Culture

Natalie and the boys left today to go to a family wedding in Cincinnati, OH. I am unable to go because I was not able to schedule the time off of work. It is my own fault really. I might have gotten the time off if we had not originally thought that we were not going to the wedding. There is one good thing from all of this, Natalie and boys may be able to spend more time with everyone because my schedule is no longer in the equation. They will be gone for 11 days. If was going with them, it would have been somewhat shorter. At least this way, there is a chance that they will be able to spend time with my parents, even if I am not able to.

At least we have the phones and the Internet to keep in touch while they are gone.

About once a year since we were married, Natalie has been away for about a week a year without me. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Since the boys were born, they have always gone with her. We can never figure out how I would keep them and still go to work. Natalie has been the day care since Sam was born almost 8-and-a-half years ago. And while I could work from home without anyone noticing, I don't think I would be able to manage house and boys and work at the same time. Maybe in a couple more years.

And this is a kind of vacation for me, too. I get to choose to do whatever I want without having to worry about Natalie and the boys schedule. Of course, being I am boring, there is not much that I will do. Well, maybe hang out with some of the neighbors. They are always good for that. Boy did we get lucky with the neighbors.

Beyond that, I might also make the time to finish a couple of ideas that I had for the website.

Today has been a long day already. I was up at 04:00 to do some testing for work. By the time that was done, Natalie and the boys were up and getting ready to go, so I helped them. And then I cut the grass and watched The Fountain.

So, now I am starting to think about dinner and maybe finding the July starkly for Myst Online.

I have not posted anything recently. I almost get the feeling that the site has been teetering on the edge of being abandoned. Trying to maintain a site does give one the appreciation for the running of a periodical. I can only image what it would be like to have to balance the needs of a regular publication, one that needs to go out the door, no questions asked, and the draws that prevent one from actually sitting down a being a writer. How professional writers do this, I don't know. Technical writing–I can do that almost without thinking. Taking a semi-organized thought and turning into something I think someone else would want to read–I see that as a lot more difficult having choked on a number of my own thoughts.

So, to that end, this site has sat more or less, idle. I had to go back to 28 January to find a post that was not In Cavern and actually presented a thought that was more than just repeating what was going on around me or in my life or the life of a family member or friend.

I find that a little depressing.

Monday, I came home to find the house empty. This was not a surprise. Natalie had taken the boys out for something that happened Monday night. Their absence was completely expected and normal. But it did give me a little time to think about what I was doing. And in that time, an idea was born.

The idea is not anything original. I am sure that hundreds of other sites have talked about things very similar to what I am about to describe. But other sites are not me.

Here was the idea I had while I was driving home thinking about an empty house.

The Internet is full of wonderful things, useful things and stupid things. See, not that original.

I use some of these things. I also use other technologies like phones, and DVRs and other stuff.

What I was thinking about doing was talking a little bit about the services and things that I actually use. I told you I wasn't going to be doing anything original.

Part of the reason why I did not get started on this yet was because I was thinking about how to best place and organize the content. Do I just spew near random things in one or two posts and just see where things go, or do I try to organize things and attempt to be a little more focused on what I cover over a larger number of posts? How do I categorize things? Do I need to add a new category here on the site to hold these things, or will the current taxonomy hold up? I believe it could use some help.

This is what it comes down to: I use stuff, but am I using the best stuff? Am I using the stuff I use in the best way? Is there something out there that I am missing because I do not have the time or contacts or don't care enough to follow how all the stuff that is going on out there?

There are some issues with the idea.

First is the concern I have that the taxonomy here on the site needs to be adjusted to think about things this way. That's not really a problem. But when one is not certain about the path, they look for reasons to delay. This post is part of that, explaining what it is I am going to be doing, so I don't actually have to do it just yet.

The second concern is a little more complicated. I recently turned off the ability for unregistered users to post comments here at the site. I have been having a serious problem with trackback and comment SPAM. I like the idea of trackbacks and comments. The problem is, no person was leaving trackbacks or comments, and while the junk was not being published, I was spending time that could be spent on creating new content managing the SPAM content. Not a real excuse, but a valid one. The answer may be that if a normal person does not see it, is it really a concern?

Having comments turned off means that, under the odd chance that someone actually has something to say about a service or thing I am talking about, how are they going to do that? I do not think that the random person with something to say about how I use a cell phone or laptop or web-based service is going to register with this site just to say what they think and never come back again. I would not do it, so I don't really expect anyone else. So, I am going to try turning comments back on. I expect this will make this idea a little more functional. It will also make the forums here work again. Just be warned I am trying countermeasures.

And let me now describe what it is I am thinking I am going to do. . .

I am going to look at the stuff I have and the stuff I use. I am going to talk about how I am using something. I am going to talk about what I like about something, and what I do not like about it.

This is what I would like you to do: provide some feedback. Am I using the best thing? And I using something the best way? Am I missing some feature that I could be using that will make something better?

As you do this, remember I reserve the right to edit or remove comments. Your freedom of action and speech ends at the database I am paying hosting for.

All that now having been said, I need to pick something to talk about.

Happy Birthday, to you.

Happy Birthday, to you.

Happy Birthday, Yvonne.

Happy Birthday, to you.

 

Just so you know, the card is only the beginning. We had some issues getting something shipped to you, so it will be a little late.

BTW: I LOVE THE POPCORN. Definitely something different and very cool.  Everyone here is really enjoying sharing the popcorn.

A few hours ago, I was told in a phone call that Dad had lost the primary and was out of the running. Watching the results, there was a bit where only one precinct had reported in and Dad was listed as the winner.

A few minutes ago, I was able to see the results myself from the county website .

Needless to say, I am disappointed that Dad didn't win. I guess that 33 years as a police officer does not count for anything in a town that is only 1.5 square miles in size.

I haven't been able to talk to Dad yet. More than likely, I will tomorrow.

This was something we had talked about, losing. Even with all the the support that people were saying he had, he did tell me that you never really know what someone thinks when they are alone in the voting booth. I have to wonder if some people even know what they are thinking until they actually throw the lever (Bristol used mechanical ballot machines last time I was there for an election). According to the county site, it was a difference of 91 votes.

Disappointing. Very disappointing.

The following is an e-mail Mom had sent today about Dad.

I wish my schedule allowed for at least me to make the trip to Bristol, PA to be there.