Thursday, December 29, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/29/2005 | Judge orders Demjanjuk deported

Beacon Journal | 12/29/2005 | Judge orders Demjanjuk deported

This has gotten ridiculous. The man is 85 years old, why not just let him die here in America? I guess if you were a scientist you can stay, but if you are just a factory worker we need to make an example out of you.

Identity Theft (GnomeREPORT)

Identity Theft (GnomeREPORT)

Ok, I figure this true, or at least true enough. I could see someone doing this, particularly a kid. Could this be an argument against evolution?

UserFriendly 12/29/05

UserFriendly Strip Comments

As a Star Trek fan I found this funny. User Friendly is usually funny anyways, as long as you are something of a geek or involved with the computer industry.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Spending the day in upgrade hell

The last two days have been spent in upgrade hell at work. I needed to upgrade to Windows XP Pro so I could work from home when needed.

Yesterday was mostly waiting for the IT guys to come and pick up my machine. Instead of just upgrading the OS they have an image of the OS and just copy that over. Some of my stuff got copied over, some did not. The biggest thing that did not get copied over are all the development tools. Over the years we have streamlined the process, but it is still a process.

So after the development environments, servers, obscure Windows bits, various programmer tools, mulitple versions of our own software, 8,000 service pack updates and about 1,000 reboots I am now almost back to where I was. I still have a couple of utilities to get installed, plus I lost some of my drive mappings that I still need to be setup.

Monday, December 26, 2005

Character Actor Vincent Schiavelli Dies - Yahoo! News

Character Actor Vincent Schiavelli Dies - Yahoo! News

Schiavelli was a the guy I could never remember his name and I took to refering to him as "the 'This is my train' guy from Ghost'. Everyone has probably seen him in something. He protrayed some interesting characters over the years and has provided me with a lot of entertainment.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Happy Holidays!

Just to do my bit to annoy a few people out there ;). The last few days I have been involved in holiday festivities.

Christmas Eve was spent wrapping up my holiday shopping. Saturday is my usual grocery shopping day, so I made the final food buy for our Christmas dinner. Brian got a ham from work, I brought sides and we had a the fixings for a good meal. If it was not for the ham we probably would have just had left overs on Christmas day from Christmas Eve. I also had to get 2 last minute gifts and some food for Christmas Eve. I did my wrapping while watching an disc from Farscape Season 3.

Christmas Eve is when my sister-in-law's family gets together. It is only her and 2 sisters and their kids, which is 2 teenage boys. I get invited since I am alone and my meal would be Taco Bell or McDonalds otherwise. The boys usually go off and play video games, the girls wander between watching videos and listening to the adults, and the adults get to catch up and have some conversation with other adults.

I was having some fun with my one niece - I told her that the plan was I was going to come over about 3, cook dinner, we would eat and THEN we would open gifts. I did not think I human's jaw could hang open that far. I think I even saw a tear in the corner of her eye before I told her I was kidding.

Christmas is spent over at my brother's house. We do the gifts in the morning, let the kids go off and play while the adults sleep in front of the TV. Usually one or more of us get a DVD so we watch it to make sure it is good, especially since we sometimes get used from the local Blockbuster. I picked one up for my brother off of eBay so we really wanted to check it out. We even watched a little football, mostly because it was on. My brother is usually getting ready for work, I'm usually watching DVDs and my sister-in-law was busy with stuff so none of us knew what was on.

So what did I get? An electric griddle & waffle iron. Yea, I know it sounds exciting, but it is something I needed. None of us were exactly flush with cash this year, and I would rather my brother spend his money on the kids than me however I know the kids like to make sure I have something to open on Christmas day. I try to have a list of cheap DVDs or other things that they can get me for either my birthday or Christmas. At least this way I get something I can use and not something I will probably end up getting rid of a year or two down the road.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/23/2005 | Magical ride puts icing on career

Beacon Journal | 12/23/2005 | Magical ride puts icing on career

What is it about the Zamboni? People cheer for it a hockey games, and as Dyer points out many men want to drive one. An interesting read.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Technology Helps People Weather NYC Strike - Yahoo! News

Technology Helps People Weather NYC Strike - Yahoo! News

Every year telecommuting gets easier. I would imagine most modern office phone systems would let you setup to automatically forward calls to any number automatically. Blocking your home number while calling a client makes that easy.

College Launches Cell Phone Film Contest - Yahoo! News

College Launches Cell Phone Film Contest - Yahoo! News

A cool idea, and possibly even more important with the video iPod coming out.

