Linux and Loving It

Recently upgraded to Ubuntu 8.04, Hardy Heron. Gotta love Linux and open source software. I also have been tinkering with Firefox 3, and LOVE it. The tagging feature for bookmarks makes so much sense to me. Same with the address bar with titles and URLs. Just a bunch of common sense goes into these apps. I also just finished configuring VirtualBox on this laptop and our desktop in the kitchen. Looking forward to using that for any Windows necessities that may pop up.
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On a related note, my Dad brought down his computer and my Pap's computer for me to tinker with. I came so close to installing Ubuntu on both. I really think, for all the work my Pap uses his for (Internet and Soltaire), he could transition smoothly. We'll keep working on it. I did struggle with the lack of common sense in trying to complete simple tasks in XP. It just does not make sense. Yuck!

Heat Wave!

Phew--I know North Carolina gets hot, but this is the earliest it hit 100 in recorded history. Here we are, just at the beginning of June, and today will mark our third straight 100+ day. Forecast is 102 and we're at 97 at 1:13 PM. Phew! Needless to say, it makes it hard for us and the girls. No playground. No walks. We filled their kiddie pool yesterday morning, and were back inside by 10AM. I used the water for plants later that day, and the water was as warm as you would like a hot tub to be. Ouch! Cool down coming this week--low 90s! At least we'll be ready for Texas in a couple weeks.
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Had a great visit with Nana, PapPap, Aunt Jenny, and Cole, although it went too fast, as usual. No matter--we will see them in August--up there. Hopefully it will be a little cooler for us!
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The End of May

Another busy month. You can always tell when the number of blog posts decreases. Lots going on, plus a few illnesses by the girls will definitely slow things down.
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Interesting proposal came up for my professional life. A director with whom I have a deep level of respect and a shared vision for technology integration will retire in August. I truly believe my experience, both instructionally and technically, will greatly qualify me for this position, so my application is in for this. We will see at the end of June, when the position closes.
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Nana and PapPap come tomorrow for six days. I know the girls are excited--and so are the parents! (-:

Well...They Got Some Goals...

Good video to get you fired up! (-:

And We Come to the Stanley Cup Yet Again...

Gotta love the opportunity to have my new favorite (Hurricanes) wins the Cup in 06 and my 'growing-up' favorite team (Pens) are in the Finals this year. Of course it did not start too well last night with a 4-0 loss that was closer than the score. Really, three of the goals were due to large Pens errors. I believe they need to cut those down, and they may possibly be alright. We will see tomorrow night!

Google Map Updates

So I needed to get directions from Downtown to a meeting location for this afternoon. Where do I go? Google Maps of course. I hesitated for a second though, once arriving to the page, as the colors and layout were just the slightest different. Then I noticed the 'Survey' button. Seems Google Maps is switching interfaces, at least for today, and asking for feedback. I completed the survey, and it asked exclusively of my experience with Google Maps TODAY. Yup, they are trying some new features and a cleaner, bluish interface. Some things have moved around, and it runs just a slight faster. Gotta love Google!

Penguins Must Like Summers in Pittsburgh...

Pens continue to play well. As I watch game two, the score should really be 3-2 Pens. So much for conspiracy theories--they STOLE a goal from us. Oh well, lots of firepower left for the third!

While my father-in-law believes me to be brainwashing my girls, they are just showing the Pens Pride:

Boy, How I Love Some Apple Smashing

The Apple fanboys of the world will be upset, but you gotta love Lenovo's shot at them. With the manilla envelope commercials showing the Macbook Air fitting in the envelope. What Lenovo did was show what extra peripherals were necessary to compute on a day to day basis (like a CD drive). Lenovo's comes attached!

Enjoyable April Days!

Lots of fun around N. Raleigh these days. Probably the reason for the dwindling blog posts. I took two days off this week to go into Lucy's preschool for Camp Day and then yesterday we went to the NC Zoological Park in Asheboro.
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Let's Go Pens!

Well NY Rangers fans, I guess you do not need to whine yet after game 1. You were given a gimme goal on the high stick. Favoritism to the Pens and Sidney? Nah! Wake up!

