Celebrity business development tips: Bob Young on Lulu.com

Humpty is back together

On Thursday, my Thinkpad T43 stopped charging. The yellow power jack was loose. I took the laptop apart (keyboard, bezel, hard drive, CDROM, power strip) to get access to the loose screw. I tightened it and put the laptop back together. Nada. Still no power. I took it apart again. That’s when I noticed the wire that connects to the power jack from the motherboard was disconnected, actually it was unglued and broken

So laptopjacks.com to the rescue, I was able to get a new power jack by Monday. Turns out in order to access the power jack, requires removing the system board. So I got to remove even MORE screws and parts (fan assembly, CDROM cage, memory, mini pci card, speaker assembly, VGA connector, and finally the rear strip). After almost 2 hours of repair work, I am proud to say I am writing this entry from the laptop which is running from the new power jack!

Ruby on Rails vs Java – RailsEnvy.com Commerical

BWAHAHAHA Ruby for the win!

short cubes suck.

Short walled cubicles suck! That’s all there is to it. And when you go from cubes that are more like modular offices to short walled cubes that sucks even more. Especially when it’s done for some perceived ‘increase in collaboration’.

Lawn mower trouble

broken intake manifold, originally uploaded by jmrodri.

mower gutted, originally uploaded by jmrodri.

I wanted to cut the lawn one last time before winter and I only got half way through the backyard before the lawn mower decided to shut off. I was pissed off to the point I was ready to just go buy a new one right then and there, but the thought of spending $400+ on a new one just didn’t sit well with me. So I started removing screws that when I ended up with most of the top of the mower’s engine apart. I ordered the parts from Briggs & Stratton but they won’t get here for a few weeks.

Happy Veteran’s Day

Thank you to all those that have served in the past and serving our country today. It is because of what you do that we are able to live FREE!

Netflix PS3 disc cover

Netflix PS3 disc cover, originally uploaded by jmrodri.

I got my Netflix for PS3 streaming disc in the mail today. It’s pretty cool (except when using the PS3 with wireless). Check out the unveiling here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmrodri/sets/72157622625857805/

To C or Ruby that is the question :)

I’m trying to decide whether to pick up C again (as it’s been almost 13 years since I’ve done it) or Ruby. I’ve spent the last 13 years in the Java world, as of late I’ve been working with python as much as humanly possible. Ruby keeps me in the web side of things, but C would open up a bunch of Linux opportunities which I find interesting. I know one of my friends would say neither go for Erlang

</thinking>

I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore …

<vent>
For the past 5 years I’ve had what I think is a bad ass cubicle which is more like shared office. The walls are at least 8 feet height with sliding doors with whiteboards on them. I loved this setup because when i want to get something done and isolate myself, I can simply slide the door closed. If I want to have a small pow-wow, I can invite folks into my cube and again slide the doors close. The cubes are not completely private as the walls do not reach to the ceiling, and you share it with another person: your cubie.

But for some reason, unbeknownst to me we are moving to shorter cubicles with no doors, no whiteboards, and conversation HELL. I am told by some that the purpose is to increase communication which I could probably believe if the entire team was co-located. But our team is geographically diverse and the folks that are co-located are not necessarily on the same team. So one groups chatter will affect another groups chatter. I just wish I could make sense of it all.

I guess I’m realizing in my old age that I dislike change, especially that which I did not initiate. Maybe if I tap my ruby red shoes, I can get back to Kansas
</vent>

Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high.
There’s a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue.
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops, Away above the chimney tops.
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then – oh, why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow,
Why, oh, why can’t I?

Now time to go play some Call of Duty: World @ War to vent some more. Thanks for listening folks.

New Microhood

1031091735.jpg, originally uploaded by jmrodri.

After almost a month, I finally decided to install the microhood today.

I started by turning off the breaker, then removing the 6 screws from the old range hood. I had to drill two 3/8″ holes in the cabinet and a 1.5″ hole for the plug. Thankfully I didn’t have to mess with the existing duct work. I did have to tape up the old wiring and push it into the wall, since the new microhood has a plug.

The bracket had 4 springed wing bolts and 3 lag screws into the studs. To find centerline I crated my own plumb with a thread, push ping and a bolt.

Liz helped me hook the microhood onto the bracket and get it screwed in from the top. Once it was in place, I plugged it in and switched the breaker. Thankfully no sparks

Next text was turn on the light, followed by the fan. All worked. Last test was try out the actual microwave part. WOO HOO! nothing blew up.