Tuesday, January 31, 2006

The top reason why 4:30 sucks on any given day

A friend of mine runs a series of blogs called the "The top 5 things I love about Fridays" which I always thoroughly enjoy. He can really hit his point right on the head, something not a lot of us are blessed with... including myself.

Anyway, if this blog sounds like it's going where it's going, it's not. I am pissed. It never fails. Always at 4:30 on any day that I have some important plans, shit hits the fan somewhere, or let's just say something blows up and needs immediate attention. I can't escape this stuff. I wasn't even looking forward to what I had to do, but still had to do it. This, after fixing whatever blew up of course.

In short, this blog is nothing more than a little about venting. Let's see, it's 8:15pm and I'm not even ready to wrap up. I've got the coffee on, FOX News on and up for the President's State of the Union and I'm bearing down to burn some midnight oil.

If my calculations are correct, between now and Feb. 11th (when I supposedly leave to hit the powders of 'Solitude') I may be able to get a few hours sleep in between the work that still has to be. Schnzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Labels: jason, ranting

Monday, January 30, 2006

Microsoft's "Google Earth"

Damn... I just love these. It's a litte scary really. To think that just anyone can use something like this. This one has no installers, a great picture and its fast! Just scoped the roof of my house!
Virtual Earth

Labels: jason, ranting, web

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Park City, Utah, here I come... again

Only 3 weeks left. On Feb. 10, I'll head to Utah to board some of the best powder in the US. A friend/client of mine invites my partner and I to his condo right on the slopes each year. I took him up a couple years ago, but popping out kids makes it difficult to make it every year. After taking a year off to help my wife with the birth of our son, Nic, I'm finally heading back.
You can never prepare enough when it comes to the proper workouts leading up to a ski trip, but I try. It has literally been just over 2 years since I strapped a board on. However, I've had longer stretches before. While there is fast access to over 5 resorts, I'm looking most forward to Solitude again. It's a boarders paradise and a place that in one day, you can get almost a week's fill. Solitude is not packed with the tourists. I think it's more of a local favorite. Its altitude is higher than the other nearby mountains and when the snow is heavy, the pass is sometimes closed and you can't make it up (Argh!).
This all said, I still need to get out the board and tune up, move a shit-load of work off the platter and countless things around the house. More later.

Labels: jason, snowboarding, vacation

Monday, January 23, 2006

Xavier University selects Innersync as continued partner

It's official. After what we understand as an extensive search to take the Xavier web site a notch higher and interviews with 10 (count them) other content management firms, Xavier has chosen to stick with Innersync in their new endeavors. This, after 5 previous years of success in graphic design, application development and overall service and dedication to their cause.

In my mind, Xavier has paid due attention to all the aspects of creating and maintaining a professional web presence. For a large organization, it is difficult to cut through committee red-tape and push for a solution that benefits all. Xavier spent the dollars 5 years ago to put their website on the Internet map and always adhered to the standards set forth in their brand. Through time, they conciously updated that image and made good decisions that led to a better, positive compelling web experience and ultimately, increased admissions. I salute Xavier for their ferver in developing, measuring and changing not to mention funding things that are needed to meet the needs of todays surfing students.

Xavier is a great example of a client that Innersync would seek out. That is, one who appreciates quality design, a trusting relationship and knows the benefits that a firm such as Innersync can provide.

Historically, it has been difficult for any design firm to demonstrate to anyone why they are better. Let me give you a hint. It's not only the portfolio of work in your pocket. The client has to see the value you can provide to them first.

Innersync *is* better. We always tell people you get east- and west-coast design at midwest prices. Of course the whole well-rounded package is what makes Innersync timeless. The philosophy of Innersync has always been unwavering. Less is more, give your customer what you would want to be given, and of course, the short way out is usually not the best for the long-term.

Where else can you go and talk to the designer, the programmer and project manager on one call? Of course they are out there somewhere--but they are few and far between. And sometimes... when you do find one, they are absolutely wreckless with the use of cool technology. Enter the flaming logo or some other page-spanning projectile.

The meaning of this blog?? Well, maybe because I couldn't think of anything better today. But, maybe also because, in the past 5 years of working with Xavier, Innersync has done projects from one end of the spectrum to the other--each with huge success and pride on both sides in the end. You just can't buy this anywhere. So, for this, I thank them for trusting us and I look forward to even greater things to come.

Labels: jason, web

Friday, January 20, 2006

Morgan's Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica

The Jungle Lodge is back on track. My uncle and cousins have done so many deals in Costa Rica, I finally lost count. They've been trail-blazin' from the west side of the Osa Penninsula (Carate) to the east side (Puerto Jiminez).

But it sounds like they have finally settled on the place that they plan to "civilize." Several write-ups have been done in the past including this one in City Beat. It shows a little of the progress going on down there, but so much is yet to come. I'm currently working on the new site as the old one is now out of date and way off.

One day, you might hear me say "C'mon, man, let's load up and head on down to Costa Rica and do some primitive vacationing." Hit the existing site to see the tent-cabins, incredible wildlife and what you can get with a stay at the lodge.

