Since all life on this blog has seemingly come to a halt here is the scoop as I ease my life back into the normal lane. 

First off I’ve still been blogging daily just not here. My little experiment, Casual Magic, has taken off unexpectedly. Seems I’ve found a sweet spot in a nitch within the trading card game world. The blog is seeing daily traffic between 300 - 400 hits a day. I owe most of the thanks to word press’s network and internal “relevant post” links. I’m not sure I would see the same traffic if I were on my own. It is a fun outlet and cool to be writing for a specific audience. (On a side note, other decent magic blogs are on blogger not sure if that means anything or not.)

Aside from having my blog outlet elsewhere I’ve been working on some bigger project that have been time suckers. And when I’m working too much I’m just not as interesting. The one project of note was the Rededication of the Boulevard of the Allies. This happened last weekend and really was a great event honoring our veterans and celebrating the City of Pittsburgh. For a quick recap of the event here are some links:

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with video.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review featuring the student who I directed on those banners. He did a killer job btw.

Another Trib article. 

We made international news here.

Also Podcamp Pittsburgh 3 is gearing up for October and there are some cool lead up events in the works there too. So go to the PCPGH3 website to register and check out what is going on. 

Happy Independence Day!

Tonight I’m helping Jeanne set up her first website and we got a really awesome domain name for her, cellbiologyjournal.com. Ya all you blogger scientists out there I know you know this is a highly memorable name and something to be desired n’at.

Anyway we’re using wordpress.com for free right now and you can learn all about cloning and micron process as she updates. 

Oh and I would make this her mascot because it is so cool looking, but it is a close up of head lice. 

I know it is a little off topic for me to post a conversation piece on my blog but a few things happened in a row that made want to share the connections (and get your thoughts). 

Last night Dawn was humorously (and seriously) relating her thoughts on pregnancy. In a nutshell it is something that irks her sensibility. Children on the other hand, she can deal. So today The New York Times published the article: “So Young, and So Gadgeted,” Parents’ Challenge Choosing Technology for Balanced Growth. Basically this article is a great way for The NYT to promote a bunch of new gadgets and feels a little to ad copy esk. Anyway the front page mention of the article says, “Baby’s First Avatar.” Which got me thinking how soon should children engage in social media, and is the baby/avitar a cure for Dawn’s fetus phobia (it’s just a cute avatar in your tummy).

Just think how different H.S. would have been with twitter. Anyway thoughts?

If you haven’t had a chance check out my response to a fake alien video. The original link is blow mine on the YouTube site. 

Begin our trip back to Belize City. Were riding on a boat a little smaller than the ferry we came out on. But it is traveling much faster than before so we’ll see what happens.
I’m a little sad leaving San Pedro and banna beach but I’m looking forward to the final leg of this vacation. I didn’t expect to enjoy that island as much as I did. I really thought Belize City would be the better part of the trip. Jess and Brandon looked onto staying longer but our prepaid room wouldn’t be refunded. So it goes without saying that San Pedro hands down was more enjoyable than the mainland of Belize. In adition to being less expensive and feeling much safer. Two latest highlights for me were the snorkling and sitting on the beach, although buying a case of beer at the gift shop came close.

Anyway I digress, welcome back to Belize City:

Lunch at the tavern because poolside is too hot this time of day.

I also should mention we where harrased considerably less by the locals walking back to the hotel this time.

It is also a cruise ship day.

We are still talking about the sweet dance move of the security guard from the tackle box.

I have to admit I’ve gotten used to this area faster than I thought I would.

Taking a brief stroll after dinner.

Jess and Brandon napping in the room I’m starting my final night with Belikin and a Cuban cigar.

It is super windy but the music is similar to that of last nights tackle box.

Jess has joined me to swim in the pool and I just realized this is the first day since I got here that I haven’t gone swimming.

I’ve got a lock on two wifi signals but unable to get anything. Server not detected on all sites.

Dinner at the sexy mermaid. Jess thinks her panty ripper tastes like suntan lotion. I dissagree.

Everything here closes at 10 pm super anoying.

Breakfast done and now a quick run to the ATM.

