Yes, I know you want the next edition of Celebrity Magazine, but I'm going to whine first.  I've been trying to get broadband forever.  I've tried everything.  I've been working with a local wireless company. Each time we try something new I feel let down when it doesn't work.  He's trying his best.  Last night he put up a bigger antenna.  It didn't help.  I get a small signal but it's intermittent.  Not good enough to pay for at least.  He says he's going to keep trying different locations with the antenna this week to see if he can get a better signal. 

You should hear the princess complain about not having broadband.  Blah blah blah works at Microsoft blah blah blah can't have broadband.  Remember the teacher in the Peanuts cartoons?  Yeah, that's all I hear anymore.  Luckily I can escape to work every day.  Today we're having a morale event after a team meeting.  We're supposed to go see "that museum movie".  I hear it's pretty good.

I need to run.  Have a great day Internet!

With her majesty staying at the house, I feel like People Magazine.  Everyone wants to know if I'll provide some new insight in to her life.  My stats have gone through the roof and most of them are from her blog.  Say hi...

You may not know it but she eats and drinks like it's going out of style.  I thought I ate and drank a lot.  Where she packs it away, I'll never know.  Maybe she purges?

Don't get me started about her hair.  She brushes it constantly.  I can hear her count under her breath.  Brush 205, 206, 207...  Something about only using Evian on her hair is sending me to the store today.  Anyone know what that's about?

I don't think she sleeps either.  I go to bed she's awake.  I get up and she's awake.  It's bizarre.  I was up at 6 this morning and there she is.  Then she smiles and asks where the nearest bloodbank is.  CREEPY if you ask me.

Apparently I bore her.  She's going off on her own today while I head in to work.  Wish me luck!

As typical with royalty, she arrived 15 minutes late.  She claims it had to do with de-icing the plane in Spokane.  I believe the real reason is because they had to remove some cargo and put extra fuel in the plane to account for all her ummm luggage...yeah luggage.  Think I'm lying?  She had big ORANGE HEAVY stickers all over her checked luggage.  In addition to that she had two LARGE carry ons containing enough electronics to power a small company.  If not for her popularity and royalty status, I'm sure security would have stopped her from boarding.

I greeted her at the exit as she threw her bags at me.  I'm sure if security had let me through, she would have demanded I met her at the gate to carry her bags.  She's such a diva.  After I carried all her luggage to the car she demanded I take her some place to eat.  Where would royalty want to go?  Burger KING of course.  I'm sure she'll want to go to Kings Buffet and if we were in Long Beach, the Queen Mary.  I think the only reason she let me sit at her table was to have someone close to refresh her beverage and give her a clean straw after each sip.

After lunch we headed to my "hovel" as she calls it.  I guess that's where the peon's live.  On the way we passed Snoqualmie Falls.  Even though I pleaded with her that I wanted to get home to put together Alex's birthday gift before it got dark, she made me stop so she can take photos.  So I lugged all her gear up and down looking for the perfect shot.  She kept making me move people out of the way so she could see.  Once I explained who she was, they gratefully backed off.  A few even asked for her autograph. 

We then headed to the hovel.  I bought Alex a rideable John Deere Tractor for his birthday.  With all the sunny days we've been having I thought it would be good to give it to him early before the rains start.  I was able to finish last night but it got dark.  Princess took a few photos I'll post when I get a chance. 

Well she's demanded a new carriage this morning.  Apparently mine isn't good enough.  We're meeting another one of her friends today for lunch.  I should call before hand and make sure the red carpet is cleaned.  /writes that down.

Have a great day Internet!

I'm not breaking tradition.  Like most Friday's I'll tell you my weekend plans.  Most of it is centers around getting ready for Leesa to visit.  She's coming mid afternoon on Sunday.  I'm sure she'll say she's not worth the fuss but of course there are all the little things to do before a friend comes to stay.  So stick it Leesa, I'm getting ready for you.

