tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85637242011-12-14T22:05:57.681-05:00Sometimes, it is wiser to smile and say nothing...Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.comBlogger1151100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-91116918877288109462010-08-20T16:48:00.000-04:002010-08-20T16:50:04.416-04:00

"On the sea, there is a tradition older even than the traditions of the country itself and wiser in its age than this new custom.It is the tradition that with responsibility goes authority, and, with them, accountability....for men will not long trust leaders who feel themselves beyond accountability for what they do....And when men lose confidence and trust in those who lead, order disintegrates

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-8231821356615938312009-06-09T06:35:00.006-04:002009-06-09T08:55:34.828-04:00

Crystal, Chuck and I went to the zoo in DC a bit ago. It was a good time, and a beautiful day.Here are the pics from the trip.If you ever get the chance, I recommend taking it. Be prepared for a bit of hill climbing, though, as the entire zoo is built on a several hundred foot hill. The baby stroller crowd was very unprepared...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-38914570562585189232009-03-03T22:03:00.001-05:002009-03-03T22:03:49.067-05:00

by Wendell Berry I would not have been a poet except that I have been in love alive in this mortal world, or an essayist except that I have been bewildered and afraid, or a storyteller had I not heard stories passing to me through the air, or a writer at all except I have been wakeful at night and words have come to me out of their deep caves needing to be remembered. But on the days I am lucky

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-12005715011841131762008-12-04T18:57:00.000-05:002008-12-04T18:58:58.001-05:00

by Patrick PhillipsTouched by your goodness, I am likethat grand piano we found one night on Willoughbythat someone had smashed and somehowheaved through an open window.And you might think by this I mean I'm brokenor abandoned, or unloved. Truth is, I don'tknow exactly what I am, any morethan the wreckage in the alley knowsit's a piano, filling with trash and yellow leaves.Maybe I'm all that's

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-31616009315477236712008-12-02T06:56:00.000-05:002008-12-02T06:57:56.841-05:00

http://www.atomicnerds.com/?p=1420My first post in a while, but I have been busy with trying on life again.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-17685033927129661202008-06-07T09:18:00.001-04:002008-06-07T09:21:47.602-04:00

"But surely, for everything you have to love, you have to pay some price." - Agatha Christie

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-79460019038705950292008-03-20T09:05:00.000-04:002008-03-20T09:06:13.181-04:00

“Oops” is truly a cross platform kind of thing. - Matt Hartley, Lockergnome.com

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-92076825845456122562008-01-20T18:43:00.000-05:002008-01-20T18:57:25.836-05:00

I have a problem with our electoral process, and, I suppose our political process in general.The problem illustrated here is that none of our politicians run on campaigns primarily devoted to, "I am so much better than anyone else", but rather on, "I am so much less bad than anyone else".Logic and intelligence are no longer used to promote good governance, but, rather to present the least

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-37770161911074389272007-11-05T19:59:00.000-05:002007-11-06T23:43:00.766-05:00

Late in the evening, or, maybe, early in the morning, my thoughts turn to the camera, and the fact that I have not taken any pictures in months.The batteries are charged, and it is a time of year that lends itself to pictures. Some of them tell of the world preparing for the winter, others lead the mind into realms of never were, and wish it was.I want pictures of the mountains. In the misty

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-83746464445630340172007-09-21T21:52:00.000-04:002007-09-21T21:55:50.532-04:00

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: to reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-66900033307370894142007-09-21T12:23:00.000-04:002007-09-21T12:27:17.666-04:00

Every once in a while, a complete stranger makes your day. The message below just came through the All Hands mailing list.*salute*The note below was sent to the FEMA News Desk. Good Evening, I just wanted to commend FEMA and thank them for doing all they did in Louisiana. I am "sick to death" of everyone blaming FEMA for all their problems, when in fact, if they weren't sitting around waiting

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-16724235235264912272007-07-28T18:23:00.000-04:002007-07-28T18:26:15.582-04:00

Ever wish you had a camera with you??!I was out today, running an errand. I came up to the car in front of me at a traffic light, and, as is my wont, looked at the license plate.There, before my eyes, was a Firefighter's plate with a Handicapped symbol.Ummm....

