A Series Of Unfortunate Events
Monday, November 29, 2004 10: 56 AM
A series of unfortunate events. The first few photos are par for the course, then a new development changes everything. Thanks for the link Brett.
Hi. I'm Paul Nixon, a designer living in Mountain View California. My days (and some nights) are spent designing websites for a little company in Cupertino. The rest of my time is spent with my beautiful wife and friends, road cycing and reading your blogs.
November 2004
Goals vs. Deadlines
Monday, November 29, 2004 03: 58 AM
Sometimes goals don't mean anything and you just have to make a deal with yourself to do whatever it takes to finish that one project you have simply put off for too long. Some projects get to the point where it's time to throw off all the platitudinal talk and just get it done.
When a goal or project gets to that point I like to set up an ultimatum with myself. I do this by creating a self-imposed deadline and then publicly disclosing it to one or more people.
It can be an incredible motivational tool to make that final push to finish the project OR is can be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Ultimately it can reveal just how dedicated you are (or were) to the project. This seems to work best for me with projects that are close to completion and need that final push or projects that I haven't started and need a good headstart.
To that end -- Biking Tucson with either come to life on Dec. 1 or die a quiet, anonymous death. I am determined to give it life.
Here's to not seeing much of my bed for the next 48 hours.
VW Officially Announces New Jetta
Sunday, November 21, 2004 07: 53 PM
VW Officially Announces New Jetta. Going to sit on it for a while before I draw my conclusions...
Study: Nation Wastes Nearly Half Its Food
Friday, November 19, 2004 03: 16 PM
Study: Nation Wastes Nearly Half Its Food. In other news, researchers find the old "there are people starving in China" line doesn't work. It should be noted that for households the average waste is only 14 percent. Via work.
Structured Procrastination
Wednesday, November 17, 2004 03: 15 PM
Structured Procrastination. A simple guide to tricking yourself into getting things done. Ironically, I almost put off reading it 'til later. Via Caterina.
Halo 2 Live, Statistics Don't Lie
Tuesday, November 16, 2004 11: 45 AM
Halo 2 Live, The Stats Don't Lie. This is an incredible extension of Halo 2 Live -- Bungie is publishing extensive stat logs to their website. View my stats for every game (or as I like to call games: "Humbling Learning Experiences"). Via Airbag.
The Price of Freedom: American's at War
Monday, November 15, 2004 04: 55 PM
The Price of Freedom: American's at War. Great immersive history/story telling for the Smithsonian from Second Story (remember the exceptional Theban Mapping Project). Great timeline to kick it all off on this new project. Via k10k.
8 Tips For Better Presentations
Monday, November 15, 2004 04: 48 PM
8 Tips For Better Presentations. Some good little tidbits in there. Via del.icio.us.
LukeW Interface Designs
Monday, November 15, 2004 02: 50 PM
LukeW Interface Designs. Some nice visual design and infographics work.
Funnel Inc. Infographics
Monday, November 15, 2004 02: 48 PM
Funnel Inc. Infographics. Some nice infographic work from this group. Via I.D. Magazine.
Long Way Round
Friday, November 12, 2004 02: 12 PM
Long Way Round. This is a great show on Bravo. Ewan McGregor and his best mate Charley circle the globe on big, burly $15K BMW motorcycles. Joy, tears and pain ensue. Good to see actors out of their element, willing to take on an authentic adventure without CGI. Limited number of episodes for the show. DVD is/will be out too. Official site.
Maps & Cartograms of 2004 Election Results
Thursday, November 11, 2004 06: 28 PM
Over a week has past - time to suck down some infographics and take it all in. Maps & Cartograms of 2004 Election Results. Running collection. Adding more as time allows. I know there are plenty our there. Send links my way if you come across any (nix @ the domain above dot com).
Writeboard from 37Signals Coming Soon
Thursday, November 11, 2004 02: 40 PM
Writeboard from 37Signals Coming Soon. Interesting.
Stylegala Redesign
Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10: 26 AM
Stylegala Redesign. Looks sharp. The 4-columns are a nice break from the norm.
Halo 2 Reviews on Metacritic
Tuesday, November 9, 2004 02: 11 PM
Halo 2 Reviews on Metacritic Should you not see or hear from me the next several days -- then you'll know I got my hands on this. The original Halo is the only video game I've finished in the last 15 years.
Extremely Good
Tuesday, November 9, 2004 01: 15 PM
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on ABC has Rebecca and I hooked. We've seen just about every episode since the show started.
