free scribbles

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 6

Kacey's Highchair Log: Wednesday April 16, 2008

Mommy finally gave me something that I can call a solid... It's like one of my toys, but also "nutritious," whatever that means... anyway, sometimes I like to see if mommy wants to try it, but then I get a little jealous.  Also my new bib has a place for my cookie or spoon depending on what I feel like. 

Daddy Note:  Kacey has been great lately with eating, she seems to enjoy it more and really likes pears.  I wasn't around for highchair time during April, but Lisa gave me the reports.  I'm glad to have Kacey be such a healthy and happy baby. 

The Latest on Bisphenol A

Over the past month significant coverage has been devoted to the latest news about bisphenol A and its effects on humans.  Numerous studies have been conducted in the past and advocacy groups have taken stand on one side or the other.  The debate therefore ending with an inconclusive stalemate.  And while I'm late to write on the topic, better late than never.  It has been an issue that I've followed closely over the last couple of year as studies refute studies on a bimonthly basis and written on several times. 

Nalgene, the ubiquitous water bottle manufacturer, has seen the bulk of mentions due to its stance of continued manufacturing until conclusive evidence forced them to rethink there position.  Well, apparently that time has come as the company announced that they will begin a retailer recall of their product, looking to replace the polycarbonate line with a BPA free alternative. 

Two significant actions led to this recall, Health Canada declared that BPA was harmful to humans and further publication validating that BPA had been directly linked to breast cancer and early onset puberty in girls coming from the National Institutes of Health.   

The bottomline on this issue seems to be that of concession as Nalgene decided to go with the times and eliminate products with BPA materials.   It will be interesting to see if Sigg's profits increase in the upcoming months or if Nalgene will be able to get their alternatives in to market quicker than expected.   

While they are the most popular brand for water bottles, they are not alone in using polycarbonate, be cautious when using other plastic containers, especially if you have a baby.  We've just begun phasing away from polycarbonate bottles as my wife as been picking up new ones made of polyethylene bases, which are devoid of the harmful materials.

The Perpetual Fear of the Delinquent Blogger

I want to say I'm sorry, but I won't.  You might ask why I would even have that want, and the answer is simple.  free scribbles has suffered from the guillotine that is unaccomplishment.  Whenever I fall off the blogging wagon, I feel the creeping fear of letting the readers down.  Addressing the question of where have I've been. 

I was reading Experience Matter's 100th post and agree with the sentiments expressed there.  I'm not a business entity (yet, or ever?), but blogging does require discipline, drive, and time.  Producing a product that you are proud of, are consistent with, and provides some sort of value is always a challenge. 

The reality of fear is that it can be a great motivator, but it can also be a great deterrent, the next post has to be awesome and earth-shaking.  Well, this isn't, I don't know if any post I've ever written has ever been those things, not for lack of trying.  I'm a genius in my own mind and if I convince one person of that, then I've won. 

Things have settled down now. No more all-nighters, no more pressing deadlines, and I've put out several products that I'm proud of.  Details will follow in the future. 

That's it, no apologies, I was busy and my fear is gone.

The last month has been a blur and the revolutionary is back.   

2008 Boston Marathon Coverage

Unlike last year, where it was easy for me to get coverage of the Boston Marathon because:

1. I live on the course, going outside was easy.
2. It was covered live on the local CBS affiliate, WBZ.
3. It was also broadcast nationally on Versus TV. 

This year I have to rely on the BAA live blogging platform.  Last year was the first time that they attempted such an effort.  You may recall I wrote on the subject.  It was a complete failure. 

This year, they are attempting it again, hopefully with better success.  I'll be checking in throughout the day to see how it goes. It will also continued to be covered live on both WBZ and Versus for those of you fortunate enough to get to watch television during the day.

UPDATE (10:30am): So far, so good.  Updates are coming in at 5 minute intervals for both the men's and women's races.  They've already surpassed themselves from next year.  Now if only they tightened up the interface.

Kacey Highchair Log: Entry 5

Kacey's Highchair Log: Sunday, April 14, 2008

It's been a little bit since I've updated my log, daddy's been busy and usually he transcribes.  The parental units have recently gotten me a new bib, it's a lot harder to get it into my mouth as it doesn't bend.  These solid foods were fun for awhile, but now there is so much other things to do and play with that I get bored. Ohh! and mommy tried to sneak sweet potatoes in again.  I believe I told her I didn't like sweet potatoes.

