Creative 404's

I came across a creative 404 (page not found) error page on Digg this morning.  It made me wonder what other sites have creative 404s.  If you come across this post, feel free to pop an entry in the comments and I'll add it to the list.

Here's a start:

 

http://www.orangecoat.com/404 (via Digg)

http://patterntap.com/404

http://homestarrunner.com/systemisdown.html (not their actual 404, but creative nonetheless)

http://homestarrunner.com/404 (their actual 404)

http://www.lookitsme.co.uk/404_me

Black Pepper Chicken

One of my favorite places to eat is our little "hole-in-the-wall" Chinese buffet - Super Wok.  What keeps me coming back, again and again, is the Black Pepper Chicken (BPC).

I used to be (and still am to some extent) a General Tso's chicken fan; however, it is BPC that currently holds my affections.  When eating BPC, I like to start with a heavy layer of white rice, topped with some pork fried rice (for flavor), and a healthy dose of BPC.  I've tried BPC at other buffets, and they just don't cut it.

We've ordered the BPC as take-out on a number of occasions, but I prefer it on the buffet; because Super Wok also has the best Crab Rangoon I've ever tasted.  Toss in chicken on a stick, topped off with a Chinese doughnut and a fortune cookie, and you have the makings of a fine meal.

If you ever pass through the South Lebanon/Maineville area, you need to check out Super Wok.

Burn Notice

A few weeks ago, I saw that Burn Notice was returning on July 10.  Unfortunately, I did not mark the date.  So, I missed the season premiere of season 2 last night.  Fortunately, USA now has full episodes online (brought to you by DirectTV or Blackberry...on the two occasions I've started the episode this morning).

If you've never seen Burn Notice, it is James Bond meets MacGyver in Miami.  It is a serial, action dramedy.  It is good enough to be on network television.  With the lull in summer programming, Burn Notice is a note-worthy addition to your line-up (of course, I'm not advocating more TV watching, stop watching all that reality garbage and watch something fictional...or should that be the other way around?)

Technorati Tags: Burn Notice,TV,USA Network,dramedy

Just for Fun: Edit any Web Page

I suppose I really don't have a chance at this year's election due that that whole not 35 y/o issue.  However, I can still manipulate the news.  Hey, you can too.  Just drag this link to you bookmarks toolbar: Edit this page.

 

[via Digital Inspiration]

Technorati Tags: fun stuff,fun

A Productivity Hobbyist

I'm not a GTD freak; I've never read the David Allen classic.  However, that does not isolate me from being a Productivity Hobbyist.  My fascination with lifehacks and shortcuts is very much on the level of a hobby.  It is certainly not out of necessity.  If I were to spend as much time doing work as I do reading about how to do it quicker, I would get much more done.  However, when it comes down to the deadline and getting things done, I can usually (due to my hobby) zip through a list of tasks with ease.

My hobby is not entirely in vain.  I've been able to stay ahead of many of my more knowledgeable co-workers when it comes to workload, simply because I've discovered tips, tweaks, and hacks they haven't.

I'm quick to give up any secrets.  As soon as I come across a piece of information that I think is valuable, I want to share it with someone else.  I want to constantly be a learner and a teacher.  In many respects, I want to be a filter.  I'll read 30 blog posts a day on productivity, and I'll pass along 3.  Not that the content of the others wasn't valuable, but I'm intentional when I forward the 3 filtered posts.

My productivity hobby is primarily centered in the world of technology.  In the coming weeks, I'd like to discipline myself to actually post about some of the tools that I use and how they make my life better and more productive.

I'm counting on you.

Blogging again?

I've been on hiatus since January.  I've already re-entered the blog scene through http://blog.journeyky.com.  I've written a dozen posts (mostly drafts for the future) at this point over there.  I'm going to try to pick up posting here.

The hardest thing is to start again.  I know I don't have any readership at the moment, so blogging is really just a practice that benefits me.  I do hope to stick to it, and maybe I'll gain a reader or two.

I think that if I knew I had people reading and subscribing, then I'd be more faithful with it.  I don't seem to mind letting myself down, but if others are involved, I think I'd be more committed.

So here's to getting over the initial hump by actually posting an intent to return.  You'll hopefully be seeing more in the future.

Fasting - the one week mark

As this evening closes, I've completed a full week of fasting.  At this point, the hunger has almost completely subsided.  My energy has picked up quite a bit.  I think this is due in part to getting over the initial slump, but I must also contribute my growing energy to adding more juice to my diet.  I've added between 2 and 3 8oz. glasses of juice each day.  I've picked higher end juices from Odwalla.  I've noticed better mental clarity, and overall I'm feeling very good.

