"Not Bad" or "The Gas Face"

Until recently, I've made a deliberate point to abstain from most online interactions for a variety of personal and professional reasons.  Admittedly, I seem to have grown more receptive to certain forms of online engagement as of late (like Google +) and have been quite amused by my resulting behavior patterns so far.  Given the about face, I began receiving inquires from friends about what criteria I used to gauge what I say and how, and why I feel more comfortable "now vs. then". After giving it some thought, I distilled my approach down to the following:

I actively avoid posting any content online that I wouldn't be comfortable defending or explaining to...

• Any past, present, or future employer
• Any past, present, or future romantic partner
• Any friends, family, or future acquaintances
• Any recognized legal authority (including judges, lawyers, police officers, etc.)
• Any influential moral authority (including religious mentors, the press, etc.)

My litmus test is to essentially ask myself: if I were to go on a date, interview for a job, go to church, visit my mother, meet my in-laws, or stand before a judge 10 years from now wearing a t-shirt bearing whatever I'm about to post online, could I live with the consequences given a choice?  Would "future me" give it the "Not Bad" or "Gas Face"?

CatGenie 60 Hack

I purchased a CateGenie 60 second-hand few months back and after getting comfortable with the setup, maintenance, and routine, I've become a fan. I'd heard good things about the latest and greatest product (the CatGenie 120) but mixed reviews about service and support in certain contexts so I opted to hold off on upgrading.

A friend and I recently undertook a weekend project that yielded a modified Arduino-based cartridge that allows one to dispense any solution of their choosing in perpetuity.  In my case I used a repurposed plastic bottle as a reservoir and the modification proved to be a very, very welcome enhancement.  Out of respect for PetNovations, their products, and their business model, I've opted not to post the details of my project -- despite my being very pleased with the results.  That said, any ambitious DIY enthusiasts comfortable with the idea of potentially voiding their warranty might find some useful resources on Instructables.com.

That's a Good Looking Family

The Cross Family, October 2012

I traveled to my parents house in Chicago for the holiday and over the course of the week I found myself repeatedly remarking to myself and others about how much I love my family.  That, and how much I genuinely enjoy their company.  While its true that nobody's family is perfect, I can honestly say that my relationship with all of them (perhaps save for my older sibling at times) is as close to "all good" as I could possibly ask for.  The image above from the October 6th University of Michigan vs. Purdue football game at Ross-Ade stadium, is my favorite "family photo" of 2012. 

My Best Purchase of 2012

I wasn't sure whether or not I would experience buyer's remorse when I decided to invest in a bidet last spring. I'll spare everyone the details, but suffice it to say that I can now state with confidence that buying a Toto Washlet was among the best uses of my money this year.  I'm with Starre Vartan on this one: Why aren't bidets more popular in America?

Raspberry Pi in the Sky

I've become a fan of Raspberry Pi.  So far I've got it up and running Raspian, got acquainted with XBMC using OpenELEC, and then moved on to setting it up as a web server using this tutorial on Instructables.com. We'll see what else it has in store...

Fall 2012 Hockey Season Closer

Played the final game of the fall hockey season this week.  I managed to put a goal on the board but we still suffered defeat in over time.  Until next time...

Honey Badgers Postgame

R.I.P. Meraki Storm Hockey (Soon-to-be-renamed Cisco Storm)