Almost as entertaining as the Olympics is the media covering them. One theme has really come through--if you're going to deviate from their expected norms you'd dang well better win. Otherwise they'll eviscerate you.
Going into the Olympics Bode Miller was a gifted non-conformist with the courage to find his own path to success. Now he's a over-confident, out-of-shape slacker who should be ashamed of his poor performance and partying ways. He's gone from media darling to media dog.
Sasha Cohen has been avoiding the media since the got to Torino, choosing instead to train. The media, desperate to create an Olympic hero, has grown increasingly irritated by her lack of face time, choosing to mostly ignore the other two teammembers. What coverage Emily Hughes gets is partly because of her having replaced Michelle Kwan and partly because of the Sarah Hughes tie-in. But they don't think much of her chances and so don't care to cover her any more than necessary.
So doggone it, Sasha had better win a medal or they'll brand her as a press-hating workaholic who took herself too seriously and drove herself too hard. Never mind the fact that if she had participated more in the interviews and nightlife and still lost they'd still insist she got caught up in her own hype and folded under the pressure.
On the other hand, if she wins she'll definitely become the heroine of the games, the Anti-Bode, the serious athelete who understood that sacrifices had to be made in order to win.
No, the media isn't in the news business. They're in the drama business. Win or lose, they will create the drama to go with it. They love a winner, but they're nearly as happy to lay into you with the steel-toed boots if necessary.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
The Great Seitan
It's probably no secret by now that our family is pretty much living a vegetarian lifestyle. Over the weekend we were able to finally try seitan, which is a gluten derivative used to replace meat. I have to say it's pretty good. We made stroganoff with it, and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately it's pretty spendy stuff, costing $4 for half a pound, so I don't see us eating a lot of it in the future. This weekend was a special occasion.
There is supposedly a recipe for making it yourself. I may have to look into it. I've made significant progress in creating my own veggie burgers (they taste good, but they're not perfect yet), and I've been tempted to try making my own tofu (once, just to see what it's like). Perhaps seitan would be worth a try.
You know, I never, ever, in a million years imagined I'd ever write two paragraphs like that. What a bizarre turn of events...
There is supposedly a recipe for making it yourself. I may have to look into it. I've made significant progress in creating my own veggie burgers (they taste good, but they're not perfect yet), and I've been tempted to try making my own tofu (once, just to see what it's like). Perhaps seitan would be worth a try.
You know, I never, ever, in a million years imagined I'd ever write two paragraphs like that. What a bizarre turn of events...
Friday, February 17, 2006
Olympic Snobbery
I've been watching some of the Olympics here and there. I've also been reading some of the critics who over and over suggest that the snowboarding events aren't true sports or that the participants are all slackers or somehow unworthy of being considered atheletes. They seem convinced that snowboarding is indicative of a particular lifestyle that is somehow inconsistent with serious sports.
Nothing I have seen this week provides any justification for such snobbery. As one of the critics grudgingly admitted, they're just as proud and shed just as many tears on the medal podium as the National Anthem plays as their counterparts in other sports. I've seen them work just as hard for their medals as anyone else. I'd like to see Bode Miller or John Weir run four or more events in a single day like Seth Wescott.
The camaradarie and sportsmanship they display is impressive. In the snowboardcross finals the second-place racer, just barely edged out for first place, wrapped the winner in a big bear hug. All the competitors usually exchange handshakes or hugs at the bottom, even those who got bumped off the course by others.
It's ironic that athletes in a sport known for nonconformists should so soundly embrace conformity when it matters. But if there is one area where they are not conforming to convention, it would be this: They seem to be having a lot of fun.
To twist a quote from the movie "I.Q.": So this is what we are missing in Olympics. Screaming!
Nothing I have seen this week provides any justification for such snobbery. As one of the critics grudgingly admitted, they're just as proud and shed just as many tears on the medal podium as the National Anthem plays as their counterparts in other sports. I've seen them work just as hard for their medals as anyone else. I'd like to see Bode Miller or John Weir run four or more events in a single day like Seth Wescott.
The camaradarie and sportsmanship they display is impressive. In the snowboardcross finals the second-place racer, just barely edged out for first place, wrapped the winner in a big bear hug. All the competitors usually exchange handshakes or hugs at the bottom, even those who got bumped off the course by others.
It's ironic that athletes in a sport known for nonconformists should so soundly embrace conformity when it matters. But if there is one area where they are not conforming to convention, it would be this: They seem to be having a lot of fun.
To twist a quote from the movie "I.Q.": So this is what we are missing in Olympics. Screaming!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Which Sci-Fi Crew Are You?
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You scored as SG-1 (Stargate). You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body.
Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com |
I haven't seen much of Stargate SG-1, but what I've seen suggests this is not off the mark. I'm especially delighted to see B5 a close second.
And yes, those pesky aliens trying to take over my body are really getting on my nerves!
Friday, February 10, 2006
Wrestling With The Past
I stumbled across Tracy Chapman's song "Fast Car" yesterday. I remember when it first came out in the late '80s. I tried not to like it because it was one of those "big, important songs," and because the verses had that annoying over-an-over riff. But it was a song that could not be ignored.
I still can't. The context I found it in was as part of a music video put together by some Jewish students. They actually don't do too bad a job, but the song is much bigger than them, and even through their antics I couldn't help by pay attention to the song.
A while back I posted a commentary on what makes great art. By that definition this song is it. I've never lived the life she describes in her song, but that song makes me start to understand how it feels. It is so well produced it just grabs you by the collar and won't let go until it's done. It's clean, it's honest, and it musically reinforces the story it tells. It's uncomfortable. It is great music.
Last night we had a couple young men from church over for dinner. They were part of a ward activity to help them prepare for being missionaries one day. We agreed to host them; Terhi made an "Australian" dinner, while I told them about the country and some experiences.
In getting ready I've been digging through some of my memorabilia and doing some online research. While digging around online I found a website for alumni of my old mission and decided to register. Since then I've recieved a couple emails from former companions. Old memories have been bothering me all week.
I have to admit that I'd be more comfortable if it had all stayed buried. I enjoyed my mission. I learned a lot. But truth be told, I was a lousy missionary. It's hard to relive the more pleasant memories of my mission without revisiting all the guilt that goes with it. The whole thing has left me rather unsettled. I'd like to think I've improved since then, but sometimes I really have to wonder.
I guess some things are best left in storage.
I still can't. The context I found it in was as part of a music video put together by some Jewish students. They actually don't do too bad a job, but the song is much bigger than them, and even through their antics I couldn't help by pay attention to the song.
A while back I posted a commentary on what makes great art. By that definition this song is it. I've never lived the life she describes in her song, but that song makes me start to understand how it feels. It is so well produced it just grabs you by the collar and won't let go until it's done. It's clean, it's honest, and it musically reinforces the story it tells. It's uncomfortable. It is great music.
Last night we had a couple young men from church over for dinner. They were part of a ward activity to help them prepare for being missionaries one day. We agreed to host them; Terhi made an "Australian" dinner, while I told them about the country and some experiences.
In getting ready I've been digging through some of my memorabilia and doing some online research. While digging around online I found a website for alumni of my old mission and decided to register. Since then I've recieved a couple emails from former companions. Old memories have been bothering me all week.
