How many times can you sit and watch the same components install? How many network traces of the same components installing can you run? Apparently four weeks worth is not quite enough for my sentence in this particular circle of hell.

I actually asked my manager if I could borrow his cricket bat to beat myself to death today…

The scary thing is, after three straiht days of working on setting up a lab environment to emulate production, I am sitting here watching those same components install and hoping it fails. You see, if it fails, then we have an issolated server which we can muck with to our hearts content in order to find the cause of the failures. If it doesn’t fail, well then we have a production server which we can only muck with at nights and on weekends and only under change control.

See where I’m going with this?

Well, the next section of my trace just completed – leaving with a gigabits worth of network traffic to try and analyze…

So, how are you spending your memorial day weekend?

I am left to ponder the historical happenstance that has Massachusettes becoming the first state with legal gay marriage.

What strikes me is the parity in the social ramifications. Each of these events is a major shift in society’s social paradigms. (While there is the notion that homosexuality is becoming more widely accepted, note that the new movie about Troy apparently omits all the bisexual references.)

But what gets me is the phrase ‘activist judges’. As I have said before, the founders adopted the common law system – a system in which the law is fitted to the faces and therefor judges inherently make law. (OK, so 49 states and the Federal Government adopted the common law system. Louisiana is the exception and they follow a Napoleanic system where the facts are fitted to the law.)

I am still left to question what the heck is an activist judge? Near as I can tell, its a judge which rules in a way the right does not agree. Now granted, that is my biased view – perhaps it is better defined as a judge who rules in a way in which the person using the phrase ‘activist judge’ does not agree.

I am left to wonder, would the Warren court be considered ‘activist judges’ for their rulings in Brown? If so, then the justices who ruled in Plessy v Ferguson be considered non-activist judges? And what about Dred Scott?

I guess, activist judges are those who drive society to change its fundamental shape in some way. The argument, and not one in which I necessarally disagree, is that social change should come from the legislature and not through the courts, even though historically that is where social change has come from.

Taking a step back, and looking at our fundamental governmental structures, we have two groups in the legislature – the representatives and the senators. The House tends to pander (not meant in a negative sense, and perhaps a bad word choice, but…) more to its constituents. It is designed to do so – with an election every two years, members of the house must act in a way which they think their constituents will like if they have any hope of being re-elected. The Senate however, has the luxury of a six year term. They do not have to be as concerned with pandering as the electorates memory is short lived (dont believe me – look at George Bush senior). And, since legislation needs to pass both houses, and we have conference committees, the senate gets to help temper the house’s actions.

The Justices, however, are appointed for life. This means they have no need to pander to anyone except their own ideologies. It gives them the power and indeed the responsibility, to effect both social change and social status quo.

Interestingly, where the justices have maintained social status quo (ala Plessy and Dred Scott) history has criticized them. But where they have driven social change (ala Brown), history has judged them to have made the right decision, despite the criticism they received at the time.

Yes, I know, I have avoided the entire abortion debate. That is because I do not believe the history has played out on that. But for the de jure ’seperate but equal’ doctrine, I do believe history has for the most part had its say. Yes, the ramifications of ‘all deliberate haste’ and of de fact segregation are still being sorted out. But, I believe that, with a few exceptions (i.e. white supremisists, etc) those that would criticize Brown (in terms of desegregation itself, not the actual implementation – I think a lot of people have problems with that) as being the wrong thing to do are few and far between.

So, does this mean that history will show the gay marriage as the right thing to do? I know what I hope – but really only the future will tell.

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It was a good weekend. Helped Kurtsy pack a truck for his move to Atlanta. At one point we looked over to find Kurt schmoozing with his neighbor. I yelled out “Yo, bitch! Which one of us is moving?” He came running back to help.

Saturday evening was Julie & Ed’s wedding – very nice. My first experience with a nine piece table setting – a lot of very good food. And a cute waiter.

Now I am fighting with a server that wont build, more network traces for Microsoft, and trying to get everyone to give me their damned budget info since its due Thursday.

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Even though not a single episode has aired, I love CSI New York. No, its not because its set in New York. Rather its because it stars Gary Sinise. I think he is one of the best actors around today. And I like that he takes the non-flashy, gritty roles.

There were things I was going to write about… Pupil Dilation (I hate it!), the urinals at a particular restaurant (three of them, one thats so low Billy Barty has to be careful of tripping over it, and one so tall, not even the basketball player You could use it), and this quote from the Website of the International Press Center of the Palestinian Authority:“A Renowned Israeli Musician Condemns the Israeli Occupation and DETONATES [emphasis added] His Prize to the Palestinian People .”

