"That's no moon..."
Monday, October 06, 2008
Darth Balloon
My friend Jessica Lum shared these photos with me. She recently moved from Campaign to Albuquerque, NW with her finance. These in particular were too cool not to post.
"That's no moon..."
"That's no moon..."
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Timpano
For the first time in almost 7 years I'm making Timpano. I have made it 5 or 6 times.
What is Timpano? It's easier to show you
It's a pastry shaped like a drum stuffed with pasta, tomato sauce, chicken, meatballs, sausage, vegetables, cheese and more...
There is a great blog entry with a longer explanation and some photos on Terry's Table.
My kids are old enough now that I can try it and this is a big thank you to my family for helping me recover from foot surgery. Lots of people went out of their way to help me recover and I wanted them to know I appreciate their efforts.
I first became aware of Timpano like many others through the movie, "Big Night" starring Tony Shaloub, Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver and Isabella Rossellini. The movie is about a failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers who gamble on one big night to try to save the business. The big night features a feast of epic proportions and is amazing to watch.
Here is the feast scene. (Forgive the music during the intro, I didn't post this clip.):
Finally if you are curious about "Big Night, here is the original trailer.
Many thanks to an old dear friend, Jonathon Breen, that I've lost contact with for steering me towards this movie many years ago. Jonathon if you are out there drop me a line sometime.
What is Timpano? It's easier to show you
It's a pastry shaped like a drum stuffed with pasta, tomato sauce, chicken, meatballs, sausage, vegetables, cheese and more...There is a great blog entry with a longer explanation and some photos on Terry's Table.
My kids are old enough now that I can try it and this is a big thank you to my family for helping me recover from foot surgery. Lots of people went out of their way to help me recover and I wanted them to know I appreciate their efforts.
I first became aware of Timpano like many others through the movie, "Big Night" starring Tony Shaloub, Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver and Isabella Rossellini. The movie is about a failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers who gamble on one big night to try to save the business. The big night features a feast of epic proportions and is amazing to watch.
Here is the feast scene. (Forgive the music during the intro, I didn't post this clip.):
Finally if you are curious about "Big Night, here is the original trailer.
Many thanks to an old dear friend, Jonathon Breen, that I've lost contact with for steering me towards this movie many years ago. Jonathon if you are out there drop me a line sometime.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Conversation between my youngest sons
My wife over heard this conversation between our 6 Year Old Son and our 5 Year Old Son this morning while they were playing (this was in character).
6 Year Old Son: I don't like your tone.
5 Year Old Son: I guess you can be the big genius.
5 Year Old Son: Give me 50 bucks and I will let you into my school.
6 Year Old Son: Then I will kill you.
5 Year Old Son: Give me 50 bucks.
6 Year Old Son: Let me tell you something.
5 Year Old Son: It's these two guys talking.
6 Year Old Son: good job. You two are unconscious. Sorry.
5 Year Old Son: Don't fight me like that, I am a good guy.
6 Year Old Son sings. "super zapper loudness".
5 Year Old Son: those are the pirates. I will throw something at you.
6 Year Old Son: That doesn't hurt, I have a windshield.
5 Year Old Son: ahhhhhh. Take that!
6 Year Old Son: Good job you guys, thanks. Are you happy that I used my criminal mastermind?
5 Year Old Son: Yes. Boom, ahhh.
6 Year Old Son: uh oh. There is a mean soldier. He is good, but he is mean. He has a big blaster.
5 Year Old Son. 6 Year Old Son, he's not mean.
6 Year Old Son: I don't like your tone.
5 Year Old Son: I guess you can be the big genius.
5 Year Old Son: Give me 50 bucks and I will let you into my school.
6 Year Old Son: Then I will kill you.
5 Year Old Son: Give me 50 bucks.
6 Year Old Son: Let me tell you something.
5 Year Old Son: It's these two guys talking.
6 Year Old Son: good job. You two are unconscious. Sorry.
5 Year Old Son: Don't fight me like that, I am a good guy.
6 Year Old Son sings. "super zapper loudness".
5 Year Old Son: those are the pirates. I will throw something at you.
6 Year Old Son: That doesn't hurt, I have a windshield.
5 Year Old Son: ahhhhhh. Take that!
6 Year Old Son: Good job you guys, thanks. Are you happy that I used my criminal mastermind?
5 Year Old Son: Yes. Boom, ahhh.
6 Year Old Son: uh oh. There is a mean soldier. He is good, but he is mean. He has a big blaster.
5 Year Old Son. 6 Year Old Son, he's not mean.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Legendary actor Paul Newman dies at age 83
One of my favorite actors, Paul Newman, has passed away.
Legendary actor Paul Newman dies at age 83
Saturday September 27 9:16 AM ET
Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.
Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.
In May, Newman he had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.
ADVERTISEMENT
He got his start in theater and on television during the 1950s, and went on to become one of the world's most enduring and popular film stars, a legend held in awe by his peers. He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Exodus," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Verdict," "The Sting" and "Absence of Malice."
Newman worked with some of the greatest directors of the past half century, from Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston to Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. His co-stars included Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and, most famously, Robert Redford, his sidekick in "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting."
He sometimes teamed with his wife and fellow Oscar winner, Joanne Woodward, with whom he had one of Hollywood's rare long-term marriages. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray. They wed in 1958, around the same time they both appeared in "The Long Hot Summer," and Newman directed her in several films, including "Rachel, Rachel" and "The Glass Menagerie"
With his strong, classically handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Newman was a heartthrob just as likely to play against his looks, becoming a favorite with critics for his convincing portrayals of rebels, tough guys and losers. "I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."
Newman had a soft spot for underdogs in real life, giving tens of millions to charities through his food company and setting up camps for severely ill children. Passionately opposed to the Vietnam War, and in favor of civil rights, he was so famously liberal that he ended up on President Nixon's "enemies list," one of the actor's proudest achievements, he liked to say.
A screen legend by his mid-40s, he waited a long time for his first competitive Oscar, winning in 1987 for "The Color of Money," a reprise of the role of pool shark "Fast" Eddie Felson, whom Newman portrayed in the 1961 film "The Hustler."
Newman delivered a magnetic performance in "The Hustler," playing a smooth-talking, whiskey-chugging pool shark who takes on Minnesota Fats played by Jackie Gleason and becomes entangled with a gambler played by George C. Scott. In the sequel directed by Scorsese "Fast Eddie" is no longer the high-stakes hustler he once was, but rather an aging liquor salesman who takes a young pool player (Cruise) under his wing before making a comeback.
He won an honorary Oscar in 1986 "in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft." In 1994, he won a third Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, for his charitable work.
His most recent academy nod was a supporting actor nomination for the 2002 film "Road to Perdition." One of Newman's nominations was as a producer; the other nine were in acting categories. (Jack Nicholson holds the record among actors for Oscar nominations, with 12; actress Meryl Streep has had 14.)
As he passed his 80th birthday, he remained in demand, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the 2005 HBO drama "Empire Falls" and providing the voice of a crusty 1951 car in the 2006 Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars."
But in May 2007, he told ABC's "Good Morning America" he had given up acting, though he intended to remain active in charity projects. "I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," he said. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me."
He received his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete in the 1958 film "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Elizabeth Taylor played his unhappy wife and Burl Ives his wealthy, domineering father in Tennessee Williams' harrowing drama, which was given an upbeat ending for the screen.
In "Cool Hand Luke," he was nominated for his gritty role as a rebellious inmate in a brutal Southern prison. The movie was one of the biggest hits of 1967 and included a tagline, delivered one time by Newman and one time by prison warden Strother Martin, that helped define the generation gap, "What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate."
Newman's hair was graying, but he was as gourgeous as ever and on the verge of his greatest popular success. In 1969, Newman teamed with Redford for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," a comic Western about two outlaws running out of time. Newman paired with Redford again in 1973 in "The Sting," a comedy about two Depression-era con men. Both were multiple Oscar winners and huge hits, irreverent, unforgettable pairings of two of the best-looking actors of their time.
Newman also turned to producing and directing. In 1968, he directed "Rachel, Rachel," a film about a lonely spinster's rebirth. The movie received four Oscar nominations, including Newman, for producer of a best motion picture, and Woodward, for best actress. The film earned Newman the best director award from the New York Film Critics.
In the 1970s, Newman, admittedly bored with acting, became fascinated with auto racing, a sport he studied when he starred in the 1972 film, "Winning." After turning professional in 1977, Newman and his driving team made strong showings in several major races, including fifth place in Daytona in 1977 and second place in the Le Mans in 1979.
"Racing is the best way I know to get away from all the rubbish of Hollywood," he told People magazine in 1979.
Despite his love of race cars, Newman continued to make movies and continued to pile up Oscar nominations, his looks remarkably intact, his acting becoming more subtle, nothing like the mannered method performances of his early years, when he was sometimes dismissed as a Brando imitator. "It takes a long time for an actor to develop the assurance that the trim, silver-haired Paul Newman has acquired," Pauline Kael wrote of him in the early 1980s.
In 1982, he got his Oscar fifth nomination for his portrayal of an honest businessman persecuted by an irresponsible reporter in "Absence of Malice." The following year, he got his sixth for playing a down-and-out alcoholic attorney in "The Verdict."
In 1995, he was nominated for his slyest, most understated work yet, the town curmudgeon and deadbeat in "Nobody's Fool." New York Times critic Caryn James found his acting "without cheap sentiment and self-pity," and observed, "It says everything about Mr. Newman's performance, the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given, that you never stop to wonder how a guy as good-looking as Paul Newman ended up this way."
Newman, who shunned Hollywood life, was reluctant to give interviews and usually refused to sign autographs because he found the majesty of the act offensive, according to one friend.
He also claimed that he never read reviews of his movies.
"If they're good you get a fat head and if they're bad you're depressed for three weeks," he said.
Off the screen, Newman had a taste for beer and was known for his practical jokes. He once had a Porsche installed in Redford's hallway crushed and covered with ribbons.
"I think that my sense of humor is the only thing that keeps me sane," he told Newsweek magazine in a 1994 interview.
In 1982, Newman and his Westport neighbor, writer A.E. Hotchner, started a company to market Newman's original oil-and-vinegar dressing. Newman's Own, which began as a joke, grew into a multimillion-dollar business selling popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and other foods. All of the company's profits are donated to charities. By 2007, the company had donated more than $175 million, according to its Web site.
In 1988, Newman founded a camp in northeastern Connecticut for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. He went on to establish similar camps in several other states and in Europe.
He and Woodward bought an 18th century farmhouse in Westport, where they raised their three daughters, Elinor "Nell," Melissa and Clea.
Newman had two daughters, Susan and Stephanie, and a son, Scott, from a previous marriage to Jacqueline Witte.
Scott died in 1978 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and Valium. After his only son's death, Newman established the Scott Newman Foundation to finance the production of anti-drug films for children.
Newman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the second of two boys of Arthur S. Newman, a partner in a sporting goods store, and Theresa Fetzer Newman.
He was raised in the affluent suburb of Shaker Heights, where he was encouraged him to pursue his interest in the arts by his mother and his uncle Joseph Newman, a well-known Ohio poet and journalist.
Following World War II service in the Navy, he enrolled at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he got a degree in English and was active in student productions.
