My 5-minute dedication to Steve Jobs
The world lost an icon in the computer science industry yesterday. Steve Jobs, founder and CEO of Apple computers, lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.
Upon hearing of his resignation a couple of months ago, I knew it had to be very close. Steve would never ‘resign’ from the thing he loved most in life. The thing that had become his life.
He’s the sole reason I’m in the business I’m in today. Why I do what I do. The design and creation of graphics would never have gone the way it has without the typography and graphic integration of the Macintosh computer.
I’d like to share a few of his quotes that I ran upon last night.
“The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it into a nationwide communications network. We’re just in the beginning stages of what will be a truly remarkable breakthrough for most people – as remarkable as the telephone.” ~1985
“Picasso had a saying: ‘Good artists copy, great artists steal.’ We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas… I think part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians, poets, artists, zoologists and historians who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world.” ~1994
“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart…. Stay hungry. Stay foolish. ~2005 Stanford University commencement address
“The computer is the most remarkable tool that we’ve ever come up with. It’s the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds.” ~1990
“My model for business is the Beatles. They were four guys who kept each other’s kind of negative tendencies in check. They balanced each other and the total was greater than the sum of the parts. That’s how I see business: great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.” ~2003
Launching the apple site will really grab you this morning. I’ll give you a preview…
Rest peacefully, Steve. And… thank you.
Mouseworks
How I’ve missed my little blog – both reading others and writing them. Things have been extremely busy my way with moving, and I can’t wait to reaccustom myself to a more permanent schedule once again. I thought it would make everything easier having 2+ months to pack, get everything out and clean… but it seems as though I’ve been going back and forth now for way longer than I should! I’m finally convinced doing it all in one day is the way to go.
All weekend we worked over at my place and now, thankfully I can say I’m pretty much done. I still have to get the washer/dryer out to store for my daughter and find a home for my couch. K has worked his rear off the entire time, and cleaning should now be a cinch since the place is now empty! I did happen across a most precious commodity (ahem) for my cat Camille, that made her very very happy.
Meet my mousse! (Mousse because Mademoiselle Camille has always pronounced the word in French.) The Little Girl has been reunited with her long-lost BFF who has been MIA for at least a year and a half. Maybe longer. How old is this thing, you ask? Oh, I realize it looks like it was resurrected from the caveman era. But to Cam… it’s a thing of sheer beauty. A huge basket full of toys is no match for this one item sent straight from Heaven. She’s carrying her baby around again while talking, then dropping it for daddy to play fetch. She is one Happy Girl.
A view of the front of Keith’s. Note: it now comes complete with it’s own set of nightlites located in bottom left window…
I actually went to type a blog out last night, and in addition to all the nerve-wracking hustle and bustle of moving noticed my mouse (MY mouse, one S) was all but operable. I had to go out and purchase another one after work today. I guess I’ve been behind-the-times until now, because I’ve always had a corded mouse. At last I made the ‘jump’ and opted (pardon the pun) for a ‘new improved one’. That is, one that is non-corded.
Left: old one… Right: new-improved (non-corded) one. My hand hardly knows what to do with something so very small in comparison – but I’m finding it ever-functional.
So who gets the points on the cat’s eyes being covered up??
Notes
Just how important have notes become in our lives? I can tell you on a scale of 1-10, they rank about a 9 in mine. I’m talking about the notes some of us will create as reminders to perform tasks or even just to jot down a matter of importance. I’ve had a love affair with sticky-notes for what seems like forever – I still have them all over my house, as well as work. I used to keep a dayplanner for many years too, with the refills costing approximately twenty-five bucks annually (I like the ‘pretty’ ones). At the end of each year, I’d rubber-band them up and file them with the previous years… something I could then term as a whole year’s ‘diary’ – because basically that’s what it became.
I quit using my dayplanner about a quarter of the way through 2010. Looking back, the fact I did this still saddens me. My little dayplanner still takes it’s daily ride to and fro in my black work bag, but sits alone and unopened – except in the rare instance where I need a stamp or return address label. In this time, I’ve graduated to keeping electronic notes, which I said I’d never do. And here’s the reason why.