I also need to wrap up this weeks homework.  I have a small case study to write.  I'm hoping it doesn't take long.  Riding my bike and reading my homework has really worked out well.  The book bounces some but it beats being distracted by everything else.  I find if I try to read on the weekend it takes for ever.  I can find any excuse not to read.  Plus I get 8-10 miles in on the bike.  :)

Have a great day and a great weekend Internet!

I didn't blog yesterday.  I didn't really have anything to say when I got up.  Now I feel guilt because I didn't blog and said I would everyday.  I've already slipped and not blogged on the weekend. 

Lots going on in my life and little I can talk about on my blog.  If you're wondering if it has to do with you, odds are it is.  Go get therapy.  Seriously, everyone in my life is going through something right now except for maybe two to three people.  It's just crazy.  I'm sure you all are wondering if either I'm talking about you or if there's something you can do to help.  Honestly, I can't talk so please don't ask.  :)

Heh, like other friends sometimes I wish I could turn off comments on days like this.  I'm not looking for pity or sympathy.  I get complaints that my blog is very guarded...that I don't talk about what is really going on.  You asked for it...here's halfway guarded John. 

Alex is doing great btw.  He turns 4 in a little over a week.  He's growing up very fast.  He's having a Lightning McQueen Cars party.  He's very excited.   You know I'll be decorating the cake.

Have a great day Internet!

For class I need to do an argumentative essay.  I need to make a statement and then defend it.  It can be anything.  I just need to be able to defend and document with facts.  Any ideas?  I have a few, but I'm betting you all might have some others that might even be better.

I didn't tell you yesterday but I tried riding my stationary bike while reading my homework assignment.  The book was a bit shaky but not enough that I couldn't read and comprehend.  It was quiet.  No TV, everyone else asleep.  I think I found the solution to me procrastinating.  I've tried reading in front of the computer and it just doesn't work.  I get too distracted.

Silent one asked about Vista.  I believe the launch is this week.  You don't have to wait long.  I have it installed at work.  I like it alright.  Of course I love new things too.

Have a great day Internet!

You all tease me about only blogging about being busy and what I'm doing.  Let me tell you what I didn't do.  I didn't work on the house once!  I finished my homework on Saturday morning and I played games, chatted and watched TV the rest of the weekend.  I did a few other fun things as well. 

A good friend of mine told me about a lab puppy that had been found along the road.  The people that found her brought her here to not only let us check the puppy out, but I think check out us as well.  I didn't lie.  I have no fence.  Just lots of woods.  Nobody around here has a fenced backyard that would keep a dog in.  I have a 4 year old son.  In the end we decided it wasn't the right time.  Maybe when Alex gets older.

We also went and saw Eragon at the theater.  Overall I enjoyed it.  I listened to the book on CD.  It's always interesting to see what parts of the book they cut from the movie.   It seems they really missed some of the storylines from the book.  It'll be interesting to see if they do a second movie and pull it all together.  They left some parts out that were important to the continuing story in the next book.  I don't think I've given anything away if you haven't seen it yet.

Have a great day Internet!

If everything works out, I'll be going to Shanghai towards the end of March, beginning of April for work.  As of last year I had never been out of the country except for Canada.  Now I've been to Ireland, England, Mexico and now China.  I must have been a good boy last year.  Needless to say I'm pretty excited.  I hope the exchange rate is better there than it was in Europe.   I couldn't believe I paid $18 for a personal pizza in London.  The exchange rate there is just nuts.  Does anyone know anything about Shanghai?  I know nothing.  I guess I better start reading up.

Have a great day Internet!

~D~ sent this to me earlier.  For every search you do using this link, Microsoft will donate $1 to Children's Hospital.  Is it a gimmick to get you to use Live Search?  Yeah.  But I bet Microsoft doesn't make nearly the dollar it donates for every search you do.  Just think...I bet you do 10 searches a day on that OTHER search engine.  You could help donate $10 to Children's Hospital instead.

