CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-21 16:54:30 (30 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

So tell me intelligent people of the Stream who hang out, how do I test settings before instigating a Hangout now?

In the past, when I wanted to make sure my settings/headset were working properly, I would open up a hangout, run a test to make sure everything was working properly, and then invite people. Now, I can't seem to find a way to open a hangout without inviting people first.

Am I missing something?

The pre-hangout ritual is important to many of us. For instance:

~ Going into an empty hangout before inviting a client ensures everything is working properly, you look your best, and the angles are where you want them. 

~ Going into an empty hangout before inviting a group of people ensures you're set up properly and your dirty knickers or piles of washing aren't showing in the background.

~ Going into an empty... more »

2013-05-21 08:24:39 (21 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Shower tip.

2013-05-18 16:15:29 (22 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

Custard pie fight cancelled.

The Mayor of Bakewell made his strong feelings on the matter known “These insurance companies are really damaging our country and taking all the pleasure out of being alive. I’m surprised there isn’t rioting in the streets."
#HealthAndSafetyGoneMad

2013-05-18 11:10:36 (71 comments, 8 reshares, 46 +1s)

The body shameful beautiful

In New York City, a woman is now allowed to go topless anywhere a man can go topless without the threat of arrest. Some here will see that as a battle won; others will see it as yet another blow to America's morality. Me, I have mixed emotions, and I'll tell you why.

As a young child, I never fully understood why my body was considered shameful. But because my parents, my teachers, my mentors, and my god said that they were, I knew it must be true. God wanted us covered. End of. So when my 2-year-old nephew decided to streak through the living room whilst the pastor was visiting, I was appropriately mortified. The baby’s penis was shame, just as my 6-year-old flat chest and hairless vagina were shame. God found our tiny, naked bodies sinful; therefore they must be covered.

Later, there were new messages, which came mostly from mym... more »

2013-05-17 22:15:37 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

The Following


That is all.

2013-05-17 08:20:09 (26 comments, 3 reshares, 14 +1s)

Evolutionary Husband?

Oh ladies... if only

Enjoy!!

2013-05-16 08:43:11 (49 comments, 1 reshares, 27 +1s)

[A bit of satiric comedy :) ]

Ever have the problem where you're trying to filter out melodramatic, close-minded, impetuous, or spoiled individuals, but combing through each circle becomes a bit tedious? Do you ever think, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a telltale psychological indicator revealing the maturity, sensibility, and poise (or lack thereof) of people in your circles?"

Us too. That's why starting today, we're happy to announce a great new feature we think you'll really enjoy. It's called the "initiative to Delete, Uncircle, Mute, and Block", or iDUMB for short.

Here's how it works:

Start by monitoring your stream very carefully. The moment a new update is rolled out, people will begin to make extremely negative, rebellious, hyperbolic, reactionary, and/or self-centered comments. (In other words, they... more »

2013-05-13 15:51:18 (23 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Fascinating

A French apartment that was abandoned during WWII, but left completely untouched until recently, has sold for £1.8 million. Amongst the treasures inside was a painting by the 19th century Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. While it wasn't signed, the authenticity of the work was confirmed via a love letter, written to the flat's owner's grandmother, who was Boldini's muse.

How I would have loved to have been one of the first to enter after seven decades. It must have been a magical experience.

The flat, which is close to the Pigalle red-light district in Paris’ 9th Arrondissement, was said to be like a “stumbling in to the castle of Sleeping Beauty” by one expert, as a room full of artworks and beautiful furniture was discovered behind its long-locked font door.

2013-05-10 11:45:31 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

CircleCount Slogan Contest

For a bit of fun, take a look and vote for your favourite! +CircleCount was gracious enough to allow a few people (including me, just now) to include late entry offerings, so make sure to look through them all before you decide!

2013-05-08 08:14:51 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

Guess what colour I happen to be wearing today!

Pink is my signature colour.



Happy Wednesday, people. 

