We’ll miss you Scotty!

~Jason

It’s a 624MHz PDA, with built-in WiFi and built-in Bluetooth! It runs Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003, 2nd Edition and includes Media Player 10. The screen is a brilliant 3.7” color VGA display with 640x480 resolution and has an integrated Intel 2700G multimedia accelerator with 16MB video memory!! It comes with 64MB SDRAM and 128MB Intel StrataFlash ROM.

One of the things I love about this PPC is that it includes CompactFlash Type II! So many pocket pc’s seem to ditch compact flash in favour of SD. Not this Axim. It manages to include Secure Digital, SDIO Now, and MMC card slots all in one device! This is important to me because my GPS, hard-wire network card, and modem are all CF. Not to mention the three or four flash memory cards I’ve got.

I also love that it has VGA-out support so I can connect it to a projector and show PowerPoint presentations. Not that I ever would use this, but you never know! Demonstrating ServiceBuilder to a client might be a lot simpler using the pocket pc.

So I’m haunting Ebay lately. Looks like I should be able to get it with a few extras for about $350 USD. Maybe less, but then there’s shipping too.

Speaking of Ebay, a guy tried to scam me last night. Word to the wise: never, ever, ever pay for an auction with Western Union. There’s a strong chance you’ll never get your purchase if you do.

I love personality tests, so on one hand, I was really looking forward to getting through the quiz. On the other hand, I’m not a fan of this particular analysis system. The ‘DISC’ was used to wreak havok in my life at another job I held— that’s another story.

And I’m afraid to be pigeon-holed. And I’m afraid I won’t like who the test says I am.

So the test says I’m a “D-S.” That means I’m dominant and stable. Some might think of this with the animal system, ‘lion/golden retriever.’

I’m really upset about this. I’m down because I think it can’t be true! I must be faking! Maybe I’ve learned to be a D because I’m in leadership? I can’t face it. So often Ds annoy me! Caustic, controlling… How can I be this? I’m afraid it’s true.

“This personality likes to lead. The lion is good at making decisions and is very goal-oriented. They enjoy challenges, difficult assignments, and opportunity for advancement. Because lions are thinking of the goal, they can step on people to reach it. Lions can be very aggressive and competitive. Lions must learn not to be too bossy or to take charge in other’s affairs.”

I’m not the person I think I was once. That has me down, so much. I want to be way more ‘I.’ I stands for influence. The animal of this type is the ‘Otter.’ I want to like people. I want to be a partier. I want to be persuading.

“D” factor describes how we approach problems. Someone who exhibits the behaviors of a high D could be described as being ambitious, forceful, direct, challenging. They will meet their challenges head-on.

Each factor has a particular emotion associated with it, and the emotion associated with a core D is anger. D’s are often not good listeners and may be perceived as being aggressive, curt, and egotistical.

I guess this sounds pretty weird. I am who I am, I should like that. But I don’t.

Once, somewhere in my idealism, I was melancholy, creative, cutting edge, interesting, artistic. Never domineering. Never insensitive. Tuned in. Watching. Laughing? How can this be true?

I need a back rub.

~Jason

When he asked me, I put off agreeing for some time.

I have to admit I was not looking forward to it.

First of all, this deadly heat is killing me, and I couldn’t imagine a day, clinging to the side of a rock wall with hot rays beating down on me.

Secondly, my shoulder is still really aching from the bike accident a month ago. I can hardly pick things up sometimes, so I didn’t know how I’d climb up a rock.

And I had plans to do lots of stuff around the house Monday! Painting, trim, cleaning, repairs…

And the last point that was disuading me was my feelings of inadequacy. What if I didn’t like it? What if I just couldn’t do it?

But Lucas loves, loves, loves rock climbing— he always asks to go up the rock walls at fairs and carnivals, he talks about it all the time; I had to take him. I had to put my own fears aside and just be a dad.

As it turned out, I really enjoyed myself. Yeah, it was hot. And my arm aches. But I had a lot of fun! I even made it to the top of the first climb, and almost to the top of the last one.

I wish I had remembered to bring the camera. Lucas was awesome. You should have seen him sprawl up that cliff face like a mountain goat!

Will I go again? Hmmm… maybe. I have one less excuse than last time— I know I’ll like it.

~Jason

Thanks Glen,

http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes.php?box_id=51208&f_id=681

~Jason

What a flic! This has to be one of the best films of the summer. I think it was one of the most entertaining action movies I’ve seen. Very satisfying. I love it that we’re back to the real batman, and away from the silly portrayal we’ve seen with the last few films.

I hope they can keep this cast for subsequent films.

~Jason

http://www.furrygoat.com/2005/07/product_names_c.html

~Jason

~Jason

Five Ways to Manage the Prima Donna

Hat tip to Deanna Wu.

~Jason

It started yesterday after a day of fruitless garage sailing. Many bikes, but none that met with Lucas’ approval. But then my pal Rick Bradford donated an 18 speed that Luke thinks is ‘COOL, DAD.’

Then this morning I fixed the dishwasher. ‘Took the pump all apart and found a piece of plastic cling wrap stuck inside. Easy fix.

Then unwarped Luke’s bike tires, took out a link of chain, put on a derailer (raped from an old ten-speed we never use), and tuned up the brakes and gears. It’s running pretty smoothly now, albeit only 15 speeds (blame the rear derailer made for a ten speed).

Then found a two-seater bike-trailer in the paper to put the kiddies in this summer. Asking $50, gave ‘em $40 for it. It needed a tube for one wheel which I just happened to have.

So thanks for your prayers.

If my wounds suddenly heal and my shoulder stops incessessantly throbbing, and a genie gives me back $850 in mini-van-hospital-bills and the glass in my car suddenly self-repairs, then you’re a prayer monster, to be sure.

Let’s hope so!

~Jason

Update: I think the pocket pc is better— the contacts on the batteries weren’t reliably connecting. I bent them ever so slightly and things seem shiny now! I’m waiting for that $850 dollar cheque in the mail!