Randomness from an overactive mind
bangbang023
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Posts by bangbang023
Does Microsoft get it?
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in tech talk
I’m a Windows Mobile user and I don’t think that Microsoft gets it.
When you use an iPhone or see one in use, you can’t help but be amazed by the beautiful fading and sliding transitions. You’re bound to have a similar reaction to some of the nicer Android phones out there. Then, in comes Windows Mobile with its bland interface that lacks customization abilities or any animation, whatsoever. It drives me nuts. Presentation may not be everything, but it does count for something.
The problem with WM is that there’s a lot of power locked behind an out dated interface that fails to inspire or hold one’s attention. Sure, there are masks put on it by companies like HTC, but even those replacement interfaces feel tacked on and never really seem to truly blend in with the rest of the operating system. This isn’t a problem that can be fixed by a mask, either. It runs throughout the system and always manages to rear its head at one point or another, despite how thorough of a masking job has been done.
My eyes were really opened to the importance of presentation, and specifically, animation in this article that I read a few days ago. It’s an interesting read and explains how exaggerated animations are important in creating the illusion of speed and an overall better “feel” to the device. It’s worth a read. What I find interesting is that, while using various test builds of the next version of Windows Mobile (6.5.1), I’ve witnessed Microsoft implement some of these exaggerated animations, particularly with scrolling, and then proceed to remove them in a later build. Don’t they get it?
This isn’t meant to be a full length article. I want to post more, but don’t wish to creatively drain myself. To keep a balance, I’m hoping to discuss aspects of my life or thoughts on the world around me in a way that stimulates discussion
The old man sleep schedule
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
It’s almost 8:30pm and I’m going to bed in a half hour. No, I’m not 80 years old.
It bothers me every year since I’ve been in merch (my department at work). During the Christmas season, I have to be at work by 5am with some days requiring me to be in even earlier, with the earliest of days starting at 3am. On a day that starts at 5am, I have to be awake by 3:45am. When I was younger and working far fewer hours, I would simply ignore the need for sleep and go with less. This doesn’t work as a full timer, though.
The past month and a half has been rough because of these early days. In order to get enough sleep and make it through the next day, I have to be in bed by 9am. On some days, I’m in bed even earlier. This schedule makes for a paltry social life. On the weekends, the little time I have with Melanie is cut down even shorter as I try to get home on time to get some sleep. During the week, television shows I want to watch are, often times, simply ignored. The days, themselves, can all start to blur together once the stress from work is mixed in to this annoying schedule.
This is why I’ve been a tad miserable at times. I hate the Christmas season because, since I’ve been 15, it’s always meant more work and more stress. While you’re thinking about Christmas day, I’m hoping and praying I’m not working the next day. I know this is the life I chose, but it’s not always peaches and cream. All of this can really age a guy.
I’m on TV
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in general
So, during my Black Friday lunch break, a local news station, News12, was in the area doing various stories about holiday shopping. By chance, they happened to be interviewing a woman in the pizzeria that me and and a co-worker walked in to to get our food. Here’s my 5 seconds of fame:
I’m not physically dead
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
I know I haven’t been posting much. Considering some people are wondering if I (and the site) am alive, I thought it would be a good idea to check in fast. Of course this means getting off my lazy ass and typing out thoughts, but I do this work for you.
Work has been really tough. It’s the holidays and I work in retail, so it’s one of those things you just expect. If I was surprised by it, one would have to question where I’ve been for the past 6 years. This is one of those years, though, where the store’s morale is terribly low and it’s really draining on a person over time. On top of that, I’m being tasked with a lot of responsibility that shouldn’t be mine, but I have to accept it to gain the experience so I can move up in the future. It would be a lot easier if other people cooperated, but when you work in retail with 150 other people, you’re bound to come across some of the dimmer bulbs in the box. Unfortunately, these people account for a lot of my stress as I continually have to cover up their mistakes or explain things that should be common knowledge. It can be outright maddening.