2013-05-07 10:55:53 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

Tuesdays
any excuse to be a smart arse

2013-05-04 15:58:37 (13 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

The White Crayon
Among the pile of stumps of crayons something stands out. One of the crayons isn't like the others. It is whole. It is untouched. It is the white crayon.

The white crayon has lived of life of solitude. Its lonely existence has left it unharmed while the other crayons have been worn down by life. The white crayon has aged without being damaged; aged without experience; but aged nonetheless. And one day, without ever being used, the white crayon will be thrown out with all the other crayons, each marked by their life of experiences and adventures. The white crayon will end its days in the same, full form as it came into this world. Ending its life without ever truly having lived.

(Comment of mine made into this post because +Scott Cramer said it deserved a post of its own.)

2013-05-04 13:47:38 (31 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

You know, Beauty and the Beast has so much unexplored potential. If they would get off the Vincent and Cat love affair and explore more of the beast within, this could be an awesome show, even with the "beast" being more eye candy than terror-evoking monster with a heart.

I can think of several great story lines that don't have those two fawning all over each other. I think Gary Fieder and crew should hire me...

and a personal chef for Kristin Kreuk. That woman needs to eat.

2013-05-03 09:34:05 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Daybreak assists parents with emotional blackmail plea

This morning on Daybreak, the parents of Fiona Anderson, the heavily-pregnant 23-year-old woman who killed her three children and then took her own life, made a plea by proxy. In it, they begged the father of the four dead children to allow the mother's last wish to be granted: to have the children buried with her, so that she could care for them in death as she had cared for them in life. Apparently, he's not so keen on the idea.

When they first announced that the parent's would be making a plea, I assumed it would be for better mental health awareness and improved, timely access to help, both of which are sorely lacking under the NHS. Instead, what was presented was an emotional ambush on the father. With nothing more than the briefest of nods to what he "must be feeling", presenters Aled and Kate and... more »

2013-04-27 13:00:24 (48 comments, 2 reshares, 36 +1s)

There be dragons here
living with an anxiety disorder

Historically, the phrase, "here be dragons" was used on maps to indicate unexplored and/or dangerous places. In my life, I use the phrase to mark things that are difficult for me to do.

You see, in addition to being bipolar, I have a condition known as social anxiety disorder (SAD) and am anthropophobic, which means I have a fear of people and crowds. While it doesn't sound like much, it can be quite debilitating. The simple act of leaving my house or being around people requires mental preparation—even if it is just a walk to the shops for milk or having my husband, who I love dearly, come home from work. 

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with overwhelming social anxiety and fear of people. Yet, most people who know me in real life are not aware of my condition. As aresult,... more »

2013-04-26 18:05:42 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

In the 70's, the mining industry in the UK was devasted.

2013-04-26 13:28:12 (28 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Court rules that police must treat 17s in custody as children

I agree with this ruling; I believe that 17-year-olds are not fully adult and need the parental support. What I wonder though is why, if 17s are considered to be children, are we still expecting them to work and live as adults at the school leaving age of 16?

Do you see the dichotomy?

At 16, my husband finished compulsory schooling. His desire was to go to college, but his father had a different plan. There was no paying for college or supporting his son (by letting him live at home) whilst he went to college and worked part time in "Dad's" plan. Instead it was "You are a man now. Get out of my house and start acting like one. Of course, it was in his right; compulsory schooling ends at 16 and a parent's obligation officially ends then too. So, unless a kid's got a supportive... more »

2013-04-26 10:06:06 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Does God want this man to stop being so effeminate?
another awesome article by John Shore

I love this guy. If I rocked religion, I would be like this guy. In my mind, John Shore epitomises what religion says it is about, but really isn't: love, patience, tolerance, compassion... and a mean sense of humour.

The whole article is worth a read, but here is a cheeky excerpt for you never have enough time / tl; dr / if you can't say it in 40 words, I can't comprehend it crowd:

No, I don't think you should change. Screw changing. Be the way you are. It's good for us to have men who act like women, and women who act like men. Because those are the kind of people who are leading the way for all of us to be exactly who we really are. People like you are the heroes of our culture.

