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Remembering KAL Flight 007.....
Sep. 1st, 2009 11:19 pm26 years ago today (Sept. 1), a Soviet fighter jet shot down a civilian aircraft that inadvertently strayed too far into Soviet airspace. (Wikipedia article here.)
I knew one of the passengers on that flight: Woon Kwang Siow.
Woon was flying home to see his parents in Malaysia. He was a student at the University of Buffalo, and a student consultant. He also developed a Space Invaders game for the graphics terminals we had at the satellite computing site on the second floor of Furnas Hall. I still remember how he always greeted me: "Hi Jim! What's up?"
I still miss him.
I knew one of the passengers on that flight: Woon Kwang Siow.
Woon was flying home to see his parents in Malaysia. He was a student at the University of Buffalo, and a student consultant. He also developed a Space Invaders game for the graphics terminals we had at the satellite computing site on the second floor of Furnas Hall. I still remember how he always greeted me: "Hi Jim! What's up?"
I still miss him.
Saturday Morning Fever.....
Sep. 1st, 2009 12:17 amMy nostalgia trip down YouTube Avenue continues into the land of Saturday morning cartoons. Lots of old TV themes are there. All I had was a cassette recorder back then, so I have audio of some of the themes of the shows that aired back then, but no video.
I sometimes watch the stuff that's on now, and think to myself, "Are these better or worse than the shows I grew up with as a kid?" I look at the Doodlebops and think "escapees from a Sid & Marty Krofft theme park".
Some of the major networks have dispensed with Saturday morning cartoons hows altogether, choosing to go with news programming instead.
I know I watched a lot, but I can remember only a handful of them. Houndcats, Hong Kong Phooey, Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids, the animated Star Trek, Sealab 2020, Lidsville, The Bugaloos, Big John Little Jon, Inch High Private Eye, Emergency +4, Storybook Squares, and of course, Scooby-Doo. And that's only the ones I can remember right now.
The sad part is, some of these shows probably got purged by the networks after they aired, in an effort to recycle tapes, not thinking there'd be a market for them years down the road.
What were your favorites growing up? And are todays kid shows better or worse than the ones we grew up with?
I sometimes watch the stuff that's on now, and think to myself, "Are these better or worse than the shows I grew up with as a kid?" I look at the Doodlebops and think "escapees from a Sid & Marty Krofft theme park".
Some of the major networks have dispensed with Saturday morning cartoons hows altogether, choosing to go with news programming instead.
I know I watched a lot, but I can remember only a handful of them. Houndcats, Hong Kong Phooey, Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids, the animated Star Trek, Sealab 2020, Lidsville, The Bugaloos, Big John Little Jon, Inch High Private Eye, Emergency +4, Storybook Squares, and of course, Scooby-Doo. And that's only the ones I can remember right now.
The sad part is, some of these shows probably got purged by the networks after they aired, in an effort to recycle tapes, not thinking there'd be a market for them years down the road.
What were your favorites growing up? And are todays kid shows better or worse than the ones we grew up with?
This morning, as I was making a run to the local dump to dump off recyclables, I passed several groups of people at key intersections on Far Hills Ave. (Route 48). All of them had signs saying "no to socialized medicine" or "no to big government" or similar signs, and encouraged people to honk as they drove by. I just shook my head at them and drove by them. They can make their peaceful protests, but no way can I agree with them.
Question #1: Where were these anti-big-government people last year? Both the Democrats and Republicans have been big-government advocates for years. And where's the Libertarian Party in all this? They've always been little-government.
Question #2: Where were the teabag people last year, when Bush was running up the deficit with his war onterror Saddam?
Question #3: Have any of these protesters ever been unemployed or been in a situation where they did not have health care?
( And how do I feel about this health care debate? I'll answer that. )
Question #1: Where were these anti-big-government people last year? Both the Democrats and Republicans have been big-government advocates for years. And where's the Libertarian Party in all this? They've always been little-government.
Question #2: Where were the teabag people last year, when Bush was running up the deficit with his war on
Question #3: Have any of these protesters ever been unemployed or been in a situation where they did not have health care?
