off to portland

I'm going to portland for part of the weekend for my step-sister-in-law's baby shower. It will be great to see the extended family and spend time with everyone. Plus I've got an appointment tomorrow at my favorite spa - Aequis.



on another note: sleep is precious. Lately I've had to be into work early in the AM -- well early for me, is 8 am or 9 am. Last night, for no good reason, I just couldn't sleep! I didn't go to bed to almost 4 am... and i didn't even finish packing -- but had lots of good talks with friends (around the globe) and family. Anyways, so i get NO sleep -- and what happens? 7:20 am call from JB - cindy's on NPR. 8:15 am call from Mom, she missed her flight to Boston. 9:30 am SMS text message from a co-worker, meeting cancelled. *sigh*.

i want...

no i don't *need* it, but yeah, totally buying one this weekend...i think i can use it as validation that i actually intend to workout on a regular basis in 2005...and it is sooo small and such a nice compliment to my ipod, and cooler than the mini (which pretends to have enough space to hold valuable amounts of music, but really doesn't)....the shuffle is up front. 240 songs, that's it. perfect for the ultimate workout mix!

it's snowing!

i woke up this morning and it's snowing!! it's a winter wonderland out here in queen anne. i'm going to save a snowball in my freezer to commemerate my first seattle snow.

cute doggie

I really love this picture by Gary Porter. It won an honorable mention in the "Best of Photojournalism 2004 - Feature Photo" contest.







Credit: Gary Porter, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Going for a leap" - Mason, 6, and Melena, 7, Steffes take "Trixie" out for a "leap" in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Trixie, a Jack Russell Terrier, has a hard time staying on the ground like normal dogs, and commonly performs a three foot vertical when she's excited. Neighbors have been known to come by when she's outside just to watch her leap. May 13, 2003.

need a gmail acct?

hi. I have literally 100's of gmail invites. It's time to give them away! So, if you, or someone you know, needs an invite post a comment below and i will send you an invite.



natala

random thoughts from 1.4.05

Calculated Risks

Living life is about, IMHO, taking risks -- calculated risks.



Discoverability

What's the point of having great content or good information if no-one can find it? Building really good products isn't about making them cool by having the coolest feature set, rather it is by making it easy for the user to discover how to use the product and the key features. The element of "discovery" appeals to the adventurer in many of us.



Apple gets marketing:

The new feature iMix this week on iTunes? Jennifer Garner's "Workout Mix." Damn, that's great marketing -- as this is going to be a HUGE week for Jennifer. She's got a new movie coming out AND the alias two-hour premier! And of course - a workout mix is perfect since who doesn't want to have Jennifer's tough body?



Home Buying

Is really, really time consuming.



Children

Are the greatest social-scientific genetic experiement anyone can run.

Tsunami Relief Resources

International aid organizations:

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)

United Nations' World Food Programme

Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors without Borders (donate!)

CARE International

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies



UK/Europe:

Disasters Emergency Comittee (DEC) - comprises a raft of aid agencies, including the below and others

British Red Cross

Oxfam

Save the Children UK



North America:

American Red Cross

Canadian Red Cross

Save The Children

Oxfam America



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