TEXAS DREAM

BURNED

2011-11-27T19:07:00.000-06:00

On my first visit July 26, 2010 at 4pm to Rain Skin and body I was burned extremely badly by their laser hair removal "pen" the assistant tried to remove hair that was over my tattoo she went over my tattoo three times before she finally listened to me that I was in severe pain and that she was burning a hole in my leg. I spoke with the manger Nick about the incident and he gave me some jelly to put on it and "promised" me that it would go away. He offered me complimentary hair removal for under arms so I took it trusting that this was a rare occurrence. It took months for the hole in my leg to heal and its been over a year and I still have a scar from that accident. Then September 17, 2011 at 9am Jennifer the owner of the store and the one who trains all the other girls started doing my treatments. She got a new machine in and was bragging about how great it was. As soon as she started using it on me I was in tremendous amount of pain. I told her repeatedly this doesn't seem right and she kept reassuring me that it was normal. She also told me that she only had the machine for a month and that she had done it on another gentleman and it really hurt him too. As she proceeded up my leg the pain got worse and worse. I kept telling her how much pain I was in and that I was worried that I was going to get burned again and she kept saying "I promise I am not going to burn you"Once she made it to the knee cap she noticed that the portion above my knee cap on my right leg was bright red, in fact my whole leg was red but the section above the knee was glaring red. She then acted surprised and said I don’t want to put ice on it because that will stop the treatment. Later she put ice on me after I started crying. I never went back and I'm so mad at myself that I went back after the first time that I got burned. I have pictures of all my injuries, its been MONTHS since and you can see the tool marks. I don't want this to happen to anyone else SAVE your money SAVE YOURSELF GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. They say they have a licensed physician on hand...yeah its a freaking dentist! THEY DON'T WORK ON TEETH THERE!

How to Assemble Equipment for Scuba Diving

2011-07-23T20:34:00.000-05:00

How to Assemble Equipment for Scuba Diving

ffffound!

2011-05-10T13:05:00.001-05:00

ffffound!, a group on Flickr.

Day four

2011-03-14T00:56:00.000-05:00

today was great because of the oatmeal and Google doodle I understand we are both busy and super strapped for time alone. but I amd just trying to juflinge something today and then some dick told me it was sunday. WAIT WHAT??? Worth happened to Friday & Saturday. I am so tired now baby. I love you and I miss you bunches! xxoxoxoxoxoxoox

"Por que a gente é assim?" - Galileu

2011-01-06T08:32:00.001-06:00

"Por que a gente é assim?" - Galileu
Originally uploaded by Flavio Demarchi.

Japanese whalers to face new enemy in 'Godzilla'

2010-11-30T15:22:00.001-06:00

Japanese whalers to face new enemy in 'Godzilla'

The swift and ominous-looking interceptor vessel has the moniker Gojira, named after the ferocious monster in the legendary Japanese film, which in English means Godzilla.

The 115-foot boat was launched by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society on Monday in Fremantle, Australia, and has joined the larger vessels, Steve Irwin and Bob Barker, in Hobart. At midweek all three will begin their journey to Antarctic waters, where their crews will await the arrival of the Japanese whaling fleet.

Ike and Tina Turner - I Idolize You

2010-11-17T07:46:00.000-06:00

UX Design-Planning Not One-man Show

2010-11-16T13:38:00.002-06:00

Do we need more UX planning teams?
by Holger Maassen on 2008/05/21 | [20 Comments]

A lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounds the term "user experience." The multitude of activities that can be labeled with these two words span a vast spectrum of people, skills and situations. If you ask for UX design (UXD), what exactly are you asking for? Similarly, if someone tells you they are going to provide you with UXD for an application, website or intranet or extranet, what exactly are you going to get?

Is it just one person who is responsible or is it a team of people who are in charge of UXD? In this story I´ll sketch my ideas of UXD based on my experiences and at the end of this story I will give you my answer.

Let us start at the beginning – UXD starts with experience – experience of the users. And so I will talk about the users first.

UXD-P – every person is an individual

Every person is an individual. Every person is in possession of different roles. For each individual there will be many roles and each person adopts a different role depending on the circumstances.

Read full article at Boxes and Arrows

Internet Explorer 9: Full Hardware Acceleration

2010-11-01T11:07:00.000-05:00

How long before it crashes or gives you a virus though?

The Kills - The Good Ones

2010-10-29T16:05:00.000-05:00

Shelter Pet Project - "Mutts" - "Shemp"

2010-10-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

When A Thousand Words Is Worth A Picture - Smashing Magazine

2010-10-27T08:41:00.001-05:00

When A Thousand Words Is Worth A Picture - Smashing Magazine

Reasons to be Vegan #9: Please Share, etc.

2010-10-25T20:59:00.001-05:00

Where I've Been

2010-10-22T18:25:00.000-05:00

New Countdown

2010-10-22T18:23:00.001-05:00

MySpace-Countdowns

Jane Jensen - Luv Song

2010-10-20T18:40:00.000-05:00

Costs Around The World: Internet Access

2010-10-15T13:23:00.002-05:00

Find the best cell phone plans and more graphics at BillShrink.com

My Special Countdown

2010-10-13T19:32:00.001-05:00

MySpace-Countdowns

Houston SPCA: Luckie the Dog

2010-10-13T12:30:00.001-05:00

Houston SPCA: Luckie the Dog

Why Texans don't pick the Bluebonnets

2010-09-30T10:13:00.009-05:00

Why Texans don't pick the Bluebonnets
Highway 71 from Austin to Brady

When Texans say don't pick the Bluebonnets.....mean it!

