So, all studying avoidance aside, I was able to focus and pass my PMP (Project Management Professional) certification exam last Thursday. The most amazing thing is, that while I was sitting there waiting for the computer to give me my results, I had no idea whether or not I passed. The test is very "open ended." That is, there are many right answers, you have to choose the "most correct" of all of them. Sometimes a single word in the question will change which one is most correct.
The test takes 4 hours and has 200 questions in it. I finished in 3 1/2 hours and scored 79%. This is significant because, on the old test, you had to score 75%. This one only required 61%. So, no matter what, I would have passed.
I haven't studied this hard since learning Japanese. It was about as difficult it seems. That's probably because I am getting older now and things enter the brain a bit slower.......
It points up the fact to me that you must keep learning and active if you want to enjoy life, though. This was very satisfying and makes me want to learn more, but without so much pressure. Maybe I will learn to write PHP after all.....
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Grandpa Dreams
Fishing Memories
I haven't been fishing in well over a year. I am sad for that because it is one of my favorite activities. Part of the problem is that it takes so much time to get there and back and I really want to spend time with Mom on Saturdays. It seems that our weekends are more booked than our weekdays, with family and church commitments taking a lot of time. Well, maybe next year if my Butterfly comes to visit, I will take her fishing. Ever since I was small, I have said, "When I am a Grandpa, I will take my grandchildren fishing!" Fishing with my grandparents was one of the highlights of my childhood. I loved my Grandma Ions' salty talk, my Grandpa Parker's patient way of helping me tie knots and bait hooks. He always had little jokes he would tell me and private conversations, while my Grandma Parker was commenting on everything from the number of rocks to the attitude of the other people fishing around us. All of these things created a flavor in my mind that I relish to this day. I want Butterfly to have the same experiences. It's my dream she and all my grandchildren will look forward to fishing with Grandpa.
Mud and Motorcyles
Fishing is one of my zen activities. Driving and reading scifi or fantasy is the other. Fishing is a safe haven unless you mange to hook yourself or there are annoying people on loud ATVs roaring around. Speaking of which, I was up at the Lake once and there were two kids on motorcycles roaring around. One had a pretty weak motor and he could just barely keep up. The other more powerful bike went off an old log in a little jump, landed in some mud, lost control a little, and then turned around to watch the other do his jump. Well, the little putt-putt came off the log and did an endo into the mudhole covering it's rider with mud from head to toe. It was obviously satisfying to his riding partner, who laughed hysterically over the fall. It was more satisfying to me because they got what they deserved. I raised my Diet Coke to them and toasted the maneuver, "Here's mud in your eye!"
That's my dream. Every annoying person who disturbs my zen time should get face planted in the mud.
I haven't been fishing in well over a year. I am sad for that because it is one of my favorite activities. Part of the problem is that it takes so much time to get there and back and I really want to spend time with Mom on Saturdays. It seems that our weekends are more booked than our weekdays, with family and church commitments taking a lot of time. Well, maybe next year if my Butterfly comes to visit, I will take her fishing. Ever since I was small, I have said, "When I am a Grandpa, I will take my grandchildren fishing!" Fishing with my grandparents was one of the highlights of my childhood. I loved my Grandma Ions' salty talk, my Grandpa Parker's patient way of helping me tie knots and bait hooks. He always had little jokes he would tell me and private conversations, while my Grandma Parker was commenting on everything from the number of rocks to the attitude of the other people fishing around us. All of these things created a flavor in my mind that I relish to this day. I want Butterfly to have the same experiences. It's my dream she and all my grandchildren will look forward to fishing with Grandpa.
Mud and Motorcyles
Fishing is one of my zen activities. Driving and reading scifi or fantasy is the other. Fishing is a safe haven unless you mange to hook yourself or there are annoying people on loud ATVs roaring around. Speaking of which, I was up at the Lake once and there were two kids on motorcycles roaring around. One had a pretty weak motor and he could just barely keep up. The other more powerful bike went off an old log in a little jump, landed in some mud, lost control a little, and then turned around to watch the other do his jump. Well, the little putt-putt came off the log and did an endo into the mudhole covering it's rider with mud from head to toe. It was obviously satisfying to his riding partner, who laughed hysterically over the fall. It was more satisfying to me because they got what they deserved. I raised my Diet Coke to them and toasted the maneuver, "Here's mud in your eye!"
