Thursday, October 28, 2004

Red Sox Win

Red Sox Win

OK Cubbies, your turn.

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

The Great CAD Smackdown

I just overheard part of a conversation that sounded kind of amusing.
 
Recently, we of the engineering department at the company I work for, switched from Mac to PC in order to run Autocad. Prior to switching, we used a CAD program known as MacDraft. After having become quite adept (if I do say so) at MacDrafting, I can say that it definitely has its merits. It's affordable, quick to learn and is pretty speedy once learned. On the other hand, it can be difficult to draw with very fine precision, and when exporting DXF files for vendors it frequently yields corrupt files. That being said it does what we use it for almost all of the time. It obviously runs on the Macintosh platform. Its quirks, occasional instability, difficulty with high precision and general Mac-ness have been a source of contention and an overused excuse since long before I came to this company.
 
The challenger is Autocad on the PC platform. This program, despite being one of the most popular CAD programs around, has a much steeper learning curve which I'm just beginning to get up on top of. That being said, while this program is versatile and probably will also be fast when I get a bit more proficient, I don't know if it can compare in terms of freedom of layout and speed.
 
Anyway, back to what I just overheard. The Mac fanatic/ Sole computer administrator until recently/ Partner in the company VP of operations and the stubborn/ obstinate/ Windows fanatic Engineering department head devising a challenge to see which could produce a certain drawing faster on his preferred platform. Silly.
 
We already made the switch. Just do the work, OK?

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

The Anticlimax

I arrived nice and early this morning, as did most of the jurors. We waited with anticipation as 9:30 drew near. For many of us, this was our first time on a jury, or potentially on a jury. as 9:30 came and went we were told that we would be starting a bit late. We could go down to the cafeteria if we wanted, but we should expect to begin around 10:00.

Well, 10:00 came and went and there we remained. At 15 or 20 minute intervals, a uniformed officer would come out of the courtroom and tell us that it would be a couple more minutes. Uh, yeah. Shortly after 11:00 another group of jurors poured from the elevators and into the hallway where my group of jurors stood and sat as seating allowed. Now rather familiar and friendly with one another, we joked about how our replacements had arrived and we were excused. But not yet. Shortly after the arrival of the new apathetic mob, an officer leaned his head out of the courtroom and said that we were about to start. 10 or 15 minutes passed. I had now been waiting nearly 2 hours (darn punctuality complex of mine.)

We entered the courtroom where 2 attorneys in royal blue skirt suits (yes, silly, they were both women, but that doesn't explain their identical outfits) and a hulking man in a blue and red plaid shirt and a tight fitting white knit hat stood and watched us file in. Instructions were read to us and one by one we were called up before the group of approximately 50-60 people to give some details about our towns of residence and occupations for the past 10 years, as well as several questions relevant to the case. I think I was lucky. I was the 4th to be chosen and the 4th to be seated on the jury. We proceeded to call jurors at random and ask the same 10 questions, at which time they were either seated or excused by the judge.

When the seats were full, I thought we were done. However, then one of the attorneys asked juror number 4 to be excused. I looked down the row to count the seats as someone said "that's you, sir." It was me. I was out of there. In fact that was it. After much ado, I was through. As much as I didn't want to spend a couple more days there for the trial, I really wonder what will happen on the case.

Called Out.

Well, it happened. After having only one group of jurors called in the morning, things seemed strangely quiet after lunch. Then around 2:00 a group was called. A sigh of relief was breathed as the guy in the corner who had been chattering loudly and ceaselessly to some poor half interested soul about all the gory injuries that he had witnessed in his lifetime heard his name and left. Then a few minutes later another group was called. Another sigh of relief went up from those still present. Then a few minutes later my name was called. Darn. We headed to the 7th floor and met our judge. This morning at 9:30 we will begin jury selection. My only hope at this point is to be pulled out. We shall see.

Monday, October 25, 2004

That's My Boy

That's My Boy

Wonder how long before he wants his own 'blog.

That's the Stuff

That's the Stuff

Now that's an improvement. Lunch began at noon. I headed downstairs and found a delicious eggplant parmesan sub at the roach coach at the curb. I'm not sure if it really qualifies for "roach coach" status, though. The food was quite good and when I stepped back I noticed that it was actually the mobile kitchen for "Cosimo's" in my dear old Bloomfield. If they sell food like this off the back of a truck, I should try out their actual restaurant.