( And how do I feel about this health care debate? I'll answer that. )
Seen any good game shows lately?
Aug. 25th, 2009 09:04 pmI continue my nostalgia trip down Memory Lane and YouTube Avenue.
Back in the silver age of television, before afternoon TV was dominated by syndicated talk shows and daytime dramas, there were game shows. Lots of them. With colorful sets, lots of blinking lights, and flipping digit counters (the numbers were painted on metal "leaves" which flipped either horizontally or vertically).
Here's a somewhat comprehensive list of American TV game shows, courtesy of Wikipedia. Here's what I remember watching in my 1970's childhood: The Price Is Right, Jeopardy! (with Art Fleming), Concentration, Password, Match Game, Let's Make A Deal. And a whole bunch of obscure ones that probably didn't last beyond a year: Three On A Match (with the late Bill Cullen), Baffle, Almost Anything Goes, The Moneymaze, Tattle Tales, Spin-Off, Jackpot!, Musical Chairs, Celebrity Sweepstakes, High Rollers (where Alex Trebek got his start), Gambit, Card Sharks, and Whew! That's not counting the ones I can't remember of think of as I write this. Updated 26-Aug 00:20: How could I forget the Hollywood Squares and the Joker's Wild?
Since I grew up in a border town, I got to see some Canadian TV game shows as well: Definition, Party Game, I Saw That, Supermarket.
Aside to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jhayman: Is CHCH-TV (Channel 11) still on the air?
What were your favorites? Are there any I missed? And who are/were your favorite game show hosts? Mine's the late Bill Cullen.
Back in the silver age of television, before afternoon TV was dominated by syndicated talk shows and daytime dramas, there were game shows. Lots of them. With colorful sets, lots of blinking lights, and flipping digit counters (the numbers were painted on metal "leaves" which flipped either horizontally or vertically).
Here's a somewhat comprehensive list of American TV game shows, courtesy of Wikipedia. Here's what I remember watching in my 1970's childhood: The Price Is Right, Jeopardy! (with Art Fleming), Concentration, Password, Match Game, Let's Make A Deal. And a whole bunch of obscure ones that probably didn't last beyond a year: Three On A Match (with the late Bill Cullen), Baffle, Almost Anything Goes, The Moneymaze, Tattle Tales, Spin-Off, Jackpot!, Musical Chairs, Celebrity Sweepstakes, High Rollers (where Alex Trebek got his start), Gambit, Card Sharks, and Whew! That's not counting the ones I can't remember of think of as I write this. Updated 26-Aug 00:20: How could I forget the Hollywood Squares and the Joker's Wild?
Since I grew up in a border town, I got to see some Canadian TV game shows as well: Definition, Party Game, I Saw That, Supermarket.
Aside to
jhayman: Is CHCH-TV (Channel 11) still on the air?What were your favorites? Are there any I missed? And who are/were your favorite game show hosts? Mine's the late Bill Cullen.
Compassion?
Aug. 24th, 2009 11:45 pmBy now everyone's heard about the dying Libyan terrorist who was released back to his own country by Scotland. Yeah, I'm not happy about it either. Especially considering that he got a hero's welcome in his home country. But it's not our country's laws at work here, and the Scottish minister who released him is defending his decision.
Somehow I'm reminded of the Babylon 5 episode "Deathwalker". Except that we don't have the Vorlons to come along and off him on the way home. That would have been fitting.
Somehow I'm reminded of the Babylon 5 episode "Deathwalker". Except that we don't have the Vorlons to come along and off him on the way home. That would have been fitting.
I did it. I finally joined Facebook.
Aug. 20th, 2009 10:17 pmAfter much arm-twisting from athenawindsong, and a few other friend invites, I'm finally on Facebook. Look for me under my real name.
No, I'm not going to solicit everyone in my email address book to join FB. If you're already on FB, drop me a line.
athenawindsong, and a few other friend invites, I'm finally on Facebook. Look for me under my real name.No, I'm not going to solicit everyone in my email address book to join FB. If you're already on FB, drop me a line.