But, alas, I fear must type about something else..

I am frustrated.

My reaction at the photos of the American service men and women engaging in the acts was that of disgust but not surprise – look at any conflict and we see Americans engaging in such despicable acts. Is it wrong? Yes. Is it to be expected? Unfortunately, yes. That is part of the nature of man and war.

Do I believe that six or seven service men acting alone are responsible? No. Sorry, but the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided confidential reports to the US Military on these types of activities in 2003 and yet the DoD did nothing until a soldier came forward as a whistle blower. If nothing else, it makes members of the military who received the reports complicit.

But the best comment on the whole debacle was by a 9-11 survivor when asked about the President’s apology to the Arab world. He asked where the apology was to the families and survivors of 9-11, the the families and survivors of the US embassy bombings in Africa, and the the families and survivors of the USS Cole bombing.

And yesterday, while driving to an eye doctor appointment (note pupil dilation mentioned above) when NPR announced the breaking news of the American who had been beheaded on video by those saying it was in response to what the American soldiers did in that Iraqi prison, I exploded in anger and started shouting about how it was time to let the tanks roll through Falujah and that we needed to act with the same wrath of ancient Rome did when a Roman citizen was accosted anywhere in the world.

But that anger pales in comparison to what I have heard and read since. And it is coupled with a complete sense of amazement. And that is those who dare to in any way blame the terrorist act of that poor man’s beheading on actions of the free press. The blame for the senseless and horrific murder of Nick Berg falls only with five men – five men too cowardly to show their faces.

To those who would even intimate that the blame should lie elsewhere, I have one question – what exactly do you think the Arab extremists are targeting us for and what do you think we are fighting for?

I truly believe that press freedom is a right that comes with heavy responsibility. I believe that the founders did not trust government and provided the guarantee of a free press the ensure that the fifth estate would be the watch dog – and in this instance I feel it worked. And while some might feel that printing the pictures of the prison abuse was excessive, I do not. I believe that we need to show those images and the images of the USS Cole and the Pentagon and the coffins in the street. I believe that people need to know – that pictures paint a thousand words and that yes even though they are disturbing they need to be shared – just as the picture of the American ally in Vietnam executing someone in the street needed to be shared.

There are those who say releasing these images hurts the morale of the soldiers. In a way I feel that it should both boost and hurt the morale of the soldiers. Boost it because they are fighting for those basic freedoms and knowing that they are being exercised – in essence to remind them why they are in uniform. I scoff at those who object to war protests and anti-war rhetoric etc as hurting morale – if we cannot protest the war or criticize it, then what is it we stand for?

What I believe hurts morale is two fold – the fact that some of their fellow soldiers have made the rest of the military’s job more difficult and the fact that the command had notification of such acts by the ICRC earlier then they acted upon it.

Some who are reading this might believe I wish to see Rumsfeld resign or be fired. Quite the opposite, actually. He is turning into one of the few members of this administration for whom I respect.

That said, if it turns out he was in anyway complicit in the actions of these soldiers or failure to investigate sooner, then he not only should resign, but he should be prosecuted for his complicity. As should any other member of the DoD and the Bush Administration who was complicit.

We do have standards – so lets try living up to them.

guestmap

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Motivation? Whats that?

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Heading over to the new building this afternoon – want to take some pictures and also want to go in with a tape measure and make sure that the ‘bench height’ they put the outlets and network ports at is actually the same bench height as the lab benches we have. The thought hit me this morning. That would really suck – but if its wrong better to find it and fix it now.

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Budgeting is fun! Specially when your trying to get people all over the dam planet to give you the info you need. And the most common response is ‘this isnt my job – when am I supposed to find the time?’ – I try to patiently explain that yes, technically it isnt your job but if you dont give me the info dont come asking for new or replacement equipment ya monkey.

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Ive gotten two emails asking me if I am planning to resubmit my bid for Forty Year. This on top of them extending the bid deadline to October. That means probably wont hear until December. Hmmm – 6,000 person event with just about six months of planning… well, the planning you can do after the bid has been accepted. I think thats real tight – and makes me nervous. But if I am gonna resubmit, I got to work on it this week.

