September 2006

Foggy.

I wake up this morning and notice that I can’t see outside at all. It is the foggiest I’ve seen it in years. Why, it’s foggier than it ever was on Scooby Doo when they were trying to trap the bad guy. I can’t see a thing.

I think the Universe is telling me something with this fog. You see, last night Earl and I decided to go out to dinner after working on cleaning the basement and garage and ripping out the swimming pool all day long. Going out would be a celebration that we accomplished the job that we didn’t think we’d really get done. I believe my words were, “after all this hard work, I want an evening of debauchery!” We’d go out to dinner and then maybe to one of the bars in Syracuse where I could stand and pose and feel pretty. I was even flagging, which I haven’t done in years. It adds to the mystique.

So we headed west to eat at the local Carrabba’s, which is better than Olive Garden but still has the trappings of a national chain. While en route, Earl talked to my sister to see what she was up to and invited her along for the fun. I also told Earl that I wasn’t going to drink any beer, since I’m such a lightweight and would be a mess after just two.

It turns out I opted for red wine instead.

I don’t know why I thought I could handle wine better than beer but that theory was shot completely out the window last night. The two glasses of “house red” were certainly enjoyable, but made me really foggy. Really, really foggy. As I sit here and type this entry, I’m realizing that I have little recollection of coming home. I certainly hope Earl drove. I suspect he did because while I like living life on the edge, I’m not that irresponsible. I know I had hopes of going out after dinner but apparently that didn’t come to fruition.

I’m done drinking any alcohol for quite a while.

I do remember having some great conversation with my sister and Earl during dinner. We always laugh so much when we’re together. She’s getting ready to head for Russia for a month, as her boyfriend is a Canadian pro-hockey player and is over there playing hockey again this season. I don’t remember much after dessert though.

So now it’s shortly after 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning and I’m barely back on earth. I think I’m going to take a nap.

17 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 0

Once A Decade.

It’s official. As of Wednesday, Earl and I have lived together in one household for ten years. To celebrate the event, we rented a dumpster to throw out all the junk we’ve accumulated over the years.

It’s really amazing to think that we’ve accumulated all of this stuff when we’re living in our third place together. I mean some of this stuff I’ve saved from the apartment we lived in back in ’96. But here we are, still holding on to old copies of DOS and a 286 computer with a 13-inch monitor.

You never know when technology is going to regress, I guess.

We decided to include the neighbors on our celebration by emptying OUR pool in THEIR lawn. It wasn’t intentional, but they’re the ones that live downhill from us, so now they can play “swamp thing” out in the backyard, courtesy of their neighbors. I thought it was a nice gesture. Tomorrow the pool goes in the dumpster. Next spring we’ll say “hello hot tub.”

Wanna visit?

15 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 1

Too Busy.

This week is flying by at an incredible pace. I feel like I can barely keep up with it. We’ve been off somewhere every night this week and tonight will be no exception, as we have to drive to Syracuse (the round trip is 90 miles) to pick up my car from it’s 20,000 mile tune-up. At least it’s an excuse to go out and eat.

I feel like the laundry baskets and my e-mail inbox are bulging at the seams. It’ll be good to catch up on both this weekend. We also had a present delivered for our weekend fun – a dumpster. We’re finally going to get the basement cleaned out and functional again.

What a way to relax.

You know, even though we’ve been moving non-stop this week, it feels like it’s all been in “maintenance mode” – get the car tuned up, vote in the primary elections, pick up needed items at PetSmart, that sort of thing. I think Saturday night we’re going to do something that doesn’t have the earmarks of “responsibility” attached just for the hell of it.

Watch out – the boys are getting wild!

14 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 0

Just A Couple of Things.

I have a few rants brewing in my psyche today. I’ve been debating them a little bit, trying to decide if it was healthier for me to blow off some steam or to keep it all in and just deal with it.

I’ve decided to blow off some steam.

First of all, let’s start with the fellow drivers on the road. As automotive technology increases apparently the motorist’s common sense decreases. In New York, like many other states, you must turn on your headlights when your windshield wipers are on. It’s a law that makes sense to me; usually when it’s raining it’s dark enough or visibility is reduced enough to warrant the use of headlights. But because cars are becoming smarter than the drivers, motorists are relying on cars to turn their own lights on instead of having a human exerting the effort of turn the little knob on the turn signal stalk. This results in daytime running lights being on but not the actual head and taillights. So the purpose of the law is lost. I noticed a correlation this morning, the more expensive or bigger the vehicle, the less likely that the headlights will be on.

