! It's still Due Friday :-D #
  • @susestudio Just submitted my application! Former MySQL Web Designer! in reply to susestudio #
  • Starting to think I might have too many personal passwords… I keep having to reset them all. #annoying #
  • "Time spent on Twitter, Facebook and blogs is an investment in making it easier for small businesses to compete." http://bit.ly/djkem9 #
  • No time like the present.. working on a new design for Renewable Energy. Will start coding it tomorrow! #webdesign #
  • #BDNT was awesome tonight, now I have a new project to work on and it's due Friday!!! #
  • Renewable Energy still needs a PM #bdnt #
  • Match.com for F'ed up Brains #awesome #bdnt #
  • Think I saw this idea on Flash Forward #bdnt #
  • #bent turn on the lights…. It's scary in here!!! #
  • At the Denver #BDNT this should be fun! #
  • Why are there peeps still coding pages entirely in nested tables? It's 2010 already… say hello to the DIV tag & CSS #ridonculous #
  • Looking for #Dentists in #Denver who need some #webdesign work. You can contact me here http://bit.ly/87zVHq #
  • RT @EmpireAve: The People’s Market on Empire Avenue opens Feb 23, 2010 – http://blog.empireavenue.com/?p=43 #
  • RT @EmpireAve: Sending out some more invites to the @EmpireAve launch event. #yeg folks, I should have two invites to give away this week! #
  • Just added some jQuery styling to my wordpress contact form… Oh so nice! #
  • @mdharmelink London Pride is also pretty good… It's one of my favorite draws! in reply to mdharmelink #
  • Time for some Wordpress coding… And an English Ale, definitely an English Ale! http://twitpic.com/13hdj7 #
  • For V-Day my love gave me 6" of fresh snow! How about you? #
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-14

Written by Big A on February 14th, 2010
  • Just installed a new fan in the bedroom http://twitpic.com/131mvn #
  • Just installed the Background Check iPhone App… VERY DISTURBING. Good thing that arrest I had was sealed!!! ;-) #
  • @dups they're afraid Shawn White is gonna show his nipples! in reply to dups #
  • Good thing I was up before 8am, this thing is loud! Won't miss this nieghbor http://twitpic.com/12zwa3 #
  • Just finished another job Phone Screen… This one was MUCH better than the last one. Need to start brushing up on Javascript though… #
  • Watching the live broadcast of Boagworld's 200th Episode http://bit.ly/96phQp #
  • Just ordered some Mini-Cards from http://www.moo.com Should have done this last week, but they're gonna be sweet looking! #
  • Getting close to launching my Portfolio site in Wordpress… Exciting!!! #webdesign #
  • So, my jQuery Twitter feed script doesn't support the new Retweet method… Might need to address that, not sure it's a major deal yet. #
  • Hey Twitter Feed JS…. START WORKING! Or I'll be forced to switch to Buzz ;-) #
  • @popcandy Showed my wife the Magnum PI Tattoo her response "Oooh Bruce Reynolds"!!! #
  • Just had a job phone screen & was asked: "Can you hand code HTML without the assistance of software or a computer?" Seriously? #redonculous #
  • Capt. Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie has died… Very Sad! http://bit.ly/d0uVzk #
  • Just for the record, I'm waiting for ALL browsers to support @font-face #css #webdesign #
  • Nice to see old friends embracing Twitter… Welcome @rlilworld #
  • Finally have a working sink. Never been so excited to do the dishes… http://twitpic.com/12an1i #
  • Stepping away from the computer… seriously I'm walking away…. So Long! See Ya later…………. Gone Now…… Bye #
  • Just updated my Monster.com profile… has anyone ever gotten a job using Monster? #
  • I'm currently living the first act of 'Up in the Air', and I'm not in the Clooney role #slashfilm #
  • RT @cococello: Common Misconceptions about Web Designers (via @sixrevisions): http://ow.ly/157z5 #webdesign #in #fb #
  • I am now available for hire! http://www.aaronkwhite.com/ #webdesign #smb #denver #web #
  • Calm Seas… http://bit.ly/bVLg46 #
  • It's officially a blizzard outside right now… #
  • Added a couple new photos of the granite counter tops being installed http://bit.ly/5gjx1J #
  • http://twitpic.com/11xcxp – These look amazing! #
  • New counter tops are being installed http://twitpic.com/11xcxp #
  • Open Waters… http://bit.ly/bYSrfM #
  • Hey SA Peeps… Yelp is hiring a Community Manager (Full-Time) in San Antonio http://bit.ly/alQlTQ #
  • @datacharmer if you take the blue & red pill… do you pee purple? in reply to datacharmer #
  • Happy Superbowl! Just realized it's snowing… and I was getting used to the nice 55F weather! #
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Calm Seas…

Written by Big A on February 8th, 2010

Today is my first day of being recently un-employed… This post isn’t about how am I dealing with it or how am I finding a new job, although those are great questions I want to focus on more technology and Web Design.  The first thing I had to do was buy a new laptop.  When I started working with MySQL they gave me a nice shiny new Macbook Pro (2008 Model), ever since then I am a complete convert!   Now I have a nice new 2009 model Unibody Macbook Pro with a glossy screen and much improved battery.

