They call him Mr. Toilet.
And to attention to a serious world-wide problem, he developed this unique video and subsequent campaign that brings the issue of toilet sanitation to everyone. Whether you’re working class or high-end royalty, everyone should “get it”
I did not watch the State of the Union address the president delivered earlier this week, but did enjoy the well developed interactive version presented by the NY Times here. To the programming element, the scrolling transcript synched with the video by segments of the speak is very handy for those who want to get to the core of the speech and skip the applause breaks (read this as finger pointing partisanship).
It was long so I skipped around the military stuff and the tax stuff but paused on one of the shorter parts “Supporting Innovation”. The President begins this part with this:
“You see, an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work.” – POTUS Obama.
I can appreciate the president’s intentions here to support working women’s cause of equal pay, however I was taken aback specifically with the follow up paragraph encouraging support for women to have the opportunity to be the next Steve Jobs. This seems like a bad example of the ceiling you want women to aim for since Apple on has 1 Female board member (Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon) of 9. Google has 3 of 9 but none are executive officers. Microsoft has 2 of 9. But wait for it, the current “biggest thing” is Facebook, run by a young entrepreneur and there is not one female on the board.
While the government should “support” the cause of equal pay for equal work, the president and congress should point to companies and it’s leadership who actually practice this cause by diversifying its workforce from top to bottom and not point to Steve Jobs since everyone is still drinking his cool-aid.
It’s been the quite some time since I’ve posted and I’m ready to get back in gear. After taking time off (more than 18 months) from blogging and freelance design work to concentrate on my work as Communications co-Chair of the SC11 supercomputing conference, I’m rested and ready to go.
So, if you’re going to get in shape, do it with efficient style. Google developer, Chris Messina pointed his circle to other creative entries from the Seoul cycle design competition but this one is my favorite.
bike 2.0 design by : inoda sveje (coordination, concept, design), italy + IPU (technical advisors and feasibility catalysts), denmark
Its warm outside, finally and all I wanted to do was bake. Working on several design deadlines this week and baking tends to keep me focused on details not related to work.
So what else was there to do but wake up at 6am and make some roasemary potato bread with olive oil. Gluten free of course and my tummy thanked me while I finished up a lower third animation intro for Park East Entertainment.
Of course you can make this delicious bread without egg salad which to me, screams Spring!
Oh My Talented Siblings: for your listening – oh i don’t know – torment? Matthew Williams everyone!
(Below was a self introduction article I wrote about 4 years ago for my company’s internal newsletter. I had forgotten about it until cleaning up my machines/office for the new year. I was hired to replace an exiting webmaster who wasn’t really a designer so when asked to submit a write up, I just couldn’t resist poking fun at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center /PSC and its new hire)
So the source of all things modern, Wikipedia, says the term upgrade is most often used in computing, generally meaning a replacement of hardware or software with a newer one, in order to bring the system up to date.
Now sometimes a biological upgrade is necessary when an older model is being decommissioned. This seemed to be the case of the Critical Upgrade to PSC’s multi-media designer in August 2006 when the Cray XL-Sean was replaced with the Sun LP-Shandra.
During the first week at PSC the LP-Shandra was often referred to as the new XL-Sean due to the naming similarities.
While it can be difficult to recognize the performance difference between the models, it is important to point them out along with the new peripherals and features of the new designer.
For example, you may remember how quiet the XL-Sean ran while only noticing the changes to websites its output created. Well it is safe to say that the LP-Shandra does not run quietly nor does it stay in its designated storage facility. In fact the LP-Shandra is a mobile designer that roams around to gather feedback prior to creating any enhancement outputs. It is important to note that the LP-Shandra has also been known to interrupt other workers’ processes during its creative renderings.
Yes, the XL-Sean was much bigger but required more headroom than the LP-Shandra. And lets not forget the LP-Shandra (according to verbal feedback) has a much more user-friendly interface.
The LP-Shandra carries an enhanced graphics card that is represented in its colorful package. In addition, the styling is more curved and this model is more compact. The LP-Shandra can handle multiple processes at a time, however in the interest of full disclosure, the LP_Shandra does not process wedding or baby shower photos. (*We are working on this bug).
And Finally, we understand that these among all other new features can be hard to recall at times, therefore we refer all users to the Manual which states clearly:
“With your new designer, please note that all sales and upgrades are final.”
2010 was a very peculiar year. I often refer to it as the year of the ‘Vortex of Kharma’ in which the concept of “action” or “deed” is understood as that which causes the entire cycle of cause and effect.