That's my dream. Every annoying person who disturbs my zen time should get face planted in the mud.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Studying and it's Avoidance
The mere fact that I am writing this says that I am avoiding my study time for the certification exam a week from Thursday. I have already postponed it once and really don't want to do so again, so I had better get on the stick.
I have been updating the Hull website of late and I think I may have the process down. I managed to wipe some of the content others had posted, but we will get that restored and hopefully that will never happen again.
Both websites have received major facelifts over the past 2 months which is part of the reason I never post here. If I have time, I work over on those sites. I have even considered moving my blog over there, but I don't think I will just yet. Blogger (nee Google) allows for easy customizations and it's not as simple with RapidWeaver, though I can do more with that. Photo Galleries and such are easier with RW and I can even do them in Flash (that's the fancy moving menu stuff you see on some pages). Flash requires Dreamweaver, which I refuse to buy, so RapidWeaver does the trick. I just let others write the Flash code and then I use it.
We had a nice Stake Conference yesterday and I sang in the choir after Mom guilted me into it. She stayed home sick for both the Saturday night and Sunday sessions. I was glad she did, it was quite good, even though I did nod off on Sunday morning. Not an unusual occurance for me anyway............
So, now it's back to Project Management Professional certification study. Ah, well.....
I have been updating the Hull website of late and I think I may have the process down. I managed to wipe some of the content others had posted, but we will get that restored and hopefully that will never happen again.
Both websites have received major facelifts over the past 2 months which is part of the reason I never post here. If I have time, I work over on those sites. I have even considered moving my blog over there, but I don't think I will just yet. Blogger (nee Google) allows for easy customizations and it's not as simple with RapidWeaver, though I can do more with that. Photo Galleries and such are easier with RW and I can even do them in Flash (that's the fancy moving menu stuff you see on some pages). Flash requires Dreamweaver, which I refuse to buy, so RapidWeaver does the trick. I just let others write the Flash code and then I use it.
We had a nice Stake Conference yesterday and I sang in the choir after Mom guilted me into it. She stayed home sick for both the Saturday night and Sunday sessions. I was glad she did, it was quite good, even though I did nod off on Sunday morning. Not an unusual occurance for me anyway............
So, now it's back to Project Management Professional certification study. Ah, well.....
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
More Pictures from the Porch
I realize that many of you will not be that interested in the pictures I take. Mostly, l leave the people pictures to Mom's camera and Kodak Gallery. You get those on a regular basis and most folks are happy with that. Of course, with my new camera, we will be taking people pics as well, it's just that this is more than just portraits. Photography has always been a passion of mine. One that I sold over 20 years ago. Well, as you have seen, it is back.
I like the first picture, Guess where I took it! That is, what is the setting, background, etc.
Why is photo number 2 significant? Bet you can't guess....!
The one next to it is my favorite, It's a happy combination of factors, really. Unlike this blog page which will not layout the way I want it. Tough to caption pictures. Maybe some of you more expert bloggers out there can help...
For those of you who want a people picture, here is one. I found it strangely poignant. Mom, hated it of course.
I like the first picture, Guess where I took it! That is, what is the setting, background, etc.
Why is photo number 2 significant? Bet you can't guess....!
The one next to it is my favorite, It's a happy combination of factors, really. Unlike this blog page which will not layout the way I want it. Tough to caption pictures. Maybe some of you more expert bloggers out there can help...
For those of you who want a people picture, here is one. I found it strangely poignant. Mom, hated it of course.
Video Posting
We are testing video in the blog. Let's see if it works.....
Video Sharing at DropShots.com
It does!!!!
Video Sharing at DropShots.com
It does!!!!
