"Toby" and me

This is a test post from another iPhone blogging service called cellspin. This is a picture of a guy named John who, in person, looks JUST like Toby Keith.

UPDATE: it appears cellspin cuts off the picture instead of resizing it to fit, thus you see only half of me. (although it IS my best half) I'm not sure how to fix something like that, so I'm pretty sure the application is worth what I paid for it. (free)

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

Testing iBlogger

I've downloaded a program that supposedly allows me to blog from my iPhone. I'm not really proficient at it yet so bear with me as I experiment.

Mobile Blogging from here.

Only after I downloaded the program was I made aware you cannot upload photos to Blogspot blogs. I paid 10 bucks and I'm very disappointed.

UPDATE: After registering the product and posting this, the owner of the software company visited the blog to follow up. (click the comment link) I appreciate that kind of service, and it does lift my opinion of iBlogger. After working with it a little, the program is very functional and useful. Its only shortcoming is the inability to post photos.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

iDoctor

Make note of another convert, as Dr. Mike and I went to the Apple store in the Galleria yesterday to get him set up with his own iPhone. He's a former Verizon customer and seems extremely happy with his purchase.

We were probably 15th in line so I figured we'd be out of luck. Not the case, as we were able to snag one with no problem. I can't say the same for those in line behind us, I got the feeling they were running low when we left. The amazing thing is, after the phone had been on sale for almost two weeks, there was STILL a line of probably 35 people on a Tuesday morning trying to get one.

Since I stood in line with him, I contemplated buying another one for myself. Surely I could find a way to sell it on eBay and make some cash. But the fact is, since they are forcing activation before you leave the store, I would have had to pay the cancellation fee AND the balance of the $$ (in this case an extra 300) for purchasing an unactivated phone. The quick math confirmed I had made the right decision to leave well enough alone.


This was early. Later another 10 to 15 people lined up behind us. I considered selling my place in line - in fact, offered it to an Iranian guy who mumbled something about death to America. I guess he's no longer going to deposit 20 million into my bank account, the bastard.

It came to me in a dream...

The new Apple iPhone is quite the incredible piece of equipment. At least that's what I hear.

It's too bad I haven't actually gotten to touch mine yet. For a week, it's been in a warehouse somewhere, longing to be held. Lonely. Wasting away.

Needless to say, I'm less than impressed with the rollout of the 3G units. AT&T stores were ill-equipped to handle activations, and horribly understocked. The store I visited had 20 units to sell on day one, leaving my only option to either go to an Apple store or order mine to be delivered. Stupidly, I went with option two.

On any given day since, I could have gone to the Galleria Apple store at the moment they opened and gotten a new phone. In fact, last night I decided that today I would cancel my AT&T order and do just that.

That is, until The Dream.

Last night I dreamed that I got up and hit refresh on AT&T's order tracker and it indicated my phone had been shipped. (for the past week it has indicated "backordered" and given no estimated time of shipping) Several times in my dream I refreshed the site, to make sure it wasn't just a dream. Then I woke up. Bummer, I had hoped to have the new phone before the weekend so Emily and I could get both of them them set up the way we wanted.

So I got up and went into the kitchen, clicked the refresh button on my notebook PC just for shits and giggles, and went in to get Grayson out of bed. When I returned, the screen indicated "shipped," gave me a tracking number and said it would arrive today before 3 pm.

I'm not proud of the elation I felt. It means I'm a geek in the truest sense of the word. Nobody should swoon over a telephone... it's just not right. But I did receive a little lift knowing that today, I would release the phone from the bondage of its cramped box and allow it to climb into my pocket where it is safe and warm. I'm only hoping it doesn't smell the old iPhone and feel threatened or jealous.

It's about freakin' time, AT&T. Sorry, but you get poor marks for this transaction. I'm only hoping the rest of my experience with the 3G iPhone is better. I'll let you know.

iHate waiting

I'm sure you've hit refresh a thousand times wondering how my iPhone excursion went this morning. Right?

After returning home last night from a guy's night out, I made the mistake of sleeping for a couple of hours. I dozed off and didn't wake up until 5:15, which was about an hour later than I planned. I drove by the AT&T store on highway K, which had a line of about 35 people. Judging from last year's iPhone allotment of 30 phones for that store, I had little chance of getting one there.

I drove through Starbucks for a latte and to contemplate options. I pulled out my first generation iPhone and went to AT&T's website to find another nearby store. The phone wouldn't pull up the site - it gave me the error "can't activate EDGE." Ironic, because EDGE is the whole reason I'm upgrading to iPhone 3G. Bastards!

