Reno is fantastic!

Instagram @bradtastic

I'm absolutely loving it here. I just wish I had more time and energy each day because unpacking is time consuming. I suppose I have too much stuff... in addition to everything from my previous place, a bunch of furniture from the office came with.

Still sorting and organizing a month in, but even with the still packed boxes everywhere, it already feels like home. Many friends and acquaintances from the Bay Area were puzzled by my decision to move here — some called Reno boring — they really have no clue. Reno has just about everything I'd want in a city, and it's not that far from Lake Tahoe.

I just got my iPad replaced at the local Apple Store, and it's running great. It's encouraged me to work on iPad art again! And hopefully I can finish a few projects that have been held up due to my health issues. Perhaps it's too soon to get excited, but the atmosphere here is overall, more comfortable. I've only had one migraine thus far!

Also, I'm hoping that I can refocus on writing as well. Writing is a depreciating skill, and I'm somewhat out of practice. Although I've outlined many different ideas, I haven't been able to focus on publishing decent content. The environment and atmosphere in my new condo by the river should be much more conducive — all around, I feel better here, for whatever that's worth.

Hopefully things are good wherever you are, too... but if not, consider Nevada!

Now, if only we could do something about Harry Reid...

Posted with Blogsy

Burned Out Site

For whatever reason, over the past few days, my website has been hit by numerous spam reference links & comments. It's tiresome going through it all, and Squarespace said that there isn't a great automated option to solve the problem. It's time-consuming cleaning out the crap, and it feels like it isn't worth it at times. I'm already overloaded by emails because I don't have enough time awake to manage all of it, and now there's this to deal with. So I suppose there's another reason to look at either: migrating to WordPress with DISQUS comments, or finding someone to help me manage the site (and add content) — or both. I don't suppose you're interested? :-) I wanted to write about iOS 7 today but I feel like I just don't have the energy. I'll likely add a few more photos to my Instagram, however. @bradtastic Thanks for the continued support!

Content & Thank You!

New content coming soon, I promise. I've been really sick — fever and infection for six days now, so I haven't been able to do much of anything except drink water, sleep, and a few less pleasant things... the fewer details, the better, yeah?

Talking to some friends about the blog has inspired me to streamline the content and focus on he fun stuff that I like to write about — and what's popular. That means: more app reviews, product reviews, tech insights, tips, suggestions, maybe some games, that sort of thing. My other writing will go elsewhere. Also, I'm going to try to reorganize the categories and tags to be more efficient and usable — I'm also going to make a few adjustments to the layout, so if you see something broken, please let me know!

Thanks for your support; I think I'm starting to feel a little better (2013 has been one rough year!), so this weekend I hope to update. Also, if you haven't already, you can follow me at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr — all @bradtastic — I post links and photos there throughout the day.

A BIG thank you to the people using my Amazon links to buy stuff — getting a few bucks per week helps me stay motivated to write, and the Amazon credit allows me to get a few new things to review each year! If you have an app or product you'd like me to review, please get in touch!

(Estylo guys! I hope you read this, I've been trying to reach you to talk about the Estylo stylus — I hope all is well!)

My birthday is less than three weeks away — I hope I'm healthy enough to have dinner with my family!

Posted with Blogsy

Happy New Year

Well, I guess those Mayan calendar December 21st 12/21/12 people have something in common with those Y2K doomsday preppers. Earth is still here! Assassin's Creed III had me really worried…

If you haven't seen it, I recommend watching the Showtime series Penn & Teller Bullshit. Enlightening and fun! Unless you're easily offended. But if that's the case, why are you reading my site?

Happy new year, friends and family. More real content coming soon. It looks like a few of my scheduled drafts never actually posted, so there'll be those, too, after I edit them a bit to make them more relevant.

And of course, stuff about apps.

It looks like Adobe canned their Touch Apps Collage and Proto, as well as Kuler. Damn. If it means that Photoshop Touch and Ideas are going to be better, however — maybe it's okay.

Hopefully you snagged a few discounted apps and games during the holiday — lots of cheap and free apps!

