2009/11/21
2009/11/18
2009/11/14
more about the prisoner
Full episodes of The Prisoner are available at AMC's website.
Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Thanks to All Things Considered for alerting me to this.
Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Thanks to All Things Considered for alerting me to this.
the job
A one-night stand at Citibank, upgrading PCs for the employees. Replacing old HP machines (some verrrrryyy slooowww) with shiny new Dells.
We logged on to each old machine, went to a specific web address and saved the "profile". Then we swapped out the boxes, keyboards and mice; rebooted and signed in using an administrator-level password; set the NIC speed and screen resolution; plugged in the network cable and went back to the same website. There, we verified the new machine's info and closed out the work order.
One of the guys on my team left early and, at the end of the evening, none of his machines had been closed out. (He seemed like a bit of a nimrod from the moment I met him, but remember that these are computer geeks - 50 weird people on one job. There were others who definitely behaved more strangely than he did.) Our team leader confirmed that his work was done, and the primary leader closed those work orders.
At 9:00 PM sharp, we all clocked out. Lisa had been called ahead of time and was waiting for me when I walked out of the building.
By the way - this new keyboard is GREAT! I am getting used to typing normally again, without having to check for missing letters (s, W [capitalized only], x) or extra t's. The only problem remaining is that my thumb tends to brush the touchpad occasionally, moving the cursor to different location on the page; I may just disable the touchpad until I really need it. And, Lisa's machine starts up more quickly and is generally more responsive with the added RAM.
We logged on to each old machine, went to a specific web address and saved the "profile". Then we swapped out the boxes, keyboards and mice; rebooted and signed in using an administrator-level password; set the NIC speed and screen resolution; plugged in the network cable and went back to the same website. There, we verified the new machine's info and closed out the work order.
One of the guys on my team left early and, at the end of the evening, none of his machines had been closed out. (He seemed like a bit of a nimrod from the moment I met him, but remember that these are computer geeks - 50 weird people on one job. There were others who definitely behaved more strangely than he did.) Our team leader confirmed that his work was done, and the primary leader closed those work orders.
At 9:00 PM sharp, we all clocked out. Lisa had been called ahead of time and was waiting for me when I walked out of the building.
By the way - this new keyboard is GREAT! I am getting used to typing normally again, without having to check for missing letters (s, W [capitalized only], x) or extra t's. The only problem remaining is that my thumb tends to brush the touchpad occasionally, moving the cursor to different location on the page; I may just disable the touchpad until I really need it. And, Lisa's machine starts up more quickly and is generally more responsive with the added RAM.
2009/11/13
shoplifting: the new day labor?
There is an article in the New York News that explains a spike in shoplifting. Basically, "it's the economy, stupid."
Occasionally, when I enter an establishment wearing my omnipresent backpack, I am asked to leave it at the front of the store to deter shoplifting. Many businesses have signs on the front door telling us that all backpacks/bookbags MUST be left at the front of the store.
I have often questioned this, noting the preponderance of ladies' sometimes very large purses that are allowed, despite the relative ease of concealing purloined objects within them. You just leave the top open and drop things in.
On the other hand you have the treacherous backpack: worn with both straps over the shoulders, the entry point is behind the neck. Not quite as easy to hide your booty as it is with a purse, but the backpack is banned while the hungry purse roams freely.
When I discuss this difference with store employees, I do tell them that I understand their position: they don't make the rules and they, too, are under surveillance. They usually agree with me on the purse vs. backpack question.
When I read the above-mentioned article, imagine my surprise when they show a picture of ... a backpack? No!
Occasionally, when I enter an establishment wearing my omnipresent backpack, I am asked to leave it at the front of the store to deter shoplifting. Many businesses have signs on the front door telling us that all backpacks/bookbags MUST be left at the front of the store.
I have often questioned this, noting the preponderance of ladies' sometimes very large purses that are allowed, despite the relative ease of concealing purloined objects within them. You just leave the top open and drop things in.
On the other hand you have the treacherous backpack: worn with both straps over the shoulders, the entry point is behind the neck. Not quite as easy to hide your booty as it is with a purse, but the backpack is banned while the hungry purse roams freely.
When I discuss this difference with store employees, I do tell them that I understand their position: they don't make the rules and they, too, are under surveillance. They usually agree with me on the purse vs. backpack question.
When I read the above-mentioned article, imagine my surprise when they show a picture of ... a backpack? No!
Photo courtesy of Business Wire
2009/11/12
rejuvenation
There were projects afoot today. A memory upgrade for Lisa and a new keyboard for me.
Tomorrow evening I will be working at a Dell deployment event, installing and setting up new computers. It may be a one-time event, but it is also honestly earned money. Getting paid to do something I enjoy, which is unusual of late.
Tomorrow evening I will be working at a Dell deployment event, installing and setting up new computers. It may be a one-time event, but it is also honestly earned money. Getting paid to do something I enjoy, which is unusual of late.
2009/11/07
2009/11/01
2009/10/31
oh my
Ike and Kendall finally made it to Australia after an "interesting" flight.
On the home front, we have a water leak within the wall behind our shower. So much so that the carpet in our closet was getting wet and our water usage was at least three times what it should be. Now I go out to the water meter and shut off that valve when we aren't actively using water. I have also started making a note of the reading each morning before I turn the valve on for the first time, instead of my former once-a-month reading.