Finally I was able to get on the site and find an alternate store. Upon arrival I found a line of about 25 people, so I grabbed a lawn chair out of the trunk and took a seat.

I sat. I waited. I contemplated the soul of my sensei, Steve Jobs. I prayed to the iGods.

This was the view before me.

This was the view behind me.

And this was what I saw when I entered the store:


They only had about 20 phones. Fuckity fuck! My only recourse was to order one, which will take about five days. If you know me, you know I'm not good with that! I'm definitely the instant gratification type.

For now, I'll have to make do with the software update that was released today for all iPhones. Honestly there is little difference between the old iPhone and the new one anyway... I'm mostly getting the new one because Em wants my first-gen phone.

Or at least that's the story I'm going with.

Unabashed coverage of the iPhone

For anyone watching for developing iPhone news from the WWDC today, here's the link of a guy, Pete Mortenson, who is blogging live from the event and will have the latest news first.

During the keynote address today by Steve Jobs, the unveiling of the newest version of the iPhone is expected. It's a 3G model (broadband access) and rumor has it, will include lots of new, nifty features.

Click the link above to follow the news via Pete's blog on Popular Mechanics' site. When there, hit 'refresh' for updates. The announcement is expected at Noon, eastern. (30 minutes from now) Update: It's actually noon central time, so it's underway now.

It follows you around... (revised with demo)

Here's a demo of the webcam in action:



I recently upgraded my webcam to the new HP Elite, which includes a stereo microphone and "face tracker," which allows you to move around at your desk and the camera actually follows you around and auto-zooms/auto-focuses so your face (mostly) fills the screen.

It is high resolution (up to 12 megapixel still shot or 3 megapixel video) and looks really neat. Now if I could only find someone who wants to video conference! Wanna?

iPhone 2.0

The rumors are true - sometime around June 18 the newer, slicker Apple iPhone will arrive.

The announcement will be made on June 9 at the opening ceremony of the Worldwide Developers Conference. iPhone 2.0 will operate on the faster 3G HSDPA network, which means broadband speeds finally available on the ground-breaking, technically advanced cell phone.

Em poo-poos my iPhone, but requests to use it almost constantly for the Maps feature and internet. I told her she's welcome to keep it in about 3 weeks... or I'll be happy to buy her one of the saucy, blazing fast new ones. She hasn't officially given her reply.

Wish list for the new phone: GPS (which I understand WILL be a feature), Flash integration for Safari, more convenient features for email, such as multiple delete and landscape view, and video record capabilities. Please, Uncle Steve?

Again, I refuse to stand in line for the new iPhone.*








*for more than 3 or 4 hours.

Back in the day

"Woem 2 you old friend... Greetings from Kermit."

The subject line of the email left no doubt in my mind who was writing. An old buddy from high school was Googling his own name (haven't we all) and it pulled up a blog entry I wrote a few years ago, so he emailed to catch up a little. We haven't talked in twenty years. The internet (and specifically the free access that blogging provides) is so freaking cool!

Ironically, I had Googled this buddy a few times through the years and came up with nothing. That he found me in reverse fashion is nothing short of miraculous, I'd say.

A nickname I developed in high school was Woem. It's meow backwards, a reference to my last name, Morris - which was the famous Nine Lives cat. We must have done a million 'ludes to get to Woem.

Quick "Kermit" story. Clintoris, Kermit and I went camping one weekend at somebody's cabin out in the woods. Most of the night and morning were spent imbibing various illicit substances and by the time we had packed up to go home, we had developed a fairly profound case of insobriety.

At the time, I was driving a pretty sweet 1965 Dodge Coronet with a .318 8-cyclinder. On the twenty mile trip back, buzzing like a saw from the Coors, Kermit decided to reach over and shove the shifter into park. Trouble was, I was driving 40 at the time.

Meanwhile, we had gotten the engine really wet and one of the cylinders had stopped firing... so by the time I dropped the guys off, I had only 2 forward gears and 7 cyclinders to get me home.

The next Monday I bought my '73 Gran Torino. That helped me get over being pissed at Kermit.

He and I also used to share a flask of Southern Comfort during band class occasionally. We never got caught, and I have no idea how.

Sometimes I miss being a kid and living in the country. Things were simple - no worries at all. That's only an illusion, of course... but still.

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We've settled on a name for our son. I'll let you know what it is as soon as he's born. We're only a few days away...

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I had to replace my good camera (it died for some reason) this week, and ended up with a really sweet Canon SLR. It's the EOS 40D, and I'm loving it.

We'll save a fortune on photographers for Sparky alone. All I need is a backdrop, some lights and ... um, what else was it again? Oh yeah, photography skills.

