and student rights
A portion of any Amazon purchase that originates from this website benefits our debt reduction plan. Thank you!
Friday, December 31, 2004
Marching Down 2004
The end of 2004 is here. As 2004 was lived in a blaze of fury and the pace doesn't slow enough for me to even type these two sentences much less a year in review.
duty calls...
•
duty calls...
•
From the mouths of babes
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Still fighting a head cold but feel like I'm on the mend. The house will be packed tonight with 8 pre-teen girls ringing in the New Year. I'm going to need to sleep-in tomorrow!
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Still fighting a head cold but feel like I'm on the mend. The house will be packed tonight with 8 pre-teen girls ringing in the New Year. I'm going to need to sleep-in tomorrow!
•
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Simple pleasures and motivation problems
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
You know that feeling when you blow your nose and some of your brain comes out. Yeah, that's the one!
Maybe its the cold but I'm so unfocused and undermotivated today!
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
You know that feeling when you blow your nose and some of your brain comes out. Yeah, that's the one!
Maybe its the cold but I'm so unfocused and undermotivated today!
•
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Help the South East Asia and tsunamis victoms
Donate direct to the Red Cross through Amazon
All of us at Amazon.com are deeply saddened by the loss of lives resulting from the South Asia earthquake and tsunamis on December 26. We are offering customers the ability to make donations directly to the American Red Cross to aid the evacuation of survivors and the dispersal of first aid. One hundred percent of your donation will go to the American Red Cross. You will receive a confirmation e-mail that may be used as a receipt. Thank you in advance for making any donation to help in this time of great need.Donate with 1-Click to the South Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Relief Efforts here
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Dropped the dog at the vet the had a most productive time in the office yesterday. Decided to reward myself with some wood chopping when I got home.
The puppy has developed a cyst on her elbow. The drained like 22 milliliters of fluid and will operate when she gets spayed to remove the cyst. Yesterday it occurred to me that was the same leg that Tommy took a plastic baseball bat to and tapped repeatedly before I caught him. His words: "I did it lightly!" Are the two related? Could be. It is just as likely that she banged it on the side of the tub during one of our wrestling matches when I was trying to clean her. Or perhaps she took a bad fall on the hardwoods or concrete floor.
I neglected to emphasize to Tommy to keep her outside until she does her business. She won't defaecate or urinate at the vet. He walked her briefly then brought her inside and a full day's worth of urine ran under the bathroom sink. I blew up but was mostly mad at myself because I continue to forget to caulk the base of that sink. (putting it on calendar now) I spent the next hour cleaning and the early evening on family matters. Never got to the wood and man was it ever cold in the bedroom last night. That wood stove makes all the difference!
Watched some more of the first season of Northern Exposure. This show is great! I need to see if it aired during the year I didn't have a television. I must be the only person in the world to have never seen a single episode.
Got up early this morning and got straight to work! What a great feeling!
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Dropped the dog at the vet the had a most productive time in the office yesterday. Decided to reward myself with some wood chopping when I got home.
The puppy has developed a cyst on her elbow. The drained like 22 milliliters of fluid and will operate when she gets spayed to remove the cyst. Yesterday it occurred to me that was the same leg that Tommy took a plastic baseball bat to and tapped repeatedly before I caught him. His words: "I did it lightly!" Are the two related? Could be. It is just as likely that she banged it on the side of the tub during one of our wrestling matches when I was trying to clean her. Or perhaps she took a bad fall on the hardwoods or concrete floor.
I neglected to emphasize to Tommy to keep her outside until she does her business. She won't defaecate or urinate at the vet. He walked her briefly then brought her inside and a full day's worth of urine ran under the bathroom sink. I blew up but was mostly mad at myself because I continue to forget to caulk the base of that sink. (putting it on calendar now) I spent the next hour cleaning and the early evening on family matters. Never got to the wood and man was it ever cold in the bedroom last night. That wood stove makes all the difference!
Watched some more of the first season of Northern Exposure. This show is great! I need to see if it aired during the year I didn't have a television. I must be the only person in the world to have never seen a single episode.
Got up early this morning and got straight to work! What a great feeling!
•
Monday, December 27, 2004
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Spent an hour and a half trying to get Tommy bathed for his 11am appointment. I want to minimize Cathy's interaction and stress with Tommy so I took him to his appointment. Returned at 12:30 to prepare for a 1pm teleconference where I anticipate and ass chewing over the lack of time I put into the project last week and the current state of the work. I need to burn some extra hours this week badly!
I have a check that needs to be in the bank to help make purchases from last week valid but the conference call will likely last from 1 to 2 or 3 and my folks arrive between 2 and 3 (or maybe later if the roads are bad) and I still need to clock 10 hours of work today as well as clean the kitchen and work on my wife's computer. Oh, and cook dinner. I'm sure Tommy will have a breakdown in there somewhere. Each breakdown occupies about an hour of adult time.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Spent an hour and a half trying to get Tommy bathed for his 11am appointment. I want to minimize Cathy's interaction and stress with Tommy so I took him to his appointment. Returned at 12:30 to prepare for a 1pm teleconference where I anticipate and ass chewing over the lack of time I put into the project last week and the current state of the work. I need to burn some extra hours this week badly!
I have a check that needs to be in the bank to help make purchases from last week valid but the conference call will likely last from 1 to 2 or 3 and my folks arrive between 2 and 3 (or maybe later if the roads are bad) and I still need to clock 10 hours of work today as well as clean the kitchen and work on my wife's computer. Oh, and cook dinner. I'm sure Tommy will have a breakdown in there somewhere. Each breakdown occupies about an hour of adult time.
•
Sunday, December 26, 2004
(had one of those long post computer crashed issues)
Yesterday was a phenomenal day! Tommy held it together, the kids did not fight or scream and we relaxed hard.
Tommy played his Nintendo DS for what must have been 14-18 hours straight then became grumpy on Sunday.
Noah is thrilled with everything and spent his time running between toys.
Sarah must have misunderstood what she was opening when she opened her cell phone cover because when she came to the actual cell phone she floated to the ceiling then talked for 8 hours (exaggeration). I have never seen her so happy!
Amy saw her play kitchen and spent the day cooking and making a mess.
I could not have asked for a better day!
•
Yesterday was a phenomenal day! Tommy held it together, the kids did not fight or scream and we relaxed hard.
Tommy played his Nintendo DS for what must have been 14-18 hours straight then became grumpy on Sunday.
Noah is thrilled with everything and spent his time running between toys.
Sarah must have misunderstood what she was opening when she opened her cell phone cover because when she came to the actual cell phone she floated to the ceiling then talked for 8 hours (exaggeration). I have never seen her so happy!
Amy saw her play kitchen and spent the day cooking and making a mess.
I could not have asked for a better day!
•
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Done painting
Noah's room is done. Picture later. The polyacrylic cannot be applied until the paint has cured for 7 days. Maybe the polyacrylic is unnecessary. Regardless the room gets assembled tonight! I can always unassemble it for adding the protective top coat.
Today was wonderful! The kids went to the grandparents and opened gifts. Much fun was had by all and the kids had wonderful gifts.
Today was horrible! Tommy's anger, snide comments, beligerence and defiance were off the charts. I came close to yelling at him but think I've maintained.
•
Today was wonderful! The kids went to the grandparents and opened gifts. Much fun was had by all and the kids had wonderful gifts.
Today was horrible! Tommy's anger, snide comments, beligerence and defiance were off the charts. I came close to yelling at him but think I've maintained.
•
Friday, December 24, 2004
Room is now properly masked at the ceiling. In a painting project the bulk of your time is spent preping the room with masking and trimming out the edges. I procrastinated putting the masking tape on the border using "the blue paint has to cure" as an excuse but really I was avoiding it because I exaggerated the tedium in my head.
For painting use Ready Mask Painting Tape instead of traditional masking tape. It goes on strong but doesn't remove paint like masking tape that is left on too long would.
•
Santa comes tonight!