I have to admit that I'd be more comfortable if it had all stayed buried. I enjoyed my mission. I learned a lot. But truth be told, I was a lousy missionary. It's hard to relive the more pleasant memories of my mission without revisiting all the guilt that goes with it. The whole thing has left me rather unsettled. I'd like to think I've improved since then, but sometimes I really have to wonder.
I guess some things are best left in storage.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Another Viewpoint
Here's an interesting article from the Opinion Journal, by Amir Taheri about what Islam really preaches and exposing the main troublemakers behind the current row. I really hope this gentleman is the rule, not the exception. (Hat Tip Instapundit)
Yard Therapy
Last night I got out in the yard for an hour or so and cleaned up our flower beds before the sun went down. It's amazing how good fresh air feels. It's refreshing to see the signs of life stirring up through the soil. There's something viscerally satisfying to pruning a bush. And oh, the fun I'm going to have, when it comes time to trim the shrubs! (I just bought a pair of Fiskars hedge trimmers. [TimTaylor] Uoh uoh uoh! [/TimTaylor] Take a look at this model of Finnish engineering and tell me you don't get a primal urge to grab those babies and start whacking away at something!)
(Side note: Fiskars scissors and tools divisions is headquartered in the US today, but the corporation is still Finnish. For more interesting information, read "Fiskars 1649 - 350 Years of Finnish Industrial History")
But I digress...
The evening couldn't have come at a better time. After writing yesterday's post I was getting more and more depressed about the horrific world my children are growing up in. The evening reminded me of a few things:
After the kids went to bed I cocooned myself with "LOTR: The Two Towers." I didn't finish the entire thing, but I got far enough to where they are preparing for the defense of Helms Deep and fighting despair. Someday I'll have to reread the books to see if Jackson just made it up or if there was a textual basis for it, but this battle seems to be set as Aragorn's moment of truth, where he finally faces the decision to remain in the shadows or accept his destiny.
It is interesting, too, that Aragorn seems to get his lesson in leadership from King Theoden of Rohan. The more I watch the movies, the more I love Theoden above many of the others. Before the battle he is loudly proclaiming his confidence that their fortress and their men will withstand the orc invaders bearing down on them. Aragorn calls him on it, reminding him that there is little hope.
His response to Aragorn: "What would you have me do?!" The unspoken message is that if he listened to Aragorn the battle would be lost before it even began. The Rohirrim would defeat themselves before the orcs even could. Better to manufacture confidence and courage where none exists than to wallow in defeatism and hopelessness.
Though Theoden is not destined to be one of the "Great Men of the Age," he shows more heart than just about anyone in the series, including Aragorn. Perhaps this is because he is not one of the Great Men. He has no magical powers or divine commission like Gandalf. He has no prophecy and a fabled sword behind him like Aragorn. He is just a man, and one who fell prey to evil to boot. All he has is his heart, his leadership, and a desire to be more than what he has been to this point.
There is another exchange between Theoden and Aragorn earlier in the movie. Theoden is taking council from Gandalf as to what course of action to pursue. I don't remember the specific lines, as the significance of the scene just occurred to me, but Theoden makes a statement indicating that he wants to avoid war. Aragorn counters, saying that war is coming, nonetheless. Theoden fires back a reminder that Aragorn is not the king of Rohan.
At the time I took the statement at face value, that Theoden did not appreciate Aragorn's criticism. But after consideration, I suspect there is a great deal of subtext in the exchange. Aragorn is supposedly destined to become The king of men, and yet he has largely avoided this destiny his entire life. Perhaps Theoden is saying that he (Theoden) has accepted his responsibility as king and has little respect for the advice of someone who has avoided theirs.
And I think the criticism strikes a chord with Aragorn. Though it still takes him awhile, I think he starts waking up and accepting his role at this point. I think it takes the "mere man" of Theoden to show the larger-than-life Aragorn how to be king.
Just like it takes Eowyn, Theoden's daughter, to show Aragorn how to be a man. But that's another story for another time.
(Side note: Fiskars scissors and tools divisions is headquartered in the US today, but the corporation is still Finnish. For more interesting information, read "Fiskars 1649 - 350 Years of Finnish Industrial History")
But I digress...
The evening couldn't have come at a better time. After writing yesterday's post I was getting more and more depressed about the horrific world my children are growing up in. The evening reminded me of a few things:
- Life still goes on
- Kids will always be kids (evidenced by their delight in spreading mums seeds all over creation and jabbing each other with sticks I'd just pruned from the flowering bush)
- Cats love work--they can sit and watch it out the window for hours
- Life can never be too bad when you have a warm house and a loving spouse to return to when the work is done.
- There is always going to be more work (and trouble) to deal with than we have time or ability to deal with it, so just do the best you can today and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.
- Even in the age of video games and talking toys, nothing replaces a good wheelbarrow ride.
- Even on a warm day, it's still February, and when the sun starts to go down it gets pretty darn cold!
After the kids went to bed I cocooned myself with "LOTR: The Two Towers." I didn't finish the entire thing, but I got far enough to where they are preparing for the defense of Helms Deep and fighting despair. Someday I'll have to reread the books to see if Jackson just made it up or if there was a textual basis for it, but this battle seems to be set as Aragorn's moment of truth, where he finally faces the decision to remain in the shadows or accept his destiny.
It is interesting, too, that Aragorn seems to get his lesson in leadership from King Theoden of Rohan. The more I watch the movies, the more I love Theoden above many of the others. Before the battle he is loudly proclaiming his confidence that their fortress and their men will withstand the orc invaders bearing down on them. Aragorn calls him on it, reminding him that there is little hope.
His response to Aragorn: "What would you have me do?!" The unspoken message is that if he listened to Aragorn the battle would be lost before it even began. The Rohirrim would defeat themselves before the orcs even could. Better to manufacture confidence and courage where none exists than to wallow in defeatism and hopelessness.
Though Theoden is not destined to be one of the "Great Men of the Age," he shows more heart than just about anyone in the series, including Aragorn. Perhaps this is because he is not one of the Great Men. He has no magical powers or divine commission like Gandalf. He has no prophecy and a fabled sword behind him like Aragorn. He is just a man, and one who fell prey to evil to boot. All he has is his heart, his leadership, and a desire to be more than what he has been to this point.
There is another exchange between Theoden and Aragorn earlier in the movie. Theoden is taking council from Gandalf as to what course of action to pursue. I don't remember the specific lines, as the significance of the scene just occurred to me, but Theoden makes a statement indicating that he wants to avoid war. Aragorn counters, saying that war is coming, nonetheless. Theoden fires back a reminder that Aragorn is not the king of Rohan.
At the time I took the statement at face value, that Theoden did not appreciate Aragorn's criticism. But after consideration, I suspect there is a great deal of subtext in the exchange. Aragorn is supposedly destined to become The king of men, and yet he has largely avoided this destiny his entire life. Perhaps Theoden is saying that he (Theoden) has accepted his responsibility as king and has little respect for the advice of someone who has avoided theirs.
And I think the criticism strikes a chord with Aragorn. Though it still takes him awhile, I think he starts waking up and accepting his role at this point. I think it takes the "mere man" of Theoden to show the larger-than-life Aragorn how to be king.
Just like it takes Eowyn, Theoden's daughter, to show Aragorn how to be a man. But that's another story for another time.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Comic Relief
I've been somewhat following the whole Danish Comics debacle. It seems to me that this whole thing has been staged by one or more parties that have something to gain from forcing the conflict between western culture and Islam. There are plenty of options for who that might be. But consider:
A) A Danish newspaper gets the notion that the media is censoring itself when it comes to criticizing Islam. So their solution? To see if it's true they offer money to a bunch of cartoonists to do it.
