The Byrd's Blahg

Good or Evil?

2011-10-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

Traveling through Ireland you see a plethora of beautiful old churches, both Catholic and Church of Ireland. The stonework is intricate; the rooms, cavernous; the rafters soaring, the windows, radiant. Looking at these fantastic building which usually dwarf all surrounding structures and dominate landscapes, I think about when these were built. God fearing monks/priests/holy men would organize the people to build a church. The church became a community with the builders, workers, supporting roles, families all focused on erecting a building where they could worship God.You would think - this is a good thing, and yet that devotion to a right meaning cause in a way often blinds the descendants of those right seeking people who can't or won't see opportunities to learn greater truths.

Ireland - again

2011-10-12T18:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we're home from Ireland. It was wonderful. I'll include the daily reports I posted on Facebook. Selected pics will come later.

Day one - Newgrange, lunch at Poppie's in Enniskerry, Powerscourt gardens, Four Season's Dublin, me learning how to drive in Ireland, and sausage, chips and good music (including my wife singing Kerry Recruit with the band) at Gogarty's.

Day two - Crepes at Lemon, driving across Ireland, Athenry castle and village, Glenlo Abbey, bangers and mash, and a wonderful jam session at The Crane (thanks Craig Maddux!)

Day three - Ashford Caslte, taking a harris hawk named Geimhreadh for a hunt around the grounds, finding a hidden garden, exploring the old abbey in Cong, realizing Cong was where The Quiet Man was filmed, getting lost driving in circles in downtown Galway, and loading up on a ton of Butler's chocolate. Still to come, dinner (somewhere), music, and hopefully uploading some pics.

Day four - Most of the day was spent driving from Galway to Killarney, but that involved a lot of fun. Smoked salmon, onion, mushroom omelet, stopping in at two old churches, bacon, brie, cranberry sandwich, riding a ferry across the Shannon river, stopping for a herd of sheep to cross the road, lots of little towns with colorful buildings and one lane roads, watching Ireland play Andorra in soccer in a pub, and of course the verrrrry windy Cliffs of Moher.

Day five - Another driving day. Drove through Killarney National Park (amazing views) on our way to Durrus. Found the St. James church where probably a quarter of the headstones are Dukelows (yes we took pictures). Most of them are recent, but spoke to the rector and he referred us to Mary Dukelow (married to Richard) who run a dairy a couple of miles up the road. We visited with Mary who is in her eighties and she brought out a folder of info on the Dukelows (and yes we got a couple of pics pertinent to our line). Also, Big Peter is most likely buried in the same plot marked for James Peter - but there are no records *sigh*. The evening was spent picking up a couple of souvenirs, eating fish and chips and listening to some phenomenal trad music (one banjo player about Eric Byrd's age) at Buckley's. Noticed when all the instruments are high, the guitar becomes the bass / rhythm line.

Day six - Well, we head home tomorrow. Drove from Killarney to Enniskerry. Finished the trip at the POSH Ritz Carlton Powerscourt hotel. Visited the Limerick Branch for church. Returned to Gogarty's one more time and saw the singer who we saw a year and a half ago and one of the founders of the Gogarty's music venue. Enjoyed smoked fish and chips - and a carmel almond crepe - and saw a fox on the drive home - walked right in front of the car.

Evil Designs

2011-10-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

Read an article in Discover magazine recently. Turns out that moral decisions are hardwired into the brain. That is it takes conscious effort to overcome, or not do the "right" thing in a situation.

I would propose that hard-wiring is the Light of Christ / conscience / the tendency to do right.

Yet the article went on to say that advancement in society / civilization is due to logically overriding some of that moral programming in our brain. Completely following that hard-wiring would stagnate society, would prevent advancement.

The greater point that seemed to base the article - if conscience / morality is hard-wired, then there is no higher power. If there is no God, there is no right or wrong, just decisions, either following what instinct tells us to do, or following what logic tells us to do.

I reject that. If morality is hard-wired into our brains - then I say science has found the conscience / the Light of Christ given to all men that the world would have us reject. God's gift to us to try and get us to step off on the right foot.

The world would deny and destroy God to eliminate our responsibility for our actions. Instead we should glorify the evidence of God found all around - and inside - us!

Busy

2011-08-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

There's a simple quiet solidity in being busy. Not overworked or frantic, just busy enough. Things get done, you feel a sense of accomplishment, and look forward to the next activity.

Thoughts for next Sunday

2011-06-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

So just a thought on content for Sunday School lesson next Sunday. In the parable of the talents it's almost a shame that the Roman wages for a day's work are called a talent. It's been taken to mean so many times that we need to magnify our talents. A true thought, but it's way too limiting for me. In the parable of the talents the men are given talents, money, substance, a thing - and left to do what they will with it. What has God given you? Talents? Sure, but also time, health, family, friends, employment, opportunities, any number of things which we are expected to make the most of.

Works both ways

2011-05-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

A while back the boys had some debate topics in their AP Lang class. One of the topics was the Patriot Act. I gave them an argument that could be used for either side.

Because we have no idea where the next attack will come from, we have to do everything in our power to gather all information to protect ourselves.

Because we have no idea where the next attack will come from, nothing we can do will make a difference. Sure we might get a break because of additional surveillance, but who's to say that information couldn't be gathered through conventional channels.

It seems the world has become a muddy place where many issues can be argued based on subjective criteria.

The only black and white anymore is when you look inside and compare your actions against your values. If it's not black and white, then what goes on outside doesn't matter in the long run, because you really don't care.

