I wrote my first Wordpress widget today.

widg-et (wÄ­j’Ä­t)

- noun.  A small mechanical device, as a knob or switch, esp. one whose name is not known or cannot be recalled; gadget: A row of widgets on the instrument panel.

It was a fairly pleasant experience.  I was able to put together a reusable plug-in and convert it to a widget.  I am currently using it, check it out on my sidebar: “What I am listening to from Audible.com”.

I plan to write more, but not enough to be considered a Wordpress developer, which are job positions that I didn’t know existed.  Go figure.

In true DeCarlo fashion we purchased season tickets to something we had never been to nor heard about.  This time it was to Fernbank Museum of Natural History.  It is usually a coin flip.  If we go to this thing more than once, we will save money by getting the season tickets, but if we hate it…well we just overpaid for the single visit.

This was one of those “on the fence” scenarios.  We didn’t LOVE it, but we didn’t HATE it either.  I suppose I will take Daniel and/or Savannah and see it again, but the most impressive things there took about 10 minutes to wear off.

I was hoping the facility would be too large to cover in one visit.  That way a second visit was almost required, but that was not the case.

This place was definitely worth a single visit, but I am not so sure that a season pass should be in order.  If they rotate their exhibits often enough, then that may change my opinion.  Time will tell.

It is contract time for my cell phone again and I have some decisions to make.  On one hand, I have loved that I have a Windows Mobile phone that integrates seamlessly with my work email, but on the other hand… I just got through spending a few minutes toying around with Brian’s new iPod touch.  It makes me want to get the iPhone instead of the Tilt.

There is not an easy way to describe this device’s usability.  You really just have to play with one.  Watching this ad does do it some justice, but there is much more to it other than it shows.

You may be wondering why I have decisions to make if I am this “sold” on the iPhone.  There are two missing features that are holding me back.

• No direct Microsoft Exchange integration.  I realize this is a feature that we may never see, but it would be in Apple’s best interest to add it.  There are many corporate types that are not getting this phone solely because this feature is missing.  It would be nice if the email, calendar, and contacts all were synced from my Exchange account.
• While the Exchange integration is important, the deal breaker for me at the moment is Edge.  If the iPhone was 3G capable, I would have my decision made for me.  I hear rumors that it is supposed to be released in early 2008, but there are no official announcements that I can find.

Ho hum… what to do.

After a lull on the boob-tube, new seasons of some of my favorite shows are here!

	Survivor Micronesia - Fans vs Favorites.  Though I don’t usually migrate to reality TV, I have been a long time fan of Survivor.  This season promises to be a good one with a different spin this time.  Who will actually have the advantage - the team of veteran Survivors, or the team that has seen all the moves of the veteran Survivors from watching past seasons?
	Lost.  This series is true to its name as it keeps its audience in the dark.  It becomes a very frustrating show to watch, but I am unable to stop.  Every episode creates new questions.  Are their writers arbitrarily introducing new sub-plots or will the show, someday, tie up all its loose ends?
	Jericho.  Season #2 is here against all odds.  For those of you who don’t know, Jericho was canceled, but the fan base launched a campaign to send thousands of pounds of peanuts to CBS to reinstate the show.  I wasn’t a part of this movement, but am glad it happened, because it is a great show!

And there you have it!

I cannot wait to get to Utah again this year!  We just started planning the trip and time always flies by when we start planning the trip.

So every year that we have gone to Moab, we have driven straight through from Atlanta in Jeeps.  That’s four people, two Jeeps and thirty-six hours one-way.  It isn’t as bad as you may think.  The excitement of getting there keeps us going.  The way back…not so much.

The trip usually consists of four people:  Brian, Leif, Myself, and one other.  Last year it was Kevin, Leif’s best friend from Texas.  We have decided to make him a permanent addition to the trip.  This year, we are adding three others:  Wes, John, and possibly David, though David has yet to confirm.

Also this year, we are trying something different to avoid the numb legs, cramped muscles, and shear boredom that driving 36 hours in a Jeep will cause.  We are going to try to find a truck and trailer to rent to pull the Jeeps or maybe we will ship them.  Both of these things seem expensive, but the most expensive part of the trip has historically been the fuel for the Jeeps.  Hopefully, these will be comparable in cost if not cheaper… one can hope.

If it all doesn’t work out, we will just have to drive it again.  It is beautiful country and the best place to off-road, after all.