WFMW: Google Street View

Today is Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer. I have been quite lax in my posting lately, but this is a tip I simply MUST share.

Did you know that Google Street View has uses OTHER than spying on your neighbors, amusing yourself with people passed out on the roadside in Australia, or houses on fire? Yes my friends, I have found a fabulous new use for it.

How many times have you been thinking of a restaurant or store - you know where it is located, but the name simply escapes you? Ugh - you know the feeling. Well, now that Google Street View is nearly everywhere, you can use it. I'll give you an example...

I was trying to remember the name of this fabulous restaurant in Palm Desert. I knew it was on Cook and Country Club - but the name.....aaackkkk....not a clue. So I opened Google Maps and typed in "Cook Street 92260" (the name of the street and the local zip code). Once it popped up, I clicked on the button "streetview". At that point it shows a little orange outline of a man that you can move anywhere on the map. I moved him in front of where I thought the restaurant was and clicked. Sure enough - the street view came up, I shifted the view to the location exactly, zoomed in and:

Cork Tree Restaurant

I've already used this tip for restaurants, grocery stores and even gas stations. I absolutely LOVE it!

For more fabulous ideas, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer...you don't need a map for that one! (wow, that was a really lame joke....sorry)

Resumes speak volumes

While none of us prefer to be judged by our resume, we really can't argue that it is a good starting point when beginning a candidate search. So maybe we should look at the resumes of the current candidates for president:

Looking at these four educational resumes*, without knowing their race or their gender, who would you give an interview to?

Obama

Occidental College (Los Angeles) - 2 years studying Politics and Public Policy.
Columbia University (New York) - B.A. Political Science with a specialization in International Relations. Harvard Law School - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude, Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Law Review

Biden

University of Delaware - B.A. in History and a B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

McCain

United States Naval Academy - Class rank 894 of 899

Palin

Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester - Business Administration.
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - General Studies.
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - Journalism.
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester.
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Hmmm......well, I know who'd I'd interview!! How about you?

**Information gained from Momocrats - go check them out! **

Some interesting links about Sarah Palin

I have to say, as a woman, I was actually quite insulted by the choice of Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate. There are so many more qualified Republicans that would have been valid choices. However, this choice seemed to be pandering. A woman with little experience? It seems to me that this choice is made as a token and an insult. Assuming that a woman will vote for a ticket simply because of a woman vice presidential candidate is just condescending (we're all just such weak willed creatures)! And who knows, maybe it'll work. Actuary tables show that the chances of McCain (well any 72 year old) surviving to the age of 76 is approximately 85%. Are Americans really willing to risk someone so inexperienced as President, particularly at this dangerous time?

However, there is another problem with picking a candidate that people know little about ... people go looking for information. With only about 2 months until the election, this leaves little time for damage control and correction.

So here are some of the interesting reddit postings today ...
Is Todd Palin a shadow governor?
It doesn't look like she'll pull the evangelical vote either
She was in support of the 'bridge to nowhere' when she ran for Governor in 2006
Some odd behavior of hers with regard to a Dairy
She seems to have some misunderstandings about history
She doesn't want Polar Bears listed as endangered
She has five children - why is she only holding her youngest in this People pic (This pic just creeps me out - McCain looks so uncomfortable and even Sarah looks odd holding her own child) She may have used her power to (try to) fire someone other than her brother-in-law
A nice summation of what many reporters are finding
And of course, the tabloid-esque question: Is her youngest son actually her grandson?

I know that many of these tales could be false or merely misleading. But it does beg the question, did the RNC really look into Mrs. Palin's background prior to the nomination? Or is that the intent? Are all of these distractions in the campaign to take the focus off of the issues? Either way - the next two months should be VERY interesting...

Disclaimer: Let it be known that I would not have voted for McCain. Let it also be noted that if the Democrats had nominated someone with the issues of Sarah Palin as VP - I wouldn't be voting for them either.

It's Blog Day 2008 !!!

So it is, in fact, blog day 2008 . . .
The general concept is to find five blogs you love reading and to share them with others (with a short intro of course)! I think that is just wonderful, though I've decided to go a step farther and also share five web-comics I adore. Why? you ask. Well, because in so many ways these web comics are like illustrated blogs - and they make me laugh on a daily basis. What could be better than that? So I'll be letting my favorite bloggers and artists know I'm posting them here so they know they're loved!

Bloggers (in no particular order)
** Friday Playdate - Susan is IMHO one of the funniest and most honest people that I've ever read. I follow her tribulations with her 2 boys (one of which has the croup right now) and her adventures over to China for the Olympics. I enjoy her pithy comments so much I even follow her on twitter! Her blog is simple, honest and a whole bucket load of funny - so go check her out....NOW!!

** Stop Screaming I'm Driving - Yes I actually enjoy her blog for more than the LOVELY sprinkles at the top of her page (mmmm...sprinkles....mmmmm)! She is funny and entertaining on a daily basis and I anxiously await each new post.

** Shalee's Diner - Shalee has been going through some tough times of late but has shown her lovely light through it all. The blog focuses on her love of her family, her faith, and how she brings it all together!

