These are the things Shelly Brisbin makes and loves
Posted in General Store, and Random Personal Nonsense
Each year’s SXSW conference turns my hometown into a giant carnival of music, food, and strangers from strange lands. You can’t turn a corner, or order a cup of coffee without tripping over a guitar player. Which is only a bad thing if the guitar player and his band are in line in front of you. My contribution to SXSW coverage is a listing of free music downloads and samplers, featuring bands who will be…
Posted in General Store, New Media and Tech, Podcasting, and Random Personal Nonsense
People talk a lot about hoarding nowadays. I’m told by multiple sources that there is a reality TV show featuring people who do it to the extent that their houses and lives are destroyed. Sounds super-entertaining, huh? That’s another subject, and one on which you probably wouldn’t like my opinion. But whether it’s inspired by basic cable or not, the word “hoarder” comes up all the time when people need a word to describe their…
Posted in General Store, and Random Personal Nonsense
Right up front, I feel compelled to admit that peer pressure has brought me to this open window in MarsEdit, and to the playlist that’s running behind it in iTunes. My friend Dana Nordaune, whose musical taste I respect and adore, posted a thoughtful, well-documented Ten Best Recordings of 2012 on her Facebook page. I loved it, and immediately set about listening to the songs and artists I hadn’t heard. But I also came face…
Posted in General Store, New Media and Tech, and Random Personal Nonsense
Just now, I had a brainstorm. The 20-page PDF files I’ve been studying on my computer screen, as I work my way through an online learning program, could easily be transferred to my iPhone. From there, I will be able to sit in my most comfortable chair and hold the device at a most comfortable distance, with the text zoomed to a most comfortable size. I raced to my computer to affect the transfer. This…
Posted in Access and Disability, and Random Personal Nonsense
Birth announcements almost always end the same way. Baby is healthy and doing fine. That’s what we all hope for, right? And mostly, it’s what parents in the United States can expect to get. But seeing those words once again on a birth announcement made me wonder. What’s the best ending line for the announcement of the birth of a disabled child? Should parents be less giddy and thankful when they learn their new son…
Posted in Announcements, New Media and Tech, Podcasting, and Random Personal Nonsense
I just learned that I’m listed in the Austin Social Media 100, in the tech category. I can’t say that I know much about this set of rankings, but I’m flattered to be included. I’m also mining the rest of the list for fun and interesting people to follow on Twitter or elsewhere.
Twice in the past 24 hours, I’ve “showed off” my presidential geekery on Twitter. One has to do with Grover Cleveland (the only president elected to non-consecutive terms) and the other recalls the fact that it’s ben 150 years since a Secretary of State went on to become president. I double-checked that one before posting. It is an old habit, but not entirely my fault. You see, I became interested in history at a very…
Posted in Random Personal Nonsense
My father passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2009. Here is his obituary. Emma and Windel Brisbin
Posted in Politics and Public Affairs, and Random Personal Nonsense
Shorter, more frequent blog posts: New Year’s resolution, or crazy pipe dream? Dunno yet. I’ve been thinking about several topics this week, and here’s my a quick roundup. My dad continues to struggle. From rehab this week, where he had been struggling to get stronger and recover from both a stroke and a brain injury caused by a fall, he went to the hospital when an ulcer began to bleed. It’s really hard for him…
Posted in Random Personal Nonsense
I have been tagged yet again, this time by Daryl. At least I don’t have to do much work. This is called the Sixth Photo Meme. If you’re a Flickr user, go to the sixth page of your photostream, choose the sixth photo and post to your site. We ran across this unusual sight one morning while eating at the Taco Shack, here in Austin. The dog’s owner sat nearby while everyone in the pace…