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Guilted into Action
Since Andrew finally posted, I suppose I should. Or rather, we should, though Mom never does post. Talks a lot though. The telephone is really her medium, she is much more analog, I am digital.
Part of the reason I/we never post is because we don't have that much to say. At least I don't. Life is what it is and we don't go to parties, other than the occasionaly family get together, we don't go to the movies much anymore and never go to plays or music concerts unless Andrew or Angela are in them. Horribly boring lifestyle! One highlight of my week is to play Guildwars with Jeff and that hasn't happened because of the Great Internet Outage. I am not one to play alone that much. The other is when Andrew and Angela come to dinner. We do have some interesting discussions around the dinner table.
I have however, just acquired a new toy. An 8.2 megapixel Canon ESO 20D. This has gotten my creative juices flowing so I thought I would publish some "arty" pictures I have taken. For those not in the mountains, this will remind you of the beauty we see here, almost every day. I hope to capture that beauty more regularly and post some of the better images and their stories here. This is not as fascinating as Vanessa (what could be?), but may bring some variety to our lives. Jeff Unruh, my old boss, and I are thinking about a little safari this spring. So more images on the way.
Here are some more views from the porch.......
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Just a Post
With all the web and regular work we have been doing, it's hard to sit down at the computer and do more. Working at home has been both a blessing and a curse. My time is very flexible and I can pretty much work as I choose. What really happens is you wind up working many more hours than you thought and at odd times. Many's the night when I wake up at 2am with an idea and have to go to my office and work on it. Then I look up and it's 5am and I have an hour or two of sleep before all the web meetings and conference calls start.
Mom spends her time on the computer too. At work, that's all she does. Staring over her glasses at a computer screen. She then comes home and stares at it again, either researching genealogy or playing Freecell. She likes it though and we are making excellent progress on the Maughan family with several people added in the last 30 days. If you are interested, try www.parkerfamilyhistory.org and click on What's New.
That is one thing that is annoying me, the lack of participation on the Parker web site. We have 18 users on the Hull side and 4 on the Parkers counting Debi and me. Outside of our immediate family (just Catherine, actually) there is only one user. I hope to get the sites out on to Google where we should get more traffic. Security is pretty good, so I feel confident.
A final note, stability is peaceful but somewhat boring. We need something else for spice. Maybe an art class or a trip.....oh yes, we are going to DC for Thanksgiving, a welcome respite from the daily drudge. Catherine and Jeff are salt and pepper, Vanessa is a little jalapeno!
Mom spends her time on the computer too. At work, that's all she does. Staring over her glasses at a computer screen. She then comes home and stares at it again, either researching genealogy or playing Freecell. She likes it though and we are making excellent progress on the Maughan family with several people added in the last 30 days. If you are interested, try www.parkerfamilyhistory.org and click on What's New.
That is one thing that is annoying me, the lack of participation on the Parker web site. We have 18 users on the Hull side and 4 on the Parkers counting Debi and me. Outside of our immediate family (just Catherine, actually) there is only one user. I hope to get the sites out on to Google where we should get more traffic. Security is pretty good, so I feel confident.
A final note, stability is peaceful but somewhat boring. We need something else for spice. Maybe an art class or a trip.....oh yes, we are going to DC for Thanksgiving, a welcome respite from the daily drudge. Catherine and Jeff are salt and pepper, Vanessa is a little jalapeno!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Web Site Mania
While there are many things on my mind at the moment, (not the least of which is a burning desire to go on vacation again) I wanted to focus on the Hull Family History website. I won't even talk about the Parker site, it's not up yet.
Building a web site the way I am doing it is like learning how to make bread except you have to learn to prepare the field, plant the seed, learn how to tend it, harvest it and grind it into flour all while you are learning to raise the chickens for the eggs and raising and milking the cows for the rest of the ingredients. I didn't forget the yeast, but I figure my poor brain is a substitute for the yeast. Iknow, it would be easier to just have someone host it for me and pay monthly for the privilige, but where's the fun in that? Besides, I would never have gotten a Mac out of that deal.