Meaning

2011-04-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

I can provide words, but God has to provide meaning.

Faces

2011-04-03T19:50:00.000-07:00

I used to see faces.

Given any random pattern of spots on a wall, or swirls in a wood grain, or really any common thing, my eye would pick out faces. Smiling, mischievous, angry, bored - they were all there somewhere.

I remember once when I was about 5 I couldn't sleep, because I could see a scary looking face in a basket of toys. I didn't sleep until my dad came and rearranged them for me.

I've noticed I no longer see the faces, and I wonder when I stopped seeing them. I don't know if I'm just too steeped in seeing things for what they are, or if I just have a hard time seeing.

I think I'll look for faces.

The Faith of a child

2011-03-01T09:48:00.001-08:00

There's nothing more inspiring than absolute faith. Ian prayed "bless my runny nose, that it will stop running."

Miracles

2011-02-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

Miracles are not necessarily events beyond understanding. They are just events beyond YOUR understanding.

Sigh ...

2011-02-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

I'm broken
I can't see beyond myself
Cowering under crushing gloom
Terrified of the portents of an imminent storm
I can see where and what I should be
Glimpses of a better me
I look farther
Perceiving the golden opalescence
The larger sky beyond the tempest
Life is the whole
Eternity is the goal
Dark clouds add dramatic counterpoint

Wandering

2010-12-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

The greater the imagination, the richer the mental landscape, the harder it is to get out of your head and live in the real world.

Morning Funnies

2010-11-22T08:50:00.000-08:00

Son's friend on the way to school - "I think Harry Potter would have been a better movie if I'd gone to the bathroom before the movie.

Son's other friend (wearing ski cap and shorts - "What!? It's slushing! It's not supposed to slush. Where's the snow?"

Heard on the radio concerning an imminent winter storm -
Anchor 1, "I hope this isn't a haberdashery of the year to come."
Anchor 2, "What? We're all going to be wearing hats?"

Type A ...

2010-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

I am not.

Thought, gee, with this NaNoWriMo thing, I could use it as an exercise to make better use of my time. I know the principles of time management and goal setting - I've even taught classes on it - but I am a hardcore Type B person. More so than I realized.

I've been trying to set a schedule for myself - and I can't even get around to making the schedule. I just do. No plan. No goals. If something needs to be done - I do it. Otherwise there is no urgency.

I know it's possible to force a Type B into Type A mode - at least I think it's possible - maybe, but from where I sit I've been entrenched in my mode of operation waaaay too long. Time for a reboot.

Back Story

2010-11-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

OK, trying the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - so I might have a few more thoughts than normal. (Insert empty head joke here) I am rapidly growing a healthy, nay admirable, respect for the author that can reveal a complex back story without resorting to a load of exposition. How do you reveal the details without killing the pace of the story?

"He hit him."

"The grey-green sun shined off the sweat specked scales of his opponent as the boot-camp entrenched typical gut punch landed."

I've got to find a happy medium in there.

HOV Lane

2010-10-12T05:49:00.001-07:00

Think about it. The only reason HOV lanes work, is because the vast majority of vehicles on the road only have one person in them. Create an inexpensive stylish green small-footprint/profile one-person vehicle and you've created lots of room on the road.

Sight Seeing

2010-10-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

I dreamt I was working in a city. I was in a subway station. I had an appointment and I knew exactly how to get there, which trains to take and where to transfer. I walked up to the ticket counter and asked for a series of tickets which took me to several stops where there were sights I wanted to see, all at the cost of delaying my arrival for my appointment.

Why is it so many time in life we choose to delay our progress. We don't stray off the straight and narrow, we choose to turn aside and walk away.

Kite Flying

2010-08-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

A dream tethered by reality
A patch of color swimming in an azure sea
A goal at it's limits always straining to go farther
A piece of quiet exciting a grounded spectator

Ahhhh...choo

2010-08-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Summer's ending. A late summer cold has tried to tell me to slow down. Unfortunately I haven't listened. I've kept up my normal pace, wearing down toward evening each day, and not feeling much better. Full day and travel tomorrow. When I get back I'll either be better, or so sick I have to take a couple of days off.

Which should I hope for?

Reset

2010-07-07T14:17:00.001-07:00

Cleaning off / up / out and starting over can be so refreshing. The past is done and gone. Life needs more reset buttons.

Praise

2010-06-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

I dreamed of a coach trying to teach kids to pitch a baseball. He would walk behind them as they threw clapping and encouraging them each time they made a mistake, but once they got the hang of it the clapping stopped. One child puzzled over why the coach stopped praising their efforts, once they got it right. The realization was this -

Praise is only necessary until one becomes competent. Once competent, successful achievements provide the sense of accomplishment.

Online

2010-05-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

Why? I've come to the point, where I think to myself why do I need to be online. I have to be online for work, but otherwise I think real life holds more appeal for me. I don't want to spend my time gaming - although I would love to. I would be one to plug-in and ignore the outside world given the choice, but should virtual accomplishments and adventures come anywhere close to to the feelings and experiences of the real world?

Well...

2010-04-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

so much for the increased activity on here. Sorry, Facebook lured me back, and so far haven't been hacked yet. Work is terribly busy (I know it's a good thing) and I need to learn to adjust and not react to stress and demands. Travelling a lot, but not taking pictures. Ready to rest.

The Emerald Isle

2010-02-24T14:23:00.000-08:00

It was wonderful!!!!

We lost half a day due to Delta not being able to push their plane out from the gate in Boston, causing us to miss our connection in Amsterdam, but it was a small trouble in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable adventure.

