Friday, December 12, 2014
Spot On
The American Dream was the subject of Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points memo. I think it is worth the 4:10 it takes to watch it so do it now.
Responsibility
I don't plan to leave where I work.
That said, if I were, I would not really consider this position at Channel Fusion in Hiawatha, which is a northern suburb of Cedar Rapids. Here's the full ad, followed by some analytical comments:
Technical Editor (HTML)
We are an entrepreneurial and private company that provides channel marketing services to Fortune 1000 clients. Our company leverages technology and service solutions to help our clients promote their brand(s) through their independent channel distribution partners. Our solutions are utilized by channel partners to:
My first reaction is that, within Dreamweaver, I know there is a menu option that will validate your code. If I was troubleshooting "style issues, tag issues, etc", I would probably fire up DW and paste the existing code into the HTML editor window pane of DW and validate the code to at least give me a starting point. I'd also use the HTML validator that the W3 site has.
My second reaction is that they want a person who understands HTML tags and doesn't believe a proper web page is saving a Word doc as HTML and calling it a web page, which I think is a valid request since "technical" is in the title's position.
That said, if I were, I would not really consider this position at Channel Fusion in Hiawatha, which is a northern suburb of Cedar Rapids. Here's the full ad, followed by some analytical comments:
Technical Editor (HTML)
We are an entrepreneurial and private company that provides channel marketing services to Fortune 1000 clients. Our company leverages technology and service solutions to help our clients promote their brand(s) through their independent channel distribution partners. Our solutions are utilized by channel partners to:
- Manage the MDF/Co-op advertising funds
- Build online custom advertising
- Plan local marketing promotions/initiatives to build the brand
- Enroll in SEM, order point of sale collateral, process consumer rebates, etc.
- Create web pages without Dreamweaver or other HTML editor and troubleshoot HTML style issues, tag issues, etc.
- Use light Javascript, jquery to create and implement basic functions on web page.
- Review system integration issues and troubleshoot issues by narrowing down and isolating problems through process of elimination.
- Create documents standard operating procedures (SOPs) with visuals.
- Associate’s Degree preferred.
- HTML experience – ability to troubleshoot HTML style and tag issues.
- Understanding of jquery and how to implement some basic functions into a web page.
- Understanding of web basics including redirects, image maps and intermediate HTML proficiency.
- Excellent knowledge of Excel including filters, macros and troubleshooting.
- Understanding of Web and database feeds.
- Familiarity with content management systems.
- Familiarity with a translation system.
- Familiarity with user acceptance testing.
My first reaction is that, within Dreamweaver, I know there is a menu option that will validate your code. If I was troubleshooting "style issues, tag issues, etc", I would probably fire up DW and paste the existing code into the HTML editor window pane of DW and validate the code to at least give me a starting point. I'd also use the HTML validator that the W3 site has.
My second reaction is that they want a person who understands HTML tags and doesn't believe a proper web page is saving a Word doc as HTML and calling it a web page, which I think is a valid request since "technical" is in the title's position.
Redesign the Den
Sometimes, I envision a cool desk like this in the den but then, because I am aware of my weaknesses, I realize that all those little shelves within the cabinet would soon be full of stuff I probably don't even need. On the Iowa City Craigslist, this desk is listed at $75.
Then I think about the polar opposite of the above desks and think about a modern desk like the one below. On the Iowa City Craigslist, this desk is listed at $190.
While either desk would be a great Christmas present, ultimately, I won't end up with either desk. Knowing the way things go in my life, purchasing the desk would lead to a repainting of the den project and that is something, with all that is going on in life at the moment, is not a project I am willing to even risk needing to undertake. Besides, Megan has been talking for years, literally, about painting her room. I don't like to paint, even if I am the one that cleans the brushes and only paints the inside of closets. That project isn't even in the budget at the moment.
Neither is attending Monday Night Raw at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Monday, March 16th.
Then I think about the polar opposite of the above desks and think about a modern desk like the one below. On the Iowa City Craigslist, this desk is listed at $190.
While either desk would be a great Christmas present, ultimately, I won't end up with either desk. Knowing the way things go in my life, purchasing the desk would lead to a repainting of the den project and that is something, with all that is going on in life at the moment, is not a project I am willing to even risk needing to undertake. Besides, Megan has been talking for years, literally, about painting her room. I don't like to paint, even if I am the one that cleans the brushes and only paints the inside of closets. That project isn't even in the budget at the moment.
