Monday, July 31, 2006

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Stand Around or Run (poll)



I watched "War of the Worlds" again this weekend. btw: Tom Cruise is left handed (though he is a little too nuts for his own "left handed alert").

The question for the poll is:

Would you stand around or run if something really strange/odd was occuring? For example in the movie right before the alien ship erupts out of the ground. Would you be one of the folks standing around looking at the hole in the ground or not?

Please leave a comment with your answer. I will respond with my answer in a few days.

Run (lyrics)



Run by Snow Patrol

I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Friday, July 28, 2006

Aging (quote)

The aging process has you firmly in its grasp if you never get the urge to throw a snowball. - Doug Larson

I don't live where I can throw snowballs, but I still got the urge to climb the tree in my front yard (and to be honest I plan to climb it, just a matter of time).

Saturday, July 22, 2006

3 Years for the Everett Family Blog

Amazing... it has been 3 long years since I started this little blog.

The blog has been around for the inane, the funny, the celebration of births and birthdays, a couple of marriages, the death of loved ones (always remembered and eternally missed), falling madly in love (never feeling this happy and joyful in my life), and the loss of a very significant relationship.

I am happy and proud that my little experiment three years ago has survived. That was a very big question of mine, do I have the ability/strength/desire to keep the blog going. I am glad I do.

The blog is good for me to have a place where I can feel like I am communicating, reaching out to friends, family, loved ones, and even complete strangers.

Once my new home computer arrives, expect to see the orginal postings again. I plan to archive them and make them available on the new Everett Family Blog.

Thank you all for the support, love, and affection.

Love,
Tim

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Unbelievable Sadness

Yesterday my beloved sister Julie tragically passed away. I am at a complete loss on what to say.

I have cried enough to last an entire lifetime over the last 3 years

I don't know if or when I will be able to write anything of substance... but here is a email that was sent that gives a sense of what is currently happening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Everett,

This is Sarah Ellen Mamlin, wife of Joe Mamlin, the physician to whom you talked last night. First, let me tell you how very, very sorry we are. I want to assure you that everything possible that could be done for Julie was done. Being in South Bend, Indianapolis, or New York would not have made any difference. Still, your loss is profound and great. We feel some of that loss ourselves.

Patrick has been a strong, loving husband. He has grieved deeply as only the Luhya know how, but at the same time he has been a stalwart of strength. I can only say how tall he has grown in my estimation as he has loved Julie through her last moments and received her love.

Serena has been exactly like her name ~ and island of PEACE. . . She has not complained at all. She's cooed in conversation and has not cried anything but a small cry to notify us of the need for food or a diaper change. Last night she was handed from hand to hand and intuitively knew that something was different - so settling down was difficult. About 11 PM I took her to my room and put her in her bed, but, like previous attempts to lay her sleeping body down, that was not suitable so I put her in bed with me under the covers. Her whole body relaxed ~ and she slept from 11 PM to 7:30 AM with only
couple of eyes-closed moments of agitation that a pacifier calmed. . . Friends and relatives have been streaming into our house all evening and morning. Many have held her. She has been a marvelous "hostess." How proud you will be of her!!

We are arranging things with the U.S. Embassy and a funeral home in Nairobi which will make arrangements to send her back to South Bend, we hope. Of course, there are Kenyan regulations as well. We will try our best to get everything done as quickly as possible. Patrick has asked that Julie be taken to his village so his family can mourn her properly in the Luhya way. They will have a feast and slaughter one of Patrick's cows. If I understood Patrick correctly ~ which I might not ~ burying the cow can substitute for burying Julie ~ since in their tradition the wife "belongs" to the husband's family. Patrick, however, chooses to honor your desire to bury Julie.

It is my understanding that embalming will take about 24 hours. We "plan" to get Julie to Nairobi and the funeral home the U.S. Embassy uses as soon as after we get Julie back from the village. We will gather the IU/Purdue community and any of the AMPATH community who choose to come about 3:30 PM tomorrow for a brief memorial service here. Then she will be flown in a charter plane to Nairobi. But also as is the Kenya way ~ schedules are not always followed. We will keep you informed as things occur.

