tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60351292011-04-21T18:49:22.892-05:00Choicest Bits of Whatnot for an Unknown Audiencedavidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.comBlogger2431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-62642512179312566812007-11-22T19:30:00.000-05:002007-11-22T19:54:17.045-05:00

One of these is dated, but here are some books I've read in the last year.Dickson, Gordon R. Wolfling. 1985 (original copyright 1968). Baen. New York.The High-born ruled a thousand worlds. A hundred years in our future, the first expedition from Earth reaches Alpha Centauri only to discover a vast human empire, long-established and sternly ruled by the aristocratic High-born. In a stroke Earth

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1169172522554888052007-11-13T19:48:00.000-05:002007-11-13T21:44:57.947-05:00

I find that I've had my nose in several books over the past few months. Even the most frivolous of them seem to have some nugget of truth and crunchy goodness, so I figure it's all good. Here they are in no particular order.Bishop, Anne. The Invisible Ring. 2000. ROC. New York.I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised when I read comments online and they were less favorable about this book than

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-74449670597582383132007-03-16T19:27:00.000-05:002007-03-16T19:33:33.464-05:00

Only a little of the work I intended to do has been done at the new house. At least by me. The interior of the main level has been completely repainted, so any interior flaws I intended to fix have been repaired or covered. Either is just fine by me right now. Our old home has been a steady drain of finances and physical resources as we emptied it, repainted it, repaired some areas, carpeted the

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1168922819093596422007-01-15T23:39:00.000-05:002007-01-15T23:48:24.230-05:00

Despite the several photos taken and logged of things to do in the house where we are living, there are even more things to be done in the house we moved from. I imagine we look much like a person dancing on hot rocks as we glance first at one task, then at the other, and accomplish none of the things on our list. The garage door is still neglected. In our defense, we've packed up several bags of

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1167712498085649542007-01-01T23:11:00.000-05:002007-01-01T23:34:58.103-05:00

The most recent post listed here at Brain Candy is February, 2006. Considering that February 2007 is pretty darn close, I suppose I should explain myself. I'm the shy type, but not usually this quiet. Frankly, I've had little to say and much time in which to say it. Since last posting I've send my family to Eastern Europe and Eastern Ohio, I've accompanied them to Florida, I've continued to hold

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1140434770478245052006-02-20T06:25:00.000-05:002006-02-20T07:00:31.563-05:00

A little help here, please. I just found this in my notes. I'd begun it a while back and left it. Obviously because I couldn't tell where it was going. Any suggestions are appreciated.I don't know jack about HTML, so do me a favor. Read every odd line together and every even line together.The nucleus of family is the whole,The center of a bead is the hole,the enveloping arms of love that offer

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1140434040979610612006-02-20T05:36:00.000-05:002006-02-20T07:14:00.723-05:00

I keyed in this passage--with explanation--over a week ago, then promptly lost the whole thing switching from entry view to draft view and back. I've been in a snit about the blogger interface since then, and have boycotted the joint. I guess I showed them, didn't I? Yeah. I'm feeling much better now.While I was on a men's retreat recently, the group was given free time at the end of the first

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1139137334602195652006-02-05T05:52:00.000-05:002006-02-12T19:01:16.643-05:00

Beginning Thursday, I worked with a couple of friends to try to make our little corner of the world a little nicer place to be. We established several things beyond any refutation:1) I am not a sound engineer2) I am not a photographer3) I really cannot operate a vacuum cleaner well eitherNothing really new there. However, if there are any gracious doubters out there, I have proof.This is where we

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1137036660185972242006-01-11T22:29:00.000-05:002006-01-12T21:30:35.163-05:00

So young. So ready. I've been looking at the eyes of yesterday's children for the past few days. The lad to the left is Russell. He has the look of a scholar, doesn't he? Some people just wear that look very well. Russell grew up in a rural community in southern Indiana. He went on to serve briefly in the Army, attend Indiana State Teachers College (now known as Indiana State University, alma

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1136781030518532612006-01-08T23:24:00.000-05:002006-01-08T23:30:30.543-05:00

I'm being happily dragged into genealogy. Just now, I waded through 100-year-old yellowed newspaper clipping that seem to indicate a Colbert male could run quickly enough to finish in the top three. Not in my lifetime, but as I unfolded the "Official Program of the Fifth Annual Tournament of the Southern Indiana Athletic and Oratorical Association to be held at Orleans, Indiana, May 27, 1904" it

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1136301866323357372006-01-03T10:21:00.000-05:002006-01-03T10:24:26.336-05:00

My attention to this part of my life has been spotty at best. I'd love to be more attentive. But then, I'd also love to write things I feel are worth reading. Meanwhile, I'm officially not posting here for a while. Probably not forever. But expect posts no time soon.Thank you and God bless.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1134428015656637762005-12-12T17:36:00.000-05:002005-12-12T17:53:35.666-05:00

For the longest time I despaired that autumn would not arrive. It seemed when it finally did the calendar indicated it should be winter. If that stuff on my driveway was any kind of sign from above, winter has put in an appearance.I went to clear the walks at my in-laws' home and found that the top layer moved fairly easily. However, when snow melts it somehow refuses to reconstitute as flakes.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1131188940817734472005-11-05T05:10:00.000-05:002005-11-05T06:40:58.976-05:00

