Work has been incredibly bust for us this month.
Tiffany has been driving for her dad everyday for the past few weeks. She get's up at 4:30 am everyday and it is really starting to wear her down. We look forward to the weekends to get some rest.
My work has been crazy as of late too. I work in video conferencing and have been receiving a crash course education in project management as of late. Don't get me wrong, I love the free education and I love what I am doing, but it sure drains after multiple high stress days! I am very glad that I was able to stumble into the video conferencing world. It has really given me an opportunity to work on skills that we hope to use on the mission field someday. I have also enjoyed learning how the corporate giant works. I am a very tiny part of a massive IT organization, but I enjoy where I am because I get to work with other groups that I have an interest in. I have been able to learn more about networking, servers and pc's as a result of video conferencing while learning about a highly speacalized field at the same time.
We don't know where God is leading all the time. What we do know is that we are right where He wants us to be now. We look forward to the next step He has for us and strive to work hard today!
Our greatest desire is the glorify God! God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him (John Piper)!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Rotation!
We have had a LOT of rain in Central Virgina this week. Storm after storm after storm... Last night, while Tiffany and I were eating dinner, the wind picked up and it was mildly strong. I decided to open a few more blinds in our dining room so we could see more outside. While opening one of the blinds, I noticed a particularly low cloud. As it passed in front of our house (Maybe a hundred yards or so), I noticed that it had rotation! I watched it for a few more seconds then ran to grab my cell phone. Although it did not touch down and turn into a tornado, we saw a definate funnel cloud!! I called the National Weather Service in Wakefield to report what I saw. Although there were no warnings or watches, he confirmed that particular cell looked a little odd to them.
There wasn't any damage, but it was amazing to see. The terrible part of the whole ordeal is that I forgot to grab my camera to take a picture... Oh well...
There wasn't any damage, but it was amazing to see. The terrible part of the whole ordeal is that I forgot to grab my camera to take a picture... Oh well...
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
500 Ghz Processor for Your 111 Megapixel Camera!
Two news stories have hit the web this week that I have to blog about.
First, we have been introduced to the 111 Megapixel camera from DALSA. Albeit, there are larger options available... This is just phenominal! Just a few years ago, I would have stuck my nose up to digital. It just was not ready for the world. Today, I have a digital camera with me all the time (My cell phone right now). We have taken over 17,000 pictures over the past two years as a result of digital technology. Sites like Flickr have made it possible for amateur photographers to thrust themselves into the public eye.
Second, we have been introduced to the overclocked 500 Ghz processor. Come again? That's right. Today, I am using a 1.73 Ghz computer, but tomorrow I could be using a computer that is over 250 times FASTER....
Granted, both of these stories speak of technology that is still unobtainable by the general public, but it still neat to see innovation like this. Now, we just need to boost the RAM, build bigger hard drives and get that bus speed up!
First, we have been introduced to the 111 Megapixel camera from DALSA. Albeit, there are larger options available... This is just phenominal! Just a few years ago, I would have stuck my nose up to digital. It just was not ready for the world. Today, I have a digital camera with me all the time (My cell phone right now). We have taken over 17,000 pictures over the past two years as a result of digital technology. Sites like Flickr have made it possible for amateur photographers to thrust themselves into the public eye.
Second, we have been introduced to the overclocked 500 Ghz processor. Come again? That's right. Today, I am using a 1.73 Ghz computer, but tomorrow I could be using a computer that is over 250 times FASTER....
Granted, both of these stories speak of technology that is still unobtainable by the general public, but it still neat to see innovation like this. Now, we just need to boost the RAM, build bigger hard drives and get that bus speed up!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Weekend Update: Radio, Radio and Busch Gardens
Wow! Tiffany and I just finished a very busy, but fun weekend.
Friday night, we had Charles come over to spend time with me on the radio. Charles is interested in radio and I really wanted to spend time showing him as much as possible.
Hope, Pacey and mom also came over for dinner.
Saturday morning, we went to a radio event with the DDXG. A more detailed report can be found on my radio blog.