Neither is attending Monday Night Raw at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Monday, March 16th.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Favorite New (to me) Drummer
In my "Metallica" Google Alerts email, there was a link to this video.
From there, I clicked the user name "MILANRABIJ1999", which took me to the youtube.com page with 172 videos that have been uploaded. The most recent video, from November 27, 2014, is the one below. It features Milan Rabij playing drums & percussion and Jakub Zuber playing guitar.
Among the many videos I didn't watch, I did watch and like this video of Metallica's "Cyanide" - love how the there are five views of ... okay, I'm just going to say it. Is this a dude or a gal? I don't know.
From there, I clicked the user name "MILANRABIJ1999", which took me to the youtube.com page with 172 videos that have been uploaded. The most recent video, from November 27, 2014, is the one below. It features Milan Rabij playing drums & percussion and Jakub Zuber playing guitar.
Among the many videos I didn't watch, I did watch and like this video of Metallica's "Cyanide" - love how the there are five views of ... okay, I'm just going to say it. Is this a dude or a gal? I don't know.
Frequently Asked Questions Part II
I didn't name my post the other day "Frequently Asked Questions Part I" because I never considered that there would be anything more to write about it.
I was wrong.
At this point, I hope I don't need to have a part III to what should have been a simple fix, especially since the information is on "Page 6" already. To me, it sounds like their content needs to be stored in a central repository - a single source - and use some sort of automation to spit out the applicable content to where existing customers can read the information within the app and where potential customers can read the information on the website.
I was wrong.
- From Support Rep 1:
- Please go to the review page. All the photos with yellow dot, are the photos that are printed and used already.
- From Me:
- Are you going to see that the FAQ page is updated with this information?
- From Support Rep 2:
- The FAQ page has that info on page 6.
- From Me:
- But what about on this page: http://groovebook.com/support/faq.html
- From Support Rep 2:
- I will let our Tech support know, but for current updates please refer to the App and not the website.
- From Me:
- I am evaluating how the app works and haven’t installed it yet. Your website is the only place I (or any other potential customer) can obtain information about the app prior to installing it.
At this point, I hope I don't need to have a part III to what should have been a simple fix, especially since the information is on "Page 6" already. To me, it sounds like their content needs to be stored in a central repository - a single source - and use some sort of automation to spit out the applicable content to where existing customers can read the information within the app and where potential customers can read the information on the website.
Blog of Interest
I came across a blog called "Don't hate the player ~ Hate the game. As I was poking around, I realized that I really enjoyed the writing style, especially on the Contact Me page, where she says, "Or just stand at the bottom of the stairs and start yelling "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom" until I come down and see just what the problem is and feed you cookies."
After reading that, I wanted more wit. One of the posts I read was called The Fuzzy Math of Marriage. Beyond liking the writing style, I specifically related to #2 - You can't keep a scorecard.
Guilty as charged.
It's so easy to do that and the challenge is to not do it.
After reading that, I wanted more wit. One of the posts I read was called The Fuzzy Math of Marriage. Beyond liking the writing style, I specifically related to #2 - You can't keep a scorecard.
Guilty as charged.
It's so easy to do that and the challenge is to not do it.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Explain Please
I need an explanation. When is a free blog on blogspot.com not free? I've never had to pay a single penny to ANYONE for writing my thoughts on this blog. No hosting, no nothing. And yet, this political blog - who happens to be touting Republican views - wants people to donate?
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
Amy, my co-worker, sits in a different area of my employer's building. I hadn't talked to her in a while. She had twins, a boy and a girl, 10 months ago. I remember that because she said, "They are 10 months old now." She showed me a picture book from GrooveBook, which is a product I had seen on Shark Tank, but forgotten about it. Amy and I had a really nice chat about life.
When I returned to my desk, I pulled up the GrooveBook website and, as I typically do, I found an issue with the text I was reading. This time it was on their FAQ page. That's where I saw this:
Once again, being a technical writer is a blessing and a curse.
When I returned to my desk, I pulled up the GrooveBook website and, as I typically do, I found an issue with the text I was reading. This time it was on their FAQ page. That's where I saw this:
Once again, being a technical writer is a blessing and a curse.
