GracefulFlavor

About GF

Graceful Flavor is written, edited and produced by Jeff Ventura. It’s is a part-time gig for now, but I’m hoping that will change. This is my passion. In the meantime, I work as a senior product/strategy manager at a large software firm, directing the fates of two enterprise application service management products.

Graceful Flavor is a weblog covering many topics that are terrifically interesting to me: Apple geekery, technology as a whole, science, gaming/digital entertainment and nutrition, but you’ll mainly see Apple and tech musings above all else. Occasionally you will see stream-of-consciousness journals or windy, acerbic rants about things I find stupid or annoying and that need to stop. Many things that have no reason to any longer exist keep hanging around, which suppresses evolution and progress. In fact, they seem to prolifterate. This vexes me and makes me wonder if we’re all on a downslope of sorts.

I believe the advances in technology have massively outstripped the average user’s ability to absorb them, and when people talk about technology they’re really talking about solving problems and giving ideas life with technology, if only the technology didn’t get in the way first. I believe the era of technological and design simplicity is upon us, and the easier someone can make technology the better it is. It’s the closest to magic that way.

If you understand technology well, you’re literally a modern day wizard with nearly infinite resources. You’ll make more, do more, have more, accomplish more, and live a more fulfilled life.

If you do not understand technology or fear it, you are already at a tremendous disadvantage. This reality grows with each passing day. The delta between those who understand and leverage technology and those who don’t/can’t is lending itself as a major input to the larger socioeconomic divide between the rich and poor that we’re seeing in America.

I own one computer, which is a MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz Core Duo with 2 GB RAM and the ATI X1600 256 MB GPU. I run Mac OSX Tiger exclusively for now.

I have an irreverent sense of humor with a sarcastic bent. I’m generally level-headed but vocal. I will tell you how I feel about things even though you didn’t ask, which is evidenced by this rather long colophon page. The funny thing is, you were probably just looking for my name and where I live and now here you are reading all of this, wondering where I’m going with it all.

Nowhere in particular. Watch:

  • I’m married and live in Bloomfield Hills, MI. I’m 37.
  • My son is the center of my universe. He’s two and likes to tell me when things are gross.
  • I used to play semi-professional beach volleyball in the MPVA tour during my 20s, but have since moved on to other sports, namely hockey. I am a horrible skater.
  • I prefer imports over domestics, dark chocolate over milk, red wine over white, darker beer over light, heavier flavors over mild. I cannot stand mushrooms.
  • I believe the food industry in America is not at all concerned with the health of the individual. There are more non-foods than foods on grocer’s shelves. I try to avoid processed foods.
  • I like fast cars. I’m not sure why anyone wouldn’t.
  • I seek clear-headedness, reason and truth. Education never stops.
  • I think many corporations flounder due to politics and infighting because (a) executive management creates a culture in which they’re tolerated and even encouraged, (b) leadership is something that’s looked upon as a soft skill and not necessary and (c) politics are given a wide berth when in fact they should be given none.
  • I’m a slightly above average golfer with lots of power but no touch. I’m a skiier of the same caliber.
  • I’m not ashamed to say that I view modern gaming platforms like the Xbox 360 to be such an enthralling digital entertainment medium that they’re akin to watching a movie or something you’ve TiVo’ed.
  • I have been suckered into doing family technical support, but I have one rule I live by: if you ask my advice and don’t listen, then you’re on your own. No exceptions.
  • This list will grow as I see fit.

Thank you for visiting Graceful Flavor. I hope you stop by often, and keep an eye on this: with any luck, it will become something much larger. Want to reach me? Get in touch. Also, I’m available on AOL IM as Cerberus9. Also, read the FAQ if you’re bored.

One last thing: if you have a comment, please post it here. Consider it a suggestion box.

Jeff Ventura
December 1, 2006

Marc and I smallest

48 Comments

48 responses so far ↓

  • Adam Nash // November 21, 2006 at 6:28 am

    I like your blog, but you should consider telling people a little bit more about yourself here. One of the Mac hallmarks, after all, is having an awesome “about XYZ” dialog, and this page is supposed to be yours. :)

  • Jeff Ventura // December 2, 2006 at 12:37 am

    Adam — Done. It took me two weeks, but I finally got around to it. Thanks.