The almighty iPhone has it’s own “notes” app. Simple, basic, easy to use – all a person needs from a notes app. Thing is, there’s some sort of glitch with it because lately it’s been ‘dropping’ notes. All my notes as of this morning… once again gone – no buh-bye, no nothing. My research has been bleak as to the answer why. I’ve tested several theories, all to no avail. I’ve found it happens with and without syncing. I keep all my apps up to date, as well as software. I can only imagine if the notes that went AWOL had to do with work, clients, etc. – like some I’ve read of…. thank goodness mine were all personal and not business. But still!! Major pain.
There’s some rave reviews out there about the ‘Evernote’ app, so I downloaded it this morning. I’ll be sure to let ya know how that works out for me. I’ll give one more go at trusting an electronic device as my brain’s external hard drive. If this one fails – once again, ole’ Bon’s gonna make her dayplanner very happy.
😀
Why you should never ask favors from Graphic Designers
I received this little ditty this morning and found it more than worthy of reposting. Being in the profession myself, I find it mega-amusing… enjoy.
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Shannon (the secretary) has lost her cat and has asked David (the graphic designer) to help with a ‘lost’ poster. Below is their email correspondence…
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.15am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Poster
Hi,
I opened the screen door yesterday and my cat got out and has been missing since then so I was wondering if you are not to busy you could make a poster for me. It has to be A4 and I will photocopy it and put it around my suburb this afternoon.
This is the only photo of her I have she answers to the name Missy and is black and white and about 8 months old. Missing on Harper street and my phone number.
Thanks
Shan.
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From:David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.26am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
That is shocking news.
Although I have two clients expecting completed work this afternoon, I will, of course, drop everything and do whatever it takes to facilitate the speedy return of Missy.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 9.37am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Poster
Yeah ok thanks. I know you dont like cats but I am really worried about mine. I have to leave at 1pm today.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.17am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
I never said I don’t like cats. Attached poster as requested.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.24am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Yeah thats not what I was looking for at all. It looks like a movie and how come the photo of Missy is so small?
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.28am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
It’s a design thing. The cat is lost in the negative space.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.33am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Thats just stupid. Can you do it properly please? I am extremely emotional over this and was up all night in tears. you seem to think it is funny. Can you make the photo bigger please and fix the text and do it in colour please. Thanks.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.46am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Dear Shannon,
Having worked with designers for a few years now, I would have assumed you understood, despite our vague suggestions otherwise, we do not welcome constructive criticism. I don’t come downstairs and tell you how to send text messages, log onto Facebook and look out of the window. I have amended and attached the poster as per your instructions.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 10.59am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
This is worse than the other one. can you make it so it shows the whole photo of Missy and delete the stupid text that says missing missy off it? I just want it to say Lost.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.14am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.21am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poster
Yeah can you do the poster or not? I just want a photo and the word lost and the telephone number and when and where she was lost and her name. Not like a movie poster or anything stupid. I have to leave early today. If it was your cat I would help you. Thanks.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.32am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Awww
Dear Shannon,
I don’t have a cat. I once agreed to look after a friend’s cat for a week after he dropped it off at my apartment and explained the concept of kitty litter. I have attached the amended version of your poster as per your detailed instructions.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.47am
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Awww
That is not my cat. where did you get that picture from? That cat is orange. I gave you a photo of my cat.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 11.58am
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Awww
I know, but that one is cute. As Missy has quite possibly met any one of several violent ends, it is possible you might get a better cat out of this. If anybody calls and says “I haven’t seen your orange cat but I did find a black and white one with its hind legs run over by a car, do you want it?” you can politely decline and save yourself a costly veterinarian bill.
Regards, David.
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.07pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Please just use the photo I gave you.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.22pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.34pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
I didnt say there was a reward. I dont have $2000 dollars. What did you even put that there for? Apart from that it is perfect can you please remove the reward bit. Thanks Shan.
========================================================================================================================================
From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.42pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.51pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Can you just please take the reward bit off altogether? I have to leave in ten minutes and I still have to make photocopies of it.
======================================================================================================================================== From: David Thorne
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 12.56pm
To: Shannon Walkley
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
========================================================================================================================================
From: Shannon Walkley
Date: Monday 21 June 2010 1.03pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Awww
Fine. That will have to do.
