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GRAFFITI -- August 23, 2010 thru August 29, 2010 >> 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.

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August 23, 2010

Wait for it ....

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August 24, 2010

Map:Paris:iPhone

2202 - Monday evening was vaguely normal - busy as all get out. I finished up with the assorted chores around 2230. Above, you can see a screen shot from my iPhone, as I was making a more persistent copy of a map before departing from the WiFi hotspot at the hotel and heading towards the apartment we stayed at for a week in Paris.

Tonight, a couple of dog walks ... and a computer upgrade, too: I installed an Antec Easy SATA dock into Slartibartfast this evening. It makes me very happy (testing as I write this), and that equipment tip is one of many you'll have when you get your copy of Building the Perfect PC, Third Edition. Yep, you can pre-order now. It's written and photographed by the Thompson's, so you know it's going to be good. I know it's going to be good, too, but then I've read it already. The joys of technical reviewing. Matter of fact, you'd best buy one extra, because you know you'll loan it out, and never see it again. Yes, your purchase will be out in the world, doing good. So you should have one to keep for yourself, as a present.

Now, for some reading. Ciao!

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August 25, 2010

2237 - Work, dogs, home networking upgrade. There goes the day. Now to get rid of the on-call forwarding before I forget. Ciao!.

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August 26, 2010

No Post....

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August 27, 2010

2124 - Work was work. Had a nice long walk with the little dog after supper. Of course, she didn't do what she was supposed to do... doo you catch my drift? That had to wait for the second walk, at about 2030. Now I'm back to organizing backups and whatnot, and catching up on the reading stack. Today's arrival is John Scalzi's The God Engines. But first, I have to finish reading Cherie Priest's fine Clementine. Such riches reading brings me. Ciao!

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August 28, 2010

1646 - A nice day ruined by excessive cleaning of the side yard. I'd actually intended to finish putting the garden to death, since the alternating heat and rain combined with our travels to rot most things, and take over the rest with weeds. But after the side yard, I only had enough steam for one box. So, I know what I'm doing after shopping tomorrow... Reading time. Ciao!

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August 29, 2010

2052 - First read finished this weekend: Clementine, a Clockwork Century novel by Cherie Priest. This book rocks. I liked Boneshaker quite a lot. However, I loved Clementine! Air battles with dirigibles, Confederate spies, Gatling guns and Pinkertons are all in play in this novel about war, politics and loyalty in a history down the other trowser leg. Five splats for Clementine.

Finishing Clementine (and running out of steam on the yardwork after another five hours today) allowed me to read the second book of the weekend: John Scalzi's The God Engines. I can do it no more justice here than to re-point you to the well-written review at Republibot. I have become very fond of Scalzi's work in the last year or so, and I am suitably impressed with this new Fantasy-with-spaceships work. Frankly, I was left wanting to read it again right away, just to see what I missed ... the writing drew me in and kept rocking at a blistering pace. That, and it's a short work, really a novella, but extremely worthy. Five splats for The God Engines, too. So, both are Highly Recommended.

Our condolences to the families and units of the 12 fallen warriors reported by DoD this week.

• Spc. Christopher S. Wright, 23, of Tollesboro, Kentucky, died Aug. 19 in Pech, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
• Lance Cpl. Nathaniel J. A. Schultz, 19, of Safety Harbor, Florida, died Aug. 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Pfc. Alexis V. Maldonado, 20, of Wichita Falls, Texas, died Aug. 21 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire in Zhari province, Afghanistan.
• Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart, 24, of Kirksville, Missouri, died Aug. 22 at Basrah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
• Sgt. Jason D. Calo, 23, of Lexington, Kentucky, died Aug. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Spc. Pedro A. Millet Meletiche, 20, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, died Aug. 22 at Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.
• Sgt. Steven J. Deluzio, 25, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, died Aug. 22 at Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.
• Spc. Tristan H. Southworth, 21, of West Danville, Vermont, died Aug. 22 at Paktika, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.
• Sgt. Ronald A. Rodriguez, 26, of Falls Church, Virginia, died Aug. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Lance Cpl. Robert J. Newton, 21, of Creve Coeur, Illinois, died Aug. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Spc. Justin B. Shoecraft, 28, of Elkhart, Indiana, died Aug. 24 at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device at Kakarak, Afghanistan.
• Petty Officer 3rd Class James M. Swink, 20, of Yucca Valley, California, died Aug. 27 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

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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.

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