Three Seashells
"Demolition Man" is a movie from 1993. I can't count how many times I've watched it. I judge it for what it is. It's an action flick with Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, and Denis Leary, and it makes a stinging social commentary about our future. One of the coolest parts of the movie is when Sandra Bullock complains that there's no action and she says this in front of a "Lethal Weapon 3" movie poster. The mystery of where the "three seashells" in the bathroom comes from has now been revealed by the movie's screenwriter. I guess I never really thought about that detail, but I found this article about it to be fascinating.
Monday, December 8, 2014
A Decade Has Flown Past Me
From Loudwire:
"Today (Dec. 8) sadly marks the 10th anniversary of Dimebag Darrell's tragic death. Here, we present exclusive tributes to the Pantera legend from Slash, Anthrax's Scott Ian, Godsmack and several more musicians." I just created a Windows Media Playlist of Loudwire's 10 Best Pantera Songs.
RIP.
"Today (Dec. 8) sadly marks the 10th anniversary of Dimebag Darrell's tragic death. Here, we present exclusive tributes to the Pantera legend from Slash, Anthrax's Scott Ian, Godsmack and several more musicians." I just created a Windows Media Playlist of Loudwire's 10 Best Pantera Songs.
RIP.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Frag the Simpest of Tasks
I love the way Ed on Techwr-l strung words together when he wrote:
I worked with writers who could frag the simplest of tasks. The conclusion I've come to is that we need some skill, but also must want to get better at it.
To which I replied:
I agree with what you wrote below. I briefly worked at a hellhole for a few months in a department with a writer that had come from Marketing before I arrived. She insisted upon using InDesign to write a 100+ page user guide. InDesign (ID) *could* have been the right tool, but she refused to use its capabilities.
I worked with writers who could frag the simplest of tasks. The conclusion I've come to is that we need some skill, but also must want to get better at it.
To which I replied:
I agree with what you wrote below. I briefly worked at a hellhole for a few months in a department with a writer that had come from Marketing before I arrived. She insisted upon using InDesign to write a 100+ page user guide. InDesign (ID) *could* have been the right tool, but she refused to use its capabilities.
- She wouldn't use styles to automatically create a TOC, brushing it off as "too complicated". She wouldn't comprehend that my suggestion would avoid the horror story she told me about manually typing the TOC, printing it, and then verifying, by hand that the TOC matched the actual page number, and staying until 11 PM the night before a deadline to make sure the manual was done on time.
- She required a line be drawn next to each heading from the last letter of the heading to the right margin.
- She used empty paragraphs to control formatting.
- When I asked whether the department standard was one or two spaces after a period, she told me, "Use one unless it looks funny, then use two."
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Recapping a Concert I Didn't Attend
On Tuesday, November 26th, 2014, King 810, Korn, and Slipknot played a concert in Moline, IL. I never had heard of King 810 until I started skipping my way through the following video. Just as a warning, you're not going to hear King 810 on The Disney Channel anytime soon.
Scrap Metal
Until just a few moments ago, I had never heard of a band called "Scrap Metal" who are playing at the Riverside Casino on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 8pm. Here's all the information about the show:
Back in the late 80's and early 90's, Mark Slaughter, Eric Martin, and the brothers Nelson were all fronting their own hugely successful rock acts – Slaughter, Mr. Big, and Nelson. You may recall a few of their mega hits that are still in regular rotation in most rock radio stations – "Fly to the Angels", "To Be With You", and "After the Rain". Well, the decade may have changed but the music hasn't, they are just bringing it to us a little differently these days.
Scrap Metal is the 'rock and roll rat pack', a confederacy of multi-platinum artists from the 80's arena rock generation who took over MTV and held the airwaves hostage for a decade. These "scraps" from all the various top bands create a surprising mix. Scrap Metal was created by Gunnar Nelson, who with twin brother Matthew Nelson was half of the hit 90's group Nelson and Mark Slaughter of 80's rock group Slaughter. Eric Martin of Mr. Big, who brings his trademark powerhouse pipes to the band, helps to round out Scrap Metal's core group along with Janet Gardner of Vixen and Kip Winger of Winger.
Scrap Metal's only similarity to other "super groups" is that it is a collection of superstar icons…but that's where any similarities end. "We're all about the music, we're about the fun, and we're about getting people to have a good time – to forget their problems, to unleash a party that's wild and crazier than they've ever seen and that's the key," enthuses Mark Slaughter.
Scrap Metal features all lead singers and front men/women who were the voices and faces of rock 'n roll in America for the good-time rock generation. These are the actual lead singers of such hits as "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" (Nelson), "To Be With You" (Mr. Big), "Up All Night" (Slaughter), "Seventeen" (Winger) and "Edge of a Broken Heart" (Vixen).
