Another day at the office

Take that Zurg!

2009-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from Southern California with GLORIOUS news. During an intergalactic battle against the Evil Emperor Zurg, Space Rangers Ann and Paul defeated his robot army. Although there were casualties on our side, their sacrifice was not in vain. Rangers Ann and Paul boarded their Space Cruiser, took flight through the treacherous terrain, and blasted their way through enemy fortifications knowing full well that this could be their final moments together.

Undaunted and without fear they piloted towards their destination blasting away any and all that would stand in their way and leaving behind only broken shells of a once powerful mechanized militia.

"Good Job Space Rangers!", announced the proud Commander Buzz Lightyear over the intergalactic broadcaster.

Autopilot engaged and steered us towards the Flight Center and home. We walked down the boarding ramp of our Space Cruiser and exited the flight center knowing that the galaxy was, for now, safe from tyranny.

Entering into the sun we breathed a great sigh of relief. Civilians crowded the streets walking along without a care in the world completely ignorant of the war that was just raged. It is probably better that way. I fear to know the damage that would be inflicted upon the minds of the average person. It is not just anyone who can look into the eyes of death and not flinch. War can be hell, but battling Zurg is more worser...

Evil forces lurk in the darkness, but sleep well knowing that the Space Rangers are here to protect!

Cloud City

2009-10-11T10:28:00.001-07:00

Cloud City. The home of Lando Calrissian. Magical floating mining colony on the planet Bespin. It's a great place to own and run. The Empire turns a blind eye to what you do and how you do it provided you pay your dues; however, as someone who relied on the safety and security of the Cloud...just ask Han Solo!

If you have not read the article in the Washington Post regarding T-Mobile's cluster-F with their Sidekick's data backup debacle, here it is---> Sidekick Doh!

Add to it the Carbonite (famed online backup system) who charges a reasonable flat rate of $55.00/yr to lose your data! I will make you a deal. I can guarantee to loose twice the data, in half the time, for one-quarter of the price! Sign up with NOW! This offer will not last!

Cloud computing: the latest and greatest pseudonym for having no control over your data, or access to it. The idea started just a couple of years ago with "mainframe computing", then "terminal computing" and, my favorite, "ROAMING PROFILES". The idea is that, no matter where you go, there you are. If you can find a computer with network access, then you can access your most intimate of files and needed of information. It does not matter which computer you are on. Trust me, your information and vital documents are safe with me! Oh! And did I tell you? I have a great home loan offer for you. No money down, don't pay a cent in principle, and before you know it, your house will double in value!

There is something to be said about the adage, "1 in the hand is worth 2 in the bush." Be smart. Be secure. Heck, be a little bit paranoid. Keep a copy for yourself!!!

...back to the office.

What happened yesterday???

2009-08-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

I used the statement today, "Those who do not remember their history are condemned to repeat it." Who said that?

Well:

the commonly used expression, "Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it" is actually a mis-quotation of the original text written by George Santayana, who, in his Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1, wrote "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Rooted in the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and many others to follow, his biography (1863-1952) and more contemporary intepretations and observations about man and life can be found at Wikipedia by searching for George Santayana. Stanford University online also provides an outstanding and much more detailed background on this important and profound philosopher, essayist, poet and novelist.

Santayana's quotation, in turn, was a slight modification of an Edmund Burke (1729-1797) statement, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." Burke was a British Statesman and Philosopher who is generally viewed as the philosophical founder of modern political conservatism.
- Wikianswers.com [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_said_Those_who_ignore_history_are_bound_to_repeat_it]

Does that mean that George Santayana did not really know 'his' history as he quoted (almost word for word) Edmund Burke? Sorta apropo for today's economic climate, which is (almost word for word) of the 1920's Great Depression.

Anyways, I need to get back to work. My boss just walked by!

Total Eclipse of the Heart...Totally!