Portishead - glory box

2010-09-20T12:13:00.000-05:00

See my photos and favorite places

2010-09-12T20:57:00.001-05:00

I'm putting together a collection of photos where I've been. Check it out:

http://gowalla.com/users/texasbrat

- Charity

— Discover, capture and share places and events with your friends.

THE ANIMALS VOICE

2010-09-10T02:41:00.000-05:00

THE ANIMALS VOICE: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Herding Cats

2010-09-09T22:43:00.000-05:00

The Knife - Heartbeats ( OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO W/ SOUND )

2010-09-09T19:20:00.000-05:00

giving to educate

2010-08-31T21:50:00.001-05:00

The Cove

2010-08-30T22:23:00.001-05:00

Cricket Killer Vixn

2010-08-23T10:13:00.001-05:00

My cat,Vixn, ate a live cricket last night it was so gross. It came in from outside accidentally when I let the pups in and I was trying to guide it back to the door so I could just let it out but it kept jumping all over the place and I thought it might get in my hair or something so then I as looking for something to trap it in. Then before I knew it Vixn was all over it, which is odd because she is 10yrs old and doesn't really play much anymore, then Sachi came over and was investigating. All of a sudden Vixn in one swoop smacks the cricket with her hand and shovels it into her mouth. Then all I heard was a crunching sound. I've seen her kill mice, flies and spiders but nothing like a big ol'cricket so gross. ewe.

Sea Shepherd Featured in MUTTS Comic Strip - Sea Shepherd

2010-08-17T22:33:00.002-05:00

SO AWESOME
Sea Shepherd is honored to have been referenced in last week's MUTTS comic strip, an award-winning and highly celebrated comic strip which appears in over 700 newspapers and 20 countries worldwide. Sea Shepherd applauds and sends a special thank you to MUTTS creator, Patrick McDonnell, for using MUTTS as a fun and entertaining way to create awareness about the plight of our oceans and their inhabitants
Sea Shepherd Featured in MUTTS Comic Strip - Sea Shepherd

Rare Zebra/Donkey Hybrid Born at Wildlife Preserve : TreeHugger

2010-07-29T08:48:00.001-05:00

Rare Zebra/Donkey Hybrid Born at Wildlife Preserve : TreeHugger

This Little Piggy Wants His Agent — Cute Overload

2010-07-23T13:40:00.001-05:00

This Little Piggy Wants His Agent — Cute Overload

Recycle Kitten

2010-07-14T15:57:00.000-05:00

Undercover Karaoke with Jewel

2010-07-14T14:44:00.001-05:00

Undercover Karaoke with Jewel from Jewel

We found a relic in the wild! A payphone!

2010-07-01T21:23:00.001-05:00

We found a relic in the wild! A payphone!
Originally uploaded by Texas Brat.

Quote of the Day

2010-06-19T01:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.
- Bethania McKenstry

Farm Sanctuary Piglets at Play

2010-06-12T09:15:00.000-05:00

Italian mudslide Vibo Valentia - La frana di Maierato

2010-05-13T10:01:00.000-05:00

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Interview with AP Live from earlier today!

2010-05-03T18:47:00.002-05:00

aplive on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

Pie-Eyed for zpizza

2010-04-21T08:57:00.002-05:00

Zpizza's Vegan pizza some of the best pizza I've ever had, a must try. They also have gluten-free pizza. Zpizza is now my favorite pizza EVER!!! YUMMY!

http://www.zpizza.com/

New Federal Bills to Help Farmed Animals! - MFA Blog

2010-04-04T12:17:00.003-05:00

March 31, 2010

Take Action NOW on New Federal Bills to Help Farmed Animals!

By Nathan Runkle

We friends of farmed animals have a wonderful opportunity right now to help greatly improve the lives of the billions of cows, pigs and chickens confined each year on U.S. factory farms.

There are two federal bills currently pending in Congress - the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act and the Healthy School Meals Act - that would go a long way toward reducing their suffering and fostering a healthier, more compassionate and socially conscious society.

The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (HR 4733) would prohibit the government from using taxpayer dollars to purchase animal products from animals raised in veal crates, gestation crates and battery cages - three cruel factory farm confinement systems that deny animals enough room to turn around, lie down comfortably or fully extend their limbs or even one wing.

Unfortunately, while most members of the public oppose the use of these cruel crates and cages, the federal government spends roughly $1 billion dollars each year to purchase animal products for various programs like the National School Lunch Program without any regard for conditions in which the animals were raised.

The Healthy School Meals Act (HR 4870) would provide financial incentives to school districts that offer plant-based food and non-dairy beverage options to their students. This law would have a tremendous impact on the lives of animals, the environment and human health by educating students on the sweeping benefits of a plant-based diet.

HR 4870 would provide America's youth, who are struggling with epidemic rates of obesity, diabetes and other diet-related illnesses, with access to the healthful food they require. Additionally, students who observe diets free of certain or all animal products for ethical or religious reasons will find a wider array of options available to them.

Please take action now by calling, writing or emailing your legislators and asking them to support both of these important bills! Take Action NOW on New Federal Bills to Help Farmed Animals! - MFA Blog

http://www.mfablog.org/2010/03/take-action-now-on-new-federal-bills-to-help-farmed-animals.html

THE BANANA SPLITS

2010-02-28T21:23:00.001-06:00

STOP EATING PORK!