It's Christmas Eve! I love this time of year. Christmas carols are fantastic. I had a goal of doing luminaria this year. Perhaps next year I can organize the whole neighborhood. I also want to do caroling from house to house one Christmas Eve. I did that as a child and really enjoyed it! I got my shopping slipped in yesterday. I feel great! The house will come together at the last minute. My wife will stress badly tonight. But tomorrow will be beyond magical!
Merry Christmas to all!
Favorite Christmas song this year: Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt (track 22)
•
Current state of the room. Needs to have the molding at the top taped so I can finish up there. Needs another coat. Needs a coat of polyeurothene on top of it. This is going to be tight.
It's starting to look like a light Tennessee marble. Speaking of which, I've ridden horses through one of the quaries used to marbleize some of Washington D.C. I'll have to go back wih camera and show some pictures.
•
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Aaaannnd ACTION!
Received my Microsoft Action Pack yesterday. I'm dying to build a machine and get to playing now! MS CRM server, Mobile Messenging Server and SharePoint server all have me drooling!
•
•
Goodbye Google - We will miss your logos
Another competitor for Google is Blingo (which probably uses Google's API). Blingo gives prizes (Ipods etc) along with search results.
•
•
Over 21?
Why is http://drinksparks.com/ for over 21 only? Oh! I haven't read it yet but I bet this is one of those energy beers! Like mixing uppers and downers. Why not just drink water?
•
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Woke at 7:30. Mild panic quickly repressed. I'm just too relaxed from last night's accomplishments to get upset today.
Spent some time this morning finishing the lights on the tree so that the kids could decorate. All strands are on and two half strands are out but that's a matter of finding the bad bulb.
Whew! I have sacrificed on programming duties but another load is off my plate. Now I can focus on getting more off. My shoulders feel lighter.
So far I have not yelled at Tommy despite his blatant attempts to engage in fights.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Woke at 7:30. Mild panic quickly repressed. I'm just too relaxed from last night's accomplishments to get upset today.
Spent some time this morning finishing the lights on the tree so that the kids could decorate. All strands are on and two half strands are out but that's a matter of finding the bad bulb.
Whew! I have sacrificed on programming duties but another load is off my plate. Now I can focus on getting more off. My shoulders feel lighter.
So far I have not yelled at Tommy despite his blatant attempts to engage in fights.
•
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Todays Needs
I need to spend the day painting.
I need to spend the day working on the tree.
I need to spend the day in the office.
I need to spend the day shopping.
I need to spend the day planning.
I need to spend the day budgeting.
I need to spend the day with the kids.
I need to spend the day splitting wood.
I need to spend the day on home repair.
I need to spend the day on computer maintenance.
I will spend the day on the day and at its end I will know how the day was intended to be spent.
•
I need to spend the day working on the tree.
I need to spend the day in the office.
I need to spend the day shopping.
I need to spend the day planning.
I need to spend the day budgeting.
I need to spend the day with the kids.
I need to spend the day splitting wood.
I need to spend the day on home repair.
I need to spend the day on computer maintenance.
I will spend the day on the day and at its end I will know how the day was intended to be spent.
•
Of Grasshoppers
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Walls now completely trimmed out. This Behr Sandwash paint is a pain! One brush stroke puts it on, the next takes it off. About 1/3 of a gallon went to trimming the walls and they will need a 2nd and maybe 3rd coat. At least now I can switch to the roller.
•
A good friend recommended that until I get the lights on the tree that I get one of these.
Care was taken with details such as the softness of the thighs, panty lines on the pillow’s “backside” and wrinkles in the lap of the skirt so as to make the pillow look and feel as real as possible.
“We thought our main customers would be men in their 20s, but even men in their 60s are buying it,” Igarashi said.
•
Do we have a ghost?
Ethereal Love
This X and O just appeared on the window as the night air became cooler. Do I have a spectral secret admirer?
•
When you know you are going to do another coat and don't want to clean your roller, wrap it in saran wrap (plastic wrap) and it will save for your next coat.
•
Use a piece of masking tape when removing outlet covers to avoid lost screws later in the project.
•
Monday, December 20, 2004
Here is a view of the entry way with its interesting corners and some of the ceiling. I already removed the ugly ceiling fan which is centered in the room.
•
The outer corner of the room. Note the challenging, non-standard windows. If I had a month two solid weeks to work on this with uninterupted days (ie. no work, no errands and money for supplies) I would rip the drywall out of these two walls. Install upgraded electrical, install new windows, and better insulate. I wonder what I would do with those nice Tennessee marble window sills?
•
These are the hardwoods that the kids, the dog and myself are slowly destroying. I think I will call someone today to see if they can refinish the floors room by room or if it requires emptying the entire upstairs. Oh..and cost.
•
I'm beginning with the closet on the premise that it will finish first and fill up quickly. The final design (for a later stage of the project) will have this doorway arched.
•
Noah's new room makeover has begun. How do those DIY guys get such full pictures of the rooms they work on?
•
Calm Before the Storm
The kids are quiet...too quiet.
Poor Noah looks so dazed. I think he is sleeping sitting up. Molly (the puppy) is leaning up against him. Very sweet!
•
Poor Noah looks so dazed. I think he is sleeping sitting up. Molly (the puppy) is leaning up against him. Very sweet!
•
La de da de dum what's the name of that song?!
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
This day started off strong on a 4:30 note. Man I hope I can keep that wake up time going!
All last week I had Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco (for those looking for just the cd) stuck in my head. Anyone know what they ate? Did you know there is a story book that goes with it?
This morning I wake up humming "this hat is my hat and makes me feel fine!"
Wow! On Whaddaya Think of That? Laurie does a rendition of "The Cat Came Back" and "Wimoweh".
And because I like Laurie Berkner's music here is Buzz Buzz.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
This day started off strong on a 4:30 note. Man I hope I can keep that wake up time going!
All last week I had Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco (for those looking for just the cd) stuck in my head. Anyone know what they ate? Did you know there is a story book that goes with it?
This morning I wake up humming "this hat is my hat and makes me feel fine!"
Wow! On Whaddaya Think of That? Laurie does a rendition of "The Cat Came Back" and "Wimoweh".
And because I like Laurie Berkner's music here is Buzz Buzz.
•
Of Grasshoppers
Student: I want to improve as a teacher of those around me. Give me your criticism.
Master: I have only good things to say.
•
Master: I have only good things to say.
•
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Today's Progress
I helped the wife get the girl's new room in order and began painting on Noah's new room. Hopefully I can burn some midnight oil and get it wiped out quickly. I have such plans for his room! They will be spread out over time. Yikes! I'm not photo documenting!
•
•
You have to be kidding!
Time names President Bush Person of the Year
You know, when my mother used to tell me "anybody can be president" I thought she meant to inspire me to high aspirations. I had no clue she was being literal.
•
You know, when my mother used to tell me "anybody can be president" I thought she meant to inspire me to high aspirations. I had no clue she was being literal.
•
Killed the beast!
I complete a project! Wahoo! It was appealing MySQL database driven PHP project. I had the pleasure of designing the database from ground up and creating the code from scratch. It came together very well. As with any project I would love to keep tinkering on it but we have come to a stopping point where I am satisfied and so is the client.
It is a very good feeling!
Now I am jazzed about getting a house project done. Today will be a balance between paint and coding. I would like to get some shopping done too but that will have to wait.
•
It is a very good feeling!
Now I am jazzed about getting a house project done. Today will be a balance between paint and coding. I would like to get some shopping done too but that will have to wait.
•
Food win!
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Yesterday Noah and I spent the morning at the old Outlets Limited Mall which is now a deteriorating building devoted to good causes. Today Noah and I helped the Boys and Girls Club sort packages for The Angel Tree. It was nice to help but eye opening to see how many wishes stand to go unfulfilled. Toys were labeled and stacked. Our job was to cross check the stack of toys against the master list and note which wishes were missing then bag the fulfilled ones for delivery. Each child receives 3 or 4 gifts. I don't think a single bag we touched had everything it should have. Some bags were left empty.