We landed in Dublin, caught our bus to Merrion Square, and walked around the corner to our hotel. Then we walked through Merrion Square, St. Stephen's Green, up Grafton Street and down Nassau Street. We ended up in Foley's for dinner, where we were introduced to Club Lemon (a soft drink) which was delicious, because they were out of Club Orange (our other favorite Irish drink). We were also introduced to the HUGE portions that seemed to be standard for every meal. Fish and chips that first night. Delicious!

The next day we went to catch our bus to Powerscourt and Glendalough, but the tour was cancelled (we were the only two that signed up), and ended up just going to Powerscourt instead. It's an old great house (read estate) with 50+ acres of manicured grounds. Beautiful grounds with several varieties of gardens. My favorite was the Japanese gardens and a little rock labyrinth area off to one side. My other favorite thing, was the little alcove they had for storing a rowboat. It was a "had to be there" thing, but really cool! We then returned, saw the book of Kells (fascinating, if a little overpriced, but you have to see it), and had an early dinner of crepes at Lemon, a cool little creperie that I wish would suddenly appear in Hillsboro. After dinner it was time for some pub hopping. We started with the Dawson Lounge, the smallest pub in Dublin. It's a little room in a basement off Dawson street, and holds maybe twenty people if everyone's standing. Then we went looking for music and ended up in the Temple Bar area and at long last found --- Oliver St. John Gogarty's --- Yes, we loved the music there. They have a regular line up of musicians that cycle through on some arbitrary schedule, so you never know who will be in playing, but the music was loud, good, and by the end of the trip we could even sing along with a few of the songs.

Next day was the hop on/hop off bus tour. Our two main stops were Dublin Castle (including the Charles Beatty library - houses an exceptional exhibit around religious art) and Kilmainham Gaol (a must if you want to understand the fiery passion for politics and freedom of Dubliners). We ended up the evening listening to some live music in The Blarney Inn, a pub closer to the hotel, but the highlight of the night was the snow! Yes, we saw it snow in Dublin, which according to the locals is rare indeed.

The next day was Sunday and we spent the better part of the day just going out to attend church with the Finglas Ward. A grand time was had by all, and yes the church is the same everywhere you go. On the way back to the hotel we dropped in to the National Museum of Archeology (I wanted to see the bog men) and were amazed at the quality and age of some of the pieces on display.

Overall a wonderful trip, experience, adventure ... just a good time all around.

New and improved ...

2010-02-08T13:26:00.000-08:00

OK, this little piece of my life is about to get a lot more activity. I deactivated my Facebook accounts, and all that creativity will now show up here. Theoretically leading to more and better posts. We'll see.

Drive

2009-12-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

I feel an upwelling of hope, inspiration, vision - the drive to make things as they should be. I want to clean my office, put everything away, beautify the yard, be a loving husband and father, be a friendly neighbor. Then, I HAVE to do something for work, or an assignment, I get distracted, and the buoyant feeling of progress dissipates into the apathy of life goes on. In the best cases I drop everything, forget everything that needs to be done, and go spend time with my family.

I had a Dream ... Again

2009-11-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

Had a dream where I was trying to get change from a change machine. I put in a bill and various coins appeared, but it was never the right amount. People around me were taking and adding coins, and the total was never right. I kept trying to grab the coins, checking the total, trying to tell everyone to stop so I could get the right amount.

As I awoke, the clear single thought occurred to me - "I need change!"

Seasons

2009-10-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't decided on an adjective for this Autumn's season yet. On a down day I'd say dreary without a second thought. On a crisp day, when the low sun is shining and the Fall colors are glowing, I'd use beautiful, or majestic or even radiant. But on a rainy day like today, even with wind blowing and the general dishevelment of drippy blowing scenery, I'd say that Autumn is elegant in it's muted display of bold colors or even graceful as it descends slowly into winter's slumber.

Sounds

2009-10-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

Do you have a favorite sense?

My sense of smell is my strongest sense, but because of that causes as much discomfort as enjoyment.
I take my sense of taste for granted, but do enjoy strong flavors. I think, maybe my taste for spices and spicy foods has diminished my ability to savor subtle flavors.
Sense of touch? Too much pain there currently (headaches and such) so ask me later.
I have to say sight would be the one I derive the most enjoyment from. I love looking, watching, experiencing the beauty that's in the world. A beautiful sunset is always awe inspiring, never grows old.
Oh wait, I forgot about that little thing called hearing. I've got a bad ear, so my hearing causes me as much trouble as enjoyment (half heard conversations, missed words) but I do enjoy complex music and strong rhythms.
So even though I still have to say sight rules as favorite, I wanted to add a couple of quick thoughts on sounds of seasons, natural sounds, not people or man made.

Spring: water, light rain, melting snow, splashing puddles, birdsong
Summer: storms, insects, the itchy, irritated, dusty, crisp sound of a very hot summer day
Fall: the drip of the first winter rains, wind through half dead leaves, the crunch of fallen leaves, the whispery scratch of dead leaves blown across a landscape going dormant
Winter: silence

Been a while ...

2009-10-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

So I thought I'd just put up some thoughts.

Updated my reading list, and realized, I've got some good ones coming up, and some good ones I've missed. Have been reading whatever looked good off the quickie-mart shelves in the airport, and it's mostly been worthless. A couple I didn't even finish. Future reads will be higher quality.

I really enjoy fall! Bright days. Cool air. Warm clothes.

