New Novel: Something Radiates, a paranormal thriller!

My mother, Brenda Marie Smith, wrote this incredible new thriller, with fiery characters, paranormal creepiness, psychedelic twists, and intense sex scenes that'll leave you quivering for more:

Juicy details of Something Radiates!

Live reading of the opening of Something Radiates [YouTube]

-Aaron

Last bit of European traveling and then back to Texas!

Hey everyone! Well, we have six days left to be in The Netherlands and we're starting to freak out! Now we're down to the last of things: the last time we visit the beach, the last time we eat at our favorite restaurant, the last time we see our friends that we've made.........sniff, sniff....no, I'm not going to cry......wahhhhhhhhhhh!


Okay, now I feel a little better. Our summer here has been wonderful, and I am so glad we got to experience it! My sister visited under the wire and got to see how the other half lives, plus her anal retentive organizational skills got me started on packing for the move! Seriously, I'm so grateful to her for coming and helping us! Thanks sis!

After Aaron's job ended in July we realized that we still had a little time to travel and see some more of Europe. We decided on a combo trip: visit family friends in Solingen, Germany and drive down to Lech, Austria! Europeans go on holiday for weeks at a time; if we had stayed a little longer we might have got the hang of it. As it was, we crammed it all in in 10 days and even that felt long to us!

We have lived in The Netherlands for 2 years and survived without a car....GASP! How is this possible, you ask? Two words: public transportation. It's really wonderful, but a little limiting as you can only go where it goes. This vaca we had to rent a car. Okay, fine, but then we remembered that Germany has NO speed limit on the highways.......Suddenly people are passing us like we're standing still. Just to keep up we had to go WAY beyond our comfort level. Okay, MY comfort level. Good thing Aaron drove the whole time.
With the help of the GPS, we made it to Solingen and our friends, Sue and Scott, without a hitch. Well, we did turn a 2.5 hour drive into a 4 hour one with Miles in the backseat "Are we there yet?" every 5 minutes. I found myself turning into a cliche: "Don't make me come back there." "I'll turn this car around." Don't worry, everyone survived, mostly intact, except for my sanity. Miles isn't the only one who has to get used to car travel again!

We were graced with great weather and hiked around their town and visited a castle. At this point the weather may have reached 80 degrees. I melted into a little puddle. I am so screwed in Texas........After four lovely days with them and their dogs, Nico and Gio (Miles favorite part of the trip!), we ventured forth to drive to Austria. Obviously, the car is German's transportation of choice because they had rest stops every 20 feet and HUGE gas stations/hotels/restaurants every 20 miles or so. WOW, they know how to do it - there was even a pasta bar!

So we reach Austria (after 9 freakin' hours, thank you traffic an road work), and the weather has gone from bad to worse. And we're going up the Alps in the dark with rain and major FOG so much so that we can hardly see the road. At this point the baby wakes up and starts screaming. fun. So I'm leaning over her car seat breastfeeding in the back while telling Miles a story about Spiderman. Aaron is trying to wind our way up the mountain through tunnels built by hand in the middle ages. It's a good thing we can't see off the side of the road because then we'd be REALLY scared!
Miracle of Miracles, we make it to our destination! Lech is a little Alpine village that I guess is a major ski area in the winter, but is really beautiful and green in the summer too. Our apartment/hotel is really nice and The Sound of Music starts going through my head immediately! There are many hikes and even a heated pool in the middle of a forest, for crying out loud!



The only downside is that vegetarians, not so high on the list. I never ate so much pizza as when we were in Austria. oh well. If that's the only downside, I can live with it. :) That and driving on little roads with lots of blind corners in the mountains with little or no guardrails, a LITTLE nerve racking. We planned on day trips to Switzerland or even to the next town - didn't really get the courage to drive until the day we had to check out. Yes, we're wimps.

