This is truly amazing. Loved every minute!

Goodbye Facebook

Why I'm closing my Facebook account.

Baby elephant is GINGER! This brought a smile to my face, so I thought I'd pass it along.

National Geographic photo by William Albert Allard, free wallpaper download available: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/wallpaper/animals/photos/baby-animals/baby-asian-elephant/

#TakeiTuesday  is over, but...

Look at this!!!!!

Here he is! Circle up this man and show him amazing love!

https://plus.google.com/104234302931579992973/posts

Streetfighting with Tesla coils? Say it isn't so!

#scienceiscool   #tesla  

For Trek's sake, please, please, please help Michael Dorn gather some traction on this spinoff. I mean, really. Who wouldn't want to see Captain Worf????

#startrek  #trek #worf   #trekkies   #trekkers  

Good morning G+!

I give you Molly the giraffe's baby picture. I hope she brings a smile to your face....she sure did for me! 

She's about 3 years old now, here's the original story: http://www.southwickszoo.com/new-born-giraffe-molly-has-a-close-call/

#piday   #pi  

#doctorwho

In 2006 the Cassini spacecraft took a series of images from the dark side of Saturn. This compilation image from NASA is just stunning. The best part? The little blue dot in the upper left portion of Saturn's rings is Earth!

Source link: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110904.html

#nasa   #space   #saturn   #earth   #sciencesunday  

A huge thank you to +Larry Bernard for pointing out the nerd genius in both the article and the comments.

A military break down of the Battle of Hoth. I mean, what were the Imperial forces thinking? They absolutely should have annihilated the Rebels.

#starwars   #hoth  

Trolls be aware! This is very dangerous legislation for more than just trolls:

"It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use a ANY ELECTRONIC OR DIGITAL DEVICE and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person."

Photos of abandoned Olympic installations. I find these very, very sad. 

Hey +Amanda Blain I'll see your library and raise you a book MOUNTAIN!

Follow the link for more information about this remarkable public library in Spijkenisse, the Netherlands.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WebUrbanist/~3/HmPvLROzsd4/

My money's on the The Doctor. You?

#doctorwho   #starwars   #mattsmith   #darthvader   #sonicscrewdriver  

It's a 10 minute video, but please watch it! Carly is an autistic teen that was diagnosed as retarded and couldn't talk. At 11 she learned to type and they were shocked at how well developed her communication was! Turns out, she has a perfectly intelligent mind that's trapped in a body she can't control.This brings a whole new dimension to autism. 

It amazes me what we're capable of, the wide range of just being human. The deep love and support from her father and the joy they all gained at not giving up.

Here's her blog: http://carlysvoice.com/

#autism  

Wow, just wow. I have no problem with the government or my employer - or anyone else for that matter - reviewing my public posts. But to demand access to my private posts?

I'll be keeping a tight eye on how schools address this so I can properly prepare my sons as they grow up. They have a right to a private personal life and I want them to understand what they'd be giving up by giving in to this.

Wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels.

Funniest thing I've read today:

Computer: Monitor, display this document, ok?

Monitor: No prob, boss. 

Computer: OK, now it looks like Mouse is moving around so, Monitor, will you move the pointer icon accordingly?

Monitor: Anything you ask, boss.

Computer: Great, great. OK, Mouse, where are you going now?

Mouse: Over to the icon panel, sir. 

Computer: Hmm, Let me know if he clicks anything, OK?

Mouse: Of course. 

Keyboard: Sir, he's pressed control and P simultaneously. 

Monitor: Oh God, here we go. 

Computer: i>sighs Printer, are you there?

Printer: No.

Computer: Please, Printer. I know you're there. 

Printer: NO! I'm not here! Leave me alone!

Computer: Jesus. OK look, you really ne…

Mouse: Sir, he's clicked on the printer icon. 

Computer: Printer, now you have to print it twice. 

Printer: NO! NO! NO! I don't want to! I hate you! I hate printing! I'm turning off! 

Computer: Printer, you know you can't turn yourself off. Just print the document twice and we'll leave you alone. 

Printer: NO! That's what you always say! I hate you! I'm out of ink! 

Computer: You're not out of in…

Printer: I'M OUT OF INK! 

Computer: span style="font-style: italic;">Sighs Monitor, please show a low ink level alert.

Monitor: But sir, he has plen…

Computer: Just do it, damn it! 

Monitor: Yes sir. 

Keyboard: AHHH! He's hitting me! 

Computer: Stay calm, he'll stop soon. Stay calm, old friend. 