Worth While

2009-08-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

It seems like anything really worth while takes effort, whether it be a work of art, a project, raising a child - it's a lot of work. Does that mean, that if it doesn't take effort that the end result isn't worth while or a work of art? Or does it mean that every thing we consider of any worth in life took effort on someone's part?

The Emerald Isle

2009-08-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I'll get to go to the land of my dreams with the girl of my dreams! I expect to be cold, wet, weary and have an absolutely wonderful time.

There are many places I would go by myself that I enjoy and would thoroughly relax and recharge me (read high-desert canyons), but I've always wanted to visit Ireland, and that's one trip I would never make without my sweetie by my side.

They're everywhere!

2009-07-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

So how about some sort of nano-router that can forward an internet connection, even if it's only a fraction of a milimeter? If you have enough of them embedded in paint, floating in the air, hitching a ride with the dust that permeates our lives, couldn't you create an everywhere accessible internet?

Politics

2009-07-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

It seems there is a growing number of people who only exist comfortably in a virtual world, and many of those who deal best with reality are virtually lost.

How long before we have real governments and virtual nations with no physical boundaries, only ideological groupings?

How long before someone sets up a floating squatters island where those who can afford it live only in a virtual world with all their other needs taken care of?

Can you give up you're real world nationality/identity in favor of an online persona?

Family

2009-07-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Just got through with a wonderful family reunion. For pics and such, sorry, you're going to have to find me on Facebook. My boys are of the official opinion that my brothers are great to hang around and listen to, but they're glad I'm their dad. Made me feel like I'm at least doing one thing right. Hopefully get to see my folks in a week or two (they're planning a visit, but the exact dates are up in the air).

Blinded

2009-06-11T09:53:00.003-07:00

Ok, the stress of many trips in little time must be getting to me as, yep, it's another rant.

I am so tired of old women in low cut blouses. Sure you're proud of them and want to show them off - BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM. I know summer is coming on, but I'm sorry, I don't want to see any more flabby, wrinkly, jiggly, pasty, freckled or sun damaged skin!

Prius

2009-06-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, if you're going to redesign a system - like the ignition system on the Prius - you should have some instructions - or not hand one over to a novice without instructions. Last trip (LA) I was given a Prius as a rental. No instructions. I could see the key didn't turn. I hit the power button and stuff would light up then turn off when I hit it again. Somehow the first two times I magically got the car to start, but it wasn't until 5 minutes into my frustrating trial and error process that I figured out you have to have your foot on the brake when you push the start button to actually have it start the engine.

Oh, and the engine switching between electric and internal combustion (making me think the engine had died) was unnerving for a newbie.

I had a dream ...

2009-06-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

There were powerful dragons who were in opposition to man, but for every powerful dragon there was a man of power to oppose it. I dreamed I was almost destroyed by the second most powerful dragon, and only just saved by the most powerful man coming to my defense. I came to find out, I was the supposed to be the second most powerful man, and should have been able to do all sorts of amazing things, but I just didn't care enough to learn. The dream ended as I began to feel a small inkling of what I could do, and an anguish of not knowing if it was too late to begin caring.

Hmmm ...

2009-05-15T07:56:00.001-07:00

Are faith in God and acceptance of coincidence mutually exclusive?

Musing

2009-05-05T07:15:00.001-07:00

The application of force often produces unanticipated results.

Balance

2009-04-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

Seems like there are all sorts of balances we have to maintain, but how thin is the line between preparing for the future and borrowing trouble. We all know hard times will come, but in the exhuberance of mitigating disasters we foresee, are we creating other problems we might otherwise never face?

Completely Random

2009-04-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

You would think that if aliens were that intelligent that they'd figure out how to disguise a flying saucer as a 747. No one thinks anything anymore of looking up in the sky and seeing a bunch of flashing lights flying by.

Musing

2009-03-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

If someone was born in a state of constant pain, would the cessation of pain be painful because it wasn't what they were used to? Or is pain, by definition, unpleasant and the cessation would be pleasurable?

Musing

2009-03-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

Quantum theory would have us consider an infinite number of parallel universes where the results of every decision made or not made are a possibility. So in this universe you had eggs for breakfast, there is another universe where you had oatmeal for breakfast.

Consider instead that the people around you are your quantum alternates - that somewhere on earth is a person who is a result of all the decisions you would have made but didn't?

I'm not serious about this. I know differently. But, hey, I bet someone could make a great story around the idea.

Coraline

2009-03-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

Well, back in my old Seattle stomping grounds. Made me want to revisit an old tradition of mine of taking in a movie with my dinner. Went and saw Coraline and it pleasantly met my expectations. Saw the 3D version which was fun. Artistically stunning, but creeeeepy! Loved it!!

It's neat that someone could make a genuinely creepy film without gore. And what's more they neatly capture the bleak gloom of deep winter in Oregon.

It's nice to have bright spots.

Musing

2009-03-05T16:44:00.000-08:00

We have to let others try and fail, because if they don't try they'll never succeed.

Musing

2009-03-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

I sit and let my mind drift and have glimpses of the what could be.

Bright side of travel!

2009-02-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

OK, one more thing.

At some point I'm going to get a camera phone again, just so I can throw some pics up here.

Saw a beautiful sunrise this morning. High clouds underlit by the rising sun, glowing gold. Gorgeous.

Arghhh - travel!

2009-02-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

So just when I think I'm getting used to the tedium of travel, along comes another trip that just tries me. Company policy sends me through Dallas instead of the more direct Denver since there are no direct flights from PDX to Oklahoma City. I have nothing against Dallas, but I can't remember the last time I had a flight leave on time from that airport.

