Sittin' On The Dock of the PBX

OK, so I am patiently waiting for a callback. Guys has completely lost all speech path on his VOIP network. IT guy changed settings in the CORE router, which happens to be the one which carries ALL VOIP traffic. Signaling packets go through. You can PING the IP addresses. Just no UDP carrying the voice.

Yet... the customer believes the network guy.

I hate my job sometimes.

In Charge

This is kind of scary.

My boss is out of town and I am one of the guys he has directed people to check with for issues.

Scary. Me, in charge.

In other news, I continue to live in interesting times. I have been recruited by my little girl's preschool class to do illustrations for a book their class is putting together (not to be confused with the photo shopping I do for METRO.

Otherwise, I am involved with an AV project for our church so look for my overweight self to be crawling through ceilings again. As well as I am helping with the overhaul of the website.

Oh well. I am loving life for the moment at least.

Houston Press

HA! metro.isfullofcrap.com (of which I am a part) gets a little bit of press. Go read about it here!

Too funny.

Educational Video

I can't help it... This is just so dang funny!


Spider On Drugs. Make Sure You Watch The Entire Video. - video powered by Metacafe

The Spider is such a fascinating creature!

Interesting Traffic

OK, so I am naturally curious to see who would read the ramblings of a slightly medicated tech support geek. Amazingly enough I had a hit from my hometown of Knoxville, TN, one from Canada and one from Japan all brought here via Google searching for "Fun Facts About Tennessee."

Go figure, I found something funny, linked to it and BLAMMO get traffic from three different countries looking for information on my backwoods home state.

The internet is a strange strange place.

Blogging Has Been and Will Continue to be Light

It's not just here being ignored... METRO is also getting ignored.

This dang thing called work getting in the way.

I had to run my wife out to OT for one of the boys. I get dropped off at work and before my laptop boots all the way up, I have the guy who takes care of the house switch waiting for me to help him out.

Next I get a call transferred to me that someone else took, that I wrote a Field Report on. Turns out to be TWO NEW issues I will have to test.

Oh well. It's a living.

New Hymnal Songs

My wife just woke up from a dream where the opening Hymns called out at church were...

"The Postal Pirate", "The Way" and "The Grudge."

??????

What is Wrong With Us?

I am sickened beyond belief. Why in the world someone would propose a law to patrolling the border illegal is beyond me. This is from World Net Daily.

Despite all the calls of how racist the Minutemen are, I have not read of a SINGLE confirmed case of ANY kind of abuse.

If you read the story, it points out that if the patrollers are unarmed, it is not illegal. Of course, if they are unarmed (which MANY minutemen are) they are likely to be shot by illegals.

Of course you do have to keep in mind that these people who are crossing the border illegally are doing so illegally and to think they might do something else illegal is crazy.. but hey, what can I say?

I just don't get it. Why doesn't LULAC push for real immigration reform instead of pushing for continued illegal activity?

Thank You Bill Clinton

Thanks Bill. I appreciate you giving the Chinese information on how to make guidance systems...

I'm sure that had nothing to do with them blowing up a satellite.

Always look on the brighter side of life.

Boring Here

Boring... Nothing to see here!

Go to METRO! Or visit Laurence or Frank J or Sarah K! I am severely depleted in funny right now... Although I did like my post here on METRO.

I think the picture captures the essence of summertime in Texas.

On a side note, I had a bag boy at Kroger remind me that with my hair grown out again, I look like a ticked off John Candy. Imagine Uncle Buck, with beard, and you got me right now.

hehehehe

Once my car is running again, I even kind of have that down.

A Dallas Blizzard

Here are a couple of pictures of what a Dallas blizzard looks like.



Nice huh?

Guess What!

It's snowing.

After being trapped in the house waiting all weekend long, the bad weather hits today.

Working from home again (which is OK, by me) but I am somewhat frustrated. The Channel 5 guy said "No way we will get any accumulation from this."

I wake up to snow. No treatment on the roads (because there won't e any snow of course).

I'll post some pictures once it gets light out.

Cats

Why do I like cats better than dogs?

