Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Time for some katchup..

... I mean catch up.

Well I think my last real post was late October or early November. I did finaly make it through all of the CAI training and passed all of the required tests. It was WinXP, Office2003 and helpdesk skills. After that I joined CAI's help desk at Wyeth's Great Valley Campus. I think we did 2 to 3 more weeks of training on Wyeths applications and help desk procedures. We went live on the 15th of Dec. and I have really been enjoying it.


On the home front since then... Ruby rolled of a bottom step and broke/dented the lower part of her leg. She had a splint on the first day and when we were turned down for lack of insurance coverage (of course it was one of the few weeks between coverage) we ended up back at the ER for them put on a temporary plaster cast until lthe next week when we could go for a fiberglass cast. Amy drove Sarah down to CHOP in Philly and about 10 minutes after they got back ruby crawled out of her cast... they wanted sarah to come back that night but they had been there from 7 till about 4 plus she does not like to drive in the city. I took off in the morning and drove us back down were they double casted her leg and did a better all around job. Ruby never bothered with the cast and by the time she got it off she was pretty close to walking with it. She was just starting to favor walking over crawling and know she is starting to walk more than crawl again.


Somewhere in there Sarah had a really painful overy cyst and we ended up at the ER again. She had a catscan and they just confirmed taht it was a big cyst. Plus she still has some pain left over from something releating to the hernia operation she had during the fall, did i ever mention that... that was a nice 2 week vaction to use up my TV Guide vacation time.


Gryphon is trucking along. Crazy into Legos right now most notably the Lego knights kingdom stuff. I like the building it the playing with what you build that is the hard part sometimes.


The Holidays started and we spent Thanksgiving at Uncle Daves and then the Christmas holidays moved in. We ordered a bulk of the kids stuff from Magic Cabin on the 2nd so we would be done by the 21st( why the 21st?, read on). Anyway they ended up shpiing some of the stuff and then some got lost and phone calls were made and on and on and bad shipping numbers and blah blah. I had to eventually call on like the 16th and demand that they create a new order for what we did not get yet. We did end up getting the stuff. Actaully we got the lost order and the new order. Sarah called them to see if they wanted to give us a return ticket for the double shipment and they did not seem to be interested at that time. So we will hold on to taht for now.


Solstice Dec. 21st. We decided to celebrate Soltice this year. We did some gifts (got my iPaq finnally :o)) and I took they day of so we could go to a celebration at some friends house. It was nice and Gryphon got to play with the kids. We did also do Christmas and the rest of the gifts and the vistiting of family. They day was less hectic since Sarahs parents had moved out of state and we usually had been starting at there house and then driving all the way back to my parents house.


So now Wyeth employees have off for the week. Nice! But now being and hourly employe for CAI I cant afford to take the time off. I am working the 6 to 2 shift which will be a preview of my next months schedual of 6 to 3, nice. I will get home before 4! I took 4 calls today and 2 were the same person. I dont mind though. I have my iPaq and I am addicted to looking stuff up on the web and plannig how to spend some gift certificates... I'll do more on the iPaq tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

insight for the day...

"Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Feels like a Reality TV show...

Well I have made it to the 2nd half of the CAI training. Going into our last test I needed 9 points to reach the required 84 to move on. The test was 40 points. I got 31 points, because of my not reading 1 question (I answered it backwards, the person needed to be taken off static IP and put on to DCHP) and missing a 2nd step on another. So now I need to have a total of 192 to graduate. There are 120 points in Quests (quizzes and tests) available. So I will only 86 to get to the 192.

One person did get "Eliminated". So now there are 9 of us. Scott (the instructor) did say that the average was 10% didn't make it.

I did get to do a role play yesterday and I got a 1 over-all which is the best you can get. It surprised me because I stumbled through and sort of had a mind block before I finally figured it out.

I am going to take off next semester at school so I can get used to where ever I get placed and concentrate on what I need to learn their. Right now I have a project due Saturday with a fellow student and I have yet to even right one thing about it... ugh. The quizzes and tests at CAI right now the extra time that I have after everyone goes to sleep and I think that getting the job is more important than getting an A in that class right now. I have a feeling I won’t be sleeping Friday night.

Ruby is signing for Eat and More as of yesterday and is starting to form more and more little words. Gryphon is starting on his path toward reading and going crazy for anything Lego. Sarah is enjoying her sewing and trying to find her own way into the Home Schooling experience. Hopefully I will get placed in one of the Lansdale or Bluebell accounts so I can get home sooner and not have such a rushed evening and share time with everyone...

The timer that used to count down my time to leave TV Guide is still up although now for me it represents the painful amount of time that I have not skated... since that last day when I cracked my king pin... :o(

I am still watching the prices of the rx3715 on eBay. They are falling which is cool. They are going for $300, in story they go for $450. A nice set of Bluetooth headphones are also in my sites, but not for a while... iPAQ first :o)

I was going to add a photo but my Orb server seems to be down at home..

Monday, October 24, 2005

CNN.com - Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies at 92 - Oct 24, 2005

I remember learning about her in school. I think I remembering thinking about this stuff having happend way in the past... I dont even know if I knew she was still alive at that time. Even when I would here about her recently it would still make me think and relize that it wasn't that long ago when she boarded that bus...even less so when i wa in school.
CNN.com - Civil rights icon Rosa Parks dies at 92 - Oct 24, 2005

Portable FireFox to the rescue...

Whew, I remembered that I had Portable FireFox on my USB drive. I may have to support IE in my new job, but I dont have to like it. Man I really dislike not having tabs. So now I can use FireFox again without having to load it on each machine I move too.

