Happy Holidays!

Food Drive Barrel

We’re still in Phoenix, and I’ve been staying at a house with no internet access (can you believe it?), but I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday so we stopped into a Starbucks for a quick web fix.

The image above is from our 2008 Christmas card. That’s our dog, Maggie Moo. You can see the back of the card here.

Happy Holidays!

We’re off to Phoenix

I was hoping to get a few posts out today, but I have been scrambling to get ready to drive to Phoenix for the holidays. We’re leaving first thing in the morning. We’ll be gone until January 2nd, and internet access may be sporadic, so things might be a little light around here for a bit. Happy Holidays!

Drop some food in that barrel

Food Drive Barrel
Photo Credit: Manchester Library

The unfortunate reality is people go hungry all year round, and we should all be doing more to help those less fortunate than ourselves. But, this time of year we simply have no excuse, as it’s especially easy to give food to local food banks and shelters.

During the holidays most major grocery stores usually have food drive barrels located near the checkout lines. I urge everyone to pick up some extra items while you shop to drop in the barrel. If you can only afford a few cans of soup, that’s OK. If you can afford more, set yourself a budget and keep dropping stuff in your cart until you reach that budget.

Not sure what to get? I’ll list a few items from my list below, but generally you want to make sure to get food that is non-parishable (no fresh fruit, meat, or anything that needs refrigeration, etc…) and is not in a glass container. It’s also a good idea to continually ask yourself, would I want to eat this?

Items from my list:

  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Soup
  • Tuna (in water – NOT that crappy oily stuff)
  • Peanut Butter (plastic jar)
  • Rice
  • Stuffing
  • Gravy (can or powder mix)
  • Biscuit / muffin mix
  • Cooking Oil
  • Spaghetti / Sauce (plastic jar)
  • Pancake Mix
  • Cereal / Oatmeal
  • Granola Bars
  • Cookies / Crackers
  • Brownies / Cookie mix
  • Coffee
  • Juice (plastic bottles or those little juice boxes)

The Big Picture

Web Stencil
Image Credit: REUTERS/Sigit Pamungkas

When looking back through the One Digital Life archives, I can’t believe I’ve never blogged about this, but if you’re into photography you have to check out, The Big Picture. In fact, even if you’re not into photography, this incredible site offers an amazing glimpse into what’s going on around the world.

Make sure to click on the “MORE PHOTOS” link under each post. You won’t be dissapointed.

The Big Picture is a photo blog for the Boston Globe/boston.com, entries are posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by Alan Taylor. Inspired by publications like Life Magazine (of old), National Geographic, and online experiences like MSNBC.com’s Picture Stories galleries and Brian Storm’s MediaStorm, The Big Picture is intended to highlight high-quality, amazing imagery – with a focus on current events, lesser-known stories and, well, just about anything that comes across the wire that looks really interesting.

Website Interface Stencil by Design Commission

Web Stencil

If you’re a web designer who still likes to do your initial sketches using good old fashioned paper and pencil, this ingenious little web stencil kit may be exactly what you need.

Originally sent out as a limited-edition promotional item by Design Commission, their web stencil was so popular they’re doing another run that will go on sale in January, 2009.

The kit will include:

  • Custom-etched eraser shield
  • Browser pad (fully W3C compliant!)
  • A handy mechanical pencil for those “hard to reach” places

See their blog post for more information.

via Swiss Miss

Are Trade Shows really dead?

While reading various stories and comments tonight on the news that Apple won’t be participating at Macworld Expo after 2009, I noticed one sentiment that kept popping up on website after website. The idea that trade shows are an archaic, 20th century, form of marketing that are either dead, or dying. I’ve never heard this before, is this really true?

I actually have both a personal and professional interest in this. On a personal level, I enjoy going to trade shows. They’re a great way to get some face-to-face time with the companies that make the products I use, or am interested in using. I think it’s time well spent, by both sides.

On a professional level, I create trade show materials for some of my clients. Everything from Video attract loops, to booth graphics, to handouts. It’s not a huge part of my business, but it definitely contributes to my income.

Other than current problems due to the general state of the economy, I haven’t heard anything specific about trade shows dying as a format. And, I’m curious if this sentiment is directed specifically at computer-related trade shows, or do people think trade shows of all types are on their way out.

Anyone care to comment on this?

Eye TV Hybrid for $99.95, before Dec. 31st

Elgato Eye TV

The Eye TV Hybrid, from Elgato, is a nifty little device that allows you to watch and record TV on your Mac. It normally sells for $149.95, but you can get it for $99.95 through this promotion if you buy it by December 31st, 2008.

I picked one of these up at Macworld 2008. I don’t use it a tremendous amount, but it is very handy, and I’ve been happy with it’s performance. I recommend them.

As a side-note to anyone attending Macworld in January, Elgato will be there, and they usually offer this same price during the Expo, along with discounts on their other products.