2009-08-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

There are those songs that, no matter how often I listen to them, or read the lyrics, I can never get all of the words correct. Sometimes, I know all of the words, but mess up the order in which they appear in the song. Thankfully, someone much smarter than I (not very difficult to imagine) as created a very useful flowchart to take you through Bonnie Tyler's lyrics:

So, I am pleased to inform you that I now can follow the entire song. What is even more wonderful, is that the song has been translated using sub-titles and super-titles over the Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA

It all makes sense now. Where was the internet(s) during my high school days! i'd have been so much more in the know!

Revelation of "The Matrix"

2009-04-22T11:27:00.000-07:00

Quote from The Matrix:

Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

What I have come to understand now, is that the Matrix is the Academic Computer world, Agent Smith is Apple Computers, the Spoon is the UNIX base system and Neo is just some dumb fuck who is trying to make the stupid workstation be flexible enough so that students, or the general public, can operate the thing consistantly and reliably without is throwing up some lame undefined operations error.

Smoke that one, Steve!

Lessons Learned in Reno, NV

2009-03-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

Life has many lessons to teach. From the time we are small children and throughout our years we are offered many opportunities to expand our knowledgebase. As toddlers we learn that "no" means "NO", cats don't like their tails pulled, fire is hot, ants taste like pepper, and, just because you say "MINE", does not necessarily make it so. Adolescence brings with it it's own morsels. Curfew is midnight, due dates really mean something, mixing alcohols is a bad thing, and telling your parents "You can't tell me what to do!" is just a pipe dream.

During a recent sojourne to Reno we (myself and others who will remain anonymous) were presented with several life lessons:

One 30-pack of beer does not last long with 15 guys
Don't go on the freeway at 6pm on a Friday night
Don't trust a taxi driver who bottoms out his car on the driveway
Girls who snort when they laugh, should not tell AJ to shush
Don't drink at the While Orchid
Anyone can get a P.I. license in Alabama
Beer Pong is a waste of beer
Brett is not a happy camper when he is woken up at 5am
Some Fridays last a LONG time
Roll another blunt...it'll get used
Everybody falls asleep in the recliner
Some taxi drivers have nunchucks
Loulou Belle's is the best place for breakfast
In Placer County: Once on probation, always on probation

I am grateful for these lessons learned. Nobody was hurt in the process (except for the guy who DID have a drink at the Wild Orchid). Please accept these tidbits as fact and not fluff. Learn from them. Add them into your life's Do's and Don'ts List and be better for it.

Be Well.

An Apple a day...

2009-01-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

I have heard, read, been told, and other-wise seen on multiple occasions the whimsical saying, albeit an old wives tale, that, "An Apple a day, keeps the Doctors away."

For the majority of my years I have had a certain understanding of this colloquialism - Eating an apple each day will help keep you healthy and away from the need of a medical physician. Today, I stand (sit at the computer) corrected. I now have a corrected, and much more accurate, interpretation of this saying -

...Doctors are smart enough to purchase PC's!

Macintrash, iCrack, Crackintosh, FUBAR, Macincrack...GREATEST COMPUTER IN THE WORLD CUZ IT IS SOO INTUITIVE...call it what you may...PC's may be prone to viruses and internet attacks, but working efficiently with an Apple computer is like making a left turn in San Francisco!..it simply cannot be done.

Andy Rooney on "Women over 40"

2008-09-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?', here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Floooooooorr?

2008-06-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

so, i found the greatest floor guy! before my floor was, well, how should i put it....well used. 15 years of my friends and i using it as a floor...or a hocky rink, rock climing landing, sit and spin, dance floor, stock room, banquet hall...well, you know what i mean. If you want to see what it used to look like, tough. I burned all evidence of my misdeads!

here is what it looks like now!

The entrance from the Garage!

From the kitchen...

From Upstairs...

From the Cat's point of view:

Help us help them...

2008-06-04T11:49:00.001-07:00

construction-struction, what's your function?

