Kickin' Cancer 5K

We ran another 5K today! It was terribly crowded and poorly organized. However, even running uphill both ways, and being trapped at the start behind an army of walkers with strollers didn't stop us from matching our pace from our first race. Here's the RunKeeper Data..don't spend it all in one place.

Last night's run

Did a little running on my own today.

I went for a run today before Carrie got home, only to discover that I indeed prefer running with a partner. The part of running with a partner that I really like is the not stopping part.

Did a little running the other day....

Hawaii - AKA Happy Birthday, Carrie!

July 22, 2009

Happy Birthday Carrie!
The love of my life is starting the day right.

Gate 52A

No traffic on the 405 put us at the gate almost 2 hours early. But in
a few hours we'll be on Waikiki beach sipping orange julius',
celebrating Carrie's birthday.... for a whole week!

The Future of Communication is almost here

I let the following hour and a half long presentation run on my laptop next to me today, while working from home. Hardly ten minutes went by where I didn't find myself stopping and rewinding it to be sure that what I had just heard was actually happening.
This is the tool we've been waiting for. This will create the kind of collaboration that will change the world.
The Tower of Babel Google is almost here, and I can't wait to see it in the hands of the people.

Streamlining the Media Server

Last night I found a delightful link to
http://www.playonplugins.com

Now, with this and the latest version of handbrake, our software requirements are shrinking.
Quick explanation:
1) Handbrake 0.9.3 rips DVDs/and local video file eliminating need for TVersity.
• by converting local files when neccessary it provides for smoother wireless N streaming to PS3
2) Playon Plugins now provide constant monitoring of local folder, so its unnecessary to add files to library, plus directory and subdirectory organization makes library managable.

Making it easier to sit on the couch.

With the current state of the economy, now seemed as good a time as any to engage some projects outside of work. The next couple of posts will give some vague glimpses of those projects.

THE HOME MEDIA SERVER

There has been much dissatisfaction with our media library being spread across the seven seas, so it was decided that a centralized, "always on", home media server would serve us best.

The 3 goals of our home media server are:

1. centralize media (all music, video, internet streams flow through 1 hub)
2. provide access to entire music collection to any location with internet access
3. stream digital media (local and internet based) to PS3, for viewing on TV (eg., not computer monitor)

After several trips to Fry's, a couple to Best Buy and stop or 2 to the Apple store, we have a home media server situation that (for now) meets our needs.

The home network complexity is not only in its end nodes but also within its connectivity.

There are four types of connections within our home network:

1. ethernet
2. ethernet over power
3. WiFi 802.11g
4. WiFi 802.11n (run as a seperate network from the 'g' network to insure bandwidth)

The end nodes on our network are just as complex:

2 desktops (1 Windows XP, 1 PowerMAC [Leopard])
2 laptops (Leopard)
1 "desk lamp" iMac (Tiger)
1 "clam shell" iBook (converted into picture frame) (Tiger)
1 Wii
2 iPhones
1 PS3

I will attempt to chronicle which machine has what software and what need that software fulfills.

1) Windows desktop specifications:

• Windows XP
• 2Gb of Memory
• Pentium 4 "hyperthreading" 2.6GHZ processor
• 40 GB internal drive (that needs to cleaned have everything re-installed)
• 300 Gb external firewire/USB 2.0 drive (for all 'local' media)

[feel free to request any additional hardware specifications in comments]

Software (the relevant stuff anyway):

Windows software:

• Media Mall's PlayOn Server : streams internet content including Hulu, Youtube, Revision3, and theoretically Amazon VOD & Netflix (although I don't use Amazon and the quality of Netflix streams are so poor I don't watch it

• TVersity: streams all local video media (Standard Definition DVDs that I own, and have ripped with Handbrake)

• iTunes: functions as central database for all music and iTunes purchased content for its distribution to iPods, iPhones, Laptops, iMac, etc., while those devices are connected to home LAN.

• Simplify: streams music to iPhones, and Laptops while off-site

Macintosh software:
*preemptive disclaimer: while Handbrake runs on Windows, our Macintosh functions as our primary desktop and has more processing power. Therefore, until our library is completely digitized this workflow is what works for us.

• Handbrake: for ripping the Standard Definition DVDs in our personal library.

• Quicktime Pro: for converting iTunes University content to stream to PS3 (technically, TVersity could do this, but I find it more reliable and smoother to perform the conversion to PS3 friendly settings beforehand).

*upgrading to the latest version of Handbrake today may render Quicktime Pro obsolete (for these purposes)


Hopefully this will be an ongoing update of project so for now I will take a break, and spend some quality time on the couch with my wife enjoying the fruits of our labor.
Again, feel free to leave any question in comments,
Ciao!

