Well, it's still here

In contrast to my uneventful trip out to California, the return trip, while not terrible, was less than desirable. As the weather in OKC was stormy, we were delayed some. And despite some of the tales I had heard about the city being washed away, I was pleased to find it still here when I got back.

The long road to... well, somewhere

Yet another day of waking up before five. Ugh. The purpose of my trip is a visit to Edwards AFB, which, if you've ever visited, is kind of "out there". I mean, it took me nearly an hour to get from my hotel to the building in which I spent my day.

The day got off to a very slow start when I experience a number of unanticipated computer hardware snafus. Things eventually worked out, and I THINK it will be viewed as a worthwhile, productive trip by the intended audience. But I could be wrong.

I certainly wasn't eager to make that long drive back to the hotel, so I broke it up a little by stopping for what turned out to be an AWESOME BBQ meal at a place called Famous Dave's. That sure made up for my poor dining selection last evening.

When I got back to the hotel I made the mistake of complaining about the slow wireless. The manager of the place showed up at my door with his laptop to prove me wrong. He was... odd... tired (complained about having just worked twelve hours only to be pulled back to work to resolve my issue, just as he was about to finally get to bed)... and rather insistent. About everything. There was no way I was going to argue with him about anything. He had these angry, twitchy, beady eyes that said "don't F with me, not today", so I didn't. I nodded and smiled and thanked him for the special attention until he left the room, which he didn't seem to want to do. Seriously. I could be wrong, but I think I'm lucky to be alive, however I'm not resting on my laurels. I've locked to extra hotel room door locks I never usually mess with.

And my wireless... after that whole ordeal, still sucky. It must just be me (grumble grumble). Once again that Residence Inn is looking good.

Hollywood before Palmdale

My flight from OKC to Denver was largely uneventful. Likewise from Denver to Burbank.

As I never really paid much attention to the actual location of Burbank with respect to the greater Los Angeles area, I only yesterday realized it was near Hollywood. And so I emailed a close friend that lives in North Hollywood to see if we could do lunch before I had to head off to work. In a case of what must be my best timing ever, she called me to confirm our lunch as I was at the rental car counter in Burbank (i.e. minutes from hitting the road). This is significant because she had just then checked her email to find my message waiting, AND she left her cell phone at a friends the previous afternoon, thus missing my follow-up text message sent while I was waiting for my connection in Denver. Had she called even a few minutes later I might have been on the road to Palmdale (my actual destination).

So she and her husband met me for lunch and some catching up at a restaurant just outside Universal Studios. It was a great time. Hadn't seen her in about six months, since she was last in OKC, and hadn't seen her husband, with whom I have much in common, in probably a couple years. I would have stayed longer, but was so advised that traffic between Hollywood and Palmdale would get very nasty, very soon if I didn't get on the road. And so I did. The irony of the afternoon is that we opted for the "cheaper" valet parking only to end up overstaying the time limit of the valet rates, thus costing us more than had we just used standard parking.

For the second time in as many weeks, my rental was an SUV. I found this ironic for California, but as I drive an SUV myself at home, it was a welcome coincidence from the comfort perspective, given it's about an hour drive from Hollywood to Palmdale in good traffic conditions. While I did experience some traffic bottleneck issues jumping from the 170 to the 5, I think I missed the worst of it, as I got to Palmdale in decent time.

I'm very annoyed at myself because I downgraded my hotel unnecessarily. I didn't realize Palmdale was in Los Angeles county, and so I booked a super cheap hotel (Days Inn) instead of what I could have gotten (e.g. Residence Inn down the street). The per diem for LA is higher than for the surrounding area, and so I am in self-imposed exile. The Days Inn I stayed in last week while in Rapid City was quite decent. This week... not so much. I mean, I've been in worse, but this place, I'm not so sure about. My present annoyance is v-e-r-y s--l--o--w wireless internet. Bleh.