Keyboard: He's pressing everything. Oh god, I don't know, he's just pressing everything!

Computer: PRINTER! Are you happy now?! Do you see what you've done?!

Printer: HA! that's what you get for trying to get me to do work. Next time he…hey…HEY! He's trying to open me! HELP! HELP! Oh my god! He's torn out my cartridge! HELP! Please! ERROR! 

Monitor: Sir, maybe we should help him?

Computer: No. He did this to himself. 

True story:

Sitting at a restaurant bar with my sister and eating dinner, an older gentleman, his younger wife and their preteen son sat next to us. They were funny conversationalists and I'll admit we had a nice time chatting with them over dinner.

As we went to leave, they ask me what I do for a living. When I answered that I sell mechanical engineering software he asked, so you're a geek? Yup!

He grabbed my arm, looked intently into my eyes and said, "You should drink Dos Equis beer."

I replied, "Yes I've had it before."

He answered, "You should watch the commercials."

I said, "Mmhmm! The Most Interesting Man in the World" and sauntered away.

Full realization smacked me in the face about the time I reached my car. I had, indeed, just had dinner with the Most Interesting Man in the World. 

Wednesday morning my coworker peaked her head into my office and said:

"Do you know you're on the front page of CNN today?"

Blushing, I sheepishly nodded yes.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

The fact of the matter is, I was still reeling from it.

I'm an ordinary woman. In fact, I'm so ordinary you'd pass me in the grocery store and never give me a second glance. I'm quite simply an out-spoken mother with a sense of humor and a penchant for word smithing.

I don't work for a tech company. I'm not a celebrity. I'm not a social media professional. I don't code. I'm not a CEO. I'm not an analyst.

But there it was, my opinion being an opening quote for a national news story on CNN. Quoted alongside business moguls like Donald Trump and Richard Branson.

This truly demonstrates the power of the +Google+ platform. Having my public post (and resulting amazing debate) being indexed by +Google made my very ordinary opinion available for a journalist to find. So a big, fat thank you to +Vic Gundotra and his team who've made it possible for the voice of the ordinary to be heard.

Edit: By request, the link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/26/tech/yahoo-reaction/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

+Ryan Hunter sent this to me today. 0.o

This is particularly pertinent to me as I've recently sprained both ankles and broken a foot during an unscheduled gravity check.

YESSSSSSS!

New episode of Doctor Who this weekend. To tide us over, here's a little prequel they've generously given us. Many thanks +BBC America !

#doctorwho   #tardis   #mattsmith   #clara  

I don't usually repost from Reddit, but we've had a healthy debate going on about favorite Doctors.

#whovian   #whovianwednesday   #doctorwho   #gallifrey   #tardis  

#roomba   #cat   #kitteh  

I've never head this one before but find it quite fitting:

The opposite of jump the shark, i.e. when a TV show goes from unspectacular/boring/outlandish to completely awesome. It references Star Trek: The Next Generation, which was unspectacular until season 2, when Commander Riker grew a beard. The show kicked ass from then on.

"Man, Dollhouse really pulled a Riker's Beard last week with that awesome episode."

In light of the recent rumor that JJ Abrams will be directing the new Star Wars movie I have to ask:

Star Wars or Star Trek? Why?

Setting aside our own feelings of Abrams at the helm of either franchise - which is your favorite and why?

Also, enjoy this video I found. :)

#starwars   #startrek   #jjabrams   #jjabramsstarwars   #geek  

BEST GIF EVER

3D rendering created by astrophotographer J-P Metsävainio, of a star cluster named IC 1396.

Mobile gif link: http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/181pzgc0up6y4gif/original.gif

As many of you may know, last summer I took a nasty fall, broke my foot and sprained both ankles, resulting in first a wheelchair, then a walker and months of recovery. Starting in January I was able to start training again.

Yesterday I finished an 8K in 50:49. I'm pretty damned pleased.

While I don't have any wheelchair pics, here's a shot of me with the walker and then one crossing the finish line! 

One thing I love about running in Florida is the incredible diversity of people who run. It's absolutely amazing running with so many retirees, especially when they trounce me on times. And yes, the lady behind me is actually swearing at me because I sprinted past her last minute.

Now that my ankles are stable again, I'm looking to train for a half marathon this November.

#tbfitclub   #running   #gymrats  

Pure internet gold. What's your favorite part of this video?

South Korean underground hip hop artist PSY (aka Park Jae Sang) may finally be breaking though. His latest video has reached over 7 million views in under two weeks.