I am going to try and focus on improving my design skills, programming, blogging and maybe an iPhone App (I have an idea, now I just need to figure out how to execute that idea).  My Macbook Pro:

Big A's new Macbook Pro Unibody

A couple of weeks ago a high school friend asked on Facebook what she should do with her new Mac to get up to speed and what software she should be using, unfortunately I didn’t respond (other pressing issues in my life to deal with at the time).  I think the answer to the question varies for everyone, depending on how/what you will be doing with your Mac.  In my case this Mac will be used for Personal life use and my Web Development… Oh, I can’t forget it will be used to surf the Internets for my sister-n-laws baby shower, curtain rods and I imagine shoes… and I LOVE MY WIFE ;-)

Here are some of the ’standard’ apps we use on a daily basis:

  • Safari (web browsing)
  • Mail (I’m currently evaluating Zimbra Desktop)
  • iTunes
  • Text Wrangler (Very good Text Editor)
  • iCal (connected to Google Calendar)
  • Address Book (Need quick access to the Xmas list)
  • Skype
  • Tweetdeck (Twitter & Facebook)
  • VmWare Fusion (sometimes you need windows)
  • Flip4Mac & Perian (watch any type of movie in Quicktime)
  • smcFanControl
  • Transmission
  • Handbrake (encode movies for your iPhone)
  • The Unarchiver (Best archive/zip utility)
  • Dropbox (Store your most important files in the cloud)
  • Flickr Uploader

Most of these applications are free or have paid upgrades, and I can’t imagine living without any of them.  Keep in mind there are alternatives but I prefer these apps.

Now for my Web Devleopment Apps:

  • Firefox (Need those Debugging Tools)
  • Chrome (Fast! Fast! Fast! plus supports CSS3 elements)
  • Espresso (recent improvements and the price point  made this app almost as great as Coda)
  • Adobe CS4 Master Collection
  • Cyberduck (Trusty FTP client)
  • Ubuntu (Dev Environment)
  • Wordpress
  • Terminal
  • the Internets….

Big A's Dock

Everyday I think about how I ever made web pages without Adobe CS3/4, between Photoshop & Bridge alone for me it’s worth the $$$.  Again with any application there are alternatives… when working on MySQL.com I mainly used Komodo Edit (Free Version) to do everything, however with recent improvements I have come to love Espresso when writing code.  I think the last entry (the Internets…) is the most under appreciated resource for Web Design & Development.  I rely heavily upon Twitter and Google to find inspiration, tutorials, time wasters, etc…

So my plan for the futre (besides getting some more coffee) is to update My Portfolio, finish porting it over to Wordpress, read a couple development books I’ve been meaning to devour for a while and of course find a new job.  In between there I will continue working on my house, exercise, complain about all the snow and I imagine have a few beers.

-Big A

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Open Waters…

Written by Big A on February 7th, 2010

Friday the 6th was my last official day being employed at MySQL (Sun we’re now extinct Microsystems)… sorry, couldn’t resist.  Although I had to return my nice trusty Macbook Pro, New Belgium Brewery Sticker, Chewbacca in ‘09 sticker, VPN password generator, Sun branded pen, mousepad… ok, so I kept the pen and mousepad ;-)

I wanted to talk about my week a little…  This past week I kept very busy with my new house.  I’ve painted the bathroom an awesome grey/blue color, painted my office & finished the touch up paint in the living room.  Being a home owner is a lot of hard work but I find it to be extremely enjoyable and satisfying.  If you really want a great workout and/or want to get in shape, I recommend buying a small fixer upper house and the following:

  • Tear down a wall or two… Open concept floorplans are great and make small houses seem huge!
  • Rip out that un-even tile floor and lay hardwood throughout…  Now I didn’t intall the hardwoods in the kitchen and the rest of the house already had wood, but I did spend 3 days pulling out tile floor and three layers of sub-floor in the kitchen.
  • Paint EVERYTHING! The previous owner of our house was a bachelor for most of the time he lived here and had the WORST colors in the world in this place.  I would describe it as a orange-cream soda color. Make sure you get some Angled brushes to trim out properly and BUY GOOD PAINT!!  We used a local company here in Denver (Guiry’s Paint Supply) which sells Benjamin Moore paint.  I can’t get this point across enough… GET GOOD PAINT, your life will be much easier. I suggest Diamond Vogul or Sherwin-Williams if you don’t like Benjamin Moore
  • Invest in Caulk!  Caulk is not only a good idea to stop air drafts & water leaking… it’s that finishing touch which makes all of your hard work look Amazing!  I had to re-caulk the main window in the front room & the office and the entire bathroom.  I still can’t believe the previous owner semi-remodeled the bathroom (Sink, Toilet, Faucet, towel bars) and didn’t use a single bead of caulk.  Now after a half tube of clear slicon caulk my bathroom looks amazing!
  • Get new countertops.. or do some form of new-look renovation (bathroom sink, toilet, tile floors, etc…). As I’m writing this post we’re waiting for our new granite countertops to be installed and then spend the day watching the Superbowl (mainly for the commercials, beer & potato skins). Granite is not as expensive as you might think, especially if you ask around and find someone to do the fabrication and install who you can pay in cash or doesn’t work for a larger company.  Always make sure they come recommended and that you are comfortable with that person.  If you get a standard granite, a slab will run about $800-$1000, we needed about 34 square feet and were able to find a ’single-slab’ at a nice discount.  Single slabs are the very last piece of whichever type of granite left in the yard. Most people need more than one slab because they have a lot of counter space or an island, we have neither which is why smaller houses are very nice on the budget.

These are most of the major projects I’ve done over the last months and have lost about 10-15lbs doing most of the work myself.  It’s been extremely enjoyable and frustrating but I wouldn’t have done it any other way.  I’ll leave you with a few final thoughts on this subject… Make sure you know your limitations, I’ve never installed wood floors & my drywall patching skills are bad!  So I hired our those two projects, asked around got some great recommendations and in so received GREAT deals.  Contractors get more jobs based on referrals, if you had a great experience tell your friends & family, most contractors will give you a break.  Finally take the time to enjoy your hard work! Regardless if you did they physical labor yourself or paid a contractor to do it, grab a drink sit back and admire YOUR hard work and effort.  You Deserve It!

-Big A

UPDATE: Here are some photos of the work… http://bit.ly/5gjx1J

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This dolphin set Free….

Written by Big A on January 29th, 2010

Today is my last day working for MySQL…  These are 8 words that I never imagined I would have to say or write when I accepted the position almost two years ago.  I have been told that MySQL the product and MySQL the web properties will live on, however I’m not sure in what form or fashion.  The last ~2 years have been some of the most wonderful, exciting, frustrating and fulfilling of my entire life. I am extremely grateful to everyone in the organization for allowing me to insert my wacky sense of humor daily and let my creativity blossom.

I am not sure what the future holds, but I can be sure that my experiences within MySQL I am prepared for anything that may come my way.  I wish the best for everyone left standing and hope they can keep pushing the Open Source mantra and keep some sense of what it means to be a MySQL Dolphin alive in this new world.

-Big A

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-25

Written by Big A on January 25th, 2010
  • I'm feeling a bit boxed in… Maybe it's all the boxes filling up my house!!! #
  • Do not buy a fridge from Factory Appliance Wharehouse in #Denver… Or you will walk out with ALL BRAND NEW APPLIANCES Just like ME!!! #
  • @TalkToQwest having serious issues getting my DSL transferred to new address. Ordered 2 weeks ago, scheduled for yesterday and now waiting.. #
  • Back to work.. still no DSL at home, so I'm chillin at the loudest Starbucks in the world… yeah work from anywhere! #
  • WOW… just added some higher resolution photos of the new house… it's still a mess, but I have new appliances! http://bit.ly/5gjx1J #
  • Does it get any better than ACDC when you need to focus and get shite done? I mean really… #
  • @davechensky: sounds Ominous… in reply to davechensky #
  • Just updated my Portfolio site… Looks best in Safari or Chrome http://www.aaronkwhite.com #webdesign #
  • Morning… Time to start painting! #
  • FOOTBALL!!!!!! #
  • Ruh Roh…. Doesn't look good for Farve or the Vikes! #
  • TWO MINUTES!!! #
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MySQL Conference & Expo 2010

Written by Big A on December 21st, 2009

Last week MySQL Announced Founding Sponsorship for the 2010 Users Conference and are now Accepting presentation proposals.  You can find more information about the Conference here: http://en.oreilly.com/mysql2010/public/content/home

You can register now to get $250 off admission, or submit a stunning proposal and become a speaker at the 2010 event.  Good Luck!

-Big A

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