Double-Mouthed Fish Pulled From Neb. Lake - Yahoo! News

Double-Mouthed Fish Pulled From Neb. Lake - Yahoo! News

Why am I reminded of Blinky, the 3-eyed fish from The Simpsons?

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Interesting tidbits from the paper

Mickey Porter in the Akron Beacon Journal gathers random bits of info from many sources for his daily column. Today there were two bits of info that hit me as interesting.

Today Peter Criss of Kiss turned 60. 60. Man. This was just about as bad when I found out a guy from church that was 4 or 5 years older than myself became a grandfather.

However, in a semi-related story, Julio Iglesias Sr. is going to become a father again, at 90! Julio Sr., father of Julio Jr. & grandfather of Enrique, and his wife Ronna Kneit (age 43 BTW) are expecting their second child. For those who may want to keep score, that means Enrique is getting an uncle who is 31 years younger than he is and Julio Jr. is getting a brother who is 63 years younger. I wonder if they are going to share pudding?

FDA Warns Maker of Blood-Sugar Monitors - Yahoo! News

FDA Warns Maker of Blood-Sugar Monitors - Yahoo! News

As a programmer I have read extensively on what companies go through to make sure that all the hardware/software is perfect and error free when life is on the line. I find it odd that any company that works in this industry, especially Johnson & Johnson, would not investigate any reports fully because of the potential of law suits.

Judge Resigns Over Secret Surveillance - Yahoo! News

Judge Resigns Over Secret Surveillance - Yahoo! News

Wow, someone who is really sticking up for what he believes. It is unfortunate that the judge has not come out and just said that is exactly why he quit. Maybe he will clarify this in the coming days.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

Now a lot of people always feel bad for me because I have a birthday so close to Christmas. Now I have to admit it does, to a point, suck. By now people are either partied out OR so swamped they have no real time for one more thing. On the plus side though not everyone gets the whole house decorated for their birthday, plus at least my family tried to make my birthday special so it did not get lost in the rest of the holiday season.

I have to say things were not looking good at the beginning of the day - bad traffic jam, things exploding at work, more bad traffic on the way home.

However in the end, it all worked out. I got my gift from the Secret Santa (and Jill Hoff, if you are reading this, thank you). Since it was my birthday I opened it and got No Plot? No Problem! I think everyone, at some point or another, feels the urge to write a book. Aside from the time, my biggest problem has been coming up with a good idea that would go for the 50,000-60,000 words they recommend for a novel. This will give me an idea on how to get one of my ideas some legs.

Although I got a few cards, this card really stood out. I don't know how JR finds these cards, but they are works of art. Even the card is great.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Where has the time gone?

It just seems like yesterday it was summer, now Christmas is next week. I have yet to put up anything that even remotely resembles a decoration. I did get my annual fruit cake bar, which so far has been my one nod to the holiday season it seems. Seems I am well on my way to becoming a Grinch & a Scrooge.

I am going to try a tree this year. I have a small artificial one from my mom. In the past I have not set one up because of my one cat, who seemed to think the tree made a good target for her to practice her jumping. After setting the tree up everyday, sometimes twice a day, I quit setting one up. However the last few years I have not even put lights around the inside of the windows.

However she has mellowed a bit in the last year or two, so maybe I can get by with a tree. We will see. After this I am going to throw a load of laundry in and then go drag down the tree and some ornaments. I have no idea what is left up there from mom. Most of my ornaments have been broken over the years (damn cat), but I had a few soft ones. I do know I have about 1 billion icicles from mom that I know I cannot use. I have yet to see a cat not eat any icicle it can get its mouth on. Not good for the cat, and not good for your sanity to see an icicle hanging out of your cat's butt.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/15/2005 | Goodyear Band gets new life

Beacon Journal | 12/15/2005 | Goodyear Band gets new life

It is cool the band got some new sponsorship, in fact there were 23 offers!

This is the type of thing I would go out to listen to if I knew where they were playing. As a former band geek member I like to listen to marches and "old" music sometimes.

The problem, all too often, is finding out about this. Tracking down when certain events are in the Beacon Journal can be tough - should it be with the community events that are done throughout the week? Health events are listed on Tuesday in the Health section. Music is usually in Thursday, but that is mostly clubs and trying to pick through multiple pages of classified-ad sized postings of upcoming events it tough. I found an RSS feed of events, maybe that will help me out some.

Beacon Journal | 12/15/2005 | E-Check stays, but it will be free

Beacon Journal | 12/15/2005 | E-Check stays, but it will be free

No one has liked E Check for various reasons. My biggest problem has been the cost - I would think similar tests could be run that are cheaper. I find it unfortunate that they are using money from the tobacco settlement for this.

