Google

I have become a big fan of Google software recently. Whether it's mobile apps for my Android device or helpful little extensions that speed up and deliver inspiration to my design process, I am becoming a very devoted Google user. (Though I still have to do a lot of updating to populate my Google plus profile with all the info I currently only have on Facebook.)

One new update by Google that I really appreciate is the new web-based print dialog now built into Google Chrome. This let's users see a full-sized print preview directly in the browser. So many websites and email clients have their own frustrating printing tendencies that can now be avoided. (Or at least caught before you go wait next to the office printer) I enjoy this nifty little plug-in and look forward to see what comes next.

I also just noticed that the Facebook mobile app for Android just replaced the "Like" and "comment" buttons with a little "+" symbol. Looks like somebody is getting a little jealous of Google's new social media space...

éire James

My friend James is pursuing a Masters in history in Ireland this fall. He is an incredibly avid blogger he and posts some pretty interesting stuff. His writing includes personal thoughts about Christianity, History, & Photography. He has recently established his own site dedicated to his writing. I encourage you to go check out some of his work.

éireJames.com

Rainbow Wheel

Dear Rainbow wheel: I hate you. I find myself constantly waiting for for my mac while humming "beach-balling" to the tune of Tom Petty's "Free Falling" in my head. It gets rather annoying.

I don't think that counts a a real blog post. Oh well. My apologies.

New Plates

I got my new license plates in the mail today. I regret that I had to update to the new Texas plates. Though there is probably no such thing as a really great looking license plate, (I guess their purpose is pretty philestine) I was partial to the old Texas plates. They were Navy on white with a lot of good symbolism. Symbolism that was actually crisp and clean too. As cheesy as it was, you just have to love the cowboy, stars, and space shuttle. The new plates, however; are pretty gaudy looking. They use 3 colors, (all very bright) Rockwell Extra bold, Brush script, and a low resolution image of clouds. I don't know the designer who produced these, but I know that I would be embarassed to put my name on them. Though the standard plates are gross looking, some of the new vanity plates are actually quite nice looking. There is a line of plates that has some very nice animal illustion work on them. All procedes from these plates goes to Texas Parks and Wildlife. I am seriously tempted to buy these vanity plates because I am an avid outsdoorsman, but also because I am a picky designer.

Louie's Luau

This was a slightly tacky, but really fun photo illustration I did for Bar Louie. I actually did it several weeks ago, but I couldn't publish it until after the eCard rolled out to customers. Definately not my best work, but it was fun to do something different.

Guestbook Removed

Due to it's current unpopularity, I have decided to remove the guestbook page from my site. I apologize to the people who actually used it. It may come back at some point in time. Who knows, it may come back as a as a full design forum/discussion board.