Allen Highnote’s Blog

Someone just asked me why didn’t I write more on my blog. Well maybe the comment was from several months ago and I just got around to reading it. Oops, sorry!

The fact is, I just don’t have the time or I haven’t concocted anything to say. I’m so busy with SPMA, swim meets, programming, my own health, etc, blah, blah, blah — that I just haven’t had the time to update this page. Perhaps, I have too many websites that I like to update on a simi-regular (read erratic) basis.

Also, I’m not one for telling you every time I think I’ve done something clever (or stupid for that matter). Those things just aren’t important to me to talk about.

If you want to know about what is going on in my life, check out my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1135922741.

You can also check out my company website at: http://www.NoteworthyIS.com. I specialize in ColdFusion applications and website development. Oh, I hear someone whining now — “Why is your blog developed in PHP?” My answer is “Get over it!” I love programming in ColdFusion but I won’t hesitate to use FREE software wherever I can!!! Yeah, there are a couple of FREE ColdFusion Blogs available but I saw WordPress long before they existed. If I were starting from scratch today, I would likely choose, Ray Camden’s BlogCFC. See link to RIAForge.org below.

You may ask, “Do you program in PHP?” Only when it is completely unavoidable and only minor mods are needed and only when PHP is a better solution than ColdFusion and that is extremely RARE! One thing I like is that there is a huge amount of FREE PHP software on the web. The same thing is about to happen with ColdFusion. NewAtlanta has just released the Java based BlueDragon product to Open Source. BlueDragon is a ColdFusion-compatible web application server. You can expect to see a lot more FREE ColdFusion software in the near future. One great place is http://www.riaforge.org. RIAForge was the brainchild of Ben Forta with the principal developer for the project being Raymond Camden. Both of these guys are noted authors in the ColdFusion communities.

My partner, Martin, just sent me a link to this site. Atom Films.  This has got to be one of my favorite sites of all times. There are hundreds of very creative videos and animations. The one that I first saw was Animator vs Animation.

Yesterday I attended the USA Swimming Foundation’s All-Star Clinic. What a great day.  Coach Mark Schubert run a great workout and then Olympic champions Lenny Krayzelburg, Jason Lezak and Rowdy Gaines, plus American record‐holding breastroker Jessica Hardy and NOVA coaches Mike Collins and Ahelee Osborn gave us instruction on each stroke and turn. After all of this swimming (about three hours) we were treated to a fantastic lunch and nutrition talk by Charlene Boudroux.  Pictured are Rowdy Gaines, myself, Jason Lezak, Jessica Seaton, and Errol Graham.

Today, I helped time the SCM Turkey Shoot Swim Meet held at Steven E Schofield Swimming Pool at Pierce College.

Oh Wow!   What an opportunity — just imagine being trained by some of the best swimmers and coaches in history!

On November 17 I’ll be attending the USA Swimming Foundations All Star Swim Clinic in Los Angeles. The clinic will be led by Mark Schubert with Rowdy Gaines, Lenny Krayzelburg, Jason Lezak and Jessica Hardy. Combined they have earned 11 Olympic medals and 39 U.S. National Titles with hopefully many more to come! This clinic is only open to USMS members 18 years old and older. More information can be found out at http://www.spma.net.

This clinic is designed for ANY masters swimmer who has a desire to improve their technique.  In addition to a workout and stroke clinic, nutrition and sports medicine will be presented by USA Swimming experts.  Don’t think it’s just for “elite” swimmers. It is for EVERY member of USMS.

Hope to see ya there.

Dear Friends and Family,

On March 1, 2007 my hometown of Americus, GA was stuck by an F3 tornado. While I no longer live in Americus, it is still very important to me. In this rural south Georgia town of only 15000, over 400 homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed. The only hospital within 40+ miles (Sumter Regional Hospital) was completely destroyed. Below are two links that show the devastation.

Town and Hospital: http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2535085#133217368
Hospital Destroyed: http://sumter.fastcommand.com/photo_album/index.php?category=34⊂=Static

I grew up less than a mile from where most of these photos were taken and was born in that hospital. The devastation is unreal. The home I grew up in was untouched however.

Here’s how you can help! Sieman’s Medical is giving away a FREE MRI machine to the hospital that receives the most votes for their video. Simply visit http://winanmri.com, watch and vote for “Blow Away - Sumter Regional Hospital”. Vote as many times as you can, no more than once every 24 hours, and help them win the MRI.  It won’t cost you anything other than a few minutes of your time.

Please forward this email on to as many people as you can! (When doing so, please use the BCC for privacy!)

Thank you and hope you’re doing well,

Allen Highnote