I still collect old TV themes......
Aug. 20th, 2009 09:36 pmEarlier today, one of my LJ friends mentioned that they were looking for some early TV shows for a co-worker. The post reminded me that I had been looking for a copy of the original theme from ABC's Monday Night Football from the early 1970s. A few minutes searching on Google and YouTube yielded the result. Score! I also found the theme that was used in the late 1970s, and the 1980s. And I got the NBC peacock bumper from the 1960s. (The one from the 1950s is also there, but it was the first time I"d seen it.)
( I've been collecting old TV themes for years. )
( I've been collecting old TV themes for years. )
Mo' mem-ree, mo' mem-ree.....
Aug. 19th, 2009 09:20 pmMy "mad money" purchase for this month was the last upgrade for my laptop computer for the foreseeable future.
( The gory details, caveat emptor, etc. )
My laptop is now happily maxed out at 512 Mb of RAM. And I recommend Memtest86+ to anyone contemplating a memory purchase.
( The gory details, caveat emptor, etc. )
My laptop is now happily maxed out at 512 Mb of RAM. And I recommend Memtest86+ to anyone contemplating a memory purchase.
TW-3 for August 14-16, 2009....
Aug. 17th, 2009 12:36 amFri 8/14: Stomped out a few software bugs. Then headed to Step Right Up for a gathering with the UB Alumni Association, as previously recounted.
Sat 8/15: Went to M's 7th birthday party at Bounce U that her mom had organized. M and her friends from school and day care had lots of fun, and she got lots of presents. Then had dinner with D and went to a party with her afterward.
Sun 8/16: Slept in. Had some UU churchy goodness. Then spent time with M while she played with a few of her toys, and another present from me: the JumpStart 2nd Grade educational software program.
Sat 8/15: Went to M's 7th birthday party at Bounce U that her mom had organized. M and her friends from school and day care had lots of fun, and she got lots of presents. Then had dinner with D and went to a party with her afterward.
Sun 8/16: Slept in. Had some UU churchy goodness. Then spent time with M while she played with a few of her toys, and another present from me: the JumpStart 2nd Grade educational software program.
Meeting fellow UB alumni.....
Aug. 14th, 2009 09:56 pmTonight I went to a meeting of the local chapter of my alma mater's alumni association. It was held at the Step Right Up hot dog stand in Hudson. They use Sahlen's hot dogs and cook them over a charcoal grill -- just like Ted's. They also had beef on weck there.
I got to meet other UB graduates and alumni there, and talk about the school, the good times, the bad times (mostly standing in line at the bookstore, or the drop/add line), and the local food. I also re-met Carla, who I'd known from my college days. We didn't get along very well back then, but there was no mention of that past. It was like she forgot who I was, and for that, I was a little grateful. We'll be adding each other to our LinkedIn networks.
If you're in the area, and craving hot dogs or beef on weck, or are just curious about Buffalo food, I highly recommend this place.
I got to meet other UB graduates and alumni there, and talk about the school, the good times, the bad times (mostly standing in line at the bookstore, or the drop/add line), and the local food. I also re-met Carla, who I'd known from my college days. We didn't get along very well back then, but there was no mention of that past. It was like she forgot who I was, and for that, I was a little grateful. We'll be adding each other to our LinkedIn networks.
If you're in the area, and craving hot dogs or beef on weck, or are just curious about Buffalo food, I highly recommend this place.
Another trip to the Beer Engine.....
Aug. 14th, 2009 03:32 amLast night, some of the co-workers gathered at the Beer Engine in Lakewood to give a good send-off to someone who was leaving the company. I was there two weeks ago with some of the same co-workers to celebrate Friday evening. This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite bars in town. They have at least 24 specialty brews on tap, and plenty more in bottles (and a few in cans). And the food is decent, too. I had some of their hot chicken wings and they had the authentic Buffalo flavor to them.
