5.30.07

3 easy, quick miles on the mill, felt strong and heavy :o

WW tomorrow night is NOT going to be pretty. It's probably time for me to start going weekly again, at least for a while.

Working on a new site, my first in Expression Web. Mostly CSS coding and some ASP.NET. I have a lot of reading to do AND a lot of catching up. This should be interesting. I think the end result will be a much more efficient website and a smarter Blogger Friend...

Another Blogger confirms my suspicion about the release date of the iPhone

Scoop: AT&T Wireless, iPhone Coming to Fry’s Next Month
May 28 Matt Hickey

Thanks to the loose lips of a local employee, we now bring news that Fry’s, the ginormous big-box electronics retail chain that is part Mecca and part Disneyland for nerds, will next month start selling AT&T Wireless. They haven’t announced this yet, but it’s a big deal. Fry’s was always reluctant to offer Cingular’s services for various reasons, but seems to be ok with AT&T. Shipments of promo materials...have arrived, and the phones themselves will show up on the 5th. Fry’s then starts selling the phones six days later, on Monday the 11th. What’s really telling is the chatty clerk mentioned that they were making room on the 10th for a special display featuring a new, high-end phone made by Apple. This means that we can perhaps...a June 11th sell date for the iPhone. This echoes rumors we’ve heard before of that date. It also lines up nicely with Apple’s WWDC and Steve Jobs’ keynote. You know he likes surprises, so look for something along the lines of “Goes on sale today.”

5.28.07

2 laps around the Rock [10 miles] this a.m. Didn't get started until around 7. Think I will hit it at 6 next time since the sun is already coming up by that time and I LOVE to see the sunrise! Didn't do too bad for being as out of shape as I am. The first 5 was actually a PR at 47:30. After 10 we walked into the city for a look -- nothing really open. There were A LOT of people out, I guess because of the holiday. Traffic was a good bit heavier on the way home.

OK, so I've decided that when I do get that new laptop, this will have to be my desktop -- Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) coming October '07

Five bucks says the launch date for Mac OS X 10.5 is October 5th - 10.05. [The dual Quad-core Mac Pros were released on 04.04]

I had forgotten, until doing some reading this weekend, the significance of numerology at Apple. The first personal home computer they sold way back in 1983 [I didn't purchase one of these -- unfortunately, I bought an 8088 from Texas Instruments I believe it was -- that's a WHOLE OTHER POST!] sold for $666.66 -- CREEPY!

I would also be willing to say that the iPhone, which is set to debut next month, will more than likely be released on June 11. 611 is Cingular's "Customer [no] Service" number and with Cingular being the exclusive provider.... I should also note that 611 is the number for which you reach people in India. At least, that's how it works for me. If I ever get the urge to speak to someone in India, I just dial 611 on my cell phone... AND THAT my friend... is a whole other post too!

Of course... We all know what 6/11 is. The opening day of Apple's WWDC Worldwide Developers Conference. Could it be that they would also release the iPhone and the beta version of Leopard on the same day? We'll have to wait and see...

Some believe that Leopard will integrate Windows interoperability. Since Steve Jobs announced the switch to Intel nearly two years ago, it has been continually rumored that Macs would gain the ability to run Windows applications naively within OS X. And with Jobs set to reveal Leopard’s “secret features” at next month's Worldwide Developers Conference [WWDC], the idea has taken hold. Those in the know are “expecting a full-feature demonstration of Leopard, including a demo of how Leopard will integrate Windows interoperability.

No more Virtual PC YIPE! Not even Parallels? But what about Boot Camp?

Bluetooth Saves the day [or the cell phone]

This afternoon my best friend and I were out test driving some automobiles. While traveling from one lot to another, via a dealer's golf cart. my cell phone inadvertently slipped out of my pants pocket. It could have simply slid off the cart onto the ground, I may never have found it. As it turned out, I didn't even know it had left my pocket. Fortunately, it stayed on the golf cart and VERY FORTUNATELY for me, I was wearing my bluetooth, AND VERY VERY FORTUNATELY, I walked far enough away from the cart to loose the signal. That's when the bluetooth beeped in my ear, letting know I had lost the signal of the phone. I felt my pocket and realize my cell phone was gone. I PANICKED!!! It could have been anywhere on the ground between the two lots, possibly run over by another vehicle... I was very relieved to find it there on the golf cart. Bluetooth saves the day or in this case, the cell phone. Without the bluetooth beeping in my ear when the signal was lost, it would have been who-knows-when when I discovered the cell phone was missing... Thank you Mr. Bluetooth!