Bradtastic Multi-app iOS art

I stumbled across a cool app called Rays, so I thought I'd post a retouched image to show its effects. Rays is an app that dynamically creates light rays on an image, and the length, color, and opacity of the rays can all be adjusted. Really cool!

I've recently been inspired to create iPad art using multiple apps.

I met an iPad artist on Twitter named Greg Brainard (@gregbrainard) — he enthusiastically creates everything with an iPhone 4 and iPad 2, and doesn't even have a desktop computer. The iPad is now such a robust platform with so many amazing, powerful art, design and productivity apps, it is very possible to ditch the desktop and not look back (unless you do large scale print work, complex 3D or vectors, there are some apps for each, but nothing studio grade).

If you are an iPad or iPhone artist/photographer/filmmaker, please contact me! A few of us are putting together something pretty neat in our spare time; if you have some talent or passion and are looking to share your work, it may be a good fit!

The Bradtastic image with this post was created using SketchBook Pro for the text, Wurm for the background, and Rays for the… rays.

I hope to continue sharing more iPad art with you. Please take a moment to "like" my Facebook page if you follow my blog; this is very helpful for me.

I just joined dribbble as well, so in addition to my tumblr, I'll post stuff there. I've been giving some thought to renaming my tumblr and brand. Got suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Bradtastic Online and oStylus DOT magic

Over a decade of work, about to be online…

Together for the first time. I'm excited. An iPad + iMac Bradtastic/SaysBrad endeavor.

Several days ago, I was looking for a video, World Business Review with Alexander Haig on AIS Insurance (my father's business) — the original WMV, that is. In this search effort, I uncovered not only the file in question, but a collection of designs — hand-drawn, vectored, painted, Photoshopped — the works… my collection of art, illustration and design from over the years.

I've never hosted this in a single location, and I think it's about time. This revelation has me excited; I decided then, to design something unique and original for Says Brad.

The image posted here, drawn with an oStylus DOT.

This design, done entirely on iPad 2 and the new iPad, incorporates lettering and an outline done in SketchBook Pro with a background image created using Wurm.

I love the oStylus DOT.

I drew it with my favorite capacitive touch stylus, the DOT (oStylus DOT images), created in Canada by the genius jeweler, Andrew Goss. [I recently posted a review featured on #madewithpaper as well.] Check it out; give it a try, and you'll love the DOT also!

Some key features of the DOT

• Unprecedented control – the unique tip is small enough to feel like a regular pen, but large enough that it's always recognized by tablets. Some styli like the Jot offer a smaller nib, but those aren't as consistent. Wacom Bamboo capacitive stylus offers similar reliability, but less accuracy, and it feels like the blunt instrument that it is.

• Won't scratch your screen – I won't lie, I haven't vigorously tried to scratch my screen — that'd be silly stupid — but under normal use, even with firm pressure, it hasn't happened. The folks over at oStylus have tried to scratch the screen by using the oStylus incorrectly and found no damage. If you keep your screen relatively free of debris, you should be fine.

• Great for artists – Because of its pencil grip, amazing precision and reliability, this tool is wonderful for drawing and handwriting. If you utilize tablet art apps, you need the DOT. If you're looking for a stylus for rapid brush strokes, you may want to check out the nomad brush (featured on my sidebar).

• Supports a family-oriented small business with great customer service – Andrew Goss stands behind his products and makes these by hand. You won't get corporate speak and run-arounds dealing with him.

• Note: Not so great for games and typing – If you're looking for a stylus to replace your finger for things like navigation, typing and games, the Bamboo may be a better fit. It's inherent, soft tip makes a liter contact with the screen, and you won't have to deal with loud tapping. However, if you're only getting one stylus, go with the DOT. For sure.

iPad users, digital artists, cool people:

Follow me online for art updates, links to cool stuff, app advice and reviews and some common sense. My social links are on the sidebar, and I'd really appreciate it if you shared my blog with your friends — specifically, if you know someone with some type of physical limitation, please refer them to me. I'm trying to collect other stories about mobility issues and overcoming these challenges with technology to share with people.

I know that for many people, an iPad seems extraneous, expensive, frivolous, but for me, it's a lifeline. As a supplemental technology, many people don't need one, but it can be a primary computer, I've been using it that way for years now.