Not that I have found a whole great lot of time for reading lately, but I've been perusing Philip Yancey's "Soul Survivor" and a book of simple apologetics by Edith Schaeffer called "Christianity is Jewish." I'm only so far into each, but enjoying both. Yancey talks about the role models of his life--some of whom shared his faith and some who did not--who helped him keep his relationship with God

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1128995245749640052005-10-10T20:26:00.000-05:002005-10-10T20:49:37.193-05:00

I've been driving Clifford lately with one eye socket secured by duct tape. Yeah, Buddy. I'm high tech. Yesterday, as I pulled into Starbucks for some Dave fuel, I was informed I was driving a pediddle. If you're not familiar with pediddles, they are a morphing entity. When you're young, they are much like punch buggies. When you see one you have license to nail a nearby sibling with a solid hit

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1127762433311660052005-09-26T14:19:00.000-05:002005-09-26T14:20:33.316-05:00

Clifford is back. After an extended field trip to Mississippi, the big red truck is once again prowling the byways of Maryland. He's somewhat bruised. Rumor has it that he encountered several highway cones at a rate of speed that would have mauled a lesser vehicle. He emerged without a manufacturer's emblem on the grill and with a couple of black eyes. Other than that, he's fine. My intent was to

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1126330282660421092005-09-10T00:30:00.000-05:002005-09-10T00:31:22.666-05:00

The document is done, bound, stowed, and now we leave the office.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1126258803192827432005-09-09T04:32:00.000-05:002005-09-09T04:40:03.196-05:00

Couldn't sleep this a.m. so I came in early. My colleagues have agreed that we see light at the end of this tunnel. We should be wrapping up our project today and working not nearly so hard next week. Of course, this is just the draft document, so we'll likely be back at it with full intensity sometime soon.This Sunday begins our Stephens training at church. Stephens Ministry is a program that

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1125670110853419242005-09-02T09:00:00.000-05:002005-09-02T09:08:30.866-05:00

Working a document today, I put in many of the changes we wrangled through in an all-day meeting yesterday. This was good. In fact, this was imperative. It could only have been better had I put the changes into the correct version of the document. Alas, in a fit of conviction based on exceedingly poor judgment, I opened the old file and made my changes there. Fortunately, I encountered a phrase I

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1125071139570895472005-08-26T10:42:00.000-05:002005-08-26T10:45:39.576-05:00

Please don't confuse the lack of posts with gross negligence. It's only net negligence--the simple result of crazy hours and good intentions minus fatigue and an irresistable attraction to a mattress and pillow. I hope to get back into a more regular rhythm after Labor Day.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1124539251740081612005-08-20T06:40:00.000-05:002005-08-20T07:04:05.190-05:00

Many of us had a toy called the Slinky when we were kids. In my day, which probably preceded your day, it was a flat, thin metal strip formed into a coil. It made an amazing noise when you held an end in either hand and shifted the weight from one side to the other. Kind of a ringing sound. Later versions were plastic and this feature was sadly lacking.Likewise, the curious among us have either

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1122938268715909882005-08-01T18:10:00.000-05:002005-08-01T18:17:48.720-05:00

This Friday we'll board a jet, fly to Tampa, rent a car, and drive to Marco Island. We're anticipating a week of ... well, nothing really. And that's fine.Pookums gets a room all her own in a 2BR suite and we'll be right on a beach. Parasailing. Hobie Cats. Sharks. Well, hopefully not, but you just never know.I have three books checked out of the library. If I can keep from reading them before we

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1121955502364411212005-07-21T09:13:00.000-05:002005-07-21T09:18:22.370-05:00

I miss most of the news, but ran across remarks made by a legislator from Colorado, a Mr. Tancredo, to the effect that bombing Mecca in retribution for a major attack on the U.S. by Muslim extremists is a viable alternative. Fortunately, there are conservaties--some who actually don't froth or eat their young, some of my dear friends will be surprised to learn--who have a balanced response to

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1121892841700131232005-07-20T15:44:00.000-05:002005-07-20T15:54:01.706-05:00

I sat up with a friend last night. He'd had a tough day. On top of that, his spouse had gone to Wolftrap with a friend to see Peter Pan, so he had to wait around until she got back before he could go home. It was a no-brainer. This was a job for beer.I didn't have many beers, so I supplemented. My cup was full of ice and Maker's Mark. The new food pyramid advocates five servings of fruit and

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1121477151543716672005-07-15T20:19:00.000-05:002005-07-15T20:25:51.546-05:00

I've cleaned up the workroom in the garage to the point that I've been able to outfit it properly. Floor fan? Check. Stereo (with subwoofer)? Check. iPod? Check. Laptop with wireless access to the BIG tune library? Check. Guitar? Check. And for special occasions, Kentucky Orange Juice? Check.I still need to drag the bass amp in here so I can practice. It's a bit off-putting to the House People

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1121301917141872222005-07-13T19:29:00.000-05:002005-07-13T19:45:17.146-05:00

At 4:50 this morning, the alarm went off. I stumbled to the alarm clock, suffering from a literary bender. Three nights ago I was reading a book that featured native philosophy chiding Anglo-Europeans for refusing to live in the now. It talked about segmenting our days in such a way that we are constantly reliving the past or anticipating the future. Good point, I thought. So I took off my watch.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1121042344201263122005-07-10T19:32:00.000-05:002005-07-10T19:39:04.206-05:00

