It's a nice rainy Friday afternoon in Dallas. Rainy days are rare around here, so I am enjoying it for everything I can.
I have been negligent in blogging as well as working on the churches web page. It has been a nice break (I figure I have to take the time off, so I might as well relax as much as I can).
If I get a nap in maybe I can read "Cell" by Stephen King tonight or the Koontz book we checked out of the Loserville library.
What will I not be doing? Troubleshooting PBXs.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Happy New Christmahannukkwanzadan!
Hey, Christmas has come and gone and we survived (even Neb's turtle). We have a friend going through a rough time, so we are trying to be there for her. Sometimes things happen which we don't understand and they just suck, but I am learning to just trust God and go with it.
Like I have a choice either way, but at least letting the lead man run things is so much easier than being a complete control freak.
Our friends are bringing my wife and myself closer, even though the mandatory Christmas break drives her insane since she has no break from me. 24 hours a day of me piddling around the house getting nothing done drives her up the wall.
It is entertaining for the kids though.
Like I have a choice either way, but at least letting the lead man run things is so much easier than being a complete control freak.
Our friends are bringing my wife and myself closer, even though the mandatory Christmas break drives her insane since she has no break from me. 24 hours a day of me piddling around the house getting nothing done drives her up the wall.
It is entertaining for the kids though.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Rescued From The Jaws Of An Angry Cat
OK, whew.
I just rescued Turtle Number 2 from the jaws of Nancy the Destroyer. Fortunately, the little guy had pulled into his shell and shows no outward signs of trauma.
The problem is it is a change in routine for Benjamen and that is never a good thing. He is having a very hard time adjusting to keeping his door closed and Nancy the Destroyer takes every available opportunity to try to get the delicious snacks we have in the tank.
Still no sign of Turtle Number 1. We are keeping a lookout.
I just rescued Turtle Number 2 from the jaws of Nancy the Destroyer. Fortunately, the little guy had pulled into his shell and shows no outward signs of trauma.
The problem is it is a change in routine for Benjamen and that is never a good thing. He is having a very hard time adjusting to keeping his door closed and Nancy the Destroyer takes every available opportunity to try to get the delicious snacks we have in the tank.
Still no sign of Turtle Number 1. We are keeping a lookout.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Immigration Insanity
OK First off, for the full story go here.
I am in SHOCK that this is even a debate. Someone comes to this country ILLEGALLY and then complains when they are arrested and deported. I absolutely cannot believe there are groups who are opposing this.
The quote which makes me the most furious is this one:
"This unfortunately reminds me of when Hitler began rounding up the Jews for no reason and locking them up," Democratic Party activist Carla Vela said. "Now they're coming for the Latinos, who will they come for next?"
Here is who I think they should go after next... MORE CRIMINALS! To compare the arrest of criminals to the capture and extermination of millions of Jews who WERE NOT CRIMINALS but VICTIMS is just sick.
It IS NOT racism to arrest criminals. It is racism to cry that you are being persecuted because of your skin color when all that is happening is the law is being applied to you.
If I went to Mexico and worked illegally (choose your method), would it be fair for me to then scream I was being persecuted because I was white?
OK, back to sarcasm and inane rabmlings. I feel better now.
I am in SHOCK that this is even a debate. Someone comes to this country ILLEGALLY and then complains when they are arrested and deported. I absolutely cannot believe there are groups who are opposing this.
The quote which makes me the most furious is this one:
"This unfortunately reminds me of when Hitler began rounding up the Jews for no reason and locking them up," Democratic Party activist Carla Vela said. "Now they're coming for the Latinos, who will they come for next?"
Here is who I think they should go after next... MORE CRIMINALS! To compare the arrest of criminals to the capture and extermination of millions of Jews who WERE NOT CRIMINALS but VICTIMS is just sick.
It IS NOT racism to arrest criminals. It is racism to cry that you are being persecuted because of your skin color when all that is happening is the law is being applied to you.