Portable FireFox

Other stuff... It takes me an hour and a half to get here. I have to be here at nine, I woke up at 7:20am and walked in here at 5 of 9...whew. Took our first Test. 4 questions 1 hour for the test. I think I aced it. They were all resolving scenerios.

More during next break.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

My first Quiz at CAI and a birthday pic of G.

We had our first quiz today. Ten questions, ten points. It was based 3 lessons from Microsofts Desktop Support material. Everybody got 100%

We did alot of the communication stuff today. Walking through what to say during a call relating to the opening and closing scripts and how to get a good score during roleplaying. The 2nd half of the day is going to be more technical type things.

I walked around today sort of looking for a place to eat but my indisicion and unwilligess to spend money got he best of me. I did decide to then get something at Quizmo but when I opened the door they had to big of a line for me. So I walked back down to Dunkin Dounuts but again didn't go in. I figure if I am going to eat something I might as well make it healthy. Oh well maybe I will try a salid place tomorrow.

Orb.com works great from here. I can watch any movies or look at pictures, love it. Cant wait to try it in the future when I get my iPaq.

On the way out here is a picture of Gryphon at his 6th Birthday we held outside at Evensburg Park. It was great day and the party went of with out a hitch.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

I'm Back! Lots to update...

Well maybe now I can get back to posting. It's been a while.



I am now in traing at CAI (Computer Aid, Inc) to become a Help Desk Anylist. It is 4 weeks of traing in Wilmington Delaware and then they place you at one of there client sites. I would hope to get into something at Lansdale or Bluebell. After that it could be Malvern, which would be a longer drive.

So we have to wear Formal Business cloths while trainging. The wearing of the close is not bad its just the buying of the cloths that is a pain when a sports jacket can be at least $75.

Its good trainging and it will put me at a level 2 tech. The benefits are a lot less than TV Guide but I will deal with it for a year and a half to get the experiance needed to move on.

I am still lusting after the iPaq rx3115... I see them on ebay for $234 which is a really good price.

We got the severence and they took $2000 in taxes!!! We paid the rent and other bills and got a nice TV cabinant from Ikea. We are going to be buying Krista's Subaru also. I will also be getting my vacation pay this friday, it may be around $700. We have to make it till the 15th of November for my first paycheck from CAI.

Well thats it in a nutshell... Ruby took her first steps and is starting to make her first words like crazy and Gryphon is starting his home schooling and Sarah is being her sweet self.

I really loved being home for the 2 weeks... that was pretty cool.

Friday, September 30, 2005

2nd age of my Skateing ends with a crack...

Well I headed out to the park today for an exteneded last skate session. I was starting to warm up and thinking about what I would write about my last session. I hit a nice boardslide on the high round slider bar and when I landed I heard a crack and the sound of metal tingling. My kingpin of my trucj had just snpped. so that was it. My last time at the park was ending right now.

I silently cursed the kingpin and then stoodback to take the park in. i walked from ramp to ramp and thougth about what I had accomplished in the year since the park had opened. I know nobody will be out there in the freezing cold shoveling off the mini ramp to skate. I kind of took an owner ship of the park.

i can almost remember all the times I did not go. As long as it was not raining or snowing I was there. And sometimes it was raining or snowing when I was there. The major times I was not there were: Rubys birth and baby moon, her hospital stay, any vacation days, Sarahs surgery. I dont think I ever decided to just not go if it was a skate-able day.

Anyway... it was nice to have the everyday skating be in my life again.

One last work desktop...



One more screen shot. I deleted all of my personal files and folders and apps that I loaded. I still have Aduim, DeerPark and iTunes running but will kill thim at the end of today.

Lost and Found :: cable and BitTorrent

Well our new upstairs neighbor decided to get cable. It didn't dawn on me that our free cable might be in jepordy. Well they guy was out and saw our hook up in the basement (I didn't set it up , it was there, I hooked up the tv for better reception and wa-la, cable tv.). We thought we lost it a year or so ago but then after we got a new TV I reconnected it and it was working agian. This time the guy took out the splitter so it gone for good this time.

So what do we do now that we are addicted to show like the family guy, Curb your Enthusiam and the like. Well even the broadcast channels have horrible reception. So until we can get Direct TV or cable or intent TV I turned my friends on the internet. I have Limewire but its hard to find TV show there. I decided to give BitTorrent another try. I choose Azureus : Java BitTorrent Client this time and along with portforwarding instructions from www.portforward.com I was able to get it working.
Azureus is very user friendly compared to the ones I tried before. Also nobody has yet to have "legel" problems using Bit Torrent. It sounds like it is harder to track and the files don't hang around very long. You don't ahve a shared folder like the others. You upload a file as you download the same file and then ou are done. Sounds odd but when you are downloading you are actually pulling the file down in parts from many, many different sources at once. Once you have some pieces other downloaders can than draw on your pieces. The more you allow to go out the faster you get yours down. And when you are done there is nobody poking around a shared folder on your PC.

So, I was able to "borrow" episode 1 of curb, episodes 1 and 2 of My name is earl and a Family guy that we had missed. Its so much faster than the other P2Ps also. The Earl show is pretty good, our kind of "funny". And hey its Jason Lee represent'n the skateboarding scene. I even had one of his boards back in the day.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

iPAQ rx3115 Review - Hands On Reviews @ Pocket PC Central

The best review I have found so far for the iPaq RX3115. The review is from when the iPaq first came out so the prices are outdated.

iPAQ rx3115 Review - Hands On Reviews @ Pocket PC Central

Monday, September 26, 2005

I added a new blog to my blog section...

