Showing posts with label thom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thom. Show all posts

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Show Featured Image After Shareaholic - WordPress


Placing a featured image before the first content paragraph but after the Shareaholic social sharing links plugin. This is pretty simple, but just in case someone needed a quick solution, here is the code. In my case, my theme didn't support this, and I created a child theme so I could update without overwriting my custom changes. It's always smart to create a child theme.



My other Github code.

Link to image here.
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Revealed: The Lost Chapter of Interstellar


Did you know that WIRED Magazine included a short graphic story called REVEALED: THE LOST CHAPTER OF INTERSTELLAR in their latest magazine issue? In the paper version they inserted the story over several pages. But you can read the entire thing online here.
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

No Longer Haunted By The Question


Vague title right? Jason Alba at JibberJobber used an old post, "A Question That Haunts Me Wherever I Go", to make some points today about being able to communicate what you do, and who you are. At the time I wrote that post, I really was struggling with an identity, and an ego. "You should know me!" I exclaimed. Wow was I wrong. It was all my fault, and I finally solved the problem.

Elevator pitches are hard to construct, and most people pitch the wrong thing. I'm probably doing the wrong thing in a few eyes, but here is what I finally came up with and it seems to have been working pretty well.

When someone asks me what I do, or who I am , or you know, wants to know what my expertise is, I give them three words "I'm a coder." Not vague, and it does something very important for me. If you're not interested in coders or coding, you say cool and move on. However, it's been my experience that those three words lead to a broader discussion, even if it's short-lived. Usually, the next question is, what is a coder or what do you code? See, now I have the chance to give the person a little more information, and I might be able to frame my answer based on my location, or who is asking the question.

I don't need to sell you on a company or a service if our time is short. I can hand over a business card or tell them to Google my name, Thom Allen, Thom with an H, and say let's chat if you have any coding needs. My website gives them more than enough information. Hopefully I can get their card or name, and now we can start a networking relationship, or better yet, a business relationship.

I've tried the 30 second elevator pitch: "I do this and that, or this and that, and I can do this or that." Some elevator pitches actually derail the opportunity to do business with someone. If your pitch doesn't contain something they are interested in, they just say cool and move on. Lost opportunity.

Again, I'm not claiming this to be perfect, or that it would work for anyone else. All I know is it works for me, I'm not painted into a corner, and I don't feel the need to inundate the person asking with TMI, too much information.

Picture from Robert
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Friday, November 21, 2014

New Metallica Song: Lords of Summer

I'm not sold on the St. Anger style Metallica has adopted, not sure if it's easier on aging bones, but its not like Metallica of old. Oh well, this is a new song, which isn't really new, but I just stumbled across it today.

Take a few minutes and watch.

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Friday, June 20, 2014

Progress And Update On Cancer Fight

Hello everyone, I wanted to give an update on my cancer and treatment. Most importantly, I want to thank everyone for their support. I remain amazed and humbled, and despite the up and down nature of fighting cancer, leaning on my family and friends help me get through each day.

At the moment I'm finishing up my firth round of chemo, with an additional treatment next week. After that, we will do what is called a PET CT scan which looks throughout my body to see if the cancer has spread, and if the tumor has shrunk. Basically we want to see if the chemo treatments are working.

The next steps after the scan are two more rounds of intravenous chemo, then a long stint of direct tumor radiation therapy and oral chemo.

All of this is dependent on my blood. Chemo kills blood cells, and because of that the blood is unable to produce things like blood platelets. Several times during treatment I've had low white blood cells and low platelets, both of which prevent chemo treatment, and puts off my schedule.

We're fighting hard. My faith is strong, my attitude is still positive, and I'm dedicated to doing what ever it takes to stay on track and win this fight. Again I want to thank everyone for their continued support, thoughts and prayers. These gifts don't go unnoticed and touch me deeply.

And one final thought, if you wonder what I do all day, here is a small look. Most of the time I spend staying up to date with what's happening in the tech field, I want to stay fresh and sharp so when I go back to work I can give the same amount of help as I have in the past. I also spend time helping my family get to places they need to go, usually watching a grand child, which of course is a joy. I've also been doing some genealogy, and if I could get Scott Olsen to give me some direction, I'd be taking way more photos than I have been.

I also exercise when possible, read (my kindle is over flowing), and listen to music. I've burnt through Netflix and am always looking for more shows to watch. I've played Xbox thanks to my team supplying the best game on the planet, NASCAR, which I've gotten some good play time with.

Gina and I try to spend as much time together as possible. It's important for us to remain connected, true with each other, and supportive. Going through this isn't easy. I want to be able to share what is really going on with me, how I feel, every little pain and stress. And I also want to know what is going on with her, how she feels, and give her the support she needs as she faces this battle with me. She has been so supportive, my rock. My kids, my extended family, have all been there to support me. I love them all.

I also want to thank Bob, John and Clint for checking in on me nearly every day, and for coming over, it's nice to see your faces. If any of you want to come visit, just let me know, I'd love the company.