"It's a ninety minute show with only hit songs performed by the original lead singers who sang them in the first place," raves Gunnar Nelson. Eric Martin agrees, "The fans get to hear me sing the Mr. Big songs, but they get more bang for their buck with Scrap Metal and they love it!"
Tickets are $44, $34 & $24 plus tax and an online/phone ticketing fee (this fee is waived when tickets are purchased in the Gift Shop).
Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show.
Wow. These are all great songs and all great bands. Of the 5, I've only seen Slaughter live. That was back in college. It was a show at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Don Dokken, who had embarked upon a solo career, opened the show, then followed by Slaughter, then followed by Poison. Just for the record, that was an excellent concert and one I list in the Best 20 Concerts list I have in my head.
Scrap Metal is the 'rock and roll rat pack', a confederacy of multi-platinum artists from the 80's arena rock generation who took over MTV and held the airwaves hostage for a decade. These "scraps" from all the various top bands create a surprising mix. Scrap Metal was created by Gunnar Nelson, who with twin brother Matthew Nelson was half of the hit 90's group Nelson and Mark Slaughter of 80's rock group Slaughter. Eric Martin of Mr. Big, who brings his trademark powerhouse pipes to the band, helps to round out Scrap Metal's core group along with Janet Gardner of Vixen and Kip Winger of Winger.
Scrap Metal's only similarity to other "super groups" is that it is a collection of superstar icons…but that's where any similarities end. "We're all about the music, we're about the fun, and we're about getting people to have a good time – to forget their problems, to unleash a party that's wild and crazier than they've ever seen and that's the key," enthuses Mark Slaughter.
Scrap Metal features all lead singers and front men/women who were the voices and faces of rock 'n roll in America for the good-time rock generation. These are the actual lead singers of such hits as "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" (Nelson), "To Be With You" (Mr. Big), "Up All Night" (Slaughter), "Seventeen" (Winger) and "Edge of a Broken Heart" (Vixen).
"It's a ninety minute show with only hit songs performed by the original lead singers who sang them in the first place," raves Gunnar Nelson. Eric Martin agrees, "The fans get to hear me sing the Mr. Big songs, but they get more bang for their buck with Scrap Metal and they love it!"
Tickets are $44, $34 & $24 plus tax and an online/phone ticketing fee (this fee is waived when tickets are purchased in the Gift Shop).
Doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show.
Wow. These are all great songs and all great bands. Of the 5, I've only seen Slaughter live. That was back in college. It was a show at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Don Dokken, who had embarked upon a solo career, opened the show, then followed by Slaughter, then followed by Poison. Just for the record, that was an excellent concert and one I list in the Best 20 Concerts list I have in my head.
A Decade Passes By
I really like how Rush continues to find new ways to market themselves not only to old fans but to new ones. Consider that 10 years ago "R30" came out - a box set that celebrated 30 years of the band's existence. Now, a decade later, out comes "R40" - a box set that celebrates 40 years of the band's existence. Here's the trailer:
I looked into buying it - price is ~$100 - but I am not as gung ho about buying it as I was just a few moments ago, thanks to the user reviews - multiple people claiming to be Rush fans pointing out that most of the material on this release has been released previously in some form or another. I like this person's comment:
Rush Not "Trying" To Please Fans This Time
By G-Math on October 10, 2014
I just read an article from 10/7/14 on Forbes.com titled "How To Succeed In Business By Really Trying." They went on to say how in the 20th century the "consumer" who would buy anything has turned into the "customer" with demands and high expectations. I really think Rush's management and record company need to have a meeting and read that article together because they are not "trying" very well lately. The bonus disc is nothing more than bait to punish loyal fans by having them repurchase all of the past decade's DVDs all over again. Unacceptable! They should know their Rush base is the most loyal in the world and would already have these titles. Even Rolling Stone magazine knows about Rush fans! Don't play stupid! Why insult us?
Just release the bonus disc for $12.99 and you will sell 250,000+ copies. Keep the package as it is and you're lucky to sell 1,000. If you're really smart, package the bonus disc with another anniversary CD of classic covers (Feedback 2) and sell it for $19.99. Rush fans love material they don't already have but get really angry when they are fed the duplicate copies. It's like mocking us for our loyalty. Yeah, we're loyal. But we're not idiots! Hello? Rush fans are actually the smarts ones, remember?