I did get an upgrade to the captain's seat... check out my sweet console, I can bang out memos, surf the internet and increase the font size on the screen.  And I figured out how to make a clover symbol too!

Daddy Note: Kacey has seemed so uninterested in solid foods lately, focusing on the camera, her bib, or anything else that is going on.  We can get her to eat for a little bit, although it seems that feeding her twice a day nets the same amount of solids just split up. We hope that we can gradually get her to eat more at each sitting... 

Site Launch: The New Today's Military Website

Today was a big day in my professional life, a year's worth of strategy and creative development culminating in one website launched on the interwebs. 

While my part was small, helping to ensure that we hit deadlines, met the client's expectations, and remained on strategy, it still leaves me with an immense feeling of pride and appreciation for those who contributed and I think I speak for my boss, David, and myself when I thank all of them for their roles, especially the creative team, Brad, Nicole, and David for architecting, writing, and designing the site, and the development team, Tunde, Paul, and Erik, for taking words, pictures, and processes and making them work.    Many other people touched this project and I would be remiss to not thank Andy, Jill, Steve, Andrea, Josh, Sheetal, Katie, Kristen, and Andy as well. 

Finally, I want to thank some other people who dealt with me flipping out occasionally when things weren't going perfect, Christian, Julie, and Lisa & Kacey (For whom my efforts are for). 

It is definitely not a site for everyone, but we hope delivers for those seeking out what it offers. In a future post I will have to elaborate on what I do. 

http://todaysmilitary.com

2008 Tenney Mountain Cardboard Box Derby

This is a long overdue post, March 15th was one of my favorite events of the year, the Annual Tenney Mountain Cardboard Box Derby. 

For the last five years and four competitions, last year the mountain was closed, we have dug deep to produce what we would call a kick-ass feat of engineering.  The rules are simple, design a racer made of cardboard, duct tape, and paint.  No waxed cardboard, lubricants, and a minimum of two racers. 

The team of participants have changed over the years, this year we added Kacey and Gus (I will say that neither really contributed, but they're both super cute.  Gus is a dog and you all know Kacey).  The Gagnons joined us once again, putting a third notch on their belts. 

Typically, we've had Friday night and all day Saturday to build, paint, and fine tune, unfortunately, they moved the race up a day and we were limited in our ambitions.  Despite the truncation in time, we were able to build a reasonable facsimile of a Fairchild 22, "The Barnstorming Eagle."   Our original plan was to build a Sopwith Camel (I love Snoopy), but as a one seater, it wasn't a possibility, so we we started by building an Avro 504k. I don't want to be bitter, but we did not take the first place trophy this year, robbed by some gibronis in Captain Crunch costumes.  (I'm keeping an eye out for pictures to allow you the readers to be the judge. Tenney is ashamed of their biased determination of most creative and is avoiding posting.)

Okay, so I'm a little bitter...

I've posted all the pictures in the gallery from that day.

Past Galleries:
2006 Race (First Place - Most Creative: The Jolly Eagle. Scourge of Tenney Mountain.)
2005 Race (First Place - Most Creative: Tenney Mountain Trucking; First Place - Best Crash: The Eagle Racer)
2004 Race (Second Place - Most Creative: The Bombardier) 

More Zelda News...

is this for real? or a really elaborate April Fool's Joke? Update: Obviously IGN was screwing with everyone. Semi-relieved.. hated the casting.

The Zelda Theme Song

Ok, I caught this over at Go Nintendo and thought it was amazing and wanted to share with all.  I am a huge Legend of Zelda fan and this guy is impressive!

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he plays with two guitars simultaneously...
He has a ton of other music at his site, zackkim.com, including the Tetris theme.

Highchair Log: Entry 4

Kacey's Highchair Log: Saturday, March 29, 2008

The parental units seem to love this bib, I mean sure it tastes good, but every log has me in it.  I tried some new food today, they called it "bananas."  While it's still yucky, it is an improvement from "sweet potatoes."  I will, however, give it another chance.  I do like this spoon thing, its fun.  I can chew on it a little each time and some of the time it has oatmeal on it, I do like oatmeal.  I once ate two bowls of that stuff!  If only I could convince them of just giving me that. 

Daddy Note: Kacey is so funny, she has taken to squealing when she is really happy.  It's a bit ear-piercing at times, but nonetheless, I am very happy to hear her so happy. It is a really rewarding experience.  Also, I've decided to film her reaction to food, she makes the funniest faces when she is eating, especially when she  doesn't like what just went in her mouth.