You might be saying to yourself, but wait- don’t you already have a site?

Yes.

Then why this new one?

I have my own business now- and I thought it was time to get my own real website- not just a decent blog.

And with that, NickShoe.org begins.

~NickShoe

Ok- so I’ve been busy!

On with the shininess!

Ode to WordPress
By NickShoe

WordPress, oh WordPress…
You push me to success.
I do not fear your code,
I embrace what others may loathe.

Easy as a button,
It’s almost like doin’ nothin’.
~Fin~

THAT’S RIGHT! WORDPRESS is being featured this week- why? BECAUSE IT’S MY FREAKIN’ BLOG, THAT’S WHY!

And because it’s so great! For example, check out my portfolio site that I put up BEFORE 10AM this morning! While it’s not even near finished, the basics are there- and that’s the important part.

WordPress truly is plug and play. And when teamed with Dreamhost things really get cooking.

There are TWO options when it comes to WordPress. WordPress.com is free, but there are limits to free. WordPress.org breaks the glass ceiling of blogging- something I really like!

Here’s the run-down:
What ➲ WordPress
Cost ➲ FREE! (for WordPress.com hosting; to sign up a site on WordPress.org’s platform, you need to get some hosting and domain registration. I recommend Dreamhost because I use it!)
Where to get it ➲ WordPress.com or WordPress.org
Shininess ➲ 4.75 out of 5
My Recommendation ➲ Absofreakinlutely!
Got a Shiny Object for SHiNY FRiDAY!? Let me know about it!!
~NickShoe

Fear Salesman Promo

I don’t know how Nate Heagy of Fear Salesman set this up, but it is pure genius.

And it is unique. Not outrageous.

Outrageous would be a stunt like the hoax Balloon Boy’s parents attempted in hopes of getting some more reality tv time. It was stupid, it was incredibly inconsiderate, but mostly it was illegal.

If you’re out here in this world where Twitter breaks major news stories and Facebook determines job offers, do what you can to make yourself unique. But don’t be outrageous.

~NickShoe

Can you believe that the 21st Century is about to turn 10? Double digits! Woot woot!
In case you missed it, here it is in 7 minutes.

Well? Did they miss anything?
Do share…
~NickShoe

Mashable recently weighed in on the YouTube video “OMG! Car Hit and Flipped By Wrecking-Ball in NYC!” that is well on it’s way to becoming a viral hit. Check it out, then let’s get into it.

I agree with the observations of a few others on this- as far as it’s authenticity is concerned.

There are so many holes in this one, but I’m just going to stick with one: the wrecking ball.
• According to this site an average wrecking ball or block weighs 2400-3050 pounds. And they aren’t perfectly round (pictures are available in the link as well).
• The wrecking ball in the video is roughly the height of the mini-van (2001 Dodge Caravan Specs here and here). If the ball in the video is steel and not stone (which would disintegrate within a few smashes into anything besides your excuse for not having a prom date- it was soft, c’mon.), then it would weigh approximately 37,147 pounds (according to the site mentioned in point one).

Wrecking ball 1, mini-van 0.

• Yes- we already knew this, Nick. The mini-van in the video flips. Ahh, yes- but did you see what the wrecking ball does when it hits the van? It stops. Anyone see “Gone in 60 Seconds”(2000) where the Jeep gets annihilated by the wrecking ball?
Detective Drycoff (Timothy Olyphant): {to cop climbing out of owned Jeep} “You ok?” {cop nods} “Ya sure? Cause ya just went through a wall!”
Yeah- THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!
• Remember that 37 thousand pound wrecking ball that stopped after it hit a 5,700 pound mini-van? Were you paying attention to the end of the clip?
Notice how those guys are just holding it? Don’t believe me? Go back and watch for yourself. They “steady” the 37 thousand pound wrecking ball with little or no effort!

Well- I could ramble for a bit, but I think I’ve made my case.

So- is it real or a fake?
~NickShoe

~NickShoe

Today Oprah talked porn.
I am going to say this as clearly as possible: Oprah’s show is crap.
I don’t know the woman personally, so I’m just stopping with the show & it’s content.
Here’s a great take on it from XXXChurch.com

So- after reading that, still think The Oprah Show is worth your time?
I hope you think not.

~NickShoe

I’d like to introduce you to the parody band, Santacondas.

VA’s: November 15, 2009 from The Pursuit on Vimeo.

~NickShoe

Professor Splash launches into the Guiness Book of World Records jumping from 35’9″ into 12″ of water…unreal!

Do you think he has any kids?

~NickShoe

If you check out some of my tweets you’ll notice that I spend a fair amount of time ribbing with @KTVB, Boise’s local NBC affiliate.
At first glance you may ask- Nick, why are you giving them such a hard time?
Because they’re the best.
For the Boise market, KTVB Channel 7, “Idaho’s News Channel” blows their competition out of the water.
And that’s not just a matter of personal opinion. Check their accolades for yourself.
BUT.
KTVB is also the station that airs Boise State Bronco games when they aren’t carried by ESPN.
And therein lies the BUT. (I’ll save the commentary on KTVB News Anchor Mark Johnson for another post.)

So, I posed this question on Twitter and Facebook:

“Which would you prefer: ESPN-U blackout or @KTVB broadcasting the game?”

(To catch you up if you don’t know what I’m talking about: ESPN-U was broadcasting BSU’s game against their state rival, University of Idaho, when a few minutes into the 1st quarter the screen went black. Turns out a breaker had blown, effectively terminating ESPN’s ability to broadcast for the better part of the 1st quarter. Power was restored and the viewing of the UofI Vandals being trounced continued.)

My vote: I’ll take ESPN’s blackout versus KTVB broadcasting the game. EVERY TIME.

If you’ve watched the local coverage and an ESPN covered game, I invite you to weigh in on which is preferred.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the ESPN pick-up of the game came late and a lot of people, as many as half, in the greater Boise area don’t have ESPN-U. I’m one of them, so I went somewhere that did to watch the game today.

So, KTVB, this is yours to lose. Step it up. You’re the best. Now be it.

~NickShoe