Never too Late but Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Go CHARGERS!

This is coming to you a tad late, but with Captain upgrade training, traveling back and forth to and from Atlanta then Washington Dulles, back to Atlanta then Dallas, it's been quite hectic. Norah enjoyed her first plane ride to Atlanta and we as parents enjoyed the happiness that comes with traveling with a young mobile child. I know, we know it's shocking that with me being a pilot that we waited so long to take her on a flight but our schedules only lined up recently to which of course they are now out of whack again. This, plus all the exciting happenings at home with our daughter growing up too fast and my wife starting a new job, the tail end of 2013 slid right into 2014 and it's off to a running start!

There are a couple of changes that I'm lining up for elijahnicolas.com to say the least and first and foremost is the styling. (maybe hosting or platform as a whole) I'll have more on that much later but enjoy this family photo and Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Oh yeah I forgot to mention. I'm also starting it off this week with a guest post scheduled for tomorrow morning so check back then! It's going to be a great one! GO CHARGERS!!!

Aerial Video of UCSD

I've only been back to campus once since graduating over 10 years ago and it's grown. When I say grown, take that as an understatement! There are so many new buildings and structures that I don't even recognize. Take an aerial tour by watching this awesome video that was just put up on Youtube. The accompanying music is pretty awesome too. One more thing. If you didn't already know, alumni of UCSD can check out the Birch Aquarium for free! Norah loves it!

Did you know there are plenty of "Other" Sriracha brands?

I'm all about trying something new when it comes to condiments. I guess with the impending slow down of shipments from the famous Huy Fong Foods, I'll give Thai Sriracha Sauce by Shark a try. Unlike it's popular US counterpart, this one is made in Thailand. It's on Amazon too!

But there are two sides to the story. Some folks (myself included) find that the Huy Fong version—the one that is almost synonymous with sriracha*—is geared toward the palates of American chili-heads who prize heat above all else, rather than the more balanced sweet-hot-sour balance that the Thai original goes for. Pok Pok chef Andy Ricker is a famous detractor of the stuff, preferring Shark brand, a more traditional made-in-Thailand version.

New Flight Time Duty and You, The Flying Public

Come this January 4th, your commercial airline pilot operating under Part 121, me, will be flying under newly implemented rest rules. Created two years ago and finally being put into play, these rest rules allow for a STRICT, non reducible, 10 hrs of rest with a mandatory 8 hrs for sleep opportunity. With today's rules, I sometimes can find myself down to 6 from a given overnight time of 8 hrs and that's a good night. Unfortunately, there have been less in rare instances but I never deemed myself unfit to fly. Have I called out fatigued before, yes. I wrote a small PDF document that I included in a post over four years ago and if you never checked it out, here the link again. I also did a "Part 2" which you should check out as well.

But anyways, here's a great post of how it'll affect you, the flying public. Who knows how it'll really play out, but airlines have been gearing up for this in the last few months. Some have even said that it could cost them more than $25 million annually!

So what does this mean to you? Well, don't go and travel on bad weather days especially in the afternoon. Fly in the mornings. In the afternoon or night on bad weather days at large airports, there will be flight crews all timed out being sent to hotels at airports they weren't supposed to be at in the first place and planes and passengers stuck there until morning or until they get another crew in place.

Here's a link to the actual new FAA Final Rule and ALPA comparative literature on the difference between the current and pending rest rules.

2015 Mercedes C-Class Photos

If you've been on the fence with the latest Mercedes-Benz CLA, I'd wait another year for the new C-Class! Looking more and more like it's older and more mature sibling S-Class, the newly designed model really elevates the C Series. The aggressive styling and advancement in technology speak for itself. I've been a fan since the original W202 C43 AMG and even owned a W203 C240 Sport and a W203 C55 AMG. Maybe it's time again that we head back to the three-pointed star.

The new C-Class is not only more luxurious and more elegant than the model it replaces, it also boasts the latest safety systems. As well it should, because while the CLA is fashioned as a downsized CLS, the C-Class has long been styled as a smaller version of the S-Class, and that, as we all know, is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles on the market. Those systems include Attention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist System Plus and Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist, as well as Active Park Assist, a 360-degree camera and Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Alert.

via Autoblog

Mega Man X for ONLY $2.00

Yesterday morning, December 16th 9am PT, and lasting until December 18th 8:59pm, you can capitalize on an awesome game for only $2.00! The game you're wondering? Mega Man X! It's normally priced at $7.99 so at 75% off, it's even more of a steal. I just wish it was also made for the 3DSXL, which might just push me over the edge not to mention that Target has all Nintendo 3DSXL consoles for sale at $149.99!!! That's a $50 savings! Best Buy also will price match too so if you've been waiting to pull the trigger, have at it. If you haven't heard, it's all about the latest Zelda: A Link Between Worlds which received a 9.4 on IGN. Of course, there's always Pokemon X or Y which also received rave reviews!

Instapaper for FREE!

One of my all time favorite apps and one that has resided on the home screen of my iPhone since the beginning is FREE this week! Usually priced at a cheap $3.99, Instapaper for iOS will be free as part of Apple's App of the Week. Download it now!

