July 2002

Even more new Blogs
San Diego Bloggers has even more new blogs on it. So check for the pink pound signs and enjoy! I’m looking forward to the San Diego Blog Meetup on the 18th of this Month.

Brief Personal Update
Things are good for me. Jenny and I have been to counseling twice and will again next week. The sessions have been productive in helping us understand what we’ve been doing for the past 6 years. The good and the bad too. We both need to learn from the past.

My folks are still in town, as is my sister. I love them so much, and they have been wise, and smart, and funny. My dad said that I have to remember to not denigrate the good things that came from and were in the marriage. I think he’s 100% right about that. I need to work more on that part of my reflections.

Yesterday went to the beach from 7pm until Sundown. The water was great, the sea violent. Got two tremendous rides bodysurfing. It felt wonderful. My sister and pop boogie-boarded and also had a great time. My dad was relentless. He was in the water until the sun was just under the horizon. After that we got some Der Wienerschnitzel. Actually, I guess now they just call themselves Wienerschnitzel. I suppose to make it easier to spell. Heh. Anyway, it’s kind of cool to go there after the beach with my Dad because 40 years or so ago he used to sell Chili Dogs there. Now the man has traveled the world, had kids, become a professional, and made himself into a success. But at one point he was just some college kid wrapping Chili Dogs. I guess the lesson there is that we’re always evolving and changing.

We are all, ever becoming.

Quake for the Blind
This article on Quake for the Blind pushes into my mind that intersection between accessibility and usability/HCI—Quake for the Blind. The creators talk about the challenges of “translating” Quake into something a blind person can use, and even play. I’ve been interested in accessibility for a long time (turned onto it by Kynn), and usability is something every web developer needs to know about.

Worth a read.

Chris!
My buddy Chris Greazel is part of a newish venture called Antares Paint, and I’m so proud of the man. He’s seriously talented.

Nifty
One of my daily reads, BackupBrain, has redesigned.

Respiratory Things
I renewed my membership with the NBRC a few weeks back. Not strictly necessary to maintain my CRTT and RRT credentials, but a symbolic gesture. That link to CRTT is a link to “CRT,” which means since I became “certified” they’ve changed the name of the entry level Respiratory Therapy credential. The thing that matters is the RRT which I can put behind my name. That’s the one I’m proud of. Well, that, and the Associate of Science degree I hold.

I also recently renewed my RCP License with the State of California’s RC Board. State licensure is an administratice formality, really. The NBRC is really who decides what a Respiratory Therapist is.

The main thing about all these renewals is that I’m listed as inactive. I could reactivate myself—take come continuing education, make a formal request in writing to the various entities requesting to become active, and BOOM! I could be working as an RT. This may happen. Heaven knows there’s a need for health care workers out there. The nursing shortage is particularly acute, we have all probably read. I have such a large range of options open to me. Some moonlighting in medicine may be good for me—emotionally and spiritually—but also in the pocketbook.

Choices.

Dial-up in the morning
On Friday, my parents came into town. I’ve been terrifically busy since then. Yesterday we did family racquetball, and then down to Pacific Beach, and then to a Baseball game of my 10 year old cousin Michael. After that we went to Mexican food at Marieta’s in Santee. A very busy day, and I got some sun.

Having my parents and sister here has been wonderful. We’ve gotten a chance to do some good and serious talking, and had fun too. I’ve been camped out on the couch of my Grandparents. An odd venue, but it feels like I’m on vacation—staying at the dorm of an old friend.

I woke up early today, and am now doing laundry. Laundry on a Sunday morning is pretty typical for me. But the location today is pretty odd.

My current connection to the internet is a 56k dial-up modem, connected through AOL. My Grandparents have MSIE4 for Windows 98. Checking mail is kind of an adventure. Blogging doubly so.

Things are nice. My sister (and most everyone) is (are) still asleep. My mom is up already, and on a walk. It should be a good day. We intend to go to the Hillcrest Sunday Morning Farmer’s Market and to the Apple Store. More adventures!

Something silly looking, but heartfelt. My sister got into town today. Things are nice. I am a lucky man.

Goodbye, Ché
I gave Ché back to Jenny on June 18th. That morning, I made a picture: Goodbye, Ché.

San Diego Bloggers – Big Update!
Many changes on San Diego Bloggers. I went through the links and updated urls which had changed, and added 2 new badges from nerdboymikey. I also added a link/graphic to the meetup for blogs, specifically the San Diego Blog Meetup—though I don’t think I can attend. Additionally, I added a bookmarklet for Internet Explorer/Windows to put the whole list into the left hand search pane, as well as a My Netscape 6/7/Mozilla Sidebar Pane. Lots of activity out there, and San Diego Bloggers should reflect that I think. So what are you waiting for? Get over there!