Wednesday, August 16, 2006
We have 12 planets now?
I've been wondering what happens on game shows when they ask, "How many planets are in our solar system?" This kind of controversy I can handle! The IAU draft definition of 'planet' and 'plutons'
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
follow your trail!
Our sales people are a curious lot. They see something that they like and they want us to immediately engineer it for sale. So there it is a lot of times in my work that I have to do research for those new product designs. It doesn’t help that my company is changing its business model from manufacturing in-house to to buy/sell arrangement --- they buy packaged systems and repackage them. Or that they are scrambling for sales in any way possible. Currently I am writing an engineering specification for 3.5 and 5 inch LCD monitors. So for the past month, I’ve had to investigate what is available and all the supporting information that I could find on them. Many times I’ve needed a way to mark sites into a congruent trail of links. Have you ever had to explain (read “hold the hand of”) things to the technically-challenged (read “my bosses and the sales staff”)?
Well, hurray!! I’ve found that tool to do just that: Trailfire. Think of it as a web ring on steroids! Very simple to use: I’ve added a plugin on my browser (works with Firefox and IE) and then I simply browse and mark my trail. Then, whenever someone comes across my trailfire markers, they can follow my links. This add-in has a lot of potential. I can’t wait until I’ve spent a month use it!
Well, hurray!! I’ve found that tool to do just that: Trailfire. Think of it as a web ring on steroids! Very simple to use: I’ve added a plugin on my browser (works with Firefox and IE) and then I simply browse and mark my trail. Then, whenever someone comes across my trailfire markers, they can follow my links. This add-in has a lot of potential. I can’t wait until I’ve spent a month use it!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I have heard some ridiculous things the past few days but the best was a report that I read today. Apparently the pipelines from the oil fields in Alaska had to be shut down due to extreme corrosion in the pipes. The reason for this corrosion? For the past fourteen years, BP Oil deemed that it wasn’t important to run a cleansing machine through the pipelines. Did any one at BP wonder why these pipelines are referred to as the lifeline of America? I guarantee that it’s not because it sounds good! All the billions of dollars that they have earned. Now I hear that the gas may go to $4.00 a gallon because they wanted to save a few more dollars.
I’m hoping that this is just pessimistic people talking about the price hike. To pay the bills, I have to drive almost 700 miles a week. Without a pay raise and an increase in the mileage allowance, I think I’m going to have to sleep at my desk.
I’m hoping that this is just pessimistic people talking about the price hike. To pay the bills, I have to drive almost 700 miles a week. Without a pay raise and an increase in the mileage allowance, I think I’m going to have to sleep at my desk.
car inspection anxiety
Today I took an opportunity to get the annual car inspection done. For the past couple of years, my car was relatively new so my only worry was getting done before the sticker expired. This is unlike my previous car, which I put over 400,000 miles on. Naturally more and more items would fail each inspection with the ever increasing miles. I would then have to run around getting them fixed before time ran out. Each required inspection become more or more dreadful with each year. When I bought my new car, the worries disappeared. Even though the State passed more rigid inspection standards when I bought my new car, the past five visits have been no big deal.
This year is a little different. My car is closing in on the 130,000 mile mark. Things have started failing. Visions of the troubles with my previous car race through my mind. With the State’s strict standards and the way my life feels so out of control at times, my worries were beginning to get the best of me. But I faced my fears this morning. I stepped out the door to find a garage that did inspections. “This is no big deal,” I repeatedly told myself, “This is no big deal.” Yet, when I calmly started up my beautiful car, the race of my fears and dreads began. “Anxieties are mounting … their steeds … and they’re off! ‘Will-I-Find-A-Station’ jumps out in front, closely followed by ‘Will-I-Have-To-Wait-Long’. Trailing close is ‘What-Will-They-Find’, several nagging doubts and the ‘What-If’ family with ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Fix-It’, ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Find-A-Garage’, and ‘What-If-I-Don’t-Have-Enough-Money’ leading that pack. They round the turn as I see a sign “We do NC State Inspection”! ‘Can-They-Do-My-Car-Now’ jumps to the front as ‘Will-I-Find-A-Station’ falls, breaking its legs. ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’ is now neck and neck for first place as I walk into the station. It looks like ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’ has captured first place as a heavy-set, unsmiling mechanic takes my keys and grunts that he can do it. It’s now a horrific battle between ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’, ‘What-Will-They-Find’, and ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Fix-It’ with several unnamed doubts nagging in the rear. We’re waiting for the reassuring honk of the car horn but no one has heard it! Tensions are mounting …. and have joined the race! But wait! There is my car coming into sight. ‘What-Have-They-Found’ has come out of no where and taken the lead!! But the mechanic is smiling and those don’t look like dollars signs in his eyes. Only few lengths from the finish line and several worries have stumbled!! Wait! Wait! Wait! It looks like … yes … it is … [Sir, your car is ready. That will be $30.] … YES!!! All the worries have broken their legs and fallen inches short of the finish. They are being shot as we pay and a welcome calm has descended upon this nerve wracking event.”