The group reported that they are only at 37% of their goal. With a gap of $93,000 of toys not yet donated. When asked, "At this point would you prefer money or gifts?" the answer was go to a tree and fulfill a wish since that saves the group from having to assign someone to go make the purchase. Some problems this year included trees being left in store managers offices and overlooked but the primary problem is that people are not contributing like they have in the past.
Apparently the Mayor was there. I had no idea. For that matter, I don't even know what he looks like.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Yesterday Noah and I spent the morning at the old Outlets Limited Mall which is now a deteriorating building devoted to good causes. Today Noah and I helped the Boys and Girls Club sort packages for The Angel Tree. It was nice to help but eye opening to see how many wishes stand to go unfulfilled. Toys were labeled and stacked. Our job was to cross check the stack of toys against the master list and note which wishes were missing then bag the fulfilled ones for delivery. Each child receives 3 or 4 gifts. I don't think a single bag we touched had everything it should have. Some bags were left empty.
The group reported that they are only at 37% of their goal. With a gap of $93,000 of toys not yet donated. When asked, "At this point would you prefer money or gifts?" the answer was go to a tree and fulfill a wish since that saves the group from having to assign someone to go make the purchase. Some problems this year included trees being left in store managers offices and overlooked but the primary problem is that people are not contributing like they have in the past.
Apparently the Mayor was there. I had no idea. For that matter, I don't even know what he looks like.
•
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Ran across this at Circuit City trying to get the Slick Deal of a Belkin Wireless G router for minus $3. Missed the boat. The router is now $19.95 after a $50 mail-in rebate.
So I am still trying to figure out "where do you sit?" If things are handled differently in your restrooms, the white paper hanging on the wall is intended to go on the seat of the commode for people that fear germs.
There was a guy in the stall when I took the picture. When he came out I commented on the oddness and he laughed and said, "that deserves a picture!" Unbeknownst to him, the shutter had already clicked.
•
Friday, December 17, 2004
Take Away My Programming License!
I spent most of yesterday troubleshooting why I could not get a file to upload with a form and php. I naturally jumped to enctype and immediately confirmed it to be enctype="multi-part/form-data" because that is usually the problem. Then I checked all the various server settings. Finally this morning I reduced the code to its simplest form to test and got a file to upload! Then I realized that enctype="multi-part/form-data" was not correct. enctype="multipart/form-data" is correct.
So many wasted hours!
---
I no longer feel so bad. I use O'Reilly's HTML Pocket Reference to double check syntax etc and sure enough on 24 they have printed "multi-part/form-data" instead of "multipart/form-data". Since I do file uploading so infrequently I used their reference instead of my editor's shortcut. I still recommend the reference (if for anything, the color chart in the back is very helpful).
•
So many wasted hours!
---
I no longer feel so bad. I use O'Reilly's HTML Pocket Reference to double check syntax etc and sure enough on 24 they have printed "multi-part/form-data" instead of "multipart/form-data". Since I do file uploading so infrequently I used their reference instead of my editor's shortcut. I still recommend the reference (if for anything, the color chart in the back is very helpful).
•
Good deals
Slick Deals has a couple of good ones today:
Belkin Wireless G Router -$3 after $50MIR
Free Anarchy Online MMORPG Game (note: this is an 817.6MB download. Bittorrent uploads pieces of the same file you are downloading it as you d/l so expect 3 times that in bandwidth.
I'm getting both!
•
Belkin Wireless G Router -$3 after $50MIR
Free Anarchy Online MMORPG Game (note: this is an 817.6MB download. Bittorrent uploads pieces of the same file you are downloading it as you d/l so expect 3 times that in bandwidth.
I'm getting both!
•
Good Neighbors
Isn't Desperate Housewives all about discussing your neighbors? If network television can do it so can I!
The night before last my wife and I watch a truck back into the neighbors drive or front yard. I almost went out to talk to them because the way it backed in looked like it almost hit my Jeep but got distracted. Later that night we receive a phone call but I missed the call.
Yesterday morning at 7am one of the neighbors is knocking on our door. Apparently the previous night someone stole their two large screen televisions (rented). Now this is not the first time they have had things "stolen" from their house. Once it was a jacket and video tapes or something as silly. I think once they said someone broke a window to get in.
Now one of the first things I checked when looking to buy in this location was crime rate. There is none. And none of the other neighbors have ever complained of any theft.
Last night I come home and notice that one of their cars is in the street with the engine running, no lights on and two people sitting in it. I drove past it twice to see who was in it. As I park in my driveway I notice their other car also has the engine running, no lights on and a person in it.
Conclusions?
One possibility: they stole the televisions from themselves and were worried that I saw who did it ergo the phone call and the inquisition.
Another possibility: they really were robbed (ex-boyfriend?) and were hanging out with hopes that the crooks would come back and they would take matters into their own hands.
Actions?
I called the sheriff and requested some increased patrols through the neighborhood.
•
The night before last my wife and I watch a truck back into the neighbors drive or front yard. I almost went out to talk to them because the way it backed in looked like it almost hit my Jeep but got distracted. Later that night we receive a phone call but I missed the call.
Yesterday morning at 7am one of the neighbors is knocking on our door. Apparently the previous night someone stole their two large screen televisions (rented). Now this is not the first time they have had things "stolen" from their house. Once it was a jacket and video tapes or something as silly. I think once they said someone broke a window to get in.
Now one of the first things I checked when looking to buy in this location was crime rate. There is none. And none of the other neighbors have ever complained of any theft.
Last night I come home and notice that one of their cars is in the street with the engine running, no lights on and two people sitting in it. I drove past it twice to see who was in it. As I park in my driveway I notice their other car also has the engine running, no lights on and a person in it.
Conclusions?
One possibility: they stole the televisions from themselves and were worried that I saw who did it ergo the phone call and the inquisition.
Another possibility: they really were robbed (ex-boyfriend?) and were hanging out with hopes that the crooks would come back and they would take matters into their own hands.
Actions?
I called the sheriff and requested some increased patrols through the neighborhood.
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Oops. I slept again. I had intended to get to a stopping point in my PHP coding then shift to Plumtree work and from there I was going to paint one wall and hang some lights on the tree.
Right now PHP and I aren't getting along. I am asking nicely for PHP to upload a file from a form post and it's rudely denying me.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Oops. I slept again. I had intended to get to a stopping point in my PHP coding then shift to Plumtree work and from there I was going to paint one wall and hang some lights on the tree.
Right now PHP and I aren't getting along. I am asking nicely for PHP to upload a file from a form post and it's rudely denying me.
print_r($_FILES) after the post returns Array() despite checking server settings of file_uploads set to 1, upload_max_filesize set to 2M, and upload_tmp_dir with no value (which means it should default to /tmp and the permissions are 777).•
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Enjoy Life!
I have to say I really enjoy my life!
I took much pleasure in watching Noah sing with the other 3rd graders. He blinked rapidly the whole time (time for glasses? nerves? tired?), yawned several times, appeared to mouth the words or just not sing at points and bellowed out the lyrics at other times. He really seemed to enjoy himself and I'm not going to shoot him down by griping about anything such as the yawming (I did have to ask about the eyes..I had to know if his eyes were hurting).
Sometimes as a parent it is so difficult to focus on the things the child did right and ignore the things the child did "wrong" (I'd prefer to say differently.) It is so easy to see where someone could improve..be that a co-worker, a public official, an actor, or your own child. We should not let our search for perfection destory another's moment of glory.
Amy was very well behaved and also a pleasure to watch growing. She is very impressive.
•
I took much pleasure in watching Noah sing with the other 3rd graders. He blinked rapidly the whole time (time for glasses? nerves? tired?), yawned several times, appeared to mouth the words or just not sing at points and bellowed out the lyrics at other times. He really seemed to enjoy himself and I'm not going to shoot him down by griping about anything such as the yawming (I did have to ask about the eyes..I had to know if his eyes were hurting).
Sometimes as a parent it is so difficult to focus on the things the child did right and ignore the things the child did "wrong" (I'd prefer to say differently.) It is so easy to see where someone could improve..be that a co-worker, a public official, an actor, or your own child. We should not let our search for perfection destory another's moment of glory.
