Funny, Fun, and Useful - the Selk Bag

One day, out of the blue, I was forwarded  an odd photo of a man in a bright yellow puffy suit in an email and asked if I wore this sleeping bag suit on my camping trips. I had never seen such a thing and completely thought it was a big joke. Then I was sent a URL of the product, and after seeing it for sale on Amazon I figured this thing was for real.

The product is called the Selk Bag - and it is a big fluffy sleeping bag with arms and legs and a hood that fits just like a full-body suit. There are zippers and drawcords in all the right places to make sure the sleeping bag fits like a glove while allowing easy on and off and access. You can have your hands free or slip the sleeping bag gloves over your hands and seal to keep your digits toasty warm. The hood keeps your head warm with a draw cord so you can mummy up for cold nights.

After I got over the silly looking thing, I realized how brilliant this product really was. Yo can stand up, walk around, and have freedom of movement while you're warm and cozy in a sleeping bag! It's the best of both worlds! And it also makes you extremely warm and huggable!

Nonetheless, I took another look at the product photos and my smart sensible returned, and I saw how extremely goofy and dorky this product moves was. A few times I did see the bag advertised in outdoor magazines, confirming the fact this was indeed a real product.

A few weeks ago a friend mentioned wanting one of those Selk sleeping really badly. At first I thought it was a joke, but once we started talking about the idea of being able to move around in the cold outdoor winters while still being surrounded by pillowy warmth all over. Now that was a wonderful thought, especially since I'm always freezing when camping outdoors. The more I thought about it, the more I got hooked on the idea of the Selk bag.

According to Amazon, people do enjoy their Selk bags. One reviewer said it's "cooler than cool beans!" So I think I can get past the goofy photos and maybe embrace the idea of being a stay puff marshmallow...maybe.

Tuolumne Bouldering

Over Labor Day weekend we went waterwater rafting at Tuolumne River. The next day we drove through Yosemite on the Tioga Pass and through Tuolumne Meadows. It was my first time there, and it was every bit as beautiful as I had imagined. Driving through we admired all the amazing rock formations, with Elijah and Cole pointing out all the trad climbs along the way.

A little background on Tuolumne Meadows, since I am finding that not a lot of people have heard of it. It is the eastern part of Yosemite National Park, high meadowland with large granite domes, beautiful lakes and rivers. It's full of gentle and smooth curves compared to Yosemite's jagged edges and surfaces. To the east of the meadows lies the great Mono Lake and eastern Sierras. Tioga Pass, or Highway 120, pass through the meadows between Yosemite and Mono Lake.




The rocks here are hard granite, smooth and solid, with beautiful cracks and roofs, and some flakes carving out character on the smooth surface. Despite their polished exterior, there are some parts that have knobby texture. In fact, there were knobby boulders spread throughout, according to Cole. And it was nothing like all the rocks around. So we went and checked it out.

These boulders were indeed the most knobby that I've seen, studded throughout with little knobs that stick out of the boulder surface. They look like large pimples all over the rock, only bullet hard and completely secure. You can just pull yourself up the boulder wall by using the knobs for hand and foot holds. We did some some fun climbing with the knobby boulders. Even the flat top of the boulder is full of knobs, well and also full of marmot droppings. Looks like it's a popular nighttime hangout for the creatures.

Here's a close-up view of the knobby, knobbly surface. The knobs tend to be squarish in shape, about a couple inches wide, so it's great for smaller hands and fingers to grasp and hold on to for leverage.

We couldn't get over the amazing texture of these rough knobby boulders amidst a sea of smooth rock domes. I only wish we have boulders like these locally for climbing. The knobs are like little security blankets assuring me I wouldn't slip off. Although if one were to slide or fall off, the hard knobs would really scratch and bloody up a person.

One side of the boulder also had a nice vertical flake, which I attempted to send (short for "ascend").

I definitely have to come back and do some multi-pitch climbs in Tuolumne - Cathedral Peak is calling out to me.

Spanking the Kitty

OK I admit it, I'm one of those people who go gaga over animals. And yes, I'm partial to the furry ones, and I love sites like Cute Overload, Cute Things Falling Asleep, and I Can Has Cheeseburger. Because, you know what? Animals do the darnedest things.