2008-01-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

i've done it now. i have begun the stage in the evolution of my condo. It's a lot like the big bang, really. It started a long time ago and progressed quickly at first and then...it arrived at a steady state. Well, not quite steady state, but a period of time when the changes were not as drastic as the early shift from the primordial atom to the rapid expansion of space-time/painting-decorating. So, I have once again begun the journey into, not only house sitting 2 cats, but also "nesting". As you can see.

there are a cornucopia of pics. Here are two...the rest are located at:

My Flickr Page

I've decided that this is NOT the place to begin posting such "cool stuff". See Flickr for photo shoots.

word-out!

Merry Christmas, one and all!..

2007-12-20T12:34:00.001-08:00

So, I've just about completed my Sexual Harrassment Training here as SSU. I've come to the understanding that, I'm screwed!

It's a good thing, however, that this training/exam/quiz is not graded. If the quiz had the answer option for OTHER, and I could fill in my own comment, then I would have submitted - "SACK UP and stop being a whiny little bitch!"

Well, keeping in line with what I have learned in my training and, in honor of the holiday season, here is my favorite Season Cartoon - No Christmas for You

Peace be with you!

students are the craziest people

2007-05-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

so, i'm sitting here in the library. it's Saturday night, just after 9pm. i'm pulling the first baby-sitting shift at the library for the 24hr study hall.

the place started out kinda hoppin at 5p. had over 100 people in here, and only 1 or 2 of them were non-SSU students (that i could tell). i did boot a couple of kids out at 5. told them that the study hall was only for students doing academic work. i offered to them that they could do school work and stay, but they just wanted to play games.

so, at 9:15p we are down to just over 60...and i'm bored! bored enough to make two postings in one night. the day started out GREAT! got the jeep detailed and all purdy. got in a lil bit of riding. finished up the early part of the day w/ a bbq and beers over at AJ's. had a great water fight with bowen...and now i'm here. amazing how slow the night can go when you're having "fun".

i'm ready for a nap.

In Case You Missed It...

2007-05-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I spent the weekend at Michelle and Andrews taking care of their kids while the two of them partied it up in the city. I'm re-recording it here for posterity.

Friday night...roughly 9:30p.
I have drivin over 1300 miles this week. I managed to sleep roughly
4 hours during the 48 hours of our transport and admissions.
Wednesday night had a good nights sleep (mom snored like a
hurricane, but she'll deny it!). Thursday, Kevin and I made the
journey back to RP (let's here it! What? What? RoPo, baby!).
Experienced one more quiets night sleep...

Friday evening I begin my thrust into (temporary) parenthood. I
arrive to Michelle and Andrews house to watch over there 3 beloveds
for the weekend. I am met by Andrew dashing out the front door for
the car. "Paul, I owe you for this!"

My response, "no worries Andrew. Someday, you'll babysit my
youngins...while i sit in the room in my Lazy-boy and watch!" I
thought that funny.

I entered the house to the joyous greeting of two
children. "PAAAAWWWWWWLLLLLL!!!!" A mighty greeting I must say.
At this point, I'm thinking, no problem! Maddie and Kaden are
excited to see me. Andre looks me over as if we were preparing for
a showdown...he knows something. It's just after 4p. I only need
to make it to 7:45p. What's 4 hours??? (famous last words).

Michelle hands me 4 pages of what to do and at what time. A sort of
User's Manual, if you would; however, this would be the Quick Start
Guide. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I can follow
directions. I can make KILLER Pasta-Roni! She points out the high-
lights and goes over some last minute "Stop, Drop and Roll"
scenerios. Out the door she goes...and with it the comforting
feeling of mellow children.

Door Closes: WHERE'S MOMMY???? WHEN IS SHE COMING BACK?

Kaden breaks into his war cry. Arms flying. Poohder (the cat)
takes one look at me, winks (saying, "you're on your own"), and
bolts for hiding places that only cats can find.

