Month: June 2006

Moodle

When we had a Make-It Take-It workshop on KDE server & squidGuard, the instructor informed us that it would run on almost anything. So dad and I brought “anything” along. Well, we got it to work, but it was the slowest machine in the room. Thankfully, all of the other techs were slow typists, so I was able to catch up to them.

Today, I’m at a Make-It Take-It Moodle workshop. Moodle is NOT a mispelling of noodle, as elsaf keeps implying. Though a noodle workshop would be fun, I already learned how to make pici at another class, so I don’t really need to know how to make noodles.

The computer that I brought along to “Make-It” on is a 533MHz machine with 256MB of RAM. Basically the low end of the Fedora Core 5 specs. The machines in the room (that people could use if they opted not to bring their own) are 2.4GHz. Needless to say, mine is still installing the software whereas those folks who haven’t had CD-ROM drive errors (there are a few of those, alas) are finished. No matter, thanks to the machines which are having CD-ROM errors are also still installing. And hopefully (cross fingers & knock wood) I won’t wind up having a CD-ROM error.

Supposedly 15 minutes to go on the install. And then, I’ll have a nice Linux Box. Or I’ll have to start all over again.

ETA: It worked! I’ve just added this ETA from the Linux Box. Yay!

php & mySQL training

I love being at tech workshops that have an always on Internet. So while I’m learning about php & mySQL here at Quest Business Centers in Columbus, OH. I’ll be staying at a hotel near the business center tonight since I have an all day workshop tomorrow where we will build a Moodle server. It’s fun being a geek!

The 2006 B-WISER Storm

In my last post, I hinted that the last 24 hours of B-WISER didn’t go as smoothly as usual. Well, Thursday night, the teachers took the girls to supper so that the counselors could have a night off. (This is usually on Wednesday, but this year was different.) The girls that Dee & I were meeting said to meet in Lowry, where the food was, at 5pm. Caroline and her team teacher Joyce were to also meet their girls there. So we all headed off to Lowry a little bit before 5pm. Caroline and I had our swim suits, hoping to repeat our fun swimming evening of Tuesday. Well, we did get to get wet…

Once we were at Lowry, we waited for the girls to come and watched as it got dark outside. And windy. Very windy. And after a bit the rain began. And it was furious. The power flickered several times before finally going out. Well, not all of the girls in Caroline & Joyce’s group were there, but by now the cafeteria was open, so we all headed upstairs. The food was already prepared, so was hot. However, they had no way of keeping it warm. As more folks filtered into the cafeteria, I’m sure they didn’t have quite as nice a meal as we did.

We were still waiting on our other groups and missing girls, who were still stuck at the dorm, when the cafeteria first announced that they wanted us to use paper products from that point on. Then later we heard they were going to stop serving by 6pm. At five til six, our remaining charges finally arrived – the thunderstorms had stopped enough to let them through.

Those of us who were done headed down to the lobby again. And found out that it had really gotten bad outside. The reason Becky and her charges didn’t get over in time is because they headed out only to have a tree crash down just a few feet in front of them! Needless to say, they all ran for the safety of the dorm and waited for the storm to clear. Their trip to see us was still an adventure, avoiding all the downed trees. Eep!

Becky later took photos of some of the devastation and I’ve got a few to post.

One of the paths is blocked by a downed tree.
One of the paths is blocked by a downed tree.

Trees on power lines - eek!
Trees on power lines – eek!

That poor car!
That poor car! Thankfully that wasn’t one of ours.

The evening activity was canceled that night, but the girls had been planning a Talent Show for after snacks anyhoo, so we used that as the evening activity. When we got back to the dorm, the generator was running, so the hallways and lobby had light. We did the Talent Show in the lobby. We teachers started it with our brilliant rendition of The B-WISER Song. (Basically, YMCA but with new lyrics for B-WISER.) We actually hit some of the notes and often sang the right words, so we were very impressive. 🙂

The girls did a great job with the show. Several soloists (wow – to sing in front of your peers a capella – very ballsy – or is that ovary-sy?) and many skits. And I’d even signed up to recite poetry. I recited “The Lobster Quadrille” by Lewis Carroll. Oh, and told two science jokes which only the teachers got. Heh.

The next morning, we headed off to Lowry for breakfast. They managed to get some hot water (they have 1 gas range in the kitchens) and cold milk and other things. I had cereal, oatmeal (now I know what sawdust & wall paper paste taste like – with a touch of cinnamon), an orange, and milk. Wasn’t bad.

