Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:24 Thinking about a neighborhood friend and model - tr.im/2qn7 #
  • 06:40 irritated that the battery life on my Thinkpad is down to < 1hr. Unacceptable. #
  • 06:41 planning an early retreat from Cape Cod back to NJ to get ahead of some weather. #
  • 19:11 @daveraffaele what was the net on the vertical monitor? #
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:14 up and doing some work. Not what I was hoping for, but this is the life I choose. Still a good choice. #
  • 08:39 getting ready to take my girls for a swim (indoors) should be some welcome exercise for me also. #
  • 12:58 headed up to Ptown for the first time in 15 years. Wonder what has changed. #
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Monday, December 29, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 13:37 RT @guykawasaki: Nothing but happy news: good-news.alltop.com/ - @newyorkcitee - this is what you were looking for. #
  • 14:08 watching the Pats in crazy wind. #
  • 14:54 headed to candlepin bowling with my kids. I haven't done this in forever. - www.orleansbowl.com/ #
  • 18:26 humbled (read: humiliated) at candlepin bowling. My children (4 and 7) beat me. They did have the bumpers... #
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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 19:18 @sogrady I, for one, am impressed. I think I would need to call the hospital. #
  • 19:20 RT @daveraffaele: Watching survivorman and while @kellyeastman reads about weddings. -- Something oddly appropriate about this! ;) Hang in. #
  • 19:33 in Eastham with the kids, at the grandparents, watching the new (lame) Miser Bros. Xmas special (ugh). Showing our AuPair the Cape. #
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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 08:35 back to reality-need to get in shape. Attempting the 9:30 Hot Vinyasa Flow class. Going to get my a#$ kicked. I deserve to have that happen. #
  • 13:33 @daveraffaele @kellyeastman Warmest congratulations and a happy life together! #
  • 13:35 @daveraffaele I can imagine. I always liked the holidays for engagements. #
  • 13:58 Thinking about how 2 use Wordpress 4 a serial novel whr eventually the whole thing is free, but early access to sections reqs small Paypal $ #
  • 15:22 my elder learned she shouldn't eavesdrop when L and I are discussing Last Will + Living Will. Poor thing cried her eyes out. #
  • 16:01 @afraidofthedark nice pic. Looks like you guys are having a good time #
  • 16:03 needs cool long and short sleeve TALL men's graphic tee-shirts without skulls. #
  • 18:12 relaxing after a spectacular family dinner - spinach raviolis with spicy marinara. Steamed Broccoli. Lots of fun #
  • 20:09 very irritated at the extreme difficulty of finding Large/Tall cool graphic tees. Most had store names or were stupid cleverisms. Yuck. #
  • 20:52 sitting in the room with, but avoiding watching Titanic. Help #
  • 21:42 @newyorkciteee I want one! bring back a copy of the release form. #
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Friday, December 26, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 07:16 Torturing my children by making them sit w/ us until 8am before we can go downstairs 2 open gifts. I am so looking forward 2 their lil faces #
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Thursday, December 25, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 08:35 @lbhuston what is your broadband speed where you are? how reasonably priced is it? #
  • 08:36 enjoying the responses and filtering through the bouncebacks from our holiday e-letter - tr.im/2lw6 #
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 07:06 @mhgoblue when you say something like that - how can we believe you? #
  • 07:07 RT @daveraffaele: My friend Mike just started Cabildo Press. They publish fiction and poetry by up-and-coming authors. zi.ma/4cb1b3 #
  • 07:17 is trying to get my head around the contextual web. To many new vocab words. #
  • 07:55 trying to start my day at Inbox Zero. #
  • 08:37 @racarpenter not nice #
  • 08:46 Anyone know something about VUDU? This deal tr.im/2l0p has me tempted. #
  • 08:50 For someone who generally likes the Bachelor, how unwatchable is Momma's Boys? #
  • 08:52 @daveraffaele I like the Netflix one, but so few HD movies - none in 1080p #
  • 09:53 is thinking about a cabin in the woods to write my manifesto. But my cabin will need FiOS-level bandwidth. Searching for a manifesto topic. #
  • 10:41 Apple/Lenovo/HP pls build: 1280x800 7"/8.9" touchscreen MID/tablet PC w/ wifi+XOHM GPS CAM Skype 4hr-batt Bluetooth SSD + docking <$1000 #
  • 10:48 enjoying the bagpipes and tradition of execs walking around the office shaking hands before Christmas. #
  • 10:53 @TweetDeck only thing I am getting is "@" replies coming in twice often. Not a showstopper. #
  • 10:56 @productivity501 bagpipers walk ahead of the execs. Tribute to David Ogilvy's heritage. Shame that office is near empty. Cool tradition. #
  • 11:10 has big plans to take advantage of the lobster oversupply - tr.im/2l5t #
  • 11:17 Facebook has stopped updating statuses from Twitter. #
  • 11:17 Facebook has stopped updating statuses from Twitter. I hate when that API is down. #
  • 22:54 The 2008 Sheldon Holiday Letter is fully digital and (finally ready)- Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays! - tr.im/2lw6 #
  • 23:09 @newyorkciteee we need a song list... #
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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

