5 Sites that Everyone Should Know About

1. www.google.com/reader
If you're an avid user of http://www.google.com/ as your preferred web-search site, and have a Gmail account, this site is for you! (If you don't have a Gmail account, and you look at a lot of blogs or news websites, you can create an account, or look for similar offerings from other companies.) This is not just a site, it's a tool for life! :o)

Google Reader is a nifty little thing. Do you find yourself checking all your friends' blogs, just to see if they have new posts? Do you constantly go to CNN or MSNBC or Drudge or some other news site to get the latest scoop? Does your favorite site or company put out things you like to see or read, like HBS Innovations or the Word of the Day?

Well, waste time no more trying to remember all your sites and clicking through them all!

Google Reader acts like an "email inbox" for all* of your favorite sites. Simply "Add a Subscription," and then check your Reader to see if anyone has a new post. Voila!

Happy Reader-ing! I hope you see all my new posts and comment often.

* As long as they have an RSS feed. Your browser should tell you (IE7 turns orange) and sometimes the site will actually have a link for their feed.

2. www.adrive.com/
Do you ever need access to your files while you're "on the go"? Wish you could get to something on your home computer when you're at school or at a friend's house? Or, do you have some data that you need to back up*, but aren't sure if you want the piles of CDs or DVDs it might take?

ADrive is a totally free online storage site, with the most space that I've ever seen. Sure, if you're in the habit of emailing files to yourself to save or access later, Gmail lets you store ~6GB and Hotmail gives you 5GB. Or, web-hosted file storage like Windows Live offers a 5GB web-hosted "SkyDrive".

Does fifty gigabytes of space sound like enough for your online storage/back-up needs? Yes, that's right, 50 GB. Archive all your static files (music, video, finished resarch papers, pictures, etc.), or back-up changing files "regularly" -- databases, school projects in process, et al.

* Redundancy, we've found the hard way, is an important part of back-up/archiving. A copy on the laptop, a copy on a DVD in the stack, a copy online, a copy on the external drive, a copy on the flash drive, a copy ... ok, maybe that's going a bit far, but you get the point.

3. www.mormon.org/
Besides the fact that I think everyone should have the opportunity to learn about the Church, this site makes the list for the additional reason that it has changed a lot over the last little while. Think you know what you'll find there when you visit? I think you'll be in for a surprise. The Church spent many months interviewing recent converts and recording their conversion stories and testimonies. One family that is pictured in some of the online banners and other materials is from our ward.

4. http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/
While this site is geared toward bloggers (and, as such, might not at first glance be something that everyone should know about), I have decided that I like it so much that I would include it. If you're a blogger, there are tips/tricks/instructions in there for (1) things you've always wanted your blog to do, but didn't know how, (2) things you've never seen, but want to do now that you have, and (3) just about anything else. The site is searchable and the posts are clearly lableled.

If you're not a blogger, this site is still interesting. Wonder how some sites have an icon that comes up to the left of the web URL? Web designers and now bloggers can create an image to put up there. Wonder how web pages get things to scroll or hover or other cool "mouseover" things? You can learn a lot about the Internet/web design by browsing these posts.

And, (maybe this is a stretch) another reason or two that everyone should know about this site is that it is a great example of how the web has changed our world and of the power of the web. For one, back in the day, it seems that HTML used to be the language that only dorks knew about (for example, I taught myself HTML around 1995 and started making basic web pages). The Web grew in popularity and usefulness, and now it seems that everybody is online. But no one cared about how the sites were written. You could get Pagemaker or Netscape (Creator?) or Dream Weaver or all these other free, and not so free, software programs that let you create web pages without knowing anything about HTML. Now, we all use software that helps us make web pages (or blogs!), but want to get beyond the basics of what the program lets us do, so we have to go back and change the html code, which means learning something new...

Basically, I find it amazing just how much stuff you can learn online. "Mad props" to all those bloggers out there who use some of their time to share their knowledge with others. (I'd love to do something like that, but I'm afraid I've shared most of my knowledge in this post!) The Web is an amazing, powerful tool. Maybe you won't need to use "Tips for New Bloggers," but you'll have it in your memory and can share it with someone else, and you'll think to look online for other "Tips" for something else you might need later...