One more thing about the trip - don't trust the GPS. We chose Frankfurt as a good half-way point to stop on the way back. Apparently there are not one, but THREE Frankfurts in Germany. We picked the one in the middle of nowhere, population 27. Fun. You have reached your destination, my ass. Driving around in the German countryside was nice, but come on people! Plus, never chose a hotel facing a busy street if you want to sleep AT ALL. Chalk it up to experience.....:)

So now we're back in The Hague, selling/giving away all our stuff. I thought it would be harder to part with things but not so much. It helps that most of my clothes were about 10 years old on average. The bakfiets will be hard. But we sold it and the person is letting us use it until the very last day. Looking forward to seeing our family and friends.........and Mexican food! Yea!!!

See you soon!

Love
Nicole

Top 18 Subversion Best Practices

My comp

any wanted some SVN tutorials and best practices, so I compiled this list from my own experience and from StackOverflow. These are my preferences for our particular team for the types of projects we work on. They do not all apply to all types of teams and projects, so to each his own. What did I miss?

This is not a “how-to”, but everything how-to can be found for free online at http://svnbook.red-bean.com/en/1.5/index.html

The source for many items here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/417599/svn-best-practices-working-in-a-team

1. ALWAYS do an “update to HEAD” before doing a commit
2. commit often - as soon as you have working code after some changes you made, make sure to commit the code; this could be as often as every 10 minutes. Just make sure you’re not committing code that breaks the application or otherwise causes errors
3. Commit in small, discrete chunks
4. ALWAYS describe in detail what you did during a commit in the comments, so that other developers or you (in six months) can understand exactly what the commit included. It can be helpful also to include PeopleXS or Jira case numbers so that you can reference the particular bug or feature
5. If you have committed code that has special dependencies (such as database updates or needing to restart ColdFusion), then inform the rest of the team - a short email or a Yammer group is a good place for this.
6. If you are making a lot of changes, do an update often (every hour or so), so that you make sure to get changes made by other people sooner rather than later. Dealing with updates *later* can be a much bigger problem than a bunch of small changes *sooner*
7. Branch the code only when necessary, and merge back to trunk as soon as possible. A release manager or lead developer will handle this
8. Tag before merges, tag major releases, and tag before making sweeping changes
9. Establish a policy for trunk and stick to it. One example might be, "trunk must always build without errors."
10. commit related code changes together
11. The corollary is do not commit unrelated code changes in the same commit. This means don't fix 2 bugs in one commit (unless it's the same fix), and don't commit half a bug fix in each of 2 commits. Also, if I need to add some new enhancement or something to an unrelated part of the system that I then need for some other work, I commit the enhancement separately (and first). The idea is that any change anyone might conceivably want to have on its own (or roll back on its own) should be a separate commit. It will save you tons of headaches when it comes time to do merges or to roll back broken features.
12. If you have files that you don't want in source control (e.g. configuration, compiled files, etc), add them to the ignore list. This way you notice any files that you forget to add by always expecting an empty list of files showing as unknown to SVN.
13. Only advanced, experienced SVN users should do merges, and ideally someone who understands the majority of the code that changed in each branch, so that he can make good decision when there are merge conflicts.
14. Make sure to have updated versions of each branch before merging.
15. Systematically test each feature or bug fix implemented in each branch after merging.
16. Decide the best way to use our repos and make a clear policy for repo layout: http://blogs.open.collab.net/svn/2007/04/subversion_repo.html
17. All filenames and log messages stored as UTF-8
18. If possible, you should tie the commit to your bug-tracking system. Trac, Redmine et al. let you create links from bugs to commits and vice versa, which comes in very handy.

 What did I miss?

My company wanted some SVN tutorials and best practices, so I compiled this list from my own experience and from StackOverflow. These are my preferences for our particular team for the types of projects we work on. They do not all apply to all types of teams and projects, so to each his own. What di ...

Posted via email from Aaron Longnion's ColdFusion Blog

Senior ColdFusion Developer seeking a new job

After 2 years in Europe, I'm looking at new job opportunities as a Senior ColdFusion Developer/Architect, most likely in Austin, TX. I have started my job hunt in Austin, but will then broaden the search to the rest of Texas, especially Dallas or San Antonio. However, I may consider other locations around the world for the right opportunity.  Also, telecommuting could be a great option.