I've been gradually rearranging things in the garage. This afternoon, I finally cleared enough space to drag the drill press out and fit it with a fancy new wire brush. Then I cleaned several tools. One tool in particular, a rather long shovel thingy, had been left out for quite a while by the resident gardener. I think she was encouraging it to go feral. I snuck up on it, grabbed it by the

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1120597504408231682005-07-05T15:47:00.000-05:002005-07-05T16:05:04.413-05:00

Our church band is in transition. Frank, our leader, is taking a sabbatical for a bit. So Terri and Kim are handling all the vocal duties. There's an interesting thing about teams. We understand that none of us is indispensable, but that doesn't mean we make no difference. Many of the songs in our book were penned by Frank. Naturally, they were a great fit for his voice. He also provides some

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1120596461660671182005-07-05T15:35:00.000-05:002005-07-05T15:47:41.666-05:00

All the folks at Casa Coal Bear survived the holiday. We've had family either with us or near us for the past couple of weeks. Heather and Omar, along with Aunt Adrienne, brought Diego and Abby north to see their great-grandparents for the first time. Until now it's been a succession of adorable photographs the whet folks appetites. Finally, the kids were on the scene, making a personal debut.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1119303964937359642005-06-20T16:35:00.000-05:002005-06-20T16:49:00.900-05:00

I'm behind. It's been nearly 20 days since I last posted here. I'm feeling sheepish because I took the time to compose a lengthy e-mail earlier ragging on a friend because he is even further behind. If blogs were houses, we'd both be under edict from our neighborhood associations to mow the grass and apply a fresh coat of paint. Fortunately, he and I are both country boys at heart. That means

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1117769344453536762005-06-02T22:10:00.001-05:002005-06-02T22:45:37.636-05:00

Dirt TurnoversOn Greenspring Avenue between 695 and Charles somebody has been able to retain a small farm. There is a crop field where I least expected to find one. Earth was freshly plowed and ready for planting. I can not begin to imagine the worth of that property were somebody to get a wild hair and make it available to a developer. Bully for them for keeping a farm going!Towson TownhomesOur

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1116726940322357402005-05-21T20:45:00.000-05:002005-05-21T20:55:40.326-05:00

I finally unpacked from the "Wild Man's Weekend." It's amazing how well stuff keeps if you stick it in a toolbox and go about your business. But I brought the backpack and an armful of clothing that had collected in the back seat (don't ask--it ain't like that) of the truck. I unpacked the two old-style camp lanterns and was happy to learn they had survived my driving. Another thing on my list

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1116726314830384802005-05-21T20:34:00.000-05:002005-05-21T20:45:14.836-05:00

Yesterday I did some research on alternative fuels. After the riding lesson today, we dropped another $75 to slake Clifford's thirst. The good news is that simple reveals an average of 16.75 mpg. Not bad for a husky fella like Clifford. But at $2.29 per gallon, it doesn't take long for a fillup to become a letdown. A gallon of 2% biodiesel can be had in the Westminster area for $2.19 a gallon.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1116725679005573692005-05-21T20:28:00.000-05:002005-05-21T20:34:39.010-05:00

Today was beautiful. At the last minute, Pookums remembered she had a riding lesson, so we hustled out the door. Once there, I gotta tell you, it was just a beautiful day. I sat in Clifford working a crossword puzzle and every time I looked up I saw something more strking than the time before. You know it's a killer day when long grass at the corner of a building looks good. Volunteers were out

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1115475671025981632005-05-07T09:03:00.000-05:002005-05-07T09:37:10.300-05:00

I was able to take off a couple of hours early yesterday, so I asked Pookums what she wanted to do. We stopped at Hecht's and got warpaint for the big doin's tonight (see Tonight's the Night, below), then got to her place of choice--CD Warehouse. Shades of Proverbs 22:6. Somehow, we emerged with she having spent nothing and me having compensated for her lack of commerce. Three movies and four CDs

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1115474599550379852005-05-07T08:44:00.000-05:002005-05-09T07:53:11.580-05:00

I know. You're thinking a oldie by a raspy-voiced Brit, but not so here. Tonight is the night (and morning) Pookums attends her first promenade. She and her friends have all chipped in for a limousine (at $95 each) and they will meet this evening at five o'clock, then go out for dinner locally. After dinner, the crew will be driven to Baltimore. No gymnasium and crepe paper for these kids. They

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1114480296314860262005-04-25T20:41:00.000-05:002005-04-25T20:51:36.316-05:00

A few of the discs I picked up recently were jazz selections. Hugh Masekala's Greatest Hits was interesting. If your experience of this South African artist is limited to the 1968 number one hit "Grazing in the Grass," this is worth checking out just for the flavor of the arrangements. Despite his talent, at some point I begin to tire of the sound of the horn, but the other instruments held my

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1114449512400288572005-04-25T12:12:00.000-05:002005-04-25T12:18:32.400-05:00

My friend approached me recently with another offer for CDs from his music club at $1.99 ea., plus shipping. Three of us participated in our friend's generosity. The bills came due last week. Participant 1 (not me) owed $4 and change. Participant 2 (still not me) owed something near $20. Participant 3 (if you've been keeping track, you know who this is) had to ante up $124. My wife claims it's an

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1113269655317346272005-04-11T20:24:00.000-05:002005-04-11T20:34:15.316-05:00

