Debbie, my wife.

Debbie, my wife.
Originally uploaded by carignan.

I think it's a good picture of Debbie.

Ryan, that smart Ass

Ryan, that smart Ass
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Apple Training today in Rancho Cucamonga. It was realy cool stuff. I can't wait to get my hands on one.

MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro
Originally uploaded by carignan.

I just have to get me one, PLEASE Debbie!

Friday (I'm caught up)

Today was nice, I picked-up Ryan, in Riverside, about 7:30 AM and headed off to a training class, put on by Apple Computer. It was held in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at the San Bernardino Office of Education, West End Education Center. Traffic was light, so we arrived about an hour early. We hit a Starbucks close by, I had a "Blackeye" and he had a Chai tea. I needed the jolt, because I was coming down with a bad cold. The class was about the new Dual Core Apple Computers, iLife 06, iWork 06 and Podcasting. Our local Apple Rep. Carolyn Andrews is going to hook me up with a Mac Book Pro for a month to test drive. But today I brought my Dell, I was the only non Apple guy in the room. Damm boat anchor Dell, but what the heck it's free, and I run a Vmware to emulate SuSE 10.1 beta. It was a cool class and I learned alot about Podcasting. I'll have to try it out on the Mac Book. My school district is dead set against Apple, which is a surprise since Aaron our Director of IT is a BSD geek! Oh well I'll have to just go for it and rock the boat. Aaron is a very nice guy and he's always been understanding. He might be convinced to host our Podcasts. After the training I dropped off Ryan, stopped at Stater Brothers and chatted with my friend, Bill Greenwood. Bill is on the local Beaumont School Board. He's a great guy and he sits behind me in church. My cold has gotten alot worse. I was supposed to create a presentation for church on Sabbath, but I called a friend, JT, and he's going to take care of it. I just don't think I'm up for it. I'm going to go rest now.

This week in short.

I'm trying to play catch-up with postings. I haven't been posting everyday, and I just don't have an excuse. Monday, I worked at Honey Hollow Elementary school. I taught 4th and 5th grade there for six years before I went to Middle School. It was nice to be back for a day. Everyone was new. I guess turn over has been big these last few years. We had a meeting at Mesa Grande SDA at 7:00 PM. It was about a Biology Trip to Mexico that Britty is going on next month. They went over everything. It was nice to see all the other parents. Tuesday, was Valentines Day. I went to a Technology meeting at the Riverside Unified School District Training Center. It was an all day event. It was okay and I meet a few cool people, but nothing new or exciting was discussed. That evening, I BBQ'd some good steaks and we had a nice dinner at home. We watched a movie and just relaxed together. Wednesday, my truck battery is dead, and won't recharge. It's shot and I need to buy a new one. I have to stay home all day until Debbie gets home. Thursday, I stayed home all day again. I started to feel sick, so I cancelled my Blood Bank appointment and my Kaiser Appointment. I did go the Beaumont Citizens for Responsible Growth meeting at the Beaumont Women's Club. It lasted about 2 hours and we talked over a few local issues. I went right to sleep after that.

Apple Training

Photo 1
Originally uploaded by carignan.

A photo taken at an Apple Training Session.

Presentation Board

Presentation Board
Originally uploaded by carignan.

@ SCALE for Linuxastronomy.org

www.linuxastronomy.org

www.linuxastronomy.org
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Pixo with a few people at the SCALE, Linuxastronomy.org booth.

Britty and Alex at the PBR

Britty and Alex at the PBR
Originally uploaded by carignan.

He looks way too serious. She's having a goodtime.

Saturday and SCALE

I went to the Southern California Area Linux Expo. My fiend, Eugene, had a booth for his .org. He is the founder of www.linuxastronomy.org, a group of volunteers that work with OpenSource and Science to help disadvantaged kids. He was looking for some more help, and to let a few people know about what they are doing. I walked around the exhibits and talked to everyone. I met a guy that works on the MythKnoppix project. He lives about three blocks from me. I got his number and we are going to get together for coffee sometime soon. I had a really goodtime. I mostly just hung out at the booth. The drive home was a mess. It took me four hours to get home. Traffic was at a standstill for almost two hours. It about drove me crazy.

PBR and the Arrowhead Pond

PBR and the Arrowhead Pond
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Last Friday, February 10th.

Last Friday and the PBR

Last Friday we went to see the Professional Bull Riders at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA. Fourteen of us went, we had dinner across the street from at JT Schmids Brewhouse & Restaurant. Most of us had steak. We ate like pigs. We walked back over to the Pond and watched the show. It was exciting and we had a blast. It was pretty wild at first no one really stayed on for a full eight seconds. Those bulls are huge. No one seemed to get hurt. After the show we got out quick, traffic wasn't really that bad. We got home around midnight. I really think Britty had a goodtime. She asked Alex, a guy she likes, to come and he did. I think she wanted it to be like a date. He has a girlfriend and nothing happened. He was a perfect gentleman. I knew he would be. He's a nice guy.