So in a few tweets, facebook statuses, and my outside voice, I’ve had quite an experience of love, loss and renewal. Long lost Friends have come into my life and current friends have hung in there with me through tough times. Family has resurfaced and receded and it is my firm belief that I’m all the better for having experienced it. Without regret. Here is my summary of 2010:
a marathon countdown! I’m running a marathon relay for me, with me and in honor of me. let’s do it!
from day 35 counting down to race day, there was a series of steps that included training runs, cardio, settling my mind, ipod replacement, beats by dre, team joey bag-o-donuts.
my body of literary knowledge and linguistic skill is based on my ability to nap at any given moment…even while on the toilet
dear taxman, why don’t you go propagate self reflexively
Still looking to my left…that must be the way forward
It comes down to how you want to live, love and most importantly be loved…always. ALWAYS
was told to channel her ‘compulsive’ energies towards herself and sit with my own happiness…not bad for a monday
Most often its the little things, spoken as insignificant, that make you feel connected and thought about. Thank you Sophie.
a little off the wall…a little warhol…a little baseball…thats how i’m starting my weekend.
just realized that money and material goods don’t have arms
a divorce
nothing like a dog tongue facial first thing in the morning..thanks Chili Palmer! ugh.
Called her sister today to wish her a Happy Father’s day. it had to be done cause she’s done a great job on her own.
just realized that if you care 100% and only get 10% caring in return, you’re being shit on.
and in this place, my soul has mated
is such a Darling little Fireball
Touch it, Feel it!
was advised to look for grace within myself and that will help restrain using my inside voice on the outside. heh….[translation: you can think someone is an idiot, just don't say it out loud]
people die…thats why i’m living it up now.
if the horse you’ve been on has been dead for 10 years GET OFF and go find a new ride, then maybe you’ll get where you want to go.
Sometimes its not worth holding a mirror up to somone who is the duschiest duche in the world. nope…just not worth it.
there’s a little purple package in my back left pocket that feels so good to me!
Travel, travel everywhere…New Orleans, NYC, Seattle via O’ Hare
I’m happy again
See you all in 2011!
A compelling look at how the unemployment crisis doesn’t have to BE a crisis. The coverage of the diversity that the down economy has touched is underscored with the inclusion of a transgendered individual’s ability to be true to self.
Consider participating or consider creating your own non-economic crisis life change!
Actually typing out a search for “is there such a thing as too much exercise?” I came across some interesting information. From Answers.com: There are plenty of people who may be getting a little too much exercise. I don’t know who they are and why they would care but as I wondered “How do you know if you’re doing too much?” The simple answer is – If you’re feeling the pain, it’s time to do some analysis on your workout routine.
And we all know what will happen if we just stop exercising, right?
Well there is a better method.
May I suggest to you a Committee position for the SuperComputing conference held yearly and sponsored by IEEE and ACM? More specifically, you should run to your nearest ALL – ACCESS badged committee member (if you’re here at SC10 that is) and express serious enthusiasm for the Signage chair post. It requires hours of walking up to 15-25 miles per day, lifting and placing information indicators and best of all, 1/4 inch foam core paper cuts.
While I can’t be sure, I think the SC10 conference was voted in the top 50 places to work in the U.S. The benefits are great as they have the best fitness program around.
Just think! You could be missing the sights of Seattle, Salt Lake City or Denver during for the upcoming years of SC!
I JOKE.
I’ve enjoyed my time so far and am excited to report that I’ve lost a few lbs in my valiant attempt to direct 8000+ geeks to the restroom, snack/coffee stations and to the Keystone (in the AUDITORIUM for the ninth time!).
I’ve missed a couple of days of blogging so to sooth my many readers I have a few cute little anecdotes to share.Or as I like to call them, awards.
Best Request: can i get 18 signs scattered about that say “Restrooms”?
Best hand-made illegal sign: “this is not the information booth. that is next door, 7 feet away”
Best sign editing: “Exhiits Offcee” (supposed to be exhibits office)
Best use of language: can we get a lost & found sign that says “did you lose your shit?”
Best blunder by the Signage chair: ME – hey Matt, I locked myself out of the signage office. Matt – whats the room number? ME – oh. the sign with the room number is inside.
Well….I may be exhausted and still have 3 days to go but at least I’m thinner.
It seems that if a human being could be transformed into a mellon or a banana, it would be entirely possible in new orleans to a celiac. Since 80% of our bodies are made up of a molecule which contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds, which is roughly the same as an orange or a mellon, a morphism can indeed occur.
Of course, it should be obvious that i’ve been hanging out with geeks all day or as I like to call them,”googleLive” (TM).
Why all the transformation talk? Well as a Celiac spending 10 days in the roux capital of the world, when you ask for a gluten free meal, its usually going to be a fruit plate. (usually = 99.8% of the time)
I’m on day 2 and I can honestly say that I’ve had my weekly recommendation of servings of fruit. Dole (the company not the Bob) should give me stock trade-ins on what i’ve consumed. So tonight, my good friend Regis suggested a nice little local establishment (Sun Ray Grill) for dinner. My capacity for asking yet again, “does <blank> have flour/wheat/gluten in it?” was already spent so I had a naked burger. It was the best burger I have ever had in my entire LIFE!
really? well no, but damn, it wasn’t fruit.
My feet feel better today and I in case anyone cares, i haven’t had 1 glass of water but didn’t need to cause my bladder has been fully operational on what i’m calling the “Aquaman for Celiacs” diet.
pics i didn’t get to post yesterday are below.