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-56437204090767306582007-07-18T18:21:00.000-04:002007-07-18T18:24:22.611-04:00

In pure, unadulterated, good news, I got a call from HR today, confirming my GS-11 has passed the security investigation.This means that my promotion is complete.Yiiipppppeeeeee!*snorts* Greedy pig that I am, I also applied to a GS-12 posting this week, within two pay periods of attaining my frocked GS-11.*chuckles* Wish me luck!

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-62358104621946518522007-07-15T21:14:00.000-04:002007-07-15T21:49:42.919-04:00

In the 1990s, there was a game produced by White Wolf Publishing. It is called Mage: the Ascenscion, and I was quite taken with it.It was a story of personal achievement, following your dreams and fighting, if not the good fight, the bad guys.During the game's hey-day, they released a Tarot deck. It is somewhat difficult to read, because they made it, somewhat, compatible with the game. As a

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-59179435350540677002007-07-14T23:17:00.000-04:002007-07-14T23:33:27.019-04:00

I just noticed that I have crested the 100 post mark; sad that it was an update on the divorce.I got my papers today. Thus, the end of a life, and another starts. Depending on which view you care to take, you can express sympathies, cheer my single status, or just hope that I move on to lighter topics. For myself, I will hope that the stress goes down with the completion of the trial. I already

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-13772510837976307692007-07-07T09:11:00.000-04:002007-07-07T09:19:17.235-04:00

If, by some odd chance, you had not yet heard, Theresa and I are getting a divorce.Our one, and, so far, only, court appearence was yesterday. I was not required to attend, and did not. My nephew, Chuck/Joe, went as an official witness.I am told that the court room was too small, and that there was no rhyme or reason to the method they called the cases. Theresa was the first in line in the

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-30824385722758175662007-06-27T08:49:00.000-04:002007-11-17T21:01:29.005-05:00

http://www.elfwood.com/art/w/o/wong/wisdom.jpg.htmlYou are The MagicianSkill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.Eleoquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-11151403551354356722007-06-05T23:10:00.000-04:002007-06-05T23:30:46.871-04:00

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveller, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-36855226003338152622007-05-16T21:05:00.000-04:002007-05-16T21:11:15.031-04:00

Your Score: Modern, Cool Nerd65 % Nerd, 56% Geek, 17% DorkFor The Record:A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-11296119037189950412007-05-13T20:28:00.000-04:002007-05-13T20:49:26.984-04:00

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-60123796441838336272007-04-24T08:36:00.000-04:002007-04-24T08:38:16.317-04:00

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-62890503461654546872007-03-31T15:31:00.000-04:002007-03-31T15:33:42.946-04:00

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."– Marie Curie

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-34621462133473607882007-02-22T20:45:00.000-05:002007-02-22T20:55:41.889-05:00

Every now and then, when it is cold and blustering, like tonight, one thinks of Summer and balmy days...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-34695254212807271312007-02-14T10:22:00.000-05:002007-02-27T22:30:31.826-05:00

For those of you that didn't know, I dabble in photography. Every now and again, I get something that I consider worth throwing onto the blog for the world to see.The focus on this is so perfect, and yet, I couldn't get them in a still. They were helping me to make the bed, and got kind of over-eager. Fortunately, they left my girl in the back out of it...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-38147219172030096172007-02-14T10:03:00.000-05:002007-02-14T10:21:10.029-05:00

(Warning: Adult Content in the links)I was kicking through a backlog of RSS feeds, and I came across this. Before you click on it, let me warn you that it is part of the Good Vibrations company web page, specifically, GVSextips. They deal in adult toys, movies and etc. A very professional outfit, and they are not sleazy in the slightest. (Obligatory disclaimer: I am not affiliated with these

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1170012725212267992007-01-28T14:22:00.000-05:002007-01-29T14:31:01.670-05:00

Here is the (not so) little lad I brought home a couple of months ago. He is somewhere between a quarter and a third larger than Constance these days.She is two and half months older than he is, but was in considerably worse shaped when we first got her. No pictures of her for a bit, as she is recovering from surgery and has to grow back a hunk of fur. Gabriel's surgery will be next month

