Lance's Core Sample

All Plastics Are Bad for Your Body, New Study Finds

2011-06-24T11:27:00.001-07:00

Time to stop using plastics, if you haven't already...

Excerpt from the Rodale article:
"WHAT IT MEANS: There really aren't any "safer" plastics, and it's hard to predict which ones will leach estrogenic chemicals into your food. As this study shows, different plastics containing different types of foods will leach chemicals at different levels. That's largely because there are so many steps and additives in the plastic-making process, says George Bittner, PhD, professor of biology at the University of Texas in Austin and lead author of the study. "A plastic item can subsist of anywhere from five to 20 chemicals, some of which are additives, which are incorporated within the plastic polymer but not bound to the structure," he says. Both the materials that make up the plastic resin and the additives can leach out of plastics, says Bittner, who's also the CEO of CertiChem, the lab that tested the plastics in this study, and a consultant for PlastiPure, a company that works with plastic manufacturers to produce estrogenic-chemical-free plastics. You also have mold-release agents and colorants that are used to make or decorate the plastics, adds Mike Usey, CEO of PlastiPure, and those colorants tend to be highly estrogenic."

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Starbuck And Starbuck in Starbucks

2011-06-21T09:52:00.001-07:00

Yo Dawg, we heard you like Starbucks, so we added a Starbuck and a Starbuck to your Starbucks...

Original on imgur

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Pour-over coffee

2011-05-03T12:25:00.001-07:00

So...I'm a coffee nut. I'm in for the whole experience, taking what seem like silly amounts of time to research, purchase, and test coffee and coffee gear. Trying different combos of merchants, gear and coffee -- I really do spend too much time on this. But have no intentions of stopping.
Never mind the amount of time I spend making & drinking the stuff...

Anyhoo, we've own lots of coffee makers (a couple regular drip machines, a Starbucks espresso maker, an Aeropress, multiple French presses, and a 1-cup Swiss Gold pour over).

But it's pour-over coffee that has a hold on me lately. I like the simplicity and elemental nature of it. And the easy cleanup.
Above those considerations though, is the powerful, clear coffee taste from pour-overs -- that's what I like best.

So, my next purchase will be a Chemex pour-over coffee maker. Check it out in this video if you are so inclined:

Onward...

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

What is being creative?

2011-04-29T07:43:00.001-07:00

I like this: Creativity...

the ability and urge to make something of value

<p>What is being creative? from Kristian Ulrich Larsen on Vimeo.</p>

creativity is no longer a word reserved for the musician or artist
it’s something you can find in anyone
it’s the ability and urge to make something of value
it can be big
it can be small
but making something new
something different
something that surprises
something that makes you think
something that makes you smile
it’s making something beautiful
it’s telling a story
it’s telling your story
expressing yourself
it’s about being passionate
it’s creating something that other people can use
sharing your creativity
it’s realising that there isn’t always a right way or a wrong way of doing things
and that there’s not always a correct answer
only the answers that we create
but common for creativity is that is comes from inspiration
inspiration found in the world that we live in
and the people we live with
it’s found in what we share with them
building on what’s given from the diversity of people’s thoughts and perspectives
so try and drop the assumption that you know how to do things
and already know the solution
stray away from the direct path
take risks
don’t be afraid to make mistakes
because it’s only from the mistakes that we learn
and it’s from the mistakes that the really interesting things happen
we may not always create or invent
but we always learn when we try

Kristian Ulrich Larsen

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

HA, I am vindicated by The Atlantic

2011-04-12T10:36:00.001-07:00

"...want to succeed in business, don’t get an M.B.A. Study philosophy instead."
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2006/06/the-management-myth/4883/

"I told ya so", ;)

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Deal With It

2011-03-24T09:05:00.001-07:00

My current favorite image...

