Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: General Cogitation Page 7 of 11

An Involuntary, Temporary Hiatus

By

On January 4, 2015

In General Cogitation

Greetings, a belated MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We had a lot going on over the past 2 months. We had to prepare the house for guests as we were getting our daughter baptized. As you know from a previous post, I did not enjoy most of the preparation but I’m glad its done now! The rooms look great, just a few blemishes to patch up in a few inconspicuous spots. The down side of all the work we did, we had worn ourselves out so much we made ourselves vulnerable to all the fun cold and stomach viruses prevalent at this time of year. So the weeks following the baptism we were all sick with various cold, cough and stomach bugs.

Then Christmas came and we all went out to my in-laws in Connecticut and that’s when we all caught that nasty respiratory flu that has been going around. BTW, when I say “we all caught it”, I’m not being dramatic. Every person in the house caught it, even poor little Evie. We are all still fighting off the remnants.

So I guess 2014 ended poorly in that we were all sick, but 2015 is starting out pretty good since we are all in recovery. I didn’t make a New Years Resolution because I don’t make New Years Resolutions, I don’t see the point.

Anyway, that’s all for now.

DIAF Drywall!

By

On November 24, 2014

In Fulmination, General Cogitation

I have been MIA from my blog and other online activities for the past couple of weeks primarily because of all the renovation we had to complete before this past weekend. In just three short weeks we had to sand, paint and rip up carpeting in the last of our bedrooms (to convert it to an office) and then we had to tear down two walls, re-frame part of a soffet, hang drywall, mud, sand, paint and carpet the entire basement (which is where we keep the entertainment center and our computers). While the result of our intense labors will be enjoyed for many years, I NEVER WANT TO HANG DRYWALL AGAIN!!!

I’m not a renovation DIY’er. I hate every aspect of hanging drywall, especially the mess. Mud, dust, more dust … MORE DUST!!! OMFG, THE DUST!!!

If another opportunity to hang drywall should come up … I would rather be water-boarded and stretched on the rack!

/wrists

minion_keboard_smI could get so much more accomplished if I only had minions!

Why I’m Hard On Microsoft

By

On September 19, 2014

In Apple, General Cogitation, Microsoft, Technology

borgYou can ask anyone and they will tell you that I rarely cut Microsoft any slack. I have been working in Microsoft technologies for over 10 years now, and I’m pretty good at .NET development. People generally assume that if you make a career working in a technology then you should give the appropriate, unrelenting respect but that’s not how I work. I won’t swoon over every product Microsoft produces because I don’t agree that everything that comes out of Redmond is made of gold. (Also, for what its worth, I don’t swoon over Apple products either. I’m not getting online at 4 in the morning or standing in line outside the Apple store to buy the new iPhone just to have the new iPhone; that’s just not economically sane or reasonable. I swoon for no one … well, maybe except for Nathan Fillion but, come on, he’s Malcolm Reynolds!

It probably doesn’t help that from 1998 to about 2002 I was full blown anti-Microsoft. I would only use Windows if I absolutely had to. My first computer was configured for dual boot which gave me the option to use Linux or Windows and I used Linux 90% of the time I was actively using my computer. Eventually I began to cut Microsoft some slack and when Windows 7 came out, it was a turning point for me. Microsoft has been in business for nearly 40 years so I expect a lot from a company that has been around since the mid-70’s. Is it wrong for me to set the bar that high? Lately I feel as though Microsoft thinks they can throw their weight around and still get their way but this isn’t the 90’s anymore. The vendor no longer controls the market; the users are now dictating what they want and what they expect (I blame social media). If you’re not willing to listen to your users and consumers then you’ll never deliver what the people really want and you’ll get left behind by those that really do respond to criticism and feedback (hence why Apple and Google have been far more successful).

I think a lot of my harsh criticism stems from frustration. I feel like Microsoft has been extremely obtuse and out of touch with the modern world. How do you release something as wonderful as Windows 7 only to turn around and release something as odious as the Metro UI and Windows 8? I get that the industry has become more mobile where gestures and touch enabled devices are paramount for new products but Microsoft’s interpretation of a mobile UI was just awful. I also think that the Windows Phone and the Surface tablet was a terrible idea because the market was already saturated with several successful devices. It’s very disappointing because they made some very poor decisions; but I guess if anyone has the money to throw around its Microsoft. They have never really been afraid to take risks, no matter how terribly they pan out.

I’ve already seen a few rumors swirling around about Windows 9, code named “Threshold” and the early indicators are that they are going to separate the standard computer desktop user from the touch enabled user. Despite all the mud slinging I have been doing lately about Windows 8, I am excited for Windows 9 and to see if Microsoft has learned their lesson. I’m still not interested in either of their mobile devices (until they become less of an eye-sore) however futile it is to resist 😉

Work Interference

By

On September 12, 2014

In General Cogitation

I am behind with my frequency of new posts. I was placed at a client where I was gone for nearly 10 hours each day and each day started at 7 in the morning. Needless to say I was feeling a little wiped out at the end of each day. I have completed my work and awaiting the next challenge; which means I am on the bench doing some training.