I'm a six-foot-two, 215-pound man who's about onen... more »

2013-04-26 09:39:55 (46 comments, 1 reshares, 31 +1s)

Woke up to the sounds of a banshee wailing....

No wait. That's just the next door neighbour, singing.





Good morning Google Verse. It's Friday, so let's all be shiny!

Image by  +Najla Qamber: http://najlaqamberdesigns.com/

2013-04-25 23:08:13 (35 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

PSA

There are many ways you can be rude to your fellow Pluskins.

This is one of them.

2013-04-25 18:06:19 (10 comments, 7 reshares, 17 +1s)

Rockin' Hendrix on the Gayageum



Saw this on Facebook. If you've seen it, then scroll on by. If not, take a moment to listen because ....

                                    it's awesome!

2013-04-25 09:37:05 (57 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

When a surf bracelet isn't for surfing

So, yesterday, I received this: 1 Men's Black Leather Surf Wrap Around Strap Wristband Bracelet. A simple little £5 bracelet to wear every day and not have to take off. Last night when having a bath, it fell apart the minute it hit the water. So, I wrote the seller. This morning I received this:

Hi

Thanks for your email and I shall resend your order again today.  To be honest, the bracelet shouldn't really be worn in the bath/shower.

Kind regards

P***

Silly me. It's one of those dry surf bracelets! I should have known!

le sigh

At leas the customer service was good.

2013-04-24 10:24:06 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

I saw a birdy in a tree.
I saw the birdy look at me.

I think I need to climb that tree.


Quick! Someone distract mummy...

2013-04-24 10:22:32 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 8 +1s)

I saw a birdy in a tree.
I saw the birdy look at me.

I think I need to climb that tree.


Quick! Someone distract mummy...

2013-04-24 07:56:21 (13 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Good morning Google Verse

Say hello to my new neighbour.

2013-04-23 21:26:50 (16 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

Two Reasons Why It's So Hard To Solve A Redneck Murder

1. The DNA all matches.

2. There are no dental records.

~ ~ ~

As a redneck by birth, I can post this.

As to the truthfulness of it....









I plead the Fifth.

  #redneck  

2013-04-23 09:06:27 (32 comments, 4 reshares, 27 +1s)

Best Flashmob Ever: Flashmob Performs 'Here Comes the Sun' in Madrid Unemployment Office …  #Spain #Unemployment #FlashMob   

2013-04-22 19:16:47 (7 comments, 5 reshares, 48 +1s)

This gives me happy.


Yeah, yeah, yeah.



h/t to +Loraine Slessor via Facebook

2013-04-22 10:27:15 (27 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Well, hello asthma.

I thought you'd left, or at least grown weaker. Forgive me if I say I not exactly happy to see your return.

  #asthma  

2013-04-21 17:07:45 (19 comments, 32 reshares, 85 +1s)

My kind of fashion advice




found via a Facebook friend

2013-04-21 12:53:51 (33 comments, 5 reshares, 48 +1s)

Is this a threat or a promise?

2013-04-21 09:50:15 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Windows Surface RT
loving little sister

I am so thrilled with this bit of kit. I plugged it in and charged it up right after receiving it. Then, approximately 48 hours later, I plugged it in again, although it had plenty of life left. What did I do in those 48 hours?

* I personalised the table and let it sync with my other kit (PC, laptop, mobile). 

* I downloaded and installed several apps.

* I surfed extensively.

* I wrote reams: making posts, commenting on posts, emailing everyone and their dog, composing nonsensical poetry to  check out Word 2013.

* I tethered to my (new to me) mobile and took it into town to see how it well it worked using my phone as a modem.

* I connected to my home network and watched a film via our digital library.

* I copied the full series of Firefly over to the (purchaseds... more »

2013-04-19 22:20:59 (20 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

+LIVE has just circled me back.

My life is complete.

For those of you who have never experienced Live, I must tell you that, in the 1990s, their music crept into my life and filled me up in a way no music has done before or since. They were, and are, my favourite band ever.

I am so very well-chuffed to see them on Google Plus. As with me, they too have changed; evolved over the years with losses and gains... which is something that endears them to me even more. Their music grows with me, goes with me, ages with me, stays with me.

If you love good music, then check them out.

And Chad, I hung out with you in Houston, Texas, at the Hard Rock Café, back in 2002. I was the cute 40-year-old. I am sure you remember. ; P

2013-04-19 20:58:53 (36 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

I haz confuse

According to Google support, they do not support ARM-based equipment, which is why we can't hangout via a Windows RT tablet. Yet, there are ARM-based Chromebooks available for purchase. So, they don't support their own Chromebooks?

I don't get it. ARM brings a lot to the table when it comes to portable computing. Google must know this or they wouldn't have used ARM architecture in their Chromebooks. So why no support?

This is my last rant on the topic, I promise.

2013-04-19 17:59:37 (33 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

So, I got tired of waiting for the Surface Pro to surface in the UK and decided to go for the Surface RT, which has only arrived in our neck of the woods this week. It comes with Microsoft Office and, by adding the tactile keyboard accessory, it makes a great little works machine that I can easily carry around with me.

So on that front, I am happy.

What I am not pleased to discover is that Chrome and, more importantly, Hangouts are not supported. I use Hangouts for work as well as socialising and, as this was purchased to allow me to travel without lugging my heavy laptop around, I feel as if I've been cheated.

Is there a legitimate reason that Google Talk / Hangouts aren't supported on RT or is this the result of a pissing contest between Google and Microsoft? Is the issue going to be addressed?

2013-04-19 10:35:18 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Hot off the "press", our article on micro fuel cells fabricated by laser ablation:
http://iopscience.iop.org/0960-1317/23/5/055021

This is a huge article: it presents extensive and detailed results  of picosecond ablation of silicon - characterizations by SEM, LSM and micro-Raman are included and discussed. Of course, characterization of the fabricated MFCs are also included and analized, and a comparison is made with analogues microfabricated by more traditional means. And of course, the more traditional process is also described alongside the laser-ablative one.

The article ended up being so big, that we moved several pictures and two tables into Supplementary Data.

Since it's just been published, it can be downloaded for free (for a while).

#marioScience  

2013-04-18 14:34:40 (12 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

2013-04-17 09:57:45 (34 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

FYI

2013-04-14 16:23:41 (59 comments, 0 reshares, 46 +1s)

I am watching The Secret Garden.

What a wonderful film (and book). One of many childhood stories that I love.

Have you seen it? What's your favourite childhood story?



Illustration by Russell Barnett

2013-04-14 13:01:43 (18 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Busker in Dundee

I have a soft place in my heart reserved for buskers. Whilst in Dundee, there were several, keeping the air alive with wonderful music. This was my favourite. He played Scottish tunes that were haunting in their melody. I could have listened to him all day.



photo by me

2013-04-10 09:43:07 (23 comments, 0 reshares, 31 +1s)

Lazy morning having coffee with my friend whilst watching We Need To Talk About Kevin. I'm enjoying my trip; Scotland is beautiful, and the sun has shown for me every day so far. 



I'm headed home on the morrow, so regularly scheduled programming will resume in a few days. Meanwhile:

2013-04-05 10:55:19 (45 comments, 5 reshares, 69 +1s)

I am having an "I love all my G+ peeps" sappy moment. (And, no, I'm not drunk.) 

Enjoy it while it lasts...

2013-04-05 08:40:50 (14 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

New Writer's Page
for moi

With my recent success with work hangouts, I decided to create a page that focuses on my writing and my work, so that I don't bother clients with my strong personal opinions and [more than] occasional rants. If you're into writing, interested in what it is I do for a living, think you might need a writer some day, or just want to support my efforts, feel free to add me to your circles. 