He later studied at Yale University's School of Drama, then headed to New York to work in theater and television, his classmates at the famed Actor's Studio including Brando, James Dean and Karl Malden. His breakthrough was enabled by tragedy: Dean, scheduled to star as the disfigured boxer in a television adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's "The Battler," died in a car crash in 1955. His role was taken by Newman, then a little-known performer.
Newman started in movies the year before, in "The Silver Chalice," a costume film he so despised that he took out an ad in Variety to apologize. By 1958, he had won the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for the shiftless Ben Quick in "The Long Hot Summer."
In December 1994, about a month before his 70th birthday, he told Newsweek magazine he had changed little with age.
"I'm not mellower, I'm not less angry, I'm not less self-critical, I'm not less tenacious," he said. "Maybe the best part is that your liver can't handle those beers at noon anymore," he said.
Newman is survived by his wife, five children, two grandsons and his older brother Arthur.
___
On the Net:
http://www.newmansown.com/
Legendary actor Paul Newman dies at age 83
Saturday September 27 9:16 AM ET
Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.
Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.
In May, Newman he had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.
ADVERTISEMENT
He got his start in theater and on television during the 1950s, and went on to become one of the world's most enduring and popular film stars, a legend held in awe by his peers. He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including "Exodus," "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Verdict," "The Sting" and "Absence of Malice."
Newman worked with some of the greatest directors of the past half century, from Alfred Hitchcock and John Huston to Robert Altman, Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. His co-stars included Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks and, most famously, Robert Redford, his sidekick in "Butch Cassidy" and "The Sting."
He sometimes teamed with his wife and fellow Oscar winner, Joanne Woodward, with whom he had one of Hollywood's rare long-term marriages. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?" Newman told Playboy magazine when asked if he was tempted to stray. They wed in 1958, around the same time they both appeared in "The Long Hot Summer," and Newman directed her in several films, including "Rachel, Rachel" and "The Glass Menagerie"
With his strong, classically handsome face and piercing blue eyes, Newman was a heartthrob just as likely to play against his looks, becoming a favorite with critics for his convincing portrayals of rebels, tough guys and losers. "I was always a character actor," he once said. "I just looked like Little Red Riding Hood."
Newman had a soft spot for underdogs in real life, giving tens of millions to charities through his food company and setting up camps for severely ill children. Passionately opposed to the Vietnam War, and in favor of civil rights, he was so famously liberal that he ended up on President Nixon's "enemies list," one of the actor's proudest achievements, he liked to say.
A screen legend by his mid-40s, he waited a long time for his first competitive Oscar, winning in 1987 for "The Color of Money," a reprise of the role of pool shark "Fast" Eddie Felson, whom Newman portrayed in the 1961 film "The Hustler."
Newman delivered a magnetic performance in "The Hustler," playing a smooth-talking, whiskey-chugging pool shark who takes on Minnesota Fats played by Jackie Gleason and becomes entangled with a gambler played by George C. Scott. In the sequel directed by Scorsese "Fast Eddie" is no longer the high-stakes hustler he once was, but rather an aging liquor salesman who takes a young pool player (Cruise) under his wing before making a comeback.
He won an honorary Oscar in 1986 "in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft." In 1994, he won a third Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, for his charitable work.
His most recent academy nod was a supporting actor nomination for the 2002 film "Road to Perdition." One of Newman's nominations was as a producer; the other nine were in acting categories. (Jack Nicholson holds the record among actors for Oscar nominations, with 12; actress Meryl Streep has had 14.)
As he passed his 80th birthday, he remained in demand, winning an Emmy and a Golden Globe for the 2005 HBO drama "Empire Falls" and providing the voice of a crusty 1951 car in the 2006 Disney-Pixar hit, "Cars."
But in May 2007, he told ABC's "Good Morning America" he had given up acting, though he intended to remain active in charity projects. "I'm not able to work anymore as an actor at the level I would want to," he said. "You start to lose your memory, your confidence, your invention. So that's pretty much a closed book for me."
He received his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete in the 1958 film "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." Elizabeth Taylor played his unhappy wife and Burl Ives his wealthy, domineering father in Tennessee Williams' harrowing drama, which was given an upbeat ending for the screen.
In "Cool Hand Luke," he was nominated for his gritty role as a rebellious inmate in a brutal Southern prison. The movie was one of the biggest hits of 1967 and included a tagline, delivered one time by Newman and one time by prison warden Strother Martin, that helped define the generation gap, "What we've got here is (a) failure to communicate."
Newman's hair was graying, but he was as gourgeous as ever and on the verge of his greatest popular success. In 1969, Newman teamed with Redford for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," a comic Western about two outlaws running out of time. Newman paired with Redford again in 1973 in "The Sting," a comedy about two Depression-era con men. Both were multiple Oscar winners and huge hits, irreverent, unforgettable pairings of two of the best-looking actors of their time.
Newman also turned to producing and directing. In 1968, he directed "Rachel, Rachel," a film about a lonely spinster's rebirth. The movie received four Oscar nominations, including Newman, for producer of a best motion picture, and Woodward, for best actress. The film earned Newman the best director award from the New York Film Critics.
In the 1970s, Newman, admittedly bored with acting, became fascinated with auto racing, a sport he studied when he starred in the 1972 film, "Winning." After turning professional in 1977, Newman and his driving team made strong showings in several major races, including fifth place in Daytona in 1977 and second place in the Le Mans in 1979.
"Racing is the best way I know to get away from all the rubbish of Hollywood," he told People magazine in 1979.
Despite his love of race cars, Newman continued to make movies and continued to pile up Oscar nominations, his looks remarkably intact, his acting becoming more subtle, nothing like the mannered method performances of his early years, when he was sometimes dismissed as a Brando imitator. "It takes a long time for an actor to develop the assurance that the trim, silver-haired Paul Newman has acquired," Pauline Kael wrote of him in the early 1980s.
In 1982, he got his Oscar fifth nomination for his portrayal of an honest businessman persecuted by an irresponsible reporter in "Absence of Malice." The following year, he got his sixth for playing a down-and-out alcoholic attorney in "The Verdict."
In 1995, he was nominated for his slyest, most understated work yet, the town curmudgeon and deadbeat in "Nobody's Fool." New York Times critic Caryn James found his acting "without cheap sentiment and self-pity," and observed, "It says everything about Mr. Newman's performance, the single best of this year and among the finest he has ever given, that you never stop to wonder how a guy as good-looking as Paul Newman ended up this way."
Newman, who shunned Hollywood life, was reluctant to give interviews and usually refused to sign autographs because he found the majesty of the act offensive, according to one friend.
He also claimed that he never read reviews of his movies.
"If they're good you get a fat head and if they're bad you're depressed for three weeks," he said.
Off the screen, Newman had a taste for beer and was known for his practical jokes. He once had a Porsche installed in Redford's hallway crushed and covered with ribbons.
"I think that my sense of humor is the only thing that keeps me sane," he told Newsweek magazine in a 1994 interview.
In 1982, Newman and his Westport neighbor, writer A.E. Hotchner, started a company to market Newman's original oil-and-vinegar dressing. Newman's Own, which began as a joke, grew into a multimillion-dollar business selling popcorn, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce and other foods. All of the company's profits are donated to charities. By 2007, the company had donated more than $175 million, according to its Web site.
In 1988, Newman founded a camp in northeastern Connecticut for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. He went on to establish similar camps in several other states and in Europe.
He and Woodward bought an 18th century farmhouse in Westport, where they raised their three daughters, Elinor "Nell," Melissa and Clea.
Newman had two daughters, Susan and Stephanie, and a son, Scott, from a previous marriage to Jacqueline Witte.
Scott died in 1978 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and Valium. After his only son's death, Newman established the Scott Newman Foundation to finance the production of anti-drug films for children.
Newman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the second of two boys of Arthur S. Newman, a partner in a sporting goods store, and Theresa Fetzer Newman.
He was raised in the affluent suburb of Shaker Heights, where he was encouraged him to pursue his interest in the arts by his mother and his uncle Joseph Newman, a well-known Ohio poet and journalist.
Following World War II service in the Navy, he enrolled at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where he got a degree in English and was active in student productions.
He later studied at Yale University's School of Drama, then headed to New York to work in theater and television, his classmates at the famed Actor's Studio including Brando, James Dean and Karl Malden. His breakthrough was enabled by tragedy: Dean, scheduled to star as the disfigured boxer in a television adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's "The Battler," died in a car crash in 1955. His role was taken by Newman, then a little-known performer.
Newman started in movies the year before, in "The Silver Chalice," a costume film he so despised that he took out an ad in Variety to apologize. By 1958, he had won the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for the shiftless Ben Quick in "The Long Hot Summer."
In December 1994, about a month before his 70th birthday, he told Newsweek magazine he had changed little with age.
"I'm not mellower, I'm not less angry, I'm not less self-critical, I'm not less tenacious," he said. "Maybe the best part is that your liver can't handle those beers at noon anymore," he said.
Newman is survived by his wife, five children, two grandsons and his older brother Arthur.
___
On the Net:
http://www.newmansown.com/
Monday, September 15, 2008
US in 'once-in-a-century' financial crisis : Greenspan
Sep 14 02:18 PM US/Eastern
The United States is mired in a "once-in-a century" financial crisis which is now more than likely to spark a recession, former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan said Sunday.
The talismanic ex-central banker said that the crisis was the worst he had seen in his career, still had a long way to go and would continue to effect home prices in the United States.
"First of all, let's recognize that this is a once-in-a-half-century, probably once-in-a-century type of event," Greenspan said on ABC's "This Week."
Asked whether the crisis, which has seen the US government step in to bail out mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, was the worst of his career, Greenspan replied "Oh, by far."
"There's no question that this is in the process of outstripping anything I've seen, and it still is not resolved and it still has a way to go," Greenspan said.
"And indeed, it will continue to be a corrosive force until the price of homes in the United States stabilizes.
"That will induce a series of events around the globe which will stabilize the system."
Greenspan was also asked whether the United States had a greater-than 50 percent chance of escaping a recession.
"No, I think it's less than 50 percent.
"I can't believe we could have a once-in-a-century type of financial crisis without a significant impact on the real economy globally, and I think that indeed is what is in the process of occurring."
The former Federal Reserve chairman also predicted that the financial crisis would see the failure of more major financial institutions, even as embattled Wall Street investment giant Lehman Brothers scrambled to find a buyer.
"In and of itself that does not need to be a problem.
"It depends on how it is handled and how the liquidations take place. And indeed we shouldn't try to protect every single institution."
On Saturday, Democrat Barack Obama's campaign seized on a warning from Greenspan about John McCain's tax plans to portray the Republican as economically reckless.
In an interview with Bloomberg Television Friday, Greenspan said the nation could not afford 3.3 trillion dollars of tax cuts proposed by McCain without matching cuts in spending.
Greenspan, a long-time friend of McCain and a Republican, said about the Arizona senator's plans to extend massive tax cuts imposed by President George W. Bush: "I'm not in favor of financing tax cuts with borrowed money."
McCain has said he would pay for his cuts by ending pet funding projects for US lawmakers' districts known as "earmarks."
The United States is mired in a "once-in-a century" financial crisis which is now more than likely to spark a recession, former Federal Reserve chief Alan Greenspan said Sunday.
The talismanic ex-central banker said that the crisis was the worst he had seen in his career, still had a long way to go and would continue to effect home prices in the United States.