2010-01-06T17:32:00.001-06:00

STOP EATING PORK! I did the first time I saw a live pig and never looked back! These are beautiful, intelligent creatures. Please think before you eat.

A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation reveals unconscionable cruelty to mother pigs and their young piglets at a Hatfield Quality Meat supplier - "Country View Family Farms," in Fannetts...

"Honk if your single"

2009-12-28T10:03:00.002-06:00

The other day I was driving into work and I passed a pickup truck on the highway that had writing in shoe polish on the windows. The writing had been there for awhile but was still legible. As I got closer to the truck I saw the back window plastered with the words “JUST DIVORCED”

I was in shock to see that the man driving this truck had no respect for the sanctity of marriage and that he had no morals or soul to feel mourning for the loss of love. When did marriage take this big of a decline into mockery? As I passed the man in the truck I saw scribbled on the passenger window “Honk if your single” Which I know first off the grammar of this is all wrong. Secondly what woman in her right mind would see “Just Divorced” & “Honk if your single” and think to themselves hey this is a possible good mate for me!

The further along a drove I became more and more bothered by this truck. Did this man really think that a shoe polish message about is down and out luck in love would snag him the lady of his dreams? Furthermore the handwriting on the truck was a woman’s, who is this lady who thought this is a great idea? Maybe the ex-wife, ok I maybe could see that but then why on earth would he not wash his truck? Ok so now we have the strange crazy lady running around writing messages for the depressed on their cars. Why does she think this is okay? Did she meet her prince charming with shoe polish too? Is this something she does for all occasions? “JUST GOT CANCER” “JUST WIDOWED” “LOVED ONE DIED” “JUST GOT FIRED” What is a matter with people today? Shesh!

Maybe all these years I’ve been doing something wrong, maybe I should’ve honked and seen if this was my prince charming and soul mate driving down I-35 at the same time as me, what are the odds? Call me old fashion but I miss the days when marriage was something special and meeting someone new is magical, not something advertised on the interstate on the windshield of a pickup. Is romance dead?

PTSD Song by Cliff Luckey

2009-12-22T09:55:00.002-06:00

The PTSD song is dedicated to all the brave and courageous soldiers and their families who have made huge personal sacrifices protecting this great nation of ours and who have been overwhelmed by the medical disorder known as PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Cliff Luckey - Army Vet and the son of a Vietnam Vet.

How to Get a Professional Look With Color | Webdesigner Depot

2009-12-21T13:40:00.000-06:00

How to Get a Professional Look With Color | Webdesigner Depot

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/12/...

What makes a design look coordinated, planned and professional? The answer is: 'color'. Not every project needs bland corporate blue to look professional.

What makes a design look coordinated, planned and professional? The answer is: ‘color’.

Not every project needs bland corporate blue to look professional. Planning color means creating a framework that describes which colors to use and how to use them.

Color is the slipperiest design element. “Good” color is so closely tied to elusive things like personal taste and intuition, as well as technical considerations such as contrast and monitor calibration.

But color is vital to content. If you consider a website important enough to spend time refining, then readers will likely consider it important enough to spend time reading. Good color choices make that happen.

In this article we’ll review some techniques to achieve beautiful color palletes for your web designs.
Read more.... How to Get a Professional Look With Color | Webdesigner Depot

Agile + UX: six strategies for more agile user experience (Austin Govella at Thinking and Making)

2009-12-17T13:04:00.000-06:00

Six ways to be more agile and better integrate user experience and information architecture into agile development teams.

There’s a secret lie lurking behind agile methods. ‘Agile’ suggests fast. At Comcast, we’re using a scrum process that throws around terms like “team velocity”. And the agile literature does promise better, faster. It’s no wonder that when organizations hear this, all they hear is faster.

Of course, the secret lie is that agile isn’t necessarily faster. It’s driving tenets are to help people stay happy and create better software. The namesake agility is meant to allow teams to change product direction every few weeks instead of every six months.

How do you make these kinds of agile changes? You test: Build, push, evaluate, tweak (rebuild).

Unfortunately, the iteration cycle, “agile”, and phrases like “team velocity” were confused with “fast”. The biggest problem with lots of user experience methods is that they’re not necessarily fast. They’re not necessarily slow, but they do take time.

At Comcast, even though user experience work is seen as valuable and important, its also seen as a slow point in the process.

How do you handle this? You have six options.

Stronger, Better, Faster Design with CSS3 - Smashing Magazine

2009-12-16T08:31:00.002-06:00

In our last article about CSS3, “Pushing Your Buttons With Practical CSS3, we talked about using new CSS3 techniques like gradients, border-radius and drop-shadows to create compelling, flexible and (in some cases) hilarious buttons.

In this second article we’re going to focus on using those CSS techniques (and a little JavaScript) to create some practical elements and layouts. As before, caveat coder — a lot of the CSS properties we’re going to use have limited support, if any, in IE6/7 and probably 8. Firefox 3.5+ and Safari 4 are your best bet right now to see all the cool stuff going on in CSS right now (Chrome does a pretty good job, too).

Why bother with CSS that has such limited support? It won’t always have limited support, and these articles are all about preparing for the future of web design (and just doing some really cool stuff). Apparently, if you are one of those people who is waiting until using progressive CSS is safe because all major browsers support the same CSS at the same time, you are living in a fantasy world, so it’s just the right time to get things rolling with CSS3.

Ready? Let’s roll.

