House of my familys past

This is the originating artical

Once upon a time in the land of Disney there was a house of the future. . Shortly after my family moved out west in the late 50's my pop started working installing plumbing at the park.

Dad has many a story about working there, getting a canoe ride to Tom Sawyers Island in the morning and at lunch. Meeting Mister Disney, running gas pipes for the burning cabin etc.

However Pop, was most facinated with the Monsanto house of tomarrow. It was poised between the entrance to Tomarrow land and the Matterhorn. And like the Detroit concept cars never becames a staple.

They eventually took it out because it no longer represented the future. As far as a structure goes it withstood thousands and thousands of people. In fact the wrecking ball bounces off it several times. (so the story goes).

So, today I see they are reviving the concept. I kinda wish they would look up the folks who had a hand in the original and brought them in for the grand re-opening.

in-laws

I have quite a few in-laws. Jim, Nancy, Doug, Wolfgang, Renate, Connie, Carl and Carolyn.

Otha, who was married to my sister and Gus who passed away.

I have a slew of nieces and nephews as well but they are never referred to in-laws.

My mind has different classifications and feelings about these various peoples. As luck would have it I like and enjoy all of them. I have had issues with some in the past and probably will do so in the future, but that is the same with my siblings as well. Its just family.

While we are all friendly I think the best friendship I have is with Carl. We met going out with sisters around the same time, found out similer interests and came from similer backgrounds as well.

All in all I feel one of Gods blessings in my life is my extended family and how much we enjoy each other when we were together. It's nice to have a family you would have chosen...

Haunting my brain.

So your sitting minding your own business and somehow something sets into motion a song being played internally in your grey matter.

I call this being Haunted.

For about two months I have had the same song in heavy rotation in the auditory cortex. It is far from my normal fare. In so far as I have a 'normal' fare... its by a band named Flyleaf. and its called: I'm So Sick.

When I finally looked up the lyrics I was pleased to see it was cohesive and well matched to the music. It is a darker song.

I will break into your thoughts

With what's written on my heart

I will break, break

I'm so sick,

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this

Empty bliss,

Selfishness

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

If you want more of this

We can push out, sell out, die out

So you'll shut up

And stay sleeping

With my screaming in your itching ears

I'm so sick,

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this

Empty bliss,Selfishness

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

Hear it, I'm screaming it

You're heeding to it now

Hear it! I'm screaming it!

You tremble at this sound

You sink into my clothes

And this invasion

Makes me feel

Worthless, hopeless, sick

I'm so sick,

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this

Empty bliss,

Selfishness

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

I'm so sick

Infected with where I live

Let me live without this

Empty bliss, selfishness

I'm so

I'm so sick

I'm so

I'm so sick

Link to video Its a wow fan version, and better then the actual bands vid.

Working for yourself.

For sometime the idea of working for myself, my own business, if you will. Has a certain appeal.


My biggest stumbling block is comming up with a business that I feel is viable. Anyone can open a business. For one to work you have to fill a need or create a need to fill, or assist with filling a need.


Having some kind of storefront has appeal for me. As does starting something like a home base business and working up from there.

My neighbor is a Gardener, it suits him and he enjoys the work and answers to himself.


Ill keep thinkin.

Blogs .vs. Blockbuster

My experience at Dell doing customer care aided me in getting my money back from Blockbuster today.

We rented "So I Married an Axe Murderer" last week, primarily for my daughter who is a Mike Meyer fan and enjoys our 70's and 80's culture. The DVD had a flaw and around the final chapter it stalled. I tried it on my PC and it did the same thing.

I would have run it through a disc doctor but it is not my property. It was rather disapointing evening. So today I hoof it the two miles and tell them it was defective.

Jason, the slightly bewildered clerk informed me that they did not have another copy. So I asked for a refund. He started working on the register and informed me my refund would be in the form of a store credit. I had my sales slip with me and the CC I placed the original charge on.