It's not to exciting. It's just my teams blog for our Operations Management Class



ba3129The name is the courses id Number.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

notes for my phone interview with PC Helps Support

Just my notes for my phone interview with PC Helps Support. (www.pchelps.com)

I usually suggest to clients that they create five note cards, each listing a major strength (e.g., problem-solver, high emotional intelligence, terrific marketing record, cost-cutting guru) and two or three specific examples to illustrate that quality. That way you're ready to promote yourself in response to any question you're asked."

Strengths:
1. Problem solving - Identfy problems with client files relating to the printablilty of the file. Document the problems and return the information to my surpervisor and sales support.

2. Evaluate, research and refine work-flows and SOP's.- When our dept. brought the processing of the color ads in house from the printer, I helped to develope our workflows and procedures for those ads. Ultimatly saving $100K per year.

3. Calm and collected and Work great in stressful situations. - I have a very calm personality and do not get frazzeled by people or things in hectic situations. At times people that did not understand our depts workflow would hover or rush us if they thought we were behind. I would explain the process or assure them that everything would be done on time to meet deadlines.

4. Ability and willingness to adapt to changes in technology. - At home or at work I am always looking into new advances or tinkering with software and hardware. at work when we changed from G3 Mac with os9 to iMacs with OSX I spent as much time as possible at our test machines learning the new OS. I also brought my self up to speed for what we needed to do on our change over from QuarkxPress to Adobe Indesign.

5. eager to learn when the opportunity arises. - I am currently takeing calsses and working toward my BS in Informatino technology systems managemtn. I also took any of the mini traingin classes tv guide offered. Taught myself HTML and CSS.

------------------------
"Look over the job description to see what the company is seeking in a candidate.Compare what you have to offer against what they are looking for. How do you measure up? Be aware of the terms used to describe the job and use that language."
REQUIREMENTS
Ideal candidates for the position possess:

* Strong customer service skills - At times I would have to communicate problems to the advertisers.

* Excellent phone manners
* Excellent problem-solving abilities - mentioned above

* Advanced knowledge of at least three off-the-shelf applications, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Access - I have used advanced features of these and other applications, although i have not used them on a regular bases, I would be able to get back up to speed on these and any others.
* Significant PC knowledge - School, I have been built all of my PC's and constintly search out ways to tweak and change software and hardware that I use at home. I have installed configured all of the win9x os's, winXP and various Linux distros(mandrake, suse, knoppix). I have set up a two machine network at home.

* An ability to learn new software applications quickly-I try out many applications at home to see if they ffit my hom use and have adapt to new applications at work.

* A positive outlook - Always, life is to short. i always look for the positive in any situation and try to point it out to others.

* A desire to succeed - I have a family to support that feeds my desire to do succed.

Summer Solstice Seasonal Cerveza Crema

I found a bottle cap for this in my pocket today. It was a beer that Dave had at his Labor Day party. Good stuff.

Summer Solstice Seasonal Cerveza Crema: "Welcome to the Summer Solstice! This copper colored ale is smooth, malty, and lightly sweet, with a delicate hint of spice for that oh-so-drinkable, extra velvety flavor."

You Can Ring My Bell: How to Prepare for the Telephone - Job Interview Advice from Monster.com

You Can Ring My Bell: How to Prepare for the Telephone - Job Interview Advice from Monster.com: "Look over the job description to see what the company is seeking in a candidate. If you don't have a good description, look at other postings of similar positions to see what is being asked for. Compare what you have to offer against what they are looking for. How do you measure up? Be aware of the terms used to describe the job and use that language."

Phone Interview - Job Interview Advice from Monster.com

Really exciting blog lately huh :o)

Phone Interview - Job Interview Advice from Monster.com: "I usually suggest to clients that they create five note cards, each listing a major strength (e.g., problem-solver, high emotional intelligence, terrific marketing record, cost-cutting guru) and two or three specific examples to illustrate that quality. That way you're ready to promote yourself in response to any question you're asked."

Monday, September 19, 2005

Adecco Technical-contact info

Adecco Technical: "General Inquiries

Please send your resume and salary history to the following address:

ADECCO TECHNICAL - PHILADELPHIA (Blue Bell)
1777 SENTRY PARKWAY, #303
PHILADELPHIA (BLUE BELL) , PA 19422

TEL: (215) 540-2700
FAX: (215) 540-0759

EMAIL: chuck.logan@adeccona.com"

A.A. Milne's 'The End' from Oldpoetry.com

I want to do something with this for Gryphons Birthday...

I dont think I could read it outloud because I was tearing up just reading it here...

A.A. Milne's 'The End' from Oldpoetry.com: "The End
by A.A. Milne (bookmark) (print) (next)
Author Category: English. Show lines.


When I was One,
I had just begun.

When I was Two,
I was nearly new.

When I was Three,
I was hardly seen.

When I was Four,
I was not much more.

When I was Five,
I was just alive.

But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever

So I think I'll be six now
Forever and ever."

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Monday, September 05, 2005

EarthCore: A Podcast Novel

EarthCore: A Podcast Novel

If you have the time and know-how, download this first ever Podcast Novel. It's pretty cool and he has another coming out 9/11/05.

Friday, September 02, 2005

SOD and RAM again...

Through-out the day while listening to RadioKaos I will hear a song that I like and when I glance down at the iTunes window it is always the same bands... Rage Against the Machine or System of a Down(something like that). I think I really want to like Rage but if I listen to an album of there I dont like it.... I guess it is just one of those bands that for me is good when shuffled into the mix...