Lunch.

Lunch was unusually green today, but still delicious.
Thanks to my lovely wife for making sure that I eat well.

Now that's a Friday afternoon.

Anthony and I played Encino today. Good times.

And now a word from our sponsors

I'd like to take a brief moment to talk to you about some of the projects that my friends are working on, and encourage you to visit their websites, so that you can participate too.
But, I don't have the time to talk right now so here are some links instead.
Now click away and show some synergy love.

Carrie's walking Blog
http://walkthetalk09.blogspot.com/
Keith's Podcast
http://web.me.com/keiferedits/keiferspod/ontheweb/Entries/2009/2/4_2.04.09_Bonus.html
Harold's latest Project
http://sunnyboycreative.blogspot.com/2009/01/we-shot-skate-or-die-this-weekend.html

Enjoy!

Suck It Toyota

Success!
After burning two more coasters, finally success!
I went back and very, very, very carefully read the forum that I linked to earlier... and found this little detailed nugget of info....

While several members of the Forum deserve credit.... I would be really like to thank
the Toyotanation.com members : pillpusher84, black88mx6, SonarTech, and last but not least outgoingbot3, for writing the following, easy to follow, very specific instructions (personally I enjoyed the open window part)

Creating the hybrid DVD,

1. Create a folder on you Desktop named camry_dvd
2. Put the Original Navigation 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 DVD into the DVD Burner (yes, burner)
3.Open My computer, then double click on the DVD Drive that has the Original Disk in it.

4. in the main/root folder of the original dvd goto Edit and select “select all” then in the same menu press copy.

5. Open the Folder on the Desktop called camry_dvd
6. Goto Edit and select paste (this will take a while, 10-40 mins, maybe more)
7.Once completed, delete the file in the camry_dvd folder named LOADING.KWI
8. Navigate to where the 5.1 LOADING.KWI file was downloaded.
9. Right click on the LOADING.KWI file and select Copy.
10. Open the camry_dvd folder and goto Edit and select Paste


Next we build the ISO using ImgBurn 2.4.1.0 (ISO = disk image file),

1. Open ImgBurn after it is installed.
2. From Mode menu, select Build.
3. In the Source panel, click the Browse for a Folder icon. Right side, graphic button looks like a folder and a magnifying glass. A Browse for Folder dialog box appears.

4. Navigate to the desktop, click once on the folder named camry_dvd, then Click OK.
5. In the Destination panel, click the Browse for a file icon. The Save As dialog box appears. Click the Desktop button then enter camry_iso for the name.

6. Click Save.

7. We are about to create an 8 Gig file, make sure to have room. Close all programs that aren’t needed. This could take an hour. Once we start don’t touch your computer even if it looks crashed. Just wait.

8. Click the Icon below the destination field that looks like a “folder, arrow, and DVD on paper”
9. If you get a popup about root folder Choose YES
10. If you get a second popup about the dvd name Choose YES
11. If you get a third popup about files Choose OK
12. Once finished you will have an file named camry_iso.ISO and another name camry_iso.MDS.
|
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Next, We will burn the ISO to a Memorex DVD+R DL DVD,

1. From ImgBurn, select the Mode menu, and then select Write.
2. In the Source panel, click the Browse for a File icon. A Browse for File dialog box appears.

3. Navigate to the Desktop, Click on camry_iso.MDS
4. Click Open.
5. Don’t change any settings
6. Put your Memorex DVD+R DL DVD into your burner
7. Click the Write icon. (looks like a “folder, arrow, and DVD on)

Congratulations –
you should have your hybrid DVD.
|
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Finally, we install the firmware,

1.Put the key in the car and turn to ON (we never start the engine for the entire Install)
2.Eject the Map DVD if any.
3.Insert the Newly burned Memorex DVD+R DL DVD
4.Close the Navigation Screen back to its normal position
5.Roll Down the Driver side window
6.take the key out of the ignition, then slide it back into the ignition BUT DO NOT TURN IT!
7.Pop the hood of the car.
8.Disconnect the Negative/Black Terminal. DO NOT TOUCH THE POSITIVE/RED TERMINAL!
9.Wait 5 Minutes
10.Reconnect the Negative Terminal.
11.Close the Hood
12.Get in the Car and turn the Key To ON.
13.DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR!
14.Wait 5 minutes the screen may say “no dvd found” but give it time.
15.It will load up the GPS map if all was done correctly.

It works!
yay!
Success!

Nooooooo!!!!

Stoopid navigation system@&$(:"!!!
Now I'm out of dual layer DVD+R(s).
Staples tomorrow. Then try again... Will update upon success.

