I remember the Eagles Deli...the place with the 5 pound Challenge burger.

My brother in-law Ronnie wants to go there with me.....

Some day when I have about 10 pounds to spare!

Current Mood: hungry

First, a fairly tame one:


Now, one with a little more balls:


This one is rated R:

Current Mood: giggly

First a video introducing the Huron 1U and 2U Servers:


Then a video introducing the SPARC T2 (Niagara II) processor: (introduced by an Avatar in 2nd Life)

Current Mood: geeky

Friday Five -- July 18, 2008

frieliegh

Current Mood: contemplative

Doreen's brother Stephen Cullen is riding his bike 192 miles over two days to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer center, and I'd like to recommend that you help the cause yourself.

You can join the ride, but if you can't do that, I'd suggest making a simple donation to his team. (Any size too....because every dollar counts and this organization is great because it ALL goes to the cause!)

Everyone knows people who have died from Cancer. (My mom died of cancer back in 1999...my Uncle Jimmy, and Aunt Gert too. Our friend Donna....the list goes on and on.)

But more importantly, we all know more and more people who are survivors too....due to the work of organizations like Dana-Farber.

One other thing about this organization.....100% of the money ends up in the hands of Dana-Farber. No big bloated organization soaking up a percentage of the donations. Thats another great thing that makes me want to support it.

Here is what the Pan Massachuesetts  Challenge Website says about it's own mission:

Dear Friends and Family,
 
     Believe it or not I am about to embark on my fifth Pan Mass Challenge to
 raise money for cancer research. Last year I was able to raise over $6,500
 due to the generosity of family and friends. The PMC is a one or two day
 bicycle ride across the state of Massachusetts to raise money for cancer
 research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC is the biggest
 single fundraising event for Dana-Farber and raised $33 million dollars
 last year alone and more than $204 million since 1980. One hundred percent
 of every rider-raised dollar from last year’s ride went directly to the
 cause of curing cancer.
 
     Last year’s ride was challenging but extremely rewarding. I was moved and
 encouraged by the prayers of the many people who sent beautiful words of
 support along with their donations. It was a very emotional ride at times
 as I passed supporters holding signs and photos of their loved ones who
 were lost to cancer. There were hundreds of volunteers at each rest stop:
 serving food, repairing bikes, managing the crowd, giving massages,
 etc.... One of the things that struck me during the ride was just how many
 people are touched by this horrible disease and, on a more positive note,
 how many people are willing to work together to put an end to it!!
 
     This year, on August 2 and 3, I will be taking part in the two-day ride
 from Sturbridge to Provincetown, which is a total of 192 miles. On the
 first day we will ride from Sturbridge to Bourne and spend the night at
 the Mass Maritime Academy where I will be sleeping in a tent. On day two
 we’ll be up and on the road by 5 a.m. to reach our final destination in
 Provincetown.

    The PMC is an EXTREMELY organized and successful event and although the
 riders are important it is really the sponsors who make the PMC what it
 is. As a two day rider, I am required to raise $4,000. I realize that you
 all donate to various worthy causes throughout the year and I assure you
 that any amount that you donate would be appreciated. If you cannot help
 at this time I ask you to please keep me and all of the riders (and all of
 those directly affected by cancer) in your prayers.
   
 
                     Thank you so much and God bless you,                    
 
                                     Stephen Cullen

my route	Stephen Cullen

route Sturbridge to Provincetown mileage day 1 111 miles day 2 81 miles total ascent 2,500 ft degree of difficulty most difficult dates of ride Saturday, August 02, 2008 - Sunday, August 03, 2008 starting location Sturbridge end location Bourne fundraising minimum $4,000
Day One  Sturbridge to Bourne
Saturday Sunday

Current Mood: Very Supportive!!!

As the housing bubble slowly deflates, so does the economy. (I guess :-)

The latest reports by the Onion News Service shows thatr the music industry is feeling the pinch!

Their news webpage screams out with the headline:

Steven Tyler Laid Off From Aerosmith As Band's Jobless Rate Hits 20%

Current Mood: giddy

I can't even see this website as I type this....but I received this email from the JUNK mail list....and thought I would post it here! (at Sun we say that "JUNK is JUNK", but the recommentations from people on the alias are usually spot-on and worth-while....so I pass this on blindly :-)

Current Mood: silly

As I have noted before, I don't like to forward email....but when I get something I like, I will sometimes post it to my journal.

Here is an email from my Aunt Berta. There are pictures of from pretty cool roads!

Current Mood: curious

This is NOT my daughter Kimberly's cat Pacha.....but when I saw this picture, I instantly though of her.

I think Pacha is cuter than this kitty....but this kitty seems to have an extreme version of Pacha's cut!


I wonder if this kitty comes from NYC?


This seems to be the cat shaving capital of the world!

Current Mood: curious

Eeek.....I missed download day almost a month ago, and I STILL don't have Firefox 3.0 on my computer!

How can this be? I wasn't even using the 3.0 Beta.....

What's up with that?

I'm slipping.....life must be getting in the way.....

No worries.....I'm on the job now, downloading the latest version as I type this. I will be back in the fold soon.

Long live the Fox!

Here is the Joy of Tech cartoon on the download record!

Current Mood: geeky

So first of all....being a Sun Microsystems guy, I have to mention that this phone is Java 3D based. (Go Sun!)

But the really "kool" thing about this phone is the rumor that it has a "motion sensor" a lot like the Wii game controller.

The phone is supposed to come with built in games to take advantage of this new feature.

Wow....I knew phones are trying to replace computers... and then GPS systems....now the replace Game systems?

I think I'll wait for "rev 2.0".