When was the last time you saw a cat eating dog poop?

The Cure

Just a minor annoyance, if you know someone is working on your problem and you know you have someone in tech support who is working on your problem once you resolve the problem, wouldn't it be nice to let them know?

Just a minor gripe. Had two of them today.

Typical

OK, so we have a few patches of ice and despite the weathermen screaming about how terrible it's going to be, we had over 121 "Serious" accidents around Dallas and Fort Worth.

OK folks. PUH-LEASE! It's icy (a little). I feel comfortable in my ability to drive in the conditions we have right now. I am, however, terrified by the way the rest of the Metroplex drives, so I am working from home.

Make fun of me if you want to, at least I won't get plowed over by a redneck in a 4x4 who thinks he is indestructible.

By the way, I think I will get a job as a weatherman, as I predicted this much more accurately than they did. HA!

Frustration

You know. It's not so much that the weathermen missed the terrible Ics Storm or the fact my family has been trapped inside all weekend. My frustration steps from their denial to admit they missed it.

Last weather report I saw the weatherman actually said, "We MIGHT have some slick overpasses, but that's going to be it."

I have listened to the weathermen talk about the 1" of ice we were going to get since Friday morning.

ARRRRRGH!

I wonder if METRO does weather prediction.

Sunday Morning Wake Up

OK, my cell phone rings at 8AM. My wife and I figure it is the Church's administrator calling me to ask me to post on the website that church is cancelled for today.

Nope, it's a call.

Upgrade from old system to new system with our not good documentation. Sigh.

So far everything that could go wrong has.

By the way. I'm still waiting on "The Storm."

The Weather Outside is Frightful.

Ice Storm warning has been upgraded to say we could get up to 1" of ICE. OK, I bought some more firewood, just in case.

I am still sceptical.

If it gets too cold, we'll eat the dogs. We have plenty of food, but it is an excuse to get rid of them.

EEEEK! Winter Weather! Run For Your Life!

OK, typical Dallas event. The weathermen predict a slight chance of ice. The weather gets closer and they start shrilling about how the weather is going to be worse than they thought.

The weather gets here and....

Nothing.

So far the weathermen continue to shrill how it's going to get bad.

Lets see. Anyone want to place a bet?

Ice Storm Warning

EEEEEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!

We are under an Ice Storm Warning. We could have 1/4" to 1/2" of ice. Fortuantely for me, it won't hit until tonight (if it does at all) and I don't HAVE to go anywhere. If it still sucks Monday I will VPN in and work from home.

I am so happy to have my laptop.

Catch 22

Where is the documentation for the application?

Oh, it's in the online help of the application.

But the applications is down, where do I get documentation to troubleshoot it?

Well, you have to use the online help of the application.

...

Believe it or Not

Yes yes yes. I am still around. Didn't even get time to drop a smart alec post on METRO today. I am so disappointed.

Next week should be calmer as the large meeting is over now. I may be a dead man though as I had to write a report on a meeting and plan of action for a site. The GM loved it so much he evidently told everyone else he wanted similar reports from them aout their accounts.

Ooops.

Sorry guys.

Getting My Sexy Back Update

OK, day two was fairly uneventful. I did have a second helping of lasagna, but even then I didn't go overboard with it. I drank another gallon of water throughout the day and have as of yet avoided all sodas. I am drinking coffee at work and tea at home, so I don't have the urge to kill anyone from caffeine withdrawal.

Today is day three. I had a turkey sandwich for breakfast and for lunch and afternoon snack I am having Tuna Helper, hold the helper. Mustard makes it edible. As of lunchtime I am at almost 1/2 gallon of water.

Working out has not been possible yet. I am frustrated, but I have to help out with the kids at nigh and by the time we get them down I'm wiped out. I guess I will have to get up and start walking in the mornings before the kids get up.

Hideous photos will be available soon.

I Am Still Alive!

Despite what you might have heard, I haven't' fallen off the face of the earth yet. I have been preoccupied with a large meeting of customers this week as well as trying to keep family life under control and contributing to Laurence's new site.

METRO Is Full of Crap!

