Category: misc

Earth Day pointers

A co-worker shared this idea with me…

We save water (and keep our plants outside in good shape in summer) by saving our pre-shower water, you know, that water that just goes down the drain as we wait for the shower to heat up?

It fills a bucket per day for us, a bucket of water I am paying for that usually goes down the drain. Instead, it goes on my potted plants and trees outside, making them very happy, even when rationing starts in the summer.

And here are some good tips for what to do with left over 2-liters:


2 Liter Recycling – video powered by Metacafe

We’ve been trying to save all our milk jugs and water jugs and such to recycle but there are certain rules/restrictions you have to follow in Red Oak. Our jugs were starting to pile up and so the other day while we were working in the yard I started cutting the tops off of some of them and are now using them to hold soil, grass clippings etc until we get a “formal” compost box.

Also – anyone know where I can get rid of several cups worth of old gasoline?

The perfect cellphone

Laurie and I were talking briefly last night about what would make the perfect cellphone for each of us.

We considered one of the iClones but they don’t seem to work well with AT&T. Hmmm. But here are some things I would love to see in my “perfect cellphone.”

  • A cheaper phone bill (I have the lowest AT&T plan and never use all my anytime minutes)
  • Clear reception
  • Dirt cheap txt messaging
  • Wi-Fi
  • USB support
  • GPS with Google Maps
  • Sync with my contact list and calendar (primarily Gmail and Google Calendar)
  • Gmail (via Wi-Fi or dirt cheap Internet)
  • Ability to add software when the need arises – either Linux based or Windows Mobile
  • Something that fits easily in my pocket

Bonus Features (not a must):

  • A 4 or 6MB camera
  • Custom ringtones
  • Mp3 player
  • Voice recorder
  • Super easy Bluetooth use – for headsets and transferring files

It’s not that hard. I just mainly want something that connects with the services and things I already use and adds GPS functionality with Google Maps. A side bonus would be software that would make paperless Geocaching a breeze – but that’s not a must either. And even that would be super easy simply by allowing me to view PDFs on my phone. And that feature in and of itself would be amazing so I could easily carry documents I refer back to from time to time quickly and easily without carrying the paper with me.

So who’s going to make (and sell me) my “perfect phone?” What would your perfect phone look like?

Missional living

I’m trying to tie my hands back some to keep from giving away too much from books I’m reading – especially those I’m still chewing on.
My latest read, A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren is giving me some great insight as of the last few days. First off, I love the sub-title:

Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed- yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian.
Continue reading Missional living

Crazy Twitter idea

I just made it to work and was about to update my Twitter feed, when I got to thinking – what if there was some sort of USB device that worked like a scrolling marquee. You plugged it in and it would follow your Twitter feed and/or several other people’s Twitter feeds and then display them on a small screen.

So as you update your Twitter feed throughout the day, a little sign would show your co-workers what you were up to. That way if you’re busy coding or something where you don’t want to be disturbed, you could post a Tweet and everyone walking by would know.

Maybe that’s would defeat the purpose of community building that Twitter encourages – but it sure would be handy today.

Happy Birthday Laurie!

Today is Laurie’s 25th Birthday (for a third time :-)). As part of her celebration she took the day off and is enjoying some pampering at the spa today. I planed to take her to dinner tonight to California Pizza Kitchen but last night she mentioned she may prefer Johnny Carino’s instead. Either is fine with me. Just look forward to spending the evening with her.

On the topic of birthdays, saw this video today that gave me a chuckle. It’s been said that the key to a man’s heart is through his stomach – I guess it may be through his coffee mug too. But have no fear – I know all of you are concerned – I’m not using this video to suggest I got Laurie a cup of coffee for her birthday (although that might not be a bad idea ;-)).

Construction in Ellis/Dallas County

For those of you in the Ellis County/southern Dallas County, this information my prove useful:

In the next few weeks, we will begin making arrangements to permanently convert the frontage roads to one-way operation between Parkerville Road and US 77. This is an important part of the project as it will improve the safety along the frontage roads at the ramp junctures. It is also appropriate to make this conversion now as we begin opening new ramps in their ultimate configurations. The west frontage road and the east frontage road will be switched to one-way traffic operation at the same time to minimize confusion and to help drivers get acclimated to the new traffic pattern. I will provide additional information when the exact date is selected. In the mean time, please help me in spreading the word about this upcoming traffic change.

Sincerely,
Bill Pierce, P.E.
Ellis County Area Engineer
Texas Department of Transportation
972-938-1570