"First of all, let's recognize that this is a once-in-a-half-century, probably once-in-a-century type of event," Greenspan said on ABC's "This Week."
Asked whether the crisis, which has seen the US government step in to bail out mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, was the worst of his career, Greenspan replied "Oh, by far."
"There's no question that this is in the process of outstripping anything I've seen, and it still is not resolved and it still has a way to go," Greenspan said.
"And indeed, it will continue to be a corrosive force until the price of homes in the United States stabilizes.
"That will induce a series of events around the globe which will stabilize the system."
Greenspan was also asked whether the United States had a greater-than 50 percent chance of escaping a recession.
"No, I think it's less than 50 percent.
"I can't believe we could have a once-in-a-century type of financial crisis without a significant impact on the real economy globally, and I think that indeed is what is in the process of occurring."
The former Federal Reserve chairman also predicted that the financial crisis would see the failure of more major financial institutions, even as embattled Wall Street investment giant Lehman Brothers scrambled to find a buyer.
"In and of itself that does not need to be a problem.
"It depends on how it is handled and how the liquidations take place. And indeed we shouldn't try to protect every single institution."
On Saturday, Democrat Barack Obama's campaign seized on a warning from Greenspan about John McCain's tax plans to portray the Republican as economically reckless.
In an interview with Bloomberg Television Friday, Greenspan said the nation could not afford 3.3 trillion dollars of tax cuts proposed by McCain without matching cuts in spending.
Greenspan, a long-time friend of McCain and a Republican, said about the Arizona senator's plans to extend massive tax cuts imposed by President George W. Bush: "I'm not in favor of financing tax cuts with borrowed money."
McCain has said he would pay for his cuts by ending pet funding projects for US lawmakers' districts known as "earmarks."
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Lost Star Wars Scene
This has a bit of choice language in it but it's pretty darn funny. (I had the wrong clip posted, it
s correct now.)
s correct now.)
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Funny Cat Story - 'My Cat is a Vampire'
I used to have two cats, Amadeus and Minuet. My wife sent this story to me and it really made me laugh and remember. I had to post it.
---------------------------------------------
My cat might be a vampire
By Bob Rybarczyk
SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH
08/19/2008
I might be raising a vampire cat.
I don’t understand cats.
I just don’t. I never really have. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched our cats doing something and wondered what in the hell they’re thinking. They think a piece of paper makes a perfect platform for a six-hour nap. They refuse to eat the last few pieces of kibble in their dish, and yet they are all too happy to drink out of the toilet. You get the point.
What surprises me the most is that they seem to keep coming up with new ways to be weird. I’ve only been around cats for the last four years or so, but you’d think four years would be more than enough time to figure out a species that can be amused for days by a pipe cleaner. Nope.
We have two cats in our house, Frisco and Charlie. Frisco is 14, large enough to exhibit his own gravitational pull, and generally disgruntled. Charlie is less than a year old, apparently made of balsa wood and rubber bands, and a complete idiot. They are Fatboy and the Freakshow. The immovable object and the unstoppable force.
Big fat Frisco sleeps 23.99 hours a day. When he’s not sleeping, he’s eating or seeking out a new place to sleep. His hobbies include sleeping and gaining weight. Charlie barely sleeps at all and is about as bright as a slab of poorly cooked liver. He finds everything to be either fascinating or terrifying. There is no middle ground. One second he can be sprinting through the house like he’s being chased by Satan on a scooter, and the next he’ll be lying in your arms waiting for you to rub his belly.
When we first introduced Charlie to Frisco last winter, Frisco spent the better part of a month hiding in the basement. We weren’t sure if he was afraid of Charlie or just really hacked off at us. Eventually they found a way to peacefully coexist. They weren’t buddies by any means, but they made it work.
A few months ago, that all changed. Charlie decided, I guess, that he was tired of avoiding Frisco. Instead, he began assaulting him.
At first, Charlie would simply run up to Frisco and start whacking him in the head or wrestling with him. It seemed like the kind of things kittens do when they want to play. Frisco, being the cranky old man that he is, would want none of it. He’d fight back but would give it a minimum effort. His goal was not to play, but to inflict just enough pain to get Charlie to go away. Unfortunately, despite weighing more than several third-world nations, Frisco is a mediocre fighter. He gets in a good shot once in a while, but for the most part all he does is get Charlie in the mood for more shenanigans.
None of this really seemed all that weird or surprising. Kittens, especially male kittens, enjoy a good whack in the head once in a while. When I was a kid, a crack upside the noggin was a good time.
A couple weeks ago, however, Charlie changed his tactics, and this is the part that has me confused. Charlie, you see, has begun licking Frisco. Now don’t start going all, “Awww, isn’t that adorable,” because you haven’t heard the entire thing. I actually thought it was adorable the first time I saw it, too. I should have known better.
The first time I saw it, Charlie walked up to Frisco as if he were in the mood for a ruckus, but instead of whacking Fat Boy upside the head, he put him in this kitty-headlock sort of grip and began licking Frisco’s head and ears. “Aww,” I said. “Isn’t that…” But before I could finish, Charlie’s mouth opened, exposing his little kitty fangs, and he bit Frisco right in the neck.
This did not go over well with Frisco. Not one bit. He cracked open a six-pack of pain and went after Charlie like he was made out of delicious turkey. If there had been a crowbar nearby, Frisco would have, through sheer force of will, grown opposable thumbs and wielded it like a baseball bat.
Charlie’s fast, and Frisco tires after about two seconds of activity, so the little one was able to get away unscathed. I figured I’d never see anything that stupid again.
Again, I should have known better. The very next day, Frisco was sleeping on the floor and Charlie climbed on top of him, licked his head and ears, and chomped him in the neck. Once again, Frisco raged against the machine. This time, though, Charlie didn’t instantly flee. He stuck around for what he probably thought was a rollicking good time.
Oddly enough, Frisco didn’t really seem all that homicidal. He fought back, but not like before. Instead, he rolled around with Charlie a bit, whacked him on the head a couple dozen times, and chased him away. I didn’t get it.
As the days went by, I saw the same thing over and over. Lick, bite, scrap. Lick, bite, scrap. Frisco had to know that whenever Charlie licked him, a bite in the neck was coming. Right? Frisco’s stupid, but he can’t be that stupid. You’d think that he’d kick Charlie in the chin any time he stuck out his tongue.
And why is Charlie even bothering to lick Frisco in the first place? Does he think Frisco’s going to be fooled by the bizarre display of faux affection? Or does he do it because he finds Frisco tasty? Why bite him in the neck in the first place? Was the usual form of wrestling not entertaining enough?
You see, this is all stuff I don’t understand. Dozens of questions, not one single answer. I’m left to simply wonder. It makes me crazy. I’d give anything to have the cats speak English for even a few minutes, just so I could ask them these things.
Although, you know, even if I could ask them, they’d probably just shrug and say they had no idea why they do what they do. They’d probably ask me why I spend so much time sitting in front of the computer or eating things that don’t taste like dead birds.
Maybe it’s better that I don’t know. I suppose as long as Charlie doesn’t start biting me in the neck, I shouldn’t worry about it.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Charlie’s a vampire, and that it’s just a matter of time before all of us, Frisco included, become his mindless slaves.
Nah. Vampires don’t drink out of the toilet.
---------------------------------------------
My cat might be a vampire
By Bob Rybarczyk
SPECIAL TO THE POST-DISPATCH
08/19/2008
I might be raising a vampire cat.
I don’t understand cats.
I just don’t. I never really have. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched our cats doing something and wondered what in the hell they’re thinking. They think a piece of paper makes a perfect platform for a six-hour nap. They refuse to eat the last few pieces of kibble in their dish, and yet they are all too happy to drink out of the toilet. You get the point.
What surprises me the most is that they seem to keep coming up with new ways to be weird. I’ve only been around cats for the last four years or so, but you’d think four years would be more than enough time to figure out a species that can be amused for days by a pipe cleaner. Nope.
We have two cats in our house, Frisco and Charlie. Frisco is 14, large enough to exhibit his own gravitational pull, and generally disgruntled. Charlie is less than a year old, apparently made of balsa wood and rubber bands, and a complete idiot. They are Fatboy and the Freakshow. The immovable object and the unstoppable force.
Big fat Frisco sleeps 23.99 hours a day. When he’s not sleeping, he’s eating or seeking out a new place to sleep. His hobbies include sleeping and gaining weight. Charlie barely sleeps at all and is about as bright as a slab of poorly cooked liver. He finds everything to be either fascinating or terrifying. There is no middle ground. One second he can be sprinting through the house like he’s being chased by Satan on a scooter, and the next he’ll be lying in your arms waiting for you to rub his belly.
When we first introduced Charlie to Frisco last winter, Frisco spent the better part of a month hiding in the basement. We weren’t sure if he was afraid of Charlie or just really hacked off at us. Eventually they found a way to peacefully coexist. They weren’t buddies by any means, but they made it work.
A few months ago, that all changed. Charlie decided, I guess, that he was tired of avoiding Frisco. Instead, he began assaulting him.
At first, Charlie would simply run up to Frisco and start whacking him in the head or wrestling with him. It seemed like the kind of things kittens do when they want to play. Frisco, being the cranky old man that he is, would want none of it. He’d fight back but would give it a minimum effort. His goal was not to play, but to inflict just enough pain to get Charlie to go away. Unfortunately, despite weighing more than several third-world nations, Frisco is a mediocre fighter. He gets in a good shot once in a while, but for the most part all he does is get Charlie in the mood for more shenanigans.
None of this really seemed all that weird or surprising. Kittens, especially male kittens, enjoy a good whack in the head once in a while. When I was a kid, a crack upside the noggin was a good time.
A couple weeks ago, however, Charlie changed his tactics, and this is the part that has me confused. Charlie, you see, has begun licking Frisco. Now don’t start going all, “Awww, isn’t that adorable,” because you haven’t heard the entire thing. I actually thought it was adorable the first time I saw it, too. I should have known better.
The first time I saw it, Charlie walked up to Frisco as if he were in the mood for a ruckus, but instead of whacking Fat Boy upside the head, he put him in this kitty-headlock sort of grip and began licking Frisco’s head and ears. “Aww,” I said. “Isn’t that…” But before I could finish, Charlie’s mouth opened, exposing his little kitty fangs, and he bit Frisco right in the neck.
This did not go over well with Frisco. Not one bit. He cracked open a six-pack of pain and went after Charlie like he was made out of delicious turkey. If there had been a crowbar nearby, Frisco would have, through sheer force of will, grown opposable thumbs and wielded it like a baseball bat.
Charlie’s fast, and Frisco tires after about two seconds of activity, so the little one was able to get away unscathed. I figured I’d never see anything that stupid again.
Again, I should have known better. The very next day, Frisco was sleeping on the floor and Charlie climbed on top of him, licked his head and ears, and chomped him in the neck. Once again, Frisco raged against the machine. This time, though, Charlie didn’t instantly flee. He stuck around for what he probably thought was a rollicking good time.
Oddly enough, Frisco didn’t really seem all that homicidal. He fought back, but not like before. Instead, he rolled around with Charlie a bit, whacked him on the head a couple dozen times, and chased him away. I didn’t get it.
