Random Ramblings of a Neo-Post-Modern Geek (I have no idea what that means)
Life
To Blog, or not to Blog, that is the question
May 31st
This post started out as something very different … many months ago. In fact, the original post still sits in my ‘draft’ list … but will never be posted.
Most of those who know me well understand that I have a lot of opinions (who doesn’t) … and I’m sometimes not afraid to express them.
The original blog post started out as a discussion of religion, politics, and how my views differed drastically from those of my co-workers, friends, and colleagues in the IBM i industry.
But, as I started to write the post (which, I might add, had an incredibly clever title that Ginny helped me come up with), I realized that the content of the post would probably offend a lot of people that I have to work with on a day to day basis, and others that I interact with quite frequently.
“What is said on the internet, stays on the internet … forever” (source unknown, but I doubt I came up with it).
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New Year — New Decade
Dec 30th
Well, it’s another new year … and a new decade.
What’s been notable about this year and decade for you?
There have been a number of significant things for me …
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Working Out
Nov 14th
Those if you who follow me on Twitter will know that I’ve started going to the health club in a pretty regular basis now.
I try to work out at least 3 times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and once on the weekend (usually Sunday morning, while Ginny is at church).
So far I’ve been doing quite well and have stuck with it. I’ve seen noticeable improvement in my cardio health, and the last time I had my blood tested my glucose level was down markedly. Ginny has also commented on my general appearance. I’ve lost 10 pounds and my jeans are a bit looser.
My routine us to do 30 minutes on the elliptical machine in cardio mode (targeting 139), then 20-30 minutes of strength training in the other machines.
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On my reading list: Arguments For Evolution
Sep 16th
Here’s a few books that are getting added to my reading list. Hopefully they will be available at the library, but I think a few of them I’m going to plunk down some cash for.
I’m always amazed how many people, who are otherwise very intelligent, are willing to completely ignore hard facts and scientific evidence in favor of myth, superstition, and hearsay.
Thanks to Pharyngula for the list.
More >
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Convenience Checks Redux
Feb 9th
In recent months the credit card companies (Chase & Discover, mostly) have ramped up their efforts to get me to use “Convenience Checks”. Almost every statement includes a batch of them.
I’ve never liked the fact that they send them … first, and foremost, because I never use them. Secondly, I consider them a serious security risk. If someone rifles through my mailbox (which has no security) and grabs my statement, they could easily cash the checks. Yes, I know I probably wouldn’t be liable for the amount … but it would be a major pain to figure out what was going on.
I finally got around to calling both Chase and Discover to request that my account be flagged so I never get Convenience Checks again.
In both cases, the customer service person I talked to understood my concerns … and updated my account appropriately. I was warned that there might be one ore two more mailings sent out, as the convenience checks are setup in advance … but I can deal with that.
Hmmm … now that I think about it a bit … that doesn’t really make sense … at least in the case of Discover … because the checks are attached to my statement, which is clearly custom printed on demand at the end of my billing cycle.
Oh well, as long as they don’t send me more than 1 or 2 more batches, I’ll be happy.
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WBEZ Traffic made me laugh
Jan 15th
I was listening to WBEZ this morning and the traffic report came on … The reporter indicated that a particular road was very icy, but the city was sending out a salt truck to “make it better”.
Immediately the Beatles song “Hey Jude” popped into my head with slightly altered lyrics …
“… take a salt truck … and make it better …”
OK, yeah, I am easily amused.
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End of Vacation
Oct 26th
Well, it’s been a fairly busy two weeks …
- Work on the floor is (more or less) progressing. I got the final rank of boards cut and installed. We still need to touch of the paint, install the base molding, quarter round, and carpet threshold.
- Tuesday we went to village hall and cast our votes for Obama in the early voting program. Just want to get it out of the way.
