Some East CAC feedback

Since blogs are all about self-promotion, I thought I’d share a few comments I’ve gotten from my neighbors here in the East CAC over the last month:

  • “Your diligence is appreciated.”
  • “You are so on the ball, I continue to be amazed. Where do you get the time from and all the information that you pass on practically daily?!”
  • “You’re doing a great job.”
  • “Incidentally, I think you’re doing a great job. I’m quite impressed with your organizational skills, and I feel the level of communication with the membership is greatly improved. I only hope you don’t lose the energy and zeal you have brought to the job thus far.”
  • “… thanks for your efforts.”
  • “Thanks for all of your efforts with the East CAC. As a relatively new resident … I appreciate keeping abreast of neighborhood events and concerns.”
  • “Thank you again for following up, I can rest easy now.”
  • “Keep up the great work managing these issues for the neighborhood.”

This is the stuff that makes it all worthwhile.

Cooler than normal summer

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I noticed that Seattle had its hottest day ever on Wednesday, recording 103 degrees. Seems the heat that normally bakes the other end of the continental U.S. is being kept at bay by a upper-level trough. Fairbanks, Alaska, had more 90-plus readings in June and July (one) than New York City (zero). Whoa.

I’m reminded that exactly two years ago, we were in the San Juan Islands, happily enjoying low-70-degree days while Raleigh baked in 100+ temperatures. Now the shoe is on the other foot!

Netflix “Watch Instantly”

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I’ve heard good reports of Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” streaming movies but hadn’t experienced it until yesterday. I came home from work to find Kelly and the kids crowded around her laptop, watching Disney’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Color me impressed! It looked like they were watching a DVD, the picture quality was so good. And this was over our home wireless network. There were no skips or any visible glitches.

We’d had the ability to stream these movies courtesy of our Netflix subscription for quite some time now but hadn’t gotten to installing the Microsoft Silverlight software onto Kelly’s Mac until now.

Next up, a dedicated Roku player so we can stream movies to our big TV!

Corazon Aquino

I was saddened to read of the passing of former Philippine president Corazon Aquino, who died yesterday from colon cancer at the age of 76.

Aquino brought an end to the U.S.-backed dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and brought democracy to her country for the first time in almost 30 years. While a former housewife with no political experience kicking Marcos out of power was improbable, it was easy compared to actually running the country. Marcos had looted it for all it was worth, and much work had to be done. Aquino was frequently not up to this task, sad to say, but it didn’t matter: democracy had at long last taken root in the Philippines.

As a sailor I visited the Philippines during her time as president and was proud to see the Filipino people finally having a voice in running their country. She will be missed.

NC-540’s days as free road are numbered

When the NC Turnpike Authority cashed its $1B in loans yesterday, it also set the clock ticking for turning the section of NC-540 between I-40 and NC-55 into a toll road.

From http://www.ncturnpike.org/projects/Triangle_Expressway/

“Northern Wake Expressway (NC 540) is the portion of the Outer Wake Expressway that extends from NC 54 to NC 55. This 2.8 mile long segment, which recently opened to traffic and was constructed by the DOT with
STIP funds, is being transferred to NCTA in support of the project. This section will enable Triangle Parkway and Western Wake Freeway to function as a contiguous toll facility.”
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I’ve made it to the end of the Pandora rainbow

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I finally got to the end of the Pandora rainbow yesterday after delightfully chewing up my 40 free hours per month. There wasn’t a pot of gold there but instead a polite request for $0.99 to keep listening for the rest of the month (i.e., today). After entering a few credit-card details I was on my way and the music kept playing.

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Thus I’ve spent my first $0.99 on Pandora. More to come, I’m sure!

Daniel Boyd terror plot

Seven men were arrested in North Carolina on charges of being a terrorist ring, the leader of which is said to be Daniel Patrick Boyd.

These are very serious charges, and deserve to be heard in court. While it may be true that these gentlemen may be really bad men, they should not be tried and convicted in the press by the statements of the Justice Department. Spokesmen for the U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI paint these guys as Osama Bin Ladens, and went on and on congratulating themselves for arresting them.

Then in today’s news where Boyd’s wife protests his innocence, U.S. District Attorney George E. B. Holding declined to respond to Boyd’s version. “I am sticking to the four corners of the indictment. We try our cases in court and won’t go back and forth before then.”

Oh, so now you try your cases in court, after you’ve already convicted them in the press.

I’m a supporter of law enforcement but I’m also a supporter of our justice system. I’d like to see the feds keep mum about these gentlemen until everyone has had a chance to hear the evidence.

New media scoops old media again

Here’s another case of new media scooping old media. From the Los Angeles Times:

At 5:09 a.m. Pacific time, nearly an hour before the official news releases went out, “American Idol” host and celebrity interviewer Ryan Seacrest hinted on Twitter that something big was about to go down: “Some biz ent news going to break this morning that will impact shows and stars. It will have impact one major network immediately.”

Twelve minutes before NBC e-mailed reporters the news about the departure of Silverman, who is launching a new production company with IAC/InterActive Corp. Chief Executive Barry Diller, Seacrest reported on Twitter: “guy that runs nbc- put office biggest looser [sic] etc on is leaving to launch a new studio. Bringing together most creative stars and producers.

“This means better shows from our favorite stars in u.s. and around the world. Ben Silverman just filling me in. This is big news in hwood.”

It was another example of how Twitter is fast becoming the go-to news site of the new media age.

Lance and team still fuming about Alberto Contador

220px-Alberto_Contador_Paris-Nice_2007Looks like things aren’t settled between Alberto Contador and his Astana teammates. Contador has amazing legs and an ego to match. He has thumbed his nose at his team throughout the race.

Says Lance Armstrong on Twitter just now:

Seeing these comments from AC. If I were him I’d drop this drivel and start thanking his team. w/o them, he doesn’t win.

hey pistolero, there is no “i” in “team”. what did i say in March? Lots to learn. Restated.

Lance then quoted Axel Merckx, who said:

A champion is also measured on how much he respect his teammates and opponents. You can win a race on your own not a grand tour.