Which brings me to:

5. www.google.com/
To re-hash a phrase that I used as the thesis for a high school British Lit. paper, Google is the Internet version of "the greatest thing since sliced bread." Not only is its search engine amazing, but the company keeps churning out (and scooping up) great things like
* Blogger
* Reader
* Docs (formerly Writely)
* Groups
* YouTube
* etc!

It seems that a great future lies in online "software-as-a-service." What do I mean by that? SaaS, and "good-enough apps," are all around us... Companies like Google and Salesforce and others use it deliver great products. For example, MS Office is probably the most commonly used word processor in North America. The newest version takes up a lot of space on your computer, but does a lot of amazing things (most of which normal people will never, or hardly ever, use). But you use it because you can send a doc to a friend or write a resume or whatever...

But, what if you don't need a word processor that can do all those things. What if you need to have access to your documents on the go, edit them from any computer, and be able to share them with others--even collaborate? Google Docs is a word processor. It is software that you access through your web browser. You can make docs and spreadsheets and PowerPoint-style presentations -- all online! You don't need any software other than a web browser. Pretty cool, huh?

Similiar concept applies for Salesforce. By visiting Salesforce.com and logging in with the credentials from your company, you can access thousands and thousands of CRM- and other type records. You can track sales, fundraising, inventory, yadda yadda yadda. And it's all online. For the business, it saves them a lot of IT cost -- they don't have to buy, maintain, and cool servers -- they outsource it to a company like Salesforce, that says, "We'll maintain the servers and the data, you purchase licenses for your employees to use the software, and your data is available any time, anywhere in the world, on any computer." Again, pretty cool.

Can Google Docs do everything MS Word can? No. Can Salesforce do everything a "heavier" (another discussion) CRM software, like Oracle, can do? No. But, they provide solutions that are "good enough" for the average user on trajectories like performance, cost, and interoperability.

Lots of similar software exists. Need a calendar to schedule and track your appointments? Need somewhere to store your photos? Need an email address that you can check anywhere? It's all around us... have you found yours yet?

So, http://www.google.com/ makes the list for these two final reasons:
(a) Check the little blue links up top. Click the "more" sometimes. Visit Google Labs and see what's in the works. Maybe someone is designing something that will put a sparkle in your eye, make something a whole lot easier, or save you or your company some money.
(b) Use it to find something else! Let it be your portal into the world wide web of everything you could ever possibly think of, and then some.

** N.B. I am not now, nor have I been, an agent, employee, contractor, volunteer, janitor, or any other -or or -eer for any of the above-mentioned sites or services. I am not receiving any compensation for promoting these sites (although I wouldn't mind it). and I have selected this sites of my own free will and choice.

Job Search

Sent off a few resumes today...

Snow day!

Here are some pics from my shoveling escapades today -- had to shovel 3 times.

It's still snowing -- which makes the task difficult -- especially because I'm mildly OCD, and the dusting that falls on the parts I did first makes me want to shovel it all again.

I tell myself it's making it easier to do tomorrow, so there's only a few inches, and not a whole foot.

Enjoy my amazing photography =)
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

A YouTube Snow Day: The Lego Mittness, OK Go, and Chocolate Rain

Welcome Home

This is a picture of my creation from when Jill came home

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

[So, I was testing this "mobile" feature of my blog--it's the mittness! -- see below]

Readings and Relaxation

While these past few days have been boring (i.e., uneventful, relaxing, and less anxiety-filled), I have been trying to cram in as much of the following four activities that I can:

(1) Organizing the house, and thus, my life
I started this little project while Jill was in Utah visiting family (she hasn't blogged about this or put the pictures up yet, but I'm sure she will...hint hint). I went about the process "from the outside, in," starting in the bedroom (laundry, sheets, clearing of the growing pile on my nightstand), the kitchen, and the front room. Eventually, I had moved most of the "junk" (i.e., stuff we probably need that deserves a better home than the kitchen counter or my nightstand) into the office and had disposed of the "other junk" (i.e., stuff we should have gotten rid of a while ago but just piled somewhere for disposal "at a later date"), and was thus prepared to tackle the project that I have been putting off pretty much ever since we moved in--my files and the office.

