Some more answers to real-life questions
What's been the hardest part?
What's most distressing is that losing a spouse poses a number of problems all at once. First the process of death just causes a lot of stress and weariness. Then realizing that I still have the boys to raise alone. And then the realization of the loss of your spouse. All of these have been very hard.
What do you plan to do?
Under different circumstances, I would have packed up and headed home to Los Angeles. My life here in STL being an interesting diversion. But alas, it is not to be. Too many complications at the moment. So we're going to stay put for some time. Kathy and I had hoped that she'd at least make it to their college days, or at least until they graduated high school. We have enough issues at the moment so reducing some stress from a move, even a clsoe one, will mean a lot to the boys. But as they move up in school, we'll have a wider range of housing options to choose from.
What about you?
There's little time left at the end of the day. But I do squeeze some things in when I can. I try to run in the mornings when it's above 32 degrees. And I often work out at lunch. But for right now, I am in hibernation for about anything else.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Saturday 1/15 - WWDN and FARK
I've heard from many of you over the past 8 months that my "blogs" were the first time you heard about this new term. 2004 was the year of blogs and the term was picked as the "Word of the Year".
But the first blog that I started reading comes from an unusual source. You may recall that Wil Wheaton portrayed played Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation". He was the annoying kid who always seemed to save the day (and the Enterprise and crew) in the last 15 seconds of the show. He was universally disliked by the fans and apprently at times was too much for the actors, writers and producers on the set. So just what does an out of work typecasted, actor do when the show ends and the rent is due? Learn Linux, build a website and write a blog! He's built a little empire as a geek and has an interesting website at www.wilwheaton.net (Just remember WWDN-- Wil Wheaton Dot Net)
Although not a blog, another popular site I visit (in my spare time) is FARK, www.fark.com At times, it can be a bit rough, but there's usually a warning (NSFW-Not Safe For Work) posted on entries best not read when the children are around. The site lists user-sumbitted news stories from around the world that are unusual. it's jsut like reading the St. Louis Post_dispatch. Except its free, informative, interesting and sometimes useful. The Photoshop contests are good examples of the skills of photo manipualtions. And if the boss catches you reading this site, just use the "I was only looking at the pictures". That should work.
But the first blog that I started reading comes from an unusual source. You may recall that Wil Wheaton portrayed played Wesley Crusher on "Star Trek: The Next Generation". He was the annoying kid who always seemed to save the day (and the Enterprise and crew) in the last 15 seconds of the show. He was universally disliked by the fans and apprently at times was too much for the actors, writers and producers on the set. So just what does an out of work typecasted, actor do when the show ends and the rent is due? Learn Linux, build a website and write a blog! He's built a little empire as a geek and has an interesting website at www.wilwheaton.net (Just remember WWDN-- Wil Wheaton Dot Net)
Although not a blog, another popular site I visit (in my spare time) is FARK, www.fark.com At times, it can be a bit rough, but there's usually a warning (NSFW-Not Safe For Work) posted on entries best not read when the children are around. The site lists user-sumbitted news stories from around the world that are unusual. it's jsut like reading the St. Louis Post_dispatch. Except its free, informative, interesting and sometimes useful. The Photoshop contests are good examples of the skills of photo manipualtions. And if the boss catches you reading this site, just use the "I was only looking at the pictures". That should work.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Wednesday 1/12 - Questions, Part 1
Q: How are you doing?
We're doing the best we can. We've made it six months but I think we still have another six months before things get a bit better. We're in the middle of the race at this point.
It's now the day to day things of real life that we have to face. Laundry, clothes, cooking, and homework all seem to be a major focus around the house each day. But that's normal.
Q: How are the boys doing in school?
Both boys have had some adjustments to make this year. And there have been some bumps. But by and large, things are improving. Both did well the first trimester. As a reward, Alex received a gecko which he promptly named "El Nopal". So now our weekends also include buying live crickets for yet another mouth to feed at the house. Fortunately, Jon was easier to please and now has an XBox and Halo2. Things appear on track on track for another good trimester.
Q: Is everything back to normal?
It's clear that we'll never be back to our old normal. As time passes, we are making our new memories. But we'll always have the memory of Kathleen with us,
Q: How is work?
After some staff reorganizations this past summer, I took on new responsibilities. In a perfect world, I would have done this. But I've learned that we don't live in a perfect world anyway. So, I have some new challenges. So far, so good.
We're doing the best we can. We've made it six months but I think we still have another six months before things get a bit better. We're in the middle of the race at this point.
It's now the day to day things of real life that we have to face. Laundry, clothes, cooking, and homework all seem to be a major focus around the house each day. But that's normal.
Q: How are the boys doing in school?
Both boys have had some adjustments to make this year. And there have been some bumps. But by and large, things are improving. Both did well the first trimester. As a reward, Alex received a gecko which he promptly named "El Nopal". So now our weekends also include buying live crickets for yet another mouth to feed at the house. Fortunately, Jon was easier to please and now has an XBox and Halo2. Things appear on track on track for another good trimester.
Q: Is everything back to normal?
It's clear that we'll never be back to our old normal. As time passes, we are making our new memories. But we'll always have the memory of Kathleen with us,
Q: How is work?
After some staff reorganizations this past summer, I took on new responsibilities. In a perfect world, I would have done this. But I've learned that we don't live in a perfect world anyway. So, I have some new challenges. So far, so good.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Saturday 1/8 - Counting the Days
July 8 - January 8
6 Months
26 Weeks
182 Days
4,368 Hours
262,080 Minutes
15,724,800 Seconds
6 Months
26 Weeks
182 Days
4,368 Hours
262,080 Minutes
15,724,800 Seconds
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Thursday 1/6 - MS Windows AntiSpyware
You've probably already heard about spyware. That nasty software that causes your PC to run slow, redirect to porn websites, show popup advertisements that never close and change your default home page on your browser.
Well after selling the barn with the door always open, Microsoft has now made a free spyare prevention and removal tool available on its website. This is a free tool now and MS may charge for it in the future. Although there are other versions that work well and are also Free, this one may be worth the time to download to determine if there is other spyware installed on your PC:
Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
Well after selling the barn with the door always open, Microsoft has now made a free spyare prevention and removal tool available on its website. This is a free tool now and MS may charge for it in the future. Although there are other versions that work well and are also Free, this one may be worth the time to download to determine if there is other spyware installed on your PC:
Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Saturday 1/1 - A New Year
2005 is upon us. Hopefully, a better year for the Mansfields. We plan to put a lot behind us.
Since Christmas, we've had some more activities. Last night, we went tot he Keatings for New Years. Way past our bedtime but we enjoyed having dinner and the boys did too.
Also, our friends Bill and Teresa came to visit. They are also Alex's Godparents. We went down to the City Museum. It's always fun to take your life into your hands at the scariest museum in America. fortunately, no one was injured, maimed or mauled while we were there.
Looking forward to the new year!
Since Christmas, we've had some more activities. Last night, we went tot he Keatings for New Years. Way past our bedtime but we enjoyed having dinner and the boys did too.
Also, our friends Bill and Teresa came to visit. They are also Alex's Godparents. We went down to the City Museum. It's always fun to take your life into your hands at the scariest museum in America. fortunately, no one was injured, maimed or mauled while we were there.
Looking forward to the new year!
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