I like having my twitter on my website. I use the standard supplied twitter javascript badge code to do this. One thing I don’t like about it is that it doesn’t create html links from the links in the tweet. So took a minute and made one that does.

Everybody stand back. I know regular expressions (although it’s just a baby one). It could also be improved to be much more flexible (https, not relinking already linked urls, etc), but it’s simple and working for my cases for now.

Here is the updated blogger.js file, just download it, upload it to your web space, and use it instead of http://twitter.com/javascripts/blogger.js

Links in your twitter badge now are clickable. Neato.

Aug 8-10, I'm volunteering for an organization called Teen Leadership Camp, to take 40 kids who are in the care of the Social Services Foster Care System to camp for a weekend. The goal is to offer life-changing paths, build hope, friendship and memories for these kids who have either been abused or neglected by their families.

I'm setting a goal of raising $400, which covers the cost of one kid going to camp. If you can chip in $5, $10 or more, that would be awesome. You can give by clicking the badge on the right column over there.

Check out this video and also see http://n-tlc.org for more info. If you have more questions, .

Something about music stirs my soul more than anything else. While I think “worship music” is important, I now am pretty certain that I won’t be writing any. Not to say that it won’t be worship, if that makes sense. I want my music to cross boundaries of belief to point people towards God. I really look up to Thrice for this, they’re creating original, honest music that has a wide appeal but is so clear when you dig into its message.

The biggest barrier towards me doing something with music seems to be me. I don’t write because I don’t like what I wrote, and after trying for a little while I get frustrated with my lack of skill. I say, when I get better at this or that, then I’ll do it. It’s hard to keep at it when there’s so much to do.

Awesome.

vs

Goodbye vienna, hello netnewswire

I might be way late to the game, but here’s why I switched:

While both apps are free and have good user interfaces, NetNewsWire syncs my news and blog feeds with an online account (also free), so once I read something at work, on my phone, or on my laptop at home, I never see the same item twice. Awesome. They also have a nice iphone interface for reading on the go.

Theres a more detailed comparison on the unofficial apple weblog, but the syncing seals the deal for me. Get it here.

thumbs up:

• autosoap
• ny chedder kettle chips in my lunch
• portland (and its public transportation)
• refactoring your rails app presentation content
• starcraft (anyone want a game?)

thumbs down:

• slower than slow wifi (how much are we paying?)
• having to pass presentation materials around on usb drives
• asking questions by shouting (can we get something better? We’re programmers right?)
• presentation skills at #railsconf
• AIR presentation – I’m here to learn about Rails, not flex.

jared: i’ve heard of this human race

jared: who’s winning?

Christa: haha

Christa: I AM

possession is an obsession in our culture. If we own a thing, we feel that we can control it; and if we control it, we feel that it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them . . .Let’s learn to enjoy the beauty of the beach without the compulsion to buy a piece of it.

Richard J. Foster: Freedom of Simplicity

once upon a time i thought you needed to wear tight pants to like a certain kind of music. now i wear basketball shorts and like the same kind of music. - Mike Fox

mike makes me laugh pretty hard sometimes :)

…is one device that washes and dries my clothes without me having to interfere between those events and that sends me a text message when it’s done. No one ever hears that stupid buzzer, and I’m never here to move them from the washer to the dryer.

I love sci-fi. Well, good sci-fi that is. Lately, I love Battlestar Galactica. I think one of the biggest strengths about sci-fi is that by introducing people who are not human, it prompts greater questions about what qualifies us as human, what defines humanity. A good look at ourselves can be a valuable thing.

Lately I’ve been really getting into the merlin show . I’m only caught up to about episode 11 of 20, but if I had to sum up what I’ve seen so far, it’s sort of a mixture of GTD tips and interviews with musicians and engineers about issues surrounding human interaction and how technology shapes our communication and communities. So far I’ve found it both educational and intellectually stimulating. You should check it out.

Staying busy, that’s for sure. Work is going fantastic, esp since Jeff came to work with us :)

Driving home to Visalia next week, can’t believe that its thanksgiving already.

Crazy.

So, on Sunday I turn 24 (I feel so old) and life looks pretty good. Hard to believe I’ve been here over a year already. Had an epic dinner at Pina’s tonight with the roonmies, going to have a little bbq and play frisbee tomorrow, and play guitar on Sunday at church. Also Jeff starts work with me next week, which is pretty exciting.

So, there are a few good shows coming up. Here’s a few I’m going to, you should come!

Sept 27th – Mute Math at the Avalon in Hollywood

Oct 19th – Lifehouse at HOB San Diego

Oct 21 – Jimmy Eat World at HOB San Diego