As the days went by, I saw the same thing over and over. Lick, bite, scrap. Lick, bite, scrap. Frisco had to know that whenever Charlie licked him, a bite in the neck was coming. Right? Frisco’s stupid, but he can’t be that stupid. You’d think that he’d kick Charlie in the chin any time he stuck out his tongue.
And why is Charlie even bothering to lick Frisco in the first place? Does he think Frisco’s going to be fooled by the bizarre display of faux affection? Or does he do it because he finds Frisco tasty? Why bite him in the neck in the first place? Was the usual form of wrestling not entertaining enough?
You see, this is all stuff I don’t understand. Dozens of questions, not one single answer. I’m left to simply wonder. It makes me crazy. I’d give anything to have the cats speak English for even a few minutes, just so I could ask them these things.
Although, you know, even if I could ask them, they’d probably just shrug and say they had no idea why they do what they do. They’d probably ask me why I spend so much time sitting in front of the computer or eating things that don’t taste like dead birds.
Maybe it’s better that I don’t know. I suppose as long as Charlie doesn’t start biting me in the neck, I shouldn’t worry about it.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Charlie’s a vampire, and that it’s just a matter of time before all of us, Frisco included, become his mindless slaves.
Nah. Vampires don’t drink out of the toilet.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Second Foot Surgery - Screw Removal
Here are pictures of the screw removed during my second foot surgery. The screw is about two inches long and had to be removed to allow proper mobility in my big toe. My surgeon has done an excellent job throughout this process.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Big Cookout
I went to a big cookout at my folks last night with Shannon and the boys. My friend Bruce and his brother and sister were there. My dear old friends, Craig and Heather were there with their girls. I've know both of them since grade school back in New York. They live close by but it's been 1year and two months since I last saw them. What a crime, there really is no excuse for it being so long. Hopefully I'll see them again soon, in a matter of days or weeks, not months or years.
At any rate the big event was a lot of fun, most of it spent trying to cram the details of 14 months into 4 or 5 hours.
The food was good and the conversation was good too.
At any rate the big event was a lot of fun, most of it spent trying to cram the details of 14 months into 4 or 5 hours.
The food was good and the conversation was good too.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Comcast Data Limit
Comcast to make monthly Internet use cap official
Thursday August 28, 6:21 pm ET
Comcast to set official limit on Internet use to deter bandwidth hogs
It's official comacast is imposing a data transfer limit. I'm a comcast user, I doubt I'll go over but it still kinda stinks.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Comcast Corp., the nation's second-largest Internet service provider, Thursday said it would set an official limit on the amount of data subscribers can download and upload each month.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Oct. 1, the cable company will update its user agreement to say that users will be allowed 250 gigabytes of traffic per month, the company announced on its Web site.
Comcast has already reserved the right to cut off subscribers who use too much bandwidth each month, without specifying exactly what constitutes excessive use.
"We've listened to feedback from our customers who asked that we provide a specific threshold for data usage and this would help them understand the amount of usage that would qualify as excessive," the company said in a statement on its Web site.
Customers who go over the limit are contacted by the company and asked to curb their usage.
"We know from experience the vast majority of customers we ask to curb usage do so voluntarily," the company said.
Comcast floated the idea of a 250 gigabyte cap in May and mentioned then that it might charge users $15 for every 10 gigabytes they go over, but the overage fee was missing in Thursday's announcement.
Curbing the top users is necessary to keep the network fast and responsive for other users, Comcast has said.
Comcast stressed that the bandwidth cap is far above the median monthly usage of its customers, which 2 to 3 gigabytes.
Very few subscribers use more than 250 gigabytes, it said. A user could download 125 standard-definition movies, about four per day, before hitting the limit.
The cap is also above those of some other ISPs. Cox Communications' monthly caps vary from 5 gigabytes to 75 gigabytes depending the subscriber's plan. Time Warner Cable Inc. is testing caps between 5 gigabytes and 40 gigabytes in one market. Frontier Communications Co., a phone company, plans to start charging extra for use of more than 5 gigabytes per month.
Thursday August 28, 6:21 pm ET
Comcast to set official limit on Internet use to deter bandwidth hogs
It's official comacast is imposing a data transfer limit. I'm a comcast user, I doubt I'll go over but it still kinda stinks.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Comcast Corp., the nation's second-largest Internet service provider, Thursday said it would set an official limit on the amount of data subscribers can download and upload each month.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Oct. 1, the cable company will update its user agreement to say that users will be allowed 250 gigabytes of traffic per month, the company announced on its Web site.
Comcast has already reserved the right to cut off subscribers who use too much bandwidth each month, without specifying exactly what constitutes excessive use.
"We've listened to feedback from our customers who asked that we provide a specific threshold for data usage and this would help them understand the amount of usage that would qualify as excessive," the company said in a statement on its Web site.
Customers who go over the limit are contacted by the company and asked to curb their usage.
"We know from experience the vast majority of customers we ask to curb usage do so voluntarily," the company said.
Comcast floated the idea of a 250 gigabyte cap in May and mentioned then that it might charge users $15 for every 10 gigabytes they go over, but the overage fee was missing in Thursday's announcement.
Curbing the top users is necessary to keep the network fast and responsive for other users, Comcast has said.
Comcast stressed that the bandwidth cap is far above the median monthly usage of its customers, which 2 to 3 gigabytes.
Very few subscribers use more than 250 gigabytes, it said. A user could download 125 standard-definition movies, about four per day, before hitting the limit.
The cap is also above those of some other ISPs. Cox Communications' monthly caps vary from 5 gigabytes to 75 gigabytes depending the subscriber's plan. Time Warner Cable Inc. is testing caps between 5 gigabytes and 40 gigabytes in one market. Frontier Communications Co., a phone company, plans to start charging extra for use of more than 5 gigabytes per month.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
International Society of Arboriculture
I work at ISA or the International Society of Arboriculture. There were two local news stories about our organization recently. You can follow these links to learn more about where I work.
ISA Interview Part #1
ISA Interview Part #2
Enjoy! You can also visit our consumer oriented site to learn more.
ISA Interview Part #1
ISA Interview Part #2
Enjoy! You can also visit our consumer oriented site to learn more.
Monday, August 11, 2008
More Foot News
It's time for Foot Surgery, round two!
I saw the surgeon today and as expected talked to him about removing the screw from my right foot. This is a five minute procedure and they won't put my out completely but they will send me to 'dreamland' as they put it. This is classified as a surgery, so I get to go through the entire pre-op procedure again, curtailing medication, having a pre-op physical, fasting, etc... Afterwards I will walk out on my own two feet, and I will be in a post op-shoe/slipper.
The downside of all this is I will miss two days of work and I will need someone to drive me home from the surgi-center and stay with me for 24 hours while the anesthetic wears off.
The bottom line is although the screw removal is indeed a five minute procedure, it's all a bit more involved than it appeared to be.
I saw the surgeon today and as expected talked to him about removing the screw from my right foot. This is a five minute procedure and they won't put my out completely but they will send me to 'dreamland' as they put it. This is classified as a surgery, so I get to go through the entire pre-op procedure again, curtailing medication, having a pre-op physical, fasting, etc... Afterwards I will walk out on my own two feet, and I will be in a post op-shoe/slipper.
The downside of all this is I will miss two days of work and I will need someone to drive me home from the surgi-center and stay with me for 24 hours while the anesthetic wears off.
The bottom line is although the screw removal is indeed a five minute procedure, it's all a bit more involved than it appeared to be.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
My Foot and the Office Move
My foot is gradually improving. I see the surgeon again tomorrow for some follow up work. X-rays, check up, etc... Part of my foot is still numb, and will remain this way for months. Most significant is I have little to no power in my big toe. There is a screw holding the bones of my big toe and next two toes together. These bones should move independently and thus I have little power in my foot. I walk funny on my right foot, and thus both it and my left (good) foot hurt frequently. Climbing ladders is out of the question and going down stairs is a little awkward.
When I see the surgeon he will schedule a short procedure to remove the screw. It will take five minutes and supposedly I will be walking immediately after. I'll be out of shoes for a few days while the new dressing is on my foot. Sounds ok, regular shoes are pretty snug right now anyway.
All this made my recent office move a little more challenging. I manage an IT department of two (myself included) for a company of 35. We recently purchased a larger and much nicer building. The other IT guy and I planned for about a year how to get our network infrastructure, phones and other IT resources moved smoothly with minimal downtime.
I couldn't lift anything heavier than a CPU because of my foot, but my coworkers all seemed to understand, pitch in and watch out for me.
Due to a change in the responsibilities of the moving company the other IT guy and myself wound up moving most of the monitiors, printers, and CPUs ourself. It wasn't overly heavy but the repetitious nature made my foot hurt. I was in pain and couldn't walk most nights just before the server move. For two or three days we moved CPUs, monitors and printers, for staff who were away at our annual conference. All in all it was 40 or so workstations, which wound up being 40 CPUs, 40 monitors, 30 printers, and many other odds and ends. Factor in trips out of the old building and trips into the new building that was many many trips back and forth.
Bruce, the other IT guy was quite tired, and worked very hard. Even in good health I would have been tired, but I was in a lot of pain due to my foot. Still it had to be done.
The big push was last Thursday. Our T1 (internet) and PRI (phones) were switched to the new location and the hardware was moved. Our goal was to have our web site and e-mail back up in 6 hours, with 5 key workstations running by the end of the day. We were back up and running in 3 hours and had probably 75-80% of the workstations up by the end of the day. It went better than we could have hoped.
We're still working on post move clean up and odds and ends but things have really slowed down and I'm feeling much more relaxed.
I am pleased with how the move went and I am very happy in the new building.
I've been tempted to take up NWN2 modding again, but remain torn about this. You can read more about this on my RPG Blog.
When I see the surgeon he will schedule a short procedure to remove the screw. It will take five minutes and supposedly I will be walking immediately after. I'll be out of shoes for a few days while the new dressing is on my foot. Sounds ok, regular shoes are pretty snug right now anyway.
All this made my recent office move a little more challenging. I manage an IT department of two (myself included) for a company of 35. We recently purchased a larger and much nicer building. The other IT guy and I planned for about a year how to get our network infrastructure, phones and other IT resources moved smoothly with minimal downtime.
I couldn't lift anything heavier than a CPU because of my foot, but my coworkers all seemed to understand, pitch in and watch out for me.
Due to a change in the responsibilities of the moving company the other IT guy and myself wound up moving most of the monitiors, printers, and CPUs ourself. It wasn't overly heavy but the repetitious nature made my foot hurt. I was in pain and couldn't walk most nights just before the server move. For two or three days we moved CPUs, monitors and printers, for staff who were away at our annual conference. All in all it was 40 or so workstations, which wound up being 40 CPUs, 40 monitors, 30 printers, and many other odds and ends. Factor in trips out of the old building and trips into the new building that was many many trips back and forth.
Bruce, the other IT guy was quite tired, and worked very hard. Even in good health I would have been tired, but I was in a lot of pain due to my foot. Still it had to be done.
The big push was last Thursday. Our T1 (internet) and PRI (phones) were switched to the new location and the hardware was moved. Our goal was to have our web site and e-mail back up in 6 hours, with 5 key workstations running by the end of the day. We were back up and running in 3 hours and had probably 75-80% of the workstations up by the end of the day. It went better than we could have hoped.