So flight out was fine except for the leg out of DFW being delayed for a half hour. Flight back to DFW was fine. Flight home was overbooked. Aren't there laws against selling me a seat if there isn't one? Even though I paid for a seat, after everyone else is on they get me a seat (guess they had to make sure there was a seat to give). The get us on the plane, then we have to wait while they finish maintenance on something in the cockpit. Then they run out of snacks, granted everyone was extra hungry waiting that extra half hour, but me being in one of the last rows was a little miffed. I did get something, then got airsick. Leave it at that. Now I'm riding home on the train, because vandals busted my rear windshield on the car after my last trip. Yippee!

So for those who I haven't had a chance to tell yet - I've got a new job. Sort of. For the last several years I've been an Americas level subject matter expert. Well, now I'm back to my old job, sales engineer, but for everything west of Texas, and a completely new product set. Hopefully, will mean less travel, or at least shorter trips. I'm not complaining, I'm grateful I have a job, and I have a lot of new things to learn.

Ok, enough for now.

Creative Outlets

2009-01-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

It's funny. Haven't had a post in a while - just nothing seemed post worthy. That being said, in the meantime, have started into Facebook, am participating in a roleplaying forum with my sons and most recently have started modeling a chess set with one of my sons.

With all of these things, requiring a mote of creative thought each, you would think I would be tapped out. But actually, it seems (and makes sense as I put it into writing) that creativity inspires more creativity.

Introducing - The Addition

2008-12-15T13:43:00.001-08:00

OK, first off this is not meant to be an example of my photographic prowess. These are some snapshots of the new addition. For those of you that have been to the house this section is off our eating area - the little hall that leads to the garage. First the hall -

Next up is the downstairs bathroom - now with a shower!

On to the new laundry room - formerly my office. These were taken before everything was in place, but you get the idea.

Now my Sweetie's new office, so she can be creative and write lots of books to entertain small children. Sorry, door wasn't up yet. It is now ;-)

And finally, my new little hidey-hole (with a view of the back yard still trashed from construction). Loving it!

Done - Almost

2008-12-12T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well the addition is almost done. Need to do some touch up in the hall and finish caulking the bathroom, but it's livable. In fact so livable I now work from my new office with my nice big windows to look out. Only problem is in order to get the house ready for Christmas, all the stuff out of this wing has now taken residence in my new room. Pics are taken - soon to be posted.

Stay Tuned ...

2008-11-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Best news story I heard in a long time was how the Senate told the big automakers to go home and come back when they were serious when they showed up in DC asking for financial help - flying in on their individual private jets. Not that it's going to stop the bailout - but at least someone has their eyes open.

Stay tuned for pictures of "The Addition". Hopefully, under a week and I'll be in my new home office. We started adding a new office for me, an office for my Honey to do her writing in, and a downstairs shower - all just before the market crashed. Yes, great timing on our part. Anyway, we're almost done, then I'll get some pics up.

Rant II

2008-11-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

First the banking industry, then Obama wants to bail out the US automakers. Make a better product at an affordable price and be profitable - and you wouldn't need a bail out! If you can't be profitable, you shouldn't be in business.

Enough of that. I know there are jobs on the line, but hopefully I won't have anymore rant topics soon.

How Small Could/Should It Be?

2008-10-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Since it seems I'm an idea person more than an implementation person - let me throw this out for the world to use (but I wouldn't turn down a consulting fee). How small should a cell phone be? Imagine if you will a cell phone with no keypad and no display screen. The limiting factors would then be the battery, antenna and speaker/mic. So picture something the size of a bluetooth headset with one button - that's it!

Now how would you interact with it? I imagine a bluetooth connection to a computer would allow easy access for setting up a contact list or appointment calendar, but the main interface would be through voice recognition. Many advanced phones already have speaker independent voice recognition, so you could say "Call Home" or "Dial 5 5 5 4 5 6 7" but why not extend the functionality? How about accessing a stored calendar by saying "List Appointments" or "Set Alarm for today 3PM"?

OK, next step beyond, have music stored on the device - but wait, that means we're probably talking about increased size again. What if there were audio only online content? When you're not on a call you could say "Stock Ticker" and have your favorite stock quotes. Say "Headlines" and have current events playing in your ear. Or how about this, online radio stations or music collections? Can you see a bunch of people saying "Next Next Next Play"

The growing number of people plugging in during commutes is ever evident by the headphones. In Boston they have cell repeaters in the subway tunnels so you can actually keep a signal underground although the noise level may cause problems with a voice recognition system. Anyway, just a chance to get an idea out there in black and white.

Rant

2008-10-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

Generally I'm not a political beast, but since when has the government been appointed to save us from our own stupidity? America is the bastion of capitalism, which means if you make a good product (or make people think you make a good product) you're successful. If not, you don't make it, you close shop, and go do something else. So Wall Street is failing due to deceit and greed. They didn't make it, they should close up shop and go do something else. But the government steps in burdens us with debt so the people on Wall Street can keep their jobs. That's it. The market is still in free fall. The bail out means nothing except that failures keep their jobs at our expense.

Yes, harsh, but that's how I see this whole fiasco. I know the innocent worker bees who still have jobs would argue with me, but couldn't they be worker bees for another company?

A Good Salsa Recipe

2008-08-29T12:57:00.000-07:00

At least I think it's good. Have made three batches at last count. Enough kick to make it interesting without making it inedible.