Saturday evening, Matt and Julie came over with Evelyn. Terah, Blaine and Hope also came over to see the baby and eat pizza.
Sunday morning, we went with Peter and Sara to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Sara had $15 tickets from work. After arriving, we quickly converted those tickets into Silver Passports. It acutally wound up costing us less than a days ticket to buy a season passport! Thanks Sara! We look forward to many trips this summer. BG is so much fun and a great way to relax. It's only an hour from home, so it makes for the perfect day trip.
Links: TheSnoopyPenguin on Radio: DDXG Radio Event (Young Eagles)
Friday night, we had Charles come over to spend time with me on the radio. Charles is interested in radio and I really wanted to spend time showing him as much as possible.
Hope, Pacey and mom also came over for dinner.
Saturday morning, we went to a radio event with the DDXG. A more detailed report can be found on my radio blog.
Saturday evening, Matt and Julie came over with Evelyn. Terah, Blaine and Hope also came over to see the baby and eat pizza.
Sunday morning, we went with Peter and Sara to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. Sara had $15 tickets from work. After arriving, we quickly converted those tickets into Silver Passports. It acutally wound up costing us less than a days ticket to buy a season passport! Thanks Sara! We look forward to many trips this summer. BG is so much fun and a great way to relax. It's only an hour from home, so it makes for the perfect day trip.
Links: TheSnoopyPenguin on Radio: DDXG Radio Event (Young Eagles)
DDXG Radio Event (Young Eagles)
I am a proud member of the Dominion DX Group in Richmond, VA. This weekend, we organized a special event station at the New Kent County Airport near Richmond.
The EAA put on a Young Eagles event at the airport. They had over 80 kids come to the airport to get a free flight and an introduction to aviation. The weather was perfect for such an event.
The DDXG also had a special event station setup for the event. I had the privelege of talking to kids about radio. I began by sharing some purposes of amateur radio including the emergency aspect of radio. I then showed them APRS so they could "see" the benefits of radio.
We also had an HF station setup in which the kids could see us talking to other radio operators in the US and Canada. Many of them seemed fairly interested in what we were doing.
I think that events like this are very good for kids today. It is a great way to expose them to something other than video games and TV. Too many kids do not have active minds today and it is a shame. Radio and aviation are both very challenging to the mind, but there are countless stories of children succeeding at both!
I enjoy sharing my hobbies with other people, especially kids! I wish that I had been introduced to radio and aviation at an earlier age than I was. Both have been fun for me and have definetly played a role in my life!
The EAA put on a Young Eagles event at the airport. They had over 80 kids come to the airport to get a free flight and an introduction to aviation. The weather was perfect for such an event.
The DDXG also had a special event station setup for the event. I had the privelege of talking to kids about radio. I began by sharing some purposes of amateur radio including the emergency aspect of radio. I then showed them APRS so they could "see" the benefits of radio.
We also had an HF station setup in which the kids could see us talking to other radio operators in the US and Canada. Many of them seemed fairly interested in what we were doing.
I think that events like this are very good for kids today. It is a great way to expose them to something other than video games and TV. Too many kids do not have active minds today and it is a shame. Radio and aviation are both very challenging to the mind, but there are countless stories of children succeeding at both!
I enjoy sharing my hobbies with other people, especially kids! I wish that I had been introduced to radio and aviation at an earlier age than I was. Both have been fun for me and have definetly played a role in my life!
More Software Defined Radio...
Hmm... Looks like we may be on the bleeding edge here. I have found another article about Software Defined Radio (SDR). I have not taken too close a look at this page yet, but it looks very interesting. I think it is neat to see how technology grows and changes. More importantly though, it is great to see amateur radio operators at the forefront of these changes.
Amateur radio operators are putting time and energy into a HOBBY that is changing the world and electronics and software and computers and... I personally love amateur radio for this very reason. I learn so much from radio and it pays off in life!