If I went to Mexico and worked illegally (choose your method), would it be fair for me to then scream I was being persecuted because I was white?
OK, back to sarcasm and inane rabmlings. I feel better now.
Extra Cash Opportunity
I had a chance to do some extra work for extra cash. A company is moving a PBX from an existing building to a new building. Nothing changing, just moving it and they want to make sure they have someone to help out in case they need it.
I have learned to trust my instincts over the years. My Spider Sense started tingling on this one. It sounds... too easy.
My buddy on the other side of the cube wall from me accepted it and I have been listening to him try to explain a very simple concept with ISDN trunks to the tech all morning.
I think someone is going to be out some sleep tonight.
I have learned to trust my instincts over the years. My Spider Sense started tingling on this one. It sounds... too easy.
My buddy on the other side of the cube wall from me accepted it and I have been listening to him try to explain a very simple concept with ISDN trunks to the tech all morning.
I think someone is going to be out some sleep tonight.
Holidays Are Approaching
Happy Christmahannukkwanzadan to both my loyal readers! I have received an unbelievable amount of email literally ones of messages from my loyal fan base.
As I am prepared to slide into the Holiday break, I am trying to decide whether to submit a Field Report before or after the break. I guess I should go ahead and write it up and send it before hand and sweat the minor details in January.
Oh well.
Otherwise all is well in the world with me. How are things with all of you?
As I am prepared to slide into the Holiday break, I am trying to decide whether to submit a Field Report before or after the break. I guess I should go ahead and write it up and send it before hand and sweat the minor details in January.
Oh well.
Otherwise all is well in the world with me. How are things with all of you?
Thursday, December 21, 2006
A Voice From The Past
Hey! We got a Christmas card (and letter) from some church friends of ours who moved to South Carolina. This is great news because we thought of them all the time, but had almost given up hope of seeing them again.
Barry, Tammy, Rachel, we are so happy to know you are doing well.
Jen is warning me to share stuff with Tammy or else she will Kung-Fu us.
Ouch!
Barry, Tammy, Rachel, we are so happy to know you are doing well.
Jen is warning me to share stuff with Tammy or else she will Kung-Fu us.
Ouch!
Stupid is
My middle by once paraphrased Forrest Gump by saying, "To be stupid is to is stupid."
I think this qualifies.
So glad to see studies like this are being done when we have problems in the world that might actually be solved. This is why government should not be in charge of solving our problems. They come up with brilliant studies like this.
I think this qualifies.
So glad to see studies like this are being done when we have problems in the world that might actually be solved. This is why government should not be in charge of solving our problems. They come up with brilliant studies like this.
Service Sucks!
OK, as someone who works in a service industry bad service really burns me.
If I can choke down the urge to kill rude people, I have no patience for someone who does absolutely nothing when I am understanding and nice to them.
I just tried to buy a coke at our cafeteria, I waited patiently until the lady who was unboxing straws finally noticed me and then said, "We're closed."
Closed?
They have never been "Closed" any other time I have bought a soda after hours. She was standing right there! Ring me up so I can break my $10 and then I'll bother you no more. I just want a soda and because the ATM machine only spits out $10 as a minimum, I cannot even buy one out of a machine.
I will now have to beg someone to break a ten for me or else drive to a convenience store and buy myself one.
Oh yeah I can't, my car is broken down and I am being driven in by my wife.
I am officially in a bad mood now.
If I can choke down the urge to kill rude people, I have no patience for someone who does absolutely nothing when I am understanding and nice to them.
I just tried to buy a coke at our cafeteria, I waited patiently until the lady who was unboxing straws finally noticed me and then said, "We're closed."
Closed?
They have never been "Closed" any other time I have bought a soda after hours. She was standing right there! Ring me up so I can break my $10 and then I'll bother you no more. I just want a soda and because the ATM machine only spits out $10 as a minimum, I cannot even buy one out of a machine.
I will now have to beg someone to break a ten for me or else drive to a convenience store and buy myself one.
Oh yeah I can't, my car is broken down and I am being driven in by my wife.