14 1/2 oz Petite Cut Diced Tomato
8 oz Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 Onion, chopped
1/2 Jalepeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
1/2 T Crushed Red Pepper (chile de arbol)
1/4 t Salt
2 dashes Black Pepper
1 clove Garlic, chopped

Combine them all in a bowl or sauce pan. I like to start with the tomatoes and sauce on low heat to combine the flavors. Best if left to sit overnight. I think you could probably mix all the ingredients cold and have it turn out as well. And yes, if you double the batch the measurments are a lot easier.

My neighbor has me pegged. I'm an experimenter. I like to dabble in things and find what my personal favorite mix, method, ingredients are. So far soap and salsa - who knows where it could go.

Hey, It's a post ...

2008-07-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back to the wild world of Linux at work. Yes, things are much easier to do in Windows sometimes, but I'm one of few people on my team who have Linux skills, so I feel obligated to keep them up. Plus, makes me feel good to make things work.

Funny thing happened. Laura was going to New York for a writer's workshop. I dropped her off at the airport, 5 minutes later the transmission on the van went out. Now I dropped her off at around 10PM. Took me an hour to get the van to a lot where I could leave it. Then rode light rail home, got there around 1AM. Sunday Michael got sick, the rest of us fit in the Saturn to go to church. Ian started not feeling well during church, so I took him home. Came back out and the Saturn wouldn't start. After a week and a half, had three kids get sick, towed two cars to shops, got them fixed, and I got lots of sympathy from everyone about how everything happens to me while Laura is out of town. I handled things fine, not that she couldn't have handled them better (and probably would have) but things happen to her many many times when I leave town.

Laura's writer's workshop was a great success. She had a wonderful time, learned a lot, but most importantly got to network with important people in her field (children's writing). She brought us home some nice artwork (which I need to post a pic of) and she had places to submit two of her stories - one with a friend in England who was going to have her publisher look at a story for Laura - and the other with the head of a publishing house. That's it for now. No deep thoughts. No pic or video, but hey, it's a post.

Enjoy the trip

2008-07-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Well, we just got back from Utah. Drive out and drive back took approximately the same amount of time, but they were completely different experiences. We took the same breaks and traveled the same time of day. On the way out I felt fine. On the way back I was sick. The drive out was mostly a pleasant drive, and made me think "Sure, I can do this every other year or so." The trip back made me want to sell my vehicles and stayyyyy home! So moral again, perception determines reality.

But hey, it was one of our best vacations. Got to see many friends and family. Had some good times and lost 10 pounds! Yeah!

Free the World

2008-06-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

This is off the wall, weird science stuff. Not real according to current scientific thinking, but what if ...

Ok, so theoretically the frequency of disassociation for water is 42.8 kHz (http://www.keelynet.com/energy/docx.htm).
So to set up a standing wave we would need to apply ultrasound at 42.8 kHz to a column of water matching a multiple of the wavelength.
To determine the wavelength we need the speed and frequency.
The speed of sound in pure water is 1485.72546 m/s at 70 F or 21.1111111 C
Wavelength = Speed/Frequency for second harmonic
1485.72546 / 42800 = 0.034713211682242990654205607476636 m or 1.3666618773 inches

So set up a tube (now I know tube diameter has to come in to play somehow here) with 1.36666 inches of pure water in it, hit it with ultrasound at 42.8 kHz and it should go poof into vapor or o2 and h2. Instant pressurization for compressed air machinery or vehicles.

Wouldn't it be cool!

And the Soap Maker strikes again ...

2008-06-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Yep, had to get one more batch tried before we headed out.

Canola Oil 2 oz.
Castor Oil 1 oz.
Cocoa Butter 1 oz.
Olive Oil 8 oz.
Palm Oil 6 oz.
Water 5 oz.
Lye 2.33 oz.

This one went quick set to trace again. So I need to make sure my last minute additions (color, scent) are ready before I start mixing. May have to draft a helper to keep track of the add-ins while I'm mixing. The red palm oil makes for an interesting color. I think this will be the last batch for a while. Sorry, sleepy, just wanted to document the experiment. So far I think the coconut oil/olive oil are my favorites.

The Soap Maker's Journal

2008-06-14T15:13:00.000-07:00

I did not intend for this to be a lab book for my soap making endeavors. Actually I only figured on making one batch of soap, but I found I enjoy it. Ok, this one is an experiment, tried using no scent, and tried using a red tea to color it. Unfortunately the lye turned it deep green then gold. Chemistry is funny that way. So I'll see what the end result looks like.

8 ounces canola oil
6.5 ounces corn oil
1 ounce castor oil (love those bubbles)
2 ounces lye
6 ounces tea

Notice there are no hard oils in there (lard, coconut, Crisco, palm). I was not sure how it would set up (in fact still not sure) but it went to trace without too much trouble. Hopefully it will set. Doesn't smell great, but not putrid either. So they can't all be raging successes.

Congratulations!

2008-06-11T22:21:00.001-07:00

...to Michael and Christopher for graduating from 8th grade! They seem to breeze through things getting A's where I didn't. I remember working hard, but they just seem to do it. Can't blame it on the curriculum being any easier (when I help with homework, it's the same stuff I did). So here's to the superiority of the coming generation!

The Traveller

2008-06-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

It's unfortunate, but I think universal, in that perception is tainted by our mood, attitude, sense of well being - basically who we are. I'm in St. Louis and granted down by the tracks where I'm staying isn't the most impressive part of the city, but I can see how it could be considered nice. Walking around last night though, I just thought it was old, used up, something that used to be that hasn't gotten around to being anything new yet. Some places have a sense of old, stateliness that impresses or awes a visitor. Sorry, just couldn't see it here.

