I'll be a Monkey's Uncle.

Perhaps because I rarely look at the news, perhaps I am missing what the hub bub is around Obama and the monkey picture?

Is this a political cartoon that may have touched a sore spot? Can we not equally poke fun at all presidents and simply laugh at the cleverness of it all? Are some people's skin a little bit...thin?

Personally, I don't think the monkey looks at all like Obama (if only we could have killed the stimulus bill).

Ok, maybe a little closer: cute enough.

BushMonkey? No arguments there. Funny.

Rick's Site May HARM your computer.

Rick has become the swizzle stick that messes with and challenges my paradigms. Now, his site has been proven to be harmful not only to them, but also to your computer. Don't believe me? Then believe Google:

Actually, something must be amiss with Google because all sites are returning this message. Unfortunately, clicking on the site name will take you to:

And going to the diagnostic page simply gives you:

The thing that is funny is that I did not realize how much I depend on Google. I rarely book mark anything anymore because Google makes it so easy to find.

And Rick...stop twittering. I miss the messin'

Typical

Recently, we bought the "Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000"  package. It comes with a no frills keyboard (though, I think it is very nice) and a no frills mouse.

The problem started when Cindy noticed the scroll wheel on the mouse did not work. You would spin it, expecting the web page, email, whatever, to respond by moving down. It didn't. You could spin spin spin and it would move.

I decided to use Microsoft's email support. I have had really good success with using email support lately. Even if it does provide for some very funny and insincere emails ("I know that the problem must have greatly upset you.").

I went through the Help and Support Wizard. The mouse that comes with the Keyboard is the Microsoft Wireless Optical 2000, so, I thought that would be the product. A few clicks later, it asked for the Product Id. I chose the automatically detect method. This preceded to download some software and then a long progress bar. There was a lot of commotion, but the net result was that it could not find my product.

It was time to do it the old fashion way. A Keyboard...how quaint.

Flipping the mouse on its back, I squinted to figure out the numbers (btw, 6 looks a lot like an 8). This was fairly frustrating because the first couple of tries, it just told me it was wrong. Finally, it gave me a format that it was looking for. The product id that I had was missing some numbers. Missing that is until I found some more characters completely NOT connected to the Product Id.

Then it told me I had the wrong product. That product Id was for the Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000. Start the Wizard all over again.

Finally, through the miracle that is copying and pasting I was able to get to the point where I type in my request and enter my email. Clicking continue, and I got the message in the picture above.

It is hard to believe that a company like Microsoft can have such a non-intuitive help and support. Or, is it?

GG Bryan

I am posting a eulogy for my Grandmother, Louise Prontaut Bryan. She passed away this morning. During the summer, she developed shingles, and it completely wrecked havoc on her immune system. A few days ago, mom told be that she had pneumonia, and that it would not be long.

Grandmother was a card. She had a sly humor about her, and had a sweet grin. She loved to play cards, and was an avid reader. I loved staying at her home, and going outside and looking at the stars.

My Granddaddy had passed about 10 years ago. Katie was just a baby at the time. On our last visit, GG (as we took to calling her) was frail, and mentioned him. She recalled that he was playing on the golf course in September, and passed in December. She called him fortunate. This broke my heart.

I do take comfort in our Hope, and I know that she is with Christ. Although some differ on this, I also believe she is reunited with her husband. Today would have been his birthday.

A fitting present, wouldn't you agree.

Rear Ended

My lunch routine is fairly boring. I usually heat up one of those microwave dishes, drive over to Barnes and Nobles, eat in the car, go in the bookstore and get a coffee. If I have brought my laptop, I find a place to sit and watch something that I pulled down off of BT. Lately, I've been watching a programming screen cast, "Summer of NHibernate." Then, I travel the few miles back to my place of work.

The routine was broken up when I was rear ended.

I had come to a stop, waiting for the light behind several cars. It was a few seconds when I felt a push. I've had these happened before, and trusted that the bumpers did their job and the worst that could have happened was some messed up paint.

I got out of the car and looked over at the woman getting out of her white VW Beetle (the new kind, not the cool kind). I asked her if she was ok. No response. She immediately started looking at the front of her car. I glanced at my bumper and did not note any damage. The lady mumbled that she had just bought the car all the while rubbing her hand on her bumper until she discerned some chipped paint.

"Well," she stated, "What do you want to do?"

I thought this was a underhanded meatball. Obviously, there was no damage to my car, so I certainly thought she did not want to get her insurance involved since she hit me. So, I just said "Well, you hit me." This triggered a response from her that I was not expecting.

"No sir, I most certainly did not. You hit me."

I could not believe that. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, you hit me and my head went back."

"How could I have hit you?"

And then, she dropped it and said "So we just let this go?"

It is amazing how we go around this world with our own versions of what happens in life. Absolutely Amazing.

Snowped!

It was to be the biggest snow that we had in four years. It was supposed to start at 4 am. It was supposed to be three to five inches of snow.

But, this is Hampton Roads. The Anti-Snow Zone.