Current Mood: geeky

I was thinking about life today...and you know what, I've had a great life indeed. So no complaints from me for sure.

I was make a post about questions and directions I can go. Let's face it....I'm turning 50 this December, I'm working as an Engineer in the computer industry...an industry that is slowly moving to the far east, and also in love with youth.

But lucky for me, I have choices. I've saved money over the years, though I'm not exactly sure I have another skill sitting at the ready to fall back on.

What to do, what to do.....

I am about 4 classes away from finishing my MBA....I suppose that's something I shouldn't even ponder.....as the sneaker company says: "Just do it!"

My kids are growing up and are within a few years of being independent.....my house is already empty except for two dogs......maybe sell the house? (the market is not very exciting right now)

As I noted above.....I do have retirement investments, but they have been slip sliding away.....I just sent an email to my advisor to pull them ALL into cash, for it seems pretty much all my stocks and/or bonds are slipping lower and lower.

But as I said.....I'm really not suffering.....and I'm still supporting my kids schooling.....so things are actually fine.

I'm a long-term thinker / planner.....always have been.....the only issue I have is that I find myself with only a bit of a long term plan. That's fine.....it's not like my life has been all that perfectly planned....but I figure at the sort of crossroads I seem to be at right now, I need to think about "What's next".

So why write such an open and non-descript post like this?

Well, it's the way I "tee it up" for thinking.

So what to do, what to do......Stay tuned.....

Current Mood: contemplative

Rockstar - Nickelback


Popstar - Rockstar Spoof?


Rockstar - Chipmunks

Current Mood: content

The rumor mill seems to be correct again....at least on the idea that we would be having layoffs today at work.

I'm not going to go over the numbers rumored to be happening because I just have no information on what has been happening here. The moral continues to be high, though no one I know is happy to see the layoffs occure.

Lucky for us, no one on my co-workers in my department or on my project seems to have been RIF'd, so I'm happy to hear that.

I do know of two friends who were affected though.....one guy is an individual contributor who has been with the company for 21 years and is now in California. The other has been here around 17 years and is currently a Director. (FYI: Here is the BLOG of an employee I don't know who was apparently RIF'd today)

Anyways.....I found this website, www.glassdoor.com, which seems to have been created to let people "rate" the companies they work for. As far as I can see, most of the places rated are high-tech computer companies.....but who knows, your company might still be listed there.

Get an inside look at any company or job!

Whether you're looking for a new job or you're completely satisfied where you are, your work matters, and we want you to
have all the information you need to manage your career – real reviews, ratings, and salaries from real employees.

Here's how it works:

It's a simple model – tell us what your work is really like, and get back exactly what you've put in from the rest
of the Glassdoor community.

Share a review or salary

Give us less than 5 minutes of your time to write an employer review, post your salary, or both. Your posts are anonymous and your membership is free.

Post it anonymously

Post your anonymous review or salary info for the community to see. We will never expose any personally identifiable information to other users.

I was coming home from Easton last night when I heard a song on the radio that I just never thought would hear on a pop station. (ok...so maybe it is an oldies station.....but still)

It was a version of the Lord's Prayer (Our Father) apparently sung by a Catholic Nun, Sister Janet Mead.

She sung and released this 45 in 1974, where it went GOLD in the USA, selling over one million copies!

Of course, this being the 21st century, Sister Janet has her own website that describes her music and story behind it all.

Here is a page on her site where she posts a very special message about herself, about life, and about music. I must say that I am always in awe as I come across seemingly normal people like Sr. Janet who have such deep and compelling ideas and ideals.....and who "go for it" and in their own way are able to influence the world for good.

I suppose it is possible in everyone of us...if we just step up to the challenge!

Here is a link to a YOUTUBE version of her song that is quite good, but doesn't allow linking to it......below is another that isn't as good of a copy, but can be linked.

PS: Being the 21st century, and being a Sister with Music....it makes sense that Sister Mead would have a MYSPACE PAGE too!

Current Mood: cheerful

The past couple of weeks have been hectic, but nothing of a very horrible nature thank God.

Kristen is down my brother in-law's house, and her leg is healing. She has been to the doctor several times since returning hone from Montana, and things are going well. Having begun physical therapy a few days ago, she is starting to put weight on her leg. (she has to put 25% this seek, 50% in two, and then up to 100% in 3 or 4) The idea is to make sure the bone is in compression which will help it heal.

I have been driving down every day to be with her for at least a couple of hours....and while we don't just sit there and talk constantly, we have probably talked more in the last week than we have in a year. (it is good for me)

This past week was a short one...with the next one a more normal 5 day work week. I don't mind my "new" routine, but I am hoping for a little more regularity at work. There have been quite a few "fires" and "must get this now" events as of late.....such is life I suppose.

Oh well...I know this wasn't a very detailed or interesting post......but I thought I should post something to prove I still exist!

Current Mood: busy

That's right, July 11th, 2008.....

Chick-Fil-A is giving away free dinners  (which includes an entree of choice, a side item and a Dr Pepper or another beverage of choice) to anyone coming in dressed head-to-toe as a cow!

Ok...so you don't have a full cow body suite....come partially cow-clad and get a free Entree for the trouble.

But what trouble is it anyways ...... think of the line of cow-dressers you will be with.

I mean, cow will be the new dress-code of the day.

Did I mention that the meal was FREE??!! (not free-range)

See you there!  (the one near me is in Nashua)

PS: Here is an interesting "Eat Free for a year" promotion they have......camp-out and you win! (here is a list of soon-to-open stores.....!)

PPS: They are apparently a company run on Christian principles.

Current Mood: hungry