Could I Teach About Twitter

Wednesday night, I went to a company business meeting where the keynote speaker was from he Netherlands. Okay, most of the keynote speakers are from the Netherlands, so it was really no surprise. I was excited for this particular topic as we were going to be talking about social computing and its impact on business and the world. It is a topic that I am very interested in, since I have two Blogs, am on Facebook, twitter, pownce and am constantly looking at Digg. This presentation was going to be in my wheelhouse. The presentation was given by the Director of ViNT, a research shop in the Netherlands. It was a great presentation, discussing the ways that the mass media is on the way out the door, and instead we now have "Me Media" It was fascinating. I got a chance to talk to the presenter at the bar afterwords and I think I impressed him.

While people were coming into the lecture hall I leaned over to a friend of mine and asked if one of the attendees was one of our old professors. Sure enough it was. I went over to say hello and see how things had been. It was an interesting conversation which basically ended with him asking me to submit a resume and such to come back and teach at UMBC. It was a really cool moment and I was flattered. While I was at the bar for some post meeting cocktails I had some great discussions with the presenter and some of my other colleagues about the idea of "Me Media" and how people can still be productive when they are constantly getting bombarded with information from the gazillion different bits that they get every day. I think I could teach this. I would love to teach this... we will see if this works. I will be sending my resume this weekend.

Brick... Just Blog Damn It!

Another unannounced mini hiatus for bricknhymr. I once again have had life creep up on me, ask me how things are going, slap me across the face and then walk away... slowly... slowly away.

I have been crazy busy at each of my jobs. I feel like I have taken on quite a bit of responsibility and at one employer it is not an issue, because I don't really have a chance for advancement. At the other it is not an issue either, it just grinds on me a little as I really want to do well, but can never tell if I actually am.

I have had some really exciting things happen as well. First, last Friday I got to watch the Retrievers play in the big dance. I went to campus to watch the game with former co-workers and had an absolute blast. I was later told that I showed up on the WBAL coverage of the crowd, but I can't confirm that. It was amazing to see the team play in the NCAA. I kept saying to people that I waited eight years for that moment, and I really had. This could lead to big things for UMBC. I guess it is different for people who went to bigger schools, their reputation and notoriety are something that they take for granted. At UMBC we don't have that luxury. It was a privilege to watch this team and I thank them for everything that they have done for the University.

I also got to see my UMBC peeps the following day at Easter Saturday dinner. I have to admit, as much as I am a foodie, I got shown up at this meal. For one, I didn't cook anything. I brought wine instead, I just didn't have the time. Secondly, it wouldn't have mattered. The combination of Coke Ham and "Beer Can" Chicken (though coke was used for this as well) was incredible. It was an amazing time. I love hanging out with my friends and am sad that Kyle and Erin will be leaving so soon. I hope I get to spend some more time with them before they go. It was also pretty funny being the Jew and wishing everyone a Happy Sunday!

In serious news my heart and thoughts are with Alyssa and Matt right now as they get through some tough times. Know them or not, they are two of the most amazing people and should not have to go through things like this.

I have been working on improvements to eatcharmcity. Mrs. Twink and Eludius have both done some great reviews and the categories are filling out nicely. I am hoping to continue to build a nice base of reviews and start to do some home cooking highlights soon. Let me know what you think of the site.

There are lots more things going on, and they may be coming up in another post, maybe even later today (oh, when it rains, it pours!).

Talk to you all soon.

Tag... I'm it

So I got tagged by Mrs. Twink to do one of those fun surveys... Though this one is not so fun, but a little... whatever... just read it.

What is your occupation?
Senior Information Technology Consultant and Mac Specialist

What color are your socks right now?
Black

What are you listening to right now?
Pardon the Interruption Podcast

What was the last thing you ate?Oatmeal with Apples and Raisins

Can you drive a stick shift?
No… It is sad but true.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Brick Red

Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Mom…. Awwwww

Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Of Course… Mrs.Twink is amazing

Favorite drink?
Tea…. And sometimes a harp and cider.

What is your favorite sport to watch?
Football. No Question

Have you ever dyed your hair?
No… how could you possible mess with this fantastic frock?

Pets?
Xena, my warrior princess, miniature toy poodle, resides in Philly with the fam. Onyx and Leaper are the roomies, but they are fun most of the time.

Favorite food?
If it is edible I will probably try it. I love food so much I write about it (shameless plug – eatcharmcity.blogspot.com). I am a sucker for lots of veggies, well done seafood and sweet and savory spices.

Last movie you watched?
The last one I watched from start to finish… Harry Potter 5. I am ashamed.

Favorite day of the year?
Super Bowl Sunday

What do you do to vent anger?
Write…

What was your favorite toy as a child?
Nintendo and building blocks

Which is your favorite, fall or spring?
I like Spring and Fall…. I just hate it when it is really hot, or really cold.

Hugs or kisses?
Hug are really good, and I may be part bear, so people like receiving them from me. I hear I am not to bad at kissing either, though I may be out of practice.