Interestingly I was just at E-Check today. I totally brain farted though since I am not due to have a check until NEXT year. Yet again thinking got me in trouble.

An answer to your question SBC

Dear Yahoo SBC,

I heard an ad today that asked "Why would anyone spend over $150 more for Time-Warner Internet?" Well - because you will not provide me with DSL. (I could mention that Time-Warner is faster as well, but that is not my concern here.)

I have been listening for months it seems about how much cheaper you are. And you are - your $16.99/month price is well over half that of what I pay to Earthlink/Time-Warner. I would LOVE to switch. Even switching to the advertised professional price on your website would save me about $240/year.

Even better - I would love to take advantage of your package deal of local (which you already service), long distance (that I do not use), satelitte TV & DSL for $85/month. Right now I pay more to Time Warner for my cable & internet alone. I would not even be too concerned over the mix of channels and the bad reception when there is heavy snow (don't lie to me - I have talked with people who have satelitte and they all say the same thing). I might even consider abandoning Verizon and trying Cinglar to see how much more I could save. Give me the Kool-Aid - I'm ready to drink!

My brother living a block away can get DSL. One block. One stinking block. There is even a school that is a block away that I believe also gets DSL. Wny not me? I would even be willing to pay you to come in and re-wire all the phone lines in my house. Come on, please?

At the very least could you stop teasing me with your ads?

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/13/2005 | Speeding fines cut

Beacon Journal | 12/13/2005 | Speeding fines cut

Frankly even $35 will be enough to get people to slow down. Given the problems with the program to date it would be best to just get out of it ASAP. Does it really matter if someone is giong 11 MPH over the speed limit at 3 AM around a school? If they want to continue this program they need to seriously examine the program and work more with the company. Not knowing what they are going to do over Christmas break is bad - especially if they do not adjust their speeds and people are getting tickets for doing the speed limit instead of 20.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/12/2005 | It's Jolly to lead tuba show

Beacon Journal | 12/12/2005 | It's Jolly to lead tuba show

I missed it again this year. As a former baritone player (which is part of the tuba family) I have always wanted to play in it, however I have not picked up a horn in 20+ years since graduating high school. Maybe next year.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/11/2005 | Tags would mark offenders

Beacon Journal | 12/11/2005 | Tags would mark offenders:


"The intent isn't to create a scarlet letter, but to warn residents when they come in contact with dangerous offenders with a high recidivism rate, Coughlin said. "


Bullshit. As was pointed out later in the article, there is no such thing as security. Period. Given they are talking about loopholes for company cars and, as was pointed out, the car could be registered in someone elses name, the idea of warning citizens is bull. Why don't they do a similar thing for people who have multiple assault convictions? Released murderer has more rights than a one time rapist in Ohio.

I ask again - why do people want to move away?

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/10/2005 | Summit orders 148 sex offenders to move

Beacon Journal | 12/10/2005 | Summit orders 148 sex offenders to move

This is one of the problems I have with these kinds of laws. Here is a man who was not even convicted of a crime against a child. Why can't he live within 1000 feet of a school?

Friday, December 09, 2005

Watching a blimp get built

Here is a video of them positioning the cockpit on the newest Goodyear blimp. May require a registration to view, but interesting. It does not look like the process has changed that much since the hey day of blimp building.

Having grown up with smelling distance of Goodyear Plant 1 (now the world headquarters) and two grandfathers who worked for Goodyear (at different plants) the Blimp has always been a constant in my life. Even today they use the Wingfoot Lake in Akron to park the Blimps at whenever they are in the area.

Watch It! Shaq Now Carries a Badge - Yahoo! News

Watch It! Shaq Now Carries a Badge - Yahoo! News

This is an interesting way to give back to the community you live in. I never knew Shaq was a reserve officer before, and he seems to want to help without getting any photo ops. I wonder if the only reason he agreed to the article was to help drum up interest in the reserve officer corp.

I wonder if he will donate his $1/year salary back? It seems odd to pay him that given how much he makes. Reminds me of when Michael Jordan was playing minor league baseball and the coach would give him his per diem for meals. It was something like $20 or $30 dollars.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/08/2005 | Sheriff's snow alerts in plain words now

Beacon Journal | 12/08/2005 | Sheriff's snow alerts in plain words now

It has been awhile since we had any serious driving advisories, but the only one that was important was 3, which is when the cops would arrest you unless you were going to the hospital. I do not remember a 1 or 2 advisory ever being set, or at least announced to the public.

