The journey continues...

Brian Bilbrey July 1, 2012

Lucky Us...

We have power. As of this afternoon, there are still six hundred thousand without that boon, in Maryland alone. Lucky us. Stores are closed, or selling dry goods only, using generator power. Gas stations that have power (and still have gas) have lines around the block. And the power companies are saying that they might be at 90% restored by the week's end. Yeah, a hurricane-style hit to the region without warning, without the ability to call in out-of-state help in advance, and pre-position assets really sucks. But temps are staying in the high 90's through at least the fourth.

Brian Bilbrey June 30, 2012

Stormy Weather

Well, not anymore, just back to HOT. It was 104°F according to my car, on the drive home yesterday just after 1600 EDT. By 2130, the lightning was lighting up the sky in the west. Fast moving storms with big winds, shedloads of lightning, and hail plowed through here. Maybe half an inch of rain, too, much of that within a 15 minute period. The good news, from my perspective, is that other than a few blips, we kept our power, both here and at work. More than a million other folks in the greater Metro DC area ... not…

Brian Bilbrey June 24, 2012

Too Early Hot

It's not July yet, and we nearly cracked 100°F this week. Yowza! Small amounts of yardwork this weekend (no mowing needed since it's so freaking hot), and shedloads of schoolwork going on. By CoB yesterday, I'd gotten all of this week's assignments submitted. Today I started on the Big Bad for the summer session, an "Authentic Assessment" for the database capstone course. It's going to be the equivalent of an entry page and 16 data display and/or modification programs (show, add, delete, or modify for four different tables in the database), and it's due in 2 weeks from today. I…

Brian Bilbrey June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day

Of course, that subject doesn't apply to those who either aren't, or don't have, "happy fathers". So goes life. I've been busy, no point in boring you with the details this time. School, work, yardwork, sleep - that's it, in a nutshell. * * * Our condolences to the families, friends, and units of these fallen warriors: Pfc. Nathan T. Davis, 20, Yucaipa, California, died June 9, in Tore Obeh, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. Spc. Bryant J. Luxmore, 25, New Windsor, Illinois, died June 10, in Panjwai, Afghanistan, of…

Brian Bilbrey June 10, 2012

Untitled #2

Monday: The dog was happy I broke her out of jail (the kennel). Tuesday: Regular work day, then schoolwork - ASP.NET. I am a lucky, lucky guy. Not! Wednesday - Friday: Ditto. Saturday: About 6 hours of work, at the office in the morning, and at home in the evening, doing a large data migration project. Nearly finished my ASP.NET project, but not quite. Today: Work - half hour wrapping up yesterdays work. Shopping. Coffee roasting. Haircut. Yardwork - weeding, taking out the dead-ish snow peas and transplanting peppers from elsewhere in the garden. ASP.NET to completion. Review project against…