We're still working on post move clean up and odds and ends but things have really slowed down and I'm feeling much more relaxed.
I am pleased with how the move went and I am very happy in the new building.
I've been tempted to take up NWN2 modding again, but remain torn about this. You can read more about this on my RPG Blog.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Eldest Son's Award Winning Artwork
Here are the pieces of art that won at the county fair. I blogged about this recently. My eldest son is quite talented. Sorry about the glare on the first two pictures, perhaps I'll try again later without the flash on.
1st place for his water color painting.
1st place for his pencil sketch.
He took 3rd place for his charcoal drawing.
He won tops honors for artwork overall in his age group. The grand prize for his category!
1st place for his water color painting.
1st place for his pencil sketch.
He took 3rd place for his charcoal drawing. He won tops honors for artwork overall in his age group. The grand prize for his category!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Eldest Son at the County Fair
My eldest son is an talented artist. This year he entered the art contest at the County Fair. I was proud of him for putting himself out there and entering in several categories. He's very talented and I expected him to place in at least one category.
He did place. He did more than that! He took 3rd place for his charcoal drawing, 1st place for his water color painting, 1st place for his pencil sketch and he won tops honors for artwork overall in his age group. The grand prize for his category!
Again I was pleased he entered something. I was proud enough at that point. I am thrilled beyond words for him. I always tell people he's talented and it's not just fatherly pride. Looks like others agree!!
He did place. He did more than that! He took 3rd place for his charcoal drawing, 1st place for his water color painting, 1st place for his pencil sketch and he won tops honors for artwork overall in his age group. The grand prize for his category!
Again I was pleased he entered something. I was proud enough at that point. I am thrilled beyond words for him. I always tell people he's talented and it's not just fatherly pride. Looks like others agree!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tree group branching out in west Champaign
This is an article about where I work.
----------------------------------------
Tree group branching out in west Champaign
By Don Dodson
Monday, July 21, 2008 2:12 PM CDT
E-mail Story Printer-friendly
CHAMPAIGN – A worldwide society based in Champaign expects its staff to grow by 27 people over the next 10 years and is moving to accommodate that growth.
The International Society of Arboriculture, 1400 W. Anthony Drive, C, plans to move this weekend to the former Farm Credit Services building at West Park Court and Country Fair Drive, Executive Director Jim Skiera said.
Advertisement
The society has 21,000 members worldwide – including commercial, municipal and utility arborists – and a staff of 38. But Skiera said that number should grow to 65 in 10 years.
Part of the growth is related to the society's certification program, which so far has certified 25,000 arborists.
It also awards other certifications, such as "certified tree worker/climber."
Skiera said the staff also puts together conferences for the society, and that sector is growing as well. The society's annual conference and trade show starts Saturday in St. Louis, with the 2008 International Tree Climbing Championship going on there simultaneously.
"The emphasis on green is really starting to accelerate," Skiera said, adding that interest in the environment is growing in China and India as well as the United States.
Currently, about 17,000, or 80 percent, of the society's members are from the United States. But the society has members in 50 countries, including Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong and many European countries, he said.
The move to the two-story building at 2101 W. Park Court will give the society about 34,000 square feet, or more than double what it has on Anthony Drive, Skiera said.
Part of that is warehouse space needed for the society's publications, which generate about 25 percent of its revenues.
The society publishes periodicals, such as Arborist News and Arboriculture & Urban Forestry. But it also produces certification study guides, best-management-practice guides, training videos and interactive CD-ROMs.
Skiera said some members have pushed for the society's office to be in a larger city, but he said the costs of doing business there would be greater, and Champaign-Urbana is "pretty competitive" in that respect. Besides, he said, if the society moved to another community, staff members would have to move, too.
The move to Park Court was made possible after Farm Credit Services of Illinois moved its office earlier this year to the former Roberson Transportation headquarters on the east side of Mahomet.
David Owens, president and chief executive officer of Farm Credit Services of Illinois, said the move to Mahomet was made to accommodate growth.
"We were simply out of space at the former facility and were housing two employees in some offices," he said. "We explored options for adding on, renting additional space or purchasing a second facility nearby. None of these options was very promising."
The former Roberson building has 44,000 square feet, which Owens said is "a bit larger than our current needs," but it provides "adequate space for future growth." Currently, about 60 employees work there.
Farm Credit Services put on a new roof and installed new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units, Owens said. It created 51 private offices and 20 workstations in the building, with space for 20 more workstations in the future.
Owens said Farm Credit Services' business began growing rapidly three years ago.
"Beginning in 2006, our business started to experience additional demand for loans," he said. "We grew 13 percent in 2006, 24 percent in 2007 and are on track for 30 percent growth this year. Higher farm input costs, cash rents and land values are fueling this demand for credit."
----------------------------------------
Tree group branching out in west Champaign
By Don Dodson
Monday, July 21, 2008 2:12 PM CDT
E-mail Story Printer-friendly
CHAMPAIGN – A worldwide society based in Champaign expects its staff to grow by 27 people over the next 10 years and is moving to accommodate that growth.
The International Society of Arboriculture, 1400 W. Anthony Drive, C, plans to move this weekend to the former Farm Credit Services building at West Park Court and Country Fair Drive, Executive Director Jim Skiera said.
Advertisement
The society has 21,000 members worldwide – including commercial, municipal and utility arborists – and a staff of 38. But Skiera said that number should grow to 65 in 10 years.
Part of the growth is related to the society's certification program, which so far has certified 25,000 arborists.
It also awards other certifications, such as "certified tree worker/climber."
Skiera said the staff also puts together conferences for the society, and that sector is growing as well. The society's annual conference and trade show starts Saturday in St. Louis, with the 2008 International Tree Climbing Championship going on there simultaneously.
"The emphasis on green is really starting to accelerate," Skiera said, adding that interest in the environment is growing in China and India as well as the United States.
Currently, about 17,000, or 80 percent, of the society's members are from the United States. But the society has members in 50 countries, including Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong and many European countries, he said.
The move to the two-story building at 2101 W. Park Court will give the society about 34,000 square feet, or more than double what it has on Anthony Drive, Skiera said.
Part of that is warehouse space needed for the society's publications, which generate about 25 percent of its revenues.
The society publishes periodicals, such as Arborist News and Arboriculture & Urban Forestry. But it also produces certification study guides, best-management-practice guides, training videos and interactive CD-ROMs.
Skiera said some members have pushed for the society's office to be in a larger city, but he said the costs of doing business there would be greater, and Champaign-Urbana is "pretty competitive" in that respect. Besides, he said, if the society moved to another community, staff members would have to move, too.
The move to Park Court was made possible after Farm Credit Services of Illinois moved its office earlier this year to the former Roberson Transportation headquarters on the east side of Mahomet.
David Owens, president and chief executive officer of Farm Credit Services of Illinois, said the move to Mahomet was made to accommodate growth.
"We were simply out of space at the former facility and were housing two employees in some offices," he said. "We explored options for adding on, renting additional space or purchasing a second facility nearby. None of these options was very promising."
The former Roberson building has 44,000 square feet, which Owens said is "a bit larger than our current needs," but it provides "adequate space for future growth." Currently, about 60 employees work there.
Farm Credit Services put on a new roof and installed new heating, ventilating and air-conditioning units, Owens said. It created 51 private offices and 20 workstations in the building, with space for 20 more workstations in the future.
Owens said Farm Credit Services' business began growing rapidly three years ago.
"Beginning in 2006, our business started to experience additional demand for loans," he said. "We grew 13 percent in 2006, 24 percent in 2007 and are on track for 30 percent growth this year. Higher farm input costs, cash rents and land values are fueling this demand for credit."
Friday, July 11, 2008
Foot Progress
I had a follow up appointment with the foot surgeon. He was extremely pleased with how all of the bones in my foot are healing and the alignment is excellent. In short I am doing very well.
I have another x-ray in a month or so followed by 5 minute out patient procedure. They will be removing a screw in my foot. Apparently the bones of my big toe and next two toes have a big screw running threw them necessary for healing. However the big down, middle three toes and little toe all need to move independently for proper mobility. Thus this particular screw gets to come up. He said it's a five minute procedure, I can walk immediately after it's done and the only ill effect is I am in a post opp slipper or sandles for a few days. I'll give you the time for th
I have another x-ray in a month or so followed by 5 minute out patient procedure. They will be removing a screw in my foot. Apparently the bones of my big toe and next two toes have a big screw running threw them necessary for healing. However the big down, middle three toes and little toe all need to move independently for proper mobility. Thus this particular screw gets to come up. He said it's a five minute procedure, I can walk immediately after it's done and the only ill effect is I am in a post opp slipper or sandles for a few days. I'll give you the time for th
Monday, June 23, 2008
Award for Hobby Related Work
I won an award for some hobby related work. Check out this entry on my gaming related blog to read more. My gaming handle is ENoa4, and I am towards the bottom of the awards list in one of the last categories.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Saugatuck, MI 2008
We completed our annual family father's day drip to Saugatuck, MI. Everyone had a great time and the kids are dying to go back. With my foot I didn't get to hike or swim but I read a book, relaxed and had a great time too.
Here's a picture of my favorite restaurant in Saugatuck and some of the docks.
Here's a picture of my favorite restaurant in Saugatuck and some of the docks.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
William Shatner
Great article on William Shatner. It really captures him well. He's strange duck, but I really enjoy him.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Music Video
I worked with a gentleman by the name of Steve Bevil for a few years. He's bright, well organized and very pleasant to work with. I knew he wrote, sang and produced music on the side but didn't have a chance to hear anything he did until a few days ago. Here is one of his songs posted on youtube. Unfortunately Steve has left ISA, where I work, for a new job. Hopefully he'll keep me appraised of his musical pursuits. He is working in the building my wife works in so I am hoping the odds of staying in touch are a bit higher.
The video was shot and edited by Bret Henrikson another guy I work with. I have been aware of Bret's strong interest in shooting and editing video and we've even worked together on an ISA video project. I thought Bret did an excellent job shooting and editing this video. The selection is tasteful and complements the music very well.
Nice job to both Bret and Steve.
Steve, I know you've peaked at this blog before. Please stay in touch.
The video was shot and edited by Bret Henrikson another guy I work with. I have been aware of Bret's strong interest in shooting and editing video and we've even worked together on an ISA video project. I thought Bret did an excellent job shooting and editing this video. The selection is tasteful and complements the music very well.
Nice job to both Bret and Steve.
Steve, I know you've peaked at this blog before. Please stay in touch.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Progress with my foot
I am continuing to make progress with my foot. I am walked more and more without crutches, although when I do I tend to get carried away then wind up in quite a bit of pain from pushing myself. It does feel good to be more self-sufficient. I almost feel like myself. Driving and the amount of activity are the two biggest limitations I have left.
The cast is starting to get stinky! It's warm and I am sweating more, so don't get to close. I can't get it it wet so there isn't much foot washing going on.
I get the cast off next Thursday afternoon and will be in a surgical boot which will allow me to walk more normally. I'll also get a special boot I can switch into to drive comfortably. I'm looking forward to the change.
The cast is starting to get stinky! It's warm and I am sweating more, so don't get to close. I can't get it it wet so there isn't much foot washing going on.