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Thomas Jefferson and "Overwhelming preparation"

2011-03-07T10:05:00.001-08:00

Read this first ->> http://www.johndcook.com/blog/2011/03/03/thomas-jefferson-meetings/

I've actually been doing this for years and had no idea I was treading the footsteps of such a great person.
Anyhoo, as a viable tactic for sharing vision I consider it perfectly valid.
Of course, my personality si suited to it, so that's a highly biased affirmation anyway...

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Always love seeing religious bigots taken down a notch...especially demagogues like Dr. Laura

2011-01-06T10:19:00.001-08:00

Culled from this site/link: http://www.yuricareport.com/Parody%20and%20Humor/OpenLetterToDrLaura.html

-----

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law.

I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge

with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly
states it to be an abomination. ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of
God's Law and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They
claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus
21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her
period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I
tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not
Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2.
The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I
don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a
defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my
vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27 .
How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me
unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different
crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two
different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse
and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of
getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we
just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people
who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable
expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,

Anonymous

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

The Importance of Abandoning Crap

2011-01-06T10:17:00.001-08:00

Great insight from Ira Glass on the creative process and failure as a means to getting to great stuff

The linked video is short, aroudn 4min.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Awesome -- Nordstrom's Old Employee Handbook -- all 75 words of it

2010-10-26T11:51:00.001-07:00

From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordstrom#Employee_handbook

For many years, new employees were given a copy of the famous Nordstrom's Employee Handbook – a single 5-by-8-inch (130 × 200 mm) gray card containing 75 words:

Welcome to Nordstrom

We're glad to have you with our Company. Our number one goal is to provide outstanding customer service. Set both your personal and professional goals high. We have great confidence in your ability to achieve them.

Nordstrom Rules: Rule #1: Use best judgment in all situations. There will be no additional rules.

Please feel free to ask your department manager, store manager, or division general manager any question at any time.

However, new hire orientations now provide this card along with a full handbook of other more specific rules and legal regulations, as the way Nordstrom operates has changed.

Are Starbucks Cups Recyclable?

2010-10-20T20:56:00.001-07:00

http://heartofgreen.typepad.com/heart_of_green/2007/11/are-starbucks-c.html
There’s frigging plastic in Starbucks cups dammit!
Guess I’m bringing by travel mug there a lot more often: need to stop this waste and spare myself exposure to plastic…

Well said, Merlin. "Better"

2010-10-15T05:55:00.001-07:00

http://www.merlinmann.com/better
Well said.

Nice story on the Hardy Boys

2010-09-24T07:38:00.001-07:00

Glad this writer took the time to revisit and re-read the series I read in my youth, so I didn't have my golden memories of these books tarnished.
I loved the Hardy Boys, and my gut tells me they would probably be bad to re-r-ead now, so I'll leave well enough alone
Great background work done on their ghost writer Leslie McFarlane: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/05/AR2005120501092_pf.html

The Two Wolves

2010-07-20T14:42:00.001-07:00

The Two Wolves

A Cherokee elder was teaching his grandchildren about life.

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me… it is a terrible fight between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, hatefulness, and lies.

The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, humbleness, kindness, friendship, generosity, faith, and truth.

This same fight is going on inside of you, and inside every other person, too.”

The children thought about it for a minute. Then one child asked his grandfather,

“Which wolf will win?”

The Cherokee elder replied…

“The one you feed.”

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus have a sword fight.

2010-06-18T14:02:00.001-07:00

"...Also, is it true that Jesus can be stabbed during a sword fight and be ok due to the fact that he can only die if he gets his head chopped off?"
http://www.27bslash6.com/easter.html?1

LOL

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Very funny Batman, Bale-blowout, Fall on your Sword mashup

2010-06-09T04:38:00.001-07:00

Funny video for a Wednesday, Tangerine : Fall On Your Sword

Also relevant & related, the hilarious Captain Kirk is climbing a mountain, why is he climbing a mountain?