2008 Sheldon Holiday Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year! As you can see, we decided to go green this year to save both trees and dollars. We hope you enjoy this Holiday e-letter; we had fun putting it together.

This past year was filled with changes, trips, school, work, and fun. Having moved to Chatham, NJ in May of last year, we are happy to report that we are comfortably settled in this wonderful town. It truly feels like home to us, and we are blessed by friends, family, and neighbors who have supported, welcomed, and helped us as we’ve adapted to our new home.

Here’s a video of Alexa and one of her friends, Hannah, who lives one street away:


In April of this year our entire family went on a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. One of the highlights of the trip was getting to meet the Disney Princesses at the Princess Breakfast. Emma and Alexa also enjoyed makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Alexa selected a traditional princess look while Emma went with more of a Miley Cyrus meets Pop Star Diva ‘do. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge where Emma and Alexa had their first opportunity to try out bunk beds. They were an instant success and they have been sleeping in bunk beds and sharing a bedroom since June.

John visited his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, in May for his 15th year college reunion. He enjoyed spending time with friends, eating an authentic cheese steak, and taking in all of the changes that have happened since he was last on campus.

We welcomed our au pair, Kathi Opitz into our family in Mid-July. She’s from Berlin, Germany and after her year with us will return there to apply to be a pilot for Lufthansa. It’s been such a blessing to have Kathi in our lives and we are so grateful that she chose us as her host family. She’s already taught the girls how to count and do simple math in German!:



We love how Alexa can't help herself and jumps in. ;)

Upstate New York wine country was the destination for the Rivera Girls’ Weekend Away in September. This year Jen, Caitlin, Mom Rivera, Su Li, and Mei Li joined in the fun. They stayed at the Aurora Inn and had a memorable trip following the Cayuga Wine Trail and enjoying some delicious wine.

October means Halloween and this year’s costumes were lots of fun. Emma decided to be Cleopatra, Alexa selected a 50’s Poodle Skirt Girl outfit, and Kathi dressed as a witch. The weather was colder than last year, but we still managed to get over 100 trick-or-treaters!

John and Elia went with their friends Linda and Jean to Aruba in early December. We lost count of how many Slippery Monkeys we consumed and rotations of the Lazy River we completed during the week. It was an important get-away that helped us re-energize for the year ahead.

We have done a lot of traveling besides Aruba and Philly. Business has taken us to San Fran, Minneapolis, Orange County and Chicago. Our favorite times have been when we've been able to visit friends and family in Cape Cod, Niskayuna, Ft. Lauderdale, Poughkeepsie, Saratoga, Delaware, Hartford, Boston and many other places.

On the job front, John was recently promoted to Sr. Partner (a somewhat honorary, but nice distinction) at Ogilvy mid-year and more recently added Executive Director of Marketing Technology to his roles at the company.

At the end of March, Elia left her job as VP of Program Management at Pershing to join UnitedHealthcare in Basking Ridge, NJ as an IT Program Manager. Not only is the commute amazingly better (20 minutes driving through beautiful horse country versus 50 minutes of polluted air on a highway) but the job is a much better fit for her professionally. She’s currently managing a multi-million dollar program that will hopefully improve UnitedHealthcare’s performance in the next couple of years.


Emma, now seven, is a second grader at Milton Avenue School. She loves her class, teacher, and friends. She also enjoys tennis, swimming, soccer and Brownies. Emma’s message to everyone is: "Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah! I can't wait to show you all my new grown-up teeth. Also - want to buy some Girl Scout cookies?" (She is taking Daddy's marketing job to heart)


Alexa, now 4½, is in her second year of preschool at Stanley Preschool. In addition to enjoying school, she also enjoys ballet, tap, swimming, and craft projects. Alexa’s message to everyone is: "Happy Holidays! Ducky and I are hoping to welcome a new teddy bear to the family this Christmas".

