I Sure Will Miss That Little Boy and His Marine Mammal…
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 | Entertainment, Memories | 3 Comments
…in which I talk about my time with Gordon and the Whale.
As some of you may have heard, Gordon and the Whale will be shutting down as of August 31st. My involvement with the plucky little movie site that could is an odd tale at best, but from what I understand, most everyone who worked for the site has a similar story of curious nature. So as the site winds itself down into the annals of internet history, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my involvement therein.
Writing for One, Writing for All…
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011 | Blogging, Life | 2 Comments
…in which I talk about the individuality of topics, but the universality of content.
Even though this is really a blog about me, and the things I’m interested in, I try my best to put a more universal spin on all of my topics. So when I start thinking about a new post, I look to my recent experiences for inspiration, but I also try to find a way to apply that experience, anecdotally to a greater theme. In a way, it’s kind of like a mix tape.
Practical Intelligence…
Wednesday, July 13th, 2011 | Life, Work | 3 Comments
…in which I talk about my unique brand of genius.
I’ve never been book smart, as it were. It took me nearly 8 years to finish my undergraduate degree. After another 3 years, I still hadn’t finished my graduate degree, and it is now on permanent hiatus. I’ve also never really had an over-abundance of common sense. I do a lot of things without thinking first, and often come really close to breaking something or hurting someone in the processes. But one thing I do have, is a sort of “practical intelligence.”
A Quick Update on my Pear Cider
Thursday, July 7th, 2011 | Brew Blog | No Comments
In my last home brewing adventure, I had crafted an experimental pear cider for my lovely wife who doesn’t care for beer, but is a big fan of Ace Pear Cider. I had looked up some tips and suggestions on how to turn the stock cider kit into a pear cider, but I mostly played it by ear. Having never brewed a cider before, I found it interesting in what was different than brewing beer. The cider spends a lot less time in the keg, and it is advised that it spend more time in the bottles. After everything, though, it was unanimously decided that the results were mediocre.
A Small World Review, Long Overdue…
Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 | Board Games, Reviews | No Comments
…in which I talk about a board game I’ve been playing for months, and has been on the market for years.
So, it was over a year ago that I began to be interested in the game Small World, on the impersonal recommendation of such internet celebrity as Wil Wheaton. And while I was convinced that I would almost definitely enjoy the game, I was shy on cash, and – as always – shy on players, so I was hesitant to make the investment. As it turned out, before I had the funds to buy the full game, a version was released for the iPad for (at the time) only $5. To me, that’s an agreeable preview, and according to all reviews, it was an exact port of the original. And then came GenCon.
Two Days With the DCTA…
Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 | Cycling, Life | 1 Comment
…in which I talk about the new rail system here in Denton.
So, as I may have mentioned previously, we got a new commuter train in Denton, and while we were able to stop by and see it on it’s inaugural start up day, we didn’t get a chance to actually ride it until this past Monday. As I said before, we’ve been anxiously awaiting this train for 8 years and our anticipation has been growing as we saw more and more of the system fall into place. But now that it’s up and running, and continually improving, we can see a great prospect for it on the attainable horizon.
Planes, Trains, and Swimming Pools…
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011 | Entertainment, Family | 3 Comments
…in which I talk about a fantastic Saturday out with the family.
So, this post is a day late, and if I ever received any money from my single Google Ad over there, it would be a dollar short. Nevertheless, here is my weekly update.
This past Saturday, the city of Denton offered innumerable activities that laid before us great temptation. The first and foremost of these was the annual Denton Air Show, followed very closely by the inaugural celebrations for the DCTA A-Train, and lastly an invitation to go to the Denton Water Works. With all these choices, we weren’t sure how to make the most of our Saturday, so we started off trying to do just about everything!
Father’s Day is Brewing Day
Sunday, June 19th, 2011 | Brew Blog | 3 Comments
I’ve been really lazy about home brewing lately. Not only do I have a pretty good stock of beer in the fridge and “on deck,” but I’ve been drinking a lot more mixed drinks lately. I tend to do that in the summer months, I don’t know why. At any rate, I’ve been lax on my duties and made up for it today. I’ve got a couple of beers to report on, and an update on what’s in the kegs right now.
My Modular Life…
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 | Life | No Comments
…in which I talk about the hot swappable, interchangeable nature of modern world living.
If my memory of American and industrial history serves me well, it was Colt that developed the first true interchangeable design, wherein every part is fully replaceable. As I look at my life in the 21st century, I can think about how far that concept of fully compatible individual components has come. There is almost nothing in my world around me that can’t be altered, changed, upgraded (or downgraded) by the simple removal and replacement of key components.
Of course the more this kind of philosophy integrates with our modern lives, the more I wish there were things in my habitual lifestyle that could be modularly replaced or exchanged.
That New Bike Smell…
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011 | Cycling, Personal Flaws | 1 Comment
…in which I talk about how sometimes good enough just isn’t good enough.
Even though I may regret it, I am somewhat of a “grass is always greener” kind of person. I know how to be happy with what I have, but I’m always looking at what I could have, instead. A year ago, I bought a new bike. I fretted and waffled over several options and finally settled on the Trek PDX. In all honesty, it was my second choice bike. My first choice bike was the Trek Portland but at nearly $1,100 difference, I couldn’t conceivably go with the Portland. I settled for the PDX as a kind of “builder” with the intent to either adapt to it, or make it adapt to me.
I ♥ Tim Schafer
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