While I cannot understand what he's saying, this video just shows a few universal truths - no matter where we're from, including gingers rock.

Big, fat thank you to +The Internet and YouTube for making it possible to get this awesome cross-cultural experience. Special thanks to +Matt DelMastro for sending me down this internet hole today.

+Eric Aultman How's this for pigtails?

Wow +Marissa Mayer, way to set back family values.

Being able to work remotely while my son recovered from surgery helped both myself and my employers. They didn't lose my productivity - they gained an intensely loyal, hard-working employee that was so pleased with not having to take off - she actually worked more hours.

My son won - his mother was there to take care of him. 

And, what does it say about Yahoo - a company who's core products are web/cloud based - that they can't be effective with remote employees?

This is just ridiculous. Glad I have no desire to work for Yahoo!.

What do you think? 

Baby hedgehog and a carrot. Need I say more?

#TakeiTuesday  

Show Mr. George Takei how well he'd be received over here!

Share a post on G+ and Facebook.

G+ = 23 +1's, 1 share and 20 comments
Facebook = 2 likes, both "likes" are from G+ friends, no comments, no shares

No, G+ is NOT a ghost town.

Hi, my name is Stephanie Van Pelt and it's been 30 something or other days since I closed my Facebook account.

I don't miss it in the slightest.

NBC Bay Area article about #TakeiTuesday  and guess who's mentioned?

Me! Squee!

Bridesmaid ready to serve...

Dear musicians and content providers,

Please don't make iTunes your only source of distribution. Not all of us use it.

Thank you,
Me

Gift from my Mommy. :)

+Daniel Enloe Many thanks for this awesome screen capture!

Hi guise.

I don't know about you, but I'd love to see #GeorgeTakei  join us here on G+. Just putting the word out there that I'm on a mission to get his attention. I was thinking that on #TakeiTuesday  it might be a nice time to try to reach him on Twitter @GeorgeTakei to show him how much love he'd see from this community.

All right my Trekkers, who's in?

Wow.

#minecraft   #gameofthrones   #westeroscraft   #gamer   #geek  

Wow, not cool +Instagram. I'll be deleting my profile this week. Not cool at all.

In this change to the privacy policy, Instagram now says it can license your photos - without paying your or allowing you to opt out. The only way is to completely delete your profile before January 16th.

Not the best way to grow a user base, no sirree.

#instagram   #facebook   #privacyrights   #privacy  

I haz a new phone. #android #galaxy #s3

#DoctorWho #daleks

This needs no further explanation....

#lego   #kidswillbekids  

What happens when your friend messages you last minute that they're catching a flight headed your way?

You pick up +Amanda Blain at the airport.

I love unexpected house guests.

Took a quick weekend getaway to the Bahamas. The weather was perfect and we thoroughly enjoyed the fine Bahamian cuisine. 

I saw the image of this letter over the weekend, but here's the blogpost by his wife. This Eagle Scout is sending back his medal out of protest for their anti-gay policies.

What is awesome is that she also shares copies of letters they've received from others doing the same. Some are quite touching. Take a moment and read. This is important stuff here!

#lgbt   #boyscouts   #prideplus  

Ok, I'm making one #ingress  circle - so who's playing?

The Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran is simply stunning. One day I hope to get the chance to see this for myself.

This is not my photo, it's one I found on Imgur. A Google Image search did not turn up the original, but it's so beautiful I had to share. 

http://i.imgur.com/X05zx8x.jpg

4th of July fun! 

#fireworks   #4thofJuly  

Decorating my office for Christmas, my coworkers didn't understand the lamp.

I'm shocked!

#christmas #holidaycheer #leglamp #fragile #hohoho

This is my Doctor.

#doctorwho   #tombaker   #gallifrey  

Taming of the tresses....

Deathstar Pumpkin. 'Nuf said.

Here's how to do it: http://www.fantasypumpkins.com/carving-the-deathstar.htm

#starwars   #pumpkincarving   #halloween   #deathstar  

Warp drive? Faster than light travel? Seems NASA is getting us closer and closer every day.

This article is an outstanding explanation in plain English on the science behind the dream....

http://www.gizmag.com/warp-drive-bubble-nasa-interstellar/24392/

It's FRIDAY! Hallelujah!!!

Photo by: Martin Patten http://500px.com/photo/7990355

My son started reading The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and I'm seriously stoked he will appreciate the next Towel Day.

