Willo O'Brien

>> “PCs have a small edge, but it is obliviated with the time you lose in crashes/freezes.” (jake wrote in these comments)

This is where I have to say I *hate* the whole argument that PC’s always crash. My PC *NEVER* crashes!! Granted my PC ROCKS compared to some, I’m sure a ton of RAM and a hefty processor helps eliminate the crashing… but I’m jus’ sayin all “the mac people” always use that to pan PC’s, but it’s just not a true blanket statement at all, and that won’t get me to switch!!

What will make me switch are more design focused. I mean, sure – some of my decisions are more emotional & glamorous than about the power/performance (eg how fluid and *pretty* everything is!! :) But I am really looking to hear more design/tech garb about how programs run on it vs. PC.

For example, someone had posted they though macs are actually best for print designers & PC’s are actually better for web developers. (?) And I’ve also heard that Flash runs better on the PC….. is there any truth to these statements?

And my biggest fear – is will I be just as efficient on a Mac? I know I’ve said this before and this is a silly question I’m sure (but hey, it’s my #1 fear in switching really, so I gotta just say it) is that I’m soooo fast with all my keyboard shortcuts on my PC now… I hardly ever touch the mouse. I’m sure it’s just a matter of learning on the Mac… but can anyone who has switched ease my fears here?

Tonite was so fun. I hit BAM, then even had a little time to do some grocery shopping, drop them off at home, check email & then head out again.

I met Kat over at The Makeout Room… I was looking forward to seeing The Red Thread there – and after chatting briefly on IM today, I found out she just happened to be meeting someone there, too. yay! Always so good to see that sweet kitty :) mm!

Sarah even stopped by to say hi for a quick sec, which was fun. Makes me feel like we live in a small town when your friends can just swing by and say hello. (We all live in the same general neighborhood).

I saw Jake there tonite – and Deb (aka Daz) from Playing in Fog. Oh & I met that guy, Dan I’ve heard Ajaxx talk about.

And ya can’t forget Fuzzy Ruzxzzsx! I secretly think he’s cute. I mean really, he’s a drummer – and he has a fro. Hello Heartthrob! But he seems kinda nervous when I say hi to him. Which somehow I secretly even think makes him cuter. Don’t tell him, promise? I try to make conversation, and then he’s funny without trying, kinda like Bill Murray… but cuter cuz he’s got that dreamy hair. Shit, that whole cute nervous thing is probably the same ingredient that makes his hair so fuzzy fantastic. I love it all.

Ajaxx, seriously, DONT TELL HIM I SAID THAT!! It’s very important that this stays between you & me, got it? I don’t just go off & tell the whole world these intimate feelings, so keep it to yourself, alright? :) thanks.

Speaking of boys who are cute… the lead singer from Red Thread is cute. I wanted to tell him that, but I’m too shy. Ya, really – me? shy? Well, yes. Probably more because I’ve learned to not be such an effusive FLIRT and instead I bite my tongue and act all polite. Dumb, huh? Well, because this is my very own blog I’m gonna spill it here:

“Hey, your set was really great… I have some feedback for you.” I say…

“Oh, thanks! Feedback? Sure…. shoot.” (but he’d probably say it cooler – and for the record, I’m sure the whole exchange wouldn’t sound so thought out and forced.)

“I just wanted to say that I thought you guys were great… and you’re really cute!”

And he’d probably blush and say thank you… and then I would say (just to be sure my intentions were clear of course cuz so many guys take my natural complimentative statements the wrong way!), “Well, I just thought I’d give you some feedback. BYE!”

Ya, that sounds dorky… I know. Hence why it’s always better to just SAY IT!!! Then I wouldn’t seem dorky now, he woulda left feeling all warm and fuzzy – I woulda said what I was truly feeling – which is what LIFE IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!

“what?”

EXPRESSION!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Alright. I had more to say – but I have to hit the sack, cuz it’s another early risin’ day of goin to the gym – aww yaaa!!! Let me be the beacon of hope & inspiration for you all when I say: WORKOUT!! It’s a frickin mental health pill and I *guarantee* it’ll make you feel great.

Night ya’ll.

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p.s. I just realized “some show reviewer I am!!”