Some topics I have on tap (beyond the obvious MMO Times and TBT):

  • I think I am going to comment on SWTOR Strongholds (now that I have been playing it long enough to comment)
  • Perhaps my thoughts on the new Apple devices that were announced this week
  • I should find something in my field to talk about. I don’t do enough sharing about programming

I won’t comment on anything political. I will leave those comments for trolling Facebook and Google+. Is anyone out there in a beta and you are allowed to comment on your experiences?

Genie, You’re Free

By

On August 12, 2014

In General Cogitation

rip-robin-williamsThe title and image of this post was originally a tweet sent out by The Academy (@TheAcademy). It’s simplicity and message is so brilliant that I had to use it for my post to a great man. It’s amazing how the death of a famous Hollywood actor, like Robin Williams, seems to have such a profound impact me. I truly feel sincerely devastated by his passing, and I never knew him personally and he never knew I even existed. I don’t feel this way about every Hollywood actor that passes away, but Robin Williams’ passing is different. I’ve been watching him since I was a kid. I grew up with him in my living room every week as if he were a relative or close family friend.

“Mork & Mindy” was one of my all time favorite shows growing up. He had me on the floor laughing in every episode and even today I could watch that show over and over and still laugh just as hard. His movies are timeless, from Aladdin to Hook, Mrs Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting … I loved so many of his films! His role as the Genie in Aladdin is one of the reasons that movie is one of my favorite Disney movies. I loved hearing about how most of his lines in the movie Father’s Day was adlibbed and I have a fond memory of watching Good Morning, Vietnam in French class back in high school. I was at Purdue when he was on one of his comedy tours. A bunch of my friends and I went to see him at the Elliott Hall of Music on Purdue’s campus and it is one of my fondest college memories.

I was surprised to learn back when he was filming Good Morning, Vietnam that he was taking medication for manic depression. I mean, how could a man that provided the world with so much humor, be so sad?? Depression is a frightening and awful disease of the mind. It leaves friends and family and fans feeling so helpless when they learn of tragedies such as the taking of ones life. We all wonder what we could have done to demonstrate how much Robin William was loved; how much he inspired all of us to laugh everyday, especially when life was at its most difficult. The Apple “What will your verse be” commercials he lent his voice to even felt inspirational.

I think I will be going on a Robin Williams movie binge for a while. I don’t know any other way to honor the memory of such an amazing person. I will pray that I will one day see him in that great comedy club in the sky.

RIP Robin Williams, you will be missed more then you can possibly imagine.

50 Years Of Mustang

By

On July 17, 2014

In General Cogitation

1964_ford_mustang_convertibleIf you had your choice to own any car in the world, regardless of cost, insurance, maintenance, etc, what would you choose? I wonder how many people would pick the fastest car, or the most modern, luxury vehicle on the market. Aston Martin, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce are some of the most luxurious cars out there. I would pick none of those! Personally, I would either want a 64 1/2 convertible or a 67 Shelby GT-350, aka “Eleanor” (I would have a very difficult time choosing between those).

Fifty years ago Ford started the Mustang with the 64 1/2. There used to be a 64 1/2 white convertible, with blue leather interior in the family (like the one in the picture). I remember taking rides in it as a kid. We couldn’t go very fast because my mother blew the engine out long before I was born, but it was a sweet machine. Man what I wouldn’t give to have that car back!! My love for the Mustang started with that car. Then I saw the remake of “Gone In 60 Seconds” and that’s when “Eleanor” made the list of dream cars I would love to own.

It’s amazing that a car has become so iconic that Ford is still producing them even 50 years later and people are still buying them. I don’t know enough about cars to answer this, perhaps somebody does, but what other automobile brand has lasted 50 years, and is still manufactured? I imagine it has to be quite a small and elite group. I think most of the newer models of the Mustang have been pretty nice. I think Ford has been doing the Mustang name justice with some of the old school body designs; though I hope they never touch the body designs from the 90s. They were quite horrid.

I hope to one day own a Mustang. It will probably be my fun car. It would be great to get that 64 1/2 back we had in the family, though I wouldn’t mind getting my own “Eleanor”. Unfortunately, on a recent episode of “What’s My Car Worth” on the Velocity network, 1967 Shelby GT-350 Mustangs start at $80,000 up to over $100,000. In fact the 67 Shelby GT-350 in Britney Blue went for 80 grand at auction on that particular episode.

I guess that’s why they are called “dream cars”, the price tag (or odds of locating one), can only happen in one’s dreams.

Happy 50th Birthday, Ford Mustang.

/cheers

Page 7 of 11

Previous

Next

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén