106 Days Up

When is the last time you had to restart Windows because of a crash, an update, or some other unknown reason? It seems like at work that I'm always having to restart Windows because my outlook crashed beyond repair or M$ released yet another "security update."

By now everyone probably knows that I run a Linux server(s) at home. It stores all my files, runs a web and ftp server so I can test ideas, works as a proxy and does lots of other things. I can access any file I want to work on from any other machine with an internet connection in the world.

There is a command in linux called "uptime." If you type "uptime" it tells you how long your machine has been running without a shutdown. My server uptime: 106 days.

106 days without a system shutdown for any reason and the only reason it was shutdown before that is because the power went out and I don't have an uninterrupted power supply (yet). I have updated it, checked email, grabbed and manipulated files, run a dedicated server and use it almost every day from work. Sure, programs have crashed before but the system stays stable. For 106 days straight and counting. You think that's pretty good? My friend Vlad has a machine that's been up for 457 days. He had to shutdown 457 days ago to move into his apartment. Otherwise it would be longer.

Can you imagine Windows being up for that long? I think the longest I've had a Windoze machine running is about 2 wks. And people wonder why I'm such a big promoter of Linux.

Hired!

Well, we finally hired two people for my old position. One of them started this week (later nicknamed Dizzney) so I've been doing lots of training. The guy we hired doesn't have the technical (read: nerd) base that I do but he seems to have really good people skills and is catching on to stuff pretty quickly. I am very optimistic about turning the program over to him.

We have another guy starting in March that I will be training to take over another chunk of my old job. Turning the rest of this stuff over will be a huge relief since I have lots to do with my new position. I have been approached about speaking at a conference in Chicago in September. I get the feeling that my boss thinks it would be a very good idea for me to do that, which means that I have a lot to learn if I want to be able to speak confidently to a crowd of experienced marketeers. Public speaking scares me.

Wifey is doing well. We are hoping to get an ultrasound pretty soon so we can see if the baby comes with accessories.

I think this is the most boring blog post that I have ever written. The fact that you made it this far is astounding. Or maybe sad. I wanted to write something cool but I didn't have any interesting news so I tried to fudge it by talking about stuff that's going on at my job. That was probably more boring than just admitting that I didn't have anything cool to say. Maybe next post I'll try talking about the weather.

Why doesn't someone suggest something cool for me to post about so this blog doesn't continue to go downhill?

Maternity Clothes Shopping

Mom took Wifey to the mall last night to try on some maternity clothes. They have rudely (SHOUTING AT ME) demanded that I interrupt my busy day to post a pic or two from the trip. So, I posted the one above. While they were shopping, Natedawg, Fastlane and I went out for some mexifood and then Fastlane and I did some browsin' at the local B&N.

This AM I had a dentist appt. They usually preach their flossaphies (get it?) at me but today the dentist really gave me what for. He said if I didn't start flossing better I would have to get 6-7 teeth filled within 6 months. That was not happy news. I bought an electric toothbrush (because I don't have enough electronic stuff in my house) and am determined to change my evil ways. Anyway, I suppose I should put down this sugar-loaded energy drink and get back to work. Maybe chew some sugar-free gum or something. Teeth are good.

Just a picture

Some have asked us to post some recent pics. We don't have anything real recent...apparently we didn't even take any pictures on our anniversary. The photo above is the recent-est thing that I could find, taken last November out by BMOC and family's place.

We met a buddy from work and his GF at a mexifood place on Friday and then played ping pong at my house.

Saturday we went on a quick bike ride around Lions. Both bikes can fit in back of the new Xterra but it's not an idea situation. I will be watching ebay for a good deal on a bike rack. Or I might try to manufacture my own. I saw a parts-list pic and they aren't anything that sophisticated. The weather was nice this wkend but a bit on the windy side.

Sunday we met the Painter and his wifey for lunch at the Egg and I. We had them over for spaghetti on Sunday night.

PS: Sister has some pics of the Brookster up that are pretty darn cute. Yeah, shut up I read your blog.

General News

Well, we don't have much new going on. I've been playing serious catch-up at work after the conference and still doing two jobs. I have a few more good candidates so hopefully we can get someone to take some of my work load pretty soon.

Wifey went to the doc last week. We were hoping to find out if it's a boy or girl but it was still to early to bother with an ultrasound. So, I left the office and right after I left they let her listen to the heartbeat. I was disappointed to miss that.

Friday night we went over to BMOC's house for an excellent dinner and some ping pong and foosball. CJ and Dwilla, from the harvest crew, stayed with us from Sat to Mon night. We had a nice dinner with NateDawg and his wifey on Sun. On Monday I taught guitar lessons and then we went over to FastLane's for dinner. DeBrew, who was staying with them, shared some miraculous stories about babies that some of our friends have adopted from Egypt. It was a busy but fun weekend.

Oh, and I have been steadily adding stuff to the cheesy space game (see last post). Last year I created a similar game and it took a few months. I learned a lot about programming and this time around it took me one week to accomplish a similar result that actually functions a lot smoother. I like programming but it's hard to come up with projects that will push my knowledge and make me learn new things. I make video games because they are actually a lot more complex than most web programming tasks and it's easier to learn when I'm making something fun. I plan to add a lot more stuff to the game if I keep working on it. I may have a freelance job coming up though, that will sideline the game project in short order!

To all a good week.