I have a knack, like Andrew Carnegie, for surrounding myself with people who exceed my intelligence and my skills in any given area. Unfortunately for them, I also have a knack for committing to projects I could not possibly do without them. This weekend, my friend Jim was a victim of just such a scenario. I don't feel very bad, because the last time I roped him into a deal like this we were very

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1112671625578745852005-04-04T22:16:00.000-05:002005-04-04T22:27:05.580-05:00

I have begun the process of scaling. Those who liken me to some sort of reptile will not be surprised, but this is a different type of scaling. This is tying in, being belayed, and climbing the walls.Earth Treks, a local indoor climbing facility, is the place where this happens. I've always liked to climb things. There was a red maple beside the house in Indiana that was perfect for climbing. The

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1112670957889286772005-04-04T22:06:00.000-05:002005-04-04T22:15:57.890-05:00

My co-worker came to my desk today and presented his token of thankfulness for having delivered him to the automotive repair shop, ferried him to work, and returned him to the point of origin. Woodford Reserve bourbon.There is something classy about the sloping shoulders of the clear glass bottle. The liquid catches the light and makes it dance, a prelude to the jubilation expressed in

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1112425935446432032005-04-02T01:26:00.000-05:002005-04-02T02:12:15.450-05:00

Planning is the key. When attempting to fit a roofing job between the literal splashes of excitement that Maryland calls weather in the spring, one must carefully plan. That is why Saturday's re-roofing of the neighbor's lean-to barn was hastily rescheduled for Friday. It is also why the bed of my pickup truck contains the former top of said lean-to. I know this sounds more like panicked reaction

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1111761473677200582005-03-25T09:32:00.000-05:002005-03-25T09:37:53.676-05:00

... and you may be surprised what returns.Not long ago I took a work associate to drop his car off for maintenance. The rest of his story is a fiasco. But he stopped by yesterday to tell me he so appreciates me going out of my way to accommodate him and ensure him a ride to work that he will be bringing me a bottle of Woodford Reserve bourbon.That's so cool. First, I wasn't expecting it. Second,

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1109825524600424622005-03-02T23:12:00.000-05:002005-03-03T00:06:04.286-05:00

I was depressed the other day. My non-pharmaceutical approach to relieving depression is to chase the blues by dispensing the green. My bride was otherwise occupied, so my daughter and I took a ride down I-70 and over the top of the beltway to the land of temptation. Guitar Center.Mmmm. Guitar Center. It's a lust hut, folks. There are so many beautiful guitars there. And if that thrill begins to

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1108850976073174142005-02-19T17:02:00.000-05:002005-02-19T17:09:36.073-05:00

We have it on good authority from our daughter that Thursday was her best birthday yet. Sure, she's had fewer than 20, so the odds were in our favor--not as if it was either of her parent's birthdays. We're pleased nonetheless. In large part, we are attributing the success of the day to the Greystone Grill. If you have not had the pleasure, I suggest you visit Columbia 100 Parkway in Ellicott

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1108643023190691272005-02-17T07:11:00.000-05:002005-02-17T07:23:43.193-05:00

It is the seventeenth day of the second month of two thousand five. That means not a thing to many, but in our house it is a cause for both celebration and consternation. Princess turns seventeen today. Sixteen is traditionally the reason for big doings. Seventeen is more of a blip. An important blip. After all, you can almost hear the click on the Freedom Gear as seventeen falls into place. One

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1108095001517922552005-02-10T22:48:00.000-05:002005-02-10T23:10:30.540-05:00

We're emerging from the other end of a week that soon, thankfully, will have been. And like other things that emerge from the other end, it's best left where it lays.When it's all said and done, making things work right is about communication. When they work well, that was good communication. (Heh, heh, that last bit reminds me of an old bridge game for the Mac. Every so often Omar Sharif's voice

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1106277240561703262005-01-20T21:25:00.000-05:002005-01-20T22:16:07.156-05:00

Loud Explosions Echo Across Baltimore City POSTED: 5:39 am EST January 20, 2005 BALTIMORE -- People across Baltimore City called police after they heard loud explosions Wednesday night. It turns out the noises were fireworks at the Inner Harbor. The fire department was aware of the fireworks display, but there's still no word on who organized it. Coincidentally, my wife and I attended a function

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1105071878614021162005-01-06T22:38:00.000-05:002005-01-06T23:24:38.613-05:00

We got back from vacation and discovered that, like one plate sliding over another, much had changed while much remained the same. A good friend from work was toodling along I-70 in his brand new (less than two weeks old) Ford pickup when a drunken man in the other lane clipped the guard rail, crossed three lanes, barrelled through the bushes in the median, flipped his vehicle and hit our friend

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1104721356216708972005-01-02T21:49:00.000-05:002005-01-04T21:20:32.056-05:00

We left town. On 23 December, we crammed packed suitcases in the car and headed toward the airport. But not directly to the airport. First we had a little bidness to take care of... THE BACK STORY Our faithful battleship gray 1988 Crown Victoria, the "Ride of Pride" that floated down (well, actually all over) the road silently beaming the message, "Well, if only I were a bit younger I could be

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1103254540391585002004-12-16T22:19:00.000-05:002004-12-16T22:35:40.390-05:00

The past couple of nights have been spent apart from my lovely spouse. We have a sofa, but it is possibly the most uncomfortable piece of furniture in the house. Fortunately, we have a queen size bed conspicuously crouching in one end of the basement like a goalie in the crease. It is useful for stacking clothing that we fold as we pull it from the nearby dryer. It is useful for stacking other

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1102994833384836092004-12-13T22:20:00.000-05:002004-12-13T22:27:13.383-05:00

We extended the premature holiday by having some friends help us work our way through leftovers. After the normal Monday evening riding lesson, Pookums and I returned to a home made even more inviting by the presence of two friends. K & N had come over to join us for dinner. It was an instant replay--turkey, dressing, jellied cranberries, marble rye bread, and scalloped potatos. And the chaser?