A lot is in the works and I'll make another entry when there is something new to talk about.

Labels: canoe, jason, web

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

My wine cellar is prepped and ready to install racking

For a wine lover, a cellar is nice to have. For a winemaker, at least one who has turned out just over 100 bottles a year for the last two years, a cellar is a necessity. Otherwise, all that wonderful juice just sits in large carboys or demijohns all year.

Don't get me wrong, I buy my share of wines just out of curiosity. Fine wines are worth paying for if you can store and eventually serve them in good condition. It is this reason and the fact that I make my share of wine that led me to build my own wine cellar.

The principles behind storing wine are neither difficult to understand nor to achieve. If you can't achieve all factors, then some are better than none.

If you're interested, here are the factors to consider if you are going through the effort to build a private wine cellar... as I am.

Building your own wine cellar

Labels: cellar, jason, wine

Friday, January 13, 2006

My new Dell

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have been ordering Dell computers consistently for the last 6 years... plus. In all, I have configured and ordered about 7 either personally, or for my company.
No matter what the stocks say or what you read in the press, Dell has consistently impressed me with every aspect of configuring, purchasing and receiving a new computer. All you have to do is add the 3-year next business day on-site service warranty. Expensive you say? A mere $100 extra. Worth it. I admit, I have used this many times. Particularly with some video cards whose fans kept burning up and making loud noises.
Everytime I had to have a replacement sent, they were out of my brand of card and so they sent the next best card--twice. Who would have a problem with that? In addition, I got to the point of saying "hey, just have the part sent next day and I'll install it myself." Whatever your jolly, it just works and damnit, when it comes to your computer, it needs to work, everyday.
So, with my latest order of a Precision 670 Dell that was not even supposed to ship until Jan. 22, this is the third time it showed up WAY EARLY and here I am typing on it. It's adorned with 2G of RAM, 3Ghz Xeon and 15,000 rpm SCSI drives, not to mention a phat-ass video card with 256M RAM onboard. Bitch be lookin' like a double-decker card sandwich witha fan blowin' down the middle of it. This time, all the money went into the box and I'm using my existing Sony 23" LCD Cinema display which I have no problems with. So there you have it people. I'm a consistently satisfied Dell customer.

Labels: jason, ranting

Thursday, January 12, 2006

10 basic things you need to make wine at home

I've had a few people ask about the equipment to make wine. So, while I have pushed this in other areas of the site in the past, it's time for an official blog entry.

I was lucky to inherit much of my dads old equipment, but to your surprise, you would probably have 5 out of the 10 basic things you need to make wine. You can get all 10 things for under $75 if you bought it new. Take a look.

Labels: jason, wine

Monday, January 09, 2006

Tis the season for Holiday E-cards

Sorry for the late post everyone. For Christmas 2005, Innersync decided to develop and send an interactive e-card to all our clients. How appropriate for an interactive company to demonstrate how saavy we are. Anyway, it did get a lot of attention and was truly a hit.

Here's some press:
Mail Chimp People
Check it out here:
http://www.innersync.com/happyholidays05

Labels: jason, web

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Wine racks are assembled and ready for install

After several hours across 3 days, I have the wine racking assebled and ready for install. Thanks to my ever-faithful helper on alternating Saturdays, Brian. I am still working on the walls of the wine cellar and plan to have these buttoned up soon. After that, I have to build the upper and lower sofits of the wine racks before they can go in. This will be a job and one that will make or break the aesthetics of this project. Stand by for fun... Click here to see the pics of the racks.

Labels: cellar, jason, wine

Tasting of the Dandelion Wine

I bottled up the first bottle of the dandelion wine for my brother the other day.

Of course, I couldn't help tryin' a little taste for myself. Mmmmm, not too bad for the first attempt. Check out the photos so you can see how the cloudy mess of before has turned into the sparkly delight it is now :)

Labels: jason, wine

'Found! James Capal's draft card!

I found James Capal's draft card on Ancestry.com. It was filled out in Newport, KY in Sept. of 1918. His sister's name is listed and her address. A great find! Susan.

Labels: genealogy, susan

Saturday, January 07, 2006

HAN Asian Vodka website launched

Whew... after several grueling nights of knocking the shit out of the technical obstacles on this site, it's finally live and I might add... one sweet deployment. We plan to use this and one other possible beverage-type site to land another. Here is another fine example of the Innersync standard--less is more. No flash and nothing fancy, it gets right into what the client needs while he was on a budget until the next fiscal year. There will be more to come... including the addition of flash to this site.

In the meantime, check it out. www.hanasianvodka.com

Labels: jason, web

Click here to view a history of Morgan's and the legacies they left behind.

The top reason why 4:30 sucks on any given day

Microsoft's "Google Earth"

Park City, Utah, here I come... again

Xavier University selects Innersync as continued partner

Morgan's Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica

My wine cellar is prepped and ready to install racking

My new Dell

10 basic things you need to make wine at home

Tis the season for Holiday E-cards

Wine racks are assembled and ready for install

Tasting of the Dandelion Wine

'Found! James Capal's draft card!

HAN Asian Vodka website launched

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