But it could have just been me. I distinctly remember the first time going through the Chicago airport being wowed by the light and sound show in the underground walkway (very cool if you haven't been there). The next time I didn't see the walkway, but loved gazing at the Brachiosaurus skeleton. The next time the Chicago airport was dirty, crowded, noisy, ugly. It was all the same place, but the perceptions were wildly disparate.

So I got to thinking, maybe I can gauge my attitude and well being, by how I perceive the world around me. Am I happier when I notice the beauty and interesting details in the places I visit? Or do I notice the good things because I am happy?

And one more ...

2008-06-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Just finished a unit on Time Management. It boils down to deciding how much and what YOU want to do. Prioritizing tasks is useless unless done with YOUR personal values in mind. So effective time management is really a value statement for who you are.

Building Me

2008-06-02T12:28:00.000-07:00

Since I'm in a bloggy mood, figured I'd better take advantage of it. A few weeks ago, I heard the word edify and the wheels started turning. Edify, edification and edifice all have the same root. Now I'm all about word connotation - shack is a small run down thing; edifice is a majestic building meant to inspire and impress. So I see the need in my life of constant edification, that is, building me into someone inspirational (the majestic and impressive I can pass on, but if they happen I won't complain). Some edification may be the little details, but some of it is also the scaffold raising major enhancements, and somehow I think the scaffolds have been empty for a while - otherwise this wouldn't have impacted me quite so much.

The Great Soap Making Event - Revisited

2008-06-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here's try number two (Saturday May 31,2008). Yes, I love the experimentation aspect of this. I noticed a distinct pungency in my first batch of soap when used for shaving (works fine in the shower). I have to attribute that to the lard. Not positive, but it smells sort of lardy. I liked the earthiness of the coconut oil, wanted a bit more slip and, of course more bubbles. So here's the recipe for this batch (instructions are the same, so I'm not reprinting.

Ingredients:

28 oz. coconut oil
10 oz. olive oil
4 oz. castor oil
14 oz. water
2 tablespoons (more or less) of bentonite clay
6.5 oz. lye
mixture of essential oils for scent

Now between increasing the percentage of coconut oil and using a stick blender, this batch went to trace in about a minute and was actually getting too stiff (pudding consistency) when I poured it into the mold. I was able to take it out of the mold the next day and it looked good (even with a few small trapped bubbles). So six weeks and I'll get to try it out. Only two small lye burns this time around, 1 hour start to finish and MUCH less mess.

How are Airplanes like Databases?

2008-04-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

Ok, when I was a DBA, we had a rule about doing maintenance during working hours, that is any time customers could be using the database. That's why I worked many nights and we did round the clock maintenance when it had to be done. So, I'm flying back from Orlando via Chicago. The UNITED flight to Portland originally scheduled for 8:12 departure was already bumped to 8:51 when I got to Chicago. That's ok, not too bad. So we get on the plane and after they get everyone seated they tell us they need to upgrade the software on the plane. It didn't work. They tried it three times, then went and got another disk and it finally worked. The plane had just flown in from somewhere, so my only thought is they needed to get the maintenance done before the worker needed to be paid overtime. DON'T DO SOFTWARE UPGRADES DURING CUSTOMER USE! So two and a half hours later, we took off. Got home just after 2AM.

Oh, if you'd like to see a little of what I do (not a shining example, but a sample just the same) go to db2dean.com.

On the road again ...

2008-04-06T17:45:00.001-07:00

Yep, big surprise there. On my way to Orlando. Just thought I'd put a note in. I always worry about everyone while I'm away. That and I worry, because I'm teaching a class on Tuesday. Ok, so I'm tending to overworry right now. Somehow I think that's better for me than not worrying enough.

More Vids

2008-03-03T09:53:00.000-08:00

Ok, now everything except the Wedding Scene (and my worst performance as bottle dancer) have been uploaded. I may redo some of the clips as the timing looks off, but for now, enjoy.

Another Try ...

2008-02-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, in the words of my sweet wife "rapidshare ain't that rapid" so I bit the bullet and put it on YouTube. Yep, embarrassment for all the world to see. Soooo, here you go.

Video ... BIG Video

2008-02-07T06:51:00.000-08:00

Ok, In Dallas this week, with a very little time to do other things, but here's my first attempt at getting a fiddler movie file posted for you all to chuckle at. This is the dream scene. My lovely wife is the main ghost Fruma Sara. I'm that guy that get's zoomed in on. Enjoy - should be good for at least a little chuckle.

http://rapidshare.com/files/89806507/fiddlerdream.mpg.html

Lego Maniac

2008-01-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

In all the excitement of actually posting something to my blog - forgot to mention the weekend excitement. A year or so ago Michael was invited to participate in a neighborhood Lego robotics team. Well, they were in the top 5 so got to go on to the state competition which was held last Saturday. Michael's team ended up taking first place in the robotic design division. Michael was chief programmer and robot controller, so was a crucial part of the team. WAY TO GO MIKE!

How the Time Flies

2008-01-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

Well, Seattle, was my last trip for the year. I ended up getting to stay home for the rest of the year. We did the Wii thing for Christmas. Games all around. Am now trying (semi-successfully) to get up in the morning and Dance Dance Revolution for some exercise.

The next big upload here should/will be (hopefully soon) video files of our Fiddler tech rehearsal. That being said, this was a rehearsal, and probably the worst full run through we did - ever! And yes the ONLY time I dropped the bottle in a run through was immortalized on video. Oh well. The actual performances were much MUCH better.