Just after the slow internet annoyance lies my eating selection annoyance. I'm so darn tired (been up since four-something a.m. OKC time (and presently it's almost midnight there) that I got lazy, and instead of looking for some good eating to satiate not only my appetite but my "expense account", I opted for the McDonald's across the street. For my ten bucks the five-piece chicken strip meal seems... kind of a rip.

Oh, and HOLY FREAKIN GAS PRICES! The cheapest I've seen so far in the area is 3.19. I hear it's worse in SF, but jeez. 2.47 in OKC isn't seeming so bad at the moment.

Finally an acknowledgement

While I was not the first to be issued the final version of the coin of my own design, I did finally get a display model for the desk.

Pretty neat. But would it be wrong to ask for another that wasn't so encased, that I might hold it?

First day back

Due to all my trips and classes, etc, today was my first day back at my desk for a full day, and on a weekday, since March 5th. Though I was supposed to be on my way to Virginia, that trip was canceled due to complications. No more travel for me until... Wednesday! So, two whole days at my desk. Woo hoo!

From 13 down to 12 ahead

There are plenty of good reviews out there of tonight's game, so I'll not be excessively repetitive, but let me just say that the Hornets earned my ticket money tonight. I was outright disappointed with their first-half performance, down 13 at one point. But they came on uber-strong in the third and never let up. The second-half was outright exciting. A nail-biter at times. The Rockets were within a couple three-pointers (which they were making pretty well tonight) of tying it up on more than one occasion, and it wasn't until the last minute or two of the game that our Hornets really pulled ahead.

Yao? Stature aside, he wasn't that impressive. Must have been the big steak he ate the night before weighing him down.

Yao is in the house

A college friend was in town from Texas this weekend with his girlfriend, who hadn't been up this way. We met for a VERY excellent (though not inexpensive) dinner at Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse in Bricktown, OKC. That place has it all (except, as I mentioned, a thrifty menu)... ambiance, good food, location. If you don't mind paying extra, you won't be disappointed.

So while we were eating, my friend noticed that Yao Ming, of the Houston Rockets, was among the restaurant's other patrons (the Rockets play the Hornets tomorrow -- and I've got tickets!). He was there pretty much the entire time we were, and though I had my digital camera handy, I couldn't bring myself to take a picture. The restaurant was VERY dim, and so the camera flash would have been extremely obvious and generally distracting for pretty much EVERYone in the place (and I'm not entirely certain they wouldn't have kicked me out or something). A few people did approach him for autographs, which he seemed to sign graciously, but we just watched him go, a few minutes before we left ourselves.

Just outside the restaurant, the Bricktown canal water-taxi tour guides were pointing out the fact that they, too, had seen Yao. And they were using it to their business advantage. "Have you seen Yao Ming?" "Yao Ming is in Bricktown!" "Yao is in the house!" "Yao knows where to be!"


After dinner, I gave my friends the "grand tour". While we never saw Yao again, we walked a good portion of the canal, and also from Bricktown all the way through downtown OKC to the Oklahoma City National Memorial (that's about a mile and a half long walk). It was a good time in general. We made our way back to Bricktown (yes, another mile and a half plus) and then caught a movie at the Bricktown theater. Reign Over Me was the selection.

This movie is not for the impatient. But if you can appreciate a complex story that needs very detailed and careful construction, you will enjoy this movie. Or maybe not. It is quite sad. VERY sad at times. But in the end, while there is not happiness, there is hope. Be forewarned.

Views from the sky

It's good to be home. A little late, but better than not at all.

We were a little delayed in Salt Lake City. As we were about to pull out from the gate, the captain informed us that we'd be taking on a little more fuel first. There was the potential for bad weather in OKC, so they wanted the option of being able to divert to Tulsa. I'm not sure how I feel about them carrying just enough fuel to reach the exact intended destination. I'm sure it's some sort of cost-cutting, "lean" effort or something, but what exactly is the margin of error? I mean, it's only 100 miles between OKC and Tulsa. And the difference in distance probably reduces greatly the sooner you know you must divert.

