Picture in a Picture

This is one of the coolest things that I've seen in quite some time! I could easily spend hours on it. I find life so interesting and some of these pictures represent some normal images just brilliantly captured.

For those of you confused as to how it works, each picture is composed of pixels and each pixel has some sort of RGB (Red, Green and Blue) value. In this compilation, each picture is assigned a particular RGB value based off of the average RGB value for the image. That way an algorithm can be made to create an image, but when zoomed in it loads the image of the assigned RGB. The algorithm could probably be made in a day or so, but the real coolness is in the size of the library of photos.

I love it when art and technology combine!

If you guys get on me enough I might be able to whip up a program that makes a collage out of your own photo library. I think I have the base now, just might need a few tweaks...and the LabVIEW Runtime Engine (only language I can code in).

Places to Eat

So I'm up in Chicago right now teaching a class for the man, and I decided to look for a place to eat. So I went to Google.com and looked for "restaurants schaumberg il" and got the following useful information:

I don't think anything else really needs to be said.

Booked!

My part of the wedding is done!


We booked a trip for our honeymoon! I'm really excited about this.

We're heading down to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico on the West Coast. This place looks really nice, and much more quaint than all of the Carribean locations that are within a short flying distance.

The Place
Reviews

Now that this is done all I really have to worry about is getting a suit (because I have to loan my current one to one of the groomsmen) and finding food for the rehearsal. I feel like we could have the wedding in 2 weeks if we needed. Just wouldn't have her dress, and we definitely need that.

And just because I'm excited about going there, here are a few more pictures:

Conspiracy Theory: Pentagon on 9/11

Go here fast before it's taken down.

I'd put this right up there with JFK's head flying back instead of forward when he was supposedly shot from the back right by a 'communist'.

Wedding Ideas

• Enter the auditorium to some fun songs and give everybody high-fives
• Leave the reception on little razor scooters, hide the car, then go somewhere.
• Have Singleness pinatas that can then be bashed open by single people/kids
• Guys and Girls - have some candy and some 'mature' items.
• Start wedding a tad later (7:30ish) so that people can get dinner beforehand.
• 
  

The Plan

So, I got engaged this weekend. But what's an engagement without a story?

Below you'll find that story. If you need more details then call...although I'd be surprised if you make it thru THIS document.

The Plan

1. Location: Andrea’s Apartments
   Time: 17:00
   
   Have K-Love give (or leave) Andrea a letter stating:
   Wait until five,
   Don’t get a head start.
   To the Great Forrest Spirit,
   Is where you’ll depart.
   
   
   (reference of these from this movie)
   
   
   
   
2. Location: Otis' Apartment
   Arrival Time: 17:15
   Helper: Bryan
   
   She will then head to my house and the trees outside with the small rattly seeds. In the tree will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly (this will be present at each location).
   
   Open the envelope to get the next clue:
   There is now a Gate
   Where once stood a Way.
   Behind the Park that’s Reserved,
   Or a ticket you’ll pay.
   
   Directions to next Location (Google)
   
   
3. Location: Gateway Community Church (Bull Creek) – Office Parking Lot (map)
   -This is where we first met - April 3, 2005-
   Arrival Time: 17:30
   Helper: Mr. Juicebox
   
   There will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly on the back of the Handicapped Reserved Parking Sign (it’s very faded).
   
   Next Clue:
   There once was a time,
   Before you were a kiss giver.
   We ate a large meal,
   And sat by a small river.
   
   Additional Clue (on back):
   Go to the valley,
   That’s Wooded and Spiced
   Spin ‘round the turns
   Like your car is all riced.
   
   Cross 4 to 5 creeks.
   Only 2.1 miles you’ll go.
   On the left a Saint you will find.
   And a tall tree with high boughs.
   
   Directions to next Location (Google)
   
   
4. Location: St. Edward’s Park (map)
   -First Picnic Date she had ever been on-
   Arrival Time: 17:45
   Helper: Amy
   
   There will be an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly hidden under a rock in the cradle of the call rounded cedar. You may need to put her on your shoulders to get to it (think of something I would hide/see).
   
   Next Clue:
   Your first time out dancing
   You looked ever so sweet.
   It was in this very room that
   You were first swept off your feet.
   
   Directions to next Location (Google)
   
   
5. Location: The Fed (map)
   -This was where our first dance and kiss were exchanged-
   Arrival Time: 18:05
   Helper: Bryan
   
   There will be a row of bushes along the front of The Fed. As they get close to the right side of the front you will find an envelope with my initials, her name, and a blue butterfly hidden in the bushes. Open it.
   
   Next Clue:
   Something sappy, I can't remember exactly what.
   
   Directions to next Location (Google)
   
   
6. Location: The Falls Apartments (map)
   -Her old apartments and a great breeding ground for fireflies!-
   Time: 18:18
   Helper: TimGrimes
   
   There is no cell service here, so don’t go down until you get a call to let you know she’s on her way. Simply wait for her to show up. Then blindfold her (I’ll try to supply it) and drive her to the next location.
   