5.26.07

Graduation was very nice last night.

The Salutatorian address was the best I ever remember hearing -- applicable, relevant, and interesting. BIG Tom got a trophy for attending at BBCS from K5, SteveO got the same.

The party afterwards was very nice as well. It's the first we have stayed for and was well attended I thought. The other children wanted to have parties at the house and so for them we did that. But BIG Tom's class being so small and close knit, it was better this way.

A cooler of YooHoos was a BIG hit, and made BIG Tom's table most popular with the kids [and some adults too]. His table was simple compaired to others but that was appropriate for him.

I wish we had taken more family pictures. I was fully intending to have one taken of my best friend, myself, BIG Tom, and Sari Beri for our Christmas card but totally forgot. Maybe another time. We did get this one of BIG Tom and his sister -- nice! We call these "Phil's kids".

Today will be a relaxed, hangout kind of day. We will pick strawberries and maybe run a few errands, have leftovers for dinner and maybe get some ice cream...

Monday, my running partner and I will run a couple of laps around the Rock [10 miles]. That will be nice -- I really, really need that!

Summer is upon us now, the pace a bit slower and not so hectic we all hope.

I have decided to wait until the new Mac OS comes out to purchase my laptop. It is scheduled for October but sometimes this gets pushed back. I would think most certainly by the end of the year. However, sometimes with the release date of a new OS looming the manufacturer will sell existing machines with a certificate for a FREE upgrade once the new OS is available. If that happens, I will buy. For now, I will try to be patient. I figure I've waited 7 years, I can wait a few more months...

5.25.07

5 miles, easy run, on the mill. Energy level is very low, was yesterday too. Not sure why, seem to be getting adequate rest. hummm.....

Today is a very special day in this household, a day some of us have been anticipating for 13+ years. BIG Tom hits the graduation isle, president of his class, with big plans to boot! We are all so excited for him and can hardly wait until tonight's festivities :~)

CONGRATULATIONS BIG TOM!

I want software that is intuitive, software that learns what I do most and makes it easier for me to perform those tasks.

5.23.07

7 miles on the mill, made up 2 from Monday :) Felt good and strong. Really need to stretch well this afternoon or tonight. I'm pretty tight!

Yesterday I made my last school lunch for this school year. WoW! The time flies by so FAST! Three more years and then we are done...

Made my marathon training schedule for the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday. No, I don't guess I'll be running this one [although, registration IS still open -- as of yesterday] but my running partner is, and I am going to train with her just to keep her motivated. Training begins on July 1...

BIG Tom says it's BLAZING fast!

5.21.07

3 miles on the mill, will make up the other 2 later in the week. I am just like a complete ZOMBIE this morning, dead from the weekend. I've got to go back to work to rest...

I am too tired to chew gum :0

BIG Tom got his grad gift this weekend, his laptop for college -- his MacBook Pro. I am SO gelerous... He's killing me sitting here computing on it... He says it boots up in like 15 seconds - LUDICROUS he says... BLAZZZZZING fast... SWEET says BR... Not fare I said.

5.19.07

5 miles through the city late p.m. yesterday. It was SO nice to get out on the open road again! The new steak & seafood restaurant had a live band outside -- almost like a finish line but only 1/2 way home.

This morning it's off to the 15th Annual Fayette County Old Courthouse 5K then home to clean up and off to the 30th Annual Geranium Festival for some KETTLE CORN!