Thursday, September 01, 2005

An ISP in New Orleans keeps connected,BLOGS and keeps pics of Loooters

This BLOG is from the people at directNIC. They are an ISP in a scyscraper in New Orleans. they have been able to keep connected through out the Hurricane and have a live webcam in the office, a camera of some sort taking pictures outside of the floding and the looters and they are keeping this BLOG.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Maybe this is the solution to getting LaunchCast to play via Yahoo!Messenger...

This may help with getting Yahoo messenger to play launchcast stuff.

Programs that may experience a change in behavior after you install Windows XP Service Pack 2: "Yahoo! Messenger 6.0.0.167 Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo Messenger Launchcast is blocked by the Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker. Add the following sites to the Allowed sites list: http://launch.yahoo.com (http://launch.yahoo.com)
http:/launchtoday.launch.yahoo.com (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http%3a%2flaunchtoday.launch.yahoo.com)
http://launch.yahoo.com (http://launch.yahoo.com)
For more information, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article 843016: 843016.KB.[LN] How to configure the Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer"

Crack! Went the board...

i got to the park today and took my first run on the mini-ramps and as I went through a fakie rock and roll , i heard a bit of cracking coming from my board. i kept going and hit some of the street obstacles with out a problem. Then I turned to the jump ramp. I came down a bit off balance but with my right foot firmly in the middle of board, right were the crack was starting. The board splinted apart held together by only the top ply and the grip-tape... I sat in the park and too the trucks off and then trashed the board. I did just win an eBay auction for a board. Its from the same company, TGM Skateboards. I buy from there eBay auctions, 1 blank board for $22 including shipping. If you get it from there site you pay $22 plus shipping. maybe it will be here by the time we get back from our mini-vacation.

New Paint at FDR Skate Park



The gravity games held an event at FDR and they put up some money to fix it up and add on to it. Here is an awsome new paint job on the big wall/ramp...

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Shoe flinging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For G, who asked why there were shoes hanging from a set of power lines...

Shoe flinging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Shoes hung from overhead wires (Shoefiti)

Shoe flinging or Shoefiti is the American and Canadian practice of throwing shoes whose shoelaces have been tied together so that they hang from overhead wires such as power lines or telephone cables. The shoes are tied together by their laces, and the assembly is apparently then thrown at the wires as a sort of bolas. This practice plays a widespread, though mysterious, role in adolescent folklore in the United States. Shoe flinging has also been reported in Australia.

Shoe flinging occurs throughout the United States, in rural as well as in urban areas. Usually, the shoes flung at the wires are sneakers; elsewhere, especially in rural areas, many different varieties of shoes, including leather shoes and boots, also are thrown.

A number of sinister explanations have been proposed as to why this is done. Some say that shoes hanging from the wires advertise a local crack house where crack cocaine is used and sold. Others claim that the shoes so thrown commemorate a gang-related murder, or the death of a gang member, or as a way of marking gang turf. A newsletter[1] (PDF) from the mayor of Los Angeles, California reports that '[m]any Los Angeles residents fear that these shoes indicate sites at which drugs are sold or worse yet, gang turf,' and that city and utility employees had launched a program to remove them. These explanations have the ring of urban legend to them, especially since the practice also occurs along relatively remote stretches of rural highways that are unlikely scenes for gang murders or crack houses.

Other, less sinister explanations also have been ventured. Some claim that shoes are flung to commemorate the end of a school year, or a forthcoming marriage as part of a rite of passage. It has been suggested that the custom may have originated with members of the military, who are said to have thrown military "

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Self Portrait Tuesday |4| Me and the Kids.

|4| Me and the Kids.


State of Encke Skate Park...

I hope Radnor Township had some money set aside for repairs to encke...





First is ... how did they get this up here? There were some bikers at the park when I got there. Bikers would be the only people to take advantage of this sort of thing so I am guessing they did it. Somebody has since gotten it down. Notice the missing bench slat...




Here is the missing bench slat and a cone. I put these here to warn people of the posts sticking out of the ground. What are the posts for? They are for the plasitc bench top that has broken off...






Here is the plastic bench that broke off. It's kind of fun there.



And then some other things at the park.



I would like to hit a bordslide down the handrail before I leave in Oct.


One more thing on my to do list is to transfer, in the air, over this hip!


This was on my todo list but I can go over this two ways now...


This is where I fly. i can hit ollies and ollie grabs@3 feet high and 5 or 6 feet in distance off this little ramp.

Monday, August 22, 2005

My current desktop


The person who did this art said that it is showing a planets orbit. I think it look s lik e a face leaing and peeking out of my computer.

The Dragon's Den

For Sarah who wondered if it was still out there.
The Dragon's Den

Port Forwarding for the Westell Versalink 327W

This is perfect. A guide that tells you step by step how to do port forwarding...
You pick your software and then your router and it has directions unique for each one. Nice.Port Forwarding for the Westell Versalink 327W

BitTorrent FAQ and Guide

Maybe I can find the answer to my slow BitTorrent speeds here.
BitTorrent FAQ and Guide

Friday, August 19, 2005

My First internt presence.

On this page you can see my first presence on the internet. This is from a newsgroup, google has kindly put these in a freindly web viewable form. this is from 1996, it looks like I was trying to DL a way to play Magic over the net.