Superfluous no longer, says Brad

Hi. In case you're reading this from somewhere other than my site itself, my site has changed. New theme, new name, and soon, new content (already started adding different stuff).

After some thought (and time, and struggles), I decided that superfloo.us is too hard to explain — some people don't get it — and SaysBrad is simply all-around easier to spell and remember. In addition, the name change coincides with impending content adjustments here, as I close down and consolidate blogs and web content. I think I'll separate personal content from tips and reviews, however.

Hopefully, you'll like the new stuff so much that you'll tell your friends. I could use the support! Disability is isolating, for a lot of reasons, and it's nice to make new worthwhile connections. For years, I had a network of people interested in getting something from me, but I didn't benefit much in return. During some tougher times, many people disappeared.

The flip side is that I've been generally too sick and tired to get out, mingle, meet people and be a friend. I feel semi-decent sporadically — unpredictably — and often couldn't use that time to talk to people or go outside (not usually a good idea to late-night wander Oakland streets). I spent some of that time writing, thinking, dreaming, creating, any way I could. The iPad has been the biggest help, along with the iOS app developers — they've been amazingly responsive, kind and generous.

Last, a shoutout to Squarespace for helping me edit my site, and answering my (sometimes long and off-topic) support tickets. Hopefully they'll implement my feature suggestions — tumblr/Instagram integration, app update allowing pages to be added/edited from the iOS app, and some other suggestions aimed at making Squarespace more accessible — doing so would make Squarespace an amazing tool for people with disabilities.

The big day

Tomorrow marks one quarter century of authentic Bradtasticness. It's worth celebrating! It's not too late!

Coming soon: my thoughts on e-cigs (Electronic cigarettes that vaporize propylene glycol and sometimes nicotine instead of burning tobacco; sometimes referred to as "digital" verus "analog" smoking, though it's not really smoke.) technology, science, law, and more practical things, like which is the best and why. I've also thought about the used video game market — why it works so well, and why it's really bad for gamers.

Later!

Something brewing.

# for the moment, it isn’t coffee.

However, it is morning. Another morning, another day, soon-to-be another weekend and another week — time does feel like it’s moving faster now. Some science channel show I’d seen mentioned that time seems to speed up as we get older, and for me, that’s certainly the case. In grade school, weeks seemed long, the school year lasted forever, and although summer seemed a bit short, I was involved in plenty of activities and got a lot of playing done, too.

It’s easier to lose sight of things now. I’ve always made an effort to plan things out — though the best laid plans often go astray — but now, my days just don’t last long enough. In addition, I used to have this Mercedes-Benz-*esque* attitude: the best, or nothing… though that was not their slogan at that time. Now it’s often about just GTD… getting things done. Good. Complete. But not necessarily perfect, rather, nearest as one can get.

## moving forward

### I’ve been giving less thought to this blog and blogs of mine in general; the concepts, the effort, the actual work involved, the purpose… thusly, I haven’t concluded anything. But I have thoughts.

1. I want to write more about living with a disability and getting by. Life in America is changing, and for the disabled, everything is harder — more complex. Work, relationships, fun, you name it. Don’t say “parking,” thinking that you’re clever, either. ([handicappedfraud](http://handicappedfraud.org) <— more thoughts on that, soon.)

1. I’d like to share more artwork, even if it’s just doodles. For posterity, even.

1. I’d like to fix my websites; I’d like to make them look prettier. Obviously, I can’t make it appeal to everyone, but right now, it’s a little messy.

1. I want to get Bradtastic back up and running something. It’s been down for too long. I have things that I could share there, and it could be valuable for people… including me.

1. I want to read and write more fiction. I’m not exposed to enough of it anymore. Sure, I’ve read some sappy teen vampire books and some Orson Scott Card, but I want to expand out. No Harry Potter, though — not then, not now. Please don’t try to tell me it’s great stuff; she’s a billionaire now, okay, I get it.

