Kevin: May 2003 Archives

There is a measure of peer pressure here at my work regarding Personal Data Assistants, or PDAs. The peer pressure is: everyone in administration but me has one. I poke fun at them for being so "high-tech" and they laugh -- just before asking me how to do something on their own PDA -- and then they ask, "You don't have one?" I invariably retort, "No. Why, do I need one?" This past week one of them decided that I do and asked me to pick one out.

So, here's the delimma: I have avoided PDAs for so long -- going all the way back to my Caterpillar days, when everyone had one too -- what on earth do I want or need from it? Obviously I understand the draw of having your calendar and addressbook handy, so those are needs. What else? I am fairly certain every PDA in existance has both of those covered. The only thing I can think of that I want out of a PDA is wireless capability -- I want to be able to email or instant message while at a meeting (access point permitting). :) That cuts the eligible contestants down quite a bit. (Note: I'm talking about integrated wireless, not expansion cards.)

Actually, in my book it cuts things down to two PDAs: The Palm Tungsten C and the HP iPAQ pocket PC h5455. Both have WiFi (802.11b, ala Airport) and the HP adds Bluetooth, a redundant extra for my needs based on its limited range. The Palm adds a keyboard, which I think might be the deciding factor for me -- I've never liked Graffiti writing. That and the price: about a $150 discount over the HP. They each offer different operating systems, and one (I feel) is more Mac-friendly. Nod to the Palm again. (The HP uses Microsoft Windows Pocket PC.)

With all that in mind, I think I'll go the route of the Palm. Do any of you have experiences either way? What do you use your PDA for, and what features are essential?

My mom relayed a joke this morning. I thought it was funny.

Apparently a teacher has been arrested for being in possession of a compass, a protractor, and a straight edge. He claims to be a member of the al-Gebra movement bearing weapons of math instruction.

[rimshot] That's all, folks.

Hale is celebrating his first birthday today -- with a party! We are so excited to share this with him.

Happy Birthday, Haley!

Today is a great day -- the third anniversary of our marriage. That Saturday years ago started out overcast, but ended up with Jill and I clearly entering something wonderful and sacred.

Now, three years and 1.5 kids later, that fact remains. Thank you, Jill!

A few weeks ago I went around our house snapping pictures of all of the trim and "character" that makes our home what it is. Among the photos was this odd-ball, a picture of one of the two arched windows that -- along with the arched walkway -- connect our living room to our dining room. This picture is looking into the living room.

I guess what I like most about this picture is that you can see two books and a picture frame but can't read or look at the subject of either. I was just reminiscing about how when we moved into the house it was much like those items; it needed to be turned around to enjoy.

All things considered, I think Jill and I have turned this house around.

Just two weeks ago, the house at 348 North Line Street received its final coat of paint. Finally. If you recall, our once white house has now been transformed into a warm, grey image of a more youthful home.

From a little paint snippet at Lowe's (that gave us the inspiration for the color) to the finished project, it has been a fun experience.

Based on interest from the innercircle mailing list, I thought this place would be as good as any to start a listing of the people hosted on Cornerhost. Comment to this entry with a link to your site and a short description of what you do there. Any links that don't comply with Michal's terms of service will most definitely conflict with mine, so I retain the right to delete any links that aren't what I would consider above the table.

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I don't know where my fascination with space began, but it is something I've never been able to shake. (sorry, Jill) So that explains why when something predictable happens I am yet still amazed. For instance, this morning Mercury cut across Earth's view of the sun, something it will do 12 times this century, and I think it is the neatest thing. My awe can be translated into awe of all the things --big and small-- that God has created.

Mercury shows its dark side

About 160 times smaller than the apparent diameter of the Sun, Mercury will appear as a tiny dot, silhouetted on the bright face of the Sun, as it makes its five and a half hour journey on 7 May 2003. [...]

The planets Mercury and Venus have orbits closer to the Sun than the Earth. They are therefore the only planets that can pass in front of the Sun, as seen from Earth. During the 19th century, transits were used to precisely measure the distance to Mercury and Venus. Scientists will use the transit on 7 May 2003 as a unique opportunity to better understand the instruments on the SOHO spacecraft.

[By the way, in the top image, the little dot inside of the green one is Mercury. The sun is blue because a filter is being used in the photograph.]

We had the good fortune last week of spending time with some friends: Brady & Shauna and Matt, Amber & Jaron.

Brady let me borrow his digital camera and I snapped this picture of he and Hale in our living room.

The weather has just been great the last couple of days! Jill sat out yesterday reading her book and got lobster-ized. This time of year is notorious for a cool breeze masking the harsh sun. We both think back fondly to the days when we could be outside all day with no sunscreen, leaving us only with a warm brown tan. These days it's the deep red skin express!