It can't hurt...

http://teamseattle.live.com/Search/Charity/TeamSeattle/Default.aspx

I've needed to get new tires for a while.  These only have 36,000 miles on them.  It's too bad Ford put such cheap tires on it.   With the snow and ice lately it just became more apparent that I needed them.  So after work last night I stopped and got a new set.  $740 later I have nice new tires that are warranted for 60,000 miles.  They are a little more than I wanted to spend but for 60,000 miles I thought it was worth it.  I've put those 36,000 miles on it in little over 2 years.  I figure that's enough miles to justify better tires.  I really like the place I buy them from.  Les Schwab is the best.  I've had them fix flats for free before and I didn't even have tires from them.  I can't recommend them more.  Of course because of all the snow, there was a line to get tires.  I went and got a haircut while I waited.

The snow is finally melting.  It looks like the drive in should be ok.  Have a great day Internet.

I've been watching the weather this morning wondering if I should go in.  We're getting some large flakes.  Luckily I can do a decent amount of work at home while waiting for traffic to die down and roads to be plowed.  I'll be safe.  It's the other drivers I worry about.

Leesa mentioned how neat it would be to have photos from the Science Center.  It was an inside joke that I forgot to mention in my blog post yesterday.  You see...I did take my camera...even took several photos with it.  That is until I noticed I had left the CF card connected to the computer after uploading the snow photo's the other day.  Good thing I lugged that camera all around and took those "perfect shots".

Have a great safe day Internet.

By Sunday morning I was 90% better.  I had a pretty productive weekend I think.  I finished my homework.  It was by far the most homework I've had on the first week.  I finished it Sunday morning.  I fixed the garage door opener.  Turns out the sensors had gotten bumped so it always thought something was blocking the door.  I also replaced the deck light.  The inside had rusted out and the contacts for the bulb no longer touched the bulb.  We also played in the snow on Saturday.

Yesterday was boys day out.  We went and saw the model trains at the Pacific Science Center.  Not only did they have the trains but there are lots of things to touch and play with.  We also watched a movie about Mount Saint Helens at the IMAX theater.  Alex was either not impressed or tired out from a tough day at the museum.  He nodded off about half way through.  I think he had a great time.  I wonder how much he'll remember of this day when he's my age.

That's about it for my weekend.  Today I'm picking up 2 friends and taking them to work because of the snow.  So far the little Escape has been doing well.

Have a great day Internet!

So the other day when I thought I had allergies...I'm thinking now it was just the onset of a cold.  It really reared it's ugly head late yesterday afternoon, all night last night and today.  I've been sitting here in a drug filled haze trying to do homework and work from home.  Blech this is no fun.

I started class this week.  Usually the first week is light with the second week requiring more work.  Not these classes.  My critical thinking class has 2 quizzes, a student introductory statement, an activity, reading, a paper proposal and a discussion question.  The paper proposal was to be about a group you belong to and the stereotypes that are identified with that group.  I chose Microsoft Employee as my topic.  When you think Microsoft Employee, what do you think?

I'm kind of bummed.  I started one of the quizzes and it crashed at the beginning.  I tried to retake it and it said it was in progress.  I e-mailed the teacher but I don't have high hopes.  sigh

I hope you had a great day...

We got dumped on yesterday.  I think we have between 10 and 12 inches of snow.  It was so bad that I left the Escape at the bottom of the hill last night and hiked the last half mile.  It is beautiful out though.  I took a few photos:

I liked this one because of the neat reflections in the pond.

We got a few inches of snow last night which means the scrolling of school closures at the bottom of the morning news.  I then realized the downside of taking classes online.  There are no snow days. 

I started classes back up on Monday after taking a break for the last 3 months.  After these are done I'll have 8 more to go.  I'm hoping to finish in the Spring of 2008.  I graduated high school  in 1988.  Who would have guessed I'd be on the 20 year college plan.  At least I'll be done and I'll be glad I finally accomplished it.