We have found ourselves renting less and less and with my current situation I would prefer to have the money then a credit. So I asked for a refund of the $4.29. Jason had to go back to the back of the store to talk to a manager, when he returned I was informed that there will be NO refund only a store credit. I asked if it was policy to not give refunds when they rented a defective product. I was told he manager had informed him that there was no refund. He did not seem to understand the term policy.

So I asked if there was a corporate phone number, he cherrfully pointed it out on the recept and let me use the phone.

Soon I was talking to Vicki in customer care (more likely a third party contracted call center). Vicki asked if there was a different movie I would be interested in seeing. In all honesty there wasnt. She seemed to verify that there was not another copy of the movie I wanted, not sure on that.

Next she informed me she would open a case number and someone would call me back in the next 3 days to discuss the matter.

You get this? I pay to rent a movie, it doesnt work, they will not give me my $4.29 back, but they will set up paperwork to have someone call me in a few days. In my businessmans mind I can see the 15min of this phone call has already cost them more then $4.29 and I'm really starting to get annoyed. Vicki said she could call the store but, she doubted she would have any more luck then I did.

This is the point in the narrative where I explain how Dell customer care experienced helped. At one point we in customer care received some additional training on call excalations. That is, certain key words and phrases that signaled us to either push the customer higher up the food chain or stop the bullshit and grab your ankles.

So, I am on the phone with Vicki, who is about to write up this case report so I let fly with one of the phrases. "Man, I cannot WAIT to blog about this hassle"

There was about a two second pause and I thought I might have been hung up on. I threw out a 'Hello?' and Vicki responded as if startled. She informed me she was getting ready to call the blockbuster store in question, before, making the case notes out. Hmmm, that seemed like a change in plan.

Next the phone line rang and Jason the guy I talked to originally picked up and a short conversation took place. Vicki came back on the line and said Jason would be glad to put the credit back on my card.

Behold the power of the Blog.

Tim W. you will be missed

Tim W. worked with me at Dell. He was the I\T guy there. One person handling 300+ stations. He was a good guy. He is going to die, probably this week. Well, thats not quite true. I understand he had an anuryisem and is brain dead. His family is taking him off the machine soon. Maybe today or it already happened.

Tim was a kindered soul, he liked the things I did (as did the fellow members of the tech support department). After we were put into place it wasnt uncommon for Tim to saunter over and spend a moment or two waxing nerdy with us.

There are certain things that tech heads just can't talk to with a large bulk of the population.

I liked Tim and while I always figured we would get together for something, now that oppertunity is lost and I am sad.

My heart goes out to his daughter and family.

We are taking the IT department in a different direction.

And I'm unemployed.

My Favorite show (all time)

Doctor Who. Back in November of 1963 those lucky Britons where introduced to an Unearthly child, Susan who's eccentric Grandfather was The Doctor (played by William Hartnell). What first seemed like an early twilight zone quickly becomes full fledged science fiction as they journey back to the stone age with Susans unbelieving and not quite willing teachers.

Of course I was in Southern California then, watching Hopalong Cassidy and the Cisco kid on KTLA and KTTV. In that time before cable the BBC was an ocean away. No, my first introduction to the Doctor was on a UHF channel when I was in Junior High school. Tom Baker was 'My Doctor'. Blue screen special effects and third rate Television sets would have been a quick turn to another station if not for clever writing and top notch performances. And then it happened, while fighting an enemy he fell off a radio telescope tower to his death.

Yup, the lead character died. Not something you EVER see. End of the series? Nope, as it turns out The Doctor is a time lord (not a human). As such he has this thing he does call regeneration where by he can change every molecule in his body and get around something as minor as a crushed body.

This is the plot device that kept. the show going for 26 seasons and seven Doctors. In 1989 they stopped producing the television show, however there was several books and radio shows that would keep the flame burning. Somehow Fox television made a so so attempt to bring him back to the magic glowing box in 1996 with the 8th doctor. Then there was more radio and a flash animation series as well. Until 2005 when they re-started production.