4pm: Only an hour and a half till dinner.

"What would you guys like for dinner?" Funny. I do not EVER
remember my mom asking this question.

"Corn Dogs"
"Pizza"
"Mac n Cheese"

Michelle informed me that this would happen, but that we need to
decide on one plate. "We are not a short-order kitchen during
dinner" were the words printed in my User Manual.

Corn Dogs it is. And Broccholi, or Fruit. Plates are served.
Nothing too hot.

Mistake #1: Would you like Ketchup or Mustard?
"Both!" So, I being the host, provide each plate with a small pool
of Ketchup and Mustard. Do all of you remember having your water
colors during Pre-school? First thing you do? MIX THEM INTO ONE JI-
NORMIS COMMON GLOB. Messy...that is the part that I had forgotten.
4 year olds and 2 year olds are messy. Especially when you give
them the opportunity to be so. NOTE TO SELF: Small lines of
condiments on the Corn Dogs.

Ok, so we survived dinner. They each actually ate a bit. Kaden was
a champ! Ate most of the corn dog, half of his broccholi and a
yogurt. Maddie...ate like a bird. Andre had some sweat
peas...wasn't much into eating though. hmmmm.

After that we watched Fern Gully (great movie). Next we fed the
cat, brushed teeth and put pj's on. Dressing a 6mo. olds is not so
easy... It was "show" time next. Veggie Tales! We read for a bit
and then migrated the kids to bed. Kaden was down pretty easy.
Maddie wanted mommie. She hopped into bed and waited for a bit. I
put Andre down. He'd have nothing to do with sleeping. Checked in
on Maddie...still awake. Kaden, OUT! Ok, 1 down. Andre is
screaming downstairs. I go down and pick him up. He mellows, but
won't go down yet. "Paul?" Maddie calls. "Where's mommie and
pappa?" "They are out right now. They will be back.", I replied. I
carried Andre upstairs and we sat with Maddie for a bit. I told
Maddie that I was going to go put Andre down to sleep, but would
come back up. Came downstairs. Hung out with Andre and just
rocked. (Michelle suggested singing, but I didn't want to
permanently scar the child.) Andre started passing out in my
arms...I laid him down. 2 down! I go back upstairs. 3 down!!!
w00t! How truly amazing children are. It is magic when they
finally relax and sleep and I'm friggen Hudini at this moment! So,
here i sit...waiting for the quiet to end...

Moms out there...you are truly amazing people. It is nights like
this that I am grateful for you on 2 levels.

1 - It is a reminder to me of the power and skill that parents have
and how well mothers, in particular, handle the multiple demands
placed upon them during their days. Your's is a job that could
never be paid adequately or with any realistic compensation.

2 - I am so not cut out to be a mom!

This will be a good lesson for me. Watching 3 children for an
entire weekend will be quite the adventure. If I make it out alive,
I think that I am another step closer to wanting my own family. If
I do not survive...well, then Darwin was right.

Day 2...still tired from the move

I woke up this morning a bit battle worn, but no worse for the
wear. I figured that I would get a headstart on the morning. I set
my alarm for 6am. My Quick Start Guide listed 7 to 7:30 as the
official start times. An hour to hour and a half will be plenty of
time to do some last minute preparations for the day!

6:30: Maddie and Kaden are up. They inform me later that Mommy and
Daddy usually tell them to lay down for a little bit longer...damn
their honesty. Made me feel played!

6:40: Andre is up. There truly is no mercy in parenthood. This
would be payback from all of the years that I woke up at 5:59 with a
big smile on my face and song in my heart (and out my mouth).
Kevin, if you are reading this, sorry, sorry, sorry.

The morning went pretty smooth. "We" had milk and "our" morning
bottle. Maddie and Kaden watched their morning show. Andre
preferred the pre-game coverage for today's college football lineup.