I am officially in a bad mood now.
Live to Blog Another Day!
Well here I am back at work. Apparently another batch of bad software has escaped quality control.
I try to avoid openly questioning my company as I don't want to do anything inflammatory (as they pay my check) I am very concerned we haven't seen any corrective action though.
I would expect if I kept screwing up, I would get canned. I would like to think I got to where I am in the company by NOT screwing up.
Maybe I AM a moron after all? Were all my old girlfriends right?
P.S.
If you ARE one of my old girlfriends SHUT UP! I was being facetious!
I try to avoid openly questioning my company as I don't want to do anything inflammatory (as they pay my check) I am very concerned we haven't seen any corrective action though.
I would expect if I kept screwing up, I would get canned. I would like to think I got to where I am in the company by NOT screwing up.
Maybe I AM a moron after all? Were all my old girlfriends right?
P.S.
If you ARE one of my old girlfriends SHUT UP! I was being facetious!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Christmas Treats
Sadie thinks Christmas cards taste the best.
At least she is getting enough fiber!
The Sixth Night of Hannakah
This being the sixth night of Hanukkah, I am inclined to remember my favorite Hanukkah gift I ever received (me being Christian, it is also the ONLY Hanukkah gift I ever received).
A summer sausage... made out of (you guessed it) pork.
OH the fun I had with that little bit of irony.
A summer sausage... made out of (you guessed it) pork.
OH the fun I had with that little bit of irony.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
HELP! HELP! HELP!
OK, the down system line rings! This is bad, it means a PBX is down! Someone needs help immediately!
This is serious and we take it seriously. So we get a little perturbed when the tech says he has an alarm on his top panel and needs to know how to make it go out. Nothing else wrong. Everything works OK, just got this alarm.
Oh and by the way, it's on a pay for support system.
Glad we jumped on that emergency and let you jump ahead of everyone who has been waiting in queue.
This is serious and we take it seriously. So we get a little perturbed when the tech says he has an alarm on his top panel and needs to know how to make it go out. Nothing else wrong. Everything works OK, just got this alarm.
Oh and by the way, it's on a pay for support system.
Glad we jumped on that emergency and let you jump ahead of everyone who has been waiting in queue.
Things Are Normal Around Here
Well some things never change.
Call is guy cannot communicate with his PBX. We recommend removing the IP connection (thinking some communication issue between the PBX and external device might be causing the problem).
The tech FLAT OUT REFUSED.
He said there is no network problem and he will not troubleshoot anything involving the network.
"OK," I tell the engineer who came to me for help, "ask him what troubleshooting steps he would like to take, and then tell him to go for it."
Call is guy cannot communicate with his PBX. We recommend removing the IP connection (thinking some communication issue between the PBX and external device might be causing the problem).
The tech FLAT OUT REFUSED.
He said there is no network problem and he will not troubleshoot anything involving the network.
"OK," I tell the engineer who came to me for help, "ask him what troubleshooting steps he would like to take, and then tell him to go for it."
Monday, December 18, 2006
Busy Busy Busy
OK, I promise to have not given up on being a total dweeb. I still have two stories to record for Laurence to be submitted for mid week as well as the current Weekly Challenge. I do have an idea for a lead in for my stories (a theme if you will) which is both entertaining (hopefully) as well as annoying (my trademark).
I thrive on the goofy side of life. Unfortunately I only have two votes in the challenge for Monkey Business. I did throw in my best super cheesy voice (and no flatulence this week although it was hard to resist).
Sp hopefully tomorrow I will be back to work and life will be back to normal.
I thrive on the goofy side of life. Unfortunately I only have two votes in the challenge for Monkey Business. I did throw in my best super cheesy voice (and no flatulence this week although it was hard to resist).
Sp hopefully tomorrow I will be back to work and life will be back to normal.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Christmas Came Early
OK. It's been a while since I could post regularly, but life is getting back to normal.
