New music "Post Modern Jukebox" (opens in a new window) Since you "liked" this, I wanted to share with you that this is my new fav group, having seen a different video of theirs recently ("All about that bass"). I've subsequently bought one of their "albums" on iTunes called "Historical misappropriations". Great music. … [Read more...]
Archives for 2015
Unisys Plant 8 (Defense Building) torn down
August 1, 2015 By
Twice now in the past couple of weeks, I've been in the Eagan area, driving either on Pilot Knob or Yankee Doodle, and been caught unawares by a huge empty space/field, where the Unisys Defense ("Paramax/Lockheed Martin") building stood for 30 or more years. Even though I worked in the Unisys MACS building "right next to it" for close to twenty years, I never had the opportunity to see the inside … [Read more...]
Relationship advice
July 31, 2015 By
Today's profound thoughts. Something I read many, many years ago (but never applied in my life). Here are three "tests" to "gauge" whether or not your new (or current) relationship will work out (is working). Play a game(s) together - do you enjoy playing a game(s) with them? Do a project together - did you enjoy that experience or was it a real struggle to work together completing … [Read more...]
Raising kids – funny video
July 30, 2015 By
Raising kids video (opens in new window) This was me (clueless), until 3 yrs ago. I'm still somewhat clueless, but I have a much better understanding now than I did before Lailah. … [Read more...]
Big B’s birthday thoughts
July 30, 2015 By
There are times when words do not escape me, and other times when I'm so overwhelmed that I cannot find the right words to express my feelings. This is NOT one of those times. I am so very grateful to all of my former HS friends, my former Unisys, WF, and USPS colleagues/friends, my family and close friends that sent me birthday greetings yesterday, via Facebook or other methods. Each and every … [Read more...]
Lailah and her antics
July 27, 2015 By
Had my little girl this afternoon for a couple of hours - the little stinker took a paint brush (with a load of blue paint) and painted my camera lens! [Video at 11.] LOL [fortunately, this was on my point&shoot, not the "better" camera). it's not like she didn't warn me. I've recently have had my entire right arm painted, one or more of my shirts painted, my nose painted, etc. She was even … [Read more...]
Daughter Elyse and her “new” camera
July 25, 2015 By
Ah, and one last thing. I loaned my Sony Mirrorless camera to Elyse after she came out here in early June. She's never been into photography (or so she told me), until we went to downtown MPLS together, and she shot a few pictures (300 of them, to be "exact"). So, she's had the camera for almost 6-7 weeks now, and she went on a sightseeing trip with a friend for a few days, and ended up taking … [Read more...]
Recommendations: shows, food, movies, etc
July 25, 2015 By
Today's miscellaneous Recommendations: Chilies restaurant: margarita chicken tex mex bowl, combined with their white queso appetizer and salsa on top is just DELISH! Yum. Locally, here in "beautiful downtown" Apple Valley, a "smash burgers" opened up a yr or so ago. I've eaten there a couple of times (but not recently), but they're pretty good. On the other hand, "Five guys" opened up their … [Read more...]
Police brutality – Sandra Bland.
July 22, 2015 By
Sandra Bland. My two cents. I've not paid ANY attention to this story - until I saw this morning that the police have released the 'traffic stop/arrest' video. Having just watched the entire ten minute video, I am disturbed by what I saw and heard. While she may have been disrespectful with her cigarette (which may have caused the initial confrontation), the police officer himself was to blame … [Read more...]
Growing up in the wrong musical era
July 21, 2015 By
https://www.facebook.com/DrumTalkTV/videos/853846431360689/ I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era. I think I should've been born ten - fifteen years earlier, what, with my strong appreciation for big band music, as well as not being able to fully appreciate (when I was growing up) the talents of Frank, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett as well as Sammy Davis. I wish I'd been able to see … [Read more...]
U/ST Final grade for Object Oriented Software Analysis (“UML” class)
July 21, 2015 By
i'm just one lucky SOB [son of bob?]. Been logging into U/St. Thomas almost on a daily basis. Grade was posted today for the summer class: "A-", giving an overall GPA of 3.52. Last course starts after Labor day. … [Read more...]
Various thoughts about cameras, photography
July 20, 2015 By
I have four "cameras" (my trusty Canon DSLR, the "newer" Sony Mirrorless, a Sony P&S (that fits in my pants pocket) and, of course, like everyone else, my cell phone). All of them have the now (pretty much) standard LCD screen that you can't see a frigging thing on when you are outdoors in bright sunlight. The first two do have a separate eye viewfinder but I've been leaving the DSLR home … [Read more...]
Lailah news – picnicking & playing together
July 20, 2015 By
Had the opportunity to "picnic" and play outdoors with the most beautiful granddaughter Lailah this afternoon for a couple of hours. We were at a different park this time, still close by, but with a different set of "climbing" things for her to climb - some things she climbs without hesitation - while with others, she still shows her fear (which is ok - I don't force her). We also swung on the … [Read more...]
Behind in my posts!
July 15, 2015 By
Well, I'm kinda behind with my posts - it was a busy weekend and start of the week for me. I just posted pictures of the "Thrust" stage at the Guthrie - and was admonished by the volunteer usher that "ALL" photography was "Verboten!" (even when the musical hadn't yet started). I guess they don't want anyone to steal their scenery ideas. Rick and I had a great time, first, while eating at the … [Read more...]
Geek Movie: Ex Machina
July 15, 2015 By
Stumbled across a very good, thought provoking, "cerebral" (geek) movie tonight: Ex Machina", having a rotten tomatoes score of 92%. Highly enjoyed it, highly recommend it. … [Read more...]
Cyber Bullying – response by a 11 yr old boy
July 14, 2015 By
Internet bullying strikes again. This 11 yr old boy reads out loud some of the cruel comments people (kids?) have posted regarding his YouTube videos. Please watch his two minute video confronting these commenters. If people don't have anything pleasant to share, why post such negative comments? Where are the parents of these kids who post cruel comments such as these and/or if these aren't … [Read more...]
U/Saint Thomas – Summer class final exam
July 13, 2015 By
So, the final exam tonight (for my "Object oriented software analysis & design" class) was closed book, but we could bring a double sided cheat sheet to use. I got there, and the whole row behind me (4-5 people) were poring over copies of someone's cheat sheet - font size 6, double column - I laughingly made a comment about the font size, so one person handled me a copy. I showed them that I … [Read more...]
Rude people texting/FB’ing at the Symphony
July 11, 2015 By
NPR article about Patti Lapone confronting person with cell phone during her performance (opens in a new window) This is getting out of hand - last 3-4 shows at Orchestra hall, I've been seated next to people like this. It's so f'ing irritating/distracting. Good for Patti L. … [Read more...]
Friend’s thoughts about marriage equality
July 10, 2015 By
More thoughts about marriage equality and the bible by my friend Tina Weems Dolechek. Thanks, Tina, for sharing. I have been reading many posts lately about marriage equality and how the Bible says marriage is between a man and a woman. I thought I would do a little Bible research myself. This is what I found. The Bible is ok with men having more than one wife. King David, remember David The … [Read more...]
Orchestra Hall – Singing in the rain
July 8, 2015 By
Orchestra Hall - Singing in the rain (opens in a new window) Got my ticket to see this film & music event at Orchestra Hall tomorrow morning. The musical/movie is a classic, and truth be told, I've probably never seen the entire thing before, so it'll a first for me. Of course, I waited to the last minute to invite a friend to go with me - they apparently would have enjoyed going, but they … [Read more...]