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1169474008548886312007-01-22T08:50:00.000-05:002007-01-29T14:25:58.743-05:00

This one is for the geeks in the crowd. It explains a possible vision of the future of the internet with Google as THE central player. Definitely an interesting read, even if it turns out to be only half correct. Only time will tell.I, Cringely, January 19th, 2007

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1168404421446607532007-01-09T23:46:00.000-05:002007-01-09T23:47:30.753-05:00

"The art of living lies less in eliminating our troubles than in growing with them."– Bernard Baruch

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1167642486604048372007-01-01T03:57:00.000-05:002007-01-01T04:08:06.803-05:00

My first post of 2007. Nothing specificly significant to say; just sitting here listening to the rain fall and Rob Costlow play. Cognac, in small doses, is a good thing.Gabriel is asleep in the cat bed on the desk, and I should be heading to bed for a while.May your new year shine brighter than the last!Chrystoph

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1166626599440381052006-12-20T09:39:00.000-05:002006-12-20T09:56:39.893-05:00

Borders has a program that allows you to collect money every time you use your member card over the course of the year to use for Yuletide purchases. My efforts this year didn't amount to much, but it was enough to pick up a couple of CDs with a 10% discount.Nothing new to the music world at large, but I picked up:Nights are Forever by England Dan and John Ford Coley. This is significant to me

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1166625515188684292006-12-20T09:17:00.000-05:002006-12-20T09:38:35.993-05:00

Got up this morning to a frosty, clear 27 degrees. Mmmm, everyone told me Virginia would be warmer than Minnesota...It is relatively quiet at work these days, as people prepare for the Yuletide & the New Year, or spend "Use or Lose" leave. I have been building policy documents for a new management mentality. *snorts* This is one step above watching the paint dry in terms of excitement, but it

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1164035599821643202006-11-20T09:54:00.000-05:002006-11-20T10:13:20.670-05:00

It is a grey, overcast day. The green vibrancy of three months past has turned into dead-looking fingers reaching for the sky.At odds with this, though, is the fact that the forest that resides on the slopes of Mount Weather is alive with the mating of animals for life's renewal in the spring. It is an odd sort of time, with life and death competing before the winter sets in.The days have gotten

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1163944082409419672006-11-19T08:46:00.000-05:002006-11-19T08:48:02.420-05:00

"Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that." – Harold Kushner

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1163821539849466412006-11-17T22:17:00.000-05:002006-11-17T22:45:39.863-05:00

Bright green eyes,mostly closed,stare from my lap,Draped in repose.Soft warm purr,dark grey stripes,loving smile,soft silky fur...It is one of the small miracles of the universe that a cat in my lap can make my life a more easily dealt with thing. My world seems so much better when I have a loving, purring kitten in my lap.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1163186192058016152006-11-10T14:16:00.000-05:002006-11-10T14:16:32.073-05:00

Greed:High Gluttony:Medium Wrath:High Sloth:Medium Envy:High Lust:High Pride:Medium Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1163147034089799032006-11-10T03:23:00.000-05:002006-11-10T03:23:54.103-05:00

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!Here is how you matched up against all the levels:LevelScorePurgatory (Repenting Believers)Very LowLevel 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)Very LowLevel 2 (Lustful)Very HighLevel 3 (Gluttonous)HighLevel 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)LowLevel 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)HighLevel 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)LowLevel 7 (Violent)Very

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1161352826632466722006-10-20T09:59:00.000-04:002006-10-20T10:00:26.643-04:00

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. - Anais Nin

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1160971762534398312006-10-16T00:07:00.000-04:002006-10-16T00:09:22.543-04:00

Not at my happiest about this chapter, but it transitions the story and allows me to continue writing.http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2907666/6/

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1159668643937253142006-09-30T22:09:00.000-04:002006-09-30T22:10:43.946-04:00

Soren Kierkegaard"Life must be understood backwards; but... it must be lived forward."

