A Birthday, A Wreath, A Movie, Couple Of Dogs, A Meal, A Sunset And A Coffee

Went to visit the Tapias today for Sylvia’s Xty Xth birthday. She was busy creating a couple of amazing wreaths made out of dyed corn husks while we watched her favorite Christmas movie, “Elf.” I watched the movie while petting both Lilo and Stitch’s tummies. Never was reciprocated. After a delicious home-made meal and the movie, we left during a beautiful sunset to get some holiday drinks from a nearby Starbucks. And we saw a blimp fly overhead that was lit completely lit from the inside. Those pictures didn’t turn out.

Scanning For CATs

Took my mom for an abdominal CAT scan today. Her having to drink the large bottle of barium sulfate and then waiting an hour took longer than the actual ten minute procedure. Glad I took my copy, my signed copy, of “Wyatt Earp In San Diego: Life After Tombstone” to read. Everyone at the hospital was really friendly with my mom and made her feel comfortable.

Canyon Be Gone

One of the perks of living on the crest of a canyon is that on foggy days everything passed your backyard disappears.

Viewed More Than Half A Million Times

Missed checking the stats for my Flickr Photostream this week to see that my total overall views had reached over 500,000. (With a winking “neener neener” to my dear friend, Lisa.)

Time Lapse Views Of Earth

Amazingly cool time-lapse video compilation of Earth taken from the International Space Station. But I would recommend watching it with the sound turned way down or even off. The accompanying soundtrack is extremely annoying.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

A New Viewer High

Not sure why, but I had a sudden, one-day minor surge in viewership today. The 130 views, doubling my last highest viewing day, was spread out through several pages, not because of any single post. I’m amused that people found my postings to be have-a-look-worthy, even if just for one day, and am especially grateful that it was a nice, even number. (Lobby, lobby, lobby…)

 

Google Music For Everyone

I’ve been beta testing Google Music for a little over a month and found it to be pretty good, although I still listen to most of my music through iTunes. Today Google had its public launch of its music purchase, storage and streaming service to compete with both Apple and Amazon. It has some very cool features such as being able to share purchases with circled friends on Google+ with free one-time listens (I immediately purchased “Get Happy” by Candye Kane for 99 cents and shared it on my Google+ page) as well as being able to access your entire library from any computer or Android device. The bad news is any music someone already owns must be uploaded to Google Music’s servers, which if someone has a large library can literally take days. New purchases through the Android Store are automatically added to your online library. Apple iTunes Match works much cleaner with songs in your library simply needing to match existing files already on their servers. Unmatched songs would need to be uploaded. But while Apple charges $25 per year to store and access 25,000 of your songs, Google offers 20,000 songs worth of storage and access for free. Also, every song on Google Music is at an amazing 320 Kbps for the same prices as Apple’s slightly less quality 256 Kbps songs. Where Google is going to knock everybody else out though will be with its Indy Artist Hub. Independent artists will now be able to upload their songs and albums and sell them directly from within Google Music, completely circumventing greedy music industry representatives, and be able to set their own prices and keep 70% of the profits. I immediately shot an email off to my musician brother to let him know. Google Music is going to be what Apple failed with Ping and what the Zune Marketplace never really got.

Defeating SOPA Priority

The Internet was burning from rage today with American Censorship Day in reference to the U.S. Congress’ meeting on SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and the Protect IP Act. Amazing how the movie and recording industries don’t seem to learn from their ongoing mistakes and antiquated ways of thinking. They just don’t understand how OUR Internet really works. For the possibility of ANY site to be taken down without due process at the whim of these industry conglomerates is reprehensible and downright un-American. I hate politics but I contacted my representatives asking them to reject these bills.

A terrific post about this mess can be found here: http://gigaom.com/2011/11/16/the-internet-isnt-just-pipes-its-a-belief-system/

To The Doctor!

Took my mom for a doctor’s appointment to investigate some discomfort she’s been having lately. He didn’t completely rule out gas.

Birthday Lunch, Tapia Style

Had lunch with the Tapias at Pei Wei Asian Diner in Mission Valley today to celebrate Rodrigo’s birthday. Like my previous visit I had the Caramel Chicken which was a bit spicier than last time, but so delicious nonetheless. After lunch we walked two eateries down to the Corner Bakery Café to pick up some fresh cookies for dessert. (Tapia pictures not taken at the ongoing behest of those involved.)

Tasty Start To My Day

Best way to begin your day is to have a delicious, home-made breakfast with some friends.

Combo And The Final Potter

Picked up some great Mexican food from Colimas in Chula Vista and then watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two at the Tapias’ house to finish off the wizarding series. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Thought they did a fantastic job and I’m very sorry there will be no more installments.

Dana Has A Point

Traveled up to Dana Point with the Tapias to get some burgers and amazingly tasty fried zucchini from A’s Burgers. After lunch we walked along the beach watching surfers handle massive two-foot breakers. Drove back on the 101 so we could enjoy the small towns lining the coast.

( a d v e n t u r e   p i c s )

Google+ Branding

Created a Google+ Brand Page for my website for when I become rich and famous and have groupies and fan clubs and stalkers. Female ones, hopefully this time.

The Kittens Are Now Cats

Went over to my older brother’s house with my mom for a quick dinner with just the three of us and then stayed for a bit afterwards to play with his ever-growing kittens/cats. Those felines went from sleeping to stretching to pouncing, jumping and scurrying in about a minute.

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