Working in Austin

2009-12-14T11:48:00.003-06:00

So the difference in working in the metro hustle and bustle of Washington, DC and the laid mentality of my hometown of Austin,TX I think has just set in after almost 3 years.

Today I woke up and put on my work clothes, please keep in mind this is a Monday morning. So I grabbed a t-shirt type shirt out of the closet and a sweater to go over it, then a pair of baggy jeans, then thought man my feet still hurt from this weekend......I'm wearing sneakers.

So here I am wearing sneakers & jeans and I fit right in with the rest of the office and just a cozy as can be.

I love Texas!

Standard Design UI Rules for Footer Navigation

2009-12-14T09:27:00.001-06:00

Footer Navigation

The main function of the footer is to complete the layout, often it is given a color which has high contrast to the colors dominating in the overall design of the rest of the site. Vivid colors can be observed as often as dark ones.

Footers provide a last catch all for users to find the information they are looking for without leaving the page. This is why typically contact details and brief information about a website can be found in the footer, along with driving directions, telephone numbers and possibly a web form.

A few rules to keep in mind when developing and designing footers:

v Make it simple, preferably just text links in a smaller font size.

v Provide a consistent visual cue to indicate the end of the content. No additional content appears below the footer, ever!

v Never change the footer from page to page, once you have footer it must remain consistent throughout the entire system and site, it is revered at global navigation and only confuses users when there are multiple footers.

Design Principles

2009-12-11T11:54:00.001-06:00

• Interaction design is not guesswork.
• User interfaces should be based on user mental models rather than implementation models.
• Goal-directed interactions reflect user mental models.
• Users don’t understand Boolean logic.
• Don’t replicate Mechanical-Age artifact in user interfaces without Information-Age enhancements.
• Significant change must be significant better.
• Nobody wants to remain a beginner.
• Optimize for intermediates.
• Imagine users as very intelligent but very busy.
• Don’t make the user feel stupid.
• Focus the design for each interface on a single primary persona.
• Define what the product will do before you design how the product will do it.
• In early stages of design, pretend the interface is magic.
• Never show a design approach that you’re not happy with; stakeholders just might like it.
• There is only one user experience—form and behavior must be designed in concert with each other.
• Decisions about technical platforms are best made in concert with interaction design efforts.
• Optimize sovereign applications for full-screen use.
• Sovereign interfaces should feature a conservative visual style.
• Sovereign applications should exploit rich input.
• Transient applications must be simple, clear, and to the point.
• Transient applications should be limited to a single window and view.
• A transient application should launch to its previous position and configuration.
• Kiosks should be optimized for first-time use.
• No matter how cool your interface is, less of it would be better.
• Well-orchestrated user interfaces are transparent.
• Follow users’ mental models.
• Less is more.
• Enable users to direct, don’t force them to discuss.
• Keep tools close at hand.
• Provide modeless feedback.
• Design for the probable; provide for the possible.
• Contextualize information.
• Provide direct manipulation and graphical input.
• Reflect object and application status.
• Avoid unnecessary reporting.
• Don’t use dialogs to report normalcy.
• Avoid blank states.
• Ask for forgiveness, not permission.
• Differentiate between command and configuration.
• Provide choices; don’t ask questions.
• Hide the ejector seat levers.
• Optimize for responsiveness; accommodate latency.
• Eliminate excise whenever possible.
• Don’t weld on training wheels.
• Don’t stop the proceedings with idiocy.
• Don’t make users ask for permission.
• Allow input whenever you have output.
• Inflect the interface for typical navigation.
• Users make commensurate effort if the rewards justify it.
• The computer does the work and the person does the thinking.
• Software should behave like a considerate human being.
• If it’s worth the user entering, it’s worth the application remembering it.
• Most people would rather be successful than knowledgeable.
• All idioms must be learned; good idioms need to be learned only once.
• Never bend your interface to fit a metaphor.
• A visual interface is based on visual patterns.
• Visually distinguish elements that behave differently.
• Visually communicate function and behavior.
• Take things away until the design breaks, then put that last thing back in.
• Visually show what; textually tell which.
• Obey standards unless there is a truly superior alternative.
• Consistency doesn’t imply rigidity.
• Managing disks and files is not a user goal.
• Save documents and settings automatically.
• Put files where users can find them.
• Disks are a hack, not a design feature.
• An error may not be your fault, but its’ your responsibility.
• Audit, don’t edit.
• Rich visual feedback is the key to successful direct manipulation.
• Support both mouse and keyboard use for navigation and selection tasks.
• Use cursor hinting to show the meanings of meta-keys.
• Single-click selects data or an object or changes the control state.
• Mouse-down over an object or data should select the object or data.
• Mouse-down controls means propose action; mouse-up means commit to action.
• Visually communicate pliancy.
• Use cursor hinting to indicate pliancy.
• The selection state should be visually evident and unambiguous.
• Drop candidates must visually indicate their receptivity.
• The drag cursor must visually identify the source object.
• Any scrollable drag-and drop target must auto-scroll.
• Debounce all drags.
• Any program that demands precise alignment must offer a vernier.
• A dialog box is another room; have a good reason to go there.
• Provide functions in the window where they are used.
• The utility of any interaction idiom is context-dependent.
• A multitude of control-laden dialog boxes doth not a good user interfaces make.
• Use links for navigation, and buttons or butcons for actions.
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.
• Never scroll text horizontally.
• Use bounded controls for bounded input
• Use noneditable (display) controls for output-only text.
• Use menus to provide a pedagogic vector.
• Disable menu items when they are not applicable.
• Use consistent visual symbol on parallel command vectors.
• Toolbars provide experienced user fast access to frequently used functions.
• Use ToolTips with all toolbar and iconic controls.
• Put primary interactions in the primary window.
• Dialogs are appropriate for functions that are out of the main interaction flow.
• Dialogs are appropriate for organizing controls and information about a single domain object or application function.
• Use verbs in function dialog title bars.
• Use object names in property dialog title bars.
• Visually differentiate modeless dialogs from modal dialogs.
• Use consistent terminating commands for modeless dialog boxes.
• Don’t dynamically change the labels of terminating buttons.
• Inform the user when the application is unresponsive.
• Never use transitory dialogs as error messages or confirmations.
• All interaction idioms have practical limits.
• Don’t stack tabs.
• Error message boxes stop the proceedings with idiocy and should be avoided.
• Make errors impossible.
• Users get humiliated when software tells them they failed.
• Do, don’t ask.
• Make all actions reversible.
• Provide modeless feedback to help users avoid mistakes.
• Offer shortcuts from the Help menu.
• Offer users a gallery of ready-to-use templates.