Another issue to be decided is WHEN flights can be arranged. This is the high season. Flights are difficult to come by so we will not know when Patrick and Serena ~ and I, as her caretaker, can accompany Julie until the Embassy makes the arrangements. We trust it will not be long.

The necessary documents are being gathered in Eldoret. Just as in States, there are specific ones that must be signed by the proper officials before we can ask the plane to come for Julie.

We find that Julie and Serena had already purchased tickets to return to you at Christmas. In our conversations with the Embassy, it sounds as if the purchase of seats and space for Julie cannot use that purchase. They request for a refund will have to be done later.

We have gathered all Serena's things. We have all passports and U.S. documents we think will be needed and Julie's address book and wedding album. We just want to know if you know of anything else at all which we might overlook that you particularly want us to find and return with Julie.

Again, accept our condolences and the dozens of people who have come through this house. You would truly be warmed and moved by the outpouring of love and sympathy from the Kenyan and American community here. Julie's legacy will live on here. You can be proud of what she accomplished ~ and of her wonderful little family!

I am so sorry I could not just talk to you. Patrick brought me the phone, but I only heard "Can you hear me?" alone.

With tears and joyful memories,

Sarah Ellen Mamlin

Monday, July 17, 2006

Lasik Information

I have no definitive plans yet, but I am leaning towards Lasik sometime this year. Supposedly in October at work, I will be able to fund my medical flex plan (FSA). That will be the decision point for me.

Science Illustrated: Lasik

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Law and Order Criminal Intent (left hand alert)


I might have already had this left hand alert on the original Everett Family Blog. I find it hard to believe that this individual had not been noticed yet. Considering I watch Law and Order Criminal Intent pretty much every day.

Vincent D'Onofrio (Detective Robert Goren) is left handed.

Funny Math (blog)

More can be seen at: http://haha.nu/funny/funny-math/

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Two Quick FYIs

FYI #1: The Vanilla Trumpet Vines that are growing in my backyard on the trellis and structures have started to bloom. Very exciting. I will get a picture of my blooms once there are more of them.



FYI #2: I have some crazy hair today. It seems like every last hair on my head is standing straight up. Fortunately (unfortunately??) there is not a picture of this FYI.

Spring Qtr 1986

After my first full winter in the Upper Penisula of Michigan, the Spring Qtr started.

During the winter quarter, on the trip back to school following Thanksgiving, the two women and guy that I was riding with, got stuck in Green Bay WI due to a very heavy snow storm. So heavy that the freeway (I-94) was closed and we were able to punch the car thru a snow drift into a motel parking lot.

The classes and grades of Spring Qtr (Freshman year):








Gen Chemistry 2CH102B
Gen Chem Lab 2CH112B
Freshman Eng 3HU103C
Calc+Anal Geom 2MA152A
Beg TennisPE1115A
Historical Amer GovtSS210B


GPA for the Quarter: 3.18
GPA cumulative: 3.58

Spring of 1986 was the first time I had ever gotten a C in a class in my entire school career. Oddly enough, I remember absolutely nothing about the class. I don't remember the teacher, any other students, where the class was held, etc...

Hold on, I just had a possible memory flashback, I might remember the Professor. I do have a memory of meeting with him and another student the same day that the Challenger exploded on lift off. Of course, I can't remember what the meeting was about.

Though I also can't remember if January 28th was in the Winter Qtr or Spring Qtr...

Can't blame drinking of alcohol. I never touched the stuff during my freshman year. Spent my Friday and Saturday nights usually playing D&D. Yep... I was one of "those guys".

Too Much Monkey Business



Even chimps enjoy playing videos... though I believe there has been further research that shows that Ms. PacMan is not their favorite.

Funny comment from youtube.com about the video: That's nothing...I once saw a meerkat get to level 9 on Galaga

112 Everett Family Blog points are up for grab to the first person that can tell me what movie I watched last week based on the title of this post. Very enjoyable movie by the way...

Friday, July 14, 2006

New Shoes Have Arrived



From Zappos.com

Southpaw (left hand)

Did you ever wonder where the term "southpaw" came from?