Stop trying to play us for fools.
P.S. I've been an obsessive-compulsive Rush fan for over 20 years now. This release will not change that, but I will ignore it like I have all of the pointless compilation discs we've seen since the late 90s and wait for the bonus materials to appear on YouTube. And yes, they will appear on YouTube and after 2 weeks of people reloading them up, Rush's record company will stop trying to take them down and by then they will realize what a horrible mistake they have made.
I looked into buying it - price is ~$100 - but I am not as gung ho about buying it as I was just a few moments ago, thanks to the user reviews - multiple people claiming to be Rush fans pointing out that most of the material on this release has been released previously in some form or another. I like this person's comment:
Rush Not "Trying" To Please Fans This Time
By G-Math on October 10, 2014
I just read an article from 10/7/14 on Forbes.com titled "How To Succeed In Business By Really Trying." They went on to say how in the 20th century the "consumer" who would buy anything has turned into the "customer" with demands and high expectations. I really think Rush's management and record company need to have a meeting and read that article together because they are not "trying" very well lately. The bonus disc is nothing more than bait to punish loyal fans by having them repurchase all of the past decade's DVDs all over again. Unacceptable! They should know their Rush base is the most loyal in the world and would already have these titles. Even Rolling Stone magazine knows about Rush fans! Don't play stupid! Why insult us?
Just release the bonus disc for $12.99 and you will sell 250,000+ copies. Keep the package as it is and you're lucky to sell 1,000. If you're really smart, package the bonus disc with another anniversary CD of classic covers (Feedback 2) and sell it for $19.99. Rush fans love material they don't already have but get really angry when they are fed the duplicate copies. It's like mocking us for our loyalty. Yeah, we're loyal. But we're not idiots! Hello? Rush fans are actually the smarts ones, remember?
Stop trying to play us for fools.
P.S. I've been an obsessive-compulsive Rush fan for over 20 years now. This release will not change that, but I will ignore it like I have all of the pointless compilation discs we've seen since the late 90s and wait for the bonus materials to appear on YouTube. And yes, they will appear on YouTube and after 2 weeks of people reloading them up, Rush's record company will stop trying to take them down and by then they will realize what a horrible mistake they have made.
Paul Plays Positively Precise
It's a running joke that each and every story about Dave Lombardo on blabbermouth.net includes this paragraph:
Lombardo was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the band's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.
What I think always gets lost in the "Dave v. Paul" rants and comments is that it takes a drumming skill higher than most ranters and commenters can even hope to attain to play the drum parts of Slayer songs. This is evident below as Paul wails away on "Dead Skin Mask." I've always loved the ride cymbal bell note during this song. It's a little nuance Lombardo initially put into the song that added a different color to the song.
And Slayer seems so down-to-earth...
Lombardo was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the band's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.
What I think always gets lost in the "Dave v. Paul" rants and comments is that it takes a drumming skill higher than most ranters and commenters can even hope to attain to play the drum parts of Slayer songs. This is evident below as Paul wails away on "Dead Skin Mask." I've always loved the ride cymbal bell note during this song. It's a little nuance Lombardo initially put into the song that added a different color to the song.
And Slayer seems so down-to-earth...
Reconsidering the Bash
On October 7th, 2011, my friend Kevin and I went up to the Twin Cities (I always write "Twin Cities" because spelling Minneapolis is rarely done the first time I type it) to see Opeth and Katatonia, two bands I was really excited to see in person. I wrote a bash of the concert, claiming the concert was "So Mellow, Even A Wife Would Like It" while at the same time noting "His vocals, though, sounded like reproductions of the studio versions of the songs that the band played so it confirmed that he is a talented musician." I had that thought reconfirmed when I skipped my way through each of the following videos while determining whether to embed them below. Skulls and Bones assembled videos of the band playing the songs they are intending to play on their North America tour. Of course, their tour included stops in Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Omaha before heading west to Denver tonight.
I don't remember if Opeth played "Deliverance" when I saw them in 2011, but if they did, I should have better appreciated that song's inclusion. I really like how the vocals transition from death metal growls to clear as a fresh farm pond within the same song.
