Crazy, but that's how it goes.

Elevator hold ups

2011-08-25T10:59:00.000-05:00

Who knows what will happen when you throw humans into anything. Today for example...I was tasked with bringing a new computer up from the first floor. No problemo! Walked down the three flights of stairs, grabbed the box, proceeded to the elevator, pushed the button and waited...and waited...and waited. After about 3 minutes I approached the front desk and asked if they ever experienced elevator problems before. The response was a resounding "yes". I figured it was another issue with it and I sat the box back down at the desk and started back up the steps emptyhanded as a service call was placed for the elevator. Upon reaching the 2nd floor I heard voices and stepped around the corner to see two women, engaged in hushed conversation, holding the elevator door open. At the same time the janitor approached to followup on the service call. They asked if I needed the elevator and I responded that I did, in fact, have to bring a box up to my floor. I was probably snottier than I needed to be...but, what the hell?!?!?!

Computers do not act, they are acted upon

2011-08-17T09:44:00.000-05:00

user: my PDF's aren't working. When I double-click one I just get junk
me: the filetype association changed...it's trying to open a PDF with MS Word
user: how did that happen?
me: it was changed
user: why did the computer change it?
me: was there a human involved?
user: what do you mean by "human"?
me: ...

Why kids will NEVER rule the Earth

2011-08-17T08:35:00.001-05:00

1. Laziness
2. see number 1

Anyone that lives with teenagers will agree with this.

It's all about the pain

2011-08-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

I got another in a long line of emails that go into nauseating detail about how something is NOT working and about how much PAIN this is bringing the user because they are NOT able to do something. I've taken note of these and I've made a concerted effort to NOT talk to people that provide me service in this way.
Examples:

- the "old" way: My car isn't running right and I'm not able to get to get somewhere to do something that is extremely important to me at this moment...what do you think is wrong with it??? I need this taken care of now!!!
Note that there is no mention of any request for service to said vehicle...only an almost non-stop spewing of how much pain this is causing.

- the "new" way: there is a clicking sound coming from the front left side. I'll drop it off first thing in the morning if you have time to look at it. Thanks.
Even though the new way provides as much inconvenience (for not having the vehicle available) it provides more information to the service provider and brings him/her further into the conversation by giving them the illusion that they can work on it at their own pace.

Anyhow...I don't think any of these entitled turds at "the U" understand this. And, it seems that the closer they get to retirement, the worse their entitlement gets.

Biking to work

2011-08-12T10:48:00.000-05:00

This morning while riding my "Townie" to work I passed two other guys that looked like they bike for a living. As I did so I wanted to make a noise like Pee-Wee Herman when he's excited...I'm pretty sure I looked like him at the time anyhow.

Stuck in the middle

2011-08-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

So, now I've got this project manager for a VoIP system upgrade that's fighting with the consultants that are doing the upgrade. I'm in the middle and both sides want me to support them. ugh...

At the "U" entitlement runs rampant. I don't believe I work with a single person that has ever had a "real" job. When I tell people that I've only been in academia for 4 months, they are shocked. I assume they're shocked that I've managed to survive this long without the swaddling warmth of a position in which nothing is expected of me an in which I can do anything I want w/o recourse (just like them). Unfortunately, as is the case in IT, even at this level we get $hit on. The rule of thumb is: "you touch it...you own it." We touch everything and, as such, everything that goes wrong is our fault. Unfortunately that does not translate to laudes and accolades when everything goes right.

FYI...when using the words "right" and "wrong" in the above statements, they mean this:
- "something goes right": all is as expected even if it's happening in the middle of a raging inferno being whipped about by a tornado
- "something goes wrong": something took place outside of expectations and someone is looking to do some "blame-damage". Windows often works in this fashion...operating perfectly as designed, but not as expected, therefore, it's "wrong" and someone has to be roasted on a spit for it.

Back to school is happening

2011-08-08T09:24:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for the girls' sophomore year in HS. Hopefully we'll have the ca$h to make sure it goes smoothly. Jason is sending Haley to CHS this year for a variety of reasons. Hopefully all will go well. Also, I hope that Ellie chooses to do well and stay more focused this year. She's a handful for some reason. Mad just goes along with whatever. She's really mellowed out this last year or two.