## レヂセタゴ ready, settago!

Yes, I will still play video games and mess around with iOS software. It’s fun, and practical; video games are indeed art, and it’s an industry bigger than music and movies — the iOS platform is only getting better, the apps are inexpensive and sometimes free, and can help organize, get things done, and importantly, reduce stress and increase happiness. Being disabled, fun is often rare, in only slightly greater supply than that elusive contentment and mythical “true happiness.”

However, I am now more selective about the games I play. I’m interested in story-based games, and will choose them over graphics and sometimes even gameplay. I rarely watch movies anymore — most of them, pure crap — so it’s a sort of trade-off… passive for interactive.

I have a fantastic set of stories stirring ‘round my mind, invading my dreams and bursting out every orifice. Sorry, gross visual. It’s just… I’ve never been this eager to share a piece of myself, and it’s fictional.

I do think that isolation is the mother of inspiration. Pure creativity — perhaps that’s more genetic. Combine it all, what do you get? Stuff like Teletubbies. Joyous day!

Update on 2011-08-13 16:20 by Bradtastic

Going to make an attempt at fixing the markdown dilemma. I don’t understand what the @SquarespaceHelp account is for — all they ever do is write back, “submit a ticket.” 

Anyway… submit a ticket I have. We shall see. 

Say "goodbye" to Superfloo.us!

Originally, I was going to post a piece of artwork to commemorate this entry (as well as make it more visually appealing), but chances are, the Squarespace iOS apps wouldn't handle it properly anyway, and I'd either end up with: an entry with image and without text — or vice versa. Besides, how many "Dear John" letters come with attached graphic design and imagery? Not that that's what this is...

It's been a few years since I'd registered this domain and setup this blog, and a lot has changed between now and then; for me, probably for you, America, and our planet. Entropy is a fact of life; and I suppose, in some sense, so is blogging.

Blogging is definitely changing, but did we change it, or is it changing us? Years ago, I remember telling people that Twitter was going to be the next big thing — I got replies like, "why do I need this?" and "but I already have Myspace!"

'Superfluous' begins.

Originally, I just wanted something funny — a catchy name, something self-deprecating and light — and a play on the word "superfluous" seemed to fit. After all, blogs are somewhat superfluous in general, and I felt... something like "pride," using a "dot us" domain name.

But here we are, in 2011, on the precipice of world annihilation according to the Mayans and some other honey crusted nut bars. Re-registering a dot us domain is expensive, and none of that money really goes to making this country better (I think).

All I've done is fund Bob Parsons' hunting trips. Some large game had to die — because I wanted to be funny.

So, I'm going to change the name of my blog — that'll teach him and President Obama a lesson! Yeah! A whopping few dozen people read my blog; in case you weren't aware, they're the keys to the hearts and minds of America — my readers. Bless you all.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure about what to call my blog; if not "(not) superfluous," then what?

By the way, I just want to mention quickly: Damn you, Bono. I write many entries on my iPad, and when I use HTML for "Header 2" (H2), iOS decides to auto-correct, because I must've meant U2. Why can't you learn, damn it?! Someone get on Apple about this, stat.

Got any 'new blog name' suggestions? I'm actually interested in what you think — yes, I know how unusual that is. I see the irony; people usually come to me for advice, and here I am, using my blog to try and talk about renaming my blog.

I don't know how easy Squarespace will make the renaming process. I haven't asked them about it, but I hope it's simple, because I've had enough Squarespace trouble. There is a lot that I like about Squarespace, most of it is awesome, actually — but for me, the little things are often most upsetting.

Presently, I have a special Squarespace rate plan — I was grandfathered in... can you believe that? I'm a grandpa! If I were to simply open a new account and close this one, I'd have to first migrate the content somehow, and I don't know how many (if any) links will need to be recoded. Maybe it's more trouble than it's worth.

I just thought that, if I were to rename my blog, perhaps I should do it sooner rather than later. I would've just used "Bradtastic," but I was warned that my unprofessional content might bite me in the ass one day if directly associated with some kind of "business website..." though in my mind, it's not too hard to figure out whom wrote what.

