Back Again, Baby!

Lately, I've started to get more active in my net activities. So I'm starting this old boy back up.

Some Considerations...

I've been slow in posting, and during a particularly boring task at work today, an idea stuck me. And idea I has before, really... I just hasn't acted on it as much as I should have.

This weekend I'm doing to do a post or two on some current tech topics, but aimed at people like my Mom. I think that I've not done so as much because the stuff I read go into such topics in depth, and after reading a writer better than myself plum the depths of a topic, it's hard to think you have anything to offer on the subject.

But I think I do. I grew up as a geek in a world where I was most often the only geek. Often, the only person that would even let me talk on such things as a typing machine that would check spelling and sending letters over phone lines was my Mom... even if she didn't really believe some of the wilder ones I told her.

So, in honor of the first person, or victim, of me babbling about tech, this weekend I'll hit a couple of topics and try to explain things that us big city geeks find everyday and normal to a degree that, say, a retired teacher and still active Mom from Merryville, LA could understand it.

That isn't in any way to belittle retired teachers in Merriville. I know for a fact that at least one of them still has a lot to teach me.

Amy Plays in the Snow Again!

Amy took some more snow pictures, along with some narrative on what you are seeing. The one right here isn't even the best one... just the one that looks like I feel right now.... too much snow!

But however it messed up my holiday, it does look lovely. Check out her pictures.

It's a Snow Day!!

Me, in front of my apartment. Now you can see what sort of week I've been having. And for all you little boys and girls that prayed for a white Christmas... stop it already!

Merry Christmas!!!

I spent most of last week preparing for a trip home I never got to take due to the blizzard. You'd think I'd be bummed out over it, but I'm not.

Many people spent the holiday trapped in an airport. Now THAT would have driven me crazy! I was home, nice and warm. I had my room mate to talk to, and friends and family to phone and email with. About the only WI-FI connections at the airport are the ones they change way too much for, so I wouldn't have even had that, not to mention a good bed and a stocked kitchen. Hey, I've been though two blizzards before, I know when to hit the grocery store! We did go once during the storm, but it was more of a "Wonder how bad it is out there... and we could use some milk" kind of thing.

I'm doing fine. I'll be going home soon. And I have the week off, so I still am enjoying some time away from work!

Christmas Spirit

It seems I'm not going home this year for Christmas. I really, really wanted to. My Mom had a very nice plan for meeting members of both sides of my family, as different as they are. And there was someone I really wanted to see this year, but I won't go into that.

I want to talk about Christmas.

Every year now, we start hearing about the "War On Christmas" and other such silliness. Look, guys... someone requesting their holiday items be displayed isn't a war on Christmas. Nor is some random clerk saying "Happy Holiday" instead of "Merry Christmas".

You may not like the commercialization. I really don't, either. But you know what... Christians acted to make Christmas a national holiday. Note that we originally took the date and many customs from pagans in order to convert them. And also note that the likely reason they made it national was to win more converts.

But whatever their motives, they gave the USA, Christians and non-Christians a holiday about family, giving to others and good will. Maybe those that aren't Christians don't do things exactly as some would want. But they gave a wonderful nation a day to celebrate wonderful things.


Can you really think of a more Christian act than that? Let them enjoy that good will. The best witness is living a good life. Don't worry about which holiday greeting they give you. See if they are extending good will in the spirit of the day you gave them.

If they are... that should be the best Christmas gift any Christian can get. That their faith in some way inspired good will even in non-believers.

And hey... toys aren't only commercial... they are fun. Just remember to let them play with the boxes AND the gift wrapping! Kids find the fun in almost anything. That itself is a gift that any adult can learn from.

Snowed In

I was to fly out today to visit with my family, but as of now Denver is in a blizzard lock down. I almost didn't get home from work yesterday.

But on the upside, it is lovely to look at. The link has some pictures my room mate took.

Getting Ready For the Holiday!

The week after next I'll be flying home. So now I'm getting ready, which this weekend means planning more than anything else. Most of this I won't be able to to till next weekend after I get paid.

I always get nervous when I'm about to travel. Not about the trip itself... I love flying, even with the major pain they have made getting on the actual plane. But about preparing to go... always worried I'll miss something, or forget to bring something important... like my tickets!

Of course, for a geek like me, I have extra steps. This weekend and next I'll be preparing my handheld computer for the trip! I'll be uninstalling anything I don't think I'll need, and I'm already getting video and audio downloaded and converted to watch/listen to over the trip. I will also be looking for some free games to enjoy.

The Bubba Keg!

The Bubba Keg!


OK, I just got this yesterday, because I needed a better mug at work. So I fill it up with some water and ice last night, and refreshed it (not that it needed much) at about 10 last night. This morning I pretty much ignored it... till noon.

And the water was still cold, and the ice was still there!

THIS is a mug, my friends!

Why I hate Ronald McDonald

Years ago, when I was in the Navy, I was involved in something called Project Whitehat. We Saliors got in our uniforms and played with kids stuck in the Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital. Wonderful program, and it really did more for me than I ever did for those kids.

But while involved in that, some people from a group of families with children with heart problems saw us and liked how we handled the kids. They asked us to work their award show. You see, for the kids, most of that is all boring adult stuff, but you can't really have it without the reason for the group. So I and some others jumpped right in.

I was reall worried that it would be very boring for the kids, but they knew what they were doing. The hall they were using was filled with clowns! And they were great... retired grand parents that loved kids, a guy with a parrot that told silly little kid jokes, a gross ton of people making baloon animals and hats! And magic and red noses and big feet! The kids loved it... and so did the clowns. They all just loved giving those kids smiles. We hardly had to do anything. I was starting to wonder why we were asked to be here, even.

I soon found out. I found out first, even. We had to get the clowns out. Every one of them. And quick.

You see, the special guest of the event was Ronald McDonald... and by contract, he has to be the one and only clown in the room. And we were the tools of this contract.

So we spent the next few minutes seperating kids from clowns. And yes, the kids were upset. And the clowns, though they understood, didn't like it either. Even the bird was upset... it flew to a kid's sholder twice before we got him and his owner out of the hall.

But the worst wasn't there yet. When Ronald finally showed up, most of those crying kids suddenly lit up and watched him do magic tricks that weren't as good or as fun as the ones they had just seen, and make jokes that weren't as funny.

But he was Ronald McDonald, so they loved it. And I hate Ronald McDonald.

One bright spot. One little girl I spotted was crying while Ronald was doing his dumb trick. I went over and asked her what was wrong. She missed the clown that painted a star on her cheek and told her she was a pretty girl. He was funny, she said. She liked him. And right then, I really liked the little girl that couldn't care less for Ronald McDonald.

Becuase I hate Ronald McDonald.

Now, I'm not dumb. I fully understand that Ronald is a living, breathing symbol of a multi-billion dollar company, and you don't want for very good reasons to confuse your best customers, little kids, and have them think he is just another clown. I even understand that better today, as I've had to work on company idenity projects, on of course a much, much smaller scale. And the McDonald's company was giving the organization some money, and was also building a McDonald's House for the hospital... or already had one, I don't recall. All very good things that I'm glad they did, and do for others.

But you see, Ronald McDonald made me kick out those wonderful clowns... and I hate Ronald McDonald.