Soon, everything was filed away in its own folder and I began to see that I actually had a desk under my piles-o'-stuff. I've left some little things in the "to do" pile on the filing cabinet, but other than that, I have a functional desk, with a place for everything and everything in its place. I've even go so far as to organize my bookcase, my "supply drawer," my Outlook contacts, and my pens.

To me, although I may postpone the activity, there is something relaxing and therapeutic about sorting and organizing. (If I were a psychoanalyst, I'd probably interject something here about the feeling of control over the situation that one has while organizing and moving things around. This may be true. However, I'd also have to add that I find a well-organized desk more condusive to study and to productivity.)

(2) Finding a new job
Although I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "less anxiety-filled" activity--you know, picking your temporal destiny--it has occupied some time as of late... For those of you that know me, yes, I have Pro/Con sheets for the different options that I'm looking at. I'd talk about the choices I'm looking at right now, but that's enough material for another post or two...

Suffice it to say that I spent some time to day doing research on one possibility--using some connections I've made to get a Staff position with a Senator or Congressman on the Hill, and working on legislation and policy issues that interest me. I started a mini-"briefing" for myself today that lists some of the Senate Committees that I'm interested in, what they're doing, and their members (then did some research on the different members). It's somewhat of a fun project, and has kept me occupied; we shall see what becomes of it.

(3) Taking care of Jill
Jill returned from her Utah trip not feeling very well (those darn nephews! :-D ), and felt better after a few days, but then woke up one morning feeling a lot worse. Her sinuses/allergies have been really acting up, and the poor thing has gone through several (large) boxes of Kleenex--we eventually had to get some with lotion, her nose was getting so irritated.

Anyway, so I'm the mean nurse and make her take naps, drink lots of water, and (try to) go to bed early. I made matzah ball soup one evening, and several rounds of chicken noodle soup, and got lots of Jell-O and Saltine crackers. She finally convinced me that she hadn't lost her appetite and wanted something else, so we got her favorite meal from the Thai place just down the road--Mango Curry with Chicken.

(4) Reading, reading, and more reading
Amidst the rush and excitement and long hours of campaign life, I had forgotten--or, rather, had no time to remember--how much I love to read and to learn. So lately, with all this "new" time to read, I've found myself being a little ADD in my reading habits, and bouncing around from one book to another. I didn't realize how thirsty I was for knowledge -- I even tried to cram more in at once by "multi-tasking" and listening to my favorite "smart" Podcasts while reading my books. Needless to say, the Podcast feast didn't last very long, but I look forward to listening more.

Here's a peek at what I've been reading. (I noticed on someone else's blog that they have a sidebar menu that shows current books--I'll have to try to find something like that.)

(A) Scriptures
(B) Teaching, No Greater Call
I'm doing a Teacher Development lesson on Sunday. I've entitled it, "Teaching by Asking Questions"
(3) Christ and the New Covenant
(4) Uncommon Learning: Henry David Thoreau on Education
(5) "Civil Disobedience" and Other Essays
(6) The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes
No--I'm not reading a picture book (although I did find a copy of Goodnight, Moon in French that my mom sent me from her trip to France, and I might just read that!). This is a 600-plus page novel that reproduces the stories as they appeared in the Strand with their original illustrations by Sidney Paget. I first read Sherlock Holmes when I was in 2nd or 3rd grade--you can blame much of my interests today on the literary quest that began at this time of my life. Anyway--I just finished this, and am sad that I'm out of Sherlock Holmes stories to read!
(7) The 9/11 Commission Report
A 430-page document with approximately 150 pages of appendices and notes. Jill found it at the library and thought it looked interesting.

Anyway--I have a growing list of books to read and a little bit of discretionary time with which to do so. If you have any suggestions, let me know!

Well...my sleeping beauty has awakened. I should go see what she wants for dinner.

ta ta for now

Valentine's Day-s!