Amateur radio operators are putting time and energy into a HOBBY that is changing the world and electronics and software and computers and... I personally love amateur radio for this very reason. I learn so much from radio and it pays off in life!
Vista ISO
I finally fought my way through the line and have downloaded Microsoft Vista! The massive 3.5 Gig .iso file is setting on my desktop at home. Now I need to burn it to a disk and find a computer to install it on!
Never Get Lost Again!
I love Google and I love Google Maps! Both have served as invaluable tools many times.
At the same time, my cell phone has also become a great tool. Since Tiffany and I have PCS Vision on our phones (Samsung A740), we are able to "surf the internet" at blazingly slow speeds... It's great being able to jump over to google and do a search while away from my computer. Now, Google has introduced an application that lets you view Google Maps from the cell phone! Now I can lookup directions, satellite views, etc. from my cell phone (As long as I have a signal and enough battery).
Keep it coming Google!!
At the same time, my cell phone has also become a great tool. Since Tiffany and I have PCS Vision on our phones (Samsung A740), we are able to "surf the internet" at blazingly slow speeds... It's great being able to jump over to google and do a search while away from my computer. Now, Google has introduced an application that lets you view Google Maps from the cell phone! Now I can lookup directions, satellite views, etc. from my cell phone (As long as I have a signal and enough battery).
Keep it coming Google!!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Vista! Vista! Vista!
The beta of Windows Vista is now available to the public!
Unfortunately, the Microsoft servers are dying as a result... The ISO image is a massive 3.5 Gig! I already have my key code for the software, but I am going to wait a few days until the hype dies down.
Looks like you have to have a pretty good computer for it (So I have no idea which one I will load it on...), but that's ok. When XP came out, it was a resource hog too, but now it is part of daily life. Someday, we will look back and say, "Wow, I remember when Vista was still called Longhorn, now it is a dinosaur!"
Eagly awaiting my turn in line...
Monday, June 05, 2006
The Future of Radio... Today!
Engadget has posted a very interesting article today about software defined radio! The long term implications of this technology are limitless. Imagine having a laptop with a built in HF radio. All you would need is an antenna, coax and your laptadio!
Engadget Article via Wired News
Buy one for Jim!
Engadget Article via Wired News
Buy one for Jim!
Friday, June 02, 2006
Outlook 2007 Calendar
At work, we often have a lot of meetings simultaneously scheduled on our team calendar. The other day, we discovered that Office XP can only have 6 simultaneous meetings scheduled for any given time of the day. After 6, they drop off the screen!!
When I got home from work that day, I discovered that Office 2003 had a limit of 10 simultaneous meetings.
Now that I have installed Office 2007 Beta, I have yet to find a limit! I scheduled 25 meetings at one point, but ran out of time and patiences...
Bottom line, it looks like Microsoft really does listen to its users. If you do a search on the internet, you will find many people complain about the limit in XP and 2003... So, let's see where the limit is in 2007!
When I got home from work that day, I discovered that Office 2003 had a limit of 10 simultaneous meetings.
Now that I have installed Office 2007 Beta, I have yet to find a limit! I scheduled 25 meetings at one point, but ran out of time and patiences...
Bottom line, it looks like Microsoft really does listen to its users. If you do a search on the internet, you will find many people complain about the limit in XP and 2003... So, let's see where the limit is in 2007!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Unwritten
Here I am at the start of blogging. I have tested a number of blogs and beat around the bush long enough. Today, I am going to begin blogging various thoughts that I have. I have broken the blog down into a number of smaller blogs that all link to each other. When I think about blogging, the song "Unwritten" comes to mind. Natasha Bedingfield captures the thoughts fairly well, so I feel compelled to begin with this:
I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your INHIBITIONS
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, oh, oh
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way
oh, oh
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
(x2)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live you life with arms wide open
Today is where you book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
the rest is still unwritten
(she chuckle's)
I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your INHIBITIONS
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Oh, oh, oh
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way
oh, oh
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
(x2)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live you life with arms wide open
Today is where you book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
the rest is still unwritten
(she chuckle's)
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