The walk through town has got me energized.

Just updated twitter for real.

Smoking the last of this cigar and listening to some podcasts.

Everyone is packed time to check out.

We are looking at 10 hours of travel time. Bla.

The hotel is out of American money for us to exchange. Might have to pay a fee at the airport.

Easy taxi ride. That guy had American cash to exchange.

Waiting for ticketing. I’m getting teased for nodding off during takeoff.

About to takeoff. Only an hour and a half to miami.

On the ground in Miami!

Here come customs I hope they are not assholes.

Half way through and no hassles. Baggage claim is a cluster fuck.

Good thing we have such a long layover.

Food time. We are debating the nessecary food to beer ratio.

It is going to be considerably colder in pgh. Only one solution at this point. Drink up.

I’ve flown through MIA before and not had this same trouble. Delays each way.

Now there is lightning delays. Why couldn’t the crew have taken dinner on the plane?

Finally after almost two hours of delay we are boarded.

They should give out free cocktails for the duration of the flight.

As we are nearing Pittsburgh I’m realizing that I miss my computer.

And by missing my computer I miss all the new media folks who I interact with daily.

Ordered a coke in flight although I wanted something with a high alcohol volume.

My legs feel as though the are about to fall off. Hopefully less than 40 minutes left in this flight.

I want to get my PSP out of the overhead but I bet that would mean waking up most of the cabin.

On the ground now. I am truely amazed that after circling downtown I can see from there to Robinson.

Also at how quickly you cover that distance in the air.

Well that is the end of this vacation. Switching to normal twitter activities now.

Link to an article of a project I’ve been working on for a few months. First bit of press.

This is like trapping people in your house to watch your vacation footage but they are actually at their own house. Score. 

Part two of my vacation. Tweeting without twitter. Enjoy.

Currently on the boat from Belize City to San Pedro. We are stopping at Caye Coulker on the way so the boat ride will take over an hour. I’m lookng forward to it as this is my first time on the water since arriving. Jess just asked me if this is one of the most interesting experiences of my lifetime. I have to admit it is up there traveling by boat in a forgien country is kind of wild. It does feel odd typing in my iPhone while most of the locals dont have cell phones.

Cracking page 1 on the book I brought.

Just arrived in San Padro the streets here are like nothing I’ve seen before.

Honestly being in a car feels wrong.

I’m loving everything about this place!!!

First view of the beach.

Back from messin’ in the ocean. Were all sticky and salty.

Dinner at the hotel restursunt. The goal tonight is to get drunk.

Second round here. Special on margaritas.

The night with the full moon is georgius. It feels like a comercial.

By the way there is no cell service here.

Day two I’m up first and going for coffee.

Coffee is on the house. Score. And I’m having coffee on the beach. Double score.

Just learned about a big soccer game at 12:30. Plans have been made.

A morning on the beach and in the sun. A little bit of burn but I’m cool with it.

Debate about where to eat lunch. But I’m not leaving banna beach.

Ps. Belikin premium tastes better than the regular but costs more.

“your knees look painful”

Third beer down before lunch.

And everyone is tired.

Number four before lunch. The food does take a long time to come out.

Booked snorkling for tomorrow and secured our second case of beer.

Coincedently ghost hunter Belize is on.

I love how we have to go half way around the world to watch reality tv.

I’m assuming I’m missing a giant new media Indiana Jones movie marathon & new movie event.

Jess and brandon went out for dinner. I’m soaking up some alone time in the room with fox sports en espanol (lots of soccer).

That and Knife of Dreams. The book I’m reading.

One funny fact is that jess and brandon think I have packed magic cards in hopes of teaching them the game.

The joke is that I didnt bring any cards.

Tv ad for women: padded glutes.

Today we are going snorkling. Everyone looks like a beat it you look from the right angle.

We are all sluggish this morning.

Breakfast was great.

All lubed up and ready to snorkle.

This trip has got me down to checking in online at super speed. To bad that isn’t the speed of my connection.

About to walk out and explore the island.  But it is high noon and we might die.

Good luck to us.

Lunch at monkey bites cafe. I’m thinking taco salad.

