Month: March 2011

Family

Signs of Progress

The boy seems to have fully recovered from whatever little bug caught hold of him Monday. He’ll be returning to school today.

The item worth noting in all of this is yesterday, the lass brought home the school work he had missed over the past couple of days. He was feeling better all day yesterday and, unprompted by the Wife or myself, he sat down and worked on his school work.

The relevant background with this is the last time this same situation occurred, the Wife and I had to tag team him and actively work him to do his school work. He complained about it the entire time. He even tried to do it so poorly that the Wife and I would just give up on it, forcing us into the old “It’s not worth it” box.

Not so yesterday. The only questions he asked were for clarification on some of the instructions. His only frustration came when he’d made a mistake on one of his sheets and had some trouble tracking down where it occurred. After he found it, he completed that sheet without further problem.

It’s always nice to know that, occasionally, effort is rewarded.

Tags the boy

Family

Fairness is a Fiction

The concept of fairness is pretty easily explained, and impossible to implement. I have the kids to thank for this insight, because the time honored “That’s not fair!” line is used so frequently when they don’t get what they want.

Part of the problem, as I see it, is that parents reinforce the concept of fairness all the time. When the boy and the lass have a heated argument about what show to watch, we try to resolve the dispute with reasoning like “Well, you watched your show already, so it’s your brother’s turn…” Or when they both want to play with a toy, we resolve the situation by declaring that each of them shall get X number of minutes of play time with the toy.

Initially, fairness was an easy concept to enforce because the kids hadn’t developed enough of their own identity to start trying to determine for themselves what’s fair. Once that threshold is crossed; however, all manner of headaches ensue.

Tags parenting

Computers Programming

CSS and PNG File Icons

I’m sure this is basic web developer stuff, but I have zero web developer training. Anything I know, I’ve gleaned on my own by reading and modifying source code. Yesterday, I figured out a little (but important!) detail regarding the use of PNG image files for displaying icons on a web page. I’m jotting it down here as a reference for myself.

Tags CSS, icons, PNG, stylesheets, webpage

Family

The Boy’s Weekend

Here on the blog, I have a tendency to note kid related events that range from humorous to missteps. It’s easy to overlook the fact that a good part of the time, the kids are, actually, pretty well behaved. It’s even easier to overlook the simple task of giving credit where it’s due.

With that in mind, allow me to relate a bit about the boy’s weekend, noteworthy mainly for its lack of noteworthiness. It doesn’t make for the greatest blogging material, per say, but I’d like to give him credit for his good behavior.

Tags the boy

Admin

A New Look

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 27, 2011
3 Comments on A New Look

To be blunt, I’d grown tired of the previous look. I liked the simplicity, but I thought it was a little hard to read and I wanted to brighten it up a bit. The previous look was the Arclite Theme by Digitalnature that I had tweaked a little to customize the look a bit. Nothing too fancy. Since I generally liked that theme, I figured I’d start my search for a new look with that theme’s designer.

I was immediately drawn to the Mystique theme (there’s a link to load a blog with the out-of-the-box look), but had some quibbles with the stock look thinking it a bit too fancy, so I went elsewhere. After test driving a bunch of other themes on my backup blog here at home, I finally came back to Mystique and started tweaking the CSS sheet. Little things like colors and font sizes. I don’t know if my changes might have mucked up other stuff, so if you pick up on anything glaring, let me know.

Other modifications: I’ve eliminated the header bar and replaced it with the Site Nav menu over yonder on the sidebar. The Site Search has also been moved from the header area to the sidebar.

Lastly, I’ve added a couple of WordPress Widgets to the sidebar- the Calendar and the Tabbed Menu. The Calendar is pretty self-explanatory, but the Tabbed Menu I thought was a slick little way to conserve sidebar area and still provide a bunch of nice features.

The tabs each provide a different means for checking out the blog. The first tab is a Categories tab, followed by Tags, Archives, Popular Posts and Recent Comments. The Tags tab allows you to bring up posts based on tags I’ve assigned to the various posts. The larger the font size over there, the more posts corresponding to that tag. Popular Posts is based on a simple metric of number of comments to a post. The other tabs are self-explanatory.

Another subtle, but nice, feature is noticeable when viewing a single post. In the upper left-hand and right-hand corners of the post, above its title, are links to the previous post and next post, respectively. These links are not visible on the main page since it’s a running list of the past 20 or so posts.

