Jeffrey's blog

First Impressions of St. Anthony Civics

Tonight I attended the St. Anthony city council meeting. This is the second such meeting I've attended in any city, the first ever was a month ago.

Caught My First Trout

This evening, I caught my first trout (that was big enough to keep anyway). I've been fishing for over two months now, and I've only caught about 15 fish, all less than a foot long. I was really starting to feel discouraged!

Coming Up for Air

It's been almost 10 months since my last post! I've immersed myself in my new job, house hunting, purchasing our first house, moving in, and preparing the home for winter. Mix in some business trips, a major vacation, a few novels read and limited internet access at home. Is it any wonder 10 months have flown by without a word?

Well, things are returning to normal. Winter is setting in. The heater is working. I've hit my stride at work. And the urge to get back to posting is really strong! I have a lot to tell you about.

Prayers of the Heart

I now work for the Brigham Young University - Idaho Office of University Communications, as the Web Services Coordinator!

It's a wonderful opportunity. Part of my responsibilities include: watching over the BYUI.edu web site (which, unlike most universities, is most of the web content), deploying a new web publishing platform (already in its final stages), and coordinating the online communications activities of all BYU-I entities (this last part is the most exciting). This position is all about improving online communication at BYU-Idaho!

Changes and New Opportunities

The past five months have been a feverish blur. I have passed through some of the hardest working conditions that I've ever experienced and I've made a life-changing decision that will impact all of my family and friends. I have experienced another of those, what I call, "mountain peak moments" when you can see the path you took to this spot and all the paths before you. At such moments, you can only stop for a time, to observe and to ponder the majesty of life, before plunging forward into further challenging travels and adventures.

The Information Migration, From PCs to Pockets

A recent report from research firm IDC states that shipments of mobile devices (tablets and smaller) will overtake PC shipments within 18 months. While many are speculating the end of the PC era, I see a more important shift in the making. As mobile devices come to dominate, the small form-factor of screen and input will alter how information is presented and manipulated.

Repairing a Mac Magsafe Power Cord (the Magnetic End)

I just finished repairing the magnetic end of my magsafe power adapter. My wife has been using it on her mac for a while and, well...let's just say the magnetic feature was used, a lot!

The power cord began separating soon after she adopted it (having broken her original in the same manner). I have a spare, so I didn't take quick action. Though I did watch it closely to see how the problem evolved. If it began smoking or seemed to risk a fire, I would have cut off her mac access until I could repair it.

Moving Beyond Personal Computing

Here are some notes and thoughts concerning computer technology and life satisfaction (which is really suffering right now).

http://ozzie.net/docs/dawn-of-a-new-day/

concerning the past 25 years of personal computing, Ozzie says,

A New Water Cycle

This summer, I read a fascinating book call "The Humanure Handbook; a guide to composting human manure"

For two decades now I have imagined waste water recycling systems for domestic use.

We are planning to build a green home in a semi-arrid desert space, with a solarium and (hopefully) attached green house(s). Water conservation is very important!

This book details how human sewage can be composted to provide safe, balanced, and fertile soil fit for gardening. This promotes a direct, synergistic relationship between you, your food, and your immediate environment!

To Rent or to Buy In an Inflated Housing Market

Realestate is confusing right now. Voices clamor "the bubble burst. Buy. Buy. Buy" Or, "we haven't seen the bottom yet. Rent. Rent. Rent."

In my case, I'm especially pessimistic, and here's why. We are a stupid, self-deceived, selfish people. We believe homes are assetts. We have become insane speculators on housing and property.

I believe that a home should not cost more than about 5 years of income. This isn't an unreasonable belief: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/home-shopping-where-to-rent-and-where-...