New Day
I feel something new. What is it? And does it feel good?
August 31, 2004
August 30, 2004
Books & More Books
I have started looking around at graphic design books again. For a long time, there were no good books to be found. Now, I am finding a ton of books that are interesting... but also expensive.
I love design; I am glad to know that it is still alive out there.
August 29, 2004
Free Ugly
Why are freeways so ugly? There are a few in Southern California that are trying to be nice looking, but only in sections. I spend at least 10 hours a week on a freeway; I would like them to be nice.
While I was in Jersey, I really noticed the ugliness of roads in general. It really bothered me when I had to pay extra to drive on the NJ Turnpike... aka the really ugly freeway.
If we as humans are going to destroy the planet, we should at least build good looking stuff. I don't think it is too much to ask.
August 28, 2004
Hotwheels
Everyone needs Hotwheels on their desk. It helps the boredom... or in my case, the watching of a status bar. A status bar that cannot decide how long anything takes... 1 minute or 252 minutes remaining.
August 27, 2004
Better Designers
I have a theory that learning to script or program makes better graphic designers. I think designers depart from logic too often. Scripting reminds the designer that they are not artists; they are creative problem solvers. Designing is both an art and a science. The science justifies the career and allows designers to make money. This is the side that we should cling to... for our own good.
August 26, 2004
Loving The Do
I have heard time and time again that you must love what you do to be happy. No one ever mentions that it is hard to do what you love. What I mean is... just because you like it does not mean that you can get a job doing it.
I think the secret might be learning to love what you do. Just a thought.
August 25, 2004
Two More
I just noticed that it is only 2 month until my birthday. I will be 26, so soon my youth will be over. As we all know, 25 is the last year of youth. I hate to say it, but I have wasted it doing a lot of non-youthful things like working.
August 24, 2004
Happy Anniversary!
My beautiful wife and I have been married two years today. Congratulations to us!
August 23, 2004
Long Way Home
Today was the longest trip of my life.. or at least it felt like it. The plane right home from New Jersey to Phoenix to Orange County was horrid. The flights were long and rough... and I just could not sleep. I am so happy to be back in the OC.
August 22, 2004
Stupid Me
I drank about one drink too many last night; and now I have the joys of a hangover. Go me.
August 21, 2004
AVP
I went a saw AVP last night. I thought it was pretty good. I really have not seen any of the other movies, so the back story was very well done. I felt like I got the movie. It was not that scary really or gross; just entertaining. My suggestion is to wait for video.
August 20, 2004
fncPad
'Purpose: Return padded string.
'Inputs: strString - String to be padded.
' intLength - Length to pad.
' strDirection - Side to add padding to.
' strCharacter - Character to pad with.
'Returns: Input string padded.
'Author: Merc
'Updated: August 18, 2004 4:00 PM
'Version: 1.2
Function fncPad_
(strString,intLength,strDirection,strCharacter)
'Declare variants used in this function.
Dim intStringLength
'Get string length.
intStringLength = len(strString)
'Convert imput direction to lower case.
strDirection = LCase(strDirection)
'Trim input string if larger than pad length.
If (intStringLength > intLength) Then
strString = Left(strString,intLength)
End If
'Set to default value if input value is not an option.
If Not (strDirection = "left") Or (strDirection = "right") Then
strDirection = "right"
End If
'Take first character if input pad
'character is more than a single character.
If (Len(strCharacter) > 1) Then
strCharacter = Left(strCharacter,1)
End If
'Get number of characters to pad.
intPadLength = (intLength - intStringLength)
'Generate padding string.
For j = 1 to intPadLength
strPadding = strCharacter & strPadding
Next
'Return padded string based on direction.
Select Case strDirection
Case "left"
fncPad = strPadding & strString
Case "right"
fncPad = strString & strPadding
End Select
End Function
August 19, 2004
The Fast Way
I am glad that flying is the fast way to travel, because it still felt like forever. I have never had the desire to drive across the United States for this very reason. The fact is that I prefer to be places, not get to places.
August 18, 2004
VBScript vs. JScript
The battle has begun at work for what scripting language to use. We are split 50/50 on the issue. The main support for using JScript over VBScript is error handling. The CATCH and TRY function in JScript are the things I need to inspect. Currently, I am in support of VBScript, but I could swing either way. With my web background, JScript would just be a support to my JavaScript experience.
August 17, 2004
Current Madness
It is truly one's self that will drive you mad in the end. Too much thinking about things that mean too little; and too little thinking about things that mean so much.
August 16, 2004
Back At It
I am back in the office after a long weekend of working. Eh.
August 15, 2004
New Skates
As part of my "stop getting fat" project, I will be ordering some new skates.
August 14, 2004
COM Objects
I never really knew what a COM object was or why I needed to use one. I have recently discovered Windows Script Components (WSC)... which are Script COM objects. And the number one reason to use them... ding, ding... is save lines of script. Wrap up all function into a WSC... and re-use 'em over and over.
August 13, 2004
Happy Birthday, Lucy!
August 12, 2004
Hobby Trim
I have been holding back on my hobbies for a few months... almost half a year... and I want to get back into it... but not quite yet. I have a few other things to do first. I am dying to get back to having a little fun... and wasting a little money.
August 11, 2004
I've Gone Wrong
I hate it when I get that feeling that something is wrong... I don't know what it is, but I know that I did it. It is a double burden of feeling bad for doing it and feeling dumb for not knowing what. Life goes on.
August 10, 2004
Mental Intersection
I have always been a person who is not afraid of trying new hobbies or careers. I like to learn and I like combining all of my past experiences with my new experiences; and hopefully, in the end, I can come to a deeper understanding of all experiences.
Life by exposure; its the only way to live.
August 09, 2004
Funnies
This morning when I pulled into work, the trash truck was stuck to the parking gate. Two guys were standing around looking at it; both quite perplexed. If I remember, I am going to check it out every couple of hours to see how long it takes to free the truck.
August 08, 2004
It Hurts
My brains has entered the place where it hurts to think. I had more to say, but... you know, it hurts too much.
August 07, 2004
The Bad Place
My cousin-in-law has named the state of beyond tired... and has named it well. He calls it the bad place. he defines it as the place where you are too tired and everything is funny... but you are the only one there. And sadly, you don't realize it, but you are just being annoying to all those that are not in the bad place with you. Since hearing his theory, I have noticed that it hold a great truth; and that is that the bad place is only a good place for those in that place.
August 06, 2004
Selling Better
Does good design sell more product? As a designer, the natural answer is yes; but where are the numbers? How much better? Worth the extra money? As a designer, the natural answer is yes; but where is the proof?
Designer need to sell them selves better. Not only with good design, but with good facts and numbers.
August 05, 2004
Signage
I am reading a book about signage in retail at the moment. The content is pretty good, but the layout is so bad that it ruins it own creditably. Parts of it are about design... and well, this book has none.
How can you talk about good design and not have some?
August 04, 2004
Cookies
Internet cookies. I need to bake up a batch. I am getting tired of my own splash screen, so I think I am going to write a cookie and JavaScript that passes it by after the first visit.
And my PHP needs to be updated as well. I think I could chop out another page... just a little more streamlined.
August 03, 2004
Make It Stop
I don't think people are supposed to work this much. Time for a break.
August 02, 2004
Something In Mind
Always... always. My mind is swimming around in ideas and thoughts. Wondering and wandering around and around. Will it ever all just pan out? Or will I be doing this forever?
August 01, 2004
The Manchurian Candidate
Good, but not great. I suggest watching the original first as well. It may spoil the ending, but the movie will be more enjoyable.