Our 6 exemplars managed to get into Wooster (which was impressive, because the city was practically a disaster area still) and they all talked to the girls. I got to listen to a lady who worked for Smuckers, another who’d recently been to Antarctica, and a third who worked for NASA. Then I was stationed at the OB/GYN’s station while 3 groups of girls came to listen to her talk about math, science, genetics, and other things. So I got to see 4 of the 6 exemplars. Not bad.

For lunch, the cafeteria folks had grilled out and provided hamburgers, hot dogs, smokies, and baked beans. Plus plenty of fruits and veggies. They really did a great job with a bad situation. We all applauded them for their efforts.

We wound up having the closing ceremony in Lowry too, because it had plenty of windows to get us enough light to see. A lot of parents were already there and watched as the girls got their certificates and we thanked everyone involved. Then *sniff* it was time to leave my fun co-workers and head home. Always sad to say good bye to them. But by 2:30 I was on the road and out of Wooster. (Thankfully, my usual route into & out of Wooster was one of the few free ones).

As of Friday night, there were still nearly 13,000 people in Wooster without electricity. Now there are apparently only about 6,000. Still a lot, but it looks like they’re getting things sorted out.

Home Again – and it’s rather empty

Well, I got home by 6pm and brought supper to mom & dad (Penn Station – yummy sammiches). After supper, though, I returned home. It wasn’t easy – no kitty waiting for me at the back door. 🙁

Tonight I’m going to play my video game and read in the reading room in our chair and remember doing these things with Leo. He’s going to be missed, but I’m going to remember the wonderful times I had with him.

Thank you, friend’s list, for your kind comments in my last post. Your kind words, and the kind words & hugs from my co-workers at B-WISER have really helped me. I wish I could have been with Leo, but having the folks with him near the end is the next best thing.

When I’m a bit more rested from the trip, I’ve got a tale to tell you all about our last evening at B-WISER. Let’s just say that our Wednesday night Lightning Storm had NOTHING on what transpired last evening.

Leo the Lion – RIP

One of my parents’ worst nightmare – to be looking after Leo for me and him getting sick.

Today, he was sick. They thought the automatic feeder was broken and was feeding him too much. He became lethargic and had trouble breathing. They got an appointment to the vet and discovered Leo had an enlarged heart and was having congestive heart failure. The vet sent them home while Leo had more tests done. When they called at 7pm to see how Leo was doing, the vet informed them that Leo had passed away. He took one last gasp of breath and then died.

Poor Leo. I’m gonna miss him lots & lots.


Leo the Lion
July 22, 2001 – June 21, 2006

Film Canister Cannons

Today in physics, we played with Newton’s Laws and Energy and stuff. One of our activities was “Film Canister Cannons.” We used effervescent tablets & water which we put into film canisters. They put them nose to nose with an empty canister and watched them blow apart. So today while taking pictures of the girls, I also managed to grab a film of one explosion. You can watch the video here.

Physics is Phun!

B-WISER 2006

Another year, another science camp! Today marks the beginning of B-WISER, the 7th grade girls’ science camp held at the College of Wooster. The teachers and counselors have arrived (all except for my roomie) and the girls will be arriving soon.

We’re in another dorm this year. The first year that B-WISER’s not dormed in Douglas Hall for, like, ever. They’re remodeling that hall this summer, I believe, which is why we’re in Kenarden this year instead. The rooms are smaller than what we had in Douglas, but they’re not intolerable. And with the windows and door open, we’re getting a bit of a breeze (thanks, in part, to my fan). So hopefully it won’t be too hot to sleep in.

I drove here a different way than usual. Decided to avoid going south to go north and decided to take I-75 all the way up to US Rt 30, then head East. It was a pleasant enough drive. Most of US 30 is a freeway, which makes for easy moving. I did get pulled over on the way here. Whoops! No, I wasn’t speeding, but I didn’t pull into the left lane when I passed by a cop car with its lights on. I was thinking “I wonder if I should pull over to the left” and sure enough, he pulled me over to tell me that. ‘Tis only a warning, but it’s one I should remember for awhile.

Anyhoo, my roomie’s still not here, but I’m getting hungry. I might have to get a snack from the vending machine while I wait.

I should have more to post later, including photos of our smaller room.

Pwned!

The things you see when you’re running around Kings Row in City of Heroes:

Yup, in between beating up Lost and Vazhilok, Mr Alabaster likes nothing better than stopping into the local Pwn show and kicking ass.