Anyway, even once we had our extra fuel, we then had to wait in line behind 12 other jets before we could take off. Once we did finally depart, the fun began. I ALWAYS request an aisle seat for both room and mobility purposes. I can't stand having to ask others to go through the ordeal of getting out of their seat in order for me to freely move about the cabin. Though conversely, I don't mind moving for others, as it gives me a chance to stretch. Today, however, I got "stuck" with a window seat. It had been a long while since I sat by a window, so I took full advantage of the convergence of having both a window seat and my digital camera on me. I've never really been certain we were even allowed to take photos out the airplane window, but nobody complained, so away I went.

I'm sure the guy next to me was annoyed to no end, as I snapped a ridiculous number of shots from the air, only some of which are linked here. My favorite is the pac-man shaped crop-circle-thingy. If only the other two circles were in front of the pac-man...


I went straight to work from the airport to address some issues at the office. It was definitely good that I did that. I expected to stay much later than I did, but my dad bailed me out, calling me up at work and asking if I wanted to catch dinner with them. While we waited crazy-long for a table, that dinner really hit the spot. Considering that I woke up this morning at 3am to make my 6am flight, ate a tiny breakfast in Salt Lake ~9:30, and was in the air during my lunch hour (i.e. no lunch for me), by dinner I was freaking starving. Nothing a little Texas Roadhouse can't solve in both quantity and quality. Yum. Heck, I'm hungry again already.

Rushing back

I'm ridiculously baffled by the fact that there's nothing rapid about Rapid City, and that there's no rush at Rushmore. It's dumb, I know.

Anyway, we wrapped up at work a little bit early today and headed down to Mt. Rushmore as not everyone on the trip had been there before. I made the trip last year, but as I didn't make it before closing, I was a little eager to actually see the inside of the complex.

It's a pretty neat place. The visitor center and gift shop are quite nice, and the overall complex is peaceful and mostly well laid out. There's mile long trail that basically circles the area in front of the monument. I was far more impressed this year than last, given I was able to get in. I'm pretty eager to get my kids up here one of these years soon. While I'm still not sure it's worth making the trip all the way up here just for Rushmore, if it's part of a multi-destination trip, or if you're in the area like I was, it's definitely worth making the extra effort.

Here's some pics. I know, how many can you take of one monument, but mostly I took all these (and more actually) for my kids' benefit.

Definitely NOT 80

While I'm ecstatic that Spring has arrived, I'm thinking it decided to avoid the attention and "hide behind the clouds" a bit today. Coming off winter's 80-degree finale yesterday, the yeah-right-we-made-it-to-sixty of today was a bit of a smack in the face, literally. Like Oklahoma, South Dakota has a reputation for its wind. As I didn't bring a heavy jacket, I felt the fading grasp of winter's bite through my jacket today to be sure. Tomorrow and Friday? More of the same according to the now-different-than-when-I-looked-before-I-left forecast. Mid-60s to mid-70s was the call before I headed up here. So I didn't figure I should bring a heavy jacket. Not saying I would have knowing what I know now, but I definitely would have brought some long sleeved shirts or sweaters to improve the layering options. In particular because I have to report to work tomorrow morning at 6:30 so we can train some midnight-shift folks before they head home to warm beds. I imagine the morning will be quite chilly. Wish me warmth.

Southerly South Dakota

So they showed a map of the US during the news tonight, with high temperatures around the country. And while I knew it was warm here today, I didn't realize we got up to 80, something which stood out on that map of high temps. Warmer than OKC and many other places in the country today. Who would have called that? Considering the snow and cold this time last year when I was here.

I have to say, though, that this was a heck of a way to herald in the Spring. Go Spring go. You rock.

To Rapid City... though not so rapidly

After almost no sleep last night, I was at work for a 9am meeting this morning, followed by final trip preparations before hitting the road. While not anywhere near as bad as my last trip to Rapid City, it does always seem, however ironic, not so rapid getting to Rapid City. What is up with that? I'm thinking, if I'm on the city council, I'm coming up with new ways of getting people to my city more rapidly, thus living up to the name.