Christmas came early for me this year because on Wens December 13th, a lady ran a red light and hit my van with my wife and four of our kids in it.
Thank God everyone was OK (including the other driver).
We have spent the last few days trying to get a new vehicle and get everything organized and back on track.
I thank God for my family every day. Sometimes I might not act like it, but I am blessed with my wife and kids.
Take a moment out of your day and hug the ones you care about and tell them you love them.
Christmas came early for me this year because on Wens December 13th, a lady ran a red light and hit my van with my wife and four of our kids in it.
Thank God everyone was OK (including the other driver).
We have spent the last few days trying to get a new vehicle and get everything organized and back on track.
I thank God for my family every day. Sometimes I might not act like it, but I am blessed with my wife and kids.
Take a moment out of your day and hug the ones you care about and tell them you love them.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
SCREEECH! Blammo!
OK, so the wife and kids got hit in the van by a lady who ran a red light yesterday. All is OK with the wife and kids, they are sore, but OK. Benjamen is kind of freaking out still (he doesn't handle adverse situations very well).
Van is a different story.
Side was hit behind the driver's door and this busted out the middle window and spun the van around. This is also where Lucie sits, so thank God she is OK. The driver side door won't open and it won't start (probably the fuel shutoff) but the wife says the damage isn't too horrible.
I am working from home today so I can drive Jen nuts... I mean help with the kids and stuff, so we'll see how the day goes. Got to get the police report and get the insurance on the rental car. Repairs to follow.
I hope to get some groovy pictures of the family war wagon to post before it gets fixed. Should be interesting.
Van is a different story.
Side was hit behind the driver's door and this busted out the middle window and spun the van around. This is also where Lucie sits, so thank God she is OK. The driver side door won't open and it won't start (probably the fuel shutoff) but the wife says the damage isn't too horrible.
I am working from home today so I can drive Jen nuts... I mean help with the kids and stuff, so we'll see how the day goes. Got to get the police report and get the insurance on the rental car. Repairs to follow.
I hope to get some groovy pictures of the family war wagon to post before it gets fixed. Should be interesting.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sleep
OK, so I am not sleeping. I am working another beeper duty to bring up another set of spans for the same site I worked last week at this time.
I may have to call into work this monring and take the day off. My pillow calls me.
WARNING:
I have it on good authority my "Buddy" Todd may start posting a segment for this blog called "Todds Tots of Wisdom." For those of you fortunate enough to have not met Todd, he has a unique outlook on life.
For some strange reason my friends like him, so he will get an occasional posting. The main thing is I won't have to be as entertaining.
Am I entertaining at all? Hello?
------------------------------------------------------------
I may have to call into work this monring and take the day off. My pillow calls me.
WARNING:
I have it on good authority my "Buddy" Todd may start posting a segment for this blog called "Todds Tots of Wisdom." For those of you fortunate enough to have not met Todd, he has a unique outlook on life.
For some strange reason my friends like him, so he will get an occasional posting. The main thing is I won't have to be as entertaining.
Am I entertaining at all? Hello?
------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 4:24 AM
Telco has screwed up. They were supposed to cut 15 ISDN spans in three NFAS groups. Instead they cut over 10 spans, minor problem. They are working on it, but it will take a little time.
I am just sitting here twiddling my thumbs.
------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATE: 6:16 AM
OK, well we are making head way, but I am on the verge of breaking out a bottle of booze. Apparently everything was crossed to the DMARK wrong. So our spans are all there, just at the wrong points.
More thumb twiddling from me as I can't do anything. I ask "Should we just move our cross connects in the PBX?"
Nope, Telco is going to move and remap everything.
Sigh...
Monday, December 11, 2006
Phones and stuff
OK, a guy is using a soft phone instead of his IP desk phone. The IP Desk phone is still plugged into the network and his PC is plugged into the Desk Phone. The Desk Phone resets itself every few minutes and it drops him off on his softphone (which is running on the PC connected to his desk phone).