Breakfast: Kaden had cereal...3 bowls of cereal! Impressive.
Maddie chowed on scrambled eggs w/ cheese and some toast with butter
and strawberry jam. Andre teethed on his ring, and that was good
too.

Morning shows were on. Clifford's puppy stories, I think it was.
This was my chance to clean up after breakfast. Andre laid down at
9:30 for a nap. I was really jealous. (note to self...next
carrier - infant)

10a: Maddie, Kaden and I ventured into the backyard. We were armed
with water bottles and swings. This lasted for a while...it was
nice. When Andre woke up, it was close to snack time. Food was
shared by all.

10:30a: Let the water fights BEGIN! Good times out there. Maddie
and Kaden wanted their shirts and shorts off. I loaded them up with
sun screen (being the fair skinned person that I am) and let them do
battle. The wars raged for quite some time. Maddie took time outs
for sunning herself. Kaden rests for nothing, except naps and
bedtime.

Water wars raged on until lunch. Lunch went well. Turkey and
cheese for Kaden. PB and J for Maddie...NO CRUSTS!

1p: Nap time. Most went down without a fuss...I tossed and turned
a bit. I was such a bad example!

Realization: Nap time is when Mommies, or homemakers, clean up from
the previous round (this IS used in context) and prepare for the
next round. Dishes are cleaned, rooms are re-organized, and rations
are set aside for the next battle. This is much like a Sun-Su epic.

I must thank, at this point, Jamie and Brenda for arriving with OJ
and some relief. I do not doubt that I would have survived;
however, knowing that I was not alone for the next hour made me WAY
happy.

The remaining hours of the day went smooth. Maddie, Kaden, Andre
and i went to the park. It was a good walk. (note to self and
others...bring Water and EXTRA SOCKS on journeys to the park).
Greatest thing in the stroller...BUTT WIPES!!! The all-purpose
cleaning strip.

Park was great! Kaden is the best climber! We turned home, cuz
pizza was on the way.

Dinner was successful. Maddie and Kaden liked the pizza. Andre
even ate some cereal and pruns; although, not on the first attempt.

Bath time: I don't really remember giving my sister a bath. I
remember my mom giving her a bath though. Andres bath went fine.
He didn't seem to mind it much and, at times, even seemed to enjoy
it. Got him dressed and ready for bed. The other two's bath was
more of an adventure. Draw the bath, let the kids play, wash and
rinse the hair, let them play, wash the bodies, let them play, get
one of them out at a time, let the other one play.

We were bathed, brushed and washed by 7:12p...not too shabby! Kaden
picked out a "show". We watched it until 7:50p. Mommy and Daddy
call! Andre is fast asleep...which is ok. He is not much for words
at this point. A snore is with chapter! He had fallen asleep on me
while watching Baby Genius.

Well, not much more happened. Andre woke up, and fell back
asleep...and now i must do the same thing.

i'll add a couple of additional details as they flow and i get some
sleep...

peace out all!!

welcome to the jungle...

2007-04-12T17:45:00.000-07:00

So, how bad is it when you get ridiculed for not posting in your own blog often enough? well, let me tell you, it is pretty bad!

so...anyhoot! i'm posting tonight and that certain "SOMEONE" will be happy and content that i have posted 2 times within one month. if THEY (she) is not happy, then i will deny them (HER) access to fmi/iwp...you know who you are ( ;) )

it is spring break at SSU. i am both happy and sad for this time of the semester. happy because i am able to work on projects with the floor workstations. sad because the student body is not there to experiment with. not being dirty there, but i have to say, there are certain things that you cannot do when students are gone that you CAN do when they are around. seriously! you can experiment with certain workstation settings and get immediate response...alright. enough work crap.

went to traintown yesterday! haven't been there in years and years. it was fun. the place was packed. i don't recall ever seeing traintown so crowded. deb, her chillins and her mom were there for the day. it was good to see them. i tried to help deb's mom set up a wifi network at her house...no success. but i think it was a bad router. stupid thing would not stay connected. not just the wifi part, but the cabled connection part as well. hell, couldn't even maintain an established connection to the web interface of the router itself. it was stupid.