You can google my unique name and find my up-to-date LinkedIn profile, but to save you the trouble:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronlongnion

I plan be back in the US no later than September 30th, 2010, and will be available for phone / Skype interviews almost any time.

I will be sending my resume / CV out everywhere, but just to give you an idea of what I do best:

• Recently planned and implemented entire upgrade of systems from ColdFusion 9 Enterprise (64-bit), multi-server, with JRun clustering on multiple 64-bit application servers machines behind a hardware load balancer with 2 Enterprise MySQL 5.1 (64-bit) replicated databases on the backend.
• Update legacy ColdFusion code to newest best-practices, optized for pure speed, high-availability and scalability
• Leading and mentoring international teams of developers to become world-class ColdFusion programmers
• Bridging the gap between clients, Product Management, and the IT teams to design web application solutions that benefit customers and the long-term viability of companies

Hope to hear from you, and I look forward to my next adventure!

- Aaron Longnion
email me: aqlong _at_ gmail _dotcom__

 

After 2 years in Europe, I'm looking at new job opportunities as a Senior ColdFusion Developer/Architect, most likely in Austin, TX. I have started my job hunt in Austin, but will then broaden the search to the rest of Texas, especially Dallas or San Antonio. However, I may consider other locations ...

Posted via email from Aaron Longnion's ColdFusion Blog

The World Cup and other surprizes

Howdy everyone! By now most of you know that, yes, I actually had the baby and am, therefore, not an elephant (who carry their kids for a year!). It's a girl - Sophia Mavourneen Longnion! She's almost 8 weeks now and growing super fast! Sorry that I haven't posted before this - she's a mamma's girl and I hate typing one-handed....

It's a whole new ballgame with two kids now. Those of you with two or more kids are now laughing behind their hands (or just openly) at us as we struggle to rebalance our lives and our minds. Miles likes being the "big brother" but he also likes hugging her VERY tightly and yelling in her face when she's asleep Sigh.....Luckily, Sophia is a very mellow baby and sleeps a lot right now. God help us when she's more awake and demanding more attention...:)
I'm now coming out of hibernation with the baby to realize that the world goes on without us. Living in Europe has given me a whole new perspective on events like the World Cup. I've never seen a country that literally shuts down at game time to watch tv (okay, the Superbowl, but that's the only other thing). I've actually seen signs in shop windows "watching the game, back at 3:30." I think it said that; it was in Dutch, so I can't be too sure. The store was closed, okay, in the middle of the day - isn't that enough for you????


Anyway, during the first game, the entire country wore orange (national color), painted the flag on their faces and tooted obnoxiously on plastic horns that I would like to stuff down their throats......oh, sorry, went a little overboard there. I like their dedication, but I just can't get into a sport that only scores once or twice the whole time. I like basketball - 100 points in one game! That's real action for ya.....

In other news, the weather is finally cooperating and we've had some really lovely days after a LONG winter. I'm still shocked to see sunshine. Of course now it's light from 4 am to 11 pm, so the other side of the coin is insomnia.....

But we're outside a lot too - enjoying parks and beaches galore. Miles makes friends with everyone and his dog. There are no strangers around him. This is good and bad. Good that he's friendly; bad that he accepts snacks and candy from just about anyone. I've tried to tell him to at least make sure the person offering it has kids too...:( It does seem to be safer here and people don't seem to worry about things like taking candy from strangers.......

Kids go to school longer here - school is not out until July 2. Then they have six week summer holiday. I've never seen a country empty out so fast. First day school is out is like a starting gun: BANG - everyone is off traveling. We can't even have Miles' birthday party the day of (July 4) because there is no one left to attend! So now the party is June 30th. Oh well, at least there will be kids there!

Miles wants everything "for my birthday." A skateboard, a bigger bike, video games, water guns, you name it, he wants it. I now realize how advertising works on kids. Anything and everything he sees on tv, he wants. He believes tennis shoes can make you fly and candy rings give you super powers. He acts so mature for his age sometimes I forget that he's only three (almost 4). But he'll learn.

That's it for now. I'll try to post again with pics of Miles' birthday and my sister's upcoming visit on July 7!! woo hoo! Hope everyone survives the heat in Texas and come visit us!