So, I have the site up, which means that the flour is ground and I have the milk and eggs. PHP is working (it's a scripting language) and the TNG software is up which manages the front end to the database. It's the dang database that is giving me fits. MySQL is required by The Next Generation of Genealogy Software or TNG. Now I work for a database company and have been in the database business for maybe 10-12 years and MySQL is easy, but add Linux, even in the exceptional form of Mac OSX it becomes hard.
However, I am almost there. I figure tonight I will create the database, add the users and attempt to put data in the tables (database tables). Maybe I can then put the bread in the oven and then sit for a while, smelling that wonderful smell and anticipating a warm slice with butter and honey later.
Building a web site the way I am doing it is like learning how to make bread except you have to learn to prepare the field, plant the seed, learn how to tend it, harvest it and grind it into flour all while you are learning to raise the chickens for the eggs and raising and milking the cows for the rest of the ingredients. I didn't forget the yeast, but I figure my poor brain is a substitute for the yeast. Iknow, it would be easier to just have someone host it for me and pay monthly for the privilige, but where's the fun in that? Besides, I would never have gotten a Mac out of that deal.
So, I have the site up, which means that the flour is ground and I have the milk and eggs. PHP is working (it's a scripting language) and the TNG software is up which manages the front end to the database. It's the dang database that is giving me fits. MySQL is required by The Next Generation of Genealogy Software or TNG. Now I work for a database company and have been in the database business for maybe 10-12 years and MySQL is easy, but add Linux, even in the exceptional form of Mac OSX it becomes hard.
However, I am almost there. I figure tonight I will create the database, add the users and attempt to put data in the tables (database tables). Maybe I can then put the bread in the oven and then sit for a while, smelling that wonderful smell and anticipating a warm slice with butter and honey later.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Grandparenthood!!
Well, we are now officially grandparents. As of 5/10/05 (very symmetrical) Vanessa Jill Watson has made us Nana and Grandpa Parker. Our metamorphosis will be more complete when we make it to Gaithersburg and get to hold her in our arms.
I will not put any of the details of the birth on here as Catherine will probably do that in her blog. We don't want to steal her thunder, after all. We are just happy that all is normal and everyone is healthy. That's all that matters.
We will be putting more information on our new websites, www.parkerfamilyhistory.org and www.hullfamilyhistory.org. They should be online in June.
The next new arrival is Andrew and Angela's puppy around mid-July. Look for pictures and other information on Andrew's blog (assuming he ever updates it again).
I will not put any of the details of the birth on here as Catherine will probably do that in her blog. We don't want to steal her thunder, after all. We are just happy that all is normal and everyone is healthy. That's all that matters.
We will be putting more information on our new websites, www.parkerfamilyhistory.org and www.hullfamilyhistory.org. They should be online in June.
The next new arrival is Andrew and Angela's puppy around mid-July. Look for pictures and other information on Andrew's blog (assuming he ever updates it again).
Friday, April 08, 2005
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Linux, Mac OSX and the vagaries of Technology
Well, yesterday we made progress on the great Linux saga. Dad finally got the network up and updated the OS to Debian 3.0 (I think). Linux is pretty cool and I like hacking around in it, but it is taking a lot of time to figure out. Plus, I feel that I spend entirely too much time with technology and not enough time with something else more.....creative. Like the song in Napoleon Dynamite, I do love technology, but I am tired of figuring it out. It always feels like working, not play or relaxing anymore.