YES the Red Thread was *GREAT*. I’m waaaay psyched to get their stuff. And no, NOT just cuz I had “positive, uplifting compliments” to give the adorable Jason Schwartzman-ish (but cuter) lead singer.

Swell played after them – who I think I had some serious fans there. I wish I’d heard some of their stuff before going. I thought they were good – but I think I was nearing my bedtime and I’d sorta been there for Red Thread, etc… so I put it on the “get some of their stuff & evaluate it later” list.

There. There’s my big fat review – HAPPY!?

bed-e-bye now.

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p.s.s. turns out my friend (and coeditor at BAM) Jake knows the chic from Young People who are opening for the Liars! No WAY! What’s cool about this is that Jake might join us for the Liars show. woohoo! I sure hope so, cuz that boy needs to come to more shows with us. :)

I think I *might* go powerbook!!!!! ak!!!

specs I’m lookin at:

PowerBook 15.2in

1.25GHz

512/80 5400RPM

Superdrive/56K/BT/Airport Aluminum

Leads on deals/suggestions/sites/support (emotional and technical) are all welcome!! I’ll be purchasing something within the next 2 weeks. (gulp!)

*ahem* – here’s a better price. Can anyone beat that?

HUBS/Port Replicators – I like the idea of a hub/port replicator (like this?) – pros/cons/brands?? macheads speak up!

(my initial post on this issue)

My buddy boy is sooo snuggly. Remember how I said he’s been trying all kinds of ways to be close to me while I work? Well check out the hilarious position he layed down in last week (the left & top one)… if you look closely, you’ll see his two front arms are entirely off the desk and his head is just pressed against me… hahhaaa! He is so funny.

He’s such a baby… so content being so close to his momma :)

update: watch a video of kazoobie playing with his mouse! (must have Quicktime plugin) I’ll get more like this, a little better, but this gives you an idea of how crazy he gets with his mouse. He’s an acrobatic kitty!!

I’m just posting a test again. I know how boring huh? Yesterday I put up some videos and did some fun graphics for it. Had some yummy chili for dinner, went to bed, worked out this morning (yoga!) and now I’m here again.

I seriously will post something more exciting later… but this is just a test. I need some cereal & a latte now!

testing 1234

9pm already? wow! testing again….

I posted about this back in November, but never got resolution… I have realized if you blogroll my homepage, it’s not showing up as “recently updated”.

This is probably because I use PHP includes to insert my blog here. Anyone know how to make it show up on blogrolling?

If you have no idea what I’m talking about – check out Blogrolling.com. You can keep a list of blogs you read and it’ll organize them by the most recently updated! (except mine, till I figure out the problem).

And YES, I have my BloggerPro settings set to ping weblogs!

Ok – the events are now represented correctly on the calendar view – however, still look to the venue for the correct showtime… that’s one detail I dont pay too much attention to when I add the dates :)

Man is there a lot of music goin on!! In fact I missed some great shows this weekend… I meant to go to Bishop Allen and then tonite the Notwist, who’ve I heard are so great live – darnit!!! I think I will, however, try to make the Red Thread CD Release party on Wednesday night. I want to go to atleast one show this week! :)

I didn’t want to do anything all shmoopy goopy romantic for Valentines Day… but I have to admit by the end of the night, I had a very big smile on my face.

Instead of the traditional date of a dinner out at a loud restaurant, Rick & I decided to have a little picnic at the beach (his lovely idea, actually :) so nice!). So we picked up some wine, bread, cheese, and olives and headed down to Pacifica to watch the sun set.

See my new scarf? It’s from Crackers & Honey!

It was great to get out of town and although a little foggy for any major breathtaking sunset, it was delightful just to be on the beach watching the waves flow in and out while we sipped on our yummy wine. The air was still and peaceful which made it surprisingly comfortable weather… and we enjoyed watching the last few surfers get in their final waves before calling it a night.

Once it started getting dark, we decided to head to our next destination for the evening, but on the way there I spotted a Ross.

Yup, you read it right – Ross the discount store. :)

Ya see, I had left the house Saturday morning thinking I’d be home again in a couple hours, but before I knew it I had spent all day with Bee – and by the time I dropped her off, it only made sense to grab Rick then since I was on that end of the city already. But because we still had to grab food, we found ourselves on a race to make the sunset and there was no time for me to go home!

