The Past (Fast?) Ten Years

My phone is buzzing in my pocket with a text message waiting. Seems my friend is prepping to move from one State I don't live in to another State I don't live in. We know and have communicated with each other's spouses, directly or indirectly, we've played board games together, card games, bowling, 8 ball, bingo. We know each others kids and their interests. She knows about my grand kids and I know about her parents and siblings. We've shared work stories, given and accepted advice, told jokes, eaten together. We're very good friends...

...and we've never laid eyes on each other. Ten years ago, this would not have been me. I'd have to say I pretty much only talked with people at work, my family, and my best friend on the rare occasion that we'd visit. Then I got online. I've met some very good people here (and a few that I don't care to speak with again), and with Web 2.0 and the Social Networking craze, this world really has become a tiny place is a very short period of time. I take the optimistic view of the phenomenon. All of this interaction must lead to greater sharing of intellect and innovation benefiting science and sociology, and furthering the progress of our civilization as a whole.

So tell me: At this rate of development, what will the world possibly be like when my Great-Grandchildren are growing up? I think the possibilities are, for the first time, truly endless, don't you?

A Milestone

Let it be known that I was right today......




..... and a woman said so.



Life is good.

Rest, Travel and Indecision

I told you this thing would be sporadic. I tend to be about as consistent as the weather here; which, by the way, is driving me CRAZY. winter winter winter, summer, summer, summer, fall, winter, summer..... ugh. We're finally having some semblance of spring. Okay, I'm done with the weather.

So, I took a vacation recently. Interestingly enough, this coincided with my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Being the good husband, I asked her what she wanted for her anniversary. She wanted to see her family. All right. Since her family is basically in North Carolina (she see the ones she wants in Delaware whenever she wants to), I scheduled my vacation around our anniversary. Two weeks. Then, I gained more responsibilities at work, and my new boss haggled with my Better Half until I was down to 10 working days. ...All right... Then, it's decided we're also going to meet another family member after we go to North Carolina. ......All .. right...... Day 1 was the drive to between East and Central NC, just below the border. Day 2 was the drive to the middle of the State. Day 3 took us to West Virginia, just before the Ohio border. Day 4 was spent sightseeing and catching up. Day 5, back to the middle of NC. Day six was computer fix-it day (which was quite relaxing and enjoyable..... sue me). Day 7 back to the NC border. Day 8, the drive home. Day 9 was the actual anniversary (we slept). Day 10, back to work................................. I need a vacation.

I've officially become completely indecisive. My folks have offered to get me an iPhone (actually placed me on the list) in return for all the work I do to keep their computers running for their business. I want it. I really do. So I get this bout of guilt for costing them more money than I would spend on a phone, or an ipod. See, now it's closer to the release of the thing, and I know my name is somewhere around fifteenth on the list. I just can't help myself. I've waffled back to letting them get it. I'm not sure if that makes me a bad son, or just a very lucky one. The only thing that could make this suck is if I hate the phone. I don't think I will, but who knows, right? On the upside, there are a lot of people who want to see this thing once I get it. It's like coming home with a newborn and everyone wants to hold the baby. You really don't want to let them; yet, at the same time, it's kind of nice showing off what you've got.

Okay, I've lost it. I've just compared the iPhone to a newborn. Time to end this for the day. I'll try to be more sporadic in the future just to spare all two of you who actually read this thing.

Internet Radio

Okay, boys and girls, I know you've been hearing and reading all about the injustice perpetrated by the Copyright Royalty Board (and it's subsequent refusal to appeal) against Internet radio. Seems the RIAA and it's minions have struck again convincing certain facets of government to join them in destroying any chance that indepent music, new music, and even custom play events of established music be heard without them getting a significant cut of the deal. At least there are a couple of Senators willing to take up the fight, even though it means congressionally controlled fees. If you're lost on this, catch up here:

I'm a huge fan of Pandora, one of the sites that will be devastated if the fees imposed truly come due in July. Pandora is one of the most innovative music outlets I've every experienced. Created by the Music Genome Project, this site creates a station that's taylor-made to your tastes, quickly and progressively more accurate, letting you enjoy your favorite music while introducing you to some fantasic music you would never have discovered on your own. This Project is developed by and for Musicians and musical professionals.

Who believes the RIAA and their ilk has the best interest of artists at heart? This site, and others just as significant and legitimate, will simply disappear July 15 if the Bill introduced by Senators Wyden and Brownback does not get through Congress beforehand. Essentially, on the books, these folks are bankrupt now as the ruling is currently in effect. If you care, if you agree, if you don't want to see this happen to Internet Radio (what next, video?, podcasts?), please click this link, then contact your Senator. Ask him/her to support the Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007. Help keep sites like Pandora alive.