My Daughter's Big Day

Here I sit in Fort Worth, Texas waiting for my daughter Victoria's graduation. It hardly seems possible that here is the girl who it only seems like yesterday that I was brushing her hair before school and trying to get her to decide whether it was to be a pony tail, pig tails, or braids (which I never did fully master) today, often all three, one after the other, as she changed her mind, with Daddy dutifully obliging; now standing almost eye-to-eye with me, fully looking the confident, intelligent, responsible (and, of course, most beautiful;-) young woman that she has grown to become. I have often heard that it makes one feel old to realize that your children have reached adulthood, but seeing Victoria now; full of enthusiasm and wide-eyed wonder at every day, naive and innocent, yet fearlessly ready to face the world, full of exhuberance towards being a woman, yet still every bit that little girl whose hair I brushed every day; instead makes me feel young and full of life, even a little rejuvenated at experiencing once again, this time through her, that wide-eyed wonder at the small miracles that occur every day, yet that we tend to become blind to as life's pace accelerates to adulthood. Yes, a young woman has indeed blossomed before my eyes, but she has only just begun to flower, with many amazing years to come before she fully blooms...I could not be prouder of her, nor more excited for her at the wonders and miracles she will experience in the years to come. Life on!!!

A View To Forever

While flying from Seattle to Texas yesterday, we happened to fly at eye level through what I have to assume was a contrail from another plane that crossed our path some time before. It's passing was evidenced by twin sets of wispy segments of tubes of condensed moisture that trailed off towards the setting sun...an almost-transparent, undulating series of of dis-jointed, etheral conduits forming a myriad of mystical portals through which one could almost imagine catching a glimpse of one's tomorrow. Then in a blink of an eye, the moment was past and they were gone. Were they indeed as I perceived them to be? Were they even there at all? The only certainty that I am left with is that my tomorrow will be, whether or not I am offered a glimpse at what it may bring.

Aldur Af Dagur Minn

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Og Þeir Ert

Your Eyes Should Be Blue

Your eyes reflect: Innocence and sweetness What's hidden behind your eyes: A calculating mind

What Color Should Your Eyes Be?

They Can't See It Coming

I just returned from ACPE 2006, an IT conference, and one of the main topics concerning the network security experts is nothing other than MySpace.com. They spent quite a while discussing how to block, control, police, etc., this site. I have to give credit to one of the presenters, he did finally offer the possibility that this was the wrong approach...go figure! Of course, any of us who embrace the "growing up digital" philosophy believe that there is nothing intrinsically "wrong" with MySpace, or any other blog site. These sites, as well as instant messaging, chat rooms, text messaging, e-mail, are all simply means by which the digital generation (as well as us "digital immigrants") communicate and are a part of their culture. Assuming that to be true, then there is no point in further discussion on blocking and controlling these things, but instead how to better educate folks in using them responsibly. It is a fact that throughout history, the emerging generation has set the standards and mores of their culture and by doing so have defined the new reality for all of us as they assume stewardship of our world. We as an IT community had better be prepared to support that reality or we shall most certainly become irrelevant.

Geek Fest 2006

Well, that's what Dalton Bly from ESD 101 calls ACPE...but then Dalton does not get out much (sorry, Dude;-) Seriously, I just returned from 4 days with the IT guys and gals at the Association for Computer Professionals in Education annual conference at Mt. Hood and it was as great as always. The weather was perfect, they even had a hiking session (with some good company I might add, but nowhere near as scintillating as that back at home;-) and the sessions were first-rate. The vendors were fantastic and I even spent 3 hours manning two grills for Ron Kaiser over at the HP hospitality house (of course, I had a BLAST doing it;-) The closing keynote spoke on leadership, communication and change...all on my favorite-subject list for the past year, so it really resonated with me and I enjoyed the conversaton immensly. It was a fantastic time and I am already looking forward to next year when we will put on a shin-dig at the Dell house that will put them all to shame, O já...vertu svalur, y'all.

Pennsylvannia Pictures

I finally have them up at my pictures site:-)...enjoy

Sandwich Heaven

The Original Primanti Brother's Diner
I finished the day by driving down by the river to the old blue-collar district, now called The Strip, and hunted down the original Primanti Brothers diner. The ambience was fantastic...definitely classic, industrial, working-class digs. The diner is pretty much original, the food definitely a heart attack on a bun, the natives friendly and the whole experience smacked of a scene out of any old steel mill movie that you have ever seen. The marquee sandwich is your choice of meat (I agreed with the recommended capicola), a handful of greasy fries, big dollop of cole slaw (not sweet), cheese, grilled onions if you want; all piled between two large slabs of fresh-sliced Italian bread and served up on a sheet of butcher paper. There are well-used bottles of Red Devil hot sauce all up and down the diner’s bar, so just add a real Coke to cool things off and there you are! OMG, I think that it was the best sandwich that I have ever had! Add to all that being soaking wet from walking through a driving thunderstorm, the comforting warmth of the diner, enjoying the company of regular, working-class folks and sharing the bar with a couple of Pittsburgh plain-clothes cops (real shaved-head, uni-brow gorillas, straight out of "The Shield"...Sorry, guys...luv ya;-)...it was pretty much Heaven! You know, I instantly felt at home and actually considered not leaving...truly good times, O já!!!

