I’m sure there are a ton of great sites out there. However, if you have time to just surf and don’t really want to “think”, then the best tool out there is StumbleUpon. You may or may not have heard about this really cool technology. If you haven’t go get it, NOW.

What does it do? If you’ve not heard about StumbleUpon, then here’s what it does. Once you’ve setup a profile and selected general categories of things you like or are interested your set. Next, install the Firefox extension, where it’ll add a set of tools in the bar above the tabs area. I believe they also have an IE installer for those still using that browser.

Once everything is installed, it’s as simple as clicking a button. It’ll automatically jump to a given site that fits the interest level from your profile.

Why is it cool? Well, simply speaking, it’s a great way to find new sites to check out. If you happen upon a site you really like, there’s a “I like it” button as well. This triggers a flag on your profile and others who like similar categories will find the site next time they’ve “stumbled” through their list. So, you help others and they help you. It’s really a cool win-win.

Posted: March 30th, 2008 under Software, Technology.
Comments: none

Wordpress is probably one of the best Blogging tools available. There are several other software tools available to be sure, but Wordpress has always made very fast, efficient and elegant software for blogging, that in my opinion, it’s one of the best.

So, big upgrade? Well, I’ve been running a 2.x variant for some time. I’m not a full time blogger as I still just do it for personal reasons and for the “old fashion” reason some started theirs back when. As a personal journal. That’s it.

While I do have some people stop by every once in a while, it’s mostly friends and family members. I’m also sure that if someone is looking for me, they’ll do a Google search. My intent was for anyone interested to find this blog. That way, a) you could contact me if you’re an old friend, b) just looking to learn more about me and/or c) just looking to see who else has this name or uses the name Shane.

There’s really nothing complicated here.

Oh… back to the upgrade. Well, I jumped right into the newest Wordpress 2.5. The upgrade was, well, uneventful as upgrades go. This is my first post under the 2.5 admin tool set.

Posted: March 30th, 2008 under Blogging, Technology.
Comments: none

Recently, my great uncle, Adolph, passed away. He had lived a full life and was well respected. He was a stand-in grand father on many occasions. Since I am originally from South Texas and now living in the Northern Colorado area, as well as recently in-between jobs, timing is a bit tough to get down there for the memorial.

To add to the situation, he wanted to be cremated and have a simple memorial. So, instead of killing myself to get down there and beings that I come from a long line of “frugal” Germans, they simply asked that we all write some words about Adolph. Below is what was read at the memorial. Various family members had an opportunity to write some kind words and I heard it was a great service.

… I remember the most, about my Uncle Adolph

I may be 1,000 miles away, in my 40’s, busy with life, have kids of my own, but I often have reflected over the years about the times I spent with my Uncle Adolph.

- Fingers on ribs, counting until I laughed…
- Bouncing down dusty dirt country roads in an old green pickup truck…
- Long cane poles sticking in dirt with line draped in an arch hooked to a red & white float lazily drifting around in circles…
- Squishy, smelly mud oozing between toes after a good swim in a stock tank..
- Lots of minnows swimming in a large barrel just off the back porch…

These are the things I remember the most….

- Chickens and roosters, gathering eggs from nests, chasing lambs & goats, petting the Guernsey cow and drinking the freshest milk…
- Sweet corn, fresh okra, juicy watermelon, crisp cucumbers….
- Drinking sweet red wine, even though I wasn’t 21…
- Soft hair being snipped with scissors and the buzzing sound of electric clippers…
- Smells of oils and after shave, old spice, I think…
- Slapping of cards and clinking of dominoes and words like shooting, moon and canasta…

No judgment, no respecter of persons, treating everyone the same, giving, fun, big kid himself, story teller, full of life, patience, laughter and easy to be around…

These are the things I remember the most about my Great Uncle Adolph!

In recent days on our own little suburban plot of land, we’ve attempted to grow cucumbers and melons, gotten a few and even had some pumpkins that were worth keeping and carving. I easily reflect and remember back to those days when I was a kid gathering fresh stuff from the garden, collecting eggs and being tickled as a youngster. Seeing a big smile and always with the story and a sly grin… pulling my leg I think.

I only hope that he knew what an impact he had on those around him…

Son & Nephew first…
Now, Husband, father and uncle myself
I’ll miss you, Uncle Adolph, but I have such great, fond memories….

Love Shane

Posted: March 14th, 2008 under Personal.
Comments: none

This past weekend was to be a “belated” Christmas gift to the Cooper family. We’d held off on a few things this past Christmas. Not that we have big gift giving extravagant events, but we kept it “simple” this year. However, since we all love music, especially concert going, we thought we’d kick the winter blues by seeing Linkin Park, again. We’ve seen them in concert before and they put on one amazing show connecting with the fans and really putting it all out there.

So, back when the tour announcements were made back circa Nov/Dec of 07, Jodi was on her laptop hitting buy the moment the tickets went on sale. Rather than get just …any… seats, she decided to get the “Hot Seat” package which included exclusive front row seating, hospitality room and special LP gift, it was suppose to be special so we could enjoy ourselves AND be right there near the action.

Friday, Feb 29th, leap day and we’ll just pretend really never happened, we took off for Albuquerque New Mexico to attend the concert. Road trip!!! 7 hours later, we pulled into our hotel, had dinner and got some rest. The plan was to hang out most of Saturday before picking up the tickets at will call later. Our first order of business was shopping at Trader Joes! Closest one to Denver. We then took a side trip to Petroglyph National Monument to check out the trails and Indian drawings. Then down to Old Town for a light lunch made up of Mexican food and cervesa. Nice easy going morning.

The afternoon went down hill from there. Back at the room, Jodi just happened to stop by on the Linkin Park web site to check out some music videos and see about the venue we were heading to later. Low and behold, only to discover that LP had canceled. Not only was Albuquerque canceled, but they had to cancel El Paso as well. Chester Benefield, the lead singer was sick and couldn’t perform. Bummer.

Jodi and Dylan were extremely bummed out about this situation. Of course, now we had the prospect of heading home and not getting to see the show. We quickly packed our stuff, checked out of the hotel and started our road trip home. Needless to say, it was 7 hours of solid gloom in the car. I don’t think we even turned the radio on once. No music. Although, on the bright side, it was a really great drive. New Mexico desert is beautiful at sundown and the vista’s we took in were spectacular.

I guess the moral has two points of view. One, performers are just people and subject to illness like everyone else and we shouldn’t hold it against them. Second, when you travel for a schedule event, show or otherwise, it’s a risk pure and simple. There are no guarantees sometimes you have to take the highs with the lows. Sure, it stinks that they canceled, but that’s the risk you take and the way it goes.

Posted: March 5th, 2008 under Music, Personal, Travel.
Comments: 1