We went over to Nana Simister's last night to install her wireless. I did not bring my laptop to configure the repeaters and so we have to go back Thursday. **sigh** Frankly, I wish they would just spring for their own DSL and not share Lisa's. It would make my life a whole lot simpler! Less time configuring yet another computer system. I even spent an evening last week fixing my ex-boss, Jeff Unruh's computer.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love these people and would do anything for them. It is a service that I can perform. Some of us work in food kitchens or mow widow's lawns. I service computers for free for non-geeks. Really though, playing with the technology is fun most of the time. I just need a break from it. It has become a 24x7 job both at home and work. I was reading a bulletin board the other day and one guy who was a Linux SysAdmin (administers computers all day) said that he didn't want to come home and administer computers all night. Hence he had Macs at home. Mac and Linux are cousins (Mac uses the Darwin kernel for you geeks out there) so he was comfortable with the system. The tools and GUI (graphical user interface) really make the management simple. So now I am on the lookout for tools to help finish the setup and then administer the new Linux server. Then I have to start designing the web site. See what I mean about never-ending? If the Linux system does not work out, Mac Mini, here I come!
However, I feel the pressure from the spirit to get this website up for the family history. Mom has made some real jumps with Nana Simister's family, going back at least two more generations (maybe 3) and the Hull family (my grandmother's) wants to compile a new book on the family to supplement Robert Rigby Hull's book (aka, the Blue Book) using the web site. This will make it a living document online that anyone can download. I just have to figure out how to do it. Maybe set it up as a blog, I don't know. The spirit of Elijah grabs us all according to our talents, so I am stuck behind a keyboard and screen for the forseable future. I will be golfing or some other less technical pusuit soon. Ya gotta catch a break sometime!!
We went over to Nana Simister's last night to install her wireless. I did not bring my laptop to configure the repeaters and so we have to go back Thursday. **sigh** Frankly, I wish they would just spring for their own DSL and not share Lisa's. It would make my life a whole lot simpler! Less time configuring yet another computer system. I even spent an evening last week fixing my ex-boss, Jeff Unruh's computer.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love these people and would do anything for them. It is a service that I can perform. Some of us work in food kitchens or mow widow's lawns. I service computers for free for non-geeks. Really though, playing with the technology is fun most of the time. I just need a break from it. It has become a 24x7 job both at home and work. I was reading a bulletin board the other day and one guy who was a Linux SysAdmin (administers computers all day) said that he didn't want to come home and administer computers all night. Hence he had Macs at home. Mac and Linux are cousins (Mac uses the Darwin kernel for you geeks out there) so he was comfortable with the system. The tools and GUI (graphical user interface) really make the management simple. So now I am on the lookout for tools to help finish the setup and then administer the new Linux server. Then I have to start designing the web site. See what I mean about never-ending? If the Linux system does not work out, Mac Mini, here I come!
However, I feel the pressure from the spirit to get this website up for the family history. Mom has made some real jumps with Nana Simister's family, going back at least two more generations (maybe 3) and the Hull family (my grandmother's) wants to compile a new book on the family to supplement Robert Rigby Hull's book (aka, the Blue Book) using the web site. This will make it a living document online that anyone can download. I just have to figure out how to do it. Maybe set it up as a blog, I don't know. The spirit of Elijah grabs us all according to our talents, so I am stuck behind a keyboard and screen for the forseable future. I will be golfing or some other less technical pusuit soon. Ya gotta catch a break sometime!!
Friday, April 01, 2005
Short One for Zuke
This is gonna be short, because I am not feeling particularly loquacious today. Zuke was berating me for not writing here, so.......this is for you Zuke!
Linux and Apple are the new computer passions in my life. I am learning Linux, finally and like it alot. It's hard, but it takes me back to the days when I was learing DOS and computers in general. Confused, reading tons of books. Surfing the net (not billboards as in olden days) and just trying to get educated. I do have a system up, just not connected to the network yet. I am trying to sort that out. Between wireless complexities and routing tables, I am up to my ears. I did get XWindows figured out and am running Gnome as my interface, but want to try others. KDE looks like it will be the eventual winner, but who knows? I do have another system running Red Hat, but I may blow that away and run Debian on it as well. Use it as a test machine.
What I really want is an Apple Mini. I figure that with the new Apple Xgrid I can create a parallel supercomputer using $500 minis. Start small and add as you need. Could be cool. Front end would be a 20" iMac. Ah, well, more computer dreams.
More importantly, I want my theater and a remake of the house. Been waiting a long time for that and it's close. Just gotta save a bit more money.