I was running almost the exact configuration myself, but then I realized, why waste the desk space with a phone I am not using... I mean, I have the soft phone running, on my PC... Do I really need a Desk Phone to clutter things up?
Nah.
I was running almost the exact configuration myself, but then I realized, why waste the desk space with a phone I am not using... I mean, I have the soft phone running, on my PC... Do I really need a Desk Phone to clutter things up?
Nah.
Monday Morning
Well I survived the weekend. I watched the Cowboys get spanked like K-Fed's lawyers in his divorce.
I have said it before, but I'm putting it on the blog. These are not your father's Saints. I really believe we will see a lot of good stuff come out of them since they got their new coach.
I feel today will be an optimal day for sarcasm as I am slowly catching up on my work I am behind on and am currently listening to "Joe's Garage" by Zappa.
I have said it before, but I'm putting it on the blog. These are not your father's Saints. I really believe we will see a lot of good stuff come out of them since they got their new coach.
I feel today will be an optimal day for sarcasm as I am slowly catching up on my work I am behind on and am currently listening to "Joe's Garage" by Zappa.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Trying To Do It All
OK, so I have a tech that has a legitimate gripe, but I can't figure out a way to make something work.
The only thing I can do at this point is say "Sorry, you'll have to make sure all of your wireless phones have coverage or else there will be a delay transferring calls to them."
I HATE admitting defeat.
The only thing I can do at this point is say "Sorry, you'll have to make sure all of your wireless phones have coverage or else there will be a delay transferring calls to them."
I HATE admitting defeat.
Work work work work work.... Hello boys!
OK, so I am working a support call right now... It's 4:39AM.
Sleep will be calling me in a few hours.
Sleep will be calling me in a few hours.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Update for the Photo Shoot
OK, for you all wanting an update.
The photo store is still standing, although let me tell you, the "Princess" was not pleased that she didn't get to handle any props.
All in all a rather dull experience. I may have to go buy some of the shots just for the priceless smile on Captain Gloom's face.
Imagine someone who is fighting diarrhea and is also about to throw up, but is forced to smile.
hehehehe
Sometimes being a dad is a LOT of fun.
The photo store is still standing, although let me tell you, the "Princess" was not pleased that she didn't get to handle any props.
All in all a rather dull experience. I may have to go buy some of the shots just for the priceless smile on Captain Gloom's face.
Imagine someone who is fighting diarrhea and is also about to throw up, but is forced to smile.
hehehehe
Sometimes being a dad is a LOT of fun.
Life with kids
IM exchange with my wife today
(12:40:01 PM) Jen: I do have to tell you how brutal your daughter is...
(12:41:43 PM) Jen: She spent 45 minutes eating teddy grahams. She kept eating the ears and arms off and lining them up. The whole time she was picking them up and saying "Don't eat me please... I want to be your friend! Help, help! Noooo!" and then giggling so hard that she was making sadie laugh.
(12:42:09 PM) Houston: ...
(12:42:14 PM) Houston: wow, that's dark
(12:42:15 PM) Jen: She is a kid after my own heart!
(12:40:01 PM) Jen: I do have to tell you how brutal your daughter is...
(12:41:43 PM) Jen: She spent 45 minutes eating teddy grahams. She kept eating the ears and arms off and lining them up. The whole time she was picking them up and saying "Don't eat me please... I want to be your friend! Help, help! Noooo!" and then giggling so hard that she was making sadie laugh.
(12:42:09 PM) Houston: ...
(12:42:14 PM) Houston: wow, that's dark
(12:42:15 PM) Jen: She is a kid after my own heart!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Pictures Today
Today my family is going for a photo session.
The poor photographer has no idea what they are in for. Five kids, a beautiful wife and one massive hulking moron (that's me) trying to sit still on one spot and smile at the same time.
Might as well try herding cats!
The poor photographer has no idea what they are in for. Five kids, a beautiful wife and one massive hulking moron (that's me) trying to sit still on one spot and smile at the same time.
Might as well try herding cats!
Friday, December 01, 2006
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