So when I saw the Ross, it reminded me I didn’t have any clean towels at home for when I did go back to shower & get ready – so I thought I’d just go buy a new one quick! Well, luckily Rick agreed nothing could be more romantic than shopping in Ross together on Valentines Day – so there we went!! See my new towel?

Who knew Ross could be so fun!? We tried on some clothes and modeled them for eachother – and because it was Valentines Day, I got to pick out anything I wanted! My date got me a new pair of shoes! woohoo!!

I also got a new tshirt that says “Rickie’s Speed Shop” which I wore to the next portion of our date: Bowling!

The Sea Bowl in Pacifica is great. We played two games (I even beat Rick by 2 points on the first game!) and drank a few beers and split a romantic meal of a burger & fries. We had such a great time. Here you can see my fierce concentration as I get ready to bowl a strike! Oh & you can see my new tshirt too :)

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect valentines day. :)

Thursday night I skipped the Flakes/Dazes show… Instead Rick came over, we ordered Thai food & he helped me implement my NEW CD ORGANIZATION SYSTEM!! It’s huge in my mind… basically ending the battle with the horrendous system I had before – now I’m like a super CD organizing MACHINE!!!!! Oh yes, I will be documenting and posting for your review, don’t you worry!!

I was so ubergeeked out at my new system that we stayed up pretty late to finish it up, and then I even ventured out on Friday to get a few of the final pieces. I think I probably have around 600 CD’s (and growing).

Friday night I had friends in town: Dave & Paula of davepaula.com! It was fun to see Paula again and finally meet her new fiance in person! They (Dave (paula’s brother), Paula and her fiance, Dave) came over here first & we shared the bottle of wine that they brought, which doubles as their invitation to their wedding… and I showed off my new CD organization system. (geek!!)

Then we went & had a fantastic dinner at Tannour, which is a new Middle Eastern restaurant in the mission. The service was fantastic and the food was DELICIOUS!!! Get the appetizer that takes 20 minutes to bake – sorry, I can’t recall what they called it, but it’s absolutely amazing. I’ve had something similar (called Chicken Cilicia) with my main course at La Mediterranee… but this one was fresh and so authentic. YUMM!!

We then tried to do the “hit the Mission bars” thing… but it lacked something. We went first to Casanova Lounge where the music was just annoying and I couldn’t wait to leave. Then we hit Dalva, where the Bombay Gimlets we ordered were WAY too sweet. And even after asking him to remake it, it was just exactly the same. Around that time I started feeling like a big baby that just didn’t really want to be there anymore, and just plain out felt like I wasn’t even making good conversation. blah! But luckily, Dave & Paula hit their east coast late time limit and decided to go back to their hotel. yay!

Around noon on Saturday, I went over to visit my old friend Bee and help her run a few errands. Bee & I were roomates about 5 years ago in a beautiful flat on Polk & Union. She’s 77 now and like a second Grandma to me (except more like a dear friend who happens to be 50 years my senior). She’s so spunky and just a wonderfully strong woman.

Well, over Christmas Bee had come down with Pnuemonia and been hospitalized – and although we had talked on the phone, I hadn’t been to see her yet. It was delightful to see her… but very sad because I had no idea how much her being in the hospital had weakened her :( She has to walk with a cane now and apparently she’d gotten down to about 93 pounds so it’s taking her a long time to build her strength back up. Her equilibrium is off and all of a sudden she’s having to be on all this medication. She’s always had such a quick wit about her and she’s spent years getting around this city walking and busing with no problem… so it’s really frustrating for her to feel physically limited.

But we had a nice time together as always. I got to see her new apartment, which is in a lovely building that is specifically housing for 65+, so she’s able to get the attention that she needs without the stuffy feeling of a nursing home.

I have always said after my time working with teens, my next thing will be to work with the elderly. It’s just so wild to how we all get old, isn’t it? Bee’s lived a wonderful life and is so wise and full of love. It’s important to give as much respect and love to our elders as possible – you’ll be there too someday!

p.s. valentines day post to come :)