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1159021199818931522006-09-23T09:25:00.000-04:002006-09-23T10:19:59.906-04:00

For my following who are either socially conscious or rock lovers, I first encountered this group at the Family Values tour in Philadelphia last Friday, September 15th.They impressed me enough to get me to buy a CD at the concert. I am very fond of the interplay of instrumental and vocal music this group produces. The lyrics also add to the group's appeal. Their self proclaimed desire is to

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1158118911600512892006-09-12T23:37:00.000-04:002006-09-12T23:41:51.610-04:00

Picked up another kitten...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1157824854709462612006-09-09T13:56:00.000-04:002006-09-09T14:00:54.720-04:00

Once, I stood on firm ground, looking out on the sea of possibility. I knew my course, should I but step upon the ship of my desires. Sailing into that place, though, can be dangerous. There are reefs of responsibility, storms of injustice, and enemies who would see you sunk for whatever reasons they harbor.So it was that my small ship was cast down, and I swam to an unknown and uncertain shore.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1157587518423020212006-09-06T19:57:00.000-04:002006-09-06T20:05:18.436-04:00

For those of you that do not know, Reese and I are splitting up. Tentatively, she will be moving into her own place on the first of next month.We ask that you not take sides on this, as we are not enemies, and are doing our best to remain friends. We are just no longer able to live together. We are hoping not to alienate any of you with this, and appreciate your well wishes. If you need to get a

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1156395391422892402006-08-24T00:55:00.000-04:002006-08-24T00:56:31.436-04:00

What care the whole worldAn a heart should in pieces breakThe world shall go on

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1155327749744821482006-08-11T16:21:00.000-04:002006-08-11T16:24:20.006-04:00

a broken teacupdiscarded on the pavementharmony shattered

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1153437563696262792006-07-20T19:09:00.000-04:002006-07-20T19:19:23.756-04:00

The newest revolution in cat toys, only $3.00 per pound!

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1152722758358401002006-07-12T12:44:00.000-04:002006-07-12T12:45:58.366-04:00

Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense. (Hurting oneself is not sinful - just stupid). - Robert A. Heinlein

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1151846554931408662006-07-02T09:22:00.000-04:002006-07-02T09:22:34.940-04:00

Always do the things you fear the most. Courage is an acquired taste, like caviar. – Erica Jong

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1151584767137936822006-06-29T08:28:00.000-04:002006-06-29T08:39:27.173-04:00

This morning, I drove up through the cloud cover into the halls of Heaven. Sunbeams fell through the foliage, and there were patches of light fog that swirled as I drove through them. The greenery was vibrant and the sky was a beautiful powder blue.Athena, my new car, and I were in harmony and I was enjoying a peaceful drive.Suddenly, out in front of me, a young doe scrambled out into the road. I

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1150845264402261622006-06-20T19:05:00.000-04:002006-06-20T19:14:24.513-04:00

Couple of weekends ago, I went to the Tidewater region (Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, etc) to visit some folks I knew from my Navy days. We went on the weekend of the Blackbeard Festival.This is Cassandra, Josie and, of course, me. Last time I saw Cass, she was small enough to fall asleep on my shoulder and leave me with "daddy face". The girls and I are sitting on a working sailing ship.Just a

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1150105069096868592006-06-12T05:37:00.000-04:002006-06-12T05:37:49.106-04:00

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."– T.S. Eliot

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1148955369347501172006-05-29T22:08:00.000-04:002006-05-29T22:16:09.493-04:00

We recently went on a 100 or so mile round trip to acquire Constance, a kitten. She had fleas, and the six weeks of age claimed turned into three when we got there. Fortunately, she has a good will to survive, and is doing well.Here she is after two weeks in our care. Constance lives like most furlings her age, all energy until it is suddenly gone, then instantly asleep. She lives in Chuck/Joe's

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1148221543767264302006-05-21T10:22:00.000-04:002006-05-21T10:25:43.783-04:00

I drive past this one on the way to work in the morning...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1148220271916368562006-05-21T09:54:00.000-04:002006-05-21T10:28:08.376-04:00

Here is Attila, the newest addition to our household. The thought train goes like so: Honey bee yellow car, Winney the Poo spelled honey "hunee", Attila the Hun, shortened to Attila.The plan is that the '04 Dodge Neon will be Reese's car, and Ian, our trusty old Jeep Grand Cherokee, will be mine. Speaking of which, Ian is going to be be paid off this payday. Until we are working different hours,

