Me: Ick!

Wow, I’ve been seriously lacking in posting. The amount of complaints I received showed that there was no one crying. Yeah, that means zero people complained. Well, my sister and cousin (who I think are the primary ones who read this) made a comment a few months ago regarding my lack of posts, but nothing they were really crying and complaining about.

Part of the problem is that I was trying to decide what blog system to use. I was originally on Blogger but am now using WordPress. The other part was that I couldn’t remember what my password was. Can’t post without a password!

Anyways, hopefully I should be posting a little more regular now.

Me: Job Titles – "Network Engineer" used too freely

Okay, some folks should not be involved in IT let alone have the job title of “network engineer.” I had a customer today call – he is a network engineer for a company we provide internet access to.

Well, he did not understand the concept of static IP addresses and DHCP assigned static addresses. Nor did he understand the default Windows IP addressing scheme of 169.x.x.x.

He had plugged his laptop into a DSL modem that we configured for static, public IP addresses, so the DHCP server on it is disabled. He called and said, “I have an IP address but I cannot get out. The modem is not working.” I found out his PC had a 169.x.x.x IP address and explained that that is a default IP address that Windows assigns when it cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP — and that is because the modem is configured for public, static IPs and thus the DHCP server is disabled. He then said, “So? What does that mean to me? I have an IP address – the 169.x.x.x IP address.”

I then proceeded to explain that he would have to manually configure an IP address on his laptop out of the public IP block we have assigned to that connection. He then repeated, “I have an IP address. It just won’t route because the modem is having problems.”

ARRRGH!

Me: I had to call AOL tech support

Okay, so I am loading a laptop for a client/friend… sweet laptop – Thinkpad T60. *drool* Definitely kicks the butt of my T40. Anyways, I digress. This friend uses AOL for internet access at home (she and her b.f. have a farm and live in the boonies, so no DSL nor cable modem for them).

So, I loaded the new AOL 9.0 security edition. However, once it is installed it wants a screen name (either create a new one or use an existing one) before it lets me progress to the point of installing the anti-virus and anti-spyware pieces. I wanted those installed under the AOL umbrella because this friend isn’t very computer savvy and I wanted things as simple as possible. So, I used my screen name.

Unfortunately, that meant the software assumed my screen name was to be the default screen name from now on. I found a solution in the help section, but it told me to call AOL support. So, I did a quick Google search. No luck.

Soooo, I punched their 800 number into my phone. Their IVR system answers… Helloooooo phone menu hell. I had to answer about 16 different questions before I could get to someone human. So, that part sucked. When I finally was able to hit “0″ to go to a human, I expected to be on hold for a loooong time. I only had to wait for about 10 seconds!

The person I spoke to was courteous and able to get me straightened out. There is an option (hidden, of course) to default all settings for the AOL client. I did that, and my screen name was gone from the computer. YAY!

Overall, my experience and opinion was mixed. The phone menu part was horrible and for me a waste of my time since the steps they had me take was for someone trying to install the software from scratch. But, once I talked to an actual tech, it was quick and painless and I did not have to stay on hold very long.

Me: Mosquitos suck!

I wish someone would erradicate the world of mosquitos. Two days ago I was watching TV and felt these tiny pinches at my neck. So, I swatted around there thinking it was just cat hair tickling me. Next thing I know I see a mosquito flying by. Great. I ended up with 4 welts on my neck and one on my left hand. They all swelled up to be quarter sized and I had to take an allergy pill.

I thought that would be the end of that. I was wrong. Apparently Mr. Mosquito (or one of its relatives) was hanging out in our house because last night it bit me on the knuckle of one of my right hand fingers. Let me tell you that mosquito bites on the knuckle absolutely suck! But, I am sure you already knew that.

Me: Tivo tivo tivo!

Man, we love love our Tivo. Actually, we have two. I think we could use 3… or 4…

What is funny (or sad?) is how I often wish I could “bedoop BeDoop BEDOOP” situations in real life — such as if I am talking to someone that is a long-talker and just won’t get to the point of what he/she is trying to tell me.

Me: Freecycle – had to stop the email madness!

