KnipSter Journal

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October 31, 2002

He won't appreciate this when he's older

Click here for more pictures.

Posted by KnipSter at 06:13 PM | Comments (0)

October 30, 2002

Halloween Smalloween

Growing up, I wasn't allowed to go trick or treating. Quite Simply, my father believed that their was a time and a place for begging, and just because everyone else choose to go door-to-door demanding candy, didn't mean his kids had to. Of course, when/if the time should come that I need to beg, I will be ill-prepared with no formal practice.

The actual sick result of this situation is that I believe I understand the rationale. I think it might have more to do with not being part of the neighborhood. Why would I present my daughter at the front door of strangers to ask for candy. Of course, in a "real" neighborhood, your neighbors are more like family than strangers. Do these neighborhoods exist anymore?

Anyway, here's pictures of Maura and friends at my company's halloween afternoon.

And evidence:

If you have a can't see the video below, trying clicking here after waiting a minute.

Posted by KnipSter at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)

October 29, 2002

Yahoo! is going to use PHP

According to SlashDot, Yahoo! is going to use PHP. It is interesting to see Yahoo! continue to use "free" software to growth their business. Certainly makes one think.

Update: The guy who gave the talk is getting a kick out of his fame.

Posted by KnipSter at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)

October 27, 2002

Things I'd like to see.

Home Theatre PC:
To me, this entails duplicating my ReplayTV PVR. Program Guide with searching, theme/show-based recording programs, playback while recording, pausing live TV, interacting appropriately with my cable box (e.g. IR blaster), etc.. Bonus points for recording more than one show simultaneously.
It also for Channel and Web Surfing, access to email, playing mp3's, internet radio, and general mass storage. Wireless network, keyboard, mouse, etc.. would be expected. As would decent performance for games, etc...

Tablet PC:
This concept has been getting some attention recently. I haven't seen the product offerings, but I'll tell you want I want:
Magazine form factor internet connected web browser with pen/touch interface for following links and perhaps some simple buttons for navigation. The docking station/recharger/whatever would have ports for keyboard, etc... When docked the device should be a full screen picture frame or "off". It is instant on and responsive. There are no subscription or monthly fees and it works straight up with my existing home network. 802.11b wireless would be nice for travelling and an industry standard browser/plugins would be nice. On-screen or wireless keyboard would bonus for special situation.
Oh yeah, clearly must be under $1,000.
Close Contender:
Sonic Blue ProGear WebTablet (where did it go?)

Posted by KnipSter at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)

Some Opinionated Tag Line

I'd like to have one of those weblogs where something so eloquently and articulately lays out an argument for thought provoking and radical ideas. But I lack the patience or attention span to communicate such things adequately in written form. So I will continue to spew mindless thoughts and mundane updates on my life.

We went to the park today. Maura continues to suprise us with new tricks. She is more stable going down slides, she'll walk/crawl through the plastic tubes in the park and run and hide around the "jungle gym." She seems to be saying more words: mama, dada, juice, brush, shoes, ball, baby, up, that, elmo, bear, and possibly red, blue, black, water, vroom, car, boat. There even some evidence of connecting words like "Dada Juice." (which is reference to the bottle of juice in the fridge without the added calcium or, as I call it, aftertaste).

Posted by KnipSter at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)

October 23, 2002

Refinancing Done

So I think the lawyer was a little suprised when Maura came to the refinance closing, but I don't feel too bad. Maura was pretty excited and enjoying panting back at the little dog that was running around the obviously not-so-stuffy law office. Unfortunately the dog took Maura's ball, but we didn't mind leaving it behind.

Now that its over, I think I'm happy. Even though I felt I had to watch my mortgage broker, and I did. But in the end, I owe less than I did yesterday; I'll pay less per month then I did yesterday; I only had to put up a little bit of fixed costs (I'll make it up in a month). {Red is old plan; blue is new}

All in all, I think its worth the paranoia and frustration. I think prolonging the process only extended the emotions. Its too bad that it has to be so complicated.

Posted by KnipSter at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)

October 20, 2002

Soccer in Goose Shit Park

So Morgan calls and says, "Lets go fly a kite..." So we head out to Veteran's Park in Norwalk. I swear, there wasn't a square foot that didn't have a pile of goose shit in it. We ended up playing kick the ball and avoided using our hands. Of course the kite was fun, but it was definitely a challenge to get the poop off our shoes at the end of the hour. Hopefully Morgan will upload some pictures later... Here they are. Oh yeah, and Maura may become quite the soccer player (click more).

If you have a can't see the video below, trying clicking here after waiting a minute.

Posted by KnipSter at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)

October 19, 2002

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Yesterday was my little brother's birthday. He turned 25 and is excited to jump from the 18-24 group to the 25-34 group. The rude awakening is that its really the 18-34 group. Anyway, we had a wonderful dinner tonight with Morgan and Nora.

Also we set up my Mom and Lori with their own web logs. Lets see how well those do.

Posted by KnipSter at 08:47 PM | Comments (0)

October 08, 2002

Argggh!!

Whats going on? Review Season is over. The stock market still sucks. I think my mortgage broker is trying to pull fast ones over on me. Fires crop up all time and I feel responsible to help put them out. Lori is understandably frustrated when I come home late. I'd like to buy a house. Maura enjoyed playing in right field of the High School Baseball field on Sunday, I didn't have to worry about her getting run over by a car there. My brother is complaining that I don't post enough. I'm reading my coworkers weblogs, and thats actually quite wonderful, I hope I don't freak them out. I don't code enough anymore. I go back and forth on how I "add value." I don't want to be "pointy-haired." I think I help make others more productive.

The answer?

I don't know. balance, balance, balance. When I go too far one way, pull it back. Be open to being wrong. Make it easy for people to provide me feedback (especially the negative).

Happy, Morgan?

Posted by KnipSter at 10:10 PM | Comments (3)