Amy was very well behaved and also a pleasure to watch growing. She is very impressive.
•
Dinner done!
I love cooking meals that span days and can be done ahead of the evening rush. Last night I made a chicken pasta that is basically a contrived meal (no recipe) and I do a "cheats coronation chicken". I will have to post both later. The children love the chicken pasta and my wife and I love the coronation chicken (although this is more of a curry chicken).
•
•
Pissszzzzss off
I'm so ticked at myself for sleeping as much as I did last night. I didn't need that much rest.
My wife and I have very differing philosophieson sleep so on nights that I should not be sleeping but "need" sleep she won't stir me however last night we was kind enough to try to wake me several times but I was too far gone. I can't set an alarm clock because it wakes her too and then she can't get back to sleep.
•
My wife and I have very differing philosophies
•
Crashed
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
NOoooo! I only had a few more hours of work to do and I made the mistake of taking a powernap..and 8 hour power nap!
The grifters I have for neighbors just reported that that "two big screen televisions" were stolen..and "you'll see another rental truck out here today because we can't live without one." Before these people moved in we had no crime rate in this neighborhood. This had to be setup by them. When they want a new car they conveniently get rear ended. Everything they own is rented so when they want something different it gets "stolen". If the televisions were really stolen it was by someone that knows them.
No the part that gets my goat. I watched a truck pull into their driveway or yard as it almost hit my Jeep. I meant to go out and talk to them but I got distracted. I wonder what the outcome would have been.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
NOoooo! I only had a few more hours of work to do and I made the mistake of taking a powernap..and 8 hour power nap!
The grifters I have for neighbors just reported that that "two big screen televisions" were stolen..and "you'll see another rental truck out here today because we can't live without one." Before these people moved in we had no crime rate in this neighborhood. This had to be setup by them. When they want a new car they conveniently get rear ended. Everything they own is rented so when they want something different it gets "stolen". If the televisions were really stolen it was by someone that knows them.
No the part that gets my goat. I watched a truck pull into their driveway or yard as it almost hit my Jeep. I meant to go out and talk to them but I got distracted. I wonder what the outcome would have been.
•
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Super (bad) Dad!
I came home from work early and made the 8 year old and his 10 year old friend cry by cursing at them at telling the older one to never come over here again. Yup. I'm getting better with age!
•
•
Almost done!
Whew! I really wish I had another 20-30 solid hours to put into this project. However, it has shaped up very nicely and I'm uploading the code to the live site for client review. There are two critical missing pieces but hopefully I can wrap those quickly.
•
•
Progress!
Brrrr
25°F (-3°C per onlineconversion.com) right now. This house needs better doors, windows and insulation. I should be under the covers!
•
•
Hoo Hoo
I love working late at night! I just wish my body was more up to it. I lack the stamina I had in college (except in some areas..ahem!). It's so quiet at night and the phone doesn't ring to distract. I get so much work done! Unfortunately, I'll probably pay for this allnighter over the next several days.
•
•
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
I'm in the wrong business!
Virtual Island Sells For $26,500 real US Dollars
•
The MMORPG Project Entropia has just announced that its first treasure island sale via Auction has gone for a grand total of US$26,500.
•
Touch the Sky
Last night in the Asperger's Support Group a mother recounted a tail of her son's daredevil activities and I had to chuckle to myself because it sounded so similar to my attempt to touch the sky.
I was probably 5 in Wilmington, NC. It's a quaint little oceanside town of 60,000. Good people. Our house was a one story house with a nice sized front and backyard. The front yard had a huge Magnolia tree with one branch that had a horizontaly split in it. My brother and I could put the handgranade shaped seed pods into the split and move the branch to make it devour the cone. We called it The Alligator.
I have always been a climber. Wouldn't stay in my crib. Climbed down the side of Grandfather Mountain. No tree could stop me. No precipice could frighten me.
One day between the ages of 3 and 6 I took it upon myself to "touch the sky." I climbed that magnolia tree until my little head popped out of the top. The branches must have barely been supporting me. Fortunately a sharp tone from my mother brought me back down. The story from the support group told of the child demanding that his mother rent a crane to get him out of his tree! (She talked him down)
•
I was probably 5 in Wilmington, NC. It's a quaint little oceanside town of 60,000. Good people. Our house was a one story house with a nice sized front and backyard. The front yard had a huge Magnolia tree with one branch that had a horizontaly split in it. My brother and I could put the handgranade shaped seed pods into the split and move the branch to make it devour the cone. We called it The Alligator.
I have always been a climber. Wouldn't stay in my crib. Climbed down the side of Grandfather Mountain. No tree could stop me. No precipice could frighten me.
One day between the ages of 3 and 6 I took it upon myself to "touch the sky." I climbed that magnolia tree until my little head popped out of the top. The branches must have barely been supporting me. Fortunately a sharp tone from my mother brought me back down. The story from the support group told of the child demanding that his mother rent a crane to get him out of his tree! (She talked him down)
•
The Benefits of Marriage
Snow!
We have snow! Well, dandruff in the air and you can barely see it but it's still snow!
Makes me want to run outside and spend 3 days preping the sled hill (removing roots, stumps and other obsticles).
•
Makes me want to run outside and spend 3 days preping the sled hill (removing roots, stumps and other obsticles).
•
More Fly By
Wow! I just watched Time fly by. I swear today the Earth is spinning faster than it normally does.
•
•
Big Brother
A portrait depicting President Bush from afar turns out to be made up of many smaller pictures of monkeys caused the manager of the Chelsea Market public space to threaten "Get this work down or I'm gonna arrest you." Read more
All hail the administration! Say nothing bad!
•
Cool Fly By
I was watching out the back window and a hawk swooped down and flew about 5 feet off the ground through our trees then whooshed up to light on one of the Oaks. It caused quite a stir in the community. I'm not certain if it scored any small fowl but it was a beauty to watch!
(similar to this hawk)
•
(similar to this hawk)
•
From the Mouths of Babes
Amy: "Thank you Dad. Thank you."
Tell you what, nothing feels better.
Dad: "Noah, don't go in that bedroom."
Noah: Goes in bedroom anyway.
Dad: Loses temper.
Noah: Cries.
Tell you what, nothing feels worse.
•
Tell you what, nothing feels better.
Dad: "Noah, don't go in that bedroom."
Noah: Goes in bedroom anyway.
Dad: Loses temper.
Noah: Cries.
Tell you what, nothing feels worse.
•
Forget monitors
Speegle is a search engine that will read the results to you. See my comments on Spy Journal Tech Tips
•
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
I had to grab some zzs last night. I woke at 2am and almost pulled myself from bed. Woke again at 4am and could tell the fire was out but could not rise. Finally rose at 6am but I am not kicking myself. I feel rested.
Today shall be more intense programming and documentation. I have 13 communities to build by tomorrow.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
I had to grab some zzs last night. I woke at 2am and almost pulled myself from bed. Woke again at 4am and could tell the fire was out but could not rise. Finally rose at 6am but I am not kicking myself. I feel rested.
Today shall be more intense programming and documentation. I have 13 communities to build by tomorrow.
•
Monday, December 13, 2004
Of Grasshoppers
Progress!
Must be good to be a cat
Leaves have blown up against the sliding glass door and are moving with the wind so the cat has taken guard position by the door and is manically batting at the glass to scare off the leaves. The door is loose in the frame so it makes this funny thumping noise as she does it.
•
•
Shop Shop Shop -- Deals!
One of my favorite sites is SlickDeals.net (even has its own rss feed). Now I'm adding Woot.com! As this article explains, woot.com lists a new item (and ONLY 1 item at a time) at midnight 5 days a week. The item is available until it is sold out. There are no people to talk to, no customer service, etc. Just great deals.
Found another one: http://www.dealtaker.com/
And another: http://www.ecoupons.com/
And another: http://www.shopping-bargains.com/
And another: http://www.dealcatcher.com/
I still encourage you to do your Amazon shopping here.
•
Come on BOB!