Instagram Direct Only... for Hipsters

I'm totally just being facetious with the title, but in all seriousness, Instagram's newest video promoting their latest software update screams just that. Maybe I'm totally out of touch now as I'm getting older but wow. It's an interesting feature but when I send a photo to an individual, I'm not scared about it being cached or kept. I also don't use Snapchat (but yes I have it installed) but I've always felt like sharing with everyone. That's just me. If I need to send a photo to my "friends" or "family", then I just send them via iMessage. How about you?

Looks like the offer that Facebook and Google both gave Snapchat a while back is looking a little better. Oh well, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.

After sending, you’ll be able to find out who’s seen your photo or video, see who’s liked it and watch your recipients commenting in real time as the conversation unfolds.

And looks like this was washed away rather quickly as news, but Twitter coincidently released a new feature that allows pictures to be 'Direct Message'. Have you used that feature yet?

A Great Big World Dropping January 14, 2014

I had the television on right before I was going to sleep and the 2013 Victoria Secret Fashion Show was playing. At the same time, I was very impressed and loved the performance by Ian Axel of A Great Big World. I instantly Shazamed (iOS/Android/Windows) the song and found out that their album is set to land on January 14, 2014. I'm excited and of already downloaded both singles. There are two versions and both are great; Say Something and Say Something feat. Christina Aguilera. Check it out! You can also listen to a few different songs on their website.

The story of A Great Big World began in the crowded practice rooms at NYU. Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino were both studying music business while fostering dreams of writing and performing on Broadway and beyond. Ian quickly saw potential in partnering with Chad, and started lobbying him to work together on new songs. Chad smiles, "I kept blowing him off for awhile, and then one day I heard him singing nervously at the piano. I was like, 'your voice is amazing. Let's work on these songs. Let's be friends.’"

via Amazon biography

Here's an amazing performance that was on NBC The Voice:

Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World: "Say Something"

I thought that Taylor Swift worked out well too. VS has definitely stepped it up a notch with all the musical performances the past few years!

Oreos in my Rice Cooker!

Come on over! I'll be trying this recipe once I get back home… a la mode!

Even though the final result looks more like black mush there’s actually some texture in there between the softened rice and crunchy cookie bits. The taste is described as tiramisu in risotto form which sounds like something we’re definitely about. Although the concept was originally meant to be a fusion between an American classic and a Japanese staple it reminds me more of a Filipino dessert known as Champorado. Either way, this sounds amazing and I’ll be trying it pronto.

Originally a post from 2012 on rocketnews24, they revived it with a Throwback Thursday post then FoodBeast picked it up too.

Finger Painting Morgan Freeman… on an iPad!

This is pretty ridiculous! If you thought that the iPad was only for games and entertainment, check this out for productivity! http://youtu.be/uEdRLlqdgA4

Using only a finger, an iPad Air and the app Procreate, artist Kyle Lambert has painted a photorealistic portrait of actor Morgan Freeman.

video by Kyle Lambert

Yay for Slice!

If you haven't used the app called Slice (iOS / Android / Web), here's a great write up by my wife Adelle on her recent experience.

Yay for Slice!

by Adelle Nicolas:

Two weeks ago I had purchased a pair of Corso Como 'Famenka' Flat Nude 6.5 M on Nordstrom.com as a gift to myself for my new job. Nordstrom was in the midst of their Half Yearly sale, so I got a pretty amazing deal on the flats and bought them for under $40!

About a week later, I received a notification on my phone from the Slice app (iOS / Android / Web) that alerted me of a $10 price drop in the shoes I had purchased. The Slice Team also sent me an email about my Nordstrom purchase and included a link to the item I purchased with the new adjusted price, my order number, as well as Nordstrom's customer service number so I could inquire about my refund. I used all the information I was given and talked to Jeff in customer service and I was quickly and kindly refunded the $10 on my credit card. I ended up getting a 50% discount on some very comfortable flats thanks to Slice!

If you have any questions about privacy, you can check out their FAQ. Most importantly, the most asked about question, I've posted here for direct reference.

Does Slice store my password to my email account?

Slice uses a secure protocol called OAuth (oauth.net) to allow for authorization to your Gmail, Yahoo! Mail or Outlook.com account. For these accounts, the authentication happens between you and Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook.com, and we never even see the password you enter for your email accounts. OAuth is used by many popular websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and of course, Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft.

For mail providers that do not support OAuth, like AOL, iCloud/MobileMe, Comcast and Cox, we will need to store your email passwords to be able to process your receipts. The passwords will be stored and encrypted in a separate, secure database.

With all these sales going on, I bet 'You Need A Budget'

Today is the last day to take advantage of the fabulous app, "You Need a Budget" at 50% off! Buying software this "cheap" that helps save, realize and create a surplus of cash… What more do I have to say? Don't take it for me, try them out for free for 34 days but seriously, what's $30 in the scheme of things when it'll help create that budget that you've always wanted. It's available for either PC or Mac, so everyone one of you can take advantage of this great offer. As of this post, you have 10 hours left!

And one more thing, if you buy YNAB now using any of my links, then you'll also get an additional $6.00 bringing the price down to $24.00!!! Leave a comment when and if you buy it! Let's start saving and spending wiser together!

I can't wait to jump into 2014 with YNAB in my pocket! That said, they also have an amazing companion app for iOS or Android. If you're not yet ready, you can always listen to their great podcast or follow their blog.

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. I just like them a lot.