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1148161285057922322006-05-20T17:36:00.000-04:002006-05-20T17:41:25.066-04:00

I shot this today at about 0645. It is taken from the bridge that I drive over going to and from work. Often, but not this morning unfortunately, there is fog on the river, giving it a mystical, semi-real sort of feeling.The river valley is sometimes so completely occluded that you just suddenly drive into a bank of clouds.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1147202133443705562006-05-09T14:14:00.000-04:002006-05-09T15:15:35.003-04:00

So, in case you've been wondering or worrying, I went back to the ER yesterday and they removed the staples from the rear of my scalp. All of my injuries are down to minor status, and my biggest grief right now is that I am still tired from the energy expenditures to heal up.I am starting a Compressed work week as of next week, which means that I will get every other Monday off in exchange for

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1146268870015991552006-04-28T19:53:00.000-04:002006-04-28T20:08:00.546-04:00

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1146268112841844762006-04-28T19:47:00.000-04:002006-04-28T19:48:32.843-04:00

After that bit of "interesting" (in the Chinese curse sense) news, I have the happy duty to report that Theresa / Reese got confirmation that she is starting her new job on Monday morning!

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1146267712392847742006-04-28T19:26:00.000-04:002006-04-28T19:44:57.326-04:00

Well, as of this morning, Mariposa, my Ford Focus ZX3, is dead. I tried to mate her to a tree. Now, before you go thinking about the post, Running, I need to point out that I was going between 30 and 35 when the twit in front of me stomped his breaks to a complete stand still. I also hit the breaks, but in turning out slightly so as to clear him, I caught the edge of a gravel road and lost

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1145802691735324362006-04-23T10:26:00.000-04:002006-05-29T22:19:13.766-04:00

Started a new story over at FanFiction.This is set in the Rifts universe. I have two introductory chapters up so far.Lest Darkness Fall

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1145280443516634262006-04-17T09:17:00.000-04:002006-05-29T22:21:07.973-04:00

Spent the afternoon over at an SCA friend's house. Had the family recipe of sticky wings (very popular), deviled eggs, nachos, pizza, etc.It wasn't particularly traditional, but it was very good.Theresa/Reese got a sweet arrangement with these folks. They have two horses that need regular exercise, so she gets to ride for free. Me, I get stuck helping curry the horses down afterwards (wry grin).

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1144701788457010322006-04-10T16:29:00.000-04:002006-04-10T16:43:09.050-04:00

The road is almost ten miles long. It is mostly small sets of tight curves, interspersed with short straight aways. It wanders over the side of a mountain, switching back in the traditional method for climbing or, in this case, descending. It is not as rugged as the Sierra Nevadas that I loved so in the 90s, but it is mountain driving, none-the-less. The posted speed limit is 40, and I

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1143744899449122072006-03-30T13:40:00.000-05:002006-03-30T13:54:59.493-05:00

I was driving in this morning and the weather was such that anything out beyond a mile or so had a foggy, almost dream like quality to it. The middle distance wavered with ground clouds everywhere and the horizon was a very uncertain thing.It was a beautiful diorama in shades of blue and grey, and the view was one of those that I have never quite believed when I see them in pictures. John Denver

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1143503515311110762006-03-27T18:42:00.000-05:002006-03-27T18:51:55.380-05:00

I am still building up an infrastructure in a new building. Our deadline is Friday, and it looks good.I have been added to the steering commitee for a new Data Center. Still a proposal, but it looks good.The team is starting to knuckle down, which is good. We have sort of been fragmented by the infrastructure project. There is only one person doing trouble tickets, and both sides are a bit

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1141855995933816022006-03-08T17:08:00.000-05:002006-03-08T17:13:15.933-05:00

So, after the bright spot I just published, I need to vent.I've been here since March 4th, Friday afternoon, and I've had two different little girls come knocking on my door, looking for their playmates. Now, when I say little, I mean less than eight years old.I think it really stinks that the adults here before me left without so much as telling these two that they were never coming back.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1141855723377561932006-03-08T16:59:00.000-05:002006-03-08T17:08:43.406-05:00

