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Coaching

Jan 15th, 2010
by Glenn.
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I’m not sure how the really good coaches do it.  I don’t mean working with kids –  I love that part.

What I do mean, is remembering everything you want to teach the kids so they can become better.  I’m working as part of a team so it’s a wonderful experience since I remember one thing and another coach remembers other things and by the end of practice, the kids have had fun and unbeknownst to them, they learned something.

Mitchell is doing a basketball team again this year (I think it’s his 3rd year).  We’ve got a great group of kids that all have a passion for sports, basketball or just playing with friends.  The energy has been very high and is truly inspiring to watch and participate.

It’s hard to keep up with them too.  Tonights practice, we had a game to promote confidence in dribbling and defense.  I was with them (not all the kids had quite gotten there yet) and bending over dribbling the ball low compresses my diaphragm and made it very tiring even given that I’m very fit. The kids had a lot of fun trying to get me knocked out of the game.

Well tomorrow is our first game of the season so wish us luck!

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Math and Science in schools

Jan 10th, 2010
by Glenn.
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This year I have been thrilled to be involved with Xander (5th grade) and his classes science program.  It’s an interesting program that is trying to teach the Scientific Method through simple experiments.  Xander’s teacher (Miss Hopper) is doing quite a good job guiding the kids through the curriculum.  The amount of science being done is also great with 4 days a week for an hour each day (though we took December off).

It’s not always been so great though.  In previous years (including Mitchell’s current 3rd grade year), the curriculum seems to have 3 or 4 short units in science which they only spend 1-2 times per week on.  I’ve voiced my concern about this to the Principal and am hopeful based on Xander’s class.

Later this week, I’m also going to a School District meeting on changes to the math curriculum.  I’m not sure what to expect though our state (Washington) is not in a good position in relationship to other states and it’s math curriculum.  It’s very sad.

The state and local school district have done a great job over the last few decades to increase literacy.  The programs around literacy and the way they use other areas (including science and math) to increase literacy is quite phenomenal.  The problem though is that they have made all these gains at the cost of science and math.

I hope to see this change over the time my children attend school.  Xander and Mitchell both understand how important these subjects are and enjoy both of them quite a bit.

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Dell Customer Service – A Review

Sep 30th, 2009
by Glenn.
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As I’ve said in many past posts, I’ve become primarily a Mac user.  However, I’m not one of those snobby Mac users that must only buy Apple products.  I’m someone who likes to get value for my money where I can.  So when I needed a larger monitor for my new Mac Pro (this was a few years ago), I got a Dell 24 inch monitor and have loved it.

Last April, I decided to become a 2 monitor guy and because of such a good experience, I got another Dell 24 inch monitor.

This one though, I’ve had some problems with.  The monitor doesn’t wake up from sleep after the computer has gone to sleep consistently.  Sometimes it works great and other times, the new monitor wakes up for a second (though not long enough to show anything) and then goes back to sleep (showing a Dell message box saying so).  The latter has been happening more and more.

I contacted Dell Technical Support and after an initial hiccup (you better have your original invoice if you are calling them about a peripheral and not a full system!), I got to someone and explained my problem and after about a 20 minute conversation, he authorized a new monitor to be sent to me to replace my defective one.

This is another example of great customer service (see my T-Mobile) comments.

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TIVO Support – Fixing Channel Guide Info

Sep 16th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I have a Tivo Series 3 and a Tivo HD.  On both of my systems, I was seeing channels that had a number in front of them (i.e. “1 Womens HD”).  Any of these channels that had a number in front of them had no channel guide information and just stated “To Be Announced”.

I sent in a support request to TIVO about this issue.  It took a few days before I got a response.  That was a little disappointing since many companies are moving to speed up support responses (especially those via the internet).  The answer solved 90% of these channels and now I have guide info for almost all of the newly added HD channels.  I can still watch the few that don’t have guide info but I don’t know what is going to be on that channel in advance and can’t set up a recording.

The answer showed a short cut to getting to  Channel Guide setup.   There was also a bit that tells whether you are talking standard or digital channels.