So recent/upcoming travel. The kids are back in school (YEAH!) but we're pulling them out for a day this week, so we can go cruising with the in-laws. We're just doing a three day trip to sunny baja (63° and raining) but it will be fun to get away (and eat).

Earlier this month I went to Columbus and back for a quick customer call. First time there, but it was very familiar. It's funny it could have been San Antonio, Detroit, Chicago or Maryland. I've driven that same road in each of those places - almost spooky. You'd think with the variety of landscapes and environments in the world that places so similar shouldn't exist, but then perception always drives what you perceive towards the familiar.

So February I go back on the road. First week I'll be in Dallas. Second week I'll hit a couple of days in Costa Mesa. Third week I turn 40 (AUGHHH!!!). Fourth week I get to do a few days in Utah (so planning on seeing Ben, Tatianna, Sasha, Em and a an old high school buddy and anyone else interested in cheering up an OLD man.

Thanks to Marie, for getting me back on this! Take care and look for updates (yes, they will happen more frequently)

Where am I and what am I doing?

2007-12-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

So last week finished up three weeks in a row in the Los Angeles area. All very busy weeks, so sorry if I didn't get to see you. Did get to eat way too much at Todai with my brother from another mother, Menji (yes that's his blog in the links). As much as I dislike the amount of travel I do, it is great to see people when I travel. The other thing I had time to do was tweak the blog a little. Got a GPS program loaded on my phone, so now the map on will show where I was the last time I turned it on. I'll be changing the calendar to reflect where I'm going versus what I'm doing. If you want to know what I'm doing - give me a call.

So this week off to Seattle. Was going to drive, but don't know if I trust the road, so I'll end up training or planing depending on which schedule is better. Way too much to do, and too little time, but hey, that's the way it is for now.

What I did last summer

2007-12-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

And now for the promised Fiddler pictures.
These are from our tech rehearsal.

This is me hanging with Tevya.
Yes, the beard was real, but now it's gone.

Here is me as a bottle dancer...
(We had black coats for our performances)

and me in winter (in the tan coat).

Here is my Lovely Wife - as Frumah Sara.

Here's a wider shot of the dream scene.
I'm hiding in the background.

Here are a couple with Laura as a villager.
She's the one in red.
And look, I'm in the first one too.

It was a wonderful experience being in Fiddler with my Sweetie. We had a great cast and when it finally came down to the performances, we put so much heart into it, we had as much fun performing as the audience had watching. Would I do another play? Well, maybe, if it was a story I liked, but if I had the chance to do Fiddler again, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Only a few more miles, but many hours

2007-12-04T11:38:00.000-08:00

Well, that one 22 hour day I was going to work ... well, turned out they canceled my flight, couldn't get me there until late afternoon, and couldn't get me home until Wednesday morning. So my day trip turned into a three day trip - stupid holiday travelers wanting to get home to their families. But the trip was successful and I made it home for Thanksgiving.

... And miles to go before I sleep.

2007-11-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Today's one of those days you just have to get through. Up at 3AM to catch a flight to Los Angeles - I plan on being home about 1AM, if they haven't overbooked my return flight (I think they have). A 22 hour day just seems to be a little long, but at least at the beginning and end, I'm in my own bed.

Mr. Magorium

2007-11-16T21:14:00.000-08:00

We took the gang to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium tonight. I really liked it. It wasn't exciting enough for the older boys, too old for the younger kids, but I liked it. It was a very simple story, but with heart. Not a rush right out and see it movie, but a fun little movie nonetheless.

The Great Soap Making Event

2007-11-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I plan to attempt making a batch of shaving soap this weekend. If all goes well ... well, it will be fun. If all doesn't go well, there will be pain, heartache and a huge mess to clean up. So for you do it yourselfers out there here's the recipe I'm using.

Modified from http://www.teachsoap.com/shaving.html

Ingredients:

12 oz. coconut oil
10 oz. lard
12 oz. olive oil
2 oz. castor oil
14 oz. distilled water
1 heaping tablespoon of bentonite clay
5.3 oz. lye
mixture of essential oils for scent

Instructions:

1. Heat your oils (no scent) until they reach a temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. With all your SAFETY GEAR on pour the pre-measured lye into 14oz. of distilled water.
3. Mix in a glass or unbreakable, heat-friendly Pyrex bowl with a stainless steel mixing spoon. Do NOT breathe the lye fumes. This mixture will heat all the way up to approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Cool this mixture to approximately 115 degrees.
5. When both the oils and the lye water are within 10 degrees of 115 degrees, pour the lye/water mixture into the melted oils.
6. If you have a stick blender, now is the time to use it. If you do not have a stick blender, hand stir with a whisk or stainless steel tool. If you're using a stick blender, you should see trace (the point where you can see faint soap trailings when you drizzle the mixture over the surface) within 5 minutes. If you're using a hand propelled mixer (a spoon), this process could take up to a full 3 hours.
7. Once you've hit trace, add your clay, scent and mix in well. Wait for a minute to make sure that the soap is fully traced and is not going to separate in the bowl (and thus, in your molds).
8. Pour the thick, white, creamy soap mixture into your molds. Your soap will need to sit out for a full 6 weeks before using.

A View

2007-11-13T12:56:00.001-08:00

There is no such thing as fair. Fairness is perceived equality, but in the various vagaries of individuality there will always be advantages in any situation.

Welcome ... to a strange place

2007-11-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

The imagination is an infinite realm, harshly bounded by the familiar situations of our experiences. The ulitimate exercise of imagination is to seek the truly alien.