Lastly, I’ve added a favicon which is just a smaller version of the background picture. You might see it pop-up in the address bar, or possibly on the tab in your browser. That picture is from Michael Yon and he’s given permission to use the picture (not just me- anyone who wishes to. See the link.). I thought it only right to give credit where it’s due.

The main goal was to make the site brighter and easier on the eyes; ultimately, making it more readable. I think that’s been accomplished (It’s already been given the Wife’s Official Seal of Approval.) Suggestions for further tweaks are welcome.

And now- back to regularly scheduled blogging…

UPDATE 3/28:
I’ve additionally modified the extend entry “MORE” link for long posts.

UPDATE 3/30:
Prodded by a suggestion in the comments, I’ve changed the “Site Nav” by creating buttons. Before, those links were created using a WordPress widget. I’ve removed the widget and hardcoded the links as the buttons there now. It looks a little more like the old nav bar that was in the header, but the position is now relegated to the sidebar. Also, I’ve subtely modified the site’s favicon.

Family

Dad vs the Lass

Shortly after I started this blog, I wrote up this exhausting confrontation between an unstoppable force and an immovable object. Today I finally had a replay of that confrontation, only this time it was the lass playing the part of the unstoppable force. I’ll state up front that it was not on the same level as the battle with the boy, but it was the first time she and I crossed swords in public.

Tags the lass

Misc

Sharp Dressed Man

Let the record show that I made it almost to the age of 40 before I owned my first suit. There was a time when I’d have gone out of my way to make sure that the streak went unbroken.

But sometimes you have to go along to get along. Friends invited us to a fancy dinner party, and the attire is formal as in I-need-a-suit. Faced with the decision, it really wasn’t very difficult, surprisingly. The Wife had fun helping me choose styles and what not.

I think this is a sign of maturity. I blame the kids.

Family

Parent Teacher Conferences

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 25, 2011
3 Comments on Parent Teacher Conferences

I suppose the title conveys the main point. We meet with the lass’ teacher this afternoon. We actually don’t have a meeting with the boy’s teacher. When we asked for a little consideration regarding scheduling to avoid conflicts with the lass’ teacher, she replied that she was comfortable with where the boy is at and unless we really needed to meet, she didn’t feel it necessary.

Now, my first reaction was, I think, completely predictable. Something along the lines of “Yes! We have the best 1st grader in the history of 1st graders.” But then my mind started turning and questions started bubbling up. Like, what criterion is being used here? Does she mean that he can walk down the hall without tripping and that’s good enough? Does she mean he doesn’t habitually pick his nose and burp and fart in the middle of class? Does she mean he’s ready for algebra? Maybe he can skip 2nd grade! Or does she mean that he doesn’t habitually drool on himself and his classmates? Or maybe he’s going to be writing a novel! Perhaps he’s ready to work at the Hadron Collider!

In the end, we figured if his teacher was “comfortable” with where he was at and didn’t think the meeting was necessary, we’d abide by that judgment. After all, she can probably use the break.

UPDATE: The boy’s teacher caught us after the lass’ conference. The boy is doing fine and apparently “right where he should be.” His “report card” is full of D‘s, D+‘s and W‘s. The D‘s were a little jarring initially, but the report card format is not from our era where we got a letter grade for a subject. These report cards have about 50 categories and they are graded on an “emerging”, “developing”, “well-developed” scale. So his report card shows good progress in everything- particularly math.

I’d still like to know more specifically what “right where he should be” means. My best guess is it’s just a standard response, designed to be unoffensive and keep parents mollified. But based on what can be gleaned from his report card, he is on the right track.

Tags the boy, the lass

Misc

Spring Not Springing

We didn’t get as much snow as was predicted last night, but the cold weather has arrived and it’s supposes to stay this way until next week, when it will just return to normal. Basically, it’s more like late November than late March at this point.

I’m beginning to think it will be Winter right up until it’s Summer.

Tags weather

Family

Pick Your Battles

As I was ushering the kids out the door this morning for their ride to school, the lass lamented: “We didn’t get to watch that much TV this morning, Dad!” Alright, it wasn’t so much a lament as a whiny protest.