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1102881554437049512004-12-12T14:43:00.000-05:002004-12-12T15:37:51.366-05:00

Things get busy this time of year. It's as if we are all Santas with a bag called time. Nothing will do but that we fill that bag as completely as possible, then go out and spread the cheer. Inevitably, there is little cheer left when the holidays arrive in earnest. To forestall the Holiday Crash and Burn Syndrome (HoCraBS), we are getting together with my in-laws this afternoon. Either fortune

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1102883740815348592004-12-12T13:10:00.000-05:002004-12-12T15:42:31.776-05:00

The other morning (Friday, to be exact, although it feels like ages ago) my lovely bride and I responded to the call of duty by making it a point to get into work early to meet a deadline. At 4am, ours was the only vehicle in the parking lot. We were on the case and confident that we could turn the necessary work around by 8am to surprise a task manager whom we both very much respect. At 5:30am,

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1102308391116004462004-12-05T23:30:00.000-05:002004-12-05T23:46:31.116-05:00

We're turning resumes for a flock of folks. In preparation for the new contract, we are mapping everybody on the current contract--and some bodies who are still coming aboard--to new job descriptions. Here's an interesting question. If you give 600 people two versions of a template, and tell them to return their updated resumes within 48 hours, how many versions will they return? If you guessed

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1102335496690080382004-12-04T09:05:00.000-05:002004-12-06T07:18:16.690-05:00

We had a peer awards celebration at the office last Friday. The theme was a tailgate party. Several of us brought in grills and set up on the parking lot. Several of us also brought in trucks (it wouldn't be a tailgate party without some tailgates now, would it?). You won't see the trucks here. In fact, you won't see any pictures because I'm technologically challenged, but imagine if you will a

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1101676771090113142004-11-28T16:10:00.000-05:002004-11-28T16:19:31.090-05:00

The past few days are a blur of turkey, roti, pasta, rum (and Coke), Hefeweisen and probably much more that I am forgetting. There is much to be thankful for: family and friends, love, support, employment, music, and so many little (but by no means minor) things that often slip beneath one's notice but add significantly to one's happiness. Thank you to Joan, who does so much to make our lives

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1101258186633856902004-11-23T19:47:00.000-05:002004-11-23T20:03:06.633-05:00

I pulled a fast one. Last night I was able to regain some space in my garage and reclaim a couple of toolboxes for Clifford. The icing on this sweet deal is that some dear friends gave me two delicious beers (with lemon wedges) in the exchange. I'd have done it for a salt sandwich. I rediscovered the back wall of my garage and my friends have a Skillcraft table saw in their basement that will be

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1101153280847631542004-11-22T14:42:00.000-05:002004-11-22T14:56:16.803-05:00

Joan and I have completed our revision of the contract style guide and have submitted it to the other members of the Technical Writers Interest Group ((TWIG--sure it's a reach, but then most acronyms are. Believe me when I tell you this one was inherited. I would have worked very hard to at least get something as substantial as TRUNK). In a couple of days we will get comments on the document and,

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1100657351370172862004-11-16T21:04:00.000-05:002004-11-16T21:09:11.370-05:00

"Immediately ahead are seven years of great abundance ..." Genesis 41:29 Okay, that prophecy was for Egypt and it would be far better if we didn't read all the way to verse 30, but it's kind of cool. Our company won the seven-year contract to continue providing services to our current customer. That's nice. That should take us through Pookum's college years, provided she doesn't opt for the

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1100279118084206162004-11-12T07:54:00.000-05:002004-11-12T12:05:18.083-05:00

Yesterday's workout was a treat. I cranked out the cardio early to maximize my time with the trainer and the weights. I wasn't disappointed. We (that's the royal "we") did leg extensions, hamstring curls, squats, and leg presses. The operative phrase in this muscle-building endeavor was "to exhaustion." The idea is that you do a warm-up set, then add weight and repeat the set. Next, you add

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1100053284437476082004-11-09T21:19:00.000-05:002004-11-09T21:21:24.436-05:00

Q: What does a tech writer earning overtime look like?

