Travis got weighed this morning at his pediatric appointment. The doctor had told Kelly that he wanted to see Travis gain at least a half-ounce per day. Travis is apparently an overachiever, since he put on a whopping 11 ounces in the eight days since last getting weighed! He’s now over his birth weight once again, with no sign of looking back.

We’re mighty proud of our boy, though he’s certainly putting poor Kelly through her paces. Turner babies have a reputation for growing quickly. Travis will be no exception!

We’re hanging out at Chez Turner. Travis is getting much better at sleeping in his bassinet, as well as sleeping longer through the night. Both are welcome achievements, of course. Hallie’s getting more used to the idea of sharing parent time with a brother. She woke up the happiest girl but by the time Travis was on the scene, she became fragile again. Fortunately, it didn’t last.

Hallie and I snuck out to visit the Franklin County Airport, planning to see Greg do some exciting touch-and-gos. By the time we got there, Greg was long gone, abruptly cutting short his practice time. We never did figure out what happened.

Hallie loved looking at the planes, though, and even boldly requested a flight. Not wishing to let this opportunity slide, I asked if we could arrange a discovery flight with her. We were grounded when we found out all the available 172s were rented. Oh well, better luck next time.

I put a new blade on the lawn mower and mowed our new lawn for the first time. To my amazement, I collected four bags of clippings. I didn’t think it had grown that much. It now looks both fantastic and lousy, depending on where your look. The even cut now shows the bare spots better than before. Fortunately, EPM came back last week and reseeded parts of it. At any rate, it looks worlds better than the crabgrass-filled lot we had before.

N.C. State played Georgia Tech and, once again, found a way to lose. Hey, isn’t it basketball season yet?

Shamelessly stolen from Commander Clueless, a.k.a. Brian Weaver comes this shocking UK anti-drug ad campaign. It features photos of real crack and heroin addicts that document their horrific decline in health.

A picture is worth a thousand words. If you think heroin makes you cool, take a look at how you might look ten years from now. If you’re lucky to live ten years from now.

Read the stories of these sad individuals here, here, and here.
Continue reading →

Looks like the nameservers serving MT.Net have failed. No idea if this is temporary or permanent. MT.Net may be unavailable for a little while until this gets sorted out.

I was thinking the other day that I need to get in touch with my inner Manhattanite.

No, I’m not sure what it means. But I like the concept.

In surfing for knowledge on a project at work, I discovered that Linux Journal has locked all its archive content behind a “costwall.”

I found it ironic that Doc Searls is a senior editor at LJ and has in the past blasted costwalls in his blog (and rightfully so). Doc professes ignorance of the change, though I can bet the decision won’t sit well with him.

Below is my letter to Doc and SSC, publishers of Linux Journal:

Hi Doc,

Let’s hope they see the value of keeping their archives open.

This quote popped into my mind as I watched the dust settle on this election: “I am committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the President.” That was Walden O’Dell, CEO of Diebold, makers of easily hackable voting machines.

Not that I think Ohio’s votes were anything but honest, because I believe that they really were honest. I just think its spooky that he’d say that before Ohio goes and takes the title of Election Battleground away from Florida.

Truth be told, I think the whole electoral college voting is as rigged as a Midway carny game. “Close, but no cigar, kid! Try again, yuk yuk yuk.” I’d like to see direct elections in this country.

Looks like our long national nightmare will continue for another four years.

I had something important to do today. Can’t seem to remember what it is…