Perforating Art & Life

And It Made My Day...

2007-08-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning and checked my email as my coffee brewed. I was humbled by the words of a staranger passing through the "internet" night. It was from a person living over seas in the country of Dubai. They had found my site randomly and were generous enough to spend a second of their time to pay me a compliment. Thank You!

2007-07-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

As I was taking a smoke break on my balcony last night. I noticed the full moon. No big deal. There are many full moons. I started to think of all the pondering, debates and arguments that I have had throughout my life. I realized that most of that time was spent thinking about the afterlife and the unknown. It's such a waste (well to a certain extent). What I mean is that we forget that we have a ground to stand on and a life here to try to enjoy. It's either spent in worry and disarray. No one knows and who cares. If we do know, then let's discuss.

I guess this is my promise to myself that I will try to taste my food one last time before it goes down. Laugh just a little bit more when listening to a joke. Drink a bit more when drinking (not too much). Hug Keen a bit tighter every time I see him. His baby scent is so sweet. Take pictures and try to remember everything. It can be good. It when we think in scarcity do we make decisions and choices that are ridiculous and not so fun. Life is abundant!

Watching Videos(AVI) with Subtitles

2007-05-22T21:50:00.000-07:00

For a while now, I have been searching for some software that would allow me to watch a avi movie with subtitles(.sub). It is really hard to find good software these days. Especially free or reasonably priced. Luckily scouring the net I was able to find probably the best video viewing software for the PC I could find. I installed it a while back and completely forgot about it. Now I use it religiously. It is Windows Media Classic and it ISN'T a Microsoft product but an open source software. It can be downloaded here:

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/video_players/media_player_classic.cfm

IE Version Browser Testing

2007-05-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

As a designer and developer, I have always needed to check and see that the sites I am developing/designer are cross-browser compatible and that everything looks the way it should. As you know when you upgrade IE version, it is exactly that an upgrade and installs itself onto of an existing version. Ruining any chance of keeping your current version as well for testing.

I recently found an amazing site that offers a download which will install all versions of IE as far back as 3.0. I installed it and all browser work fine and it is not interfering with my latest version (7.0).

Check it out:
http://tredosoft.com/Multiple_IE

Thanks Tredosoft

Fix: ASP.NET TextBox controls don't display properly in FireFox.

2007-05-08T21:48:00.000-07:00

I have always had trouble displaying my ASP.NET TextBoxes properly. Through trial and error I found that the WIDTH and HEIGHT attributes in the controls do not translate over to FireFox. The following is how they are displaying:

This is how they should look and do look in IE:

The following is the code for the workaround:

private void TextboxFFHeightAndWidthFix()
{
foreach(Control c in Page.Controls)
{
  if(c is TextBox)
  {
   TextBox obj = (TextBox) c;
   obj.Style.Add("width",obj.Width.ToString());
   if(!obj.Height.IsEmpty)
   {
    obj.Style.Add("height",obj.Height.ToString());
   }
  }
}
}

Voyage into my self portrait

2007-01-27T21:40:00.000-08:00

It is an anomaly why people do self-portraits. It seems a bit egocentric. As if it is important to draw yourself.

These are the different iterations of "self toons" I created through the years. Going back to about 1999. Man, have things changed. Perception and physically. I am getting old and looking a bit more anime.

Thoughts?

XML + FLASH + MP3 = Simple MP3 Player

2007-01-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

Something simple I created for a client using flash, xml and mp3. Just update the xml file to add more music.It is pretty easy.

THE XML FILE
THE FLA FILE
THE SWF FILE

Staying Motivated & Productive

2006-12-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

Two very hard things to keep up. Considering there is a lot that can keep us from them. The phone, the emails, the family needs, the hunger, the fun stuff, etc. Finding momentum has been a taxing thing for me. If it isn't one pitfall, it's another. The following is a list of things that I found could literally make or break a situation.

1. Surrounding yourself with great people.
This is an imperative aspect for your business and personal life as well. It is essential to stay motivated and positive about yourself and your reality. They are your “base”. Don't get fooled though and don't take them for granted. Eventually, you may need to part ways with some but understand it is for the best as long as progress continues. Life goes on. In this case, "Keep your enemies close and those who are good to you closer."