Well, here's a new one to me. At dinner tonight someone shared about the funny things their cats would do, including one particular cat's apparent fetish for being spanked. Not only that, the cat expressed its pleasure in a very voal manner. It sounded almost too silly to be true, but I was assured I would be sent a video of the cat in action for proof. And here it is: Zoey the Cat enjoying a good spanking, in fact coming around to her people (not her owners since all cats think they own their humans, not the other way around), plopping down on her side, and practically begging for a good spanking.                                                                                                                                   

Top 100 Animated TV Series by IGN

IGN.com has a list of the Top 100 Animated TV Series of all time. I stumbled across it when I was looking up information about the Smurfs movie that's currently in production. Rightly so, the Smurfs cartoon series makes it on the list of the 100, because it is a wonderful cartoon that's part of my fond childhood memories. Although a ranking of 97 is way too low for its value. But enough about the delightful blue creatures for now, because once one sees the list, it becomes obvious the list of 100 is highly worthy of debate:

100. Josie and the Pussycats 99.   MASK 98.   Clerks 97.   The Smurfs 96.   Star Trek: The Animated Series 95.   Fullmetal Alchemist 94.   The Boondocks 93.   Darkwing Duck 92.   Rugrats 91.   Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law 90.   Afro Samurai 89.   Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) 88.   The Woody Woodpecker Show 87.   Frisky Dingo 86.   Astro Boy 85.   Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends 84.   Spider-Man 83.   Teen Titans 82.   Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids 81.   TaleSpin 80.   Alvin and the Chipmunks 79.   Sealab 2021 78.   Dragon Ball Z 77.   Johnny Quest 76.   Voltron: Defender of the Universe 75.   Dr. Katz, Professional Therapy 74.   Underdog 73.   Mobile Suit Gundam Wing 72.   Dexter's Laboratory 71.   Johnny Bravo 70.   Pokemon 69.   Mighty Mouse 68.   Popeye 67.   The Pink Panther Show 66.   Tom and Jerry 65.   Todd McFarlane's Spawn 64.   Dungeons & Dragons 63.   The Huckleberry Hound Show 62.   Danger Mouse 61.   Count Duckula 60.   Chip 'N Dale Rescue Rangers 59.   Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends 58.   He-Man and the Masters of Universe 57.   Invader ZIM 56.   The Venture Bros. 55.   Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 54.   Inspector Gadget 53.   Freakazoid 52.   Galaxy High 51.   Death Note

50.   SuperFriends 49.   ThunderCats 48.   Duckman 47.   Pinky and the Brain 46.   The Jetsons 45.   Gargoyles 44.   Battle of the Planets 43.   Samurai Jack 42.   The Powerpuff Girls 41.   Tiny Toon Adventures 40.   Batman Beyond 39.   Aqua Teen Hunger Force 38.   Naruto 37.   Space Ghost Coast to Coast 36.   Superman: The Animated Series 35.   Avatar: The Last Airbender 34.   Robotech 33.   Schoolhouse Rock 32.   Liquid Television 31.   Muppet Babies 30.   The Spectacular Spider-Man 29.   Speed Racer 28.   Home Movies 27.   King of the Hill 26.   The Critic 25.   Robot Chicken 24.   Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! 23.   Transformers 22.   The Real Ghostbusters 21.   Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) 20.   Justice League Unlimited 19.   G.I. Joe 18.   DuckTales 17.   Animaniacs 16.   The Maxx 15.   SpongeBob SquarePants 14.   Cowboy Bebop 13.   X-Men 12.   The Ren and Stimpy Show 11.   The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show 10.   Neon Genesis Evangelion 9.    The Flintstones 8.    Futurama 7.    Family Guy 6.    The Tick 5.    Beavis and Butt-head 4.    South Park 3.    Looney Tunes 2.    Batman: The Animated Series 1.    The Simpsons

There is really much to pontificate on about this list. But let's start with my top favorites:

• The Pink Panther
• The Tick
• Pinky and the Brain
• Jetsons
• Inspector Gadget
  
• Smurfs
• Pokemon
• Robotech
• Transformers
• X-Men
• Futurama
• Dungeons & Dragons
  

Cartoons that should have made the list:

• Recess
• Charlie Brown & Friends
• Winnie the Pooh - the classic ones
  

[via IGN]

Stupid Criminal: Burglar Leaves Facebook Page on Victim's Computer

How dumb can one be? Burglar plots the crime, breaks into someone's house, steals two diamond rings, then decides to use the victim's computer to log onto Facebook before fleeing the scene of the crime. But the dummy forgets to log out before he left, leaving his profile, friends, and updates all exposed to the victim and the police.

