Monday, Oct 31 - Halloween Dud

The lights are on. The candy is ready. The costume bought. But not this year.

This is the year that Halloween that wasn't.

It's cold and rainy. I doubt we'll have even 1 trick or treater tonight.

Alex and I did get out to the pumpkin farm this past weekend and bought two big pumpkins. I found a pattern for SpongeBob and Alex made a face pattern of his own design.

Jon wanted nothing to do with our family outing. So he just stayed home. I reminded him that the "Great Pumpkin" would remember this and pass him and not bring him him any toys and candy this year.

Fortunately, Alex's school hasn't fallen into the anti-halloween trap (too much). So they did have a chance to have a "Fall" party last Friday and to parade around school in their costumes.

(Update: We had about a dozen kids from 6-9 pm. Jon and Alex did make the neighborhood and came home with a couple pounds of dental-decaying goodies.)

Friday, 10/21 - Portraits

It's no longer "picture" day at school. No, it's "portraits". I can imagine that my sons are CEOs, generals or Presidents of the United States. They have their "portraits" taken at school.

In case, it's an annual ritual. Hair cut. Check. New clothes. Check. Brushed teeth, hair and washed. Whether needed or desired. Check. Don't bring home a stupid grin photos. Priceless.

Friday, Oct 14 - Memories

Over the past few days I've heard many family and friends who remembered, of all things, our anniversary.

The boys and I went to dinner Wednesday night. they usually came along for our anniversary dinners anyway. And I got around to taking one of Kathy's favorite office photos into my office at work.

It's bittersweet. It's always hard to look forward when there's so many memories.

Wednesday, October 12 - Anniversary

Where does the time go? Today marks 14 years. It really does seem just like yesterday.

Last year, I foolishely brought out the wedding video tapes. I won't make that mistake for some time. They have been put back into the vault. Maybe in a couple of years they can come out again.

Until then, here's a snapshot of us from October 12 1991.

Tuesday, Oct 11 - A Dino Named Sue

I finally got around to posting some pics of our trip to Chicago this summer on the rjmans flickr account. Click here to see more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rjmans/

Monday, Oct 10 - Something for Nothing

Every once in a while, there is a dramatic change in the computer industry. Certainly, the arrival of the Mosaic browser in the early 90's was a harbinger of the power of the Internet for millions around the world.

Another glimpse of something powerful happening is the open source software movement. Rather than using proprietary, company owned software, programmers are working together to create free software. It's not shareware, or adware or malware. It's really useful software that conforms to open standards. And its free to download.

The most well known project to date is the Linux operating system. Although it's taken hold many places, it's still pretty technical for the average user. The Firefox browser is another good example.

But a more useful--and more powerful new example-- is the OpenOffice software suite. It's available for free download at http://www.openoffice.org for a number of computer platforms. It includes word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing and database components. It really rivals the $500+ Microsoft Office package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). And OpenOffice can read and write in the Microsoft formats. I've been using it and have grown to really like it.

So, if you have a PC that needs more powerful software, it's worth your time to look to the OpenOffice suite. I'm sure we'll all hear more about it in the months and years to come.

Friday, Oct 7 - What's Rodger Listening To?

What's Rodger Listening to....A sneak peak on my mp3 play list.

Most of you know that I grew up in SoCal heavily influenced by the Hispanic culture. Most of the Latin music I listen to does not appeal to a mainstream American audience. But now and then there's an artist who should be heard by the American listening public.

So I think that of you might find Juanes someone worth learning about. You probably haven't heard of him---he does not normally sing in English. And thus, unlike Ricky Martin and other Latin cross-over artists, does not get airtime on the major US news/entertainment shows. But across the globe, Juanes is a major star.


Born in Colombia, he is a "balladeer" singer. He is best known for his solo guitar playing and cleaver lyrics. His latest album, "Mi Sangre" with its hit song "La Camisa Negra" is a world-wide success. This song, of all things, was banned in the Dominican Republic. Apparently, they didn't find his lyrics clever enough.

Jon know most of his songs down pat. A few of his friend at school are amazed that he knows Juanes since they listen to him too.

Juanes Website

Amazon.com's Mi Sangre page (with song samples)

Monday Oct 3 - Amazing

I had heard the ad on the radio for several weeks. And I really did mean to get online and reserve some tickets. But time got away from (again). Why does that always happen?

I suppose not having access to my personal scheduling secretary is just a fact of life. Mrs. Wiggins always got me the best tickets. I'll just have to get used to it. But it really stinks.

So I was very happy to get a call from friends who just happened to have three extra Fox Club-level box tickets for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that was playing at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this past weekend.

The boys and I went and had a great time. Kathy had taken both of them to see it several times before. But never quite like this. And they were excited to see their friends there too. And the table service. And the warm roasted nuts. And the mints in the Fox Club restrooms. Oh, they liked the show too.

I'm glad that Kathy and I had many opportunities to go to the Fox, David Copperfield, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Peter, Paul and Mary.

She would have liked Joseph too.