Author: Andrew

Mac+Win = Awesomeness

I was a PC guy for a long time but I started using a Mac at work in late 2012 because I have customers that use them. I figured it would be a good way to learn something new and add another skill set to my toolbox.

Once you fall into the Apple Matrix you have some amazing tools. My iPad, Macbook, and iPhone are all in sync with each other. I can leave my phone in my pocket or bag and send/receive text messages and even make phone calls from the laptop. Gotta love technology and this stuff just keeps getting better!

I’m on the fence about the Apple Watch. Probably going to wait until version 2 comes out before giving it any serious thought.  I love watches but having one that will be obsolete in a few years is weird.  Maybe I’m looking at it wrong.

I continue to be really impressed with the MacBook Pro and the Parallels application that allows you to run a virtual install of Windows in the Mac environment.  It allows you to run both operating systems at once seamlessly.

Nerd Alert, the following is a little geeky…

You can actually run just about any Operating System, in Parallels (Linux, Server, etc.). It takes a bit of setup but once done you get the best of both worlds.  Mac applications run in the Mac environment and Windows applications run in the Windows virtual environment.  The only way to tell what is what is a pair of vertical bars on the icon.

Setup requires a full install of Windows (I started with Win7 and have moved to Win10) and all the normal licensing of applications.  You can pay a little extra to get a special cable to migrate an existing Windows machine but in my experience it didn’t work that well so I started with a clean install.

The entire Windows virtual machine resides in one (large) file which makes it easier to backup (Parallels performs regular snapshots too).  You can have several virtual machine instances for testing too.  Performance and stability are impressive with just a minor hit to overall battery life.  In other words this is a totally usable system that has very little impact on how your Mac functions.

If you’re a Windows user that’s been wanting to try a Mac or if you’re a Mac user who misses some of your favorite Windows applications this setup is worth checking out.

Ever Read The Release Notes?

I have a lot of apps installed on my devices and I always like to see updates.  Before I ever apply an update I always read the notes to see if there are any new features or fixes I’ve been waiting for.

Medium is a site that has some really great written content from everyday people.  It’s always got a few thought-provoking stories every day.  The release notes from the last update cracked me up & I had to share:

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I’m Still Around!

It’s been a while since I published anything of substance on the blog so I thought it would be a good time to post a brief update.

I started journaling using DayOne a few years ago but didn’t do it consistently.  I came up with a new system over the winter holidays that allows me to use If Then Then That to capture my activities and automatically add them to a DayOne entry.  This allows me to capture Foursquare checkins, Facebook Posts, Twitter posts, etc and expand on them in the journal.  I’m happy to say I haven’t missed a day yet in 2015 & it’s now part of my daily routine.  Its fun to look back on past events and see how things have changed (or haven’t).

Now the trick is to try to make updating the blog a habit (through the use of automation and a little technology of course).  The mobile blogging tools have gotten better and easier to use so there’s really no excuse not to be posting more things.  So its time to see if I can get this site active again.

 That’s just about covers it for now.  Look for more updates in the near future and some changes around the site to spruce it up a bit.  I’ve got some work to do!

Skip the Hollandaise…

…and replace it with Sausage Gravy!

You can do exactly that at Best Bet Breakfast & Lunch in Noblesville (no official website that I could find but they do have a Facebook page).

I woke up with the need for a substantial breakfast Saturday morning and all the local places in Fishers had their typical weekend wait so I took a chance and headed north a few miles to Best Bet on the southern end of Noblesville (near 146th and 37).

I’ve been here a few times before and the food has always been above average.  The decor is Vegas themed (as are the dish descriptions).  It’s a little to cutesy for me but when you get past that they serve a solid breakfast.

The staff is very friendly and you’re greeted by more than one as soon as you walk in the door.  Once you’re seated (I opted for the counter this trip) you get a basket with buttered toast and a red/greed coaster to indicate your desire, or lack there of, to get more of the unlimited side item that comes with every breakfast meal.

As I was looking over the menu the head cook said they had 10 kinds of Eggs Benedict on the weekends and her favorite substituted the typical hollandaise sauce for sausage gravy.  That was all I needed to hear and I placed my order then and there.

I enjoy sitting at the counter and watching my food being prepared.  This time was no exception as the head cook skillful poached my eggs in a small skillet filled with water (I need to try that trick).  As soon as the english muffin was toasted things came together rather quickly.

2 Toasted Muffin halfs
2 Sausage Patty’s
2 Poached Eggs
2 Ladles of Sausage Gravy
1 Cup of Breakfast Potatoes

Most (if not all) breakfast dishes at Best Bet come with a side of potatoes.  These are unlike most breakfast potatoes in the respect they are not fried, crispy or greasy.  These potatoes are steamed bakers that are then mashed up on the flat top,  seasoned, and browned just enough to give them good flavor.  I could eat these as a side to just about any dish.  The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sausage gravy had a good flavor and consistency.

Total damage with a cup of coffee came in at around $12 plus tip.

Little rant (not related to the meal)…  This place needs a website with their menu available online.  I’m seeing more and more businesses standing up a Facebook page and calling it a day (and Best Bet is no exception).  Their Facebook page hasn’t been updated since Memorial Day 2014.  People are using their phones more and more to find places to eat and look at menus.  It’s been a deciding factor more than once with me.  If I can’t see your menu before I get there I’m probably going to go to the place that has one online.

Now that we have that out of the way I will say this was a solid meal and it held me over well into the afternoon before I was even thinking about eating again.  Feeling a little guilty after that breakfast I opted for some sushi for dinner and balanced things out (in my mind anyway).

If you’re looking for a quick meal on a weekend morning you should give this place a shot.

Best Bet Breakfast & Lunch on Urbanspoon

The BEST Way to Spend the Next 12-Minutes and 8-Seconds

All you need is a 845 bhp 1965 4-wheel drive Mustang, 50+ GoPro cameras, and a little cooperation from the LAPD…

Oh, and you need a little skill too!

Ken Block never fails to amaze with his precision driving.  You can tell from all the skid marks this was done with a few takes (and who knows how many mistakes).  It’s still damn entertaining and some of the best driving I’ve seen in a long time (if not ever).  LOTS of coordination went into this for sure.