Well, we made it!

It has been a very grueling 72 hour period -- we finally made it on the backside. We've known about this schedule for last month and we both knew it was going to be incredibly hectic..

It was..

A host of technical malfunctions didn't make things better, but we hung in there - the "no quit" attitude and kept focusing on the task while trying to resolve what we could..

Bottom line: we're both incredibly tired and very grateful to be home. We're taking the day off today before getting ready for next week's broadcast, so while the schedule should be easing somewhat, it will be better than it was..

Font Conference

A friend who knows I am font fanatic sent me this tonight so no one will probably think it is funny except well....those that like fonts as much as I do. (Be aware this is hosted on an adult humor type site but the actual video itself isn't adult.)

Link to Video - since it screws up the blog layout

Why haven't we heard from Michael??

Well - the answer lies in the fact that I really haven't had much of a chance to sit down and type anything out for the last several weeks. Thankfully though - I can sit down at the keyboard this morning to type out a few things because Darby is still sleeping and the java has entered my blood stream. :)

Speaking of Java -- I came across a brand that I have fallen in love with: Peet's Coffee. A friend of mine introduced me to it a long while back and thankfully I've been able to find it in the stores here locally. I did find a few dedicated Peets Coffee and Tea stores in Denver that I'll have to check out. The coffee itself is simply impressive -- a rich flavor, but not overpowering, it holds it's flavor throughout each sip and doesn't leave a bitter after taste. It's robust, but not nearly as strong as some of the other espresso flavor coffees I've tried. Nevertheless - it's become a favorite.

My projects have really been keeping us busy lately. I just spent a week in Denver in court on a high profile case over there. There were parts that were frustrating though -- mainly because of some certain parties that chose to make things a lot more difficult than was really necessary. It was their way of ensuring that their "point" was being made, which only made them look incompetent and silly.

As Darby wrote about -- the dishwasher started smoking the other day. And like all good appliances and computers -- the moment I showed up and started it up -- it behaved. There must be something about me because the same thing happened with my folk's television after I left. It was behaving the entire time I was there, but the moment I left -- it went screwy. I think I need to have my cosmic aura checked -- maybe I could market this and sell it. *laughs*

The weekend will be spent partly recovering, partly working, and partly getting organized as to what's on the plate for the coming week. So much going on right now - we have several "to-do" lists and the calendar reflects a really wide assortment of things on tap. Being busy is good when you're self-employed, but sheesh -- I wish there would be a larger break so that I can get my feet to touch the ground every so oft.

Not much else to report -- if I can encourage Darby to get out of bed, we may venture down south to the Dollar Tree -- just to get her out of town for a bit, enjoy the bright sunny day and hopefully relax a bit.

Webware Awards

Because we are geeks in this household I voted for the Webware awards and in looking over the sites found some that I think could be useful! (such as Rememberthemilk.com)

New Look

New template....not anything done by me but it is something until I can design something else. I was sick of the last one and this one was different and works so using it until I come up with something else.

Email Scams....

Most of us have seen the infamous subject line in our email: "URGENT - Update your PayPal Account." Well, as it turns out - the hyperlink can take you to a seemingly innocuous, legitimate website. Except it doesn't. Instead - it takes you to a phony website spoofed to look like PayPal's login screen. It looks like paypal - all the logos and their info on it. But if you look at the url it doesn't say paypal.com. And by putting in your username/password information - some thief can take your information and let the endless spending games begin.

The latest trick is to spoof Amazon.com.

So...
-Never click on the hyperlink in the email..
-ALWAYS type out the correct URL for PayPal and Amazon to sign into your account..
-Report the erroneous email to PayPal and Amazon's security departments..

At best, they will contact the host company for the erroneous website and hopefully shut it down.

Be careful out there!

Computers and Hawks, oh my!

It's been quite an adventure lately.

A couple of weeks ago my folks went out and got themselves a computer and basically learning how to make these darn contraptions from the ground up. Everything from turning on the computer, to how to run the mouse, double click, drag, the enter key - everything. So far, they are mastering the art of the mouse by playing solitaire and other games on the computer. (which ironically was the original design of the games to begin with - but everyone tends to forget that when they master the art of navigating using a mouse.)

I figure I touched my first computer in 1982 - so - now almost 23 years later, I didn't realize *all* of the things I've long since packed away in the book of knowledge -- a lot of things that I took for granted.. I've found myself backing up, re-thinking a section or two when I get the sense that I was talking a bit too geek.. I've been most impressed with how well they've picked it up!! (Yes, they get a really big gold star for all that they have learned!!) I'm really proud of them - as I know that much of this really seems daunting if not completely intimidating..

This week has been pretty stressful with work and then with meetings in Denver Friday, I didn't get a really good chance to give my folks any really good lessons that I did the week before.. After tweaking my back on a big box that I had to deliver to my car, having only slept for a small handful of hours the night before, we managed to get up early this morning so that we could attend a photo-op class near the foothills of the front range of Denver.. Hawkquest is a non-profit group, volunteer driven membership to further the education and awareness of some of the prettiest birds I've ever seen.. The early wake up call was well worth it.. I saw
four of the five birds in the group before my body couldn't take anymore and I began the trek back home..

More pictures to follow - including some shots I recently took over the 4th of July weekend.. I've been just a bit busy to work no anything other than the larger fires that seem to be creeping up..

For now, I'm drained - pretty darn tired and in need of sleep...

Uh oh -- now you've done it.....

The information age hits the old ones........

I've been working on my folks for awhile now to finally get connected to the 21st century.. One has to realize that they are in their 70's, but eagerly waiting to learn new stuff.. Ever since Dad got my Mom the new digital camera - let's just say they have decided that it's time to become tech savvy in the information age..

So -- as luck would have it -- in the last couple of weeks there has been a sale of computers at Circuit City.. Upon looking at the advertisement, I saw one of those deals that was just too good to pass by.. Yes.. I realize that technology changes at a drop of a hat - but at some point you just have to dive right in.. The time was ripe for the folks at 778..

Ever since that fateful day - when I sent them on a mission of no return -- they have been in what only can be conceptualized as a "mode...." One can say it's a Trading Spaces-type mode.. Others can say that it's a technological mode.. Regardless, my folks are about to join the rest of us in the technological era..

They bought themselves a computer..

So - for the next couple of weekends, we'll be making the trek to Denver to aid, teach and mentor.. It's going to be a crash course on how to use a computer from the ground up.. Which isn't necessarily going to be easy, but I know that over time - it'll be okay..