Here We Go
Now, normally I would tell you all about every day of my break, what I did, and how that was. Unfortunately for me, (fortunately for you) I have neither the time nor the wit to make the past days of my break interesting. Therefore, I will commence sharing some things of note.
The following is about PHP coding. I told you this would happen. Shut up. More specifically, I rewrote my administration file for this website. Since I am mis-informed foolish one-brick-short-of-a-load masochistic, I have (from the beginning) eschewed wonderful tools such as MovableType and chosen to set up my own database and add/edit/delete from it using my own code. Recently, I realized that the file I used (the administration panel) to peform those operations was almost two years old. Seeing the fortuitous combination of a Java class (which gave me insight into better design techniques) and a spring break (which gave me time), I set out to rewrite the file from the ground up. The product, unfortunately, is not the kind that I can show to you (it is password-protected and it would ruin my site to tell you how to view it). I can say, however, that 6 days and 1500+ lines of code later, tumbledry is blessed with a [semi]modular (Justin would kill me for saying that) engine that allows me to update all sections of the site completely from the web and track all of you friendly visitors (although there are better tools for tracking out there that I use as well - I’m not completely insane). New features include XHTML 1.0 transitional compatibility (I think), CSS, and a unique GUI that builds from the left to the right (makes for less clicking and more intuitive navigation).
Of course, redesigning something as integral as that file means delving back into the architecture of the site. That, in turn, leads to looking at the hit trackers. When people visit any website, information like their IP, where they came from, and who their ISP is are always logged. What struck me as strange were the search strings that resulted in visits to tumbledry. Observe this list of search strings, percentile of hits the string gave, and my comments.
tumble dry **(12.50%) - makes sense, no argument here.
**508 website example **(4.17%) - me? thanks!
**blog css design stuff **(4.17%) - last of the normal search strings.
**exodus http tunnel settings **(4.17%) - exodus? i don’t write about the bible that much.
**how do i dry a fabric that says do not tumble dry **(4.17%) - no laundry instructions here.
**jessica simpson scarf pattern **(4.17%) - what does this mean? and why here?
**remove the eyeball **(4.17%) - and you are searching for this why?
**sex (4.17%)
**what website can i design my own sneaker **(4.17%) - ?!
**why is basketball a useful invention? **(4.17%) - words fail me.
While tumbledry may not answer life’s persistent questions, I am glad to see that it was a glimmer of hope in the dark lives of people who search for utterly inane things.
I noticed you can tell a lot about a webdesign from its confirmation pages. There, the design is compressed into its smallest form as there is little content with which to fill spaces. This compression gives one a bird’s eye view into the design cues of the site - they are easily identified and usually on one screen. Furthermore, if a site has taken the time to scrub, polish, and shine its form-resultant pages, then it is a very good bet that the designer is a details-oriented person who cares about the little things that make a site grand. This realization made me realize that I should clean up my form-submitted pages.
I’d like to interrupt your regularly scheduled update to bring you this important message: I am actually a deep-voiced woman. Shoot, wrong message. Ahh, here it is. SWITCHFOOT. My first concert in my illustrious 18 year career as a living individual will be the band Steve introduced me to, Switchfoot. My excitement overfloweth (seriously). Now back to our show.
Steve had an incredible mission trip experience in LA. The stories and pictures he has brought back are amazing. He worked at the Dream Center and really made a difference. His tales are not mine to tell, but I have great respect for what he is doing.
Please keep my sister in your thoughts, she is in the middle of making one of the biggest decisions of her life.
Songs I recommend (with copious urgency) that you listen to as soon as possible include (but are not limited to) Howie Day’s new version of “She Says,” Hoobastank’s “The Reason,” and Gary Jules’ unbe-freakin-lieveable (hauntingly beautiful and Radiohead-esque in the way that it both enamors you and makes you want to kill yourself at the same time) song “Mad World.” Credit to Nils for the wickedly clever yet “spot on” Radiohead description.
Stepped into American Eagle Outfitters. Failed to experience the kind of visceral thrill that used to seize me upon viewing “hip” merchandise. Noted the incredibly well-executed marketing style used to make the “experience” seem authentic. Further noted that the trend is to sell a complete lifestyle. Realized that being in college (analagous to being broke) could be mostly responsible for curbing my former shopping habits. Continued on my way.
Because I don’t have a running roll of links on the right side of my page, here they are. I committed to buying a shirt from nickd. Probably will prove to be one of the best shirts I will ever buy. I think my check card is getting hot from being swiped repeatedly for so many purchases. John showed me a commercial that is definitely for guys. Finally, this man does, by far, the best impressions I have ever heard.
I found my new favorite Shakespeare play. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is far better than any tragedy. Now, I understand that tragedies are supposed to evoke the epic emotions of fear and pity, but a comedy simply beats a tragedy when you want entertainment. Here’s a wonderful quote from II:2.45-52:
O, take the sense, sweet, of my innocence.
Love takes the meaning in love’s conference.
I mean that my heart unto yours is knit,
So that but one heart we can make of it:
Two bosoms interchained with an oath,
So then two bosoms and a single troth.
Then by your sidde no bed room me deny,
For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie.
Of course, it is a flowery way for Lysander to ask Hermia to sleep with him before they are married. But let’s be honest here, that’s damn good wooing.