Goodbye Microsoft! .. Hello Apple! .. Sort Of ..

Posted on October 17, 2010 by p0ppyman

I recently started an effort to see how much I can move out of the Microsoft product world and into the world of Apple. For nine years I worked at Microsoft and felt compelled to support the brand which meant no Apple anywhere in my life. In May 2009 Microsoft and I parted ways. Microsoft was a great experience where I met some really great people and some not so great people much like happens in everyday life. I will retain the fond memories and hopefully the great friendships.

So free from the need to support the Microsoft brand I took the first step by getting an iPhone 3GS. Here is where the belief that there can really be beautiful software started to take hold. Last weekend I made a decision to move further into the Apple world. I now own a 13.3″ MacBook Pro. I am going to continue my eduction beyond obtaining a Project Management certificate. While my Gateway NetBook was getting the job done for my UC Berkeley Extension Project Management certificate classes it’s 11.6″ screen and lack of built in DVD player were limitations at least in my mind. OK I was looking for any excuse to buy a new laptop. So I decided to make the purchase and since I had been checking Apple Macs out for the last two months I bought the MacBook Pro. It was an ease to set up besides being just down right beautiful. I did setup Windows using Parallels and it runs fine. I can even move my files back and forth between my Mac and my Windows Home Server. One word here about Windows Home Server. It is a great product, value priced and affords great protection of your data via automated backups of your PCs. I understand their is a Beta version out that will support Macs.

So while I am on a quest to see how much Microsoft I can remove from my personal life it might be harder than I think.I expect it will be a blend.

 

 

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Long Solo XC Done!

Posted on March 20, 2008 by p0ppyman

I got my Long XC done today. My plan was KTRK > KSAC > KCIC with an additional full stop landing in KCIC. I picked a weekday because KSAC is not as busy. I scheduled the plane 14 days ago and kept checking the forecast as AccuWeather was predicting high winds in Sacramento and Chico. It turned out the winds were 3 knots in Truckee at 9:00 AM, 12 knots in SAC and about 7 knots in Chico.

I built my flight plan last evening and checked weather again early this morning. I met with my CFII Jeff at 8:00 AM to review my flight plan and get his signoff. We spoke about the low ceilings in Blue Canyon and Oroville as well as the winds at 6000 (2516+04) and 9000 (2826-04). It was agreed that the if clouds over Blue Canyon were as reported (low, broken and scattered) I could fly over them at 10500 and then if the San Joaquin valley looked covered over I could return to Truckee. This left my return route from Chico to Truckee which called for me climbing out and over Oroville to the east. Jeff felt the clouds on my route would clear a bit based upon the typical weather patterns this time of year. With a good plan reviewed by Jeff and a good discussion about options and bailout actions I fueled the plan and departed.

So today was a time for two more firsts those being flying over clouds and doing a solo long XC.  I had my normal low level anxiety thinking about how the turbulence would be over the mountain ridges today before I left for the airport. As those of you that fly in the mountains know it is just a fact that there will be bumps and it comes down to just how big the bumps will get.

Once I got in the plane I felt calm which while not a first for me it made for a good start to the trip. Yes I had some concerns about the clouds and ceilings but I knew my options and the actions I would take given what I found. It was the first time I had flown over clouds. I had not even flown over them with my instructor. It turned out to be a great experience flying above broken and scattered clouds. Since they were broken and scattered, which confirmed what the check of the weather prior to the flight indicated, I could see the ground at all times so I was able to spot landing areas in case of an emergency. Flying parallel to I-80 is a good idea when departing Truckee until you get to Blue Canyon just in case you need to use it as a landing strip. You never know. I will say while I am not fearful of flying over the mountains I do get a bit more comfortable when I have flat lands under me knowing there are more emergency landing areas. But if you look hard enough and often enough you will find them in the mountains.

Prior to taking off from Chico I called Jeff. I told him of the wall of clouds to the east which is where I wanted to go. We discussed options and it was decided I would depart to the south back towards Sacramento and look for a clearing that would let my climb up and above the clouds. I also checked my fuel tanks and did a calculation to make sure I had enough fuel even if I had to back track all the way to Sacramento. I was good and would have the required reserves. When I took off the clouds were coming in waves and while broken and scattered I did not feel comfortable trying to climb up through because I had enough room to fly below them and observe the required cloud clearances. The great thing is I had FF on all my legs today. Oakland Center and Norcal were and have been great. (I read that controllers don’t give vectors to VFR pilots. Well I got vectored around a lot by the controllers today as I have in the past flying into and out of Reno.) So I told the controller my destination was Truckee and I was heading south to find a clearing. I got between Beale and Sacramento International and the clouds parted. I was watching my position relative to those two airspaces as well on the Garmin 530. I told Norcal that I was leaving 2500 climbing for 5500. They came back and told me I was cleared to go direct to Truckee. I changed my heading and confirmed I could transition over the top of Beale. I let Norcal know I was now leaving 5500 for 9500.

So I got back to Truckee an hour later than my plan stated I would get there. That’s OK. I did not file the flight plan knowing I would be talking to someone along all my legs and they would know exactly where I was if an emergency happened. (I did hear an emergency call on my way back and the controller gave them vectors to Beale. It turned out to be a fuel emergency.) And when I was flying back up over the mountains the winds had picked up to 12 knots gusting to 19 at Truckee. That was OK too as they were from 200 and I had RWY 19 as an option. Yes it really started to get bumpy as I approached Blue Canyon but that was OK too. I will say my landing on 19 was not real pretty as the gusts gave me a bit of wind shear but that was OK too as I left the plane flyable keeping the slight bounce on the mains and not the nose wheel.

I really learned a lot today. The clouds gave me a new classroom and really helped me understand required clearances, how to avoid clouds and how to plan options in advance for the weather you might expect along the routes.  Because of the discussion with my CFII prior to my flight and again in Chico along with the flight following from the great people at Oakland Center and Norcal I flew safe today while completing my long XC. I feel great and know I have knocked out one more requirement in my quest. As today approached I really wondered if I could get it done. I did! Yipeee! I think I can have a beer or two tonight.

 

  

   

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How Could You

Posted on July 28, 2007 by p0ppyman
I came across this story by Jim Willis as I was researching Karelian Bear Dogs (KBD). Laurie and I are thinking about bringing a dog into our family.  
 
How Could You?
                             
(Copyright Jim Willis 2001)

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you’d shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" – but then you’d relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" – still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch – because your touch was now so infrequent – and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You’ve made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son’s fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don’t let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you – that you had changed your mind – that this was all a bad dream…or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I’m so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn’t be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself – a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

The End

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