The final minutes of my Thanksgiving holiday are ticking away. I have thoroughly enjoyed the four day weekend and the time with my family. I am grateful to have had the days off as a paid employee, as I have been a full-timer for a mere six weeks now. Though I won’t be climbing into a car tomorrow for a commute, I will still miss the “home” time I’ve had.
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November 2007
I think I found my sweater
I got tired of having to fiddle with our clothes dryer’s lint filter just to get it to fit, so I unscrewed the filter cover and took a peek in. A few scoops later and I had a pile of lint as big as a cantaloupe! The ill-fitting filter’s centimeter-sized crack was enough to pass a virtual mountain of lint in the three years we’ve had the dryer.
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Cheap Thoughts: Police Flashers
On our way to the lake today we passed a police officer conducting a traffic stop. It reminded me of a thought I’d been meaning to blog about. When police pull people over, they fire up every light they have. Blue lights and high-beam flashers are going crazy. While the blue lights do convey authority and make the traffic stop visible to other motorists, I think the rapidly flashing high-beams are counterproductive. Such a fast-paced flashing can’t help but make the motorist nervous.
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Turkey Day track walk
I hope everyone’s enjoying their Thanksgiving today. I know I am. The breezy, sunny, mid-70s day certainly doesn’t hurt.
We awoke after 8 AM (!), had a fun, leisurely breakfast, dawdled a bit and then set out for a nature hike around Durant Nature Park. We got to the corner of our street when we heard what sounded like a train horn, at which point we turned towards the tracks to see the train.
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Q+E Software Photos
I was rummaging through my bookshelf this weekend when I discovered four photographs from my first software company, at times called Pioneer Software, then Q+E Software, then Intersolv. These shots are from around 1994 during the Intersolv days. Carolyn Sparano, director of technical support, asked me to take photos of the department to include in our customer newsletter. I don’t think I ever really looked at the shots until now. Look closely and you can see Jeff and Scott, as well as see what I looked like with a full head of hair.
That company was a wonderful one to work with. It set the standard for me for all the startup companies to follow. Someday I shall write a nice long post about my time there.
Ted Turner at UNC
I managed to get out to UNC in time for Ted Turner to take the stage at UNC’s Memorial Hall. What followed was not so much of a speech as it was two old friends on stage reminiscing. Across from Turner was Pat Mitchell, who not only used to work for Turner but also shares grandchildren with him.
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Ted Turner to speak at UNC
This afternoon at 4, broadcasting magnate Ted Turner speaks at UNC at a free public event. Growing up in Atlanta in the 1970s, I remember watching shows like Gilligan’s Island on WTBS Channel 17. At school I would jokingly refer to him as “Uncle Ted” whenever my friends would ask if we were related.
I’m going to see if my schedule allows me to hear what Turner has to say today. I hope to ask him about his new venture, DT Solar, and what he thinks about the outrageous campaign finance requirements presidential candidates have as a result of not freeing the airwaves.
Dyin’ Man
Dyin’ Man
Widespread Panic
So long, baby since you’ve been gone
I’m a dyin’ man, I’m a dyin’ man
Don’t ever tell a dyin’ man
You never meant to shoot him down
Yeah, don’t do no good to tell a dyin’ man
You never meant to shoot him down
Now, all my friends and relatives, they’ve been tellin’ me
Don’t come around, don’t come around, don’t come around no more
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Free airtime for political candidates
Remember when I suggested that broadcast companies give free airtime to political candidates? It turns out I’m in good company: legendary TV journalist Walter Cronkite said the same thing 5 years ago.
I think I likely read his editorial and plagiarized his idea. Its still a good one, though.
Comet 17P/Holmes
The family and I took a gander at Comet 17P/Holmes tonight, first through binoculars and then through my telescope. Binoculars are the best way to view it, I think.
You can spot it in the constellation Perseus in the northeast sky and you really can see it with the naked eye. Once my eyes adjusted to the dark I spotted it quickly, so anyone should see it. Hard to believe its now as big as the sun.
The best viewing is northeast of Raleigh. Horseshoe Farm Park might be an ideal viewing spot.
Definitely worth a look if you get a chance in the early evening. But hurry – the full moon is approaching!