In closing, we wish you and yours a fun-filled holiday season and a safe, happy, and healthy 2009!

We leave you with a clip from Emma’s holiday concert this year (she is in the upper right hand corner):



Love,

John, Elia, Emma, Alexa and Kathi

Tweets for Today

  • 07:38 It is ridiculously cold this AM. Walk to train station froze me completely. #
  • 07:39 thought this woulb be a slow week, but the train is jammed with folks. #
  • 07:40 @daveraffaele that's what I wear when I do yoga. Doesn't everybody? #
  • 07:40 @daveraffaele sorry for that visual. #
  • 07:44 would llke all his warm weather friends to pipe down about their weather, yard work, etc. I almost lost three toes this AM to frostbite. ;) #
  • 08:02 Idiot Chevy Dealer tries to crush a Honda with a Monster truck to prove a point, unfortunately he proved the wrong one - tr.im/2jp9 #
  • 08:51 Nope, I was right, its dead here. #
  • 09:02 I think Steven might have irritated Emily a little bit - do you think - tr.im/2jr4 - OUCH! #
  • 09:11 @productivity501 with very few minor exceptions, we had an Amazon Prime christmas. #
  • 09:39 @daveraffaele If you love Fail Blog - this is more specific, but I think funnier - cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ #
  • 09:44 is going to do a lap of the office looking for signs of life. #
  • 10:16 Wow - that is mean - HS students getting back at "enemies" using Automated Traffic Cams and glossy paper - tr.im/2jtd #
  • 10:44 is frustrated because he wanted to retweet a @darthvader msg, but it was 140 characters and each word mattered - tr.im/2jup #
  • 10:48 Cool map with probabilities of a white christmas - I wish my percentage was higher - tr.im/2juv #
  • 11:02 @daveraffaele here you go... I still love it...tr.im/2jvb I would want a tailored version of @tweetdeck for it. #
  • 11:14 @daveraffaele I don't see why not. No problem with ports. Are you at the max pixels for your vid card? #
  • 11:20 @daveraffaele Here's the killer app for the touchscreen version - wireless USB as iTunes controller - make your own Sonos. #
  • 14:34 using the new release of @tweetdeck. Like it. esp. the narrow columns. Wish they were all resizable windows I could size, shape and place. #
  • 14:40 @lbhuston what beach would you go to catch those waves? #
  • 14:42 13 year old pwns ethanol supporters. I wish I were this succinct when I discuss ethanol's stupidity. tr.im/2k5h #
  • 14:46 Great review for the #ZVOX audio flat panel base and speaker system. tr.im/2k5t - Go Tom! #
  • 14:51 @robertsheldon @sogrady I think this is a pretty good solution to frequent power outages. $3K is not bad at all. tr.im/2k63 Nat. gas #
  • 15:14 @daveraffaele version .20.7b #
  • 15:29 @daveraffaele tr.im/2k82 <- link to pre-release version of @tweetdeck #
  • 16:04 knocking a few final tasks off my list #
  • 17:06 @daveraffaele I hope you guys stock some @Harpoon_brewery stuff in the fridge. Sounds like a perfect time for it. #
  • 17:08 @daveraffaele I hope you show people that during interviews. Is that why Millie came aboard? #
  • 17:17 not looking forward to stepping out into the cold. This is only the second day of winter people. Global warming better speed up! #
  • 17:24 chatham = next stop. #
  • 17:24 RT: not looking forward to stepping out into the cold. This is only the second day of winter people. Global warming better speed up! #
  • 19:07 @daveraffaele Gizmodo must have heard our chatter. tr.im/2khs #
  • 19:35 want to get back to Aruba and slippery monkeys. This cold stuff is terrible. #
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Monday, December 22, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 11:38 has a fire up and roaring. #
  • 14:02 wishes he could play the drums like this 13 year old girl - awesome - tr.im/2izk #
  • 14:16 has set up his wrapping station to begin the multi-day effort tonight. #
  • 22:23 finally done wrapping after two hours. Now finishing My Fair Lady. #
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Saturday, December 20, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:11 taking the train today due to the scare tactics re: weather. Schools already closed. It'll be rain I bet. #
  • 06:13 burned up the Paypal account last night. Another 100% E-Christmas complete! #
  • 07:55 going to try @AlertThingy v2. #