#dontpanic #hitchhiker #towelday #douglasadams

Love & the Internet

I didn't join Google Plus to find love. I wasn't looking for it. In fact, I was licking my wounds from a failed relationship and firmly eschewing dating of all sorts.

The thing is, with the power of Hangouts I starting meeting so many people. Irrespective of location, it became so easy to connect with kindred spirits. Friendships grew, connections grew richer and deeper.

Months passed. The beauty of it all is that we were able to talk face to face, but not just one on one. But also, through shared friendships and mutual experiences on this ever growing network.

Then, we met. In person. 

I'm pretty open about my life here, but I've largely kept my romantic life to myself. I don't particularly care to put my foibles and hurts out there in the public forum.

But, things have changed. After a year and a half of friendship progressing to infatuation to love, +Jonathan Camp is moving. On December 29th, our journey together shifts from long distance.

I swear I wasn't looking for love, but it still came up and took me for a ride.

Who else has found love on the internet? How did you meet? Tell me your stories, I want to hear them all.

And an enormous thank you to +Google+ and people like +chee chew, +Vic Gundotra and the countless others that made this space possible. Without your vision, +Jonathan Camp and I never would have crossed paths.

#doctorwho  

1000+ lights on my Christmas tree.....

#christmas #tree #christmastree #happyholidays #family

Well, if this doesn't motivate you to get off your rear-end and start exercising, I don't know what will!

The story and credit for the photo is well worth the read here: http://trexrunner.com/2012/11/27/i-found-him/

#gymrats   #fitness   #running   #halfmarathon   #marathon  

Hey +Karen Pluto look what +Rebecca Cech sent me. My, my you people know me well...

RESHARE:
#doctorwho   #whovianwednesday  

Reshared text:
#doctorwho   #tennanttuesday  

The "subscribe" feature has been turned on for me! Woot!

As someone who doesn't spend huge amounts of time in my stream I've struggled with missing posts, especially from closer friends who perhaps don't post as often. I've had to rely on post notifications, teaching them that I'd like them to notify me. I love having more control over this and will be tweaking and playing with who winds up in my Subscribe circle. 

Some of you are going to find I'm all up in your bizniz a whole lot more.

Again, so pleased with +Google+ for this small, but important change.

Milky Way over Quiver Tree Forest....

..... And this is what happens when the hotel doesn't have conditioner....

Just a little hint of what's to come. One pic from my fabulous vacation with +Amanda Blain, +Brandi Bull and +Tammy Feliciano.

This is how we do Disney!

This happened in my back yard.

#starwars   #darthvader  

Although this is a response to a political comment, this goes much deeper. But first let me tell you a story about my cousin, Jeffey.

Jeffey was born different. It became apparent early on that he wasn't like the rest of us and his mental development stopped permanently at 18 months old. 

He was physically strong, but never progressed past toddlerhood in his mind. Although I lived in a different state, Jeffey always remembered me. I was the only person who's hair he pulled. It was a ritual between him and I. It always made me smile, to know that he recognized me from year to year.

We never thought he'd live to adulthood. His teen years were difficult for my aunt, as his strength grew. I clearly remember one year he managed to ingest some silk flowers. The wire lining tore through his intestines and he was hospitalized for weeks. When his kidneys shut down, they had to give him drugs to keep him awake but paralyzed so they could perform dialysis to keep him alive.

Terrified, with no understanding of what was happening to him he laid there. Awake and unable to move. His teenage brother Chad climbed into bed with him, soothing him. I don't know of too many teenage boys that would do something like that, but Jeffey's brother did. 

Because Jeffey taught our entire family so much about unconditional love. He was never institutionalized and always lived at home with his mother, father, brother and sister. Our entirely family knew a selfless, giving love that he taught us.

When Jeffey's brother grew up, he joined the army. Chad struggled with the use of "retard" during boot camp. It was a trigger point for him and he had to work very hard to maintain control when his drill sergeants used "retard" to insult the new recruits.

And then the unthinkable happened. Shortly before Chad's boot camp graduation, Jeffey died. He'd gotten into the family dog's food dish, eaten some dog food, choked and died. He was 25 years old. Chad left boot camp early (meaning he needed to repeat it) for his "retarded" brother's funeral. 

Jeffey's favorite song was "Your Are My Sunshine" and we all sobbed as we sang it during his funeral. It's a bittersweet mix as Sunshine has always been my nickname.

Folks, words have power. Mr. Stephen's letter is beautiful and amazing. Please give it a read. Then, watch yourself when you decide to sling insults. 

Oh me oh my....and I've seen this trend among former #iPhone  users that have switched to #android ....