Deb and I are working on the genealogy, Deb doing research and me finally getting to the DVD backlog that I have. All this time in front of the computer makes me want to run screaming out to run in the hills, but I have to wait for the snow to melt a bit more. Hopefully it will warm up and I can get out to play some golf with Andrew.
I guess I am loquacious today. Gotta get to work.
Linux and Apple are the new computer passions in my life. I am learning Linux, finally and like it alot. It's hard, but it takes me back to the days when I was learing DOS and computers in general. Confused, reading tons of books. Surfing the net (not billboards as in olden days) and just trying to get educated. I do have a system up, just not connected to the network yet. I am trying to sort that out. Between wireless complexities and routing tables, I am up to my ears. I did get XWindows figured out and am running Gnome as my interface, but want to try others. KDE looks like it will be the eventual winner, but who knows? I do have another system running Red Hat, but I may blow that away and run Debian on it as well. Use it as a test machine.
What I really want is an Apple Mini. I figure that with the new Apple Xgrid I can create a parallel supercomputer using $500 minis. Start small and add as you need. Could be cool. Front end would be a 20" iMac. Ah, well, more computer dreams.
More importantly, I want my theater and a remake of the house. Been waiting a long time for that and it's close. Just gotta save a bit more money.
Deb and I are working on the genealogy, Deb doing research and me finally getting to the DVD backlog that I have. All this time in front of the computer makes me want to run screaming out to run in the hills, but I have to wait for the snow to melt a bit more. Hopefully it will warm up and I can get out to play some golf with Andrew.
I guess I am loquacious today. Gotta get to work.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Prayer is a Funny Thing
For the past several months I have been praying assiduously over my job. I had to have some success to give me relief from the stress I was feeling. Well, my prayers were answered, but not in the way I thought. I was "riffed" on January 14, 2005. RIF is shorthand for Reduction In Force, a modern day euphamism for layoff or firings. As soon as I got off the phone with my manager, I called another person at Oracle and in 2 hours I had a job in a group that needs someone like me. So now, while I don't get commission checks, I will get a better salary and control of my own destiny. No more sales for this boy, it's not my cup of tea. My new job is in customer service, I am a project manager for large customers who purchase Oracle's OnDemand services. It's a perfect job for me, manage a virtual team, get the customer happy and move on to the next assignment. I am so happy about this. It is truly an answer to my prayers, though not in the way I envisioned. It's so much better.
God knows our needs better that we do. I am grateful.
God knows our needs better that we do. I am grateful.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
December Ch-ch-changes
Debi is so busy with her "book" that we always seem to be doing something to complete it. I am doing tech support (sympathies, Zuke) while she lays out and prints large volumes of pages. The end result should be beautiful, though. I have seen the galley proofs.
The other exciting change is that we are becoming grandparents! Woohoo! Catherine and Jeff are having a baby in May. I think everyone knows, but who cares....I am so psyched to be Grandpa. How soon can I take him/her fishing? It will be fun, even if it's long distance.
Last night we saw a wonderful movie, "Finding Neverland." A touching story about the creation of the play Peter Pan. Well cast (you can't go wrong with Johnny Depp) and well written, it had the stately pace of Victorian life, and you didn't even mind. It made me want to go to my own Neverland and write something finally. Debi, too. Though she has already published her play and it was even performed!
Christmas shopping has really taken a back seat this year. I am woefully behind and hope to have everything finished by Monday night. I have three things to get Debi and seven more on the kids list. They are so spoiled! We are serving notice that the budget will be cut back in order to make room for the grandkids after this year! They will all still get nice presents, though, so not to worry. Mom will always spend more than she should on presents, because that's the way she is.
To work again tomorrow....ahhhhh. Oh, by the way, I have been released as Ward Music Chairman. We did our Christmas program today and it went very well. I am glad to go out on a high note. (pun intended)
The other exciting change is that we are becoming grandparents! Woohoo! Catherine and Jeff are having a baby in May. I think everyone knows, but who cares....I am so psyched to be Grandpa. How soon can I take him/her fishing? It will be fun, even if it's long distance.