Reference: About Face 3 by Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann and David Cronin

Google Wave Overview

2009-12-11T10:38:00.001-06:00

UX design, service design and design thinking

2009-12-10T11:29:00.001-06:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: UX design, service design and design thinking

UX design, service design and design thinking

View more documents from Sylvain Cottong.

My Uncle Tommy McNeill

2009-11-27T16:58:00.001-06:00

Tommy McNeill
Originally uploaded by Texas Brat.

Summer Puddin

2009-11-24T13:29:00.001-06:00

Canberry Rasberry Jello Salad By: Earline Mitchon

2009-11-24T13:26:00.001-06:00

Random thoughts of a crazy girl

2009-11-24T11:07:00.005-06:00

I feel like I should write something its been a while since I have written an actual story on my blog. However, all I can think about is this dude across from me keeps clearing his throat. Does he have swine flu or is attempting to mimic his car so he can explain an issue to the mechanic? I don't know but HUSH!

Then when I stop thinking about all that I start thinking about how awesome its going to be at my new job. I can't wait, I just want to get up and go there now. ugh I can't stand waiting for fun and new adventures.

Then if I can manage to push those thoughts aside the only other thoughts are oh my goodness I actually left both cats and dogs in my garage so the cleaning lady could get into my house.

Then I think crap I have a stranger in my house with a key. I only know her first name and her cell phone number, which is probably disposable with my luck. So I will go home and all my precious treasure will be gone and I still have a dirty house with 20+ people coming on Thanksgiving. AUGH what did I do!
Then I think what an idiot I am! I left all four of my babies in the garage? WTF? What if Sachi jumps up high enough and presses the button to open the garage?
What if they all get in a fight with each other? What if the dogs figure out how to lift the door up? Crap
Now I am gonna go home not have any babies, a dirty house and all my crap will be gone. What a perfect day!

Oh yeah and I have the worlds worst creative block right now....hence writing on my blog about stupid ramblings of pointless worries. Oh well back to poo polishing. only a few more hours and then I'm free and I began my fun creative adventure with Sage! WOOT!

My New Job at Sage North America

2009-11-23T21:47:00.000-06:00

I am so lucky, excited and jumping out of my skin to start my new adventure at Sage next week! My dream come true....well next work working with critters & Disney but most def. next best thing

Sage North America - Business Software Solutions for Accounting, CRM, ERP, FAS, Payroll, Management, HR, Time Tracking, Construction & More

2008 Latest Edition - Did You Know 3.0 - From Meeting in Rome this Year

2009-11-18T17:49:00.001-06:00

I love my industry, job and generation!!!!! Hooray us!

ITo Loves Animals!

2009-11-18T16:58:00.000-06:00

Charity M Colvin is a fan of

ITo Loves Animals!

Create your Fan Badge

The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge with Petfinder.com

2009-11-13T15:56:00.002-06:00

This is a new opportunity for your organization to win grants of $1,000 to $20,000 to help your shelter do what it does best — help rescue, care for, and find loving homes for animals.

We've provided several resources for you for this very purpose. Past Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenges have resulted in winners of all types of organizations, large and small, rural and urban, breed-specific and general rescue. The size of a shelter has not been nearly as big a factor as each shelter's ability to reach out and connect with its community and supporters to make its case. We encourage you to take the initiative!

Black Joe Lewis And The Honey Bears LWJH Sugarfoot

2009-11-12T10:05:00.001-06:00

Flickr and Getty Images Want Your Photo Submissions

2009-11-05T16:06:00.003-06:00

November 5th, 2009 | by Christina Warren
Flickr and Getty Images Want Your Photo Submissions
For professional and aspiring photographers alike, selling images to stock photography services like Getty Images can be tremendous way to boost your profile and get your images seen more places in print or online. In March, the Flickr Collection made its debut at Getty Images, with photographs comprised entirely from the Flickr community and hand-picked by Getty’s creative team.

Eight months later, the collection has over 60,000 images. However, with more than 4 billion photos housed on Flickr (), some great stuff is bound to have been overlooked. Today, Flickr has expanded the program so that users can submit a selection of their photographs to a group pool that Getty staff members will regularly review for inclusion in their collection.

