Now This Is Fun ...

(not to cop a song title from Depeche Mode), but moving from one extremely geriatric PC to something extremely new is a bit of a hassle. And no, folks, I'm not such a "geek" that this makes things "fun".

Making sure all the old tax files are moved over ... all the pictures ... all the old documents that God knows (or Allah, depending on your preference) that we need to keep ...

That in itself is a pain in the butt.

However ... Here is a very pertinent "geek thing" to remember these days, however -- one of the major hassles in modern day life is "identity theft".

If you EVER recycle an old PC to any "charitable cause" ... make sure you pull off all information that you need, then FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE. Anything that you may have saved as either a "saved password", or any personal information in a file might be suspect.

If you are concerned about useability of the PC ... don't donate it. Just FORMAT THE HARD DRIVE and put it out in the trash. Or, run over it a few times with a bulldozer. Or pass a gigantic "steel ingot handling magnet" over it a couple of times. Anything like that will work.

It's a hassle, but it may very well save you a ton of grief.

Just a tip.

Everyone ...

give a warm welcome to our newest member ... my lovely bride!

Now that we have the home PC working, I've convinced her to join in the fun (or boredom, with her hubby's postings, whichever you prefer) LOL

Stupid, But Funny If You See It ...

The British comedian Eddie Izzard has a humorous bit in one of his acts about the "Heimlich Manuever". The following transcript doesn't do it justice, but you will catch the drift.

"If you’re in a restaurant and you’re choking to death, you can say the magic words “Heimlich Maneuver.” If you’re just coughing and got some air – Hey – you say, “Heimlich Maneuver,” and all will be well.

The trouble is ... it’s very difficult to say “Heimlich Maneuver” when you’re choking to death. Yeah.

“*coughing* [muffled speaking]”

“Your hymen’s been removed?”

“No no. [muffled speaking]”

“You need it removed – right – ” I don’t know how you remove a hymen. Ummm, but, uh, yeah.

No, the "Heimlich Maneuver" – developed by Doctor Heimlich who woke up one night ... obviously ... and went, “A fist, a hand, hoocha hoocha hoocha … lobster! Yes, Hilda! Hilda! Vake up, Hilda!”

“Oh, vot is it, Doctor Heimlich?”

“Vy are you calling me 'Doctor Heimlich'? I’m your husband, for God’s sake! Loosen up – don’t be so bloody Prussian!”

“Vell, vot is it, *Gunther*?”

“I haff invented a maneuver!”

“Vot are you, a bloody tank commander now?”

“No! My name iss going to be famous in restaurants!”

I don’t think he actually did it that way. I don’t think it was a *snap* – wing and a prayer – I think he – he must have experimented!

He was German! Organized!

“Ok, Hans, I vont you to zwallow zis golf ball…”

“Pughhh…*cough* I cannot breathe!”

"I know you cannot breathe. I vill now make you breathe vis ze cunning use of …” Pughhh! (a blow to below the belt)

“Ugghhh…*cough*…*barely whispers* I still cannot breathe!”

“Ok, maybe not, maybe zis vill vork – ” Pughhhhh! (a blow to the top of the head)

“[muffled] Jesus Christ!…”

“Ok, zen maybe viz a frying pan…” Pow!… (a blow with frying pan to the top of the head)

“*cough cough*”

“Must be a combination.” Pughhh pughhh! “No, ok – ” Pughhh! Pughhh! (a blow with a fist below the belt, then a blow to the head with frying pan)

“Ok, two frying pans – ” Pughhh pughhh pughh pughhh! (repeated blows to the head with two frying pans)

“Frying pan in ze bullocks – ” Pughhh pughh pughhh!

“*pained whisper* Bullocks ... stop – ” Pughhh! (Hans is doubled over)

“Frying pan – ” Pughh pughh pughh pughh pughh – poghh wooooh!…kughhh… (Frying pans to various parts of the body ... Hans drops to floor)

“Ohhh ... he’s dead.”

Other doctors going, “How’s it coming along, Doctor Heimlich?”

“Vell, not very vell at the moment. It’s ... vell ... it's – not really a maneuver at ze moment. It’s more of a gesture.”

A Good Thing To Know

L**all (where I work) just bought a new automatic external defibrillator (AED) for the Corporate Office as part of its ongoing safety program. Yesterday they offered a training program for those interested in learning how to use it.

It was a course not just in using the AED, but also taught all the steps in CPR, as well as performing the "Heimlich Manuever" for choking victims.

You can all feel safe at the Outer Banks this summer ... I passed the course with flying colors (100% test score), and was one of the few people in class to get "Choking Charlie" to dislodge his piece of "food" on the first Heimlich attempt.