Well, I am home from my third day of work as a Federal employee.FEMA operates like any large bureaucracy, which is to say, it has no idea what is happening from day to day.On the bright side, the people I am working with are good folks. There is the usual run of internal BS and political nonsense, but I knew that would happen. Never worked anywhere that doesn't have it.For those of you interested

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1141428890401808732006-03-03T18:21:00.000-05:002006-03-03T18:34:50.433-05:00

Spent the majority of yesterday driving from Roseville, MN to Independence, OH. It is a long and tedious drive, liberally spiced with toll ways. On the bright side, all of that time in the field with FEMA allowed me to spend the night in a Doubletree Inn free of charge. I even still have over 12,000 reward points for future use. Heh, back out to the field with you! NoooooooooooI finished out the

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1141217537228631072006-03-01T07:50:00.000-05:002006-03-01T07:52:17.240-05:00

I published a story the other day. It is in the Star Wars genre, but wit all original characters.http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2819473/1/

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1141003605095911042006-02-26T20:19:00.000-05:002006-02-26T20:26:45.140-05:00

For anyone that did not know, I am now at home. Sad to say,this won't last for too long, as I will need to head out again this coming Thursday morning.At the moment, I have been taking some much needed down time. Yesterday was traveling, so I got home around 1500/3 PM. Went out to Ichi-Ban, Minnesota's number one teppanyaki restraunt with my family.Spent most of today offloading our washer and

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1140521962627732852006-02-21T06:37:00.000-05:002006-02-21T06:39:22.626-05:00

Update to my schedule; I am going to be arriving at MSP around 1400/2PM on Saturday, the 25th.More details on the near future as they are available...

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1140132139516206332006-02-16T18:20:00.000-05:002006-02-21T06:31:14.326-05:00

You scored as SG-1 (Stargate). You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body.>SG-1 (Stargate)88%Moya (Farscape)88%Babylon 5 (Babylon 5)81%Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda)81%Deep Space Nine (Star Trek)81%Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix)81%

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1139869381567550312006-02-13T17:18:00.000-05:002006-02-13T17:23:01.586-05:00

So, today is a good day for news.First, our application for the flat in Virginia went through. We will have a one floor, three bedroom apartment.Second, and more importantly, I have a verbal from HR with FEMA that I will be starting with them full time on March 6th.So, for all of you waiting for me to come home, at this point, it looks like I'll be there on or near the 24th.I'll let you know more

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1139101119417782372006-02-04T19:50:00.000-05:002006-02-04T19:58:39.426-05:00

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/001904.htmlRan across this today while looking up a quote."Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."George Orwell

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1138769698825178772006-01-31T23:49:00.000-05:002006-01-31T23:54:58.836-05:00

I thought you folks might like to hear about the job hunt.I finished my Public Trust investigation paperwork for FEMA today. It got sent off to the HR folks in Virginia, and we shall see. Of passing interest, the fingerprinting process has changed since I last went through it. They scanned my fingerprints into the computer, then printed the cards on a laser printer.ACT has told me that they are

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1138376181274985552006-01-27T10:32:00.000-05:002006-01-27T10:46:48.590-05:00

Give to me your hatred,My enemy you’d be,I’ll try to turn it around,Make a friend for me.Give to me your friendship,I’ll keep you from the cold,Place my love around you,And maybe warm your soul.Give to me despair,I’ll carry it awhile,Give you back some hope,Try to make you smile.Give to me your love,Mine, I’ll give to you,Give to you my trust,Trust our friendship’s true.Feeling a bit moody today,

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1137688087003451392006-01-19T10:50:00.000-05:002006-01-19T11:28:07.056-05:00

I finished We Few, by John Ringo and David Weber, last night. It is the fourth, and supposedly final, book in the Prince Roger MacClintock series.I like this series, but it has been pandering to my recent penchant for military SciFi. I would definitely recommend the series as a whole. Unfortunately, I think that this book is the weakest in the series.If you don't want spoilers, read no

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1136342537379981122006-01-03T21:28:00.000-05:002006-01-03T21:42:17.433-05:00