Users can submit a portfolio of 10 images to the Getty Images Call for Artists group and selected group members will receive an invitation from Getty to join the Flickr Collection.

Sachi takes over dog bed

2009-09-07T21:51:00.000-05:00

RSPCA Irritating chicken Quash the Squash

2009-09-03T11:57:00.001-05:00

$5K reward for reporting dogfighting

2009-08-16T23:41:00.003-05:00

Spread the word--$5K reward for reporting dogfighting that leads to a conviction.

Animal Fighting Hurts Animals, Children, Communities and You

Be Part of the Solution

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting.

If you have information about illegal animal fighting, you are eligible for this reward. Here are the steps to take.

Call your local police department or animal control agency. Give them as many details as you can about the suspected animal fighting situation.

You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report illegal animal fighting.

Tell the law enforcement agency about The HSUS's reward program.
Get a letter from law enforcement. If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to The HSUS.

The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter. The letter should be mailed or faxed to:
Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
FAX: 301-721-6414
Call The HSUS for more information. If you have questions about the reward program, please call us at 202-452-1100 or go to humanesociety.org

Spread the Word!

Order our Animal Fighting Reward posters and display them prominently throughout your community or wherever you suspect illegal dogfighting is occurring. To order your free anti-dogfighting action pack, send an email to officeservices@humanesociety.org.

Additionally, The HSUS offers rewards in specific animal cruelty cases, at the request of local law enforcement, to assist in apprehending perpetrators. If you have information about any of the cases below, please contact the local law enforcement agency listed in the case descriptions. You can also contact The HSUS' Media Relations Department at 202-452-1100.

HSUS Rewards | The Humane Society of the United States

Source: www.hsus.org

The HSUS's Animal Cruelty and Fighting campaign protects animals from neglect and all forms of violent animal abuse, including dogfighting, cockfighting, and hog-dog fighting.

Note: In order to qualify for the Rewards program, this must be an open case. Additionally, law enforcement officers (including ACOs and Humane Officers) are not eligible for the HSUS Rewards program.

Recent Rewards Offered

December 24, 2008: The HSUS Offers Reward in La Porte County, Ind. Dog Shooting

December 22, 2008: $2,500 Reward Offered for Information about a Dog Found Skinned and Left Dead on a Street in Marion, Ill.

December 18, 2008: Reward Offered In the Shooting Death of Ga. Dog

December 17, 2008: Reward Offered In Chickasha, Okla. Pit Bull Slaying

December 17, 2008: Reward Offered In Logan County, Okla. Cow Decapitation

December 17, 2008: The HSUS Asks Federal Court To Uphold New Federal Felony Animal Fighting Law

December 12, 2008: Reward Offered In Attack on Martinez, Ga. Family’s Dogs

December 12, 2008: The HSUS Offers Reward In Patchogue, N.Y. Cat Hanging

December 4, 2008: Reward Offered In Garvin County, Okla. Cow Shootings

December 1, 2008: Reward Offered In Lincoln County, Okla. Pony Attack

November 26, 2008: Reward Offered In Green Bay, Wis. Animal Cruelty Case

November 25, 2008: Reward Offered In LaPorte County, Ind. Horse Shooting

November 18, 2008: Reward Offered In Napa, Calif., Dog Poisoning Case

November 14, 2008: Reward Offered In Rochester, Minn. Dog Shooting

November 10, 2008: Reward Offered In Cascade, Wis. Dog's Hanging Death

See a list of all rewards offered by The HSUS.

SYTYCD This Woman's Work

2009-07-26T20:46:00.003-05:00

This is from tonight's "So You Think You Can Dance" featuring Tyce DiOrio's courageous choreography, drawing attention to the turmoil of a woman struggling with breast cancer, and its affects on her partner.

Cell phones - New Law (2009)

2009-07-16T11:11:00.002-05:00

According to new law that goes into effect July 1, 2009 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a 'hands free' adapter.

I went to Best Buy and they wanted $50 for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone. Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked with him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through Office Depot.

These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid him $0.08 each because he bought in quantity.

Then we tried it with Motorola, Sprint, Verizon and Nokia units and they worked perfectly.

I can hear you laughing.. I thought you could use a laugh. WE ALL NEED TO LAUGH MORE........HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Polite War

2009-07-07T19:29:00.001-05:00

Sachi 喜び

2009-06-25T11:47:00.003-05:00

Sachi is the newest addition to my family. He is a Tonkinese cat. He is cuddly, sweet, curious and very loving. I rescued him from the Temple Animal Shelter yesterday, so his rebirthday is offically June 24, 2009. I am so happy to have him in my family and so is the rest of my furry little family. He should bring much joy to us since the tragic loss of Steeler, she will never be forgotten and will always be with us in our hearts and memory.

Lack of Confidence

2009-06-18T20:36:00.000-05:00

"A lack of confidence is the heaviest anchor you can put on your creativity and on your art" quote by Lil C on So You Think You Can Dance

SYTYCD - Wade Robson - Ashely and Kupono - Goldfrapp

2009-06-17T21:28:00.001-05:00

Dance Genre: Jazz Music: Felt Mountain - Goldfrapp Choreographer: Wade Robson

Golddust Woman Revamped over 10 years later on So You Think You Can Dance

2009-06-17T21:01:00.001-05:00

PLEASE HELP!!!! Have You Seen ME? I’M MISSING

2009-06-08T17:28:00.002-05:00

Screech Owl

2009-05-24T13:14:00.001-05:00

Baby Western Screech Owl found in our backyard.
We noticed a noise in the backyard the other day and then we discovered that it was a baby screech owl. After a day of waiting for him to take off and get back into the trees we decided to help the little guy out. Fingers crossed that all goes well and this lil guy grows up and becomes big and strong.