Problem #1 - I doubt, if their thesis is true, that the problem is reporters or cartoonists being unwilling to criticize Islam. Most of these people will likely do whatever brings in the money. It's the editors that are performing the censorship, if it does exist. So all that they really prove is that they're acknowledging their own self-censorship and changing it. Nothing more.
Problem #2 - Why did they choose the cartoon medium? This medium is typically controversial, vicious, and inflammatory by nature. Editorial cartoons are generally intended to evoke emotion, not discussion or thought. Furthermore, did they do any research beforehand to know if they were treading on thin ice by specifically targeting Mohammed? Neither answer paints the paper in a positive light.
Conclusion: The paper is knowingly picking a fight, not promoting dialogue or self-reflection within the media. Freedom of expression aside, shame on them. This is a deliberate provocation of a religious group at best, and very near to shouting "fire!" in a crowded theater at worst.
B) The cartoons were published in September 2005, with no response noted at the time. A Danish Muslim cleric takes it upon himself to "educate" the Muslims in the Middle East as to what the climate in Europe is, not just taking copies of the controversial cartoons, but additional "samples" of anti-Muslim sentiment (some of questionable authenticity) to show around. Nearly five months after the fact, suddenly there is outrage.
Problem #1 - Why such a long delay? If it was that upsetting, then why does it take nearly half a year for the fury to manifest itself?
Problem #2 - What was this cleric's purpose for showing the cartoons around? This seems a calculated act intended to provoke exactly what has occurred.
Conclusion: A delay of five months makes this entire situation seem premeditated. Someone formally decided to be offended and stir up trouble. Time will tell if the timing is coincidental or if this is a calculated move to muddy the water prior to a particularly nasty bit of business that would otherwise have provoked universal outrage. (My prediction: Al Qaeda is about to stage another attack, which will rebuild their image as defenders of Islam in the Islamic world following their PR bungling in Iraq while keeping the West off balance as to the justice of a decisive response. See Prediction #17)
C) At the heart of the situation is supposedly a Koranic passage banning the physical depiction of Mohammed, supposedly to prevent idolatry.
Problem #1 - Since when are infidels expected to follow the Koran? That's what makes us infidels, does it not? It could be just as simple to dismiss this entire incident as the ignorance or pathetic insults of an infidel unworthy of note, but that's not what's happening.
Problem #2 - Mohammed has been depicted in art, both Western and Islamic, many, many times through the ages. Why are infidels expected to keep an Islamic edict that the Muslims themselves do not keep, nor have precedence for enforcing?
Conclusion: It would be very easy for Muslims to dismiss this whole incident and prove they can be a reasonable people. They are choosing not to take that path. That should be telling us something.
D) An Iranian newspaper has announced their own contest to draw cartoons debunking/mocking the Holocaust, supposedly to reveal the hypocrisy of Western defenders of free speech when they don't print these cartoons.
Problem #1 - The original cartoons would have passed on into obscurity (and nearly did, from the sound of it) if the Muslims hadn't kicked up their delayed fuss. The primary reason they have been reprinted so many times lately is because the Muslims insist on making it a news item and a point of cultural conflict.
Problem #2 - Unless they purposely delay the results of their "contest" until after things calm down, the current situation almost guarantees their cartoons will be reprinted. But the Muslims will not be satisfied, placated, or impressed. In fact they'll likely re-spin it that now the West is trying to further stoke anti-Muslim sentiments by publishing the new cartoons.
Problem #3 - Muslim papers have been running nasty cartoons about Jews and the West for quite some time. They see no hypocrisy in the current furor.
Conclusion: Damned if we do, damned if we don't. It will help nothing.
Ultimate Conclusion: The original cartoon contest was a stupid idea hardly worthy of the "Fight For Our Rights" that has sprung up over it. This situation is being manipulated to advance the Muslim Extremist agenda. The timing of this suggests that this particular issue was hand-picked to force the West into a poorly-defensible position in a lose-lose fight. If we back down they will just keep coming back again and again. If we don't back down they'll be able to use this incident to redirect a "Muslim street" that has been shifting every so steadily West-ward, as well as a cover to excuse their next 9/11. Heads: they win. Tails: we lose.
To summarize, let me borrow a couple quotes from Star Trek:
A) A Danish newspaper gets the notion that the media is censoring itself when it comes to criticizing Islam. So their solution? To see if it's true they offer money to a bunch of cartoonists to do it.
Problem #1 - I doubt, if their thesis is true, that the problem is reporters or cartoonists being unwilling to criticize Islam. Most of these people will likely do whatever brings in the money. It's the editors that are performing the censorship, if it does exist. So all that they really prove is that they're acknowledging their own self-censorship and changing it. Nothing more.
Problem #2 - Why did they choose the cartoon medium? This medium is typically controversial, vicious, and inflammatory by nature. Editorial cartoons are generally intended to evoke emotion, not discussion or thought. Furthermore, did they do any research beforehand to know if they were treading on thin ice by specifically targeting Mohammed? Neither answer paints the paper in a positive light.
Conclusion: The paper is knowingly picking a fight, not promoting dialogue or self-reflection within the media. Freedom of expression aside, shame on them. This is a deliberate provocation of a religious group at best, and very near to shouting "fire!" in a crowded theater at worst.
B) The cartoons were published in September 2005, with no response noted at the time. A Danish Muslim cleric takes it upon himself to "educate" the Muslims in the Middle East as to what the climate in Europe is, not just taking copies of the controversial cartoons, but additional "samples" of anti-Muslim sentiment (some of questionable authenticity) to show around. Nearly five months after the fact, suddenly there is outrage.
Problem #1 - Why such a long delay? If it was that upsetting, then why does it take nearly half a year for the fury to manifest itself?
Problem #2 - What was this cleric's purpose for showing the cartoons around? This seems a calculated act intended to provoke exactly what has occurred.
Conclusion: A delay of five months makes this entire situation seem premeditated. Someone formally decided to be offended and stir up trouble. Time will tell if the timing is coincidental or if this is a calculated move to muddy the water prior to a particularly nasty bit of business that would otherwise have provoked universal outrage. (My prediction: Al Qaeda is about to stage another attack, which will rebuild their image as defenders of Islam in the Islamic world following their PR bungling in Iraq while keeping the West off balance as to the justice of a decisive response. See Prediction #17)
C) At the heart of the situation is supposedly a Koranic passage banning the physical depiction of Mohammed, supposedly to prevent idolatry.
Problem #1 - Since when are infidels expected to follow the Koran? That's what makes us infidels, does it not? It could be just as simple to dismiss this entire incident as the ignorance or pathetic insults of an infidel unworthy of note, but that's not what's happening.
Problem #2 - Mohammed has been depicted in art, both Western and Islamic, many, many times through the ages. Why are infidels expected to keep an Islamic edict that the Muslims themselves do not keep, nor have precedence for enforcing?
Conclusion: It would be very easy for Muslims to dismiss this whole incident and prove they can be a reasonable people. They are choosing not to take that path. That should be telling us something.
D) An Iranian newspaper has announced their own contest to draw cartoons debunking/mocking the Holocaust, supposedly to reveal the hypocrisy of Western defenders of free speech when they don't print these cartoons.