For completeness, here is the info I recieved:

  • Choose TIVO Central (usually by pressing the TIVO button)
  • Select Messages and Settings
  • Select Settings
  • Select Channels
  • Select Channel List
  • Press the ENTER key
  • Follow the onscreen instructions.  The TIVO will ask questions regarding your channels and service.
  • Ensure that you enter the proper zip code.
  • Ensure that you enter the proper provider for your service.
  • In the screen directly after you enter your cable provider, press the ENTER key.  This will take you to a list of available lineups.  In my case, I needed to choose <DIGITAL>.
  • You will be given an opportunity to review the line up after you chose (note: it will not have the premium channels like HBO)
  • Answer the remaining screens based on your service.
  • It will take 10-30 minutes to reset this data so go do something else.
  • Finished

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Snow Leopard – First Impressions

Aug 29th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I received Snow Leopard yesterday.  We currently have 5 Macs.  I have a Mac Pro and a MacBook Pro (15″).  Each of the boys have an iMac.  And lastly, I have a MacMini connected to our Home Theater setup where we can replay movies that are on a very large Drobo with 4 drives that are 1 1/2 Terabyte drives which gives about 4 1/2 terabytes for actual storage due to redundancy.

I quickly updated 4 of the Macs (the MacMini isn’t done yet – hopefully today).  Setup went great and I had no issues with any of the setups.  I guess I don’t have any software that doesn’t run under the new 64-bit architecture that is Snow Leopard.

It’s not a high impact update though.  My systems all seem pretty fast to me so I’m not sure I’m observing a “snappiness” increase that has been bandied about on many blogs.  I’ve noticed some of the UI changes including stacks and the darker overlays.  They are nice.  I am looking forward to playing with the updated spaces and expose.  Those seem like smart changes.

I haven’t yet touched Quicktime though this afternoon when I practice my Guitar, I should use it then.

On my kids systems, I am putting Bootcamp partitions for Windows.  They use their Mac’s using OS X for web browsing and homework but they still like to play the occasional PC game and so need Windows to do it.  I’ve got Xander’s system working and need to spend some time on Mitchell’s after I do my morning workout.   Of course, this opens the door for all those PC games they haven’t been able to use for a while which means “Dad, can you install…” over and over again.

I did go through and explore using system profiler to see what runs 32-bit versus 64-bit in the app space.  I also verified that the reports are true that it’s running a 32-bit kernel.  At this point, since I use VMWare’s Fusion, I will be glad to wait a bit till VMWare updates their kernel extensions to 64-bit before trying to run a 64-bit kernel.  I hope the wait isn’t too long.

Overall, it’s a good update and worth the $49 for the family pack (which as you can see, I use all 5 installs).

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T-mobile Mytouch 3g

Aug 15th, 2009
by Glenn.
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Having played with this phone, I can say I both love it and hate it.
It has a deep alp store, just like the itunes store. Not dissappointed there.
There are some 3rd party Mac appear that allow it to sync similar to iphones. One warning though. It takes the alp in android forever to initialize a new library of any size.
The wifi range seems to suck. 3g coverage is spotty.
Having fun though.

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T-Mobile Customer Support Rocks!

Aug 12th, 2009
by Glenn.
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A few days ago, Kathy and I went to a local T-Mobile store to look at the new MyTouch 3G which we had seen via a friend (who actually works at T-Mobile).  We wanted to play with it a bit longer and really explore the keyboard, browser and ask a few questions around synching.

We had a great time until we tried to buy 2 of them (one for each).  We had only completed 17 months on our contract and the store couldn’t find a way to let us buy them unless we were willing to pay double the $199 contract rate (which was only about $80 less than full price).  We were very frustrated  (me, more than Kathy as she’s a patient person).

Well, I decided to see if I could talk directly to T-Mobile and maybe find a way.  I called 611 on my current phone and got to a Customer Care Representative.  She was very nice but couldn’t really help me.  At least until I indicated that we might look to changing carriers then she said she would transfer me to Customer Retention.  Customer Retention immediately said that yes, we could do it and after going through their required hoops, we had the phone ordered.

In the end, it took 2 people and less than 20 minutes.  I’d say that it was a great experience and I came out a very satisfied customer.