It has been quite enjoyable and we got some sort of mention on local radio in Houston. Anyway, I added a sidebar link to it and hope everyone hits it and enjoys it as much as I do.

Day 1

OK. Today is officially Day 1 of "Getting My Sexy Back" and so far I have not freaked out and killed anyone.

Eating is under control and I have killed the soda intake (no Cokes and no Beer either). I have also managed to control my portions. I am eating along the lines of "Body For Life," but I have not gone hard core with it. I did manage to get a full gallon of water down also.

The girls have kept us busy so I haven't done any weights. I hope to get up tomorrow and walk while the kids are asleep as I think that will be my only chance to get a workout in. I do want to start working out at lunchtime, so I will have to work out getting workout clothes and shower stuff to work and back.

I will spare all of you the pictures, but don't be surprised for a weigh in tomorrow just so we can see if any progress takes place over the next couple of months.

Also, I think I need to list some reasons for losing weight. First and foremost I want to see my children grow up. I want to see my grandchildren and I want them to know me. I want to spend a long long time with my wife (the love of my life). Lastly, I want to feel good again. I'm 34 not 100, I should be able to run and I should be able to get through the day without having to take painkillers for my back.

Another Day, Another... Day?

OK, so today has been fairly steady, just nothing too exciting happening. Forgot to put in for some extra time I had worked, so I have to put it in for my next pay period.

Oh well. I helped a friend of mine move yesterday along with about a dozen musicians. It was quite entertaining. Despite being sore today, I am in pretty good spirits.

Hungry as all get out. Today is Day 1 on "Getting My Sexy Back."

More on that later.

Arrrgh! Cowboys Choke Again!

How ridiculous is this? Again wiped out in the first round by a STUPID FUMBLE which leads to a safety and a bobbled snap on a field goal attempt.

Great. Now I have to listen to the whole city of Dallas gripe again until the draft on how we need X or Y or Z to make the team work.

My suggestion.

Get rid of the real Super Bowl Repellent!

Turtle Update

OK, the rescue mission for Turtle 1 has sadly turned into a recovery mission as I don't think Chuck Norris could have survived this long in our house with the kids, cats, dogs and attack rabbit.

Turtle 2 has some hope for survival as he has a lease on life because Benjamen got an alarm for his door for Christmas.

Now when his door opens, the alarm goes off. If he leaves the door open the alarm continues to go off OR if the little princess decides to "Visit" Turtle 2 we hear the alarm go off and know to rescue him.

If Turtle 2 is relieved, or worried, I can't tell.

100 Word Story

I think I've got one. After a two week hiatus, I am ready to get back on board with Laurence.

I'll link up the story if I get it pulled together in time.

First Day of School for the Princess

Lucie had her first day of school (preschool actually, but who's counting) and it was a rousing success. She played with markers, playdoh and dealt with her first bully.

Needless to say, the poor little boy didn't count on her having three older brothers and a baby sister she was used to standing up to. He didn't stand a chance, but did manage to escape after being sternly rebuked by my little Pookie.

Fun Facts About Tennessee

This was so good I wanted to share it with everyone.

Fun facts about Tennessee

Thanks Harvey. Nice!

Bama? Why Nick? Why?

OK, I am a long suffering Tennessee fan. I am most certainly not a Dolphins fan.



Why would anyone in their right mind leave an NFL coaching job to coach at ALABAMA???

Oh yeah... tons of cash.

Ewwwwwwwww. I still feel kind of dirty thinking about it.

Getting My Sexy Back

OK, folks be warned. I have set January 8th as the starting point for my "Get in Shape" campaign I call "Getting My Sexy Back." It was named this in honor of a miscommunication by my mother-in-law about my brother-in-law (don't ask, just remain uncomfortable).

Be warned I may put up grotesque pictures of my body to inspire others to work out (or not to feel so bad about yourself, you be the judge).

I am so stupid

OK.

So I show up to work promptly at 8AM this morning after our Christmas Break to discover I am working the 10 to 7 shift.

Nice...

If I were more intelligent I would have checked the schedule just to make sure. Or not.