What, did he feel the urge to update his Facebook profile with the loot he just got? Or he needed to know if his old pal from 3rd grade accepted his friend request? Are people so addicted to Facebook that they can't even stay away to commit a crime while leaving no trace behind?

The word dumbass comes to mind. Thank goodness for stupid crimes. I wish all criminals could be so careless and fail in their endeavors.

[News story reported by The Journal]

Launch that Pumpkin! Punkin Chunkin

God bless America -- we are indeed a nation of ingenious, creative inventors and innovators. Not to mention fun-havers! From a group of friends hanging out talking about pumpkins the Punkin Chunkin was born - an annual competition where people gather to see who can shoot their pumpkin the furthest. Now it is a world championship! People gather in Delaware and show off their pumpkin chucking devices and, well, shoot pumpkins. The video is proof of what amazing devices have been built.

Punkin Chunkin!

Ingenious? Waste of time? Dumbass-ness? Redneck? Call it what you want, I am amused, amazed, and impressed, and highly entertained by it all. Oh how I love the Internet and all the fun things you can find...

Disclaimer: this video is not from Punkin Chunkin, but is a good demonstration of the type of punkin chunkin that goes on at the competition.

New TuneBand Arrives

To continue my story about Grantwood Technology's iPhone TuneBand:

On Monday Grantwood Technology sent me an email to let me know they're sending out the new version of the TuneBand, and asked if they could follow up with me in a few weeks. I replied and let them know yes.

Today the new TuneBand arrived. Pretty fast shipping considering it came from Ohio. Upon first inspection it feels like a more sturdy product - thicker silicone all around, while the stretchy band itself seems to be identical to the previous version.

I will be trying out the new TuneBand within the next few days and follow up with a report.

By the way, they have a pretty good package that includes the TuneBand (silicone skin and armband), screen protector, and Nike+ sensor shoe pouch for a good price.

Kanye Disses web sites too

I just couldn't resist - here's Kanye dissing my web site.

Hey, I can dream right? Besides it's fun to poke fun at Kayne. He deserves it.

Infographic: The Expansion of Broadband Worldwide

Another cool infographic from the BBC showing the growth in penetration of broadband subscription in the last 10 years. It's cool because it shows submarine broadband cables too.

Oh and did I mention it's interactive? Use the arrows on the bottom to see the changes over the years.

[via BBC]

Photo: Ernest Hemingway being himself

This is a lovely photo showing Ernest Hemingway kicking a can. It captures him in his everydaylife, just being himself, where the mystique of his great fame is removed for a moment, and we get a look at him as a guy strolling down a sonwy winter road, and taking delight in the simple pleasure of kicking a can in his path.

[via If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger]

Great Customer Service by Grantwood Technology for my iPhone TuneBand!

Customer service seems to be a dying art. It is a critical part of any consumer-facing business, and the quality of customer service a company provides could make or break their business. I have stopped buying from certain retailers simply due to their poor customer service. And I know I'm not alone in this. A bad experience can leave so bad a taste in our mouth that we will do anything to avoid it again. In fact, many of us will pass on the word to our friends and family to make sure they don't suffer the same ill fate.

Good customer service can be just as memorable. It can leave one singing praises about the experience and promoting the company/product/service to their network of influence. I recently had such an experience so I feel I should share all about this. Because companies should be noted for their good work and I would want them to be rewarded for their efforts in serving their customers.

It all began with the iPhone 3G S. It comes integrated with Nike Plus, which is a nice bonus. However I wasn't really sold on the fact that I'd have to run with my iPhone attached to me in order to use it - after all, the iPhone is a brick of a device, so it seemed a cumbersome attachment. On top of that, I'd also have to worry about it being secure so that it doesn't fall, slip, or get flung off while I'm running. After doing some quick research on Amazon.com, I found an inexpensive sport strap for the iPhone that seemed to be a good candidate. It was simple and seemed to offer enough protection, and it had positive reviews from users. The product was called Tunebandby Grantwood Technolgy. I went ahead and ordered it along with the Nike + iPod Sensorand a sensor caseto complete my Nike + needs.

Everything arrived quickly, so I was able to try out Nike Plus sooner than I thought. I was a bit disappointed by the quality of TuneBand, although I somewhat expected that based on what other reviewers had said about it. But it worked fine, and I generally trusted my iPhone wasn't going to slip out while I had it strapped to my arm on my runs. I did have a concern that the longer I used it, the more the neoprene case might stretch out from putting it on and removing it, but time would tell on that.