Back from the race... third in my age category with a time of 27:50. I wimped out at the end -- the end was up a hill -- and I missed getting second place by 1 lousy second. I could hear the girl coming from behind me. She was huffing and puffing like a horse at full gallop. I was just praying she wasn't in my age group. She WAS. BUMMER! I should have just imagined that she was and kicked it up a notch but I guess I didn't want it that bad.

My running partner got second over all women and first place in her age category with a time of 21:16! WooHoo!

It was a nice race -- an out and back, rolling hills, evidently known for it's door prizes of which one was like this really nice fishing rod. Great if you fish, don't know what I would have done with it though. My running partner won a $25 gift card to Play it Again Sports, a nice flash light, and a couple of CFA free sandwich cards.

Just the first step...Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies

[I KNEW THIS WAS COMING! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! This is SO EXCITING!]

Revved up: DEI, RCR merge engine programs

Lee Spencer / FOXSports.com
Posted: 1 hour ago

CONCORD, N.C. - Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Richard Childress Racing have entered into an agreement that will merge the companies' engine programs, effective immediately. The joint venture will be named Earnhardt-Childress Racing Technologies.

"This is an effort to combine resources and gain a competitive advantage in the series," said DEI VP and GM John Story. "We both believe both programs are strong and combining the engine departments will make us even stronger."

A common premiere facility in excess of 80,000-plus square feet with capability for expansion will be designed and built between Mooresville and Welcome, N.C. The design process has begun and is targeted for completion in mid-'08. [Jr's NEW HOME -- YEAH!] The companies will be working together on the common engine that is expected to be ready for the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in July.

DEI VP of motorsports Richie Gilmore and RCR VP of competition Bobby Hutchens will oversee the project.

Hendrick Motorsports has set the bar in engine development with the information that it gathers through its four Cup teams plus five additional cars with Ginn Racing and Haas-CNC. Childress already provides additional engines for Busch and truck programs at Kevin Harvick Inc. and JR Motorsports but has lacked the supplemental Cup data. Considering the amount of data race teams can accumulate with additional teams, the move will benefit both organizations.

"(Hendrick has) set a standard, now it's our job to exceed," Story added. "This immediately gives us six Cup teams.

"Richard and Teresa (Earnhardt) have been working on this project for the last six months. Her commitment is to continue Dale's legacy and win championships."

Story added that there's been a lot of interest from drivers following the announcement that the No. 8 seat will open up next season. [Nobody in their right mind would get in the #8 -- no one can fill those shoes!]

"We've had dialog with a lot of top drivers," Story said. "We've been pleased with the level of interest from a lot of top drivers in the sport."

[As DW would say -- Boogied, Boogied, Boogied, Let's go racin' boys!]

5.18.07

5 fast miles on the mill this a.m. [remember, it's all relevant].

Didn't sleep very well last night, not as bad a night as Sunday night though, but still not a normal sleep pattern. Analyzing the situation I realize that Sunday was a BIG meal day w/the Mother's Day celebration and all the family over and all, AND yesterday was a BIG meal day w/the birthday celebration and all. hummm... seems to be a pattern here... It's not like I ate a whole lot -- I never do eat A LOT, just more than usual. I feel [and sleep] a lot better when I just eat a little... like a bird, I guess.

Today BIG Tom returns from the senior trip. His room and desk have been "Spring Cleaned" and his truck went to the detail shop. He will NOT be happy, but it's all good! His friend, Jon, is home for the weekend, so I doubt we will be seeing much of BIG Tom. Maybe, if we're fortunate [hate that word "lucky"] we'll get a "hi" and "bye" out of him, and of course there will be the "Why'd you clean my room?" Ah... well... maybe so I could vacuum it [which probably hasn't happened in like 6 months!]

This afternoon, my running partner is coming down and we will possibly go to the Friday Night Street Drags at the Atlanta Motor Speedway or just go for a long run -- that would be a lot cheaper. Tomorrow we will run a 5K over in Fayetteville and then go to the Geranium Festival. KETTLE CORN! mmmmm....