Only 5 days left to help my wife win an award. Let's get her a Best of Blogs Award 2004! Nominations close December 17th. Go here and nominate a blog for each category.
•
•
Regroup
Time to regroup. Do I switch from impossible task 1 to impossible task 2 or stick with impossible task 1? Or do I take a stress break with near impossible tasks A, B, C, or D?
•
•
Today's Quote
Wow! Productivity!
More television
Mini-series in my head
I love recurring dreams, particularly the ones that are not identical but are set in the same scenerio.
For instance, last night I had a dream in full techicolor where I'm walking around in a parking garage. I run into some others that are very frustrated because they can't figure out how to get out of the garage. I am able to lead them out because I've been here before but it's not just that my character in the dream "has been here." I literally have dreamed this parking garage and this city before but on a different topic.
•
For instance, last night I had a dream in full techicolor where I'm walking around in a parking garage. I run into some others that are very frustrated because they can't figure out how to get out of the garage. I am able to lead them out because I've been here before but it's not just that my character in the dream "has been here." I literally have dreamed this parking garage and this city before but on a different topic.
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Made some great coding progress yesterday but its just not enough. To do the quality of work I like to do I just need some more time. I'm kicking myself so hard right now! On the positive side, it is 3:45am and I'm up and going!
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Made some great coding progress yesterday but its just not enough. To do the quality of work I like to do I just need some more time. I'm kicking myself so hard right now! On the positive side, it is 3:45am and I'm up and going!
•
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Day Goes By
Got some programming done. Had some family time. Overall I was relaxed most of the day and rolled with it. I'll still be up late.
•
•
Time travel in my house!
My washing machine momentarily sounded like the Tardus landing in the basement. I expected Doctor Who to step out and offer me a jelly belly.
•
•
Get your nominations in for BOB!
The Best of Blogs Awards 2004 is going on right now. Nominations close December 17th. Go here and nominate a blog for each category.
I personally would like to see my wife win an award. She has an exceptional blog!
•
I personally would like to see my wife win an award. She has an exceptional blog!
•
Dead Fish Swimming
This beta fish is incredible. It actually has personality! I found this glass container at AC Moore roughly 3 years ago for something like $6 and the plant at Bi-Lo for $4 and the fish for $3 or so. I thought Sarah would really enjoy it and she has.
I'd seen a cheap plastic version of this type of tank for $19.95 so for less money I put together a better quality fish bowl myself. I was told to expect the beta to live approximately 2 years if well cared for. I would not say that we always take the best care. For instance, I should have taken this picture 10 minutes later as the water is no longer as cloudy as it is in this picture. The fish is regularly fed and has lived nearly 3 years!
Frequently it is so still in the tank that Cathy and I have each announced "time for a new fish" but then we move the plant and it swims off. I do recall being told "it likes to hang out in the roots of plants." I am sure it was resting peacefully and we probably scare some life out of it each time we do that but it is so hard not to check on the fish when it goes so long without moving!
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
The current state of The Tree on the morning of December 12, 2004.
What needs to be done today?
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
The current state of The Tree on the morning of December 12, 2004.
What needs to be done today?
- 120 hours programming on one project
- 12 hours documentation and setup on another project
- light tree
- paint room
- fix car
fix garbage disposalThis can wait.- Go Christmas shopping
- Empty trailer and pickup furniture for inlaws
- Invoice for bio-dad
•
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Fun!
Lord willing and the crik don't rise
I've never seen it so high! The creek, visible just past the trampoline on the right side, has never been so high. I figure at that point it must be 3 or 4 feet (1m) deep but I'm probably exaggerating. Maybe its only 2 feet.
•
Our first Christmas gifts are well received. The kids were thrilled (particularly with being given permission to open prior to Christmas). Cathy and I were overjoyed and pleasantly surprised! Many thanks! (I accidentally left the lip gloss and candy out of the picture)
•
My neighbors car (across the creek). 7 years ago the county gave him 30 days to remove it from the property.
•
The damn behind our house. Yes. That is a car door you are looking at so the elevation from the newly formed pond to the creek bed is 4-5 feet.
•
Alfred Hitchcock
I finally got over my dereliction of duties and cleaned the cat litter, picked up after the dog, took the trash out, fed the outside cat and fed the birds (which will further feed the outside cat).
I enjoy the birds. Years ago when I was going through hard times and skipping meals to save money I still fed the birds. I used to have a baby hawk come everyday and land on one of the oak trees just to watch the airport frenzy of the bluebirds, chickadees, bluejays, squirrels, titmice, woodpeckers and more. Once a bluejay landed about 3 feed to the right of the hawk as if to say "you aren't as bad as you think you are." The hawk slowly turned its head for a brief glance and elegantly turned back to watching the frenzy. The message was "you aren't really going to make me do this are you?" A few seconds later a subtle movement from the hawk in the bluejays direction and it flew off allowing the hawk to return to its birdwatching. Later that day I saw the hawk on the same branch holding the branch in one talon and a bluejay in the other. Again, just watching the birds.
Today as I filled the feeders a huge hawk circled over head in a zig zagging slow series of S's. Either it was in the tree canopy or the tops of the trees were scrapping its belly. Beautiful bird! I threw out some peanuts thinking the squirrels will like these. One squawk from a bluejay and 20 others joined it to systematically ravish the horde of nuts.
In minutes a titmouse joined the feeding, a chickadee, a red bellied woodpecker, some ravens and the bluebirds of course. I am certain the chipmunk will be out today also.
•
I enjoy the birds. Years ago when I was going through hard times and skipping meals to save money I still fed the birds. I used to have a baby hawk come everyday and land on one of the oak trees just to watch the airport frenzy of the bluebirds, chickadees, bluejays, squirrels, titmice, woodpeckers and more. Once a bluejay landed about 3 feed to the right of the hawk as if to say "you aren't as bad as you think you are." The hawk slowly turned its head for a brief glance and elegantly turned back to watching the frenzy. The message was "you aren't really going to make me do this are you?" A few seconds later a subtle movement from the hawk in the bluejays direction and it flew off allowing the hawk to return to its birdwatching. Later that day I saw the hawk on the same branch holding the branch in one talon and a bluejay in the other. Again, just watching the birds.
Today as I filled the feeders a huge hawk circled over head in a zig zagging slow series of S's. Either it was in the tree canopy or the tops of the trees were scrapping its belly. Beautiful bird! I threw out some peanuts thinking the squirrels will like these. One squawk from a bluejay and 20 others joined it to systematically ravish the horde of nuts.
In minutes a titmouse joined the feeding, a chickadee, a red bellied woodpecker, some ravens and the bluebirds of course. I am certain the chipmunk will be out today also.
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
My wife rocks!
That said this is going to be a bizarrely stressful weekend.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
My wife rocks!
That said this is going to be a bizarrely stressful weekend.
•
Friday, December 10, 2004
More Google Bell
From the mouths of babes
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Slept well last night! Too well perhaps. Tough day ahead. Deadlines fastly approaching. I should have planned things such that I could have taken today off for painting. No such luck.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Slept well last night! Too well perhaps. Tough day ahead. Deadlines fastly approaching. I should have planned things such that I could have taken today off for painting. No such luck.
•
From the Mouths of Babes
Thursday, December 09, 2004
In the pink
So I've got some morning rituals. I think we all do. And one that we all have is answering that call to nature. Following is an post of TMI.
Leaving the bedroom light out as not to disturb the wife or dogs, I groggily meander into the dark bathroom bumping into the doorframe as I go. Close the door and flip on the light. Ow my eyes! They burn! I'm meeelting. So I wasn't quite ready for that.
For those of you that may not know this, boys pee standing up but they don't have to. Girls pee sitting down but they don't have to. Today I chose to stand. For the ladies that might not know, various factors in the morning contribute to the importance of aiming. Hmm. Factors aside aiming is important. Each guy has a preference to the hand that aims which is probably their dominent hand. What is key is that once you start it is difficult to stop until you are done. You know, open the flood gates and until the river is drained the gates don't close. And no, pinching only gives a temporary reprieve. Another juicy tidbit to know is that guys can aim with their eyes closed.