I also found out that one of the senior programmers on the team is only 32. Compared to him, I must be an old geezer. :-) I'm reminded of the passage in the Silicon Valley Guy Handbook that said that 35 was old age in the computer biz.
I welcome any level of human interaction with my co-workers. I don't get a lot of that during work, as programming is mostly a solitary activity, and we've got a deadline to get the code done, so we're all hunkered down.
I also found out that one of the senior programmers on the team is only 32. Compared to him, I must be an old geezer. :-) I'm reminded of the passage in the Silicon Valley Guy Handbook that said that 35 was old age in the computer biz.
I welcome any level of human interaction with my co-workers. I don't get a lot of that during work, as programming is mostly a solitary activity, and we've got a deadline to get the code done, so we're all hunkered down.
The Chevy Volt.......
Aug. 12th, 2009 10:14 pmYesterday, GM showcased one of their future vehicles: the 2011 Chevy Volt. It's supposed to get 230 MPG (by their calculations). It won't be available until the fourth quarter of 2010. And the sticker price will be about $40,000.
Yeah, it's a sharp vehicle, and I'd take one in a heartbeat, but the cost is prohibitive for me and most car buyers. I can buy a Cadillac or a Corvette for that much money (I think). And how much would a replacement lithium-ion battery cost me, if I ever needed to replace one?
Yeah, it's a sharp vehicle, and I'd take one in a heartbeat, but the cost is prohibitive for me and most car buyers. I can buy a Cadillac or a Corvette for that much money (I think). And how much would a replacement lithium-ion battery cost me, if I ever needed to replace one?
Accountability/Integrity Day.....
Aug. 11th, 2009 07:30 pm
" 'Today I am accountable for everything I do and every word I utter. It's my responsibility. ' Try it one day. Mark it on your calendar. Draw a circle around one day next week and declare it Total Accountability Day. Don't blame anybody for anything and take total responsibility for everything that happens that day."
Little Crow, 1933-2004;
from The Sacred Hill Within,
ISBN: 0-9635440-5-5
As a New Warrior, I strive to live a life of accountability and integrity. What is accountability? It is when I take full responsibility of my thoughts, actions, and words. What is integrity? It is when my thoughts, actions, and words all align. If I said I'd do something, and did it, then I'm in integrity. If I said I'd do something, and didn't do it, then I'm out of integrity.
If you believe I am out of accountability and/or integrity with you, now's your chance to call me on the carpet. Responses are screened.
[Updated 21:55] If you want to have your own Accountability/Integrity Day, feel free to post this in your LJ and link back here. Thanks.
Grocery shopping in Cleveland.....
Aug. 10th, 2009 08:31 pmThere are two major grocery chains in Cleveland: Giant Eagle and Marc's. No Tops, no Kroger, no Meijer. There's a Super K Mart around the corner from me on Brookpark Rd., and there's an Aldi that's not too far away.
So tonight, after having my usual Monday evening meal at Tucky's, I went to the Marc's in the Parmatown shopping center. I was wowed by some of their closeout deals, but my joy was short-lived as I found out the hard way -- in the checkout line -- that Marc's accepts cash, check, and Discover card only. No credit or debit cards. WTF? So I had to take back some of the items I wanted to purchase. At least the cashier and the people behind me were gracious about it. My excuse? "First time here."
I think I'll stick to Aldi and the Super K Mart for my future shopping needs.
So tonight, after having my usual Monday evening meal at Tucky's, I went to the Marc's in the Parmatown shopping center. I was wowed by some of their closeout deals, but my joy was short-lived as I found out the hard way -- in the checkout line -- that Marc's accepts cash, check, and Discover card only. No credit or debit cards. WTF? So I had to take back some of the items I wanted to purchase. At least the cashier and the people behind me were gracious about it. My excuse? "First time here."
I think I'll stick to Aldi and the Super K Mart for my future shopping needs.
Settling in.....
Aug. 8th, 2009 12:33 amSo, I've been working in Cleveland for about 7 weeks now. It will be years before I know enough about the area to consider myself a native. But I'm getting there.