Feeling weird about work. Already getting tired of all the bull$hit that users bring on. I try to stay busy with back-end stuff on the servers, but there's always a call for something that, if they thought about it for 10 seconds, they could answer themselves. Job security I guess...

Zaius is working out well in the family. I feared for the longest time that he wasn't happy with us. I guess he's accustomed to things now and he's greedy to spend time with just about anyone or any other animal.

Rode the Townie to work today and sweat my a$$ off at the same time. However, it's good to be moving.

There's no snow...like old snow

2010-12-22T21:13:00.000-06:00

Getting tired of the constant ups and downs with the temps lately. First it turns cold, really cold, like 3 degrees. Then it'll turn "warm"...up to 33 today. Some stuff melts, then at night it freezes. We also missed the full lunar eclipse last night because of the clouds. Damn...

Lost another...

2010-12-01T07:55:00.000-06:00

My next door neighbor, Nick, passed away this morning at 6:15. His dad called us last night at 10 to watch the cats because "Nick was not doing well". Then (I assume) he headed to Chicago to be with him. By my estimate he should have arrived around 2:30 or 3 this morning. Hopefully they had some time together before it happened.

Bob lost his wife several years ago in a similar manner. He's been through a lot with Nick's cancer and all.

Now I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music wondering what the hell is going on...

Ugh...rain...

2010-11-29T16:17:00.000-06:00

Why does it always rain on pool league evenings??? The walk from the parking lot to the bar is that much further when you're presented with the possibility of being soaked by every passing car.

On a positive note, J turned me on to a great SomaFM Christmas station. Now I'm getting in the mood!!!

"Virtually" insane.

2010-11-29T13:21:00.000-06:00

I finally got my VMWare ESXi hardware monitors working for OpsView. Took some fancy SNMP work and a fresh Python script. However, it's VERY cool! Even got the email/SMS notifications working. Rock on!

Has it been a year already?!?!?!

2010-01-08T19:54:00.004-06:00

Wow...last post was a year ago, tomorrow. Been productive since the first of the year. Been eating healthier lately than I have all year too. dropped 16 pounds since Thanksgiving and shoulder surgery. However the last week or two has seen a regression to "the old ways". Better nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand again.

My friend Randy lost his wife earlier this week. I didn't make the visitation because of the weather. 8 inches of snow and high winds is my justification. Still don't know exactly what happened but I've been told it was quick. Too bad for everyone...she was really nice.

Replace Federal Income Tax...

2009-01-09T10:53:00.003-06:00

...with a Federal Sales Tax. It's more efficient than the flat-rate Federal tax. Basically you'd be taxed on what you spend rather than what you make. That would provide a more even and equitable distribution of tax income for the feds than the current system. Also, get ride of the Federal Reserve system!!!

Government Ponzi Scheme

2009-01-09T08:26:00.002-06:00

Ever since the Madoff incident I've been wanting to post my feelings about several government run Ponzi schemes. Well, this morning I felt it was necessary since I heard it on the radio. Just take a look at Social Security (thanks FDR). Everyone that is now on SS is being supported by those working and paying into it...yes, US!!! There is no giant mattress that the government is using to squirrel your money away for your eventual use. Also, consider that as the size of the workforce grows smaller there will be less and less to pay into it making it harder for anyone (again, US!) to get what they've paid into it. Frustrating...

I won't even go into Medicare/Medicaid and other such government programs that rob Peter to pay Paul.

I worked for a health insurance company for a number of years and they do this the same way. Through their premiums, the "well" people basically support the "sick" people. If you have more well people than sick people you're fine (more income than expense). When the number of sick people goes up the shit starts hitting the fan.

Food for thought...

Forgetting to remember...getting old vs. growing old

2009-01-02T10:00:00.002-06:00

I seem to be forgetting a lot lately. My wife shares things that have happened and I simply don't remember them. I put my appointments in my phone because it synchs with my Exchange server. I was checking through January this morning and found a derm appointment later this month. My wife says that it's a followup to an earlier appointment that I don't recall.