Google Groups : rec.games.trading-cards.marketplace.magic.trades

Orb Networks | Home


Now this looks very cool. Basicly you can access any media on your PC from anywhere via the web. I guess you have to log into your account and then you can get any media you have streamed to where you are. It looks free too so I will be giving that a try.



Orb Networks | Home

Rockwell TouchRead

Just something on the wall outside. I wanted to know what it is. It looks like its a speedy way to get a read on the water usage for the apartments.
Automatic Meter Reading Systems

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Mozilla Update :: Extensions | TvBot

Now here is a cool extension for FireFox. It snags tv episodes from somewhere and lets you download them and watch them via winamp.


Mozilla Update :: Extensions -- More Info:TvBot - All Releases

Download_Guide_2.19d_TimDoc

A site with a walk through for downloading files via news groups instead of file shareing software...I think it is "safer" via the newsgroups.


Download_Guide_2.19d_TimDoc

AAA: Gasoline prices strike fifth straight high - Aug. 17, 2005

I paid $20 for just over 7 gallons of gas today. Uhm...hello. People to the Government...this is getting silly!


AAA: Gasoline prices strike fifth straight high - Aug. 17, 2005

uReach uScreen Help

This is an on screen call screener that supposedly works with SunRocket. Ill have to check it out. It would be nice not to have to search for the phone to see who is calling. It looks like you can access voice mail by way of it also.


uReach uScreen Help

www.threadbared.com

A funny blog about sewing patterns, yep, i said sewing patterns and funny.



www.threadbared.com

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Compaq sk-2800c driver - Compaq Input Device Drivers - sp13509.exe

A driver for the Compaq keyboard that Amber gave us. The current driver does not make use of the sleep. print and the rocketship buttons.


Compaq sk-2800c driver - Compaq Input Device Drivers - sp13509.exe

EXPN.com|Chris Cole|X-Games Bronze

A day or two after I saw Chris Cole at the Park he flew out to CA and got a bronze in the X-Games Street competition...


EXPN.com

Resume Post

Christopher C Faulkner
North Wales, PA
cfaulkner -at- gmail -dot- com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Chris has over 15 years of diversified work experience, with heavy emphasis in desktop publishing and customer service. He is most recently a graduate of the CAI Helpdesk Institute, a four-week course that provides intensive training in the latest hardware, software applications, and networking technologies, as well as customer service and troubleshooting skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

· Computer Aid, Inc. Help Desk Analyst October 2005 - Present

As a HDA for CAI, Chris worked on site at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The support at Wyeth included:
MS Windows2000 issues, password resets for various applications including Novell, a wide range of application support including MS Office, SAP, and GroupWise. Customer service, trouble shooting, attention to details, and documenting the issues were skills used on every call.

· T.V. Guide Digital Specialist April 2000 – October 2005

Chris prepared time-sensitive, client-supplied, four-color artwork for printing. This included troubleshooting problem files and interacting with the Sales Support Department to relay problems and possible solutions. Additionally, Chris was part of a team that brought the National Features Section in-house. Doing so helped to save T.V. Guide $100,000 per year.

· Inacom Logistics Service Coordinator June 1997 – March 2000

While acting as a LSC, Chris handled all aspects of inventory management, including reconciliation with third-party vendors, ordering, shipping and receiving of computer equipment. He also had the opportunity to manage on-site stock at Glaxo-Smith-Kline, allowing the technicians to respond to support calls promptly.

· Freelance Web/Graphic Design Graphic Designer June 1998 - Present

Chris worked with various clients as a Web-site designer and graphic artist.

· Domino’s Pizza Manager June 1990 – June 1997

Chris started in a part-time position delivering pizzas. He worked through the management-training program and ultimately earned the store manager position and concentrated on gaining back and retaining customers through great service and quality foods.


TECHNICAL DISCIPLINES

HARDWARE: Chris possesses experience on personal computers, including internal hardware components such as network interface cards and CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/PC interfaces, and external peripherals such as printers and I/O devices. He also has experience with Macintosh Computers.

SOFTWARE: Chris is very well versed in various versions of Microsoft Windows. He has additional experience with packaged software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe software. Chris is also experienced with software and OS installations, Microsoft networking, and TCP/IP.

EDUCATION

CAI Helpdesk Institute, November 2005
B.S. Information Technology, Delaware Valley College, November 2007(planned)
A.S. Specialized Technology, Antonelli Institute of Art and Design, June 1997

Self Portrait Tuesday |3| Looking Down On Me.


me
Posted by Picasa
Self Portrait Tuesday |3| Looking Down On Me.

Sometimes you only have time for a quick pic...

Friday, August 12, 2005

Going camping


I knew it wuold all get done, and for better or for worse it is all done...now to find this campsite in NJ.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Public perceptions of Skateboarding by way of it's public Role Models...

My Thoughts on professional skateboarders and there jobs as role models. I have had the chance to observe top amateurs and professional both in person and via TV and Video. Of the handful that I have had the chance to interact with in person a couple were viewed from afar in a planned demo situation, which you can't get a good feel for what they may be This guy almost killed me!like. The others I have observed at skate parks. Most of the time they blend in and you may not even notice them. You might find out afterwards and be stoked that you were skating with a pro and how cool or not they were. On the other hand you may know or find out that the guy who was being the cocky loud mouth, with anger management problems, that after failing to land a trick threw a hammer across the park and almost took your head off, was also a pro. Then there are the guys who love skateboarding and are out there promoting the sport and playing the up the functional role that skateboarding can play.