I'm taking two classes this semester.  The first you'll chuckle at.  It's a Critical Thinking class.  The name of the textbook is "Thinking for Yourself".  Do you think I have a problem with that?  I hope it's a fun class.  I imagine there will be a lot of debate.  The other class is more technical.  It's a class on Local Area Networks.  I'm not expecting it to be hard, but we'll see.  I'm already procrastinating my reading...blah.

Have a great day Internet!

I don't get it.  I was fine when I went to bed, but sure enough 2:30 rolls around and my allergies kick in.  Nothing like a runny nose and a scratchy throat to keep you awake.  I took a nyquil and went back to bed.  Of course I woke up all groggy and I'm getting a later start on my day than I wish.  So what lurks in the night at 2:30 in the morning?  Why is it I'm getting allergies now?  I know I've blogged that before but I still wonder why.  I thought allergies were supposed to go away as you got older.  Not me.  I get allergies and the occasional zit.  It's like I'm getting younger like Mork.  I wonder if some day I'll just return to my egg.  If I have to go back to Jr High School, I'm home schooling.

You all enjoy teasing me about my blogging I see.  Does this one qualify as longer than just a few sentences?  :P

Have a great day Internet!

3am Saturday morning we lost power.  No problem I thought.  It should be on by the time I wake up.  I wake up around 7:30...hmm still no power.  Well, I hope ~D~ has power because today is the day of the great toilet relocation program.  Removing the cement went well.  I rented the jackhammer around 10 and had it back by 2.  Now the bad news.  Of course none of the drainage pipe was where I thought it would be.  I poked a hole in 2 of them because I didn't expect there to be drainage pipe where I was chiseling.  Luckily they were pipes I needed to get rid of in order to move the toilet over to it's new location. 

As luck would have it, ~D~ was having guests over at 6pm.  Your danger senses should be tingling about now.  I told her that I'd be done at 4pm.  Plenty of time, right?  Of course I discovered that the drain pipe I was working on was the main drainage pipe for the house.  That means no toilets, no sinks, no water can drain anywhere.  At 4, I'm sweating it.  The replacement pipe won't fit!  One last trip to Home Depot and I was able to get a flexible pipe that did the trick.  At 5pm, the doorbell rings.  What?  They are early...sigh.  I hear ~D~ upstairs telling them that they can't use the bathroom....great.  Luckily at 5:35 I have everything installed and I leak check it.  No leaks!  "Bye ~D~...have a nice evening.  Yes, you and your guests can pee now."

We get home that night expecting power.  Hmm, no power.   I guess I'll try the generator and light the kerosene heater.  I open the fuel valve on the generator and fuel proceeds to pour out of the generator on to the floor.  Sigh.  It looks like I've got a carburetor problem.  Luckily I'm able to throttle the fuel valve enough to regulate fuel flow and start the generator.  What's the first thing I power up you ask?  That's right!  The TV and the computers.  :)  Next I plugged in the fridge.  Food, TV and Internet.  All the important things.

I go to bed around 11 hoping power will be on soon.  I then proceeded to wake up every hour wondering if the power was on yet.  Sigh, no sleep for me.  At 7:30 I got up and headed back over to ~D~'s to finish her toilet.  I was able to finish the rest of the piping and then pour the cement.  With the cement dry, I'll head back over today and install the toilet.  I just need to put the wax seal on, tighten the toilet to the flange and hook up the water.  Let's hope nothing goes wrong.

What about the power? It finally came on at 3pm yesterday.  We have a well and therefore require power for water.  It was so nice to be able to take a shower. 

Have a great day Internet!

