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.

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!

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.

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)

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

Locatelli Cheese

Locatelli Brand Pecorino Romano

I love it. My kids say it smells funny and they call it 'foot cheese', but I think it's wonderful.

Try it!

Illinois State Budget Mess

The Illinois State Budget has been a mess this year. Months of overtime sessions. The governor making inconsistent and seemingly irrationally statements. It's been alarming and amusing to watch.

My wife showed me this great site where I have been able to get the latest and greatest on the happenings in Springfield, IL. It's a great place to stay up on what's happening in Illinois State Government. I wish there were something similar in Washington DC.

http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/

This blog is updated many times during each weekday. I check it as much as I can for unfiltered news. Great stuff.

World Clock

This is pretty cool. My mother in law sent me the link to this flash based world clock.

Birthday Cake - Grandma Strikes Again

My mom always makes elaborate birthday cakes for my kids. I posted pictures of the spiderman cake a few months ago. Well it's my eldest son's birthday shortly and we are celebrating today. Here are pictures of the amazing cakes my mom made this time.

Sysadmin Day

I work in IT and I am very proud to note that today July 27th is SysAdmin day?

What's SysAdmin day? Look here!

Star Trek XI

Leonard Nimoy to Reprise Role as Spock in 11th 'Star Trek' Movie

Friday , July 27, 2007

SAN DIEGO —

Leonard Nimoy isn't through with Spock yet.

The 76-year-old actor will don his famous pointy ears again to play the role in an upcoming "Star Trek" film due out Christmas 2008.

"This is really going to be a great movie. And I don't say things like that lightly," Nimoy told a gathering of 6,500 fans Thursday at Comic-Con, the nation's largest pop-culture convention.

• Get the low-down on Tinseltown in the Movies Center.

He greeted the crowd with a Vulcan salute.

Nimoy was joined by the newly named young Spock, "Heroes" star Zachary Quinto, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Nimoy.

Both Spocks were introduced by the film's director and co-producer, J.J. Abrams.

"This is a series I loved as a kid," Abrams said, acknowledging that he was "more of a 'Star Wars' kid than a 'Star Trek' kid."

"This matters so much to so many people," he said. "I'm honored to be here and do this."

While the character of Captain Kirk has yet to be cast, Abrams said that William Shatner, who played the role in the original TV series, would likely also have a part in the film.

"It has to be worthy, of him and of you," Abrams told fans, adding that production is slated to begin in November.

One fan asked Nimoy what he thought of his "replacement."

"It was logical," the actor said dryly. He then closed with Spock's classic line: "Live long and prosper."

Visit FOXNews.com's Movies Center for complete coverage.

How not to trim a tree

I work for the International Society of Arboriculture, and have a healthy respect for Arborists and what they do. Check out these videos, and when you need to take a tree down, even a relatively small one, hire an arborist and verify they are certified.



You can also check out this video.

Wild Storm

We had a wild storm in Champaign today. I've got a radar image of the storm system and pair of photos. Terry Hickman, a gentleman I work with was nice enough to share the photos with me.

Weekend in Saugatuck, MI

I took a long weekend in Saugatuck, MI with my wife, kids and inlaws. Everyone had a great time. My kids went up a few days ahead with my wife's folks (yes they are very brave).

The top picture is sunset on a stormy night at Oval Beach. The bottom photo is the view from our cabin.

Battlestar galactica preview

So if you are Battlestar Galactica fan you know we have a LONG wait until season 4. It doesn't air until 2008 but in the mid-fall a two part movie will air called Battlestar Galactica: Razor. This will jump back to the middle of season 2 and focus on events on the Battlestar Pegasus.

Here is a preview:

Perfect

My three boys spent the night at my in laws recently giving my wife and I a rare night alone.

We were preparing the boys for the evening away by explaining what was coming up. My middle son, who's five, had a number of questions.

My Son: "So were going to spend the night."

Me: "Right."

My Son: "We're going to spend the night with Grandpa and Grandma."

Me: "Right."

My Son: "And you and mom are not going to be there."

Me: "Right."

My Son: "Perfect!

How funny is that.

Saugatuck, MI

I took a trip with my family and in-laws to Saugatuck, MI last weekend. We go up almost every year. My wife's family has been making the annual trip since she was a little girl. My three young boys enjoy time at the beach and in the water. The town has great restaurants and many small shops. Large boats almost completely fill the docks at the edge of the water.

There is a web cam of Saugatuck that updates daily here.


I grabbed today's web cam picture because it represents the town very well.

In addition to the web cam there is great virtual tour of Saugatuck available here. Click on the shopping bag icons to bring up the 360 degree camera views. I particularly like the view of water street near the southwest part of the map.

A few more pictures

A few more...

Cool Pictures

My very cool mother-in-law emailed me these photos of unusual houses today. I couldn't resist posting some of the pictures.

Bud Swear Jar

This commercial is hilarious.