Why do I sweat the small stuff like this? It wasn’t a big deal years ago. Is it simply case of conditioning --- of having more events slap me about than having events reward me? I’ve got to get a grip if I’m going to make it to 50!
This year is a little different. My car is closing in on the 130,000 mile mark. Things have started failing. Visions of the troubles with my previous car race through my mind. With the State’s strict standards and the way my life feels so out of control at times, my worries were beginning to get the best of me. But I faced my fears this morning. I stepped out the door to find a garage that did inspections. “This is no big deal,” I repeatedly told myself, “This is no big deal.” Yet, when I calmly started up my beautiful car, the race of my fears and dreads began. “Anxieties are mounting … their steeds … and they’re off! ‘Will-I-Find-A-Station’ jumps out in front, closely followed by ‘Will-I-Have-To-Wait-Long’. Trailing close is ‘What-Will-They-Find’, several nagging doubts and the ‘What-If’ family with ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Fix-It’, ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Find-A-Garage’, and ‘What-If-I-Don’t-Have-Enough-Money’ leading that pack. They round the turn as I see a sign “We do NC State Inspection”! ‘Can-They-Do-My-Car-Now’ jumps to the front as ‘Will-I-Find-A-Station’ falls, breaking its legs. ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’ is now neck and neck for first place as I walk into the station. It looks like ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’ has captured first place as a heavy-set, unsmiling mechanic takes my keys and grunts that he can do it. It’s now a horrific battle between ‘What-if-They-Mess-Up-My-Car’, ‘What-Will-They-Find’, and ‘What-If-I-Can’t-Fix-It’ with several unnamed doubts nagging in the rear. We’re waiting for the reassuring honk of the car horn but no one has heard it! Tensions are mounting …. and have joined the race! But wait! There is my car coming into sight. ‘What-Have-They-Found’ has come out of no where and taken the lead!! But the mechanic is smiling and those don’t look like dollars signs in his eyes. Only few lengths from the finish line and several worries have stumbled!! Wait! Wait! Wait! It looks like … yes … it is … [Sir, your car is ready. That will be $30.] … YES!!! All the worries have broken their legs and fallen inches short of the finish. They are being shot as we pay and a welcome calm has descended upon this nerve wracking event.”
Why do I sweat the small stuff like this? It wasn’t a big deal years ago. Is it simply case of conditioning --- of having more events slap me about than having events reward me? I’ve got to get a grip if I’m going to make it to 50!
Monday, August 07, 2006
I Saw Our Solders
This past weekend, I made several pizza deliveries to a section of Fort Bragg where the troops prepare for deployment - a sea of camouflaged people, an ocean of camouflaged emotions.
The new recruits have this cocky air about themselves, while nervously lighting a cigarette and rambling on about the weather. The more experienced solders have a sober swagger in their step and will tell you outright about their concerns.
The single members in ranks playful chat with nervous excitement about going. But they look with a faint sadness at the gather of families around their married colleagues.
The married ones say little. They have the stiff-upper-lip of commitment to their job; their brave, confident eyes hold back tearfully goodbyes for their visiting families.
Some of the troops believe they are fighting for an ideal of freedom. Most known they fight because that's what they are told to do - right or wrong.
In the end, all hope that they return - with as few emotional, mental, and physical scars as possible.
The new recruits have this cocky air about themselves, while nervously lighting a cigarette and rambling on about the weather. The more experienced solders have a sober swagger in their step and will tell you outright about their concerns.
The single members in ranks playful chat with nervous excitement about going. But they look with a faint sadness at the gather of families around their married colleagues.
The married ones say little. They have the stiff-upper-lip of commitment to their job; their brave, confident eyes hold back tearfully goodbyes for their visiting families.
