erica's joys :)

I started this post on the plane, this time headed back to Atlanta from apartment hunting in New York. For the record, the trip was largely unsuccessful. I suppose I'm used to newer cities with newer apartments. The shotgun apartments with "charm" (read: old appliances) and creaky floors just don't do it for me and the more modern apartments all cost a small fortune.

So prior to my starting this post, I was editing a picture from my cousins wedding in Photoshop. I'd like to print that photo and frame it myself, but alas, I've not found a place that will allow me to mat and frame a photo myself. I don't know if I've mentioned it in previous postings but I used to mat and frame art, prints, and photos kind of professionally while I was in school. I even taught matting and framing classes once a week. I enjoyed the work and it was actually relaxing. Unfortunately, the only place I can find online that allows people to mat and frame on their own stuff is in Berkeley, CA. While I love any excuse to go visit Cali, that's sort of a long trip to do matting and framing. Maybe, hopefully, there is a place in New York that allows people to frame their own stuff. FYI, a quick way to get art on your walls at home is to buy some picturesque and/or artistic calendars and mat and frame the pages. Also works well with those bargain coffee table books from Borders.

So today during my weekly pilgrimage to Whole Foods, I happened to see this cute little bottle with a mint leaf on it. Upon further inspection, the product inside the cute bottle was water. Not just another bottled water, mind you, mint flavored bottled water. I bought a bottle, tasted it, and now I'm hooked. It's called Metromint and its great. Also, no calories. Even better. If you like mint, go buy some.

Happy Turkey/$100 XBox 360 Day Everybody!

Labels: apartments, framing, metromint

I've changed my template for the time being since my old one wasn't compatible with Blogger in Beta. Don't be alarmed if you see things changing around.

Update: Back to normal-ish with a comment work-around in place.

From Analytics

I've been meaning to post this for a while. Remember that post I made about using your Google Personalized Homepage in your Firefox Sidebar? So it got Dugg, I got a lot of traffic to my site which eventually leveled off to the previous traffic levels. It's interesting to see a visual representation of the Digg effect (well to me anyhow) so I'm posting a screenshot of some Google Analytics stats. The spike in the top left graph is from the day that post got Dugg.

Crazy right?

Moving on, today I was on the elevator at work and one of the guys from PWC started talking to me about my job. He asked the regular questions, like what do you do, and I gave my standard answer "Type on computers all day." He then asked if we worked hard and I said yes, we work hard and we play hard. To this he says, "Oh I see you guys come in wearing jeans everyday and it seems like you're just chillin.'" Errrr, what?

This made me start thinking about dress codes and how people perceive those who aren't restricted by them. For example, because I wear jeans to work everyday, does that mean I don't work hard? I would think that people work better and harder when they are comfortable. Also, what purpose do dress codes serve anyhow? If you're amongst your peers, what is the point of "looking professional?" Shouldn't your work be able to show just how good you are at your job? Nah, that's too reasonable.

So when I went to San Diego, my cousin introduced me to a new addiction. I give you the Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks. Now since I'm going to be a New Yorker soon, I have a reason to brush up on my Starbucks lingo. Grande, non-fat, half-caf, no whip, please and thank you very much. Continuing on my becoming a New Yorker trend, I'm only drinking these coffees and eating celery. Just kidding, I don't think I can only exist on celery. Well not unless its inside tuna salad on some really good bread. Okay I'm hungry now, time to go find a snack. Later folks!

So I'm flying right now and won't be posting this until I get home. No matter, I have one more hour before we're scheduled to land.

I'm returning from San Diego where my beautiful cousin GiGi got married to a wonderful guy. The wedding was gorgeous, despite a few snafus. For the record, if you're in the Southern California area planning a wedding, please don't book Clawson Photography. They're scam artists who use a fake sample book (with pics stolen from a good photographer) plus a low price to take your money. They either never show up for the wedding or do show up but never send the pictures. They tried to scam my cousin but luckily she did some research and was able to book a great photographer at the last minute. I don't know their names but once I find out, I'll update this post. The rehearsal dinner was iffy due to an issue at the Dave and Busters in San Diego. Apparently medical conditions do not override their policies on headwear inside the establishment unless the general manager gets involved. Really bad form in my opinion. Aside from that drama, all went well. Congrats Gi and JR!

On the tech tip, I've still been playing with the new thing mentioned in my previous post, also known as the Google Apps For Your Domain Start Page. I used to work at an educational institution and if I was still there, I'd set the Start Page as the homepage on all my Firefox deployments. That would be a great way to keep students up to date with current info. Anywho, with this addition to Google Apps For Your Domain and the fun new features added to Gmail (all hail the Murd...errr Mute function!), the Google fangirl in me has been cheering loudly lately. :)

In other news, my move to New York is fast approaching. I go to look for apartments next weekend and I move in early December. It's a little nervewracking but luckily its the only worry I have right now. I have some anxiety about not having a car anymore but I think I'll get over it in time. It's really hard figuring out which neighborhoods are the "good" neighborhoods and which are the not so good ones. I'm leaning towards parts of Brooklyn, Astoria, and Jersey City though I'll probably end up with something I wasn't even expecting. That just tends to be how things happen for me. :)

So I'm home now and just got the pop up to switch to new-ish Blogger beta. Sooo, here is my first post from new Blogger world. Everybody have a great day!

Labels: Google fangirl, vacation, wedding

So I'm tinkering with this new thing. Check it out and tell me what you think...what are some cool things I should add to it?