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1099877902579158152004-11-07T20:32:00.000-05:002004-11-07T20:38:22.580-05:00

Cornerstone's second worship team played its two inaugural services today. I can't speak for all of us, but I was a bit nervous. We've played as a band in practice, but never before people until today. If the pastor can be believed, it was well received . We had a couple of rocky, up-tempo songs and a couple of more contemplative tunes. Good congregational participation. Nobody died. Not a bad

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1099544565692275142004-11-03T23:44:00.000-05:002004-11-04T00:02:45.693-05:00

I was told today by a friend that my vehicles should be named after females. Clifford is apparently not cutting it for this person. I'm compiling a list of women who would consider it an honor to have a large, loud, one-ton truck named for them. So far the first line of the list remains blank, as do all those following it. I was primed to purchase this evening. Nordstrom is having its Half

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1099452859211755002004-11-02T22:05:00.000-05:002004-11-02T22:34:19.210-05:00

It's not what you think. My friend Subbu and I were subjected to what our friend and trainer, Benny, happily calls a "conditioning workout." That's a workout where the local high school band director can darn sure here the sound of a bass drum thumping furiously, but cannot control the tempo because the sound is emanating from your chest cavity. And you are certain it will never settle down.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1098672246502968962004-10-24T20:51:00.000-05:002004-10-25T07:21:13.943-05:00

It is a rite of passage for parents. Our children develop interest in other children. This is called friendship. It is healthy curiosity that leads to social interaction and builds communities that last a lifetime. Would that it were only that. Our child has developed an interest in a lad who has developed an interest in her. When they are together they are like hook and loop. Velcro, you know.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1098389448046300562004-10-21T05:05:00.000-05:002004-10-21T15:10:48.046-05:00

I've been fortunate enough to come into the last couple of pennant games in the NY/BO series at the last of the 8th or 9th inning. You may believe I've missed out on the essence of the game. I believe I've avoided cravings for peanuts, popcorn, and beer. And I've seen what I need to see. It's really all about how it turns out, right? I sometimes think I'd like to do life like that. Just see how

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1098277776299319732004-10-20T08:05:00.000-05:002004-10-20T08:09:36.300-05:00

Can't we just elect officials on merit? The ugliness leaves us swimming in swill and sewage for the better part of a year--Time much better invested in productive actions to address persistent problems. I'm quickly becoming either a politician's greatest hope or worst nightmare. I'm ready to step into the booth, cover my eyes, and resign myself to an uncertain fate. May the luckiest candidate win.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1098192752174425672004-10-18T20:29:00.000-05:002004-10-19T08:32:32.176-05:00

Talking with friends, I'm asked, "Who do you prefer, Bush or Kerry?" My knee-jerk reaction leans to one, but my honest answer is that I'd sure like a viable third alternative.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1096994347053053362004-10-05T12:29:00.000-05:002004-10-05T11:39:07.053-05:00

I've been very good. Today, in a quick bid to avoid putting a loved one in hock just to procure a meal at the airport, I dined at the Burger King drive-thru. This is the first fast food meal I've had. I don't count the Chick Fil-A sandwich last Tuesday. For some reason I'm in denial and don't rank them with other fast food restaurants. The meal was tasty. The fries still taste like salty

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1096849795622929662004-10-03T19:26:00.005-05:002004-10-03T19:29:55.623-05:00

I had a scrumptious lunch today. Shrimp and Scallop Pasta at the Charleston Crabhouse. It was very filling, so I stopped short and boxed a bit for dinner tomorrow. Then I had a piece of Key Lime Pie and a cup of coffee to complete my meal. Glancing to my right, I notice the oddest thing occurring just beyond the windows. I gravely took stock of my options, factoring in my girth and the proximity

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1096815605177938142004-10-03T09:26:00.000-05:002004-10-03T10:00:05.176-05:00

After snagging an apple from the breakfast bar of the Wingate Inn in beautiful Irmo, South Carolina, I headed into Columbia. Specifically, I headed back to Five Points. I'm not a huge Starbucks fan, but this morning it seemed the thing to do. Following such a basic, caffeine-craved instinct, I dutifully pointed the car toward town. Five Points early on a Sunday is a darn sight different than a

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1096766497400954642004-10-02T19:41:00.000-05:002004-10-05T08:08:42.550-05:00

If the Good Lord allows, one day you will meet Mickey Cribb. Mickey is, if not a rare breed, an unsung breed. He is a kind person. You've met one, no doubt. Kind people either invite you into their homes, invite you to church, bring you a dinner, or perform some similar act that leaves you totally, breathlessly included. Mickey did that for me. Today was the 2004 Outback Regatta on Lake Murray.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1096598553725850162004-09-30T21:25:00.000-05:002004-09-30T21:45:12.353-05:00

Actually, this is about Five Points in Columbia. Just off to one side of the University of South Carolina campus (Go Gamecocks!) is a part of town where several major roads converge. The traffic is nasty. The side streets are tight. The parking is atrocious. So like non-conformists everywhere, the resident fun people decided to take this area and make it their own. There are concessions to crass

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1095814417579665912004-09-21T19:50:00.000-05:002004-09-21T19:53:37.580-05:00

Thanks to WTMD and a penchant for impulse buying I now own k.d. lang's "Hymns of the 49th Parallel." I've heard just the first four tracks and I'm a believer. I love k.d. lang and what she does with a song. Some people are singers. And that's nice. She is a bard. And that's beyond nice. I am moved by her way with a lyric, her phrasing, her tone, and her emotion. Get this one folks.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1095814089731293072004-09-21T19:39:00.000-05:002004-09-21T19:50:21.926-05:00

Yesterday marked the beginning of my second week in South Carolina. This week my car is a Chevy Malibu. When I saw it, I thought little of it. My friend had a Monte Carlo--an upgrade--last week and it was already shedding sundry parts of its interior. With that glowing referral I was nearly ready to go back into the terminal and ask for a Camry again. But I was late, so I loaded up and got in.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1095213273532784572004-09-14T20:42:00.000-05:002004-09-14T20:54:33.533-05:00