Seriously, though ... one point they brought up is that unbelievably here in Connecticut, some of our schools have teaching staffs woefully untrained in CPR. Lori, Brad ... I don't know if this is something they do in Unit 10, but if not, be an advocate of having school CPR training instituted, as well as having the unit schools purchase an AED for each location. One of the stories the instructor told was about a 6-year-old in the next town over (South Windsor) who choked on a chicken nugget a couple of years ago, and ended up dying because only the school nurse had been trained in CPR and choking assistance, and she was at a sister school when the little girl collapsed.

It's good training for everyone.

And Now For My Second Trick ...

With the new system, there are more components than the old one. And all these components need some connectivity to each other. Since Janice's work requires some rather ... shall we say "stringent" security settings for a home wireless network, the pieces that could normally be made wireless here actually cannot.

Anyway, the back of the desk (which for those of you who've never been here) is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door. It looked like a rat's nest after things were set up.

I used a solution I've known about ever since working for James Madison Mortgage down in Fairfax, VA ... Panduit Wiring Duct. It is used in network rooms for routing wiring (see below).Anyway, it looks a little more professional ... and it's a lot more cat-proof. LOL

Whew!

Today marks the first anniversary of the ankle break. Thankfully, I haven't broken anything else since then (but Sandi ... that's another story). I guess I'm where I should be with the recuperation. It still bothers me, but as with anything else, one just has to grin and bear it.

We saw a darned funny movie last night that Janice's sister Susie had recommended. For those of us who aren't easily offended, that is. I'm not easily offended (nor is Janice) and we thought it was pretty hysterical. If you feel the urge to get some really "guilty" sort of laughter, go rent a copy of "The Aristocrats" (not "The Aristocats"). Bear in mind it is not for kids. It is kind of a documentary of a large group of well-known comedians like George Carlin, Drew Carey, Paul Reiser, Gilbert Gottfried, (the list goes on and on) and their version of telling the same blue joke. Anyway ... I'll leave it up to you if you want to watch or not. It might not be to the liking of some of the elders, but ...

We have pretty much finished with the setup of the new computer system. We still have to make decisions on speaker placement, and I need to setup the software for the battery backup/UPS but here is why the cats have been freaking out (see below).
The desktop is a little more cluttered because my work laptop is sitting there ... normally you would see no wires, since we went with the wireless keyboard and mouse (I use them at work, and they are really nice to have). Janice and I are really happy with it. It, for lack of a better word, "screams" (aka "is extremely fast").

Janice spent the better part of Saturday afternoon perusing real estate offerings in the area, and set up some showings yesterday. Once again ... zippo. We saw one we sort of liked, except there were some major issues with the kitchen. For one ... neither one of us could stand the countertop. The best way I could describe it is the color of "Maude". Why someone would do that is beyond me. Also ... in one of their upstairs rooms, there were two aluminum-clad windows like the rest of the house, and one wood-framed window. There were a number of things that were like that. Maybe we're too picky, but for the money ... I think you want something you aren't going to have to put more money into, to be happy with it. Oh well.

Well ...

First ...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to those of us who have some Irish blood. I suspect we probably all do, in some form or another. After all, every March 17th we're "all" Irish.

Second ...

We got the remaining components for the new PC. I celebrated St. Patrick's Day by setting up the majority of the new system.

Holy crap.

(1) Cats are very resistant to any form of change. They do, however, like large boxes.

(2) This new system is incredibly quick. I might be able to publish the Sumner Press in five seconds ... and actually have more meaningful content, to boot! LOL

Third and most importantly ...

Janice made Corned Beef and Cabbage, using our "joke" crockpot (it's a joke, because it was a Christmas gift a few years ago from Joe and Joyce ... it has a [ugh] Dallas Cowboys logo all over it).

Regardless of the fact that it was prepared in such an offensive device, it was a terrific meal, and a great way to celebrate.

Now ... if I can just keep the after-effects of the cabbage under control ... ... LOL

Just Short Of A Year

And What's With The Broken Foot?

I noticed in one of Jane's prior comments that Sandi has a broken foot? What's going on there? I hope you didn't break it while watching a St. Patrick's Day Parade. While I did have to work this past weekend, I almost intentionally didn't want to go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade this year.

As Shakespeare said, "Beware the Ides of March."

Coming Anniversary

Yes, Jane, "The Brookhart Blog" is close to 1 year old. I'm happy this all caught on, and I'm happy everyone has enjoyed it. The actual birthdate of the blog, for those who count such things and put them on calendars, is April 23, 2005. It was a rainy Saturday and I was bored and perhaps feeling a little sorry for myself.

I realized, while sitting on my spreading arse mending the broken ankle, that we all never write each other anymore. Not that I've ever been a big letter-writer to begin with (Mom, Dad ... sorry about that), but written correspondence is somewhat a thing of the past now that e-mail has become the big thing.