Problem #1 - The original cartoons would have passed on into obscurity (and nearly did, from the sound of it) if the Muslims hadn't kicked up their delayed fuss. The primary reason they have been reprinted so many times lately is because the Muslims insist on making it a news item and a point of cultural conflict.
Problem #2 - Unless they purposely delay the results of their "contest" until after things calm down, the current situation almost guarantees their cartoons will be reprinted. But the Muslims will not be satisfied, placated, or impressed. In fact they'll likely re-spin it that now the West is trying to further stoke anti-Muslim sentiments by publishing the new cartoons.
Problem #3 - Muslim papers have been running nasty cartoons about Jews and the West for quite some time. They see no hypocrisy in the current furor.
Conclusion: Damned if we do, damned if we don't. It will help nothing.
Ultimate Conclusion: The original cartoon contest was a stupid idea hardly worthy of the "Fight For Our Rights" that has sprung up over it. This situation is being manipulated to advance the Muslim Extremist agenda. The timing of this suggests that this particular issue was hand-picked to force the West into a poorly-defensible position in a lose-lose fight. If we back down they will just keep coming back again and again. If we don't back down they'll be able to use this incident to redirect a "Muslim street" that has been shifting every so steadily West-ward, as well as a cover to excuse their next 9/11. Heads: they win. Tails: we lose.
To summarize, let me borrow a couple quotes from Star Trek:
"It's been my experience that evil usually triumphs unless good is very, very careful." - Dr. McCoy, "The Omega Glory"
"Please let me know if there's some other way we can screw up tonight." - Capt. Kirk, "Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country"
Friday, February 03, 2006
Mr. Mom Rides Again
My wife asked me to stay home yesterday and take care of the kids for her. She was in pretty bad shape from the flu, and headed to bed for most of the day, accompanied by her feline heating pads.
The kids were fabulous, really. Walter whined a bit about missing his mom, but other than that, we all came through in decent shape. By dinner time Terhi was feeling a little better (or else felt obligated to get up anyway), and got up in time to eat and help keep the kids entertained until bed time.
The experience helped me realize a few things. One, of course, is just how rough it is to take care of three kids all day. I felt like I was running flat out all day, and like I said, the kids were being GOOD! Fixing meals for five vegetarians--three of which are lactose intolerant, two that can't have nuts, one with no functional teeth--with wildly divergent palates is akin to arranging seating at an international diplomatic banquet. And my wife does this day after day!
It also showed me just how wonderful it is to have me home after work. Even though Terhi was still feeling pretty lousy and couldn't help with much, it was wonderful to have a) another adult to talk to, b) someone who can feed themself without complaining, c) another target for the kids' demands for attention, and d) whatever help she could manage. I'll hopefully be able to play my role a little better now.
The baby is the one that keeps us sane, I think. He's a crackup. He loves to make big, dramatic, totally incomprehensible speeches at the kitchen table, complete with grand gestures and vocal inflections. Then he'll grin ear to ear and collapse into a cute little "aw shucks" slouch. And all the while still pack away as much food as his older brother and sister combined.
I wrapped up the day with a grocery shopping expedition. And a fruitless hunt for pink and purple balloons. Tomorrow, assuming everyone is healthy again, is Emma's "Fairy" birthday party. If I know anything about my daughter, we'll be able to hook her up to a capacitor, place solar panels about the house and collect enough energy and glow to power the house for the next week.
My mission? To keep her two-year-old brother from dying of jealousy. Dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA,...dweedle-deeeeeeee...dweedle-deeeeee...dweedle-deeeeeeeeeee-DA da!
The kids were fabulous, really. Walter whined a bit about missing his mom, but other than that, we all came through in decent shape. By dinner time Terhi was feeling a little better (or else felt obligated to get up anyway), and got up in time to eat and help keep the kids entertained until bed time.
The experience helped me realize a few things. One, of course, is just how rough it is to take care of three kids all day. I felt like I was running flat out all day, and like I said, the kids were being GOOD! Fixing meals for five vegetarians--three of which are lactose intolerant, two that can't have nuts, one with no functional teeth--with wildly divergent palates is akin to arranging seating at an international diplomatic banquet. And my wife does this day after day!
It also showed me just how wonderful it is to have me home after work. Even though Terhi was still feeling pretty lousy and couldn't help with much, it was wonderful to have a) another adult to talk to, b) someone who can feed themself without complaining, c) another target for the kids' demands for attention, and d) whatever help she could manage. I'll hopefully be able to play my role a little better now.
The baby is the one that keeps us sane, I think. He's a crackup. He loves to make big, dramatic, totally incomprehensible speeches at the kitchen table, complete with grand gestures and vocal inflections. Then he'll grin ear to ear and collapse into a cute little "aw shucks" slouch. And all the while still pack away as much food as his older brother and sister combined.
I wrapped up the day with a grocery shopping expedition. And a fruitless hunt for pink and purple balloons. Tomorrow, assuming everyone is healthy again, is Emma's "Fairy" birthday party. If I know anything about my daughter, we'll be able to hook her up to a capacitor, place solar panels about the house and collect enough energy and glow to power the house for the next week.
My mission? To keep her two-year-old brother from dying of jealousy. Dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA, dum...dum...Da DA,...dweedle-deeeeeeee...dweedle-deeeeee...dweedle-deeeeeeeeeee-DA da!
Must...Protest...Everywhere!
I know this is old news, and that Cindy Sheehan hardly needs more air time, but I can't help it this time. As my Momma always told me, "Life is a box o' choco--" No wait, that's someone else's Momma. My Momma always said "You catch more flies with honey."
How does that apply? Consider this. Whether or not I'm against her views is irrelevant. It's pretty much a given that just about everyone who would be watching the State of the Union Address knows who she is and what she stands for. She has pretty much become a message by herself.
So why can't she show a little respect for the institutions she is trying to influence and dress up? Ditch the t-shirt. It's completely unnecessary at this point. It'd be like putting a big banner on the Statue of Liberty that read "American Symbol."
The room is guaranteed to be full of people who have dressed up for the event. And here she is, wearing a t-shirt with a zip-up jacket over top. What little I saw of the jacket suggested it was a jogging jacket, but it's probably a safe bet that a jacket with a zipper is not likely to be considered dress-up attire, at any rate.
Would it have hurt for her to dress up, leave the slogans at home, wear a tasteful American flag pin, and simple sit there and watch the speech? On the contrary, I think it would have built her some credibility. She could have rolled her eyes during the parts she disagreed with, showed some support if she heard something she liked, and generally portrayed herself as a sensible person. It may have scored her some points even with me.
But I guess that's too much to ask.
It's also probably too much to ask that we cut the police who arrested her some slack. This is, after all, Cindy Sheehan. I don't think it's unjustified for an officer to see this famous face, who's already been arrested before for her protests, dressed in a manner inappropriate to the occasion, wearing a t-shirt with a slogan, and think "Uh oh, this lady is going to cause trouble." What indication was she giving that she was there to behave herself?
These same police also yanked a politician's wife with a t-shirt (at the SOTU! Oh, The Manolo! He rolls over in the grave before he is dead!) proclaiming the opposite view. There must be rules about this sort of thing already in place, or why would they want to open up THAT can of worms?