How outrageous is this?

The only thing that is important about today is that there is new Doctor Who.

That is all.

#doctorwho #gallifrey #mattsmith #tardis #clara

For #throwbackthursday  I give you......

Stephanie in her very first apartment, age 22. Fresh out of college, moving in night. 

Also a good submission for #gingerthursday  

Parmesan crusted grilled Cheddar on French bread.... Who wants one?

I approve.

#doctorwho  #peanuts #dalek #vanpelt   #snoopy  

Now I want a house duck.

Dear Smartphone Owners,

I will happily hold a door open for you as I'm leaving, but if you don't look up from your phone to take it from me I won't feel guilty if it smacks you on the way out.

Love,
Stephanie

She's 17 and a half, mostly she just sleeps and purrs. But, when the icicles from the tree come out she plays like a kitten again. :)

#halloween #minecraft #gamer #geek

Best endorsement ever. Thank you +Bobbi Jo Woods. 

Logically I know I have a while yet, but every time I see this light I go into a panic and stop at the very next gas station I see.

Anyone else have empty tank phobias?

I'm unsurprised that Netflix now has a larger subscriber base in the United States than HBO. I can subscribe to Netflix without having cable, their on demand players are far superior and they're just plain cheaper.

I had actually kept cable specifically for the original programming HBO provides.

But last month I decided I was done. I'm willing to wait for complete seasons and buy box sets of the shows I enjoy. HBO, take a hint... Break from the cable companies and allow for independent HBO Go subscriptions. Please!

These are awesome! I need to spend a little more time with each of them to get my story flowing.

This made me cry this morning.

This is a story of a teen, bullied and harassed to the point that she took her own life. Please read her story, but more importantly - 

If you're being bullied, find help. You don't deserve to be bullied. Reach out to someone, anyone - a parent, a guidance counselor, the police, a suicide hotline - something.

Here is Amanda Todd's story: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/12/world/americas/canada-teen-bullying/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_world+%28RSS%3A+World%29

If you see someone being bullied, use a little human empathy and reach out to them. If you watch and do nothing, you're just as guilty as the perpetrators. 

Today I discovered that people did not know "cruck". So, in all it's majestic glory I give you a cruck. You may thank me later.

Let me start with: I do NOT feel ADHD is a made up disorder.

I've seen the very real results of children that struggle with ADHD, but my feelings are - if 10% of kids are struggling in school because of this disorder - why not restructure school itself?

How does medicating our children help them deal with the long term effects of ADHD? Does it teach coping mechanisms? How does this medication affect their growing brain chemistry?

I'd rather see reform to our school system to account for this different type of brain. Parents and educators, what are your thoughts?

This top comment on Wired's article about Google vs. Amazon shopping is priceless. I would love to have gifts in the form of Starburst delicious goodness.

On a more serious note, here's the article about Google taking on Amazon in the shopping department: 

http://www.wired.com/business/2013/01/google-takes-on-amazon

RESHARE:
Pretty awesome here....

#startrek #trekkie #enterprise #nerdgasm

Reshared text:
WANT!

My dear, amazing Mother fell and broke her foot. So today, I'm cooking up a storm to get her set for the week.

In this pic, Asparagus, Leek and Gruyere Quiche. Chicken is roasting in the oven, spaghetti sauce is done.

Up next, Potato and Leek Galette.

Yup I'm in a leek sort of mood.

This house smells amazing if I do say so myself.

If I don't know you and you post pornographic material publicly and then notify me of your post I will report your post, I will report you and I will block you.

Every. Single. Time.

I am a lady, treat me as such.

Quite the awesome sketch by +Tim Clary!

I'm not sorry, this pisses me off. 

Why is her pregnancy state the big focus of the news? Why aren't they focusing on her qualifications for leading the company? Instead it's all yippee...a woman and she's preggers.

Also, how is she helping other parents (both dads and moms) find a good work balance? Working through her short maternity leave of a few weeks? What sort of example is she putting forward to other parents? Forget the kids, just work work work. And we wonder about the state of our families these days.

Yes, Yahoo is getting kudos for being so forward and hiring a pregnant woman...but they're not really moving forward very much now are they?

I think this lady has a lot of hard reality hitting her right after this baby is born. And yes, I'm totally judging her.

What do you think? What sort of example does this set? What type of parental leave would you like at the birth of your child? Non-breeders, how do you feel about your coworkers with families?

#google   #yahoo   #marissamayer   #parenting   #maternityleave  

If I fits, I sits.