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We're getting ready to pour a patio behind the villa and build some stairs down to it from the deck. We want to open up the backyard for Sparky to play in and for entertaining. I have my eye on the sweetest freaking grill you've ever seen. If you're a guy, get a drool rag because I'm posting a picture. They've run me out of Home Depot three times for loitering nearby:


There are freaking spotlights on that hood that shine down on your sizzling steaks. Sweet-ass sweet!

So my point to Em is, Father's Day is coming up, right? My birthday too. You can combine the two and I won't even be pissed.

Archaeological find

Em and I cleaned out and reorganized our kitchen today, and found these:



What the hell are they? Anyone know? They were at a level in the drawer that dates them back to around 1999 or 2000. I'm betting on Blogarita or Fantastagirl, but whoever answers first wins them. Good luck.

"Computers are our friends"

Repeat that phrase 20,000 times, so you will be convinced. "Computers are our friends."

I spent the entire weekend setting up a new computer in my office, which replaced an old one that bit dust this week.

I have two pieces of advice for anyone who deals with computers, which obviously means you.

First, never... never ever ever never ever ever trust your valuable photos and data to an outboard USB hard drive. I've been burned twice in the past year... most recently, tonight when I plugged in the drive that contains (er, contained) our entire library of photographs.

Dark power button. Nothing.

Fuck.

The second piece of advice is never, never, ever trust your valuable photos and data to an INBOARD hard drive.

Basically, don't trust a computer to safely store anything. Do yourself a favor, and burn them to DVD. It will save you from patching drywall holes and paying major money to the Geek Squad to retrieve your data.

Which is where I will be going tomorrow.

Wii, the people

Emily, regarding whether we should order dessert last night: "The baby wants some, I can't help it."

Emily, explaining how she knows: "Have YOU ever had a child? It told me telepathically, through the umbilical cord."

I wanted to make a record of those quotes, I'm sure we'll want to reference them at a later date.

This probably won't be the last time the baby will be used to get her way... in fact, I'll bet it's the BABY that doesn't want me to have a Wii. It already has Dad wrapped around its little finger. Apparently, telepathically.

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Speaking of dessert, it was only yesterday that I divulged (on Annie's blog) that Em and I are vowing to eat at home for 30 days. Just for a change of pace, we're preparing menus, power-grocery-shopping, etc. in order to prepare each evening's meal ourselves.

About six hours after I told Annie of our "dine-at-home" plans, we were sitting in Bristol's restaurant browsing a menu.

It's not that we're weak. Em found out late yesterday afternoon that her classes had been canceled for the week. Since she isn't usually home Monday nights, we hadn't planned dinner.

At least that's the excuse we're going with.

Monday night is my "night out" when I generally watch Monday Night Football on TV at a bar somewhere and have beer and a salad. Spending it with Em was MUCH more fun... although there was nothing on television except football.

We could have played the Wii, I guess...

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This little piggy said "wii, wii, wii..." all the way home.

Momentum

Life is all about momentum.

I'd need a doctor to confirm or deny it, but cataclysmic medical issues aside (such as cancer or heart attack) you die when you lose your momentum.

My grandmother worked in a restaurant, lugging plates of food and platters of drinks until about a year before she died. She decided it was time to "retire," so she quit. The problem is, she didn't have anything else to DO after that... so she sat in her house watching television and eating the same thing... day after day... until she died.

And all it took was a year.

Pray the day never comes when you hear Mom say "I think I'll skip my walk today." Or from Dad, "I'm too tired to go to the strip joint."

You must keep moving forward. To slow down too much is to stop. And we all know what stopping means.

I'm writing this down... so in 40 years, I won't forget.

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As we prepare for the baby's arrival, Emily and I are each working on our individual preparation projects. She is shopping for outfits, diapers, wall decorations for the nursery...

I went shopping for this.
It's a high definition hard-drive camcorder. If we're having a baby, we need to record as much of him or her as possible. I don't have a lot of video of Courtney when she was little. Sure we rented a camcorder for the big events, but we have very little footage of her everyday cuteness. That will change with little "Earl" or "Earlene." (only temporary names, don't worry)

As you've probably gathered, electronic gadgets are my weakness. I sit around all day playing with this thing. I've videoed the dog and cat, Emily lying in bed with morning sickness, a Mexican guy fixing the telephone lines behind our house, even us watching a baseball game... at home in our living room. WTF?

I think I'll tape myself taking out the trash later.

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Nothing is spookier (besides maybe Hannibal Lector or Rosie O'Donnell without makeup) (or Rosie O'Donnell with makeup) than finding out somebody else is living their life... as you.