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Wondering if my family is coming to Portland for weekend

Jul 29th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I’m down in Portland, OR for a week.  I’m attending 2 woodworking classes (see my woodwoorking blog, This Week in Wood for more details).

Before I left, Kathy and I had a tentative plan that the family would come down for the weekend.  We’ve never really come to Portland before and we figured it was a good opportunity to explore and play.  Unfortunately, the weather decided to not cooperate.  When talking about the Pacific Northwest, when some says the weather isn’t cooperating, you would usually think about a big rain.  That’s not the case in this instance.  The weather has decided to go to 100+ degrees for the past 4 days and will likely be in the high 90′s on Saturday (when the family would come).

Now, even the boys aren’t excited about coming to visit with the weather being what it is.  I suspect that they won’t as one of the key things Kathy thought would be fun was an outdoor activity (not so fun in high 90′s).

It’s a good thing I have movies and a few things I can do on Saturday since it’s a gap day between my 2 woodworking classes.

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Health care reform

Jul 19th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I just finished listening to Meet the Press and a good portion of the hour was on health care reform.

My problem with the direction that Congress and the President is taking is that they are talking about compromise and secondarily about the ultimate cost.

I, as a voter, don’t care about compromise.  I care about a program that works.  To me, there should be a way to get health care from the government.  It could be some sort of fall back program but it needs to be there as a safety net.  Also, a government or one-payer program is likely to cause some sort of price competition amongst the retailers of health care insurance.  As a buyer of such programs, they need something that can control costs.  I’m not saying that a company shouldn’t make money but when a company can up rates by 40%, that isn’t right.  Compromise isn’t going to get us something that works.  What it’s likely to do is force Congress into trying some crazy program that is only supported by some crazy theory that has little or no evidence that it works.

I do care about the cost of a program like this but I’d like more thinking going into how this program can affect cost to the tax payer both directly and indirectly.  If the above government or one payer program exists, it is likely to spurn competition in the health care insurers and lower cost indirectly through that competition.  Also, if this government or one payer program exists, it’s likely to require some control over actual health care costs (such as prescriptions, doctor charges, hospital charges, …) and that would be a more direct cost benefit to me as a tax payer.

Ideology and partisanship is causing the elected officials to forget what they are responsible for and that is producing legislation that works and benefits the tax payer.  Right now, I’m not confidant that we will see this instead we are likely to see something that doesn’t work and satisfies no one.

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UNDO – May post here

Jul 18th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I’ve decided to re enable this blog. I’ve decided that occasionally I want to say things that don’t belong in my woodworking blog (check it out at http://www.thisweekinwood.com).

See you soon.!

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Last Post

Mar 29th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I’ve decided to take down this blog (probably in the next week or so). I’ve found that writing a blog with little focus (meaning many topics) and working to post every day is not really what I wanted to do.

I’m starting a new blog over at This Week in Wood where I will focus on Woodworking. I will be posting once or twice a week and will try and put in pictures. I’m really looking forward to this blog.

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Feb 14th, 2009
by Glenn.
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Ok, this is in so many ways a contrived holiday heavily promoted by corporations that have financial interest in this holiday and the things they have promoted (cards, candy, flowers, …).

…but I have see an unstructured movement to move from gifts to reconnecting with our mates and refreshing the romance. In that spirit…

My wife, Kathy, and I met in the summer after my Freshman year in high school. We connected right away though our backgrounds were a little different. She is the daughter of European immigrants. I’m the son of 2 children of southern farming families. I was the caveman coming to dinner at her house and she was overwhelmed by the activities around dinner at my house.

In the beginning, it was all about teenage romance. It evolved gradually over the years to friendship, lovers, husband/wife, co-parents and all those relationships entail. We’ve certainly had trying times yet, we have always come out closer after them.

I love Kathy with all my heart. She gives me the things that my heart needs. I respect her with all my being. She shows me the best person I can be by her own actions and deeds. Our romance may not be exciting (I don’t think I’ve every been the creative romantic type) but it has gotten stronger, the closer we become.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Book Review: Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Jan 18th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I don’t think I’ve read a fantasy novel in quite a long time. By Fantasy, I mean something that takes place in some imaginary time and place where some fantastical elements exist that can range from mystical creatures to magic to … use your imagination.