  • 08:00 @daveraffaele I already don't like it. @tweetdeck is still home for me. I am pissed @AlertThingy dropped Friendfeed. That's why I used it. #
  • 08:05 @daveraffale Ideally @Tweetdeck would allow FF integration with deduping. I would love to see the @Tweetdeck dev roadmap... #
  • 08:07 will all the Sarah Palin critics about her "experience" please acknowledge the hypocracy re: Caroline Kennedy? #
  • 08:23 @eliasheldon let me know when the precip starts. Should be any minute #
  • 08:26 @daveraffaele Per our monitor discussion - what you need is two of these pivoted vertically - tr.im/2gqq #
  • 08:35 is thinking of the most annoying Christmas songs. Worst I can come up with is "Christmas Wrapping" by the Waitresses - tr.im/2gqu #
  • 08:45 RT @sammie356: I will laugh so hard if after all of this "snow drama - end of the earth preparation!" we get barely any snow. #
  • 08:48 How do I find those of my Facebook contacts that are on Twitter so I can follow them? #
  • 10:55 @chrismoreschi I like Andy mcKee's version of toto's Africa better - tr.im/2gvm That's just one guy? #
  • 11:03 @eliasheldon if you are up to it and out of your bunny slippers, will you go rescue some logs from the wet snow so we can have a fire? #
  • 11:55 @eliasheldon you rock. I will try to make it home a lil early. What's the current accumulation? #
  • 12:06 hates this fluffy white stuff. Longing for 82 and sunny. #
  • 12:37 I have a 1:15 then I am going to try to wrap things up here to get home in 1 piece. L says we have 4+ inches already. #
  • 13:02 Ann Romney diagnosed with breast cancer. Prayers to Mitt, Ann and their family [Wizbang Politics] - tr.im/2h1j #
  • 13:03 looking forward to watching the snowfall in front of a roaring fire with a nice Cab. #
  • 13:15 In this economy, would you really want to raise your hand as "Non-essential"? Guess where... tr.im/2h2h #
  • 14:46 @koukla4155 welcome aboard the Twitter train! Sorry you are unmotivated! Try a cappucino. #
  • 15:03 would like to take a nap. #
  • 18:31 @daveraffaele I just deleted my "congrats" reply #
  • 20:10 @newyorkciteee have a great car trip with D Fresh. Merry Christmas! #
  • 20:21 watching My Fair Lady, which is odd since I have recently connected with the young ladies who played Liza Doolitte in our HS production. #
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Friday, December 19, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:50 donning the Gunnar Optiks for an intense day in front of the computer - tr.im/2f52 #
  • 07:06 need to pay more attention to the weather. Wasn't mentally prepped for what's coming tomorrow (snow). #
  • 09:24 @racarpenter I always like it when they have the entire history (like 42) of "fresheners" dangling from the mirror #
  • 09:31 getting sucked in deeper and deeper. Pretty sure there is no escape at this point. #
  • 09:41 Millenials surveyed here must not work in a big company. Email is king here still and most employees here are millenials - tr.im/2f8j #
  • 10:47 trying to claw my way into this break. It's not coming fast enough. #
  • 11:49 @mhgoblue I think unemployed or non-thought-worker millenials might send 2.5 emails a day. Somthing like... Dear Mom, send money. #
  • 11:51 is pissed that 2x now, e-commerce orders are submitted and 5 minutes later a free shipping offer for that site gets emailed to me. Grrrr. #
  • 11:54 @pdpinch isn't Blown to Bits like 10 years old? Were you involved in some way? I read it in '99 #
  • 12:49 @mhgoblue I would love to know your opinion of this... www.foodista.com/ recipe wiki you can edit... #
  • 13:18 wonders if anyone I know watches "The IT Crowd"? I am not sure I am ready for another show, but it seems like a good candidate. #
  • 15:44 missed one small area while shaving and its driving me insane. #
  • 16:24 needs to bust out a bunch of gifts for the girls and a bunch of other people tonight. #
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Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 08:04 working hard to get to my Inbox Zero. Feeling slow this morning. Here is a pickmeup story - New Beatles Track? - tr.im/2dnu #
  • 09:24 just got the strangest email from my daughters school about gossip and rumors. I am apparently completely out of the loop. Probably good. #
  • 09:34 Spelling Bee Champ comes home to misspelled congrats sign - FAIL! - tr.im/2dr2 #