Last night we saw a wonderful movie, "Finding Neverland." A touching story about the creation of the play Peter Pan. Well cast (you can't go wrong with Johnny Depp) and well written, it had the stately pace of Victorian life, and you didn't even mind. It made me want to go to my own Neverland and write something finally. Debi, too. Though she has already published her play and it was even performed!
Christmas shopping has really taken a back seat this year. I am woefully behind and hope to have everything finished by Monday night. I have three things to get Debi and seven more on the kids list. They are so spoiled! We are serving notice that the budget will be cut back in order to make room for the grandkids after this year! They will all still get nice presents, though, so not to worry. Mom will always spend more than she should on presents, because that's the way she is.
To work again tomorrow....ahhhhh. Oh, by the way, I have been released as Ward Music Chairman. We did our Christmas program today and it went very well. I am glad to go out on a high note. (pun intended)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Late Night Musings
I want to go to sleep, I really do. Mom is already there. I am always amazed at how she falls asleep. It's like someone hits her with a rock and she's out. Me, I have to either take a pill or go through a whole yoga breathing thing while watching NASCAR races (the white noise helps) for two hours before it comes on me. I have to be careful, if I fall asleep for 5 minutes in the chair, then it takes another 2 hours to sleep in the bed.
What's more important? Success or memories? Lots of talk about too much work and not enough memories. Not enough living, to be more precise. Everyone at my work is talking about that except my boss, all he is talking about is making numbers this quarter. <> I had better fire up the laptop and send a few more emails!
Not!
Tomorrow we are going to finish Andrew's house. He is heartily sick of working on it, but I have news for him, he gets to crawl into the appropriately named space and insure that I don't hit a pipe or something while I drill through his floor. I hope he likes bugs and cobwebs!
We saw Tony and Charayne's baby this week. Rylan is his name and he is a pretty boy. Took to me right off and fell asleep in my arms. He also burped prodigously for Mom and farted so hard his entire body shook when I had him. You know how babies seem to move every body part at once when they cry or sneeze? That's what happened when he farted. It was truly mighty!!
Well, next week I am in Colorado again. Every week an airplane. I need to get more music for my iPod and listen to my scriptures more. Hey, maybe that will help me sleep...zzzzzzzzzz
What's more important? Success or memories? Lots of talk about too much work and not enough memories. Not enough living, to be more precise. Everyone at my work is talking about that except my boss, all he is talking about is making numbers this quarter. <
Not!
Tomorrow we are going to finish Andrew's house. He is heartily sick of working on it, but I have news for him, he gets to crawl into the appropriately named space and insure that I don't hit a pipe or something while I drill through his floor. I hope he likes bugs and cobwebs!
We saw Tony and Charayne's baby this week. Rylan is his name and he is a pretty boy. Took to me right off and fell asleep in my arms. He also burped prodigously for Mom and farted so hard his entire body shook when I had him. You know how babies seem to move every body part at once when they cry or sneeze? That's what happened when he farted. It was truly mighty!!
Well, next week I am in Colorado again. Every week an airplane. I need to get more music for my iPod and listen to my scriptures more. Hey, maybe that will help me sleep...zzzzzzzzzz
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Mom and Dad Save the World
Well, here we are. This is a first for both of us and we are really at a loss for words. I ask Mom and she says, "I don't know, this was your idea."
So now that you have had your laugh for today, I (that being Dad or "The Beast") will start. Mom says that everyone should be able to figure out that I am The Beast. Maybe we should change this to Blondie and the Geek, though I am only half geek. The other half is an insane artist like Jackson Pollack or Van Gogh. Truly, a ravening beast waiting to get out!
Mom will have to post on this as well, so encourage her!!!
This past week I travelled to Californina and Colorado. I had training there and the teacher was very interesting. He asked me if I was a man of God and I said yes. He said that he was too and that he felt that it (God) was in everything. I happened to say, later in the conversation that He (God) helps me. The trainer reiterated that he didn't want to give God a gender because he didn't see the need for sexual organs in Heaven. Aside from that, we agreed on several levels.