2007 Camry Navigation Mod

In 2007 we bought a new Toyota Camry Hybrid, with the navigation system. It has been a really great car. Truly, I love driving it. It is by far the nicest car I've ever owned. As far as I'm concerned it has only one real flaw, the navigation system.
Don't get me wrong, I love the maps, the built in blue tooth, the space age CD/DVD map loading...love it. With one exception, the motion detection. That's where once the car starts moving, you can't access any of the controls, except through the crappy, limited "Voice Command" craptacular system. Its craptacularness is best explained by trying to get directions.
When in motion to enter an address you just recieved while on the speaker phone your options are to either pull over and enter them (if you can remember them), or try to "talk" to your car. On the surface this may sound cool, but sadly my 07 Camry is no Knight Industries Two Twousand. I have to press a button on the steering wheel, wait for the instructions of "After the beep please say the name of the State....(beep)" California. press button. "After the beep please say the name of the city...(beep)" Los Angeles. press button. "After the beep please...." You get the idea. It's annoying (and the street name are all but impossible to understand)

The solution is where it gets interesting.

The earlier versions of the navigation software would let you override these commands with a video game like sequence that you pressed on the touch screen.

1) go to Volume menu
2) repeatly press the upper left, and lower left portions of the screen
3) wait for beep
4) have override control

The software (housed on the DVD map) underwent a revision just before I got the Camry (from Version 5.1 to 6.1). The new version no longer includes the override functions.
*&@^(*&!!!!

*note to people who would say
"good, you should be playing with your navigation unit while you're driving anyway!"
I agree, however, the Camry seats 4 people, including a passenger in the front within easy reach of the touch screen (usually, my lovely and patient wife). I think she should be allowed to control the map while I'm driving!

Ever determined to solve this problem I turned to the internet. Through exhausting internet searches, I have found and pieced together different sets of instructions and files for how to make a converted map dvd that will include the older version 5.1 "hacked file", with the rest of the 6.1 revision awesomeness. You'd think the internet would have provided easy instructions.... they did for the most part, but come on, if it were truly easy, everyone would do it.....I trust not many have.

These are some of the obstacles I faced.
First, the DVD map is a dual layer disc, so in order to make a new disc I needed a dual layer dvd burner. I have one, only its in my G5 mac tower. Then, the software I have to author and burn a disc is Windows XP only (Alcohol 120%.... great software... for Windows!). But the great new intel Macs let me run windows, dont they? So okay, fine...here it goes the list of steps on my Mac.

1) install Bootcamp
2) realize my copy of XP isn't SP2 (neccessary to install bootcamp)
3) call brother because I remember him saying he had it (luckily he had just made an ISO for his own restore needs)
4) allocate space on webserver for him to upload
5) he uploads
6) I download
7) start over.... install Bootcamp/Windows XP
8) install Alcohol 120%
9) update Alocohol to include "write wizard"
10) rip map DVD... Fail because image is too large to store on FAT32 formated volumes (they are FAT32 so that OSX can read and write to them)
11) find old 3rd gen ipod with dead battery that only works as hard drive.
12) format ipod
13) search internet for reason why I can't format ipod as NTFS
14) try Windows Computer Management/ Disk Manager thingy
15) give up for the night/sleep
16) remember that in the policies button must be checked for "disc performance" not "removal"
17) format ipod (NTFS)
18) rip Map DVD
19) download "loading.kwi" (if you are looking... try here)
20) use alcohol 120 "write wizard" to author new disc
21) write 7.34Gb MDS(ISO) to newly formatted ipod
22) start to burn disc
23) go to bed before wife gets "really mad"

potential steps (check tomorrow to see if it worked)
24) wake up
25) go to work
26) come home from work
27) fetch burned disc (fingers have been crossed the whole time)
28) insert disc in "spaceage CD/DVD changer"
29) open trunk
30) remove plastic cover on right side of trunk (embarassing that until a month ago I didn't know that's where the battery was...ITS A HYBRID!!!!)
31) disconnect battery for 10 minutes to reset firmware system
32) reconnect battery terminal
33) start car
34) pray.

update coming tomorrow (fingers crossed)

Fun with Light Trails

I went to the bridge at Barham over the 101 Freeway tonight to try to take some long exposure photos.
This one is looking into the valley.




This one is looking back towards Hollywood.


Another looking towards Hollywood.


A happy accident, but sometimes those are the most fun.


After coming back from location, and viewing them on a larger monitor, yeah, I'm going to need to work on my focus issues.
But, I had fun nonetheless.

16 Steps to building Digital Photo Frame

Awhile ago I decided to build one of those fancy "Digital Photo Frames" out of an old laptop.

Carrie let me buy a power cord for the old iBook, and off I went.