Unfortunately, as with most media coverage, the more shocking and outrageous pro-skaters come to the public’s attention and for better or worse sway the perceptions of skateboarding and skateboarders. I want to touch on a few skaters and how they have shown themselves in the public eye. Two pro-skaters that have been in the public eye for few years now are Tony Hawk and Bam Margera. Another not so public is Mike Vallely, if I had to say I had a role model for my approach to skateboarding if would be Mike.


Mike Vallely's thoughts on professionalism in skateboarding.
Mike V.

Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk is now in his late 30's and was the helped to reinvent vert skating in the 80's and still continues to be an innovator in that aspect of skating. Tony's biggest public exposure came when he landed a 900º(2 and a half) spins at the X-Games. He retired from competitive skating but started to expose the public to skateboarding more through his Giant Skate Park Tour on ESPN. This show not only showed skating but a group skaters who were having fun and generally showing pro skaters in a very positive light.



Viva La Bam

Bam Margera, you may know him from his show on MTV "Viva La Bam" or from his parts on MTV's "Jackass". Bam is a very good pro-skater in his mid 20's. His rise to the public eye did not come about from his skating though. Along with his brothers band he put out a video combining his skating combined with clips of outrageous practical jokes on friends, family and innocent passers by. This lead to his part on "Jackass" and then his own show "Viva La Bam". I can only imagine that many more people have seen or at least heard of Bam and his antics on MTV compared to Tony on ESPN. Although popular with many viewers (even one of my guilty pleasures) many others find these shows disgusting and then they see him skating and draw conclusions that all skaters are like this and "bam!" all skaters get tagged with a bad reputation.


Chris Cole

My inspiration for this project was from watching how a pro-skater, Chris Cole, that lives in Langhorne interacted with his friends and other kids at my local park. He wasn't condescending towards them or cursing his head off. He was just skating and even offering advice. The group of skaters that are usually with him give off a positive vibe and no matter what they might do while not skating, kids and parents are going to see and hear them at the parks and hopefully find something to model them selves after in him.


This is Chris Cole.com

Mike Vallely, I'll let him talk for himself and close out my report. If only there were more people in general like Mike the world could be a better place. This is the trailer from his DVD called Drive.


Whew....It's Hot and New Desktop Screen Shot.



I was going to head over to the skatepark and write one of my essays and get some insperation for my project on role models in skateboarding. As I headed out to the car though I was hit by the intense sun and heat. Now I don't mind getting drenched with sweat if I am doing something but sitting on a bench in the blazing heat and humidity is not fun. So I headed over to Genuardi's got a drink and was able to finish one of the essays.


Since I teased my desktop up top, here is my current desktop at work...


Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Dell P780 (White) 17" CRT Monitor


Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Dell P780 (White) 17" CRT Monitor at Epinions.com

Since my in-laws are moving they did not want to haul this Dell monitor with them. So while its smaller than the awsome 19' flat tube NEC that just died, it is a flat CRT which is better than the 17 KDS we already have.

Saranac Beers

Saranac Beers

(***) I bought a case of the Saranac Lager. It was a decent $15 beer.

Montgomery County SPCA of Pennsylvania: Locations

Info and phone numbers page.



Montgomery County SPCA of Pennsylvania: Locations

A little stressed right now.


I have a ton of stuff to cram into the rest of this week thenbigger looming stuff to deal with also... forgot my school stuff at home so I could not work on finishing my Data organization homework. So I have to finish that plus prepare an allowed cheat sheet for the final in that same class. I think we may also be taking the cats to the SPCA tonight also. I am taking the final for that Data class tommorrow night right after work. That puts more pressure on Sarah that she doesnt get a break from the kids. Then when I get home I have to go right into two small essays and come up with a final presentation for my Sociology class for Friday.- I can probably get the essays done during my lunch breaks Thursday and Friday, so if I can finish up the Data stuff tonight I can staret in on the final project for Sociology tonight also. Then once that is done I have to start the Job hunt...



I am finding tahat I have little will now to work hard here at TV Guide. I am pretty much in float mode. No more forward thinking, problem solving and stuff like that. They gave all that up the day they told me I would be layed off. Now I do what I need to and thats it...



No matter what I do Friday will come so stuff wil l get done and then Friday night or Saturday morning I will drive to meet up with Sarah the kids and Beth, ed and there kids for some camping... Hopefully that will go smooth... I picture a fire some good food, people I have never chatted with kids and a couple cold beers...I can handle that.

CutUsABreak.org

Wow, this is a website dedicated to some highschool students who , by way of the careless IT dept at there HS, found the password to hack into thier secure (school provided!) laptops and use the internet for non-educational things. 13 of them are being brought up with 3rd degree felony charges.

Hmm... School supplied Laptops!!! Oh my god. 600 Mac laptops... I really think I could have done better in school with this kind of info at my finger tips.

I remember watching the old Battle Star Galactica and the kids all had laptop type things at there desks. I remember thinking how neat that would be. That was the late 70's and PC were still mainly research type things.



CutUsABreak.org

Monday, August 08, 2005

Mark Williams Diary

Odd. Well I guess it's not that odd. This is somebody blogging like they are at Hogwarts..

Mark Williams Diary

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Saturday, August 06, 2005

b-tree animation app

Nice animation for b-trees but the order does not show the right amount of pointers.

It does redistribution only on deletion.

http://slady.net/java/bt/

Friday, August 05, 2005

Now With a Scroll Bar!

Go ahead and try it....scroll down through the posts...weeeeeeeee!

Now I need to get the Side bars lined up with the bottom of the scroll window.

Possible option after my lay-off :: PA UC Benefits

So it looks like I could go to school and collect unemployment...

