Wednesday, January 31
I am working hard on the family website (don't bother going there, since I haven't hooked it all up yet). Everyone will have to contribute something, so get ready. Think of it as a portal where you can go and get to people's news, photos, and what have you. This also means sharing news, photos, and what have you. Send ideas and comments you-know-where.
Tuesday, January 30
Today was odd. Since the announcement yesterday, people are not sure what will happen, so they are not sure what to do. I'm sure it will get back to business as usual later this week. Since I went through the same thing when Aspen sold off commercial litigation support, which became Uniscribe, it's like deja vu. Most IT personnel are not that concerned since they will be needed at least for awhile for transition, and, really, the market is still in our favor. But most likely, not that much will change on our level anyway.
Monday, January 29
A fairly unusual day at work today. First, I opened my e-mail this morning to find a message addressed to the Webmaster mail list (which consists of me and two other people) objecting to a reference on our intranet site - by the CTO - no less, to the Big Bang Theory. The CTO had used the BBT as a metaphor for business growth. The evidentally creationist objector to this wrote "this statement is mathematically impossible and has absolutely no basis in fact. What kind of an educated person would believe this except for an extremely naive one." That'll teach us to put an e-mail link on the site encouraging people to submit feedback. Here, we thought we'd get Javascript errors and the like, not ethical objections.
Anyway, after lunch we learned that the business unit that I am employed by, Williams Communications Solutions, was sold to this company, which buys up tech companies, makes them "more efficient" and sells them. Should be an interesting next couple of months. [press release]
Sunday, January 28
I know I promised tales of intrigue from last night, but alas, Ed was so tired from Chore Day that we just went to Cosmo Cafe, the local place and listened to a band. It was fun, but not noteworthy.
And this morning we went to Kaldi Cafe, our local breakfast hangout, for delicious homemade granola with yogurt.
Then we went running in Hermann Park, stopping in the Japanese Tea Garden afterward. And since the threatened rain never arrived, we went biking to downtown.
Saturday, January 27
Chore day. We oiled the patio furniture and installed a light. And worked on the computer. Nothing exciting. The weather was warm, more like I remember last winter being like.
We're going out tonight -- we'll try to do something more noteworthy to write about tomorrow.
Friday, January 26
We did LOTS of kicks in karate today. It's like doing leg lifts. I'm sure I will be sore tomorrow. I get confused on the blocks - these always involve one arm doing one thing, and the other arm doing something else. Hand position is very important, and we switch from side to side rapidly, so I get mixed up. I haven't punched myself in the face yet, though. We also did an exercise where the advanced students tried various holds on us, and we had to break free. I did pretty well at that, but figure they didn't try as hard on me as they did on the men.
Ed is napping, and I am working outside on the deck. Well, not right this minute, of course. It's nice out now (it's about 7 PM), but is supposed to rain all weekend.
Thursday, January 25
Figured out many tricky things today. A day at home well spent.
Although.....seeing the house in sunlight, I realize how dusty it is. We've talked about having a cleaning lady come in twice a month. A neighbor's son stopped by when we first moved in, wanting to know if his mother, who did not speak English, could clean the house. They've since moved. The thing is, anybody here who cleans houses is an illegal immigrant. Would hiring a cleaning lady mean I could never be considered for a cabinet position? Even if Ed hired her, it would be me who would be penalized. What to do? This woman, and others who would be available, could really use the money.
In the meantime, we'll keep the lights low.
Wednesday, January 24
This is the best $39.96 I've ever spent. I spent hours at work trying to figure out how to do something hard, trying to think over the noise and interruptions, then came home and found a solution almost immediately in this book. You should all buy it.
And, since working at work when I have lots of deadlines is so ineffective, I am working from home tomorrow.
By the way, my neck was sore today from that choking thing yesterday.
Tuesday, January 23
Today in karate I learned how to escape chokeholds. And, because we take turns on each other, I also learned how to choke someone ineffectively.
Ed's birthday was yesterday. When I went to the store to get him something, I got him something else instead: a digital camcorder, plus the hardware and software to convert the video to computer movies. I wanted him to have a creative hobby, and I think he'll really get into this. But, boy, was he surprised! He said no one has ever given him a present that good. (um, I kind of wanted one, too)
Sunday, January 21
We went to brunch today with Ed's friends Walt and Rabun at DeVille's at the Four Seasons downtown. It is one of those huge Grand Concourse - Biltmore type brunches, except even fancier: they had sushi and caviar! But it didn't have the atmosphere of the Grand Concourse.