"Southpaw" has its origins in 1880s' baseball slang. Baseball diamonds were often arranged so the batters would face east to avoid looking into the afternoon sun. The pitcher's left hand, or "paw", would therefore be on the southern side.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

What a great idea...

I think this is a wonderful idea, especially for the Bay Area of CA where there is very very few bugs to deal with.

It would allow fresh air, but be strong enough to withstand pets such as cats and dogs. An issue with screens on patio doors are that they are not structurally strong enough to deal with a dog running into it.

This door would solve that issue...

Found at Gizmodo.com: Design Concept: Light + Air Door

The Brain is an Amazing Thing

Check out Cool Visual Illusions: Craik-O'Brien-Cornsweet Effect

Wikipedia also has an entry on it: Cornsweet Illusion

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Urge

I had the urge to climb the tree in my front yard, but instead I took a nap. Tree will have to be another day.

Petting the Cat (blog)

Scott Adams continues to cause me to laugh out loud in my office. Thankfully I am in an office with a door. One of the benefits of having the "fancy" title of Director. Allows me to laugh freely and at will...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you ever wonder what it’s like to be a cat and have a giant human hand petting you? Speaking as a human, I generally like it when ordinary-sized hands touch me. But I wouldn’t like gigantic hands on me. I feel sorry for cats. Giant hands are creepy.

Read the rest at Petting the Cat

Angie (lyrics)

Finally broke out the ipod again at work... it has been a while (a month or so)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angie by the Rolling Stones

Angie, Angie, when will those clouds all disappear?
Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here?
With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
But Angie, Angie, you can't say we never tried
Angie, you're beautiful, but ain't it time we said good-bye?
Angie, I still love you, remember all those nights we cried?
All the dreams we held so close seemed to all go up in smoke
Let me whisper in your ear:
Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here?

Oh, Angie, don't you weep, all your kisses still taste sweet
I hate that sadness in your eyes
But Angie, Angie, ain't it time we said good-bye?
With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats
You can't say we're satisfied
But Angie, I still love you, baby
Ev'rywhere I look I see your eyes
There ain't a woman that comes close to you
Come on Baby, dry your eyes
But Angie, Angie, ain't it good to be alive?
Angie, Angie, they can't say we never tried

Financial (quote)

Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can - John Wesley

Mnemonic for Dowagiac (and some Trivia)

I learned this mnemonic back in fifth grade on how to spell "Dowagiac".

Down on Washington Avenue George is at court

Useful for all of those readers on the site that was having difficulty with the spelling of the town.

Another little bit of trivia about Dowagiac: the artificial fishing lure was created in the town.

Heddon is a brand name of artificial fishing lures created by James Heddon and his sons. James Heddon is acknowledged in the world as the creator of the first artificial fishing lure.



Heddon fishing lures (without the hooks) were used in my first grade class to help with learning how to count and basic addition and subtraction.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Famous Person from Dowagiac II

Still not talking about me...

Iven C. Kincheloe Jr. - Korean War Ace and Test Pilot.

On Sept. 7, 1956, he rode the X-2 up to 126,000 feet, becoming the first human ever to fly above 100,000 feet. The public reaction to this feat was immense. Although that altitude was about half of what was later considered the edge of space, Kincheloe was immediately hailed as "The first of the spacemen" by a fascinated press and was awarded the Mackay Trophy.



Ivan Kincheloe, Jr. entry in Wikipedia

FYI: I can't find definitive proof that he is from Dowagiac, seems like he might be from the nearby town of Cassopolis. Though Dowagiac school district has a grade school named for him.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Relationship Training


An interesting article from the New York Times called "What Shamu Taught Me About a Happy Marriage".

Probably my favorite line is: "But as he basked in my appreciation, the piles became smaller."

Appreciation is a very important key to a strong relationship. Recognizing the positive, being thankful for the good... while at the same time ignoring or down playing the negative. Not allowing the negative to be the focus in the relationship.

We all make mistakes, we all have our faults, but the reverse is also true. We all have things that make us endearing, actions that simply brings a smile to your loved one's face.