========================================================================================================================================
😀
Reconnecting
A particular social networking site never ceases to amaze me. It’s been a constant source of reconnection with former classmates, friends and even family. It really blows my mind – and can be a stark reminder of just how many miles we have on the ole’ engine.
Sometimes I don’t even recognize people when it’s been 2 ½ decades since I’ve seen them. Did I just say 25 years? I remember thinking when I was 25 ‘where and what will I be when I’m 35’. Anything over 30 seemed so old to me back then.
It’s funny to see how people have aged, or haven’t. I often look at people and wonder what they’ve been through in their life. Whether as a whole, it’s been fairly easy – or the tribulations have been many. I wonder what kinds of stories they must have to tell. Even looking at pictures seem to lead me to further interest as to how a person’s life has been. How their children’s lives have been. I guess all of this is just human nature.
The biggest credit I give the site is meeting/reconnecting with the man in my life. We actually were former classmates in the same graduating year. I simply cannot imagine my life now without him in it. So I’ll give credit where credit is due – were it not for good ole’ Facebook, our paths likely never would have crossed again.
Adrenaline…
I’ve not been on the computer very much this weekend (my weekend started Friday) and that’s a good thing I know. I’ve had some good down time with the boyfriend and plan to continue that!! I love being off… relaxing and not having an agenda – pretty cool.
My iPhone messed up (I can’t believe I’m writing that) (because Macs don’t mess up). It all started about 3 days ago when it started giving around 3-second delays on literally every command I gave it. I did the normal power-off/on thing and even got rid of a few apps that I thought could be offending it. No go. The delays got longer and longer, then it started sending my calls to voicemail. Texts weren’t even feasible to type, they’d drag ass with the delays and I couldn’t even tell what I’d typed. It was literally making me crazy. I contacted my cousin who is a phone technician and he told me to try the restore feature in iTunes and see if that helped, if not to take it to Apple and they’d replace it since it’s still under a year old – but said to him it sounded like the phone. He really knows what he’s talking about, because the restore didn’t work and we ended up making a trip to the Apple store in Southpark last night. Got me a brand new iPhone, right outta the box. Good thing too because my damn battery was about shot – hopefully this one’ll last me a while. Needless to say iPhones do not get a 5-star rating on their battery life.
I could probably find more to write about today, but there’s only one thing that I’m really itching to write about.
I drove a fucking Corvette yesterday. YEAH BABY!!
Now those of you who actually know me are already aware of the fact that it takes very little in life to please me. I’m not high-maintenance, I abhor drama, I love to laugh, and I can probably be boring at times (neehhh… if you catch me on a bad day). Those of you who know me also know that my car of choice has always been a Corvette. Not only have I never ridden in one (well, except when I was a kid when my uncle used to get a new one every year, I think I might’ve rode or SAT in his once) but I’ve certainly never driven one. Well, mark one down for the Bonster. Not only have I now driven a Corvette, I have the effing fever. You heard it here, folks – if an assload of money dropped in my lap right this second and I could buy just one thing, I would have difficulty deciding between a boat and a Corvette. If the said assload of money dropped down today… I’d hate it for the boat because the Corvette would most certainly win out.
K traded cars for the day/night with his brother, the ‘Vette owner. After the Apple store trip, we swung back by my apartment to resync my iPhone which had to be done on my home Mac. We got down past the grocery stores on 49, and he pulled over in the grass at a redlight and started opening the door. I asked ‘what are you doing?’ to which he replied ‘you’re driving’. Well, he had mentioned me driving it earlier in the day, after verifying I could drive stick. I wasn’t gonna mention it again… I mean it wasn’t even his car, and just to ride in it was prize enough for me. The thought also crossed my mind that he might’ve doubted my ability to drive it, or thought I might be sluggish on a stick, etc. Anyway, it took me all of 3 seconds to jump out of the passenger seat and fly around the back of the car (the shortest route, lol) to the drivers seat.