Lastly — because this blog is random superfluousness, I guess it doesn't have to exist. I can always "write for me" and not share it. Every now and then, someone will send me an email or say something, making it clear that they've been here and read my ramblings — and every once in a while, someone will benefit (somehow) from this blog. I have too many other projects to work on, and another blog that I do want to do more with, so maybe I actually kiss Superfloo.us goodbye, archive all of the entries, and move on.

I won't be shutting down or renaming immediately, so let me know what you think. My domain expires soon, however. Also, "no reply" is a valid enough response.

Update on 2011-06-30 00:34 by Bradtastic

I’ve created a support ticket on this “issue” to learn more of the details — and consequences — of my impending decisions, as well as to determine alternative solutions. I will most likely follow-up on this via Twitter (@Bradtastic)

Update on 2011-07-01 16:12 by Bradtastic

I was contacted by Squarespace support within minutes of creating my ticket. Essentially, I can change my account name (aka domain.squarespace name), and it won’t effect my legacy plan. This, I might do.

For whatever reason though, (not) superfluous is not popular. Anymore. It used to do okay… in fact, earlier this month, when I was writing about iPad software, I had visitors. At the moment though, it seems like no one really cares. 

I already know that my readers don’t comment, and I kinda get that. I usually don’t comment, either. To solve this, I think I’m going to install DISQUS — because (if I understand this right) the service allows people to “comment” via Twitter entries. People love Twitter. 

Well, that’s that — for now. The world will go on just fine without something superfluous or not, and I will have just that much more free time to work on… well… another blog, I guess.

superfloo sign off

New "superfluous" logo concepts

Another glimpse behind the scenes; here's an iPhone 4 camera phone pic of my conceptual logo work for this website, Bradtastic's (not) Superfluous (Blog... or journal).

Phase two is a move from an iPhone 4 snapshot of my Brookstone "Boogie Board" (really cool, and inexpensive; Bradtastic Approved) to the iPad 2 — first Penultimate, then Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. From there, it'll be vectored.

The tools are basically all mobile technology now... and I think that that's awesome.

Something more than superfluous

I've been thinking a lot about blogging, writing in general,

Trying to figure out whether or not I want to continue publishing and sharing thoughts and feelings conveyed through words posted on a blog somewhere for friends and family to read and spammers to post inane sales-pitch ad comments on. I think I may have doomed myself, trying to be cute and clever, calling this blog not superfluous even when it is.

Now I don't know if I care enough to continue.

There are a few people, who's opinions mean enough to me to share my writing with — for everyone else, why bother? I've been working, in semi-secret, on an amazing thing; if it works, it'll be game-changing. Perhaps world-changing. What's this little blog in comparison?

Then again, I have some fun sharing thoughts, in general. I've been living in my own mind so much recently — and the nature of dreams, is that they're always more exciting to live in than hear about — some connection beyond the people I see in one reality or another is nice to have.

But who cares to read any of this, anyway? I know some people, for I have no clue what reason, follow my journals, even when I don't post. People are so lazy, in general... they'd rather be told what's up — they don't want to read. Reading is work.

Lost loves.

There's something lacking in our world of advanced technology. Some element of the human spirit has become jaded, some facets entirely deceased. Eloquence as an art, with words in any form, requires practice. People will go to the gym to exercise all muscles other than the most important one: the brain. Where is Gold's Gym for the thinkers? I don't mean MENSA, I mean, the every man (and woman). When did this happen?

I read old (I know, this is a relative term) writing of mine (three to five years old) and hardly recognized it as my own. It was pithy, and funny, and perhaps slightly arrogant, but still... I wished at that moment that I could know my current abilities exist beyond those handwritten words in my private journal.

Listen to FDR speak in old recordings. Read letters and communications from the American Revolution or pioneers headed to California for the gold rush. Read the love letters written by young adults fighting in the Civil War — do we (as a society) maintain one-tenth of that attention, energy and care?

The handwriting says it all.

Look at the average person's handwriting. The ability to write and speak well has been lost like Latin; we can see it in old texts and attempt to recreate it, but its true nature has been lost. Handwriting isn't taught anymore, probably because of keyboards. It's as if no one stopped to realize that QWERTY isn't always the most effective solution.

The point.