I also recently hooked up with a friend of mine that I had in high school. I had this picture of him in my head that was over 20 years old of a tall, skinny kid with a moderate "fro". However, his modern picture took me aback. My first question was "when did you get old???" Do I look as old to him as he looks to me? Damn...my dad says that I don't look my age, but he's 20 years older than me. I had to call him to ask if he'd been through this...but I don't think he has. He's attended all class reunions and kept in touch with people that he knew. I've never been to a reunion and therefore have a static view of everyone I ever knew in school. Weird

New Year, new challenges

2009-01-02T07:57:00.002-06:00

New Year's day was yesterday. It was a lazy day around the house. Played plenty of video games, did some reading, smoked a cigar and ate more healthy than I have in a while. I've pledged to lay off of all alcohol until I get down to 225 lbs. Not sure if I'll make it. The hardest part of the day for me is between 5pm and 9pm. During that time I guess I'll just chug water or something. Also, I started working in the basement to get it ready for the next flood. Bringing out trash, rearranging things.

I also took the opportunity to put up a new firewall at home. It's basically a hacked Linksys box but it gives me a lot of info regarding URL's, bandwidth, intrusion attempts, etc. Will be watching it closely for a while.

I'm also taking the opportunity to fold my first paper airplane of the year. The wife got me a paper airplane a day calendar. You pull the day's sheet off and just follow the fold/cut/tape directions for a cool new glider each day. Will report back on how this proceeds.

More homework...so tired...

2008-11-11T22:10:00.001-06:00

I'm absolutely trashed from doing homework. I'm staying on top of it but...wow! it's really outta hand. I didn't realize it when I signed up for this semester but 2 of my courses are writing intensive. Luckily only a few weeks left. Stay on course!

Mac OSX Apps that I cannot live without

2008-11-10T14:23:00.002-06:00

My main workstation is a Macbook Pro. This software is critical for my daily work (in no particular order):
- istat pro (http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatpro.html)
- waterroof (http://www.hanynet.com/waterroof/)
- vmware fusion (www.vmware.com)
- rdc menu (www.xutils.com)
- MS Office 2008 (http://www.microsoft.com/mac/)
- time machine (built into Leopard)
- disk inventory x (http://www.derlien.com/)
- fugu (http://rsug.itd.umich.edu/software/fugu/)
- wireshark (http://www.wireshark.org/download.html)
- zterm (http://homepage.mac.com/dalverson/zterm/)
- airgrab (http://www.airgrab.com/Network_Packet_Analyzer/)
- appdelete (http://reggie.ashworth.googlepages.com/appdelete)

if you find an app particularly useful be sure to let the developer(s) know. Also, PAY FOR SOFTWARE! It's the best way to ensure that everyone wins.

A casino boat is NOT Las Vegas!!!

2008-11-10T08:09:00.001-06:00

Took my mother-in-law to the boat this weekend. I spent the bulk of my time playing the "Jordan no-fail craps method". I played for about 2-1/2 hours and won $4. But more important is the experience of being at the table and seeing the wild bets everyone else is making. Unfortunately there are no "comp" drinks or anything here...definitely NOT Las Vegas!

Oh yeah...election is over...

2008-11-05T09:56:00.003-06:00

...now we enter into a new era of racism. Here is the fact: anyone that voted against Obama because of his partially black history is racist. However, anyone that voted FOR him because of his partially black history is also racist (but they don't see it that way and never will).

Also, I'd love the US government to define the race term "black" or "african-american". If someone has one white (or non-black) parent and one black, how can they be considered a member of the "black" race? If that's the case and we have a choice based on our entire racial history it's going to upset the entire status quo.

Time Machine Backups working on NTFS network share

2008-11-05T09:50:00.000-06:00

oh yeah! got this working this morning. Probably not a big deal for anyone but me. However, having my time machines in a single area is going to be pretty cool. I can grab them from there and move them to tape, effectively protecting all of my macs from a single location without the need for an airport "extreme" (what a joke)!