I found out a guy in Indianapolis is working and living under my exact name and social security number. I received a letter from the IRS saying I hadn't claimed some income from 2005, because I failed to report my W2 from a brick and shale company based in Tennessee.

When the smoke cleared, I learned (through local law enforcement and the feds) that an illegal immigrant has been using my name and SS# for three years, in order to work and live in the US. I can't imagine where he got my info, but I'm hoping by now he's been arrested and his ass is sitting on a bus back to Mexico.

This immigration thing MUST be fixed. This is the second time in seven years that my identity has been stolen.

Now I just need to find a way to convince Master Card that it was that Mexican guy who fraudulently charged a new camcorder to my account.

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I'm in the middle of a complete redesign of my website, planning a wedding, planning for the arrival of a child, organizing my office and recording studio, getting the odds and ends of my life cleaned up... as you can see, I have a few things on my plate. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, and when I finally did, it wasn't that interesting.

PS - I just noticed that Google now lets you add video directly to your blog posts. Sweet! I have some great footage of me clipping my toenails in HD.

iPhone Confessions

Over at smays.com, my friend Steve is doing a series of interviews with people who have taken the early leap of faith with an iPhone.

Steve is one of the most web savvy people I know. He has a clear view of the future of the internet and how it will evolve in the next 10 to 20 years. He's a Mac guy... and the iPhone is my first foray into the world of the Mac.

We sat and chatted, on my iPhone, about my iPhone, over a cup of coffee yesterday morning. To hear the results, go here.

www.smays.com is one of my multi-stop daily fixes.

MiPhone

I know you'll be shocked, but I did it.

I stood in line for about an hour yesterday to get the new Apple iPhone. Yes, me. In line. I've never stood in line for anything, and yet I succumbed to the intense hype. The siren called out to me. All that shit.

Talk about a geek-fest. There were 30 people in line with me at the O'Fallon MO AT&T store, and I was #29. When I arrived, the sales guy looked at me with a sort of "I'm waiting for you to ask me about the iPhone" look on his face. So of course I indulged him.

"How many phones do you have, and am I too late?" It was 5:55 pm, a full FIVE MINUTES before the doors opened. He gave me this little wink that was simultaneously geeky and cocky... and one of those dorky tongue clicks. The only thing missing was the finger-as-pistol "Shooter McGee" motion. He fished around in his pocket. This was his moment to shine!

"Here ya go." He handed me a voucher that guaranteed me the right to purchase a phone. A little quiver passed through my body... much the same feeling as when you find out your application for auto financing has been approved.

And I've paid less for a car.

I bought a 4 gig model and so far I'm elated. Overall, the network's speed is more than compensated for by the incredible functionality of the phone. The email, voice mail and usability of Safari, the internet interface all seem unparalleled. The screen is bright, easy to navigate and the calls are clear. I've been on Cingular for a long time, and at least in this area, it has the most reliable coverage of all the cell companies.

When I plugged the unit into my laptop, (a PC-*gasp!*)it synched easily with iTunes, went online automatically, and in about 5 screens I had transferred my service from my old cell to the iPhone. Seamlessly, the new phone took over. It synched all my contacts from Outlook, my calendar entries and the photos and music I had decided to add to the iPhone.

It also automatically added all my email accounts to the iPhone. The email automatically downloads to the phone and alerts me when I have new messages. The voicemail interface is great - it actually lists all your messages, who they're from, and each has a play button you can click to listen on speaker. No more dialing into the network and navigating the BS menus.

The unit is also an iPod, although that function won't be very important to me.

I really do believe this phone is a groundbreaking new tool, with the amazing animated graphic interface, its versatility (some of which I'm not even aware of yet) and functionality. (more of which I'm not yet aware) On my home wi-fi network, it flies. On the Cingular network, it's a bit slow. They guaranteed me they are working on getting better speed out of their system.

I now have a Sprint Pocket PC 6700 for sale. If you're interested (and haven't succumbed to the alure of the iPhone) let me know. I'll make you a hell of a deal. It comes with a 1 gig data card.

I'll keep you updated on how MiPhone performs.

Oh. This is my last hurrah. I'm finished buying high tech stuff for a while. ;)


EDIT: I just realized I've used my phone for several days, yet never opened the instruction book. This thing is extremely intuitive.

I'm a research fool, let there be no mistake

When I buy something, I know exactly what I'm getting. I've always been that way... I research every little aspect and make sure it's exactly what I need.

So as I prepare for the release of the Apple iPhone, I'm looking at all its capabilities, and it may truly be the most amazing phone...

... I'll never own.