  • michaelsanford // December 2, 2006 at 1:02 pm

    Great to finally read! Thanks Jeff. Time to stop the hiopcracy add something like this to mine. :)

  • lawrence kerr // December 4, 2006 at 12:16 am

    your a very interesting person with a level head and a great outlook on life. I feel like a technological dinoaur when posting this

  • kOoLiNuS // December 19, 2006 at 6:03 pm

    your gravatar scares me everytime. seriously

    ;-)

  • kOoLiNuS // January 23, 2007 at 8:34 am

    ops, time to remove this comment above :-)

  • Jeff Ventura // January 23, 2007 at 8:47 am

    I changed it just for you, koolinus. ;)

  • fifthdecade // January 23, 2007 at 9:53 pm

    I’m new at blogging, but like this one a lot and so will try to use this as one of my reference points to copy from. Hope you don’t mind, Jeff!

    I’m one of those “In-Betweeny” techies, forced by reason of age to be somewhat interested in technology and computers yet too old to have used them much when I was at school/University so I have to try and teach myself, or follow the example of others.

    PS Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… but I’ll try to be a little bit different!

  • Trainwrecka // January 29, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    love the bio - son is very cute. what is the “grossest” thing he has pointed out to you? :)

  • Jeff Ventura // January 29, 2007 at 10:14 pm

    Train — his own boogers, of course.

  • Lakshmi // February 10, 2007 at 5:15 pm

    Jeff, I just bumped into your site while surfing, and whoa.. I fell in love with “Windows Guru Chooses a Mac permanently” article, and am going rah rah reading your about page. This is quite some writing. :)

    I was a windows person, out of necessity, and am attempting to move to a macbook which my hubby uses, but the transition is slow.. Not for obvious reasons, but because of relearning keyboard commands. Mac to me, is almost a mirror image of windows [remember I learn't on windows first.] So hopefully once the learning struggle is done, I should be ready to go.

  • Lakshmi // February 10, 2007 at 5:21 pm

    PS: I did write about something similar in my blog Chilligavva

    To catch a Tiger by its Tail….

    Sheer Muscle is the only route left

  • oraclewalkin // February 19, 2007 at 11:49 pm

    Its a very interesting bio and the pic is cute!!

  • Irfan Habib // February 22, 2007 at 11:46 am

    Nice Blog Jeff! Pretty Impressive to see the range of topics you blog about. I’m definitely adding this to my blogroll

  • Lensflare // February 22, 2007 at 8:36 pm

    I love your site, and it has inspired me to look into a Mac. Nice laptop, by the way.

    Also, I like the XBOX 360 as well. I think this blog will hit it big time someday, keeping in mind the frequent spotlight on the WordPress homepage.

    Good luck!

  • Jeff Ventura // February 22, 2007 at 10:34 pm

    Thanks Lensflare.

  • enjoysmath // March 7, 2007 at 11:47 am

    This is a fantastic blog. I have very similar views about technology and the advantages of simplicity. It’s good to hear a similar opinion :-).

  • evelynishere // March 21, 2007 at 2:04 am

    Hi! New to blogging. Somewhere in the process of figuring out what to do next - you know, sorta like when you’re putting something together without reading the instructions 1st - I clicked on the little arrow on the top right hand corner of my somewhat-put-together-page and up came your page. I’m a firm believer of “everything happens for a reason” and I’m sure the reason GF came up is because I need to embrace technology more. I’m looking forward to reading and learning! :)

  • dandare // March 25, 2007 at 2:04 pm

    I like your blog; i’m also new too blogging, and my about page has, yes you’ve guessed it nothing on it at the moment….unlike your epic bio here, which i enjoyed reading.
    I liked reading the topics you have on here.

  • thescrappysoftwaremarketer // March 26, 2007 at 4:32 pm

    Jeff: Love the blog dude. As a software guy myself its refreshing to see some of your posts. Keep up the great work. Long live software!

  • MD // April 1, 2007 at 1:33 pm

    Great blog. Love the content and how you deliver it.

  • singingsiren // April 4, 2007 at 7:55 pm

    I’m hooked!!! Keep ‘em coming. =) Apple fan here too.

  • Saurus // April 8, 2007 at 6:09 pm

    Stumbled across your blog today (linked from Daring Fireball). Just wondering, would those enterprise apps both start with “Service” and end with “Center” or “Desk”?

  • Jeff Ventura // April 8, 2007 at 9:56 pm

    Saurus: nope.

  • Russ Gabel // April 14, 2007 at 9:24 pm

    Wow…you sound a lot like Dave Berry…ever read his stuff? (haha)

    I was just sharing this story about two boys who ‘borrowed’ dad’s Porsche for a week of civil infractions and clutch stripping…ahhh, the memories. We should touch base :)

  • Russ Gabel // April 14, 2007 at 9:38 pm

    If you get a free moment, check out xanga.com/basecamp777

  • aloi // April 25, 2007 at 12:27 pm

    you’re an interesting read. so count on me to lurk around.

    p.s. oh, did you notice the typo “prolifterate”. sorry, the editor in me can’t help it.