By the way, considering the big flap over the women's sports team that wore flip-flops to the White House, where is the furor over wearing t-shirts to the SOTU? That's a much more formal event, I would think, than a reception at the White House, and yet if there's an outcry I've missed it.
There, I think I've covered about every angle. Except one more:
Do us ALL a favor, folks! EVERYONE stay seated and hold your applause! I really don't care WHAT you support, or WHAT you oppose. I just want to hear the guy talk and get it over with! Quite wasting my time! Or better yet, let's return to the days of Jefferson, when they just mailed in their report.
Why no, I didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Why do you ask?
How does that apply? Consider this. Whether or not I'm against her views is irrelevant. It's pretty much a given that just about everyone who would be watching the State of the Union Address knows who she is and what she stands for. She has pretty much become a message by herself.
So why can't she show a little respect for the institutions she is trying to influence and dress up? Ditch the t-shirt. It's completely unnecessary at this point. It'd be like putting a big banner on the Statue of Liberty that read "American Symbol."
The room is guaranteed to be full of people who have dressed up for the event. And here she is, wearing a t-shirt with a zip-up jacket over top. What little I saw of the jacket suggested it was a jogging jacket, but it's probably a safe bet that a jacket with a zipper is not likely to be considered dress-up attire, at any rate.
Would it have hurt for her to dress up, leave the slogans at home, wear a tasteful American flag pin, and simple sit there and watch the speech? On the contrary, I think it would have built her some credibility. She could have rolled her eyes during the parts she disagreed with, showed some support if she heard something she liked, and generally portrayed herself as a sensible person. It may have scored her some points even with me.
But I guess that's too much to ask.
It's also probably too much to ask that we cut the police who arrested her some slack. This is, after all, Cindy Sheehan. I don't think it's unjustified for an officer to see this famous face, who's already been arrested before for her protests, dressed in a manner inappropriate to the occasion, wearing a t-shirt with a slogan, and think "Uh oh, this lady is going to cause trouble." What indication was she giving that she was there to behave herself?
These same police also yanked a politician's wife with a t-shirt (at the SOTU! Oh, The Manolo! He rolls over in the grave before he is dead!) proclaiming the opposite view. There must be rules about this sort of thing already in place, or why would they want to open up THAT can of worms?
By the way, considering the big flap over the women's sports team that wore flip-flops to the White House, where is the furor over wearing t-shirts to the SOTU? That's a much more formal event, I would think, than a reception at the White House, and yet if there's an outcry I've missed it.
There, I think I've covered about every angle. Except one more:
Do us ALL a favor, folks! EVERYONE stay seated and hold your applause! I really don't care WHAT you support, or WHAT you oppose. I just want to hear the guy talk and get it over with! Quite wasting my time! Or better yet, let's return to the days of Jefferson, when they just mailed in their report.
Why no, I didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Why do you ask?
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Timing Is Everything
My daughter has her fifth birthday today--and the flu. Evidently there's some sort of three-day flu going around, and she got it. With any luck it'll be gone--and she won't be contagious--by her birthday party on Saturday. She would be one devastated little girl if she doesn't get to have her party. She's only been planning it for, oh...a year.
My wife is also showing symptoms of...something. She went to the doctor yesterday, who confirmed she has a sinus infection, but that doesn't explain the rest of her symptoms. So far the "menfolk" are healthy. I sure hope it stays that way.
My wife is also showing symptoms of...something. She went to the doctor yesterday, who confirmed she has a sinus infection, but that doesn't explain the rest of her symptoms. So far the "menfolk" are healthy. I sure hope it stays that way.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
It's A Given
Am I the only person in America who is doing better this year than last year? You'd sure think that to listen to the media. I started reading an article by someone wondering just what Bush can say in his address tonight to make things look better than they are. I didn't read very far. It was obvious what the writer's agenda was, based on her initial points:
- The State of the Union stinketh, yea, doth roil in stench most foul, because:
- We're still in Iraq, and by her deep, far-reaching expertise in nation-building, we're making no progress whatsoever.
- Hurricane Katrina is Bush's fault.
I stopped reading at that point. I have little to gain from someone with such a warped world view. Am I really to think that the measure of our country can be taken by looking at a third-world country halfway around the world and by one of three regions hit by hurricanes last year? Am I to trust the intellectual honesty of someone who cannot find even the most remote sign of improvement in Iraq?
And why is it that even though he's never been blamed for hurricanes in the previous six years in office, Katrina is Bush's fault? Florida and Texas have been hit hard several times in the last few years, and if the Federal Government really is responsible for handling all such situations, he did a great job on those. Why is Katrina different? To listen to some people you'd think that Bush personally weakened the foundations of thousands of buildings in the area right before the storm hit.
So no, I saw no reason to continue. With that train of logic she'd probably go on to suggest that Bush personally campaigned for Iran's new president, gave him blueprints for nucular bombs, and stopped off in France on the way home to stir up some riots--all of which is proof positive that life in America is an excruciating existence comparable to an apendectomy with toe nail clippers and no anesthetic.
Last night on PBS they showed a documentary on the Nuremburg Trials. If you're looking for evil, folks, THERE is your model, not the current administration. If Bush et al are the nazis so many think they are, then why hasn't he declared Katrina to be the fault of Louisiana blacks and fined them for the cost of repairs? Why is the editorial staff of the New York Times still alive? Why are Mexico and Canada still independent? Why is Baghdad still standing?
If I learned anything last night it is that people really have learned nothing from history, and we're likely going to repeat it. Only this time people like the pathetic writer of that article (who probably believes she is not free to speak her mind under Bush's Nazi Regime, even while her article is carried into millions of homes free of charge) will make sure there is no United States of America left to stand up to the true evil when it rears its head.
Speaking of history, how many of the Great Civilizations, while too strong to be conquered from the outside, fell apart due to corruption from within? I think THAT is the lesson from history we should be paying attention to.
- The State of the Union stinketh, yea, doth roil in stench most foul, because:
- We're still in Iraq, and by her deep, far-reaching expertise in nation-building, we're making no progress whatsoever.
- Hurricane Katrina is Bush's fault.
I stopped reading at that point. I have little to gain from someone with such a warped world view. Am I really to think that the measure of our country can be taken by looking at a third-world country halfway around the world and by one of three regions hit by hurricanes last year? Am I to trust the intellectual honesty of someone who cannot find even the most remote sign of improvement in Iraq?
And why is it that even though he's never been blamed for hurricanes in the previous six years in office, Katrina is Bush's fault? Florida and Texas have been hit hard several times in the last few years, and if the Federal Government really is responsible for handling all such situations, he did a great job on those. Why is Katrina different? To listen to some people you'd think that Bush personally weakened the foundations of thousands of buildings in the area right before the storm hit.
So no, I saw no reason to continue. With that train of logic she'd probably go on to suggest that Bush personally campaigned for Iran's new president, gave him blueprints for nucular bombs, and stopped off in France on the way home to stir up some riots--all of which is proof positive that life in America is an excruciating existence comparable to an apendectomy with toe nail clippers and no anesthetic.
Last night on PBS they showed a documentary on the Nuremburg Trials. If you're looking for evil, folks, THERE is your model, not the current administration. If Bush et al are the nazis so many think they are, then why hasn't he declared Katrina to be the fault of Louisiana blacks and fined them for the cost of repairs? Why is the editorial staff of the New York Times still alive? Why are Mexico and Canada still independent? Why is Baghdad still standing?
