Scott Cate: Family


Writings, thoughts, and observations ...


  1. Escalator with Auto On / Off

    Check out this YouTube video post, about the escalators? Maybe a silly post, but I thought it was cool. The escalators in the Berlin Convention center are on auto pilot, based on motion. As you approach the escalator, it happily comes alive to serve you. When there is no one on the escalator it turns it self off, presumably to save power.

    In the states, if you see an escalator that is stopped, you automatically look for stairs, or an elevator to change floors, especially if you're going up.

    This seems like a great/simple way to save a lot of energy!

    Good job - whoever thought of that first :)

  2. Hand Carry Passport Services from RushMyPassport.com

    I recently needed a new passport faster than the 6-8 week turn around, and even faster than the 2-3 week rush service you can pay extra for from the Department of the State. Searching online I found a bunch of Hand Carry services, and I decided to try RushMyPassport.com and here is a quick overview of what happened.

    First – The service is 90% automated (very nice), along with a few customer service calls to make sure I knew what I was supposed to be doing. My service agent was Barbara – who was very friendly on the phone, and helpful to make sure I was well organized, knew exactly what I was doing, what I had to include, where the closest “Sealing Agent” is, and probably more information that I have since forgotten.

    What’s a sealing agent you ask? I’m glad you asked. Here’s the run down. You can hire a hand carry agency to walk in to a Department of State office, and work on your behalf. If you live in San Francisco or Philadelphia (and I’m sure there are others) then you would not have this problem, since you can do this yourself in person. Living in a state like Arizona, without a local Passport office, you have to look for other options. Now, just any Joe off the street can’t show up and say - “Um, I’m here for Mr. Cate’s passport...” So how do they do it?

  3. Happy to be Insured with Allstate

    We have all of our insurance with Allstate agent Wes Cain. As many of you know, a month ago I was in a minor car accident. I say minor because there were no injuries, and just external body damage to the rear of my car. I have never been in a car accident before that was my fault, so I didn’t really know what to expect. Now, a month later, the accident is behind us (me really) and the car is back good as new. My final thoughts on the whole accident are ... I’m glad no one was inured I’m glad the car accident was minor I’m grateful that Wes Cain is our insurance agent. I’m...

  4. Help us choose a logo for MorningStar Academy Preschool

    We’re trying to decide between these two logo’s. Instead of telling you the nit-picky things we like and don’t like, we’d like to ask your opinion. What do you think? Please Leave comments . Thanks, Scott and Jamie. NO CHEATING …. After you choose A or B above, AND … leave a comment :) you can see all the logos we have to choose from on the LogoTournament Site. http://www.logotournament.com/contests/morning_star_academy OK ... I decided to open a HIT on Mechanical Turk , and for $5.00 I was able to solicit 100 responses. The bad news here, is the general population...

  5. Cameron's World: Superbowl Skybox

    He’s not really watching the superbowl, he’s watching Noggin’. But it’s cute that he created this little fort to watch TV. Courtney wants in, but Cameron says “She’s just a little baby, and too dangerous to get in my fort”. This radio flyer was a gift from Judy, and he uses it every chance he gets. Thank you Judy!

  6. Courtney’s World: Morning Ritual

    The best part of my day over the last few months has been 15-20 minutes somewhere between 5am and 6:30am each morning. My wake up time depends on when baby Courtney decides to start rolling around in her crib. She used to cry when she woke up to get our attention; because she knows that there is a fresh warm bottle on the menu. Cameron and Courtney each have their own room, and their doors pretty much face each other. So when Courtney starts making noise in the morning, She needs a fresh diaper and a bottle to avoid waking up Cameron (and sometimes mommy).

  7. Cameron’s World: Asleep falling off the Couch

    These pictures are kind of hard to tell, but Cameron right now is literally hanging half way on|off the couch. Neither of his feet are touching the carpet. Poor lil’ guy. I only left him like that long enough to snap a few pictures, then carried (all 33 lb’s) of him up to his room....

  8. Cameron’s World: Made Up Characters

    This week during fun and play time, Cameron and I made up characters. I said “My name is Billy, but my friends call me Bouncer” in a funny (probably not so good) Australian accent. Cameron fired back with a simple, “My name is Johnny, and my friends call my Johnny” . Then we played under our made up names running around the house for about 10 minutes before daddy got too tired. :)

  9. Cameron’s World: Funny Saying on January 20, 2009

    Earlier this week Cameron (my 3 year old son) had a tiny pimple on his cheek. Jamie has (great looking might I add) tiny mole on her cheek, and Cameron thinks they now match. To express his opinion, in a very excited voice he says “Look mommy, I have a nipple on my face”. So cute!

  10. ScottCate.com, Family Category

    Testing post into ScottCate.com, Family Category


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