Agile User Experience

2009-05-18T01:27:00.001-05:00

A 7-minute presentation by Declan Whelan about how to integrate user experience with agile development processes. More info about this video available on www.chopsticker.com

Sketchboards: A Technique for Better + Faster UX Solutions

2009-05-18T01:26:00.001-05:00

The sketchboard is a low-fi technique that makes it possible for designers to explore and evaluate a range of interaction concepts while involving both business and technology partners. Unlike the process that results from wireframe-based design, the sketchboard quickly performs iterations on many possible solutions and then singles out the best user experience to document and build upon.

Design by the Book - Episode 1

2009-05-18T01:24:00.001-05:00

The New York Public Library holds a wealth of unexpected sources of inspiration for artists and designers—from vintage valentines and textile patterns, to fabric samples and turn-of-the-century men...

Flight Attendant doing raps!!

2009-04-25T02:48:00.001-05:00

OMG I'm flyin with him next time no matter what!

Design by Committee vs.Singular Designer

2009-04-13T21:36:00.002-05:00

So last week I sent out a link Wireframes Magazine that someone shared with me on Twitter to the entire development department at my work. I was surprised at the responses that I got from a few people.
This generated people who never really thought about what "us" designers do and it opened an entire new path of communication that people started collaborating over during breaks, work and even applying some of the techniques to the projects that they were working on.

This of course made me feel a sense of pride that I was able to share this excellent find from my twitter community with those I work with everyday and they took it to heart and ate it up.

A well respected and highly intelligent coworker posed a question to me after reading the Wireframes Magazine. He said “Lately, I’ve been intrigued by “design by committee” vs. a singular designer. It seems to me some of the most beautiful (form and function) creations are the fruits of one designer’s mind (e.g., Fabio Taglioni). Does “design by committee” homogenize?”

In the past, omg I’m getting old here, eleven years that I have been doing this type of work I have worked both ways, as a group accounting for every single pixel to the one gal show. I personally believe that so long as you have a strong team and clear communication amongst that team then of course anything is possible.

However, last week I was told that I tend to think that everything is possible with just a little effort. The person who told me this was suggesting that it was a bad thing, I don’t quite see how. Our county is founded on dreams and obtaining the impossible. Maybe I am getting off course here.

Anyways I have found that when I work in a group to design something regardless of what it is typically the solutions arise a lot quicker. There is also the added benefit of I see something for example as a square but someone suggest a circle and it’s basically the same concept, it’s a shape, just slightly improved now we have a wheel, which is more practical. Just like with any team however; if the committee doesn’t gel and there is poor communication then of course the result will be less than desirable.

One of the biggest secrets in the design industry is that even though you might think that there is a “singular designer” that is never the case and I would bet a paycheck on it! Our industry thrives off each other. Every designer begins to learn and sharpen their skills and that “eye” that we all talk about by reviewing massive amount of other peoples work. So even though it might be an “original idea” for copyright purposes, every design is simply a byproduct other designs. When we, as designers, photographers, videographers and artist look at anything and I mean ANYTHING, we look at it in a way of “How was this done?” “How would I have done it?” “Can I make this better?” 9 times out of 10 those thoughts occur within the first 20 second of looking at something ranging from a product label in the grocery store to a website or maybe even a chair or even shoes. However no designer can ever say that “Yes I thought of this all by myself.” It’s just not 100% true. Every design is influenced by other designs and designer, either negative or positive; this is what makes good designs into awe inspiring designs.

If you get onto Twitter and search for the word design, you will get a million returns and the majority of them are designers asking for input on something they made but haven’t shown anyone outside the community yet. A good example of this is one of my mentors, Brendan Dawes, recently just redesigned his home page. Prior to letting it go live he asked those he trusted for feedback and even posted mockups on Flickr.

So, I guess my point that I beat into the ground here is, that even though it might be a sole designer creating something it is always a committee design in some shape or form.

I’m not trying to discredit any of us super talented amazing designers either. We are all awesome in our own ways but just like Super Friends we are unstoppable as a team!

This is my response to this question and now I would like to get feedback on what the design community thinks. So what do you think?

Hard arrest

2009-04-12T22:34:00.002-05:00

Sceenshot of local news. The police in Waco, TX really do take arrest hard! lmao

Shiny Toy Guns Le Disko SxSW March 20 2009

2009-04-11T22:14:00.001-05:00

This is the show that I was SO COOL!

A SXSW interactive 2009 experience (teaser) by Brian Artka

2009-04-10T10:57:00.000-05:00

A SXSW interactive 2009 experience (teaser) from Brian Artka on Vimeo.

Sprint - Gives Twitter some love

2009-04-09T17:56:00.001-05:00

The Now Network the new campaign's slogan, stands for the crazy amount of data that gets pushed through these cellphones now, such as Twitter, Google and GPS.It's no longer just about calling

Thoughts of the day

2009-04-01T13:37:00.003-05:00

Mo'fo things I hate:

Screaming sticky faced out of control children
Someone sending me an email that crashed my computer causing me 2 loose 2 hours of work...GRRRR!!!
Narrow minded egotistical bastards
Hilter
Tofu
People who can't drive
Anyone who doesn't like Texas
Snow
Spiders
All of the above again!