Never one to discriminate, I grabbed a large coffee, black and sweet from the other of the two lunch wagons on the scene. The food from this truck seemed a bit less upscale and the prices were also lower, but they serve a fine cup of coffee. Now I'm content. The complimentary coffee wasn't up to the task, but I guess you get what you pay for. Hey, it's just a cup of coffee. No reason to skimp.

Coffee, Compliments of the State of NJ

Well, we continue to wait here in the juror waiting area. Still no news, and that's good news. While we're waiting, we're treated to some vile swill known here at the Newark courthouse as coffee. What I usually say about this kind of beverage is that it tastes bad, but it works. There's one problem, though. While regular and decaf are provided, the containers are not marked. The solution? One cup from each.

Good News

No judge shows are allowed in the jury habitat. Hallelujah!

Juror No. 0422 Reporting for Duty

Today I begin service in one of the most dreaded duties known to American citizens. (except, perhaps, for being shot at in a war) for the next 2 days I'll be sitting in a room with a few dozen people all hoping not to be picked as a juror on a case. The bright side? Live with Regis and Kelly is on, if that's a bright side. I shudder to think what other daytime TV we'll be subjected to today. I can't wait for that nice fat 5 dollar check at the end of the day!

Saturday, October 23, 2004

Dentist Visit

Well, another visit to the dentist is complete. The dental assistant told me my pockets look good. BOOYAH! How about those gum pockets?

"The Techno-Mouse"

"The Techno-Mouse"

It's a radio controlled mouse the size of a mouse. It will be mine.. oh yes.. it will be mine.

Friday, October 22, 2004

More Kitten Mayhem

More Kitten Mayhem

We made our first trip to the pet store for non-essential kitten schwag tonight. The kitties each have their own personalized collar which they'll eventually learn to tolerate. They seem to be starting to accept the little jingling tags hanging around their necks. There is a temporary lull, but I expect the games of king/ queen of the mountain to resume very soon.

Thursday, October 21, 2004

And Now Comes the Gloating

And Now Comes the Gloating

I'll be honest, I don't really follow major league baseball that much. Really, though, in this area, you can't avoid it when the Yankees are in the world series. Yankees fans are some of the most fanatic around. When you add one of baseball's biggest rivalries, between the Yankees and Red Sox, you have a recipe for some of the worst gloating anywhere.

Being some 10-15 miles from New York City, Yankees fans are by far the majority, and had they beat the Red Sox, we innocent bystanders would definitely have been in for some hard core eye rolling as they rubbed it in (again.) Don't think we're off the hook, though. Boston fans are also a dedicated bunch, much like Cubs fans in my home state of Illinois. They're due for a world series win and they want to be there when their team finally wins one. Boston fans are not as rare around here as one might think, though. As I see it, they fall into two major catagories. First are the transplanted Bostonians. They are intensely loyal, and the rivalry just makes them more hardened. The other group consists of people, some locals and some transplants from other parts of the country, who are turned off by the arrogance and often obnoxious behavior characteristic of Yankees fans. They are the product of a bitter rivalry and the hometown (region) fans that carry it too far. These fans are often as loyal as any homesick Bostonians and just as vocal. They long for the day they can laugh as the dominant Yankee regime hangs its head in shame. It looks like that day is here. I just hope it doesn't get out of hand. God help us if Boston wins the next round.

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Late Night Building Session

Late Night Building Session

As I said, the kittens aren't always peaceful. In fact tonight they turned into little furry balls of eight week old terror. I had to act quick or they would have torn the entire bathroom apart. So 10 minutes, some lumber, staples, a handfull of screws and an old ragged rug later I emerged from the basement with a great looking scratching post- actually it became more of a climbing post. Whatever. As long as it absorbs the raw kitty fury and lasts 'til morning everybody's happy.