What a special, special birthday! Last night my bf fixed me this incredible dinner and brought me flowers and Hershey's Extra Dark chocolate w/espresso! AND, today the ladies in the office [namely 1 - CL] brought me my very FAVORITE drink from Starbucks and then a plate with 7 HUGE chocolate covered strawberries on it. The one in the center had a candle. So, so thoughtful! I really am so fortunate to work w/so many very nice and thoughtful people :~) I received several cards, and a gift card from Bath & Body Works, one of my favorite places -- from my friend BG, and other gifts too.

So many nice and thoughtful people!

5.17.07

I took the RealAge.com test not too long ago and it said I was 36. So today, I guess I am 37. There -- that doesn't sound too bad. 37! hummm... Three more years to the BIG 4 - 0.

5.16.07

6 miles on the mill this a.m. [1 to make up for yesterday] A lot more energy today!

5.15.07

4 slow miles on the mill, time would not permit 5.

My energy level is really, really low even though I got a good nights sleep last night. I'm not sure what's up with that but it doesn't feel right. Maybe it's just one of those girly things, I don't know.

I just realized today is Ellie's 1st birthday, and I left the house w/o telling her, "Happy Birthday". :( Tonight we will have grilled salmon [I think Ellie will like that] and birthday cake and ice cream. I don't think she will go for the cake, but I'm pretty sure she will like the ice cream...

5.14.07

Today, I had the privilege of joining the 1st grade at Killian for Muffins for Moms :~) I am the teacher's mom... Some of the students were kind of perplexed as to why a teacher would still need a mom. That was kind of funny.

It was very, very exciting to, for the first time, get to see my daughter as the teacher. She's a real adult now, with her own responsibilities and a classroom full of 23 little ones that depend on her, all with different personalities and several with varying ethnic backgrounds. There is even one with the same first and middle name as the teacher. How unique.

I really enjoyed just sitting back and watching all of this unfold. It was so satisfying, rewarding, and fulfilling.

Thank you Lord! Thank you Mrs. O'Neal.

WoW! Thank you Laura SO much for my Starbucks gift card and the Happy Birthday!!! I could almost hear you singing it :~)

Happy days are here again,
I love those days they're here again,
oh those happy days they're here again HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!

YEAH! Whoo Hoo!

THANKS!

Love ya!

And that's a new card too ~ haven't seen that one.

5.13.07

Today was a WONDERFUL day! Mother's Day 2007...

I should have, could have, wish I had... gotten up and run this a.m. My running partner was on this side of town and I could have met her and we could have run but my LAZY bones lay in the bed 'til too late :(

The annual Mother & Daughter Breakfast/Brunch [some people call it a breakfast; some people call it a brunch -- it's really sort of in the middle of both, not sure what you'd call that] was spectacular as always! The ladies at our church do such a FANTASTIC job planning, organizing, decorating, and pulling off this event year after year. I spoke briefly on the same topic that I spoke Friday night -- this was the abbreviated version.

Most all the family joined us for dinner at our house. I think there were 14 of us present. It was very nice to see everyone, but we missed those who weren't there. Maybe all will be able to get together at our next gathering on July 4th. We celebrated the May birthday -- there are a lot of us born in May! Pictures are posted on our family blog...

Sari Beri had to make a batch of her famous chocolate chip cookies [Sari Beri Delights] for a school project due tomorrow. So, we did that after everyone left. The off to her friend's [MD] for the night. I know, it's a "school" night, and we usually don't do this but tomorrow EARLY a.m. I am going up to be with my running partner who is having a Muffins for Moms day in her classroom :)

This week will be a busy one. This MONTH is a busy one! As I said...

Monday is Muffins for Moms

Tuesday is Ellie's birthday and I think I might take BIG Tom's truck to be detailed [it is a TRASH HEAP inside! And I'd like to get this done before he returns from the Senior Trip on Friday]

Wednesday we have the spaghetti dinner at church -- thankfully, no violin lesson

Thursday is my birthday but I plan to spend the day cleaning BIG Tom's room [maybe, just maybe I'll find the missing wallet]

Friday Big Tom comes home about lunch time and then I guess if will be off to the DOT to replace his drivers license, then my running partner is coming down, I think the 4 of us will go and watch Philip race his daily driver at AMS [this is scary business racing your daily driver unless you LIKE walking to work]

Saturday my running partner and I will run a race over in Fayetteville -- just a 5K, then... Geranium!