My eyes open simultaneously as I start into one of those impressive "this is going to take forever" moments. Slowly my vision comes into focus. Next I utter "what the hell?" and almost miss my target with the accompanying jolt to full awakeness. There as I look down, just above the stream and other familar sights is something most unusal...and glimmering pink! My thumbnail has been painted!
My first response is the desire to angrily rouse the wife and ask, "What's this about?!" but I'm a captive audience. Second response is laughter. Third response is revenge. Perhaps I should put on some of her delicates and paint my other nails then when she wakes say, "honey, we need to talk..." No. I have meetings today.
I know why this happened. She has trouble getting to sleep and I can turn off like a light switch and obviously deeply. I bet she wanted to talk (and my fantastical mind will imagine she wanted to do more than talk..perhaps she even invited a friend over).
Moral of the story? Coffee before bed!
•
Leaving the bedroom light out as not to disturb the wife or dogs, I groggily meander into the dark bathroom bumping into the doorframe as I go. Close the door and flip on the light. Ow my eyes! They burn! I'm meeelting. So I wasn't quite ready for that.
For those of you that may not know this, boys pee standing up but they don't have to. Girls pee sitting down but they don't have to. Today I chose to stand. For the ladies that might not know, various factors in the morning contribute to the importance of aiming. Hmm. Factors aside aiming is important. Each guy has a preference to the hand that aims which is probably their dominent hand. What is key is that once you start it is difficult to stop until you are done. You know, open the flood gates and until the river is drained the gates don't close. And no, pinching only gives a temporary reprieve. Another juicy tidbit to know is that guys can aim with their eyes closed.
My eyes open simultaneously as I start into one of those impressive "this is going to take forever" moments. Slowly my vision comes into focus. Next I utter "what the hell?" and almost miss my target with the accompanying jolt to full awakeness. There as I look down, just above the stream and other familar sights is something most unusal...and glimmering pink! My thumbnail has been painted!
My first response is the desire to angrily rouse the wife and ask, "What's this about?!" but I'm a captive audience. Second response is laughter. Third response is revenge. Perhaps I should put on some of her delicates and paint my other nails then when she wakes say, "honey, we need to talk..." No. I have meetings today.
I know why this happened. She has trouble getting to sleep and I can turn off like a light switch and obviously deeply. I bet she wanted to talk (and my fantastical mind will imagine she wanted to do more than talk..perhaps she even invited a friend over).
Moral of the story? Coffee before bed!
•
Deluge
One thunderboomer and the sky opened up! What a beutiful sound.
Branches fell across the creek behind our house and leaves washed up against them to form a dam. We now have our own personal fishin' hole. I wonder if it will overflow the banks today. I suppose I need to go break the dam despite liking it. Nature is an awesome force!
•
Branches fell across the creek behind our house and leaves washed up against them to form a dam. We now have our own personal fishin' hole. I wonder if it will overflow the banks today. I suppose I need to go break the dam despite liking it. Nature is an awesome force!
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Despite getting up at 2 4 and 5 am I feel well rested. I had my panic attack. I calmed myself.
Scribblings that will n'ver be:
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Despite getting up at 2 4 and 5 am I feel well rested. I had my panic attack. I calmed myself.
Scribblings that will n'ver be:
I walk upon a precipice
Drunk in the beauty that surrounds me
I teeter on the edge
And step without looking for the cliff
A Raven calls down to me
I look up and proclaim "N'ver more!"
A slip! Rocks tumble reminding me of the height
Mind yourself! And keep the path.
•
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Top 10 Things Said By Doug While Hooking Up His New Monitor
10. Now my computer runs faster.
9. So that's what happened to the other cat.
8. Maybe I should open this mail from 1988.
7. The silver doesn't match my keyboard and case. Perhaps I should buy a new computer.
6. Only 1 comes in a box?!
5. What's this button do?
4. Look at all the purdy colors.
3. Ow my eyes! My eyes!
2. And all this time I thought I was in DOS.
1. Oh! So it IS porn!
•
9. So that's what happened to the other cat.
8. Maybe I should open this mail from 1988.
7. The silver doesn't match my keyboard and case. Perhaps I should buy a new computer.
6. Only 1 comes in a box?!
5. What's this button do?
4. Look at all the purdy colors.
3. Ow my eyes! My eyes!
2. And all this time I thought I was in DOS.
1. Oh! So it IS porn!
•
Amy Speaks
Amy: "It's a butterfly in a chrysalis." (yes, I had to look it up too)
And they say television is bad...
•
And they say television is bad...
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
My morning...
After that I took Noah, Sarah and her friend to their respective bus stops. Ever since we had the child predator hitting on teenage girls several miles down the road I've stayed at the bus stop with the girls. It is a nice time for me. Although the girls ignore my presence and pass notes instead of talking I am happy to be with them. I listen to NPR and sometimes read for the 20 minutes it takes for their bus to arrive.
I return home to play the parrot game with Amy. That is, I decided to give her Welch's Grape Juice (origins as 'non fermented wine' for churches) and I said, "say 'nectar of the gods'!" and that sweet two year and half year old voice squeaks out "neck ter o gods" with excitement. So I say, "Say ambrosia" and she parrots "am bro ssssh uh". Very cute!
Time to work.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
My morning...
After that I took Noah, Sarah and her friend to their respective bus stops. Ever since we had the child predator hitting on teenage girls several miles down the road I've stayed at the bus stop with the girls. It is a nice time for me. Although the girls ignore my presence and pass notes instead of talking I am happy to be with them. I listen to NPR and sometimes read for the 20 minutes it takes for their bus to arrive.
I return home to play the parrot game with Amy. That is, I decided to give her Welch's Grape Juice (origins as 'non fermented wine' for churches) and I said, "say 'nectar of the gods'!" and that sweet two year and half year old voice squeaks out "neck ter o gods" with excitement. So I say, "Say ambrosia" and she parrots "am bro ssssh uh". Very cute!
Time to work.
•
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Typical Evening
Had a client need an emergency housecall so I skip dinner. I get home at 11:30pm and prepare my meal only to find the 8 year old, who is sleeping on his new mattress for the first time with no sheets, having a nose bleed and trying to care for it himself by using every one of the decorative towels that were just cleaned and stacked in the bathroom to be put away. While cleaning up the nose bleed and blood stains the puppy starts gagging and pukes.
15 years ago I would have laughed myself to tears had someone told me my life would revolve around defecation, urination, puke and other bodily fluids.
•
15 years ago I would have laughed myself to tears had someone told me my life would revolve around defecation, urination, puke and other bodily fluids.
•
Special Day
Behavior Control
Today I learned how to put a dog in a baskethold.
My dog does not like baths. However, the toddler thinks Gogurt goes well on fur.
•
My dog does not like baths. However, the toddler thinks Gogurt goes well on fur.
•
Of Grasshoppers
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
80% chance of stress
Possible situational depression early afternoon
Likely foggy head late afternoon
Cooling off in the evening
As head clears there is a possibility of twinkling lights
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Today's Forecast
80% chance of stress
Possible situational depression early afternoon
Likely foggy head late afternoon
Cooling off in the evening
As head clears there is a possibility of twinkling lights
•
Monday, December 06, 2004
Super Blog!
Wow! I somehow had two referrals from this blog but I can't figure out why or how.
Having been a comic collector in high school and having a superb artist for a brother I can really appreciate http://gelatometti.blogspot.com/!
His contest starts tomorrow.
Link
•
05 Dec, Sun, 21:39:15 http://gelatometti.blogspot.com/
06 Dec, Mon, 14:23:25 http://gelatometti.blogspot.com/
Having been a comic collector in high school and having a superb artist for a brother I can really appreciate http://gelatometti.blogspot.com/!
His contest starts tomorrow.
Link
•
Guilty of not checking my sources!
Unbelieveable! I thought I was impervious to hoaxes. I read cautiously and check Snopes and other sites to confirm stories particularly of questionable nature. Well, I guess I have gotten slack.