Just an option to think about.

One problem I forgot is that we would not have any decent Health Coverage...hmm. Maybe they have weekend or evening courses...

Question: May I collect UC benefits while attending school?


The PA UC Law does not disqualify you for benefits simply because you are a full or part-time student. Additionally, you will not be ineligible  for any claim week that you are in training approved by the Secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry and are otherwise eligible.

L&I: PA UC Benefits

Thursday, August 04, 2005

I Do Not Like Chai Tea...with stuff in it.

I am Chris

Sarah I am

That Sarah-I-am!
That Sarah-I-am!
I do not like
that Sarah-I-am!

Do you like Chai Tea?

I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.
I do not like Chai Tea.

Would you like it here or there?

I would not like it here or there.
I would not like it anywhere.
I do not like Chai Tea.
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

Would you like it in a house?
Would you like it with a mouse?

I do not like it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere.
I do not like Chai Tea.
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

Would you drink it in a box?
Would you drink it with a fox?

Not in a box.
Not with a fox.
Not in a house.
Not with a mouse.
I would not drink it here or there.
I would not drink it anywhere.
I would not drink Chai Tea.
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

Would you? Could you?
In a car?
Drink it! Drink it!
Here it is.

I would not, could not, in a car.

You may like it.
You will see.
You may like it in a tree!

I would not, could not in a tree.
Not in a car! You let me be.
I do not like it in a box.
I do not like it with a fox.
I do not like it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere.
I do not like Chai Tea.
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

A train! A train!
A train! A train!
Could you, would you, on a train?

Not on a train! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! Sarah! Let me be!
I would not, could not, in a box.
I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not drink it with a mouse.
I will not drink it in a house.
I will not drink it here or there.
I will not drink it anywhere.
I do not drink Chai Tea.
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

Say!
In the dark? Here in the dark!
Would you, could you, in the dark?

I would not, could not, in the dark.

Would you, could you, in the rain?

I would not, could not, in the rain.
Not in the dark. Not on a train.
Not in a car. Not in a tree.
I do not like it, Sarah, you see.
Not in a house. Not in a box.
Not with a mouse. Not with a fox.
I will not drink it here or there.
I do not like it anywhere!

You do not like Chai Tea?

I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

Could you, would you, with a goat?

I would not, could not, with a goat!

Would you, could you, on a boat?

I could not, would not, on a boat.
I will not, will not, with a goat.
I will not drink it in the rain.
I will not drink it on a train.
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
I do not like it in a box.
I do not like it with a fox.
I will not drink it in a house.
I do not like it with a mouse.
I do not like it here or there.
I do not like it ANYWHERE!
I do not like Chai Tea!
I do not like it, Sarah-I-am.

You do not like it.
So you say.
Try it! Try it!
And you may.
Try it and you may, I say.

Sarah!
If you will let me be, I will try it.
You will see.

-Takes a Sip of Chai With out anything added-

Say!
I like Chai Tea!
I do! I like it, Sarah-I-am!
And I would drink it in a boat.
And I would drink it with a goat...
And I will drink it in the rain.
And in the dark. And on a train.
And in a car. And in a tree.
They are so good, so good, you see!
So I will drink it in a box.
And I will drink it with a fox.
And I will drink it in a house.
And I will drink it with a mouse.
And I will drink it here and there.
Say! I will drink it ANYWHERE!

I do so like
Chai Tea!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sarah-I-am!

I had some from our machine here at work, and with-out adding anything to it , I liked it.

Whew...finnally found it.

Well I found the problem with my layout problems and now I can get back to tweaking the look and colors ans such... hange in there...

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

3-col layout via CSS

Im try to use this layout....All of my text in my post keeps pushing down below my columns though....arghh!
3-col layout via CSS

Podcasts Post

I am going to have this post be my permanent podcast post with a link in the topics menu...

Podcasts ::
The Dawn & Drew Show | I have stopped listening to D&D for now, lots of just very crude talk and not much substance... I think they got away from what I started listening to them for.
RadioTiki | These guys are great... I am right in there age range and "get" there humor.
TheManaVault | I stopped listing to this one because of the 4bit stream they had was horrible.
TheForce.Net | Star Wars talk, BABY!!!
EarthCore: A Podcast Novel | If you have the time and know-how, download this first ever Podcast Novel. It's pretty cool and he has another coming out 9/11/05.

Got the Side Menu Bars Working

Now I just have to figure out how to keep them from moving around...

CSS, Accesibility and Standards Links

Another great CSS site, I'll have to put these in one post and link it in my topic section...

CSS, Accesibility and Standards Links

Camino - Mozilla power, Mac style.

I am going to give this browser a try, its from the same people that make Firefox, Mozzilla.
Camino - Mozilla power, Mac style.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Color Chart by VisiBone

Perfect HTML Color chart.

Color Chart by VisiBone

Floating Boxes

Whoo-Hoo, check out all the floating boxes!

I think the site is coming together. I need to add my little banners back in, figure out if I want a box with my favorite podcasts or have them in a post-link, fiddle with the text sizes and maybe add some color.

Self Portrait Tuesday Posts

Here is the link to the Blogger who keeps this "Blog Ring". RedCurrent: Self Portrait Tuesdays


|1| Fuzzy Me and Skate





|2| Taking A Break at the Park.





|3| Looking Down On Me.





|4| Me and the Kids.


Monday, August 01, 2005

Columns Made VIa CSS

I am going to move the archive stuff from the top to the right. The whole top portion is made with a table and CSS the bottom section includeing the menu on the right is all CSS. It looks odd right now but I am still working with it to get everything lined up right....