As much as I'd like to complain, things went suspiciously smooth. With the exception of mushrooms on my sandwich in Salt Lake City. They didn't hear me say "no mushrooms", and that really peeved me big time. But otherwise, no flight delays, no luggage issues, no rental car issues (in fact, I got a Nissan Xtera), just mass quantities of tiredness. I got to my hotel at nine something local time, and learned almost immediately that I have an 8am meeting. Bleh. So, I have some things to do before I can go to bed. Fittingly a non-rapid end to this day that ends in Rapid City.

No rest on Sunday

Worked nine hours today in preparation for yet another trip tomorrow. This has been immediately followed by much laundry-doing, which will then be followed by the dreaded packing of suitcase and bags. So much for a day of rest. In fact, I'm not sure sleep will be happening tonight.

The girls went to their grandmother's for Spring break. But no time-off for me, due to the aforementioned trip.

Green day

After class I picked up the girls and took them to the park. After about an hour at the park we got haircuts, went for ice cream, and then back to another park, this time OKC's Martin Park to walk the nature trails. I'll update this post soon with pics of one of the most beautiful places in OKC.

After the park closed we got some dinner and caught a movie, the Pursuit of Happyness. A little more sad that I expected. But a good movie full of lessons of perseverance for the kids.

Capturing the flag

The last day of class involved an exercise called "capture the flag". Basically there are four computers, each with a "flag" (a file with information in it), and we, the class, are challenged to capture each flag (by hacking into the four computers), put together the information, and determine what is called, "the phrase that pays" in order to win the challenge.

While I did not win the competition, I'm told I was the next closest to putting it all together. I captured two flags, a bonus flag, and was about to get the third flag when event was won.

3 things about 300

1. Very violent. Very.
2. If you take steroids, avoid this movie, cause you will definitely OD on testosterone.
3. It was a little weird in parts... but mostly good. Think of it as a cross between Gladiator, the Matrix (effects only), and Sin City (where the weirdness comes from). You should probably see it, but don't say I didn't warn you.

stupid IT people

Oh, wait... I'M an IT people. Hmmm. Well, anyway, you may have noticed some "404" error messages when visiting the site of late. That would be due to issues with my web host. Bastards.

Oh, got a raise today. About the only good news of the day. And pretty cool since I'm not even at work.

The joys of hack-tools (you want to do what with your what?)

First of all, my BRAIN has been hacked. It is overflowing (already) with entirely too much information.

Those in the business are well aware of the interesting names that some hacking tools are given. Today I was humored by the existed of two in particular... one called "Ass", and another called "GoogleRape". It's my understanding that those two tools shouldn't be used simultaneously. :)

Handling my incidents

I was out of the office for most of last week due to my trip to Abilene. This week, I'm in town, but still out of the office. I MUST acquire 18 CPE credits (continuing professional education) by the 25th of March in order for my CISSP/ISSEP credential to remain current. Fortunately, there is a class in OKC this week that qualifies, AND accounts for 36 CPEs. The class may as well be called "how to hack", but its technical title is "Hacker Techniques, Exploits, and Incident Handling". If the first day (of 6) was any indication, this is going to be one heck of a class.

Farming for spacemen

Shelby started first communion classes today. You know what that means... soon it will be time to shop for dresses. Fun.

We spent about an hour at the park before catching a matinee showing of the Astronaut Farmer. It was a pretty good movie. Family friendly (except for a few choice [and unnecessary] words that surprised me for a PG movie) and imaginative. And different. The critics stomped this thing, but I think they simply had expectations that were unreasonable.

Can we pack any more into this day?