This is About Right...

You Belong in Generation X

You fit in best with people born between 1961 and 1981. You are fun, laid back, and very independent. You are willing to take risks and live your life however you see fit. You are casual, accepting, and friendly. You see everyone as your equal.

What Generation Do You Belong In?

What's Going On in April?

So, same 'ole story here--we've been busy! Lots going on--Lucy busy in the 'hockey players' pre-school, Daddy busy with work, Mommy possibly preparing for the City of Oaks marathon this November, and Myra trying so hard to talk (ba, dada, lusssssss for Lucy). Times are busy, but quite enjoyable!

How Cool!

Best of both worlds--Andy Warhol and Linux

March is More a Bear!

What a month! I am exhausted, and we're only to St. Patrick's Day. After no real travel since November, I spent a weekend at NCCAT in Cullowhee, NC, two nights at a conference in Concord, and now on Wednesday will spend one night in Asheville. All before our Easter trip to Pennsylvania.
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This weekend I sold myself to the Flanigans in the name of free labor. They brought a truck load of furniture down to their storage unit. Then yesterday we spent the day limbing up their trees. I can't believe how far along their house is though. The have the roof started, and are about ready to begin hanging sheetrock now. Estimated completion has moved up to July. Wow!

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Excited to see some snow in PA!

One Year of Linux, and Everything A-OK!

Like I mentioned recently, how cool when my 3 1/2 year old can tell me 'I love Linux!' I asked her what our computers ran, and she goes Linux. Then I ask what kind of Linux--Ubuntu, Daddy!

So a year into our switch, and I am more confident everyday. Kerry and Lucy can both navigate around the GUI rather easy, and I find myself more and more comfortable with the command line everyday. In the past year, I estimate possibly 10 times using Windows. I actually used it yesterday in helping my dad attach pictures in Thunderbird. I really do not know my way around a Windows OS anymore--and that's fine by me! I am seriously considering switching him to Ubuntu soon--time will tell with that.

For My Irish Girl...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy a Virtual Shamrock Stout! To: Kerry From: Chris

What Virtual St. Patrick's Day Gift Should You Give?

Riding Her Dump Truck...

Beware the Ides of March...

Ok, so I'm a little more poetic than I need to be. Hard to believe we are rolling out March 1st, 2008. Seems like we just celebrated Christmas, and then Myra's first birthday. Now it's March. Phew!

Things are well for the Shearer family. Lucy continues to thrive at school. It is really amazing all the things she does there. And how the girl can read a book from memory! There are probably about 10-15 books here in the house (mostly Dora, of course!) that she can pick up and 'read' word for work. It is cute when she does that for Myra. Cute because that means Myra is sitting still. Ha! Myra is quite the little busy body these days. And boy--the temper!!!!! She is our little monkey, climbing all over the place.

Looks like we will head to Dallas this summer to visit Mark, Christie, and the kids. Then I will hop down to San Antonio for the NECC Conference. Looking forward to a fun year!

eeePC for Me

So we have an eeePC to test and play around with. Lucy thinks it's hers, of course, but even as I type this on our laptop, she sits right beside me, typing on her own. She told me she will now type my name. How cool!! I love how my three-year old daughter can recognize the word Ubuntu and tell me...

I love Ubuntu and I love Linux.

How many three-year olds can say that!! So neat!

Anyway, I think we're all pretty impressed with Asus' eeePC. I used it in a meeting the other day as my 'notepad,' and I was able to share all about it with many folks. Spreading Linux all over! Gotta love it!

February In NC

Typical February in North Carolina. 60s yesterday, 50s today. No rain, threat of continued drought, and word in the N&O this morning that Falls Lake, our primary water source, could dry up this summer.
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Enjoying things here. The girls are doing well. We went to visit the Flanigans' land yesterday, and construction continues. Definitely exciting that they will be moving down here this summer/fall. It will be nice to have more family close by. Of course Lucy B was a little disappointed that Grammie was not there, as she had a difficult time understanding they are only building their house by 'their Sheetz,' and not actually living there yet.