If there was a 20 percent chance it would not rain today, we got at least 18 percent of it. A sprinkle in the afternoon and that was it. Not bad. Dining today was not a healthy event. Waffle House breakfast, Lizard Thicket lunch (although it was a baked chicken salad), a birthday celebration at the office where we are working, and Chick-Fil-A for dinner. It may not sound as if I showed restraint

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1095157138396241412004-09-14T05:13:00.000-05:002004-09-14T05:22:31.550-05:00

I'm on travel for work. This week finds me in beautiful West Columbia, South Carolina. The Palmetto State. It's nice to linger rather than see this state as a brief stop on the way to Florida. When I landed yesterday it was a comfortable 74 degrees. Last night the sprinkles began. Today, even at my most optimistic, I can only claim a 20 percent chance that it won't rain. Peeking out the window

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1093748832161946512004-08-28T22:03:00.000-05:002004-08-28T22:07:12.163-05:00

I downloaded iEatBrainz today. Somehow, in setting it up I've asked it to tag everything in my song library that needs fixing. It's been running all day and thus far has prepared to re-tag around 120 of nearly 2500 .mp3 files that it's fixin' to be fixin'. So...perhaps by Christmas my song library will be clean. If I had a G5, I might be ready by Halloween. I believe my G3 tower put the "bust" in

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1093748366955473132004-08-28T21:46:00.000-05:002004-08-28T22:03:23.120-05:00

We got the new furniture in. We still have the old furniture in as well. I believe this to be a glitch in my plan. Today, while Joan worked and Katie visited, Dave did the furniture shuffle. The old dining room table is in the living room. Consider it a very tall coffee table. We do. The filing cabinet that has squatted in the corner of the dining serving as a semblance of organization within,

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1093608166935218992004-08-27T06:14:00.000-05:002004-08-27T20:15:30.596-05:00

Oh my goodness. I knew it had been a while since I had posted. I wish I had a convenient excuse--horrible accident with accompanying amnesia, just got rescued from a desert island with no broadband connection, spent two weeks with guru in Tibet. No can do. Super cool news Joan and I agree on something. This gets expensive. On a much-needed and long-deferred trip to Away (this could have

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1092624417847628052004-08-15T21:45:00.000-05:002004-08-15T21:46:57.846-05:00

There was a time when I could enjoy long days, brief nights, and hectic activity and be none the worse for wear. There was also a time in which I was an ardent advocate of Santa Claus. Both times are now neatly filed under "F" for Fantasy. I know many of you either continually work or have in the past worked long hours. This past few weeks, I have as well. At my employer, we must submit our

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1091764372789863192004-08-05T22:04:00.000-05:002004-08-05T22:52:52.790-05:00

By this time tomorrow I will be well and truly reestablished in the second homestead. On June 2 in the year I turned 10 we left the first homestead, the house my great-grandfather had built. Dad's commute was horrendous. It took him anywhere from 15-20 minutes to get to work. So we moved. Our new place was more do-able. Five minutes. In traffic. But we were still in the "country." I believe I

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1091234478843369222004-07-30T19:33:00.000-05:002004-07-30T19:41:18.843-05:00

Long days. Brief nights. Bright spots of social interaction. Hard work. Desk lunch. The camper has left the yard. Friends move. Excited for them. Hello, Austin, TX! Pookums gone. Red hair and all. Hoosier for a week. Still got the darn dog. Any takers? Work tomorrow. Maybe off Sunday. Big meeting Monday. Really must iron shirt. Quiet. Don't get that very often. Fridge full of food. Bad time for

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-107011154120607982004-07-26T21:28:00.000-05:002004-07-26T21:31:59.513-05:00

Buried Treasure I just found this post from Mom squirreled away in the drafts folder. Go, Mom! Sat. morn I swore I wouldn't write another thing on this but here I am trying to do the motherly duty of keeping her brood informed of the "other generation". Thanksgiving Day at church didn't turn out as expected but there must be a blessing in it somewhere. I'm still searching for it. We had

Suenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1090895277269420252004-07-26T21:18:00.000-05:002004-07-26T21:33:41.050-05:00

This weekend I helped a friend rebuild and rehang a gate. It took 5 bowls of tobacco and three beers each, but it's done. Now he is on his way to Chicago. Probably to get away from the gate. He has my iPod. He's a convert. I did a special playlist for him that takes him right back to high school. Yup. He's outta here for a week. This Friday, my daughter hits the friendly skies for a trip to

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1089947187778187932004-07-15T22:00:00.000-05:002004-07-15T22:06:27.776-05:00

Tonight is one of the nights we meet with Bennie Goode. He's a prince of a fellow. Real nice. Which is fortuitous because he is also the guy who reaches over and increases either the speed or the incline on the treadmill. And he's the guy who tells us, "If the weights make any noise when they come down, that one didn't count. You've got to do it again."   A certain amount of discretion is in

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1089681239592041372004-07-12T19:55:00.000-05:002004-07-12T20:15:22.733-05:00

This evening I took Katie to riding, went into Columbia to play some music with friends, came home and had very good intentions of going to the gym, instead got a phone call from my cousin who may be moving up from Florida, hit the treadmill in lieu of driving to the gym, and am now typing this note with Peggy Lee cooing in my left ear. I need to work on that whole stereo separation thing. Now

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1089256715662155862004-07-07T21:51:00.000-05:002004-07-07T22:18:35.663-05:00