If I learned anything last night it is that people really have learned nothing from history, and we're likely going to repeat it. Only this time people like the pathetic writer of that article (who probably believes she is not free to speak her mind under Bush's Nazi Regime, even while her article is carried into millions of homes free of charge) will make sure there is no United States of America left to stand up to the true evil when it rears its head.
Speaking of history, how many of the Great Civilizations, while too strong to be conquered from the outside, fell apart due to corruption from within? I think THAT is the lesson from history we should be paying attention to.
Friday, January 27, 2006
I Am Certifiable
Yesterday afternoon I took the Information Technology Infrastructure Library Foundations Certification exam and passed it. Part of me is irritated with myself that I only got a 75%. Part of me is relieved that I even passed it at all. I completed the program back in mid-November, and since then the course has been unavailable for whatever reason. I've been largely unable to review, so I should be happy to have done so well after two months.
Of course I was scoring in the mid-80's on the practice exam, and for some reason 85% seems so much more solid than 75%. On the other hand, these questions seemed harder. This was not a simple test.
At any rate I passed, and that not only gets me certified but allows me to charge it to the company. I'm also hoping it will mean something within the company, as I may be looking to shift my career focus in response to the recent acquisitions.
Of course it's still way too soon to tell what is going to happen, but assuming I'm not laid off there will still be two potential paths. One is to go with the main part of the company. The primary purchaser has bought all the successful segments of the company, and therefore stands a pretty good chance at staying successful.
On the other hand, the underperforming segment of the company has been picked up by a private investing group with a solid track record of turning around faltering companies. They also tend to reward those who help make it happen. It could also be very, very interesting and informative to get a glimpse into how they turn things around.
So, assuming I can even position myself to go one way or another, I need to decide which way to position myself. For starters, the section of our IT group that stands the best chance of being retained by either companies is not the section I am in. The certification I just obtained could make me more attractive to that group, however.
In any case, if our IT group is to survive the transition, our best bet is to embrace the IT Services approach championed by ITIL. Our IT Operations group--the one I think I want to join--is already well along in doing so. Our IT Development group pays lip-service to the services model, but in reality it's little more than a more highly-formalized version of the matrix structure the organization has had for awhile now. For the most part we provide services internal to the IT organization, and even then it's primarily on development projects.
What we really should be doing, if you ask me--and you didn't, is adopting the ITIL model across the organization to better position ourselves to become invaluable to whichever company we end up in. The "Successful" segment has a number of subsidiaries to which we could offer our services. The "Underperforming" segment has an immediate need for IT services, but plans to uncouple itself over time. If we provide them with excellent IT services, they'll either opt to stay with us or take us with them.
In short, for our IT group to survive, we need to prove ourselves essential to both companies, and we won't do that by being a revenue drain. We need to provide good service, and then carefully track of all the services we provide in order to help both companies recognize our worth and value--all the while preparing to be successful on both fronts to the point where we will need to split the IT group in two.
Of course this is all mindless speculation. I don't even have a clue as to what IT capabilities either organization already brings to the table. Perhaps all they will need from us is to show them how everything works and where the (lack of) documentation is. But frankly I'd be surprised if either company has the infrastructure in place to accommodate the scale of operations they've just purchased.
And while the mental exercise is fun, in the end I've got a family to feed. It may be that I won't be around long enough to care which way the companies go. In the end they will do what is best for them, and I need to do what is best for me, even if it that means doing it somewhere else.
Of course I was scoring in the mid-80's on the practice exam, and for some reason 85% seems so much more solid than 75%. On the other hand, these questions seemed harder. This was not a simple test.
At any rate I passed, and that not only gets me certified but allows me to charge it to the company. I'm also hoping it will mean something within the company, as I may be looking to shift my career focus in response to the recent acquisitions.
Of course it's still way too soon to tell what is going to happen, but assuming I'm not laid off there will still be two potential paths. One is to go with the main part of the company. The primary purchaser has bought all the successful segments of the company, and therefore stands a pretty good chance at staying successful.
On the other hand, the underperforming segment of the company has been picked up by a private investing group with a solid track record of turning around faltering companies. They also tend to reward those who help make it happen. It could also be very, very interesting and informative to get a glimpse into how they turn things around.
So, assuming I can even position myself to go one way or another, I need to decide which way to position myself. For starters, the section of our IT group that stands the best chance of being retained by either companies is not the section I am in. The certification I just obtained could make me more attractive to that group, however.
In any case, if our IT group is to survive the transition, our best bet is to embrace the IT Services approach championed by ITIL. Our IT Operations group--the one I think I want to join--is already well along in doing so. Our IT Development group pays lip-service to the services model, but in reality it's little more than a more highly-formalized version of the matrix structure the organization has had for awhile now. For the most part we provide services internal to the IT organization, and even then it's primarily on development projects.
What we really should be doing, if you ask me--and you didn't, is adopting the ITIL model across the organization to better position ourselves to become invaluable to whichever company we end up in. The "Successful" segment has a number of subsidiaries to which we could offer our services. The "Underperforming" segment has an immediate need for IT services, but plans to uncouple itself over time. If we provide them with excellent IT services, they'll either opt to stay with us or take us with them.
In short, for our IT group to survive, we need to prove ourselves essential to both companies, and we won't do that by being a revenue drain. We need to provide good service, and then carefully track of all the services we provide in order to help both companies recognize our worth and value--all the while preparing to be successful on both fronts to the point where we will need to split the IT group in two.
Of course this is all mindless speculation. I don't even have a clue as to what IT capabilities either organization already brings to the table. Perhaps all they will need from us is to show them how everything works and where the (lack of) documentation is. But frankly I'd be surprised if either company has the infrastructure in place to accommodate the scale of operations they've just purchased.
And while the mental exercise is fun, in the end I've got a family to feed. It may be that I won't be around long enough to care which way the companies go. In the end they will do what is best for them, and I need to do what is best for me, even if it that means doing it somewhere else.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Numerical Gymnastics
From ABCNews online:
Two kids is "so many?" Granted, it's two too many, but they make it sound like half the kids in elementary school are packing heat.
And if you want to look at statistics, there are about as many people in my town as there are US soldiers in Iraq. Census statistics indicate that we averaged about 1050 deaths per year between 2000 and 2005. Is it more dangerous to live here than in Iraq?
In two separate incidents, kids are accused of accidentally shooting other kids. Why are so many children getting their hands on guns and what can be done about it?
Two kids is "so many?" Granted, it's two too many, but they make it sound like half the kids in elementary school are packing heat.
And if you want to look at statistics, there are about as many people in my town as there are US soldiers in Iraq. Census statistics indicate that we averaged about 1050 deaths per year between 2000 and 2005. Is it more dangerous to live here than in Iraq?
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Distopia and Dattopia
I'm feeling a little better today. Nothing like a little time away from work to make it a little more endurable. I'm not completely ready to cut and run, but at the same time, I'm going to start looking. Things might be okay around here for awhile longer, and within a month at least they may have some answers and be able to give me a better idea of whether or not there is any reason to stay.
When I got home from work last night it was almost like a totally different family. Richard was feeling considerably better, and that had a positive influence on everyone. We had a pleasant evening, and even our Family Home Evening went relatively well. Walter didn't even mind that his mouse kept getting caught when we played Mousetrap.