When Amazon sent a notification email to review the product, I left a quick note stating "the product could be higher quality but generally is fine." And I thought no more about it. So I was a bit surprised to get an email from Grantwood Technology a few days ago regarding my feedback. The email noted my feedback on the product and then provided a FYI that they just released "a new-and-hopefully-improved TuneBand for iPhone, with a slightly thicker skin and a slightly wider strap, all designed to secure the iPhone even better. If interested, we can send one free of charge..."

I was beyond amazed when I read the email. I thought, wow what great service. They really care about what their customers think about the product and they will go out of their way to make sure the customer is satisfied. I replied with a thank you and accepted the offer for the free new TuneBand. I'm looking forward to trying it out and seeing if it is indeed improved with more security for the iPhone.

Grantwood Technology, thank you for being a good customer service company. I applaud you for that. You understand today's e-commerce landscape, that user feedback is key in driving future purchases of your products. This is especially true on Amazon. You know a bad review can cause your sales and reputation to suffer, and that a good review can do wonders for your business. Some large corporations get it and are working hard to address user feedback they see on the web and social media outlets, but you as a small company are working just as hard, and that's worthy of note. I wish you many happy returning customers. I expect to be one of them myself. Please keep up the good work, and may other retailers model themselves after your high standard of service.

Now I just can't wait to get my new TuneBand and try it out!

Photographic Stories of Life in Pakistan

I've always admired the power of photographic images. A great photo captures the spirit of the moment and can tell so much without any words. Emilio Morenatti is one such photographer. He has taken amazing photographs for the AP.

Denver Post's blog shares a collection of Emilio's powerful photos from 2008-2009, showing what he has captured of Pakistan and Central Asia.

[via DenverPost.com's blog Captured]

AT&T comes clean: Admission to not being able to handle the iPhone

Everyone I know who has an iPhone loves it. Since becoming an iPhone owner, I have also become a lover of the Apple phone. What's not to like? The sleek beautiful design and simplicity, nice graphics and simple user experience (although I admit, when I first got it I forgot about the multi-touch ability and therefore was completely stumped on how to make Google Maps zoom in and out. I know I know, what a noOb.), and oh the apps, the great variety of apps to help keep you organized, entertained, and connected.

But as much as I love the iPhone I have the equal amount of hatred for AT&T. And that's one primary reason why I held out until the 3G S came out before I switched. I had only heard complaint after complaint from friends and acquaintances on the poor performance of the AT&T network. Critics and professional tech reviewers spew the same venom towards the carrier about the poor network and inordinate number of dropped calls. And guess what? They were right on all accounts. I have encountered more dead spots on AT&T than imaginable. In fact with Sprint and T-Mobile I hardly had that issue - now I understand those silly Verizon commercials. Gee thanks AT&T.

Well now at least I feel somewhat vindicated. Finally AT&T admits their inability to service iPhone users. But it's really pretty sad for them to blame the phone basically being too fan-freakin'-tastic for them to keep up with the capabilities of the handset. Even worse, they're implicating the users for using the phone too much. That's just sad. Then why don't you end the exclusivity contract now and allow other more capable networks to be able to carry the iPhone as well. AT&T, you've already strong-armed 9 million of us into becoming indentured servants to your sorry inadequate network, slapping us with two-year contracts for poor performance, dropped calls, and preventing us from getting the most out of our phone, and now you have successfully annoyed and angered all of your users and gained a terrible reputation, why don't you take whatever it is you have gained and walk away from the exclusivity? Don't you now moan and whine about it being the iPhone's fault and make yourself look even more idiotic. Set the iPhone free. Let the carrier with the best network to service the iPhone win.

Forget Facebook, those Emoticons could hurt you too :(

According to Baseline:

"Another interesting effect of the social networking trend is the growing prevalence of internet slang and emoticons in business communication. Fourteen percent of employers have disregarded candidates because they sent a message using an emoticon during the hiring process."

What? Those harmless little smiley faces, winks, and tongue-wagging could prevent you from being hired? They don't make you seem more friendly and fun in an email? According to some IT hiring managers, the answer is a resounding no. And you know what? I would do the same! I don't send my clients emails with emoticons in them, and if someone sends me a message in a professional setting that contained emoticons, I would question their maturity and professionalism.

Now over IM, that is a whole other story...

