Awkward Pick

I'm on a roll with my pics of the week.

In these uncertain times, blah blah blah, sometimes we all need to laugh at something. What's better than a trip through nostalgia at some of the craziest family photos taken. This is why I prefer to avoid professional photographers. I've always feared that twenty years later, I'd live to regret those photographs.

So my pick is a blog pick and it's called Awkward Family Photos.

It's also fun to see the mullets, the acid wash, and other fun trends that dated our memories forever. I think it's also good evidence to show all that psychological damage done to us by our parents. I mean, how could they?

Remembering

Philly09
Originally uploaded by Mike and Janine

Photo taken in Philadelphia at their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Wishing those who have lost love ones comfort during this time and with humble pride thankful for everyone in the service.

For they are far braver men and women than I.

Calling Wolfram Alpha

I haven't posted any web picks in a long time. This site got me out of retirement and fast!

We all know how to use and use search engines every day. We all use wiki's almost every day. There are so many reference tools on the web, it's only getting harder and harder to learn the old fashioned way. We all remember books right?

I royally stink at physics and advanced mathematics. Stephen Wolfram did not stink at physics or math. In fact he is world renown for his knowledge of physical science and math. He has made several valuable tools such as Mathematica, which is still very widely used today. Last week, he unveiled his latest creation with a lot of buzz and fanfare.

Wolfram Alpha is a research tool. That's the best way that I can describe it. It's not necessarily a search engine, but it uses search to define a query and to provide facts. It's not a wiki, it just provides basic facts on a subject and that's it. A great example would be to go to the site, and put in your name as a query. Let's try mine.

Michael (oh boy this will be mind blowing): 

• There are approxomately 3.9 million Michael's today.
• One in sixty men are named Michael (it feels more like 1 in 3 sometimes).
• The largest spike in births happened ironically in 1974, the year I was born. Thanks, Dad.

So as you can see, you can start research using a service like this, you can come up with base facts, you can even learn something, as I just did. This service will only grow and become as commonly used as Google, so I recommend bookmarking it now, and enjoying the benefits of Dr. Wolfram's creation. I would also recommend everyone check out Leo Laporte's interview with Dr. Wolfram on This Week in Tech for the week of May 18th, 2009.

Attack of the Random

It's time to get random!

• Philly was such a blast, but last night I made cheese steaks that would be the envy of those big guys on 9th Street!
• Dr. Pepper Cherry - Not too bad. Gene Simmons is right, it has just a kiss of cherry and that is just fine by me.
• Best advice for anyone wanting to tour Center City: wear comfortable shoes! There is a lot of walking involved between Constitution Hall, the Liberty Bell, Chinatown, and where we were staying.
• What am I listening to lately? Check out The Sword. Here's a video:

• Yard work is not all work, but it does take up a lot of time. I've spent every day this week either watering, mowing, weed eating, or picking up sticks, and it looks like I really haven't done all that much. I do love it though. Once it's all picked up, it's going to look awesome!
• I really need to see what's playing locally. I have not been to a good show in months and months.
• I also really need to get back to work making my new Wordpress blog. There's a few adjustments I need to make. Stay tuned, I'll disclose where the beta site is soon.
• Speaking of sites, for those who are mobile, The Lewis Show mobile now has it's own domain. Add that to your bookmarks for all this goodness on the go.
• I am loving the DSi I got for Janine. I've mostly been playing Brain Age 2. My brain is 50 years old. People always told me I have an old soul, but I didn't know I had an old brain too.
• I have an idea for a fun podcast. I hope I can get that moving along. 
• There's just a lot to do and only one lifetime to do it all in. The clock just needs to slow down.

That's all I have for this week. Everything is low key while I get back into my routine after my fun weekend up North. As is traditional with my random posts, a random comedic act. Enjoy!

Pending Nuptials?

Maybe I do got some 'splaining to do. I left the last post the way I did because I'm a cruel and sadistic individual. Sunday morning, May 10th, just after midnight, on our third anniversary, I proposed to Janine. So yes, we are engaged and we are getting married.

We may have already even set a date, but I don't know if I'm allowed to disclose that yet. Don't worry, it's far enough off and valued friends and family will be invited. Those details will emerge over the next year.

I have loved Janine since I met her and was fast to realize that I need her to bring my pieces back together. I just hope I can heal, help, and love her half as much as she's loved and cherished me over the past couple years. Our love will continue to grow. I am happy. I thank God.

Philly Day Two Pics

 

City Hall - awesome architecture!

 

Grave site for Ben Franklin

 

Constitution Hall

 

Liberty Bell

 

Newly engaged couple!

