SAFUN

The term “cloud computing” is becoming more mainstream (it’s on today’s Dilbert comic strip!). In the 90’s, it used to be that only IT professionals knew anything about building an infrastructure in a data-center, developing web applications and serving data over the web. For everyone else, the extent we knew about computers was to create word documents, spreadsheets, and maybe store photos. We always kept our data stored safely on our computer at home.

Today, more and more people are signing onto the Internet and utilizing platforms like Facebook or Twitter to communicate, Flickr to store photos, Wordpress for online journals, eBay or Craigslist to sell items. With cheaper hardware, faster networks, tech-savvy entrepreneurs are building platforms where end users can easily upload their data to share with the world. Most importantly, these platforms are developed with simplicity so anyone can virtually use them. My grandmother,  who didn’t grow up in a world with computers, very easily created herself a Facebook account. So every time you upload a photo to Flickr, send a message on Facebook, update your status on Twitter or write a post on your WordPress blog, do you wonder where it’s going? Many people don’t really know or care until their data is either gone or their information has been compromised.

When you hear the term cloud computing, this is the place where your data is going. If your data is important to you, it’s important that you know where your data is going. In some cases, it’s worth paying for a service to ensure your data is backed up and secure.

Here’s a link to a video (couldn’t embed) that CNN recently produced explaining cloud computing in it’s simplest terms. (I also encourage you to read the entire article):

My cousin, Renee, a senior at O’Connor high school played for the varsity volleyball team this past season. They beat Reagan, making them number 1 in the city.  They made it to the final four for the 5A State Championship, beating a team from the valley. They went up against Austin Westlakes, a team that had won the IV-5A title the past 2 years. This was new for O’Connor and I am so happy Renee had the opportunity to make it that far. It will be an experience she will never forget. She is #5 on the far right. Go Renee! Read the full article here.

I finally saw Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” movie. I am a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, more so than a fan of him. Maybe it wasn’t my era but I just didn’t get engrossed with knowing what was going on in Michael Jackson’s life. No question he produced some damn good music. He created new sounds, new beats, new flavor and it’s the type of music that is timeless. Billy Jean is still played in the nightclubs (not the 80’s clubs either).

The movie was the behind the scenes of the rehearsal for his “This Is It” tour. It was amazing to see the dancers come from all over the world to audition and to see how emotional they got. These were die hard fans. The movie was a documentary so there was no acting. They had video cameras at the rehearsal purposely to create a movie to be produced after the show was over. The difference was that Michael Jackson wasn’t expected to have died. And honestly, throughout the documentary, I felt like Michael Jackson knew he was leaving. Maybe he thought it was going to be after the tour but it definitely seemed like he knew.

If you’ve seen any of Michael Jackson’s videos or performances, you know he goes all out. This was suppose to be the ultimate show. The costumes, the dancing, the stage – it was amazing. He sang and dance, just like he did 20 years ago. It was crazy to know he was shy of 50 years.

My take from the entire movie was that Michael Jackson created music that made you reflect, that made you want to love someone, that made you move, that created a fire inside you – as if we were going to march for a cause.

Man in the Mirror sums it up for me. “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and make a change. I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways.”

Jason and I typically hang low for Halloween. We enjoy hanging out with my family and watching my nieces and nephews dress up in their cute outfits. This year, since it fell on a Saturday, I figured we’d go up to Austin and visit my brother and his wife. Their friends were having a costume party so we went ahead and did the costume thing. Star Trek it was. We made our own outfits and I didn’t even have to buy anything! Jason made the cool Star Trek logos out of foam paper and we just got him some ears and a gun. My brother did an excellent job as Billy Mays (video below) and Layla did the Jessica Simpson look. There were actually some pretty creative costumes at Sean and Sarah’s party, who were Kayne West and Rhianna. My favorite? YouTube!

See all photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/safun/sets/72157622714512654/

We were blessed with a beautiful weekend in San Antonio. The Jefferson High School 4^th Annual Trick Treat & Trot 5K was a big success. My Uncle Paul is head basketball coach and teacher at Jefferson High School. He puts this event together every year to help raise money for the basketball team to attend a tournament in Washington DC.  As a graduate of Jefferson and coaching there for 20 years now, he does a lot for the school and the community. Many of his students have never had the opportunity to travel outside of San Antonio and they might never have that opportunity. Participating in a tournament in Washington DC gives them that opportunity and what greater place to go then our nation’s capital.

Former Mayor Ed Garza and Mayor Julian Castro, both Jefferson graduates, along with the Spurs Coyote and Silver Dancers all came out to support the event. It’s always great to see family, friends and neighbors come together to support our youth.

See all photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/safun/sets/72157622550148251/