Ruby Gets Washed

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

New Bike, Gorgeous weather, Life is Good!!!

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

Well what a weekend!! After agonizing over price, color, year and dealer for the last few weeks, I finally purchased and brand new motor cycle! This beautiful read beast has been dubbed "Ruby" by me (Abby still has to be convinced) and she rides like a dream.

After riding crotch-rockets my entire life, this is a huge change for me. My last bike was a CBR600 affectionally named Anabel that I owned for 7 years. It was a 21st birthday gift to myself, and it was a tearful fairwell for both Abby and myself when we had to give her up to move to the US. Ruby is a cruiser. Though the lovely mountain passes would be fun on something that has the ability to go 200mph, I think the torquey grunt of a more relaxed ride will be great for longer trips.

Here are Ruby's stats:
Make - Honda
Model - VTX1300C
Displacement - 1312cc
Color - "Candy-apple" red

After purchasing her on Saturday, we HAD to take her for a road trip. Abby and I jumped on the back and flew down to Colorado Springs via highway 83 - It was a lovely ride. We were running against some afternoon showers, and fortunately managed to miss them. There was, however, some water on the road from earlier in the day, so she did get pretty dirty in downtown Denver. Here we are giving her a bath for the first time.

Kabob anyone??

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

This photo is a little incriminating... From left to right: Joe, Tim and Me were a little drunk (Tim more than a little), I have a plate full of kabobs, and we had each just finished 2 very large cigars.

Funnily enough Tim didn't last too long after this picture - He was in the shower recovering for most of the evening.

Sundown

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

The beach at sundown is so romantic!

The full cake

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

Here is a full cake for those who are interested. I'm told the layers were chocolate mudcake and marble cake.

Given enough incentive I may just post a couple of incriminating pictures of Abby consuming some of it ;)

Creepily similar

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

It's very weird how much the cake toppers looked like the wedded couple!

The Bride and Groom

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

Here are the Bride and Groom (Mike and Mandy) from the wedding that took us across the world.

Mike and I go back quite a way - We worked together for a number of years, then we lived together for a while (about 3 years all up). So it was great to see him get married and have someone else to cook for him now that I live in the US!

Harbour take 2

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

Here's another shot of the harbour.

Wollongong Harbour

Originally uploaded by jonathonmcdougall.

A picture from my home town! This is the beach, harbour, and twin lighthouses from where I grew up.

2 Weeks off work and STILL not one post

I have no excuse!! It's been almost 2 months since I last posted to this blog. I could say that I was busy, but I've been in Autralia for the last 2 weeks and should have put some thoughts down.

So to get back into the swing of things, I think I'll start will a couple of shorter posts. Look out for some pictures of my vacation!

Virus makes people fat?

While trying to keep in touch with my Australian roots by reading the Sydney Morning Herald, I came across a very interesting article that claims there is a possibility that our modern lethargic lifestyle may not be completely to blame for the growing obesity problem in most western nations:

Virus blamed for obesity epidemic

Maybe I’m a little cuddly because I’m unknowingly sick, not because I eat American sized portions and watch too much TV

Some players should not be on the same team

Life at NewsGator is hectic at the moment. Next week I'll blog about some of the great things that have been released, and are soon to be released.

In the meantime, a friend of mine sent me this picture to lighten up my day:

Arkansas Razorback players Clarke Moore, Brett Goode and Casey Dick need to stop hanging out on the sidelines

According to him this was actually on TV... The commentators paused and didn't say a word.

Rupert Murdoch Gets "IT"

An insightful article from colleague John Carmichael:

Rupert Murdoch Gets "IT": "

Can't teach an old dog new tricks huh?' Well there's an 'Old Dog' out there teaching an industry 'New Tricks.'

As is often the case, Rupert Murdoch gets it!' In a presentation he recently made to the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, he stated,
'Adapt to new technology or die!'

This was not directed at individuals in the room other than a Warning of the impending relegation to the modern day 'Buggy Whip Factory' for the 4th estate, their industry!' Specifically the printed daily news.' Come on kids... you remember a Newspaper! It even outlasted:

• Vinyl Records



• Ticker Tape



• Reel to Reel



• 8 Tracks



• Don Johnson's Aftershave!



• William Shatner's Musical Career!



• Jessica and Nick!

Sorry, I digress!

What's important to realize now is that Rupert is on the right track once again.' In our instant gratification society we want our information YESTERDAY!' Not tomorrow morning.' It's not uncommon to hear conversations that start like:

'Hey did you catch this story in the paper this morning about.... something international'

'Yeah I caught it on CNN last night after my son heads up'd me about the story he read on a Blog on his cell phone! The Internet had a great story first hand from someone who was there and actually uploaded digital pictures of it.'

The newspaper is outdated 6 hours after an event!' Editors will argue that a newspaper performs the service of researching and being more deliberate in ascertaining the facts of the story, thus delivering a higher quality product to the consumer!

BS!' It is not the Newspaper that does this.' It is the staff, the reporters, the photographers, the columnists!' The 'Newspaper' is the wrapper!' These entities can still perform the same quality service of in-depth research and reporting, just get over the idea that the delivery has to be via ink and paper!' And the day is coming, if not upon us, where this delivery is certainly secondary to all other forms of media delivery.

Mr Murdoch goes on to state, 'A new generation of media consumers has risen demanding content delivered when they want it, how they want it, and very much as they want it.'

Hmm... Sounds like our old Tag Line... 'Content, When you want it, where you want it, how you want it!

More from Rupert,

'There is only one way. That is by using our skills to create and distribute dynamic, exciting content,' he said.