That's not the Mousetrap where you build a Rube Goldberg contraption to catch the world's stupidest mouse, but one we used to play when I was a kid. You take a metal nut or washer, tie a string to it, and place it in the middle of the table, while holding the other end of the string. One person has a pot lid and a die. He rolls the die over and over, and if he rolls a one (or was it a six?) he gets to try to catch the mice before the players can yank them away.
I know there are more rules to it than that, but I couldn't remember. Not that it mattered. That was as complicated as the kids could easily handle, and more than enough fun for them. I always knew there was a good reason to play Warhammer: graphical dice. Rather than have the kids have to worry about counting spots in a hurry I'd just roll an artillery die from my game. It has two sides that show an explosive cloud, while the others all show arrows. It both made the game go faster having two sides that could come up, and made it easy for them to tell when to yank their mice.
Anyway, I need the rest of the family to fill me in on the rest of the rules just in case they want to play it when they're a little older and need more complexity.
I got a flier today for a lawn company that wants to fertilize my lawn this year. It's tempting. Boy is it tempting...
When I got home from work last night it was almost like a totally different family. Richard was feeling considerably better, and that had a positive influence on everyone. We had a pleasant evening, and even our Family Home Evening went relatively well. Walter didn't even mind that his mouse kept getting caught when we played Mousetrap.
That's not the Mousetrap where you build a Rube Goldberg contraption to catch the world's stupidest mouse, but one we used to play when I was a kid. You take a metal nut or washer, tie a string to it, and place it in the middle of the table, while holding the other end of the string. One person has a pot lid and a die. He rolls the die over and over, and if he rolls a one (or was it a six?) he gets to try to catch the mice before the players can yank them away.
I know there are more rules to it than that, but I couldn't remember. Not that it mattered. That was as complicated as the kids could easily handle, and more than enough fun for them. I always knew there was a good reason to play Warhammer: graphical dice. Rather than have the kids have to worry about counting spots in a hurry I'd just roll an artillery die from my game. It has two sides that show an explosive cloud, while the others all show arrows. It both made the game go faster having two sides that could come up, and made it easy for them to tell when to yank their mice.
Anyway, I need the rest of the family to fill me in on the rest of the rules just in case they want to play it when they're a little older and need more complexity.
I got a flier today for a lawn company that wants to fertilize my lawn this year. It's tempting. Boy is it tempting...
Monday, January 23, 2006
Oh Dash It All! Here We Go Again!
It looks like my company will be sold. I guess I'll have to do some thinking and praying about things, but at this point I don't think I want to be stay around to see what happens. Though they've indicated a desire to keep a "significant presence" in my home town, that could mean anything. I don't see how my job could be maintained in the long run.
On the other hand, it looks like we're through the worst part of the plague at our house. Walter and Emma are pretty much back to normal, and Richard is showing significant signs of improvement. With any luck, the winter of our discontent is nearly over.
It's a good thing. We thought we were getting cabin fever before! Being cooped up inside unable to even go to stores, the mall, etc., has really taken its toll on everyone, especially Terhi. I'm sure they'll be happy to be out and about again.
On the other hand, it looks like we're through the worst part of the plague at our house. Walter and Emma are pretty much back to normal, and Richard is showing significant signs of improvement. With any luck, the winter of our discontent is nearly over.
It's a good thing. We thought we were getting cabin fever before! Being cooped up inside unable to even go to stores, the mall, etc., has really taken its toll on everyone, especially Terhi. I'm sure they'll be happy to be out and about again.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Doin' The Wave
Well, one kid is nearly recovered, the second went to the doctor yesterday--and has another appointment for this afternoon--and the third is struggling bravely through the early/middle stages. And my wife seems to be going back down for another round.
Me? So far I've managed to avoid it, knock on...uhm...particle board.
This whole experience has taught me just how much I despise our current insurance. Our old insurance had a fairly low co-pay on doctor's visits, whereas on our current program we pay everything out of pocket until we hit the deductible, wherein the insurance starts kicking in. Knowing that we'll have to pay the whole thing really makes us agaonize every time a kid gets sick. Should we go see a doctor or not?
As I mentioned above, our oldest went to the doctor yesterday, complaining of an ear ache. Sure enough, she has an ear infection. Today she's complaining of an ache in her throat. I guess she's had this before, and it turned out to be a throat infection. If this really is the same thing, then the antibiotics they prescribed for the ear infection should also help with this. But what if it's not?
If we take her in today and they say that she'll be fine when the antibiotics have had enough time to take effect I'll be grumbling. But the alternative is taking the chance that it IS something else and it WON'T get better on its own. Then we still pay for a doctor, and suffer the guilt that we could have done something sooner and spared her the suffering.
We're young parents, and eventually we'll gain enough experience to know how to decide these sorts of things more easily. But I can't help but wish the lessons would come cheaper. Like they used to.
Me? So far I've managed to avoid it, knock on...uhm...particle board.
This whole experience has taught me just how much I despise our current insurance. Our old insurance had a fairly low co-pay on doctor's visits, whereas on our current program we pay everything out of pocket until we hit the deductible, wherein the insurance starts kicking in. Knowing that we'll have to pay the whole thing really makes us agaonize every time a kid gets sick. Should we go see a doctor or not?
As I mentioned above, our oldest went to the doctor yesterday, complaining of an ear ache. Sure enough, she has an ear infection. Today she's complaining of an ache in her throat. I guess she's had this before, and it turned out to be a throat infection. If this really is the same thing, then the antibiotics they prescribed for the ear infection should also help with this. But what if it's not?
If we take her in today and they say that she'll be fine when the antibiotics have had enough time to take effect I'll be grumbling. But the alternative is taking the chance that it IS something else and it WON'T get better on its own. Then we still pay for a doctor, and suffer the guilt that we could have done something sooner and spared her the suffering.
We're young parents, and eventually we'll gain enough experience to know how to decide these sorts of things more easily. But I can't help but wish the lessons would come cheaper. Like they used to.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The Neighborhood Coughy House
The crud has hit our house. It's been toying with us for a week or more now, but this weekend it made its move. My middle son spent much of yesterday dripping and coughing and generally being miserable. His other two siblings seem to have lesser versions of it, though we're not entirely sure the baby is out of the woods. My wife has had some sort of crud most of the last week, and is either getting it again or has picked up a different strain.
As for me, if I did get it I didn't notice since I'm already high on decongestants for my allergies. I suspect, from watching my son go through it, I would have noticed. So either my day is coming or I've been extremely fortunate so far.
My company is back on the auction block again, so I'm officially and preemptively on the market again, too. I'm not hearing any convincing reasons to stay. It never hurts to start finding out what else is out there.
My company gave me MLKj Day off yesterday, so I spent it (in addition to helping nursemaid sick kids) catching up on a few projects around the house like taking down the outdoor Christmas lights and attempting (successfully this time) to put a nice edge around the fireplace hearth.
For some reason the previous occupants decided it would be fun to rip up the carpet to run surround sound wiring beneath. They did a horrible job of replacing the carpet around the fireplace, and the tack strip was poking holes in our feet. I tried last month to do something about it only to find that our downstairs carpet is installed over concrete (and a pad, of course), which makes it very hard to nail anything down. I'm not sure how they got the tack strip in, quite frankly, unless they added it while the concrete was still wet.