The music this trip has been funny. A lot of 90s pop remixed reggae style.

Getting really lazy poolside.

Working on this book and not going well its hard to get book comfy without proper reading chairs about.

Taking afternoon coffee. But I might go back down to the beach.

Just turned the phone on to see if I had any msgs. Only text and phone work. Can’t access voicemail. No msgs

Waiting for everyone to be ready for dinner.

Just thinking I haven’t sent an @ or dm in almost a week.

Just saw three crabs in a row. Also hella windy tonight.

Belikin is getting good, slides down the gullet nice and smooth like.

The Tackle Box is about to turn up the heat. DJ in the house, on the dock.

The security guard has some mad dance skills.

I think jess and brandon are smitten.

@carmanavenue you should know they stock all labels of Johnny Walker at most of the bars.

Taxi back to the hotel.

Back on bananna beach. With beers and watching the moon rise.

Brandon loves that there is no mcdonalds.

Up semi early. Jess is a tomato.

Our last breakfast on banna beach has been mostly quite. Sunburn mixed with fatigue and unwillingness to move on.

Packed and ready to head back to Belize Ciry.

But with an hour to spare I’m on the beach.

Room key missing. Found under a washcloth.

Time to checkout.

In Belize your taxi or driver may also be accompanyed by family or friends. Get used to it.

Waiting for the water taxi we have about a half hour.

Goodby San Pedro.

Last week I took a little vacation to Belize. This country is south of Cancun in Central America. I didn’t talk about it too much but here is the beginning of my recap of the vacation. I didn’t take many photos but I did get a few videos on the flip cam. Brandon (below), took many pictures so I’ll link to them when I get ahold of them.

 

 

 

It is day one if my Belize trip. I’m running around with my phone on airplane mode because it would cost more than the trip itself to use as normal down here.

I thought it might be fun to start a notes doc that would be my twitter updates if I had access to twit.

I’m starting this at 6:45 local time (two hours behind EST) the only major element to this trip you have missed is that my luggage didn’t arrive with me. I’m hoping it will arrive tomorrow am.

Begin the faux tweets:

Just ordered a Belkin Beer poolside. Guy playing a Pink Floyed cover nearby.

Watching Brandon and Jess swim while I sip. Starting to feel like vacation.

Really missing my trunks as our party moves to the hot tub.

We just realized it gets dark here earlier than in PA. That and the country call code is #001.

And I’ve resorted to trying on Jess’s clothes for backup.

Getting ready to zip line through the jungle.

Back from the jungle.

We had a nice guided tour of the city & bought a case of local beer and wine.

Going without socks. Something I never do.

My bag should be with the front desk. Keep your fingers crossed.

Bag in toe all is well.

On the way to explore the city for lunch on foot.

Lunch was a cafuteria style place, but lots of foot traffic. Seemed safe to me.

Browsing an art place made for tourists. The carvings are very cool, art not so much.

Back at the room drinking Belikin before hitting the pool.

Pool time. Gonna get some sun.

Back from the pool. It gets dark here a lot earlier 5:50 sunset.

On the way to the business center to maybe update twit for real.

But first more ice for our bathroom bar.

Dealing with how room service rearranged our room.

Sharing the stromhuelsman podcast.

Tuesday morning. We have a lot to do today.

I’m getting used to less tech, as I didnt think about twit and the internet until after grabbing some coffee.

Checking email for the last time before we move on. There may not be a connection on San Pedro.

I’m thinking I could make good use of a fanny pack today.

An interesting thing happened when we got in our van to the temple. Ask me about Greg our driver.

There are no stop signs or stoplights in Belize city that I’ve seen.

The brand names stick out like sore thumbs to me. Coke and sprite are the most frequent.

Strike that just saw a stop sign still no lights.

Arriving at Altun Ha the smallest of the Mayan Ruins.

Now standing atop the largest structure. Amazing to think this used to be a bustling city.

Driving back to the city and I could take nap.

Bags held at the desk getting ready to depart for San pedro.

Lunch at big daddys again. Its too hot for jess to eat. I’m not feeling the heat.

Getting online one last time before the boat ride.