Christopher Eccelson brought a frentic pace with some amazing stories and and equally amazing back story (Bad Wolf anyone). Plus, they added websites that would keep the plot running. With a climax that brought David Tennent into the role, created a spinoff Torchwood, and leads us to the above clip.

This was filmed as part of a childrens fundraiser and takes place between the 2007 season and the 2008 season. Peter Davidson (the fifth doctor) meets David Tennet (the tenth doctor). Its amusing enough for the current doctor fans but just grabs us long time fans by the nostalgic heart.

This is a great show and I am doubly blessed that my whole family enjoys the Doctors exploits as much as I do.

Entertaining peoples

Laughter is something different. Something is funny for some reason and we laugh. Likewise is the need for entertainment.

I am starting to think we are at an entertainment crossroads. While we have no idea what the first entertainment was we could surmise it had something to do with watching something, then telling about what you saw.

You can see how that could branch into fiction and story's. So the old campfire tales, singing, poems and physical humor, with its oohs awe's and laughter.

Someone gifted at the above would start honoring requests. If someone new came along, the group would want to share the old familier acts.

A natural extension would be to send your entertainers to visit friends, tribes, neighbors. Throw a few centuries and you have an industry around entertainment.

With the internet we have a retro back to the storytelling on a wide scale. With that raw unpolished edge that makes it that much more novel. Also, we have captured entertainment from the past that we can discover or recall.

Television in a small way has stepped up its game. There have been some very good shows out the last few years. Movies are struggling trying to find where they belong. radio has lost most of its traction and is being relegated to background noise.

Working with Windows

I work with Windows. Mostly XP Pro and various Server builds. Some Vista.

Today I am upgrading my laptop from XP home to XP pro, so I can remote into work via our VPN (virtual private networ). A VPN is a digitally secure way to connect across the internet.

The reason you need XP pro for this is to connect to a Domain. A Domain is a large computer network consisting of various servers, workstations and other devices.

Using the VPN I can access our Domain and do pretty much anything I could do at work. Neato! So phone calls early on a Sunday that somone needs a password reset means I can help out in my PJ's and then go back to bed. Versus, throwing on sweats and driving the mile to work. Seeing as how its a 5 min round trip I havent really jumped on this as soon as I could have.

So installing XP is something you do while your doing other things because it takes awhile and its about as much fun as watching paint dry on a cold rainy day. If you are lucky enough to have an office with all the same make and model of computer all purchased about the same time this is a really quick job. You have your computer boot from the NIC (Network Interface Card) and download an image file of exactly how you want the system to work.

If you have a mishmash of systems and not all the images then your stuck doing it by CD.

So, you set your computer to boot off the CD, you let it go through the steps and then delete the partions set up new partitions and reformat them (trust me its the cleanest bestest way). After it finishes up you have your windows but it will look large on the screen and will not be able to connect to the internet very well.

So, you need to have the drivers for your NIC or Wireless device ready to go. I do this in advance because I have done it after the fact and ended up looking for a computer that is hooked to the internet.

Okay so you install the driver and viola, your on the internet. Now comes the fun part. XP will require three update sessions the longest about two hours to get all the security patches and service packs into place.

Next you will need to find out what other devices are not working. Probably the video and audio. So now you need to either find out what is in y0ur system (again knowing in advance, good plan) and go to said websites and get the latest greatest for your system.

Now if you bought your computer from a decent company, they will have a nice website with all your drivers in an easy to find and download place. If you went to a mom and pop local guy, hopefully he provided you with a good list with the make and model numbers of your components.

Otherwise your gonna have to know what each device is, where to find the make and model number and hope that the manufacturer decided to mark the item.

Finally, you need to add in your security stuff. I like freeware like Free AVG and Windows Defender. Yes, there are others out there. Yes, they are arguably just as good or better. I like these ones, cuz the cost is right.

