Author Archive

Android

19 May 2011 by


The boss handed me an unlocked Nexus S the other week with the directive to learn how to develop for Android. So off I went. The dev environment was pretty straight forward to set up as I’m quite familiar with Eclipse already. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it is to actually test projects on the device – it’s as simple as plug-and-play on the Mac.

Java is a new language for me but I’m growing into it as it was a direct influence on ActionScript. I poked around a few examples from the Android Developers site (which is great documentation) and read a few articles on developing Android-based games. Next, I started down the path of doing this tutorial of an Android port of Conway’s Game of Life. As is the case with 72% of tech tutorials out there it is left unfinished. I’ll try to fill in the blanks as a challenge myself to go it alone and learn more about the platform. You can track the progress here if you’re interested.

Category: Work  Tags:  One Comment

Good Shepherd

18 May 2011 by

Last Sunday was Good Shepherd Sunday. For a real treat, read Ezekiel 34 where God is expressing his disappointment with Jewish leaders who had failed in their responsibility and what he would do about it:

“For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.” Ez 34:11

Then re-read the Gospel from John 10. Promise fulfilled:

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” Jn 10:14

HT to Jeff Cavins.

Category: Faith  Tags:  Leave a Comment

Chocolate

27 Apr 2011 by

My favorite foods are beer and chocolate.

Now that I have a pretty good grasp on the homebrewing thing, I’m taking a little time to explore producing the “food of the gods” (this is the meaning of the cacao tree’s scientific name theobroma). I took somewhat of a leap of faith at the last minute and enrolled in an online chocolate making course with Ecole Chocolat which started on Good Friday. This class differs from a chocolatier course in that the objective is to learn how to make chocolate from the cocoa bean which chocolatier’s will later use to make their confections. However, there are quite a few assignments that necessitate sampling various chocolates. I didn’t have to ask the Mrs. twice to help me with my homework!

While the craft beer movement is in full swing and microbreweries are popping up everywhere, the craft chocolate industry is still very nascent. I can see similarities between the two from the few case studies I’ve read thus far but I also noticed that there seems to be a lack of community and support among chocolate makers unlike what exists between many craft brewers. There are signs that things may be changing – and change they must if craft chocolate wants to have a future. Whether my instructors share this view or not, they wish to foster a community – albeit online as we are spread out across the globe – among the students by encouraging us to share homework results and support one another through frequent use of the forums and chat rooms.

All in all, I’m looking forward to what I will learn in the coming weeks.

Category: Fun  Tags:  Leave a Comment

Composter

05 Feb 2011 by

Our new composter: Death Star edition.

Category: Garden  Leave a Comment

Dishwasher Rack Repair

07 Nov 2010 by

When your dishwasher gets to be as old as ours you’ll notice that the racks begin to rust. Replacements cost about half the price of a new dishwasher (at least for our Maytag) which is absurd. I gave Uber Goop a shot. It went on pretty easily and the small bottle went a long way. The hardest part was sanding and filing the rusted areas down to clean metal. The caps were simple to apply and will extend the life of the tines.

Category: Budgeting  One Comment

Someone Had to Do It

30 Aug 2010 by

Category: Uncategorized  2 Comments

To All My Homies

26 Jun 2010 by

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Category: Fun  2 Comments

Motivation

14 Jun 2010 by

I was visiting with my neighbor yesterday when Therese exclaimed “Mr. Harvey, I can put my head under water!” I had to correct her at that point and said, “No, you can blow bubbles in the water.” Well that really upset her and she stormed off. Later I told her in private that she was giving the impression to our friend that she knew how to hold her breath under water which isn’t true. It is something she is working towards at her swim lessons but hadn’t accomplished yet.

We went to the pool that evening after dinner and Therese slapped on her goggles, pinched her nose, and dunked her head. When she emerged I met her with a grin and said “Now that is putting your head under water!” We spent the rest of the time diving for toys and waving to each other beneath the surface.

Pretty amazing that serving a bit of humility can be a point of motivation for a child.

Category: Family  One Comment

Father & Son at the Park

06 Jun 2010 by

Fulton and I had our first father and son baseball outing this weekend. Although the Cubs took a beating by the Astros, we made the best of it hanging out at Minute Maid Park and sampling the fares. Here’s our line score:

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fulton Cotton Candy 0 Ice Cream 0 0 0 0 0 Pizza
Dad 0 0 Hot Dog, Beer Rest of Fulton’s Ice Cream 0 0 0 0 Pizza

Category: Uncategorized  2 Comments

Rest in Peace, Grandma

19 May 2010 by

My beloved Grandmother, Mary Datzman, passed away earlier this morning after suffering many years with Alzheimer’s disease. She is once again reunited with her husband who died this past February and for the first time can witness all her great-grandchildren.

Grandma was always filled with kindness and joy. We all remember her for her homemade caramel corn and sugar cookies, but her unconditional love and desire to share her time with us is what remains in our hearts.

May the Lord grant you peace, Grandma. We love you.

Category: Uncategorized  4 Comments
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