The View From Above

The Confluence

The hills above the Duquesne Incline offered a magnificent view of the city below, it being located right above where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the Ohio River...even on a rainy day!

The Ride To The Top

Duquesne Incline
Inclines are rail-mounted trams that were built in the 19th century to carry passengers up and down the hills and encourage the development of the heights around the city. Some even were reported to ferry cars up and down the hills!

Open & Honest Communication...Not!

Okay, I now believe that my right brain has totally take over. I travel completely across the state only to find myself embarking on yet another crusade on this topic. I mean, as a guy, aren't I supposed to present as the antithesis of this philosophy? And yet, here I am trying to coax my colleagues out of their xenophobic shells and engage them in open, honest and passionate debate on topics that I know should be making their blood boil! Has everyone forgotten that passionate debate is the crucible in which great ideas are formed? Worse yet than the silence, are the poisonous, whispered, behind-closed-doors conversations that sabotage any honest efforts at reaching consenus; and these lively little shadow conversations are enjoying the active participation of very folks that sit dumb and apathetic in the open forums! It does make one wonder what it is that they fear so much that they would rather let themselves go unheard rather than risk(?) taking a public stand on something for which they possess strong convictions. I do not know, but I am determined to find out...and drag them out into debate, kicking and screaming if necessary;-)

Eða Jafnvel Betra...Reykjavík

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Er Þessi Ég?

You Are a Natural Flirt

Believe it or not, you're a really effective flirt. And you're so good, you hardly notice that you're flirting. Your attitude and confidence make you a natural flirt. And the fact that you don't know it is just that more attractive!

What Kind of Flirt Are You?

It's A Small World, After All

After getting to talk more and know Gary and George from the hospital in Englewood, NJ; as well as Dan (my Lab partner) from Landers, Inc. (NJ, also) and Ryan from Virgin Records in L.A., I have been reminded that no matter from where we hail, or whom we serve, all IT guys share concerns and challeges that are more similar, perhaps, than we would like to admit. It is this honest networking amongst such a diverse group of passionate professionals that is perhaps the most valuable part of events such as this Microsoft Vista TAP-RD. I know that my experiences of the first day and a half have more than made this trip worthwhile...and there is another day and a half yet to come!...vertu svalur, ya'll

Geek Bowl

Microsoft hosted an all-you can eat, drink and play event at Acme Bowl at Southcenter this evening. What a great idea and an even better time! We got to play together, enjoy some good, old-fashioned conraderie and network on a level that wouuld never have ben possible otherwise. I even met a Microsoft rep and some partners from Pittsburgh and Philly who were able to steer me towards the best local eateries in the neighboroods of both towns...too cool! Great idea and kudos to you, Astrid...you are the BOMB!

Vista TAP Airlift at Microsoft

Here I am, with half a state seperating me from the one who holds my heart in her hands, in Redmond attending the kick-off event for the rapid deployment team for the new Windows operating system, Vista. The social last night was fun, though fairly low-key since it was attended by a bunch guys and gals;-) I did meet Gary and George, IT guys from the hospital in Englewood, NJ; and we spent most of the evening talking shop and drinking beer. Not too bad a way to start the event, but I suppose that we might actually have to produce some real work today. At least the weather is gloomy and cool, which really compliments my melancholy mood over missing being with her...Oh well, c'est amor;-)

IV Rocks!

Saturday night I dropped by The Pub and caught Bill Burke pounding away on the drums playing with his band IV. The three of them are actually pretty good and can really rock out. The crowd was lively and an interesting mix of young and old alike. I ended up staying for the whole night and enjoyed the music and the people. I might even start hanging out here a little more often.

Pennsylvannia Here I Come

It's official, I shall be travelling across the country to attend three days of training on meeting organization. Not that the training itself is all that astounding, but my having the opportunity to visit the East Coast is one that I am looking forward to. I plan on staying over the weekend and touring Philadelphia, the birthplace of our country's freedom, Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' House, etc. The chance to see my good friend Forrest after all of these years is also too good to pass up and I have already called him to plan the weekend. April will be a busy month, but this trip will also be some fun!

Upward and Skyward

I am in Portland for the 2nd annual Washington State WESPaC User Group (WASWUG...gotta love THAT acronym, eh;-) I mainly go for the networking opportunities, but I must say that I have come to enjoy the positive energy of these conferences. I also attended the first one last year, when there was a lot of residual negativity about our student information system still floating around, and the unabashed enthusiasm and energy of the attendees was a much-needed shot in the arm for all of us that support this system. And, as was proved out, the optimisitic ones had the correct perspective, as we have completed the deployment of the student product with overwhelming success and yesterday began the protoype deployment of the fiscal product. The sessions this year have been well attended and the atmosphere familial and almost festive. You would have to look far and wide to find a better group of folks to spend time with, and I am having a blast!...vertu svalur, y'all

Perhaps There Is Some Hope For Me After All

The Art Director at the college paid us a huge compliment when she said that she had never seen the regional art show presented as well as it was this year. Since Suzie and I played the major part in the display and layout, I took that as a distinct compliment to our collaborative artistic efffort. What with me being a left-brain IT guy, my more creative right-brain self took that as incredible and welcome praise. Who knows, perhaps there is a new career in the making here...or perhaps it was just the product of my recent emotional pain and anguish that sparked a creative fire in me...who knows;-)