Love
Nicole

PS - the photo of Miles in the little pool was taken only after a lot of work. Never buy a blow up pool if a) you don't have a pump and/or b) you don't have a hose. After I recovered from passing out on the living room floor after blowing the damn thing up, we had to fill it with pots and pans from the sink. Not a great idea. Especially since he was only in it for 20 minutes. argh!

DIY electric car conversion

http://m.npr.org/story/127883601

Aaron Longnionhttp://m.npr.org/story/127883601 Aaron Longnion ...

Posted via email from Aaron Longnion's ColdFusion Blog

Truth is stranger than fiction

It sounds like a movie plot...."In a world of ice, the earth's core struggles to break free."

When I found out there was an erupting volcano in Iceland shutting down airports across Europe, I couldn't believe it! Seriously, I laughed and told Aaron to quit pulling my leg. I mean, Iceland - the land of Ice for crying out loud. Then I thought about my parents upcoming trip to visit us on April 29. hmmm.....

"Mom," I said, "I think you should get some trip insurance."

Wow, I mean, something is up Mother Nature's butt. Earthquakes, tsunamis, erupting volcanos that show no signs of slowing down......you would have thought that she was mad about something....not the hundreds of years of abuse we've been pouring on her, no that can't be it....

So keep your fingers crossed that everything settles down in two weeks, because this baby is coming and I would like my parents to be here!

Two weeks?!!! That's crazy! I'm ready but I'm not ready, if you know what I mean. We just now got a changing table together. I went to the Netherlands version of Goodwill today and grabbed a bunch of baby toys (half off today - woo hoo!) because I'm starting to panic. You would think I've never done this before. Deep breaths, deep breaths, it will all be okay.

At least I know what I don't want, thank you Mr. Miles. Sorry you bore the brunt of our floundering, inexperienced first-time parenting efforts. As first-born, you will continue to be our experiment, letting us figure out by trial and error what works and what doesn't. Maybe that's part of why we are having a second - proving we know what we're doing......of course this one's a girl and probably completely different. oh well. At least I know how to swaddle.

In other news, spring has finally sprung! We have had not one, not two but 6 whole days of sunshine and good weather! Cold weather, but sunny. My apartment is protected from the wind and I have been fooled several times

this week in going out without my coat and suffering the consequences. The last time I ran to the charity store (think I go there a lot?) on the way to pick up Miles from school and had to buy another coat just to cope! Good thing it fit, because I only had time to try one!

But we're so used to the rain here that it took a couple of days of sun blaring down on my face that I remembered, oh yeah, sunscreen would be good now.

But after a very dark, depressing winter, the sun feels so good, it's hard to not be outside when we can. Digging in our "garden" - very small backyard - parks, visits to the beach: Oh right, this is the upside to living in Holland! That and no mosquitoes, thank the lord and halleluia!

Miles was born in July, and he spent most of his first 4 months naked. It is damn hot in Texas. I am grateful that this summer, baby sister will have milder weather and be able to breathe outside without a lung collapsing from the heat! Last summer was gorgeous here, so keep your fingers crossed (and your jealousy to yourself), that this summer will be as good! If it's too hot in Texas, we have a very comfortable couch open to all visitors!

I'll keep you posted on any baby developments, but in the meantime, I hope all friends and family are happy and healthy!

Love

Nicole

PS - Ya think we like taking pictures with our Iphone now? Hipstamatic application rocks! And no, I did not swallow a watermelon in the top picture.

Pale Blue Dot video, read by Carl Sagan

Aaron Longnion
M. +31 0624361474
Sent from my iPhoneAaron Longnion M. +31 0624361474 Sent from my iPhoneClick image to play video ...

Posted via email from Aaron Longnion's ColdFusion Blog

rave reviews for TwitLaughs, comedy in your pocket

My TwitLaughs iPhone app, released and available for download on April 1st 2010, has a nice review online, but now the excellent reviews in the iTunes App Store are showing a 5-star average rating for the app. That's only out of 5 ratings so far, but a great start!