So now you got your system all in shape, and if your a good IT guy you make an image and save it for the next time. If you are not a good IT guy you figure you will do the same thing again and it will just take time. If your a home person and want to make a recovery disk, this is the point to find somone with a program that will do just that. Like Ghost. Your mom and pop people will probably be able to do just that for a small fee. Make sure they make the CD or DVD bootable.

What a fun way to spend a morning eh? At least I can blog during most of this.

CAFE standards, bringing death, smog and loss of jobs to your country!!!

CAFE standards drive up the cost of cars. The high cost of cars means people keep thier old car for longer periods of time. Cars over time pollute more.

It used to be Americans bought a car around 5 years, now its 9 years.

In the 1980's the CAFE standars made smaller more fuel efficent rolling deathtraps. Directly resulting in thousands of deaths on the roads.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain all are stumping for this "tax" that, like a typical government program is a road to hell paved with good intentions.

REf Artical

the Comics Code

Sometime in the 1950's some quack of a shrink went to juvenile prisons and interviewed the kids asking if they read comic books. The vast majority 0f those incarcerated did. He did not go outside of the prisoned teens.

Comics at that time were mostly Scary storys, Tales of suspense, dealing with the macabre.

This shrink went on to write a book 'Seduction of the Innocent' and appeared before the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency looking to censor such books.

The Comics Code Authority (CCA) was formed by the publishers to regulate thier industry.

At one point the now well known comic book writer Marv Wolfman was not able to put his name in the first page credits as it went against the code. His comic book company petitioned the CCA and got that allowance.

As with any rule, law or regulation the industry found ways around the code. As they could not mention Satan, or Zombies they came up with a caracter named Mephist0 and zuvembies.

Good ole' Stan Lee wanted to do an Anti-Drug comic in 1971. Due to the codes black and white rules they were not able to approve the comic. Stan went on to publish the comic without the CCA seal and while it was a big deal for the industry the average comic buyer did not notice.

Warcraft Movie I would pay good money to see.

Caramelldansen

Diana's flash video features Carmell Dansen. This, I understand, is the Pink girls that caught the attention of the web.

Escapism

Busy busy lives. Tina is getting ready to go Yurt camping over the weekend with the Girl scouts. So she had to run out late last night and do shopping. With my on-call position I find myself getting calls early in the AM having to throw on sweats to get something fixed.

RBG is being flown all over the globe for back to back meetings.

Flying Van has feast of famine with split second decisions that puts the lives of others in his hands.

Ronn has to deal with a state run, federal compliant bureaucracy, and teaching the most difficult nightmare students of all, Tenured Teachers.

Shoo probably has some kind of stress someplace, sometime... kinda... i think...

Timmer's entire life is a demented living hell of guilt and acquiescence as anyone who reads between the lines of his blog can tell.

Keeka... well her stress is self induced... :p

So every so often comes Down time. Unwind time. Escapism.

Personally, when I walk out the door from work and start perambulating the downtown streets, I begin the process of exorcism of the work day demons. This usually is recanting some less then fun event and thinking of 'what I shoulda done' or 'what I shoulda said' or just accepting I was an ass.
When I reach home Connor is there to erase any trace of Funk from my brain. “Hey, Daddy your back! Did you have a good at work?” or sometimes a hug or sometimes a request for Pizza. He has that sunshine on a cloudy day effect on pretty much everyone around him.
So for escape itself, it is no secret that I opt out of TV for WoW. Lately books are few and far between, however, getting into a nice fiction is a plus. Going to the occasional movie (so few I want to see anymore). Or just doing something that isn't related to anything I do at work.

So my house is my escape pod from work into my life.

Whats yours?

Wow

My Friends, my wife and I all get together online and play World of Warcraft (as previously stated ad nausium). You are welcome to join us in game. Just know that you can only group in fives.