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Flying Camel

2010-06-03T12:19:00.001-07:00

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Best music mash-up EVER

2010-05-27T10:48:00.001-07:00

Nirvana VS Rick Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit Up [DJ Morgoth] mash up

It works waaaay too well...

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Some pretty amazing stuff happening for people with Type 1 Diabetes

2010-05-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

From insulin in pill form to artifical pancreas efforts...

Even though the former is still a ways away and the latter is no cure, it gives me hope that we may see a cure in my lifetime, and that my daughter's quality of life can be decent. I shudder when I think of the lives of diabetics before insulin, let alone before the JDRF, glucometers, inuline pumps and the other advanced gear & techniques we have today.

For the ongoing effort against this terrible disease, tonight, I'll open a beer and drink to science and the dedication of those in diabetes R&D...again -- rock on all!

If a cogent, succint, non-philosophical argument against the death penalty exists, it is this...

2010-05-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

That you cannot kill innocent people!
8 People Who Were Executed and Later Found Innocent

Whether or not you 'buy' that any of the people in that article were, or were not innocent, the key fact is this -- and we all know this in our hearts -- that innocent people get ground up in Capital Punishment machines.

It has got to stop, ok world?

J.D. Salinger, 91, Is Dead

2010-01-28T10:59:00.001-08:00

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/jd-salinger-91-is-dead/

Salinger’s writing had a huge impact on me, and this is sobering news for me, today.

“Franny and Zooey”, “Raise high The Roof Beam, Carpenter and Seymore: An Introduction” and, of course, “The Catcher in the Rye” were so fantastic to read – think I’ll revisit them this year.

After being mind-blown by Catcher, I went on to F&Z and then the 2 novells (“...Carpenter/Seymore:...”). You can feel Salinger getting more introspective, philosophical, and even cryptic as he writes each successive book -- more and more like a zen koan. Then the final silence he retired into...

I remember reading years ago that he still writes; it would be astounding if his will bequeaths those writings to the world.

But if it doesn’t release those supposed unpublished works -- I think I get that joke too (nice one, Salinger J)

I believe Salinger, even of his own death, would himself say something like “all things end”, (except maybe not worded so tritely).

So I’ll just say thanks to the undying spirit of his works: thanks for the light, the insight, your inward gaze, and the inspiration.

Thanks J.D.!

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

The rule of thumb for Shaker creations

2010-01-26T07:36:00.001-08:00

If it is not useful or necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to make it.

If it is useful and necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to enhance it by adding what is not an integral part of its usefulness or necessity.

And finally: If it is both useful and necessary and you can recognize and eliminate what is not essential, then go ahead and make it as beautifully as you can.

from ShakerBuilt by Paul Rochleau & June Sprigg

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Gérard Bertrand 2007 Montpeyroux

2010-01-24T15:57:00.001-08:00

Wow! what a wonderful wine. We enjoyed the first half on its own, and the latterhalf with a roast beef dinner.
The wine start with refreshing, full body and subtle flavours of chocolate an blackberry, ending just as strong with very subtle smoke and more fruit.
We liked it so much that we'll be seekin out a case to see how it matures. Around $18 at the LCBO.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Cool!

2010-01-21T14:10:00.001-08:00

Shadow of AC402 over Québec somewhere, flying through a rainbow!

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Above the clouds, on the way to Montreal

2010-01-20T06:25:00.001-08:00

View from Air Canada, somewhere over northern Ontario. Nice, clear winter day.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Serena Ryder is one of the good things about life

2009-09-28T10:36:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a voice. So much talent, honed by obvious practice, skill and experience. Can't wait to see where Serena Ryder goes next.
It's great to see someone doing what they were meant to do, for now anyway....

2009-09-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

OK, this DIY paper iPhone stand is pretty cool. You can download the PDF there, print it out, put your Xacto knife to work, and voila!

Here's a video showing how to construct your paper iPhone stand.
I am attracted to nerd DIY projects I guess...