Politics and IT

2008-10-27T12:18:00.000-05:00

These two things don't go together. The liberal bloggers want you to believe they do, but they don't. Get over it!

Campaigning senators and what-have-you

2008-07-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

Okay, election year. However, how do these senators get off leaving their elected offices for years a time to campaign? Are they still drawing senate salary and using the resources of their office? What do we get in return for this?

T-shirt advertising...

2008-07-21T11:11:00.000-05:00

I'm a motorcyclist. I choose to ride an H-D, which means that 90% of my time I'm a walking advertisement for them. I've got shirts from all over the world, mainly from people that I know in the military. I think that H-D should be PAYING ME for wearing their shirts. Just a thought.

www.saveab.com

2008-07-18T14:08:00.001-05:00

Don't boycott the products just yet...just sign the petition.

The Ninja knows

2008-07-16T22:18:00.000-05:00

Just finished installing and adding the initial configuration of Sunbelt Software's Email Ninja. It's built on the Cloudmark antispam engine that I've been using for years so I'm pretty jazzed. Immediately after bringing all services online it started quarantining things...awesome! Also includes antivirus which we need. The install left me biting my nails a few times because of the issues with Exchange 2007 using SP1. However, the only caveats are for outgoing mail...filtering some attachments and sigining policies. Easy as heck to configure and the reporting is fabulous. I can't wait until the next time the CTO asks me to report on email usage, etc.

Users...sheesh...

2008-07-09T11:36:00.000-05:00

Just talked to one of my "customers". She wants a backup solution, but doesn't know what she wants backed up on her own computer. She threw out the term "thumb drive" but doesn't know exactly what it is. She also cannot tell me what version of Windows she is running (even though I talked her through to the area where all she has to do is read it off of the screen). And...she doesn't know if the computer has any USB ports.

I wonder if this person can dial a telephone because it sounds to me like even that may be beyond her capabilities.

Why telco companies think it's still 1938

2008-07-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

Trying to get bandwidth at both offices for an internal voip solution. The companies that I've talked to have all been really pissed off when they finally realize that they're not going to sell me a voip system. I guess that's the bread and butter for them. They don't make money on just bandwidth and channels...whatever. It's a real challenge to just find someone willing to drop off a T1 and walk away.

www.tryspyder.com

2008-07-07T07:45:00.000-05:00

Czech it out, but be aware...this site is FULL of flash (too much in my opinion). I saw one of these in town yesterday and am intriged. My wife and I ride an H-D, but this thing is kitchy enough to make me want to switch.

The perfect AEV (all electric vehicle)

2008-07-06T21:12:00.000-05:00

Any car company that satisfies these 5 points will rule:

1. range of at least 50 miles
2. minimum top speed of 40 mph
3. ability to charge from standard 110 volt house current
4. seats 4 people
5. costs less than $20,000 out of pocket

Renault had this back in the early 80's (Lectric Leopard) but it didn't take off...probably because we were too fanatic about using gas coming off of the embargo of the 70's. Also, the 80's were the "me decade". Don't believe me? Watch Wall Street with Kirk Douglas and Charlie Sheen. But I didn't just watch it...I lived it!!!

Charley Horse from sitting!

2008-07-05T14:35:00.001-05:00

Well, it's official. There is no longer any safety in just sitting and minding your own business. Just a bit ago I got a charley horse while doing just that. Typing away and my leg seized up! Weird.

Practicing my PhD in Mixology

2008-07-05T09:31:00.000-05:00

Went out to a friend's house in St. Joe this weekend for some 4th fun. While the ladies cooled in the pool with the kidz, I made some kick a$$ drinks that QADaemon turned me on to. These are blended frozen drinks that are hit with the fems. You take a can of the frozen Bacardi mixer (pina colada, rum runner, etc.) and drop it into your favorite blender along with a 1/2 can of the Captains coconut rum and top it off with ice. After a quick grind you have a drink that will score you points! BTW...more rum = more points!!!