I get the cast off next Thursday afternoon and will be in a surgical boot which will allow me to walk more normally. I'll also get a special boot I can switch into to drive comfortably. I'm looking forward to the change.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The man with the hat is back. I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull last night with my wife. The movie is certainly not perfect but it is great fun and the nostalgia factor trumps any imperfections or missteps in the book. To see Harrison Ford one more time as Indiana Jones and to hear John Williams score is a treat. It made me feel like a kid all over again.
Update: Roger Ebert's Review
Thursday, May 22, 2008
‘Dean of Oil Analysts’ Maxwell (Part 4 of 4): Oil Crisis Will Lead to 10-Year Financial & Political Crisis
Posted: February 7, 2008
A growing chorus of voices is screaming for the United States to undertake a Manhattan Project-type program to wean America off its oil dependency. But as Charles T. Maxwell, the “dean” of Wall Street’s energy analysts, looks into the future, he deeply fears that Washington won’t do anything to head off the oil crisis he sees rapidly developing starting in 2010. He says this will make the financial crisis he fears even worse. Also, because Washington will be seen by angry voters (who will be paying $12 to $15 for a gallon a gas) as the cause of their “Nightmare on Main Street,” Maxwell sees the American political system being shaken to its roots.
Princeton and Oxford-educated Maxwell believes that if the Democrats are in power, their core constituencies – farmers, workers and intellectuals – will be ranged against one another, resulting in an impasse. If the Republicans are in power, he expects whatever “solution” they come up with to be politically untenable because it will be premised on people with money continuing to consume as before, with the have-nots expected to do without.
Seeing no chance of a timely political response to America’s looming oil calamity, Maxwell, senior energy analyst at Weeden & Co., expects an oil-induced financial crisis to start somewhere in the 2010 to 2015 timeframe. He said that, unlike the recession the U.S. appears to be in today, “This will not be six months of hell and then we come out of it.” Rather, Maxwell expects this financial crisis to last at least 10 or 12 years, as the world goes through a prolonged period of price-induced rationing (eg, oil up to $300 a barrel and U.S. pump prices up to $15 a gallon), while waiting for new technologies that can wean nations off their oil dependency to take hold in the marketplace. (It will take time to change over the world’s one billion or so oil-consuming cars and trucks.)
As this combined oil and financial crisis worsens, Maxwell would not be surprised if the U.S. government started functioning the way it did in World War II, when the democratic dialogue was often put on hold so that unilateral decisions could be made by people given special powers. He described them as little tyrants who will be able to cut off debate, effectively weakening the democratic process. Not a pleasant prospect, Maxwell emphasized, but one that may be unavoidable in the oil-scarce world that’s coming.
A growing chorus of voices is screaming for the United States to undertake a Manhattan Project-type program to wean America off its oil dependency. But as Charles T. Maxwell, the “dean” of Wall Street’s energy analysts, looks into the future, he deeply fears that Washington won’t do anything to head off the oil crisis he sees rapidly developing starting in 2010. He says this will make the financial crisis he fears even worse. Also, because Washington will be seen by angry voters (who will be paying $12 to $15 for a gallon a gas) as the cause of their “Nightmare on Main Street,” Maxwell sees the American political system being shaken to its roots.
Princeton and Oxford-educated Maxwell believes that if the Democrats are in power, their core constituencies – farmers, workers and intellectuals – will be ranged against one another, resulting in an impasse. If the Republicans are in power, he expects whatever “solution” they come up with to be politically untenable because it will be premised on people with money continuing to consume as before, with the have-nots expected to do without.
Seeing no chance of a timely political response to America’s looming oil calamity, Maxwell, senior energy analyst at Weeden & Co., expects an oil-induced financial crisis to start somewhere in the 2010 to 2015 timeframe. He said that, unlike the recession the U.S. appears to be in today, “This will not be six months of hell and then we come out of it.” Rather, Maxwell expects this financial crisis to last at least 10 or 12 years, as the world goes through a prolonged period of price-induced rationing (eg, oil up to $300 a barrel and U.S. pump prices up to $15 a gallon), while waiting for new technologies that can wean nations off their oil dependency to take hold in the marketplace. (It will take time to change over the world’s one billion or so oil-consuming cars and trucks.)
As this combined oil and financial crisis worsens, Maxwell would not be surprised if the U.S. government started functioning the way it did in World War II, when the democratic dialogue was often put on hold so that unilateral decisions could be made by people given special powers. He described them as little tyrants who will be able to cut off debate, effectively weakening the democratic process. Not a pleasant prospect, Maxwell emphasized, but one that may be unavoidable in the oil-scarce world that’s coming.
Foot Update
I am progressing nicely. I have much greater mobility than I did a few days ago. I am still keeping my crutches close by but I am able to move easily with one crutch and am able to walk more and more without any crutches. Walking with no crutches takes some adjustment. It seems like each time I try it I've forgotten how to do it and have to learn all over again.
My gait is awkward and slow but I am moving. My wife and my good friend Bruce are both very concerned about the impact it's having on my knee. I am double jointed and my knees can invert slightly but now they do so each time I am taking a step an putting weight on them.
My father-in-law and my mother both gave my a few exercises to try to help strengthen the muscles around my knee. I tried them last night and plan to continue with them.
My wife spend her entire lunch hour yesterday getting a knee brace for me. It didn't really help but I was most appreciative that she gave up her lunch hour and some cash to try to make me feel better.
My wife also got my appointment for my switch from the walking cast to the boot moved up by 4 days. WOO HOO!!!!!!!! Way to go Shannon! Woo hoo! (husband cheers enthusiastically).
My gait is awkward and slow but I am moving. My wife and my good friend Bruce are both very concerned about the impact it's having on my knee. I am double jointed and my knees can invert slightly but now they do so each time I am taking a step an putting weight on them.
My father-in-law and my mother both gave my a few exercises to try to help strengthen the muscles around my knee. I tried them last night and plan to continue with them.
My wife spend her entire lunch hour yesterday getting a knee brace for me. It didn't really help but I was most appreciative that she gave up her lunch hour and some cash to try to make me feel better.
My wife also got my appointment for my switch from the walking cast to the boot moved up by 4 days. WOO HOO!!!!!!!! Way to go Shannon! Woo hoo! (husband cheers enthusiastically).
Friday, May 16, 2008
Attempting to walk
I have not been terribly successful with my first few steps. I am able to put weight on my right foot now, but it's limited. I have put my full weight on it unintentionally a few times and it's letting me know it's still attached with a zinging painful sensation. For now I am getting around with crutches but am using the foot too. I am slower with it but more stable.
I did go UP three stairs yesterday, which was an accomplishment. I have not gone up any stairs from a walking position in five weeks.
I am surprised at how weak my foot is. I know I can walk on it but the muscles have atrophied and more over the muscles that are there do not work as expected due to the changes in the structure of my foot.
I am trying to walk more and more on it. My wife and friend are quite concerned because I am double jointed. When I step my knee locks and extends backwards slightly. My knee naturally moves that way but they are both quite concerned it will damage my knee or impede my recovery. I have zero ankle flexibility due to the cast but can roll forward onto my toes. Due to the lip of the cast this is awkward and when I put weight on the toes they hurt, particularly the big toe which has a lot of work, and now includes two screws.
I was going to call and ask at my wifes suggestion but she wanted to do it so she could ask some specific questions. Hopefully this is not a problem.
I'm not sure what's right or what's normal. I'm learning all over again. After wanting to walk so badly for five weeks it is somewhat frustrating to be stuck with the crutches for a bit longer. I want to be able to walk and carry a cup of coffee at the same time. Right now that isn't possible at all.
I did go UP three stairs yesterday, which was an accomplishment. I have not gone up any stairs from a walking position in five weeks.
I am surprised at how weak my foot is. I know I can walk on it but the muscles have atrophied and more over the muscles that are there do not work as expected due to the changes in the structure of my foot.
I am trying to walk more and more on it. My wife and friend are quite concerned because I am double jointed. When I step my knee locks and extends backwards slightly. My knee naturally moves that way but they are both quite concerned it will damage my knee or impede my recovery. I have zero ankle flexibility due to the cast but can roll forward onto my toes. Due to the lip of the cast this is awkward and when I put weight on the toes they hurt, particularly the big toe which has a lot of work, and now includes two screws.
I was going to call and ask at my wifes suggestion but she wanted to do it so she could ask some specific questions. Hopefully this is not a problem.
I'm not sure what's right or what's normal. I'm learning all over again. After wanting to walk so badly for five weeks it is somewhat frustrating to be stuck with the crutches for a bit longer. I want to be able to walk and carry a cup of coffee at the same time. Right now that isn't possible at all.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Foot Pictures
If you have a weak stomach look away now!
I had my non-weight bearing cast removed today and a new weight bearing cast put on. I had an hour to rub and itch my foot in between which was great. The swelling has gone down considerably and the foot looks amazingly better than it did one month ago. I got to look at the screws and pins in my foot on the x-ray which was pretty cool.
Tomorrow morning after the cast dries I will be able to put weight on it. My calf has atrophied to the point where I didn't recognize my own leg. My good calf is firm and large and the other is small and very soft. It was rather shocking.
In one month I get into a boot and should begin driving again! Until then I will enjoy the increased mobility but will still rely upon the kind help from family and friends.
Close up of the big scar!
My feet together, but this really shows how much muscle I have lost in my right calf. It doesn't even look like my leg!
My feet together.
Swan song for the old cast. The new one neon green.
Another shot of the big scar.
Close up of the scar on the side of my foot.
This is the scar on the side of my leg where the loosened the muscle running down the side of my leg.
** UPDATE 3:34 pm **
My lovely wife asked for a picture of the new cast, so here it is! They were out of blue and my middle son asked for bright green. I guess he got his wish.
I had my non-weight bearing cast removed today and a new weight bearing cast put on. I had an hour to rub and itch my foot in between which was great. The swelling has gone down considerably and the foot looks amazingly better than it did one month ago. I got to look at the screws and pins in my foot on the x-ray which was pretty cool.
Tomorrow morning after the cast dries I will be able to put weight on it. My calf has atrophied to the point where I didn't recognize my own leg. My good calf is firm and large and the other is small and very soft. It was rather shocking.
In one month I get into a boot and should begin driving again! Until then I will enjoy the increased mobility but will still rely upon the kind help from family and friends.
Close up of the big scar!
My feet together, but this really shows how much muscle I have lost in my right calf. It doesn't even look like my leg!
My feet together.
Swan song for the old cast. The new one neon green.
Another shot of the big scar.
Close up of the scar on the side of my foot.
This is the scar on the side of my leg where the loosened the muscle running down the side of my leg.** UPDATE 3:34 pm **
My lovely wife asked for a picture of the new cast, so here it is! They were out of blue and my middle son asked for bright green. I guess he got his wish.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Walking Soon
The itching of the cast is nearly maddening but this Wednesday I should be in a walking/weight bearing cast. I'm told I can walk 'as tolerated'. I'll feel better with some mobility restored and am anxious to do more around the house.
My wife is a saint. You wouldn't believe the amazing job she's done with the kids and with me for the past four and half weeks. The support from both of our families has been equally amazing. My close friend Bruce has also help, taking me to and from work each day and grabbing me coffee or water at the office. The help is appreciated but I can help but feel a bit guilty that my condition is causing such an imposition upon people. I know everyone is happy to help but if I were healthy they'd have more time to do the things they want and need to do.