Secondly, combining this overly marketed, ad laden world with the ultra PC vibe we’ve got going on lately is making “normal” people feel ugly. Every commercial, every brochure, every pamphlet has picture perfect people with picture perfect teeth plastered on whatever the marketing material happens to be in a perfectly diverse group setting. There’s a man. There’s a woman. There’s a white person. There’s an African American person. There’s an Asian person. Where’s the drag queen? The Bosnian? The Italian? The Native American? The Cello Player? I’m sorry, but if you’re going to market to me, market to me in a realistic manner and just put *people* on the brochure. Quite frankly, I don’t care what race or sex you are when you’re trying to sell me something I probably don’t need. Just make it look normal. I realize that it’s quite easy for me to say that from my point of view, but just don’t insult my intelligence by making things appear to be all unified when there’s people killing each other all over the world for stupid shit.

And lastly, software developers really need to stop taking the above mentioned ratio of people and plastering them in software simply because they can. In my job I use a web based software program provided by a really big, mean, nasty telephone company that rhymes with “Horizon”. Said software program is peppered with pictures of Asian women smiling everywhere. I have no idea why, but there they are on screen after screen, smiling. They’re usually in mildly seductive poses whilst wearing an operator’s headset. I have nothing against Asian women, in fact, I find them to be quite attractive but c’mon, I’m running a line test for Betty Lou’s residential phone line, I don’t need a face staring at me while I’m doing it.

Thank you for listening. I feel loads better.

13 September 2006 by Let's All Rant. 0

Rock The Vote.

Earl and I did our American duty today and voted in the local primary elections. Thankfully, we had the luxury of using the tried and true mechanical voting machines that many are familiar with and many more miss.

I am gadget freak. I love computers. I think technology can do wonders for one’s life.

Electronic voting machines are a bad thing. A very bad thing.

First of all, many if not most voting machines are made by the Diebold company. They are what we call “closed source”. Closed source software means the software is proprietary. Somewhere there’s a group of programmers putting together any given software program. Only these programmers know the inner workings of the program. They’re the only ones that know how the software works and in some instances, how the software breaks. Another example of “closed source” software is just about anything made by Microsoft (Windows, Office, etc.)

The opposite of “closed source” software is “open source” software. The often mentioned operating systems built around Linux are open source. Anyone can see the programming code that makes up that particular piece of software. The kernel, or foundation of Mac OS X, is open source. Anyone can see what makes open source software tick. There can’t be anything hidden or detrimental in the code because it’s available to anyone. In theory, a closed source based voting machine could be programmed to jimmy votes in any given direction based on some random input on a touchscreen. (For example, a programmer could code the program so that if a voter touches spots 1, 18, 73, 24 and 91 in that order within five seconds, move 10% of any non-republican votes to the republican column). That couldn’t happen with open source software because someone would see the code required for that sequence to work.

Another concern with electronic voting machines is the fear factor. There are people in the world that are afraid to use a computer. They don’t use the ATM. They don’t check themselves out at the grocery store. They don’t even have a touch-tone phone. They don’t like electronic gadgets. To force someone leery of technology to use a computer based voting machine is wrong.

And my last problem with many electronic voting machines is the lack of a paper trail. There’s no way to confirm the voting machine tallied the correct number of votes in the proper column. Should the machine fail, there’s a chance that it could take the day’s counts right with it. With a mechanical system, if the voting machine locks up it’s not going to reset the counters. It just “locks up” or freezes (remember when the old cash registers at the grocery and department stores would occasionally do that?).

So when you vote in the mid-term elections in November and are faced with an electronic voting machine, ask if there’s a paper based alternative for you to use. Express your concern with electronic voting machines. If there’s no alternative for you, then do the right thing and still vote.

Always vote. It’s your right as an American. And we’ll all hope your vote is counted properly.

12 September 2006 by Political BS. 0

Dump It.

I finally went ahead, did the deed and made a commitment to our merry little household.

I ordered a dumpster to be delivered on Thursday so that we can clean out the basement and garage. We live on the edge in these parts.