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Speaking of things to work on this week – Crusades. Need to flush out the feast and decide on that, get the flier out, email TRHs Atlantia, East, & Aethelmark, etc. etc. etc.

Oh, and not to mention all the work stuff I am supposed to be doing…

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Wish I was independently wealthy…

Anyone coming into the Microsoft networking story without any pre-Windows 2000 experience with NT probably feels just as lost as someone who gets dragged into a movie theater to the The Empire Strikes Back while knowing nothing of the original Star Wars.

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence (not line, sentence).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.

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Manus says “You mention eating Chilean Sea Bass. That is an over-fished species so you may want to pass on eating it in the future. See http://environet.policy.net/marine/csb/”

Actually, I did know that. The conversation that night at Rum Runners with my friend Jeff, an environmental law attorney, and who also ordered the mixed seafood grill which included the Chilean Sea Bass went something like this.:

Jeff: Probably shouldnt have ordered the Chilean Sea Bass as its endangered.
Me: Really? I did no know that.
Jeff: Tastes good, though.
Me: Indeed.

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So I have been back three days, and in those three days I have eaten food from:

• Unos
• Wendys
• Burger King
• Arbys
• Pizza Hut

Salads are in my future!

Why oh why dear L-rd does it have to feel like I never left and got no revitalization?

Its a quarter to six and I am sitting here debating whether I should try and get more work done or go home. This after being in the office until 10 last night.

They do not pay me enough for this crap.

Ya know, there was a time when I truly loved my job and thought I could stay here until I retired.

Teach me to forget what Murphy long ago taught – odds are the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.

OK, so I have debated several different titles for this entry

• Keep Left – they drive on the left there and signs frequently remind you of it
• Cruzan Time – Cruzan is the local dialect, but its so much more – its a laid back whatever happens kind of attitude
• Limin – A Cruzan term for relaxing – ‘we be limin’ – bars frequently have signs that read ‘come early and lime late’
• Why Did I Come Back – self explanatory
• Jude’s Wedding – also self explanatory

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Day One – Wednesday 28 April

Started early – up by 5, showered, finished the last minute packing and off to the airport courtesy of Dug. Checked in, passed through security with only minor hassles mostly due to the underhwelming command of the English language by a TSA agent. Grabbed a magazine, and headed to the gate where Scott (Purple or Purps) and Amy were waiting for the plane. Mentioned to Purps that I was a tad nervous about hanging out for a week with people I hadnt seen in twelve years. Purps shrugged and said that the awkwardness would last a minute at most. Well, he was right – it felt like it’d been just a few months. We continued chatting until boarding – we were not seated together – and had a quiet flight to Miami.

As we were on approach, the flight attendant made an announcement about those connecting to Puerta Plata. I got off the plane and Purps and I looked at each other and asked ‘Where the hell is Puerta Plata?” Turns out its in the Domican Republic, but gave us something to joke about for the whole trip.

Got off the plane and Jim & Stacy were waiting. They had flown down from Baltimore. Hugs and chatting and a quick excursion to get sticks from Cinnabon. Yummy – and definitely needed as neither flight fed us. Boarded and was again separated so I read, watched the in flight entertainment, and napped for the three hours to St. Croix.

Arrived at St Croix – its a small airport and apparently they just installed a luggage conveyor – apparently they used to move it from the plane on handcarts and drop it off for everyone to sort through. Got our welcome glass of Rum. Purps then went and picked up the rental car which he and Amy had arranged. We were standing on the corner and rather then circle the airport, Purps ignores the one way arrows and pulls up in front of us. We start loading and I realize I am going to need a car. As I debate this in my head a cop pulls up, hits his lights and wanders over to us saying “Did you not see the arrow, mon?” He was kewl and hung out until the car was as loaded as it could be – which still left two people and several items of luggage out. So I wandered off and rented a car from Avis – a Toyota Echo which turned out to be a nice little car – much better then the Chevy Cavaliers most people had.

Jim hopped in with me and we followed Scott to Gentle Winds which is where Jude’s family owns their condo and where they had rented places for most of their guests. We got in, put on bathing suits and headed to the beach for sun, cheeseburgers, and frozen pain killers. A pain killer, made either frozen or on the rocks, is 151, Coco Lopez, pineapple juice, and nutmeg. It goes down easy and leaves you feeling no pain. Or at least not caring about the pain you feel.

