Picoftheweek

Picoftheweek
Waaaaaaaay too many to count...

My Statement

"Let me emphatically say that I am not anti-Facebook (Fleecebook), anti-smart phone, anti-Microsoft, anti-Apple, anti-Google or anti-Internet. I do believe, though, that the consumer is being ripped off of his privacy, identity and purchase history. We are being herded into a Facebook corner where what we "Like" and where we go physically and on the net will be scrutinized and sold numerous times to actually corrode and erode our culture while tempting us only with convenience, high tech and flashing video screens. The unsuspecting consumers need to be aware..." - Gary Lapman

Quote of Note

“If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”-W.C. Fields

"For the strength of the Wolf is in the Pack, and the strength of the Pack is in the Wolf." - Rudyard Kipling

"Common sense is not so common. " -Voltaire

“Fame is vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, but only character endures.” - Matthew McConaughey

"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him"

"Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason" - Jerry Seinfeld

"Fleecebook is free, you (and your identity) is the product!" - Gary Lapman


"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." - Eric Sevareid

"'Smart' phones are only smart for the cell phone providers!" - Gary Lapman

"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." -- Charles Babbage (1791-1871)

“Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity.” -Albert Einstein

"Technology creates the illusion of companionship without the intimacy of friendship." - unknown

"No worry, there's an app for that..." - Gary Lapman

Monday, November 30, 2009

Monday Blues...

Today was sort of a bizarre day. First I met our plumber this morning to replace the pressure relief valve on our solar panels. It wasn't leaking to badly, but that could change at any time.

Work was a bit weird, as validation of our latest release is moving very slowly. I haven't got a lot to do, but that will change quickly. I've been looking at phones and cell companies lately. I think we want to change at the beginning of the year. AT&T has been pretty expensive and their customer service is greatly lacking.

I haven't started Christmas shopping yet. The fact that it is here already is surreal. Maybe I'll luck out and prices will drop before I buy.

We had lunch yesterday at King's Fishhouse in Calabasas on the way to drop off Tori at Oxy. It was wonderful as usual. I wish we had one in Santa Barbara.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Return

Today we have to take Tori back to Oxy. She does not want to return. She always wanks about having to do everything herself. She doesn't eat well at school because she has to walk down to the cafeteria. We will miss her.

Last night we rented "Angels and Demons". This show was by far better than the previous attempt at Dan Brown. I liked the book "Da Vinci Code" better, but this movie was definitely better.

Back to work for Terre and I, bright and early tomorrow morning. Oh joy!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Revisiting the Last Trek

Last night we rented Star Trek. It was very good to see it again. Still the questions it rose are the same as before. Who was the guy speking to young Jim while he was riding the Vette ? Did he destroy the Vette because he hates this person ? How is it that you can still get gas for this antique ? Why are Uhura and Spock romantically involved in this movie and not in the earlier (but later in life) shows ? Why wouldn't she tell Jim her first name (Nyota) ? What was the result of Jim's last attempt at the test at Star Fleet Academy ?

Today it was supposed to rain, but all we have is a clear sky and much sunshine. I hope to takethe Vette for a ride. Somehow I will probably be very busy, but I don't know what I will be doing. Perhaps moving the plants around the tree out front [it has to be taken out due to roots lifing the hardscape].

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday

Thanksgiving went pretty well. I actually found myself lost at times. We are definitely used to serving a much larger crowd. Having only the five of us made almost everything so much easier. The turkey and stuffing came out great. Tori made a pumpkin pie and a pecan pie. Then Terre made some persimmon bread (from the persimmon tree in the back yard). After dinner, we went to see "The Road". It was an interesting movie. You couldn't really tell what was going on half the time and then it ended. I heard it was true to the book. It was very anti-climatic and just ended. I wanted them to find some real civilization before the end, but it didn't happen. The acting was superb, but unusual. Robert Duvall just appeared and then he was on the screen for a few minutes and then gone. I have no plans to shop today, as I have no idea what to buy yet. We spent an inordinate amount of time taking a family picture yesterday, as well.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Morning

I got up very early, too early. My problem is that I wasn't as organized as I wanted. I looked again at the recipe that I was going to follow in Bon Appetite magazine. Everyone wanked on me: "You are not putting clementines in the turkey. You can put giblets in the turkey. You can't put celery in the stuffing. ..." I was frustrated and decided to make the same-o same-o plain traditional turkey again. Where is their sense of adventure ? I don't see them getting up at o-dark-thirty to cook it. I guess I feel constrained and unappreciated this morning. I can't forget though, to be thankful. Thankful for the meal we are going to eat. Thankful that Tori is with us today. Thankful that we have jobs. Thankful that we all have our health. [Knock on wood a few times]. At least my blog doesn't talk back to me [yet]. Well, this could [is] going to be a great day. The bird is in the oven. I only have mashed potatoes and gravy left to do. ...And carve the roast beast.... We are going to a movie this afternoon, as a family. It should be fun.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

First Day of Vacation

I had to get up early to take care of last minute Thanksgiving shopping. Also, had to deal with an Ebay no-pay clown that bought something a month agao and would not communicate or pay. Terre decided that buying a new flat screen TV at this time wasn't probably wise. It is just the visible portion of a large iceberg. Our technology is outdated and all needs to be replaced. First: the an LCD backlit with LED at 240 Hz. Next a new AV Receiver that supports HDMI. Replace the DVD player with Blue-Ray. Replace the VCR with a DVR. Get more HD service from Cox or get a Dish. It all adds up and is not easy to be sure that you are not buying some technology that will very soon be outdated. I depend a lot on the Home Theater Magazine reviews which I have found to be very honest and informative. Yesterday, I made Terre an example webpage, since she is wanting to do some advertising. I guess she was too busy to appreciate it. Really, though, I think she needs to make a daily (or almost daily) blog. Those realtors that think that they want to hear what she has to say, will subscribe. Well, enough for now. I have my grocery list and I can go now that it is late enough.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Day Before Vacation

I've been trying to keep busy and still do the things I get paid for. The disorganization around here is dizzying. Requirements come together while one is creating the next release. The reliance on our part to create a good product is amazing when there is nothing to test it against. I am SO looking forward to being off for the rest of the week. I have to cook a turkey on thursday, so I hope that it is totally thawed. Tonight I will be making cornbread for the stuffing. I'm also looking forward to the family getting together without being rushed about.