Toastmasters is an organization where people can grow. They come to learn to be better leaders, better communications and more. To learn more about Toastmasters, please check out their website.

Recently, I gave a presentation at the Toastmasters District 66 Conference. I created it with Google Docs instead of Microsoft PowerPoint so you can also access it via this url: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dc2j92wh_530pvmxq3hn.

Only took a year, right? But it is. I’m consolidating a little bit. I’ve been posting on various places, and maintaining three personal sites was too difficult with such little free time. I have been taking pictures, writing, and networking.

I recently did a career switch and now spend most of my time writing in Java instead of HTML or ColdFusion. I’ve started my Master’s degree so even freelancing web development and design has lessened due to time constraints.

There is much to share about Java and all the other things in my life, so I’m considering changing the direction of this site. Read the rest of this entry »

Speaking to you about the importance of testing is like preaching to the choir. What browsers do you test on? If you develop on a PC, do you also check on the Mac? I basically ignore IE on Mac because that has the most quirks and the fewest users according to various logs I check. Safari on Mac, however, I rarely have problems with. If it works in Firefox, it usually renders the same in Safari. Surprise. Read the rest of this entry »

What is it that they say about mechanics’ cars? Well, I spend most of my free time working on other people’s projects and not my own neglected space on the web. Last post in July? Wow… so much has changed.

Updates, in no particular order:

• We have a teenager! And she’s been successfully integrated into the web world. Another recruit. Muhahaha.
• Cooking lots. I missed cooking. I have zero time but have been finding it anyway to make up menus. Partly spurred on by the above update.
• I’m brushing up my Java skills and eyeballing a Master’s degree in CS. I just need to finish the Java class and pick a place to apply. Satellite campus of Virginia Tech? ODU? William & Mary? Something I can do without quitting my job and moving. No University of Phoenix please. Thanks.
• WordPress as CMS finally accomplished. More on this later. Of course, another version of WordPress is coming out….
• This semester, I am also taking Desktop Publishing Part Dos. InDesign is a sexy application. We’re working on our first project now and I’ll post a brief walk-through after class critique.
• Still doing freelance here and there. Even updated my gallery a bit with some web and design projects.
• Not been playing as much WoW even though there’s an expansion. See the above for reasons why. Yes, even though the druid fly form is more tempting than a cup of cocoa on a cold day.
• Williamsburg Adobe User Group (previously known as Williamsburg Macromedia User Group) is gearing up for activity again. I’m taking over the book review program since I’m such a bibliophile.
• I started making a Flash cartoon for last semester’s videography class. That was fun. That was hard. I was learning animation as I went so the later animation is better than the beginning. With enough bribery, I might post it including my “ZOMG! If only I had known that in the beginning….” thoughts.
• Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away recently. Fortunately, I have my hands on some of her photographs. I want to scan in a bunch of them and print out copies for the family. By the way, if you know or have children in the Hampton Roads area that have lost a loved one, I highly suggest Kidz-n-Grief.