I was a bit disappointed when I left to go to work. I was hoping that it would be coming down. We had messages on our phone announcing the possible closing of the office due to the Winter Warnings. By 11:00, we received the official "office closed" message, but work from home if you are able.

I wanted to wait to see what was going to happen. By lunch, the sun was peaking through the clouds a bouncing off car windshields. Perhaps during the afternoon, towards rush hour, we would get socked. I would wait until 4:00, just to see.

We got Snowped. No Snow. Although the temperature was correct, it was too dry. What did fall as flurries quickly evaporated prior to hitting the ground. Personally, I did not see anything.

Personally, I wished I would have just gone home.

Moe's and MLK.

I am just about to go out and put some gas in the cars, but thought I would fire off a quick post. Today, Cindy and I met with an "Endorsed Local Provider" for investments. ELP's are endorsed by Dave Ramsey and meet certain criteria.

The meeting was long, but by the end, Cindy and I felt more comfortable about inviting this person into our financial plans. I left with one of those "I really should have done this a long time ago" feelings. But, honestly, I wasn't ready for it. Also, the past two years have been spent getting out of debt and getting an emergency fund in place (plus saving for the Pony Puller).

The meeting was three hours. Wow, I wasn't expecting that much detail. The girls were fantastic, and we went to Moe's for lunch. How could I pass up a burrito called an "Art Vandalay"?

We had a great conversation about MLK. Nothing too deep, but just that not too long ago, the color of your skin made a really big difference in how you were treated. MLK, and others, thought this was wrong, and did something about it. MLK made a famous speech, in which he said that he had a dream that one day people would be judged by the content of their character, and not the color of their skin.

It was also neat to mention that tomorrow, the first black president will be inaugurated. What a historical moment, and an achievement for all American.

"I Spit my last Breath at Thee."

From all the Star Trek Television incarnations to all of the movies, books (both legit and comic), no other villain matched Captain Kirk stride for stride like Khan. And the actor who played Khan, Ricardo Montalban, was as imposing on screen as William Shatner.

It saddened me to see that he passed away Wednesday morning.

Silent Night

Ah, but you must be thinking "Chuck, it is January, and Christmas was last month." To which I would reply, "Yes, you are correct. However, my kids are at Church at a Kid Thing and Cindy and I are home alone, enjoying a silent night."

Ok, so, here is how lame we are when we are trying to be bad when there are no kids around.

Cindy comes over with coupons for 2 "Cold Stone" ice creams for five bucks. No kids around, and all she can think about is ice cream!!??

I love that lady.

Make your Own Motivational Poster

If you find these motivational posters as funny as I do, head over here to make your very own.

But, please share.

Ok, I haven't thought about this ...

Did you realize that Star Trek:TNG launched with Encounter at Farpoint twenty two years ago this fall. That's right, twenty two years.

I can remember in 1991 when Jay and I drove from Cola Town to Hotlanta for a 25th ST Anniversary showing of the first five movies. Gene Roddenberry had just passed, and the ST:VI trailer was premiered, not once, but twice. The movie marathon was accompanied by the phrase "Sit Long and Prosper." We tried to pace ourselves, but still, ST:V was dog hard to get through. We drove back to Cola the same night.

Happy New Year!

Hey Gang! I would like to wish you and your family the happiest and prosperous new year!

God Bless!

Pony Puller

Here is our Pony Puller! A 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Cindy and I have been saving since June to purchase a vehicle that could pull a trailer and a pony.

It is sort of neat to finally get to the end of that goal and have all of this taken care of before the end of the year. This is the first car that I have ever bought where I actually came home with the title.

The previous owners were a young couple and were as nice as could be. Made the whole transaction one of the most pleasant car buying experience.

Even though Cindy has said that she will still use the Civic as the run-a-bout, I would not be surprised if we see our Gas Budget increase.

My New Year's Resolution

This year, I resolve to "look out for stealing ideas during conference calls". It is a bad habit, I know.

At least, that is what the Resolution Randomizer has picked for me. What will it say for you?

I think I always have several Resolutions each year, but, like most of us, I tend to put them somewhere on the shelf shortly after eating my second helping of Black Eye Peas. I have been looking hard for something that is worth doing.

1. Continuous Learning - I learned since my October Posting that I stopped learning about my trade. It started in August of 2004, and had been on a gradual downward slope until June of 2006, in which it flat lined. During the last two months, I have been reading, coding and reading some more. I have become fans of several of the Alt.Net community. I am becoming passionate about coding again.

2. Get Involved in Music - I still like to play my trombone. I have played in my church's orchestra since 1996. It has remained challenging because the Music Pastor has kept it challenging. I have become adept at playing that style, but I do miss "band literature." I have found several community bands in the area that I would like to at try to see if I can still keep up.

3. Do something Adventurous - I admire George for his passion for mountain biking. My friend Nick is a maniacal marathon runner (I think you qualify for this when you can express how many miles you ran in one year using a comma). I would like to try Scuba. Since 1992, I have lived in close proximity to the ocean, yet I rarely visit it. I chalk it up to a phobia of sharks (thank you Mr. Spielberg), but I enjoy spending time there. A friend of ours runs a Scuba shop, and I think it would be fun to at least learn how, even if I never make it out of the pool.