At dinner, I watched part of a Cleveland Indians game. I've never been a fan of the Tribe, even though they were the closest major league baseball team to my home town of Buffalo (other than the teams in Pittsburgh and Toronto). And I still have an issue with their mascot, Chief Wahoo. I think it's demeaning to Native Americans.
I've become a fan of the products of the Great Lakes Brewing Company, especially their award-winning Dortmunder Gold.
I also found a Skyline Chili on Ridge Rd., just north of I-480. So if I ever get the craving for a 4-way with onions, a cheese coney, and an iced tea, I now know where to go.
I want to spend more time by the lake shore before fall. In Dayton, I felt so landlocked.
At dinner, I watched part of a Cleveland Indians game. I've never been a fan of the Tribe, even though they were the closest major league baseball team to my home town of Buffalo (other than the teams in Pittsburgh and Toronto). And I still have an issue with their mascot, Chief Wahoo. I think it's demeaning to Native Americans.
I've become a fan of the products of the Great Lakes Brewing Company, especially their award-winning Dortmunder Gold.
I also found a Skyline Chili on Ridge Rd., just north of I-480. So if I ever get the craving for a 4-way with onions, a cheese coney, and an iced tea, I now know where to go.
I want to spend more time by the lake shore before fall. In Dayton, I felt so landlocked.
This box had no number.....
Aug. 5th, 2009 10:50 pm.....but it was labeled "Files", had an "01" sticker on it (to denote that I last accessed it in 2001), and had an "X" in the destroy date field.
Tonight, I started going through it. It had files from 1990-2001, all well-organized. Lots of old computer organization stuff (ACM), stuff from GEnie, some computer humor, maps of the levels in the Wolfenstein 3-D game, and other papers. My goal is to keep only half of it, and recycle the rest.
Information is only useful to me if I can get to it easily. If it resides in a place I can't get to easily, how useful is it?
Tonight, I started going through it. It had files from 1990-2001, all well-organized. Lots of old computer organization stuff (ACM), stuff from GEnie, some computer humor, maps of the levels in the Wolfenstein 3-D game, and other papers. My goal is to keep only half of it, and recycle the rest.
Information is only useful to me if I can get to it easily. If it resides in a place I can't get to easily, how useful is it?
Got a note from my boss this afternoon. He said that I've proven myself on my ability to quickly and efficiently fix bugs, and that's where he'll be using me in the future. (That's good, because I'm behind the curve on software development.)
My next task is to help him with the triage of the many bug fixes that he's been assigned. w00t! It's a bug hunt.
My next task is to help him with the triage of the many bug fixes that he's been assigned. w00t! It's a bug hunt.
I hate Mondays....
Aug. 3rd, 2009 10:16 pmI knew today was going to be rough when I inadvertently spilled some of my coffee on my seat before heading off to work.
Then, while I'm in the right-hand lane at a traffic light, a guy behind me in a white car wants to turn right and get on the on-ramp to I-480. I pointed straight ahead to indicate to him that I wasn't turning right on red. When the light turned green, I went ahead, but the guy behind me flipped me the bird. What an impatient [fill in your favorite epithet].
Spent most of the morning idle, waiting for work while the senior team was busy handling a crisis. (Wasn't totally idle. I looked at some of the unit tests to see how they worked, and considered doing a write-up on merging software -- vimdiff, WinMerge, meld, et al.) Finally got a trouble ticket in the afternoon, which got resolved at the end of the day.
Then, while I'm in the right-hand lane at a traffic light, a guy behind me in a white car wants to turn right and get on the on-ramp to I-480. I pointed straight ahead to indicate to him that I wasn't turning right on red. When the light turned green, I went ahead, but the guy behind me flipped me the bird. What an impatient [fill in your favorite epithet].
Spent most of the morning idle, waiting for work while the senior team was busy handling a crisis. (Wasn't totally idle. I looked at some of the unit tests to see how they worked, and considered doing a write-up on merging software -- vimdiff, WinMerge, meld, et al.) Finally got a trouble ticket in the afternoon, which got resolved at the end of the day.
