Random thoughts and observations from a guy with a lot on his mind…
Similar to the function you get on iOS (Apple) Smart Folders allows you to stack files on top of each other to automatically create a folder. Check out the video below for more info. This is a function that should be built into the next version of the Windows OS.
You can download the application at the bottom of this page.
So we just reported on alcohol free whiskey & now we have Scotch in a Can! Perfect for the drunk (or Scotsman) on the go.
This product is scheduled to be available in the United States around the first of February and will retail for $5 a can.
You can read more about this at The Daily Mail Online.
Why in the world would someone even want to try this? According to The Huffington Post this product “Smells Like ‘Shoe Cleaner,’ Tastes Like ‘Horse Saddle’ ” Yum!
ArKay is described on the company website as being a “whisky-flavored drink”. You can order ArKay online for $4 (12-ounce can) or $10 (32-ounce bottle). Shipping per item is $5 and $11 respectively so that $4 can is going to set you back $9.
All I can say is wow…
If you’re a fan of the Call of Duty series you’ve probably played the Nazi Zombies game. This is a live action recreation of that very same game. Very clever!
I like Facebook & I like Twitter. What I’m not so excited about is Google+.
I setup a Google+ account when it first became available and I added several people to my “Circle” but I’m just not seeing the participation that I see on other social networks.
Are you a Google+ user? Do you like it? Have you abandoned Facebook for Google+?
A lot of questions, I know. I’m just trying to get the draw/popularity of Google+. As reported in the Huffington Post Google+ To Reach 400 Million Users Within A Year. This was predicted by a “Statistician” who we all know can make numbers mean many different things depending on how they spin it. I’m not so sure about these numbers.
So… I’m asking all of my blog visitors who actually use Google+ to help me understand what it is & if it’s a replacement for Facebook/Twitter or just another option for Social Networking.
27 years ago the first Domain Name was registered. Here are the first 10 ever registered (The Top 100 list can be found here).
As of today (1/6/2012) there are 135,639,614 domains across the .COM, .NET, .ORG, .INFO, .BIZ, and .US top level domains. There are more and more added every day & this does not even cover all the .GOV, .US, etc. Domain names in use.
[table id=1 /]
A Chatauqua Airlines flight from Asheville, NC, en route to LaGuardia, ran into a little predicament in Mid-November 2011 when the pilot leaves the cockpit to use the restroom & ends up getting stuck. A passenger who hears the pilot banging on the door attempts to help the pilot. The pilot gives the passenger the “password” for the First Officer to open the door (which he wisely refuses to do).
From what I can find fighter jets were alerted but did not take off to intercept the airplane. There was no sign of intervention by an Air Marshal either. Commercial airliners are not supposed to land the plane without at least two people in the cockpit but I’m sure if there was a fuel issue they would have declared an emergency and attempted to land the plane.
Like I tell my kids, you should have gone before we left!
Every once in a while a product exceeds my expectations so much I have to tell the world about it. This is the case with my latest Every Day Carry (EDC) item the “4Sevens Quark Mini 123” flashlight ($39 retail price).
Not only is this one of the smallest flashlights I have ever used it far surpasses my old standby the Surefire 6Z that I reviewed back in January 2009. I first learned about the Quark Mini 123 while looking around on the Every Day Carry site.
The EDC site is a place for people to submit photographs of the items they carry with them every day (tactical and otherwise). A common theme of these user submitted photos was the Quark Mini 123.
With my curiosity piqued I did some searching on the web and found several reviews on YouTube, all of which were very favorable regarding this flashlight. That was enough for me to order one to see for myself.
I’ve included the specifications of this flashlight at the end of this review but here’s one spec you need to know. This little light can produce 180 Lumens of light, and it only uses a single 123 sized lithium battery! The Surefire with LED head produces 80 Lumens (and uses two 123 batteries) and I thought that was bright enough!
How bright is 180 Lumens? Remember those AA MagLights we all had at one point or another (or still have)? That light produces 15.2 average Lumens and a run time of 5.5 hours on alkaline batteries. A three D cell MagLight model produces on average 76.8 Lumens with a run time of about 9 hours.
