I had one of those days yesterday that us coders run into once and a while – lots of stuff done, but one unsolved problem ruins the entire day. Microsoft is world renowned for their ability to break previous versions during upgrades and MS Access 2010 is brutal. I ultimately had to tell a customer that I wouldn’t be able to help them, ate the 3+ billable hours of research time, and let them know they need an Access programmer that can come on site to take a look at what is going on. I did fix a couple of issues, but I am still agonizing over not getting that fixed for them. You win some, you lose some.

On the bright side, Abbe had a great first day of work yesterday. My buddy Ricky Oyola came over to watch the Flyers beat the Wild (and Viv made him sit and watch a bunch of Simon’s Cat videos, then Bubs showed him a few things on the Xbox). And I have a couple of potential clients that would lead to some fun projects and nice people to work with in the next few months. I need to shrug that speed bump off and enjoy the ride. Life is good.

Small Business/Tech Links…

• How To Measure The Return On Investment For Social Media In Marketing
• Google demos QR code Gmail access, claims something better in store
• Facebook to Introduce New Open Graph Apps, Gestures Wednesday [REPORT]
• Google+ Now Lets You Create Memes
• STOP SOPA Code Turns Any Site Dark to Protest Stop Online Piracy Act, Where Do SOPA and PIPA Stand Now?, On the Street: Do You Understand SOPA? [VIDEO], SOPA Isn’t Dead, It’s Just Sleeping (Until February), Why SOPA Is Dangerous, Wikipedia Blackout: Survive with These 12 Alternatives
• Why the iPad Works For Productivity
• Google’s Launches Good to Know Campaign for Web Safety
• 5 Ways Businesses Can Use Social Media as a Tool for Progress
• Impress.js – Create presentations with open web standards
• The Proxority Principle in Web Design

Funny/Interesting Links…

• The Replicator Stop Motion Music Video
• Shakespeare’s The Tempest banned by Arizona schools - Arizona, c’mon.
• The Annotated Jagger/Bowie “Dancing in the Street”
• Hello
• Apocalypse Later, Surf Now

I spent most of yesterday working, but thankfully, did get enough work done to enjoy some of the Winter Classic on TV. Titan was picked up in the morning. The kids came home in the evening. The home is happily loud again.

Just a few days before Abbe, Bill, and I will be running all over Disney World. We would love for you to follow us during race day(s). You can do so by signing up here. You can follow us via phone, email, Facebook, or Twitter.

Small Business/Tech Links…

• Website Legal Compliance – Congress Struggles With Protect IP and SOPA Legislation
• A Year-End (or Year-Beginning) Checklist for Small Business Websites
• iOS ends 2011 with 52% of mobile Web browsing
• Follow The Money To Figure Out Why Lawmakers Support SOPA
• 6 Steps for Protecting Corporate Reputation in the Social Media Age
• Chrome Is Edging Out Firefox

Funny/Interesting Links…

• Let The Race Begin: Google Launches Elections Hub
• Dude, you totally nailed it. (36 photos)
• Little girl upset about gender marketing of toys
• A Man’s Life in 45 Seconds (Video)
• Top artists reveal how to find creative inspiration
• Fishing under ice

Happy 2012 everybody!  This has been quite a year for our home: I ran my first marathon, I proposed to Abbe, Bubs played his first ice hockey games, Viv made some amazing art, I turned 40, the kids went camping for the first time ever in a real tent in the woods, Bubs got his first straight A’s report card, I got health insurance, Viv and Van both got baseballs at a Phillies game, Abbe and I were in the newspaper, Abbe, Bill, and I raised over $11,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and we adopted Titan. So 2012, I think you’ve got some great stuff in store for us as well – let’s do this.

Oh and before our 10 mile run (the last big one before next weekend’s Goofy Challenge in Disney World!)… Abbe discussed black toenails that we runners are prone to get… and I react…

And before I forget, here are some pictures from NYE with the Mecks, we had a blast!

Small Business/Tech Links…

• 5 Apps Worth Downloading This Week
• Why Salespeople Make Bad Fundraisers
• I Resolve: My Top 5 New Year Tech Resolutions

Funny/Interesting Links…

• Austraaaaaalia, Melbourne, kangaroos, didgeridoo, Austraaaaaalia, Olivia Newton John, Paul Hogan, Mel Gibson.
• 2012 & The End Of The World (SLYT)
• Atlantic Wire: Science’s Best Hangiver Cures

Texting a Pens fan after Jagr scores a goal for the Flyers against the Pens in Pittsburgh…

Small Business/Tech Links…

• Rumor: Apple Will Debut Two iPads Next Month, Retina Displays In Tow (Update)
• The Web’s Most Buzzworthy Questions of 2011
• Despite Attacks, Klout Is Poised To Boost Its Influence
• Nearly 40% Of Facebook Users Are Mobile App Users
• Reddit Users Target Pro-SOPA Politicians
• Is Verizon Joking? Paying Online/By Phone Will Soon Cost You An Extra $2
• Forget PIN Numbers, Apple Wants to Let You Unlock Your iPhone With Your Face
• How to Survive Your First Year As An Entrepreneur

Funny/Interesting Links…

• The most sexually perverted electrical outlet ever seen
• Wait Wait
• Zooey Deschanel plays “What Are You Doing New Years Eve?” on ukulele
• Here is Left-Handed Toons (By Right-Handed People)

WOOOOHOOO!!! Look what arrived… That’s right that is Frankie Edgar‘s walkout shirt and an autographed photo of the UFC Lightweight Champion of the World!!! This will be raffled off at the Beef N’ Beer December 4th at the Marlton Tavern between 5-8pm. Please contact myself or Abbe for tickets – $30 for adults, $15 for kids. If you can donate, please consider even a small donation ($5 or $10) – and remember every $100+ donor will get a chance to turn my head into a mohawk! Only a few weeks left for us to hit our goal, we NEED your help folks!!!

In addition to the cool raffle prize that arrived yesterday, the kids Abbe and I went to catch The Muppets (it was awesome), pigged out at Five Guys, then watched Bubs’ ice hockey practice, and then my good buddy Ricky Oyola (my son thinks it’s so cool when an X-Games medalists is in the house) stopped in for a couple of glasses of wine and to watch the Flyers notch a pretty sweet OT win.

We are off to Longswamp now, be back on Friday!

Here’s a Happy Thanksgiving message from Abbe…

Small Business/Tech Links…

• What’s a QR Code?
• 3 Ways to Proactively Monitor Your Online Reputation
• Installing Ruby, Rails, and MySQL on OS X Lion

Funny/Interesting Links…

• What’s on Leonardo daVinci’s “To-Do” list?
• Droogs
• Bacon squeezins water bottle
• Address is Approximate
• Mahna Mahna