I don't remember if Opeth played "Deliverance" when I saw them in 2011, but if they did, I should have better appreciated that song's inclusion. I really like how the vocals transition from death metal growls to clear as a fresh farm pond within the same song.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Lesson Learned
I came across a band I hadn't thought about in a long time in my music collection and it brought to light that I really didn't do myself justice when I converted my CDs. The band is called "Riverfenix" and I wanted to listen to their CD. I searched for "Riverfenix" in Windows Media Player and it only found 3 songs. I knew there were more than 3 songs so I went to the actual directory in Windows and yep, there's only 3 songs. I know during all the copying and moving around of files that sometimes folders had been accidentally tucked under the incorrect subfolder so I did a search.
Three songs.
Here's where I learned my lesson. I have zero idea where my Riverfenix CD actually is. I know it's in the den, but I can't narrow it down. My physical CD collection may be too large. The CD could be on one of the 31 spindles of 100 or on one of the shelves in the main part of the room or in a stack on the bookcase in the closet.
Today, the MS DOS batch file states there are 68,032 files in my music collection. Underneath my music folder, I have 3,265 folders. The majority of those folders have multiple sub-folders. I know it's massive. And, I snicker as I type this, I haven't even converted my 1000 cassettes yet.
What am I going to do with this new lesson learned? I have no idea, but I feel like I have a huge mess.
Three songs.
Here's where I learned my lesson. I have zero idea where my Riverfenix CD actually is. I know it's in the den, but I can't narrow it down. My physical CD collection may be too large. The CD could be on one of the 31 spindles of 100 or on one of the shelves in the main part of the room or in a stack on the bookcase in the closet.
Today, the MS DOS batch file states there are 68,032 files in my music collection. Underneath my music folder, I have 3,265 folders. The majority of those folders have multiple sub-folders. I know it's massive. And, I snicker as I type this, I haven't even converted my 1000 cassettes yet.
What am I going to do with this new lesson learned? I have no idea, but I feel like I have a huge mess.
Birthday
Yes, yesterday was my 45th birthday. Karen and the kids purchased 2 tickets to see Bush / Theory of a Deadman in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, February 8, 2015! Karen said I could choose who I want to go with. It was kind of funny because Alex assumed it would be him. I said, "Since I took Alex to Shinedown & to Skillet, I think I'll take Megan." Megan's eyes lit up while Alex's eyes, I don't know, "dimmed" a bit because I think he thought I was going to say I was going to take him.
Expect a lot of videos from both of these bands between now and then.
Expect a lot of videos from both of these bands between now and then.
Terminator Genisys
I am a fan of the Terminator franchise, though I must say #2 (Judgment Day) is my favorite of the franchise. I am glad that they have found a way to continue the franchise. I'm especially giddy because Arnold says his tagline in the trailer - I'll be back - before he jumps out of a helicopter. I'm hoping I have the opportunity to see this movie in the theater.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Out come the Revisionists
Rachel Maddow jumped all over a technicality in the instructions to the grand jury that didn't indict Officer Wilson in the death of Michael Brown. Learn more in this video.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Iowa Upsets NC
From Press-Citizen
Iowa upsets No. 12 North Carolina in ACC/Big Ten Challenge CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The signature win Iowa's basketball team has been looking for came in one of college basketball's historic arenas. The Hawkeyes knocked off No. 12 North Carolina, 60-55, in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Wednesday at the Smith Center. Mike Gesell's conventional three-point play gave Iowa the lead for good with 1 minute, 16 seconds remaining. His two free throws with a second remaining clinched it. Gesell led the Hawkeyes, 6-2, with 16 points. Adam Woodbury added 11. Iowa native Marcus Paige had 13 for North Carolina. Iowa led by as many as eight in the opening half and took a 31-29 advantage into the break. This despite getting crushed on the boards.
Article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Iowa upsets No. 12 North Carolina in ACC/Big Ten Challenge CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The signature win Iowa's basketball team has been looking for came in one of college basketball's historic arenas. The Hawkeyes knocked off No. 12 North Carolina, 60-55, in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Wednesday at the Smith Center. Mike Gesell's conventional three-point play gave Iowa the lead for good with 1 minute, 16 seconds remaining. His two free throws with a second remaining clinched it. Gesell led the Hawkeyes, 6-2, with 16 points. Adam Woodbury added 11. Iowa native Marcus Paige had 13 for North Carolina. Iowa led by as many as eight in the opening half and took a 31-29 advantage into the break. This despite getting crushed on the boards.
