Maybe I’m overly sensitive, but I felt kind of offended at the gas station this morning, when the gas pump display didn’t thank me for my purchase.

I’ve never seen this happen before, at a gas station.

Typically, after you swipe your credit card, pump the gas, and select whether or not you’d like a receipt - the OSD will say "Thank You."

This was not the case at Marathon. After I selected "No," for the receipt, it went directly to the main screen again - saying, "Please insert card," which is for the next customer.

Now, I know it’s just a machine, but having it say "Thank You" is still a simple gesture that makes customers happy (or at least indifferent), after making a purchase. Not to mention - gas prices are "through the roof," so I should at least get a goddamn "Thank You" from the pump OSD.

It’s ironic because I’ve also received lousy customer service from this same Marathon, when paying inside - to the actual, physical attendant. He also doesn’t say "thank you." Seems to be a trend, there.

How can we ever expect human beings to say "Thank You," when we can’t even program a computer to?

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Yesterday Eric Zorn quoted me in his Chicago Tribune web log, in regards to iTunes vs. BuyMusic.com.

Park Ridge–based blogger Matt Thommes explains why "BuyMusic.com is a great idea, not only for music listeners, but for the entire record industry. However, it was poorly planned and executed. They will never be an iTunes, and I will never use anything but iTunes."

Not until I saw this quote on someone else’s site did I realize how much of a Mac fanatic I am. My fervor shines through. But most people just call me a dork, which is fine, because I’m used to that.

It is true, though. Unless some really amazing music distribution service hits the market, iTunes will always be number one in my mind. And it’s only getting better. Someday all music will be bought and sold on computers. We can then say goodbye to the heavy, burdensome compact disc. Yes, there is some sarcasm in there.

But once all music goes the way of computers, I may need to get one of these. Every day I want this more and more.

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Sketching

Footwear has always been a design inspiration to me. Ever since I was little, I would sketch out gym shoes, with the latest trends in mind. Designing the shoe on paper gave me great creative pleasure.

I would model my shoes after the latest sports star, or just sketch any design or concept that inspired me at the moment.

My current gym shoes

If you take a close look at shoes (gym shoes in particular), you will notice there is, indeed, much design to speak of. Below is my latest pair of gym shoes:

More than meets the eye

Take a look at how much concept is involved. There is much more than you think.

The entire shoe is based on an "aero–dynamic" look, with every aspect receiving a generous "forward slant." If I had to give shoes a font style, it would definitely be italic.

For as long as I can remember – gym shoes, and most shoes in general, have always been created with this "forward slant" in mind.

Shoes, to me, almost have the same appeal as cars. Some cars are really sporty looking, and have that feel of "zoom!" Just by looking at cars, you think to yourself, "Wow, that is cool."

Gym shoes generate that same feeling for me.

More design aspects

Besides the "forward slant" concept, there are many more design aspects that go into gym shoes:

• Color
• Texture
• Weight
• White space
• Repetition
• Text!

Like my shoe above, there is text printed on the side.

Incorporate the logo

Also, the company who markets the shoe – in my case, Adidas – has to incorporate their logo into the actual design of the shoe. This is much harder than you think.

A logo, by itself, is quite easy to re–print. On paper, it stays the same. There is no "terrain" for the logo to work around.

However, on a shoe, the logo has to be "embedded" into the fabric, texture, and mold. It has to be visible and distinct enough to be easily recognizable, but it also has to fit in with the specific design trend of the actual shoe:

These are two tough things to accomplish.

Also, the specific model of shoe sometimes has it’s own logo. This, too, has to be incorporated into the shoe – somewhere. In my shoe above, the model logo is on the inside surface, where my heel would rest.

Criteria for a great shoe design

A great shoe design will have the companys’ logo visible enough, but not too much. The logo will also fit in with the design, and blend well with it’s surroundings.

(It also has to fit your foot!)

Before your next purchase...

How many times have you thought about these things, as you shopped for shoes!?

Remember, your shoe represents you. Don’t be caught with a "class–less" design.

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Recently, I mentioned how I was looking for an alternative to PowerPoint, and figured the anwser lie in Apple’s Keynote.

Upon reflection, and further reading... I realized I am being slightly foolish.

Microsoft’s Office applications are extremely powerful programs, that help run millions of businesses across the globe, as well as provide superior products for "at home," personal computers.

For me to actually believe that Apple will simply create a program overnight, and have it be better than programs that have been around (and worked) for over a decade, is just plain foolish.

You can’t just "out step" PowerPoint’s versatility. You can’t duplicate Excel’s incredible "ease of use," combined with serious programming capabilities. And you can’t just create a program called Pages, and expect millions of Word users to take notice.

It doesn’t happen like that, and I sure don’t want it to.

It’s all about using the right tool for the job. And there is no sense in "fixing it if it’s not broken."

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I thought I had written about this movie before, but it turns out the post was on the now defunct site: movies.matthom.com. Thankfully I had a database backup and could retrieve the blog post.

The other day Michelle and I watched The Station Agent (my second or third viewing), and I initially didn't think she would like it, since it has a very slow pace, and doesn't instantly grab your attention. Rather, you have to open your mind to it.

Here was my blog post on the movie from December, 2005:

I honestly had never heard of Peter Dinklage, until this movie - and I really liked him. I am certainly going to be checking out more of his movies.

The Station Agent was so well done. I was entranced, every step of the way. The slow, subtle pace; the quiet sounds of summer; the innocence of Joe. Brilliant. It all came together for me, and the two hours felt like 10 minutes. If you're looking for a very intelligent, thoughtful, and charismatic film - please see this, as soon as possible. I can't recommend it enough.