  • 10:03 We Americans need to start making stuff again - tr.im/2dsn - Yes.. I know that I am not living this today either. #
  • 10:08 Let's disincent the smart kids that work hard because it might hurt the other kids' feelings - tr.im/2dsw - Really? #
  • 10:37 is avoiding commiting to his next hot yoga class. It will probably be Saturday. Maybe. I don't know. #
  • 12:01 Hitting "The Price is Right" final showcase price exactly on the nose - Priceless - tr.im/2dzl #
  • 12:13 desperately need to commit to doing the one task I have been avoiding all day. #
  • 17:33 The coolest pictures of the shuttle riding a 747 you will see all year. - tr.im/2ejf #
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:27 using my #GTD kung foo to get to inbox zero. #
  • 07:17 If I ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," I will act like nothing's wrong. #
  • 08:56 still processing stuff. Probably will be for a while - ugh. #
  • 09:29 facebook status not updating based on twitter ... AGAIN #
  • 09:38 @eliasheldon - what about this tr.im/2c68 for the girls? It would hook to their computer, headphones, etc. #
  • 09:46 so darn happy to be at Inbox Zero. #
  • 10:28 @eliasheldon HSA eligibly expenses - tr.im/2c8u #
  • 10:54 @eliasheldon - there are tons of stands - like this one that it would work with. tr.im/2ca7 #
  • 11:09 RT @BobbyJindal: Reforming health-care in Louisiana twurl.nl/86qmoj #
  • 11:18 @BobbyJindal Nice articles, but seems odd/self promoting. On this ID, would love to hear the Gov's thoughts and plans. Another ID for these? #
  • 11:19 giving out advice on things he may not be qualified to do (don't worry - not to clients) #
  • 11:38 @eliasheldon let's discuss tonight. #
  • 12:08 Always wear your WiiMote strap! - tr.im/2cfa #
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 10:18 back in the saddle in the office. Let's see how long I can hold my vacation zen. #
  • 12:45 I was talking about this again last week. Everything is funnier with Benny Hill Theme Music (Yaketty Sax) - tr.im/2b0s #
  • 14:49 is making to-do lists. Love #Nozbe #
  • 15:16 Why Brands Belong on Twitter - Mashable - tr.im/2b90 #
  • 15:18 I have no comment, but interesting news - tr.im/2b97 #
  • 15:25 NY to tax non-diet soda? tr.im/2b9h I only drink Fresca and Diet Coke, so I am safe. Phew! #
  • 15:45 is looking for a new computer bag/briefcase. My strap buckle broke from wear... Ideas? #
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Monday, December 15, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 07:26 quickly adjusting to being back home. Peapod ordered. Kids up (yay!) and catching up on 8 days of social media, blogs and work. #
  • 09:25 @daveraffaele I am seeing your Twitter updates on Facebook. #
  • 10:42 @daveraffaele thanks for the WB. Good to see my kids, bad that I am not already drinking and floating in a pool with 85 degree weather. #
  • 10:44 dreaded laundry. Also reviewing the mountain of homemade Christmas cookies left by my mom. #
  • 11:12 For my bedroom, why can't I get a 22" HDCP monitor with dual DVi? It's cheaper. Someone tell me the cons... #
  • 15:02 going to settle into a few Christmas Classics - The Year Without a Santa Claus and Santa Claus is Coming to Town. #
  • 18:26 lining up for Twas the Night Before Christmas. Fire in Fireplace. Wine Glass #1. Nice life. #
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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:03 cleaning up the time-share, packing and headed to the airport. Praying for the ability to get on the earlier flight. #
  • 12:25 Catching the earlier flight (CO 1643) from AUA. I hope to catch a couple minutes of my girls before their bed time. #
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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 08:13 getting geared up for a final day of sun, sand and sea #
  • 15:18 in from a last lazy day at the pool. Headed out to Papiamento restaurant tonight. Going to go out with a bang. bit.ly/9H4R #
  • 17:43 after the best Aruban sunset evar, my liver has respectfully requested that we fly standby on the earliest flight out of here as possible. #
  • 21:58 @sammie356 Only three other beers I love more. their 90-minute IPA and the @harpoon_brewery UFO+ IPA all super Yum. #
  • 22:00 ready for bed w/ full belly. Papiamento sitting on the patio was nice. Not our best dining experience here tho-that belongs to M. Jannette #