In retrospect, I probably should have just shrugged this one off. But, for whatever reason, I took up her challenge thusly:

“Well, you got up late this morning, and it would have been later if I hadn’t threatened to have the dog come and jump all over you. Then by the time you got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed your teeth, and got your shoes- and all that with your dawdling in between- there isn’t much time left for …”

Tags the lass

Computers Programming

git rebase and merge strategy ours

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 23, 2011
No Comments on git rebase and merge strategy ours

I created an interesting problem for myself last night while working on some code for personal use. I’ll state upfront that the code is not public so I didn’t have to worry about screwing things up for other people. Just myself, though the goal was not to. Following is a description of the circumstances and how I used git to rectify the situation.

Tags git, git rebase, ours, strategy

Family

Tiger Cake

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 22, 2011
4 Comments on Tiger Cake

The boy has his Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. For his pack, all of the older Cub Scouts who have earned their Arrow of Light will be getting that award. It’s the highest award a Cub Scout can earn.

As a fund raising activity, the Pack has a Fella’s Cake Bake. The idea is that a father-son, or older male-Scout combination, work together to bake a cake. The rules, in a nutshell, no professionally baked cakes and the Scout and male leader have to make it.

The boy decided he wanted to make a chocolate cake with the Tiger Cub from the Tiger Cub badge on it. Here, presented for your entertainment, is the result of his and my efforts:

Tags Blue and Gold, Scouts, the boy

Football

A Conversation with the Lass

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 21, 2011
1 Comment on A Conversation with the Lass

“Daddy, how come some people don’t respect the American Flag?”

She’s already talking about politics? At the age of 5? More importantly, how do I answer that question?

Like this: “Well, some people don’t really respect anything, so why would they bother to respect the Flag, right?” I know it’s bad form to answer a question with a question, but hey- I gotta make due.

“But you’re supposed to respect the pouch!”

What? What pouch? Did she really say “pouch?”

“Respect the what?” I asked.

“Respect the POUCH.” she answered emphatically.

Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhh, respect the pouch!. This is definitely a conversation I can handle..

I think.

“Yeah, sure. You should respect the pouch.” I reply.

“Yeah, or funny things will happen to you like your head will TURN INTO A BALLOON!” She started laughing when she said that last part.

And just like that, I’m not so sure I can handle this conversation. I decide to test the waters:

“You know that stuff doesn’t really happen, right?”

She pauses. It’s too long. “Yeah, I know that Dad. But you’re supposed to respect the pouch.”

What do I say to that? Is there a right response? How did I end up in an episode of Seinfeld starring the lass?

“Daddy, I taught the kids on the bus the Godzilla song. They didn’t know it, but now they do. I sang it to the bus driver too.”

Is there a guy with a camera? Or has somebody mind-linked with her and is now messing with me? We’ve gone from respecting the flag to respecting pouches to Godzilla songs in a matter of minutes. Plus, she’s teaching it too other kids. What Godzilla song? Well, this one.

“Do the other kids know who Godzilla is?” That seems like a reasonable question at this point.

“Yeah. One of them has a D-V-D.” That last part is dripping with envy. I guess life would be complete with a Godzilla DVD.

“WOAH! That person is driving WAY to fast!”

Not as fast as the topics of this conversation though. Not even close.

Tags the lass

Family

I Don’t Get It

For some reason, the boy doesn’t like to change his underwear. I do not understand this at all.

I mean, I figured he would go on some sort of laundry efficiency kick when he became a teenager; but, I wasn’t necessarily going to have to be aware of it. Contrast that with, seeing as the Wife and I are responsible for the laundry, it’s hard not to notice when there’s 5 days of laundry in the basket, minus the expected quantity of underwear.

Parenting is not for the timid.

Tags the boy

Politics

Today’s Stray Political Thought

Post author By Gerry
Post date March 21, 2011
No Comments on Today’s Stray Political Thought

Based on the intensity of the reaction to the President’s decision to involve our military in the going’s on in Libya, I really wonder if he didn’t just cost himself the election? Note, I’m not talking about the usual critics- this time the critics are his supporters. Generally, outside of the sorts who I would expect to defend any decision the current President makes (and even from that group, I’ve been surprised at the lack of support) no one likes this decision and no one is bending over backwards to defend it.

Personally, I don’t know if his decision is a sound one. I’m inclined to believe it isn’t- after all, what’s the strategic value of it from our perspective? I’ve yet to see anything plausible. The only thing I can think is the old “unknown unknowns.” That is, the President and his advisors are surely in possession of intel which we are not and that information is the basis for the action. It’s admittedly thin gruel, but that’s about all there can be at this point.