'But -- and this is a very big but -- newspapers will have to adapt as their readers demand news and sport on a variety of platforms: websites, iPods, mobile phones or laptops.

What is not expressed in this article is the known answer in certain circles.' The circles I travel in!

News Organizations need to learn 3 letters!' RSS!' This is how content can be distributed to literally Billions of people in minutes on the device of their choosing!' Web, Desktop, Laptop, Mobile Device, Television, you name it!' News and other information can be delivered and custom selected by the consumer!

It is not just publishing!' Is is providing users and customers with the right tools to easily access this information.' Companies like Newsgator are leading the way allowing a very easy to deploy customizable RSS reader and aggregator for media companies to provide to their customers.

Some in the 'Newspaper' world are already proceeding down this path!' SFGate is an excellent example!' As well as the Denver Post. And others are not far behind!' Well known names in this space, will 'not go gentle into that good night!'

"

(Via Carmichael's Position.)

5280 - What a blast

Last week was Denver Restaurant week, affectionately known as 5280 Week.

Denver has been named the "Mile High" city for many years, mainly due to the fact that it situated a mile above sea-level. For those of you who use the metric system: there are 5280 feet in a mile, so it is a number close to the heart of the city.

Denver Restaurant Week is:

"a seven-day celebration of the culinary scene in Denver. For the entire week of
Feb. 25 - March 3, participating restaurants will offer a multi-course dinner
for the fixed price of $52.80 for two, or $26.40 for one

Oh geez was it good! On Friday, Abby, myself and another couple went to Randolphs to test out the delights of the 5280 menu. The food was amazing, the waiters knowledgeable, the wine list was excellent, and to top it all off they had a pianist playing a baby grand piano for ambiance.

I had:

• Smoked Trout Pate - Poblano Marmalade & Crostini
• Certified Angus Beef Sirloin - Chili Rubbed & Served with Broccoli Fennel Compote, Saffron Mashed Potatoes & Savory Raspberry Sauce
• Chocolate Pot de Creme

All the other selections made at our table were equally as tasty, and if their regular a la carte menu is as good, I would recommend Randolphs in a heartbeat.

Photo's from the weekend

Skiers in the Snow


Abby and Jonathon pretend they are at Torino


The Well-Fed group


Abby decides to show a little leg

Weekend in Colorado

This has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Saturday saw a group of 11 people head to the wonderful Breckenridge mountain for some pristine skiing. 20 degrees F, a brilliant blue sky, not one cloud, warm sun, and speedy snow - Life is good!

On Sunday we made the transition from exercise to eating and the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. We had a brunch that included everything from cheese platters to salmon, trout, a full fruit and salad bar, made to order Omelets (such as the Prime Rib Omelet that my Brother-in-law Matt ordered), a range of hot breakfast and lunch foods as well as a desert bar.

Check this tour of the Dining Room

Newsgator Has Moved

NewsGator has moved to a sexy new location in downtown Denver. We now occupy the 25th floor of the US Bank building and have a SPECTACULAR view. I'm fortunate enough to be sitting behind a half-wall right next to a common area. Mmmm gotta love floor to ceiling windows.

Take a look at the view I have! (Thanks to John Carmichael for the pic...)

Food of South America

For Valentine's Day, Abby and I went to Rodizio Grill a fantastic Brazilian steakhouse. Rodizio is not like any regular steakhouse, the dining experience is unique in the fact that there is a constant flow of waiters (and waitresses) circulating the tables with meat skewered on swords. When you would like some they cut off a small piece for you and continue on their merry way.

I had so many different things I'm sure I wouldn't be able to remember them all, but here is a selection that I do remember: Rattlesnake sausage, buffalo, elk, Brazilian sausage, chicken wrapped in bacon, turkey wrapped in bacon, chicken thigh, sirloin, garlic sirloin, prime rib, bbq'd ham and pineapple; and of course others...

Whew, I think I'm still digesting it all. To top it all off they had probably the BEST salad bar that I have been to in years. Each option was very fresh and constantly filled.

I love any reason to eat out - and last night was just great.

What do I do in my Job??

Unless people already know what RSS is, I have a difficult time not only telling them what I do, but also why anyone would want to use the products that NewsGator sells.

For some reason, when I mention that I work for a company that creates "RSS Aggregator" software, most people get a wonderful glazed-over expression on their face. Occasionally I get a "Huh?" but I think that particular combination of words has some magical property that creates a small explosion in the human brain, shutting part of it down.

Fortunately, a popular Blogger called Halley Suitt who writes Halley's Comment has written an excellent explanation entitled What's RSS Anyway? I'm hoping that this will cause a small dawning of comprehension on SOME faces...

Let me know what you think, and I'll expand on some practical uses of this technology.

Gotta love the NFL!

Sitting with a Kahlua & coke, watching the Pro-bowl I just have wonder if things could get any better. Of course it wasn't long until I decided that one day I would love to see an American Football (Gridiron) game played at a competitive international level.

Thinking about it a little more I tried to think of ANY team sport with an international competition in which the USA is actively involved, and I struggled to come up with anything.

Coming from Australia, we love to challenge other countries. We have teams who are in the top Echelon internationally in: Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket, Netball, men's and woman's field hockey and soccer. Well maybe not soccer (we aren't that good) but at least we regularly play other countries.

When I think about the big sports in the USA, I think of Football, Basketball, Baseball and Ice Hockey. Now as far as I know, outside of the Olympics, there are no games played against other countries. I'm not counting the so-call "world series" or the NHL because in most respects Canada is little more than the 51st state. Honestly, who has a world series without inviting other nations??

So why would the USA either not participate in world-wide competition, or, not encourage it's national games to be taken up overseas?