Some of the troops believe they are fighting for an ideal of freedom. Most known they fight because that's what they are told to do - right or wrong.
In the end, all hope that they return - with as few emotional, mental, and physical scars as possible.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Australian research shows microbes may turn dust into gold
I'm rich! I'm rich!! I just looked under my bed and I have a fortune!!! Australian research shows microbes may turn dust into gold
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
ET, blog home!
When I first started blogging, I wondered if anyone would read my measly panderings. And now, I’ve come across http://www.bloginspace.com, a site that frees your blog from its earthly bounds by broadcasting it into space for the universe to read. I would how marketers would track that traffic? In any case, it was simple enough for me to link my blog site. Now I’ll just wait for ET to send me comments…
Monday, July 10, 2006
Sunday, July 09, 2006
domino's mileage scam
Domino's charges $1 for a delivery. Out of that, I get $ 0.95 of that IF it is a single delivery. If I take two deliveries, I get $0.40 for that second delivery. When I first started, it was $0.80 for every delivery. Of course, gas then was $1.95 a gallon. Today it was $2.90 a gallon.
At 25 mpg, it costs me $0.127 per mile. Some of our deliveries are 13 miles in travel, costing me $1.65 in gas. Is it right that Domino is, in effect, making me pay to deliver their pizzas? One of their mottos is "putting people [their employees] first". I'm beginning to doubt the positive implication that such a motto should have. One of the companies demands upon its employees is "integrity". Integrity? Where is the integrity when a company scams its employees?
At 25 mpg, it costs me $0.127 per mile. Some of our deliveries are 13 miles in travel, costing me $1.65 in gas. Is it right that Domino is, in effect, making me pay to deliver their pizzas? One of their mottos is "putting people [their employees] first". I'm beginning to doubt the positive implication that such a motto should have. One of the companies demands upon its employees is "integrity". Integrity? Where is the integrity when a company scams its employees?
Saturday, July 08, 2006
So I think I can dance?
First you take the range of people who believe they have the ability to dance. Then, you apply a standard of dance to that range --- those who can dance quite well to those who amaze you with their ability to just walk. Naturally, you have a good show. There are those who are absolutely amazing in their skill. And then there are those who simply wanted to be in front of a camera regardless of the embarrassment. Isn’t that what life is about? Watching those who are tremendously gifted and need a break to advance to their true potential. And then watching clowns that make the rest of us feel better about ourselves…..
http://www.fox.com/dance
http://www.fox.com/dance
Friday, July 07, 2006
worries of employment
At my main job, people have been quitting and retiring in a high number these past six months. Last month, our CFO even took a job elsewhere. And yet, the powers that be have not replaced any of these empty positions. It doesn’t help that we haven’t had a pay raise in six years now. Naturally, rumors are growing like a cancer and eating away at the little moral that is there. Today the owners flew and took all of upper management for an off site meeting. I don’t know what will come of it. Something good????????
Thursday, July 06, 2006
my initial thoughts on Pay Per Post
Why is it that, when someone comes along with an good money-making idea, someone else refers to it as “selling your soul”? The whole basis for a honest business is to find a need and fill it. Here, Ted Murphy has taken the fact that everyone has opinions and most like to share those thoughts. He then found businesses that want those opinions as they can improve their business and he introduced the two.
So the question is whether PayPerPost is a valid business idea or not. People usually benefit after reading about a product or service or even a new idea. If the article was written by a news reporter or movie reviewer or professional writer, someone was compensated. Since I’m not a professional writer and I get paid for sharing my experience in the form of a blog, should that matter to the reader?
I’m assuming that Mr. Murphy’s concept of paying for a post is a legitimate one. If so, I’m not sure how getting paid for blogging your thoughts is going to ruin the Internet. Granted, Mr. Murphy isn’t paying the gobs of money that famous stars and athletes get for their endorsements. But for all their money, the world doesn’t seem to be any worse off. We need to look back on this after a year’s time and see what has changed, what has gotten better or worse from this exercise in capitalism. I have feeling that things will be alright.
http://www.payperpost.com
So the question is whether PayPerPost is a valid business idea or not. People usually benefit after reading about a product or service or even a new idea. If the article was written by a news reporter or movie reviewer or professional writer, someone was compensated. Since I’m not a professional writer and I get paid for sharing my experience in the form of a blog, should that matter to the reader?
