Bloggers at the DNC

As my personal experiment in blogging continues, proof that the blogging phenomenon is gaining traction comes with the
admission of bloggers to political conventions with full journalist credentials.

Since blogs are very much a grass roots endeavor operating on a much more personal, individual level than mainstream media, it stands to reason that those bloggers committed enough to apply for credentials and travel to the DNC are going to be those with a leftist bent. I would imagine that the same will be true of the RNC.

Even more so than with mainstream media, one needs to keep this in mind when reading these blogs. They are partisan, but unlike traditional media, often make no attempt to hide behind objectivity.

Therefore, I've tended to concentrate on the blog named
Centerfield, from the Centrist Coalition, a group which mirrors my own political leanings of late: conservative on fiscal matters and the role government should play, while advocating an inclusive social agenda that seeks to limit governments' role in that arena as well.

The last thing I want to do with this blog is turn it into some sort of political soapbox. As the saying goes, if you don't want to argue, don't talk religion or politics. I just wanted to shed a little light on blogging, and bring to mind the upcoming elections. It promises to be a close contest, so learn about the candidates and the issues, and make sure you're registered to vote!

I'm Patrick Lien, and I approve this message.

House Plans

As some of you may know, we've finally decided to move forward with the addition/renovation that we've been talking about for the last 4 years. There was always something that prevented us from moving forward: job security, pregnancy, what-have-you. We finally said, "Enough! Let's just do it!"

So we've been working with a designer the last few weeks, hoping to put bids out next week, with the aim of selecting a builder and having him start in the fall.

By popular request, here are some scans of the designs that we've come up with so far.

Tech note: They are in PNG format, which most modern web browsers should be able to display.

EDIT: And for context, here are some photographs of the house.

UPDATE [22 Jul 2004]: Revised plans have been uploaded. These incorporate changes to:

• Window arrangement (thanks, Ken)
• Master bath changes
• Slight enlargement of master bath and walk-in closet
• Revisions around the fireplace
• Slight enlargement of family room and master bedroom

Dad tracks his preemie baby on his blog

snowdeal.org > ex machina

Part of becoming a new parent means that you become hypersensitive to stories about and images of babies. I can't count the number of times Wendy and I have been watching TV and a baby appears on screen in the show or in a commercial, and we both involuntarily blurt out "Baby!," rewind the TiVo, and watch the baby again.

And one of my colleagues recently brought home his 8 weeks prematurely-born son, and I've listened to his stories about keeping the baby on oxygen, and stimulating him to breathe through apnea episodes.

So when I came across this blog of little Eric, born on the Fourth of July, I was "primed" so to speak.

It really is amazing that the advances in medical technology not only give a preemie like little Eric a chance to survive, but that the baseline survival rate for a 24-week preemie is around 65%. I find that really amazing.

Anyway, this blog chronicles it all (he's currently at Day 14) with photos, video, comments from friends and family ("this update made my whole office cheer!") and lots of "tearability."

Prophetable Colors

Making Light: Prophetable colors [nielsenhayden.com]
"Twice a year they get together in Alexandria, VA, to come up with long-term and short-term color predictions. The long-term prediction is a set of sixteen colors that will be profitably marketable two years hence. That is, the 2003 palette was distributed to manufacturers in 2001. The short-term prediction is a palette of colors declared to be currently the thing."

Since marrying Wendy, I've come to have a much greater appreciation for color. Previously, I never would have given much thought to what colors complement me.

Like most average males, my thought process as it related to color and fashion was limited to a once yearly prediction on the local newscast that said that "red is in this year," or "green is so last year."

Well, it turns out that what colors are "in" or "out" aren't determined simply by the fickle whims of the general consumer public. There's actually an organization that meets every year to define the upcoming "Consumer Palette":

"The 2004 Consumer Directions Palette includes rich reds, innocent pinks, therapeutic blues, soft greens and a jolting neon yellow," just so you know.

Miranda Gets Her First Teeth

Miranda has gotten her first teeth! The lower two incisors are just poking through the gum line. This might have been the reason why she was so cranky 2 nights ago, waking up in the middle of the night 2 times.

It's hard to see the new teeth in the picture, although it might be easier if you enlarge the photo (click on it).

I'll try to take more pictures of the new teeth and post them to the Miranda photo album, which you can view by clicking here.