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Susanne & Andy's New Apartment

Susanne & Andy's New Apartment by taragl

Andy Carvin and his family are moving and they're calling for layout suggestions for the new place...

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Last night I headed over to the offices of Molecular (one of our consultants at PKI) with Adam and Hans to attend a seminar by usability guru Jared Spool of User Interface Engineering. The seminar was put on by the Usability Professionals Association of Boston

I was not familiar with Mr. Spool before attending the meeting, but his presentation "We Are Not Alone: Usability Practitioners' Role in the Optimal Design Team" was phenominal. As a geek, usability fan (but far from a professional) and just a thinking, breathing human being the subject of usability is a fascinating one.

Just the idea that someone put time and thought into a product, website, or process design is such a cool one. Even more interesting is when people clearly DON'T think about the user in designing their companies products. Jared's experience, ecclectic personality and wit make for a compelling presentation and an overwhelmingly enjoyable time.

Also to note, it has been some time since I had gone to a meeting full of geeks. Deep references, in-jokes, and calling out in the middle of a presentation akin to talking in the movies is commonplace and comforting.

Check out some of the links above. There is a "Usability Day" taking place in Boston sometime in November at the Museum of Science which sounds really interesting and both groups above offer free newsletters for fans and professionals alike.

Blocks kitchen layout

Blocks kitchen layout by taragl

We went to IKEA Montreal this past weekend and worked on a layout for the new kitchen. If everything works out with the house, the renovation has to move quickly -- we've got a deadline.

This is the layout in specially-made appliance- and cabinet-shaped blocks at IKEA. Are you feeling it?

(Though I just noticed that we left an opening for a doorway which we'd like to close up, if we can figure out how to do it. Stupid load-bearing walls.)

Our new house has that "lived-in" look.

Cow feeding barn by taragl

It's really just a barnlette, but it comes with the house.

Does it get better?

This week is just getting better and better....

First I find out from Adam that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are going to have another movie coming out in March. This one is put together by Weinstein and looks pretty decent.

Then I find the new Transformers trailer, which looks awesome! Michael Bay rocks.

While I was at it, why not throw in the Spider-Man 3 trailer?

Last night I top it all off by grabbing three graphic novels of The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman creator of Invincible, Battle Pope and others. This re-depiction of the traditional Zombie story takes things a step farther by keeping us tied into the paths the remaining humans take and what happens to them along the way. There is no big climactic battle, or resolution (not yet) so therefore we are free to explore the stories that all of these people have to tell. Great stuff.

Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Spider-Man, Zombie Comic Books.....now if only Nicole Shuren would be my Valentine then my life would be complete.

Er....um....sorry Ta...just kidding! ;)

National Night Out Fireworks

National Night Out Fireworks by taragl

Tuesday night, Trevor and I were settled into our beds when I heard loud bangs coming from outside. Thinking something was exploding, I naturally rushed toward the sound and saw fireworks through the backyard trees... I had forgotten National Night Out!

It was close to 10:00pm, but I grabbed Trevor out of bed and we rushed to downtown South Burlington to find the source. There was a perfect viewing spot in the high school parking lot -- and we avoided all of the crowds at the middle school.

Fall Cosplay

The other day, I pretty much ordered Trevor to be Naruto this year for Halloween. I think it's probably not very fair to make your kid's costume choice based on how much more awesome a costume you think you can make than the Japanese Harajuku cosplayers you've seen. Besides, last year's Link from the Legend of Zelda was a tough sewing experience; trying to combine Peter Pan and pirate patterns in felt as thick as a slab of Easter ham.

You see, Vermont kids need warm costumes, because a typical Halloween for them is below zero. You see princesses with pink boots and snow pants peeking out from underneath tulle skirts.

Aang the Avatar might be easier. Maybe. Any good (easy) anime or cartoon costumes that won't leave him with frostbite? Bender?