2. Find your comfort zone. For me it's a double shot espresso and great music.
You cannot possibly work and expect to get anything done in an environment that is a haven for distraction and chaos. Even if it means that you work for less money and work longer hours. It is more fulfilling and you will love yourself for it. If you are surrounded by people that drive you crazy and stress you out. Quit right now! (With caution)

3. Gather a good set of tool.
Don't cut corners on the essentials. If you need to spend more to get a better product, do it. Especially if it is required for your business and will give you less of a headache in the long run. It will save you time. Time is money. Do your research first then fork over the loot.

4. Go with your gut. Though sometimes, he doesn't speak up.
You have a hidden voice that monitors your every feeling, emotion, comfort and discomfort. Though sometimes we are driven by our desires and our social obligations that we neglect to listen to the very voice that understands us the best. You must nurture it and embrace its honesty. It is YOU. And YOU never fail YOU.

5. Never go hungry or thirsty.
Our body and minds are in tuned. Keep them in harmony. We neglect to give our bodies the nourishment it needs by eating garbage or not eating anything at all. Though this is very cliché', "Your body is a temple." Go climb it. It stimulates endorphins in the brain that promote focus and rejuvenates us. What more do you need to get motivated, other than a double shot espresso? Well for me at least.

6. Don't be a push over. Fight to get your needs met (Not literally).
I neglected my needs for some other sake that it has left me burn many times. Figure out what your intentions are and what your needs are. Then ask what the needs and intentions are of those who are on your team. They may just conflict. If they do, you need to bridge that gap otherwise, like a bubble in water it will come to the surface. If it does, just hope it does not capsize your ship.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-11T21:35:00.000-08:00

My Inspiration

2006-12-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

Grandfather in the 50's building a water wheel.

Breakfast of Champions

2006-11-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Just thought I would share how I get my day started.

A double shot of espresso (mini percolator)
Banana
Two boiled eggs (without the yolks)

Not to mention a multi-vitamin and a Prevacid (acid reflux).

My Favorite Pizza Recipe

2006-10-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know this is unrealated but worth a mention. It is so decadent. Skip STEP 1 & STEP 2 if you want to use a pita as your base (See Picture Below).

STEP 1
Yeast Directions:
1 package active dry yeast (must be fresh, not older than a couple of months)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup luke warm water

Mix dry ingredients in a small bowl. Add water to dry ingredients. Cover and put in a dark dry place for 20-30 minutes. Don't mix just leave as is. After 20-30 minutes the yeast should rise to about be 3 times the size and is bubbling with a slimy texture.

STEP 2
Dough Directions:
2 cups of flour
2 table spoons vegetable oil

Bowl of risen yeast In a food processor, blend bowl of risen yeast 1 cup of flour and oil. The dough will start to clump. Slowly add the rest of the flour. If the dough doesn't clump add water if too dry or add flour if too wet. You should be able to grab the dough and make a ball. Knead the dough with your hands for about a minute or two. Try to get it as smooth as possible. Place in a BIG
bowl and brush or spray a little oil over the exposed portion of dough (to prevent the dough from drying) and place in a warm dry place (I put it in the oven while off). Leave in there for at least two hour until it grows to about 3 times the size. Once the dough has risen grab into a ball and knead about 3-4 minutes until flattened and can be pressed onto a lightly greased pan. Place in oven for 20 minutes for a second rise.

STEP 3
Sauce Directions:
1 can tomato sauce
1 pinch or oregano
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch garlic power
1 pinch of black pepper

Stir ingredients over a medium heat until bubbling. Simmer heat until sauce thickens. Let cool. Must be cool before pouring on dough.

STEP 4
Sauce Options:
Step 3 Red Sauce
Ricotta Cheese
Olive Oil

STEP 5
Ingredients:
Vegetables:
Mushrooms
Green peppers
Onions
Spinach
Broccoli
Tomato

Spices & Herbs
Basil
Garlic
Chili Paste
Black Pepper

Cheeses
Mozzarella
Fontana
Romano
Parmesan

Meats
Italian Sausage
Pepperoni
Grilled Chicken Breast
Ham
Shrimp (must be fresh)

Other
Pineapple
Ricotta Cheese

STEP 6
Bake in 400 degrees in middle rack for 20-25 minutes. 5 minutes on bottom of oven. 5 minutes on top rack. This is guarantee perfect browning and crispiness.