See, I have this thing about having the best electronics I can afford. For the $$, the laptop I'm typing on right now is the absolute Cadillac, a 17" widescreen, dual core, 2 gigs of memory, 200 gigs of hard drive... etc. And I replace my laptops about once a year.

Same with cell phones. Currently, I have a Samsung slide phone and a Sprint PDA. Yes, carrying both means all I'm missing is a pocket protector. Screw you... it works for me.

The iPhone is threatening to replace both of them. It has extreme internet capabilities, automatic synching of contacts, bookmarks, calendar, all touch screen, a built-in iPod, mapping and GPS capabilities, auto sensors which turn the screen off (touch and light) when you put the phone to your ear... I'm telling you, it's ALMOST the perfect cell phone.

Almost.

Trouble is, it's only as fast as the network it functions on... and that network is Cingular's EDGE. Why on EARTH they would develop a new state-of-the-art cellular phone that runs on the OLD data network - is completely beyond me. That would be like building a new line of hybrid automobile whose electric motor is disabled.

Sure, the phone includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi data capabilities, as well. But on a routine basis, when out in the real world, your only high speed option is EDGE.

How stupid is that?

This may be the breaking point for me. When Cingular sells Treos, Blackberries, etc. which run on the new, MUCH faster 3G network, yet leave their newest, hottest product functioning on their old system, they may have lost the sale.

Plus, it doesn't support third-party applications at all, including the ability to open and edit Word documents.

I was convinced I was going to be among the first iPhone owners. Now, I think I will wait a while...

Pardon me while I spew mucus

So my head is completely stopped up. I sound like freakin' Droopy Dog in my voice over sessions, and sleep is irregular at best. I feel somewhat better today though... we'll see.

The new bedroom furniture was delivered yesterday (Violet's coverage here) and it looks great. The room is freshly painted and I transferred my underwear to the proper drawers.

Anybody else have a sorting routine for your clothes? Some might think I take it too far... I have one drawer for v-neck t-shirts, another for crew-necks, another one for colored t-shirts, still a separate drawer for t-shirts with words or art on them. Then I have separate drawers for white and colored socks, and separate drawers for boxers and boxer/briefs. I am a very organized person.

My closet is separated into different sections - one for plaid short-sleeve shirts, one for hawaiian vacation shirts, still another for long-sleeved shirts of all colors, another for only white long-sleeved shirts. A section for jeans, a section for black pants, and yet another section for khaki pants. I take from the right, put back to the left, and when the item has been worn twice (or once if I've been to Chevy's) I put it in the dry-clean or dirty clothes hamper. (those are separate too)

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I generally try to pay bills twice a month. Today's bills include mortgage, credit card, child support, electricity, car, Hummer, Sam's Club, condo fee, phone bill. Jeezus, I need to learn moderation...

Speaking of, it's time to turn in my leased BMW. When I first got it, I needed two cars. For the past 6 months, I've barely driven it. I totally love this car - it's a 745Li with every option known to man. It goes zero to sixty in 4-point-something, has the greatest sound system I've ever heard, and has been the car I wanted for most of my life. I'm glad I got it.

Having said that, being rid of it will result in massive extra money per month, which I'm fairly sure Violet will want me to spend on bling. (she's not really that type)

I really want a two-seat convertible for the summer, maybe I'll make a move when it gets warm. I just need a fun warm-weather car of some kind... and it doesn't look like we're getting the VW Microbus I wanted.

The Amazing Race

Dr. Mike and I have both been intending to get a new 50-inch flat screen. In fact, a couple of weeks ago we were going to go to the store together so we could force each other to just get it done. Since then, it's become more of a race... an almost personal need to beat the other to the punch... and last night I totally kicked his ass.

We're moving furniture around and refurnishing a couple of rooms of the house, so it made sense to replace my old standard TV in the living room. Plus, I'm a gadget guy and occasionally (like a woman) I need to go shopping to satiate myself. I got needs.

I ended up with a Samsung 50-inch freakin' kick-ass plasma TV and a DirecTV HD DVR. It took longer to put the stupid TV stand together than it took to wire the equipment and get the speakers working. I'm slower than the special ed chess team at shit like that.

I've ordered new bedroom furniture and will now probably have space for the baby grand piano I've always wanted. Too bad my musical abilities approximate that of a deaf orangutan.

Anyway, it's good to purge... get rid of the shitty old stuff and update a little. Winter sucks, but new stuff makes it suck less.

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I was finally able to switch to the new blogger, but it seems to have temporarily (I hope) blocked some people from being able to sign in and leave a comment. Hopefully by now it's been fixed. Also, about half of my comments from the past few weeks have been re-labeled 'anonymous.'

But at least I no longer feel like a leper or Rosie O'Donnell.