Things should improve this week.
My wife is a saint. You wouldn't believe the amazing job she's done with the kids and with me for the past four and half weeks. The support from both of our families has been equally amazing. My close friend Bruce has also help, taking me to and from work each day and grabbing me coffee or water at the office. The help is appreciated but I can help but feel a bit guilty that my condition is causing such an imposition upon people. I know everyone is happy to help but if I were healthy they'd have more time to do the things they want and need to do.
Things should improve this week.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Set backs and frustration
I have been improving slow but steady each and every day. I switched from a splint to a cast last Wednesday and returned to work on Thursday. I was active on Thursday and worked most of Friday. I knew there was the possibility of swelling due to the cast and activity but the pain was amazing Friday afternoon. Near my toes the cast was really squeeing. I spent Friday evening and most of Saturday with my foot up, icing my foot and increased the heavier pain killers again. It was not unexpected, but it still felt like a set back.
I am more active today (Sunday) but should keep my foot up as I have a full 40 hour work week ahead. The swelling is down but my two small toes are partially numb on top but feel fine on the bottom. They tingle and sting occasionally as if my foot were asleep. My right foot has felt this way for day but the stinging tingling toes is a real pain.
Coupled with my lack of mobility and thus my lack of self-sufficiency I am feeling rather frustrated today. I want to walk. I want to walk from my desk to the table and be able to carry a cup. That small task seems like it would greatly welcome at this point.
In two and half weeks I should have a walking/weight bearing cast. I'm not looking forward to 5 more weeks in a cast but am eager for more mobility.
God bless my wife who has done more for me than can be put down on paper. My family has also been quite supportive, providing help, pre-cooked meals, or whatever we need. My mother in particular has spent DAYS over here helping with the kids or just giving my wife a few much needed hours to mentally re-coup.
I've got a ways to go and although I am frustrated I have no choice but to endure the healing and recovery process.
I am more active today (Sunday) but should keep my foot up as I have a full 40 hour work week ahead. The swelling is down but my two small toes are partially numb on top but feel fine on the bottom. They tingle and sting occasionally as if my foot were asleep. My right foot has felt this way for day but the stinging tingling toes is a real pain.
Coupled with my lack of mobility and thus my lack of self-sufficiency I am feeling rather frustrated today. I want to walk. I want to walk from my desk to the table and be able to carry a cup. That small task seems like it would greatly welcome at this point.
In two and half weeks I should have a walking/weight bearing cast. I'm not looking forward to 5 more weeks in a cast but am eager for more mobility.
God bless my wife who has done more for me than can be put down on paper. My family has also been quite supportive, providing help, pre-cooked meals, or whatever we need. My mother in particular has spent DAYS over here helping with the kids or just giving my wife a few much needed hours to mentally re-coup.
I've got a ways to go and although I am frustrated I have no choice but to endure the healing and recovery process.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Return to work
I have returned to the office for the first day since my surgery. It's going quite well.
My walking is quite extended today. A trip to the bathroom or for water in the office is 3 to 4 times as long as the trips I have been taking around the house for the same resources. Coupled with an ambitious lunch out with my friend Bruce and I am quite tired. Moreover my left foot, my good foot, it quite sore from use. I feel as if I could use a nap from physical exertion. Funny as this is only very light exercise. I suppose after two weeks of inactivity and largely using arm strength as opposed to legs it is not unexpected. Hopefully my upper body strength will improve and I'll gain some very modest benefit from the effort.
My walking is quite extended today. A trip to the bathroom or for water in the office is 3 to 4 times as long as the trips I have been taking around the house for the same resources. Coupled with an ambitious lunch out with my friend Bruce and I am quite tired. Moreover my left foot, my good foot, it quite sore from use. I feel as if I could use a nap from physical exertion. Funny as this is only very light exercise. I suppose after two weeks of inactivity and largely using arm strength as opposed to legs it is not unexpected. Hopefully my upper body strength will improve and I'll gain some very modest benefit from the effort.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus
My mom and my wife took the three boys to see Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus yesterday. The boys have been talking about it quite a bit and I think they really enjoyed themselves.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Earthquake
Last night we had an earthquake in Central Illinois. The second largest on record. I slept through it but my wife was up and said things were shaking and rattling pretty good. I just felt an aftershock, and it's the only quake I can every remember feeling. We just don't get them around here, at least not anything you'd notice.
Here's some information on the quake.
Magnitude 5.2
Date-Time
* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 09:37:00 UTC
* Friday, April 18, 2008 at 04:37:00 AM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location 38.450°N, 87.890°W
Depth 11.6 km (7.2 miles) set by location program
Region ILLINOIS
Distances
* 7 km (5 miles) NNE (13°) from Bellmont, IL
* 9 km (6 miles) E (88°) from Bone Gap, IL
* 11 km (7 miles) N (350°) from Keensburg, IL
* 60 km (38 miles) NNW (331°) from Evansville, IN
* 206 km (128 miles) E (95°) from St. Louis, MO
Location Uncertainty Error estimate not available
Parameters NST=111, Nph=111, Dmin=36.4 km, Rmss=0 sec, Gp= 61°,
M-type=moment magnitude (Mw), Version=A
Source
* Center for Earthquake Research and Information, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Event ID us2008qza6
* This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.
Finally here is a news story about the quake.
* * * * * * * * * *
The aftershock was a 4.5
List of quakes in IL today.
MAP 4.5 2008/04/18 15:14:16 38.542 -87.913 10.0 9 km (
5 mi) ENE of West Salem, IL
MAP 2.6 2008/04/18 11:55:57 38.465 -87.854 10.0 9 km (
6 mi) NW of Mount Carmel, IL
MAP 2.2 2008/04/18 10:46:24 38.440 -87.880 17.8 7 km (
4 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL
MAP 2.4 2008/04/18 10:36:33 38.460 -87.860 17.8 9 km (
6 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL
MAP 2.5 2008/04/18 10:15:35 38.648 -88.222 10.0 6 km (
3 mi) S of Noble, IL
MAP 2.5 2008/04/18 10:03:59 38.453 -87.805 10.0 5 km (
3 mi) NW of Mount Carmel, IL
MAP 5.2 2008/04/18 09:37:00 38.450 -87.890 11.6 7 km (
5 mi) NNE of Bellmont, IL
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Recover from Surgery
I'm back but not at full force. My foot is still attached to my ankle but it hurts like the dickens. The surgeon was very pleased and the procedure went quite well. I was hoping to be taking fewer drugs at this point but alas that is not the case. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I have them due to the pain. My goal is to get an hour or so of computer time tomorrow. I was hoping to telecommute for 4 hours on Tuesday but may need more time before I reach that goal. I can't work on drugs and I'm not quite ready to reduce them enough to work just yet. I am however making excellent progress.
My wife is a saint and has been amazing taking care of both me and the children.
Ok. I've got to call it quits and get to a comfortable chair.
Later folks.
My wife is a saint and has been amazing taking care of both me and the children.
Ok. I've got to call it quits and get to a comfortable chair.
Later folks.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Sister's Wedding
My sister is getting married this weekend. She and my brother-in-law have asked me to officiate at their wedding. I'm not ordained but they were already legally married at the courthouse so I will be helping with celebration for family and friends.
Last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Tonight is the wedding and tomorrow is a post wedding brunch.
Weddings of course are one of those rare times when you get to see so many family and loved ones all at once. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and good friends all gathered in the same place. Some I haven't seen since the last family wedding. I miss them all dearly in the times in between these celebrations and am happy and grateful for the occasions when we can all be together.
I spent hours last night visiting and talking, until my younger boys started to get tired, then it was home and to bed for them.
I know they were up last night a bit, my wife took care of them during the night. I hope they are well rested enough for the big day today. The eldest will be fine, he's old enough and mature enough to handle just about anything. The younger too might have a little trouble if they are light on sleep. They are both ring bearers. They seem to be in good shape right now and said they slept well.
In any even I am looking forward to visiting with family and friends again later this afternoon.
Last night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Tonight is the wedding and tomorrow is a post wedding brunch.
Weddings of course are one of those rare times when you get to see so many family and loved ones all at once. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and good friends all gathered in the same place. Some I haven't seen since the last family wedding. I miss them all dearly in the times in between these celebrations and am happy and grateful for the occasions when we can all be together.
I spent hours last night visiting and talking, until my younger boys started to get tired, then it was home and to bed for them.
I know they were up last night a bit, my wife took care of them during the night. I hope they are well rested enough for the big day today. The eldest will be fine, he's old enough and mature enough to handle just about anything. The younger too might have a little trouble if they are light on sleep. They are both ring bearers. They seem to be in good shape right now and said they slept well.
In any even I am looking forward to visiting with family and friends again later this afternoon.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Big Dog Robot
The balance and ability to recover built into this robot coupled with the payload it's carrying is amazing. I didn't think this was possible. Truly astounding technology.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
La-z-boy Recliner
I'm going to have some time off my feet in the near future for foot surgery. As a result my wife suggested I get a comfortable recliner to recover in. Here are some pictures of the recliner. It came today.
Aahhh...
Do I look relaxed?
Aahhh...
Do I look relaxed?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Is that gum or is that your brain?
My youngest son (4yrs) brought me a piece of chewed up gum that my middle son had just tossed on the dining room floor. I got my middle son (6 yrs), told him what the expectations were regarding gum and he threw it away and apologized. My youngest son didn't realize that was gum, he said, "I though it was his brain, and it fell out." He wasn't being mean, he really thought it was his brothers brain.
That is the funniest thing I have heard in WEEKS.
That is the funniest thing I have heard in WEEKS.
Battlestar Galactica: What the Frak is Going On
This is a recap of the miniseries and first three seasons. It's all 100% spoilers. If you have watched the show, it's absolutely hysterical. I'm a BG junkie, had to post this.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Sculpture by Oldest Son
Here are some pictures of a sculpture my oldest son made. He's a talented sketch artist, but he's also an amazing painter, sculpter and pumpkin carver. What a gifted kid, and that's not just fatherly pride showing.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Odds and ends
Ok... odds and ends today.
1) I woke up this morning and immediately told my lovely wife, 'Wow it's really cold.' Ten minutes later I discovered the furnace had gone out and it was 50 degrees in the house.
2) My youngest son calls the church 'Winter Carnival' the 'Winterful Carnival' We really like that. :-)
3) Your monitor is dirty. Click here to clean it.
4) Two of my Neverwinter Nights 2 mods are up for 2007 mod of the year. The competition is good, and I do not have expectations of winning, but I am honored to be included.
5) My very old and dear friend Eric T Mayer is getting married in Columbia this summer. Wow!
6) My youngest son took a field trip to the public library, which he calls, 'The Republic Library'.
7) On a trip to the Library my middle son, who's in Kindergarden told a young girl he's friends with, 'You are the most beautiful girl. Don't you see how everyone smiles at you.'. My middle son is six. What a smoothie.
That's the list of odds and ends for now!
Cheers,
Ernie
1) I woke up this morning and immediately told my lovely wife, 'Wow it's really cold.' Ten minutes later I discovered the furnace had gone out and it was 50 degrees in the house.
2) My youngest son calls the church 'Winter Carnival' the 'Winterful Carnival' We really like that. :-)
3) Your monitor is dirty. Click here to clean it.