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Friday, December 12, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 17:30 @smcbos Going home is okay. Coming back with treats from Zingerman's is even better. #
  • 17:31 @derrickhackman you ask this blackberry/email question as if you figured out the answer. do share... #
  • 17:36 @nansen common smart thinking and shared values creates intimacy beyond that which may be regularly earned. #
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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:49 awake | lounges reserved | breakfasting | good to know Chicago politics hasn't changed since we've been gone - bit.ly/m1ec #
  • 06:58 RT @ramskill: My latest article has just been published over on TwiTip - 'Using Twitter, the Smart Way' tr.im/21bi #
  • 07:02 bakin' bacon. Mmm bacon. Just realized I should have gotten some Baconnaisse for my Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches. - bit.ly/2tSEdf #
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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:12 @nanlilahill you are starting in the right place with TweetDeck. Now you need to follow @MrTweet to get more ideas #
  • 06:14 Feeling hard core competitive for the 7:30am dash to reserve pool chaise lounges. I am up and ready. Reserve, then some yoga. #
  • 06:17 Trying to find the right Yoga podcast for practicing in Aruba #
  • 12:39 has shaky arms after doing reverse vinyasas off a podcast. Why is that so da*$#%n hard? #
  • 15:23 @mhgoblue Have fun with "the Bobs" #
  • 15:23 @nanlilahill I am in Aruba. It rocks. Online because we all know I have issues. #
  • 18:00 @nanlilahill you should hear the number of comments I get about my whiteness. With my shiny bald head, it's even worse. #
  • 18:02 I am a whiny jerk. My massage and facial "weren't good enough for me". Who is this guy? #
  • 18:03 RT @sogrady: wait, what am i doing for New Year's? how have i not thought about that yet? - me too! Crap! #
  • 18:48 just skyped with the kiddies, everyone is getting along well without us. Grateful for that. Now: long beach walk, then casino. #
  • 20:40 @racarpenter so far so good. Thanks for checking in. #
  • 20:41 @nanlilahill I am now totally and completely shave-my-head-to-a-shiny-state bald. #
  • 20:42 @daveraffaele @nanlilahill funny part is that picture was taken prior to me shaving my head. Though, I was pretty far along in receding. #
  • 21:40 @racarpenter check out Twitip #
  • 22:41 @mhgoblue here is the link. If you can bear the Upper Midwest accent...bit.ly/iY5P #
  • 22:43 @daveraffaele Thanks for the way back machine. I just had to explain: 10 "print hello" 20 goto 10. to L #
  • 22:45 @daveraffaele I just took a beating for overstating my programming prowess. L knew BASIC. #
  • 22:50 RT: @daveraffaele Here is a great post explaining how to use Twitter to someone who had never used it. Step by Step. zi.ma/525a37 #
  • 22:51 ok - too tired now. Need to go to bed in order to wake up at 7:30 to reserve chairs around the lazy river. #
  • 22:54 @seerysm wikipedia - "more acute pyogenic infections can be painful" - more acute pyogenic infections can be painful. Feel better lil guy #
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Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:47 is hoping for a little better weather today. Would prefer some blazing sun. Feeling pretty relaxed though. #
  • 07:44 @smcbos I recognize that I am not going to get sympathy from the NE. #
  • 07:45 Just finished #Outliers. Awesome! I think every person, parents in particular should read this book. #
  • 08:41 @lbhuston Thanks for the tip. Right now, wife@spa, lazy river calling me. Madame Janette 2nite. Venturing out Tues/Wed. The Sun finally out. #
  • 08:43 This is so close to my dream device, just needs touch screen and tablet form factor at <$350. So so close. bit.ly/hMiG #
  • 08:45 going out to explore a bit. #
  • 22:24 Great lamb, choc. souffle, fine wine. Wonderful evening #
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Monday, December 08, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:48 making coffee, getting ready to float in the lazy river all day. Also-60% through #Outliers Malcom Gladwell's new book. Loving it. #
  • 08:12 is very worried about burning his shiny bald head. #