Went home for some much needed down time. That lumpy old mattress was probably the best sleep I've had in the last four months. Of course, I doubt that the mattress was the reason. There was Theresa/Reese, Maxfield and all the usual household noises...I enjoyed Christmas, although, in some ways, it was very stressful. Everyone wanted a piece of my time, and I felt obliged to give it to most of

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1134753081398966592005-12-16T12:03:00.000-05:002005-12-16T12:11:21.420-05:00

I started yesterday in Southaven, MS. I moved down to Baton Rouge, LA by 1130, then caught an emergency assignment in Killeen, TX at 1430. My day ended this morning at 0200.My new RV is currently supporting a 2 day assignment for the local region.I am rather tired at the moment, so you'll have to pardon my brevity.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1134487861813526812005-12-13T10:27:00.000-05:002006-01-27T10:48:43.533-05:00

I found this article to be very educational. I note that a lot of what is said can also be applied to Pen and Paper gaming.I am providing the daisy chain of URls that got me to the actual article, in reverse order.http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.htmlhttp://torillsin.blogspot.com/2005/12/debunking-myths.htmlLockergnome articleI found3. Children are the primary market for

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1134184028255272162005-12-09T21:45:00.000-05:002005-12-09T22:07:08.276-05:00

So, as a couple of people have pointed out, it has again been a bit since I updated my status.I have been wandering around Mississippi for the last several weeks supporting a team of FEMA folks that are trying to help people get their lives out of a hotel and back into the real world. The project is scheduled to wind out on the 16th. I'll try to let you know what is going on prior to that.I am

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1132498106802846642005-11-20T09:32:00.000-05:002005-11-20T09:48:26.973-05:00

I am sitting in my room in lovely Greenwood, MS on this fine Sunday morning. For the last week or so, I have been travelling with a team of people to get people to solidify their recovery plans.The reason for this is that the program for evacuees in hotels is coming to an end in December. This is not to say that FEMA is dumping these folks, but that they need to find some other method of survival

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1131929705864740832005-11-13T19:49:00.000-05:002005-11-13T19:55:05.926-05:00

My new job is as IT tech on an MDRC ( see comments in the previous post).Jarvis, the bus "commander" and I rolled in to Jackson, MS this afternoon for a "special project". If you think about what FEMA does, then add to this the fact that noone knows or is willing to tell us about this project, you might see why I am a bit anxious.None the less, barring unscheduled moves, I am supposed to be in

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1131675551020476672005-11-10T21:09:00.000-05:002005-11-10T21:19:11.036-05:00

Well, in the past week, I have been informed that Saturday was my team's final day with JFO Montgomery due to draw-down, lost said team by having them deployed away to solo billets, been shipped out to Livingston, TX for a solo billet of my own and then told that the site in Livingston is shutting down tomorrow at 1700 / 5PM.Not to worry, though, my faithful followers. They are looking at another

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1129289555175612322005-10-14T07:31:00.000-04:002005-10-14T07:32:35.180-04:00

Be advised...http://www.livejournal.com/users/cadhla/827233.html

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1129152251561905182005-10-12T17:23:00.000-04:002005-10-12T17:24:11.566-04:00

http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/museum/unwork.htm

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1129137997435140902005-10-12T13:15:00.000-04:002005-10-12T13:26:37.440-04:00

Welcome back to the ongoing world of FEMA.I am still working 9 hour days, six days a week. ACT is working on getting me a permanent position with a contract in Norfolk, VA.Last week the weather hovered in the mid 60's. You would not believe the clothing that suddenly appeared; heavy sweaters, winter coats, knitted caps. I would have thought there was two feet of snow on the ground.In other news,

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1129137313312946122005-10-12T13:12:00.000-04:002005-10-12T13:15:13.316-04:00

For my Goth / RP / whatever other dark friends...Evanescence

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1128106534375427652005-09-30T14:13:00.000-04:002005-09-30T14:55:34.446-04:00

September 28th represents one month on station for the Alabama FEMA crew. My own timing is a bit off for this, as I got down here on September 6th.If you go back to my stats from the 20th, the short time involved puts them into a little more perspective.The emergency response folks are slowly leaving. When I say emergency response, think of those people whose job it is to get food staples and