I'm not sure I could have physically packed anything else into this day. There were pretty much no gaps in my activities... finished packing, checked out of the hotel, had my 8am meeting in Abilene, drove 4.5 hours back to OKC, went straight in to work to take care of some paperwork, left work to turn in my rental car, picked up Shelby from her mom's in NW OKC, picked up Darby from Moore, OK (she was out of school due to the flu and stayed with a relative), and STILL had work to do. I had a couple of reports due TODAY, no exceptions, so... needless to say I am very, VERY tired. In case you were wondering. Which is not to say that you were.

Another day in Abilene

I only thought I was leaving first thing in the morning. Found out this afternoon that I have a meeting to attend at 8am, so... not leaving. Ugh.

An apology to my daughter

I scolded my daughter verbally on the phone yesterday while driving down to Abilene because she got sent to the principal's office for missing a sixth homework assignment during this quarter. She has missed five, but as it turns out, she had her homework done this time. A couple jealous classmates stole her homework, ripped it up, and threw it in the trash. She told me this yesterday, but I didn't believe her. I didn't think anyone would be that brazen. However, today, the kids fessed up, apologized, and wrote Darby a letter of apology. She was also given an apology from the principal. I will be thoroughly apologizing in person when I return.

Back in the heart of Texas

Not even two months after the last trip, I'm back in Abilene for work. With the exception of the wild turkey(!) that I almost hit because it tried to beat me across the road (man I wish I got pictures of that), it was a mostly uneventful trip.

A chocolate irony

Today, Darby finally came to regret her decision to give up chocolate for lent (instead of boys, which was my suggestion). We had previously RSVPed to a birthday party that I didn't realize was at a "chocolate shoppe", where the kids got to learn about the origins of chocolate, eat from a chocolate fountain, and make chocolate truffles (a very messy affair).

Needless to say the temptation and peer pressure was great. But Darby was a good girl and didn't eat any chocolate, though she made LOTS of faces at me in the process.

Taking Back Thursday

While work was hell today due to new-contract-extension-madness that's not worth getting into, it was a great Thursday in all other regards. Good fun at lunchtime bowling Thursday (119, 157) was followed by a cool concert Thursday night.

Doors were supposed to open at the venue at 6pm, so we were surprised to find a line at the door when we got there around seven, when the first opening band was due to be on stage. Turns out Al Gore was at the same venue (University of Oklahoma's Lloyd Noble Center) at 4pm, and it took a long time for that crowd to clear out. Fortunately, that seemed to only have delayed things by about thirty minutes.



The first opening band, Armor for Sleep was FANTASTIC. I have their first album, which I have come to enjoy, but they were surprisingly good live. I'd say better live than in studio. MUCH more energetic. The fact that they played a short set was the only real disappointment. We'll never know if the set length was impacted by the delay of the venue's availability or not (thanks A LOT Mr. Gore).

The second opening band, UnderOATH, was decent, and put on a VERY high-energy and entertaining show, but as I had not heard them before, I have nothing with which to compare. I will say that the crowd was definitely much more into UnderOATH than Armor. The entire place came to life when they hit the stage, and everyone seemed to know who they were, in contrast to Armor (during AfS's performance, I heard several people say things like "who are these guys").

The main event, Taking Back Sunday, got off to a rough start. Not sure how long they've been on tour, but the lead singer clearly had some voice issues, which took a few numbers to get smoothed out. I'm a HUGE TBS fan, so I loved the show, but I was a little worried at the onset. Things did improve, and if the below photo is any indication, the crowd was very into it. In fact, we witnessed several folks get past security and make it on stage only to be dragged away. Overall, they put on an entertaining show, but I will say that in contrast to AfS, their live show was not quite as good as their studio performance. Of course, I'd go see them again in heartbeat, so don't let that statement take anything away from the entire concert being a good show to see.



In closing, I'd like to send out a special thanks to my friends angry Vicki and astonished Vicki for joining me on short notice. It was a good time. And while it was a pretty young crowd, I was pleased to see folks much older than myself at the show, so I didn't feel entirely like a old fuddy-duddy.