I surprised Ed when we were getting ready. I went downstairs to get some stockings and when I came back upstairs, my hair was five inches shorter. I never get around to going to get my haircut, so I took matters into my own hands. Besides, it makes me mad that I have to pay at least twice what Ed pays for a haircut, and his is wavy and requires so much custom work. Mine's straight - that should be the guideline, not gender.
I spent the bulk of the weekend reading a real (i.e. non-computer) book. It was quite enjoyable.
Saturday, January 20
I started karate class yesterday. My company has a large fitness center, and they offer classes for free. I'll be taking karate three times a week just before lunch. It's really good exercise, plus good to learn for safety reasons. Just don't make me mad.
Thursday, January 18
The conference was pretty interesting, except for the parts that were sales oriented. This was the WOW session. For those that would rather not figure out what it is, it's Cisco's IP telephones - not just VoIP. Your phone has an IP address, so it's part of your ethernet network. You can daisy-chain your computer behind the phone, and the software that controls the phone system is Windows based. In fact, it's graphical - the operator drags and drops a call to the person it's supposed to go to. And this software is smart - it checks to make sure there's enough bandwidth for the call (using alternate methods if there isn't), and that there's a phone first in line, not a computer. You can move your phone around to different jacks, and your extension follows you - even if you take it home, as long as you are connected to the LAN. [FYI, it usually costs several hundred dollars + several days with standard systems to move an extension from one office or cubicle to another, at least at my company, which even does it themselves.] The IP phone system connects to the public phone network via a router/switch. They also have cell phones that switch from your personal carrier to the VLAN when you get within the boundaries of your companies wireless LAN. Oh, and there's a browser right on the phone so you can search Internet phone directories. And, you can access e-mail, faxes and voice mail from your phone or computer. If you access the voice mail from your computer, it plays it through your computer's speaker. If you access e-mail from the phone, it is read in a simulated voice.
Needless to say, I really liked this. It's being used already by real companies, including Merrill Lynch. Now that I am in the telecommunications business, I understand the technology behind it a bit more; I've had to learn terms like key systems, PBX's, etc. Too bad my company is still only selling, implementing, and using the old technology. Anyway, that's all I'll say about this since it probably holds limited interest to everyone but Dad.
Also liked Cisco's wireless LAN presentation, although that was a bit more predictable.
Wednesday, January 17
I am going to this conference tomorrow. Mostly because of the giveaways, but maybe I'll learn something, too. I'll probably have to learn that .NET stuff. I actually already have the software, but it's a Beta 1 release, from Microsoft, so I don't want to install it at home.
Ed is in Phoenix on business.
Tuesday, January 16
Dentist appointment today. I have very healthy gums (as usual), but cavities (as usual). I like the thoroughness of my new dentist, though.
We are watching Battelbots tonight (yes, we are tired and unwilling to do anything creative or productive). Now we need to make a Battlebot. I need to get a soldering iron. I remember watching similar competitions last year at the San Francisco Exploratorium website. Now it has a bit of a World Wrestling Foundation taint to it, unfornately. But, hey, geek sports over steroids; it's kind of cool. And Ed is jumping out of his seat yelling, so it's a hit with the masses.
Monday, January 15
It must be celebrity week. Today I saw this guy on my way to work. Or at least I saw his motorcade.
Last night's Houston movie was Terms of Endearment. It never really sunk in that it was set in Houston, but if does have an astronaut in it, after all. I didn't like that movie much when it came out, and I still think it's a fairly mediocre movie, but I did see some familiar scenes in it.
Sunday, January 14
Today's milestone.
Remember my rules for guests? Ed apparently forgot rule #1 and went out and bought more oatmeal. So now we are back up to three boxes.
Last night we went to dinner and stopped at an Irish pub afterward for a beer. We sat next to this guy (the Rockets are Houston's NBA basketball team, by the way). He was a nice, non-celebrity-like guy. Ed was more excited to talk to him than I was, having never heard of him before. He also coached the Olympic basketball team this year. I didn't know that before, either.
We spent today gardening (again). It's starting to look pretty good, although we need more perennials. Having a small garden is kind of nice when you're starting, since a little bit of work makes it look pretty complete, but it's going to outgrow itself quickly.
