Zenphoto 1.0.3b Jun 1, 2006
After moving to the new server, zenphoto wasn't working at all.  After several trials and errors, I upgraded to the latest version (I was using version 0.9 for a while) and changed one of the "optional" options in the config file.  I uncommented the line and made it point to the right directory:  define('WEBPATH', '/pic');.  I had to add another function to properly display the gallery URL, but that might've also been a problem with the WEBPATH variable.  I'm not completely sure.  Either way, it works now. #technology
Akismet Jun 1, 2006
I turned off WP-ShortStat, which means I no longer need Bad Behavior because I'm not getting any referrer spam.  But I've been getting a few spam comments here and there, so I enabled Akismet.  So far it works great. #technology
WordPress 2.0.3 Jun 1, 2006
I upgraded to WordPress 2.0.3.  It figures that this comes out less than a day after I moved my site to a new server.  Oh well.  It was easy, just like all the others. #technology
Another year Jun 1, 2006
Last year on this day, I wrote about how much I had accomplished in the previous year (belated props to God, my parents, and other big influences).  I graduated college, got married, bought a car and a house, and worked full-time for longer than a few months.  All this "big time stuff" happened in my first year out of college. 

Since then, I haven't really done much.  I haven't graduated from anything, I haven't started any new relationships, I haven't bought anything big (except a few Walmart shirts and some power tools), and I'm still working. My words back then were true:  "In my first year out of school, I've accomplished every major thing that I'll ever accomplish, except having a baby."  Everything is pretty much done for now, until I have a baby (which won't happen for at least a little while).  There's not much more I can do.  I guess I should quit now while I'm ahead.  I should throw in the towel. 

I'm not writing this remorsefully, as a dying tribute to my days of old.  It's not that I regret doing things the way I've done them.  It's just that all my major accomplishments occurred very quickly after graduating from college.  And most of those accomplishments were firsts, implying that there will probably be seconds and thirds (except marriage; that's a one-time thing).  I'll probably buy another car.  I'll probably graduate again.  I'll probably get another job.  But it won't be quite as exciting the second time. 

So here's to another year of working, speeding tickets, puking, and credit card fees.  (Ah, the cynicism.) #psychology
No more comics (1) May 31, 2006
I've decided to do away with the comics section of my website.  It's sort of a pain in the butt and I don't feel like figuring out how to make it work on my new server.  In its place, I would recommend signing up for an account at Bloglines and subscribing to Dilbert, Get Fuzzy, Foxtrot, and Pearls Before Swine.  It's simple and free, and it doesn't involve me. #technology
Photography May 31, 2006
I've come to the conclusion that there are 3 main things I like to photograph:  plants, animals, and signs. 

I like taking pictures of plants and flowers because they're simple and beautiful.  There's just something cool about a perfectly symmetrical leaf or a brightly colored blossom.  And plants are easy:  They don't move around or talk.  They're posing all the time. Plus, I've been noticing that there's a huge difference in foliage when traveling to different parts of the country.  Northern NJ just doesn't have the same kind of plants as Southern California.  But the Caribbean doesn't have trees that change color. 

Animals and bugs are a little bit harder because they have a tendency to move around.  Every once in a while, I'll find a simple little creature that stays motionless for long enough for me to get a nice closeup.  Plus, it's cool to see scary bugs really close up.  But instead of sticking my face all up in their business, I use my camera. 

Signs are sort of overdone and can be a little stupid, but some of them just need to be seen to be believed.  Telling somebody that there's a sign in an airport that points to a "teminal" just isn't as effective as actually seeing the picture. 

I don't really like taking pictures of people because people have a strange tendency to feign happiness or excitement when a camera is pointing at them.  The fact is, people aren't smiling all the time.  So pictures that show a bunch of people smiling are a bit misleading.  Small people (i.e. babies) are hard to photograph because they're always moving around and putting things in their nose and mouth (while things are simultaneously coming out of said orifices).  So those pictures are usually blurry and/or embarrassing (and should be saved for later use in blackmailing). 

I find it difficult to take good pictures of big things like skylines and mountains.  Maybe it's because I use a tiny little camera with 3x optical zoom.  But maybe it's because it's hard to fit such a big view into such a small picture.  My pictures of views just don't do the views justice. #entertainment
Moved May 31, 2006
As a followup to my recent hosting issues, I just finished moving everything to the new server and setting things up.  There are still a few more issues that need to be fixed, but overall, things look good. #technology
Worst tech product May 30, 2006
This PCWorld article is about the 25 worst tech products of all time.  I find it a bit funny that the top worst tech product ever is AOL.  Despite making some recent improvements, "it has never overcome the stigma of being the online service for people who don't know any better."  I've had a few thoughts on AOL in the past, and even though I've never been an official subscriber, I still maintain curiously strong opinions about it. #technology
Fitness beer May 30, 2006
One thing I don't fully understand is why Michelob Ultra is marketed as a fitness drink.  All the commercials show people running and working out and then later loading up on this light beer.  It's beer, not Gatorade.  Who drinks beer after they go running?  C'mon. 

For the record, Michelob Ultra has 96 calories and 2.9 grams of carbs.  Miller Lite:  96/3.2.  Bud Light:  110/6.6.  Amstel Light:  95/8.  Guinness:  130/10. #food
Dollar spider May 30, 2006
Some guy wrote a little tutorial on how to make a spider out of dollar bills. 



He's also got a bunch of other cool dollar bill creations.  (via Digg) #technology