memoryloot

I just got back from helping my sister move and had to post on an amazing invention that caught my attention a few weeks ago. When my new washer and dryer was delivered, I noticed that the delivery guys had these straps they used to move the washer and dryer. They easily moved both items in a matter of minutes without much struggle. I was so impressed I went online the next day to see if I can buy myself a pair. Upon further research, I found that people were complaining that the arm straps are bad for moving things up and down stairs. Through the magic of Amazon’s related item query, it pointed me to the Shoulder Dolly. This was supposedly a better version in which 2 movers straps on a harness and use a single strap to lift a heavy item using their legs and shoulder. I HAD TO HAVE IT!

With my Amazon credit I ordered one and finally had the opportunity to use it today. There was a bit of skepticism in the part the moving party but I was able to convince a friend of my sister to help me move the refrigerator down a flight of stairs. Lifting the thing was a amazing. But when it came time to bring it downstairs, we struggled a bit. The person going down the stairs had the bulk of the weigh on him. We then continued moving both washer and dryer which was much more successful. Especially the dryer since that was light. We easily moved it down the stairs without any struggles. It was a matter of adjusting the straps properly so that item was evenly distributed and high enough off the ground so it doesn’t interfere with the steps. My dad even asked for it when we were moving the heavy items out of the truck! Unfortunately, I didn’t bring it because we had a heavy duty dolly and the place we moved to had no stairs.

Check out their website for more information. This will certainly come in handy when I get into woodworking (hopefully). And now an instructional video to go over how to really use the thing.

Today I’m taking my first steps in being “Green”. I’ve completed my plan on commuting to work without the need of my car. Here’s how the plan will pan out: I will be riding my bike to Cal State Los Angeles. Leave my bike in a bike locker which I will rent from the school for $10 every quarter or 10 weeks. Take the Metro line 484 or 490 bus from the campus to Downtown LA. Transfer over to the Red Line train which stops directly across the street from work. This will cost about $50 a month.

It will probably take some getting use to following a schedule to leave from home and work, but I will have more time to enjoy some music or read. I’ll start on a Tuesday and Thursday only schedule. If I enjoy it, I’ll probably do it more frequently. The only problem is carrying stuff to go to the gym and my lunch. That is the only reason why I would drive. That can simply be rectify by adding a pannier. I can’t wait to put this plan into play. I’ll be saving money, helping the environment, and getting exercise (not that I don’t have enough).

If you’re interested in doing the same go check out the LA Metro site. They have a great trip planning tool to tell you what buses to take for your destination.

So I was surfing around the 123MacMini site and found a reference relating to a software called Synergy. I was in the photo gallery for Mac Mini Setup and came across a person’s setup. Apparently there is a way to control multiple computers with multiple monitors using one set of keyboard and mouse. Further investigation yield an article from from LifeHacker describing on how to do this. You basically use the network connectivity between all your machines and setup a client-server with Synergy. You can also copy and paste clipboard items in between each system.

This is going to be perfect for work! I have a Dell Dimension and a Mac Mini at work with 2 huge monitors. One CRT 21” and one Apple cinema display. I’m using 2 keyboards and 2 mice. The PC is strictly for work while the mini is for personal and when I need to do Internet research. According to the people who replied on LifeHacker, it has improved the productivity to those who used this software. Exciting stuff to say the least. This will be the first thing I’ll do when I get in tomorrow. What a good start to a Monday morning.

*10/23/2007: Synergy worked like a charm. I am now using 1 keyboard and mouse across 2 machines. This is so cool!

As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been reading Timothy Ferriss’ book “The 4-Hour Workweek”. I’m half way done on a 300 page book. It’s only amazing since I don’t read that much or that fast for ANYTHING.

What peaked my interest was his section on Automation. He proposed that everyone should have a VA - Virtual Assistant. You’re probably thinking what I was thinking, “I can’t afford an assistant.” Yes you can. According to Tim, the productivity you get from an assistant far out-weighs the time spent doing things on your own. He sited examples of using a VA to basically do the nitty-gritty work for you and you use the fruits of their labor to do what you need to do. For example, researching for a project or even researching for various things like blog posting.

The cost range from $5 – $20 an hour. The more expensive ones are located in the US or Canada. The middle of the line and cheaper ones are located off-shore in India, China, or Shanghai.

I think I can afford to pay someone to do some of my work and reclaim some of my time back. This realization is almost as big as the time I realized, “Hey! I can learn to ride a motorcycle and not worry about what my parents thought.” Exciting stuff!

As our society steer themselves away from being dependent on gasoline, I find myself wondering if there was a 2 wheel alternative than the ever popular hybrid cars on the roads. Apparently there will be a fully electrical motorcycle available for my fancy. The company Bammo Motorsports created the first cool looking electric motorcycle called the Enertia. The bike has similar power to riding a Kawasaki 250 motorcycle but without the noise, feel, and smell of a standard motorcycle. You can drive 40-50 miles between charges and charging takes only 2 hours for a 80% charge and 3 hours for complete charge.

Obviously, you would not try to take it out on a major highway. This would be so cool to ride around town locally. A much better alternative than a scooter with their beefy suspension and fat tires. The price ranges from $12-15K and will be available next year.

I got this in an e-mail forward today. Thought it would be interesting to share here.

DORMITORY
When you rearrange the letters:
DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN
When you rearrange the letters:
BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER
When you rearrange the letters:
MOON STARER

DESPERATION
When you rearrange the letters:
A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES
When you rearrange the letters:
THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH
When you rearrange the letters:
HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE
When you rearrange the letters:
HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES
When you rearrange the letters:
CASH LOST IN ME

ANIMOSITY
When you rearrange the letters:
IS NO AMITY

ELECTION RESULTS
When you rearrange the letters:
LIES - LET’S RECOUNT

MOTHER-IN-LAW
When you rearrange the letters:
WOMAN HITLER

SNOOZE ALARMS
When you rearrange the letters:
ALAS! NO MORE Z’S

A DECIMAL POINT
When you rearrange the letters:
IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES
When you rearrange the letters:
THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO
When you rearrange the letters:
TWELVE PLUS ONE

AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:

PRESIDENT CLINTON OF THE USA
When you rearrange the letters:
(With no letters left over and using each letter only once):
TO COPULATE HE FINDS INTERNS

Ever feel that your life is so disorganized and you don’t know where to start or end? Not a problem if you follow the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. Ever since reading/hearing this book, my life has been more calmer and I’ve actually “gotten things done”. David Allen sure knew what he was talking about when writing this book. Not only have I’ve been productive, I am feeling much less stressed for the last month. I also feel I am using my Palm Tungsten to its full potential using The PigPog method approach to GTD.

GTD gives you a way to collect, process, organize, review, and make choices on what to do. When done correctly, one can unload all their thoughts and ideas in one bucket, whether it being a Palm Tungsten or a sheet of paper. The idea is to have all things that you are stressing over out of your head so that you can deal with it as you go so that you’re not constantly stressing over it. This system allows you to organize and deal with your issues in a calm manner and keep thinking about the next steps for all your tasks. I urge those who feels overwhelmed with all the daily tasks and stress of life to give this a try. I have both the paperback and CD-ROM for those who want to borrow for a read. Please share any ideas you may have. Also visit 43Folders, and entire blog developed because of GTD.