Podcast June 21, 2005

Another installment of Tom's World.
Helicopters in Alexandria
Hooters
Accents and Relativity
A trip to Portland.

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I have a Podcast!!!

I have a Podcast. Here are the show notes:

Podsafe Music: Hello California by Salme Dahlstrom

ACLU
Intelligent Design

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The airport

My son, David was down for Memorial Day weekend. I brought him to Dulles airport so he could fly home to Newark airport. I was fine until it was time for him to get on the plane. Maybe it is a parent's love that makes me miss him so much. Maybe it is the thought that I cannot be there for him every night. I often wonder if I should really be up in New Jersey living very close to him. I could see him all the time and the weekends wouldn't be a travel ordeal. I cried tonight. After I handed him off to the gate agent, I just felt so sad. A little boy should not have to do that, nor should his parent have to put him on a plane until the next time. What a cruel teacher experience is. The things we realize after we have lost them! The things we realize after we already did the damage. I feel this way every time I leave David. Then, the feeling goes away after a day or so. Maybe it is conditioned numbness. Maybe it is defensive numbness. David will be down for Father's Day weekend, then he is here for the rest of the summer. I am so looking forward to this! The only part I am not looking forward to is the goodbye. But, as usual, the numbness will kick in after a few days and I can go back to my forced exile. A father should never have to be away from his son. I so miss my boy.

New grocery carts are only so smart - Diet and Fitness - MSNBC.com

MSNBC is reporting a story about smart shopping carts. I really hate when this happens. I had an idea 15 years ago about a system that you would put your items into the system (at the time via barcodes) and then when you were coming up in the aisle, it would flash a light at you. I think it is easier than the touchscreen. As with many ideas, the trick is how to produce it or sell it. Hmmm?

New grocery carts are only so smart - Diet and Fitness - MSNBC.com

Only a network person would laugh at this

Here is a fun story. I could not stop laughing when I read it. :) Note, just to help the setup, 127.0.0.1 is always the IP address of your local computer. You can reference it like any other IP address, but it it always you. Enjoy!

Yet another plug for PodCasting -- iPodder.org : What is podcasting?

I have seen the promised land and it is Podcasting! Heady words, but allow me to explain. Podcasts are radio without the commercial and/or infrastructure background. Want to say something to the masses, Break out your microphone and record into your computer. So far, that is just making an MP3 recording. The beauty of the system comes from incorporating the RSS functions to allow you to automatically download the Podcasts whenever there is a new one. For more on PODcasting in general see this link on What is podcasting?. I expect all my Toastmaster's friends to put their speeches into recorded MP3 files and we will setup a PODcast for your speeches. I have this one friend in particular that is practicing a speech for a District conference and I would like to hear his speech. I wonder if he knows who he is?

As far as the name, yes; it comes from iPods. BUT, it is just an MP3 file. YOu do not need an iPod to listen to it. Anything that willplay an MP3 (ie, your computer) can be used. Granted, it is harder to strap your computer to your back, but are you dedicated or what?

So, the next question is what should I start to PODcast? Will anyone really want to hear me ramble about things? I was thinking of starting pokeintheeye.com since my ex-wife always called me a "Walking, talking poke in the eye". Wee shall see... In the mean time, my particular favorite PODcasts so far are Adam Curry's Daily Source Code and The Legal-related things that suck. Any questions, please let me know.

Sydney Australia

Back in 1990, I was asked by Unisys to travel to Australia to teach two classes in Systems Performance and Tuning. Basically, this was a working job interview. I would teach classes in Melbourne and Sydney and they would determine if they wanted me to have the job. The classes went well. I was definitely teaching up and it was a challenge. The first week was Melbourne. Melbourne is a very cosmopolitan city. I had been told it was more like Europe than Australia. Not having been to Europe at this point, I would have take that on faith. (Once I did go to Europe, I learned they were right). After the first week (of mostly rain), I flew to Sydney. As I made my way through customs, I proceeded to a cab and directed the driver to bring me to North Sydney. If you look at this picture, it is on the right side beyond the bridge. The apartment building just to the right of the bridge tower is close to where I stayed (this is a current picture and the building may have been replaced by now). In any event, as I crested a small hill in the taxi, I saw the wonderful Opera house framed by the Harbor bridge. It had to remind myself that this was not a postcard, but I was seeing this with my own eyes. Just looking at this picture brings up memories of simpler times and also thoughts of what might have been. I was eventually offered the job in Australia, but I didn't take it. I was living with Cheryl at the time and we had plans to get married. I didn't think it was fair to put the cat in quarantine for 6 months and it certainly would have been very hard for Cheryl (my former spouse) not working and not knowing anyone. It is not like this would have been a massive salary increase. With taxes, I think I would have lost money. All that aside, the most important part is that if I had chosen to follow the path down under without Cheryl, I would have never had the blessing upon my house that is David. So, let that be a lesson to everyone that wants to second guess a decision -- if you give up a path that leads to doubt; you have to give up anything good that ever happens on that path. To put it simply (how rare for me), You take the good with the bad. Life is not about second guessing things, it is about the sum of your experiences. As Jean Luc Picard discovered, when you try to tidy up some loose threads in your life, you also loosen the very thread that is the tapestry of your life.

Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

I wonder if anyone that reads this knows about the Wikipedia. If not, here is some information: Slashdot | Wikipedia Reaches Half a Million Articles

basically the Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that ANYONE can edit. Look something up and if you think you can add something, go ahead. I have added things to the history of the Home Shopping Network, and caller ID (see previous blog entry). It is lots of fun especially if you like to write. So, go ahead..pick a topic and show us what you know.

Oh, and before the detractors say how could you ever trust the information, this Wiki has been the subject of intense scrutiny and the academic consensus is that it is managed well and incorrect information is normally updated quite regularly. When you post, you are encouraged to post your references to allow others to verify your information.

Caller ID is not always true

I read an article that discussed Scam artists using the ability to specify your own caller ID to fool people into thinking they are calling from a particular place. Now, without incriminating myself, allow me just to say that if you have your own telephone system and an ISDN line, this has always been possible. It is trivial to send any number you want. If you want the WHITE HOUSE to show up on a caller ID, you send 202-456-1414 to the phone company and it shows up on the caller ID. Qwest even bills incorrectly based on the number you send. So, regardless if you have an Internet based phone (like Vonage) or a regular POTS line (believe it or not, that really does stand for Plain Old Telephone Service). I love the phone business!

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, my first class is almost over. I gave a presentation last night on what I currently do and why I would want to change it. I don't know how I am doing all of this. I am still playing pool 2 nights a week, but once the season is over, I will cut back to one night per week. I need some diversion! MY next class is an upper level IT class on what for me, is basic IT stuff. Software design, basic network, etc. This should be a cakewalk. Although it is always those classes that sneak up on you. Bye, bye.

Published articles

Several years ago, my employer -- Upp Business Systems -- asked me to write some articles for a trade magazine. I wrote some columns over a period of several months. These are somewhat specific to the Unisys mainframes I work on, but they are also generally relevant. It is interesting to observe at this later date that some of the assumptions and predictions are just now starting to take root at some companies. The first one is about connecting a mainframe to the Internet. The second one is about is about establishing an intranet. The last one is about interfacing external systems to the mainframe. Note that for a reason I cannot imagine, they just listed me as an Upp Consultant. Most likely because I left the company (but now I am back).

Back to School

Well, the Florida State Bar is certainly more worried today than it was yesterday. I have gone back to school. I started my first class today (we had a makeup for a snow day). Not law school yet, but it is a start to a Business degree with an IT focus. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to financial analysis classes! I know...you always knew I was weird. This class is to get people back to studying. I had my previous credits transferred and in only 2 short years, I can then start the next phase of my education: Law School!

Toastmasters speech on RFID

Here is a speech I gave recently at Toastmasters. The purpose of the project was topresent a technical paper. I wrote the paper and then made it into a speech. It is from the Advanced manual, Speeches by Management. This is written in a script format as it was part of the project to give iit from a script.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, DC - March 26 - April 10

Rarely was there a better and more colorful excuse to come to the Nation's capital! I am so looking forward to this. I hope my friend's take advantage of having a place to stay :)
Official Website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival - Washington, DC

TGIF?

I was in the elevator this morning where I overheard a conversation. Once person said "Today is my Friday". Presumably, he is taking tomorrow off so this Thursday was his Friday. While this is something that many people say (along with many other euphemisms for hoping the weekend gets here faster), what he said next struck me as odd. He said, "Now I can be happy". I must assume this means that now he can be happy because it is Friday (to him). Does that imply he was not happy the rest of the week. Could his job be that much a drudgery that he is not happy? I tend to hear this attitude in the facility in which I currently work. People say, "Only 2 more days", or "Is it Friday yet?". I understand that they want to get out of work to do the things they truly enjoy, but if there is not some joy from what they do, can that be considered a life? If you work 1/3 of your life, is it worth it to not be happy. Of course I understand not everyone has their dream job. Lord knows there are days I wish I was a pastry chef! But, ultimately, you either have to be doing something you enjoy, or you have to be doing something to get you to a job you enjoy. School, training, Toastmasters...whatever it takes to get you into that job which will make you not feel like the only reason to get up on Monday is that it gets you closer to Friday! So, as you read this, please consider what you are doing, and figure out how to get where you want to be. It is a journey worth taking - I guarantee!