Looking at it from a "recipe for success" stand point it has become a television anomaly where EVERYONE wins:
- Audiences get a creative, entertaining and unsually fulfilling hour of television.
- Home owners on the show get a new, often life changing home.
- The hosts and crew get the opportunity to help change people's lives and the good will that comes from that.
- And last, but not least, sponsors and advertisers are strongly and openly featured in product placements and commercials where their goods and services are shown doing some good.
- Finally, the show is a ratings success
The question then is why isn't there more reality television like this? (Or is there and we're simply missing it?) I have no interest in "makeover" shows for the sake of making people more beautiful (though some people are truly helped in those shows) - but what about "makeover" shows for people's lives, businesses and problems - shows like this that help give them a fresh start.
It seems the model could be transposed onto a series of shows where all this studio and advertiser money could go to actually doing some good - sort of like "Pimp My Ride" but for people who actually need a decent car, not some 18 year old college student who bought a $200 junker just to send the video into MTV...
Delisious Library
Tuesday, November 9, 2004 01: 13 PM
Delicious Library is out for Mac. Yummy. Software. Can't wait to check it out tonight. Via Brett.
Smaller
Monday, November 8, 2004 04: 05 PM
Smaller cell phones. Smaller computers. Smaller Transportation? We are a two car family here at nixlog. And lately we've had a hankerin' for dumping one of our cars (O.K. it's an SUV) for something not only more economical, but simpler, smaller...dare I even say "cuter"? Uh, no. But...there are a couple of transportation themes that I am have been interested in lately:
Scooters. Perhaps we've seen too many episodes of Scrubs lately (the Scooter Gang) -- but I just think it would be hilarious to be cruising down the road with Rebecca on matching scooters. Plus it would double as a simple commuter vehicle on the back streets to work. All for a rather economical price.
- This one looks racey: Aprilia SR 50 Ditec
- And for those who want the H2 of scooters: Honda Big Ruckus.
- BARBUS Smart Roadster (looks fun - but not for the yanks stateside)
- Smart TwoFour (not available in U.S. either)
- Mini (still too expensive)
Oh well. Decisions. Decisions.
New Tufte Chapter Online
Monday, November 8, 2004 03: 56 PM
New Tufte Chapter Online Infographics. 'Mapped Pictures', a draft chapter from Beautiful Evidence. Via Airbag.
Mustang Sally
Friday, November 5, 2004 12: 46 AM
Mustang Sally Photos. Honey, which Mustang do you want? While not entirely impressed with the stock pony car Ford put out (they softed the concept car a bit), most of these after market jobs scream american muscle car...wow! Via Autoblog.
Never Buy A Glass Desk
Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10: 58 AM
Never Buy A Glass Desk Ouch. Flickr Photo via Planet Frank
Introducing Dyed
Wednesday, November 3, 2004 03: 16 AM
We've seen "Bleached". Introducing "Dyed", blacking out a website to reflect our troubling political circumstances. I offer this open letter to our next president, whomever that might be:
Dear Mr. Future President Elect,
I'm not sure who you are yet -- but that doesn't matter any longer. It is what it is. I may or may not have voted for you. That doesn't matter now either. The point is you are now the President of The United States and I am one of its citizens. Since you are now president I am holding you accountable for the next four years of this country's progress. Now I know that's a lot of pressure -- but hey, you volunteered for it. In return I'll do my duty as a citizen by paying taxes, not making trouble and only making fun of you while watching The Daily Show each night.
Now for a quick wish list for the next four years:
- Can you please help the states with elections? I'm tired of staying up all night and then not knowing who to address this letter to.
- Can you reconsider our doctorine of pre-emption in its current form? I would like some time to have kids before we start World War III. (BTW: What ever happened to covert ops?)
- Can you help America realize that we are not alone in the world? Perhaps you could re-institute Geography, Humanities and History classes in schools again.
If over the course of the next four years you lead with common sense and things start to improve (that includes foreign policy), then I may just start to bring some color back to my website. If not, then Nixlog may stay "Dyed" for quite sometime. You see, it sort of reflects my mood right now.
Sincerely, nix
I got the raquet...u got the balls?
Tuesday, November 2, 2004 11: 11 AM
I got the raquet...u got the balls? My buddy Jeff takes the Halloween prize with a homemade shirt, gym shorts any P.E. coach would envy and Kangaroos shoes!
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