I find life is so much more simple and enjoyable if the positive is appreciated, is given attention, is allowed to thrive, causing you to fall in love anew with the person each and every day.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Visitor Loyalty (analytics)

As of 7/8/06



Visitor Loyalty

This graph tracks the number of visits by visitor frequency. The number of visits by visitors who never returned (no loyalty) are indicated on the left of the histogram. The number of visits by visitors who returned over 200 times (very loyal) are indicated on the far right.

Art of Happy (quote)

The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things - Henry Ward Beecher

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Just an interesting and humorous video... Enjoy!!

President Bush "sings" Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Keep coming back!!


FYI: At this moment, I have 10 posts in draft mode. So keep coming back, there will be new material for at least the next week every day.

Idealism (quote)

I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way - Carl Sandburg

July is National Ice Cream Month

Not that I need an excuse to eat ice cream...

Per Ronald Reagan according to the IDFA (International Dairy Foods Association):

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Friday, July 07, 2006

Unknown Regular Visitor

The reader of the Everett Family Blog from Mount Vernon has seemed to disappear.

There still is the mystery regular visitor from San Diego.

As my favorite song by the Who says... Who are you? Who, who, who, who?.

btw: I have started to watch CSI on a regular basis since it on televison at least twice a day. Not quite as often as the various Law and Orders but getting there. Always pleasant to have something good waiting for me on the Tivo.

(Why the reference to CSI? The theme song is Who Are You by the Who)

Famous Person from Dowagiac

No... I am not talking about me.

Chris Taylor - 1972 Munich Olympics Bronze Medal winner Freestyle Super Heavyweight



The video shows a throw by Wilfried Dietrich on Chris during the 1972. Consider one of the most famous throws in Olympic Wrestling history.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Question for the Peanut Gallery

Do you have preference of the blog posts being archived monthly or weekly?

One of my disappointments with blogger.com is the lack of navigation from one posting to the next.

The former Everett Family Blog had navigation when a viewer was reading a post. Allowing them to move from post to post.

I am still researching on how to get such functionality back on the blog.

Allowing (quote)

Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There is a time for silence. A time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny. And a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over - Gloria Naylor

American V: A Hundred Highways



You can listen to the entire album recorded prior to his death via AOL Music.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Affection (quote)

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives - C.S Lewis

Appreciation (quote)

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated - William James

Winter Qtr 1986

Here are my Winter Qtr grades from 1986 (Freshman year)(Once again, please excuse the large amount of white space)







Economics 2BA202A
Gen Chemistry 1CH101A
Gen Chem Lab 1CH111B
Freshman Eng 2HU102B
Calc+Anal Geom 2MA151A
Beg BowlingPE104A


GPA for the Quarter: 3.76
GPA cumulative: 3.79

Not a bad second quarter. "Downfall" again was those pesky English classes. As well as my first Lab (Chemistry).

Thankfully I didn't go the pure science route in my life. I just didn't seem to have "it".

I was fortunate to have had a good lab partner. Gwenn Bjornstad lived next door to me in Coed Dorm. She was cute, smart, and patient. Patient to deal with my fumbling, patient to deal with me either burning a finger or coming very very close whenever a bunson burner was in use. BTW: running a burnt finger under cold water is very useful.

As all good wannabe engineers did, we usually was able to determine what the results of any experiment should be. Between Gwenn and I, we were able to work the experiment to get reasonable results. I had a lot of fun in the class with her.

Thru the miracle of the Internet, within about 45 seconds I was able to find Gwenn. She is married and living in Sweden. She is running a business called Remember When... She is also Business Development Director at Huawei Technologies.

Wonder if she remembers me...

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Acceptance (quote)

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections - Unknown

An Inconvenient Truth (trailer)

My new found friend for content: YouTube.com. Thank you



I have heard the movie is good and thought provoking. I just enjoyed seeing Bender in this trailer. New Futurama shows are being produced!!

Attention (quote)

It is a joy to be hidden but a disaster not to be found - D. W. Winnicott

Monday, July 03, 2006

Dork Factor

Just how much of a dork does it make me to have Yahoo Mail send me a text message on my phone when I get certain type of emails. Alerting me to go read my email...