Even with that stress and a lack of motivation to write, I’m going to try to post something, at least, once a week. That way we can all enjoy some of the insanity that occurs in my mind.
Weezer “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To” Video
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in general
Talk about a long title. Either way, it’s a cool enough video to go along with an amazing song. Enjoy and thank me for thrusting some awesomeness at you.
Sometimes you need pie
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in general
The following conversation is one that took place between Melanie and I as we walked into Perkins for a late breakfast. I saw a table with an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Me: Babe!
Melanie: What?
Me: I have to buy a cherry pie.
Melanie: Why?!
Me: Because it’s only 3.99!!
There’s no point to this post other than amusing you with my randomness and ability to be swayed by pies and signs that accompany them.
Smile Empty Soul “Don’t Ever Leave” video
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in general
While the single has been out for a while, the video was just released, today. It’s been a LONG time since SES has had a well made video, but this one is worth it. It’s a bit difficult to follow the story, but otherwise it’s a solid release. Enjoy.
What’s the next goal?
32 years ago
by bangbang023
in journal
I’ve been feeling a bit unmotivated, lately, and I haven’t been able to figure out why. I spent a lot of time pondering it today and I finally figured it out: I have no short term goals.
Leading up to the middle of July, my entire goal was to move up at work and get to the position I’m in right now. I spent a lot of time and energy doing whatever I could to earn what I wanted and it really kept me driving forward. Now that I’ve achieved that goal, I’m finding it hard to stay driven because I lack anything to work towards. The same goes for my personal life. Now that my life is going so well, I have nothing to work towards. Without goals, I’ve fallen back and have resorted to coasting through many aspects of my life. I do my work and try to succeed, but the drive isn’t there and doesn’t re-appear at home.
I really need to figure out what I want next. I need that carrot dangling in front of me, constantly forcing me to move forward as I try to get it. You have any carrots and/or goals you want to throw my way? This unmotivated horse could use some right about now.
Cheap Suture
02 years ago
by bangbang023
in poems
Allow me to brush the dust away from this pen
These words are important, so I play and pretend
The way that I mended and stayed til the end
Now the skill is a blur and it’s faded again
Is it fate that it ends? Or am I being stupid?
Is rhyming out thoughts simply silly and useless
I used to use this to settle my fuses
Now fog settles in and I can’t seem to do this
Cause it used to be music, so calming and soothing
Like waves on a flame when the anger was brooding
The hatred was moving even when I was losing
I thought in these rhymes when awake and when snoozing
But I misconstrued it and took all my bruises
The words were my precious, but left me so putrid
If I wanted hope for a bright sunny future
Why waste all the fuel on a cheap fucking suture?
And now I’m the loser and the stitches have broken
Every word wasted was every word spoken
I told the whole world, I told her and told him
I told you, I told me, I put it in motion
And stirred up commotion and left the door open
I wasted my words like a last drop of potion
And now this explosion might be the last for a while
Cause I wasted it all and behaved like a child
Amazon gets me so well
22 years ago
by bangbang023
in tech talk
To say I haven’t illegally downloaded music would be an outright lie. Can you blame me? Like the rest of you, the ease of doing so was almost as tempting at the price. By our nature, we feel like we’re entitled to this stuff and,if we can get it for free, then we’ll do that without a second thought. Should we stop? Maybe, but I’m not going to completely stop and I’m sure you won’t either.
I must say, though, I have been legally purchasing music more and more often because of Amazon. These guys just get it. They offer great quality files in a format that is universally supported by every single media player out there. How can it get better? Well, when they sell brand new albums at $3.99, it definitely gets better.
That’s what happened, today. I actually illegally downloaded the new Paramore album, “brand new eyes”. Before getting a chance to give it a listen, a tweet from Amazon’s MP3 Store appeared in my Twitter feed. They were offering, for a limited time, the album for only $3.99. The CD and iTunes versions are selling for $9.99. How can anyone say no to an entire album for a measly four bucks? You can’t. I deleted the illegal download and bought the album from Amazon. Why? Because these guys just get me.