Time Flies

Danged how time flies when you've had your head buried in projects. Now I need to learn how to use my time more effectively, since we never know how much we have left.

Hep C has left me in less than desirable condition a good part of the time, so I'm backing off of all the stress related projects I've been involved with. Still have to get up and go to work on a daily basis, but that's enough stress for one person. I've got to spend a bit more time in rest and relax mode so I can concentrate on getting somewhat healthier in the event I no longer have a job.

Oh yeah, no one is immune to losing a job, not even gov'ment workers. While the Federal Gov'ment is getting bigger at our expense, local and state governments are having to cut back to make ends meet. Sometimes it even means some of us get a pink slip as a means to the end. Why don't they just start cutting back at the top? Less programs to hand out dole, less money for the lobbyists, representatives, and government agencies to spend. Anyone take a look at that TARP thing? How many new buildings do they need in Washington DC?

I've been reading a book by Glenn Beck. He's put it straight out there for anyone to read if they are interested. Brought up some facts I was not even aware of. Of course I haven't been spending much time looking either. I've had to spend so much time working just to make ends meet. I work to give my money away to others for the 'job well done' they've done.

I recently went to visit the dentist. Not one of my more pleasant experiences in life. Never has been if I tell the truth. I can't understand why the dentist thinks less than 40 hours of her time is worth a forth (1/4, 25 percent, 520 hours) of my time. What makes her so much more valuable than me? Who set up these rules anyway? We are all providing some service to keep the community going. I provide a service that helps people exercise their Consititutional Rights, and she keeps me smiling bright.

Well, on a bright note here, I wanted to let you know I've discovered another artist that's worth the time to listen to. I've always loved David Arkenstone, Chris Spheeris, and of course any flamenco or gypsy musicians I could get my ears wrapped around. Along the lines of Instrumental or New Age music I've discovered Medwyn Goodall. Great chap from the UK that is exceptionally talented and versed in more musical instruments I could count on both hands and feet. Think I'll just add a link here to something of his from YouTube and let you listen for yourself.

Happy Listening!!

Busy is as Busy does

I've been so busy lately. I've taken over IT admin responsibilities for PCLinuxOS and was deeply engrossed in a move from one server to another. It was a tremendous learning experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

I am now also involved in the rebasing of the BEL SBK server edition. Going from SBK 1-5 (based on PCLinuxOS 2007) to the next series of BEL server editions (based on PCLinuxOS 2009, soon to be released) is another welcomed challenge. Seems like I'm growing up in the IT admin department a bit.

I'm also modding on the PCLOS forums, and have my nose stuck in just about all places possible where it comes to PCLOS, so it does keep me busy.

I haven't taken much time out for photography lately, but I did get the opportunity to go see a portion of Ocean Dance 2008 on Hollywood beach last night.. Choosing just one photo for this post will be nothing easy, but here it is.. Enjoy!

Songbird

Does anyone remember the little hatching peep I had some posts back? It was from a baby songbird that I was tinkering with on my pclinuxos install. It wasn't available in the repositories at that time if I recall correctly.. But that was many moons ago, and a whole lot of linux water has passed under the bridge. Songbird is currently playing some tunes on the other pc as I type this from my main box.

Since that time I've learned a lot of command line, something of a necessity if you're going to do any IT admin work at all.. I've even found it to be quite fun (the cli or command line stuff, that is). Anyway, I'm now running webservers, rpm repositories for BEL (Business Edition Linux), found at www.pclosbe.org and helping the devs out at PCLinuxOS.com as well.

Getting back to Songbird.. I thought I'd throw a copy of my ZEN Mini install up so you can see how much Songbird has grown in the last year (or less). Also just a thought here.. You can find the ZEN Mini (Based on Texstar's Minime 2008) at http://173.9.136.137/ZEN/ ... Just incase you want to try out this great lil' distro too...



Ain't it purdy???

Some final tweaks are helpful

I've had to tweak the D80 a bit to work 'with me' and here are some of the results.. I love the way it handles..

My Review of D80 10.2 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body)

Originally submitted at Abes of Maine

The Nikon D80 SLR Digital Camera features a 10.2 effective megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor, providing a high level of resolution and sharp detail, so users can have the freedom to crop creatively and print impressive enlargements. It features Nikon's high-resolution image processing engin...

D80 10.2 Megapixel SLR Digital Camera (Camera Body)

Best Bang for the Buck!!

By CSolisnfl from Hollywood, Florida on 11/17/2008

 

5out of 5

Pros: Great Resolution, Excellent in Low Light, Easy to Use, Good sized screen, Fast Shutter Speed, Nice Features and Settings, Good Battery Life

Best Uses: Portraits, Weddings/Events, Travel, Sports/Action, Outdoors, Home

Describe Yourself: Photo Enthusiast

I've upgraded from a Nikon D70s to the D80 and can't believe the leap in image quality. The metering system and color sensors are really great, even in low light situations. I'd love to have 2 or 3 of these bodies, just to keep from changing lenses while out shooting.

Musician on Las Olas Riverfront

Tags: Using Product

(legalese)

The Stupid Things We Do...

Okay, so as my dad reminds me.... "No one ever took out an add in the local paper saying you were a genius" (Meaning probably that I'm not the brightest bulb in the pack). I did manage to pull a real 'Stupid' this morning. I don't know where my mind was, but I was getting everything I needed for my trek to work including two small bags of trash that needed to go to the big green thing in the parking lot where I park the car. I also had a smaller bag with two Linux editions CD's that I had downloaded and burned for one of the guys at work, and a library book, plus some TCM (traditional chinese medicine) remedies that I take to keep things working as well as they can.

Did I mention to two plastic grocery bags that had trash in them, and the big green thing in the parking lot?

Have you already figured out what I did? Can you tell me where my mind was as I put all three bags in the big green thing in the parking lot? Can you imagine the shame on my face as I go back to the library and pay for the Italo Calvino book I was in the middle of reading?

I think it's almost time for some type of ad in the paper, though which one of my family members is going to have the nerve to take the ad out in the paper is beyond my wildest imagination..

Just something else to ponder as I go along my way trying to figure out my reason for existence on this big round ball...

:)

Kitten, lappies, and dogs

I can't believe I've had the good 'fortune' to have this kitten adopt us, but he seems to fit right in. Took a few days before the pups settled down and realized kitty was here to stay, more or less.

He's waiting for me at the door when I come home from work, and sometimes when I take the girls out for our morning stroll. He eats his fill, finds a place to snooze a while, gets up, gets a drink and then is headed for the door again.

Sometimes he even want attention, which signals the pups to want attention at the same time. So, I wind up with kitty in lap, one dog standing with her front feet on my lap, and the other dog standing beside me pawing for some attention too. God should have given me 3 hands for this chore, but I have to do it all with 2. I'm greatful when it's snooze time because I end up with 2 free hands to wrap around the camera.

Ain't life fun?