2013-04-03 09:50:06 (60 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Do neologisms make you angry?

neologisms plural of ne·ol·o·gism (Noun): (1) A newly coined word or expression. (2) The coining or use of new words.

"Speed of communication today is matched by the speed with which new words are taken up. [...] With online offerings, success can girdle the world in a matter of months. When I first heard tweet as a term, I sneered. Now I accept it, just as the verb "to Google" has become a part of dozens of languages across the world. Where habit leads, language follows."

I'm personally take umbrage at neologisms and think that we need to nip every one we see in the bud before it becomes a brainworm. Am I a grammar Nazi? Of course not. I'm no noob to the interwebz either. When I comment on your stream or share a post with the greater Googleverse, I always pay the strictest of attention to grammar,pu... more »

2013-04-02 16:29:18 (14 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Google Hangouts for Work
making working with telecommuters easier than ever

I introduced one of my favourite clients (and people in general) to Google Hangouts today. We chatted for a moment and then I used Google Docs to pull up the script we're putting together so that we could both work with it as we talked. He was quite impressed and wants to use Hangouts to meet with the bigger client later this week.

Over the past few years, I've been passed over for a few projects simply because I don't occupy the same meat space as the client. Convincing them that physical distance (of up to 6,000 miles) is not the hindrance they perceive it to be has been difficult. Today however, I made a huge step forward in proving my point. I don't have to be there to attend a meeting. You don't have to fly me over to have a face-to-face. Conversations do not have to... more »

2013-04-01 15:03:29 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Awesome Kid's Room

I don't think that there's anything that would make me want to be a kid again, but I sure would love a grand baby to put in a room like this! 



h/t to +Paul Hennem via Facebook for the find

  #calvinandhobbesforever  

2013-03-31 22:10:41 (157 comments, 25 reshares, 112 +1s)

OMG American Christian People

Google did not insult your Jesus today by celebrating a recently-deceased  Venezuelan dictator!!

Cesar Chavez is one of your own! He even has his own stamp!

Born near Yuma, Arizona this day in 1927, Cesar Chavez used non-violent means to bring focus to the plight of farm workers. He is the founder of the National Farm Workers Association (now known as the United Farm Workers).  As a labour leader, Chavez led marches, called for boycotts and went on several hunger strikes. He died on 23 April, 1993 in San Luis, Arizona.

Why are you protesting Google's commemoration of him? This is exactly the kind of man that Jesus would have held up high as an example.

2013-03-31 11:34:39 (57 comments, 3 reshares, 34 +1s)

Yeah,


I got nothing.

2013-03-30 15:18:55 (69 comments, 2 reshares, 16 +1s)

30 March 2013
Sunderland Mosque Protest

The EDL visited our community again today. They congregated at the various pubs along the main road, and then, at specific time, poured out of the doors and walked to the field across from the soon-to-be mosque, chanting. No counter-protesters showed up.

Here are some photos I took. I guess the one cool thing was that my bridge looks professional enough that I was allowed to cross police lines and weave in and out taking photos without question.

2013-03-29 23:40:06 (33 comments, 5 reshares, 50 +1s)

So, I ran across +Keith Wilson's post about someone throwing away a sofa and it reminded me of when I was manic and had been kicked out of my home with no stuff. I was working for an agency at the time—filling in for secretaries on vacation/holiday—so I was able to rent a cheap apartment. A friend donated a mattress and tiny television they used for camping and that, plus a coffee table from Ikea, was my furniture. 

I did a lot of volunteer work back then, and I spent a lot of my time at halfway houses, hanging with drunks and druggies trying to get clean. One night, I hear this noise in the parking lot. I hear my name. Outside, is a pick-up, full of people and a sofa... a gift, just for me.

Up three flights of stairs they brought that sofa. They deposited it proudly in my empty living room. Hugs all around, tears from me, as the gesture was so beautiful that it wasover... more »