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.

Still here; Babolat Tennis Racquet for sale.

Hey everyone. I've decided to not let superfluous die off without glory, so here it is... to stay, at least for a few years. Unfortunately, I can't make it a priority anymore. This close to me have likely heard about my new idea for a fictional story — although the idea is still nebulous, I intend to see it through to some form of completion, be it a novel, comic, TV miniseries or movie. It's a world I feel compelled to share; it just doesn't feel optional.

Recently I've been reading and writing more, and have made some serious changes to my lifestyle. I'm taking diet and exercise a little more seriously. Recently, I tried hitting some tennis balls.

I've also given more thought to eBay and fb marketplace. I have a great condition 2007 Babolat Aeropro Drive+ #5 (4 5/8") (with case) and new Hurricane/Xcel strings that I'd like to sell. Initially, I was thinking eBay or Craigslost — err, list — but then I thought about all of those Facebook Marketplace listings that I've seen. I'd like to have a conversation with a more experienced online seller of second-hand knickknacks; I've never used CL or Marketplace to sell something.

If you're interested in such a racquet, I'm asking $110 plus shipping (or you can pick it up). I got the racquet as a potential replacement for the Pure Drive+ but it didn't fit my play style. Shortly thereafter, disability stopped me from playing tennis.

More info — including app and software reviews — coming soon.

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.

Superfloo Anew, Logo Design Two!

©2009 Bradtastic™ Brad Chin. Please don’t steal art — it’s not a victimless crime.

Slowly but surely, it’s getting there.

I’ve been working with my newly-reformatted Tablet PC for several days now, but I’ve been sketching designs, doodles and graphics since my knee-high-to-duck days. “Superfloo” is a relatively new idea; I’ve been thinking about a logo since the beginning, but until recently, my plan was to create it in Adobe Illustrator, 100% vector.

Threw that idea aside, this is the result — or “version two,” anyway. I’m not easily sated — the design still needs work… I’ll likely create a few more logos, using symbols instead of the full-title.

Ink for the win: attention, received!

A few days ago, I emailed Sumocat (the “Father of Inkblogging”) about my plight — inkblogging inability. Reformatting my Tablet took away the older version of Live Writer, so I replaced it with Live Writer 2009.

Mark (Sumocat) is like Ink’s Superman — able to save the day and bring hope to Metropolis. Through him, I was able to get the older Live Writer install, and with that, I was able to fix inkblogging. Here at Superfluous, I’ve demonstrated the result — two ink posts — and more to come!

If you like it, please leave a note and tell your friends about it — inkblogging needs more fans and contributors!

Something inspirational, soon to arrive!

You might’ve seen my announcements — like this one — within days from now, I will receive Behance Action Method “offline” paper products, a Rhodia webnotebook, and most important, Canteo A5 notebooks!

I’m particularly thrilled because originally, I was expecting that the Canteo and Rhodia products — from Nota Bene — would take two weeks (or longer) to arrive. Fortunately, I took a moment to email them. I’d mentioned my intent to review the Canteo notebooks and share my findings, and conveyed my earnest excitement because — amongst many other things — Canteo can replace Moleskine for me.

Atop that… Canteo isn’t easy to find.

Their website doesn’t list a US distributor… I got lucky finding Canteo at Nota Bene. It wasn’t the first time that I’d been to their website, but this is my first order. I’d been told about their site by a pen collector I’d met at Montblanc because of another paper-product that they stock — Whitelines. I’m always looking for a great notebook — I need them, and my students need them.

The excitement isn’t stopping.

Thanks again for taking time to read/look at my website. Over the past several days, the number of unique visitors to my site has surged. This is a good sign! Moreover, this blog is fun… I enjoy posting here. The process of writing here has brought me discoveries — I’m grateful — and I intend to continue this upward spiral.

Inasmuch as this blog has thus far been the ultimate blogging thrill-ride, this site — I hope — may contribute to the success of my other endeavors.

This hypothetical boon is vital; being semi-crippled has countless draw-and-setbacks, and although kind words — insofar as they aid — and the luxurious fantasy of living solely off of Wishlist gifts is conceptually romantic and splendorous (as well as sugar-sweet), I still need food, have bills to pay, medicine to take and doctors to visit…

Fortunately, I’m having a blast; writing furiously, designing, illustrating, sketching and doodling again. I’m sure someone out there needs a new logo or graphics for something… or perhaps a new slogan, website text or brochure — you might even know someone. They’re probably worthy.

Come back soon! New ink and artwork on the way.

Who knows (not I), perchance something entirely unexpected makes an appearance here — gasp — a serious article about real, important things?! A totally edge-of-your-seat moment approaches… maybe!