Article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Lots of Stuff
- Today, 12/3/2014, is Ozzy Osbourne's birthday. The man is known for "Crazy Train" and "Paranoid" and several more, but, to me, this is the song I hum today:
- Christmas time is fast approaching so the atheists of the world have paid to have this billboard put up: "Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is to skip church. I'm too old for fairy tales." Yes, really. Read about it here.
- The Iowa Hawkeyes play at North Carolina tonight as part of the Big 10 / ACC challenge. This article points out these two teams last met in North Carolina way back in 1989. I was a freshman in college at Mount Mercy.
- I occasionally get "matches" for my skills as a technical writer with open positions. In fact, one came today, which I have pasted below. No, I'm not even remotely qualified to write a user guide for a pilot to use, but it came as a position matching my qualifications.
- Sr Technical Writer 1
Superior Group Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Description
Superior Group is looking for a Sr Technical Writer 1 for our Client located in Cedar Rapids, IA - Research and develop understanding of system, sub-system operation.
- Work pro-actively with engineering and customer to procure and understand source data.
- Develop and implement creative work processes and innovative work methods to maximize electronic technical data reuse and authoring efficiency.
- Understand and perform to project-specific writing specifications.
- Revise/provide mark-up system-related level technical data such as sub-system.
- Revise/provide mark-up illustrations such as block diagrams, avionics displays, and equipment location to accompany technical data.
- Be accountable for timely, accurate, and thorough project communication.
- Discern emergent work and cost modifications occurring which are outside the negotiated project scope.
- Must be able to represent the project team at conferences, in-process reviews, training, and pubs validations/verifications, as required.
- Be accountable for the cost, quality, and timely delivery of all work assignments.
- Must be able to provide work leadership for lower level employees with minimal supervision.
- Must be able to negotiate change management associated with fluid concurrent development.
- Must be able to interact directly with customers in a representative manner providing an overall understanding in a user/operator perspective.
- Working knowledge of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) systems and integration on a Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI).
- Experience using or designing aircraft avionics equipment and systems.
- Must be able to extract and comprehend system operation from typical engineering documentation (software specifications, bus data dictionaries, hardware interface specifications, and equipment specifications).
- Strong attention to detail and personal organization.
- High literacy in structured authoring (SGML, XML) environment (bookplan structure; ATA task numbering; typical DTDs/schema, elements and attributes).
- High interpersonal communication skills.
- Must be able to present material effectively to customers.
- Subject Matter Expert knowledge of some avionics product(s) or product line(s).
- Proven professional attitude toward work assignments, toward customer relationships, and toward company/department Lean goals and vision.
- Must be able and willing to accept responsibility and perform with minimal supervision.
- Be a pro-active team player who thinks ahead, plans, and suggests solutions.
- Have positive attitude toward change and inevitable mid-project course corrections.
- Job Requirements - Required Skills / Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in production and using Pilot’s guides and manuals in the instruction and use of CNS and PVI architecture in both paper and electronic format.
- Preferred Skills / Qualifications:
- Experience producing electronic technical data in Word, Arbortext Editor, or Framemaker.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Knowledge of Industry Writing Specification -ATA (Air Transport Association) and S1000D
- Subject Matter Expert knowledge of some client product(s) or product line(s).
- Simplified Technical English (ASD/AECMA version) writing experience
- Go Beyond. www.superiorjobs.com.
EEO Employer – Minorities / Females / Disabled / Veterans.
Required Education: High School or GED
Date Needed: Immediately
Date Posted on Web: 10/29/2014
Work Shift: N/A
Positions Requested: 2
Contact Name: Cameron Beer
Contact Phone: 9999999999
Contact Email: beerc (at) superiorgroup dot com
- Sr Technical Writer 1
- There will be no link to an article on Loudwire.com with this headline:
"Metal Bassist Suffers Ruptured Testicle Onstage"
Reading the headline makes me cringe. - This was passed along on Facebook and it's too good to not include here. It's a job ad for a Senior Editor, Reading-language Arts at Curriculum Associates Incorporated. It's in North Billerica, MA, so of course, I'm not interested. In the Skills and Qualifications section, it asks for "46 years of experience writing and editing Reading materials at K8." Got tpyo?
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
The Onion Nails It
I am only a casual reader of the satire on The Onion. Based upon not reading the site on a regular basis, I can't judge whether every article is as hilarious as this article about the CIA's involvement in David Lee Roth being kicked out of Van Halen.
Wish I was a Georgia Peach
From the Atlanta, GA Craigslist site, 320 CDs for $100. What a deal!!!