Being able to drive this car was like a gift to me. I think I surprised K because I just shoved the thing into gear and took off. Sweet little 6-speed with a nice tight gear ratio. I could SO get used to that… the steering wheel hugged the road like I’ve always heard. His brother had the engine rebuilt and I’m not sure of the size, etc. – but I can tell you this thing’ll flat out SCAT, K told me they’ve had it to 140+ on the highway and I can definitely believe it. My God, the pick-up it has, when you’re driving it the engine just screams power. He let me get down on it (actually i didn’t ASK) and I love all those gears and that vicious feeling of power under the pedal. It was a feeling like I’ve never had while driving before until that moment. Umm-hmm… I would venture to compare the euphoria to another pleasurable act, but I’ll keep it G-rated.
So if you didn’t believe me before, you surely do now. It doesn’t take much to please ole’ Bon. Everyone have a magnificent and safe Memorial Day weekend… peace out.
Mindless ramblings
March is packed full of birthdays for me. Today is someone I know’s birthday. I can’t think of who, though. I guess I’ll just put my faith in those facebook reminders and hope for the best.
I weighed in a day early today because, well – because I could. We’re going out to eat tonight for my daughter’s birthday (Saturday), and I know I won’t be working out. The scales teetered between 132.5–133 lbs!! So I’ve lost 1.5 lbs this week alone, only through diet – I can’t really say I’ve worked hard at exercising this week. I’m thinking, just think what the results might have been had I worked out too! So, total weight loss now is at 8 lbs. Can’t wait to get back under 130… I’ll feel like a contestant on Biggest Loser overcoming one of those number hurdles.
I’ve gotta reroute a bunch of wiring from my computer at work today. This is only part of what I’m dealing with.
Pardon the little piece of past there, the top of a cheetos bag. You have no idea how much I’m dreading this. It’s about a decade’s worth of poorly routed wiring – with all the dust I’m sure I’ll be a bag full of sneezes by the end of the day. That old G4 goes to the graveyard too, it’s been inoperable for a long time. Got a new hard drive this week (1 TB – wow feels weird even typing terabyte), so I’ll need to reroute 3 hd’s now. Once everything’s done, it’ll be well worth the effort.
Looking so forward to dinner at the Japanese restaurant tonight! These guys really put on a show – not to mention such good food. Then there’s that added bonus of getting a chef who’s not only able to juggle fire well but is a good comedian. 🙂
Everything is so green outside… what’s already been blooming is starting to change over to green and I love it. It’s almost like a fill-in on what’s been missing all this time, when the leaves come back. I love green, especially that ‘new’ green. Spring Euphoria – that’s what it is. Yeah.
Internet Cheating
Oh yes I am going to go there with this.
Harmless or dangerous – or does it all depend on the circumstances? Hmm, you say… are we talking friendships, flirting, or actual cheating? And how do I define cheating? A relationship treachery. A betrayal in your partner’s trust; failure to be honest. Whether it be either your husband/wife or your significant other, i.e. boyfriend or girlfriend. Although to some it may seem innocent, internet cheating can be very damaging to a relationship.
We all know the exact definition of cheating has always been up for debate. Must it always result in a physical relationship, or could it also be defined as emotional? The internet provides endless possibilities in this area – chat rooms, social networking sites, dating services, craigslist, and the list goes on. I know I know, these days you can walk into a public bathroom, and well – that’s kind of how the internet works.
If you know what you’re doing, you can still launch yourself into cyberspace and do a pretty fair job at maintaining your anonymity. Which leads to my original question – harmless or dangerous? And why is it so tempting, sometimes irresistible, to pursue a romantic relationship over the internet – if you are already in a relationship?
Generally, the results of an online exchange between two interested parties will NOT be without sexual banter. Just take a look at some of the social networking apps on myspace (ie, the drinking games). Most groups of ‘app buddies’ are provocatively-named females imploring you to chat. This can result anywhere from the exchange of pics/phone numbers all the way down to meeting in person. (Social networking people, you might be surprised at what shows up in the new feeds about you.)
I’m not saying that all internet relationships are bad. I know that it’s natural for people to want to ‘connect’ with other people in some way shape or form. Flirting has always been a confidence booster – and something many of us do regularly without even recognizing it. I guess the key is knowing when to draw the line, provided you have the strength to do so and are able.
My personal opinion is that it’s just not worth the risk of hurting your loved one – period. But, that’s just me.
Life of Bon 
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