I've been Googleized

Normally I like Google. I've been using their search engine since it first came out. I wasn't concerned as they acquired products I was already using like Picasa and You Tube, because Google either left them along or made subtle improvements. However, now I'm a bit perplexed. As part of the Google+ strategy all Google products are being more tightly integrated. While this is arguably a good thing the path to integration has so far been a bit bumpy.

For a couple of months I was receiving emails saying that my business account needed to be ported over to the NEW Google system. If I didn't do it for all my business account users (I'm the ONLY user) than it would happen automatically some time in the near future.  Since I'm the one user of the business account and I use the same email address for my personal Google account I didn't worry about it. Perhaps I should have. Turns out the "near future" was August 1. Starting this week, every time I logged in to Blogger or Picasa or Google+ (jury is still out on that one) I was told I would have to separate my personal and business accounts before I could use the product. Some of the products provided an easy upgrade path, as in "click here and you're done". Some times it even allowed me to upgrade other Google products at the same time. But not everything is that way. A product I use a lot is Blogger and it's causing me the most consternation.

I write or contribute to five different blogs using Blogger. I also write for three others using Word Press, but that's getting off topic. Any upgrades I do have to work across all the blogs. Blogger is not one of the products for which Google offers the automatic upgrade path. It must be done manually. There is a multi-page PDF file that explains how to do it, but the process is daunting. Currently I have to use a temporary log in account to access my material. I'm sure at some point Google will take that away so I'll have to get to the upgrade soon.

I'm all for progress and as one of my developer friends said yesterday, "The only constant on the internet is change." Still, it would be nice if the changes we're a bit more subtle and streamlined. But I guess there's a lot of work to do when you're trying to take down Facebook.

New icon for Grand Rapids

Apparently Grand Rapids is now the "Olive City".

Seen in Costa Rica

We saw this sign in downtown Jaco, Costa Rica. Can you guess what Fruity Monkey Poop really is? Answer in the comments, por favor.

Found on a wall

look famous
    be legendary
appear complex
    act easy
radiate presence
    travel light
       seem a dream
   prove real

More Rain? Really?

I know rain is good for the plants. My flower garden looks great this year. And compared to what's happening in the south we have no complaint here. But it would be nice to have more than a couple of days of spring-like weather. After only three days of sunshine and 70+ degree temperatures (and one of those nights we had a thunderstorm) we are back to rain and 50 degrees.
I spent the nice weather working on the yard and getting our vegetable garden put in. Necessary work, but done with the intention of riding my bike this weekend. NOPE. Crap weather forecast right through Monday. Plus I suspended my gym membership because most springs I'm getting my workout on my bike and don't have time to get to the gym. I'm beginning to regret that decision. Oh well, I'm sure we will have some nice weather again soon. Probably when I'm in an all day meeting.
Rant over. We now return to our regular programming.

What is this pictograph?

I saw this recently while traveling. Without the blacked out descriptive word the purpose of the sign is not completely clear. Here are some possible meanings:

a. Hand drying station
b. Vomit here
c. Beard washing station
d. Place to bang your head when your flight has been delayed or cancelled
e. Retinal scan for admission to a low ceiling mine
f.  Place to grab 4X4 truck bumper straight ahead
g. Look but do not touch
h. Time for your annual review


Feel free to comment below with your guess of the right answer or to add your own suggestion.

The two keg bike

Now this is a great way to get to a party.

From the good folks at New Belgium Brewing.