We've all come a very long way since "The Brookhart Blog" started. We've all learned how to post pictures, we've learned what might or might not "fly" in terms of content (thanks to you, Eric, and a tip of the swashbuckling and chainsaw-wielding hat there), and we've learned a new thing to do with these home computers ... "blogging". (Can you imagine if we had this technology when Mom and Dad were still around? My God ... it almost brings tears to my eyes, because I could have taught them, and I think Mom would have loved it.)

But most importantly ... I agree with Jane.

I feel much "closer" to you all, and I think we have all communicated more in the last "near-year" than ever before. Whether it is mundane stuff (like I normally post) or very important things (like births, special events, et al), I agree this has helped us as a family. Maybe you all disagree, after reading some of my diatribes ... but at least I'm not as opinionated as Roscoe. (OK ... maybe I am, when it comes to what defines "Real Racing" ... I just can't see racing as going around in a circle, oval, tri-oval or whatever. If you only turn the wheel one way on each lap, it ain't "Racing".)

I do know this - I know I've had more phone contact with my siblings in the past year than ever before, part of it being because of blog postings ... and that is a GREAT thing. For that, I am truly grateful.

Anyway ... we love you all and it's great to be "connected".

And now ... "How To Freak Out A Couple Of Cats"

I told you, in my last post, that we were getting a new home PC.

The old PC had a large monitor that was a "tube-type". It generated a fair amount of heat. "The Boys" loved it. They would lay on it, even fight for a "good spot" on it.

Our new system, which has begun to arrive (flat-panel digital monitor first, this evening) is not much to their liking. In fact, it is much to their dismay.

I've now seen them attempt to lay across the approximately 1" wide top of the new monitor for the past hour or so. I only hope Dell has a warranty for "Cat Claws Scratches On Monitor From Cat Attempting To Hang On".

Oh boy, these guys don't like "change". In true Northeast colloquialisms ... they are "wicked pissed" at us.

We are going to have to purchase a second heated bed for them, I suppose.

News from Lititz

I thought we should check in. Not much going on here....We are in the process of talking about lawn reconstruction and how we are going to put our new patio in for the summer. Right now our lawn is a disgusting mud bog. Grass 1st, retaining wall 2nd and patio 3rd is the plan of action. Dave took advantage of my busy weekend at work to deviate from the plan and dig a huge hole for our ornamental pond. Notice the pond is not on the list of priorites, but as I was told "it's free". Oh well.
The kids and I have recently started going to church every Sunday. Morgan loves all aspects of church and Devon just likes Sunday school part. Because we are a mixed religion family I'm not going to force him to go to church....he'll have to make the decision on his own. He's on the fence at this point.
We've had a few days of wonderful weather here and I am ready for Spring. I can't wait to get out and start weeding my flower beds and getting ready for mulch and spring planting.
This is the busy Bday month for lots of us so.......Happy 1st Birthday Zayd!!! Happy Birthday Olivia! and Happy Birthday Lori!!

Love to all,
Sue

Weekend Update

Formula 1

The 2006 season of "Real Racing" has begun with the running of the second Bahrain Gran Prix, and this year we have an American driver in the hunt. Scott Speed (I still wonder if he changed his last name) is from California and is racing for Scuderia Toro Rosso (Team Red Bull). He finished 13th in his F1 debut, in a field of 22. Not too bad for a 23 year old in his debut ... a 23 year old who is now making huge money, just for his contract. Damn, I'm still not too old to do this, but unfortunately I am just too danged large.

Well, he is single ... maybe Liz could look him up. I'm sure she wouldn't think the F1 life to be "sucky". LOL

I watched this morning, from about 7:15 to the finish ... unfortunately, my driver, "Schumi" finished 2nd.

At Home

We have finally joined the new millenium here at home. After years of struggling with our home computer system (Janice and I both have relied on our work laptops) we have taken the plunge and ordered up a new Dell system for home.

Since we use Dell computers exclusively at my work, we have an Employee and Affiliates discount. It came in "right handy" and saved us 12% on the main system and 15% on the printer.

We're looking forward to it ... the one we are using now is a very obsolete HP that I was given at work ... it is slow, slow, slow, and will not run most of the "current" software (meaning anything past Windows 98).

Everything should be here by the 24th or so. Don't expect many postings from me over that weekend , since I know I'll be neck-deep in setting it up. LOL

Other Than That

Not much else is news here. I'm waiting for maintenance to be completed on some of our Corporate servers before I can continue with work today. There's no rest for the weary - I have a couple of projects going on that have forced me to work yesterday and today. Ugh.

Love to everyone!

We're Happy

... to have you "elders" have a good lobster dinner. "Legal Sea Foods" is a favorite of ours, and we hope you all enjoyed it. It was our pleasure.

Youngsters, please do not get any ideas over the Outer Banks week ... no such surprises are planned, although we may have more vodka-infused shrimp.

I hate to do this, but in that second picture, the placement of the large loaf of bread made me chuckle. Was that intentional? If not, then BRAVO! LOL LOL LOL