  • 11:00 weather less than idea, but not expecting sympathy. Slippery Monkey #1 commencing. Tweets to likely go downhill ;) #
  • 11:02 @derrickhackman I will order to MIH's to go. #
  • 16:53 wondering if I can repeat my epic tail involving a teppanyaki grill and an egg... A top 10 life moment for me. Unlikely to repeat. #
  • 22:36 Moomba beach was great eye candy, but a little young for us. Watching from our deck with a bottle of red was better. night night #
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Sunday, December 07, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 06:18 @kellyeastman et al on yoga clothes, our household tends toward @lululemon #
  • 06:32 doing a final round of surfing around before packing. #
  • 10:53 sitting in the airport waiting for our flight. So ready for Aruba. #
  • 10:54 @kellyeastman We haven't seen Enlighten Up but have heard about it. That's got Netflix queue written all over it. #
  • 10:54 @lbhuston Thanks - we are there for a week, sans kids (W00t!) Looking forward to dinner at Madame Jennette's. #
  • 10:55 @daveraffaele Ha! I love that video, but no. Firstly, I don't have that luxurious hair. #
  • 11:16 @kellyeastman I am a big Baron Baptiste fan, need to visit the Boston facility. I am going to try his cleanse diet thingy when I return. #
  • 19:09 In aruba. Wired connection. Going to try the wireless next. Bon bini! #
  • 19:18 Wireless connection = fail. Oh well. Off to dinner #
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Saturday, December 06, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 05:20 Granted: Plaxico=moran. But, are NYC's gun laws unconstitutional? WSJ opinion=Yes - bit.ly/B2cw #
  • 06:34 is T minus 35 hours from a slippery monkey - bit.ly/vERh #
  • 07:11 @smcbos - Your constitutional thoughts on this? bit.ly/B2cw #
  • 07:14 I have got to find a way to see Slumdog Millionaire. Every friend and review is glowing. bit.ly/11cE0 #
  • 07:16 $1 Gas next year - Gulf Oil Exec - I hope so - bit.ly/EIfN #
  • 07:17 has acheived Inbox Zero Zen. #
  • 07:19 would love to see all his Facebook friends start using Twitter - www.twitter.com - which will update FB status, but has so much more #
  • 10:47 have noticed how many people have started following me from #TCOT. #
  • 10:54 @daveraffaele Top Conservatives on Twitter - bit.ly/7Lw8 #
  • 12:35 Cruelest. Woman. Evar. - bit.ly/QPu2 - Where is the govt dept to take that dog from her for the good of the pup? #
  • 13:02 @eliasheldon that is crazy. I love it. Market forces working well. #
  • 13:14 @daveraffaele It looks like "Let's spend New Year's at the Olive Garden" #
  • 15:30 is very excited that Marriott Surf Club found yoga mats for L and I for our vacation free of charge! #
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Friday, December 05, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 13:38 @lbhuston Marriott Aruba doesn't have yoga mats for rent/at all. Looking for a Plan B. #
  • 13:40 @lbhuston The Tassimo brewer makes a killer hot cocoa. #
  • 13:46 This catfish tried to swallow a basketball, and this guy put his hand near its mouth! - bit.ly/IGpw #
  • 13:54 Kids are germ machines and Chuck E Cheese is a petri dish - YUCK! bit.ly/kbxW #
  • 14:00 You will never believe the end of this DIII basketball game - WOW! - bit.ly/4FWzwN #
  • 20:25 @carol_phillips congratulations on making this list Carol! #
  • 21:00 prepping for leaving the kids for a week. #
  • 05:20 Granted: Plaxico=moran. But, are NYC's gun laws unconstitutional? WSJ opinion=Yes - bit.ly/B2cw #
  • 06:34 is T minus 35 hours from a slippery monkey - bit.ly/vERh #
  • 07:11 @smcbos - Your constitutional thoughts on this? bit.ly/B2cw #
  • 07:14 I have got to find a way to see Slumdog Millionaire. Every friend and review is glowing. bit.ly/11cE0 #
  • 07:16 $1 Gas next year - Gulf Oil Exec - I hope so - bit.ly/EIfN #
  • 07:17 has acheived Inbox Zero Zen. #
  • 07:19 would love to see all his Facebook friends start using Twitter - www.twitter.com - which will update FB status, but has so much more #
  • 10:47 have noticed how many people have started following me from #TCOT. #
  • 10:54 @daveraffaele Top Conservatives on Twitter - bit.ly/7Lw8 #
  • 12:35 Cruelest. Woman. Evar. - bit.ly/QPu2 - Where is the govt dept to take that dog from her for the good of the pup? #
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Thursday, December 04, 2008