The Package is GONE!

Back in May, I told the story about ordering a computer restore DVD and getting a TV picture tube instead. Well, Sony had wanted the picture tube back, so they put out a call tag (whatever that is) to FedEx to pick up the box the next day. I taped it up and took it to work (because school was still in session then) and explained it to the high school secretaries. All the Sony lady said was to tell them to mark it FedEx 2-day economy. So that’s what I told the secretaries.

That night was when I received the call from the lady at Sony telling me that someone else had the same issue. So I was afraid I’d have to send another picture tube back. Well, that ended happily, but when I arrived at school the next day, the package was still in the office. Apparently, when the FedEx guy arrived, he needed paperwork filled out on it. Paperwork? The Sony lady said nothing of paperwork. Well, I brought my Sony invoice in the next day and filled out the paperwork that the FedEx guy wanted. Only he never came back for it. I guess call tags are one time only. Bah, it was May and in May, no teacher has time for this sort of shit. So the box just sat in the office until school was finally out.

Wednesday I called Sony again and talked to someone different. I explained the situation and they said they’d get in touch with the Sony lady I talked to. I went to work and while there, the Sony lady called back. So the message was waiting for me when I got home. Anyhoo, the short story is, she put in for another call tag. Unfortunately, FedEx arrives between noon and five PM. This is the summer, the office shuts at 2pm for the most part. No matter, MJ and I had an emergency we had to deal with Thursday afternoon, so we were there until 4:30 (and actually, MJ was there til 5pm – blech!) So I figured the box would be gone when I came in the next day.

Well, when I got home, there were two messages on the phone. The first was from the Sony lady saying that the call tag would be for Friday. Bugger – we stayed late and they never did arrive. The next message was another lady at FedEx who left me a number & her extension & said to call the next morning.

Friday morning, I called Sony, again. The fellow who answered was nice, but didn’t know what to do about me wanting to contact someone by their extension. However, he dialed it and it was busy. So he found out who the extension belonged to and popped her off an e-mail telling her to call me ASAP. I then grabbed Leo’s brush & attempted to brush him while I waited. Luckily for Leo, I didn’t have a long wait.

It turns out, she was on another line to FedEx and was double checking the call tag details. I asked when they’d deliver and she said between noon and four. I explained that, with it being summer, folks bug out by 2pm. So she talked with FedEx and they assured her and me that it would be picked up before two.

At 11am, while I was helping a student burn a DVD of prom videos (he was lucky I hadn’t yet deleted the student accounts!) there was an announcement for MJ to get down to the superintendent’s office cuz FedEx was there. And yay – they took the package when they left! No more picture tubes!

You know, if there is a Hell, I’ll bet it’s just this. Red tape & bureaucracy, phone calls & missed appointments. Phooey!

The Weekend

This must be my spendy weekend. Yesterday, I went to the shops around WSU – first to my comic book store, then for Indian Fud, next to the Evil Puppy Mall, and finally to Gander Mountain, an outdoorsy sporting goods store in Huber Heights. I bought magazines, Chaco sandals, a watch, a billfold, and 2 pairs of FoxRiver Socks. A fine day out! Alas, I wound up forgetting to go to the Fishers for their Lousiana Boil. Bummer.

This morning, I got up at five til four am – gah! I drove mom & dad to the airport so they could fly to California for a week-long series of workshops through Westar. I received a call from them a bit ago – they made it successfully. Yay!

But anyhoo, after I dropped them off, I came home & went back to bed. When I finally did get moving, I headed off to Troy for the Strawberry Festival. I stood in like for 35 minutes for strawberry donuts (yum!), then I bought 2 CDs from a Native American flute group that was performing near the long donut line. Next was a lemonade shake up – yum! Lunch was BBQ chicken, and dessert was this super-sweet & bizarre concoction called a Strawberry Dough Ball. Basically, it was a Krispy Kreme donut, split in two like a hamburger bun, with whipped cream between the slices, strawberry pie filling on top and topped with more whipped cream. Very sweet, but hey, it was different! 🙂

I left the Strawberry Festival and did a run at the pet store and Staples, getting an automatic cat feeder for Leo (plus food & litter) and some double layer DVDs for me. I’ll leave you to figure which store I got which things at.

I finished my day out at Walmart where they repaired my glasses for free. Yay!

I’ve been goofing off at home ever since. Tomorrow’s the last day of school for teachers. Then I’m going to take Tuesday off. But then it’s back to work on Wednesday. Loads of computer things to do this summer!