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1127502853754581552005-09-23T15:06:00.000-04:002005-09-23T15:14:13.763-04:00

It is roughly 1400 / 2 PM and most of the IT staff are wandering around like zombies.Last night, the zotob.e worm hit FEMA. Nothing unusual in this, we just had to clean it off the machines and make certain that they were all patched. The vulnerability came out in August, catching the development lab in the middle of creating images.What was unusual, from a personal perspective, is the fact that

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1127485733654405502005-09-23T10:23:00.000-04:002005-09-23T10:28:53.663-04:00

It occurred to me the other day that you folks might not be hearing too much about happenings down here, so I got some statistics. These are dated the 20th of September and are specific to Alabama.· More than $60 million in aid approved.· 807 people living in 280 FEMA housing units.· 804,000 cubic yards of storm debris removed.Now, I realize that it doesn't help everyone, but I find the

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1127002953450367422005-09-17T20:03:00.000-04:002005-09-30T16:24:07.886-04:00

The long days continue, although they are somewhat less. The Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO, equivelent to CEO) mandated days off, in rotation, for everyone over the course of Friday through Sunday, so I don't have to work tomorrow (18 Spet 05) afternoon. I caught a couple of hours earlier this past week with a cold, otherwise it would be a full day.My last pay period comes out to 113 hours in

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1126438788672667602005-09-11T07:25:00.000-04:002005-09-11T07:39:48.700-04:00

In another step towards "guilty until we say otherwise", the TSA, who admit to having been in my luggage, seem to have siezed my Goldline sinus medication.Now, this would seem like no big thing, except for two facts: They did not inform me that they did it, if they did. And, after they analyze the pills and find them to be over the counter meds, they'll just throw them away.If the airline

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1126350004259495872005-09-10T06:55:00.000-04:002005-09-10T07:00:04.653-04:00

My clock radio woke me this morning with the House of the Rising Sun.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1126292564109288482005-09-09T14:51:00.000-04:002005-09-09T15:02:44.146-04:00

Life has settled into something of a pattern. I am in at work between 0630 and 0700 and take lunch between 1200 and 1400. I usually get out of work between 1900 and 2000.I am spending most of my day walking the floors, waiting for people to grab me. This is making for, at a guess, eight miles a day. There are also various scheduled tasks and trouble tickets to attend to.Work consists of standard

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1126051890262024462005-09-06T19:43:00.000-04:002005-09-30T16:25:43.700-04:00

Got out of bed at unholy cow milking hours to go catch my 0716 flight, and realized half way to the airport that I had forgotten most of the paper work.I got to the airport and had no problems because of lost paper work. To make up for this, the airline flagged me as a potential security risk because I booked passage yesterday for the flight today and I got special treatment by TSA. Yes, they

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1119751580623242082005-06-25T22:00:00.000-04:002005-06-25T22:06:20.630-04:00

Adam Curry of the Daily Source Code, suggested Rob Costlow as a musical pick.I whole heartedly agree, and, based on one song, have bought both of his albums.Note to Adam: You need to give out the URLs when you talk about musicians!

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1119110286026902752005-06-18T11:48:00.001-04:002005-06-18T11:58:06.026-04:00

Not sure if I believe this one...My knowledge of electronics argues it is possible with any liquid that doesn't conduct electricity, but a vegetable oil cooled PC?http://www.tractum.de/

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1119109726470437672005-06-18T11:48:00.000-04:002005-06-18T11:48:46.480-04:00

It's a bit loud at first...http://www.bassfiles.net/metaloldies.wmv

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1119048573358037242005-06-17T18:48:00.000-04:002005-06-17T18:49:33.363-04:00

Finish each day and be done with it.You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can.Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8563724.post-1114288690095412092005-04-23T16:17:00.000-04:002005-04-23T16:38:10.096-04:00

Got to publish this one...Two weeks a go, I informed Wells Fargo that the login on their front page is insecure. I pointed it out to a Technology Manager (his formal title). As a result of this, they are putting a great number of their less sophisticated customers at risk, as they expect that their bank takes care of them and would not leave them exposed to identity theft.The scenario goes like

Chrystophhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16070076115443171135noreply@blogger.com0