4) Two of my Neverwinter Nights 2 mods are up for 2007 mod of the year. The competition is good, and I do not have expectations of winning, but I am honored to be included.
5) My very old and dear friend Eric T Mayer is getting married in Columbia this summer. Wow!
6) My youngest son took a field trip to the public library, which he calls, 'The Republic Library'.
7) On a trip to the Library my middle son, who's in Kindergarden told a young girl he's friends with, 'You are the most beautiful girl. Don't you see how everyone smiles at you.'. My middle son is six. What a smoothie.
That's the list of odds and ends for now!
Cheers,
Ernie
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
New Shed
My wife received a 6 by 3 storage shed for Christmas as a family gift. While on Christmas vacation I dug a 1'+ deep whole in our sloped back yard, set cinder blocks into the whole, leveled the earth then put in a layer of sand. My wife and son leveled the sand and put in paver stones.
Today my mother and father stopped by to help me build the shed. My dad is extremely talented when it comes to this sort of project. We pulled up the paver stones and did an extra hour or two of work getting them more level. My wife and son did an excellent job, but with some expert guidance from my dad we were able to get improve upon the foundation a bit.
The shed went together rather quickly, in just a few hours.
During both phases of construction it was very wet and muddy. My boots look like I had walked through a swamp. Below are photos showing the completed shed. It looks crooked (but level) due to the planks of wood we have around it, but it's both straight with the fence and house and quite level.
I've also included pictures of the yard and deck which are covered in mud.
Today my mother and father stopped by to help me build the shed. My dad is extremely talented when it comes to this sort of project. We pulled up the paver stones and did an extra hour or two of work getting them more level. My wife and son did an excellent job, but with some expert guidance from my dad we were able to get improve upon the foundation a bit.
The shed went together rather quickly, in just a few hours.
During both phases of construction it was very wet and muddy. My boots look like I had walked through a swamp. Below are photos showing the completed shed. It looks crooked (but level) due to the planks of wood we have around it, but it's both straight with the fence and house and quite level.
I've also included pictures of the yard and deck which are covered in mud.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Youngest Son is very aware
My youngest son likes to make things out of paper, and has made a few cards and letters for my friend Bruce. We've hand delivered some and send others to him at work (I work with Bruce).
Last night he drew something, put it in a box, wrapped the box with printer paper, attached a 'card' that he made, and told me it was for one of his pre-school teachers. This is within the scope of things he normally does so I didn't think about it too much, but my wife and I felt a little odd that he had done this for ONE teacher and didn't want to start bringing wrapped boxes to school everyday. We didn't want to stifle his kindness or creativity but I was watching this closely.
I explained to the teacher who was present at his school what it was and who it was for. She told me it was the birthday of the teacher my son made the present for. I was stunned that my son, who is four, had the awareness to think about this, remember it, come up with a plan, and execute it. I was impressed and touched by his behavior.
Last night he drew something, put it in a box, wrapped the box with printer paper, attached a 'card' that he made, and told me it was for one of his pre-school teachers. This is within the scope of things he normally does so I didn't think about it too much, but my wife and I felt a little odd that he had done this for ONE teacher and didn't want to start bringing wrapped boxes to school everyday. We didn't want to stifle his kindness or creativity but I was watching this closely.
I explained to the teacher who was present at his school what it was and who it was for. She told me it was the birthday of the teacher my son made the present for. I was stunned that my son, who is four, had the awareness to think about this, remember it, come up with a plan, and execute it. I was impressed and touched by his behavior.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Gaming News
I try to keep my personal blog free of gaming news, but you can see in this post on my gaming blog, that I've been lucky enough to be included in an podcast interview about Neverwinter Nights, the game I write for and play most often. You can follow this link to Neverwinter Podcast Episode 40, the podcast with my interview. I haven't even had time to listen to it yet, but was very excited and wanted to post right away.
Here's that link again:
http://neverwinternightspodcast.com/?p=89
Here's that link again:
http://neverwinternightspodcast.com/?p=89
Sunday, November 25, 2007
An Old Friend is Engaged
I heard from Eric, a dear old friend of mine from New York yesterday. We chatted a bit on the telephone an caught up, but the only thing I can seem to remember is the news that he is engaged. He's been dating a woman named Monica for over two years and the two got engaged this past August. I am thrilled for my friend and his news easily eclipsed everything else we discussed.
Congratulations Eric and Monica.
Congratulations Eric and Monica.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
Have some turkey and an extra helping of potatoes.
Enjoy the day.
Have some turkey and an extra helping of potatoes.
Enjoy the day.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Santa Claus
The recent news stories about Santa Claus are too funny and they are also a bit sad.
Recently there was a story out of the UK. that Santa needed to go on a diet and could not be fat this year. Now there is the following out of Australia.
Recently there was a story out of the UK. that Santa needed to go on a diet and could not be fat this year. Now there is the following out of Australia.
YDNEY (AFP) - Santas in Australia's largest city have been told not to use Father Christmas's traditional "ho ho ho" greeting because it may be offensive to women, it was reported Thursday.What's wrong with a traditional Santa. I don't want to offend anyone, or encourage poor health but give me a break, it's Santa!
ADVERTISEMENT
Sydney's Santa Clauses have instead been instructed to say "ha ha ha" instead, the Daily Telegraph reported.
One disgruntled Santa told the newspaper a recruitment firm warned him not to use "ho ho ho" because it could frighten children and was too close to "ho", a US slang term for prostitute.
"Gimme a break," said Julie Gale, who runs the campaign against sexualising children called Kids Free 2B Kids.
"We are talking about little kids who do not understand that "ho, ho, ho" has any other connotation and nor should they," she told the Telegraph.
"Leave Santa alone."
A local spokesman for the US-based Westaff recruitment firm said it was "misleading" to say the company had banned Santa's traditional greeting and it was being left up to the discretion of the individual Santa himself.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Interviewed regarding gaming project.
I was interviewed by Neverwinter Podcast last night using Skype. I blogged about it over at my gaming blog extensively, as it's related to my gaming projects. What's a podcast? What's Skype?
You can find the answers at Wikipedia. What's Wikipeida? The short answer is it's a wiki, but you can read about wiki's and wikipedia on Wikipedia.
My name actually shows up in a gaming related Wikipedia entry. You can read it here...at the very bottom of the page under external links.
My interview will show up on episode 39 of Neverwinter Podcast which should be out in a few weeks. I'll definitely post a link on my gaming blog.
You can find the answers at Wikipedia. What's Wikipeida? The short answer is it's a wiki, but you can read about wiki's and wikipedia on Wikipedia.
My name actually shows up in a gaming related Wikipedia entry. You can read it here...at the very bottom of the page under external links.
My interview will show up on episode 39 of Neverwinter Podcast which should be out in a few weeks. I'll definitely post a link on my gaming blog.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Sick Child
My youngest was sick earlier in the week. Stomach Flu kind of ting. My middle son was on a field trip to Curtis Orchard today, and got sick while he was there, with the same thing. He told Shannon that he didn't like that place because it made his stomach hurt. Clearly he just caught it from his little brother, but it sounded pretty funny. Curtis Orchard is a GREAT place and I'll definitely be back with the whole family at some point.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
My two littlest boys love the Charlie Brown Christmas special and watch it regularly even now in September and October. My oldest son also enjoys it but not to the point where he has to watch it once every other day. Halloween is right around corner, and so I figured I'd pickup 'It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown'.
I sat snuggled in my chair with the one of the younger boys on each knee and my oldest on the couch next to me. They laughed and smiled and we had a great time. As soon as it was over and until he fell asleep my middle son cried and cried. He said the nighttime scenes were too scary! He never wants to watch it again, that's ok with me but I feel badly that I scared him when I was trying to have a nice quite time with all three boys.
Oops!
I sat snuggled in my chair with the one of the younger boys on each knee and my oldest on the couch next to me. They laughed and smiled and we had a great time. As soon as it was over and until he fell asleep my middle son cried and cried. He said the nighttime scenes were too scary! He never wants to watch it again, that's ok with me but I feel badly that I scared him when I was trying to have a nice quite time with all three boys.
Oops!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Microsoft Visual Studio Team Meeting
This looks more like a gaming project than a visual studio programming tool, but what the heck. The ad was funny.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Digital Video Camera Bites the Dust
My digital video camera bit the dust, mostly anyway. It's had a problem for two years, while a tape is in it often becomes bent, creased or damaged while in the camcorder. When this happens it's nearly impossible to rewind, play or record with that tape. Most often the tape has to be pitched. Today I had the same problem but the tape won't eject.
I've been all over the net looking for solutions, and it sounds like this is not uncommon with mini DV camcords, the Sharp band (which I have) tends to be more susceptible as it ages. I've tried all the troubleshooting tips to no avail, and the next step is to start unscrewing parts and remove the tape, which may damage the device, or sent it in for repair, which according to others will cost nearly as much as replacement.
I let the warranty lapse a year ago for the same reason, the warranty renewal was a significant cost.
It looks like a replacement is in the cards for the future. Unfortunately I planned to use this one for a small work project, then buy one for the office. Instead I will buy one for the office tomorrow so I can do the work. I had planned to buy one for work so it's not much trouble.
The big questions is which way to go... I'm not shelling out for a hi-def camera, which means do I get a mini dv, a DVD recorder, or something with an on board hard drive. Given my experience with the tapes, I'm surprised to find that's probably the route I will go. We have a CD based camera at work, and I'm not a fan. I'm not sure about the on board hard drive, but it may be worth looking into. We'll see...
The camera was originally a gift, and one I could not have been more thrilled with. I've learned how to make DVDs, made polished home movies, fun short films for the kids, and other miscellaneous films. It's been one of the best gifts our family received and it's had a significant positive influence on me. (If you were a purchaser of this gift... THANK YOU)
I've been all over the net looking for solutions, and it sounds like this is not uncommon with mini DV camcords, the Sharp band (which I have) tends to be more susceptible as it ages. I've tried all the troubleshooting tips to no avail, and the next step is to start unscrewing parts and remove the tape, which may damage the device, or sent it in for repair, which according to others will cost nearly as much as replacement.
I let the warranty lapse a year ago for the same reason, the warranty renewal was a significant cost.
It looks like a replacement is in the cards for the future. Unfortunately I planned to use this one for a small work project, then buy one for the office. Instead I will buy one for the office tomorrow so I can do the work. I had planned to buy one for work so it's not much trouble.
The big questions is which way to go... I'm not shelling out for a hi-def camera, which means do I get a mini dv, a DVD recorder, or something with an on board hard drive. Given my experience with the tapes, I'm surprised to find that's probably the route I will go. We have a CD based camera at work, and I'm not a fan. I'm not sure about the on board hard drive, but it may be worth looking into. We'll see...
The camera was originally a gift, and one I could not have been more thrilled with. I've learned how to make DVDs, made polished home movies, fun short films for the kids, and other miscellaneous films. It's been one of the best gifts our family received and it's had a significant positive influence on me. (If you were a purchaser of this gift... THANK YOU)
Monday, September 10, 2007
Neverwinter Nights 2 Project Complete
My latest gaming project, a new Neverwinter Nights 2 module is out. You can visit http://enoa4rpg.blogspot.com to read all the latest gaming news or visit web site where the module is posted and rated here: http://nwvault.ign.com/View.php?view=NWN2ModulesEnglish.Detail&id=182
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