4. Not Be Afraid of Relationships - After reading The Shack, I am left with the feeling that I talk a might big talk about having a relationship with God. I bet if we were in a counseling session, God would have a look of disbelief on His face and say "but you never really want to be with me. You never listen to me. You do all the talking." This spills over into my relationships with others. I am afraid to fully commit to relationships because of my own personal shack. I want to get past that. I want to experience a purer experience with my God, and my friends.

So, there it is. All of them fully achievable to some degree, but yet, a bit of a stretch. I have new items, I have items that I want to improved. Even with the economy, the election and work, 2008 was a great year. Here's looking to a happy 2009.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Anticipating Oscar

It's nearly that time of year: The Oscars. James and I used to have an annual contest to see who could get the most correct. I believe that we only watched the Academy Awards once (1991 - The year that Jack Palance did the one armed push-ups).

About the time that ribbons started showing up on nominees' lapels was about the time that I started to tune out. A night that was supposed to celebrate the best that Cinema has to offer was turning into a platform for various causes.

The first Academy Award presentation that I watched was the 2003 Oscars to see if Peter Jackson was going to be recognized for filming what had been commonly thought of as unfilmable. I wasn't disappointed.

The past two years, I have had the opportunity to go to a local AMC theater and watch all of the nominations for Best Picture. I was fortunate to have not seen any of the films prior. I am anticipating that AMC will run this program again. Also, I am worried about watching any of the big films in theaters now. It would be great to have a third marathon with all new films.

Sunday Breakfast (or, Sunday's Break Fast)

Alan wrote about his new plan for a new kind of Sunday morning. The funny part behind his message is that we have all been there. Some of the best fights that I have had with Cindy has been at the stop light in front of our church.

I decided to write to tell you what I think has been the secret to our most successful Sundays. I can sum it up in one word.

Breakfast.

The problem with Sunday mornings is that we don't allow enough time to make it out the door. We end up treating getting out of the door as the goal. Get up, get dressed, get the kids dressed ("No, you can't wear that, it's dirty. Go and change"). There is very little difference between Sunday morning out the door and Monday. Except, you not only have yourself, but the whole crew in tow.

Cooking a big breakfast (Grits, eggs, toast, bacon, biscuits...you know anything that's not cereal) encourages you to get up a little earlier. I get time to have a private cup of coffee before everyone comes down. Also, I get to set the time: we eat at 7:45 am. Every Sunday. No guess work. Everyone knows what time breakfast is served and everyone is expected to be there. Since we leave for church at 8:30 am, everyone is expected to be ready (or near enough ready) by 7:45.

Over the years, I have this down to an art form. And on days (like today) where we don't have breakfast together, you really do miss it.

And, it proves that Daddy can cook a mean batch of Grits! Salt, Butter and Cheese included, gratis.

I apologize, I was Facebooking

Lately, I have fallen to the allure of Facebook. Unfortunately, there is not much to post in that particular medium. Actually, I have really felt burnt since my October posting regarding my feelings about my current Job position.

I can't say that anything has really changed on that front.

I really enjoyed having breakfast with Rick and George. Mike R. Shull filled in (again) for the absent Todd. I missed seeing Todd, but, what are the odds that Mike R. Shull would be there again? Truly, a classic moment.

Even though the food was good, the conversation was better. And, I was given a really good book recommendation: The Shack. I was warned that the first 80 pages was rough, but it was really good. It messes with you a bit.

The Shack is a metaphor for that place in your life that you just can't get past.

I have several of those in my life. I bet you do too.

But the neatest part of the book was a conviction that the kind of relationship that I am seeking with God, might not be the kind that He (?...read the book) wants with me. There is a lot about judgement and forgiveness that hit me square between the eyes. Definitely gives you a different way of thinking about love.

So, I hope all of you (well, both of you) had a wonderful Christmas. And, best of wishes for a Happy New Year!

The Great Bird of the Galaxy Reunited with his Wife

Just found out that Majel Barrett-Roddenbery passed away this morning after a battle with lukemia. She was a part of the Star Trek world as Number One, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana Troi and the voice of the NCC-1701-D's computer.

Hailing Frequency closed.

Funny Label

I picked up a cake tonight for our final FPU class for the year. To celebrate, we ordered a cake from Sams. Cindy had me pick it up, and as I was standing in line, I read the label. I am not sure of I want to eat it now.

What's on your Christmas List

It seems that as we get older, we have less "wants" on our Christmas lives. The cynic in me wants to believe that it is because we can go out and buy whatever it might be that we want. But, the believer in me thinks that I have come to the point where I would rather give than receive.

Which is true? Or, is it really somewhere in the middle.

Can you remember when you were a child seeing that one item that you poured all of your hopes and dreams into, hoping that it would arrive on Christmas morn?

This song takes me way back, and remember wanting the same thing. Enjoy, and, uh, what's on your Christmas list?