Yes, a busy week indeed!

5.12.07

I just realized that today is Ginger's birthday; she would have been 38... I often wonder what she would have been like and what she would have become, probably a mother with a couple of very active, athletic teens by now. It would be been nice to see it, but that wasn't in God's plans...

Last night went well. I keep forgetting how far it is up to Community and with the traffic yesterday after noon it took us almost 2 hours to get there. WHEW! Glad we left early!

The place looked and smelled AMAZING when we arrived!!! The ladies up there are really on top of things and SO talented! It put me to shame; they do so much with so little. The theme "vessels unto honor" was carried through out most of the building with an old time feel like you were stepping back into old Jerusalem with pottery, candles, and beautiful fabrics. It was truly an AMAZING sight to behold.

AND THE FOOD! WoW! They TOTALLY out did themselves. If you had told me they did all that w/o even as much as a kitchen on the premises, I wouldn't have believed you, but it was true! No kitchen and STILL this AMAZING feast! A wonderful salad with a walnut vinaigrette dressing, moist, delicious roasted chicken and ham, skewered grilled vegetables including potatoes, mushrooms, red peppers, squash and more, a variety of wonderful breads, and 3 different kinds of spreads. And for dessert -- YUMMY! -- all kinds of finger foods like baklava - one of my favorites -- and special little treats like that...

It was ALL so wonderful! The decorations, the food, the special music, sang by 2 ladies with AMAZING voices, a reading that was very apropos.

Then my introduction -- I hardly think she was talking about me... That was surreal. I got up to speak with a well prepared outline and as usual rushed through it. I hardly feel I gave the message it's due, but several ladies came up to me afterward and said that it spoke to their hearts. So maybe I got some point across; something that each lady could take home that would be an encouragement to her to have a closer walk with God. That's all I could hope for.

That was the expanded version; Sunday morning our ladies will get the condensed version.

I was able to renew some friendships -- that was very nice. I just love the ladies up there. They are such a special and unique group. I remember praying for that church even before it ever started, and now, who would ever have thought that I would stand before the ladies of that very church I had prayed for some 7 years later and speak.

WHAT A BLESSING it was to ME!!!

What is DEI w/o DEJ?

Not much!

I predict Jr. goes to RCR and takes the #8 with him. After all, who is going to drive the #8 besides Jr.? Nobody in their right mind would try to fill those shoes. And on that note, it wouldn't do DEI any good to hold on to it. I hope they don't try to hold it hostage!

5.11.07

5 miles on the mill this a.m. Still really low energy level (and there's a reason for that) but I struggled through the 5 miles and finished strong. It's not too hard to finish strong -- it's miles 2 and 3 that are the killer. Listen to me... miles 2 and 3... what a WHIMP! I guess I just needed some "conversation". FOX News was kind of boring. Need my running partner and the open road!

5.9.07

5 miles on the mill this a.m. Got a late start, so some of it I had to run at a 7.5 minute pace which is quite fast for this slow old turtle. My energy level is really, really low. I'm not sure why.

Anyway... today is the day we send BIG Tom off on his senior trip. He pretty much packed his own stuff [well, his sis helped a good bit]. I'm still reminded of the time we sent him off to summer camp [the summer between 3rd and 4th grade]. At the end of the week, when I went to pick him up, he smelled SO BAD that I had to ride home with the windows down! When we got home, I discovered his bags, STILL pack just exactly as I had packed them -- he hadn't changed all week! Hopefully, things will be different on the senior trip. I'm pretty sure they will.

Getting him ready and sending him off today was just the beginning of a whirlwind long week and weekend!