The Washington DC Metro and Sheep

First off, if you are not living and commuting in Washington, this may seem of little interest, but I encourage you to read on. The DC Metro (subway) is a nice system. They, like many mass transit systems, are forever looking for maintenance dollars to keep the things running, but they seem to do alright. Our story today concerns two lines, the yellow and the blue. So, you now have to go look at the map and pay particular attention to the Yellow and Blue lines - especially their southern ends. Go ahead, we'll wait. Map

OK, so you have it open in another window. If you look at the Yellow line, it starts at a station called Huntington (where I get on). It passes Eisenhower, and then there is a big black circle at King Street listed as a transfer point. Note that these stations are outdoors until you get to the Crystal City station (my stop). Very important for our story. Notice that this is the first place the blue line meets the yellow line. Now, since King Street is listed as a transfer point between the Yellow and Blue, you would think if you needed to get on the blue line from Huntington, you would go to King Street, get off, and get on the blue. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, imagine a day like today where it is about 19 degrees F, and I watched people get off the warm yellow train at King Street, to wait in the cold for the blue train. This would seem to be a necessary evil. Here is the sheep part...the blue and yellow trains follow the exact same path and track between King Street (outside) and the Pentagon (inside). The trains occupy the same track and run right behind each other. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why people would get off a warm, dry train to go stand in a frigid, blinding snowstorm just because some map says "King Street is the transfer point". Do people just not think? Maybe I look at things from an efficiency standpoint. Maybe I simply put too much thought into these things, but it would seem to live in a city, you need to have some common sense about things. Am I missing something? Do these people just like the cold?

Rack'em Up!

Well, I finally joined a pool league here in Virginia. The local poolhall has both 9 ball and 8 ball leagues. For those that do not know, I really enjoy playing. I have been playing on and off for the last 33 years. Some could say my ability in pool is directly attributable to a mis-spent youth, but it is a fun game. The APA has a good format because they handicap the players so players of lesser skill can win. I played the other night in 8 ball and I had to win 3 games, but the other person only to win 2. Incidentally, I ran out from the break but scratched on the 8 ball Argh! If you like the game of pool and want to have fun during the winter, find a local league. Your skill level doesn't matter. Just get out there and have fun. You can get more information about local leagues at the American Poolplayers Association website.

Test of Faith

While I am convinced there is a power greater than ourselves in this world, I find I need the patience of Job to see what possible plan there could be to kill thousands of innocent children. MSNBC had an article talking about how people keep their faith in the different religions effected by the Tsunami. I have always believed that God created the universe but the day-to-day events were up to the people and nature. Events like the Tsunami only serve to reinforce the idea that God is an absentee landlord. How could a just and engaged God let so many children die? Hard questions.

Toastmasters

As most of my friends know, I am a member of Toastmasters International. This organization's purpose is to enable better communication among people including speaking and listening skills. I normally write out most of my speeches, so I thought it would be fun to archive them. I have attached a link to a speech I gave about the assassination of President Lincoln. You can see all my speeches in a page I will add in the future.

Third World Commanders-in-Chief don't count?

The Washington Post has an article about President (and General) Musharraf's refusal to step down as chief of staff of the Pakistani Army. Musharraf had promised a return to a more democratic form of government where he would trade-in his fatigues for constitutional changes required to legitimize his presidency. He has apparently reneged on this promise. Without casting aspersions on his chosen form of leadership, it occurred to me that the US has exactly this form of government. We have a civilian president that is elected (more-or-less) by the electorate, and is the absolute Command-in-Chief of the military structure. As a recent Justice department memo said, the President has absolute authority to wage war (that is their interpretation). What I find fascinating, is that there would be a question about Musharraf being a third-world dictator when he is actually using a play straight from Article 2, Section 2 of the US Constitution. I do realize that the main difference is while Pakistan's leader came to power in a bloodless coup, the US President came to power in a bloodless Supreme court coup (We are still in the first term :) ) -- Let the flames begin!