ribbon experience

i was reading newsweek and was intrigued by an article they had about the new interface for windows office 2007 that just got released this week with the launch of vista.

i googled it and found these pages about the new office on microsoft's site (there's a super cheesy video you can watch, too).

i'm intrigued because they're totally redoing the interface (i mean "experience"). they're repurposing (redefining?) the menu systems into a seemingly more dynamic and responsive ui (i mean "ribbons") that lets you update or preview changes on the fly... but, i'm curious to see how it feels in action. i want to use it. is it revolutionary? or a pathetic attempt to move us forward in the world of digital interface design that totally misses the mark? that tries to pigeonhole us all into one set of needs or desires in regards to how we use our software?

the article gives the feeling that it's a pretty radical shift away from what we're all used to... but i KNOW how stubborn and resistent to change a lot of people/consumers are when it comes to their computers and technology in general. so -- how open is the public response going to be, to these changes?

and will microsoft really improve the way we work (because it's possible they might, as much as we may not want to admit it!) or will they alienate us?

lost & found

yeah, uh, well... sorry i haven't been writing much. things at work have been exhausting and the days have been slipping away in blur. when i finally get home at night, i spend way too much time on the couch, curled up in a blanket, addressing envelopes or cutting out paper flower petals,... and not enough time thinking, or dreaming, or cleaning my apartment.

(ok, the apartment isn't so bad - i'm exagerating)

i'm not totally sure why the lack of interest in anything having to do with my computer -- aside from the fact that i'm on one ALL FREAKIN DAY LONG. i am growing to hate this thing. resent it. why does it have to offer me so much and yet make me so miserable because i end up not moving for 8 hours?

i need a setup where i can be on my computer while walking a treadmill that morphs into a stationary bike that morphs into a seat that morphs into a bouncy ball, all the while retaining the ability to stably and effectively get work done.

sigh.

i can't wait for the holidays -- if nothing but for being away from my desk for 10 days. 10 glorious, glorious, desk-free days!

half-way to freedom

today marks a very exciting day in my fiscal world. nevermind the fact that our wedding budget has pretty much doubled from our original guesstimates... that ain't important right now... what IS important, dear friends, is this:



do you see those two GLORIOUS words? do ya? huh? huh?

LOAN CLOSED.

booyah! one down... one to go!

face recog

yay for face recognition software that thinks i look like hot babes (and bing crosby)!

birth rates

interesting article about the growing number of single women in their mid-late 20's and 30's giving birth (thanks, chandra, for the link):

>> 4 in 10 U.S. children born in 2005 were out of wedlock

kids these days!

man, i love kids.

"they're putting BABIES on TABLES! i don't know why."

where have the days gone?

holy crap it's almost thanksgiving?

i feel like i'm still reeling from halloween. where did october GO!? i just mailed my brother his birthday present... 3 weeks late. sigh. before i know it, christmas will be here.

(ok it already is. at least according to starbucks and walgreens!)

last week i was in LA for a games conference. talk about trip from hell. i hate that city. remind me some time to tell you about all the humorous events that went down - from messed up hotel clocks to power outtages to medical emergencies on my plane (not mine) to being late for my presentation, and on and on. damn it was good to get back to san francisco. every time i leave this city i realize how good i have it here!

work is nutty now too, but all in good ways. so no complaints there except that i just have too much to do. but what else is new?

i cleaned my desk though. scrubbed it down from head to toe! i was starting to feel too frazzled in every area of my life... nothing that a good fall-cleaning can't take care of. getting to work today and seeing my sparkly-shiny desk, waiting for me in all it's clean, organized glory, was a wonderful, wonderful feeling.

conor and i are almost done with our save-the-dates for our wedding, which is pretty exciting. my goal is to mail them before the end of this month, but seeing how i'm in a time warp, before the end of 2006 might be a more realistic goal.

good thing it's the holidays which means... YUMMY FOOD! mmm i can't wait to gobble up some turkey next week. it'll be my first thanksgiving turkey since going vegetarian back in 2000... or was it 99? who's counting?

ortizzle!

>> halloween06 009
uploaded on
1st November, 2006

check out my awesome last-minute halloween costume... and my messy desk.