I realized that both today's post and yesterday's post is about projects.  I guess that's not spicing things up.  :)

As many of you know, I'm helping my friend ~D~ remodel her house.  We started demolishing her bathroom a while back but now it's time to break out new tools.  We're putting in a new tub.  The new tub is much larger than the old one so we need to move the toilet over a bit.  If not you'll have one leg in the tub while sitting on the toilet and while I think that idea is fine, ~D~ doesn't share my enthusiasm.  Just kidding....I knew I needed to move the toilet over.  Since the plumbing is embedded in concrete I get to rent a chipper hammer and remove concrete.  I've never gotten to do this before so I'm excited.  It should be fun.  My goal is to have her toilet moved and temporarily installed by Sunday night.  Heh, if not she'll be using the upstairs bathroom until I get a chance to finish it.  I can see all my women reader's faces now...upstairs...pee?  You nuts?  Don't worry...I'll do my my best.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Have a great day Internet!

I've been thinking a lot about all the projects I have to do around the house.  It seems like it's never ending.  With the recent windstorm I have even more to do.  Last night it was discovered I have a water leak in my garage.  This is while I was looking at the garage door opener that always think there is something in the way of the garage door and doesn't shut unless I make it shut. 

Longer ago than I want to mention in public, I fell off the roof on to a lower roof over my tool area in the garage.  Needless to say there is a huge John butt imprinted in to the roof.  The shingles were slightly bent and the underlying wood is bowed, but I thought it would be ok.  I was wrong.  The sheetrock under the area is mildewy.  Sigh...This means I'll need to pull up a good section of the roof and replace the wood underneath.  Then I'll need to reshingle it.  Then there is the water damage I'll need to repair.

As I was thinking about it, I thought about all the other projects I need to do around the house, but have been procrastinating...

• Finish painting the outside of the house
• pick up all the limbs from the windstorm
• Fix the peeling paint in the shower area
• Put recessed lighting in our family room
• Finish putting in rock pathway to chicken house
• Finish playground by building border and filling with pea gravel
• Finish mudding in around the attic access stairs I put in
• Clean the garage
• Clean my computer area
• Get ready for Spring.  
• I'd like to plant an orchard this year
• I'd like to plant some flowering cherry trees all the way down my driveway.  Currently I only have 6 and it only goes 20 feet or so
• Grade along the driveway so I have a nice grass area on both sides  
• Put in a few more flower beds
• Plant vegetable garden
• Burn the remaining stump piles
• Grade and put in more backyard grass
• Build a shed to store the lawnmower and tractor

I'm sure I'm missing something.  There's always something to do.  I wonder if I'll finish the list before next January.

Oh...and I also want to know....why is it always way more fun to do projects at other people's houses than your own?

Have a great day Internet!

I really like my job.  It's one of those unusual jobs at Microsoft where I can do pretty much anything I want.  Well...not anything, but it has a large enough scope that I can poke my nose in to just about anything.  My job is to identify engineering processes both good and bad.  I share the good ones across the organization and help people solve the bad ones.  I get to talk to people regularly to find out what they are doing and how they'd like to improve things.  Can you imagine a better job?  Sometimes I miss shipping products.  There's nothing like shipping a product and knowing that hundreds of millions of people will be using something you had a small part creating.  For now though, I'm happy with my job.

"You sound so upbeat John, what does the title of this blog have to do with it?" you ask.  Because my job is so loosely defined, it's easy to get in a rut.  I define what my days, weeks and months look like.  It's up to me to set the structure of my time.  Although I did accomplish everything I wanted to do last year, I want to do more this year.  The New Year is always a great time to set new goals and accomplishments.  So my goal this week is to outline the next 6 months and what I will accomplish.  I've already mentioned most of it to my boss, so most of the work is just writing it down and creating a timeline/project plan.  I've got 2-3 big events to host in the next 6 months, so I know I'll be busy.  That's my plan for today.  I have a few meetings, but the rest will be spent putting what's in my brain down in to Word and Project.  Wish me luck.

Have a great day Internet!