Well, we did a marathon of Valentine's activities this year. Jeremy has had a lot of time at home lately, so he cleaned the house and went shopping on the 14th while Jill was at work. He created a six-course dinner and activities to go along with it.

first course
carrots with vegetable dip
bruschetta
seasoned fries
[picnic in the living rooml play Phase 10]
second course
house salad
[move to the formal dining room, complete with new candles]
third course
sausage farfalle with sweet red peppers
[talk over dinner]
fourth course
artichoke with a garlic butter sauce
[instead of popcorn, we peeled the leaves off our artichokes and watched the movie that Jill got to pick out--she chose Armageddon]
fifth course
petite, mesquite grilled filet, covered in carmelized onions
[we decided that I had overdone the menu, and saved this for Friday's dinner]
sixth course
fresh strawberries and bananas in a decadent chocolate sauce
[these stayed in the kitchen so the "decadent" sauce would drip on our counters and lineleum, not the carpet!]

Friday we went to the dentist and to work, and had our 24-hour marinated filets for dinner---yummy!

Saturday, Jeremy had to practice a musical number in the morning and Jill had a baby shower to attend for someone in the ward. After, Jill gave me the schedule for the day and we drove off into the sunset...

We grabbed lunch and had a mini-picnic on our way out to "deCordova." Then, we spent time inside looking at photographs and some other art. We watched this intersting short film called "fear" or something that showed young kids growing up during the cold war, learning how to "duck and cover" while at school or on the bus or while in the playground for when the air raid sirens would sound. Intermixed were images of slightly older youth getting physicals and doing jumping jacks and stuff at military boot camps. I can't imagine what it was like to grow up like that.

While we may face similar bombing-type threats due to the increasing pervasiveness of terror and increasing targeting of the US, we have no air raid siren nor emergency drills (not that the ducking and covering would actually do much...). And our fear of attack ought to be less than that of people living in other war-torn and terror-ravaged countries, where it's not if an attack is coming, but when. We're blessed to live where we have the resources and infrastructure to better battle these type of threats. Regardless of how you feel about the fairly recent creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or President Bush, hopefully you caught the part of his last "State of the Union" where he outlined some of the plots that have been foiled. For various reasons, DHS and other intelligence services are not prone to advertise their successes--no great PR machine is at work on this end, and the media is only too quick to highlight their failures. However, we should know that attempted attacks on US soil and US interests around the globe are being discovered and prevented, with little fanfare to let us know, but an extra day of safety for us.

Anyway...sorry for the depressing/random tangent.

One of the exhibits there, inside, was photographs of children--some sad (in old Chicago ghettos that looked like warzones) or disturbing (children (7-9 yrs)pretending to smoke candy cigarettes or actually smoking), etc.

Some of the outside sculptures can be viewed on the website. Here are two interesting ones. The link below shows two sculptures, by the same artist, that were not originally designed to be together, but have been placed in close proximity to each other at the museum. The second sculpture stands in the back corner, hidden behind the first.

http://www.decordova.org/decordova/sculp_park/levy.htm

You can explore the decordova website for other sculptures. Here are some pictures that we took:

DeCordova Date

Then, we walked around the "old" shops for a while before we went to dinner in an old firestation at a restaurant called Walden Grille. http://www.waldengrille.com/

It was a romantic evening.

More Mitt Moments

The Governor took some time to take photos with us today, and personalized a copy of the National Review.

We'll have to explain the NH volunteer pictures and the Super Tuesday rally pictures later.

New Hampshire Rally

New Hampshire Primary 2008

Michigan Rally at the Waterfront, Boston

Michigan Primary

Super Tuesday Rally

Super Tuesday Celebration

More Mitt Moments

More Mitt Moments

It was great to spend a quick minute with the Governor. We were able to speak for a few minutes, and I attempted to express my feelings of appreciation for his example and well-fought race. He and his team did amazing things, and I hope that we'll get see more of him in the future. He truly was the best man in the race and the most capable of building the team needed to get the changes made in Washington that we need. I am honored to have his campaign on my resume.

Romney for President, Inc.
Finance Team

Lifted -- Temporary Injunction

And we're back to "live" blogging the Erbs.... although we both wish it could be under better circumstances.

Jeremy's organization was disbanded with a few words over national television, and Jill's grandmother passed away early this morning.

It's surely been a day for us. Jeremy will brush up on the resume and close up shop; Jill will head to Utah to be with her family for a few days.

Thanks to those who have called and are thinking about us. I'm sure we'll have more to say in the days to come...