Infographics are grand: Here's one on Student Debt vs. Average Income

I like infographics. They help you visualize and understand information quickly. For visual people they are very effective. Here's a nice one from Kliplinger's on Student Debt vs. Average Income by state. It's pretty interesting to see the breakdown. Now I would also love to see this information compared with 10 and 20 years ago to see how times have changed, and what changing impact student debt has on today's students.

Here's the original article.













[via Kiplinger]

Yosemite fire

Driving through Yosemite on Tioga Pass - the road had been closed due to fire. Just re-opened today.

The park smells like one big camp fire. Burnt fell trees everywhere.

Our Prison System

I don't really understand our prison system. We hear ALL THE TIME that it's costing tons of taxpayer money, and yet there is still lack of proper staffing, facilities, and services for prisoners.

We hear about riots, crimes being committed from behind prison walls (smart criminals ordering hits and such), not to mention the standard violence and corruption between prisoners, guards, and other staff. I'm sure prison is a horrible state of being, where you're trapped with no place to go, nothing much to do, and a lot of regiment to keep you in check. The idea is this setting is supposed to somehow rehabilitate a person from a life of crime. Or in the very least, keep the harm away from society. All the while the government is shelling out taxpayer money to support the system.

This seems like a waste of money. We know the system is not working well, and we know that prisoners often end up back in prison after release, so it seems any efforts of rehabilitation is not also not very effective. And as we all are painfully aware, our nation is drowning in debt. so my natural question is, whatever happened to the chain gang? Why can't we make put our prisoners to work? Hard labor? Clean the sewage? Wouldn't it be good for them to learn the value of hard work? Let them earn their keep in the prison instead of cooping them up all day to get stir-crazy then force them to exercise in the yard where they look for additional ways to vent their stored up anxiety and nerves.

Why do we continue with our ineffective systems? Our insanely bloated healthcare system, our ineffective and dangerous prison system, our government wastes and inefficiencies, our failed mental health system, the list goes on and on.

I'm sure my perspective is inadequate and I lack the full picture view of the situation, but really, we need some smart entrepreneurial people to re-think our systems and come up with better ways to use our resources before our nation self-implodes.

There are too many leeches sucking away, taking advantage of the good will of our nation's systems while regular folks are the ones ponying up to pay for them. I'm tired of hearing about drug addicts checking themselves into hospitals then refusing to leave, taking advantage of our hospitals. I'm sickened by the Madoffs and Phillip Garridos. It is just too ridiculous.

I Heart Curmudgeonry

Oh, I love reading smart curmuegeonly writing! So whenever I come across great curmuegeonry, I will share it!

Here's a great post about one person's dislike for Facebook: I Hate Facebook

Some great quotes:

 "Oh, Facebook. You cyberland of rampant narcissism and wasted time. What started out as a social networking site for college kids has somehow turned into a cesspool of self-absorbed way-too-old-to-be-fucking-around-on-Facebook adults who think that the rest of us actually give a shit about what they're drinking, eating, thinking, reading, watching, and/or are listening to every five minutes."

"...overcrowded with attention-starved grown-ups essentially screaming "look at me... look at me!" all day long. They change their profile photos as often as I change my underwear, and they've somehow convinced themselves that their lives are infinitely interesting all the time. The "audience factor" is just way too attractive to these folks. It's drunken karaoke without the booze and the bad singing, but with all the requisite self-indulgence."

"I'd love to stage a coup and turn Facebook the vainglorious social-networking site into Facebook the bastion of selflessness and redeeming social value"

Facebook overload

I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love it when I find and get found by old friends that I've lost touch with. I hate it when random networky people who I've hardly (or sometimes never) spoken to "friend" me. I like logging in to see what my friends are up to - especially those with kids and babies to see what the little ones are doing. But when I am logged in, I am annoyed by the people who update too much. There is a handful of people who are always facebooking and their updates push down and drown out other people's posts. And of course these too-frequent posters are also the people I care the least about. Not only that, they often have the most boring posts!

And then there are some people who just seem to FB unnecessarily. I am friends with a married couple who write on each other's walls ALL THE TIME with personal messages about how much they love and/or miss each other. Mind you, these two live together and see each other everyday. It's like he leaves the house and she has to write on his FB wall. It's a little too TMI for me. Can't they just text each other like other normal modern couples? Do they really have to post these messages to show up on all their friends' updates?

Some of my friends complain I'm not on FB enough. But I'm trying not to become one of those FB addicts who share too much. Where is the balance? Is lurking on FB a crime?