** WWdN: In Exile - This is Wil Wheaton's blog...remember him? Yes, the gray jump-suit wearing adorable teen on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Well, boy has he come a long way since then. An accomplished author in both fiction and non-fiction. He has published three books with anecdotes about his life, numerous manga and Star Trek storylines. He now does voice-overs and occassional acting (when the part really moves him). He has two grown sons that are the joy of his life and he wraps all this up into his amazing blog. Plus, if you're a geek, link to the propeller geek group he admins.

** Neil Gaimian's Journal - This is a personal favorite for me. I absolutely love, Love, LOVE Neil's writing and try to absorb every book he's ever written. He's currently travelling around in China researching another book. In his absence, his two lovely daughter and many other of his friends and webhelpers are keeping us up to date on the exitement.

And now for the comics
** Real Life Comics - Possibly the funniest comic on the internet. Though at times Glen and I do believe they've equipped the crickets in our house with mini cams. I can not tell you how many times we have a had a bizarre conversation on one day, only to see it echoed in the strip a few days later.

** Questional Content - A great daily dose for my geekdom. The story of a group of friends, some more unusual than others, and the very real 'foot in mouth' situations we all get ourselves into. Plus, Hanner is one of the funniest characters I've ever followed.

** Penny Arcade - A classic gamer's cartoon that has spawned a sensation currently invading Seattle (PAX). If you play RPGs, video games or are a geek in any way . . . you MUST follow this comic!

** Ctrl+Alt+Del - I don't even know how to describe this comic - part blog, part gamer's log, part insanity -- just a whole lot of fun!!!

** xkcd - I cannot describe this any better than the 'warning label' placed on the comic itself:

"Warning: this comic occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)."

So - there are my contributions to the world of blogging . . . what are yours??

Something to believe in

Along with millions of Americans, I watched the Democratic National Convention this week. I sat each night watching people I admired, people I doubted and people I knew little about give speeches about the state of our nation and the hope for a new future. I wanted to believe them and I wanted to know that change was coming. Tonight Obama delivered that faith to me.

As a teacher, I cheered when he spoke of guaranteeing quality teachers for students, ensuring that standards are met and that any child willing to give time to their country should be awarded with a college education. As a woman, I rejoiced at his admiration of Hillary Clinton and his desire to ensure equal pay for equal work. As an American I believed him when he promised to bring us out of the recession, to help us all keep our homes, save our jobs and make ends meet.

The last few months have been difficult on our family. My husband lost his job to the real estate shakeup (and some bad management) shortly after I had chosen to leave my accounting job for a restaurant and return to teaching. This left us living on unemployment and my substitute teaching (and tutoring) salary. All while we're trying to pay bills accrued while caring for ailing grandparents. Luckily we cut expenses and have wonderful parents that helped out when my car's thermostat decided to die. But still, it's a constant stress and a constant pressure. The job prospects in the valley are drier than the landscape and nearly everyone I know who lost their job are averaging 9-10 months before finding another. We decided to send my hubby back to school while I'm doing my credential online. This means a tight budget and probably very little time together. But we both believe in teaching and want to move forward in that direction. However, now I'm facing the possibility of losing my student loan. This isn't due to credit ratings or anything we have done - it's because of the subprime mortgage situation. This has made companies nervous about loans and many companies are pulling student loans - with a week left before classes start.

I have been absolutely ripped apart by all of this - the stress, the fear, the hopelessness. However, for one hour tonight I saw a light ahead and saw promises that could be fulfilled. I saw hope in the eyes of an honest man, a father, a husband, a son and a man of faith. There are no words for how much I needed to see that tonight and how much we all need to see a future that benefits more than the rich.

I will not attack McCain, nor will I attack his supporters. We all make the choices in the privacy of our home and we have curtained voting booths for a reason. I just know that this year, for the first time since I've been voting, I'll actually be voting FOR a candidate rather than against his opponent. And this gives me the most solid and real feel of patriotism that I have ever experienced.

Fishnets for Vigoda

If you are curious why I have this pic, just blame Whitechapel...a little experiment in IntarWeb Culture Jamming.

WFMW: Offbeat Bride

I've been quite absent from the blog for about a month. Why? you ask. Well, it's a little thing called my wedding! It is now 11 days away (eeeekkkkk!!!) and I'm running like crazy. Actually, I've calmed substantially over the last few weeks because I just feel we've got enough done and everything else is just bonus!

My Works for me Wednesday posting is for Offbeat Bride. This site has numerous pictures, suggestions, advice and even vendors to suit the specific needs of the a wedding that is far from common. Whether you're a tattoo sleeved piercing enthusiast who wants to wear a bright red leather minidress or just (like me) looking to add your own personal touches (read: Geeky Nerdiness) to make your wedding unique, this site has tons of recommendations. I love all the wedding photos and stories as well. It makes me realize that when the wedding truly reflects the bride and groom, the whole event is happier for all involved!

So if you're getting married soon, or just really wanting to look at some fabulous wedding pics, go check out Offbeat bride! And for other tips and hints, check out the other postings on Rocks in my Dryer's Works for me Wednesday!