I really seem to find the weird ones, huh?
At dinner that night with one of my co-workers I took Mom's role as counselor and psychologist for a youger lady that can't decide what to do with her life. She wants a commitment from her current boyfriend and when she got it, she freaked out; wondering if she should go ahead. Fear and a lack of faith in things will get you that.
One more weird one.
In Colorado, there were no weirdos, just nice scenery and lots of road construction. We think we have it bad in Utah? Try a city 3 times the size with twice as much construction. They are putting in a light rail system there called TREX (original, huh?).
The Marriott I stayed in had no soundproofing around the doors to the corridor and between adjoining rooms. As a result, I could hear everything the woman in the next room was saying, at 11:30pm! So I turned up the TV, which brought security to my door, asking to turn it down. I told them to tell the lady next door to shut up and I would. There's that beast again.
Anyway, it was a productive week with some interesting weirdnesses to keep it real.....
Mom worked on the genealogy all week (I guess) and came up with new names. She is also a pawn in a power struggle at work. They all want her in their group and can't resolve the fight! She is a woman in demand!!
Speaking of in demand, she was very brave and had lunch with my mother and Aunt Kim. Mom says that my mother was very nice and sends birthday greetings to Catherine, even though she didn't send a card. Aunt Kim has a new job at Cutler's Corner making sandwiches and salads and the like. Mom says that they have very nice cookies. Ah, breaking the diet again!!! That's ok, I did too.
Well, we have now joined the blogging craze. Zuke will have to hack our site to link it up with everyone else's. Hiyo Silver and Away!!!!
So now that you have had your laugh for today, I (that being Dad or "The Beast") will start. Mom says that everyone should be able to figure out that I am The Beast. Maybe we should change this to Blondie and the Geek, though I am only half geek. The other half is an insane artist like Jackson Pollack or Van Gogh. Truly, a ravening beast waiting to get out!
Mom will have to post on this as well, so encourage her!!!
This past week I travelled to Californina and Colorado. I had training there and the teacher was very interesting. He asked me if I was a man of God and I said yes. He said that he was too and that he felt that it (God) was in everything. I happened to say, later in the conversation that He (God) helps me. The trainer reiterated that he didn't want to give God a gender because he didn't see the need for sexual organs in Heaven. Aside from that, we agreed on several levels.
I really seem to find the weird ones, huh?
At dinner that night with one of my co-workers I took Mom's role as counselor and psychologist for a youger lady that can't decide what to do with her life. She wants a commitment from her current boyfriend and when she got it, she freaked out; wondering if she should go ahead. Fear and a lack of faith in things will get you that.
One more weird one.
In Colorado, there were no weirdos, just nice scenery and lots of road construction. We think we have it bad in Utah? Try a city 3 times the size with twice as much construction. They are putting in a light rail system there called TREX (original, huh?).
The Marriott I stayed in had no soundproofing around the doors to the corridor and between adjoining rooms. As a result, I could hear everything the woman in the next room was saying, at 11:30pm! So I turned up the TV, which brought security to my door, asking to turn it down. I told them to tell the lady next door to shut up and I would. There's that beast again.
Anyway, it was a productive week with some interesting weirdnesses to keep it real.....
Mom worked on the genealogy all week (I guess) and came up with new names. She is also a pawn in a power struggle at work. They all want her in their group and can't resolve the fight! She is a woman in demand!!
Speaking of in demand, she was very brave and had lunch with my mother and Aunt Kim. Mom says that my mother was very nice and sends birthday greetings to Catherine, even though she didn't send a card. Aunt Kim has a new job at Cutler's Corner making sandwiches and salads and the like. Mom says that they have very nice cookies. Ah, breaking the diet again!!! That's ok, I did too.
Well, we have now joined the blogging craze. Zuke will have to hack our site to link it up with everyone else's. Hiyo Silver and Away!!!!
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