Home Graffiti About Sitemap Visual DevWork Email Brian GPG Key

GRAFFITI -- September 26, 2005 thru October 02, 2005 >> Link to the Current Week << Last Week << Mon   Tues   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun >> Next Week Search this site : Welcome to Orb Graffiti, a place for me to write daily about life and computers. Contrary to popular belief, the two are not interchangeable.     About eMail - I publish email sometimes. If you send me an email and you want privacy or anonymity, please say so clearly at the beginning of your message.

MONDAY    Tues    Wed    Thu    Fri    Sat    Sun   
September 26, 2005

0816 - Good morning. I thought I was Erik for a bit, as we had circling helicopters for about three hours last night, from shortly after 11 until well into the wee hours. Now I'm at work, sore from a weekend of yardwork, tired from the helicopters, scarred by dreams of an immortal William Shatner as James T. Kirk. I can tell already it's going to be one of those weeks, and this one isn't properly started yet.

I used to have time and energy to post, to play with fun stuff involving computers and write about it. Now I just do fun stuff with computers in the course of my job, and mostly I can't write about that because it's just bad form to advertise infrastructural details at a network security company, don'tcha know? And between home ownership and a bloody long commute, I've usually not either the time or the energy (and sometimes neither) to muck about with such stuff on my own hook. Sorry about that. I'll try to do better...

I suppose that I'd best get to work. I've got to burn an ISO or two, and start setting up a new box. Ciao!

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    TUESDAY    Wed    Thu    Fri    Sat    Sun   
September 27, 2005

No Post...

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    Tues    WEDNESDAY    Thu    Fri    Sat    Sun   
September 28, 2005

1743 - Hullo. Almost no post... Did I mention that Bill and Sue are in town for three days? Lovely to see them, but I'm now on negative free time. Then, rapidly thereafter, I have a bunch of reviewing to do for The Bob. Then things should calm a little bit. One can always dream, anyway. Have a lovely ______? See you tomorrow if I can eke out a small chunk.

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    Tues    Wed    THURSDAY    Fri    Sat    Sun   
September 29, 2005

0730 - Good morning. After yesterday evening's uPost, Svenson took the time to write about my concept of negative free time. He had this to say, "Wow, this implies that there must exist something like positive free time ... On to the next big scientific chalange : finding the positive free time!!" Yeah. I'll get right on that, when I have some positive free time in which to search for the time that I'll then have. Or something. Grin. Okay. I'm already at work, and I've lots to get done. Have a great day!

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    Tues    Wed    Thu    FRIDAY    Sat    Sun   
September 30, 2005

1900 - Good evening. Whew. End of a long week, end of the quarter. Marcia and I, between visiting family and work, had a heck of a week. Now she's relaxing downstairs watching Cold Mountain, while I'm up here reviewing Chapter 4 for The Bob. I've fallen behind, and intend to be caught up before long. Anywho, the week is done, and there's very little yardwork to be done this weekend, for which I'm grateful. Now back to the grind, for the moment. Have a lovely, see you manananananana (darned banana problems!)

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    Tues    Wed    Thu    Fri    SATURDAY    Sun   
October 1, 2005

1616 - Good afternoon. So far it's been a lazy day. We did the weekly shopping a day early, so that Marcia could stock up on what she needed to take with her on the trip to NC this week. We both took a nap this afternoon to recover from the rigours of shopping, and precious little else has been done (other than a spot of laundry by herself). Tonight, a neighbor is having a get-together, but we only just found out about it, and Marcia'd planned on a bit of us time, so that's what we'll do. Now I think I'll find out what the dogs are barking about, then do another chapter or two for The Bob. Ciao!

Top  /  Email Brian

Mon    Tues    Wed    Thu    Fri    Sat    SUNDAY  
October 2, 2005

1039 - Good morning. Well, Marcia and Lucy are off to North Carolina for the week. The original plan was for Bob, Barbara and the boys to come up here, then Marcia and Barbara go on a New England driving tour while I worked and Bob worked on the book here. But with Bob in death-march-mode, he needed to stay at home, and Barbara didn't want to abandon him during the end-game of a book when she can be of best help. So they were cancelling the whole deal when I suggested that Marcia go down there instead. That way she gets her time away from work email. Barbara still has the week off, and they can day-trip around that area a bit, and more than our other trips down there allow. I also suggested that Marcia take Lucy along as a road companion, and to give Lucy a special treat (as opposed to the little dog just laying about morose for the whole week). They'll be back late next Saturday.

I have a few chores I want to get to, and a bit of hardware/lumber shopping for work in the woodshop, and the next couple of projects. But first, let me have a look at the cost in young lives of our Middle East excursions. There's an unhappily long list today... Take a minute to keep our soldiers and their families in your thoughts.