Yesterday, we had a MoM & ToM day, going to K&G for a new black suit. He needed black pants for graduation and I'm sure will need a suit at college. We bought a white shirt too. Oxfords just don't get it with a black suit, but trying to convince him of that is quite hopeless. Then we went to checkout the laptops at the Apple store at Lenox. We are both in the market for a laptop. He needs one for college, and mine is 7 years old and really, really SLOW! I've made up my mind and know what I want but BIG Tom is still teetering between an Apple and Alienware/Dell. Last night was the annual Sports Banquet. I was disappointed that BIG Tom didn't get any "special awards" he was probably the most talented on the basketball team [maybe w/the exception of his friend BT] but he couldn't care less about basketball and didn't apply himself at all . Unlike his brother... However, his sis did get the Flyer award for cheerleading, which was nice. She's a very good little cheerleader :~)

Today, I work, work, work...

Tomorrow, I will whip the house into shape...

Friday night, I will be speaking at a Mother Daughter Dinner...

Saturday, my running partner and her CPA will be coming down for the weekend...

And Sunday, I will speak briefly at the Mother Daughter Brunch at church. THEN, the family is coming over for Mother's Day. I had so hoped that all would be able to come [about 23] but I think there will only be about 14 of us. But, it will be nice to see everyone. We will celebrate birthdays with birthday cake and ice cream! We have several family members born in May.

Next week Sari and I will get to see what it's going to be like next year when it's only she and I. I wonder if she will be lonely, having that wing of the house all to herself? Well, there is the cat...

I feel like I need to take a deep breath and put my running shoes on. I'm exhausted just thinking about all of this stuff!

BIG Tom has lost his wallet, and had to leave on the senior trip w/o any ID. I would think with security like it is now he would need ID to get into some of those buildings in Washington DC. Don't know what he'll do :( Sure glad his head is attached!

5.7.07

GREAT Strong 5-mile run on the mill. Felt really, really good!

2 more days to make a decision on the Marine Corps Marathon...

BTW, I think the Yankz are going to work out GREAT! I'll have to run in them more to be sure, and a few races also, but they seem to work well. I can see a real advantage for a triathlon where slipping into your running shoes would need to be a quick process. Hope I get to see them work that was some day!

5.5.07

Cinco de Mayo!

GREAT BIG Peach 5K race today, 28:40. Would like to have done under 25, but I've been such a slacker lately -- anything under 27 would actually have been really good for the shape I'm in!

Got to see Anne, a girl I went to school with and haven't seen in 25 years -- can't believe she was able to pick me out -- after a race I don't look ANYTHING like I look on facebook! But, I guess it helped that I was in ALL PINK!

Got to meet a girl that had a Weimaraner with her -- guess she ran the race with him. He was HUGE and quite a handfull! Needed some training, but he was BEAUTIFUL. I asked her how old he was and she said 10 months! WoW! He was BIG! She said she got him from a breeder in Canton. I think I saw that same breeder advertise in the AJC.

The course was nice with rolling hills through the quaint neighborhoods of Brookwood and then straight up Peachtree to the BIG Peach. The after-party was GREAT with Starbucks, and lots of pastries (I think from Duncan), and bananas, and apples. The shirt was a nice drifit Nike shirt but I got a small and it's HUGE! Don't know if I'll ever even wear it. Got a nice pair of Yankz for FREE.I've REALLY got to step up the pace! No more 9-mile weeks. Need to pick it up to at least 5 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with some longer runs on Thursdays and Saturdays. The next 2 races are both 10Ks -- the Army "Hooah" Road Race in June and the Peachtree Road Race in July.

Then, if we decide to do the Marine Corp Marathon in October (we'll have to decide that by next Wednesday -- that's when online registration begins, and I hear it fills up in like 2 days) I'll have to get my base back up to 25 miles per week by the week of June 24 to start training for that. SEE! I told you I'd been a slacker! Anyway, it sure would be different training for a marathon in the heat of the summer as opposed to the 20 degree mornings of the winter!

So, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week it will be 5 miles on the mill with the possibility of a late p.m. run on the road, with my running partner, Saturday... We'll have to see about that.