Okay, I finally had to stop having email notifications sent to me for the various Michigan based Freecycle groups I belong to. I would get so much email from that that I had to create a mail filter just to send those emails to their own folder.

The whole Freecycle concept is great (do a search on Yahoo groups for “freecycle” or go to freecycle.org), but if you want to get something that someone is offering, you need to watch those emails like a hawk and respond within 2 seconds of getting the notification.

I seriously think there are some people who just watch for those emails as their daily “job.”

Anyways, the emails were getting to be too much (around 300 a day between the various groups I was on!) and by the time I ever noticed something I would be interseted in, it was an hour after the intial post so the item was most likely gone already.

My personal email box has quieted down. So nice!

Me: Classical music phase

I have a very diverse music taste which includes, top40 pop, rock, heavy metal, R&B, hip-hop, rap, some jazz, and classical. There is even some country music that I find entertaining, but not entertaining enough to download off of itunes or buy a CD. I do have some Dixie Chick CDs but those were gifts. Really, they were!

Anyways, I go through these periods where I will listen to a particular music genre and then switch to another.

Since this past weekend I have been on a classical music binge. I was looking through my CD collection and came across my classical CDs from my violin playing days and decided to burn most of them to my ipod. Most is either violin with orchestra, piano with orchetra, or just pure orchestral arrangements.

So, that is what has been playing on the ol’ PC speakers while I work.

Me: No more gallon of water while flying anymore

A long running joke among my family and friends is the gallon jug of water I carry with me when I go places – whether it is racing, work, and travelling. I just pop the top off and take a swig of water.

Well, I would carry a jug with me when I am flying since hydration is pretty key when flying. I used to not drink enough water when flying and I’d be exhausted and crappy feeling. I even did that as recently as this past weekend when I had to go to NJ for a funeral.

Unfortunately, it was announced today that airlines are banning any liquids in carry-ons – whether it is water, hair-gel, etc. This is due to the terror plot that was just foiled where the terrorists were going to use liquid explosives.

“Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane,” a DHS statement said.

EDIT: (8/10/06 14:52 EST) The banned list now includes:

beverages (coffee, liquor, wine, juice boxes, water, etc)
suntan lotion
toothpaste
hair gels
lotions
perfume/cologne
many make-up items (ie: lip gloss!)
shampoo

Exempt, but must be examined:

Baby formula
medicines

I think peanuts will soon be banned once the terrorists find a way to make explosives look like peanuts.

The thing I do not understand is that those items are allowed in your _check-in_ luggage. Do they think that if there is a remote trigger device that it will not work from someone inside the cabin if the explosives is in the luggage compartment?

btw: Britain is banning electronic key fobs since those could be used to trigger a bomb. Guess we’ll see if that makes it to the USA. Should be interesting since some cars will only use a key fob and not a key (such as some Mercedes Benz and Audi cars).

Me: The Dysfunctions -> "E.D." and "I.D."

Okay, so we’ve seen all those commercials about “E.D.” or ‘Erectile Dysfunction.’ Well, I think there needs to be some investigation and meds for “I.D.” or ‘Internet Dysfunction.’ I read an article yesterday about a married couple who were at an internet cafe sitting at computers right next to each other, having a conversation with each other discussing their day.

They stated they converse better through typing rather than talking to each other.

And, here is the rub – they aren’t the only ones in this “situation.” The article went on to talk with others who do the same thing – even at home where each partner has their own computer.

I can understand doing this if this is a long distance relationship, but not when you are sitting right next to the person!

Holy crap what has this world come to? Are we, as a society, becoming so disjointed from verbal interaction that the only time we will be using our voice is to yell “FORE!” at the golf course when we hit an errant shot?

Me: Hey, Wash Your Hands!

Whoa, almost 4 months since my last post. Well, I guess that is a bit lame, eh? Even though I am involved with the internet on a daily basis due to my job, I am really slow at using the many applications availble on the net, such as keeping my self-absorbed blog up to date.

Today I do have a funny link and not a rant to post about. It is a Hallmark Hoops and YoYo skit my wife sent me since I am so obsessed with folks washing their hands.

Wash Your Hands!