Hung there for several hours while we waited for Jeff (Woj) and Michelle to get back from their dive – they had been down for a few days already. They got there and we showered, changed and headed to Christiansted for dinner at Rum Runners. I had the mixed seafood grill – Chilean Sea Bass, Mahi and Swordfish. Man was it tasty!!!

Back to the condos and chatting, drinking, and finally bed.

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Day Two – Thursday 29 April

Woke up and watched Scott, Jim, and Jeff go with a bunch of people out to play golf. Then showered and headed out.

Note that St Croix is 6 miles across and 28 miles long.

Gentle Winds is located on the north side of the Island off Route 80 by the Salt River. Just up from Gentle Winds, is a Scenic Drive which I took. Then I drove down through Christiansted and out to Point Udall. Point Udall is the eastern most point of the United States. It is the place where the sun first rises and so, fir the Millennium, a sun-dial monument was built – in the shape of two bifurcated Ms. Its a kewl monument and has some great views.

After Point Udall, I headed around the eastern side of the island, past the SETI telescope, past the casino and oil refinery, and along the southern side of the island to Frederiksted where I grabbed some lunch, called Nia and wandered around. Unfortunately, the cruise ships dont come to Frederiksted anymore so many businesses are gone.

Left Frederiksted and headed west and into the mountains to the Tropical Rain Forest. Got lost in he rain forest for a bit, but its an island so eventually I was gonna hit water. Spent about an hour driving around the rain forest, then headed back along the western side of the island and then along the southern side until I was back at Gentle Winds. I passed Gentle Winds and drove back to Christiansted and checked out the Christiansted National Historic Site which includes Fort Christiansvaern the Government Building and the Steeple Building. Banged my head something fierce in the dungeon.

Headed back to Gentle Winds, got in my swim trunks and hit the water. Man swimming in the ocean rocks. Then sunned myself before showering for dinner. Dave (Psycho) and Kim showed up, so more greetings and getting re-acquainted. Then we were off to Off The Wall which Judy and Pete had booked the entire place as a welcome to St Croix dinner. Got there and Paul and Jody were waiting for us. So, as far as we knew, the whole Geneseo crowd who were going to make it were assembled.

Good food – burgers, fish sandwiches, chips, and an open bar. Judy started us doing shots – and boy was she doing shots. I had not seen Jude that drunk since Freshman year. I made the mistake of commenting on shots of fireballs (Goldshlagger with a bit of tobasco – I hate em but somehow they came up) and the cook said “I’ll show you a real fireball” and handed me a double shot shooter with three quarters of Goldschlagger and one quarter of 151 which was lit. Ugh! Hated it but with everyone chanting had to do it. Burned my lips.

Back to Gentle Winds – I was not driving – and the real partying began. I took it easy – only did the one shot and mostly milked a beer or two – but Jude was out of control. She was so happy and just letting her hair down like crazy. Pete was more sedate but dam he was putting back a few.

When I went to head to bed I walked outside to find Pete talking to some folks. I stopped and chatted for a few when Jude stumbles out, grabs Pete and says ‘you aint getting any but lets go’ Pete just looked at her and said ‘In that case Ill hang here’

Off to bed Jude went and moments later I did the same.

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Day Three – Friday 30 April

Woke up, had a toasted bagel, and headed to the beach where I relaxed for a while. Eventually hit Christiansted with Dave, Paul, Jody and Jeff. Kim and Amy headed for Frederiksted, and Jim and Stacy hung out.

Wandered around Christiansted and did some shopping and BSing. It was good to spend time with my brothers and sisters. You know, you take that oath and you think it means something but then life pulls you apart and it kind of fades and then many years later your back together and it really is like brothers and sisters.

We are wandering between shops and Amy and Kim walk up – Frederiksted was dead so they came out to Christiansted. Wandered around, did more shopping, checked out the web cam, grabbed a cup of coffee at Bean Mon.

I got a great painting of Gentle Winds

Then back to the condos, showered, and headed to Carambola for dinner on Jude’s dad, Dr. Savino. What a buffet – I went back three times and still was unable to sample everything. Wow!

Had a major surprise waiting back at the condo – Lee, Lisa and their girls had shown up – they called Jude just a week before and asked if they could still come. What an awesome surprise.

Hung out at Carambola for several hours, chatting, wandering the beach,. etc. before heading back to Gentle Winds. Chatted but made a fairly early night of it.

Also on Friday, in Christiansted was Jump Up – a carnival with parade – would have been fun to go, but we didnt make it.