The movie contains so many metaphors - namely that of "feeling small." For Finbar's case (Dinklage) - he didn't just feel small - he is small - a fact that he can never change.

What this movie also tells us is to cherish those who come into your life - because before you know it, they will be gone. No matter how mundane it seems - each person has their place. In the beginning of the movie, I think Finbar really took for granted having Olivia and Joe around - and they respected him, despite his "cold" and negative attitude, towards them. But Olivia and Joe were also both "reaching out," for anything they could find. Joe was the bored, out-going one - and Olivia's husband had just left her. Finbar finally "opens up," and it is ironic - because it seems that is also finally when Olivia and Joe seem to "close up." But the striking moment happened when Finbar actually did something nice for Olivia - and she shut him out. Finbar was, in a way, getting a taste of his own medicine.

I still don't really understand Emily's (Michelle Williams) role in this movie. She is like the "wild card." The same goes for Cleo, the young black girl. The movie really only centers around Fin, Olivia, and Joe - trapped in that small town, somewhere in New Jersey - during a peaceful summer. Emily and Cleo are there, as well, but they only make their presence known in the oddest of situations - when you least expect it.

This is why this movie is brilliant. It really makes you think. The characters seem outwardly simple, yet underneath, much more lies. Each character plays a role - but each role is so vibrantly different - it's really astounding at how they all "come together." This is definitely one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Excellent.

If you liked Little Miss Sunshine, you'll like The Station Agent. They both have a similar feeling and presence.

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More funny spam from today... aah I’m so easily amused:

I apologize i have been gone but I just got ur email.

I am not sure how to say this but since ur not happy with ur weight, i want you to come here, school, to four, I’m

his the day speaking name of Oliver propose

Easily amused, like I say.

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I use LaunchBar on Mac OS X for quick keyboard access to the entire contents of my computer. With just a simple keystroke, I'm whisked away to the application or file of my choosing. Compare that with using the mouse, it takes much more time to point and click everything.

I love LaunchBar so much, I've completely disabled use of my "dock" on Mac OS X. Why do I need to point and click an application or file in the dock, when I can just type a quick keyboard combination, and be brought to the same place?

However, LaunchBar can have it's drawbacks. For example, if you accidentally type the wrong keyboard sequence, and hit "Enter" quickly without realizing it, you'll begin opening some other application or file.

For example, let's say I use the keyboard sequence "it" to launch iTunes. If I accidentally type "ir" ("r" is right next to "t" on the keyboard), who knows what I will launch? If "ir" isn't mapped to any application or file, LaunchBar will launch whatever it finds relating to "ir."

And how do I kill the launch? I don't think there is a way. I have to sit there and wait for whatever to launch entirely, before I can quit.

LaunchBar should include a new feature that automatically Force Quits (Mac OS X lingo) the most recent application launched, or perhaps even the application of your choosing. This way, accidents are contained and cleaned up rather quickly.

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I received a notice from Google, stating that my purchased videos (from Google Video) will no longer be viewable.

In an effort to improve all Google services, we will no longer offer the ability to buy or rent videos for download from Google Video, ending the DTO/DTR (download-to-own/rent) program.

The only video I recall purchasing was game four of the 2006 Bulls/Heat series for $3.95.

To fully account for the video purchases you made before July 18, 2007, we are providing you with a Google Checkout bonus for $5.00.

Might be useful for something. Although I'd rather have my copy of the video in a compatible format.

Makes me wonder if other media, like iTunes downloads, will someday become incompatible, and Apple will just tell us to repurchase everything.

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I saw "School of Rock" this weekend, and I was very impressed. Front man Jack Black was very entertaining. The combination of his humor and the innocence of the children made for a hilarious, yet symbolic two hours.

The innocence of children is always something you can play off of in stories. That’s nothing new. Older people have certain views of the world, and younger people have certain views of the world. Younger people are typically innocent and pure, where as older people are clotted with the sorrows of every day life. If you combine the two appropriately, you can come up with some amazing substance.

In "School of Rock," Jack Black (named Dewey in the movie) uses his love of music (typically 70’s rock) and the children’s musical talent to compete in a "battle of the bands" contest – all the while helping the children to surface out of their rigid and disciplined lifestyles – and through music, teaches them to become the true person they are inside. The combination worked brilliantly.

Various twists to the story include:

• Fraud. Dewey posed as his roomate Ned for a subsitute teaching position.
• Booted and broke. Dewey takes the teaching position in order to get money to pay his rent, after getting kicked out of his rock band.
• Possessive and push–over. Dewey’s roomate Ned has a very possessive girlfriend who is always over at the apartment and despises Dewey for never paying his rent to Ned, who is considered a total push–over.
• Oblivious. An over–stressed school principal (Joan Cusack), who never notices Dewey’s failure to stay on school cirriculum, and instead teach his students how to rock.

The movie is enjoyable for all ages.

When Jack Black first hit major motion pictures, I thought he was just another chubby, wise–cracking actor. I thought he would be the fat guy that made everybody laugh.

The truth is, he is a very good actor. He is entertaining, but not obnoxious. He is smart, and he works well with kids, as we see in this movie. I highly recommend it.

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Tonight I will be at Wrigley Field, for the Cubs and Marlins. It should be a great game, especially after the Cubs got spanked last night, against a "hard to stop" Dontrelle Willis. So, the Cubs should be pissed about that loss, and ready to come out with a win tonight.

I am also sitting in the bleachers for the first time ever. The atmosphere and the fans are really exciting, in the bleachers.

Of course, the atmosphere and fans are great anywhere in Wrigley, but in the bleachers, there’s a bit more energy.

I will be there with my Dad, sister Laura, and good friend Pat.

Just an average Tuesday night at the ballpark, in the summer. Nothing better.

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