It took a few days to get used to super-conservation, but The Ex and I learned how to be extremely conservative with water when we lived in this house:
The Hazel Fisk House - a cobblestone structure built around 1835 - is in Dublin, NY, a small hamlet just north of Seneca and Cayuga lakes. No cable, no gas, no public water mains. There was a 2500 gallon cistern in the basement. All of the downspouts drained into it. There is also a spring down at the corner of Dublin and Ninefoot roads where the locals get their drinking water. Unpredictable rainfall meant that we usually had to keep usage to a minimum. When the supply ran too low we had water delivered at $25 per 1000 gallons.
Early this past week, Lisa received a complex new knee brace that keeps the joint from twisting. It works great. She can even stand up much more easily than before.
And finally, a friend unexpectedly made an appointment to have the starter replaced in Lisa's car and paid for the whole thing. What a blessing!
On the home front, we have a water leak within the wall behind our shower. So much so that the carpet in our closet was getting wet and our water usage was at least three times what it should be. Now I go out to the water meter and shut off that valve when we aren't actively using water. I have also started making a note of the reading each morning before I turn the valve on for the first time, instead of my former once-a-month reading.
It took a few days to get used to super-conservation, but The Ex and I learned how to be extremely conservative with water when we lived in this house:
The Hazel Fisk House - a cobblestone structure built around 1835 - is in Dublin, NY, a small hamlet just north of Seneca and Cayuga lakes. No cable, no gas, no public water mains. There was a 2500 gallon cistern in the basement. All of the downspouts drained into it. There is also a spring down at the corner of Dublin and Ninefoot roads where the locals get their drinking water. Unpredictable rainfall meant that we usually had to keep usage to a minimum. When the supply ran too low we had water delivered at $25 per 1000 gallons.
Early this past week, Lisa received a complex new knee brace that keeps the joint from twisting. It works great. She can even stand up much more easily than before.
And finally, a friend unexpectedly made an appointment to have the starter replaced in Lisa's car and paid for the whole thing. What a blessing!
2009/10/26
on the same subject, I guess ...
Tony's Law. Because this could happen to you.
And the domestication of the human race by cats continues unabated.
And the domestication of the human race by cats continues unabated.
2009/10/21
medicinal marijuana
The Obama administration has wisely declared that prosecution of state-sanctioned medicinal marijuana distributors is a waste of Federal resources. It is about time, don't you agree?
The Diane Rehm Show is discussing this issue today.
The Diane Rehm Show is discussing this issue today.
2009/10/19
goals
Another day, another promising job interview - and shot down again. The company in question had no problem with the five-year gap since my last design position, but they also need someone with 3D design experience. The recruiter told me that the economy is improving, so more positions will be available soon.
I had been considering attending our local community college for some low-level medical certificate (so I can get paid to take care of Lisa), but now I believe that my time would be better spent taking a course in 3D drafting. Go with what you know.
I had been considering attending our local community college for some low-level medical certificate (so I can get paid to take care of Lisa), but now I believe that my time would be better spent taking a course in 3D drafting. Go with what you know.
2009/10/16
why? please tell me why?
Acorn does not deserve "one more penny" of U.S. government money because one of their employees gave illegal advice to a ridiculously (and obviously) costumed fake pimp and his so-called prostitute, yet Halliburton's subsidiary KBR deserves continued funding despite a number of their male employees having gang-raped and illegally imprisoned a female co-worker?
Leave it to the Republicans to attempt to justify this insanity.
Leave it to the Republicans to attempt to justify this insanity.
mediation FAIL
The mediation yesterday between Lisa and her ex-husband accomplished two things: he will be paying his lawyer even more money and, since neither side was willing to compromise, the mediator is sending them to court so that a proper judge can make a decision on the case.
The mediator herself was friendly, kind and understanding. I was not allowed into the conference room except to push Lisa and her wheelchair in prior to their discussion and to bring her back out after they were finished. Simply being her caretaker is not enough; I cannot be present without a court order.
Lisa and her ex were kept in separate rooms; the mediator walked back and forth to discuss options with each of them.
Lisa was told that she cannot, by law, discuss the proceedings with me. Of course she did let me know that the case will be going back to court, but that is all.
We are confident of a few things: it is very unlikely that she will be required to pay for his legal representation, and also her ex will have to continue to pay the currently established alimony until after the court date.
As we left the mediation we noticed that her ex was driving a Corvette while Lisa's car needed to be push-started (as always). Furthermore, we also know that he and his girlfriend have been on several out-of-state vacations this year. Odd behaviour for an allegedly destitute couple; driving a Corvette and taking vacations to the Midwest.
The mediator herself was friendly, kind and understanding. I was not allowed into the conference room except to push Lisa and her wheelchair in prior to their discussion and to bring her back out after they were finished. Simply being her caretaker is not enough; I cannot be present without a court order.
Lisa and her ex were kept in separate rooms; the mediator walked back and forth to discuss options with each of them.
Lisa was told that she cannot, by law, discuss the proceedings with me. Of course she did let me know that the case will be going back to court, but that is all.
We are confident of a few things: it is very unlikely that she will be required to pay for his legal representation, and also her ex will have to continue to pay the currently established alimony until after the court date.
As we left the mediation we noticed that her ex was driving a Corvette while Lisa's car needed to be push-started (as always). Furthermore, we also know that he and his girlfriend have been on several out-of-state vacations this year. Odd behaviour for an allegedly destitute couple; driving a Corvette and taking vacations to the Midwest.
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