We Have Ice

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No snow really (I mean, there’s lots on the ground), but this morning we woke up to a nice coating of ice. I actually like freezing rain, it’s almost magical the way it puts a complete coating of ice on things.

Yes, it makes for dangerous travel. I realize that.

Still, it’s really nifty to see happen. I don’t have any photos of the ice, because I stayed inside. I’m like that. If I could stay in slippers and a bathrobe all day, I would.

Here’s my prescription for the day: Hot tea. Blankets. Movies. You have my permission to just chill with the fam. Because I’m sure it’s my permission you were waiting for. O.o

Gifts for Weird People

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The weird people being me of course. It turns out, I’m rather difficult to buy for. My hobbies are rather limited, and if I want something throughout the year, I generally just buy it. (No, not like, “Hey, I’d like a Mustang”) This year, however, there were a few different things I wanted, so I wasn’t sure what I’d get. That’s pretty cool. 🙂

Here’s what my awesome family got me:


Sony PRS-505 and Godzilla slippers…


What did you get for the Holidays? Anything cool? (I realize it’s well after the fact, but we’ve all been busy, no?)

And Today, There Be Video

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I’m making videos again today. I love making videos, I truly do. You’ll have the opportunity to see them in the near future over at Linux Journal — but suffice to say, I’m a bit giddy today as the camera rolls. 🙂

Oh, and my office still has barren walls. I have an awesome penguin poster to put up, but apart from that, my walls will be rather bare. I think I’m OK with that.

More photos and videos later.

My Office Space

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This year, I plan to write more regularly. Here, elsewhere, on bathroom stalls, whatever it takes. Today, I am carving out about 25 square feet that will be my “office” for a while. Here’s what it looks like currently:


Tiny, but cozy — Posted on Natuba

I know, it’s not much — but I have a specific spot that is my work zone. Even though it’s only a small corner, the fact that it’s separated with 3 walls makes it feel like its own little nook. I like that.

I’ll follow up later with finished photos. It’s actually pretty lame right now. 🙂

Resolutions

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I’m not usually a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but this year, I’m going to try a few. It’s not that the concept has grown on me, but rather the timing is fairly good. I need to concentrate on a few things, and it happens to be the end of the year. So: Resolution Time. Here are mine:

1. Blog-a-Day
I could say this was so that I entertained everyone at a more regular basis. I could say it was so I would get enough regular traffic to make money with ads. But, since I don’t have ads and I’m not terribly entertaining, that would be a lie. Basically, I need to write. For many reasons. Feel free to watch. 🙂

2. Lose Weight
Yes yes, very common New Year’s resolution. It’s really starting to affect me though. I need to weigh about 35-40 pounds less than I currently do. If you know me, and think I’m being absurd — trust me, I carry my weight well. Too well.

3. Certain Health Issue
I’m really not up for talking about the specifics publicly, but suffice to say I’m having some pretty serious health issues that I’m forcing myself to take care of. I’m seeing a doctor tomorrow, which is so not like me. I suspect I’ll blog about it later, sorry to bring it up and not explain. Mentioning it here, even this vague, is forcing me to deal with it. Take THAT, me!

I think 3 is good for now. How about you? Do you do the whole “resolution” thing? What are some of yours?

Vince Made Me Chuckle. :)

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On my “POKE Me About Pills” post, Vince left this this morning:

‘Twas the day before Christmas
and all through the house
not a Shawn was stirring
and nor was his spouse.

The pills were all waiting
all snug in their bottle
’cause Shawn hadn’t taken one
as he knows that he ought’l

And so Vince exclaimed
ere he left to go chill
Merry Christmas my friend
now go take your pill!

Merry Christmas to you too, my friend. And thanks again. 🙂

Buy a Geek, Buy a Cow

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calcowI know I said we’d never speak of it again, but I figure the chance to humiliate me a bit, with the added benefit of, well, benefiting those in need might make it worth while.

Remember those “Hot Blogger” calendars I blogged about? The ones that yours truly graces November in? Well, it turns out that if you buy one by clicking through from my site, I get a kickback. I had forgotten about that, until today, when two things happened. One, I got a note from the calendar selling place saying that 3 calendars had been sold from my site. I made $6. The second thing was that Jane emailed telling me that between now and Dec. 31st, my “cut” goes from $2 a calendar to $4.

That got me thinking. First off, I like the idea of the Hot Blogger Calendar. It showcases folks that are “Hot” for more than just their physical hotness. I want them to succeed. I’m not comfortable trying to sell calendars that *I* am in, however. It just makes me feel icky. So here’s my plan:

(A note for my vegan friends: if you decide to buy a calendar, and want to make sure your money doesn’t go toward a cow — let me know and I’ll make sure it goes toward the purchase of a tree seedling through heifer.org)

Any monies I receive from calendars sold through this site from now until Dec 31 will be used to purchase a cow for those in need. I’ll be using a very reputable charitable organization: Heifer International. I realize this is a rough time of year for people to donate to charities, even those that are really worthwhile. So I figured some incentive was in order. (Yes, I realize you’d get a calendar with me as Mr. November, but I was thinking something a little more, well, entertaining.)

If we get enough to buy a portion of a cow ($50, or 13 calendars):
I will write and post a poem or short story about a cow. I have no idea which, nor do I have any idea what the story would be about apart from said cow — but I’d do my best to make it absurd and fun.

If we get enough to buy (2) portions of a cow ($100, or 25 calendars):
I will do a dramatic reading of the poem/short story. Depending on how the story goes, I’ll be sure to use the appropriate voices. I’d expect a British cow with a horrible accent.

If we get enough to buy a whole cow ($500, or 125 calendars):
I will do a cow inspired music video, and post it for all to see. I think THIS music will be what I’ll use. I’m embarrassed just thinking about it. 😀

So there ya go. Click here to buy a calendar. It counts if you get the girl blogger calendar too. No need to just get the guys. Heck, if you don’t want a calendar, you can always just donate money directly to the “make Shawn dance like a cow” fund via paypal. There’s really no way for me to guarantee I’m not a swindler trying to take your money — but deep down, you know I want to do the cow video, so it’s fairly safe to assume I won’t be fudging the books. Just go to PayPal.com, click “Send Money”, and send money to paypal@brainofshawn.com — I’ll know it’s for the cow, because I’ve never used my paypal account for anything else. 😀

How cool would it be if we actually raised enough to buy a cow?

Our Annual Perigee Celebration

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Well, it’s a song cool enough to repeat as often as it happens. Tonight, the full moon is the perigee moon, which means it is closer to Earth than any other time of year. It’s also in a particular part of the lunar cycle to make it closer than normal even for perigee. So it’s like really close and stuff. Don’t worry, the human eye can barely tell the difference. 🙂

In honor of the awesome “almost touch it if you stretch” moon, I give you the Sponge Monkeys, and their rendition of “We Like the Moon”. Enjoy.