I guess all in all I just try to stay busy. Keep my mind sharp, brain educated, and soul nourished. Keep sending good thoughts my way, I can feel it, believe me.

Signing off for now.

Picture provided by James Wheeler
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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Salt Lake City Utah FantasyCon 2014 Ticket Giveaway #2

Here we go again, more tickets to give away. These tickets are for Friday July 4th only. Even though this is the 4th of July, you know you can go to FantasyCon all day then find a place to watch the fireworks? There are several places downtown that will fireworks.

Also, another great reason to attend FantasyCon; meeting the cast from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. Take a look at who will be attending, you will be amazed.

OK, so the rules for this ticket giveaway? You must


  • Comment on this post, be sure to include your email address so I can contact you.

  • Share this post on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

  • When you leave a comment, add your Twitter, Facebook or Google+ profile link so I can see where you posted.

  • And if you want to rise above the crowd, post a photo on Instagram of you're favorite character from Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. In the comments, tell us why, and link back to this post. I'll give anyone who does this preference when picking. Hey it's my contest.



I'll draw the lucky winners on Sunday June 22nd. You won't want to miss this. Good luck.

Did you also know with a ticket to FantasyCon, you can also get into WesterCon67, which in the Marriott City Creek Hotel. Yes you heard that right, you can get into WesterCon67 with your FantasyCon ticket. Two for the price of one. You'll be in con heaven for sure. But please, pace yourself.
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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Salt Lake City Utah FantasyCon 2014 Ticket Giveaway #1

 

FantasyCon is coming to Salt Lake City, Utah on July 3-5, at the Salt Palace Convention Center. This is going to be an amazing event, something you have never expereienced before. This isn't ComicCon at all, it's a unique fantasy adventure. From fantasycon.com web site:

FantasyCon brings you the next biggest thing in fan conventions: a fully immersive, interactive experience that turns fantasy into reality and attendees into participants. More than a con, it’s a circus, a Las Vegas show, movie theater, battle arena, major theme park ride, a living dreamscape—designed and created by world-renowned fantasy artists, set designers, and professional costume and makeup artists. At FantasyCon, you’ll be surrounded by live performers, realistic battles, jugglers, magicians, professional cosplayers—and a towering, smoke-breathing dragon. Oh yeah, we also have quality dealer booths and exciting panel sessions like the other cons—if you have time to squeeze them into your action-packed weekend.
Now’s your chance to live in your fantasy world and become the hero, wizard, commander, princess, or sneaky villain you’ve always wanted to be. #Jointheadventure


I'm really excited to attend FantasyCon, and I want to share my excitement with you. I have several tickets to give away, and here is what you need to do to be entered in this fun give away. Here are the rules:


  • I will randomly pick one person from the comments below

  • You must have followed all the instructions if your name is selected to win the tickets

  • I get to make the final decision if you get the tickets, because, well, this is my contest

  • I'll mail you the tickets, it's easiest for me

  • If you comment more than once, you'll be eliminated, once is all you need

  • If you win a ticket, you aren't eligible to win any more tickets



I'll be giving away TWO separate Adult General Admission tickets for Thursday July 3rd. The instructions are easy; comment below why you're excited to attend FantasyCon. Next share this post on at least one of your social networks (using the buttons provided at the top of this post). I'll randomly pick a winner from those who comment below on Friday 6-11-2014.

More ticket giveaways over the next few days. Also, this is a new video just released, and gives you an inside look at what to expect at FantasyCon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2mzxgB0-pQ

Disclaimer: This ticket giveaway is sponsored by me, and I have the final say in who wins the tickets. The tickets were provided by http://www.fantasycon.com
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Sunday, June 8, 2014

Encrypting Evernote Notes

I use Evernote for just about everything. But one thing that I fear is someone breaking into my account, or their server, and accessing private data. I want to keep more personal info in Evernote because that's where most of my life resides. I wanted to share a quick way to
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Friday, June 6, 2014

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Posting via Dropbox

Testing a new WordPress plugin that's let's you write a post using markdown, save it in a Dropbox folder, and WordPress checks periodically to see if there is a new file to Post via Dropbox post.
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Friday, May 2, 2014

30 Day Blogging Challenge: Day Two – 3 Fears I Have

First fear: being trapped in a box or something that is locked from the outside. I'm not claustrophobic, but I do get freaked out when I am trapped and can't work my way out.

Second fear: Insects, bugs, spiders, that might crawl on my body. Nothing freaks me our more that having an unknown bug crawling on my head or neck. I have been know to jump around a little when this happens.

Third fear: Losing my job. When you are a husband and father, putting food on the table, clothing, and shelter are always a worry, and having a job to pay for them is always top of my list. My fear is that I will be let go from a company and then never be able to get another job. Foolish notion, but it drives me to have more than one option.

These are generally my fears. Took me a while to really come up with these.

Find all 30 Day Blogging Challenge posts here.
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