I find it amazing that we’ve lived in the house for only three years or so and that we’ve accumulated so much junk in the basement. As I’m reminded from time to time, it’s my fault. I’m a packrat and will save things for either sentimental value or perceived functionality.

I think I have every card Earl has ever given me. I have every birthday card I’ve received in the past 15 or so years. I keep smashed Christmas ornaments because they were once so pretty.

I’m whacked.

So this weekend we’re cleaning out and making way in the cellar for something a little more useful – a green screen for videotaping purposes. I’ll soon be soaring through the skies above any random city on “B” roll.

Such fun.

12 September 2006 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Five Years.


This picture was taken in 2002, when Earl and I took the opportunity to visit the makeshift memorial for the passengers of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
It has been five years since, well, 9/11/01. Though my blog was brand new at the time, I didn’t have a chance to write that day. I did write a brief entry the following day and this line sticks out:

“I believe our lives changed yesterday at 8:48 a.m. forever.”

The world has become seemingly more complicated since the attacks. I wonder if things will ever get back to “normal”.

Update @12:33 p.m. – I just read Joe.My.God.’s account of September 11. Remembering the events of five years ago today feels like you’re pulling a scab off a wound. It’s still there, it’s just been covered up a while as it tries to heal. Seeing the pictures and reading his account, as well as others on the web, still make me tear up. Recollecting the trip Earl and I made to Shanksville, Pennsylvania in 2002 to honor those on Flight 93 still brings a lump to my throat.

I haven’t watched the CNN Pipeline real-time coverage from 9/11/01. I don’t think I really want to. My memory provides me all the coverage I need and I feel while it’s very important to remember the event and to honor those that passed on, it’s also important for us to look forward in search of that brighter future.

If you squint and I squint, we both will be able to see it lying ahead on the path before us.

11 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 0

Get Up!

It was 5 a.m. Earl and I were sound asleep enjoying the cool September air. Tom was perched next to my side, sound asleep as well. I was dreaming of pleasant things.

And then the phone rang.

My supervisor was calling from work. He had a family emergency and needed me to work the early shift this morning. While it’s not the best way to kick off a work week, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

So now it’s a little after six and I’m fully dressed, somewhat awake and watching the sunrise.

Wake up me up for lunch.

11 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 0

Babbling Brook.




Posing at Hillside.

Originally uploaded by bluemarvel.

Earl and I spent the weekend at Hillside Campground in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. It was a very relaxing weekend, giving us the chance to catch up on some sleep and hang out with old friends.

Hillside is situated on the side of a very steep mountain (surprise, surprise). Back in the day, we would stay about 3/4 of the way up at a friend’s permanent site. The past year or so, we’ve stayed 1/2 way. This trip was our first experience at the bottom of the hill along the babbling brook.

I burped, frogs jumped. It was kind of cool.

The rain tried to dampen our spirits Saturday afternoon with an impressive thunderstorm, but it didn’t slow anyone down. The rumbling of thunder through the mountains just added to the excitement and by bonfire time, the sky was clear and the party was on.

A good way to spend the weekend.

10 September 2006 by Fun and Games Dept 0

Routine Change.

Sometimes I get so hung up in my daily routine that I forget how marvelous things can be when you change it up a little bit. I’m so amused by simple things.

Today I took my lunch at 11:00 a.m. I’ve never done that before. The were less cars on the road. I actually got to see our neighbors working in the lawn (he’s weedwhacking down their vegetable garden for some odd reason, but I’m not one to ask questions why) and I was greeted at the front door by a groggy looking cat that wanted to know why I was home so early.

Truth be known, I also came home early to down two Advil, since I had a tooth that was hurting me a little bit and I wanted the pain to stop. I’m hoping that’ll be it as far as the tooth is concerned, but only time will tell. I think I got too wild with the electric toothbrush last night before going to bed.

Nevertheless, I’m sitting here in the late morning eating lunch and I’m fully enjoying the experience. I’m so easily amused.

8 September 2006 by Ponderings and Musings 0

About J.P.

Just a guy with a husband. We’ve been together 28 years and he still makes me see fireworks on a daily basis. Hiker. Storm Chaser. Private Pilot. Tech Guy. Hackerish.

Weird? Eccentric!

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