To my friends with iPhones: WAIT TO INSTALL 2.0!
Apple is doing a remarkably bad job with rolling out version 2.0 of the iPhone software. I made the mistake of “upgrading” this morning, and my phone is now bricked. It looks like the cause is server load issues at the itunes store; apparently connecting to the store at the end of the download/install/verify process is required, and since the connection times out the phone remains unusable. This is being widely reported so I know it’s not just me. Come on, Apple, get it together!
Anyone trying to call me today, please use my home phone.
posted by Chris
at 12:00 pm
on Friday, July 11, 2008
An automated script managed to inject code into my blog’s template. Fortunately it did nothing more malicious than to insert link spam (visually hidden links to various dubious sites, to boost search engine rankings for those sites), but it was pretty disconcerting. I’ve removed all traces of the attack, changed my password and am upgrading the wordpress software behind this site. I’d appreciate the help, if anyone reading my blog ever sees anything questionable here (links to questionable sites or anything that looks wrong) please let me know. I don’t do advertising here and I want you friends and family to be safe from harm and annoyance when visiting. Thanks and here’s hoping it doesn’t happen to any of your sites.
posted by Chris
at 12:17 am
on Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A massive movie studio is going to be built in my town, Plymouth MA. I knew about months ago (there was a voting referendum on allowing its construction which passed with overwhelming support) but I didn’t know many details. Local friends shared conjecture but noone seemed to have the whole scoop so I finally looked into it. I am thrilled by what I found.
In a nutshell:
- 2x bigger than Paramount studios!
- 2,000 new jobs
- includes a theme park/attraction, new restaurants and stores
- *not* religious movies per se, as originally discussed
- construction starts early 2009, should open in 2011
- this plus recent movie industry-friendly tax changes in Mass means a TON of movies will be made here
I am *psyched* about this!! Both houses I own are in downtown Plymouth, so here’s hoping property values skyrocket after this recession is over. Given all it has to offer: History, ocean, beach, forest, cranberry bogs, horse farms, restaurants, new coffee roasters, new brewery… and now this… the “cool” factor of Plymouth is going through the roof. 
See this CapeCodOnline article for more detail.
posted by Chris
at 12:59 pm
on Sunday, July 6, 2008
Abi grabbed my all-time favorite sunglasses and promptly snapped them in two a few weeks ago. They were high end Maui Jim Sport shades, with polarized shatter-resistant lenses. They’re the only sunglasses I’ve ever liked, the lone exception to the usual “buy $20 throwaway shades for the season” approach for me. They’d thrived in 7 years of ocean sailing, skiing, motorcycle riding and other forms of abuse, but Abi’s 19-month-old grasp was just too much. Without much hope I wrote a quick letter to Maui Jim and put the broken glasses in an envelope and shipped them off to Hawaii, expecting a call or email letting me know they were way past warranty (which didn’t cover accidental breakage anyway) and giving me an option to pay for repair and for return. Well, yesterday my sunglasses returned to me, in like-new condition (cleaned, re-framed, gleaming), with a nice note letting me know they’d taken care of it (including overnight return shipping!) completely free of charge. I am just floored. I couldn’t be happier and feel I’ve gotta publicly share the love for my Maui Jims and for the fantastic way they took care of this customer.
posted by Chris
at 11:53 pm
on Thursday, July 3, 2008
I’ve been slow in posting pics here, it’s been a busy (but great) couple weeks settling everyone in at home as a family of four (plus Layla). Shawna has posted photos of Harper on Picasa here.
posted by Chris
at 2:59 pm
on Thursday, July 3, 2008