This book is actually the 2nd book in a series about Yelena a young woman who was kidnapped as a child and apparently (meaning it happened in the 1st book?) had a very rough life.

In this one, she is traveling with your mentor/master Irys who is a master magician (1 of 4 in the Sitia country/territory.

During this story, we find out Yelena’s talents in magic and what she is truly made of by her efforts in playing detective on a mystery where evil is trying to steal girl’s souls. Of course, that would be interesting enough if we didn’t have to deal with her long lost brother thinking that she is a spy and drips of evil herself.

The character development is full and engaging. The story takes it serious enough but inserts humor and other emotions through out.

It took me about 25 pages to get into this story but after that, I was hooked and it was a quick read from that point onward.

It’s the 2nd book in a series but served well as a stand along story though clearly it would have been even more interesting had I read the first (Poison Study). I’m excited to read the first and the 3rd story (Fire Study) and I recommend you search it out and try it for yourself.

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Terminator – John Connor

Jan 15th, 2009
by Glenn.
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I’ve been a pretty big fan of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I like the characterizations and the story keeps moving and changing. The special effects are decent for a TV Sci-Fi show.

I’ve been rewatching the Terminator movies with Xander (a friend of his watched them and so he asked). There are scenes that are a little much for a 10 year old but Xander covers his eyes so he’s been enjoying them. It’s obvious that Xander’s maturity is going up as seen in his enjoyment of even the plot development and character development elements of the movies.

One of the things in watching both the TV shows and the movies is the difference in the John Connor portrayals. In the 2nd movie, John is kind of a punk but very confident and embraces his destiny. In the 3rd movie, John is a pathetic whiner who still worries about his future but isn’t preparing for it like his mother would have wanted. I thought the actor playing John in the 3rd movie did a fine job but the direction was just not what you’d expect the savior/leader of the human race to be like.

Now, in the TV series we have John as a super strong teenager with lots of angst but preparing himself to lead while figuring out his path and place and not the one everyone is trying to force on him. This is an excellent portrayal of this character while the 3rd movie is not as believable.

The reason I bring this up is with the up coming Terminator movie with an older adult John Connor. I am curious as to what they plan to base the character on – the movie series or the TV series.

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Money Discipline

Jan 13th, 2009
by Glenn.
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No one would ever mistake me for an ultra frugal person. Most of my life if I saw something I wanted, I bought it (maybe not right away but soon). That is not to say I haven’t bought those things by looking for the best deal because I have. But someone who buys everything they want (ok that’s more than I did but not far off) is not someone truly out to save money.

The current economic situation has me concerned though. Kathy and I decided that spending time with our kids as they grow up was the most important thing. About 6 years ago, we looked at our finances and figured that if we watched our money closely we could make it work so that we both could be at home. The current economic situation means 1 of 2 things for us. One option would be to cut to the bone which drastically changes our lifestyle (I don’t mean to imply a poverty like lifestyle but any drastic change in one’s lifestyle is hard on individuals and families). The second option would be to have one or both of us go back to work which in most ways is also a drastic lifestyle change.

We are waiting a few more months to see how this settles out.

I have notices in my personal behavior though that I am starting to have some modicum of money discipline. I have noticed over the last 4 months or so that when I see something that looks useful, interesting, desirable that I look into it and research it a bit just like I always have. The difference though is that I ask myself the question is do I need it, truly need it. As more time passes, the answer is more and more often no and I close out all my research and forget it.

This behavior change is drastic.

My motivation is many fold. It includes that I’ve grown fond of how life is working for myself but the really big point is the effect that it would have on my family if I needed to change our lifestyle in a radical way (i.e. going back to work). My boys wouldn’t get to have me walk them to school. I probably wouldn’t be able to do projects with them like building skateboards. Many other impacts too numerous to mention too.

The market changes are starting to become smaller but I can’t tell if we are near the “bottom”. I know many people have things worse so I have a lot of empathy for them and hope for all of us that we start leveling out soon.

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