Perhaps I'll continue to just because someone should. I haven't had the energy and fire to blog passionately since LiveJournal days, and I doubt I'll get that back. But I haven't shared much recently, because whatever I write seems either: too good, or too unimportant, to post.

The Cult of the Amateur really messed me up. It made me want to hold everything back. I don't want to be a member of that cult, that club — whatever you want to call it. It's sickening, disgusting... thinking about it makes me miserable.

But I've been reading a lot, and looking at a lot of words on paper (or e-ink screens), retina display and LCD, and I guess I see the point. At least the point I want to make.

How annoying would it be if I didn't share that point, that insight right now? I guess you'll find out.

Until next time...

Update before Christmas (text)

My text for this post got deleted by my Squarespace's iPhone app! Damn.

Well, here's the nutshell version:

I'm writing about my disability and chronic pain, and disabilities in general at BradChin.com — I hope some semi-dark grit will shed light on a subject often avoided (more than politics and religion) and clear up some misconceptions.

I'm scrapping Bradtastica because my Wordpress install isn't working right.

"Superfluous" will be lighthearted and semi-casual; my design, art and creative work and projects will be at Bradtastic.com after I fix it.

Updating my presence.

The past few months have been an incredible journey — I’ve met interesting people, created some great design, and have been reinvigorated… I’m excited to see where this new path takes me. I’m in the process of creating new cards, new materials, new websites — new branding — and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to share it first with my family and friends, and then everyone.

I hope you like it.

Meanwhile, I will continue to update Bradtastic Defined with thought-provoking entries as time permits; I’m able to set-aside very little for recreation, as whatever time I’m not working, I need for rest. Creativity is greatly hindered by sleep-deprivation — in order to remain Bradtastic, I must be rested!

Check back soon, or follow me at Twitter!

Topical leads to seriousness

I’ve been chatting with Daniel — a “student” of mine — while playing some Borderlands (2K Games’ masterwork RPS — role-playing shooter); he’s figured-out, over this year, that his serious interests involve writing. His love of videogames is a natural outlet, and hopefully, writing about games (or for them?) can become a career for him.

As some readers of mine might remember, I’ve wanted to write about games for some time. I dabble in it, from time-to-time, usually at Gamespot. I tried making a dedicated gaming blog, but never could make enough free-time to pick up the necessary momentum to carry the project along.

I might have another chance now… and an opportunity to do things differently.

In discussing videogame reviews, one facet stood apart — particularly interesting to me — the nature of trust. People generally read reviews to accumulate more information, to make a better decision. However, if the reader doesn’t trust the reviewer, the review won’t mean much — that’s if it’s even read!

Why should anyone trust a review? How can we assess whether or not the author shares similar views, has similar tastes?

At the time, I didn’t think of this thought-trajectory as being particularly-profound, but it lead me to new findings, new ideas and concepts. Free-association, mixed with a bit of luck, I suppose. 

I’ve decided on a few fixes; I thought about what makes me trust a review — and the reviewer, what I think when we don’t share the same tastes, and what makes me come back for more. I also thought about Bradloves and Bradtastic.com, and the future. Indeed, 2010 looks like a turn-around year.

Before I get back to work, I thought I’d mention quickly: I’ve been told that I’m hard to shop for, get gifts for. That’s not at all true. At my Links page, I have two wish lists (so far) — each with gifts ranging the gamut. If you don’t have lists of your own, you should think about making one (or five)!

Squarespace... enhanced?

I'm using the Squarespace iPhone app for the first time. It's already crashed on me several times; although that might be expected with new App Store software, their application feels somewhat "beta." After the long wait (since their "app coming soon" iPhone giveaway), I suppose I was expecting more. Perhaps future updates will address the issues.

I don't intend to make this an app review — I actually just wanted to let everyone know that I've been ill, the flu, perhaps... and that migraines have prevented me from posting more.

AIS has some brand-new stuff, and the CARA MoneyCard is well-received. That's something I'd expect — the CARA VISA check card fits a genuine need.

Hopefully I'll have website updates across the board in these next few days. As always, I'll post "what's happening" at my Twitter. (@bradtastic)