You can see the rating in the iTunes store when you search for TwitLaughs, or on this link: http://itunes.apple.com/app/twitlaughs/id364377596

Note that a twitter account is not necessary to use the TwitLaughs app.

My TwitLaughs iPhone app, released and available for download on April 1st 2010, has a nice review online, but now the excellent reviews in the iTunes App Store are showing a 5-star average rating for the app. That's only out of 5 ratings so far, but a great start! You can see the rating in the iTu ...

Posted via web from TwitLaughs

Time Flies

Hello everyone and welcome to spring in Holland. Wait, it doesn't look a whole lot different from winter in Holland. Oh well. There are a few more days where we see the sun and it is a LITTLE warmer, so I guess that's how we can tell. Tulips really do grow wild here and some of the hardier types have poked their heads out. Only to be frozen over, but I think we'll call that a good sign.

I have finally figured out that all these gray days really affect my mood. That and my waistline. I have this incredible urge to bake when it's cold and rainy out. Basically every day. I try to limit myself to healthy things with little or no sugar, but still, a dozen cookies eaten every day will still make a difference! I'm exaggerating....a little. Good thing I'm pregnant.

Speaking of pregnancy, only 6-7 weeks to go, depending on when the little bugger decides to come out! Everyone keep your fingers crossed that she won't be a week late like Miles. I think he gained a pound in that last week. Definitely would be easier if she didn't weigh close to 10 pounds like her big bro. I'm gonna give natural delivery a shot even after my cesarian section, so keep those fingers crossed tight! Think good thoughts.

Before I start to flatten cities with my giant belly, Aaron and I thought it would be fun to have one more family trip. Hmmm, where to go.......Paris! We found out that there is a high speed train that only takes 3 hours to get there. Perfect! Wait a second, there's a tiny reason why not tugging at my subconscious - oh right, that huge belly again. I can't even walk a block these days without getting short of breath (not doing so much yoga this time around) not to mention getting up and down the steps to the Metro. Let's wait on that trip. Paris will always be there.

So we decided to check out an all-n-one package - family resort with huge pool, amusement park, bowling, you name it, all in one place, with food included! Sign us up! We did decide not to go on Miles' school holiday to give him a fighting chance against bigger kids, but last weekend we took the plunge!

It's a place called Preston Palace in a town named Almelo. When we finally figured out how to say it so people could understand us, we bought train tickets and headed out. It started to snow on us by the time we finally got there and I felt so justified for blowing all this money on two nights on this indoor playground. Ha, let it snow I thought. So of course the next two days were so sunny and bright you had to wear sunglasses inside.......oh well. It was still fun.

This place had the biggest pool I've ever seen. It was more like a lagoon, complete with waterfalls, rain storms, even a fish tank IN the pool! Talk about swimming with the fishes! Miles really liked the pool and the mini golf and the bowling. Despite the fact that they only had 8 and 10 pound balls with no bumper lanes, he still managed to knock down some pins three times! Wow, I was impressed. Could Aaron and I have produced an athlete despite our slacker genes? Only time will tell. Another factor in the athlete theory: Miles can swim without water wings! Holds his breath, goes under, comes up, scares me to death, the whole shebang! I don't know where he gets it from, but he is the most physically adept child I've ever met........

So now our fun trip time is over. We're staying close to home for the rest of the time until Baby Sister is born. One new development though - Miles has taught himself to ride a bike without training wheels! I couldn't ride a bike until I was 8 and my 3-year-old is zooming away? Come on now, give me a break! But it's true! Crazy but true! Sure we're in a place that has more bikes than cars, so he has to be influenced by that. Plus we got him a balance bike with no pedals that he rode a lot, so I guess those things really work! For now we're just riding in the park where there are no cars allowed, but I guess he'll be able to ride to school pretty soon. God help us all.

Hope everyone in Texas is enjoying the spring weather that we don't have yet. Put some in a bottle and send it to me, would ya? Thanks, you're a pal.....:)

Love
Nicole

PS. The darker photos were taken by my Iphone with an App called Hipstamatic. Takes pics with old school lenses and film. I love it! Here's a little video of Miles on his bike today. I've never loaded a video on my blog so I hope it works.....Enjoy!