• Spc. Kevin M. Jones, 21, of Washington, N.C., died near Al Taqaddum, Iraq, on Sept. 22, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.
• Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap, 34, of Vista, Calif., died Sept. 24 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Taqaddum, Iraq.
• Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Scheile, 37, of Antioch, Calif., who died on Sept. 24 of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on Sept. 23, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M113 armored personnel carrier.
• Sgt. Paul C. Neubauer, 40, of Oceanside, Calif., who died on Sept. 23 of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M113 armored personnel carrier.
• Chief Warrant Officer John M. Flynn, 36, of Sparks, Nev. died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
• Warrant Officer Adrian B. Stump, 22, of Pendleton, Ore. died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
• Sgt. Tane T. Baum, 30, of Pendleton, Ore. died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
• Sgt. Kenneth G. Ross, 24, of Peoria, Ariz. died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
• Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart, 35, of Fernley, Nev. died southwest of Deh Chopan, Afghanistan, on Sept. 25, when his CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed.
• Pvt. Elijah M. Ortega, 19, of Oxnard, Calif., died Sept. 26 as result of a non-hostile gunshot wound at Camp Baharia, Iraq.
• Sgt. Shawn A. Graham, 34, of Red Oak, Texas, died on Sept. 25 in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained earlier that day in Baghdad, Iraq, when the vehicle in which he was riding accidentally rolled over.
• Sgt. Howard P. Allen, 31, of Mesa, Ariz., died in Baghdad, Iraq on Sept. 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV.
• Spc. Mike T. Sonoda, Jr., 34, of Fallbrook, Calif., died in Baghdad, Iraq on Sept. 22 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M113 Armored Personnel Carrier on Sept. 21.
• Sgt. Andrew J. Derrick, 25, of Columbia, S.C., died on Sept. 23 near Baghdad, Iraq when his dismounted team came under attack by enemy forces using small arms fire.
• Sgt. Andrew P. Wallace, 25, of Oshkosh, Wis. died in Shaibah, Iraq, on Sept. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations.
• Spc. Michael J. Wendling, 20, of Mayville, Wis. died in Shaibah, Iraq, on Sept. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during convoy operations.
• Lance Cpl. Steven A. Valdez, 20, of McRea, Ark., died Sept. 26 from enemy mortar fire at Camp Blessing, Afghanistan.
• Master Sgt. Tulsa T. Tuliau, 33, of Watertown, N.Y. died in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained near Ar Rustimayah, Iraq, on Sept. 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.
• Sgt. 1st Class Casey E. Howe, 32, of Philadelphia, N.Y. died in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained near Ar Rustimayah, Iraq, on Sept. 26 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.
• Staff Sgt. Robert F. White, 34, of Cross Lanes, W.Va, died west of Kandahar, Afghanistan on Sept. 26 when his mounted patrol was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire.
• Seaman Apprentice Robert D. Macrum, 22, of Sugarland, Texas, was lost at sea. He was last seen the evening of Sept. 12 while the ship was underway.
• Staff Sgt. Jason A. Benford, 30, of Toledo, Ohio, died in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on Sept. 27, when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire.
• Sgt. Steve Morin, Jr., 34, of Arlington, Texas, died west of Umm Qasr, Iraq, on Sept. 28, when an improvised explosive device detonated, overturning the HMMWV in which he was riding.
• Airman 1st Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson, 21, of Riviera Beach, Fla., died Sept. 28 near Camp Bucca, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near her convoy vehicle.
• Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Arnold, 27, of Montrose, Pa. died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.
• Staff Sgt. George A. Pugliese, 39, of Carbondale, Pa. died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.
• Sgt. Eric W. Slebodnik, 21, of Greenfield Township, Pa. died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.
• Spc. Lee A. Wiegand, 20, of Hallstead, Pa. died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.
• Pfc. Oliver J. Brown, 19, of Carbondale, Pa. died on Sept. 28, in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, where his M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked by enemy forces using indirect fire.

One other note: Mike Mills wrote to say, "AIIIII! There are 28 Discworld paperbacks? Ouch. Part of me wants to order 2-28 from amazon and pay the piper, and the other half wants to get them a couple at a time, BUT I'm afraid they will go out of print or otherwise be hard to find... Yes, I read #1 - awesome. Now I see what you were talking about!" Of course then I had to go and count my collection - I find that (including two out on loan) that I'm still missing four of the bloody things, not counting Thud!, which is only just out in hardcover at the moment.

Now to get on with the day. Oh, yeah. Molly's moping. Grin.

Top  /  Email Brian

Last Week << Mon   Tues   Wed   Thu   Fri   Sat   Sun >> Next Week

Visit the rest of the DAYNOTES GANG, a collection of bright minds and sharp wits. Really, I don't know why they tolerate me <grin>. My personal inspiration for these pages is Dr. Jerry Pournelle. I am also indebted to Bob Thompson and Tom Syroid for their patience, guidance and feedback. Of course, I am sustained by and beholden to my lovely wife, Marcia. You can find her online too, at http://www.dutchgirl.net/. Thanks for dropping by.

All Content Copyright © 1999-2011 Brian P. Bilbrey.


Except where otherwise noted, this site is licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.