Something to note about the above comparison is that the MagLights are using incandescent light bulbs (filament inside of a vacuum). Most “modern” flashlights are now using LED bulbs that produce an incredible amount of light given their size and power input. I upgraded the Surefire to an LED head to get the 80 Lumens of output (it produced 65 with its incandescent bulb from the factory)
LED bulbs also generate a lot of heat to prolonged use can cause the light to get a little warm (hot in the case of the Surefire 6Z) LED bulbs are not easily replaceable in the field either. The good thing is they last a lot longer than incandescent bulbs.
To activate the Quark MiNi 123, tighten the bezel clockwise. The light will turn on when the bezel is fully tightened, and turn off when the bezel is loosened. Turning the light on/off quickly will activate the 3 output settings (Low/Med/High). Cycle through the output settings twice (within about 5 seconds) and you will activate the “special” settings (Strobe, SOS, High/Low Beacon).
I can’t say enough about this little light. It’s about the size of an average thumb and easily fits in any pocket. The included lanyard is a good way to keep track of the light because it’s easily misplaced.
I still keep my Surefire in my EDC bag but the Quark Mini 123 is my preferred light just about every time.
4Sevens Q Mini X 123 Specifications (from the 4Sevens.com site):
Seven Output Modes:
Dimensions:
Included accessories: Lanyard, split ring for keychain attachment, spare o-ring.
Thai Orchid, located at 86th St. and I-69, is just north of my office. For whatever reason, it took me a long time to try this place. I kept driving past and thinking “I should try that place sometime”. The day I finally took the plunge (about two years ago) I was not sure what I would be in for. I’ve been there countless times since and thought it was time for a review.
The restaurant is right next to the Phantom Fireworks mega-store and seats about 60. There’s a cash register/bar in the back and the overall decor is nice. Wait staff are always very attentive and always helpful with questions you might have about a dish.
I always assumed Thai food would be similar to Chinese food. I could not have been more wrong. Being a big fan of noodle dishes the Pad Thai was the only way to go for my first Thai dish.
When my server asked “how hot?” (mild, medium, medium hot, hot, extra hot, and Thai hot) and not knowing the heat scale I decided to opt for “medium”. It turned out to be the right choice for a Thai novice. I’m now requesting medium-hot and will someday be adventurous and attempt the hot. I can’t ever see me requesting “Thai-hot”. That sounds like a death wish to me!
If you’ve never had Pad Thai here’s what you’re missing… Tender rice noodles and bean sprouts mixed with a somewhat sweet and spicy (you decide the heat level) sauce. Add your favorite protein (shrimp, chicken, pork, tofu) or vegetables then top with scallions, and crushed peanuts. I’m a big fan of the pork and chicken versions.
The flavors are unique and very addictive. I can’t think of another noodle dish that tastes anything like Pad Thai. Of course this just scratches the surface of the Thai menu. There are a lot of items to choose from including many curries and seafood dishes.
The one appetizer always ordered by my family, without exception, is the Golden Bags. Golden Bags are stir-fried ground chicken, carrot, and corn wrapped in a wonton skin. It’s then tied with green onion and lightly deep-fried. They come 6 to an order and have a sweet dipping sauce on the side.
Thai Orchid has a great lunch combo too. You get a coconut based soup, salad, spring roll, wonton and your choice of main course (curry or noodle dish). All of this for $6.99! It’s a great value and a lot of people take advantage of it during the week.
Here’s where I think a lot of “ethnic” restaurants miss the mark. I have NO idea what any of the curries are going to taste like and I’m hesitant to shell out the money to end up getting something I don’t like. I would LOVE to see a sampler/combination option that allows you to taste the various dishes (or sauces) without having to order one at a time. A lot of Greek places do this and I’ve found things I like and dislike (and I was able to expand my knowledge of Greek cuisine). This may not be possible (or practical) with the cook to order format of a lot of Asian dishes. That’s a lot of pans for a lot of little portions.
After dining at other Thai places on Indy’s north side my family and I have decided Thai Orchid is our favorite. I wouldn’t hesitate recommend it to anyone. If you’ve stayed away from Thai food because you weren’t sure what it was all about (like I did) I think you’ll be in for a nice surprise (like I was). Give it a try and let me know what you think!