Last Thursday

Today was our last meeting with Dr. Francis, for our family adoption counseling. It went well, and she thinks we'll be a good family for our new children. She also thinks I'm too hard on myself. She told me, I need to relax and just be good to myself. I went to my meeting right after that. When I got home I was really tired. I guess, I have alot on my mind. It's funny that on the month that I have off that feel so busy and rushed. It sure doesn't seem like Winter. The weather has been very nice, we really need the rain.

PBWiki

PBWiki
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Just an easy way to have a Wiki. Get a free wiki at PBwiki.com

Some late postings, Wednesday

It's been awhile since I've posted. Wednesday, I didn't work. I hung out all day at home just relaxing. It was a nice day. That evening Debbie, Britty and I went to a presentation at Mesa Grande Academy. It was titled "52 Ways to Protect Your Teen," by Susie Vanderlip. It was a nice presentation. She talked about why teens act the way they do and how we as parents need to respond. It made me think alot about who I am. I sometimes get so involved in myself, that I fail to remember Britty. She talked about addiction, and how her life changed because of her addict husband. When I left, I thought alot about what was said. I'm glad the three of us went together. I really hope I'm doing okay as a father. I love Britty very much, even though it's hard for me to get close to someone.

wheres_ookles

wheres_ookles
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Alot going on the web.

Monday night, 46 years is along time.

Yesterday, my In-Laws, had their 46th Wedding Anniversary. Debbie and I took them out for dinner at Sayaka's in Colton for Teppanyaki. It was a nice meal, although they just didn't seem to be together. I guess after that long you drift apart. I really don't want that to happen to Debbie and I.

Tuesday and the big event!

Today I substituted for Mrs. Fuller, another Social Studies Teacher at my school. She had a grandchild a week ago and wanted a day off. The day went fine and nothing unusual happened. I chatted with a few of my friends, fellow teachers and students. It was nice to be back to work even just for the day. I raced home so I could clean a few things up, before our interview with Jeff, our Social Worker, for adoption. We ordered pizza, he arrived, we ate and he interviewed us to tie up some loose ends. It's been awhile since we last saw him, October to be exact. He just wanted to check in and see if anything had changed. It was nice to talk to him. He's a very nice person and I'm glad we have such a good person working for us. I guess he's really working for the children, but then they are the important people. He said everything is moving along, but I still hate to wait. I really want a child pretty bad. It's been a long time that we've been in the process. Sometimes I just don't see an end in sight. I get discouraged, then I'm reminded too relax and pray. He does have a plan for me.

Vonage

Vonage
Originally uploaded by carignan.

We just signed up today. I hope it works well with my Verizon Fios network connection.

goowy

goowyonwhite
Originally uploaded by carignan.

goowy (re) is a rich experience site which helps you manage your digital lifestyle. We provide you with a fresh and powerful environment for managing your webmail, contacts, calendar, rss, widgets (search, bookmarks, photos, weather, stocks, quotes, scores, etc.), and fun flash games.

Verizon FIOS TV update

It's been over a week now, and I haven't had any trouble at all, other then what I've caused myself. The picture is clear, and the service hasn't caused any noticeable slowdown on my network connection. I still don't get what the big deal is about FIOS TV. It isn't any different then DirectTV. I changed because it was $5:00 cheaper per month, and I got a larger PVR. I really think the interface needs work on the STB and PVR. It's just not as easy to use, or polished as DirectTV. I wish we had G4 TV, but it's been placed in the Sports package for $5.00 more per month, and I'm just not that much of a TV person to pay for it. I did stop over at a couple of my neighbors to check out the High Definition on the big screens they have, and I'd have to say it was impressive, but still just the same TV show with a nice picture.

Sunday

Today was a slow day, but I did get alot done. I didn't watch the Super Bowl, but then I never watch TV. It's not that I dislike TV, I've just never developed the habit of sitting down and even bothering with it. I guess that sounds kind of funny since I have FIOS TV, which is the latest things for TV. It was just $5.00 cheaper then DirectTV. I caught up with my calendar and email. Finished a flyer for our Neighborhood Watch meeting and faxed/emailed some city officials about some of my concerns. I'm caught up for the most part now. Debbie wasn't feeling well and Britty went horseback riding all day. I just relaxed and sucked up the time.

Chuquet

Chuquet

A pretty cool site for news.

Sabbath (Feb. 4th)

We woke-up early this morning, but we barely made to 1st service on time. Chris gave the sermon and it was right on the money again. When we got home, Debbie and Britty went to the Equine Fair at the L.A. Fairgrounds in Pomona. I went to Jack's and helped him with a few things. Jack, Joe, TJ, Wendy and I went to Lil Russos in Beaumont for dinner. I then went home and relaxed for awhile. I watched "Casino" and "Scarface." They are both great movies.

Britty and Marty at the Mighty Ducks game

Britty and Marty at the Mighty Ducks game
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Britty and Marty had a great time at the game.

Our 5th Year Wedding Anniversary Dinner

Our 5th Year Wedding Anniversary Dinner
Originally uploaded by carignan.

Debbie and I at LG's Steak House in Palm Springs.