I’m assuming that Mr. Murphy’s concept of paying for a post is a legitimate one. If so, I’m not sure how getting paid for blogging your thoughts is going to ruin the Internet. Granted, Mr. Murphy isn’t paying the gobs of money that famous stars and athletes get for their endorsements. But for all their money, the world doesn’t seem to be any worse off. We need to look back on this after a year’s time and see what has changed, what has gotten better or worse from this exercise in capitalism. I have feeling that things will be alright.
http://www.payperpost.com
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
12 signs you're about to be fired
While I'm hoping that none of this applies to me, it doesn't hurt to review.
AOL Jobs - Articles- 12-signs-youre-about-to-be-fired - AOL Find a Job
AOL Jobs - Articles- 12-signs-youre-about-to-be-fired - AOL Find a Job
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Fourth of July
Today we Americans celebrate the 230th anniversary of winning our freedom from a three percent taxation. It wasn't the amount of the taxation that we celebrate. Rather, we won freedom from the idea that a government can tax without appropriate representation in that government. Things are much better now. Our money is taken by people who have been selected by "all of us". This, of course, makes them are our government. Fortunately, this representation has allowed them to take -- not ask, not earn, but take -- over half of our money. Not surprisingly, families have to have two or more wage earners to live. Still, we are a Christian nation, or so I am repeatedly told. This means our representatives are free from the commandment "Thou shalt not steal" .... somehow. And once our representatives, local, state and federal, take our money, we are very free to do anything we like with those remaining hard earned wages.... provided we have the permission of our representatives. Yes, thank god for our freedom and god bless
Monday, July 03, 2006
being broadminded
A good female friend is a very strong feminist. She asked me if I was broadminded? "Sure I am," I answered, "I think about women all the time." Not the appropriate answer to give her. But she laughed. She knows that I'm an idiot... :)
Friday, June 30, 2006
trouble
So here I am dead in the water. But at this point I’m thinking that I could have prevented this moment. Regardless, I got up this morning, thinking it was later than it really was. Reality set in when I realized that was up early than I thought. Good thing! I could get a lot done if I got into work earlier than usual. So I jumped into my car and excitedly turned the key in the ignition. The chattering noise from the engine wasn't the lively greeting that I expected to hear.
:: sigh :: I don’t know why but lately every inconvenience or minor nuisance makes me feel so overwhelmed. Have you ever felt panicky terror that grips your thoughts and you're unable to move or think? It’s though my life is on the line the line at the very moment and I don't have the right answer. Is it because I am getting older quarter is it just a stress of the last ten years catching up with me?
Any way, here I am now, unparalyzed and waiting for the tow truck to arrive. Now that the paralysis has passed, I was able to check the battery. Right now, all I need is a jump and a new battery --- I think. Two weeks ago when this happened, I thought it was a case of vapor lock because after 40 minutes I was able to start the car. Once the car was running, I checked the electrical system and all was fine. I thought about how the battery was almost five years old. Stupid me put it on my mental list of things to do --- which has become as useful as tying a string around my finger and forgetting why. Oh well, here's the tow truck now.
Post note: Yep! It was the battery. I could have prevented a lot of aggravation had I replaced it. How much more frustration could I avoid by remembering to do things that I need to do!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
comic last standing
On tonight's show of "Last Comic Standing", each comic was given a magazine and had to come out with jokes based on that magazine. If I were on the show, here’s my response:
For the magazine “Yarn”, I could probably make some catchy jokes if I were a knit wit. But I don’t want to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. In fact, I feel sheepish be even talking about this.
The magazine “Farm Gardening” was so interesting that it got me excited about watching grass grow. However, I was disappointed with an article about prostitution at Christmas. It was entitled “Hoe, Hoe, Hoe.”
I thought that the magazine “Weapons of Death” about my ex’s cooking. I was wrong. So I started to read "Latina Wedding", but realized that it was a reprint of “Weapons of Death”.
At first, I thought that the magazine “ssCat” was about jazz. But I found out that it was about the care and feeding of pussy … cats. Boy, was I disappointed!
For the magazine “Yarn”, I could probably make some catchy jokes if I were a knit wit. But I don’t want to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. In fact, I feel sheepish be even talking about this.
