I just realized that I passed the 100 post mark on the blog, pretty neat to see that happen and I look forward to many more.
On another note I have decided to attempt to teach myself the art of web design through code. Although I have made my few attempts at web design through Dreamweaver using the WYSIWYG based designing I felt like I never really grasped what was going on. Since then I have moved our family site to iWeb on the Mac since it is so simple and elegant although it still has some issues such as the way it publishes if you don't have .mac.
Many know that I have designed a website for a business, I guess I should say tweaked a template to make it their own. I have tinkered around with some other websites including my own and families'. But I really never felt like I was very good at it, I really only have basic knowledge. In my recent hunts for jobs and not getting request for interviews I thought to myself that I enjoy working on website and feel like I can do them if I only had the knowledge. I know that there is possibility to make money designing websites or finding jobs involving web design, but that is not the reason I am doing it. (Although it could possibly lead to that one day.)
I really want to expand my basic knowledge of design and see how much I can learn on my own through tutorials on the web. There are a lot of free resources out there that have extensive tutorials about everything associated with web design. I found and incredible site called w3schools.com and there are tutorials with examples to follow for just about everything. I have just finished the entire section on HTML and throughly enjoyed it and learn a lot of stuff that I didn't know. I did recognize a lot of it since I have messed with code, but never fully understood it. I look forward to what I can learn over the next several weeks and months to come.
I plan on going through the XHTML tutorial next then followed by CSS along with Javascript. I want to learn all that I can about the basics first and then I am interested in learning some actual web programming languages such as ASP, PHP, Ruby, etc... I know that if I take it nice and easy and learn all the basics then I can possibly move into these programming areas, but that is on down the road. I have really enjoyed everything that I have learned so far and look forward to what else I can learn and hopefully put together a nice looking website.
I have been using the app called Coda that is mac only and a very impressive applications that requires you to use the code to build and design sites. Then I may move back to Dreamweaver, if I feel it has a lot more to offer, but if I can force myself to only work in code I know I will be better off for the future. I am excited and look forward to the adventure in coding.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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Going Web Design Geek! |
Monday, February 25, 2008
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Working Out |
I know I need to get back on the workout routine. I feel so much better when I am doing it and plus I eat a lot better. During this time when I have taken "time off" it hasn't been the best. I was planning on starting up again today, but on Saturday I woke up with a very stiff neck, I have never felt anything like it in my life. I think I have been sleeping wrong and then as I was getting dressed my neck had this shooting pain no matter what I did. Kristee has been helping me get it to feeling better, but it is still sore and I can't fully look over my shoulder yet. It is feeling a lot better, but I would rather wait to start the workout routine once it is fully healed, don't want to injure it more.
I doubt this would have happened to my neck had I been working out, but it did make me realize that I need to get back on the horse. Plus I have a few people that had been keeping up with my progress and wondered where I had gone. It is another reason why I liked posting about the progress, I really like it when people hold me accountable. I wanted to start on a Monday, but at this point I am going to try to start as soon as I can. I really look forward to starting the whole 16 week + process again. I am still holding my weight in the 193-195 range so I will be excited to see what I can burn off, I know that I have lost a lot of the muscle and that is the reason for keeping my weight down.
Once I start back I hope that I can stay sick free, and injury free.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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Uncharted |
I officially beat Uncharted Drake's Fortune this past weekend. It is by far one the best single player gaming experiences I have had in a long time. It was gorgeous to look at and then on top of that, an awesome time. I really felt like I was playing through a movie and there are very few games that can give you that feeling. The way they implemented cut scenes into game play it was truly seamless. It had the perfect balance of gunplay and exploring, but I wish they would have included more puzzles or plat-forming game play. This is without a doubt the best game on the PS3, but I think one of the best games that came out last year that didn't get a whole of of praise. If you own a PS3 then it is a must buy. I can't wait for Uncharted 2 to come out. An absolute blast!!!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
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Professor Layton and The Curious Village |
I haven't played my ds in recent months and was to the point that I was really wondering if it was worth keeping. The PSP has really caught my eye and has more of the types of games that I love to play. I decided to look to see what games were out for the ds and came across Professor Layton and The Curious Village. I hadn't heard much about the game and decided to read about it and it seemed like a game that I would thoroughly enjoy.
I went on Sunday to go pick up a copy and started playing it and I am know loving my ds again. This game is so much fun to play, it has mystery as a part of the story, and puzzles/ brainteasers that you do throughout the game while trying to solve a murder case. There are twists that occur during the story that really keep me interested in the story along with the puzzles.
There are over 100 puzzles to solve and they release weekly downloadable puzzles. Some of them are very easy and some are quite challenging requiring a lot of thought. You are awarded picarats for solving the puzzle, more for the harder ones, but I have yet to figure out what I will get if I get enough of them. It just says something special will happen.
The game is an absolute blast to play and has really renewed my love for the ds although I do plan on buying a PSP, I just won't be selling my ds. I also plan on picking up Call of Duty 4, I have read that it is a pretty good game on the ds, I guess we will see. God of War is coming out next month and I am excited about it.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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RROD Update |
My Xbox 360 arrived this morning via Fed Ex. It of course has a new serial number and a manufacture date of 1/2/08. I wonder if it really is a new 360 or are they relabeling the ones they fix. It looks brand new and actually sounds better than my old one. It always sounded like my drive tray would catch a little when I opened and closed the old one and this one sounds perfect. I will have to see how the machine sounds with extended sessions of play, but initially it is very quiet.
Looking back it took exactly 18 days to file the report, get the coffin, send it off and get it back. It wasn't as fast as their support site says, but it was better than waiting a month. Now I just hope that it doesn't happen again.
Monday, February 4, 2008
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RROD Update |
I checked the status of my xbox today and was pleasantly surprised to see that it had changed to Device Sent to Customer. Hopefully the shipping will only take a few days and I will have it by the end of the week. The serial number changed so I know it is a different one, I have my fingers crossed that it will be a new one.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
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207 Frozen People at Grand Central |
This is one of the coolest things I have seen in a while. I had to post it so that I could show it to people. I would have loved to be a part of it or seen it.