Definitions

The Vibrating Why

“The Vibrating Why” is a technique used by children to question a parental decision. There are a number of characteristics:

A whiny, protracted “But, whyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeee?” Unsurprisingly, this is a key element to The Vibrating Why.
Often, the body language of the child will be as follows: shoulders and arms slumped forward limply, head thrown back so that the child is looking almost straight up- except their eyes will be focused on you. Sometimes the child’s eyes will close. Often times, after the “whyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeee” the child will exhibit Pouting Lip.
During the “Whyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeee” sound, the child will bounce rapidly on their toes or alternatively at the knees; thus, they will appear to vibrate. Depending on overall agitation level, the bouncing can actually manifest as small hops in place.
Due to the vibrating, the “Whyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeee” sound can take on a warbled quality or even a vibrato.
It is almost always due to a parent denying the child access to something like cookies, ice cream, the Wii or any other electronic gaming device; i.e., some treasured or favored object. On occasion, it can occur when the child is informed it’s time to stop playing or leave the playground.

In general, The Vibrating Why is an indication that the parent has gained the upper hand in a confrontation with the child. It is also an indication of any one of the following: excitement, fatigue, low blood-sugar levels. It is not unusual for circumstances to bring about a Vibrating Why just prior to a meal.

How to handle a Vibrating Why is highly situation dependent and can really only be mastered through direct experience. If the child is highly agitated to begin with, a parent should expect escalation from the child if they choose to follow through. The escalation can end in anything from blind child rage to full on balling. If the Vibrating Why is due to low blood-sugar (typically one that precedes a meal by 30 seconds), the situation can typically be defused by calmly pointing out that food is on the way. Vibrating Why’s that result from fatigue are the most difficult to deal with due to the extreme unpredictability of the child’s response to the parent’s response. A parent must proceed with extreme caution under these circumstances.

It is not unheard of for Vibrating Why’s to be caused by a combination of factors. For instance, low-blood sugar combined with excitement (typically they’ve been playing with friends) can result in a Vibrating Why. Seemingly paradoxically, it is also possible(though extremely rare) for fatigue and excitement to combine and result in a Vibrating Why. Usually, this combination involves bedtime or nap time.

If confronted with a Vibrating Why, the parent should exercise great care to remain calm and recognize that they have temporarily gained the upper hand. Still, caution is warranted as overplaying the advantage can cause the situation to degenerate rapidly. If a parent ends up losing their temper, they have lost the advantage and will typically resort to brute force techniques to maintain sanity, such as grounding, early bed times, denial of video games for the month, etc. Suffice it to say, this outcome is highly undesirable and usually ends up with the parent feeling regret and second-guessing their reaction.

Misc

And Then There Was 1

One of the original 29 Navajo code talkers passed away today, leaving only 1 still living member of the group. I’ve always thought this was one of the more interesting stories from the World War’s. There’s a Wiki page with more info about the Code Talkers, as well as links to even more.

Politics

World on Fire

Looking around the intertubes and thinking back a bit this morning, we’ve got the ongoing disaster in Japan; a civil war in Libya; a revolution of sorts in Egypt; problems in Bahrain; the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; rising oil prices domestically; money problems in countries like Greece and Ireland; domestic problems in Wisconsin and Ohio; domestic entitlement issues are coming to a head; have I missed anything? Probably.

Years from now, the 90’s will be remembered as an aberration in history; a time of peace and contentment world wide that happens on an almost centuries scale. The vacation from history ended on 9/11; and it doesn’t look to be coming back any time soon.

Computers

A New NetBook

I’ve been looking into possibilities for a new netbook. Part of me is surprised to find that there really aren’t a lot of good choices out there. Part of that is my own criteria for a netbook- basically a small sub-$400 laptop with limited resources. By small, I’m limiting it to anything smaller than a 10″ screen. Of course, with the explosion in the tablet market I guess I shouldn’t be totally surprised. Netbooks are slowly getting replaced by these lighter, slightly less traditional computer machines.

I was very intrigued by the Acer AO521, but it seems to be made of unobtanium and it doesn’t look like that’s going to change any time soon. After that, the only other manufacturer I’ve seen that I’ve liked is Asus and the 1015PEM and 1015PN models. Both have dual core Intel Atom processors. The big difference is that the 1015PN has Nvidia Ion2 for the graphics, giving it a considerable performance boost. Not surprisingly, the extra performance comes at the cost of battery life.

Between the two, my preference is for the 1015PN. But I’m still kind of curious to see what else might come along this year. So far, there doesn’t appear to be much though.