This Day Snuck Up on Me

Today is my last day onsite at SkyHawke Technologies. I find myself immersed by memories of late night Christmas testing, impromptu golf tournaments, and beating .NET sites into submission time-after-time. During my three years here I made a number of friends whom I hope to remain close to for a very long time. My first child was born during my time here which makes this place such an integral part of my development as a father and husband. If it hadn't been for the people here I would have been completely ignorant to so many things about myself.

I want to say thank you to everyone in Ridgeland, MS who went above and beyond to make me feel so at home. There is a huge part of me that doesn't want to move on, but that would be unfair to all of us. It's times like these that make me sharply realize that life is 99% journey and 1% destination. I'm so blessed for my journey to have taken me here to such a spectacular place.

Earth Day Rant

Just saw that "Avatar" is being released on Earth Day. I could go on for hours, but the gist of it is that Earth doesn't need a Hallmark holiday and that it ticks me off when people try to brain wash my child with cartoons, teaching him that his very existence is killing the earth. Etc etc etc...


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Grow Grass Grow!

The Goal - Grass in the backyard (Real grass, not weeds)

I'd like to have real grass in my backyard. However, I have several things working against me.

The Challengers:
* Solomon and Samson - I have 2 large dogs. They're really the least of my worries because they've mellowed to the point that they don't play hard enough to cause ruts and there are enough places for them to relieve themselves without creating any brown patches.

* Level not Flat - The fenced area (about a 1/4 acre) is relatively level, but there are several small mounds and ruts. I can live with this, but it does prevent me from cutting really close when I mow.

* Underground spring - A vein of water runs underground beneath the backyard. This is good for deep roots, but it's a problem when it rains because it takes a couple of days for the water to recede.

* Ignorance - I don't know a lot about growing grass. I've tried several times. I don't know what kind of fertilizer to use. I don't know how much to water. I don't know how much sunlight or what temperature is ideal. I'm a lot better off than I use to be, but I really don't *know* what I should be doing to get really thick strong grass to grow.


Possible Solutions???
Now that I've identified the challenge(r)s, I just need to come up with some solutions for each of these (especially that last one). If anyone has any good suggestions I'd love to hear them.


Sidenote: I've already consulted a professional to "just deal with it". His estimate came in around $6000. I'd love to just do that, but yeah... for $6k the weeds will just have to stay until I figure something else out.

The Automated Home

I've said for several years now that I want to be able to control all the functions of my house from a web interface. I'm talking lights, door locks, tv, oven, everything.

Saw a commercial for the Schlage Link iPhone app recently. It's based on a subscription service that allows someone to monitor his door locks and lights and such via the web.

http://link.schlage.com/Pages/home.aspx

This brings me to my uber-geeky point: 20 years from now, every household appliance will have an IP address (or at least they should). The fully automated home could happen now, but it would be very expensive and time consuming. However, we are getting closer everyday. Things like the Android Microwave, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSMerma7nBY&feature=youtube_gdata, and Schlage Link are perfect examples of how it could all work. Just think if you refridgerator and cupboard could build your grocery list for you based on barcoded or RFID(even better) labeled products. I'd pay an extra $300 per appliance for a system that 'just worked'.

But as always, big business and gov't will have to champion the effort before it gets to the consumer because they're the only ones with a checkbook powerful enough to handle such "cutting edge" technology.

Until then I'll just have to suffer through and build my grocery list the old fashion way (by asking my wife what we need).


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Warrior Dash - The 5k with extra chest hair

www.warriordash.com
Saw this on FB the other day. I haven't signed up yet but I've pretty much decided to do it.

www.warriordash.com
What is it? It's a 3.22 mile gauntlet complete with fire, viking horns, mud under barbed wire, climbing walls, and real alligators that chase you through the course! (ok, no gators) But seriously, this is perfect for those of you who are bored with your Saturday hour-long run. Sure I could train for the Peach Tree or some other 10K event, but what's the challenge there? To me this is much more intense - because lots of people can run far, but how many can run far, dressed up like a 12th century conquerer, and go through Japanese game-show style obstacles? Not many, I say.

www.warriordash.com
So who's coming with me?!? *channeling Jerry MacGuire*

www.warriordash.com
Go there. Sign up. Win at life.

Relaxation

Ben asleep - check
Fireplace - check
Shoes off - check
Recliner - check
Belly full - check
Good Scotch - check
Too many good things to list. Thank you, Lord.


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Choo-Chooooo!!!

Finally constructed some train tracks for Ben. There are so many things that would have been more productive... but this was more fun! I'm sure he will destroy it with a furious vengeance upon seeing it (to express his appreciation.)








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