Fairburn Frist 100 Campout

This was our real estate that we staked out yesterday [a.m.] at the Chick-fil-a First 100 camp out in Fairburn. Fairburn is just up the road [Highway 74] from Kedron Village which is just up the [same] road from Star's Mill. Now, Star's Mill filled up at like 3:00 p.m. [if I remember correctly-- that was a while back so my memory fails me somewhat], Kedron [more recent] filled up at 11:30. [I remember that better because WE were numbers 101 and 102 -- ONLY because I made my best friend stop on the way so I could buy me a new pair of running shoes, that I could have bought at any time -- anyway, we make the cut, people dropped out], Fairburn filled up at 10:00 a.m.! It was the fastest one of these First 100 Camp outs has filled up since it's inception approximately 3 years ago.
I had planned to get up about 5:45, run 3 miles, make the kid's lunches, shower and be ready to go about 8:00. My best friend [who is the nervous type -- always has us at the airport not less than 2 hours prior to any scheduled flight] said we should get up at 5:00 and leave at 6:00. So, that's what we did. We actually ended up leaving about 6:10 and arrived on site a little before 7:00-- Numbers 18 and 19.

We set up our tent as far away from the festivities as we could, hoping to get a little sleep during the night. Then, thanks to my best friend's brilliance, we did something we've never done before, we claimed a table up near the front of the store, a two-seater, handicap [how appropriate] table, plopped our stuff down and there we sat -- NICE umbrella and all. By the time the sun gets up in the sky 11:00 a.m. or so, these tables with umbrellas are PRIME REAL ESTATE!So, there we sat, my best friend with his Civil War book [which he always brings but never reads-- watching the people is just FAR too fascinating!] and me with my Bible [which I did read quite a bit, several passages during the day]. The Bible turned out to be a real conversation opener which was interesting to say the least.

By 10:00 a.m. this is about what it looked like. They wanted to keep us all on one side of the building [different from other First 100 camp outs we've attended]. As a result, tents were 4 deep in the parking lot but it all worked out. The police presence was greater at this camp out than any others we have been to. I'm not aware of any trouble they've had at any of these events; maybe that's just the way it is in Fairburn. They were real stern about the boundaries, which at other First 100 Camp outs has just been the property itself. However, at this one it was the corners of the building and you had to stay on this side of the building at all times or you would be disqualified IMMEDIATELY!

There was a lot of laptop computing at this camp out, more than I've seen at any other. Our friend, Stephen, went across the street to a hotel to get the access code for their wireless and they gave it to him. I couldn't believe it! He shared it with someone and they shared it with someone, and so on... and before long everybody knew it.
There was a live "Christian" rock band [which was all together interesting] and the Cow made a visit. The band played "It Is Well With My Soul" [sort of]

Have you ever played Twister with the Cow?

The heat of the afternoon passed quickly. Before we knew it the sun was setting and it was cooling off nicely. There was pretty much a constant breeze all day so it never got unbearable.

After a buttered biscuit for breakfast, and CFA sandwich for lunch I really thought we'd get something different for dinner but it was CFA again. We've been to one camp out where they ordered pizza. Then about 10:00 p.m. it was nuggets and ice dream with all the toppings.

After that, they played the moving Facing the Giants which is a REALLY GOOD MOVIE! We had the opportunity to see it at the First 100 at the Truett's in Griffin but chose to hit the sack instead. After I heard how good it was I was disappointed. This time, we watched the movie!

As night fell the XBox came out with games being played on the BIG screen.

There was a final "line check" [that is where they pretty much call roll to make sure everybody is still there and nobody has dropped out or left the premises] about 12:45 a.m.

THEN, we hit the sack and I slept pretty good for about 4 hours on the FULL SIZE air mattress, with my old army sleeping bag and a pair of ear plugs.

They woke us up around 4:30 a.m. and let us pack up our stuff and TAKE IT TO OUR CAR across the street. WooHoo! That's the first First 100 Camp out we've been to where they let you go to your car and take your stuff BEFORE they open at 6:00 a.m. and give you your free coupons. It makes good sense though, because at the others we've been scrambling to try to get our stuff out of the parking lot and to our car while the store opens up and people are pulling into the drive thru trying to order -- a REAL NIGHTMARE and potential deadly situation, especially accounting for all of the small children that are usually there -- A LOT yesterday and I can only imagine that next month in Smyrna [it begin summer and all] there will only be more!

