I created a one-minute video tour of the beautiful Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento. I used several photos taken by my father, Dave W. Murray, as well as some photos I took. I hope you enjoy it![…]
Recovering from a Windows 8.1 System Refresh
Something happened to your Windows 8.1 computer, right? You saw the option to “Refresh your PC without affecting your files”. Your computer assured you that “[i]f your PC isn’t running well, you can refresh it without losing your photos, music,[…]
Newsies: A Movie Ahead of Its Time [Gallery]
In April 1992, Walt Disney Pictures premiered something that had not been seen in six years: a big-budget movie musical. The movie, Newsies, was helmed by established choreographer Kenny Ortega in his directing debut. The story loosely follows the adventures[…]
Mediocrity Squashes Creativity
Within the U.S. public education system, mediocrity has become the standard by which students are judged. Furthermore, students are strongly encouraged, or even required, to embrace conformity, and, in return, are poorly prepared for a noteworthy future. Students are educated[…]
What Does Organic Really Mean?
Consumers have a mind-boggling array of foods to choose from at the grocery store. Some foods appeal to families on a tight budget, others are marketed to shoppers with high-end tastes, and others are designed to provide calories in as[…]
(In)Accessible Website Usage
This was a homework assignment for a class on Designing Accessible Websites. I describe my experiences interacting with the Web while simulating different disabilities. I’ve been interested in accessibility issues for many years. I have had a few different friends[…]
Messages for and memories of Dave W. Murray
If you would like to leave a message about Dave or for the family, please visit his new memorial page: http://willmurray.name/dwm This page was created while my father was still alive and struggling to recover from a stroke following heart[…]
Father’s heart surgery, stroke, and death; and Mother’s anemia
Updated 25 October 2013 I just looked through the search terms that people use to find my blog. It is obvious that most people accessing this page are scared and looking for answers about a parent or other close family[…]
How to deal with “I want it now!” in kids
You’re at the circus, Disneyland, the zoo, or the fair. Suddenly your child spots his or her latest “must have” item. The finger points, the hopeful look appears in the eyes, and the words “I want it!” are uttered. What[…]
Review: Alice in Wonderland (2010) [Gallery]
I rate Alice in Wonderland 5 out of 5. This was a fun and exciting movie, and it was excellent in IMAX 3D. If you are expecting the original Disney animated feature, there are a few very well done nods to it, but overall, this is a grown-up adventure fitting a grown-up Alice. There is lots of eye candy (and I mean that in a good way) for both adults and children, but many of the scenes are too intense, disturbing, or scary for younger viewers–especially without adult supervision.
My Life According to Disney
Instructions: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a song title or use the artist I used. It’s a lot harder than you think! Be creative! Some questions may not apply to[…]
Until we meet again…
After a long, chronic illness (though mostly without pain or appearing very sick), I had to put my 16.5 year old cat to sleep today. :’-( She was diagnosed with CRF (Chronic Renal Failure) about two years ago and was only given 6 months to live. Fortunately, we had more time than that together. Read about her, as well as a song and poem that helps me cope with the loss of my four-footed family member.
I (dis)like you because… Um…
It is sad that so much of the fighting, intolerance, and hatred of “the other” seems to align itself along the lines of, and even within, organized religions. Jesus, Mohamed, and nearly every other religious leader taught their followers that[…]
Everything is Possible [Videos]
How many times have you heard the saying that “everything is possible”? Probably so many times that you have become jaded and believe it to be false. If so, then you have made it so, and you are doomed before you start, simply because you believe it. Obviously “everything is possible” is an oversimplification. In this post you will discover the six steps necessary to make “everything is possible” a reality in your life. Keep reading to “Dream it! Believe it! Plan it! Commit to it! Do it! Practice it! Enjoy it!”
What 5 books would I take with me to a desert island?
Q: You’re packing your bag for a trip to a desert island–the kind with no electricity–what 5 books do you take with you?
A: It would kind of depend on how long I was expecting to be on this island. Since I have the luxury of planning ahead and packing for it in advance, I imagine it will be for a bit of an extended stay. In that case, something with lots of pages and a lot of information sounds like the best choice to me.