YUM!

ColourLovers: Don't Paint it Black

2006-10-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

I always found it challenging as a designer to find the right color palettes for whatever the project may be. Teetering with pantones and Photoshop's swatches was okay, but never good enough. I found this great resource for browsing through a community of suggested palettes by professional designers. It's a great resource and I recently got in touch with the webmaster, Darius who plans on expanding the site.

I currently only have one color palette submitted. It is for eyesawit.com, which I called the combination "Shaggy's Jeans". Check it out.

http://www.colourlovers.com/index.cfm?section=palettes&view=display&palette=30976

Windows 3.1 Paintbrush: My first graphics

2006-10-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share the first graphics created in Paintbrush on Windows 3.1. Drawn one pixel at a time. Boy I was bored.

http://www.kriskhoury.com/resources/archive/paintbrush/

Free Icons

2006-09-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share. Enjoy!
Download the PSD

Self Portrait

2006-09-16T14:18:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon Salvador Dali's self portrait the other day. I was really taken back by it for a while. It's not his best piece for its technique, color or whatever. I was caught trying to get inside his mind and imagining what the hell he was thinking. It is my opinion, that self portraits are the most underrated pieces an artist can create. It is real insight into the mind of the artist because he/she is faced with how they see themselves. To look at a model, landscape, etc. is not as intimidating as facing what you see in the mirror.

In Dali's portrait, the piece is blurred except for the quintessential "Dali" eye. What is he trying to tell us?

The "Karma" Card

2006-08-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Pocket sized reminder can always come in handy. Especially when you're down and just need a reminder that things can turn out for the better. I always forget certain sayings and quotes that seem to remind me that things will turn around. So, I designed the "Karma" Card:

Karma Card: Click here to download the PDF

I also created one to keep me from smoking in those tough times.

They're Nasty: Click here to download the PDF

If you quit NOW!!!! HealthBolt

In 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop back down to normal.

In 8 hours the carbon monoxide (a toxic gas) levels in your blood stream will drop by half, and oxygen levels will return to normal.

In 48 hours your chance of having a heart attack will have decreased. All nicotine will have left your body. Your sense of taste and smell will return to a normal level.

In 72 hours your bronchial tubes will relax, and your energy levels will increase.

In 2 weeks your circulation will increase, and it will continue to improve for the next 10 weeks.

In three to nine months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will dissipate as your lung capacity improves by 10%.

In 1 year your risk of having a heart attack will have dropped by half.

In 5 years your risk of having a stroke returns to that of a non-smoker.

In 10 years your risk of lung cancer will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

In 15 years your risk of heart attack will have returned to that of a non-smoker.

Zen What Happens?

2006-03-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

It seems that all people are born with a clean slate. No one necessarily has a direction. We eventually grow and through our parents teachings/limitations and our life experiences we attain likes and dislikes. These help steer us on our course on deciding what things we want more of in our life.

Through growing and learning we start to find our life's true passions based on those essentials of our upbringing. Passion is a spark within our being that seeks fuel. It is our life, our love, our destiny. It is what makes us get up in the morning. It is what makes us want to procreate (this is not limited to heterosexuals, Emil you are not exempt). It is our "being".

Once we have discovered our passion, in order for us to truly understand it we must live, breathe and nurture it until we are blue in the face. Practice! Practice! Practice! We must focus. We must become it.

It then becomes second nature to us. Our intuition is driven by it. We no longer toil around the small imperfections is displays but embrace it as if it were perfect.

Then we become rebellious and want to change the very thing that has driven us. We want to make it ours. This takes imagination. With imagination, it has changed and it has now become YOU.

1. Meditation (imagination)
2. Self-contemplation (practice)
3. Intuition (passion)

What's in a Brand?

2006-03-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

This is the newest version of kriskhoury.com. Thanks for stopping by. I have been trying to find the right image for this site and never felt comfortable enough to change it. It's hard enough to find a brand for someone else, let alone a brand for yourself. It seems so permanent and limited.

I always preferred simple but impactive. I also like changing things up frequently.