So my next plan was to get some Gorilla Glue and glue some nails pointing upward around the edge of the tile heart so that I could take a piece of wooden moulding and hammer it down onto the nails, which would hold the carpet down and put a nice edge on it all. One problem: Gorilla Glue has to be clamped, and they mean it. I had no means of clamping a dozen or so nails to the floor.
So next I tried getting some 1/4-inch slats, driving nails up through it, and gluing that on the floor to secure the moulding against. The nails either didn't hold or the moulding split. I never even got far enough to try gluing the slat to the concrete flooring.
So yesterday I abandoned the idea of securing the moulding without any fasteners showing. I glued some more of the 1/4-inch slat to the concrete, "clamping" it with a pile of books on top to hold it down (I knew I held onto those darn books for a reason!), and then screwing the moulding down through the carpet and into the slats. After developing an impromptu countersink method, it went together like a charm.
One more item off the list. Just in time for the list to start growing again. With spring coming we've begun making plans for yard/garden/interior. I'm sure I'll keep plenty busy this year.
As for me, if I did get it I didn't notice since I'm already high on decongestants for my allergies. I suspect, from watching my son go through it, I would have noticed. So either my day is coming or I've been extremely fortunate so far.
My company is back on the auction block again, so I'm officially and preemptively on the market again, too. I'm not hearing any convincing reasons to stay. It never hurts to start finding out what else is out there.
My company gave me MLKj Day off yesterday, so I spent it (in addition to helping nursemaid sick kids) catching up on a few projects around the house like taking down the outdoor Christmas lights and attempting (successfully this time) to put a nice edge around the fireplace hearth.
For some reason the previous occupants decided it would be fun to rip up the carpet to run surround sound wiring beneath. They did a horrible job of replacing the carpet around the fireplace, and the tack strip was poking holes in our feet. I tried last month to do something about it only to find that our downstairs carpet is installed over concrete (and a pad, of course), which makes it very hard to nail anything down. I'm not sure how they got the tack strip in, quite frankly, unless they added it while the concrete was still wet.
So my next plan was to get some Gorilla Glue and glue some nails pointing upward around the edge of the tile heart so that I could take a piece of wooden moulding and hammer it down onto the nails, which would hold the carpet down and put a nice edge on it all. One problem: Gorilla Glue has to be clamped, and they mean it. I had no means of clamping a dozen or so nails to the floor.
So next I tried getting some 1/4-inch slats, driving nails up through it, and gluing that on the floor to secure the moulding against. The nails either didn't hold or the moulding split. I never even got far enough to try gluing the slat to the concrete flooring.
So yesterday I abandoned the idea of securing the moulding without any fasteners showing. I glued some more of the 1/4-inch slat to the concrete, "clamping" it with a pile of books on top to hold it down (I knew I held onto those darn books for a reason!), and then screwing the moulding down through the carpet and into the slats. After developing an impromptu countersink method, it went together like a charm.
One more item off the list. Just in time for the list to start growing again. With spring coming we've begun making plans for yard/garden/interior. I'm sure I'll keep plenty busy this year.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
The Tooth?! You Can't HANDLE The Tooth!
Actually, if we're talking about my baby boy, he can--at least better than we expected. He just got his first tooth a couple days ago, and that day was the first time we really suspected it. He's normally a fairly cheerful little guy, and so after a day of his being crabby and clingy, we decided to check his gums. Ouch! Poor little guy.
Things are not quite so bad at work now. I've started to settle into my new digs and have started being productive. Being productive helps a lot. I kinda like it.
Beyond that I've been knee-deep in a personal project. I've been writing a novel. It's fan fiction for a wargame I play, and I've been posting it in chapters on an online fan bulletin board. It's not terribly large, perhaps 50,000 words by the time I'm done with it, which according to this source makes it pushing the upper limit of a novella.
I haven't written a novel in about 15 years, so it feels good to crank out something that significant. And I've got at least two fans who loyally read each installment. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it's really made a difference. This bulletin board has a "hit" counter that lets you know how many times a post has been read. My readership has been falling off fairly steadily since I first started posting it, but these two not only always come back but regularly leave me comments. At this point I'd have to say I'm going to finish this as much for them as for me.
Another encouraging aspect of this work is that I have a desire to go back and rework it once I'm done. I usually finish something (if even that) and immediately abandon it. My previous novel I have intended to rework, but only after rereading it after a year or two and realizing it was pretty weak. This one I can already see where it can be made better, where it should be expanded, and how my writing style could be improved.
Right now the main pressure is to finish it. Once it's done I intend to leave it for awhile so it can become fresh again and I can become a little less attached. Then I plan to come back to it and rework it. After all, Robert Louis Stevenson once said that writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. I don't sweat enough for my art.
After that I've got another project simmering on the back burner. This one should be my first serious attempt at LDS historical fiction (two categories I've never tackled before). The last time I read through the Book of Mormon I became very impressed with King Limhi, the son of a wicked king who in spite of his father's example, remains relatively righteous and eventually becomes the spiritual leader of his people as well. There's a story there, and I'm itching to tell it.
Hold me to it, folks. If I don't have at least a full draft by the end of 2006 give me heaps of grief.
Things are not quite so bad at work now. I've started to settle into my new digs and have started being productive. Being productive helps a lot. I kinda like it.
Beyond that I've been knee-deep in a personal project. I've been writing a novel. It's fan fiction for a wargame I play, and I've been posting it in chapters on an online fan bulletin board. It's not terribly large, perhaps 50,000 words by the time I'm done with it, which according to this source makes it pushing the upper limit of a novella.
I haven't written a novel in about 15 years, so it feels good to crank out something that significant. And I've got at least two fans who loyally read each installment. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it's really made a difference. This bulletin board has a "hit" counter that lets you know how many times a post has been read. My readership has been falling off fairly steadily since I first started posting it, but these two not only always come back but regularly leave me comments. At this point I'd have to say I'm going to finish this as much for them as for me.
Another encouraging aspect of this work is that I have a desire to go back and rework it once I'm done. I usually finish something (if even that) and immediately abandon it. My previous novel I have intended to rework, but only after rereading it after a year or two and realizing it was pretty weak. This one I can already see where it can be made better, where it should be expanded, and how my writing style could be improved.
Right now the main pressure is to finish it. Once it's done I intend to leave it for awhile so it can become fresh again and I can become a little less attached. Then I plan to come back to it and rework it. After all, Robert Louis Stevenson once said that writing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. I don't sweat enough for my art.
After that I've got another project simmering on the back burner. This one should be my first serious attempt at LDS historical fiction (two categories I've never tackled before). The last time I read through the Book of Mormon I became very impressed with King Limhi, the son of a wicked king who in spite of his father's example, remains relatively righteous and eventually becomes the spiritual leader of his people as well. There's a story there, and I'm itching to tell it.
Hold me to it, folks. If I don't have at least a full draft by the end of 2006 give me heaps of grief.
Friday, January 06, 2006
January Doldrums
I have decided I do not like my job any more. It's been months since I produced anything of value, and while it's not my fault I've had lousy assignments, it's really hard to feel useful and productive. I've been reassigned again, and it's done very little to eliminate my feeling of being cattle.
I've been putting out feelers in other areas of the company in hopes of arranging a change of position, but I have serious doubts that anything will come of it.
It's time to start looking for another job, I think.
I've been putting out feelers in other areas of the company in hopes of arranging a change of position, but I have serious doubts that anything will come of it.
It's time to start looking for another job, I think.
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