  • Jeff Ventura // April 25, 2007 at 12:46 pm

    aloi — good catch. I didn’t notice it. It’s been there since I wrote this thing.

    Thanks.

  • Andrés // June 22, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    i guess the header graphic FAQ, it’s been there since the last 2 or 3 changes, what about and update?
    I admire the simplicity of your writing! (again)

  • Andrés // June 22, 2007 at 9:03 pm

    reporting a typo in the FAQ: “estoteric”.

  • newscoma // June 24, 2007 at 3:02 pm

    Jeff,
    I like this blog. Thanks for stopping over at mine and bringing me back here.
    Coolness (Imports are best.)

  • Nobody // June 26, 2007 at 2:07 pm

    You wouldn’t turn your Mac in for the good old Commodore 64?

  • Freestate TV // July 4, 2007 at 5:23 pm

    I had to stop to comment on this post. Wowee. What an excellent article.

    http://www.buy-cell-phone-cases.info

  • mahendrap // July 18, 2007 at 3:54 pm

    “Seeking clear-headedness, reason, and truth. Education never stops.”

    I liked that very much. Congrats on your blog. I spent some time in Michigan (living in Detroit downtown to be precise), and I am quite impressed by your style of writing. Keept it up!

  • Mentality // July 30, 2007 at 5:05 pm

    I like the unique content here. I am going to start following this blog

  • simon // August 7, 2007 at 5:40 pm

    As a Mac enthusiast, I should say I really like your blog and your rather unique point of view. That idea about technology and leveraging it is what it’s all about in today’s world, I believe. I’ll be following your blog.

  • Khürt Williams // September 24, 2007 at 8:59 pm

    Great list. Inspired mine.

  • vermilk // September 26, 2007 at 9:04 pm

    I’ve enjoyed reading some of your posts and would like to ask you to add me to your blogroll. I will be adding your site to mine!

  • David Scrivner // October 4, 2007 at 8:11 pm

    Thanks for the great blog. How do you keep everything so fresh and interesting? I noticed that you have a lot of visitors. Did it take you long to reach the point that you are at?

  • Jason D // October 14, 2007 at 1:06 pm

    I worked with Jeff in the late 90’s, and found him to be a brilliant guy. I soon learned it was simply best to do whatever he said.

    Anyhow, with my recent release from prison (and purchase of a new MAC) I am enjoying his technology insights once again.

  • Jim Borne // October 16, 2007 at 12:58 pm

    I like the blog! I will add it to my favorites. Your next post should include the fine art of navigating the chicago entertainment scene.

  • justinhahn // November 5, 2007 at 10:53 am

    why don’t some people like fast cars?
    1) because fast cars kill more people than other sorts of cars
    2) because fast cars kill the planet faster than other sorts of cars, all things being equal
    3) because some times it’s nice to actually see the world we live in.

  • geebee // November 7, 2007 at 12:36 am

    I agree with most, this site is a breath of fresh air. I am inspired to get my own blog going because, as of now ,I have seen one worth visiting (and emulating, ha ha).

    Long live free speech, Apple Macs and fast cars…with advancements in technological prowess, those who aren’t unslaved by the petrochemical industry can use fast cars to drive pollution down, and in the meantime we can enjoy fast cars on our Macs!

  • Entropy // January 21, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    Great site.. As such I m still exploring. Facinating contents & presentation..

  • Sherman Beck // May 19, 2008 at 5:12 pm

    I enjoyed your comments and admire your grasp of technological developments. I ask sincerely if you see such tech. advancements as a help in the relational aspect of life, especially family relations?
    Furthermore, being your son’s father does it increase your belief in a Heavenly Father (God)? Finally, if your answer to the latter question is “yes” then how does Tech. Advancements and God co-exist?
    Just wondering……….

    .S. Beck (Father of 10 and grandfather of 33 (7 of 10 have Master’s degrees.)

  • Klip // May 31, 2008 at 10:01 pm

    I was pulled in by the Monsanto post and completely sold after reading this “About GF” page. You’re me, only 8 years older. Instant RSS add and I’m looking very forward to diving into this site head first. Please continue to school us.

  • dddcastillo // July 9, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Oh Jeff you do such an amazing job!! Thanks so much for sharing your love and talents!

    I am adding you to my blogroll. Come check out my stuff and if you like it feel free to add me to yours as well.

    Thanks again and keep them coming!!

  • Dr. Nose // July 22, 2008 at 1:50 am

    Is that your real nose?

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