Another good site for CSS: http://css.maxdesign.com.au/floatutorial/

Sunday, July 31, 2005


Ruby!


Me looking crazy at a sleeping Ruby.


Gryphon at play in the sandbox...Posted by Picasa

applianceaid.com

WE gave back our new washers to peter and Rowan....we swaped for a set in the apt they moved to...I think the timer is not working on the washer. This site has some tips.

Washer repair help sections, how to fix washing machines, how to take apart washers, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Kenmore, Inlgis, Frigidaire, Neptune, Atlantis, washer won't spin, washer wont agitate, my washer is leaking water, laundry stains.

Friday, July 29, 2005

Target : GPx Turntable Home Music System S7694

Sort of looking into prices for a new Stereo, ours is pretty much shot.
It needs a turntable, cd player, tuner and casset player...



This is $170...

Target : GPx Turntable Home Music System S7694



Wow here is our current system...we have had two over the last 5 years. The first one died and they replaced it. The current one died the same way.. Emerson's 5 CD Home Audio Stereo with Turntable for $199!

Working from the TOP down...

As you may notice I am starting at the top and working down. I am still tweaking the colors and spacing.

Daddly Long Legger on my Jones Soda...


...not a real one, well it is real but it's the photo on the label. You can send in pictures to them and they pick new pics for their labels very often...

Jones Soda

Pretty cool site. Now I wonder if other companies bought out Zota Soda(the first Tea Soda i saw) because I am starting to see other tea sodas. Jones looks like they are putting out thier own.

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Good start...

Well I was able to get the title pretty much how I wanted it today. I may make the "ossus.blogspot.com" text smaller...

Good CSS page -- CSS Navigation...


CSS Navigation.

New Layout changes...

Ok, now that I have had time to play with the CSS and think about the style and layout I am ready to impliment a minimilist style to web page... sort of light, almost not there look to it. So as I dig into the CSS and HTML things will shift and hcange colors for a while... Dont judge it before it's done. I will be using colors some people don't like.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Gryphon Aks - What do Bee's Eat?


My Honey Co. - Questions - My Honey Co: "What do bees eat?

Honeybees eat what they gather. They eat pollen and nectar gathered from flowers. Pollen provides an excellent source of protein for the bees. Honeybees mix their honey and stored pollen together to feed the queen and baby bees or brood. This mixture is known as beebread."

Another page also said: Bees eat pollen for protein and honey for carbohydrates.

Countdown to no job at TV Guide...

I added a countdown timer to the top area.


Time left at TV Guide ::


I got the code from here -->Clock codes

Current and final desktop at work...


That timer in the middle is counting down until I am no longer needed here... (click the pic to enlarge)

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

TV Guide Plans Radical Format Change

TV Guide Plans Radical Format Change

MyStuff

This will be my post for my links to stuff I have Electronics and such.

PC

Google now has a personalize-able page in the Google Labs

If it works well I will be moving my start page over, for nothing else other than a change...lots of changes coming.

Ah ha, they have a bookmarks section! I think I'll split my bookmarks between my blog and my new Google home page. Not that I dont like Yahoo! I really have nothing against them but I just like to switch things up a little...

Google

Bum, bum...BUMMMM!!! The Hammer Drops at TV Guide...

Well, The TV Guide is getting rid of all of there national digest size (small books) and making one full size color book for hth whole country. I thought that would happen. I created the templates that the ads would go in. Well today they announced that they were going to start with that in October. The Hammer, the hammer is that most of my department is not needed, me included.

Oct 3 is my date. I get two weeks severance for each year so that should be 10 weeks (5 paychecks basicly). I assume that I have to stay to the end to get that money. So the game will be to have a job start after the 3rd...To get a phat paycheck and have a decent job.
I wondered how I would feel if I ever got layed off.... Well, its odd. It's sort of a no feeling. Its nobodys fault really. It's not like they did it based on performance. It was more just job based and my main job delt with the color ads going into the digest book, no book no job, done.I If i am said about anything its that my revitalized skateboarding will also probably be gone in Oct. I guess I'll hold off on getting another board...really that's the worst part about it.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Yahoo! bought Konfabulator...

... It seemed to slow down my pc at home but runs smooth on the iMac at work. It was originally designed for Macs anyway. Maybe Ill give the new FREE version a try at home again. I like there widgets better than ObjectX and its free.

Downloads | Konfabulator

Backed-Up Photos Last Night

I backed up our photo folder last night to a DVD , 4.3 gig worth of Photos.

Next will be the Music folder. Actually what I need to do is back up the music to either DVDs (35gig about 8 dvds worth) or move all of it to the main hard drive. Then reformat the old hard drive with a bigger music folder and then put it all back. I will probably start that tonight when I am doing homework.

I Don't Like Rage Against the Machine


There are not a whole lot of bands that I would say I dislike but, Rage is one of them. While I like a couple of there songs becasuse they sound good overall they sounds really really angry. Not like your avverage punk or rap angry but scarey angery. i have given them a couple tries but It just sounds like an angry guy yelling at me. Sometimes if groups are angry but sound good with the music they can hang with my collection...but when you dont sound good with the music and you are just yelling at me about ...stuff, whatever it is he was yelling aablut, deservid or not...I just wont have you. I am not sayin they suck just that I don't prefer them, not that they should not express what they have to say but I have the power not to listen to his angry ranting. Goodbye Rage...I will delete you!

Saturday, July 23, 2005