Yesterday I tweeted about the hidden power user features in new Rdio (or newdio, as I like to call it). It’s very hard to describe these features in under 140 characters, so I decided to post about it here in more detail.

The 2 features that are most notable are SuperPlay and SuperSkip.

SuperPlay - Say you’re listening to an album, and the current track reminds you of another song, and now you have the urge to listen to it. You don’t want to abandon what you’re listening to, but you also don’t want the hassle of adding it back to your queue, remembering what track you were on, etc. Hold down the option key and hit play on that other track (or album, or playlist) and Rdio will insert that new media right in the middle of whatever you were listening to. And when it’s done, it’ll go right back to where you were prior.

SuperSkip - If you’re anything like me, and suffer from occasional Huge Queue Syndrome™, you may find that what you’re listening to just isn’t doing it for you. Instead of going all the way to your queue to skip to whatever may be next, hold down Option and hit the skip button. Rdio will automatically take you to the next song / album / playlist in your Queue. It’s basically the “fuck all this music” option.

You’re welcome! ♫

Last Monday, Wilson Miner announced that May 4th was his last day at Rdio. And then, the internets exploded. I received Twitter mentions, DMs, IMs, text messages and even a PHONE CALL, from a friend that wanted to know if it was really true. And, it was.

I’ve always admired Wilson and his work, and before landing a gig at Rdio, hoped to one day meet him. Getting the opportunity to work with him for 5 months was awesome. I can now scratch “Work for / closely with a design hero” off my bucket list.

Good luck, Wilson. And thanks for giving me my dream job.

You know, in baseball games where the runner gets stuck between two bases and he’s running back and forth in an attempt to avoid the inveiteble, and you’re wanting it all to end so you can move on with your life?

That, is what being in your twenties is like.

This past year was undoubtedly better than the one prior. 2010 was a shit sundae complete with a cherry on top. I was happy when it ended, and swore that 2011 would be better and it was. A lot of good things happened. A few not so good things happened as well, but they were learning experiences that I take valuable lessons away from. All in all, a pretty OK year. 

Today marks the first day of a new year and I’m pumped for all that’s in store. No resolutions this time around. I’m done with those. I will, however, strive to be more active, keep a positive mindset in the toughest of times, and sharpen my skill to no end. I’ll take those priceless lessons of last year and apply them to just about everything in this one. I’m stubborn and hard-headed, but not one to make the same mistakes twice.

2012, you are MINE.

It’s my pick me up when I’m feeling rotten. It’s what helps me express what I’m thinking and feeling. It’s what gets a party started. It’s what I share with my friends and family. It’s the motivation to get my ass running. It’s what makes a movie all the better. Music. Such a huge part of my life, and now, even bigger.

Designer number 7. Girl number 1. I’m ready for, and pretty pumped about joining team Rdio!

December 1990. I begged and pleaded for Santa to bring me a new pair of roller skates. I loved to skate and I had beat mine to shit. All I wanted was to get back outside and skate with my friends for countless hours of the day… And eat gummy worms for dinner, but that’s besides the point. I was young, 6 years old, but so hopeful and excited. Christmas morning came… I sat in front of the tree and opened my presents. Surely Santa wouldn’t be a jerk and let me down, right? I mean, how you reject that cute face!? Of course there’s a pair of skates under the tree for me. Totally. Has to be.

…Down to the last gift. It’s a large box, one too big for a pair of skates, but I’m young and have no sense of scale.

OMG. A bicycle. A bicycle? A BICYCLE!! I jumped for joy! This new, exciting beast in front of me was a challenge, and I wanted to conquer it. I attempted to run outside, instructing my dad to “hurry up and help me with it!”

This, is exactly the same feeling I had when I received an offer letter from an amazing company last Friday. Again, I jumped for joy in my living room, ecstatic and a little nervous at the challenge before me. I’m excited to tackle it, and begin this new installment in my career, as a Square.