My post about 1954 Popular Mechanics guess at what a home computer in 2004 would look like is really an exhibit on submarines in the cold war at the Smithsonian Institution.
Someone needs to let Mostly Risible know also.
•
My post about 1954 Popular Mechanics guess at what a home computer in 2004 would look like is really an exhibit on submarines in the cold war at the Smithsonian Institution.
The picture is actually an entry submitted to an image modification competition, taken from an original photo of a submarine maneuvering room console found on U.S. Navy web site...
Someone needs to let Mostly Risible know also.
•
Of Grasshoppers
Wooohoo! Progress!
I coded! And coded well! I really am enjoying working with PHP and MySQL but would still recommend ColdFusion over PHP anyday. As I do more OO work with PHP that opinion may become more 50/50. For instance, Object Oriented programming is not the answer to everything but in some applications it simply makes sense to use OO.
•
•
Housebreaking
Did I meantion that we had only 1 minor accident yesterday and it was when the puppy was trying to get to the door. She knows what to do. Her timing needs improvement.
This dog is so black that it is hard to see her in the wee hours (pun intended). I can't tell if she is eatting something off the ground (like other animal's feces) or sniffing to find a spot. She has this funny sit that you can't tell if she is relaxing or squating to go. Makes housebreaking challenging.
This morning I took her out and she obviously wanted to play so I brought her back in. She went back to the door and I ignored her. Bad move! Our first accident today. I should have listened to her needs!
•
This dog is so black that it is hard to see her in the wee hours (pun intended). I can't tell if she is eatting something off the ground (like other animal's feces) or sniffing to find a spot. She has this funny sit that you can't tell if she is relaxing or squating to go. Makes housebreaking challenging.
This morning I took her out and she obviously wanted to play so I brought her back in. She went back to the door and I ignored her. Bad move! Our first accident today. I should have listened to her needs!
•
Peace
The dog requests out. I reluctantly pause from my work and place the leash upon her neck. Once outside the air is crisp but not cold. It has been raining only now the pitter patter of water hitting the ground comes from the trees giving one the feeling that they are standing in a light drizzle but not getting wet. I thank the dog for giving me this opportunity. I spend the next 15 minutes in meditative calm. No cars seem to be on the road. No airplanes fly overhead. Nature has become a still life. A real rain comes and I return to the clicky clack of my keyboard and the hum of the dryer.
•
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Went down for some much needed sleep. Isn't it funny how the more stressed you become the more sleep you need and it really should be the opposite.
My wife wants the lights on the tree, my clients want their work done, I want to work on the house and there just aren't enough hours in the day!
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Went down for some much needed sleep. Isn't it funny how the more stressed you become the more sleep you need and it really should be the opposite.
My wife wants the lights on the tree, my clients want their work done, I want to work on the house and there just aren't enough hours in the day!
•
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Operating Systems
My laptop has 3 partitions on it. One for Windows 98. One for Windows 95 with an honest to goodness working copy of Internet Explorer 4. And yes, one for Windows 3.1!
I guess I could do some surfing with some really old browsers and freak some people's stats out.
Or... perhaps its time to lose some partitions. I don't really think I'll be testing in IE 4 anymore and I can't even remember why I had 3.1 on as a test platform. What say we put Linux on this antique!
•
I guess I could do some surfing with some really old browsers and freak some people's stats out.
Or... perhaps its time to lose some partitions. I don't really think I'll be testing in IE 4 anymore and I can't even remember why I had 3.1 on as a test platform. What say we put Linux on this antique!
•
Keepsakes or science?
Bring on the calm!
I'm settling in to do some programming. Jimmy Buffett playing for calm and focus. Let's make headway!
•
•
Chore Sheets Be Gone!
Poor Noah. He went outside again today unprompted to "bury poop" as that used to be a chore worth money on the chore sheets. He came in and hours later said, "where's my chore sheet?" Cathy removed them weeks ago because no one was paying any attention to them!
Noah is a wonderful child. He contributes to the family without prompting and is genuinely a good boy. He has the smarts and charisma to be a great leader but I fear he allows himself to be victomized by his peers. It is hard not to contribute that to actions on his brother's part. When Tommy acts up, Noah retreats mentally. It's as if his whole body shrinks some. He doesn't have to physically hide because when Tommy is having a blowout everyone else goes unnoticed. So, I can imagine that if a peer acted a bit like Tommy and noticed Noah's retreat then they could conceivably gain influence over him. Noah is also attracted to other children that act like Tommy. It is what he knows.
•
Noah is a wonderful child. He contributes to the family without prompting and is genuinely a good boy. He has the smarts and charisma to be a great leader but I fear he allows himself to be victomized by his peers. It is hard not to contribute that to actions on his brother's part. When Tommy acts up, Noah retreats mentally. It's as if his whole body shrinks some. He doesn't have to physically hide because when Tommy is having a blowout everyone else goes unnoticed. So, I can imagine that if a peer acted a bit like Tommy and noticed Noah's retreat then they could conceivably gain influence over him. Noah is also attracted to other children that act like Tommy. It is what he knows.
•
Excellent Santa Pictures
After Tommy's rough start I expected the whole mall experience to be horrible. Fortunately we chose to see Santa at East Town Mall (now East Town Centre) and everything went smoothly. The Santa was Disney perfect! Could not have asked for a better Santa.
I about died laughing!
•
At one point I wanted to show Amy what to expect. Our conversation went like this:
D: "Who is that?"
A: Seeing the toy in the elf's hand "Elmo!"
D: "Yes, but who is that?" Pointing.
A: "Santa!"
D: "Will you sit in Santa's lap?"
A: Shakes head no.
D: "Are you going to tell him what you want for Christmas?"
A: "Yup!"
D: "What do you want?"
A: "Lots of presents."
Santa: Leans over and whispers toward the baby's ear. From our prespective we see his mouth move and his beard rub the baby's head.
A: Laughing. "Santa eatting baby!"
I about died laughing!
•
Lights!!!
I just spent 10 minutes switching bulbs around on a string of lights to turn around and check the fuses and while putting the fuse back it it bounced out and disappeared into the ether.
Where my light tester is is anybody's guess. This would be fun if I wasn't so overdeadlined.
•
Where my light tester is is anybody's guess. This would be fun if I wasn't so overdeadlined.
•
Dryer troubles
So when I was fixing the dryer (fixed) I learned that there is an alarm inside. If the belt ever breaks the alarm sounds.
For the past few days an alarm has been sounding but the drum still turns. My guess? I suppose the belt is either slipping or sticking. I guess I'll add a washer and dryer to the Christmas list.
But wait! Let's check one thing. Oh look! The lint catcher has a carpet on it! Yes, that thing which is supposed to be cleaned before every load probably hasn't been cleaned in a week. So our alarm was telling us to clean the lint catcher.
•
For the past few days an alarm has been sounding but the drum still turns. My guess? I suppose the belt is either slipping or sticking. I guess I'll add a washer and dryer to the Christmas list.
But wait! Let's check one thing. Oh look! The lint catcher has a carpet on it! Yes, that thing which is supposed to be cleaned before every load probably hasn't been cleaned in a week. So our alarm was telling us to clean the lint catcher.
•
Profound Statement of the Day
arcite wins with "after sending the kids off for overnight medical experiments (someone has to try the new drugs & we need the beer money)"
•
•
Graduation!
Yesterday was a hard day for Molly. We began the day cramming for dog school. We practiced several times before lunch. Molly had bath which she deplores. On the way to dog school we tried to got Petsmart. She encountered small yipping things and big sniffing things but we bailed out quickly. The crowds were unbelievable!
So, onto dog school. We get there early and Molly enjoys everyone's presence. Then we throw the ball. Then there is a half an hour of exercises. Then an hour of testing. The dogs all did great. Molly's performance could have been better but "if there was an award for most improved, Molly would get it!" She had a blast.
I'm going to miss dog school. Molly was so wiped out that she slept the whole afternoon. Then in the evening she joined Cathy and I in bed (yes, a dog has come between us) but slept the entire night in the same spot on her back with all 4 paws up in the air. She looked like the horse from Animal House.