- Wednesday we headed down state to visit my niece Melissia … it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip. We went for a walk in the Stephen Forbes state park and saw “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”. The state park was nice and pretty empty. About the time we left the park, it started raining. Perfect timing. Did a bit of shopping and then saw the moving (which was enjoyed by all in the theater … all 3 of us).
- Saturday both Ginny and I had checkups at the doctor … everything is in working order.
- Started an email exchange with a woman who wants me to GIVE her a domain I own … because she’s running a business with the name. When I indicated that I would sell it to her, she got all bent out of shape. I wasn’t asking multiple thousands of dollars for it … I only asked $600. Last email from her indicated she would probably sue me for trademark infringement (she doesn’t currently have a trademark on the name, but she did indicate that she filed for one). I’ll keep an eye on the name on the US Trademark Office’s website and, if it becomes registered to her, I’ll take down my placeholder site.
- Today I want to try and get the floor finished … at least the painting done and base molding & quarter round up. The threshold might take a bit of time.
And, tomorrow, it’s back to work.
Well, mostly back to work … I really didn’t leave. Like a glutton for punishment, I checked email periodically and had to address a few issues. Nothing major though. Hopefull, when I get back, the I18N project will be done and we can get on to real development again.
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Adam Savage on Science Education and Creationism
Oct 6th
I found this Popular Mechanics pod cast while stumbling around today. It features Adam Savage, of Mythbusters fame (one of my favorite TV shows), discussing science education and his annoyance with the whole Evolution vs. Creationism debate:
What I do see as a huge issue is a very anti-science vibe. Like I said, the newspapers talking about evolution versus creationism is very much an attack on science as a type of religion—believing that the scientific method is some type of religious belief. And it’s not!
That kind of attack absolutely is damaging science exploration across the whole country. I do think that’s a significant problem. And until we can get our head out of the sand and realize that science isn’t about truth—it’s why this debate about the “theory of evolution” bugs the hell out of me. What scientists mean by theory is very different than what people think.
People want science to give them these ultimate truths. When of course it’s never going to do that.
No scientist will ever even tell you that he’ll guarantee the sun will come up tomorrow because that’s not a scientific statement. He can say it’ll come up because the evidence supports it and he can say he’s 99.99999% sure that it’s going to come up, but something could always happen.
And that willingness to have your mind changed – which is basically what that is – that willingness to change, to see something different based on the evidence, that’s deeply scientific, and it’s deeply creative, and I don’t think enough people realize how creative science is as a field.
What can I say? I agree with Adam 100%.
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It sucks to be sick
Jul 4th
It really sucks to be suck … especially on a holiday.
Yesterday I stayed home from work because I wasn’t feeling good. At one point during the day I had a fever of 100.1.
Today I’m feeling better, but not 100%.
Originally, Ginny and I were planning on going to my folks house for the 4th of July, but I don’t want to risk getting anyone else sick.
So today I’m just going to relax and take it easy. Maybe try to get together with my folks on Sunday.
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Higgins Road
May 29th
For those of you who live and/or work in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, you probably have noticed how bad Higgins Road is between Golf and Route 53. The potholes are absolutely horrendous.
The potholes were created after this last winter … and there doesn’t appear to have been any effort to repair them yet.
I contacted someone at the village of Schaumburg, and was told me that Higgins Road is owned and maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Highways.
I agree with your assessment of Higgins Road and can assure you that we have previously contacted them many times regarding this issue. I think that it will help for them to hear from as many people as possible, to get this road repaired.
My car has been in the shop at least twice now for suspension and alignment issues (recently getting a new set of tires) … I’m fairly confident that the condition of Higgins Road either caused, or contributed, to the damage.
I encourage everyone to contact IDOT and ask them to get the potholes repaired as soon as possible.
Update 5/30/08:
I sent email to my state senator, Michael Noland, and representative, Fred Crespo, asking that they look into the mater. No response yet. I was quite surprised when I found that the state does not seem to provide email services for state senators and representatives.
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