   Directions to next Location (Google):
1. Take 360 to Mopac and head South
2. Cross Town Lake and take the Zilker Park Exit
3. Circle under the highway and head towards Zilker
4. Take the first first left (under the bridge) onto Rollingwood.
5. Take a right onto a small road called Zilker Park
6. Go 0.2 miles up the road and there is an entrance into the woods on the right.
1. Just before you get to the entrance there will be a house with Giraffes in the front yard.
2. If you’ve come to a crossroad leading to the left, then you’ve gone just a tad too far.

7. Location: Zilker Park Nature Area Lookout (map).
   -One of the best unknown views in town-
   Time: 18:30
   Helper: None needed, all welcome
   Present: Ring
   
   

So that's pretty much the story. Tim un-blindfolded her and placed her on the path to get to the lookout. There were little tulips in vases leading the whole way up.

I got so excited when I saw her and Tim that I ran up the trail and tripped (cutting open my hand, so it was bleeding during the whole engagement part).

But it was totally forgotten when I saw her slowly approach the top of the path. Then I walked her to where the lookout was. Told her I loved her or something (does it really matter?), then dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring.

But she told me before all of this that she finds tall, large, round diamonds in yellow gold hideous. But she still said, "Yes." Then I was like, "Cool." And pulled out the real ring


She then became a big ball of emotions and tears. She always wanted a yellow diamond and wanted something small, but classy. Unique and pretty. Low profile and sparkly. She never dreamed I would exceed her expectations, but I plan on doing that every day that I can.

So after our moment, I called out all of the aforementioned friends (plus Mrs. Juicebox) and had them come out. Turns out I got lucky and she really wanted to share the moment with others. They came out. Congratulated and stuff, took pictures, grinned a lot, and were secretly angry because the bar has been raised for their engagement expectations.

After some lessons in how to pee in the woods as a girl, they left us to be. I had a picnic of gluten-free delicacies prepared, a fresh bottle of chilled wine and a picnic blanket. We just sat around and talked, laughed and just sat in shock at how awesome and scary these new words like 'fiance' and 'marraige' and 'wedding' are.

After watching the sun set, we went off and did stuff you really don't want me to elaborate on. NOT THAT! Just talking and other stuff that couples do.

It's really fun, telling people has been exciting, and I can't wait to keep telling this story for years to come as I sit beside my future wife.

This one's for Andrea.

Lessons Learned: Never Get Service Done at the Dealership

Because they will do you over. Sure, the normal services are quite inexpensive. I mean they do all the normal tricks and charge you within a few dollars of any other service shop...so why not get your service work done there?

However, never get a major service done. All of us car buffs know that every 30k or so you should give your vehicle a little tune-up. Well, do what you will, just don't get the majority of it 'done' at the dealership.

Why am I so upset? Because here is a list of services done that resulted in a $250 premium beyond the cost of the basic service:

• Replace Fuel Filter (if applicable) - how much money do you have on that they decided it wasn't applicable?
• Inspect brake system, lines hoses and parking brake - can be done by sticking head under car
• Inspect disc and drum brakes - done whilst your head is checking out the other stuff
• Replace brake fluid - Okay, this is legit. But they don't give you an option for synthetic fluids. They charge $50 for this service...still not seeing the extra $200.
• Check A/C hoses for leaks - Um, if there were leaks I would know it.
• Inspect air conditioning system temperature - definitely not done because my car has the weakest A/C known to I4 vehicles
• Replace Air Cleaner Element - I can buy a better one for $42, plus it would last longer than the paper one. So no thank yous there.
• Install wiper blades - Um, my front wipers were fine, and you never changed the one in the back...that would be the one that actually needs to be changed. Cost $7, and they're not even the type I want.

So, let's see. $50 + $42 + $7 x 2 = $250? Where's my other $144? Why didn't you do what you are supposed to do during a real tune-up and replace the coolant and the spark plugs? What really bites me is that those extra services are what needed to be done for the 30k service and are required by your little service manual; yet, you refuse to include them in your 30k service package. Why? You've lost my business for good.

From now on I'm simply going to let some other place do the oil change (that is until I get my own garage), and then do the rest by myself and then take the girl out on a nice date with all of the extra money. It's a good thing that chicks dig guys that smell like cars and look all manly.

What I Wish I Did

Before I gave up on my future and hit the cold reality of the real world, this is what I hoped to actually do. Maybe I shouldn't give up?

So incredibly awesome. So much potential. And you actually make people's LIVES better. So cool.

Suburbia

There was a perfect man and he drove a perfect mile,

He earned his perfect money and dressed the perfect style.

He got a perfect wife, to be the perfect spouse.

And they all lived together in a little perfect house.*