Montes Cherub Rose of Syrah 2008

2009-09-21T15:44:00.001-07:00

Wow. What a nice find this wine was. We drank it in our backyard on a beautiful late summer day, well-chilled in an ice bucket. Wonderfully refreshing, with a great start and finish. Nice balanced fruitiness -- not too much.
A just right wine, all-around. A. liked it a lot too.
Paid something around $15 for it at LCBO. Case-worthy.

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Discerning the shape in the fog

2009-08-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

What is the real outline of the hours and actions one pursues?

There may be a purpose you believe you follow, or maybe you just respond to the stimulii provided?
Or maybe, for you (for us all?), there is another guide pointing out what you are really following.
An underlying or looming, indistinct shape. A tiny figure...or maybe titanic but remote...

One may ask again and again: what is it? Ask again...and again...and again
What follow, if anything does? A deepening silence, confusion, frustration?
Maybe, if one is persistent, and lucky -- some small reward.

So one tries to discern critical 'why's and 'what's? Why bother at all?
Examine the brushstrokes up close, the painting is lost at that point.

If you actions are your self-portrait ... are you satisfied?

A new food deity has arisen

2009-08-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Paris. Beef bourguignon at Auberge de la Reine Blanche. Fantastic. 'nuff said

Random text found last week...

2009-08-25T12:36:00.003-07:00

FOLLOW to relieve responsibility

OBEY so you don't have to think

CONSUME without restraint

COMPETE so you feel successful

KILL those different than yourself

DESTROY what you don't understand

MORALITY you need to be told what's right and wrong

GOD because no one else really cares about you

MONEY to keep government in total control

MATERIALISM so you forget what's really important

IGNORANCE is bliss

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

2005 Abadia Crianza

2009-08-25T12:36:00.001-07:00

Our first Spanish red wine, from Raimat. We enjoyed this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo grapes. Fruity with a long finish. Like a beaujolais...but not. Different and very nice wine.
Recommended. Angelique loved and would likely say case-worthy. Not me. Worth a few bottles though ;)

Lance
-- from mobile

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

2006 La Vigilia Ripasso Valpolicella

2009-08-25T12:35:00.003-07:00

Very good value Ripasso from TerreDomimi. Big, round and flavourful -- great with a strongly flavoured meal. As good as ripassos we've had at twice the price. Will probably mature very nicely.
Caseworthy.
Around $18 at LCBO

Lance
-- from mobile

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

2006 Vinsobres

2009-08-25T12:35:00.001-07:00

From Perrin & Fils.
Nice Cotes de Rhones, reminded me of some of my very first, similar wines in 1989. Solid, sipping wine. We had with St.Morgon cheese and bread. Great combo. Recommended. Around $16 at LCBO.

Lance
-- from mobile

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Removing lots of hyperlinks in Excel 2007

2009-08-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

Question: How do you remove many hyperlinks from an Excel spreadsheet at once, say after pasting in a a large HTML table?

Answer: Use a handy-dandy Excel 2007 macro to delete the hyperlink addresses in your Excel sheet.

Open your Excel spreadsheet that you wish to remove the hyperlinks from. Go to your Developer Tab in the top ribbon (you may need to enable the Developer tab). Find and click the “Macros” button the Developer ribbon.

In the “Macro Name” box, enter “RemoveHyperlinks” and then select the “Create” option button. You’ll be taken to the Macro editor.

Paste following code into the editor:

Sub RemoveHyperlinks()

'Remove all hyperlinks from the active sheet

ActiveSheet.Hyperlinks.Delete

End Sub

It needs to look exactly like the example above. No extra text.

Next, close the editor window by selecting "Close and Return to Microsoft Excel" under the File menu.

Now, go to the sheet that contains the hyperlinks that you wish to delete. Select the cell(s) you want to update.

On the Developer ribbon, select the Macros button again.