Step 1:

• Make mess while having too much fun taking apart old laptop.

Check.

Step 2:

• Mount remnants of LCD onto cheap picture frame from Target. (continue making mess)

Check.

Step 3 & 4:

• Build "deep" frame out of expensive wood from craft store.
• Add wooden brace as "non electricity conducting motherboard standoff".

Check, Check.

Step 5 & 6:

• Mount motherboard,(stripped of keyboard, optical drive, and anything else that will come off) hard drive, and power switch into unpainted "deep" frame.
• Continue mess making.

Check, Check.

Steps 7, 8, 9, & 10

• Take everything apart.
• Paint wood this time (try not get paint on balcony for fear of never hearing the end of it from wife)
• Reassemble (getting wet paint all over fingers)
• Install Mac OS X, iPhoto

Check, Check, Check, Check.

Steps 12, 13, 14, & 15

• Make more mess.
• Stand back, admire work.
• Grunt like "Tim the 'Tool Man' Taylor".
• Blog about experience well over a year after finished.

Check, Check, Check, Check.

Step 16

• Clean up mess

(in Progress)


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Cheers to Pibb!

One on the floor for your hommies. This one goes out to you john
Antonino. My life is better for knowing people as good as you. Quote
for the evening... "I don't smell like semen".

True American Bad Asses

While having lunch today the firemen sitting next to us got a call.
You don't see them in this picture because in the time it took me to
pull out my phone to take a picture, all four of them jumped up, put
on their "fire" clothes and took off. Bam! That fast, gone.
Damn.
Thanks Mr. Firemen, you are all bad asses.

Rock Band

'nuf said.

There is funny, and then there is funny

Hot Fuzz has officially landed in my top ten favorite movies. Funny.
Seriously funny. It's now up there with both "Point Break", and "Bad
Boys".

Glad you could spare a little.

Change.

Did you?

There is a first time for everything

Standing in line to vote. Never done that before.
This is just awesome. Except for the loud, obnoxious white trash lady in
front of me. Oh well, I guess sometimes democracy can be a bitch,
literally.

Working hard

I'd rather be hardly working.

Lazy Sunday

Good day in PJ's

Boo!

Carrie is a bitchin pumpkin carver.

The daily pint

They stock a healthy variety of bottle conditioned beer. It's like my
own little piece of Belgium in Santa Monica.

In case you were wondering

This is why I'm in Memphis. Congrats Andrea and Victor!

How much

How much time can one couple spend on planes in 3 days?!
This lovely photo, is arrival at Memphis International. (I think they
get to claim that it's an international airport because we came hear,
and we're international travelers)

Just when you thought it was over.

Travel day!
We're on the way to Memphis, TN!
Andrea & Victor are getting married so we thought we'd come, not just
across the country but across the globe, to celebrate with them!

USA

Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, blah blah
blah. It's good to home.

That's a California sunset

That is the real deal.

Travel day update

Sometimes it's really hard to sleep when jerkwads all around you are
all making a crap ton of noise!!!!

Greenland

Get a look a Greenland, before it's gone from global warming.

GB, GB

GoodBye Great Britin

Travel day

Virgin Atlantic is pretty great. Sure a seat on a plane for 11 eleven
hours. Is a seat on a plane for ELEVEN HOURS, but they do their best
to make it a little bit more pleasent.

Travel day

On the Tube to the airport.

Do you know what that makes today?
Yep, TRAVEL DAY!

Really?

You thought we were getting on a plane today, didn't you? You're
wondering why I'm doing laundry aren't you?

I'm completely out of clothes, and didn't want to be "stinky guy" on
the plane.

Maybe one more tourist stop, then back to the market crisis, election
circus, USA!

Just in case

Least you forget how much bigger the British library is than the local
library (they've got a couple of years head start on their
collection). Here's a scale model. Underground they have 4 floors of
wall to wall books. I think Carrie might want to be buried here.

Laying down the law

We're in London for one night only, and since the library is free, and
Carrie loves books we thought we'd limp over there (Carrie's knee and
my back). They have on display, among other things, originals of
Beowolf, Shakespeare, DaVinci, and 2 of the known 4 copies of the
Magna Carta. They are in a special low light room, behind a crap ton
of bullet proof glass, surrounded by signs prohibiting eating, using
the phone, and taking pictures.
The Magna Carta, just in case you forgot, basically established that
the king was not "above the law". I however, am.
You can feel free to thank me personally for the picture.

Guess what today is?

Travel day! We woke up in Rome. We're going to sleep in London.
Tomorrow, will be more of the same so except long entries about how
bored we are, how excited we are to headed back etc. Until then...more
planes, trains, and automobiles!