hoping to get the vrod back today. had to take it into the shop to fix the rear blinker. long story, but some(body's) ass broke it. complete accident. it was cool, though, cuz the shop warrantied the part and replacement. they tried to give me grief on the day i brought the bike in, but set them straight. yessiree...i told them i would tell mom! and then she would put her mad face on.

gotta go to work today...it's rainy and crappy out, so might as well work. don't want to clean house that is for sure!

peace out!

what are words for...

2007-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

doh! this is exactly why i never kept a journal. i am really bad about sitting down and "discussing" my feelings. men shouldn't have to talk about their feelings anyways. us men are supposed to hunt, fart and drink beer...not necessarily in that order though. but here i am, nonetheless, inputting my second post in less than 4 months! not too shabby! there are those how have weekly, or daily postings, but i just don't think that i have that much to say (i'm sure my brother is rolling his eyes in contest)

bought myself a new harley-davidson. it is a VROD! the model is called a Night Rod Special. it is sooo cool. all blacked out. forward controls. drag bar. although i do need to roll the bars back just a tad. the combination of the bars and forward controls has be stretched out a bit. so, i pick up the bike last friday. i had to make a run up to my insurance dood (shout out for Jeffrey Smith, Windsor CA-what!-what!) so that i could sign insurance papers. i'm heading down Old Redwood Hwy just coming up to Shiloh on my way home, when this older guy on a chopper pulls up. his bike is well traveled, ape hangers and loud as sin. he looks my bike up and down. "Is that an 07?" he asks. "Yes it is!", I reply, "just picked it up today." he pauses a moment. gives me an approving smile, "NIIIICCCEEEE!" i have to say, that was pretty cool. this is a different social group to belong to. kind of like the convertible club, or the jeep club. all motorcyclists will wave at eachother, but if you have the harley, well then the other harley riders are not just being courteous...they mean it.

to recap Vegas:

Bob, twist one up
"I need a taxi to the Signature"
Every Chicken Wrap comes with a Shirley Temple
people don't go to Hooter's for the food!
Prince does not perform before 12:45...that's gay
don't let the drunk gambler be the holder of your flight info
don't trust the guy at the Cirque show when he helps you to your seat

I'd write about the CATS conference, but Christine already did that. I can sum up the CATS conference with the following list of items:

POWER is the coolest
No computer is safe from hackers! not even mine!
all IT departments need a wooden pony and a monthly kegger
Hotel hide-a-beds are scary
a BIG colorful fish, a soft green monkey and 115700 points are all equal

time to go.

Congratulations to Heather & Frank - welcome Payton Pamela!!!
Congratulations to Karri & Kurt - Dakota Skye!!!

Post no. 1

2007-01-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

test test...1, 2, 3...

Stepping into the world of blogging. It's been around way too long for me not to delve into it. Unfortunately, now that I step into blogging, everyone else is doing the WIKI. What is that all about!?! Wiki? Sounds like a schoolyard insult..."yeah? well, you're a wiki! and you're mom dresses you funny!" I think that I would prefer to be a blogger rather than a wiki-er-rrr-or-ir(?). I might have several reasons to be one over the other, but basically, I don't want others to have "mod" permissions over my thoughts. Comments I can handle, but I have always been a bit stubborn in getting my way and others not being able to change it. Someday, I might even be in a position where other's CAN'T change my opinion. After that, I'll get married and then I will no longer have an opinion. I'll be able to make suggestions, but we all know what happens to the suggestions that go into the suggestion box...CIRCULAR FILE.

uh-hem. So, there you have it..."and just so you know where I'm coming from, I'm not one of those preachy religious fanatics, I don't go to church, and I could'nt care less about humanities issues with the various gods they worship." (Foamy the Squirrel, No Christmas for You)