24Aug/100
Art space for kiddo
As a kid I loved coloring, painting, and drawing. I'd spend the afternoon at my desk or at the kitchen table doodling. I'd ask for pens at restaurants and draw on the backs of the paper placemats. I'm not alone. After seeing how much the kiddo gravitates towards creating things, I decided to set up a designated space for her in the house. I got tired of always having to clear the dining table just to eat a meal and finding crayons in everyone's bed, even Riley's.
Fortunately, we have a corner of our partially unfinished basement that is a perfect space for art. It has concrete floors, so I don't care if paint or whtever lands on it permenently. It's right next to the family room and play area, so I can keep an eye on her if I decide not to join in. And if things get too messy, the laundry room with utility sink is just right next door. With a bit of scrounging and Mike's help, I put all the pieces together last night. The kiddo hasn't seen it yet, but if she doesn't like it, I'll just use the space myself!
Update: I posted a few more pics online.
20Aug/101
Old-school popcorn
I haven't had a microwave for the last 10 years. Yes, I've been ridiculed, but every time someone first learns this little fact of mine, I inevitably wait for the question "How do you live without a microwave?" I'll admit, not having one has a few inconveniences. Reheating food takes a little longer than the kiddo wants to wait. And until recently, I bought bagged popcorn. As a kid, I loved popcorn, and my parents and I would pop bowl after bowl of it as our evening snacks. Once I got out of college, for some reason, I hated the smell you inevitably get at 3:00 in the afternoon in cube-land, the smell of almost-burnt microwaved popcorn. Blegh. No thanks.
Once the kiddo discovered popcorn, it was as though she couldn't get enough of that stuff. Rather than going out and buying a microwave, I walked over to the chip aisle at the grocery store to grab a bag. What? $3 for this not-so-big bag of kettle popcorn? Must be one hell of a kettle. Oh well, it's the price I pay for convenience...that and trying to keep the tantrums to a minimum.
Finally it dawns on me that people ate popcorn before we had microwaves. Even before they invented home appliances whose sole function is popping popcorn. Thank god for Google. I had a plethora of stove-popped popcorn recipes in less than a second. The one I picked claimed not only would I have unburnt kernels, but also that almost every kernel would be popped. Challenge accepted.
The next challenge was to actually find kernels not meant for the microwave. It took me awhile, since the popcorn section is dominated by the microwavable kind. Thankfully, my neighborhood grocer, sells popcorn kernels in the bulk foods section, so I can just buy a small amount to test out the recipe.
I finally tried out the recipe and in just a couple of minutes, I had yummy, warm popcorn! And only ONE unpopped kernel. I'm sold. Now, if I can just figure out a way to defrost the chicken faster...
9Aug/101
If you’re happy and you know it shout hurray
Hurray!
This is right behind my house, and I can't wait. Stumptown coffee and kettlemans bagels are the best way to start the day. I may never have to leave my neighborhood. If only Hot Lips were still here...
18Jul/10Off
Your Software WishList
7.20 update: I had comments turned off, but that should be fixed now. Sorry about that!
I'm a budding entrepreneuer and a freelance web developer. I've developed software for startups, mostly on web and mobile applications (even before iPhones even existed!), and I've always enjoyed the innovation and creativity that can occur at <startups>. While web and mobile technology seems to be moving at a blazing pace, I still hear people say how they can't find software that fits a certain need of theirs. Sure, diminutive-creature-throwing Facebook apps and World of Warcraft-like games are fun, but it doesn't help people with their work needs or day-to-day tasks. That's where I want to help. I have general, abstract ideas of how I can provide software to help people in their jobs and lives, but nothing specific, nothing concrete. In the past, I have failed to note these ideas and kicked myself for not remembering them, but now here is our chance! If you could develop software (be it skill, time, desire, whatever) and create an app to make an aspect of your life easier, what would it be? Tell me in the comments below.
25Apr/10Off
Tree?
I saw this at Portland Nursery last week. Anyone know what kind of tree this is? I neglected to look at the tag...
18Mar/10Off
I’ve moved from building software to building toys
One of the kiddo's favorite things to play is pretend cook. She uses the cookware set she got for Christmas and constantly stirs and pours before having one of us (usually me) taste her imaginary concoction. I wanted to get a play kitchen but ll the ones I found were too big, too expensive, or too "cutesy.". Having read enough blogs of people making their own, I thought this would be simple enough. It proved to take much more time than I thought it would, but maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist. I had grand plans to make a backsplash and wall shelf, but that will now be phase 2. After all, I did want to have something done before she goes off to college.
8Mar/10Off
Found: bar stools!
Aaah, we can finally sit comfortably at our breakfast bar without feeling like little kids at the big people's table. Now I can enjoy my cup of coffee while watching Mike cook breakfast!