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Day Four – Saturday 1 May – May Day – Wedding Day

Got up and headed to the beach for a while, then back up to the condo to shower and primp – the buses were coming at 1 to take us to the church. Lovely driver – and it was a 15 passenger van which was perfect for us – held our entire crowd except Paul & Jody who were in their own car.

The church – St Joseph – was very nice – very pretty inside and out. Having a steel drum doing the music was different and very island. Very nice service – and it was St Joseph’s feast day! Both Jude and Pete were smiling the whole time. I have never seen her so happy.

On the reception line, Jude hugged me and dam her made me cry by saying someday Id be able to have a wedding.

Back onto the bus and over to the Buccaneer for the reception. Wow! What a beautiful place and what a great reception. Good food, good friends, good music, good drinks, and good fun.

Back at Gentle Winds, everyone assembled on the beach for more hanging out and partying. Eventually it wound up being just the Geneseo crowd and Elizabeth, one of Jude’s sisters. For some reason, Elizabeth developed a fondness for hitting my forehead. Im still not quite sure why…

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Day Five – Sunday 2 May

Sunday morning, we were basically trapped at Gentle Winds until around 11am as the St Croix Half Ironman was running past the entrance. Having driven the roads they would be running and swimming, I did not envy the triatheletes. One of the hardest hills goes up toward the rain forest and is dubbed the beast. Apparently, the course is so tough that placing well here guarantees you a spot in the Hawaii Ironman World Championship.

Dave & Kim and Paul & Jody flew out after the race.

After the race past, I headed out to find The Cultured Pelican restaurant – wanted to get some t-shirts as gifts. Unfortunately, it was closed, probably due to the triathlon – getting there was quite a challenge due to road closures, etc.

At one point, I was driving behind a cycling triathlete who poured the contents of a Gatorade squeezy bottle over her head and then tossed it – so I drove up to it, grabbed it off the road and got a souvenir.

As I was riding around, I saw on the top of the hill. Asking around no one could tell me how to get there, just that is was no longer open to the public. So, I drove every road that looked like it headed to the castle until I found myself at its locked gate.

Headed back towards the shopping areas to get some lunch – couldnt get into Christiansted as the roads were closed. Got a quick sandwich at Wendys then hit K-Mart and the grocery store – had to pick up things for the condo and they were having a cookout in the club house and we were asked to bring sodas.

Back to the condo, hit the beach, then hit the cookout. Then another night of hanging out. Went to H2O for desert.

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Day Six – Monday 3 May

The entire crowd headed into Christiansted for breakfast at Rum Runners. Good food – awesome Caribean French Toast. After breakfast, Michelle headed to an internet cafe to check email before she, Jeff, lee, Lisa and the girls headed to go snorkeling.

Jim, Stacey, Scott, Amy, and I did a bunch of shopping. Eventually Scott and Amy had enough so they took one car and headed back while Jim, Stacy & I hit every remaining store. We then headed to the Cruzan Rum Distillery and took the tour. It costs $4 but after the tour they give you drinks to sample the rum and the drinks would easily sell for $4 each at a bar. I tasted an amazing ten year old rum – smooth! I got two bottles of spiced rum as Dug drinks that and a bottle of blackstrap rum. For blackstrap they add molasses after distilling to give it a sweet and dry flavor.

Also, while there I got to flirt with a very cute blond triathlete – he was from Florida and came in eleventh in his age group.

Back to the condo for some beach time, a nap and shower and then off to The Waves for an amazing dinner. If you get to St Croix, go there and have their key lime pie – it was the best I have ever tried.

Back to the condo to hang out and watch the hockey game, but I passed out early.

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Day Seven – Tuesday 4 May – Expulsion from Paradise

Woke up and did laundry and packed, then went to an ATM. Back to the condo for lunch and a final pain killer at the shack by the beach. Headed to the airport and turned in the car, passed through customs and said good bye to Jeff and Michelle who were on a different flight.

Flight to Miami was good but as soon as we took off Lisa mentioned Pizza and I was craving it for three hours. The winner of the triathlon was in the seat directly behind me – did the whole thing in just over four hours.

Got to Miami and we walked across the city practically to get to our gates. Had pizza and then said goodbye to Jim and Stacy as they headed to their gate for Baltimore.

Flight to RDU was uneventful. Got off got bags and said good bye to Scott, Amy, Lee, Lisa and the girls. Dug picked me up and went home and unpacked and then fell asleep.

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Great trip. Wish I was still there.