All in all it was an EXCELLENT camp out and we'll do it again -- June 20, South Cobb Parkway, Smyrna. Mark your calendar -- we'll be there EARLY!

iGoogle is here...

PC WORLD Tuesday, May 01, 2007 8:59 AM PT Posted by Harry McCracken

Yesterday, Google announced that its Personalized Homepage was going to become iGoogle--and today, it is. The Gadget Maker that lets you create content gadgets for iGoogle and share them with a few clicks is also live.

I assume that another new feature, the use of your default location on Google Maps (if you've set it) to provide more relevant search results in the main Google Web search engine is up, but you couldn't prove it by the searches I've tried this morning. Google's Sep Kamvar told me that the effect on results would be subtle, at least at first, and it seems to be.

I did a search for "Saratoga," thinking that the results might skew to the one here in the Bay Area, but I mostly got ones relating to the one in New York. And when I retried my search for "Mazda dealer," I saw no evidence that Mazda shops near me were being promoted to the top of the list.

Back to the name "iGoogle" for a moment. When Google told us at yesterday's personalization event about the new moniker, I immediately started thinking iPod. And I can't imagine I'd be alone--the lower-case "i" prefix has become pretty much synonymous with products from Apple, or with some relation to the iPod. A group which doesn't include iGoogle.

(I assume, by the way, that Apple won't carp about the name, given that Google CEO Eric Schmidt is on the Apple board.)

In the pre-iPod days, a lower-case "i" prefix kinda stood for "Internet." (And was a synonym for a lower-case "e" prefix, meaning "electronic.) iGoogle is no more Internet-related than oGoogle (a name I just made up to refer to Ordinary Google).

No, the "i" in iGoogle must refer to "I," as in you. Or me. You get the idea--it's about the personalization aspect.

I'm curious to see whether folks warm up to it--Google says there are tens of millions of people with personalized Google homepages, so a lot of us are going to see the "iGoogle" logo instead of "Google" from now on. Some of my PCW colleagues have said they think it's kinda goofy. I'm OK with it, but Google has been changing names of things often enough recently--Frugal became Google Product Search last week, and Google Maps became Google Local before changing its name back to Google Maps--that it's beginning to remind me of Microsoft, which has a long history of changing product names for reasons that are rarely clear to anyone outside of Redmond.

And one last thought: Wonder if Google will bother to create variant iGoogle logos to celebrate holidays, like it does with the oGoogle logo?

Famous Last Words...

[I love this!]

** It's fireproof.
** He's probably just hibernating.
** What does this button do?
** It's probably just a rash.
** Are you sure the power is off?
** The odds of that happening have to be a million to one!
** Pull the pin and count to what?
** Which wire was I supposed to cut?
** I wonder where the mother bear is.
** I've seen this done on TV.
** These are the good kind of mushrooms.
** I'll hold it and you light the fuse.
** Let it down slowly.
** It's strong enough for both of us.
** This doesn't taste right.
** I can make this light before it changes.
** Nice doggie.
** I can do that with my eyes closed.
** I've done this before.
** What duck?
** Well, we've made it this far.
** That's odd.
** Don't be so superstitious.
** Now watch this.

hummmmmmm...

Occasionally, when I get ready to get out of the shower I can't remember if I've washed my hair or not. Yes, it's wet, but did I use shampoo? There in lies the question. Recently, I have noticed this "occasional" occurrence happening more and more frequently. Now, I'm only in the shower for probably less than 10 minutes tops -- but I still can't remember if I washed my hair.

I've noticed in the last few months that the personal care home, down the street from where I work, has added to its sign that they now also assist the memory impaired. I've quite often wondered in the past few weeks if I should stop in to see if they can help me with this problem.

Maybe I just need one of those little 2-sided, magnetic signs like you put on the dishwasher. You know, the ones you turn to say "dirty" or "clean".

Darrell Scott addresses the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of mass acre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"