Driving into work this morning, listening to MPR, and they started playing a piece without announcing it - thought it was the theme from Dances with Wolves, turns out I was right (John Barry/composer). While listening to this powerful piece of music, it occurred to me my dream job wasn't to be just a symphony conductor, but to be a "Film Composer", combining the creation of music ALONG with … [Read more...]
Lailah – Two years old – Best Kid Ever!
April 28, 2014 By
Lailah turned two today, we celebrated her birthday yesterday at Katie's and Jordan's place. Due to weather, we ended up waiting a longggg time to eat (Jordan couldn't grill out due to the rain), thereby delaying the present unwrapping. Consequently, AND, also due to the vast quantity of gifts, our baby girl fell asleep during the last third of the present opening process. She was so cute, … [Read more...]
Part 2: Year long software development project finally goes “Live”
April 6, 2014 By
[It's really too bad I didn't really do any of the design nor programming on this project - I would have tried, at least, to make it a bit less complex than it currently is]. Anyway, after working on a particular software development project at <current employer> since January, 2013, it finally went live this past week, of all things, on April 1st. If you visit your local post office, and … [Read more...]
Class #4 at Saint Thomas: Software Process Management
March 30, 2014 By
Tomorrow is 4th class session of seven sessions (alternating Saturdays, started mid Feb.), so it's mid term exam tomorrow, just not ready for it. Course is Software Process Mgmt, which, I know most of you would find it to be a snore, but, this semester, I have a great instructor, and he really knows how to teach - just has a ton of energy and a great teaching style (quite unlike the instructor for … [Read more...]
Toastmasters Speech #3 – Inspire the audience!
February 5, 2014 By
I’ve been a late bloomer in some areas of my life: ok, a late bloomer in most areas of my life. But, a really late bloomer when it comes to my home life. I figure this was partly due to not having a father figure after high school, as well as not becoming a home owner until my mid 30’s. I never thought I had the skills to do homeowner type projects like the usual improvements of painting, … [Read more...]
Part 1: Year long software development project finally goes “Live” (NOT!)
January 19, 2014 By
In at work, at OMG, 4am, watching over the shoulder (logically, not physically) as my production support person installs my software release that I've been working on for past 12 months. Longest software development effort ever (for me). Not used to 's red tape of software development process. My effort was completed in early sept, and it's taken 4 months for it to move from customer acceptance … [Read more...]
U/ST class: Software Analysis and Design Tools – OVER!
December 11, 2013 By
Last night of class (System Analysis and Design Tools) was last night, submitted my video presentation on time (via YouTube, will share the link - haha - later), had a cold so my voice was pretty raw and didn't follow my script as much as I should've, but overall, I think I did a pretty good job with it. Still have a 2 page writing assignment due by next Tues. Although the class was on an … [Read more...]
Web Page Updated: Library / Model Railroading Books!
November 11, 2013 By
Check out this webpage of mine - I've just updated it with a list of duplicate MRR books that I'm trying to "get rid of" - either by sharing with my fellow MRR's, selling on e-bay or donating to the Kalmbach Library (NMRA). Contact me if you have any interest in owning one or more of these vintage MRR books. Includes Famed authors such as Edward Beal and Louis Hertz. … [Read more...]
Request to keep my BFF in your thoughts
November 9, 2013 By
One of my best friends went thru a rough patch this past July and I had previously asked my friends to keep him in mind (and you did). Thank you very much for your support at that time. He called me a few nights ago, telling me he's had a relapse and asked for my support. He doesn't like FB and he's never even had an FB account and I know only a few of you know who he is and/or have met him, but … [Read more...]
MN Orchestra Lock-Out Fiasco – Part 2
October 20, 2013 By
I'm taking a break to yell "#%^?!%" at the MN Orchestra mgmt board! What the %^<#% were you thinking? You have now cost us our world renown conductor, and two very prestigious concerts at Carnegie Hall, and you are screwing us again, your paying audience, out of a second yr of listening to our orchestra - this was our orchestra, not yours! I am so very angry, and very embarrassed to … [Read more...]