Philly Trip Day One

Keeping my end of the bargain to travel and see something different every year for our anniversary, I figured I'd take Janine to see the history and the craziness that is Philadelphia. We got up around 6AM Friday morning and boarded the train. I had been on a couple of train rides, this was Janine's first. From what I gathered it won't be the last either. She had a lot of fun compared to flying. It looks like we're going to Maine next year she said. Maine it is!

The train stations to me are always a cool thing to see. A lot of them are mini malls now, but they are historic and are known for some of the best architecture in the country, I think. I always love walking around those structures because they have crazy overheads. It all feels very....Roman.

Once in Philly we hopped on a cab for the hotel and checked in. Club Quarters is right in the middle of everything in Center City, so I figured this was a good idea. We got a nice suite on the 8th floor and I have wireless access, so all is well. The street noise is a lot louder than I thought it would be at night, but we have enough fans blowing in our room that we don't hear a thing.

One of the first mutual decisions about what to see in Philadelphia was the Mutter Museum. It is best known for it's collection of oddity's. Pictured is one of the walls there which is lined with skulls. Each skull has some description about the it's last day. Some were executions, some were suicides, but most were diseases.

The museum puts human remains in reach with displays such as the soap lady, a cross section of a man's face, fetuses that were preserved, conjoined twins, and so on. It can get a little intense, I can't recommend this for everyone, but it is educational.

I got a kick out of the display of several thousand items that have been removed from people's throats. Also they have the skeleton of a gentleman who was over 7'3" and that made me feel tiny! If you really want to see some "weird shit", I recommend this place above anything else that I've ever seen!

Today will be more of a full day of seeing the town. I look forward to seeing Constitution Hall and heading down to 9th Street tonight for steaks. I'll post pictures tomorrow morning.

Around the House and Outside

 

There's something new spotted in the house. This is a device of torture and pain! It's not really that bad, it's our new treadmill. We got a pretty fair deal on it and I look forward to putting in 30 minutes a day getting my daily dose of exercise. Walking is great though, it means I can tune out and listen to my iPod or put something on Hulu.

If you don't find me in the house this summer, you will see me outside for sure, hopefully using this new riding mower. Sears delivered it with a dead battery, so after they replace it for me tomorrow, I'll be riding. The rain hasn't helped either. Mother Nature knows when I'm trying to do something outside.

 

I could just go through my half an acre of yard with this weed eater, but that just sounds too much like work!

I think I'd rather sit around and play on the new DSi I got for Janine. At least I thought I was tonight, I have a feeling someone has it at work and is enjoying it during her lunch break tonight. It's a pretty neat device. I can't wait to play your classic and new Mario games on it and Janine is having fun with her problem solving and mystery games. This will come in handy on that train ride to Philly this weekend for sure! I can't wait to go.

 

Topaz will hold the fort while we're gone.

Around the House

I found this handy stapler in the bedroom. It's now at my desk kicking it with all its old school Swingline glory. Far out. Just keep your hands off my stapler..even if it isn't mine!

The lawnmower cannot get here soon enough. It's being delivered tomorrow. Three guess what I'll be doing tomorrow. Hopefully you guess cutting the grass. I wait another day and I may not be able to find the house!

This Week in Thoughts and Pics

The dominating story is obviously this new and improved strain of the flu which has had a few reported cases all over the world. I like most people don't care for the hysteria, but I've noticed my hand washing activity has increased a lot this week and I'm seriously debating becoming a germophobe who refuses to shake hands. I think I'll take up bowing as our Asian friends do.

I don't see me changing any other activities. Janine and I are still planning our trip for Philadelphia next week and we're going to have a good time. I hope others don't give in to fear and with good common sense goes on with their own lives too.

Not a good idea to fly a plane a few thousand feet over the ground in New York City regardless of the reason or intent. I'm just glad I wasn't a NY emergency operator this week!

I'm betting some heads will roll over this flap and that's too bad. I'm hoping that some people learn to appreciate the art of the photo op, but more important they put their own narcissistic desires on the back burner and focus on running the country.

 I know some people that are going to be very happy when Windows 7 ships. Some reports claim that it could be rolled out as early as late summer. I don't want to get my own hopes up too high, because I would prefer Microsoft take their time and get this operating system right.

I still am yet to really use Vista, my Dad has had few but noticeable Vista problems, but the majority of people I talk to are looking forward to the upgrade. Besides, it's pretty.

I plan on posting three random thoughts a week. It's better than just posting them to Twitter. Besides, with my new retweet button that you see with my posts, you can just tweet my thoughts for me!