New Family Members

New Family Members

Today we did something we didn't expect to do. We adopted a pair of kittens. We've always said that we eventually wanted cats, but didn't expect that when we left the house for the craft fair in the park that we'd be coming home with 2 little fur balls. They are litter mates. The grey one is the brother. His name is Bucky. (like Buckminster Fuller.) The black and white one is the sister. Her name is Boots. (I call her Bootsy- like Bootsy Collins.) They aren't always this peaceful, but it certainly is nice when they are.

Friday, October 15, 2004

How to Speak New Yorker

You say: Could you make me a drawing on your computer?

A New Yorker Says: Could you make me a drawring on your computa?

Note how the "R" sound is dropped from the end of words. Also note how the "R" sound is added almost arbitrarily. This sound, however, is added to the same words consistently, and therefore represents a commonly accepted pronunciation.

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Oh No.

Oh No.

Looks like we're going to need more coffee soon. If you should find yourself in Louisiana try some Community Coffee. It's just good coffee. Nothing fancy, just good. You can also get it from their website too. If you like the more exotic stuff, they have a Sumatra blend that will knock your socks off.

Um, OK.

Um, OK.

I don't quite know what to say about this "4x4" marker. Just thought I'd point it out, though. Because you know, bigger is better, right?

Saturday, October 09, 2004

One More Barbecue

One More Barbecue

Well, here it is, Columbus Day weekend and I'm getting ready to cook some corn and andouille sausage. The corn is for dinner and the sausage is for my wife's Cajun red beans and rice that we'll be taking to a party tomorrow. It's hard to say how many more times I'll get to fire up the grill this season. I think I'll miss sitting out here cooking things in the back yard. I like the food, but more than that I think I enjoy the whole ritual that goes along with cooking over charcoal.

Friday, October 08, 2004

"Need some wood?"

"Need some wood?"

Quick on his feet, when learning that he owns a timber company, the president takes the opportunity to throw all of America a sales pitch.

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Lunch

Lunch

Mmm, Chunky Soup. For me this is really comfort food. I'm not sure why, but vegetable soup with little hamburgers floating in it just takes me back. What a treat on a chilly fall day. Aww, yeah, it's almost lunch time.

Tuesday, October 05, 2004

An Evening at Home

An Evening at Home

Ahh, an evening at home. Kicking back in the papasan chair, watching the vice-presidential debate, running scandisc on my sister-in-law's new (salvaged Pentium II 350- nice find) computer and 'blogging on ye olde cellular. What could be better? Hey, looks like Globe Trekker on channel 50. That IS better. Still no bad clusters either. Life is good.

Monday, October 04, 2004

Buried Treasure

Buried Treasure

The house I live in was owned by an old electrical engineer. He seems to have been a grade "A" do-it-yourselfer. On top of that, he never married and therefore had nobody to demand that he clean out the basement. Since we agreed to take this old house with the basement in its present state, we inherited a lot of trash (for example, the 5 gallon bucket full of concrete- cured in the bucket). We also got a lot of useful stuff. For example, when I went down to the basement to find an extension cord (which I later found), I found a timing light. That's the way it's bed since we moved in. For every piece of junk I find, there are it least a couple of useful things. I never buy anything without checking the basement first.

Saturday, October 02, 2004

Manners

Manners

Yes, I play with my food.

Friday, October 01, 2004

Rent?

In June I took one of the biggest steps of my life. I got married. Since my apartment was hardly large enough for me alone, staying there was never really considered as an option. Since she was living with her parents, moving there was also not an option.

So there we were, several months before the wedding, looking for a place to call our home. We looked at some apartments for well over a grand per month- that's nothing unusual around here, but it made us think about owning. Furthermore, it seemed like for a little bit more we could tighten our belts and have a house if we were lucky enough to find one we could afford. Well, we did find a house (be it ever so humble) and our renting days were over.

It doesn't feel that way, though. One of the advantages, or so we thought, of owning would be the relatively stable monthly payment. Oh, how naive that sounds now. A few days ago, the mortgage company sent us a letter detailing our revised payment that we will soon be paying. It seems our property tax on our nice little cape cod overlooking the parkway went up by $800. That's over 14 percent! Say what you want about the advantages of owning. If property taxes continue to rise at this rate for a couple of years, we will have to consider moving. Our jobs most definitely not keep up with raises. It certainly feels like we're paying rent. I never had my rent go up more than 5% though.