Friday, January 12
I miss you, Taty.
Thusday, January 11
We have deck furniture! That matches! It looks great, although it just barely fits on our small deck. I'll take a picture this weekend. That was one of the last three major purchases we need to make, the others being desks for the office and the remaining window treatments. There are lots of other less important (although not necessarily less expensive) things to get as well, like a full-size grill, a trunk to hold linens, a nicer file cabinet that doesn't have to stay in the garage. Plus, Ed will replace every single thing in the house which was perfectly fine but not necessarily exactly what he would have chosen. He has already replaced all the outside lights, and all the bathroom hardware (towel racks, toilet paper holders, etc.). I will also be building shelves in the garage and several of the closets. It's hard to get used to not having a basement!
Wednesday, January 10
Two maximum strength Unisoms did the trick. I am working hard on the family site (I haven't posted it yet, though), so everybody get ready to contribute. You'll be given your assignments early next week. I want to get the static site up, then I can worry about programming and interactivity.
It's raining cats and dogs today. Houston floods mightily when it rains, since it's so flat and some parts are below sea level. Rainstorms here have the same effect on traffic as snowstorms in the north. The wimps.
Tuesday, January 9
Another night of insomnia last night, so I'm pretty tired. I did drag myself into work, though. Also stopped at the drugstore for some Unisom. I'll write more when I've had some sleep.
Monday, January 8
I only slept a few hours last night (I'm not sure why), so I was too tired to go into work today. I worked from home, but not very effectively.
I bought deck furniture yesterday. It won't be delivered until Thursday, but I'm really looking forward to it. We've been using mismatched furniture (a high table with low folding cheap chairs - not too usable) since we've been here. We got a great deal on a teak rectangular table and six matching folding chairs. I really did want teak, but was afraid it would be too expensive. This is apparently the time to buy. Plus, the prime time for spending time on the deck is up until May.
Sunday, January 7
This might help me with my resolution. My friends at work feel I have a better chance being an extra in a film shot in Austin. It's only a 2 1/2 hour drive from here, so that might work. They also noted that Sandra Bullock lives in Austin, so I could just knock on her door and ask her for an opportunity. Right.
As part of my film debut goal, we are renting a movie filmed in Houston every week. Last night we saw Reality Bites. It was filmed all over town, including one scene in the lobby of my building. It was a pretty funny movie, if you don't mind Generation X movies. Last week Urban Cowboy was on cable. Not such a great movie, and not as flattering of Houston.
Saturday, January 6
It's a Chamber of Commerce day here. That's what Ed calls days that are warm and sunny (but not hot, and not humid). I'm wearing shorts, and we're finishing up the backyard landscaping. It's a nice surprise after all the frosts and cold, rainy days.
Thursday, January 4
Since I didn't get My Real Baby for Christmas (although I did get to play with one at Drewe's house), the least someone could do is hack me a talking fish (this means you , BTW).
I will be taking orders (But Hurry! This May Be My Last Catalog!), if anybody wants to start a Doody Garden.
Wednesday, January 3
Does anybody else have a chapter of Cowboys for Christ near them? What about Cowboy Heaven (you can't have one without the other, you know).
Tuesday, January 2
We are watching this episode of Nova on TV right now. As usual, the PBS companion site is very good.
It's freezing here (like everywhere else this year). I thought that my reward for suffering through the sweltering summer was temperatures in the 60's and 70's in the winter. Cold weather is useless without snow.
Yesterday we drove to The Big Thicket. Yes, that's its official name. It consists of hardwood and pine forests, but the weird thing about it is that the underbrush is little palm trees. Otherwise it looks just like the woods up north. Except for the swamps, Spanish moss, and pitcher plants.
Monday, January 1, 2001
Happy New Year!!!
My New Year's resolution last year was to keep a journal. I started one in a small desktop calendar. In February, I started this weblog. For awhile, I updated both the paper journal and this one, but eventually dropped the paper one. To tie up last year's resolution, last night I merged the two, posting my initial journal entries to this site. All are available in the archives, link to the right. The journal entries are much more spare, as I had a small space to write in each day, and was denied the luxury of hyperlinks. Mostly boring, I'm afraid.
I think that this year's resolution to be an extra in a movie will be more difficult. For one thing, I don't think many movies are being shot here in the near future. I'll keep you posted.