(snip)... finally selling ... large CD collection. .... First $100 cash (firm) gets them. (snip)
(snip)... finally selling ... large CD collection. .... First $100 cash (firm) gets them. (snip)
Monday, December 1, 2014
PRotest
I haven't read evidence that someone leaving a college class to go stand outside in Iowa City, Iowa, is going to benefit anyone in Ferguson, MO, today. Are the students really getting their money's worth by not being in a class they are paying for? What am I babbling about? Well, per Fox 28, there's a protest in Iowa City to support people in Ferguson, MO. Damn. I missed it. Here's the information:
Some students and faculty at the University of Iowa will be leaving class early today to remember the life of Michael Brown. Hands Up Walk Out Iowa City is encouraging those in the community to leave both work and class at noon today to stand in solidarity with Ferguson, Mo. The demonstration is designed for people of all racial backgrounds to come together to demand changes in the country's social system. Monday's event comes a week after a Missouri Grand Jury chose not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in Mr. Brown's death on Aug. 9th. That decision set off protests in Ferguson and all across the U.S. Mr. Wilson officially resigned from the Ferguson Police Department on Saturday. Today's walk-out runs from noon-2 p.m. and will take place on the Pentacrest on the University of Iowa campus.
If I were a college professor, first, I wouldn't leave my classroom and second, if there were any students who left my class before its scheduled time to be done, I would give a 100 point test, unless a student spoke to me before class to state they were going to be leaving at that time. If they just got up and left, blamo! quiz!
Some students and faculty at the University of Iowa will be leaving class early today to remember the life of Michael Brown. Hands Up Walk Out Iowa City is encouraging those in the community to leave both work and class at noon today to stand in solidarity with Ferguson, Mo. The demonstration is designed for people of all racial backgrounds to come together to demand changes in the country's social system. Monday's event comes a week after a Missouri Grand Jury chose not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in Mr. Brown's death on Aug. 9th. That decision set off protests in Ferguson and all across the U.S. Mr. Wilson officially resigned from the Ferguson Police Department on Saturday. Today's walk-out runs from noon-2 p.m. and will take place on the Pentacrest on the University of Iowa campus.
If I were a college professor, first, I wouldn't leave my classroom and second, if there were any students who left my class before its scheduled time to be done, I would give a 100 point test, unless a student spoke to me before class to state they were going to be leaving at that time. If they just got up and left, blamo! quiz!
Star Wars VII Trailer
The official trailer
A fanmade trailer
7 Things That Need To Happen In Star Wars The Force Awakens
STAR WARS EPISODE VII Has Wrapped Production!
Interesting site about all kinds of movies: http://filmjunkee.com/
A fanmade trailer
7 Things That Need To Happen In Star Wars The Force Awakens
STAR WARS EPISODE VII Has Wrapped Production!
Interesting site about all kinds of movies: http://filmjunkee.com/
Taking Stock
This is a sobering article about a former professional wrestler who is living life as a double amputee. It's often said that professional wrestling is "fake" and, in our house, that the wrestlers need to take a shower to wash away the "slime" in their hair, but if reading about losing two legs isn't enough to make me appreciate who and what I am in life, I don't know what I could read.
It's been a Year
A year ago, I began reconverting my CD collection with the stated goal of being complete by today. In some regards, I am done, but in other regards, I am not. It's not as confusing as it sounds. Writing "I am done with the CD reconversion" requires some large asterisks to further explain the project's status a year later.
First, as my standard MO, I ran the MS-DOS batch file this AM. It tells me that my total music collection sits at 72187 files. Of those files, I'm aware of 6867 files that I need to evaluate as a potential duplicate so that will reduce the number of my music files. I'm aware of 116 CDs that have yet to be converted. These are 100 CDs that I have to manually enter song information and 16 miscellaneous CDs that I came across last night. Some of those 16 may have already been merged into the music folder - I have to investigate. I hope to begin at least some initial investigation tonight during WWE Raw.
First, as my standard MO, I ran the MS-DOS batch file this AM. It tells me that my total music collection sits at 72187 files. Of those files, I'm aware of 6867 files that I need to evaluate as a potential duplicate so that will reduce the number of my music files. I'm aware of 116 CDs that have yet to be converted. These are 100 CDs that I have to manually enter song information and 16 miscellaneous CDs that I came across last night. Some of those 16 may have already been merged into the music folder - I have to investigate. I hope to begin at least some initial investigation tonight during WWE Raw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)