(note to sender of said email: paybacks a bit@h!) Upon further inspection the work was recovered, thanks to subversion. So #5 was changed. :)

Harnessing the Jackalope

2009-03-24T10:16:00.001-05:00

SXSW Photo & Video Stream

2009-03-22T15:20:00.003-05:00

Check out all the pictures and Video from SXSW includes interactive, film and of course music.

Quincy Jones panel at SXSW in Austin, TX (my notes)

2009-03-22T01:04:00.006-05:00

Quincy Jones first off is an amazing person, a great and talented individual who realized, chased, obtained and continuously follows his dreams. That is what makes him one of the all time greats.
Jones began his speech by telling everyone basically how he become the great Quincy Jones, I guess for those who live under a rock but it was a good story either way. He recently celebrated his 76th birthday which I thought was great, the things that he has done in the 76 years he has been alive most people aren't able to do even one of the things he has accomplished in their short lives.
Jones said "When you get over the hill that is when you pick up speed" then he told a funny joke that someone told him once, "Sex after you are 70 is like shooting pool with a rope" the audience all burst into laughter.
One thing that I found heart warming that Jones did say was that to this very day he stills writes on score paper, he said "I just can't get away from it."
Quincy Jones has been lucky enough to experience a lot of breakthroughs in the industry that revolutionized the world of music as we know it today. Jones was allowed the honor of witnessing the very first Fender Electric bass in New York. He said that initially they didn't understand it but they were willing to try anything. Jones loves thinking "outside the box." He informed the crowd that if it weren't for the Fender Electric bass we wouldn't have any Rock & Roll or Motown. Jones was also honored with witnessing the first ever stereo recording, demo of cassette tape and dime-sized disc.
Jones talked about the times he said "no thanks" to several deals to serve his county with the United States State Department, one was in 1956 and they ended up with Johnny Mathis instead.
Back in those days Jones was tinkering with new sounds from Rio De Janeiro, called Bossa Nova and blending it with soul and jazz music. I thought this was awesome, here is Quincy Jones a 76 year old man and way back when he was doing mash-ups and had no idea, Quincy you are simply the worlds trendsetter.
Jones, like most older men are filled with excellent advise and knowledge of the world; during his stories I tried to jot down some of the bits of wisdom to help you and I remember as we take this journey called life. Please excuse me for breaking format now:

"Count your blessings each and everyday"
Learn what everyone is doing out there and take notes; then one day you will them.
Have a mutual respect, love and trust with each other (especially those in your industry)
We don't make friends; we discover them!
"Live everyday as if it were your last and one day you will be right"-Frank Sinatra
You tell if someone's got "it", in the first 15-20 seconds of music, so make a big impression
There is an undeniable enthusiasm when you discover something original ex: discovering Michael Jackson
Learn to love to be underestimated; then prove them all wrong
We are all terminal instruments of a higher power, whatever that power maybe
Observe the pain on the faces of those who can't trust, believe or think out of the box

This last one I think is one of my personal favorites from the snippets that I got.

"You gotta be crazy and stay crazy in our industry it makes us the soul of the world"

These days Quincy Jones is busy promoting his new book, The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey and Passions. Jones is also lobbying a petition for the Secretary of The Arts cabinet. The position has risen to a total signature count of 239,460 signatures today. The petition is still attracting press coverage around the world and Quincy plans to travel to Washington, D.C. in May with the signed petition. You can sign the petition here or view the petition here.
Don't under estimate Mr. Jones he is still knee deep in search for a new prodigies and developing those wonderfully talented individuals he has already discovered like the overwhelmingly talented Alfredo Rodriguez and Bianca Ryan.

In closing Quincy Jones' repeated advice to artists was to make music with love.

Please check out the video & photographs that I took during the panel of Quincy Jones:

You can also view the entire video and photo collection of SXSW here.

11 Excellent Twitter Improvement Ideas

2009-03-20T00:47:00.000-05:00

11 Excellent Twitter Improvement Ideas Last week, I wrote about 10 Features That Will Make Twitter Better - the response was astounding and many people contributed their own ideas in the comments.

What became clear was the need to write a follow-up article that discusses even more user interface suggestions that can improve the Twitter web experience. To provide a well-rounded mix of ideas, the article would have to be from a combination of authors that contributed to one article.

What follows are ideas by ten professionals from different various spheres of expertise.
11 Excellent Twitter Improvement Ideas

Hot Diggity Dog!

2009-03-17T22:47:00.000-05:00

Hot Diggity Dog!! -- powered by flowgo.com

The Reverse Graffiti Project

2009-03-09T22:09:00.001-05:00

Hey Big Spender - Sweet Charity

2009-03-09T21:55:00.001-05:00

Dark Days in Monkey City

2009-03-09T21:41:00.001-05:00

The Kills - U R A Fever

2009-03-06T21:39:00.001-06:00

The Kills - Black Balloon

2009-03-06T21:34:00.001-06:00

The Kills | Good Ones

2009-03-06T21:28:00.001-06:00

Man Killed on Bus, Killer Goes Free

2009-03-06T21:26:00.001-06:00

Sunset

2009-03-05T01:44:00.001-06:00

DSC_0085
Originally uploaded by Texas Brat.

Twitter Grader

2009-03-03T23:13:00.001-06:00

New Photoset

2009-03-02T19:46:00.001-06:00

Happy Texas Independence Day

2009-03-02T09:42:00.004-06:00