Tar Pine

I used to pine for the Macbook Air but that was before Kelly brought home her new 15" Macbook Pro. The backlit keyboard, the screen resolution with crystal clear video output, the monsterous (by comparion) hard drive. Oh, it's too much to resist. I'm now in the "I want a Macbook Pro" crowd.

At this rate, with the economny tanking around us and with the instability at work I think it will be a year before I upgrade my little tried-and-true Macbook. I can wait, I think. The only thing that doesn't work on the Macbook is the built-in iSight camera (and I'm still under warrently so I could get it fixed, which I think I'll do).

Until everything settles out I'll have to wait for my Macbook Pro. It's not going to be easy, but I'll make it. To that point the very tried-and-true G4 mini will live on until it refuses to boot and I hope that time is long into the future.

It's time to financially hunker down at the Brown household.

Gas prices

Kelly reports regular gas in Columbia, NC is selling for $2.88/gallon. I could have used that yesterday. I filled up the Global Warmer to the tune of $90.00 yesterday with local gas selling for nearly $3.60/gallon. Damn, I got ripped off!! The 'burban was running on fumes and I was under a time crunch to get to work but still. At least next week I can get back to car pooling with Kelly. Having both of us driving for one week cost an extra $90.00! In a week! Ouch!!!

working today

Ah, the joys of upgrading microcode on 6500 series Cisco routers with Sup-720 modules. It's really not all that bad and in theory this work *COULD* be conducted from afar but when dealing with the big boys it's a good idea to be at the router in case of a meltdown. The upgrades today are rolling along and I've got a couple more hours to work in my change window plus I get to visit some buildings I've not stepped foot in for quite a while, over two years in some cases.

It's all good. As long as there is a paycheck attached to my work at the end of the week, so to speak, I'm ok with everything.

Onward! To downdown Durham! There are many routers left to upgrade.

Bowie. Changes.

Changes
David Bowie

I still don't know what I was waiting for
And my time was running wild
A million dead-end streets
Every time I thought I'd got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I've never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I'm much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time

I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence and
So the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Don't tell t hem to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Where's your shame
You've left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can't trace time

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I'm going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you're gonna get a little older
Time may change me
But I can't trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can't trace time

Things to do

1. survive economic meltdown
2. keep job (somewhat related to point #1)
   
3. join Orange County Radio Amateurs
4. stop looking at 401k on a daily basis
5. attend Basic SKYWARN Weather Class, 28 October
6. Investigate/join Wake County ARES/RACES
7. Scour Craigslist for a new stationary exercise bike

Day 4 at Cisco

Today is day number four at Cisco in RTP. Today might be my last day to visit the CPOC. Time will tell. This is fun but "real" work is stacking up back at the office.

Palin

Palin, you make me ailin'
Your run at office I hope is failin'
Your ship's a sinkin' and there's no point bailin'
Your sail's torn, you can't go sailin'
Thank God your candidacy is trailin'
Palin.