When I was eight, Prince released 1999. This song suggested New Years Eve 1999 was going to be something for the story books. We would usher in a new century, and in the process, we would send off the previous one with a party unparalleled. I was (to quote Paul Simon) “born at the right time” — when 1999 rolled around I’d just be hitting my mid-twenties.

In the eighth grade I decided that I wanted to be an engineer. Initially, I thought chemical engineer, but after I discovered computers it quickly changed to computer engineer. In college I got hooked on programming and networking. It became clear I wasn’t going to be mucking about with circuit level design — Unix, routers, and programming was the life for me.

This proved to be a fateful decision. … Read More »

Anniston – A Memorial Service for Mr. Donald Paul Holland, 72, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at McCoy United Methodist Church with Pastor Mary Quillin and Sandy Aids officiating.

Mr. Holland died Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Holland was retired from Baptist Health Systems. He was also a member of the Elks Club, a loyal Alabama fan, and of the Methodist faith. He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Holland; his sister, Rose White; a brother, Daniel Holland; and a stepdaughter, Angela M. Hill.

Mr. Holland is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gloria B. Holland; daughter, Angela Parton; brotherin-law, Luther L. White; a granddaughter, Paisley Parton; three grandsons, Reid Parton, Jeromy Hill, and James P. Hill and his wife, Ali; great-grandson, Cameron Hill; several … Read More »

Across the street from the booth I usually occupy at McDonald’s, I’ve noticed three signs on a telephone pole: “CLEAR EYES” “FULL HEARTS” “CAN’T LOSE”

We may not be in West Texas, but listening to people talk around here you get the impression football is every bit as important.

The Warriors’ championship bid ended prematurely a couple of weekends ago, and just a few days later the signs were gone.

I’m not one to really follow sports, but I did like the imagery of the signs. I am a fan of Friday Night Lights, and maybe this is more a testament to the way the show is shot. The same stark contrast I see in the show, I can see in Walton when I look out the window. Maybe that is just what the show intends; that everyone can see … Read More »

Way back in 2006, I wrote (here and here) about Apple’s stance on viruses for the Mac.

It seems they are starting to come around.

Update:

I guess I spoke too soon. It appears Apple has pulled the tech note. They also released this statement:

The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box.

Just before the turn of the century, I moved into management at work. Shortly thereafter I found myself becoming decision averse in my personal life. I think this drove/drives Ali crazy (though over the last year I’ve been getting better).

I would still make decision for work because, “that’s what they pay me for,” but when it wasn’t required, I would avoid making a decision like the plague.

All of this is to say — I was sitting in the Cincinnati airport eating lunch when a mother and son came in, and sat at the table across from me. It dawned on me as I was watching the mom order for her son that the number of decision you have to make must increase exponentially once you have children.

Therefore, this is reason #28 why I/we don’t intend to have … Read More »

This is just a quick note to say congratulations to Joe and Tonya — Congratulations! — and to share a few pictures from the occasion.

Lately I’ve been coming across a disproportionate amount of stories and pictures about bacon. Normally it wouldn’t make an impression on me, but my friend David is sometimes affectionately called bacon. So in honor of David:

10 Ways to Eat More Bacon

Fried Bacon

Bacon Briefcase

Everything’s Better with Bacon

Bacon iPhone Case

Candied Bacon

I <heart> bacon

Obligatory wiki entry

Do you have any bacon links to share?

Edit: More bacon

Pre-bacon

Bacon hater

Goat + Bacon + Ron Paul

Bacon Mints

Bacon Weave

Bacon wrapped bacon

Bacon Dispenser

Wall of Bacon

Bacon Races

Bacon Flavored Jelly Beans

Bacon Man

Bacon Bra

I’ve been trying to get Ali to go and hang out at McDonald’s with me for a few weeks now. She finally gave in and we were there on Saturday when I saw a young girl jump out of a minivan; arms full of McDonald’s debris. The car was in the drive through line. I guess they were just makin’ room.

I’ve been with the same company for over twelve years. Just over five years ago I started telecommuting when Ali and I moved to New York (state). The first 15 months I rented office space because there was no high speed Internet available where we lived. Other than not having personal interactions with people, things weren’t much different. Eventually we moved to a place where high speed Internet was available. My commute changed from driving 10 miles to my office to walking up a flight of stairs. That was about four years ago.

Back in June I went to Portland to visit a friend. One of Adam’s things is working from a cafe a couple of times a week. All of the cafes in Portland are setup with free wireless Internet, free power, … Read More »

Big chocolate chip cookie, I wish I knew how to quit you.