By and large people know what to do when it snows here anyways.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Bertinelli Divorcing Rocker Eddie Van Halen - Yahoo! News

Bertinelli Divorcing Rocker Eddie Van Halen - Yahoo! News

It is odd after 20 years (when they separated) to see a marriage break up. It is even weirder given all the crap that Valerie Bertinelli has put up with over the years. Just one more example of why I quit trying to figure out why people do things.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

NBC joining on-demand iPod playlist - Yahoo! News

NBC joining on-demand iPod playlist - Yahoo! News

This would be interesting, particularly the cable station angle. Right now I am looking at dropping my "extended basic" cable because of lack of interest. I would go from 70 channels of crap to 20 channels of crap. My only complaint is loosing SG-1, Monk & Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Those are the only things I typically watch and I pay over $40/month for that. At $2/episode I could still save money.


Update: This link shows that Monk will be included in the shows on iTunes. No mention of SG-1, and Bravo shows are yet to come which is where Queer Eye is shown.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/05/2005 | U.S. cities aim to launch ferries to Canada

Beacon Journal | 12/05/2005 | U.S. cities aim to launch ferries to Canada

I am not sure what is at either of the ports that Cleveland or Painesville would go. I wonder how much time would be trimmed if you wanted to go to Toronto.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Beacon Journal | 12/04/2005 | Zips put bite in new Roo ads

Beacon Journal | 12/04/2005 | Zips put bite in new Roo ads

While going to the University of Akron it was always tough to explain what a kangaroo had to do with Zips. Even harder, and possibly more embarassing, was explaining where they came up with Zips in the first place. (The story was always it was a name of a boot that someone submitted. Sad part was it was the best of the lot.) And of course calling your kangaroo Zippy makes it all the more, well, cuddly for some reason.

About the time I was leaving UA was looking to start updating its look. They had just gotten Buchtel Avenue closed (re-routed officially) - actually making it more like a campus. I still tend to look though when crossing what used to be Buchtel Ave. Old habits die hard. They were introducing the Moving A during my tenure there.

I drive by campus a few times a year, and try to take a walk around once a year or so and the changes are unbelievable. Many of the old buildings have gotten a face lift. Some of the old parking lots are now parking decks. My hope is that the insides have been changed along with the outsides of these buildings. We may have a world class campus here eventually.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Ohio.com | 12/03/2005 | Audio interview with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, in China on a trade mission (MP3 format)

Ohio.com | 12/03/2005 | Audio interview with Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, in China on a trade mission (MP3 format)

Newspapers podcasting? I downloaded the file to listen to later. Very interesting to see this on a newspaper site...

Workbench: Nude Teens and the National Review

Workbench: Nude Teens and the National Review

Aside from the obvious problems of kiddie porn brought up by this article, I have to agree with Dave that women don't really get interesting until after 20.

It seems in a time with rampant cosmetic surgery that a woman (or man) with a few wrinkles or who may sag a little here and there would be not only interesting, but possibly sexy.

I started to loose my hair at 16, before Rogaine and the like hit the market. Since this was rampant in my family my mom told me if I was going to get a rug, get a good one. I decided the hell with it and just let nature take it course. Even after I could have started Rogaine. The way I figure it I will stand out as one of the few bald guys.

Not everyone wants a Barbie or Ken doll.

Friday, December 02, 2005

U.S. to Release New $10 Bills on March 2 - Yahoo! News

U.S. to Release New $10 Bills on March 2 - Yahoo! News

Not having a $20 on me I can't compare the colors. Once complaint I have heard from foriegners is our money all looks the same. If you look at the money from other countries each bill has a different color making it easy to identify them quickly.

I like the mention of the $2 bill, which you rarely see. My brother got one once and ended up taking it to the bank to get two 1s. No one thought it was real money. In my view we should get rid of the $1 & $2 and replace them with coins. No matter what people think, the $1, $2 just like the penny will never be eliminated.

Beacon Journal | 12/02/2005 | Facebook new way to connect at school

Beacon Journal | 12/02/2005 | Facebook new way to connect at school

Yet another blog community. Once you graduate you will, no doubt, loose all your stuff. To me these people would be better off using MySpace, Yahoo 360 or Blogger. They are free and at least Blogger (which I am using) allows for a lot of customization.

Beacon Journal | 12/02/2005 | Zips earn applause and respect

Beacon Journal | 12/02/2005 | Zips earn applause and respect

Woo hoo! I am not a huge football fan, but I usually follow my alma mater. This is a long way from when we called the team "Gerry's Kids" in the dark days when I went there.

Thursday, December 01, 2005