The magazine “Farm Gardening” was so interesting that it got me excited about watching grass grow. However, I was disappointed with an article about prostitution at Christmas. It was entitled “Hoe, Hoe, Hoe.”
I thought that the magazine “Weapons of Death” about my ex’s cooking. I was wrong. So I started to read "Latina Wedding", but realized that it was a reprint of “Weapons of Death”.
At first, I thought that the magazine “ssCat” was about jazz. But I found out that it was about the care and feeding of pussy … cats. Boy, was I disappointed!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
thoughts on my son's visit
Well, I have returned my youngest son back to his other home. We had a good time while we were together here. But he seems to have a cap on himself as to what he can enjoy and what he can’t. When asked if he’d like to come back again he said, "Yeah maybe". When asked if he wanted to go back, he said, "Yes I have to take care of my chores."
I spoke with my daughter about his conversations with himself. She said that they have been working with him to try and stop him. I need talk to my ex and see if we need to get some counseling for him. I saw his last report card where he has failed science and language arts, his first two classes of the day. In the comments section, the teacher had written that he is often sleepy and unable to concentrate. My daughter said that she had gotten him to bed early and made sure that he was asleep. But think a lot of it has to do with his diet and his size. At this moment, he is as tall as I am but is also 50 pounds heavier.
I put his school picture up on the wall with the pages of my other children. I have it next to the picture that I took of him when he was five. In that picture he has a smile an excitement in his eyes. In his school picture, his smile is forced, his eyes have a look of someone who’s not sure of his surroundings. What am I going to do????
I spoke with my daughter about his conversations with himself. She said that they have been working with him to try and stop him. I need talk to my ex and see if we need to get some counseling for him. I saw his last report card where he has failed science and language arts, his first two classes of the day. In the comments section, the teacher had written that he is often sleepy and unable to concentrate. My daughter said that she had gotten him to bed early and made sure that he was asleep. But think a lot of it has to do with his diet and his size. At this moment, he is as tall as I am but is also 50 pounds heavier.
I put his school picture up on the wall with the pages of my other children. I have it next to the picture that I took of him when he was five. In that picture he has a smile an excitement in his eyes. In his school picture, his smile is forced, his eyes have a look of someone who’s not sure of his surroundings. What am I going to do????
Monday, June 19, 2006
my son is here
For almost three years, I would leave right after work on Friday and travel 300 miles to be with my children for the weekend. Sunday afternoon would find me back on the road returning to my other home. The hardest part of the journey was saying good bye to my children, especially my youngest son who didn't understand why I had to leave. One time, he clenched his hands together, got on his knees and pleaded for me to stay. My heart broke through that entire trip. If I could have found a job that would support my family, I would probably be there today. But that didn't happen and the woman that I had pledged my life to did nothing to help the situation.
Anyway, four years ago, those trips became every other month as I struggled through the divorce. Nightly phone calls to my children helped but they can't replace being there. Yesterday, I picked up my youngest (who is now 14) and brought him 300 miles to be with me this week. Hopefully to build what I couldn't when we were apart. This trip turned out to be the beginning of an adventure.
My ex has decided to be a trucker, which is fine. I'm glad that she is FINALLY working instead of being a moocher. The downside is that she has passed my youngest son onto my oldest, my daughter, my pride and joy. But she shouldn't have to play mother. And she shouldn't have had to put up with what I found upon my arrival yesterday. I discovered that the water pump to the pitiful trailer that they are renting from my ex-brother-in-law had died a few days ago. So they have been filling buckets of water from another trailer to use. This is no situation for my youngest to be in. So, instead of spending the night so that I could be with my other two children, he and I left and arrived here at two this morning. At
Observing some of his mannerisms today has me worried. In one case, he frequently talks to himself in a low mumble. Often it seems as though he is answering questions. When I ask him what he said, he replies, "Nothing." We talked about it a little bit and he realizes that he does it. He says that he is alone a lot and feels lonely and talking aloud makes him feel better. I can understand that. Since I'm alone a lot, I've found myself carrying on conversations half aloud. Perhaps I have a defect and I've passed on to him.
The other thing that I noticed today is how he carries on two conversations with neighbors that we met. When he was very young, he was very friendly and outgoing. He had no problem walking up to strangers and starting conversations even though his speech wasn't very clear. His enunciation still isn't good. But his replies people are almost too quick in answering and his tone could be mistaken as accusatory and rude. I don't know. More to follow about this week...
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