•
So, onto dog school. We get there early and Molly enjoys everyone's presence. Then we throw the ball. Then there is a half an hour of exercises. Then an hour of testing. The dogs all did great. Molly's performance could have been better but "if there was an award for most improved, Molly would get it!" She had a blast.
I'm going to miss dog school. Molly was so wiped out that she slept the whole afternoon. Then in the evening she joined Cathy and I in bed (yes, a dog has come between us) but slept the entire night in the same spot on her back with all 4 paws up in the air. She looked like the horse from Animal House.
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
I have this terrible fear of letting people down. So, I'll often try to go above and beyond to impress even if it is at my own expense. I also don't like to say no. If I know I can do something or help someone then I want to do it. Furthermore I sincerely believe there is nothing that I can't take on and success. Combine these three things together and you have a perfect formula for disaster.
Today I can feel the ache all over.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
I have this terrible fear of letting people down. So, I'll often try to go above and beyond to impress even if it is at my own expense. I also don't like to say no. If I know I can do something or help someone then I want to do it. Furthermore I sincerely believe there is nothing that I can't take on and success. Combine these three things together and you have a perfect formula for disaster.
Today I can feel the ache all over.
•
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Missing Poop Uncovered
So, I've escalated the efforts to get the dog accostomed to pottying outside instead of in the house. I now carry all poop from inside the house to a specific spot outside.
Today I look outside to see my most helpful child (8yr old) burying the poop!
Next step in the training will be to put urine scented sticks and leaves in the same area and spray down the favorite spots in the house with a scented deterent.
•
Today I look outside to see my most helpful child (8yr old) burying the poop!
Next step in the training will be to put urine scented sticks and leaves in the same area and spray down the favorite spots in the house with a scented deterent.
•
Survival of the Fittest?!
How do we ever live to see our teen years?
The 8 year olds are playing Marco Polo on the trampoline.
•
The 8 year olds are playing Marco Polo on the trampoline.
•
Celeron
Political
David of Partisan Shots has two great posts (post 1 and post 2) highlighting Europe's response and the Republican's response to We're Sorry Everybody.
And, btw, England has posted a NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
•
And, btw, England has posted a NOTICE OF REVOCATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
•
Microsoft Enters the Blog Market
MSN Spaces is Microsoft's answer to Blogger, Moveable Type and TypePad.
I am testing it at http://spaces.msn.com/members/juggler/
•
I am testing it at http://spaces.msn.com/members/juggler/
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Molly and I started the day with some dog training practice. She did well! Let's hope I didn't just use up all her good behavior for the day. Today is dog school graduation.
I could have had a major win with Molly but the cold weather drove me in. Once inside, she instantly let a gallon flow! Had I waited a few minutes!!
I need echinacea! I can feel something coming on but I am going to fight through it. If not for this blog entry my family would not even know. Now my wife will tease me with the "poor me's".
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Molly and I started the day with some dog training practice. She did well! Let's hope I didn't just use up all her good behavior for the day. Today is dog school graduation.
I could have had a major win with Molly but the cold weather drove me in. Once inside, she instantly let a gallon flow! Had I waited a few minutes!!
I need echinacea! I can feel something coming on but I am going to fight through it. If not for this blog entry my family would not even know. Now my wife will tease me with the "poor me's".
•
Friday, December 03, 2004
Viagra for women!!
Hoorah!
Intrinsa is a testosterone patch in development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, which is a condition characterized by a lack of sexual arousal, desire, and pleasure.
I wonder what are the ethical implications of sneaking one of these onto your mate while she sleeps.
Link
•
Intrinsa is a testosterone patch in development for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, which is a condition characterized by a lack of sexual arousal, desire, and pleasure.
I wonder what are the ethical implications of sneaking one of these onto your mate while she sleeps.
Link
•
Heroes
It feels so good to be my daughter's hero. This morning I was holding her (the 2yr old) on my right hip and poured a juice single handedly with my left hand. She leans away from me so she has room to clap and quickly and repeatedly pats her hands together while cheering "yeah Daddy!" with a BIG smile on her face.
My life doesn't have a soundtrack yet (unless my sound track is Art of Noise or Stomp) but I certainly do have a cheering squad!
•
My life doesn't have a soundtrack yet (unless my sound track is Art of Noise or Stomp) but I certainly do have a cheering squad!
•
Great Read
James of Puerilis who original brought us "How Not to Launch Fireworks" has other great posts such as the Largest Photo Ever which uses Zoomify to allow you to look closer at the picture. I can tell you in some quick poking around I found one window that contains 4 rolls of toilet paper. I found 1 woman and 5 men. One of the men had a badly cropped head mangled onto his body. This will occupy the voyuers for hours. (oops.. there's one of those censor words that adsense won't like). Zoomify also has a free download to make your own pictures.
He also brings us some great anagrams such as "Snooze Alarms = Alas! No More Z's" and "Eleven plus two = Twelve plus one"
•
He also brings us some great anagrams such as "Snooze Alarms = Alas! No More Z's" and "Eleven plus two = Twelve plus one"
•
Amy speaks
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Yesterday I started a new house breaking program. See Molly, the dog, has taken to going outside and sitting down or lying down and just waiting me out. With the temperatures where they are (current 30°) it is not hard to wait me out. So, I have allowed her to make her mess in the house. They I pick it up and rather than depositing it in the toilet, I am placing it in the yard where I want to encourage her to go. These are things I never imagined I would do with my life!
My brother says my hints were less than subtle
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Yesterday I started a new house breaking program. See Molly, the dog, has taken to going outside and sitting down or lying down and just waiting me out. With the temperatures where they are (current 30°) it is not hard to wait me out. So, I have allowed her to make her mess in the house. They I pick it up and rather than depositing it in the toilet, I am placing it in the yard where I want to encourage her to go. These are things I never imagined I would do with my life!
My brother says my hints were less than subtle
•
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Oh No way!
FUNNY: Yale Students Perform Prank of the Century, Almost
In a stunt reminiscent of the Great Rose Bowl Hoax on January 2, 1961, Yale students faked being members of the "Harvard Pep Squad," passing out pieces of paper to the Harvard side of the stadium that when the fans held up the papers spelled "We Suck." Apparently the stunt is available in a video but Virginia Tech or someone wanting us to thinking Virginia Tech did it has hacked the http://www.harvardsucks.org site to pop up a javascript alert reading "Go Virginia Tech!" If you go to that site remember that "esc" cancels javascript (but you may have to hit it repeatedly while trying to close the window and alt-F4 closes a program. You can also use cntl-alt-del and end task.
Link
•
We fear the Dark because it has always been
According to a new study, space and dark are eternal, they were not created, and the 'Primordial Fireball' as claimed by the Big Bang theory could not produce them.
•
•
I've offended Google's AdSensabilities
Apparently on my blog and Tommy's I've just used too many wordy dirds.
•
- Why am I getting PSAs?
- Our system has certain filters in place to protect our advertisers from advertising on pages that could be construed as potentially negative, non-family safe or even offensive.
•
A New Day!
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Woke in a panic. I'm not putting in the time I have allotted myself to get certain things done.
Here. I present you, my head:
Took a calming bath and made a plan. Woke Tommy at 5:30 and am feeling really good about this day.
•
Let's start the day off with a PayPal donation link:
This Morning
Woke in a panic. I'm not putting in the time I have allotted myself to get certain things done.
Here. I present you, my head:
Ok. It's 4:45. I could get up and exercise. No that would have required laying exercise clothing out last night. What about stretching? No. I can't think of a single spot in this house that I'd want to lie down on the floor right now. Need carpet. Hide under covers. No. Ok. It's 5:00 now. Get up! Work on X. No work on Y then X. No work on Z. Yikes. Interview today. Must bathe. Ok calm. Work on father-in-law's computer. No. Oh no. We have a limited number of days left to fix it. Bath! Yes, a bath will fix all. Hide under covers. No bath. I'm up.
Took a calming bath and made a plan. Woke Tommy at 5:30 and am feeling really good about this day.
•
