The Magic of the Dumb Guy Principle

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Photo by jimoconnell

We all face challenges. I’m not talking about having to make a touch decision or anything like that - I’m talking about challenging tasks. Things like changing a diaper for the first few days of having a new baby, or learning how to change the motor oil in your car by yourself. Things that have clear, well-defined goals that we know theoretically how to achieve, but simply lack the know-how.

I’m not sure why, but I have a hell of a time building IKEA furniture - anything that comes with more than a handful of parts and I’ll read the directions 2-3 dozen times over the course of the project. And it’s not that I’m especially dim or have a hard time following simple instructions - quite the opposite actually. And because I like to think that I’m a fairly intelligent guy, there’s one little mantra that constantly rings in my head when I’m stabbing myself in the eye with a Swedish allen wrench:

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January 23, 2008 | Filed Under Hacking Life, Practical | 9 Comments 

Superstar Interview: Lifehacker’s Gina Trapani Talks Beer and Productivity

When somebody first start digging around for GTD and productivity-related websites, it won’t take long before they arrive at Lifehacker.com. A fine mixture of links to quality articles and products, as well as full-length features, how-tos and all sorts of other goodies. Like it or not, it’s hard to deny that LH is a force to be reckoned with.

Behind the behemoth sits Gina Trapani. Powered by a staff of stellar writers and a love for all things lifehackery, she keeps the music playing. And being such a fan of their site, I was especially excited to get the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Enjoy!

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January 21, 2008 | Filed Under GTD, Hacking Life, Productivity, Technology | 2 Comments 

Site Update - Recent Silence Explained

I wanted to drop a quick one to keep everybody informed as to the dramatic (well, ok, maybe “noticeable” is a better word) drop-off in posts here. Due to a looming deadline, all of my time has been occupied with my job - 14+ hour days, weekends, the whole nine.

Trying to find time to rest and be with my family has been tough, which means that time for blogging has evaporated entirely (for the time being). I’m going to try to get something written tonight, but I can’t make any promises :)

Just know that I haven’t forgotten about good old CW and I’ll be back in the saddle in a few days, at the latest. Thanks for understanding!

January 16, 2008 | Filed Under Administrivia, Etc. | 2 Comments 

Something You Should Know Before Using a Cashier’s Check

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At my house, we pay almost every single one of our bills using our bank’s online bill payment service. It’s fast, easy and I don’t need to buy stamps or deal with the disgusting flavor of envelope glue in my mouth.

However, there are a couple of bills we must pay through the mail - our monthly rent being the most prime example. We rent our house from a normal family that doesn’t see the need to take Visa or Mastercard, so we send them a check every month. Pretty lo-fi, but people have been doing it since mail was invented.

Well, about six months ago or so, we ran out of personal checks. We hadn’t ordered any in a dog’s age (because we probably only use 15 per year or so), and we didn’t exactly keep track of how many checks we hand left. So, we started using cashier’s checks instead (and yes, I know it’s cheaper to just order more personal checks, but let’s just understand that we didn’t and let me finish my story :). A few days before the end of the month, one of us would waltz over to our bank, get the cashier’s check and mail it off to the landlord. Easy as pie. Until this month.

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January 8, 2008 | Filed Under GTD | 7 Comments 

Bloggers: Want to Tap into the Pool of 58 Million Facebook Users?

Facebook App Creator by Blogfuse

I wanted to start by saying that I hope everybody had a fantastic holiday season and new year! I’ve got a bunch of stuff in the hopper for this little blog for the coming year, so be sure to stay tuned to find out what’s ahead :)

Social networking sites are popping up everywhere. Bookmarks, videos, pictures, you name it - there’s a website out there that will let you share all of this stuff and more with all of your Internet-aware buddies.

But even for those who haven’t drank this particular flavor of kool-aid yet, the name ‘Facebook‘ is quickly becoming the most notable example of social networking (except, perhaps, the oft-loathed MySpace). Everybody and their college-aged buddy has an account, and many people live and die by it as a way of interacting with current friends, as well as making new ones.

So, how is a budding blogger to tap into this gigantic group of potential new readers and subscribers? Well, I’m glad you asked…

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January 7, 2008 | Filed Under Hacking Life, News | 15 Comments