Late Friday I dragged my poor spouse down to Dulles airport just to save me the cab fare home. She's a trouper. My Georgian sojourn expanded to include a visit to a similar office in Columbia, SC. I met some extremely nice folks in both places. But props to the South Carolinians. They took me to a local haven of southern cooking known as The Lizard's Thicket. And South Carolina is one beautiful

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1088632608148648522004-06-30T16:35:00.000-05:002004-06-30T16:56:48.146-05:00

This morning and early afternoon I made the site visit. Nice people. If you ever have a disability, move to Georgia. These folks do have your best interests at heart. They also have Chick Fil-A in the cafeteria on Wednesdays. I switched hotels. I'm coming to you now from my trusty Pismo. This is in stark contrast to the Windows XP box (only recently upgraded from Windows 97) and the dialup

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1088563910055331412004-06-29T21:47:00.000-05:002004-06-29T21:51:50.056-05:00

I landed safely in Atlanta, collected my sporty Buick Century (okay, that's a stretch even I can't make), and quickly became lost. Ask me a question about anything in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Go ahead. Ask. I still can't tell you where the heck the thing you asked about is, but I'm almost certain I drove past it. If it's in the Stone Mountain area, I can probably describe what it looks like from

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1087874562864955452004-06-21T22:09:00.000-05:002004-06-21T22:22:42.866-05:00

Old-time remedies exist for all sorts of things. Sacred dances for rain, dowsing for locating water, herbal tinctures and teas for a variety of ills. Prayer is another popular avenue for seeking succor. But I don't recall having employed it. Not long hence I let my supervisor know I was blessed with an abundance of time and a paucity of tasks. He probably didn't say anything to anybody. He's

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1087359363578892412004-06-15T22:49:00.000-05:002004-06-15T23:16:03.576-05:00

I expected the activity level to subside when we stopped entertaining. Nature truly does dislike a vacuum, though, and the pace has remained constant. What with normal family activities, we can be together--as the term "family" implies--Thursday and Saturday evenings. Of course, those are the available time slots for unscheduled events, so they are often filled by spontaneous opportunities. Like

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1087357633535963372004-06-15T22:17:00.000-05:002004-06-15T22:47:13.536-05:00

... it wasn't. We've had a bit of extraordinary living. In the past couple of weeks we've had guests from out of town. Way out of town. From east of here. London. We spent some lovely time together, filling the house with noise and laughter. Then we confused the hell out of the dog and we all left at the same time. They headed to South Carolina and we flew to Indiana. As we surmised, we could

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1086321097071727032004-06-03T22:41:00.000-05:002004-06-03T22:51:37.073-05:00

After thoroughly enjoying the graduation ceremony of a good friend at Merriwether Post Pavilion yesterday, I encountered some curious truck problems. It would start, but immediately die. That's a problem. It becomes more of a problem when one is in the midst of the recently graduated and their gathered friends and family. Especially when that midst is in sun-heated cars pointing every which way

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1086047863337128972004-05-31T18:46:00.000-05:002004-05-31T18:57:43.336-05:00

We've had a busy week at Casa Coalbear. Much of note has happened. Only one of those things is the fact that we've removed enough items to find the linoleum tiles in the basement. You'd really have to imagine an architectural dig, with its fascinating tale told through the strata of ages of accumulation, to understand the magnitude of that simple statement. We've rediscovered floor. This is big.

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1085538113142894802004-05-23T21:14:00.000-05:002004-05-25T21:21:53.143-05:00

I got to play bass again today. I'd almost forgotten how enjoyable that is. The band at church consists of several very talented people. This morning I was fortunate enough to sit in with them and help keep the rhythm. With two services, there was a pretty good chance we'd get it right sooner or later. I felt pretty good about it. And for once, I didn't spend the rest of the day asking people who

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1085537651278784072004-05-22T20:59:00.000-05:002004-05-25T21:14:11.276-05:00

I've been to a couple of weddings in my lifetime. I've seen uniformed grooms emerge from chapels with giddy brides on one arm and a ceiling of swords held aloft above them. I've seen humble couples leave churches with cars dragging shoes and cans loudly behind them. I've even participated as a main character in a wedding. But this afternoon I attended a wedding I think I'll fondly remember for a

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1085536748500240272004-05-21T20:52:00.000-05:002004-05-25T20:59:08.500-05:00

Pookums had her dance recital tonight. She had a cheering section of family and friends representing four states and five towns. In three numbers she displayed the fruits of her practice in tap, jazz, and ballet. It was quite a show. The entire dance company at her high school is impressive and the dance teacher deftly combined the various skill levels to create a spectacle of movement. After

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1085097750465704322004-05-20T18:52:00.000-05:002004-05-20T19:02:30.466-05:00

Mom and Dad got here early this afternoon. They have successfully negotiated the roadways between Wilmington, DE and Ellicott City, MD. That is no mean feat when you consider that congestion in my hometown occurs when the high school football or basketball game lets out or when your neighbor is pulling his combine across the road to get to the next field over. Oh yeah, sometimes a train will back

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6035129.post-1085097120516210092004-05-20T18:50:00.000-05:002004-05-20T18:52:00.516-05:00

They liked us! The demo went nicely and the audience could easily see the value of the software solution. Hooray for our team!

davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06037040748472144680noreply@blogger.com0