In the Macros popup dialogue, highlight the macro called "RemoveHyperlinks" and click on the Run button.

Voila!.Your hyperlinks should be deleted.

This is the updated version (for Excel 2007), of this fine tip: http://www.techonthenet.com/excel/macros/delete_hl.php

Kudos to the original author..

Posted via email from Lance's miscelanny

Office 2007 SP1 Available

2007-12-12T18:31:00.001-08:00

Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 for Office 2007.
And, best of all, the list of fixes says they have addresses the poor performance in Outlook 2007 when you have a large PST file (i.e. lots of stored email messages). The Excel sheet listing what's fixed in the SP references Microsoft KB935517 "You experience performance issues in Outlook 2007 when you work with large .pst files or with large .ost files."
The bane of my Outlook existence may soon be gone!

Gonna install tonight and keep my fingers crossed.

Getting Your Excel Product Backlog to Print out Cards

2007-07-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Best idea I've seen so far... (Thanks to Mark Levinson)

The precis:
12 Easy steps for generating Index Cards from your Sprint Backlog

So you've captured your sprint backlog in Excel and want to print out Index cards for use on your task board. (I know many will tell you not to use Excel in the first place - I won't). Your in luck its not all that painful.

The trick - don't try using Excel. Instead use Mail Merge and Word (my menu hints are for Word 2003 - ymmv):

1. On the Tools menu, select Letters and Envelopes, Mail Merge. In Word 2003 the Mail Merge Wizard will appear on the right hand side (same location as the help appears).
2. Select the Labels radio button. (Click Next)
3. Click on the Label Options... and choose either a standard label size if one fits your needs or create a custom size (mine are 3" by 4"). (Click Finish)
4. If your not printing on perforated Index cards - Add Borders this will make it much easier to cut resulting cards. On the Table menu select Table Properties and click on the Borders and Shading... button (on the table tab). Pick your borders.
5. Click Next: Select recipients
6. Use Existing list and browse to Excel Sprint Tracker (you could use any other datasource that Word recognizes).
7. Choose the work Sheet and select the rows to include.
8. Click Next: Arrange your labels
9. Under Arrange Labels choose More Items... - this will give you an ugly list (F1, F2, F3 etc) which corresponds to the columns in your spreadsheet. In my case I insert F2 (Task Description) and F3 (Estimated Hours).
10. Add pretty text and formatting you need to the first label and click Update all Labels button. I suggest that you make the task text big (20 pt perhaps) so its easily readable on the corkboard. (I can make the estimates appear on the right but haven't found a simple way of forcing to the bottom of the cell).
11. Click Next: Preview Labels and then if all looks good complete the merge.
12. Either Print... directly from here or do the Edit Individual labels...

With all the time you save - look me up at Agile 2007 and buy me a pint.

About Me & This Blog

2007-04-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Lance Mohring. Been an artsy geek most of my life. I read, write, play & listen to music, enjoy good food & drink, life, philosophy, etc. Pretty standard stuff really -- to quote Dr. Evil.
Professionally I design and make stuff associated with social websites and new media, local search, data, data mining, competitive intelligence and advertising.
This blog is an outlet for my interests, and for no one but you and me, really. I assume nobody reads it or ever will, and act accordingly.
Cheers!

First post: a review and Web2Expo

2007-04-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

In San Fran at Web2Expo (review to come in another post).
Wandered around Chinatown last night (just up the street from our Hotel (the Omni). Bought a cool bird kite for Leah and a some little statuettes for Angel (Kwan Yin and the Buddha). Loved the shops -- wish I had a bigger suitcase!

Also, just saved a restaurantica review of the Chinese restaurant Dave and I ate at Sunday Night: My Restaurantica Review

If you don't already use Restaurantica.com site to find where to dine and read other restaurant reviews -- give it a try, it's good stuff.
Going out tonight for dinner as well, so another Restaurantica review soon to come.
Cheers!