Happy Halloween!

I always love this time of year. Yes, I like candy, but I just love seeing all the costumes, and especially the extra polite kids that come around. Last year, we had a little 4-year old come up to our door with her dad, and say, "Trick or Treat, please!". I loved it! (She got extra candy for that!)

Enjoy this day with your family!

Do unto others

Twice this week, I have had the opportunity to return property to someone that was lost or stolen.

The first occurred on Monday. I was bicycling to the bus stop and noticed a lot of paperwork in the street. I waited for the traffic to stop, and pulled some of it out of the street. They were payroll and personnel records. Thankfully, there was a contact number on one of the sheets and I called. The woman called me back, at first confused about how these records could have been in the street. It turns out an employee's car had been stolen over the weekend, and the thieves dumped the paperwork in the street. So,she picked up the paperwork from me.

Yesterday, I found a woman's journal at the light rail station when I was waiting for the train. Yes, I read some of it (Not all!), to see if there was something that would identify the owner. While she didn't have her name in it, her last entry made mention of someone, whose phone number was on a sticky note in the front cover. One phone call to him explaining who I was and what I found, and she called me back. This morning, she stopped by my work very relieved to get her journal back.

A different view of the world always makes things interesting

Duct Tape Bandages

Yep, Nexcare Bandages by 3M has come out with Duct Tape bandages. Heh... a lot of us in EMS have joked about this for years, and even used duct tape to tape people to backboard for cervical spinal immobilization, as well as making impromptu bandages with it. So now, we can have Duct Tape bandages...

All of us in uniform

I don't think I have shared this online yet. Josh, Dan and I got together briefly over Labor Day Weekend, and took a pic of us in our uniforms. It was a special birthday present for our mom. Dan (left) is in the Air Force, Josh (right) is in the Nevada National Guard, and I am a member of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) in DMAT CA-11. This is the first time we have all been together in a VERY long time! Now if I can get John and Steve to join us in a shot...

Such a cute pic!

This is one of the latest pics of Jonny. Isn't he cute all passed out on his swing?

Apple iPods shipped out with Windows virus

This is from Apple Computer's web site:

We recently discovered that a small number - less than 1% - of the Video iPods available for purchase after September 12, 2006, left our contract manufacturer carrying the Windows RavMonE.exe virus. This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up to date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it. So far we have seen less than 25 reports concerning this problem. The iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free. As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it.

Quality Control...

That Sinking Feeling, Again

Yesterday, my daughter Diana called me, and asked me if I had access to a T.V. at work. At first, I told her no, and asked her why. That was when she told me about the plane (or possibly helicopter at the time) that hit another building in NYC. My heart sank, and a lot of memories flooded up from 5 years ago, just like I am sure it happened in most Americans when they heard. Seriously. And I remembered that I had streaming video from a local T.V. station on my computer. The picture of that burning building. That sinking feeling was back again.

Thankfully, it wasn't an act of terrorism, but a horrible accident that took the life of a talented pitcher for the New York Yankees, Cory Lidle.

Sure got me to thinking about all those events 5 years ago. How many of you had those images come back to life yesterday? Has your patriotism rekindled a bit, even in light of knowing this wasn't a terrorist attack? Let me know.

Really Cool Places To Work

Now, many of you know that I work for the Sacramento Rivercats. I consider that to be a cool place to work, even when it is 100 degrees outside. It is just FUN to work here. Yes, I work my rear off a lot, and sometimes don't even know that a game has happened, but this atmosphere is just... great.

Anyhow, I read an article about some other really cool places to work. Some of these places are serious places of creativity, such as Pixar, Google, Menlo Innovations, and even a bloggers trailer. Here is the URL: http://positivesharing.com/2006/10/10-seeeeeriously-cool-workplaces

10-6-84... 22 years ago today

Today would have been 22 years of wonderful marriage for Rory and I. Each October is very difficult for me since Rory died, especially when this day approaches. I still wonder what my life would be like with him here beside me, rather than alone. Yes, I know I wouldn't be where I am. But still... I'd trade this current life for him in a split second... if he wouldn't be in pain. God, I miss him.

His love wove its way into me
He won me with time... and persistance
His heart was bigger than his body
His soul was a part of me... and mine a part of his
I had him for 22 years
He has me forever

Our children got to know
The man I came to love
He saw grow and love themselves
He saw them become
He stayed for them... not for me
But his love stays on forever

His last breathe came
A day two years ago
His last heartbeat
Recorded always in my mind
He showed his love... with a touch
He said goodbye... without a word

On this day, the day we wed
I sit here weeping and thinking
Remembering and loving
His days on Earth I always cherish
And I know that my soulmate is waiting for me
For the day I return to him
--- Renee Roberts