What kind of pie?
Key Lime… nothing better than this little slice of heaven on a plate.

Living arrangements?
I live in a basement… but it is better than living in a van down by the river.

When was the last time you cried?
I am not really sure. Maybe at the end of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

What is on the floor of your closet?
Some boxes and luggage.

Favorite smell?
A freshly opened Apple Laptop (don’t judge)

What inspires you?
Quality thoughts and rationality

What are you afraid of?
Small Woodland Creatures

Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?
Yes, all of these please.

Favorite car?
Civic Hybrid

Favorite cat breed?
the icanhascheezburger breed.

Favorite day of the week?
Friday

How many countries have you been to?
Tres

If you are reading this… You have been tagged. Do it….

Peggle is an Amazing Game, Even More Than Before

Inside a small elementary school gymnasium a group of people are gathered. Sitting in circle of metal chairs a number of people are sipping coffee and politely chatting. Suddenly one stands.

Hi, My Name is Brick
-Hi Brick
And I am a Peggle Addict

I have previously written about my love affair with the PopCap game Peggle. It is a casual game that you can pick up and play for just a couple of minutes. Filled with addictive physics it is the first game in a very long time where I have actively raised my hands in celebration. It is amazing. Well the other day someone else noticed my love of this little game.

That person happened to be part of the Peggle Community Relations Team. It was really cool to be noticed by someone outside of my immediate circle for what I was writing. The Peggle Rep was really nice and offered to put me into an invite only Peggle Bloggers group, which sounded pretty cool. But then there was something else. Something better.

The rep then offered me a free copy of Peggle Extreme, which is available through Steam. I was super excited to try this game, as it is Peggle with the artwork and sounds from the Orange Box (Half Life 2, Portal, Team Fortress 2 and others). I have heard a little bit about this and I will admit, that for a quick little addition to the game it was blast. The inclusion of Portal type...well portals was a very cool game mechanic.

If you haven't tried it play the free demo of Portal. I still cannot wait for the sequel to this, which I think will be called Peggle Nights.

Mom Found My Blog

It is a strange experience. My mother, who would openly agree that she is not the most tech savvy person, Not only found my blog, but commented on it. A while back I wrote about how she did the little nudge nudge, wink wink about grand kids. Mom found the Blog and decided this was the thing she wanted to comment on.

Mind you I have been showing her the blog for a while, but I guess she finally figured it out. This of course re affirms that I have a super hip Mom... how cool is that?

I <3 My Mom

Thinking About a New Project

I admit it, I am a Foodie. I really really like food. It may be an addiction. I eat it, watch it, write about it. I even have a list of people whom I idolize because they know how to cook it. Oh, I am an addict. I must continue to taste the deliciousness.

I used to be like this was about tech, but i think I have tech burnout. Most things don't really excite me in tech anymore. There has not been a really new product that has been a must have for me. The Consumer Electronics Show is going on right now, and honestly I don't really care. There have been a couple of things that have come that are cool, but overall I am very unimpressed. Plus, I am no longer allowed to write about my favorite products because I work for the company who makes them (which is really cool).!

What to do? I have thought about it for a while and I think I am going to start to write about food. Mostly resturant reviews and the occasional "home cooking" post. I am not yet sure what form this will take. I am debating between taking the real domain with wordpress plunge, like Mrs. twink is currently contemplating, or just running with Eat Charm City (with a number of template improvements and actual posts). I would also like to get reviews of restaurants from you guys, cause lets be honest, we all eat. Let me know what you think, and if you would like to jump on board and write a review every so often? Oh, and when I do get started on the new project, expect A Brick Once Said to be deleted (since I have neglected it for about four months now).

What to Write Today???

The past couple of days have been nice and relaxed for me. I have not worked at Apple since New Years Day, which has been nice, even though I really like working there. I got a chance to head home and do some cooking. The other night I pulled out the old cookbook and made Cinnamon Panchetta (Bacon) Carbonara. It was like a gooey Mac and Cheese with bacon and a hint of cinnamon (aka MAGICAL).

The blog has been going well. Some of the comments I received about my Jeans Day post were hysterical. Matt and Geoff's are great. There is clearly nothing like the removal of denim and the inclusion of kilts to get people britches all in a bunch.

Here is my favorite lolcat of the day

moar funny pictures

Depending on my schedule this weekend I am looking forward to maybe going out.

Congrats to Vote NO'malley who reached a great blogger milestone. He got quoted on another blog. Good for you, even if I do disagree with some of your politics :)

Take a read through some of my last posts. The comments have been great, keep them coming. I will try to have better things to write about this weekend.

100 Posts... w00t!!!

So this is post number 100 for my thoughts. Who knew that I could think so much. I want to thank everyone who has read the blog to this point. I really like the interaction that has given me and I hope you enjoyed reading it. To mark this occasion you should tell a friend about the blog and post a comment or two.

Thanks for reading and here is to a great new year and another 100 or so posts.