(It is pretty cool though, once it started to work. I had set up the alerts about 6 months ago. Within the last month, they finally started to work.)

Comic Book Deaths

Just found this interesting entry in Wikipedia.org about comic book deaths. It used to be the only characters truly dead was Bucky and Captain Marvel. Not sure about Captain Marvel (I think he might still be "dead"), but Bucky is back as the Winter Soldier.

Wikipedia Entry: Comic Book Deaths

Who Killed the Electric Car (trailer)



Looks to be a very interesting movie.

BTW: Any movie that shows Huell Howser has to be a winner in my book. I hope he at least says "oh my gosh" or "oh my golly" at least once in the flick.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Tim's Grades in College (Freshman Fall Qtr 1985)

I have been "purging" stuff for the past couple of months or so. The pace has accelerated due to me being single again. It was very easy for me to ignore the crap since my focus was elsewhere when I was in a relationship.

It is simply amazing the amount of crap that is moved from place to place to place. In the midst of many boxes, I came across a vanilla folder that simply said "Tim Everett" on it.

Inside was essentially my entire collegiate record from SAT scores, ACT scores, PSAT scores, GRE scores, and my college transcript.

So here is a new type of post. The history of Tim (at least his grades in college):

Fall Qtr 1985 (excuse the following white space, can't figure out how to get rid of it)








ClassCourse NumberGrade
EconomicsBA201A
Intro to ProgrammingCS110A
EE OrientationEE110A
Freshman Eng 1HU101B
Calc+Anal Geom 1MA150A
Racquetball SquashPE138A


Not a bad quarter to start college. I did break the "all A's streak" that I had going from high school right away with my downfall being English class (always the toughest for me). I think that was a blessing in disguise. The self imposed pressure to be "perfect" just never started in college. Not too spoil the rest of the story, but I was to never get all A's again in a quarter during my time at Michigan Tech.

It didn't hurt that the Calc+Anal Geom 1 (Freshman Calculus) was being taught out of the same text book that I used in my high school calculus class. I believe MA150 was also the first class where I both slept in class as well as skipped class for the first time.

That is about as much of a dirty secret that exists from my college career. Skipping class and sleeping in class. Oh my!!! (how shocking...)

Look for more excitement of Tim's grades and test scores real soon...

Goooooooal by a Goalie



Heck of a goal by a Colombian... goalkeeper vs Poland (30th May 2006).

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Song That Is Stuck In My Head

For whatever the reason, the below song seems to be stuck in my head this morning. Figured I would post it to see if it gets stuck in any of the reader's brain...

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down by Band

Virgil Caine is the name, and I served on the Danville train,
'Til Stoneman's cavalry came and tore up the tracks again.
In the winter of '65, We were hungry, just barely alive.
By May the tenth, Richmond had fell, it's a time I remember, oh so well,

(Chorus)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and the bells were ringing,
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and the people were singin'. They went
La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La,

Back with my wife in Tennessee, When one day she called to me,
"Virgil, quick, come see, there goes Robert E. Lee!"
Now I don't mind choppin' wood, and I don't care if the money's no good.
Ya take what ya need and ya leave the rest,
But they should never have taken the very best. (Chorus)

Like my father before me, I will work the land,
Like my brother above me, who took a rebel stand.
He was just eighteen, proud and brave, But a Yankee laid him in his grave,
I swear by the mud below my feet,
You can't raise a Caine back up when he's in defeat. (Chorus and fade)

419 Scammers Get Scammed

On the former Everett Family Blog I had posts about the various emails that I had received from 419 scammers. The emails stated that there was a lot of money in a foreign country in the African continent that was mine to get simply because I had the last name of somebody that died. They needed my help and would split the money with me.

Those emails have various names: Nigerian money transfer fraud, Nigerian scam or 419 scam. I can't find the reference but I remember reading recently that they are going strong, stealing money from folks that are trying to get "something for nothing".

Check out: 419 Eater

The scammers get scammed. It does have a hint of being very cruel, but the individuals that sent the original email are just as cruel.

I don't condone the idea since "two wrongs don't make a right", but it does make interesting reading.