My fast remains open-ended with no set conclusion.  I will simply stop when my willpower gives out. 

The basic purpose of this fast is to recharge my self-discipline.  As I see it, fasting is one of the greatest challenges in discipline that I've ever experienced.   Completing the fast is an encouragement to myself that I can master my passions.  Other challenges in discipline that I will face will likely pale in comparison to what I am experiencing currently.

Custom Favicon

Did you notice the new custom favicon?  I whipped that together this afternoon over at http://favicon.cc.

Nathan Mabry ||

http://nathanmabry.com

A New Year's Fast

I've fasted a handful of times in the past. The last time I fasted was during the first week of 2007. Throughout last month, I had been contemplating a recurring fast for the beginning of this year. So far, I've completed 4 days.

Some have asked, "why fast?" The answer, for me, is to help me start off the year in a better spiritual, physical, and mental direction.

From reading and experiencing, I can say that the first few days are the most challenging. I've managed to keep myself hydrated and have avoided the usual headaches (mostly from caffeine and sodium withdrawal). I cannot, however, distance myself from the exhaustion and dizziness that accompanies this phase. I usually take the steps two at a time but not today. The hunger today has not been too bad. Typically, after the third or fourth day, the hunger almost completely subsides. Mentally and spiritually, there are eventual benefits, but initially there is a struggle with irritability and grumpiness. I think I've done better coping with these symptoms.

I've left my fast open-ended, that is, I have no determined end; I will continue until the time feels right to end it. I intend to share some more of my experience in the next few days, touching on more of the benefits I have and hope to experience. I also intend to address the question that some raise about making your fast public.

All things new

Happy New Year! I love the "new" in new year. I love new months, new weeks, new days, and all things new. "Why?" you may ask. My love of newness comes from my tendency to screw up, because newness implies freshness and the opportunity to begin again.

Consider resolutions. There is no law, actual or imagined, that indicates that resolutions only be made at the beginning of a calendar year, but the beginning of the calendar year invites the opportunity. Habits can begin to be formed at any time, but it is encouraging to know that we can get a fresh start.

I'll be the first to admit my mistakes (some of them) and my past failures, but failure for me is a daily thing. I am by nature a selfish person, and it is something I wrestle with constantly. Here are some questions I would want to be able to answer "yes," but I cannot honestly do so:

Am I as patient a father as I could be?
Am I as attentive a husband as I could be?
Am I as dedicated an employee as I could be?
Do I follow God as closely as I should?
Am I as wise a steward of my time, finances, and abilities as I should?

It is a new year, and a new day and I have an opportunity to change the direction of my life. It does not erase past failures, but it is a reminder to be better and more diligent in pursuing these goals going forward.

Happy New Year to you, and may you have a fresh outlook on life and the motivation to set goals and pursue them more passionately.

Jonathan Edwards' on Resolutions

I've made some New Year's Resolutions, and I will be sharing more about those in the days to come. Today, however, I offer you the opportunity to reflect on Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions. These were not for a specific year, but this was a list that he continued to compile over his lifetime. I'd like to say that just one of my resolutions is as profound or deeply spiritual as his, but that is not the case. As you may discover, mine are mostly typical. Simple or complex, resolutions are good, but they are best when actually applied and kept. The key is to aim high and make yourself accountable.

As I was Saying....

Happy New Year and welcome to my blog.  This is not my first attempt at blogging, but this year, I really want to make more of a habit of it.  By habit, I mean at least once a week.  One of the greatest challenges I've had in preparing to blog is "what should I title my weblog?"  I finally settled on "As I was Saying...."  This is a phrase I find myself employing on a regular basis, mainly because of my attempt at multi-threaded conversations.

When it comes to conversations, I have a tendency to stray off topic.  It is partly a blend of my ADD and my general love of knowledge.  As I am talking on one subject, I'll say or think "that reminds me of...."  At this point, I will stray to a totally different tangent on an entirely different subject.  Don't begin to think that the first tangent is isolated.  It is likely that I will stray again and split off a second, third, or fourth time.  However, my gift lies in that I typically close each thread before the end of the conversation.  As I reverse through the tangents, I will remember the path that took me down each rambling and come back to sufficiently close that topic of conversation until I finally end at the original subject.

As it relates to this weblog, I want to have some general areas of focus: technology, theology (matters of faith), philology (general love of knowledge), and efficiency (i.e. life-hackology).  Notwithstanding, tangents are allowed.  However, you can be certain that "As I was Saying...." will eventually resolve to one of these main foci.