The Market will Fix This

This article on CNN, based on a government report is so exceedingly short-sited and under-thought that it pains me to have to point out the obvious.

First, the breathless first sentences of the article:

The cost of attending college has risen nearly three times the rate of the cost of living, and could eventually put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to a National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education report released Wednesday
There are lots of reasons for rising college costs. The biggest are:
  1. Over the last 20 years, demand is way up. Tons more people as a percentage of the population are attending college. [Source] Demand goes up with little change in supply, price goes up. Ecomomics 101
  2. This is due to lots of factors, one of the largest of which is taxpayer funding of college degrees. Student loans are the largest part of this.
  3. This growth will continue as politicians believe going to college is a "right for all Americans" and continue to subsidize
Three things will make this "issue" that they are so worried about in the article become a moot point.
  1. As demand subsides, so will price increases. Economics 101
  2. Online learning will become accepted, acceptable, respected and better. This will dramatically reduce issues with the cost to deploy learning and will be subject to the same supply/demand pressures in the market.
  3. More on this later, but America is going to start actually "making" things again. We can't/won't survive outsourcing the production of goods forever. Many of these jobs, which will be a fast growing sector, will not require a bachelor's degree in Philosophy
Of course, the agenda for those who produce and report this research is to get more government involvement and funding for college. As Milton Friedman pointed out time and again, this will only exacerbate the problem and hurt the people it is trying to help in the long run.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

I can't wait for my Slippery Monkey

When in Aruba, my wife L and I, along with our friends drink the famous drink of the Aruba Marriott properties - the Slippery Monkey. It is quite strong, filling and oh so yummy.

Courtesy of the Visit Aruba site, here is the recipe:

Slippery Monkey Ingredients:
1/2 oz Rum
1/2 oz Kahlua
1/2 oz Baileys Island Oasis banana frozen beverage mix (pasteurized banana mix)
Chocolate sirup
Banana Liquor
Ice
Dark Cocoa

Place the dark cocoa in bottom of glass (a chilled collins glass or stemmed goblet). Put all other ingredients in a blender and blend at medium-high speed for 15 seconds. Pour into a chilled collins glass or stemmed goblet and enjoy!

iPhone Barcode Scanners are the Future

Stores need to understand their policies on this new consumer-friendly technology quickly.

From ReadWriteWeb:

With the rise of app-laden smartphones like the iPhone and Google's Android OS, now on T-Mobile's G1, many penny-pinching shoppers have downloaded barcode scanning applications onto their mobile devices. These apps allow consumers to compare the prices of merchandise on a store's shelf to competing stores in the area just by taking pictures with their smartphone's camera. The prices are instantly retrieved and displayed on the mobile phone so consumers can know before they buy if they're getting a good deal.

Although consumers may be catching on to this barcode-scanning trend, some stores are still in the dark. For example, a Target store in Michigan recently requested a shopper to stop scanning merchandise, saying it went against store policy. The customer reported the event to the application's makers, Big in Japan, whose app Shop Savvy is a popular download for Android handsets.

I am not talking about stopping people from using the tech. Instead, embracing these folks - at least for now - for the pioneers they are and knowing how their store's reaction will dictate the brand experience. These are the same folks that will Twitter, blog and tell all their friends and network about whatever decision the floor employee makes.

What do you think of this technology and trend? Is it the future?

Venice Under Water - Surprise?

I am sad to see this happening to a beautiful city. Please don't tell me they didn't see this coming.

VENICE, Italy (AP) - Strong southern winds pushed the Adriatic Sea into Venice again Tuesday, submerging parts of the lagoon city a day after an unusually high tide caused the worst flooding in 20 years.

Tuesday's tidal surge peaked at 3 feet, 4 inches (102 centimeters), well below Monday's 5 foot, 1-inch level (156 centimeters), which marked the fourth highest tide in the city's recorded history and the worst since 1986.

Still, the water Tuesday was high enough to flood the city's landmark St. Mark's Square and other low-lying areas.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Tweets for Today

  • 18:16 Arguing with @eliasheldon about the rules for "That's what she said". #
  • 18:57 watching the President pardon the turkey(s) at the White House with my elder daughter- bit.ly/8MsX #
  • 19:00 irritated that I have to work on some stuff tonight, but hey - I put it off. Mad at myself, I guess. #
  • 20:52 just got my work stuff knocked out, going to have wine to drown out the lingering work thoughts in my head. #
  • 07:33 Getting settled in the office after starting the day with no electricity at home. #
  • 13:26 has 4.5 more work days until Aruba. #
  • 13:59 wonders: What caused the power outage in Chatham Borough? and, how farflung was it? Did it get you too? #
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