Here is a run down of our little guild:

Tuuk is played by me

Keight is played by Tina

Gorlach by Shoo

and

Boans is played by RBG

RBG's boy played Treon but he is currantly on Sabbatical.

The links you see are to a neat little data base that the folks who run Warcraft (Blizzard) set up so you can check out your character and possibly look for new improved items in game.

Computer stuff

Because of what I do I get to answer computer questions. Most are for the beginner computer people out there.

If you are not the sort of person who would ever be interested in games and you do not use a Windows machine at work then go with the $799.00 Mac Mini. Buy the apple keyboard and mouse for another $100.00 and a digital flat panel monitor with a DVI port. A Dell ultra sharp monitor refurbished from a company with a good return policy will cost you about $150.00
so your looking around $1050.00 for a 'good' starter Macintosh. It will have all the basic software you could use.
You can get by without security software.
You will not be able to buy software for your computer from most normal outlets.
Very few people will be able to help you with any tech problems (few occur actually) and your internet provider will not have a clue how to set up your system (99.9% of the time this will not be an issue)

Or you can buy a PC with keyboard mouse monitor for $550.00 (based on Dell inspiron 530)

1. Either pay $40.00+ a year or get anti-virus for free.

2. Use either windows defender or some spyware program for free.

3. Buy Microsoft Office with your computer for either $150.00 or $280.00 or get a compatible office product for free. FYI if you buy Microsoft Office Small business your looking aroun $370.00.

Congress Bans the Light Bulb.

You have to Dig to find this The global warming scam is going to be a winfall for GE at the cost of our pocketbook and the environment.

Flourescent blub's do not have any positive side I can see. They are supposed to save you money on your electrical bill. However, you cannot throw them away in the trash can and if you break one you are looking at a nasty time getting it cleaned up.

I'll have to see if I can get a perscription for one if the ban has allowances for medical needs.

Time for Chores!

The other day, Connor (my youngest) came into the bedroom and requested the assistance of my wife. As previously stated, he has language delayed Autism.

So it went something like this "Come on momma, time for chores, I need help"

Tina obliged and was then helping him make his bed. Which had to be made in a very specific way. Sponge bob blanket, wolf print blanket, the comforter folded a specific way all tucked int with the microbead pillow then the regular pillows in specific places.

A kid wanting to clean up his room... good thing.

Next he rousted my collage teen and had him make his bed which is in the same room. Another good thing as I had pretty much given up on the make your bed thing.

So the next day Connor inlisted the help of my high school age daughter to make the bed (exact same way). Got my collage kid to do make his. Then had my nephew house guest make his as well.

I am thinking soon I will have to make my bed again...

Friends Ebb and Tide

My Family was pretty static when I came along. My Mom and Pop had settled into the American dream in a So Cal. town.

This made for a consistant set of faces going all through school. That is why two of the links to your right are people I have known for forty years. The bulk of the rest over 25 years.

My wife and I have followed suit and our kids have had the same 'home town' experience as well. So while I have been blessed with a nurturing family and a wonderful home life with good friends, periodically I ponder the ebb and tide of some friendships.

John B. lived across the street and moved when I was six or seven. Peter P. lived up the street he and his sister Barbara and I would run around till the street lights came on (my mom's signal to come home). Jim E. lived on the corner his Dad worked at Mattel, he was the first kid I knew who's parents got a divorce.

They all moved away early. Thier houses reminded me of them.

Junior High friends, High School friends, Youth Group Friends, Boy Scouting Friends, Air Explorer friends. Work Friends etc. There are so many lives that weave themselves into the threads of your life. Some you loose track of, like Steve V. who I last saw on a beach and understand lives in the mid-west now. Some weave back in, Like Ronn who virtually is linked via blogs. or Flying Van who I have always had some contact with but large gaps in the weave.

I find it comfortable that people who have known me for such a long time are still in contact and interested in my life and goings ons.

So thanks for reading. And Shoo special thanks for the blogging.